EZ News 11/02/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 55-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,094 on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T. The market closed moderately higher on Wednesday as investor sentiment remained cautious ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's policymaking meeting. Large cap tech stocks pushed the main board higher, while tourism and airline related stocks also gained ground on hopes that this weekend's Taipei International Travel Fair will boost revenue. TPP's Ko Outlines Energy Policy Platform Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je is outlining his energy policy platform - calling for sustainable energy transition and the extended use of two of the island's nuclear power plants. According to Ko, under his policy, by 2030 Taiwan's energy will will come from 45-per cent gas, 30-per cent renewables, 15-per cent coal and 10-per cent nuclear power. Ko says nuclear power is necessary for the country's energy transition (過渡時期) and he says the most pragmatic is only setting a deadline for an end to nuclear power, when renewable energy sources have been sufficiently developed. The T-P-P 2024 nominee is also proposing the establishment of a "Climate Change and Sustainability Committee." Talent Taiwan Office Foreign Professionals Opens The government has launched the Talent Taiwan Office. The National Development Council says the service center is dedicated to recruiting foreign professionals and helping them get accustomed (習慣、適應) to life in Taiwan. The center is an extension of the Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office, that was set up in October 2020 to provide professional consultation and assistance to Employment Gold Card holders. The N-D-C says, the launch of the talent office means that services will be expanded from only being available to the 8,348 gold card holders to being accessible to those holding the Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa and other employed foreign professionals. Thousands at Gaza Border with Egypt Thousands of people remain in Gaza at the Rafah border point hoping to cross over into Egypt. Earlier around 400 people were able to leave as Egypt opened up the crossing for the first time since fighting began more than three weeks ago. Sarah Coates in Tel Aviv reports that a UN official managed to cross in the other direction, and enter Gaza. Israel Criticizes SAmerican Countries In related news… Israel has criticized Bolivia, Chile and Colombia after the South American countries undertook a series of diplomatic moves to protest Israel's military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, have also increased their criticism of the impact that Israel’s military operations are having on civilians. Israel on Wednesday called on Colombia and Chile to “explicitly condemn the Hamas terrorist organization, which slaughtered (殘殺) and abducted babies, children, women and the elderly.” The call came hours after Chile and Colombia both recalled their ambassadors to Israel on Tuesday evening amid criticism of the killing of civilians in Gaza. Russia Volcano Ash Forces Schools Closed Ash columns have erupted from Eurasia’s tallest active volcano and forced authorities to close schools in two towns on Russia’s sparsely populated Kamchatka Peninsula. Officials said the eruptions from the volcano on Wednesday sent ash as high as 13 kilometers above sea level. There were no reports of injuries, but officials ordered schools in the two towns closed as a precaution. The 4,650-meter volcano has been active in recent years and released lava in June. 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