Preferential Trade Agreement Push: Bangladesh’s ambassador urged Nepal to expedite the PTA to unlock stronger trade and investment ties. Macroeconomic Split: NRB says foreign reserves and remittances look better, but internal growth is weak, with GDP growth projected at 3.85%. Banking Transparency: NRB tightened rules on promoter share transactions in BFIs, demanding detailed beneficial-ownership disclosures for large deals. Education Budget Focus: The government set education and sports as a top priority, allocating Rs 218.30 billion for 2026/27. Nutrition Alarm: A new assessment finds wasting at 9% and stunting at 26% among children under five, showing worsening conditions. Health Budgets by Province: Provinces are prioritising hospitals, specialist services, maternal-child health, and free medicines. Aviation Reform Stalled: Nepal’s long-delayed CAAN split still keeps airlines on the EU safety list. Tea Crisis with India: Tea factories and gardens shut down as Indian testing rules and barriers keep exports stuck, despite diplomatic claims. Capital Market Watch: NEPSE edged down to 2,700.47 with turnover at Rs 3.41 billion. Monsoon Outlook: Monsoon onset may be delayed due to El Niño affecting wind patterns. Governance & Oversight: CIAA summoned former FM Arzu Rana Deuba and German firms in the e-passport probe; opposition MPs protested in HoR over unresolved demands. Telecom Expansion: Plans are underway for about 1,600 new telecom sites to improve rural connectivity.