The fuel surcharge for the months of October and November is to remain unchanged at 50 percent, after the Government decided to make good for a pending increase of 32 percent. According to a statement issued by the Ministry for Investments, Industry and IT, the price of oil has increased significantly during the past months due to a number of factors, with the price of unrefined oil reaching record levels in the past days. In view of these increases and to reflect the price at which Enemalta Corporation purchases the oil, the fuel surcharge should have been increased to 83 percent. Read more...

The open letter to the Malta Labour Party by James A. Tyrell (Gozo News, 26th September 2007) deserves some reflection. First of all, I do not accept Mr. Tyrell's excessive comments about politics and politicians. Politics is not about "exploitation", as Mr. Tyrell states; my experience so far is that politics is a noble service that entails a lot of family hardships and personal sacrifice. The last thing on the mind of honourable politicians like Dr Sant is the "screwing" of people, especially at election time. Mr. Tyrell may have grown accustomed to the screwing antics of the party in government over the past several years, but then that should be another valid reason to vote Labour in the next election. We are the party of change. Read more...

On their recent visit to Rome, The Schola Cantorum Jubilate attended a ceremony at the Vatican. The ceremony started with a reading from the Gospel and later the Pope addressed the audience with an overview of his seventh international apostolic journey to Austria which he had just returned from. After the speech, the delegates introduced the congregation, including the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, to Pope Benedict XVI. The choir performed the first part of 'Tu es Petrus' by Lorenzo Perosi, the Pope looked on as the choir sang their hymn and later applauded. Read more...

The Health Division has issued a reminder to the public of the need for them to arrange their annual vaccination against the flu from mid-October onwards. The vaccine will, as usual, be offered free of charge to all residents of homes for the elderly, persons over 55 years of age, and those who suffer from chronic illnesses such as heart problems, diabetes, HIV and AIDS. Recent medical certificates need to be presented when requesting the vaccine for such chronic illnesses. Read more...

Monsignor Carmelo Refalo, Archpriest of Xaghra has announced that Canon John Bartolo has been chosen as the new Rector of the Church of St Anthony the Abbot. Canon Bartolo takes over from Canon John Sultana who was recently appointed as the new Parish Priest of Kercem. Canon Bartolo had previously been the Rector of St Anthony The Abbot's Church for 23 years, from October 1974 to June 1998.

Enemalta have advised that there will be power suspensions in Ghasri tomorrow, Monday the 1st of October, between the hours of 8.00am and 2.30pm. The following areas will be affected by these scheduled power suspensions: Triq il-Fanal, Triq ta' Ghammar, Triq Maxrabija, Triq it-Tamar, Triq tal-Fanal, Triq il-Lanterna and Triq tal-Gallina.

Full details of tomorrows funeral of the former Archpriest of St George's Basilica Mgr Salv Borg have just been published. The earthly remains of the Archpriest, clothed in sacred vestments, his hands holding a rosary, will tomorrow be transferred from the Gozo General Hospital to the Church of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, where prayers will be held until 4.50pm. The Collegiate Chapter and clergy of St George's Basilica, presided by Archpriest-elect Mgr Paul Cardona, will then accompany the coffin along Republic Street to Independence Square and into St George's Square, in the traditional cortege that will include the immediate family and other mourners. Read more...

In a Press Conference held in front of the offices of the Broadcasting Authority, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo said that an application for a television licence had been filed with the Broadcasting Authority and that the Broadcasting Authority has requested additional information and has indicated that it would issue a letter of intent once this information is supplied. "In view of these developments and because of the urgency of the matter Alternattiva Demokratika is today announcing the issue of a tender for the supply of services in connection with a cable television broadcasting license" Dr Vassallo said. He added that Alternattiva Demokratika had chosen to proceed in this manner in order to ensure that the broadcasts under the license would be at arm's length from the party. Read more...

The environment NGOs Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, NatureTrust Malta, Friends of the Earth (Malta) and Ramblers Association of Malta welcome the decision that a MEPA hearing is to be held to discuss the withdrawal of the permit to build 23 villas with pools overlooking Ramla l-Hamra, Gozo. The verdict to stop any project in the area will be considered a mature decision as only in this way can environmental responsibility be shown and development-free zones maintained for future generations to enjoy. Ramla Bay is a site of ecological and scenic importance designated as a Natura 2000 site and each citizen should be proud that such sites are now considered of EU importance. Read more...

A report issued by BirdLife Malta shows that local and international birdwatchers witnessed 209 incidents of illegal hunting and trapping during the two week long Raptor Monitoring Camp that came to an end on Sunday, September the 23rd. These incidents included 109 protected birds being shot at which in many cases led to the injury or killing of these species, including 42 Honey Buzzards (Kuccard), 15 European Bee-Eaters (Qerd in-Nahal) and 13 March Harriers (Bghadan Homor). Additionally, the birdwatchers observed a minimum of 39 protected birds in flight with gunshot-related injuries. These injuries involved either dangling broken legs or clearly visible gunshot damage to the wings. Read more...