THURSDAY JANUARY 2, 2025 CYBER TECH Securing the web: Understanding browser-based cybersecurity threats >> See PG 7 >> See PG 3 After nearly 8 yrs, no Cultural Merit Marks for students in place yet IN SHORT >> ED raids residences of land grab accused PANAJI: Continuing its action against land grab accused, Enforcement Directorate officials on Wednesday conducted raids on the residences of Estevan D’Souza and Alcantro D’Souza at Goa Velha and Mapusa. The sleuths also seized documents of more than 20 properties, which are now under examination. Sources said the two are allegedly close associates of land grab mastermind Mohammed Suhail.   >> See pg 3 Toddler dies in Vasco mishap VASCO: In a tragic incident, a two-year-old girl tragically lost her life at a petrol pump in Vasco on Wednesday. The mishap occurred when Kalilulla Khan, a tourist from Tamil Nadu, accidentally lost balance while refueling a rented bike, leading to the fatal accident.  >> See pg 3 One more arrested in tourist murder case MAPUSA: Calangute police arrested another shack worker, Suman Sonar (28), a native of Nepal, in connection with the murder of Bollaravi Teja (28) of Hyderabad at the Marina shack on Calangute beach.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 30 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 64% TIDES Low: High: 06:32 18:07 12:44 11:32 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 195 Gambhir’s future as India coach in doubt amid team crisis  Pg15 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Litter, chaos mark coastal celebrations n BEACHES TURN INTO OPEN-AIR PUBS, GARBAGE DUMPS n LOCALS, STAKEHOLDERS DECRY INFLUX OF ‘CHEAP’ TOURISTS, DEMAND STRICTER REGULATIONS TO ATTRACT MORE RESPONSIBLE VISITORS AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA Noise pollution mars New Year celebrations in Anjuna-Vagator On the eve of the New Year an ‘old man’ stood watch on a street of a bustling village in North Goa, surrounded by an array of empty liquor bottles. The figure, a creative depiction by local boys, symbolised the wild revelry and chaos that would ensue. This striking image, crafted to bid adieu to the past year, became a perfect metaphor for the annual influx of tourists that brings both celebration and a trail of destruction to Goa’s iconic beaches. MAPUSA: While the vibrant celebrations of New Year’s Eve lit up Goa’s renowned beaches, the coastal belt of Anjuna-Vagator found itself grappling with disruptive noise levels that drew the ire of residents and activists. The night was marred by loud music and apparent disregard for legal and social norms, as several venues flouted rules with impunity. >> See pg 3 Did New Year fireworks set Calangute shacks ablaze? MAPUSA: Two shacks were extensively damaged in a fire at Gaurawada-Calangute after fireworks were lit during celebrations to usher in the New Year.  >> See pg 3 ‘Invasion’ of the beaches The first day of 2025 bore witness to the stark reality behind the ‘old man’s’ symbolic liquor bottles. Beaches like Calangute and Baga, normally serene, were transformed into makeshift dining areas and party zones. Bare-chested domestic tourists, many carrying alcohol bottles and snacks, openly flouted regulations by drinking and feasting on the sand. (Clockwise) Trash left behind by careless tourists, creating a mess on the pristine Baga beach. Desi tourists openly enjoying alcohol on Calangute beach. An intoxicated desi tourist sleeps on the beach after celebrating New Year’s Eve.  Pics: Agnelo Pereira “It’s as if they’ve forgotten this is a public space. They leave behind heaps of garbage and make it harder for us to welcome the next wave of visitors,” lamented a shack owner. The influx of domestic tourists – largely young, male travellers – sparked frustration among locals and business owners. Even at noon on New Year’s Day, throngs of backpack-tot- BJP hints at Cabinet rejig as top brass get into a huddle Arlekar rules out return to State politics; party holds meet ahead of organisational polls THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI On the very first day of the New Year, the State remained abuzz over possible reshuffle in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet in 2025 after BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade hinted at the likely development. The news had remained speculative throughout 2024-with BJP ditching out several deadlines. Also, all the rumours or speculations with regard to change in State leadership was also put to rest by Kerala-Governor designate Rajendra Arlekar – who was expected to be back in the State politics. Ahead of BJP organisational elections, due early this month, the Chief Minister Sawant held a meeting with BJP, MGP hold meeting over 2027 poll alliance PANAJI: Gearing up for 2027 polls, almost two years in advance, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday held meeting with its coalition partner MGP leader and Minister Sudin Dhavalikar over future tie-up. Sawant chaired crucial meeting over BJP organisational elections, which was also attended by Dhavalikar. Speaking to media persons, Sawant said that since Dhavalikar is the coalition partner, he was part of the meeting. “We also discussed about future alliance and 2027 polls,” he said. BJP had fought 2022 polls in alliance with MGP. MGP at present has two MLAs. Tanavade and other party senior leaders. Speaking to media persons post meeting, Tanavade said that the meeting was with regards to upcoming elections and to strengthen the party in 2025 to ensure BJP’s victory in 2027 elections. He said that BJP State unit is likely to complete the mandal and district president >Continued on P5 ing tourists were seen heading towards Calangute beach. “These tourists come in jeeps and buses and leave nothing but thrash behind. They contribute little to the local economy,” said a taxi driv- Agra man kills mom, 4 sisters in Lucknow hotel room 1 A 24-year-old man from Agra took his mother and four sisters to a hotel room in Lucknow and allegedly killed them by slitting their throats and wrists on Wednesday, after which he recorded a video to say he did it because of “helplessness and