Existentialism

  By Ramy Inocencio , for CNN Hong Kong (CNN) -- The United States and the Soviet Union defined the world's first space race, but following South Korea's successful orbital rocket launch this week, it appears Asia -- particularly North Asia -- is the world's new epicenter for space rivalries in the 21st century. "In some sense we are already there," says Daniel Pinkston, North East Asia Deputy Project Director for International Crisis Group in Seoul, South Korea. "The Chinese have been very active... (also) Japan, North and South Korea. It's quite a competitive atmosphere." The race will only ratchet up later this year. In the second half of 2013, China will shoot for the moon with the aim of landing a rover vehicle on its surface; building on exploration milestones in 2003 and 2012 with the first man, then woman , in space. India plans to send an unmanned probe into Mars orbit this November . ...

Femi Atoyebi, PUNCH NEWSPAPER   Mali captain Seydou Keita says he will pay the players if they beat South Africa to reach the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. The west African country is involved in a military coup and just recently the city of Timbuktu was freed from rebel occupancy, with the Eagles players having spoken about this conflict while dedicating their performances to their countrymen. However, with Patrice Carteron’s side making it to the quarter-finals, attentions were vaguely turned to money matters which Keita quickly squashed. “There might still be some disagreement over the bonuses for the semi-finals, but we said we will work it out,” said the 33-year-old midfielder. “I, myself, actually told the (sports) minister that if we made it to the semi-finals and that there was still a disagreement over the bonuses, I could myself contribute to these bonuses.” He added: “You cannot imagine how moved and happy I am to be here today and be a...

by Friday Olokor and Ihuoma Chiedozie, PUNCH NEWSPAPER   Members of civil rights groups marched on the premises of the Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court in Abuja on Wednesday as they protested the light sentence imposed on a former Assistant Director of the Police Pension Office, Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf, who admitted conniving with others to defraud the PPO and pensioners of N27.2bn. They demanded the investigation of Justice Abubakar Talba of an Abuja High, Court for sentencing Yusuf to only two years imprisonment with an option of N750,000 fine. Yusuf was, however, rearrested and rearraigned on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for willfully “failing to disclose his interest in a private company known as SY-A Global Services Limited.” But just as another Abuja High Court remanded the convict in prison custody till March 1, the civil rights groups’ members and students numbering over 200 remin...

The recent 18th Party Conference has been widely seen as a victory for retired Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Ten years after leaving office his faction remains a force to be reckoned with in the Communist Party — outgoing President Hu Jintao succeeded in placing only one close ally, Prime Minister Li Keqiang, on the Politburo Standing Committee, the highest tier of Party leadership. By contrast, Jiang is seen as having had at least five allies ascend to the powerful body. But China's factional system is ripe for change. Jiang's age, 86, and Xi Jinping’s rise to the presidency, makes it unlikely that future negotiations will take place among the intra-party groups we now recognize.  Rather, Xi will likely follow the example of his predecessors Hu and Jiang in building his own faction, with new individuals who owe their advancement entirely to him. Today, two groups, both associated with Jiang but distinct from one another, seem to be the in the ascendant: the “Shanghai Ga...

By J. Michael Cole (http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2012/08/06/china-developing-a-2nd-stealth-fighter/?utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20the-diplomat%20%28The%20Diplomat%20RSS%29&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner)  Video and screen shots of an aircraft fuselage covered in camouflage tarp seen in late June   have fueled rumors that China may be developing a second fifth-generation aircraft, known as the J-21 “Snowy Owl.” Whether a new stealth aircraft is being developed, at a time when Chinese engineers are still struggling with the Chengdu J-20, remains to be seen, but military analysts are of the view that this is not impossible, especially if the aircraft are to play different roles. Much speculation has surrounded Chengdu Aircraft Co.’s (CAC)   J-20 stealth aircraft   since it made its debut in January 2011, coinciding with then-U.S. Secretary of Defense   Robert Gates’ visit to Beijing . So far, the existence of two J-20 prototypes —...

How To Conquer Aptitude Tests 181 days ago   by   Arowolo Anuoluwapo   www.jobberman.com With thousands of applicants waiting to get employed, recruiters now utilise aptitude tests to shortlist candidates. This does not only save them time, but also provides a cost-effective means of selecting the right candidates for the right jobs. With today’s technology, applicants do not have to converge at a place; you can write an aptitude test right within the confines of your home. Aptitude tests are designed to assess your thinking performance, and your result will be compared to those of the control group so that the examiner can judge your abilities. As a candidate, this is the time to display your professional skills and make a good impression, as this will determine your movement to the interview stage. Aptitude tests come in different formats – numerical, verbal, abstract, spatial, mechanical, personality etc. and are usually timed, so the faster (and more corre...

Advice from Top Bloggers in Human Resources 2 days ago   by   Adejoke Adekunle   www.jobberman.com Image source: My Seo Guidance         This is something you should  read with your mind doors and windows open, it’ll help you. These words once got me doing a rethink, not just about my job search, but about my life. And I’m hoping they’d do the same for you. Read it, share it but mostly, act it. Successful people have mentors. The best thing you can do for your career is to get a strong set of mentors. Studies from the University of California- Santa Cruz found that almost every fortune 500 CEO can name a roster of mentors who helped them along the way.   Penelope Trunk Always communicate your value to employers. At every point in the job seeking process, understand, communicate and market yourself based on the value you will bring to the companies you want to work for. Understanding how you can bring ...