The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

24,650 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T.

The market closed at a new high on Monday - with buying focused on the

semiconductor sector as investors remain upbeat about global demand ahead of

the opening tomorrow of SEMICON Taiwan.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is underscoring the importance of strengthening

national defense in the pursuit of peace and prosperity.

Hsiao made the comment while overseeing (監督) the delivery to the Coast

Guard Administration of the fourth 1,000-tonne class patrol cutter.

Speaking at a handover ceremony at C-S-B-S's Keelung shipyard for the vessel

- which has been named the "Hualien" - Hsiao underlined the importance of a

modernized Coast Guard fleet amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Hsiao also christened the fifth 1,000-tonne patrol cutter the "Penghu," at

the ceremony.

That vessel will be delivered to the Coast Guard Administration at a later

date.

And,Germany will be setting up its first ever national pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan

- when the event opens tomorrow in Taipei.

Semiconductor investment expert at Germany Trade & Invest, Martin Mayer says

his country is looking to raise its profile (形象) and strengthen

semiconductor ties with Taiwan as global chip demand accelerates.

According to Mayer, Taiwan is seen as a crucial (至關重要的) partner in

developing Germany's semiconductor ecosystem …

… and Germany's first ever appearance at at the international semiconductor

exhibition in Taipei is intended to "show presence" and signal its commitment

to semiconductors, while building trust with Taiwanese companies, government

and industry associations.

Israel has launched airstrikes on the outskirts of northeastern Lebanon,

killing five people, including four Hezbollah members.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the air forces targeted Hezbollah

positions and infrastructure.

This comes as global pressure mounts to disarm (解除武裝) the Lebanese

militant group.

Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended a war between Hezbollah and Israel in

November, Israel has struck southern Lebanon almost daily, targeting the

group.

The Lebanese government has recently backed a plan to gradually disarm

Hezbollah, which the group opposes.

Hezbollah has not fired at Israel since November.

It maintains it no longer has an armed presence south of the Litani River,

but refuses to discuss disarmament until Israel stops its attacks and

withdraws from five hilltop points that it captured during the war.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump Administration's

immigration agents to resume what critics call indiscriminate sweeps in Los

Angeles.

The unsigned ruling lifted a lower-court order that had blocked (封鎖，阻止)

stops based on race, language, or type of work.

Ira Spitzer reports

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

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