'L-Ingassa' is the latest production of the Ghaqda Drammatika Xewkija, a theatrical group within the village of Xewkija. Even though the Ghaqda Drammatika Xewkija produced quite a large number of productions, 'L-Ingassa' is the very first original production which was written and produced by the same Ghaqda. 'L-Ingassa' goes back to March 2008, when the Ghaqda came up with the idea to develop an original production. As weeks passed, this original piece of work became a reality and it was produced for the first time last Sunday the 2nd of November at Teatru Govanni Centru Parrokjali Xewkija. Don Luciano, one of the most powerful mafia bosses of the 1970's in Sicily, manages to ... Read more...

The Commission has just adopted the multiannual programme under the European Refugee Fund 2008-2013 for Malta for an estimated amount of €4.8 million, together with the annual programme 2008. Vice President, Jacques Barrot, responsible for the Justice, Freedom and Security portfolio, welcomed the adoption of the first multiannual programme for the implementation of the European Refugee Fund. "The launch of this multiannual programme constitutes the expression of the financial solidarity of the European Union towards a Member State like Malta, which is faced with significant challenges in this area." Malta has chosen to focus on the three strategic priorities foreseen for the Fund, namely. A. Implementation of the principles and measures set out in the Community acquis in the field of ... Read more...

BirdLife Malta has announced that Is-Simar (Xemxija) and Ghadira nature reserves will open to the public from Saturday till the end of May next year. Ghadira and Is-Simar nature reserves will be open between 10:00 and 16:00 during weekends. The two ecologically important salt marshes are managed as nature reserves by BirdLife Malta and have been designated as internationally important Ramsar sites under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance. Both reserves have also been given the status of Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation under EU nature conservation directives. The reserves are rich in endemic plants and insects and are the only places in the Maltese islands ... Read more...

Provisional data for international trade show that the visible trade gap in September 2008 stood at €159.6 million, up by €74.5 million compared to the same month last year. There was an increase in imports of €64.0 million and a decrease in exports of €10.5 million. The increase in imports was due to fuels and lubricants, capital goods and consumer goods. Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, beverages and tobacco and miscellaneous manufactured articles accounted for the decrease in exports during September when compared to the same month last year. During the first nine months this year, the visible trade gap widened by €134.2 million, ... Read more...

Agriculture in Gozo will receive a boost through a BOV-sponsored conference that will have agriculture in Gozo as its main topic of discussion. This conference is being organized jointly by the Gozitano Co-operative and the European Commission (DG Agri), and is being held at the Teatru Astra Conference Centre in Victoria, Gozo between today and Sunday. Jack Theuma, Manager at Bank of Valletta's Gozo Branch discussed the Bank's involvement in the conference with Dr Joseph Grech, Manager of Gozitano Co-operative during a courtesy visit to the Gozitano centre. "Bank of Valletta will shortly be launching a new agricultural financing package for all agricultural projects and rural development eligible for EU funding for the programming ... Read more...

After going through the budget, Nature Trust (Malta) welcomes the Budget 2009 incentives with regards to environment issues. The 2009 budget has finally focused on some of the most pressing environmental concerns such as climate change, renewable energy, waste products, air pollution, end-of-life and green practices. On the other hand issues like a budget vote for Nature protection, environmental law enforcement, addressing the construction and demolition waste and national energy grid feedback incentives have been left out again. The budget has been positive as regards its incentives, especially those for the small and medium-size enterprises in connection with encouraging the use of renewable energy, with a vote of 33 Million Euros to aid in the changeover to such environment-friendly energy. The households ... Read more...

GO said it is once again the official telecoms provider for l-Istrina and for the ninth consecutive year has pledged its full support to L-Istrina - Malta's favourite fund-raising campaign scheduled this year for the 27th of December. GO prides itself in being one of L-Istrina's longest-standing partner and supporter and in fact has just presented the Community Chest Fund with a hefty donation of €32,000 from call charges waived by GO during last year's edition of L-Istrina. Apart from being the official telecoms provider for l-Istrina, GO offers its support by waiving call charges and other fees connected with donations made by phone during the huge fund-raising initiative. Last year alone GO provided its man ... Read more...

MaltaPost has announced that a Temporary Branch Post Office will be set up at the Ballroom of the Hotel Phoenicia, Floriana between Friday 7th and Sunday 9th November, during the opening hours of the MALTEX philatelic exhibition organized by the Malta Philatelic Society. The Temporary Branch will be open between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm today and Saturday, and between 9.00 am and 12.00 pm on Sunday. Services on offer at this Temporary Branch will include the sale of stamps and postal stationery and other postal services. All mail posted at this Branch will be cancelled with the MALTEX special cancellation inscribed "MALTEX 2008, 7-9 November, Hotel Phoenicia - Floriana, Malta" and will carry the logo ... Read more...

On Wednesday 29th October H.E. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, President of Malta, presented this year's Gieh Ghawdex awards to Miss Maria Attard, Mr. Joseph M. Attard Tabone, and Chev. John Portelli. Ms. Attard, Director of the Dar Giuseppe Debono was awarded the Gieh Ghawdex Award in recogniton for her work in the social field, which among other things includes her unstinted support to unwed teenage mothers. Mr Joseph M. Attard Tabone was awarded the honour in recognition for his life-long untiring crusade in favour of the protection of Gozo's archeolgical heritage. It was through research carried out by Mr. Attard that the site of the Gozo Stone Circle could be located. Chev John Portelli was awarded the Gieh ... Read more...