I-League Clubs to be in ISL as AFC-AIFF Decide on Single League Roadmap
Get the best of News18 delivered to your inbox – subscribe to News18 Daybreak. Follow News18.com on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok and on YouTube, and stay in the know with what’s happening in the world around you – in real time. New Delhi: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the top bosses of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) met in Kuala Lumpur and formulated a roadmap for league football in India on Monday.At the meeting, it was decided that two clubs from the I-League will be offered entry into the Indian Super League by the end of the 2020/21 season, while the club that wins the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons of the I-League will get berths in the ISL in the next respective years. Clubs in both leagues will be consolidated into one league by the 2024/25 season and a system of promotion and relegation will be implemented.There will be no changes in the team rosters in the 2021/22 season. This is also slated to be the year when the AIFF decides upon the details of the consolidated league that will start from the 2024/25 season.Additionally, the I-League clubs that get promoted to the ISL in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons will not get a share of the central revenue which is distributed to other franchises. AFC website”Everyone has to put the good of Indian football at the forefront and take the best decisions to develop Indian club football. The AFC will be very much involved to ensure the growth of the game to the next level with the pathway to a single league,” AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said in a statement.”Every point of this package and it is a package has been thought-out extremely carefully and it is aimed simply at providing the best chance to develop Indian club football. We have informed AIFF that 10-12 teams are not enough for the top League it must be bigger.”Everyone has contributed to the development of the Indian club game – ISL, I-League clubs, the AIFF and the AFC and I am sure that if this roadmap is considered further, then Indian football will see the benefits for the game. We are now all working together to deliver the best future,” he added.AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said the proposed roadmap is in the best interest of all stake holders of Indian football.”We now have a roadmap which provides the best opportunity for Indian club football. I would like to thank the AFC and its General Secretary for their contribution in proposing a solution to this unique problem. India is an important country for football in Asia,” he said.”We have to be financially sustainable and take into consideration all commercial and contractual aspects of this plan because commerce is key to football not only in India but across the world of football.”We must be cognisant of that fact of football life, that footballing legacy and investment are equally important for the development of Indian football,” Das added.(With inputs from Agencies) afcAIFF Indian SuperAll India Football FederationAsian Football Confederation First Published: October 14, 2019, 3:13 PM IST
New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Congress today accused AIADMK members of disrupting the proceedings of Rajya Sabha at the behest of the ruling BJP, with Deputy Chairman P J Kurien also terming the turn of events in the House as “murder of democracy”. AIADMK members created ruckus in both Houses of Parliament by holding noisy protests seeking action against former Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti over the Aircel-Maxis issue, leading to several adjournments during the day. “There has to be an order in the House to discuss this,” Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said as the House took up discussion on a Calling Attention motion regarding inflammatory speeches by a Union Minister and other elected representatives violating the Constitution and oath of office. Azad, who was to move the motion, also said that the disruption was “organised by the ruling party” so that the calling attention on the “serious” issue, listed in the agenda today, is not taken up. “A serious issue is not discussed like this. This is a deliberate attempt by the AIADMK. Otherwise, never before has AIADMK behaved like this,” the Congress leader said. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, too slammed the noisy protests, saying the behaviour of the AIADMK MPs was “very bad”. “You can approach the government for appropriate action. Why are you disrupting the proceedings of the House? This is irresponsible behaviour. This is murder of democracy,” he said. Even though Kurien first said he would not adjourn the proceedings, he finally did it till 3 PM as the sloganeering continued unabated. PTI SAP ARCadvertisement
