The U.S. ambassador to Malta has upset the State Department by devoting so much time to writing and speaking about faith-related issues, according to a report from the department’s inspector general released last week.

A delegation from Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja, Kalkara, recently attend­ed the second day of the Novena in the parish of St Joseph in Valguarnera, Sicily, as part of the liturgical feast of St Joseph.

There has been a lot of debate about the City Gate project by architect Renzo Piano. Will it disturb the historic majesty of Valletta or will it, like the futuristic pyramid of I.M. Pei at the Louvre in Paris, become an iconic monument for the city − a 21st century brand beacon?

Malta's contribution in overseas development aid was superior to that provided by many countries which joined the EU during the same enlargement with Malta. Deputy Minister Tonio Borg told Parliament yesterday that Malta's contribution at 0.19 per cent of the Gross National Income (GNI) for 2008 was far superior to the contribution made by Estonia, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. The aid for 2009 amounted to 0.17 per cent of the GNI. The aid was both in cash and in kind.

Maltese and foreign diplomats will be exploring innovative ways of how modern technology can facilitate diplomacy in international relations in a conference, which will be held in Malta today and tomorrow. According to the Foreign Ministry, the Malta conference on e-diplomacy will discuss the ways in which information technology in general and the internet in particular are influencing and changing diplomatic tasks and the conduct of international relations.