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PICARDO: EU address
‘No Spanish sovereignty’ CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has told the European Parliament there is ‘no question of Gibraltar ever accepting the sovereignty of Spain’. Picardo was addressing the Committee of Constitutional Affairs. Speaking in Brussels on Monday evening, Picardo told Spanish MEP Ramon Jauregui Atondo he ‘detected an element of solidarity’ in the PSOE politician’s questions. But Picardo criticised the Spanish government who ‘have made remarks about the people of Gibraltar and have ‘vilified’ Gibraltar on occasions in the Spanish press.
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Vol. 3 Issue 37 www.gibraltarolivepress.com Feb 1st - Feb 14th 2017
Gibraltar news
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Marrache probe
Disgraced lawyer´s release shocks Rock legal world Page 7
Rock fella
Gib´s new man in the Big Apple in Trump denial Page 24
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Gibraltar classifieds
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Gibraltar food & drink
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Probe demand after smoke flare off
OIL refinery bosses have been forced to deny that a big ‘flare off’ could have put locals in danger. It comes after the emergency services received dozens of calls from concerned residents both in Gibraltar and in Spain. The leak at the Cepsa refinery, which went on for hours on Sunday, led to numerous complaints from Olive Press readers, concerned for their health. The government has agreed to take action over the ‘unprecedented level of flaring’ at the San Roque plant over the weekend. A spokesman confirmed the issue will be raised with the EU Commission ‘as a matter of urgency’
Thrive
Picardo said: “People’s lives are put at risk because Spain fails to take the issue of whether Gibraltar has territorial waters to the International Court of Justice. “Gibraltar is not withering on the vine. Gibraltar is not somehow staring at the precipice. “Gibraltar is going to continue to thrive and succeed to the mutual benefit of the people of Gibraltar and the people in the area around Gibraltar.”
Campo of Gibraltar
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February 1st - February 14th 2017
It came after independent MP Marlene Hassan-Nahon insisted: “In this day and age it is outrageous to accept such an environmental liability can remain unchecked.” The GSD’s Trevor Hammond said: “For CEPSA to tritely suggest that there was no risk at all just shows how little oil companies can be relied on to take an honest approach when it comes to matters of public safety.” Cepsa insisted the fumes weren’t ‘a risk to employees or residents’. A spokesman explained that the six refinery torches release pressure from the site’s machinery and are a ‘vital’ security element and the smoke was nothing more than a ‘punctual discharge of gases’ following a light powercut.
Thank you! Gibraltarian mum praises Olive Press for helping publicise her disability case By Joe Duggan
A DISABLED mum has thanked the Olive Press for helping to highlight her four-year ‘housing hell’. Gibraltarian Grace Stevens, 36, had enlisted our help after being ‘effectively stuck’ on the second floor of her housing block since 2015. Using a wheelchair, or forced to walk with crutches, she has struggled to get in and out of her Laguna Estate home, as there is no lift. Now, after we agreed to help, the mother-of-one is finally being aided in her ‘housing nightmare’. “In the last three days I’ve had more help that in the last four years. And I think it’s down to the Olive Press,” she said. “Things are finally happening and I’d like to say thanks for helping to make
this happen.” it is very painful.” The problems for Grace began after She continued: “It has been four years she developed fibromyalgia, a chronic of hell as before that I was homeless nerve condition which makes move- for two and a half years relying on ment difficult. family and friends. Brought on by an abusive seven-year “When my social worker eventually relationship, she allocated me this was left with ‘postplace, it was simtraumatic stress ply inadequate. I disorder’ now relyonly took it as I ing entirely on her was desperate for husband Andy, a my daughter.” former RAF poStevens, who lived liceman, and teenin the UK for ten age daughter, Vicyears until 2013, toria, 18. added: “I’m a loyal But despite batGibraltarian, I was tling repeatedly born here. I just to be re-housed want to be treated - providing all more fairly.” medical evidence HELP: Grace (right) and Andy She continued: “I necessary - she has had to go through been consistently a full referral knocked back by the housing depart- again, just like everyone else, and my ment. doctor here verified my UK doctor’s “I always got a bog-standard refusal,” diagnosis.” she told the Olive Press. “And have It was only on October 21 last year, been stuck in this flat, unable to get in that she was recategorised as a Mediand out easily since 2015. cal A plus housing applicant, the most “I have to fight to get downstairs and urgent categorisation. Yet still nothing was done, says Grace. Thankfully however, this all appears to be changing, with the government admitting this week: “She is being helped by her occupational therapist, social services and housing who are working together to see how she can best be accommodated." Grace added: “In the last Choose one of our great three or four days since the lens offers or get 30% Olive Press got involved, off selected frames there have been conference calls with housing officials to See our ad inside for details. make sure the property I need is the correct specification. They want to do the right thing finally. “So I’d like to say thanks to the Olive Press for making this happen.”
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