Nature Trust (Malta) and Din L-Art Helwa welcome MEPA's decisions to extend habitat protection to the whole of Ta' Cenc and including the whole plateau, and also declare Wied Moqbol and Benghajsa Point as protected areas within the Natura 2000 Network. Thanks to their enjoying a Natura 2000 status, these sites are now included within a network of protected areas across the European Union. Ta Cenc, Wied Moqbol and Benghajsa sites are very important coastal habitats, hosting communities of sea birds protected by the EU Birds Directive. Furthermore, the Ta Cenc Plateau is very rich in biodiversity on account of the large variety of flora found in the area of the site, as well as in archaeological treasures. All these ... Read more...

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, was reconfirmed vice-President of the Political Bureau, during the 36th General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe, which was held in Aquitaine, France between the 2nd and 3rd October. The Minister for Gozo participated in this assembly during which various themes were brought for discussion from a regional perspective. The debate also had the participation of authorities and experts in their respective fields, including the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Dr Joe Borg, representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament and Regional Authorities. The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) was set up in 1973 with ... Read more...

HSBC Bank Malta has announced that as a result of the ECB interest rate change, it is reducing its Home Loan Base Rate (HMLR) from 4.25% to 3.75%. The HMLR is the base for the banks variable mortgage lending. Reflecting the prevailing market conditions, HSBC has also adjusted its base rate for all other lending to 3.95%. These revised base rates are effective as from this coming Monday, the 13th of October 2008. HSBC has also reduced its savings rates in line with the ECB rate cut, with the exception of the HSBC On Line Savings Account which remains at 3% p.a. The bank said that this is in line its policy to encourage the use of electronic banking and its ... Read more...

The Ramblers Association of Malta has said that it notes with satisfaction that NGOs and private citizens pleas regarding squatters are finally being heard. The Association added that the general public cannot but be grateful to the Government Property Division of the Lands Department, and in particular to Parliamentary Secretary Dr Jason Azzopardi, for the recent eviction actions taken against the squatters at Bahar ic-Caghaq and Ghajn Tuffieha. RAM concluded by saying that it of course expects that this reclaimed land will now be open for all the public to enjoy and that similar action is taken against ALL other areas occupied by squatters, including Armier. ... Read more...

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, which is observed every year with the aim of raising public awareness on mental health issues. AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said, "the promotion of mental health is important if we want to promote a better quality of life for everyone. The chosen theme for this year by the World Federation for Mental Health is: making mental health a global priority. It is time to reflect and look toward the future, and to make mental health a priority, by looking at what needs to be changed and what needs to be done to improve mental health services ... Read more...

Following the success achieved through an orientation visit programme involving the collaboration of the Gozo College administration, during which over 1200 Gozitan students participated in orientation visits to the Gozo Public Library, this invitation was renewed to all Head of Schools in Gozo at the start of the current scholastic year. The first visit in this year's programme was held on Tuesday 8th October 2008, for which students attending Year 6 at Mattew Sultana Primary School in Xaghra, visited the Public library in Vajringa Street, Victoria. In his introductory speech, a library official explained the aim of these visits, giving details of the various library facilities while he stressed the importance for ... Read more...