Topic: Bhutan

From hazelnut trees to Foxconn, corporate responsibility is growing

Mountain Hazelnut Venture is planting trees, paying fair wages, and supplying customers in a triple win for corporate social responsibility.

The Man Within My Head

Travel writer Pico Iyer examines his own obsession with famed English novelist and fellow globetrotter Graham Greene.

Reader recommendation: Radio Shangri-La

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Move over Disney, King of Bhutan marries Jetsun Pema – a commoner (video)

The king of Bhutan married commoner Jetsun Pema in an elaborate Buddhist ceremony today, captivating the entire country.

The Tibetan exile story, caught on tape

An organization in India has recorded thousands of oral histories from Tibetan exiles dispersed around the world in hopes of preventing Tibetan culture from fading away.

Quest for perfect photo op sends Hong Kong's betrothed couples abroad

In Hong Kong, the perfect pre-wedding photo is key, and concern about having the same backdrop as friends has sent couples overseas in their quest for a unique photo.

Homegrown superstars hold special appeal in Bhutan

Bhutan's version of American Idol, called "Druk Superstar," stands out for being a locally produced program in a country whose airwaves are dominated by regional productions.

A helpline for northeastern Indians dogged by harassment

Northeastern Indian migrants who flock to the country's cities to escape fighting and seek economic opportunities are the target of discrimination and harassment.

Somerville, Mass., aims to boost happiness. Can it?

Forget GDP, say a growing number of cities and nations. Instead, they're measuring happiness and hope to increase it.

Dalai Lama set to resign. What role will he play then?

The Dalai Lama announced Thursday that he is relinquishing his political leadership of the Tibetan exile movement. But how much will the move actually change his role?

Here’s an explanation of his past roles and the structure of the Tibetan government in exile.

Radio Shangri-La

A journalist in midlife crisis decamps to Bhutan to see if she can find contentment in the ‘happiest place on earth.’

What to read? 3 intriguing memoirs for early 2011

From Shangri-La to Brooklyn, here are three promising memoirs due for release in the early months of 2011.

Corrupt countries: Iraq, Afghanistan among most corrupt

Corrupt countries index says Somalia is worst. Denmark, Singapore, and New Zealand are least corrupt countries.

Himalayan climate change threatens regional stability. Can India help?

As the devastating floods in Pakistan showed, atmospheric pollutants are disturbing the Himalayan region's weather patterns – and local economies. But India has a pivotal opportunity to cut 'black carbon' emissions and minimize the damage.

Pakistan's Supreme Court OKs release of militant linked to Mumbai attacks

Pakistan's highest court today upheld a decision to release Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, whom India says masterminded the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

India, Pakistan PMs highlight ancestral ties at SAARC meeting

The prime ministers of India, Pakistan met at the annual meeting of SAARC, a notoriously ineffective regional bloc. But it offered a rare opportunity to highlight the shared ancestry of eight South Asia nations that make up one-fifth of humanity.

India, Pakistan leaders may meet on sidelines of SAARC summit

Officials in India and Pakistan have indicated that their prime ministers will meet on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Bhutan this week, though it is unclear if the meeting will go beyond handshakes.

India, China set up hotline to ease border dispute

India, China ended four days of high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday with an agreement to set up a hotline between prime ministers, to better avoid flare-ups over a longstanding border dispute.

US human rights report: Hillary Clinton says technology advances aid activists, oppressors

US human rights report reveals concern about China's clampdown on advocates for democracy and Internet access. New technology tools are 'useful to both oppressors and to those who struggle to expose the failure and the cowardice of the oppressors,' said Hillary Clinton.

Glacier melting a key clue to tracking climate change

Glaciers now occupy the center stage in the debate over causes and impacts of climate change.

For Republic Day, India invites ... South Korea?

For its 61st Republic Day Tuesday, India chose as its foreign honoree the president of South Korea – a nod to his country's role in building badly needed infrastructure and to India’s growing trade within Asia.

The Value of Nothing

Activist and academic Raj Patel offers a stinging indictment of capitalism.

World Monuments 2010 list ranges from dockyards to cave art

2010 Watch List calls attention to 93 global heritage sites at risk.

Bhutanese refugees find their calling as urban farmers

Seven thousand miles from their ancestral home, Bhutanese refugees are going back to their roots and tilling the good earth.