Vascania

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

Re: Vascania

Postby robmark0000 » Wed Jul 08, 2020 4:28 pm

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Re: Vascania

Postby Pragma » Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:04 pm

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Vascanian Government 'Unmoved' By 3M Controversy
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The Vascanian government has maintained a position opposed to 3M's growing international influence after an international controversy between the
healthcare corporation and the state of Medina. After Medina expelled 3M from their nation and requisitioned their resources in the nation, 3M began a
campaign seeking that either their equipment be returned or that they be compensated. Supporters, often other 3M-affiliated states, say that the
Medinese government committed an act of theft deserving of international action. Critics, including the federal government of Vascania, contend that
this is a failing of 3M to recognise the risks of operating in a recently destabilised nation.

Prime Minister Kavita Mohite has responded negatively to repeated attempts by 3M to coerce the Vascanian government into supporting their cause.
Vascania, a neighbouring state to Medina, has however maintained a full-throated opposition of 3M's goals and warned of setting a precedent by which
companies and nations are equals. The Vascanian world congress representative has also publicly questioned what would occur if Medina refused to
comply and has suggested that the poorer nations in the WC fighting in favour of 3M's campaign are in fact being manipulated by 3M.

Still, pro-3M protests in Rapa Pile have caused the federal government a headache, as the state is overwhelmingly reliant on 3M as a source of wealth
and employment. In the hopes of reducing 3M's influence in Vascania, the government is reportedly hoping to organise an economic diversification
program with the state government to bring the area into line with continental standards. In continental Vascania, there are strict monopolisation
and nationalisation laws that make 3M unable to operate as anything other than a source of drug imports. Though the Pilese are unwilling to surrender
3M completely, Mohite's government has made no secret it wants to see less 3M influence in the region.

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Vascania News is the national public broadcaster and information outlet for the Vascanian Empire.
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Re: Vascania

Postby Pragma » Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:49 pm

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Vascanian-Born Khatun Offers Malivian Orphans 'Private Education &
Luxury Accommodation'

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The Vascanian born Khatun of Vanuku and Jelbe has written back to a group of Malivian orphans who contacted her pleading for funding for their
orphanage - which was yanked away by her husband's government in the ongoing spat between the two nations. Khatun Bhatari has gone a step further
that the funding asked for by the orphans, and has instead confirmed her intention to pay for each and every orphan's full education 'to royal standards'
in Vanuku. The Malivian orphans will be given free travel to Vanuku and accommodated also completely free of charge in 'lavish quarters', according to
the letter from the Khatun.

The Khatun is thought to be a moderating influence on the prideful Khagan, though Jelbic monarchs are rarely constrained by the opinions of others.
Khatun Bhatari is also an adamant supporter of a variety of charitable endeavours. The funding for the full education, travel and accommodation of
2,000 orphans will be met by Bhatari's own lavish wealth which she has previously used to fund orphans in Vanuku and Jelbe. Her uncle, Emperor Manas
III of Vascania and Malivia, continues not to comment publicly on affairs of state and international politics, but his son the Crown Prince is known to be
an advocate for diplomacy over war.

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Vascania News is the national public broadcaster and information outlet for the Vascanian Empire.
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Re: Vascania

Postby robmark0000 » Thu Jul 09, 2020 9:45 pm

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Re: Vascania

Postby Pragma » Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:09 pm

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Government Reaches Settlement With 3M
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The Vascanian government has reached a settlement with 3M, the international healthcare corporation, after a series of disagreements over 3M's
relationship with developing nations. Announced by Foreign Minister Salim Pidugu today, the settlement will see Vascania reduce its dependence on
imports from 3M and begin an economic diversification program to reduce 3M's domination of the Rapa Pile economy. Rapa Pile will retain the right
to have private pharmacies - something continental Vascania has long banned - but will receive aid from the federal government in increasing the
state's revenue from other sources. 3M, for its part, has received assurances that it shall not be ejected from the Vascanian Empire in the foreseeable
future.

Prime Minister Kavita Mohite held a brief meeting with the head corporate members of 3M in which they discussed terms. Mohite had previously stated
her key objectives in meeting 3M's CEO and board of directors was to seek a settlement that would prevent discontent in the autonomous state of Rapa
Pile. Mohite and 3M CEO Boros Roberta agreed to settle the dispute with 'minimal controversy' according to government sources, though Vascania
remains 'sceptical' of 3M's size and influence internationally.

The spat between the Vascanian government and the 3M corporation stem from the ejection of 3M by the Medinese government without having paid
compensation for the seizure of 3M's assets in the nation. This had prompted 3M to begin a campaign demanding international reaction, winning support
from a number of developing nations in which they had heavily invested. The Vascanian government had expressed a great deal of scepticism over the
influence 3M had in the nations where it operated, while 3M had adamantly defended its right to seek internationally-sanctioned settlement from the
Medinese. With the Medinese now negotiating a settlement with 3M themselves, the issue seems to now be settled.

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Vascania News is the national public broadcaster and information outlet for the Vascanian Empire.
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Ahmadism To Lose Recognised Status
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Ahmadism is set to lose its recognised religious status after a vote by the Vascanian parliament yesterday. The religion, dominant in nearby nations in
Dovani and Majatra, has been viewed with suspicion by many conservative-minded Vascanians including Prime Minister Kavita Mohite, who has a history
of opposition to Ahmadism's presence on the continent. With the loss of its official religious recognition, Ahmadism can now be subjected to a variety
of policies including prohibitions on its ability to advertise itself and build new religious centres. Ahmadi organisations will now almost certainly have to
pay the full rate of federal tax levied on unrecognised groups.

The official reason for deregistering Ahmadism is because of a requirement for recognised religions that 'members must be able to leave the religion
without fear of retribution'. The evidence against this standard for Ahmadism is a number of incidents cited by the conservative government in which
Ahmadis - particularly women - have been attacked by family members for leaving the religion. The most extreme cases of this practice include 'honour
killings', though these are statistically rare in Vascania and there are occasions of non-Ahmadis committing similar criminal acts. Ahmadis do not commit
crime generally at a significantly higher rate that other groups in Vascania - when adjusted for their often lower incomes - but 'encouraging criminality'
is a charge often levied against Ahmadis by ultra-nationalist forces in the government.

The move has been met with great controversy throughout the nation. Some liberals have attacked the move as a 'blatantly racist attack' which 'targets'
minorities like the Majatran and Medinese peoples of Vascania. The central belt of states - including Utsal, Bhaporistan and Zarqandi Pradesh - all have
Ahmadi minorities of around 15% to 25% and reaction to the news has led to violence in the streets of major cities in the area. Regions with almost no
Ahmadi population, such as Kalam Nadu, have been much more positively receptive to the news. The mayor of Sangora in the nation's far north has
promised to demolish both of the city's mosques 'as soon as possible', while the mayor of the capital - Kamalata - has promised to bring a legal challenge
against the legislation change.

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The Kamalata Times is a centre-left newspaper based in the capital city of Vascania, Kamalata. It focuses on internal affairs, particularly social issues.
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Re: Vascania

Postby Pragma » Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:59 pm

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Oil Production Reduced Amid Price Fears
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The government has announced that its oil production plans for the next year will be modified to prevent a fall in oil prices - a fall that would be
potentially catastrophic for Vascania's economy. Originally, the Ministry of Natural Resources had planned to produce 17.2 million bbl/day on average
in the next year, but this has now been cut to 15.7 million bbl/day. This will still maintain Vascania's position as the world's largest oil producer, with
most of its competitors being Majatrans nations currently struggling financially. Competitors in oil production, like Kafuristan, have previously reduced
their own stockpiles after struggling to keep up Vascania's aggressive oil expansion.

