Shah Surges in Nepal Election, Young Voters Back Him

0:00It's March 6th, here's your global news in two minutes. Rapper and former Katmandu Mayor, Valens Shah, is surging ahead in Nepal's general election. His centrist, Restrius Watantra party, leads in more than two-thirds of the 165 directly elected seats. If the trend holds, Shah could become the country's next prime minister. Shah, a 35-year-old structural engineer and hip-hop artist, faces tough competition from former prime minister K.P. Oli of the Communist Party. And, Gagan Dapa of the Nepali Congress. Oli's party trails in third place so far. Shah is dominating even in Oli's traditional stronghold. Young voters love Shah's fresh energy and anti-corruption stance, especially after last year's protests against economic woes and graft. But critics point to his heavy-handed tactics as mayor against vendors and his fiery rhetoric calling Oli a terrorist. Many see him as the change Nepal needs. Voters cast two ballots. Thursday for 275 member parliament, mixing direct seats with proportional representation.

1:07About 60% of nearly 19 million eligible voters turned out, with youth and first-timers playing a big role. Full results might not come until next week, due to slow counting in remote mountain areas. This election pits old guard coalitions against new faces and independence, signaling a possible shake-up after decades of unstable governments. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen.