News update

- Spain takes over Presidency of European Union for six months. Sevilla, Córdoba, Málaga, Granada and Cádiz scheduled to host related events, meetings or functions. Zapatero promises to make Europe's economy more productive, innovative and sustainable.
- Algeciras man arrested near San Roque for driving the wrong way on A-7 with four times the legal alcohol limit.
- Algeciras has a new Civil court and an additional judge. Court number 4, though, begins the year without a judge and no phones.
- Los Barrios municipal workers renew protests at not having been paid thei annual bonus. Announce stronger measures if situation continues.>

- La Línea's projected airport services area to become temporary parking zone to reduce Gibraltar access queues. Parking prices to be established soon and road signs will announce the area.
- Gibraltar Chronicle at risk of disappearing unless adequate finance is found, according to union boss Charles Sisarello. (More on this below.)
- Gibraltar's own Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino, is already booked to visit fifty countries in 2010.
- Region's reservoirs open fluices: Charco Redondo (Los Barrios) opened them today, Guadarranque's (Castellar) have been open since Saturday. Reservoirs are at levels not seen since 1996.
- Guadiaro River has been pumping water to the Majaceite River near Jerez since the storms last week. The trasvase is upriver from San Pablo.