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India Celebrates-Commonwealth Games 2010


The 2010 Commonwealth Games are the nineteenth Commonwealth Games, and the ninth to be held under that name. The Games are scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India between 3 October and 14 October 2010. The games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and India generally, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. It will also be the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the second time the event has been held in Asia (after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).



Venues
Competition venues
Existing and new sporting venues have been chosen to host the CWG 2010 in Delhi. 60 events in 17 disciplines will be spread across the Indian capital while the Games Village will provide residential facilities for the participating athletes.

* Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi – Athletics, lawn bowls, weightlifting
* Dhyan Chand National Stadium – Hockey
* Indira Gandhi Arena – Archery, cycling, gymnastics, wrestling
* Delhi University sports complex – Rugby sevens
* Thyagaraj Stadium – Netball
* Siri Fort Sports Complex – Badminton, Squash
* Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range – Shooting
* Talkatora Stadium – Boxing
* SPM Swimming Pool Complex – Aquatics
* R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex – Tennis
* Yamuna Sports Complex – Table tennis
* Noida Expressway - Cycling
* CRPF shooting Range - Shooting

The opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, lawn bowls, and weightlifting will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, which will have a capacity of 75,000 spectators after renovation for the games.

Archery, cycling, gymnastics, and wrestling will take place at the Indira Gandhi Arena, the largest indoor sports arena in India and the second-largest in Asia, which seats 25,000 people. Located at the Indraprastha Estate in the eastern region of New Delhi, the arena will be connected to other venues via dedicated bus lanes and mass transportation. The arena will be renovated for the Games.

There are 26 new stadiums which will be utilised for the Commonwealth Games. Some older ones will be upgraded and some new will be constructed.

Non-competition venues

* OC CWG Delhi 2010 Headquarters
* Main Media Centre

Mascot

Shera, mascot of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, is the most visible face of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. His name comes from the Hindi word Sher – meaning tiger. Shera truly represents the modern Indian. He is an achiever with a positive attitude, a global citizen but justifiably proud of his nation’s ancient heritage, a fierce competitor but with integrity and honesty. Shera is also a ‘large-hearted gentleman’ who loves making friends and enthusing people to ‘come out and play’.

In Indian mythology, the tiger is associated with Goddess Durga, the embodiment of Shakti (or female power) and the vanquisher of evil. She rides her powerful vehicle – the tiger – into combat, especially in her epic and victorious battle against Mahishasur, a dreaded demon.

Shera embodies values that the nation is proud of: majesty, power, charisma, intelligence and grace. His athletic prowess, courage and speed on the field are legendary. He is also a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.


IATA Profit Forecast

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised its profit forecast for this year to US$8.9 billion (US$1=RM3.07) from US$2.5 billion, bolstered by a significant global recovery in capacity and demand.

IATA's director general/chief executive officer, Giovanni Bisignani, said since the last forecast in June, there were many global developments that strongly impacted the airline business.

"Over the full year, we expect global demand to expand by 11 per cent and capacity by seven per cent.

"The supply and demand condition that I have just mentioned is boosting the load factors," he said during a conference call from Singapore on Monday.

He said load factor from January to July stood at 78 per cent globally, giving an advantage for airline operators to gain some pricing power. "As a result of this, strong improvement is seen in yields, he said.

Bisignani said more business travellers on premium seats were also boosting average yields.

"Yields are now expected to grow by 7.3 per cent for passenger and 7.9 per cent for cargo," he said.

Beside demand, Bisignani said, disciplined capacity management has resulted in a sharply stronger yields pushing revenue higher, which was expected to grow to US$560 billion this year.

He said Asia-Pacific carriers would continue to drive significant growth globally and expected to post a profit of US$5.2 billion, better than US$3 billion recorded during the previous peak in 2007 and doubled the previously forecast $2.2 billion.

"Asia-Pacific is still the largest aviation market in the world that driven the recovery. The improvement is based on strong market growth and yield gains.

"Renewed buoyancy in air freight markets has been particularly important for airlines in the region, where it can represent up to 40 per cent of revenues.

"The 23.5 per cent improvement in high volume intra-Asia premium traffic due to a surge in business travel is another driving factor," he said.

On fuel, Bisignani said, IATA maintained an average full-year crude oil price of US$79 per barrel.

"Fuel continues to account for about 25 per cent of total operating cost," he said.

Bisignani said despite strong improvements, there were lingering doubts whether this cyclical upturn would last.

"Even if it is sustainable, the profit margins that we operate on are so razor thin that even increasing profits 3.5 times only generates a 1.6 per cent margin.

"This is below the 2.5 per cent margin of the previous cycle peak in 2007 and far below what it would take just to cover our cost of capital," he said.

Looking ahead, IATA forecast lower profitability for next year of US$5.3 billion with a margin of 0.9 per cent as the governments ran out of cash for pump priming, weakening business confidence and high unemployment rate.

"Consumer spending is not expected to pick up the slack as joblessness remains high and consumer confidence falls in Europe and North America.

"Travel and freight markets will remain stronger in regions such as Asia, the Middle East and South America but we do not expect these hot spots to be able to sustain global growth in 2011," he said.

He said the surge in aircraft deliveries in 2011 would boost fuel capacity expansion of six per cent -- in excess of expected demand improvements.

