Trigunia

[Opakidabar]

Thieves among cabinet members!

It is a sad day and day we take lessons. After careful examinations on corruption and other activities non-compatible with Obshestroi, we found that several members of cabinet are actually of Thieves caste. We do not hide the truth and we inform every citizen of Triguniya.
Claudia Harrison (Internal Affairs)
Henry Jones (Finance)
Theodore Martinez (Defense)
Adam Baker (Justice)
Carl Baker (another portfolio)
They all are offered The Great Choice of Thief. Shall they choose The Honorable Path of Salvation by becoming Helpers or they are corrupted to their hearts and will choose the death. Let us hope they change, change for better!
Triguniya is moving on, the first Obshestroi society shall not stand for corruption and Thieves shall be found and dealt with. You can trust the Builders of society!


There is nothing to worry as long as Obshestroi wheel is moving

[Opakidabar]

The Helpers Tower Building Starts

Great day in Triguniyan history. The General Director of Society Builders has announced that new tower shall be built. The tower will be 2 meters higher than any other building on Terra.

"Yes, we are going to build the record high tower. We will show the world the might and power of Obshestroi system. The Helpers Tower will be the highest tower on Terra. We shall build it to show our respect for the least fortunate and noble members of our society - the Helpers Caste. They choose their path of self-sacrifice and pain to benefit us all. They deserve the Tower."

~ Stepan Belosnezhek.

[AngryMollusc]

Government "Definitely Not Planning Invasion of Pontesi"

After a former senior Trigunyan diplomat, (now reallocated as Grade II Helper #1201745) left a number of secret documents which subsequently entered the hands of the international media on a train, the Trigunyan government has issued an official statement denying speculation that the files in question contained plans for an invasion of the Dynastic Pontesian Empire.

The leaked plans include detailed aerial photographs of Pontesian beaches, several of which have been marked as "optimal landing sites", detailed reports on the number, location and condition of Pontesian armed forces submitted by the Trigunyan intelligence services and blueprints for a wide range of Pontesian military hardware. Whilst these may bear superficial resemblances to the sort of documents typically drawn up prior to an invasion, we in the Herald can exclusively reveal that they were in fact plans for a new holiday reward program, in which millions of the highest-achieving Trigunyan workers would be shipped to major Pontesian beaches, or airdropped over "sites of interest" (including several internationally famous Pontesian bridges and military installations) for a week's holiday in the Pontesian Empire.


Lucky Trigunyan workers complete a "training exercise" in preparation for their Pontesian holiday

Whilst it is true that these holidaymakers will each be armed with state-of-the-art military hardware and accompanied by field artillery, main battle tanks and bombing squadrons, the Trigunyan government has explained that these are intended only for the protection of the lucky workers, who will be traveling through some of Pontesi's most violent and crime-ridden regions. Likewise, the use of phrases such as "the effective deployment of execution squads should be implemented to limit civilian resistance" and "the early use of tactical nuclear weaponry and the elimination of key elements of Pontesian infrastructure will help to limit resistance to easily eliminated localised pockets" referred only to suggested methods of convincing the Pontesian populace of the benefits of a sudden upsurge in Trigunyan tourism.

This follows the accidental release of a top-secret document, entitled "Suggestions for Efficient Methods of Imposing the Obshestroi Doctrine on a Subjugated Pontesian Empire", which was believed to be a detailed analysis of how the Trigunyan caste system could be imposed on Pontesi following an invasion, but which the Trigunyan government still insists was "purely a hypothetical exercise."

[AngryMollusc]

Rounding up of Pontesians "for Administrative Measures Only"

In a statement today, Trigunyan Director of Internal Affairs Aleksey Ignatov, confirmed that the Trigunyan intelligence agencies had indeed been to rounding up Pontesian citizens in Trigunya, confirming a widespread rumour that the pattern of kidnappings over the last week had been uncharacteristically focused on certain groups, as opposed to the usual seemingly random spread of government-sponsored abductions.

"We can now confirm that every single Pontesian citizen resident in Trigunya is in our custody." announced Director Ignatov, from base of the Helpers' Tower, which many of the Pontesians have been assigned to the construction of. "Ironically, we caught most of them at the borders when they tried to escape. Inevitably, some of them got away, but all in all we think this was a pretty good haul."

