Gibraltar Today

In Day 2 of the reconvened McGrail Inquiry, former police commissioner Ian McGrail has accepted responsibility for not having disclosed several WhatsApps on his phone as evidence before the Inquiry at an earlier stage. He says he is kicking himself and embarrassed for not having done so but adds there was nothing sinister in his failure to disclose, merely an oversight. He said he had not deliberately withheld any evidence from the Inquiry. Jonathan Sacramento was at the Garrison Library.

Keep or scrap? The Government is considering scrapping half-days at schools and opening a consultation period ahead of the potential change. Half days were originally introduced in Gibraltar to avoid students being stuck in classrooms on excessively hot summer afternoons - Number Six points out this is no longer a factor as most schools now have air conditioning. Our reporter Iain Triay-Clarence was out and about hearing the opinions of parents, grandparents and the kids themselves.

And, Gibraltar loves electronic music! A brand-new series called "Beat Zone" begins later this month - diving in to the global evolution of electronic sound and shining the spotlight on local DJ's and producers keeping the beat alive at home! We spoke to producer Luis Ruiz, DJ Kristian Viñales, and Jose Mari Ruiz who absolutely loves a night out.

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There was a Gibraltar-wide power outage yesterday. Some areas were without electricity for over five and a half hours, with Catalan Bay and the Upper Town having power restored just before 10pm. GibElec advised that the outage was due to a contractor having cut through a major cable next to the North Mole Power Station. Calpe Electrical has taken responsibility for the power cut; they were undertaking works for the installation of reserve battery power systems. We spoke to Michael Caetano, CEO of GibElec.

And, three days of hearings have started this morning as part of the public inquiry into the early retirement of former police commissioner Ian McGrail. This morning saw Assistant Commissioner Cathal Yeats answering questions. Jonathan Sacramento has been following the proceedings.

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Following an on-site visit last week, the Eastside Project has received the go-ahead for the next phase of the marina development from the Development and Planning Commission. However, there's still a condition: The approval is subject to remodelling the revetment at the end of the sea wall to reduce its visual impact. The Environmental Safety Group continue to have reservations about the development: we spoke to Janet Howitt.

Yesterday GBC News reported on the discovery of a caiman, a reptile from the alligator family, that was reportedly being kept as a pet and has now been re-homed at the Alameda Wildlife Park. It has generated a lot of interest, with people wanting to know how it got here and what will happen to it. Alameda Wildlife Park's Vanda Marnato told us how the caiman is doing in its new home.

It’s been 100 days since the new Commanding Officer of the Gibraltar Regiment took up his post. Lieutenant Colonel John Pitto took over from the previous CO, Lieutenant Colonel Matt Moore in December last year. At the time he said he was immensely proud to be taking up the post, but how does he feel a few months in?

The McGrail Inquiry hearings are due to take place over the next three days at the Garrison Library. Chairman Sir Peter Openshaw will open the hearings tomorrow, followed by evidence from Assistant Commissioner Cathal Yeats and Commissioner Richard Ullger. GBC will be following proceedings with live coverage, albeit with a ten minute delay for legal reasons. Jonathan Sacramento has been at the Garrison Library ahead of tomorrow’s hearing.

And, Gibraltar's women are on the field again this evening, this time facing the Faroe Islands in their fourth game in the UEFA Nations League. The team are coming off the back of a defeat last week against Slovakia at home. Stefan Borge is part of the commentating team.

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Community Care Gibraltar has announced the establishment of a new company, Community Care Domiciliary Services Limited, aimed at continuing the delivery of home care provision. The decision comes in light of recent challenges faced in the provision of services by LifeCome Care Gibraltar Ltd. Ros Astengo has been following the story.

GibSilver is a new initiative launched by GibSams in collaboration with the GHA to tackle loneliness among the older generation. Its offering listening and befriending services to seniors, addressing the growing issue of loneliness and its effects on mental health. Peter Montegriffo and David Revagliatte from GibSams are in the studio to tell us more about this new service.

We’ve been speaking about the importance of smear testing recently and Radio Gibraltar’s Lucinda Snape is encouraging all women to get checked. She told us how she may not be here today were it not for the screening programme.

Jose Mari Ruiz was in the studio to fill us in on the weekend sports such as the gap narrowing in the Rock Cup and the end of the basketball season. He also looked ahead to the next match for Gibraltar women’s squad in the Faroe Islands after their defeat against Slovakia last Friday.

And, there's a Digital Success seminar on Saturday. It will be hosted by Ahmed Rehan, co-creator of the Hey Gibraltar Facebook page and podcast. He joins us in the studio with his co-host Adam Kaan.

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International football is back at the Europa Point stadium this evening. The history-making team is back in action - they recently became the first to represent Gibraltar in the UEFA Women's Nations League. They take on Slovakia. How's the team feeling? And how windy is it at EP? We asked our sports reporter Jose Mari Ruiz.

Balanced Being is a Young Enterprise team promoting happy, healthy lifestyles for children. It remains to be seen who will win the overall competition, but this week they won the pitch battle organised with StartUp Grind! Congratulations to Isabelle Ramos, Stan Bealanovic and James Vinet.

Did you watch Viewpoint? Really interesting, live discussion around the use of weight loss drugs: how they can be used properly and how they are being misused. But what is beautiful? Shelina Assomull and her panel shone a light on this issue.

And, any plans on Sunday? From jumping castles to hook a duck, crazy golf - you name it, it's happening at the Easter carnival! PossAbilities are hosting it, the group's Nicole Buckley, Ay-Lee Latin, Jade Yusifredo and Dakota de las Heras told us more about the event. 

