The Astyrian Network

[Aquitayne]

His Majesty Discusses the Region with Valeria Ravenclaw of the BCNN

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By JESSICA ALBRIGHTApril 22, 2016

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Valeria Ravenclaw poses for promotional ads before her tour across Astyria,
interviewing many world leaders on current crises.

Palace at Vernoir, Aquitayne -

The interview that captivated the region yesterday was monitored closely by both government and private-sector officials, jotting down ever last bit of information that came out of the King's mouth. The interview is the first leg in Valeria Ravenclaw's Across the Region Tour, an expansive endeavor that sees her scheduled to interview the most amount of Astyrian leaders of any journalist in recent memory. The Blackhelm Confederacy News Network, the official news outlet of the nation, has sponsored the tour and spent tens of millions of dollars in advertising it just in Hesperedisia alone.

The interview was a highly publicized event in Aquitayne, as well, with pubs and homes across the nation tuning in to see what the King had to say about the current problems facing Astyria. The answers were, for the most part, more than standard. He hailed the resilience and fortitude of the Aquitaynian people, and kept the rhetoric regarding the EATA and ATO to a bare minimum, not giving any ground in reiterating Aquitayne's neutral stance between the power blocs.

Valeria is known throughout the journalism community as being a hard-liner. She routinely asks the difficult and pointed questions that some find difficult to wiggle their way out of. An aid close to the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that "the Minister was very happy with the King's remarks, especially after Valeria backed him into that corner regarding the recent ViZo-Bhormakaro conflict." Indeed, the King's statement that the information regarding Bhormakaro's apparent threat to the ViZo Strait was "classified" raised more than a few eyebrows across Astyria. The King quickly backpedalled the intensity of his claim, stating that "What I am saying, is that the Bhormakaran military has the operational capabilities and resources to put pressure on the ViZion Strait."

The King touched on more domestic subjects as well, noting that Aquitayne is "on track to meet 30% of our energy needs through sustainable resources by 2020", a goal he set when he first came onto the throne. The interview, as a whole, was relaxed and very controlled, but Valeria did not hold back about BCNN's feelings towards the apparent hypocrisy regarding Aquitaynian influence - and where it chooses to use that influence. Specifically, Valeria asked a question regarding Aquitayne's stance, noting that it seemed "that the United Kingdom has had a much better relationship with the ATO than it has with EATA member states in recent years."

The King quickly dismissed the claim, reiterating Aquitayne and her allies' neutral stance between the EATA and ATO. He did, however, note that "EATA policies have put the region at risk more times than I'm comfortable with", but quickly rounded back to saying that Aquitayne and her allies retain "our neutrality, and an objective one at that." The interview continued to discuss the decision to place Aquitaynian ships in the Strait of ViZion, which the Blackhelm Confederacy has largely denounced as a move to further the conflict and militarize the region, which the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Ministry strongly disclaim.

The next stop for Valeria is in Kobolis, a nation recently rocked by the largest and most devastating terrorist attack in Astyrian history.

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[Falkasia]

I don't get paid enough for this.

"PressBox" Transcribed Report

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BREAKING NEWS
Falkasian Military enters Gragastavia

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Amateur photographers capture the initial air bombardment of Al Duhaba, Capitol of Gragastavia.

Early this morning, Falkasian forces officially entered into Gragastavian territory. This marks only the second time in history, the last being the Falko-Gragastavian War in 1988, when the Falkasian military has directly intervened in the affairs of its southern neighbor.

It is well known that earlier this year, the Gragastavian Liberation Organization, also known colloquially by their acronym GLO, staged a coup in Al Duhaba to overthrow then seated King Friedrich Schechtmann. The GLO as it exists is a loose affiliation of groups, united under the so-called "common cause" of anti-Falkasianism. They have been responsible for countless bombings and terrorist attacks over the years, most notably the 2013 bombing of Stana General Hospital in which they killed over 200 civilians and military personnel. Ahmed Sezen, father of recent Olympic Athletes Leyla and Yldirim Sezen, was among those killed. Although successful in ousting the democratically elected government, they failed to fully capitalize on their gains and allowed many key Falkasian allies through. King Schechtmann, having survived, fled to Falkasia and since has lived in exile as de facto leader from New Falafel Hall.

Historically, the Schechtmann family has long-running ties with both Falkasia and the Kazyenko clan. Although little in the way of tangible information is available, it is widely understood that both families share at least some form of common lineage. This lineage, which has manifested itself throughout antiquity in the way of political alliances, remains a strong binding force between both countries. Rumors suggest that the recent invasion may be an effort by the Premier, who has had little interaction with Gragastavia since ascending to power in 2000, to re-assert his solidarity and attempt to re-instate the King.

The success of the operation remains to be seen. Reports from EKTV's sister station in Al Duhaba reported that the city came under sustained naval and air bombardment immediately after dawn. The Ministry of Defense had no comment when asked. Falkasian Navy Task Force Alfa, under the command of Volsk-native R.A. Lucius Svedberg, is known to have been operating in the region. Photographs circulating on social media, such as the one above, seem to show Falkasian-marked V-25's and fixed-wing aircraft conducting directed bombing runs on a variety of targets across the city.

The 12th and 23rd Armored Divisions, both based in Stanaskaya, have also been deployed to Gragastavia. Analysts suggest these two units may be acting as a counter-balance to an expected amphibious invasion of Al Duhaba from Task Force Alfa. This plan is designed to pincer in retreating forces before they can disappear into the greater desert of the desolate country.

There are no casualty reports available at this time.

For Citizens of Stanaskaya Province
The province of Stanaskaya has been placed on lockdown, and a temporary bank holiday has been declared. Do not go to work. Do not leave your homes. Hunker down and remain safe. If you see something suspicious, inform your local Levysman as soon as possible.

[Andamonia]

War never changes
» Is Andamonia on the road to a brighter future?

By Cohmani Pilezar, 23/04/'16

The empire's descent into chaos spirals ever downwards as civil war beckons - or so it would be, if it weren't for the ongoing Trellinese intervention in the north and west. Trellinese armed forces arrived in - or rather, returned to - Andamonia in August last year, after Emperor Amahuiz formally requested their assistance in restoring central authority to the troubled fringes of the empire. The presence of Trellinese soldiers has not been a popular move, but many have argued that it is necessary in a nation whose own military is outnumbered by the rebel militias of innumerable would-be statelets and opportunist groups.

