Author: space4knews

In the Gaza Strip, it is not only objects falling from the sky that pose problems; creatures emerging from beneath the ground are also creating serious challenges. Amani Abu Salmiya is inside a tent at the Sports Club camp in southern Gaza, preparing for her wedding in ten days. She was inspecting the wedding clothes and supplies she had carefully prepared over months. “I was showing my friends the ready clothes and materials… everything was perfectly prepared,” she said. “The next day, I heard the sounds of mice. Later, I found many of the clothes torn and eaten.”

“The damage was not only material but also deeply emotional. I had worked very hard to make those items, and everything was expensive… yet nothing could be saved. We had planned to keep the clothes in my home tent so the groom’s family could also see them – but what happened was very heartbreaking.”

Despite a ceasefire in October 2025, approximately 80% of Gaza’s nearly 2.2 million residents still live in temporary camps, according to the United Nations. Many homes remain destroyed, and nearly half of the area remains under Israeli military control. Though the tents in the camps serve as temporary shelters, the ground itself presents ongoing risks. Overcrowding has led to unprecedented proliferation of mice and insects, complicating the situation further.

“Previously, a mouse even came at us,” Amani recounted. “We block the tent at night using bricks and wood, but the mice still get inside.” Basel Al Dahnoon, displaced from Beit Lahiya near the Israeli border, suffers from kidney failure and diabetes. His wife once saw blood flowing from his foot and later noticed a mouse had bitten his toe during the night. “Feet affected by diabetes require special care, but the conditions here are extremely difficult,” said the 47-year-old Basel. “Mice and mosquitoes are everywhere. The risks are increasing as summer approaches.”

“Conditions inside the tents are unbearable. Mice and mosquitoes constantly bother us. My children spend nights frightened to move around,” he added. “These mice can carry serious diseases, so this is a matter of risk. I also suffer from severe allergies and immune system issues.”

At the start of April, Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan highlighted the widespread proliferation of mice and other creatures in Gaza, urging WHO to provide materials immediately to control the situation. The ministry reported that waste and debris stimulate mouse populations, increasing risks of serious diseases transmitted through bites, waste, and parasites.

The most prominent diseases include hemorrhagic fever, plague, mouse-bite fever, and salmonella. Not only mice but also more dangerous reptiles such as snakes and scorpions have been appearing as summer nears. In one camp, a young girl suffered from a fever after being bitten by an unknown insect. Her mother, Um Ramez, said, “Doctors estimate the virus could last around 30 days. It has already been 17 days, and we are putting our trust in God. I only give her medicine to reduce the pain, but she is still sleeping with a high fever.”

She recalled her daughter waking up crying. “We found an insect the size of a large bag.” “Otherwise, we spend nights in fear. There are no torches to even look around. There is no security here. Everything is torn and destroyed. No matter what we do, it never feels enough.”

Dr. Mohammad Abu Afesh, director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in Gaza, stated, “The current conditions favoring the spread of mice are the greatest problem and constitute a genuine public health threat. The dangers are especially high where food and water are accessible inside tents.” “There have been injuries requiring hospital and health center visits. While exact statistics are unavailable, these incidents are increasing, and without immediate prevention, a major crisis may occur.”

“Animals that bite and sting, previously rare, have also become more common, creating serious risks and even attacks in some camps.” According to Afesh, pest control is nearly non-existent. The destruction of infrastructure, limited capacity of local authorities, and bans on pesticides have all contributed to the spread of mice. He called on international agencies to urgently provide necessary materials, disinfectants, and fuel supplies for sanitation efforts.

Currently, some youth are attempting to combat the infestation by spraying agricultural insecticides, setting simple traps inside tents, and removing waste from the settlements. “We are trying to control mice and insects using basic materials,” said Mahmoud Al-Amawi, a social media content creator from Gaza City. “Doing something is better than doing nothing.”

However, the war has left Gaza littered with over 670,000 pieces of rubble and waste, including 4 million tons of extremely hazardous materials. The United Nations reported that this volume is 13 times larger than Egypt’s largest pyramid.

