Medina

[Sparkteze]

National Swimming Team Flees Medina! Seeks Asylum in Xsampa!
Free Medina News

 Today, the National Swimming Team, has fled past the border of our country and into neighboring Xsampa. 
  This daring escape is believed to have happened during a training session near the border of the two countries. It is unclear how they were able to escape exactly, though state media has largely been keeping quiet about the event,so information isn't plentiful.
 One thing's for sure, this event will surely weaken Medina's international image and lead to more security measures to be taken against sports teams in the future! With the exit of the Swimming team it is unlikely that Medina will participate in the Olympics!

[Sparkteze]

Fight For Abadii Freedom! Join the Abadii Liberation Army!

 As the Hanif government with the approval of the Evil in the World and tramples on our traditions as proud members of Abadiism, we here have said  it is enough! Under the watchful hand of Al-Fazul Parsa we will reclaim our land from the imperialists and heretics will be driven out of our lands  and we will make them pay for their crimes against our people! Join the ALA, reclaim your lands, fight against imperialism! The ALA needs you!

[Sparkteze]

Smuggling In Medina

The Dovani Economic Report 

 Smuggling in Medina is a significant problem that is affecting the country and its economy negatively. Illicit goods plays have infiltrated many sectors of the economy, with many citizens participating in the black market to buy various illicit goods. The illicit market spans various items, such as consumer goods, fuel, energy and technology, all the way to weapons and drugs.
 
  The contribution of illicit trade to the country's economy has increased over the last few years due to the insurgencies and resulting economic downturn. The war with the insurgents has resulted in many goods becoming more difficult to obtain. In particular, the communist insurgency has resulted in oil and other forms of fuel becoming scarce, as the areas affected by the insurgency are the areas responsible for a significant part of the energy needs of the country. As a result, the illicit trade of fuel has increased to being responsible for the procurement of around 45% of the country's energy needs. It is likely this number will rise as long as Medina does not find a new source of cheap fuel, internal or external. There has also been a noted increase in the price of food as result of the Abadiist insurgency in the largely agricultural west.


 The government has in the past maintained a relaxed attitude to the sale of illicit goods in the country, with elements of government even relying on it for procurement of goods that are more expensive on the legal market. However it has recently begun to take initiative against the trade, through increasing funding for security forces and cracking down on officers and army members complicit in the drug trade. The government has been working on establishing a policing force to deal with it, it believed that it will be announced soon.

  Many of the  smuggling routes on land are on the  Yerrawa border, with the two countries sharing a large and generally unguarded border. These routes are mostly under the control of various gangs headquartered in some of the larger in land cities. The profitability and efficacy of these routes has taken a sever hit after the rise of the insurgents however, as both the ACP and ALA have taken a generally hardline stance against black marketeers. The production of various drugs, grown in the fertile Perin region, has been increasingly targeted by members of the ALA whom have decried the drug trade and corrupt and vowed to crack down on it and the people profiting from it. The same can be said of the ACP, which, in the name of the common good, has also been fighting against the various gangs in the area, as they consider them capitalist exploiters to be shot on sight. Both of the organizations have received increased support from the citizens as a result of this stance. These factors have resulted in the illicit trade being less conducted in the affected regions. 
  
   The Illicit trade has gained numerous new routes however on the waterways. These new routes have resulted in the increase in illicit trade and the rise of new bandit groups. The transport of illicit goods across the waterway is made especially hard due to the woeful lack of equipment for the Sea Patrol.




  

[Sparkteze]

Immigration Trends in Medina

   Immigration to Medina is regulated by the Ministry of the Interior. The country maintains entry checkpoints at Xsampa, South Dovani, and Yerrawa. Entry is also possible via air and sea transport. Most arrivals come from Xsampa or Egelion for business purposes.

  Short-term travel to Medina is available to citizens of all countries, provided they are able to obtain the necessary visa. Business visas are generally more difficult to obtain; however, the process is easier for applicants from world powers with an established presence in Medina, such as Xsampa or Egelion. Most immigrants are not eligible for citizenship or permanent residency unless they are married to a Medinan citizen or have invested upwards of 500,000 Medina rupee's into the national economy.

  Emigration has exceeded immigration for the past few decades. Many citizens of Medina seek to move to more prosperous or less turbulent countries. It is noted that most citizens between lower-average to above-average salaries who choose to emigrate seek to relocate to Xsampa. Wealthier individuals tend to move to nations such as Egelion or Kundrati. Citizens who cannot afford visas or transportation to other countries often migrate illegally to Yerrawa due to the relatively low security along the border. They either settle there or use it as a transit point to enter other countries.

  As a result of the negative economic impact of emigration, the government has imposed capital and movement controls on its citizens, though these measures primarily affect poorer and working-class individuals.


 

[Sparkteze]

Labour Protests In Lagori Over Austerity Measures
Free Medina News

   Multiple trade unions in the city of Lagori have organized strikes in response to recently undertaken austerity and anti-organization measures taken by the government.

  Most strikes in Medina are organized under the confines of the National Labour Organization, however recent waves have defied instructions from the NLO and have taken to organizing independently. 

  The biggest protests occurred near the city center and has been organized with the help of Gul Ferosa, former VP of the Worker's Party and other members of  the local branch of the Party.

   Protestors have taken aim at the austerity measures imposed by the Hanif government, particularly cuts to the welfare budget and the reduction of regulatory protections.

