Vascania

[jamescfm]

Deltarian Déjà Vu: The Structural Problems of International Capitalism as the Source of Repeated Economic Crises

[robmark0000]

LTG To Buying Tea From Vascania

The Liberal Economist Is A Libertarian Newspaper Focusing On Domestic And Foreign Economics

[Pragma]

USLF envisions 'Vascania-led coalition' against international capital
5 July 4859


The United Socialist-Labour Front (USLF) has bold plans for Vascania's foreign policy, outpacing the established parties of both the right and left in ambition and magnitude. USLF leader Gagan Basak, the former head of the Union of Miners & Oil Workers (UMOW), did not shy away from laying out an interesting vision for Vascania's place internationally in a speech made to party members in Kamalata. Basak, speaking to the party's most faithful supporters, made an avowedly left-wing case for the Empire as a strong military power leading a coalition of socialist states against the assembled interests of international corporations, disaster capitalists and the landed gentry both at home and abroad. The speech brought the crowd to its feet, but was met with eye-rolls from much of the political establishment - who view Basak's party as a momentary fracture from the more popular Democratic Socialist Party (DSP).

For Basak and his followers, the idea of an international, anti-capitalist coalition led by Vascania is deeply engaging. No other major power - economic or military - has flirted so openly with socialism. In the long-passed days of former Prime Minister Durga Upamash, the growing Vascanian economy was dominated by powerful trade unions and fuelled by aggressive natural resource exploitation. In modern times, the left has become increasingly concerned about ecology and is willing to set aside one of Vascania's greatest natural assets in the interests of protecting the Empire's lush and diverse environment. If the eastern giant is to form a lasting coalition against the domineering capitalist interests of the age, the USLF reasons, then it is an unfortunate but unavoidable truth that the natural resources of Vascania must be utilised in the effort. This naturally divides the left and the DSP and Greens have chosen the opposing side to Socialist Labour.

Basak is less interested in the glory of Vascania itself as much as the decimation of the 'predatory interests' which he warns of in all his public events. These predators are not any nation in particular, but are instead a 'viral infection' Basak views as having infected many of the world's great powers. To the former UMOW leader, in a world of military build-ups, trade agreements and hegemony, the international left must defeat the capitalists at their own game. A strong alliance of social democratic, socialist and communist states would have to be assembled - led by their natural centre, Vascania - which would thus act as a bloc against imperialism and injustice. In this search, Basak admits, strange allies would be found and many enemies would be made. Regardless, the idea of Vascania at the heart of the international left is a striking vision that USLF supporters cannot help but be compelled by.


The Kamalata Times is a Vascanian newspaper based in Kamalta City with nationwide and international circulation.

[ChitinKal]

Utembo, Kurageri Added to Investment Bloc

[Pragma]

Vascania plans ambitious pan-eastern summer games
5 January 4860


The Vascanian government has revealed its plans to unite the eastern nations of Terra in a grand spectacle of athletic performance. Calling it the 'Horizon Games', the Imperial Ministry of Culture announced that it would be inviting competitors from across Dovani, Yingdala, Temania and Vascania to the contest - which is set to be held in the Vascanian capital of Kamalata, with a few events in the nearby city of Kalinda and a few on the island of Kayal. The event is intended to unite the often disparate lands of the eastern hemisphere in a celebration of the cultural unity that they share. Over the course of a week, the large number of expect competitors will be whittled down to a top three, who will receive prestigious and specially designed medals. Extravagant opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be orchestrated to showcase the sporting culture of the host nation.

The plans have already attracted interest from many nations on the Dovani continent, as well as the nation of Tropica. It is expected at least some entrants will appear from each country in the east, though some nations will likely have largely teams than others. The event organisers have pointed out that taking home a gold medal in any of the events is a major feat of ability and perseverance. Vascania itself is set to supply a full team of players, while smaller nations like Dalibor may choose to compete in only certain events which reflect the nation's sporting culture. Countries to look out for include: Yingdala, which has a world-class team of gymnasts; Lourenne, which has been developing a strong team of equestrian and rowing performers; Liore, which is home to some of the continent's most promising sprinters and runners; and Tropica, which has a strong team of weightlifters. Certain sports culturally specific to the east will be included, such as Kendo and Muay Phra.

