Artemis Regional News Thread [Closed|IC|Artemis]

[Artemis Proper]

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News of the Eastern Continents

News of the Eastern Continents is an Artemis initiative to make news from Borealis, Irathava, and Nepantia available to everyone in the world. By working with our partners in this region, we hope to deliver high quality, varied news, editorials, op-eds, and other journalism to inform readers of current events.

Rules

1. Only members of Artemis may post in this thread.
2. Posts should be posted in roughly real time, give or take a few days.
3. All posts should be in-character and realistic, and everything here is considered in-canon unless otherwise retconned.
4. Multiple news agencies per nation are allowed, but members are asked to not flood the thread in a short amount of time with different sources.

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[Calpullali]

WORLD
Assembly controversy over organ donorship

Legislative Congress of the Coalition in Hueynochtlan where the Representative of all the constituting Calpulleh meet.

Tzamox - December 06, 2019
Hueynochtlan — This session of the Assembly of All Representatives was once again troubled by quarrels over the latest project of a Coalition-wide legislation. For the past three months, Representatives have hotly debated over the matter of organ donations. Currently, the matter is left to the decision of each Calpulli, which mean the Coalition is another patchwork of widely diverging legislations on the subject, with some Wards allowing them, other outright banning the practice, or on the contrary making it mandatory. It isn’t helped by the fact very few Calpulleh have hospitals with the required equipment for such operations, making it difficult for most Wards to enforce their own laws on the matter.

Thus, the current bickering of the Assembly only highlight the ongoing public health crisis in the Coalition : because of the sovereignty each Ward pride itself on, the current system is widely considered to be inefficient : only large Associations of Wards can support the costs linked to a running hospital, and others have to do with smaller clinics, or with nothing at all in some cases. Patients who need heavy treatments may thus be overcharged if they’re from the wrong Ward, among other logistical and legal difficulties. To avoid this, small Calpulleh may sign agreements with larger ones concerning public health matters even with other Calpulleh from another Association. Even if the procedures have been somewhat simplified and the differences between the treatment of Calpulleh smoothed over the years, the fact remain that there are great Health disparities in the Coalition, with entire regions which can receive the qualification of “medical deserts” because they are unattractive for doctors, who prefer to settle on the Coalition’s coastline, richier Wards who can afford to attract them, or remain in the Wards that have formed them, having no loyalty to any of the Coalition’s other Wards. The liberal nature of their profession also mean that the Assembly of All Representatives and other Coalized Institutions have little say on their doing, except maybe for the largest Hospital-Universities, which have in some case been elevated to the status of fully autonomous Ward in their own rights.

The current debates are just a smaller aspect of this larger problem that cannot be tackled because it is itself part of a larger, almost institutional, division that has plagued the Coalition since it’s creation. On one side, the Representatives and politicians wishing for a more “federal” Coalition, with more powers given to the Intercalpulleh institutions and further homogenisation of the legal and political systems. Other however, have staunchly defended the sovereignty, if not the independence, of their Calpullis, arguing that the Coalition cannot impose laws top-to-bottom in a system centered on the concept of “Free Association”. It’s the division between these two factions, and all the nuances in between, that makes any attempt by the Assembly to reform the current system a long and difficult process.

Frustration at the local level is also growing, as the ongoing gesticulations of the Assembly over what relatively minor details are perceived as a refusal by the Representatives to address more immediate issues, such as the job crisis the country is facing, internal immigrations with Calpulleh refusing access to migrants from other Wards or exploiting them for cheap labour, and the failure of many Calpullis to keep up with the rising costs of modern infrastructures, from roads, to schools, and hospitals...

With the end of the “Fourth Generation” of politicians, it seems like there’s been a lack of people with a global program and an all-encompassing vision capable of pushing the coalition past its limitations. The fact the world has only been more and more interconnected and globalized since the end of the 20th century has greatly weakened the vision of Maxtatlon a world made of a collection of autonomous free associations, independent from one another.

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© Artemis Initiative, 2019 - Artemis.int - Delivering information as a right, not a luxury.

[Enyama]

Newly-launched Barca Space Station Core reportedly struck by meteorite

The Barca Core in October, shortly after launch. The Centrifuge is retracted in this picture.
Cpt. Horea Lacarescu - DESS

Radu Burluc - 12 December 2019
Arlina — DESS (Departamentul de Explorare Spațială Sovascariană) has reported that its newly launched Barca space station core has reportedly been struck by space debris in the form of a "high-speed extrasolar meteorite"; the object reportedly obliterated the core's experimental centrifuge (which was designed to spin and generate 0.6G worth of gravity, a first for human space exploration) as well as its triple-stacked Solar Array, which was the station core's planned primary source of power generation until the addition of later modules, the first of which was planned for mid-2020.

