Podcast Summary: Más de Uno – La España que madruga 22/01/2026
Host: Carlos Alsina (OndaCero)
Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively morning edition, Carlos Alsina and his team dive into the key news stories shaking Spain and the world—from national rail chaos and political tensions to international drama surrounding Donald Trump and the latest in sports. Blending timely analysis, sharp wit, and candid banter, the show delivers both depth and entertainment to early risers eager to stay informed.
Main Discussion Points
1. The State of Spanish Railways and the Adamuz Accident
- Focus: Deteriorating infrastructure and the fallout from a major train accident.
- News covers the aftermath, suggesting the poor condition of the tracks is the likely cause.
- Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, reluctantly acknowledges the possibility (05:00).
- Headlines from major newspapers highlight official confusion, social panic, and restricted high-speed services.
- Social Impact: Widespread travel disruptions, public anxiety, and an impending strike by train drivers:
- Drivers already reducing speed due to safety concerns (05:12).
- Government spending on maintenance down 30% since 2019, while ridership is up 69% (05:49).
2. Political Commentary: Trump and International Relations
- "Siete preguntas y media" (Seven and a Half Questions) segment kicks off with provocative queries about Donald Trump’s global intentions (01:58):
- Analyst: "¿Podemos convenir que Trump no ha venido a pacificar el planeta, sino a vengarse de él?" (01:58)
- Translation: “Can we agree that Trump hasn’t come to pacify the world, but to take revenge on it?”
- Trump’s shifting stance on democracy, erratic foreign policy, and the surreal proposal to "annex" Greenland (02:11).
- Newspapers report him proposing a NATO agreement over Greenland, stepping back from military threats (06:00).
- Analyst: "¿Podemos convenir que Trump no ha venido a pacificar el planeta, sino a vengarse de él?" (01:58)
3. Newsroom Roundtable: Lighter News, Art, and Culture
- Rosa Ugi’s Segment:
- Human moments and local heroes, such as the Torelló family helping accident victims with their 600-year-old winery (06:39).
- Quirky headlines: ancient cave art in Indonesia, Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau’s rumored romance at Davos, and Elon Musk lampooned by Ryanair’s CEO (07:20).
- Microplastics research criticized as overestimated (08:17).
4. Economy and Markets: The "Despertar Liberal"
-
Carlos Rodríguez Brown reviews key economic news (09:13):
- Spanish companies request competitiveness reforms.
- Gas price surges and threats of tariffs could end Spain’s inflation ‘truce’ (09:31).
- National auto production falls; Spain listed as the EU country with most train derailments.
- Financial Times spotlights Japan’s little-known AI chip manufacturer, Kioxia, up 800% in the last year (10:36).
- Wall Street Journal: Divisions at Davos threaten Western unity on Russia, China, and Greenland (10:44).
- Notable quote: "A China y a Rusia nada les gustaría más que ver cómo Groenlandia se convierte en una permanente grieta que sacude a la NATO." (10:56)
-
Economic Cartoon of the Day:
- "La reina: No te preocupes, no son manzanas podridas, solo están envenenadas. Blancanieves: Uff." (11:04)
5. Sports Update
- Champions League Outlook:
- Villarreal out; Real Madrid not yet assured a spot among top eight (11:25).
- Barça’s win in Prague not enough due to defensive woes; Atleti must win big next round (12:00).
- Shift in European football: 5 out of 8 top teams are English, though Manchester City is not among them (12:10).
- Other Sports:
- Forthcoming matches for Betis, Celta, Spanish handball team, Euroleague basketball, and the Women’s Supercup Final between Barça and Real Madrid (12:40).
- Tennis: Spanish losses at the Australian Open; lighter note on Federer playing golf (13:00).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
Irreverent Opening on the Life of Journalists:
"Sé tratar todo tipo de noticias. Y si no las hay, salgo a la calle y le muerdo a un perro."
(Analyst, 00:21)
(“I know how to handle any kind of news. And if there isn’t any, I go out and bite a dog.”) -
Economic Resilience with a Dose of Irony:
"Buenos días, a pesar del gobierno."
(Economic Reporter, 01:00)
(“Good morning, despite the government.”) -
Sharp Political Analysis:
"¿Hubiera sido mejor darle el Nobel de la Paz o el de Literatura o el que sea, como un sonajero para entretener su ego?"
(Analyst, 01:58) -
On Divisions at Davos:
"La fisura entre Estados Unidos y sus aliados es extremadamente peligrosa. A China y a Rusia nada les gustaría más que ver cómo Groenlandia se convierte en una permanente grieta que sacude a la NATO."
(Economic Reporter, 10:44) -
Morning Banter:
"Yo soy cuentista porque estoy echando cuentas Champions y no me aclaro."
(Sports Commentator, 01:23)
(“I’m a storyteller because I’m calculating Champions League standings and I can’t figure it out.”)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:02 – 00:39: Satirical introduction, playful jabs at journalists’ lifestyle.
- 01:58 – 02:43: Seven and a half questions — provocative analysis on Trump and world politics.
- 02:57 – 09:02: In-depth press review, focusing on Spanish rail crisis and other national/international news.
- 09:13 – 11:17: Business and economic news breakdown, including market updates and editorial cartoons.
- 11:25 – 13:15: Sports segment — Champions League, Spanish teams, other sporting news.
Tone and Style
The episode maintains a blend of seriousness and humor:
- Playful exchanges between presenters, even on grave topics.
- Biting political and social commentary.
- Irony and satire in economic and cultural coverage.
- Regular anecdotes and banter break up the heavy news cycle.
- Focused on making complex or dreary topics accessible and entertaining to a broad audience.
Conclusion
La España que madruga offers a sharp yet approachable analysis of Spain’s morning headlines. Listeners are treated to everything from major transport unrest and global political theater to the latest football drama and cheeky morning banter—perfect for anyone eager to start their day informed and amused.