With fractious political situations in several of the countries of the region, especially Hulstria and Gao-Soto, the government is making a particular effort to stop the events from being politicised. The games will take a zero-tolerance policy towards bigotry and organisers have advertised the games as 'inclusive and open'.


VascaniaNews is a Vascanian public news service produced by the Vascanian Broadcast Union.

[Pragma]

Horizon Games a great success
18 July 4860




The Horizon Games, billed as a festival of athletic ability from across the east, have finished in the city of Kamalata. Described by the Ministry of Culture as a 'great success', the competition boasted nearly three thousand entrants from 34 countries. All in all, 972 were awarded across 37 sports, with a gold, silver and bronze being given in each event. Both team and single sports were included extensively, with women's sports being given equal time to the men's.

Ultimately, the home nation's competitors won the most medals, but Vascania had the advantage of sending the most competitors to begin with. Lourenne and Yingdala competed closely for second place, putting in strong performances across a variety of sports and resulting in a near-tie on the medal table. Other strong overall performances were had by Liore, Seko, Tropica, Hanzen and Dankuk. All of the aforementioned nations received a double-digit number of gold medals, a testament to the sporting cultures and individual achievements of each state.

Despite the complicated geopolitical situation in the east regarding Hulstria and Gao-Soto, the festivities went off without incident. The opening show included a history of Vascania and the continent, channelled through cross-cultural music and dance. The closing show used an array of spectacular fireworks and LED screens to collage together the highlights of the events, including some of the most spectacular performances from the competing athletes. Emperor Manas IV was present at the closing show, while world-famous Vascanian actress Amita Subharat lit the torch at the opening ceremony.

The final medal table is included below:


The first sports were the diving and swimming competitions. The standout performances of the first section of aquatic sports, performed at the Imperial Kamalata Aquatics Arena, largely belonged to Lourennais and Yingdalan competitors. At 10 and 12 gold medals each respectively, the two teams went head-to-head in some of the mostly closely-fought events of the entire Horizon Games. The Yingdalan female diver's narrow victory at the singles' 10m platform over her Lourennaise counterpart was one of the closest results in international diving history, with less than a tenth of a point separating the two amazing athletes. The aquatic events also scored some early medals for Vascania and Midway, who took six and three gold medals each respectively.

The cycling events brought even more good news to the team from Lourenne, who dominated the women's cycling with a top-rate team. Ostland cyclists, meanwhile, took the gold in two of the men's events, including the prestigious team sprint. The cycling was closely followed up by the gymnastics events, which provided for tense viewing. The Vascanian and Yingdalan gymnasts dominated the podium, with some of the east's most spectacular performers showcasing astonishing levels of discipline, talent and willpower. The women's' events once again provided much of the action, with Vascanian gymnast Adhara Ghuto putting in a record-breaking performance on the floor exercise, while her sister Timra Ghuto took another gold for Vascania in the women's individual trampoline. Things were starting to look up for the home team.

The athletics was always bound to be centre stage, especially since some of the Dovani nations were sending high-calibre entries to the competition. Istapali won an astonishing six golden medals in the athletic events, including a world record-breaking performance in two of the men's' long-distance running finals. This could only be overshadowed by the awe-inspiring performance of Liore, who took an eye-watering thirteen gold medals. Liori athletes swept the sprints, with spectacular performances in the 100m from both the female and male representatives. Liori hurdlers also took home gold, as did a Liori team of relay-racers competing in a forward-thinking mixed-sex event held on the middle day of the Horizon Games.

