New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) The Indian Embassy in Portugal issued a strong response to a protest organised by Pakistan outside its Chancery building in Lisbon, reaffirming India’s unwavering stance against what it called “desperate provocations” and reiterated its resolve to counter Pakistan-backed terrorism.“The Embassy of India responded firmly with ‘Operation Sindoor’ to the cowardly protest organised by Pakistan near our Chancery building. We thank the Government of Portugal and its police authorities for their support in ensuring the safety and security of the Embassy. India will not be intimidated by such desperate provocations. Our resolve remains unshaken,” the Embassy stated in a post on X.India’s Ambassador to Portugal, Puneet Roy Kundal, also took to X to underline the strength of India’s response.He wrote, “Protests organised by Pakistan outside the Embassy were met with a silent yet strong and resolute message from our side: ‘Operation Sindoor is not yet over’. All the Embassy officers were steadfast in this approach.”The reference to Operation Sindoor connects directly to India’s military retaliation following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people.The attack by the terrorist group, backed by Pakistan, triggered a forceful response from Indian armed forces, who carried out precision strikes on terror launchpads and camps across the border in Pakistan-occupied territory.The diplomatic echo of Operation Sindoor in Portugal underscores India’s global messaging: that it will not tolerate cross-border terrorism or intimidation, whether through violent attacks or international protests.Officials have made it clear that India’s diplomatic missions remain resolute in the face of provocation and are unified in defending national sovereignty and dignity.The Portuguese authorities, meanwhile, ensured tight security around the Indian Embassy and cooperated fully to prevent any escalation during the protest.The firm messaging from Lisbon reflects India’s broader foreign policy stance, one that pairs military decisiveness with diplomatic clarity on the global stage.–IANSrs/dpb

Cairo, May 19 (IANS) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi called for reaching an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave during a meeting with a visiting US official.Sisi made the appeal in Cairo when meeting with Massad Boulos, US senior adviser for Africa and presidential adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.The two sides discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to restore regional stability, according to the statement.During the meeting, Sisi spoke highly of the joint mediation efforts by Egypt, the US, and Qatar for the ceasefire in Gaza, affirming Egypt’s commitment to continuing its coordination, Xinhua news agency reported.For his part, Boulos affirmed the US commitment to continuing joint efforts with Egypt to restore calm to the Middle East in a way that serves the interests of all parties.Their meeting comes as a new round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas was held on Saturday in Doha. Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that an Israeli negotiation team is working in Doha “to realize every chance for a deal” that will “end the fighting,” secure the release of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, expel Hamas militants, and disarm Gaza.–IANSint/rs

Tehran, May 19 (IANS) Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said that reaching an agreement with the…

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday to provide a comprehensive briefing on the Operation Sindoor and recent tensions between India and Pakistan. The parliamentary committee is headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and is expected to focus on diplomatic, military, and regional implications following the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor.The meeting comes in the wake of heightened cross-border tensions triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed multiple lives and drew sharp condemnation from New Delhi.In response, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across the border. The retaliatory action led to several days of military confrontation between India and Pakistan before both sides reached an understanding to halt hostilities on May 10.Foreign Secretary Misri is expected to update the panel on a range of issues, including the current state of diplomatic engagement with Islamabad, cross-border security challenges, and the broader implications for regional stability.Sources indicate that his presentation will delve into how India is recalibrating its foreign policy priorities amid the changing security environment.Misri has previously briefed members on key foreign policy issues, including India’s evolving relations with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, and recent developments in its diplomatic ties with nations like Canada.The briefing holds added significance given the fragile nature of India-Pakistan relations and the strategic importance of maintaining both military readiness and diplomatic caution.The Committee on Water Resources, chaired by BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, will receive briefings from government departments regarding issues like monsoon-related floods, soil erosion, riverbank protection, and transboundary rivers.–IANSrs/

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple in Kerala on Monday, becoming the first sitting President of India to offer prayers at this revered hill shrine. The historic visit marks a major milestone for the temple, one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in the country.The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the governing body that manages the temple, confirmed the President’s visit, calling it a momentous occasion.President Murmu’s visit is part of a two-day tour of Kerala. On the morning of May 19, she is expected to reach the Nilakkal helipad and travel to the Pampa base camp. From there, she may either trek the 4.25 km uphill route to the temple like traditional devotees or take a vehicle via the steep emergency access road.The final travel arrangement will be determined by the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is overseeing her security.The temple, which opened on May 14 for the monthly rituals associated with the Malayalam month of Edavam, will conclude these observances around the time of her visit.In anticipation of heightened security, the authorities have imposed restrictions at the shrine on May 18 and 19. Devotee access will be temporarily halted, and the virtual queue ticket system has been suspended for those days.Located in the Western Ghats within Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, Sabarimala is one of India’s most sacred and frequently visited pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions of devotees each year.Sabarimala, perched at an elevation of 3,000 feet, traditionally requires pilgrims to undergo a 41-day penance followed by a barefoot ascent from the banks of the Pampa River.–IANSrs/

