Presseurop |

Spain | Cities gasping for air

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:59:17 +0100

"From Madrid to hell," announces Público – an ironic paraphrase of the advertising slogan "from Madrid to heaven." The daily reports that over the last few days "the upsurge of pollution has set alarm bells ringing" in the Spanish capital. In 2010, Público recalls that "87% of the city’s air-quality control stations reported abnormally high levels of pollution," while "0% of drivers responded to a request from Mayor Albert Ruiz-Gallardon to avoid using their cars." As it stands, cars are responsible for 80% of air pollution in Madrid. And the problem also affects other major cities in Spain. In Barcelona, El Periódico notes that the local citizens "are unable to do anything about the level of pollution" and that "experts have demanded an emergency plan to deal with critical situations."

(News in brief)

EU/US | White House and the 27 dwarves (Presseurop, )

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:29:18 +0100

In turning down Europe’s invite to the upcoming EU-US summit in May, Barack Obama has given Europe a chafing reminder of its own weaknesses. Under the Lisbon Treaty, which was supposed to give the world a single number to call in Europe, the numbers have proliferated, bemoans the press, which quite understands the White House’s exasperation. (Article)

Economic Crisis | Forgetting Spain (Cafebabel.com, Paris)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:16:16 +0100

At 35.4%, the jobless rate for young adults in Spain is one of the highest in the EU. Three out of ten Spaniards under the age of 25 are out of work. Many of them leave the country to try their luck abroad. (Article)