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news muse zine - compiled for alt. world scenario fans by INFOmaniac
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Venice: all dried up
by Mike Hamil The famous city and once-great port of northern Italy is suffering from its 5th year of severe drought. Despite the hopeful business-as-usual attitude of financial companies, foreign investment is at its lowest since before the Restoration, foreign aid is dwindling away and Venice is in the grip of environmental catastrophe with no end in sight. This week, a Euro-summit held in Rome rejected plans (for the second time, as "too costly") to dam and divert the Piave and Brenta rivers, in order to replenish the Venetian Grand Canal. A disgruntled spokesman for Water Works, who proposed the beleaguered 'Save Venice' campaign, told this reporter: "It's a great shame to see this proud city turning into a muddy slum. They stopped all the festivals last century and, because of the insect plagues, tourism is... well, as you can see there really isn't any!"
Piped-in drinking water is strictly rationed here; with heavy penalties for anybody who abuses the supply. 10 restaurants turned this reporter away, when a simple Perrier was ordered. And eau, you would never believe what they are asking on the black market for other bottled imports. "Magnificent architecture for a 3rd world shanty town," 1 disappointed visitor was overheard to exclaim, sourly. "My sediments exactly, mate," muttered his unsmiling companion. |
Oddvert
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above text by Steve Sneyd
pictures by Kerry Earl
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