Todays Headline from New BLCTV News. Full stories available on www.newblctvnews.bl (Articles also available in English, Dannistrian and Dovakhanese)
Cyclone No’vos increases death toll to 3,500.
The destruction caused by Cyclone No’vos has risen the death toll to 3,500 and leaving 2 million people without homes and is expected to rise, the Interim Administration has confirmed. At worst affected areas like Port Sung and Qing Qing, the Dannistrian army have recovered over 500 bodies which were found in the wreckage caused by yesterday’s storm. Meanwhile General Duh’rahn N’outah has thanked troops for their fast and efficient response to the crisis as well as offering his condolences to those who were killed in the storm.
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“I would like to congratulate the troops for their prompt response to the crisis. At the moment, we are still looking for anyone who maybe trapped underneath the wreckage caused by Cyclone No’vos. To date, 3,500 have lost their lives and I would like to say that I’m sorry to the families who lost their loved ones, it was an act of mother nature rather than that of man. May the deceased rest quietly.”
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Acting Interim Administrator Li An Ying also delivered his condolences while recovering from yesterdays assault.
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It was an unfortunate time for the storm to hit Bai Lung. The most we can do is to prepare ourselves more readily when the next major storm arrives on our doorsteps. This is why I will make radical refurbishment’s to all major cities a top priority along with policing. The deaths caused by Cyclone No’vos is not definitive and I will expect the body count to increase as the weeks pass by…
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It is currently unknown how much damage has Cyclone No’vos has inflicted but weather experts suggests around $600 million-1.5 billion. Mr Li also reminded victims of the storm are to use the nearest shelters.
Acting Interim Administrator appeals for humanitarian aid.
Acting Interim Administrator Li An Ying has appealed to all countries for humanitarian aid, in the wake of the destruction caused by Cyclone No’vos. In his speech he asked for extra food supplies for the two million people left homeless by the storm.
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"I am asking…for all countries in the East Pacific…to give my people adequate emergency supplies as soon as possible. The supplies will be beneficial to everyone but is most beneficial to those who lost their homes. We need soups, warm soups to keep hypothermia at bay. Blankets to keep the children warm. Clean water for everyone to drink, the water in Bai Lung is undrinkable right now. It’s green, putrid and repulsive. We need adequate sewers because they are a total shambles right now.
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He also made references to the Chenite regime, which turned down any humanitarian aid particularly ones coming from Kelssek, and how Chen Jong Sun constantly censored any references to any floods which occurred in the country.
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"I would like remind all citizens that this is not the Chenite regime, we do not turn simply down offers by other nations for the sheer sake of it. You’ve got to remember that this is the year 2007, we accept all kinds of humanitarian aids and donations whether they be friend or friend of a friend.
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Shortly after giving the speech, he also made plans to visit most of the worst affected areas in the country.
First LGBT parade kicks off in Choi.
The first ever LGBT parade will be held in the city of Choi since the fall of the Chenite and Nationalists regimes. Although the event was met with polarised reactions, some people are particularly concerned over the homophobic nature of the Bai Lungese public in general but acting Interim Administrator Li An Ying is confident that the event will go ahead with minimal interference. The event will be closely guarded by Dannistrian troops to prevent any extreme conservatives from attacking the participants. The event will run from 20th-22nd August.
Foreign Affairs Spokesman murdered by 3 assailants.
The Foreign Affairs Spokesman Matthew Zhu Ti has been murdered by unknown assailants at the outskirts of Tai Lin, Chongkim Province. One witnesses, who won’t not be named at the individuals request, told BLCTV News that 3 men jumped out of a bush while Mr Zhu was looking for mushrooms followed by a series of gunshots tothe chest and head. The eyewitness confirmed that they were using hunting rifles to murder Mr Zhu although the individual failed to identify the make of the rifle(s). The shootings were followed by the assailants robbing him of his wallet and shoes before they left the vicinity promptly. When asked if they said anything to Mr Zhu prior to the ambush, the eyewitness replied:
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No, they jumped out of the bush, remained silent, totally stoic and shot at Mr Zhu in cold blood. They didn’t even dispose of his body, they left it there and ran for it before they attracted the attention of the police.