Even with a strong Trellinese presence, however, the only stability in our empire is a stable chaos. The situation has stopped deteriorating, but it also has no inclination towards amelioration. There are those who accuse the Sidereal Crown of deliberately fostering an environment where the restoration of order is impossible, and conspiracy theories surround its Operation Flying Mynah - is it really a generous offer to rebuild Andamonia, or is it a ploy to keep Trellin's ancient rival as a permanent underdog?

The horror of urban terrorism, Lasasu Isnin (14 March).

It's certainly true that Andamonia is in dire straits, but it seems rather counter-intuitive to suggest that Trellin could be behind it while they commit such immense resources to stifling insurrection and continue to throw money at rebuilding the shattered empire that neighbours them (article » Trellin pledges ʠ50,000,000 to reconstruction); even more so given their rate of success and the very tangible progress that has been made in ending the insurrection. Only a handful of cities remain in rebel hands - Tepec and Pathatl in the north, after North Olahan forces were driven out of Uushen over the last two weeks (article » NPR forces retreat to Pathatl), Runaazit and Eltoajoan in the east and Quemec and Uebli in the south are the main centres of secessionist activity. Rebels and militias maintain a presence in many other towns, but barely half a dozen remain in anti-imperial hands.

We owe this to combination of factors. Trellinese forces have provided invaluable support to the Imperial Military, which despite early defections and defeats has persevered stoically and made substantial gains especially in the northwest. Rebel infighting has kept some sects from greater success than they might otherwise be enjoying. Even the North Peninsular Republic and Olahu Commune, which recognise each other as independent states, have frequently been at loggerheads. Drone camera footage has even captured their soldiers fighting in the Olahu rainforest. The calls for Emperor Amahuiz to step down have not been heard in months, though the future of his political career remains in doubt. No few politicians have suggested he will abdicate in favour of a republic once peace is restored, though whether Andamonia wants to experiment again with democracy is as much in question as whether we will even see peace again.

On the one hand, Andamonia is in much the same situation it was at the close of 2014: rebel sects across the empire, the emperor afraid to return to his residence in Zadé Axochizin, Trellinese soldiers unambiguously menacing their opponents. For all that critics say we are stuck in a rut, however, they cannot deny that things are better than they were in October 2014 or in July 2015. Since Trellin's intervention, life for the average citizen has improved. Isolated attacks are preferable to the regimes of terror that only recently were driven out of some of our major cities. Even the streets of Zadé Axochizin, occupied first by protesters, then rioters and then rebels, are peaceful again. Things could be, and have been, much worse than they are. At least now there is hope for a brighter future and a restored Andamonia.

Related: NPR forces retreat to Pathatl | Violence erupts in Huitso | Trellin pledges ʠ50,000,000 to reconstruction | War and rumours of war in Lorecia

[Aquitayne]

Aquitaynian Embassy in Gragastavia Closed

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By JESSICA ALBRIGHTApril 24, 2016

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Aquitaynian Marines await the MV-22 Osprey to evacuate Embassy officials and staff.

Al Duhaba, Gragastavia -

Earlier this week, the Falkasian-Gragastavian conflict erupted once more into open war. The two nations have been at odds with one another for centuries, and this is just the most recent installment of their continued fighting. The conflict erupted when Falkasian Naval assets began bombarding Al Duhaba, the Gragastavian capitol, with rockets and other missile weaponry. Falkasia, Aquitayne's northern neighbor, and Gragastavia, a close neighbor to the west, are both nations which bring important trade goods to Aquitayne annually.

The recent GLO takeover of Gragastavia is believed to be the catalyst for the recent uptick in hostilities between the two nations, with Falkasia seeming unresistant in their goals to remove the GLO from power. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated at the time of the GLO takeover that, "this organization not only places the people of Gragastavia at risk, but the people of Lorecia as a whole." The Ministry did state, however, that Aquitayne had no intentions of attempting to remove the GLO from power, though there have been reports of suspected spy activities in the country.

An aid to a top Field Marshal in the Ministry of Defense disclosed to the Tribune that Falkasia did not alert Aquitaynian military officials to their attack. The aid, who spoke to us only on the condition of anonymity, stated that "the attack came as a complete surprise." He went on to say, however, that this was not something the military did not see coming. "If you remember, event the Tribune published an article regarding Universal Defense's recent increase in arms sales to the Falkasian military. We saw this as a sign of intervention, but did not suspect it to come so rapidly."

In light of the opening of hostilities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a public address that all Aquitaynian citizens in Gragastavia should make travel arrangements to leave immediately, and all known citizens travelling or residing in the country have been contacted by the Aquitaynian embassy in Falkasia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did also announce that the Aquitaynian Embassy Mission in Gragastavia would be closed immediately and indefinitely. A very discreet mission was carried out in the later hours of April 23rd that saw the evacuation of Aquitaynian embassy officials, including Consul Righam, and all other essential and non-essential embassy officials, as well as Aquitaynian citizens that had made their way to the embassy.

The Ministry of Defense stated that it was elements of the 6th Marine Expeditionary Unit that responded to the crisis and evacuated over 120 Aquitaynian citizens from Gragastavia, and that there were no shots fired during the operation.

_________

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[Blackhelm Confederacy]

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In Their Words
With Valeria Ravenclaw

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The third segment of our pan-Astyrian tour finds us in the Grand Hotel Holmgard, in the heart of the Rombergian capital to interview Kaiser Johann von Lenesov. With a recent deployment to assist the coalition in the Lorecian War as well as the decision to leave troops behind in the currently unclaimed tundra just east of Glisandia, von Lenesov and Romberg as a whole have received a bit of criticisim in recent times. Valeria Ranveclaw seeks to get to the heart of the decision to remain behind, as well as a number of other topics in tonight's piece.

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Valeria Ravenclaw: Good afternoon Mr. von Lenesov, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to meet me today

Johann von Lenesov: Good afternoon Ms. Ravenclaw, a pleasure to meet you.

VR: Rombergian troops recently participated in the coalition action against the Yellow Star Republic, however after the fighting all of the other nations involved began to remove their troops. Rombergian forces, however, decided to remain in Lorecia, and the Rombergian government has even laid claim to the territory west of Glisandia. Many throughout the region are beginning to think that the sole reason for your involvement was to justify what was essentially nothing less than an imperialistic landgrab. What would you say to this argument?

JvL: Two things. Firstly, we have completed our withdrawal from insofar claimed lands including the Grand Duchy of Glisandia and the Yellow Star Republic earlier than anyone else in the coalition. Secondly, there is no actual claim made by the Rombergian government. I am not sure where you have gotten this information.

