IF iDir.com

Factory activity in China unexpectedly expanded in March after contracting sharply to a record low, but the rapid global spread of the coronavirus is expected to keep businesses and the overall economy under heavy pressure as foreign demand slumps. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 52 in March from the collapse to a record low of 35.7 in February, China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday, and above the neutral 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. Analysts are forecasting China to suffer a steep economic contraction in the first quarter due to widespread disruptions to business and consumer activity caused by the virus as authorities put in place tough public measures to contain the pandemic.

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:23:35 -0400

An Australian drag queen has shifted her performances from stage to personal screens during coronavirus lockdown in Sydney to ensure she's not all dressed up with nowhere to go. Penny Tration - born Daniel Floyd - is a professional artist who has appeared on radio and TV shows.

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:17:45 -0400