Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH) used public funds on luxury cars and apartments, sources told The Malta Independent on Sunday.Sources told this newsroom that VGH had spent funds given by the government on Mercedes cars as well as high-end apartments i...

The Police Force aims to keep theft crime low and not allow it to return to 2019 levels, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa has told this newsroom. Gafa was interviewed by The Malta Independent on Sunday over the news that the police received a tot...

We are fast approaching election day, with all the buzz that it brings with it. Now that the date has been announced, the countdown has started.All elections are unique. They are all held in different political and social circumstances, many of which...

Three election surveys published on Sunday show drastically different results.A survey commissioned by MaltaToday shows that the gap between the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party has shrunk. "An election held now will see the Labour Party winnin...

Over the previous years, without a doubt one has been exposed to statistics which show a steady decline in people who were unemployed, were reliant social benefits and also those at risk of poverty. The Malta Independent on Sunday interviewed the Min...

Asked to speak about the mental repercussions the Covid-19 pandemic has left on women, Dimech Sant said that through a series of surveys the foundation has conducted, it was found that women take on more caring and household responsibilities. “...

The Electoral Commission notified the public that for those persons whose name appears in the Electoral Register published on 25 February 2022, subject to additions, deletions and corrections ordered by the revising officer, voting document...

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the economic and social life of many people. To no surprise, the creative sector was one among the many affected by the pandemic, worldwide.Speaking about the challenges faced by the industry on a local...

Street fighting broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city Sunday and Russian troops put increasing pressure on strategic ports in the country's south following a wave of attacks on airfields and fuel facilities elsewhere that appeared to mark ...

The European Union joined much of the Western world this week and announced harsh sanctions against Russia, which has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Aggressive measures were needed because, as many global politicians put it, Putin has &ldq...

 The United States and European nations agreed Saturday to impose the most potentially crippling financial penalties yet on Russia over its unrelenting invasion of Ukraine, going after the central bank reserves that underpin the Russian economy ...

LONDON — Britain’s defense ministry says overnight fighting in Kyiv was less intense than the night before, but battles are raging in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv.The U.K.’s Ministry of Defense has been posting intel...

Valletta: New British Dispensary, 109/110, St John Street; Ħamrun: Cosmed Pharmacy, Soccors, 7 Franciscans Street in Villambrosa Street; Qormi: Anici Pharmacy, Anici Street; Birkirkara: St Jude Pharmacy, 213, Valley Road; Msida: Regional Pharmac...

Over 70% of respondents in a survey conducted by The Malta Chamber feel that the European Union is not conscious enough of the logistical challenges Malta faces as a small peripheral island state. The topic was debated at a conference on Friday morni...

A man has died after being run over by a car this morning, the police said.The accident took place at 9.30am in Mdina Road, Mriehel, close to the Farsons factory, in the direction towards Fleur-de-Lys.The man, a 50-year-old from Balzan, was hit by a ...

Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Saturday that Gozo will not be left behind in the green initiatives put forward for the next legislature stating that “we have just scratched the surface in this regard.”Speaking in Rabat, Gozo, Abela m...

PN Leader told supporters in Gozo on Saturday that he had kept his word to take the party to an election fully prepared, just as he had kept his word to unite and regenerate the Nationalist Party. Speaking in Xaghra, Grech also said the PN has put fo...

The Labour electoral manifesto promises a mechanism that will grant additional supplementary funds to pensioners where necessary, Minister for Finance Clyde Caruana said on Saturday during a press conference.He explained how this new mechanism will e...

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is still raising enthusiasm in the Labour fold, as he is endorsing candidates contesting in the upcoming election.Muscat, who resigned in 2020 after his office was linked with the assassination of journalist Daphne...

Roman Abramovich symbolically diminished his status as Chelsea owner by appearing to take himself out of the decision-making process on Saturday after facing calls to completely give up control of the Premier League club following Russia’s inva...

In a stadium in northwest England, two Ukrainian footballers on opposite teams embrace prior to kickoff, before being brought to tears as teammates line up for a match wearing tops displaying the Ukraine flag and the message: “No War.”An ...

Dušan Vlahović scored twice as injury-depleted Juventus won 3-2 at Empoli on Saturday to move to within seven points of Serie A leader AC Milan.Vlahović netted his first goal on the stroke of halftime after Szymon Żurkowski had ...

Malta's bishops have focused on mercy in this year's message for Lent.In their pastoral letter, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi highlight the importance of showing mercy to others, particul...

Champions Hamrun Spartans played for an hour with ten men but still managed a deserved scoreless draw against Hibernians. For Hibernians this was another setback after suffering their first defeat against Birkirkara seven days ago.Floriana moved to t...

Ninety-six new Covid-19 cases have been reported, with one more death, health authorities said in their daily update.The latest victim is a 65-year-old man, with the number of deaths now reaching 602.Thirty-four people are in hospital with the virus,...

