Gibraltar Today GBC

What would you like to see in the Gibraltar of the future? A tender has been awarded for a new Development Plan. Our reporter Jonathan Sacramento has been looking at the story. We also heard from some of our listeners to give us their thoughts and ideas.
Are you a Swiftie? If not, you probably know one. Taylor Swift has taken the world by storm recently - she's a record-smashing star, and her billion-dollar Eras World Tour landed in Europe recently. A large number of local fans flocked to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid this weekend for her show. We caught up with Swifties Aimie Desoisa and Melanie Chipolina, who both saw her live, and told us about what the ambiente was like on the night.
In football, the Gibraltar Men’s National Team side has travelled to Portugal for a last time after the news that it will be able to play its Nations League Campaign on the Rock. Gibraltar will first take on Scotland then Wales in two friendlies. Our reporter, Jose Mari Ruiz is in Faro ahead of kick off at the Estadio Algarve and will be following the action from the sidelines.
And, how can supported employment diversify Gibraltar’s workplace? A conference this coming Wednesday at the Sunborn Hotel hopes to bring together the private and public sectors, NGO’s and charities to talk about empowering journeys and igniting careers. We were joined by organisers Jolene Gomez and Paul Dobinson.

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Do you follow local football? GBC is preparing a podcast series telling the story of Gibraltar’s 10 years of UEFA membership. The podcast is called “Building a Football Nation”, and will launch in early June. We spoke to the host of the podcast Molly McElwee.
On the day the UK Parliament has dissolved, Sir Bob Neill says support for Gibraltar will continue regardless of who wins the general election. The Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gibraltar and long-time friend is retiring from frontline politics, but speaking to GBC, he stressed he will continue to bang the drum for the Rock. Our reporter Iain Triay Clarence told us more.
And, this weekend will see a fund-raising Teddy Bears Picnic at Commonwealth Park. It's organised by Research into Childhood Cancer (RICC). Last year's was the first and it was a big hit with families and especially with young children. We were delighted to have the star of that event Ricky, the Giant Bear, join us in the studio, together with Denise Marsden and Karen Celecia.


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E-Sports, UK Parliament, Kitchen Studios
 
There is a new home for esports players on the Rock. The Gibraltar Esports and Videogaming Association has inaugurated a premises at the Europa Sports Complex. The site features high tech computers, speaker systems and even a formula 1 simulation drive. Our reporter Shelina Assomull was at the opening, and we also spoke to Dean Penfold, who is the Secretary of the Esports and Videogaming Association. 
 
 
The British Parliament has dissolved today. It did so very early this morning, ahead of a July 4th general election. The Labour Party could return to power after 14 years of Conservative rule. Campaigning has officially commenced as 650 parliamentary seats became vacant at one minute past midnight (23:01 GMT) as per the electoral schedule. Ros Astengo is hosting a ViewPoint episode on this topic.
 
 
And, art can be powerful, it can invite us to re-see the world in a different way, it can tell us something about who we are, it can affect change. It's a milestone year for Kitchen Studios - the art group was formed in 2014 with the aim of providing a vibrant workspace for young artists in Gibraltar. Ten years on, it is a hub of creativity, innovation and collaboration - local artists Tom Maxwell and Naomi Duarte are both heavily involved.

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The Chief Minister says he's always been very clear that 'boots on the ground' are a 'no-no' in treaty negotiations. Speaking on GBC’s “Direct Democracy” last night, Fabian Picardo said the reference in the Spanish Parliament, to armed Spanish police in Gibraltar, is the Spanish Interior Ministry putting its negotiating position across, but not divulging any details of where the negotiations actually are. Our news editor Christine Vasquez spoke to the Chief Minister last night.
Ahead of his departure last week, the Governor Sir David Steel invested GHA therapist Gaynor Vatvani and Air Terminal Director Terrence Lopez with the Gibraltar Award. It recognises people for loyal and valuable public service. We spoke to both Gaynor and Terence in the studio to ask them what receiving the award meant to them.
And, International Museum Day was held earlier this month and to celebrate, the Gibraltar national museum is holding its annual Open Day this Saturday. This year's theme is "Museums for Education and Research", set by the International Council of Museums. There are a wide range of activities on offer: we spoke to Professor Clive Finlayson about what they have planned for this year’s event.

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Former Natwest Senior Manager Gillian Balban has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for fraud and false accounting, during her time at the bank. The sentence follows Gibraltar's longest jury trial in 20 years. She was found guilty of six out of seven charges earlier this year. Shelina Assomull was at the Supreme Court this morning. 
 
A Chinese human trafficking gang, which allegedly smuggled more than 250 Chinese nationals to the UK via the Gibraltar airport, has been dismantled in La Linea by the Spanish National police, according to Spanish media reports. 14 people have been arrested - ten in La Linea, and four in Madrid. The RGP told GBC it's worked with the Spanish authorities on the investigation, taking part in a number of intelligence exchanges in recent months. We spoke to Christina Cortes about the story.
Jose Mari Ruiz brought us the latest from last weekend local sports scene and was also joined by Sally Barton – she recently became the oldest ever international cricketer! The grandmother of 3 made her debut for Gibraltar against Estonia last month - she turned 67 last week! Sally Barton plans to "play as long as possible" – what an inspiration!
And, would you like to help young girls become responsible citizens, confident women, who stand up for what they believe in? Girl guiding Gibraltar is recruiting volunteers. Claire Montado, Girlguiding commissioner, and Marie Bocarisa, Guide leader and former Commissioner, told us more about what sort of person would make a good girl guides volunteer.


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What is the ambiente like in London, with the UK election having been called? We spoke to Gibraltar’s Representative to the UK Dominique Searle about this. He was in the UK parliament earlier this week, sat behind the Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, so we were keen to hear about his experience and to learn more about his role.
 
Despite concerns, there were no queues at the frontier this morning. The Borders and Coastguard Agency did not go ahead with planned industrial action. It follows last minute discussions between BCA shop stewards and Unite the Union. Our reporter Kevin Ruiz was at the frontier first thing this morning.
Have you got a talent that you discovered during lockdown? Lots of people began new hobbies during that time and Ella Cruz found her way of expressing herself through poetry. Her book, “Decorate yourself with Flowers” represents her emotions and feelings. We spoke to Ella about her work.
 
Danza Academy’s Anne Marie Gomez was invited to be a judge at the Fitkid 30th Anniversary Spanish Nationals and Open Championship. She was joined by judges from Poland, Serbia, Hungary, Italy, England and Spain. The Academy is also working hard ahead of the Global Dance Open in Holland in July. Last year Danza achieved 56 placing at the Finals. We spoke to Anne Marie to the studio alongside three of her students May Montegriffo Santos, Robyn Xiberras and Celine Scortino.

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