Global media discuss the vote
‘We don’t need America’ Russian newspaper Kommersant discusses the importance of a victory for the candidates in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania while an opinion piece by commentator Sergei Strokan discusses whether Trump or Biden would be better for Russia.Ultimately Strokan argues that “there is more and more reason to come to the conclusion that we have not needed America for a long time, although we do not openly admit this. Neither Trump’s America nor Biden’s America.”Beyond EuropeEurope is not the only continent watching the U.S. election closely. Latin America is focusing on the contest, as well as the importance of the Hispanic vote.El Pais Latin American edition notes that “the Latin vote will be decisive in Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona,” adding that “the participation of the Hispanic electorate in some states may overturn the presidential elections in the U.S.”U.S.-Latin American relations have been somewhat strained given Trump’s opposition to immigration and U.S. intervention during Venezuela’s 2019 political uprising against the leftist regime of that country’s President Nicolas Maduro. Newspapers in the region, including the Buenos Aires Times in Brazil, weighed up how the election “could set the tone for the next phase of U.S.-Latin America relations.” LONDON — As the day of the 2020 U.S. election dawns, the whole world is watching on with baited breath.Campaigning by incumbent Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden amid an unprecedented public health crisis — the coronavirus pandemic — has given the outside world an insight into the issues that matter to American voters, from the economy and jobs to health care and racial equality.The run-up to the vote has also highlighted the political polarization that has split American voters.- Advertisement – ‘Disgrace’In Asia, Chinese state outlet Xinhua news agency wrote that “anxiety, pandemic prelude U.S. Election Day as candidates make final push,” but editorials are more critical of the vote.An editorial in the Global Times, a tabloid newspaper in China that is published under the auspices of the Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper, accused the U.S. election of stalling the “global Covid-19 fight.”“The U.S. presidential election has seriously impacted Covid-19 prevention, resulting in an untold negative influence,” the editorial said. “The Trump administration misjudged the epidemic early this year, leading to its ineptitude in the virus fight. The election has made the Trump administration stick to its wrong approach.”Pulling no punches, the editorial concludes that “the U.S. epidemic fight and its election have set a terrible example to the world. It is not only a disgrace to U.S. power but also to the American liberal system.” Beyond its shores, the U.S. election matters because the next president will shape not only America’s future, but the international political landscape too.A disputed result and potential civil unrest in the U.S. are in focus the world over. CNBC has a round-up of what the world’s media thinks as Election Day finally arrives.The U.K. is a good place to start given its “special relationship” with the U.S. Papers are focused on the possibility of a disputed election result, protracted wrangling over the vote count and even potential unrest on the streets.- Advertisement – Supporters of the President Donald Trump listen as he speaks during a rally on November 3, 2020 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Kamil Krzaczynski | Getty Images News | Getty Images – Advertisement –
Democratic Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden gestures after speaking during a Drive-In Rally at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 2, 2020.JIM WATSON | AFP | Getty Images Election workers sort through some of the thousands of mail-in ballots at the Orange County Registrar of Voters in Santa Ana, California, November 2, 2020.Mike Blake | Reuters US President Donald Trump speaks during a Make America Great Again rally at Kenosha Regional Airport November 2, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI | AFP | Getty Images The left-wing Guardian newspaper headlines its coverage of the election and the final hours of campaigning by the candidates with “U.S. braces for historic election amid fears democracy is in danger,” leading with concerns over Trump’s “incendiary” tweet Monday (that Twitter also labeled as potentially misleading) that there could be “violence on the streets” if the vote count is not cut short in Pennsylvania.The right-leaning Telegraph newspaper also leads with concerns over a disputed result, its election coverage headlined with “America braces for election violence with shops boarded up and National Guard on standby.”‘Fight for America’ The election dominates world politics coverage by Europe’s news outlets on Tuesday with quick guides to the vote and opinion pieces weighing up what a Biden administration, or continuation of the Trump presidency, could mean for international relations, particularly Europe’s relationship with the U.S. following a fractious four years between Trump and the continent’s leaders.In France, an editorial in Le Figaro newspaper is headlined “An American Suspense” with author Philippe Gelie noting that “outside of the World Cup (soccer) finals, there is hardly any planetary suspense comparable to the U.S. presidential election.” Italian daily La Repubblica leads its coverage saying “the world is waiting” for the results of the vote, with its editor writing about the need to “reconstruct” America. – Advertisement –
