Vanuku

National news threads that host the key national news outlets for each of the game’s countries.

Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Wed Nov 28, 2018 2:05 pm

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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:47 pm

March 4492

Selucian leader invited to meet Vanuku's opposition activists

Dnma Mardoh has been the chairwoman of the opposition group, the Socialist Association, ever since her husband, Hkinor, was imprisoned for illegal trade union activities. Her organisation is essentially shut out from electoral politics, since the law only allows officially approved parties to compete, and restricts the electorate to the wealthy elite. However, over the last few years, the Socialist Association has increased its profile, particularly amongst working-class Vanukeans.

In recent months, the Socialist Association has become more astute, targeting its appeal not only to Vanukeans, but to influential opinion-shapers on the international stage, trying to increase global political pressure on Vanuku to liberalise its rigid political regime. In this vein, Mardoh has responded to the announcement that Selucia's leader, Panegyris Priscian, is set to visit Vanuku by publicly urging him to to "make sure he doesn't just meet regime people and pro-regime people when he comes here" and that "if Priscian really wants to get a feel for what is going on in Vanuku at the moment, he needs to meet people from outside the establishment".

Most controversially, she has asked Priscian to request to meet her husband in prison, where he is currently a year into a 6 year prison sentence. Any such request would be likely to embarrass the government, and it is by no means certain it would be granted.

Husn Vrkz-Krlmék, who leads the officially-tolerated opposition in Vanuku, the Ahmadi Alliance, is also keen to meet the Selucian leader during his tour. Vrkz-Krlmék is seen as a proponent of incremental liberalisation of the regime, although he has also always been cautious not to get too far on the wrong side of the Prefect, Duke Kspar Nohsrmko Zhtál, and the King, Wrntukai VI. He has stated he feels it would be "unhelpful" for the Selucian leader to attempt to meet individuals associated with the Socialist Association during his visit, although privately, he is hoping Priscian will engage in some "quiet diplomacy" in order to try to persuade the Prefect of the benefits of modest reform.


Business leader praises "efficiency of authoritarian, business-friendly type governments"

Lahm Jezküst, the Chief Executive of the Jezküst chain of retail supermarkets, has praised the government for its plans to switch Vanuku over to nuclear power. "When I look at situations like this, it reminds me how, in some ways, we are so lucky that Vanuku is not a full democracy", he said. He continued:

In a democracy, a government would never be able to make a decision like this, because there would be so much opposition from the environmentalists, the political lobbyists, the liberal do-gooders, the vested interests in the other energy industries, and all the rest of it. But here in Vanuku, we have got a government which is able to make a decision, and make the right decision - and make it just like that, at a snap of the fingers. This is what I really like about this government, and what I admire so much about Duke Kspar Nohsrmko Zhtál. This is a guy who can get things done.

I would say this is a large part of the reason why Vanuku is such an economic success story, and why this country is a much more business-friendly environment than the traditional democracies. Like Istalia, for example, which my company largely pulled out of about 10 years ago. There is a great deal to be said for the efficiency of authoritarian, business-friendly type governments.


These comments have been heavily criticised by labour rights, civil rights and democracy campaigners.

Husn Vrkz-Krlmék, the Ahmadi Alliance leader, has commented:

In our view, a moderate liberalising of the regime would not make the government any less friendly. If anything, allowing the government to be held to account more would likely result in better decision-making, and I think we would all find that would be to the advantage of business.


Vrkz-Krlmék urges workers to "engage with the new institutions"

Having seen his Trade Union Act torpedoed by the governing New Royal Front Party, Ahmadi Alliance leader Vrkz-Krlmék appears to have won a small compromise in persuading the government to at least permit the establishment of specially state-authorised trade unions. Amongst labour rights activists, there is widespread cynicism about the proposal, as these trade unions will not even be permitted the right to strike, and the suspicion is that the government will use its authority to prevent trade unionists from running their organisations independently and electing their own officials.

