KHALEDA WISHES AWAMI LEAGUE COUNCIL SUCCESS

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has wished the council of ruling Awami League success, reports bdnews24.com.A BNP delegation handed the message to AL leaders at the council on Friday. Former MPs Fazlul Huq Milon and Shirin Sultana and Shimul Biswas, assistant private secretary to Khaleda, attended the inaugural ceremony at the Bangabandhu Internat-ional Conference Centre. In the message sent to AL chief Sheikh Hasina, she hoped that the AL will continue with the efforts to develop democratic culture and ensure welfare of the people through building consensus in all national issues. Khaleda thanked her arch political Hasina for inviting her and prayed for her health, happiness and peace. Press secretary to BNP chairperson Maruf Kamal Khan said a delegation went to Jamuna, official residence of the prime minister, on Thursday night to hand over the message but failed. An AL delegation handed the invitation letter to the BNP chairperson and the secretary
general on Thursday. AL publicity secretary Asaduzzaman Noor, moderator of the ceremony, acknowledged the receipt of the message. Khaleda said, "We have the experience of working together through various ups and downs of the country in the past." Khaleda also mentioned the contribution of late president Ziaur Rahman in establishing multi-party democracy by restructuring many political parties along with the Awami League. Awami League held the council with the slogan ''60 years of struggle and success'' and with the mission to build a ''Digital Bangladesh''

ABDUL JALIL ATTENDS THE COUNCIL OF AWAMI LEAGUE

Former general secretary of the Awami League Abdul Jalil joined the party council on Friday, reports bdnews24.com. Jalil came at 11am and sat on the stage. He also spoke to party president Sheikh Hasina. He was present when Syed Ashraful Islam, the new general secretary, was presenting the report of the general secretary. Jalil resigned from his post on Tuesday for ''not being allowed to discharge my duty for the upcoming council." Jalil was elected general secretary in the 19th council of the party in 2002. He was the commerce minister in 1996-2001 term of the AL government. He is a parliament member

COUNCIL EMPOWERS THEM TO PICK ALL OTHER LEADERS

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina with newly elected general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam at the inaugural session of 20th AL council fornext 3 years from 2009.

Sheikh Hasina was elected the Awami League (AL) president for the sixth time while Syed Ashraful Islam was elected the general secretary for three years without any contest yesterday.
The AL national council that elected them also bestowed them with the authority to choose leaders for 45 posts in the ruling party's 73-member central working committee, the highest decision-making forum. The party constitution empowers the president to choose remaining 26 members of the working committee.
The 45 posts include13 members of the party Presidium--the highest policymaking body, 31 departmental secretaries including three joint general secretaries and seven organising secretaries, and a treasurer.
Moreover, the council delegated to Hasina the power to incorporate any further changes, if necessary, in the party's declaration and constitution that were ratified yesterday by it with amendments, meeting the criteria for registration with the country's Election Commission.
According to article 21 of the AL constitution, however, the president, presidium members, general secretary, departmental secretaries, and the treasurer must be elected by the triennial counc
The council's chief election commissioner MA Mannan said the council's election commission was ready to hold elections to other posts, but nobody filed for candidacy.
"We even received a proposal from a councillor to empower the newly elected president and general secretary to choose leaders for the rest of the posts. The councillors unanimously delegated their power to the president and general secretary," Mannan said.
Mannan however could not remember the name of the councillor who placed the proposal during the election.
A number of councillors said the election commission itself said the newly elected president and the general secretary will decide whether they will now announce the names of other office bearers.
The councillors agreed with the commission's proposal by raising their hands. Hasina said she will form the committee in consultation with Ashraf, son of the country's first president Syed Nazrul Islam. Ashraf had been acting as the general secretary of the party for the last two years and played a crucial role for the party after the 1/11 political changeover.
Hasina said the new committee will be comprised of old and new leaders, sources said quoting her.
A provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) also says all committees of a registered political party must be elected.
When his attention was drawn to the RPO provision, Mannan said if the council, which is empowered by the party constitution to elect the leaders, delegate its power to the president and general secretary to exercise its authority, then there is nothing wrong.
He said the president and general secretary will soon announce the names for the rest of the posts.
Talking a number of councillors attending the election session said at the beginning of the election, Hasina dissolved the central executive committee she had been heading since her re-election as the party chief by the last council held on December 26, 2002.
Prior to her announcement, Hasina, also the country's prime minister, in her very brief speech said she did not want to seek re-election as the party chief.
"I've been working as the party chief for the last 28 years. I want to see new leadership and I will provide all out cooperation to them," Hasina was quoted as saying by a councillor.
But councillors did not agree with Hasina's proposal and requested her not to quit the party's helm.
Hasina was first elected president of AL in 1980 while she was living abroad, and she returned home in 1981. She has been leading AL since then being re-elected the president for the seventh time yesterday. In fact, Hasina has been the chief of the 60-year old party for almost a half of its age.
As soon as Hasina left the election venue yesterday, the council election commission began the poll inviting candidacies for the post of the president first.
Deputy Leader of Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury proposed Hasina's name, who is also the leader of the parliament. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury immediately seconded Sajeda's proposal.
Within moments the EC declared Hasina as the uncontested re-elected president of AL, without further seeking any candidacy, as about 5,000 councillors overwhelmingly supported her re-election, a number of councillors said.
Then, the EC moved to elect the general secretary and invited candidacies. AL lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim proposed the name of LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam. Matia stood and said, "On behalf of all councillors, I am supporting the proposal."
Then the EC declared Ashraf elected as the general secretary without any contest, seeking no more candidates for the post, the sources said.
At the closed-door session, the party's amended constitution and declaration were also ratified, and its new budget for the next three years was approved by the council.
After the council that started at 10:30am ended at 5:00pm, some of the councillors, who had been cheering on the bandwagon of complacency during the session, were however seen and heard complaining about a lack of democracy in the process of electing the party leadership.

