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FIFA Slaves Banned From Attending Relatives' Funerals

Qatar(theguardian): The 2022 Qatar World Cup will be brought to you by Coca-Cola on the backs of slave workers, many of whom hail from Nepal. These workers live in filth and work in terrifyingly dangerous conditions; their efforts to build the McDonald’s-funded event will result in one dead worker for every 90 seconds of every Budweiser-sponsored match.Nepalese minister says Fifa must pressure the Gulf state for better treatment of 1.5 million south Asian migrants<img alt="A Nepalese worker takes a break during a government-organised media tour of World Cup construction p" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2015/5/23/1432372952242/A-Nepalese-worker-takes-a-003.jpg" width="600" /> A Nepalese worker takes a break during a government-organised media tour of World Cup construction projects. Photograph: Maya Alleruzzo/AP(If every player, coach, and referee at the World Cup wore a black Adidas armband in memory of one worker ... there’d be hundreds of leftover armbands.) Journalists who attempt to report on FIFA’s human rights abuses in Qatar end up in jail.<img alt="FIFA Slaves Banned From Attending Relatives' Funerals" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---HNXIoAn--/1269238102666926512.png" />And now, we’ve learned, FIFA (and its corporate sponsor Hyundai) is depriving these workers yet another basic human dignity: the right to bury their loved ones. Nepal’s government is publicly criticizing FIFA for human rights abuses because Nepalese workers are banned from leaving the country to return home for funerals after the devastating earthquake last month. (They’re generally banned from leaving the country, period, or quitting their jobs, or traveling anywhere in a FIFA-branded Kia, because they are slaves.)Sony, Castrol, Continental Tires, and Johnson & Johnson have all said “enough” and pulled their sponsorship of upcoming World Cups. The others have had more than enough time to speak with their wallets; six months later, we can unequivocally state that Coca-Cola, like McDonalds, Anheuser-Busch, and other familiar brands, still supports slavery.If this is all still too opaque for you, perhaps this diagram will make things more clear:Qatar’s labour minister, Abdullah bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, visited Kathmandu last month and promised to introduce a series of changes. He also revealed that his nation would need even more Nepalese workers as it strives to complete World Cup stadiums and infrastructure projects in time for 2022.Read more : <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/24/qatar-denies-nepalese-world-cup-workers-leave-after-earthquakes">The Guardian</a>

FIFA Slaves Banned From Attending Relatives' Funerals

Qatar(theguardian): The 2022 Qatar World Cup will be brought to you by Coca-Cola on the backs of slave workers, many of whom hail from Nepa...

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Centre softens stand in tussle with AAP government over LG Jung's powers

New Delhi(PTI): Striking a conciliatory note, the Centre on Tuesday said it will not interfere with the functioning of the AAP government, a day after it was hauled by the Delhi High Court over the "suspect" notification that gave the Lt Governor massive powers in some matters.<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/340086-rajnath-singh.jpg" width="600" />While affirming that there would be no interference by the Centre, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, however, said everybody should work within the constitutional framework."Everybody should work within the constitutional provisions. And I would like to add that Delhi government has been elected by the people and the central government will not create any hurdles in the functioning of Delhi government. We will also give them full cooperation," Singh told a press conference in Kolkata.His comments came on a day the AAP government moved a resolution in the Assembly against the Centre's notification giving "absolute" powers to the Lt Governor on transfer and posting of senior bureaucrats and restraining the Anti-Corruption Bureau from probing central government employees.In a boost for the AAP dispensation, locked in a bitter turf war with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, the Delhi High Court had yesterday termed as "suspect" the Centre's recent notification barring Delhi government's anti-corruption branch (ACB) from acting against its officers in criminal offences and held that the LG cannot act in his discretion.The High Court had noted that LG of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) is bound to act upon the aid and advice of the council of ministers who are directly elected by the citizens of Delhi and the Centre's "executive fiat" siding with him is "suspect".It observed that mandate of the people "must" be respected by the LG of GNCTD if there was no other "constitutional or legal fetter". Singh said that the Narendra Modi government believes in constructive cooperative federalism."We feel and believe that there is a need for constructive and cooperative federalism. And that is the reason why we have increased the revenue sharing between the states and the Centre from 32 per cent to 42 per cent," Singh said.The BJP, too, appeared to have softened its position vis-a-vis the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation, with its president Amit Shah saying the differences between the Delhi government and the Centre were due to different interpretation of the Constitution.Apparently seeking to de-escalate the conflict, Shah said the Centre was not in "confrontation" with the AAP government and that the matter would be settled by court."It is not a confrontation but a matter of interpretation of the Constitution. The state government is doing it in one way and the Centre in another way. The matter will go to court and it will be settled there," he told reporters in Delhi.He was asked about the Centre's tussle with the Delhi government over jurisdiction issues and its alleged "mistreatment" at a time when the Modi dispensation was going to town about its several measures to give more powers to states."It is not a question of mistreatment. It is a question of different interpretations of the Constitution," he said.

