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A Russian drone struck a bus transporting workers in eastern Ukraine, killing nine people and injuring more than 40, BBC reported.

The attack took place on Wednesday morning in the south-central city of Marhanets in the Dnipropetrovsk area, across the river from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.

President Volodymyr Zelensky described it as "an egregiously brutal attack - and an absolutely deliberate war crime" against a "ordinary bus...clearly a civilian target."
He stated the majority of the injured were women who worked at a mining and processing company, according to BBC.

The strike came as top Trump officials withdrew from discussions in London between the UK, Europe, and Ukraine aimed at achieving a truce.

Gaza's Health Ministry reported Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 39 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 51,305 since the conflict began in October 2023.

According to Al Jazeera, more than 117,000 people have been wounded, with many still trapped under rubble as rescue operations face severe challenges.Israel renewed its military offensive in March despite an earlier ceasefire deal, resulting in nearly 2,000 additional deaths.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, while the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is examining charges of genocide against Israel.  

The European Union has imposed landmark fines on Apple and Meta, totaling €700m, for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulation aimed at limiting Big Tech’s market dominance.

Apple was fined €500m for preventing developers from directing users to cheaper options outside the App Store. It also faces criticism for blocking other app marketplaces and instituting a new developer fee. However, Apple avoided sanctions in a different browser-choice instance by following DMA guidelines, according to Reuters.

Meta received a €200m fine for its “pay-or-consent” model on Facebook and Instagram, which regulators say limits user choice by forcing them to accept tracking or pay for ad-free access.

Both companies criticized the EU’s decision. Apple claims the ruling harms user privacy, while Meta accuses the EU of targeting US firms unfairly, Reuters reported.

The companies have two months to comply or face further sanctions. The Commission says the actions are part of a fair and balanced enforcement of digital competition rules.

London talks aimed at securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have been downgraded and will no longer include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Rubio intends to delay his visit to UK.

Trump envoy Keith Kellogg will lead the US delegation instead, BBC reported.The meeting on Wednesday will instead be held between senior officials from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the United States, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosting a bilateral discussion with his Ukrainian counterpart.

The negotiations came amid allegations of a possible agreement allowing Russia to keep occupied Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, which Ukraine firmly rejects. President Zelensky has asked for an unconditional cease-fire as a first step, according to BBC.

The pace of diplomatic efforts to end the war is increasing, but nothing is known about where they are going or whether they will succeed.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

During the conversation, PM Oli expressed sadness over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Indian government for offering condolences following the incident in which a Nepali citizen also lost his life.

Informing about the telephone conversation held with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Oli through social media X said that he stands with India in the fight against such terrorist attacks.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 32. 44 points to close at 2,655.88 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 5. 41 points to close at 446. 48 points.

A total of 18,477,703-unit shares of 308 companies were traded for Rs 7. 57 billion.

Meanwhile, Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited (NMIC) and Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited (CREST) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser with its price dropped by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 41 trillion.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that it is the Parliament's responsibility to pass the School Education Bill with priority.

In a meeting held to discuss contemporary political issues with the Chief Whips of various political parties today, Speaker Ghimire said that the School Education Bill should be passed on priority with the operation of the Parliament at a time when the teachers of the community schools are agitating demanding the promulgation of the Education Act.

Speaker Ghimire said, "The Parliament has been under pressure to discuss the budget as per the government's policies and programs, economic procedures and provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act."

Stating that it is also the responsibility of the Parliament to pass the School Education Bill with priority, he said, "The agitating teachers have said that they will not return to school without the enactment of the School Education Bill and in a meeting with me they have also asked me to take the initiative to that end.”

On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire proposed running the Parliament on all days except on Saturdays and public holidays because of the burgeoning workload related to the pre-budget discussions, the government's policies and programs, budget and the School Education Bill as well.

The meeting approved the proposal. Accordingly, the schedule will be presented in the Parliament's Business Advisory Committee meeting scheduled to be held on April 25.

"The Parliament starts the process for approving of the bill immediately after the Sub-committee submits its report. The Civil Service Bill is also about to be passed from the committee. Keeping in view the policy and programs, and the technical limitations of the budget, we should be ready to pass the bills, including education and civil service bills, in this session," Speaker Ghimire said.

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

Renowned football player Carlos is currently in Nepal to attend the ongoing Nepal Super League (NSL) third season football championship underway at Dashrath Stadium as a special guest.

On the occasion, PM Oli welcomed the football star Carlos and said that his visit to Nepal inspired the players and youths here.

Stating that Nepal and Brazil enjoyed a cordial diplomatic relation, the PM stressed on exchange of learning in the sports sector between the two countries. The Prime Minister urged the Brazilian former player to visit Nepal again with an itinerary of enjoying mountain flight and jungle safari.

In response, Carlos expressed gratitude for the hospitality accorded to him in Nepal and said he was pleased to meet with Nepal's Prime Minister, youths and athletes.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in football history, Carlos made his senior debut for Brazil in 1992. He earned over 120 caps for the national team and was instrumental in Brazil’s 2002 FIFA World Cup victory in South Korea and Japan.

Carlos spent most of his club career at Real Madrid, where he played from 1996 to 2007. During his time with the Spanish giants, he won four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.