APS bank have announced that following the recent decision taken by the European Central Bank (ECB) to reduce its refinancing rate by 50 basis points, that the bank has fixed its base rate at 3.45%. This new base rate will come into effect on Thursday, the 20th of November 2008, when interest rates on loans and advances will be reduced accordingly. Interest rates on deposits will be available from the bank's branches and from its website - www.apsbank.com....mt. For more information please contact the bank's Customer Support Centre on tel. no. 2122 6644 or by email on csc@apsbank.com....

MaltaPost p.l.c. has announced that a special hand postmark - Commemorating - QE2 Last Voyage - Valletta Malta 18th November 2008, will be used at the Valletta Waterfront tomorrow, Tuesday 18th November 2008, between 8.00am and 6.00pm. Special Envelopes cancelled with this special postmark can also be ordered from the Philatelic Bureau, 305, Triq Hal-Qormi, Marsa MTP 1001, telephone 2596 1749, or e-mail: philately@maltapost.com....

The body of the British diver, Paul Swain, 49, who went missing during a dive at the MV Xlendi shipwreck on the 3rd of November, has now been recovered from the sunken ship. Volunteer and Civil Protection Department divers have been working hard to recover Mr Swain's body throughout the weekend, in what was described as extremely hazardous conditions, after his body was located early Saturday morning. Mr Swain was one of a group of divers exploring the wreck, which lies upside-down at a depth of 45 metres off Xatt l-Ahmar near Ghajnsielem, he tragically failed to surface and could not be located at that time. Thankfully now at least Mr Swain's family will be able to lay him to rest.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA15) trade balance with the rest of the world in September 2008 gave a 5.6 bn euro deficit, compared with +2.9 bn in September 2007. The August 2008 balance was -9.4 bn, compared with +1.1 bn in August 2007. In September 2008 compared with August 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.2% and imports by 2.1%. The first estimate for the September 2008 extra-EU27 trade balance was a deficit of 23.0 bn euro, compared with -16.6 bn in September 2007. In August 2008, the balance was -27.5 bn, compared with -16.6 bn in August 2007. In September 2008 compared with August 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.7% and imports by 0.2%. EU27 January-August ... Read more...

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party Chairperson, led an AD delegation on a visit to the Smart City Project following an invitation by the management. The delegation comprised Henrik Piski, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on IT and Communications, and committee member Christian Holland. Prof Cassola pointed out that the Smart City project is a great opportunity for the creation of jobs in the IT and other related sectors, but expressed his party's concerns that the jobs created might not be contributing to enhancing our country's green credentials. "We sincerely hope that the Smart City project, which will consume a high amount of Malta's electricity, will be planned in such a way as to make full use of the ... Read more...

This coming Thursday the 20th of November, marks Universal Childrens Day. On the 14th of December 1954, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world. The Assembly suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. It was also chosen as the day to celebrate childhood. The date of the 20th of November, marks ... Read more...

Vodafone Malta Limited is supporting the upcoming Coca-Cola Malta Music Awards taking place on Saturday, the 29th of November 2008 at the MFCC Ta' Qali from 8.30pm onwards. Vodafone said that they are once again giving its customers the opportunity to get one free ticket when they purchase a ticket at €12 each. This offer is available at any Vodafone Retail outlet. The VIP area tickets, selling at €35 each, are available from Springfield, Valletta, only. The Malta Music Awards will feature the best of Malta's music stars including performances by Ira Losco and Winter Moods as well special guest performers from the UK - Deepest Blue. The show will close with a spectacular performance from Tribali, ... Read more...

Euro area annual inflation was 3.2% in October 2008, down from 3.6% in September. A year earlier the rate was 2.6%. Monthly inflation was 0.0% in October 2008. EU annual inflation was 3.7% in October 2008, down from 4.2% in September. A year earlier the rate was 2.7%. Monthly inflation was 0.0% in October 2008. Inflation in the EU Member States In October 2008, the lowest annual rates were observed in Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal (2.5% each), and the highest in Latvia (13.7%), Bulgaria (11.2%) and Lithuania (10.7%), Malta stood at 5.8%. Compared with September 2008, annual inflation fell in ... Read more...

The body of the missing British diver, Paul Swain, 49, who went missing during a dive at the MV Xlendi shipwreck on the 3rd of November, has still not been recovered from the sunken ship. Unfortunately volunteer and Civil Protection Department divers have encountered more problems in today's recovery attempts and have been unable to carry out the recovery. Mr Swains body was located yesterday, but due to fading light and technical difficulties, further attempts to recover his body had to be postponed until today. As previously reported, Mr Swain was one of a group of divers exploring the wreck, which lies upside-down at a depth of 45 metres off ... Read more...

Last month, the King's Own Band of Valletta held their annual concert, for the second year running they were joined by Gozo's Chorus Urbanus. This annual event is held every October and this year it was held at the Catholic Institute in Floriana. This year the King's Own band were also commemorating the 134th anniversary from when the band was first formed, as well as the 96th Year since the winning of the award for the Highest Grade of Excellence in Algiers in 1912. The Chorus Urbanus joined the band in many pieces, including amonst others Tchaikovsky's Overture Solennelle 1812. The King's Own Band and the Chorus Urbanus were under the direction of Mro. John Galea, ... Read more...