CDA directed to improve public transport facility

The Prime Minister's Task Force on Islamabad has aimed at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to launch a decent public transport facility for residents of the central assets at the earliest.



Prime Minister's Task Force on Islamabad Chairman Faisal Sakhi Butt in a meeting held with CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal said that the provision of transfer facility for the residents is a main concern of the task force, which would help overcome the ever-increasing complexity of civic and development problems. He called for some viable solution to resolve the chronic issues of transport facilities, which is the need of the hour to facilitate the residents.

Faisal Sakhi Butt said that development projects worth billions of rupees had been executed without having any consultation with the residents of the city and other relevant stakeholders. The authority must take the residents of the city on board while executing any development project, he said. The government is committed to promoting the concept of public-private partnership to make the city the hub of economic activities.

He said that the prime minister had taken keen interest in development of the federal capital on modern lines and for this purpose the issues neglected during successive regimes had to be resolved. On the occasion, CDA Chairman Engineer Farkhand Iqbal said the authority was already working on the plan to launch a decent transport facility, providing the best travelling facility to the residents at nominal charges.

Thanks: dailytimes.com.pk

Halloween Costumes

Suzuki Swish 125 Launched

A month after the Suzuki Swish 125 was reveal at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, the Japanese two-wheeler producer has launched the gearless scooter at Rs. 45,431 ex-showroom, Delhi. The Swish 125 carries the same design idiom as the Suzuki Access 125 but looks better and exudes a more premium feel.

Powered by the same 125 cc, air-cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke petrol engine as on the Access, the Swish 125 has a maximum power of 8.7 PS @ 7,000 rpm and 9.8 Nm @ 5,000 Nm of torque – decent enough for the urban two-wheeler commuter. The scooter also features CVT, telescopic front shock-absorber with drum brakes in both wheels. The fuel tank and under-seat storage capacity of 6 litres and 20 litres, respectively, is the same as the Access 125’s. The Swish 125 also sports an attractive instrument panel, an aluminium grab rail for the rear passenger and a better looking muffler cover.

The scooter is targeted at those looking for a handsome vehicle that offers a little more attention-to-detail in terms of design. At Rs 4,000, it’s also priced a notch higher than the Access 125, which will continue to be sold alongside the new model that is being pitched as a slightly more premium option by the manufacturer.

In terms of competition, the Suzuki Swish 125 will lock horns with the Mahindra Rodeo and Duro apart from its own Access. So far, Suzuki Motorcycles have maintained a very conservative approach in terms of its offerings in the Indian two-wheeler commuter market, preferring to take one step at a time. With the Swish 125, Suzuki hopes to attract young urban buyers who want a bit of style and power from their scooters.

Thanks:zigwheels.com/news-features/news

Halloween Costumes

Adult pirate costumes for your Halloween dress up

Halloween is one among the most auspicious times of the year that is cherished and celebrated with a lot of spirit all around the world.

Everyone loves to dress up in some costume or the other on this day, trying to look as realistic as possible and fit pretty well into the character. On this day, everyone around the world irrespective of their age or size dress up in bizarre costumes and party all through the night. Irrespective of which character you dress up as, authenticity is very appropriate and important. At least everyone expects to look as real as the character while they dress up and they put in a lot of effort, money and time to create that appropriate character look.

Children on this same day dress up in children’s costumes and run around the neighborhood playing trick or treat. Trick or treat is a very popular concept. Children visits their neighborhood homes and asks for trick or treat while they are supposed to perform as the character in which they have dressed up as and authenticate their character. In return, neighbors give them sweets, candies and chocolates as treat. Traditionally it is believed that the concept to have originated from the fact that children ought to be treated on this spooky day or they can trick you into a scheme. Some people believe that children could cast a spell or jinx their neighbors with their special magic powers when neighbors fail to treat them. However, this is just a superstitious concept and every household all around the globe cherish the concept with a lot of passion that they always end up treating these kids with chocolates and candies irrespective of whether children performs as the character or not. In fact, every year during Halloween, they see to that they include large quantities of chocolates and candies in their grocery shopping lists. When it comes to costumes, you have two choices. You can either choose to purchase the outfit at retail or wholesale costume shops or you can make your own outfit from your own closet using simple accessories and clothes.

There are also retail shops that rent these costumes instead of selling them which works out all the more cheaper and convenient for you. However, in order to look authentic it is advisable for you to opt for purchasing these costumes which allows you to use them for several years to come or rent these costumes for Halloween instead of making them on your own. Jack Sparrow and Pirates of the Caribbean has been a very popular theme ever since it hit the market. Everyone loves the movie and rejoices Johnny Depp’s performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. The character has some wide base of fanatics as well. So it’s understandable that many would love to dress up as pirates for the upcoming Halloween.

You can find these adult pirate costumes across several websites online and retail stores. However, if you choose to purchase it, it is very important that you purchase it from a reputable store or a website in order to ensure the costume’s quality. These costumes are considerably expensive and no one would like to waste on poor quality costumes. Hence, it is very important that your research thoroughly on the background of the website or store before purchasing or renting these costumes. And always remember to never compromise over quality for cheap price at any given day.

Jackson is a Expert author for Halloween costumes and Women Costumes.He has written many articles like Adult pirate costumes. For more information visit our site http://www.costumecenterusa.com.
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A Short History Of The COSTA CONCORDIA

The COSTA CONCORDIA was structured in January, 2004 as a bigger, modified version of the 102,587 gross ton COSTA FORTUNA and COSTA MAGICA which entered service in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The newest vessel would be the name ship of the “Costa Concordia Class” of five (5) nearly identical 114,147 gross ton ships that would take just about three hundred (300) more passengers than their predecessors.



