EZ News 08/20/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 44-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,309 on turnover of 4.6-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Tuesday due to investor concerns over the impact of U-S tariffs on the local job market after machine tool maker Taiwan Takisawa Technology urged its employees to take three days off a week due to a decline in orders. Analysts say the Takisawa report delivered a shock to investors as it is a listed old economy company and there's now fear the impact will affect more Taiwanese machinery makers given the higher tariff burden plus a stronger New Taiwan dollar. Lai calls on defense medical university to strengthen battlefield medicine President Lai Ching-te says the newly upgraded National Defense Medical University needs to further enhance its training in battlefield trauma care. Speaking at a ceremony marking the school's elevation from the National Defense Medical Center, Lai said greater global exchanges will help it specialize ( 專精) in battlefield medicine and trauma care. According to Lai, international cooperation will allow the university to learn from other countries' military and medical education systems and apply those lessons to not only support the armed forces but also strengthen (加強) society's broader capacity to respond to crises. Lai described the university as a crucial asset for infectious disease research and prevention during his speech … The university was officially upgraded on August 1. Over 5 million votes required to pass nuclear power plant referendum The Central Election Commission says at least 5 million votes will be needed to pass Saturday's referendum on whether to extend the service of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung. Under the Referendum Act, the vote will pass only if votes in favor account for more than one-fourth of the total eligible voters and outnumber the votes against. According to the election commission, number of eligible (有資格的) voters is 20,002,091 - translating to a minimum threshold of 5,000,523 votes for passage of the referendum. The referendum question reads: "Do you agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operation upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns?" US favors Budapest for Russia-Ukraine meeting The Trump administration is considering the Hungarian capital Budapest as the location for a summit (高峰會) between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes as the White House weighs offering US air support as part of security guarantees for Ukraine to help end the conflict. Nick Harper reports from Washington. Mexico Maya Train Derailment A tourist-focused Maya Train running along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has derailed while moving slowly toward a station platform. The train was traveling Tuesday from Cancun to Merida when it left the tracks at a station in Izamal. Passengers were uninjured and transported by bus. The accident is under investigation, but the train is operating normally between other stations. The Maya Train began running in late 2023, but has had low ridership (客流量). Environmentalists have documented severe impacts on the delicate (脆弱的) cave systems under the train line. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn