Aeia NewsNet [Aeia Only]

by **Cuirpthe** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 5:06 pm

Sean Brennan - 31 December, 2018

NEW | CUI | LHA | MID | LIL

THE END OF 2018
What does the new year hold for Cuirpthe and its people?

In just a few hours, 2018 will come to a close and the new year will begin. Celebration has begun across the country, with many hoping for a new and prosperous year to follow the absolute train wreck that was 2018. But what exactly does 2019 hold in store for Cuirpthe, her citizens and her allies? The past year has been one of controversy, war and tragedy. Will this continue, or will Asura maintain peace for the next year? Many across the country are uneasy, as issues such as the Folksland Crisis and CDN controversy will continue into January and possibly further into the year.

It is expected for the Folksland Crisis to end some time next week or the week after. Newrey issued a surrender ultimatum just a week and a half ago, calling for surrender in two weeks or the absolute destruction of the Folkslanders in Cyningburgh. Cuirpthe backed up these threats, having halted their advance in the west to await the rebellion's response. If Folksland surrenders, the war will end and Cuirpthe's provinces will be returned. If they don't, the two armies will close in on either side and take Folksland, ending the war by force. Most citizens and politicians are relieved that the war is ending and Cuirpthean troops can return home. But others fear controversy, primarily with the Newreyan government. Newrey explicitly stated its refusal to accept aid from fellow CDN nations, and was opposed to Cuirpthe joining the war. Relations between the two nations may be further strained by Cuirpthe's inclusion and the joining of fellow CDN members. The Eallsabh Border Dispute, ongoing since the late 1980s, will also be a point of contention. Will Newrey respect Cuirpthe's border and put forth a treaty stipulating the return of out land, or will they continue their claim and make any agreement unattainable?

The controversy in the Drago Entente is also a concern to all of Cuirpthe. Conservatives were happy when parliament decided against leaving the Commonwealth, but others are still outraged by the violation of the treaty. Rumors of plans by the government to participate in a joint exit with Aquidneck and Sarpory & Vemnia have spread throughout, fueling controversy between the conservatives who want to stay and their opponents, who want to leave. Cuirpthe is guaranteed to stay until at least February 14th(halfway through the month), unless the vote shifts in parliament, but what lies beyond remains to be seen, especially with the government's dissatisfaction with the Entente and its proposed reformation. Some have proposed joining the International Popular Front, or forming a West Asuran Pact, though parliament has as of yet not acknowledged these propositions. Leiden has possibly set a president, and 2019 may be the year that the Drago Entente collapses. Prime Minister Wilson spoke shortly at the New Years celebration in Ballinluska today, giving his personal thoughts on these matters.

Citizens of Cuirpthe, people of this great and glorious nation, I would like to offer my gratitude for the opportunity to speak here today. 2018 is ending, in just 5 hours. Finally, we can cast away the horrible, controversy and atrocity fueled year of 2018, and enter into a new, prosperous, peaceful 2019. And the coming months are important to us here, both to us in government and you, the voters, the citizens. We are at the end of a great struggle against enemies of the state, and the beginning of an even greater struggle with those we thought to be our allies.

With the end of the war in Folksland, soldiers, both living and fallen, will return to their families to celebrate the holidays at the beginning of the year. Peace in western Asura, at least in the military sense, will soon be restored. But what of diplomatic peace? We hope to continue our Entente membership for at least the next month and a half, in hopes that the organization can reform itself, commit itself and function the way it was supposed to. If not, Cuirpthe will pursue independent ventures with its other, non-aligned allies. But, let us not speak of the what ifs and instead, talk about what will happen. New advances in scientific research await. Our first mission to the Moon in almost 35 years will happen in April, and we hope regular missions can occur for the next few years in preparation for the journey to Minerva. The Trans-Asuran Railway Network nears completion, and soon, travel across the nation and into other nations will be revolutionized. I sincerely hope that with all the controversy we have faced, we can finally come out on top and celebrate a peaceful, safe and prosperous Cuirpthe.

The New Years address is a highly anticipated speech given by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor every year. This is Prime Minister Wilson's first since his inauguration in August of this year and appears to have been a success, with most response to it being fairly positive.

OTHER HEADLINES
-Veleaz sheds communism, beginning a new era of democracy for the nation in historic signing of treaty.
-Ostran Regional Administrator drunk during broadcast.
-New short film depicting Crylantian rebellion during the Great War airs last week.

by **Gaussland Empire** » Tue Jan 01, 2019 6:40 pm

Right-wing Werner L. Waltz ahead in election polls
By Johann Rechts, Reporter from Kaisersberg

Westock, Gaussland A new year begins, as the elections in February inch closer, the nation is currently deciding their next government. Since the right-wing NCP, or Der Pakt, announced their PM candidate, Werner Waltz last week, the current polls show that the populace is shifting against the centrist government and moving to more radical parties. The polls also show that independence movements are getting smaller in the country. The current polls for Prime Minister show Werner Waltz in first place with a large lead over Prime Minister Fredrick Sternheim. There are currently four candidates that have a large popularity. The further left-wing Democratic Union have their candidate, Anastasia Hartmeister, has gotten more popular among former centrists who once supported Sternheim. The Mostovian Independence Party's candidate is currently in 5th Place among voter, most likely entirely Mostovians. Polls also show radical parties getting support among Mostovians such as the Communists of the Gaussland-Nulvia and the New Nationalism Party. Currently no candidate has over 50% of votes. The allies of the Pakt, are not considering giving up their candidates yet, and the Democratic Socialist's disagreements with Sternheim also hurt his chances.

Some other smaller candidates include Von Jagersberg, who was chosen by the Nationalist People's Party, his chances are very slim and is speculation of a withdrawal of his candidacy and an endorsement of the more popular conservative Waltz is likely. Cisinski is the three-time candidate for the Mostovian Independence Party, his chances are lower than ever as his party becomes less popular among Mostovians. The Democratic Socialist Party's candidate, Janis, has already begun considering an end to her candidacy, but it is unsure if she will support Hartmeister or their ally Sternheim. Many are saying the election is showing a fall of centrism in the nation and support for more radical ideas are growing, alongside populist growth with candidates such as Waltz and Hartmeister.