The penultimate day largely concentrated on some of the more combative sports: wrestling, boxing, muay phra, fencing, kendo, karate, judo and taekwondo. The taekwondo medals were taken largely by the world-class Dankuk team, who took seven of the eight gold medals available in the event. Their haul could only the matched by the sweep of muay phra medals from Hanzen and the karate and judo dominance enjoyed by Seko. Controversially, the Hulstria and Gao-Soto team - made up of both Hulstrian and Kunihito athletes - also took a significant number of the medals in these events, including a gold in the women's kendo. The crowd still applauded the athletes, even as some looked uncomfortable at the unfurling of the nation's new flag.

The final day included the highly competitive shooting and weightlifting events, which were anyone's guess in terms of medal finishes. Some of the strongest competitors were upset by relative newcomers, allowing for strong performances from the once-doubted team in Temania and Tropica. Medina also made a strong showing at the shooting, taking a treasure trove of silvers and a few golds from the event. Regardless, the medals in both sports were largely evenly distributed - as had been expected. The final events were largely centred around rowing and sailing. The battle for second place become even tenser between Lourenne and Yingdala, with Lourenne's top-class rowing team managing to just narrowly take the gold over Ostland, allowing for the nation to end up as the hemisphere's runners-up. That is not to understate the Yingdalan team, however, who performed spectacularly in all sports and won unexpected medals with a highly dedicated team.

The events have largely been classed as a success for their apolitical execution and the fact that every country managed to get a gold medal. Some have criticised the home advantage had by the Vascanian players, though the event organisers have made clear that all competing athletes and gymnasts are 'winners in spirit' as far as they are concerned. The next games may be held abroad, or may be held in a different Vascanian city in ten years' time. It is unknown which route the organisers will take.


VascaniaNews is a Vascanian public news service produced by the Vascanian Broadcast Union.

[Pragma]

Liore cooperation set to enter next phase in Kurageri, Temanian nations
7 June 4861


The cooperation agreement between Liore and Vascania to increase development in neighbouring nations will enter a second phase in various states, according to Vascanian government sources. The primary focus of this policy is designed to be building on the foundations of the first phase, which largely assumed the form of investments in crucial infrastructure. Kurageri and the nations of the Temanian continent, which are closely tied to the Vascania Empire economically, will be the first nations to enter this second phase of development. In the opinion of officials close to the project, starting with these states is the best way to test out collaboration-based techniques with governments who already have strong ties to the two investor states.

While some have accused Vascania of using the program to empower itself, the government has long maintained a position that spending Vascanian money abroad is an act of 'solidarity' with its neighbours. The Kurageri project in particular is believed to be ambitiously generous, with grants for hospitals and two small airports in rural areas. Though the nation's relationship with Vascania has been difficult in the past, Kurageri has extremely strong bonds to Liore and many of the overseers for the upcoming projects have already built a working relationship. The Liori team will primarily focus on its southern neighbour, while Vascania puts its resources into the three nations of the Temanian continent: New Alduria, Noumonde and the federal Republic of Temania.

Concerns about regional biases in the Republic of Temania, corruption in Noumonde and political instability in New Alduria have all been raised in response to the project. The three states have seen improvements to their democratic institutions in recent decades, but observers believe that the political situations in all three remain unpredictable. The Vascanian government has been clear that this is not a deterrent to them, with the Prime Minister having previously said 'we would not have begun this program if we thought it was going to be too difficult, and we would not have stayed on this long if we were only looking for easy wins'.


The Kamalata Times is a Vascanian newspaper based in Kamalta City with nationwide and international circulation.



Foreign Ministry: increased cooperation with Endralon on the horizon
13 June 4861


The Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told VascaniaNews that increased cooperation with the Directorial Republic of Endralon is 'on the horizon'. The primary thrust of the deal is to be economic, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, with trade between the two countries in a variety of sectors currently being discussed. Increasing economic cooperation between the two countries has previously been difficult due to the differing opinions in each on the issues of tariffs and protectionism. Regardless, Vascania's high yield of valuable natural resources are in strong demand internationally, while Endralon has a strong financial sector.

