1720 – Chinese imperial army invades and temporarily establishes control over Bhutan. 1772-73 – British intervention. 1864-65 – Further intervention by Britain. 1907 – Ugyen Wangchuck is chosen as hereditary ruler. 1910 – Treaty giving Britain control over foreign relations. 1949 – Treaty signed with newly-independent India guaranteeing non-interference in Bhutan’s internal affairs, but allowing … Read more
Television did not come to Bhutan until 1999. For years, the country cut itself off, fearing that outside influences would undermine its monarchy and culture. Radio broadcasting began in 1973 and the internet arrived in 1999. Media freedom is restricted. The creation in 2018 of a media regulator whose members are appointed by the government … Read more
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi was elected for a third term as India’s prime minister in June 2024. Mr Modi’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won the general election with 293 seats, a much lower margin than predicted by exit polls. The election saw a resurgence of India’s opposition, which won 234 seats. Mr Modi … Read more
India has a flourishing media scene, with thousands of outlets operating in multiple languages. There are around 197 million TV homes, many of them using direct-to-home satellite and cable services. Nearly 900 private satellite TV stations are on the air, around half of them devoted to news coverage. Doordarshan, the public TV, operates multiple services, … Read more
Syria’s defence ministry says it has completed a military operation in the country’s western coastal region, after days of violence in which hundreds of people have been killed. Security forces had “neutralized” loyalists of former president Bashar al-Assad in several towns in Latakia and Tartous provinces and were “paving the way for life to return … Read more
A pro-Palestinian activist who took a lead role in last year’s student protests at Columbia University in New York City is being held in immigration custody in Louisiana, records suggest, after he was detained at the weekend. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents told Syrian-born Mahmoud Khalil they were revoking his student visa and green … Read more
32 mins agoWhy this week is important for Ukraine’s futureDonald Trump believes Kyiv is now ready to “move forward” with a ceasefire with Russia. BBC News correspondent James Waterhouse explains what it means for Ukraine.32 mins agoEurope
Regan Morris BBC News Reporting fromBurbank, California BBC Tesla facilities across the US are facing protests and vandalism in response to the political role Elon Musk, who owns the car manufacturer, has played in the Trump administration. Most “Tesla Takedown” protests have been peaceful, but a few have been destructive with fires intentionally set at … Read more
21 mins agoKey moments in Mark Carney’s road to Canada’s prime ministerMark Carney has won the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister and Liberal Party leader.21 mins agoUS & Canada
Imran Qureshi & Nikita Yadav BBC Hindi and BBC News PTI The group was stargazing near a river canal when the incident happened Police in India have arrested a third man in connection with the rape and murder case of tourists near a Unesco heritage site that has sent shockwaves through the country. A man … Read more