Daily Times India

Berlin, March 12 (DPA) Juventus, Standard Liege and SV Hamburg were the only sides to record clear wins in their first leg matches of the round of 16 in the Europa League Thursday.

Juventus beat Fulham 3-1, SV Hamburg triumphed over Anderlecht by the same score, while Liege won 3-1 at Panathinaikos.

There was also a good result for Werder Bremen, who managed to draw 1-1 at Valencia, while Liverpool lost 1-0 at Lille.

In Spain, Bremen took the lead against Valencia courtesy of a very dubious penalty midway through the second half, which Torsten Frings converted.

The visitors then had to endure a furious onslaught from the home side for the rest of the opening half before finding their way back into the game again.

Valencia were down to ten men in the 56th minute when Argentine midfielder Ever Banega was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Four minutes later Valencia equalized after Silva had a clear view of the Bremen goal from just five metres. A defender managed to get his legs between the ball and the goal, but the ball fell to Mata, who poked it into the back of the net from close range.

Bremen captain Frings said that his side had gone into the game knowing that it would be hectic. “We were especially strong in the first half.

“We should have used our many chances and then we could have had a much better result.”

He warned that even though they had a slight advantage, it would not be easy in the return leg. “Valencia will come out strongly in Bremen, but we have a very good chance of going through.”

Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese, who pulled off a number of world-class saves, admitted that he enjoyed playing in emotionally-charged matches.

“It is special to play against a strong side like Valencia. It was terrific to see how the supporters urged them forward even though they were a man down.

“The result is OK, but we have to be careful that we do not concede a goal against them in Bremen,” he said.

Juventus, who are hoping to use the Europa League to rescue a disappointing season, were leading 2-0 against Fulham early on through goals by Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

Nigerian midfielder Dickson Etuhu pulled one back for the Premier League side in the 36th minute, but French striker David Trezeguet gave Juventus the two-goal advantage in first half injury time.

In Athens Belgian visitors Standard Liege took a major step towards the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Panathinaikos. The goals for the visitors were scored by Axel Witsel, Milan Jovanovic and Igor de Camargo, while Loukas Vyntra found the net for the Greek side.

In Lisbon Maxi Pereira gave Benfica a 1-0 lead against French visitors Olympique Marseille, but Hatem Ben Arfa scored in the last minute for the 1-1 draw.

In the earlier matches, SV Hamburg beat Belgian club Anderlecht 3-1 to secure an advantage ahead of the return leg.

Dutch internationals Joris Mathijsen and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the first half for the side from northern Germany, while captain David Jarolim added a third in the second half.

Jonathan Legear had pulled one back for the visitors with a direct free-kick in first half injury time.

German champions VfL Wolfsburg held Rubin Kazan to a 1-1 draw in Russia, coming from behind to equalize Christian Noboa’s first half strike.

On an almost unplayable pitch Zvjedzan Misimovic scored for the German champions in the 67th minute to give his side a slight advantage with the away goal ahead of the return leg.

In France, Olympique Lille goalkeeper Mikael Landreau pulled off a number of magnificent saves in the first half to deny Liverpool a goal before 19-year-old Belgian international Eden Hazard scored with six minutes to go to give the French side a 1-0 victory.

In Madrid Atletico failed to beat a ten-man Sporting Lisbon as neither side managed to score.

The Portuguese team, who had Leandro Grimi sent off for a second bookable offence in the 31st minute, came closest when a Liedson strike hit the woodwork in the first half.

The return legs will be played March 18.

Santiago, March 12 (DPA) Twelve strong earthquakes shook Chile Thursday, including some just minutes before the start of the inaugural ceremony of incoming President Sebastian Pinera.

The tremblors – measuring 4.9 to 6.9 on the Richter scale – caused panic in several areas across central-southern Chile, which was hit by a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake Feb 27. Last month’s quake and a subsequent tsunami claimed hundreds of lives.

The Chilean Navy issued a tsunami warning, and many in coastal areas fled to higher areas. Thousands of people across the country poured onto the streets in panic, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

“It is just a warning,” Pinera stressed.

In some areas, the power supply and the telephone network broke down.

The inaugural ceremony at the Congress building in Valparaiso went on as planned. Guests looked nervously at the ceiling as large lamps shook, and bodyguards rushed Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe out once the event was over.

Hundreds of strong aftershocks have rattled the South American country since the initial quake last month.

The epicentre of Thursday’s strongest such aftershock was around 145 km south of Santiago, and 105 km west of the town of Rancagua. The US Geological Survey initially measured its magnitude at 7.2, but later revised the figure to 6.9.

