Marscurian News

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:
[center][u][size=6]Popular Executive Bill Passed[/size][/u][/center]
In the first vote of the new Duma, a liberal coalition succeeded in passing the Popular Executive Act into law. Voted into action in a smashing 11-3 victory, the law removes the vast majority of the real political power from the Khagan and transfers it to a Prime Minister, who will be popularly elected. Following the Marscurian Siberian constitution, the Khagan must still sign off on new laws alongside the Prime Minister, and retains his ceremonial positions as head of state, commander-in-chief, and defender of the faith in the Marscurian Judaism religion. As stated by Duma member Boris Schaechter (B-Mizrekdik) who introduced the bill, "As Marscurian Siberians, we must always be aware of who we are and work to maintain our culture. The Khagan is a part of that culture, but greater power for the people should be the goal of all governments. By giving more power to an elected official, the concerns of the people will be more efficiently solved, and the rights of the workers are more secure."

The new law is slated to go to the Khagan's desk in the morning for a final signature. Despite the fact that he will lose most of his powers, the Khagan has stated that he will respect the will of the people and the trust they have placed in their democratically elected officials, and has guaranteed his signature on the new law.

Elections for Prime Minister are slated for January 31st, and the new law will go into effect on February 1st. So far, many candidates have begun to come out of the woodwork, with the first candidate to announce his intentions to run for Prime Minister being Ivan Yedermentsh, 47, of Marscury.



From Obluchye:
[center][size=6][u]From Sickness to Health[/u][/size][/center]
A new plant has opened next-door to the Obluchye Coal Power Plant, the largest in the nation. Using a system of capturing the carbon dioxide that the plant expels using calcium oxide, the new structure can capture the pollution that results from the burning of coal and supplies it to a genus of photosynthetic algae called Arthrospira. The calcium carbonate added to the water creates a perfect environment for the algae which can be processed into a health supplement called Spirulina. Spirulina is incredibly high in all amino acids, Vitamins B, E, and K, and micronutrients iron, magnesium, and manganese. Additionally, since Arthrospira is a single-celled algal organism, it is the position of Marscurian Siberian Judaism that the product is kosher. It is unknown how much spirulina the plant will be able to be produced once the plant is running at full capacity, but if there is sufficient profitability, there are talks on building a second plant.



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[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

SPORTS

 

Teams Reorganized for 2013 Season

 

Sports fans, look out!  You may very well need to buy yourself a new flag for your next trip to the stadium.  The Marscurian Siberian Professional League has contracted the number of teams that will compete this season from 8 down to 5.  In this reorganization , two teams were combined with others, while a third team, FK Pyotrgrad, was cut all together.  In order to compensate for the lack of games that will occur in domestic matches, the MSPL has been looking to expand the number of matches that teams play will premier leagues from other nations.

 

The following teams will be competing in the 2013 season (April-October):

 

FK Marscury-Birobidzhan

Formed by: Merging of FK Marscury and FK Birobidzhan

Team Colors: Gold/Black

Stadium: National Stadium, Marscury

Capacity: 56,000

 

FK Mietonka

Formed by: FK Mietonka

Team Colors: Blue/Orange

Stadium: Mietonka Sports Complex, Mietonka

Capacity: 61,000

 

FK Obluchye

Formed by: FK Obluchye

Team Colors: Black/Grey

Stadium: Obluchye Stadium, Obluchye

Capacity: 33,000

 

FK Amurpet

Formed by: FK Amurpet

Team Colors: Green/Brown

Stadium: Exhibition Stadium, Amurpet

Capacity: 28,000

 

FK Priamursky-Telmana

Formed by: Merge between FK Priamursky and FK Telmana

Team Colors: Blue/White

Stadium: Amur Sports Complex, Priamursky

Capacity: 35,000

 

 

Grand Prix a Go

In recent racing news, two more companies, Royal Marscurian Siberian Airways and Obluchye Heavy Engineering have offered monetary support to the 3rd Annual Marscurian Siberian Grand Prix, supplementing sponsorship already offered by Masibau Motors.  The influx of money means that the next Grand Prix can offer more spots and more services along the raceway.  This year's race will follow the time frame of last year's race, starting on May 1st rather than the April 1st start date of the 2011 race.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Khagan Remains

After the votes have been tallied, it seems that the Marscurian Siberian people like the executive branch the way it is.  Over 60% of the votes cast called for a retention of the monarchy. 

 

 

 

From Glubokiye Vodishtot:

Expansions of Airport Continue

In Glubokiye Vodishtot, the major renovations of the city airport are progressing at a record pace.  The expansions of the airport are set to both enhance the facility's functionality as a civilian airport and a military airbase.  The airport can currently handle the MCA-10 cargo plane and the LaG-31 jetliner, but expansions are being made to handle larger planes.  The runway is currently being extended by 2,000 feet to accommodate the LaG-32 jetliner.  Throughout 2013, there are plans to build a new passenger terminal to help with the airport's primary goal of moving people between the city and the Mietonka and Marscury airports.  This new terminal is expected to be completed by October so flights can help move people and cargo to the city next winter.  In addition to this, a military complex is being built to house at least one squadron of fighter airplanes and an unknown number of other airplanes.

 

 

From Amurpet:

New Military Uniforms Designed

The military today has released preliminary designs for the newest army uniforms, the first redesign in the history of the Marscurian Siberian army.  The summer and winter designs are mainly the same, with a light cap replacing the ushanka in the summer uniform, and the removal of the thick coat in the summer.  The uniform was designed by Mikhail Boltonsky, head designer at the Arshakyan Clothing Company.  In addition to the uniform, units designated for specifically dangerous assignments, such as combat engineers, will be supplied with the M4 steel vest, designed to stop small caliber bullets and shrapnel.

 

The winter version of the uniform, complete with ushanka and thick greatcoat. 

