V.B.N. - News from Viniland!

[V The King]

Louisiana granted independence

Nadrink, Distretto Federal: After a petition, which revealed the wish most states belonging to the Vinilandese Protectorate to have their own country and signed by more than a million citizens, was sent to a Member of the Parliament, intense public and parliamentary debate ensued. The general consensus was that those people were deserving of being a fully independent country, and thus the Parliament voted on a bill, which would allow the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa (as well as the Federation's Missouri) to form their own sovereign nation without any involuntary ties to Viniland. The bill passed easily, with 89% of the MoP's voting "Yes". Minor commemorations were held in public halls.

[V The King]

Viniland's First Fusion Power Plant "Operational" At Last

Location of the Fusion Power Plant

Lethbridge, Nova Coimbra: Today, as several of Nova Coimbra's hydroelectric stations were shut down and decommissioned, the Lethbridge Fusion Power Plant (LFPP) began producing electricity for the general public. So far, it produces roughly 25% of the state's consumed electric energy, but it is only operating at bare minimum capacity - if it reaches its full commercial capacity, it may be able to power the whole state plus most of Columbina, Rio Grande do Leste and Alta Vancavite wholly by itself.

A peek inside one of the LFPP's reactors.

Expected to be running by March (OOC: When I bought the NPP in-game. /OOC), the LFPP's introduction to regular operation was plagued by delays, almost exclusively due to private shareholders of power-generating dams contesting both Nova Coimbra's and the federal government's decision to discontinue the use of most hydroelectric stations across N.C., as well as demolishing those (as the LFPP deemed those unnecessary, consequently causing them to be too much of an environmental hazard to be simply left unused). Battles in the Vinilandese Supreme Court were lengthy, and although both state and federal government had allocated funds to "reimburse" said shareholders, they fought for and won further financial compensation.

With the introduction of Fusion Power, hydroelectric dams has almost suddenly gone obsolete in Nova Coimbra. The same will very likely happen across Viniland in the near future.

As court decisions were enforced and payments made, the way was clear for the Fusion Power Plant to begin generating electricity in a daily basis and for most of Nova Coimbra's dams to be demolished. As it stands, as many as 2 Million and a half people are using energy generated by the LFPP, and the number is only expected to climb in the upcoming months.

On the consumer side, electricity bills across Nova Coimbra have actually hiked 15%, with the justification being the decommission costs for the hydroelectric plants plus the compensations to the aforementioned shareholders - as well as the LFPP not operating at a high capacity yet. However, economists project a sharp decline in bills (given usual consumption) in the future - as much as 50% - as the new Plant unleashes its true potential.

This couple from Calgari are hoping they'll see lower electricity bills once the LFPP truly kicks in.

The 24th of May proved to be a great day for the scientific community as well since the LFPP ran without any complications or unforeseen events taking place. Now the only question left to be answer is whether if the Power Plant will actually be able to keep up with production, reach its projected capacity and carry on without incidents - Vinilandese scientists are very confident the LFPP will answer "Yes" to all of those in the months and years to come.

Environmentalists also praised the initiation of the LFPP, since it means that dams throughout Nova Coimbra will very soon be torn down (they're already shut down) - which will consequently lead to the regeneration of the environment hurt by dams (reduction of amount of aquatic beings, affected river flow, uncharacteristic water temperatures, etc.).

OOC: I know my Fusion Power RP is half-done only (I haven't RP'd the construction of the thing itself yet, though explanations have been given already), but since I bought the NPP wonder some time ago, I figured I'd post this already.

[V The King]

Airport Security And Red Tape Relaxed

Recife, Itamaracá: In light of the non-adoption of Bill 840 by Viniland, which would legalize and regulate all sorts of recreational drugs, several amendments to current airport security laws originally stuck in the Parliament were put into motion again and were subsequently approved. The law now allows for any liquid content to be brought on hand and in the larger luggage so long as it receives a quick check from local security and its transportation is not deemed dangerous or illegal - a number of other relaxations took place as well. Also, several taxes and limitations on the nature of competition amongst airlines were abolishes, making it easier and cheaper for a company to set themselves up in a Vinilandese airport.

"We hope to see more tourists, folks doing business and siblings visiting their families around Viniland now that the price for air fares will more than likely decrease and stress inside airports will be reduced." said Samaritana Schmid, Minister of Internal Affairs. "Unnecessary regulations have no place here."

