Clenbuterol

Clenbuterol, Spiropent, Ventipulmin,  is a sympathomimetic amine used by sufferers of breathing disorders as a decongestant and bronchodilator. People with chronic breathing disorders such as asthma use this as a bronchodilator to make breathing easier. It is most commonly available as the hydrochloride salt clenbuterol hydrochloride.

Human use

Clenbuterol is approved for use in some countries (via prescription only) as a bronchodilator for asthma patients. Recently though, the drug has been publicized for its off-label use as a weight loss drug, similar to usage of other sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine. It is commonly used as a slimming aid despite lack of sufficient clinical evidence supporting such use.

Legal status

Clenbuterol is not an ingredient of any therapeutic drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is now banned for IOC-tested athletes.

Use as performance-enhancing drug

Clenbuterol has also been used as a performance-enhancing drug. In 2010, a number of athletes were banned after using the drug, including Polish canoeist Adam Seroczynski, British hurdler Callum Priestley and Chinese Olympic judo champion Tong Wen. Three cyclists were also accused of taking the drug. Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain tested positive for the drug at the 2010 Tour de France. The news came out during the UCI Road Cycling World Championships held in Geelong, Australia. In May, the UCI suspended Italian cyclist Alessandro Colo, and Chinese rider Li Fuyu, a member of Team RadioShack, was suspended after testing positive for the drug during a Belgian race.

American swimmer Jessica Hardy tested positive at the U.S. trials in July 2008. She served a one-year suspension, having claimed she unknowingly took the drug in a contaminated food supplement. Former New York Mets clubhouse employee Kirk Radomski admitted to distributing clenbuterol to dozens of current and former Major League Baseball players and associates in his plea deal.

Polish sprint canoer Adam Seroczyński was disqualified for taking this drug after he finished fourth in the K-2 1000 m event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and Chinese cyclist Li Fuyu tested positive for it at the Dwars door Vlaanderen race in Belgium on March 24, 2010.

In the 2010 Tour de France, Alberto Contador tested positive for clenbuterol. He claims it was due to food contamination, citing the 50 picogram (5 × 10−11 g) per millilitre concentration of the drug in his sample. He was handed a one-year suspension from competition by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC). On February 14, 2011, Contador was cleared of doping by the Spanish cycling federation, which canceled its January 26 proposal for a one-year ban. Traces of the amine from meat in the diet is regularly turning up in athletes' blood.

In September 2010, St. Louis Cardinals minor league shortstop Lainer Bueno received a 50-game suspension for the 2011 season as a result of testing positive for clenbuterol.

In June 2011, Mexico national soccer team players Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Antonio Naelson, Christian Bermudez, Edgar Duenas, and Guillermo Ochoa tested positive for Clenbuterol.

Effects and dosage

Clenbuterol is a β2 agonist with some structural and pharmacological similarities to epinephrine and salbutamol, but its effects are more potent and longer-lasting as a stimulant and thermogenic drug. It causes an increase in aerobic capacity, central nervous system stimulation, and an increase in blood pressure and oxygen transportation. It increases the rate at which body fat is metabolized, simultaneously increasing the body's BMR. It is commonly used for smooth muscle relaxant properties. This means that it is a bronchodilator and tocolytic. It is usually used in dosages anywhere from 20-60 micrograms a day when prescribed. A dose of about 120 μg should never be exceeded in a day[citation needed]. It is also prescribed for treatment of horses; however, equestrian usage is usually the liquid form of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is also a sympathomimetic in the peripheral nervous system.

Overdosage

Excessive[clarification needed] usage can cause muscle tremor, headache, dizziness and gastric irritation. Persons self-administering the drug for weight loss or to improve athletic performance have experienced nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, palpitations, tachycardia and myocardial infarction. Abuse of the drug may be confirmed by detecting its presence in serum or urine.

Food contamination

In September 2006 over 330 people in Shanghai were reported to have been poisoned by eating pork contaminated by clenbuterol that had been fed to the animals to keep their meat lean.

In February 2009, at least 70 people in one Chinese province (Guangdong) suffered food poisoning after eating pig organs believed to contain clenbuterol residue. The victims complained of stomach aches and diarrhea after eating pig organs bought in local markets.

In March 2011, China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said that the government would launch a one-year crackdown on illegal additives in pig feed, after a subsidiary of Shuanghui Group, China's largest meat producer, was exposed for using clenbuterol-contaminated pork in its meat products. A total of 72 people in central Henan Province, where Shuanghui is based, were taken into police custody for allegedly producing, selling or using clenbuterol.

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf, also formatted "LEAF" as a backronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) is a five-door mid-size hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the U.S. in December 2010. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 kilometres (73 mi), with an energy consumption of 765 kJ/km (34 kWh per 100 miles) and rated the Leaf's combined fuel economy at 99 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. The Leaf has a range of 175 km (109 mi) on the New European Driving Cycle.