Edited February 22, 2013 by KaiserMelech Mikhail

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

First Vauleyo-Buryatian Promoted to General

Today was the first time that a member of the minority Vauleyo-Buryatian community was promoted to a general.  The Bek was on hand at the ceremony for the promotion of Vladimir Yesheyev of Pyotrgrad to the rank of Major General.  Vauleyo-Buryatian members of the military are rare, but those who do join see it as a way to gain social position.  While Vauleyo-Buryatians are not exempt from national service, very few chose the guard, leading to the dearth of officers that is seen.

 

 

 

From Telmana:

Natural Gas Power Plant Comes Online

In Telmana, the Eastern Methane Complex has begun full operation.  The complex itself consists of two parts, a methane production facility and a power plant to burn the fuel.  The production facility runs using the principles of anaerobic respiration, where bacteria will produce methane gas rather than carbon dioxide when deprived of oxygen.  The production facility has six digesters that are filled with waste plant material such as fallen leaves and saw dust.  The gas is then transported to the main power station, which has the capacity to produce 140 MW of power.  This has the ability to provide power for a large part of the nearby metro region.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

National Youth Organization Formed

Today, the ruling Bundist/Communist coalition in the Duma announced their plans to institute a national youth organization.  Called the Sotzyalistishe Kinder Farband, or Socialist Youth Union, the organization will be open to any Marscurian Siberian citizen aged 7 to 17, and will be co-ed, not separating boy and girl scouts.  The organization is built on three founding principles that the government feels is of the utmost importance in the future of the nation, Chavershaft (Camaraderie), Patriotizm (Patriotism), and Kultur (Marscurian Culture).  The umbrella organization consists of three groups, clumped by the age of the participants.

 

Yung Pioniren (Young Pioneers), are the youngest group, aged 7-10.  The Young Pioneers focus on the Chavershaft principle, and focus on creating friendships and a sense of community among Marscurian youth.  Admission into the Young Pioneers is open to all youth who apply and are healthy enough to attend.  The main activities in the Young Pioneers include camping, community service projects, and education in subjects like reading and math.

 

Tzukunft (Future), is the middle group, aged 11-14.  Tzukunft primarily focuses on the Kultur principle.  Members of this group read Marscurian literature, and all units are expected to put on a performance of a famous Marscurian play.  In addition to this, Tzukunft members go on larger camping excursions than Young Pioneers do, with activities including multi-night camping trips, river rafting, and learn basic skills like starting a fire and using a compass.  After turning 15, Tzukunft members have three paths: leaving the SKF, becoming a group leader for the Young Pioneers, or moving on to the Tzukunft Shturem.

 

Tzukunft Shturem (Future Storm), is the oldest group in the SKR, encompassing members aged 14-17.  Tzukunft Shturem focuses on the Patriotizm principle, and is more of a paramilitary organization than a regular youth group.  Unlike the Young Pioneers and Tzukunft, Tzukunft Shturem is not open to the general population, with admission only being open to campers who were recommended for the program during their period in Tzukunft.  Activities in Tzukunft Shturem include survival training, firearms practice, leadership activities, community service programs, and often acting as honor guards at parades and memorials.  When fully implemented, membership in Tzukunft Shturem will become a requirement for becoming an officer in The Guard.

 

 

The white shirt and blue neckerchief of a Young Pioneer.  The color of the neckerchief denotes the membership level, with blue being Young Pioneers, green being Tzukunft, gold being Tzukunft Shturem, and group leaders having an orange neckerchief.

Edited March 30, 2013 by KaiserMelech Mikhail

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Amurpet:

Army Replaces Iconic Vehicle

Amid aging vehicles, increasing maintenance costs, and decreasing effectiveness, the Marscurian Siberian army has decided to decommission the MTD-18 tank destroyer.  In it's place, Marscurian Military Works has developed a vastly superior armored vehicle.  Dubbed the MAT/SV-100, or Marscurian Anti-Tank/Scout Vehicle, the new vehicle is designed to fill many roles in the army.  The vehicle has upgraded armor than the old tank destroyer, shown to be resistant to bullets up to 14.5mm in diameter.  The vehicle also has a vastly more powerful 100mm main gun, as opposed to the 76mm gun from the old vehicle.  The vehicle also houses 5 soldiers in the internal cabin, along with various anti-armor weapon such as rocket propelled grenades and mortars, drastically increasing anti-armor operations.  However, even with all these upgrades, vehicle mobility has only increased!  The vehicle has kept the same top speed of 60 miles per hour, but has almost quintupled the range to 500 miles, and the amphibious design allows it to travel at 10 miles per hour in the water.  Once the new vehicles are completed, MTD-18 units will be removed from active duty and sold for scrap.

 

The MAT/SV-100

[Triyun]

[b]Dispatch on Tianxia Military Aid Package:[/b]

 

Tianxia will be sending Mascuria [url=http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?/topic/90288-ufe-general-movements-and-news/#entry2434441]420 F/A-66 Phoenix Fighters[/url] upgraded with the latest bloc packages to include newer RAM features, capability to launch external stand off range missiles, upgraded AESA radars, and upgraded EO/IR scopes.  120 of these will be equipped to take off and land on carriers.

Tianxia will be transferring two new [url=http://shipbucket.com/images.php?dir=Never%20Built%20Designs/Russia/CVN11437Ulyanovsk.png]Carriers[/url] to Mascuria.

Tianxia will also be transferring 240 [url=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/3470178037_db6cd6162c_o.jpg]UCAVs[/url], 120 of which are equipped for carriers operations along with a command and control system to Mascuria.

We will be sending 2000 JDAM kits to upgrade Mascuria's bombs.

Tianxia shall construct and transfer 90 2000 kilometer radius ranged [url=http://www.hitechweb.genezis.eu/images/drawings/sukhoi_izdelije_54_1.jpg]stealth bombers[/url] to Mascuria along with plans for and an arsenal of 400 long range cruise missiles that can be launched from the bombers

Tianxia shall transfer 30 ASW planes to Mascuria

Tianxia shall transfer 45 ASW helicopters to Mascuria

Tianxia shall transfer 18 AN-50s with full upgrades to Mascuria

Mascuria's military forces shall mandatorily attend Tianxia Exercise Kazakh Dawn and perform competently.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

First President Elected

With the polls finally closed, the former Khagan of Marscurian Siberia, Mikhail Stein, has been elected as the first president of the Marscurian Autonomous Republic with 62% of the vote.  Abolishing the khaganate with a remarkable 85% approval rate, it was little surprise that he would win the office for the highest elected office in the autonomous republic.

