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:: BHUTAN |
Bhutto's assassin identified, says report
Islamabad, January 8 (IANS): Pakistani detectives have identified former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassin, a private television channel reported Tuesday, even as the Scotland Yard team probing last month's assassination met President Pervez Musharraf.
Election activity stilled in Pakistan
It's all quiet on the election front in Pakistan. Frank scepticism of the people, the mourning month of Muharram and the winter chill have ensured that campaigning has not picked up after being abruptly halted with the Dec 27 assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The polls had earlier been scheduled for Jan 8 but were postponed to Feb 18 by the Election Commission, which cited the tenuous law and order situation and the fact that its offices in more than 13 districts were destroyed after the former prime minister's killing.
Musharraf urges British team to hasten Bhutto probe
Islamabad, January 8 (DPA): Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf urged British investigators Tuesday to reach conclusions on the death of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto "as soon as possible," a presidential spokesman said. A meeting Tuesday between Musharraf and the five-member team from London's Metropolitan Police Service Counter-terrorism Command was their first since the team's arrival Friday and was described as a courtesy call.
West Bengal-Bhutan border to be beefed up
THIMPU - Enhancing security along the Indo-Bhutan border to check infiltration of Indian insurgent groups and anti-social elements into Bhutanese territory was one of the issues discussed at the 17th border districts coordination meeting (BDCM) in Thimphu on November 18 between Bhutanese officials and a delegation from the Indian state of West Bengal.
Democracy begins at home
The extended family is a distinct Bhutanese phenomenon. Uncles, aunts, cousins ... our bonds are strong and we generally tend to listen to each other.
Warmth at a premium this winter
THIMPU -- With winter creeping in, many Thimphu residents are desperate for fuel. Only there is no briquette and kerosene is rationed.
NC election dates announced
THIMPU -- The National Council election will be held on December 26 this year and gewogs can organise zomdus (meetings) to select or nominate the NC candidates from today, October 20 to November 26.
Chinese intrusions in Bhutan worry Indian government
India is deeply concerned at reports of Chinese intrusions into non-delineated parts of Bhutan's northern border with Tibet and is speaking to the governments both in Beijing and Thimpu to clarify the matter, top government sources said.
Bhutan’s plans for democracy exclude Hindu refugees
While the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has been winning strokes across the world for its abdicating king’s voluntary decision to bequeath democracy to his subjects, the dark side is the 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, in neighboring Nepal who were kicked out of Bhutan in 1991.
Trade aids barter of culture with Bhutan
Every Thursday, Lahati Narzary sets off early to Hatisar and begins arranging the vegetable stack in his makeshift shack. After all, once the border gate opens, there will be little time to set the shop right.
Bhutanese, Iraqis coming to Concord
Two new groups of refugees, Bhutanese now living in Nepal and Iraqis living mostly in Syria and Jordan, are expected to arrive in Concord over the next year. It's not clear exactly how many will come. So far, only one Iraqi family of four is on its way, but the resettlement agency Lutheran Social Services often receives little notice of who is coming when.
Security along Indo-Bhutan border tightened
Security along the Indo-Bhutan border has been beefed up following reports of movement of Maoists from Nepal into Bhutan through Indian territory, official sources said here Wednesday.
Some 60,000 Bhutanese refugees could settle in USA "soon"
KATHMANDU: Nearly half of the 108,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal will soon be resettled in the USA with the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), officials from the Nepalese government, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the IOM have told IRIN.
Bhutan joins Anti-Corruption Initiative
Bhutan became the 28th member of the Asian Development Bank Organisation (ADB) and the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia-Pacific on September 3.
Bhutan directive to civil servants
Thimphu: In a bid to ensure that there are no partisan activities in the run-up to Bhutan's first general elections next year, civil servants desiring to join politics have been asked to resign from their jobs by September 30.
Bhutan refugees wary of US offer
After languishing for 17 years in temporary camps, some 108,000 ethnic Nepalis, expelled from their homeland in Bhutan, have a real chance to get out of the wilderness.
Bhutan to hold first elections in Feb-March 2008
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - The reclusive Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will hold its first national polls in February and March next year, a top official said on Monday, making its final shift from a century of absolute monarchy to democracy.
