Come October 18 and Bhutan will witness a close fight between one of its oldest political parties – Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) – and Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), a new party that has gained popularity in the recent past.

The tiny Himalayan kingdom – called Druk Yul in Bhutanese (Land of the Thunder Dragon) – is nestled between economic rivals China and India. It opened up to the world as late as the 1970s. Before Bhutan became a two-party parliamentary democracy in March 2008, the Wangchuck hereditary monarchy wielded power from 1907.

On September 15, Bhutanese came out in large numbers to oust the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) run by Harvard-educated Tshering Tobgay. This was Bhutan’s third election as a full-fledged democracy, a decade after its fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, decreed it.

Togbay, 52, who was hoping for a second consecutive term as prime minister, conceded defeat soon after the shock results were announced.

“The people of Bhutan have spoken. And the People’s Democratic Party graciously accepts their decision. The will of the people must prevail in a democracy. I wish Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa all the best in the general elections,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Even as the PDP president has cited anti-incumbency as the party’s biggest challenge, speculations are rife that the civil service was not satisfied with the PDP government, which led to the party garnering less postal votes, Kuensel reported.

“While anti-incumbency remains a challenge for any party that forms the government, the party’s supporters may have gone overboard in campaigning against other parties than in campaigning for the party. With a wise electorate, this strategy at least on social media bombed. The two parties that were criticised the most on social media won the primaries,” the report said.

The Poll Process

According to Bhutan’s constitution, only two political parties can take part in the final round of general elections.

In the four-cornered race this month, nearly 66 percent of the electorate cast their votes – a higher turnout than the 55.3 percent seen in the primary round in 2013.

Of the four parties in the primary phase, DNT bagged 31.5% of the votes, followed closely by DPT with 30.6%. The ruling PDP came a surprising third with 27.2%, getting knocked out of the final round of elections. The fourth party in the fray – Bhutan Kuen-Nyam (BKP) – secured only 9.7% of the total votes, Kuensel reported.

Bhutanese voted for change even as Tobgay, whose party held 32 seats in the National Assembly after the 2013 elections, had hoped another win.

DNT’s leader Lotay Tshering, a surgeon, has become popular in the country by promising to focus on health issues. While the DPT held 15 seats in the National Assembly, political observers say Tshering may be the next prime minister.

The National Assembly of Bhutan or the lower house of Parliament has 47 members (maximum number of seats is 55). The National Council of Bhutan or the upper house of Parliament has 20 non-partisan members popularly elected by each dzongkhag (district) and five members are appointed by the King.

According to the constitution, religious heads are not allowed to contest polls and political parties are not allowed to align along regional, gender, language or religious lines. There are five registered political parties – the fifth being Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT).

However, there are a host of political parties operating in exile. In 2010 these exiled parties formed an umbrella group to pursue a unified democratic movement led by Rongthong Kunley Dorji, president of the Druk National Congress.

In their party manifestos, all parties speak of self-reliance, good governance and an end to corruption for its 8,00,000 citizens.

Bhutan and India

In contrast to the 2013 elections, Bhutan’s relations with India did not figure prominently during the campaign by the four parties.

In the run-up to the last polls, Bhutan was hit by high fuel prices after India suddenly withdrew subsidies for kerosene and cooking gas.

Despite Indian denials, the perception persisted that New Delhi wanted to punish the ruling DPT. India was irked at then Prime Minister Jigme Thinley’s meeting with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao at Rio de Janeiro in 2012, the Wire reported.

Five years later, India has not figured in the election manifestos, beyond the general political consensus that relations have to be strengthened.

It’s odd as India and China – the fastest growing economies in the world – had it rough over Doklam, a stretch of 269 sq km sandwiched between India, Bhutan and China last year. India does not claim the territory but has a strong military presence in Bhutan.

India and China, who went to war in 1962, have disputed for decades over Doklam. The Doklam plateau is important for India as it connects it to its remote northeastern states, but China has been pooh-poohing India’s concerns as this is a matter concerning Bhutan. India prevented Chinese border guards from building a road there last year, prompting Beijing to accuse it of trespassing on Chinese soil.