 

 

From Telmana:

Explosion Kills 50 Sailors

On its way to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, an explosion in the midsection of the Mizrekdik-Class battleship Bidzhan Rayon killed 50 sailors and crippled the ship's propulsion systems.  Long-headed into a state of obsolescence, this tragedy has only shown how vital a replacement for these aging ships is.  In Kamchatka, the nine battleships are to be docked and the crews disembarked.  Additionally, Admiral Shapiro of the Russian Marscurian Fleet has sent messages to the Russian Naval High Command requesting they begin searches for a new class of battleship to replace the Mizrekdik-Class.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Record Amount Spent on Roads

In light of a particularly rough winter, the duma of the Marscurian Autonomous Republic has authorized that a record 1.53 billion roubles be spent on the road network of the autonomous republic.  The budget has been broken down into three sections.  The first section, consisting of 700 million roubles, has been authorized to upgrade the road network of the Kamchatka Rayon.  The second section, consisting of 130 million roubles, has been authorized to pay for inspections of the roadway network including bridges and tunnels in the Marscurian rayons.  The third section, consisting of another 700 million roubles has been authorized for repair and continued construction of roads in the Marscurian rayons. 

 

The repair of a municipal road in Marscury

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Great Patriotic War Memorial Established

Today in the old Birobidzhan of Marscury, a monument to all Marscurians who fought and died in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 was finally unveiled.  Named the Fire of Glory, the monument consists of a bronze star with an ever-burning flame, and granite slabs with the names of those who died in the conflict written upon them.  It was estimated that one in every three Marscurian men that left for the front did not return.  The mayor of Mascury gave a short speech after laying a wreath on the memorial.

 

"Comrades,

On this day, 72 years ago, the hordes of the fascist reich invaded our Western Border in an act of pure aggression, and in their never-ending sense of duty to the motherland, the men and women of this land took up arms to fight the invaders in the West.  Just this year, we saw war in the West that threatened to evolved into a second Great Patriotic War, and by the graces of God, the fascists destroyed themselves before there was a chance for shots to be fired.  Each name behind me is a terrifying reminder of what happens when everything goes wrong, but they fought to made it right, and they prevailed all the way to Berlin.  Every day, we must never take the freedoms that these brave soldiers afforded to us."

 

The monument will be guarded at all times by an honor guard of soldiers from the 13th Independent Field Army and cadets of the Tzukunft Shturem.

 

The mayor of Marscury laying flowers at the base of the monument

 

Army honor guards standing at the base of the monument

 

Cadets of Tzukunft Shturem standing guard over the memorial

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

New Hospital Construction on Track

The new state-of-the-art hospital, designed to replace the current Marscury General Hospital is on track to be finished later this year.  Built in the historic Birobidzhan neighborhood of Marscury, the hospital will hold 50% more space than the current hospital, as well as twice the operating rooms and top of the line equipment such as MRI machines and compact X-ray machines.  When the new hospital is finished, the old hospital is planned to be demolished, and a school will rise in its place.

 

The new hospital under construction.

 

 

 

From Marscury:

Universities Recording Record Enrollments

At all three major universities in the MAR, student enrollment in both undergraduate and post-graduate studies.  The largest increase occurred at Marscury University, where a 3% increase occurred over the past year, increasing enrollment from 30,000 students to 31,000 students.  This has led to a massive construction boom as more dormitories and classrooms need to be built to handle the additional demand.  Similar increases have been at the University of Mietonka and Amur State University in Telmana.  In addition to the increases in university students, vocational colleges have seen a massive jump in demand as more industry moves east to the MAR.

 

 

 

 

From Amurpet:

Gold Production Plummets in Face of Crackdown

This year, gold production in the rivers of the MAR is expected to be less than half of 2012 levels due to the decrease of mining companies on the rivers.  Many mining firms, including MMC East, the second largest gold producer in the nation, have had their mining licences revoked by the Regional Offices of Resource Development when unsafe and illegal mining practices were discovered.  These charges included offenses like the use of migrant workers, unsafe workplace conditions, improper disposal of displaced soil, and the flagrant dumping of mercury in rivers.  In addition to their licenses being revoked, the companies will have to pay large fines to the government to cover the damages.  However, the economic repercussions of this move are expected to be quite large.  Hundreds of workers are expected to lose their jobs, and gold production of the area is expected to drop from 80 kg in 2012 to only 30 kg in 2013.  In response, Viktor Morozov of the RORD has stated that, "we did what we did, not because it was popular, but because it was right.  It is a shame that men will lose their jobs, but a bigger shame would be dead river, dead forests, and poisons in the drinking water for millions of people."

 

An abandoned mining camp of one of the many companies that had their licenses revoked

 

 

 

From Marscury:

Cows Run Free on Roadways

In an ordeal that lasted several hours, a herd of cows that likely broke free from a nearby farm were found wandering on a major roadway that leads into the city of Marscury.  After blocking traffic during the busy evening commute, all three cows were eventually captured by police with little resistance.

 

"The cows just didn't care that we were there," stated one f the policemen charged with capturing the animals, "with little effort we were able to move it off the road and into a trailer.  It was this behavior that made the cow so dangerous, as it did not mind the road traffic, often walking right in front of cars, almost causing collisions."

 

Since the owners of the cows could not be found, and given the cows' almost instant celebrity status, they have been moved to the Marscury Zoo where they will be housed on the Children's Farm and Petting Zoo section.

