The Tai-Ex opened up 24.8 points this morning from yesterday's close, at

15,849, on turnover of NT$2.66 billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex gained had gained ground on Thursday following a rally on Wall

Street overnight as investor concerns over the health of America's banking

sector subsided.

However, turnover for the session fell below the 190-billion N-T mark and

that decline is being attributed to (歸因於) a large number of investors

opting to stay on the sidelines ahead of the five-day long weekend.

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to gradually lower the teacher-student

ratio in preschools and provide funding incentives.

The proposal was put forward by the Ministry of Education calls for all

public preschools that cater to (迎合) children between the ages of three and

six will be required to aim for a 1-12 teacher-student ratio beginning in

August of this year.

The ratio of 15 to 1 has remained unchanged since 1981 when it was

implemented under the now defunct (不復存在) Kindergarten Education Act.

The new policy will not be mandatory in private preschools.

American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura Rosenberger is lauding Taiwan as

being a "global partner" and says the U-S is working with all of its

partners, including Taiwan, to uphold (捍衛) key principles of democracy.

Rosenberger made the comments as she hosted President Tsai Ing-wen at a

banquet in New York.

During the event, Rosenberger hailed Taiwanese businesses and civic leaders

in the United States - describing them as being critical to the "diversity

and richness of American society and the stability of unofficial Taiwan-US

relations."

The A-I-T chair also stressed that Washington will work to ensure Taiwan's

meaningful participation in international forums.

The U.K. has agreed to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact that includes Japan,

Mexico and Australia.

Britain says it's the biggest new trade deal it has struck since leaving the

European Union three years ago.

The agreement comes after almost two years of negotiations to join the

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or

CPTPP.

The government says membership will reduce tariffs on British dairy products

and other goods and remove red tape for U.K. services.

It's estimated it will boost the U.K. economy by 1.8 billion pounds ($2.2

billion) “in the long run.”

Critics say the deal is insignificant (微不足道) compared to Britain’s trade

with its neighbors in the EU.

A US reporter working for the Wall St Journal has been detained by Russian

authorities on espionage (間諜活動) charges.

The Federal Security Service arrested Evan Gershkovich in the eastern city of

Yekaterinburg.

Jackie Quinn reports.

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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