The Tai-Ex opened marginally lower this morning from yesterday's close, at

31,749 on turnover of 8.5-billion N-T.

The market closed at yet another new record high on Tuesday, as Taiwan

Semiconductor Manufacturing recouped its early losses on the back of investor

optimism over the company's fundamentals.

Analysts say T-S-M-C continued to attract bargain hunters and that resulted

in the chipmaker's share price rising by 0.85-per cent to close at 1,775 N-T.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not received an invitation to the

inauguration of Honduras' president-elect Nasry Asfura.

The statement comes amid reports that President Lai Ching-te had expressed an

interest in attending the January 27 event.

According to the foreign ministry's Department of Latin American and

Caribbean Affairs, the lack of (沒有…) an invitation is due to Taiwan not

having official diplomatic ties with Honduras.

The department has not said whether or not it approached members of the

incoming Asfura administration for an invitation.

Asfura pledged to restore ties with Taipei if he was elected president during

his campaign.

The Centers for Disease Control was warning that Taiwan could enter a flu

epidemic as early as this week, as case numbers are continuing to rise ahead

of Lunar New Year holiday.

According to the C-D-C, outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like

illnesses reached 104,348 from the week of January 11 to 17.

That figure marked a second consecutive weekly increase and was an increase

of 11.9-per cent from the previous week.

The C-D-C says the number of weekly visits for flu-like illnesses could climb

to as high as 140,000 during the peak period (高峰期).

Health officials say 458 severe flu cases and 88 flu-related deaths have been

recorded so far this flu season.

The C-D-C is urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as

possible.

US President Donald Trump says people will "find out" how far he's willing to

go to acquire Greenland.

It comes as he prepares to meet worried European allies on Wednesday in

Davos, who are becoming increasingly vocal (直言不諱的) in their push back

against the President's plans.

Nick Harper reports from Washington

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a national

election will be held Nov. 7th.

New Zealand elections are held every three years with the government

selecting the date.

Voters choose which party they prefer to see in government and also select a

local candidate to represent their constituency (選區) in parliament.

Luxon, who is leader of the center-right National party, became prime

minister in 2023.

His chief opponent is Chris Hipkins, leader of the center-left Labour party.

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

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