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𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗰𝗸, 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 To commemorate the 60th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Textile Academy in collaboration with the Textile Museum inaugurated a timeline museum highlighting the life and works of the Queen Mother. Her Royal Highness Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuck was also present at the inauguration. 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘆 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗲𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴𝘀, 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 In Punakha, an outbreak of lumpy skin disease, a viral disease among cattle, has been confirmed. So far, 11 cases have been reported, one from Guma Gewog and the rest from Toedwang Gewog. The disease was initially reported to the district veterinary office on Monday from Guma Gewog. Although not a risk for humans, skin disease can kill cattle if left untreated. No additional cases have been detected so far. 𝗞𝗼𝘂𝗳𝘂𝗸𝘂 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 In the remote village of Goenpa at Ngatshang Gewog in Monggar, dairy farmers have found a reliable market for their milk at Koufuku International’s dairy processing plant at Chenary in Trashigang. However, while the farmers benefit from the convenience of the dairy processing plant, they say they would benefit more if the current price is revised given the rising cost of feeds. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟯 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 Eight Bhutanese archers will participate in the 2023 Asia Cup Stage 3 in Singapore next month. Currently, the athletes are undergoing a 20-day training at the Langjophakha archery range in Thimphu. Participants are hoping to gain exposure from the tournament in preparation for the 19th Asian Games that will be held in Hangzhou, China in September. 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝗖𝗥𝗥𝗛 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱 With medical examination slots for Australian visas booked till the end of July, the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital has temporarily suspended online registration for medical examinations. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗭𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴 In a promising development for agriculture in Trong Gewog, Zhemgang, farmers in Takabi, Tama, and Berti are set to overcome their struggle with inadequate irrigation water. For years, farmers in Takabi village have been relying on stream water to irrigate their paddy fields, but due to the small size of the stream and the numerous distribution points along the channel, the water shortage has been a constant issue. 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮 Agriculture in highland areas has been a challenge due to extreme weather conditions caused by climate change, but the Gasa District has found a solution to encourage agriculture among its villagers in the highlands. In the ongoing Women's National League Qualifiers, the Gelephu Academy Girls went riot over Bumthang Women's FC, defeating them 25-0 in the match played at the Chamkhar Football Ground in Bumthang today. The Gelephu Academy Girls scored 16 goals in the first half, before adding another nine in the second half. Eight teams are vying for the six spots available for the Bhutan Women's National League, which will be played later this year. A total of 28 league matches will be played spread across six different venues. Tomorrow, the RTC Women's FC will play Gelephu Women's FC at the RTC football ground in Thimphu. All league matches are played on weekends. Is Bhutan heading for trouble? With a large number of people going abroad for study and work, and the dropping fertility rate, many are beginning to worry that the nation with an aging population will de-growth its economy.

𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲-𝘂𝗽 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 Residents of Tashichhoeling Dungkhag in Samtse are grappling with the lack of a proper garbage truck, resulting in the piling up of garbage on streets and outside their homes. The Dungkhag’s only waste collection truck frequently breaks down, posing a significant problem for the community. Residents are concerned about the environmental hazards caused by uncollected waste. 𝗝𝗗𝗪𝗡𝗥𝗛 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 The dental department at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital started giving its services from its new location in Taba starting this week. The structure, which previously housed the National COVID-19 Hospital, started providing general dental services as of now. However, the department will be completely set up by the end of next week. It is being moved to decongest the national referral hospital. A 24-year-old woman lost her life in a vehicle accident at Langeri in Dungmaed Gewog of Pema Gatshel this evening after the Bolero pickup truck she was travelling in veered off the road. The vehicle was heading towards Dechhenling in Nganglam from Samdrup Jongkhar. The deceased’s husband who was driving the vehicle, her father and daughter escaped with minor injuries. They have been referred to Nganglam BHU. The cause of the accident is being investigated. 𝗖𝗣𝗠𝗦 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 The Check Post Management System (CPMS) was initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic as a necessary tool to monitor inter-district movement of people. While the system is still in use across the country, commuters passing through the Rinchending checkpoint and the border gate in Phuentshogling have raised concerns over lengthy processes and long queues at the check post. Despite this, officials at the checkpoint maintain that the CPMS has been effective in curbing road safety issues. In recent months, several drivers have been caught using fake documents, prompting authorities to take legal action against them. 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗦𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 The Department of Industry under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment recently inaugurated a second CSI market in Paro to provide a reliable market at local and international levels for local entrepreneurs. The first CSI market was established in Thimphu in 2020. Local businesses and entrepreneurs in Paro are delighted about the prospects of the new CSI market. The market features products ranging from organic edibles, and arts and crafts to jewelry and traditional dresses. 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗝𝗗𝗪𝗡𝗥𝗛 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝘁 Lack of components has put a halt in carrying out total knee replacement surgeries at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. After the first successful surgery in December last year, the hospital received a number of patients wanting to undergo the surgery. However, the hospital says they have been unable to carry out the surgeries since they do not have the artificial knee which is imported from abroad. 𝗢𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 For residents of Olakha and Babesa in Thimphu, the past three days have been difficult as they have been facing severe water shortages. With water sources drying up, residents have been left without a continuous flow of water for days, hampering their daily household chores. In the ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League qualifiers played at the RTC football ground in Thimphu, South Druk United defeated Samtse FC by a resounding five-nil margin. In the first half of the match, South Druk United FC managed to score only a goal. However, the winning team came from the break-even stronger and put four goals past a hapless Samtse FC team in the second half. The win takes South Druk United to the top of the qualifiers table with seven points. In the next match on Monday, Samtse FC will be looking to make amends of today’s defeat when they take on Thimphu Raven FC. 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗵𝘂 Illegal fishing activities along Wangchhu in Jigmechhu, Chukha, have become rampant in recent years. This is rapidly affecting the fish population in the ecotourism spot, which boasts over 300 bird species, including the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.

