"He Talks Bad About...": Union Minister On Rahul Gandhi's US Visit

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to visit the USA at the end of this month, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday took a jibe at the former Wayanad MP saying he visits abroad 60-times in a year and every time "tears down" the country.

"I usually don't comment on Rahul Gandhi because I scratch my head to try to understand why he is saying what he is saying. When PM Modi travels abroad, he speaks about our country's achievements and earns respect for India. This man (Rahul Gandhi) goes abroad 60 times a year. On every visit, he tears down India and our institutions. He talks bad about our democracy, about EVMs, the justice system, media, and everything," the Minister said.

He further slammed the Congress leader and said that only Rahul Gandhi has a problem with Indian democracy.

As per the sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who was scheduled to fly to the United States for 10 days on May 31 has rescheduled his tour and will now embark on his journey on May 28.

Rahul Gandhi will attend a program at Stanford University and meet the Indian expatriates on May 29-30.

He was earlier scheduled to embark on a 10-day visit to the USA beginning on May 31.

Rahul Gandhi dominated the headlines as he returned from London after giving speeches at Cambridge University, critical of the government and throwing light on Indian democracy.

In March 2023, Rahul Gandhi delivered a speech at Cambridge University, at a convention organized by the Association of Journalists in London, and finally during an in-conversation session at the Chatham House think tank in London.

"Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space," Rahul Gandhi said at Cambridge University in the UK.

"The institutional framework which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilization, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," he had added.

The remarks by the Congress MP gave fresh ammunition to the ruling BJP, who demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi.

Several of his statements in the UK stoked controversy in India. BJP intensified its attack on Rahul Gandhi with party chief JP Nadda alleging he is a "permanent part of the anti-India toolkit".

The BJP leader demanded an apology from the former Wayanad MP.

The second leg of the Budget session of Parliament witnessed deadlock.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to apologize for remarks that he made in London about democracy in India; the Congress insisted on the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe allegations of dubious financial transactions and dishonest business practices against the Adani Group of companies.

On April 11, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from his position as a Member of Parliament after his conviction in a defamation case. He was disqualified in accordance with Article 102(1)(e) of the Indian Constitution read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

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Watch: Anupam Kher Takes Satish Kaushik's Daughter Out For Lunch, Internet Calls Him "True Legend"

Anupam Kher may be a busy actor but he always makes sure to take time out for his late friend and actor Satish Kaushik's daughter Vanshika. The two recently dined together at the 10-year-old's favourite hotel, the JW Marriot in Mumbai. 

Sharing a video from the lunch outing, Vanshika Kaushik wrote, "Papa and I came often to Marriott for breakfasts and lunch's. Wonderful to repeat the routine with my favourite Anupam uncle. And how can we not make a reel together? Bullet for u (heart emoji) with the one and only #Anupam Kher". 

Watch the clip below: 

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A post shared by vanshika kaushik (@vanshika_kaesthetics)

In the short video, Anupam Kher is seen making goofy faces with Vanshika. 

The 10-year-old shared the clip just a few hours ago, and since then it has accumulated more than 530,000 views and over 35,000 likes. In the comment section, internet users praised the actor for keeping his promise to spend a lot of time with Vanshika. 

"More n more respect for you sir. God bless both of you. U r not just a good human being but a good friend in every sense," wrote one user. "@anupampkher in my life i really wish before I die I earn a frnd like you like you have been to Mr Kaushik. Salute to you," said another. 

A third user wrote, "Anupam sir is a true legend in every way, May god grant him long life". A fourth added, "Everyone needs one Anupam in their lives. Everyone". 

Also Read | Rare Sun Halo Spotted In Delhi After Rains, Twitter Users Share Stunning Pics

Satish Kaushik died on March 8. He is survived by his wife Shashi and daughter Vanshika. In his three-decade-long, the actor played many memorable roles such as Calendar in 'Mr India', Pappu Pager in 'Deewana Mastana', Chanda Mama in 'Mr and Mrs Khiladi' among others.

