**Tai-Ex opening **

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

15,226 on turnover of $2.2-billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex followed other regional markets and gained ground on Thursday, as

investors waited for a highly anticipated speech from the U-S Federal Reserve

chair about interest rates.

**8 Associates of Cambodia-Based Fraud Ring Figure Arrested **

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Law enforcement officials say eight associates of a Taiwanese national

believed to be a senior figure in a Cambodia-based fraud ring have been

detained.

According to the Kaohsiung Criminal Investigation Corps, the eight were

working for a Taiwanese national who has been identified as the head of a

telecoms fraud ring operating out of Phnom Bokor in southern Cambodia.

Corps head Hong Sung-tien says the man reportedly instructed his associates

here in Taiwan to find people to work for the ring, offering a reward of

3,000 U-S per person sent to Cambodia.

The eight detained suspects are known to have conned at least six individuals

in Taiwan to travel to the Cambodia on the promise of fake jobs.

Police say those six victims paid a ransom (贖金) of 20,000 U-S dollars each

to secure their release and have since returned to Taiwan.

Officials say an investigation into this case is ongoing and authorities here

in Taiwan are seeking the arrest of more suspects in Cambodia.

**CWB: Overcast Skies with Sudden Showers and Gusts **

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Forecasters say rainfall will be more limited today, after torrential

downpours and thundershowers yesterday afternoon.

The Central Weather Bureau says most parts of the island are seeing overcast

to clear skies today, as the amount of moisture in the air tapers off

(逐漸停止).

But mountainous regions and low-lying areas nearby may still see sudden

rainfall accompanied by thunder and gusts of wind, particularly in the

afternoon.

The CWB is reminding people in those areas to be on the alert for rough

weather.

(NS)

**WHO: Global Monkeypox Cases Dropping **

A World Health Organization report says the number of monkeypox cases

reported globally dropped by 21% in the last week, reversing a month-long

trend (trend) of rising infections.

AP correspondent Zerya Shakely reports.

**NKorea: Border Fever Cases Not Coronavirus **

North Korea says the latest fever cases detected in its border region with

China were tested to be influenza, not coronavirus infections as initially

feared.

The report today by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency came a

day after the North said it locked down unspecified areas in Ryanggang

province after four people had fevers that were suspected to be COVID-19.

North Korea maintains there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in the

country since Aug. 10, when leader Kim Jong Un declared a widely disputed

victory over the virus, just three months after the country acknowledged

(承認) an omicron outbreak.

**Latvia Brings Down SovietEra Monument **

Latvia has taken down the centerpiece of a Soviet-era monument in the capital

of Riga.

The nearly 80-meter high concrete obelisk topped by Soviet stars commemorated

(紀念) the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany.

Latvian media broadcast its removal live on Thursday.

The monument was built in 1985 while Latvia was still part of the Soviet

Union.

It had stirred controversy since Latvia regained independence in 1991.

Lawmakers voted in May to take it down after Russia invaded Ukraine in

February.

**OUTRO **

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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