POLLS:
Waltz, Der Pakt 31%

PM Sternheim, SLP 27%

Hartmeister, DU 17%

Von Jagersberg, NPP 7%

Kito Cisinski, MIP 6%

Other, 3%

Undecided, 9%

NEWS AT HOME:
Sternheim's military budget cut fails to pass

Power restored to Meerbackstein after christmas without electricity for some

New Years Celebrations bring garbage piles along streets of Westock and Upesas

AWAY FROM HOME
Veleaz's communism is over, win for democracy

Prince of Nordhurlant assassinated

Ajerrin Markets hit records

by **Tir Lhaeraidd** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 8:57 am

Suspected NLF Leader Gunned Down
Aodh Lynch Shot in Aurharbwr

Prominent businessman and suspected NLF leader Aodh Lynch has been found shot dead in his office at the Aurharbwr headquarters of the ARMEC Group. The businessman's death is being treated as suspicious by authorities as no suicide weapon or note were found at the scene and also due to the nature of the wounds inflicted. Initial investigations are now underway by the Garda in Aurharbwr. Mr Lynch was a senior member of ARMEC's board and had been under intense pressure from shareholders, the board, and the government due to his suspected involvement in the assassination attempt against the Taoiseach late last year, as well as the ongoing 'Corporate War'. Though ARMEC formally denied any knowledge or involvement in the plot several employees and executives have been arrested and charged on related charges, further the Garda had announced that it was looking into evidence of Mr Lynch's involvement in the affair after an anonymous whistle blower inside the company handed over thousands of pages in internal memos and other documents.

Mr Lynch, 54, was found dead in his office by cleaning staff at 7:44 AM. According to the cleaner who found his body Mr Lynch was sitting in his office chair behind his desk and had only one visible gunshot wound. As of 11:30 AM today the Garda have released additional details on the suspected murder, with the permission of the late Mr Lynch's family. Though a full autopsy and coroner's report have yet to be completed the physician who performed the initial inspection of the body reports that Mr Lynch appears to have been shot in the back of the head at extremely close range by a low calibre firearm; it seems unlikely that he saw his killer, or was aware of any danger as there is evidence that the muzzle of the firearm was pressed against the back of his head. The projectile exited his head just below his right eye and was found embedded in his desk. Full ballistic analysis is now underway to determine the calibre of the bullet, and the firearm used.

The ARMEC headquarters have since been completely closed off by Garda personnel and several employees who were on site have been detained. Further, using special temporary powers granted by the Dáil, ARMEC's assets have been frozen and their business suspended. By midday Garda and investigators were seen leaving the building with significant amounts of documentation, computers, and other boxes of evidence. Under the temporary powers granted by the Dáil the investigators have the right to immediately seize any and all documents relating to ARMEC; however these powers must be reviewed and extended by the Dáil daily to prevent abuse. The Taoiseach has yet to make an official statement regarding the murder.

by **Arzvan Republic** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 2:05 am

New Banknotes to be released next Monday

Central Bank of the Arzvan Republic Announces Two New Banknotes
Maja Raviskaja, senior correspondent
3 January 2019
________________________________________________________________________________
Kradzymas, central bank director Šēžčinas Geraidas has announced that the Central Bank of the Arzvan Republic, the Arzvan Bank, is going to release two new banknotes next Monday (07/01). The new banknotes that were announced are the 500 Avira banknote, as well as the 10 Avira banknote. The release of the 500 Avira banknote completes the F series of banknotes, and the release of the 10 Avira banknotes signals plans of the Arzvan Bank to begin issuing the G series of banknotes. Mr. Geraidas has made it clear that these banknotes were released purely due to the 6-8 year cycle in which banknotes undergo a redesign. With added security features, the 500 Avira banknote contains at least 20 security features, one of the most, if not the most, in the world. The 500 Avira banknote is the largest banknote in the Arzvan Republic, only introduced eight years earlier. With this, the central bank hopes that citizens will be more enthusiastic to use the Avira within the Arzvan Republic in favor of other foreign currencies such as the Midrasian Ducat or the Aquidish Lira.

Many speculate to why the 10 Avira banknote was redesigned very quickly after its introduction just four years prior. Mr. Geraidas urges that the move was to create a common design and a sense of unity with our Bevenian cousins, who are planning to release banknotes similar to the 10 Avira banknote pretty soon. The work of the Avira has been consulted with Bevenian officials, as well as several design specialists to make the design simple yet distinctive. The goal was to create a sense of unity among post-Carcosse states, says Mr. Geraidas. It is unknown if Sarpory and Vemnia will adopt a similar design, however, the officials at the Arzvan Bank are ready to help the Sarpory and Vemnians if they ever wish to adopt the common design.

The figure that was chosen to be on the 500 Avira is Marius Grytis, while the figure that was chosen to be on the new 10 Avira banknote is Svargamis Lēmnanis. Marius Grytis was a young aspiring poet and composer who composed the national anthem of the Arzvan Republic "Himnus" as part of a task given by his school. He died of natural causes in Taglavikas in 2005. Svargamis Lēmnanis was the mayor of Kradzymas from 1978 until 1988. He renovated most of Kradzymas's old town and canals as part of the national heritage sites renovation program. Through his hard work, Kradzymas is one of the most picturesque cities in Aeia. He died in 2001 after suffering a stroke for several years.

What is your reaction?

752 Comments

Vēvē1998

1,105 votes|27 dislikes
8 hours ago
I'm starting to think this country has a massive obsession with twinks
REPLY | VOTE | DISLIKE

LunaValuna3

589 votes|274 dislikes
6 hours ago
OMG that guy on the 500 bill is so hot I swear I will do very naughty things to it.. if I can get my hands on one.
REPLY | VOTE | DISLIKE

JanisPeters

155 votes|43 dislikes
38 minutes ago
Let's hope the Avira stays pleasantly stable unlike some countries which have a bajillion zeroes in their banknotes.
REPLY | VOTE | DISLIKE

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by **Tir Lhaeraidd** » Wed Jan 16, 2019 3:44 pm

Síomha Accused of Involvement in Lynch Death
Corporate Spokesmen Implicates Government

The Taoiseach has been accused of involvement in the recent death of suspected NLF ringleader Aodh Lynch who was found shot to death in his office on 02 January 2019. According to Corporate Spokesman John Sykes of the ARMEC Group there is substantial evidence that implicates the involvement of the Síomha administration in the killing, dubbing it a 'punitive government assassination', he further went onto accuse the authorities of a 'broad conspiracy to obscure the details of the murder and its circumstances' and claimed that the motive for the assassination was to 'make an example of supposed Corporate Terrorists.' The Government has of course refuted the claims, and the authorities investigating the murder have stated that they have uncovered no evidence of government involvement.

Sykes, who was speaking outside the Supreme Court in Aurharbwr following a judicial hearing linked to the investigations into the so called 'Corporate War' in which the ARMEC Group are heavily involved. ARMEC have continued to deny involvement in any of the events under investigation and deny that any of their executive board are NLF members. The government investigators have continued to present mounting evidence of ARMEC's involvement among other corporate entities and individuals.

by **Seanesia** » Sat Jan 19, 2019 5:12 am

Crocodile mauls woman to death in Cibabat
Warta Nagara

Cibabat, South Ngamprah / Sat, January 19 2019 / 6:57 AM

An Seanesian woman has been mauled to death by a huge pet crocodile on the province of South Ngamprah, officials said Saturday.

