2018 Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day and May Day - Tuesday May 01,2018

Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day and May Day, is celebrated on May 1 in India.

The occasion pays tribute and respect to workers.

The origin of the day dates back to the 19th century, when trade unionists, socialists and communists in the United States demanded better working conditions, timings and wages for labourers.

They sought an eight-hour movement where only eight hours in a day were utilised for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.

In India, Labour Day as a concept was introduced by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan.

Its leader, Comrade Singaravelar, first led celebrations on the occasion in Madras (now Chennai) on May 1, 1923 by holding two meetings, one at Triplicane beach and the other on the beach opposite the Madras High Court.

The party passed a resolution stating that the government should grant workers a national holiday on May 1.

Ireland Baldwin bares all for nude photoshoot Monday April 30,2018

Ireland Baldwin bares all in a new Instagram image she shared on Monday April 30,2018

 

Shot by photographer Tyler Kandel the model is seen completely naked as she emerges from the ocean with her hands in her hair.

The 22-year-old covered her modesty with scribbles over her nipples when she posted it with no comment except to tag the Kandel

Kenyan Film 'Rafiki ' a drama about two girls who fall in love banned

The first Kenyan entry ever nominated for an award at the Cannes Film Festival will debut in France in two weeks — but it is now illegal for Kenyans back home to watch it.

The Kenyan Film Classification Board on Friday April 27,2018 banned the film, “Rafiki,” a drama about two Kenyan girls who fall in love. Ezekiel Mutua, the board’s chief executive officer, said the film “legitimizes homosexuality against the dominant values, cultures and beliefs of the people of Kenya.”

Mr. Mutua said the film board’s ruling did not represent a ban on homosexual content.

“Homosexuality is a reality,” he said. “What we are against is the endeavor to show that as a way of life in Kenya.”

In the film, directed, written and co-produced by Wanuri Kahiu, the girls are separated by their communities, which oppose their relationship.

Ms. Kahiu said the film included several scenes of kissing and intimacy between the two girls. The board did not object to those, she said, but asked her to change the ending, which, she said, the board found “too hopeful.” She refused

The film ends by showing the two girls together, but it remains unclear whether they have maintained a relationship.

Handshakes that shook the world

The Moon-Kim handshake was historic by all means at the Korean Summit April 27,2018

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un (L) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) shake hands over the military demarcation line upon meeting for the Inter-Korean Summit on April 27, 2018 in Panmunjom, South Korea

 


 But it wasn’t the first handshake that shaped history.

Some other handshakes that made history:

ARAFAT-RABIN, 1993

 

* In Sept 1993, in one of the most dramatic moments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine’s Yasser Arafat — with US President Bill Clinton’s arms stretched around them — shook hands.

* The meet yielded autonomy for occupied Palestinian lands, and ended its bloody uprising — the Intifada. Two years later, Rabin was killed by a Jewish extremist opposed to the process. A fresh Intifada broke out in 2000.

OBAMA-CASTRO, 2013

 

* At a memorial service for Nelson Mandela in 2013, US President Obama made headlines when he shook hands with Cuba’s Raul Castro, the first such public greeting between leaders of the bitter neighbours after decades of enmity.

* Within months, there was a rapid thaw. Full diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015, followed by once-unthinkable steps to mend ties after more than half a century of enmity.

QUEEN ELIZABETH-MCGUINNESS, 2012

In a landmark moment in the Northern Ireland peace process, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II met Martin McGuinness, a former top commander in the Irish Republican Army(IRA) He wanted end to British rule in the province, which was a cause for much bloodshed in the region.

XI-MA, 2015

After decades of estrangement following a traumatic split at the end of a civil war in 1949, the presidents of China and Taiwan met for the first time in Singapore. In unprecedented scenes, China’s Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou shook hands for more than a minute and smiled for reporters before holding talks. The summit led to the setting up of a hotline between Beijing and Taipei and a lowering of tensions.
 


 

World's first floating nuclear reactor set sail on its maiden voyage from Russia

The world's first floating nuclear reactor set sail on its maiden voyage from Russia bound for the Arctic far east.

 

Akademik Lomonosov was on Saturday April 28,2018 towed out of St Petersburg harbour where it was built, equipped with two nuclear reactors.

The 21,500-tonne ship will be pulled through the Baltic sea and around the tip of Norway to Murmansk, a city of 300,000, to be loaded with fuel

 

From there it will continue on to Chukotka, over the straight from Alaska, to power the port town of Pevek and oil rigs when their reactor shuts down in 2019.

 

The £70 million behemoth is 144m long 30m wide and 10m high, needs a crew of 69 to operate it, and provides 70 megawatts of electricity or 300 of heat.

2018 Buddha Purnima Monday April 30,2018

Buddha Purnima marks the birthday of Gautam Buddha, who later became the founder of Buddhism.

 

According to the Vedic literature, Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Lord Krishna (Vishnu) and thus, he appeared on this earth some 2500 years ago to teach the message of mercy and non-violence towards all living beings.

A sacred day, the festival is celebrated all around the world across various countries in different ways.

People visit the holy shrines of Lord Buddha and offer him prayers on this day. In some countries, people also release birds, insects and animals as an act of “liberation” to spread Buddha’s message as a ritual

Take a look at how the world is gearing up to celebrate the auspicious day.

