Press Association of Orharan - PAO

Welcome to the Press Association of Orharan

Here you can follow the most recent orharanian news from all sorts of news from different sources.
The current main news sources that collaborate with the PAO are:

  • Orhar News (publicly funded broadcast channel partially focussing on general politics)
  • The Economic Analyst (News Magazine focussing on economic and financial news)
  • Peoples Magazine (Online Portal concentrating on cultural news and gossip)
  • Knowlegable! (Online Portal focussed on publishing analyses on scientific publications)

The PAO serves as a national press organization aiming at bringing orharanian News and Society closer to the international public. It is publicly funded by the Orharanian Public Broadcast Act of 2001.

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Orhar News
Oficial Opening of the Rafahran-Dam

Thursday 03.04.2025

It’s a sunny day at the shores of the Rodkhaneh Zandegi where the freshly modernized Rafahran-Dam was celebrationally opened by government officals.
Using big golden scissors the Prime Minister of Orharan Salma Iqabal together with the Prime Minister of the State of Mantageh Miani, Fazel Sayyad, as well as the Minister of Construction and Cityplaning, Bairam Nazeri, cut a velvet ribbon to the control station of the dam. Thus making the finalization of the construction project official.

In an official Speech Fazel Sayyad said:

“The renovation of the Rafahran-Dam means a new age for the Region! It’s newly built hydroelectrical powerplant will supply not only the City of Rafahran itself but also most parts of the region. In addition to this, the newly built canals and equalizing basins serve as an irrigation system providing people with fresh water and farmers with new farmland. The finalization of such a project will start a new golden age not only for the State of Mantageh Miani but for all of Orharan!”

The dam itself was planned by the federal government in early 2014 as a renovation of the dam that was built in 1929 and started construction in late November of 2014. It was originally planned to be finished in May of 2023 and delayed by the resettlement of various villages located in the expected floodzone.
Critics say that the delay was partially a result of corruption and embezzlement from local officials and the contracted construction firm, leading to 2.1 billion Orh being spent more than originally estimated.

The construction took nearly 10.5 years and cost the government 8.7 billion Orh during it’s construction with an additional 857 million Orh that were spent on compensations for villagers that were moved out of their houses.

Whilst government officials celebrate the newly built dam marine-ecologists warn about possible negative effects on marine life and water quality. Samira Fathi, Marine biologist and head of the Biologic Institute of the University of Orhar, told Orhar News reporters:

“The dam has the potential to severly harm the maritime ecosystem! With the bigger walls and changed turbines it is expected that the dam will have a lower water throughput than the old Rafahran-Dam, as most of the water is planned to be held back in order to irrigate the local area. This lower througput of freshwater means that the salt concentration at the rivermouth close to the coast will rise as saltwater will flow back into the river. This change in salt-concentration will lead to the migration of feshwater species further into the river. Which can affect local fishers.
Next to that this change might lead to the spread of some algae. Depending on the severity this might end up to a loss of water quality and the need for better water treatment facilities. This might prove especially problematic, considering some regions up the river lack a consistent supply of freshwater during droughts.
In the end the throughput of ships through the floodgates might prove helpful to regulating change in the rivers ecosystem, however we shouldn’t rely solely on this. I propose extra floodgates, with the only purpose to occassionally let water flow through so that the ecosystem can stay somewhat stable.”

The hydroelectric powerplant located within the dam is expected to officially start producing electricity on monday, as some systems still need testing.

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Peoples Magazine
Why are Drugs legal in Orharan?

Friday 04.04.2025

Any tourist that has visited Orharan and Orhar specifically at least once has probably noticed that many drugs such as Cannabis are legally available for sale in various stores. Maybe some of them even have seen advertisements for clinics specialized in drug treatments for cocaine, LSD and similar hard drugs.

Being quite uncommon to some people around the world, drug usage is being tolerated by the government and executive bodies such as the police forces. With the aforementioned clinics even being run by the Ministry of Health itself. But why does the Ministry that has the only job to keep the citizens healthy run clinics that administer drugs and therefore potentially harming people?