Centre softens stand in tussle with AAP government over LG Jung's powers

New Delhi(PTI): Striking a conciliatory note, the Centre on Tuesday said it will not interfere with the functioning of the AAP government, a...

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Centre pursuing black money cases vigorously: MoS Jayant Sinha

New Delhi(PTI): Centre today said it is pursuing cases against people having black money stashed abroad "quite vigorously" and has lot of data about Indians having foreign bank accounts in violation of country's laws.<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/340057-jayant-sinha.jpg" width="600" />However, it said the names of those people "having black money stashed abroad" could not be revealed because of privacy laws."We are proceeding very vigorously. We have already got a lot of data from two different sources about Indian residents that have foreign bank accounts-- one is HSBC and the second is ICIJ."From both sources we got names of many Indians who have violated our laws. We are pursuing all those cases quite vigorously," Union Minister of state for Finance Jayant Sinha said here today while addressing media.Asked whether the government will be disclosing the names of people having black money stashed abroad, Sinha said that privacy laws did not allow the government to make those names public."As per privacy and confidentiality laws, we cannot reveal the names of individuals as that is against the law of land. So we are not revealing those names. But you be rest assured that vigorous action is being undertaken," he asserted."We are a responsible party and we never said that we are going to do something which is against the law. The law is very clear (that) you cannot reveal the names. Unless something else comes out in public domain or so on, we cannot talk about it and we will not talk about it," he further said.Asserting that Modi led government has fulfilled all its commitments on black money in the past one year, Sinha said it was the NDA led government which moved the Black Money Bill and made it a criminal offence.He further said that some people now complained that the Government was doing too much with regard to black money."We have fulfilled our all commitments on black money. A lot of people are now saying you are pursuing black money laws too vigorously. On one hand people are saying you are not doing enough and on other hand people say you are doing too much," he said.Earlier, speaking at CII, the minister of state for Finance said there will not be any undue harassment to people because of Black Money Bill."We are setting up only two centralised cells in Mumbai and Delhi. When we get credible information about somebody having undisclosed income or assets outside India we have officers who will carefully monitor and supervise only in Mumbai and Delhi," he said.

Centre pursuing black money cases vigorously: MoS Jayant Sinha

New Delhi(PTI): Centre today said it is pursuing cases against people having black money stashed abroad "quite vigorously" and has...

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Central trade unions including BJP-backed BMS call for one-day strike on Sep 2

New Delhi(PTI): Eleven central trade unions, including BJP-backed BMS, today called for a one-day nation- wide general strike on September 2 to protest against government's unilateral labour reforms.<img alt="" src="http://bms.org.in/Encyc/2014/2/21/2_06_52_12_3_H@@IGHT_332_W@@IDTH_500.jpg" width="600" />The strike call coincides with NDA government completing one-year in office."All-India general strike on September 2, 2015. The national convention calls upon the trade unions and working people irrespective of affiliations to unite and make the country-wide general strike a massive success," said a declaration at national convention of workers, under the aegis of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).The convention had participants from INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF."The government' aim in aggressively pushing through sweeping changes in labour laws is nothing but to push out overwhelming majority of workers out of the coverage of all labour laws and to drastically curb the trade union rights," the declaration said.Expressing deep concerns over government's "anti-worker, anti-people and pro-corporate actions", it said, the actions of the present government is in pursuance to its policy of globalisation."During this period the government has been over-busy in amending all labour laws to empower employers with unfettered rights to 'hire and fire' and stripping the workers and trade unions of all their rights and benefits besides aggressively pushing through almost unlimited FDI in strategic sectors like railways, defence and financial sector," it said.Unions have been opposing certain proposed labour law amendments which allows hire and fire, makes it tougher to make labour unions and diluting existing social security net available to the workers at different fora.Under the proposed Industrial Relations Code Bill 2015, the employers with up to 300 workers would not require government permission for retrenchment, lay off and closure.The government has formed an inter-ministerial panel to hold "threadbare discussions" with representatives of unions on their 10-point charter of demands and other issues raised for recommending measures to address those issues.

Central trade unions including BJP-backed BMS call for one-day strike on Sep 2

New Delhi(PTI): Eleven central trade unions, including BJP-backed BMS, today called for a one-day nation- wide general strike on September 2...

