Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party congratulated the trade unions taking part in tonights historic demonstration on the utility bills issue, adding that unions should build on this and aim to form a united Trade Unions' Council. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, stated: "Following the historic agreement by the different unions to unite on the electricity tariffs issue, the time is now ripe for the Unions to sit around the discussion table and hammer out an agreement on the formation of a Trade Unions' Council." Michael Briguglio Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on Social and Economic Development added: "Through a trade unions council, workers' and employees' rights can be defended and promoted through a collective movement ... Read more...

This morning, Ambassador Walter Balzan and Ambassador Sean O'Huiginn, on behalf of their respective Governments, signed in Rome the Convention between Malta and Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tonio Borg said that following long and intensive technical negotiations Malta and Ireland have finally succeeded in reaching an agreement on this Convention. He said that the signing of this instrument is an important development in the bilateral relations with Ireland which will be of benefit to both countries and which consolidates further Malta's network of bilateral tax agreements ... Read more...

MaltaPost p.l.c would like to inform the general public that tomorrow, Saturday the 15th of November 2008, between 8.30am and 12.30pm, their mobile retail branch will be stationed in Ghajn Tuffieha during the 34U national tree planting campaign. The mobile retail branch will have for sale the 34U Commemorative Miniature sheets. The branch will also be open for all postal services, including the payment of bills.

The Euro Area has now suffered it's second quarter of negative growth, putting it officially into recession. GDP declined by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA15) and the EU27 during the third quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. In the second quarter of 2008, growth rates were -0.2% in the euro area and 0.0% in the EU27. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27 in the third quarter of 2008, after +1.4% ... Read more...

Expenditure on social security benefits rose by 10.1 per cent during the first nine months of 2008, driven mainly by outlays on pensions in respect of retirement and children's allowance. Total expenditure on social security benefits amounted to €471.7 million during the first nine months of 2008, up by €43.3 million over the same period last year. This reflected mainly higher expenditure on contributory benefits amounting to €27.9 million. Noncontributory benefits rose by €15.3 million. The increase in contributory benefits was essentially the result of a €23.4 million growth in pensions in respect of retirement, which amounted to €223.3 million. This increase was primarily underpinned by outlays on the two-thirds pension, in part reflecting a rise in the number of beneficiaries. Pensions in respect ... Read more...

In October 2008, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices increased by 1.07 per cent over the previous month, rising from 110.98 to 112.05. This was primarily caused by an increase of 8.9 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to the introduction of new stocks in the market. The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index went up by 5.8 per cent, mainly on account of water and electricity tariffs. An increase of 5.3 per cent was registered in the Education Index, due to higher school and private tuition fees. Seasonal increases in the prices of fruit and vegetables caused the Food and Nonalcoholic ... Read more...

The court in Gozo yesterday acquitted a priest of indecently exposing himself to a Swiss woman at Dwerja. The priest pleaded not guilty to the offence which Helena Wiser alleged had taken place last September whilst she was walking along the cliffs at Dwerja. Ms Wiser was on holiday from Switzerland and during her walk at Dwerja was frightened by a man who she said had exposed himself to her, she ran for help to an italian couple but they did not understand her. Ms Wiser then approached an ice cream seller, who when a man driving a car was pointed out to him took the car registration number as the car drove away. However, Ms Wiser could not positively identify ... Read more...

Avenues of Ambiguity is the title of artist John Grima's fifteenth personal exhibition being held between today, the 14th of November, and the 2nd of December at the Contemporary Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts in South Street, Valletta. The exhibition of abstract paintings will be inaugurated by the Hon Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister. Mr. Dennis Vella, Curator Modern and Contemporary Art at Heritage Malta will introduce the works. The exhibition will be open daily between 9.00am and 5.00pm (last admissions 4.30pm.) Admission is free. An illustrated brochure will be available from the venue. The exhibition is being supported by GO, Bank of Valletta and Gato Negro.

Six years ago, Schola Cantorum Jubilate, wanted to present a Christmas Concert with a difference…and the idea was welcomed by the audience who kept attending, year after year for the magical soiree of 'Carols by Candlelight'. Each edition was always presented in different ways and probably that is what makes it so much acclaimed. Historically, 'Carols by Candlelight' knows its origin to the radio veteran Norman Banks who organized the first-ever 'Carols by Candlelight' on Christmas Eve in Australia . As Mr. Banks was returning home after a late-night radio shift (in 1937), he noticed an elderly woman sitting up in bed ... Read more...

The European Commission has adopted an amending proposal to the Savings Taxation Directive, with a view to closing existing loopholes and eliminating tax evasion. Since 2005, the Savings Directive ensures that paying agents either to report interest income received by taxpayers resident in other EU Member States or levy a withholding tax on the interest income received. The Commission proposal seeks to improve the Directive, so as to better ensure the taxation of interest payments which are channelled through intermediate tax-exempted structures. It also proposes to extend the scope of the Directive to income equivalent to interest obtained through investments in some innovative financial products as well as in certain life insurances products. ... Read more...