In first, Sports Illustrated will feature burkini-clad model

Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue, best known for its racy covers of scantily clad bikini models, will feature for the first time a Muslim model wearing a hijab and burkini, the magazine said Monday April 29,2019

Somali-American model Halima Aden’s rookie spread will be set in Kenya, where she born in a refugee camp and lived until the age of seven. 

Sports Illustrated also posted a picture of her posing lying down in shallow water, wearing a turquoise hijab, long yellow earrings and a deep blue burkini -- the full length swimsuit favoured by some Muslim women.

Halima, 21, made headlines at age 19 when she was the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA Pageant, where she made the semi-finals in 2016.

2019 Spanish General Election Sunday April 28,2019 - Spain's Socialists dominate vote but new government uncertain Monday April 29,2019

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) announced on Monday April 29,2019 it will attempt to govern following a resounding victory in national polls.

"We believe that we have more than enough support to be the rudder of this ship," Carmen Calvo, the deputy prime minister in the previous government, told Spanish radio service Cadena SER

Pedro Sanchez and his centre-left PSOE were the clear winners of Spain's general elections on Sunday after garnering 123 seats.

The anti-austerity, left-wing Unidas Podemos (UP) party gained 42 seats and has signaled its openness to work with PSOE.

However, their combined 165 seats still fall short of the 176 required for an absolute majority in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies in Spain

The governing Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has won the country's general election with 123 seats after 99.9 percent of the votes were counted.

PSOE's historical centre-right rival, the People's Party (PP), won 66 seats in Sunday's election in Spain.

PP won 66 seats, a decrease of 71 seats from the previous government.

Citizens won 57 seats, a gain of 25, while Vox made historic gains with 24 seats representing the far right's return to Spanish national politics

Thousands of Argentines marched through Buenos Aires as part of a two-day nationwide Tuesday April 30,2019

Thousands of Argentines marched through Buenos Aires on Tuesday April 30,2019 as part of a two-day nationwide strike over rising poverty and unemployment due to what protesters say is President Mauricio Macri's fiscal austerity programme.

Many services including banks and schools closed, while hospitals were only attending to emergencies. The Buenos Aires underground and many bus lines were down and flights were cancelled.

The strike, which started a day ahead of Labour Day - a public holiday in Argentina - was organised by trade unions and social movements, including Argentina's powerful freight transport union. Some groups are expected to continue with public transport union strikes on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, trade unions, social movements, political organisations and members of the general public marched to the central Plaza de Mayo square in Buenos Aires

Venezuelans rally as opposition leader Guaido calls for uprising Tuesday April 30,2019

Hundreds of Venezuelans rallied on Tuesday after opposition leader Juan Guaido called for a "military uprising" in his strongest move to take down President Nicolas Maduro since declaring himself interim president earlier this year. 

Guaido, in a video posted on Twitter earlier on Tuesday, said he had started the "final phase" of his campaign to remove Maduro from power, calling on Venezuelans and the military to back him.

Rival rallies

In Caracas, Maduro's supporters rallied, chanting slogans of support while some people were giving out posters of Maduro with the Venezuelan flag behind him. 

"Here we are in support of our President Nicolas Maduro, and in support of our beloved homeland ... this is a glorious town and our inheritance is freedom," Areli Rodriguez, 63, a Venezuelan lawyer said from outside the Miraflores Palace, the presidential office.  

US Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein Resigns Monday April 29,2019

US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, has submitted his resignation to the president on Monday April 28,2019

In a letter to Trump, Rosenstein echoed two of Trump's signature phrases on Monday, writing that he helped staff the department with officials "devoted to the values that make America great" and adding that "we always put America first".

According to the letter, he will leave his post on May 11,2019

Attorney General William Barr confirmed in a statement that the letter had been submitted.

"Rod Rosenstein has served the Department of Justice with dedication and distinction for nearly 30 years as a prosecutor, deputy assistant attorney general, US attorney, and as deputy attorney general," said Barr.

His departure ends a nearly two-year run defined by his appointment of Mueller. The departure had been expected since the confirmation of Barr as attorney general.

"Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts," his resignation letter said.

Israel swears in new parliament after divisive election b Tuesday April 30,2019

Members of Israel's 21st Knesset (parliament) were sworn in on Tuesday, three weeks after a volatile general election.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been tasked by President Reuven Rivlin with forming a governing coalition. He has until mid-May to form a government, with a possible extension of a further two weeks.

