Novosti Inter-Press, News from Galicia-Volhynia

[Galicia-Volhynia]

NEW LAWS LIMIT MONARCHY AND NOBILITY, CREATE NATIONAL PARKS

NOVOGROD (NIP) -- Social Democratic lawmakers were able to move a substantial legislative package today in the Territorial Assembly.

The package, called the “Enabling Acts”, represent a broad social and economic agenda favored by the Social Democrats and their allies, the Greens and Republicans in the Assembly.

At a press conference at the close of today’s session, Reichschancellor Theyling praised the legislation calling it “equalizing” and stated that it restored the dignity of all citizens of the Kingdom. He also indicated that the alliance between the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Republicans would continue to move significant legislative packages through the first congress of the Territorial Assembly.

The Nationalists, the main opposition in the Assembly, rejected Theyling’s categorization of the Enabling Acts as beneficial to the kingdom. They instead focused on the super majority held by the Social Democrats and their allies in the Assembly. Ursula Reicke, the Nationalist party leader called the way the Social Democrats are able to move legislation with little or no opposition in the Assembly as tantamount to tyranny.

The package itself is a mix of social and economic laws long favored by the country’s leftist elite. Legislation was passed to remove privileges long held by the monarch and the country’s nobility, relegating both to largely ceremonial roles, moves that seemed aimed at placating the growing republican movement. Stricter environmental controls and the creation of national parks, issues advocated by the Greens for some time, were also included in the package. A law making Varangian Orthodoxy the official religion of the kingdom was included to make the package more palatable to the right, but drew only minimal support in the final vote.

As the representative of the center left, the Social Democrats enjoyed a sea change of public opinion following the Varangian-Samahirri war, garnering 66% of the seats in the first congress of the Territorial Assembly.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

ROYAL ARMED FORCES REFURBISH SAMAHIRRI WEAPONS

DYNABURG (NIP) – Scores of tanks, armored personnel carriers, jet fighters, capital naval vessels, and other large weapons systems sit in vast lots and lochs outside of the city of Dynaburg waiting to be refurbished and put into use by the equipment depleted Royal Armed Forces of the Kingdom.

As part of the disarmament of the Samahirri armed forces after the war, the Varangian military took all military hardware from the government and kept it in secured storage areas around Samaru. As Samaru became a failed state, the Varangian government shipped the equipment to the Kingdom for eventual refurbishment and use by its own armed forces.

Valent Popovic, the War Minister, claimed that he was in contact with the manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, to expedite the work. Noting the shared military infrastructure of the Varangian Empire and the Kingdom of Samaru in the United Kingdom’s armed forces, Popovic said that the Samahirri weapons could be integrated seamlessly. He claimed that once the refurbishment process is completed, the armed forces would possess ante bellum military capability.

The War Ministry expects the refurbishment and reintegration process to be completed in 12-15 months.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

TERRITORIAL ASSEMBLY RATIFIES RIS EXTRADITION TREATY

NOVGOROD (NIP) – It was a historic moment as the Territorial Assembly passed an extradition treaty for the first time in Varangian history.

In an act supported by the leftist coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Republicans, the Territorial Assembly gave permission for the Reichschancellor to sign the open extradition treaty proposed by the Royal Imperial Saxons and upon counter-endorsement, bring the provisions into force in the kingdom.

Previous iterations of the Varangian government had been hesitant to sing agreements like extradition treaties, fearing an abridgement of sovereignty. The new leftist dominated government, however, is eager to demonstrate its new internationalist outlook by joining multilateral institutions.

Reichschancellor Theyling is expected to travel to the Royal Imperial Saxons in the coming days to formally endorse the treaty on behalf of the kingdom.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

TERRITORIAL ASSEMBLY DISSOLVES THE AZURE GUARD, RAISES INTELLIGENCE TO MINISTRY LEVEL

NOVGOROD (NIP) – In another move curtailing privileges long reserved for the monarchy, the Territorial Assembly passed legislation stripping King Philipp of the right to maintain standing armed forces.

Via the legislation promulgated by the leftist coalition led by the Social Democrats, the monarchy was ordered to dissolve the Azure Guard and their ties to civilian institutions throughout the kingdom. The legislation stated that to defy the order was to do so under pain of financial liability and scrutiny of the crown’s accounts. There have already been calls by the Republicanist party for investigations into the Sovereign Fund, a gargantuan not for profit corporation established solely to provide financial means for the monarchy.

The Azure Guard, the private armed forces that for centuries, provided protection to the monarchy of Varangia. In recent years, the guard grew in number and strength and provided the monarchy with a means to take military actions independently of the civilian government. Their role in causing the Varangian-Samahirri war brought new and increased attention to the clandestine para-military unit. In hearings before the “Sunshine Committee” that is charged with investigating actions during the war, Assemblymen and Assemblywomen blasted the role the guard took in a retaliatory attack on the Samahirri royal family.

