Can you believe that January is already over? Well, this brings us to the second aboutmalta.com newsletter for 2005. We're planning several changes and new additions on aboutmalta.com this year. We are most grateful for all the feedback we get from you via our online contact form and the visitors' book.

The first addition for 2005 is a new sub-section for Blogs. This relatively new phenomenon has now gripped the Maltese online community too, as we can all see from the ever-growing number of blogs by Maltese people and/or about the Maltese way of life. Blogs are a wonderful way for everyone to share personal thoughts on any topic that strikes their fancy.

Meanwhile, we also continue to offer regular features and services. The traditional lenten Carnival, Valentine's Day, and the Malta Song for Europe 2005 contest are just three of the many activities occurring this month. As always, aboutmalta.com brings each of these events to the Internet through the MaltaMedia Online Network.

Toni Sant
Consulting Editor, aboutmalta.com

P.S. To subscribe to this newsletter just contact us.

1. Last Month's Daily News from MaltaMedia
2. Top Picks:
     a. 2005 Carnival in Malta & Gozo
     b. Malta Song for Europe 2005
3. This Month in Maltese History
4. What's On This Month

01 Various changes and events to characterise 2005
02 Istrina raises Lm 491,809 for tsunami survivors
03 Adjustment in fuel prices
04 Malta to send around Lm3 million in donations
05 MCESD disagrees on public holidays measure
06 Two men hosptalised in Freeport accident
07 Aircraft with medical supplies leaves Malta
08 19.7% of married Christians in Malta favour divorce
09 EU grants Malta over Lm22.5 million in funds in 2004
10 Two-year-old dies in tragic car accident
11 Malta ranked as the world’s happiest place
12 Government to donate financial help to Asia survivors
13 Immigrants injured during peaceful protest
14 Man arraigned following a death by overdose
15 Diocesan Commission concerned on human dignity
16 Malta-Gozo helicopter service to start in March
17 35 years jail-term for Leli l-Bully
18 'Malta in the right direction'-European Commission
19 Malta Song for Europe 2005 final participants announced
20 Two suspected sabotages at Sant’ Antnin plant
21 Best Carnival float to be judged by televoting
22 The ‘tsunami of solidarity’ continues
23 Detained asylum seekers caught with makeshift weapons
24 Youth imprisoned for causing woman’s death
25 Government approves eco-contribution amendments
26 Hold-up at HSBC branch
27 Unemployment slightly down in December
28 Malta lags behind in EU law implementation
29 Government to improve immigrants detention centres
30 No Social Pact reached
31 Coldest January daytime temperatures in 17 years

Read and/or listen to the latest daily news from MaltaMedia.com.

a. 2005 Carnival in Malta and Gozo

This special feature from MaltaMedia.com takes a look at the various aspects of carnival in Malta - from the spontaneity of the Nadur carnival to the months of hard work involved in creating a float for the parade in Valletta. A full calendar of the events organised by the National Folklore Commission is also available.
 

b. Malta Song for Europe 2005

Preparations for Malta's chance to shine in front of the largest television audience start with the annual Malta Song for Europe contest. This year's hopefuls will sing their hearts out on the 18th and 19th of February, mesmerized by the grand prize: representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 in Kiev this May. Song clips, lyrics, and all the latest information available at EurovisionMalta.com.

30 YEARS AGO (14 February 1975 )
Rediffusion employees stage indefinite strike and lock out management officials from Broadcasting House and Television House at Gwardamangia.

20 YEARS AGO (1 February 1985 )
A parade from Valletta's Freedom Square to the Mediterranean Congress Centre is organised by the Malta Labour Party to mark Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici's appointment as Prime Minister and to thank former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff for his years of service as leader.

10 YEARS AGO (3 February 1995 )
Nine dockyard workers are killed and several others are seriously injured in a massive explosion onboard a Libyan tanker at the Malta Drydocks.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
5 February 1922: Antoine Camilleri, Artist
7 February 1934: Eddie Fenech Adami, President of Malta
8 February 1968: Claudette Pace, Entertainer
28 February 1948: Alfred Sant, Leader of the Opposition/MLP

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
4 February 2002: Agatha Barbara, 3rd President of Malta, dies at 78
16 February 2003: Sonny Monte, Singer, dies at 55, in car accident
22 February 2004: Paul Arnaud, Musician, dies at 93
25 Februart 1988: Marianus Vella, Priest/Poet, dies at 61

See aboutmalta.com's daily full list of birthdays, deaths, and events in Maltese history.

Today in Maltese History is produced exclusively for aboutmalta.com by Mario Axiaq.

4-8 February 2005
2005 Carnival in Malta and Gozo
More colourful merriment and subversive behaviour than you can shake a stick at, from Valletta to Nadur and from Victoria to Ghaxaq.

7-19 February 2005
Miscellaneous
Student art exhibition at the Manoel Theatre Coffee Shop, dedicated to Maggie Borg, in aid of the Cancer Foundation.

12 February 2005
Tlaqna minn Hawn
St. Paul's Missionary College marks its 40th anniversary with a musical celebration featuring former students at St. Agatha's Auditorium in Rabat at 7.15pm. The line up includes: Bitterside, Tribali, Sigo, Dominic Galea, Augusto Cardinali, Benny + Tonia and Fr Karm Debattista, among others.

18-19 February 2005
Malta Song for Europe 2005
Following up on Julie and Ludwig's 2004 placement, Malta chooses the song that will represent it in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

View aboutmalta.com's full calendar for this month's events in Malta and Gozo, or to submit a future event to our calendar.