The European Commission has proposed a wide-ranging energy package which gives a new boost to energy security in Europe, supporting the 20-20-20 climate change proposals which should be agreed by December. The Commission puts forward a new strategy to build up energy solidarity among Member States and a new policy on energy networks to stimulate investment in more efficient, low-carbon energy networks. The Commission proposes a new EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan which sets out five areas where more action is needed to secure sustainable energy supplies. The Commission also looked at the challenges that Europe will face between 2020 and 2050. In addition, a package of energy efficiency proposals aims to make energy savings in key areas, ... Read more...

Rules governing the size and shape of fruit and vegetables will be consigned to history after European Union Member States has voted on Commission proposals to repeal specific marketing standards for 26 types of fruit and vegetables. The Commission's initiative to get rid of these standards is a major element in its ongoing efforts to streamline and simplify EU rules and cut red tape. For 10 types of fruit and vegetables, including apples, strawberries and tomatoes, marketing standards will remain in place. But even for these 10, Member States could for the first time allow shops to sell products that don't respect the standards, as long as they are labelled to distinguish them ... Read more...

Preliminary results from a Public Attitude Survey that was commissioned by the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) earlier this year reveals that 70% of respondents stated that they sometimes purchase products with less packaging in order to reduce the problem of waste whilst 89% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed to restrict car use when air quality emission exceed health limits. "These preliminary results provide us with important baseline information about public concerns and aspirations. This is crucial for MEPA due the importance of public participation involving all sectors and players of society, both in ... Read more...

In 2007 in the EU27, the employment rate was 72.5% for men and 58.3% for women, compared with 70.7% and 53.6% respectively in 2000. This means that employment rates for both men and women have increased over this period, and that the difference in rates between men and women has narrowed from 17.1 percentage points in 2000 to 14.2 pp in 2007. Largest gap in employment rates between men and women in Malta, smallest in Finland In all Member States, the employment rate for men was higher than for women, both in 2000 and in 2007. The evolution of the gender gap was not uniform; the gap decreased in nineteen Member States between 2000 and 2007 and increased in the remaining ... Read more...

Malta has the 23rd most consumer friendly healthcare system in Europe, according to the 2008 Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) launched today in Brussels. This is three steps down from last year's 20th position and a much poorer performance than the 13th rank in 2006, placing Malta on a declining trend. The Netherlands lead the 31 country ranking with a score of 839 points, followed by Denmark (Diabetes Index winner in 2008), Austria (EHCI winner in 2007), Luxemburg and Sweden. In six categories, covering 34 performance indicators, Malta scores 532 points out of a potential 1,000. Remarkable for Malta is that they scored better in the two diagnoses Indexes in 2008, cardiovascular healthcare and diabetes. "As Malta ... Read more...

The Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs through 34 U is yet again embarking on a tree planting weekend from the 14th to the 16th of November at Ghajn Tuffieha. This event has a dual purpose: to promote the importance of trees as part of our environment and also to encourage people to adopt a tree in sites earmarked for afforestation purposes. During the last four years, more than 50,000 trees have been planted under this scheme. Tomorrow, Friday the 14th of November has been earmarked for participation by local schools while the 15th and 16th from 9:00am to 4:00pm will be available for the general public. During this 3 day event the Ministry is not only organising a tree planting exercise but also preparing a ... Read more...

The first Mediterranean Gastronomical Encounter was organised over the weekend in Gozo. This encounter represented a feast of typical Mediterranean gastronomy. Gastro Gozo 2008 was organised through the collaboration of the Gozo Council for Culture and the Arts within the Ministry for Gozo and the Associazione Tipico of Abruzzo in Italy. This first of its kind initiative served chefs, manufacturers and producers of typical foods, tourist operators to join administrators from the two organising regions who were promoting typical foods of their respective regions. The opening ceremony, which was presided by the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, was initiated by a concert by Chorus Urbanus at the ... Read more...

The CATHOLIC ACTION organization in Gozo is organizing another in the series of Socio-educational Talks in Maltese held at its Headquarters (Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria). On Tuesday the 25th of November at 9am, well known TV presenter Ms Joyce Cassar - in charge of the Caritas supoport group headquarters - will be discussing the "Secret for Strong Families". Everyone is invited to attend this useful and interesting occasion.

Melita and its popular football programme SCORE, are offering a once in a life time opportunity for some lucky viewers to watch Portsmouth's League and UEFA Cup matches taking place later this month. Melita will be sending two lucky winners and their guests to watch Portsmouth's League home match against newcomers Hull City at Fratton Park and Portsmouth's home UEFA Cup match (group stage) against AC Milan. These matches will be played on the 22nd and the 27th of November, respectively. A special VIP treatment awaits the lucky winners prior to the matches. Winners and their guests will have access to the Partner's Lounge, which is reserved for the team's commercial partners, where a small party is normally held ... Read more...

Following the anticipated announcement of the Tourism Grant Scheme for Tourism Enterprises by Government, Bank of Valletta is issuing a Tourism Financial Package as part of the Maltese EU Structural Fund for the programming period 2007-2013. The Tourism and Sustainable Development Unit (TSDU) within the Office of the Prime Minister has allocated over €10 million under this initiative. The BOV Tourism Financing Package is composed of both bridge financing and co-financing at advantageous interest rates to match the proposed Grant Scheme. In support of this, Bank of Valletta and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Sustainable Development Unit within ... Read more...