The MOSE mobile dams were raised five times last week to reduce high flooding in Venice. But work on the dams is still incomplete and two locks are not functioning, placing limits on shipping and affecting the lagoon.

It is great that the MOSE mobile dams in Venice were raised five times last week to reduce high flooding. This means the dams have been deployed 25 times since 3 October 2020 against flooding. While most of the talk at the ongoing COP26 conference on climate change is focusing on mitigating against climate warming, … Continue reading

In the lead up to COP26, environmentalists have been telling us what to do in our bedrooms. I say butt out of our private lives: ‘Vegan condoms, olive oil lube & solar-powered sex toys: Environmentalists want us to have eco-friendly sex and no babies’, published by RT.

The COP26 environmental conference began on 31 October 2021 starting two weeks of discussions about how to respond to climate change. Before this conference began, some environmental thinkers and organisations have been advocating ‘environmentally-friendly sex’ and many have argued people should not procreate as more people means more polluters. In the article below, published by … Continue reading

Protests against the imposition of COVID-19 ‘green’ vaccine passports in all workplaces in Italy. My live interview on GB NEWS

After the imposition of COVID-19 ‘green’ vaccine passports in all workplaces in Italy on 15 October 2021, strikes and protests against these have been widespread over the weekend. On 18 October, about 4,000 peaceful protestors in the port of Trieste were attacked with water canons and tear gas by police. The protestors moved to the … Continue reading

‘Opposition is growing against Italy’s heavy-handed imposition of mandatory Covid vaccine passes for ALL workplaces.’ My article published by RT

Approximately 7,000 port workers in Trieste protesting against new rules requiring Italy’s COVID-19 vaccine green pass in workplaces On 15 October 2021, protests and strikes broke out across Italy against the government’s new law that all employees are checked in all workplaces to see if they the COVID-19 vaccine green pass. Protestors blocked ports for … Continue reading

My live TV interview on TRT World News on the day large cruise ships were banned from the centre of Venice. This ban reveals this unelected Italian government cares more about UNESCO threats and its international reputation than Venetians

Click on the play symbol in the picture on the left to watch the interview. On 13 July 2021, the Italian government cabinet passed a decree banning ships of more than 25,000 tonnes, higher than 35 metres and longer than 180 metres from navigating down the Giudecca Canal in the centre of Venice from 1 … Continue reading

Sportscast of Ideas podcast about England and Italy before the football Euro final. Comments by others and me.

This discussion was held on Zoom on 8 July 2021 and broadcast on 9 July before the final of the UEFA European football championship, which was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We reflected on recent matches and made some prediction for the final before it was scheduled for 11 July … Continue reading

The return of foreign tourists to Venice is an opportunity for revival.

The return of foreign tourists to Venice is an opportunity for revival. While walking the alleyways of Venice in May 2020 just after the severe COVID-19 lockdown had ended, I was shocked by how many shops, restaurants and hotels were closed. Although I predicted (https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/03/27/italys-lockdown-has-been-a-recipe-for-disaster/) lockdowns in Italy would cause economic devastation, I was amazed … Continue reading

‘Italy’s populists have betrayed their voters’. My article on politics in Italy, democracy, the EU and responses to COVID-19 published by spiked-online.

This article was published on 19 April 2021. In addition to the political realignments happening in Italy, the current government has now ramped up the largest public debt in the EU and the highest budget deficit in the EU as a percentage of GDP. The EU will not save Italy from the coming storm and … Continue reading

Italy’s government decrees on shipping and cruise ships in Venice include more poor decision-making

Were the government decrees on shipping and Venice issued late on 31 March 2021 and on 1 April 2021 rushed through before the Easter break? When I read about them on 1 April, I thought they were April Fools’ Day jokes. The decree issued on 31 March calls for public consultations and sanctions €2.2 million … Continue reading

“Wird Italien zum Totengräber der EU?” Sabine Beppler-Spahl interviewed me about Italy’s new government and the #EU. Published by Makroskop@FlassbeckEcon

On 10 March 2021, Makroskop published this interview focusing on Italy’s new government, the significant realignments in Italian politics, Italy’s relations with the EU and the impact of the COVID-19 Next Generation EU recovery funds. The full interview in German can be accessed with a paywall here: https://makroskop.eu/10-2021/wird-italien-zum-totengraeber-der-eu/ Here are some of my selected comments … Continue reading

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