EZ News 04/17/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,934 on turnover of 2.2-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Friday following a technical rebound from a slump the previous session, as investors took cues from a rally on Wall Street overnight on the back of moderating inflation figures out of America. The bellwether electronics sector led the upturn, while select "military concept" and tourism stocks also lent additional support to the broader market. **MODA to Invest NT$6billion in Wartime Telecommunications Resiliency ** The Ministry of Digital Affairs has announced plans to invest 6-billion N-T in a four-year Disaster Roaming program starting next year. The ministry says the move is part government efforts to strengthen telecommunication resiliency in cases of emergencies such as war. According to the ministry, the program will seek to enable (使能夠) domestic telecoms operators to "recognize" each other's customers in order to support each other with services that ensure Voice over Internet Protocol communication can continue in the event of a conflict. When completed, the program will only request adjustments from telecom companies, and customers will not be required to upgrade their devices. **New Taima to Begin Regular Keelung to Matsu Trips in June ** And, President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Chen Chien-jen have attended a ceremony to marking the maiden voyage of the New Taima ferry from Keelung to Matsu. The ferry has the capacity to carry 642 passengers and 45 cars. It also has four 20-foot freezers to carry foodstuffs (食品) and other goods to the outlying islands. The ferry is now set to begin to regular services from Keelung to the islands of Nangan and Dongying on June 1. Speaking at the ceremony to marking the New Taima's maiden voyage, Tsai said she's aware that residents of the two island's having been waiting a longtime for a new ferry service, and her administration has been working hard to make that happen. G7 Reps Discuss China Assertiveness Top diplomats from G7 countries are agreeing to take a unified (統一) approach to growing military assertiveness from China. The foreign ministers are meeting in Japan ahead of next months G7 summit. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. **Germany on EUIndonesia Trade Agreement ** German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday that he will press for a trade agreement between the European Union and Indonesia as part of his country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on China for crucial raw materials. Speaking at the opening of the annual Hannover trade fair, Scholz told Indonesian President Joko Widodo that a trade deal between Southeast Asia’s most populous (人口眾多) nation and the 27-nation bloc would create an economic area with 700 million people. Scholz said of the negotiations, which have been ongoing since 2016, that he is “working to finally get this agreement across the finish line.” The German leader said he was similarly hopeful about talks between the EU and the Latin American Mercosur bloc, Mexico, Australia, Kenya and India would go well as well. 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