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BJP Government ready to help in construction of Ram temple: Shripad Naik

New Delhi(PTI): Union minister Shripad Naik on Tuesday said the government is ready to aid the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/340069-shripad-naik-pti.jpg" width="600" />"The government is ready to help in the construction of Ram Mandir (at Ayodhya). But the issue should be resolved mutually (amicably). The government can provide help, but the actual construction should be done by organisations which are fighting for it," Naik said responding to a question during a press conference here.Notably, Naik's statement came a day after the RSS and VHP pushed for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, asking the BJP to fulfil its Lok Sabha poll promise in this regard. "We consider this as a work for nation...the issue is currently subjudice. If land is available, then the temple can be constructed," the minister said. "Ram Mandir is a complicated issue and it is bound to take time," he further said.

BJP Government ready to help in construction of Ram temple: Shripad Naik

New Delhi(PTI): Union minister Shripad Naik on Tuesday said the government is ready to aid the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. ...

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Attackers will be paid back in same coin: Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi(PTI): Undeterred by the controversy over his earlier "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists" remark, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has asserted that he will go to "any extent" to protect India and those who attack will be "paid back in the same coin".<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/340053-pti-manohar-parrikar-square.jpg" width="600" />Parrikar noted that his remarks evoked a sharp reaction only from one country and, without naming Pakistan, said the question was about his reaction on the terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir supported by Pakistan. "So the response was based on that," he told PTI in an interview. He further added that the word "neutralise" does not mean only killing but also making terrorists switch the sides and surrendering. Underlining that his remark was generic and not against anyone in particular, Parrikar maintained that only a certain part of his remarks was picked up and highlighted."Basically, if I have to defend my country, I will go to any extent...Whatever is required to be done will be done. That is the basic motto which one should have. "If someone harms my country, I have to take pro-active action....The army's basic purpose is that if anyone attacks the country, attack him back. Pay him back in the same coin," Parrikar asserted, underlining that one does not keep 13 lakh strong Army to "preach peace".However, he clarified that "I have not said I am going to do covert operation. I did not talk about it. The person who asked me talked about covert operation. Not me." During a media event last week, Parrikar, in reply to a question, had said, "We have to neutralise terrorists through terrorists only. Why can't we do it? We should do it".The remarks generated sharp reaction from Pakistan which said it confirms apprehensions about India's involvement in terrorism. "This statement only confirms Pakistan's apprehensions about India's involvement in terrorism in Pakistan. It must be the first time that a Minister of an elected government openly advocates use of terrorism in another country on the pretext of preventing terrorism from that country or its non-state actors," Sartaz Aziz, Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, has said."It is my duty to go to any extent. It is my oath that I have taken that I will protect the constitution. Protecting constitution means protecting the country. So obviously, for protection of my country, certain issues have to be done. Giving interpretation to it, I will not give," Parrikar said.The minister also said he is clear when he talks about neutralising. "The word neutralising does not mean killing all the time. Neutralising means a person surrendering, using someone against someone, it can be through peaceful means also. Neutralising means he comes on your side. That means intelligence," he said. Parrikar said he has directed the Army that if someone starts firing at them, "then kill him"."I have told army that they should not hesitate. Don't lose your men like Col Rai who was such a brave soldier. I can't afford to lose such wonderful men," Parrikar said. Col M N Rai was killed in Jammu and Kashmir in January by a terrorist who said he was surrendering after being encircled. He fatally shot Col Rai before being gunned down."My instructions are clear. Don't lose your personnel. Be careful about human rights, be careful about collateral damage because at times you are operating in a densely populated area. And though you may know that populated areas are also harbouring terrorists, civilians should not be harmed," he said.

Attackers will be paid back in same coin: Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi(PTI): Undeterred by the controversy over his earlier "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists" remark,...

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Bofors wasn't established as a scandal by Indian Court, says President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi(dna): Days before his visit to Sweden, President Pranab Mukherjee in an interview to Sweden Daily 'Dagens Nyheter' talks about Bofors Scandal.<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/339934-pranab-mukherjee-2.jpg" width="600" />In the interview, President Mukherjee was asked to comment on the Bofors Scandal in India in the 1980s. To this he replied, "First of all - it is yet to be to be established that there was a scandal. No Indian court has established it."He further said, "I was the defence minister of the country long after Bofors, and all my generals certified that this is one of the best guns we are having. Till today, Indian army is using it. The so-called scandal which you talk of, yes, in the media, it was there. There was a media trial. But I’m afraid, let us not be too much carried by publicity."During the interview he was asked if the Bofors Scandal was nothing but a media scandal. To this, President Mukherjee replied, "I do not know. I’m not describing it, you’re putting that word. Don’t put that word. What I am saying is that in media it was publicised. But up to now, no Indian court has given any decisive verdict about the alleged scandal."(Read the Dagens Nyheter interview here: “Bofors was a media trial”, says President of India)In 1980s, a deal between AB Bofors of Sweden and Indian Government was signed worth $285 million (Rs 1500 crore). The deal said AB Bofors would supply 410 155-mm howitzers to the Indian Army. In 1987, a Swedish Radio Broadcast alleged that Bofors paid illegal commissions to top Indian politicians and key defence officials before signing the deal.An investigation was carried out which threw up the then Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi's name in the scandal. The Congress lost the elections in 1989 owing to this controversy.Later, in 1997, years after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, CBI filed formal charges against him and others including a Sweden broker Ottavio Quattrocchi, AB Bofors and its former chied Martin Ardbo, AB Bofors agent Win Chadha.

