The Tai-Ex opened up 57-points this morning from last Wednesday's close, at

20,395 on turnover of 9.1-billion N-T.

The market shed more than 100-points last Wednesday - the final trading day

of the week.

Market sentiment was negatively affected by both the 7.2 magnitude earthquake

that struck earlier that day and losses on Wall Street overnight.

The bellwether electronics sector led the downturn.

Investors were concerned about the possible impact on production resulting

from the temblor.

Czech Republic Looking into Allegations Chinese Diplomat Tailed HsiaoBi-khim

The government of the Czech Republic says it's investigation allegations that

a Chinese diplomat tailed Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit

to the country last month.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement by Czech officials

comes after Taiwan's representative office in Prague contacted authorities.

There were reports by a news site that a Chinese diplomat was stopped by

police while following Hsiao's motorcade.

The report by a Prague-based news site says "Chinese governmental

surveillance (監視)" continued until Hsiao arrived at her hotel in the Czech

capital.

Hsiao visited the Czech Republic from March 17 to 19 to speak at a seminar.

And,

Health authorities in Taipei says two more restaurants in the city owned by

Wowprime have been temporarily closed, after 22 people reported falling ill

with symptoms of food poisoning.

According to city government, the 22 people sought medical attention and

reported symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, after eating at Truewow

and XIANG LA Spicy Hot Pot.

Both are located in the same building in the city's Ximending shopping

district.

The 22 patients dined (吃飯，進餐) at the restaurants between April 2 and 4.

Health authorities have carried out inspections at the two restaurants and

found multiple problems.

They are also testing food and environmental samples.

Police authorities in Nigeria say operatives of the force have rescued over

100 victims of kidnapping in the country.

The hostages were abducted (被綁架) by gunmen in Katsina state in the

country's northwest region from March 1st to 31st.

Tesem Akende reports from Jos.

British charity fundraiser Russ Cook has reached the northernmost point of

Africa, completing a year-long quest to run the length of the continent.

Dozens of supporters cheered Sunday as Cook reached a rocky outcrop in

northern Tunisia.

The 27-year-old set off from South Africa in April last year.

He has run more than 16-thousand km across 16 countries in 352 days.

The run has raised more than $870-thousand US dollars for charities that work

with homeless young people, and helps displaced (流離失所) people from

Western Sahara.

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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