EZ News 10/19/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 24-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,416 on turnover of 3.5-billion N-T. The market tumbled 200-points on Wednesday as the bellwether electronics sector led the losses after the the Biden administration cut off shipments of chips designed by Nvidia and other American semiconductor designers to China. Investors also remained cautious about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock ahead of an investor conference later today, at which the company will release its third quarterly results and give guidance for the fourth quarter. Visiting Belgian Lawmaker Expresses Concern over China's Military Sorties Visiting Belgian parliamentarian Els Van Hoof is expressing concern over China's increasing military sorties near Taiwan. Speaking during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Van Hoof said Belgium is concerned of the growing crossing of Taiwan's air defense identification zone and also the medium line by military vessels and jets" by the Chinese military. According to Van Hoof, who chairs the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, "the importance of this week's parliamentarian visit cannot be underestimated (被低估)" as it shows that "Taiwan is not standing alone against these threats." Van Hoof arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a six-day visit heading a delegation that includes seven other members of the Belgian parliament. Labor Minister Stressed 'No Timetable' for Opening Hotel Industry to Migrant Workers Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun is denying recent reports that the government is seeking to opening the island's hotel industry to overseas migrant workers. According to Hsu, the government currently has "no timetable" for such a move and her ministry's top priority remains the welfare of Taiwanese workers. The statement comes after it was reported the Cabinet is planning to approve a plan to allow the hiring of migrant workers in the hotel sector, possibly beginning next year, in order address an ongoing (正在進行的) labor shortage. Government data shows the hotel industry is currently facing a shortage of more than 1,000 workers. Japan Saudi Arabia to Work Together on Palestinian Crisis Japan and Saudi Arabia are agreeing to work together to address the humanitarian crisis (人道危機) facing Palestinians in Gaza. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo. Liberia Presidential Election Headed for Runoff Liberia’s presidential election appears headed for a run-off, with the top candidates neck and neck (不相上下，旗鼓相當) and the votes nearly fully counted. President George Weah, who is seeking a second term, had 44% of the vote Wednesday with his main challenger Joseph Boakai at 43%, according to the National Elections Commission. A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win. Once the votes from this round are finalized, the run-off will take place within 15 days. The Oct. 10-th election is the tightest in the nearly two decades since the end of the West African country’s civil war that killed some 250-thousand people. 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