New Delhi: 12 June 2017 (PTI) EDITORS: Photos with Captions released today. To view thumbnails of these Photographs, visit PTI website at..http.//www.ptinews.com NATIONAL Allahabad: Men relaxing on the banks of Ganga (B) Mumbai: Celebrating 20 years of Border movie (B) New Delhi: Triumph All-New 2017 Street Triple S motorcycle launch (A+B) New Delhi: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in New Delhi(A+B) Amritsar: Cong workers protest against BJP (B) New Delhi: APEDA Annual Export awards event (A) New Delhi: Piyush Goyal addresses press (B+A) New Delhi: Kiran Bedi meets Jitendra Singh (B) New Delhi: FMs review meeting with Public Sector Banks (B) New Delhi: Hot day in Delhi (B) Guwahati: Sarbananda Sonowal with Anshu Jamsenpa (B) Jammu: Artists protest in Jammu (B) Bengaluru: Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru (B) Jammu: Farmers protest in Jammu (B) Bengaluru: Hamid Ansari in Bengaluru (A) INTERNATIONAL London : Boris Johnson outside his ministerial residence (A) Washington : Equality March for Unity and Pride in Washington (B) Le Touquet : legislative elections, in Le Touquet (B) New York : Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York (B) Washington : Donald Trump waves as he walks with first lady Melania Trump (B+A) Marengo : An explosion at a home in Marengo (B) New York : 71st annual Tony Awards (B) Jackson : training exercises with the militia, Georgia Security Force (B) Manila : Flag-raising rites to celebrate the 119th anniversary of Philippine independence (B) New York : 71st annual Tony Awards (A+B) Los Angeles : Xbox E3 2017 Briefing (A) Makati : Protesters display placards during a rally (B) Chicago : Fawzia Mirza emcees the LGBTQ Chicago Equality rally (B) Bela Cerka : General elections in Kosovo capital Pristina (B) Tokyo : Female giant panda ShinShin eats bamboo at Ueno Zoo(B) Amman : Egyptian physicist Gihan Kamel, works in her lab (B) Beijing : Singapores Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing (B) Seoul : South Korean President Moon Jae-in, is greeted by lawmakers (B) Düsseldorf : A row of canada geese can be seen crossing the streets of Duesseldor (B) Bad Hindelang: Musicians of the alphorn blowers “Holdersberger Alp-Traum-Blaeser” play their special instruments (B) SPORTS Dublin : World Cup qualifying Group D soccer match (A) Montreal : Canadian Grand Prix auto race (A+B) Canastota : induction ceremony in Canastota, N.Y. (B) ashville : NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final (B) Mexico City : World Cup soccer qualifying match (B) Udine : Group G qualifying soccer match (B) PTI PHOTO GCS DL DLadvertisement
\R Brussels, Jul 11 (AFP) Football came to the rescue of tense NATO leaders at a summit today, providing them with a welcome diversion from the tensions roiling the transatlantic military alliance. The group is facing one its most difficult meetings in years due to US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the organisation and his targeting of German leader Angela Merkel. But with the World Cup semi-finals in NATO’s traditional adversary Russia made up exclusively of members of the western military alliance, the heads of state and government in Brussels were able to turn to football to lighten the atmosphere. British Prime Minister Theresa May exchanged a team jersey with her Croatian counterpart ahead of today’s night’s England-Croatia semi final clash. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel tweeted a pictured of May smiling with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, saying that everything was “still all ok” between the on-pitch rivals. The Croatian president also gave May a shirt — and one to Trump with his surname emblazoned on the back, even though the United States did not compete in the World Cup finals. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel meanwhile teased French President Emmanuel Macron about yesterday’s game between their countries that saw France win 1-0 to book a place in the final on Sunday. “Frankly Emmanuel, yesterday the French team was very lucky,” Michel said with a smile. But he suggested the sport could provide an example to the military alliance. “Like in football, fair-play and team spirit are what we need more than ever,” he said.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg declined to say which team he was supporting when asked by reporters.advertisement “Representing 29 nations I will not pick any specific team I would like to win,” he said, adding that his own country Norway had not qualified for the finals in Russia. (AFP) SMJSMJ
