A 16-minute matter: ‘Mr Musharraf, take your seat’

ISLAMABAD: 

On the day that transpired as General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s maiden appearance in the special court, media personnel deployed outside the special court anxiously looked on for any signs of the accused. As the waiting period drew into its first hour, gossip surrounding the possibilities of what could ensue was at its zenith.

Some said his convoy may be diverted to the Benazir Bhutto International Airport; others speculated that he would be transported to his luxurious farmhouse in Chak Shahzad rather than to court.

Inside the courtroom, the usually vacant witness box to the left of the bench had a lone chair for the accused. A security sweep was meticulously conducted. The bomb disposal squad made thorough inspections all around; special jammers were placed on the left and right side of the bench and the judges’ seats were also checked and cleared by the squad. Spectators waited with bated breath as news of retired general Pervez Musharraf’s arrival outside the courtroom was declared.

Syria rockets hit Golan shortly after Israel PM visityphau Golan s'abattent nattentans'abbente

Jerusalem (AFP) - Two rockets fired from war-torn Syria struck the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Tuesday shortly after a secret visit to the area by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the army said.

The incident occurred shortly after Netanyahu toured the area with Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and army chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, visiting a field hospital close to the ceasefire line where injured Syrians are being treated."Two rockets fire from Syria struck the central Golan without causing injuries or damage," a spokeswoman told AFP.

France wants faster UN deployment in C.Africa

Paris (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande Thursday called on the United Nations to fast-track the deployment of peacekeepers in the Central African Republic to help quell a bloody sectarian conflict.

"The UN Security Council set a clear mandate (for peacekeepers) which must be quickly and firmly implemented. It's a question mainly of speeding up the preparation for a peacekeeping operation, in close partnership with the African Union," said a statement from the French presidency.In a telephone call to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Hollande said UN troops were needed to help restore peace and prop up the administration of new interim president Catherine Samba Panza.

Kenya lashes out at US over demonstrations

Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya on Thursday accused the US development agency USAID of trying to "destabilise" the country by financing anti-government demonstrations.

"The consistent plans to destabilise the current government will not be tolerated... especially where activists are bribed to tarnish the country's and leaders' reputation regionally and internationally," he said in a statement.The chairman of National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC), Francis Kimemia, accused USAID of financing "clandestinely planned" demonstrations held to "pour vitriol" on the nation's parliament.

Just like magic! Amber Rose's tattoo sleeves vanish beneath thick makeup as she shows off post-baby body at the Grammys

She was all glammed up ready to show off her hard-won post-baby body.

And Amber Rose obviously decided that her heavily tattooed arms were not part of her red carpet look.

Having slimmed down following the birth of her son Sebastian almost one year ago, the new mother obscured her inked arms beneath a thick layer of make-up as she graced the Grammys red carpet to support her music maker husband Wiz Khalifa on Sunday.

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Stunning: Amber Rose gushed that her baby weight 'finally came off' after a year of trying when she spoke with Giuliana Rancic on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards alongside husband Wiz Khalifa

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Ruto jets out to Hague as his trial resumes

Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale sent a message to the Press indicating that Ruto was scheduled to leave for the ICC where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity. On December 16, last year, Ruto’s lawyers made a formal application under Article 63 (1) of the rules of procedure and evidence seeking to excuse their client from continuous attendance.

 The trial of the Deputy President at the ICC continues this week as Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda remains undecided whether to appeal the court’s decision to conditionally excuse Ruto from continuous presence.

 In a brief statement, the Office of the Prosecutor has said that it is still studying the decision of the Trial Chamber and will decide in the fullness of time whether or not to petition. Ms Bensouda has also asked for the postponement of the trial against President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow her seek more evidence.

 It is now clear that Ruto will attend his trial, even though the ICC Trial Chamber V (a), which is hearing his case, had not yet communicated the change of the date when he was required in person. His trip to The Hague ends the speculation around his attendance.