When asked what was going to be done with the Pontesian citizens, Mr Ignatov replied "we have rounded these Pontesians up purely to fill in several holes in our administrative records. Once we have interviewed them all, in order to determine the missing information, we will happily release them. Sadly, we estimate this process will take around a decade to complete, but it would be negligent of us not to do so. In the mean time, we have put the Pontesians to work on useful projects in specially designated 'work camps'."

Mr. Ignatov also insisted that this policy has nothing whatsoever to do with the Trigunian government's promise to "execute a Pontesian a day until Viceroy Percy Scott leaves Gaduridos."

[AngryMollusc]

Pontesians are "Acceptable Substitute for Body Armour", Military Scientists Discover

A new study by top Trigunyan military scientists has revealed that Pontesians, previously thought only to be useful for forced labour in the Yulrath military shipyards, are almost twenty per cent more effective than standard-issue Trigunyan body armour at absorbing the impact of a high speed projectile. When tested against the a number of small arms and assault rifles, Pontesians absorbed almost 83% of impacts, with a further 14% of projectiles being decelerated to non-lethal speeds by the time they left the Pontesian's body.

In spite of these encouraging early reports, Pontesians performeed to a significantly lower standard in subsequent trials. It was found that Pontesians provided only minimal shielding form the blast of a rocket-propelled grenade, and as many as three or four were often needed to fully decelerate a bullet from a high-velocity sniper rifle. Resistance to chemical and biological weaponry, as well as tactical nuclear warheads, was minimal.

Despite these drawbacks, the military have already begun to issue Pontesians to troops in active service, although generals have cautioned that they are not yet effective enough to fully eliminate the need for body armour. Still, it is hoped that by drawing enemy fire and shielding our brave soldiers, the use of Pontesians could significantly reduce the level of casualties sustained on future battlefields.

[Brydog]

Liberal Democrats Return

The Liberal Democratic Party of Trigunia was re-founded today. The party was formed to bring back the democratic system to Trigunia, the LDPT which was founded in 2099 as the Social Democratic Party, had been a stalwart defender of Trigunian democracy. The party announce it will be running in the next elections and high hope for a victory against the current nationalist, communist government is hoped.

[Gracchus]

The Media Outlets of Trigunia

There are six main newspapers in Trigunia, which have held long-standing political loyalties, and have been actively engaged in endorsing political parties:

"Vestnik" (The Herald) is a broadsheet newspaper, with considerable loyalties to the Monarchy, traditional values and the Lutheran Church. It is the most outspokenly right-wing newspaper in Trigunia, and generally takes a tough line on immigration, social reform and crime. It is broadly nationalistic in tone, and favours economic nationalism over free trade. It has also taken a noted anti-communist line in foreign affairs.

"Trigunskiy" (The Trigunian) is a broadsheet newspaper which is the most outspokenly right-wing newspaper in Trigunia, and generally takes a tough line on immigration, social reform and crime. It is generally considered to be the mouthpiece of the far right, and generally statist, xenophobic and supportive of any regime with a dismal human rights record.

"Yezhednevnye Novosti" (The Daily News) is a broadsheet newspaper, that while declaring itself 'independent' politically, has sympathies for centre-left and liberal causes. It is the paper most likely to promote environmental causes and social reform. It has generally endorsed moderate, centre-left parties, but has also backed right-wing parties with a liberal bent. It is seen as the paper for the liberal middle-classes.

"Tribuna" (The Tribune) is a broadsheet newspaper, and has the support of the hard left. It supports militant communism, class struggle and revolution. It is seen as internationalist in foreign affairs, and promotes the idea of a 'world revolution'. It is also supportive of social reform. Its columnists are split between moderates and radicals over social issues, such as gay marriage and abortion. Its primary concern is an economic struggle.

"Vremja" (The Times Gazette) is a broadsheet newspaper, with a centrist political agenda, and actively promotes free-markets and a small government. It is seen as socially liberal and economically conservative. It has generally supported right-wing governments which promote a smaller role for the government and bureaucracy, and free trade. It is also supportive of globalisation.

"Zhurnal" (The Journal) is a tabloid newspaper, and politically populist. It is known to sensationalise the news, and is generally supportive of the incumbent politically. Many of its opinion pieces are right-wing in nature, but are also skeptical of big business and the middle classes.

[Gracchus]

Vestnik: End of the Mashkov dream?


Former-Viceroy R.D. Mashkov, Duke of Petrovgrad

April 2916 - Heinrichgrad, Trigunia

A little more than a decade after he and his Young Guard Party swept into power under a campaign of reform, R.D. Mashkov, Duke of Petrovgrad was ousted in the recent election by Rodion Ivanovich and his Trigunian Patriot Party. The former-Viceroy's loss has spread fears throughout his party and the nation that the much lauded Maskov Reforms may become nothing more than a footnote in history.

