FATF Watch: Nepal remains on the FATF grey list after insufficient progress on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing controls, with FATF citing gaps in risk-based supervision and enforcement capacity. Trade & Energy: Nepal’s exports hit a record Rs 277.96 billion in the first 11 months, while petroleum imports reached Rs 296.44 billion (15.65% of total imports), underscoring heavy fuel demand. Finance & Compliance: The government partially reversed its u-turn on public vehicle registration, allowing registration for vehicles imported under opened LCs, easing pressure on importers. Anti-corruption Crackdown: Police arrested former finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel on money laundering charges, as the crackdown widens. Agribusiness: Nepal earned a record Rs 12.01 billion from large cardamom exports (6,034 tonnes), with India taking about 99% of shipments. Business & Tourism: Lemon Tree Hotels signed a new Janakpur property, adding to its growing Nepal footprint, while Pokhara hotels report strong Indian tourist occupancy. Regional Labour Risk: Human Rights Watch warns Gulf states are failing to protect migrant workers from extreme heat, including workers from Nepal. Infrastructure & Industry: Work to revive the long-closed Hetauda Textile Industry is moving ahead with an initial budget request for repairing old machines.