Tsirang FC have gone top of the ongoing Bhutan Premier League Qualifiers having defeated Phuntsholing FC in their third match. Tsirang FC scored two goals against their opponents who did not have any response. The next match of the qualifying round will be played tomorrow between Samtse FC and South Druk United FC. Eight teams are playing for a spot in the Bhutan Premier League which is the top professional football league in the country. Only four will go through. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 Getting a chance to book a driving test is few and far between especially in Thimphu. With more than 65,000 learner license holders currently and most of them in Thimphu, the competition is only getting stiffer by the day. The booking is done online but most of the time people have to wait for months to get one. 𝗕𝗧𝗣 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 The Bhutan Tendrel Party has declared Pema Dakpa as their candidate from Bardo-Trong constituency in Zhemgang. The 54-year-old has a Master’s degree in Food Technology from K.U. Leuven and Gent University in Belgium. Pema Dakpa worked in the civil service for 14 years and was later a Member of Parliament in the National Council for ten years. The BTP has declared 31 candidates so far. 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 Although slow, the progress of the new town development in Gasa which started in late 2020 is steady. People of Gasa can finally expect a bigger and safer town possibly by the end of the year. The new town was initially targeted to be ready by the mid of last year. 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 The Punakha District Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Trashi Yangtse to more than six years in prison for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Court passed the judgment last week. According to the judgment, the convict was arrested by the police during a highway check in Punakha's Barp Gewog in February this year. He was caught with more than 1200 Spasmo Proxyvon (SP) plus capsules. However, the convict can appeal to the High Court within ten working days. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 Adoption of good workplace safety and health practices is on a decline across the country. This is according to the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment of 2023 published recently. The Department of Labour says many workers are still exposed to unsafe conditions that put their health and safety at risk leading to injuries, illness, and even death. However, after the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment started imposing stricter penalties this year, the adoption of workplace safety and health practices in construction sites has improved compared to the previous years. 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗦𝗜 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 The Cottage and Small Industry or CSI estate in Tsirang still remains a project under progress. This is about three years since it began. The estate was expected to home various manufacturing units, but not a single factory has been constructed. Entrepreneurs blame the covid pandemic and financial constraints as reasons for being unable to start the construction works. 𝗖𝗵𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗠𝗣 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗷𝗶 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗡𝗖 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 Chhukha MP, Sangay Dorji is the new National Council Chairperson. And Dago Tsheringla, the MP of Haa has been elected as the Deputy Chairperson. They were elected this afternoon. The newly elected National Council members officially joined office today. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗱𝗲 Shortage of drinking water has hit many areas of Gelephu thromde due to muddy and silty water flowing into the gallery pond in Mauchhu. Water from Mauchhu is distributed to 53 percent (1,103) households of Gelephu thromde while the source from Pasangchhu and seven boreholes supply water to 977 households.

