RPNN World (News from Radiatia)

by **Radiatia** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 2:48 am

IS LEFT RIGHT FOR RADIATIA?
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS SWITCH TO DRIVING ON THE LEFT

XERCONIA
The Federal Minister of Transport, Nikol Salzwedel, has announced that the government are currently considering plans to switch the side of the road that cars are driven on in the Radiatian Federation.

_{The government has published a Green Paper on the possibility of switching to driving on the left}

Since the 1980s, Radiatians have been driving on the right side of the road - although no official legislation on which side of the road to drive on was passed until LET 16. Indeed, until then states such as Radia drove on the left while the rest of the federation drove on the right.

"This isn't an official policy," Said Minister Salzwedel. "We're simply sounding people out on the idea."

The change to driving on the left was mooted as a way of strengthening Radiatia's road links to neighbours such as Penguinmark, Loeitaria and ArghNeedAName. However, opponents have raised concerns that with most Radiatian cars being left-hand drive, a change could be dangerous.

Other concerns have been raised amongst automobile manufacturers that Radiatia's car exports could become less competitive, given that the majority of nations drive on the right.

"If Radiatia suddenly starts producing right-hand drive cars, then we're going to lose our competitive edge to neighbouring car manufacturing nations like ArghNeedAName, which will result in job losses," Said Joseph Cernik of the Radiatian Automobile Workers Union. "If the government continues down this path we could lose export money, and we could lose markets."

However, Niklaus Dreschner of Radiatian Motors disagreed. "Actually this could be good for business. Radiatians will start buying right-hand drive vehicles en masse, we can still export our left-hand drive vehicles and used car dealers will make a killing selling old left-hand drive vehicles to third world countries."

The Federal Ministry of Transport has published a Green Paper on the prospective changes.

According to an excerpt from the paper, "[The Government] recognises that when the LET 16 Drivers and Road Transport Act was passed, most Radiatians did not have cars, the road infrastructure was sub par, and as such it didn't seem to matter which side we drove on at the time. However with 9 out of 10 Radiatians now owning a car, we need to seriously decide whether driving on the right is the most efficient course of action."

The proposed change comes not long after the Federal Ministry of Transport have decided not to proceed on a bill which would make drink-driving a federal crime.

The government abandoned the bill after receiving submissions from the Alcohol Industry stating that such a bill could be bad for business and affect jobs.

"Banning drink-driving is the first step on a dangerous road towards prohibition," Said a spokesperson from Drachensgard Ales®. "There's nothing wrong with having a few beers to calm your nerves before you get behind the wheel. It's certainly not worth endangering a noble industry over. This is political correctness gone mad!"

Certain states, such as Alayenia and Radia already have hefty fines for drink-driving, while the State of New Vashura is entirely prohibitionist.

- RPNN

by **Radiatia** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:43 pm

MINOR EARTHQUAKE ROCKS EXEGRAD
GEOLOGISTS SUSPECT HIDDEN FAULT LINE

EXEGRAD, ALAYENIA
A minor earthquake centered in eastern Alayenia was felt this afternoon throughout the Exegrad Metropolitan Area.

_{A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has rocked Radiatia's largest city}

According to the Federal Ministry of Environmental Protection, the earthquake was a magnitude 5.0 on the Richter scale, and lasted for 30 seconds. It was centered in an area east of the city.

According to reports from city officials, there have been no reports of injury or damage.

"At first I thought it was a terrorist attack or a bomb blast, so I didn't think much of it. Then I realised it might be an earthquake and began to panic." Said one Exegrader.

Emergency forces were on hand to ensure that the quake had no negative effects on the Exegrad Stock Exchange, and after ensuring that trading was continuing as usual then went on to ensure that residents were okay as well.

One building was evacuated due to an apparent gas leak, although the workers in the building later admitted that they had overexaggerated their claims.