The Bhutanese reported the arrival of the Chinese soldiers in the area with bulldozers and excavators to build a high-mountain road near India’s border in June 2017. The stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam lasted more than 70 days.

Bhutan does not have diplomatic ties with China and coordinates its relations with Beijing through New Delhi. Bhutan is an important country for India and has always occupied a special place in its foreign policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan in 2014 and is likely to visit again after the new government is installed.

Bhutan and China

Beijing has made some significant overtures in recent years to build bridges with Bhutan. In July, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Bhutan. During his visit, the Chinese leader assured Thimphu of his government’s commitment to resolve the China-Bhutan boundary dispute amicably. China has so far held 24 rounds of discussions with Bhutan for resolving the dispute.

Reports have suggested China has been putting pressure on Thimphu to accept a land swap deal that could bring Doklam under Beijing’s control, posing serious security implications for India. Many observers in India believe China is not far from establishing full diplomatic relations with Bhutan, the Statesman reported.

Political observers hint that a political change in Bhutan might work to China’s advantage.

Bhutan is far from being the happy nation as it is often perceived to be across the world. Its youngsters need more jobs and the advent of modern technology is corrupting it – crimes and corruption have gone up. Climate change is taking its toll in this country counted amongst the least developed by the United Nations.

Whether the new government comes to the rescue of this reluctant democracy which sold the idea of “Gross National Happiness” to the world remains to be seen.

Urging Australians to make a strawberry pavlova this weekend to help struggling farmers, Scott Morrison demanded a change in the law to put the perpetrators behind bars for 15 years.

“We’re not mucking about” said Morrison, after at least 20 pieces of fruit were found to be contaminated with needles or pins. “This is not on, this is just not on in this country,” he said.

Calling the perpetrator a “coward and a grub”, Morrison called on parliament to quickly raise the maximum sentence for such deliberate food contamination from ten to 15 years behind bars.

That, he said, would put the crime on par with “things like possessing child pornography and financing terrorism. That’s how seriously I take this.”

The scare has prompted a slew of supermarket recalls, and some stores in New Zealand have temporarily banned the sale of Australian strawberries.

Farmers have been forced to pulp fruit and layoff pickers because of slower sales and lower wholesale prices.

“Just go back to buying strawberries like you used to, and take the precautions that you should,” Morrison told Australians in a televised address.

“Make a pav this weekend and put strawberries on it,” he suggested.

Authorities have suggested strawberries be cut up before they are eaten.

Australian police on Tuesday said they still did not know the motive behind the attacks and were still looking for suspects.

They have asked the public for help with their investigation and are expected later Wednesday to increase a reward for information that helps resolve the case.

The agreement came in a historic summit between its leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held in Pyongyang.

“The South and the North also discussed denuclearization steps for the first time,” Moon said of his talks with Kim in a joint press conference held at the North’s state guesthouse Paekhwawon.

“The North has agreed to permanently shut down its Dongchang-ri missile engine testing facility and missile launch pad under the participation of experts from related countries,” the South Korean president said in the press conference, broadcast live in Seoul.

Kim said he and Moon agreed to remove all nuclear weapons and threats from the Korean Peninsula.

“The September declaration will open a higher level for the improvement in relations (between the South and the North) … and bring closer the era of peace and prosperity,” Kim said of his agreement signed with Moon after their two-day talks in Pyongyang.

In the joint declaration, later released by Seoul’s presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, the North agreed to take additional denuclearization steps following corresponding steps by the United States to reward the impoverished North.

“The North expressed its willingness to continue taking additional steps, such as the permanent shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, should the United States take corresponding measures under the spirit of the June 12 North Korea-US joint statement,” it said, referring to the agreement reached by US.

President Donald Trump and Kim in their bilateral summit held in Singapore.

Pyongyang is said to be demanding early rewards for denuclearization steps it has taken so far, while Washington continues to stress the importance of maximum pressure and sanctions against the North until the communist state fully denuclearizes.