Forest officials and locals of Jala-Ruchhekha village in Ruebisa Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang have been battling a forest fire since today morning. According to sources, the fire is suspected to have started from electrical sparks. 𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗺 𝗢𝗖 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 The Pema Gatshel district court on Monday sentenced Officer Commanding of Nganglam Police Station Jamyang Dorji to six months in prison for sexually harassing a female police constable. The district court upheld the Nganglam Dungkhag court’s judgment which was passed last year. 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮’𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘇𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 After producing surplus vegetables, more than what’s required in the high-end hotels in Thimphu, Gasa district’s Rangzhin Sanam Detshen has now taken a different approach to sell their produce. The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic Body is presiding over the 17th Mani Dungdrup at Chizhi Goenpa Samtencholing Goenzin Dratshang in Thimphu. Hundreds of devotees from Genye Gewog are attending the religious event. The Thimphu district administration in serving meals to the devotees. 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, a Bhutanese actor and an environmentalist, arrived in Kathmandu today advocating climate action. He started his cycling journey from Bhutan to Nepal a week ago. The nine-day Srimad Valmikiya Ramayan in Tsirang started from today. This is the first time the Hindhu Samudhaya in Tsirang is organizing the prayer ceremony. It is being conducted for the well being of His Majesty The King, country and the people. The prayer ceremony will conclude next Thursday with Thilak Pathi (empowerment) to devotees. In the ongoing Bhutan Premier League qualifiers, Namlha FC came on top in a nine-goal thriller, defeating Thimphu Raven FC at the RTC football ground in Thimphu this evening. The game ended 6-3 in favor of Namlha FC. The team now sits on top of the table with five points, ahead of Bhutan Football Federation Academy on goal difference. The newly elected National Council members along with the five eminent members formally joined office today. They took the Oath or Affirmation of Office which was administered by Chief Justice of Bhutan, Chogyal Dago Rigdzin. 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗵𝘂𝗴 𝗛𝗦𝗦 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗶𝗿 In a country where water crisis continues to worry people, a group of students from Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School in Thimphu has created a model that not only taps water from the air but also provides a more sustainable way to use it. The innovation offers an alternative source of fresh water.

𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 It’s normal to feel a little stressed or homesick once in a while when studying overseas. However, for MBBS students studying abroad, it has been difficult. According to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, a few of them have been suffering from mental health issues while one of them even withdrew from the course. To address this, the ministry conducted a two-day orientation programme recently for about 70 students selected for this year’s overseas scholarship programme focussing on mental health. 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 Some of the Primary Health Care Centres in Wangdue Phodrang are facing a shortage of health workers. Local leaders said the shortage has affected health service delivery to the people. The local leaders raised the issue during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. There are ten Primary Health Care Centres, eight sub posts and three hospitals in Wangdue Phodrang. 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼 Livestock plays an essential part in the lives of farmers in Bhutan and the South Asia region. Outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases such as African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants, and lumpy skin disease impact the livelihoods of farmers in the region. To support and strengthen disease control and eradication strategies through experience and information sharing, veterinary officials from South Asian countries, stakeholders and experts from around the globe are attending the first South Asia Transboundary Animal Diseases coordination meeting in Paro. The five-day meeting began yesterday. 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 With summer just around the corner, most classrooms in schools across the southern foothills of the country have started to become uncomfortably warm. In such a situation, learning becomes challenging for both teachers and students. However, the students of Tashichhoeling Primary School in Samtse district are in for a treat. With the help of the Tashichhoeling Gewog Administration, the school recently installed 15 air conditioners or ACs in each classroom to cope with the summer heat. BFF Academy edged out Tensung FC one – nil in the ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League qualifiers. The match played at the RTC football ground in Thimphu saw the first half end in a goalless draw. In the second half, BFF Academy’s Kinzang Tenzin scored the winning goal in the 89th minute. With the win, BFF Academy climbed to the top of the qualifiers table with five points from three games. Tomorrow Namlha FC will play Thimphu Raven FC at 2:00 PM. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 (𝗖𝗦𝗜) 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼 The Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment in partnership with entrepreneur/Operator Mr. Sonam Chophel opened a second CSI Market in Paro. The CSI Market inaugural event was graced by Hon’ble Minister of MoICE on 9th May 2023. The second exclusive market for local products was established to enhance market access to local producers, improve inter-business linkages and exchange business information, enhance visibility and garner patronage from customers for local products. The new market will benefit CSIs and cater to tourists too. The first CSI Market was established in 2020 in Changzamtog, Thimphu. Over the years, it has been able to promote itself as an exclusive place for all varieties of local products with improved quality, packaging and labels. The CSI Market in Thimphu has about 600 producers supplying more than 1200 products. The second CSI Market in Paro was established in a private house located opposite to Nemeyzampa bridge. While the Operator remodeled the private property, the Department provided support for a complete set of furniture, equipment and fixtures required for operation of the market. CSIs constitute more than 95% of industrial establishments in the country and contribute to employment generation, value addition of local resources and import substitution. Improving market access for local products is one of the important components of the Startup and CSI Development Flagship Program in the 12 FYP. 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 Experts from South Asian countries are charting out a plan to prevent and control Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) to reduce their impacts on livestock and livelihoods of farmers in the region. 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴–𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 The Phuentsholing-Samtse national highway, which gained prominence during the border closure, has brought about positive outcomes for local businesses and vendors. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 The Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS) has trained 30 youth volunteers focal from 10 colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan on basic non-medical first aid and leadership.

𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 With the border gates now open, drug trafficking cases are on the rise in Phuentshogling. According to records with the Police, Phuentshogling recorded more than 200 drug cases since the border opening in September last year till April this year. This is double the cases recorded before the borders reopened. 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝘂 𝟮𝟲𝟳𝗯𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 The country’s total public debt has increased by Nu 2.56bn in the first quarter of this year according to the finance ministry’s Public Debt Situation report. The total public debt stock as of 31st of March is Nu 267.40bn. The debt stock comprises an external debt of Nu 240.85bn, and a domestic debt of Nu 26.55bn. Despite elevated levels of public debt, the report states that the overall risk of the debt is deemed manageable, and external debt distress is considered moderate. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗶 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Chimi Dema, a Bhutanese para-athlete has won a silver medal in shot put at the fifth Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship in Bengaluru. Chimi's medal-winning throw on Saturday was a new personal best of 5.71 meters in the women’s shot put F40 category. Chimi's throw was just 17 centimeters short of the gold medal position. This is the fourth time Chimi has participated in an international competition. The thirty-year-old made her international debut in 2019 at the Beijing Grand Prix and participated in the Dubai World Para Athletics Championship in the same year. She also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Chimi Dema is currently a first-year student at the Royal Thimphu College studying sports and health sciences. 𝗞𝗮 𝗝𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 Vegetable vendors in Punakha are rejoicing over the upgraded sheds they have been provided with at the Ka Ja Throm in Khuruthang town. Although still situated in the same location, the town’s vegetable market has received an uplift which has raised the hopes of the vendors. The improved facilities are expected to bring in more customers. 𝗦𝗘𝗡 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 With the Ministry of Education and Skills Development reinstating board examinations for classes six and eight, parents of students with special needs are worried the decision has put undue pressure on their children. But the ministry says special arrangements have been made to accommodate SEN students to sit for board exams. Phuntsholing City FC took on South Druk United FC in the Pepsi Bhutan Premier League qualifiers today. While the first half ended goalless, the second half saw South Druk United take the lead. But Phuentshogling FC equalized in the dying minutes of the match forcing the game into a one-one draw. Tensung FC will play against BFF Academy FC tomorrow. Four teams out of eight will go through to take part in the BOB Bhutan Premier League which is the highest level of professional football in the country. 𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 Farmers, a majority of who are women, in Bhutan's remote villages often face the challenge of water scarcity. The problem is especially pervasive in Chubjekha, a village located at an elevation of 2,800 meters above sea level in Paro district. The hamlet, though is home to about 200 people and 24 households, has only 20.393 acres of cultivated land, as water shortages limit farming opportunities. 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 The Phensem Parents Support Group oriented parents, teachers, and Special Education Needs (SEN) Aides to help non-vocal children who are often addressed as Children with Disabilities (CwDs), with alternative modes of communication on 6 May. According to Phensem, many individuals, especially children with autism, are unable to communicate using speech and sound the way most other people do. However, this disability does not necessarily have to limit them from communicating their thoughts and emotions. 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘂 For the members of 197 Laya households, Wophu in Gasa will be their winter home after His Majesty The King granted 25 acres of kidu land to the people of Laya gewog.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮 𝗻𝘂𝘁 -𝗦𝗝 Local traders doing areca nut business in Samdrup Jongkhar are fetching good prices this season. They said due to poor production this time, the price has increased. Areca nut is one of the main cash crops for most farmers in Samdrup Jongkhar. 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 The Punakha District Court sentenced a 40-year-old man from Dagana to more than one year in prison for endangerment of a child in accordance with section 223 of the Penal Code of Bhutan. The court passed the judgment on Thursday. However, the man can pay Thrimthue in lieu of imprisonment. According to the judgment, the convict had thrown his two-year-old niece from the window of their three-storeyed residence in Punakha in February this year. The child survived with a fractured thigh. The mother of the victim did not claim any compensation from the convict who is her elder brother, saying the incident occurred when he was in a state of mental instability. His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen attended the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom, in London this morning. The ceremony was attended by Heads of States and other dignitaries from across the world. A reception was hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Friday evening for overseas guests. Bhutan and the United Kingdom share exceptionally warm relations, going back to the time of the First Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck. 𝗛𝗥𝗛 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗝𝗶𝗴𝘆𝗲𝗹 𝗨𝗴𝘆𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗸 𝗣𝗦,𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴 His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee graced the Olympic Day celebrations at Merak Primary School in Trashigang, today. His Royal Highness granted a Tokha to all the participants and the members of the community as well. The BOC observes the Olympic Day every year to promote the values of the Olympic movement in communities. It is also to encourage the people of all ages and abilities to take part in sports. The committee takes the celebrations to different districts each year to fulfill the vision of taking sports to all youth in the country. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 After more than a year of receiving land ownership certificates for the new Dagapela town, the progress of town development in the area has been slow. The township development planning works, which started in 2016, are dragging on. 