Bisignani said falling load factors would also remove the possibility of further yield improvement leading to a more challenging revenue environment.

Earlier, Bisignani signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore's Nanyang Technological University to collaborate on the development and upgrading of human capital for the global aviation industry.

Under the MoU, both parties will explore the possibility of launching a joint executive Master of Business Administration programme with specialisation in aviation management.

They will also collaborate on research topics of mutual interest and benefit, to develop new theories and practices on cultural intelligence and global talent management.

Source : BERNAMA

Jama Masjid Attack

The shootout outside Jama Masjid on Sunday has worried various nations, especially those participating in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG). Concerned about the security of their people, the embassies of Australia, New Zealand and the United States have issued travel advisories for major Indian cities.


Australia on Monday issued a warning stating there was a "high risk of terrorism" in the city during the Games, while New Zealand expressed concerns about the security arrangements during the gala sporting event.

Australia's latest travel advisory to its citizens travelling to India says: "Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games will be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism. We continue to receive reporting that terrorists plan to attack public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities."

Aussie athletes have also been advised to exercise "extreme caution" during the Games.

New Zealand too seemed concerned about the security arrangements in the national capital but it still had some faith in the system. Prime Minister John Key said the situation was being monitored but the country was committed to participating in the Games.

The New Zealand travel advisory said: "There is a significant threat from terrorism in India and New Zealanders travelling in India should take account of the potential for terrorist attacks by militant groups. We continue to receive reports of plans for terrorist attacks in India. Terrorist attacks in India may be directed at national institutions within major cities, religious sites, festivals, tourist sites, hotels, markets, fairs, major sporting events, and public transport."

Earlier, the US was first to react to the Jama Masjid attack issuing a travel advisory to its citizens. Its advisory asked Americans to be cautious and to maintain a low profile while in India.

"US citizens are urged to always practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. US citizens are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security while visiting public places, including religious sites," the US advisory said.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/

Visa Free Travel to U.S. No Longer Free for Europeans

Submitted by Armen Hareyan on 2010-09-12


European travelers who until know had the right to travel to United States for Free have to shake up their packets as visa free travel is not anymore free because of the new regulations called ESTA.

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization and as of last Wednesday the right to travel to the United States means paying. The new travel tax to USA will cost $14 dollars.

ESTA regulation will cover 35 countries. Out of those 35 countries 22 are from the European Union. Their citizens are exempt from visa for stay of less than three months. However, since 2009, they must obtain an authorization, by sending a request via the Internet. Now, that authorization, the ESTA will cost money.

The ESTA fee will only apply to those travelers who request an authorization to travel to USA after September 8. A representative of the Department of Homeland Security, told Euronews that more than 26 million travelers have already obtained ESTA and they won't pay the new ESTA fee until their authorization is not expired.

ESTA is valid for two years and may be used for multiple entries. However, vacation tour operators in European Union say they are dissatisfied with this new regulation. Brussels says it will check to see if the new travel tax violates bilateral agreements between EU and the United States.
ESTA travel tax is to promote USA overseas.

Of the 14 dollars the $4 will be used to to manage the administrative costs. The rest will be used to support promoting the United States abroad.

Euronews also reports that if a traveler or a vacationer has a connecting flight in the United States he or she still has to pay the ESTA tax even if person is staying only for two hours. Now, if one is taking his or her entire family on a vacation and has a connecting flight in USA, this means a lot of travel tax pay.

Yet, some travel agencies in Europe say Washington has not done any promotion in the past year. Since 2001 the tourism to the United States has declined. The European News agency doubts if the new travel tax may help the boost tourism and travel to the United States.

Reference: Eueronews

Delta airlines upgrading seats

Delta Air Lines Inc. plans to upgrade the seats on its Boeing 747s next summer, while cutting the number of seats in the plane's most expensive cabin.

Delta detailed the changes on September 2, which are part of a $1 billion plan announced in January to overhaul seats and make other customer improvements.

Beginning in the summer of 2011, Delta will add seats that recline flat in its Business Elite cabin on all 16 of its 747s, which mostly fly between the U.S. and Asia. New coach seats will include a nine-inch video screen with on-demand entertainment.

The new seats will be installed by the summer of 2012. Although the vast majority of travelers fly in coach, competition is intense for those travelers in the front of the plane because a single ticket on a long-haul flight can cost thousands of dollars. Delta's 747s currently seat 403 people, including 65 in Business Elite.

The new seating plan will eliminate 17 seats from Business Elite. Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec didn't elaborate on the change, or detail how much the 747 upgrade would cost.

UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, which competes head-to-head with Delta on Asia flights, also removed high-end cabin seats on many of the planes used on international flights, aiming to be able to charge more for those that remain.

Delta said the new 747 coach seats will offer more personal space and under-seat storage because of a new design that uses less space than older, heavier seats they replace. Delta said in January that it would spend $1 billion through mid-2013 to improve customer service, remodel existing aircraft and improve fuel efficiency, rather than buy new planes like some competitors.

Besides the 747, Delta is also adding fully flat seats in premium cabins on its Boeing 777s and 767s. Work on 767s is beginning soon and will run through June, Skrbec said. Work on the 777s begins in October and runs through July.

Delta said it will eventually have the lie-flat seats on more than 100 aircraft that make international flights.

news source: http://www.nydailynews.com
 

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