General strike in Kerala, China's smog problem, and other news in pictures

Strike in Kerala

Sixteen trade unions in the State have called for a general strike on Monday to protest against the Centre's order permitting companies to ‘hire-and-fire' by opening up the contract labour rules.

Smog plagues China again

Buildings are seen amid smog on a polluted day where a blue alert is issued, in Beijing, China April 2, 2018   | Photo Credit: Reuters

China’s environment ministry has urged 28 northern cities to shut factories to tackle a bout of heavy smog in the region, the Shanghai Securities News reported, a sign that tough winter curbs could be extended for the rest of the year.

As many as 34 northern Chinese cities have issued smog alerts this week amid concerns that industrial activity was starting to ramp up again following six months of tough output curbs.

The MEE said on Sunday that the heavy smog, expected to last until Wednesday, was caused by warm and humid air as well as the resumption of large swathes of industrial production in the region.

- Reuters

Thumping win for ruling party candidate in Costa Rica presidency

A supporter of presidential candidate Carlos Alvarado, of the Citizen Action Party, waves a party flag after polls closed during a presidential election runoff in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, April 1, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AP

Costa Rica's governing party won a big presidential election victory Sunday as many voters rejected an evangelical pastor who had jumped into political prominence by campaigning against same-sex marriage.

The head of the Supreme Electoral Council, Luis Antonio Sobrado, said that with 95 percent of ballots counted Sunday night, Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizen Action Party had 60.8 percent of the votes in the runoff election. His opponent, Fabricio Alvarado of the National Restoration party, had 39.2 percent. The two men are not related.

Protest against NMC

House surgeons and post-graduate students of Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital staging a protest against the National Medical Council Bill in Coimbatore on Monday.   | Photo Credit: M. Periasamy

The Students’ Parliament had declared strike in all the medical colleges of the country from April 2, if the government failed to withdraw the National Medical Commission Bill. They also said that all medical colleges would be closed and medical students would boycott classes and exams.

Christchurch Test

England's Mark Wood looks dejected after he was bowled by New Zealand's Colin de Grandhomme during Day 4 of the second Test between the two countries, on Monday, April 2, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

England set New Zealand 382 to win the second cricket test when captain Joe Root made a declaration hastened by a flurry of wickets before tea Monday on the fourth day.

Root declared at 352-9 midway through the second session after England led by 29 on the first innings.  If New Zealand reaches its target it will be the fourth-highest successful run chase in test history after the West Indies' 418 against Australia in 2003, Australia's 404 against England in 1948 and India's 403 against the West Indies in 1976.