FUGITIVE JMB MILITANT ARRESTED IN SATKHIRA

Detective Branch (DB) of police on Tuesday night arrested a fugitive militant of banned Islamist outfit Jama'atul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB) from a shrimp enclosure at Sarulia village in Tala upazila.
Montaz Ali alias Momtaz, 40, son of Fazar Ali of village Kharibila is a charge-sheeted accused in the August 17, 2005 serial blast cases.
Police and DB sources said, a team of DB police raided the shrimp enclosure owned by Mahabbar Ali and arrested Montaz who was hiding there in the guise of a worker since August 17 incident.
Soon after the serial blasts at five places in the town, police filed five cases with Sadar police station.
The then officer-in-charge (OC) Golam Mohammad filed the sixth case with Sadar police station against the accused for taking part in subversive activities.
On August 17 in 2005, a bomb kept in a bag left on the premises of Women and Children Repression Prevention Court in the town went off. Five other bombs also exploded at five places simultaneously.
Police later arrested JMB operative Nasir Uddin Dafadar of village Bakal Islampur and other JMB operatives in connection with the blasts.
Police also arrested some JMB activists and recovered from their possession diaries and note books containing details of military training and armed guerrilla warfare and Jihadi books with slogans and songs.
Investigation authorities on March 23, 2006 submitted charge sheet against 19 JMB leaders and activists in all the case six cases.
The charge sheeted accused are Nasir Uddin Dafadar, Monowar Hossain Uzzal, Maniruzzaman Munna, Nur Ali Member, Anisur Rahman Khokon, Gias Uddin, Mahbubur Rahman Liton, Billal Hossain, Asadul Haque, Nayeem, Rakib Hasan alias Rusel alias Hafez Mahmud alias Mahmud, Momtaz alias Montaz, Fakar Uddin Raju, Syeed alias Asaduzzaman, Habibur Rahman and Abul Khair.
JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman, JMJB chief Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai and JMB military Chief Ataur Rahman Sunny were excluded from the charge sheet as they were executed in another case.
Of the accused, Nayeem, Fakar Uddin Raju, Habib, Khayer and Sayeed are still absconding.