A devotee offering prayers to Lord Buddha on the occasion of Budh Purnima in Kolkata

 Buddhists light butter lamp during Buddha Purnima at Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal

 Buddhist devotees sit among Buddha statues at Phaung-Taw-Chat-Ma Pagoda during the full-moon day of Kasone, also know as Buddha Day, at Lewe township, on the outskirts of Naypyitaw, Myanmar

A Bangladeshi Buddhist family offer prayers in front of a statue of Buddha during Buddha Purnima in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

2018 Chithirai Festival Celebration in Madurai - 'Lord Kallazhagar' enters into Vaigai River Monday April 30,2018

Devotees take part in a religious procession of 'Lord Kallazhagar' entering into Vaigai River during Chithirai festival celebration in Madurai on Monday April 30,2018

President Ram Nath Kovind Felicitates Commonwealth Games Medal Winners

President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind pose for a group photo with the medal winners of the Commonwealth Games 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi

2017-18 UEFA Champions LeagueSecond Leg SF Real Madrid Vs Bayern Munich @ Santiago Bernabéu Tuesday May 01,2018

In the first leg SF,Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 2-1 @ Alliance Arena ,Germany

Bayern are without winger Arjen Robben for the trip to the Bernabeu after he suffered a leg injury eight minutes into the first leg.

Left-back David Alaba (thigh) and midfielder Javi Martinez (head) are both expected to return from injury.

Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem, but Isco trained on Monday despite a shoulder injury.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• No team has overturned a 2-1 home first-leg defeat in the Champions League, in seven previous such occurrences.
• Bayern and Real will meet for the 26th time in European competition, more than any other fixture. Real have won 12 of these encounters to Bayern's 11 victories (two draws).
• Bayern have lost their past six games against Real (all in the knockout stages of the Champions League), their longest run of defeats against one opponent in European competition.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored nine goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League - the only player to have netted more goals against a single opponent in the competition is Ronaldo himself, scoring 10 against Juventus.

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid have scored in each of their past 41 Champions League games at the Bernabeu, last failing to find the net in April 2011 against Barcelona (2-0).
• Under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid have never been knocked out of the Champions League, progressing in all eight of their two-legged ties as well as winning the two finals they've appeared in. They've also won seven of their eight knockout games at home (L1).

Bayern Munich

• Bayern Munich are on a run of two Champions League games without a win (D1 L1). They have not gone three matches in a row without a victory in the competition since 2009 (September-November).
• They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 13 Champions League away games, their joint-longest such run in the competition (equalling the record set between April 1999 and December 2000).
• No player has been involved in more goals for Bayern in the Champions League this season than Joshua Kimmich (six - three goals and three assists).
• Robert Lewandowski has failed to score in his past four Champions League games with Bayern Munich, his longest drought with the club. He has never failed to find the net in five consecutive outings in the competition.

The Match ended in a 2-2 draw 

Goal Scorers
For Real Madrid - Karim Benzema 11 and 46th minute
For Bayern Munich - Joshua  Kimmich (3rd minute) and James Rodríguez (63rd minute)


Defending champions Real Madrid reached their third successive Champions League final as they edged out Bayern Munich in a thrilling semi-final second leg.

Trailing 2-1 after the first leg in Germany, Bayern needed a win at the Bernabeu to reach the final but it finished 2-2 as Real clinched a 4-3 aggregate victory.

• Under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid have never been knocked out in the Champions League, progressing in all nine of their two-legged Champions League ties as well as winning the two finals they have appeared in.
• Real Madrid's Keylor Navas made eight saves against Bayern Munich, his highest tally in a Champions League knockout game.
• Sergio Ramos made six clearances in the first half, more than all Bayern Munich players combined (five).
• Zidane is the first manager to reach three consecutive Champions League finals since Marcello Lippi between 1996 and 1998.
• Real Madrid have reached their 16th European Cup/Champions League final - more than any other side.
• James Rodriguez is the seventh player in Champions League history to score both for and against Real Madrid (also David Beckham, Alvaro Morata, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fernando Morientes, Arjen Robben and Ivan Zamorano).
• Bayern Munich have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 14 Champions League away games, their longest such run in the competition.

2017-18 Premier League Monday April 30,2018

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Watford
Tottenham Hotspur beat Watford 2-0

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised his side's "massive" win as they beat Watford to move closer to securing qualification for next season's Champions League.

Goals from Dele Alli (16th minute)and Harry Kane(48th minute) gave fourth-placed Spurs a scrappy victory at Wembley Stadium that took them five points clear of Chelsea with only three matches to play

• Tottenham have scored in each of their past 23 Premier League games, their longest scoring run in the top flight since April 1987 (26 games).
• Watford have gone seven Premier League away games without scoring (drew one, lost six), since Andre Gray found the net against Manchester City on 2 January.
• Harry Kane made his 150th appearance in the Premier League. In those games Kane has netted 105 goals; only Alan Shearer managed more in his first 150 in the competition (121).
• Christian Eriksen has been directly involved in nine goals in his past eight games in all competitions (five goals, four assists).
• Eriksen (10 goals, 10 assists) is the third Spurs player to register 10-plus goals and 10-plus assists in a single Premier League season, after Jurgen Klinsmann in 1994-95 and Emmanuel Adebayor in 2011-12.
• Dele Alli has been involved in seven goals in his past seven games for Spurs in all competitions (five goals, two assists).
• Watford are the only side to have more than one goalkeeper make an error leading to goal this season in the Premier League (two each for Heurelho Gomes and Orestis Karnezis).
• Kieran Trippier has notched one goal and five assists in his six top-flight appearances against Watford.

2018 Indian Premier League(IPL)Season 11 April 07- May 27,2018 - Match 31 RCB Vs MI @ Bengaluru Tuesday May 01,2018

2018 IPL Match Results

Match 01 MI Vs CSK @ Mumbai Saturday April 07,2018
Scorecard
MI                      176/7 in 20 Overs
CSK                   177/6 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result      CSK won by 1 wicket
MOM                 Dwayne Bravo(CSK) for his 68(30 Balls 4x3 and 6x7)

Match 02 KXIP Vs DD @ Mohali Sunday April 08,2018 

Scorecard
DD                         166/7 in 20 Overs
KXIP                      167/4 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result           KXIP won by 6 wickets
MOM                      K L Rahul(KXIP)for his 51(16 Balls 4x6 and 6x4)

