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 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 1:16 am

May 4496

Controversial shaman faces prosecution under blasphemy laws

Aldrkai Skronores, the colourful shaman from Noorddam City who outraged Ahmadis by putting up a giant phallus statue in his temple garden, in full view of the local mosque has again dipped his toes in hot water by erecting a black Hosianmas Tree, which local evangelical Hosians insist is "Satanailic" and an insult to Hosian beliefs and traditions.

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Black Hosianmas Tree

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Giant phallus statue

Things have now become more serious for Skronores because two powerful and well-funded organisations, the Evangelical Hosian Council and the Ahmadi Council of Vanuku, have teamed together to launch a prosecution case against him for blasphemy.

Under Vanuku's religious laws, both Hosianism and Ahmadism are granted the status of legally "recognised religions" and are legally protected from "blasphemy".

The Society for Shamanic Practice is assisting Skronores with his legal costs, and has condemned the prosecution attempt as "religious persecution against the small and vulnerable minority of us who follow shamanism".

However, Imam Mubák Shakír, who speaheaded the original complaints against the giant phallus statue, has branded Skronores and the Society for Shamanic Practice as "despicable troublemakers and blasphemers who have no respect for true religious feeling, and whose nonsense has got to be put a stop to".

Husn Vrkz-Krlmék, leader of the opposition Ahmadi Alliance, has supported the prosecution, commenting "this is the first test of whether the courts are willing to take our blasphemy laws seriously" and "if this blaspheming fiend can get away with this, then it will fundamentally undermine the fabric of society and show that anyone can get away with anything in Vanuku because nothing is sacred".
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:07 pm

Government Backs Opposition's Democratic Reforms to Allow More People To Vote
But Crackdown On Groups Banned From Politics Set To be Widened
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While democratic rights will increase for some, several protest groups may come under closer government scrutiny.


July 4496 - The SKS government has agreed in principle to a constitutional reform which will grant electoral suffrage to tens of thousands more people.

Under a bill proposed by the opposition Ahmadi Alliance, everyone with assets worth over 1 million VAN will be allowed to vote in national and local elections.

The current law only allows landowners of large estates (worth in excess of 2 million VAN) the right to vote.

However, the original amendment proposed by the AA has been watered down in other areas after the Prefect refused to accept some of the changes being proposed. The rejected proposals include allowing anyone to stand for election to public office and allowing anyone to register a political party (the current law only allows the nobility this privilege).

A law preventing parties to be registered if they are based on the principles of dangerous anti-monarchist philosophies such as communism and republicanism remains in place and is set to be extended to include a ban on parties affiliated with socialist or workers' movements that have not received government endorsement.

New Prefect Baron Dnkai Könnyrahe said the government had made a "big concession" in terms of extending suffrage to many more people.

When asked why he refused to allow any other than members of the nobility to register a political party he said: "I have seen no evidence that a party established by any other than the well-informed, well educated and well-meaning noble families of Vanuku could be in the greater interests of the Kingdom."

He added: "We welcome the fact that the Ahmadi Alliance has proposed this bill and will work with them to ensure the serious democratic reforms proposed in the amended version are put into place. However, this also sends out a clear message to the radicals and revolutionaries and the anarchic socialists... All those who have been democratically elected stand united against anyone who threatens to undermine the fabric of our society. The enemies of the state have no friends with a voice in the corridors of power."

The Prefect was also asked about the prosecution being brought against controversial Shaman Aldrkai Skronores who has erected a black Hosianmas Tree alongside a giant phallus statue in his temple garden.

Baron Könnyrahe said: "The blasphemy laws are perfectly clear - I am sure they will be interpreted correctly by the presiding judges and justice will prevail."
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:37 am

October 4497

Socialists march for democracy as Reform Act incrementally extends the franchise

If anyone thought the Constitutional Reform Act would placate the demands for more democracy, they were proved wrong this weekend by mass rallies held in almost every city and town by the Socialist Association, a radical political organisation which is just about legal in Vanuku, but barred from competing in national elections.

The main theme of the demonstrations has been a demand for the franchise to be extended to all Vanukan adults, not just to the wealthy. There have been other issues raised as well, though, including calls for the release from prison of the Socialist Association's original leader, Hkinor Mardoh, a fairer justice system, more civil liberties and greater rights for women and the LGBT community.

The Ahmadi Alliance is trying to soothe popular anger by proposing legislation to address rigged juries, although critics say it is unclear the government would be willing to tolerate such a reform, and even if it did, it is also unclear as to how far it would go to appease the protesters.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Aquinas » Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:57 am

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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:46 am

Supreme Court Rules To Uphold Verdict of Blasphemy Law Test Case
Shaman Will Now Be Ordered To Take Down Monuments Deemed Sacrilegious

January 4498 - The Supreme Court has ruled to uphold a decision by the district judge in Noordam City ordering a shaman to take down two controversial statues that outraged both the Ahmadi and Hosian communities.

Aldrkai Skronores was found guilty of breaching blasphemy laws after erecting a giant phallus monument in full view of a local mosque and a black Hosianmas Tree, which was branded Satanailic. As well as being told to remove the offending statues, Skronores was also ordered to pay a 5,000 VAN fine.