Pinera, 60, is succeeding outgoing President Michelle Bachelet, who is set to leave office with record popularity. She has the support of 84 percent of Chileans in the quake’s aftermath even as members of her government have come under criticism for their handling of the disaster, according to an opinion poll that was made public Wednesday. The head of Chile’s National Emergency Office stepped down Wednesday.

Washington, MArch 12 (DPA) US President Barack Obama has donated the $1.4 million that came with winning the Nobel Peace Prize to charity, the White House said Thursday.

Obama divided the money up among 10 charities, with Fisher House, a non-profit that provides housing for families of patients being treated at military and veteran hospital, receiving the most at $250,000.

The Haiti relief fund set up by former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will receive $200,000.

The rest of the money will go to the College Summit, Posse Foundation, United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation, American Indian College Fund, AfriCare and the Central Asia Institute.

The Central Asia Institute promotes community based education and literacy in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, with a special focus on girls.

The Nobel committee awarded Obama the prize in October, pointing to the change of tone in Washington but prompting critics to question the pick less than a year into his presidency.

Washington, March 12 (DPA) Extrajudicial killings by the Pakistani military in the ongoing fight with insurgents have further added to human rights concerns in the country, the US State Department said Thursday.

The State Department cited reports the military carried out up to 400 killings during counterinsurgency operations against the Taliban in North West Frontier Province and the Swat Valley in 2009, the year covered by the department annual human rights report.

The report said “significant human rights challenges” remain in Pakistan, including abuses in the conflict with the Taliban and other extremists groups, and the displacement of millions of people during the fighting last year.

The report highlighted the increased toll conflicts have inflicted on civilian populations in 2009, including in Afghanistan, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The department’s annual human rights report is mandated my Congress to assist lawmakers in determining aid for countries considered to be human rights violators.

Among other countries, the report most critically faulted human rights practices in Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Syria and Russia.

The report criticised China for crackdowns on Uighurs and in Tibet, as well as increased restrictions to the internet and other forms of information and news.

“The Chinese government’s human rights records remain poor and worsening in some areas, including increased cultural and religious repression of ethnic minorities … and increased detention and harassment of activists and public-interest lawyers,” Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said.

The State Department focused on Iran and the repression of demonstrators who took to the streets following June’s presidential election. Dozens of people were killed and thousands were detained, some facing prosecution.

“An already poor human rights situation (in Iran) rapidly deteriorated after the June elections,” Posner said. “It is a place where we are continuing to see severe repression of dissent and are continuing to pay great attention.”

The report also raised concerns about discrimination against Muslims in Europe.

The report cited Switzerland’s ban on the construction of minarets on mosques enacted in November, as well as continued bans or restrictions on headscarves and burkas worn by Muslims in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

“Discrimination against Muslims in Europe has been an increasing concern,” the report said.

Germany and the Netherlands have prohibitions against teachers wearing headscarves or burkas while on the job, and France bans the wearing of the religious garb in public, the report said.

The report particularly focused on problems in the Netherlands, where Muslims number about 850,000. The report said Muslims face societal resentment based on the belief that Islam is not compatible with Western values.

“Major incidents of violence against Muslims were rare, but minor incidents, including intimidation, brawls, vandalism, and graffiti with abusive language, were common,” the report said, adding that right-wing politicians play a role in fuelling the resentment.

Tel Aviv, March 12 (DPA) Israeli military prosecutors indicted two Israeli soldiers Thursday for allegedly ordering a Palestinian child to open bags suspected of containing explosives, during Israel’s Gaza Strip offensive last year, a military statement said.

The statement said that while searching a building in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood, the two soldiers ordered the child to open bags thought to be booby-traps.

The investigation into the two soldiers, who both hold the rank of staff-sergeant, was launched based on information received from a special UN representative appointed to investigate matters involving children and armed conflict, and following complaint filed by the Israeli branch of Defence for Children International, the statement added.

Abu Dhabi, March 12 (IANS) The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has launched a plan to boost hotel occupancy rate in the emirate by 10 percent in 2010, WAM news agency reported.

The Horizons Abu Dhabi plan seeks to attract 1.65 million hotel guests this year. It also seeks to encourage global tour operators to submit innovative proposals to help stimulate consumer demand.

The initiative will give a platform to Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector to expand its business in the emirate in collaboration with the international travel industry, the report said Thursday.

“Every proposal will be considered in full merit and without bias. ADTA is ready to back all concrete proposals with appropriate resources,” said Dayne Lim, ADTA product development director.

“Over the past 18 months or so, Abu Dhabi’s visitor infrastructure in terms of accommodation, accessibility and attractions has expanded substantially, and with an increasing stable of leisure offerings being rolled out, it is only appropriate that we strengthen our international visitor attraction efforts,” he said.

In 2009, some 3,500 additional rooms were created in desert retreats, luxury beachfront resorts and five hotels on Yas Island, including the iconic Yas Hotel. This year, over 4,000 more rooms will be available for guests, as 10 new hotels are coming up.

