EZ News 10/23/24

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 133-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,402 on turnover of 6.8-billion N-T. The market closed marginally lower on Tuesday after rebounding from a heavy early downturn as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing trimmed (修整, 減少) its losses in the late in the session. The main board continued to see interest in artificial intelligence related stocks such as Hon Hai, while a strong rebound by the financial sector also lent some support to the broader market. Premier Claims to Make Concessions to Break Budget Delay Premier Cho Jung-tai is seeking to break a deadlock in the Legislative Yuan over the government's general budget for next year. Speaking during a legislative hearing, Cho said the Cabinet will increase funding for compensation to Indigenous peoples for a logging ban, as requested by opposition lawmakers, in a bid to break the standoff. However, he stressed the "concession" will be a one-off (一次性的) "exception" and if lawmakers fail to pass the 2025 general budget soon, the Cabinet could bring the issue to the Constitutional Court. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has said a next round of cross-party caucus talks will take place tomorrow. Taiwan Railway Corporation to Raise Salaries And, The Taiwan Railway Corporation has announced plans to increase employee salaries. According to the rail operator, the pay rises will range from 1,800 to 3,140 N-T. The company says the move will see the basic monthly salary for entry-level employee rising to 36,140 N-T. Back pay and overtime compensation will also be adjusted (調整) from the employee's start date. The railway corporation says it will also seek to review and increase hazard pay, salaries for night shift employees and regional allowances. US Georgial Rejects GOP Bid to Change Election Rules From the US…. Georgia's Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a bid by Republicans to reinstate a slew (很多，大量) of new, controversial election rules - two weeks before election day. A lower court last week had called the rules "illegal, unconstitutional and void." Toni Waterman has the story Mexico President Announces New Agriculture Plan Mexico's new president has announced an agriculture plan that could change the country's food production and distribution. President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged Tuesday to revive (復原) government stores and continue efforts to achieve “food sovereignty” to make Mexico capable of producing all the food it eats. The pledges run counter to what Mexican food sales look like today when consumption of most of the old basics has fallen. Sheinbaum says her policy is mainly focused on increasing bean and corn production. The government will also focus on supporting coffee production, but mainly for instant coffee, which it claims is used by 84% of Mexican households. The plan will also seek to support cocoa production, but mainly for powdered baking and hot chocolate, not fine chocolate bars. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn