"Lease Sign"

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13153098

4 January 2026

On December 29, 2025, a conservationist, Sayed Zainal, surveys several areas significantly impacted by flash floods resulting from Tropical Cyclone Senyar in the Lubuk Sidup region, located within the Sekerak Subdistrict of Aceh Tamiang District, Aceh, Indonesia. The cyclone results in the loss of at least 1,167 lives in Indonesia and over 1,400 across three Asia-Pacific countries, with estimated economic damages amounting to approximately USD 19.8 billion. The disruption of vital access in Sekerak is a grim indicator of a broader pattern of ecological disasters that increasingly threaten the fragile Leuser Ecosystem, as emphasized by Sayed Zainal, Director of the Sustainable Forest Advocacy Institute.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13153105

4 January 2026

On December 29, 2025, a conservationist, Sayed Zainal, surveys several areas significantly impacted by flash floods resulting from Tropical Cyclone Senyar in the Lubuk Sidup region, located within the Sekerak Subdistrict of Aceh Tamiang District, Aceh, Indonesia. The cyclone results in the loss of at least 1,167 lives in Indonesia and over 1,400 across three Asia-Pacific countries, with estimated economic damages amounting to approximately USD 19.8 billion. The disruption of vital access in Sekerak is a grim indicator of a broader pattern of ecological disasters that increasingly threaten the fragile Leuser Ecosystem, as emphasized by Sayed Zainal, Director of the Sustainable Forest Advocacy Institute.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13086857

12 December 2025

In Katowice, Poland, on December 12, 2025, trade unionists leave the ministry building after a meeting with Marian Zmarzly, Deputy Minister of Energy, during a miners' protest in front of the Ministry of Energy. The National Commission of the WZZ 'August 80' organizes a protest in response to the actions of Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa (JSW). The miners raise concerns about the reduction in the payment of the Miner's Day allowance and the risk of further cuts in employee benefits. They say JSW is in a difficult situation and its current actions are delayed and do not solve the problem. The protesters meet with Undersecretary of State Marian Zmarzly, who receives their list of demands. The Senate approves the government's proposed amendment to the Mining Act, which allows for the gradual phasing out of mines extracting hard coal other than coking coal, as well as protective aid and severance payments. The act has not yet been signed by the president.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13086861

12 December 2025

In Katowice, Poland, on December 12, 2025, trade unionists with Krzysztof Labadz leave the ministry building after a meeting with Marian Zmarzly, Deputy Minister of Energy, during a miners' protest in front of the Ministry of Energy. The National Commission of the WZZ 'August 80' organizes a protest in response to the actions of Jastrzebska Spolka Weglowa (JSW). The miners raise concerns about the reduction in the payment of the Miner's Day allowance and the risk of further cuts in employee benefits. They say JSW is in a difficult situation and its current actions are delayed and do not solve the problem. The protesters meet with Undersecretary of State Marian Zmarzly, who receives their list of demands. The Senate approves the government's proposed amendment to the Mining Act, which allows for the gradual phasing out of mines extracting hard coal other than coking coal, as well as protective aid and severance payments. The act has not yet been signed by the president.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13059167

5 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND - DECEMBER 4: Members of the mining community and their families leave St. Anne Church after attending the Holy Mass on St. Barbara's Day, the patron saint of miners, in the Nikiszowiec district of Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 4, 2025.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13059168

5 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND - DECEMBER 4: Members of the mining community leave St. Anne Church after attending the Holy Mass on St. Barbara's Day, the patron saint of miners, in the Nikiszowiec district of Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 4, 2025.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.