EZ News 04/17/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 78-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,389 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market lost ground again on Wednesday - tumbling nearly 400-points - as the trade war between the United States and China escalated after Washington imposed a fresh round of export controls on Nvidia and A-M-D selling to Chinese buyers. NDC to focus on silicon photonics, build new economic shield National Development Council Minister Paul Liu says the government plans to prioritize the development of silicon photonics. According to Liu, that will be carried out by taking advantage of the island's strength in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries to build another shield to protect the local economy. The N-D-C head says over the longer term, government is determined to focus on potential segments as silicon photonics to boost its competitive edge (競爭優勢) and take a larger share of the global market. In addition to silicon photonics, Liu says the government has also listed quantum and autonomous robot development as additional potential economic shields. US congressional group visits Taiwan to meet with President Lai Ching-te A U-S Congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan this week. The delegation is being led by U-S Senator Pete Ricketts, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on East Asia, and is slated to meet with President Lai Ching-te and other top government officials. The bipartisan delegation includes Senators Chris Coons and Ted Budd. The American Institute in Taiwan says the talks will focus on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other issues of mutual (共同的) interest. NKorea Threatens Retaliation After US Bombers Fly Over South North Korea has threatened retaliation after the U.S. flew long-range bombers over South Korea during training with its forces. The U.S. flew the B-1B bombers Tuesday during an aerial drill that Seoul said was meant to show the two countries’ deterrence (威懾) capability. North Korea views such drills as an invasion rehearsal and is particularly sensitive to the U.S. mobilization of strategic assets such as long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines. North Korea’s Defense Ministry was quoted as saying the U.S. action would inevitably hurt U.S. security and North Korea “will deter by dint of powerful force" the U.S. aggression. North Korea often test-launches missiles in response to U.S. flyovers of B-1B bombers. US judge threatens contempt inquiry for Trump administration over deportations A US judge has threatened to start criminal contempt proceedings against the Trump administration for defying (違抗) his order to stop the deportation of more than 200 migrants to El Salvador. Nick Harper reports from Washington. Bolide Seen Over Mexico A bright object, initially appearing to be a meteorite, lit up the skies over Mexico’s capital at 3am local time. Videos of a ball of fire shooting over the country and dissolving in a burst of light over Mexico City quickly became the fuel for memes circulating on social media. But scientists were quick to note that the object was a bolide (火流星). Bolides, defined by NASA as fireballs, are exceptionally bright meteors that are spectacular enough to be seen over a very wide area. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn