The Tai-Ex opened up 50-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,842

on turnover of $6.1-billion N-T.

Shipping stocks led shares in Taiwan to close down 0.30 percent Tuesday.

That was the first trading session after the Dragon Boat Festival long

weekend.

Freight rates to Europe from China are plunging.

But analysts say select tech heavyweights appeared resilient, providing some

support to the broader market.

Three shipments of seasonings imported from the United States have been

returned or destroyed.

They were found to contain a banned chemical.

The Food and Drug Administration says the imports were intercepted (攔截)

after sample testing conducted in late April and May.

The tests detected the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical.

The problematic products were Briannas French Vinaigrette Dressing and

Briannas Smoked Chipotle Marinade, both imported by Hao Shi International

Co., along with A-1 Steak Sauce imported by Zhan Ying Trading Co.

The FDA says products imported by the two companies will now be subject to

batch-by-batch inspections.

The U.N. human rights office is citing possible war crimes by Israeli forces

and Palestinian armed groups.

The crimes may have been committed in connection with a deadly raid by

Israeli forces that freed four hostages over the weekend.

A spokesperson expressed concerns about possible violations of rules of

proportionality, distinction and precaution by the Israeli forces in

Saturday’s raid at the urban Nuseirat refugee camp.

Palestinian health officials say at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens

of women and children, were killed in the operation.

The spokesperson says Palestinian armed groups who are holding hostages in

densely populated areas are putting the lives of nearby civilians and the

hostages at “added risks” from the hostilities (戰鬥).

Only 6 to 8 of Mexico’s critically endangered vaquita marina porpoises were

sighted this year in the Gulf California.

But researchers suggested Tuesday that some of the few remaining vaquitas _

the world’s most endangered marine mammal _ may have moved elsewhere in the

Gulf.

The gulf is the only place in the world where they live.

Last year, experts estimate they saw from 10 to 13 during nearly two weeks of

sailing in the Gulf.

But this year, the conservation group Sea Shepherd said an expedition (考察)

May 5-26, only saw a half dozen.

But they also say the search was not as extensive.

And no baby vaquitas were seen this year.

Japan may soon require more companies to disclose gender gap data.

It comes as the country ranks 118th in a new World Economic Forum gender

parity (性別平等) survey.

Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.

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.

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