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Where nations come together and discuss matters of varying degrees of importance. [In character]
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Tung Wan
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Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Eterrum Newsfeed

Postby Tung Wan » Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:29 pm

ETERRUM NEWSFEED

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Breaking news from Eterrum- anywhere, anytime.


NOTE: This forum is for members of Eterrum only. Please keep in-character in this forum, and refrain from posting anything besides official news (discussions should be kept to the RMB). Thank you!
Last edited by Tung Wan on Tue Jan 17, 2023 4:40 am, edited 6 times in total.

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Tung Wan
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Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Postby Tung Wan » Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:35 pm

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Kwun San Launches Bid to Host Eterran Olympics
STAFF WRITER Wong Wai-ho, 11 January 2023

KWUN SAN - The Tungwanese capital of Kwun San submitted an official bid to the Eterran Olympic Committee (EOC) yesterday to host the 2023 Olympic Games. The proposed plan will see the construction of eight new permanent venues and ten temporary facilities, in addition to renovations of 25 already-existing sporting venues. Combined with other infrastructure projects to support the mass influx of international visitors, costs of approximately ¥50 billion are expected.

Other touted infrastructure projects include the expansion of the Airport Express, the creation of temporary bus lines in and around Olympic venues, and multiple modernization projects focused around aging areas of Kwun San.

Members from the EOC, Tungwanese Olympic Committee (TOC), municipal government of Kwun San including Mayor Leung Suk-yee, and officials from the Ministry of Culture congregated at Kwun San Administrative Center this morning for a press conference concerning the bid.

"Further cementing Kwun San's place as a global city, we are proud to announce our bid for the 2023 Olympic Games," Mr. Leung said. "Our comprehensive plan gives us great confidence that we will be selected to host the upcoming Games."

Deputy Minister of Culture Wong Chun-yip announced the national government's support for the bid, adding that a ¥10 billion grant would be awarded to the city upon its selection as the host city. "We see this as an incredible opportunity to showcase to the world Tung Wan's ability to organize events of great scale and international importance," Mr. Wong said. "We believe that this will also provide viewers and visitors with yet another window into our country's unique culture."

The bid has attracted scrutiny from various political figures. Opposition Leader Ching Yu-sum focused four of his six allotted questions during this afternoon's session of PMQs on the cost of the games, the vast portion of which would be paid through public funds.

"Without consulting a single resident of Kwun San, the National Progressive Party has once again decided to dole out billions on a self-serving boondoggle," Mr. Ching said on the floor of the House of Representatives. "The last thing that the people of Kwun San need is a sparkling new stadium for beach volleyball or a state-of-the-art equestrian facility. What they need are remedies to the intense cost-of-living crisis that the honorable gentleman's party has neglected."

Conversely, various commentators have reacted positively to the promise that the Olympics will bring renovations to the city in much-needed areas. "I, along with many of my fellow citizens of Kwun San, are excited at the prospect of upgrades to the Capital Transit System and Cheungpo Bus Network." MP Lee Hei-wah for Pao Toi West said. "These renovations are exactly what the most productive city in the world needs to take things to the next level."

The EOC is expected to release its decision on the host city for the Games in the coming weeks.


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Last edited by Tung Wan on Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:42 am, edited 11 times in total.

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Sovaland
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Founded: Jan 09, 2023
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Postby Sovaland » Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:25 am

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General Secretary shot
by Henry Fischer
Saturday, 2023 JAN 14


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General Secretary Lionel Spencer in July 2015.

Sovaland City - In a shocking turn of events, an assassination attempt on General Secretary Lionel Spencer occurred earlier today. The incident took place as the General Secretary was giving a speech at a rally in downtown Sovaland City.

According to eyewitnesses, a gunman opened fire on the General Secretary as he was speaking on stage. SIDA (Sovish Internal Defense Agency) agents quickly jumped into action, pushing the General Secretary to safety and neutralizing the shooter.

The General Secretary was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently being treated for his injuries. Chairman Montgomery Young has issued a statement saying that the General Secretary is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

The shooter has been identified as a 27-year-old man with a history of mental illness. He was taken into custody by SIDA and is currently being questioned as we speak.

