Radio Ad’ihan International domestic and world headlines

[Adihan]

OOC stuff: This is where I post major developments in the nation of Ad’ihan as reported in the main state-backed Radio Ad’ihan International. This is resumed from Jolt, where it was also located in the NationStates subforum; I have no intention of posting this in II or anywhere else, so if you're not happy about a news thread being here, ignore it.

Feel free to respond in this thread if necessary, but preferably only if Ad’ihan has ever had contact with your country or government (through sports RP, for example), or if I know you from IRC.

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(The following has been copied from Jolt)

18-02-2009, 21:16 #1
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Radio Ad’ihan International newswires
(OOC: This will be the main thread with which I will use to post major developments in Ad’ihan, rather than making individual threads for each, unless necessary.)

Govt. faces tough Budget debate
CITY OF AD’IHAN, May 2, 2148— Radio Ad’ihan International has learned that the People's Forward Movement (PFM), one of three parties in the governing coalition, will formally oppose the government's Budget proposal later this week.

The Budget, drafted by Trade and Finance Secretary Frances Osbourne (GA/BRI) with input from Treasury Secretary Andy Graves (PPA/COA), will see a 14 percent increase in spending on national security and defence, with the Department of Regional Authority losing much of its funding.

The Secretary of State for Regions, Sandy Welsh (PFM/BRI), has criticised the loss of funding, saying it heralded a shift towards a more centralised government and less regional power.

"The regions already have very little power as it stands," Mrs Welsh told reporters outside PFM headquarters in Modna South, Barrier Island.

"The three regional secretaries currently have some sway over their individual regions' directions in terms of local services, but as it stands I think we're seeing the government move away from this system in favour of perhaps even getting rid of the regional secretaries."

The PFM, which has most of its support in Barrier Island, strongly advocates more devolved powers for the three regional secretaries and for the Regions Secretary. The plan is also likely to rile the Nationalist Party, similarly in favour of more regional power.

Without the PFM's support, Green Ad’ihan and the Parti populaire, the two remaining parties in the coalition, would have only 107 votes in the 232-seat unicameral Parliament, which is not enough to get the Budget passed.

In a further blow to the government, Humphrey Coombs (GA/BRI), the Regional Secretary for Barrier Island, has said he will vote against the plan if the funding cut for regions goes ahead. The other two regional secretaries, Alfred Webster (GA/COA) and Gavin Taylor (PPA/GRI), have yet to comment.

However, the third largest party in the country, the Conservatives, have suggested they may break with their Action Front allies to support the plan, thanks to the funding boost to national security and defence. If that support comes to fruition and the Budget is passed, it would be difficult to see the PFM remaining part of the governing coalition, which could topple the Government very early on into its new term.

19-02-2009, 11:30 #2
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Govt. postpones Budget presentation

CITY OF AD’IHAN, May 3, 2148— The government of Ad’ihan has formally postponed the presentation to Parliament of its 2148-49 Budget by a week, in an attempt to avoid losing a key coalition member.

Announcing the move in Parliament, Prime Minister Alex Canning said that he had taken the action after consulting with his deputy prime minister, John Baines, the Trade and Finance Secretary, and the Treasury Secretary, in order to protect what he described as a "fragile" agreement to govern.

However, he did not mention if the People's Forward Movement, the coalition member threatening to quit government if the current budget goes ahead, were involved in the talks.

Mr Canning's announcement was criticised by opposition leaders from the Action Front and the Conservatives. Conservative leader Paul Tilson, who earlier suggested he would back the Budget in its current form with a 14 percent funding increase for defence and national security, warned that any major change to the plan would lose his party's support.

However, Mr Canning is more likely to try to placate his Forward Movement allies, as the governing coalition would have enough votes to pass the Budget.

For her part, the outgoing Forward Movement leader Marie-Jeanne Kuszac has warned the government her party would not be willing to talk unless the cuts to Regional Authority are scrapped.

19-02-2009, 22:44 #3
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BREAKING: Ad’ihani minister removed from position

CITY OF AD’IHAN, May 3, 2148— Reports from Protectorate Way say the Prime Minister, Alex Canning, has sacked Regions Secretary Sandy Welsh late on Friday.

Mrs Welsh, one of two People's Forward Movement (PFM) ministers in the Cabinet, had criticised the Government's proposed Budget for the 2148-49 fiscal year, which would see the Department of Regional Authority's funding cut by up to 40 percent.

Mr Canning reportedly made the move after Mrs Welsh approached the three regional secretaries under her, all Cabinet members, to boycott the vote on the Budget. In a short statement, the Cabinet Office confirmed that Mrs Welsh had left her position due to a "severe behaviourial breach".

Mrs Welsh, who has not been back to the City of Ad’ihan since visiting her party headquarters on Barrier Island earlier this week, has said she rejects the decision and would show up for work as normal on Monday, May 6.

Mr Canning has promoted Gavin Taylor, the Parti populaire ad’ihanais (PPA) Regional Secretary for Grand Island, to the position of Regions Secretary, which he will hold concurrently.

Mr Taylor, who confirmed he had been approached by Mrs Welsh over boycotting the Budget vote, said he had no intentions of doing so and thanked the prime minister for the vote of confidence.

The PFM criticised the move, and released a statement saying its involvement in the governing coalition was "suspended pending further review of the situation".

The Food Safety and Agriculture Secretary, the PFM's June Armand, told reporters in the City of Ad’ihan that she would turn up for work on Monday as per normal. She added that she would quit her party if it withdrew from the government over this issue.

The Budget is now scheduled to be debated in Parliament on Monday, with a vote on Tuesday. No changes are expected to be made to it now, which is likely to pass with the help of the opposition Conservatives.

20-02-2009, 21:08 #4
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People's Forward Movement quits government

Modna South, BARRIER ISLAND, May 4, 2148— The People's Forward Movement (PFM) has issued an official statement confirming their withdrawal from the governing coalition in Ad’ihan, citing "irreconcilable fundamental differences" with Prime Minister Alex Canning.

This leaves the two remaining parties in the government, Green Ad’ihan and the Parti populaire (PPA), with 107 seats in the 232-seat Parliament, and threatens the immediate political future of the coalition.

June Armand, the Food Safety and Agriculture Secretary and the PFM's only Cabinet minister after the sacking on Friday of Sandy Welsh, says she will consider defecting to the PPA to keep her position in the Cabinet.

The Parti populaire Deputy Prime Minister, John Baines, said he was "disappointed" at the PFM's decision but refused to criticise it, saying doing so would be hypocritical, as the PPA withdrew from the last coalition shortly before the elections over a disagreement in the way the government was being run.

Mr Baines said the government would continue to function and the two-party coalition was strong enough to govern in minority, as he expected the PFM to continue voting with the coalition in practice.

However, the opposition bloc of the Action Front and Ad’ihan Conservatives together control 98 votes, and could attempt to take control of the government.

Despite proclaiming his support for the government's Budget, Tory leader Paul Tilson said he ruled nothing out and would be consulting Michael Rowand, the Action Front leader and former presidential candidate, about the possibility of forming a new government.

If so, it could possibly include the Nationalist Party, although such a government would be unlikely to attract the support of the PFM or Marxist Network.

President Josh Randall is likely to let the current government continue to rule in minority, although if the opposition attempts to form a government and fails, Mr Randall could decide to call a snap poll for later this year, which would result in the country's second general election this year and its third election altogether in just twelve months.

22-02-2009, 18:35 #5
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Opposition 'will not form government'

CITY OF AD’IHAN, May 6, 2148— The immediate political future of the governing coalition in Ad’ihan has received a boost after opposition leader Paul Tilson, whose Conservatives are the third largest bloc in Parliament, declined an offer from their allies, the second-largest party Action Front, to form a new government.

Mr Tilson confirmed the news to reporters ahead of a Parliamentary debate on the government's proposed Budget, which has seen the coalition fracture thanks to the People's Forward Movement (PFM) withdrawal.

"Mike Rowand phoned me Saturday evening to talk about recent developments, and we spoke about the current situation with the Canning administration.

"He did ask me to consider being a part of an attempt to form a new government, but I think it would not be worth it, politically, to do so. It's unlikely we would get the support from the PFM we would require anyway, and we could be alienating potential voters if we are seen to be trying to govern without a mandate."

In a separate development, the Secretary of State for Food Safety and Agriculture has formally stepped down from her post to follow protocol. June Armand, who is a PFM MP, has spoken out against her party's withdrawal from government and will formalise her defection to the Parti populaire ad’ihanais later on Monday.

Ad’ihani law requires sitting Cabinet ministers to be a member of the party they were when they were appointed to the Cabinet, thus a defection while remaining FSA secretary would have rendered her ineligible to hold the position.

Prime Minister Alex Canning is expected to re-appoint Mrs Armand as soon as she formalises her defection.

24-02-2009, 19:34 #6
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Govt's Budget passes with Tory help

CITY OF AD’IHAN, May 7, 2148— After a bumpy week in Ad’ihani politics over the proposed Budget for 2148/49, the opposition Conservatives have thrown their 47-seat backing behind the plan, which passed 157-76.

Green Ad’ihan Cabinet secretary Humphrey Coombs, the Barrier Island Regional Secretary, was the only government member to oppose the year's financial plan, over cuts in funding to Regional Authority (DRA).