 

One of the cows that was found on the roadway outside of Marscury

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

All Apartments Up For Inspection

Today, the Duma and the President enacted a law that all apartment buildings in the Autonomous Republic must be thoroughly inspected for any structural or utility deficiencies.  These apartments, many of them dating back to the Khrushchev era, have shown structural deficiencies and decaying infrastructure, leading to this law.  In addition to building inspection, the owners of these buildings will be investigated to make sure that all their activities are lawful and tenants are being treated fairly.

 

An apartment building in Mietonka undergoing significant surface repairs to masonry and windows

 

 

 

 

From Obluchye:

Pashkovo Receives First Shipments

The fruits of a project began last year are finally realized.  The riverport Pashkovo on the Amur River on the far-western reaches of the Autonomous Republic, has received its first shipment of cargo, a set of heavy machinery for the construction of a factory in Obluchye.  The river port is quite small, but is expected to take stress off of the other border crossings in the nation.  Like the Amur in general, the port will be open from river thaw until river freeze, generally stretching from April until November.

 

A piece of heavy machinery being unloaded by the port's only heavy crane

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Happy Marscury Day!

July 21, the date when Marscurian Siberia gained independence from Vaule, is one of the two official government holidays in the Autonomous Republic.  The day has been filled with parties, street fairs, and fireworks shows all over the nation.  In addition, the army and police held open houses to show off equipment, and lecture people on safety in their summer outdoors activities, handing out things such as hand-cranked flashlights and small first aid kits.

[High Emperor Aggron]

The Federation too celebrates the Independence day of the Autonomous Republic, and sends it's finest wines to your leadership and wishes to open diplomatic talks at your earliest convenience.

 

 

Signed,

 

Abdhurraman Wahir, Chief Princeps of the Borneo-Sumat Federation.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Rains Are Gone, Problems Remain

The 2013 wet season has been much worse than those of recent years.  The recent cyclonic weather system that rested over the Autonomous Republic that dumped massive amounts of rain may have moved further to the northeast, but all the water has remained, and is causing several problems to people all over the region.  As water continues to run down from the highlands, many major rivers are swelling and spilling their banks, with the Amur and Bira rivers being two of the largest concerns.

 

In the south, municipal officials near Pyotrgrad have been constantly monitoring the rise of the Amur River, and have begun exploring options for a possible evacuations of people living in the floodplain of the river.  Near Marscury, flood conditions on the Bira River have caused moderate damage around the city.  Two suburbs south of the city, Radzolnoye and Tukalevsky, have experienced significant flooding, with dozens of households being evacuated.  The rains have also taken their economic toll on the region.  Farms have been flooded, and crops have died and begun to rot in the fields, ruining the harvest of thousands of small farmers across the region.  One of the largest factories in Marscury, Foma, has had to shut down production due to flooding as well.  In addition to rain water, sewage flooding has plagued homes and businesses as sewer pipes fill with water and cannot be discharged properly.  Drinking water is constantly tested by city officials to make sure that it is safe for consumption.

 

Unfortunately, the situation is only projected to worsen in the coming week.  As waters are expected to drop on Saturday and Sunday, another storm system is moving north from China, and the already saturated soil cannot handle much more water, meaning that rivers and streams will rise at a much more rapid rate than they have been.  Already, thousands of civilians and soldiers have been mustered to build sandbag berms.

 

A flooded neighborhood in Tukalevsky

 

Farmer Irina Strakova walks through her flooded field of carrots and potatoes.  Many of her crops have died, and she fears her entire harvest is lost as the next cyclone moves in.

 

 

 

 

From Marscury:

Economic Woes Plague Region, Many Look Towards Future

In recent polls, troubling economic facts were raised.  In a recent study, it has been found that teachers in the Marscurian Autonomous Republic are the lowest paid teachers in all of Russia.  Averaging only 27,000 rubles, less than half of their counterparts in the rest of the nation, teachers have taken their case to the highest levels of government.  University professors have the highest average pay, with 33,000 rubles, while elementary school teachers average only 20,000 rubles.  The Ministry of Education for the MAR has pledged to increase salaries for all education workers by at least 20% in 2013, raising the average salary to 35,000 rubles.  However, teachers are considered lucky.  Recent tax returns have shown that the average income of workers in the Autonomous Republic make only 72% of the salary that workers in the neighboring Russian regions make.  This economic disparity has led to hundreds of skilled workers planning on leaving the Autonomous Republic for other Russian regions in search of higher paying jobs.

 

However, while services may be experiencing a bit of a slow-down, the mining and manufacturing sections of the economy are experiencing constant growth and constant sales.   In a recent meeting of the Marscurian Mining Consortium, the plan known simply as MAR 2025 was met with massive applause.  The plan lays out the plans of various mining companies to manage natural resources while growing sales both throughout Russia and abroad over the next 10 years.  Segments of the plan also indicate how mining profits will be used to improve communities throughout the MAR and to build and maintain vital infrastructure.   In addition to keeping all functioning mines open over the next 10 years, plans for a new manganese mine were presented, with the primary customer expected to be Russian and Chinese steel mills.  In Obluchye, one of the largest construction material companies, Vostokcement, celebrated its one millionth ton of cement produced.  Vostokcement is a well-known institution in the Obluchye area, providing thousands of job and providing most of the non-ferrous materials used for construction projects.

 

A presentation at the MAR 2025 meeting

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Residents Defiant in Face of Floods

In the wake of the worse floods to hit the region in 120 years, many property owners who have lost everything are now looking towards the future.  The floods, caused by several back-to-back cyclonic storm systems, have displaced over 10,000 people, mainly along the Bira River in Marscury, and the surrounding suburbs.  In addition to flooding in the center of the nation, the Amur River has seen an unprecedented 2 meter rise above flood stage, leading to the closure of every port on the river.  Additionally, hundreds of farms have stated that they have abandoned their harvest due to the loss of the plants from the flood.  However, many have pledged to rebuild, and officials have promised both funds and worker assistance to relocate and rebuild as quickly as possible.

