KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

PM Balen Promotes Dairy Development Corporation’s Yak Cheese

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) published a new photograph on Saturday, utilizing his social media presence to promote domestically produced yak cheese from the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). The image, which features him consuming the product, aims to boost the market visibility of local mountain goods. The DDC manufactures this high-quality cheese using milk sourced from chauris raised in the high-altitude Himalayan regions of Nepal. According to institutional data, the corporation’s production centers successfully manufacture approximately 36 tons of authentic yak cheese annually, representing a vital economic source for high-mountain livestock farmers and local dairy cooperatives.

Monsoon Disasters Will Impact More Than 200K Citizens

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee recently passed the Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, projecting that 226,661 individuals from 51,868 households will be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year. Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat revealed on Saturda, that between 1,000 and 4,000 families could face direct, severe impacts. While the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology predicts below-average rainfall across most regions including Karnali, Lumbini, Madhesh, and Koshi provinces rising average temperatures are expected to trigger glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in high Himalayan zones, causing flash floods and landslides downstream, alongside severe heatwaves in the southern Tarai plains.

Missing Buddhist Monk Found Dead Near Mardi High Camp

A missing tourist who disappeared on May 13 during the Mardi Himal trek was found dead on Saturday. The deceased was later identified as Dhamisaro, a Buddhist monk from the Sangharam Bihar in Kathmandu. A search team comprising security personnel and local tourism entrepreneurs discovered the body deep inside a gorge below a large hill at the upper viewpoint, situated at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. Mardi Trek Management Committee President Rajkumar Tamang reported that due to the extremely treacherous and difficult mountain geography, the team could not immediately retrieve the body manually and is awaiting helicopter assistance from local authorities.

Harka Sampang Vows Continuous Opposition Against Balen

On Saturday, House of Representatives member and Shram Sanskriti Party Chairman Harka Sampang took to social media to vow continuous, fierce opposition against the Balen Shah-led government. Sampang expressed his deep dissatisfaction over the government’s deployment of bulldozers to demolish squatter settlements without providing alternative management or relocation options for the displaced residents. Terming the administration’s actions as “bulldozer terror,” Sampang stated on Facebook that he will relentlessly oppose these forceful evictions regardless of the criticism or verbal abuse he might face from critics, labeling the current governing authority as tyrannical for its handling of vulnerable, unmanaged settlers.

Lawmaker Sudan Gurung Expresses Full Confidence in Parliamentary Probe Committee

Former Minister for Home Affairs and current Member of Parliament Sudan Gurung stated on Saturday that he welcomes the newly formed investigation committee probing allegations against him. Speaking to journalists, Gurung maintained that he has committed no wrongdoing and expressed full confidence that the government will bring the truth to light. He asserted that unlike older political establishments, the current government practices strict accountability and would not manipulate findings or shield him if proven guilty, citing the recent state action against their own Labor Minister as proof. Separately, party colleague Eliza Gurung inaugurated ‘Chino’, a new women’s clothing store focusing on domestic products.

CPN (UML) Delays Crucial Secretariat Meeting to Monday

The CPN (UML) has postponed its highly anticipated central secretariat meeting from Saturday to Monday. Central Office Secretary Bhishma Adhikari confirmed on Saturday that Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli will attend the meeting, marking his first active participation since his release from temporary detention on April 9 following a Gen Z protest incident. During his absence, Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ served as the acting chief. The meeting comes amidst intense internal power struggles, with senior leaders including Bishnu Paudel, Prithvi Subba Gurung, and Shankar Pokharel reportedly seeking alternative leadership options due to delayed election review sessions.

Nepali Congress Leader Says Gagan Thapa Fails to Unite Whole Party

During a political interaction program themed “Nepali Congress Greater Unity and Future Direction” organized in Birendranagar on Saturday, former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka criticized party president Gagan Thapa. Khadka claimed that Thapa has failed to act as a leader for the entire party, remaining confined as a leader for the Sanepa headquarters faction only. Warning that the organization currently stands on the brink of a split, Khadka recalled historical party divisions under Girija Prasad Koirala and stressed that the responsibility to unite or divide the party rests entirely on Thapa. He attributed the party’s contraction to 38 seats during past elections to the push for special conventions.