Pandit Dinbandhu Pokharel conducted a 34-day spiritual journey across more than 12 European countries, engaging in dialogue with Nepalese expatriates. Pokharel provided an in-depth analysis of the lifestyle, emotional state, and the challenges of preserving Nepali identity among the new generation living abroad. He is currently advancing plans to establish a spiritual center in Ramkot, Nagarkot Municipality-7, Kathmandu, with the aim of positioning Nepal as a global spiritual hub.

Having recently returned to Nepal after completing a month-long European tour, Pokharel visited over 12 countries including Belgium, Spain, Norway, Portugal, France, Denmark, and Finland. During this journey, he conducted spiritual programs and interacted directly with Nepalese communities abroad. This marks his third trip to Europe—previous visits were in 2011 and 2022—and overall, he has traveled to 44 countries and conducted spiritual events in approximately 33 countries. During this recent tour, he closely observed the lifestyle, emotional wellbeing, generational challenges, and spiritual needs of the Nepali diaspora.

Pokharel offered a profound analysis touching on multiple aspects, from the lack of inner peace and self-satisfaction among Nepalese who have gone abroad in search of work and income, to the challenge of sustaining Nepali identity among the younger generation. Based on themes such as unity among Nepalese abroad, love for tradition, and the necessity of spiritual awareness, an edited excerpt of Pokharel’s conversation with journalist Basant Ranabhat is presented here.

How do you assess this spiritual journey through Europe? This was my third trip to Europe—in 2011, 2022, and now in 2026. This recent journey lasted 34 days and was historic for me. Everywhere I went, I witnessed enthusiastic participation from devotees. The trip had three main objectives: first, to connect with the hearts of Nepalis living abroad; second, to awaken spiritual awareness; and third, to lay the groundwork for constructing a Nepali cultural center. Overall, I feel this journey was exemplary, unprecedented, and extremely successful.

In your experience, what is the reality of life for Nepalese living abroad? How different is the outward appearance compared to the actual experience? I have often said during my discourses that from the outside, it seems that both work and income are good. However, ‘comfort, reputation, and bliss’ appear relatively less visible. Materially, many Nepalese are capable and established, but internally there is a sense of emptiness, exhaustion, or pain. This is why the purpose of my spiritual journey was not limited to just ‘work and income’; it was also to help people understand the importance of ‘comfort, reputation, and bliss.’

Spiritual programs are not merely fleeting moments of enthusiasm; they have a long-term impact on an individual’s consciousness and thinking. I believe we were somewhat successful in delivering this message. During these programs, participants displayed enthusiasm, energy, and mental calmness. This clearly indicates that despite outward success, many experience a lack of ‘bliss and comfort,’ that is, peace and joy. I feel this spiritual journey contributed to partially filling that void.

The Secretariat meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has started on 20th Baishakh at the central office in Bansthali. Spokesperson Manish Jha has provided this information. The meeting is scheduled to discuss the framework for selecting local level candidates for the year 2083, the procedures for the general convention 2083, and amendments to the parliamentary party’s regulations, among other topics.

The Israeli military has issued an urgent warning to residents of 11 towns and villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate their homes and move at least 1,000 meters away to open areas. The army stated that it has taken actions due to violations of a ceasefire by Hezbollah and cautioned that any fighters or individuals nearby could be at risk.

Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting buildings it claims are linked to Hezbollah. On Sunday, the Israeli military warned residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes without delay. According to Reuters, the army indicated it may carry out attacks in these 11 specific towns and villages.

According to the British newspaper The Independent, the Israeli military asserted that this operation is aimed at Hezbollah, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire agreement. The military warned that Hezbollah fighters or anyone found near them could be endangered. The Iranian-backed armed group has also launched drone and missile attacks against Israeli forces in Lebanon and northern Israel.

Sagar Dhakal has officially taken the oath of office and secrecy as a Secretariat member of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Rashwapa) on Baisakh 20. The ceremony was conducted at the party office in Bansthali, where he was sworn in by Party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane.