The process behind that is quite simple!
Instead of criminalizing people for the usage of drugs, putting them in prison and making it even harder to join back into society, making them more susceptible to more drug abuse. The orharanian Government treats drug addiction as a sickness that can be treated. Addicts get access to pure drugs, in order to not be exposed to any danger coming from impurities, administered by medical professionals and being put in a safe enviroment. All of this is done to ensure the safety of the drug-user. However drugs, especially hard drugs, are not seen as unproblematic. Any drug-user is being offered help by therapists, in order to fight potentail addictions. Next to that the Government has established a sophisticated social work programm, which aims at reintegrating addicts into society by helping them find a permanent place to live as well as work.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of Health the program which is in effect since 2011 has lowered the amount of drug addicts, drug related crime as well as drug related deaths in our nation.

The program is generally seen as a huge success. However some critics say that the legalization and decriminalization of drugs is being used by organized crime to generate huge profits without intervention of police enforcement. Additionally it is claimed that addicts can just use the government granted access in order to get their “tax payed fix” without claiming any of the offered help to get rid of their addiction.

As of now the program probably won’t be shut down, as a majority of the parliament is in favor of it, with only the conservative Orharanian Constitutionalist Party and the nationalist New Orharanian Front being against it.

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Orhar News
Orharan offers humanitarian aid to the Kingdom of Visrodin

Tuesday 08.04.2025

Following reports regarding the food secruity within Visrodin the Foreign Ministry of Orharan has released a statement:

"The current situation in Visrodin seem dire! The Visrodins are fighting their own brothers and sisters, killing thousands and destroying what they once have built. Now their Nation is facing the threat of experiencing famine. Although their country is far away from us and we as Orharanian don’t have any reason to care, it is our duty as fellow humans on this planet to help others in need. Therefore the Foreign Minister together with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance have decided to create an aid package with a material worth of 900 million Orhs.

Using the Orharanian Aid Program we are willing to send workers and doctors together with food, medicine, clothes and other necessities such as hygiene products. After the Civil War is settled and peace is coming back to Visrodin we also plan on sending another aid package worth 1.8 billion Orh, consisting of seeds and construction material in order to rebuild a self-sufficient Visrodin.

However following and respecting the autonomy of the Kingdom of Visrodin, we will start conversations with the Government of Visrodin and the Command of the Slovesen Republican Army. This shall serve both efficient allocation of our aid to the people of Visrodin, who are afterall the ones who need it the most, and the secruity of our aid packages from potential corruption and missuse.

Yet considering this offer the Government of Orharan wants to expressly mention that it condemns the use of chemical weapons against any combatant especially considering the chance of collateral damage on civilists. We therefore urge the Visrodin Army to stop further use of any use of chemical weapons.
*If the further use of chemical weapons is not stopped Orharan sees the need to start sanctioning Visrodin."

The condemnation of use of chemical weapons is probably a response to reports of the usage of the pesticide diethyl parathion by the Visrodin Army. According to Orhar News sources working in the Foreign Ministry those threatened sanctions are sanctions of trade and financial transactions to and from Visrodin as well as a freeze of any Visrodin Assets currently located in Orharan.

Wether the Visrodin Government or the Army Command of the SRA are willing to accept the proposed aid package is unknown.

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The Economic Analyst
Orharans need for diversification

Friday 18.04.2025

Orharans economy is doing great!
The economic situation for Orharan is currently blooming, the official opening of the Rafahran-Dam earlyer this month promisses new economic growth in Mantageh Miani, specifically Rafahran itself, the plans of Orharoil, the state owned oil drilling and processing company, to tap new oil fields in the nation and open up thousands of new jobs, as well as the growing export of orharanian goods all indicate that our nation is doing great.

Dependency on Oil
However this current state that our economy is in right now is not granted and won’t be able to uphold our nations prosperity and living standards. Oil is a finite ressource, with the first oil fields being closed down 11 years ago. Eventhough Orharan still has some of it’s biggest oil fields active and can propably keep them running for 18 years, leading economists start to give out warnings. Our nation is too reliant on it’s production and refining of oil and other natural ressources, with our healthcare fund being partially financed by Oilharans capital gains.

