Quake warning system updated, droughts possible this autumn: CWA

Quake warning system updated, droughts possible this autumn: CWA

2024-08-30

The government’s earthquake early warning system is getting an overhaul. Starting September, warnings will be expanded to include areas where the predicted intensity of the tremor is as low as 3, provided its magnitude is at least 6.5. In related news, meteorologists expect rain and temperatures this autumn to be within a normal range. However, they also don’t rule out warmer weather and rains heavier than average.

A 7.2 earthquake struck Hualien on April 3, shaking the ground in many areas of Taiwan. Its intensity reached a 4 in greater Taipei, which is in theory high enough for the government to send an early quake alert. But no warnings were sent out, giving rise to much controversy. Now, the system’s standards are getting an update.

Wu Chien-fu
Seismologist
The biggest energy release during the April 3 earthquake happened at the 16 to 17 second mark. Under the current system, we only send out warnings when the intensity hits the threshold at level 4. But after these adjustments, we can send a warning earlier, so that when the strong shockwave hits, everyone has two to three more seconds to react.

Under current rules, early warning messages are only sent out when an earthquake’s magnitude is 5 or more and its predicted intensity in the area is at least a 4. Starting Sept. 1, warnings will also be dispatched when the predicted intensity is 3 or more, provided the quake’s magnitude is at least 6.5. In related news, the Central Weather Administration says temperatures this autumn will be average or slightly warmer than usual. Precipitation is expected to be either within normal levels or more abundant.

Chen Yi-liang
Meteorologist
Usually, some low pressure systems form, and low pressure bands remain in the vicinity. When that happens, there is a possibility of rains all over Taiwan. After October, we’ll see some changes to low-pressure currents to the south of Taiwan, and northeasterly winds will start prevailing near Taiwan.

The meteorologist said that starting October, rains will mainly be concentrated in Northern Taiwan. He urged residents in Central and Southern Taiwan to conserve water, as the area could experience droughts.

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氣象署秋季氣候展望中南部估10月進入"枯水期"

2024-08-30

中央氣象署今天宣布秋季的氣候展望，今年秋季台灣整體氣溫為正常到偏暖，雨量則以正常至偏多的機率較大。另位，地震國家警報方面，9/1起新增「預估規模達6.5以上，且震度達3級」的區域，就會發送地震簡訊，讓民眾有多2-3秒的時間應對。

0403花蓮發生芮氏規模7.2地震，當時搖晃有感、且達發布標準的大台北地區，卻沒收到國家級警報，引起各界議論，如今將新增發布標準。

[[氣象署地震測報中心主任吳建富]]
“0403最大能量釋放，大概16秒、17秒的位置，也就是說如果我們等到，原有的規模的，還有震度的標準，可能就是在4級的地方發，那如果我們這樣調整，就會在前面先發，讓後面這個大震波來的時候，大家已經有多兩到三秒的一個預警的時間，來做一個反應”

以往"預估規模達5以上，震度達4級以上"才會發布警報，9/1起，新增"預估規模達6.5以上，預估震度達3級以上"，就會發送警報。另外時序即將進入秋季，氣象署預估氣溫為正常至偏暖，雨量則以正常至偏多的機率較大。

[[氣象預報中心主任陳怡良]]
“通常都還是會有一些低壓形成，有一些低壓帶在這附近存在，這時候台灣的雨量，還是全台灣各地，都有機會有一些降雨的，一直到10月份以後，我們可以看到，這個台灣南側的低壓環流，會有一些變化，而台灣附近開始，逐漸會有東北季風的情形”

不過氣象署也提醒，10月起台灣降雨逐漸集中在北部地區，中南部在氣候上將進入枯水期，呼籲民眾妥善利用水資源。

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Hsiao Bi-khim
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We nominate Ms. Chang Wen-chen as a grand justice and Judicial Yuan president, and Mr. Yao Li-ming as a grand justice and vice president.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is the convener of a committee charged with head hunting Constitutional Court justices for the Judicial Yuan. She personally announced the new list of nominees, seven in all.

Hsiao Bi-khim
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Ms. Chang Wen-chen is the first female nominated to be a Judicial Yuan president. Mr. Yao Li-ming has rich experience in participating in constitutional reform and clearly understands the overall context of the development of Taiwan’s democracy. We look forward to this new generation of justices that transcend the political aisle and will lead the promotion of judicial reform, with progressive values and concepts that are compatible with our people’s sense of fairness.

Seven of the 15 serving judges on the Constitutional Court will see their terms expire on Oct. 31. Under President Lai Ching-te, a new list of nominees was announced in accordance with additional provisions of the Constitution. Among them, the nominee for Judicial Yuan president is Chang Wen-chen, a distinguished professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Law. She had been involved in interpreting the Constitution when same-sex marriage was being legalized and adultery was decriminalized. The nominee for vice president is Yao Li-ming, a former legislator and current chairman of a foundation dedicated to monitoring the Legislature. If the appointments are approved by the Legislature, close to half of all the Constitutional Court justices will be women, the highest number in Taiwan’s history.

