Following the two grand successes organised at the Aurora Theatre in the last months, namely the production of La Bohème and the Leone Band in concert, the Leone Philharmonic Society is putting up a new theatre production: The Leone Grand Christmas Show. It will be produced at the Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora on Saturday, 20th December 2008 starting at 8pm. Inspired from the popular British version of the Royal Christmas Variety, this experimental production will feature the Leone Band under the baton of Mro Colin Attard together with a 50-strong choir comprising mainly of children, sustained with youths and adult choirs, led by Matthew Sultana. The production, a show, rather than a concert, is ... Read more...

New figures published by the European Commission show that, in spite of reduced growth perspectives for the economy at large, broadband growth has continued in the last year throughout the EU, with an increase of 19.23% between July 2008 and July 2007. On 1 July 2008 there were over 107 million fixed broadband lines in the EU, of which 17 million lines have been added since July 2007. The rate of growth was highest in Malta (6.7 lines per 100 inhabitants), Germany (5.1 per 100 inhabitants) and Cyprus (4.9 per 100 inhabitants) and lowest in Finland (1.9 per 100 inhabitants) and Portugal (1.0 per 100 inhabitants). Globally, Denmark and the Netherlands continue to be world leaders in broadband, with penetration over ... Read more...

Malta International Airport in collaboration with Open Networks Ltd has set up a new infrastructure providing high speed wireless broadband Internet throughout the terminal. Open Network's innovative technology will allow the thousands of commuters who make use of the airport facilities to access free Wi-Fi mobile internet from their laptops, pda's and mobile phones. This unique business model is making free mobile connectivity a reality. The service is made possible by organisations that are making use of the media content as an advertising platform. The concept is to offer free internet connectivity supported by non-obtrusive advertisements in video and audio formats. This technology offers a myriad of assets for advertisers, making it ... Read more...

The euro area (EA15) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.7% in October 2008, compared with 7.6% in September. It was 7.3% in October 2007. The EU27 unemployment rate was 7.1% in October 2008, compared with 7.0% in September3. It was 6.9% in October 2007. Eurostat estimates that 17.183 million men and women in the EU27, of which 12.003 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in October 2008. Compared with September 2008, the number of persons unemployed increased by 290,000 in the EU27 and by 225,000 in the euro area. Compared with October 2007, unemployment went up by 709,000 in the EU27 and by 810 000 in the euro area. Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded ... Read more...

Traffic Results October 2008 - Passenger movements during the month of October decreased by 6.1 % when compared to the same month in 2007, with a total of 279,946 movements handled, meaning that the shortfall was of 18,319 passenger movements on the scheduled and non-scheduled flights. Aircraft movements also decreased by 8.8% for a total of 2,342. The seat capacity in October showed a minus 24,622 ( -6.1%) whilst the seat load factor also decreased, albeit marginally by 0.1%. Cargo and mail handled at MIA during the month of October was 1,503 tonnes, that is a decrease of 8.4% over last year. The loss in passengers from the UK market was once again felt during the month of ... Read more...

: He came to us and we welcomed him : Dear brethren in the Ministerial Priesthood, in Consecrated Life, and in Baptism. This is the first time we are writing a Letter to you for Advent, because we feel that this is a period during the year which is very important for the Christian community. It is a time of preparation and vigil, but it is also a time when it is easier for the Word of God to end up being lost in the many activities that celebrations bring about with them. For us Christians, Christmas remains a unique event. We believe that the birth of the Lord Jesus changed the history of humanity because in Bethlehem God ... Read more...

During a press conference held at Castille, Dr Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information together with Ghajnsielem Mayor Francis Cauchi and project manager Franco Ciangrua explained the details of the Ghajnsielem nativity village which is now in the final phases of completion. 'Bethlehem f' Ghajnsielem' which is being built by the Ghajnsielem Local Council in collaboration with all the main village organizations will offer a naturalistic reproduction of the environ of Bethlehem. Mayor Francis Cauchi said that the village is being built on land stretching 20,000sqm, in the area known as 'Ta Passi' fields, situated between Ghajnsielem's main square and Mgarr Road. Although 'Ta Passi' has been abandoned for several years, the area has now ... Read more...

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, has announced that German Green MEP Michael Cramer, who is a specialist on transport issues and sits on the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, will be in Malta next week to discuss the issue of the proposed road in Ghadira with Minister Austin Gatt. Prof. Cassola said, "Since it is planned that this road be financed by EU monies, it is only right that we ensure that the EU and Maltese taxpayers' money is invested in a proper and sustainable way. AD supports the position taken by Din l-Art Helwa that Government should make all available studies on the proposed road public." Carmel Cacopardo, Alternativa Demokratika Spokesperson on Sustainable Development and Local Government, added, "The Ghadira ... Read more...

For pity's sake, when will this interminable arguing over the Ramla development, the EPP and petition issue come to an end? From a purely logical standpoint I can fully understand why the Petitions Committee have closed the file on the Ramla development, and are probably glad to do so, since an open petition against something which it is informed will not come about is clearly a waste their of time. But we now have our MEP, Simon Busuttil failing to go the whole hog and inform the developer (as if he hasn't already realised), that the Government will not countenance a development in any form, amended or otherwise, and that, therefore, the appeal procedure is a waste of time and ... Read more...

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is delighted to announce its 'Island Reflections' art exhibition to open to the public at the Casino Maltese from Sunday the 30th of November. This exhibition will feature works by no less than sixty of Malta's leading artists including Tonio Mallia, John Martin Borg, Winston Hassall, Debbie Caruana Dingli, Madeleine Gera, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Matthew Kassar, CS Lawrence, John Grima, Marisa Attard, John Busuttil Leaver, Cedric Galea Pirotta, Arnold Sultana, Anna Galea, Anthony Calleja, Mark England, Zell Osborne, Antoine Camilleri, Isabelle Borg, Graham Cooper, Jennifer Lonfat, Victor Agius, Joan Zammit Cutajar, Laurent Muller, Philip Chircop, Andrew Borg and Frederick Gingell. In addition to many ... Read more...