VR: Are not Rembergian troops setting up what appear to be permenant garrisons in the previously unclaimed region of the tundra?

JvL: While conducting the military operation, we have found older manuscripts dating back to previous centuries, during the period of Personal Union, of ethnic Rombergians being sent to attempted colonisation efforts in the tundra region and recent encounters with the nomads of the tundra have suggested a remarkable similarity of these people in culture to the Rombergians sent henceforth. We believe that the Rombergians sent in the past have been assimilated into the local population and hence it was decided that further research would be interesting in this intriguing area. However, due to security threats such as the GGA, military protection would be required. You may notice that the numbers of troops left on the ground is much reduced compared to wartime numbers.

VR: So, if it is purely a research mission, would you object to scientists and associated security from other nations joining in the endeavor?

JvL: Well, security wise I would object as I believe that our military is more than enough to cope with any threats in the region. Plus, it would be a good idea for Rombergian forces to be involved in security anyway because communications wise the language and culture of the nomads still have much in common with ours. On the other hand, I am open to having foreign researchers taking part in the programme, although as this would be a Rombergian led project you would have to consult the Imperial Rombergian Academy of Sciences on that matter.

VR: If, for example, a Confederate security team of Rombergian speaking advisors were to volunteer to assist in this scientific mission, they would be denied?

JvL: I do not see the need for their presence. In any case security would not be a major concern. On the other hand, differing doctrines may mean that in case of any emergency this may lead to further complications.

VR: You just stated moments ago security was a major concern, and that was the reason for the presence of Rombergian soldiers

JvL: I have never claimed security was a MAJOR concern. I said that there was a concern with respect to security for any researchers in the field, justifying the need for armed protection, but I do not anticipate anything particularly serious.

VR: Then why not remove the soldiers and use a security company, like every other research mission has done? Unless you feel the danger is too much for a private company to handle

JvL: We already had troops on the ground who can be trusted more than private military personnel. Do not forget that this research mission is government supported and we endeavour to deploy our assets as we believe to be efficient.

VR: You are aware that soldiers on the ground, in what has been for years considered to be international territory, is more than a bit brow raising, do you not?

JvL: Not when any nation can and has the right to do it. What is brow raising is the presence of a nation's troops on another sovereign nation's soil without permission.

VR: Can you clarify what you are trying to say there?

JvL: It is about the issue of land ownership. Whoever wants to traverse through owned land should ask for permission from the owner. If the land is unowned it may not be the best decision to traverse through it but it is acceptable. Discretion should be taken however and respect must be given to any native inhabitants in all cases.

VR: So, to the earlier mentioned point, if for example, a Confederate security team were to establish itself, you would not object? As it is, if I understand you correctly, unowned land, and the traversing of it is acceptable?

JvL: That is correct, although purpose is a significant factor. Said confederate security team I believe should have a legitimate reason to be there as well. And that does not contradict with my previous point.

VR: A security team might be needed to defend nationals from the previously spoken of GGA threat. If there is as valuable of a historical trove uncovered, it is only logical that other nations would want in on the action. And since it is unclaimed land, it is up for grabs, is it not?

JvL: I do not believe this land is up for grabs, no. There are historical claims from various nations with various degrees of legitimacy, whom I believe have more right over the land than others.

VR: I did not mean the land, I meant the historical troves. If they are in unclaimed land, doesn't that give researchers from around the region equal claim to study them?

JvL: Certainly, although I believe the research is more anthropological in nature than one might think, based on information given to me.

VR: Would you like to use this interview as an opportunity to personally invite experts from around the region to assist in the studies then?

JvL: Again, I have not stated others were unwelcome to conduct research in the area, merely that our research operation, sponsored by the Rombergian government, would not require foreign security assistance, and you would need to consult the Imperial Rombergian Academy of Sciences on the matter of collaboration by foreigners in the Rombergian research team. And as I do not own the land, I have no right to invite experts to conduct research in the area.

VR: So you would not like to use this opportunity to invite others to assist the Rombergian scientists currently on the ground? They do not need to be attached to the actual Rombergian mission, as it is, as you said, unclaimed country

JvL: That is correct. I do not have the jurisdiction to invite others to conduct research in the area who are not in any way attached to the actual Rombergian mission.

VR: So can you say, for the record, that there would be no objection on behalf of the Rombergian government should independent fact finding or research missions be launched into the area?

JvL: We have no right to object.

VR: Yes or no, if you could please

JvL: The question is not valid as we cannot object in the first place.

VR: So then there would be no objections?

JvL: There can not be.

VR: And can you guarantee at this time that there is no desire by the Rombergian government to permanently establish itself in the area?

JvL: At this current time, yes.

VR: And in the future?

JvL: Nobody can predict the future. it would be dumb to categorically deny anything. I can't even tell you what I want for breakfast tomorrow.

VR: Are there any foreseeable incidents that might arise in which you might backpedal from your current anti-colonial stance?

JvL: No. Anti-colonialism is always a central tenet to Rombergian foreign doctrine. We do not colonise and oppress natives or recklessly exploit any native resources.

VR: Moving on to other topics, Romberg remains a neutral party to the current EATA-ATO conflict in the region. Do you see this position changing any time soon, and how do you feel neutrality has benefited the Rombergian state?

JvL: To us, I believe that neutrality is our biggest asset. As any amateur geographer or demographer can tell, we are not populous enough to stand up to any of the larger nations in the region, nor are we as resource-rich as many of them. But neutrality means that we are able to not artificially contract our potential field of trade partners. Indeed, our nation may have been rich because of oil, but it is trade which keeps it going. And it is neutrality which sustains its trade as well as helping us to remain off the radar for military conquest. We have I believe a strong military for our size, but we must still be vigilant. And that is also why we chose to stay a neutral party between the two main pacts in the region. We know that we can only stand to lose if we throw ourselves in the fray. That said, and although we will fiercely defend and protect our neutrality,if our very survival, our very existence is at threat due to actions taken by one of the main pacts, we may have to reconsider our position, but only to protect ourselves. But in any case as far as the situation in the world goes I do not believe that such a drastic step is necessary any time in the near future.

VR: Are there any issues in the region that you find particularly troubling at the present time?

JvL: Yes, Certainly. There's war and terrorism all over the place, nations falling apart, just a lot of conflict and fighting going on. If only there was peace...And to a lesser extent, global warming and degradation of resources. Although we've already set up fishing quotas, fishermen have reported that the arctic waters have appeared less healthy than it was years ago.

VR: Speaking of the war on terrorism and the recent attack on Kobolis, does Romberg plan to take any steps against the ALA either at home or abroad?

JvL: Well, definitely efforts are being taken at home as we speak. Terrorism is terrorism and if it presents a security threat to our nation we will definitely stamp it out. On the "abroad" side of things however things are more complicated. Our military is set by constitution to only be allowed to operate abroad in a peacekeeping capacity, or if assistance is explicitly requested by another nation. So if either of these conditions are met definitely the Grand Council, Central Military Command and myself would have to seriously consider whether to get ourselves involved. Otherwise we would be limited to materiel and intelligence support.

VR: Earlier you mentioned fishing quotas, would you like to elaborate on this a bit more?

JvL: This is an environmental measure to ensure sustainability of fish stocks. Arctic waters are home to a great variety and quantity of sea life, and fishing is a major industry here. So actions must be taken to ensure that this resource is not depleted but instead still available in a healthy capacity for many generations to come.

VR: What are the quotas?

JvL: They are set by the Department for the Environment, and I do not have data on my hands just yet. Again, you can be assured that all Rombergian laws apply to our territorial waters.

VR: Before we wrap up, is there any other subject we didnt get to touch on that you might like to talk about?

JvL: If you want to sum up this interview in one sentence, it's this: We all want the best for our nation, or at the very least our families and ourselves. If only we could get along and strive for the best we collectively as a region could do. What we are capable of would be unthinkable.

VR: Thank you very much for your time, Kaiser. It has been a pleasure

JvL: Certainly. A pleasure to be here to

[Blackhelm Confederacy]

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In Their Words
With Valeria Ravenclaw

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Today's interview, and the fourth stop on our voyage, finds us at Castle Svanur in Rikijdrottin, the capital of the war torn Duchy of Glisandia. In these very halls not too long ago, Duke Henryk Pierdcziensky lost his eldest son and heir, as well as much of his staff, to attacks by the Yellow Star Republic. Today we get to sit down with the Duke and hear his opinions on the war, the East-West divide, and the regional war on terror, as well as other subjects. Hear Duke Hneryk Pierdcziensky tell his story, in his own words.

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Valeria Ravenclaw: Thank you very much for meeting with me today, I am sure that this is a very trying time, and I appreciate that you can set a few minutes aside for our interview

Henryk Pierdcziensky: Thank you, Ms. Ravenclaw. Yes, it's been trying times rebuilding and reasserting Duchy control over the land.

VR: Your nation was thrust into the spotlight very recently as a result of the invasion by the Yellow Star Republic, but even despite this, relatively little is known about Glisandia throughout the region. Is there anything in particular that you would like to tell our readers about your home?

HP: Well, that's a broad statement. Yes, after the Second Great Astyrian War, we did go into a bit of isolation. After the lumber supplies and mineral mines were drying up, it was difficult to keep up exports and any kind of even trade balance... We are a unique nation with a long history and we have learned from our past mistakes of the 20th Century. We are committed to being a part of the region and hope that we can stand as equals one day with the great powers of Astyria, being able to contribute to the good of the region. Right now, we are grateful for the aid, but someday, we'd like to pay back all those that have helped us get back on our feet. It may be a long road, but that's probably our most primary goal.

VR: Do you have any idea on how you might somehow pay those nations back?

HP: At this time, no. I truly don't. My Council and I are working on solving that dilemma. There isn't too much that we can offer at this time, other than eternal friendship. Monetarily, we cannot pay anyone back as we have been looted almost clean by the YSR, and the war devastated us. We are still fighting an insurgency. Yes...I won't gloss over that. It's a very real, horrible situation that the war...the Northern Lorecian War, I believe they're calling it, is still continuing for us, even though the enemy has changed.

VR: The insurgency you just mentioned is that of the God's Glisandian Army, or GGA, one of the most regrettable fall outs of the recent war. Is there any sort of concrete plan in place to defeat, or at least to contain this group?

HP: Our reformed military is working hard to put down the insurgency. I know that the International community might see this as political, merely anti-monarchial forces, but the GGA poses a serious threat to not only our nation, but our neighbors. This is a fight of good versus evil...Thousands of innocent civilians were put to death under the so-called 'Holy Domain' of Borinkrijn, the Holy Father. Tens of thousands. Now, it's a matter of getting stronger in order to eradicate this threat to humanity, not just the Grand Duchy.

VR: Terrorism seems to be sharply on the rise in the region, with the GGA here in Glisandia, the Heralds on the Insula Fera, the ALA launching attacks against the west, and extremist groups taking up armed insurgencies in both Andamonia and Hesperidesia. To what would you attribute this sudden, dramatic uptick?

HP: Well, fanaticism can be attractive to those who think that they have nothing left, and no other way to fight. Most of the places you have mentioned have a long history of poverty and oppression. For us though, I don't think this is the case. I think it's a matter of cult of personality. We went through a very difficult trial with the war, Borinkrijn took advantage of that.

VR: You have referred to Borinkrijn twice now, is there anything more you can tell us about him?

HP: Harald Borinkrijn was a mediocre officer in our armed forces before the war. His ego had him convinced that he was far superior to the rest of the High Command. His ego will be his downfall. He is a pestilence on our once peaceful Duchy and we will exterminate him and his ilk.He stabbed us in the back when we were most down, and was the very definitive worst traitor one could suffer

VR: That is some very tough talk, and I hope that you can follow through with it. Moving slightly West, the nation of Romberg has recently begun to establish what seems like a permanent garrison in the unclaimed tundra. How do you feel about this subject?

HP: It is complicated, as is our history with the Rombergians...I am in negotiations with the Kaiser. We have much to make up for with a shaded past, we weren't always admirable in our dealings with the Rombergians, but we have been trying to do our best to bring that back to balance in the past few decades...That being said, with the Tundra lands, the surrounding nations and ourselves have always had an understanding...about those lands. I don't think that Romberg has that same understanding. I don't know that I can go further into it than that. I don't want to jeopardize current relations and negotiations.

VR: When I interviewed the Rombergian Kaiser, he stopped short of inviting international observers to the tundra, but did say that he would have no right to object should they arrive. Would you support the arrival of observers to the area, if for no other reason that to prevent a possible landgrab?

HP: (Lots of throat clearing and awkward shifting and uncomfortable sideways glances at advisers) Ahem..Again, I don't want to jeopardize our negotiations. We have a new political neighbor where we didn't before. That's a completely radical shift for us. Our government does welcome observers...There's talk of Imperialism, but maybe Romberg is attempting to bring control to very wild lands that have always bucked that control, for the better of the region. In any case, for both Romberg and the region, and the native population...I do think that observers would be most welcome.

