Here is my latest update of the British pound to euro exchange rate, covering the 11th to 18th May 2012. This is intended as a brief guide to what’s affected the exchange rate this past week as well as what might happen next, to help you decide if now’s the best time to change currencies. Pound to euro: -0.72% decrease on the week (from 1.254 to 1.245) +2.33% increase on the month (from 1.217 to 1.245) This past week: 1. Right-wing UK newspapers including The Telegraph and Daily Express have been openly discussing this week the possibility that the euro might soon end, as economists put the odds of Greece leaving the euro at 50.0% and above. 2. The pound has lost a cent against … [Read more...] about Euro to end as Greece exit nears?
Spain News
‘Seis puntos sobre Emma’: Blind motivation?
Seis puntos sobre Emma tells the story of Emma, a blind woman of around 30 who is attempting to get pregnant, with Machiavellian calculation. Interviews with director Roberto Pérez Toledo (himself a wheelchair-user) reveal that one of the main aims behind his film was to offer a portrait of a blind person as a flawed human being rather than a victim. Perhaps it is because I have grown up with visually impaired people, but whenever I see a film purporting to offer this kind of insight into the life of someone with a disability my first reaction is: tell me something new. After all, films featuring portrayals of disabled characters as strong and capable individuals already exist, albeit … [Read more...] about ‘Seis puntos sobre Emma’: Blind motivation?
Bilbao celebrates 15 years of Guggenheim-inspired transformation
When Frank O. Gehry won a limited competition to design Bilbao’s new art museum in the early 1990s, the idea was to turn an old brick factory along a bend in the Nervión River into a cultural focal point for a city that had seen its traditional industries, such as shipbuilding and mining, virtually disappear by the late 20th century. Gehry had designed the Fish (1992) sculpture for Barcelona’s Port Olímpic, utilizing computer-aided design (his first use of CAD for a major project) to model its sweeping curves. In Bilbao, he would employ similar methods, resulting in what appear to be random organic forms (reminiscent of billowing sails) with the combination of seemingly incongruous … [Read more...] about Bilbao celebrates 15 years of Guggenheim-inspired transformation
From abroad or in Spain? Obtaining a foreigner’s identification number
You need an NIE if you live in Spain. Your foreigner’s identification number (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros) is the key to everything from buying your home to collecting your mail. It can also be essential for the non-resident too. If you want to make a house purchase or you have been left Spanish property in a relative’s will you need an NIE to make the transaction. If you need to get an NIE as quickly as possible then you may prefer not to have to travel to Spain at all. Until 2011 it was possible to obtain a power of attorney in your home country which enabled someone in Spain to act on your behalf and obtain the NIE for you. However, in April 2011 a new regulation stipulated … [Read more...] about From abroad or in Spain? Obtaining a foreigner’s identification number
Pound to euro hits 1.25 as Spain nationalises Bankia
Here is my latest update of the British pound to euro exchange rate, covering the 4th to 11th May 2012. This is intended as a brief guide to what’s affected the exchange rate this past week as well as what might happen next, to help you decide if now’s the best time for you to change currencies. Pound to euro: +1.609% weekly increase 1.2504 (1.2306 a week ago) +2.094 monthly increase 1.2505 (1.2129 a month ago) This week: 1. The pound hit its highest rate against the euro since 2008, as well as breaking the hugely symbolic 1.25 point, as Spain’s nationalisation of Bankia as well as electoral chaos in Greece pull the euro down. 2. The Bank of England didn’t announce a fourth … [Read more...] about Pound to euro hits 1.25 as Spain nationalises Bankia
Time for Spain’s ‘indignados’ to prove their relevance
As the 15-M movement, or indignados, prepare to commemorate their first anniversary, it says plenty about the state of Spain and its economy that much of the news coverage has focused on the possibility of clashes between demonstrators and police this weekend. With gatherings and marches scheduled across the country, from Saturday until the symbolic May 15 date itself, the scene is set for a huge turnout and another expression of anger and outrage at Spain’s political class and their handling of the economy. Many fear that this will spill over into violence, either on the part of the protesters, or the police. Violent confrontation was not something associated with los 15-M when they … [Read more...] about Time for Spain’s ‘indignados’ to prove their relevance
La Liga: Real Madrid’s away form is the stuff of champions
The last couple of weeks in the Spanish liga may have lost much of their tension after Real Madrid’s victory at Barcelona all but sealed the title race, but the season’s closing stages are still providing plenty of drama. When Madrid finally did secure the league title on Wednesday, the way they did so was utterly fitting. A 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao’s feared San Mamés reflected the side’s superb away form this season, which has seen them drop only seven points outside the Bernabéu. And of course, Cristiano Ronaldo was on the score sheet, heading in from a corner in the 50th minute after Gonzalo Higuaín and Mesut Özil each scored in the first 20 minutes. Ronaldo has been unstoppable … [Read more...] about La Liga: Real Madrid’s away form is the stuff of champions
A victory for Hollande, a victory for Spain
François Hollande’s French presidential election win has been trumpeted as a triumph for Socialists across Europe. Not only does it stem the tide of centre-right governments that have taken control of most EU countries, it also vindicates the European left’s resistance to austerity at any cost. And the champagne was being uncorked on Sunday at the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), as its leaders enjoyed the thought that finally, their neighbour to the north has a left-leaning president. We don’t know whether Hollande will deliver on some of his bigger promises, such as reducing the retirement age or renegotiating fiscal targets with the EU. But the fact that one of the … [Read more...] about A victory for Hollande, a victory for Spain
Buying a home in Spain: Dealing with new property defects
The builder or developer has to take full responsibility for any defects, hidden or visible. The finished product is down to them whether it’s an electrical, plumbing or structural fault, though the claim period does vary depending on the extent and severity of the problem. For example, simple defects related to the finishing, such as doors and floor tiles are covered for one year, while structural defects relating to the safety, integrity and inhabitability of the property are covered for up to 10. It is important that you make your claim as soon as you can after spotting the defect. For structural claims your builder is required to take out insurance and may also have taken out … [Read more...] about Buying a home in Spain: Dealing with new property defects
Remember Gernika – but don’t forget Chaouen
The last few weeks have seen commemorations, mainly in the Basque Country, of the 75th anniversary of the bombing by German and Italian warplanes of the historic town of Gernika at the behest of General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Around 4.30 in the afternoon of April 26, 1937, a joint squadron of 23 German and Italian planes appeared in the skies over the historic, and undefended, Basque town. Over the next five hours they dropped a total of 22 tons of high explosives and incendiary devices that burned for days, destroying 70 percent of the town, and killing and wounding at least 1,600 people, around a third of the population. Gernika remains a powerful symbol of … [Read more...] about Remember Gernika – but don’t forget Chaouen