ISM: US manufacturing activity rises in March

 Activity in the United States' manufacturing sector expanded in March at a faster pace than the previous month, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said in its report published on Wednesday. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose from the previous month's 52.4% to 52.7%, expanding for the third month in a row.

Meanwhile, the Employment Index dipped by 0.1 percentage points compared to February to 48.7%. The Production Index went up by 1.6 percentage points to 55.1%. The New Orders Index decreased by 2.3 percentage points to 53.5.

"In March, US manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, growing at a slightly faster pace than the month before. Of the five subindexes that make up the PMI, the New Orders Index indicated slower growth compared to the previous month, the Production Index grew at a faster rate, and the Employment and Inventories indexes remained in contraction," ISM Chair Susan Spence commented.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/ISM:-US-manufacturing-activity-rises-in-March/65998431

Iran's envoy: We would welcome Russia as mediator

 Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said (pictured) on Wednesday that Tehran would welcome Moscow as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations with the United States.

"The goodwill of the Russian government is not alien to us, and we know that if this country is appointed as a mediator, it will make every effort to take into account the interests of the Islamic Republic," the Iranian envoy said in an interview with TASS.

Moreover, he added that the issue of mediation and a potential intermediary party hasn't been settled "due to the lack of will on the part of the aggressor."

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Iran's-envoy:-We-would-welcome-Russia-as-mediator/65998537

Araghchi: Iran does not accept US ceasefire offer

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted in a televised address on Wednesday that his country does not accept the United States' ceasefire proposal.

Araghchi added that Iran instead seeks to end the conflict with the US and Israel, as well as guarantees that such an operation would not repeat.

Meanwhile, his department's spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, told the press that US President Donald Trump's claims that Iran asked for a ceasefire were "false" and "baseless." Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stressed that the Strait of Hormuz "will not be opened to the enemies of this nation" through Trump's "ridiculous displays."

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Araghchi:-Iran-does-not-accept-US-ceasefire-offer/65998648

AWS site in Bahrain said to be damaged in strike

 An Amazon Web Services (AWS) facility in Bahrain was damaged in a strike on Wednesday, the Financial Times reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Bahrainian authorities attributed the attack to Iran, but did not provide details on its targets.

Yesterday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it would start striking companies in the region that are based in or linked to the United States, including US tech giants. The IRGC accused them of spying on Tehran and said they are legitimate targets. Iran has already hit Amazon's site in Bahrain several times since the start of the conflict.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/AWS-site-in-Bahrain-said-to-be-damaged-in-strike/65998698

Another Iranian strike targets Israel

 The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Wednesday that another Iranian missile launch was detected, the second in less than an hour. Missile alarms sounded in Tel Aviv and parts of central Israel, following reports of explosions in the city as a result of the previous strike.

Meanwhile, the Iranian media claimed that a missile with cluster munitions made an impact in Tel Aviv during the first attack in the afternoon. Hezbollah launched its attack on northern Israel in conjunction with Iran. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Another-Iranian-strike-targets-Israel/65998920

ADP: US private payrolls up by 62,000 in March

 Private sector employment in the United States rose by 62,000 jobs in March, according to a report posted by Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) on Wednesday.

Annual pay for job-stayers increased by 4.5%, while job-changers saw gains of 6.6% on a year-to-year basis. Job growth was driven mainly by smaller firms, while hiring declined in trade, transportation, and utilities.

The services sector added 32,000 jobs, led by education and health services, while goods-producing industries gained 30,000, despite a drop in manufacturing employment. "Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care," ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/ADP:-US-private-payrolls-up-by-62000-in-March/65997338

ADNOC: Iran's actions are economic extortion

 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) CEO Sultan al-Jaber condemned on Wednesday Iran's actions limiting fuel shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, describing them as "economic extortion." He noted that the consequences of the Middle East conflict are now global rather than regional, pointing to growing fuel and energy prices in Europe, which are also reflected in the rising inflation rate.

Al-Jaber called for global cooperation to ensure the free flow of fossil fuels. He also urged all parties to comply with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, adopted in March, which demanded the "immediate cessation of all attacks" by Iran on neighboring countries and called on Tehran to adhere to international law.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/ADNOC:-Iran's-actions-are-economic-extortion/65995561