In Brief

At the end of March the unemployment rate in the Balearic Islands stood at 22.41%, which is 2.36% above the national average and the fifth highest in the country.

A total of 127,400 people were without work in the community at the end of the first quarter of 2010, a rise of 14.9% on the figure twelve months previously.

Ferreries bypass to generate 1,100 jobs

The temporary partnership of Ferrovial Agroman and Illes Balears, which won the contract to construct the Ferreries bypass, has set aside 5.2 million euros for labour costs. It is calculated that the project will generate 406 jobs directly and another 731 indirectly.

Although preparatory work has started, construction on the 24.7 million euro project will not begin until the summer and is expected to take until the end of 2011 to complete.

Direct flight to Paris this July and August

Air Nostrum , a subsidiary of Iberia, is to launch a direct flight between Menorca and Orly, Paris, this summer.

Between 4th July and 5th September there will be one flight per week, on Sundays, with an extra flight on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 27th July until 2nd September.

The promotional cost of tickets for the 1 hour 50 minute flight is 199 euros return.

Baleària start new Maó to Barcelona route
From today Baleària will operate a new sea route from Barcelona to Alcúdia and Maó. The ferry will leave Barcelona at 2200 hrs. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, arriving in Maó at 0730 hrs., returning from here at 1000 hrs. to reach Barcelona at 1930 hrs.

Aerial fumigation to start this week

Weather permitting, aerial fumigation will begin this week against the Lymantria dispar, the Gypsy Moth which is currently in the caterpillar stage of life.

Land fumigation started last week around inhabited areas and in the holm oak wood next to the school in Ferreries.

An ecological product, 'bacillus thuringiensis', will be used in both land and aerial sprayings.

Later in the year traps will be hung in the trees to catch the adult moths. In addition artificial nests will be placed to encourage insectivorous birds and also shelters for bats, both of which are natural predators of the Gypsy Moth.

Mozart and Verdi operas this season

The two operas selected for this year's season are: Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" and Verdi's "Ballo in maschera" which will be performed in Maó's Teatre Principal on 12th and 14th June and 3rd and 5th December respectively.

In view of the global crisis, it has been decided that this year, the 39th, there will only be two operas instead of the three which have been staged in recent years.

Cruz Roja Grand Gala in Alaior at end of May

The municipal sports pavilion in Alaior will once again be the setting for the Cruz Roja's Grand Gala which will be held on 29th May, for the fourteenth time.

Among the Spanish artistes helping to raise money for the charity will be dancers, comedians and singers. Tickets will be on sale a fortnight before the show at 12 euros for adults and 10 euros for children.