Washington, May 19 (IANS) Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with a relatively aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office said in a statement.“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” said a statement from Biden’s office. “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement went on to say. “The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”President Biden is 82 and was the oldest president in the US, when he left office earlier this year, making way for President Donald Trump to return to the White House for a second term, defeating Vice-President Kamala Harris.The announcement was received with shock and sadness across party lines.“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” he added.“Praying for Joe Biden and his family to defeat the cancer he’s recently been diagnosed with,” Ro Khanna, a Democratic lawmaker, wrote on X. “He and Jill have always been fighters, and I am confident they will meet this challenge with grit and grace,” he added.The Sunday announcement came amidst renewed interest in President Biden’s health while he was still in office. Questions are being raised about his mental fitness and acuity, with many Democrats expressing surprise and dismay.President Biden lost his son Beau Biden to cancer in 2015, and he has since led a moonshot initiative for cancer cure, first as vice-president in President Barack Obama’s White House and then as president since 2021.–IANSyrj/rs

Chennai, May 18 (IANS) Abishan Jeevinth, the young director of the superhit film ‘Tourist Family’…

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) After playing a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans’ qualifying for IPL 2025 playoffs with a ten-wicket thrashing of Delhi Capitals, left-handed opener B Sai Sudharsan said he hasn’t made much changes as a batter, but has become mentally better in tackling with situations.At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Sudharsan hit 108 not out off 61 balls – his second IPL century laced with 12 fours and four sixes, as GT chased down 200 in 19 overs. He was also supported by captain Shubman Gill making an unbeaten 93 off 53 balls – hitting three fours and seven sixes.“I started to believe a bit more to be honest, the mindset point of view belief has gotten better. Don’t think not many changes as a batter but mentally I have gotten better. When I look at the spinners, maybe I can get better at striking them. After the 15th over I have a lot of things to work on, I’m keeping a check on that.”“There’s a lot of understanding between us (him and Shubman Gill). Running between the wickets is one thing which we talk about and when I do a mistake he points out and similarly from my side as well,” said Sudharsan in the post-match presentation ceremony.Asked on how he aced the chase, Sudharsan said, “It feels great to make the team win. I missed out quite a few times at doing so this season and in the break, I was thinking about it and it paid off today.”“After the 6 overs, the 7-10 overs they bowled really well, the momentum went down, we were cool and calm enough to take the game deep. We got a couple of big overs from 12-13 which helped. Previous games I took chances and got out, but was aware enough to take the right matchups.”Skipper Gill was a happy human after getting GT their third playoffs spot in four seasons.“Feels great to be able to get that Q on the board. Still two important games for us, getting the momentum into the playoffs will be very important. Feels amazing, I have talked about this couple of times. When I’m batting, I want to play and think as a batsman, not as a captain. Last year was a learning for me as I was captain for the 1st time, the back end last season I learnt that.”Asked on what was the training routine like in the time IPL 2025 was suspended, Gill revealed, “We were right back into the game, we were practising. Our fielding had been below-par, we had a bit of time to reflect on that and work on our fielding. Not much (gym work), actually I got sick, the break helped.”He also had words of praise for his opening partner Sudharsan. “He has been in tremendous form this season, the way he has been able to convert the starts. You are seeing the conditions and the situation, we talk about finishing the game and not leave it to anyone else because on a wicket like this a couple of wickets could create pressure. At the halfway mark we felt we gave 10-15 runs extra, they batted well, the ball was spinning.”Parthiv Patel, GT Assistant Coach, feels being a great batting unit has got them the playoffs qualification.“We’ve played some really good cricket overall. It has been a reward for the way we worked over the last couple of months. The low risk cricket that they play is fantastic, they have the ability to hit down the ground.”“We always talk about hitting sixes, but they win the game through hitting boundaries. What you don’t see is how much hard work they put in behind the scenes. The communicate really well, they batted brilliantly last season and they knew what they were doing. The opening pair is always about chemistry, about knowing each other’s game well.”Asked if he will get head coach Ashish Nehra a chair to sit down and relax in the next game, Patel said, “No chance, because he is standing we are in this position. He has been fantastic. I have heard about the atmosphere being really nice in GT, and now that I’m here I can see it for myself. It is also about the hard work that we everyone puts in.”Axar Patel, DC captain, lamented that the pitch became better for batting in the second innings. In DC making 199/3, KL Rahul made his promotion to opening count by hitting 112 not out, but that couldn’t save them from a ten-wicket thrashing to end their home run at Kotla with four defeats in five games.“Obviously, the way they batted, if you don’t lose wickets, the chase becomes easy. I thought the wicket got better as the game progressed. I thought it was a par score, the way we finished, KL was superb, we thought this was a good score. The bowlers tried hard, but we couldn’t win today.”“The way we batted was a big positive, need to improve our fielding and the bowling in the powerplay. The wicket got better in the 2nd innings, it was stopping and gripping in the first innings, but not in the second. Once a batter gets set, it becomes easier to bat.”–IANSnr/

