EZ News 12/14/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 13-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,482 on turnover of $3.7-billion N-T. The market closed marginally higher on Wednesday, as early gains shrank amid cautious investor sentiment ahead of the conclusion of the U-S Federal Reserve's final policy making meeting of this year. But the bellwether electronics sector still managed to lead the main board to its highest level so far this year, as buying rotated to highly priced stocks, in particular in those in the semiconductor sector. MOFA Hoping Guatemala's Election Turmoil has been Resolved The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing its hope that Guatemala's ongoing controversy over its newly elected leader will be resolved peacefully. The call comes days after prosecutors in Guatemala took steps to block President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office next month. Prosecutors sought to annul the election results amid accusations of an "attempted coup," however, Guatemala's electoral court has insisted the results are "unchangeable." According to head of the ministry Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, the government here in Taiwan is hoping that Guatemala can have a "smooth government transition (轉變，過渡期)" on January 14 when the new president is sworn in. However, officials refuse to say whether President Tsai Ing-wen or Vice President Lai Ching-te will attend Arevalo's inauguration ceremony - saying only the government will make an announcement "in due time." US House Votes to Formally Open Biden Impeachment Inquiry The US House of Representatives has voted to formally open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Republicans have accused Biden of corruption (腐敗), but have yet to produce much evidence. Ira Spitzer has more. EU Grants Hungary Access to Frozen Funds The European Union says it will grant Hungary access to billions of euros in frozen funds. The announcement comes just as Prime Minister Viktor Orban appears ready to defy his EU partners and veto decisions on the opening of membership talks and vital financial aid for Ukraine. The money was frozen a year ago over concerns that democratic backsliding (倒退) in Hungary was putting the EU budget at risk. But the European Commission ruled Wednesday that Orban’s government has addressed some of its concerns, notably on justice reforms. It’s willing to grant access to $11 billion to reimburse money that Hungary spends on infrastructure and other projects. Netherlands SKorea Stepping Up Semiconductor Cooperation The Dutch caretaker prime minister says the Netherlands and South Korea are stepping up cooperation in the field of semiconductor chips as part of a deepening “strategic partnership.” Mark Rutte spoke after a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during his two-day state visit. Their meeting came a day after Yoon visited the headquarters of semiconductor chip machine maker ASML in the Netherlands. As part of the visit, South Korean nuclear power company KHNP signed a contract to carry out a feasibility study (可行性研究) into the construction of two new nuclear power plants in a Dutch town. 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