Vrkz-Krlmék. however, has urged workers to "see this as an opportunity and as a stepping stone to greater things" and called on them to "engage with the new institutions".
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Thu Nov 29, 2018 10:24 am

Government Gives Green Light To Groundbreaking Nuclear Energy Project
Seventy Nuclear Reactors To Be Built Over Next Three Decades

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Nuclear reactors, such as the one pictured, will become a common sight throughout Vanuku.

June 4492 - The Grand Council is set to approve plans for a 630 Billion VAN project which will see 75 per cent of the country's energy needs generated by nuclear reactors by the 4520s.

A total of 70 stations ranging from 1450MWe to the latest 1650MWe type reactors will be built across Vanuku over the next 30 years in what will be one of the biggest infrastructure undertakings in the history of the Kingdom.

Prefect Duke Kspar Zhtál said that while the initial build cost was "substantial" it would future proof the country's energy needs for many decades to come.

He told the Grand Council: "This country is an industrial powerhouse and safe to say it requires and consumes a lot of energy. But as the global fossil fuel sources continue to decline and the prices rises, we must do something to future proof our ability to generate enough energy, so that we are not held to ransom by the oil-producing nations of Terra.

"We have looked at alternative energy sources - wind, solar, wave etc but none come close to providing what we need. So, it is time to take a determined and bold step."

Around 20 billion a year will be stripped from the country's substantial annual defence budget and transferred to the infrastructure budget to help fund the project. To ensure safety and security the nuclear reactors will be fully government owned and operated.

Opposition Leader Husn Vrkz-Krlmék of the Ahmadi Alliance had urged the government to think again - suggesting that his party would be willing to support a target for nuclear energy to meet 50 per cent of Vanuku's nuclear energy needs.

However, the Prefect cited comments from business leaders who had backed his scheme telling the Opposition Leader that "we must look at what the people are saying".

Duke Zhtál added: "I am absolutely committed to moving ahead with this - it is exactly what our nation needs to meet its energy needs long into the future. Any surplus energy generated could be sold to other nations and as global demands on energy supply increase, as they inevitably will, we will bring in a healthy income from this."
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Thu Nov 29, 2018 11:07 am

"Dangerous Seditionist" Will Not Be allowed to Meet Selucian Leader
Minister Clamps Down On Socialist Association Calls For Talks Between Rector Priscian and Political Criminal

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Minister of Internal Affairs Dnkai Dnksrmko Könnyrahe.

June 4492 - Minister of Internal Affairs Dnkai Dnksrmko Könnyrahe has said that under no circumstances will jailed trade union activist Hkinor Mardoh be allowed to meet Selucian Leader Panegyris Priscian during his visit to Vanuku.

Hkinor is serving a six year sentence for illegal trade union activities and has been described by the government as a "dangerous seditionist".

Now his wife Dnma, who is chairwoman of the opposition group Socialist Association has called for the new Rector of Selucia to request to meet her husband.

Minister Könnyrahe said: "Mrs Mardoh is delusional if she thinks this is going to happen. This man is an seditionist and a hardened political criminal whose sole intent is to bring about revolution in Vanuku and destabilise yet another nation in Majatra.

"The government has been lenient towards the Socialist Association and many of the reforms we have introduced directly benefits its members. Mrs Mardoh and her associates are not currently judged a threat to national security, but if they continue to promote the agenda of a dangerous criminal their organisation's legitimacy will inevitably be placed under scrutiny."
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aethan » Fri Nov 30, 2018 11:02 am

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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Fri Nov 30, 2018 5:54 pm

February 4493

Campuses hit by student protests

For years now, student politics in Vanuku has been a banal and low-key affair. This is not surprising, considering political dissent is so strongly discouraged, and students are overwhelmingly from the better-off classes who do rather well out of the current political situation anyway. Until last week, the most exciting reasonably recent event in student affairs occurred two years ago at the University of East Wiel, where the rugby club set took over the Student Union and used Student Union funds to massively subsidise beer on campus, resulting in a scandalous increase in alcohol-related misbehaviour.

Now, however, student politics has suddenly become lively again. The most obvious cause for this is the government's plan to introduce university tuition fees, stripping well-off youngsters of a privilege they and their parents before them had previously been able to take for granted.

It is about more than just that, though. It seems the new generation of well-off, educated young people are increasingly frustrated with the civil liberties situation in Vanuku. For those who believe in the rights of the citizen, there have been too many cases of alleged misconduct within the justice system for there not to be a suspicion that something has gone very, very wrong. The state, it is feared, has become an organ of surveillance, keeping an eye on what everybody is doing, intruding into everybody's personal privacy and having people arrested and charged on a whim.

Student activists have seized on this, combining the tuition fees issue with the civil liberties issue in order to present themselves as victims of an overbearing and out-of-touch establishment which does not understand young people. This sense of victimhood has been heightened by several high-profile clashes between the police and young people at rock concerts and clubs. In particularly, earlier in the year there was a police raid on an expensive and very exclusive club in central Wiel, Chariots, where many of the wealthier students like to hang out. The club has long had a reputation for riotousness, but until the mysterious volte-face, the police previously preferred to turn a blind eye, probably in deference to the social status of the people who gathered there.

Their critics have dismissed the students as arrogant and over-privileged brats. This certainly appears to be the view of the Socialist Association, which has used its website to criticise the students for being in practice far more concerned about the civil rights of the better-off than the under-privileged, and of not caring at all about issues to do with poverty and social inequality. Nevertheless,whatever one makes of this student movement, it certainly seems to be organised. Over the last week, not a day has gone by without a significant protest at virtually every campus in the country.

The opposition Ahmadi Alliance has sought to placate the civil rights lobby by proposing a Police Reform Act, which would accommodate some of their concerns. It seems likely though that the bill will be watered down significantly before it is passed, due to objections from the ruling New Royal Front Party.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Wed Dec 05, 2018 2:26 am

April 4495

Ahmadis and pagans clash over giant phallus statue

Almost 10 months ago, local imam Mubák Shakír proudly opened up the newly-built and lavishly furnished Noorddam Central-East Mosque, and soon made it the most popular mosque in Noorddam City. Ahmadis flocked to hear his inspiring sermons and enjoy the splendid architecture of his mosque, most especially the famous "Dome Room", a prayer room surrounded by glass windows, offering a beautiful view over much of the eastern half of the city. The view was so good, people turned up just to enjoy it. Photographers and artists made special visits to take advantage of it during hours when worship was not in session.

Imam Mubák Shakír found himself settled and contented with his station in life. His Dome Room had the best view anywhere in the city. He was so proud of it.

And then...something awful happened.

Aldrkai Skronores. a Jelbic shaman, bought up a nearby coffee shop and converted it into a shamanic temple.

And in the garden of the temple, which was once graced by tasteful chairs and tables amongst gorgeous tropical plants, there now stood...

Image

...a giant, 50 foot tall giant concrete phallus which completely dominates the view out of the pane glass windows of Imam Mubák Shakír's Dome Room.

Now, when the devout Ahmadis gather in the Dome Room for prayer, and face south-east towards Helem (OOC: Mecca), they close their eyes in horror, trying to imagine that wretched, sacrilegious monstrosity is not there. Painfully trying Not To Think About It Too Much.

The good imam has tried inter-faith dialogue and reaching out to the community via various neighbourhood bodies. But none of it has worked. The pagans refuse to take down their accursed idol. They tell everyone it is "essential" to their brand of worship. And the rest of the community, the idiots, they believe them and go along with them. The Hosian priest down the road has been no help either. He's a wishy-washy woolly liberal type. The most he's done is ask his congregation not to be "judgemental" about how others practice their faith.

He tried compromising with the contemptible upstart shaman. One suggestion was to put a screen up around the phallus, so it would not be visible from the Dome Room. But no. That would be "censoring our beliefs" and "censoring the human body", he was told.

