The Tai-Ex opened up 101-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

22,858 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex closed at another record high on Tuesday, led by solid gains

posted by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing following a rally among tech

stocks on Wall Street overnight.

T-S-M-C's gains contributed about 180 points to the main board's rise to push

both electronics and the semiconductor sub-index higher during the trading

day.

The Centers for Disease Control says weekly COVID-19 cases have nearly

doubled.

Data shows that a total of 623 new locally transmitted cases were reported

from between June 11 and 17 - and that's up from 329 cases during the

previous week.

According to the C-D-C, the rise in domestic cases means that Taiwan is now

in the pandemic phase - and mathematical modeling suggests the currently wave

will peak in August and September, with a decline (衰退) expected after

September.

The C-D-C is encouraging people who have not yet received the X-B-B vaccine

to get a shot as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Agriculture says it plans to cull 1.8-million hens on a

monthly basis beginning later this month due to an oversupply eggs.

The statement comes after a week after the ministry said it will be culling

1.2-million hens per month.

According to the ministry, its hoped the move will cut daily egg production

to approximately (大約) 120,000 crates, from the current 121,600 crates and

will reduce the number of egg-laying hens from the current 35.7-million to

between 33 and 34-million.

The ministry says it chose to increase the number of hens culled as

oversupply issues are continuing, despite the price of eggs dropping to 50

N-T a box at leading supermarket chains.

The leaders of Russia and North Korea are holding their first summit (會議)

in Pyongyang in 24 years.

Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived to a hug and handshake from his

counterpart Kim Jong-un on Wednesday.

Chris Gilbert reports.

Veteran actor Ian McKellen says he is looking forward to returning to work

after toppling off a London stage during a play and being hospitalized.

The 85-year-old actor known for playing Gandalf in the “Lord of the Rings”

said on Tuesday that doctors had assured (保證) him his recovery would be

“complete and speedy.”

The actor said he was looking forward to returning to work.

McKellen was playing John Falstaff in a production of “Player Kings” when

he fell at the Noel Coward Theatre on Monday.

The theater was evacuated (疏散) and the play was canceled.

McKellen is one of Britain's most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles

including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear.

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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