VR: A bit of an off topic question, but one that I am sure a number of readers might be asking themselves: Your title is Duke, why is that? Was there ever a King of Glisandia?

HP: Oh, ha! Well, I have the power of a King in our land. It's complicated, but at one point, many hundreds of years ago, we were part of Yellosia, and also the northern half of Glisandia was part of Nouvel Ecosse. But there was always a Duke of Glisandia, who was subservient to the Koningur, the King, of Yellosia, and also the King of Nouvel Ecosse at one point. So it's a traditional title

VR: Very interesting. But getting back to regional politics, where would you say Glisandia stands in the current ATO-EATA divide, and what role do you see for Glisandia's future in this dispute

HP: We are in talks to sign the ATO charter. The ATO has been our saviors in this past conflict and their aid has helped us get on our feet again. That being said, I don't think there needs to be a divide. The ATO and EATA have both been instrumental in peacekeeping in the region. Both are stabilizing forces, are they not?

VR: That is correct, they both certainly are. Before we go our separate ways here, is there anything that you would like to mention that we may not have had time to talk about?

HP: Well, I appreciate the time to be able to talk about our little nation. I hope that now that the Northern Lorecian War is over, we aren't forgotten, because we still have a
tough road ahead and need all the help we can get. Also, as far as the so called Holy Domain, the GGA...I would hope that all national law enforcement and government agencies in every Astyrian nation would be diligent in keeping their citizens from traveling here to join that cause. While it may seem a righteous cause, they are a fanatical perversion of Christianity and an extreme cult under the direction of Borinkrijn. Those misguided souls that join them are only furthering the misery of our region and not serving any higher purpose than that of Borinkrijn's whims.

VR: I am sure law enforcement around the region are hard at work doing everything they can to assure stability here and across Astyria. Allow me to say it was a pleasure Duke
Henryk, and thank you again for meeting with me today

HP: It was a pleasure Ms. Ravenclaw. Thank you.

[Aztec National League]

Voz
An Independent Voice for the Nahua People

Aztec National League Activates Earthquake Early Warning System

CIHUATLÁN, AZTEC NATIONAL LEAGUE - Public safety officers, university academics, and government officials officially activated the first unified “earthquake early warning” system in the Aztec National League. The system, which has taken over 5 years to develop and cost approximately Ȼ62 million, is designed to provide a critical few additional seconds or minutes to brace for seismic events.

“The early earthquake warning system combines cutting-edge scientific technology and ingenuity,” said Minister of State Security, Tenoch Itztli. “A few seconds of additional preparation can mean the difference between safety and calamity, the difference between life and death. This system will allow us to protect critical infrastructure by shutting it down before an earthquake strikes, and ultimately, save lives.”

The system of networked seismographs and computer networks is designed to detect the initial primary waves, commonly known as p-waves, generated by a seismic event. P-waves are much typically much less damaging and travel faster than the more dangerous secondary waves, or s-waves that come soon after. As such, being able to detect p-waves, determine their point of origin, calculate their intensity and project how far they will travel will provide a small but valuable buffer before the s-waves arrive. This buffer can range from a a handful of seconds to a few minutes. Though some small-scale earthquake early warning systems currently exist in the world, very few nations have developed a national system.

The system isn’t perfect - the closer an area is to an earthquake, the less warning it will receive. Areas in very close proximity to an earthquake will receive no warning simply because the p-waves have not traveled far enough ahead of the s-waves. Additionally, it’s important to note the system isn’t an earthquake prediction system. While scientists can make educated guesses as to which faults are at most risk of a major earthquake, to predict precisely when, where and how hard an earthquake will strike is not possible.

Despite these limitations, and that an additional few seconds or minutes may not seem like a significant amount of time, Dr. Lucy Johns, professor of Seismology at the National Aztec University in Tenochitlán, said every second counts. “Depending on the design, an emergency shut-down of an nuclear reactor can take just a few seconds. Electronic train control systems can respond and start to slow down and stop trains. Back-up systems for critical infrastructure can be brought online more quickly. It may not seem a lot to the average person, but in terms of disaster response, it’s incredibly important.”

The system, which is ran jointly between the Bureau of Emergency Response and Management, a number of universities and the Aztec Central Military Command, will be rolled out in phases. During the first phase, alerts from the system will only be sent to central and regional emergency management offices, municipalities and critical infrastructure systems like power plants, refineries and water systems. However, once the system’s reliability is at a satisfactory level, alerts for larger seismic events will be broadcast on media and notifications pushed to mobile devices.

Though the system is still in its infancy, Dr. Johns said it was a meaningful step in the right direction. “Earthquakes are going to happen, but with a little preparation, they may not be disasters.”

[Romberg]

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1 Mar 2016

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Heroes

Today, two separate batches of heroes are welcomed back home.

First to arrive at around noon were the athletes sent by the Imperial Realm of Romberg to participate at the Winter Olympics as part of the Astyrian Unified Team. Unfortunately, Rombergian athletes have not been able to win any medals for the individual events they were sent for. However, the mixed men's hockey team was able to win in its event, having completed an unbeaten run throughout. This was no doubt thanks to the spectacular performance of all the members, including several representatives from our very own nation. As a reward for their success, the Rombergian athletes part of the Astyrian Men's Hockey Team shall be awarded a three-year full tax break, as well as personal nobility with the title of "Ritter" or Knight. Another interesting event to note was the presence of the Rombergian team at the Men's Yukigassen (snowball) event, where a section of our military, with no prior training and very little knowledge of the sport in the first place performed credibly in the games. Though we did not win, we did manage to advance into the knockout stages of the sport, having beaten the host nation among others. Overall, this once again proved that sport does transcend the bounds of nationality, and the government has made an effort to increase Rombergian participation in worldwide sports events in the future, although hopefully with more female participation in the spirit of equality next time.

The second batch to arrive was a much more sombre affair in all. From decree, and following the signature of a peace treaty, the Kaiser of Romberg has declared a withdrawal of all Rombergian soldiers Lorecia, allowing the nominal governments of Glisandia and the Yellow Star Republic to take over civil control over their lands. For the first time in several years, peace has returned to the Rombergian lands. Rombergian casualties in the conflict have numbered in the hundreds in total, with the bulk being in the final assault over Southern Glisandia which completely broke Yellosian morale and compelled them to an unconditional surrender. As a result, once again Glisandia is returned to its pre-war size and state. However, a small batch of Rombergian soldiers would not return to Romberg immediately, but head Northwest to near the Auroran border to meet up with and act as security for a Rombergian research team who would be investigating the culture and language of the tundra natives of the sparsely populated Lorecian interior. The majority of forces however are to be withdrawn back to Romberg over the course of one month, and today marks the first flight of soldiers back to their homeland. In a televised speech on the tarmac, the Kaiser thanked them for their service to both the nation and to enforcing peace and combating aggression. He also emphasised the need for legitimacy in Rombergian operations abroad, pointing out that approval from Nouvel Ecosse was indeed sought out before any Rombergian troop movements were made to deploy soldiers on the ground.

