Air Malta's flights to Brussels KM 420/1 are currently being affected by the strike action at the Brussels' airport handling company, Aviapartner. The strike action is seriously disrupting operations at the airport where several airlines have cancelled or re-routed their flights to alternative destinations. The strike action commenced abruptly and without prior announcement minutes before the landing of Air Malta's flight to Brussels last Sunday. Air Malta passengers just arriving on this flight were unable to reclaim their luggage at the airport while the luggage of the departing passengers on the return flight was not uplifted. Air Malta made arrangements and has since distributed the luggage to its customers both in Malta and in Brussels. Negotiations continued yesterday (Monday), however, since no resolution was forthcoming Air Malta operated ... Read more...

A 29-year-old Kercem man, Adrian Vella, has been arraigned in Court in Gozo accused of raping a woman and holding her against her will. The incident is alleged to have taken place in Kercem on Sunday. Mr Vella plead not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody after bail was refused by the presiding Magistrate Paul Coppini. Magistrate Coppini also ruled that the victim's name should not be published. Inspectors Louise Calleja and Frank Tabone are prosecuting the case.

There were three fatalities in the second quarter of 2008, two males and one female. In the second quarter this year, the number of reported traffic accidents reached 4,073, an increase of 37 cases over the same quarter last year. The Northern district was the only one which registered a decrease in traffic accidents. The Northern Harbour district registered the highest number of accidents - 1,565 cases, or 38.4 per cent of the total. In the period under review, 313 traffic casualties were reported. Of these, 194 drivers sustained injuries: 156 suffered slight injuries, 35 suffered grievous ones, while the injuries sustained by three drivers proved fatal. During the same period, 32 other persons - 14 passengers and 18 pedestrians - suffered grievous injuries, while ... Read more...

Paul Falzon, a young promising artist from Gozo, has just returned from an intensive course in oil painting at the internationally renowned Art Institute Lorenzo de' Medici, Florence. Falzon was born in 1983 and is a graduate in History of Art from the University of Malta. Falzon needs no introduction with the local community. He executed a series of banners depicting the life of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Xewkija. These bedeck the village streets during the feast in June. He is especially admired for a gigantic representation of the Baptist that is over six metres high and that embellishes the village square during the same festivities. A number of portraits ... Read more...

On Saturday 16th of August, Bank of Valletta employees will be taking part in a 'Dress Down Day' being held in aid of charity. During this day, BOV employees will be reporting to work in informal wear, with the main objective being the raising of funds for a charitable institution. For this occasion, BOV employees participating in this initiative will be collecting funds, with the proceeds going towards the Malta Community Chest Fund. Customers of Bank of Valletta are being invited to support this initiative either by visiting one of the Bank of Valletta branches and making a donation in the appropriate collection tins, or by ... Read more...

This weeks 12th of August edition of The Maltese Herald Gozo section is now available for download by clicking here. Previous editions are also available by clicking on this link. The story covered in this weeks issue is: The tragic 1551 siege of Gozo was aptly commemorated on the exact date and location by the launching of a book by well known Gozitan poet Ganninu Cremona. The book, entitled L-Assedju ta' Ghawdex 1551 - Ballata was launched during a soiree' on Saturday 25th July being the 457 anniversary of the event on St John's demi bastion in the Cittadella.

Enemalta have advised that there will be power suspensions in Ghajnsielem and Kercem tomorrow, Wednesday the 13th of August, between the hours of 8.00am and 12.00pm. The following areas will be affected by these scheduled power suspensions: Ghajnsielem: Triq Ghajnsielem, Pjazza Madonna Ta' Loreto and Triq Perellos Ramon. Kercem: Triq Ta' Doti, Triq L-Ghadira, Triq Klula, Triq Qasam San Pawl, Triq Santa Lucija, Triq is-Santwarju Puniku, Triq Bir Rix, Pjazza Santa Lucija and Triq Qasam San Gorg.