Match 03 KKR Vs RCB @ Kolkata Sunday April 08,2018

Scorecard
RCB                   176/7 in 20 Overs
KKR                   177/6 in 15.5 Overs
Match Result     KKR won by 4 wickets
MOM                 Sunil Narine(KKR) for his 1/30(4 Overs) and 50(19 Balls 4x4 and 6x5)
 

Match 04 SRH Vs RR @ Hyderabad  Monday April 09,2018

Scorecard
RR                   125/9 in 20 Overs
SRH                  127/1 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result     SRH won by 9 wickets
MOM                 Shikhar Dhawan(SRH)for his 77*(57 Balls 4x13 and 6x)

Match 05 CSK Vs KKR @ Chennai Tuesday April 10,2018 

Scorecard
KKR 202/6 in 20 Overs
CSK  205/5 in 19.5 Overs
Match Result CSK won by 5 wickets
MOM Sam Billings(CSK)for his 56(23 Balls 4x2 and 6x5)

Match 06 RR Vs DD @ Jaipur Wednesday April 11,2018
Scorecard
RR                       153/5 in 17.5 Overs
DD                         60/4 in 6 Overs(Target 71 Runs)
Match Result       RR won by 10 Runs under D/L
MOM                   Sanju Samson(RR) for his 37(22 Balls 4x2 and 6x2)

Match 07 SRH Vs MI @ Hyderabad Thursday April 12,2018 

Scorecard
MI                           147/8 in 20 Overs
SRH                        151/9 in 20 Overs
Match Result          SRH won by 1 wicket
MOM                      Rashid Khan(SRH) for his 1/13(4 Overs)

Match 08 RCB Vs KXIP @ Bengaluru Friday April 13,2018 

Scorecard
KXIP                       155/10 in 20 Overs
SRH                        159/6 in 19.3 Overs
Match Result           RCB won by 4 wickets
MOM                      Umesh Yadav(RCB)for his 3/23(4 Overs)

Match 09 MI Vs DD @ Mumbai Saturday April 14,2018

Scorecard
MI                        194/7 in 20 Overs
DD                       195/3 in 20 Overs
Match Result        DD won by 7 wickets
MOM                    Jason Roy(DD) for his 91*(53 Balls 4x6 and 6x6)

Match 10 KKR Vs SRH @ Kolkata Saturday April 14,2018

Scorecard
KKR                   138/8 in 20 Overs
SRH                    139/5 in 19 Overs
Match Result       SRH won by 5 wickets
MOM                   Billy Stanlake(SRH) for his 2/21(4 Overs)

Match 11 RCB Vs RR @ Bengaluru Sunday April 15,2018 

Scorecard
RR                          217/4 in 20 Overs
RCB                        198/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result          RR won by 19 Runs
MOM                      Sanju Samson(RR) for his 92*(45 Balls 4x2 and 6x10)

Match 12 KXIP Vs CSK @ Mohali Sunday April 15,2018 

Scorecard
KXIP                  197/7 in 20 Overs
CSK                    193/5 in 20 Overs
Match Result       KXIP won by 4 wickets
MOM                   Chris Gayle(KXIP) for his 63(32 Balls 4x7 and 6x4)

Match 13 KKR Vs DD @ Kolkata Monday April 16,2018

Scorecard
KKR                  200/9 in 20 Overs
DD                     129/10 in 14.2 Overs
Match Result      KKR won by 71 Runs
MOM                  Nitish Rana(KKR) for his 59(35 Balls 4x5 and 6x4)

Match 14 MI Vs RCB @ Mumbai Tuesday April 17,2018

Scorecard
MI                          213/6 in 20 Overs
RCB                       167/8 in 20 Overs
Match Result         MI won by 46 Runs
MOM                     Rohit Sharma(MI) for his 94(52 Balls 4x10 and 6x5)

 Match 15 RR Vs KKR @ Jaipur Wednesday April 18,2018

Scorecard
RR                     160/8 in 20 Overs
KKR                  163/3 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result     KKR Won by 7 wickets
MOM                Nitish Rana(KKR) for his 35*(27 Balls 4x2 and 2/11(2 Overs)

Match 16 KXIP Vs SRH @ Mohali Thursday April 19,2018

Scorecard
KXIP                     193/3 in 20 Overs
SRH                       178/4 in 20 Overs
Match Result         KXIP won by 15 Runs
MOM                     Chris Gayle(KXIP) for his 104*(63 Balls 4x1 and 6x11)


Match 17 CSK Vs RR @ Pune Friday April 20,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      204/5 in 20 Overs
RR                         140/10 in 18.3 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 64 Runs
MOM                     Shane Watson(CSK) for his 106(57 Balls 4x9 and 6x6) -3rd IPL Ton

Match 18 KKR Vs KXIP @ Kolkata Saturday April 21,2018

Scorecard
KKR                         191/7 in 20 Overs
KXIP                        126/1 in 11.1 Overs(Target 125 Runs in 13 Overs)
Match Result            KXIP won by 9 wickets under D/L
MOM                        K L Rahul(KXIP)for his 60(27 Balls 4x9 and 6x2)

Match 19 RCB Vs DD @ Bengaluru Saturday April 21,2018

Scorecard
DD                             174/5 in 20 Overs
RCB                           176/4 in 18 Overs
Match Result              RCB won by 6 wickets
MOM                          AB de Villiers(RCB)for his 90*(39 Balls 4x10 and 6x5)

Match 20 SRH Vs CSK  @ Hyderabad Sunday April 22,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      182/3 in 20 Overs
SRH                      178/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 4 Runs
MOM                     Ambati Rayudu(CSK)for his 79(37 Balls 4x9 and 6x4)

Match 21 RR  Vs MI @ Jaipur Sunday April 22,2018

Scorecard
MI                          167/7 in 20 Overs
RR                         168/7 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result         RR won by 3 wickets
MOM                     Johra Archer(RR) for his 3/22(44 Overs) - Maiden IPL Match