At the same time, and following on from the previous point, the Kaiser expressed a dedication to ensuring and safeguarding strict neutrality of Romberg in regional affairs. He once again thanked his counterparts in the Eternal Accords of the Three Crowns, the Kings of Maltropia and Nikolia respectively, as guarantors of stability and a force for good, and reaffirmed his dedication to adhering to the regulations and responsibilities of the nation as regulated by the Accords. Yet on the other hand he also expressed a desire to seek further neutral partners in the Astyrian community as a non-partisan third option between the two major competing power blocs in the region. It is expected that some concrete developments on this idea would come to light in further months

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For more articles, please access our webpage at http://www.irna.gov.rb.

[Romberg]

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16 Mar 2016

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National Day 2016

Yesterday marked the 38th anniversary of the reunification of Romberg after the Civil War. As a tradition, many festivities were ordered. Most important among these were the annual military parade at all the major cities in the nation, showing off both the military strength of the armed forces as well as the most advanced equipment on offer. This year was without exception. The Imperial-Royal Navy was the focus of this years' parade, having been overshadowed by the Army and Air Force in previous years. The most important equipment displayed this year were the new multirole carrierborne fighters freshly bought and raised into the Rombergian navy, which would be the backbone of airborne naval capacity of the Imperial-Royal Armed Forces. These aircraft would be operated on the two new aircraft carriers operated by the Navy, which are smaller compared to previous vessels in the spirit of military downsizing and reorganisation pursued by Central Military Command in recent years, but are better equipped to suit the new doctrine of the military, as well as the requirements of modern warfare today.

Leading the parade though were the stars of the new and improved Imperial-Royal Army, with the 1st Army having completely revamped and consolidated with three independent combined infantry divisions being the core of the army, and air force, navy and mountain units supporting the operation. This is in contrast to the 2nd and 3rd armies with an organisation more on a corps level rather than on the division level. The greater amount of integration would mean that the independent divisions of the 1st army are capable of operating autonomously, and are better adapted for low intensity operations. The 2nd and 3rd armies shall retain their original organisation as their main purpose as the lead units for national defense have not changed. The 29th Division of the 1st Army was present in the Lorecian conflict, and are now officially organised as one of the three divisions, with the other two being the 1st and the 55th. All members of the 29th Division present in the parade were veterans of the Lorecian conflict, who had arrived back home not long ago. Their presence at the forefront of the military parade is an act of gratitude by the Kaiser and the government towards their services to the nation.

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Nobility Defined

In a separate decree published yesterday, the Kaiser sought to officially codify the rights and regulations of Rombergian nobility. Most rules for ennoblement have been kept the same as previously, although the pool of potential electors have been expanded to 50000. The system of clanship into the three main "houses" based on birth location has also been abolished,with nobility directly applied to the awardee's previous surname. Enfeoffment is still however possible on the books, with an estate or land being granted to a person as part of the award of nobility as a grant. For these persons, the surname would be before the "von" while the territorial designation would be after. Thus, non-hereditary (lifetime) nobility would all have the right to be electors, with a person who is both Ritter and Edler automatically elevated to Graf. Once again, hereditary upper nobility (considered part of "hereditary noble families") and inherited non-hereditary nobility (children of upper life nobles) would not be allowed any special rights, although those who were ennobled in their own right with a life peerage would affix this to their original title. These persons would then be eligible to be electors.

All nobles would henceforth be allowed to bear a coat of arms, with a special section in the Department for Public Records being set up for such uses. Coat of Arms designs are to be unique or not in use for at least 100 years unless all living members have agreed to sharing the design - in which case differencing of the arms must be present. In addition, nobles are also allowed to wear a sword for formal occasions, while commoners could only be unarmed. The sword however is purely ceremonial, and any usage of it would be bound under relevant weapons laws of the nation. With regards to crime too, a more severe scale is used with respect to non-hereditary nobles as they are expected that nobles are to be held at a higher level of scrutiny. Thus, should a non-hereditary noble be convicted of a crime which warrants the death penalty, then the death penalty must be applied. Forms of address have also been standardised across the board for nobles. Of note is the lack of "highness" in any form whatsoever, to stress the equality of all and that prestige should not be determined by birth. This was the rationale for making Rombergian standard nobility non-hereditary in the first place.

In addition, the Kaiser is proud to announce that two additional families have been conferred hereditary nobility. Both would have been considered Counts in their original countries, but under Rombergian law have accepted the new title of Baron (Freiherr).

They are:

Freiherr von Christianborg: Of Danish and Italian descent, this family made a fortune by banking, and through intrigue and inheritance became one of the largest landowners in their homelands, as well as possessing significant estates in Romberg. With the changing political climate, and several tragedies back home, they have decided to naturalise into Rombergian society and are known for being patrons of the arts and music. Individual members have also been responsible for assisting in the breaking of Rombergian isolation, thereby contributing to the growth of the Rombergian state.

Freiherr Kräheraue von Kiesheim: Of English and Hanoverian descent, this was a family of landed gentry and soldiers, having always served their lieges faithfully and hence duly rewarded. A collateral branch of the family emigrated to Romberg and was responsible for the reorganisation of Rombergian military forces on the eve of the Personal Union, and over time this is the sole surviving line of the family. They could well be considered the founders of the modern Rombergian military, transforming it from a feudal levy to a volunteer force.

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For more articles, please access our webpage at http://www.irna.gov.rb.

[Neu Engollon]

SQUEEDORK!

[Lexmark]

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[ ENGLISH VERSION ]|BY MIREILLE LAURENT|MLAURENT@SRN.CO.SR

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Marquein, Lairière Prefecture+

The historic first manned-mission to the Moon in the history of the Seraphic Republic is on its way, as the crew of the Taurus VII spacecraft took-off from the Sigma Sud Launch Facility late yesterday evening on its way towards its historic rendezvous. The mission marks the culmination of over three decades of preparation for the nation's governing aeronautical and space administration, the Science et Technologie Agence Aéronautique de la République—or STAAR—beginning with Project Hermes back in 1984. The launch puts the vehicle on track for lunar orbit insertion on the evening of May 15th, roughly two-and-a-half days from now.

