Newscast

listen to ‘Newscast by Jill’ on Audioboo

Good afternoon. It's 4 o'clock. I'm Jill Chou with EZ News on ICRT.

The local news:

President Ma Ying-jeou called on the Legislative Yuan to speed up the review of a services trade agreement with China

He said it would demonstrate the government's unified support for economic liberalization.

Speaking at a reception to celebrate a free trade pact signed by Taiwan and Singapore, Ma said Taiwan has begun talking about signing economic cooperation agreements with major trading partners, including China, Japan and the United States.

He added, however, that Taiwan is "lagging far behind" Singapore, which had signed six major trade agreements with its partners

He hopes the review of an agreement between Taiwan and China will begin as soon as possible to "demonstrate the support of both the Executive and the Legislative branches for the nation's policy of liberalizing its economy."

In world news:

Russia's Foreign Ministry says Syria's main Western-backed opposition group is refusing to participate in talks in Moscow.

A ministry spokesman says the Syrian National Coalition  is ``blocking and refusing to participate'' in the talks, which would focus on resolving the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Russian officials had hoped the talks would bolster prospects for a proposed peace conference the U.S. and Russia are trying to convene in Geneva.

Taiwan Weather

According to Central Weather Bureau forecasters, it'll be clear over much of Taiwan this afternoon, with lows of 23 or 24 in the north and south, 22 in the center.

Tomorrow, expect more sunny skies, though their may be some clouds in the south. Highs then will peak at 30 or 31 north and south, 29 midisland.

Right now, it's

26 in Taipei

27 in Taizhong

27 in Gaoxiong

That's EZ News at 4. I'm Jill Chou.