-an OD of Love-

A quintet of sunny islands makes up the Republic of Malta, with its mild winters and hot summers. Malta, Gozo, and Comino are all inhabited--though with a mere handful of families, Comino only just qualifies. The remaining islands, Cominotto and Filfla, are for boat-trippers and seabirds. These Maltese islands take the top spot in the Climate category of our 2007 Quality of Life Index. As you know, once a year, every January, we consider nearly every nation on earth in a grueling set of nine categories. This year, our survey looks at 193 countries. And Malta has the best climate in the world. Fair weather, averaging 5.2 hours of sunshine a day--even in December. Right into November, daytime temperatures often nudge 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring comes early, around late February. Frost and snow are mostly unknown. There is winter rainfall, but it tends to come in heavy bursts for short periods. And, while the islands boast few sandy beaches, there are compensations: Summertime brings a

S plendid weather, S plendid winter day, S plendid view, S plendid sea, S plendid boat... excuse quality od pic; taken with a mobile phone on a lovely winter day, that only Malta can offer...

The recipe is simple, fix a day at least three months before. Start sending as many emails and smses, (as much as you can afford timewise) and just hope that at least ten friends turn up due to other commitments that funnily enough always pop up around that day. One of the funniest answers I received this time was that “I’m sorry Chal, but I’ll have the painter coming in that day so I will not be able to do it.” The Fenkata happens after eight in the evening and keeping in mind how hard working the local painters are I have trouble driving at night since all roads are usually jam-packed with ladders with men dressed in white dungarees all painting in the middle of the night. So once I get the idea of how many people will turn up (usually a couple of days before) I book a table at our favourite snack bar in Zebbiegh which is called the Farmer’s Restaurant for what the locals call a Fenkata (A night in a plain, simple and clean workmen snack bar eating a local delicacy which is rabbit t

Norman Lowell will contest the general election of Malta The nonconformist far-right Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell will be contesting the upcoming general election. Mr. Lowell came into the political game as the voice of anti-immigration in 2003. He reached the height of his popularity in 2005 with an infamous speech in Ħal Safi, during which he suggested that if need be, immigrants' boats should be sunk 14 miles out at sea. Shortly after that speech he was charged twice with inciting racial hatred but the cases were put off. He was arrested and charged with inciting racial hatred and, among other things, for joking about the president in 2006 but the case has not yet been decided. Since 2005, particularly after the formation of Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana (ANR), his movement was fractured and now counts only a small number of loyal supporters. The news was discovered by Sandro Vella a blogger (www.sandrovella.org ) who attended a meeting this Saturday in which Norman L

Alexander Pfeiffer created together with Yvette Rossingaud and Andreas Raab a Video about the beautiful iles of Malta, Gozo and Comino. This Video will be used to promote Kinnie a local soft drink in Austria. The Video was shot in September 2007; Showing: Blue Grotto, Ta' Xbiex, Sliema, St. Julians, Gozo, Valletta, Peter's Pool and many more places! Music: "Another Dawn" composed and played by Florian Mayer. Florian Mayer, singer and keyborder from the viennese based band Blended , wrote two "concepts" of songs for the movie. "Another dawn" is a wonderful song about the beauty of Malta, but also speaking about the environmental problems Malta has to face. Another Dawn I was walking down the boulevard next to the sea People were on the benches talking in sweet evening melodies I remembered the Blue Grotto glistening; the wind blew the heat away As a newly-built hotel cast its shadow on the Golden Bay Dawn is coming, time is running Hey, we still go

Celebrations in various locations around the Maltese Islands to Welcome 2008. Few minutes after midnight of 1/1/08 the Prime Minister of Malta Mr. Lawrence Gonzi attempts a couple of times to withdraw money from and ATM especially set up at the Valetta Waterfront to mark the introduction of Euro as the main new currency for Malta and he finally manages to after a little effort. The commentary is in the maltese language.

Notte Magica-Valletta-06/01/07 The night lived up to it's name. A magical full night of music, concerts and food turned Valletta into an enchanted City, with something to enjoy for all the family on the feast of The Three Kings. Malta Cu p Snooker Championship-Hilton St.Julians-28/01/07 to 04/02/07 The annual world ranking Snooker tournament offers entertainment on a different level the ever increasingly popular marathon saw the participation of both foreign and local participants The Carnival Celebrations-15/02/07 to 20/02/07 Thousands of persons flocked to Malta’s capital city Valletta to celebrate Carnival 2007. The sunny, warm weather allowed Carnival organizers to parade their floats around the streets, as adults and children showed off their costumes while watching the spectacle unfold. The BMW Malta Marathon-25/02/07- the ever increasingly popular marathon saw the particiapation of both foreigners and local athletes. The Silent Warriors Chinese Terracotta Soldiers