AISHWARYA TO CRACK DOWN ON THE FALSE STORIES ABOUT HER PRIVATE LIFE

Upset over "fabricated" media stories about her private life, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has threatened legal action against those responsible,Upset over "fabricated" media stories about her private life, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has threatened legal action against those responsible, a statement issued by her publicist said Thursday."Certain sections of the press have been behaving in a callous manner and have been putting together articles or pieces without any semblance of truth and furthermore they have been attributing quotes to the actor which are baseless and false. Previously our client preferred to remain silent to let better sense prevail be it the news when she was married off to a tree or otherwise. This silence should not be misconstrued as a weakness, " the statement read.The statement was issued to counter an article titled "Career more important than family" by a website where one of the quotes attributed to the actress read: "If I want to remain in the film industry then I need to stay fit", that implied that she will not have children. The article also stated that her actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan was in agreement with her stand."She is one actress who never made any statements that her marriage can wait and she will focus on her career. When she did, she got her family's blessings and got married in the middle of a film and has been a thorough professional even after her wedding, " the statement said."We must not forget that besides being a star in every right Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is about a daughter, a wife, and a daughter in law, a symbol of our tradition and she has always believed and practiced values that govern our society. Irresponsible statements about her private life will not be left to grow without a strong rebuttal, " it added.The statement also warned of strict legal action against those behind such stories about the 35-year-old."This may be read and understood in no uncertain terms that hence forth we would be forced to take legal recourse in any such event of a piece or article appearing without any credibility or which is an absolute fabrication of one's imagination... We must respect Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for her stand to remain silent on such baseless rumors but it would be wrong to use her name to further a personal cause or career, " it read.

GREEN TEA AGAINST NEW WEAPON “PROSTATE CANCER” !!!

Many medical “discoveries” have occurred quite by happenstance. For instance, consider the story of Green Tea which began some 5,000 years ago.

Many medical “discoveries” have occurred quite by happenstance. For instance, consider the story of Green Tea which began some 5,000 years ago when, as Chinese legend has it, leaves from a nearby Camellia sinensis tree fell into an emperor’s boiling pot of water. The leaves turned the water a light-brown color and gave off a delightful aroma. The emperor, upon taking a sip, found it also had an excellent taste and proclaimed it as “heaven sent.” Since then, the delectable brew has been considered a health-promoting beverage in China; used to treat everything from headaches to depression. Today, a wealth of studies has provided hard evidence for its positive effects on health. Drinking green tea is reputed to promote heart health, lower high cholesterol levels, lessen free radical damage to cells, fight obesity, inhibit the abnormal formation of blood clots, and slow the progression of age-related cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers now say that certain compounds in green tea may actually slow the progression of prostate cancer, a disease that kills more men each year in the United States than any cancer other than lung cancer.Previous studies have shown that green tea may be linked to a reduced incidence of prostate cancer, and its polyphenols have been regarded as a potential cancer therapy. But last year, the FDA announced that the evidence for green tea benefits was inconclusive, because people consume relatively small quantities. So, Dr. James Cardelli, and his colleagues at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, carried out a clinical trial to determine the effects of short-term supplementation with increased amounts of the active compounds in green tea on the progression of prostate cancer. The small study consisted of 26 men between 41 and 68 years of age who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and were scheduled for radical prostatectomy. The men were put on a daily dose of four capsules containing a total of 1.3 grams of polyphenon E, equivalent to about 12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea, for 12 to 73 days (with an average time of 34.5 days), until the day before surgery. Blood tests showed a significant reduction in serum levels of three biomarkers associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer: hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and prostate specific antigen (PSA). source : healthnews.comOn an average, HGF decreased 18.9 percent, VEGF decreased by 9.9 percent and PSA dropped by 10.4 percent. Some patients demonstrated reductions of more than 30 percent. The researchers said that in vitro, EGCG (the main catechin in polyphenon E) swiftly blocked the production of HGF, and the block “seems to be at the level of transcription.” EGCG also blocked the production of VEGF, which plays a critical role in the angiogenic process in cancer-associated fibroblasts, they noted. Age, race, and time on the drug did not have a significant effect on the changes in serum biomarkers.Previous studies have suggested that high levels of EGCG may have adverse effects on liver function, but in this study the liver function of the patients remained normal. “Our results show a significant reduction in serum levels of PSA, HGF, and VEGF in men with prostate cancer after brief treatment with EGCG (Polyphenon E), with no elevation of liver enzymes. These findings support a potential role for Polyphenon E in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer,” the researchers concluded.Dr. Cardelli admits that the study is still in an early stage and that the findings need to be verified by larger, placebo-controlled trials. “Green tea can keep cancer from growing very fast, but it may not be able to shrink tumors,” he said. “But it can be a good addition to traditional therapies, like chemotherapy or radiation.”“We think that the use of tea polyphenols alone or in combination with other compounds currently used for cancer therapy should be explored as an approach to prevent cancer progression and recurrence," Dr. Cardelli said. “There is reasonably good evidence that many cancers are preventable, and our studies using plant-derived substances support the idea that plant compounds found in a healthy diet can play a role in preventing cancer development and progression.”John Neate, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, says though there have been a number of studies into the potential benefits of green tea, there is no conclusive evidence. “The results of this study do suggest that there is merit in further research into the effects of extracts of green tea, both in relation to its impact on the prevention of prostate cancer and in controlling progression in men already diagnosed with the disease, as was investigated in this instance,” he said. “These initial positive findings could indicate that green tea could have a place in ‘active surveillance’, where a slow-growing, low risk tumor is monitored for changes and men want to take something which could help keep progression at bay.” “Potentially, this could mean completely avoiding, in some cases, any of the more usual medical interventions and their associated side effects,” Neate said. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 192,280 men and will kill 27,360 in 2009. Men over 50 are urged to get tested for the disease annually, however very few do, putting them at risk of being diagnosed at a later stage rather than earlier in the cancer process