Deliveries to individual customers began in the United States and Japan in December 2010, in Ireland in February 2011 and in the U.K. in March 2011. Deliveries to corporate customers began in Portugal in December 2010 and sales to individuals are expected to begin in early 2011. Sales to individuals are scheduled to begin in the Netherlands in June 2011, followed by Switzerland, Spain, and France, with global market availability planned for 2012. According to Nissan initial availability is limited in quantities and to select markets and only for customers who made online reservations. The availability will be increased by the second quarter of 2011 with U.S. production planned for 2012.

The Leaf's retail price in Japan starts at ¥3.76 million and US$32,780 in the United States. The price in the United Kingdom is GB£30,990 and around €35,000 in the other six European countries where it will be launched first. These prices include the price of the battery package. Most countries have applicable tax incentives or subsidies for eligible buyers that reduce the effective cost of purchase below the retail prices listed by Nissan.

As an all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf produces no tailpipe pollution or greenhouse gas emissions at the point of operation, and reduces dependence on petroleum. Among other awards and recognition, the Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award award, the 2011 European Car of the Year award, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and ranks as the most efficient EPA certified vehicle for all fuels ever.

Specifications

Design

The Leaf's frontal style is characterized by a sharp V-shape design with large, up slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that create a distinctive blue internal reflective design. The headlights also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, which reduces wind noise and drag. The headlights consume 50% less electricity than halogen lamps. Nissan sought to make the Leaf appealing to mainstream drivers by giving it a familiar sedan- and hatchback-like design. The bottom of the car has aerodynamic paneling to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics as much as possible.

Powertrain

Nissan says that the car has a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph). Its motor is rated at 80 kilowatts (110 hp) and 280 newton metres (210 lb·ft). Unofficially, 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) performance has been tested at 9.9 seconds.

The Leaf uses a front-mounted electric motor driving the wheels, powered by a 86 megajoules (24 kW·h) lithium ion battery pack rated to deliver up to 90 kilowatts (120 hp) power. The pack contains air-cooled, stacked laminar battery cells with lithium manganate cathodes. The battery and control module together weigh 300 kilograms (660 lb) and the specific energy of the cells is 140 W·h/kg. Each battery pack costs Nissan an estimated US$18,000 (as of May 2010). Under its five-cycle testing, the United States Environmental Protection Agency found the Leaf's energy consumption to be 765 kJ/km (34 kWh/100 miles) and rated the Leaf combined fuel economy equivalent at 99 MPGe (2.4 L/100 km), with an equivalent 106 mpg-US (2.22 L/100 km; 127 mpg-imp) in city driving and 92 mpg-US (2.6 L/100 km; 110 mpg-imp) on highways.

Battery

The battery pack is expected to retain 70% to 80% of its capacity after 10 years but its actual lifespan depends on how often fast charging (440-volt) is used and also on environmental factors. Nissan stated the battery has a "lifespan of 5–10 years under normal use. The Leaf's battery is guaranteed by Nissan for eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) (see Warranty sub-section below under United States for limitations). The battery pack consists of 48 modules and each module contains four cells and is assembled by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) – a joint venture between Nissan, NEC and NEC Energy Devices. Since the battery is the heaviest part of any EV, Nissan housed the battery pack below the seats and rear foot space to keep the center of gravity as low as possible and also results in increased structural rigidity as compared to a conventional five-door hatchback.

In addition to the main battery, the Leaf also has an auxiliary 12-volt lead-acid battery that provides power to the car computer systems and accessories such as the audio system, supplemental restraint systems, headlights and windshield wipers. The small solar panel on the Leaf rear spoiler (in the United States, only comes with SL trim helps to charge this accessory battery.

Nissan recommends owners the following preventive actions to help maximize the lithium-ion battery’s useful life and its ability to hold a charge:

Avoid exposing a vehicle to ambient temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C) for over 24 hours.

Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures below −13 °F (−25 °C) for over 7 days.

Avoid exceeding 70 to 80% state of charge when using frequent (more than once per week) fast or quick charging.

Allow the battery charge to be below at least 80% before charging.

Avoid leaving the vehicle for over 14 days where the Li-ion battery available charge gauge reaches a zero or near zero (state of charge).

Range

According to Nissan, the Leaf's expected all-electric range is 160 kilometres (100 mi) on the EPA city driving cycle and remains the same as the EV-11 prototype. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency official range is 117 kilometres (73 mi) based on the five-cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls. The Federal Trade Commission, which is supposed to label all alternative-fuel vehicles, disagrees with the EPA rating, and considers that the correct range is between 96 to 110 miles (154 to 180 km). Although the FTC does not conduct its own tests as EPA does, it relies on a standard set by SAE International and the results reported by automakers. The Leaf has a range of 175 km (109 mi) on the New European Driving Cycle.

