The Ministry of Culture has today announced that the closing date for participating in the exhibition “Mediterranea16”, promoted via the Little Constellation organisation has been extended to Sunday 17th February 2013.
The exhibition is open to visual artists, filmmakers, writers, performers, musicians, designers and cultural researchers under the age of 35 years old (i.e., born before December 31st 1977). Artists have to present one specific proposal related to their concept. Participation is free of charge.
Stephanie BRABIN, dob 8/5/73 of Raven House, Road to the Lines has today pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court to 1 count of possession of a controlled drug: 65 grammes of Cannabis resin. She received a £600 fine. A guilty plea to possession of 25 grammes of herbal Cannabis received no separate penalty.
As part of the RGPs on going initiative to integrate further with the Community, the force will shortly be embarking on its ‘Safe Surf’ campaign that advises the public on safe usage of the internet and social media. Following the distribution of a number of information booklets, the force will soon be engaging with school children in an attempt to curb cyber bullying and online fraud and promote protection of identity.
Housing Minister, Charles Bruzon has thanked all those who have sent their good wishes for a speedy recovery following a major surgery for bowel cancer last November. The Minister is undergoing a second stay in hospital for radio and chemo therapy.
Next month, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo will speak at The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival along with a host of world class authors and speakers, in late March.
The invitation comes in the year that Gibraltar is set to launch its own Literary Festival. Mr. Picardo, a graduate of Oxford University’s Oriel College will address the crowd on Self Determination. He will explain that ‘the right of a nation to determine its political future is inalienable’.
Gibraltar-based Sovereign Insurance Services marked the beginning of the New Year by expanding its business in Ocean Village. The company has acquired the general insurance book of Eurolinx Limited and as a result, well-known local insurance personality Alan Montegriffo has joined the expanding team.
Commenting on the acquisition, Sovereign Insurance Services Managing Director Geoff Trew said that although organic growth was positive, the Eurolinx general insurance book would allow the business to grow exponentially over the coming year. He added that the company is delighted that Mr Montegriffo is joining the team. Mr Trew pointed out that Neil Entwistle has also recently joined the company, and that he will concentrate on working with the Sovereign Group offices world-wide to generate international insurance business opportunities for their Gibraltar, London and international insurance markets.
During this month’s session of Parliament, Opposition Spokesman for Health, Isobel Ellul-Hammond is set to probe Health Minister Dr. Cortes about when the new GHA website will be launched and when the Colon Cancer screening programme will start. She will also ask the Minister whether he is now in a position to publish the GHA review Report. Mrs. Ellul-Hammond will also query the GHA process used for measuring the results of hospitals used in the UK, Spain and other countries Gibraltar refer GHA patients to, as Sponsored Patients.
A draft for a new legislation on Civil Partnerships is currently being reviewed by the Gibraltar Government and is set to be published soon, as a Command Paper. Following this release, there will be a public consultation period of two weeks, then a further six weeks as the proposal becomes a Bill.
The legislation follows the Government’s Manifesto commitment to legislate for the recognition of civil partnerships between two people, regardless of gender of sexual orientation, reflected by a binding contract through the signing of an official register. The manifesto says that this action would entitle them to benefits related to tax, pension and property rights.