The North’s offer to take additional denuclearization steps despite any signs of reward from the US is apparently aimed at restarting its denuclearization talks with the US.

The talks have stalled after US President Donald Trump called off a scheduled North Korea trip by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, citing what he called a lack of progress in the North’s denuclearization process.

Even before the start of his three-day trip to Pyongyang on Tuesday, the South Korean president said the main objective of his trip was to restart the US-North Korea dialogue.

Moon insisted the North’s agreement also marked the first time for the Koreas to discuss detailed steps to denuclearization.

“I hope the talks between the North and the US quickly resume,” he told the joint press conference.

The agreement signed by the leaders of the two Koreas in Pyongyang also called for steps to further improve inter-Korean ties.

The sides have agreed to begin the work to reconnect their severed railways and roads across the heavily fortified border before the year’s end.

Also, the countries will reopen their joint industrial park in the North’s border town of Kaesong and tourism programs to the North’s Mount Kumgang as soon as “conditions are met,” the agreement said.

The Kaesong complex was shut down in early 2016 as part of Seoul’s unilateral sanctions against the North. Its reopening, however, may violate international sanctions imposed on the communist state.

To further promote reconciliation, the divided Koreas have agreed to soon establish a new joint facility for more frequent and freer reunions of families separated since the end of the Korean War.

The two Koreas technically remain at war as the 1950-53 war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

In a separate agreement signed by their defense chiefs, the Koreas also agreed to a wide range of steps aimed at further reducing military tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Such steps include setting up a 10-kilometer buffer zone along their border where all artillery drills or regiment-level field maneuvers will be prohibited, according to the military agreement.

In their joint declaration, the leaders said the countries have also agreed to quickly launch a joint military committee to review their implementation of such tension-reducing measures and to enable round-the-clock communication to prevent future conflicts.

The two Koreas will continue to jointly take part in international sporting events, including the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games, the leaders said in their Pyongyang declaration.

They will also seek to jointly host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.

The North Korean leader said he has agreed to visit Seoul in the near future.

Moon said the near future, barring unforeseen conditions, meant before the year’s end.

It represents one of the most concrete agreements in the two-day inter-Korean summit talks in Pyongyang.

Kim, however, left additional denuclearization-related measures tied to Washington’s next steps.

Kim and Moon agreed to turn the Korean Peninsula into a peaceful land free of nuclear weapons and threats.

They took note of the importance of “substantive, necessary” measures to that end, according to a joint statement.

Kim agreed to permanently shut down the engine testing facilities and launch pad at the Dongchang-ri missile test zone, also known as the Seohae test site.

He expressed the intention of pushing for more measures, such as the perpetual dismantlement of the nuclear complex in Yongbyon, if the United States takes corresponding steps in line with the June 12 Singapore summit accord, the Pyongyang declaration read.

Summing up the outcome of his third summit with Moon in person, Kim said they committed themselves to making active efforts for a nuclear-free Korea.

Here are key dates since the exodus was sparked a year ago:

– Rohingya militants attack –

On August 25, 2017, hundreds of Rohingya militants stage coordinated attacks on 30 police posts in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, killing 13 police.

The Myanmar army hits back with operations in Rohingya villages, saying it is trying to flush out insurgents.

Witnesses tell of Rohingya civilians being massacred in retaliation, with mortars and machine guns fired at villagers fleeing to the Bangladesh border.

The army in the mainly Buddhist nation says it has killed 400 rebels. Opponents of the regime say most of the victims were civilians. The UN says at least 1,000 were killed in the first two weeks.

– Refugee storm –

By September 5 more than 120,000 Rohingya have flooded into Bangladesh, overwhelming its handful of ill-equipped refugee camps.

Most arrive desperate for food and water after walking for more than a week over hills and through dense jungle.

Many say they have been victims of abuses by the army and Buddhists.

Bangladesh already houses at least 300,000 Rohingya in camps near the border after previous convulsions of violence against the minority.

– Suu Kyi breaks silence –

In her first public statement on the crisis, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi says on September 19 she is open to resettling some of the Rohingya who have fled, pending a “verification process”.

She fails to appease critics around the world.

Inside Myanmar her supporters say the Nobel Peace laureate, in power since April 2016, is unable to rein in the army, in charge for nearly half a century.

She makes a first visit to the conflict zone on November 2 but issues no statement.

– Repatriation accord –

Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23 ink a deal to start repatriating refugees in Bangladesh in two months, without using the word “Rohingya”.

A day later the UN High Commissioner for Refugees says conditions have not been met for their safe and lasting return.

The accord remains a dead letter. The Rohingya want Myanmar to give guarantees about security and treat them as citizens.

– Pope asks for forgiveness –

On December 2 Pope Francis meets 16 Rohingya refugees on a visit to Bangladesh, following a trip to Myanmar, asking afterwards for “forgiveness”.

– Possible ‘genocide’ –

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein calls on December 5 for a fresh international investigation, warning of possible “elements of genocide”.

– Thousands killed: aid group –

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) says on December 14 that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the first month of the army crackdown

– Ethnic cleansing continues: UN –

On March 6, 2018 the UN rights organisation says Myanmar is continuing its “ethnic cleansing” of the Rohingya with a “campaign of terror and forced starvation” in Rakhine state.

– Rohingya mark anniversary –

Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees stage protests on August 25, the first anniversary of the exodus, for “justice”.

– UN cites ‘genocide’ –

UN investigators on August 27 call for an international investigation and prosecution of Myanmar’s army chief and five other top military commanders for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against the Rohingya.

    – Reuters reporters jailed –

On September 3 two Reuters journalists accused of breaching Myanmar’s state secrets law while reporting on a massacre of Rohingya are jailed for seven years.

– ICC opens preliminary probe –

On September 18 UN investigators call for Myanmar’s military to be removed from politics. The prosecutor of the Hague-based ICC announces a preliminary probe into crimes against the Rohingya, including killings, sexual violence and forced deportations.

Syed Saddiq said Mustapa, or better known as Tok Pa, had always been among Umno leaders whom he admired and respected.

“I still admire and respect him, not only because he is a leader of vast experience, but also because of his deeds and contributions to the country which cannot be denied.

“When I heard that he quit Umno, I’m shocked and I think it is the end of Umno… to be honest, to lose someone like him is a big loss to Umno,” he added.

The three other debaters were Asia’s Best Debater 2018 Ahmad Syarifuddin Ahmad Fakhir, student of Kolej Yayasan United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) Kishen Sivabalan, and a Fourth former of Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya Atiyah Khairuddin.

In a statement issued earlier Tuesday, Mustapa said his decision to quit Umno after more than four decades of being its member was made as the party’s approach was no longer in line with the political principles he had been championing.

When asked whether Pribumi would welcome Mustapa to join the party, Syed Saddiq, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said: “I hope Tok Pa will join us for the future of Malaysians because he is a very good leader, but if he is not, I will still respect him.”

Meanwhile, commenting on the debate, he said it was a success as current issues were publicly discussed and debated by young people.

“I’m of the opinion that today’s successful event will be followed by more formal discussions, as well as debates on social media, and also on mainstream media, including radio and television,” he added.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will look at whether there is enough evidence to warrant a full investigation into Myanmar’s military crackdown which has seen some 700,000 people flee into neighbouring Bangladesh.

The move comes nearly two weeks after judges ruled that even though Myanmar has not signed up to the Hague-based ICC, the court still has jurisdiction over crimes against the Rohingya because Bangladesh is a member.

“I have decided to proceed to the next phase of the process and to carry out a full-fledged preliminary examination of the situation at hand,” Bensouda said in a statement.

Bensouda said the initial probe “may take into account a number of alleged coercive acts having resulted in the forced displacement of the Rohingya people, including deprivation of fundamental rights, killing, sexual violence, enforced disappearance, destruction and looting.”

She said she would also consider whether other crimes would apply to the plight of the Rohingya “such as the crimes of persecution and other inhumane acts.”

A preliminary examination can lead to a formal investigation by the ICC — which was set up in 2002 to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity — and then possible indictments.

The ICC announcement came on the same day as UN investigators said that Myanmar’s army had used “hard to fathom” levels of violence against the Rohingya and should be prosecuted for genocide.

The UN fact-finding mission also repeated suggestions that crimes against the Rohingya be referred to the ICC.

‘Avenue to justice’

Rights group Amnesty International said it was “great that the International Criminal Court has opened this important avenue to justice for the Rohingya.

“Keep the momentum going — the UN Security Council needs to refer the situation in Myanmar to the ICC to ensure it can investigate all crimes under international law,” the group said on Twitter.

Myanmar’s army has denied nearly all wrongdoing, insisting its campaign was justified to root out Rohingya insurgents who staged deadly raids on border posts in August 2017.

It has also “resolutely” rejected the ICC’s assertion that it has jurisdiction over the crime, saying that the decision was in “manifest bad faith” and was of “dubious legal merit”.

The Myanmar probe is a major advance for the ICC, which has so far largely focused on investigations into African conflicts and lacks the support of key countries including the United States, Russia, China and Israel.

The ICC recently faced threats and criticism from US National Security Advisor John Bolton over the possibility of a war crimes investigation into US actions in Afghanistan.

Bolton said the court was “already dead to us” and its judges could face US sanctions.

The court hit back at Bolton, saying that it would “continue to do its work undeterred, in accordance with those principles and the overarching idea of the rule of law”.

Authorities told AFP on Tuesday they had received dozens of leads in the probe, just hours after a press conference held to try to encourage other women to come forward.

“I am being told by investigators that their phones have been very active this afternoon,” said Michelle Van Der Linden, a spokeswoman for Orange County prosecutors.

“People are calling with additional information and we will be busy tracking down all the additional leads.”

The surgeon, 38-year-old Grant William Robicheaux, and his 31-year-old girlfriend, Cerissa Laura Riley, were charged on September 11 with rape as well as drug and weapons-related offenses in connection with two alleged assaults.

Robicheaux — who once appeared on the Bravo television show “Online Dating Rituals of the American Male” — and Riley are due to be arraigned on October 25.

Investigators found hundreds of videos on Robicheaux’s phone after he was arrested, “in various states of undress, consciousness and being assaulted,” Van Der Linden said.

“We’re still going through those videos.”

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters that Robicheaux and Riley had worked in tandem at restaurants and bars to identify their victims and make them feel comfortable.

“We believe the defendants used their good looks and charm to lower the inhibitions of their potential prey,” Rackauckas said.

“We’ve all heard of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Well, a wolf can wear scrubs or doctor’s clothing. Or a wolf can be a beautiful woman.”

He said the drugs the pair used include ecstasy, date rape drugs and cocaine.

The pair would then take the incapacitated women to his home in Newport Beach, where they were allegedly assaulted.

Authorities believe Robicheaux and Riley traveled to various festivals since 2015, including Burning Man in Nevada, as well as landmarks in Arizona.

Attorneys for Robicheaux and Riley issued a joint statement on Tuesday, denying the charges.

“They have been aware of these accusations for a number of months, and each of them will formally deny the truth of these allegations at their first opportunity in court,” said Robicheaux’s lawyer, Philip Cohen, and Riley’s lawyer, Scott Borthwick.

“Dr Robicheaux and Ms Riley believe that such allegations do a disservice to, and dangerously undermine, the true victims of sexual assault, and they are eager to have the proper spotlight shed on this case in a public trial,” they added.

“It must be noted that none of the allegations in this matter relate to or concern Dr Robicheaux’s medical practice or patients in any way.”

If convicted, Robicheaux faces up to 40 years in prison. Riley could face 30 years behind bars.

The two Koreas have remained divided due to different political ideologies since 1948 when fighting was ceased but without a peace settlement.

President Moon and Chairman Kim met in Pyongyang to discuss denuclearisation and relaxation of tension in the Korean Peninsula.

