Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘Had High Hopes’ About Moving to America, But It’s Been a ‘Disaster’

Royalty recognizes royalty.Prince Harryand wifeMeghanwere all smiles as they watched the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., Feb. 15, seated next to Grammy-winning music starQueen Latifah. With formerPresident Barack Obamaand first ladyMichelle Obama, Oscar nomineeTeyana Taylorand Destiny's Child singerKelly Rowlandcheering nearby, cameras caught Meghan sweetly rubbing Harry's arm, encouraging him to wave to fans.

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It looked like another winning night out — the kind of high-profile date the couple have leaned into since moving from the U.K. to California six years ago. "They make a big point to cozy up in public and show the world this 'us against the world' vibe," a source tellsStar. But behind the scenes, there is pressure. A new book by royal expertRussell Myers,William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, out March 10, contradicts key parts of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's narrative about their fallout with the royal family and feud with his brother,Prince William, 43, and his wife,Princess Catherine, 44, all but accusing them of lying. At the same time, the couple's dwindling American dream is threatened by both Meghan's career misses and Harry's renewed interest in rejoining the royal family. As the source says, "The hits keep on coming." (A rep for the Sussexes tellsStarallegations of problems within the marriage are "totally and utterly false.")

The Truth Wars

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The new book, which is clearly pro–Prince and Princess of Wales, has reopened old wounds by refuting some of Harry, 41, and 44-year-old Meghan's most explosive claims. Harry opened his bombshell-filled 2023 memoir,Spare, for example, with a detailed account of William physically assaulting him during a heated argument over Meghan's allegedly poor treatment of palace staff (she's denied the bullying). But aninsider told the authorthat Harry's version of events — including being knocked to the floor — was "massively overblown," framing the duke's take as a "cheap shot." According to the source, "Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but [William] is adamant there was no physical violence."

Myers also writesthat once Harry and Meghan decided they wanted to step down from the royal family in 2020, Kate had less interest than William in trying to stop them, as she believed Harry quitting his royal duties was "inevitable." Though Kate had previously been a "voice of reason" amid William and Harry's increasingly fraught relationship, she realized she "could do no more to bring the brothers together." Myers writes that she believed their fundamental differences as the "heir and the spare" had "created the inevitability of Harry wanting more from his role than being a bit-part player."

According to the book, Kate also decided the couple "weren't to be trusted" after they made stunning allegations — including claims the palace was harboring an unnamed royal racist — in a 2021 interview, and that any future engagement with the two should be approached with "the utmost of caution." Kate and William "were both wounded by the numerous accusations and the presentation of Harry and Meghan's 'truth,'" Myers adds, especially Harry's assertion that his brother was "trapped" in the royal system. Kate, meanwhile, "felt deeply let down over Meghan's disclosure of a private exchange" — the infamous fight over bridesmaid dresses before the Sussexes' 2018 wedding — which saw Meghan correcting reports she'd made Kate cry. "The reverse happened," Meghan insisted, publicly revealing the future queen had apologized and sent flowers.

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Dream Is Over

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The renewed scrutiny is just the latest blow for the Sussexes. Things haven't exactly gone to plan since Harry and Meghan decamped to the $14.6 million mansion in Montecito, Calif., they now share with sonArchie, 6, and daughterLilibet, 4. Despite their claim they wanted to be "financially independent," their success has been fleeting. After two seasons of declining ratings, the formerSuitsstar's Netflix lifestyle showWith Love, Meghanwas not renewed for a third season, for instance, while plans to expand her nearly one-year-old food and home goods brand, As Ever, have yet to materialize. An earlier podcast venture fizzled, and the pair's $100 million Netflix deal was downgraded to a first-look deal.

Even projects that showed promise haven't fully delivered. Despite positive reviews and packed screenings forCookie Queensat the Sundance Film Festival in January, the Girl Scout documentary executive produced by the Sussexes reportedly failed to secure a distribution deal immediately following its premiere. And on Feb. 16 came news that London's Hubb Community Kitchen — the first charitable project Meghan backed as part of her royal work in 2018 — had shut down. "Meghan is very disappointed," says the source. "It's yet another stick for her critics to beat her with and a negative piece of news she could well do without."

