Community
The Community section is the heart of the people-oriented online GUIDEPOST magazine. It covers people of all nationalities living in Spain — particularly though not exclusively those who are residing in Madrid — and their exciting life. The operative word in the Community is “international”.
Be sure to check out all main features: Embassy Row, the International Organizations and Clubs, and The Scene.
THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE: THE WHY, WHICH AND HOW OF IT »
The concept of the European Capital of Culture puts culture at the heart of European cities. It highlights the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe and celebrates the cultural features that Europeans share. To date, more than 60 cities across the EU and beyond have been designated European Capital of Culture four of which were Spanish cities.
THOSE MARVELOUS MILESTONES REACHED BY SPAIN’S COUNCIL OF THE EU PRESIDENCIES »
The historical milestones in European integration occurring during Spain's presidencies: the Economic and Monetary Union; the euro; Schengen; the Cohesion Funds, the Lisbon Treaty that gives the EU full legal personality vis-à-vis the world outside; the Treaty of Amsterdam that takes the EU further into supranationalism; the European Arrest Warrant, a face-off with transantional terrorism. . .
UKRAINE, EVER FIRMER FOOTHOLD IN THE EUROPEAN UNION! »
On 23 June 2022, the European Parliament called for immediately granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. The European Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the EU that same day. Today, with Ukraine’ s entry into the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility programme, the beleaguered country is that much closer to integration into the Single Market.
SHANGRI-LA SECURITY CONFERENCE: THE U.S. URGES DIALOGUE WITH CHINA »
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warns that America "will not flinch in the face of bullying or coercion.” Per a VOA News, "Perhaps the most vexing of the issues involving China is the issue of Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its own and that it wants to bring under its rule. China has become increasingly aggressive with its moves against Taiwan, setting up a situation that could resemble Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
STATESIDE STORIES: The G7 Supports Ukraine »
At the G7 summit, the US President has made his support of Ukraine manifest; confirmed the US will begin training Ukraine pilots on the F-16 jets which could prove a major factor in gaining air supremacy over Russia; has pledged a further $375 million dollars in military aid. He has called on Putin to stop the conflict which has cost some 200,000 casualties on the Russian side alone.
JOIN THE EUROPEAN YOUTH EVENT2023 COMPETITION AND WIN A FREE TRIP TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT! »
On 9-10 June, thousands of people aged 16 to 30 from across the EU will take over the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the European Youth Event (EYE) to discuss and share ideas on how to shape the future of Europe. Shoot your best picture and win a trip to the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S EYE2023!
SEVE & JON,THE POWER OF AN OLD INSPIRATION OVER THE NEW SPANISH GOLFING HERO »
Rahmbo paying tribute to Seve Ballesteros on the former's win at Masters: "Spaniards like winning on Easter Sunday and Seve's birthday!"
TIKTOK NIXED IN EUROPE AND THE U.S. ON THE GROUNDS OF ESPIONAGE »
The EU, the U.S. and other countries are banning TikTok from devices they have supplied their staffers. The reason: cybersecurity. TikTok user data are believed to be shared with Beijing. TikTok employees are cited as saying that "everything is seen in China."
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “When Mao Flu Hit the Office,” 13 February 1970 »
Every year those little germs that travel across the Asian and European continents from the east seem to take a stronger hold. During this last epidemic homes and businesses were very severely affected and in one office 40% of the bilingual secretaries were sick, including the telex and switchboard operators. After several years’ experience in Madrid as a top executive secretary, Yvonne Monroe decided to fill one of Madrid´s gaps—the temporary secretarial agency, and three years ago StenoServices was born. London, New York and Paris have been served by these bureaux for a long time now, but in the Spanish capital this was a new venture.
TOXIC FALLOUT FROM THE WORLD CUP »
At the World Cup final, Argentina wrestled the magnificent $20 million, 18-carat solid gold World Cup trophy from France, the defending champion. Enthusiastic sports commentators raved about “the best supermatch of all time.” But when the dust of the desert has settled, there’s nothing left in Doha but the bitter taste of defeat – a defeat brought on by the failure of sportswashing to gloss over the Qatari image and present the Gulf state to the world as a liberal modern state. Among the debris from the Qatar fallout is the tarnished image of the European Parliament, some of whose MEPs, staff and lobbyists are accused of accepting succulent sportswashing bribes from Qatar. Upbraiding the suspects, EP President Roberta Metsola said, “Shame on you for violating the trust of the people of Europe.”