Eneng Kartika, the head of a laboratory at a pearl farm in Cibabat in South Ngamprah, was killed by the 4.4-meter (14-foot) reptile on Wednesday, authorities said.

The 44-year old's badly mauled body was found by colleagues the following morning, Rahman Wahyudi, from the local conservation agency, told Warta Nagara.

"The indication is that she fell into the crocodile's enclosure," he said, adding the incident was still being investigated by police.

The crocodile, named Rudy, had eaten one of the woman's hands and most of her abdomen was missing, Rahman said.

"These parts may still be inside the crocodile now," he added.

The giant reptile was sedated and removed from its enclosure Thursday in a three-hour operation that involved dozens of people, including conservation officials, the army and police.

The reptile, which was owned illegally, will be transferred to a conservation area, Wahyudi said.

The Seanesian land is home to a vast array of exotic wildlife, including several species of crocodile that regularly attack and kill humans.

In January 2017, a local tourist was nearly killed by a crocodile in the Green Canyon, a popular tourist site in the south of Seanesia.

by **Ajerrin** » Sat Jan 19, 2019 9:39 pm

Day 1: PowerSavai Conference

A finely dressed man in a dark suit quickly walked onto the stage. Dr. Alain Furuike stood uncomfortably at the podium for what felt like days but was really only a few seconds. The single spotlight followed him to the podium and would not move again. With squinty eyes and sweat dripping from his brown, the spotlight could be seen by many as a heat lamp, drying out the AEA Regional Director before he is served up to the crowd.

A crowd was not something Dr. Furuike was comfortable with. The large confines of a quiet, sterile lab, where everyone wore white lab coats and latex gloves gave the good doctor a feeling of calmness. That the world was clean.

Today’s scene brought quite the opposite.

Hundreds of people from every corner of academia were gathered outside of a sterile lab, sans gloves. The academics wore coats with hues of browns, blues, even greens, but none were long and white.

As time continued to move with the speed of a snail Alain moved his sleeve to look at his watch.

Beep Beep.

Right on time. At least some things were the same.

Tap Tap. Tap.

“Good morning, everyone. Please take your seats.”

“I would like to thank the International City of Thadyrissen for hosting the Aeian Environmental Agency’s PowerSavai Conference, here at the lovely Schechifac Gateway Center. This event would not be possible without the governments of Ajerrin and Sarpory & Vemnia so we thank Queen Lani Kawana Nakoa and Secretary-Executor Iosef Yrrskogo, along with Thadyrissen’s own Secretary-Executor Lonsye Akamu for providing everything you see here today. There is one more person I need to thank and that is our Director General, Dr. Jan Fess. Without her guidance and support, I feel our environment would be much worse off that what we have today.”

The crowd begins a cheerful applause as Dr. Fess stands to address the audience.

“Today we will be introducing many clean energy innovations from across the region and celebrate the achievements of scientists, universities, public and private companies, and even nations. Over the past two years, the Aeian Environmental Agency has provided A$5 million in grants to projects in the clean energy sector. Today, we will hear some amazing success stories that will help us POWER SAVAI.”

The projection from the wall shows the PowerSavai Logo and then a photo of the Ajerrin Institute of Technology.

“Our first innovation is from the Ajerrin Institute of Technology, whose space-based solar power research team has been working with both DI Dynamics and Mattes Aero for the past ten years. In 2017 the Aeian Environmental Agency awarded AIT one of its first grants, A$500k to continue studying the potential of space-based solar power and today their project was published in the Ajerrin Science Journal! I am pleased to introduce to you, the Roselle Kihonipua Professor of Aeronautics and Professor of Civil Engineering: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Senior Research Scientist and the Co-Director of the Space-Based Solar Power Project, Dr. Julia Tohnlig, her Co-Director, Ka’imi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering Dr. Kaui Pohakalani, and the Royal Academy Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science, Dr. Harold Mgatu from the Ajerrin Institute of Technology, along with DI Dynamics CTO Keith Waihee and Mattas Aero CTO Liam Karlsson.

by **Brilinako** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:09 pm

LEHENDAKARI RESIGNS AFTER MAIL-ORDER BRIDE SCANDAL
Written by an anonymous writer for department "POLITICS" - images from Kutxa.br under free domain laws

Lehendakari Haran Elexalde announcing his resignment, after admitting he had ordered a mail-order bride.

HEGOALDE, Brilliania He was supposed to stay as Lehendakari until his second term expired in 2020, but the Lehendakari Haran Elexalde has unexpectedly announced his resignment in the Muntaia during a live session called by himself after the tabloid paper Jendea exposed a scandal regarding the embezzlement of 10 million Florrin to order a domestic mail-order bride.

Haran was first elected as Lehendakari in 2012 with 52% of the second-round votes, representing the conservative Renew Brilliania Movement. He was re-elected in 2016 with 56% of second-round votes against the Elkarrekin Együtt candidate Zaiñe Ibañez. Prior to joining the Renew Brilliania Movement in 2010, he was the CEO of the open-source software company Kapela Urdina, which has funded most of the development of the Askatasuna operating system. He is well known for being very frugal, refusing to use the presidential residence or its services and still driving a car from 2007. This hasn't been the first time Haran has come under criticism; in late 2018 he was apprehended by police for drunk driving and damaging a staff car of the Crylantian embassy in Hegoalde.

Because there is no Vice-Lehendakari because of Haran's refusal to replace the deceased Vice-Lehendakari Amaia Sarasketa after an antifascist bombing killed her and 66 others, the Muntaia has to appoint a new temporary Lehendakari. It's likely that the temporary Lehendakari will call an early general election, dissolving the Muntaia.

Domestic Headlines:
HEGOALDE: Who will win? Musical experts review Kanta 2019's finalists
MARTIRIREN HERRIA: Another Sainduak attack prevented succesfully thanks to security improvements across Martiren Herria
HEGOALDE: Vrnallian ambassador: "Who's Aña?"
AKERRAU: Ultra-conservative priest calls new Arzvan 500 Avira banknote "a form of sodomy"
Foreign Headlines:
TIR LHAERAIDD: Private security firm blames president on murdering Aodh Lynch
SEANESIA: Woman brutally mauled to death by crocodile
AJERRIN: Clean energy conference "PowerSavai" starts

by **Glanodel** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:48 pm

by **AESYRiEL** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:46 am

Daryan Janmaat
@jandaryan

We have a golden opportunity with the new players and the veterans coming back. We won't disappoint again. We come with gold, or nothing.#Copa2019

2:44 pm - 12 May 2019

2,652Rechirps5,671Likes

by **Ajerrin** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:11 am

Day 1: PowerSavai AM Presentation

A beautiful Mascyllan woman steps up to the podium with two scientists and two corporate suits in tow. The strikingly tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed scientist smiles and waves. It’s like she’s done this before. Dr. Tohnlig is not an introverted scientist. She’s a show stopper.