After being sworn in, the prime minister, who faced criticism during the campaign for comments seen as demonising Palestinian citizens of Israel, said: "We shall continue to act for the benefit of every Israeli citizen without exception."

Netanyahu also faces the prospect of becoming the first sitting prime minister to be indicted.

The attorney general has announced he intends to indict him for bribery, fraud and breach of trust pending a hearing.

But Netanyahu would be entitled to remain in office until his trial and any subsequent appeals are exhausted

Algeria's ruling FLN party elects new leader Tuesday April 30,2019

Algeria's ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) party has elected a new leader, according to state media, a month after former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika quit in the face of mass protests over his bid for a fifth term in office.

Mohamed Djemai, a 50-year-old businessman, was named as the new head of the FLN on Tuesday, state television reported.

Djemai is a relatively youthful figure atop the FLN, most of whose senior officials are in their 70s and have dominated Algeria's politics since independence from France in 1962.

He replaced Moad Bouchareb, who like other associates of the ailing, 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down when he did on April 2.

Bouteflika's exit failed to placate protesters, however, who have continued to take to the streets to call for a complete political overhaul and a crackdown on corruption.

Until presidential elections on July 4, Algeria will be run by Bouteflika-loyalist and caretaker president Abdelkader Bensalah, though he has also faced demands to resign

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito ascends Chrysanthemum Throne Wednesday May 01,2019

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito has formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, a day after his father Akihito abdicated from the world's oldest monarchy and ushered in a new imperial era.

The emperor under Japan's constitution is a symbol without political power.

Naruhito officially became emperor at the stroke of midnight local time (1500GMT Tuesday) but the process will be formalised on Wednesday May 01,2019 with the 10-minute ritual, which is off-limits to female royals - even his wife Masako.

It took place on the first day  Wednesday May 01,2019 of the new imperial era of Reiwa, meaning "beautiful harmony", which will last throughout Naruhito's reign.

The 59-year-old was presented with the sacred imperial treasures of a sword and a jewel, as well as the seal of state and his personal imperial seal, at a solemn ceremony in the Room of Pine in the Imperial Palace at 10:30am local time (01:30 GMT).

Shortly afterwards, joined by Masako and other royals, Naruhito addressed the nation for the first time as its 126th emperor, as he vowed to stand with the Japanese people.

He swore to "act according to the Constitution... while always turning my thoughts to the people and standing with them".

Naruhito also said he would "reflect deeply on the course" taken by his popular father who was seen as having brought the world's oldest monarchy closer to the people, especially during natural disasters.

"When I think about the important responsibility I have assumed, I am filled with a sense of solemnity," said Naruhito.

The Oxford-educated Naruhito faces the delicate balancing act of continuing his father's legacy of bringing the monarchy closer to the people while upholding the centuries-old traditions of the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Naruhito will greet his first foreign head of state as emperor later this month, when US President Donald Trump visits Japan to meet the new monarch.

2019 Indian Premier League(IPL) Season 12 - Match 50 Chennai Super Kings Vs Delhi Capitals @ Chennai Wedesday May 01,2019

Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by 80 Runs

Scorecard

CSK                  179/4 in 20 Overs

Faf du Plesis       39(41 Balls 4x2 and 6x2)

Suresh Raina      59(37 Balls 4x8 and 6x1)

M S Dhoni         44*(22 Balls 4x4 and 6x3)

Ravindra Jadeja 25(10 Balls 4x2 and 6x2)

DC                     99/10 in 16.2 Overs

Shikhar Dhawan  19(13 Balls 4x1 and 6x1)

Shreyas Iyer         44(31 Balls 4x4 and 6x1)

Match Result - CSK won by 80 Runs

MOM - M S Dhoni for his 44*(22 Balls 4x4 and 6x3)

Skipper MS Dhoni's prowess in the slog overs was on display yet again while home spinners bamboozled the Delhi Capitals batsmen as Chennai Super Kings prevailed in the IPL battle for the top spot with a thumping 80-run win

It was Suresh Raina who struck a fighting 59 off 37 balls to prepare the road for revival following a slow start and Dhoni (unbeaten 44 off 22) provided the late flourish, ending the innings in style with two sixes off Trent Boult

Raina (59) and Faf du Plessis (39) added 83 runs for the second wicket

After scoring just 27 runs in the Powerplay overs, the hosts eventually put on board a fighting 179 for four and dismissed the Capitals for just 99 in 16.2 overs to snatch the top spot from the visitors

The Capitals suffered a surprise batting collapse after being consistent this season. They were out of the game after losing half the batsmen by the 11th over and ended up suffering their worst defeat. It was also their lowest total of the season

South African spinner Imran Tahir (4/12) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/9) tore apart the middle order, sharing seven wickets between them.