Rome, May 18 (IANS) Carlos Alcaraz silenced the home crowd and halted Jannik Sinner’s bid for a title on his return with a clinical 7-6(5), 6-1 victory in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Sunday, capturing his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title in the process.In a highly anticipated clash between two of the brightest stars of the next generation, the 22-year-old Spaniard held his nerve in a tense first set, saving two set points before edging the tiebreak. From there, Alcaraz raised his level further, dominating the second set to snap Sinner’s 26-match winning streak and secure his 19th career tour-level trophy.“I’m proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally. Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one. I didn’t do a rollercoaster… I maintained my good level throughout the whole match, so I’m really proud about everything I did today,” said Alcaraz.Alcaraz’s triumph in Rome sees him become the first man to win three ATP titles in 2025, adding to earlier triumphs in Rotterdam and Monte-Carlo. He now owns a Tour-leading 30 wins this season and is the fifth man in history to win all three clay-court Masters 1000 events—joining legends Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten, and Marcelo Rios.The No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner was competing in his first event since winning the Australian Open in January and was aiming to become the first male Italian champion in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976.Alcaraz’s mixture of topspin, variety, and resilience was on full display throughout. He won 21 of 27 first-serve points in the first set and saved all break points faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. In the second, his relentless baseline play and signature drop shots wore Sinner down, sealing a fourth consecutive win in their head-to-head rivalry.As the tour heads to Roland Garros, Alcaraz will arrive in Paris brimming with confidence and chasing a second French Open crown.“All eyes are on Paris right now, on Roland Garros,” said Alcaraz. “Beating Jannik, winning Rome, both things mix together and give [me] great confidence going to Paris. I always say ‘The final is not about playing, the final is about winning’. I just repeat [that] approach everytime I play a final.”–IANSaaa/

Bhopal, May 18 (IANS) All attention is riveted on the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Monday, where the case of Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah is likely to be heard.Equally significant is the cabinet meeting set to take place on Tuesday at the historic Rajwada Palace in Indore which is being convened to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the revered ruler of Indore.The Manpur police (Indore rural) have yet to record Minister Shah’s statement or initiate any decisive legal action against him.Uncertainty looms over whether Minister Shah will attend the meeting, given the legal proceedings against him. His presence could provoke political unrest further, with the opposition Congress party likely to seize the opportunity to demand his arrest in protest, Congress party sources said.The minister has found himself embroiled in controversy following his ‘inflammatory remarks’ against senior Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, whom he referred to as the “sister of terrorists” while addressing a gathering in Raikunda village of Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow, Indore) earlier this week.His comments have sparked widespread condemnation and legal scrutiny. In response to the uproar, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a ‘suo motu’ congnisance of the matter and directed that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against Shah under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita 2023.Also, the court decided to oversee the investigation. However, the investigation by the Manpur police remains sluggish and “mere formality” in drafting the FIR.The court had passed strict orders and decided to oversee the investigation. While police authorities have gathered video footage related to the incident, they have neither recorded Shah’s statement nor identified key witnesses, if sources are believed.Law enforcement officials appear to be adopting a cautious, wait-and-watch approach, said the source. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in a brief discussion with media on Wednesday said his government would follow instructions of the court and affirmed that he would not demand Shah’s resignation.Mohan Yadav and his cabinet colleagues are expected to arrive in Indore a day ahead of the cabinet meeting in Indore organised as a grand event at Rajwada Palace.It is set to be a maiden occasion, with elaborate decorations adorning the historic venue. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Monday will be pivotal—if Shah is granted relief, he may participate in the meeting; however, if the court denies him reprieve, his attendance could pose a significant challenge for the government, a senior ex-civil servant said adding, if sections does not define penal provisions more than seven years, he is most unlikely to be arrested.At present, Shah remains elusive, reportedly retreating to his assembly constituency and avoiding public appearances. The Manpur police continue to tread cautiously in their investigation, having secured video evidence but refraining from taking Shah’s statement or finalising witness testimonies.Their approach suggests a keen awareness of the impending court verdict on Monday.Preparations for Tuesday’s cabinet meeting are in full swing. Rajwada Palace has been adorned for the occasion, with the session set to take place in its Ganesh Hall. Ministers are expected to arrive in Indore on Monday to ensure their participation in the historic gathering.–IANSsktr/pgh