Kyiv residents braced Saturday for another night sheltering underground, as Russian troops closed in on Ukraine's capital and skirmishes were reported on the outskirts. Ukraine's leader, meanwhile, claimed the country's forces had repulsed the Russia...

Poland’s refusal to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine gained wider support when Sweden followed with its own plans to protest to FIFA on Saturday.Polish soccer federation pr...

BERLIN — In a significant shift, the German government confirmed Saturday that it has approved the shipment of anti-tank weapons to Ukraine and supports some restrictions of the SWIFT global banking system for Russia.The German economy and clim...

Christian Eriksen returned to competitive football, 259 days after a cardiac arrest during a European Championship game for Denmark, as a second-half substitute for Brentford against Newcastle on Saturday.The stadium in west London united in applaudi...

A woman was grievously injured on Saturday morning after she was hit by a car, the police said.The accident happened in St Thomas Street, Fgura, at 11am.The woman, aged 62 of Marsascala, was hit by a Peugeot driven by a 26-year-old man of Qormi.

Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg wants plans for development in the area known as Hondoq to be scrapped too“After the Marsascala marina was scrapped Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg asks the authorities to put an end to plans for a marina and tourist complex...

Russian President Vladimir Putin is the latest target of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, with the United States, Canada and European allies announcing they are adding direct measures against him and his foreign minister. Russia warn...

More than 200 people who work in European Union institutions in Luxembourg have been disenfranchised due to the government “forgetting” to organise flights for early voting, Nationalist Party main spokesman Peter Agius said.Yesterday, det...

With an investment of €6 million, Water Services Corporation (WSC) is carrying out works related to the New Water Network in Gozo, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli said. The New Water project is being expanded across Malta and Gozo to support  ...

Arnold Cassola, Independent candidate on the 10th and 11th districts announced that he was authorising the Commissioner to make available to journalists Cassola's tax returns going back 5, 10, 20, even 30 years, if requested.In a press conference out...

On Thursday, the Nationalist Party approved and published its manifesto for the 2022 general election – a manifesto containing over 550 measures spread across 200 pages.The PN has taken the decision to base its manifesto on a principle called E...

Prime Minister Robert Abela has pledged that the government will keep energy prices stable, 'no matter what happens'.Abela addressed a Labour Party activity upon his return from meeting with EU leaders over the Ukrainian crisis.Ukraine is a primary e...

Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital early Saturday, and street fighting broke out as city officials urged residents to take shelter. The country's president refused an American offer to evacuate, insisting that he would stay. &ldquo...

Transport Malta’s Director of Enforcement, Clint Axisa, has been arraigned in court under arrest, charged with sexually harassing employees and committing an offence that he was duty bound to prevent.At the end of the 45-minute sitting, Axisa w...

Prime Minister Robert Abela has already shattered Malta's reputation, but he is now playing with the country's safety and security as well because he fails to stop selling Maltese citizenship to Russians, PN leader Bernard Grech said on Friday.Addres...

A number of NGOs held a protest outside the Russian embassy in Malta on Friday night, as the Russian Federation continues with its invasion of the eastern European country of Ukraine.A significant number of people turned up, and many Ukrainian nation...

EU Parliament President Roberta Matsola has called for further sanctions to be placed on Russia, including its exclusion from the SWIFT system.Countries have imposed a number of restrictions on Russia, however have not yet excluded Russia from SWIFT,...

The Qortin rehabilitation project has been completed and another area has been turned into a green space for the people of Gozo and the general public. This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and...

The European Broadcasting Union says that Russia will not be allowed an entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.The union said in a statement Friday that given the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry would bring the...

Russia was stripped of hosting the Champions League final by UEFA on Friday with St. Petersburg replaced by Paris, and Formula One dropped this season's Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, as the invasion of Ukraine drew punitive measures in the sporting wo...

Serie A leader AC Milan and defending champion Inter Milan were held to draws by opponents in the lower half of the standings on Friday.Italy Under-21 left back Destiny Udogie equalized with his first Italian league goal as Udinese secured a 1-1 draw...

The programme for Pope Francis’s short two-day stay was published by the Vatican on Friday.The Pope will depart from Fiumicino Airport in Rome on Saturday 2 April at 8.30am, to arrival in Malta at 10am. He will be greeted with a welcome ceremon...

80 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported by health authorities, with no new deaths being added to Malta’s tally in the last 24 hours.88 people have recovered from the virus, taking the number of active cases down to 725.45 patients are curre...

Yurii Zhyhanov woke before dawn to his mother’s screaming and found himself covered in dust. On the second day of Russia's invasion, shelling on the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, struck their residential building.Many civilians, h...

