Din l-Art Helwa presented a series of suggestions to the Prime Minister this afternoon, as part of the ongoing discussions on the reform of Mepa. Din l-Art Helwa said it is pleased that the Prime Minister has taken on the reform of Mepa and is giving it the importance it deserves. Whilst accepting that Mepa is in need of structural reform, Din l-Art Helwa believes that the critical issue at this time is a lack of good governance. There have been far too many applications approved which go against Mepa's own policies and good practice, such as the Mistra Village redevelopment, the Mistra bay discotheque, and the Safi supermarket. The structural reform of Mepa is not necessary to address these contentious decisions, as ... Read more...

The Malta Labour Party has said that the proposed extension of the museum of St John's Co-Cathedral was "insensitive". Furthermore, the co-cathedral and its surrounding buildings enjoyed Grade 1 protection. The MLP Environmental Planning Spokesman, Roderick Galdes, who is himself a member of the MEPA board, said the project as proposed would have a major impact on a site of historic importance in what was considered as being a World Heritage Site. "The extensive excavations proposed in this project will create a major precedent for a zone supposedly protected by the Structure Plan and MEPA policies. Among the worrying factors are the very stability of St John's Co-Cathedral as well as underground historic remains." Mr Galdes added that the proposed project ... Read more...

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 4.1% in July 2008 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. It was 4.0% in June. Computation of flash estimates - Euro area inflation is measured by the Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices (MUICP). To compute the MUICP flash estimates, Eurostat uses early price information relating to the reference month from Member States for which data is available as well as early information about energy prices. The flash estimation procedure for the MUICP combines historical information with partial information on price developments in the most recent months to give a total index for the euro area. No detailed breakdown is available. Experience has shown the procedure to be reliable (14 ... Read more...

The euro area (EA15) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.3% in June 2008, unchanged compared with May3. It was 7.4% in June 2007. The EU27 unemployment rate was 6.8% in June 2008, unchanged compared with May3. It was 7.1% in June 2007. Eurostat estimates that 16.322 million men and women in the EU27, of which 11.352 million in the euro area, were unemployed in June 2008. Compared with May 2008, the number of persons unemployed increased by 15,000 and 58,000 respectively. Compared with June 2007, unemployment was down by 0.6 million in the EU27 and remained unchanged in the euro area. Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were registered in Denmark (2.6%) and the Netherlands (2.8%), and the highest in Spain ... Read more...

The volume of emails from Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) supporters objecting to the Planning Applications to extend St. John's museum has caused MEPA's email inbox to jam. "We have received an impressive 450 objections so far, but many more were rejected by the MEPA inbox. We urge those whose objections bounced back to try again now that the jam is cleared" advised Kenneth Borg for FAA. This flood of objections followed FAA's visit to MEPA where the latest updates showed that MEPA was not in favour of the massive excavations planned for St. John's Street and Square, due to the risk to the Cathedral's foundations. MEPA is however prepared to consider the St. John's Foundation application to cover over the ... Read more...

The Gozitan singer, Miriam Christine, has won the first edition of the Malta Hit Song Contest 2008 with the song 'Alone Today' which she penned and composed herself. The Malta Hit Song Contest, produced by Deo Grech and Ray Falzon on behalf of Why Events, was aired on One TV. The festival formed an integral part of the popular Sunday afternoon show, Celebrity Sundays, which began in February. The judges for the final included Mark Andrews (music critic, UK), Michael Bugeja (Music critic - Times of Malta), Lito (Dj on Capital Radio), Norman Cristina (musician, Malta) and Mary Rose Mallia (leading singer, Malta). Jessica Muscat took second place with her entry 'Sweet Temptation' penned by Gerard James Borg and composed by Philip Vella. Talitha took ... Read more...

A number of Gozitan students, parents and guidance teachers attended an information meeting about Career Paths in Agriculture, at the Sir M A Centre for Further Studies in Victoria. This meeting was organised on the initiative of the Ministry for Gozo through the coordination of the Institute of Agriculture within the University of Malta. Dr George Attard, Director of the Institute of Agriculture at the University of Malta, spoke about the opportunities available to those who would like to further their studies in this sector. This also has significant relevance for Gozitan students especially when the potential of the agricultural industry in Gozo is considered within the eco-Gozo context. Courses at the said Institute are open to ... Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika expressed its concern that once again, Malta has the lowest employment rate within the European Union. AD urged the Government to give priority to this issue in the forthcoming budget. Spokesperson for Social and Economic Development Michael Briguglio said:"There are various reasons why Malta has a low employment rate, including a lack of good job opportunities. Related to this is the difference between the minimum wage and certain social benefits is so small that it in the short run it does not pay to enter the formal labour market. Due to this, many workers, also including early school levers, are employed in informal or undeclared work with precarious conditions. For this reason, Government should seriously consider an increase in wages, and in the minimum wage in particular, ... Read more...

Enemalta have advised that there will be power suspensions in Victoria tomorrow, Friday the 1st of August, between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm. The following areas will be affected by these scheduled power suspensions: Triq L-Assunta, Triq Kercem, Triq Portelli Pawlu, Triq Santa Marija, Triq il-Wied and Triq L-Imblokk tal-Francizi.

The Citadel fortifications in Gozo will benefit from a restoration project partially financed through the European Regional Development Fund. Details regarding this project were given during a public meeting organised on St John's demi-bastion at the Citadel. Dr Stephen C Spiteri, Superintendent on Fortifications within the Restoration Unit of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, spoke about the importance and of the Citadel and its role regarding the defence of Gozo as the sole fortification on the island. Ms Ivana Farrugia, architect in charge of restoration works at the Department of Projects and Development within the Ministry for Gozo, explained the procedure to be adopted and the works involved in the implementation of the project. Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, said that ... Read more...