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The UN Human Rights Council's vote against a US-led draft decision on Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region showed that the international community would not be easily misled despite pressure from the US and some other Western countries, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in a late statement on Thursday, Global Times reported. The international community is clearly aware that the ultimate motive of the US and some other Western countries behind their Xinjiang narrative is to contain China and does not like this pattern of using human rights as a pretext to meddle in other countries' internal affairs, said the spokesperson. The remarks came after the 51st session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday voted down a draft decision on Xinjiang region, which was pushed by the US and some other Western allies. Despite pressure from the US and its allies, the draft decision ended up unsupported by the majority of the Human Rights Council membership, especially many members from the developing world. The agenda has again failed to gain international support, said the spokesperson. The issues related to Xinjiang are not about human rights. They are about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism. Thanks to strenuous efforts, there has been no violent terrorist incident in Xinjiang for over five consecutive years. The human rights of people of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are protected like never before, the foreign ministry spokesperson said. "For some time now, the US and some other Western countries have been misinforming the public about Xinjiang region and seeking political manipulation in the name of human rights simply to smear China's image and contain China's development," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson stressed that these countries have ignored facts and truths about Xinjiang region, noting that in recent years, nearly 100 countries, including many Islamic countries, have spoken out openly in support of China's just position on issues related to Xinjiang and have expressed opposition toward using these issues to interfere in China's internal affairs. The issues that the Human Rights Council truly needs to focus on are the serious human rights violations concerning the US, the UK and some Western forces, including systemic racism and racial discrimination, the rights of refugees and migrants and rampant gun violence, said the spokesperson, according to Global Times. China urged the US and other Western forces to abandon political manipulation, disinformation and suppression, return to the track of dialogue and cooperation, and make real contributions to the global advancement of human rights.

Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) leaders were absent from the ruling coalition meeting held to decide seat distribution. JPS leaders did not participate in the meeting expressing their dissatisfaction with the seat distribution. According to JSP sources, leaders including Chairman Upendra Yadav are in final preparations for electoral alliance with CPN-UML. After getting only 16 seats in the ruling coalition, Yadav reached Balkot, KP Oli's residence on Thursday expressing disagreement with the alliance. According to sources, there is also a draft agreement with UML Chairman Oli. But the JSP sources say that there is still few things left to finalize the agreement. Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed displeasure saying that JSP is going to destroy the alliance. His secretariat has mentioned that an alliance was formed to protect the constitution and if it is destroyed, the federalism and the political achievements will be attacked. "The regressive, anti-federal democratic forces may be daydreaming of plotting to destroy the coalition without agreeing on seat distribution and leading the country towards regression. But the coalition was built on the foundation of ideological and political objectives. There may be some disagreement. But it is the wish of all of us that this coordination should continue until the federalism is institutionalized and the regression is completely defeated. If someone deviates from this basic principle, it will be an attack on democracy, federalism and the achievements we have achieved," Dahal's secretary Ganga Dahal wrote on Facebook. She mentioned that the alliance was formed to protect the constitution against regression and respect the votes of the Nepalis in favor of progress rather than any political gain.

Query I’m a 19-year-old student and I suffer from impostor syndrome. I lack confidence and every time I try to achieve something or be productive, I always question my potential. So much so that I refrain from taking up any opportunities that I know are good for my future. I feel like I will fail in whatever I do. This insecurity has led me to believe I’m not good enough and everything I do is worthless. My studies are being hampered and I’m unable to do even the simplest task that I’m assigned. I get nervous and sweaty and I can’t breathe. Everything feels fuzzy and I feel like I will collapse if I have to take on any more responsibilities. How do I cope with this? Please help!—A nervous fella Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health First thing I want you to do is acknowledge everything you have been feeling. You have mentioned that this imposter feeling has brought about a lot of self-doubt and feeling of incompetence. It’s obvious that it has caused a lot of problems in your emotional wellbeing and overall performance.  One thing you need to do is identify what kind of imposter syndrome you have been dealing with. Only then can we proceed towards the solution by customizing the steps to deal with your problem. Some of the types of imposters are perfectionists, experts, soloists, natural geniuses, and super humans. Finding out which category you belong to is very essential to determine what you need to do to overcome it.  Secondly, you can’t let your experiences or moments of doubt control you. Remember this feeling is momentary. It’s not your whole life. It will pass. There are a few things you can follow through to make things better for yourself. Stop fighting what you feel and start acknowledging it. Question your thoughts and identify if they are rational or not. You can also go on to do a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Obstacle, Threat) analysis to assess your abilities. That will help you be clear of what you are capable of and not just feel incompetant like you mentioned. It will also help you identify what triggers your feelings of being an imposter.  Also, stop comparing yourself to others. It’s easier said than done but remember everyone has their own set of skills and own growth graph. Comparing yourself with everyone else will only hurt your growth. Move forwards with baby steps, if you must. A gradual progression is still a progression.  It will help a lot of you find someone to talk to about the way you feel. Sharing feelings and building connections will help you gain a new perspective into your personality. It will definitely be something different from what you think of yourself.  Lastly, it’s okay to seek professional help if you feel like you are stuck while trying to get over this feeling of being an imposter. Psychologists and counselors are always there to guide and help you through the process of healing. 

