EZ News 12/13/23

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 3-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 17,448 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex made marginal gains on Tuesday, but still managed to close at its highest level of the year so far - as investors await the outcome of this week's final 2023 meeting of America's central bank. Market watchers say the gains were driven mainly by small and mid-cap electronics companies and there's expectations that the main board could continue to climb in the coming days, depending on the results of the U-S Federal Reserve's policy making meeting. Taiwan and Japan Sign Customs Issues MOU Taiwan and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding on customs cooperation. The agreement is aimed at promoting (玃秈) cooperation on customs issues between the customs offices of the port of Keelung and Yokohama. According to the head of the Keelung Customs Office, the agreement will facilitate customs cooperation between the two sides and streamline customs clearance processes. The the two sides also agreed in the M-O-U to cooperate in combating trafficking and smuggling, sharing intelligence, and taking on tariff issues. UN Votes to Demand Ceasefire in Gaza The U.N. General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to demand a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war. The vote in the 193-member world body was 153 in favor, 10 against and 23 abstentions. The support was higher than for an Oct. 27 resolution that called for a ¨humanitarian truce〃 leading to a cessation (氨ゎ) of hostilities. Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding. But the assemblyˇs messages are important barometers of world opinion. Biden Urges Aid or Ukraine US President Joe Biden has urged Congress to approve billions of dollars for Ukraine, warning that not to do so would be a "Christmas gift" for Russia's leader. Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday, amid a funding fight which has seen Republicans refuse (┶荡) to support extra assistance for Kyiv. Nick Harper report from Washington. ELECTION PANEL PROMO As Taiwan prepares for its 2024 presidential elections, ICRT and TVBS World Taiwan present "Taiwan Goes to the Polls." Its an English language roundtable discussion featuring a group of academics and journalists, disussin the latest polling data, the campaigns, and possible outcomes. The event takes place at the International Conference Hall 202 at the National Taiwan Normal University Campus, at Taipei's Heping Campus from 7 to 9pm December 13. The event will also be live-streamed on T-V-B-S' New YouTube Channel and T-V-B-S World Taiwan YouTube Channel. Admission is free. Please check I-C-R-T's social media pages and its website for more information. 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