THE NATION

The National Budget Report 2026-2027, presented by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), has placed strong emphasis on social services, with major allocations directed towards health, education, civil service reforms, and youth development through Gyalsung. The health sector has been allocated Nu 12.4 billion (bn), with the report stating that the …

The recent Changzamtog fire on 26th April not only reduced homes to ashes but also destroyed the quiet independence many young working residents had spent years building for themselves. For 27-year-old “Pema” (name changed), the trauma of watching everything disappear within minutes still lingers days after the fire. He had …

In a small office in Thimphu, four human engineers are managing a workload meant for twenty, thanks to a digital workforce they built themselves. NoMind Bhutan is one of Bhutan’s leading AI engineering companies led by a group of college students. The company specializes in building and deploying AI-powered software …

People from 19 dzongkhags continue to visit Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, the country’s only national referral hospital, often leading to congestion and pressure on existing facilities. Despite growing concerns over bed shortages and increasing patient load at the hospital, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said that the …

The primary technical phase of the geological and mineral mapping project of Bhutan, led by consultants Xcalibur Smart Mapping, has been successfully concluded said Mr. Phuntsho Namgyal, Director General, Department of Geology and Mines (DGM). Utilizing two survey helicopters, the survey teams completed a total of 43,893 line-km. This exceeds …

His Majesty The King granted Royal Kashos (Royal Edicts) to eight new spiritual projects at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), bringing the total number of approved sacred sites to 22. The Kashos were granted at a ceremony held at Semtokha Dzong, Bhutan’s oldest dzong and a historic seat of Buddhist learning. …

During the Mid Term Review, the Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, mentioned the fact that quite a few ministers and cabinet staff had higher than normal lead levels in their blood after a test. This paper followed up and found that a total of 19 cabinet members and staff were …

The 5th Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Volunteers, who arrived from 21 to 25 February this year, initiated habitat enrichment activities at the Zombabe waterhole, marking an important step in ongoing conservation efforts in the area. Their work focused on planting elephant-palatable and wildlife-supporting species such as banana, Napier grass, and …

PM asks MoF to explore privatising pool vehicle system During the Mid Term Review of the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, said that recently the Cabinet, in a meeting, had discussed that ministers should use electric duty vehicles within Thimphu and keep some 3 or 4 good …

The Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, said that the government has asked the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) to relook at its domestic power tariff proposal, keeping affordability in mind. Lyonchhen said that the cost of building future projects cannot be billed to consumers right now, as future projects should be …