Russia: Olympic torch blast into space

As part of efforts to showcase next years games in Russia, A torch for the Olympics has been blasted off into space.

This move by Russia is designed to portray it as a strong,modern country says BBC’s Daniel Sanford in Baikonur.

The rocket blasted off at 04:14:25 GMT from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

“Our goal here is to make it look spectacular.” Mr Oleg Kotov, a cosmonaut who is already on the orbiting station.

Although the torch will not be lit, the whole display is part of elaborate preparations for Russia’s first Olympics since the Soviet era.

Source:BBC news

 

 

Starbucks wants to recruit 10,000 veterans, spouses to its ranks

Starbucks has indicated that it would be hiring at least 10,000 veterans and spouses of active military in five years.

The world’s biggest coffee chain also said five new and existing U.S. Starbucks cafes on or near military bases will share a portion of each sales with non-profit organizations that help veterans re-enter the work force.

Announced ahead of the U.S. veterans day holiday on November 11, Starbucks new effort aims to expand and strengthen its existing mentoring program through the Armed Forces Network.

As the company expands globally and gets coffee and tea from around the globe, veterans offer international experience and foreign language skill; they bring an understanding of other cultures and they are accustomed to working with diverse and international partners.

 

Source: Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

Coal to power will solve epileptic power

Electricity consumers gets reassured by the Federal Government that the coal to power initiative would assist in solving the persistent epileptic power supply experienced by Nigerians.

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebu said that the government will ensure a secured energy mix for Nigerians through development vast coal resources for power generation. He reaffirmed that the quantum of coal deposit was large enough to provide electricity for the country in the next 20-30 years.

Prof. Chinedu disclosed that the African Development Bank had already indicated interest with regard to the provision of Partial Risk Quarantee for coal to power project in Nigeria.

 

Source: Vanguard news

 

 

 

Vatican issues global questionnaire on modern families-(AFP)

On Tuesday, the Vatican launched a worldwide consultation on modern families including same-sex couples as part of Pope Francis’s drive to reform the Catholic Church.

A questionnaire asking for detailed information about the “many new situations requiring the Church’s attention and pastoral care”. has been forwarded to Bishops around the world.

“Concerns which were unheard of until a few years ago have arisen today as a result of different situations, from the widespread practice of cohabitation… to same-sex unions,” it said. Read complete story 

 

Source:yahoo news

Dangote Cement Profit Soars On Increased Sales From Nigerian Market

Dangote Cement Plc has posted a 39.4 percent profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The company which is Africa’s largest cement manufacturer shows that revenue for the period under review rose by 28.7 percent to N288.98 billion compared to N244.50 billion the previous year, as cement sales in Nigeria gained 30 percent to 9.95 million metric tons.

Group Managing Director, Devakumar Edwin, said demand for cement remains strong in Nigeria with the company recording sales almost 30 percent higher than last year. He also noted that the company has grown at twice the market’s growth rate. The cement giant has also revealed plans to expand in 13 other African countries.

Dangote Cement Plc, is Nigeria’s leading cement producer with three plants in the country and owned by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Source: Ventures Africa

FG to establish new agric marketing corporations

 The Federal Government intends to establish new marketing corporation in a bid to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve market opportunities for farmers.

According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural development  “The first set of marketing corporations, which will be ready within the next few months, will be run by the private sector and will focus on cotton, cassava and cocoa.”

The success of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) had attracted global development finance institutions like, the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)to the country; they had committed two billion dollars to support the ATA.

The Minister also stated that “The first set of marketing corporations, which will be ready within the next few months, will be run by the private sector and will focus on cotton, cassava and cocoa.”  He added that progress had been made towards the development of agricultural commodity exchanges that would provide better opportunities to farmers to access markets and secure better prices.

Source: Businessnews

India Launches Mars Orbiter in Space.

India prepares to launch spacecraft to Mars in a bid to put a probe into orbit around the red planet before other Asian powers.The spacecraft is set to travel for 300 days, reaching Mars orbit in 2014.

If the satellite orbits the Red Planet, India’s space agency will become the fourth in the world after those of the U.S., Russia and Europe to successfully orbit Mars.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh refutes the view that India can ill-afford the project, which will cost about 4.5 billion-rupee( $73 million). He is counting on the space program to yield technological advances that bolter the country’s development prospects.

Source: Bloomberg