Topics Australia sport Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Read more Melissa Barbieri (@Bubs_11)I am heart broken over this….I want to know what happened to them. How can we make it up to them?Fly them to Perth @tpignata9 🙏 please someone 💔 https://t.co/6QcQtdwC85May 12, 2019 Share via Email Football Federation Australia is investigating after a fan was ejected from Sunday’s A-League semi-final at Sydney’s Jubilee Oval amid accusations of heavy-handed policing which left the man’s daughter, who has special needs, “traumatised”.Rory Carroll, a Sydney FC supporter, said he was trying to take his daughter, who has Down’s syndrome, to the disabled toilet when he was told by security staff he could not do so as it was in a restricted zone.A number of police officers were called to attend the scene and Carroll, who said he had not been drinking because he was driving on the evening of the game, can he heard on a video taken by another crowd member questioning the decision not to let him and his daughter through.“The disabled toilets, because my daughter needs it, are right there and they won’t let me take my daughter through,” he said. “That’s what this is all about. You guys want to kick me out because he said so [as he points at security] and I can’t take my disabled daughter five metres.”Carroll and his family can then be seen being escorted from the stand by several police officers (witnesses claim there were up to 10) to a chorus of boos from the crowd. A-League Share on Twitter news Tom Miles (@TomMile43729676)10 Uniformed Police and 4 security guards evict a father who wanted to take his disabled daughter to the closest toilet. @ALeague @9NewsSyd @SydneyFC #SYDvMVC #BigBlue #ALeague pic.twitter.com/MdXZSCv2RqMay 12, 2019 Sydney
Australian police and policing Disability FFA issued a statement on Monday afternoon to confirm there had been dialogue with Carroll following the incident, and that it was continuing to review the matter, having received multiple stadium security incident reports.“There are conflicting accounts and a potential misunderstanding of the circumstances that led to the eviction,” the FFA statement read. “FFA will seek further discussion with stadium management and police to seek clarity around the level of response used to evict a single person. FFA continues to work with all parties, including the fan, to resolve the matter.”FFA board member Remo Nogarotto indicated he backed action on what he said is a longstanding issue of the treatment of football fans. “My position on the deliberate profiling of football fans is on the public record but this goes well beyond the pale,” Nogarotto tweeted. “Our game needs to escalate this politically and demand policing in line with other sports.”Carroll said he and his family had been excited to attend the game against Melbourne Victory, which Sydney FC won 6-1, but the experience soured their evening and even prompted him to consider his future attendance at A-League games.“My daughter had not stopped talking about [the game] and got dressed into her SFC gear,” he tweeted. “Unfortunately that’s not how our night ended. I had to console crying girls, and put up with multiple police cars monitoring my movements as we exited the stadium.” Share on Messenger Share on Pinterest Reuse this content Police Sydney FC hand Melbourne Victory record A-League Big Blue belting Share on WhatsApp New South Wales New South Wales police confirmed the incident and said the man was ejected because he refused to cooperate with their requests, but denied the police response was over zealous.“A reasonable amount of police to ensure they can do their job safely and effectively would be within those numbers,” Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said on Monday afternoon. “I wouldn’t describe it as heavy handed or over the top.”Walton said Carroll wanted to access the grandstand because “there was a greater variety of beer available than there was in the outer grandstand area where he was seated”. That information, Walton said, came from a written “security record” provided to him by security staff at the ground.But Carroll denied he had been drinking on Monday night, as he took his responsibility as a designated driver seriously. “I needed to go and check the same toilet that my daughter uses for it’s cleanliness,” he said.
TagsTransfersAbout the authorPaul VegasShare the loveHave your say Agent: Man Utd have advantage in Koulibaly battleby Paul Vegas9 months agoSend to a friendShare the loveThe agent of Kalidou Koulibaly admits the Napoli defender has been a long-term target for Manchester United.United have been linked with a €100m bid for the Senegal international.Agent Bruno Satin said, “When I took Kalidou to Napoli, Manchester United had already contacted me to inquire about the boy. “He’s one of the best defenders in the world and he has the perfect profile for English football. “United has never stopped following him and maybe they have an advantage over others … we’ll see what happens.” 