 Match 22 DD Vs KXIP @ Delhi Monday April 23,2018

Scorecard
KXIP                     143/8 in 20 Overs
DD                         139/8  in 20 Overs
Match Result          KXIP won by 4 Runs
MOM                      Ankit Rajpoot(KXIP) for his 2/23(4 Overs)

 Match 23 MI Vs SRH  @ Mumbai  Tuesday April 24,2018

Scorecard
SRH                    118/10 in 18.4 Overs
MI                         87/10 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result      SRH won by 31 Runs
MOM                  Rashid Khan(SRH)for his 2/11(4 Overs)

Match 24 RCB Vs CSK  @ Bengaluru Wednesday April 25,2018

Scorecard
RCB                  205/8 in 20 Overs
CSK                  207/5 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result     CSK won by 5 wickets
MOM                M S Dhonei(CSK)for his 70*(34 Balls 4x1 and 6x7)


Match 25 SRH Vs KXIP @ Hyderabad Thursday april 26,2018

Scorecard
SRH                   132/6 in 20 Overs
KXIP                  119/10 in 19.2 Overs
Match Result      SRH won by 13 Runs
MOM                  Ankit Rajpoot(KXIP) for his 5/14(4 Overs)

Match 26 DD Vs KKR @ Delhi on Friday April 27,2018

Scorecard
DD                           219/4 in 20 Overs
KKR                         164/9 in 20 Overs
Match Result            DD won by 55 Runs
MOM                        ShreyasIyer(DD)for his 93*(40 Balls 4x3 and 6x10)

Match 27 CSK Vs MI  @ Pune Saturday  April 28,2018

Scorecard
CSK                     169/5 in 20 Overs
MI                        170/2 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result        MI won by 8 wickets
MOM                   Rohit Sharma(MI)for his 56-(33 Balls 4x6 and 6x2)

Match 28 RR Vs SRH  @ Jaipur Sunday  April 29,2018

Scorecard
SRH                     151/7 in 20 Overs
RR                        140/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result        SRH won by 11 Runs
MOM                   Kane Williamson(SRH)for his 63(43 Balls 4x7 and 6x2)

Match 29 RCB Vs KKR  @ Bengaluru Sunday  April 29,2018 

Scorecard
RCB                    175/4  in 20 Overs
KKR                    176/4 in 19.1 Overs
Match Result       KKR won by 6 wickets
MOM                   Chris Lynn(KKR)for his 62*(52 Balls 4x7 and 6x1)

Match 30 CSK Vs DD  @ Pune Monday  April 30,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      211/4 in 20 Overs
DD                        198/5 in 20 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 13 Runs
MOM                    Shane Watson(CSK)for his 78(40 Balls 4x4 and 6x7)

 Match 31 RCB Vs MI  @ Bengaluru  Tuesday  May 01,2018

Scorecard
RCB                        167/7  in 20 Overs
MI                           153/7  in 20 Overs
Match Result           RCB won by 14 Runs
MOM                      Tim Southee(RCB) for his 2/25(4 Overs)

 Match 31 RCB Vs MI    Preview

RCB has played 7 won 2 and lost 5

1. Match 29 lost to KKR vy6 wickets Sunday April29,2018
2. Match 24 lost to CSK by 5 wickets on Wednesday April 25,2018
3. Match 19 beat RR by 6 wickets on Saturday April 21,2018 
4. Match 14 lost to MI by 46 Runs on Tuesday April 17,2018
5. Match 11 lost to RR by 19 Runs on Sunday April 15,2018
6. Match 08 beat KXIP by 4 wickets on Friday April 13,2018
7. Match 03 lost to KKR by 4 wickets on Sunday April 08,2018

MI has played 7 won 2 and lost 5

1. Match 27 beat CSK by 8 wickets on Saturday April 28,2018
2. Match 23  lost to SRH by 31 Runs on Tuesday April 24,2018
3. Match 21 lost to RR by 3 wickets on SundayApril 22,2018
4. Match 14 beat RCB by 46 Runs on Tuesday April 17,2018 
5. Match 09 lost to DD by 7 Wickets on Saturday April 14,2018
6. Match 07 lost to SRH by 1 wicket on Thursday April 12,2018
7. Match 01 lost to CSK by 1 wicket on Saturday April 07,2018

 Struggling sides Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore will have a fight for survival when they lock horns

Having beaten Chennai Super Kings in their adopted home ground in Pune, MI will go out with their tails up with confidence to take on a strong batting line-up of RCB, which has the likes of Virat Kohli and Brendon McCullum.


On the other hand, the heartbreaking back-to-back defeats at the hands of CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders in their backyard would have devastated the team's confidence, but RCB will have to play out of their skins to stay in the competition.

It has been an almost identical journey for both teams so far. Mumbai and Dinesh Karthik-led KKR have managed just two wins in seven matches each, but the visitors are ahead at sixth place due to better net run rate.

Whichever team that loses will find it more difficult to get a shot at a play-offs berth

Barring Suryakumar Yadav, who has 274 runs under his belt in seven matches as an opener, most of the Mumbai batsmen have been inconsistent

Pandya brothers -- Hardik and Krunal -- who have been good in their bowling would like to get a big knocks with the bat as they have managed to score just 61 and 113 runs in seven-odd matches they have played.

Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Mumbai Indians By 14 Runs

MI won the toss and chose to field

Scorecard
RCB                        167/7  in 20 Overs
MI                           153/7  in 20 Overs
Match Result           RCB won by 14 Runs
MOM                      Tim Southee(RCB) for his 2/25(4 Overs)

RCB put up a team show to reach a competitive 167 on a tricky pitch, MI lacked cohesiveness and paid for it. Hardik proved to be a single man army for MI but his solo efforts weren't enough to take his side home.

In both batting and bowling, Hardik played his part in the later part of each innings but Mumbai, as a unit, failed to rally alongside him. In the end, it was RCB who returned to winning ways collecting their third win beating MI by 14 runs.

With this win, RCB have improved their head-to-head count against MI by 2-4.

