The Tai-Ex opened up 113-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

19,752 on turnover of 7.3-billion N-T.

The market recorded its second highest daily point gain in history on

Wednesday, as the main board soared more than 800-points, amid the possible

easing of trade tensions between the United States and China.

Market watchers say the upturn was completely driven by news that encouraged

investors to think trade friction between Washington and Beijing is easing.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo says no dates have yet been confirmed as to

when the Narwhal, or "Hai Kun" indigenous submarine prototype will begin its

sea acceptance tests.

The statement comes as sea acceptance testing was initially reported to begin

sometime this month.

According to Koo, shipbuilder C-S-B-C is still working to correct some issues

and the tests will only begin once all safety requirements are met.

The defense minister says although there is currently no definitive (確定的)

schedule for the seas acceptance tests to begin, the vessel is still slated

to be delivered to the Navy in November as scheduled.

Taiwan Railway Corporation has published its new ticket prices on its website.

Publication of the updated prices comes as fares (票價) are set to rise on

June 23.

Ticket prices are set to increase by an average of 26.8-per cent.

The railway corporation's passed a motion to increase fares across all of its

services on February 5 - citing a need to reduce the company's deficit -

which hit 13.79-billion N-T last year.

The new fares were calculated at a profit of 0.36-per cent, which translates

into an average price of 1.82 N-T per kilometer, up from the current 1.46

N-T.

The United Nations says the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached

unprecedented levels, even as Arab mediators (調解者) are working on a

proposal to end the war with Hamas that would include a five-to-seven year

truce and the release of all remaining hostages.

Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York.

A joint statement from Congo's government and a coalition of insurgents in

the country’s east including the M23 rebels says the two sides have agreed

to work toward a truce (休戰) following peace talks in Qatar.

The statement was posted online by an M23 spokesperson and confirmed by the

government, said the parties had agreed to “work towards concluding a

truce” and that they were reaffirming their commitment to “an immediate end

to hostilities.”

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in

mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that

has created one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises.

More than 7 million people have been displaced (流離失所).

Previous commitments to a ceasefire have not held.

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

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