A flash report compiled by 消防庁 on damage from the Kumamoto earthquake that struck at around 16:27 on July 28, Reiwa 8 (Report No. 66, updated Oct. 5), and the response of fire-fighting agencies and others. A maximum seismic intensity of 7 was observed in Uki City, Hikawa Town and elsewhere in Kumamoto Prefecture. Human casualties were 38 deaths and 376 injured; housing damage was 2,408 completely destroyed, 7,802 half-destroyed and 59,394 partially damaged, for a total of 69,604 buildings. All 11 fires and 64 rescue cases have been dealt with, all evacuation orders have been lifted, and 緊急消防援助隊 have been withdrawn in stages.
Facts
Seismic intensity 7 Kumamoto Prefecture: Uki City, Hikawa Town
Kumamoto Prefecture 38
Total 38 43 333 376
Fires: all 11 fires that had occurred have been extinguished
Rescue: all 64 cases that had occurred have been dealt with
Number of people rescued … total 98
Support teams from within the prefecture assisted the local emergency medical system with a force of about 30 personnel
Call for Entries〉“Science in Shorts 2027” Science Communication Short Video Competition
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
Nature Awards, part of Springer Nature, is holding the global “Science in Shorts 2027” science communication short video competition, inviting researchers with specified qualifications to introduce their research in 1-minute English-language vertical videos. Each video will receive prize money of 5,000 euros, and the submission deadline is December 2, 2026。
Academia Sinica and the 國際電機電子工程師學會 (IEEE) explore AI development, academic ethics, and technology talent development.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
Academia Sinica President Chen Chien-jen hosted IEEE President-Elect Jill Gostin. The two sides exchanged views on AI development, academic ethics, talent development, and international cooperation. IEEE emphasized setting technical standards and maintaining the quality of academic publications, and shared its career support mechanisms. The two sides also discussed the potential of On-Device AI applications and women's participation in STEM fields.
Facts
The institute has 3 IEEE fellows.
Founded more than 140 years ago.
Publishes more than 160 journals each year.
Holds more than 2,300 international conferences.
Companies mentioned:中央研究院、國際電機電子工程師學會、IEEE、Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers、Georgia Tech Research Institute、GTRI、陽明交通大學
聖安德魯斯大學 principal leads delegation on first visit to Academia Sinica, focusing on Taiwan studies and interdisciplinary research collaboration
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
聖安德魯斯大學 principal Sally Mapstone led a delegation to visit Academia Sinica. The two sides discussed Taiwan studies, biomedical collaboration and net-zero technologies, and explored talent development and long-term academic partnerships.
Facts
Founded in 1413
A three-day itinerary
More than 130 countries worldwide
This year (2026)
70th anniversary
Achieve net-zero emissions by 2035
Companies mentioned:中央研究院、聖安德魯斯大學、教育部、臺灣大學、政治大學、國家圖書館、史語所、政治學研究所、近代史研究所、台積電、Nature Medicine
Event record〉José Manuel Barroso visits the institute: symposium on "Geopolitics, a Peaceful Opportunity for the Development of the EU and Asian Countries"
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
José Manuel Barroso, former Prime Minister of Portugal and former President of the 歐盟執行委員會, visited 中央研究院 to take part in an academic symposium on the "Taiwan Bridge Project," jointly organized by the 政治學研究所 and the 世界和平基金會. Barroso shared his experiences as Prime Minister of Portugal, President of the European Commission, and Chair of the Board of 全球疫苗免疫聯盟, and held in-depth exchanges with scholars from within and outside the institution on topics including Portugal's democratic transition, coordination mechanisms in EU-China relations, the impact of the Trump administration on US-Europe relations, the challenge of extremist forces to European democracy, a geopolitical analysis of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the implications of the situation across the Taiwan Strait and European integration.