Virat Kohli-led RCB rose to the fifth spot on the IPL table with a 14-run win over MI on Tuesday at Bangalore. Before the match, RCB and MI were stuck at 6th and 7th spot respectively. However, with this win, RCB have garnered 6 points from 8 games while MI continue to hang just over DD at the seventh spot with 2 wins from 8 games.

While RCB still have their hopes alive of qualifying for the playoffs but the road for MI has become very tricky and a miracle only can help them to qualify for playoffs.

Last week, a top US federal official informed lawmakers that the Trump administration plans to scrap a critical provision that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to work legally in the US. The move is expected to impact over 70,000 spouses who currently hold H-4 visas. The clampdown—which will end an Obama administration rule that allowed spouses to seek employment—is essentially aimed at discouraging applicants from countries such as India and China, which account for a majority of the 85,000 H-1B visas issued every year.

What is an H-1B visa?

H-1B visas are a category of temporary visas issued by the US government to corporations that hire foreign workers for so-called specialized roles and skills. Critics of the H-1B programme have long argued it discriminates against American workers, while proponents argue it is essential to preserve a culture of innovation, as it allows companies to hire talent they say is not available in the country. 

How are H-1B visas issued?

First, the company chooses workers they want to hire and then submits petitions on their behalf. Over the past decade or two, the number of applications have far exceeded the number of visas available and the threshold for the number of applications has been breached within the first five days of the application process. So, a lottery system has been put in place by the official immigration agency in the US to randomly choose petitions for processing. 

Have companies ever misused the H-1B programme in the past?

Debatable. Critics of the H-1B programme have long argued that companies have deliberately hired more foreign workers at far lower salaries than what they would have had to pay out to local American workers, adding that the programme has contributed to an exponential increase in outsourcing from the US. American corporations have argued that the H-1B programme only looks to address the talent shortage in the US. 

What changes has the Trump government made to the H-1B programme?

Besides the latest moves to scrap the H-4 visa programme, the Trump administration has also tightened the screening process for H-1B visas. According to media reports in the US, the immigration agency in the US is conducting more severe background checks for H-1B workers, scrutinizing firms that hire large number of H-1B employees and has also started delaying and denying visas to more applicants. 

How do the latest changes affect Indian IT firms?

If the H-1B programme is scrapped, it would disrupt the traditional business model of Indian software services exporters and increase their cost of doing business in the US. If the H-4 visa programme for spouses is scrapped, it would also dissuade current H-1B visa holders and future H-1B applicants from seeking long-term employment in the US.

Jailed Bolivian ex-dictator Luis Garcia Meza dies at 88 Sunday April 29,2018

Bolivian ex-dictator Luis Garcţa Meza, who was serving a lengthy prison sentence for crimes committed after his 1980 military coup, died on Sunday April 29,2018 in a La Paz hospital at the age of 88

The frail Garcia Meza died of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure at the Cossmil military hospital in La Paz, where the former general had spent more than a third of his 30-year prison sentence, attorney Frank Campero said.

Garcia Meza took power in a violent military coup in July 1980, near the end of the period of military dictatorships in Latin America.

Scores of people were killed as his forces seized power, including historian and socialist leader Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz, whose body was never found.

A fierce anti-communist, Garcia Meza cracked down on leftist dissent and tortured opponents, but his regime was also closely associated with drug-traffickers. He eventually resigned after 13 months in power.

In April 1993, Garcia Meza was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the killings and abuses during his time in office, but he avoided prison by fleeing the country.

Authorities caught up with him in Brazil in March 1996. He was quickly arrested and extradited to Bolivia where he was placed in a maximum security prison.

On This Day April 30,1789 The First US President George Washington's Inauguration Took Place

In New York City, George Washington, the great military leader of the American Revolution, is inaugurated as the first president of the United States.

In February 1789, all 69 presidential electors unanimously chose Washington to be the first U.S. president.

In March, the new U.S. constitution officially took effect, and in April Congress formally sent word to Washington that he had won the presidency. He borrowed money to pay off his debts in Virginia and traveled to New York.

On April 30,1789  he came across the Hudson River in a specially built and decorated barge. The inaugural ceremony was performed on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street, and a large crowd cheered after he took the oath of office.

On this day April 30, 1945 Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide

On this day April 30, 1945, holed up in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin,  Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head.

Soon after, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces, ending Hitler’s dreams of a “1,000-year” Reich

Since at least 1943, it was becoming increasingly clear that Germany would fold under the pressure of the Allied forces. In February of that year, the German 6th Army, lured deep into the Soviet Union was annihilated at the Battle of Stalingrad and German hopes for a sustained offensive on both fronts evaporated. Then, in June 1944, the Western Allied armies landed at Normandy, France, and began systematically to push the Germans back toward Berlin. By July 1944, several German military commanders acknowledged their imminent defeat and plotted to remove Hitler from power so as to negotiate a more favorable peace. Their attempts to assassinate Hitler failed, however, and in his reprisals, Hitler executed over 4,000 fellow countrymen.

In January 1945, facing a siege of Berlin by the Soviets, Hitler withdrew to his bunker to live out his final days. Located 55 feet under the chancellery, the shelter contained 18 rooms and was fully self-sufficient, with its own water and electrical supply. Though he was growing increasingly mad, Hitler continued to give orders and meet with such close subordinates as Hermann Goering, Heinrich Himmler and Josef Goebbels. He also married his long-time mistress Eva Braun just two days before his suicide.

In his last will and testament, Hitler appointed Admiral Karl Donitz as head of state and Goebbels as chancellor. He then retired to his private quarters with Braun, where he and Braun poisoned themselves and their dogs, before Hitler then also shot himself with his service pistol

Only eight days later, on May 8, 1945, the German forces issued an unconditional surrender, leaving Germany to be carved up by the four Allied powers.

2018 Karnataka Assembly Elections May 12,2018 - 2,565 candidates, including 219 women, in fray

A total of 2,655 candidates are left in the fray for the May 12 assembly polls in Karnataka.