 

Soldiers raise the flag in Marscury in the face of the flood waters.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

Flooding Worst in Region in 120 Years!

While optimism seemed high in the face of daunting floods, the situation has only deteriorated in the past couple days.  Constant pressure on dikes and levees around the nation has causes several to burst, flooding major towns all along the rivers of the region.  So far, the largest floods have occurred in Pashkovo and Pyotrgrad, and have left over 100,000 people homeless and many more preparing for an evacuation at any moment.  In Pyotrgrad, the Amur River reached an unprecedented 10 meters above flood stage before finally bursting through temporary levees and flooding the city.  Police, soldiers, and civilians alike are working to build sandbag levees in an attempt to contain the flooding in their cities, and to begin the process of draining the land.  In addition to the major flooding in Pashkovo and Pyotrgrad, significant flooding has occurred in Amurpet, cancelling the scheduled launch of the newest space station component, originally set for tomorrow.  Mietonka and Marscury have also experienced significant flooding, and more than 50 towns and villages along the Amur and Bira Rivers have been completely evacuated.  The flooding in some of these villages is so deep that residents have been seen diving off of their roofs into the waters below, as they would at the local pool.

 

Outside the cities, the damage was just as severe.  Due to the rains and the waterlogged soil, an estimated 1/3 of all crops have been lost, measuring 30,000 hectares of agricultural destruction.  The rains have also turned grasslands and pastures into mud, leaving cows and other grazing animals with the possibility of starvation without the expensive importation of hay. On the frontier, the border guards have had to take to shovels in an attempt to keep their outposts dry, but ultimately several dozen stations and outposts were flooded.  Additionally, the Amur Police have had to cut their patrols, as underwater hazards such as sunken trees make the navigation of the river a hazard.

 

Recently, the government of the autonomous republic have commandeered the railways and devoted them to the transport of humanitarian supplies.  Fresh water, food, heating oil, coal, and hay for animals have been constantly moving from the northern parts of the nation down to the central and southern regions affected by the flood.  The federal government in Moscow has been petitioned for aid, as the damage of the floods is estimated to be roughly 4 billion rubles.  In addition, 3 billion rubles is planned to be spent over the next 10 years in an attempt to repair and improve the flood control systems around the autonomous republic.

 

A military checkpoint on a washed-out road near Pashkovo

 

Soldiers outside of Pyotrgrad work to fill sandbags

 

A destroyed melon field in the Bira Rayon

 

A view of flooded portions of the city of Amurpet

 

A view of the flooded city center of Pyotrgrad

 

A submerged outpost of the Border Guards on the Amur River near the Russo-Chinese border

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Marscury:

First Signs of Progress in Floods

After nothing but bad news when it comes to the weather, time and the hard work of citizens all over the region have led to the first victories in the worst flooding event in 120 years.  Up-river, water levels have begun to drop dramatically, with the Amur River dropping 60 cm in Pashkovo in the far western part of the MAR.  However, this water flow continues to pressure flooding downstream.  Pyotrgrad, Mietonka, and Telmana have all experienced a slight increase in the water levels on the Amur River, with rises in the single digits.  With water continuing to drain down from the mountains and hills into the Bira River, there is a slight increase in flooding in Marscury too, with a measured 1 cm rise in the river level.  However, these rises are all expected to be reversed in the coming days, barring a large amount of rain.  The crest of the flood is expected to leave the MAR by September 6, reaching occupied Khabarovsk.

 

In the Mizrekdik Rayon, the continued work of the citizenry is helping to keep more areas dry.  The hard work of Russian Railways workers has helped to build earthen dikes to keep the Trans-Siberian Railway in running condition.  In other places throughout the rayon, temporary dikes and dams have practically stopped the spread of all flooding, allowing drainage to begin.

 

Russian Railways workers working on a levee to keep the Trans-Siberian Railroad from being flooded

 

 

Disaster response workers using pumping equipment in the Mizrekdik Rayon to help drain water from a flooded village

 

 

Disaster relief workers receive a new shipment of sandbags to help build a temporary levee

 

 

Soldiers stand guard at the monument for the fallen of the Great Patriotic War for the September 2 ceremony celebrating final victory over the Axis.  In the invasion of Manchuria, the area that would become the MAR was on the front line, supporting troops and an Amur River gunboat flotilla.  Due to flood control efforts, the monument was never flooded.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

From Pashkovo:

Floods Continue to Rapidly Recede

The worst natural disaster in many years is finally coming to an end in the Marscurian Autonomous Republic.  With plenty of time and warm and sunny weather, water levels all around the nation have been dropping rapidly.  On the upper Amur, where the flooding was the worst, the river has nearly left flood stage, with the watermark dropping by as much as 60 cm a day.  Pashkovo and Amurpet have been declared flood free, while the water level in Pyotrgrad has dropped 50 cm, but still remains over a meter above flood stage.  Towns and cities along the Bira River, including Marscury, have also seen a drop in water levels, and residents are returning to their homes.  

 

However, with the water gone, rebuilding efforts must now begin.  The port of Pyotrgrad, a transfer point between Russia and China for cargo and passengers, has sustained large amounts of damage due to flooding of facilities and equipment, and substantial erosion due to the floods.  Vessels heading towards the port will be redirected to Amurpet, which sustained less damage and is expected to be re-opened soon.  However, roads along the rivers have also received damage due to debris in the floods and erosion, meaning that expensive rebuilding efforts need to be undertaken.

 

Water levels on the Amur near Pashkovo have exited flood stage.

 

 

A road outside Pyotrgrad that was damaged by extensive erosion. 

 

 

Water levels on the Bira River have dropped enough to expose this riverside park in the Birobidzhan neighborhood of Marscury.

 

 

 

From Obluchye:

New Tunnel is Completed

In a construction project that has been going on for two years, a new tunnel on the Trans-Siberian Railway has been completed, linking Obluchye to the west.  The tunnel, running 830 meters through the solid rock of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, is set to take on full traffic duties as the old Obluchensky Tunnel is renovated and repaired.  Once repairs on the old tunnel are finished in 2015, both tunnels will be used to allow the faster transit of trains through the mountains.  Although the tunnel itself is finished, rail still needs to be laid, a process which is expected to stretch well into October.