PN leader Bernard Grech has appealed to Prime Minister Robert Abela for the country to stop accepting all applications for citizenship from Russian individuals.Grech expressed solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens.Speaking in an interview wi...

5.2% of people in Malta consider themselves to be ‘very racist’, a survey has revealed.The survey, commissioned by the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Wellbeing and carried out by Sagalytics, interviewed 600 people aged 16 ...

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has urged European countries to close golden passports loopholes which are allowing Russians to gain more than a foothold in Europe.In her speech to the European Council on Thursday, Metsola said that &ld...

It has been a long time since the threat of using nuclear weapons has been brandished so openly by a world leader, but Vladimir Putin has just done it, warning in a speech that he has the weapons available if anyone dares to use military means to try...

Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War...

By the end of January 2022, the Government’s Consolidated Fund reported a deficit of €66.2 million, the NSO said Friday.In January 2022, Recurrent Revenue amounted to €352.1 million, 19.7 per cent higher than the €294.0 million r...

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced that Malta will send humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people through a Civil Protection mechanism.The process used by the Civil Protection Department, through which Malta assists foreign countri...

981,993 guests spent time in collective accommodation establishments in 2021, the National Statistics Office said, which is an increase of 39.1% over the same period in 2020.Such establishments include hotels, guesthouses, hostels and tourist village...

The Electoral Commissioners notified voters who shall be abroad up to the 18 March 2022 and who shall be unable to vote on the 26 March 2022 due to hospitalisation or travel abroad, that arrangements were made for them to be able to make the sworn de...

MOSCOW — The Russian military claims it has taken control of an airport just outside Kyiv, as Kremlin forces bear down on the Ukrainian capital.The claim could not be independently verified.Taking possession of the airport in Hostomel, which ha...

During a business breakfast held by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, a strong discussion occurred in favour of collaborating to fight the insularity problem Malta faces at a European level.Kicking off the discussion, Malta Chamber of Commerce President...

Fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and milk produced by Maltese locals will be given emphasis under a new Nationalist government, said PN leader Bernard Grech today in Imġarr.Grech said that farmers, fishermen and villagers have constantly seen co...

World leaders Thursday condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as “barbaric” and quickly slapped heavy sanctions on the Russian economy, President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and many of the country's oligarchs.“Putin chose this wa...

After months of defending the project and hinting that the government would steamroll ahead with the development, the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that the proposed Marsascala marina has been scrapped. The country breathed a collective sigh of...

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said that major social partners have endorsed a document it drew up outlining the governance priorities needed to ensure the preservation of what's left of Malta's environment, heritage and especially, quality of...

The Nationalist Party has launched its manifesto for the upcoming general elections during the party’s general council on Thursday night.The 200 or so page document sets out the party’s vision for the country across 30 points which encaps...

PN leader Bernard Grech has said that a change in vision for the country can only be achieved through a change in government, and that the PN is best place to offer that change.Grech was speaking at the party’s general council which on Thursday...

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne took aim at the Nationalist Party’s proposals, stating that they are effectively “debt directives” which will negatively affect the country’s finances. Fearne stated that the Labour Part...

A Transport Malta official has reportedly been arrested by police over allegations of sexual harassment.MaltaToday quoted sources on Thursday, saying that the official – who was described as being close to the Labour Party – was arrested ...

More restrictions are to be eased as from 7 March as Malta gets on with its Covid exit roadmap, Health Minister Chris Fearne said Thursday.Addressing journalists during a press conference which involved the inauguration of another health centre in G&...

Barcelona found its scoring touch again to reach the round of 16 of the Europa League with a 4-2 win over Napoli on Thursday, while Rangers knocked out Borussia Dortmund in Glasgow.Frenkie de Jong scored with a long-range curler and newly signed stri...

The PN’s proposal to give a second chance to people who commit a contravension is in line with what the courts already do with some serious offenders, depending on circumstances, PN Leader Bernard Grech said on Thursday.Speaking in Birzebbugia,...

The government will be cushioning any increase in the prices of oil and gas that may come as a result of the Ukraine crisis, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has announced.In a video on social media, Caruana referred to the invasion of Ukraine by Russa...

The United States is worried that Russia might be attempting to use Malta as a naval base “for its malign activities in the Mediterranean region”, a report in The Telegraph says.The report, “Why Vladimir Putin is taking his big gamb...

95 new cases of Covid-19 were registered on Thursday, while 106 people recovered.This brings the number of active cases down to 733.There are 44 patients with Covid-19 at Mater Dei Hospital, three of whom are in the ITU.No new Covid-related deaths ha...

Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee. Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a "ful...

It was not a surprise that some Nationalist MPs withdrew their candidacy for the upcoming election. The internal strife that the PN continues to face did not subside with the change of leadership.One has to make a distinction between the decision tak...

The European Union is planning the “strongest, the harshest package” of sanctions it has ever considered at an emergency Thursday, as the Russian military attacked Ukraine.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that &ldqu...

The Malta Union of Teachers has come up with proposals for political parties ahead of the upcoming general elections.The MUT wants political parties to have education as a central theme in their agendas.A document listing 60 proposals, entitled Malta...

Fighting corruption, Malta’s removal from the FATF grey list and planning and construction issues may be at the top of certain politicians’ agenda but they are certainly not the top priorities for the public, according to recent research....

The Nationalist Party has proposed 12 measures for the protection of animals that would be implemented if elected as government, including the development of the pet cemetery project.The 12 proposals would seek to address particular challenges such a...

Almost 10% of respondents in a survey commissioner by Faculty for Social Wellbeing said feel that walking alone at night in their neighbourhood is very dangerous. Less than half, 46.2%, said they feel safe. The survey, commissioned by the University ...

President George Vella, Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, EP President Roberta Metsola and ADPD have condemned the attack on Ukraine by the Russian forces on Thursday.Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukr...

A new Nationalist government would set up a digital system which would automatically freeze traffic contraventions for six months. If during the period of six months, no other offense would be committed, the contravention would be waived, Opposition ...

In the next legislature, there are more plans for pensions to be increased further as the Labour Party believes that the elderly deserve to have a better quality of life, PL Leader Robert Abela said on Wednesday.Speaking in Mellieha, Abela said the p...

Prime Minister Robert Abela will skip campaigning on Thursday and will instead attend an urgent EU meeting on the situation in Ukraine, according to reports.The PM was scheduled to address a political activity in Birzebbugia, but will have to miss it...

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was spotted at a Labour Party activity in Marsaxlokk this morning, as reports circulate that he has started offering endorsements to certain PL candidates.Nationalist media house NET News uploaded a picture of Musc...

There are no negotiations currently taking place between the government and Steward Health Care Malta over the hospitals concession agreement, a spokesperson for the company confirmed with The Malta Independent.The government had often said that it w...

A woman was taken to hospital with grievous injuries after she was hit by a car on Wednesday morning, the police said.The woman, aged 31 of St Paul’s Bay, was hit by a Kia Picanto driven by an 84-year-old man of Sliema.The accident happened in ...

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech on Wednesday did not exclude the possibility that Franco Debono would contest the election as a PN candidate.Asked by Newsbook during a press conference, Grech said he did not “exclude any candidature.”&ldq...

Lawyers for Yorgen Fenech have told a judge this morning that their client had taken so much cocaine before his arrest that even after his arrest, he had tested positive in drug tests for a month.Madam justice Edwina Grima continued to hear Fenech&rs...

Two more people have died while positive for Covid-19, taking Malta’s death toll over the 600 mark, health authorities announced on Wednesday.Authorities said that a 90-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man had died while positive for the virus,...

 Atlético Madrid got nearly everything it wanted against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday — except for the win.Atlético kept old foe Cristiano Ronaldo in check and got a stellar performance from his Port...

Liverpool hasn’t been this close to Manchester City since Christmas Day.The gap is now down to three points in the Premier League title race — which once looked heavily in favor of City — after Liverpool demolished Leeds 6-0 on Wedn...

Tuesday’s PL decision to scrap plans for a yacht marina in Marsascala is just another U-turn, said PN MP Robert Cutajar during a press conference on Wednesday. Speaking in Marsascala, Cutajar said that the planned marina should never happe...

In the case George Borg Marks and Joan Borg Marks (the “Plaintiffs”) vs. Yolo Properties Limited (the “Defendant”), Honourable Judge Audrey Demicoli examined the notion of latent defects, the period within which a claim for la...

The Labour Party is pledging to give €1,000 per year to first-time buyers for 10 years from when they have bought their home.Prime Minister and PL leader Robert Abela announced the proposal while addressing a press conference on Wednesday mornin...

The PN still believes in a permanent link between Malta and Gozo, but party leader Bernard Grech has said that it should be up to the Gozitans to decide on whether it is to be done after having had full exposure of all the necessary studies.Grech ann...

Sébastien Haller can't stop scoring in the Champions League. He now has 11 goals in seven matches for Ajax — and one for Benfica.Haller scored for both teams Wednesday as Benfica came from behind twice to hold Ajax to a 2-2 draw in the f...

The court case launched regarding the cancellation of the hospital concession agreement (which had been filed by PN MP Adrian Delia) is in its final stages, Prime Minister Robert Abela has said. "Whatever the decision taken by the court is, we must r...

Eurowings and the Lufthansa Group have decided to establish the Maltese company Eurowings Europe Ltd. in March 2022 and to apply for an Air Operator Certificate in the country, Eurowings told The Malta Independent.Eurowings is a Lufthansa subsidiary....