EZ News 08/20/26

Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening  The Tai-Ex opened up 222-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 44,942 on turnover of 12.1-billion N-T. The market closed in negative territory (下跌；收黑) on Wednesday, as the main board was dragged down (拖累) by the tech sector after A-I stocks were the heaviest losers on Wall Street overnight amid investor criticism that their prices have moved too high. Probe into allegations against Geneva envoy could take two months Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says an ongoing investigation into numerous allegations (指控) against the Lai administration's representative in Geneva is likely to take two months. According to Lin, Greg Lee has now returned to Taiwan and is cooperating with investigators. The statements come after the foreign ministry received complaints that detailed seven categories of alleged serious misconduct by Lee…including workplace bullying (職場霸凌), incompetent leadership and using public resources for personal purposes. The foreign ministry's Personnel Department has said if the investigation finds that Lee was engaged in workplace bullying, he will be removed from his post in Geneva and face follow-up disciplinary action. Southern township prepares pole-climbing contest for Ghost Festival Hengchun Township in Pingtung County is preparing for its annual Ghost Festival pole-climbing contest on August 27. Organizers have erected (豎立；搭建) a 21-meter bamboo lantern pole in a traditional ritual inviting wandering spirits (孤魂野鬼) to join the festivities. Using an excavator, workers hoisted (吊起) the 21-meter pole onto the roof of the competition structure -- a raised structure supported by 36 wooden poles for the event. Locally known as Ciang-gu (搶孤), the contest sees five-member teams form a human pyramid and help a climber scale (攀爬) a 13-meter wooden pole slicked with beef fat to seize a ceremonial flag at the top. The first team to do so wins a prize of 350,000 N-T.  TRUMP CONFIRMS HE WILL MEET KIM JONG UN THIS YEAR AS NORTH KOREA DISMISSES DIPLOMATIC OVERTURES US President Donald Trump has confirmed he plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, with a possible summit on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in November. Pyongyang has so far poured cold water on (對…潑冷水；降低…的可能性) the prospect of talks, with Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong saying she is not aware of any communication between the two nations. President Trump's confirmation comes as he faces criticism over his decision to cut short joint military drills with South Korea. Nick Harper reports from Washington. Canada US Closer to Trade Agreement Canada and the United States have moved closer to finalizing a trade agreement that would avert (避免；防止) threatened 50% U.S. tariffs. A senior Canadian official calls the emerging terms “a very good deal for Canada” while cautioning that negotiations are not complete. The senior Canadian official said the emerging agreement would provide greater certainty, protect Canada’s dairy sector and jobs threatened by the new tariffs, and preserve what Ottawa considers favorable trade terms with the United States. The tariffs on about $20 billion dollars worth of Canadian imports have been postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also asked provincial premiers to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves, according to Nova Scotia's premier. Nearly 72% of Canada’s goods exports last year went to the United States.  And analysts say the Trump administration might be wary of (對…有所顧忌；保持警惕) imposing a hefty new tariff, paid by U.S. importers who try to pass along the cost to consumers via higher prices, ahead of November’s midterm elections. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn