**Tai-Ex opening **

The Tai-Ex opened down 19-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

14,765, on turnover of $1.88-billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex gained ground on Thursday, as most other regional markets closed

the day higher.

However, investor optimism about the U-S Federal Reserve holding back on

aggressive interest rate hikes was countered by uncertainty over coronavirus

lockdowns in China.

**Three More Private High Schools Placed on MOE 'Watch List' **

The Ministry of Education has placed three more private high schools on its

"watch list."

The three schools include the Hong Ren Catholic Girls' High School in Chiayi

City, the Yu Min Vocational School in Miaoli County and Yu-Ren Senior High

School in Taitung.

According to the education ministry, they were added the list because their

"financial condition has markedly declined to the extent that the school

cannot pay off its debt, or that financial problems has seriously impacted

the running of the school."

Schools place on the watch list are alloted (分配的) a two-year observation

period to solve their problems.

If they fail to properly address the issues, education authories can order

their closure at the end of the period.

**Venezuela and Opposition to Resume Negotiations **

The government of Venezuela and its opposition say they will resume over the

weekend long-stalled negotiations meant to find a common path out of their

country’s complex crisis.

The announcement Thursday comes two weeks after delegates from both parties

met to address the Venezuelan crisis, promoted by French President Emmanuel

Macron.

Norwegian diplomats will guide the negotiations.

The talks formally began in September 2021 in Mexico but were suspended the

following month when President Nicolas Maduro ordered his delegation to

withdraw in protest of the extradition to the United States of a close ally.

**UK Businesses Urge Gov Not to Scrap EU Laws **

UK businesses and unions are urging the government not to scrap a range of

European Union laws.

In a joint letter, several influential groups called on ministers to withdraw

(撤) its Retained EU Law bill, warning it would put vital protections at

risk.

The legislation would see most EU laws expire by the end of 2023.

The government says it is committed to 'taking full advantage of the benefits

of Brexit'.

Sally Patterson has more in London.

**Egypt Announces Release of Political Activists **

Egyptian authorities have announced the release of 30 political activists

from jail.

The announcement late on Thursday marks the latest in a series of mass

releases from detention amid intensifying international scrutiny over Egypt's

human rights record.

There was no word on the identities of the activists or how many had already

been freed.

Since 2013, Egypt has cracked down on dissidents (持不同政見者) and critics,

jailing thousands, virtually banning protests and monitoring social media.

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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