30% admit going to politicians for favours, nationwide survey finds / Malta News Briefing – Thursday 9 June 2022

1745- Latest News update

Times of Malta says the United Nations has appointed Malta as a new non-permanent member of its security council for a two-year term. 

MaltaToday says The United Nations has appointed Malta as a new non-permanent member of its security council for a two-year term. 

Newsbook says clientelism is a mainstay in Maltese politics and a new survey has found that almost 30% of the population has sought favours from politicians.

TVM says the majority of the population believes in God but does not give the same importance to religion.

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Ride hailing company Uber launches in Malta: Uber officially launched in Malta today, increasing competition in a fast-growing cab-hailing industry. The US company is being backed by Alf Mizzi and Sons and will be led by former Bolt CEO, Seb Ripard. Uber said on Thursday that although the service was not present on the island during 2021 the app was opened around 10,000 times to request a ride in Malta. This figure reached 80,000 in 2019, reaching peaks during summertime when thousands of tourists flock to the island.

30% admit going to politicians for at least one favour, nationwide survey finds: Thirty per cent of those questioned in a nationwide survey admitted to going to politicians to ask for a favour, with most of these being Gozitans. Those with higher education did not feel the need to resort to politicians, while youths, aged 16-25, were the category that least felt the need to call in any favours from politicians.  The results of the survey, carried out by statistician Vincent Marmara among more than 1,000 people, were revealed during the second ‘State of the Nation’ conference, organised by President George Vella to give a snapshot of Maltese society.

Covid-19 Update: There were 175 new cases of Covid-19 while 99 people recovered, the health authorities said. No new deaths were recorded.

Genetic testing to be allowed for hereditary disorders

According to a protocol filed in parliament on Wednesday by Health Minister Chris Fearne, genetic testing on embryos will be permitted for nine hereditary disorders. The protocol developed by the Embryo Protection Authority is included in the government’s proposed changes to the in-vitro fertilization law. The legislative debate on the reforms started yesterday. Nationalist Party MPs have confirmed their opposition to the proposed genetic testing of fertilised embryos for inheritable conditions as debate on amendments to IVF regulations.

Former prison official tried to broker deal with official accused of harassment – reports

A court heard on Wednesday that former prison official Randolph Spiteri attempted to mediate a settlement between a Transport Malta official accused of sexual harassment and his victim’s husband. A man whose wife claimed that Transport Malta officer Clint Axisa sexually assaulted her at work testified that he received a call from Spiteri pressing him to seek an agreeable “solution.” Axisa, a female enforcement officer who is now on leave, is accused of sexual harassment of a female colleague and another lady. (Times of Malta)

Covid-19 Update: On Wednesday, health officials reported 102 new cases of Covid-19. In the meantime, 104 persons have recovered from the infection, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,387.