Gibraltar Today

The Government says it has 'mutually agreed' with Lifecome Care to terminate the service provider's contract for Domiciliary Care and Home Support.Number Six says this was decided at a meeting this morning between the Health Minister, Care Agency and Lifecome Care Gibraltar management.It says all parties have agreed on a 30-day transition period to ensure a "smooth handover" of the service. Our reporter Ros Astengo has been following the story.

Security arrangements at schools have been reviewed following a trespassing incident at Westside, according to the Minister for Education. Teachers and students barricaded themselves in classrooms after reports that a group of people from Spain had entered the school. Education Minister, John Cortes, told Parliament established protocols were put in place, with no danger to pupils or staff. News Editor Christine Vasquez told us more.

Comprehensive School students are helping to influence Government policy on climate change. They are known as ‘Net Zero representatives’. These Bayside and Westside school students recently met with the Deputy Chief Minister and the Environment Minister. As a result of that meeting, the Government has agreed to look at how they communicate on social media about net zero. Lauren Garcia, Maia Norton, Aditya Dhanwani and Maika Faouzi El Haimoudi are trying to be the change they want to see in the world.

Phase Two of the Eastside project has received approval from the Development and Planning Commission. According to the plans, this phase is focused on proposed coastal protection works, reclamation and marina structures. Minister Leslie Bruzon said he cannot support the project as it stands, while Minister Cortes suggested that a visit to the site could be scheduled so that the members of the commission can get a better idea of how the pier will impact the beach.

An art initiative for young people is launching next week. The Growing Artists Programme continues the mantra 'Art is for Everyone' which is very much at the heart of the Art Space Gallery. Amy Shepherd and Phoebe Noble explained gave us more details about the programme.

This year's London Marathon is expected to be the biggest ever! Attracting people from around the world, including Gibraltar. People run for charity, it's a great feat of endurance, there are always some who do it in fun costumes, London boasts incredible landmarks that look great on TV and in photos of the marathon. Faye Morse, Jovan Santos, Karim Vatvani and Kim Baglietto will be taking on the challenge.

And, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has its origins in the First Crusade but has existed on the Rock since the 1980s. Originally a military order, its role developed to supporting various religious, educational, and charitable activities while maintaining the spiritual mission of evangelism and faith sharing. Joe Cortes is Chancellor of the Gibraltar Lieutenancy, and is preparing for an event this weekend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 25th was National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, a time to educate and push for inclusion.

In an earlier podcast, we spoke to Manar Ben Tahayekt.

In this episode, we hear from Joshua Downey, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and Dyspraxia. Through his podcast he is sharing his story and encouraging conversations around disabilities.

It’s called ‘The JD Dragon Disability Rights Podcast’ and, even though Josh lives in Switzerland, in recent months it has featured a significant number of Gibraltarians, including fellow campaigners, people with disabilities and MPs.

You can also connect with Josh on Facebook and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s Episode of the podcast was recorded live from the Frontier, as today marks 30 years since the Schengen Agreement came into effect. It allows 450 million But could Gibraltar gain access to Schengen in the future with a Treaty? We spoke to some key figures related to the Schengen Agreement.

GBC’s Kevin Ruiz has done a lot of reporting from the Frontier over the years recounted his memories of the conversations people were having over Schengen 30 years ago.

Juan Carmona was the mayor of La Linea at the when the Schengen Agreement was being discussed and signed.

Darren Cerisola is the current President of the Cross Frontier Group. He told us about some of the work that they have been doing in recent months.

Albert Danino was a European Studies teacher as well as part of the European Movement when the Schengen Agreement came into effect. He told us what Gibraltar was like back in 1995.

And, Denise Matthews has always wanted Gibraltar to have closer ties with Europe, and was part of a famous human rights case.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, a time to educate, push for inclusion, and – hopefully – find a cure for cerebral palsy. Manar Ben Tahayekt told us what was it like for her growing up with cerebral palsy and whether she feels that locally people are aware of her condition.

Big fight night this weekend at Europa Point of international interest! A handful of locals involved too - the Montegriffo brothers and Tyrone Buttigieg all in action. We spoke to Ollie Bessell of the streaming platform Box Nation.

The GHA's Mobile Health Unit is out and about today: kicking off the day at Casemates, the unit is visiting districts around Gibraltar, offering well-person checks, plus information and advice on various conditions. Christina Cortes visited the mobile unit at Casemates this morning.

And, the Gibraltar National Museum and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens have joined forces in an exciting initiative which sets up Gibraltar’s first Centre for Biodiversity and Animal Movement. Dr. Keith Bensusan and Professor Clive Finlayson told us more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chief Minister the Deputy Chief Minister are in London for treaty negotiations.The Government says it remains firmly committed to securing a treaty which is safe and secure for Gibraltar. It reiterates the status quo we have enjoyed post-Brexit is not an option while being very clear that No Deal would be better than a bad deal. Our News Editor Christine Vasquez has been following the negotiations.

It was a case of nearly but not quite for Gibraltar on Saturday. An encouraging start to their World Cup qualifying campaign despite losing 3-1 to Montenegro. So what positives could they take in to tomorrow's game against Czechia in Faro. We tuned in live to Gibraltar's pre-match press conference with interim head coach Scott Wiseman is alongside Ethan Britto.

