Defecting Libyan fighter jets pilots, heavy rains and Nationalist MP Franco Debono abstaining on Labour’s motion of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt were the top three most popular news items on timesofmalta.com this year.
Unsurprisingly, the highly controversial new bus service operated by Arriva, which kicked off in July in fits and starts, was the story that attracted the highest number of comments from readers.
Other articles about Arriva featured in the top 10 most commented and more read stories last year, including a University student’s outburst at Dr Gatt over the poor service.
Readers also closely followed articles about two men who were found guilty of torturing two dogs: Star, which was found buried alive, muzzled and shot in the head, and Gaia, a boxer that was dumped in a garbage bag at the bottom of a skip.
Top read stories
• Bin Laden was asked to surrender before being shot (May 2).
• Libyan fighter jets arrive in Malta (February 21).
• Heavy rain expected to persist throughout the night – Civil Protection (November 29).
• Live – Franco Debono abstains (November 4).
• Policeman dies as car crashes into the sea (December 2).
• Jailed three months, fined €10,000 for shooting Star (June 21)
• Gaddafi “raped” his female bodyguards (August 28).
• Arriva employees use their cars to pick up stranded passengers on bus stops (July 3).
• Car bomb explosion in Ħamrun – three hurt (November 16).
• Winds cause substantial damage, flights diverted (February 18).
Top commented stories
• The new bus service – Have your say (June 28).
• University student insults minister over bus service (October 5).
• Jailed three months, fined €10,000 for shooting Star (June 21).
• 15 policemen, three soldiers injured in Safi riot (August 16).
• Arriva – More drivers do not turn up (July 8).
• Gaia’s death: Man fined €20,000, jailed nine months (October 3).
• Sliema’s deputy mayor resigns from the PN, becomes active member of the PL (July 15).
• Reactions: Divorce referendum motion approved (March 16).
• Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici (picture right Malta accomplice in Libya military action (March 21).
• Student apologises – but not for speaking her mind (October 6).