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are similar to electric cars. But unlike electric cars, which have large batteries, these cars have hydrogen tanks and fuel cells that turn the gas into electricity. The cars refuel and accelerate quickly, and they can go for several hundred miles on a full tank. They emit only water vapor, which makes them appealing to California cities that are trying to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.“Almost any objective analysis for getting to zero emissions includes hydrogen,” said Jack Brouwer, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine.Mr. Brouwer does not think hydrogen will become the dominant energy source soon, but he argues that it has great potential as a fuel for vehicles, power plants and appliances. Hydrogen, he said, will complement the use of lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and natural gas.U.C. Irvine has experimented with hydrogen for years and formed partnerships with local governments and major corporations to popularize its use in Southern California.Just over a decade ago, Tim Brown worked on gasoline systems at General Motors. He went back to school in 2004, studied hydrogen with Mr. Brouwer and “became a believer.”Five years after earning his doctorate in 2008, he founded First Element Fuel, which operates 21 hydrogen fueling stations, including a four-pump unit at an Arco gas station in Fountain Valley, about a 10-minute drive from U.C. Irvine. The company plans to build up to 80 stations across the state, under the brand name True Zero. That’s a common complaint. Because of the paucity of hydrogen pumps, car owners often wait in line. But unlike battery-powered electric cars, which can require 45 minutes to several hours to fully charge, hydrogen cars, like gasoline ones, fill up in less than 10 minutes and are good for 300 miles or more on a full tank.Some proponents of hydrogen think its biggest use will be in larger vehicles. Among them is SunLine Transit, which serves Palm Springs and other cities in Riverside County.The transit system has 17 hydrogen buses and is planning to add 10 in the next year. SunLine used more than $27 million in grants over the last 10 years to buy the vehicles and equipment to produce hydrogen, which it makes with the help of electricity from the grid and solar panels. The transit agency already sells compressed natural gas, which fuels most of its buses, to commercial and government agencies, and it plans to sell hydrogen, too.Lauren Skiver, the chief executive and general manager of SunLine, said that she had invited other transit agencies and utilities to see just how far hydrogen had come but that she had often met with disbelief and ambivalence.“We try to meet with them all the time: ‘Look what we’re doing on hydrogen,’” Ms. Skiver said. “They’re not interested at all.” IRVINE, Calif. — Since President George W. Bush fueled a minivan with hydrogen 15 years ago, the promise of cars and trucks powered by the fuel has come up mostly empty.That hydrogen pump, in Washington, closed long ago. But in California, the beginnings of a hydrogen economy may finally be dawning after many fits and starts.- Advertisement – Other states are much further behind. A vast majority of the country’s hydrogen fueling stations and vehicles are in California. – Advertisement – One recent afternoon, Karen Harelson pulled up to the Arco station in her Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen-powered sedan that she bought two years ago. “I personally don’t think they should make another car without it,” said Ms. Harelson, 66, a retired professor at Golden West College. “It’s the best car I’ve ever had. The problem is, there’s just not enough stations around.” Some energy executives said they expected investment in hydrogen to accelerate under President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., who made climate change a big part of his campaign and proposed a $2 trillion plan to tackle the problem.- Advertisement – A recent McKinsey & Company study estimated that the hydrogen economy could generate $140 billion in annual revenue by 2030 and support 700,000 jobs. The study projected that hydrogen could meet 14 percent of total American energy demand by 2050.The use of hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant substance in the universe, is still in its infancy, and California is determined to be its cradle in the United States, with $20 million in annual funding from the California Energy Commission through vehicle license fees. California will have spent about $230 million on hydrogen projects by the end of 2023. The state now has roughly 40 fueling stations, with dozens more under construction. While those numbers are tiny compared with the 10,000 gasoline stations across the state, officials have high hopes.With about 7,500 hydrogen vehicles on the road, an aggressive state program of incentives and subsidies from cap-and-trade dollars envisions 50,000 hydrogen light-duty vehicles by middecade and a network of 1,000 hydrogen stations by 2030. The infrastructure required for producing, transporting and dispensing the gas alone will cost about $10 billion, according to California hydrogen researchers, who expect both private and government investment. There is good reason for skepticism.While there have been many technical advances, hydrogen is still expensive to make and transport. Fuel-cell vehicles also cost more than comparable electric cars. A Toyota Mirai sells for nearly $60,000 before subsidies. A Tesla Model 3 starts at about $38,000 before subsidies. Then there is the chicken-or-egg issue of trying to get people to buy hydrogen vehicles before there is a comprehensive fueling infrastructure. Critics, including Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, point out that hydrogen’s promoters have long failed to deliver on their promises.In his 2003 State of the Union address, President Bush said that “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen and pollution free.” Those hopes were propelled mainly by the rising cost of oil and natural gas at the time. After a boom in hydraulic fracturing helped drive down energy prices, hydrogen took a back seat.Still, hydrogen’s potential continues to entice governments, researchers and corporations. Countries like France, Germany, China, Australia, South Korea and Japan have invested tens of billions of dollars in hydrogen, in part to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and to address climate change.Toyota, Hyundai, Daimler and several other automakers are betting on hydrogen cars and trucks. And Shell is building hydrogen stations in Europe and California.The best use for hydrogen, some experts argue, is to power trucks, buses and airplanes. That’s because the fuel packs energy in a smaller and lighter package than the current generation of batteries, leaving more room for cargo and passengers. Hyundai is prepared to introduce the first mass-produced heavy-duty fuel-cell truck in a few months. Toyota, which has been testing fuel-cell trucks at the Port of Los Angeles since 2017, recently said it would develop heavy-duty fuel-cell trucks for North America. Dozens of hydrogen buses are lumbering down city streets, while more and larger fueling stations are appearing from San Diego to San Francisco, financed by the state and federal governments. With the costs of producing and shipping hydrogen coming down, California is setting ambitious goals to phase out vehicles that run on fossil fuels in favor of batteries and hydrogen. Large auto and energy companies like Toyota Motor and Royal Dutch Shell have committed to supplying more cars and fueling stations.