Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
**Tai-Ex opening **
The Tai-Ex opened up 65-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,425
on turnover of 4.3-billion N-T.
The market moved sharply lower on Tuesday.
Analysts say although investors are anticipating the U-S Fed will hold back
on its rate hikes to prevent liquidity risks following the collapse of the
Silicon Valley Bank, concerns are lingering that rate increases will not be
strong enough to tame (馴服) inflation.
**NCSIST Unveils 'Suicide Drone' **
The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled
nine domestically developed drones - including a loitering munition, or
"suicide drone.
The domestically made "suicide" drone is based on the U-S made AeroVironment
Switchblade 300, which is currently being used by Ukrainian forces in the
country's war with Russia.
According to the institute's Aeronautical Systems Research Division, the
miniature loitering munition drone has a range of 10-kilometers, can fly for
15 minutes and can be carried by a single soldier.
It's equipped with a high-performance electro-optical and infrared sensor and
can be used to destroy high-value and high-risk targets.
**Limited Cross-Strait Ferry Services to be Expanded in Coming Week **
K-M-T lawmaker Chen Yu-zhen says the eligibility and scope of the limited
ferry services between Kinmen and Xiamen in China will be expanded later this
month.
According to Chen, R-O-C passport holders from Taiwan proper and their
spouses (配偶) will be able to use the ferry services, while daily trips
between Kinmen and Xiamen will also be increased from two to 12.
Chen says the expansion of ferry services follows talks between the Mainland
Affairs Council and other related agencies - at which it was decided to bring
forward the expanded service ahead of the five-day long weekend Tomb Sweeping
Day holiday.
However, Chinese independent travelers are still not included in the expanded
service.
**US Drone Crashes After Russian Jet Encounter **
The U.S. military says a Russian warplane struck the propeller (螺旋槳) of a
U.S. drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday.
The U.S. European Command said two Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted the
drone while it was operating within international airspace.
It said one of the Russian fighters struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing
U.S. forces to bring it down in international waters.
US Air Force officials say the "unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians
nearly caused both aircraft to crash".
Moscow says the U.S. drone maneuvered sharply and crashed into water
following an encounter with Russian fighter jets scrambled to intercept it
near Crimea, but insists its warplanes didn’t fire their weapons or hit the
drone.
**US Biden Takes Steps to Strengthen Gun Control **
US President Joe Biden has taken steps to strengthen (加強) gun background
checks.
AP correspondent Norman Hall reports.
That was the I.C.R.T. news,
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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