ADTA hopes to strengthen its global travel trade partner network to create and implement packages to boost its inbound leisure business.

To boost its international promotional efforts, ADTA will participate in 20 overseas trade fairs not only in its traditional markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Europe, but also in potentially lucrative new markets like China, Japan, Russia, India and the US, among others.

New York, March 12 (DPA) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Thursday called on UN members to offer more protections for women who are victims of violence and other crimes.

“Whether it is domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called ‘honour’ crimes or female genital cutting, violence against women and girls continues to be a horrific and all-too common crime,” Ban said.

In too many regions of the world, women still live in fear, he said in calling for stronger laws to protect women and efforts to inform men about ending domestic violence.

The UN has held a series of events on women’s issues in recent weeks in conjunction with World Women’s Day Monday.

United Nations, March 12 (IANS) India’s cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Tendulkar, the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, will use his massive global popularity to raise awareness and harness support for environmental action in his home country of India and around the world, the UNEP announced here today.

“I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it’s also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home,” he said.

“Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it.”

The agency’s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, voiced confidence that Tendulkar’s “character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action.”

With 2010 being the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity, the cricket legend will work with the agency to boost the global and grassroots response to the loss of animal and plant diversity worldwide.

Tendulkar is no stranger to the work of the UN, having lent his voice to a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) campaign in India on the importance of personal hygiene.

As one of his first duties as Goodwill Ambassador, he will lead a Green Pledge to save the planet when the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off its third season tomorrow night in Mumbai.

The vow to be made in front of the millions of fans expected to be watching live on television, YouTube or at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai reads “the Earth is our home and together we must conserve our precious wildlife, forests and oceans. I am proud to pledge that I will play my part in caring for our natural heritage.”

Along with Tendulkar, team captains from the Deccan Chargers to the Kolkata Knight Riders will sign a giant globe made out of recycled materials.

Noting that as a rapidly developing economy, India’s consumption and production patterns could define the planet’s future, Steiner said: “We need to make the right choices in terms of how best to manage energy and natural resources.”

“To borrow a cricketing metaphor, these choices will define whether the world is running or soon will be run out.”

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Australia coach Ric Charlesworth says his team has shown its potential and deserved to be in Saturday’s final of the Hockey World Cup.

“The semifinal is always a difficult game. But I am pleased the way my boys played against the Dutch. We not only played a solid game but also managed to control it. We had a lot of chances and also showed a lot of quality on the field,” said the Australian after his boys won 2-1 against the Netherlands in the semi-final at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here Thursday.

Australia will now take on Germany in the third successive World Cup final.

Asked whether past records would play in the mind of his boys, Charlesworth said: “This team has a completely different history as compared to the last two sides that lost in the World Cup. This team has a lot of potential and will create its own history. We hope we play well against Germany in the final.”

About the Germans, Charlesworth said: “Germany have a very compact game. They have showed high quality throughout the tournament.”

Charlesworth was also concerned about his team’s finishing.

“I am aware of the team’s finishing abilities. But it is a tough task as a lot is happening in the D. We expect that we can better it in the final,” he said.

The Netherlands coach Michel van den Huevel said they could have taken the match to the extra time.

“It was a spectacular game. We were able to resist the first 15 minutes of pressure from the Australians. We had a feeling that we could make it 2-2, but that didn’t happen. We completely dominated the last 15 minutes of the game and it is sad that we couldn’t take the match to extra time.”

Heuvel was extremely sorry for legendary players like skipper Teun de Nooijer and goalkeeper Guus Vogels, who were playing their last World Cup.

“For some guys it was their last World Cup, that’s why there were tears in Vogels’ eyes,” he said.

Rio de Janeiro, March 11 (DPA) The Brazilian economy contracted for the first time in 17 years in 2009, falling by 0.2 per cent, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) said Thursday.

It was the first annual contraction of gross domestic product since 1992.

Brazil’s GDP fell to 3.1 trillion real ($41.77 trillion), leaving the country of 199 million with a per capita GDP of $9.263, the institute said. In 2008, Brazil’s GDP stood at 2.9 trillion real ($1.8 trillion).

The drop reflects the effects of the global economic and financial crisis, which were strongly felt in the South American giant in the first few months of 2009. However, fourth quarter figures show a vigorous recovery.

According to the IBGE report, GDP grew by 2 percent in the October to December period over the previous quarter. Growth was as high as 4.3 percent when compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the most acute phase of the crisis.

Brazilian industry contracted by 5.5 percent in 2009, although it recovered towards the end of the year, while agriculture also shrank by 5.2 percent. Only the service sector grew, by 2.6 percent.