EZ News 03/14/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened down 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,517 on turnover of 2.5-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Monday after recovering from early loses, as investor sentiment improved following a decision by the U-S government to guarantee (保證) that all deposits taken by the financially troubled Silicon Valley Bank will be paid in full. Buying increased in select large cap stocks in the semiconductor and transportation sectors, while bargain hunters turned active late in the session to push the broader market back into positive territory by the end of the trading day. **MOEA Head Rules Out Extension of Second Nuclear Plant Service ** Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government has no plans to extend the service of the second nuclear power plant. The statement comes amid calls for the government to suspend plans to decommission (退役) the plant's second reactor. Decommissioning of the No. 2 generator at the plant in New Taipei will begin today - on the expiration of its 40-year operating permit. According to Wang the spent fuel pools at the plant are full and no new storage facilities are available, making it impossible to continue to generate power there. **Science Parks See Record Revenue in 2022 ** National Science and Technology Council chief Wu Cong-zhong says Taiwan's three science parks posted revenue of 4.26-trillion N-T last year. That figure is a 14.75-percent year on year increase and all-time high. According to Wu, the Hsinchu Science Park's revenue stood at 1.61-trillion N-T, the Central Taiwan Science Park saw its revenue stand at 1.17-trillion N-T, while 2022's revenue at the Southern Taiwan Science Park hit 1.48-trillion N-T. Of the three parks, the Southern Taiwan Science Park registered the biggest year-on-year revenue rise of 35.48-per cent. Integrated circuits were the number one driving force (推動力) at the science parks last year, accounting for 77-per cent of the total revenue. **Russia extends grain deal ** A Russian delegation at talks with senior U.N. officials says Moscow is ready to accept an extension (擴大) to a grain export deal that has helped bring down global food prices amid the war with Ukraine. But it said it would accept only a 60-day extension as the Kremlin holds out for changes to how the arrangement is working. Jody Jacobs has more. **UK Steps Up Defense Spending ** In related news….. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to increase U.K. military funding by $6 billion over the next two years in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the challenge posed by China. The increase is part of a major update to U.K. foreign and defense policy, but is less than military officials wanted. The extra money will be used, in part, to replenish Britain’s ammunition stocks, depleted (消耗, 減少) from supplying Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Some will also go toward a U.K.-U.S.-Australia deal to build nuclear-powered submarines. Sunak met U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in San Diego on Monday to confirm next steps for the military pact. 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