However, he appealed the decision handed down by the Noordam City District Court on the grounds that blasphemy is subjective and that the court was stifling his rights of freedom of expression and was unfairly biased towards Ahmadism and Hosianism, compared to Shamanism.

The outcome of the case was appealed to the Supreme Court and after a two-week deliberation the top lawlords of the land found in favour of the district judge and rejected Shaman Skronores' claims.

Chief Justice Shlajmai Obbéz, chair of the six-strong Supreme Court panel, said: "We find that the ruling handed down by the district court is correct and that under the current law, which states that blasphemy is a minor offence, any action which is sacrilegious towards one of Vanuku's recognised religions is illegal.

"The erection of the phallus statue and the black tree are offensive in equal measures to Ahmadi and Hosian beliefs, therefore are illegal, whether they cause offence to the shaman and his followers or not.

"In all cases we judge that freedom of expression should only be allowed within the confines of the current laws of the land, so there is no constitutional obligation to override the original decision based on the claims made by the defendant."

Shaman Skronores must now remove the statues within three months or face jail.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Rogue » Tue Dec 11, 2018 12:50 pm

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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Tue Dec 11, 2018 3:18 pm

New Aircraft Carrier Fleet Launched As Threat Of Conflict Rises
Vanuku Ready to Intervene in Utari Mosir and Take Action Against Pontesi

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The HVMS Mrjmai is escorted out to sea to embark on her maiden voyage.

July 4498 - Vanuku's fifth aircraft carrier-led naval battle fleet has been launched amid growing rumours that the Kingdom may be gearing up for overseas conflict.

The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) first commissioned in 4466 consists of a Támnr-class nuclear aircraft carrier, the HVMS Mrjmai - named after Vanuku's first female monarch - and several support craft including Wiel-class Destroyers, Tekmak-class Cruisers and Banstill and Nacthen-class frigates.

The CSG's main fighter aircraft is the S-44B Tanhri stealth jet a variation of the Tanhri multi-role aircraft designed and developed by Vanuku, specifically for take off and landing on naval vessels.

The commission was originally planned to take 15 years to complete but has taken more than double that time due to its temporary postponement during the early years of the New Royal Front government in the 4470s.

The CSG will take its place alongside the four current carrier fleets operated by the Vanukean Royal Navy centred around the HVMS Mrjkai, HVMS Támnr II, HVMS Kesprka, and the HVMS Kustalkai Lawrns-Wrntukai - all nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The Fifth Fleet vessels are now being put through their paces in mock battle operations in the Verranderlijke Ocean alongside the Third Fleet... but it may not be long before their crews see active duty.

The government, frustrated by lack of decisive action in the World Congress, has decided to impose unilateral sanctions on Utari Mosir following mass genocidal behaviour against the Kunikata people and other crimes of humanity witnessed there.

It has also announced it is willing to work with other like-minded nations - such as Dorvik - to bring about an end to the genocide, which may mean the establishment of a military coalition to achieve regime change if the Utari government will not budge.

Meanwhile, the Vanukean government is backing firm action against the government in Pontesi where policies of slavery and segregation have been introduced and where Istalian citizens have been abducted. The government confirmed it would be attending the emergency summit on the subject taking place in Qart Qildar, Cildania.
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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Rogue » Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:41 am

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Re: Wrntu Wrnuke! (Forwards Vanuku!)

Postby Sisyphus » Wed Dec 12, 2018 11:47 am

Jelbanian Government Contacted Over Rejection of Vanukean Economic Influence
Kingdom Says It Has Legal Right To Protect Stability and Security In Northern Territories

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One of the uranium ore mines in northern Jelbania that Vanuku has heavily invested in and considers to be under its sphere of economic influence.

January 4499 - A warning shot has been fired across the bows of the Great Jelbek Confederation's government following its decision to reject Vanukean and Deltarian influence over parts of its country and instead become a despotic province of the Augustan Empire ruled from Zardugal by Herodoto III.

Foreign Minister Jebr Ksparsrmko Zhtál has reminded the government in its turbulent southern neighbour that a binding treaty compels Vanuku to intervene should its economic influence in the two northern states of Jelbania (known commonly as the Jelbek Khaganate) be violated. Deltaria is similarly obliged to intervene in the south.

Minister Zhtál said: "We have reminded the government in the Confederation that Jelbania cannot rescind the Rklemjistad Treaty without consent from at least two of the three ratifying parties. To do so is in violation of Vanuku's right to hold economic influence over the north and Deltaria to hold similar influence in the south.

"We have also reminded the government in Jelbania that to violate this agreement gives Vanuku and/or Deltaria the right of intervention (military or otherwise) to protect its interests.

"In terms of the Northern Khaganate, Vanuku has spent considerable time and money stabilising the area economically and politically and operates a number of industries there that directly benefit the Jelbanian people. In the interests of stability - financially and otherwise - we are not prepared to stand by and see those efforts and resources wasted.

"Therefore, we ask for dialogue during which we can either find a compromise in keeping with the guidelines of the existing treaty or through which the new Jelbanian paymasters in Zardugal recompense any loss Vanuku suffers from this territorial upheaval."

"While we respect Jelbanian sovereignty this is a binding agreement and any attempt to simply ignore our claims is not a possibility and will force us to act appropriately as defined by the articles of the treaty."
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