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The Mass Metrology Laboratory of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has been designated as the Regional Reference Laboratory, making it the first of its kind in the region.The designation, by the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), is in recognition of the BSJ’s capabilities in mass metrology and the value of these capabilities to the development of the regional infrastructure.Speaking at the official ceremony held on Friday morning (February 1) at the BSJ offices in St. Andrew, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton hailed the move as being of “extreme significance” in the development of industry and commerce in the region. “Most trade involves the measurement of mass or volume. Standards underpin quality, and hence, the undeniable impact of the value of metrology on commerce and trade, especially in agricultural products and by-products, which form the backbone of exports from Jamaica, and most of the Caribbean region,” he said.The Minister noted that standards development is critical to Jamaica’s effort to develop a competitive economy as the basis for deepening its integration into the global supply and value chains.“The ability of our exports to penetrate global markets hinges on the degree to which our exporters are in compliance with standards that are imposed on the conduct of trade,” he added, citing the recent passage of the Food Safety and Modernisation Act (FSMA) of 2010 that calls for new standards requirements for food exporters.“We therefore consider the designation of the Mass Metrology Laboratory of the Bureau of Standards as an important indication that we are moving in the right direction towards developing a strong international reputation as a country that is standards-driven,” he stated. He pointed out that the BSJ’s Metrology lab has been described by the Caribbean Metrology Network (CARIMET) as “the most well equipped lab in the region, with the highest level of experience and expertise”.Mr. Hylton said the regional designation has been wholeheartedly endorsed by Germany’s National Metrology Institute (PTB), which has provided significant technical support for the development and operation of the laboratory for 25 years. Executive Director at BSJ, Yvonne Hall, stated that the designation is a “signal step” for the bureau “as it moves forward in the economic development of the country and as we recognize that standards and quality is the infrastructure for global trade”.During the ceremony Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between the National Metrology Institutes (NMI) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the BSJ; and the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) and the BSJ in recognition of the facility.Mass metrology provides a unique measurement of the mass change resulting from any process step. Metrology, which is the science of measurement, plays a key role in industry, international trade and in everyday life. Accurate and reliable measurements are critical in assuring product quality, and in supporting environmental, health and safety issues.The Mass Metrology Laboratory of the BSJ was among the earliest of the metrology laboratories at the BSJ, and in the English-speaking Caribbean.The Bureau provides metrology services through a number of laboratories to various sectors including health, telecommunications, security, construction, food and beverage, and mining.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, is attributing Jamaica’s improved ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report to the dedication and commitment of public-sector employees. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, is attributing Jamaica’s improved ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report to the dedication and commitment of public-sector employees.Jamaica is now ranked 70th out of 137 countries, moving from number 86 some 10 years ago. The World Economic Forum introduced the Global Competitiveness Report in 2004.“In the last five years, there has been a positive upward trend in our ranking, and most of that has been to be attributed to the work of the public sector,” she said while addressing the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) Men’s Forum at the Jacisera Park Sports Complex in St. Andrew on May 7.Ms. Williams informed that the first and most important pillar in the global index is institutions, which refers to the Government and its agencies.She noted that Jamaica has been steadily improving its standing in this category, and for 2017/18 is ranked 63rd in the world.Meanwhile, Ms. Williams said projects are in place to address public-sector service delivery and strengthen operations under the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme.The projects are Business Facilitation and Customer Service; Integrated Information and Communications Technology; Public Sector Human Resource Development and Management; Resource Management and Accountability; and Administrative Efficiency.“It is incumbent on civil servants to consistently enhance these elements of administrative and service delivery to accept that they are not one-off options but, rather, workplace activities, which are integral to commanding a better space and delivering excellent service,” the Minister said.Turning to the theme of the Men’s Forum, ‘The Trade Union at a Crossroads, Its Relevance in a Modern Society,’ she said trade unions must seek to ensure their survival in the 21st century.