Loyalty Test

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Then there is "Project Thaw," the attempt of palace courtiers to facilitate a reconciliation between Harry and his ailing father,King Charles III, 77. After they eased their estrangement last September in London with their first face-to-face meeting in more than 18 months, Harry toldThe Guardianthat over the next year, "the focus really has to be on my dad," who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

It's been a moment of clarity for Meghan. After suffering in palace life — she has accused courtiers of failing to stop racist coverage of her in the U.K. press and said she felt so unsupported she contemplated suicide early in their marriage — Harry's potential reconciliation stings, especially for someone who is estranged from her own father. "She knows, deep down, that Harry will never stop being a royal and that their life together is contingent on her accepting that," says the source. "After all his promises and plans for independence, it's a very tough pill to swallow."

Complicating matters is Harry's ongoing hope for security in the U.K. In late 2025, the British government finally agreed to conduct a review of his safety needs — a move poised to open the door to a full-scale return for the couple and their children. Harry has been eyeing a return to Britain around Easter, the source tellsStar, noting "he'd like to head back with Meghan and the kids." Meghan, on the other hand, is desperate to protect her children from the royals. Having not returned sinceQueen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, she "doesn't have any desire to set foot back into the lion's den," says the source, leaving Harry "resigned to the possibility that once again he'll be making the trip by himself."

Future Fears

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It might not just be that trip. This summer marks a decade since Harry and Meghan met and fell in love. With their current issues, critics have questioned whether they'll make it to the anniversary. While a split could be devastating for Meghan, a source says Harry has safely stowed away his estimated $60 million fortune, including an estimated $10 million from his mother and $10 million from his late great-grandmother. "Harry and Meghan did not sign a prenup — it's not the done thing in royal circles," says the source. (Per California law, only assets and income earned by either spouse between the date of marriage and the date of separation are generally considered community property and are split 50/50.) "They had such high hopes when they came to America that things would go their way," says the source. "But it's been one disaster or disappointment after another, there's simply no getting away from that."

• Prince Harry 'In Touch' With King Charles After Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest: 'He Should Be There' (Exclusive)

• Meghan Markle's Dad Thomas Getting Prosthetic Leg So He Can Walk Again After Shocking Amputation

• Neve Campbell Reveals the 'Awkward' Thing Prince Harry Told Her, Clarifies Details About Their 'Date'

This storyPrince Harry and Meghan Markle 'Had High Hopes' About Moving to America, But It's Been a 'Disaster'first appeared onStar. AddStaras aPreferred Source by clicking here.

byLucie Johns

in

February 27, 2026

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘Had High Hopes’ About Moving to America, But It’s Been a ‘Disaster’

Royalty recognizes royalty.Prince Harryand wifeMeghanwere all smiles as they watched the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit...

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Paul McCartney doc explores him 'trying to escape' Beatles shadow

Paul McCartney'ssecond life began the day the Beatles broke up.

Then his life was forever altered again Dec. 8, 1980, when his musical soulmateJohn Lennon was murdered.

Those seismic events bookend"Man on the Run,"the gently probing documentary from acclaimed filmmakerMorgan Neville("20 Feet From Stardom," "Keith Richards: Under the Influence") which streams on Prime Video Feb. 27.

"Think about how, in 1969, Paul marries Linda, he adopts a kid (her 6-year-old daughter Heather), he has a kid (Mary) and the Beatles break up. So kind of everything in his life changes. And I just thought as a filmmaker, that's a great place to begin," Neville said in a Q&A moderated by USA TODAY following a screening in New York. "Then I thought, where does the story end? With John dying. The journey of the 1970s for Paul in many ways is trying to escape the shadow of the Beatles, which is impossible. He's running away from this looming shadow, which is why I called the film 'Man on the Run.' And when John dies, it all stops."

The nearly two hour film centers on McCartney's retreat to a farm in Scotland in 1970 following the official split of perhaps the most consequential band in music history. The Beatles might have dissolved, but McCartney'sneed to expel songs from his brainremained robust.

His lo-fi solo debut, "McCartney" arrived in April 1970, the same month McCartney announced his Beatles retreat (Lennon had secretly departed the band months earlier).

As he struggled through depression and rare critical sniping toward his solo work, McCartney and Linda, depicted in home moviesas his ever-steady rockand champion,formed Wings. The band employed a rotating cast of drummers and guitarists during its near-decade of output and blossomed by 1973 with the landmark "Band on the Run" album. Wings dropped a trove of hits into pop music history ("My Love," "Live and Let Die," "Listen to What the Man Said," "Silly Love Songs" and "With a Little Luck" just a smattering).

"Man on the Run" includes new interviewswith McCartney, 83, as well as daughters Stella and Mary and Sean Ono Lennon. Linda McCartney, who died in 1998, and former Wings players also have a voice from archived interviews and home videos that McCartney, an executive producer of the documentary, freely gave access to Neville.

