Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party is very concerned at the alleged spying on political personalities by MITTS personnel. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, stated "Political espionage is something of a very serious nature which, if proven true, could have serious consequences for the proper working of the democratic institutions of our country." Henrik Piski, AD spokesperson on IT, added: "The intrusion of hackers into the network of MITTS is very worrying. All efforts have to be made to restore security and confidence in the government network."

The Food Safety Commission, through the Department for Environmental Health within the Public Health Regulation Division, has been following this issue closely through alert notifications and information disseminated via the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) and the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feeds (RASFF). These networks allow countries to monitor risks presented by food or feed to the health of the consumers. In addition, Malta has also been following any evaluations published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA provides the European Commission with independent scientific advice on all matters with a direct or indirect impact on food safety.The EU has requested the Chinese authorities to confirm that products which have been exported to ... Read more...

The Malta Planning & Environment Authority (MEPA) board has today refused two development planning applications at Ta' Fgieni in Attard. These two planning applications, located in Triq Lorenzo Manche, proposed the development of semi-basement garages and residential units over 3 floors and additional penthouses. Last August, following the scheduling of Villa Bologna, its gardens and boundary walls as a Grade 1 property, the Authority had declared this area as a scheduled buffer zone, in a move to further conserve the Villa Bologna complex. The buffer zone, which extends beyond the two sites in question and includes both Triq Lorenzo Manche and Triq il-Ghenba, now only allows restricted ... Read more...

Provisional estimates show that when comparing July 2008 to the corresponding month last year, the industrial producer price index of the sampled enterprises increased by 12.3 per cent primarily due to higher energy prices. Monthly changes - In July 2008, compared with the previous month, producer prices in total industry advanced by 11.2 per cent. Prices in the domestic market were unchanged for the Capital Goods sectors, Consumer Durables and Intermediate Goods sectors whilst a sharp increases was registered for the Energy sector. A decrease in the Consumer Non-Durables was reported. Non-eurozone as well as eurozone export prices were stable during the comparable months except for a decrease in the Consumer ... Read more...

Gozo Channel Company Limited has announced an extra ferry trip for the Notte Bianca event being held in Valletta this coming Saturday night. In addition to the normal scheduled services an extra trip will be made early Sunday morning leaving Mgarr at 2.15am, and departing from Cirkewwa at 3.00am.

One of the artistic attractions to be found in Valletta on the night of Saturday the 4th of October, is an exhibition of ceramic sculptures by Victor Agius. This show will be held at the Casino Maltese in Republic Str. Valletta (next door to Caffe Cordina), and it will display a collection of sculptures, some of which have been very recently created. This exhibition will serve as an 'anteprima' for a personal exhibition of sculptures which Victor Agius has planned for next November at the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry for Gozo. For more information please contact the artist on 79594508 or visit www.victoragius.com....

As part of the process leading to the drafting of an official document by the Victoria Local Council including proposals for the reform of the Local Governments, the Victoria Local Council is organising a public consultation meeting tomorrow, Friday the 3rd of October 2008 starting at 7.30pm within the Council's administrative building. The general public will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and put forward their suggestions for consideration. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for this reform on a National basis will also be present and together with Mayor Tabone will have the opportunity to put forward their opinions and answer any questons that could arise. The Local ... Read more...

Enemalta have advised that there will be power suspensions in Nadur tomorrow, Friday the 3rd of October, between the hours of 8.00am and 3.00pm. The following areas will be affected by these scheduled power suspensions: Triq il-Qortin, Triq San Blas, Triq Torri Sopu, Triq Wied ir-Rihan, Triq Wied Bingema, Triq Attard Frangisk, Triq Dahlet Qorrot, Triq Ellul Mercer Guze', Dahlet ta' Gazaman, Triq tar-Rdum and Trejqet ta' Xurdin.

St George's Parish Office in Victoria, has produced a special card in colour, on the occasion of a 5th of October commemorative handstamp by Maltapost plc, which commemorates the Golden Jubilee of the official announcement of the elevation of St George's parish church into a Minor Basilica by decree of Pope Pius XII. The handstamp was designed by Anthony Grech, adapting Michael Formosa's 50th anniversary logo. A Maltapost official will be present on this coming Sunday at the St George's parish centre, Charity Street, Victoria. The cards, showing the basilica symbols, can also be purchased later from the parish centre priced ... Read more...