GBC News 24

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GBC News 24

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Applied Behavioural Analysis to be banned in Goldecia for treating Neurodivergents

In news today the government have announced Goldecia will seek a ban on Applied Behavioural Analysis in Goldecie for Neurodivergent groups such as Autistics, people with sensory processing issues and ADHD. The government are seeking a ban following the "Report on used of Applied Behavioural Analysis 1594" that took in evidence from professional groups, parents , Autistics, Neurodivergent people and medical professionals. The technique has long been controversial in its use with opponents arguing that the technique and approach is the wrong one focusing on turning Neurodivergents into Neurotypicals rather than helping understand the cause of behaviours and fixing the issues people may have underlying such as sensory overload instead. Further criticisms brought up during the hearings on the practise are allegations and evidence that ABA has lead to PTSD further down the line and that professionals in the industry have been using aversion therapy to stop stimming that experts and Autistics say is essential to their wellbeing. There are concerns the therapy breaches human rights of the Neurodivergent population with it being compared to Gay Conversion Therapy in terms of how it treats those who are different which is currently banned under the law of Goldecia . Further criticism came that some practises could potentially be considered torture. The practise was criticised in the report on the balance of evidence which included input from ABA supporting groups.

The report did note the apparent scientific evidence but suggested this may miss the mark when it comes to long term effectiveness since most studies were short term or did not study the negative effects. They suggested the measurability may be a reason it is so widespread despite criticism from the community it is supposed to help. The minister of health Harris Savoy released the following statement:"We as a government after considering balance of evidence consulting with professionals and the Autistic majority Positive about Autism and other Autistic groups as well as groups for other Neurodivergent groups have come to the conclusion that ABA is a net negative benefit on society. We believe that evidence supports that there are more downsides than upsides and there are far more cost effective therapies with better results than ABA. We also believe this breaches human rights of the individuals. For these reasons we will move forward with our plans to update the Neurodiversity Act in order to ban ABA use on Autistics and the Neurodivergent population of Goldecia. We will be using the whip system to encourage a vote in favour of the ban and would love to work with other parties to do the same." The ban is expected to be supported by the Party of Social Democrats and Liberals though NGP have expressed opposition. The NGP said in a statement " We cannot support the ban on this therapy that helps so many sick people. Autism is an illness that needs treating and fixing and we will support therapies that do this."

Positive about Autism has released a statement praising the government. PAA said in a statement " We are happy the government are moving forward on this critical issues and supporting Autistics right to be Autistic and act Autistic. We will continue our work with all parties , MP's and Lords willing to work with us in order to pass this vital bill against ABA recognising it as a breach of human rights like Gay Conversion Therapy. We very much hope Goldecia will be a model for the world to follow."THe government are also reportedly planning to make it illegal for parents to refuse vaccinations for their children unless they have doctors providing a valid medical reason to protect public health.

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Monday 2 Ochtyr 1596 CE
Central Connect to lose franchise

Central Connect have today lost the right to operate the Central franchise that serves Arthuria, Porterdam, Goudadam and Rutterda on the circle line of the Goldecian rail network. The company was 5 years into its 20 years franchise but over the last 3 years complaints of overcrowding as well as delays have rocketed. Further to this just 94.5% of services within 2 minutes and classed as on time with 3% of services more than 5 minutes late. A far lower punctuality figure than rivals.This has meant the company has now been in breach of the franchise contract for three years having failed to improve in the period demanded by law. The firm scaled back investment 4 years ago to save money and cut pay of the drivers and staff resulting in shortages.

The train franchise is to go out to tender to any companies without existing franchises competing eliminating Virgin from the the new bid. The franchise is open to bids from foreign companies operating rail abroad. The franchise will be awarded in a competition based on franchise fee to the government , quality of services, frequency and amount of seats to be made available. Value for money will also be a factor. It is hoped the service will attract hot competition for the franchise. In the meanwhile Central Connect is reverting to the transport department while the franchising process is handled. The government are meeting to discuss and improvement plan. It is expected that major investment will be required as part of the bid and an increase in both train size and frequency.

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Tuesday 10 Dein 1597 CE
Change in ambassador deployment policy

Today the Goldecian government announced a change in its diplomat deployment policy. Previously the policy would put conditions on certain posts based on cultural values of the country diplomats were being sent to. This may be prioritising certain faiths, taking into account gender or sexuality based on known local issues or taking into account races for example not sending minorities to countries where racism is known to be very common or in official policy. The policy will now strip away all these considerations and potentially use deployment as a way to show other nations how diversity can benefit the other nation by sending minorities to nations where rights for them may not be so good.

