Weekly News from Fyksland
Coverage and translation provided by Vaijskä Radio
Monday, 11 February, 2008
Fyksian Church leader calls for tolerance of religion
NUGJØLUT, Gaamla (VKK) - Archbishop of Ausglot Pør Luuteis said during Sunday mass that there should be tolerance towards different beliefs, as alien as they maybe. The Church of Fyksland leader said yesterday in light of the recent attacks on the Internet and on the streets against the Church of Scientology. Luuteis said to reporters that the state church has yet to make plans to brand the group a cult. A cult label would mean that the group's activities will become restricted in Fyksland and that it will not receive government funding and tax exemptions. Nevertheless, the Church of Scientology has not applied for public funding, according to sources. Full story...
Tuesday, 12 February, 2008
Bank of Fyksland holds interest rate
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Bank of Fyksland voted unanimously to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4.1 per cent Tueday, amid steep drops in global stocks and worries about a U.S. economic slowdown. Last Thursday, European Central Bank held its key interest rate at 4 per cent. Markets saw inflationary threats greater than fears of economic slowdown, leading the euro to set new intraday low and contributing to a steepening of European yield curves on hopes the ECB will have room to trim interest rates in coming months. Full story...
Wednesday, 13 February, 2008
Opposition criticises NATO Afghan strategy
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Opposition blasted the government's attempt to increase NATO troop contribution in Afghanistan during parliamentary debates today. In response to calls from NATO to increase Fyksian troops' combat capacities in the Afghan campaign, Prime Minister Rälin Hvåti said his government is prepared to put forth a new mandate for debate. Opposition leader Hemkel Kroig said the public has been happy about the status quo and would like to see more involvement in rebuilding projects instead. Full story...
Thursday, 14 February, 2008
Opposition threatens motion of confidence on Afghan involvement
KAANSÄ (VKK) - It was all knives and no love in the parliament today as Lower House continues the debate over Fyksland's Afghan mandate beyond the autumn of 2008. The opposition coalition threatened to turn the vote on Afghanistan into a motion of confidence. We do not believe the government would risk bringing down the government for a bit of extra international prestige, said opposition leader Hemkel Kroig. With federal elections looming in 2010, neither the government nor the opposition is prepared for an early election, said Olavur Möslour -- an expert in Fyksian foreign affairs at the University of Kaansä. Full story...
Friday, 15 February, 2008
Papers have no plan to republish Prophet cartoons
KAANSÄ (AP) - Several Fyksian newspapers have indicated that they have no plan to republish the drawings of the Prophet Mohammad that sparked global Muslim outrage two years ago. More than 15 newspapers in Denmark and one in Sweden reprinted the controversial cartoons following the foiled attempt on Kurt Westergaard's life -- a cartoonist at Jyllands-Posten. Danish police has arrested three people Tuesday in connection with the planning of the murder. Danish papers called the murder plot an attack on Denmark's democratic culture. Full story...
Saturday, 16 February, 2008
SvenesÆr announced as Platinum partner
KAANSÄ (VKK) - SvenesÆr has been announced as the newest Platinum partner for the 2012 Games in the airline category. A firm supporter of the Kaans 2012 bid, the airline will now have marketing rights to the Kaans 2012 Games and provide flights to athletes for the Beijing Games this summer and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. As part of the deal announced at Skilig's Terminal 1, SvenesÆr will also provide support for volunteer training and a travel bursary scheme for aspiring athletes. The national carrier CEO Helgi Sjoesveri said the airline is a natural partner for the Games and is proud to become part of the team that makes the 2012 Games a success. Full story...
Sunday, 17 February, 2008
Fyksland reserved on Kosovo independence
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Prime Minister Rälin Hvåti said the government has taken the neutral position and is reviewing the Kosovar constitution and its declaration of independence. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia today, unanimously passed by the Kosovar parliament. Hvåti said Fyksland is skeptical that the independence would improve stability in Kosovo and the greater Balkan region but said it will give weight to European Union's decision which is expected on Monday. Foreign Affairs Minister Kala Uutipalan said Fyksland is not expected to take a position rapidly on the issue, and will ultimately await for United Nation's approval. So far the United States and the EU are expected to recognise the new country whilst permanent UN members Russia and China have planned to oppose the independence. Full story...
Supports called for Kosovo recognition
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Within 30 minutes of the news of Kosovo's independence broke out this afternoon, hundreds gathered outside the Parliament building celebrating and showing support for the new nation. In Niekopenhaag, home to the largest number of ethnic Albanian in Fyksland according to the last census, thousands gathered outside the ducal legislature waving flags, singing and dancing. Whilst celebrating the independence of their birth country, revellers are calling the Fyksian government to swiftly recognise the new nation. Analysts say the government is relunctant to be the first to recognise Kosovo because it could lend legitimacy to Viske to unilaterally declare independence. Full story...
