The Tai-Ex opened up 279-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
44,448 on turnover of $18.6-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed more than 1,000 points higher Friday with AI-related
stocks in focus amid improved sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump
cancelled planned strikes against Iran.

Analysts say electronics heavyweights, notably in the semiconductor industry
simply followed suit and the momentum largely reflected optimism toward AI
development.

And select raw material stocks also moved higher in line with the Taiex.

Civil groups are urging the government to allow household migrant caregivers
to be hired and managed by long-term care agencies.

They say, the move would prevent overwork and better protect the interests of
both those providing and receiving care.

Protesters demonstrated at a rally outside the Ministry of Health and
Welfare, saying "exploitation (利用，剝削) is not a choice."

Advocates described facing long working hours, limited opportunities for rest
or leave, and increasing care responsibilities that often go beyond what one
person can do.

They noted that the rights to rest and take leave are "fundamental labor and
human rights," and emphasized that caregivers being overworked affected the
quality of care received by older adults.

MOHW officials say that the proposed change would require significant
regulatory changes and careful assessment.

The Taipei Astronomical Museum says, stargazers may be able to view Mercury
with the naked eye twice this week...

This month Mercury is visible low in the western sky after sunset and can be
seen more easily with binoculars.

The first event will occur tomorrow, with one of the best chances all year to
observe the planet.

Then on Wednesday, Mercury will join Venus, Jupiter, and a crescent moon in
the western sky,with all four objects forming a vertical arrangement.

The museum recommended viewing the events between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. from a
location with an unobstructed (無障礙的) view of the western horizon...

but they do warn of unstable weather affecting visibility.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas
war has surpassed 73,000.

The updated toll came as Israel has continued to strike what it says are
militant targets, often killing civilians, despite a fragile (脆弱的) ceasefire
deal reached in October.

Donna Warder again.

Thousands of demonstrators are converging in Geneva to show their discontent
with the G7 group of rich countries.

U.S. President Donald Trump and counterparts are set to hold a summit
starting today across Lake Geneva in France.

Environmentalists and feminists on Sunday joined protesters against
imperialism (帝國主義), defenders of independent media and supporters of
Palestinian rights and others in a lakeside park for a march across town.

The summit from Monday to Wednesday in Evian-les-Bains, France, will discuss
the Middle East, Ukraine and global economic issues.

Demonstrators have been gathering for days.

Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap the country's population at 10
million.

The initiative, led by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, was seen as a
move against migration.

Preliminary results showed nearly 55% opposed the measure, with a turnout of
almost 59%.

Critics warned it could harm Switzerland's ties with the European Union.

Switzerland isn't an EU member but is surrounded by EU countries.

The proposal's defeat reflects ongoing debates about immigration in Europe.

Swiss democracy allows voters to directly influence policy through
referendums, highlighting the country's unique approach to governance (治理).

The Tai-Ex opened down 438-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
43,588 on turnover of $22.6-billion N-T.

The market lost ground on Thursday, as investors reacted to another sell-off
of artificial-intelligence stocks that dragged Wall Street down overnight.

The loses were far less than Thursday's sharp decline, but the main board
still closed lower.

Taiwan ranks 42nd in terms of peacefulness in the 2026 Global Peace Index.

Taiwan has an overall score of 1.751 this year and fell from 37th place in
last year's report.

The report is published by the global Institute for Economics and Peace and
covers 163 countries.

The overall score measures a country's level of peacefulness, using 23
quantitative and qualitative indicators across three domains - those being
ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security,
and militarization.

Each indicator is weighted on a scale of 1 to 5, with lower scores indicating
greater peacefulness.

Although Taiwan ranks 42nd worldwide, it's listed in 9th place among the 19
Asian-Pacific countries in the report.

Iceland remained the most peaceful country in the world for the 19th
consecutive (連續的) year, with an overall score of 1.161, followed by New
Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ireland.

The New Taipei Transportation Department has launched (啓動，開始) four new bus
routes that cross that Danjiang Bridge.

The new routes provide 80 daily services between Banqiao and Tamsui, Tamsui
and Taoyuan International Airport, and Tamsui and Bali.

Route 988 connects Banqiao Bus Station and Danhai New Town with 20 services
each way on weekdays and 18 each way on weekends.

Airport routes 989 and 990, provide 10 services each way between Taoyuan
Airport and Danhai New Town, and Tamsui Metro Station.

The 115 route will operate as a commuter service between Tamsui and Bali on
weekdays and as a tourism-focused route on weekends and public holidays.

The mayor of a quake-hit southern Philippine town is pleading for air force
helicopters to transport food to stave off hunger in places isolated by
landslides.

The earthquake Monday off southern Sarangani province has left 47 people dead
with 31 others still missing and 45,000 displaced.

The mayor of the town of Glan says 10 villages remained isolated (被孤立) mostly
due to landslides.

He pleaded for the immediate deployment of air force helicopters to deliver
food to the stricken areas.

The town doesn't have power and phone service is unreliable.

The UK defence secretary has resigned. John Healey says the government's
plans for spending on defence 'falls well short of what's required.'

John Bevir reports.

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha "Pacha-raki-ti-ya-Pa" Mahidol, a lawyer
and the eldest of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s children, has died at age 47.

The palace said she died Thursday.

She had been on life support after falling unconscious in 2022.

The princess was active in justice reform and known for her “Inspire” project
to rehabilitate (恢復正常生活，獲得改造) incarcerated women.

She had a doctoral degree from Cornell University, where scholarships to the
law school were established in her name.