20120509 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.

U.S. congressmen renew call for end to `one China' policy

Three U.S. congressmen have called on the government there to recognize Taiwan as an independent and sovereign nation and to resume diplomatic ties with the country. House members Michael McCaul, Robert Andrews and Sam Johnson called for an end to Washington's "One China" policy, and urged the Obama administration to re-establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan. McCaul said Washington could instead adopt a One China, One Taiwan policy. The resolution passed by the congressmen also calls U.S. policy "obsolete," saying that it "does not reflect the obvious reality that Taiwan has functioned as an independent and sovereign country for over half a century." They said that Taiwan does not deserve to be associated with countries such as Bhutan, Cuba, Iran and North Korea, which are the only nations with which the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties, aside from Taiwan. They also urged the White House to support Taiwan's full participation in the United Nations as well as other international organizations. (EG)

Capital Bus to compensate victims in Hsuehshan Tunnel accident

Following Monday's deadly crash in the Xue-shan tunnel, the head of Capital Bus Co. says it will compensate or offer settlements to victims of the accident. Lee Chien-wen said that the company will also cooperate with police in their investigation into the cause of the accident and take responsibility for any criminal liability involved. Two people were killed and more than thirty people were injured the fire caused by Monday's crash. Lee also said that Capital Bus will improve emergency drills for drivers and ensure road safety regulations are met. (EG)

Europe Day celebrations

European institutions in Taiwan today held a couple of events to commemorate Europe Day Taipei European School held a ceremony celebrating peace and stability in the EU A number of European representative diplomats and office heads were on hand for the event.

Syria

A roadside bomb struck a Syrian military truck today, wounding six soldiers just seconds after a convoy carrying the head of the U.N. observer mission passed by. An Associated Press reporter who was traveling in the U.N. convoy said the blast blew out the military truck's windows and caused a plume of black smoke. The U.N. convoy was not hit. Major General Robert Mood, the head of the UN observer mission, said that the attack was ``a graphic experience that the Syrian people live with every day.''

Ukraine

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's imprisoned former prime minister, was moved today from jail to a hospital for treatment of a severe back condition under the supervision of a German doctor. The move was likely to allay at least some Western concerns over Tymoshenko's health and handling in prison. Tymoshenko, the country's top opposition leader, has been on hunger strike for more than two weeks to protest alleged abuse, and Ukraine's government has come under intense Western pressure to provide Tymoshenko with suitable medical care. Tymoshenko has been sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of abuse of office while conducting natural gas import negotiations with Russia in 2009. The West has condemned the verdict as politically motivated and has piled pressure on Ukraine to free her and end the alleged mistreatment.

UK

European human rights judges are meeting to decide whether Islamic radical cleric Abu Qatada can appeal his deportation from the UK. Nina-Maria Potts reports:

UK

The British government has refused to allow an American self-defense instructor to enter the country because it fears his teachings may encourage vigilante violence. Tim Larkin had planned to fly to Britain to hold seminars on self defense. His website says he teaches techniques that can inflict ``crippling pain.'' He was stopped as he tried to board a plane from Las Vegas to Britain. Britain's Home Office said in a statement that it had given Larkin an exclusion order to stop him coming to the country. It said it fears the type of self-defense training promoted by Larkin could encourage ``excessive violence and vigilante-type behavior.''

Weather

Central Weather Bureau forecasters say it's going to be cloudy with occasional showers or thundershowers all across Taiwan tonight, with lows of 21 in the north, 24 midisland, and 25 in the south. Tomorrow, more clouds and thunderstorms, with highs peaking at 24 up north, 28 in the center, and 30 in southern Taiwan. Right now, it's 23 in Taipei, 28 in Taizhong, and 29 in Gaoxiong.

7PM EZ News Outro

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