Based on third-party test drives carried out in the US, reviewers have found that the range available from a single charge can vary up to 40% in real-world situations; reports vary from about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to almost 222 kilometres (138 mi) depending on driving style, load, traffic conditions, weather (i.e. wind, atmospheric density), and accessory use. Nissan tested the Leaf under several scenarios to estimate real-world range figures, and obtained a worst case scenario of 76 kilometres (47 mi) and a best case scenario of 222 kilometres (138 mi). The following table summarizes the results under each scenario tested using EPA's L4 test cycle and presents.

History of development

Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. The Altra EV was produced between 1998 and 2002, only about 200 vehicles were ever produced, and it was mainly used as a fleet vehicle for companies such as electric utilities.

Unveiled in 2009, the EV-11 prototype electric car was based on the Nissan Tiida (Versa in North America), but with the conventional gasoline engine replaced with an all-electric drivetrain, and included an 80 kW (110 hp)/280 N·m (210 lb·ft) electric motor, 24 kW·h lithium-ion battery pack rated to have a range of 175 kilometres (109 mi) on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's LA-4 or "city" driving cycle, navigation system, and remote control and monitoring via a cellphone connection through Nissan's secure data center to the car. The technology in the EV-11 was previously developed and tested in the EV-01 and EV-02 test cars, built with an all-electric powertrain that used the Nissan Cube (Z11) as a development mule. The EV-11 prototype was on display July 26, 2009. A week later, on August 2, 2009, Nissan unveiled its production version at its Yokohama headquarters and committed to begin retail sales in both the North American market and Japan at end of 2010.

Recharging

The Leaf has two charging receptacles: a standard SAE J1772-2009 connector for level 1 and 2 recharging (120/220 volts AC) and a JARI Level 3 DC connector designed by TEPCO for high-voltage, DC fast charging (480 volts DC 125 amps)[64] that uses the CHAdeMO protocol.

Using the on-board 3.3-kilowatt (4.4 hp) charger the Leaf can be fully recharged from empty in 8 hours from a 220/240-volt 30 amp supply (5.2 kilowatts (7.0 hp) allowable draw) that can provide the on-board charger its full 3.3 kilowatts (4.4 hp) of usable power.

In North America and Japan using a standard household outlet (120-volt, 15 amp breaker, 12 amp maximum allowable draw, 1.4 kilowatts (1.9 hp)) and the 7.5-meter (25 ft) cable included by Nissan, the Leaf will regain approximately 5 miles of range per hour. This type of charging is intended for convenience use when making stops or for emergency charging if you are within a short range of the charging destination.

U.S. electrical regulations require a 240-volt charging station to be permanently wired to an AC outlet unless proper interlock mechanisms are available to ensure the charging current can be safely turned on and off. Nissan selected AeroVironment to supply its charging dock and installation services in North America. (see the United States section below for more details).

Using DC fast charging, the battery pack can be charged to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. Nissan developed its own 500-volt DC fast charger that went on sale in Japan for ¥1,470,000 (around US$16,800) in May 2010 and plans to install 200 at dealers in Japan. Nissan warns that if fast charging is the primary way of recharging, then the normal and gradual battery capacity loss is about 10% more than regular 220-volt charging over a 10-year period. Other companies make compatible charging stations, and companies and local government have various initiatives to create networks of public charging stations.

Nissan plans to double the power of the on-board charger to 6.6-kilowatt (8.9 hp) in the 2012 model year Leaf. There are also plans to allow upgrades for the 2011 year model.

New immigration rules may damage economy:UK

England--New immigration rules will damage the struggling economy, business chiefs warned yesterday.

Foreigners from outside the European Union will be expected to leave after five years and domestic staff, like cleans, maids and cooks, may be barred all together.

The changes unveiled yesterday come on top of the immigration cap, a strict new limit on non-EU workers.

Businesses said it would stop them bringing in workers with the skills they need.

And the British Chambers of Commerce warned of the perils of the new policy, expected to result in tens of thousands fewer people coming here to live.

Spokesman Dr Adam Marshall said: “Turfing out valuable migrant workers turned down for settlement would be incredibly disruptive to companies of all sizes, and to economic recovery.

“It could also deter skilled workers from coming to the UK in the first place.”

At the moment, immigrant workers can stay for three years, then apply for a two-year extension and ask to be allowed to remain here after their five years are up.

Reducing net migration is not just about reducing the numbers coming here; it is also about increasing the numbers who leave after their initial stay," she said. "Only tier one [the most highly skilled route] will give a pathway from entry to settlement for investors and entrepreneurs. We expect most tier two migrants will return home at the end of their stay."

Ministers hope the package will prevent those who arrive in Britain to fill a temporary labour shortage from applying to settle permanently. May said she would soon be publishing proposals to change the rules for those coming to Britain for family reasons, such as marriage.

But Dr Adam Marshall of the British Chambers of Commerce said the immigration system had to protect the economy as well as the borders.