Facts
The academic symposium was held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026
About 60 scholars in fields including political science, economics, sociology, and law took part in the symposium
Barroso, then just 18 years old, joined the anti-authoritarian movement out of dissatisfaction with restrictions on political freedom
and in 2012, together with the President of the 歐洲理事會, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the European Union
Barroso also served as Chair of the Board of 全球疫苗免疫聯盟 (Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) from 2021 to 2025
In 1974, Portugal's "Carnation Revolution" (Carnation Revolution) broke out
He looked back on his experience of serving ten years as President of the European Commission
Barroso recalled a conversation in 2008 with then US President George Walker Bush (George Walker Bush) during the 二十國集團 (G20) summit
Companies mentioned:中央研究院、政治學研究所、世界和平基金會、葡萄牙天主教大學、國立臺灣大學、國立政治大學、普林斯頓大學、全球疫苗免疫聯盟、Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance、歐盟執行委員會、歐洲理事會、歐盟理事會、歐洲議會、二十國集團
Applications are open for the 116 academic-year doctoral admissions of the Academia Sinica's International Graduate Program (TIGP)
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
Applications are open for the 116 academic-year doctoral admissions of the Academia Sinica's International Graduate Program (TIGP), which offers 14 doctoral programs. The application period runs from Nov. 1, 115 to Feb. 1, 116, and no application fee is charged.
Former Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry and President of the 瑞典皇家科學院 Sven Lidin visits Academia Sinica
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央研究院
Sven Lidin, President of the 瑞典皇家科學院, visited Academia Sinica and met with President Chien-Jen Chen and several academic and research leaders, focusing on cooperation in glycoscience, proteomics, and precision medicine, and sharing international experience in research governance.
Diwali Offers a Rare Chance for Indians to Reunite With Family and Friends
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Indians are using Diwali to reunite with family and friends. Celebrations include lighting oil lamps, making rangoli designs and worshipping. Fireworks and winter air pollution have sent Delhi’s air quality index soaring to hazardous levels.
After Midterm Election Landslide, Democrats Plan Investigations Into Musk, Miller and Major U.S. Companies
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
After winning the midterm elections, U.S. Democrats plan to launch investigations when they take control of Congress next January. Targets include tech billionaire Elon Musk, White House Chief of Staff Miller and some large companies. House leader Jeffries also said he would support efforts to impeach War Secretary Hegseth.
Trump: Attack on Iran Unlikely if Talks Make Progress
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Trump said an order to attack Iran was highly unlikely if U.S.-Iran talks made progress; the United States has identified 38 bridges as potential targets. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said mediators had suspended travel because of the U.S. midterm election results.
Trains Collide South of Cairo, Egypt; Several Carriages Derail, Killing at Least 7 and Injuring 112
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A rear-end train collision south of Cairo, Egypt, killed at least 7 people and injured 112. President Sisi ordered an investigation and said those responsible for any negligence must be held accountable.
~Residents of Tochigi, Saitama, Ibaraki and Gunma, gather! Enjoy the park at a discount~ Special resident discounts at 那須ハイランドパーク!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
那須ハイランドパーク, operated by 日本テーマパーク開発株式会社, is offering a web-exclusive “Prefectural Resident Benefit” to residents of Tochigi, Saitama, Ibaraki and Gunma from Nov. 7 to 30, 2026. Admission to the Fantasy Pass Set is discounted, and benefits at the adjacent TOWA Pure Cottage hotel are also introduced.
[BS日テレ] Comments from the cast are in! “Bicycle x Rail Travel for Adults” to air on 2 consecutive nights! Rediscover Japan on a journey by local railway and bicycle!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
BS日テレ will air the new program “Bicycle x Rail Travel for Adults” on 2 consecutive nights, Nov. 11 and 12. On the first night, Yoji Tanaka will travel on the Sunzu Line, and on the second night, Udo Suzuki will travel on 一畑電車.
Takumi Fukagawa and Jui Yabuta win the final race for their first victories of the season! JBMXF Daito Trust Construction Series Round 10 Ibaraki Tournament