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Twelve people have been killed after a bus carrying Polish pilgrims veered off a road in Croatia on Saturday and ended up in a ditch, BBC reported.

All 32 surviving passengers are said to be injured, 19 of them seriously.

The trip, organised by the Brotherhood of St Joseph Catholic group, included three priests and six nuns. They were travelling to Medjugorje, a Catholic shrine in Bosnia.

The passengers were all Polish adults, said the Polish Foreign Ministry.

The bus left from the Polish city of Czestochowa on Friday night following a prayer service. The passengers were from various regions of Poland, the foreign ministry said.

The accident happened at around 05:40 local time (04:50 GMT) when the bus they were travelling in veered off the A4 road between Jarek Bisaski and Podvorec, north-east of Zagreb.

Poland's justice minister and prosecutor general have ordered the Warsaw Prosecutors Office to launch an investigation into the cause of the tragedy, and two Polish ministers are heading to Croatia in the wake of the incident, according to BBC.

It was initially reported that 11 people had been killed, but one more person died later in hospital. 

"Some of the injured passengers are fighting for their lives," Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, adding in a post on Twitter that emergency services were doing all they could to help. 

Pilgrimages to the small town of Medjugorje are very popular in Poland following reports that local children saw a vision of the Virgin Mary there in the 1980s, BBC reported.

The UN's nuclear watchdog has called for an immediate end to any military action near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, warning of a "very real risk of a nuclear disaster".

IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said he was "extremely concerned" by reports of shelling at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, BBC reported.

It comes as Ukraine said parts of the facility were "seriously damaged" by Russian military strikes.

Russia seized the plant in March.

It has kept its Ukrainian employees, but Kyiv accuses Russian forces of firing rockets at civilian areas from the site, employing "terror tactics".

Friday's strikes underline "the very real risk of a nuclear disaster that could threaten public health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond", Mr Grossi said in a statement.

"Any military firepower directed at or from the facility would amount to playing with fire, with potentially catastrophic consequences," he added.

Ukrainian staff must be able to carry out their important duties "without threats or pressure", he said, adding that the IAEA should be allowed to provide technical support.

"For the sake of protecting people in Ukraine and elsewhere from a potential nuclear accident, we must all set aside our differences and act, now. The IAEA is ready," said Mr Grossi, days after stating the plant was "completely out of control".

The operator of the Zaporizhzhia plant said the Russian missile strikes had forced the closure of one "power unit", adding that there was a risk of radioactive leaks.

The strikes "caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant", operator Enerhoatom wrote on Telegram, according to BBC.

Moscow said Ukraine carried out the attack.

The BBC was unable to verify the reported damage at the nuclear plant.

However, the EU has hit out at Moscow over the latest shelling with the bloc's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, saying it "condemns Russia's military activities" around the plant.

"This is a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia's disregard for international norms," he said, and called for the IAEA to be granted access to the plant. 

Russian forces hold the plant and surrounding areas, close to Ukrainian-held territory. It consists of six pressurised water reactors and stores radioactive waste.

Civilians in nearby Nikopol, which lies across the river and is still under Ukrainian control, told the BBC that the Russians were firing rockets from the area around the plant and moving military hardware into the compound.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that "any bombing of this site is a shameless crime, an act of terror".

The plant is in the city of Enerhodar, in the south-east of Ukraine along the left bank of the River Dnieper (Dnipro in Ukrainian), BBC reported.

The UK defence ministry says Russia is using the area to launch attacks - taking advantage of the "protected status" of the nuclear power plant to reduce the risk of overnight attacks from Ukrainian forces.

The United States has accused Beijing of "provocative" and "irresponsible" actions after Taiwan said China rehearsed an attack on the island, BBC reported.

The White House said Beijing was attempting to "change the status quo" over Taiwan.

The heightened tensions follow a trip to Taiwan by a US delegation led by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

China views the visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, which sees itself as distinct.

Taiwan's defence ministry said Chinese ships and planes carried out missions in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, with some crossing the median line - an unofficial buffer separating the two sides. Taiwanese fighter jets were scrambled to warn them away.

The Taiwan military said the exercises were a simulated attack on the island.

Beijing hasn't commented on the latest exercises, but is expected to continue military drills in the air and seas around Taiwan until Sunday.

Washington has accused China of escalating tensions.

"These activities are a significant escalation in China's efforts to change the status quo. They are provocative, irresponsible and raise the risk of miscalculation," a White House spokesperson said. 

"They are also at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is what the world expects."

China said Ms Pelosi's visit "seriously threatened" peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to BBC.

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. However, Taiwan is a self-ruled island that sees itself as distinct from the mainland.

But any hint of recognition of this by world leaders enrages China. It announced on Friday that sanctions have been placed on Ms Pelosi and her family over the visit.

Beijing also announced it was halting co-operation with the US in several key areasincluding climate change, military talks and efforts to combat international crime.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of taking "irresponsible steps" by blocking key communication channels with Washington.

Ms Pelosi - a long-time China critic and the highest-ranking US politician to travel to the island in 25 years - arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, despite Beijing's warnings, BBC reported.

During her visit, Ms Pelosi said that "the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy".

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina again proposed Nepal to use Mongla and Chattogram seaports alongside Syedpur airport for mutual benefits, daily-sun. com reported.

"Nepal can take advantage of using our Mongla and Chittagong ports," she said while a visiting parliamentary delegation from Nepal paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.

