Times of Malta was once again at the forefront of breaking the major news stories this year. Ivan Martin takes a look back at some of the main issues.

The new President – February 23

The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was the frontrunner to become the next President of Malta. She was officially sworn in on April 4.

No Bills please – March 27

Former President George Abela refused to sign the Civil Unions Bill, causing a delay in the contentious law. The Bill was stuck in Parliament for an extra five weeks, until Dr Abela reached the end of his five-year term.

Drug reform – July 6

The Sunday Times of Malta revealed all the details of the government’s proposed drug reform prior to the publication of a white paper on the matter. The government is proposing reviewing the sentences handed out for repeat offenders with first time offenders given a warning and a fine.

Libyan abduction – July 25

Times of Malta was first to report the case of a Maltese oil worker who was abducted by Libyan militia and held for 11 days. Former Armed Forces captain Martin Galea was held hostage after his driver was shot. He described to this newspaper how he heard his captors plotting his execution. He was released following lengthy negations with Maltese officials.

Agatha Barbara letters – August 3

The Sunday Times of Malta published never before seen letters written by former president Agatha Barbara to a Royal Navy officer who had served in Malta in the 1940s.

The letters shed light on the sensitive side of a woman who earned a reputation for being a gruff politician. In the letters, copies of which were sent to this newspaper, Ms Barbara tells “Dear Derek” how she had not forgotten him.

Hospital concrete – August 31

Citing studies, The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that parts of Mater Dei Hospital’s concrete floors were so weak they were crumbling.

Stress tests carried out had revealed that parts of the structure were weaker than public pavements. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has since pledged to take action against all those responsible following an inquiry by former judge Philip Sciberras.

New Parliament delay – October 2

Times of Malta revealed that the Renzo Piano-designed Parliament building would not be completed on time. The government was slapped with some €6 million in fines for delays in the project. The deadline was originally extended until September but this newspaper later reported that this had been put back to beyond the Christmas recess due to oversized desks in the main chamber.

Milestone missed – October 12

The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that the government would miss its deadline to construct a gas fired power station by at least six months.

The government had committed itself to reducing business electricity tariffs on the back of the new power plant, which was supposed to be in operation by March.

Senior Enemalta officials, however, had told this newspaper that the project would not be functional before September 2015 at the earliest. It has now been delayed until June 2016.

Archbishop resigns – October 17

Archbishop Paul Cremona’s decision to step down as the head of the Maltese Church surprised many when the news was unveiled in Times of Malta. Under pressure from a number of clerics, the 68-year-old said he was suffering from physical and creative exhaustion. He was the first Maltese archbishop to resign before retirement age since the 19th century.

Priest ‘abuse’ – October 26

This newspaper was the first to reveal that a Dominican provincial was facing charges of violent sexual assault on a mentally unstable woman.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported that the priest, Charles Fenech, was also accused of holding the woman against her will and committing indecent acts in public.

He repeatedly failed to appear before court to face charges. This newspaper decided not to disclose Fr Fenech’s identity until his own order made his name public.

Patrick Spiteri affair – November 9

Convicted conman Patrick Spiteri was arrested at a UK mansion following an investigation by The Sunday Times of Malta. This newspaper tracked down the disgraced lawyer to a country mansion in an upmarket rural town in Surrey, using an online dating site.

The 50-year-old former tax law guru had been living permanently in the UK in a €4 million country estate set over 15 acres of land. He missed hearings – citing physical inability to attend – in the Maltese courts where he is facing eight counts of fraud and misappropriation running into several million euros.

MHRA resignation – December 21

Matthew Pace quit his post as president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association after The Sunday Times of Malta revealed he had been operating a restaurant and tourist accommodation without the necessary licence.

He had also paid for his restaurant’s smart meter to be tampered with, and been slapped with a planning enforcement notice for setting up an unlicensed permanent canopy.

A bridge too far? – November 23

A government-commissioned study into the feasibility of constructing a €1 billion bridge from Malta to Gozo was finally revealed.

The study estimated that the permanent link would come with a yearly price tag exceeding €4 million for basic upkeep.

If given the green light, it has been said the project would be concluded by 2020 and have a 100-year life span.

Non-abortion case – November 30

A Tunisian woman charged in court with an illegal abortion, had no foetus but instead experienced a missed miscarriage, this newspaper revealed.

The Sunday Times of Malta published details of an ultrasound report drafted by a specialist to look into 30-year-old Raya Sellami Zammit’s pregnancy.

She was sentenced to a suspended jail term after she admitted swallowing a concoction of pills with the intention of committing an abortion. But according to the foetal specialist who carried out the ultrasound, the scan showed there was no baby.