Dhoni's quick hands were at it again as he struck with two lightning fast stumpings, to dismiss skipper Shreyas Iyer (44) and dangerous Chris Morris (0)

 

Except for Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan (19), none of the other Delhi batsmen could reach the double-digit mark.

Chennai Super Kings, who now sit atop the table with 18 points, are now sure to end in the top-2, ensuring that they will have two shots at making the summit clash

Mumbai Indians is the only team which can displace Capitals (16 points) from the second place if they win their next two games and Delhi lose their last.

6 Box Office Records Avengers Endgame Broke in India and Worldwide

The box office records Avengers: Endgame broke in India and in rest of the world

Fastest to earn $1 billion worldwide

The film earned one billion USD in just five days. Previously the record was held by Endgame's prequel Avengers: Infinity War which took 11 days to reach there.

Highest opening weekend gross collection 

Smashing another record held by Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame raked in $1.223 billion dollars worldwide, whereas the former had earned $640 million.

Highest IMAX opening weekend gross collection
Collecting $91.5 million, Marvel's latest outing also became the highest IMAX weekend opener worldwide taking the title away from Star Wars: The Force Awakens which earned $48 million.

Highest 3D opening weekend gross collection
Surpassing another record of Infinity War, Endgame raked in $540 million on this front. Avengers: Infinity War had made $366 million becoming highest 3D opening weekend gross worldwide in 2018.

Highest Hollywood opener ever in India

In India, the film has become the highest Hollywood opener ever. Avengers: Endgame's box office run in India is likely to touch new heights. After a blockbuster weekend, earning a gross total of over Rs 150 crore nett in three days, the movie's theatre occupancy hasn't dipped in the weekdays yet. Industry insiders have predicted that the film will earn Rs 200 crore by day five.

Fastest film to enter the Rs 100-crore club in India
The film released across approximately 2845 screens in India in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu. Avengers: Endgame collected a massive Rs 53 crore when it released on Friday and went on to collect Rs 51 crore on Saturday, becoming the fastest film to enter the Rs 100-crore club in India, in just two days.

So far, its gross collection in India stands at Rs 225.83 crore. If it maintains the same momentum at the box office, Endgame might surpass the first week collections of Dangal, Tiger Zinda Hai, Sanju and possibly Baahubali 2: The Conclusion also.

Airtel launches ‘Wynk Tube’ music and video streaming app in India

Airtel has launched an extension of Wynk Music, the company’s over-the-top (OTT) music streaming service, with a new OTT app called Wynk Tube in India.

Similar to YouTube Music, Wynk Tube would be providing music and video content in its platform.

Aiming to reach to 200 million smartphone users across small towns and villages in the country, Airtel has kept the size of Wynk Music as low as 5MB, which it claims, can operate even on basic smartphones including Android Go variants.

Wynk Music is free for Airtel users with unlimited streaming and downloads.

Presently, Wynk Tube is available only for Android users. It is offering content in three regional languages – Bhojpuri, Punjabi and Hindi, however, Airtel said that it will soon be available in 12 Indian languages including Kannada, Marathi, Telegu and Tamil.

2019 Indian Parliamentary Election in 7 phases from April 11 to May 19,2019 - Mumbai records highest voter turnout in three decades in Phase 4 polling Monday April 29,2019

 

India’s financial capital recorded a moderate bump in turnout on Monday with a number of Bollywood actors and industry captains casting their vote from one of the six constituencies in the coastal city that recorded its best polling figures in 30 years.

The voting percentage stood at 55.11 at 6 pm, surpassing the average in 2014 of 51.59%, the previous highest. The city had recorded a turnout of 41.4% in 2009.

