Fecaw National News [CLOSED]

[Fecaw]

Fecaw National News

Welcome to the official government news service of Fecaw. Now it is online! We aim to produce unbiased, detailed and regular news for Fecawns and the world. Stories will be posted here daily. This is where you can find the latest analysis, updates and stories.

[Fecaw]

Are Bus Links in Rural Areas Overdeveloped?

As Fecaw boasts a world-leading public transport system that has left some to question the use of personal cars, others are asking if some bus routes are unnescesary.

Earlier today, the topic once again came under scrutiny in the Senate, where the Transport Minister Marl Wacho took questions in a weekly session. Senater Rynin Tel raised some complaints from her constituents. Many of her Joshro constituents complained of "pointless" and "costly" bus services, which come to stops in some rather remote points of the island "every 10 to 25 minutes; far too often for the rural, farming North". She raised concerns about how much tax money was being spent on these bus services, which she says are simply not being used.

The regular service is part of the "hop-on" policy that has been pursued since the 2000s. It aimed for a service where passengers could go to a stop without worrying about timing, at least in urban areas.

I find it undeniable that this policy has masively improved our environmental friendliness, especially in the cities, where traffic and air pollution are incredibly low. Our buses carry more people with a smaller increase in pollutants from an ordinary car. However, I feel that the application of this policy to rural areas is an indicator of two things: the South's out-of-touch interactions with the North and some scrupulosity about the environment.

The South, which tends to be urban and densely-populated, has yet again proved that it interacts poorly with the North. The blanket application of this policy has resulted in some admittedly crazy effects in a nation that we often realise is not as continuous as it seems. The use of cars for personal use in the North, especially in Joshro and neighbouring Alac, might not have a too detrimental effect on the environement, compared with constant buses, say some researchers from the University of Beyl in a recent April report.

It is also my feeling that Fecaw needs to abandon some of its scrupulosity about the environment. When I say "scrupulosity", I am not referring to an anxiety, but rather to constant, fearful and pointless application of environmental laws that results in meaningless red-tape. These rural bus systems are just another example of perfectly reasonable environmental laws being taken to an extreme, detached from reality.

Zaula Eusth
- Environmental Correspondent

[Fecaw]

Harvest Moon- Send us your Pics!

Dear Fecaw,

We know how much we enjoy our astronomical events and low light pollution, so we would love you to send in your pictures of the harvest moon which recently appeared in our skies. It was a frosty and clear night, so we hope for many entries. The winners will be awarded ₳1021 between them!

Zaula Eusth
- Environmental Correspondent

[Fecaw]

Concerns over Xencovia

Fecaw has long maintained a policy of pacifism. It has remained neutral in almost any war, with a constitutional principle being to only fight when necessary. Fecaw has no standing military, but a gun-owning populace who are ready to fight if certainly needed to defend their islands.

Concerns have been raised in Fecaw over this almost dogmatic policy by the opening of an embassy with Xencovia last week. According to many, what has actually increased tensions is the possible trade agreements, more specifically, military trade agreements, that have been promised by Saurg Chel, the Fecawn ambassador to Xencovia.

The Fecawn plan of action in a war is to gather up its domestic forces and international allies as quickly as possible. All men between 18 and 55 would be required to join local militias, with some women and capable elderly strongly encouraged to join as well. The local militias would fight with whatever weapons they had and wait for supplies and orders from Sediw. The Fecawn government would also focus on persuading the international community to help Fecaw, which could end up poorly equipped in the face of a sudden escalation and invasion.

This strategy is wholly different to possible ones after military imports from Xencovia to Fecaw, a nation without much in the way of military equipment that prefers to live in splendid isolation of military affairs.

The larger part of Xencovian military produce comes from the Xencovian Arms Coorporation (XAC), which Saurg Chel has indicated trade will take place with.

It's website states:

Since 1942, the Xencovian Arms Corporation has been the global pioneer in defense technologies. We have delivered and sustained more than 50,000,000 vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels to our customers in more than 70 countries. Our team is comprised of approximately 15,000 employees, including hundreds who have served or are currently serving in the Xencovian military, have been deployed to work alongside the military of over 40 nations.

