The launch of the Gozo Action Group (G.A.G) Foundation as a public private partnership in Gozo was officially announced today. The foundation's main aim is that, through its establishment, Gozo may be able to participate in the LEADER Project - a new approach for the Maltese Archipelago that can be implemented under the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013. The GAG Foundation is the result of a consultation process between local stakeholders that started in 2006, which included several meetings with national and international experts. The Ministry for Gozo said it was instrumental in the foundation of GAG, by providing services through the NGO Centre in Xewkija. The GAG is a non-profit foundation composed of Local Councils representatives, NGOs, ... Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika has said that it is four-square behind the call of Sliema residents, NGOs, and councillors in favour of an appeal by Sliema Local Council against MEPA's decision in favour of the development at Fort Cambridge. AD's Sliema councillor Michael Briguglio said, "A number of councillors including myself are proposing that Sliema Local Council appeals against MEPA's decision because it violates the development brief. The development brief states black on white that the development at Fort Cambridge should not exceed 16 storeys, yet MEPA is now permitting development of 20 storeys." Briguglio added that the attitude of MEPA's board regarding Fort Cambridge is very disappointing. "First MEPA had refused to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment, but then changed its mind after it was pressurised by the ... Read more...

During our meeting of Thursday, 7 August, 2008, we evaluated the discussion taking place in the country regarding marriage and the family. This situation, which developed after the last general elections, leads us to make the following considerations. 1. The Church, in her reflections about the human person, and strengthened by the Word of God, believes that marriage and the family are of fundamental benefit for the individual and society. 2. The Christian community may and should give its contribution in this discussion because the human person is the way of the Church. For many years it was the Church alone that offerred formation and accompanied the couples in their experience of marriage and the family. It was also the ... Read more...

Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in June 2008 stood at €91.8 million, down by €14.4 million from the same month last year. There was a decrease in imports of €46.1 million and a decrease in exports of €31.6 million. The decrease in imports was mainly due to fuel and lubricants and industrial supplies. Machinery and transport equipment, mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials and miscellaneous manufactured articles accounted for the decrease in exports during June 2008 when compared to the same month last year. During the first six months this year, the visible trade gap widened by €40.5 million, to stand at €652.6 million. This came about because of a decrease of €41.9 million in imports and a decrease of €92.4 million ... Read more...

Gozo SPCA took the most momentous step forward since its foundation in 1976, by recently signing up as a Welfare Associate with The Blue Cross. The two organisations are aware that all of the animals abandoned on Gozo are unwanted owned pets; therefore they are now working together on a ground-breaking project to set up a neutering programme for owned pets on Gozo, which is being substantially funded by The Blue Cross. The Blue Cross is famous as Britain's pet charity, helping thousands of sick and homeless pets and horses across the UK every year. Originally known as Our Dumb Friends' League, the charity was established in 1897 by a ... Read more...

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, has recently inaugurated a photo exhibition entitled 'Sailor Style' by John McRae. The Maritime Museum in Sydney, Australia approached Mr McRae to provide images for an exhibition they were staging about the image of the sailor as he appears in art, fashion and film. His holiday in Malta in 2003 gave him the idea of capturing the images they needed. The models that appear in the photographs are all Maltese, either living in Malta or visiting at the time for a holiday. The exhibition is being held at the the Banca Giuratale, which is situated in Independence Square, Victoria. The exhibition is running up to the 24th of August. The opening hours are 8.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Saturday and 9.00am to ... Read more...

For the 11th year running, Bank of Valletta teamed up with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna on the 'Hands on Heritage" Education Programme, a hands-on programme for school-children aimed at raising awareness on Malta's rich cultural heritage. The "Hands-on-Heritage" Programme sees schoolchildren visiting one of the Foundation's sites such as Fort Rinella, Malta at War Museum, Kordin III prehistoric temples, the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barracca Gardens and Notre Dame Gate in Vittoriosa. During these visits, specially trained animators take the role of teachers to engage the students in a number of practical sessions meant to help them understand the more complex elements of our history and heritage. Michael Galea, Executive Head CEO's Office at Bank of ... Read more...

Ramblers Association of Malta learns with pleasure, from James Debono's interview with Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi (Malta Today, Aug 3, 2008), of government's intention to restore the land at Ghajn Tuffieha, currently occupied by the derelict and offensive Riviera Martinique structure, back to its original state, namely absolutely free of any buildings. This is the way forward with this type of structure built on public land and now abandoned. Structure Plan policy CZM 3 supports this move: "Public access around the coastline immediately adjacent to the sea or at the top of cliffs (including in bays, harbours, and creeks) will be secured. This will include taking shorelands into public ownership, Government acquisition of illegal developments and encroachments, and suitable construction works." RAM ... Read more...