In a separate interview with USA TODAY, Neville expounded on earning McCartney's trust, the revelation that surprised him and learning McCartney's private reaction to Lennon's death.

More:Paul McCartney's Got Back tour is the unifying elixir we all need right now

Question: We've seen a lot from Paul's life over the years. What was some of the 'I've struck gold' video that you found?

Morgan Neville: When he told me the story of almost drowning in Hawaii. He's never told that story before. Then I found the movie footage and it exactly illustrates what he's describing. Then all of that home video of him writing a song by himself or the family singing 'You Are My Sunshine.' All of that was new to find. As somebody who devoured all things Beatles, there's a lot of stuff in (the documentary) that hasn't been seen or heard.

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Did Paul steer you in any way to certain footage?

No. Paul basically had no direction for me – in a good way. Literally when I told him this is the kind of film I wanted to make, he said, 'OK. Sounds good.' The next time he talked about the film was when he watched the final cut.

Did he have any notes for you?

None. Yes, Paul is an executive producer, but this cut is 100% my film. I did not change a single thing for Paul. Part of that is I guess I built trust with him, but also when I talked to him about the film I just said, look, at times I'm getting very honest about things, but I think the struggles you have are actually incredibly relatable. I felt like it had worked when he said, I really want to show this to my entire family. And he did.

More:Beatles' 'Anthology' update shows just 'how good they were' says Giles Martin

The film delves into the vitriol that Linda experienced and the hatred she got from fans because she wasn't a musician (she learned to play keyboards in Wings). Imagine what that would have been like in today's world with social media.

Paul was coming out of the Beatles at that moment and he was one of themost famous humanson the planet. So every day in the paper there were things about them. That was a kind of fame at that point that was virtually unprecedented, maybe only also with Elvis. It was Linda's idea to move to Scotland. Paul had bought the house there as a tax dodge, and he didn't like it. He'd barely spent a night or two there and Linda said, we need to get away. Once he saw Scotland through her eyes, he said, OK, let's do it. As crazy as it seemed at the time, it actually was incredibly healing. What better way to stay grounded than to literally become a farmer?

I thought it was interesting that you chose not to show any of the interview subjects on camera, so we just hear their voices. Why did you choose that approach?

When you take everybody off camera, it becomes less of "old people looking back" and more present tense. It's like you're in the story as it's happening. Also, the archive was so strong. Fortunately, Paul married a photographer!

More:Go inside 'The Beatles Anthology' with our sneak peek at the new Episode 9 on Disney+

And you added some animations throughout.

Those are all homemade, that kind of stop-motion animation. One of the artistic stories that decade for Paul is DIY. The music was handmade. Recording in your house or in your barn. Even the album covers, there were a bunch of things where Paul was embracing the lack of gloss.

One of the interviews is with John's son, Sean, who really explains Paul's reaction to John's death in public. When Paul told a news team, 'It's a drag, man,' people took his response to be exceptionally cold.

Sean's reaction is so loving and understanding and graceful that he understands that Paul's in shock. In the film, (daughter) Stella tells the story of Paul's real reaction when he gets the phone call (about John's murder), which I've never heard before. That's the private reaction … Paul obviously loved John deeply. All those moments where John would refer to Paul as his best friend or his brother, even when they were fighting, they had that kind of relationship. And the film really is these two love stories of Linda and Paul and Linda and John and Paul.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:New Paul McCartney film spans Beatles breakup, John Lennon death

byLucie Johns

in

February 27, 2026

Paul McCartney doc explores him 'trying to escape' Beatles shadow

Paul McCartney'ssecond life began the day the Beatles broke up. Then his life was forever altered again D...

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Pink denies reports that she is separated from husband Carey Hart: 'Not true'

Pop singer Pinksays she is not separated from her husband, former pro motocross racer Carey Hart, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

People was first to report the story based on an unnamed source Thursday, under the headline, "Pink Separates from Carey Hart for Second Time After 20 Years of Marriage: Source (Exclusive)."

Shortly afterward, Pink posted a video to herofficial Instagram account,describing the story as "fake news, not true."

"I was just alerted to the fact that I'm separated from my husband. I didn't know. Thank you People Magazine. Thank you US Weekly. Thank you for letting me know," she said in the clip. "I was wondering, would you also like to tell our children? My 14-year-old and 9-year-old are also unaware. Or do you want to talk about some real news?"