 

The construction site on the Obluchye side of the new tunnel

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Draft Dodger Fined

Today, the case of a Marscury man who evaded mandatory military service came to an end.  The man, whose name has been withheld from the press, was found to be healthy enough to serve, but evaded military agents for two years before being captured in 2012.  He has been sentenced to a double service length, and has been fined 100,000 rubles.

 

 

Troubling Economic News

A recent examination of population trends has shown a startling amount of people are leaving the Marscurian Autonomous Republic for other Russian federal districts due to poor economic conditions.  The latest polls show that since unification on May 9, a total of 30,000 people have left for better economic prospects in the west.  This news comes on the back of a study that showed a severe decline in many areas of the economy of the MAR.  The fields of agriculture and construction have seen a double-digit decrease in income, while utilities companies have also seen a small decrease due to cheaper power and water coming from other parts of Russia.  However, other parts of the economy of the MAR have seen staggering increases.  Since unification, both light manufacturing and mining have seen large increases in productivity as goods now travel to many places around Russia.  Additionally, international trade has increased since unification, with exports from MAR checkpoints rising by 1%.  With unification, average salaries in the MAR have also risen 8%, but are still ranked some of the lowest in all of Russia, prompting the massive exodus from the region.  Additionally, the floods in the region have landed a massive blow on employment in the MAR, with 96 businesses still out of commission, with an estimated 20,000 jobs at risk.

 

Local Pyotrgrad hardware store Molotok as badly flooded in the recent natural disaster.  The livelihoods of the store's 100 employees are at risk.

 

 

Amurpet Port Reopens

The Amur river port at Amurpet has officially reopened to cargo and passenger traffic.  The opening of the port is a relief to many people who need to cross the Russian-Chinese border often.  The port is expected to handle 2,600 passengers daily, and thousands of tons of cargo, largely bulk cargo and lumber, weekly.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Further Effects of Floods Realized

As many people try to move back into their homes following the worst flooding that the region has experienced in 120 years, the floods may start to seem like a thing of the past.  However, as fields and villages in the Mizrekdik Rayon are still undergoing anti-flooding operations, the damage is still very present in thousands of minds.  Among these are the farmers of the nation who watched as their fields, pastures, and gardens were underwater or turned to mud with the relentless rain.  In all, 26,000 hectares of land was so damaged it was deemed completely destroyed.  All throughout the MAR, an estimated 600 million rubles of crops was destroyed, putting thousands of farmers through economic hardship as the winter approaches.  Railways are still being used to import food and forage from other parts of the nation to help feed the victims and their animals over the coming months.  Recently, 50 tons of potatoes, a crop usually produced in surplus and exported to the rest of Russia, has recently been brought in from Sakhalin as part of a humanitarian program that aims to import 7000 tons of food from other districts of Russia to help the displaced and the affected.

 

Additionally, the Marscurian Ministry of Transport, along with the Federal Highway Agency, released a statement that claimed that repairs on all major highways would be completed by November 1st.  Since the beginning of September, over 1000 kilometers of roads important to transport in the MAR were designated for immediate repair from flood damage.  As of today, around 300 kilometers have been repaired, with approximately 50 kilometers finishing repair each day.

 

 

 

Strange Cross Appears in Hills Above Marscury

On a hill on the outskirts of Marscury, a cross has been set up over night.  The side of the hill was found with make-shift steps cut out of the sod with axes, and the remnants of cement bags have been found littering the grounds.  The cross, which is approximately seven feet tall and is made of bronze, can be seen from many different angle and points of view around the city.  The cross was set up by a group calling themselves the East Siberian Cossacks, headed by a man who would only give his first name, Viktor.  The East Siberian Cossacks released a statement that says that:

"This action was an attempt to bring this land back under the influence of Christ.  The recent flooding shows God's dissatisfaction with the rule of the Jews and the Atheists.  The Orthodox will regain the land again in the name of God."

 

This statement was immediately condemned by government workers, the patriarch of the Vaulian Orthodox Church in Pyotrgrad, and the head of the Amur Cossack Host, the only legally recognized Cossack group in the MAR.  Meanwhile, a decision about what to do with the cross has aroused controversy throughout the city of Marscury and the region.  Many demand for the cross to be immediately removed because of the negative connotations of its establishment, while others wish to keep the cross as a symbol of religious harmony in the region, and fear the removal of the cross would be offensive to the sizable Christian community in the MAR.  So far, no official plans have been formulated, but the area has been fenced off to prevent any vandalism or violence.

 

 

 

Obluchye Man Nominated for High Award

Foreman Oleg Kuznetsov has been nominated for the Award of Friendship, one of the top civilian awards available in Russia, which rewards citizens for contributions made towards the development of Russian science or the economy.  Kuznetsov was the head foreman on the project that recently completed the new Obluchye Tunnel on the Transsiberian Railroad.  The government in Moscow will have the final say on whether or not Kuznetsov will actually receive the award.

 

 

 

 

Preparations for the Draft Have Begun

The new season of conscription for national service begins on October 1st, and preparations are nearly completed.  All young men reaching 18 years of age, estimated to be about 9,000 throughout the MAR, will travel to their rayon or territorial centers to be inducted into the national service.  All conscripts will have a choice to join either the Marscurian Autonomous Republican Guard, the Russian Border Police, or the Russian Armed Forces.  Draftees will serve for the standard 1 year, with service extension being mandatory in case of war, or optional for a possibility of higher rank and pay.  Avoiding the draft is a serious offense, as seen in the case of a local man who was arrested for avoiding conscription and sentenced to a 100,000 ruble fine.