Our sports reporter Louis Parral gave us his reaction to the conference, and looked back at the rest of the sports news from over the weekend with Louis Parral, covering the 9-ball pool tournament, the first touch rugby event on the Rock, and the athletics trophy presentation.

We look ahead to Bloomsday, which celebrates the life of Irish writer James Joyce ((on June 16th)). Think music, song, poetry, and theatre on an Irish theme. Gibraltar has a special connection with Joyce’s book Ulysses, as his main female character, Molly Bloom, is a Gibraltarian (her mother is from La Linea and her father is an Irish soldier based on the Rock). We spoke to author Rebecca Faller about Bloomsday.

And, "small act, big impact!" That's the slogan of "Enviromemo" - one of the many talented groups in this year's Young Enterprise competition. Their eco-friendly stickers help remind you to switch off your lights, and are made entirely from compostable and recyclable materials. We spoke to team members Sara, Alice and Danille.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's causing sewage to seep out of the old walls at Wellington Front? Our reporter Katy Docker joined us from the popular leisure area and spoke to the man who’s spearheading the effort to find solutions: Emil Hermida, CEO of Technical Services.

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Over the last few days we've shone the spotlight on the likes of Dyslexia and Autism. Today our focus is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We invited clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Surridge to the studio as well as Lina Tonnessen, who was recently diagnosed with the condition.

Today people across the globe are marking World Down Syndrome Day - a day to raise awareness about the genetic condition which affects some people's learning and physical features. We spoke to Annette Zammit and Dido Green of the local support group. 

Jose Mari Ruiz filled us in on the big sporting events happening on the Rock and beyond, including the football world cup qualifiers, the last race of the rock runners league, and the first ever touch rugby tournament.

And, sticking with sports, and with an exciting fight night at home at the Europa Point Stadium, we spoke about all things boxing with Tyrone 'El Bombero' Buttegieg, who's 8-0 up, alongside the Montegriffo brothers, Chris and Evan, who are going pro! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue to talk about plans to move the Community Mental Health Team to Sir Joshua Hassan House. The Mental Welfare Society’s Conchita Triay told Jonathan Scott the priority has to be the rolling out of a "robust, easy to access service".

Small Spaces, Big Impact - the Horticultural Society is preparing an exciting new campaign. As Spring springs, Andrew Abrines will tell us about the Giralda Gardens. 

Ahead of Gibraltar’s world cup qualifiers, we look ahead to a special GBC programme recapping our 2024 Nations League campaign. Jose-Mari Ruiz talks to us about that, and the visit of football legend Andriy Shevchenko.

And, what about International Table Soccer? Richard Berllaque and Jose Luis Bonavia tell us what to expect as Gibraltar prepares to host teams including Austria, Spain and the U.K.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government has this morning announced that the community mental health team facility is to be relocated from Coaling Island to Sir Joshua Hassan House, on Secretary's Lane. The announcement follows previous plans to move the CMHT to the old Gibraltar Chronicle Printworks. The facility aims to operate as a single point of access which will streamline communications between mental health professionals, external services and other stakeholders. Minister for Health Gemma Arias Vasquez explained the plans in greater detail.

Recently declassified documents show that, following the 1988 IRA shootings, the British Government discussed withholding sensitive intelligence from the deceased's family lawyers when the matter came before the European Commission for Human Rights in 1994. Officials expressed concern about the disclosure of a document which referenced intelligence gathering operations in Spain. Our reporter Jonathan Sacramento has read the declassified documents.

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Yesterday we discussed Dyslexia with Martin Posso, who's 10 year old son Jack is dyslexic. Today we shine the spotlight on Autism. We spoke to Ellie Sharman who is a person with autism, and Natalie Llufrio, a mother of two children with autism.

And, one of Britain's most-loved authors and comedians is coming to the Rock! This morning, 'An Audience With David Walliams' will be held on Thursday 24th April at the Europa Sports Arena. David Walliams is known for his television work from the likes of Little Britain to Britain's Got Talent, and is the author of over 40 best-selling children's books. Chief Cultural Officer Seamus Bryne teased us on what we can look forward to.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's edition of Gibraltar today a varied mix of topics for you...

It’s the five year anniversary of lockdown, we’ll discuss that with our GBC reporter Shelina Assomull.

-

As part of our neurodiversity week coverage, we speak to Martin Posso about dyslexia.

-

It’s World Recycling Day, the Environment Department’s Catherine Walsh will tell us about survey launched to understand recycling behaviours as just 12% of waste in Gibraltar recycled.

-

We’ll talk corporate governance with Carlos Martins of the Gibraltar Association of Compliance Officers.

-

And with Eastern Beach no longer accessible to dogs, we talk to their companions Daniel Ghio, Nadia Ivanov and Katy Docker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to today's edition of Gibraltar Today.

Jose MR will catch up with Special Olympics Gibraltar on their return from the world winter games.

-

Jonathan Sacramento has been at the National Archives looking at recently declassified documents about Gibraltar.

-

James Vinet recently represented Gibraltar in the UK Youth Parliament, delivering an address from the despatch box!

-

Celebrating different minds - it’s neurodiversity week, we speak to Nicole Buckley and Eilidh Latin.

-

Layla Costa Gomez tells us about her new book.

-

Andy Sene and Richard Hamman tell us what it’s like to be a Newcastle United fan today!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.