LOCAL NEWS

By Kinley Tenzin Wangchuk Its September again, a graceful bridge between the vibrant energy of summer and the quiet cozy, reflective pace of autumn. But September also represents for us, a spiritually sacred time of transition, completion and inner alignment as the year shifts from the warmth of summer to …

Annual Performance Agreements (APAs) for 2026–2027 were signed by six Ministries, central agencies, 19 Dzongkhags and three Thromdes with the Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Finance Minister and Chairperson of the Royal Civil Service Commission. The Prime Minister emphasised that while planning and adaptation are important for development, results remain the …

Only 10 vacancies for B.Ed Primary Dzongkha graduates have been announced for the Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) 2026, despite 69 students graduating from the program this year. The Education Minister, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, said the number of vacancies is determined by the actual requirement for teachers in the …

Private tuition continues to be a concern as demand for supplementary academic support grows, particularly in urban areas, raising concerns about equal access for students from families who cannot afford additional tuition. The Education Minister, Lyonpo Yeezang De Thapa, said that private tuition and other supplementary education services are regulated …

As global climate models project a near 100 percent certainty that a super El Niño phenomenon will persist until February 2027, Bhutan is bracing for a volatile stretch of weather for the rest of the month. According to the latest El Niño updates from the National Center for Hydrology and …

Paro in the picture too The Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP) has moved from the planning stage into phased implementation, with the government undertaking a range of infrastructure projects focused on transport connectivity, public spaces, drainage and neighborhood development. Responding to questions on the status of the TSP and the Thimphu–Paro …

A CCAA study has provided a quantitative assessment of retail competitiveness between Phuentsholing and the neighbouring Indian town of Jaigaon, highlighting significant price differences and their impact on consumer behaviour. The study used three methods: a retail price survey covering 91 products across 10 categories, a survey of 312 Phuentsholing …

The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) has commenced implementation of the Financial Sector Cybersecurity Strategy 2026 – 2028, establishing a coordinated, risk-based framework for managing cyber risks across the financial sector from August 27. In collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the RMA conducted capacity building, sector-wide preparedness, and …

Thimphu’s meat market is showing strong signs of real price competition. This shift comes nine months after regulators dismantled a long-running price-fixing cartel. A new investigation by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA) examined 15 different meat products. Officials surveyed 65 meat shops across Thimphu Town. CCAA wanted to …

The National Medical Services, in collaboration with the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital has launched Bhutan’s first Peritoneal Dialysis Service at JDWNRH, marking a major milestone in the country’s renal care programme and expanding treatment options for people living with kidney failure. Peritoneal dialysis allows eligible patients, following appropriate …