Concerns have been raised by a number of Dovani and Majatran nations that the level of oil production currently existing internationally is liable to create
a flood of cheap oil on the market, undermining the economic stability of all oil producers. A fall in oil prices could have a severe effect on Vascania's
national budget, forcing the nation to take out loans or even cut social services built up over the last few decades. Vascania has been pointed out as a
driving force in oil price instability, as its rise to the top of oil producing nations has been 'astronomical' according to a number of experts in the field.
Vascania was the world's 13th oil producer and the 16th oil exporter at the start of the century, but now leads solidly in both area. Oil export deals with
Malivia, Keymon, Endralon and a number of other nations have brought much new revenue to the Vascania government - who now rely on oil to fund public
services and have taken oil price concerns 'very seriously' according to insiders.

Vascania had been recently growing its oil production rapidly after beginning oil drilling off its northern and south-western coasts. Territorial rights in the
regions have been fought over, as in the case of Kurageri, and occasionally simply bought, as in the case of Tropica. Vascania produced only around
4.8 million bbl/day less than two decades ago and has since seen extraordinary development in drilling both offshore and in the Great Vascania Lake -
largely due to former Prime Minister Upamash's insistence that renewed oil production would allow for rapid economic growth and new funds to be put
back into social services. This was, to an extent, borne out as Vascania's economy has grown strongly since and new international relationships have been
created. Generally increased trade and government incomes have indeed been invested in social services like healthcare, which has benefited areas like
Bhaporistan and Utsal that were previously underdeveloped relative to the wealthy Kalam Nadu and Kayal Island.

Environmental campaigners have complained that oil production is a threat to Vascania's diverse ecology, threatening to undo years of progress in
conserving sea life such as the Vora dolphin. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Luitail, there were strict limits on oil production even though
Vascania has among the world's largest reserves. These restrictions were scrapped almost immediately by his socialist successor, Durga Upamash, who
began Vascania's 'oil revolution'. An oil spill could have profound effects on the biodiversity of the continent, as there are many unique species endemic
to the waters in which oil production has surged.

The recession in Deltaria, which seems likely now to bleed into neighbouring countries like Jakania, is another potential motivator in wanting to keep
the oil price as stable as possible. If oil demand reduces due to an economic slowdown, that could also have an extremely negative affect on Vascania's
economy and public expenditure, provoking an internal recession. The economic trouble in Majatra is unlikely to directly affect Vascania's economy is a
severe manner, as the Empire is not a major importer of goods from the continent. Regardless, the Vascanian government is watching 'carefully',
according to government sources, and has already appealed to the MEA membership for ways to 'aid' Majatran nations in these economically uncertain
times.

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The Kamalata Times is a centre-left newspaper based in the capital city of Vascania, Kamalata. It focuses on internal affairs, particularly social issues.
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Re: Vascania

Postby Aquinas » Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:49 am

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Re: Vascania

Postby Pragma » Sun Jul 12, 2020 11:46 pm

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Electoral Threshold Increased To 5%
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The threshold to receive regional seats in the federal election - set for June - has increased after a bill passed in parliament. The election had previously
been delayed for a few months as elections in winter had grown unpopular due to the weather and were thought to be causing turnout to fall. The
change in the electoral threshold could squeeze small, regional parties that are sometimes important in forming large multi-party coalitions in Vascania.
This may also have the effect of funneling seats towards the four major parties. The left and right, however, remain largely united behind the LSS and
VRK respectively. Prospective splinter parties have mostly been curtailed and are made even less likely to occur now that the threshold to enter
parliament is increased. The alternative way of winning a seat is winning in one of 400 constituencies, but many incumbents are heavily embedded in
their seats and personally popular among their constituents. Vascania uses an adapted version of the Mixed Member Proportional system for its elections.