DESS and the Sovascarian Government have both reported that they have re-established contact with the Station Core's three-person skeleton crew; however, the core's orbit has been slightly destabilized and its power generation capabilities have been completely crippled. DESS, which had advertised its "next-generation station" idea to the global international community, has reportedly reached out both to public and private space organizations with the goal of performing emergency repairs on the Station Core, including replenishment of the Core's air reserves, and modification of the damaged exterior to allow for docking of larger vessels again. Broadcasting on the internet, Cpt. Horea Lazarescu, Mission Commander for the Barca 1 Mission, lent support to the Sovascarian People and the international community, insisting that he and his crew would be "fine" until help arrived, while he also praised the competency of the Barca program's engineers, which had installed a backup Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) for use when the station was blocked from the sun by the planet or moon; the Generator is now solely responsible for powering the Core for the entirety of its solar day. Some have raised concerns about the potential longevity of the RTG, due to the risk of crew exposure to the reactor's dangerous radioactive byproducts and particles.

The Revolutionary Council of Sovascaria has expressed concern regarding the Barca expedition, and have personally reiterated DESS's call for international support in securing the future of the station core. With the Centrifuge destroyed, it is unlikely that the station will continue to serve as an experiment in engineering artificial spin gravity; however, other scheduled science experiments, including hydroponics experiments, are scheduled to continue. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ion Vulcan of the Stag Party, and Liberal-Conservative Leader Adam Stinga, have both expressed concern as to the potential military applications of stations built along with the specifications of Barca 1; one analyst noted that such a station could serve as a nuclear defense platform or a launch site for high-altitude reconnaissance planes. The Revolutionary Council did not extensively comment on the Space Program's potential military applications, with Councilor Răsvan Voicu calling such applications "frivolous, unrealistic, and far too expensive to be practical."

The Sovascarian public and many international space enthusiasts now wait in tension to see what the fate of what was to be the world's largest Space Station will be; engineers at DESS and other space agencies have already conceptualized high-power "space lasers" which could work to obliterate space debris before impact with the station. With DESS having a "blank check" from the Sovascarian government, one could expect that this is the last time such a catastrophe will happen to a Barca-class Station.

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© Tribuna Populară, 2019

[Nauvite Deseret]

Antipas Superior Court rules in favor of provincial council; says impeachment of governor "completely legal"
ROY ZENIFF DECEMBER 28, 2019

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OTTO AKISH

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GIDEON, ANTIPAS — In a landmark ruling that may shape provincial politics for years to come, the Antipas Superior Court, the highest court in the province, has ruled that the provincial council acted within the bounds of its constitutional authority and completely within the laws of impeachment when it removed former governor Adam Watkins from his seat in 2015.

Watkins, a member of the Antipas Unity Party, was elected governor in 2012 in a contentious race against current governor Nathaniel Jeneum of the United Lamanite Front. With only 4,500 votes difference between them after two hand recounts, Watkins was sworn in during a time of increasing tension between the Nephite and Lamanite resident of the province, pushing forward on his promises to "reconcile differences" and work with both groups to improve the economic situation.

After allegations came out in 2014 of Watkins' running mate, then secondary governor Mae Stanley, of accepting monetary compensation for loosening enforcement of provincial health regulations on certain businesses, an investigation into Stanley and the administration was launched. The discovery of Watkins engaging in illicit, undertable deals with Coconeh unionists to sell the restricted corporate processes of companies operating within the province led to the independent prosecutors recommending charges of corruption, espionage, and abuse of power to the Antipas Pronvicial Council.

While the Acxotlan Union denied involvement in the scheme of trade secret selling, documents supeoned by the Provincial Council have pointed to one "Coaxoch" as a Acxotlan liaison. Further evidence has shown payments from the Acxotlan Union, through Coaxoch and other channels, to Watkins lining up with the timeline of events created through interviews and documents obtained by the independent proescutors. This opened the Provincial Council's impeachment proceedings, and prompted Stanley to resign in an effort to minimize her unrelated corruption charges.

After the Provincial Council voted 28-2 to remove Watkins as governor in November of 2015, he launched a lawsuit against the body alleging that their removal was "acted without the oversight of the Federal Committee on Provincial Affairs", putting it in violation of provincial statutes that require impeachment and other such proceedings to occur in an environment "that makes any and all attempt to establish a factual foundation free of prejudice". He also asserted that the removal was prompted by race, and accused Lamanite leadership of seeking to "purge the province" of Nephites.