“In past cycles, there was always something missing,” said Matthew Blieske, Shell’s global hydrogen product manager. “There was a policy missing, or the technology wasn’t quite ready, or people were not so serious about decarbonization. We don’t see those barriers anymore.” Hydrogen poses a long-term threat to oil companies because it could compete with diesel and jet fuel. That is also why many large European oil and gas companies, like Shell and BP, have sought to make hydrogen part of a transition to a lower-carbon future.Most hydrogen today is extracted from natural gas in a process that requires a lot of energy and emits carbon dioxide. But combined with carbon capture and sequestration, the process can be environmentally viable.Over time, government officials and researchers expect most hydrogen to be made without emissions. The cleanest hydrogen production comes from using renewable electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The equipment to do that is expensive, but costs have been falling in recent years, especially as wind and solar energy become the cheapest ways to generate electricity. – Advertisement – “We see hydrogen as an energy vector of the future,” said Michael Graff, chief executive of America Air Liquide Holdings.The hydrogen business may be in its infancy, but interest in it is robust and growing, said Michael Webber, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin and chief science and technology officer at Engie, a French energy company.“The customers for hydrogen are there,” Mr. Webber said. “They’re just waiting for the hydrogen to show up.”Ivan Penn reported from Irvine, and Clifford Krauss from Houston. European oil companies are also investing in renewables so they could, eventually, pair hydrogen production with solar and wind farms.“The oil companies are very well positioned to play in this,” said Joan Ogden, an energy researcher at the University of California, Davis. “They know how to make molecules at large scale better than anybody, they already use a lot of hydrogen in oil refining, and they are used to supplying transportation fuels.”Businesses are exploring other approaches, too.Air Liquide, a French company, is building a $150 million plant outside Las Vegas that will turn biogas from decomposed organic waste into hydrogen, which it plans to sell in California. The plant will begin operations late next year. Air Liquide is building another plant on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to supply the Northeast.
Jan 31, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Nigerian officials confirmed today that a 22-year-old woman died of H5N1 avian influenza, making Nigeria the third African country to have a human case, after Egypt and Djibouti.The woman was from Lagos, the nation’s largest city, a government minister told news services.”Last night our team of 13 scientists were able to conclusively identify the case of avian influenza,” Nigerian Information Minister Frank Nweke said at a press conference today, according to a BBC News report. He said samples from the woman would be sent to other laboratories, including the World Health Organization (WHO), for further review.The woman fell ill after de-feathering and disemboweling an infected chicken, Reuters reported. She died Jan 17, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).Nigeria announced 2 days ago it was conducting H5N1 tests on samples from 14 patients, including 3 who died of suspected avian flu and 11 who were exposed to them. The 22-year-old and her mother were two of the victims, according to Reuters. Other news services have said a woman from Taraba state was the third. A WHO official had said preliminary tests were negative and samples were sent to a lab in Britain for further testing.Earlier reports said the mother and daughter from Lagos had died within 2 weeks after eating chicken bought from a live-bird market during the holidays. An AllAfrica News report had said the family slaughtered the chickens after one died mysteriously.Africa’s first experience with H5N1 avian flu came in 2006 with poultry outbreaks in several countries, plus 18 human cases in Egypt and 1 in Djibouti. Egypt has had 19 cases with 11 deaths, including one fatal case so far this year.Nigeria has been hit hard by bird outbreaks, with 17 of 36 states affected so far, according to Reuters. A July 2006 report in Nature said the H5N1 virus had entered Nigeria three different times, possibly carried by migratory birds. But the report also said international poultry trade could have been a factor.WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl said a human case of avian flu in Nigeria is no surprise, because many poultry flocks live close to humans, much as in Indonesia, which has been hit hard by poultry outbreaks and human cases, Reuters reported.”It does not change anything from a public health point of view. It had to happen sooner or later,” Hartl told Reuters.At a donors’ conference in Bamako, Mali, in December, World Bank officials urged donors to focus their funding on African countries because they are economically weaker and less able to respond to avian flu threats.In other avian flu news, Japan confirmed today that its third poultry outbreak this winter was caused by H5N1, according to Canadian Press. The outbreak at a chicken farm in Okayama prefecture, about 340 miles west of Tokyo, is Japan’s second confirmed outbreak in a week.The country’s first two recent outbreaks occurred in Miyazaki prefecture in southwestern Japan, the country’s main poultry-producing area. The fresh round of outbreaks is Japan’s first in 3 years.In Hungary, where an outbreak in some geese was the first European appearance of H5N1 this winter, the outbreak strain is 99.4% similar to the strain found in some European countries in 2006, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported yesterday in a news release. The finding came from the OIE reference lab in Weybridge, England.”This information tells us that the genetic characterization of the virus isolated in Hungary has still not mutated significantly,” said OIE Director Bernard Vallat.Meanwhile, government officials in Indonesia said they may declare avian flu a national disaster, AFP reported today. Indonesia has had six avian flu deaths this season, which has prompted a ban on backyard poultry in Jakarta, effective tomorrow.Declaring avian flu a national disaster would pave the way for centralized measures and greater funding, Planning Minister Paskah Suzetta told the state news agency, Antara, today. He added that the recent avian flu outbreak meets national disaster criteria because it has caused many casualties and its spread could not be contained.See also:Jan 30 OIE press releaseJul 6, 2006, CIDRAP News article “Report says avian flu entered Nigeria 3 times”
He added that Taiwan, given that it is located in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, can attract tourists from Southeast Asia due to shorter flights, but also the beautiful landscapes of local cities. In this sense, a variety of smart city solutions can be developed to make city tours even more attractive to tourists. Business people and traders often visit Taiwan or attend annual trade shows, and many come to academic seminars or take short-term jobs. If more innovative travel packages can be offered that will allow family members of retailers or seasonal employees to experience touring local cities and culture, then a “blue ocean” or a whole new, innovative tourism market could develop in Taiwan, Fuchssteiner explains. Taiwan should invest more in its tourism sector by developing innovations and smart transportation solutions, said Christian Fuchsstenier, director of the Austrian Trade Office in Taipei. Travel web portal Taiwan / VZ Taiwan Austria will present its latest solutions for smart tourism, transport and autonomous driving at the Smart City Summit & Expo 2019 conference at the Nangang Exibition Center in Taipei in late March. It also reveals that Austrian tourism contributes a share of as much as 10 percent of national GDP, with Chinese, Russian, Swiss and Taiwanese tourists spending the most. Fuchssteiner said both Taiwan and Austria lack natural resources and it is therefore better to focus funds on developing industries with high added value and sustainable business, such as tourism and the environmental industry.
The fourth, and also the first summer issue of The Plitvice Times magazine arrived in the field, at over 60 distribution locations throughout Croatia and Europe.It is the result of a proactive entrepreneurial team behind the whole project, which certainly put Lika and its surroundings in the media focus through the launch of The Plitvice Times magazine, the first English-language travel magazine to promote travel stories from all over Lika.In the heart of the season, when millions of tourists pass through the Plitvice and Lika area, the magazine in English brings new interesting stories, recommendations and reports that show Lika, but also the whole of Croatia, in a different tourist undiscovered light. “As the slogan of the tourist board says for Croatia that it is full of life, so this summer issue is full of life of Plitvice Lakes and the Lika region – but also peace”- point out the editors of The Plitvice Times.It is also important to emphasize that this is a free magazine in English, which is distributed throughout Lika and its surroundings, Zagreb to Zadar through tourist boards, souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and other tourist entities. Also, the magazine follows and online edition in the context of English-language portals and social media communication.Plitvice Lakes National Park is a top destination and a big tourist magnet, which is visited by over a million tourists every year. It is certainly imperative to direct this mass of tourists who come exclusively for the Plitvice Lakes National Park to other tourist facilities that Lika is rich in, all with the aim of increasing tourist spending and prolonging the stay in Lika.And The Plitvice Times magazine has an important role in that segment – tourist positioning and branding of Lika. A space that no one has filled so far, and the company from The Plitvice Times filled it perfectly with a quality project and growing from month to month. So Lika has something that no one else in Croatia has. Its promotional platform in English, in print and digital edition.The magazine is free and available to all readers both live and through the Issuu na platform LINK
Compared to November 2018, the share of advertisements seeking secondary and higher education decreased significantly, while at the same time the share of advertisements offering an indefinite contract increased from 42,7 to 45,9 percent. As for the geographical distribution of jobs, the number of ads decreased in all regions. The Online Vacancy Index (OVI) is a monthly index of online job vacancies developed at the Institute of Economics, Zagreb in cooperation with the MojPosao portal. The purpose of the index is to provide timely information on the current state of labor demand. According to the Zagreb Institute of Economics, the decline is even more pronounced on an annual basis because the value of the OVI index is -12,8 percent compared to November last year, which is the largest decrease in the index in the last eight years. According to seasonally adjusted data, the OVI index in November recorded a decline of -7,5 percent compared to the previous month, which is the largest decrease on a monthly basis in the last year. Source: Institute of Economics, Zagreb
The largest decrease in the number of advertisements on an annual basis in November was recorded in the occupations of doctor / dentist, IT specialist, salesman, professor and production worker, while the largest increase was observed in the finance, hotel and catering sectors. Although the annual decline was the smallest in central Croatia, given that it accounts for 65 percent of all ads, the region in November had the largest negative contribution to the overall decline of as much as -4,6 percentage points, according to the ECZ . After the index rose in the first quarter of this year compared to the end of 2018, in the second and third quarters there was a decline compared to the previous quarter, and judging by the data for October and November, the decline is certain in the last quarter of this year. “If the trend is not reversed in December, 2019 will be recorded as a year of falling labor demand, the first since the 2010 recession. Given that, despite significant GDP growth this year, labor demand is on a downward trajectory, the labor market seems to have reached a certain saturation, at least when it comes to conventional ways of advertising. ” stand out from the Institute of Economics Zagreb (EKZ). 