Out of 2,655 candidates, 2,436 are men and 219 women, a statement from the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office said, a day after the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

A total of 2,948 candidates had contested the 2013 polls.

It said the contesting candidates include 224 from BJP, 222 from Congress and 201 from JD(S).

Others are BSP 18, CPI 2, CPIM 19, NCP 14, registered unrecognised parties 800 and independents 1,155.

The process of filing of nominations had begun with the issual of gazette notification on 17 April.
While, the last date for filing of nominations was 24 April, scrutiny was on 25 April.

The CEO office said there were 3,509 nominated" candidates without duplicates.

Mulabagilu had highest nomination of 61 while the lowest nomination of four was in Challakere.

It said 271 nominations had been rejected. The highest rejections of eight each were in Shantinagar and Rajajinagar constituencies in Bengaluru.

Noting that 583 nominations were withdrawn, the release said the highest number of 17 withdrawals was in Mulabagilu (Kolar).

There are 25 assembly constituencies that have more than 15 candidates.

Counting of votes will take place on 15 May.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims all Indian villages have electricity access

On Sunday April 29,2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed to have fulfilled one of the largest poll promises made by the Bharatiya Janata Party before the 2014 general election: To deliver electricity access to every Indian village.

Modi tweeted

Narendra Modi ✔ @narendramodi

28th April 2018 will be remembered as a historic day in the development journey of India. Yesterday, we fulfilled a commitment due to which the lives of several Indians will be transformed forever! I am delighted that every single village of India now has access to electricity.

10:28 AM - Apr 29, 2018

A village is recognised as electrified if it has basic electrical infrastructure and 10 percent of its households and public places — including schools, panchayat office and health centre — have access to electricity

10 facts which put this accomplishment in perspective

1. India has 649,867 villages.
2. When NDA took over, 18,452 villages were unconnected to any grid
3. Later, during project work, 1,275 villages declared electrified by UPA were found to be not electrified.
4. NDA under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) scheme had a Rs 75,893 crore corpus to electrify 19,727 villages. That's about 4,930 villages per year.
5. The DDUGJY was to electrify the last villages: 3 percent. The previous governments headed by the Gandhis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, PV Narsimha Rao and Morarji Desai achieved 97 percent of the job. That should answer the question: What have the previous governments done for the past 60 to 70 years?
6. Putting things in perspective, the UPA under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) electrified 108,280 villages between 2005 and 2014.That's 12030 villages per year 7. A village is considered electrified if just 10% of its households and public places have electricity.
8. To put things in perspective, though all 19,727 villages are electrified, only 8% have full electricity connections. That means, 92 percent of the electrified houses have no power.
9. Twenty-five percent (45 million) of rural households have no electricity. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, less than 50 percent have electricity.
10. For the record, the last village to be electrified is Leisang village in Manipur

2018 Karnataka Assembly Elections May 12,2018 - Every region is different, holds a key to power

Coastal Karnataka(19 Seats)

Districts: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi (South Canara) and Uttara Kannada (North Canara)

The coastal region of Karnataka has had a foreign connect. With towns like Bhatkal, the region has prospered from trade with West Asian countries and minority consciousness is high. It is also a communal tinderbox because the majority is equally conscious of its identity. This is the region that has given rise to organisations like the Sri Rama Sene.

In the 2013 election, because of the split in the vote of the BJP between the Karnataka Janata Pakshe  of B S Yeddyurappa and the BJP, the Congress was able to drive home its advantage.

This time, on the surface it appears that all the factions in the BJP are together and want to establish a BJP government in Bengaluru. With the Janata Dal(Secular) having only a marginal presence in this area, in the 2018 assembly election it will be a straight fight between the two national parties.

Old Mysore(61 Seats)

Districts: Mysuru, Mandya , Hassan, Chamarajnagar, Ramanagaram, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru 

This is the area owing allegiance to the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore and is politically dominated by the Vokkaliga community. Dalits are present here in large numbers as well. Among Vokkaligas, immediate recall is for JD( S) founder, former Prime Minister, and former chief minister HD Deve Gowda, who belongs to Hassan. Politically influential, the BJP is not a traditional force in this region — it is dominated by the Congress and the JD(S). In 2013 the JD(S) got 40 seats in the assembly —the largest chunk of this came from this region.

Having said that, the BJP did badly in this region in the 2013 assembly election but reported victories with a large margin in the Lok Sabha elections less than a year later, possibly because of Narendra Modi’s image. Will that work this time ?

Bengaluru(28 Seats)

Districts: Bengaluru rural and urban

Bengaluru is a cosmopolitan city with a sizeable population of educated middle class who have origins in other state but have now made Karnataka their home. This vote bloc also leans towards the BJP. There is also an important migrant population — largely Tamil-speaking but also Malayalam- and Telugu-speaking — that is part of the Bengaluru electorate.

There are some rural enclaves attached to what is primarily an urban voting region. Issues like delivery of services, state of the physical infrastructure, corruption, land mafia and its connections with political leaders are all hotly contested issues.


But then, with its traditional vote bank and that of the minorities and more, the Congress is also a major player and not a mere pushover in this region.


Bombay-Karnataka (50 seats)

Districts: Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Belagavi, Dharwar, Karwar or Uttar Kannada, Haveri and Gadag

Bombay Karnataka refers to the Kannada-speaking districts bordering Maharashtra, which were earlier part of the Bombay Presidency.

Today, the biggest problem is the crisis among the farming community. This is a largely rural area and despite regular visits by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Belagavi, special grants to the water-starved area and the recent dispute over the flow of the Mahadayi river, the Congress is seen as ineffectual. Evidence of this was the massive turnout in support of the BJP when Yeddyurappa undertook a yatra here in December, accompanied by UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The region is dominated by the Lingayat community.

Yeddyurappa is considered a strong Lingayat leader. Even though it is the Congress that has offered Lingayats minority status, this could have some resonance with the caste.