"Turfing out valuable migrant workers who are turned down for settlement would be incredibly disruptive to companies of all sizes, and to the UK's economic recovery," he said. "These proposals could also deter some skilled workers from coming to the UK in the first place. The criteria for which migrants do get settlement rights must reflect business needs and the economy, as well as political considerations."

Habib Rahman, of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, warned the proposals would create a "guest workers" scheme in Britain.

"The guest workers will have a very restricted right to settle in the UK and will have fewer rights when they are here. It will open them up to exploitation and lead to a two-tier workforce in Britain.The restrictions on legitimate avenues to settle is bound to lead to increasing irregularity and overstaying."

Sir Andrew Green of MigrationWatch, which believes immigration levels are too high, said the plan would provide an incentive for employers to train British workers rather than take skilled foreign workers "off the shelf.

Drought conditions UK

Parts of England are officially in a drought following the dry spring, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said.

Areas of East Anglia are in drought, with parts of the south-west and south-east of England, the Midlands and Wales in a "near-drought" state.

In the drought-affected areas, Anglian Water and Cambridge Water say there is no threat to public water supplies.

But Severn Trent Water says there may be restrictions if rainfall stays low.

Both the south-east and central-southern regions of England have had their driest spring on record.

Across England and Wales as a whole it has been the driest spring since 1990.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is set to hold a second drought summit to review the impacts of the continuing dry weather.

Ministers are holding a summit with farmers, water companies and environmental groups to discuss the way forward.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman says tough decisions have to be made.

"We'll look at how to prioritise who can abstract the water that we have because it's obviously really important to get that right to try and make sure that farmers have got enough to produce the crops for the food we need to eat.

And that is the worry. If crops fail, the knock-on effect is likely to be a more expensive shopping bill.

"It's adding to the upward pressures that are already there on food prices, things like the rising world demand and increasing production costs," said Richard Dodd from the British Retail Consortium.

"But I think it would be easy to exaggerate how significant it is because we rarely get a year when the weather is perfect for farmers."

At Adnams in Southwold they rely on barley. Head brewer

Mrs Spelman is set to hold a second drought summit to review the impacts of the continuing dry weather.

Defra made the announcement as the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) indicated that provisional data showed England had experienced its driest May according to records dating back 100 years.

Ahead of the publication of the latest monthly assessment of rainfall, river and water levels by the CEH, experts also said that by late May soils in large parts of eastern and central England were at their driest on record.

According to CEH, the biggest impact of the continuing dry conditions is in rivers, with waterways across much of southern Britain close to or at their lowest levels for this time of year.

Archbishop of Canterbury

ARCHBISHOPS of Canterbury question Government policy – it’s what they do.

Tony Blair yesterday reminded us he was assailed by turbulent priests. Margaret Thatcher faced (in our view, with good reason) ferocious criticism in the 1980s.

So David Cameron should take a chill pill after Dr Rowan Williams voiced concern about the impact of the Coalition on the vulnerable, low paid and communities.

The Archbishop is entitled to express opinions on issues which he believes concern the welfare of his flock. Indeed it would be wrong for him not to do so.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that but his sweeping dismissal of Dr Williams’ comments betrayed his deep irritation.

And Mr Cameron has good reason to be rattled. Because the criticism reflects a growing feeling this regime is inflicting pain and pursuing policies without a mandate.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s truth hurts David Cameron.

Let Kelly rest

ON balance we believe it would have been better to hold an inquest into the death of Dr David Kelly to put conspiracy theories to bed.

The suicide of the Iraq weapons scientist will forever be controversial and we acknowledge that a hearing which found he’d killed himself wouldn’t satisfy the conspiracy theorists.

But the Attorney General Dominic Grieve decided otherwise and it’s time to move on.

Mr Grieve is a straightforward, punctilious law officer. He made the call on the evidence and it’s insulting to suggest otherwise.

The archbishop has denounced France's ban on the wearing of hijabs and voiced his fears that Muslims were being portrayed as scapegoats for the July 7, 2005 London bombings.

But the present media storm surrounding Dr Williams has yet to achieve the degree of prominence prompted by his comments on Sharia law in 2008.

His claim it was "inevitable" that elements of the Islamic law will be incorporated into the British legal system made him the subject of headlines - many of them negative - for weeks.

Dr Williams' criticism of American special forces' killing earlier this year of an allegedly unarmed Osama bin Laden indicated he had no intention of halting his polemics.

He once said: "Even when I was Archbishop of Wales and working with new bishops, I used to say, not realising quite how true it was, 'One of the things you will do as a bishop is disappoint people'."

And as his stint as editor of the New Statesman shows, he is unlikely to stop disappointing some while pleasing others any time soon.

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Prithvi-II successfully

India on Thursday successfully test-fired the Prithvi-II, the short range nuclear capable missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Balasore district, off the Bay of Bengal with the missile hitting the target with “very high accuracy”.

Nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile was successfully test-fired for its full range of 350 km on Thursday by the personnel of Strategic Force Command as part of a regular user training exercise.

The missile with a range of 350 km and with a capability to deceive any anti-ballistic missile was fired at 9.05 am as part of the regular training exercise of the armed forces, DRDO sources said.

The flight test of Prithvi-2 was like a textbook launch meeting all mission objectives," said an official present during the test. He said the missile mounted on a mobile launcher was test-fired in a vertical mode. The missile, which carried a dummy payload, covered the desired striking range before plunging into the sea at a pre-determined splash-down point.

"Taken from a routine production lot, the missile was launched with an improved aided inertial navigation system and achieved single digit accuracy reaching close to zero circular error probability (CEP)," he said.

The 8.56 m high and one m thick Prithvi missile, with a launch weight of 4.6 tonne, has a strike range of up to 350 km. Powered by liquid propellant; Prithvi can operate with both liquid as well as solid fuel. The missile is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engine and uses Advanced Inertial Guidance System ( AIGS) with manouvering trajectory and reaches the targets with few metre accuracy.

The missile was picked up randomly from the production lot and the launch operations were carried out by SFC personnel and monitored by scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The single-stage, liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II that is capable of carrying payloads ranging from 500-1,000 kg had been inducted into the armed forces. It is equipped with a high accuracy inertial navigation system with sophisticated on-board control and guidance. It could be launched from anywhere with its mobile launcher having user-driven features.

Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V.K. Saraswat, who witnessed the launch, congratulated the armed forces and scientists on the successful flight-test. V.L.N. Rao, programme director, AD, S.K. Ray, Director, Research Centre Imarat and top officials of the SFC and the DRDO were present during the mission.

In December last, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test-fired for different ranges within a span of one hour.

Aruanchal sex MMS victims

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women has asked the government to pay Rs 5 lakh each to two minor victims, a boy and a girl, of an MMS case involving Daporijo police station.

On June 12, 2009, police had picked up the boy and the girl and forced them to have sex inside the police station while they recorded it on a cellphone. The MMS was in circulation for months but it was discovered only in March this year after the boy's father complained to the police.

The sexual act, which was captured by policemen on duty in their mobile phone handsets, was in circulation for a long time and came to light only in mid-March.On June 12, 2009, the men in uniform had allegedly forced the minors into having sex inside the police station.The incident was exposed in March 2011 after the boy's father filed a complaint with the police.APSCW chairperson Komoli Mosang also demanded a high-level departmental enquiry committee to investigate the case headed by an officer not below the rank of superintendent of police, preferably an IPS officer.The adhoc committee constituted by the commission, in its report, has squarely blamed ASI Boham Bo and head constable Duyu Tatu.APSCW vice-chairperson Mepung Tadar, who headed the four member adhoc committee, informed that the members personally interacted with the victims and the accused.Apparently, ASI Bo had threatened the family members of the victims against filing a complaint on the matter.

The victim's families were living under considerable pressure and that is why it took one year for them to lodge an FIR," Mepung said.It is claimed that ASI Bo had a rape case pending against him at Kalaktang in West Kameng that was filed way back in 1991 when he was a constable.Besides ASI Bo and head constable Tatu, the committee recommended stringent punishments to the other accused constables Rajesh Nayam and Tapar Narah.The adhoc committee also suggested that the state government strictly adhere to the Supreme Court's D K Basu judgement and install CCTVs at all police stations across the state to avoid such incidents.

Tata singur land

In keeping with its first decision taken in the first cabinet meeting on May 13, the state government today promulgated an ordinance that ensured the return of 400 acres of land to farmers of Singur who did not accept the price of their land acquired for the Tata Motors’ small car project.

Governor M K Naraya-nan signed the ordinance after a long meeting with Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the decision late in the evening. “We are returning 400 acres of land at Singur and Tata babus can set up industries on the remaining 600 acres. I saw a letter in which the Tatas wanted compensation for their land. We are ready to pay it to them but for that we will have to appoint an arbitrator. However, this is a triumph of Ma-maati-manush and today should be observed as Singur Day.

Aware of the legal implications , the CM announced that the government is ready to compensate the Tatas by way of arbitration. "The governor has signed the ordinance . Now, we can return 400 acres to the unwilling farmers," Mamata said. She stressed that the land was "reacquired" for public purpose and it will become apparent when the ordinance is made public.

Besides, according to the agreement with the Tatas, a 21-month notice has to be given before cancelling the agreement.

However, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), which leased out the land, had written to the Tatas last year pointing out that the project had not been completed three years after the lease was signed and asking what they intended to do.

It was in response to this communication – on the basis of which Mamata seems to have cited “three-four years” – that the Tatas had referred to compensation.

“An ordinance will make these clauses (of the agreement) redundant,” said lawyer Arunava Ghosh.