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗹: 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Nestled beside the police detention center in Thimphu lies a hidden gem. Tashi Yarphel, a small fast-food restaurant, has become a unique tourist attraction in Bhutan’s capital city. 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗞𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗭𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 The construction of the Diana Khenphen Zam in Norbugang, Samtse is progressing well and is expected to be completed seven months ahead of its deadline in November 2024. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 Even as the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) dismissed a complaint against what is known as “loan sharks,” the Royal Bhutan Police implicated two women and four men in similar cases where various levels of courts ruled in favor of lenders and middlemen. 𝗦𝗶𝗯𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝟱𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮 Aum Thujim, 76, of Damji in Gasa observed happily as the DeSuung officials handed over Sibjana irrigation scheme to the Khamaed gewog administration yesterday which will solve the irrigation water deficit for 50 households in the area.

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 – 𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 When it comes to living, irrespective of one’s income and ability, everyone has an equal responsibility to manage a family and raise their children. However, this is particularly difficult for people placed at the lower rung of the civil service. In Tsirang, in a bid to make people from low-income families earn better, some thirty individuals in Tsirang are being trained in a four-month tailoring course. Elementary Service Personnel and General Service Personnel working for various offices in Tsirang and clients of RENEW and the Ability Bhutan Society are attending the training. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185429 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗮𝗻 Bhutanese contemporary art is now finding a place on the international stage with exhibitions of several Bhutanese artists being held in Europe last year and in Taiwan, this year. Three Bhutanese artists including Bhutan’s foremost contemporary artist, Kama Wangdi, popularly known as Asha Karma opened their solo exhibitions in Taiwan recently. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185435 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗮 The deployment of an additional doctor and installation of X-ray and ultrasound machines in Daga Hospital in Dagana has benefited the people of Dagana town and three nearby gewogs. In the past, they had to travel for hours either to Dagapela or Damphu Hospital in Tsirang to avail themselves of the services. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185432 𝗡𝗮𝘆𝗸𝗮𝗽 𝗚𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗯 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Naykap Gokab, a new online platform has been launched yesterday to promote local innovative ideas and solutions. It connects innovators, policymakers, and investors to create opportunities for collaboration and investment. Developed by a group of young software engineers in collaboration with the UNDP, DHI, and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, the web application aims to foster the innovation ecosystem in Bhutan. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185427 Six drivers including a taxi driver tested positive for marijuana and tramadol during a surprise drug test at Waklayter along the Tsirang-Wangdue Phodrang highway. During the two-day drug test, Tsirang Police and the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority Base office in Tsirang screened 250 drivers traveling between three districts of Dagana, Sarpang and Tsirang. According to the Superintendent of Tsirang Police, the drivers who tested positive will be sent to the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority for treatment and their licenses will be suspended for six months in accordance with the BCTA's regulation. Officials said the drug test is being carried out to ensure road safety and prevent accidents. 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 – 𝗦𝗝 Owing to favorable weather conditions, the farmers of Orong Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar cultivate vegetables throughout the year. And thanks to the successful land management programme, the farmers have been cultivating vegetables on a large scale for a few years now. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185390 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 Works to construct the 20-bedded hospital in Tashichhoeling Gewog in Samtse is progressing well and is expected to be completed on time. The Construction Development Corporation Limited or CDCL which is carrying out the construction works has completed about 22 percent of the project so far. The project is a part of the 111th National Day Footprint Initiative. The prime minister in 2018 promised additional developmental activities for Samtse as footprints of the National Day. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185392 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟵.𝟯 𝗠 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀 The European Union and Bhutan signed a grant agreement of 9.3 M Euros today at the 11th Bhutan-EU annual consultation meeting. The financial agreement is to strengthen good governance and digitization in Bhutan. This is part of a seven-year programme from 2021 to 2027. The European Union’s deputy director general said that Bhutan’s graduation from LDC is a big success and assured the European Union’s continued support. 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 The construction progress of a 1,000 bedded quarantine center at Jigmeling in Sarpang was 67 percent as of April 15 raising concerns of missing the deadline for the third time. https://kuenselonline.com/mega-quarantine-centre-likely-to-miss-third-deadline/

