Nepal-India Trade & Food Safety: Nepal banned Indian mango imports after border quarantine inspectors found excessive pesticide levels, a move welcomed by officials as safer for consumers but feared by traders for shortages and price spikes. Hydropower & Community Rights: Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a six-point directive on the Phukot Karnali Hydropower Project, ordering revisions to the MoU, stronger resettlement plans, and strict legal compliance to protect affected communities. Finance & Reform: The IMF completed its final ECF review for Nepal, approving about $42.9m, citing governance and financial-sector reforms while warning growth could be hit by protests, weaker agriculture, slower private investment, and Middle East spillovers. Innovation for Industry: WFP launched a climate and food security innovation accelerator in Nepal, backing selected startups with funding and mentorship for solutions like solar irrigation, digital farm advisory, and climate-linked insurance. Startup Push: Nepal’s budget earmarked nearly Rs 4bn for science, tech and innovation, including Rs 500m for a Nepal Enterprise Facility to support startups and SMEs. Energy Sector Pressure: NEA is being pushed to recover long-pending dues from 61 firms tied to dedicated feeders/trunk lines, with arrears reported at Rs 26.95bn. AML Tech Rollout: ZIGRAM partnered with AMNIL Technologies to deploy AML and financial crime compliance systems across Nepal’s banking and payments ecosystem. Everest Operations: Everest’s new mountain ranger programme and drone-assisted logistics are reducing waste and improving safety in the Khumbu region. Market Watch: NEPSE extended losses, falling sharply on lower turnover and broad sector declines.