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The GHA has conducted a major review of its smear testing process after 15 women were found to have developed cervical cancer since 2021- despite this being a preventable disease. The GHA will now begin a mass call out, via text, to around 12,000 women who are overdue their smear tests and a dedicated helpline has also been set up for those would wish to check their screening status. Ros Astengo has been covering the story.

The festival winner for the Best Play at the 68th International Drama Festival was Theatre Makers with their play ‘When This is Over’. We wanted to give a huge congratulations to directors Erica McGrail and Daniel Strain Webber, who told us more about the play and how it felt winning the award.

There's just one day to go for another evening of international football at the Europa Point stadium. The history-making team is back in action - tomorrow evening the Gibraltar Women's National Team will take on Slovakia. We spoke to the two commentators who'll be talking us through the match on GBC television: Stefan Borge and Nadine Rodriguez.

It's not just a celebration, but a powerful call to safeguard the incredible role wildlife plays in our daily lives. To mark World Wildlife Day, the Gibraltar National Museum is hosting an open day this weekend. We spoke to Dr. Keith Bensusan and the museum's Stuart Finlayson.

And, in collaboration with The Kusuma Trust, The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society is hosting its next concert, a Trumpet & Guitar Recital, featuring Latin Grammy winner and one of the most acclaimed trumpeters of our generation, Pacho Flores, accompanied by virtuoso guitarist Jesús González “Pingüino”. They brought their instruments to the studio to give us a taste of what to expect from the concert.

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Met Commander Owain Richards has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police, taking over from Richard Ullger, who retires after 37 years of service. He becomes the first Commissioner to be appointed from outside Gibraltar since Alan Castree in 1997. Jonathan Sacramento has been following the story.

But the main focus of today’s podcast asks: what do you think about mobile phones, young people and schools? A new law would ban students using personal devices during school hours, while allowing exemptions. We discussed the pros and cons in the studio with Chronicle features editor Gabriella Peralta, campaigner Selwyn Figueras, author and parent Sophie Clifton Tucker, and Brenda Cuby, who is a mother and also CEO of the charity GibSams. We also spoke students from the comprehensive schools: Malika Faouzi El Haimoud & Jessie Chipol Nuñez gave us their thoughts.

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Draft legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation has been published. It looks at banning single-use vapes, and regulating the sale of nicotine products, as well as plans to prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009, coming into effect in 2027, when that group turns 18. We spoke to the Director of Public Health Dr Helen Carter.

We spoke to the incoming Media Director yesterday about the importance of two-way communication. And with the announcement of a treaty – or not – on the horizon are people in Spain listening to what Gibraltar has to say? We put this question to the outgoing Media Director Clive Golt.

You may recognise the acronym "CYE-CYL": Change Your Energy, Change Your Life. The group's mission is to empower young people to thrive and flourish for a bright and purposeful life. Isobel Richmond and Romina Mayani-Nankani told us more about their recently announced 2025 summer challenge.

And, last week, countries around the world marked Purple Day - raising awareness for Epilepsy: a condition that affects your brain and causes seizures. So what's it like living with Epilepsy? We spoke to Karim Schembri and Andria Olivares.

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Anton Calderon is the Government’s new media director. He was Communications Director for Together Gibraltar for several years and has also worked on some initiatives with the Social Democrats. The Chief Minister said Anton’s work has consistently shown depth, integrity and a genuine respect of our institutions. Anton was in the studio to tell us about his new role.

Our sports reporter Jose Mari Ruiz filled us in on the rest of the local sports news from the weekend, including who came out top in the Rock Cup final, and the annual Traditional Annual hill Climb Challenge.

But one of the biggest sporting events on the Rock was the boxing at Europa Point last Saturday. Three locals involved, three locals victorious! Brothers Kriss and Evan Montegriffo were making their professional debuts and they did not disappoint, while Tyrone Buttigieg “El bomber” now ranked as the 5th best boxer in Great Britain. We caught up with all three winners at Broadcasting House, battered and bruised from their fights.

On Wednesday, Startup Grind, in collaboration with Young Enterprise Gibraltar, will host the Pitch Battle: Youth Edition - a ‘Dragon's Den’ style live event where seven teams of students will present and defend their business ideas in front of a judging panel and public audience. Denise Matthews and Adi Dhanwani told us more.

And, any plans for the weekend? Local charity 'Little Smiles' is hosting a family fun day on Saturday. There will be live music and a fun zone in Casemates Square, but the overall objective is two increase awareness of Autism. Leslie Chadwick is part of the team organising the event, and is a mum of twins who are both autistic.

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Facing up to injustice. It’s something Dr Meenal Viz does well. She recently had a racist slur levelled at her. She was shaken but knew she had to take a firm stance. She shared her brave, inspiring story with us.

Who will be the Government's next Media Director? Clive Golt has stepped down after 15 years, and has been described by Government as an "invaluable pillar of Gibraltar's public”. We spoke to our reporter Jonathan Sacramento about Clive’s contributions.

Louis Parral also filled us in on the sporting events happening this weekend happening at Europa Point, which will also be where Lions and Bruno's Magpies go head to head in the 2025 Rock Cup final. It's the first time in six seasons that Lincoln Red Imps have not made the final - tomorrow promises to be a historic occasion! We invited the captains of either side to the studio: Shea Breakspear of Lions Gibraltar and Paco Zúñiga Gil of Brunos Magpies.

The 68th Gibraltar International Drama Festival culminates tomorrow at the Ince’s Hall Theatre. Performances all week have been judged by adjudicator Tristan Marshall, who is a lecturer at Shakespeare’s Globe. We spoke to Tristan alongside Culture's Giovi Viñales.

And, one of the rock's most historic sports clubs are celebrating their 60th anniversary. Lourdians Athletics Club was founded in 1964 by both Hector Romero and Douglas Rodriguez. Sharon Celecia, Avelino Baldachino and Emily Peat told us more about the club.

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