despair” following “unimaginable atrocities” by people of his locality 2 The deceased have been identified as Alia (9), Alshia (19), Aksa (16) and Rahmeen (18) – all sisters of Arshad – and his mother Asma, according to the police 3 The DCP said Arshad’s family lived in Agra and preliminary inquiry has revealed that he took the step because of domestic disputes >> See pg 8 er operating in the area. Traffic chaos, local discontent The chaos wasn’t confined to the beaches. Streets leading to Calangute and Baga were choked with vehicles, 90 per cent bearing registrations from Maharashtra and Karnataka. Local residents, aware of the annual mayhem, largely stayed off the roads. However, those who ventured out found themselves stuck in traffic jams, with arterial roads reduced to standstill queues. “Even on New Year’s morning, the traffic was unmanageable,” said a weary traffic cop stationed at the Calangute-Baga junction. Despite the efforts of a few officers, the sheer volume of vehicles and pedestrians overwhelmed the system. >Continued on P5 10 killed after vehicle ploughs into New Year’s crowd in US 35 injured, driver killed in firefight; FBI probing incident as ‘act of terrorism’ PTI NEW ORLEANS A driver rammed a vehicle into a crowd of New Orleans revellers early on New Year’s Day, killing 10 people and injuring 35 others in what the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism”. The driver was killed in a firefight with police following the attack around 3.15 am Wednesday along Bourbon Street in the city’s bustling French Quarter, the FBI said. Investigators were combing the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorised to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan Police investigators surround the white Ford F-150 pickup truck that crashed into a work lift after allegedly driving into a crowd of New Year's revellers in New Orleans. also said officials were investigating at least one suspected improvised explosive device at the scene. At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a terrorist attack and the city’s police chief said the act was clearly intentional. New Orleans Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver was hell-bent on creating the carnage and >Continued on P5 Govt set to finalise 99-yr lease 2024 ends as warmest year in India since 1901 WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD pact for film city in Loliem IMD forecasts warm January PTI Says agreement nearing completion after modifications requested by comunidade THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government is expected to finalise the much-awaited 99-year lease agreement with the Loliem Comunidade this month to set up the coastal State’s first film city. Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Vice-Chairperson Delilah Lobo confirmed that the agreement is nearing completion after a few modifications requested by the comunidade. “The lease agreement has not been signed yet but it should be done this month. We are in the final stages of the process. The delay occurred as the comunidade requested some changes, which we are incorporating. Once finalised, the document will be sent back to them for approval. Subsequently the agreement will be signed,” Lobo told The Goan. The initiative to set up a film city was first announced in 2023, after which in October, ESG issued advertisements in local newspapers seeking 250 acres of land with clear titles for the project. The following month, after receiving a letter of interest from the Loliem Comunidade, ESG engaged Resurgent India Ltd – an investment banking firm – to provide transaction advisory services for the film city’s development. The project has been described as a long-cherished vision of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Social Welfare Minister Subhash >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI he year 2024 was the warmest on record in India since 1901, with the average minimum temperature settling 0.90 degrees Celsius above the long-period average, the IMD said on Wednesday. The annual mean temperature in 2024 was 25.75 degrees Celsius, 0.65 degrees above the long-period average. The average maximum temperature stood at 31.25 degrees Celsius, 0.20 degrees above normal. The average minimum temperature was 20.24 degrees Celsius, 0.90 degrees above normal, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) T „„The average mean temperature in 2024 was 25.75°C, 0.65°C above the long-period average „„The average minimum temperature was 20.24°C, 0.90°C above normal, the highest on record „„Long-term data shows a rising trend in minimum temperatures, particularly in post-monsoon and winter seasons Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. The year 2024 surpassed 2016, which had recorded a mean land surface air temperature 0.54 degrees Celsius above normal, making it the warmest year since 1901. The average minimum temperature was the highest on record for July, August, Sep- tember and October, and the second highest for February, the IMD chief said. According to the European climate agency Copernicus, 2024 likely ended as the warmest year globally and the first with average temperatures 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial (18501900) levels. in several parts of India NEW DELHI: Minimum temperatures are expected to be higher than normal in most parts of India in January, except in some areas of eastern, northwest, and west-central regions, the IMD said on Wednesday. Maximum temperatures are also likely to be above normal for most parts of the country, except in parts of northwest, central and eastern India, and central parts of the southern peninsula, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of the IMD, said during a virtual press briefing. Western and northern parts of central India are expected to experience more cold wave days than usual during January, he said. The IMD said rainfall in north India during January to March is likely to be below normal, with less than 86 per cent of the long-period average (LPA). The average rainfall for north India during this period, based on 1971-2020 data, is about 184.3 mm.