The total number of electors in Mumbai this time was lower than the 2014 number by 259,857.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the Shiv Sena, held three seats each, while in the opposition alliance, the Congress is fighting on five seats and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is contesting on one.

The highest turnout in the city was recorded in the Mumbai North Constituency (59.32%) , where actor Urmila Matondkar of the Congress contested against sitting BJP MP Gopal Shetty.

The Mumbai North Central Constituency, which saw a turnout of 52.84%,, could witness a tough contest between Congress’s Priya Dutt and BJP’s Poonam Mahajan.

Bandra (West) recorded the lowest among the six segments in the constituency, with a turnout of 50.01 %.

Mumbai South-Central seat saw a turnout of 55.35%. The contest is between the Sena’s Rahul Shewale and former Congress MP Eknath Gaikwad.

The Mumbai North-East Constituency saw a turnout of 56.31% turnout with the suburb of Mulund and Ghatkopar East leading with 60.10% and 60.30% respectively. Both neighbourhoods are heavily populated by Gujaratis. The BJP’s Manoj Kotak is taking on the NCP’s Sanjay Dina Patil.

In South Mumbai, which finished at 52.15% turnout, two-time Congress MP Milind Deora is hoping for a comeback against Shiv Sena’s sitting MP Arvind Sawant.

The upscale Malabar Hill area saw the highest voting in this constituency at 56%.

In the Mumbai North-West Constituency, where Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar is fighting the Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam, the turnout stood at 54.71%.

2019 International Workers' Day or May Day Wednesday May 01,2019

International Workers' Day or Labour Day or May Day is celebrated on May 1every year in most of the countries, including India.

Also known as May Day, the day marks the acceptance of maximum 8 hours as an employee’s official working hours in a day and honours the sacrifices and protests of workers during the 19th century.

Although May Day is not a gazetted holiday in India, many states observe it as a public holiday

Know the Blood-soaked History Behind Eight-hour Workday

The 8-hour workday that has now become a standard labour practice worldwide owes its origin to bloody protests for addressing workers’ dismal plight due to long working hours and condtions in the United States.


Workers had started agitating for a shortened workday as early as the 1860s but it was mid 1880s that the Federation of Organized Trades and Labour Unions of the United States and Canada chose May 1, 1886, to mark the first day on which an eight-hour workday would go into effect.

When that day arrived, thousands of American workers went on a well-coordinated and largely nonviolent strike.

Two days later, workers in Chicago, an epicenter of the strike, tried to confront “strikebreakers” at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. At least two workers were killed in police firing.

On May 4, seven police officers and at least four civilians were killed as a grenade was thrown at police personnel trying disperse the protesting workers in Chicago's Haymarket Square.

Eight “anarchists” arrested by the police arrested were convicted of conspiracy; seven were sentenced to death and one to 15 years imprisonment. While four were hanged, one committed suicide and two others had their sentences commuted to life in prison.

The ‘Haymarket affair’ lent impetus to the labour movement and. Subsequently, in 1989, the Second International— an international organisation for workers and socialists— declared May 1 as International Workers' Day.

The eight-hour work day wasn't recognised in the US until it was turned into law in 1916, following years of strikes and protests by workers.

The following year, four days after the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian monarchy, the eight-hour workday was introduced in the country by official decree.

2019 Indian Parliamentary Election in 7 phases from April 11 to May 19,2019 - Voter Turnout details for the 72 seats for which elections held in Phase 4 Monday April 29,2019

 

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga With 1.5-litre Diesel Engine Launched in India at Rs 9.86 Lakh

Indias largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India introduced the Ertiga MPV with the new in-house 1.5-litre DDIS 225 diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission. The next-gen Maruti Suzuki Ertiga diesel variants are priced between Rs 9.86 lakh and Rs 11.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The previous model was powered by the 1.3-litre diesel powertrain sourced from Fiat. The three trims of the vehicle with 1.5-litre diesel engine are priced at Rs 9.86 lakh, 10.69 lakh and Rs 11.20 lakh.