Confidence and sexiness drips off her lips but on the inside, Dr. Tohnlig’s heartbeat can be felt all the way in her toes. There’s too much riding on this performance.

Innovations. Milestones. Publications. Celebrations. None of this happens without a constant stream of funding.

Before the conference even started, the good doctor secured at least a million more from new donors - but that’s not going to cut it. She needs a hundred times that if she’s going to get her program into space. But they’re close.

It’s been ten years away for the past forty years, she thought to herself.

Who knows if DI or Mattes will continue their funding. They’ve been on the fence for the past few years until the AEA grant. She only secured the last years funding from DI Dynamics after a weekend getaway with Keith to Koningsland.

The things I do for science.

“Thank you Dr. Furuike!”

She turns to face the public and waits for the crowd to focus on her. She smiles with her eyes, her mouth, and every inch of her body.

“Now. Close your eyes.”

“Think about what you know about clean sources of energy. What’s the greenest? Hydroelectric. Geothermal, wind and solar all probably spring to mind. Environmentally friendly though they may be, they all have significant limits on how much energy they can produce and where they can be used. The solution, then, is obvious. Go where the sun never sets: In space.”

As the lights dim the stage wall becomes black, with small white points of light popping up everywhere. A small spotlight falls on Dr. Tohnlig. The light reflects off her milky white skin and radiates on the stage, creating an aura of wonder. Quite the opposite of Dr. Furuike.

“Space. That’s the vision of scientists, researchers and professionals alike at AIT, DI Dynamics and Mattes. With the advent of super small satellites and reusable booster rockets already present in today’s market, space solar is a reality that will be here much sooner than you think.”

“Over the past year, our team has succeeded in creating a prototype capable of harnessing and transmitting solar energy from space.”

“The prototype is a lightweight tile that consists of three main components. Optical reflectors concentrate the sunlight, photo voltaic cells convert the sunlight to electricity, and an integrated circuit converts the electricity to radio frequency energy that is transmitted through an attached antenna. Many individual tiles could be strung together to form large solar arrays in space. A ground-based microwave receiver would be used to intercept the incoming radio frequency energy and convert it back into usable electricity.”

“A key feature of the new tile design is that it is really lightweight — at 1.5 kilograms per square meter, it weighs a little more than a large pizza. Lightweight features are essential for keeping the launch and construction costs down and this could not have been done without the help of DI Dynamics advanced technology. Moreover, the new tile design in which each unit is capable of generating and transmitting solar power individually is advantageous because this negates the need for a heavy power distribution system in space.”

“Such a design also makes it easier to expand on missions and to make repairs without losing much functionality. In the future, we plan on seeing if further weight reductions can be achieved by the incorporation of newer lightweight materials.”

As the lights turn lower a video encompasses the background of the stage and the spotlight fades from our speaker. Large PowerSavai and AIT logos fade to green, and a video of the AIT lab is shown with the prototype.

“Here we subject the prototype to space-like conditions in the lab and use it to power a light-emitting diode located 20 inches from the tile. The tile is active and the diode is shining bright.”

As the crowd cheers, the three scientists smile and nod knowing everything up until now was the easy part.

Now they need more funding.

“Everything required to make space solar a reality already exists, but with any expensive new idea, it comes down to dollars and dares. There is no secret sauce in this field. This is a financial hurdle to develop and demonstrate the new architecture required to do this.”

“Doing even really simple things to reduce the mass gets us into the 100 watts per kilogram range, and 1,000 watts per kilogram isn’t crazy, You get very good efficiencies with current solar technology that’s already commercially available, and we carry around these very efficient, lightweight RF converters in our pockets every day.”

Doctors Pohakalani and Mgatu smile and take their cell phones out, flashing them to the crowd.

“RF converters are the very reason cell phones work—phones are basically glorified walkie-talkies whose signals are helped along by a network of signal relay stations. The converters in the phone translate radio waves into data that we understand—audio—and vice versa. This technology is central to research into space solar at AIT in a collaboration between scientists and engineers at Mattas Aero and DI Dynamics are getting closer to those milestones every year.”

“Two keystone structures are required for space solar to work. First, solid-state power amplifiers that efficiently convert electricity from collected sunlight into radio-frequency waves, and receivers on the ground that re-convert the RF waves back into electricity.”

“Collection receivers on the ground would need to be large but certainly not impossible - for a space-based solar plant to generate around one gigawatt of energy, a one-kilometer solar collector would beam energy to a 3.5-wide kilometer receiver on the ground. That would require an area of around 900 acres. That’s not a difficult proposition when you compare that with some of the largest solar panel plants in Aeia that occupy more than 3,000 acres.”

“We take great pride at our latest milestone. But we can’t stop now. With continued backing from DI Dynamics and Mattas Aero, our new goal is to build and test a 250-megawatt pilot plant in the next five years... and put it space by 2025.”

“Together we can POWER SAVAI… AND the world!”

As the crowd erupts in applause, the scientists throw their hands up and shout, “Thank you everyone!” and walk off stage.

Dr. Furuike stumbles as he walks back onto the stage in front of Dr. Tohnlig, but receives a kiss for his clumsiness. One could not deduce if his face was blush from the embarrassment of stumbling or being kissed on the cheek by Dr. Tohnlig. Perhaps both.

by **Navack** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:23 pm

Home » Latest News » The Ostric Act

THE OSTRIC ACT:
Proposed act sees Ostry as a full-state of the federation until 2021

Chamber's majority leader Marita Rosett is the main figure behind the "Ostric Act".

Berke - During this Thursday’s Chamber’s meeting, the government coalition presented one of the biggest and most ambitious plans to this day: The elevation of Ostry from a national territory to a federal state. The plan, Ostric Act, was proposed by the pro government union formed by the Navish Progressive League, Navish Green Party, and the Labor Social Alliance, led by Marita Rosett, the Majority Leader of the Chamber. It is also known that the current governing coalition in Ostry supports the Act and is using its influence to raise the popularity of the proposition in the Island. The Progressive-Republican Ostric coalition also divides the Republican-Nationalist coalition in the mainland. For instance, the most conservative branches of the Republican Front and the Nationalist Party are against the Act, arguing that giving more freedom by taking more freedom is suicidal and will spark the Ostric independence conflict even more.

