Gang rape trial gets going (Kuensel)
9 January, 2008 - The trial of the five soldiers of the Royal Bhutan Army - who were alleged to have gang raped a 16-year-old Bhutanese girl on July 2 last year - began this week in Thimphu district court.

Bhutanese refugees to begin resettlement in US: report (IANS via Yahoo! India News)
Kathmandu, Jan 10 (DPA) Thousands of Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal will begin to be resettled in the US in March under a third-country resettlement programme, media reports said Thursday.

U.S. to accept 10,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal (People’s Daily)
The United States will accept 10,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal under the first phase of refugee rehabilitation program, U.S. ambassador to Nepal Nancy J Powell said on Wednesday, according to local media houses’ website THT online …

Bhutanese refugees to begin resettlement in US in March: report (EARTHtimes.org)
Kathmandu - Thousands of Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern Nepal will begin to be resettled in the United States in March under a third-country resettlement programme, media reports said Thursday. The United States will assimilate 10,000 …

On Bhutan : Unmasking King’s Democracy (News From Bangladesh)
The King of Bhutan has introduced a unique type of democratic process in Bhutan. The international community has already congratulated Bhutan (King) on “historic election” with the pre-conceived notion that genuine democracy has finally been introduced.

History in Dzongkha: To delink or not? (Kuensel)
9 January, 2008 - Much of the current discussions among teachers in Bhutanese middle secondary schools revolves around whether Bhutan history should continue to be taught in Dzongkha or should it revert to being taught in English as in the past.

VAST winter programme (Kuensel)
9 January, 2008 - Students, who joined the VAST winter programme, rock climb in Thimphu on December 30 with guidance from professional climbers of the Bhutan Climbing Club. Thirty students aged between 8-19 years, mostly from schools in Thimphu, took part in the VAST activity from December 24 to January 5. The programme held art classes everyday and also introduced students to digital …

Refugee settlement to begin soon (Nepalnews. com)
US envoy to Nepal Nancy J Powell has informed that her government will start resettlement of the Bhutanese refugees very soon.

Phuentsholing town is going down (Kuensel)
7 January, 2008 - Bhutanese from around the country visit Phuentsholing every winter for varied reasons. Some come to shop, others stay nights en route their pilgrimage to India, and the rest make the town their stop-over while travelling to India and other parts of Bhutan.

Top Scoops (Scoop.co.nz)
On 1 January 2008, Bhutan, a kingdom of nearly seven hundred thousand people, got its first elected National Council in history. Unlike India, there were no election posters or noisy public rallies in the constituencies before the election.

Bringing uniformity to NgaChham

Mask dance teachers go back to school

10 January, 2008 - For six hours every day, 20 men take to the Drametse monastery’s courtyard, learning the precise steps and movements of the Ngachham or ‘Dance of the Drums’, one of many sacred dances performed during tshechus (religious festivals).

(Wal)Nuts about winter

Soaking up the sun with their favourite snack

10 January, 2008 - As the mercury dips below zero, bringing to a close the agriculture and tourist season in the central district of Bumthang, nuts start to crack.

‘Slapping’ principal slapped with fine
10 January, 2008 - A school principal in Lhuentse, convicted last week of slapping a 12-year-old student in the face and causing damage to his eardrum, was fined Nu 3,000 in lieu of one month’s imprisonment by the district court.

Cracking down by jacking up

Making ‘footprints’ without walking

10 January, 2008 - Vehicles may have to be serviced and maintained more frequently to minimise smoke emissions to meet the National Environment Commission’s (NEC) enhanced vehicle emission standards, which come into effect from the first week of March.

The “Monastic” Mall

Cashing in on consumerism for a spiritual cause

10 January, 2008 - In the late 70s, long before many parts of the country had proper shops the border town of Phuentsholing boasted a supermarket, the Tashi Commercial Complex.

PDP women group makes its presence felt in Mongar

Women empowerment was the message

10 January, 2008 - “Jang Sharchop selu mancha. Sharchokpa logai losar ga tashi delek cha.”
This is how Bidha, the president of Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (PDP) women group, introduced herself to the 1,500 women of Mongar, who gathered this week to listen to her.

Helping teachers to help students
10 January, 2008 - Substance abuse has been identified as one of the leading youth issues in Bhutan and counselling is the first step towards addressing the issue, according to experts and counsellors of the department of youth and sports.

History in Dzongkha: To delink or not?

9 January, 2008 - Much of the current discussions among teachers in Bhutanese middle secondary schools revolves around whether Bhutan history should continue to be taught in Dzongkha or should it revert to being taught in English as in the past.

Anonymous complaints will not be entertained…
9 January, 2008 - Even as political party cadres engage in complaining about each other, the Election Commission of Bhutan has notified that they will not entertain any complaints with false identity or under anonymity.

Centenary Walk culminates

UNFPA goodwill ambassador, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck speaks to the five Sherubtse students after their 21-day “Centenary Walk” ended in Thimphu on Sunday.

9 January, 2008 - There are hundreds of ways to celebrate the 100 Years of Monarchy in Bhutan and five students of Sherubtse College in Kanglung chose to walk.

The students walked their “Centenary Walk” for 21 days from Kanglung to Thimphu following the ancient route.

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