As summer settled in, many got caught up in World Cup fever as Germany swept aside all opposition and put in some incredible performances. Our match predictor Nico the parrot also won the affection of many as he picked who he thought would win the matches. TMI also investigated illegal development in San Blas Bay, after which illegal structures were removed. Hunters also presented a petition to try and derail the Spring Hunting referendum.
June 3: The hunter's federation presented a 104,293-signuture petition to parliament in an attempt to block a referendum on spring hunting. The hunters walked down Republic Street in Valletta, carrying signs with the words 'Protecting the rights of minorities... sign the petition.' The petition was since was shelved and ignored by members of parliament. The court is expected to take a decision on January 9, 2015.
June 9: A report published by telecom company Vodafone suggested that Maltese authorities are among the most likely to monitor the communications activities of the country's citizens. The first edition of Vodafone's Law Enforcement Disclosure Report shows that the company was asked to supply communications- related data to Maltese authorities on 3,773 occasions, the second-highest rate when considered as a proportion of the national population.
June 12: On a lighter note, the 20th edition of the World Cup kicked off on June 12. Germany won the prestigious cup after playing against Argentina in the final. But perhaps the most talked about match was a semi-final one between Germany and Brazil which ended up 7-1, with four of the goals scored in a span of 6 minutes. This newspaper had its own match predictor, Nico the Parrot, which won the affection of many readers.
June 23: Meanwhile, the government issued an expression of interest for the development of the White Rocks area, the umpteenth attempt to re-develop the site. The project is set to be solely financed by the private sector. The government's vision is for the complex to include a number of hotels, which are to be no less than five star, as well as luxurious housing units. While companies filed their expression of interest, Environment NGOs called on authorities to extend the Natura 2000 protected area. Again, no news of the development so far.
June 29: Later on in the month, this newspaper revealed that a sizeable patch of land at Gozo's tiny yet picturesque San Blas Bay has been cleared of all vegetation, a metal gate and a canopy structure have been built - preparing the way for what sources speaking with this newspaper have said will become a camping site and a kiosk, or an exclusive beach area for a Gozitan hotel. In the days that followed, The Malta Independent visited the site and personally questioned Joseph Portelli, the entrepreneur behind the changes at the bay. Mr Portelli insisted on camera that he had no intention of developing the area. Following the report, MEPA officers inspected the site and immediately stopped the illegal work and issued an enforcement notice and a daily fine against Mr Portelli.