Pakistan Supreme Court summons Musharraf

Pakistan's top court Wednesday summoned former president Pervez Musharraf to defend himself over a decision to impose a state of emergency and controversially sacking judges two years ago.A 14-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, issued notice to Musharraf to appear in person or through counsel on July 29.Musharraf sacked Chaudhry and dozens of other senior judges in 2007, fearing that the chief justice would disqualify him from contesting a presidential election while in military uniform."The supreme court invited Musharraf because his actions are being discussed in court," Attorney General Latif Khosa told reporters."The court is giving him a chance to defend himself," Khosa said, after attending the proceedings of the bench headed by Chaudhry.Musharraf was replaced last year as Pakistan's president by Asif Ali Zardari, whose party won general elections and who reinstated Chaudhry and his fellow judges in March following a protracted political crisis.Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and lawyers organised a march on the capital Islamabad, demanding that Zardari reinstate the judges, during mass protests that risked further destabilising the nuclear-armed country.Under Western pressure Zardari also conceded to defuse the standoff with Sharif, who had urged the masses to rise up against the government.

WORLD’S FIRST “INDESTRUCTIBLE” MOBILE PHONE

Its vehicles are used to surviving pretty tough terrain.

Now Land Rover has produced what it claims is the world’s first indestructible mobile phone.For £250 you can expect a handset that will withstand temperatures of minus 20c, can be submerged in water and will survive being dropped on to concrete from a height of 6ft.Wrapped in a tough rubber coating, the Land Rover S1 phone has been approved for use by the military.It is proving a hit with both gadget collectors and the incurably clumsy.Tesco, which began selling the phone this week, says it is already outselling its most popular brands.All sorts of people are purchasing them,’ said a spokesman for the supermarket.‘They’ve gone down well with men who love their gadgets and like to show them off down the pub but also with young mums whose chilindren have destroyed their old phone.‘It is the first phone in the world to be as tough as a Land Rover car. It’s the world’s only military-rated phone – making it resistant to humidity, dust, shock, salt and heat.‘Add to that the ability to survive drops on to concrete and extreme temperatures, and resistance against being dropped into public lavatories and you have the most resilient phone the world. We think it will save people money.’Research has estimated that around £157million is spent each year on replacing broken phones.Land Rover has worked with software company Sonim Technologies to create the S1, which was launched last month by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. It may not go down too well with the fashionistas thanks to itssturdy rather than stylish design. But it does come with all mod cons including a waterproof camera with flash, a GPS system, a torch, FM radio and an internet browser.It also has an extra-long battery life with more than1,500 hours of standby time and 18 hours of talk time.And there are extra-loud speakers for use in noisy environments.It is waterproof to a depth of one metre for up to 30minutes, can stand pressure of almost 100lb and can also survive short bursts of 100c (212f) heat.Lindsay Weaver, of Land Rover, said: ‘It is made from hardened plastic which is water, oil and petrol-resistant. This is covered with a hardened rubber allowing the phone to withstand drops.‘A non-porous coating is applied to stop anything penetrating the case. It has hardened rubber keys and a scratch-resistant screen.’The phone is available only from Tesco’s stores and its website

