Gibraltar Today

The controversial Inquiries Bill is set to become law. It was approved by Government majority in Parliament. The Inquiries Bill will officially become law when the Governor gives it royal assent. The Leader of the Opposition has a meeting with the Governor, Sir David Steel, this afternoon to formally register their concerns on this legislation. It will impact the McGrail Inquiry into the former police commissioner's early retirement, which is set to start in less than two weeks. We spoke to Together Gibraltar’s Nick Calamaro, who believes it gives the chief minister too much power to interfere with inquiries, as well as lawyer Robert Vasquez, who thinks our parliament is undemocratic.

Gibraltar will take on Lithuania in the second leg of League C play-offs in the UEFA Nations League this evening. The team suffered a 1-0 defeat in Faro last week but will be hoping to to turn it around tonight. Our Sports reporter Jose Mari Ruiz is there with the team in Lithuania, and has been following the actions closely.

Tickets are on sale for The Great Big Jam: a night of live local music for stroke awareness. We spoke to organiser and stroke survivor John Shephard and to Dion Mifsud, who is no stranger to the music scene, about the upcoming event.

And, can a 101 year old car travel almost 2000 miles from the UK to the Rock? That's exactly what a team of four people are attempting to do, to raise money for Cancer Relief. Larry and Christine Riches, with Ralph Kemp and Margaret Sowerby, are all experienced Model T drivers and riders. We spoke to Larry about this epic challenge in the studio.

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It was Palm Sunday yesterday. Easter is a special time of the year for Christians, and for the next few days there will be Bible readings at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Our News Editor Christine Vasquez told us more.

Royal Gibraltar Police Officer, Sergeant Patricia Gonzalez has received an Inspirational Female Award at a British Overseas Territories Conference in the Cayman Islands. Sergeant Gonzalez is now back on the Rock after attending the International Association of Women in Police Conference, which was hosted by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and supported by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Shania Ballester is Miss Gibraltar 2024! She received the title from Faith Torres during Saturday night's pageant, which was broadcast live on GBC Television. Shania said becoming Miss Gibraltar is like a dream come true. 

And, we were joined in the studio by notable Spanish director Manuel Espana, as well as Jackie Villa, who are working on an all Spanish production of ‘12 Angry Men’. They were invited by Theatre Makers to bring the production to Gibraltar.

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A corruption watchdog is calling on the UK Government to intervene over the proposed new legislation governing public inquiries, to be debated in Parliament today. Transparency International UK claims this "highly unusual step" would safeguard the integrity of Gibraltar's governance as it objects to the Chief Minister bringing forward emergency legislation without consultation, particularly given what it says is a clear conflict of interest for Fabian Picardo. We spoke with Head of Research and Investigations at Transparency International UK, Steve Goodrich. 

How are our footballers feeling after the 1-0 loss to Lithuania in the first of two matchs in a UEFA Nations League play-off? Gibraltar were left with 10 men after goalkeeper Dayle Coleing was shown a straight red card 26 minutes in. It wasn't until the hour mark that Lithuania made the most of their numerical advantage and took lead. The game would go on to finish 1-0 For Lithuania. Both nations will meet again for the second leg in Lithuania next Tuesday. Robin Shepherd Capurro brought us the latest.

And the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority will be holding a Data Protection Workshop for Gibraltar-registered charities. The aim is to empower charities with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding their collection and use of personal data, whether this relates to employees or service-users. Rochelle Ferreri and Gerard Fitzgerald from the GRA joined us in the studio.

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The Development and Planning Commission has granted full planning permission to a proposal to construct a new five star international brand hotel on the site of the former Caleta Hotel. The new plans for the development incorporated important changes, considering recommendations from the Commission in July 2022 when the project first went before the DPC. Kevin Ruiz brought us the details. 

All around the world, people with Down Syndrome are denied the chance to work and earn their own money. On 21st March, activists create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome. For World Down Syndrome Day 2024, the theme is: End The Stereotypes. Annette Zammitt joined us on World Down Syndrome Day. 

Learning a new language can be difficult, but spending time in a place where people speak that language can definitely help. It's a cultural experience as well. A group of Japanese students are currently in Gibraltar, in the fourth visit of its kind organised by the University of Gibraltar and Chiba University. David Chevasco is a lecturer in Chiba University.

And, in football, ahead of tonight’s UEFA Nations League play-off, how will Lithuania approach the game? The winner will stay in League C whilst the loser will drop down to League D. We spoke to Jose Marie Ruiz who is in Faro to tell us more about Gibraltar’s opponents. 

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Gibraltar's longest criminal trial with a jury in the last 20 years has come to an end. Former Natwest employee Gillian Balban has been found guilty of six out of seven counts of fraud and false accounting. Our reporters Shelina Assomull and Iain Triay Clarence have been following the case.

Gibraltar has joined the international campaign to raise funds and awareness of Brain Tumour Research. Every March local organiser Lynette Rodriguez hosts fundraisers and activities to mark the campaign after her own son was diagnosed with a brain tumour some years ago. We had an in-depth discussion with her alongside Nadia Casciaro, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour some 15 months ago.

And, its matchday in Faro where team Gibraltar is getting ready to take on Lithuania tomorrow night in their UEFA Nations League play-off match. The winner will stay in League C with the loser dropping down to League D. Our sports reporter Jose Mari Ruiz is there and has been following the action closely.

