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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08...m?section=world Malaysia's Anwar contests by-election Posted 3 hours 57 minutes ago Malaysia's leading opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim is contesting a crucial by-election today which is expected to return him to the national Parliament a decade after he was forced out. Dr Anwar was deputy prime minister of Malaysia until a decade ago, when he had a falling out with then-prime minister, Mahathir Mohamed. He was sacked and then jailed for sodomy and corruption, serving six years in prison. His sodomy conviction was quashed, but now Dr Anwar is facing a new set of sodomy allegations which he says have been brought by his political enemies. He now heads up the People's Alliance, a group of opposition parties which is challenging the ruling party for the first time since the country's independence 50 years ago. He has been campaigning on the economy and a platform of equality for Malays, Chinese and Indians. The polling group Merdeka is predicting an easy win for Dr Anwar. -------------

Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn said driver Michael Schumacher has rediscovered his edge. The German finished ninth in the drivers' championship last season, but the seven-time World Champion was fastest on day two of testing at Jerez. "It would be a tremendous boost for Formula 1 if he succeeds," Brawn told BBC Radio Northampton. "We had a quiet year with Michael last year. Now he's looking sharp and he might surprise a few people." Brawn commented that this will be the season where Schumacher, who said he was "slightly concerned" about the pace of the new Mercedes , showed the quality that brought him two world titles with Benetton and five with Ferrari. "He's not been involved in the sport for three years, and undoubtedly in that time, certain edges go soft. I think they're sharp again now," stated Brawn. If we can do a great car then there's no reason why he or Nico Rosberg shouldn't win races Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn "I've heard the comments that he's tarnishing his image because he's not winning races, but he's loving what he's doing. He's not worried what people think about him." Despite his success in Jerez, the German used Pirelli's super soft rubber tires and Red Bull driver Mark Webber told Yahoo! Eurosport that Schumacher's pace in testing had been "a little show for Germany". Brawn, who worked with Schumacher at Benetton and Ferrari before he brought him out of retirement to join Mercedes GP last season, disagreed with that assessment. "He wasn't showboating [in testing]. We didn't set out to do a low lap time," said Brawn. "We didn't have a good car last year - we didn't hold up our side of the bargain - but if we can do a great car then there's no reason why he or Nico Rosberg shouldn't win races." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport...one/9399262.stm

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../376538/1/.html