EZ News 09/06/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened down 5-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,796 on turnover of $2--billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed after little change throughout the day as the U.S. market remained closed for Labor Day, providing no direction to the local main board. Contract chipmaker TSMC and the major stocks related to artificial intelligence development reversed course following a brief surge Tuesday, offsetting the gains made by other tech stocks during the trading session. **Taiwan Eswatini Sign Three MOUs ** President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen the signing of three MOUs with diplomatic ally Eswatini. The President arrived in Eswatini yesterday, to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Kingdom of Eswatini, as well as the 55th anniversary of Eswatini's independence. And after her arrival, she met with Eswatini's King Mswati III, and witnessed the signing of the bilateral agreements on supporting women's entrepreneurship, assisting Eswatini in building oil storage tanks for emergency oil reserves (儲備), as well as a "Sister City Agreement" between Kaohsiung and Mbabane. That agreement sees Kaohsiung sharing its experience in developing the information and technology industry, as well as increase cultural and educational exchanges. (NS) **China Rejects Offer to Join Fukushima Water Testing ** China is rejecting an offer by Japan to join an international framework to test the radiation levels at the Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge (釋放) site. Beijing, which strongly opposes the water release, banned all seafood imports from Japan last month., Chris Gilbert reports. **Saudi Arabia Russia Extend Oil Production Costs ** Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of the year. The dual announcements from Riyadh and Moscow on Tuesday said the two countries would trim (減少) 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market. Their move pushed benchmark Brent crude above $90 a barrel in afternoon trading, a price unseen in the market since November. It could increase costs for motorists at gas stations and put new pressure on Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States. President Joe Biden warned Saudi Arabia last year there would be unspecified “consequences” for the kingdom partnering with Russia on cuts as Moscow wages war on Ukraine. **Brazil Announces Financial Support for Reducing Deforestation ** In a bid to slow down deforestation in the Amazon, Brazil will provide financial support to municipalities that have reduced deforestation rates the most. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change during the country’s Amazon Day. The new program will invest up to $120 million in technical assistance. The money will be allocated based on the municipality’s performance in reducing deforestation and fires, and must be invested in land titling (土地所有權), monitoring and control of deforestation and fires, and sustainable production. The money will come from the Amazon Fund, which has received more than $1.2 billion, mostly from Norway, to help pay for sustainable development of the region. 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