A commercial aircraft, belonging to a newly inaugurated airline, lands at the Saskatoon Diefenbaker International Airport

Alessandra d'Albuquerque becomes a major shareholder of Di Net, controversy ensues

Nadrink, Distretto Federal: Yesterday Alessandra d'Albuquerque, the eldest sister of Viniland's current Monarch and the next one in line of the Vinilandese royal succession, has bought 34% of the shares of formerly state-owned Di Net (which was sold to private shareholders once the Partito Libertario took over), Viniland's largest internet/cable provider. A curious public immediately pondered where Alessandra had gotten the funds to purchase such a large share of a multi-billionaire company and soon accused the Princess of acquiring her share of the company through shady means - some rumors even stated that she had sold sex to the former shareholders in order to get a discount price.

Today, however, Alessandra publicized the transaction, showing the shares were bought at current market price, as well as stating the money came from the revenue of various enterprises the Royal Family owns across Viniland and in some foreign countries (chiefly hotels and resorts).

Alessandra dispels rumors about the acquisition of the shares at a press conference.

Despite the clarification, a new controversy arose and some protests have already spring up - should the Royal Family be this active in enterprises? Given that the Monarch still has a fair share of political power (being able to use reserve powers under state of emergency) as well as having a major party promoting the Monarchy (Monarchists, who would've guessed?), many people believe they shouldn't also have that much influence in economic matters.

However, current Prime Minister Pasquale Bianchi disagrees with the outrage, stating that the Royal Family can do as they please with whatever revenue they get from their enterprises or other means: "So long as they don't get funds from looting the homes of anti-monarchists, I don't care about how they acquire and use money.", stated Bianchi. Libertarians in general agree with the Prime Minister and remind every citizen in Viniland is entitled to the same economic freedoms.

Bianchi is begged by the media to give a statement in regards to the recent controversy.

[V The King]

National Environmental Office Opened!

Nadrink, Distretto Federal: Today, Prime Minister Pasquale Bianchi announced the creation of a new governmental sub-ministry - Escritório Nacional do Meio-Ambiente, and appointed Reinaldo Giancolla as its head, a renowned environmental activist. The newly created office will serve to streamline government services related to the environment, as well as closing most state-funded environmental offices, deemed "too bureaucratic and inefficient" by the Prime Minister. Instead, all environment-related issues will go through the Escritório, and if not considered powerful enough, some of then may pass onto the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

OOC: Bought the National Environmental Office wonder in-game.

[V The King]

Highly Classified

A commonplace routine within the Canadian protectorate was for Vinilandese inspectors to analyze the current state of the territory's infrastructure and buildings, in order to make sure nothing was falling apart and those who were left could live safely. Said inspectors, who were hired and dispatched by all kinds of businesses (because of a Vinilandese law that requires all businesses to "commit socially") were generally welcomed by the locals. However, one day, some men thought it would be a great idea to abuse the opportunity to inspect the insides of a structure...

On June the 11th, several private corporations, including defense contractor "Túlio & Armando", construction firm "Astaldi", steel-makers "Gruppo Riva" and consumer goods manufacturer "Semco" sent a unified inspecting team, consisting of 21 men and women, to SkyCity after the Vinilandese government requested that the city's residents be ensured of their safety.

As usual, those folks went inside buildings, analyzed their structure, columns, electric systems and the suchlike, much like another building inspectors. However, they would often stay overtime in their workplace - commonly believed to be a practice imposed by the contractors so the employees would have more time to revise their job and make sure no mistakes were done in a building's status report.

The popular belief was wrong.

[V The King]

To the CEO's of T&A, Astaldi, Gruppo Riva and Semco - Reports of findings in SKyCity

Over the course of the last two days, we inspected several office buildings in SkyCity (they were pretty tall, dare I say). Not only our regular work went smoothly, but we successfully managed to infiltrate and look at computers and virtual databases, as well as archives, books and documents, while locals were either distracted or away for a short time, and surveillance apparels were temporarily disabled by ourselves for "inspection". We have made no majestic findings yet, but the blueprints we have found may be of highly profitable nature. Alas, our results include:

-The blueprints for the Center Tower and Nakheel Tower

-Partial urban planning of SkyCity

-Detailed information about Carbon Nanotube Muscles, although nothing in regards to its making or manufacturing (Aço & Ferro already produces something very similar, but it could be highly useful for Astaldi)

-Blueprints for several consumer good industries

Unfortunately, we could not "inspect" any government building yet - and given Canada's forner government system, the bulk of the spectacular projects are probably located in government facilities. But do not sweat, for we were granted permission to inspect all of the Ministerial buildings, as well as military industries. More relevant discoveries may be at hand.

Out.

