var TopStoriesData =  [
                  {
                                "url": "news/03032010.html",
                                "headline": "'SmartCity' Malta - ICT Enabled sustainability in 'Smart' cities",
                                "date": "March 3, 2010",
                                "desc": ""The industry cluster has power to accelerate the growth of a knowledge-based economy." This was stated by Mr Jin Choi, Country Director, SmartCity Malta, when he addressed the international seminar on ICT - Enabled Sustainability in 'Smart' Cities organised by Malta Investment Management Co. Ltd."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/02212010.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta appoints "Cracknell" as Landscape Architects",
                                "date": "February 21, 2010",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has announced the appointment of "Cracknell" as Landscape Architects for its development. Landscaping works include the entire SmartCity Malta site, encompassing all phases of the development."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/01062010.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta submits Four Building Applications to MEPA",
                                "date": "January 6, 2010",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has submitted the planning applications for Office Buildings SCM02 and SCM03 and for Retail Spaces SCM04 and SCM05 to MEPA."
                  },    {

                                "url": "news/12202009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta issues Infrastructure Tender",
                                "date": "December 20, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta recently issued the tender for the construction of Infrastructure civil works for Phase One. Shortlisted contractors that passed the early screening stage were invited to participate in this bidding stage."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/12132009.html",
                                "headline": "Engineering students at SmartCity Malta site",                                "date": "December 13, 2009",                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta recently hosted a group of Year IV Structural Engineering Stream students from the Faculty for the Built Environment. This educational site-visit was held in collaboration with the SmartCity Malta's precast contractor, General Precast Concrete."                  
		},    {
                                "url": "news/11162009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta Appoints Country Director",
                                "date": "November 10, 2009",                                "desc": "Jin Choi, Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development for SmartCity, has been appointed head of SmartCity Malta operation. He will assume his post of Malta's Country Director with immediate effect."                  },    {
                                "url": "news/11102009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta Appoints "3 Bees JV" as Site-Wide Grading Contractors",
                                "date": "November 8, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has announced the appointment of "3 Bees JV" as the site-wide grading contactor for its development. Site-wide grading works include the entire SmartCity Malta site, encompassing all phases of the development."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/11012009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta appoints an international LEED consultant",
                                "date": "November 1, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta, the first development in Malta to register for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED® ) certification, has appointed Hilson Moran as their consultants."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/11102009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta Board Notes Progress in Development",
                                "date": "October 11, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta today conducted its third quarter's Board of Directors' meeting. The Board met to discuss the progress on SmartCity Malta and upcoming developments."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/08102009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta Site-Wide Grading Permit Approved by MEPA",
                                "date": "October 8, 2009",
                                "desc": "A public hearing at MEPA was held today to discuss SmartCity Malta's site-wide grading application. The outcome was positive with a unanimous vote in favor of the application, hence allowing works to comence once the approval documents are processed."
                  },    {
                                "url": "news/09292009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta Announces Resignation of Claudio Grech",
                                "date": "September 29, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has today announced the approval of Claudio Grech's resignation which he recently submitted before the board and Chairman of SmartCity Malta, and will be effective from October 1, 2009"
                  }, {
                                "url": "news/08272009.html",
                                "headline": "SCM01 - Construction Progress",
                                "date": "August 27, 2009",
                                "desc": "The planning and construction works at SmartCity Malta are shaping up at a fast pace and the building structure is on target according to plan."
                 },       {
                                "url": "news/07052009.html",
                                "headline": "Works on SmartCity Malta progressing as planned",
                                "date": "July 5, 2009",
                                "desc": "In a Board of Directors' meeting held on the 25th June 2009, SmartCity Malta noted that the construction works on SmartCity Malta are progressing as planned and are expected to accelerate over the coming months, in line with the SmartCity Malta's mission towards the transformation of Ricasoli into a state-of-the-art knowledge-based township."
                 },       {
                                "url": "news/06282009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Wins 'Best Investment in Europe' Award at World Investment Conference in France",
                                "date": "June 28, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity today announced it has received the 'Best Investment Award in Europe' award, recognising its USD300 million investment for the development of SmartCity Malta as the largest foreign direct investment in a European country."
		},	 {
                                "url": "news/06072009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta is first in Malta to register for LEED certification",
                                "date": "June 7, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta is the first township development in Malta to register for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification."
                 },      {
                                "url": "news/06032009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta invests in lifestyle for knowledge workers",
                                "date": "May 21, 2009",
                                "desc": "Leading players in the knowledge-based industry the world over are consistently investing in enhancing the quality of working life of their knowledge workers. The primary asset in this industry is the knowledge of the workforce and employers are realizing that apart from providing the right remuneration they also need to deliver workplaces which fulfill the aspirations of their people."