These cuts have already taken their toll, with the People's Forward Movement, whose 14 MPs opposed the bill, withdrawing from the governing coalition. The PFM, which would have had 15 votes had the vote gone ahead as planned on May 4, lost an MP on Monday when June Armand defected to the government.

The Conservatives agreed to back the plan because a majority of the funds gained from the DRA have been shifted to Defence and National Security, which Tory leader Paul Tilson said was imperative at this moment.

Deputy Prime Minister John Baines, of the Parti populaire ad’ihanais, lauded Mr Tilson for agreeing to work "co-operatively with the government without regard to partisanship". Mr Baines also praised Mrs Armand, the Food Safety and Agriculture Secretary, which analysts have taken to be a dig at the PFM.

Two other PFM MPs are understood to be considering defecting to the government, although the country's president, Josh Randall, has warned MPs to minimise disruption to Parliament by doing so.

25-02-2009, 16:26 #7
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Kelssekian Alliance strikes Ad’ihan deal

Outineau, BL, KELSSEK— Construction of a number of new complexes is to begin almost immediately in three Ad’ihani cities after the Secretary of State for Culture, Sport and the Arts, Mitch Holmes, signed a deal with the chief executive of the Kelssekian Alliance to open three branches in Ad’ihan.

The head of the cultural and non-governmental organisation, Mr Daniel Crawford, described the deal as significant and said he hoped the Kelssekian Alliance would help bring Kelssek and Ad’ihan, which do not currently have full diplomatic ties, closer together.

For his part, Mr Holmes has pledged partial Ad’ihani government funding to help construct the three new offices in Altsend, Modna South, and the City of Ad’ihan, to be taken from the funding increases given to his department in the nation's recently-passed Budget for the forthcoming year.

However, the Kelssekian Alliance, which normally conducts classes in English and French for non-native speakers in countries that do not speak these languages, is unlikely to do so in Ad’ihan as English and French are already widely spoken and are the country's main languages.

Instead, the branches are expected to focus on sport and Kelssekian culture.

At the signing of the agreement in Outineau, Mr Holmes confirmed that the Kelssekian national football team would tour Ad’ihan prior to the start of next season's United Islands League Championship and play a part in the AFF Challenge Trophy.

In return, two Ad’ihani ice hockey clubs, reigning champions Kinney Road and fourth-placed Dullham, are expected to play three of Kelssek's top clubs in a friendly series.

Mr Holmes has come under fire at home for pledging Ad’ihani funding for the building of the three offices, including the expected Ad’ihani headquarters of the alliance in Modna South.

The Department of Culture, Sport and the Arts estimates that it will fund approximately a quarter of all construction to all three complexes, which could come up to nearly 140 million Tazos.

Defending the move, Mr Holmes said it was only appropriate that his department use its funding for furthering cultural understanding in Ad’ihan.

When asked to comment, Mr Crawford said that the government expenditure of Ad’ihan is an issue for its government and its people, but urged Ad’ihanais to consider the cultural benefits they would enjoy and the boost the Alliance's presence would give to local cultural industries.

"We are not simply a nationalist culture organisation, but dedicated to advancing culture, education and the arts generally and there are great benefits to that for Ad’ihan."

28-02-2009, 16:33 #8
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Ad’ihani party leader hurt in bar blaze

Port Stanley, GRAND ISLAND, May 10, 2148— Thirty people, including the charismatic 36-year-old leader of the Réseau marxiste d'Ad’ihan (RMA), have been wounded in a massive fire at a bar at the Port of Stanley.

Stephen Jones, an MP for Coastal County, Barrier Island, was treated for minor burns at the Stanley Memorial Hospital in the City of Stanley about 30 minutes' south of Port Stanley, according to an RMA statement.

It is unclear why Mr Jones was in Port Stanley, although sources say he was on a private visit to a family friend.

City of Stanley Police confirmed they received an emergency call from the port town at around 0115 local time about a fire at an establishment, and said the port's local fire department arrived three minutes later, backed up by City of Stanley fire and emergency services at 0140 local time.

Stanley Memorial confirmed it received 17 wounded people from the port between 0200 and 0245. The port town's emergency clinic treated six people outpatient, while James Sherwood Hospital in the City of Stanley received seven casualties.

Mr Jones is said to be conscious and talking to friends and family members, although he will need minor skin graft operations within the next week.

Prime Minister Alex Canning has conveyed his thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, including Mr Jones.

Port Stanley police are working with the City police to investigate the cause of the fire.

11-03-2009, 22:33 #9
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Marxist Network leader out of hospital
Stanley, GRAND ISLAND, May 21, 2148— Réseau marxiste d'Ad’ihan leader Stephen Jones has been discharged from Stanley Memorial Hospital and is now home and recuperating in Barrier Island, according to a statement released by the RMA.

Mr Jones, 36, suffered second-degree burns in a fire at a Port of Stanley bar on May 10. He was there to celebrate a family friend's birthday, according to sources within the RMA. City of Stanley Police have said they are questioning three suspects over what is described as "suspicious activity" around the bar a half hour before the fire.

The RMA statement says Mr Jones received two minor skin grafts, and will take two months' off work to recover from his injuries.

Police question opposition MP over alleged bribes
Dz’ai, GRAND ISLAND, May 21, 2148— An opposition Member of Parliament has been questioned by Grand Island Regional Police over alleged corruption, it has emerged.

Grand Island Regional Police spokesman Captain Michael Nouvion confirmed that a 41-year-old man had been held and questioned at the Regional Police's office in Dz’ai over suspected corruption in politics.

The Action Front later issued a statement saying Didier Legard, a party MP for Airport County, had been temporarily suspended for allegedly taking bribes from family relations with links to the local Catholic community to introduce a bill which would make Catholicism the official religion of Ad’ihan.

Mr Legard, who denies the charges, says no such exchange took place and the bill had been introduced of his own accord. But it is rare for MPs to introduce proposals to Parliament not already vetted by their own party.

Cpt Nouvion also told the press the Regional Police had been monitoring the suspect's communications for the past month and had intercepted vital suspicious calls, claims Mr Legard has dismissed as frivolous.

Under Ad’ihani law, no party may suspend an MP for more than 30 days, which would require the Action Front to remove Mr Legard's suspension in a month's time or force a by-election for his seat.

24-03-2009, 23:08 #10
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Ad’ihan Navy unveils first major warship

Dalinn, BARRIER ISLAND, June 12, 2148— The first battle-ready warship of the Naval Forces of Ad’ihan, the NAS Redoute, has been officially commissioned by President Josh Randall at Navy headquarters in Dalinn, Barrier Island.

The commissioning comes ahead of expected reconciliation war games with Liventia next month off the coast of Lox Land Island in Liventia.

The ship, which will serve as a frigate, was originally ordered by the Liverpool England Navy in 2141 shortly after the Outer Islands became a possession of the country, and was launched on December 4, 2146, shortly before pro-independence violence broke out across the islands. After the islands' independence, Redoute was transferred into Ad’ihani control.

The ship's first commanding officer, Commander Mark Bennett, suggested that Redoute's history would play a significant role in the reconciliation war games with Liventia, which begin in the island port of Schimpol on July 20.

The current Liventian ambassador to Ad’ihan, Cmdr (LEN) Simon Collins, who was the de facto head-of-state of Ad’ihan as Governor when the ship was launched in late 2146, was in attendance at today's commissioning ceremony.

Redoute, which is French for redoubt, was so named due to its inherent meaning; a fortification to Ad’ihan's military strength, and is reported to have a 32-knot top speed.

The ship will leave port next week for its journey to Schimpol.

MP Legard refuses to quit
Dz’ai, GRAND ISLAND, June 12, 2148— The shamed opposition parliamentarian Didier Legard has refused to step down from his post as MP for Airport County, sparking party worries of a by-election.

Mr Legard is facing corruption and bribery charges on accusations he took family bribes to present a bill in Parliament which would have made Roman Catholicism the official religion of the country but denies the charges.

His party, the Action Front, suspended Mr Legard late last month from the party (and by extension his Parliamentary privileges) over the accusations, and has written to him asking him to step down.

Per the Constitution, any sitting Member of Parliament may be replaced by his or her own party if they are suspended by a vote of his party's other MPs and agree to step down. In all other cases, including when the MP is sacked by his party, or when the time limit of a suspension — 30 days — runs up, the vacated seat will trigger a by-election.

Action Front officials are understood to be concerned over losing the seat, and at least one Action Front MP told Radio Ad’ihan International that the party would rather replace Mr Legard and get on with regular politics.

With the 30-day deadline looming, the Action Front are having to deal with a potentially big mess on their plates. If Mr Legard refuses to quit or the party does not retract its suspension, a by-election would take place one month from the time the seat is vacated. And recent polling trends have shown voters likely to vote a Conservative or Green into the empty seat.

While losing the seat to their Tory allies would normally not worry the Action Front leadership, the Tories gained significant ground on them in the last election and are currently the third largest party in Parliament, with only four seats less than the Action Front. Any further drop in the Action Front's polling numbers could signal a worrying trend of less support for the traditionally pro-Orean party.

