EZ News 01/22/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 89-points this morning from Friday's close, at 17,770 on turnover of 9.2-billion N-T. The market gained significant ground on Friday, rising by more than 450-points, driven primarily by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which led the main board higher, as the electronics sector rose by 3.9-per cent during the trading day. Taipower Denies Reports of Rate Hikes Tai-Power is denying reports that plans to hike electricity rates this year. The denial comes amid speculation the state-generator could raise rates after its posted over 380-billion N-T in accumulated losses at of the end of last year. The Ministry of Economic Affairs' electricity price review committee is scheduled to meet in March to decide on rates for the next six months and reports have been claiming it could seek to raise rates for third consecutive year during that meeting. However, Tai-Power is dismissing (駁回) those claims and says it's currently "conducting an internal financial review" and seeking "financial support from the government." Nvidia's Jensen Huang Back in Taiwan Nvidia co-founder and C-E-O Jensen Huang is back in Taiwan. Huang was spotted at Ningxia Night Market in Taipei wearing one of his now trademark (（某人的）標記，特徵) leather jackets this past weekend. Speaking to reporters, Huang said he's in town to celebrate the Lunar New Year with employees at Nvidia's Taiwan Branch. He's also reportedly slated to meet with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing executives to discuss further cooperation between the two companies and attend a conference on advanced packaging supply chains. Nvidia is one of T-S-M-C's biggest customer. US DeSantis Ends Presidential Bid New Hampshire residents vote in their presidential primary Tuesday --with one less candidate (候選人) to choose from. AP correspondent Jackie Quinn reports. Germany Rallies Against AfD Party Hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting in Germany this weekend, against the right-wing Alternative for Germany party. The demonstrations came in the wake of a report that right-wing extremists recently met to discuss the deportation (驅逐出境) of millions of immigrants, including some with German citizenship. Although Germany has seen other protests against the far right in past years, the protests this weekend are notable for their size and scope. The demonstrations have garnered support from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, and the Central Council of Jews. German companies also spoke out against extremism, emphasizing the country's commitment to democracy and tolerance. (PB) Indonesia Merapi Eruption Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has erupted, as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation (疏散) of thousands. Merapi unleashed Sunday clouds of gas, and lava that traveled up to 2 kilometers down its slopes. Several of Indonesia's active volcanoes also had eruptions. A volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province spewed hot clouds into the air as more than 6,500 people fled to shelters. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province, Mount Semeru in East Java province and Mount Ibu in North Maluku province also had new eruptions. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn