Happy New Year! It's 2008, and we're looking forward to whatever the new year will bring with it. Many people are glad 2007 is over while others will treasure fond memories from it forever. One topic on everyone's mind is undoubtedly the conversion to the euro. This move ushers in a new era for Malta.

As expected, the MaltaMedia Online Network returns with the most comprehensive online review of the past year from a Maltese perspective. I would like to thank my colleagues for making this special feature available every year. This year the people who worked with me on the annual round-up feature are (in alphabetical order): Mario Axiaq, Antoine Busuttil, Alexia Conti, Ruth Davies, Lorraine Duca, Martin Debattista, Joe Mejlak, Pierre J. Mejlak, Robert Micallef, and Mark Vella Gera. These people worked as a team throughout 2007 on the various websites within the MaltaMedia Online Network. A number of other people collaborated with us over the past year, and we thank them too, especially our Managing Director Dr. Ing. Saviour Zammit. We also thank our various sponsors and advertisers.

On a more personal note, some of the significant moments I experienced in 2007 are chronicled in my blog, which continues to bring me close to people who care about me, and I for them. I'm sure this will continue during 2008, which will undoubtedly bring some exciting new things with it. More about that starting in next month's newsletter.

Is-Sena t-Tajba!

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. 2007: a year in review
     b. Send a free New Year greeting e-card
3. This Month in Maltese History
4. What's On This Month

01 In danger of dying following fall at residence
02 Police raid Valletta market
03 Man arraigned over Pembroke murder
04 Tons of ham stolen from Maltese-Australian company
05 Lm500 stolen in Mosta armed robbery
06 Hold-up at Valletta jewellery shop
07 Malta officially in Schengen zone
08 New Apostolic Nuncio to Malta starts mission
09 Maltco to bag over Lm1 million in Super 5 sales
10 Detergent shop held up
11 Cospicua man shot in Balzan argument
12 First commissioner for voluntary organisations
13 New EU treaty sealed in Lisbon
14 Agreement signed on oil exploration
15 Zammit Cutajar gets UN climate change post
16 Man arraigned over Briton attempted murder
17 Malta's GDP 20 - 25% below EU average
18 Man and woman arrested over false euronotes
19 Maltese folklorist Ġorġ Mifsud-Chircop is dead
20 Roof collapses in Attard
21 Malta enters Schengen amid Frontex concerns
22 Drug Squad detain foreigner for heroin possession
23 New low cost airline to operate to Malta
24 Switzerland gives Malta 1.8 million euros
25 Maltese Islands celebrate Christmas Day
26 Wave of hold ups on lotto booths continues
27 Dr Alfred Sant 'stable' after 'major' surgery
28 Benazir Bhutto's killing condemned
29 German man accused of drug trafficking
30 Lm600,296 donated during L-Istrina
31 Euro Night looks for shelter from bad weather

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

a. 2007: A Year in Review

Interesting documentation of the ins and outs from a year full of intrigue and anticipation. Take a look at the main aspects of life in 2007 through a Maltese perspective with insights on news, sports, music, weather, Gozo, technology, people who passed away, and more.
 

b. Send a Free New Year Greeting E-card

You may have sent and/or received Christmas e-cards, but now it's time to send a New Year greeting. These e-cards show various scenes of the Maltese Islands associated with the New Year, including street decorations and Malta's own three wise men! Users can also chose a popular tune to go with the card. This is a great way to send last-minute or belated wishes to friends and family through the Internet.

30 YEARS AGO (30 January 1978)
Transport workers stage a sudden strike leaving thousands of commuters stranded after police swooped on drivers employing conductors under the age of 16.

20 YEARS AGO (31 January 1988)
Government issues a public call for proposals from companies interested in developing a cable television service for the Maltese Islands.

10 YEARS AGO (2 January 1998)
Maltese surgeon Alfred Cuschieri is made a Knight Bachelor in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honour List for his work in minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery).

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
2 January 1948: Louis Galea, Politician
3 January 1935: Lino Cassar, Film Critic & Journalist
9 January 1909: Sir Anthony Mamo, 1st President of Malta
27 January 1944: Lino Briguglio, Economist

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
1 January 1975: Mary Mejlak, Writer/Poet, dies at 70
13 January 1973: Effie Ciantar, Broadcaster, dies at 54
22 January 1984: Sir Mikiel Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop, 99
23 January 2005: Karmen Mikallef Buħagiar, Literary agent

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.

2-6 January 2008
In Search of the Missing Reindeer
Original Christmas musical by Abigail Brown and Patrick Vella continues for another week at St. James Cavalier in Valletta.

2-13 January 2008
Pirates of the Mediterranean
The traditional MADC panto continues with daily shows at the Teatru Manoel under the direction of Nanette Brimmer. Oh yes it is!

19-20 January 2008
Tchaicovsky's Nutcracker
The Crown of Russian Ballet from Moscow is accompanied by 70 local dancers in two memorable nights of ballet at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

24 + 26 January 2008
2008 Malta Song for Europe
The Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre at Ta' Qali is the venue for the 2008 Malta Song for Europe, which leads to the selection of Malta's entry to the 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.