Chang Wen-chen
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The first time President Lai asked me to serve as Judicial Yuan president was the first time we met. He told me he had been observing me for a long time, and I would like to give him my wholehearted thanks for his faith in me. If I gain the trust and approval of the Legislative Yuan, as Judicial Yuan president, my most important task will be to build social trust in our courts and defend human rights and the rule of law in our democratic Constitution.

The nominations represent a push towards gender equality. Hsiao said she hoped that the nominations could win the Legislature’s approval, so that the functions of the Constitutional Court could continue to flourish and the progress of the constitutional system could be promoted.

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Lai Confers awards on non-commissioned officers

President Lai Ching-te on Friday morning made a special visit to the defense ministry to hand out awards to model non-commissioned officers and squads in celebration of Armed Forces Day. In his speech, he vowed to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and freedom and democracy. However, he also said Taiwan should become the world’s “helmsman” for global peace. He noted that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to global prosperity.

Lai Ching-te
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Each member of our national military, and each unit, is an indispensable force in defending national sovereignty. I wish you all a happy Armed Forces Day.

In his capacity as commander-in-chief, President Lai Ching-te was accompanied by defense minister Wellington Koo, as he conferred awards on model soldiers.

Lai Ching-te
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Admiral Chiang’s son has been exposed to the military since he was a child. He is about to become a freshman at the Air Force Academy. The baton has been handed from one generation to another for the nation. Private First Class Chung’s mother has no way of being here as she is undergoing chemotherapy, but I hope mother Chung knows that to be recognized as a role model in the nation’s military, he must have performed extremely well.

President Lai listed the non-commissioned officers who received awards one by one for their efforts in protecting the nation, and he did not forget to mention their spouses and children. In his address, he mentioned his defense and diplomatic policies, as he insisted on defending national sovereignty. He also stressed Taiwan’s determination to use its utmost strength to protect peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Lai Ching-te
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Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are an indispensable element in global security and prosperity. Taiwan must be the helmsman of peace. We will uphold the four pillars, jointly protect our cherished democracy and freedom, insist on defending national sovereignty to protect Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and let the Taiwan Strait develop peacefully.

Lai invites all Taiwanese to support the nation’s military and the government has taken the lead in increasing the nation’s defense budget because a “true peace” cannot be reached without strength.

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Asian American voters culturally, politically diverse

Since 2020, Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the U.S., according to Pew Research Center. In 2022, California had the most eligible Asian American voters in the U.S., followed by New York and Texas. From Houston, Texas, VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has more on the potential and challenges of the Asian American vote.

For flavors from Asia, Houston, Texas is a one-stop-shop. The foods found here reflect the melting pot of Asian cultures living in the counties that make up the Greater Houston region. One of them is suburban Fort Bend County, where Asians make up more than 21% of the population. It’s also where Chinese American immigrant JJ Clemence lives.

JJ Clemence
Chinese American
I think for either party, they really cannot, cannot afford to ignore the Asian community.

Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the U.S., according to Census data. Voter turnout among this group has also seen record increases in the past two presidential elections. The Democratic nominee for president, Kamala Harris, has taken notice and recently released two ads targeting Asians. More Asian Americans call themselves Democrat than Republican. One reason: More than half of Asian American voters are immigrants.

Becky Kim
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I think Trump’s policies hurt minorities a lot.

Richard Murray
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A lot of his policies not only took aim at illegal immigrants from Mexico or South America, but also restricted legal immigration.

Still, a 2024 survey of Asian American voters found that 22% identify as Republicans.

Daniel Wong
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Less government is what Asians want. You know, more freedom and less tax.

The survey also found 31% of Asian American voters identify as independents. But 42% of Asian American voters surveyed say they have not been contacted by political candidates or a political party. Daniel Wong, who had served in local elected office, says Asian American voters are partly responsible.

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We are not organized; we don’t understand the American political system. That’s why we don’t know how we’re going to energize to put our energy together to shoot for whatever common goal, which we don’t have.

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Elizabeth Lee, VOA News, Houston

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Xiao put on an outstanding offense, winning the match 16-8 and bagging bronze. Though he hadn’t achieved his goal of winning gold, he says the bronze was not a bad result. As a university student, Xiao had been intending to join Taiwan’s national taekwondo team. But before the qualifiers, he was injured in a car accident that damaged a network of nerves in his right arm. Now 25, he has made it to the Paralympic team, and won a bronze to boot. He had his coach to thank.

Xiao Xiang-wen
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Coach, I love you. Thank you for being with me on this hard journey. It has been exhausting to try to earn points to get on this stage and we had to constantly go abroad for competitions. That left her with very little time to spend with her family.

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It is already extremely hard for able-bodied people to achieve this. And especially for him, having emerged from a low point in life. The injury in his right arm made things more difficult, as it impacted his ability to write and type. So studying and handing in homework became more difficult, but he overcame all the obstacles in his way.

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