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Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has passed away at the age of 68, his party, the Patriotic Front, confirmed. He had been undergoing specialized treatment in South Africa for an undisclosed illness, according to BBC.

Lungu led the country from 2015 to 2021, before losing to current President Hakainde Hichilema in a landslide election. After stepping away from politics, he later returned to the public eye, showing signs of a renewed interest in leading the nation once again.

His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Zambia’s political history, BBC reported.

India will conduct its long-postponed national census in two phases, set to conclude in 2027, the government announced. Delayed since 2021, the exercise was initially postponed due to the pandemic, with no clear reasons for further delays, according to BBC.

The reference date is March 1, 2027 for most locations, and October 1, 2026 for snow-bound areas. The government has not revealed when the count will begin.

For the first time since 1931, caste statistics will be gathered. Experts fear that the delay may impede welfare planning and resource distribution in the world's most populated country, BBC reported.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the eleven people who died in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the team’s IPL victory celebrations. The tragic incident occurred as large crowds gathered to welcome the team following their IPL 2025 title win, according to Firstpost.

In an official statement, RCB expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced the establishment of a special fund, RCB Cares, to support those harmed in the tragic incident. The franchise stressed that fans are at the heart of their journey and expressed solidarity with everyone affected.

NATO allies are moving toward agreeing on US President Donald Trump’s call for members to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday.

The proposed target includes 3.5 percent for core military spending and 1.5 percent for overall security infrastructure. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte endorsed the initiative, calling it a big step,

Hegseth anticipates a formal agreement at the NATO meeting in The Hague on June 24 and 25. European diplomats believe more investment is critical to keeping US backing and giving Trump a decisive victory at the meeting.

World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year. In Nepal, different activities are carried out to promote eco-friendly habits and for environmental awareness. But experts argue that green initiatives must be run all year round to negate the impact of climate change. ApEx spoke to three people to find out what they think and how we can make our planet a cleaner, greener place to live. 

Sanjog Limbu

I feel that nowadays smoke from vehicles like old buses and trucks is the main reason for pollution. Urbanization is another factor that contributes to pollution in the long run. I also see a lot of people using plastics with little to no awareness about its harmful impacts. I think we must minimize the use of plastic if we want to preserve our planet. Another thing that needs attention is proper waste disposal. Many people are still dumping waste in rivers and streams. This makes the whole area smell foul. I believe small everyday actions can make a huge impact in preserving the environment in the long run. 

Riya Shrestha

Deforestation is a serious issue in Nepal due to increasing urbanization and agricultural needs. It leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and affects the water cycle and biodiversity. Forests are vital for Nepal’s ecological balance and climate regulation so this issue deserves more awareness and action. Additionally, plastic is widely used because it is easily available, inexpensive, and very convenient for everyday tasks like packaging, carrying goods, and storing items. It’s also difficult to avoid since it’s so ubiquitous. This shows a conflict between convenience and environmental concern. If I could make one law it would be the use of biodegradable or reusable alternatives instead of single-use plastics. This would reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable habits. 

Amit Lama

The main cause of pollution in urban areas in Nepal is the smoke that old vehicles emit coupled with stubble burning. Unmanaged road construction adds to our woes. I think we need stricter environmental policies to combat pollution and our worsening environmental conditions. Banning plastic, removing old vehicles from the road, and making people aware about the importance of recycling and reusing things can help make a difference. I think these initiatives must be put in place through good policy and effective monitoring of its implementation. I think the onus lies first on the government to come up with a plan to reduce pollution and then on the people to make sure they follow the rules and regulations. 

India has issued a warning to Turkish Airlines after surprise inspections revealed serious safety violations, including the unauthorized transport of explosives.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, conducted checks at airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. It found that explosives were carried without mandatory approval or proper declaration. In Bengaluru, unqualified staff handled ground operations, and aircraft maintenance was done without a certified engineer, Firstpost reported.

The inspections were carried out under Article 16 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Convention, which mandates global aviation safety standards.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone following Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian airbases, which destroyed several nuclear-capable bombers. The call, lasting over an hour, was the third between the leaders since Trump’s return to office, Firstpost reported.

Trump described the conversation as “good” but not one that would lead to “immediate peace,” noting that Putin strongly indicated Russia would respond to the attacks.

The Ukrainian strikes, among the boldest in recent years, have prompted heightened tensions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to remain firm, warning that any sign of weakness could embolden further Russian aggression, according to Firstpost.

The government has made it mandatory for both buyers and sellers to provide bank statements and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) forms before property deeds can be registered. According to the Directive on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities, 2025, issued by the Department of Land Management and Records (DoLMR) under the  Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, all real estate transactions must include bank statements verifying that funds have been transferred from the buyer’s account to the seller’s account. 

The move is aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering measures and removing Nepal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list. The FATF Plenary held in February placed Nepal on its ‘gray list’ due to concerns about the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) measures, particularly in high-risk sectors like real estate and cooperatives. The finance ministry is implementing plans to remove Nepal from the gray list.

Likewise, all land and property transactions exceeding Rs 30m in a single day must now be reported to the Financial Information Unit (FIU) of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). Land revenue offices will also have to report suspicious transactions to the FIU. The directive was issued as per Section 7 (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008. As per the Act, the DoLMA is the regulating agency for the real estate sector. 

The DoLMA has issued a circular to all land revenue and land reform offices to enforce these measures immediately. As per the directive, any land and housing transactions between Rs 1m to Rs 5m  must be conducted through banking or digital payment systems, while those exceeding Rs 5m must use electronic payments or ‘good for payment’ checks issued directly in the seller’s name.

Additionally, for offices equipped to collect revenue through banks, registration fees and charges for transactions above Rs 1m must be paid from the buyer’s account, while capital gains tax must be deposited from the seller’s account into designated government revenue accounts. The ministry believes these measures will curb money laundering, ensure accurate transaction records, prevent tax evasion, reduce corruption in land revenue offices and promote transparency in Nepal’s economic system. 

In the first nine months of fiscal year 2024/25, Nepal saw a total of 380,175 land and housing transactions. The government mobilized Rs 33.2bn in revenue from these transactions.