The Tai-Ex opened up 45-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,380

on turnover of 5-billion N-T.

The market plunged on Wednesday losing more than 370-points, as foreign

institutional investors increased short futures positions to hedge against

potential risks in the spot market.

Investor sentiment remained cautious after U-S President-elect Donald Trump's

threats of tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico - which pushed down

large-cap tech stocks.

While foreign institutional investors appeared cautious and selling was

focused on tech heavyweights - as it was seen as the most effective way to

drive down the spot market and profit from futures.

A group of 40 Chinese college students and faculty members have arrived in

Taiwan for a nine-day trip at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.

Foundation C-E-O Hsiao Hsu-tsen is describing the the visit as an exciting

event at a time when the cross-strait relationship faces challenges and he

believes a common dialogue between the two sides and can help improve

relations.

Hsiao is also thanking the government for allowing the visit to take place.

The delegation is made up of students from seven Chinese universities and

includes six-time Olympic table tennis champion Ma Long of the Beijing Sport

University, and 2020 Tokyo Olympic shooting gold medalist Yang Qian, who

studies at the Tsinghua University.

And,

The Central Weather Administration says a cold front has pushed temperatures

down islandwide - and the current conditions will persist through the weekend

According to the administration's forecast center, the lowest temperature in

low lying areas this morning was recorded in Miaoli County's Sanwan Township,

where the mercury dropped to 8.4-degrees.

The mercury fell to 8.8-degrees in New Taipei's Shiding District and to

9.2-degrees in Hsinchu County's Emei Township.

Meteorologist Daniel Wu says the current weather system will likely qualify

as this winter's first "continental cold air mass" -- meaning that it will

bring temperatures of 10 degrees or below in some low-lying areas, or

possibly below 14 degrees at the Taipei weather station.

talks in Italy

The G7 has condemned Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear

rhetoric" after two days of talks in Italy.

It was the final meeting for foreign ministers from the group, which includes

the U.S., U.K. and Japan, before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes

office.

Giles Gibson reports from Rome.

A government official says Canada is already examining possible retaliatory

tariffs on certain items from the United States.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if

the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants

across southern and northern borders.

He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from

Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.

A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality

(可能性) and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs.

The official stressed no decision has been made.

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

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