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.
NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, A PARTNERSHIP FOR WORLD PEACE: HOW IT WORKS »
The case of Spain, an EEC applicant who did not want to remain in NATO: Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany to President of Spain: " You can't join the EEC and not contribute to its defense." NATO'S relationship with the European Union: "NATO and the EU play complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international peace and security."
THE OLYMPICS, THE SEINE, AND THE MAYOR: WHO WILL FINE HIDALGO FOR SWIMMING IN THE RIVER? »
The Seine River will take center-stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. It is certified swimmable. And truly magnificent historical landmarks provide an irresistible backdrop. But the thing is: Since 1923, the river is off-limits to swimming. And the ban, as far as anybody could tell, has not been lifted. Will the Mayor of Paris be accountable for taking a dip to attest to the water's suitability?
LA ROJA, THE NEW GODS OF OLYMPUS »
Following their recent record-breaking Euro Cup win, La Roja is the most successful national team of the 21st century and its young, vibrant, talented, and brave players are the new gods of football's Olympus.
The President of the European Parliament on the Results of the European Parliament Elections 2024 »
The election of the world's largest democratic parliament, the European Parliament, was held 6 - 9 June 2024. With the provisional results now in, the next agenda of the European Parliament is the election of the new President of the European Commission. In all likelihood incumbernt president Ursula von der Leyen will be RE-elected since her consrvative party, the European People's Party, won the largest number of parliamentary seats.
THE NEW CHINESE IN THE YEAR OF THE AWESOME DRAGON »
The Dragon symbolizes nobility, honor, and success so 2024, being the Year of the Dragon, augurs extraordinarily well. It will bring on opportunities, changes, and challenges. But the Chinese, while trusting in their zodiac, didn't have to wait for the Year for a change-over into a smiling, cordial part of the Spanish scene, At least that's how it looked at the Year of the Dragon celebrations. It's been in the making, gradually, for some time.
EU SERIES: THE EUROPEAN UNION, STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH (1) »
EU basics: What the European Union is, its origins, its goals and values, gains and successes. Special mention: the EU as a Nobel Peace laureate. The EU and Brexit.
EU SERIES: WOMEN IN THE EU LIVE LONGER BUT WON’T BEAR MORE CHILDREN TO RESCUE THE POPULATION »
Eurostat numbers on hand, it is but logical to conclude that while the ability of women in the EU to choose the age at which they would be mothers is GOOD news, it is at once a mixed blessing. Apparently, women have chosen not only to put motherhood on hold but also to have an insufficient number of children when they finally decide to have them. (Spanish women top the list of those who postpone motherhood AND have the least number of children to boot.) In so doing, Europe is unable to keep its population constant unless boosted by immigrants.
EU SERIES: CAN EUROPE MAINTAIN THE SIZE OF ITS POPULATION WITHOUT OUTSIDE HELP? EUROSTAT NUMBERS SAY NOPE »
There aren't enough factors to keep the size of the EU population constant. Crude birth rates cannot offset crude death rates. Fertility rates are plunging. When she should be giving birth to 2.1 children in her child-bearing years, the Spanish woman, for one, gives birth to just 1.23, making Spain among the EU Member States with the lowest fertility rates.
VOICE OF AMERICA: Reporters Covering Israel-Hamas Conflict Must Wade Through Disinformation »
A must-view and listen-to!
THE EUROPEAN UNION IS WITH ISRAEL BUT WILL NOT DESERT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE »
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: "This kind of horror is terrorism. It is an act of war. Europe fully supports Israel's right to defend itself. Our humanitarian support to the Palestinian people is not in question. Yet it is important that we carefully review our financial assistance for Palestine so that it does not go to Hamas. We will have to work to contain the War's destabilising effects, including on the ongoing rapprochement between Israel and its Arab neighbours. We will also monitor closely Iran's posture, given its long-standing support to Hamas.
