TopNews

New Delhi June 19: The central government for the second time returned the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act (GUJCOCA), a stringent anti terrorism bill framed by the Narendra Modi''s Gujarat Government.

Addressing the press conference after the cabinet meeting, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Cabinet has sought three amendments to GUJCOCA.

He also said that under this law a confession made a police officer is admissible in court and this should not be made admissible.

A clause in the act prevents the court from granting the bail if the public prosecutor opposes it, Home minister added.

Washington, June 19 : As Pakistan looks to open new fronts against the Taliban and other extremists, and particularly against the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, some vital questions, which have emerged from the Swat offensive, have remained unanswered.

With the Pakistan Army preparing to launch a fresh offensive in South Waziristan, it still remains unclear, as to for how long the troops would be asked to stay in the valley to maintain peace and order there.

London, June 19 : Some plants can increase the rate of ozone production by up to 50 times, according to a study.

Rosemary, juniper, and pine trees are among certain plants that emit chemical compounds known as terpenes, thought to help deter insect predators, or protect the plant from other stresses like high temperatures.

New York, June 19 : R&B singer Beyonce Knowles is facing a million-dollar lawsuit after she suddenly pulled out of a performance at Manhattan club.

The 27-year-old singer had to perform at M2 nightclub as part of the launch of her "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce" North American tour.

The nightclub owner Joey Morrissey had agreed to pay the singer 200,000 dollars for the gig.

Morrissey said that Beyonce's representatives had even signed a contract that prompted him to spend 100,000 dollars to prepare for the show.

"They said they were too busy with the launching of the tour and that they wouldn''t have time to do the kickoff party," the New York Post quoted Morrissey as saying.

Madrid - Victor Valdes has agreed to extend his contract with European champions Barcelona until either 2014 or 2015, according to his agent Gines Carbajal on Friday.

Carbajal told various Spanish media sources that "the deal is closed," without offering details of the agreement.

Barcelona have still not made an official announcement about the extension. The current contract of Valdes, 27, was due to expire in 2010.

London, June 19 : Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom's mother is auctioning off her son's clothes, slippers and a wet suit, in a bid to clear out his room before she moves house.

Sonia Copeland-Bloom will also be selling off costumes worn by `The Lords of the Ring' star during the filming of the trilogy.

The money raised from 32-year-old star's unwanted possessions will go to charity.