The next dilemma
Our political pendulum on the emergence of Bhutanese political parties appears to be reversing. Having seen no sign of interest for months we now get the impression that there might be a sudden rush of people to join political parties. So what next?
Those of destiny
Even as the National Assembly deals with a range of issues we are looking at broader concerns, one of them being political leadership. The democratisation process has gained momentum and the question of parties and party leadership is now coming into greater focus.
On corruption again
Having accepted that we have to deal with corruption in Bhutanese society we have known that it will always trigger thorny discussions. The underlying issue is often not who is guilty but who is innocent? But, as long as it keeps coming up, and as long we keep debating the debates, we are on the right path.
UN, Indian observers to oversee Bhutan's mock elections
Samdrup Jongkhar (Bhutan), April 19 (IANS) Bhutan is all set for the first of the two rounds of mock parliamentary elections Saturday with the United Nations and India deputing observers to monitor the polls.
Bhutan's 27-year-old monarch no stranger to statecraft
As Bhutan marches towards parliamentary democracy next year, the tiny Himalayan state may just have the ideal monarch to shepherd this historic transition. He may be just 27 years old, but the dapper Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who comes here Wednesday, has an easy familiarity with statecraft and blends tradition and modernity in his royal persona.
Bhutan's tryst with democracy begins, royal commands questioned
Bhutan: Bhutan's tryst with democracy has begun with elected representatives questioning royal commands even before the Himalayan kingdom formally shifts from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy.
India to help Bhutan conduct historic 2008 elections
Guwahati, May 26: India will help Bhutan to hold the first ever national elections in 2008 when the Himalayan kingdom formally makes its transition from a monarchy to a parliamentary democracy.
Bhutan could become South Asia's powerhouse
Guwahati, March 9 (IANS) Bhutan may soon become South Asia's hydroelectric powerhouse and can export energy to the tune of nearly 5,000 MW to India over the next decade.
Bhutan's future king wins hearts of citizens
Guwahati/Thimphu, Dec 22 (IANS) From participating in pillow fights to giving sermons, the crown prince of Bhutan who is to be enthroned king of the Himalayan kingdom in 2008 is coming closer to citizens.
India praises Bhutan king, hails democracy move
New Delhi, Dec 19: India Monday welcomed Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk's decision to abdicate in favour of his son in 2008 and hold general election in the kingdom in whose stability and prosperity New Delhi has vital stakes.
Bhutan's historic shift from monarchy to democracy
Thimphu, March 28: From absolute monarchy to two-party democracy, the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is all set for a historic plunge. Bhutan has over the weekend unveiled a 34-point constitution that is now being sent to all 530,000 adult citizens for their views.
'SSB stopped militant activity on Nepal, Bhutan borders'
New Delhi, March 27: The deployment of the paramilitary Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on the borders with Nepal and Bhutan has checked activities by subversive, militant and fundamentalist elements, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here Sunday.
Bhutan's queen, princess in India
New Delhi, Feb 6: Barely two weeks after Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk's visit to India, one of his queens and his daughter arrived here Sunday to learn more about the country.
Bhutan's king may be last absolute Himalayan monarch
NEW DELHI: Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has handed over a draft constitution to the nation's parliament that could make him the last Himalayan monarch to hold absolute power, official media reported.
India, Bhutan - a unique fusion of asymmetry
NEW DELHI: Their asymmetry in size make them unseemly allies but giant India and tiny Bhutan boast of a unique relationship that both like to flaunt as a model for good neighbourly ties.
After India, Bhutanese refugees pin their hopes on US
KATHMANDU: After urging India to help them return home for nearly a decade, disappointed Bhutanese refugees in Nepal are now pinning their hopes on a new ally - the US.
Sri Lanka and Bhutan to seek WHO support
COLOMBO: A joint proposal will be submitted to the South Asian Regional Health Conference October by the Sri Lankan and Bhutanese Health Ministries to seek support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve the countries' respective health services.
Bhutan keen to learn from Singapore's experience
SINGAPORE: As a country, it could not be more different from Singapore. Bhutan has no fast food outlets, no ATMs and no traffic lights.
