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Indonesia Launches Southeast Asia's First High-speed Rail

With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP
With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP
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Indonesia Launches Southeast Asia's First High-speed Rail

With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP
With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP

Indonesia launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway on Monday, a delayed, multibillion-dollar project backed by China that President Joko Widodo hailed as "a symbol of our modernization".

With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes.

The 140 km journey would previously have taken about three hours by train, said AFP.

"The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks our efficient, friendly, and integrated mass transportation system," Widodo said during a ceremony at the capital's central station.

"It is a symbol of our modernization in public transport, seamlessly connecting with other modes of transportation."

Widodo said the 600-capacity train was the first high-speed rail transportation in Southeast Asia.

It is part of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative -- a decade-old program of China-backed infrastructure projects.

The president said the name was actually an acronym, standing for a tagline of "Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal" -- which in Bahasa Indonesia means "Saving time, optimal operation, reliable system".

It was built by PT KCIC, which is made up of four Indonesian state companies and Beijing's China Railway International Co.

The project was initially set to cost less than $5 billion and be completed by 2019.

However, delays caused by construction challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in costs.

In preparation for its opening, officials have conducted public trials for the new high-speed route.

Last week, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed that the government would extend the high-speed train route from Bandung to the country's second-biggest city Surabaya.

Last month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang joined Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on a ride aboard the train during his Jakarta visit for summits with Southeast Asian leaders.

Pandjaitan told reporters on Thursday that Widodo plans to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in the future to ride the train, but did not give more specifics.

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7 Drinks That Boost Your Brain Health Naturally

Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
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7 Drinks That Boost Your Brain Health Naturally

Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)
Green tea contains compounds beneficial for the brain (Reuters)

Caring for brain health is not limited to mental exercises and good sleep; it also extends to the foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis.

Certain natural drinks contain nutrients and antioxidants that play an important role in supporting brain function, enhancing memory and concentration, and protecting against cognitive decline associated with aging.

Below are some of the most notable drinks that may help support brain health in a natural and simple way, according to the scientific website Verywell Health:

Green Tea

Green tea contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for potential benefits related to metabolic health, aging, and immune support. Green tea has been widely studied for its effects on brain health. Regular consumption appears to be more beneficial than occasional use.

Green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that may reduce oxidative stress in the brain. It also provides L-theanine, an amino acid linked to improved attention and calm focus, especially when combined with small amounts of caffeine.

Coffee

Coffee is a major dietary source of antioxidants, and its effects on brain health have been widely studied.
In the short term, the caffeine in coffee works by inhibiting adenosine, a neurotransmitter that contributes to promoting drowsiness. This effect may temporarily improve alertness, reaction speed, and concentration.

Observational studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption, in the long term, may be associated with a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Blueberry Smoothies

Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which are plant compounds linked to brain health. Research indicates that regular consumption of blueberries may support memory, learning, and overall cognitive functions by helping to protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Blending blueberries into smoothies or drinks helps retain many of their beneficial compounds while making them easy to consume regularly.

Beet Juice

Beetroot contains a combination of dietary nitrate, betalains, and polyphenols that may support brain health. Research suggests these compounds help improve blood flow, support antioxidant defenses, and influence processes involved in cognitive decline. Dietary nitrate from beetroot increases nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow to the brain. Research suggests nitrate-rich foods may support brain blood flow and be linked to slower cognitive decline, while other beetroot compounds may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Most studies are small, and more research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Turmeric Golden Milk

Turmeric contains curcumin, a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Research suggests that curcumin may help protect brain cells by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are associated with cognitive decline. Curcumin also affects pathways involved in memory and learning. However, it is poorly absorbed on its own, limiting the amount that reaches the brain.

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, plant compounds with powerful antioxidant effects. Research indicates that these compounds may help protect brain cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary studies conducted on animals suggest that pomegranate compounds may also support healthy blood flow to the brain by increasing nitric oxide production. These effects combined may support brain function over time.

Omega-3-Fortified Drinks

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential for normal brain function, as they help support communication between brain cells. Drinks fortified with DHA and EPA may help people increase their intake of these important fats.

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Qassim Falcons Festival Concludes with Record Attendance

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Qassim Falcons Festival Concludes with Record Attendance

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Qassim Falcons Festival concluded yesterday in Al-Asyah Governorate, with 675 falconers from various Arab countries and over 20,000 visitors and 15 local families attending, contributing to the festival’s economic and social activities, SPA reported.

This edition of the festival featured numerous competitions and programs that attracted falconry enthusiasts and reinforced its status as one of the region’s premier heritage events.

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Ethiopia Must Suspend Biggest Gold Mine over Toxic Chemicals

Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
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Ethiopia Must Suspend Biggest Gold Mine over Toxic Chemicals

Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
Mine workers stand underground at Gold Fields' South Deep mine, south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa October 12, 2022. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Work at Ethiopia's largest gold mine must be suspended to protect nearby children from the toxic chemicals it has released into the soil, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday.

Operations at the Lega Dembi mine, around 500 kilometres (310 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa, were halted by authorities in 2018 following protests from locals over pollution.

The government promised to reopen the mine only after environmental concerns had been addressed, but did so in 2021 "without public announcement" and "quashed publication of a government health study", said HRW in a statement.

The rights group said several studies had revealed high concentrations of toxic chemicals including cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic.

Residents had "for years complained about serious health impacts, including children born with long-term health conditions, miscarriages, and stillbirths".

The campaign group urged the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, due to meet soon, to press Ethiopia to suspend mining operations and "ensure victims of abuse are provided effective remedy, including compensation, medical care, and access to justice".

The Ethiopian government did not respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Ethiopia, the continent's second most populous country with some 130 million inhabitants, is regularly criticised by NGOs for human rights abuses.

But mining is crucial to a country in which more than 40 percent live below the poverty line, with gold exports generating $2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2024, according to the latest figures from the mining ministry.