Wildlife Attacks Claim 239 Livestock in 3 Local Units

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office in Jomsom confirmed that wildlife attacks have destroyed 239 livestock units across three local units over the past four fiscal years, prompting Rs 25.2 million in total relief payouts. Attacks by snow leopards, common leopards, and wolves have impacted 68 households across Baragung Muktikshetra, Gharpajhong, and Thasang areas. The dead livestock includes 12 yaks, seven chauris, 117 chyangra goats, and 38 sheep. Driven by climate change forcing predators lower, ACAP has transferred Rs 5 million directly to farmers’ bank accounts for recent losses up to last month, while ACAP Lo Manthang distributed Rs 45 million in upper regions.

Film Artists Association President Candidate Uttam KC Unveils Commitment Paper

Ahead of the 21st electoral convention of the Nepal Film Artists Association scheduled for Sunday, presidential candidate Uttam KC officially unveiled his panel’s commitment paper on Saturday. Campaigning under the slogan “Unity, Respect, and Rights,” the manifesto outlines comprehensive plans for institutional governance, minimum wage standards, mandatory written contracts, and health insurance for artists. KC’s panel includes Shivahari Bairagi, Pujana Pradhan, Sunil Katuwal, Tejula Khatiwada, and Gopal Dhakal. The digital integration of member data banks and transparent financial auditing are high priorities for the team, which faces a tough electoral battle against a rival panel led by presidential contender Sabin Shrestha.

Actress Jassita Gurung Celebrates Birthday

Popular romantic genre actress Jassita Gurung celebrated her birthday on Saturday, receiving widespread well-wishes across social media from fans and fellow co-stars, including Anmol KC. Since her 2018 debut in ‘Lily Bily’, Gurung has established herself as one of the most demanded actresses in the Nepali film industry, starring in successful box-office hits like ‘Farki Farki’ and ‘Jerry on Top’. Marking the occasion, Gurung shared an emotional post expressing deep gratitude for her journey and struggles while highlighting the personal challenge of staying away from her family to pursue her dreams. She is currently preparing to shoot her next signed film project, titled ‘Paras’.

Nepal Secures Spectacular Nine-Wicket Victory Over USA

In the ICC Cricket World Cup League-2 match on Saturday, Nepal secured a spectacular nine-wicket victory over the USA at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur. Batting first after winning the toss, the USA was bowled out for 195 runs in 43.3 overs, collapsing from a strong position of 153/3 by losing their final seven wickets for just 42 runs. Nepal chased down the 196-run target in 36.4 overs, losing only one wicket. The chase was anchored by opener Kushal Bhurtel, who smashed an unbeaten 120 runs off 118 balls with four sixes and 13 fours, alongside a half-century from Aasif Sheikh (58 runs).

Russian President Vladimir Putin Scheduled for 2-Day Visit to Beijing

The Kremlin announced on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day official visit. The trip, following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, marks the 25th anniversary of the cooperation agreement between the two nations. Coming immediately after US President Donald Trump completed his visit to China, the summit will focus on bilateral government treaties, economic cooperation, and joint declarations. Amid ongoing international conflicts, Russia has become heavily reliant on China, which supplies over one-third of Russian imports and buys a quarter of its exports, making their reliable energy partnership increasingly critical for global fuel and natural gas markets.

Iran Prepares to Launch New Traffic Management Fee System in Strait of Hormuz

On Saturday, Ebrahim Azizi, Head of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, announced via social media that Iran has finalized a new professional traffic management system for the Strait of Hormuz. Designed to assert national sovereignty and protect international trade corridors, the system will apply specific service fees to all commercial transit ships. Azizi clarified that the newly structured maritime pathway will exclusively benefit merchant vessels and nations allied with Iran. Concurrently, he targeted the United States, stating that this corridor will remain strictly closed to participants of the American “Project Freedom,” a military initiative launched by Washington to ensure unconditional oil flows through the Persian Gulf.