Since the Gardrag Agreement, in 1994, the Ostric separatist movement has been a constant influence in both regional and national politics. During 2008 and 2009, tensions between the separatists and unionists arose, led to several clashes between protestors and the police. Recently, during the month of October, 2018, a series of terrorist attacks struck the capital of the island, Jakóbgard. The attacks were linked to the clash between the rising Ostric nationalism and the far-right Navish nationalism. The current local government tried to smoothen the attacks, due to their alliance with the mainland government -- Such action generated even more insatisfaction among the Ostric people. For instance, the government coalition has positive thoughts regarding the Act. Marita Rosett says, “We honestly believe that the Act will finally bring peace to both Ostry and Navack. We have been trying and trying since the Gardrag agreement, but nothing really changed. We believe that this will be the first step towards a peaceful navo-ostric future.”

Therefore, fearing any more increase in the general non satisfaction with both regional and national government, the Ostric Act came to be. It had been voted by the chamber and it approved my the majority, with less than 80 votes against, moving the plan forward to the Senate. In a nutshell, the Act states that Ostry, once approved as a state, will have 1 year to hold new elections for governor and more 1 year and 6 months to show self sufficiency and independence. Aside that, the Act also propose the investment of 850ʂ million for infrastructure and new projects. The act also states that Ostry shall have 90 days to vote and adopt a new flag, following the standard format of the Navish state flags. The act also proposes that the current Ostric political scenario is maintained -- Ostry will not have to adopt the normative 5 parties system, currently in use in the mainland. Besides that, Ostry shall now elect 2 Senators for the National Senate, instead of 1, standard for national territories and the Federal District. With the approval of the Act, Ostry will be the 13th state of the Union, following Honningden, approved as a state in 1985.

The Senate will be voting on the proposition in January 31st. In case the project is approved by the Senate, it will be sent to the hands of Helle Schanke, who shall give the last check mark for the Ostric dream to become true. Stay tuned on NINK TV and NINK.com for further news.

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by **Ostry** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:44 pm

Amidst shock of “Ostric Act”, Jérzy Hagen declares 2019 run
Former RA back in the spotlight, rallies against new proposal from federal government
By Adóm Landwik
21 January 2019

Following news of Ostric statehood, former RA and separatist powerhouse Jérzy Hagen
announced his 5th run for the office of Regional Administrator.

Mere hours after the federal government’s announcement to elevate Ostry from the position of national territory to state, the island seems to be in two different worlds. RA Mark Amundsen stood outside Government House, still being re-built after the October 6th attack, to proclaim proudly that “Ostry is entering a new era of prosperity and fair and equal representation.” But it seems the government’s unionist stance to accept the deal isn’t shared by everyone.

Just steps away from Government House, only two hours later, former Regional Administrator Jérzy Hagen announced his candidacy to return to the office come May 2019. In his introductory speech, he announced that “I will fight against the destruction of our island’s sovereignty by a bunch of nameless bureaucrats on the mainland”, mentioning that his first act as Regional Administrator would be to “rip up every shred of the Ostric Act.”

And it seems Mr. Hagen’s anger towards the Ostric Act is not singular. Adóm Lës, leader of the separatist People’s Party, has planned for a march on Jakóbgard for Thursday, the same day the Act will surely pass the Navish Chamber of Deputies, and the People’s Party’s sole representative on the federal level, Senator Antónia Gulbrandsen, has walked out of the Senate and will not return unless “we Ostrins are consulted on a far-reaching action that has been unfairly thrust upon us.”

Many even in support of Ostric statehood have called the Act as “rushed”, in the words of Republican leader Kjell Klimek, stating that the wording of the Act would essentially void the May regional election as useless when a new election is demanded one year after Ostry’s ascension into statehood, as well as the possibility to open up old wounds regarding the flag and whether the blue-white-green tricolour could even be adopted.

The current regional government states it supports the federal position and will make plans to enact the Act before new elections in May.

Local News
- RA Amundsen: “A New Deal for Ostry”, sets sights on statehood
- Poll sees 55-45 against Ostric Act in current form
- How will statehood affect Ostrins abroad?
International News
- GLANODEL: New President-elect Mikkelson forms cabinet
- BRILLIANIA: Lehendakari resigns over mail-order bride scandal
-SEANESIA: Crocodile mauls woman to death in Cibabat

by **Ajerrin** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:52 pm

Day 1: PowerSavai PM Presentation
The Twenty Dams Project
Presented By: Samuel Salim, Energy Minister of The Federation of Indragiri
Corporations: Langstrom Engineering - The Federation of Indragiri & Waiau Hydro - The Kingdom of Ajerrin

Some of the new park space surrounding R. Ali Suwardan Dam

Good morning Savai! My name is Samuel Salim and I am the Energy Minister for the Federation of Indragiri. Today I present to you the Twenty Dams Project, a massive public-private enterprise that looks to put our nation on the path towards a greener future by creating clean, renewable sources.

After much debate, both in costs and effects, the Twenty Dams Project is nearing its completion in June of 2019. Leading the project is Chief Engineer Ahmad Satyawan of Langstrom Engineering and assisting is Molia Togonota of Waiau Hydro based in Ajerrin.

The largest dam in Indragiri, the R. Ali Suwardan Dam has been completed as of last December, but has yet to be opened publicly by the Prime Minister. The lush green environment that surrounds the dam has been formally named Gaikwad Park. The 128-acre park integrates energy making and recreation for the whole family, attracting residents to come for a walk, jog, or even just to enjoy the scenery.

This project hopes to cut Indragiri’s dependence on non-renewable fuels by almost 70% and will help POWER SAVAI through the 21st century.

by **Brilinako** » Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:29 am

Tense election predicted as acting Lehendakari Mikeldi Usparitxa dissolves the Muntaia
Written by an anonymous writer for department "Politics" - images from Kutxa.br under free domain laws

Voters queueing near a polling station in Hegoalde during the 2015 general election.

HEGOALDE, Brilliania It was widely expected to occur later, but the Muntaia has already been dissolved by the sitting Muntaia. Directly after electing Renew Brilliania member Mikeldi Usparitxa as acting Lehendakari, he immediately put a bill forward dissolving the Muntaia and calling a new election.
The election is seen to many as a breath of fresh air for Brillian politics, with Renew Brilliania widely predicted to fail to keep the position of Lehendakari after having control over the Presidency since 2008. Six candidates are predicted to be on the presidential ballot, with the candidates from Elkarrekin and Renew already being known.

