BHUTAN: Bhutan is facing growing concerns over suicide and mental health, with suicide remaining the country’s sixth leading cause of death. Reports show that suicide attempts and deaths continue to rise, prompting the government to make prevention a national priority. Through the National Mental Health Strategy 1.0 (2025), led by the PEMA Secretariat, Bhutan is [...]
BHUTAN: Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s commercial hub, continues to face a persistent housing crisis that goes beyond high rent. A shortage of available housing—even for those who can afford it—has pushed many Bhutanese, including low-income families and civil servants, to live across the border in Jaigaon, India, despite poorer living conditions. The issue reflects deeper structural challenges, [...]
BHUTAN: Teachers in Bhutan are facing growing personal and professional strain due to long-distance postings that separate families for extended periods. Many married teachers live apart from their spouses and children, often serving in remote areas with limited chances of transfer. The transfer system is widely viewed as unclear and inconsistent, with some teachers waiting [...]
BHUTAN: India’s Customs Department uncovered a massive vehicle smuggling network through “Operation Numkhor,” revealing over 15,000 vehicles illegally registered across the country after evading taxes worth hundreds of crores. The investigation, which initially focused on a few luxury vehicles in Kerala, expanded nationwide through a digital audit of the Parivahan registry. Many vehicles were fraudulently [...]
BHUTAN: A once clean and vital water source in Ngabiphu, near Thimphu, is now facing serious contamination issues. The Ngabirongchu stream, which supplies drinking water to multiple villages, has been polluted due to nearby settlements, poor sewage management, and improper waste disposal. Sewage leakage, garbage dumping, and runoff during rains are contaminating the open water [...]
Low-income workers in Bhutan, particularly in Thimphu, are facing severe financial hardship due to stagnant wages and a rapidly rising cost of living. Many employed in sectors like hospitality, retail, and manual labor struggle to survive, with salaries often barely covering rent, leaving little for basic necessities or savings. The issue is rooted in structural [...]
PAKISTAN Population: 199 million Dominant religion: Sunni Islam Persecution ranking: 8 Christians: 1 percent We have all seen headlines about the war in Iran, but did you know that just to Iran’s east, Afghanistan and Pakistan have been engaged in armed conflict since late February? Last year, 1,200 Pakistanis were killed by various terrorist organizations [...]
Although Bhutan is officially a secular state, it is deeply associated with Buddhism, and citizens are often expected to follow this faith. Converts to Christianity face significant discrimination and social pressure to renounce their beliefs, particularly in close-knit rural communities where suspicion can be reported to authorities. Religious gatherings and baptisms are often conducted in [...]
The administration of Donald Trump is considering expanding its travel restrictions by adding 36 more countries to an existing list, citing concerns over visa systems, passport security, and national safety. Among the countries mentioned is Bhutan, drawing particular attention due to its generally peaceful global reputation. An internal diplomatic cable signed by Marco Rubio outlines [...]
The rise in sexual offence cases in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, highlights a growing gap between rapid social and technological change and the ability of institutions and communities to respond effectively. Despite being the most developed and connected part of the country, the increase in such cases shows that modernization does not automatically ensure [...]
