2017-03-20

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10AM Easy EZ News Intro

Good morning. It's 10 o'clock. I'm ______ and it's time for Easy EZ News on
ICRT.

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T*Taiwan shares

First local news....

The Tai-Ex opened down 2-points this morning from Friday's close, at 9,905 on
turnover of 1.5-billion N-T.

The market continued momentum (動能) from the previous session Friday - to
pass the 9,900 point mark on expanded turnover (成交量放大) as buying focused
on large-cap stocks (大型股) in the bellwether electronics sector.

Analysts say market sentiment improved after the U-S Federal Reserve hinted
(美國聯準會暗示) that it would adopt a mild pace in implementing (實施) its
interest rate hike cycle (調升利率循環), which encouraged foreign investors
to move funds into the region.



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T*Yilan earthquake

Yilan County was rocked by a magnitude 4.8 earthquake earlier this morning.

But no damage or injuries have been reported.

The earthquake was centered some 24-kilometers east of Yilan County Hall at a
depth of 12-kilometers.

It was felt strongest in Luo-Dong - where the quake registered a level 3 on
the Central Weather Bureau's intensity scale.

The quake registered a level 1 across much of central Yilan County and
northern parts of neighboring Hualian County. 

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T*MAC's report on cross-strait relations

The Mainland Affairs Council is delivering a report on cross-strait ties to
the legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today.

The report - parts of which were released Sunday - describes cross-strait
ties as being "cold but peaceful" and warns that Beijing is stepping-up
(加強) its opposition to any moves towards Taiwan independence.

Council officials say China is continuing to reinforce its anti-Taiwan
independence suppression (鎮壓) and Beijing has set political conditions for
cross-strait interaction and talks, setting restrictions on personnel
exchanges (在人員交流上設限) and exerting pressure on the government in
Taipei (對台灣政府施壓).

The report also covers the Mainland Affairs Council's strategies (戰略) in
response to changes that have occurred since U-S President Donald Trump took
office in January.

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T*Taiwan's tennis player

Taiwan's Zhan Yong-ran and former world No.6 seed Martina Hingis won the 2017
B-N-P Paribas Open women's doubles title Saturday at Indian Wells.
    
Zhan and Hingis powered their way to the doubles title with a straight sets
win over their two Czech Republic opponents.
    
It was the third time  Zhan and Hingis have teamed-up for a women's doubles
event.

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Syria ..

In international news ..... 

Syrian government forces have engaged in fierce fighting (激烈交戰) with
rebels on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus.

Artillery shells (砲彈) and rockets landed in the heart of the capital as
part of a surprise rebel attack launched in the city's Jobar district.

The assault began early Sunday with car bombs and suicide attacks. 

State media says secret tunnels were also used.

Government warplanes launched more than 30 air strikes on rebel positions
during the clashes (衝突).

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US ....

In news from the U-S 

F-B-I Director James Comey is set to testify before the House of
Representatives Intelligence committee later today.

Priscilla Huff explains.

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[CLIP]
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Malaysia .....

Malaysia says it is hunting for more North Korean suspects in connection to
(與...相關) the killing of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong
Un.
 
Malaysia's National Police Chief says the new suspects are in addition to the
seven North Koreans already being sought (追查) in last month's poisoning
death of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's international airport.
 
Officials say the new suspects include an "important person" -  but they
haven't given out any further details.

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Uber ..

Uber's president Jeff Jones is leaving the company.

Sources are being quoted as saying Jones was frustrated that the company was
hiring a new chief operating officer - and that he was not among the
candidates.

However, according to tech news site Recode -- Jones left due to Uber's
continued struggle with issues around sexism and sexual harassment
(性別問題以及性騷擾).

Jones had been Uber's president for the past six-months.

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WEATHER AM ..... 

Looking at the weather across Taiwan ... 

Partly cloudy skies in the north and center - with a high of 26 in Taipei and
a high of 28 in Taizhong.

And mostly clear skies in the south - where you'll see a high of around 28 in
the Gaoxiong area.

Current Temperatures .... 

Taipei -- 22

Taichung -- 25

Gaoxiong -- 28

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10AM Easy EZ News Outro

That's it for Easy EZ News today. 

Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded
every day in the afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm ____. 

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20170320EZ Untitled recording  01:29PM

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