News+Stories

=//News Stories//= toc //﻿// February 26, 2028

LET'S COMMUNICATE
After a long-winded and tiresome meeting, the SMITE engineers finally emerged with a plan for the communication, energy and transport for the island. There were heated debates about the types of methods for each of these important sectors, with ecologist experts making sure that the best interests of the natural landscape of the island were considered. The final decisions were explained as follows by engineer, Louise Smart: //"After discussions with the other settlements, we have decided that the island will set up access to satellite internet and phonelines for each settlement to communicate with each other and shortwave radios as communication within the settlements. This is necessary for organising events, warning systems and delivering goods around the island."// //"For the major method of transport between settlements, S.M.I.T.E. has decided on a chairlift/cablerail system. Each settlement will be connected to the central settlement and be able to transport people and goods. It will operate using an electronic pulley system and be powered by the various renewable energy productions on the island."// //"Our island needs power! For our homes and industries, and even to power our transport. On the west side of the island, we have set aside land to build a wind turbine farm and a hydroplant to be built at the highest point of the island's main river. These main energy productions will be transferred to the central settlement to be distributed to where it is needed. Each settlement will be equiped with solar panel technology for individual buildings."// All island residents are rejoicing about finally being able to leave their settlements and meet some new people.

July 30, 2030//﻿//

FREE HEALTH CARE
Economists from each settlement met yesterday to discuss The Islands long term ecomonic plan. The deligates discussed importing, exporting, healthcare, education, welfare, UN Funding and other essential services needed on The Island. Economist, Carmen Stockley, responded by saying " We have discussed all the possibilities and arrived at many decisions regarding our future economy. We can not continue to rely on UN funding and must make some hard decisions regarding exporting and foriegn debt." It is believed that economists have agreed to use Banana's as a major exporting good, supplimented by green energy such as sugarcane production for biofuels and geothermal energy. The economist hope to use the money raised from such imports to allocate money for free healthcare, education and welfare services.

August 9, 2031//﻿//

GOVERNMENT DEBATE
Debate has been raging amongst the settlements about what kind of government should exist and who should lead The Island. Although, it is generally accepted that The Island should adopt a democratic government, intense discussions have taken place between settlement representatives as to what kind of democracy should be adopted. Far Right factions believe that a representative government, as previously common in the 20th century would suit the needs of The Island, however the Left have raised concerns whether this style of government has failed in the past to deliver on a sustainable practices and does not always represent the majority, favouring minority and political alliances. The representatives are due to meet tomorrow to discuss further tha implications of various types of democracy.

August 12, 2032

COUP RAISES QUESTIONS
An attempted military style coup on a neighbouring island has raised concerns about The Islands capacity to protect our shores. Early on Friday morning, a small group of armed personnel stormed a briefiing session attempting to extort money froom the settlers. It is believed that an uprising of the settlers lead to the aggressers being over thrown but it has resulted in surrounding islands reviewing their border security and entry policies. Carmen Stockley, leading economist at LAADS believes "That whenever there is a bustling economy and money is being managed well, some parties feel they have a right to more than their share. It is just greed and something that we would hope, we left behind when we established our new colony after learning from past mistakes." A leading Island representative also said that we "should not panic and spread fear that this could happen here, rather we should trust each other and our commitment to the kind of society we have built."

August 17, 2036

BANANA CROP DISASTER
Thousands of banana crops face destruction today after the discovery of Banana Bunch Top Virus on the Island. Quartine officials at the Port Settlement, yesterday, destroyed three banana trees after evidence of the disease carrying banana aphid was found on their outer leaves. Agricultural scientist, Sara Harvest told Island News " If this indeed turns out to be BBTV, the future of the island is in doubt. This could wipe out entire crops, in fact this could destroy the islands plantations and lead to exporting disaster." Sources have revealed to the Island News, that authorities believe BBTV may have already spread to neighbouring plantations and that plans are being drafted and implemented to stop the spread of this virus, including compulsary burning of all plants within a 10 km radius of affected plants. It is anticipated that unless this outbreak can be controlled the entire Island banana plantation could be affected in as little as four months.