METRO RAIL PROJECT NEEDS FURTHER SCRUTINY

The cabinet committee on economic affairs today sent back the proposal on underground metro rail project and offshore oil and gas exploration bids for further scrutiny.Earlier a 17-member high-powered committee was formed to oversee the Tk 21,390 crore metro rail project for the capital.The committee was tasked with determining the major terms and conditions and a timeframe for the project, monetary allocation and user's charges and fees.At today's meeting presided by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, the energy ministry placed the proposal of offshore oil and gas exploration bids by two international oil companies in three blocks of the Bay of Bengal.It placed its recommendations for awarding shallow water block SS-08-05 to Irish company Tullow Bangladesh and deep sea blocks DS-08-10 and 11 to US company Conoco Phillips South Asia New Ventures Ltd.

SYED ASHRAFUL ISLAM ELECTED AWAMI LEAGUE’S GENERAL SECRETARY

Today prime minister Sheikh Hasina elected as ruling Awami League's president for a six term and Syed Ashraful Islam elected hasina's deputy in national council at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE NATIONAL COUNCIL TODAY

Stage is all set to hold the national council of Bangladesh Awami League at the Bangabandhu Int’l Conference Centre previously known as Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital today (Friday).With a vow to build up a 'Digital Sonar Bangla' and upholding the party's long 60-year image, the ruling Awami League is arranging its national council after more than six years. The AL President and PM Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the function at 9.30 am today with the participation of about 5500 party councilors form some 73 organisational district committees of the party and one thousand invited quests. 'Keeping the security issue for the Premier Sheikh Hasina in mind, a foolproof security arrangement will be ensured,' the chief of AL council preparatory sub-committee for discipline and volunteers, Captain (retd) ABM Tajul Islam, told newsmen at the conference venue yesterday noon.Alongwith the law enforcers, around 1500 volunteers belonging to the AL and other associate bodies will be engaged to extend the cooperation to the security personnel on the occasion, he added.In the meantime, the ALCWC has endorsed the amendment to the party constitution and menofisto, speeches of the Party President and General Secretary, and other programmes for the council session at the adjourned CWC meeting on Wednesday.Soon after the approval by the councilors, the modified papers will be submitted to the EC in line with the earlier requirements by July 25. Party sources indicate that more new faces would dominate the AL leadership emerging from the council.The present 73-member central committee consists of a President, a General Secretary, a 13-Member Presidium, three Joint-General Secretaries, seven Organisational Secretaries, 19 Departmental Secretaries, a Treasurer, two Deputy Secretaries and 26 General Members. A central leader, wishing not be named, said the AL President wants to bring dynamism in the party and energetic, young and dedicated party leaders and activists who played a very significant role while Hasina was in jail, will be evaluated. A group of former student leaders might come in the AL central committee in vital posts. Sheikh Hasina earlier announced at the party's central working committee meeting at Dhanmondi office to elect the party leadership through secret ballot and directed to ensure transparent ballot boxes system. There is a speculation that new faces would come in the AL Presidium - new ones would replace Syeda Johra Tajuddin, late Abdus Samad Azad and another two posts in Presidium. The provision of two posts for AL General Secretary is likely to be endorsed in the council. One General Secretary would perform his role as the AL's Spokesperson while the other would be assigned to oversee the organisational activities of the party.About the council, Obaidul Quader, the head of the management sub-committee of council preparatory committee, said, "All party leaders and activists are eagerly waiting to see Sheikh Hasina as the party Chief again. New leadership will come out from the valuable opinions of the councilors and the AL would also carry out such democratic norms in the council session."All preparations have been compete for the council. Earlier the triennial council session of the party was held on December 25-26, in 2002 with re-electing Sheikh Hasina as the party president and Abdul Jalil the General Secretary.Centering the council session, a festive mood prevails in the AL rank and file. Simultaneously leaders and activists of other political parties are keeping close eyes on it.

