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Tai-Ex opening
The Tai-Ex opened up 399-points this morning from Friday's close, at 42,667 on turnover of 27.5-billion N-T.
The market gained ground on Friday to rebound to back over the 42,000 point mark following a losing run - as regional markets advanced following modest gains on Wall Street overnight after pressure from the bond market eased and oil prices fell.
Lai touts his child allowance proposal during visit to Chiayi temple
President Lai Ching-te has been touting (宣傳) his proposal to boost childcare benefits and increases to farmers’ allowances.
Speaking during a visit to the Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, Lai said families will receive 5,000 N-T per month for each child from birth through the age of 18 starting from next January.
According to Lai, that will ensure (確保) that payments for each child between those ages will reach 1.08-million N-T by adulthood if payments continue through the full period.
Lai said parents will be advised to set aside part of the allowance for the children's college or future business plans.
THSR original schedule cancelled from 8AM due to signal problems
The High Speed Rail Corporation cancelled it regular scheduled trains at 8AM today following a signal malfunction on Miaoli section of line.
According to the network operator, three trains are running per hour and will depart from Nangang Station southbound and Zuoying Station northbound, stopping at each station.
Departure times from the terminal stations are on the hour, 20 minutes past the hour, and 40 minutes past the hour.
The High Speed Rail Corporation says signal anomaly occurred during pre-operational preparations (準備工作) earlier this morning and repairs are ongoing and it will release updates on the status of services when they are available.
US Downplays Hopes for Iran Deal
U.S. leader Donald Trump said he had told his representatives not to rush (急速行進) into any deal with Iran, as his administration played down hopes of an imminent breakthrough in the three-month-old war that had been raised a day earlier.
Trump indicated the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz would "remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed."
Joe Federman has details.
That was Joe Federman.
Madrid Protests Against Rising Housing Costs
Thousands have rallied in central Madrid against spiraling housing costs that have priced many Spaniards out of the market.
Protesters chanted slogans and held banners highlighting their right to housing.
The country has a tradition of homeownership and limited public housing (公共住宅), with rents driven up by tourism and immigration.
Last month, Spain’s government passed a 7 billion euro plan to build more public housing.
However, a decree to extend temporary rent freezes did not pass Parliament.