The Tai-Ex opened up 81-points this morning from Friday's close, at 20,996 on

turnover of 4.6-billion N-T.

The market gained ground last Friday as it moved closer the challenging at

21,000-point mark.

The rise after after the U-S Federal Reserve left its main interest rate

unchanged overnight and as investors were pinning their hopes

(把希望寄托在…上) on weekend trade talks between China and the U-S.

Former President Tsai Ing-wen is expressed here gratitude to Lithuania over

its support for Taiwan - saying that both countries are united as partners

(合作夥伴) in defending democracy.

Tsai arrived in Lithuania on Saturday and what is her first visit to the

Baltic state

Speaking at a reception organized by the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary

Friendship Group, Tsai said while she was Taiwan's president she received

visits from many Lithuanian friends in Taiwan …

…. and believes that Taiwan and Lithuania share similar fates as both are

neighbors to authoritarian countries.

Tsai will head to Denmark next to attend to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.

A trial pedestrian zone has been launched in Taipei's Yongkang Street this

past weekend.

The trial will run on weekends through June 10 and sees the popular road

closed to most vehicles.

The Taipei City Government says the aim (目的) is to promote a more

pedestrian-friendly environment.

The campaign limits vehicle access from 2 to 8PM on Saturdays and Sundays and

covers approximately 250 meters of Yongkang Street, and includes nearby

alleys around the popular tourist destination.

Hamas says the last living American hostage in Gaza will be released as part

of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the

Israeli-blockaded territory and resume aid delivery.

Two Hamas officials tell The Associated Press they expect the release of Edan

Alexander in the next 48 hours.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is confirming in a message

to the AP that Hamas has agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture

toward Trump.

The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered (擊毀) a

ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this

week.

Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the United States.

Iran and US conclude a fourth round of negotiations (談判) over Tehran's

nuclear program in Oman

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports

Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an

immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of

humanitarian aid.

In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Leo said, “Never again war!”

from St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below.

Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in

denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging (摧殘) the globe today, saying it

was a “third world war in pieces.”

The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected 267th pope on Thursday.

He has a busy week of audiences before his formal installation Mass Sunday.

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

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