**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened up 88-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,508

on turnover of 4.4-billion N-T.

The market staged a technical rebound on Wednesday following a slump the

previous session - as buying was triggered by gains on Wall Street overnight.

And the bellwether electronics sector was boosted by late-session buying,

with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in investor in focus as foreign

institutional investors continue to move funds into the region.

**Pavel Defends Phone Call with Tsai **

Czech Republic President-elect Petr Pavel is defending his decision to talk

with President Tsai Ing-wen by telephone following his election victory.

China lodged formal objections to the phone call.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters earlier this

week Pavel's actions "persisted (堅持) in stepping on China's red line,

seriously interfering in China's domestic affairs and hurting the feelings of

the Chinese people."

In a Czech-language tweet, Pavel said he understood that China had

"reservations" about the phone call - but the Czech Republic is a "sovereign

country and we do what we think is right."

Pavel will assume the presidency in March.

**CECC to Lift Coronavirus Testing for Overseas Arrivals from February 7 **

The Central Epidemic Command Center says overseas arrivals (到達的人)

observing the seven-day self-health monitoring period will no longer be

required to take coronavirus rapid tests from February 7.

From next Tuesday, all arrivals will only be given a single at-home rapid

test kit, instead of the current four.

Under the new rules, arrivals will only need to take an at-home rapid test if

they develop suspected symptoms during the self-health monitoring period.

**US Philippines Officials to Discuss Military Cooperation **

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has arrived in the Philippines where he

will meet with the country's president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

They are expected to discuss expanding US access to military bases in the

country, which would help Washington counter Chinese influence in the region.

The two countries have been working on the defense agreement for almost a

decade (十年) but have made little progress so far, as FSN's Nick Harper

reports from Washington

**Brazil Officials Reelected by Lawmakers **

Brazilian lawmakers have voted to reelect the heads of both the Chamber of

Deputies and the Senate, bolstering President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s

prospects for passing legislation and governing in the polarized nation.

Chamber Speaker Arthur Lira won in the biggest landslide since Brazil

returned to democracy almost four decades ago, with 91% of the votes.

Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco secured victory with a sizeable margin,

outdoing analysts’ expectations for a tight contest and even possible upset

by his challenger.

The two congressional leaders set the daily agenda for proceedings, choosing

which bills are put up for debate and vote, and they have the power to

greenlight congressional investigations.

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 _____.

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