Gibraltar row: Spain calls off Queen Sofia’s attendance at Windsor Jubilee celebration

Today

The long announced visit to Gibraltar next month by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife, the Countess Sophie, was yesterday cited by Madrid as a key reason for a last minute decision to call off the Spanish Queen Sofia’s trip to Britain this Friday.
She was due to attend a commemorative dinner at Windsor Castle at which European monarchs will gather to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.
But the Spanish Government was also citing the current tension over the waters as an aggravating factor leading to the decision, along with the fact that the Gibraltar Regiment Band was playing at Jubilee events.
 

Protesters get ‘brutality’ message over to Instituto on bullfighting tradition

Today - by Brian Reyes

AI NO CORRIDA The noisy but peaceful protest yesterday outside the Instituto Cervantes, Cloister Ramp, over a talk on bullfighting. Pic: Johnny Bugeja

A small but vociferous group of protestors gathered outside the Instituto Cervantes to express their disgust at a series of talks on bullfighting, the first of which was held yesterday evening.
The talks had been presented by the Instituto as offering an insight into an important element of Spanish cultural heritage.
 

Governor urges respect for gay and transsexual rights

Today

Governor, Sir Adrian Johns, has urged respect for diversity as a universal human right. The remarks, issued by The Convent, come in support of International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), which is also the subject of a peaceful demonstration organised by the GGR for outside Parliament today.

Govt seeks alternative to lost easyJet flights

Today

Gibraltar Government has expressed regret at the announcement from easyJet that services from Liverpool will discontinue as from the end of October 2012.

Watson probe over troubled waters

Today

Sir Graham Watson, Gibraltar’s Liberal Democrat MEP, has tabled a question in the European Parliament relating to Gibraltar waters.

Death threat man charged

Today

A man who allegedly threatened to stab his lawyer appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday,
Kevin Barea, 31, of Flat Bastion Road, faces one charge of making threats to kill.
He was granted legal aid and remanded in custody until next week.
 

Cyberspace activist apologises to Montiel for ‘defamatory’ statement

Today - by F. Oliva

A political activist on cyberspace, who made false accusations of a serious nature against former GSD Government Minister Luis Montiel, has apologised unreservedly for what he concedes was “a wholly unfounded and defamatory” statement.

GOING TO THE GAMES

Today - by JES

The arrival of Team GB rhythmic gymnasts on the Rock for pre- Olympic training gave us the opportunity of a get - together of gymnast Georgina Cassar and hockey umpire Nathan Stagno , Gibraltar’s two international representatives at London 2012 this summer.
Both, in their own ways, are deeply involved in preparation and extremely proud of their achievements.
Georgina will be returning to the UK today with Team GB prior to their next great challenge at the European Championships at Nizthynovorgd, Russia, on 29th. May.
“I am so pleased to be going to the Olympics - it is a worthy reward for all our efforts and hard work. Thanks for everyone’s support!”
Nathan , who has just returned from umpiring a 6-nation pre- Olympics try-out at the Olympic facilities, said “ I am so proud to be a Gibraltarian representing Great Britain.”
 

Government ‘fostering and exporting’ art

Today - by Alice Mascarenhas

Culture Minister Steven Linares pictured with the organiser of the exhibition Freedom… Art Is, and some of the contemporary artists who have contributed. Pic: Johnny Bugeja

Freedom… Art is, is the latest exhibition to open at the Gibraltar Art Gallery as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Culture Minister Steven Linares, on opening the event, at which many of the Rock’s contemporary artists were present, commented he was humbled by the talented artists before him reinforcing the Government’s commitment to fostering the arts.

TOBACCO QUEUE?

Today

Tight checks by Guardia Civil officers at the border caused gridlock and hour-long tailbacks to cross into Spain yesterday morning.
The scene at the frontier was unusual in that heavy queues normally build up during the evening.
Guardia Civil were stopping every seventh vehicle in the green channel, causing traffic to quickly build up.
At around 12.30pm, the controls were eased and the queues disappeared within half an hour. The queue to cross into Spain during the evening was normal.
The morning checks followed the collapse of talks to resolve the fishing dispute a day earlier, although Spanish sources insisted these were routine checks targeting tobacco smuggling.
 

First Gibraltarian woman appointed OBE

Today

Olga Zammitt recently received the gilt Badge of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace. In the magnificent ballroom of the Palace Prince Charles greeted her warmly and asked that his good wishes be passed on to the people of Gibraltar.