Currently under discussion between the two states are provisions to ensure fair trade between the Artanian nation and nations in the global south-east, as well as a joint agreement on mutual defence. Ensuring fair trade between western nations and nations in Vascania's orbit has been a priority for the government's foreign policy, while Endralon has previously attracted controversy for its economic relationship with less economically developed states. Provisions to ensure fair trade, with both nations being equals at the negotiating table, are understood to have been agreed in principle by both sides. The provisions may have been lobbied for by various unnamed states close to Vascania, while the Endralonian government is believed to be accepting of the terms despite the close relationship between the political and corporate world in Endralonian politics.


VascaniaNews is a Vascanian public news service produced by the Vascanian Broadcast Union.



Joint 'green' project with Lourenne in discussions phase
15 June 4861


The nations of Lourenne and Vascania have long been known internationally for their formidable shipbuilding sectors, becoming two of the most prolific maritime states in the eastern hemisphere. However, questions about the ecological sustainability of this industry have long been raised, as both countries have lush aquatic biodiversity and public interest in meeting ambitious environment goals to protect their wildlife. In the interests of maintaining the lucrative and shipbuilding industry while also meeting the needs of the natural world, the two countries of Lourenne and Vascania are currently in talks around the subject of collaboration on new, greener, more sustainable methods and practices in this crucial area. The industry employs tens of thousands of people in both states, and reports suggest that a new commitment to constructing sustainable vessels between the two countries would actually increase employment, rather than reduce it as some have feared. Confirming that provisional talks had been held between himself and his Lourennais counterpart, the Vascanian Minister of Trade, the idea of collaboration between the two countries is a 'clear step forward on the path to a greener future'.


Sanctuary Vascania is a nature and ecology newspaper based in Vora City, Rajavant State, Vascania. It primarily covers environmental affairs on the continent.

[jamescfm]

President el-Salam announces construction of Deltarian base in Medina

[Luis1p]

LE JOURNAL VERT: Lourenne and Vascania Begin Green Trade Project

[Pragma]

Hannah III of Tropica visits Emperor
3 December 4861

Above: the Imperial Palace in Kamalata

The recently crowned Queen of Tropica has finished her diplomatic visit to the Emperor of Vascania, Manas IV. Having both succeeded their respected, well-liked predecessors in living memory, the two monarchs sit on the thrones of large, island nations with established relations. Queen Hannah III, making her first official state visit abroad since her coronation, was invited to the Imperial Palace in Kamalata to meet with the Emperor for the week beginning the 26th of November. Pictures from the visit were widely shared by the Vascanian media and received a warm reception online, with the Queen having grown a significant fan-base among Vascanian social media users.

During her visit, the Imperial Court of Vascania endeavoured to showcase the culture of the Empire to the Tropican Queen. Among a variety of festivities was a parade on the Emperor's rural estate, in which Hannah III rode upon the most impressive and strong of the elephants held on the grounds. Though elephant-riding remains a controversial practice among Vascanians, it is a long-standing cultural practice and the Imperial Court has always insisted that the elephants are treated well. Other events put on for the visiting monarch included traditional Vascanian dance from the Kalam Nadu region, a demonstration of the unique musical culture of the monks of Hamal Pradesh, as well as an opportunity for the Queen to meet some of the Empire's most revered Brahmins. The Brahmins gifted Hannah III a number of religious artefacts, including a small statue of the Goddess Bhordi, as a sign of reverence and cultural unity. Observers on the Vascanian side noted the Queen's grace and beauty.

The issue of economic investment was destined to be among the issues discussed during the visit. With the Vascanian-Liori investment pact having recently turned its intention towards the nations of the continent of Temania, the question of development projects in Tropica has grown more pressing in the eyes of many observers. The Vascanian government announced during the state visit that they would be talking further with their Tropican counterparts about building affordable housing and expanding air travel facilities. Noting the cooperative priorities of the recently elected government in Nikutabi, the government in Kamalata says that they will be tuning their efforts to respect the will of the Tropican people.


VascaniaNews is a Vascanian public news service produced by the Vascanian Broadcast Union.