The Tai-Ex opened down 43-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

21,961 on turnover of $5.1-billion N-T.

The market fell more than 350 points on Thursday as market sentiment was

spooked by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, and a hint by the

U-S Federal Reserve that it's in no hurry to cut interest rates.

Sell-offs were seen across the board, led by the bellwether electronics

sector, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus, which pushed the

main board below the 240-day moving average of around 22,280-points by the

end of the session.

Taiwan passport holders will be able to travel to the Philippines visa-free

entry starting in July.

The announcement was made by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

According to the office, starting July 1, Taiwan passport holders can enter

the Philippines "for tourism purposes without a visa for a non-extendible

(不得延長的) and non-convertible period of 14 days."

However, the office is stressing that Taiwan passport holders planning to

visit the Philippines for more than two weeks or other purposes still need to

apply for a visa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it welcomes the decision.

The announcement comes after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on June 13

that Taiwan will be extending its visa-waiver program for Philippine passport

holders for another year starting August 1.

US President Donald Trump says he will decide on whether to take military

action in Iran within the next two weeks.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the US president

believes there is a "substantial (可觀的) chance of negotiations with Iran in

the near future.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington

Rescue crews, police and paramedics scrambled to a remote Canadian Rocky

Mountain region of Banff National Park amid reports that a group of hikers

were hit by a rock slide.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the initial (最初的) report indicated there

were multiple hikers and there may be serious injuries and or fatalities.

The site is north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway, about 200

kilometers northwest of Calgary.

The Netherlands has returned 119 artifacts looted from Nigeria, including

human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia and a bell.

The artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes and mostly housed in a museum in

the city of Leiden, were looted in the late 19th century by British soldiers.

In recent years, museums across Europe and North America have moved to

address ownership disputes over artifacts looted during the colonial era.

Nigeria formally requested the return of hundreds of objects from museums

around the world in 2022.

The Benin Bronzes were stolen in 1897 when British forces sacked (洗劫，劫掠)

the Benin kingdom and forced the monarch at the time, into a six-month exile.

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

--

Hosting provided by SoundOn