The donation of a GHA ambulance was made this morning to the Red Crescent, based in Moroccan city Chefchaouen. The Red Crescent’s Provincial Committee made a request for assistance recently. The city is situated in the Rif Mountains and has a population of just over 35,000 people.
The ambulance was handed over by Minister for Health Dr. Cortes, to Red Crescent’s Gibraltar representative, Mr. M’Hammad Moujauil.
HMS Cattistock, a Royal Navy minehunter, is set to arrive in Gibraltar on Sunday for a short visit on her way to the Mediterranean, to carry out a four month NATO mission. The ship has been deployed as part of Standing NATO Mine Counter measures Group 2.
Ships from allied nations work together to defend sea routes from the threat of underwater mines and the deployment of the minehunter demonstrates the UK’s longstanding commitment to NATO and outlines the importance of the Royal Navy’s role within the organisation.
Environment Minister Dr. John Cortes this week attended an event at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Rooms in Westminster Hall. The event was hosted by MP Andrew Rosindell and the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum.
The event included a presentation on ‘Safeguarding the Globally Important Wildlife of the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies’ by Dr. Mike Pienkowski, Honorary Chief Executive of the Forum.
The GSD opposition has recently been approached by a number of Senior Citizens asking for advice on early repayment of Government issued debentures, not due until 31st December 2013 and 31st December 2015.
The letters dated 20 December 2012 for the 4% 31 December 2013 maturity, and 1 February 2013 for the 5% 31 December 2015 maturity, headed “replacement of debentures” require replies within a very short period of time, namely 14 January 2013 and 15 February 2013 respectively.
The PDP totally agrees with the sentiments expressed by The Gibraltar Heritage Trust in their recent press release. The Upper Town is indeed “an untapped gem”.
The PDP therefore welcomes the fact that the GSLP/LIB Government is no longer going to add an extra floor to the blocks in the Moorish Castle Estate. This was an ill-advised scheme considering that those buildings are in such a bad state of repair with damp and humidity issues and would not have benefited with an extra floor. The other issue concerning us is that this is an area of outstanding heritage value and should be restored as such. The estate was built there in a time of great need and served its purpose but now with the present deteriorated condition of the buildings these residents should be re-housed in far better, modern, purpose built housing that befits our evolution as a people. Housing schemes require facilities close by, parking, shops, schools and open areas.
Media – Police ReportsFrom 0700hrs 07/02/13 to 0700hrs 08/02/13
1 Person arrested Possession of a Commercial Quantity of Cigarettes.
1 Person arrested for Driving a Motor Vehicle Without a Policy of Insurance.
3 Arrest warrants issued by the Courts for Failure to Appear were executed.
5 Arrest warrants issued by the Courts for non-payment of fines were executed.
The winner of the last YGTV Daily Photograph Competition is Vera Francis with her photo ‘The Past’ depicting a famous Gibraltar sunset taken from the Rock. The foreground of the shot is taken up by one of the many cannons that can be found around Gibraltar, that date back to the Siege. The reflection of the deep burning sunset on the cannon is particularly eye catching.
The GSD has today welcomed the UK Government’s announcement to scrap the, tougher EBC exam system that was set to replace the current GCSE system in 2015. Instead, the government plans to keep the current system, but place more emphasis on the exams by removing some of the coursework.
