He was sent to boarding school in Brussels at the age of six

On display at the National Retail Federation's Annual Expo (Retail's BIG Show)in New York City, January 12-13, these new applications will be showcased on aMicrosoft Surface device to provide a true sense of how they would function ina live, store environment.Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop intoa vibrant, interactive, multi-touch surface.Featuring a 30-inch diagonaldisplay housed in a table-like form factor, Surface provides effortless accessto digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.Clarity's Interactive Design applications when combined with Surface orother multi-touch devices enable consumer exploring, learning, creating,buying and much more.Specific examples include:1. Purchase & Up-Sell The Interactive Gift Registry Perfect for home or department stores, Clarity's Interactive Registry application takes an often under-utilized piece of a retailer'sbusiness and makes it more engaging and profitable. As a bride, groom or expectant mother selects their gifts they collect product cards, which they drop onto the top of the Surface device. Full pictures and product info appear and the registrant can organize, drag and drop the products into their registry bucket.Once completed, they can then send emails to their friends with their registry info. The gift buyer can print out the email, bring it into the store, and place it on the Surface device.Instantly, they will see a visual display of the registry along with automatic updates of the items available for purchase plus suggestions for complementary items. For example, if a bridge registers for dishes, the Interactive Registry might also show the latest chargers that match. The "show vs. tell" component of the Interactive Registry makes the process more engaging, simpler and fun for both registrant and gift- giver.It also encourages purchase and up-sell, while setting apart the retailer from the competition.2. Customization Design & Buy Application Created for a clothing or accessories retailer, Clarity's Design & Buy application engages consumers in the creation/customization of their product to encourage additional purchases and brand loyalty. Originally designed for a children's clothing store, the Design & Buy Application lets kids design the images or patterns on t-shirts, jeans or accessories.The child simply picks out a clothing item then pulls up the image of the item on the Surface device. Next, they choose the colors and graphics they like, and "drop" them onto the clothing item to see how it looks.If they like it, the image is printed on the clothing item right there in store.If not, they can try again. The interactive, customization provides a new way for retailers to reach out to consumers, letting them participate in the design and delivery of their product."Now more than ever, retailers need to give consumers a unique reason to buy,and buy from them versus the competition," said Gary Gilmer, Principal, RetailTechnology, Clarity Consulting."Technology can be a key asset, but only ifit's engaging and easy to use.Clarity's Interactive Design applicationsfeaturing Microsoft Surface are just that.The software and hardwarecombination gives retailers a cutting-edge solution that delivers a bettercustomer experience and drive store traffic today, while invigorating andreinforcing brand differentiation for years to come."About Clarity Consulting Inc.Clarity Consulting Inc. develops, customizes and implements software solutionsto help clients achieve their unique visions and drive business results. For more information about our company, our people, and our solutions, pleasevisit ConsultingSharen Santoski of Signal Rock Communications, 1-847-312-0806,, for Clarity Consulting.

Jan 12 (Reuters) - International Criminal Court prosecutors accused former Congolese rebel warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba of ordering mass rape to terrorise civilians at a hearing on Monday to decide whether he will face trial. Bemba, 46, faces three counts of crimes against humanity and five counts of war crimes, and is the highest-profile suspect to date brought before the world's first permanent war crimes court, set up in 2002. Here are some key facts on Bemba: EARLY LIFE: Bemba was born in late 1962 to wealthy parents. His father Saolona's SCIBE Zaire conglomerate was Congo's biggest company with more than 10,000 employees in the days of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, and the family comes from Mobutu's home province of Equateur. He was sent to boarding school in Brussels at the age of six.

Later, after getting an MBA, he returned to Kinshasa to set up his own air cargo and cellphone companies, soon becoming a millionaire in his own right. During Congo's 1998-2003 war Bemba headed the Ugandan-backed Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) and, with Ugandan army backing, seized vast swathes of eastern Congo, financing much of his war through sales of diamonds. Bemba said he would go into political opposition after the defeat "to preserve peace and save the country from chaos and violence". Bemba's fighters defied a government order to disarm and heavy fighting broke out in Kinshasa. The state prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for high treason for Bemba, accusing him of killings and rape.