EZ News 03/24/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 5.9-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,870 on turnover of $3.1-billion N-T. The market recovered from early loses on Thursday as the semiconductor, electronics and financial sectors rebounded to help the broader market to close higher despite heavy loses on Wall Street overnight. The rise came as foreign institutional investors continue to move more funds into the region and the New Taiwan dollar strengthened against the U-S dollar, which is making investors more confident that the U-S Federal Reserve has slowed the pace (速度；節奏) of its rate hike cycle. **Central Bank Raises Interest Rates by 12.5 Basis Points ** The central bank has raised its key interest rates by 12.5 basis points. The move comes after the bank held its quarterly policymaking meeting. It is the fifth consecutive quarter the central bank has raised interest rates, as it continues efforts to fight inflation. The latest rate hike means the bank's discount rate will rise to 1.875-per cent - and that's the highest level in eight years. The central bank has now raised its key interest rates by a total of 75 basis points since March of last year. **2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games to Open Today ** The 2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games is set to open later today. The games feature participants from 17 of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, and a delegation of New Zealand Maori athletes is participating this year. According to the Council for Indigenous Peoples, it's the first time a team from New Zealand has sent a delegation to the Games, which are organized to boost (提高) exchanges between Austronesian peoples of Taiwan and the Pacific region. The 37 member New Zealand Maori team arrived in Taiwan earlier this month. The 2023 Taiwan National Indigenous Games are taking place at the Taipei Expo Park's Expo Dome from today through next Monday. **France Protests Against Pension Reforms ** More than a million people have demonstrated across France against unpopular pension reforms, with violence erupting in some places. French unions are calling for new nationwide strikes and protests next week, coinciding with King Charles III’s planned visit to France. Violence marred a huge protest march in Paris as well as numerous (許多的) other demonstrations elsewhere Thursday. The Interior Ministry says the march in Paris drew 119-thousand people. That was a record for the capital during the pension protests. Polls say most French oppose President Emmanuel Macron’s bill to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64. He says it's necessary to keep the system afloat. **NKorea Tests Underwater Nuclear Drone ** North Korean state media said the country has tested a new nuclear-capable underwater attack drone with the ability to generate (產生) a radioactive tsunami. Analysts say it's designed to show North Korea has different means of launching a potential nuclear attack. Patrick Fok reports. 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