Hulstria and Gao-Soto

[Pragma]

Government Announces Major Spending Boost
14 December 4788

KYEN, GAO-SOTO: The Ministry of Finance, headed by Kurata Misoka, has announced a large-scale investment in the nation's social services. The new budget proposal includes a stark increase in money for both the Ministry of Health & Social Services and the Ministry of Education & Culture. The government has stated that this new expenditure will 'prioritise projects of great national importance and public interest', including new hospitals and schools in remote and rural areas alongside improving healthcare. There is also a great deal of speculation that the Ministry of Education & Culture will also be announcing a project in the coming year to empower the nation's Kunihito and Kunikata-language history, such as new non-Hosian religious structures and a number of museums specialising in native history.

Alongside increases in the budget for social services-based ministries, Minister Kurata has also proposed a tripling of the nation's Science & Technology spending. The Minister laid out her plan for 'a new and innovative technological industry' in Gao-Soto, with public funds investing heavily in new medical advancements particularly. Personal computers and gaming consoles have been key exports of the nation in the past, but international trade and internal manufacturing have faltered in recent decades. The Ministry of Finance, in a join statement with the Ministry of Science & Technology, announced that the government would be paying 'special attention' to making developments 'capable of advancing our trade interests', with a particular eye on scientific breakthroughs.


Mikuni Shimbun is Hulstria-Mikuni's largest Kunikata language newspaper, and the most consumed media source in Hiruga no Kanryo and Mitorania no Kanryo.

[Pragma]

Government Approves New State Religion
2 December 4789



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: The government has officially adopted a new state religious policy recognising Daenism and its associated denominations, including Tenshism, as intrinsic to the character of the nation. This will make Daenist organisations the only religious groups who can legally run institutions like schools and colleges. Furthermore, they will be the only institutions completely free of taxation and will receive extra government funds for their projects and site renovations. Hosian denominations will be at a disadvantage in these areas, having to pay taxes now on funds not marked as charitable donations. Hosian-ran schools will also be taken over by the state, though Hosian-ran orphanages and hospices will likely remain untouched for the near future.

The change is motivated by a desire among government officials to enter a period of 're-Kunihito-isation', in which the nation shifts from a culture of primarily Hulstrian influence to one of primarily Kunihito influence. The ideology of indigenous empowerment is central to the Popular Movement with the populist faction increasingly powerful within its ranks, though there are significant liberal sections of the movement who have made clear their concerns about the move. The move has also been criticised by Hulstrian community leaders and independent members of the legislature, who have called the measures 'supremacist' and accused the government of 'fostering an environment of inequality'. These are accusations the government denies.

[Liu Che/Zhuli]

Yingdala Pledges to Help Gao-Soto Develop

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Unexpected Winner In Contest For Gao-Soto FOMAT Entry
7 July 490




KYEN, GAO-SOTO: The public was given the choice, out of eight songs, to send to the FOMAT-III musical contest. While many had favoured a safer entry, the ultimate winner was 'Body Memory' by the group 'Toffee'. Toffee is made up of Hulstrian singer Sabrina Kipping and Kunihito musical producer and choreographer Kunizai Kyonasu, who have known each other since they were twelve and went to the same school. The avant-garde entry, mixing Luthorian lyrics with Hulstrian heaviness and Kunihito technical artistry, was not expected to win the national final but ultimately won overwhelmingly in the public vote.

The entry has gathered support from all sides of the political divide in Gao-Soto, with many seeing the union of two different ethnic groups as a fitting representation of the nation. Others have decried the exclusively Luthorian lyrics as 'Kunikata erasure', a claim that the group denies. Both Kipping and Kunizai are hoping to climb the scoreboard as one of the more unique acts, but have stated they are 'just in for the fun' and are 'not competitive people by nature'.


Mikuni Shimbun is Hulstria-Mikuni's largest Kunikata language newspaper, and the most consumed media source in Hiruga no Kanryo and Mitorania no Kanryo.

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Deals With Yingdala, Technology Funding Prompt Increased Investment
10 June 4792



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: Confirmation of a treaty in the works between Gao-Soto and Yingdala have prompted 'greatly increased international interest' in local markets according to the government. In particular, Gao-Soto's technological manufacturing industry has been buoyed by news that they will be specially protected from competition even as the Gao-Soto increases its international ties. This makes the indigenous companies the only way to gain a stake in the industry within Gao-Soto, which has also been buoyed by increased government funding for technological resource and small business grants.

