The fuel surcharge on electricity bills for August and September has been set at 50%, which is up by 5% over the months of June and July. Unleaded and lead replacement petrol prices will remain unchanged for August at Lm 0.49c3 and Lm0.46c3 per litre respectively. However, the price of diesel will increase by Lm 0.00c6 from Lm0.41c9 to Lm0.42c5 per litre and kerosene will go up by Lm0.00c7 from Lm0.41c7 to Lm042c4 per litre. Read more...

Moviment Graffitti has said that as it is not being officially consulted with regards to the 'Nature and Heritage Park' project at Xaghra l-Hamra, it is hereby publicising its proposals and position regarding the project. The Moviment suggested that; ? This project should serve as a good practice example of the beauty of the local natural habitat for the whole of both Gozo and Malta. ? The project should be truly utilized for the common good by not being run by a private entity. Read more...

Fondazzjoni Kenn u Tama is currently raising funds to purchase a house in The Old Kent Road, London, England. The house is to be used to provide cheap accommodation and support to Gozitan and Maltese families when specialist operations and medical assistance are required by a family member. Donations, which will be greatly appreciated, may be made by contacting Father Mikiel Xuereb on telephone 21552390 or on mobile 99866673.

"Why is Gozo so insistent upon destroying all that is good upon the island? The development over the last ten years has been so frightful, that we have now reached the stage where we suggest to our friends that they should not go to the island anymore, but should find holiday spots which are more genuine and less spoilt by over-development (and less expensive). Gozo, the island that commited suicide!" This view of Gozo was expressed recently by a foreign visitor, it is a view which is becoming all too prevalent amongst the visitors to our island. They complain about the construction which is taking place everywhere they go, about the noise, heavy traffic and pollution which invariably accompanies such construction works, and also about the hunting and trapping which prevents them from properly enjoying what is left of our dwindling countryside. Read more...

The Sannat Residents Group have written to the Director of Environment Protection at the Malta Environment Planning Authority to request a postponement of the consulatation period on the proposed Ta'Cenc development. The group said that whilst they have many concerns and objections to the proposals, they have written to highlight what they term as misinformation on the MEPA website and the notices on the site. They said that the English version of the website refers to PA 05277/06 and that this application number on the website search engine leads to a development in Marsacala. Read more...

Simultaneously with the detailed report submitted by Perit Lino Bianco to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, MEPA, earlier last week, requesting the revocation of outline planning permit for the development of villas instead of Ulysses Lodge at Ramla Bay, Gozo, another report was submitted by the same Perit Bianco with respect to the full permit. The report with respect to the full permit states that MEPA has effectively granted the erection of villas on a public right of way, property which was declared to be in the ownership of the applicant. The report includes proof that the property is public and includes a copy of the application of the Lands Department to register government property in the area. Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika has described the government's pre-budget document as disappointing. "We have the customary rhetoric about Gozo, which Gozitans have become accustomed to ignore. There is no alternative economic vision for Gozo. Indeed the pre-budget document admits to the dependence of the island on the building industry. With this government, Gozo is locked in a downward spiral of political patronage, economic dependency on government employment and environmental degradation resulting from over-development." Read more...

The Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost is issuing a special Occasion Card to commemorate a scouting activity known as the Scouting Sunrise. This activity is being organised by the Scout Association of Malta, and will be held at the Floriana Granaries on the 31st July and 1st August. This event is being celebrated in all scouting countries and territories worldwide, and will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the world organisation of the Scout Movement (1907 - 2007). Read more...

As the sun set on the cliffs of Ta' Cenc last Saturday, a scene unfolded that few in Gozo or Malta have had the privilege of watching, mostly because few are aware of the natural phenomenon that lies in our midst. Read more...

Victor Galea - AD Spokesperson for Gozo Citizens believe themselves to be free; that on Election Day they exercise their right to vote for whomever they truly want, but in reality, this is often far from the case. Many are enslaved by fears of the past; fears which critically condition the way they think about the present. Like tiny spiders, these fears creep into the corners of their mind, weaving cobwebs, influencing the way they perceive the present. But enslavement to the past may otherwise manifest itself: some are enslaved by loyalties to ancestors, who always voted 'yellow', and therefore feel that by voting likewise, they somehow redeem their forefathers' debt. Read more...