Throughout summer of 2006, the authorities justified the rationalisation scheme to use more countryside for construction purposes by claiming that this would seal shut the development zones and prevent further building Out of Development Zone (ODZ). Before and after this year's general elections, the electorate continued to be promised more environmental awareness and respect, with emphasis on protection of the countryside. Six months down the road and this promise is far from materialising. Over the last six months alone, MEPA approved not less than 318 permits to build structures in the countryside or ODZ, many of which are to be built on fresh agricultural land. Although MEPA regulations stipulate that only ... Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party, said that although it agrees that the pact is 'not enough', it disagrees with those political forces that are insisting that later on this month Malta should not sign the agreement reached on illegal migration and asylum as agreed upon by the 27 member countries of the EU. Stephen Cachia, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party Deputy Chairperson and Spokesperson on Democracy and Civil rights, stated: "We at Alternattiva Demokratika had urged the Maltese government to veto any text if it did not make a specific reference to responsibility sharing and to the restrictive effects of the Dublin regulations." "However, as a result ... Read more...

For the second quarter 2008, the Labour Force Survey showed that there was a statistically significant change in the average employment over the previous year. The Labour Force Survey is an enquiry which is carried out using a random sample of 3,200 private households per quarter. The criteria used for this survey are on the same lines as international methodologies used by ILO as further explained in the methodological notes. All data contained within this release refers to persons 15 years and over. As from 2008, the weighting procedures are based on 2007 population estimates, which are calculated using the Census of Population and Housing 2005 as ... Read more...

Between 2000 and 2007, EU27 trade in goods with India more than doubled in value: exports rose from 13.7 billion euro to 29.5 bn, while imports increased from 12.8 bn to 26.3 bn. As a result, the EU27 surplus in trade with India increased from 0.8 bn in 2000 to 3.2 bn in 2007. This increased surplus was mainly due to a surplus in manufactured goods, which rose from 0.9 bn in 2000 to 4.7 bn in 2007. India accounted in 2007 for 2.4% of EU27 exports and 1.8% of EU27 imports, and was the EU27's 9th most important trading partner. On the occasion of the European Union - India summit, which will take place on 29 September in Marseille in France, Eurostat, ... Read more...

Enemalta have advised that there will be power suspensions in Xaghra tomorrow, Thursday the 2nd of October, between the hours of 8.00am and 3.30pm. The following areas will be affected by these scheduled power suspensions: Triq L-Ghar ta' Xerri, Triq Gnien Imrik, Triq ta' Sansuna and Triq Grech Liberat.

GO said it has cleverly combined its clients' home and mobile Broadband Internet into one versatile cost effective package - Broadband Everywhere. This package gives customers the Best Broadband Experience everywhere - at home and outdoors. It gives users the unique opportunity to enjoy high speed Broadband connectivity combining home and mobile broadband in one package. Go added that for only €30.00 a month customers can enjoy the full benefits of the package, giving up to 8Mbps fixed broadband with 100GB downloads per month and 3.5G (HSDPA) with 3GB monthly downloads. The fixed and mobile broadband connections can be used concurrently. What's more - an ADSL WiFi modem as well as a 3.5G (HSDPA) mobile broadband device will be ... Read more...

Against the background of public statements and meeting sessions (some shrouded in secrecy) and in the absence of any public information exercise, even by MEPA itself, Victor Galea, AD spokesperson for Gozo and general secretary of the Green Party, once again emphasized the unique importance of Ta' Cenc and Government's duty and responsibility to declare this area as an Special Area of Conservation (a zone which qualifies for special conservation/protection measures) and that Ta' Cenc should be included in the EU Natura 2000 list with immediate effect. John Michael Mizzi, AD local Councillor for Sannat, drew attention to the fact that the current incumbent of the ministerial environmental portfolio, ... Read more...

Recently at the second edition of the Junior Live festival 2008 TV show, M-five, a group from Gozo were placed second in category A with their song "HBIEB" (FRIENDS). Joseph Refalo also from Gozo was placed 3rd in category B. Singers aged from 7 to 10 years competed in category A, while those aged 11 up to 15 years participated in category B. This year the semi-final phase was televised live on ONE TV in a weekly TV show, while 12 songs in each category performed by 29 artists competed in the final. ... Read more...