During the Central Committee meeting held on Baisakh 7, the number of Secretariat members was increased, bringing the total to 16. Chairman Lamichhane’s proposal to appoint Dhakal and Saritashree Gyawali as Secretariat members was approved during this meeting. With these appointments, Rashwapa’s Secretariat now consists of 16 members.

Narayan Datt Paudel, the newly appointed Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Nepal, is scheduled to receive his badge from Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha on Monday, April 20. Following Raju Aryal’s completion of his four-year term and mandatory retirement on April 18, the government decided to appoint Paudel as the new IGP.

Although the IGP position became vacant on Saturday, the badge ceremony has been scheduled for Monday due to a public holiday. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the event where Paudel will be formally presented with the badge by Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha is confirmed. The outgoing Home Minister Sudhan Gurung had announced that the Prime Minister would confer the badge to the IGP; however, this arrangement could not be implemented following his removal.

The badge ceremony will take place at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, according to sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

File photo summary: Member of Parliament Ashika Tamang has called on the government to create a proper learning environment for children living in holding centers. After meeting with displaced victims at the Radhaswami Satsang Byas Ashram in Kirtipur, she urged the government through social media to accelerate the organization of schooling for these children. MP Tamang highlighted complaints that the new enrollment season has passed and that many children have been unable to attend school. Kathmandu, 20th Baishakh – MP Ashika Tamang has appealed to the government to ensure an appropriate educational environment for children living in the holding centers of the displaced settlements. Following her visit to victims at the Kirtipur Radhaswami Satsang Byas Ashram, she drew government attention to their plight. Writing on Facebook, she stated, ‘I have heard complaints that children have missed school and that many have also missed the new enrollment season. It is essential that the government prioritizes and arranges for these children to attend school as soon as possible.’

When purchasing packaged food items from the market, one should pay attention not only to the taste, brand, or offers but also to the colors on the packaging. Colored symbols such as green, red, yellow, blue, black, and white on packaged foods convey information about the ingredients and health-related aspects. Green indicates vegetarian, red signifies non-vegetarian, yellow denotes egg-based products, blue indicates special nutrition, and black represents highly processed items. Nowadays, consumption of packaged foods is widespread, including sweets, biscuits, frozen foods, chips, instant noodles, and snacks for children. Due to busy lifestyles, many people are drawn to packaged foods. But have we ever noticed the small colored marks on these packages? Many may recognize green or red marks, but recently, some products also feature blue, yellow, or black symbols. These are not mere design elements; rather, they serve as indicators related to the nature, contents, and health implications of the food.

Being mindful about diet in today’s times is essential. People’s eating habits vary greatly—some are strict vegetarians, some consume eggs but avoid meat, and others are vegans who avoid all animal-derived products. Therefore, it is wise to understand the ingredients in the products before purchasing. These colored marks provide a brief insight into the contents inside the packaging. They also signal which items can be consumed regularly and which should be eaten in moderation. Hence, when buying any packaged food from the market, it is important not only to check the flavor, brand, or offers but also to carefully look at the labels and colored symbols on the package.

April 20, Kathmandu – The Secretariat meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is scheduled for today. According to spokesperson Manish Jha, the meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the party’s central office in Bansthali, where the framework for selecting candidates for local elections will be discussed.

Additionally, the agenda includes discussions on the procedures for the upcoming general convention and amendments to the parliamentary party’s regulations. The meeting will also cover various current issues under different topics. Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane has instructed that attendance of all Secretariat members is mandatory.

April 20, Kathmandu – Preparations are underway to demolish a large house located in the Dhobi Khola corridor in Devinagar. The government has labeled the structure as an encroachment and has initiated plans for its removal. Security personnel are currently collecting materials from the house. A significant deployment of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and municipal police has been made in the area. The building hosts various businesses including a restaurant, bar, and spa. In recent days, this house has become a major topic of discussion on social media. Meanwhile, reports indicate that other squatter houses in the area have already been demolished.