“Now more than ever, groups of workers, such as civil servants, need to maintain an articulate, positive organisation, which ensures its survival and the contribution that it has been making to country. As a democratic society that champions the rights of individuals, our country affirms the role of trade unions in their remit to enhance the rights of workers in the workplace. As such, trade unions must have a role in modern society,” she said.Ms. Williams wished the JCSA success as it continues to be relevant in a modern, increasingly competitive and demanding global context.The JCSA was founded in 1919 and seeks to uphold the highest qualities of professional service to the nation through the guarantee of a highly trained workforce of competent and committed persons whose legitimate interests are safeguarded and affirmed through membership in the organisation. “In the last five years, there has been a positive upward trend in our ranking, and most of that has been to be attributed to the work of the public sector,” she said while addressing the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) Men’s Forum at the Jacisera Park Sports Complex in St. Andrew on May 7. Meanwhile, Ms. Williams said projects are in place to address public-sector service delivery and strengthen operations under the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme. Story Highlights
“We are still discovering, still interviewing persons, yesterday I had a long meeting with the senior management and staff of the Energy Division and Petrojam and we are working toward discovery – if there are other issues to be addressed,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister said based on issues emerging at Petrojam, he has engaged in a “process of discovery”. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is very ardent in developing and maintaining an anti-corruption framework.The Prime Minister said based on issues emerging at Petrojam, he has engaged in a “process of discovery”.Prime Minister Holness was responding to questions posed by journalists this morning (July 10) following a personal presentation to the family of young Tahj Rowe.“We are still discovering, still interviewing persons, yesterday I had a long meeting with the senior management and staff of the Energy Division and Petrojam and we are working toward discovery – if there are other issues to be addressed,” said Prime Minister Holness.The Prime Minister reminded journalists and the public that the process of investigation must take place in order to ensure justice.“The balance that we have struck, is to ensure that we as quickly as possible investigate, discover, call to account, ask for reports and act on that because at the end of the day, the public has to beassured that we act on information that is factual information, that has basis in truth,” stated Prime Minister Holness.Responding to further questions from journalists, Prime Minister Holness said the Opposition would do a great disservice to the people of Jamaica if they were to not cooperate on national issues with Government.“I think the country moves forward with the Opposition and the Government drawing out areas where they can cooperate, where they can agree on because in modern politics, a level of maturity has to be exhibited, not everything should be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency,” said Prime Minister Holness.In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is here to serve the people for the long term.“In the long ‘game’, it will be shown that the Government acted with integrity, that there was no attempt to cover up anything, that the Government followed a process and that justice at the end of the day will be done; that the public purse will be protected and that the Government will be stronger and more efficient. As I’ve said, we have immediately acted, we have made certain policy changes that will not just affect Petrojam but generally to improve the operations and governance of public bodies,” stressed Prime Minister Holness. Story Highlights Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is very ardent in developing and maintaining an anti-corruption framework.
People in central Nova Scotia will get the help they need to repair their homes or businesses after recent flooding. Lenore Zann, MLA for Truro Bible Hill, on behalf of Ross Landry, Minister responsible for Emergency Management, announced details of a disaster financial assistance plan and an increase on the cap on claims today, Oct. 11. “Nova Scotians work hard to buy homes, and build businesses. Sometimes though, their dreams are spoiled by circumstances beyond their control,” said Ms. Zann. “I have met with families who lost their furnaces and other appliances in this flooding. Now they should have help before the winter sets in.” The program announced today provides basic recovery assistance to homeowners, business owners and not-for-profit organizations affected by floods from heavy rain Sept. 9 to 11. “I was on the ground during that flooding from 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 10,” said Ron Cavanaugh, deputy mayor of Colchester County. “I saw a lot of damage, and I believe this program and the increased cap will be a great help to people.” Until recently, disaster financial assistance was capped at $50,000 for homeowners, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. The province has increased the maximum assistance to $80,000 for people and small businesses and $200,000 for not-for-profit organizations. The new cap will also apply to future disaster assistance claims. “Times have changed, and it’s more expensive to make repairs,” said Ms. Zann. Claims information and application forms are available at emo.gov.ns.ca and at Access Nova Scotia centres. The program, which covers uninsurable damage in Colchester, Cumberland, Hants and Pictou counties and Halifax Regional Municipality, will cost about $2.6 million. The province will apply to the federal government to cover a portion under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement.
