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Ten Nepali students enrolled in educational institutions in the southern region of Israel have been killed following the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas, the Palestinian group. Nepali Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rizal confirmed the deaths. 

Issuing a press note on Sunday, Nepali Embassy in Israel said that four Nepalis were injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital while one is still missing.

The deceased have been identified as Narayan Prasad Neupane and Ashish Chaudhary of Kailali, Ganesh Kumar Nepali of Bajhang, Dipesh Raj Bist and Lokendra Singh Dhami of Darchula, Anand Sah of Dhanusha, Rajesh Kumar Swarnkar of Sunsari, Rajan Phulara of Doti, Padam Thapa and Prabesh Bhandari of Salyan.

“The embassy is doing necessary coordination with the Israeli government to send the deceased bodies to Nepal,” the embassy statement reads. The embassy further says that the online registration will be opened soon for those who want to return back to Nepal.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister NP Saud had informed the Parliament that there may have been some casualties. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sewa Lamsal had also indicated about the possible casualties.

Among the injured Nepalis are Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary from Tikapur, Himanchal Kattel from Gorkha, and Bidhan Sejuwal from Salyan. They are receiving treatment at a local hospital. Reports suggest that one of the injured is in a critical condition. 

Minister Saud briefed Parliament that the security situation in Israel remains complex for the foreseeable future, and the government is fully committed to providing necessary support and facilitating rescue of Nepali citizens there. 

“Coordination and facilitation efforts are underway with the Israeli government to ensure the safety, rescue and support of Nepalis residing in Israel,” said Saud.  

Around 4,500 Nepalis are currently employed as caregivers in Israel. Additionally, there are 265 Nepali students studying there as part of the ‘Learn and Earn’ program of the Israeli government.

Among these students, 119 are from the Agriculture and Forestry University, 97 from Tribhuvan University, and 49 from the Far-Western University (FWU). Seventeen students from FWU were employed at an agricultural farm in Alumim, situated near the war-torn Gaza Strip.

Kalpana Joshi, a Nepali student, told ApEx that 18 Nepalis were hiding in a small bunker at Shorashim Farm in Mivtachim of Israel.

“There are 18 Nepalis here, three from the Far Western University and 15 from the Agriculture and Forestry University. Twelve of us are female students,” she said.

CPN-UML Chief Whip Padam Giri has demanded that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal take steps to rescue Nepalis in Israel.

Giri said that it is not only sufficient to issue a press statement. “Instead, the Prime Minister himself should hold a telephone conversation with his counterpart and take initiatives to protect the lives of Nepalis,” he said. Giri urged the Nepali representatives attending the United Nations General Assembly to draw the UN’s serious attention for the rescue of the Nepali citizens trapped in Israel. 

Sushil Neupane, the head of the School of Agriculture at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of FWU, said they have halted internal examinations and teaching activities, and are trying to work a way out. “Efforts are underway to communicate with the affected students,” he says.

Among the 17 individuals working at Alumim, Birendra Chaudhary from Tikapur has been communicating via social media, providing information about being surrounded by the military. “Nine students have been successfully contacted through social media, and all students are currently staying at their respective shelters,” says Neupane.

Ramesh Bahadur Karki from Bajura, Binod Prasad Sah from Rautahat, Abhash Bhattarai from Kailali, Naresh Singh Bhandari from Kanchanpur, Lokendra Bista from Dadeldhura, Rohit Nayak from Kailali, Niranjan Kumar Kusahwa from Rautahat, Arvinda Kumar Chaudhary from Kailali, and Upendra GC from Banke are among those who have come into contact.

Of the 49 students in the final semester of their Bachelor’s degree program in Agricultural Science, 15 departed for Israel on Sept 12, while the remaining 35 students left on Sept 13. The students’ program in Israel comprises one day of study, five days of work and one day of vacation, all part of the ‘Learn and Earn’ initiative. This marks the first time that students from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences have been sent to Israel as part of this program.

The militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip have launched an unprecedented, multifront attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets. Dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border at several locations, catching the country off-guard during a major holiday. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was ‘at war’ and called for a mass mobilization of army reserves. At least 600 people have reportedly been killed in Israel—a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades—and more than 300 have been killed in Gaza.

The government of Nepal has also strongly condemned the ‘terrorist attack’ in Israel that left nine Nepalis injured. “At this critical hour, we express our solidarity with the Government of Israel,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government extended heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the people and Government of Israel, as well as to the victims and their families. “We wish for a speedy recovery of the injured,” added the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact

Nepal Embassy in Israel: +972(0)35168085

Ambassador Kanta Rizal: +972545864423

First Secretary Arjun Ghimire: +972528289300

Email: [email protected]

Ten Nepalis have died in the attacks of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Israel.