Based on double-occupancy the latest Costa entrant would carry 3,004 passengers and a crew of over 1,000. At full capacity there could be up to 3,780 passengers aboard occupying the 1,502 staterooms. The overall length of the ship is 952 feet (290.2 meters), a beam of 116 feet (35.5 meters) and a draft of over 26 feet (8.2 meters). The newer Costa ships are based on a common platform as vessels in parent company Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The same basic design for the COSTA CONCORDIA, originated with the CARNIVAL CONQUEST class of ships beginning in 2002.

The rapid pace of building is well illustrated by the large number of ships delivered by Italy’s Fincantieri shipyards during the decade from 2002 to 2012. For just the two brands, Carnival and Costa, the yard produced 19 cruise ships, 11 of which share similarities of design with the COSTA CONCORDIA. Among their many subsidiary companies, Costa Cruises and their affiliated Aida Cruises brand were the primary beneficiaries of Carnival’s new building largesse. The COSTA CONCORDIA entered salt water for the first time from the Sestri Ponente yard of Fincantieri near Genoa, Italy, on September 2, 2005. The floating out ceremony was somewhat unusual in that it resembled a traditional ship launch more than a mere move to the builder’s wet dock. Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison was present for the blessing which was performed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Archbishop of Genoa. An employee of the shipyard, Graziella Frisone, acted as Godmother. As she sent the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the hull, the bottle did not break. Widely regarded in seagoing lore as an extremely unlucky omen, another shipyard worker successfully smashed the bottle against the hull on the second attempt. On June 30th the largest Italian ship in history was delivered, followed by the official christening ceremony on July 7, 2006 by supermodel Eva Herzigova. Again underscoring the rapid building pace, the next ship of the class, the COSTA SERENA was floated out on August 4th and commenced her own maiden voyage in May, 2007.

Thanks: http://maritimematters.com

Motorcycle among prizes for Jubilee

Harley-Davidson Corporation will contribute a high-end motorcycle to the 2012 Solano Wine & Food Jubilee, to be raffled off as part of the Jubilee's fund-raising efforts, organizers of the event said.

The annual Jubilee is a benefit for NorthBay Hospice and Bereavement.

The donation is part of the motorcycle company's new national program to help nonprofits, according to Ed Forbush, president of Iron Steed Harley-Davidson of Vacaville, and the Solano Wine & Food Jubilee in April is the first nonprofit organization to benefit from the corporation's generosity. Forbush worked with NorthBay Healthcare Foundation staff to prepare the winning grant that is bringing the donated motorcycle to Solano County.

The bike, a 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited in Vivid Black -- with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $23,999 -- will be raffled off as part of the Jubilee's $35,000 cash and prize raffle. It will be on display at venues to be determined, as well as at the Jubilee itself.

"We are extremely honored to have been chosen by Harley-Davidson to be their program's first recipient and want to thank Ed Forbush, who brought the opportunity to our attention," noted Brett Johnson, NorthBay Healthcare Foundation president. "We're already planning a number of events -- such as a Poker Run through Suisun Valley on April 21 -- to showcase this top-of-the-line Harley-Davidson motorcycle."

Thanks : http://www.thereporter.com

European Car Market Slipped in 2011

The European car market fell by 1.4% to 13.6 million vehicles in 2011, marking the fourth-consecutive annual decline and the outlook for this year looks bleak as tough austerity measures are expected to eat into demand.

“In 2011, most of the significant markets declined,” the European automobile manufacturers association, or ACEA, said Tuesday in a statement.

The French market dwindled by 2.1%, the U.K.’s fell 4.4%, while new-car registrations in Italy contracted by 10.9% and in Spain by 18% year-to-year, reflecting the region’s economic woes, particularly in Southern Europe, ACEA said.

Still, Germany—Europe’s largest car market—posted an 8.8% increase compared to 2010, backed by a more robust economy and better consumer confidence. There was a similar divide between car categories, with makers of luxury cars faring better than mass-market manufacturers. Registrations for BMW AG rose by 7.7% last year to 810,199 cars in Europe, helped by a 19% rise at its Mini brand. German rival Daimler AG’s market share in Europe was flat year-to-year as it eked out a 0.4% rise to 671,480 cars in 2011. Volkswagen, Europe’s largest car maker by sales, posted a 7.8% rise in new-car registrations to 3.17 million vehicles, driven by its luxury Audi brand as well as its VW and Skoda brands.

Thanks: http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/

Bajaj RE60 four-wheeler unveiled

Four (4) years after Bajaj Auto showcased its ‘small car’ at the 2008 Auto Expo, the two- and three-wheeler giant has unveiled what it calls the RE60. “It is not a car. It’s a four wheeler,” said Rajiv Bajaj while addressing the media at hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.

The RE60 will be built at Bajaj Auto’s Aurangabad plant and the launch will take place in a few months from now. The company refused to divulge the price. However, it said that the RE60 will deliver close to 40 kmpl and emit only 60g/km of CO2, making it one of the most fuel-efficient and green vehicles in the market.

The RE60 caters to the commercial passenger segment and is designed to gradually replace the autorickshaw as a mode of transport. And the Bajaj MD has a point, as the RE60, complete with four wheels and doors, is a much safer and convenient mode of transport compared to the three-wheeler autorickshaw.

The four-wheeler will have a 200cc, water-cooled, fuel-injected DTSi engine that will put out roughly 20 PS of power but the light kerb weight of just 400 kgs gives the vehicle a power to weight ratio similar to A-segment cars in India. The engine is mounted at the rear of the four-wheeler and as a result boot space is limited to 44 litres.

Read More : http://www.zigwheels.com/