By the way, cycling tourism is one of the tourist products with the greatest prospects for development, and along with other forms of bicycle use in tourism, it is one of the growing forms of tourist activities. It is estimated that in the European context, the share of travel during which cycling is the main activity or the bicycle is the main means of transport will grow in the coming years at a rate of more than 10 percent. Signs on the section Maslenica – Nin – Zadar, 60 km long and the section Biograd na Moru – Šibenik, with a total length of 55 km, were placed in accordance with traffic studies and in cooperation with the competent authorities and local self-government units. The signalization was prepared in accordance with the EuroVelo 8 Route Corporate Design Manual, developed specifically for the MedCyleTour project, in cooperation with all project partners, including the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). Cycling EuroVelo8 signalization is installed on a total of 115 kilometers in Zadar and Šibenik-Knin counties, two of the seven Croatian counties through which the Mediterranean cycling route passes. By the way, the Mediterranean route is one of the 15 transnational cycling routes of the EuroVelo network of routes in Europe and this route is the future cycling highway of the Mediterranean as it passes through as many as 11 countries, from Spain to Cyprus. The Croatian National Tourist Board has installed pilot signage on two sections of the Croatian part of the EuroVelo 8 route, which is one of the activities within the EU project MedCycleTour, in which the CNTB has been actively participating as a partner since 2017. In Lijepa naša, a significant part of this cycle route is 1.116 kilometers long. It is interesting how the Zadar and Šibenik-Knin counties, which themselves are intensively developing cycling tourism, have provided budget funds for the installation of additional EuroVelo8 signalization in their area. Thus, in the Zadar County, the island section Preko – Tkon is also marked, and in the Šibenik-Knin County, the section Šibenik – Žaborić. Thus, within the MedCycleTour project, a total of 190 kilometers of the Croatian part of EuroVelo8 was marked, covering almost the entire sections and routes that pass through Zadar and Šibenik-Knin counties. This project of the Dalmatian counties was also done in cooperation with the Croatian Tourist Board, which considers it important because cycling is one of the tourist products with the greatest prospects for development, and among other forms of bicycle use in tourism is a growing form of tourism. The signalization was also prepared in accordance with EuroVelo 8 corporate design manual, developed specifically for the MedCyleTour project, in collaboration with all project partners including European Cycling Federation (ECF – European Cyclists’ Federation).
After Mass coffee, panettone and socializing until lunch. Holiday lunch, family gathered around the table. Despite the unpleasant surprise – the oven broke down, the female part of the family managed and prepared an excellent holiday feast. After lunch some on a little break, some on a walk with the dogs, and in the evening a party with a song and a joke. It’s Christmas. After Tuscany, Lake Garda, we decided to celebrate another Christmas in Italy. The choice fell on the surroundings of Venice, just over two hours away from Rijeka. According to a good, old custom, we decided to rent a house. This time we need accommodation for nine people and three dogs. VENICE TONE, POPULATION EMIGRATES EXCURSION TO VENICE Venice’s past is reflected in the richness of artistic, cultural and historical monuments. Along the Grand Canal are representative buildings: Palazzo Vendramin Calergi (99th century), Palazzo Pesaro (1912th-1894th centuries), Ca ‘d’Oro (1932th century), Ca’ Foscari (1987th century). , Palazzo Dario (XNUMXth century), Fondaco dei Turchi (XNUMXth century), Fondaco dei Tedeschi (representation of German merchants from the XNUMXth century), Palazzo dei Camerlenghi (former XNUMXth century customs administration), Dogana da mar (XNUMXth century maritime customs house), Church of Santa Maria della Salute (late XNUMXth century), Accademia di Belle Arti. Numerous bridges stand out, especially the Ponte di Rialto (XNUMXth century). In the western part there are the churches of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (XIII-XV centuries) and San Rocco (XV-XVIII centuries), and in the northeastern part there are the churches of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, built in the XIII-XIV centuries. On the Square of St. St. Mark’s (Piazza San Marco) are the Procuratie Vecchie (XNUMXth century), the Procuratie Nuove (XNUMXth century), the church of St. Marka (Basilica di San Marco from the XNUMXth century, restored in the XNUMXth century) and Campanile, a XNUMX m high bell tower (restored in the old style in XNUMX), at the foot of which are Loggeta (XNUMXth century), Torre dell’Orologio (XNUMXth century), etc. Next to the church of St. The doge’s mark is the palace (Palazzo Ducale), built from the XIV. to the XNUMXth century, which the Ponte dei Sospiri bridge connects with the old dungeons and the old library (Libreria Vecchia from the XNUMXth century). In this old cultural center are the Museo del Risorgimento, Pinacoteca Querini Stampalia, Museo Correr and natural, maritime (in the Arsenal building) and other museums, the Faculty of Economics and Trade, various scientific institutes, etc. Venice is known for international events of modern painting , music and films, and many other events and exhibitions of national and international importance, among which the Art Biennale (since XNUMX) and the Film Festival (founded in XNUMX) stand out. Marco Polo International Airport. Venice