 

 

 

 

Paintball Arena Opens

A paintball park, the first in the Russian Far-East, has opened near the historic Druzhba Stadium.  This park, which covers several hectares, is complete with a wooden fort, village, a replica of a border guard platform, and even a military camp with tents.  The operator of the park, Pavel Mazurov, states that the park is able to hold teams of up to 50 combatants on each side.  Price to play is set at 10 rubles per person and 100 rubles per team, a price many say was set up to allow easy access to facilities for a sport which has taken the MAR by storm, rising to be one of the most popular sports in the region, alongside hockey, bandy, and soccer.  A league, the Paintball Sports Federation of the Marscurian Autonomous Republic, has been set up with 24 teams so far, and a full tournament is expected to begin in 2014.  When asked why he believes paintball has become so popular in the past few months, Mazurov simply stated, "People get tired of going to the cafe."

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Draft Continues Despite Hardships

In light of the recent flooding, many citizens have called for the mandatory enlistment to be postponed or cancelled for those families who have been affected  However, army spokesman Sergei Shagotsky has stated that nothing of the sort will happen.  "The law does not make exceptions for this kind of thing," he said in a statement.  In all, 900 young men are planned to be drafted this October, where most will join the Marscurian Autonomous Republican Guard, while the others will be sent to military units throughout the remainder of the Far East.

 

 

 

High School Building Evacuated

A high school in the city of Babstovo has been evacuated due to the poor condition of the building, raising doubts about its safety and stability.  The building was seen to have a crumbling foundation, due primarily to the school being built on top of an area that has been discovered to have a natural spring underneath, weakening the soil, a problem only exacerbated by the recent flooding.  An old building at the Babstovo Agricultural School has been donated, and will serve as a temporary high school until a more suitable building can be built.

 

The high school building, now abandoned

 

 

 

Massive Industrial Complex Rises in Obluchye

Just outside the city of Obluchye, a large complex of some 77 buildings is rising out of a field between the mountains.  The complex is largely owned by a mining conglomerate, and will be the largest refining center in the Far East when completed.  Containing mills, crushing units, ore separators, and a wide variety of other machinery, the complex is expected to provide over 1000 jobs for the region and dramatically increase the export of raw materials.

The inside of one of the massive processing buildings

 

 

 

Tough Times Ahead as Winter Approaches

The arrival of winter is just around the corner, and officials are struggling to prepare the region.  Already the first snows have fallen in the Lesser Khingan Mountains outside Obluchye, although it quickly melted later that day.  However, this brought a stark reality to the situation, as the recent floods have turned what would normally be an easy transition of seasons into a potentially dangerous situation for thousands of citizens.  While hundreds of thousands of tons of coal are mined annually, flooded mines and fields have caused that number to plummet, and heating fuel that was normally exported throughout Russia now needs to be imported from other regions, increasing the cost that families will need to pay to heat their homes this winter.  In addition to fuel, the military has continued to import humanitarian supplies including 70 tons of food each week, largely potatoes from Sakhalin Island.  Once winter is in full force, it is unsure how constant this supply of aid will be, leading to fears of hording and price gouging.  

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Marscurian Government Orders Gays to Change Symbols

The government of the Marscurian Autonomous Republic has issued a statement to the gay communities of Russia urging them to refrain from using the rainbow flag, as it looks too similar to the flag used by the Marscurian Siberian region of the Marscurian Autonomous Republic.  The Marscurian Siberian flag consists of a white background with a 7-striped rainbow across the middle, symbolizing the 7 rayons of Marscurian Siberia.  The flag used by the gays has no white, and is only 6 stripes, but is viewed to be similar enough to the Marscurian Siberian flag that average people may confuse the two.

 

The flag of the Marscurian Siberian region of the Marscurian Autonomous Oblast

 

 

The flag used by the gays.  Note the lack of white and only 6 stripes being present

 

 

 

 

First Recruits Leave For Training

The first group of nearly 600 draftees has left to begin their basic training for service in the Russian army.  As the fall recruiting campaign winds down, it is estimated that over 10,000 young men will be drafted into army service, with a similar number opting to join guard units such as the Amur Border Guard, Amur River Police, or OMON units under joint control of the Russian Ministry of the Interior and the Marscurian regional government.

 

 

 

 

 

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T EAT THE FOOD!

In routine checks performed by city health officials throughout Marscury, an astounding 88% of restaurants tested failed some form of cleanliness code.  Restaurants tested include everything from buffets to proper restaurants, and even a Chinese food restaurant.  Consumers have been warned through signs placed on the windows of all the store fronts, and restaurant owners have 90 days to fix all code violations or risk being shut down.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

Crime Cameras Working

In a bit to reduce crime throughout the capital, many public places have started installing video security systems to monitor for illegal activities.  The move towards the cameras began when it was reported that the murder rate in the city had risen to 34 for the first half of 2013, an all time high.  Since the introduction of the cameras, arrests have risen, and crime has dropped dramatically.  The courtyard of the train station of the city reported only two criminal acts since the cameras were installed, and a local shopping mall has reported a massive drop in the cases of theft for its stores.  With the successes of the cameras, they are expected to spread to all metro stations and other public areas in the city.  Other cities experiencing a crime bubble have also expressed interest in the cameras, with Obluchye and Telmana looking into sources of funding to install their own systems.

 

 

Women Seriously Considered as Soldiers

In a competition between an all-female tank crew and and all-male tank crew, the female crew not only proved themselves capable of completely operating a heavy weapon system, but also defeated their male counterparts, outscoring them 3 hits to 2.  It has long being thought that women could not operate all weapons systems as well as men due to the extreme loads that often need to be carried by hand.  Female gun loader Natalia Vipova, 20, of Amurpet showed no signs of stress when carrying tank shells that can weigh in excess of 30 kilograms.  Born and raised in this army town, she watched her brother leave for the army 4 years ago, and wondered why she could not do the same.

 

"I just wanted to prove that I could do anything that a man did," she said, "As long as you have the body and mind of a fighter, it does not matter what your gender is."

 

This show of both force and prowess by the female soldiers will certainly be considered in the report sent to the Ministry of Defense.  If the motion succeeds, women could comprise a significant percentage of the military in the region by the conscription period next October.