The new DDIS 225 engine delivers a peak torque of 225Nm @1500-2500rpm, maximum power of 70kW@ 4000rpm and fuel efficiency of 24.20 km/l (claimed). Maruti Suzuki says that the new DDIS 225 engine on Next-Gen Ertiga uses ‘Dual Mass flywheel’ that helps to reduce engine fluctuations. The pendulum type engine mounting further adds to superior ride quality leading to refined NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) performance

2019 Tamil Nadu Assembly By Election For 18 +4 Constituencies Thursday April 18,2019 & May 19,2019

By-elections on the 18 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will decide the fate of the AIADMK government led by E Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam

 The 234-member assembly has 22 vacancies, 18 of them due to disqualification of rebel lawmakers who have joined the team of TTV Dhinakaran.

Along with the 2109 Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Election scheduled to be held on Thursday April 18,2019 , a sort of mini Assembly election is also being held with the conduct of by-elections for 22 Assembly constituencies in two phases. While voting for the by-elections is on in 18-Assembly seats on Thursday April 18,2019 in Phase 2 , the polling for the remaining four seats for the bypolls will be held on May 19,2019 in Phase 7

While 18 of the 21 constituencies had fallen vacant following the disqualification of dissident AIADMK MLAs; Thiruvarur and Tirupparankundram fell vacant after the death of M. Karunanidhi (DMK) and A K Bose (AIADMK). In Hosur, a vacancy was created due to the disqualification of former Minister Balakrishna Reddy following his conviction in a rioting case. 

The 18 Assembly Constituencies that goes to polling on Thursday April 18,2019 in Phase 2

1. Poonamallee
2. Perambur
3. Thiruporur
4. Sholingur
5. Gudiyatham (SC)
6. Ambur
7. Hosur
8. Pappireddipatti
9.  Harur (SC)
10. Nilakottai (SC)
11. Thiruvarur
12. Thanjavur
13.  Manamadurai (SC)
14. Andipatti
15.  Periyakulam (SC)
16.  Sattur
17. Paramakudi (SC) and 
18. Vilathikulam.

 The 4 Assembly Constituencies that goes to polling on May 19,2019

1. Ottapidaram
2. Aravakurichi
3. Tiruparankundram and 
4. Sulur

Candidates details for the 22 constituencies

Constituency	AIADMK	DMK	MNM	NTK	AMMK
Poonamallee	G. Vaithiyanathan	A Krishnaswamy	A. Jagadish Kumar	P Bharathi Priya	T A Elumalai
Perambur	R S Raajesh	R D Sekar	U Priyadarshini	S Merlin Suganthi	P Vetrivel
Thiruporur	S Arumugam	L Idhayavarman	U Karunakaran	S Mohana Sundari	M Kothandapani
Sholingur	G Sampathu	A Asokan	A Malayarajan	P Gokula Krishnan	T G Mani
Gudiyatham (SC)	R Moorthy	S Kathavarayan	S Venkatesan	R Kalaiyenthri	C Jayanthi Padmanabhan
Ambur	J Jothi Ramlinga Raja	A C Viswanathan	A Kareem Basha	N Selva Mani	R Balasubramani
Hosur	S Jyothi	S A Sathya	Jeyapal	Rajasekar	Pugazhendi
Pappireddipatti	A Govindasamy	A Mani	M Nallathambi	S Sathish	D K Rajendran
Harur(SC)	V Sampathkumar	C Krishnakumar		P Thileep	R Murugan
Nilakottai (SC)	S Themozhi	C Soundarapandian	C Chinna Durai	A Sangili Pandian	R Thangadurai
Thirivarur	R Jeevanandham	K Poondi Kalaivanan	K Arun Chidambaram	R Vinothini	S Kamaraj
Thanjavur	R Gandhi	T K G Neelamegam	P Durai samy	M Karthi	M Rengasamy
Manamadurai (SC)	N Sivasankari	K Kasilingam			S Mariappan Kennedy
Andipatti	A Logirajan	A Maharajan	G Alagar Samy	Aruna Devi	R Jeyakumar
Periakulam(SC)	M Mayilvel	S Saravanakumar	Prabhu	Shobana	Kathirkamu
Sattur	M S R Rajavarman	V Srinivasan	N Sundarraj	P Suresh Kumar	S G Subramanian
Paramakudi(SC)	N Sathan Prabhakar	S Sambathkumar	A Shankar	Hemalatha	Dr S Muthiah
Vilathikulam	Chinnappan	Jeyakumar	Natarajan	M Kalidoss	Jothiman