The Tai-Ex opened down 298-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

33,816 on turnover of 16.3-billion N-T.

The market posted its second-largest daily point gains on Wednesday, as a

decline in investor concerns over the Middle East saw the bellwether

electronics sector attract strong buying.

Analysts say the combined gains from Tuesday and Wednesday helped the main

board completely recover losses seen on Monday, when investors were spooked

(受到驚嚇) by reports the US-Israel war against Iran could drag on for weeks.

Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin says Tai-Power will submit a plan later

month to re-start the decommissioned Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in

Pingtung.

According to Kung, that means the plant could begin generating electricity as

early as 2028.

The statement came after as the economics minister was being questioned

during a Legislative hearing as to whether the government is considering

(考慮) using nuclear energy as a stable energy source in the event of a

wartime blockade.

The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned on May 17 of last year.

And,

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen left for an 11-day visit to the United States

late yesterday evening.

She was seen off at Taoyuan International Airport by several K-M-T lawmakers.

Prior to boarding her flight, Lu told reporters that trip to the was

primarily (主要地，首先) focused on city-level diplomacy, but given Taiwan's

current situation, her delegation will take the opportunity to advocate for

the island's rights and interests.

Lu's March 11 to 21 has planned stops in Boston, New York City, Washington,

D.C., and Seattle.

The Taichung mayor has said the issues to be discussed with U-S officials

include energy stability, regional security and global trade.

The International Energy Agency has greenlit the release of a record 400m

barrels of oil from emergency reserves in a bid to curb (抑制) rising prices

sparked by the war in Iran.

Instability around the Strait of Hormuz - a key oil shipping route off Iran's

coast- has brought tanker traffic to halt.

Toni Waterman has more from Washington.

Czech lawmakers have approved a 2026 budget that keeps defense spending below

NATO’s 2% target, despite pressure from the United States.

They voted Wednesday to fund the Defense Ministry at just over 1.7% of GDP.

The new government of populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis says the state

budget is strained (勉強的) and it has other priorities, including health

care.

Czech spending rises above 2% only if other ministries’ projects count too.

President Petr Pavel urges a bigger budget and cites Russia’s war in

Ukraine.

The U.S. ambassador warns that the Czech decision hurts the whole alliance.

Ecuador's interior minister says the country is preparing a major crackdown

on criminal groups set to begin this weekend with logistical support from the

United States.

Ecuador's interior minister told local media that the government wants to

avoid civilian casualties.

He is also urging people to follow a nightly curfew from March 15th to March

30th.

It covers three of the country's most violent provinces.

The minister says roads need to stay clear for troop movements and equipment.

Ecuador has faced rising organized crime since 2021 that officials link to

(與…有關聯) drug cartels.

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

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