EZ News 11/17/22

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened down 47-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,489 on turnover of 3-billion N-T. The market closed little changed on Wednesday, after coming off major gains the previous session, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing continued to lend major support to the local broader market throughout the session. Although the recent rebound on the broader market was capped during the trading day, investor sentiment has still improved amid eased concerns over the U-S Federal Reserve rate hike cycle in the wake of moderating inflation data. **Cabinet to Discuss Raise in Tax Breaks for Local Chipmakers ** The Cabinet will discuss a proposal later today to raise the income tax break for eligible (有資格的) local tech companies to 25-per cent in order to better benefit large semiconductor manufacturers. The proposal has been drafted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It seeks to add article 10-2 to the Statute for Industrial Innovation stipulating the proposed increase tax break, in addition to a 5-per cent income tax relief for the tech companies whose equipment investment reaches a predetermined level. Sources are being cited as saying the proposed amendment is aimed at encouraging leading semiconductor companies to step up their research and development into advanced manufacturing processes. **Civic Groups Call for Support for Lowering Voting and Candidacy Age ** And, A coalition of civic groups is calling for voters to support the referendum being held in tandem with (與、同時) the local elections to lower both the voting age and the age of candidacy to 18. The referendum needs at least 9.65-million voters to cast their ballots in favor of the referendum to pass and that figure represents 50-percent of the total number of eligible voters nationwide. And the call comes as recent reports have been saying support for the referendum currently stands at less than the 50-per cent threshold needed for it to pass. **US Republicans Take House by Slim Margin ** From the US….. Republicans have won a slim (非常小的) majority in the U.S. House. AP correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports. **Japan Marks Trade Deficit ** Japan marked a trade deficit for the 15th month in a row in October as both imports and exports reached record highs. It comes as the costs of energy and food soar and the yen stumbles (失足、受挫). The deficit at $15 billion, is the highest for the month of October, since comparable data started being compiled in 1979. The data released today showed the huge deficit came despite solid growth in exports, which rose 25.3% last month. The Finance Ministry says vehicles, medical products and electrical machinery boosted exports. **Brazil President-elect Promises to Fight Deforestation ** Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is promising to combat deforestation when he assumes office on Jan. 1. Da Silva, who defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in last month's presidential election, is participating at the U.N. climate summit in Egypt known as COP27. In two public appearances on Wednesday, da Silva said his administration would make combating deforestation a priority (優先、主要的). He also said he would suggest to U.N. officials that the climate summit in 2025 be held in the Amazon. Bolsonaro pushed economic development in the Amazon. Da Silva has several meetings planned with ministers from various countries over the next days. 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