IT or farming? - How to make Orharans economy sustainable?
The question on possible solutions is as difficuilt to answer as the problem itself is to handle. Some economists point at the growing IT-sector developing it Orhar stating that it gives the chance to create new job opportunities and even enhance the orharanian manufacturing sector, making it more interesting for foreign companies to invest in means of production.
Others state that, especially in the rual regions of orharan close to our rivers, we should invest in irrigation and our agriculture to catch the people dropping out of their jobs in the oil production and offering new job opportunities.

Investments are believed to help orharanian economy
Luckily the current orharanian government is aware of this problem as it has started giving out subsidies to different economic fields and giving tax write-offs to newly founded companies in order to help individuals found their own corporations. Additionally the ministry of education, technology and research has announced that the government will start to invest more money in research facilities in order to keep our nation one of the top modernized nations in pacifica and being more attractive for companies world-wide to invest into R&D from Orharan.

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The Economic Analyst
Industry critizises government for lack of economic plans

Sunday 20.04.2025

Critizism on economic sustainability
After our report from last friday about the need for a more diverse and sustainable economy that would make our prosperity last for years to come, leading economists and representatives of orharanian industries have begun to openly critize the government for their “lack of idea on current economic challenges” . CEO’s, Economists and Lobbyists have begun to get loud on social media demanding swift actions.

“Our nation needs plans to keep up with the world!”
Arash Rezghi, chairman of the Orharanian Guild of Steel Industry (OGSI), an interest group representing the nations steelworks, iron mines as well as similar heavy industry, has stated:

"Our governments inability to adress the nations economic state in a detailed manner is bordering to a refusal to work. They got lazy resting on the achievements that our nations is currently build on, ignoring the everlasting danger of economic downturn, mass joblessness and poverty. Our nation needs plans to keep up with the world! For that our industry needs specific plans from the government on what to invest in, what to change and most importantly on our relationship with our tradepartners. Whilst most of our neighbours are part of the CMEC and profit of the free trade in our region, we decided to just sit on our asses and watching them in this so called observer function! Orharans industry, regardless of our steelworks, the oil companies, our farmers or any other industry needs a future and that future can at least partially be found in the CMEC!
Of course this won’t help our nation with all of its economic challenges, however it is a start, we as a nation can build on. The OGSI therefore urges our government to join the CMEC and to create a detailed economic plan to create a sustainable orharanian economy.

What is the CMEC?
The CMEC or Cross Mediterranean Economic Community is an organization focussed on the creation of an integrated single market between the nations, surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, with nations like Livana, Stoinia or Sedunn being members. Since it’s foundation in 2022 Orharan is an Observer. The, back then, freshly established government surrounding Prime Minister Salma Iqabal wanted to use the status to analyze the economic effects of this organization. Whilst many studies have shown that the membership of the CMEC had consistent positives effects on the respective nations economy the orharanian government kept being cautious, fearing that especially orharanian rual regions and agricultural industries might be put under too much pressure by foreign farmers.

Even Workers Unions demand economic plans
However not only industrial lobby organizations demand a change in economic policies. The General Labour Union of Orharan (GLU), the umbrella association for all workers unions in orharan, has announced similar demands from the government emphasizing on the importance of economic stability and competitiveness for orharanian job and wage stability.

Reaction from the government is yet to be expected
As of now the government hasn’t officially approached the problem of our economy or issued any new plans. However many members of the liberal Party for a Liberal Orharan (PLO), which is currently holding 38 seats in the national parliament and part of the governing coalition, have openly expressed their support of joining the CMEC. The Economy was always a big problem in the government, with the PLO demanding a more marked-liberal approach on economic questions and the social democratic Renew Orharan and the Green Party of Orharan advocating a more restrictive and on social politics focussed approach on economic questions.
It is therefore unsure what plans the orharanian government will pursue in the future.
The editorial of The Economic Analyst promises it readers to pursue any new events surrounding this current debate!

