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/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/02222009.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity Kochi - looking forward to achieving the Kochi vision",
                                "date": "February 22, 2009",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala (GoK), is all geared up to sign the lease agreement which is the critical step towards registering the accumulative 246 acres of land to obtain SEZ notification."
                 },                 {
                                "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/12182008.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity showcased in TiE Entrepreneurship Summit",
                                "date": "December 18, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, has participated in the third edition of TiE Entrepreneurship Summit (TES) in Bangalore.  This forms part of Smart City's strategic move towards increasing its visibility, with the ultimate aim of raising the awareness levels before the large IT/ITES fraternity representing global IT/ITES enterprises."
                 },
		 {
                                "url": "news/12112008.html",
                                "headline": "SmartCity promotes II International Conference on Freedom in Computing",
                                "date": "December 11, 2008",
                                "desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, has participated in the second International Conference on Freedom in Computing, Development and Culture in Trivandrum."
                 },
                 {
                                "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/11132008.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Delegation arriving in Kochi",
				"date": "November 13, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, is all set to expedite the process of securing the SEZ status for the project. Even though the issues of registration of the land and stamp duty exemption are still pending, SmartCity has decided to sort out the other critical issues in the mean time."
		 },
		 {
				"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/10192008-2.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Promotes Malta & Kochi at GITEX 2008",
				"date": "October 19, 2008",
				"desc": "At GITEX 2008, SmartCity, a joint venture between TECOM and Sama Dubai, both members of Dubai Holding, is presenting landmark status updates of its current projects in Malta and Kochi. SmartCity is actively marketing the development of knowledge based communities, like SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi, to senior CIOs, knowledge workers and IT professionals from some of the Middle East's most dynamic business and government organisations, as well as developers from the world's leading IT companies."
		 },
		 {
				"url": "news/10192008.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Launches Connect Magazine to Further International Marketing Campaign",
				"date": "October 19, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity, a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, will launch Connect magazine at GITEX to increase the interface between the knowledge based industry and SmartCity stakeholders.  This also forms part of SmartCity's strategic move towards increasing its marketing activities, with the ultimate aim of drawing international, regional and local businesses to relocate their businesses to strategically located destinations such as SmartCity Malta, SmartCity Kochi and TECOM Business Parks in Dubai."
		 },
		 {
				"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/07292008.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Kochi - signing of remaining 11.4 acres of land",
				"date": "July 29, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, has yesterday signed the lease agreement for the remaining 11.4 acres of land, that makes up the northern land parcel of 133 acres.  "
		 },
		 {
				"url": "news/07042008.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Kochi's appointment of Project Management Consultants",
				"date": "July 4, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity Kochi announced the appointment of the multinational Hill International as project management consultants for SmartCity Kochi during its recent board of directors' meeting.  "
		 },
		 {
				"url": "news/07012008.html",
				"headline": "SmartCity Kochi's appointment of Infrastructure Consultants",
				"date": "July 1, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, has today announced the appointment of the multinational Mouchel as the infrastructure consultants."
		 },
		 {
				"url": "news/06282008.html",
				"headline": "Master planner appointed for SmartCity Kochi",
				"date": "June 28, 2008",
				"desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a self-sustained business township for knowledge-based companies, has announced the appointment of Colin Buchanan as the master planners for its upcoming development in Kakkanad."
		 },
         {
                "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/17042008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Malta promoted at OutsourceWorld London",
		"date": "April 17, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity has participated in OutsourceWorld London held on 16th and 17th April, fulfilling its ongoing commitment to promote SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi to attract potential customers and investors. Considered as the premier business trade platform for executives with a need to outsource business services, OutsourceWorld London, puts top-level executives face-to-face with exhibitors who understand their particular needs and have hands on experience delivering solutions and solving problems for companies just like theirs. SmartCity, a global network of self-sustained townships for knowledge-based industries, engaged UK outsourcing companies to expand their business to SmartCity Malta and/or SmartCity Kochi, where they can be in closer proximity to their customer base."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/9042008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Kochi: First Board of Directors' meeting in 2008 held in Kochi",
		"date": "April 9, 2008",
		"desc": "SmartCity Kochi, a self-sustained township for the knowledge-based industry in Kochi conducted its first meeting in 2008 of the Board of Directors at the Taj Malabar hotel today.  The Board met to take stock of the recent developments and to decide on the future course of action."
	},
	{
		"url": "news/11032008.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity Kochi is appointing Master Planners",
		"date": "March 11, 2008",
		"desc": "After months of hype and anticipation the multi-crore SmartCity Kochi project has received a shot in the arm. SmartCity Head Quarters, based out of Dubai has confirmed that they have invited Indian and international master planning companies to submit proposals for SmartCity Kochi's master plan. This step comes after the foundation stone unveiling in November. "
	},
	{
		"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/271207.html",
		"headline": "SmartCity holds its First Board Meeting in Cochin",
		"date": "December 27, 2007",
		"desc": "SmartCity, a self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies located in the commercial capital of Kerala - Cochin, held their first meeting of the Board where both shareholders were present. SmartCity Kochi, a joint venture company promoted by Dubai-based TECOM and the Government of Kerala was recently inaugurated by Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan, the Chief Minister of Kerala. "
	},
	{
		"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/1117207.html",
		"headline": "Foundation Stone for SmartCity Kochi Unveiled",
		"date": "November 16, 2007",
		"desc": "The foundation stone for SmartCity Kochi, the self-sustained knowledge-based industry township being developed in the southern Indian state of Kerala, was unveiled today by the stateOs Chief Minister, V. S Achuthanandan, and representing Ahmad Bin Byat, the Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments, Fareed Abdulrahman the Executive Director of SmartCity. The project is being developed by Dubai-based SmartCity in partnership with the government of Kerala."
	},	
	{
		"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/080907.html",
		"headline": "His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Launches SmartCity's Global Corporate Identity'",
		"date": "September 8, 2007",
		"desc": "His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry for the UAE today officially launched the corporate identity for SmartCity, a new global company which seeks to develop a worldwide network of self-sustained industry townships for knowledge-based companies, based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City."
	},	
	{
		"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. "
	}
];