GozoNews.Com

With 640 votes in favour and 30 against, MEPs have approved a plan to include airlines into a pollution-reducing Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012 in a bid to cut the greenhouse gases emitted by the fast-growing sector, EU Observer reported.

This means that airlines will have to cut their CO2 emissions by 3% in 2012, and by 5% from 2013 onwards. Additionally, they will have to pay for permits covering 15% of their allowances to emit CO2 ? the remaining 85% will be allocated for free.

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HSBC Global Asset Management (International) Limited have announced the launch of three new capital secured funds within its Foundation 4 range. Foundation is designed to protect the initial investment amount and offer returns linked to carefully selected market opportunities. 

The funds are the Global Infrastructure Growth Fund, the Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund and the Food and Water Bonus Fund. 

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On Friday 20th June, Titan, a company within the Mizzi Organisation, celebrated its 40th anniversary in business with a reception party at the residence of the company Managing Director, Chev. Maurice F. Mizzi.

In this event, participating American singer Deborah Harrison entertained the crowd with a number of jazz melodies.

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Vodafone Malta Limited is once again supporting the three-day Malta Jazz & Rock Festival to be held between 18 and 20 July 2008 at the Valletta Waterfront.

Vodafone is giving all its customers the opportunity to purchase a block ticket for the three days and get one free and/or buy one ticket for any day during the Festival and get one free. 

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The Cost of Living is being rivalled with the cost of departing from this life when it comes to media space relating to the Maltese islands as international media, including reuters.com..., commented on the Maltese government?s announcement of liberalising hearses.

The revised policy follows an announcement by transport minister Austin Gatt on Monday and states, among other things, that second-hand hearses will not be issued a license and those vehicles that were manufactured over 20 years ago will not be eligible for renewals.

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Early on Wednesday morning another group of 27 illegal immigrants disembarked in Tower Road, Sliema. The group consisted of men only, according to the police statement.

This is the second group of illegal immigrants to land on Maltese soil in less than a day as on Tuesday afternoon 27 persons disembarked in Xlendi, Gozo

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Malta will be represented by six athletes in the Beijing Olympic Games which will be held between August 8 and 24.

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A group of 27 illegal immigrants have landed in Xlendi, Gozo, the police said in a statement.

The group, consisting of 23 males and 4 women, came on a single boat and were already on land when the police arrived on site at around 1800CET.

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Five men have been sentenced to a month in prison after being found guilty of entering Maltese territory without identification documentation or permission. Another is being held under preventive arrest after denying involvement in human trafficking.

The men were apprehended on Monday morning after their fishing boat was spotted by the Armed Forces of Malta who escorted them ashore in Wied il-Buni Birzebbugia.

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Malta International Airport handled 1.41 million passengers between January and June this year, an increase of 178,462 movements (14.5%) over the same period in 2007.

In the course of a media conference, MIA’s CEO Julian Jaeger analysed the traffic operations during the first half of this year.  Aircraft movements increased by 4.3% whilst the seat capacity surpassed the 2 million figure with an increase of nearly 7%.

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Following the success of Gozo Music Festival 6th Edition, which attracted over 3,500 people from different music backgrounds, the highly anticipated 7th Edition is back on the 23rd of August 2008 at the Gozitan Complex on the main road from the Mgarr Harbour.

The festival, organised by Dynamic Promotions, is sponsored by Vodafone Malta Limited.

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Local businesses should know how to manage debtors in a proactive manner to identify early warning signs and avoid late payments or bad debts.  This, in turn, is conducive to businesses having more time and resources to build solid, long-term relationships with good customers. 

This was discussed during a conference on Practical Credit Management organised by the Malta Association of Credit Management (MACM).

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The President of Malta, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami launched the traditional Ball of the August Moon which will be held on the evening of Saturday 2nd August, 2008 at Verdala Palace.
 
The President of Malta urged the general public to attend this annual event, the proceeds of which will go entirely towards the Malta Community Chest Fund.

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Alternattiva Demokratika ? the green party, has welcomed the fact that the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development agreed to draw up proposals on how the government could ease the burden on families caused by the water and electricity surcharge and the general increase in prices.

AD Chairperson Arnold Cassola said that the tackling of the increased cost of living is one of Alternattiva Demokratika's priorities.

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The Baseball National team will be participating in the CEB (Confederation of European Baseball)  Division Championship held in Antwerp, Belgium between the 9 July and 12th July 2008.

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The Basketball women's national team had a great start in the FIBA Europe Division C championship in Luxembourg with a 55-80 win against Albania.

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Tickets are selling fast for Winter Moods’ concert happening on Wednesday 9th July at the Valletta Waterfront. Priced at only 10 Euros, thousands of tickets have already been sold, and a further rush for last minute tickets is expected in the next three days.

Hailed as the biggest local concert of their career, this event has kept Winter Moods very busy in recent weeks. The band is known to have been working on their set list meticulously, whilst being involved in all minute details related to the show.

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A 49 year-old man is in danger of losing his life after suffering grievous injuries when he fell from a height of less than a storey whilst assisting other workers in Qormi.

The man, 49, from Imsida was assisting fellow workers conducting works in Triq tal-Handaq, Qormi when the incident occurred. The men were operating a forklifter.

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Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has said that he is willing to discuss any subject which enhances democracy in Malta such as the right to vote of those Maltese living abroad.

 

He stated this in reply to Dr Joseph Muscat’s letter sent to him on Monday outlining a number of proposals aimed at strengthening democracy.

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Malta Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat has written to the Prime Minister proposing a number of initiatives with the aim of strengthening democracy.

The letter states that “despite the government’s attitude towards the opposition and several social partners, the MLP was ready, in the national interest, to embark on measures to strengthen democracy.”

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