The Tai-Ex opened up 40-points this morning from yesterday's close, at

17,693 on turnover of $4.5-billion N-T.

The Tai-Ex gained more than 180 points on Thursday to close above the

17,600-point mark and hit its highest level since March of 2022 - as

investors reacted positively to a decision by the U-S Federal Reserve on

interest rates.

Large-cap stocks, in particular those in the bellwether electronics sector,

led the main board higher, while buying also spread to the non-tech sector --

with financial heavyweights posting strong gains and helping to boost the

wider market.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency says it is stepping-up

quarantine sampling of custard apple exports to China.

The move comes amid reports that pests have being detected (檢測到) in a

recent container of custard apples exported to China.

It was the first since Beijing resumed allowing the import of Taiwan custard

apple after suspending imports of one variety (種類) of the fruits in

September of 2021 due to pest concerns.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency says it is currently unable to

confirm what type of pests were detected, as China has not issued any

official documentation about the incident.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will not give up its fight in

Ukraine.

AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports.

In related news….

The European Union has decided to open accession (加入) negotiations with

Ukraine and Moldova.

European Council President Charles Michel called it “a clear signal of hope

for their people and our continent.”

The decision was announced at a summit of the leaders of the 27 EU countries

Thursday.

Although the process between opening negotiations and Ukraine finally

becoming a member could take many years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelenskyy welcomed the agreement as “a victory for Ukraine. A victory for

all of Europe.”

Left on the summit agenda now is a promise to give Ukraine $50-billion euros

in financial aid to stave off Russia's invasion.

California-based Rocket Lab plans to launch a Japanese satellite today from

the space company's complex on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.

The mission was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to

forecast strong winds until today.

Rocket Lab says the Electron rocket will carry a TSUKUYOMI-I satellite into

orbit on behalf of a Japanese start-up Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space

Inc.

The synthetic-aperture radar satellite will collect (收集) images of the

Earth.

The mission would be Rocket Lab’s 10th for 2023, exceeding its annual record

of nine set last year.

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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