Japan's factory activity shrinks on tariff woes, services perk up, PMI shows
Japan's manufacturing sector fell for the ninth consecutive month in April, with the au Jibun Bank flash PMI climbing to 48.5 from 48.4 in March.
According to Reuters, new orders decreased substantially, and company confidence dropped to its lowest level since June 2020 due to US tariff concerns.
Meanwhile, the services sector recovered modestly, with the PMI rising to 52.2 from 50.0, boosted by better demand and the largest increase in sales in three months.
Reuters reported that the composite PMI, which combines both sectors, bounced back to growth at 51.1, up from 48.9 in March.
As input costs increased at the quickest rate in two years, businesses raised their selling prices. Japan's economy is nonetheless hampered by persistent inflation and unclear trade policy.
Sudip Neupane of Butwal dies in terrorist attack in Pahalgam
The identity of a Nepali man who was killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir has been ascertained.
It has been confirmed that Sudip Neupane of Butwal lost his life in the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam, South Kashmir on Tuesday.
Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-14 ward Chairman Dadhiram Neupane confirmed that 27-year-old Neupane died in the attack.
According to ward Chairman Neupane, Sudip had gone to visit Kashmir with his family on Saturday.
Preparations are underway to bring the lifeless body of Neupane to Nepal, he informed. Other members of the family are safe.
Twenty-seven persons including a Nepali national died and several others were injured in the terrorist attack that occured at 3 pm yesterday. Those killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam were mostly tourists.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
It has been learnt that two locals were also killed in the incident.
After receiving the information about the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, is returning to India.
Zelensky raises alarm over Chinese role in Russian drone production
Ukrainian President Zelensky has claimed Chinese nationals are working at a Russian drone facility and suggested Moscow may have obtained Chinese drone technology without Beijing’s knowledge, according to Al Jazeera.
This follows his prior assertion that China is supplying Russia with weapons and gunpowder, which Beijing rejects. Ukraine's foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to express alarm over China's potential involvement in the fighting, Al Jazeera reported.
Zelensky also claimed that Russia is recruiting Chinese nationals to fight, with Kyiv investigating possible links to Chinese authorities.
China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership shortly prior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Three killed in Doti mini-truck accident
Three persons died when a mini-truck they were traveling in met with an accident at Golden in Joraya Rural Municipality-1 in Doti along the Bhimdutta Highway on Wednesday.
District Police Office Chief Binod Sharma said that three persons, including driver Arjun Dhami died in the incident.
He said that the vehicle (Su Pa Pra 01001 Kha 3428) was heading towards Bajhang from Dhangadhi when the tragedy occurred this morning.
The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.
