CCP dumps 42 hotels: The Corporation of City of Panjim, on November 17, decided to stop lifting the garbage of 42 hotels and restaurants situated in the city from November 18 since the state government has failed to provide it an alternate site to treat the hotel waste. [GT]

DGCA team to probe collision: Investigations into the collision of two aircraft that took place at the Dabolim airport on Sunday, have begun. A team from the Director General of Civil Aviation has arrived and begun investigations into the collision of two aircraft Transaero Boeing and Iber Wordlcraft - at the Dabolim airport. [GT]

Another temple vandalised, in Bhatlem: Hitherto restricted to the countryside, the virus of temple vandalisation has now reached doorstep of the capital city. At 4.45 am, on November 17, the Pindika (Ling) of Shree Pimpleshwar Datta Mandir at Chincholem-Bhatlem (Taleigao) was desecrated by unknown miscreants. [GT]

GKA launches 'Lotus' An instrumental Konkani audio CD by Ustad Chote Rehmat Khan and Akshada Geet called "Lotus", by young Goan singer Akshada Talaulikar, were released by Goa Konkani Academy on November 17. It was released at the hands of GKA President Punalik naik and renowned Konkani writer Adv Uday Bhembre respectively. [GT] IFFI: Spy cams ready to shoot: The Goa police has tightened its belt for security during the 39th International Film Festival of India event. Superintendent of (Security) Police Tony Fernandes said that an outstation company contractor has been given the charge to install CCTV cameras at important venues. [GT] Light drizzle brings relief from heat: Overcast condition and light rainfall brought some relief to Goans from the scorching heat on Monday. The State witnessed cloud conditions throughout the day while also witnessing light rainfall in the evening. [H]

PICTURE FOR TODAY Joel "Book-on-head" race! On Sunday afternoon the Lions Club of Assagao in association with their counterparts in Anjuna, Arpora/Nagoa, Calangute, Aldona, Mapusa, Mapusa Suburban, Tivim, Bicholim and Sanquelim, held a regional level sports meet at the Assagao school ground for underprivileged children from their respective areas.

Aires: From accuser to now 'defendant': From the 'accuser' to now the 'defendant' is seemingly the topsy-turvey route that lawyer and social activist, Aires Rodrigues, has traversed over the last month from the time he first made public the rape of a German minor. First, he accused two youth, kin of three powerful cabinet ministers, of being the rapists. Then, there was the incident in which he was a victim of a brutal 'supari' attack, almost losing a couple of his fingers. And now, he is left defending his sudden volte-face 'withdrawing' from the scene. [GT]

Withdraw notices, issue warning to schools, Babush asks Education Dept: The Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate, on Monday issued instructions to the Education department to withdraw the notices issued by it to the five schools in the Mala Fontainhas ward. The notices had sought a report from the schools about the incident, wherein the students of these schools had thrown garbage in the office of the mayor, Mr Tony Rodrigues, on November 12. [NT]

IN BRIEF:
- The Goa executive officers association of BSNL will hold a rally today November 18 at 1 pm to demand for repatriation to the department of telecommunication. [GT]
- The election for the post of Assagao sarpanch that had fallen vacant on October 31, following the ouster of Mr Victor D'Souza, will be held on November 26. Among the top contenders for the post of sarpanch is Mr Pradeep Naik. [NT]

Decline in demand for products of Bicholim industrial units: The worldwide financial crisis has affected small-scale industrial units in the Bicholim Industrial Estate as demand for products of these units have been on the decline for the last few months. [NT] Hold Opinion Poll over another airport: GOA: The Goenkarancho Orixtt Avaz (GOA) has urged the government to immediately hold an Opinion Poll or referendum on the question of setting up another airport in the state. Goa co-convenor Adv Anacleto Viegas has said either the government should allow the will of the people to prevail or should hold another Opinion Poll to determine their desire. [H] National Book Week: The Directorate of Archives and Archaeology, Government of Goa, will celebrate National Book Week from November 18 to 20, 2008. An exhibition of rare books of 18th, 19th and 20th century will be displayed in the exhibition hall of the Directorate of Archives, Panjim, from today. [GT]

Tusker destroys plantations at Pernem: Banana plantations belonging to Vilas Parab and others were destroyed by an elephant on Saturday night at Kadashi-Mopa. Earlier, the same tusker had destroyed the paddy field and banana plantations of farmers at Fakirpato-Patradevi. [GT]

D E A T H S

16 Nov: Penha de Franca, Britona: HERCULANO THOME FERNANDES: Husband of Sebastiana (Carol), father of Savio/Jovi (Bahrain), Godfrey/Felicia (USA).
17 Nov: Caranzalem: JOAQUIM VAZ (JACKI): Husband of Joaquina, father of Francisco/Sharon, Bela/Menino, Meena/Jose, Pedro/Celia, Antonette/Seby, Magdeline Eliza/Gabriel (Paris).
17 Nov: Merces-Moloca: ADRIANA JOAO E BRAGANCA: Wife of Cristovam, mother of JB Braganca/Magdalena, Peter/Leta, Jacquelina/Leo.
17 Nov: Carmona: ELIZABETH RODRIGUES E GRACIAS: Wife of late Camilo, mother of Edwin/Succorina, Assumpto/Clancy, Alvito/Felicia, Minette/Ardito Dias.
Mumbai-Bandra: CELESTIAL DO REGO E SALDANHA: Gilbert Saldanha and his children, grandchildren and great grand children, Fr Vasco do Rego sj and Fernando/Aureo do Rego and their family, share with their relatives and friends that his wife, mother, grandmother and great grand mother and their sister Celestial has been taken by Jesus back to His heavenly and celestial home. No condolences.