Hyderabad-Karnataka (40 seats)

Districts: Bidar, Yadgir,Raichur, Koppal, Kalaburagi and Ballari

Ballari and the mine and mineral-rich vein of  Karnataka falls in this region. Now, the Congress is highlighting all it did in the last five-year rule in the state, as also the Special Package for the region formulated by the UPA Govt.The package offers special treatment for the region in education, jobs, health, etc.



In 2008, when the BJP came to power, the party made gains in the region, particularly in Ballari. By 2013, the Reddy brothers had become the face of rampant illegal mining, and the BJP lost. This time, at least one of the mining lords has been nominated by the BJP. Of the 40 seats in the region, 18 are reserved — both for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. If in 2008, the BJP won 12 of the reserved seats, in 2013, the Congress won 11. This, along with the fact that Lingayats are influential, is going to be an important factor.


Central Karnataka (26 seats)
 

Districts: Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Davangere, Ballari and Shivamogga

In 2013, this region contributed the most to the BJP’s downfall — its performance was disastrous. It managed to win just two seats in the Central Karnataka region. Part of the reason was the split in the party. This is the area of Yeddyurappa’s influence (Shivamogga) and his party, the Karnataka Janata Pakshe, floated ahead of the 2013 elections, showed everyone who the boss was.

But this time he is back in the BJP. What is more, he has already been named as the BJP Chief ministerial candidate. So people here do believe they will be voting for the CM when they vote the BJP. Add to this, overall desperation and neglect: Shivamogga district has seen the closure of its century-old iron and steel factory, paper and sugar mills and mass migration of people — and the Congress has a tough challenge before it.







 



 



 

Post Office Time Deposit (TD) Account or Fixed Deposit (FD) Account in India - All You Need To Know

The features of FD accounts are similar to that of RD accounts. However, it is the interest rate and the minimum amount that differs.

Interest rates:
Interest rates from January 1, 2018, for Post office FD accounts, are:
Period Rate:

Period	Rate
1-year A/c	6.6%
2-year A/c	6.7%
3-year A/c	6.9%
5-year A/c	7.4%

Minimum amount required for the opening of post office FD account
Subscribers need to deposit a minimum of Rs 200 to open an account.

However, there is no maximum balance that can be retained.

Post Office Recurring Deposit Account (RD) in India - All You Need To Know

5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposit Account (RD):
1- An RD account can be opened by cheque or cash.
2- The RD account is transferable and can be transferred from one post office to another.
3- Any number of RD accounts can be in any post office.
4- A RD account can be opened in the name of a minor. The subscriber should be 10-year-old or above to open and operate the account.
5- RD account can also be opened jointly by two adults.

If the account is opened on or before 15th of a month then the subsequent deposit can be made up to 15th of next month. Meanwhile, if the account has been opened between 16th and last working day of the month then the deposit can be made up to last working date of next month.

If the deposit is not made before the last date then a default fee is charged for each default. Default fee at Rs 0.05 for every Rs 5 will be charged. Notably, the account will be discontinued after four regular defaults and can be revived in two months.

Interestingly, there is a refund of advance deposit of at least six installments. A single RD account can be converted into joint and vice-versa. A subscriber can withdraw up to 50 percent of the balance after one year of the opening of the account.

Interest rate
Starting January 1, 2018, interest rate is 6.9 percent per annum (quarterly compounded). On maturity, Rs. 10 account fetches Rs. 717.43. The RD account can be continued for another five years on a year-to-year basis.

Minimum Amount for the opening of post office recurring deposit account
The minimum amount of Rs 10 per month and above in multiple of Rs 5 is required to open an RD. There is no maximum limit for RD

10 upcoming Marvel Movies in India

Marvel’s superhero film Avengers: Infinity War opened to Rs31.30 crore last Friday April 27,2018, the highest first day earnings for a Hollywood film in India. But the potential blockbuster is only the first of a bunch of films the studio has lined up in the near future. A look at what Marvel has to offer in the coming months.

Deadpool 2: The eleventh instalment in the X-Men film series, and a sequel to the 2016 filmDeadpool has been directed by David Leitch. The Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz and T.J. Miller-starrer is slated for release on 18 May.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: The sequel to 2015’s Ant-Man, and the twentieth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been directed by Peyton Reed. The Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly-starrer is scheduled for release on 6 July.

Venom: The first film in Sony’s Marvel Universe, a spin-off from the Spider-Man franchise has been directed by Ruben Fleischer. Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and Riz Ahmed, it will hit screens on 5 October.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: The computer animation superhero film is directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. Shameik Moore voices the lead character in the movie that arrives in theatres on 14 December.

Silver and Black: Sony will expand the Spiderverse in the film to be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film is expected to release on 8 February, 2019.

Dark Phoenix: The twelfth installment in the X-Men film series, and the beginning of a new trilogy is being directed by Simon Kinberg. Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult, the film is scheduled for release on 14 February, 2019.

Captain Marvel: Brie Larson will be the first female actor to get her own film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the superhero flick will hit screens on 8 March, 2019.

Avengers 4: The yet-untitled film is a sequel to Infinity War and to 2012’s Marvel’s The Avengers and 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Directed again by Anthony and Joe Russo, featuring many names from the ensemble cast, it will arrive in theatres on 3 May, 2019.

Spider-Man: Homecoming 2: Tom Holland and Zenedaya are reported to star in the film that hasn’t revealed too many plot details yet. Directed by Jon Watts, it is slated for release on 5 July, 2019.

The New Mutants:The horror film is directed by Josh Boone. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Maisie Williams, Charlie Heaton, Henry Zaga, Blu Hunt, and Alice Braga, it is scheduled for release on 2 August, 2019.

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) In India - All You Need To Know

There are 56 RRBs in the country with a combined balance sheet size of Rs4.7 trillion. Of these, 50 are in profit, according to financial statements of RRBs for March 2017, released by National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

RRBs operating through about 21,200 branches witnessed 17% rise in net profit to Rs2,950 crore in 2016-17. Their loans and advances outstanding under various schemes rose 15% to Rs3.5 trillion as of March 2017.