Three members of the same family have died in a landslide in Chandragiri. Police said that Raju Shrestha, his wife Rekha Shrestha and daughter Sarathi Shrestha of Kavre were buried in a landslide near Deurali in Chandragiri Municipality-2. According to the police, they died when the landslide occurred while they were sleeping in the Reiki Meditation Center.

Currently Nepal is under the influence of a low pressure area in and around the Bay of Bengal in central-west. Due to this, light to moderate rains will occur across the country, according to the Weather Forecast Division. Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces will have normal to full change in weather, while the rest of the provinces will have partial to normal, the department said. Similarly, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at many places in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and some places in the remaining provinces. Heavy rain is likely at some places in Sudurpaschim Province, a few in Karnali Province and one or two places in Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces. The department has also requested to take necessary precautions as the water level in rivers and canals may rise causing floods and other natural disasters.

UN human rights council meeting in Geneva has rejected an American-led call for a debate on the report that accused Beijing of serious human rights abuses and possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang province.

The 47-member by 19 to 17 rejected an American-led call for a debate on the report at the next human rights council in spring. Eleven countries abstained. A simple majority was required.

China has reaffirmed that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue, urging the US side to take action, show sincerity, and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue, Global Times reported. "All parties concerned should focus on the overall situation of peace and stability on the Peninsula and prevent the situation from escalating, " Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at Wednesday's UN council on the situation of the Peninsula. The UN members met after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Tuesday. Geng said that China has noticed North Korea's recent missile launches, and also noticed the joint military drills held by the US and other countries in the region. Geng said the recent strengthening of the US'  military alliance in the Asia-Pacific region heightened the risk of military confrontation, practiced double standards on the nuclear issue, and poisoned the regional security environment. Against this background, the situation on the Peninsula inevitably becomes tense, Geng said. "Historical experience shows that dialogue and consultation are the only correct way to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. If the dialogue progresses smoothly, the situation on the Peninsula will be relatively stable; if the dialogue stalls or even reverses, the situation on the Peninsula will escalate," Geng said. "We call on the US side to take action, show its sincerity and effectively address the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the North Korean side, in order to create the conditions for the resumption of dialogue," he said, according to Global Times. Geng also stressed that the UN Security Council should play a constructive role on the Korean Peninsula issue, and should not blindly exert force and pressure. As a close neighbor, China pays close attention to the situation on the Peninsula and will always insist on maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula, realizing the denuclearization of the Peninsula and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.

Nepal’s rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane underwent a medical check-up after being detained upon his arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport and will now be presented before the court on Monday.  The plane carrying Lamichhane who was on the run for a month after the registration of a case of raping a minor landed about 45 minutes later than the estimated time of arrival due to bad weather. Lamichhane flew to Kathmandu via Qatar Airways and was detained at the immigration desk as he already was on a black list subjecting him to immediate arrest. Donned in white joggers, a black mask and a cap with Jordan sign on it, the former Nepali national cricket team captain walked out of the airport surrounded by Police personnel and handcuffed.  “He has been arrested from the airport upon his arrival. Medical tests were done and he would be interrogated today itself,” Dinesh Raj Mainali, SP of District Police Range Kathmandu said. “He is currently kept at Gaushala Police Station but has chances of transfer to other places depending on the situation.”  Lamichhane will remain in custody till Monday as the courts across Nepal are closed till Sunday as the festive holiday is still on. A girl, 17, filed a case alleging that Lamichhane took her to various places in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur all day on August 21 and brought her to a hotel in Sinamangal where she was raped the same night. A diffusion notice was issued from INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) as he was on large leave with his location unknown since the registration of a case against him. The Kathmandu District Court had also issued an arrest warrant against him over the case of raping a 17-year-old minor along with the Immigration Department blacklisting him. Within 25 days of his formal arrest, the case is required to be registered with the court via the District attorney’s Office. Police would further conduct the investigation and then submit its report to the attorney’s office and then a formal case would be registered at the court once the report states the events mentioned in the complaint and the police investigation match.  Hearing over the case would decide whether to leave Lamichhane on bail or remand him in custody. It could take weeks for him to get the first hearing from the judicial body.  Last year, leg spinner Lamichhane was appointed as the captain of the Nepal cricket team. He formerly captained the Nepal Under-19 side first in 2016 during the Asia Cup and then in 2017 for the Asian Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier. He has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL).  The Police, on the other hand, has initiated an investigation under the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017’s Section 219. The National Penal (Code) Act, 2017 has criminalized the offence of rape under Chapter-18, Section 219. Section 219 (2) defines rape as “where any person has sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent or with a girl child below eighteen years of age even with her consent, the person shall be considered to commit rape on such woman or girl child.”  Section 219 (2) (a) states that consent obtained by way of coercion, undue influence, intimidation, threat, misinterpretation, or kidnapping or taking of hostage shall not be considered consent. Furthermore, section 219 (2) (b) ensures that consent obtained at the time of being of unsoundness of mind shall not be considered consent. If proven guilty, Lamichhane would be facing imprisonment of 10 to 12 years. (ANI)