Gibraltar has always been centre stage, even without wanting to

by CARMEN GOMEZ
Nelson to Lt Governor Fox 1805; “Broken hearted as I am, at the escape of the Toulon Fleet, yet it cannot prevent me thinking of all the points entrusted to my care, amongst which Gibraltar stands prominent. Read more

We shall see if Omicron proves to be a friend rather than a foe

SPECIAL REPORT by PETER TABERNER

The highly transmissible Omicron variant has presented the world with its next major challenge with coronavirus, leaving the Gibraltar Government to plan its response and also deal with the fallout of the new variant.  Read more

Why do lifts in town tend to break down?

by Carmen Gomez

Generally, in tower blocks, lifts have to be maintained throughout the year, as they tend to beak down for all sorts of different reasons. One of the reasons being that they are used not only by the people who live there; some of whom travel in them with their motorised buggies; but also to transport heavy goods like pieces of furniture when they are moving out, or moving in.  Read more

Orchestrated political campaigns to undermine different Govts using the unions

IN MY VIEW by F. OLIVA

The toxic state of Gibraltar’s political arena is best exemplified by Unite the Union’s call for a demonstration outside Convent Place on January 10 to protest against the Health Authority.
Using a hospital, an essential public service which deals with matters of life and death as leverage to compel any elected administration to adopt a particular course of action is morally questionable even at the best of times. Read more

A fear that beds with anxiety

Fear or anxiety is easy to manipulate, and we are wired to respond. Do you remember the film “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers?” It has a familiar ring these days. Why? Because many around the world and even locally too, become transformed when listening to those who have a loud enough voice, and present themselves as our saviours.  Read more

Gibraltar and the EU

by F. OLIVA

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

It was reassuring to hear Picardo say he respects the EU, respects and understands European law and wishes to interface with it, looking at options which “satisfy all parties” in the application and interpretation of EU law. Read more

Picardo battles to reaffirm Rock’s public interest

by F. Oliva

Several important conclusions can be drawn from Chief Minister Fabian Picardo’s recent appearance before the House of Commons, European Scrutiny Committee. Perhaps the most significant is that he has a rational, long-term political vision for the future of Gibraltar, a well-constructed plan that is unmatched by the paltry pursuits of an Opposition more concerned about short-term, party political scrambles for votes, than with addressing the matters of existential magnitude that shook us to the core after the Brexit upheaval reconfigured our political parameters for all time. Read more

All is not well in our hospital

by CARMEN GOMEZ
For as long as I can remember, there have always been complaints about our hospital. Read more

Book: The Successful Manager

The world needs exceptional managers — now, more than ever — who know how to attract and retain great people. The Successful Manager: Practical Approaches for Building and Leading High-Performance Teams from James Potter and Mike Kavanagh is for those who take their goal of becoming a top-tier manager seriously. The Successful Manager provides concrete, actionable solutions to help all managers, from the newly appointed to the seasoned professionals, strengthen their managerial skills, engender trust and loyalty, and lead their teams to greatness.  Read more

Are we living in Frankenstein’s Democracy?

by MARK VIALES
The values instilled within the doctrine of Democracy have been torn apart and sewn together haphazardly into a disfigured abomination of contradiction thriving on populist propaganda. Read more

After the mandate, no one knows what’s next

by CARMEN GOMEZ
It seems to me that anyone who follows the news; not just browses through the headlines, but bothers to read on to the end of the article; can realize that both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have been for a very long time, and continue to at present, trying via every venue open to them; through every contact possible in the diplomatic world; to bring about a harmonious and satisfactory consensus for all involved i.e. the community of Gibraltar; which would then naturally spill over to those in the Spanish territory. Read more

The ARMANDO LAGRANDE Column

Who watches the budget on a hot summer’s day?

As the Budget session draws to a close, many will wonder what the fuss was all about. In fact, is this a story that makes a major impact in the average person?
Well, a budget session is important enough because of what is announced and what is decided. But with so much verbosity out in the afternoon sun, who may watch what is happening on the television?  Read more

How prepared is the world this time around?

by CARMEN GOMEZ
Isn`t it the case that whilst in government, Heads of State get on with the business of governing without too much interruption; albeit for the Dominic Cummings of this world and others like Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott authors of “Failures of State; the inside story of Britain’s battle with Coronavirus.” Read more

Carmen Gomez DIARY

A Studio in the heart of town

Walking up Irish Town, past the Panorama offices, I noticed that on the big shop window where before the charity shop stood, I saw a beautiful big print of the Rock in the window, and I thought what a good idea it was, in place of what one sees in general when a shop is closed. Read more

Is the path to dialogue treading on thin and dangerous ground?

by CARMEN GOMEZ
Why does our Chief Minister bother to travel to Madrid, or anywhere in Spain, to as he says, “constantly put the Gibraltar position;” a path which he thinks is leading to making inroads slowly. But in so doing, should he put his life on the line? How drastic some might say my words are. Read more

Is Morrison’s for the chop?

by CARMEN GOMEZ
I had heard through the grapevine; that Morrison’s store was leaving us, and instead an American firm was coming in its place. I and others who were commenting this were so disappointed to think that English goods that we had become accustomed to; “remember their slogan “working for the Community;” are not going to be available any more. Read more

Countries condemned to understand each other

by CARMEN GOMEZ

When one reads in the global digital Spanish diary `el Independiente `that Morocco and Spain are condemned to understanding each other, because of their economic, geographic and security links, this Gibraltarian immediately thinks of the UK and Gibraltar, who share the very same links. Furthermore when one continues reading that for decades they have had a bumpy relationship; this Gibraltarian once again thinks of the UK, but more so of Gibraltar. Read more

Gibraltar once again and its people are a shining example to follow

by CARMEN GOMEZ
The 1980’s was seen by Bob Geldof; the Irish singer-songwriter and political activist; as the end of a political period of cooperation and consensus, and compromise. Much later, when he was asked if what he had set into motion and accomplished i.e. the Live Aid concerts etc. could happen today; his answer was a resounding “No.” “You just have to look at the clowns running the planet to understand that could never happen again.” Read more