"This is the biggest achievement in our country's history with manned spaceflight," STAAR press liaison Michel Sicard announced this morning at the official Mission Press Briefing. "When they step onto the lunar surface, it'll be indescribable."

The Taurus VII spacecraft lifted off from Sigma Sud at 7:37 PM Seraphic Time Thursday, reaching Earth orbit some-twelve minutes thereafter. After jettisoning its spent fuel stages, the ship began its Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) burn, the maneuver which sends the spacecraft on its way to the Moon, shortly after 11 PM. The entire mission should last approximately seven days.

Nearly 3,000 special diplomats and guests, including Contrôleur Césare Guérin and Solliciteur Général Léandre Michaud watched the launch in-person at Sigma Sud; Proconsul Alexandre III watched from his estate in Citadelle Royán. Hundreds of planetariums hosted launch parties to capture the event. A crowd of almost one hundred thousand people gathered at Place Central in center city Saint-Catherines to watch the launch on a specially-constructed viewing screen in the main plaza.

One celebrant could barely contain his enthusiasm. "Vive la Cassonne! Vive la Liberté!"

Colonel Alessandra Solomon of Sallèles-Cabardès is the mission commander for Taurus VII, and will be the first astronaut out of the Lunar Lander Sunday should all go well. This will be Solomon's fourth space flight: she flew on the Aries XII mission in 2005, then served as Command Module Pilot on Taurus I in 2011. She also flew the experimental Délivrance spacecraft in 2007 to deliver emergency supplies to the Topaze Orbital Platform when the station suffered an unexpected failure in its life-support systems.

She is joined on the flight crew by Capitaine Sacha Cornett of Fontiès-d'Aude and Lieutenant Merci Masson of Mayronnes, each on their second flight. Cornett last flew as the mission commander on Aries XVII, and will pilot the Lunar Lander Apollon during the moonshot. Masson, a veteran of the science corps on Topaze, will remain in orbit around the Moon piloting the Command Module Gémeaux. Masson will be tasked with scouting future landing sites on the surface while orbiting overhead.

"The crew of Taurus VII represent the very best of us," Sicard said. "The term heroic doesn't even begin to describe them."

Admiral (Ret.) Olivier Deneuve, the first Cassonnaise astronaut to travel to space back in 1984 in Liberté 9 during the first manned mission of Project Hermes was on hand Friday morning at the press briefing. "The Cassonnaise Space Program has been working towards this goal for a long time. Through the men and women here on the ground, and the astronauts of Hermes, Aries, the Navette Program, and now Taurus; we are boldly moving to a new horizon."

"We've been waiting for this moment for almost thirty years," Deneuve said. "I can't believe it's finally at hand."

The mission is expected to be the first of four scheduled lunar landings by the year 2020.

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Comments [ 351,257 ] | E-Mail Topic
^{© S.R.N. Central Bureau — Foreign Edition 2016 (Credit to Virana)}

[Romberg]

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22 Apr 2016

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Law and Order

As part of further changes rolled out since the beginning of National Day 2016, and as a culmination of military reorganisation efforts undertaken for years, full reforms and adjustments of the Rombergian policing system has been conducted.

Under the new organisation, state police forces shall have fewer responsiblities, being more limited to general policing roles, although more community interaction and patrol duties are expected. Tasers will be rolled out to be standard issue for State Police officers, with a small number assigned for firearms roles equipped with the standard 9mm pistol. Vehicles issued shall be general purpose as well as vans. Dogs shall also be present, State police are hence responsible for maintaining general policing roles as well as maintaining a visible presence.

The National Police however is expanded with military police and other uniformed services being incorporated into it, on top of Federal and State police. Thereafter, the National Police shall be responsible for all emergency and high security policing tasks. This includes leading actual raids, border patrol, customs and tax services, crime scene investigation, cybercrime, military policing, riot control, airborne and naval support, transport law enforcement as well as correctional services. All non-State Police officers shall be equipped with firearms, with a pistol standard for each person, and shotguns and submachine guns issued as required. Assault rifles and marksman rifles are allowed for Special Federal Task Force units.

Thusly, the Imperial Rombergian Ministry for Internal Security shall be divided into the following:

• General Policing and State Police
• Crime Deterrence and Public Order (Federal Police)
• Crime Scene Investigation and Forensics
• Air, Sea, Rail and Highway Transport
• Site Security
• Border Patrol, Customs and Immigration
• Taxation, White Collar and Cybercrime
• Correctional Services
• Military Affairs
• Special Federal Task Force (SWAT) and Personnel Protection

Regardless of role however, all police officers are expect to be proficient in weapons handling to at least a basic military standard, which should be achieved through their conscription prior to police service, and all police officers are classified as paramilitary, meaning that in times of national defense they are liable to be drafted to assist the military in conducting operations.

Following these reorganisations, it is thus hoped that with paramilitary roles divested from Central Military Command, their structure could be further streamlined and hence be more efficient in carrying out its intended functions. The expanded national police on the other hand would mean that it is better equipped to deal with security threats to the nation as well as handle ordinary policing work with a higher degree of professionalism and connection with the general public. It is the aim of the state to ensure that its citizens could live peacefully and safely, and these police reforms are hence aimed at better ensuring this.

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Another Province?

Under decree of the Kaiser, dated to 15th April, 2016, the valley surrounding the Königsee area in Reichtenberg shall be broken off and formed into a new province of the Royal-Ducal Lands of Hohenstein. It shall henceforth be known as the Kurpfalz, or the Electoral Palatinate. Its meaning however is completely different from what alternative contemporary sources may imply. The Königsee area has traditionally been, and indeed still is, the location where Kaisers are ceremonially elected to a life term by the various electors. Hence, the area is given the name of "Electorate" as it is where electors cast their votes. The "Palatinate" part shows that the area is governed by high ranking members of government as opposed to be Kaiser - true as the area is otherwise uninhabited, and when elections for Kaiser occur, the nation is without its Kaiser. The area itself is hence declared a national park, where human habitation is not allowed except when elections occur, and even then only limited to electors and police units guarding the area. Ordinary persons can however still apply for a permit to access the area, where its natural beauty has captivated people for ages.

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For more articles, please access our webpage at http://www.irna.gov.rb.

