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Indo-Pak composite dialogue to culminate by August 15

          Islamabad: The composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India is likely to be completed by August 15 and will be reviewed at the foreign secretaries and foreign minister's level from August 23 to 25 in New Delhi, sources told Daily Times on Sunday. "At the last meeting of foreign secretaries from both countries on June 27 and 28, Pakistan proposed the calendar for the remaining six points of the eight-point agenda for the composite dialogue both countries agreed to start on February 18. Pakistan proposed holding six meetings of experts on various issues from last week of July to August 15. The Indian side had accepted the proposal in principle and promised to give its reply after conferring with departments concerned," the sources said. The eight issues consist of Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security including nuclear confidence building measures at the foreign secretary level; Siachen glacier; Wullar barrage/Tulbul navigation project; Sir Creek; terrorism and drug trafficking; promotion of trade ties and friendly exchanges. Three of the six proposed meetings will be held in Pakistan and the rest in India. Sources said that after the bilateral meetings, the foreign secretaries from both countries would review the progress of the talks to pave the way for a formal meeting of foreign ministers. "The foreign secretaries and foreign ministers are likely to meet from August 23 to 25," the sources said.

Smacking your kid could land you in jail (Go To Top)

          London: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is all set to approve reforms that will curtail smacking of children by their parents. According to The Daily Mail, the reforms called the 'Lester Amendment' will mean that parents who cause any physical harm to youngsters- including bruising, scratching or simply reddening their skin could face prosecution. The restrictions on smacking are seen by ministers as a compromise aimed at satisfying the 100 Labour backbenchers, who want any physical punishment of children to be outlawed. "Parents will still be able to smack their children if they don't harm them physically or mentally. When a parent smacks a child they are to some extent losing control," the report quoted Lord Lester as saying. However, critics have warned that the planned legislation would be a charter for police and social workers to interfere into the lives of law-abiding families. Meanwhile, Norman Wells of the pressure group Family and Youth Concern said, "The current law provides children with adequate protection for any excesses or unreasonable punishment." "It strikes a balance between protecting children from abuse on the one hand and protecting families from damaging intrusion by the state on the other," he added.

Goa goes flat after Portugal defeat (Go To Top)

          Panaji: Soccer fans in the former Portuguese colony of Goa slumped in dejection after the hosts lost 0-1 to Greece in the Euro 2004 final in Lisbon on Sunday. Thousands of people across the coastal state, who began partying hours before the match began just past midnight, melted away into a mild drizzle from many venues where they had assembled to watch the game on big TV screens. Hundreds of soccer clubs and many beach resorts in the tiny state, under Portugese rule from the early 16th century until 1961, had arranged celebrations after their favourite side made it to the final. Silence descended on a club in Goa's main city of Panaji, packed with hundreds of boisterous locals and foreigners, the moment striker Angelos Haristeas headed in the winner in the 57th minute.

           "Portuguese people have given a good fight but it's the sheer performance of the Greece people. It's not important that you lose or win the match but you have to fight well. I think the Portuguese fought well and they are equivalent with Greece today," Dominik, a soccer fan, said. "The effort was very good but unfortunately the finishing was not good. It's bad luck for Portugal and bad luck for the Goans as well. Very much disappointed, very much...we lost," Nitin, another fan, added. "I am for Portugal and I feel very sorry that Portugal did not win today. My wishes are for Greece but I would have really liked Portugal to win," Francis, another fan, said. Goa has deep and historic links with Portugal. It became a Portuguese colony in the early 16th century after Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope to discover the sea route to India in 1498. Portuguese rule ended in 1961 when Indian forces entered the coastal enclave dotted with swaying coconut palms, but the state still has distinct Portuguese trappings. Pubs and bars throughout the state had made arrangements to celebrate the game with gallons of beer and a local cashew drink, Feni and many domestic TV channels were carrying live pictures of the Portugal mania in Goa. Goa led the support of millions of Indians for the championship, especially after the strong showing by Portugal. Portuguese shirts had been flying off the shelf since the tournament began three weeks ago and tailors were busy stitching flags of both teams for the finale.

Maruti cuts prices of mid-sized Esteem car model (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: Largest car maker, Maruti Udyog Ltd, has cut prices of its new look compact sedan Esteem by at least Rs. 40,000 to increase its share in the rapidly growing mid-sized segment, the firm said on Monday. Maruti, 54.2 percent owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp, has a 47 percent share of the Indian car market and competes mainly with the local unit of Hyundai and domestic firm Tata Motors Ltd. "India is a price sensitive market and we are keen to increase our sales volumes in this segment. That is why the price positioning has been done," Jagdish Khattar, managing director of Maruti, said. The mid-sized segment contributes nearly 20 percent of overall car sales of nearly 700,000 units a year and is growing at 15 percent annually. The three petrol versions of the Esteem would now be available between Rs. 425,000 and Rs. 490,000, compared with 467,000 and 540,000 rupees earlier. These showroom prices are for Delhi. Rates of two diesel models remain unchanged.