"53"

#13181849

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181850

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181851

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181842

11 January 2026

Nepali Congress cadres attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. Acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181843

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181844

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181845

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181846

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181847

11 January 2026

Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's only billionaire, addresses the opening ceremony of the special convention of the Nepali Congress in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181848

11 January 2026

Bishwa Prakash Sharma, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13159542

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159543

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159544

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159545

5 January 2026

In July 2011, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, operates in the Mediterranean Sea during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. 6th Fleet. It embarks with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, providing amphibious power projection, command and control, and support to maritime security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and regional crisis response, including the initial phases of operations related to the Libyan crisis. The naval task group consists of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41), and is augmented by elements of Amphibious Squadron 6, Naval Beach Group, Fleet Surgical Team 8, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28. The Aviation Combat Element of the 22nd MEU, centered on Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-263, operates MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AV-8B Harrier II, AH-1W Super Cobra, and UH-1N Huey aircraft to provide assault support, logistical lift, close air support, armed escort, and command and control in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ashore.

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#13159546

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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#13159547

5 January 2026

The MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28) lifts off from the flight deck of USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Mediterranean Sea in 2011 during the operational deployment of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group under U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of maritime security and amphibious operations.

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