In the first appointment post policy change Masozi Norbay-Husam and Benjamin Norbay-Husam who married each other in a gay marriage are to be sent to Batavia. The couple have two children who they adopted and is a mixed race couple with one of the men being transgender as well as gay. They will represent Goldecia at official functions in Batavia. The Foreign ministry said the move would "show new areas of the world that acceptance and tolerance is the way forward and that ultimately humanity is united in the fact we all bleed red." The move will likely mean further minority ambassadors will deployed to countries like Akhadic countries or deeply conservative cultures including minorities in terms of neurodivergence, race, gender or sexuality . The government hope the move can be used to promote gender , LGBT and racial equality around the world by sending a message that diplomats can be sent anywhere even with these factors and enjoy the protection of full diplomatic immunity if laws are considered discriminatory based on these factors and said it decided that anyone of any minority should have the right to be deployed anywhere in the world regardless of risk to them or their family and the decision should remain in the families hands.The ministry emphasized the driving factors of deployments would be knowledge of local culture, experience or knowledge of local langauge, diplomatic skills and the knowledge of issues likely to be dealt with in the nation they are deployed in. The policy would only be a change in the sense that diplomats will no longer not be deployed on risk factors to the individual as long as they agree to take on the level of risk. Diplomats as always would have the right to refuse based on risk factors to themselves or family.

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Tuesday 17 Septem 1599 CE
Kadar Krass Millenium Goldecia Rail Link Tunnel to open in 1600


The Kadar Krass Millenium Goldecia Rail Link tunnel was announced to be on track by the Goldecia-Kolhar Link Corporation that is 50% owned by Goldecia and 50% owned by Kolhar. The tunnel has been fully completed with tracks and the terminals to be totally completed by Septem 1600. The tunnel is also expected to come in under its budget of $80 billion or 55.94 billion Goldecian Pounds. The tunnel is to link Goldecia and Kolhar with an environmentally friendly and conveniant weatherproof link for the first time in the history of Goldecia with air travel and ferry travel expected to face huge falls in passenger numbers once the tunnel opens. The project was started 6 years ago after a 4 year planning phase. The link runs 220 miles from Poolville in Goldecia to Taliat in Kolhar with those cities and towns expected to boom as a result.

The tunnel consists of 4 main tunnels and 2 emergency tunnels and also has an internet cable link as well as an energy link. 2 tunnels are dedicated to the new higher speed link which will have international passenger trains running through it from Cair Para to Vakor via Brummagem and Arthuria or Goudadam and Porterdam with international terminals built in those cities in stations. The other 2 tunnels will be dedicated to freight rail and the new Kadar Shuttlelink which will run the 220 mile route in 1.5 hours down from the current 5.5-7 hours ferry link. The services are expected to become the main ways of crossing from Goldecia to Kolhar especially for vehicle crossings.

The rates for the tunnel have been announced on a provisional basis with rates expected to be slightly less than the ferry pricing for the route because of the lack of a need for cabin and extensive lounges on board for the Shuttlelink. Bikes are expected to face a $193.50 return fare if booked in advance. Cars are to be charged $300-345 return, Coaches $901 return, Motorhomes $435 return and Trucks $1,050 Return. Corporate customers will be charged significantly less . The tunnel is expected to take at least a 60% marketshare of the Goldecia to Kolhar travel market for ground transport. The tunnel is expected to be opened by delegations at both ends with King Edmund opening it at the Goldecian end and Kadar Krass-Parakimete expected to open the tunnel at the Kolhari end. The tunnel is expected to result in a significant drop in carbon emissions for both Goldecia and Kolhar.

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Satursday 28 Tolven 1599 CE
Speire takeover of Buzz Air

Today Speire Air has announced the takeover of Buzz Air in a joint press conference in a shock move in the industry. While it is not a surprise for an airline merger in the KEC the move was not expected so soon after the KEC moved to a new phase. Experts had predicted deals would happen within 5 years.The sale of 51% of the airline will damage hopes of Scholden Luftvaerks who had previously dominated the budget space. In the announcement the new airline brand was announced to be SpeireLines and will launch in Taenus and Goldecia at launch thoguh the company said it plans to expand into Kolhar, Hylis and Solhaven setting up bases there through acquisition or setting up of new branches.