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People updated its story to acknowledge the Instagram denial. Its story said Pink's representatives declined comment, and Hart's did not respond.

In the video, Pink listed a few current topics of conversation, including the Epstein files and the results of the 2026 Olympics, or the fact that she was nominated for theRock & Roll Hall of Fame.

A representative for Pink directed The Associated Press back to Pink's Instagram video without additional comment. A representative for People did not immediately answer an email seeking comment.

Pink and Hart were married in 2006. They separated in 2008 and reunited shortly thereafter. They have two children: Willow Sage Hart, 14, and Jameson Moon Hart, 9.

byLucie Johns

in

February 27, 2026

Pink denies reports that she is separated from husband Carey Hart: 'Not true'

Pop singer Pinksays she is not separated from her husband, former pro motocross racer Carey Hart, despite reports sugges...

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Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

By Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Asif Shahzad

Taliban soldiers carry rocket launcher in a vehicle near Torkham border

KABUL/ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Pakistan bombed Taliban government forces in Afghanistan's major cities overnight, the first time it has directly targeted its former allies, and described the situation as "open war", raising tensions in a volatile, nuclear-armed region.

The Pakistani strikes hit the capital Kabul and the city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are ‌based. It was the first time Islamabad has attacked the Taliban rather than militants allegedly backed by them, a stark rupture in ties between the Islamic neighbours.

Security sources in Pakistan said ‌the strikes involved air-to-ground missile attacks on Taliban military offices and posts in Kabul, Kandahar as well as Paktia province. There were ground clashes in multiple sectors along the border between the Islamic nations.

The Taliban said it launched what it described as retaliatory ​attacks on Pakistani military installations.

Both sides reported heavy losses, issuing sharply differing figures that Reuters could not independently verify.

"Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan)," Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday.

The strikes threaten to unleash a protracted conflict along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) frontier with relations between Kabul and Islamabad shattered by a long-running dispute over Pakistan's accusation that Afghanistan harbours militants carrying out attacks across the border.

The Taliban have denied the charge and said Pakistan's security is an internal problem.

Pakistan is nuclear-armed and its military capabilities are vastly superior to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban are adept at guerrilla warfare, hardened by decades ‌of fighting with U.S.-led forces, before returning to power in 2021.

Russia, China, ⁠Turkey and Saudi Arabia were trying to mediate, diplomats and news reports said.

Iran, which borders both Afghanistan and Pakistan, has also offered to help, according to its foreign ministry. The offer came as Tehran holds crucial talks with Washington on resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute and averting new U.S. strikes.

DRONE STRIKES

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid ⁠confirmed Pakistani forces carried out air strikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia but did not give details.

On Friday, the Taliban defence ministry said it "successfully conducted" air strikes using drones to hit military targets in Pakistan. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were carried out by Pakistani Taliban militants and all the drones brought down by anti-drone systems with "no damage to life".

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Videos shared by Pakistani security officials showed flashes of light in the night from ​firing ​along the border and the sound of heavy artillery. A video of strikes on Kabul, for which Reuters was able ​to verify the location, showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from two ‌sites and a massive blaze in part of the capital.

Kabul taxi driver Tamim said he was asleep when he heard the sound of an aircraft, which was followed by strikes on what appeared to be a weapons depot.

"We woke up, and the plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again. After that, we heard explosions," he said.

"Everyone, in panic, ran down from the second floor of the house. The ammunition inside the depot kept exploding on its own."

Reuters witnesses in Kabul said many ambulance sirens could be heard following loud blasts and the sound of jets.

Mosharraf Zaidi, a Pakistani government spokesperson, said in a post on X that the action as a response to "unprovoked Afghan attacks", adding 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded, with 27 posts destroyed and nine captured.

Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, said 55 ‌Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 posts seized, while eight Taliban fighters were killed, 11 wounded and 13 civilians injured ​in Nangarhar province.

HIGH SECURITY

Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October killed dozens of soldiers until negotiations facilitated by Turkey, Qatar and ​Saudi Arabia brought an end to the hostilities.

Pakistan has been on high security alert since ​it launched air strikes earlier this week that Islamabad said targeted camps of Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan.

Kabul and the United Nations ‌said the strikes killed 13 civilians and reiterated it does not allow militants ​to operate from its territory. The Taliban also warned ​there would be a strong response.

The government of Pakistan's Punjab province said it was on high alert for militant attacks on Friday and had conducted a series of security operations, taking 90 Afghan nationals to holding centres for deportation.