The nation is in shock as this is the first assassination attempt on a General Secretary in over two decades. The Chairman has issued a statement condemning the attack and asking the Sovalandic people to come together in this time of crisis.

The General Secretary's rally was cut short due to the attack, but the Chairman has stated that the General Secretary's schedule for the rest of the week will be cancelled as he recuperates. SIDA is reviewing security protocols in light of this incident and is working closely with local and federal law enforcement to ensure the safety of the General Secretary and the Sovish people.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Read More:
General Secretary shot: Tung Wan's response
Shooter of General Secretary revealed
Ancient burial site in Selltshire uncovered
Sovaland City Council to Increase Taxes to Fund Public Transportation

Comments:
Fero333:
Wow this was sudden
14 JAN 2023, 19:37

John Turner:
[Comment removed]
14 JAN 2023, 19:39

James Fur:
This is a cowardly act of violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to the General Secretary and his family during this difficult time.
14 JAN 2023, 19:42

Bottle123:
@James Fur I agree
14 JAN 2023, 20:02

Afr0m4n:
I have full confidence in SIDA and our law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrator of this heinous crime to justice.
14 JAN 2023, 20:32

HarrisonL:
I am deeply saddened by this tragic event. The General Secretary is a true leader who has the best interests of the Sovish people at heart. I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
14 JAN 2023, 21:37
Last edited by Sovaland on Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:49 am, edited 7 times in total.

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Tung Wan
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Posts: 6
Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Postby Tung Wan » Wed Jan 18, 2023 12:56 am

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"We Want Gold": Indomitables Aim for Olympic Victory
STAFF WRITER, SPORTS Lau Mei-ting, 11 January 2023

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Veteran midfielder Chan Hoi-wah plays a pass in a match against Khwaraz

TIN WAN - National football team manager Leung Lok-keung is setting his sights high for the upcoming Olympic Games, asserting that the side's goal for the tournament will be a gold medal, in a recent interview with RTTW Sport.

"We want gold. I have made it clear to the players that we cannot and will not settle for any less." Mr. Leung said, when asked his ambitions for the Eterran Olympics, which could potentially be held in Kwun San, depending on the outcome of the EOC bid selection process. "Much of the squad was on the 2021 bronze medal team. They are hungry to do even better this time out."

Among the bronze medalists expected to return for the Olympic squad are the attacking winger pairing of captain Chan Sze-ying and veteran Chan Hoi-wah. The pair have a combined total of 158 international appearances.

"Yeah, the lads are itching to get an Olympic call-up." Mr. Chan Hoi-wah said. "Outside of the Gold Cup, this is the tourney that [a player] most wants to play in." In addition to the 2021 Games, Mr. Chan Hoi-wah has appeared in every Olympic squad since 2015.

The Indomitables are scheduled to play a pair of friendlies at Hingwong Emperor National Stadium next week, allowing Manager Leung to evaluate his options before selecting his final squad, which is set to be announced in early February. The first match, on Friday, January 20 will feature a younger side playing against Pattania. The second match, set for Sunday, January 22, will see many of the squad's bigger names appear as the Indomitables take on reigning world number 1 Sanglonne.

For many squad members, the prospect of a Olympics played at home has raised the stakes even higher. "I think every footballer dreams of being able to lift a big trophy in front of their home fans," vice-captain Lee Wai-ho said. "It's one of those things you daydream about as a little boy. Every one of the boys will be playing their hearts out to get on that squad."


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Sovaland
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Posts: 5
Founded: Jan 09, 2023
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Postby Sovaland » Wed Jan 18, 2023 9:30 am

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General Secretary shot: Tung Wan's response
by Arnold Anderson
Tuesday, 2023 JAN 16


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Prime Minister Chan Cheuk-wah of Tung Wan.

Sovaland City - In the wake of the assassination attempt on our General Secretary Lionel Spencer, Prime Minister Chan Cheuk-wah of Tung Wan has expressed his support for the Sovish government and people.