In April, Mr Kher hosted a musical evening on the occasion of Mr Kaushik's birth anniversary. At the event, he promised Vanshika that he will take care of her and will love her like her father. He even promised to spend time with her. 

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Over 9,000 Afghans File Asylum Applications In EU In A Month: Report

The European Census Bureau has reported that over the past month, more than 9,000 Afghan citizens have applied for asylum applications in the EU member states, a record-high number of asylum applications by any single country, according to Khaama Press.

According to the European Census Bureau, asylum interests in the EU member states at the beginning of the current year have increased by 40 per cent compared to last year.

While releasing the monthly report on Thursday, the European Census Bureau said that 76,500 people have submitted asylum applications to the EU in February alone, indicating a 40 per cent increase compared to that of last year.

The EU has added that based on the available statistics, the number of initial asylum requests in February last year was 54,370.

It is reported that Syrians and Afghans are the largest groups of asylum seekers in the EU member states over the past years.

The statistics indicated that 77 per cent of the asylum application have been recorded in Spain, Germany, France and Italy respectively. Germany alone received more than 25,000 applications in February, making it the largest number of asylum requests in the country, as per Khaama Press.

According to European Union statistics, among the new asylum seekers, 2,745 are unaccompanied minors of which 1,025 were Afghan citizens.

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Imran Khan Calls For Immediate Talks With Pak Government Amid Row: Report

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday appealed for immediate talks with state officials. This comes as pressure mounts on him amid a crackdown on his top aides and supporters that saw thousands arrested as well as many leaving his party, Pakistan based The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

The clampdown started earlier this month when Imran's supporters were involved in violent protests following his brief arrest on May 9.

"I would like to appeal for talks because what is currently happening is not a solution," Imran said in a live talk streamed on YouTube, warning that the country was headed towards anarchy, as per The Express Tribune.

The political unrest worsened as Pakistan faced its worst economic crisis in decades. Inflation was at record highs, economic growth was anaemic, and there were fears that the country could default on external debts unless the International Monetary Fund unlocked delayed disbursements.

Meanwhile, three Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Thursday announced quitting the Imran Khan-led party. With this, a huge list of leaders have deserted the party following the May 9 riots, Geo News reported.

Maleeka Bokhari in a press conference in Islamabad, said: "I condemn the events that transpired on May 9. For every Pakistani, the events that took place on May 9 are very painful."

Announcing her "dissociation" from the party, Bokhari said she wasn't under duress and "no one forced me into making this decision".

Cheema in a a separate press conference, said he and his wife could not continue with the Khan-led party due to the violence that ensued after the PTI chief's arrest.

"I was there at the Corps Commander House myself. It saddened me to see what was happening there. The people who were involved in it should be punished," he said.

He said it is a party's failure if its workers are violent.

Former Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar has also stepped down as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s Secretary General. The announcement by Umar came shortly after he was released from the Adiala Jail, Pakistan based The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Umar announced his decision during a press conference at National Press Club in Islamabad on Wednesday.

"Not possible for me to lead the party under these circumstances. I am resigning as Secretary General and core committee member of PTI," he said while addressing the press conference.

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5 Arrested Over Involvement In Fake Gold Smuggling From Assam: Cops

Police on Friday arrested five persons and recovered a fake gold statue of Jesus Christ, biscuit in two separate operations in Assam's Nagaon and Sonitpur districts, police said.

In the first operation, police conducted an operation at Namdoboka Pathar area under Doboka police station in Nagaon district and arrested three persons.

The police team recovered one fake gold statue of Jesus Christ weighing 1.700 kg in possession from them.

A police officer of Doboka police station said that they launched the operation based on secret information.