Regional Police, who are investigating the case, say that there is probably sufficient evidence to bring a case against Mr Legard, although police spokesman Capt. Michael Nouvion has indicated they will hold off until the political situation has sorted itself out.

03-04-2009, 18:40 #11
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Ad’ihan announces World Cup hosting bid

CITY OF AD’IHAN, June 20, 2148— The Football Federation of Ad’ihan has announced a World Cup hosting bid with Kelssek, much to the surprise of many observers.

The AFF, which has previously announced plans to reduce its involvement in world football, confirmed the news after its official hosting plans were faxed to World Cup Committee headquarters earlier today. A short statement was issued to the press, saying no inquiries would be taken in the interim until the World Cup Committee has had the chance to review the bid.

Many football fans in the country had expressed regret and disappointment after the AFF announced prior to World Cup 45 that it was considering withdrawing from World Cup participation, but it seems that, for now at least, the AFF has changed its mind.

Legard suspension times out, by-election next month

Dz’ai, GRAND ISLAND, June 20, 2148— The Action Front says their suspension of Didier Legard has not been terminated 30 days after it was first announced.

The former member of parliament for Grand Island was suspended on May 21 over allegations of bribery and corruption, and his suspension from Parliament has now timed out, removing him from his seat and triggering a by-election.

Action Front leader and former presidential candidate Michael Rowand told Radio Ad’ihan International's parliamentary correspondent Damien Hatton that the party has refused to remove its suspension on Mr Legard, given the severity of the accusations.

Mr Legard says he will run for the seat as an independent, although RAI understands that the electoral commission is likely to bar him from doing so, especially if he is charged by Regional Police. Captain Michael Nouvion of the Grand Island Regional Police has previously told RAI that there is enough evidence against Mr Legard to indict him.

Mr Legard remains an Action Front member, although he is expected to resign party membership later today.

Campaigning for Mr Legard's vacated seat begins immediately. The Action Front, Ad’ihan Conservatives and Green Ad’ihan are all understood to be fielding candidates, but only one of the other four parties in Parliament, the Nationalists, say they will consider fielding a candidate.

17-04-2009, 00:22 #12
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Ex-MP Legard charged with corruption and bribery, faces 15 years

Modna Nord, GRAND ISLAND, July 2, 2148— Former member of parliament Didier Legard is to be arraigned on charges of corruption and bribery today, less than two weeks after being removed from Parliament.

Mr Legard is accused of accepting family bribes to propose a bill in Parliament which making Roman Catholicism the official religion, charges he denies. His empty seat in Airport County, representing part of an area near Dz’ai, is set to be contested in a by-election in three weeks.

Captain Michael Nouvion of the Grand Island Regional Police told reporters Mr Legard was arrested at his home at 9:15 a.m., after he failed to attend a scheduled police interview at 9 a.m. at the Regional Police's Dz’ai complex.

He has been formally charged with failing to attend a police interview, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of a 4,000 Tazo fine, and will face court at 5:30 p.m. today over two charges of corruption, which carry a maximum penalty of six years' jail, one charge of bribery, which carries a maximum penalty of four years' jail, and one of corruption in politics, which is a set five year imprisonment.

Capt Nouvion confirmed during the press conference to announce the charges that Mr Legard had asked to represent himself at his trial, which is likely to begin next week. Capt Nouvion also affirmed reports that Mr Legard would not be allowed to run in the by-election for his seat, as he is facing a charge of corruption in politics.

A spokesman for Mr Legard's former party, the Action Front, said the party had no comment except that it was "moving forward" and did not wish to talk about a former member.

29-04-2009, 23:04 #13
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Undersea earthquake rocks Ad’ihan

Pointe Sud, GRAND ISLAND, July 16, 2148— An undersea earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Moment magnitude scale rocked Ad’ihan early this morning, with reports of some damage coming in from less-populated areas outside of Altsend and Pointe Sud, Ad’ihan's two most southerly cities.

The quake was centred about 240 km (150 mi) southwest of Grand Island and struck at 5:12 am local time, while many were still asleep. It was felt throughout Grand Island and in southern areas of Barrier Island, and triggered emergency evacuations in Altsend and Pointe Sud.

At least ten people are known to have been hurt, although no deaths have been reported. The number of injured people is expected to rise as emergency teams trawl the area outside the main cities.

President Josh Randall and Prime Minister Alex Canning have both appealed for calm. Early reports suggest minor damage to windows, but that no buildings have collapsed in cities. However, the islands' Geological Service, part of the Ad’ihani Islands Weather Agency, has warned that weaker structures might become susceptible to collapse.

Prime Minister Canning also added that the earthquake would not affect a by-election due in five days to replace the former Airport County MP Dider Legard, saying the affected area was sufficiently far away from Airport County for there to be no significant impact.

01-05-2009, 21:46 #14
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Two dead, three injured after earthquake startles Ad’ihan

Altsend, GRAND ISLAND, July 17, 2148— Residents of Ad’ihan awoke to a nasty shock this morning with the confirmation that at least two people are dead from an earthquake that struck just offshore early yesterday.

The president, Josh Randall, has sent his condolences and ordered all national flags in Grand Island to be lowered to half-mast for the day. Prime Minister Alex Canning, who is visiting the affected areas in the Southern Zone Autonomous Region, has also sent his condolences.

The two fatalities are reported to have been travelling in a vehicle when the earthquake struck, forcing the driver off the main Altsend-to-Pointe Sud highway and into a tree. He and his front-seat passenger were both killed instantly, while his three back-seat passengers, two adults and a ten-year-old, were both taken to hospital with varying injuries.

However, the apparent good news is that there was no major damage to any structures in the affected zone, with the National Geological Service confirming that a team sent to inspect the affected areas found no intrinsic structural damage to buildings.

Conservative candidate pulls away in opinion polling

Dz’ai, GRAND ISLAND, July 18, 2148— The Conservative candidate in the upcoming Airport County parliamentary by-election, Frederick Donaldson, has built up a 14-point lead in the final opinion polls ahead of the vote on July 21.

The vote, which is being held to fill a seat in Parliament left empty by the forced removal of former Action Front MP Didier Legard, is being seen by many as a two-pronged test — of how Prime Minister Alex Canning's administration is doing, eight months into the new term; and of how well the Action Front have recovered from the scandal which forced Legard, now facing criminal charges, out of office.

Jerome Alain, who is the Green Ad’ihan candidate, and Jean-Michael Lapièrre, the Action Front's nominee for the seat, are neck-and-neck at nearly 29 percentage points each, but Donaldson appears to be running away with the vote, with opinion polls showing him at 43 points.

A Tory win would likely be seen as a blow for the Action Front, despite the two parties being allies in opposition, as it would bring the Conservatives to within two seats of overtaking the Action Front as the second party in Parliament. However, as long as the Greens finish at least ahead of one other candidate in the voting, it is unlikely to be seen as a failure for the Canning administration.

16-05-2009, 15:08 #15
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Donaldson wins seat in Parliament

Dz’ai, GRAND ISLAND (breaking)— The Electoral Commission has officially announced that the Conservative candidate in the Airport County parliamentary by-election, Fred Donaldson, has won the vote over his Green and Action Front rivals. Mr Donaldson will be sworn into office to replace Action Front ex-MP Didier Legard tomorrow.

[Adihan]

Foreign Secretary 'to quit'

CITY OF AD’IHAN, August 1, 2148— Ad’ihan's foreign secretary, Thomas Desaiye, is to step down later this month to take up a prestigious academic position at the City of Ad’ihan University, according to a leaked government report.

The classified report, which summarises the first six months of Prime Minister Alex Canning's new administration following elections earlier this year, contains specifics on the performance and goals of each individual Cabinet member and member of Parliament in their own words.

The Grand Island Star-Enquirer tabloid reports that Mr Desaiye, who has served as Foreign Secretary since independence and was the first black Ad’ihani Cabinet member, was offered a position as the dean of the City of Ad’ihan University's International Political Studies department — the biggest of its kind in the islands — last week. It is understood that Mr Desaiye accepted the position, which pays Tz 240,000 a year more than his current job, after consulting with the prime minister.

He is expected to make his announcement when Parliament next sits on August 11, says the report.

The report goes on to suggest a list of possible replacements for Mr Desaiye, including, to the surprise of many, opposition Conservative leader Paul Tilson. Mr Tilson, whose party's support helped pass the Government budget, is said to be on the list due to prior experience acting as Liverpool England's Ambassador-at-Large.

Despite this, many analysts are questioning whether it would be wise to include an opposition member of parliament on a Cabinet serving a two-party coalition government, with some going as far as to suggest a better choice would be to promote someone from within his own Cabinet — someone like former Senate speaker Evan Bell, currently the Justice Secretary.

When asked to comment, a spokesman for Mr Canning criticised the leak, saying such leaks could undermine national security. However, he declined to go into detail about the content of the report, saying that hurdle would be crossed when the time came.

[Adihan]

Herring to become new Justice Secy

CITY OF AD’IHAN, August 6, 2148— Ian Herring MP, the Secretary to the Cabinet for Housing and Development, is to replace his former party leader Evan Bell as the Secretary of State for Justice next week, Radio Ad’ihan International understands.

Mr Herring, whose current position is not an official Cabinet post, is a member of the Parti populaire ad’ihanais (PPA), which Mr Bell led until prior to the last elections earlier this year, when he stepped down in favour of John Baines.