Included in the act to dissolve the guard was codicil to create a new Ministry of Synergistic Activities, which would bring all of the intelligence services under one bureaucratic structure that would streamline oversight and coordination.

This post has been edited by Galicia-Volhynia on Jul 21 2009, 11:28 AM

[Galicia-Volhynia]

NOVGOROD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS BEHIND SCHEDULE, OVERBUDGET

NOVGOROD (NIP) – A recent investigation by the Territorial Assembly’s Chief Auditor found that the current build out of the Novgorod public transportation system (NOV-GO!) is woefully behind schedule and significantly over budget. The report by the Chief Auditor recommended that the Assembly take over management of the grand projects from the Novgorod Regional Transportation Authority (NRTA).

Findings in the report indicate that work is six months behind the schedule and plan submitted to the Territorial Assembly for funding and that the construction projects are projected to fall millions of krona short of what it will take to complete the projects as envisioned in the work proposal.

Members of the oversight committee responsible for allocating funds for infrastructure projects were put off by the report and promised corrective action immediately, including the possible takeover of day to day management of all projects by the Territorial Assembly.

The NOV-GO! projects include construction of a subway system and regional highway network, dredging of the harbor to accommodate heavier super tankers, and two regional airports to replace the temporary one that currently serves the Novgorod metropolitan area.

NRTA officials declinced to speak directly to the press, instead releasing a statement blaming weather-related issues and the belated release of funds from the Treasury as the sources for the work delay. The statement did not address budgeting issues.

Over kr 100 billion was originally allocated for the projects, but mandated that the projects be completed by the end of the 2010 fiscal year.

This post has been edited by Galicia-Volhynia on Jul 22 2009, 10:47 AM

[Galicia-Volhynia]

CHANCE TO WORK WITH BLANK CANVAS DRAWS TALENTED ARCHITECTS FROM ACROSS KINGDOM, REGION

NOVGOROD (NIP) – Novogorod’s minimal skyline is a fresh slate that has attracted visionary architects from across Galicia-Volhynia and Wysteria for the opportunity to put their imprint on the new Varangian capital city.

Built over the ruins of Muscovy, Novgorod and its municipal development committee have thus far proven receptive to forward thinking architects and city planners who demonstrate a flair for the modern. Architects from the “Saturnalian Modern” school of design have been the most influential by far. Their designs, incorporating whimsical shapes their use of steel and colored glass, are evident in the first few major commercial and residential structures to be completed.

New, tough environmental rules have also begun to affect the skyline of Novgorod, as they encourage developers to build upward and not outward.

With the completion of the Kingsroad that runs from the Grand Harbor to Stormhall, site of the King’s residence and offices, new developers are scrambling to get projects approved that would be erected alongside the major thoroughfare.

These potential projects have garnered the interest of architects across the nation and the region as they each vie to conceptualize the structure that would be both a representation of their work and an instantly recognizable landmark.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

HILDEBRANDE QUITS GOVERNMENT

NOVGOROD (NIP) – Magedelana Hildebrande, the Interior Minister, submitted her resignation, effective immediately, to the Reichschancellor this morning. The Reichschancellory immediately announced that Carolina Kursted would replace Hildebrande at the Interior Ministry.

It has been rumored amongst the political elite that Hildebrande did not get along with the established politicians and bureaucrats in Novogorod, in particular, Konrad von Witte. At several events, the two took swipes at the other. To Hildebrande, Konrad von Witte was the consummate insider, a patrician, blue blood who thumbed his nose at people who were not born to privilege. To von Witte, Magdelena Hildebrande was a foreign social climber, who was uncouth and too rough around the edges for governance.

Hildebrande, along with Reichschancellor Theyling and Science and Technology Minister, Fabian Marko, are part of the greatest class, the graduating class of 1982, at Victorian College. Hildebrande, Theyling, and Marko met at Victorian College and together created the core of the Social Democratic party. Since 1982, the three have continued to progress in lockstep up the hierarchy of authority in the kingdom.

Although he didn’t elaborate on the specific reasons for Hildebrande’s resignation, Theyling said that Hildebrande indicated that she would continue to serve as her locality’s representative in the Territorial Assembly.

