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Journalism of Courage
Musharrafs formal trial in Bhutto murder case begins
Islamabad: The formal trial of former Pakistani former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in connection with the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto began Tuesday. The trial began with the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi recording evidence of a witness, state prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar said. He said four witnesses were summoned but only one turned up to testify. Azhar said he was unsure how long the trial would take. Musharraf was not present in court as he was excused from personal appearances because of security reasons. Musharraf,who was President at the time of former premier Bhuttos death,has been charged with murder,conspiracy to murder and facilitation of murder. If convicted,he can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. PTI
Malala Yousafzai honoured with top Dutch childrens award
Amsterdam: Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai,an outspoken proponent of girls education who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year,has been awarded a top Dutch childrens honour for her activism. Organisers announced Tuesday that 16-year-old Malala will be presented with the International Childrens Peace Prize next month in The Hague,Netherlands. The foundation that awards the prize hailed Malala as a brave and talented child who has demonstrated special dedication to childrens rights. Malala will be handed the prize on September 6 by Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman. AP
Venezuela nabs hitmen in alleged plot to kill President Maduro
Caracas: Venezuela said it derailed a plot to kill President Nicolas Maduro,arresting two hitmen it said wanted to execute the leftist leader on orders from a Colombian ex-president. Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez at a briefing said Caracas arrested the alleged hitmen,two Colombians,on August 13. The two,Víctor Johan Guache Mosquera and Erick Leonardo Huertas Rios,were part of a group of 10 men who were coming to carry out the murder of the president, working with former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe,Rodriguez charged. They were part of a support team for a highly experienced hitman identified by the alias David,whom they reported to directly and who was to personally carry out the killing,the minister said. PTI
