Tourism Boost: Bhutan’s neighbours are pushing travel growth fast—Nepal’s Pokhara has opened ticket booking for a direct Pokhara–Dubai flight starting September 23, with airlines now offering daily services from the airport. Legal Aid Reform: Bhutan’s National Council Legislative Committee backs a Jabmi Amendment Bill that would remove the indigency requirement for pro bono legal service, shifting eligibility to “accused” status. Local Elections: Thimphu and Phuentshogling Thromde elections are set for 15 July, with new rules requiring at least five years of public or private sector work experience for Thrompon candidates. Clean Energy Push: DGPC has installed solar panels in 187 public facilities across Thimphu, Chhukha and Basochhu, part of a wider ADB-supported plan to expand solar on public infrastructure nationwide. Regional Payments: India–Nepal UPI–NPI linkage for remittances went live on June 6, enabling real-time cross-border transfers via mobile apps and digital wallets. Tourism Market Spotlight: Bhutan International Travel Mart in Thimphu drew about 200 global buyers to meet local operators and build new high-value tourism products. Climate Watch: A new HKH monsoon outlook warns of below-average rainfall but high disaster risk, including flash floods and landslides, across Nepal, India, Bhutan and Pakistan. Bilateral Culture Link: India’s UP signed a 30-year lease with Bhutan for a Bhutanese temple and pilgrim guest house near Sarnath in Varanasi, aiming to deepen Buddhist tourism ties. World News Tie-In: Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay joined global leaders in congratulating India’s PM Modi on becoming the longest-serving elected PM.