Buzz Air was famous for its ultra low cost philosophy, short seat pitches and low prices. The new airline brand brought out by Daniella Porter with 49% and Speire Airlines with 51% will have two major offices though operations will be combined. The airline announced it plans a new marketing strategy to keep ahead of Simple Jet by in their own words "Out Simpling Simple Jet". The airline announced it would move away from complex fees and have an honest fare and announced it would not charge for changes to bookings as long as it was spent on another flight though charges may occur if it happens twice and credit would be put against any new price though there would be no refunds if the second flight or flights was cheaper. Credit would sit in the account for a year. The company announced there would be a return to staffed check in without fees, free seat reservations so you can stay seated together easily without cost and no priority boarding. Fees would however remain for bags beyond 1 hand luggage which is allowed as long as it fits under the seat or in overhead lockers safely stowed away. Cabin bags would be charged at £24.50 for the first bag per flight , £35 for the second per flight and £42 per flight for any excess luggage after that or oversized luggage.Extra legroom seats are expected to be £25 per flight. The new fee structure was unveiled under the banner "Truly Simple" with the new owners mocking SimpleJet by calling it "UnSimpleJet". The airline is expected to expand to take the fight to Simplejet. The airline is the first to abolish fees for changing tickets as long as you do it within 1 month of booking though it says "Fares are likely to be higher 1 month before booking. So planning effectively is advised and the policy is designed for unavoidable situations."

The airline has announced that while SL430's in the fleet alread will remain and be renovated with a new IFE a first for a budget airline and free wife will be installed they will not buy any more SL430's but will instead order R4200 Regional Jumper in an all economy 27 inch pitch 216 seater economy cabin. This will be deployed to shorter routes and make up at least 60% of the fleet within 5 years. Bases will be launched at Tara, Galnway, Barravore, Aran, Gavaraytaen , Inishdunmoor and Dungeagan within 2 years with hopes of becoming a major player in Taenus. Bases will also be expanded in Alexia and Goldecias overseas territories. The fleet will be converted to new liveries and cabins over the next year. The airline will become the first pan-kvaennan airline and it is expected other mergers will follow within the industry in Kvaenna.Pricing is expected to be somewhere between Simplejet and Royal Goldecian with the company saying "While cost is important we also want customers to have a few amenities and access to good quality healthy and affordable nutricious food and drinks. We will be looking at developing an inflight sandwich menu using fresh ingredients."

Overseas Territories Integration proposed

The overseas territories of Goldecia were announced today to be integrated into Goldecia proper except for the Wesisles. The move would see them integrated as provinces in Goldecia with all the same local powers as other areas of Goldecia. The move would also see the territories gain 21 seats in the parliament. These would be filled in a temporary election for the seats in early 1600 which would then be in the parliament until 1604 and the next election. The parliament would then be elected as a whole in 1604. The local elections would take place on the normal schedule with the island governments remaining in charge over the transition. The acts required are likely to pass the local parliaments in the next few months with the integration likely to be made official by the 2nd month of 1600.

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Sunday 22 Alvan 1600 CE
Government announce single use deposit plan following success in Eskkya

Today Goldecias government have announced a series of reforms that they plan in a new Green Goldecia Act due in parliament within months. The government are developing the act following a parliamentary review involving big retail chains , environmental groups and packaging companies. The governments Green Future for Packaging and Waste review recommended some key changes such as compulsory deposit schemes at all retailers, compulsory tap water refill stations in every store ,cafe and restaurant free at the point of use and finally ban on packaging on veg or fruit unless absolutely necessary. The review also recommended a total ban on plastic bags.