Her replacement, Carolina Kursted, is a Nationalist former Foreign Minister. Theyling said that she is a seasoned bureaucrat and would be able to take over the reigns of Interior immediately. He also took the occasion to highlight his effort to reach across the political spectrum to form an inclusive government.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

TALKS BREAK DOWN IN ALDERON AS NEW ALLIANCE EMERGES

CANAMERO, CORUNA (NIP) – An alliance has emerged out of a summit that was supposed to facilitate discussion amongst the disparate nations of the Alderon Islands. Those familiar with the talks and the subsequent announcement of the founding of the League of Allied Wysterian Nations, or LAWS, said that the summit ended prematurely.

Several days ago, President Rodriguez of La Republica de Coruna announced the founding of LAWS. He said that his nation, Coruna, along with Caphtoria, and SSHQ founded the organization based on principles of mutual defense and free trade. Other attendees were scheduled to attend but were left without options as the talks ended abruptly.

The Varangian Foreign Ministry’s Communications and Public Information Directorate had no comment about the establishment of LAWS and the conference of Alderon. Minister von Witte, did however, wish LAWS the best of luck in a speech he gave to the Novgorod Chamber of Commerce.

This post has been edited by Galicia-Volhynia on Jul 26 2009, 06:58 AM

[Galicia-Volhynia]

TERRITORIAL ASSEMBLY FINALIZES NEW BORDERS, CREATES HUGE NATIONAL PARK

NOVGOROD (NIP) – The Territorial Assembly approved the new map drawn by a joint committee of Assemblymen and women and bureaucrats from the Interior Ministry. The map establishes twenty five new subdivisions called duchies.

There was little opposition from the right wing of the chamber. After months of foot dragging against the social democrat-green-republican coalition, public approval ratings for the nationalists and the royalists have plummeted.

Ironwood Island is considered government territory and the population of the island will be represented by the delegation form the Duchy of Hergovia.

In the committee’s report to the Assembly, the main objective of the reorganization was to destroy the old system of inequality amongst the duchies of the imperial regime.

In addition to revising the ducal system, the joint committee established a huge national park that encompassed the territory surrounding and including the Seagard mountains on the southern shore of the island of Galicia. The new national park includes nearly 20% of the country’s territory within its borders.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

TREASURY NIXES CALL FOR CURRENCY REDESIGN

NOVGOROD (NIP) – Treasury Minister Dinara Yevlensky rejected the call for a redesign of the nation’s currency, the Krona, citing the effects that a radical change could have on investor confidence in the kingdom.

Currently, the notes in circulation have the name of the United Kingdoms in the upper left corner and the arms of the United Kingdoms in the lower left corner. The United Kingdoms no longer exist, prompting calls by the public and lawmakers for an overhaul to the appearance of the kingdom’s currency.

The Treasury Minister, Dinara Yevlensky, rejected the call for radical change to the appearance of the notes. She told a group of lawmakers leading the charge for a redesign that the economy of the kingdom could be negatively impacted if international investors begin to believe that a redesign of the currency is the start of a radically changing business environment that is unfriendly to free and open trade.

Yevlensky said that rather than change the currency’s look and feel, that new notes would correct the name of the country in the upper left and that the arms of the Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia would replace the arms of the United Kingdoms in the lower left corner.

She also stated that the old notes would be replaced at the natural rate of replacement, approximately every two to three years, as older notes move through the system and are replaced when they are redeemed through the treasury. When older and damaged notes are deposited at the treasury, they would be destroyed and replaced with the new notes.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

OLD ALLIES PROBING SPACE WHILE VARANGIA LAGS BEHIND

VUKOGRAD (NIP) – The Kamadhatsian space agency deployed their second space station this morning from Vukograd. Coincidentally, the Caphtorian Space Agency debuted a new launch vehicle to replace the one that had previously been in use.

Today's developments have stirred discontent in the Varangian scientific community as they find themselves left behind as others establish themselves in the heavens.

Traditionally, the Varangian military sunk their research and development funds for rocketry into maximizing the payload of their ballistic missile force. Now without and empire to defend and a robust defense budget, astronomers and policy makers alike are clamoring for Science and Technology Minister Marko to fast track the space program to put Varangian systems into orbit.

Space exploration for the old regime peaked when Global Locational and Vectoring System (GLOVES) became operational. While military applications for space exploration advanced under the old regime, civilian and scientific achievement in the field lagged behind.

Minister Marko resisted demands for changes into his ministry’s agenda in his weekly call-in show on Varangian public radio. He said that a blue ribbon committee of scientists set his ministry’s research agenda, noting that space exploration was listed as a mid-level funding priority item.

Marko also drew attention to the construction of the very large hadron collider, which just broke ground a week ago. “The kingdom will be vaulted to the vanguard of science once we complete the collider. We’ll once again be making discoveries and creating new knowledge.”

