SPORT NEWS:Spain take step forward to erase underachiever tag

Vienna, June 23:

Spain took a big step toward shedding their underachiever reputation on Sunday, finally surviving the quarter-finals and defeating Italy in a major tournament.It also showed they have the nerves to win from the penalty spot after having previously lost three shootouts in big-tournament quarter-finals. “We’re always talking about not being able to pass the quarter-finals. But now we’re in the semi-finals,” Spain coach Luis Aragones said. “I’m happy for my country and for my players... and for myself because it’s my profession and winning is beautiful.”Spain lost penalty shootouts to Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, to England at Euro 1996 and to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup - all in the quarter-finals.Before Sunday, the “Seleccion” had never gotten past that stage of a major tournament since 1984, when they made it to the European Championship final but lost to France.The victory in Vienna also settled a score with World Cup champion Italy, a team they had not been able to beat in a competitive match outside the Olympics. Although Aragones said his team deserved the win, he was not impressed by Spain’s performance in a tight match in which neither team was able to score before the shootout.“We didn’t play great football and Italy didn’t either. Italy couldn’t score on us and we had about three good chances,” Aragones said. Winger David Silva had two good shots in the first half and another in extra time, but it was Marcos Senna who came the closest for Spain with a long-range rocket in the 81st minute that Gianluigi Buffon struggled to save with the help of the post.“The rhythm of the game was slow,” Aragones said. “If we had moved the ball with more speed maybe we would have had more chances.” Spain, now undefeated in 20 games, expects a tough rematch with Russia in the semi-finals after the Spaniards beat Guus Hiddink’s squad 4-1 in their Group D opener.“This time it’s going to be more difficult than the first time,” Aragones said. “But this group is convinced of reaching the final.” The quarter-final match in Vienna was the first competitive match between Italy and Spain since the 1994 World Cup, when Roberto Baggio’s late goal gave Italy a 2-1 win and a spot in the semi-finals.The Spaniards best remember that match for how Italy defender Mauro Tassotti broke forward Luis Enrique’s nose in injury time.

VIENNA, Austria (AP)—A look at Day 16 of the 2008 European Championship on Sunday:

RESULTSSpain 0, Italy 0 (Spain wins shootout 4-2, advances to semifinals)

SEMIFINALSSpain became the only group winner to advance to the semifinals when it beat World Cup champion Italy 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. The Spaniards, who won all of their Group D games, will play Russia on Thursday in Vienna.

The other semifinals has Germany against Turkey at Basel, Switzerland on Wednesday.STARSIker Casillas guessed correctly on all four of Italy’s penalty kicks in the shootout, stopping two in a 4-2 victory after a 0-0 draw. Casillas also made two strong saves during the game, and his stops against Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale in the shootout were decisive.

HISTORY

No team has won the Euro championship after a perfect start since France in 1984. Spain is the only team remaining with a chance to do it.

INJURIES

Turkey’s chances of winning the championship were dealt a blow when forward Nihat Kahveci was ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a right thigh injury. Nihat was hurt in the closing minutes of extra time in Friday’s quarterfinal match against Croatia, which the Turks won in a penalty shootout.

GOAL OF THE DAY

Substitute Cesc Fabregas stepped up to the penalty spot with Spain leading Italy 3-2 in the shootout and put home the winning shot, beating goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a low shot, sending the Spaniards into the semifinals.

QUOTABLE

“We are happy to have made the semifinals, but we have a very strong Russia team to play next. We’re looking forward to it.”—Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Transport strike affects Gandaki, Dhaulagiri zones

Transporters today halted all public vehicles in Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones to pressure the government to meet their 11-point charter of demands.Their demands include smooth supply of petroleum products, proper management of transport fares and compensation for vandalised vehicles.The transporters warned that they will continue the strike until their demands are met. Students, office-goers and the commoners faced problems due to the strike.Vice-president of Gandaki-Dhaulagiri Coordination Committee Sharadraj Subedi said all public transport vehicles stayed off the roads today, adding that all taxis will stop plying here tomorrow.More than 200 microbuses, 18 buses, 100 jeeps and more than 2000 taxis ply Pokhara streets.Chairman of the Pokhara Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee Dharma Adhikary said they will halt their services until the government addresses their demands.Passengers trying to travel to different parts of the country from Pokhara were left stranded due to lack of public transport.

