Archives for January 2010
January 1st, 2010
Shortly after midnight the chimes of the clock in the Casa de Correos in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, welcomed in the new year, and Spain took over it's presidency of the European Union until 30 June. As promised, dozen buildings around the country were lit up with blue light.
Continue reading Happy New Year
January 4th, 2010
As well as the recently reported rises in the rates of essential basic services such as electricity, gas and public transport, general taxes have also risen in the new year. The government has adopted higher taxes in efforts to address the drop in revenues caused
Continue reading New Year Spanish Tax Hikes
January 4th, 2010
A woman will pay a 3,756 euro fine for feeding pigeons around her building in Malaga, after a complaint from neighbours about the mess caused by the birds on the front of their building, located in the historic centre of the city. According to the newspaper Malaga Today, this is
Continue reading Nearly 4,000 Euro Fine for Feeding Pigeons in Malaga
January 4th, 2010
A total ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and entertainment venues in 2010 will cause the closure of between 35,000 and 40,000 premises (10% of the total in Spain), and the loss of 100,000 jobs according to the Vice Chairman of the Spanish Federation of Hotels and Restaurants
Continue reading 100,000 To Lose Jobs Due to Spanish Total Smoking Ban
January 4th, 2010
The price of newly constructed properties in Spain was down 5.7% on average during 2009, according to a report by the Appraisal Society. The Community of Madrid, had the highest depreciation of 7.7%, followed by Catalonia (6.3%) and Valencia (5.5%). The lowest drops were seen in Asturias, with a fall ...
Continue reading 2010 – a Transitional Year For New Property in Spain
January 4th, 2010
"We had high hopes for the new year and then this happens." The mayor of El Cuervo (Seville), Juan Garrido, summed up the mood of the 8,500 residents of the municipality after learning of the death of Josefa R. Z, aged 45, at the hands of her husband. She is the ...
Continue reading First Death in 2010 from Domestic Violence
January 4th, 2010
Retail sales at larger outlets during the Christmas season are at levels "very similar or even somewhat higher" than those recorded last year, said CEO of the National Association of Large Distribution Companies (ANGED) Javier Millan-Astray today. In an
Continue reading Spanish Retail Sales Holding Strong
January 4th, 2010
The American newspaper The New York Times has commented on today's "problematic" increasing rate of youth unemployment in Spain, which has reached 42.9% in the age group between 16 and 24 years. Specifically, one of the most worrying
Continue reading Few Opportunities For Young Spanish Workers
January 4th, 2010
Development Minister, José Blanco, today said that the Spanish Government is to take "additional measures" in aviation security, but not the introduction of controversial body scanners without their full acceptance by the EU. Yesterday, the United Kingdom confirmed they intend to use body scanners, as did Holland. This follows an ...
Continue reading Spain Cautious About Body Scanners at Airports
January 5th, 2010
In Spain, it is traditional for gifts to be given to children on the night of 5th or morning of the 6th of January. Like Santa Claus, children will often send a letter to the kings asking for the gifts they want and indicating why they deserve to receive gifts. ...
Continue reading Santa Claus versus the Three Kings
