EZ News 08/21/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up114-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,740 on turnover of $6.9-billion N-T. The market tumbled on Wednesday - losing more than 700 points as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing came under heavy pressure, which pushed the electronics sector lower following a decline by tech stocks on Wall Street overnight. It was the first time the Tai-Ex had closed below the 24,000 point mark since August 6 and analysts says the steep declines among U-S tech stocks overnight prompted local investors to pocket gains from previous sessions. AI system predicting rogue waves to be deployed in 16 coastal regions The Central Weather Administration say it's developed an artificial intelligence-powered system that predicts the occurrence (發生) of rogue waves. It's been developed in conjunction with the National Cheng Kung University and can predicts rogue waves over the next 24 hours. According to the weather administration, the system will now be implemented (實施) in 16 of Taiwan's coastal municipalities by the end of this year. Administration deputy head Fong Qin-zi says rogue waves are not traceable like the weather but occur as a result of specific environmental conditions, which requires more precise predictions than simply issuing warnings of long waves. The Coastal Ocean Monitoring Center says a total of 430 rogue wave incidents have been recorded over the past 25 years, causing 750 casualties, one-third of which were fatalities. UN Warns IS Exploiting Instability and Remains a Threat U.N. counterterrorism experts warn that Islamic State extremists are exploiting instability in Africa and Syria and remain a significant threat in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. They told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Wednesday that the militant group is now using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, and social media, which poses a new challenge. The Islamic State group declared a self-styled caliphate in a large swath of Syria and Iraq that it seized in 2014. It was declared defeated in Iraq in 2017 following a three-year battle that left tens of thousands of people dead and cities in ruins. But its sleeper cells remain in both countries and it has affiliates (附屬機構) and supporters in many other countries. Trump Administration slaps sanctions on more ICC judges The Trump administration has imposed fresh sanctions on four ICC judges and prosecutors, including individuals associated with cases involving alleged war crimes linked to Israel and the US. Critics say the sanctions threaten to impede the Court's ability to investigate other cases, including alleged (被指控的) war crimes carried out by Russia in Ukraine. Toni Waterman has more. NZ Announces Military Spending for Planes and Helicopters New Zealand's government has announced new military spending of $1.6 billion to replace aging planes and helicopters. Officials unveiled the package today, citing growing global tensions and a deteriorating security environment. The purchase of military planes and helicopters is the first procurement in a plan to double defense spending from 1% to 2% of GDP in the next decade. The procurement includes five Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus aircraft. New Zealand's defense minister says the government would move quickly to procure (採購) the helicopters through the United States' foreign military sales program. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn