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Harvard University filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging President Donald Trump’s proclamation barring international students from entering the US to attend Harvard.

The university alleges that the action is a retaliatory attempt to bypass a prior court decision that prohibited the Department of Homeland Security from restricting international enrollment, according to Reuters.

“The President’s actions are not to protect the interests of the United States, but to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the filing states.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber defined the order as "another illegal step" targeting the university's global ties. He also stated that Harvard is developing contingency preparations to ensure that international students may continue their academic work, Reuters reported.

A corruption case has been filed against former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal in connection with the controversial land deal involving Patanjali Yogpeeth. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Thursday filed the case at the Special Court against Nepal and several other individuals implicated in the alleged misappropriation of land.

With this, his parliamentary position has been automatically suspended. For the first time in Nepal’s history, a corruption case has been filed against a former prime minister. Notably, this is the first time a corruption case has been pursued over a Cabinet decision.

Nepal has been implicated along with 93 others. The case against Nepal demands a fine and punishment, with a claim for damages amounting to Rs 185.85m. For the other defendants, the claimed damage amounts vary.

The charges stem from a Cabinet decision made during Madhav Kumar Nepal’s tenure as Prime Minister, which granted Patanjali Yogpeeth a special permission to purchase 815 ropani of land in Bancha village of Kavrepalanchok district. Patanjali, a prominent Indian organization known for promoting Ayurvedic medicine, had registered a subsidiary in Nepal in 2007 with plans to build a hospital, herbal farm and educational facilities.

Under Nepal’s land ceiling laws, private companies are generally barred from owning such large tracts of land. However, the Cabinet, led by Nepal at the time, granted Patanjali an exemption on the condition that the land would be used exclusively for medicinal and educational purposes. Investigations revealed that Patanjali began selling parts of the acquired land soon after the purchase—some reportedly within months—violating the Land Act of 1964, which explicitly prohibits the sale of land obtained under such special exemptions.

The Cabinet decision had also specified that any funds from the sale of such land must be reinvested into acquiring other land for the same purpose, a condition Patanjali allegedly ignored. CIAA’s case accuses the defendants of abusing authority, violating existing land laws and causing financial loss to the state by facilitating and failing to prevent the illegal transfer and sale of land. 

Meanwhile, Nepal has said that he did nothing wrong in the Patanjali land case. He said that if there were any irregularities, they might have been committed by government employees. “I never even imagined that something like that could happen in an institution like Patanjali,” he said. “If there were any irregularities or mismanagement in the land acquisition process, it must have been done by staff. I had no involvement.” He said he made the decision to provide land to Patanjali with the intention of promoting public health in Nepal.

“I can’t speak much without fully understanding how and where loopholes were created, or whether anyone deliberately left gaps. But I did nothing wrong on my part—it wasn’t even in my mind,” he added. Nepal said he is not afraid just because a case has been filed, as he has never engaged in wrongdoing. “To be afraid, one must have done something wrong. I haven’t done anything inappropriate, nor do I support any inappropriate activities,” he said.

Nepal also accused Prime Minister KP Oli of being against him from the very beginning. “To speak plainly, KP Oli has been targeting me from the start. His intention is to end my political career,” he said. “He has tried multiple times in the past. He is someone who acts out of a sense of revenge.”

While the case was filed, he was in his home district Rautahat and he arrived in Kathmandu later in the evening. He has said that he will consult with legal experts and then publicly share a more detailed response.

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.