[Liu Che/Zhuli]

Yingdala Set to Host First Council of Shinekh Meeting

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Arrests Made After Threats Against Finance Minister
9 December 4794



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: Threats against Finance Minister Kurata Misoka have resulted in a series of arrests being made. Six men, between the ages of 22 and 40, have been detained in the Hulstria region as part of an effort by the Ministry of Justice to ensure the safety of government politicians in an environment of increased anger among the Hulstrian community. Though only these six men have so far been charged with physical threats, abusive messages from Hulstrians have poured in on social media as the government is viewed as increasingly propagating the culture, language and lifestyle of the Kunihito people of the Hulstrian people.

Minister Kurata in particular has levied a number of investigations against Hulstrian-led corporations, with even minor tax infractions often leading to severe financial penalties. Critics have described the behaviour as 'racially targeted', as few Kunihito-led businesses have endured the same treatment. The Hulstrian National Movement, a far-right opposition group with ties to white supremacy, has attracted new members from the Hulstrian ethnic minority as Kunihito influence grows. The government has a 'zero-tolerance' policy when it comes to 'hate, bigotry and violence', according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.

[Pragma]

Dundorfian No Longer Compulsory For Secondary Education
2 December 4796



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: Compulsory Dundorfian classes in secondary education will be suspended, according to the Ministry of Education and Culture. Speaking to reporters this morning, the Education Minister Uemura Emiya said that due to the 'recent national empowerment of the Kunihito people, the imperial language will not be necessary for native people to speak'. Uemura's language throughout her speech echoed government messaging that the Dundorfian language and Hulstrian people were 'imperialist remnants', while the Kunihito-Kunikata people and language are 'the natural character of the nation'.

The decision will likely cause a reduction in the Dundorfian language in terms of speakers over the next generation. It is also yet another move towards the alienation of Hulstrian people from the heights of cultural and political influence in Gao-Soto. A comprehensive education in Kunikata will remain compulsory for all students, while the Ministry of Education and Culture is believed to be working on a project to reduce funding for Dundorfian-language higher education to discourage its usage.

The decision has been met with outrage from the Hulstrian community, who are increasingly losing power in the nation. Community leaders have complained about important Hulstrian heritage sites like churches and monuments falling into disrepair, even as the government spends billions on new temples and museums for Kunihito culture and history. Thousands of Hulstrians are believed to have left the country in the last decade, moving to neighbouring Kazulia or Ostland.

[Pragma]

Trade Minister Resigns Amid Corruption Scandal
2 June 4798



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: The Minister for Trade & Industry, Lothar Reinhardt, has resigned after accusations of corruption were widely circulated on social media. Reinhardt, who was one of the most prominent Dundorfian-speakers in the government, stepped down from his role over gifts supposedly bought for him and his wife by a Hulstrian CEO. Alex Rohrbach, who has headed the nation's largest floral chain for three years, reportedly bought the pair several pieces of jewelry and expensive watches. Just two months later, Reinhardt voiced support for Rohrbach's brother in an investigation over his 'shady' business dealings with a 'east Dovani' manufacturer.

This is a sudden end to a career that was once considered 'promising' among party leaders. Reinhardt consistently polled as the most popular member of the party in Hulstria, often giving speeches on government policy in Dundorfian when the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance repeatedly ignored requests to translate important documents into other languages. Reinhardt maintains he is the victim of a 'conspiracy' designed to oust Hulstrian people from the halls of power.

[Pragma]

Science Minister Egged After Suggesting Hulstrians 'Naturally Less Intelligent'
15 January 4802



KYEN, GAO-SOTO: The Minister for Science and Technology, Domen Soseki, has been egged by a mixed-race assailant after suggesting that Hulstrians suffer from a natural 'lack of intelligence'. Domen was forced to apologise for his remarks, stating that he was taken out of context. Furor across society grew after the decision was made to retain Domen in his role, despite calls from within the cabinet for him to go. Prime Minister Muramoto Senichi supported Domen, leading to a growing strain in his relationship with his more liberal and cosmopolitan President.

The attack on Domen occured as he visited a community centre in a rural, northern town. The attacker has been identified as preschool teacher Amueya Toreni, who told reporters she was 'delighted to have made an impression' on the Minister. Domen himself said he would be 'upping his security' after the attack occurred.