Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, led an AD delegation for meeting with the Womens Confederation on the 3rd of October. Throughout the meeting the local situation of women in politics was discussed. It is estimated that Malta has the lowest number of women involved in politics. Profs Arnold Cassola said that, "Alternattiva Demokratika has been the pioneer in introducing the quota system for women, with an affermative action proviso for women on the party's executive committee since 1989." Commenting on the budget proposals presented by the Malta Confederation of Womens Organisations, AD spokesperson for Health and Social Protection Mary Anne Zammit said," As clearly stated by EuroStat, Malta has the ... Read more...

In September 2008 BirdLife Malta received a Grey Heron and a Night Heron with gun shot injuries to the wings. After being examined by a vet, the Grey Heron had one wing amputated and both birds were given the green light for rehabilitation. The birds took around three weeks to rehabilitate and after that long and intense period, the Grey Heron was released at the Ghadira Nature Reserve and the Night Heron was released at the Simar Nature Reserve. Presenter Moira Delia filmed both releases and will be showing this footage on Puss in Boots on TVM on Wednesday the 8th and Wednesday the15th of ... Read more...

The euro area (EA15) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.5% in August 2008, compared with 7.4% in July. It was 7.4% in August 2007. The EU27 unemployment rate was 6.9% in August 2008, unchanged compared with July. It was 7.1% in August 2007. Eurostat estimates that 16.572 million men and women in the EU27, of which 11.596 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in August 2008. Compared with July 2008, the number of persons unemployed increased by 67 000 in the EU27 and by 90 000 in the euro area. Compared with August 2007, unemployment fell by 225 000 in the EU27 but rose by 272 000 in the euro area. These figures are published by Eurostat, the Statistical ... Read more...

The MEPA board today approved an outline development application for the construction of a micro-enterprise park in the Telgha t' Alla w Ommu area limits of Naxxar. This park is one of the six Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Parks identified by MEPA in the SME subject plan approved in July 2004. This land is surrounded by building industry plants. This decision was taken, as the authority persists in it efforts to keep reducing the number of existing small and medium sized businesses from operating in residential areas. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by nature create an inconvenience and are highly incompatible with residential areas. MEPA remains ... Read more...

In August 2008, compared with July 2008, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.3% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.4% in the EU272. In July3 retail trade increased by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively. In August 2008, compared with August 2007, the retail sales index fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. Monthly changes In August 2008, compared with July 2008, "food, drinks and tobacco" rose by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.3% ... Read more...

The Ghajnsielem Local Council together with the main organisations recently discussed plans and proposals for an exciting project which is being planned for this Christmas... 'Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem.' The whole 'Ta Passi' area will literally be transformed into a 'live crib' and will offer a naturalistic reproduction of the environ of Bethlehem. The works will be managed and overseen by Franco Ciangura. The organisations taking part in this activity are the St Joseph Band Club, Ghajnsielem F.C., the Franciscan community and Ghaqda Drammatika Ghajnsielem. A large tent will also be erected in the parking area adjacent to the St Joseph Band Club premises. The tent will host several cultural activities during the evenings ... Read more...