EZ News 12/18/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,447 on turnover of 9-billion N-T. The market closed marginally lower on Wednesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its early gains eroded due to futures-led selling on the settlement day for December futures contracts. US official says Taiwan made 'essential contributions' at Pax Silica summit The U-S Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment says Taiwan made essential contributions after being invited to participate in the first summit of the US-led AI supply chain strategy initiative. The inaugural Pax Silica summit took place in Washington D.C. last Friday. According to Jacob Helberg, Taiwan was at the table and was absolutely present in all of the sessions in which one would expect Taiwan to play an important role, and Taiwan participated in discussions on manufacturing and semiconductors. The statement comes after the U-S State Department didn't list Taiwan as being includes on a list of participants and guest contributors (貢獻者) slated to meet for the summit. Taipei City Government hoping to sign Nvidia land deal before LNY Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the city government is hoping to sign a land rights agreement with Nvidia before the Lunar New Year holiday. According to Chiang, his administration initiated (發起) the urban planning change process last week and a public exhibition period is set to end within one month. Chiang made the statements while inspecting the T-17 and T-18 sites at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, where the Nvidia headquarters will be built. Chiang also said he believes Nvidia's headquarters at the technology park will prove to be transformative development that will establish Taipei as a major artificial intelligence hub. Israel Fires Mortar into Palestinian Residential Area in Gaza Strip Israel’s military says troops fired a mortar shell into a Palestinian residential area in the Gaza Strip, in the latest incident to rock the tenuous (脆弱的) ceasefire with Hamas. Health officials on Wednesday said at least 10 people, were wounded, and the army said it was investigating. The military said the mortar was fired during an operation in the area of the “Yellow Line,” which was drawn in the ceasefire agreement that divides the Israeli-held majority of Gaza from the rest of the territory. The military said the mortar had veered from its intended target, which it did not specify. UK TO Rejoin EU's Erasmus Program in 2027 UK students will once again have access to the European Union's "Erasmus" programme, which allows students to study at a university in a different country for part of their degree. London has paid around $760 million dollars to join the scheme (方案) for the 2027-2028 academic year at a 30% discount. But future participation will depend on further negotiations. Stuart Smith has more from London. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn