What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday reports that an attempt to import the emergency contraceptive Levonelle in 2006 was blocked by the bioethics committee, a consultative committee of scientists, priests and other political appointees, despite the go-ahead of the Medicines Authority, the pharmaceuticals regulator. The bio-ethics committee reached its conclusion on the basis that it could be ‘abortifacient’ as it could affect or interfere with implantation of the egg in the womb.

In another story, the newspaper reports that Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia has proposed a parliamentary debate on early marriage, forced marriage, lowering the age of consent and the morning-after pill.

Sunday newspaper Illum says the Nationalist Party is not taking a position on the morning-after pill. The newspaper reports that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil refrained from declaring whether he was in favour or against the introduction of the morning-after pill, arguing that the decision should be left up “to the government authorities.” On the frontpage, the newspaper reports that the Gozo Channel has made a €395,000 profit between January and May, after having registered a €1.7 million loss in the corresponding period in 2015.

The Sunday Times of Malta  reports that Air Malta pilots have each demanded an increase of €50,000 in their take home pay as they resort to industrial action. The new financial package demanded by the Airline Pilots Association would see the airline’s expenditure on pilot wages increase by €6 million. The newspaper also reports that UK’s decision to exit the EU is having a negative impact on Malta’s Individual Investor Programme.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says five months after former energy minister Konrad Mizzi ordered two separate audits on his financial affairs and pledged to publish them, Mizzi now appears to have reneged on those pledges and is refraining from answering questions about the issue.

It-Torca reports that the teaching of religion at state schools will not remain obligatory, as pupils will not be taught ethics. The newspaper also reports that the government announced a €6 million project to regenerate  Marsaxlokk.

PN news organ il-mument says consumers filling up their petrol tank will have to pay €106 million in taxes and duties during the first nine months of the year.

Labour newspaper Kullhadd says the number of care orders issued by the previous Nationalist administrations reduced drastically during the years preceding the 2008 and 2013 general elections.