has been (with a lagoon) since XNUMX on the UNESCO World Heritage List. ” THE ECONOMY OF VENICE We came to Venice, to the square of St. Brand. Not drinking coffee on the terrace of some of the cult cafes is the same as “coming to Rome and not seeing the Pope”. We chose “Caffe Chioggia”, across from the Doge’s Palace, overlooking the Grand Canal. Espresso served in occasional cups is served by “Mr. Waiter” in uniform as a general at a ceremonial parade. That moment torn from everyday “clothing” costs 5 euros. And worth every penny! The city center developed on a small densely packed island group; 118 islets are separated from each other by canals (main roads) and connected by bridges (about 435). Due to the clayey composition of the islet, Venice was built on foundations of wooden logs that were driven deep (up to 9 m) into the soft ground. Hydrotechnical works, especially by diverting river flows (Brenta, Sile, Piave), have preserved the lagoon from backfilling. Sister-in-law Dolores managed to find a secluded house that meets all our wishes near the town of Mogliano Veneto. From the house to the train station in MV we drive 10 minutes and then by train to the center of Venice 20 minutes. It is the best way to tour Venice. We arrived at the estate in Scorse. The old house, overgrown with ivy with moss on the roof at first glance seems abandoned. Yet the smoke from the makeshift chimney confirms that we are at the right address. We were greeted by the owner Stefania and led through our new one temporary home. LAND CONNECTION, RAILWAY AND TOURISM Looking from the side of all the good and bad sides of the management of Venice, I can’t help but get the impression that the introduction of tickets to enter the old core can ultimately produce a new “money laundering” affair. Big money will flow directly into the city coffers, and the city administration will once again be under pressure from interest groups looking to grab their booty. At the same time, the desire to come to the most famous historical city in the world will continue to grow. Especially with the growing Far Eastern tourism market. With 34 platforms, the railway lines depart every few minutes “to all parts of the world”. When you consider the highway, the main airport “Marco Polo”, the nearby, smaller Treviso, as well as a very busy shipping port, Venezia is one of the best connected cities in Europe. On the other hand, navigating the historic core is difficult. From the railway station and parking terminal to Sv. Marco runs narrow winding streets where two people can barely pass. The walk takes about half an hour. An alternative mode of transport is the “water bus”, “vaporetto”. Lines are frequent, you can buy a daily ticket, or a ticket valid for up to 72 hours. A one-way ticket that includes one suitcase costs 7,5 euros per person. It is also possible to combine the tour on foot and by boat. Now, I’m really surprised by modern “scribes” who advocate a reduction in tourist arrivals due to the crowds. SUGAR ON THE END A good geographical position with a fertile hinterland and open traffic routes “to all parts of the world”, favored the development of trade, shipping and the continuation of the expansionist policy of the Roman Empire towards the Adriatic. The conquest of supremacy at sea with well-secured routes, the rule of coastal and island communities, ensured the growth and development of Venice to the size of a world power. At one time, Venice, in the then known world, represented what the USA represents today, and according to the rivalry on the other side, Turkey represented a kind of today’s China. 13.5. In 1797, with the conquest of Venice by Napoleon, the Republic of Venice was abolished. After 1.000 years of existence, one of the most powerful Mediterranean states has disappeared. “Venice (Italian Venezia [vene’cia], Croatian historical name Mleci), a city and port on the Adriatic coast, the administrative center of the province of the same name in the Veneto region, northeastern Italy; 261 362 pp. (2011). In the old town (Centro storico) lives 58 215 inhabitants, and in the newer part of Venice on the mainland (Terraferma) 181 494 centuries. Venice lies within the vast lagoon of the same name (58 660 ha). The Venetian urban agglomeration encompasses the old island part with Lida and Mestre on the northwest mainland coast of the lagoon with large port and industrial zones in nearby Marghera. VENICE – NEW “ATLANTIS”? When you see how Venice copes with frequent floods, you come to the conclusion that there is no salvation for it. I would already say that the bars on the ground floor are doomed and that it would be best to raise the level of the streets in such a way that the first floor becomes the ground floor. This will probably happen by force of circumstances. “MOSES” AFFAIR But at first glance, the disproportion between the huge inflow of money into the city and the miserable investment in maintaining the city is visible. The communal infrastructure seems rather neglected. The buildings are crumbling in plain sight and where restoration has begun, it lasts, it seems, indefinitely. This impression of “begging” money got its “grand finale” in the embezzlement and fraud of the century, due to which the city fathers are under investigation. EXCURSION TO CHIOGGI Venezia, Serenissima, Venetian Republic je is the name of a city and region that instills respect. So much has been deposited throughout the long and turbulent history of Venice that, in fact, it is very difficult to write anything about it. Especially after one short and completely informal visit. Therefore, for an introduction, I will quote a text from the pages of the Croatian Encyclopedia: Four rooms share two bathrooms with toilets, with one when not exactly suitable for showering. The