The minister will also meet with Capital Health and the IWK during the tour. The province will issue a document highlighting what the province heard and provide an opportunity for public feedback. Jan. 27-28: Southwest Health Authority Feb. 4-6: Cape Breton Health Authority Feb. 18: Annapolis Valley Health Authority Feb. 19: South Shore Health Authority Feb. 25: Colchester Health Authority Feb. 26: Cumberland Health Authority March 4: Pictou Health Authority March 5: Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine will visit district health authorities over the next six weeks to discuss how to improve provincial health services. The minister will meet with board members, senior leadership teams and community health board chairs in the nine districts and the IWK Health Centre, to hear views on how to improve health care for Nova Scotians. He will also share his vision on how to improve the health care system to put patient care first. “In the coming year, the province will be moving toward a more streamlined health-care system, focused on provincewide solutions for Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Glavine. “These changes need to be done in close collaboration with our partners in the districts. They have the first-hand experience and direct knowledge that will be key in making this transition as smooth and effective as possible.” One of the province’s priorities is to shift from nine district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre to two authorities by 2015-16. The two authorities will be a board for the IWK, and a provincial board, with four regional management zones. Mr. Glavine will talk to frontline staff and managers, patient advocates, volunteers, physicians, local labour, and community leaders during the tour, to hear how the system can work better for patients. “We need to break down the administrative walls of health care, to provide consistent, quality care to Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Glavine. “Fewer health authorities allow us to provide more equal access to specialized services and a more responsive and sustainable system for patients.” Mr. Glavine also stressed the importance of the local perspective and site management for these changes to be successful. “A new, streamlined health system will still need strong, community-based leadership and decision-making,” he said. “Foundations and auxiliaries will continue to be vital supports to their local hospitals, services, and communities.” The tour schedule is:
OTTAWA — A new report on the country’s highest-paid CEOs is adding evidence to the argument that women face a “double-pane glass ceiling” at the top of Canada’s corporate ladder — first in getting to the executive suite and, once there, earning as much as their male counterparts.The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates that of the more than 1,200 named executive officers, or NEOs, at 249 publicly traded companies in Canada, women earn about 68 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts.The study says the gap closes to 86 cents when looking at the wages of women and men in senior manager roles, almost in line with the country’s overall pay gap of 87 cents based on Statistics Canada calculations.The gap at the top means that, on average, men earn about $950,000 more annually than women in similar executive positions.The author of the report says the findings, while focused on the executive level where pay is already high, point to a larger equity issue.“This is certainly about executives — that’s what we’re looking at — but I think it’s reflective of what’s happening throughout corporate Canada and the difficulties that women face in getting a fair shake even if they do have the qualifications,” said David Macdonald, the centre’s senior economist.The findings are attached to the left-leaning centre’s annual report on the salaries of Canada’s highest-paid CEOs, who are estimated to earn what an average worker makes in a year by the time lunch rolls around Wednesday.A review of corporate filings of publicly traded companies shows the top CEOs earned an average of $10 million in 2017, the most recent year available, or about 197 times more than the average worker.An earlier analysis by The Canadian Press, cited in the centre’s report, found a similar gap among the country’s top 60 publicly traded companies. The review of records for 312 NEOs showed only 25 women and they earned an average of 64 cents for every dollar earned by male counterparts.Interviews with about a dozen executives revealed a range of reasons.They told The Canadian Press about how companies rely on the “old boys’ club” for executive searches. They also spoke about how outdated — and unchallenged — corporate culture in some companies leave women out of top jobs or fail to provide workplace support. The executives also mentioned a lack of confidence and risk-taking among women, an issue highlighted in academic research on executive pay.Macdonald’s report zeros in on three issues.First, few women are CEOs — about four per cent of Canadian CEOs and 10 per cent of top executives are women — where pay is the highest.Second, “performance pay” given to top executives — stock, stock options or cash rewards based on how a company performs — is predominantly higher for men than women. Eliminating bonus pay from the equation shrinks the gap to 82 cents, or almost the gap in the wider workforce.Finally, companies that have more women in their executive ranks tend to be smaller organizations, and therefore pay less than their larger counterparts, Macdonald said.Federal legislation passed in the spring created a “comply or explain” model for diversity on corporate boards, rather than setting quotas for the number of women, for instance. Macdonald’s report, citing a decade of data from Norway where quotas have increased the number of women on boards, suggests quotas aren’t the answer to closing the pay gap.— Follow @jpress on TwitterJordan Press, The Canadian Press
Boliden’s new electronics recycling facility at the Rönnskär copper smelter was opened last week by the Minister for the Environment, Lena Ek. The SEK1.3 billion investment increases the smelter’s capacity to 120,000 t/y “and thereby makes Boliden world leader in electronics recycling,” the company claims. The increased use of electronic products, shorter product lifecycles and stricter legislation governing electronic waste, means that the global availability of electronic scrap is increasing. “A growing share of the metal production will originate from recycling. With this project Boliden combines high environmental performance with good business returns,” says Lennart Evrell, President and CEO of Boliden.Boliden’s new facility increase Rönnskär’s electronics recycling capacity to 120,000 t/y. The expansion project started in 2010 and the smelting of electronic material in the new facilities began as planned in January 2012.“Boliden Rönnskär has for many years been a technological leader in the field of recycling electronics. This expansion takes advantage of our extensive experience in recycling electronics and enhances our competitive position in a growing market,” says Roger Sundqvist, General Manager at Rönnskär.The investment is in line with Boliden’s view of metals’ eco-cycle in a sustainable society. By increasing Rönnskär’s capacity, Boliden is helping ensure that more electronic scrap is recycled, rather than being sent to landfills.