Mr Bell, who was also the Speaker of the Ad’ihani Senate until it was replaced by Parliament, is widely tipped to replace Thomas Desaiye as Foreign Secretary. Mr Desaiye is leaving his position to take up an academic post as the dean of the City of Ad’ihan University's School of International Political Studies after 15 months in the Cabinet, having served since independence.

This comes as the government of Prime Minister Alex Canning prepares its six-month report, which will review the first six months after February's elections and set out targets for the coming six months. There are now rumours that Mr Canning may make use of the report for a Cabinet reshuffle, although this has been denied by his deputy Mr Baines.

If what Radio Ad’ihan International is given to understand is true, it would make Mr Herring the youngest member of Mr Canning's Cabinet. Mr Herring, 27, first took up politics during the pre-protectorate months in 2144, and has gone on to serve as leader of the youth arm of the PPA.

Amongst the other changes that have been discussed include appointing a new Regional Secretary for Grand Island (RSGI). After the Budget cuts earlier this year to the Department of Regional Authority, the Secretary of State for Regions, Sandy Welsh, was sacked and Gavin Taylor replaced her, while keeping his own post as RSGI.

AS RAI UNDERSTANDS

Foreign Secy Thomas Desaiye to step down Justice Secy Evan Bell to replace Mr Desaiye Secy to Cabinet Ian Herring to replace Mr Bell New Regional Secretary for Grand Island to be appointed New Secy to Cabinet for Housing and Development to be appointed DPM Baines: "No Cabinet reshuffle"

[Adihan]

Junior minister quits government

CITY OF AD’IHAN, August 10, 2148— Prime Minister Alex Canning has suffered the resignation of a junior minister in Cabinet in the lead-up to a key six-month report on his new term. The Regional Secretary for Barrier Island, Humphrey Coombs, has informed Mr Canning that he is stepping down in protest at funding cuts to the Department of Regional Authority earlier this year.

Mr Coombs, who is a member of the prime minister's Green Ad’ihan party, said he could not in good conscience continue to serve a Prime Minister he had no trust in. In the Budget vote in May, Mr Coombs was the only member of the governing coalition to oppose the financial plan. In an announcement on the Greens' website www.green.ad, Mr Coombs confirmed he would be stepping down effective immediately and resigning from the party to remain in Parliament as an independent.

Speaking to reporters at a hastily-arranged news conference, the prime minister confirmed the resignation and expressed his "disappointment", although he said he accepted Mr Coombs' decision and wished him well. The resignation is yet another blow to Mr Canning, coming shortly after his long-serving Foreign Secretary Thomas Desaiye resigned to take up an academic position.

The Secretary of State for Regions, Gavin Taylor, said Mr Coombs' resignation would "have a profound impact on the DRA, and on Barrier Island's rights of representation in Cabinet.

"While I respect Humphrey and his decision, I think this was simply not the way he should have gone about this, and this drama could well have been avoided. Now Barrier Island is without a Regional Secretary (Governor equivalent) and this does not bode well for Mr Coombs' future in Parliament, I have to say."

Initial reaction off the street of Barrier Island suggest that if a general election was held this month, Mr Coombs would not hold on to his seat.

[Adihan]

Bell appointed Foreign Secretary in reshuffle

CITY OF AD’IHAN, August 14, 2148— Evan Bell, the Secretary of State for Justice, is to become Ad’ihan's new foreign secretary in one of a number of Cabinet changes made by Prime Minister Alex Canning, it has been announced. Mr Bell's post has been taken over by Ian Herring, the Secretary to the Cabinet for Housing and Development.

Interior Affairs Secretary David J. Caine has announced his retirement and is replaced by the National Security Secretary James Stewart, while the National Security portfolio will merge into Defence Secretary Anthony Edwards' duties as the new Secretary of State for National Defence. Dr. Tom Kaczinski, who is the only Cabinet member who is not a member of Parliament, is retained as the Legal Affairs Secretary.

The Cabinet's sole Muslim member, Hameed Derjia, has been reassigned from Health to Transport, replacing Francis Sevillon who is now the new Labour and Industry Secretary. Long-standing Environment Secretary Julia Owens has been promoted to the Trade and Finance post, replacing Frances Osbourne, who has stepped down.

Ron Kelly is the new Environment Secretary, a post he will hold concurrently with his current one of Energy Resources. Gavin Taylor, the Regions Secretary, takes the Health post from Mr Derjia.

Other changes announced include a splitting of the Department of Education, Schools and Community Affairs (DESCA) into two separate departments, the Department of Education and Schools (DES) and the Department of Community Development and Affairs (DCDA).

As such, the position of Secretary to the Cabinet for Housing and Development is now the Secretary of State for Community Development and Affairs, a role into which the duties of current Secretary for Communities and Children's Affairs, Adrienne Scierie, will be merged.

The new Regions Secretary is Colin Adre of the Parti populaire ad’ihanais, while new Regional Secretaries for Grand and Barrier Island have been appointed: David Martin and Antoine Ralie respectively.

New cabinet:

Rank	Portfolio	Minister	(Previously)
1	Prime Minister	Alex Canning (GA)	No change
2	Deputy Prime Minister	John Baines (PPA)	No change
3	Interior Affairs	James Stewart (GA)	National Security
4	Attorney-General	James Alexander (GA)	No change
5	Information and Media Affairs	Philippe Dubois (GA)	No change
6	Foreign Affairs	Evan Bell (PPA)	Justice
7	National Defence	Anthony Edwards (GA)	Defence
8	Justice	Ian Herring (PPA)	Housing and Development
9	Legal Affairs	Tomasz Kaczinski (non-MP)	No change
10	Trade and Finance	Julia Owens (GA)	Environment
11	Treasury	Andy Graves (PPA)	No change
12 13	Environment Energy Resources	Ron Kelly (GA)	Energy Resources No change
14	Labour and Industry	Francis Sevillon (GA)	Transport
15	Transport	Hameed Derjia (PPA)	Health
15	Culture, Sport and the Arts	Mitch Holmes (GA)	No change
17	Health	Gavin Taylor (PPA)	Regions
18	Education and Schools	Laura Dennis (GA)	No change
19	Community Development and Affairs	Adrienne Scierie (GA)	Communities and Children's Affairs
20	Food Safety and Agriculture	June Armand (PPA)	No change
21	Regions	Colin Adre (PPA)	New appointment
22	Regional Secretaries: City of Ad’ihan Grand Island Barrier Island	Jointly: Alfred Webster (GA) David Martin (PPA) Antoine Raile (GA)	— No change New appointment New appointment

[Adihan]

Presidential election dates set

CITY OF AD’IHAN, September 19, 2148— The Ad’ihani Election Commission today confirmed the dates of primary elections for next year's presidential vote.

Under the United Islands' two-year rotating presidency, the next president must represent either Barrier Island or the City of Ad’ihan, which means there will be nine primary dates — for the five Barrier Island counties and the four City of Ad’ihan districts — prior to the actual vote. The seven parties with seats in Parliament are each allowed to field one candidate, standing in either region. The regional primaries will then choose the two candidates who will face each other in the vote set for July 3.

All nine primaries are set to be held on Sunday May 11, giving both final candidates two months to canvass the general vote.

As Grand Island is ineligible for representation in this election, there are no primaries there, although they will still take part in the final vote. Many analysts believe this is the electorate the final candidates must target during campaigning; voters in the two competing regions are unlikely to vote for the other candidate. James Smithe, the head of the Ad’ihani politics sub-department at the City of Ad’ihan University, says the final candidates will have to ensure their message is not too region-centric.

"Alienating the Grand Island voters will almost definitely cost the candidates the election. They're still the biggest electorate around — perhaps why the current president, Josh Randall, won the vote last year — but next year they'll be wanting their voices to be heard, and not giving them any thought will be almost election suicide."

The laws regarding presidential elections has changed multiple times over the past two years, but as they currently stand, all three regions must be represented at least once within each six-year voting cycle, which means the losing region in next year's election will definitely hold the rotating presidency from 2151–2153. The cycle then resets, allowing the once-every-six-years possibility of a four-year presidency. Currently, candidates must declare one region and serve by their declaration unless voted into Parliament in a different region. As such, current president Josh Randall is ineligible to stand in next year's election.

The popular vote from the primaries will decide the two final election candidates. After the voting on July 3, the president-elect will take office Wednesday, November 19, and his term is scheduled to run until November 17, 2151. It is expected that the 2151 vote will coincide with the next general election in Ad’ihan.

[Adihan]

BREAKING NEWS
"Friendly fire incident" in Tyoduura kills one, injures four other Ad’ihani soldiers

Trünri, TYODUURA— Five Ad’ihani personnel are involved in what has been described as a "friendly fire incident" at a military base in Trünri, the United Islands Armed Forces have confirmed in a statement.

The men, part of the Ad’ihan–Liventia Military Protection Force in Tyoduura, or TFP, were taking part in a regular training exercise with 80 other Ad’ihani and Liventian soldiers when the rooftop they were standing on was hit with multiple grenades, according to the statement.

The TFP commanding officer immediately called off the exercise when it was confirmed that men were on the roof of the training building, said a UIAF spokesman.