Information for this article was provided by the NIP Vukograd Bureau

This post has been edited by Galicia-Volhynia on Jul 27 2009, 02:53 PM

[Galicia-Volhynia]

FOREIGN MINISTRY TRANSMITS THEYLING DOCTRINE, REJOINS WORLD ASSEMBLY

NOVGOROD (NIP) – The Foreign Ministry released a set of principles guiding policy development yesterday, collectively known as the Theyling Doctrine. Thus far, the doctrine has received positive responses from the region.

In comparison to the policy of the imperial regime, the policy takes a more internationalist tack, omitting language castigating radical socialism and clearly stating a preference for working in concert with other nations and established international systems. The preamble to the document also commits the nation to work within the parameters of the document to create more transparent and predictable courses of action for the kingdom in response to emerging events.

In an interview the magazine, Vremya, the Foreign Minister, Konrad von Witte, committed to an agenda of engagement to achieve the tenants of the Theyling Doctrine. “Only through constant and clear lines of communication can we avoid misunderstandings, which, frankly, are the basis of many of the disagreements in the international system” he told the reporter. He added that the kingdom will not preclude itself from dialogue with any nation in the region.

His ministry also eased the kingdom back into the World Assembly, a symbolic step he said that is meant to demonstrate the kingdom’s willingness to work with the international community of nations.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

REICHSCHANCELLOR THEYLING PONDERS ELECTIONS AS SDs, GREENS, REPUBLICANS MEET

NOVGOROD (NIP) – With the approval of the new political subdivisions, the Reichschancellor now faces a difficult decision of when to call elections.

As specified by the Ironwood Constitution, Theyling must call for general elections within the next year. Given the temporal parameters, the Reichschancellor is now faced with the dilemma of calling for elections in hopes of building on the current unpopularity of the right or wait until the constitutionally mandated deadline approaches to allow for further marginalization of the Nationalist and Royalist parties.

Meanwhile, the social democratic, green, and republican leadership met in Sankt Eudoxia to explore merging their parties in a grand leftist coalition. This is the fourth installment of a series of meetings that began December 5th of last year. The leaders of all parties have stated in various fora that they are interested in the formation of a single party, especially if it can form a permanent majority in the Territorial Assembly.

The issue of the monarchy continued to split the parties of the right, with the Nationalists favoring the more limited role of the current state of the monarchy, while the Royalists favor reinstating the stronger monarch of the old regime. Both parties refuse to merge into a single party until they can reconcile the issue of the monarchy.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

METROPOLITAN SYNOD SELECTS NEW PATRIARCH, REFUTE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY OF THE MONARCH

SANKT EUDOIXA (NIP) – The synod of metropolitans of the Varangian Orthodox church selected a patriarch without the presence of the sitting monarch, for the first time since the 1798. Nikolai III, the new Patriarch of the church’s first diktat after taking the crook and donning the miter was to strip the monarch of the title of “Protector of the Church”.

The diktat was another step in the slow rollback of spiritual and political authority from King Philipp I, who is in the crosshairs of the leftist Territorial Assembly. They have incrementally extirpated the competencies previously reserved for the monarchy under the imperial regime.

As Patriarch Nikolai addressed the synod, he said that though the king may have the divine right to rule, only the most learned of god’s servants, the Patriarch of the Church, could truly comprehend any message transmitted from the heavens.

Prior to his election as the Patriarch, Nikolai III (born Andrei Ubarinov) was the metropolitan of Holmgard.

Varangian Orthodoxism, the official religion of the kingdom, is a descendent of Orthodoxism founded on the continent of Isa. It is unique in its veneration of the Seraphim. Religious doctrine contends that the missionaries who brought Orthodoxism to Varangia were really seraphim in the guise of men.

Other branches of orthodoxism contend that veneration of any angel above god is blasphemy.

[Galicia-Volhynia]

RED JET EMERGES FROM PAN-WYSTERIAN MORASS

PREZMYSL (NIP) – A new air carrier emerged from the legal and regulatory battles that weighed down Pan Wysterian Airlines (PWA).

Red Jet will succeed PWA as the largest commercial airline in the nation. It will take over 65% of PWA’s fleet of commercial aircraft as well as its headquarters in Reval in exchange for paying off some of the PWA’s outstanding debt. PWA will stop operations at the end of this year. Red Jet is also currently in discussions with airports across the region to take over the berthing slots that will be abandoned when PWA stops operating.

The remainder of PWA’s commercial fleet will be auctioned to commercial and freight operators to help pay for the legal fees incurred in defense of monopolization investigations.

PWA has been under continuous scrutiny as the government received complaints from competitors that it had grown too large to offer any real choice. At one point, PWA had purchased and absorbed the national airlines of New Felix, Melcelene, Samaru, Florenzia, Tyryte, Besser, and the Steppe.