In his daily televised address to the Tungwanese public, Chan conveyed his shock and dismay at the news of the attack, and offered the full support of Tung Wan to the Sovish government as they work to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

The Prime Minister also expressed his wishes for General Secretary Spencer to make a speedy recovery from his injuries. He stated that Tung Wan stands in solidarity with the Sovish people during this difficult time, and that the Tungwanese government will continue to support the Sovish government in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of their citizens.

The attempted assassination of the Sovish leader is a clear act of terrorism and violence, and the international community must come together to condemn it and work towards a peaceful resolution. The support from Tungwanese Prime minister is a positive step in the right direction. The world is now watching and waiting to see how the situation will develop and how the Sovish government will handle the situation.

Read More:
General Secretary shot
Shooter of General Secretary revealed
Ancient burial site in Selltshire uncovered

Comments:
Chickenlover69:
Nice for our Prime Minister. Love from TW!
16 JAN 2023, 16:15

Hester Gold:
I am glad to see Tung Wan's Prime Minister expressing his support for the Sovish government and people. It's important that we stand in solidarity with our allies during difficult times like these.
16 JAN 2023, 16:45

[Banned]:
[Comment removed]
16 JAN 2023, 22:05

W4termelon333:
@[Banned] What?
17 JAN 2023, 8:32

Quarter Wells:
@W4termelon333 Ignore him. He's just a spammer
17 JAN 2023, 9:11
Last edited by Sovaland on Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:41 am, edited 7 times in total.

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Tung Wan
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Posts: 6
Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Postby Tung Wan » Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:29 am

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Staff Picks: 2022 Golden Pegasus Awards
EDITORS Fong Mei-yam, Keung Wa-lok, Szeto Kam-sing, Mak Ka-wai 18 January 2023

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A total of 19 awards will be presented to the best Tungwanese films released in 2022

KWUN SAN - Awards season for the Tungwanese cinema industry caps off with the 46th Golden Pegasus Awards ceremony this Friday evening, and like every year since the Awards' inception in 1977, the RTTW Entertainment team is releasing their predictions for which films will be earning the coveted equine gold trophies.

Best Film: The Liberators
While in most years, Best Film is the category that takes us the most deliberation to select, The Liberator has our pick in a heartbeat. A sympathetic and nuanced portrayal of Lieutenant General Chu Tai-fook and his men during the Great Rebellion is a risky premise, and film perfectly walks a delicate tightrope of humanizing Chu, whilst not being afraid to portray him as an oft-domineering and misguided leader. Initially, Director Koo Wing-hei courted controversy when he announced this project back in 2019, but those critics have been left eating their words. Easily Koo's and this year's best picture.

Best Director: Koo Wing-hei, The Liberators
Every single one of Koo's projects are labors of love, and The Liberators is no different- but the film genuinely is a cut above his past works. This is reflected in the reports from the set: that Director Koo was always the first to arrive to the shoot and last to leave, recruited producer Leung Suet-lam by intercepting her whilst she was on vacation in Pattania, and perhaps most spectacularly, crashed a meeting of Keung Family Studios executives to beg for more funding for the project. But directorial heroics aside, every bit of this film flourishes under the hand of Koo, and so according to us, Best Director goes to him.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Chow Kam-po, Downward Spiral
We aren't just selecting Chow-Chow for a feel-good moment- no, his return to the silver screen after a seven-year hiatus really was commanding enough to warrant our Best Actor pick. The role of Darren Wong in Downward Spiral was perhaps the most emotionally versatile of any character from any film this year, and Chow absolutely knocks this one out of the park. His performance reduced all of us to tears, even Brother Wai- and he "never cries at movies". Regardless, if this his first performance in his long-awaited return to acting, then what a way to come back- and if this is his last, then what a way to end it.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Woo Hoi-shan, A Lady's Throne
It seems as if every star actress plays Empress Laimei at one point or another in their careers, a real vehicle to stardom for innumerable actresses: Cheung Wing-yee instantly comes to mind. Woo has plenty of reference points with which we can contrast her performance, which only gives us more confidence in our pick. A Lady's Throne deviates from the period dramas that loved to characterize Laimei as a strong, yet emotional ruler. Instead, Woo brilliantly portrays an Empress whose femininity only strengthens her leadership through adversity. Her commanding presence on screen wins her Best Actress in our eyes.