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗩𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝘂𝗲 Learning becomes interesting for the students of Rinchengang Primary School in Wangdue Phodrang. With the motive to promote smart learning, the school recently received nine smart televisions from the Thedtsho Gewog Administration. Besides helping students develop quick learning skills and keeping students engaged in the absence of a teacher, the new initiative is also expected to enhance the quality of education in the school. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=18539 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 The ten-day election petition period for the fourth National Council Elections ended today. According to the Judiciary’s Media and Communication unit, the High Court received only one petition against Sarpang NC-elect, last week, and the Court has yet to pass a judgment. According to the Election Act, all petitions after the date of the election should be submitted to the High Court. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185401 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 The Damphu Hospital in Tsirang serves as a cluster hospital for the people of Tsirang and Dagana districts since last year. But today, the hospital does not have a pediatrician. The Prime Minister while inaugurating the surgery services at the hospital in July of last year said the government would deploy a pediatrician beginning this year. Without a pediatrician, parents said they have to spend a lot to travel to other hospitals. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185388 𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗖 𝟯-𝟮 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗖 – 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗶 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 Tsirang FC took all three points after defeating Samtse FC, three - two in the ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League qualifiers played today at the RTC football ground in Thimphu. Tsirang FC scored two goals in the added time after a competitive 90 minutes. Tensung FC is currently leading the qualifiers with four points. The next match will be played on Monday between Phuentsholing City FC and South Druk United FC. 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝟯.𝟭𝟱% 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 The National Statistics Bureau (NSB) recorded the country’s inflation rate for March at 3.15 per cent. The inflation rate is the rate at which prices of goods and services increase over time. The March number is a drop of over one percentage point compared to February. According to the NSB, the inflation rate was lower in March as a result of the decrease in transportation prices. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185383 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 The recently elected members of the National Council presented their certificates of election to the officiating Secretary General of the National Council today. During the briefing session, the Thrizin joined by the Dy. Thrizin congratulated the members on the successful elections. They also congratulated the Eminent Members on their recent reappointment by His Majesty The King on the occasion of Zhabdrung Kuchoe. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shared their experiences and offered their prayers of success for the Fourth Parliament. 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗽𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀. At its head office in Trashigang, Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa declared three candidates. One among them is a woman, gaining an additional woman representation. They were welcomed into the team by party Vice President Dr Chenga Tshering in the presence of other candidates in the east, including its coordinators and supporters at a simple ceremony. 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴 Price of land in Sarpang has risen significantly in the past two months. The surge is seen mainly within a 40-kilometer radius of Gelephu town along the Gelephu-Sarpang highway. https://kuenselonline.com/land-prices-shoot-up-in-sarpang/ 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗶 Bhutanese artist, Asha Kama Wangdi, unveiled his solo exhibition entitled “Sacred Presence” at the De Ming Gallery in the prestigious Dr. Sun Yat Sen National Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, on April 30. https://kuenselonline.com/asha-kamas-sacred-presence-in-taipei/

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘁𝘀𝗲, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗮𝗿 Finding a place to dump their waste is no longer an issue for the people of Dramedtse Gewog in Mongar. This is because the gewog office recently improved and extended the old landfill site which was filled with waste. The gewog also initiated a monthly cleaning campaign six years ago and is now planning to start collecting waste on a monthly basis from the Chiwogs starting July. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185335 𝟭.𝟱 𝗸𝗺 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆, 𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 About one and a half-kilometer stretch along the Nganglam highway in PemaGatshel is in dire need of maintenance. Drivers traveling along that road said the stretch has developed several potholes which become dusty during the dry season and muddy during monsoon. However, the Department of Surface Transport has plans to pave a concrete road along the stretch. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185347 𝗛𝗛 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗺 His Holiness the Je Khenpo is presiding over the first-ever oral transmission of his own Kabum, a self-composed collection of teachings and practices starting yesterday at the Autsho Central School in Lhuentse. At the request of six eastern district administrations and Rabdeys, His Holiness will administer 11 volumes of the Kabum’s oral transmission for over two weeks. Nearly 11,000 devotees from across the country are attending the religious event. Devotees are being served meals and refreshments for the entirety of the event. Similar oral transmissions of the Kabum will be held in the rest of the districts. 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 In Trongsa, the vegetable and fruit vendors, and farmers are facing difficulty in storing surplus fruits and vegetables. Currently, the vendors say they buy limited quantities of farm produce so that they do not get damaged. Some also store fruits and vegetables at home. Vendors said it will be convenient if the town has a cold storage facility. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185350 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 If everything goes well, the Parenting Without Violence project which is ongoing in 31 schools in Thimphu, Dagana and Zhemgang will be replicated in other schools across the country in the future. The three-year-long pilot project initiated by the Women and Children Division, secretariat to the National Commission for Women and Children began last year. The project aims to inculcate positive parenting among parents. For this, the project is training teachers and community volunteers who in turn will train parents and students. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185344 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗵𝗮 𝗙𝗖 𝟮-𝟮 𝗕𝗙𝗙 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 – 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗶 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 In the ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League Qualifiers played at the Royal Thimphu College football ground in Thimphu today, Namlha FC and BFF Academy played a two-two draw after a goalless first half. Currently, Tensung FC is leading the qualifying round with four points followed by Phuentsholing City FC. Tomorrow, Tsirang FC will take on Samtse FC. Eight teams are taking part in the qualifying round from which four will qualify for the BOB Bhutan Premier League. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝟵𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅, 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝟱𝟳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 In the latest World Press Freedom rankings released by the France based international non-profit organisation, Reporters Without Borders, Bhutan has been ranked 90th this year, a drop from previous year’s position of 33. The score is based on political, economic, legislative, social, and security indicators. The drop in 57 places has been attributed to problems such as direct appointment of members of media regulatory body by the government, difficulties in getting access to state-held information, and self-censorship by journalists in the country. Globally, Norway is ranked first for the seventh year running. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻- 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴 Gawaithang village in Sarpang’s Dekiling Gewog lies in proximity to the Indian border. The villagers live in constant threat of the wild Asian elephants intruding their village. The border area along the Gelephu-Sarpang highway is covered in dense vegetation and is a perfect hiding spot of the elephants. Much to the relief of the villagers, works to install electric fencing along the border area is ongoing to deter elephants from entering the village. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185292 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗷𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿- 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗲𝗱, 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗮 In Gasa, the people of Damji and Jabisa Chiwog in Khamaed Gewog finally got a reliable irrigation water supply. The Sibjana Irrigation Water Supply Project, which began in September of last year was inaugurated today. The three-kilometer water supply project was carried out by about 80 Desuups under the Desuung National Service Water Project. The project cost almost Nu 18 M and is expected to enhance agricultural works in the two chiwogs. Earlier, without irrigation water, about 20 per cent of land in the two chiwogs was left fallow.

𝗣𝗵𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 Held for the first time after the pandemic, the open badminton championship in Phuentshogling saw an overwhelming number of participants. From less than 70 participants in the previous tournaments, there are more than 160 players taking part this year. The tournament that started yesterday has also attracted players from neighboring states of India. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185283 𝗗𝗛𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 The Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) has announced a strategic partnership with Bitdeer Technologies Group, a cryptocurrency mining company listed in the US’s Nasdaq Stock Exchange, to develop environmentally sustainable, carbon-free digital asset mining operations in the country. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185275 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂 The first ever Men's Open volleyball Challenge Cup is underway at the Changlingmithang National Volleyball Arena in Thimphu, starting today. Five teams are taking part in the 6-day tournament. During the opening match, Tensung Volleyball Club won against Vandals United. Similarly team We Spikers defeated Old Friends in the second match. Bhutan Volleyball Federation is organizing the tournament. The finals will be played on Sunday. A new Liquid Nitrogen Facility inaugurated in Yusipang for supporting cryopreservation for Artificial Insemination. This Bhutan- India friendship project will help in improving the bovine genetic stock of 89 Dairy Centres in 14 Dzongkhags. 𝗘𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗗𝗖 As Bhutan is set to graduate from least developed countries (LDC) to low middle-income countries (LMIC), the European Union (EU) remains optimistic about their support and shifts its gears toward trade from aid as Bhutan graduates. The EU and Bhutan have been partners since 1982 and their support has been channeled towards the economic and social development of the country. 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 The outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle in some Gewogs of Chhukha Dzongkhag is currently under control. The disease broke out in Bongo, Geling, Sampheling, Logchina, Phuentsholing, and Darla gewogs. Chukha Dzongkhag Administration had earlier notified that there is an outbreak of LSD in cattle in some Gewogs of the Dzongkhag on 27 April. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 The fourth quarter of 2022 saw the inflation rate for export goods decrease by 6.18 percent compared to the same quarter in 2021. Prices for food and beverage, mineral products, cement, electricity, chemicals, plastics, textiles, and apparel increased, while prices for wood, pulp, paper and base metals, and other manufacturers decreased as stated by the National Statistics Bureau (NSB). 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗸𝘆𝘂𝗹’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗴 The 12th edition of Bhutan Echoes is coming back with a bang! Festival Goers can look forward to over 35 in-person sessions and programs that celebrate the diverse world of literature, art, and culture. The Royal University of Bhutan auditorium will be transformed into a literary festival venue as Bhutan Echoes’ Drukyul’s Literature Festival (DLF) unfolds for three days of captivating words and creative expression, happening from 4 to 6 August 2023. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗶 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 Like Khoma in Lhuentse and Chumey in Bumthang are known for their Kishuthara and Bumthang Martha, Radhi in Trashigang is increasingly popular and known for the origin of unique, exquisite buray gho and kira. In 2014, with the support of Apid Bhutan, to maintain a tradition of delicate and intricate textiles in the community, the Radhi Buray Group started a community-based business of buray textiles.

𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁-𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 After nine years, the East-West primary national highway will finally be fully widened and blacktopped come December this year. This is according to the Department of Surface Transport’s Lingmethang regional office in Monggar. Works to blacktop the remaining 90-kilometre stretch between Ura in Bumthang and Yongkola in Monggar is currently underway. Blacktopping works in Bumthang are nearing completion while most areas under Monggar are being prepared for blacktopping. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185249 𝗡𝘆𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗮 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 – 𝗛𝗮𝗮 From working as employees to running their own businesses, a group of youth at Nobgang under Samar Gewog in Haa tried all means to make a living. Despite their hard work, they have not found their vocation in any of those jobs. This was when they stayed back home and started a farm group called the Nya Chuthang Sanam Detshen. Today they are trying their best to make this venture a success. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185247 𝟭𝟬-𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗷𝗲𝘆𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴, 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 The construction of a 10-bedded hospital at Drujeygang Gewog in Dagana is in full swing. It is expected to be complete by next year. Once complete, the hospital will have additional health staff and provide better health services compared to the existing Primary Health Centre. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185253 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹 Chhoekhorling Gewog in Pema Gatshel has the potential to promote ecotourism and attract more visitors. The gewog has a sacred site called Lungkhangma Guru Ney where people from nearby villages and districts visit. But there is a lack of proper infrastructure at the Ney making it inconvenient for visitors. The villagers of nearby chiwogs want the Chhoekhorling Gewog Administration to improve infrastructure at the Ney. http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=185196 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗖 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 The High Court conducted a miscellaneous hearing regarding a petition submitted by three individuals who contested in the recent National Council (NC) elections in Sarpang against the NC elect Pema Tashi, yesterday. The trio submitted the petition to the High Court on Friday. The media and communication unit of the Judiciary said that according to the petition, the three individuals wanted the court to investigate if Pema Tashi really meets the ten-year work experience required to be nominated as a candidate. BBS also contacted Pema Tashi who said that he has 13 years of work experience which was verified by the Election Commission of Bhutan. According to the Judiciary's media and communication unit, the parties involved in the case are expected to be summoned for another hearing and the court will decide whether the case warrants adjudication or not. 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗷𝗶 𝗟𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘇𝗮 𝗚𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic Body is presiding over a five-day annual Baza Guru Dungdrup at Khuruthang Baza Guru Dungdrup Lhakhang in Punakha. More than a hundred monks from the Central Monastic Body are reciting the prayers. Over a hundred devotees are also attending the prayer ceremony. 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the forms of depression experienced by mothers after the delivery of a child that can trigger a variety of emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. While there are no official statistics, health officials say about 10 to 15 per cent of the childbearing women in the country are likely to experience depression after childbirth. Most women who experience these symptoms tend to think that PPD is an abnormal disease but health experts say it is like any other disease. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗶 Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, a Bhutanese actor and environmentalist will be cycling from Bhutan to Nepal in the first phase of his journey to the UN Climate Change Conference or COP 28. He left for Phuentsholing today from Thimphu with Ben Clark, an American filmmaker who will be documenting the entire journey. He will be cycling from Phuentsholing to the Nepali capital, Kathmandu. He will then trek towards the base camp of the Mount Everest where he will collect ice from glaciers brought by a Sherpa from the Everest. The second leg will be from Nepal to Dubai where the COP 28 will take place. Last year, he cycled to 14 districts across Bhutan advocating on climate action. His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen will be attending the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom on May 6th. The Coronation ceremony will be held at the Westminster Abbey in London.