In the footsteps of St. Paul Dear brethren in the Ministerial Priesthood, in Consecrated Life, and in Baptism. When St. Paul lost his way in the Mediterranean Sea and was shipwrecked on an island called Malta, his misadventure was translated into a grace for us. St. Paul's Shipwreck among us had the providential effect that we, from a very early stage, were able to receive the good news of the Gospel and to come to know our Lord Jesus Christ. As from that time, we always considered this as a blessing and a privilege. The Christian faith has always been intertwined with that which gave us our identity as a people and nation. For this reason, we welcomed with joy Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to celebrate, together with the universal Church, ... Read more...

The New York Times Frugal Traveler series featured Gozo and Malta in its Wednesday edition, the article was accompanied by a slideshow and video. The full text of this interesting article relating directly to Gozo is quoted below and at the bottom of the page is a link to the full article, slideshow and video. "My first day, for example, I walked out of Number 43 and into the heart of Qala (pronounced A-la), which like all Maltese villages centers on a magnificent Catholic church. Across from the church was Ta' Vestru (5, St. Joseph's Square, 356-2156-4589), where I ate rabbit stew, a Gozo specialty made from the meatiest bunny I've ever encountered, larded with carrots and peas, braised in red wine ... Read more...

All NGOs in Gozo are invited to the NGO Centre at Triq il-Madonna tar-Rummiena, Xewkija, on Thursday the 3rd of July at 10.00am. Voluntary Organizations Commissioner Prof Kenneth Wain, with legal consultant Dr Max Ganado and other officers, will be explaining the new legislation, including the filling in of application forms. The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, will also be announcing a new Ministry office to support EU funds sourcing.

Work is currently being carried out at the premises of Radju Lauretana to construct two studios. Both studios are to be sound proofed and live programs will be able to be transmitted from both. The larger studio can also be used for recording purposes. Everything is being prepared in readiness for Sunday the 3rd of August when the Festa Schedule kicks off with a bang. Tuesday the 5th August will mark the first birthday of Radju Lauretana and will be an open day when everyone is invited to visit the studios, participate in the live programs and contribute financially towards the running of the station. Thanks went out to all the volunteers who are busily preparing their programs. Heartfelt thanks also went to all Ghajnselmizi who ... Read more...

FACE (The Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation in the EU) has embarked on a European project, Promoting NATURA 2000 & sustainable wildlife use (hunting & angling). The project included the organisation of four regional workshops / training sessions in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. One of them - namely the Mediterranean Workshop - took place in Arosio, Italy (near Milan) on the 18th - 19th of June 2008. This workshop covered Portugal, France, Italy and Malta. The workshop aimed to raise awareness on the role hunters and other wildlife users (e.g. anglers) can and should play in the identification, designation and, above all, the management of NATURA 2000 sites. Additionally it wants to increase understanding among a wide range of stakeholders (conservationists, ... Read more...

The Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Policy, Mr John Dalli, today launched a White Paper titled 'Rent Reforms - The Need for Reform' for public consultation. At the launch of the White Paper, the Prime Minister stated that the undertaking of the pre-1995 rent reforms was one of the objectives stated by the President of Malta in the opening of the 11th Legislature. The Prime Minister stated that the need for reform of the pre-1995 rent laws was a necessary prerequisite both in terms of securing a functioning rental market as well as in rectifying injustices towards landlords arising from laws introduced in a different era for legitimate specific purposes but no longer relevant in today's circumstances. The Prime Minister emphasised that the reforms ... Read more...

Arnold Cassola, Alternativa Demokratika Party Chairperson, is asking the Maltese government to abolish the air departure tax with immediate effect. "It is shameful that, despite the fact that the European Commision has long decreed that this tax is illegal, the government of Malta intends keeping it in place for another 4-5 months. Rather than a victory for citizens' rights, this is taking people for a ride," said Prof. Cassola. "Moreover, it seems government's intention to keep in place the departure tax levied on passengers using the boats to Sicily even after November. This tax must go too". Arnold Cassola also saluted the Maltese and foreign citizens, as well as FATTA, for having lodged a complaint with the European Parliament Petitions' committee. "We at AD kicked off the process with a complaint to the European ... Read more...

Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport hailed the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and encouraged the Maltese and Gozitan community to engage in such a dialogue with all people, coming into Malta to live or on holiday, from a multitude of different countries with different cultures and identities as this will enhance knowledge and strengthen solidarity between peoples. The Minister launched the summer instalment of Taste a Shared Culture (Ghidli x'hobz tiekol.) organized by St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity as National Coordinating Body of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in Malta. As part of the 5 senses creative project, through Smell and Taste a food exhibition aims at making a trip to the supermarket a journey of ... Read more...

Triq il-Wileg in San Lawrenz recently saw the first layer of tarmac in its history, this work brings up to standard all of the roads of San Lawrenz which are in the competence of the San Lawrenz Local Council. Works on the road are progressing rapidly, in the meantime maintenance on rubble walls is being done together with the cleaning and rebuilding of the existing water culvert. This has been covered with iron gratings to eliminate the dangerous state it was in before. As soon as all these works are fully completed, the final layer of tarmac will be laid to complement the rest of the roads. Although this road is not in the centre of the village, it is quite a busy road as it joins the ... Read more...

Din l-Art Helwa has joined the chorus of welcome on the decision of the Mepa board to revoke the outline permit to build an open air disco outside the development zone in Mistra Bay, on the grounds that environmental concerns and requirements were not adequately considered. Din l-Art Helwa also urged the Mepa board to reconsider the validity of another controversial permit, to allow a large supermarket to be built outside the development zone in Safi, which had been recommended for refusal by the Planning Directorate on environmental grounds. The Mepa Audit Officer had described the granting of this permit as "grossly irregular". There were no justifiable planning reasons why the board had gone against the recommendation of the Directorate on this decision, said Din l-Art ... Read more...