The ordinance has fallen into a constitutional twilight zone as the Assembly is technically still in session, having adjourned after meeting for one day to elect the Speaker. “The House is in session, it has merely been adjourned,” Speaker Biman Banerjee said.

An ordinance, supposed to be an emergency option, cannot be promulgated when the Assembly is in session.

CPM state secretary Biman Bose dubbed the government’s move “unconstitutional”.

An unfazed Mamata, who has an overwhelming majority in the Assembly, appeared be keeping a Plan B ready. “If the CPM has objections, we won’t issue the notification. We can convene the Assembly session on Tuesday and get a bill passed. Kono ashubidhe nei (There is no problem). Even the Forward Bloc, RSP and the CPI will support us.”

Former Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim said the session could be brought forward but it should begin with the governor’s address.

Maqbool Fida Husain

Indian High Commission to Britain has expressed grief over the demise of the legendary artist Maqbool Fida Husain.

“Husain’s death is an immense loss to millions of his admirers across India, the UK and the world. We mourn his passing away. In his death, the world of art has lost a person of prodigious talent who had opened up new horizons for other painters,” the High Commission said in a statement here on Friday.

“The High Commission of India sends its heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family. At this difficult moment, we pray that God may give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement added.

Mr. Husain, who rose from a Bollywood billboard artist to become India’s most celebrated painter worldwide, died here on Thursday.

Husain not just as a great artist, but also as a wonderful human being. The first Husain I acquired was the Mother Teresa painting, and the Mother came and blessed it herself. So that is extremely dear to me. While he did pathbreaking work in the 70s and 80s, over the past ten years, however, one did see him concentrate more on the 'marketing' aspect of art. That also came in for some criticism. Sadly, he also got into a controversy in India over the last few years, but I know that he had a deep understanding and knowledge of religion, including Hinduism.

He knew more about Hindu philosophy and the sacred Hindu texts than most. He was an extremely knowledgeable person with a rich experience, something he brought into his art. And like his art, Husain was often unpredictable as a person. I remember he called me to his home once and, to my surprise, I found he was not at home himself ! I realized this was a man who was not bound by routine, a free spirit. Similarly, he would stop by at my office unannounced at times, and was always delightful company.

Husain straddled the art world like a colossus for several dec ades, he was synonymous with Indian art. In his passing, the art world has lost a foremost thinker and a truly wonderful human being. Needless to say, people like MF Husain never really go away. He will serve as an inspiration to several generations of artists and art lovers. The world of art will miss him sorely; his iconic presence generated both curios ity and awe among his legions of admirers. But like all legends, Husain's mystique will endure.

Baba Ramdev

The despite their emphasis on “transparency”, the Baba Ramdev camp today provided only sketchy details of the assets and finances of the four trusts run by the yoga guru.

Although the declaration of assets was made shortly after the Patanjali Yogpeeth issued a press release stating that Ramdev had decided to go on a “maun vrat”, both the yoga guru and his aide, Acharya Balakrishna, addressed the press conference.

According to the information revealed, while the four trusts have a “capital” of Rs 426.19 crore accrued through donations and sale of medicines, they have incurred an expenditure — including on social service — of Rs 785.09 crore so far.

Balakrishna said the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust — the first of the trusts formed by the yoga guru — has a “capital” of Rs 249.63 crore and has so far spent Rs 685.25 crore.

Similarly, the Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust has a “capital” of Rs 164.80 crore and has incurred an expenditure of Rs 53.92 crore.

Bharat Swabhimaan Trust and Acharyakul Shiksha Sansthan have a combined “capital” of just under Rs 12 crore with their expenditure adding up to roughly the same amount.

Balakrishna, however, gave no details about the companies being run by these trusts, nor did he reveal the source of funds. He said details about the companies can be obtained from the Registrar of Companies, while other details including the Income-Tax returns filed by the trusts could be extracted using the Right to Information Act. “Anybody can seek details from the ROC or through the RTI route.

Trans-Canada Highway of Heroes

VANCOUVER — A stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway is being dedicated the "Highway of Heroes" in honour of British Columbia's nine Canadian Forces members killed in Afghanistan and four killed in other missions around the world.

The section of the highway, between Surrey and Abbotsford, will be unveiled Saturday during the second annual Memorial Ride for the Fallen.

Barry Drews, vice-president of the 3rd Canadian Army Veterans Ubique Unit, started the memorial ride last summer and inspired the dedication by nicknaming the stretch the "Westcoast Highway of Heroes."

The Ministry of Transportation contacted him shortly after to discuss officially renaming the highway, Drews said.

A section of Ontario's Highway 401 between Canadian Forces Base Trenton and Toronto was dubbed the Highway of Heroes in 2007 because it is routinely lined with civilians and veterans to honour each Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan during repatriation of the body.

Drews said he hopes to see other provinces do the same, so that soldiers are honoured coast to coast.