The Superior Court's ruling on December 28, 2019, seems to be the final nail in the coffin for Watkins and his party, as he fights a trial in federal court that is looking to charge him with illegal international trade and corruption. Executive Justice Lewis Klum synopsized the ruling as, "obvious when presented with the evidence of the case and the effort of the council to be thorough and just." The Antipas Unity Party itself filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, as legal fees mounted and its donorbase quickly dried up, putting the future of the party in a grim light. As the nation prepares for the 2020 midterm elections, public approval of the party seems to have reached a new low with this ruling.

[Masovya]

WORLD
Fears of coup as gunfire interrupt Emperor's birthday in Masovya

Apparent loyalist troops preventing people or press entering the mayor's offices in Masiligrad
Pastukh Feodora Aleksandrovna - MINN

Komarov Erik Danilovich - 29 JANUARY 2020
MASILIGRAD — As celebrations of Emperor Alexander V's birthday were underway at the capital's palace - formerly the Winter Palace before the Christmas Revolution of 1878 - the sound of fireworks were replaced by heavy gunfire, helicopters and aircraft. Many inside and outside the palace thought that it was part of the birthday celebrations - until the arriving soldiers, wearing armbands, entered into a firefight with the Imperial Guard and non-armband wearing soldiers also arriving at the same time. The Imperial Government confirmed an hour later that a coup was underway but the "situation was under control"

As dawn rose in the capital the gun battles continued and have reportedly been echoed throughout the country. Several anonymous sources inside Masovya's military have reported conflicting orders arriving. One source told Artemis Initiative that he was ordered to, at first, arrest the senior members of his division and then in a second order to consider the division's attached units as hostile and to eliminate them 'for the emperor'.

Reporters in the capital city have been instructed to remain in their hotels or news centers as public transport in and out of the city has ground to a halt, with images showing Masovyan tanks crossing into the city from one of the city's many army depots built to defend the city from outside threats.

As yet no information has emerged regarding the welfare of the Imperial Family, who were present during the celebrations at the time the gunfire commenced, and no information as to the whereabouts of members of parliament that never arrived at the palace.

More as it comes.

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© Artemis Initiative, 2020 - Artemis.int - Delivering information as a right, not a luxury.

[Masovya]

WORLD
Masovyan Imperial Family slain as civil war fears grow

Voronin Ustin Timurovich, Minister of Internal Security.
Aliyeva Tanka Konstantinovna - ArtIn

Komarov Erik Danilovich - 30 JANUARY 2020
MASILIGRAD — As many remained unsure of events transpiring around Masiligrad and the rest of the nation, a press conference called by Minister of Internal Security Voronin Timurovich confirmed several tragic truths. The Prime Minister, Umsky Denisovich, has been kidnapped by the same group of 'terrorists' that attacked the Imperial Palace during Emperor Alexander V's birthday celebrations.

During those celebrations, it has been confirmed, gunmen shot down and killed Emperor Alexander V, Empress Merkusheva Pavlovna, their three children Nicholas, Feodor, and Boris. Minister Timurovich declined to go into any specifics, but it is believed that the attack coincided with a speech by Alexander V which meant the family were in one location. Also confirmed dead are 45 of the 124 aristocratic members at the party. Outside the gates, fire was exchanged between now called 'loyalist' troops and those associated with the so-called terrorists resulting in a further 48 deaths and an unconfirmed injured count.

The capital city seems to, at the moment, be in a deadlock. Troops wearing the same armbands worn by the non-loyalist troops appear to have taken control of the city's largest railway station, Grigori VI International Airport, and two of the five main motorways in and out of the city. Loyalist troops hold the rest of the motorway entrances, the imperial palace, and both the mayors office and the Duma.

Fears have grown that a civil war is now inevitable as the reports of fighting outside of the city seem to coincide with an attempt to remove aristocratic members from the Armed Forces and other parts of governance. At the main naval port of Pultaysk, an anonymous source has reported that the gates in and out the base have been sealed and army assets have reinforced the garrison, which have declared loyalty to the Emperor.

More as it comes.

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© Artemis Initiative, 2020 - Artemis.int - Delivering information as a right, not a luxury.

[Kolchakska]

WORLD
Kolchakska Ends Party Member Lanes

Marek Kukla - 30 March 2020
Majevica — In a general press conference Kolchakskan Workers and Peasant Party Spokesman Under Secretary Piotr Goraski announced that the Politburo had unanimously decided to end the practice of reserving the outside lane of all roads for the exclusive use of senior party members. The practice had been used since at least 1971 and was a common cause of criticism for the regime.

In his statement Goraski announced that the lanes would slowly be opened to general use over the coming months. He said initially the lanes would only be open during peak traffic hours, and in cases of lane closures. He asked citizens to be judicious in their use of the additional lane and to only use it when necessary and not as a form of "petty rebellion".