"We use 'Gas leak' as a euphemism for when Nigel from accounting has a curry for lunch." Said one of the workers. "It's usually a good idea to evacuate before he, you know, lets loose with the digestive after-effects...."

Although the earthquake itself was 'no cause for immediate concern', geologists from the FMoEP have determined that the quake may have been caused by a hidden fault line under the city.

"We've long since suspected that the Exer river was actually the site of a fault line, but have never been able to confirm it until now," Said a spokesperson. "What is known is that the Loeitaria-Radiatian faultine appeared to stop suddenly in the desert, which doesn't make much sense."

The federal government, Alayenia state government and Exegrad Metropolitan Council have jointly stated that they are "taking these suspicions very seriously".

The Prime Minister said that the discovery of a fault line under Radiatia's largest city would be "our worst fears come true".

- RPNN

by **Radiatia** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:03 pm

RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS BILL PASSES FIRST READING BY SLIM MAJORITY
CONTROVERSIAL BILL SENT TO SELECT COMMITTEE

XERCONIA, FCT
The controversial Religious Freedoms Amendment Bill today passed its first reading in parliament, with 442 MPs voting in favour of the bill.

_{Controversial MP Margot Kunkle has seen her Religious Freedoms bill
pass its first hurdle}

The bill, sponsored by outspoken Conservative MP and Minority Affairs Minister Margot Kunkle, seeks to remove restrictions on religious gatherings, and to make discrimination against religious people a federal crime.

"For too long religious people have been treated like second class citizens," She said. "It is time to end the culture of institutionalised discrimination against people whose beliefs differ to the social norm."

Kunkle's bill was met with support and opposition from all sides of the house.

Cord Detlef of the Radiatian Destiny Party said that "The Radiatian Federation treats religious people in a way that is only mildly better than the Romans' treatment of early Christians", while new United Democrats leader Rory Schmitz led the charge against the bill stating that "Religion has no place in the Radiatian Federation."

Kunkle, who is known for her devout Catholicism, has herself been controversial many times in the past.

She was elected to parliament in LET 30 to represent the 8th Electoral District of Resterbury, triggering a debate on whether or not religious people should be allowed to serve in government, or if they might be seen as a dangerous influence.

During her time she has come to be known as Radiatia's "Moral Crusader", leading campaigns against sex and violence on television, and fighting for the rights of women and the religious.

"Margot is probably the only true Conservative in the country," Said Deputy Prime Minister, and former Tory leader Bill Alyaha. "She's the only person I know of who honestly supports overseas-style Social Conservatism. And though I don't agree with her I respect her for that."

Although the bill featured as part of the Conservative Party manifesto, and was campaigned upon in the election, Prime Minister Soden Larssen made the last minute decision to make the bill a vote of conscience, rather than a party vote.

"I understand that several within the party are opposed, for commercial reasons amongst other," He said. "Ultimately this is a personal matter, and I don't think I'd feel right forcing people to vote for a bill that they don't support."

281 out of 399 Conservative MPs voted for the bill, while the entire caucuses of the NLP and Greens Parties voted in favour.
The Workers Party and Radiatian Destiny Party split their votes, while all United Democrats but one voted against.

The Prime Minister himself abstained on the bill.

"I have no strong views on this issue one way or another," He said.

Votes For: (442)
- Conservatives: 281
- Workers Party: 68
- NLP: 41
- Radiatian Destiny Party: 39
- Greens: 13
Votes Against: (295)
- United Democrats: 106
- Conservatives: 97
- Workers Party: 82
- Radiatian Destiny: 8
- Communist: 1
Didn't vote/Abstained
- Workers: 50
- Conservatives: 21
- Radiatian Destiny: 1
- United Democrats: 1

- RPNN

by **Radiatia** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:49 pm

DAY OF SORROW:
- TRAIYAN SILVIU DIES
- DETAILS OF THE FUNERAL TO BE ANNOUNCED

September 3rd LET 39 Last updated 22:34 Exegrad Standard Time

NORTHBANK CITY, ALAYENIA
Tributes from across the nation and the world are pouring in, following the passing of "The Greatest Radiatian Who Ever Lived".