-Inspector Team Omega

[V The King]

Bavaria and Viniland signs a treaty

Nadrink, Distretto Federal: Almost immediately after Viniland officially recognized Bavaria, a newly created state located in its namesake's region, the Ministry of External Affairs began forging diplomatic ties with the newborn German nation. The result of intense exchange was the following NAP/Free Trade treaty:

Preamble

In the interest of promoting the security and prosperity of their people, Bavaria and Viniland hereby agree to enter a pact of non-aggression and free trade under the following terms:

Article I - Enforcement and Termination

This pact takes effect immediately upon valid ratification of both signatory sides and lasts unto perpetuity. Should either of the signatories choose to end this arrangement, they are to inform the other side a minimum of seventy-two hours before terminating the arrangement. Should either side knowingly and with ill intent violate any of the terms of this agreement, the other side may consider it null and void with all repercussions that this may carry.

Article II - Mutual non-aggression

Bavaria and Viniland hereby swear to a pact of mutual non-aggression. Neither nation shall attack or aid an attack on the other. This also includes all forms of direct or indirect aggression. From a direct declaration of war to indirect war outsourcing to third parties, from overt military operations to covert espionage attempts. The nations of Bavaria and Viniland also pledge not to provide any aid to third parties in a state of war with either nations, as well as pledge to recognize the territorial sovereignty of each party.

Article III - Free Trade and Mobility

The nations of Bavaria and Viniland agree to facilitate mutual trade and movement of personnel and goods between each other and have an open border policy, although the implementation of supervision and security at the discretion of either nation is allowed so long as it is acceptable, ergo, it does not significantly hamper the freedom of mobility. Tariffs for goods imported from either country shall not exist - thus a state of free trade existing between the two signatories.

Article IV - Violations

Should any form of transgression violate this agreement it should immediately be reported to the other side and the same transgression should be neutralized promptly through joint cooperation. Should any material damages be caused through such a transgression, Bavaria and Viniland guarantee to compensate the damages to the victim if offender is one of their citizens. Should an offender fail to terminate hostilities once a transgression is identified, both nations agree to perform a joint disciplinary measure.

Article V

Both parties agree not to initiate hostilities towards third parties that the other signatory has a mutual defense pact with. Should such an event come to place, the mutual defense pact takes precedence and this agreement is to be considered null and void.

Signed for Regno de Vinilândia (Kingdom of Viniland):

Vicente d'Albuquerque, Monarch

Pasquale Bianchi, Prime Minister

Celso Amorim, Minister of External Affairs

The Vinilandese Parliament

Signed for the Kingdom of Bavaria:

King Maximilian III.

Classified:

To the CEO's of T&A, Astaldi, Gruppo Riva and Semco - Second Report of findings in Ferihn

Over the course of the last four days, our team has made vast progress, mostly in response to the rumors that Bohovia would be reborn and a new nation was emerging in Montréal (OOC: This report took place before Edward and Ottawa reappeared on the map, the subsequent ones will take that into account), threatening our free access to former Canadian facilities in the territories were they would emerge, as well as a threat of expansion into SkyCity existing. We are thus working triple-time and sucking as much as we can before our job is no longer possible.

As aforementioned, we were very successful as we searched military-industrial complexes and government HQ's chiefly in SkyCity, as well as having some of our men move into Ottawa and Montréal before they became inaccessible and relentlessly searched all possible locations for information - sure, the local suspected them "inspecting so much', but they'll never be seen there agian, so oh, well. Our findings include:

-Blueprints, assembly lines, materials and how-to's of the AISR .4 - we're unsure whether if it outmatches current Vinilandese rifles - that will take some testing in our part.

-Blueprints for railguns, presumably for SDI purposes. Nothing novel in here.

-Our most relevant find yet, the blueprints, parts, as well as some assembly lines, for the Leopard 3A1. Given the Vinilandese Army's outdated tanks on this category, this might be a very useful - and highly profitable find. Given our knowledge of Fusion power, we might be able to power that baby even better and developed an improved version of it.

-Plans, sketches and some prototypes of Canada's newest infantry armor. Unfortunately, we have no definitive blueprints or how-to's on this one, so reverse engineering may be much more arduous than the usual. Such may still produce significant results due to carbon nanotubes being applied here, although we do not know by how much they increase effectiveness.

-Plans and machine parts for the Mammoth Mk.I. Looks like a super-heavy tank, but very immobile and expensive to produce. Unsure if we ought to bother with this one at all.

-Hints and some data about Canada's genetic and space program. We are unsure what to make of from them, since they are only partial, incomplete information and the bulk of it seemed to have been transferred elsewhere or deleted. We will still send what we've got to scientists to see if they can make a wee bit of sense off them.

-Hints of an advanced CAS and bomber aircraft - dubbed the PZL-230 Skorpion. We are unsure of its potential, but we might learn a thing or two from the Canadians so we will carry own our search in regards to that.

That sums up our findings. We're still not done with the city or its outlying SkiCity, and we will now conduct inspections throughout the remaining territory of Canada, although unfortunately, we will very likely not be able to make it into facilities that will be soon out of Vinilandese and Tahoan control.

-Inspector Team Omega