The XAC is one of the largest military companies in the world. It is state-run. Many see this new partnership as a crossroads for Fecawn defence.

On one side, some argue that Fecaw needs to stock itself with high-quality military equipment to ensure safety for its citizens. Despite its commitment to peace and isolationism, Fecaw may some day find itself without willing allies, and end up having to defend itself. Fecaw is a nation with principles, which it will have to stand up for. This could make it unpopular.

Others would argue that military imports will actually be the death of these values: the death of Fecawn pacifism. Green activists protested in Sediw, outside the building site of the new, modern-style, embassy. They said that the import of such weapons would lead to Fecaw becoming a violent nation with a temptation to expand its influence further afield.

One thing is sure: the government will import Xencovian arms soon.

[Fecaw]

Royal Guard Expanded, $19.7m of Xencovian Arms to Arrive Soon

In a move that has been expected for some time, King Sarol officialy announced the expansion of the Royal Guard. The Royal Guard was his personal force, used for protecting royal property and the royal family. It has now been expanded to 15,000 men, designed to be able to guard around much of Fecaw. The expansion presumably took place to reduce the administrative costs of creating a new unit.

On Friday, an application was wired to the XAC directly from the chambers of King Sarol. Details of that application have been released. These next words sum up the policy behind the purchase:

Before I start, I would like to explain that, despite being a very involved monarch, this is not a purely personal decision. Various ambassadors, military officials and politicians have worked on this request: it has been sent in my name on their behalf. We ask you to understand Fecaw's usually pacifist nature. This purchase is intended to be a one-off. Despite conflicting news reports, there are no safety concerns about our weapons storage abilities.

Royal Guard soldiers will now be much better equipped. They are disgned to be able to completely remove threats very quickly, before the threats gather pace or size. The soldiers will be well-trained, well-armed, but small in number. They rely on efficiency rather than brute force.

Weapons carried by all soldiers will be the LEO 12 pistol and the ACR 16 rifle. The CMA 70 will be the sniper rifle used by 200, while the RMG 64 machine gun will be used by 400. The main smoke grenade from now on will be the M18, which will be used alongside some older Fecawn models. The M84 stun grenade will also be used. The purchase also included RPGs and fragmemtation grenades.

The purchase is one of the largest in Fecawn government history. It totalled around $20 million, which has angered some lawmakers. They claim that it is an "incredible waste of money on something that Fecawns neither need nor want" and a "violation of our pacifist policy". King Sarol has repeated many times that the purchases are a one-off that is strictly necessary for the safety of Fecaw.

The move has gained specific support from the Confucian right in Fecaw, who argue that the King is doing his duty for Fecaw. Scholars such as Brynn Molo have voiced support for the purchase on their TV slots and in their holy halls.

[Fecaw]

New Privacy Laws

A new bill on data protection has passed the Senat yesterday after an intense 4 hour debate. Senators discussed various implications and tabled a total of 21 amendments to the bill. Only 9 were passed. Eventually, a division was held and the bill passed 154-85, 1 Senater being ill. The bill received royal approval today and became law and will come into force at the end of the year..

It will give control of personal data over to citizens. Business processes that handle personal data must be built with data protection by design. No personal data may be processed unless it is done under a lawful basis specified by the regulation, or if the data controller or processor has received explicit, opt-in consent from the data's owner. The data owner has the right to revoke this permission at any time. It will give control of personal data over to citizens. Business processes that handle personal data must be built with data protection by design. No personal data may be processed unless it is done under a lawful basis specified by the regulation, or if the data controller or processor has received explicit, opt-in consent from the data's owner. The data owner has the right to revoke this permission at any time.

The law has been welcomed by many privacy activists who see it as a move towards the start of total online privacy, while other analysts and critics desire more protection from "manufactured consent".

Business owners tend to be more negative about what they say are "the costly effects of a pointless law". Consent has a number of implications for businesses who record calls as a matter of practice. A typical disclaimer is not considered sufficient to gain assumed consent to record calls. Additionally, when recording has commenced, should the caller withdraw their consent, then the agent receiving the call must be able to stop a previously started recording and ensure the recording does not get stored. The need for a data protection officer, have been criticized for potential administrative burden and unclear compliance requirements. However, some entrepreneurs have praised it as a way of improving data practices.