Best Cinematography: Lai Chi-man, For What It's Worth
Lai Chi-man has been in this industry since its inception, but the veteran cinematographer proves that he hasn't lost the touch that won him five of these awards in the past. It's often said in the world of cinema that 'story comes before spectacle', but Lai proves that a balance can be struck between the two. The emotional rollercoaster of For What It's Worth is only heightened by the moody, gorgeous shots that Lai seems to effortlessly put together. And at the age of 68, it seems Lai isn't done experimenting just yet. His dolly shots, Dutch angles, and manipulation of the depth of field all combine to create an optical magnus opus.

Best Film Score: Kiki Lee, Downward Spiral
We'll admit that when we first saw Kiki Lee post to her social media that she was going to be writing the film score to a major motion picture last year, we were all shocked. Sister Fong couldn't stop laughing, and who could blame her? The bubblegum pop diva is a far cry from your Spyros Maniatakises and your Victor Charbonniers- or so we thought. Clearly Lee's repertoire is far greater than any of us could ever imagine, because her score's leitmotifs can be heard in every track- from full orchestral grandeur to a subtle tension-builder in the background. Kiki, if you're reading this, you have our pick, and Sister Fong's apology.

Best Debuting Performer: Au Yeung Kwok-hung, Ship At Sea
Plenty of films have been made about Tung Wan's seafaring heritage, but few of them can be considered classics (it's hard to write a compelling narrative when you're confined to a small boat). Ship At Sea ran the risk of running aground with the same issue, but Au Yeung proved to be the wind in this film's sails. Characterized as an inexperienced but prodigious sailor, Lieutenant Yeung Man-wai carries every scene he's in, thanks to the liveliness of Au Yeung's portrayal. But there's a subtle deftness in Au Yeung's acting that makes him seem like a seasoned actor, one that makes him stand out and elevates him to our first choice.

Best Foreign Language Film: In The Garden Of Sofia
An Omorfian flick once again has our blessing for Best Foreign Language Film, although surprisingly, this war epic only came runner-up in the Omorfian film awards. Still, this visually stunning, action-packed, breathtaking behemoth of a film was incredible to behold from start to finish. Unlike most blockbusters of its kind, the onslaught of action doesn't become repetitive, thanks to the painstaking work done by the VFX and animation teams, who augmented live-action shots and made every battle scene a joy to watch. An honorable mention goes out to hilarious Mahavian crime drama Palaayan Chaalak, which also has a good shot.

You can catch the 46th Golden Pegasus Awards on RTTW 2, or online at our website, on Friday, January 20, at 8:00 PM.


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Sovaland
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Founded: Jan 09, 2023
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Postby Sovaland » Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:59 am

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Shooter of General Secretary revealed
by Arnold Anderson
Tuesday, 2023 JAN 18


Sovaland City - In a follow-up to the assassination attempt on our General Secretary a few days ago, the identity of the shooter has been revealed. The man responsible for the attack has been identified as John Smith, a resident of Sovaland City.

According to law enforcement officials, Smith had a history of mental illness and had been previously institutionalized. He had no known connections to any political or extremist groups. In an interview with Smith's father, it appeared Smith had been struggling with mental health issues for several years and had been receiving treatment from local clinics. However, it appears that he had stopped taking his medication and had become increasingly isolated in the weeks leading up to the attack.

Family members and friends have expressed their shock and disbelief at Smith's actions, describing him as a kind and gentle person who had never shown any signs of violence.

The mental health community has also weighed in on the incident, calling for a renewed focus on addressing and treating mental illness. Many have pointed out that Smith's case highlights the need for better access to mental health care and the importance of ensuring that those in need receive the treatment they require.

Smith has been charged with the attempted murder of the General Secretary and will be facing a federal trial. The trial date has been set for six months from now, and the prosecution has announced that they will seek life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

The defence has stated that they will be mounting an insanity defence for John Smith, arguing that he was not in the right state of mind at the time of the attack due to his untreated mental illness.

The incident has reignited the debate around access to mental health care and the treatment of mental illness in Sovaland, with many calling for better resources and support for those dealing with mental health issues.

