Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News.

Tai-Ex opening

The Tai-Ex opened down 185 points this morning from yesterday's close, at
46,833, on turnover of 11.8 billion NT.

The market closed sharply (大幅地) higher on Wednesday.

The main board rose for a second day.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ended at the day's highest price, after
its American depositary receipts made strong gains in overnight (一夜之間的 / 隔夜的)
trading.

Presidential Order removes top trade representative from office

The Office of the President has issued a Presidential Order formally remove
the government's top trade negotiator from office.

The move comes after Premier Cho Jung-tai suspended (停職) Yang Jen-ni on
Monday.

An investigation (調查) found Yang had bullied her late deputy, Yen Huai-shing,
at work.

Yen died in March at the age of 53, shortly after resigning from her job as
the deputy chief of the Office of Trade Negotiations.

A Cabinet report said Yang created a difficult workplace for Yen.

Yang has repeatedly denied doing anything wrong.

She is threatening to take legal action, saying the case has hurt her
reputation (名譽).

Philippines extends 14-day visa-free entry for Taiwanese travelers

The Philippines has extended (延長) its 14-day visa-free entry program for
Taiwan passport holders (護照持有人) until June 30, 2027.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office says the move gives Taiwan passport
holders the same special treatment (待遇) they received last year.

The office says the extension follows the Philippine government's order to
give equal visa-free benefits (好處 / 優惠) to Taiwan.

That is because Philippine passport holders can also travel to Taiwan without
a visa.

The Philippines first allowed Taiwan travelers to enter visa-free for up to
14 days on July 1, 2025.

The program was originally set to end on June 30 of this year.

Qatar declares 'positive progress' in indirect US-Iran talks

Qatar's Foreign Ministry says there has been "positive progress" in indirect
(間接的) talks between the United States and Iran in Doha.

Mediators (調停人 / 調解人) have been moving between the two sides to discuss
issues linked to a memorandum of understanding.

US President Donald Trump says denuclearisation is "moving along well."

But Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says official talks have
not started yet, and working groups are still being formed.

The two sides seem to disagree on more than the main issues.

They also disagree on whether important topics have even been discussed.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

Ivory Coast floods kill 59

Floods in Ivory Coast have killed at least 59 people this year, according to
a government spokesperson.

The announcement came after a Cabinet meeting, where officials discussed the
high number of deaths.

On Monday, heavy rain caused floods and landslides (土石流 / 山崩) in the capitals
of Ghana and Ivory Coast.

At least 24 people died.

The government urged people to follow safety rules and evacuate (疏散 / 撤離)
high-risk areas.

The World Meteorological Organization says Africa is one of the parts of the
world most at risk from extreme weather.

But Africa produces only a small share of the world's greenhouse gas
emissions (排放).

Rising number of whales spotted off Brazil

A conservation (保育) group says humpback whales are now seen more often off
Rio de Janeiro.

It says their numbers are recovering after years of commercial whaling in the
past.

The Humpback Whale Project says the population (族群數量) has grown from about
2,000 to 35,000 in 40 years.

In 1982, the International Whaling Commission ordered a pause in commercial
whaling.

That pause began three years later.

Between June and November, humpback whales move through Brazilian waters.

Their return is helping tourism.

Some companies now offer whale-watching trips.

That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _.
--
Hosting provided by SoundOn