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Taiwan Quick Take

■ Health
More dengue in Pingtung
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the Department of Health announced another case of dengue fever in Pingtung City yesterday. However, the new patient is affected by a different type of virus, indicating that another source of infection is yet to be identified. Health officials said that if it is not well monitored and contained, the disease could develop into fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever by cross-infection. The CDC says 44 cases of dengue fever have been linked to travelers returned from abroad; of these, 32 patients were identified during airport temperature checks. The agency called for people to seek medical advice if they suffer headaches, muscle aches and pain in the joints.

■ Weather
Cyclone risks continue
The Central Weather Bureau yesterday warned that the nation is still under threat of heavy rain, saying that on average, one out of five typhoons formed in the western Pacific will hit the island in August every year. The bureau cited reports the World Meteorological Organization issued on Tuesday highlighting Taiwan's susceptibility to tropical cyclones. According to this forecast, another 5 or 6 fronts will emerge this month in the western Pacific region, possibly bringing heavy rains and strong winds. The bureau called on residents of central mountainous areas to keep an eye on weather forecasts.

■ Budget
Anti-arms events planned
The Democratic Advancement Alliance yesterday urged the public to participate in a series of events to oppose legislative approval of a NT$610.8 billion special arms budget. An arms budget of such size should undergo widespread discussion and be given public approval before being passed, association spokesmen said at a press conference. In order to facilitate understanding of the budget, the alliance said it is holding a youth music composition contest and concert in Taipei's Da-an Park from 3pm to 6pm this afternoon. The alliance is compiling a list of legislators for and against the budget, which it will release prior to the next legislative session this fall. The alliance said it will hold a protest against the budget on Sept. 25.

■ Equality
Women vow to fight bias
An international conference in Taipei sponsored by the National Union of Taiwan Women Association ended yesterday with activists pledging to fight discrimination against women. Noted international and domestic feminist leaders at the two-day conference discussed the history and roles of women's issues NGOs in Taiwan as well as international women's rights developments. Speakers included association president Yu Mei-nu (尤美女), Ministry of Foreign Affairs NGOs deputy head Lu Ching-long (呂慶龍), and Women and Gender Institute leader Josefa Gigi Francisco from the Philippines.

■ Politics
Liao unveils protest plan
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Aboriginal Legislator Liao Kuo-tung (廖國棟) yesterday said another protest was being planned regarding Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) comments on Aboriginal people. Lu sparked rallies after she said last month that Aborigines were not the country's first inhabitants, and Liao yesterday said that Aboriginal people would protest later this month to show their anger.

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