EZ News 10/17/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,678 on turnover of 2-billion N-T. The market lost ground and closed below the 16,700-point mark on Monday, as investor sentiment was muted due concerns about Mid-East tensions and a rise in international crude oil prices at the end of last week. Investors opted to shift funds to U-S dollar-denominated assets for hedging purposes .. … while large-cap tech stocks, led by the semiconductor sector came under heavy pressure, leading the broader market to trend lower throughout the trading day. Visiting AIT Chair Praises Taiwan Defense Reforms Visiting American Institute in Taiwan Chairwoman Laura Rosenberger is reiterated Washington's pledge to help Taipei defend itself with a "full range of tools." Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Rosenberger said the U-S "is seizing upon the full range of tools authorized by Congress, such as Presidential Drawdown Authority and Foreign Military Financing to reach that goal." Rosenberger also praised the government's ongoing efforts to enhance (提高) the island's self-defense capabilities through initiatives that include increasing defense spending and reforming its reserve forces, conscription and mobilization systems. Rosenberger arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit. Taipei Eying November Test Events for Dome The Taipei Department of Sports says a baseball game is being planned as a test event for the Taipei Dome. The venue is scheduled to open for trial operations next month. According to department commissioner Wang Hong-xiang, tickets for the closed-door test event in early November will be available for free. Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan last week announced that the stadium had passed fire safety tests and was expected to receive its operating license in later this month. However, the sports department commissioner says the Dome is primarily (主要是) a sports venue that will be used mostly for baseball games, and future events outside of that purpose will require separate operating license applications. Ukraine: Russian Push to Take Avdiivka Slowing Ukrainian officials say a dayslong attempt by Russian forces to storm a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of steam. The Ukrainian General Staff said Monday that Ukrainian forces repelled 15 Russian attacks from four directions on Avdiivka over the previous 24 hours. That compared with what another official were up to 60 attacks a day in the middle of last week, suggesting the Russian push was weakening. A Washington-based think tank broadly concurred with that assessment. As the Kremlin’s war entered its 600th day and with the looming onset of winter that will limit military operations, both sides have been seeking battlefield breakthroughs that could invigorate their efforts and raise morale. SCOTUS Orders Gun Makers to Comply on Ghost Guns From the US….. The Supreme Court has ordered makers of gun parts to comply (遵守) with rules on ghost guns. AP's Lisa Dwyer has more. 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