house is heated by gas central heating in addition to a large living room in which a small wood stove is in charge of maintaining heat. Unfortunately the internet is “broken” but we have a table tennis table. Either way, the house is being promoted as a villa and has its audience even in these cold and humid days. After two days, our house somehow “sat” and we spent wonderful moments in it. How could he not when the family is together. Grandfather, grandmother, their two daughters with families and pets. A real “family reunion”. At the beginning of the 1917th century, Venice’s economy sought to strengthen by building a new port (founded in 1958) and large industrial plants on the low land coast (Porto Marghera-Mestre). Along with the port industrial complex with chemical, refinery and metallurgical industries, the mainland part of the Venetian agglomeration is expanding. In it, the number of inhabitants is growing in contrast to the old part of the island, where the population is constantly declining (in the period 68-40 more than 000 centuries left the picturesque city center where about 60% of apartments are uncomfortable to live). In 2002–07. the population of Venice decreased by 0,2% per year. – Venice is one of the leading port centers in the country; total freight traffic in 2011 was 25,4 million tons of cargo and 2 million passengers. It is connected to Central Europe by railways and roads across the Po Valley and the Eastern Alpine passes (Brenner et al.). A significant part of the active population is engaged in port activities, mainly in Marghera, which has 8 times the capacity of the port in the old town. One third of the active population works in tourism (about 2 million tourists a year). However the rating is improved by our privacy, comfort, good entertainment, excellent infrastructure of the environment, the wealth of content in the immediate vicinity. Everything counts. The final rating is positive in terms of value for money. CHRISTMAS MOOD TICKETS – NEW “MOSES”?
Full of impressions, positive emotions, in the company of the inevitable panettone boxes and with the occasional fashion accessory, we return home with the promise to Venice that we will see each other again soon. Perhaps already at the time of the famous Venice Carnival. Also known as “Piccola Venezia”, Chioggia is located on the island of the same name and another, Sottomarina. The historic core can be reached, as in Venice, by an embankment and a bridge. Already at the entrance to the city, its orientation towards seafaring and especially fishing is visible. They say that there are more registered fishing boats and boats in Chioggia than in the entire Croatian Adriatic. It is known that “Ćozoti” sailed to Krk, just like fishermen. Their descendants still live in the town of Krk. You can learn more about Chioggia at this one link. What is visible in the historic center of Chioggie is a trace of gradual decay. The ground is sinking and the sea is rising, so floods are becoming more frequent. Traces of sea and salt up to a height of half a meter are visible on each building. Some houses are already well “corroded” by moisture and abandoned, some offered for sale „ From 2002 to 2015, the grandiosely announced “Venice Rescue” project amassed millions of euros that ended up in private accounts around the world. Instead of saving dams to defend Venice from floods, “Moses” “sunk” the hope for the success of the project. More than 100 individuals were behind bars, including regional ministers and the mayor of Venice. Part of that money also flowed into Croatia through the purchase and sale of real estate in conjunction with a bank. The corrupt government did not care about the fate of Venice, but individuals appropriated money for their personal “salvation”. When we compare the price of renting a house (250,00 euros / day + tourist tax 1 euro per person per day) with the shortcomings, we could give a slightly less favorable assessment. The same applies to the domestic relationship, which is far from the well-known and recognized Croatian hospitality. Finally, Croatian hosts of family accommodation have a higher average guest rating on Booking com than Italian ones. Author: Nedo Pinezić, www.nedopinezic.com / Cover photo: wiggijo, Pixabay.com In any case, the least problem for Venice is “overtourism”. Soil deterioration caused by the depletion of underground drinking water wells, rising sea levels combined with corrupt and inefficient government are accelerating the collapse of the city on the island. Tourism, whatever it may be, will always be “overtourism” from the perspective of the unsuitability of space for today’s standard of living. Any increase in the number of people makes life even more difficult on the one hand. On the other hand, tourist traffic is the only thing that still keeps the old town alive. HISTORY OF VENICE Peace, quiet, family gatherings and socializing prevail over noisy outdoor parties. For some uninteresting, boring but for a commitment to true values, the right environment. Christmas Mass in the local church extremely well attended, the sermon of the pastor of the right Christmas, full of messages of peace, tolerance, love, self-giving. The atmosphere is cheerful, the song is led by young people. After Mass the pastor joins the crowd, Merry Christmas. We soon meet him in one of the best local pasticceria. The island core of the city is endangered by the constant lowering of the bottom of the Adriatic Sea in the Venetian region and the positive shift of sea level. According to some measurements, in a period of 5 years Venice sinks 2,5 cm. Interventions related to the development of industrial and port function also contributed to the sinking (in recent years all wells exploiting groundwater were closed, which resulted in