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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened down 58-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,620 on turnover of $18-billion N-T.
Premier talks lifetime license ban for fatal drug-impaired driving
Premier Cho Jung-tai says motorists who cause death or serious injury while driving under the influence of drugs will face a lifetime license ban under
planned amendments to the law.
According to the Cabinet, the Ministry of Justice has been instructed to draft amendments imposing harsher (更嚴厲的) criminal penalties for drug-impaired
driving as soon as possible.
The premier says Cabinet would discuss establishing a legal basis for rapid saliva testing of suspected drug-impaired drivers and those tests could also
be used alongside existing urine tests in schools to strengthen anti-drug efforts.
The premier also says authorities will step up border inspections targeting vapes and that he's instructed the justice ministry to convene a narcotics
review committee to consider reclassifying etomidate from a Category 2 to a Category 1 narcotic.
The proposed changes come after the Ministry of Transport earlier this week unveiled a package of stricter administrative penalties that also covered
passengers riding with drug-impaired drivers and expanded license revocations.
Taipei Zoo to receive two red pandas on Saturday: Officials
Taipei Zoo is scheduled to receive two red pandas from Shanghai Zoo tomorrow.
The red pandas are coming to Taiwan under an agreement signed at the 2024
Shanghai-Taipei Twin City Forum.
Taipei Zoo will be sending white‑handed gibbons to Shanghai Zoo instead of
African penguins as originally (起初) stated in the agreement.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan‑an says the red pandas are expected to make their public debut after completing a one-month quarantine period following their
arrival.
Former Trump advisor John Bolton reportedly reaches plea deal
Donald Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to mishandling classified misinformation, stemming
from a critical book he wrote about his time in the administration..
The case is part of the US President’s campaign to aggressively (激烈地，竭力地) prosecute his perceived (認為) critics. Ira Spitzer has more.
Somalia Opposition Clashes in Mogadishu
Somalia's opposition supporters and security forces have clashed in Mogadishu for a second day ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration.
The United Nations and the United States called for restraint (克制) as the government and opposition blame each other for the violence.
Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions in several neighborhoods.
The clashes highlight growing political tensions over elections and the constitution.
Gunfire subsides Thursday afternoon after mediation efforts.
Opposition figures say the rally protests constitutional violations and efforts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to extend his tenure.
The government rejects those allegations.
EU Expands Ocean Monitoring Network
The European Union is expanding its ocean monitoring network with underwater drones and satellites as climate change intensifies heat waves and storms.
EU Commision President Ursula von der Leyen $107-million US dollars will fund this effort.
Oceans are vital ecosystems covering about 70% of planet Earth, hosting complex webs of life that generate oxygen and absorb (吸收) greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide.
The EU aims to lead global ocean research and protection.
Funds will support oceanic technology incubators and the United Nations' Global Ocean Observing System.
By 2035, the EU hopes to cover 35% of Earth's maritime monitoring network.