20120508 7pm

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7PM EZ News Intro

Good evening. It's 7 o'clock. I'm _____ and time for EZ News on ICRT.

Taiwanese beef inspectors visit U.S. trade and consumer groups

A Taiwan delegation visited American trade and consumer groups on the first leg of a trip to inspect beef production in the United States after a new mad cow disease case was reported in the country last month. The delegation was briefed on meat production and sales in the U.S. and was reassured that the case in California confirmed on April 24 was atypical. The American Meat Institute also told the delegation about control measures in the country's beef supply chain. Representatives from the Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, told the delegation it did not suggest avoiding U.S. beef because no clear and direct scientific evidence indicated it was unsafe. The union only suggested that authorities step up food inspection to ensure meat safety. (EG)

Excessive overtime tops list of labor law violations in Taipei

A report by Taipei City's Department of Labor finds that excessive overtime was the most common labor law violation in Taipei over the past three years According to data compiled by the department between 2009-2011, fines were issued in 345 cases involving the extension of working hours beyond the legal limit. Failure to give leave was the second most common type of labor law violation, with 312 cases reported during the same period. In addition, there were 296 cases of employers failing to keep attendance records, 288 cases of employees not being paid and 149 cases of employers failing to pay overtime. The Department has listed the overtime problem as a top priority and has urged businesses to obey the relevant regulations. According to the Labor Standards Act, employers can be fined up to $300 thousand NT for violations like forcing employees to work excessive overtime work or failing to pay overtime. (EG)

Syria

The Red Cross has won permission to visit a second prison in Syria as fighting continues unchecked in some areas and 1.5 million people now struggle to meet basic needs for food, water, shelter, power and sanitation Red Cross President Jakob Kellenberger said tens of thousands of people are sheltering in public buildings or other people's homes, and the Red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent is feeding about 100,000 ``particularly vulnerable'' Syrians. Kellenberger said the Red Cross has gained permission to visit a prison in Aleppo in mid-May, its second visit to a Syrian prison since visiting one in Damascus in September, and is pushing for access to others. Despite his series of visits and high-level negotiations in Damascus, Kellenberger said the Red Cross still lacks enough information to provide an accurate ``overview'' of the number of detainees or the conditions in which they are being held nationwide.

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his new coalition government will hold serious talks about Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu has hinted that Israel would be prepared to strike Iran's nuclear program if it feels threatened. His new coalition partner, Kadima Party leader Shaul Mofaz, has spoken out against an Israeli strike on Iran. Netanyahu told a news conference that he and Mofaz already have had many discussions about Iran and will continue to hold ``serious and responsible'' talks on the matter. As a former military chief, Mofaz's opinion could carry great weight in a decision on whether to strike.

London

London businesses are running "stress tests" to see how they'll cope with disruptions to work when the capital plays host to this summer's Olympic Games. UK correspondent Nina-Maria Potts reports:

Japan

The utility in charge of the Japanese nuclear plant that suffered multiple meltdowns has named an outside candidate as its new chairman. Tokyo Electric Power Co. said that lawyer and corporate restructuring expert Kazuhiko Shimokoube was appointed chairman. It promoted Naomi Hirose, a managing director overseeing the response to the nuclear crisis, to president. The appointments are subject to shareholder approval next month. Japanese media reports say many potential candidates refused offers to lead TEPCO. Last year's tsunami destroyed backup generators at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, setting off the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. TEPCO faces the enormous costs of compensating victims and fixing the plant. The executives heading TEPCO when the crisis struck have already resigned.

Weather

Central Weather Bureau forecasters say there will light clouds at most across almost all of Taiwan tonight, with lows of 23 in the north, 25 in the center, and 26 in the south. Tomorrow, continued partly cloudy conditions, though there may be afternoon rain or thunderstorms across the country. Highs then will peak at 32 or 33 islandwide. Right now, it's 32 in Taipei, 29 in Taizhong, and 29 in Gaoxiong.

7PM EZ News Outro

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