These banks were formed under the RRB Act, 1976 with an objective to provide credit and other facilities to small farmers, agricultural labourers and artisans in rural areas. The Act was amended in 2015 whereby such banks were permitted to raise capital from sources other than Centre, states and sponsor banks.

Currently, the Centre holds 50% in RRBs, while 35% and 15% are with concerned sponsor banks and state governments, respectively.

In order to improve the financial health of RRBs, the government initiated consolidation of RRBs in a phased manner in 2005. The number of RRBs came down to 133 in 2006 from 196 at the end of March 2005. It further came down to 105 and subsequently to 82 at the end of March 2012 and subsequently to 56

Google Doodle on 148th birth anniversary of the father of Indian Cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke Monday April 30,2018

With a doodle, Google on Monday April 30,2018 marked the 148th birth anniversary of the father of Indian Cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke.

From a young age, Dadasaheb Phalke developed a keen interest in the arts, studying photography, lithography, architecture, engineering and even magic. He went on to work as a painter, draftsman, theatrical set designer and lithographer. However, it was a chance encounter with Alice Guy’s silent film The Life of Christ (1910) that changed his life. Phalke, who decided to bring Indian culture to the silver screen, traveled to London to learn filmmaking from Cecil Hepworth.

In 1913, producer-director-screenwriter Dadasaheb Phalke gave Indian Cinema its first silent film Raja Harishchandra. The movie captured the imagination of thousands of Indians, who were delighted with the subject he chose for the film and the smooth trick photography and technology that was used.

He went on to make 130 films in his career spanning 19 years. Some of his best known works are Mohini Bhasmasur, Satyavan Savitri, Lanka Dahan, Shri Krishna Janma and Kaliya Mardan.

“He made 130 films in his lifetime, which is a great feat considering the technology that was available at that time. He struggled against all odds and despite the displeasure of the British, the advent of the World War and his own financial struggles, he accomplished his dream of having an Indian film industry,” said his great-grandniece Sharayu Phalke Summanwar, whose book The Silent Film contains details of Phalke’s personal life as well as his prolific film career

Dadasaheb Phalke’s last silent movie Setubandhan was released in 1932. He died on February 16, 1944.

In 1969, The Government of India established The Dadasaheb Phalke Award which recognises lifetime contributions to India cinema. The award is considered as one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cinema.

2017-18 LaLiga - FC Barcelona beat Deportivo 4-2,win their 25th La Liga Title with 4 Games To Spare Sunday April 29,2018

Barcelona won their 25th La Liga title with four games to spare and they won it fittingly with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick and Luis Suarez setting-up each of his three goals.

Messi's hat-trick put him one ahead of Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Shoe and with 32 goals this season he becomes the first player in La Liga history to score 30 or more in seven seasons.

He has been the difference once again. Maintaining an extraordinary level week after week as Real Madrid threw away points and Atletico Madrid struggled to keep pace. 

Women Chief Ministers in India

 

Women Chief Ministers in India till 1980s

As the first woman chief Minister of independent India, Sucheta Kripalani did make an impressive debut in 1963. For good four years, the freedom fighter headed one of the most difficult states to administer – Uttar Pradesh. Five years after Kripalini became the chief Minister, Nandini Satpathy became the Chief Minister of Orissa twice in 1972 and 1974; her tenure was widely appreciated for good governance.
Going further, the 1980s saw only five women chief ministers; the other three being Shashikala Kakodkar from Goa, Syeda Anwara Taimur from Assam and Janaki Ramachandran from Tamil Nadu. While Shashikala remained at the helm of affairs for almost six years, Syeda couldn’t avert the imposition of President’s rule in her state and had to step down in six months. The shortest tenure (only 23 days) was of Janaki’s.

Women Chief Ministers in India from 1990s

One of the names that figure prominently in this list is Sheila Dikshit. She held the longest tenure as woman CM in India. From 1998 to 2013, she led the Congress through three consecutive electoral wins in Delhi. That, however, doesn’t offset the fact that she invited widespread criticism for apparent lawlessness in the capital city.
Another personality who carried forward the glory of women’s empowerment is J. Jayalalithaa. Her total tenure as Tamil Nadu CM spans over 12 years, although it has been marked by intermittent entries and exits. She recently proved her political prowess and popularity again when the national parties such as Congress and BJP failed to stop her party AIADMK’s overwhelming victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.
Two other women Chief Ministers – Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee have been much discussed and decried. While the former had several stints as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, the latter gained the center-stage for the first time by scripting the biggest defeat for the Left Front in West Bengal.
BJP’ firebrand leader Uma Bharti and Sushma Swaraj, the current Union Minister for External Affairs, also occupied the CM posts of Madhya Pradesh and Delhi respectively, though for a brief period. Similarly, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the only woman to hold the office of Chief Minister in Punjab, had a brief tenure (1996-1997).
Vasundhara Raje who held the Rajasthan CM’s post from 2003 to 2008, commands great clout in state politics. No wonder she staged a comeback as CM in 2013.
Though a traditional housewife with no interest and any prior experience in politics, Rabri Devi too deserves mention for serving three terms as the Chief Minister of Bihar between 1997 and 2005.

Women CMs in India – 2014

In a rare repeat of the political phenomenon (first time it happened in 2011), four Indian state are presently run by women chief ministers. From Jayalalithaa (South), Mamata (East) Vasundhara Raje (North West) to Anandiben Patel in (West), women have made a mark for themselves in the political landscape across regions. What has worked to the advantage of these women chief ministers is their aggressive and dynamic political approach, indefatigable spirits and the projection of themselves as viable alternatives to run the governments in their respective states. With these politically crucial states being administered by women chief ministers, it can be said for sure that women have proved themselves with aplomb