05/13/26 EZ News

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening  The Tai-Ex opened down 102 points this morning from yesterday's close, at 41,795. Turnover (成交金額) stood at 12.8 billion NT. The market rose again on Tuesday after briefly reaching the 42,000-point mark. The rise was led by major electronics stocks (電子類股), after U.S. tech shares gained on Wall Street overnight. ---- Lai says obstruction of Eswatini visit proof of consolidating authoritarianism President Lai Ching-te says China’s alleged obstruction (阻撓) of his state visit to Eswatini shows that authoritarian governments are becoming more united. Lai made the comments in a pre-recorded speech for the Copenhagen Democracy Summit. He said the world is now at an important turning point in the competition between democracy and authoritarianism (威權主義). Lai said authoritarian governments are using military threats, economic pressure, cyberattacks, and grey zone tactics. He said these actions are creating serious challenges for peace, stability, and democracy. Lai also said China is willing to damage aviation safety and order for political reasons. ---- CDC to purchase over 7-million trivalent flu vaccines  The Centers for Disease Control says it plans to buy more than 7 million trivalent (三價的) flu vaccine doses (疫苗劑量) this year. That is 35,000 more doses than last year. The CDC says the vaccines will include about 6.85 million standard flu vaccine doses and about 200,000 enhanced immune-response vaccine doses. This is the first time the CDC has bought enhanced immune-response flu vaccines for the government-funded immunization program (免疫接種計畫). The vaccines are being bought from GSK, Sanofi, Adimmune, and TTY Biopharm. The first phase of the free government flu vaccine program will begin as usual on October 1. ---- Lebanon Militant Group Calls for Withdrawal from Israel Talks The leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is calling on Lebanon to withdraw (退出) from direct talks with Israel. Naim Kassem said the talks are a concession (讓步). He said Lebanon should hold indirect talks instead, through a third party. Lebanon and Israel are set to hold another round of talks in Washington starting Thursday. The talks will focus on how to end the war and discuss future relations. Although the U.S. helped arrange a ceasefire (停火) on April 17, Hezbollah and Israel have continued to attack each other every day. Hezbollah confirmed that one of its commanders was killed in an airstrike near Beirut last week. Lebanon’s health minister says 380 people have been killed since the ceasefire. That brings the total death toll to more than 2,800 since the war began in March. ---- Modi heads to UAE and Europe with energy and trade on agenda Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Middle East and Europe this week. The trip is being seen as one of his most important diplomatic visits (外交行程) of the year. Energy and trade (貿易) are expected to be major topics during the trip. Ishan Garg has more from New Delhi. ---- Eurovision Down to Final 10 Ten countries have moved on to the Eurovision Song Contest final after the first semifinal (準決賽). They include Finland, one of the favorites, and Israel. Israel’s participation has led five countries to boycott (抵制) the contest. Israeli singer Noam Bettan heard both cheers and protest shouts when he performed the rock ballad "Michelle." Moldova, Croatia, and Sweden also made it to the final. Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal, and San Marino were eliminated. The second semifinal will be held Thursday. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators (示威者) are planning to protest Israel’s participation before Saturday’s final. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn