The Tai-Ex opened up 26-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 16,176

on turnover of 3.1-billion N-T.

The market gained ground on Monday ahead of a U-S Federal Reserve decision

later this week on interest rates and as oil prices fell.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a delegation of European

parliamentarians is visiting this week as part of efforts aimed at

strengthening the European Parliament's relations with Taiwan.

The three-member delegation is led by being led by the vice chairman of the

European Parliament-Taiwan Friendship Group.

According to the foreign ministry, the delegation will be holding talks with

President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials, including

Legislative Speaker You Si-kun and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu during its

six-day visit.

The foreign ministry says the talks will focus on the economy, democracy and

disinformation (虛假資訊).

And,

President Tsai Ing-wen has met with members of Taiwan's Asian Paralympic

Games team.

Speaking at an event at the Presidential Building, Tsai thanked the athletes

for their fighting spirit and said her administration will continue to

support sporting events for those with disabilities.

She also said athletes and coaches preparing for next year's Paris Paralympic

Games will get additional support to ensure (確保) they can "earn glory" for

Taiwan next summer in the French capital.

Taiwan has finished in 13th place in the medals table - bringing home four

gold, four silver and 12 bronze.

Those medals included Taiwan's first-ever in taekwondo, archery, and Go at

the Asia Paralympics.

Israeli armoured vehicles including a tank have been seen on Gaza's main road

as Israel expands (擴大) its ground offensive.

It comes as Hamas released a video of three female hostages.

Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Jamaica and prompted people to flee

buildings amid heavy shaking that knocked out power in some areas.

The tremor caused panic (恐慌) on the island Monday, but the prime minister

says there have been no reports of deaths, injuries or serious damage.

The epicenter of the quake was about 10 kilometers west-northwest of Hope

Bay.

The U.S. Geological Survey says it occurred at a shallow depth of 10

kilometers.

An Australian think tank says Beijing has increasingly targeted its South

Pacific political allies with its shrinking aid budget

Sydney’s Lowy Institute report in its latest annual analysis that Chinese

economic influence in the region is losing ground to better loan deals

offered by U.S. allies to 14 aid-dependent Pacific Island nations.

Strategic competition in the South Pacific has escalated since China struck a

security pact with the Solomons Islands last year that raised the prospect

(前景) of a Chinese naval foothold being established in the South Pacific.

The decline in Chinese aid has been driven mainly by a lack of Pacific

government interest in Chinese loans that have left Pacific countries

including Tonga heavily in debt.

The United States has warned that Chinese finance is a debt trap for poor

countries that threatens their sovereignty.

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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