In the same prepared statement he also announced that local elections in both Krajina and Splitgorica would be postponed but refused to be drawn on a reason. Speculation suggests that both regions are being closed to conceal large troop movements and a general military build up on the Masovyan border in relation to the emerging crisis in that nation.

Under Secretary Goraski refused to be drawn on such speculation, or indeed any question of Kolchakskan involvement with General Anatolievich's attempted coup and subsequent deaths of the royal family in Masovya. The spokesman did however express cautious optimism that the "removal of the oppressive regime" could lead to closer and warmer relations between the two states, while condemning all unnecessary bloodshed which harms the international proletariat.

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© Artemis Initiative, 2019 - Artemis.int - Delivering information as a right, not a luxury.

[Leasath]

WORLD
Votyalic President, Prime Minister Clash Over Proposal To Revise Healthcare Codes, Budget

President Primakov photographed with an officer of the Presidential Guard Corps, 27 August 2019
Antipov Nikolay Timurovich - ВП

Sokolov Polina Nikolaevna - 5 APRIL 2020
ZOLODOLINA — Members of Voytalia's divided government clashed once again during several press events over the course of the weekend, including both the President and Prime Minister. The latest disagreement, regarding a white paper proposed by Prime Minister Alliluyeva's government and recently sent to the Duma's Select Committee on Health and the Federal Health Service (FHS), has caused significant consternation amidst Presidential and opposition sources which played out publicly over the weekend.

Mr Primakov, who spoke before a crowd of citizens and reporters at a gala in Zolodolina on Saturday evening, questioned Ms Alliluyeva's "commitment, as was promised in her party platform two years ago, to tackle Votyalia's rising national debt," as well as her "willingness to risk future legislative effectiveness for the sake of a few million roubles more in the FHS budget". Mr Primakov noted the FHS's budget surplus in 2018 of just over В₽2 million, and pointed to the joint actions of the Primakov-Chernyaev government which drew down FHS operations in certain areas in favor of a more decentralized system.

Supplying a rosy outlook for the future of the health system, Mr Primakov provided statistics from another 2018 forecast of the FHS's future budget viability, concluding his statements by asking "whether the Prime Minister thought budget surpluses and perhaps the most effective years of FHS service since its inception were, in fact, signs of rot?". A follow-up statement from leaders of Mr Primakov's Kadet party in the Federal Assembly reaffirmed their intention to stymie the proposed changes to FHS codes and budgetary allotments.

Ms Alliluyeva, who gave statements during a visit to the Federal University at Iletskaya-Zashchita on Sunday morning, rejected many of the President's comments. Addressing students and faculty, the Prime Minister rebuffed Mr Primakov's comments as "unaware of the current facts", pointing out that many of the 2018 statistics did not account for the reforms undertaken by her predecessor, Mr Chernyaev, and the President.

Pointing to several recent studies and smaller-scale reports on the FHS system, Ms Alliluyeva noted the "phenomena of rising dissatisfaction among healthcare workers and citizens ... with increased working hours, rising wait times, and a lack of access more characteristic of the disorganized and underfunded private system which preceded the FHS's creation". The Prime Minister cited studies by Iletskaya-Zashchita academics as well as several government-funded inquiries instituted at her direction since the 2018 general election.

Dr Dubinin Yuriy Semyonovich, a Votyalic healthcare expert and Professor-Emeritus in public policy at the Federal University at Varykino, said in comments to Votyalic daily Votyaliskaya Pravda that both the President and Prime Minister had "elements of the facts in their comments", acknowledging that while the 2018 statistics were valid barometers of the health of the Federal Health Service, the "significant budgetary and regulatory changes undertaken by President Primakov and [Mr] Chernyaev have had adverse effects on the quality of care for the vast majority of Votyalic citizens".

Dr Dubinin, who served as an advisor to former opposition leader Turov Sergei Semyonovich and Ms Alliluyeva's predecessor as leader of Progress, went on to note Ms Alliluyeva's proposed changes as "essentially reversing the Primakov-Chernyaev alterations" and that they would "not be particularly ambitious if not for the actions of the previous government". In general, Dr Dubinin said, the proposed reforms would see "a return to pre-2016 FHS operations, but not immediately - probably some time within the next four years. And, of course, that would date the quality of care by almost a decade, necessitating further budgetary increases".

Prime Minister Alliluyeva's office has acknowledged that further alterations to the FHS's codes and funding will likely become necessary moving forward, but the government has not yet released a plan of action for this eventuality. Officials from the Ministry for Health said in anonymous conversations that a green paper on the subject was forthcoming, and that government policy could likely be gleaned from its contents.

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© Artemis Initiative, 2020 - Artemis.int - Delivering information as a right, not a luxury.