"We understand that immediately following this tragic oversight, the training run was halted by the commanding officer on the ground to allow medical personnel access to the casualties. The medics reported the situation as being 'severe', with several life-threatening injuries and one fatality," Lt. Col. James Pierce told a press conference in the City of Ad’ihan.

"What we know at this point is limited, as we are still receiving reports from Tyoduura on the extent of the current situation. The injured personnel have been airlifted to Raästur. At this juncture it seems that this was just a very big accident, and no doubt one that will be investigated thoroughly by all sides, on our end and the Liventian end, as well as by the TFP headquarters."

The Secretary of State for National Defence, Anthony Edwards MP, has flown to Tyoduura, his office confirmed.

[Nethertopia]

Nethertopian Government “shocked and appalled” by friendly fire accident

Peregrinus City – In a press release, a representative of the Nethertopian government told the press that the “unfortunate accident that happened today in Tyoduura has shocked us all. The accident comes as a shock for Rushmore, especially during a long period of peace, with not a single casualty in any nation's defence. We would like to offer our condolences the families of the victims and all their beloved ones.”
Personal words of sympathy were spoken the Nethertopian envoy in Tyoduura, Vladimir Kouwenhoven. It is reported to have asked the Prime Minister of Nethertopia to visit Tyoduura in due course.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Rooijboom has requested to enter the nation and has promised medical and social help if requested by the Tyoduuran government.

[Liventia]

Liventian TFP commander says friendly-fire incident "regretful"

Raästur, Tyoduura (Broadcasting Corp. of Liventia)— The commander of Liventia's 5,000-strong military delegation in Tyoduura as part of the Ad’ihan–Liventia Military Protection Force in Tyoduura (TFP) has described a training exercise accident which killed an Ad’ihani soldier as "regretful".

Freddie Kanner AGC, who as the head of the Liventian contribution to the TFP is one of the two chief executives of the TFP, told BCL World Radio's Jacqueline Ostarius that the accident, which occurred under the watch of a Liventian commanding officer, should never have happened.

"Of course, our immediate thoughts are with the families of the casualties. An internal investigation is underway, but from what I can tell it looks like a horrible, regretful tragedy that could have very well been avoided," Cmdr Kanner said on BCL World Radio's Liventia At Large programme.

"What boggles the mind is that the commanding officer of the exercise did not know where his men were. If he had, it seems impossible that he'd give the go-ahead for the grenades to be fired at his own men. There will be a thorough investigation, jointly with the Ad’ihani side as well as on our own end.

"There were 50 Liventian troops out on that exercise and as you can imagine they're all just stunned that this has happened. We don't know who threw the deadly grenades but that's immaterial right now, and the inquiries will sort it out in due time. Right now we're talking to the Ad’ihanis, and also to the local government in Tyoduura on how to proceed."

Meanwhile, the Liventian acting defence minister Alan Tannardice has told BCL News 5 that the government had been in touch with the Tyoduuran government regarding the incident.

"Prime Minister Jeremy Firston and our government is very much aware of the growing feeling in Tyoduura that it should have control of its own military and pull away from its protecting powers, but we have an obligation to the Tyoduuran government to protect that island and we will continue to work with Ad’ihan and Tyoduura to ensure that that is what happens.

"I've been in touch with Rusyana Duureta, the Tyoduuran premier, and have also spoken to my Ad’ihani counterpart Anthony Edwards. It's a sad situation but we'll have to figure out what went wrong where, learn from it and move on."

[Liventia]

Friendly fire commander suspended

Raästur, Tyoduura (Wires)— The commander of Liventia's section of the Ad’ihan–Liventia Military Protection Force in Tyoduura (TFP) has confirmed the suspension of the Liventian commanding officer in charge of a training exercise which killed two Ad’ihani soldiers and left another three seriously wounded.

Commander Freddie Kanner AGC said that the commanding officer, who has not been named while inquiries continue, has been suspended from all duties until the inquiries have been completed, with a view to possible court martial.

Meanwhile, the Tyoduuran premier, Rusyana Duureta, has accepted a Nethertopian request for their foreign minister to visit the island in the wake of the accident.

[Adihan]

Ad’ihan suspends involvement in TFP

Raästur, TYODUURA— It has been announced that the 2,000-strong Ad’ihani military contingent in Tyoduura as part of the Ad’ihan–Liventia Military Protection Force in Tyoduura, or TFP, is to be temporarily stood down.

Anthony Edwards, the Secretary of State for National Defence, made the announcement after four hours of talks with the highest-ranking Liventian commander on the ground, Freddie Kanner, and Tyoduuran Premier Rusyana Duureta.

Secretary Edwards is understood to have insisted that Ad’ihan's contribution to the TFP would stop until the investigations into a friendly-fire training accident which killed two Ad’ihani soldiers and injured three others were complete and charges were filed against those responsible.

The exercise was led by a Liventian officer, but Mr Edwards stressed that Ad’ihan was not seeking more confrontation with Liventia. "We were working together on the TFP, it's not war. It was a very avoidable accident and until we get guarantees that the Liventian officers on the ground have all their men's safety in mind, and not just the Liventian soldiers' safety, as National Defence Secretary I'm not going to risk my men."

Cmdr Kanner confirmed to the Broadcasting Corporation of Liventia that the agreement was between all sides, and that he understood the Ad’ihani position.

"I have to say, in their position I'd probably have withdrawn my men totally too. The families and Secretary Edwards have my condolences and my sympathies, and I know where he's coming from. There will be a full investigation, both militarily and criminally, as Premier Duureta has indicated that the local police are looking at the incident."

Olivier Rooijboom, the Nethertopian foreign affairs minister, was also present at the meeting to offer support to Tyoduura.

[Adihan]

Parties name presidential candidates

CITY OF AD’IHAN, April 9, 2149— The seven parties in Parliament have announced their candidates to stand in upcoming presidential primary elections in the City of Ad’ihan and on Barrier Island. Just two parties have chosen to fight it out in the City of Ad’ihan, leaving five candidates to contest the May 11 primaries on Barrier Island.

The Front for Democracy and Action, formerly known as the Action Front (AF), which is the second-largest grouping in Parliament, as well as the Parti populaire ad’ihanais (PPA), are the two parties contesting the COA fight. The remaining five parties' candidates will contest the BRI votes. This includes current MP independent Humphrey Coombs, formerly of Green Ad’ihan, who has been backed by the People's Forward Movement.

Under the United Islands' two-year rotating presidency, the next president must represent either of these two regions of Ad’ihan, which means there will be nine different votes on May 11 — for the five Barrier Island counties and the four City of Ad’ihan districts. The regional primaries will choose the two candidates who will face each other in the final presidential vote set for July 3. As there will only be two candidates in the final vote, there will not be a second round of voting.

As Grand Island is ineligible for representation in this election, there are no primaries there, although they will still take part in the final vote. The laws regarding presidential elections has changed multiple times over the past two years, but as they currently stand, all three regions must be represented at least once within each six-year voting cycle, which means the losing region in July's election will definitely hold the rotating presidency from 2151–2153.

The cycle then resets, allowing the once-every-six-years possibility of a four-year presidency. Currently, candidates must declare one region and serve by their declaration unless voted into Parliament in a different region. As such, current president Josh Randall is ineligible to stand in this year's election.

After the voting on July 3, the president-elect will take office Wednesday, November 19, and his term is scheduled to run until November 17, 2151.

The seven men nominated are:
CITY OF AD’IHAN
Thurston McBladen (Front for Democracy and Action/AF)
Andrew Westerly-Enden (Parti populaire ad’ihanais/PPA)

BARRIER ISLAND
Humphrey Coombs (independent, backed by People's Forward Movement/PFM)
René Dènnage (Réseau marxiste/RMA)
Brady Owens (Green Ad’ihan/GA)
Lewis-Louis Edwards (Conservatives/AC)
Magnus Sargent (Nationalist Party/NP)

[Adihan]

Greens fail to defend presidency

CITY OF AD’IHAN— It is official. The Green Ad’ihan party, which currently leads the government and has one of its politicians as the mostly-figurehead President, will not have the presidency in its control for the next two years.

Official results from yesterday's presidential primaries across the City of Ad’ihan and Barrier Island have now been endorsed and released, and in a blow for the Greens and their ruling coalition, neither of their candidates, Andrew Westerly-Enden of the People's Party and Brady Owens of the Greens, won enough votes to win their respective regions' nominations to the final vote in July.

Instead, it is the two opposition coalition parties' candidates — Thurston McBladen of the Front for Democracy and Action (AF) in the City of Ad’ihan and Lewis-Louis Edwards of the Conservatives in Barrier Islands — who will contest the final vote on July 3 for the right to replace outgoing president Josh Randall on November 19.

Mr Edwards is heavily favoured to win, with the Tories' ever-growing support base in Grand Island likely to overcome any help Mr McBladen's campaign will get from the supporters of the defeated candidates. Both campaigns now have until July 1 to canvass for votes before a mandatory no-campaigning day on the eve of the election.

Prime Minister Alex Canning has praised the smooth primary vote, but expressed disappointment at his party's failure to win the Barrier Island nomination. Many pundits agree that although the Greens running in the City of Ad’ihan would have pitted them against the tougher AF and their allies in the People's Party, it would have been easier for them to win that vote.

