EZ News 09/02/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 42-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,113 on turnover of $3.4-billion N-T. Shares in Taiwan closed lower Monday but bounced off early losses to hold above the 24,000-point mark, as late-session bargain hunting in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing helped the broader market recover. Selling was heavier in AI hardware developers, but financial heavyweights outperformed the broader market, with the sector index up 0.94-percent. Taipei District Court Questions Ko and Others The Taipei District Court is questioning former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-zhe and others connected with the Core Pacific City case today. Ko and former deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲) appeared in court today, with Peng questioned as a witness by prosecutors and defense lawyers. Prosecutors have accused Ko and nearly a dozen others of corruption and embezzelement, seeking a 28-and-a-half year sentence for Ko. Ko's lawyers have accused prosecutors of using "improper questioning" against Peng, and of pressuring him to testify against Ko. (NS) New NDC chief highlights AI as key to Taiwan's new economy Newly-appointed National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien says he will actively work to advance Taiwan's industrial innovation, and highlighted artificial intelligence as key to the country's new economy. Yeh, a research fellow at Academia Sinica's Institute of Economics, officially took over from Liu Chin-ching, who resigned (辭職) for health reasons. The new NDC chief said he will focus on the overall goals of the National Development Plan which prioritizes an innovation-driven economy, balanced development across Taiwan, improved governance, and talent investment. He says the NDC will also continue to promote the government's Five Trusted Industry Sectors, that's semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications. Without elaborating, Yeh said he plans 10 new AI infrastructure initiatives as the latter is central to Taiwan's new economy, and the NDC will continue to promote its NT$10 billion fund to support industrial transformation. US 1.2Million Laborers Gone Under Trump Policy From the US… Preliminary (初步的) data suggests that 1.2 million immigrants are gone from the US labor force under Donald Trump's presidency. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports NZ Easing Ban on Foreginers Buying Homes New Zealand is to ease a ban on foreigners buying homes to allow wealthy investors access to its housing market and boost the economy. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Monday that some wealthy overseas business investors can now purchase a single high-value home. The move partially reverses a ban imposed by (推行) the previous government in 2018 to cool the housing market. The adjustment applies only to a small number of wealthy foreigners who hold a residency visa reintroduced in April for those investing millions of dollars in local businesses. Critics argue the policy prioritizes (優先考慮) wealthy foreigners over local needs. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn