Gelephu Growth Watch: Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City got a major boost as the Gelephu Flood Protection Project was formally handed over, protecting four vulnerable river stretches in Sarpang ahead of rapid urban expansion. Monastic Education: The Central Monastic Body launched a Monastic Institute for Language Studies in Wangdue, giving monks a dedicated two-year path to learn languages like English and Chinese to better share Bhutan’s Buddhist teachings. Health & Innovation: Druk Holding & Investments partnered with the US-based Tower Council Foundation to build a “generational health” ecosystem—linking research, clinical practice, data and innovation across areas like healthy ageing, diagnostics, women’s and mental health. Thimphu Landowners: Hongtsho residents affected by the planned Hejo crematorium relocation say they still lack clarity, leaving them unable to make property decisions despite land compensation steps being completed. Human-Tiger Coexistence: Pelsups returned with livelihood-focused proposals to reduce human-tiger conflict, with one winning team pushing farmers to shift from heavy livestock dependence toward local production and online sales. Sports (Bhutan): Bhutan’s national cricket team lost a practice match in Pokhara to CAN-11, falling short by 13 runs as they prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia qualifier. Weather Alert: Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology expects a drier-than-normal start to October as El Niño strengthens, with rainfall likely below normal through much of the first half of the month.