The Ad’ihani presidency is largely a ceremonial duty, although the president does have the seldom-used power to veto constitutional amendments.

[Adihan]

Parliament to debate military draft

CITY OF AD’IHAN, January 14, 2150— The Ad’ihani Parliament is to debate a bill that would institute a military draft system in the country, after opposition Conservative MP Fred Donaldson (Airport County) garnered enough support from his constituents to table a bill.

Four of Ad’ihan's seven parties with seats in Parliament now require its MPs to seek support from their constituents before tabling motions in Parliament due to a scandal which ousted Mr Donaldson's predecessor Didier Legard from office, and Mr Donaldson says at least 300 of his constituents have agreed to sign a petition to table the bill.

The Tories currently hold 48 of Parliament's 232 seats, and their opposition partner the Front for Democracy and Action hold 50, putting them 19 votes short of a majority. The bill is steadfastly opposed by the governing Greens, but the People's Party, currently the Greens' governing coalition partner, has indicated that its MPs are split on supporting the bill.

The issue is likely to polarise Parliament and the Ad’ihani public, with opinion polling suggesting that an overwhelming majority — close to 80 per cent — of the public opposed to a compulsory military draft.

Analysts suggest that if the bill is passed, any implementation of the bill would begin some time late next year, which could coincide with a general election. Former Foreign Secretary Thomas Desaiye, now the dean of the City of Ad’ihan University's School of International Political Studies, says that with such unpopularity against the bill, its passing and subsequent implementation could spell bad news at the next elections for the parties pushing for the bill.

"I think it would be risky for anyone to try to push this through at the moment. When you consider than the Prime Minister will have to call an election by November next year at the earliest, and that is around when this bill would start to come into effect, the unpopularity of the bill will hurt many parties, including the Tories.

"The Tories are on the up in Ad’ihan and are just two seats shy of becoming the main opposition party, and the new President is a Conservative, but if this were to blow up in their faces next year they would take quite a beating."

[Adihan]

PM Canning announces resignation

CITY OF AD’IHAN, January 19, 2150— In an unexpected move, the Ad’ihani prime minister, Alex Canning, has announced his resignation from his post as leader of Green Ad’ihan, and in turn as Prime Minister.

Mr Canning, who has been Ad’ihan's only head of government since the inaugural elections in 2144 resulted in the election of a People's Party—Green—Forward Movement coalition and his appointment as a compromise Chief Minister of the then-International Protectorate, made the announcement at a widely-publicised press conference this morning at his party's headquarters.

Mr Canning said he was stepping down as leader of the Greens as he felt he had done all he could to "take our party forward and advance our ideals". Under his leadership, the Greens went from five seats in the first-ever Ad’ihani Senate to 15 seats in the next, then to 73 seats in Parliament in the first national elections post-independence.

In his speech, Mr Canning said he had the full belief that the party would continue to prosper, even without him at the helm. "I have utmost confidence in Kyle Adamson, who has been a loyal aide for many years, and in his ability to run this party successfully. I would like to thank Kyle, and my Cabinet ministers over these six years, for their support, and I believe we will continue to grow and advance as a party under their leadership."

Addressing the issue of his prime ministerial-ship, Mr Canning insisted that he had done "wonders for Ad’ihan at home and abroad" in his six years in charge of the country. "The fact that I survived the attempted no-confidence vote in July five years ago, and in fact increased our share in the then-Senate, you know, that says a lot. We've taken Ad’ihan's standing in the world up, without question. And it's time for me to move on, and time for this great nation to get to see someone else take charge for a change."

Mr Canning says he will stand down as leader of the Greens and submit his resignation as prime minister to President L. Louis Edwards on February 15. There has not yet been any news on who will take charge as Prime Minister after that time. The next elections are not due until November next year at the latest, and there is speculation that the current Deputy Prime Minister, Parti populaire d'ad’ihan leader John Baines, may take over to much opposition from the rest of Parliament.

The Front for Democracy and Action (AF) leader Michael Rowand insisted that his party and its Conservative allies would block any appointment of a People's Party prime minister without an election, but would not stand in the way of a new Green prime minister to bridge the gap to the next elections.

Mr Canning says that any decision on the appointment of the next prime minister, or if early elections should be called, will fall in the hands of the "new guard", as he put it.

[Adihan]

Report: John Baines next PM

CITY OF AD’IHAN, January 24, 2150— A leaked report from Protectorate Way seen by RAI suggests that current Deputy Prime Minister John Baines will be given the go-ahead by the governing coalition to try to form the next government following Prime Minister Alex Canning's announcement of his impending resignation.

The report, from sources within Mr Canning's Green Ad’ihan party, says that the People's Party leader, Mr Baines, will begin his task within days as he tries to garner enough support from the current make-up of Parliament to keep the governing coalition in power.

The new head of Green Ad’ihan, Kyle Adamson, will likely be the new deputy prime minister in such a government. The sources say Mr Baines is being touted as the next prime minister as his Parti populaire might be more able to pull back the People's Forward Movement, a former coalition partner which left the government after falling out with Mr Canning, rather than the Greens.

However, the opposition Conservatives and Front for Democracy and Action have both spoken out against a potential government led by Mr Baines, and president L. Louis Edwards, a Conservative, is not obligated to accept Mr Baines as the new prime minister should the governing coalition fail to regain the Forward Movement's support. Mr Edwards could then ask the coalition to try to form a new government with someone else at the top, or even ask the opposition to form the next government.

That, however, is unlikely. With the president being an opposition politician to the current legislature, any move to allow his party and their allies to form the next government would be seen as going against democracy, especially without an election. Unfortunately, Mr Edwards does not have the power to unilaterally dissolve Parliament and call for new elections without the recommendation of his prime minister.

Ad’ihan could be in for a real political mess in the coming weeks.

[Adihan]

Forward Movement agree deal with Baines

Modna South, BARRIER ISLAND, February 1, 2150— The People's Forward Movement leader Gregory Barnes has told reporters at his party headquarters that he has reached a deal with current deputy prime minister John Baines to rejoin the governing coalition when the current PM Alex Canning steps down in two weeks.

Making the announcement, Mr Barnes, an MP for Central County, said that the departure of Mr Canning marked a "change in the way Ad’ihan will be governed" and suggested his party will receive a number of Cabinet positions under Mr Baines' new government. The PFM's support for Mr Baines means the new governing coalition will once again have a majority in Parliament, controlling 122 seats in the 232-seat unicameral chamber.

The announcement also means that despite strong opposition from the Front for Democracy and Action (AF) and the Conservatives, Mr Baines has enough support to present his credentials as the country's next prime minister to President L. Louis Edwards on February 15.

Mr Canning, who will remain an MP for City of Ad’ihan District 1, fell out with the PFM two years ago over his annual budget, which cut funding to the Department for Regional Authority. Welcoming the latest developments, he noted a prime minister backed by a majority coalition would be able to accomplish more than he had.

However, the PFM's support comes at a price. In his statement, Mr Barnes confirmed that he had talked to Mr Baines over the need for more power for the regions — one of the PFM's key platforms — as well as voting reform. At present, Grand Island and Barrier Island's counties elect its MPs on a first-past-the-post, simple plurality voting system. However, the City of Ad’ihan's four districts, which have an disproportionately higher number of MPs per capita compared to the other two regions, elects its MPs on a closed party list proportionate representation system. Mr Barnes says the PFM will insist on a single standard method of electing MPs across all three regions, either simple plurality or closed list PR.

Mr Barnes also wants the electoral commission to review the electoral boundaries and a fairer balance of the number of MPs contributed by the smallest region of the nation. The City of Ad’ihan contributes 62 MPs — more than a quarter of Parliament — despite having an area smaller than any of the single counties in Grand or Barrier Island. The moves are likely to have the support of the opposition Conservatives, who believe they have much to gain from proportional representation, although will likely to meet resistance from the Greens as well as the Tories' allies the AF, both traditionally strong in the City of Ad’ihan.

With Mr Baines' ascension to the post of prime minister all but certain now, it remains to be seen if he will deliver on his promises to his old, and new, friends.

[Adihan]

Baines unveils more proposed Cabinet positions
CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 4, 2150— Prime Minister-designate John Baines has unveiled the men and women he has selected for key posts in his Cabinet when he takes over in 10 days from the outgoing prime minister, Alex Canning. The surprise of the lot is that his predecessor as Parti populaire ad’ihanais leader, the current Foreign Secretary Evan Bell, is to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister over a politician from the Greens.

Mr Canning's successor as leader of the Green Party, his long-time aide Kyle Adamson, has not been included in the Cabinet so far. This is not considered to be a big issue, however, as Mr Adamson was never officially a part of any of Mr Canning's governments. The next-top-ranking Green Ad’ihan politician, current Interior Affairs Secretary James Stewart MP, will retain his position as the third-highest-ranking Cabinet member, behind Mr Baines and Mr Bell, who retains his Foreign Affairs portfolio.

The People's Forward Movement leader, Gregory Barnes MP, is to become the Information and Media Secretary, replacing Philippe Dubois, Mr Canning's former deputy prime minister. Mr Dubois will take over the portfolio of Legal Affairs from the only non-MP in the current Cabinet, Dr Tom Kaczinski.

