Embassy in Hobrazia downgraded
Following the continued stand-off between Malivia and Hobrazia over Hobrazia's refusal to release the satyagrahis from detention, and the recent violent protests outside the Malivian Embassy in Hobrazia by supporters of the Hobrazian government, Foreign Minister Vishnu Satavelekar has announced the Malivian Embassy in Hobrazia has been downgraded to the status of a consulate. This reflects a deterioration in Malivian-Hobrazian relations, although optimists say dialogue and co-operation between the two governments is still continuing on some levels.
Adivasi homes demolished
On the orders of Nagini Misra, the Minister for Enivronment & Tourism, a large number of Adivasi shanties along the banks of the River Washe have been demolished. She defended her action in the Lok Sabha, stating the Adivasi were illegally living in a protected area, where their activities were disturbing wildlife and damaging tourism.
In another development, an Adivasi fisherman, Jagadis Munshi, has lost his left leg, both arms, and right ear following an encounter with a crocodile whilst fishing in the River Washe. Speaking from hospital, he said he owes his life to the god Putera (OOC: Rama), to whom he has paid daily devotions all of his life. His oldest son, Mahadaji, told the media he wants the government to "stop putting crocodiles in our river and destroying our homes".
An organisation called the Adivasi River Washe Community Forum (ARWCF) has now been established to defend the interests of the local tribespeople. They are campaigning for the government to remove the crocodiles it introduced to the River Washe and legally acknowledge their right to live along the River Washe. In addition, they are encouraging a boycott Egzotikus Utazások (translation: Exotic Travels), an Endralon-based firm organising trips to the River Washe area for tourists keen to spot crocodiles.
Prince Hasan steps back from royal role
Facing huge political pressure from the government after marrying an Ahmadi lady from Kafuristan, the Emperor's eldest son Prince Hasan has agreed to give up his "HRH" (His Royal Highness) title, although he will continue to be known as Prince Hasan. He will also cease to claim money from the Civil List (ie. public funds), although his father, Emperor Chandragupta, will pay him an allowance from his private funds, provide his security and continue to allow him to live rent-free on royal land. The Emperor is believed to have done his best to protect his son's status, although given the strength of will of the politicians, he had little choice but to make concessions.
Hasan and his wife, Saaliha, have experienced intense media scrutiny and hostile media coverage since they returned home together from Kafuristan, and royal sources indicate they are finding it difficult to cope with being followed around by journalists and photographers wherever they go. It is rumoured that Saaliha, in particular, is struggling to cope, and that the couple are seriously considering moving to another country.
Rocc Cola takes Malivia to court
Rocc Cola is taking the government of Malivia to court, complaining they have been offered no compensation despite the government planning to ban their product and force their factory in Kubir City to close. The Factory Workers Union, representing nearly 600 workers at the factory, are also launching legal action, arguing their members should be compensated by the government for the loss of their jobs and the disruption to their lives.
In response to this, there has been a wave of anti-Rocc Cola activism across the country, with campaigners arguing the organisation has wielded too much cultural, economic and political influence in Malivia for too long.
Lodamese inspectors witness drowning of sewage workers
Following Lodamun's investment in Malivia's struggling sewage system, its team of inspectors have been busy, trying to assess what work needs completing most urgently and what can be done to improve conditions for workers. They made a grisly discovery yesterday during a tour of Verana City, when they saw three sewage workers struggling for their lives, getting sucked down a sewer. Two drowned, although one, Yadavendra Gauraang (pictured above), was eventually rescued.
The Union of Malivian Sewage Workers commented that tragedies like this "are all too common, and often not even officially reported". They added that whilst the Lodamese investment and concern for safety standards is "strongly welcomed", there remain "serious issues regarding the welfare of workers" and that "it remains very much the case that the better paid jobs, the management positions are very much closed to Untouchables and Adivasis, who are only allowed to do the roles nobody else wants to do".
Infrastructure Minister Gunadhya Thakore said he wanted to assure the public and the Lodamese inspectors that "the Malivian sewage system is amongst the safest in the world and accidents like the one recently reported are very, very rare".
Daya Thakre selected as RNP parliamentary candidate
Daya Thakre, the captain of the Malivian cricket team who was found guilty of bribery but is still wildly popular with the public, has been selected as a candidate by the Raktavani National Party for the Lok Sabha election. He intends to retire from cricket at the end of the year, and devote himself full time to politics.
