EZ News 09/28/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened up 20-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,331 on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex recouped early losses to close slightly higher on Wednesday, despite heavy losses on Wall Street overnight, as investor interest in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and select artificial intelligence development-related stocks rebounded (彈回). The main board moved in narrow range for most of the trading session, but bargain hunters turned active late in the trading day, to push the Tai-Ex past the 16,300 point mark by the closing bell. **1,600 Additional Teaching Assistants to be Recruited by 2027 ** The Ministry of Education says an additional 1,600 teaching assistants will be hired to work at schools islandwide between 2024 and 2027. According to Education Minister Pan Wen-chong, the move is aimed at facilitating (促進) a better learning environment for students with additional needs. Pan says the plan is in line with amendments to the Special Education Act, which was passed in May to reduce the pressure on those working in education and to ensure reasonable salaries. The education minister says his office has earmarked 1.1-billion N-T in next year's budget to recruit the new assistants. Pan is also touting what he says is the government's promotion of "inclusive education" for students with additional needs to help them attend regular classes and ensure their welfare. **NKorea Leader Calls for More Nuclear Weapons ** North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an exponential increase in production of nuclear weapons and for his country to play a larger role in a coalition of nations confronting (面對、對抗) the United States in what he described as a “new Cold War.” State media say Kim made the comments during a two-day session of the North’s rubber-stamp parliament which amended (修正的) the constitution to include his policy of expanding the country’s military nuclear program. The Supreme People’s Assembly meetings came after Kim traveled to Russia this month on a trip that sparked Western concerns about a possible arms alliance in which North Korea would provide Russia with munitions for its war on Ukraine in exchange for advanced weapons technologies. **ChatGPT Update Includes Current Info Access ** ChatGPT users will now be able to access (取得) up to date information from the internet. Previously, the popular chatbot hadn't been able to use information produced after September of 2021. Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco **IMF: Sri Lanka Progress Not Enough for 2nd Tranche ** The International Monetary Fund says that Sri Lanka has so far failed to make enough progress in boosting tax collection and other economic reforms sought by the IMF. The progress is needed in order for the IMF to release a second tranche (一份，一部分) of $330 million in the country’s $2.9 billion bailout from bankruptcy. An IMF team has concluded a visit to the island this week. The organization says in a report that discussions would continue on an agreement on how to keep up the momentum of financial reforms, and to unlock the second installment of funding. 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