ReachMalta.com

A week ago now, the hunting lobby claimed a major victory – to keep hunting in spring legal. The referendum was won by a slim majority. In a bid to appease the hunting lobby and gain political mileage, the leaders of the main parties expressed their support to retain the status quo, and declared that they would be voting accordingly. Had they refrained from giving the hunters an unfair boost, the result would have almost certainly swayed to the “no” side, finally outlawing the controversial practice of shooting migratory birds in the breeding season, for the sheer fun of it.

That was a sad result for the birds, for Malta, for the environment and for animal lovers everywhere. The outcome made waves in the international press. Many took to Twitter to express their dismay, and many others called for a boycott of Malta as a tourist destination. This would be a blow where it really hurts, as tourism is the economic lifeblood of our country.

They may call it a hobby. In reality, it is unnecessary, senseless slaughter.

The Greeks gate is a secondary access point to the Silent city, by the roundabout just opposite the Domus Romana.
A high-relief half figure of St. Paul, holding a sword in his right hand and a cross in his left hand is located above the arch; below this is the city's Coat of Arms. This leads to the Għarreqin Tunnel – half way through this passage is a bas-relief Madonna and Child. A marble tablet that accompanies this sculpture bears an inscription in Italian which states that Mons. Paolo de Bussan grants an forty-day indulgence to whoever recites a Salve Regina (a Marian Roman Catholic prayer) in front of the image. A candle or two burn in a depression in the wall opposite the sculpture, behind a rusting iron grille.
The Greeks' gate proper is located at a distance of some fifty meters from the exit of the Għarreqin Tunnel. This bears a marble slab above the arch, commemorating St. Paul and records the date of construction of the tunnel. Within this tunnel is a painting by an unknown 19th Century local artist; this shows the Virgin Mary, with St. Anne and the Holy Trinity. Flanking this is an inscription in marble informing passers-by of an indulgence granted by Bishop Antonio Buhagiar. On the inner side of the Greek Gate is a 17th Century painting showing St. Paul Baptising the Maltese. It is difficult to note any detail here due to the intense reflectivity of the glass in front of the painting.