Microsoft reportedly names Ford, Nokia chiefs on CEO shortlist

Elop's in the running

How do you solve a problem like replacing Microsoft's outgoing CEO? Trimming the fat from a long list of potential candidates is one option, and it looks like the company has done just that.

According to Reuters' all-knowing anonymous sources, the software and services giant has whittled down a list of 40 potential candidates to leave at least four remaining.

They include ex-Nokia chief Steven Elop, former Skype CEO Tony Bates (who now runs Microsoft's business development), Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Satya Nadella, who oversees Microsoft's cloud and enterprise services unit.

All four names have been passed through the rumour mill in recent times - Elop has long been backed as Ballmer's potential successor due to Microsoft and Nokia's special relationship.

Ford's Mulally has repeatedly made clear his desire to stay at the motor company's helm until 2014, though he may be persuaded to pursue other glittering opportunities should they arise, according to Reuters' sources.

Names not to appear in the list include ex-Windows chief Steven Sinofsky (who appeared in our own list of six potential candidates) and former Juniper Networks CEO Kevin Johnson.

Microsoft has until August 2014 to find a replacement for Ballmer after the larger-than-life exec announced his departure from the company in a blaze of teary, Dirty Dancing-styled glory.

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‘The Breakfast Club’: Jill Scott Names Elijah Blake One Of Her Favourite Artists

For many, her contributions to music is immeasurable- standing tall as one of the few R&B acts to sustain a critical and commercial acclaim just as strong now as it was upon the release of her debut album 13 years ago.

We’re talking about Jill Scott of course, the genius behind the Grammy winning effort that is ‘Cross My Mind‘.

Now, during an interview with hit radio show ‘The Breakfast Club‘, the singer/songwriter has revealed the name of the new is occupying the most space in mind and soul.

Elijah Blake.

While forgetting his first name while singing his praises, Scott took to Twitter to confirm she was indeed reffering to Elijah with the message below…

Upon learning of her praise, the 23 year old star responded with:

RT “@missjillscott: @queenlaven YES! @robertglasper introduced me. Dope”<~ Thank You. Always great to be appreciated by a living legend

— Elijah Blake (@SirElijahBlake) September 24, 2013

To which Jill replied with:

Jill’s kind words come before the winter release of Blake’s second EP ‘Bijoux 23', the follow up to 2012's ‘Bijoux 22' which featured the numbers, ‘XOX’, ‘Everything’ and the fan favourite ‘Vicky’s Secret’.

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Algeria's Bouteflika names new ministers months after stroke

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seen at the presidential palace in Algiers December 11, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Louafi Larbi

ALGIERS | Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:45pm EDT

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika named new ministers for foreign affairs, the interior and justice on Wednesday in a major resumption of political activity since he suffered a stroke in April.

The North African oil and gas producer's prime minister and its finance and energy ministers kept their posts in the reshuffle, the state APS news agency reported.

Bouteflika, 76, returned from a French hospital in July, and state media have since released pictures of him meeting officials and said he was recuperating.

Observers and analysts said Wednesday's changes were likely aimed at trying to strengthen Bouteflika's allies ahead of presidential elections in April 2014 when he is not expected to stand.

APS quoted a presidential statement naming Ramtane Lamamra, an African Union official, as foreign minister, and Tayeb Belaiz as interior minister. It also named a justice and vice defense minister.

Energy minister Youcef Yousfi, finance minister Karim Djoudi and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal stayed on, APS said.

Bouteflika is part of an elite that has controlled Algeria since it won independence in a 1954-62 war.

In the early 1990s, the military-backed politicians overturned an election which Islamists were poised to win and then fought a conflict with them in which about 200,000 people were killed.

Re-elected for a third term in 2009, Bouteflika has not said whether he will run again after ruling the country for more than a decade.

(Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed in Algiers; Editing by Patrick Markey and Andrew Heavens)

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