 

The MAT-84, an upgraded version of the T-80 tank, being commanded by female tanker Valerina Dorina in the trial.

 

 

Mixed Economic News in the MAR

The latest economic reports have come out for industry in the Marscurian Autonomous Republic, and the results have been mixed.  Total manufacturing in the region has increased 5% from 2012 levels, largely in the production of heavy engineering and consumer goods.  Breaking down this industrial rise, significant increases in business were seen in mineral products (2.1% increase), furniture (6.9% increase), knitted clothing (4.8% increase), cement (10% increase), and raw lumber (98% increase).  However, the largest and most profitable increase came from the development of new electrical transformer and generator models by the Birobidzhan Power Transformer Plant, which saw an unprecedented 94% rise in sales.  Food industries also gained ground, with meat products rising 9% in sales, candy rising 10%, and pasta production rising nearly 60%.

 

However, the new year brought many difficulties.  Marscurian Military Works, one of the largest employers in Obluchye, shut down two major facilities as civilian gun sales dropped and the army began using weaponry from other factories in Russia.  Companies that worked in the land also faced issues due to the floods that ravaged the land.  Mining output dropped over 20% as mines filled with water.  Agriculture, however, saw the largest drop in the economy.  The production of crops dropped 40%, while the production of chicken, beef, and pork dropped 16, 49, and 12% respectively.  It is only hoped that gains seen will continue while agriculture recovers next summer.

 

 

Marscurians Remain Happy With Their Flag

With the recent exposure the flag of Marscurian Siberia received based on its similarity to the rainbow flag used by the gays, a recent poll of average people on the street showed that despite the claims, they remain happy with what they currently have.  The rainbow is seen as a symbol of hope, change, and happiness, and the flag is reported to produce happy feelings in those who look at it.  Many believe the comparison between the Marscurian Siberian flag and the flag of the gays is groundless, seeing more than enough differences to tell them apart.  In a poll of 1,000 individuals, only 14% stated that they felt that the two flags were too close together.  When asked a further question, the results were split evenly, with 50% of those polled believed that Marscurian Siberia should change its flag, while 50% believe that it would be up to the gays to change their flag.

Edited October 28, 2013 by KaiserMelech Mikhail

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

New Tunnel Officially Opens

The new tunnel through the Lesser Khingan Mountains connecting Obluchye to East Inguishia has finally opened.  Construction had been finished in September, and the final rail connections have integrated the new tunnel into the Trans-Siberian Railroad.  The tunnel is expected to have a life expectancy of 100 years without needing major renovations, and will supplement the old Obluchye tunnel once repairs are finished on it in 2015.  All together the tunnel took two years to build at a cost of nearly 3 billion rubles.

 

The first train passes westward through the new tunnel.

 

 

Investment in the MAR Plummets

Economic reporters have indicated that for the second straight year, foreign investment in the MAR has dropped.  In the first half of 2013, there was a mere 1 billion rubles in investment, compared to 18 billion rubles in 2012.  This is still down from an all time high of 108 billion rubles in 2011.  It seems that almost 100% of the investments come from Chinese businessmen investing in enterprises such as farms, mines, building materials, and forestry companies, likely moving products towards export in China.

 

 

Failed Pumps Leave Thousands Without Water in Capitol

The pumping equipment that delivered water to the Birobidzhan neighborhood in Marscury has failed, leaving tens of thousands of people with no running water.  A piece of machinery which had recently undergone renovation after the brutal floods had several seals break, leaving the system with no water pressure.  Work is currently underway to repair the pump and the rest of the system, but due to the complexity of the device, it could be several days before service is restored.  In the mean time, residents in the affected areas are ordered to gather water in other parts of the city where service still exists.  Minimal service is expected to return on November 8, while full service is expected on November 15th, but residents are to look out for details that could indicated postponement of these goals.  Residents are also warned against removing water directly from the river, as it has not been treated and can lead to illnesses.

 

A map indicating places around the city that have reported a loss in running water

 

Large sections of the Marscury water system have been excavated in order to seal leaks and restore service to thousands 

 

 

Road Repairs Completed in Amurzet

The repairs of massive road damage in the Meyrev-rayon capitol of Amurzet has been fully repaired, with final potholes and erosion control being completed this week.  The repairs took a fleet of 13 vehicles two months of nonstop work to complete, costing an estimated 2 million rubles.  Over the next several weeks, the roads will be watched to make sure that the repairs were accomplished correctly, and to monitor for further erosion or anything else that could damage the roadways.

 

Workmen finish repaving a roadway in a residential segment of Amurzet.

 

 

 

Region's Largest Pokemon Collection is Exhibited

A massive collection of Pokemon cards, stickers, music, and games is under exhibition at a local youth center in Marscury.  The collected, all owned by 14 year-old Alexander Colanin, is the largest in the MAR, and is the result of several years of collection through money and through the spoils of defeating his friends at the game.  Consulting official product guides, it was found that Colanin owns all cards except the rarest ones.  Outside the exhibition hall, a box is set for donations to the Children's Social Help Service, Colanin's charity of choice.

 

 

 

Harsh New Sexual Deviant Laws Suggested

Following outrage over the relatively light sentence of a man convicted of sexual assault of a child, the population of the MAR have raised their voices in favor of much tougher laws against sexual crimes.  The man, whose name has not been released, was found guilty of raping a 12 year-old girl, and was sentenced to 6 years in the labor camps of Kamchatka.  Many people, including the girl's family, feel that such a light sentence is unjust and insulting, and are pushing for harder convictions against not just this particular rapist, but against all sexual criminals.  In a recent MN poll of 1,000 people, an astonishing 62% of people called for either life imprisonment or a life of hard labor, and a further 36% of people called for longer jail terms and chemical castration.  Only 2% of people think that it should be handled on a case-by-case basis, and less than 1% of people claimed that current laws are sufficient.  

Edited November 6, 2013 by KaiserMelech Mikhail