Bofors wasn't established as a scandal by Indian Court, says President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi(dna): Days before his visit to Sweden, President Pranab Mukherjee in an interview to Sweden Daily 'Dagens Nyheter' talks ...

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Bofors wasn't established as a scandal by Indian Court, says President Pranab Mukherjee

Bofors wasn't established as a scandal by Indian Court, says President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi(dna): Days before his visit to Sweden, President Pranab Mukherjee in an interview to Sweden Daily 'Dagens Nyheter' talks ...

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Jacqueline Fernandez parties with Naomi Campbell

Jacqueline Fernandez parties with Naomi Campbell

Jacqueline Fernandez's international projects seem to have put her on the world map. The actress recently flew to the French Riveira to ...

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Don't try to cheat yourself: Kapil Dev to youngsters

Unlike the wild celebrations that current players display at the fall of a wicket, players of yesteryear were composed in expressing their happiness on the field.<img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/26/339875-kapil.jpg" />Images of Kapil Dev raising his arms in exultation after dismissing a batsman or just a hugging wicketkeeper before taking the ball and shining it for the next delivery were how players of the past went about.After accepting the CEAT International Lifetime Achievement Award here on Monday, legendary all-rounder Dev, quoting Bishen Singh Bedi, said, "They don't believe they can take wickets. I don't understand why they jump around when they take wickets. You are a bowler, just go and do your job."The 1983 World Cup-winning captain added: "When I see such reactions, I wish I could do that but I never could do that."On who should coach the Indian team, Kapil did not take any names. Even as names like Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are doing rounds, Kapil said: "The best person should get it. It is not important whether he is an Indian or a foreigner. If a foreigner can do a better job, then why not?"Kapil, who was briefly coach of the Indian team in 1999-2000, said, "the comfort level" that the coach has with the players is important."Cricket is much more open now than what used to be. I am not saying someone from Australia or England cannot do the job. Indian players are very talented but not matured. In our culture, a 50-year-old still looks up to his father. If the manager (read coach) does not give you the comfort factor, your performances will be affected."Present among the audience were Ajinkya Rahane, who won the CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year award and Deepak Hooda, the Young Player of the Year award. Kapil's advice to the youngsters was: "Believe in yourself. Don't try to cheat yourself."Rahane has been consistent for India in Tests in England and Australia with a century each on both the trips. He said, "Spending four months in Australia gave me confidence to play well in IPL." He rated his 103 at Lord's last year high."Scoring runs in both England and Australia is special. But winning is very important. Scoring a century at Lord's and winning the Test will remain very special to me," said Rahane.Rohit Sharma, the victorious Mumbai Indians captain, was honoured for his 264 in an ODI against Sri Lanka last November with the Special Award. Speaking on the IPL success, Sharma said: "Am certainly enjoying captaincy. It is a challenge to lead any team, not just in IPL. Ricky Ponting (head coach) and the support staff laid out a plan on how to go about. It is important to hold the team together and have a positive approach throughout the tournament," said Sharma.Perhaps what was said in good humour by former Australian batsman and master of ceremonies for the evening, Dean Jones, left R Vinay Kumar, Ranji Trophy-winning Karnataka captain embarrassed. After Vinay received the Domestic Player of the Year award, Jones asked Vinay if he sent a crate of wine to the chairman of selectors, Sandeep Patil. Not knowing what to say, Jones quickly added, leaving the hall in splits: "You have to suck up to the chairman of selectors. I used to do that to the chairman of selectors to get into the Australian side."THE CEAT CRICKET RATING AWARD WINNERS FOR 2014-15: International Cricketer of the Year: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) Indian Cricketer of the Year: Ajinkya Rahane International Batsman of the Year: Hashim Amla (South Africa) International Bowler of the Year: Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) T20 Player of the Year: Dwayne Bravo (West Indies and Chennai Super Kings) Popular Choice Award: Kieron Pollard (West Indies and Mumbai Indians) Special Award: Rohit Sharma (India) Domestic Cricketer of the Year: R Vinay Kumar (Karnataka) Young Player of the Year: Deepak Hooda (Baroda and Rajasthan Royals) International Lifetime Achievement Award: Kapil Dev

Don't try to cheat yourself: Kapil Dev to youngsters

Unlike the wild celebrations that current players display at the fall of a wicket, players of yesteryear were composed in expressing their h...

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