In Brief

An 83-year old French woman drowned on Saturday afternoon whilst swimming in the sea at Cala S'Arenalet in Fornells. The unconscious elderly woman was rescued from the sea by emergency services but attempts to resuscitate her proved unsuccessful

Three robberies in a month in Fort de l'Eau

Three homes in the Fort de l'Eau area of Maó have been burgled in less than a month. Two of the three were in the same block and it is believed that the burgler entered via a rear patio. The third happened in a block a few doors away.None of the homes were damaged during the burglaries in which jewellery and valuable items were stolen. The State Administration's Island Director, Javier Tejero, announced that suspects have already been identified although all three cases are still open.

Robberies from suitcases at airport

According to a survey carried out by the OCU (Consumers' Assocation) on more than 10,000 travellers at 50 airports around the world, suitcases that have been sealed in order to increase security are 3.4% more likely to be robbed than those that are not protected. One per cent of those questioned had been robbed, the worst airports being Río de Janeira, Ciudad de Mexico, Almería, Lanzarote and Menorca.

Palma to London City Airport with BA

BA CityFlyer, a subsidiary of British Airways, has opened routes from London City Airport to Palma, Mallorca, and Ibiza.

The company has purchased new aircraft, Embraer 190's, for the connections which, during July and August, will be five times a week to Palma (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) and four to Ibiza (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays).

Single tickets start at 81 euros, including taxes, and can be purchased online at ba.com. Also included in the price are in-flight food and drink, online check-ins, luggage check-in and seat selection 24 hours before departure.

Unemployment up 13.9% on last year

Although the start of the tourist season brought employment for 879 people during May and reduced the unemployment figures by 13.9% compared to April, in comparison to last year the number of people out of work has risen by 13.9% to 5,451.

One of the reasons is that during May 2010 6% fewer contracts were signed in Menorca than in the same month last year.

The figures are better than the Balearic averages of a 7.7% drop in unemployment between April and May 2010 and a year on year increase of 16.5%.

Firestone to make way for block of flats

Demolition work started last week on the Firestone building on the corner of calles Josep Maria Quadrado and Sant Esteve. The long-time landmark in Maó will be replaced by a five storey block of flats with commercial premises on the ground floor and a garage on two underground levels.

Although the basic structure of the block will be finished by the end of this year the building will not be totally finished for about two years.

San Felipe Castle brings the 18th century to life

For the third year running dummies and live actors will recreate military life in the 18th century in Es Castell's San Felipe Castle. Smells, dust, gunshots, darkness, cries, voices and silence will add to the atmosphere created by scenes from the past in the underground galleries in a campaign which will run from 15th June to 15th September.

"Così fan tutte" at Maó's Teatre Principal

Mozart's comic opera "Così fan tutte"is being performed at the Teatre Principal in Maó on Saturday 12th and Monday 14th June, both nights starting at 2100 hrs.

The opera, which opens the XXXIX Opera Season, will be performed by the Balearic Symphony Orchestra and the Amics de S'Òpera choir from Maó. Soprano Barbara Frittoli will play the role of Fiordiligi, mezzosoprano Jose'Maria Lo Monaco will be Dorabella, tenor Joel Prieto will take the part of Ferrando, while baritone Alfredo Daza and bass baritone Natale de Carolis will be Guglielmo and Don Alfonso respectively and Gladys Rossi, soprano, will take the role of Despina.