The dedication is especially meaningful for Ann Bason, whose son Master-Cpl. Colin Bason was killed by a roadside bomb in Kandahar in 2007. Her younger son, Beric, went missing on a fishing trip just days after his brother's death.

De Genova said his group worked with the province to determine the exact spot for the designation and the sign.

Saturday's unveiling will coincide with an annual memorial ride organized by local branch of the Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Units.

There have been 156 Canadian casualties in Afghanistan since Canada entered the war in 2002.

De Genova said Honour House will be open later this month. The land and 10-bedroom house were paid for with a $2.3-million interest-free loan from the province, and $500,000 of that was forgiven through a government grant.

Soldiers, first responders and their families will be able to stay there for free. The house's operation will be funded through fundraising and donations.

De Genova said he's received the support of retired general Rick Hillier, former chief of the defence staff, and Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the current chief of the defence staff.

De Genova said his goal is to open similar facilities across Canada.

"Very similar homes, and in Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, it's already starting to come along," said De Genova.

"The Canadian Forces men and women and all the first responders will have a place to stay for saying thank you for what they give every day.

Transparency lacked in G8

Senior Conservative officials broke federal rules to shower $50-million on the riding of the minister now overseeing Ottawa’s austerity plan, according to the final audit of a G8 program that fuelled opposition charges of pork-barrel politics.

In her last report, Auditor-General Sheila Fraser said the funding for the G8 Legacy Infrastructure Fund was approved by Parliament under the guise of a border initiative. The money was then distributed to projects in the riding of Treasury Board President Tony Clement without any input from civil servants, in a clear breach of federal policies dealing with transparency and accountability.

“It is very unusual and troubling. There is no paper trail behind the selection of the 32 projects,” said John Wiersema, the interim Auditor-General who recently took over from a retired Ms. Fraser. “I, personally, in my career in auditing, have not encountered a situation like that.”

Mr. Clement showed up at a news conference to defend the spending in his riding, but Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird physically shielded him from questions at times. The two stood behind a podium and single microphone, and Mr. Baird, who was in charge of Ottawa’s infrastructure program when the spending was approved, often fielded questions the media directed at Mr. Clement.

The pair took the Auditor-General’s criticism on the chin, promising to improve “anachronistic” rules and regulations that were used by civil servants to get the spending quickly approved through Parliament in a period of economic downturn.

Responding on behalf of the government, Baird accepted the auditor general’s criticism of what he labelled “administrative deficiencies.” But he insisted there was no attempt to deliberately mislead Parliament.

In a separate chapter of the report, the auditor general says spending on operations and security for both the G8 and subsequent G20 meetings in Ontario was presented piecemeal to Parliament instead of in a package, leaving MPs poorly informed about total costs.

But in one bright spot, the report says it appears the initially budgeted $1.1 billion for the summits will actually come in around $664 million.

Clement later told a news conference that a list of 242 originally proposed projects was compiled by six mayors in his riding. He asked them to whittle it down to their top priorities, which they did, producing the 32 which eventually received funding.

“So there’s no mystery here,” Clement said.

Among the most controversial:

$274,000 on public toilets 20 kilometres from the summit site in Huntsville.

$100,000 on a gazebo an hour’s drive away.

$1.1 million for sidewalk and tree upgrades 100 kilometres away.

$194,000 for a park 100 kilometres away.

$745,000 on downtown improvements for three towns nearly 70 kilometres away.

Religious homosexuals Gay Pride

Google Israel backs observant gay groups; Havruta: "The fact that Google approached us is proof that it is no longer possible to ignore us."

Homosexual religious groups will be represented in a special float at Friday’s Tel Aviv Gay Pride March – a reflection of their growing prominence in both the homosexual and religious communities they come from.

The lesbian Bat Kol group, ‘Proud Minyan,’ religious groups from within the Israeli Gay Youth Organization, and Havruta will all be in the march.

Kamoha group, which broke off from Havruta late last year after feeling that the veteran religious gay group in Israel was compromising on the religious adherence to which it was purportedly committed, will not take part in the Tel Aviv event.

“We are against marching, and so are all the national religious rabbis,” said Kamoha founder Amit.

“To march was not an easy decision,” Jonas said on Thursday.

“One of the main reasons we are marching is that we meet growing numbers of people who, upon seeing kippas in the context of gay pride, realized that they are not alone, and were strengthened.”

“If, as a religious youth I had felt alone, without anyone to turn to, today young religious people have many more options,” said 29-year-old Jonas, who grew up in a liberal- modern Orthodox household in the capital.

Nowadays, he continued, rabbis contact him daily for help and advice on their students.

“Without us, there would be hundreds of youths from nationwide who wouldn’t know where to turn,” said Jonas. “Maybe this way we are saving lives.”

Even so, marching in an event associated with the most profane aspects of homosexuality is not an easy call for the groups struggling for more recognition in the religious societies they come from, and seek to be part of.

