So now it's summer, and just as the Maltese Islands brace themselves for sweltering readings on the mercury and the annual deluge of tourists, the temperature actually starts cooling down at this time of the year in the southern hemisphere. Globalization is so fascinating! It makes that old saying even truer: you can only please some of the people some of the time. Right?

Meanwhile, the aboutmalta.com team prepares to delight you with yet another batch of online goodies in the coming weeks. We'll be with you throughout the summer, and though it may look like we're working on half-days, there's always something new brewing at our end.

This month please join me in welcoming Ruth Davies as a full-time member of our staff, after working part-time with the MaltaMedia News team for almost four years. She has just finished her studies at the University of Malta and now embarks on what I'm sure will be a long and successful career.

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. World Cup 2006
     b. L-Imnarja
3. This Month in Maltese History
4. What's On This Month

01 Fuel prices slightly up again
02 Elderly couple held up in their residence
03 Irregular immigrant dies in tragic journey
04 Thief rescued by police
05 Third arson attack in one day
06 Pick-up driver injured after falling into valley
07 Malta commemorates Sette Giugno
08 Young driver in danger of dying
09 World Cup kicks off with host country's victory
10 Designs for Maltese Euro coins chosen
11 Port cargo handling contract signed
12 Two under house arrest for assaulting surgeon
13 Decelis family gets over 41 years for murder
14 Property prices increase by average of 10% over 2005
15 Bomb threat at Mater Dei Hospital results in hoax
16 Shop owner held up in Marsascala
17 Stevedores to take actions on new agreement
18 First state visit in Latvia for a Maltese President
19 Youth in danger of dying over suspected overdose
20 Over 6,000 fake World Cup footballs found
21 More than 60% pass Junior Lyceum exams
22 Frans 'il-Budaj' Baldacchino passes away
23 Young girl dies after fall; man dies in field fire
24 Air Malta negatively affected by increasing fuel prices
25 Pension reform to come into effect in January
26 Superintendent charged with bribery
27 Illegal immigrants stage street protest as more enter Maltese waters
28 Almost 300 irregular immigrations in one day
29 Bull injures persons during Imnarja festivities
30 Malta to receive warning letter over spring hunting

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

a. World Cup 2006 - A Maltese Perspective

Will Brazil remain the FIFA World Cup champions? Will they loose their title to Germany, Italy or England? Malta is once again swept away by the age-old rivalry between supporters for the national teams from England and Italy. You can read all about this unique Maltese phenomenon and review the results for each match during the final stage of the games held in Germany.
 

b. L-Imnarja - The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul in Malta & Gozo

Celebrating the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is much more than a religious event in Malta. Among other things, it is a traditional celebration which marks the passing of spring. aboutmalta.com contributing editors Daniel Bartolo and Pierre J. Mejlak write about various aspects of the Imnarja in Malta and Gozo.

30 YEARS AGO (6 July 1976)
Bank of Valletta employees go on strike on what the Malta Union of Bankers claimed to be "a negative attitude in discussions on a reorganisation". The strike ends two days later after a direct intervention from Prime Minister Mintoff.

20 YEARS AGO (27 July 1986)
In Valletta, shop employees hold demonstration organised by the Shop Employees Union, in favour of their demand for a half-day off on Saturdays.

10 YEARS AGO (16 July 1996)
Pharmacists decide to remain closed for one day as a protest against liberalisation.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
1 July 1953: Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister
5 July 1844: Fortunato Mizzi, Prime Minister
5 July 1911: Gorg Borg Olivier, Prime Minister
17 July 1933: Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, Prime Minister

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
2 July 1997: Carmen Carbonaro, Broadcaster, dies at 92
6 July 1962: Paul Boffa, Prime Minister, dies at 72
28 July 1998: Josie Coppini, Actor, dies at 64
31 July 2004: Mario Ellul, Singer and TV Producer, dies at 40

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.

1 July 2006
Festaħwid 2006
The closing night of this year's Festaħwid features no less than 7 bands: Kontroll, Shostahovich's Nightmare, The I Skandal, Oddonesout, Riotous Future, Pupi Tal-Logħob, and the almighty Xtruppaw.

21 - 23 July 2006
Malta Jazz Festival
This year the festival presents a broader musical palette with Percy Jones, Bill Bruford and Tim Garland sharing the stage with local artists Kris Spiteri and his band Noir and percussionist Renzo Spiteri. The original Blues Brothers and the Alan Parsons Live Project are among other acts appearing in Valletta.

25 - 28 July 2006
Golden Cross International Singing Festival
This annual song contest returns to La Grotta Complex in Xlendi, Gozo.

Starting on 28 July 2006
Malta Arts Festival - Summer 2006
The third edition of the Malta Arts Festival - Summer will run daily until 20 August 2006.

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