The government said in response to the review "We have listened to experts and looked at models globally especially the Eskkyan model which has already yielded significant reductions in waste and will be looking at adopting many measures they have taken.These will include cutting VAT off an approved list of green products such as organic and bamboo products, updates in building codes and reduction of waste via a mix of deposit schemes, ban on single use packaging where it is possible and ban on non-recyclable packaging. "

The new deposit scheme will work as follows and government are working with supermarkets to implement it before its law. The customer will pay 25p deposit per item in packaging or 50p for bottles. They will receive this back from the waste deposit sections in store upon return of the items centralising the waste collection to stores. Bags will be sold for a minimum of £1 per reusable bag to encourage reduction in bag usage while reusable water bottles will be sold by retailers for an affordable cost out of bamboo, metal or recycled plastics with free water refill points being made a legal requirement for all shops and businesses. Finally almost all fruit and veg will be sold packaging free with paper bags sold for 50p deposit each which will be given back when returned to the store to encourage reuse of bags. The new proposals are hoped to decrease plastic waste by 80% and put recycling rates above 90%. The government also announced that there will follow a ban on single use non-recyclable plastics entirely within 5 years. Also being considered is a positive energy standard for any new buildings within 5 years and property tax cuts for buildings that are made out of carbon friendly materials or meet a zero energy standard. The government has said "We have a commitment to deliver for the environment and will work with all parties in this nation to achieve it." The Liberals and PSD have indicated they will encourage MP's to vote for the act.The Act will also bring in new measures banning oil use within 5 years , set a carbon tax and tax flights using fossil fuels at an increased rate. The measures while extensive are not quite as extensive as Eskkyas but have been praised by environmental groups as a good step forward in environmental protection.

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Thursday 12 Quartyr 1600 CE
Goldecia Government condemns South Kolhar

Today the Goldecian foreign minister Felix Underhill condemned the South Kolhari government following reports of beating of protesters and mass arrests in South Kolhar. The minister appeared before press to release a statement. The minister said "Goldecia for over 100 years has stood for liberty, democracy, equality and freedom for all and will continue to stand for these values. We believe that liberty is not only desirable but a right for all to have and democracy its delivery vehicle. We are saddened to hear once again the Fascist government in Kolhar is once again opressing its people and denying them the most basic of liberties. Anyone should be able to protest government and government should listen to protests in order to improve. The people should have a voice. We today call for calm from the Kolhari Advancement Party and for the government of South Kolhar to respect their citizens basic liberties. We call on the government to release any political prisoners and to allow protest and more importantly listen to their concerns over the price of food and calls for democracy. We call on the party to grant more liberties to the people and learn off the Kolhari Imperium. Democracy, Liberty and equality will only benefit the citizens and government of South Kolhar. We warn the Kolhari Advancement Party if these calls are not heeded then Goldecia will have to look at options open to it to deal with the situation. We don't want to have to act but the blood of innocent citizens is a line too far and we will not let innocent civilians continue to be harmed."

The government have not elaborated on what they mean by the statement but it is possible further sanctions could be applied though some experts fear conflict may be coming to the region once again. The government have said " We will try all peaceful measures to secure change ." Opposition parties have also joined the government in condemnation of the abuse of civil liberties with the the parties meeting together to discuss a united response. It is also rumoured Goldecia is in talks with Taeunus to discuss the situation though it hasn't openly mentioned any talks.Goldecia also announced that it would help asylum seekers and political refugees from South Kolhar.

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Friday 27 Elva 1600 CE
Kadar Krass Millenium Tunnel Opens


After a short delay in opening dates the Kadar Krass Mellenium Tunnel Link opened today on both sides of the channel. The tunnel cost a total of $80 billion having come in on budget according to reports.The tunnel which operates as a rail shuttle with seperate tunnels for high speed crossings. The tunnel has cut the total travelling time from Poolville to Taliat to 1.5 hours by down by high speed train and 2 hours by the conventional 125 mph shuttle trains down from 5.5 to 7 hours journey.

The tunnel is expected to take a majority of traffic from the ferries due to its smoother ride and increased reliability.The tunnel was opened on the Goldecian side by King Edmund III and war hero and Imperator Kadar Krass and King Edmund III on the Kolhari side in Taliat later in the day. King Edmund III said in his speech "We have for many years been friends and connected as two peoples with democratic values. I am proud of of what Goldecia did to ensure freedom and democracy and now we have a physical link too. This will be a great day in both our histories. The day travel became possible no matter what the weather and trains took over the air market benefiting the environment. This is a great day in our histories that will go down in history and I am honoured to open this tunnel."

The tunnel is expected to take over 50% marketshare in the the first year in Goldecia to Kolhar crossings.Prices have been confirmed to be $310 to $360 return for cars $940 return for coaches , $470 return for motorhomes and $1,100 return for trucks .Several corporate clients have already announced they will be switching to the tunnel including a majority of the coach lines in a bid to cut travel times.