THE's ranking

Seven Spanish universities are among the world's top 100 young campus, according to the ranking produced annually by the British publication Times Higher Education (THE). Spain is also the fourth largest, behind the United Kingdom, Australia and the U.S., with more campuses in the top 100. Pompeu Fabra University, created in 1990 in Barcelona, ​​ranked 13th.


Apart from the Pompeu Fabra, appear in the top 100 the Autonomous University of Barcelona (ranked 23), the Autonomous University of Madrid (58), Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona (66), the University of Vigo (76 ), the Polytechnic University of Valencia (77) and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (95).

GAME OF TRHONES

Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy series created by David Benioff and Dan Weiss for HBO. The series is based on the novel Game of Thrones, the first part of the Song of Ice and Fire series writer George RR Martin. The story chronicles the violent dynastic struggles among nobles for control of the Iron Throne of Westeros continent several families.

The novel takes place in a fantasy world reminiscent of medieval Europe in which magic and mythical creatures of the past have been forgotten. On the continent of Westeros, where the seasons last for decades and winters are hard times, the end of the long summer approaches. A few years after the revolt that ended the reign of the Targaryen dynasty, Robert Baratheon, who led the Rebels with noble Eddard Stark, now occupies the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. However, power struggles between the major noble houses out ever more openly to light. Also, disturbing events occur in the north, beyond the giant wall that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the wilds. Everything suggests that the balance in the West is about to break again.

Currently the series has begun with season 4 and HBO has signed the following two. Novels have not finished the story as it's a long novel full of important characters die and appear new and it's unpredictable new stories.
In my opinion, the novel and the series is the best that ever lived. I have not seen anything so original stories for its many landscapes and characters never get tired of seeing it or reading it.

20 new rules for Spanish road users

Congress on Thursday passed new traffic legislation that will affect how motorists and cyclists use Spain’s roads.

New regulation has the biggest changes to keep in mind when driving along Spanish roads.

-Principal rules are:

1. Helmets mandatory for cyclists under 16. If they don't wear, they are finesed of 200€ for parents. 
2. Bigger fines for drunk driving. Driving with double the allowed limit of alcohol in the blood will now mean a fine of 1,000€ rather than 500€ and the second time increase to 2,000€. 
3. Fines for driving after taking drugs. The new law all it takes is a saliva test: if the result shows the presence of drugs in the body, drivers will be presented with a 1,000-euro fine. Prescription drugs are excluded.
4. New speed limits. While past limits for cars are 120km/h, now are 130 km/h. However, bikes haven't got speed limits.
5. Police can fine vehicles without stopping theim.
6. 50 percent discount for early fine payment extended to 20 days and before was 15 days.

Current Ukranian situation

Last November, the surprising decision of the Ukrainian Government to suspend the signing of association and free trade with the EU, has created an internal conflict for now has claimed the resignation of Prime Minister Mikola Azarov and his cabinet. 

Ukraine faces the dilemma of access to the Customs Union has forged Russia with Belarus and Kazakhstan or secure their relationship with the European Union through the partnership treaty. 

 While West looks to Europe,  Southeast, culture and Russian language, make it to Moscow, which divide again the country as happened in the past.

In this moments, situation it's frightening, confrontations become between police and demonstrators in Independence Square in Kiev, with presence of snipers on the streets.

Seems incredible that there are so similar to past conflicts in these times. It is clear that humans are not evolving, or learning.

IMPACT ON THE OLYMPICS

Olympic Winter Games (in Sochi, a Russian's city) is an oportunity for gay rights to be promoted in Russia, which are attack by the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

A lot of countries, medias and activists are protesting against Russian's anti-gay laws, such as:

• Google has redesigned his logo today seeker with the colors of the flag of Gay Pride.

• The Guardian has redesigned his "G" with the same colors, ironicaly ("G"ay).

• A street artist in Newcastle paints a mural in protest at Russia's law against gay propaganda.

• Human rights campaigners' ballet dancers protest outside the Russian Embassy in London calling for an end to President Putin's crackdown on human rights.

Most restrictive abortion law of democracy?

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon announced the changes to the current statute, which return in a 1985 law and will only allow abortion under 2 conditions:

1. If the baby presents a risk to the health of the mother 
2. If the pregnancy was the result of rape.

This new law means the elimination of possibility aborting if deformations of the fetus are detected and curtailing women's rights.

The effects of this legislation come to the European Parliament and in the streets of Brussels on a demonstration with two thousand people.

Protesters carried banners in many different languages ( French, Castilian, English and Italian).

Other demonstration come to France (about 5.000 people). Protesters thinks that ultraconservative government presents a law will be intolerable for spanish and European society backward. 

Protesters carried banners, which says: "No interference of the cruch in the bodies of woman", "Solidarity with the Spanish"...

In my opinion, PP's legislation removes woman's rights only for ideological causes as have glad Church and conservative voters. I believe Law set Spain back socially by decades because of the majority in the parliament of Popular Party and also don't consider the majoritu of citiziens who are against.

Press article of "El País in English" (click here)

Work day

Now, Alba and me are making an advertisement. The product is a perfume "Eau the Helloy" and I'm protagonist of this ad.

If you are intersted, you can listen this song of "the gossip":

• SONG

Sorry but I don't tell you any information.

SEE YOU SOON BABIES ,
kisses from ALBA and MARIA.