While the positions have not yet been formally announced, it is expected that the PFM will be handed the portfolios of the Secretary of State for Regions as well as the Regional Secretary for Barrier Island, giving it three slots in the new Cabinet.

As things stand, the positions in the new Cabinet that have been filled are as follows —
Prime Minister designate: John Baines MP
Deputy Prime Minister designate: Evan Bell MP
Secretary of State, Interior Affairs: James Stewart MP
Secretary of State designate, Information and the Media: Gregory Barnes MP
Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs: Evan Bell MP
Secretary of State designate, Legal Affairs: Philippe Dubois MP

This leaves Mr Baines with 18 positions left to fill in his Cabinet. The Speaker of Parliament, while a Cabinet-level position, cannot be changed unless the incumbent, Jonathan Manning MP, resigns, and thus Mr Baines will not need to look for a new Speaker.

[Adihan]

Ad’ihan welcomes new Prime Minister

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 15, 2150— The Ad’ihan People's Party (PPA) leader, John Baines, has been appointed prime minister by President L. Louis Edwards following the official resignation of Alex Canning as the head of government.

Mr Canning, who also resigned as leader of Green Ad’ihan, announced his decision a month ago, citing the need for change at the top. Mr Baines, his deputy prime minister, was then given the full backing by the PPA and Greens to form the next government. Mr Baines has managed to secure the support of the People's Forward Movement, which will allow his coalition to govern in majority.

Mr Baines, who has appointed the Foreign Secretary Evan Bell as his deputy, will continue to unveil more positions in his new Cabinet over the coming days.

The opposition Front for Democracy and Action (AF) has called on Mr Baines to call for elections to "secure his own mandate", noting that the PPA is only the fourth-largest party in Parliament, behind the Greens, the AF and the Conservatives. Mr Baines, who is not required to call an election until March next year, has said he does not intend to do so, setting the stage for a showdown with the opposition.

[Adihan]

Baines unveils new Cabinet, three positions added

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 18, 2150— Ad’ihani prime minister John Baines has formally unveiled his new Cabinet before the press corps for the first time since taking office three days ago, adding three new positions to the Cabinet.

Amongst the biggest surprises are the appointment of new Green Ad’ihan leader Kyle Adamson as one of three Ministers without Portfolio, the first time such a role has been added to the Cabinet, and the inclusion of Mr Adamson's predecessor as the Green leader, and Mr Baines' as prime minister, Alex Canning, as the new Attorney-General. Mr Canning is now the fourth most senior member of the Cabinet, replacing James Alexander, who moves to take the Treasury Secretary appointment from new Trade and Finance Secretary Andy Graves.

The People's Forward Movement have been allocated four slots in the new Cabinet, including the appointment of its leader, Gregory Barnes, as Information and Media Secretary; Sandy Welsh, who was Regions Secretary for two months in 2148 until sacked by Mr Canning has been reappointed to the position; Peter Leslie has been made Regional Secretary for Barrier Island; and PFM chairman Felix Frances has been appointed Minister without Portfolio.

The Greens have been allocated the positions of Interior Affairs (James Stewart); Attorney-General (Alex Canning); National Defence (Anthony Edwards); Legal Affairs (Philippe Dubois); Treasury (James Alexander); Environment and Energy Resources, a new role that combines the roles of both in the old Cabinet (Ron Kelly); Culture, Sport and the Arts (Mitch Holmes); Regional Secretary for City of Ad’ihan (Alfred Webster); and Minister without Portfolio (Kyle Adamson), giving them nine positions in the new 25-member Cabinet, down from 13 in Mr Canning's last 23-member Cabinet.

The People's Party, despite being only the fourth-largest party in Parliament, now wields the most power, holding half of the Cabinet. Aside from Prime Minister Baines and Deputy Prime Minister Evan Bell, who is also Foreign Secretary, the PPA have added Gordon Jenner as Secretary of State for Labour and Industry and Michael Gorman as Education and Schools Secretary. All previous ministers in Mr Canning's Cabinet have also been retained in the Cabinet, with Ian Herring remaining Justice Secretary; Andy Graves (Treasury) moving to Trade and Finance; Hameed Derjia (Transport) being re-assigned to his old post as Health Secretary; Gavin Taylor (Health) becoming Transport Secretary; June Armand (Food Safety and Agriculture) being promoted to Community Affairs Secretary; Colin Adre moving from Regions to Agriculture, and the retention of David Martin as Regional Secretary for Grand Island. The PPA chairwoman Katherine O'Malley has also been made Minister without Portfolio.

Rank	Portfolio	Minister	(Previously)
1	Prime Minister	John Baines (PPA)	Deputy Prime Minister
2	Deputy Prime Minister Foreign Affairs	Evan Bell (PPA)	Foreign Affairs
3	Interior Affairs	James Stewart (GA)	No change
4	Attorney-General	Alex Canning (GA)	Prime Minister
5	Information and Media Affairs	Gregory Barnes (PFM)	No appointment
6	National Defence	Anthony Edwards (GA)	No change
7	Justice	Ian Herring (PPA)	No change
8	Legal Affairs	Philippe Dubois (GA)	Information and Media Affairs
9	Trade and Finance	Andy Graves (PPA)	Treasury
10	Treasury	James Alexander (GA)	Attorney-General
11	Environment and Energy Resources	Ron Kelly (GA)	No change
12	Labour and Industry	Gordon Jenner (PPA)	No appointment
13	Health	Hameed Derjia (PPA)	Transport
14	Culture, Sport and the Arts	Mitch Holmes (GA)	No change
15	Transport	Gavin Taylor (PPA)	Health
16	Education and Schools	Michael Gorman (PPA)	No appointment
17	Community Affairs	June Armand (PPA)	Food Safety and Agriculture
18	Agriculture	Colin Adre (PPA)	Regions
19	Regions	Sandy Welsh (PFM)	New appointment
20	Regional Secretaries: City of Ad’ihan Grand Island Barrier Island	Jointly: Alfred Webster (GA) David Martin (PPA) Peter Leslie (PFM)	— No change No change No appointment
23	Ministers without Portfolio	Jointly: Kyle Adamson (GA) Katherine O'Malley (PPA) Felix Frances (PFM)	— No appointment No appointment No appointment

[Adihan]

New government announces sweeping electoral reform plans

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 18, 2150— Shortly after unveiling his full Cabinet on their first day in office, the Ad’ihani Prime Minister John Baines has announced a raft of sweeping electoral reforms for Ad’ihan.

The biggest announcement is the creation of local councils to govern each town, city and county in Ad’ihan at a smaller level, with each council leader reporting to their respective Regional Secretary. There will be 33 local councils:
Eleven 35-member county councils, with jurisdiction over the entire county except for towns or cities with their own councils: Frontier County Council, Daniels County Council, Airport County Council, Central County Council, Rovers County Council, President's County Council, Navon County Council, Dalinn County Council, Barrier County Council, Coastal County Council, and Harley County Council;
One 40-member council representing the Southern Zone Autonomous Region;
Seven 45-member town councils, with jurisdiction over the town limits (except in Dullham, of which parts of the town limits fall under Oldbridge City Council jurisdiction): Altsend Council, Pointe Sud Council, Hatton Council, Dullham Council, Riverston Council, Mountbatten Junction Council and Sémoy Council;
Twelve 60-member city councils, with jurisdiction over city limits and suburbs: Navon Beach City Council, Modna South City Council, Dalinn City Council, Pilminster City Council, Flitton City Council, Oldbridge City Council, Dz’ai City Council, Airport City Council, Kinney Road City Council, Mont-Pluie City Council, Modna Nord City Council and Stanley City Council;
and a 55-member City of Ad’ihan Council, of which 54 members will be elected, with the Regional Secretary filling the last seat.

Port Stanley, whilst nominally a town, falls under the jurisdiction of Stanley City Council, and thus does not have a town council of its own.

Elections for local councils would take place on fixed dates every two years, held using an open list proportional representation system. Each council will be led by a Council Chair (or, in the City of Ad’ihan, the Regional Secretary) and have a Cabinet of six members. In seats which are vacated by resignations or deaths, by-elections will be held to fill the seat until the end of that term on a first-past-the-post, single plurality system.

Mr Baines said the move was proposed by the People's Forward Movement to delegate more power to sub-entities, one of the party's main platforms, and although some Greens oppose such a move, the party had agreed to back it. As this would require an amendment to the Constitution, it would require 155 votes of the 232 in Parliament to pass, and require the president's approval. It is widely expected that the opposition will not block the bill, paving the way for local elections in December this year.

The other reform announced by the prime minister was the changing of electoral boundaries and representation within the City of Ad’ihan, pending approval by the Electoral Commission. Currently, the capital region has 62 seats in Parliament, with a disproportionately higher number of MPs per capita compared to Grand and Barrier Island. The region, split into four districts, would elect just 28 MPs to the next Parliament under the new plan, and the four districts would be merged into a single polling constituency to represent the entire region.

The plans, also drawn up by PFM leader Greg Barnes, would see the remaining 34 MPs be at-large MPs, elected based on closed-list proportional representation based on the national popular vote. Such a plan, which would also require 155 votes to pass, has the support of the opposition Tories although the Greens and the Front for Democracy and Action (AF) both oppose it. Without the support of the Greens' 73 and the AF's 50 votes, the PFM are far short of a deal on this front and will likely face stiff opposition to push it through.