Elkarrekin Együtt has announced its candidate for Lehendakari will be the 27-year old MP and journalist Altzai Vikuna. Controversy has already erupted, regarding her young age, bisexuality and inexperience, including at least three attacks using brilliant green dye since announcing her candidacy for Lehendakari last week. A similar attack in Akerrau caused the party to play in on the trend by replacing its party colour with green in reference with the brilliant green attacks. The election motto is "Brilliant minds, brilliant green and a brilliant country."

Renew Brilliania has selected acting Lehendakari Mikeldi Usparitxa as its candidate. He is the vice president of the party and is in de facto control after Haran Elexalde resigned after a scandal regarding a mail-order bride. The 57-year old has earlier worked as the Brillian diplomat in several Asuran countries. Renew Brilliania will use the motto "Keeping Brilliania clean."

Domestic Headlines:
MARTIRIREN HERRIA: Perpretator of bar shooting with 8 fatalities arrested
HEGOALDE: Moderate Alydian priests say being gay is not a sin, conservatives furious
AKERRAU: Yet another green dye attack on Elkarrekin members causes party to adopt green as party colour
Foreign Headlines:
AJERRIN: PowerSavai conference in full swing
OSTRY/NAVACK: Navish parliament proposes law making Ostry a federal province
GLANODEL: Mikkelsen elected as new President

by **Veleaz** » Thu Jan 24, 2019 8:02 am

CONTROVERSY AS INTERIM GOVERNMENT SELECTED
Primarily made up of Veleaz-descended CDN officials

Mydro-Veleazan Colonel Nicolas Amor Collado selected as Intermin President

Jaulín- Following the signing of the peace treaty formally ending the so-called Triskaideka War, there has been only mumbles and whispers from coalition forces in regards to the future governance of Veleaz, with the Occupational Police Force taking control of the running of local districts. However, the a conference called by the Coaltion Partners announced that a interim government had been selected to run Veleaz until a suitable replacement had been established. Primarily made up of CDN military officials and other bureaucrats, a common theme among the government are that they are in some way descended from Veleazans, be they immigrants or refugees. Most notable among these is the selection of Colonel Nicolas Amor Collado to serve as Interim President.

Descended from refugees from the former Lituénigo District in southern Veleaz, his father, Matías Collado, established a small Veleazan restaurant in Almiaro in Riviera. Following a promising start, soon Matías open other branches in different cities in Midrasia, allowing him to afford to send his son, Nicolas, to private education. Attedning both Bordeiu Grammar School and the University in Roixs, he later attended the Officer Training Academy, completing his training in 1983. Quickly rising through the ranks, he was posted to Sagalash following the Srednijan Civil War in 1998, while seeing numerous deployments in other conflicts. During the Triskaideka War, Collado distinguished himself by successfully withdrawing from the Appian Wall following its destruction, stalling the Veleazan advance for two days before retreating further. Being the first officer to step foot in Tolvas, it was only natural that Collado was selected to serve as Interim President, with his first act being the move the Seat of Government from the traditional city of Tolvas to the smaller, inland city of Jaulín, allowing the Interim Government to separate itself from previous Communist and Monarchist governments.

Of his posting as Interim President, Collado has said he is 'Committed to Veleaz's peaceful transition to democracy', while also warning any would be communist insurgents that they would not be treated as typical combatants and would not be exempt from Veleazan Criminal Law, which places an emphasis on the punishment of insurgents. He has also stated his desire to hold a Constitutional Conference, in which the democratic principles on the new Veleaz can be lain out, with the expected date of this conference believed to be in February. Additionally, he has removed the previous Flag of Veleaz, commonly called the Red Banner, and replaced it with a temporary black-white-yellow banner, reminiscent of the Republican Banner, which was the flag of Veleaz for two days following the Communist Revolution.

by **Arzvan Republic** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:33 pm

Bar in Brilliania which saw the gruesome shooting

Arzvan Man named Azhars Svontemis Killed in Brillianian Bar Shooting
Maja Raviskaja, senior correspondent
25 January 2019
________________________________________________________________________________
Brilliania, a bar shooting in the Brillian city of Martirrien Herria has resulted in the death of 8 people, one of which was an Arzvan Citizen. The ministry of foreign affairs has done coordination with the Brillian parties involved in the investigation, as well as the transport of the body back into the Arzvan Republic. News about the death of Azhars Svontemis has struck the nation, with numerous government bodies sweeping in to take full control of the situation domestically, most notably the social department. His family has been contacted by a number of officials and bodies from the Arzvan government, and the state promises the complete investigation towards the murder of the Arzvan national. The Republic will also offer in sending a team to Brilliania in order to assist with the murder investigations.

Although so, Brillian authorities has apprehended a suspect they believe was the main perpetrator of the shooting. A woman by the name of 'Aña' has been detained by Brillian authorities yesterday. Brillian police are currently investigating motive and hope to unravel some leads. A spokesperson of the Brillian National Police has said that the story has caused some stir in the city, and has concentrated material and manpower into the controversial investigation. Although so, sources from back home have indicated a sense of revenge as motive of the murder.

Paldies Liepinas, father of Azhars Svontemis, was shocked to hear about the shooting. "I can't believe that my son is gone. He only told me he was going to Brilliania to visit his girlfriend Anja, I didn't know that she would kill my son! She should be punished." Brillian authorities are yet to confirm whether the Anja named by Mr. Liepinas is the same person as the suspect they apprehended. Azhars's body will be flown back into his native hometown of Haskovo near Taglavikas on Monday after the autopsy reports are compiled.

What is your reaction?

1038 Comments

Samcry

1,315 votes|21 dislikes
8 hours ago
F
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1QAZ2WSX

589 votes|48 dislikes
3 hours ago
May his twi.. I mean poor soul rest in peace.
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Vmoren

155 votes|3 dislikes
48 minutes ago
Let's erect a statue of him in Haskovo to remember him
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by **Brilinako** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:56 pm

Two Ertzaintza announcements in one day regarding bar shooting - Arzvan government ready to help
Written by an anonymous writer - images from Kutxa.br under free domain laws

Ertzaintza members extracting evidence from the bar and restaurant "Pozik" in Martiriren Herria, 25 January 2019

Martiriren Herria, Brilliania The Ertzaintza of Martiriren Herria have announced some successes regarding the investigation of a shooting in a bar in Martiriren Herria two days ago.

A 34-year old female whose first name is Aña has been arrested on suspicion of murder and illegal usage of a fireweapon. Investigation of a motive is currently underway. The identities of all 8 victims have also been announced. Seven were Brillian nationals, and one was an Arzvan national named Azhars Svontemis. Police investigative units in Martiriren Herria are currently fully focused on the murder.

