Mr Musharraf, a key ally of the US President George Bush's "war on terror", stepped down last week after nine years in power to avoid being impeached.

BBC: Pakistan judges' deadline looms

Some media reports had suggested that the Chinese authorities might raise interest rates for the first time in nine years as soon as the Golden Week holiday ended last week.

ECONOMIST: Other reasons to worry

Colombian police officer John Pinchao escaped from the FARC last week which took him on an odyssey through the deep jungle, after nine years of captivity.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: FARC��s atrocities