The Tai-Ex opened up 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 20,208

on turnover of 3.6-billion N-T.

The market closed slightly lower on Monday after hitting an all-time closing

high last week.

The electronics sector, which has driven recent gains, came under pressure.

Select old economy stocks, in particular those in the electric machinery and

transportation sectors, attracted buying to lend some support to the broader

market.

The Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation says the former head of

state will lead a delegation of Taiwanese students on a "peace visit" to

China from April 1st to April 11th.

According to foundation director Hsiao Hsu-tsen, the delegation is planning

to visit Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces and also Beijing.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office has issued a statement welcoming Ma's planned

visit.

The foundation says no plans have been made to meet with Chinese officials.

However, the foundation's director is not dismissing reports that Ma could

meet with Xi Jin-ping while in Beijing.

It says that "specific arrangements" (安排的細節) will be left up to the

Chinese side, which is hosting the delegation.

And,

The Presidential Office is planning to play host to a special event for young

people on April 4th to coincide with the Children's Day holiday.

According to Presidential Office spokeswoman Lu Yu-chan, the event will

transform the building into a giant maze filled with fun, games and live

performances.

It will be the first time the Presidential Office will have opened its doors

to youngsters (兒童、年輕人) on Children's Day host a special party.

The Presidential Office spokeswoman says children will have the opportunity

to have their photos taken with replica military aircraft.

They could also pretend to the be the president, by hosting their own press

conferences in the building's briefing room.

Japan’s Prime Minister says no plans have been made for a summit with North

Korean leader Kim Jong Un, despite reports he has requested (要求) a

sit-down.

DPRK state media on Monday reported Pyongyang had received the request from

Fumio Kishida

Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.

Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic following a spike in dengue cases.

The U.S. territory of 3.2 million people has reported at least 549 cases so

far this year, compared with a total of 1,293 cases for all of last year.

The island’s health department says more than 340 people have been

hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus.

Officials said Monday that the majority of cases have been reported in the

capital of San Juan.

More than 5 million dengue cases were reported worldwide last year.

Nearly 80% of those occurred in the Western Hemisphere, according the World

Health Organization.

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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