Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News.
MOFA thanks NATO chief for comments in China's ambition of taking Taiwan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes comments by NATO Secretary
General Mark Rutte concerning China's military buildup and its ambitions
toward Taiwan.
According to the ministry, the Lai administration will continue working with
partners such as the G-7 and NATO to contribute to peace and stability in the
Indo-Pacific and Taiwan Strait.
The statement comes after Rutte has issued a warning over China's threat to
Taiwan earlier this week - in which he called the growing alignment (結盟)
between Beijing, Moscow and other authoritarian regimes a serious threat to
global stability.
Rutte was speaking at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich
Merz in Berlin - and said China is increasingly preparing to pursue its
ambitions to take over Taiwan and will likely do so in coordination with
Russia.
Rutte, made a similar warning in a recent interview with the New York Times,
saying Beijing could attempt to seize Taiwan while urging Moscow to launch a
parallel attack on NATO territory.
Tainan cancels urban resilience drills due to typhoon
The Tainan City Government has announced that the city's urban resilience
drills scheduled for July 16 will be canceled, as it prioritizes disaster
relief and reconstruction (重建) after Typhoon Danas battered the south.
According to Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, efforts are still underway to
restore power and water to areas affected by the storm - which caused power
outages for 282,000 households and downed over 600 utility poles.
Some 84-per cent of power has now been restored.
Huang says over 1,300 military personnel are supporting disaster relief.
The Chiayi City and County governments have also announced the cancellation
of their urban resilience drills - which had been scheduled for July 15.
US weighs new severe sanctions on Russia
Russia could face severe new US sanctions as President Donald Trump and
Republican congressional leaders begin to show more openness to a bill that
would punish (懲罰) Russia for its war in Ukraine.
Kate fisher reports from Washington
Ecuador Passes Law Allowing Private Companies to Manage Protected Land
Ecuador’s parliament has passed a law allowing private companies to help
manage protected areas, prompting backlash from Indigenous groups and
environmental advocates.
Critics say the legislation violates the country’s constitution and at least
15 international agreements, and was approved without proper (恰當的)
consultation.
They warn it could lead to the erosion of Indigenous land rights and
environmental protections.
The government argues the law, which passed on Thursday, will strengthen
oversight, promote ecotourism and combat illegal mining without allowing
extractive activity.
Moo Deng Celebrates Birthday
Thousands of fans have flocked to a Thailand zoo to celebrate the first
birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo that's become a social media
sensation.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Thursday launched a four-day event featuring free
entry for children under 12.
Fans from around the world, including the United States and Malaysia,
traveled to see Moo Deng, who charmed visitors with her playful antics
(滑稽動作).
The zoo also held auctions of Moo Deng-themed items to support animal care.
Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa.
They are endangered, with only 2,000-3,000 left in the wild.
That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.
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