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An emergency supply pipeline to Spain is approximately 80% ready. Following the 2022 fire at Power's Drive Tunnel, AquaGib set out to improve Gibraltar’s resilience by laying 2.7 km of pipeline from the Waterworks reservoirs to the border. Details from Christina Cortes who’s been speaking to theCEO of AquaGib, Paul Singleton.

The Musicians Association has applied to the Development and Planning Commission to create a "safe space" for local creatives at Fish Market Lane. The idea is to have a place for musicians to hold rehearsals, workshops and enjoy live performances. Steven Belilo and James Culatto from MAG joined us in the studio.

And, it's Neurodiversity Celebration Week; a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities. We spoke to support facility PossAbilities, Managing Director Nicole Buckley and team members Andrea Penner, Giancarlo Rocca, Lucia Wood.

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It's been 11 weeks in the making and a story which has dominated headlines for even longer. The trial of ex-Natwest Manager Gillian Balban may be coming to a close this week.  Judge Liam Yeats is giving instructions to the jury today and tomorrow. Iain Triay Clarence, one of our news reporters covering the trial, spoke to us about the case.

The 2024 Drama Festival has come to an end after 12 plays, with entries from 9 different theatre groups, adjudicated by theatre expert Sue Doherty.  And following a Gala Night on Saturday the Theatre Makers were the big winners with "Bull". We spoke to four members of the cast: Matthew Navas, Tim Seed, Charlie Bishop and Daniel Gonzalez.

And, the Rock's Under 19 Futsal squad are back in Gibraltar after doing us very proud in a development tournament in Malta. The squad got through three games undefeated: first winning 5-3 to the Malta B team, then 4-1 against Malta's first team and then a 2-nil win against San Marino. Two of the squad's players, Dylan Duo and Louis Dalmedo, joined us in the studio.

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Last night's Viewpoint on Housing saw Shadow Minister for Housing, Damon Bossino and Housing Minister, Pat Orfila lock horns on a number of topics. Rent control in old properties, mainly in the town centre, the role of the landlord. Our reporter and Viewpoint presenter, Ros Astengo discussed the main points.

The Chief Minister expects a very intense period now in the negotiations for a treaty, with a deal closer than a month ago. Fabian Picardo told Parliament there are dates in the diary before Easter for political and technical talks. However, The Chief Minister said there would be a hiatus when the European Parliament is dissolved ahead of elections in early June, if it’s not possible to agree a treaty before then. 

We discuss yesterday’s session of Parliament. Some of the topics that were debated include the relocation of both the St Bernadette’s Resource Centre and the Dr Giraldi Home to Commonwealth Park, and the residential home project at the Rooke site, which has cost £38 million so far.

Gibraltar’s under 16 boys football team has kicked off a huge month of international football this week as the Rock plays host to a UEFA development tournament at the Victoria Stadium. National teams from Lithuania, Faroe Islands and Iceland are here to compete. Under 16's head coach Jonathan Sodi was in the studio. 

And, have you been to any of the plays this week as part of the Drama Festival? 12 plays form part of the competition, with entries from 9 different theatre groups. But which plays will be selected for tomorrow's gala night? Adjudicator Sue Doherty is on the Rock to decide.

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The UK Foreign Secretary says there is a "good basis for an agreement" for Gibraltar. Lord Cameron says he is confident an agreement can be reached.

Our news editor Christine Vasquez spoke to us about a new meeting in Parliament, covering education, traffic and preventing further escapades by Sir Kingsway.

The Jewish community is gearing up to celebrate Purim next week; it's one of the biggest holidays in the Jewish calendar. The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther and commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in the Persian Empire were saved from extermination. Levi Attias from the Jewish Community joined us in the studio.

The Federation of Small Businesses' podcast is returning for a new season. Since it's inception three years ago the project has invited influential figures from the local business community to find out what makes Gibraltar's most successful leaders tick. Host of the Gibraltar Business Podcast David Revagliatte spoke to us about what’s to come this season.

And, sixteen new recruits for the RGP passed out today at a ceremony at Central Hall, overseen by the Governor Sir David Steel. It will be his last ceremony before he steps down from his role in May. Jonathan Sacramento attended the parade this morning. 

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Transparency International UK says inquiries legislation being proposed in Gibraltar now is almost 20 years old in the UK. The corruption watchdog is concerned it's intended to undermine the McGrail inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the early retirement of the former police commissioner. The Government says it has no intention to use the power to stop or delay the McGrail inquiry. It believes the proposed law would not affect the independence of the current inquiry, or obstruct its progress, or influence any witness. Our reporter Jonathan Sacramento has been speaking to the Chief Minister.

The religious festival of Ramadan has begun. It is considered the most important time of year for the Muslim community. Locally, as around the world, it is marked with fasting and prayer. Deena Abboubi & Aya Chahid from the Muslim Youth of Gibraltar group spoke to us in the studio. 

Gibraltar's relationship with the European Union is still the subject of ongoing negotiations between Gibraltar, UK, Spain and EU officials. This week the Europe Minister Leo Docherty visited the Rock and said those negotiations would be intense this month. Jared Peralta, who is the Country Director in Gibraltar for The Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council, was here to discuss what role the Commonwealth could play in Gibraltar’s future.

And, budding entrepreneurs at St. Annes have tried their hand at starting their own businesses. Year Six pupils have spent four weeks researching and strategising with their teams on the best ways to get their ideas off the ground. With a budget of five pounds per pupil - provided by the Young Enterprise board - many of these 11 year-olds have ended up taking home profits, after selling their products and services at a business fair in the school. Shelina Assomul was at the school earlier today.

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