MUHITH GIVES LIST OF 2,196 LOAN DEFAULTERS

Finance Minister AMA Muhith today unveiled a list of 2,196 people defaulting on a whopping of Tk 15, 451 crore in loans.
The finance minister told the parliament that necessary steps were already taken to recover the money.
The AL-led government recovered Tk 591 crore from defaulters until last March, the minister said in a scripted answer in response to a query of lawmaker Noor Afroz Ali.
Only those who defaulted a minimum of Tk 1 crore are on the list.

Malaysian's Anwar faces 2nd sodomy trial

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim faces trial this week on sodomy charges, for the second time in a turbulent political career that has put him within striking distance of seizing power.
The charges, levelled by a young man who worked in his office, threaten to end Anwar's career which he resurrected after being sacked as deputy premier and jailed on separate sodomy and corruption charges a decade ago.
It also jeopardises his opposition alliance, which in 2008 polls snatched a third of seats in parliaments and five states from a shellshocked Barisan Nasional coalition which has ruled Malaysia for half a century.
"There's a small chance he'll be acquitted but a very, very small chance," said political analyst James Chin from Monash University in Malaysia, of the charges which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
"I think the trial will be dragged out for a long time to damage his reputation and also to slow down the opposition."
But the case, which Anwar says is a conspiracy to neutralise the threat he poses to the government, could also seriously damage Prime Minister Najib Razak who came to office this year with promises of reform.
"This is a no-win situation for Najib. If Anwar gets thrown into prison he looks bad, if he's acquitted he also looks bad. The question is how to limit the damage," Chin said.
"I suspect he'll be found guilty and let off with a fine," he said. "If Anwar goes to jail, the opposition will be stronger because Anwar will be seen as a martyr."
The United States and Amnesty International have raised concerns over the charges against Anwar, who in his first trial was brought to court with a black eye after a vicious beating from the police chief.
The earlier charges emerged after he challenged veteran ruler Mahathir Mohamad. The latest allegations followed the landmark polls that give him an excellent chance of victory in the next general election.
Many Malaysians, weary of political dirty-tricks and corruption in the justice system, believe the affair is a ploy to sideline Anwar and distract attention from an unpopular government and a looming recession.
A survey last year found just 11 percent of Malaysians believed the accusations that Anwar sodomised Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who was then a 23-year-old volunteer at his office.
Anwar, 61, spent six years in jail until 2004 when the nation's highest court overturned the sodomy conviction. After a few years of recuperation he emerged to build the most successful opposition force the country has seen.
He is the undisputed glue in the Pakatan Rakyat, an alliance of three unlikely partners -- his own multiracial Keadilan party, the conservative Islamic party PAS, and the liberal Chinese-based Democratic Action Party.
Contrary to fears the opposition could spin apart if Anwar is convicted and jailed, leading Southeast Asia academic Bridget Welsh said that at least initially it could galvanise its supporters and give it a sense of unity.
"But the issue is long term, it's the question of who would then lead the opposition and that raises certain types of questions," she said, including the issue of which party should come out on top.
Anwar, 61, says the case against him is deeply flawed, and remains defiant about his prospects and that of his party.
"There is no question of the Pakatan Rakyat continuing, surviving. It will continue to defend the rights of the people and challenge the government, gaining strength from any conviction made against me," he told AFP last week.
"In fact I think a conviction against me will enrage a lot of people," he said. "I am ready for all eventualities and prepared to face attacks -- expect the best and prepare for the worst."
Anwar's first trial was full of drama, lurid testimony, and headline-grabbing incidents including one when a mattress supposedly stained with semen was hauled into the courtroom.
The current hearing, which begins Wednesday and is expected to last at least several weeks, is likely to get off to a slow start with legal argument over evidence and a defence motion to strike out the charges altogether