                 },          {
                                "url": "news/04232009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta promoted at Milan Chamber of Commerce",
                                "date": "April 23, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta was promoted during an international event organized in Milan, Italy by the Milan Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Malta Enterprise and Promos - the entity within the Milan Chamber of Commerce responsible for the internationalisation of small and medium sized businesses. The event entitled, "Malta an island of opportunity," gathered top representatives from over 50 distinct organizations from the region of Lombardia, who have shown interest in better understanding the opportunities available to Italian firms to set-up operations in Malta."
                 },          {
                                "url": "news/03192009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta has ambitious growth plans for its ICT and media cluster",
                                "date": "March 19, 2009",
                                "desc": ""SmartCity Malta has ambitious growth plans for the development of its ICT and media cluster in Malta. This was corroborated by intensive market research which SmartCity Malta has conducted that confirmed that SmartCity Malta is ideally positioned to attract a wide range of players in the targeted industries of ICT and media. Moreover, as SmartCity Malta seeks to establish itself as the leading knowledge-based industry destination in the Mediterranean, we re-affirm that human capital is the primary resource which underpins the success of this industry, not the least in the media sector" said Claudio Grech, SmartCity Malta CEO."
                 },             {
                                "url": "news/03112009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta presented to Malta's Honorary Consuls",
                                "date": "March 11, 2009",
                                "desc": "Over 90 Honorary Consuls for Malta residing in 49 different countries visited SmartCity Malta, the first ICT and media cluster in the Mediterranean. The Honorary Consuls, are presently attending Malta's Consular Representation Conference held between today and this Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
                 },              {
                                "url": "news/01262009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta geared up for 2009",
                                "date": "January 13, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta is fully geared up for 2009. In the recent Board of Directors' meeting, held on January 8th 2009, the Board approved SmartCity Malta's strategic marketing plan and the augmented head-count for 2009. SmartCity Malta's 2009 budget and increased equity were also discussed and approved to fund the 2009 activities."
                 },                 {
                                "url": "news/11192008.html",
                                "headline": "BV Joint Venture as SCM01 General Contractor",
                                "date": "November 19, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has announced the appointment of BV Joint Venture as the general contractor for SCM01, the first office building that will form part of the $300 million township based in Ricasoli, Malta."
                 },
 				{
                                "url": "news/11142008.html",
                                "headline": "Alternattiva Demokratika briefed about SmartCity Malta",
                                "date": "November 14, 2008",
                                "desc": "The Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), Professor Arnold Cassola visited SmartCity Malta, today. SmartCity Malta CEO, Claudio Grech, briefed Professor Cassola and his party delegation including Communications and IT spokesperson Mr Henrik Piski and Executive Committee Member Christian Holland, about the different phases of the self-sustained township."
                 },
 				{
                                "url": "news/110708.html",
                                "headline": "Robert Micallef wins SmartCity Malta-sponsored e-Journalism Award",
                                "date": "November 4, 2008",
                                "desc": "Robert Micallef won the e-journalism Award of the Malta Journalism Awards sponsored by SmartCity Malta with his three entries published by www.maltamedia.com. For the 18th consecutive year, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) organised the Malta Journalism Awards, which is Malta's annual journalistic competition."
                 },
                 {
                                "url": "news/10062008.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta expresses satisfaction for approval of development applications",
                                "date": "October 6, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta expressed its satisfaction for the approval of two development applications by the Malta Planning and Environment Authority (MEPA) in connection with SmartCity Malta. The two applications were for an outline development permit for the construction of SmartCity Malta, at Ricasoli and the construction of the first state-of-the-art office block - SCMO1. "
                 },
                 {
                                "url": "news/09242008.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Malta is the leading energy-efficient development in Malta",
                                "date": "September 4, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta refers to a number of statements referring to the energy-efficiency implications of the knowledge-based township it is developing in Ricasoli, Kalkara. "
                 },
                 {
                                "url": "news/09212008.html",
                                "headline": "'SmartCity Malta reached an advanced planning stage' reports Board of Directors",
                                "date": "September 1, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Malta has reached an advanced planning stage. This was announced by SmartCity Malta's Board of Directors following its fourth board meeting for 2008. During the meeting discussions were held on the progress registered by SmartCity Malta and its forthcoming developments. "
                 },
         {
                "url": "news/06212008.html",
                "headline": "SmartCity Malta submits application for the full development permit for Phase One",
                "date": "June 21, 2008",
                "desc": "Following SmartCity Malta's submission of the Outline Planning Application to the Malta Environmental Planning Authority (MEPA), SmartCity Malta has also recently submitted the Detailed Planning Application for Phase One.  SmartCity Malta Phase One will provide over 12,000 sqm of high quality office space primarily for ICT and media companies."