After the first announcement was made, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arzvan Republic has coördinated with the Ertzaintza to provide additional investigative resources, especially considering the motive and the death of Azhars Svontemis. In an interview with the Aržvus Saukundīs, the father of Azhars mentioned that he had a girlfriend called Anja, which is possibly the perpretator. The body of Azhars will be flown to his native hometown of Haskovo on Monday, after the autopsy is finished.

Domestic Headlines:
HEGOALDE: Just 1 day left until its revealed who will win Kanta 2019!
AKERRAU: Fifteen hospitalizations after poisoned soup was served at a church
Foreign Headlines:
VELEAZ: Interim government selected
ARZVAN REPUBLIC: Haskovo in tears after hearing of death of Arzvan national in bar shooting in Martiriren Herria

by **Ajerrin** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 5:47 pm

Day 2: PowerSavai AM Presentation
EndiWave Array
Presented By: Alon Chen, Vice President of BlueWave Energy
Corporations: BlueWave Energy - The Kingdom of Ajerrin

Mist gently fell from the skies.

The morning fog hovered on the coastline of Thadyrissen City as sunshine worked diligently to break through the cloud cover

Inside the city’s Schechifac Gateway Center hundreds gathered to hear the news from BlueWave Energy. On stage, a tall slender eastern Cataian man walked to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen I say mahalo to City of Thadyrissen and the The Aeian Environmental Agency. Mahalo to Dr.Fess, Director-General and Dr. Furuiki for having us here today. My name is Alon Chen and I am the Vice President of BlueWave Energy. My purpose here today is to celebrate that after nearly six years of construction, installation, operation, and maintenance, BlueWave Energy has validated tidal technology with the successful Phase 1 completion of the EndiWave Array off the Endiki Straight, creating one of the most powerful tidal arrays in the world.”

As the lights dimmed the crowd gave their applause. A projection on the wall showed giant PowerSavai logo, the BlueWave symbol, then birds-eye-view of the Phase 1 EndiWave Array.

“BlueWave has successfully engaged 55 turbines - 86 MWs - to power the EndiWave Array, which is on track to provide clean, sustainable, predictable power for at least 175,000 homes only hundreds of miles away in nearby Endiki, practically half the homes in the state.

The individually deployed turbines have undergone extensive monitoring by the Aeian Environmental Agency, showing few environmental impacts. Noise levels for turbines already churning away are well below a level that would cause damage, according to BlueWave’s environmental impact analysis. The biggest concern would be collisions with the marine mammals—particularly the harbor seal, whose populations have plummeted in recent years. But no collisions have yet been observed for the single turbine installations, according to a recent report from SafeOcean, the body established by the AEA to examine the environmental impacts of marine renewable energy.”

The birds-eye-view of the EndiWave Array starts to change, with additional turbines being added to the map as a timeline moves through 2026.

“Critics thought we wouldn’t get this far. But friends, the EndiWave project is building its record of firsts. But by 2026, BlueWave will have a 400 MV tidal stream capacity at the EndiWave Array, with consents and grid connection agreements in place to pave the way for additional milestones.”

As the crowd applause gains volume, the visuals once again change to the people of Endiki.

“The Array already supports thousands of local jobs, reduces carbon emissions, and will deliver significant, long-term supply chain benefits for the Ajerrin economy. Ladies and gentlemen, BlueWave is POWERing SAVAI”

by **Glanodel** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 11:22 am

by **West Azenyanistan** » Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:45 pm

UNITED CITIES NEWS AGENCY

The State of the Cities

Written by: Ryan Yaneza

Today marks the beginning of the 16th State of the Cities Address to be made by President Seras Gloriana Victory followed by a brief announcement of intentions by Vice President Selagosara Alronica and the official recognition of Prime Minister Anadadvar Noro as the head of legislature of the Azen Cities.

Meanwhile, as preparations are being finished, President Seras has announced that today too will make the beginning of a fresh start for the entire country. She announced beforehand that she would be speaking about a future focused on the development of the cities and the possibility of forming a more united country for all Azens to enjoy. She even suggested that this may be the chance for the Union to truly become a firm state that is no longer composed of just several cities but of one people.

by **AESYRiEL** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 1:29 pm

Entertainment » Loyken Awards

• Live Broadcast » 24/7 Live BNR News

Loyken Awards scheduled for Feburary 21st

All awards listed and announced, several more people confirmed for nominations

[From Left to Right]Nicholas Clements, Ivan Abraham and Jasper Olbrys

Written by Adrian Andrews, BFR.

[ Original Piece–BFR ] – As the 2018 season of Paraderan Theatrics comes to a close and the 2019 season begins in earnest to millions of spectators, the Loyken Awards Organization has pinned down the date of the Loyken Awards Premiere for the 2018 plays. On the edge of the premiere of the 2019 renewal of the musical Cornelissen and the cusp of the end of several other plays, including the end of the musical Molnár. Several different playwrights and actors have confirmed their appearance at the Loyken Awards of 2018, held in the Grand Theater of Leidenstad.

The Loyken Awards Organization changed their composition this year by removing the Opsterlandic Culture Guild from the voting committee and replacing the OCG with a new organization, the Uitkijk Theatrical Wing, and was sworn in. The Opsterlandic Culture Guild has recently come into hot water for possible fraudulent practices with different plays, and as a result, has been forcibly disbanded in an economic sense in an agreement by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Internal Economics.

Several shows and their directors that are not eligible for Loyken Awards have also confirmed their appearance at the premiere. The director of Riders of the Light: Mysterious Destiny, Herman Ruth, has confirmed his appearance as well as several other writers, animators, and musical ensembles. Herman also confirmed Riders of the Light: Mysterious Destiny to show exclusive footage at the Loyken Awards as an introductory film to the premiere.

The current roster of people who have confirmed their appearance go as follows: Jasper Olbrys [Cornelissen, Molnár], Jozef Bernhard [Cornelissen], Stanley Romein [Cornelissen], Leopold Daphine [Cornelissen], Amelia Zöe [Cornelissen], Martha Hadenwich [Cornelissen], Peter Goldsmith [Molnár], Caroline Markgraf [Molnár], Môrcela Jónkowska [Here in the North], Olav PettersenIvan [Here in the North], Łucjô Prebensen [Here in the North], Ivan Abraham [The Iron Dog], Nicholas Clements [Death to the Regency], Herman Ruth [RotL:MD], Benjamin Lengerman [RotL:MD], Melvin Brinks [RotL:MD], and Amanda Ruthers [RotL:MD].

The following awards and their repsective nominations are as follows: Best Musical [Cornelissen, Here in the North], Best Revival of a Musical [The Iron Dog, Death to the Regency, Molnár], Best Book of a Musical [Cornelissen, Here in the North], Best Original Score, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical [Here in the North], Best Book of a Musical [Cornelissen, The Iron Dog].

