The Tai-Ex opened opened up 56-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

23,276 on turnover of $23-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed higher Wednesday on the back of a rally in the United

States overnight, but turnover shrank further as many foreign institutional

investors spent Christmas Day off the trading floor.

Contract chipmaker TSMC contributed about 80 points to the Taiex's rise, and

sent the electronics index higher by 0.62 percent.

Taiwan's top diplomat in charge of consular affairs has been named as the

country's new representative to Greece.

Calvin Ho will now fill a post that has been vacant (空缺) for more than six

months.

Former representative to Greece Sherman Kuo vacated the post after his

resignation was approved by the Presidential Office on June 19.

The foreign ministry at the time said Kuo resigned for personal reasons.

Calvin Ho previously served as the ambassador to Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines and as an ambassador on home assignment in the foreign ministry's

Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs …

…. before heading the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Ho was responsible for pushing for an online passport renewal application

service that will soon complete a four-month trial run before being fully

implemented next year.

The trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump has been

pushed back.

AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports

A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy

calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by

2040.

It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the

growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization

targets.

The Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a

period of public consultation (商議).

The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy

supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power

reduced to 30-40%.

King Charles III used his annual Christmas message to hail the selflessness

of those who have cared for both him and Kate, the Princess of Wales this

year, after both were diagnosed with cancer.

The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are “continually” impressed

by those who dedicate their lives to help others.

The broadcast Wednesday was the king’s third Christmas speech since he

ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died.

It's the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in

February.

He was joined by Prince William, Kate and other family but his

scandal-plagued (備受醜聞困擾) brother, Andrew, was absent.

That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____.

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