The Tai-Ex opened up 127-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
35,584 on turnover of $12.3-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed slightly up at a new closing high Monday after
recouping earlier losses, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to
blockade the Strait of Hormuz after failing to reach an agreement with Iran.

The market moved underwater during most of Monday's session in the wake of
Trump's threats, but bargain hunters turned active in the late session,
helping the Taiex recover its earlier downturn, with contract chipmaker
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in focus.

Analysts say investors also have high hopes that TSMC will provide positive
leads at its investor conference slated for Thursday, after it reported a new
high in sales for the first quarter.

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung drew a crowd of fans and industry insiders to
Taipei's Xinyi district last night for a masterclass at the Golden Horse
Fantasy Film Festival.

The multiple Golden Horse best actor winner was accompanied by his wife
actress Carina Lau, as fans gathered outside the venue carrying movie posters
and merchandise hoping for autographs.

The masterclass was open only to film and television industry professionals
and students in related fields. Of the one thousand people who applied, just
300 were selected to attend.

Following the masterclass, Leung took part in a post-screening discussion
alongside Hungarian director Ildiko Enyedi, whose new film "Stille Freundin"
features (由…主演) Leung in a lead role.

The two shareed their experiences preparing for the film with the audience.

(NS)

A court in Paris has found the cement giant Lafarge guilty of financing
terrorism.

The company was ruled to have paid armed groups protection money to maintain
its business in Syria after the outbreak of civil war.

Ross Cullen reports.

Authorities in Haiti have arrested seven suspects, including five police
officers, after a fatal stampede (獸群或人群因恐懼引發的奔逃) killed at least
25 people at a historic mountaintop fortress over the weekend.

A police statement issued on Monday says that among the arrested are two
employees of Haiti’s Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage.

The institute oversees La Citadelle, a fortress in the northern town of Milot
built in the early 1800s where Saturday’s stampede occurred.

Dozens of people were injured, with 30 reported to still be in hospital on
Sunday.

It's not clear what caused the stampede. Authorities say the investigation is
ongoing.

Colombian officials have authorized a controversial plan to cull (限量捕殺)
dozens of wild hippos that are descendants of animals brought to the country
in the 1980s by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

They have been roaming freely around one of the country’s most fertile
areas, threatening villagers and displacing local species.

The animals are not native to South America.

Escobar brought in hippos as he built a private zoo at a gigantic ranch that
served as his rural abode.

Colombia's authorities say previous attempts to control the hippos'
population have been expensive and unsuccessful.

Because Colombia’s hippos come from a limited gene pool and could carry
diseases, taking them back to their natural habitat in Africa has been
considered unfeasible (不可行的).

The Tai-Ex opened up 5-points this morning from last week's close, at 35,422
on turnover of $5.9-billion N-T.

Shares in Taiwan closed at a historical high Friday with large-cap tech
stocks in focus after Israel said it was seeking direct talks with Lebanon.

Analysts say market sentiment improved around the region and in Taiwan,
investors rushed to buy into tech stocks.

Southern Taiwan is seeing summer-like heat today, ahead of a series of
weather fronts moving in later this week.

The Central Weather Administration has issued heat advisories for Tainan,
Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung, warning of temperatures at or above 36
degrees around midday.

Taitung County is also on alert for foehn wind conditions.

Independent meteorologist Wu De-rong says today and tomorrow will be sunny
and stable (穩定) across the island, with morning fog possible in some areas
and afternoon heat comparable to midsummer.

Wu says a weak front is forecast to drift near northern Taiwan on the 15th
and 16th, bringing occasional brief showers to the north while the rest of
the island stays mostly sunny.

And another weak front is expected to brush through on the 17th and 18th,
bringing intermittent showers to the north and east, with the central and
southern regions staying partly cloudy and hot.

(NS)

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating (違反) a
Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire as Orthodox Christians gathered to
celebrate the holiday.

The armed forces on both sides said they had recorded thousands of ceasefire
violations...

Donna Warder again.

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the U.S. has no valid reason to
attack the island or to try to depose him.

In an interview aired Sunday, he warned that an invasion would be costly and
affect regional security.

He said Cubans would defend themselves if necessary.

The interview comes amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Diaz-Canel has accused the U.S. of a hostile (敵對的) policy and expresses
willingness for dialogue without conditions.

Cuba blames a U.S. energy blockade for its deepening woes, with a lack of
petroleum affecting the island's health system, public transportation and the
production of goods and services.

The arrival of a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil in Cuba
in March marked the island's first oil shipment in three months.

Russia has promised to send a second tanker.

The Olivier Awards have recognized top achievements in London theater, opera,
and dance for 2026.

"Paddington The Musical" wins big, taking home awards for New Musical,
Actor-Musical, Supporting Actress-Musical, Supporting Actor-Musical,
Director, Set Design, and Costume Design.

"Punch" is named Best New Play, while "Oh, Mary!" wins for New Entertainment
or Comedy.

Rosamund Pike and Jack Holden are honored as Best Actress and Actor in a
Play.

The Special Award goes to Elaine Paige.

The awards were handed out on Sunday, celebrating excellence across various
(各種各樣的) categories in the performing arts.