The Tai-Ex opened continued to lose ground this morning from yesterday's

decline - opening down 73-points at 23,530 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T.

The market fell on Wednesday after U-S President Donald Trump threatened to

impose a 25-per cent tariff on chips, cars and pharmaceuticals (藥品).

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing was the focus of selling - as its share

price shed 0.91-per cent.

The stock's losses contributed about 80-points to the Tai-Ex's total decline

for the day and sent the electronics index lower by 0.38-per cent, while the

semiconductor sub-index was down 0.57-per cent.

President Lai Ching-te is describing Taiwan as "a chess player, not a chess

piece" in the shifting geopolitical climate.

Lai made the statement during a meeting of the D-P-P's Central Standing

Committee, as he's seeking to reaffirm his administration's commitment to

strengthening the island's defense through increased spending and reforms

(改革).

D-P-P spokeswoman Han Ying says Lai expressed confidence Taiwan will be able

to successfully navigate the rapidly changing international landscape …

.. while at the same time, ensuring national security and preserving its

leading position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

And,

The Centers for Disease Control says 100,000 doses of newly purchased flu

vaccines for the free government-funded program are now available to

high-risk groups.

The vaccines passed inspection last Friday before being distributed

(散發、分配) to local health authorities for today's rollout.

Distribution of the flu vaccines doses comes as the C-D-C reported just over

148,000 hospital visits for flu-like illness last week.

The additional flu-vaccines doses are available to individuals aged 65 and

over, infants over the age of 6 months, preschool children and those at

higher risk of contracting the flu.

Top United Nations officials in Africa have warned an emergency meeting of

the U.N. Security Council that the offensive of Rwanda-backed rebels in

mineral-rich eastern Congo is threatening peace in the wider region.

A U.N. special envoy for Congo urged the council on Wednesday to take "urgent

(緊迫的) and decisive steps to avert a wider regional war.”

The U.N. special envoy for the Africa’s Great Lakes region said the recent

seizure of major cities in eastern Congo by M23 rebels show that “the risk

of a regional conflagration is more real today than ever before.”

France’s U.N. ambassador called for the council to adopt a resolution urging

an end to the M23 offensive.

A measles outbreak linked to unvaccinated children in West Texas is now

spreading to (擴散，蔓延) vaccinated individuals.

Health officials say four people who have had their jabs, are among those

infected.

Toni Waterman has more.

The Canadian government says it is moving ahead with a multi-billion dollar

plan to build a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto.

The planned rail network will be 100% electric, span approximately 1,000

kilometers, and reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference the government will

commit the equivalent of (等值) $2.74 billion US dollars over six years to

iron out specifics before construction can begin.

Officials say it’s too soon to estimate the final cost of the project or

when it will be completed.

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

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