The reforms bearing the Duke's name were instituted in early-2904 and reinforced in mid-2905 and designed to overhaul the nation's economy by liberalizing industry and refocusing on information technology and research & development. Since the election of Ivanovich, many Trigunians, especially in the successful but still developing businesses world, fear that mass nationalization proposed by Finance Minister Anatole Kuragin (TPP).

"We're afraid," business executive Pavel Komarov stated. "The policies of the Young Guards truly helped Trigunia. Taxes were low, especially business taxes, there was high government spending on technology and education but above all there was a feeling of excitement. While we must all admit that the excitement has certainly died down since then, there is still the feeling that anything is possible. But since the election of the TPP, we do not know what to expect."

Others have voiced similar concerns, but not all have been so condemning. Former-Marine Oleg Padalka voiced concern about Mashkov's treatment of the military. "Mashkov let the economy rule his thoughts. With all the attention on changing society and changing the economy he let the military founder. Billions of rabols spent on microchips but not a single one of them was geared toward the military. How did he expect to protect the nation? It is a good thing to see him pushed out."

There has been some concern over Mashkov's obsession with keeping the national budget low. Within the Young Guards themselves, there was much debate about the current budget crisis which has left Trigunians with a 28 billion rabol annual debt. Former-Assemblywoman Nina Samsova (MGP - Morozorota) told The Herald that she blames the failure of Mashkov to develop a new budget to counter his drastic tax cuts for losing her seat in March's election. "He [Mashkov] had the political capital to push his cuts but he could not get his ministers to agree on the new budget. So we had this paradox of low taxes and high spending. We cannot afford it and my constituents voted with their feet by fleeing the party and rushing to the opposition. Even good-Guards were turned off by Mashkov's budgetary failure and myself and the party lucked out. And in a way, Mashkov did as well."

It has yet to be seen whether the economic and social reforms will be maintained for long, but it seems that given the actions of Duke Mashkov and the consequences of his failures anything is open for the opposition.

[Gracchus]

Vestnik: Viceroy Mashkov Dead!



Naval Infantry escort the body of Viceroy R.D. Mashkov at his state funeral.


15 June 2922 – Heinrichgrad, Trigunia

R.D. Mashkov, Viceroy of His Royal Northern Highness Ferdinand I and Chairman of the opposition Young Guard Party died in a car accident along with his wife, Katerina, Shadow Internal Affairs Minister Vasili Yuryevich Domostroy and driver Yuri Chkalov.

Maskov, the seven-term Viceroy and implementer of two of the most sweeping reform movements in recent Trigunian history, was on the way to Heinrichgrad airport to depart on an official state visit to Hulstria.

Police investigators suspect no foul play as all evidence points to a blown tire which caused the automobile to skid out of control before rolling in the ditch of the opposite lane. The rainy conditions are suspected as having contributed to the accident.

The state funeral was held for all four crash victims, although Mashkov and Domostroy’s bodies lied in state for several days, they were closed casket. After the funeral ceremony, the Mashkovs were transported by police escort to their final resting place in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in their native Petrovgrad.

Thousands of onlookers lined the roads to pay their respects. Many in the crowds were visibly weeping as the motorcade sped past.

[Gracchus]

Vestnik: Young Guards in Disarray

June 2922 – Heinrichgrad, Trigunia

Following the death of its leader R.D. Mashkov, the Young Guard Party has been thrown into anarchy. Deputy Chairman Gerhardt Wulf has briefly taken over as head chairman, however, it is well known that within and without the party that Mr. Wulf has been growing steadily unpopular and is seen by many, especially in the party’s small Deltarian faction, as a liability given his Hulstrian ethnicity.

Throughout the party, there is steady support for Kildan Olvar Gertsogstvo chairman Mitrofan V. Belyaev to stand for Party Chairman election. Likewise, there are calls for Belyaev’s nomination for Viceroy.

In the background lurks the ghost of Mashkov in the form of his son 25-year old, Vasya. Vasya Mashkov currently remains a backbench Boyar representing Petrovgrad. There have been calls for him to be tapped for a Cabinet position, for which he has expressed an interest.

The Party has called for an early election and has only months to establish order and begin campaigning for the Viceroy position. But with few big names available for the ballot, victory may be a tall order.