**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened up 2.7-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

17,245 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T.

The market gained ground on Thursday after the U-S Federal Reserve raised

rates by a quarter of percentage point - a move that had been widely

expected.

**Female Students in Taichung Gain Easier Access to Sanitary Products **

The Taichung City Education Bureau says female students will be getting

easier access to sanitary products at schools or receive vouchers to buy them

at major retail chains from August 1.

According to the bureau, students will also be able get sanitary products at

health center in the city's 350 high schools, junior high schools and

elementary schools.

While some 10,000 female students from low-income households will be given

two 100 N-T vouchers per month to purchase the products.

The bureau says the 102-million N-T scheme aimed at increasing access to

sanitary products in the city is being funded by the Ministry of Education as

part of an islandwide program.

Taichung received 11.89-million N-T from the ministry to expand its existing

scheme (方案) to offer free sanitary products.

**UN Calls for Peace in Middle East **

The United Nations says the deterioration of the security situation in the

occupied West Bank once again undermines a possible two-State solution.

Security Council members on Thursday heard from the Assistant Secretary

General, Khaled Khiari who said the situation is becoming untenable

(難以繼續的，難維持的).

The occupied West Bank is currently experiencing a period of increasing

violence and several members have once again raised concern.

Jody Jacobs reports from New York…

**Kuwait Executes Five Prisoners **

Kuwait says it executed five prisoners including an inmate convicted over the

bombing of a Shiite mosque in 2015 that killed 27 people and was claimed by

the Islamic State group.

A statement from Kuwait’s Public Prosecution said the five inmates were

hanged on Thursday.

The 2015 bombing struck during midday Friday prayers inside one of Kuwait’s

oldest Shiite mosques.

The Islamic State group views Shiites as heretics (異教者).

The country conducted its last mass execution in November 2022 when it put

seven inmates to death.

**Vietnam Agrees to Vatican Representative and Office **

Vietnam has formally agreed to let a Vatican representative live in the

country and open an office.

The Holy See announced the conclusion (結論) of an agreement during a visit

to the Vatican by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, who met with Pope

Francis.

A Vatican statement said the appointment of a resident representative of the

pope to the communist country would support the local Catholic community,

contribute to the development of the country and help serve as a “bridge to

advance relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.”

The agreement Thursday still falls short of full diplomatic relations, which

have been strained for decades.

But the two sides have held regular talks since at least 1990 studying the

renewal of ties.

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 _____.

--

Hosting provided by SoundOn