**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened up 9.5-points this morning from Friday's close, at 15,589

on turnover of $1.5-billion N-T.

**Latest step taken to pave way for Taiwan version of CHIPS Act **

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs is soliciting public opinion, on rules

to carry out and enforce Taiwan's version of the CHIPS Act.

Over the next 30 days, the MOEA will collect opinions on the proposed rules,

after which it will hold forums, to exchange views with businesses on the

amendment's details, as it prepares to start taking applications from

eligible companies next year.

The notice was issued after a new amendment was passed in early January,

which offers tax breaks to companies that develop innovative technologies

domestically, and have a critical role in international supply chains.

Following passage of the amendment, the revised law was dubbed (稱…為) the

Taiwan-version of the United States' CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at

subsidizing semiconductor investment in the U.S. market to strengthen U.S.

competitiveness in the global chip market.

**Syria Reports Israeli Airstrikes at Airport **

Syrian state media says Israeli airstrikes have targeted the international

airport in the northern city of Aleppo, killing one Syrian soldier and

putting the airport out of commission (無法使用).

SANA cited a military official, saying that two civilians and five other

Syrian soldiers were wounded in the strike early today.

The airport has been a key channel for the flow of aid into the country after

the Feb. 6 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing over 50,000 people,

including more than 6,000 in Syria.

There was no immediate statement from Israeli authorities on the strikes.

Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment next door, has carried

out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of

neighboring Syria in recent years, but rarely acknowledges them.

**US Philippines Strengthen Alliance **

The Philippines is strengthening its alliance (聯盟) with the US, amid

increasing tensions with China. The Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos

Junior says South-east Asia is the most complicated geopolitical region in

the world right now.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

**Canada Gov Proposes Assault Firearms Ban **

The Canadian government is proposing a ban on assault-style firearms that

would apply once legislation now before Parliament comes into force.

Under the scheme announced Monday, the government would make regulations

through the Firearms Act to ensure that guns are classified correctly before

entering the Canadian market.

Canada's public safety minister says the government also plans to recreate

(重建) a firearms advisory committee that will make recommendations on the

classification of guns now on the market.

The minister says the committee will include rural and northern residents,

Indigenous people, industry leaders, law enforcement and gun control

advocates.

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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