Clashes between aid-giving nations and development partnersA White Paper on Irish Aid stated that embracing a rights-based approach opens up a language that will be helpful in terms of justifying decisions and explaining actions to other development partners, adding that clashes of values between host governments and development partners can often “get sidelined into political point-scoring affairs that hurt relationships, results and endanger the rights of already vulnerable groups”.“>Frontline Defenders said in response to the brief said that the absence of a dedicated human rights presence within the Development Cooperation Division (DCD) has impacted on the commitments contained in the White Paper.Without coherent human rights expertise and direction within the DCD, it is difficult to see how the Government is monitoring and evaluating the human rights obligations and impact of the Irish Aid programme… Without a dedicated Human Rights Officer within the Development Cooperation Division, and in the absence of a Rights-Based Approach, there is no clarity regarding the effect, positive or negative, of Irish Aid interventions on human rights at country level.They added that the relationship between the Human Rights Unit in the Political Division of the DFA, and the Development Cooperation Division could also be stronger and criticised that the White Paper contained no reference to LGBTI rights. They added:Ireland has become an active and well respected player at multilateral level on LGBTI rights, specifically through it’s engagement at the Human Rights Council… Ireland has become an active and well respected player at multilateral level on LGBTI rights, specifically through it’s engagement at the Human Rights Council.Sheehan said Ireland could go further in positioning itself at the forefront of LGBT rights in developing countries, stating:We think that this experience combined with our aid partnerships and our long involvement with education and health in many African countries, positions Ireland to play a significant role in supporting the development of LGBT rights in other countries. Column: Living for love, dying because of hate – the rising tide of homophobia in Africa>Column: Boycotting the Olympics would make things more difficult for Russia’s LGBT people> ACCORDING TO THE 2013 report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, 77 countries have laws making homosexuality illegal.Ireland’s aid programme is ranked as one of the best in the world, with the country giving €623 million last year.We give aid to Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia – all countries where homosexuality is illegal.Conditional aid is something that has been widely debated, with ethics and morality at the forefront of the argument. In situations where regimes overstep the mark internationally, sanctions are often introduced to attempt to enforce change, so is there an argument to be made that to bring about change to gay rights, bigger steps have to be taken?Map of where homosexuality is illegal. (Business Insider) To view list of countries click here. The argument is that countries that give aid – like Ireland – should not automatically believe they have a right to be a controlling force in the country.On the other side of the argument is a legitimate viewpoint that aid is not only given to alleviate poverty but also given to help the development of a strong government, human rights and a sustainable future for the country.Conditional aidThe question is; should the Irish government provide development aid to countries that criminalises homosexuality or should there be strings attached to the aid we provide regarding basic rights?In 2011, David Cameron pledged to slash aid to African countries with poor records on homosexual rights.The Prime Minister told struggling nations they would receive funding “fines” if persecution of gay people continues, going so far as cutting aid to Malawi by £19 million after two gay men were sentenced to 14 years hard labour.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told TheJournal.ie that their position is clear: “Consensual, same-sex relationships should not be criminalised and we strongly support measures to ensure that the right to freedom of expression and association can be enjoyed effectively by all.”They added that Ireland’s commitment to the “promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental feature of our foreign policy and aid programme” stating that their new Policy for International Development One World, One Future, identifies human rights and accountability as a key priority.The DFA said Ireland will continue to express their support for all human rights activists, in particular, those working on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights, stating they have made a firm commitment to combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.Ireland’s role Is this an ethical issue we should be looking more closely at? The DFA said this is something that has been on their radar for some time and something they raise with these countries. They stated: Ireland has its own particular history of progressing LGBT rights, where there has been a transformation over a relatively short timeframe. It’s just 20 years since we got rid of the old colonial laws which criminalised gay people here. At Ministerial and diplomatic level, Ireland continues to urge the Governments with whom we work to support the principle of non-discrimination in relation to sexual minorities.Speaking at the Front Line’s sixth Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders in 2011, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said the adoption of the Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, which Ireland co-sponsored at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2011, was important as it was the first time a UN resolution explicitly acknowledged human rights protection as covering sexual orientation.Last year, Gilmore said it was a “profound advancement”.Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Brian Sheehan, Director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said the recent developments in some countries are shocking and have created a real danger for many LGBT people.He said:The causes are complex and include for example the influence of religious groups based in America. It is important in addressing these urgent problems that we are guided by the perspective of local LGBT and human rights activists.He said he believed Ireland was in a unique position, stating:
In the deepest point of the Indian Ocean, a mysterious “gelatinous” creature was spotted for perhaps the first time ever.As part of a mission to reach the deepest parts of all five of the world’s oceans, diver Victor Vescovo from the Five Deeps Expedition was exploring the depths of the Java Trench — which, at 23,596 feet deep is believed to be the deepest point in the Indian Ocean — when he and his team saw what might be a new species of jellyfish or sea creature that resembled a balloon on a string.The Five Deeps team captured footage of the creature, from DSV Limiting Factor, the world’s deepest diving, currently operational submarine, calling it an “extraordinary gelatinous animal” which “does not resemble anything seen before.”The creature is believed to be a tunicate, particularly a stalked ascidean, also known as a sea squirt.“Amongst many other rare and unique observations, the stalked Ascidean was a really significant moment,” Alan Jamieson, the expedition’s chief scientist, said in a statement. “It is not often we see something that is so extraordinary that it leaves us speechless. At this point we are not entirely sure what species it was, but we will find out in due course.”The DSV Limiting Factor surfaces following a pioneering dive in the Indian Ocean. It is the world’s deepest diving,currently operational submarine. (Photo Credit: Five Deeps Expedition)Jamieson told CNN Travel a tunicate would normally be anchored to the seafloor using its big long tentacle. “And it’s for some reason raising its body above the sea floor so it can filter food out the water,” he said.The scientist concluded that the creature has adapted to the particular conditions inside the Java Trench. “Trenches are quite seismic — and normally tunicates would be attached to the sea floor. And, now, if it’s quite a seismic environment, you run the risk of being buried — so an adaptation to destructive environments is to raise yourself off the sea floor and in this case using this big long tentacle,” Jamieson told CNN.Aside from the mysterious sea squirt, the team also spotted creatures such as starfish and sea cucumbers and several hadal snailfish — palm-size, pinkish, tadpole-like critters with small black eyes and semitransparent bodies, through which their liver is clearly visible.Victor Vescovo is the first human to dive the depths of the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean. (Photo Credit: Five Deeps Expedition)The Five Deeps Expedition is being filmed by Atlantic Productions for a five-part Discovery Channel documentary series due to air in late 2019. It is the first oceanic journey to take a manned, commercially certified submersible vessel further and deeper than any in history.In addition to the Java Trench dive, the expedition has also successfully conducted the first detailed, sonar mapping and sample-collection mission at the deepest part of the Diamantina Fracture Zone of the Indian Ocean – an area known as the Dordrecht Deep. Before they visited the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean, the Five Deeps team also dove down to the trenches of the Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.The next stop on the Five Deeps Expedition is the Challenger Deep within the Mariana Trench, commonly known as the deepest ocean trench on earth. The bottom of the Mariana Trench has been reached by only two other manned submersibles: James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenger in 2012, and Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard’s bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960 — both of which only reached the bottom once.More on Geek.com:This Sea Creature Has a ‘Transient Anus’ That Only Appears When It’s NeededHeadless ‘Chicken Monster’ Spotted in Southern OceanOcean Rover Uncovers Rare Shark Nursery Off Irish Coast Extremely Rare, Two-Colored Lobster Found in MaineNew Species of Giant Flying Reptile Identified By Scientists Stay on target