SLC results out sans board toppers’ list

The Exam Controller’s Board today published the result of School Leaving Certificate exams. The exams were held from March 17 to 27.The pass percentage this time was 63.73.This is 5.09 per cent higher than last year.This year too, the board did not publish the list of toppers.According to the result, 1,95,689 out of 3,07,078 examinees got through.Out of 59,963 examinees, a total of 19,335 examinees passed the exam, which is 32.24 per cent of the total.Out of 307,078 regular students, 112,975 boys and 82,714 girls passed the exam.The pass percentage for boys and girls stood at 67.91 and 58.78, respectively.A total of 6,266 boys and 3,616 girls passed with distinction.Altogether 74,707 examinees — 45,357 boys and 29,350 girls —secured first division.A total of 105,592 examinees — 58,291 boys and 47,301 girls — secured second division. Whereas 5,508 examinees — 3,061 boys and 2,447 girls — passed in third division.Out of a total of 59,963 exempted examinees, 8,790 boys and 34,840 girls passed. A total of 635 exempted examinees passed in first division, 15,793 in second division and 2,907 in third division.Results can be seen at www.ntc.net.np, www.educationdirectory.com.np, www.moes.gov.np, and www.doe.gov.np.By dialling 1600, result can be known from GSM mobile of NTC (pre paid /postpaid).By dialing 2722 from PSTN/CDMA/Mero Mobile/UTL, the result can be known through APCA Nepal.By sending SMS to 1400 from NTC mobile and by sending sms to 2722 from PSTN/CDMA/Mero Mobile/UTL the result can be known. According to exam controller Harka Prasad Shrestha, the higher pass percentage was obtained this time may be because questions were asked only from Grade X curriculum. The exam controller added that supplementary SLC examination will be held on August 7 toAugust 14.Out of iron gate• Compared to last year, the pass rate rose by 5.09 per cent this year• Out of 307,078examinees, 112, 975 boys and 82,714 girls passed the exam• 74,707 passed in first division, 105,592 in second division and 5,508 examinees passed in thirddivision• Pass per cent for boys and girls stood at 67.91 and 58.78 per cent respectively• Out of 59,963 exempted examinees, 8,790 boys and 34,480 girls passed the exam• Exam controller Harka Shrestha says the pass per cent was higher this year probably because, unlike in the past, questions were asked from Class X curriculum this time• Supplementary exams will be held from August 7 to August 14

UEFA Champions League|UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship (Union of European Football Associations) is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by the UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate, although this phrasing was not used before Euro 96.

The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 (or overall in its older format since 1955) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup (more commonly known as the European Cup), is the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. The UEFA Champions League is separate from the UEFA Cup.
The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May. Previously only the champions of their respective national league could participate in the competition; however, this was changed in 1997 to allow the runners-up of the stronger leagues to compete as well.
The title has been held by a number of different clubs, where some have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holder is Real Madrid with their nine wins. AC Milan have won it seven times, Liverpool FC five times, Ajax and Bayern Munich four times, and Manchester United three times.
The current holders are Manchester United F.C. who beat Chelsea F.C. 6-5 on penalties, 1-1 after extra time, in Moscow on the 21st May 2008 (GMT).

Transport entrepreneurs protest fuel shortage

Transport entrepreneurs protest fuel shortage
Kathmandu, June 8:
Transport entrepreneurs today staged a sit-in in front of the Nepal Oil Corporation at Babarmahal and demanded immediate end of shortage of petroleum products.They also threatened to lock out petroleum depots throughout the country if the problem were not solved in two days.Likening the mess in management of petroleum products to Gaijatra, Krishna Prasad Adhikary, general secretary of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs, said: “We have decided to lock out all the petroleum depots throughout the nation if the government failed to provide sufficient fuel within next two days.”He said the federation’s meeting to be held tomorrow would come up with further protest plans.Adhikary said the transport entrepreneurs also staged protests at the local petroleum depots across the country today.Hundreds of entrepreneurs involved in the protest programme had demanded an end to fuel adulteration and black market.

