International condemnation of hunting in Gozo and Malta  continues, a British Euro MP has now joined the fray with  the following quoted report in the Wigan Today  newspaper. In addition the anti-hunting video shown here, together with comments,  has been posted on You Tube. ?A Wigan Euro MP is backing moves to enforce a ban on  illegal hunting in Malta, giving a lifeline to birds featured in  one of our most famous Christmas songs. Turtle doves, from the 12 Days of Christmas, will not be joining in our festivities as they are too busy basking in African sunshine, but their return migration to the UK is fraught with the danger of being shot by Maltese hunters. Read more...

Once again this year, Ghajnsielem sculptor Joe Xuereb, has donated one of his latest creative works, to the London based organization "Malta Charities Association" which holds activities to raise funds to be distributed to Maltese charities. During the Christmas period, the Malta Charities Association, under the guidance of its chairperson Mrs Madeleine Hladnik, has organized a Gala Dinner at the renowned The Landmark Hotel in London during which event, some works of art donated by Maltese and Gozitan artists were auctioned among those who attended the fund raising dinner. Read more...

The date of the 21st of December 2007 has become another historical milestone for Malta and Gozo - indeed a step further in the process of European integration has been completed. On this date, the smallest EU Member State joined the Schengen area along with another eight EU Member States, namely the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. On this day, these countries lifted their land and sea borders, which mean that persons traveling between these countries as well as these countries and the other Schengen states are no longer subject to border checks. However, the advantages brought about by Schengen accession, which will become even more evident when the air borders are lifted in March 2008, thereby facilitating travel to up to 23 destinations, did not come about automatically. Like the other EU Member States seeking to join the Schengen area, Malta had to undergo a rigorous evaluation process, as Schengen is not just about the lifting of the internal borders, but also about maintaining a high level of security and cooperation between the authorities of the states concerned. Read more...

Rev Nazju Borg is to be installed as the new parish priest of San Lawrenz on January the 13th. Rev Borg is to be installed by Bishop Mario Grech during a high mass, he will then be given possession of the running of the parish. Preparations for the day are already underway and the parish council has met to discuss the programme of activities, and to also ensure that the programme of the Christmas Novena and the Forty hours devotion will be extended to this day, the 13th of January. The Local Council, which now also has its postal branch, is also considering the issuing of an official stamp to commemorate the event.

Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh (Green Youth) feels very concerned about the fact that while Dr Philip Carabott who runs the state's Genitourinary Clinic is emphasising the lack of sexual education in Malta, his voice seems like a cry in the wilderness. Robert Callus, spokesperson for ADZ stated that "according to the Eurobarometer survey carried out in December 2006, 10 per cent of the Maltese still think AIDS cannot be contracted by using a needle after someone who is infected. Another 9 per cent still believe that the virus cannot be contracted by having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive. Many other Maltese are also unaware that other sexually transmitted diseases even exist. The per capita infection with HIV in Malta is worrying, betraying a lack of education on the subject." Read more...

For the convenience of the public in Gozo, the Prime Minister's Visitor's Book, on the occasion of New Year's Day, will be available at the Ministry for Gozo in Victoria as follows: Monday, 31st December 2007 - from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Tuesday, 1st January 2008 - from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m

HSBC Bank is the main sponsor of Il-Festa, an event being organised by the Victoria Local Council to celebrate the New Year and Malta's accession to the Eurozone. The event will culminate with the EURO New Year's Eve Party, which is being staged in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and NECC and will be video-linked live with the festivities being held at Valletta's Grand Harbour. Il-Festa incorporates a varied programme of musical activities which are free of charge, ranging from Christmas carol singing, traditional band concerts to folk and contemporary music, which have been running from Monday the 17th of December. Read more...

The Central Bank of Malta would like to inform the public of the following arrangements over the euro changeover period: The Bank will be closed for business on Tuesday the 1st of January 2008. On Wednesday the 2nd of January 2008, the Bank will be offering a limited service to cater mainly for the exchange of Maltese lira currency notes and coins into euro by the public. On this day, as well as on Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of January 2008, the Bank will be offering this service from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Customers are advised that amounts up to Lm250 will be exchanged immediately, but sums in excess of this amount must be left in custody with the Central Bank of Malta against an official receipt. The actual settlement of the transaction, preferably by cheque, will be executed within 2 working days. Cheques can either be collected personally or else sent by post. Customers who opt to collect their cheque or cash personally will be required to present both the official receipt handed to them by the Bank, as well as their identity card. No charges will be levied for these exchanges. Read more...

BOV has announced that, to-date, it has put over 7.5 million Maltese euro coins into circulation through the sale of euro starter and mini-kits. "In less than a month, we have sold 15,000 retail starter kits and around 80,000 mini kits from our branches," announced John Cassar Torreggiani, Executive Head responsible for the Euro Chageover Programme at Bank of Valletta. Together, these account for over 7.5 million Maltese euro coins that are now ready to start being used as from the 1st January 2008. "Our view is that there is a high level of preparedness amongst the people in general," said Mr. Cassar Torreggiani. "Thanks to the excellent public information campaign which has been undertaken over the past months, and in which BOV ... Read more...

A High Mass, conducted by Bishop Mario Grech, will be held this coming Tuesday, the 1st of January 2008, at the Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Nadur. The mass will commence at 3.30pm. There will then be a Eucharistic procession through the main streets of Nadur which will conclude the traditional 40 hours of adoration called 'Kwaranturi'. For any further information please telephone 21561649 or 21565728.