"We have recovered one fake gold statue of Jesus Christ and arrested three persons. The arrested have been identified as Aslam Talukdar, Zubair Hussain and Iqbal Hussain. Our investigation is on," the police officer said.

In a separate operation, Sonitpur district police arrested two persons and recovered a fake gold biscuit from the Tezpur Salanibari area.

The arrested persons were identified as Ikramul Hussain and Jamal Ali.

Further investigation is underway.

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India Likely To Witness "Below Normal" Rainfall In June

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that the rainfall all over India in the month of June will remain 'below normal' levels adding that states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and northern India will witness above normal temperatures.

While talking to ANI, RK Jenamani said,"In June, the rainfall all over India will be below 92 per cent, which is below normal. In states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Orissa, and northern India the temperature is likely to stay above normal, the probability that temperature will be above normal is 70-80 per cent."

Earlier today the IMD had said that monsoon is expected to make onset in Kerala on June 4 and that it will most likely be normal this year.

"We are expecting the monsoon to arrive in Kerala around June 4. Before June 1, we are not expecting the monsoon to arrive. Monsoon is most likely to be normal this year," IMD said.

IMD also said that as per the predictions that stand as of now northwest India will get below-normal rain this year.

"There is no cyclone probability in the Arabian Sea for next week. In northwest India, as of now, below normal rainfall will be there," IMD officials said.

Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about 7 days. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing operational forecasts for the date of monsoon onset over Kerala from 2005 onwards.

Last year, the monsoon over Kerala occurred on May 29, two days after IMD's prediction on May 27. The operational forecasts of the date of monsoon onset over Kerala during the past 18 years (2005-2022) were proved to be correct except in 2015, the IMD said.

The southwest monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala and is an important indicator characterizing the transition from a hot and dry season to a rainy season.

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"Imran Khan's Mental Stability Questionable": Pakistan Health Minister

Pakistan's Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Friday said that Imran Khan's "mental stability is questionable" and alleged that the former prime minister's urine sample showed evidence of toxic chemicals like alcohol and cocaine.

Addressing a press conference on the medical reports of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party chief issued after the collection of samples at the premier Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) here following his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case on May 9.

"This is your prime minister about whom a five-member panel of senior doctors is saying that his mental stability is questionable. There was some inappropriate gesture," he said, adding that 70-year-old Imran Khan's medical report will be shown to the nation, as it was a "public document".

"The medical report is saying that when we talked to Imran for a long time, his actions were not that of a fit man," Dawn News quoted the minister as saying.

Mr Patel also alleged that the initial report of Imran Khan's urine sample revealed findings of toxic chemicals, "the likes of alcohol and cocaine".

The minister also claimed that there was no mention of any fracture on the leg in Imran Khan's medical reports while he "went around with a plaster on his leg for five to six months".

Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt on November 3 last year during a march against the federal government in Punjab province. He was shot in the shin and thigh on the right leg.

"Have you ever seen anyone having himself plastered for a wound on the skin or muscle?" Mr Patel asked.

The minister said he would write to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) disciplinary body on doctors "wrongly" declaring the cricketer-turned-politician's leg fractured.

While terming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman a narcissist, Patel said the former prime minister "should be kept in a museum".

"Being a narcissist, he is insistent on his lies and calls them the truth. This narcissist has been inciting people and diverting the youth to the wrong path," he added.

Imran Khan's medical report was made public amid a crackdown on the PTI and its supporters for the violence that erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in a corruption case.

Official figures estimate the violence left more than 10 persons dead while the PTI claims more than 40 of its workers were killed and thousands injured in the May 9 mayhem.

The Pakistan government and the Army have termed the violence on May 9 as a "Black Day" in the history of Pakistan.

Some of the top leaders of PTI are in jail while some others have quit the party and public life.

Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and more than 600 leaders and former assembly members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have been barred from leaving the country.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday the government was mulling a possible ban on Khan's PTI party following the attacks by his supporters on military installations after the former prime minister's arrest.

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