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Orhar News
Orharan condems Visrodins bombing of Lazurovo
Monday 21.04.2025

Orharan ceases further support
After the bombardment of the city of Lazurovo by the Visrodin Army, following the ongoing civil war with the SRA, the orharanian government has ceased any support for the Visrodin Government.

“Any Government needing to bomb it’s own citizens is a failed one!”
Foreign Minister Khada Maalouf has issued an official statement representing the orharanian position:

It is with great shock and disbelieve that we heard the current news from Visrodin! The use of chemical weapons against the people of visrodin was already one step too far. Sadly it was a step that we as Orharan have only taken as noticed without imposing any actual consequences. The consequences of our decision can be seen now in the city of Lazurovo. The Visrodin Army has commenced a bombardment destroying big parts of the city not only killing combatants but innocent citizens, who have nothing to do with the war. Whilst the picture we recieve from Lazurovo are shocking we can’t just stand and watch.
Orharan will officially stop any trade, agreement as well as informational-exchange with the Kingdom of Visrodin! Any government needing to bomb it’s own citizens is a failed one! We therefore urge any other nation to boycott the Kingdom of Visrodin to crippe the war-machine that is the Visrodin Army. This boycott will also affect the offered humanitarian aid, as we feel like there is no trust left in the Visrodin officials.
Furthermore we want to emphazise on the need of international help in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
We especially urge the neighboring nations of Huawan, UPRAN and Hystaiga to offer help to refugees on their borders. Considering the killing of civilians by both the Visrodin Army and the mob-rule of the SRA we view this as the only ethic reaction!
Orharan is therefore willing and prepared to take over Visrodin refugees from anywhere for the duration of the civil war.
I and the Prime Minister hope that the bloodshed will soon end and that those responsible for any warcrime shall receive their just punishment!"

The importance of Lazurovo
Lazurovo is the currently the biggest city under the control of the SRA and seen as the de-facto capital of the republican forces. With it’s sea access it is considered, by the Orharanian Intelligence Agency (OIA), to be one of the most important headquarters as it can receive goods from outside and therefore provision SRA-troops on the fields. It is thereby believed by the OIA that the bombardment was aimed directly at the supply lines of the SRA.
However as there is practically no contact with Visrodin officials this information can only be considered an estimate by the OIA.

Protests against Visrodin
After the first news about the bombardment thousands of orharanians protested against the government of the Kingdom of Visrodin in Orhar. They demand consequences for those responsible and firm actions by the orharanian government against Visrodin. Whilst the protests are attended by differing groups it is especially students who take part in protesting, with the University of Orhar stating that lectures are being put to a halt until wednesday as it is not possible to hold them as of now.

Not all of Orharan agrees with the Governments decision
Both the far-left Orharanian Workers Party (OWP) and the far-right New Orharanian Front (NOF) condemned the dicision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For example the leader of the OWP Nader Bahadori has stated on social media:
“It is ludacrous that our government decided to stop the help for the SRA, claiming their unjust treatment of warmongers and slavers! The people of Visrodin grew sick of their lords and decided to fight for their freedom. And what do they get for that? Gassed like pests and shelled into oblivion! And instead of helping them in their fight for justice we just talk and leave them alone by themselves. Their blood is inevitably on our hand just as it is on the hands of the Visrodin Army!”

Praise and critizism on the other hand came from the NOF. Their officals have stated that the stop of any aid for the people of Visrodin means less support for the war itself, as it would give the armies supplies for further fighting as well as “punch a hole in the orharanian national budget”. Nevertheless did the NOF critizise the call to take Visrodin refugees. On social media one NOF representative stated:

“Whilst Orharan is suffering from the lack of economic perspective our govenrment plans on straining our society even more by taking in refugees from Visrodin. Whilst it sure is sad what happens in their country we can’t save everyone. Also considering those terrorists of the SRA, killing and raping their own people in public just because the were owning what they have rightously earned, we expose our own people to their gruesome mentality! Wo promisses that those communists won’t make stop at our great nation? We can’t invite potential terrorists!”

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