Paris and Strasbourg put on pollution alert

Officials have issued new pollution alerts for Paris and Strasbourg. Public health officials said the two cities registered pollution levels at "level two", the midpoint on the official scale and one step below the level requiring curbs on private cars and free public transport.

Officials in Paris said the alert would probably last through today, when hundreds of thousands of young Roman Catholics are expected to converge on the city for the World Youth Days, including a visit by the Pope later in the week. Police lowered speed limits last week and urged drivers to leave cars at home when the last alert was issued. Reuters - Paris