FirstUp: President Murmu to visit Portugal and other headlines of the day

The week is set to begin on a high note with several events lined up on Monday. Firstly, President Droupadi Murmu will pay a four-day visit to Portugal and Slovakia from today in a bid to expand bilateral ties. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Egypt to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza among other regional matters.

In India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from today. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru today in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in another match of the Indian Premier League.

Here is all that is set to take place today.

President Murmu to travel to Portugal, Slovakia

President Droupadi Murmu will be on a four-day visit to Portugal and Slovakia beginning today with an aim to expand bilateral ties.

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She will visit Portugal from April 7 to 8 at the invitation of President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday (April 2). “The visit is taking place after a gap of 27 years, and comes as India and Portugal are celebrating 50 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations,” it said.

Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with her Portuguese counterpart. She will also meet the Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro and the President of the National Assembly Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

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Macron to visit Egypt

French President Emmanuel Macron will be visiting Egypt’s Cairo to engage in discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regarding the Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza and other regional matters.

Macron will travel to Al-Arish, a city located near the Gaza Strip, on April 8, to meet with humanitarian and security personnel and reinforce his efforts to achieve a regional ceasefire, reported the Egypt Independent.

The visit’s agenda includes the signing of several economic agreements between France and Egypt, focusing on sectors such as transport, health, and renewable energy. Additionally, Macron is expected to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum prior to its official opening in July.

Amit Shah in Jammu and Kashmir

Home Minister Amit Shah will be on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from today to review the security situation in the Union Territory. The visit comes a few days after an encounter in the forest area of Kathua district. As many as four policemen and two militants were killed in the attack near the LoC.

Shah will conduct separate security review meetings in Jammu and Srinagar, with a primary focus on reinforcing border security measures to deter militant infiltration across the border and the Line of Control (LoC), reported The New Indian Express.

Sources indicate the Home Minister may also visit forward areas near the LoC and border in Jammu for security official feedback.

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) today in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. MI has had a mixed start to the season, with one win and two losses in their first three matches while RCB has shown strong form, winning their recent matches and aiming to continue their momentum. ​

Captain Hardik Pandya leads the team, with support from players like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. However, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the match due to injury.  This match is crucial for MI to improve their standings early in the season, while RCB aims to maintain their winning streak.

With inputs from agencies