EZ News 02/14/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,584 on turnover of 2.1-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Monday and followed most other regional indexes lower, as investors awaited a U-S inflation update that traders worry might lead to more interest rate hikes by America's central bank. **Hsiao Bi-khim Touts More US Congressional Taiwan Visits ** Taiwan's top envoy to the U-S says American congressional representatives remain highly interested in visiting Taiwan and such delegations will continue to visit Taiwan, regardless of (無論如何，不顧) threats from China. The statement comes amid reports that members of a U-S House of Representatives special committee on China are planning to visit Taiwan in the coming months. Speaking to reporters following a meeting with members of the Legislative Foreign and National Defense Committee, Hsiao didn't say whether it has been confirmed that members of the U-S special committee on China will be holding "a field hearing in Taiwan." According to Hsiao, no details concerning such a visit have been discussed, but her office would help make the arrangements if need be. () **KMT Vice Chairman Touts Aims of China Trip Met ** K-M-T Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia says his visit to China has achieved the three main goals of its trip and expects more such exchanges in the future. Hsia says the main purposes of the trip were to look after the needs of Taiwanese based in China, convey the problems regulations have caused small and medium-sized enterprises and to get to know the new Chinese officials in charge of Taiwan affairs. Hsia arrived in China last Wednesday, and since then he has held talks with officials including Sung Tao, the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office. And he says he will continue to meet with Taiwanese businessmen in other Chinese cities to learn of their difficulties (困難). **Syrian President Approves More Border Crossings for UN ** Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has approved the use of two additional border crossings to be used by the United Nations. The U.N met with al-Assad on Monday to urge (敦促) him to open the crossings as they needed to get more to rebel controlled north-west Syria. Jody Jacobs has more from the UN. **Pakistan to Impose New Taxes for Bailout ** Officials and analysts say cash-strapped Pakistan will impose billions in new taxes to help secure a massive bailout, but they warned the move could cause inflation to escalate. The grim outlook came as the impoverished nation prepares to impose taxes of 170 billion rupees in a bid to convince the International Monetary Fund to revive a $6 billion bailout. Last week, the IMF delayed the release of a crucial $1.1 billion portion (]部分) of the bailout that has been on hold since December over Pakistan's failure to meet the terms of a previous deal. The stalemate in talks was seen as a blow to the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who is struggling to avoid a default. 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