111 Bhutanese jailed for helping Indian militants
GUWAHATI: At least 111 Bhutanese nationals have been jailed in Bhutan, two of them getting life imprisonment, on charges of aiding and abetting Indian separatists.
Lankan help for Bhutan's health service
COLOMBO: Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has pledged to extend assistance and technical expertise to improve Bhutan's health service.
Bhutan to attend health ministers meeting
THIMPU: Health ministers from the 11 countries of the South East Asian Region are scheduled to meet in Male, Maldives for the 22nd annual health ministers meeting from September 5 to 6.
India to send two expert delegations to Bhutan
NEW DELHI: India has agreed to send two expert delegations to Bhutan for preparation of draft proposals for extending suitable technical and other assistance in the areas of animal husbandry and dairying and agricultural marketing.
US senators see Bhutan first hand
THIMPU: Although Bhutan and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, the two countries share a lot of ideals of freedom, of helping people, of a clean environment, and independence of the people, according to members of a delegation from the US Congress who were on a goodwill visit to Bhutan from August 18-21.
Lankan help for Bhutan's health service
COLOMBO: Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has pledged to extend assistance and technical expertise to improve Bhutan's health service.
22 Bhutanese convicted for helping Indian militants
GUWAHATI: At least 22 Bhutanese nationals have been found guilty of aiding and abetting Indian separatists and 123 more are facing trial on the same count in the Himalayan kingdom, reports say.
Bhutan to build wall along Assam border
GUWAHATI: Bhutan may soon erect concrete walls along its border with India to prevent infiltration of Indian separatists into the Himalayan kingdom.
Ex-Bhutan MP begins hunger strike in Kathmandu
KATHMANDU: A former Bhutanese MP and human rights leader Tuesday began a hunger strike here, demanding an end to what he described as ethnic cleansing in Bhutan and the repatriation of over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees.
Bhutan's Druk Air to fly to Mumbai, Chennai and Gaya
KATHMANDU: Bhutan's national flag carrier, Druk Air, will now fly to Mumbai, Chennai and Gaya in India.
Operations against anti-Indian rebels over: Bhutan
SAMDRUP JHONKHAR, BHUTAN: Bhutan Friday said the military offensive to expel Indian separatists was over, with government soldiers now clearing the jungles to recover weapons left behind by the rebels.
Bhutan made its contribution against terrorism: Thinley
ISLAMABAD: Bhutan Sunday gave the SAARC summit details of its military offensive against Indian separatist groups on its soil to demonstrate the Himalayan kingdom's contribution towards eradication of terrorism in South Asia.
Bhutan operation reaches final stage
GUWAHATI: Bhutan Sunday said its military operation to expel Indian separatists from the Himalayan kingdom had reached its final stage with troops capturing the last of the rebel bases.
Bhutan captures last Indian rebel base
GUWAHATI: Bhutan has captured the last of the 30 Indian separatist bases inside the kingdom with government soldiers arresting up to 24 rebels during the last five days, officials Saturday said.
Information blackout by Bhutan leads to wild speculation
GUWAHATI: The war on terror by Bhutan has been hailed widely, but the Himalayan kingdom continues to remain a nation veiled in secrecy.
Bhutan king, son lead troops in offensive
KOLKATA: Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and one of his sons are personally leading troops in the offensive to flush out anti-India rebels in the Himalayan kingdom, Indian Army officials said here Friday.
Bhutan hands over arrested rebels to India
NEW DELHI: Bhutan has handed over to India a group of rebels arrested during its crackdown on anti-India separatists in the kingdom and more such handovers are expected, the Indian Army chief said here Friday.
Rebels' resistance in Bhutan weakens, over 100 killed
KOLKATA: Anti-India rebels fighting Bhutanese soldiers are weakening after losing over 100 cadres in the past three days, a top Indian general said here Thursday.
Bhutan had run out of patience with Indian insurgents
NEW DELHI: Tiny Bhutan's unprecedented military crackdown on Indian insurgent groups came about after the kingdom was driven to despair by the militants' recalcitrance.
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