Bishop Mario Grech has appointed Fr Gerard Buhagiar of Xaghra, previously assistant head of the Minor Seminary in Gozo, as Vice Rector of Ta' Pinu Basilica. In 1980, Fr Gerard joined the Major Seminary and was ordained priest by Bishop Cauchi at the Cathedral on June 27th 1987. He went to Rome to further his studies whilst occupying the post of vicar at the parish of the Nativity. He obtained his licentiate and doctorate in Theology after having specialised in Marian studies from the Universita Pontificia Marianum in Rome. He obtained a diploma in Liturgy from the Liturgical Pontifical Institute of St Anselm, and another diploma in Christian Archaeology. In July 1996, Bishop Cauchi offered him the post of vice-rector of the Major Seminary. At the same time he also taught at the seminary for minors, of which he was assistant headmaster.

The government has confirmed that, as proposed in November, the fuel surcharge will decrease by 5.5% to 54% for the months of January and February next year. The new rate will take effect from the 1st of January 2007. The Malta Resources Authority also said that as Enemalta had fixed the prices of Unleaded Petrol, Lead Replacement Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Light Heating Oil until February 2007, their prices will remain unchanged until the end of that month. Unleaded Petrol will remain at Lm 0.42c6 per litre and Lead Replacement Petrol at Lm0.45c6 per litre, Diesel will stay at Lm 0.38c9 per litre.

Provisional estimates for 2005 by the National Statistics Office indicate that Gozo?s contribution to national Gross Domestic Product at market prices is 6.2 per cent or Lm120.9 million. Gross Value Added (GVA) for Malta grew by 3.8 per cent in 2005, while that for Gozo went up by 3.7 per cent. Service activities contributed positively towards Gozo?s GVA, whilst industry, including energy and construction, registered a decline. Employment in industry, including energy and construction, declined in both regions. The gross value added at basic prices for Malta stood at Lm1,565.8 million in 2005, an increase of 19.3 per cent over the 1999 figure. In Gozo, gross value added stood at Lm103.4 million, up by 18.5 per cent over the six-year period. The share of Gozo?s contribution to the national agriculture and fishing sector amounted to 15.2 per cent in 2005, confirming Gozo?s ... Read more...

One of the two 17yr old Xaghra youths seriously injured in a traffic accident last Thursday has sadly passed away. The youths were riding a scrambler motorcycle which was in collision with a Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle in Xaghra. Because of their critical condition both youths had been transferred by helicopter to St Lukes Hospital in Malta.

The Xaghra Christmas Village which had to be postponed twice because of bad weather, is taking place this morning in Victory Square between 8am and 1pm. There will be exhibitions of cribs, paintings, sculpture and crafts related to Christmas, choir singing and music. A variety of stalls will be selling traditional Christmas food and gifts.

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In his Christmas and New Year message, Bishop Mario Grech said the crib of Bethlehem reminded him of a school where the boy Jesus grew in wisdom and grace. "I pray," the bishop said, "that the light shed by Christ will enlighten our conscience, so that we will arrive at the right decisions." Apart from the individual conscience, there is the conscience of the family, the conscience of society and the conscience of the state. The bishop said he prayed for the family so that "each family will throw its windows and doors wide open" welcoming the light of Christ. "I am not thinking only," Mgr Grech said, "of established families, but also of those families that for some reason or other cannot be together to enjoy the happiness of Christmas. Families hit by mourning, or sickness, and where harmony reigns no more. "I ... Read more...

The Universal feast of Christmas brings around many activities: fund raising activities, dinners, parties, traditional food, decorations but above all, it brings music. Music is that thing which is heard everywhere or we may say, is the common thing in all places decorated for this festive season. It is in the streets, in the houses, in the shops, in the churches. The Xaghra Local Council is keen to contribute to the Christmas events in its locality. On Thursday 28th December 2006, it will be presenting a Christmastide Concert, Gloria in Cielo, at the Basilica of Marija Bambina in Xaghra, Gozo. The concert is being held under the auspicious patronage of the President of Malta, Dr. Edward Fenech Adami. During the soiree?, a collection will be held in aid of the Community Chest Fund Malta. The Council is grateful for the invaluable support ... Read more...

Two 17yr old youths are in critical condition after a traffic accident in Xaghra yesterday afternoon, they were riding a scrambler motorcycle which collided with a Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle. They were rushed to Gozo General Hospital where they were found to be suffering life threatening injuries and were subsequently transferred by helicopter to St. Luke?s Hospital in Malta for further treatment. Duty Magistrate Paul Coppini has appointed various experts to assist in an inquiry and Police investigations are continuing.

The first phase of work to reconstruct the road between Mgarr and Ghajnsielem is expected to be completed by the end of February, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said yesterday. Mr Mugliett was speaking during a visit to Gozo?s main traffic artery, which is one of two projects that are being co-financed by the European Union. Mr Mugliett added that this project was crucial to Gozo?s development plans. "This project is part of the Ten-T network and links the port of Mgarr to the capital Victoria and continues through to the other end of the island, meaning that it is an important tool in developing Gozo?s tourism product," Mr Mugliett said. The road will be 2.4 kilometres long and is being financed by the government of Malta and a 4 million Euro grant from the European Union?s cohesion fund. Work currently underway ... Read more...