Chairperson, International Relations Committee, House of Representatives, Federal Parliament, Nepal, Pabitra Niruola Kharel led the Nepalese delegation, according to a press release of the Press Wing of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mentioning that Bangladesh is developing Syedpur Airport as a regional airport, the premier said,  "Neighboring countries including Nepal can use the airport."

During the meeting, both the sides expressed their eagerness to consolidate further the relations between the two countries alongside strengthening bilateral cooperation on business and trade for mutual benefits.

Expressing  her gratitude to the leadership and the people of Nepal for supporting Bangladesh during the Liberation War in 1971, Sheikh Hasina said  her government attaches great importance to maintaining good relations with neighboring countries, including Nepal.  

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the delegation visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi and Bangladesh Parliament and went to Tungipara through the much-cherished iconic Padma Bridge.              

At the outset, the Nepalese delegation thanked the government of Bangladesh for arranging an excellent program for them, according to daily-sun.com

The delegation members expressed great satisfaction that Nepal and Bangladesh have been enjoying cordial relations over the years.

They mentioned that this year was very significant for both countries for celebrating the 50th year of establishing diplomatic relations.  

They suggested that the two countries could further consolidate their cooperation in sectors like power, hydroelectricity, tourism, education, ICT, connectivity, and people to people contact.  

They emphasized high-level visits on a regular basis to strengthen the friendly ties.  

The delegation appreciated Prime Minister for her visionary leadership and the recent socio-economic development, which they termed as very impressive.

The Nepalese delegation included Chandtara Kumari, MP, Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatt, MP,  Dev Prasad Timalsena, MP,  Lila Devi Sitaula, MP, Narad Muni Rana, MP, and  Sarala Kumari Yadav, MP, daily-sun.com reported.

Let’s be honest, sometimes we all judge a restaurant by how it looks from the outside. If you do, Grill and Bakes Family Restaurant at Maharajgunj will not disappoint you. As soon as you enter, you will find the area filled with greenery. 

Once you enter the premises, you will see the restaurant’s cozy bar tucked in the right corner, near the outdoor seating area. Particularly for the ones who prefer to drink and chill outdoors, Grills and Bakes is a good choice, preferably during the evenings because of its beautiful light settings. 

For indoorsy folks, the restaurant offers comfy space, making it a perfect place for large get-togethers as well as intimate dinners. With large gatherings, there is always the question of parking hovering in our heads. You need not worry about that. Parking spots here are spacious enough to accommodate two- and four-wheelers. 

Moving on, complementing its ambience, the restaurant has the best set of dishes to blend perfectly with your tastebuds. From spicy to cheesy delights, the menu has them all. The same can be said for their drinks. 

For first-time visitors, we recommend Parsey Noodle and Chicken A la King. Both the dishes have a smoky-chicken flavor, with perfectly balanced spices. For the ones who prefer cheesy options, go for Stuffed Garlic Potato, and Corn Dogs. You will not be disappointed. 

Chef’s special: 

• Red Dragon Chicken

• Kung Pao Chicken 

• Stuffed Garlic Potato 

Opening hours: 8:00am to 10:00pm 

Location: Maharajgunj

Meal for 2: Rs. 1,500

Online/Card Payment: Yes

Contact: 9749829283

Parking Spot: Available

A strong tremor was felt in Kathmandu on Saturday morning.

At least 14 people were killed and around 40 others injured after a fire swept through a nightclub in Chonburi province in south-eastern Thailand, BBC reported.

The fire broke out at 01:00 local time on Friday (18:00 GMT Thursday) at the Mountain B nightspot in Sattahip district, police said.

Footage shows people screaming as they flee, some with clothes on fire. 

The cause of the fire is not clear, with rescuers saying flammable material on the walls may have exacerbated it. 

The venue in Chonburi, a province located 150km (90 miles) south of Bangkok, was a single-storey complex measuring 4,800 square metres (51,660 square feet).

Firefighters battled for more than two hours to bring the fire under control, local media reported. The blaze apparently broke out during a live music performance at the venue, according to the mother of one of the music performers who died in the incident.

Bodies of the victims were mostly found near the entrance and in the bathrooms. Others were found near the DJ booth. 

So far, all those who died are believed to be Thai nationals. 

Officials from the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Rescue Foundation said flammable acoustic foam on the club's walls might have accelerated the speed at which the fire tore through the venue. 

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday ordered an investigation into the fire, and said that families of the victims would receive aid from authorities. He also urged entertainment venues nationwide to ensure they had proper emergency exits and safety measures in place.

Officials said the venue had been turned from a restaurant into a nightclub and was likely operating without permission, according to BBC.

This is not the first time a deadly fire has broken out in a Thai nightclub. 

In 2009, more than 60 people died in Bangkok after a fire spread at the Santika Club in the early hours of New Year's Day. Two men, including the owner of the club, were jailed in 2011.

And a fire at a nightclub in the popular Thai tourist destination of Phuket in 2012 killed four people and injured about a dozen others.

Following tensions between China and the US over Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Nepal is closely following the evolving situation in the Taiwan straits.

Taking to Twitter, The Ministry said that Nepal has always been upholding One-China Policy.

Both Nepal and China have been respecting each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence, the Ministry said.

As a peace-loving country, Nepal is in favor of continued peace and stability in the region, Ministry said.