Alternattiva Demokratika maintains that the agreement reached between the MLP and PN is anti-democratic. It is shameful that the two big parties have agreed to make Gozitan's votes weigh less than those of the Maltese. This so called agreement between Labour and Nationalists with regards to Gozo is a confirmation that both parties do not believe that Gozitans deserve the appropriate representation in parliament. It is evident that in order to suit the two big parties interests, Gozitans will be treated as second class citizens. This is unacceptable in a democracy where everyone should be guaranteed fair representation. Dr.Harry Vassallo, Chairperson for AD said "even though the PN and MLP have agreed to keep Gozo as one district, they are not considering increasing Gozo's representation given the increase in the number of people who will be voting in Gozo". Dr.Vassallo also said ... Read more...

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bethlehem. When I entered the hotel, it was one in the morning. I was weary because of traveling, yet as I went to the wide window of my room overlooking a valley the scene of Bethlehem at that particular moment was really astounding. Then, I did not know in which direction the Basilica of the Nativity was situated, but still I felt that I was standing on sacred ground, for years ago Jesus Christ was born in this particular area. I have to admit that even though this was not the first time that I was visiting the city of David, I still experienced a deep sense of awe! I felt that I had to kneel and adore ... Read more...

The European Commission is reported to be still not satisfied with the level of protection the government is proposing for Ta' Cenc. The Commission's position on the issue was outlined during a seminar in Brussels last week ahead of a decision to be taken next year on the final list of protected areas under the EU's Natura 2000 environment network. The seminar was attended by representatives of the EU Commission, the government and a number of non-governmental organisations. Officially, the Commission was diplomatic in its statement stating only that Malta has still to account in the future for "certain well identified insufficiencies". "The Commission welcomed the commitment of Malta to actively consider the site of Ta' Cenc, currently designated as a Special Protected Area (SPA), to be proposed as a Site of Community Interest (SAC)," it said. However, sources close to the Commission ... Read more...

"The Labour Party has agreed that Gozo should be considered as a single electoral district on condition that there are no changes within Malta?s districts in the coming general election," Dr Sant said yesterday during the last Labour Party political conference for 2006. Dr Sant also announced that the Executive Council and the Labour Parliamentary Group have agreed that if only two political parties are elected within the parliament and one of the parties has a lower seat percentage than the percentage of votes achieved, seats should be increased to reflect the party?s percentage of votes. The Nationalist Party proposed in April that Gozo should be a single electoral district. In July, the opposition voted against a second reading of the constitutional amendment proposing Gozo to remain as a single electoral district. For the constitutional amendment to pass, at least two-thirds of ... Read more...

The new Hyperbaric Unit was inaugurated yesterday morning at Gozo General Hospital by the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi. An area previously utilised as a Laundry, has now been converted to house the sophisticated equipment that will serve to provide emergency treatment to divers suffering from decompression sickness. Decompression sickness is experienced by divers when established procedures to control the varying underwater pressures are not followed. The recompression chamber creates pressures similar to those found under water and slowly diminishes pressure in a way to avoid serious complications. The availability of this facility makes Gozo a safer place to dive in, and therefore more attractive to divers, since this specialised emergency treatment is available in a matter of a few minutes. Decompression sickness can often be fatal for divers. The setting up and installation of a recompression chamber at the ... Read more...

December spells Christmas and in Gozo it triggers off numerous activities that are held in various parts of the island and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Christmastime is the best time of the year and one can celebrate each single day of the month. Already, by mid-December many shop windows are half-empty and this shows the maturity of our people who do their shopping at an earlier date to avoid the final rush hour and enjoy the various festivities without undue hustle. Throughout December the Banca Giuratale in Independence Square becomes the permanent home of Pastores, an artistic crib by Mariorick Mifsud, a budding young artist. On Sunday, at Xaghra Christmas delicacies will be available in front of the parish church. At the Gozo Ministry hall, Colin Attard, leading an orchestra with soloists, conducted the Grand Concert on December ... Read more...

42yr old Anthony Schembri from Hamrun has been sentenced to twelve years in prison for causing the death of 27yr old Gozitan Stephen Sam Portelli after seriously injuring him with a broken bottle in 2001. He was found guilty with six votes against three in a trial by jury which started on Monday and ended this afternoon. He was also found guilty, with eight votes against one, of seriously wounding Karm James Grech, who was aged 17 at the time of the incident. The crime took place in Paceville during the early hours of Saturday the 27th of October 2001, when Anthony Schembri stabbed both men with a broken bottle. Stephen Sam Portelli received a stab wound to the neck and passed away a few days after the incident.

The Gozo Regional Committee of Alternattiva Demokratika is pleased to note that the government has partially implemented AD's policy of reducing ferry fares for visitors to Gozo. "Such schemes should be regarded as an investment to help the Gozitan Economy and it is only socially just that some profits are utilized so that more Maltese would visit Gozo during the winter season" said Victor Galea AD General Secretary and AD Gozo Spokesperson. The provision of a shuttle bus service to and from the airport to Cirkewwa and, preferably to the terminal in Mgarr and finishing in Victoria should be one of the government's foremost and most urgent priorities if the commuting system for locals and tourists alike is to be facilitated. "Add on a luggage check-in and handling service and Gozo will be able to attract some of the independent travellers ... Read more...

The Gozo Business Chamber has issued a statement welcoming the new scheme to reduce ferry prices as an incentive to encourage more people to visit Gozo in the quieter shoulder months. The fact that local hoteliers and restaurateurs participating in this scheme are also offering ticket refunds for clients who spend a certain amount of money, makes this scheme all the more attractive, the chamber said. The Chamber is certain that the Gozo Channel Company can come up with even more ideas and incentives to make Gozo a separate tourist destination, especially in these difficult shoulder months.

The Saint James Hospital Group has opened a rehabilitation centre in Gozo to help those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. The centre, Saint James Anew, is designed to help people who can no longer control their addiction, to the extent that they are harming themselves as well as their families. The opening was officially inaugurated by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono together with the St James Hospital Group chairman Dr Josie Muscat. "We are inaugurating a centre of excellence in the sphere of drug and alcohol misuse, where people will be treated individually according to their addiction, while respecting their anonymity and confidentiality," Dr Muscat said. "We are proud to say that Anew is offering a unique programme that has already captured the interests of foreigners with 40 per cent of its current clients being foreign," he added. Mrs Debono said it was a ... Read more...