[Fecaw]

Boat Capsizes off Coast of Seret, 15 Injured

Seret Island is one of the main islands of Fecaw. It is in the centre of the country and has a population of 10 million, but was the site of a terrible disaster yesterday. At 9:21 AM, a ferry carrying 76 people left the port in the city of Benni. It sailed into warm waters and a quiet wind, on course to arrive at 10 AM at a nearby island. The ferry takes the route every day and mainly carries workers and commuters.

At 9:38 AM, about 12 miles away from the port, the ship began to run into trouble. A leak was detected in the hull, but the crew thought it to be too small and continued. In fact, the gash was 3 feet long. The hole was largely on the port-side. By 9:44 AM, electrical systems began to fail and the ship almost lost propulsion, which crippled the ship. Taking on water, the vessel listed to the port side.

Inside the ship, panic ensued as the ferry began to fall. The situation was described by one passenger as "chaotic until the captain took over". An order to abandon ship was issued at 9:57 AM, when the coastguard was called to help with evacuation.

By about 10:30 AM, the Coastguard had evacuated all 76 passengers from the ferry. Most were shaken, but unhurt. However, 15 people were suffering either from trauma caused by the sudden movement of the boat or by hypoxia. They are being treated in hospitals around Seret, where doctors have said that they "should be better soon".

The incident does leave some questions about safety protocol on ships. Fecaw is famous, perhaps undeservedly, for a cavalier attitude to ocean safety, but the poor quality of some regulatory guidelines is very real. Questions have also been raised as to whether the captain even followed procedure correctly when the hole was discovered.

[Fecaw]

Fecawns head to the Golden Throne

There is a sense of excitement around Fecaw as the national football team is about to make a debut on the international football stage. For the past 6 months, managers have searched local football teams to find the top players and have finally arrived at a team of 13, who have been going through a gruelling intense training period.

Official Roster

Style Modifier: +1
Formation: 5-3-2

Coach/Manager

• Eramot Reren (56)
  
  Reren is a veteran of Fecawn football and has been involved in the sport at a local level since the age of 19. He has managed teams in Caryme and Manda and is seen as Fecaw's "best bet" as manager. He prefers a hands-on approach, and is also the team's head coach.

Forwards
Glyle Alele (22)- Centre
Thaso Mariat (20)-Centre

Midfielders
Kahis Naro (24)- Wing
Jank Bricor (19)- Wing
Seph Band (23)- Centre

Defense
Rueria Janr (21)- Wing
Chelel Dotreg (25)- Wing
Berin Waery (22)- Centre
Adnat Mice (21)- Centre
Loneron Vica (19)- Centre

Goal
Lareb Glarrt (24)

As a new team, it is hoped that some chemistry and team spirit will develop between the players before the matches start. Many observers from other news agencies are uncertain about how the team will perform. Fecaw is in Group 2, along with Greal, Lamoni, Holy Marsh and Morrdh.

[Fecaw]

Double Loss to Morrdh, Holy Marsh

Fecaw's debut to international football has been a depressing one. Previously optimistic football fans and pundits have been sorely disappointed as the Fecawn team failed to score a single goal in the first ever Diencup.

The team from the Holy Marsh was seen as much more composed and confident, compared with the new, three month old, Fecawn team. It was definitely prepared for Fecaw's aggressiveness, some would say lack of order and discipline, and beat Fecaw 1-0. Likewise, in the match against Morrdh, the Fecawn team was faced with aggressive tactics.They paid off for Morrdh, as an early goal scored by Val Harris put the Morridanes ahead. Fecaw tried several more times to score a goal, sometimes coming painfully close. However, it was a 0-1 loss for Fecaw and, while Morrdiane fans celebrated, some Fecawns have booked tickets to get out of the Golden Throne. Fans in front of big screens in cities such as Aerilia and Sediw sighed as the goals were scored, many returning home before the match ended. There were only 3 minor reports of hooliganism, none of which resulted in any serious damage. The general atmosphere in Fecaw, especially from Coach Reren, is that this Diencup was an important learning experience, and that we may even score some goals next time!