20120521 9am

9AM Intro

Good morning, it's 9 o'clock. I'm Bill Thissen

9AM TAIWAN NEWS ....

President Ma Ying-jeou says he will remain chairman of the K-M-T --- as he believes his duel posts will ensure smooth cooperation between the party and government. Speaking at a news conference following his inauguration .... Ma said doubling as head of state and party chairman will also help the Cabinet carry out his policies. Ma said the K-M-T can help promote Cabinet policies and a platform established to improve communication between the Cabinet and K-M-T lawmakers. Meanwhile .... Ma said he welcomes a visit to Taiwan by Chinese Premier Wen Jia-bao after his pending retirement. According to Ma .. Wen could visit here under the free independent traveler program for Chinese tourists. Meanwhile .... Ma says cross-strait interaction will be expanded during his second term on office. Ma says over the next four years ... the two sides have to open up new areas of cooperation and continue working to consolidate peace, expand prosperity and deepen mutual trust. ---------- Activists and scholars have announced the establishment of an alliance to push for social justice and eco-friendly policies. According to members of the Promotion Alliance for a Just and Ecological Society ... it was established in order to push for a better public understanding of the island's social development. Alliance members say the island is facing multiple crises --- ranging from food safety and energy to the environment - and as the government has failed to keep the public informed - that task will now fall to them.

early

As the NATO summit convenes in Chicago, America's top general in Afghanistan is shrugging off France's decision to yank its combat troops out early. The APs Mark Smith reports.

yemen

Islamist militants shot and seriously wounded a U.S. military instructor in Yemen yesterday, while the army closed in on a town controlled by al Qaeda-linked fighters in heavy fighting that killed at least 27 people. A U.S. special forces commander toured the frontline in southern Yemen in a visit that highlighted the extent of Washington's support to a government fighting militants it sees as a threat not just the region but also to U.S. soil. Ansar al-Sharia has exploited political instability in Yemen to gain a foothold in the country.

beirut

Gunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns early today in intense street battles in the Beirut, Lebanan, wounding six people as fears mounted that the conflict in neighboring Syria is bleeding across the border. The fighting appeared to be among the worst clashes in Beirut since 2008. The clashes erupted hours after an anti-Syrian cleric and his bodyguard were shot dead in northern Lebanon.

mitt

In US politics... Donors who backed Republican rivals of presidential candidate Mitt Romney appear to be slow coming to his aid. Romney raised more than $40 million last month as he solidified his chances of being the GOP nominee. Yet an Associated Press review of new financial data finds only a handful of his recent contributions came from donors to his former primary challengers. Among the tens of thousands of donors who wrote checks for former candidates like Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum, roughly 500 contributed last month to Romney's White House run.

sun

Millions of Asians watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies this morning. The annular eclipse will move across the Pacific and also be seen in parts of the western United States. Eclipse tours were arranged at schools and parks, on pleasure boats and even private airplanes in Japan. Similar events were held in Taiwan and China as well. The Taipei Astronomical Museum opened its doors at dawn

nba

In the NBA... LeBron James scored 40 points, superstar sidekick Dwyane Wade added 30 - 22 in the second half - and Miami's dynamic duo took over after halftime to get the Heat even in the series with a 101-93 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals today.

ice

In the NHL.... The Phoenix Coyotes avoided playoff elimination with a 2-0 victory in Game 4 of the conference finals today.

golf

In golf results Spain's Azahara Munoz beat Taiwan's Candie Kung 2 and 1 to win the Sybase Match Play Championship in New Jersey.

WEATHER AM .....

cloudy skies over much of the island - w/ a high of 28 in the Taipei area - 29 in Taichong and 30 in Gaoxiong. Current Temperatures .... Taipei -- 25 Taichung -- 24 Gaoxiong -- 26

9AM Outro

That's the ICRT News at 9. I'm _____