1.6M SEEK JACKSON TICKETS

A total of 1.6 million people applied for tickets for Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles by Saturday's deadline, organizers said.
The vast majority will be disappointed as only 11,000 tickets are available for Tuesday's service at the Staples Center arena, along with another 6,500 to watch a livefeed at another Los Angeles theatre.
Concert promoters AEG, which owns the Staples Center, said in a statement it will now begin "scrubbing" of the applications to weed out those that are duplicate or made automatically by computers.
AEG plans to send emails after 11:00am on Sunday to the lucky few who will get the tickets, which are all free.
The company says it will randomly select 8,750 registrants, who will each receive two tickets.
Organizers have urged fans to watch the service on television rather than coming in person.
Fearing a stampede of disappointed Jackson fans, Los Angeles authorities have warned that they will turn away everyone without tickets from the arena on Tuesday.
Michael Jackson, who sold 750 million albums, died on June 25 at age 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest.

10 HUNT IN RIGHTS BODY-COPS CLASH OVER TIPAI

At least ten people, including five police, were injured when the members of a rights organisation clashed with law enforcers in front of Indian High Commission in Gulshan, protesting the construction of Tipaimukh Dam this morning.
The clash took place around 11:30 am when police barred the members of the organisation named ‘Lamp Post’ in entering the Indian High Commission, Gulshan police sub-inspector Mohammad Rafique told.Ten people were injured when police charged batons to disperse them, he added. Police also arrested two protesters from the spot

JS BODY FINALISES SIRCAR GRAFT REPORT

The all-party parliamentary probe committee today finalised its report on corruptions by former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, his deputy Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui and former chief whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
"We have got documented evidences of corruptions, irregularities and misappropriation of money against the trio," Chief of the committee Fazle Rabbi Mia told reporters after its meeting at parliament building.
He said they have prepared the final report based on the findings of investigations carried out by three sub-committees.
The Jatiya Sangsad body formed to investigate alleged widespread corruptions by the former speaker finalised its report today.
After a meeting of the probe body, Chief of the committee advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia told reporters that they have prepared the final report based on the findings of investigations carried out by three sub-committees.
They hoped that the report will be placed before the House in a day or two.
They also called on Speaker Abdul Hamid today to discuss placing the report before the House.
The probe body chief also told the newsmen that the report would be a milestone for the nation as well as for the sub-continent so nobody can commit corruption and immoral activities while in a higher position of a state.
"We have made recommendations in the report in light with constitutions of different countries including India, England and Canada," he said.
The committee has recommended formulating new law if its recommendations could not be implemented under the existing laws.
Earlier on July 1, the parliamentary probe committee decided to submit its report to the House on corruption by the trio on July 7.
Earlier, a sub-committee was formed by the all-party parliamentary probe committee to probe anomalies in drawing medical allowances by MPs.
The sub-committee after investigation recommended that the all-party committee ask the House to scrap Sircar's membership on grounds of "moral turpitude" and file criminal cases against Akhtar and Delwar.
Former speaker Sircar drew medical allowance of Tk 27.86 lakh, Delwar Tk 6 lakh and Akhtar Tk 1.21 lakh "defying" the special medical attendance rules during the tenure of the last parliament.
Formed by the all-party parliamentary probe committee, another sub-committee found evidence and proofs of the trio's taking additional fuel bills illegally. Sircar took Tk 60 lakh, Delwar Tk 40 lakh and Akhtar Tk 36 lakh as fuel allowances, in addition to what they are entitled to, the sub-committee said and asked for the money to be refunded.
Besides, another sub-committee in its investigation found that the former speaker wasted a good amount of public money by appointing 42 staffs for parliamentary standing committees and gave them salaries for eight months even though parliament was non-existent in that period.A few more allegations of financial anomalies were raised against Sircar, and Delwar.