_{Traiyan Silviu has died aged 76}

All across the Radiatian Federation factories have closed for the day, children have been sent home from school, shops are closed and public transport systems shut down, as the entire nation stops to mourn the death of the man who brought down communism.

At 1800 hours Xerconia Time, President Hiroshi Vodotel gave a televised address to the nation, confirming the news that Traiyan Silviu had died.

"The grief that I feel is inexpressible," Said the President. "The world is a far poorer place without this man, who was undoutedly the greatest Radiatian who ever lived. He is a man who stood up against tyranny, and who brought democracy to our great northern land for the first time in our history. Never before have so many people owed their freedom to a single man.

"The Radiatian Federation itself shall be his memorial, and our democracy shall be his legacy. Today, my fellow Radiatians, Traiyan Silviu has passed into immortality."

The President has ordered that all Radiatian flags, including those on embassies and other overseas territories, be flown at half-mast.

A state funeral, which is likely to be attended by world leaders, has been organised, while the country is to go into a week-long mourning period.

Silviu, aged 76, died peacefully in his sleep, in his mansion north of Exegrad. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease three years ago and made clear that he intended to be euthanised.

Mary Martinek, Silviu's chief carer, said that the former President "went to sleep last night and didn't wake up. He was in no pain. He simply drifted off."

Silviu is survived by two children and three grandchildren. His son Keldon Silviu is an MP for the Workers Party, while his son Traiyan Silviu Jr. is an oil company executive.

Prime Minister Soden Larssen expressed his condolences directly to Keldon Silviu in parliament, where the session was cut short following the news.

Plans for the funeral have not yet been revealed, however it is expected that Silviu's body will be moved from his home in Exegrad to a final resting place in Xerconia.

The federal government have commissioned the immediate construction of a mausoleum in federation square, and it is most likely that Silviu's body will be embalmed and placed there on public display.

RADIATIANS MOURN THE FOUNDING FATHER

All across the federation today, Radiatians young and old, rich and poor collectively mourned the man who had brought them their freedom.

The Exegrad Stock Exchange - whose very existence was a result of Traiyan Silviu's achievements - today stopped trading, and has announced it will likely remain closed for the duration of the mourning period.

In Exegrad, where the revolution that brought down communism began, the city paused for a spontaneous moment of silence, with every car in the city stopping in rememberance of Traiyan Silviu.

It remains to be seen whether every car stopping at once was a deliberate act, or merely a result of typical rush hour traffic.

Nomadic tribesmen held vigils for Silviu, whose legend is known even in the remote northern wilderness areas.

"Hob gomma dabba wah-wah." Said one tribesman, although your guess is as good as ours as to what he was saying.

Even the homeless on the streets of major cities appeared saddened by Silviu's passing - even though many cite them as being victims of the fall of communism.

"Under communism I would have had a job, a house and probably a wife," Said one hobo. "But thanks to capitalism, I have the freedom to do what I always wanted to do: Lie in the gutter drinking moonshine all day."

Lucy Gehrig, a 16 year old high school girl who did a day of work experience in Silviu's mansion before his death said that she was very sad to see him go. "He was very lonely when I met him, but also very sweet and gentle. I'll remember for who he was, not what he was."

However, in true Radiatian fashion, people tried to avoid showing their emotions publicly. Indeed, comedian Akat Wifabaag went out onto the streets of Das Engel and caused a scene crying and screaming melodramatically.

When asked if he was crying for Traiyan Silviu he feigned ignorance and said "No, I'm grieving for Gregor Imari."

Meanwhile, rumours are circulating that Soden Larssen, Hiroshi Vodotel, Skortch Takita, Draco Zerra, Keldon Silviu and Traiyan Silviu Jr. have been selected as the six pall-bearers for Silviu's state funeral.

- RPNN

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