The Peace Festival took place for the fourth time at a sport stadium in South Korea’s Incheon with the attendance of more than 10,000 people from both domestic and foreign countries.

HWPL chairman Man Hee Lee called upon people at the festival and around the world, notably political leaders, to support peace efforts in the Korean Peninsula.

Art performances at the festival on Tuesday sent a message of peace to the summit in Pyongyang, he said.

The Korean Peninsula is one of the world’s few remaining divided nations. Its armistice is a symbol of wars and conflicts that continue around the globe. “Therefore, peaceful unification of the peninsula will be the strongest predictor of the advent of global peace,” he said.

Performances by art groups at the festival involved traditional dances and light, conveying a message that the world should end all religious and ideological conflicts and move toward a future of harmony and coexistence.

Key political leaders from foreign countries to the festival included former Romanian president Emil Constantinescu, former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, former Burundian president Domitien Ndayizeye and former Guyanan president Donald Ramotar.

“This generation must work to remove the division of Korea which is one of the consequences of the Cold War,” said Ramotar. “I hope to return to see the border, which now separates the two Koreas, has been turned into a line of unity of people and centuries.”

Ramotar also called for the elimination of nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula.

Ekawit Tangtrakarn, 24, an application engineer, committed the enlistment offence before he ceased being a Singaporean on his 22nd birthday.

Before handing down the sentence, District Judge John Ng said the Thai embassy had provided an official letter to confirm that Ekawit is a Thai national and has served his military service in Thailand.

“Thailand is and has always been his home,” the judge added.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mansoor Amir had told the court that according to the Ministry of Defence, this was the first time that a defaulter had returned to Singapore to face the charge after he was no longer eligible to serve NS, due to being neither a Singaporean nor a permanent resident.

Defence lawyer S. Radakrishnan, speaking to the media on behalf of the family on Tuesday, said Ekawit’s mother Genevieve Lim, a Singaporean, was very thankful to the judge for the fairness shown in sentencing.

The family, which has been in Singapore for about five months, was relieved the ordeal was over and will return to Bangkok as soon as Ekawit gets his passport back. It had been impounded while the case was pending.

Mr Radakrishnan also said that Ekawit’s maternal grandmother is living in Singapore, and his past visits here were to see her.

On Aug 28, Ekawit pleaded guilty to an offence under the Enlistment Act after he remained outside Singapore without a valid exit permit for 5½ years.

DPP Mansoor said that he had surrendered voluntarily and that one of the reasons for his return was to avoid any trouble should he need to travel to Singapore.

Madam Lim, whose husband is  Thai,  gave birth to Ekawit in Thailand in 1993 and he was registered as a Singapore citizen a year later.

She later had discussions with Singapore’s Central Manpower Base (CMPB) regarding her son’s NS obligations.

On Aug 7, 2006, she emailed  CMPB to ask for a deferment from NS for Ekawit until he turned 21. In October that year, the CMPB wrote to Madam Lim in Bangkok to say it was unable to grant her request.

A year later, it sent her a letter stating that if a Singaporean male aged between 13 and 16½ years intends to travel or remain outside Singapore for three months or longer, he has to apply for an exit permit.

If he intends to remain outside Singapore for two years or longer, his parents would  need to furnish a bond in the form of a bank guarantee for a minimum sum of $75,000 or 50 per cent of their combined annual gross income for the preceding year,  whichever is higher.

Madam Lim replied on Oct 22, 2007, that she did not have enough money for the bond. CMPB continued communicating with her after this. In November 2014, it sent her an email informing her that her son had committed offences under the Enlistment Act.

Ekawit ceased to be a Singapore citizen on Oct 17, 2015, as he  failed to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty (Oral) within 12 months of turning 21.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, minors who are Singapore citizens by descent/registration must take the Oath within 12 months on reaching age 21 years to remain as Singapore citizens.

Ekawit obtained his degree at Bangkok’s Thammasat University in May 2016 before returning to Singapore two months later.