Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn ANJUNA: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo has defended construction work on his property in Anjuna after locals halted the development, alleging it was part of a large-scale commercial project near the beach. The retaining wall construction sparked tension on Monday, with youth claiming it was a precursor to a restaurant or mall. Police intervened, verified permits, and allowed work to resume. Lobo dismissed the allegations, saying opposition to the project was politically motivated. “This is a legitimate development, and those opposing it are creating unnecessary trouble,” he stated. Residents, however, expressed fears of environmental damage, criticizing the…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Members of the All Goa Barge Owners Association on Wednesday met Captain of Ports Minister Digambar Kamat to discuss the challenges faced by the barge industry, including low freight rates, rising maintenance costs, vessel upgrades, and the need for skilled workforce training. The association representatives conveyed that the sector has been operating at a loss due to high operational expenses and limited cargo movement. “We are struggling to maintain and repair our barges. The export of at least 20 million tonnes of iron ore is essential to keep our operations viable,” the barge owners stated during…

New Delhi: India has climbed to the ninth position worldwide in total forest area while maintaining its third rank in annual forest area gain, according to the latest Global Forest Resource Assessment 2025 released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The Environment Ministry credited this achievement to large-scale afforestation drives and community-led forest protection initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called the rise from 10th to 9th place a “major achievement” in sustainable forest management and ecological conservation. He highlighted public participation in tree plantation campaigns, such as the Ek…

New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality plunged sharply a day after Diwali, leaving the city shrouded in haze and making it one of the world’s most polluted major cities. Residents reported difficulty in breathing, itchy eyes, and general discomfort. While Swiss-based air-quality platform IQAir recorded the city’s AQI at a staggering 1,121, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported a much lower figure of 351. Both readings, however, are correct within their respective frameworks. Understanding AQI The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool designed to communicate air pollution levels in simple terms, helping the public understand associated health…

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his Diwali greetings and highlighted the importance of joint efforts to combat terrorism. Modi’s message, posted online, read: “Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms.” The remarks come at a time when India has been closely monitoring the US’ growing engagement with Pakistan, a country often criticised for providing safe havens to…

New Delhi: The Lokpal’s reported plan to purchase seven BMW cars, each costing around ₹70 lakh, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leaders, who called the move a “tragic irony” for an institution meant to uphold integrity and fight corruption. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal, condemned the expenditure, saying it contradicts the very spirit of the anti-corruption body. “Dr. L M Singhvi first conceived the idea of Lokpal in the early 1960s. To see this anti-corruption body now ordering BMWs for its members is tragic irony the guardians of integrity…

New Delhi: The Jammu region has emerged as a major security flashpoint, with around 120 anti-terror operations being carried out every day. Once considered largely free of militancy, the area has in recent years witnessed a sharp surge in terror-related activities, primarily attributed to the infiltration and presence of highly trained foreign terrorists. According to officials, the operations include both intelligence-based and speculative searches aimed at flushing out militants hiding in forested and mountainous terrain. Jammu’s police chief Bhim Sen Tuti said that despite the scale of the operations, the challenge posed by foreign militants remains significant. He…