Well, now despite repeated attempts to reach an amicable compromise, things have gotten nasty. Ahmadi youths are clashing on the streets with pagan youths - and pretty much anybody who doesn't like Ahmadis, besides. It's getting worse. The last few evenings, there have been a number of arrests.

It's not just the youths, either. Full-grown men are getting involved too, now. And their wives, who are often far more aggressive. Especially when they meet the wives on the other side.

Husn Vrkz-Krlmék, the Ahmadi Alliance leader, is calling on the city council to take actions against the phallus, but the city council is humming and aahing over what to do. Last week they voted down a proposal to force the shaman to take it down. Then somebody else proposed another motion allowing the phallus to stay, but requiring the shaman to reduce it by 15 feet. It seemed like there was a consensus for that and that that proposal would be voted through, but then the council session was interrupted by some emergency budgetary issues, so the session was abruptly dropped.

Imam Mubák Shakír is usually a calm and diplomatic man, but he is angry now. "The Ahmadis of Noorddam City will not stand for this," he told the television cameras yesterday afternoon. "This is an insult to the Prophet Ahmad, Akim bless his name. If something is not done, there will be riots in this city."
Last edited by Aquinas on Thu Dec 06, 2018 11:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:11 am

Internal Affairs Minister To Be Next Leader of New Royal Front
Duke Zhtál Set To Step Aside Before Next Election To Make Way For Hardline Conservative

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The next SKS Leader Dnkai Könnyrahe.

July 4495 - Internal Affairs Minister Dnkai Dnksrmko Könnyrahe has been chosen as the next leader of the governing Suadja Konzsrlji Shlajofitojafmorzi (New Royal Front). He will replace Duke Kspr Zhtal who will officially stand down several months before the next scheduled election.

The 75-year-old Prefect said it was time to stand aside and let the party be taken forward by another. The Duke added he had handpicked his successor as the man to lead Vanuku into the 46th century. Minister Könnyrahe is expected to name Duke Zhtál's son, Jebr Zhtál as his deputy.

An unashamed conservative, Könnyrahe has already said that he is not considering any immediate democratic reforms in the country where only nobles families can form political parties and only wealthy landowners can vote. He said if he won the next election - which he fully expected - it would be business as usual for Vanuku. He added: "Law abiding citizens will continue to benefit from a government with their best interests at heart; however, those whose continue to promote illegal anti-monarchist, communist or radical socialist views will find no such support."

Könnyrahe who is expected to be named Baron of Krimek in the end-of-year honours list drawn up by the Prefect, said he would also forge ahead with the government's ongoing defence and infrastructure projects such as the widespread nuclear energy programme, the fifth aircraft carrier fleet construction and the development of the Majatran Rifle.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:00 am

October 4495

Husn Vrkz-Krlmék proposed for Hartvig Prize

The Vanukean Reform Centre think-tank has proposed Ahmadi Alliance leader Husn Vrkz-Krlmék for the political achievement section of the Hartvig Prize, in honour of his "valiant efforts to achieve liberalising reforms in an extraordinarily restrictive political environment".

Vrkz-Krlmék has indeed broken ground by becoming the first and only opposition party to legally register itself under the "partial democracy" introduced by the Prefect, Duke Kspar Nohsrmko Zhtál. He has also succeeded in cajoling the ruling New Royal Front Party into accepting modest reforms, including important reforms to the workings of the police and the justice system, permitting a restricted form of trade union organisations, abolishing compulsory religious registration, granting special protection for minority languages and restoring the official status of two historic Ahmadi cities.

However, Vrkz-Krlmék's critics complain the reforms he champions have only ever been incremental, and that he has always been careful never to seriously challenge the interests of the ruling landed elite. Furthermore, he is criticised for having championed several less liberal causes, such as removing gays and women from the army, restricting same-gender couples from adopting children and introducing blasphemy laws.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:46 am

April 4496

Grand Council discusses trade embargo on Utari Mosir

At the instigation of the opposition Ahmadi Alliance, the Grand Council is meeting to discuss a proposed Trade Embargo Against Utari Mosir, in response to reports of the systematic eradication of the Kunikata.
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