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Local News

Local News

Sir Joe defends motion on audit report as necessary response to criticism 

The Minister for Economic Development, Sir Joe Bossano, insisted on Monday that Parliament was the proper forum for the Government to answer the former Principal Auditor’s criticisms in his 2018/19 report, rejecting Opposition claims that a motion rejecting parts of the report amounted to a political “attack” on an independent officer.  Speaking during the debate...

Local News

Sacarello urges ministers to reject motion on principal auditor’s report 

GSD MP Craig Sacarello urged Government ministers on Monday to vote against the Government’s amended motion on the Principal Auditor’s 2018/19 report, saying backing it would place loyalty to the Chief Minister above the independence of Gibraltar’s institutions.  Addressing ministers, Mr Sacarello told them they faced a choice from which there was no turning back.  ...

Local News

Gibraltar accelerates diversification drive after UK tax hike threatens key industry, Feetham says

The steep rise in UK online gambling taxes is “bad news” for Gibraltar and will accelerate efforts to tap new gaming opportunities in other markets, alongside work to diversify the economy into other digital sectors, Nigel Feetham, the Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, told Parliament on Monday. In a statement to the House, Mr...

Local News

Preparations well underway for 2026 Cavalcade  

Preparations are well underway for next year’s Cavalcade, with president of the organising committee Eric Abudarham reporting increased participation, strong community support and an ongoing commitment to one of Gibraltar’s most popular traditions.  Next year’s event is expected to feature 19 floats, including the traditional Three Kings floats, as well as four local bands taking...

Local News

Arias-Vasquez announces first GHA careers open day for healthcare students 

The Gibraltar Health Authority will hold its first careers open day aimed at university undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking a healthcare-related degree or masters, Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez has announced.   The initiative is being led by the GHA workforce team as part of a wider workforce strategy to strengthen local recruitment and support Gibraltar’s future...

Local News

Sacred Heart Church structurally sound and set to reopen this February 

Sacred Heart Church is set to reopen this February, Bishop-Elect Charles Azzopardi has confirmed, adding that the building is structurally sound despite previous statements indicating otherwise.  Monsignor Azzopardi explained that there was never an issue with the structure but rather it was the rendering that had become aged and needed replacing.  “Sacred Heart Church, there...

Local News

Childline reports rise in vulnerable children, some just 11, facing custody alone 

Childline volunteers were called to New Mole House police station 31 times over the past 12 months to support children who had no family member willing or able to attend with them, with some of those youngsters as young as 11.   The figure compares with 19 call-outs in the previous reporting period, and involved 18...

UK/Spain News

UK/Spain News

Spanish court acquits man accused of murdering sacristan in Algeciras, but orders 30 years of psychiatric detention 

By Maria Jesus Corrales  Spain’s Audiencia Nacional has acquitted Yassine Kanjaa of murdering a sacristan in Algeciras on January 25, 2023, and injuring two other people, after finding he was exempt from criminal responsibility because of a psychiatric disorder.   The court ordered his detention in a prison psychiatric centre for up to 30 years.  ...

UK/Spain News

UK gambling tax rise not designed to send a signal to betting sector, says UK Culture Secretary 

By Will Durrant, PA Political Staff  Increased gambling taxes were not designed to “send a signal” to the sector, the UK’s Culture Secretary has said.  Lisa Nandy defended the Chancellor’s decision to raise taxes on online gaming and betting, in a move set to raise £1.1 billion by 2029.  The remote gaming duty, which applies...

UK/Spain News

Growth, climate, security and governance on agenda as UK meets Overseas Territories in London

Leaders and representatives from the UK Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar, are in London this week for the annual Joint Ministerial Council, where the UK government will restate its commitment to defending their sovereignty, security and right of self-determination. The Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, is hosting the talks, which...

UK/Spain News

La Linea aims to export political model to Cadiz province as key to survival 

By Maria Jesus Corrales  La Línea’s Mayor, Juan Franco, has ruled himself out as a candidate for 100x100 Unidos in Cádiz, even as he marks 10 years in office by driving the party’s expansion across the province as key to his city’s growth.  Mr Franco said the new party aims to contest the next regional...