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Other than the eyewitness report, little is known at the time of publication although police have launched an investigation into the death of Mr Zhu. Police have asked further witnesses to come forward to bring any information into the whereabouts of the 3 assailants as the motive for the killing remains unknown.
Riots ensue after part Japanese candidate is announced.
Kobayashi Taro (Xiaolin Tailang in Mandarin Chinese), one of the 6 candidates who is standing for the Interim Administration election has provoked an extremely negative reception from the Bai Lungese public because of his background. Most members of the public claim that electing a Japanese candidate will compromise the identity of the Bai Lungese public, their culture and their languages, Mandarin and Korean. Many also charge that Mr Kobayashi may remove any archives concerning the history of Bai Lung. Despite strong negative vibes, Mr Kobayashi denies any plans to purge the identity of the Bai Lungese people and impose Japanese customs instead. In his own words, he pledges to continue preserving the public’s identity and their customs. Despite these claims, Mr Kobayashi plans to improve relations between One Infinite Loop and Bai Lung, which to date has been muted.
Kobayashi Taro was born to a part Japanese, part Chinese mother (Kobyashi’s grandmother was raped by Japanese soldiers during World War 2) in 8th January 1959. His dad is a full blooded Korean but he died shortly before Kobayashi turned 1. Like Kim Ki Moon, he too was discriminated by class mates because he spoke Cantonese fluently as well (to this day, Cantonese is still a forbidden dialect amongst many of the locals along with Shanghaiese) while at the same time, he managed to keep his and her mother Japanese identity secret until recently at the time of the up coming Interim Administration Elections. In 1977 he left school to study at the Chen Jong Sun Polytechnic University where studied business and politics for 3 years. Although he never got a place in the Central People’s Bank, he did set up an initally small company which sold furniture but becomes the prime choice for late dictator Chen Jong Sun for his sofas. A little known fact is that Mr Kobayashi is the richest candidate of the 6 with an estimated $300 million in his pockets. He speaks, reads and writes Arabic, Cantonese, Dannistrian, Dovakhanese, English, Farsi, French, German, Gnidrahn, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Hakka, Korean, Mandarin, Min Nan, Portguese, Russian, Shanghaiese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese fluently.
In response to the announcement of Kobayashi Taro as a candidate for the Interim Administration elections, there has been widespread looting and rioting throughout the country. Many have attacked Japanese tourists who were visiting Bai Lung and have also targeted Japanese establishments such as restaurants, supermarkets and electronic goods shops. Police have managed to quell 95% of all riots overnight. As of 18th August, 7,000 people were killed in the nationwide riots, making it the bloodiest riots to date and an estimated $2 billion worth of damages.
In related news, due to the rather large number of candidates, Dannistrian General Duh’rahn N’outah and the Interim Administration Cabinet have agreed to run 2 rounds of elections instead of 1, causing grave concerns to many who claim that Mr Kobayashi will win through this way. The 1st wave of elections will commence tomorrow followed by the 2nd wave on Wednesday.
Marcel Chen announces 11th film.
Controversial Dannistrian born Bai Lungese film maker Marcel Chen has already made plans to make another film while planning to release his double bill Dannistrian civil war films at the Nordu Dannistra City Film Festival. Speaking at the Linda Plaza in Nordu Dannistra, the 11th film of the controversial cult director is simply given the tentative title of The White Film, based on the poster which Marcel Chen has unveiled today. According to Chen, the title of the film is supposed to be a homage to The Beatles 10th album, The White Album. The synopsis of his 11th film remains unclear although he did confirmed that it will be Musical/Mystery/Thriller. According to Linda Productions, filming will commence in December with a 3 month shooting schedule.
