The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) decided 605 applications in July and received 545 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,835. During July the Authority processed 126 notifications of development, which, according to the Development Notification Order 2001, do not require a formal application. During the same month, 57 Stop and Enforcement notices were issued, 38 in Malta and 19 in Gozo. In July 2008, 53 enforcement cases were closed, 32 in Malta and 21 in Gozo. 40 enforcement cases were sanctioned by the issue of a sanctionable permit. Another 7 cases were resolved since owners decided to remove illegal development and comply with enforcement notice. During the same month 3 cases were withdrawn by MEPA. 3 cases were also closed following ... Read more...

The Malta Labour Party Spokesperson for Health, Dr Karl Chircop, is said to be in critical condition after suffering an internal hemorrhage during the night. Dr Chircop, who is 42 years old, is receiving treatment at the Intensive Therapy Unit of the Mater Dei Hospital. His Family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected, are at his bedside. The MLP Leader, Dr Joseph Muscat, and former MLP Leader, Dr Alfred Sant, visited Dr Chircop in hospital this morning.

Updated: A partnership has been set up, with the view of eventually becoming an EU Leader-approach Local Action Group. The Gozo Action Group is made up of all 14 Local Councils, together with civil society umbrella associations representing the private sector - commercial and voluntary. The official launch of this partnership is set for Friday the 8th of August at Gozo Heritage, 3 Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem, at 9.30am. Full information will be distributed, together with short explanatory speeches by Ministers Giovanna Debono and George Pullicino, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Chris Said and GAG Chairman Dr Joseph Grech. All Gozitans - individuals, organizations, companies and other entities will then be invited to become members. Update: The Gozo Action Group (GAG) have announced that due to circumstances beyond their control the start time ... Read more...

In June 2008 compared with May 2008, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.9% in the euro area (EA15) and by 1.2% in the EU27. In May, prices increased by 1.2% and 1.4% respectively. In June 2008 compared with June 2007, industrial producer prices gained 8.0% in the euro area and 10.1% in the EU27. No specific data was available for Malta in this Eurostat press release. Monthly changes - In June 2008, compared with the previous month, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector rose by 0.4% in both the euro area and the EU27. Prices in the energy sector increased by 2.7% and 3.3% respectively. Intermediate goods gained 0.5% in the euro area and 0.7% in the EU27. In both zones, non-durable consumer goods rose by ... Read more...

Expenditure on social security benefits rose by 13.1 per cent during the first six months of 2008, driven mainly by outlays on pensions in respect of retirement, contributory bonuses and children's allowances. Total expenditure on social security benefits during the first six months this year amounted to €332.1 million, an increase of €38.5 million compared to the same period last year. This increase reflected higher outlays of €27.1 million and €11.4 million on contributory and non-contributory benefits respectively. The increase in contributory benefits was essentially the result of an €18.8 million growth in pensions in respect of retirement, which amounted to €154.6 million during the first six months of 2008. This increase was primarily underpinned by additional outlays amounting to €12.3 million on the two-thirds pension, ... Read more...

The Friends of the Sick and Elderly are holding a Fun Fair Fundraiser at Ramla Bay on Saturday the 16th August between 9.00am - 6pm Instead of their traditional Klondike dig they will be running an all day fair of fun for all the kids to enjoy and participate in. This is how the Fun Fair Fundraiser will work: You simply stand in line, pay your €1 or €2 and have fun playing the many games which will be on offer. All proceeds will be placed in an account for partial payment of well-needed equipment the FSEG need to purchase, which they either rent or loan out to patients returning home from the hospital. A list of all the events and times will be posted outside the main tent for viewing. ... Read more...

The Ghajnsielem St Joseph Band Club Youths, with the help of GSM Youths, will be holding a Disco this coming Friday, the 8th of August from 8.30pm onwards. The Disco is being held in the Disco area adjacent to the Band Club. GordonM and Joe Spiteri from Capital Radio will be entertaining the crowds with a mix of the best of the 80's, 90's and today's music. Another disco will also be held at the same location on Friday the 22nd of August.

The Victoria Local Council has said that it is determined to grab the opportunity presented whereby Government is proposing a complete reform in the Local Council's systems and operations. The council added that it is to be noted that unfortunately for our locality, when the Council allocation formula was drafted, this did not cater for the particular and complex situations of localities like ours, with the result that the elected represetatives lacked the proper resources, especially financial, to rise to the residents expectations. Notwithstanding this the council said, all elected Councils have striven hard, against all odds, to do their utmost in the interest of the residents. The ex-mayors' committee has already met once and discussed the parameters of its role, together with establishing a road map ... Read more...