General Secretary Spencer, meanwhile, has been discharged from the hospital and is recuperating at his home. His schedule for the rest of the week has been cancelled as he does so. Chairman Montgomery Young has taken over Spencer's duties in the meantime.

The attack has sent shockwaves through the nation and has raised questions about security protocols and the mental health system. The General Secretary's staff has released a statement thanking SIDA for their quick actions and the medical personnel who treated the General Secretary.

Read More:
General Secretary shot
General Secretary shot: Tung Wan's response
Ancient burial site in Selltshire uncovered
Sovaland City Council to Increase Taxes to Fund Public Transportation

Comments:
No comments so far
Last edited by Sovaland on Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:49 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Tung Wan
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Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Postby Tung Wan » Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:51 pm

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Tung Wan vs. Pattania: Live Commentary Feed
STAFF WRITER, SPORTS Lau Mei-ting, 20 January 2023

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Veteran midfielder Chan Hoi-wah plays a pass in a match against Khwaraz

Welcome to this live commentary feed as Tung Wan takes on Pattania in preparation for the Olympics. Manager Leung Lok-keung has opted to select a youthful side for this friendly match. Head-to-head, Tung Wan have the better record against their fellow South Erimian side, with the Indomitables recording four wins, one draw, and one loss against today's opponents. Their last meeting was a 2-0 Tungwanese win at home in 2020 Gold Cup qualifying. Currently, Tung Wan place 4th in World Rankings, while Pattania are some ways down in 28th.
KICK-OFF
Pattanian center forward Thornthep Kaewmanee gets us underway here in Kwun San as the visiting side.

3' CHANCE
Tung Wan are already in firm control of this match, and Lee Wai-tsun flashes a shot wide after some promising build up. This young side hasn't played together before, but they're gelling together quite nicely.

11' CHANCE
The War Elephants have looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and they are overloading Tung Wan on the wings when they win the ball back. Kaewmanee wriggles his way to the edge of the eighteen-yard box, but skies his attempt well over the crossbar.

14' BOOKING
Yeung Yiu-kwok has his name taken in the referee's book after a late challenge on Chakri Tansoongnen.

27' CHANCE
Ng Ka-long is streaking through the center of the park and it doesn't look like the Pattanian back line can keep up here. Ng is through with support behind him!

27' GOAL!!!
Ng selflessly lays it off to Lee, who strikes it cleanly past Pattanian keeper Somchai Pongsak to open the scoring for the Indomitables! Tung Wan 1, Pattania 0.

31' CHANCE
Cheung Wai-to has found himself in a prime position to cross! Lee Wai-tsun is at the back post! But it's well wide in the end.

35' CHANCE
Pattania have seized the momentum here. Nipaat Sirishumsaeng is coming forward with real impetus, and he plays a brilliant over-the-top ball for Kaewmanee!

35' GOAL!!!
Kaewmanee's goal could not have been placed any better! The War Elephants' all-time top scorer adds another to the collection. Tung Wan 1, Pattania 1.

HALFTIME
It's Tung Wan 1, Pattania 1 at the break.

SECOND HALF
Both sides have opted to make changes. For Tung Wan, Yeung Yiu-kwok, who is on a yellow, makes way for Chan Tai-fung. Pattanian winger Kulpat Pachrapa comes off for Apichart Ratanarak.

55' BOOKING
Tanutam Chaipatana's two-footed challenge on Cheung Wai-to earns him a yellow card.

62' CHANCE
Substitute Chan Tai-fung has been a real breath of fresh air. He's been the main creative force for Tung Wan this half, and he spots Cheung Wai-to making a blistering run into the Pattanian box!

62' GOAL!!!
Cheung Wai-to prods in a stellar cross from Chan. The pair embrace by the corner flag in celebration, and the hosts are happy again. Tung Wan 2, Pattania 1.

63' SUBSTITUTION
Woo Ming-fung comes off the pitch for Yip Ching-chiu.

69' CHANCE
A nice passing sequence from Pattania sees them advance all the way up into Tung Wan's defensive third. Kaewmanee's strike... forces a brilliant save from keeper Wong Ching-fei. Despite conceding, it has been a solid international debut for the youngster.

