VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

U.S Dollar banknotes (Photo : Matatelinga) - 

VOInews, Singapore : The dollar was poised to snap a two-week losing streak on Friday as traders pondered the U.S. rates outlook, while the yen was steady after inflation in Japan accelerated for second month in a row, keeping the prospect of a rate hike there on the table.

The U.S. dollar was on the front foot in Asian hours after a stormy week that saw the yen, euro and sterling make significant gains against the greenback as investors fully price in a rate cut from the Federal Reserve as soon as September.

The yen was at 157.35 per dollar after touching a six-week high of 155.375 on Thursday in the wake of suspected interventions by Tokyo last week that could total nearly 6 trillion yen ($38.14 billion), according to data from the Bank of Japan.

VOInews, Jakarta:  Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn considered the views and recommendations of the Federation of Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) important to improve industry in Southeast Asia.

Japan's recommendations are important because the Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry operate throughout the ASEAN region and experience ASEAN business operations firsthand, Kao said at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (17/7).

"It is important for us to listen to the issues and concerns that have been raised and formulate them into policy recommendations," Kao said.

The ASEAN Secretary-General continued that the recommendations would be shared with ASEAN member countries and would continue to ensure that the organization would address existing problems at a practical level.

Kao argued that Southeast Asia has so far been the main investment destination for various parties, for that ASEAN needs to ensure that the region remains attractive to foreign investors.

"Japan is one of our main partners who wants to see investment continue," he said.

In addition, Kao argued that Japan has a great interest in the digital economy.

He added that Japan and ASEAN need to focus on training because someone needs to have digital skills to improve the skills of the ASEAN community.

Kao emphasized that the energy transition and circular economy are also top priorities for ASEAN in addition to the digital economy, green economy and blue economy.

"We hope that Japan will continue to make ASEAN a priority for the entry of PMA (Foreign Direct Investment)," said Kao.

Source: Antaranews

Ilustration of Factory (Photo by: Pexels.com)

VOINews, Jakarta: As part of the Tiongkok Atomic Energy Authority's (CAEA) nuclear industry development plan, the natural uranium project is being developed by the Tiongkok National Nuclear Corporation. This project aims to establish a top-tier natural uranium production base, prioritizing environmentally friendly, economical, intelligent, and efficient operations.

The project will employ an advanced mining process utilizing carbon dioxide and oxygen leaching. Unlike conventional underground mining methods, this technique can extract uranium through a closed-loop circulation of uranium solution without bringing ore to the surface for processing.

With this method, natural uranium production can achieve zero emissions of wastewater, gas, and solid waste, thus promoting sustainable operations with low carbon emissions.

The project will also integrate various advanced technologies such as automation, remote and centralized control, and big data analysis to achieve intelligent operational analysis and precision mining.

Upon completion, the project will significantly enhance Tiongkok's capacity for natural uranium supply and bolster the independent innovation capabilities and international competitiveness of the natural uranium industry, according to CAEA.

Natural uranium is the foundational material for the development of Tiongkok's nuclear industry and is a critical strategic resource and energy mineral essential for national security.

In 2023, nuclear power plants in Mainland Tiongkok generated 440,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, accounting for nearly 5 percent of the total national electricity output. The country has established an independent and comprehensive nuclear industry chain system, ensuring a safe and stable supply of nuclear fuel./Antara/VOI

Children relax in a fountain in Los Angeles, California, United States (July 5, 2024). ANTARA/Xinhua/Zeng Hui/aa.

VOINews, Jakarta: A severe heatwave has gripped a significant portion of the United States this summer, with large areas of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah under extreme heat warnings, according to official data and media reports.

As quoted by Antara on Saturday, more than 60 million U.S. residents have received heatwave warnings from the National Weather Service. Summer temperatures in these areas often range between 10 and 30 degrees above average, as reported by The New York Times on Friday (July 12).

"The consequences are increasingly evident in emergency rooms across the country. Medical workers are facing patients suffering from heatstroke, with body temperatures soaring to potentially fatal levels if not treated promptly," said The New York Times.

Approximately 2,300 people died from heat-related illnesses in the U.S. in 2023, a threefold increase from the annual average between 2004 and 2018. In the same year, nearly 120,000 emergency room visits related to heat were recorded nationwide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention./Antara/VOI