Today's Top 20 News: From Japanese Ambassador's Courtesy Call to Court Order on Congress Convention
Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador Maida Toru. The Supreme Court issued an order stating no circumstances warrant halting the Nepali Congress convention. Nepal and Bangladesh will play a three-match T20 series in March.
Kathmandu. The top 20 news stories of the day, covering political activities at home and abroad, the economy, society, sports, international events, and other important topics, are as follows.
1. Japanese Ambassador's Courtesy Call with Prime Minister Shah
Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maida Toru held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers' Office in Singha Durbar. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shah expressed gratitude for Japan's goodwill, support, and solidarity toward the Nepal government and flood-affected citizens during the difficult times of disaster.
Ambassador Toru expressed sorrow over the damage caused by the floods and committed that Japan would assist Nepal in post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Prime Minister's Secretariat stated that various aspects of ongoing Nepal-Japan cooperation and bilateral relations were also discussed during the meeting.
2. Supreme Court Order Says No Circumstances to Halt Congress Convention
The Supreme Court has issued an order stating that no circumstances warrant halting the Nepali Congress convention. The order came from a single bench of Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman, upholding the administrative decision to refuse registration of the writ petition.
The order was issued while upholding the administrative rejection of a writ petition filed demanding that the working schedules of both Gagan Thapa, Chairman of the establishment faction preparing for the Congress convention, and former Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, be halted.
The order stated: "As no circumstances exist to warrant halting or postponing any work related to the Nepali Congress General Convention as demanded in the petition, and as the grounds for not registering the writ petition brought by the petitioner have been explained, the administrative order issued by the Registrar of this Court on 2082/05/29 is not found to be improper and need not be overturned. Proceed according to law."
Since a review order had been issued, a full bench of the Supreme Court had ruled that no circumstances existed to halt any work or issue an interim order as demanded. The establishment faction of the Congress has set the date for the 15th General Convention from Ashwin 16 to 19 and advanced convention work, while the Deuba faction has announced holding the convention from Mangsir 21 to 23.
Advocate Maniram Upadhyay filed the writ demanding that the General Convention be halted, as a review petition against a previous decision in favor of the Election Commission regarding the Congress authenticity dispute was pending. The writ was rejected on Bhadra 29.
3. Nepal-Bangladesh Three-Match T20 Series Dedicated to Flood Victims
Nepal and Bangladesh will play a three-match T20 cricket series. The series, to be held next March, will be dedicated to those who lost their lives in the recent devastating floods in Nepal.
Through the series, organized jointly by the Nepal Cricket Association and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, tributes will be paid to those who lost their lives in the floods, and solidarity will be expressed with the bereaved families and affected communities. All three matches of the series will be held at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
- First match: March 26, 2027
- Second match: March 28, 2027
- Third match: March 30, 2027
Further expanding cricket relations between Nepal and Bangladesh, Bangladesh will assist in the development and capacity building of Nepal's women's cricket and age-group players. Additionally, cooperation will be extended through Nepal 'A' team tours and bilateral 'A' team programs to enhance player development and competitive experience.
The Nepal Cricket Association and Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that through cricket, they will convey a message of friendship, sympathy, and solidarity between the two countries in this moment of grief.
4. 539 People from 50 Teams Obtain Permits for Himalayan Climbing in Autumn Season
For the autumn season of 2026, 539 people from 50 teams have obtained climbing permits for various Himalayan expeditions in Nepal. According to the Department of Tourism, USD 1,480,943 — equivalent to NPR 225,072,332 — has been collected as royalties for climbing permits.
Among those obtaining climbing permits are 401 men and 138 women. The highest number of climbers are for Mount Manaslu. For Manaslu climbing, 480 people from 40 teams have obtained permits. Among them, 354 are men and 126 are women.
From Manaslu alone, USD 1,440,000 — equivalent to NPR 218,843,289 — has been collected as royalties. Similarly, for Mount Makalu climbing, three people from one team have obtained permits. From that, USD 4,500 has been collected as royalties. Similarly, for Danga Himal climbing...