According to Nitin Bhandari, a Nepali student, four persons have been injured and one is still missing.

He said that two others are in safe hands of police.

Bhandari said that all of them are the students of Far-Western University.

The deceased have been identified as Narayan Prasad Neupane and Ashish Chaudhary of Kailali, Ganesh Kumar Nepali of Bajhang, Dipesh Raj Bista and Lokendra Singh Dhami of Darchula, Ananda Sah of Dhanusha, Rajesh Kumar Swarkar of Sunsari, Rajan Phulara and Padam Thapa of Doti and Pravesh Bhandari of Salyan.

Nepali Ambassador to Israel Kanta Rijal confirmed the death of 10 Nepali in the attack.

Pramod KC of Salyan and Birendra Chaudhary of Kailali are in safe hands.

Among the four persons injured in the attack, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary of Kailali and Himanchal Kattel have sustained injuries in their legs. They are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Bipin Joshi of Kanchan has not come in contact with the concerned authority.

I’m a 20-year-old female currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. While everything seems fine with my studies and life in general, I can’t shake the feeling of unhappiness. I would say I’m only 10 percent happy, and within that 10 percent, my parents and my boyfriend bring me joy. I’m struggling to pinpoint the exact cause of my unhappi. Please help me.

Answered by Rishav Koirala, psychiatrist and researcher

As a 20-year-old female pursuing your Bachelor’s degree, your persistent unhappiness is a matter of concern, and it’s important to recognize that multiple factors can contribute to this state. First,we need to find out whether it is natural or pathological (related to illness). If there are major negative ongoing events in one’s life, feeling of sadness is common. But we tend to overcome such sadness with time. If these symptoms are present without any major reason, then mood disorders such as dysthymia, and depression and adjustment disorders can be potential contributors to your unhappiness. Dysthymia, often referred to as persistent depressive disorder feeling, is characterized by chronic feelings of sadness and hopelessness that persist for at least two years or longer. While it may be less severe than major depression, dysthymia can still significantly impact your daily life and overall happiness. On the other hand, depression is a mood disorder marked by intense feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can be episodic or chronic and can significantly affect one’s ability to function in daily life.

Academic stress is another factor worth exploring in your situation. Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree can be demanding, with the pressures of coursework, exams, and future career expectations. It’s advisable to discuss your academic concerns with an academic advisor or counselor who can offer guidance and strategies for managing your workload more effectively.

Moreover, it’s crucial to evaluate your overall lifestyle. Are you getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity? Neglecting these basic self-care practices can have a considerable impact on your mood and contribute to feelings of unhappiness. Sleep problems, in particular, can manifest in various ways, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep for long hours, waking up too early, or experiencing poor sleep quality. These disturbances can disrupt your sleep cycle, leading to fatigue, irritability, and mood changes during the day. Sometimes, sleep disturbances may even serve as a symptom of underlying mental health conditions or stressors.

Regarding the duration of your condition, it’s important to note that it can vary widely depending on the specific issues involved. Mental health concerns like unhappiness, depression, or anxiety can have varying durations and trajectories. While some individuals may experience relatively short episodes, others may deal with these issues for more extended periods. To gain a deeper understanding of your specific situation, it’s essential to consider the possibility of underlying emotional or psychological factors. A licensed mental health professional can be instrumental in helping you explore these factors further and identify any underlying issues or traumas that might be contributing to your unhappiness. Consulting with such a professional can be a crucial step toward improving your overall well-being and finding effective strategies for addressing the root causes of your discontent.

Skin care is just as important as taking care of oral hygiene. Nowadays, people are relying more on social media beauty influencers who promote beauty and skin care products which sometimes can be rather misleading due to differences in skin types. Doing so may lead to allergies, rashes, irritation, and other skin problems. Therefore, it is crucial to treat your skin with skin experts instead of somebody you know.

Ami Pradhan is a consultant dermatologist in Healthy Choice Clinic at Baluwatar. She has been counseling and helping her clients with their skin problems. Babita Shrestha interviewed Pradhan about better practices to keep your skin healthy.

What are the key factors contributing to overall skin health? What basic steps should it include?

First and foremost, healthy skin means a healthy body and lifestyle. For that, you should have nutritious food,  a stress free mind, exercise and healthy sleep patterns. To work precisely on skin health, the first basic steps are cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. In order to keep skin healthy, you must follow a daily skin care routine. In case you have sensitive skin, skin care is mandatory otherwise you may face severe skin problems. 

