The Tai-Ex opened down 175-points this morning from yesterday's close, at
49,126 on turnover of 13-billion N-T.

The market closed slightly lower on Monday after recovering most of its early
losses, as buying related to co-packaged optics and shipping offset selling
in major semiconductor stocks.

Twelve candidates in the upcoming local government elections have signed
pledges to promote sustainable and resilient policies if elected.

The names of the 12 candidates who have signed the pledges were announced at
a press conference held by civic groups.

Those civic groups include the Green Citizens' Action Alliance and the Taiwan
Climate Action Network.

The groups invited candidates running for mayor in Taiwan's six special
municipalities to sign the pledge (保證).

It focused on 18 policies in the areas of renewable energy, disaster
preparedness and resilience, heat adaptation, flood management, and
sustainable transportation.

A male red panda transferred from Taipei Zoo to the Singapore Zoo has now
begun exploring his new home and is adjusting well to the move.

According to the Mandai Wildlife Group, which operates (經營) the Singapore
Zoo, when Chi-Chi first arrived, he seemed unsure of his new surroundings and
wandered around, but he gradually settled in.

The zoo operater says red panda is now lively around visitors and in good
physical condition - and roams (閒逛) his enclosure in the morning and around
noon before spending time with his keepers in the afternoon.

Ten year old Chi-Chi was transferred to the Singapore Zoo in June as part of
a partnership to help maintain the red panda captive population.

DIESEL DEAL AND DISPUTED ENERGY CEASEFIRE

Oil prices have jumped two per cent on Monday, with Brent crude hitting its
highest level in nearly two weeks, as attacks on Saudi Arabia and accusations
of violations to US President Donald Trump's proposed energy ceasefire
between Russia and Ukraine have pushed markets higher.

Trump announced on Sunday that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to halt strikes on
energy infrastructure — but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says
Russia launched a strike on a power plant in Kharkiv shortly after the
announcement, and that drone attacks have continued over Ukrainian cities.

The Kremlin has declined to confirm the terms of any deal, saying only that
contacts are ongoing.

Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, says the Russian diesel deal is
facing bipartisan opposition from lawmakers who say it breaches (違反) a 2022
law banning Russian energy exports.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is making the case for Alberta to remain
in Canada, warning one week before the province’s referendum that separation
would begin a “long and uncertain process” at a dangerous time for the
country.

The Oct. 19 vote asks Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada
or begin the process of holding a referendum on separation.

Carney pointed to a proposed West Coast pipeline from oil-rich Alberta, as
well as new housing and a high-speed rail, arguing that Canada is building
major projects again and that division would make that harder.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the vote, but supports remaining in
Canada.

A vote for separation in a future referendum would not automatically make
Alberta independent, as provinces cannot secede (脫離（國家或政府)) unilaterally and
negotiations with the federal government would have to follow.

The Tai-Ex opened down 41-points this morning from last Thursday's close, at
49,272 on turnover of 11-billion N-T.

The market shed nearly 500 points last Thursday after Wall Street fell
overnight - as the tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 0.2-per cent.

Medical and social work groups are voicing support for drug harm-reduction
policies (政策).

It comes amid a political debate fueled largely by Taipei mayoral candidates
ahead of the November 28 local elections.

The Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology and the Association of Taiwan
Clinical Psychologists have issued a joint statement supporting
harm-reduction measures, including clean-needle programs and methadone
maintenance treatment.

The statement comes after Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an questioned D-P-P mayoral
candidate Puma Shen's position on drugs and his proposed policies - arguing
that would encourage drug abuse.

The Philippines has opened its largest overseas Filipino worker service
center in Taipei.

It's located in the same building as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office
in Taipei's Neihu District.

The O-F-W Global Center-Taipei is the third such facility worldwide,
following centers in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

It is also the largest to date.

According to the country's Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the
Taipei center is designed as a one-stop hub where Filipino migrant workers in
Taiwan can access government services, welfare assistance (社會福利援助) and
training without returning to the Philippines.

The facility includes training spaces, a cafe, a karaoke room and areas for
government services.

South Korea’s military says North Korea fired at least one projectile toward
its eastern waters, adding to a recent streak in weapons demonstrations.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff today did not immediately say whether the
weapon was a ballistic missile or how far it flew.

Japan described the weapon as a suspected ballistic missile.

The launch followed an Oct. 3 test of what the North described as a
hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to evade (逃脫，躲開) missile
defenses in South Korea and Japan.

North Korea in recent weeks has also conducted live-fire drills and
commissioned a new warship.

SAYS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NEWS TO HIM

US President Donald Trump has declared on Truth Social that Russia and
Ukraine have agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire, but Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the announcement was news to him, and Moscow has not
confirmed it.

The announcement follows a bipartisan backlash (強烈反彈) from senators who say
the administration's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel is illegal
— but the White House has shown no sign of backing down.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the move, saying the
president has the legal authority to act.

From Washington, Kate Fisher reports.

Pope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion
on his lung in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate..

The lesion was found at an early stage and is well-localized.

The Vatican said Sunday the surgery is scheduled in the coming days, with a
recovery time of about a week.

Leo, who is 71 and physically active, made the announcement during his Sunday
blessing.

He thanked the crowd for their support and prayers.

Leo has a major trip planned for November to South America, but it's unclear
if the surgery will affect his itinerary (行程表).