“To a certain extent, it could damage our reputation within the religious sector,” said Jonas. “This isn’t the first time we are marching – we marched in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem last year – and every year our numbers at the march grow. Rabbis are asking our help and dealing with the issue of homosexuality among their students more and more.”

“If we cease to progress,” Jonas added, “we are liable to lose all of what we achieved up to this point.

Hamas leaders Facebook page

A few leading Hamas figures have opened Facebook pages over the past few weeks, as part of the organization's broader attempt to win hearts and minds among the Palestinian public to reverse its declining support in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

According to an opinion poll published Wednesday by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center, 39.2 percent of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians have faith in Fatah, while only 16.6 percent put their trust in Hamas.

Hamas is now trying to rebrand itself as a more open and, above all, a more moderate movement. The strategy is rooted in part in the organization's fear of a rout in next year's expected parliamentary and presidential elections, and is being expressed in the softer tack being taken by certain senior officials.

Senior Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, for instance, said during the reconciliation process with Fatah that Hamas was willing to give negotiations with Israel another chance. But that drew fire from some of his colleagues, demonstrating that not everyone is on board.

It is the first time that Hamas announces openly its rejection to Fayyad to lead the government. Abbas wants Fayyad to be the upcoming premier due to his acceptance by the West to avoid international isolation of the government.

Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, Hamas' main rival, condemned Hamas' attempts to impose its stances prior to next week's meeting in Cairo to discuss the formation of the government.

A Fatah leader criticized Abu Marzouk's statements, adding that he should not talk this way in the media. "The positions should have been better announced on the table of dialogue, not through the media," said Hussien al-Sheikh of Fatah.

He noted that this issue would be discussed thoroughly when Hamas and Fatah meet on Tuesday.

Abbas assigned Fayyad, the western-backed economist, to lead the government in the West Bank after Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and seized Gaza in 2007. Hamas has been ruling Gaza since then with its own administration.

On Tuesday, representatives of Hamas and Fatah will talk about the formation of a technocratic government in accordance with the Egyptian-brokered agreement that was signed early last month. The agreement is sought to end political split between Gaza and the West Bank.

The United States and most European countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization for refusing to recognize Israel.

Israel on Defensive

TEL AVIV—Israel's defense force, accustomed to armed opposition, faces a new challenge in halting unarmed protesters at the country's borders without drawing international criticism for use of force or domestic rancor for being too passive.

The wave of protests that began May 15 has heightened Israeli concerns that popular uprisings in the Mideast and a United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood in September—amid a stalled peace process—will inspire mass civil disobedience and further isolate Israel.

"There is the belief that the Palestinians have chosen to shift from peace negotiations to actions that will generate international pressure on Israel," said a senior Israeli diplomat.

Adding another dimension to the conflict, a group of activists is planning to challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip in coming weeks by sending a flotilla to the Palestinian territory, led by the Turkish cruise ship, the Mavi Marmara. A year ago, the United Nations Security Council condemned Israel for the deaths of nine activists in a clash with Israeli soldiers who commandeered the same vessel.

Then, and in recent incidents, Israel said it was provoked and justified in its actions. But the latest protests against Israel carry a new veneer of legitimacy by echoing recent popular struggles against entrenched, undemocratic regimes across the region.

In the first border protests, on May 15, the anniversary of Israel's independence, demonstrators marched toward Israeli forces from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria.

At the Syrian border, Israel Defense Forces were surprised and overwhelmed—letting protesters break through the fence and reach the Golan Heights. Israeli media cried out that the army was unprepared, allowed citizens from an enemy country to waltz over the border, and gave a symbolic victory to protesters.

Abbas' main fear is that the United States will veto the proposal in the Security Council. Erekat tried to persuade the United States that Abbas would renew talks with Israel immediately after the declaration of a Palestinian state. He also told Clinton that Abbas would commit to this in a letter to the UN secretary general and would announce publicly that he recognized Israel within the 1967 borders.

Erekat told Clinton that from the Palestinian perspective the move was not unilateral. He said they did not intend to isolate Israel or encourage delegitimization of Israel, but rather help reach a two-state solution.

If negotiations are not renewed based on the Obama speech, Abbas is determined to turn to the United Nations as early as July 15. Erekat is among the officials who support the unilateral move. Although his experience with the United Nations is limited, he is entirely dependent on Abbas and therefore disinclined to oppose him. Senior Fatah official Nabil Sha'ath, who toes an extremist line vis-a-vis Israel and was among those who pushed for reconciliation with Hamas, is also in favor of the UN option.

"Abu Mazen [Abbas] wants the UN move and is uninterested in renewing the talks," said a senior government official in Jerusalem who is very involved in the Palestinian issue and preparations for the September vote.

"Abu Mazen wants to leave his imprint and be the one during whose term Palestinian reconciliation and recognition in the United Nations takes place. There are a great many who oppose this line of his, but so far, his is the dominant and decisive voice.