**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened up 41-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 14,650

on turnover of $2.7-billion N-T.

The market moved higher on Wednesday on the back of investor interest sparked

by gains on Wall Street overnight amid easing concerns over aggressive

(積極強硬的) U-S Federal Reserve rate hikes.

The bellwether electronics sector continued to gain ground, but still came

off early highs, while buying rotated to financial and select old economy

stocks throughout much of the trading day.

**Single-Use Plastic Cups to be Banned in Taipei from Next Month **

The Taipei Department of Environmental Protection is reminding residents that

beverage shops in the city will be prohibited from providing single-use

plastic drinking cups from December 1.

The department says the move is in line with international trends (趨勢) and

the city government's implementation of plastic reduction policies.

According to city hall, the ban includes eco-friendly cups made of

biodegradable plastic materials.

The Taipei City Government is also planning to introduce a new system for

reusable cups on January 1st.

The city's environmental protection office says the new regulations will

result in a 900-ton reduction in plastics waste every year.

**Ukraine President Addresses UN **

President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged members of the United Nations to do

more to protect civilians in Ukraine.

The latest escalation (（戰爭）逐步升級) of missile strikes by Russia has

caused power outages across much of Ukraine and half of neighboring Moldova.

William Denselow reports from UN headquarters in New York.

**EU: Kosovo and Serbia Reach Deal on Licence Plates **

The European Union’s top diplomat says Kosovo and Serbia have reached a deal

on a dispute over vehicle number plates, defusing rising tension between the

two Western Balkan neighbors.

The EU’s high representative, Josep Borrell, posted in his social media page

that Kosovo’s and Serbia’s negotiators “have agreed to avoid further

escalation and to fully concentrate on the proposal on normalization (正常化)

of their relations.”

Earlier this week Borrell had failed to convince the two countries' leaders

to do that, raising concerns in Brussels.

The EU-backed Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which is aimed at normalizing

relations between the former foes in the Western Balkans, has been at a

virtual standstill for years.

**WCup Germany Protests Gov Clampdown on One Love Armband **

Germany’s players covered their mouths for the team photo before their

opening World Cup match to protest against FIFA following the governing

body’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband.

Germany coach Hansi Flick says it was a sign from the team "that FIFA is

muzzling us.”

The team lined up in the traditional formation before the game against Japan

and all 11 players covered their mouths with their right hands.

The gesture was a response to FIFA’s warning that players would be penalized

(受到懲罰) if they wore the colorful armbands that stand as a symbol for

inclusion and diversity.

Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws

criminalizing homosexuality.

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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