77' SUBSTITUTION
It's Paween Janpong off for the visitors and Chalerm Kulawanit who replaces him.

80' CHANCE
Lee Wai-tsun has a chance from a direct free kick about 25 yards out. If anyone has the ability to put this ball into the back of the net from mid-range, it's him.

80' GOAL!!!
An absolutely spectacular goal! Lee's shot curls around the four-man Pattanian wall and finds the underside of the crossbar for a worldie of a goal! We'll be seeing that on repeat for some while! Tung Wan 3, Pattania 1.

90+2' CHANCE
A late chance here for Pattania. Ratanarak streaks down the right-hand side with an excellent display of technique. He's found his way past his marker, and his shot is wide by agonizing margins! That certainly deserved a goal after such hard work to get there.

FULL TIME
The three minutes of stoppage time comes to an end, and referee Kostas Manopoulos promptly blows his whistle. Both sides gave a good account of themselves today, and Manager Leung will be pleased to know that he has strength in depth at the upcoming Games. Join us again on Sunday when a full-strength Indomitables side takes on a Sanglonne side ranked first in the world.

It ends Tung Wan 3, Pattania 1.

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Sovaland
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Founded: Jan 09, 2023
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Postby Sovaland » Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:40 am

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Ancient burial site in Selltshire uncovered
by James Rendall
Tuesday, 2023 JAN 23


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Iron Age burial site in Selltshire.

Hammington - Archaeologists in Hammington have made a groundbreaking discovery with the unearthing of an ancient burial site. The site, which is believed to date back to the Iron Age, was discovered during an excavation in Selltshire County.

The team of experts, led by Dr. Lauren Fletchley of the University of Hammington, uncovered a number of graves containing human remains, as well as artefacts such as pottery and jewellery. The graves appear to have been carefully arranged and show evidence of funerary rituals, suggesting a strong cultural and religious significance to the community that buried their dead there.

According to Dr. Fletchley, the discovery of the burial site is of great importance for understanding the history of the region. "This is a truly remarkable find," she said. "It provides us with a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in Selltshire during the Iron Age and gives us a deeper understanding of their culture and beliefs."

Further analysis of the remains and artefacts is expected to provide more information about the population and their way of life, including their diet, health, and social status. The results of this study will be published in a forthcoming academic journal.

The ancient burial site will be preserved and protected in partnership with the local community and will be open to the public for visits and tours. The discovery will also be used to educate the public and school children about the rich history of Sovaland.

The discovery has generated excitement among the archaeological community and is expected to lead to further research and excavations in the area. This latest find adds to the growing body of knowledge about the history of Sovaland and the people who lived there.

This is a truly exciting discovery that will help to paint a more complete picture of life in ancient Sovaland and will provide valuable insights into the past for generations to come.

Read More:
General Secretary shot
General Secretary shot: Tung Wan's response
Shooter of General Secretary revealed
Sovaland City Council to Increase Taxes to Fund Public Transportation

Comments:
Jane Smith:
Ground-breaking discovery.
23 JAN 2023, 14:21
Last edited by Sovaland on Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Sovaland
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Founded: Jan 09, 2023
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Postby Sovaland » Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:47 am

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Sovaland City Council to Increase Taxes to Fund Public Transportation
by Poppy Fisher
Saturday, 2023 FEB 25


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A typical Sovaland City bus in Sovaland City Centre.

Sovaland City - In a controversial move, the Sovaland City Council has voted to increase property taxes in order to fund improvements to the city's public transportation system. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from residents, some of whom support the move as a necessary step to improve the city's infrastructure, while others are concerned about the financial burden it may place on homeowners.

The proposed tax increase will raise property taxes by 2%, which is expected to generate approximately ᗟ50 million in additional revenue each year. This money will be used to fund a variety of transportation projects, including the expansion of bus routes and the construction of new subway lines.

