VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government would speed up construction of a coal gasification plant owned by PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), since the state-run company has already prepared for using this technology. Hartarto said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the postponement of the signing of a cooperation agreement for PTBA's gasification in the United States would not affect progress in building the plant. President Director of PTBA Arviyan Arifin said the development of the coal gasification industry is being handled by state-run oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero) and the US-based gas and chemical company Air Products and Chemicals Inc, and has entered the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) stage. According to Hartarto, the gasification plant will not only convert young-type coal into DME, but also convert coal into other high-valued products. (ANTARA)

Financial markets bounced back on Monday, buoyed by hopes that central banks will intervene to protect markets from the impact of the coronavirus. As quoted by BBC.com ( 03/3 )  the Dow Jones surged 5.1%, ending nearly 1,300 points higher, after more modest gains in Europe. Stock markets in Asia were broadly higher for the second day in a row on Tuesday.The rebound followed the worst weekly performance for major stock markets since the 2008 financial crisis. Investors have been worried about the impact of the coronavirus as it spreads outside of China. The outbreak has led to travel restrictions, manufacturing shortages and reduced shopper demand in some countries. Australia's central bank has cut interest rates to record lows, in what is expected to be the first in a spate of stimulus measures around the world to fight the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak//BBC.com

The US is placing new restrictions on Chinese news outlets, forcing them to cut nearly half of their US-based staff. The move to limit the number of reporters is being seen as a retaliation for Beijing's expulsion of two US journalists last month. Five Chinese state outlets will be forced to reduce their US staff by 40%. US officials accused China of a crackdown on free speech not seen since the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. The US state department said it was hearing of increasing harassment and surveillance of American and other foreign journalists in China. As quoted by BBC.com ( 03/3) , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that five media outlets, including China's official news agency Xinhua, would be required to reduce their total number of staff to 100 from 160//BBC.com

The government is to outline its plans to contain the spread of coronavirus involving possible school closures, event cancellations and bringing NHS staff out of retirement.Unnecessary travel could be curbed and people urged to work from home. Legislation will be introduced to ensure ministers who have the powers to prepare for a widespread outbreak. As quoted by BBC.com (03/3) the chancellor says this month's budget will see help for the health services and economy in the face of the threat.It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday warned there could be "significant expansion" in UK cases as the number rose to 39//BBC.com