Parliament will hear debates on both proposals next week when it sits for the first time since the formation of a new government, as well as hear a bill to introduce a military draft.

[Adihan]

Opposition "will discuss mass resignations", says Rowand

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 24, 2150— Former presidential candidate and opposition leader Michael Rowand says his Front for Democracy and Action (AF) will discuss the possibility of resigning its 50 seats in Parliament to protest the appointment of John Baines as prime minister.

Mr Rowand, MP for City of Ad’ihan District 2, insists Mr Baines' premiership is stained and undemocratic as the latter's People's Party is only the fourth-largest party in Parliament with just 35 of the chamber's 232 seats and is "nowhere close to being able to form a government on its own". Two smaller opposition parties with 12 seats between them, the Marxist Network (RMA) and the Nationalist Party, have both indicated they would join the AF in such a move, which would trigger widespread by-elections and cause untold disruption to Parliament.

A number of opposition Conservative MPs have also called on their party to join the movement, but party bigwigs have so far refused to comment on whether the party would resign its 48 MPs.

A senior politics expert at the City of Ad’ihan University, Michael Duberry, says there is growing sentiment amongst the political community, and also in the general public, that Mr Baines would do well to call early elections if he wants any chance at gaining a mandate to govern. "If Mr Baines decides to wait it out until next March, which is the latest he can call the next elections, I don't see his party making any gains. People will want a legitimate government, and right now the opposition are insisting very strongly that this isn't one, and to great lengths."

The former prime minister Alex Canning, meanwhile, has expressed his concern at the opposition plans, saying any move to destabilise Parliament would not go unforgiven by the electorate.

Should mass by-elections take place and the results be enough for a single party to form a new government (for example, the Greens improving on their current 73 seats to a majority 117), the current government would still fall.

[Adihan]

Greens "will not back electoral boundary plan", says Adamson

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 26, 2150— In the first Parliamentary debate of the new government over a People's Forward Movement-proposed bill to change electoral boundaries and representation within the City of Ad’ihan, the Green Ad’ihan leader, Kyle Adamson, has suggested his party will not be backing the plan put forward by the PFM's Gregory Barnes.

Under the plan, the City of Ad’ihan would see a reduction in its number of MPs from 62 at present to 28, with the four districts voting as a single constituency rather than four different constituencies, under the same proportional representation system that is currently in use in the region. The remaining 34 MPs would be elected based on the national popular vote in a similar system.

At the last elections in 2148, the Greens won 21 of the 59 City of Ad’ihan seats up for grabs, plus one uncontested seat. Under the proposed bill, they would get six to seven seats out of the 28 (21.4 to 25% of MPs), as they had a regional popular vote of 23.8% in those elections — but their total of 22 of 62 MPs was a return of 35.5% of MPs.

Understandably, the mathematics mean that both the Greens and the opposition Front for Democracy and Action (AF) — which took 15 of the 62 seats in the last election — refuse to back the plan. Critics are questioning why the Prime Minister, John Baines, publicly announced the tabling of a bill that does not even have the support of one of the governing parties, with some going as far as to suggest the Greens voting against the bill could topple the government.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the 12 MPs from the Marxist Network and Nationalist Party have voted unanimously to resign in protest at the appointment of the leaders of the fourth-largest party in Parliament as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, saying they could not work with what they termed an "illegitimate government". On this matter, AF MPs are set to hold an internal vote in two days on whether or not to resign their 50 seats, and the Conservatives are supposedly planning similar discussions.

As the Nationalists picked up two seats in the City of Ad’ihan — one each in Districts Two and Three — these by-elections will be held as single simple-plurality votes, unless the AF and Tories join the movement in which case all the seats affected would be up in by-elections using proportional representation. The 12 now-vacant seats are mostly in Barrier Island, with the Marxists' three seats all in Coastal County. The Nationalists have six seats in Barrier County, two in the City of Ad’ihan and one in Frontier County, Grand Island.

A date for the by-elections has not yet been set.

The Prime Minister has insisted he will not resign and accused the 12 former MPs of being "troublemakers", but is unlikely to find much support or sympathy from the Greens, considering they were widely expected to be given the Deputy Prime Minister portfolio, which Mr Baines chose to give to his predecessor as party leader.

Former Foreign Secretary Thomas Desaiye today added his voice to those calling for Mr Baines to call early elections, saying any further delay would "compromise Ad’ihan's political system".

[Adihan]

BREAKING NEWS
PM Baines sets tentative elections date

CITY OF AD’IHAN, February 27, 2150— The prime minister has confirmed a preliminary date for early general elections in a bid to avoid mass resignations from Parliament by the opposition, his office has announced. Prime Minister John Baines' Cabinet agreed to set a date of May 29 for the next general election, after talks lasting late into last night.

The move comes after 12 opposition MPs from the Marxist Network and the Nationalist Party resigned their seats yesterday, citing concerns that the fourth-largest party in Parliament was controlling the government without due mandate from the electorate. The other two, larger, opposition parties, the Conservatives (48 seats) and the Front for Democracy and Action (AF), were both planning internal votes on the same issue, although it is understood that that will now not go ahead.

Tory leader Paul Tilson welcomed the news, saying the government would have to prove to Parliament and to the nation that it had the support of a majority of voters.

The People's Forward Movement and Mr Baines' People's Party of Ad’ihan were both reluctant to support early elections, but strong pushing by Green Ad’ihan, the third and largest member of the governing coalition, meant that an agreement was eventually reached to seal the deal.

Until the elections, Parliament will function as per normal.

Meanwhile, the Greens have proposed an alternate version of a bill currently in debate that would change the electoral system in the City of Ad’ihan. Under the Green version, the City of Ad’ihan would retain 48 of its 62 MPs — 12 MPs per district, to be voted in in individual seats, which would align the City of Ad’ihan with the rest of the country in a first-past-the-post system. The remaining 14 seats would be distributed across the counties, with each county and the Southern Zone Autonomous Region adding one new constituency. The remaining two MPs would be voted for by Ad’ihani expatriates living abroad, and would represent them in Parliament, rather than a single constituency.

The plan has been welcomed by the People's Forward Movement, who are willing to accept the plan as it would bring down the number of MPs for the City of Ad’ihan while adding MPs to the other two regions and would change the electoral system in the region. The opposition Action Front has also given its support to the bill, which is now likely to pass in favour of the original plan.

If passed by March 10, the plan would take effect from May's elections, pending presidential approval and the Electoral Committee reviewing boundaries for the 12 new constituencies in each City district.

[Adihan]

PPA and PFM suffer splits

Modna South, BARRIER ISLAND, March 5, 2150— Eighty members of the Parti populaire ad’ihanais (PPA) and 130 members of the People's Forward Movement (PFM) have tendered their resignations to their parties to jointly form the new Ad’ihan Liberal Popular Party (ALP).

The 210 ALP members, which include six MPs in the current Parliament and a member of the Cabinet — Regions Secretary Sandy Welsh — said the move came after a "breakdown in relationship" with the rest of their parties, something many people take to mean the acceptance of a deal by Prime Minister John Baines and PFM leader Greg Barnes to call for fresh elections in May.

The ALP will immediately take its six seats in Parliament, and will continue to be a part of Parliament until Mr Baines visits the president to request its dissolution. The new party will continue to be based in Modna South, which is also the base of headquarters for both parties.

Mr Baines has replaced Mrs Welsh in Cabinet with interim Secretary David Martin, the second time in this term of Parliament which Mrs Welsh has been sacked from Cabinet. The move leaves the governing coalition with 116 seats, which under normal circumstances would the government one seat shy of a majority in the single-chamber Parliament. However, with the resignation of 12 MPs from the Marxist Network and Nationalist Party last week, there are currently only 220 MPs, which means the government retains a majority of six votes.

The ALP could do quite well in the upcoming elections in Barrier Island, according to analysts, as a large segment of PFM supporters are unhappy at what they perceive to be a selling-out to the government by Mr Barnes. However, the ALP is unlikely to win too much support elsewhere in the country.

Mr Baines is expected to request the dissolution of Parliament in the middle of next month, allowing for five weeks' worth of general election campaigning.

In a separate development, the Conservatives have objected to the Green Ad’ihan modification to a bill in Parliament which would modify the current electoral system. Tory leader Paul Tilson said his party could not support the allocation of two seats especially for Ad’ihani expatriates abroad.

"The Conservatives strongly believe the Ad’ihani Parliament should represent the needs of Ad’ihan and our citizens living here, first and foremost. Ad’ihani citizens who have chosen to move abroad and live abroad should not have the means in Parliament to influence laws that would apply only in this country and not to them living abroad," said a statement released by the party.

"The Conservatives would like to put on record the party's opposition to the Green Ad’ihan bill, although we continue to support the original from the People's Forward Movement. We hope other parties will agree with our stance on this and we will continue to work with the other parties to come up with an acceptable solution."

Any electoral reform bill or bill to modify the Constitution requires a supermajority of 66.7% plus one vote to pass, which in this case would require 147 votes. Electoral reform bills are also subject to the apporval of the Electoral Commission.