Goa overjoyed with Italy's World Cup victory
ASSAGAO: Brazil and Portugal having lost in the semi-finals, Goa's football lovers placed their trust in Italy, and are overjoyed to witness their favourite Azzuri's splendid 5-3 victory over France to wrest the glittering World Cup early this morning. Sleepless nights - being glued to tv screens - over the last few days have eventually ended and quite pleasantly indeed for us, Goans. All our local English daily newspapers are screaming Italy's joyful victory in banner headlines. GT: Men in blue rule the world. Herald: Italy rules the world. NT: Italy lift 2006 football World Cup. Goans also regret that Zinedine Zidane's magical World Cup career culminated in a self-inflicted disgrace and a red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi. Zidane thus disqualified himself from figuring among the pantheon of all-time football greats like Pele, Ronaldo and Diego Maradona. (GoaNewsClips)

GOA TOON by ALEXYZ

Birds of a feather fall together
Two bureaucrats, former blue-eyed boys of their political masters. Both share the uncanny fact that they occupied similar posts in the past, and they both fell from grace around the same time. Who are we talking about? It's none other than Sanjit Rodrigues and Suryanarayan. While the former has now managed to get a post as MD of the GTDC, incidentally previously held by the latter, Suryanarayan mysteriously tendered his resignation from government service. (GT)

Communal forces condemned for raising Konkani script issue
The 66th anniversary celebrations of the All India Konkani Parishad held at Karwar on July 8 unanimously condemned the efforts of the communal forces that are active under the pretext of demanding recognition for Roman script and called on to immediately stop this activity which is set to divide the Konkani community on communal lines. It also demanded that the Goa government should not touch the Official Language Act which empowers the Konkani language as the state language and also does not by its act in any way encourage communal forces. (GT)

Stormy Assembly session likely PANJIM: The three-week long monsoon session of the Goa Assembly starting today at 2.30 pm, looks all set to be a stormy affair. Contentious debate is on the cards on a host of issues like closure of Marathi primary schools, introduction of English subject from standard I, Sanvordem and Curchorem, failure to set up garbage treatment plant, rise in prices of various commodities. (GT)

Goa is for sale, says Matanhy PANJIM: Cortalim MLA Matanhy Saldanha yesterday expressed his disgust at the way the present government dispensation is functioning. According to him, today, it is absolutely clear that Goa is for sale and the agents are the ministers and their minions. In the name of development land is being acquired for projects that will bring no benefit to Goa and its people. IT parks, food parks and golf courses seem to be the main pre-occupation of the ministers in this government, according to him. (GT)

Swarashri selected to present Konkani musical programme at New Delhi
VASCO, July 9: A Konkani musical institution of Vasco, Swarashri-Goa, has been selected to present a Konkani musical programme on a national level at New Delhi. The presentation of the first show at national level will be done by music composer in Konkani music field, Mr Ramanand Raikar. Swarashi has produced a special musical feature based on the freedom movement of our country and liberation movement of Goa. (NT)

CM thanked for visiting garbage site at Bainguinim
PANJIM: The emergency meeting of the Ribandar Citizens Action Committee held at Ribandar on July 9 thanked Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane for having taken time off to inspect the proposed site for garbage disposal at Bainguinim and for having seen for himself that certain vested interests in exalted places high-handedly choosing a wrong place to dump garbage against all the laid down rules, norms and regulations. While appreciating Rane's leading role on the issue, the committee's convenor, Adv Aires Rodrigues, has also acknowledged Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar and Deputy Speaker Victoria Fernandes for their rock solid support in opposing the proposed garbage disposal plant.

'Drive Away parties' set up PANJIM, July 9: The State Forest Department has set up Drive Away parties along the Goa-Maharashtra border to keep away the wild elephants from straying into the State. These drive away parties will regularly patron the border and keep a watch to track the movement of elephants. (H)

Migration and family planning: factors for Goa's population MAPUSA, July 9: Goa's popular discussion group - Friday Balcao - will hold an open discussion on "Migration and family planning: Factors for Goa's population growth?" on July 14 from 4.00 pm. to 6.00 pm. at Goa Desc Resource Centre, No. 11, Liberty Apartments, Feira Alta, Mapusa. Goa Desc invites you to express your viewpoint by attending the Friday Balcao event but if you cannot attend, then please send your views and action plan suggestions by post to FRIDAY BALCAO, Post Box 78, Mapusa 403 507 or by email to goadesc@sancharnet.in

BSNL's internet bonanza to villages
As a promotional offer for phones on CDMA 2000 IX technology in rural areas, BSNL has decided to offer fixed internet access charges and SMS charges options in addition to existing options for 90 days with effect from May 1. Unlimited internet access charges is Rs.150 per month and unlimited SMS charges is Rs.50 per month. This promotional offer is valid only for the customers in the rural areas under the BTS served by Aquem, Valpoi and Mangor. For further details please visit www.bsnl.co.in or contact nearest customer service centre or dial toll free call centre No.1500. (GT)

Merces forum to involve in 'drive against bribe'
MERCES: The Merces Civic and Consumer Forum decided to involve actively in the national campaign 'Drive against Bribe' at the meeting held recently. This other issues were taken for discussion like health, garbage and the development projects to be submitted in the forthcoming gram sabha later this month. (GT)

No-trust move against Majorda dy sarpanch
PANJIM, July 9: A six-member group in the Village Panchayat Majorda-Utorda-Calata moved a no-confidence motion against deputy sarpanch Socorrina Rodrigues. (H)