This awards list will be updated as more information gets released and confirmed. It is rumored that the Navish play 1971 will be nominated for several categories and that their director and several others involved in the play will make an appearance but has not been confirmed. The Loyken Awards will be broadcasted on Blue Republican Television Channel at 8:00 PM in Leidense Time, and will be broadcasted in Koningslander Television at 10:00 AM, but will be repeated twice throughout the day at 8:00 PM in Koningslander Time.

This article was written by Adrian Andrews. This version will not appear in the printed version of the Blue Flame Republic* in print. This article is copyrighted to the Blue Flame Republican* and to the writer and any mentioned contributors that are listed. All Rights Reserved
*Will appear as De Republikeinse Blauwe Vlam in Bunschoten and Koningsland. All Rights Reserved.

by **Onza** » Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:10 pm

ANALYSIS: Income inequality at all-time high, new report claims

Privatization in Onza is being done recklessly.
By Alhaji Isma'il, Staff Writer

KUNTA, ONZA - A new report published by the Onzaian economic watchdog Production Science and Analytics claims that income inequality has reached a point higher than it ever has been in the history of Onza. The report concluded this based on an increasing amount of wealth being owned by a smaller and smaller group of billionaires and a newly-calculated Gini coefficient of 41 -- a jump of six points from the last time the score was officially calculated three years ago.

Such numbers have only bolstered the credibility of a growing caucus within the Democratic Socialist Party -- as well as some Liberals known for siding with the Dem Socs on economic matters. These groups have charged for some time now that the Kojo-era Dem Soc party has been slowly shifting farther and farther to the right-wing, at least in terms of economics. "It's simply not sustainable," said Shahira Ejiroghene, a Dem Soc Assemblywoman representing Oshaxas. Ejiroghene was also one of the four individuals considered by the party to replace the deceased president-elect, Akbar Saab. "What we're seeing is the small-scale, but consistent privatization of key industries, and resultantly, less revenue for the government." According to Ejiroghene, this happens as the present leaders of the party continue to pump more money into ambitious public works projects and attempt to expand the social safety net, which already is one of the largest expenditures every year.

It was under Xolani Kojo's presidency that the Dem Socs put a high priority on addressing the seemingly-inevitable spending deficit, viewing it as the single issue that would hand the presidency over to the Liberals in 2018. Proposals from across the party ranged widely. Increase taxes? Onza already sees some of the highest tax rates in the world, and is among the most dedicated in the world to adding taxes to every little thing. Cut spending? There would be political irony (and death) in the party that championed a strong state suddenly cutting people off of it and reducing its ability to perform efficiently. Kojo, however, pushed forth a different idea. While not the architect of the plan (by most accounts, that title goes to Kojo's first Chief of Staff, Eskender Mandla), Kojo campaigned and lobbied relentlessly both the public and lawmakers directly. To the former, the idea was branded as a "major step towards bipartisan action," while the latter received a more data-driven account with numbers that were laughably optimistic.

The plan was address the deficit by targeting specific industries for privatization. The argument from Kojo's administration was that private businesspeople would handle the operations and workings of the company -- and would even compete to deliver more efficient service -- while the government would collect a small piece of revenue through corporate taxes. Critics initially said the gain in revenue would be too much marginal to justify, but they were swiftly reminded that all of the industries that would be targeted were those with no dream of breaking even, let alone generating revenue. Let the ambitious businesspeople handle it, the argument went.

The first agency to be privatized was the postal service in 2014. It became clear from the votes in both houses that the idea was hotly contested, but the number of legislators on board with the purported benefits of the plan outnumbered the opponents by a margin just big enough to push forward. This set the tone for the remaining years of Kojo's presidency, as not even a year later, garbage collection in several cities was privatized. Soon certain natural resources that had historically been owned by state monopolies (like bauxite, coal, and some natural gases) were now auctioned off at incredibly low rates to private companies -- oftentimes proxy wings of foreignly-owned conglomerates.

Privatization is a topic too large to spend this analysis criticizing, so instead the focus will be on what I claim is the real problem with this series of privatizations: the reckless process by which it was done.

I don't mean legislatively, obviously. Even though the margins continue to be fairly thin, there is a clear plurality -- and even a majority in some cases -- that continue to endorse this procedure. What I'm talking about is the careless manner by which the government has handed these industries over to ambitious business types that evolved into aggressive barons overnight. We were told that Onza's robust system of government oversight into business would prevent the development of monopolies in these sectors, and that price differences transitioning to private companies would be all but wiped out in a few years. Instead, Onzaians are no longer guaranteed postal service like they were five years ago, and the price of goods in industries that have been privatized are continuing to climb as their new corporate masters relentlessly squeeze every asset in their possession to milk out larger profit margins. This isn't even considering the ruthless layoffs that ensued shortly after many of these privatizations occured -- layoffs that we were promised would not be allowed, but have been blindly ignored by regulators.

There are benefits to be had with privatization. The privatization of Onza's cotton industry has been surprisingly beneficial for the consumer, as clothing companies are buying it much cheaper from the corporations that now govern its production than what they were able to when the government was gouging prices just to be able to pay its farmers. As it turns out, the private individuals now running the industry are much better at doing it effectively than bureaucrats working in the Ministry of Agriculture. But positive outcomes like this can only be obtained when these corporations aren't allowed to run amok with layoffs and cuts that are a pursuit of greed disguised as the pursuit of efficiency. It's clear when within the first year of business, the CEO of Mineralite, a company that didn't exist until millionaire Femi Jengo bought a portion of Onza's bauxite production after privatization legislation was passed, gives himself a $56 million bonus while employees saw wage growth that only met the minimum mandated by labor regulations.

How does this all relate to income inequality? Well, there's one key metric that ties this all together in the report. As a direct result of this increasingly-aggressive pursuit of privatization just to leave the government with a surplus in the treasury, the number of billionaires in Onza has increased by 181%. Femi Jengo had a net worth of $350 million when he purchased several bauxite mines from the government for $40 million dollars (mines that were valued well beyond this amount). His net worth is now $3 billion. This is not an uncommon story, and it is principally why income inequality numbers are climbing in Onza. President Ihejirika has ignored the issue of privatization since taking office, leaving it to Congress to decide what it will privatize next. It is time for him to take an active stance in advocating for the regulations that everybody else in the private economy has to abide by. If you're going to privatize our industries, at least be smart enough to do it slowly so that the example with the cotton industry is emulated rather than the bauxite industry's example. There have also been pushes recently to look at privatizing things such as health care and even prisons. While they may seem unimaginable now, and the margins by which they were defeated by are comforting, given a matter of years these calls will not be so foreign, and before long Onza's economy will be anarchic capitalism to the detriment of all of us.

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