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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 146-points this morning from Thursday's close, at 45,500 on turnover of $14.8-billion N-T.
Shares in Taiwan closed lower Thursday after an earlier upturn was reversed when market sentiment became spooked by renewed geopolitical concerns as the United States and Iran launched fresh attacks.
Selling focused on select large-cap liquid tech stocks as contract chipmaker TSMC faced heavier pressure, pushing down the Taiex.
86 Indonesian students awarded Taiwan scholarships
Eighty-six Indonesian students have been awarded Taiwanese government scholarships to study in Taiwan this year.
Before leaving, they attended a pre-departure orientation in Jakarta held by Taiwan’s representative office there, covering student visas, residency procedures and campus life.
Taiwan's representative to Indonesia, Bruce Hung, said more than 19 thousand Indonesian students are currently studying in Taiwan, making Indonesia the
second-largest source of international students after Vietnam.
Hung said Taiwan offers a strong Mandarin-learning environment and diverse (多種多樣的) higher education opportunities, and encouraged the students to learn more about the island's AI and semiconductor industries during their studies.
Thailand Pub Fire Leaves Dozens Dead and Injured
A huge fire that engulfed a pub in Bangkok overnight has killed at least 27 people and injured dozens more.
Rescuers said the fire was reported around midnight Sunday, and firefighters brought the blaze under control early Monday.
Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the pub in the northern part of the Thai capital.
Thailand's prime minister told reporters at the scene that several people have been taken to the hospital.
He says a musician who was performing at the pub told him that he saw smoke coming out of a circuit breaker (斷路器) near the stage before the power went out, then an explosion was heard and thick smoke quickly filled the venue Many of victims were found at the restrooms at the back of the pub.
US Launches Strikes on Iranian Military Sites
The United States Central Command has launched fresh strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington presses Tehran to guarantee safe passage for commercial shipping through the waterway.
The escalation comes as the US political landscape shifts following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent (著名的) foreign policy hawk who advocated for military action against Iran and strong ties with European allies.
Jagruti Dave has the story from Washington.
Syria NewlyElected Parliament Holds First Session
Syria's newly elected parliament has held its first session since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.
The reconvening of parliament aims to restart the legislative process after years of conflict and autocratic rule.
Two-thirds of the 210-member People's Assembly were elected while one-third were appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The new parliament will serve a 30-month term.
The launch indicates progress in drafting new laws as Syria recovers from decades of Assad's rule and a deadly war.
Legislators elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as speaker.
Al-Awak, a former judge, defected from the Assad government early in the uprising (起義、叛亂).