        },
	{
		"url": "news/06152008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta Board of Directors Eager to Start the Realisation of SmartCity",
		"date": "June 15, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta Board of Directors registered the impressive response and market interest received from Maltese, regional and international companies looking to relocate their operations to SmartCity Malta."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/06142008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta - 'Open for Business'",
		"date": "June 14, 2008",
		"desc": "Following months since the signing of the final agreement between SmartCity and the Government of Malta, in April, 2007, SmartCity Malta Phase One was launched and is now attracting business partners internationally to operate from Malta."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/06112008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta renews its sponsorship for the 18th Malta Journalism Awards",
		"date": "June 11, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta, the self-sustained township for knowledge-based companies being developed by SmartCity in partnership with the Government of Malta, renewed its sponsorship for the e-Journalism Award category of the 18th Malta Journalism Awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM).  "
	},
	{
		"url": "news/05282008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta reaches out to Maltese Educators",
		"date": "May 28, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta, in conjunction with the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education and the Directorate for Educational, kicked off a series of information sessions for academics and education personnel at Robert Samut Hall in Floriana, Malta.  "
	},
	{
		"url": "news/04032008.html",
		"headline": "A Solid Partnership: SmartCity and Malta",
		"date": "March 4, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta, part of a global network of self-sustained townships, has yesterday concluded its second Board of Directors' meeting of 2008.  The marketing strategies and development plans of SmartCity Malta were presented, discussed and approved during the said meeting - all of which are in parallel with Malta's long-term ICT vision. "
	},
	{
		"url": "news/21012008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta's Board finalises plans for 2008 ",
		"date": "January 21, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta, the knowledge based township, has conducted its first board of directors' meeting of 2008 during this weekend. The meeting discussed the future course of action concerning the implementation of the SmartCity Malta project, the 2008 market plan and budget, and the next level of synergy development between the Government of Malta and SmartCity in promoting Malta as an IT destination."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/271107.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta Raises Country's Profile in Global ICT Industry",
		"date": "November 27, 2007",
		"desc": "Malta has been pursuing a very active ICT strategy and the setting up of SmartCity Malta will enhance the country's profile in this sense on the international arena, Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of the SmartCity brand worldwide, told a business conference at Hilton Malta."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/10112007.html",
		"headline": "Preparatory works for Demolition Begins at SmartCity Malta Site'",
		"date": "October 11, 2007",
		"desc": "The preparatory works for the demolition of the existing structures on the SmartCity Malta site to clear the area for construction has begun."
	},	
	{
		"url": "news/100907.html",
		"headline": "Malta Prime Minister Unveils Masterplan for SmartCity Malta'",
		"date": "September 10, 2007",
		"desc": "The Prime Minister of Malta, Lawrence Gonzi today unveiled the masterplan for SmartCity Malta, a new self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies to be developed by Dubai-based SmartCity in partnership with the Government of Malta."
	},					   
	{
		"url": "news/130507.html",
		"headline": "Government of Kerala and SmartCity Sign Final Agreements for 'SmartCity Kochi'",
		"date": "May 13, 2007",
		"desc": "The Government of Kerala and SmartCity (a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai) today signed the final agreements to establish SmartCity Kochi at a ceremony held in Trivandrum."
	},					   
	{
		"url": "news/060607.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta to draw from experience of Dubai's knowledge-based industry clusters",
		"date": "June 06, 2007",
		"desc": "SmartCity Malta will draw from the experience and expertise of Dubai's successful knowledge-based industry clusters like Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City to create a centre of ICT and media excellence in the heart of the Mediterranean, said Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity yesterday in Dubai."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/230407.html",
		"headline": "Malta Government and SmartCity Sign Final Agreements For 'SmartCity Malta'",
		"date": "April 23, 2007",
		"desc": "The Government of Malta and SmartCity (a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai) have signed the final agreements to establish SmartCity Malta at a ceremony held at the Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julians, Malta today."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/160606.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity to go Green",
		"date": "July 16, 2006",
		"desc": "SmartCity today announced plans to 'go green' by adopting globally-benchmarked environmentally-friendly practices that will make its developments highly energy and resource efficient. "
	}
];