Stories for June 2016

Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 14:22 UTC
Gibraltar Spanish flag incident: culprit admits 'politically motivated' stunt; sentencing on Tuesday

The President of a Spanish far right political party, Vox Madrid, has pleaded guilty to one count of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace in Gibraltar. It follows his arrest on Monday after a large Spanish flag was unfurled on the West side of the Upper Rock. His appointed lawyer told the court his client, Juan Ignacio Minguez Martinez, was sorry if his actions caused any Gibraltarians any problems. He also added that he has the “uppermost respect” for British people.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 13:22 UTC
German coalition bans fracking for shale gas indefinitely, but with parliament reassess in 2021

$German industry is keen to keep the door open to fracking arguing it could help lower energy costs, but opposition from the green lobby is strong$

Germany's coalition government agreed this week to ban fracking for shale gas indefinitely after years of fractious talks over the issue, but environmental groups said the ban did not go far enough and vowed to fight the deal. Test drilling will be allowed but only with the permission of the respective state government, officials said.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 08:32 UTC
Cameron vows to return to Gibraltar and reaffirms commitment to the Rock

British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to return to Gibraltar, as he underscored his commitment to always stand up for the Rock. In a recorded address for the people of Gibraltar, PM Cameron said he wanted to return to the Rock because he admired this community, its achievements and its positive commitment to the EU.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 08:09 UTC
Colombia and FARC are to sign bilateral and definitive ceasefire 23 June in Havana

Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) reached an agreement on a bilateral and definitive ceasefire that will pave the way for a referendum on a peace deal between the warring parties, a senior FARC negotiator said on Wednesday.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 07:50 UTC
Brexit referendum: race too close to call, say pollsters

Minister David Cameron invoked Britain's wartime spirit in a last-ditch bid to win votes on Wednesday on the eve of a knife-edge referendum on European Union membership that has put the continent on alert.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 07:35 UTC
Britons going to the polls for a historic referendum; results by Friday breakfast

UK is set to go to the polls in a historic referendum on whether the country should remain a member of the European Union or leave. Polling stations are open between 07:00 BST and 22:00 BST. An estimated 46,499,537 people are entitled to take part in the vote - a record number for a UK poll.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 06:03 UTC
Maduro-Shannon discuss restarting relations; OAS debates implementing Democratic Charter on Venezuela

Veteran U.S. diplomat Tom Shannon spoke for nearly two hours with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday to re-start relations between the ideologically opposed governments amid a punishing economic crisis in the oil rich country.
Thursday, June 23rd 2016 - 02:56 UTC
Renewables the focus of EU Energy Week in the Falklands

The Power & Electrical Department hosted an open day last week at their Sand Bay Wind Farm to showcase the work being undertaken by the Falkland Island’s Government (FIG) to utilise and promote renewable energy sources. The open day, which included guided tours and demonstrations, formed part of wider initiatives recently undertaken by FIG to address issues surrounding climate change.
Wednesday, June 22nd 2016 - 11:36 UTC
Gibraltar court will decide on a man who unfurled a Spanish flag in the Rock

A man was arrested in connection with the unfurling of a Spanish flag in Gibraltar. The man remains in Police custody and will be appearing before the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, June 22nd 2016 - 05:59 UTC
OAS listens to mediators' appeal for government/opposition dialogue in Venezuela

Addressing the OAS Permanent Council, former Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that reconciliation is an indispensable and essential challenge to overcome the current confrontation situation in Venezuela, and although it will be a long, difficult process, he recommends dialogue efforts should continue.