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China's first-quarter economic growth beat expectations, underpinned by solid consumption and industrial output even as policymakers brace for the impact of U.S. tariffs that analysts say pose the biggest risk to the Asian powerhouse in decades, Reuters reported.

President Donald Trump has ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese goods to eye-watering levels, prompting Beijing to slap retaliatory duties on U.S. imports in an intensifying trade war between the world's two biggest economies that markets fear will lead to a global recession.

Data on Wednesday showed China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4% in the January-March quarter from a year earlier, unchanged from the fourth quarter, but beat analysts expectations in a Reuters poll for a rise of 5.1%.

The outlook is expected to dim, however, as Washington's tariff shock hits the crucial export engine, heaping pressure on Chinese leaders as they try to keep the world's second-largest economy on an even keel and prevent mass job losses, according to Reuters.

Punjab Kings have beaten Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in match 31 of the Indian Premier League 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Chasing 112 runs KKR were bundled out for 95. Yuzvendra Chahal has been the pick of the bowlers for PBKS with four wickets.

Punjab Kings have been bundled out for 111 after opting to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders Harshit Rana has been the pick of the bowler with three wickets.

With the result Kolkata Knight Riders are sixth in the table losing four out of the three games. Meanwhile Punjab Kings are at fourth in the table with four wins in six games.

Currently the country is under an effect of local winds. 

The weather, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country. 

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of the hilly region and at one or two places of the rest of the country this afternoon. One or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country are also likely to receive light rain and snowfall.  

Similarly, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi Province and fair in the rest of the country tonight, the Division said. 

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces. 

Light rain and snowfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country. 

A tremor was felt in and around Kathmandu Valley this morning following a 5.0-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Dingze, China – which is 18-km away from the northern border of Nepal.

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center said that  the earthquake occurred at 4.05 this morning. 

It may be noted that Nepal's Jajarkot district has experienced a series of earthquakes lately. 

According to the Center, an earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred at Paink in Kushe Rural Municipality, Jajarkot at 4:53 am on Tuesday. 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to promptly address the demands of agitating teachers through dialogue. 

The human rights watchdog body has urged the government to resolve the problems seen in sensitive sectors like education through dialogue and enable the environment to resume classes. 

In a press release issued today, NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel said, "The Commission has urged the Government of Nepal to formulate the laws related to school education timely after holding adequate discussions and consultations with the concerned parties and to implement the agreements signed by the Government of Nepal in the past with the teachers". 

The Commission has said that the ongoing agitation by the Federation of Nepal Teachers in Kathmandu for the last 13 days demanding that the government immediately enact the School Education Act,  make the education policy productive and implement the agreement signed with the Government of Nepal in the past has affected the right of children to education. 

The Commission is carrying out on-site monitoring of the teachers' movement. "If the agitation continues, the results of SEE, Grade 12 examinations and the admission campaign of children will also be affected", the NHRC said.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) slashed the prices of petroleum products on Thursday.

The NOC decided to cut Rs 3 per litre in petrol, diesel and kerosene.

According to the new revised rate, the price of petrol will be Rs 160 per liter. Earlier,  the price of petrol was Rs 163 per liter.

Similarly, the price of kerosene and diesel will be Rs 146 per litre each. Earlier, the price of diesel and kerosene was Rs 149  per liter each.

The state-owned oil monopoly, however, has not reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The revised fuel price will come into effect from midnight today.

The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on April 30.

The meeting will be held at the party's central office, Sanepa.

The CWC office bearers, members and invitee members have been requested to attend the meeting, said Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.

The agenda of the meeting is to discuss contemporary issues and latest developments.

Various parts of the country, including the Kathmandu Valley, experienced light rainfall this afternoon.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rains were recorded in most areas of the Koshi and Bagmati Provinces today.

Min Kumar Aryal, a meteorologist at the Division, said that the rains were triggered by the influence of the Westerly winds and the increased activity of local winds. However, no significant rainfall is expected in the coming days. This weather condition is likely to persist until Thursday.

The Division also predicts that light to moderate rains, accompanied by thunder and lightning, will affect parts of the hilly regions in Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces, with a few locations in other areas expected to experience similar conditions by Wednesday morning.

In the highlands and mountain regions, light rains and snowfall are possible, which could impact daily life, agriculture, health, roadways, and aviation services.

 The public has been advised to take precautions against the potential challenges posed by these atmospheric changes.