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The Kamalata Times is a centre-left newspaper based in the capital city of Vascania, Kamalata. It focuses on internal affairs, particularly social issues.
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Re: Vascania

Postby jamescfm » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:06 pm

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Re: Vascanian Empire

Postby Pragma » Mon Jul 13, 2020 8:13 pm

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Election 4784: Government Re-Elected
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The incumbent government of Vascania has won a second term under the leadership of conservative hardliner Kavita Mohite. Mohite based the election
campaign around cultural issues, such as questions around Ahmadis and their place in Vascania society. Her right-wing VRK party (Luthorian: National
Action) not only maintained its supremacy in the parliament, but increased its tally in both seats and votes at the expense of the left-wing LSS party
(Luthorian: Democratic Socialists). The vRK won 362 seats in a 799-seat legislature, leaving them 38 seats short of a majority and able to form a
coalition with one of the smaller parties.

Mohite's gambit to put social policy front and centre created a powerful connection to the nation's socially conservative majority, without upsetting
those with economically leftist ideas. The LSS attempted to focus on economic issues, suggesting to voters that they would go further than previous PM
Durga Upamash on issues like worker representation on boards and trade union powers. The party struggled to articulate a coherent position on
Ahmadism, as the party contains both Ahmadism-sceptial supporters in working class areas and very socially progressive younger supporters.

The progressive NPG (Luthorian: New Progressive Alliance) also failed to rally people to their cause. After nearly two decades of continued decline, the
NPG leaned more heavily into green politics and social democracy in a bid to gain ground on the LSS and ultimately become the nation's leading
left-of-centre party. The group had been supporting a Mohite-led coalition after agreeing a deal that would move Vascanian energy production to
nuclear power. However, the party's socially liberal membership revolted at the move towards anti-Ahmadi rhetoric and are now unlikely to be
supportive of the VRK. The populist SAM (Luthorian: Community Party) is likely to pick up the mantel as the VRK's coalition partner. Some
right-of-centre independents may also be involved in the government.

Vascania is a large and diverse nation, so the story of the election can be subdivided regionally:

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North: Kalam Nadu, Avidangana, Rapa Pile & Tannaraga
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The north has been the historical heartland of the right-wing, though the vote share of the VRK remained mostly stable in the area. The NPG, meanwhile,
surpassed the LSS to become the main anti-Mohite challenger in the area. The city of Thikkonagama remained more socialist than the extremely socially
conservative far north, especially around the city of Sangora. The dockworking areas on the north-eastern coast also maintained a bit more of a red tint,
though environmental concerns remain important among the middle class of states like Avidangana and Tannaranga. This is also the region that includes
Rapa Pile, while yet again voted for the Liberal Party over the local VRK affiliate - referred to as the 'Moral Party'.

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Centre: Bhaporistan, Zaqrandi Pradesh, Sanashtra, Utsal & Surasa
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Once a heartland of the nation's left, the central states have consistently moved to the right at a pace that causes much distress for LSS leaders. The
socialists attempted to steady the ship by appealing to both social conservatives and social liberals with open-ended messaging on issues like mosque
construction and the wearing of Ahmadi religious garb by women, but their calls for local 'devolution' on the issue were met with scepticism and
opposition by both sides in the heated debate. The SAM and NPG grew slightly on the back of taking hard stances one way or the other on social issues in
the region that contains the most Ahmadis. The north has less than 4% Ahmadis, the south only 11%. The central regions have 22%, but still saw the VRK
increase their vote totals.

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South: Khond, Hamal Pradesh, Rajuttistan, Paristan & Rajavant
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The south is increasing conservative.The VRK gained ground to become the majority party in terms of vote share and seats, while the LSS bled votes to
the NPG. Though urban voters remain quite left-wing in general, the rural areas continue to show disastrous trends for the left-of-centre parties. The
NPG fortified their position on the coasts, where environmental concerns have grown as an issue as oil production has rapidly increased over time. The
biggest moves towards the NPG occurred near the Khond and Great Vascanian Lake drilling sites, where the LSS vote collapsed. The LSS has not taken a
strong anti-oil stance as the NPG have, as the socialists maintain that the resource can be used to invest in public services.

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Vascania News is the national public broadcaster and information outlet for the Vascanian Empire.
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Currently playing in: Cildania

Image Vascanian Empire
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