What role does diet and nutrition play in maintaining healthy skin?

A healthy, balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants can enhance your skin. You can nourish your skin even more by avoiding drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol, and aerated beverages. Be mindful of  keeping your body hydrated because when you keep your body healthy, your skin naturally gets healthier. So, for hydration, it's better if you drink 2-3 liters of water per day. 

What are your recommendations for sunscreen use for different skin types?

If you look at the tube of sunscreen, you can find sun protection factors ranging from SPF 30 to SPF 50+. Your use must be at least SPF 30. Additionally, you can check Ultraviolet A Radiation (UVA) and Ultraviolet B Radiation (UVB) spectra. The best sunscreen to use is broad spectrum because it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. These days, people are frequently exposed to mobile devices, laptops, and computers. For this, you can also find blue light and infrared light sunscreen. 

In addition, it is very crucial to use sunscreen based on your skin type. If you have oily skin, it’s better to use gel form and for dry skin, you can use cream form while for normal skin, lotion is recommended. Your skin will look better if your sunscreen suits your skin type. For the fact, the sunscreen can only last for 3-4 hours, so reapplication is very important. Nowadays, you have sunscreen sticks available in the market, which is quite handy to re-apply. Moreover, using the right portion of sunscreen is vital for healthy skin. According to medical research, 30 ml is required for the whole body. But it's impossible to measure everyday life. So, I recommend you to use the two finger rule to measure the amount.

Are there any ways to identify one’s skin type?

First, wash your face, and don’t apply any cream for one hour. Later you can check the sensation in your skin. If you feel rough and tight, it goes on the dry side and if you see oil in your T-zone including forehead, nose, chin and cheeks, it’s the oily skin. For combination skin type you may find both oily and dry sides. Sometimes, the hormonal cycle may also affect your skin type, especially in females. During the menstrual cycle, most of the time you have oily skin. It’s because of the production of sebum which is why you have skin breakouts. Besides, your skin type might change according to weather, age and some medication you take.

Are there common mistakes about skin care?

There are many. First one is the use of Glutathione IV tablets to make skin look fairer, which is not true. Glutathione is an antioxidant which boosts immunity in the process it helps skin. But it does not work for skin whitening. Secondly, it's about the use of Vitamin C serum for glowing skin. And another mistake is manipulating pimples in an unhealthy way. I highly recommend you not to do so as it will take a longer period to heal the scar. Not just that, later you might have a risk of infection. In case if you have to, do it in a very sterile way and if it is severe, it's better to seek professional help. 

How can one choose appropriate skin care products?

For dry skin it’s better to use cleanser instead of face wash while moisturizer and sunscreen can be used in cream form. As for oily skin, face wash is always a better option and you can use gel form moisturizer and sunscreen. While choosing serum, you can look out for hyaluronic acid serum which helps in retaining moisture. But if you have acne prone skin, niacinamide and salicylic acid is better in case of oily skin. For combination skin you can use any depending on your skin type. Also, there are other specific serums which you can use as per your concern.

What are some signs of skin problems?

I highly recommend visiting a professional if you have any irritation and discomfort in skin. Because sometimes a simple mole can turn into cancer. In case your mole is changing its size, color and texture, it’s better to seek skin expert help because with biopsy, they can figure out if it’s just benign or malignant.

What are the potential risks and benefits of various skincare treatments?

Skincare treatment makes your skin healthy and in good conditions. But before that, you should know that skin should be well prepared prior to any medical procedures. For instance, if you are doing peeling or laser therapy, your skin must be sun protected and  moisturized. If not,  then you may have side effects and healing may take time. And even after, if you don’t take proper basic skin care, darker marks might appear in the skin. Therefore,  treatments and basic skin care should go hand in hand to avoid any skin complications.

What skincare adjustments as you grow older?

As you age, your collagen starts depleting which results in signs of aging like wrinkles, puffy eyes and sagging. There is a skin turn over process, meaning our skin forms from the inner side and exfoliates the outer cell. This mostly occurs in teenagers every month  as a result their skin looks fresh. With your aging, the duration of cell time elongates which makes your skin dull and you lose plumpness. You can’t stop aging but can make your skin healthy using anti-aging ingredients using retinol and Vitamin C serum. You can try Micro-needling, which is considered one of the best skin procedures.There is also the option of Botox, which is only a preventive procedure for wrinkles as you have to periodically do it within 3-4 months.