A state-run media outlet from Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Bakhtar News Agency, shared an image of what it said was a battalion of suicide attackers, and quoted an ​Afghan security source as saying the bombers were equipped with explosive vests and ‌car bombs and were prepared to strike major targets.

Pakistani officials have said in recent days they feared an escalation of militant strikes in urban centres.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar ​and Sayed Hassib in Kabul, Asif Shahzad in Islamabad, Ariba Shahid in Karachi, Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore, Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar and Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; Additional ​reporting by Vinaya K and Fernando Robles; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Stephen Coates and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

byLucie Johns

in

February 27, 2026

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

By Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Asif Shahzad Taliban soldiers carry rocket launcher in a vehicle near Torkha...

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Victoria Beckham ‘Terrified’ of Pals Defending Her Amid Brooklyn Feud — Source

Victoria Beckhamis managing a very public feud with her oldest son,Brooklyn, but the fashion mogul is now trying to control the damage. After Brooklyn released a six-pagestatementaccusing his parents of controlling behavior and mistreating his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, the family rift only worsened — but Victoria reportedly wants her famous friends to stop defending her in the press. She allegedly worries that any public support from her close ones will trigger something bigger than what they are already facing.

Victoria Beckham asking close friends to 'say nothing' on Brooklyn Beckham feud, per source

International Business Timesreported thatVictoria Beckham's feud with her son, Brooklyn Beckham, hit a breaking point when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay decided to speak up. Brooklyn previously claimed that his mother acted inappropriately during a dance at his 2022 wedding — but Ramsay attended the ceremony and firmly denied this, saying, "Victoria is upset, and has every right to be upset."

He added, "There was nothing salacious. There was nothing inappropriate. Everyone was just having fun and having a dance." Brooklyn did not take the defense well and immediately unfollowed Ramsay on Instagram. Now, insiders claim that this is exactly the reaction that frightened Victoria.

An insider claimed, "While Vic desperately wants Brooklyn back, she also wants to tread carefully and doesn't want to poke the bear," explaining, "So many of her pals have offered to speak up on her behalf like Gordon, and although she's been very appreciative of the support, she's terrified it's going to cause Brooklyn to speak out yet again and cause the family more turmoil."

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Moreover, they claimed, "She doesn't want him to say something even more explosive than he already has."

Additionally, singerMarc Anthonyalso stepped into the mess, and his comments allegedly pushed the Beckhams into "crisis mode." Though the family is currently "bracing" for what comes next, the source claimed, "Brooklyn's made it clear he does not want reconciliation, so nobody knows what he could do next."

Still, the insider claimed that Victoria has "checked in with Marc and other pals and told them to say nothing," in an attempt to prevent the feud withBrooklynfrom worsening.

The postVictoria Beckham 'Terrified' of Pals Defending Her Amid Brooklyn Feud — Sourceappeared first onReality Tea.

byLucie Johns

in

February 27, 2026

Victoria Beckham ‘Terrified’ of Pals Defending Her Amid Brooklyn Feud — Source

Victoria Beckhamis managing a very public feud with her oldest son,Brooklyn, but the fashion mogul is now trying to control the damage. Af...

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Shia LaBeouf ordered to rehab after Mardi Gras battery arrest in New Orleans, posts $100K bond

Shia LaBeouf appeared in New Orleans criminal court on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Key Points

• The judge ordered the Transformers star into rehab and required he post a $100,000 bond.

• LaBeouf had been arrested on two counts of misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident during Mardi Gras.

ActorShia LaBeoufwas ordered to rehab Thursday, following his Feb. 17 arrest in New Orleans during the city's annual Mardi Gras celebrations.

Judge Simone Levine mandated that he enroll in treatment for substance abuse, undergo drug tests, and post a bond of $100,000 in order to be released, perPEOPLE.

TheTransformersstar was arrestedon two counts of misdemeanor battery, following an alleged altercation at Royal Street Inn & R Bar.

Officers told EW at the time that they had been called about midnight, after LaBeouf had been thrown out of the bar for allegedly causing a disturbance with aggressive behavior. A man told them that LaBeouf struck him with closed fists several times outside of the bar. Another alleged the actor had punched him in the nose.

LaBeouf was held down by onlookers until officers arrived, police said. He was taken to a hospital and later arrested.

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Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

LaBeouf was initially released on his own recognizance, but when he faced Levine for the Feb. 26 hearing, the judge said that the official court record had only noted after he had been freed that he also allegedly used homophobic slurs, according toThe Guardian. That's when the new conditions were added, and LaBeouf posted bond to secure his release.

