The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
Rapper-Turned-Politician Is Set to Be Nepal’s New Prime Minister
Rapper-Turned-Politician Is Set to Be Nepal’s New Prime Minister
Rapper-Turned-Politician Is Set to Be Nepal’s New Prime Minister
The success of Balendra Shah, known as Balen, reflects the hope he can address economic grievances behind recent Gen-Z protests.
Published on: Mar 09, 2026 12:10 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is set to become Nepal’s next prime minister as the official vote count nears completion. Millions of Nepalese cast ballots Thursday during the first national election since youth-led protests toppled the country’s previous leader last year. Balendra Shah greets supporters in Damak, Nepal, after his election as Nepal’s next prime minister.The winner
Balen’s party is heading toward a clear majority of the 275 seats in parliament, results from the Election Commission showed on Sunday. The 36-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, handily defeated Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old former prime minister. Violent Gen-Z protests propelled by frustration over corruption and a lack of jobs prompted Oli to resign from the post in September. Balen’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party has promised to create more than a million jobs over the next five to seven years and to double per capita gross domestic product to $3,000 over the same span. During a January interview before he launched his campaign, Balen said the old parties had failed to deliver and as prime minister he would focus on good governance and ending corruption.The backdrop
Nepal’s election took place while the wounds of the protests, which left nearly 80 people dead, were still fresh. Balen’s emergence has given hope to many in a country that has been stifled by corruption and cronyism. A social-media campaign last year that focused on so-called nepo babies contrasted the lifestyles of elite families with the hardships of ordinary Nepalese. Many Nepalese say that Balen, a civil engineer, could extend the success he had as mayor of Kathmandu to the rest of the country. In Kathmandu, he helped solve waste-management problems, improve streets for pedestrians and preserve the city’s cultural heritage.The stakes
Wedged between Asian giants India and China, Nepal’s economy has lagged behind in recent years. With a per capita GDP of roughly $1,500, the country relies heavily on remittances from overseas workers and tourism, particularly expeditions to Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks. With little manufacturing, Nepali people still live off farming, even as the population has become more educated. Youth unemployment in Nepal, a country of 30 million, stands at nearly 21%, far higher than other countries in the region. About one million Nepalese left their country last year to work or study abroad. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has affected Gulf countries that host about two million Nepali migrant workers, could hamper Nepal because of its reliance on remittances. With the conflict potentially disrupting shipping and oil supplies, the new government in Nepal will have to deal with higher energy prices that could accelerate inflation and harm the country’s fragile economy. Write to Krishna Pokharel at krishna.pokharel@wsj.com Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia, and Bangladesh election result 2026 LIVE get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times. News / World News / Rapper-Turned-Politician Is Set To Be Nepal’s New Prime Minister See LessRapper-turned politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is set to become Nepal’s next prime minister as the official vote count nears completion. Millions of Nepalese cast ballots Thursday during the first national election since youth-led protests toppled the country’s previous leader last year.
The 36-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, handily defeated Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old former prime minister. Violent Gen-Z protests propelled by frustration over corruption and a lack of jobs prompted Oli to resign from the post in September.
Balen’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party has promised to create more than a million jobs over the next five to seven years and to double per capita gross domestic product to $3,000 over the same span.
During a January interview before he launched his campaign, Balen said the old parties had failed to deliver and as prime minister he would focus on good governance and ending corruption.
Balen’s emergence has given hope to many in a country that has been stifled by corruption and cronyism. A social-media campaign last year that focused on so-called nepo babies contrasted the lifestyles of elite families with the hardships of ordinary Nepalese.
Many Nepalese say that Balen, a civil engineer, could extend the success he had as mayor of Kathmandu to the rest of the country. In Kathmandu, he helped solve waste-management problems, improve streets for pedestrians and preserve the city’s cultural heritage.
With a per capita GDP of roughly $1,500, the country relies heavily on remittances from overseas workers and tourism, particularly expeditions to Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks. With little manufacturing, Nepali people still live off farming, even as the population has become more educated.
Youth unemployment in Nepal, a country of 30 million, stands at nearly 21%, far higher than other countries in the region. About one million Nepalese left their country last year to work or study abroad.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has affected Gulf countries that host about two million Nepali migrant workers, could hamper Nepal because of its reliance on remittances. With the conflict potentially disrupting shipping and oil supplies, the new government in Nepal will have to deal with higher energy prices that could accelerate inflation and harm the country’s fragile economy.
Write to Krishna Pokharel at krishna.pokharel@wsj.com
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Rapper-politician Balendra Shah on course to be Nepal's next prime minister Rapper-politician Balendra Shah unseats Nepal's ex-PM as he heads for victory Rapper-politician & Gen-Z favourite Is Nepal's ex-rapper mayor on track to be new PM Meet Top South Star-Turned-Politician Whose Movie Ticket Was Sold For Rs 10 Rapper to be next Nepal PM Why Is Nepal's Youth Calling A Rapper-Mayor Balen Shah Their Next PM Nepal's former rapper to run for PM in key vote after Gen Z protests Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female prime minister Did rapper T-Rex suffer seizure during live showdown
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction
5 hours ago
The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons
5 hours ago
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
5 hours ago
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
5 hours ago
Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
5 hours ago
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