subsidence; today water for industrial needs is delivered by aqueduct from the river Sila to Marghera). Occasional floods for tides (i.e. high waters) (sometimes intensified by the south accumulating water in the northern Adriatic) are becoming more frequent. In the period 1867–1967, out of 58 floods, 30 were in the last decade. After the catastrophic flood in November 1966, an attempt was made by international forces (UNESCO) to save the historic center of Venice. Ecological remediation of the lagoon is underway; around 1970, further construction of industrial zones in its mainland coastal area was suspended. In 2003, the MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) project was launched to defend the city from a tidal wave higher than 110 cm. It plans to build 79 pontoons that would lie at the bottom of the sea. If necessary, they would fill with air and, like a floating wall, prevent the tide from entering the city. The city will sink, residents will leave, and tourists will follow the tides to visit Venice “while it is still possible”. But it is not just Venice that is in danger. The whole marginal coastal belt, the whole lagoon has the same problem. The construction of new port – infrastructure and industrial facilities on the coastline is already prohibited. The weight of the buildings further accelerates the deterioration of the soil. THICK ARE THICK THE SMELL OF VENICE No one can stay hungry or thirsty, but also without some appropriate souvenir, fashion detail. In any case, Venice is “calling” for a return. We’ll dedicate more time to her next time. For a half day trip to Venice we chose a train trip. From our rustic house we drove 10 minutes by car to the car park at the train station in Mogliano Veneto. A parking ticket costs 6 euros for half a day. A train ticket for a twenty-minute one-way ride costs 2,70 euros per person and 1,90 euros for a dog. The ride is pleasant. Venice St. Lucia is the central station of Venice. By the middle of the XIX. century Venice included only the islands within the lagoon. In 1846, the island area was connected to the mainland by a 3601 m long embankment, on which, in addition to the railway, a road was built. On the natural sand embankment of Lido, which closes the lagoon towards the open sea, it began in the late XIX. century, in connection with the rapid development of tourism, the construction of a new city district; hotels were built, green areas were arranged and Lido soon became one of the most famous European resorts and seaside resorts. Already at the entrance the familiar smell of moisture. It is the scent of Venice. The smell of life in the swamp. The old farm seems quite vague in our Croatian terms. In fact, according to our criteria, the house would hardly get a decision on categorization. Stars would certainly be a problem. Floors, walls, ceiling are basically maintained, electrical installations are stretched over the beams and walls above the plaster. The toilets and equipment are a few years old, the kitchen too. Everything seems old, however everything is clean. Bathrooms and rooms separately. The bedding is fragrant, the beds age. An interesting walk through Chioggio and a tour of historic buildings, hundreds of boats Mala “Little Venice” would be even more interesting at another time of year and earlier in the morning, when the fish market (temporarily housed in a tent to renovate the original building) is more picturesque than we are. we found. If you want to learn more about the historical origins, era of power and fall of Venice, I recommend the following link. In short, Venice arose as a refuge for the refugees of the Roman Empire from the onslaught of barbarians from the north. The swampy ground of the lagoon provided excellent shelter, an impregnable fortress, for people skilled in navigating through numerous canals. VENICE DOES NOT FAIL BECAUSE OF “OVERTOURISM” GREAT WEALTH OF CULTURAL HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC HERITAGE VALUE FOR MONEY The same goes for ice cream in a nearby “boutique ice cream parlor”. “Kugletina” costs the same as in Croatia in prestigious locations and the taste is divine. As everywhere in the world and in Venice, you can find an offer that suits your possibilities next to each other. “Fast” food, “sharper”, gourmet restaurants, “private accommodation” with two stars, small hotels, five-star hotels… live in coexistence next to each other, attracting their audience. How much do arrivals have to be reduced to avoid crowds? Already 100 people together create a crowd as the same number of people on the same streets create a crowd in the historic center of Krk, Vrbnik, Sibenik, Rovinj, Dubrovnik… In Venice, the problem is bigger because it is intersected by canals, so all pedestrians are forced to follow the same route to one of the many bridges where other directions can then be chosen. However, only two directions are marked, two routes, the shortest ones. There are certainly opportunities to discover new content and establish new routes, which would disperse traffic in the main directions. One of the three basic needs of traveling is shopping. It is just as important to women as the first two, but we men do not hate shopping. Especially if we “treat” ourselves to some desired item of clothing. Disagner Outlet Noventa di Piave near Venice, is an unavoidable “stop” on the way to Croatia. Well designed, with facilities for children, good catering facilities and of course the offer of quality brands, it is extremely well attended. Especially at this time of year when serious discounts on already reduced prices begin. It is a mitigating circumstance that dogs can go almost anywhere with their owners, they are also welcome in the restaurant. This makes Italy one of the most desirable “pet friendly” destinations.