**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened down 28-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

15,590 on turnover of 3.3-billion N-T.

The market gained ground on Wednesday to close more than 1.4 percent higher,

as investors were buoyed (受鼓舞) by a rally on Wall Street overnight on the

back of further signals that the U-S Federal Reserve may ease off on its

interest rate hikes.

The bellwether electronics sector attracted a majority of investor attention

to drive the gains throughout the session, while old economy and financial

stocks closed the trading day day mixed.

**KMT Vice Chairman Arrives in China **

K-M-T Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia has arrived in China for a multi-city 10-day

visit.

Hsia is being accompanied by K-M-T Mainland Affairs Department head Lin

Zu-jia and National Policy Foundation members Gao Si-bo and Zhao Chun-shan.

Speaking to reporters at Taoyuan International Airport prior to boarding a

flight to Beijing, Hsia described the trip as being "apolitical" (非政治的)

in nature and said it's aimed at looking after the welfare of Taiwanese

living and working in China.

According to Hsia, although he's not authorized to engage in any form of

political negotiations or consultations in China, he still believes that trip

will help improve understanding and dialogue across the strait.

**Jeremy Lin Introduced as Member of Plus League Kaohsiung 17 Live Steelers **

Jeremy Lin has made his first public appearance since arriving here to play

for the Plus League Kaohsiung 17 Live Steelers.

Speaking at a press conference at which he was introduced as the latest

member of the Steelers team, Lin said coming to Taiwan will give him a chance

to rediscover "(重新發現) his passion for the game."

According to Lin, he hasn't felt the passion for basketball for a long time -

so he decided to join the Steelers, and he's really looking forward to the

first game to "return to an environment with fans."

Lin is expected to make his Steelers' debut on February 12, when the team

plays the Formosa Taishin Dreamers.

**US Walmart Shooter Pleads Guilty **

The man accused of killing 23 people at a Texas Walmart has pleaded guilty to

federal hate crime and firearm charges.

Toni Waterman has more from Texas.

**SKorea Minister Impeached for Itaewon Crush **

South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament has impeached Interior and

Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, holding him responsible for government failures

in disaster planning and the response that likely worsened (使惡化) a crowd

crush that killed nearly 160 people in October.

The impeachment Wednesday suspends Lee from his duties and the Constitutional

Court has 180 days to rule on whether to formally unseat him or reinstate him

to his job.

He's a key ally of the president, whose office accused opposition lawmakers

of abandoning legislative principles and creating “shameful history.”

An investigation found police and public officials failed to use meaningful

crowd control measures and ignored calls about the huge crowds in the Itaewon

nightlife district hours before the deadly crush.

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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