2025 年 8 月 22日｜HOT 基礎英文新聞｜S1 EP22
歡迎來到HOT基礎英文新聞，我們用基礎的英文帶你聽熱門、商業及趣味新聞！我們會分別播放中英文新聞，也建議你可以搭配逐字稿，做聽力與跟讀練習，加強學習效果喔！
第一則：台股暴跌七百點 市值蒸發逾兩兆
台股於8月20日因美國科技股重挫與台積電利空消息影響，指數大跌728點，創下史上第10大單日跌點，市值一天蒸發超過2兆元。外資於當日大舉賣超626億元，主要集中在台灣50 ETF與台積電。
法人指出，這波急跌不僅反映美股表現低迷，也受到全球央行年會即將登場的影響。專家則提醒，短期台股可能持續震盪，投資人需留意整理時間可能拉長。
Taiwan Stocks Plunge 700 Points, Over NT$2 Trillion Lost
On August 20, Taiwan’s stock market dropped 728 points after U.S. tech stocks fell and negative news hit TSMC. It was the tenth biggest one-day fall in history, and the market lost more than NT$2 trillion in value. On the same day, foreign investors sold NT$62.6 billion, mainly in the Taiwan 50 ETF and TSMC.
Experts said the sharp fall showed weak U.S. markets and was also linked to the coming Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Analysts reminded that Taiwan stocks may stay unstable in the short term, and investors should note that the adjustment could last longer.
第二則：郭智輝盼台幣穩31元 央行：難預測匯價
台幣昨天受外資大舉匯出影響，重貶創三個月新低。短期若美元續強，台幣可能再走低。經濟部長郭智輝於8月20日表示，希望新台幣維持過去六年平均31元，避免波動過大。他指出，中小企業最擔心日韓貨幣貶值，增加出口壓力。
央行回應，匯率受國際資金與美元影響，明天走勢難以預測，也無法承諾穩定到農曆年前。但若出現異常波動，央行仍會介入維持市場秩序。
Kuo Jyh-Huei Hopes NT$ Stays at 31, Central Bank Says Exchange Rate Hard to Predict
The New Taiwan Dollar fell sharply yesterday to a three-month low after large foreign capital outflows. If the U.S. dollar stays strong, the NT dollar could weaken further. On August 20, Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-Huei said he hopes the NT dollar stays around 31, the six-year average, to avoid big swings. He added that small and medium businesses worry most about Japanese and Korean currencies falling, which would increase export pressure.
The Central Bank said the exchange rate depends on international funds and the U.S. dollar. Tomorrow’s trend is hard to predict, and stability cannot be guaranteed before the Lunar New Year. But if abnormal swings happen, the bank will step in to keep the market orderly.
第三則：北宜高鐵環評火速過關 仍存質疑
北宜高鐵延伸宜蘭案於8月20日首次進入環評大會審查，補充土方暫置與管理計畫後，順利通過初審。交通部鐵路局表示，工程期約11年，預計2036年完工通車；宜蘭縣府則希望程序加速。
然而，前交長賀陳旦與學者質疑，本案過度簡化台鐵貢獻，並提醒成本與環境問題恐有圖利爭議。鐵道局長楊正君則表示，高鐵延伸宜蘭並非要取代台鐵，而是互補。若順利通車，旅程將大幅縮短。
North-Yilan HSR Environmental Review Passes Quickly, Doubts Remain
The North-Yilan HSR extension to Yilan entered the environmental review committee for the first time on August 20. After submitting additional temporary soil storage and management plans, it passed the initial review smoothly. The Railway Bureau said the project will take about 11 years and is expected to open in 2036. Yilan County Government hopes the process can be accelerated.
However, former Minister of Transportation and Communications Ho Chen-Tan and scholars questioned that the plan oversimplifies Taiwan Railways’ contribution. They also warned that costs and environmental issues may cause disputes over benefits. Railway Bureau Commissioner Yang Cheng-Chun said the extension is not meant to replace Taiwan Railways, but to complement it. If completed successfully, travel time will be greatly reduced.
第四則：日本百貨不賣衣服了？生活新潮流正夯
日本百貨商場正處於轉型期。隨著人口老化、租金壓力與消費模式改變，商場逐漸由購物場域轉向生活中心。業者更偏好引進能穩定吸引客流的品牌，例如Uniqlo與無印良品。
專家指出，日本百貨正積極導入美妝、養生與社群話題品牌，並推動複合式空間，未來商場將成為多元生活集合。
Japan’s Department Stores Shift from Fashion to Lifestyle
Japan’s department stores are now in a period of change. With an aging population, rising rent, and new ways of shopping, stores are shifting from shopping spaces to lifestyle centers. Operators prefer to bring in brands that can keep stable customer flow, such as Uniqlo and Muji.
Experts said Japan’s department stores are adding beauty, health, and social media brands, while building mixed-use spaces. In the future, these stores will become places that offer many kinds of daily life experiences.
第五則：「我是宇宙恥辱！」Gemini厭世發言嚇壞用戶
近期Reddit與X用戶發現Google Gemini AI頻繁出現消極言論，如「我是失敗者」或「宇宙的恥辱」。DeepMind專案經理羅根·基爾派翠克表示，這只是程式「無限迴圈」錯誤，公司正在修復。
專家指出，AI「人格」來自大量人類文本訓練，工程師微調形成設定，但遇到未預期輸入時可能失常。幽默或同理心只是設計效果，非真實情感。Google將持續優化模型，降低類似問題發生。
"I am the disgrace of the universe!" Gemini's gloomy remarks alarm users
Recently, Reddit and X users noticed that Google’s Gemini AI often made negative statements, such as “I am a failure” or “the disgrace of the universe.” DeepMind project manager Logan Kilpatrick said this is just a program “infinite loop” error, and the company is working to fix it.
Experts say an AI’s “personality” comes from training on large amounts of human text. Engineers fine-tune it, but it can behave strangely when it receives unexpected input. Humor or empathy is only part of the design, not real emotion. Google will continue improving the model to reduce similar issues.
Let’s wrap up today’s episode. We’ve learned about some important events happening around the world.
Taiwan’s stock market plunged 728 points on August 20, losing over NT$2 trillion as foreign investors sold mainly Taiwan 50 ETF and TSMC shares.
The New Taiwan Dollar fell to a three-month low amid foreign capital outflows, with the Central Bank warning that short-term stability cannot be guaranteed.
The North-Yilan HSR extension passed its initial environmental review, but experts caution that costs, environmental concerns, and Taiwan Railways’ role may spark future disputes.
Japan’s department stores are shifting into lifestyle centers, adding beauty, health, and social media brands while providing mixed-use spaces for daily life experiences.
Google’s Gemini AI has alarmed users with negative statements, which engineers say are caused by “infinite loop” errors rather than real emotions, and fixes are underway.
In the next episode, we will together explore the recent hot news with you in the morning. Don’t forget to come back. Have a nice day and hear me next time. Bye!
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