   While labour strikes and small protests are typically uncommon in the country due to the stringent security rule, it shows broader discontent with the government that might spread. 
    
   It is likely that the government will take actions to quell the protests and suppress dissent in an area vulnerable to communist subversion. There are fears that the protests will be used by the ACP insurgents to gather support and advance their positions.

[Sparkteze]

New Border And Sea Patrol To Be Formed 

                         The Medina Times
-------------------------------------------------------

  In the wake of recent increases in illicit trading within the country, the government has taken a decisive step in combating this trend. Starting next month, the Medina Border and Sea Patrol will be officially formed starting next month.
   The new Agency will be equipped with state of the art equipment in order to combat the trade of illicit goods. Medina had previously lacked any specialized police agency to tackle contraband, this would allow for the state to crack down on the transport of narcotics and crack down on smuggling routes used by terrorists to bring in guns and other dangerous materials.
   The Agency will be active in all provinces of Medina with increased presence in those affected by terrorist control.

   Glory To Medina!

[Sparkteze]

The Struggle For Faith In Utaristan Quashed. Rebellion Must Continue.
The Abadii Liberation Army
  Not long ago, the forces of Abadiism were on the path to liberation in Utaristan. The brave members of the Ahmadi Coalition for Salvation of Utaristan had chosen to rise up for their faith in midst of civil unrest between treachorous dictators and godless socialists. 
  The movement had made great advances, but was momentarily weakened by the capture of their unifying figure, Abduweli Kusen. This moment of weakness was used by the communists to pounce on the movement and drain it of its life force, sure as it is doing to the country with it's imagined democracy. 
  While the outlook may look bleak for Utaristan, this isn't the end. Many fighters have formed their own groups and continue to fight for a Ahmadii Utaristan, a just Utaristan. The fight is still continuing in spite of the claims of victory by the government there. 
  They're fight will not be forgotten and we, the ALA, will never forget our Utaristan brothers while we are also fighting the same enemy here in our own country. And let it be known, that we will prevail in Medina. And once Medina has prevailed we will aid our brothers in Utaristan, we will help them rise up against the weak socialist government. Utaristan and Medina will be free!

[Sparkteze]

The Medina Times
Volume LXXVI ,Issue 716 ,April 5713, 5 Rupee

Police Shuts Down Illegal Radio Station

 Authorities in the border city of Arraba, discovered a pirate radio station operating from a van on the outskirts of the city near an abandoned school.
  The radio station was operated by the Free Medina Newsgroup, banned in 5708 due to propagating terrorist propaganda and leaking sensitive information about security operations in the process. Since the ban, the group has gone underground, mostly operating now through pirate stations and online media.
   Local police recently picked up the nearby signal of an FMN broadcast. The police were able to triangulate the radio signal  from two police transmitters, leading them to the source of the broadcast.
   "As soon as we arrived there and saw the van we knew we had gotten them." says local police chief, Abaddi El Ali.
   He also stated that this bust is a boon in Medina's fight against subversion and hopes it will lead to further arrests of group members. "Using the information from this bust, it would be possible to further bring this group to justice."
  

[Sparkteze]

The Medina Times
Volume LXXXII ,Issue 720 ,April 5715, 5 Rupee

Coastal City Becomes Dovani Trade Center

   In the past year, the city of Abbal City has experienced continuous growth of 10% in every quarter, making for a total growth of 40%.

  This comes amid a growth in maritime trade in Medina as sea routes become more viable transport methods. Abbal City was especially well situated to take advantage of this situation, with it recently inaugurating a new seaport and being the production place of containers in Medina. The city was very well situated to earn a lot from the increase of trade.
  New businesses have cropped up in the region and previously stagnant industries, such as energy and fishing, have experienced exponential growth. New infrastructure projects are being proposed to harness the economic potential so that the rest of the country may also bask in the benefits. An expansion to the port and the establishment of an industrial park nearby are currently being planned.
  The establishment of a new powerful port city in Medina will make Medina stronger and more affordable as goods become easier to transport. At the current rate of growth, the city will go on to rival previous economic strongholds such as Barachi and Peredizna, becoming a cornerstone of the country.

[Sparkteze]

The Medina Times
Volume LXXVI ,Issue 716 ,April 5714, 5 Rupee

Security Forces Corner Rebels In Alterra District

 Security forces have trapped a terrorist unit in the city of Alterra, preparing a further offensive against them.
  Following the rise of the radical terrorist group, the Abadii Liberation Army, in the predominantly Abadiist region of Perin, the government has undertaken a counterinsurgency effort in region. The most recent push in the fight against the group has been the national forces doing a encirclement in Alterra in order to flank the terrorists on all sides and ensure they are wiped out. Alterra is considered to be a hotbed for the ALA and a staging point into the broader Perin area.
 According to the commander of the local security unit, Amaal Bargen: "This is part of the plan. We are steadfast is our resolve to crush these terrorists and ensure peace and stability return to the region. This will be a good day for Medina."
  He has also stated that due to the unpredictive nature of the locals and terrorists blending in with civilian deaths are unfortunately expected. "The people here are sympathetic to the terrorists. We will not tolerate any people perceived to be helping the terrorists or abetting forces. These people are not innocent and will be treated accordingly."
  Security forces are clearing out buildings in terrorist infested districts. there are potentially many high ranking ALA officials among the terrorists. The operation is predicted to be successful by our analysts.