Entertainment Weeklyhas reached out to LaBeouf's publicists and lawyer.

TheNew Orleans Times-Picayunereported Thursday that theEven Stevensalum had hired local defense attorney Sarah Chervinsky to represent him in the case. Chervinsky was described as a former public defender who now works in private practice, and a former member of the legal team of Cardell Hayes, who was convicted of manslaughter in the death of New Orleans Saints star Will Smith.

LaBeouf has faced legal trouble before, includingarrestsand asexual battery lawsuithis former girlfriend FKA Twigs filed in 2020. Theysettledout of court in July.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byLucie Johns

in

February 26, 2026

Shia LaBeouf ordered to rehab after Mardi Gras battery arrest in New Orleans, posts $100K bond

Shia LaBeouf appeared in New Orleans criminal court on Thursday, Feb. 26. Key Points The judge o...

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Nepal will hold first election since deadly protests, with 3 rivals vying to be prime minister

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A former rapper who ran Kathmandu as a mayor. The young leader of Nepal's oldest political party. And a communist veteran politician hoping to return to power after being ousted inyouth-led protestsin which dozens were killed last year.

Nepal Election The Contenders

They are the three leading contenders as Nepal heads into a crucial nationwide election, the first since the protests led to the fall of former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli's government in September.

Whoever prevails will become Nepal's 16th prime minister in less than two decades, underscoring the recurring political instability that has marked the Himalayan nation sincethe monarchy was abolishedin 2008.

The protests in Nepal last year revealed the extent of young people's frustration with corruption and a lack of opportunity in the country, where around a fifth of young people are unemployed, but where the children of the political elite seem to enjoy luxury lifestyles and numerous advantages.

After public outrage led to the resignation of the government, millions of Nepalese voters are now gearing up to elect members of the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament. The next prime minister will be chosen after securing a majority in the house.

Ex-rapper is seen as front-runner

Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, is seen as front-runner after emerging as a popular figure during the campaign. He waselected mayorof the capital, Kathmandu, in 2022 and later left the post to become the National Independent Party's candidate for prime minister.

The 35-year-old Shah trained as a structural engineer and later gained modest fame as a rap artist, using his music to take on social issues and politics.

Dressed in his signature black attire and sunglasses, Shah has been touring the country. Supporters often line up to greet him and show support for him and his party.

Shah won the Kathmandu mayor's race as an independent, riding a wave of public anger toward traditional political parties. He drew praise for clearing illegal vendors, tackling the city's chronic garbage problem and pushing road expansions, but also faced criticism for ordering the demolition of homes and properties without adequate planning or notice.

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"Our agenda is that the poor people who have no money in their pockets should get a full education. The poor people with empty pockets should get access to the health facilities. That is our agenda," he told his supporters in western Nepal last week.

A new face in an old political party

Another contender is Gagan Thapa, the newly installed leader of the Nepali Congress, the country's oldest major political party, a liberal democratic party with close ties to India.

Long seen as a popular face within the Nepali Congress, Thapa, 49, had been held back by the party's senior leadership until earlier this year, when he mounted a rebellion and secured his election as party chief.

The Nepali Congress has remained a popular party, but was part of the last coalition government that was forced out by ayouth revoltin September. The youth-led protests were triggered by a social media ban before snowballing into a popular revolt against the government. Dozens were killed and hundreds injured when protesters attacked government buildings and police opened fire on them.

Thapa says his first priority would be to rid Nepal of corruption within five years and make the government fully accountable to the public.

Former prime minister is keen on a return

The other contender for the post isKhadga Prasad Oli, the controversial but strong communist leader who led the coalition government that was forced out of power last year. He is blamed by many for the deaths in the violent protests that ousted him.

Despite criticism of his handling last year's protests, Oli still commands support within the Communist Party and among many of its supporters.

Oli has consistently argued that steady policies and politics are essential for Nepal, warning that the economy needs stability to develop.

Oli's popularity peaked when he stood up to aneconomic blockadeimposed by neighboring India in 2015 that resulted in shortages of fuel, medicine and other necessities.

Nepal is located between Asian giants India and China, and both countrieshave shown keen interestin having influence in their smaller neighbor. Thapa's party is traditionally closer to India while Oli's communist groups are seen as more friendly to China.

byLucie Johns

in

February 26, 2026

Nepal will hold first election since deadly protests, with 3 rivals vying to be prime minister

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A former rapper who ran Kathmandu as a mayor. The young leader of Nepal's oldest political p...

Read More