Proponents of the tax increase argue that it is necessary to address the growing transportation needs of Sovaland City's residents. The city has seen a significant increase in population over the past decade, which has led to overcrowding on public transportation and increased traffic congestion on the roads. They believe that the investment in public transportation will not only improve the quality of life for residents but also benefit the local economy by making it easier for people to get to work and access local businesses.

Opponents of the tax increase, however, argue that it is unfair to place the burden on homeowners and that the council should find other ways to fund transportation improvements. They suggest that the city should seek funding from the national government or explore other revenue-generating options, such as congestion charges.

The debate over the tax increase has been ongoing for several months, with both sides presenting their arguments at public meetings and through social media campaigns. Despite the opposition, the council ultimately voted in favor of the tax increase, citing the urgent need to address the transportation challenges facing the city.

The tax increase is set to take effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year, and the council has promised to provide regular updates on the progress of transportation projects funded by the tax revenue.

Residents will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the developments, eager to see whether the tax increase will lead to real improvements in Sovaland City's transportation system or if it will simply be a burden on their wallets.

Read More:
General Secretary shot
General Secretary shot: Tung Wan's response
Shooter of General Secretary revealed
Ancient burial site in Selltshire uncovered

Comments:
Bruxon112:
I really wonder how this will turn out.
25 Feb 2023, 12:13

Johndoe:
Finally! I always thought public transportation in the capital city was a little lacking
25 Feb 2023, 17:47

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Tung Wan
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Founded: Feb 03, 2022
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Postby Tung Wan » Wed May 03, 2023 1:45 am

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Inquiry Reveals ¥35 Million Gov't. Program to Maximize Efficiency Produced No Results
STAFF WRITER Cheng Yiu-lei, 3 May 2023

KWUN SAN - An inquiry published by an investigative committee chaired by New Party MP Koh Fook-sing was published prior to Tuesday's Legislative Council session, revealing that the Chief Executive Office had spent approximately ¥35 million over four years on a program internally referred to as the Productivity Solutions Project with the goal of developing strategies to maximize the efficiency of governmental affairs, with no tangible results to show for the spending.

Chief Executive Chan Cheuk-wah was grilled on the Project in today's session of Chief Executive's Questions, facing scrutiny from Opposition Leader Leung Tin-lok, who dedicated three of his allotted six questions towards the research and development program.

"The Chief Executive, throughout his time in office, has repeatedly thrown taxpayers' money in the bin, and the Productivity Solutions Project is just another example in a litany of government waste that has come to epitomize this administration," Mr. Leung said. "Does the Chief Executive realize that such waste is an affront to the hardworking Tungwanese people?"

Mr. Chan, albeit unflinching in his response to the Opposition Leader, was heckled thoroughly by members opposite the aisle as he spoke.

"My administration has always been focused upon delivering the best for the people of this great country. Any endeavor worth funding runs the risk of being derailed by any number of unforeseen circumstances." Mr. Chan said. "The Project, despite not reaching the outcome we had hoped for, still provided us with valuable insights that we can apply to the day-to-day running of the government."

Various members of the Opposition were unconvinced by the Chief Executive's answer, including People's Party MP Wong Chun-hang for Leng Ha Southeast.

"If the Chief Executive had bothered to read the full results of the inquiry, he would have found that the panel concluded there was absolutely nothing of use produced by the Program." Mr. Wong said. "In fact, spending only continued because the Chief Executive simply neglected to review the Program's annual reports. How can we trust the Chief Executive to manage our national budget if he so easily forgets just what he's spending our money on?"

In his reply to Mr. Wong, the Chief Executive took aim at his predecessor, former New Party leader and Chief Executive Ng Chun-ting. "I distinctly remember six years ago the allotment of a quarter of a billion yoon for a bridge to a town in the Islands East District with forty people living in it, an allotment that was only canceled after concerns were raised by our party." Mr. Chan said, referencing the proposed Lei Yue Island Bridge that became a heated point of debate in the Legislative Council in 2015. "If [Mr. Ng] wants to talk about a party that is willing to so easily waste the money of the taxpayers, perhaps he should look to his colleagues sitting on the benches in front of him."

When reached for comment, the Chief Executive Office confirmed that the program was shut down following the results of the inquiry. The Office declined to comment on the inquiry's findings.


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