Koirala Reiterates Faith in Free Press

Koirala Reiterates Faith in Free Press
Kathmandu, June 8:
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today reiterated that he would not compromise on press freedom, multi-party democracy, human rights and individual liberty.Addressing a mass meeting organised by the Nepali Congress and its sister organisations at Tundikhel, he said the successful holding of the Constituent Assembly election itself was a victory for the NC."This is NC's victory. This is nothing but the people's victory," PM Koirala said while stressing the need of consensus between the major political parties.Former prime minister and senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said: "Although the NC failed to bag majority seats in the CA, the ideals it had been championing for a long time won in the election.""NC's seven conditions are meant to pressure the Maoists to adhere to democratic norms," he said.NC acting president Sushil Koirala said his party was committed to save democracy no matter what price they will have to pay."Despite Maoist atrocities, the NC successfully held the CA election because the party did not want to see the peace process derailed," he said.Party leader Gopal Man Shrestha maintained that the Maoists had not renounced violence and warned that the people would overthrow them if they chose the path of dictatorship."It would have been impossible to hold the CA election and abolish the monarchy without the help of PM Koirala and his statesmanship. Therefore, PM Koirala should be honoured for his role," said Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel.Another NC leader Prakash Man Singh said it was not true to claim that the NC did not want to quit power and clarified that those wanting to form a new government should follow constitutional provisions.Party general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi maintained that their seven terms were designed to make the Maoists follow democratic norms and values."They are like a wild elephant that needs to be tamed before being allowed to roam around in civilised society," Nidhi quipped.Joint general secretary of the party Dr Ram Baran Yadav said his party's concern was to put an end to politics of violence and ensure competitive polity.Party leader Arjun Narsingh KC said his party was committed to safeguard democracy and would always raise hell against any kind of autocracy.Tarun Dal president Mahendra Yadav, Nepal Students Union president Pradip Poudel and Nepal Women's Association president Ambika Basnet flayed Maoists for resorting to violence and intimidating political opponents.

Prakash reveals deal to amend Prachandapath

Prakash reveals deal to amend Prachandapath

Rupandehi/Kathmandu, June 8:

General secretary of the CPN-Ekta Kendra Mashal, Narayankaji Shrestha 'Prakash', revealed that his party had reached an agreement with the CPN (Maoist) to amend Prachandapath.He said Prachandaath and Maoists’ programmes would be amended once his party and the CPN (Maoist) were unified."We are also planning to change the name of the unified party and rename it the Nepal Communist Party," he said at a press conference organised by Abadh Rajya Samiti of the Revolutionary Journalists Association in Butwal."But this does not mean that we are undermining the contribution of Maoist chairman Prachanda," he said "An agreement has been reached to form Nepal Communist Party," Prakash said.“The decision to unify the CPN- Maoist and CPN-Ekta Kendra Mashal has been taken, but the nitty-gritty of the unification is yet to be worked out.“The CPN (Maoist) wants to establish a people-oriented democratic republic,” he added. Meanwhile, the central committee meeting of the CPN-Maoist endorsed the decision of the party's central secretariat to back an independent and respected person for the post of President.

FNCCI for fuel price hike

FNCCI for fuel price hike

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) today asked the government to hike fuel prices if the move ensures smoothly supply of fuel.FNCCI president Kush Kumar Joshi today met Shyam Sundar Gupta, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, at the latter's office and apprised him of problems facing the business sector due to the shortage of petroleum products.The delegation also presented a seven-point suggestion to the minister to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products. The suggestions include hike in the prices of petroleum products.The other suggestions include laying of a petroleum pipeline from Raxaul to Amlekhgunj, tax rebate on import of petroleum products, ban on the import of automobiles that use excessive petroleum products.Shiva Prasad Ghimire, president of the Nepal Petroleum Dealers' Association (NPDA), claimed that the current fuel supply is merely 20 per cent of the total demand. He said petroleum dealers will launch a strike from June 15. The dealers have decided to stop selling petroleum products from June 23, unless the government ensures adequate supply and provides security to petrol pumps, Ghimire said.The government took no decision on hiking the prices of petroleum products as Minister for Health and Population Girirajmani Pokharel opposed hiking the prices. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Shyam Sundar Gupta said the issue of "adjusting" prices of petroleum products will be discussed with other ministers of all the parties tomorrow morning. He said there is no alternative to revise prices of petroleum products as fuel prices have soared up in the international market.
Depot shut

RUPANDEHI: The Bhalbari-based western regional sales depot of NOC has been padlocked since June 5. Seeking a smooth supply of petroleum products, petroleum dealers shut the depot. President of the Petroleum Dealers' Association (Rupandehi) MK Miyan said the lock will not be opened till our demands were met.Asked to comment on the charge that owners of petrol pumps are selling adulterated petrol and diesel at exorbitant prices, he said the charge was baseless.President of the Western Nepal Bus Entrepreneurs’ Association Tulsi Ram Banjade also said most of the vehicles are refuelled in India. — HNS