[Blackhelm Confederacy]

A Big Step Forward: Ambulance Sirens Across the Country Will Now Blast An Audiobook Of ‘War and Peace’

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The Confederacy shows why she is a world leader once again! For years, our lack of a public education system has drawn criticism from all corners of the region, but now, an exciting new program is poised to make those who call our citizen illiterate think twice. To increase literacy nationwide, ambulance sirens will now blast an audiobook of War and Peace.

This is a huge step forward for our nation.

Instead of sirens, people across the country will soon hear Leo Tolstoy’s classic saga every time an ambulance races down the street. Regardless of whether the ambulance is sent to a blazing fire, a terror attack, or a nursing home, citizens far and wide will be treated to a rendition of War and Peace, providing inspiration for a whole new crop of Confederate scholars.

Ambulances across the country will all play a standard, collegiate version of the novel, which comes complete with a study guide and even discussion questions for those especially long calls, providing passer bys with some interesting mental questions to ask about Count Pyotr and the crew. Each and every day, citizens of the Blackhelm Confederacy will be enthralled with the story of the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs, the Kuragins and the Drubetskoy, and the war that tore them apart.

For residents near the path of an ambulance and the sick or injured people inside the ambulances themselves, this initiative will provide an enriching literary experience for everyone. It’s a tremendous victory for reading comprehension in the Blackhelm Confederacy.

This won’t solve our nation’s literacy woes overnight, but with every ambulance in the country pitching in to improve vocabulary and encourage discussion of Tolstoy’s famous work, the Confederacy's future is looking a lot brighter.

[Blackhelm Confederacy]

Five Amazing Places to Store Your Copy of Airplane II on Blu-Ray DVD

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1. Ardmore Round Tower


In the center of an old monastic site on a hillside to the south of the village of Ardmore, looking out over the bay, Ardmore Round Tower is a fine and complete tower. It sits on a base of flat rocks with an offset approx. 8 cm wide and 20 cm above this base. The circumference above this offset is 15.8 m giving it an external diameter of approximately 5 meters. Because of an exceptional degree of batter (inclination of a wall inwards towards the top), the external diameter at the top windows is just over 3 meters. The height from ground level to the base of the intact conical top is about 26 meters. An estimate of the cone of the tower with it's unusual cross is probably another 3 ½ meters, bringing the entire building close to 30m. This is simply the best place to store your personal copy of Airplane II, hands down.

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2. Schönbrunn Palace


Wanna give your crisp, clean, 1080p copy of Airplane II the royal treatment? Then look no further than the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace! Once the home of the Habsburg family, rulers of a vast Central European Empire, this tourist trap in the heart of Vienna simply cannot be topped when it comes to providing an excellent abode to this high quality copy of a Ken Finkleman classic.

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3. ABC's shark Tank


Sure, they might be rough and tough when they are on air, but everyone knows those Sharks love them some Lloyd Bridges! And who better to make sure that your Blu-Ray Airplane II is safe than the notorious Mr. Wonderful himself! You might even get to hear that famous Mark Cuban laugh, or cut a deal with Babs and the crew next time you go by to pick it up.

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4. On an airplane


Airplane II on an airplane, does it get any better?

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5. Next to Airplane I


It does, Airplane II next to a Blu-Ray copy of the original Airplane! Watch out, because this ball of fire might just be too hot to handle. Don't say we didn't warn you if this power combo ends up burning right through your DVD stand and setting the whole house on fire!

[Nikolia]

English version. Mazurski Zwiastować © 2016

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Wind turbine blade plunges to the ground. Kills a cow
16:44 19.5.2016

'Killer' wind turbine. © Mazurski Zwiastować 2016

KATOWICE: In an as-yet unresolved incident that took place earlier this morning, a 30-metre long wind turbine blade detached from the main structure, plunged to the ground onto a cow that was grazing grass under it, killing it on the spot. Farmers found the dead animal, as well as the damaged wind turbine and reported it to the officials. "We are investigating about what caused the structural failure on the third blade of this wind turbine. We are currently in contact with the manufacturer, whose experts are also on the field with us and we have sent teams to inspect all wind turbines of this kind in our property so that we are 100% sure that this isn't a structural flaw in the design. We are sorry for the loss and we are prepared to pay for the damage done to the farmer." said Jelena Tomović, spokeswoman of the Nikolian Power Network.

Few hours after the incident, several hundreds of people gathered in front of the Ducal parliament building in Katowice to protest against the wind turbines. Many of the protesters carried banners which, among others said: "Justice to Belka!", "Stop the wind turbine expansion!" and "Bring back the clear Mazurian fields!". We spoke with one of the protesters and asked him about this protest: "We are fighting against the occupation of Mazurian fields by wind turbines. They changed the beautiful landscape we had only few years ago. Why do we even need them anyways? They are loud, they are ugly, and now they're threatening the safety of their environment. What if, instead of poor Belka, a person was under it?" he concluded. Meanwhile, on several social networking sites, groups against the wind turbines and groups that commemorate the late cow Belka appeared, most of them calling people on protests. So far only one protest has been reported to the officials, that will be held tomorrow in Warta.
Should we be concerned for the aggressive expansion of the wind turbines, or should we praise the efforts of our government on using more eco-friendly ways of power production? It's on future to give us the answer.

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[Trellin]

Nikolia, 19 May 2016

Wind turbine kills cow
Report by Qerien Mahraiz

There was trauma and confusion today after a horrific incident in the eastern Nikolian duchy of Mazuria took the life of a cow. The cow, named Belka, standing nonchalantly in its habitual field, was struck unexpectedly from above by a collapsing wind turbine. A blade, 30 m long, detached from the structure and fell directly onto the oblivious grazer. The battered bovine was discovered later by its owners, who reported the incident to the national power grid.

The incident has sparked controversy in Nikolia, with accusations slung around that the turbine was defective, perhaps acquired second-hand or from a less reputable source. The owner of the turbine, Nikolian Power Network, has insisted that the incident is a one-off event and unlikely to reoccur. This has not stopped protest groups from forming, with a march already scheduled to take place in the city of Warta. Wind turbines have long been a hot topic in Nikolia, much hated for their landscape-spoiling size, and this event is merely the spark to a powder keg.

Wind turbines: ugly and deadly?

The incident is also making waves within the Trellinese energy market, one of the most competitive in Astyria, which is in the middle of a 'greening' process. In the last four years alone, the share of Trellinese electricity generated by renewables has almost doubled, from 25% to 43% of total production. Alyran company TL Fünselg, one of the "Big Three" energy companies, is the market leader in renewables and owns Trellin's largest wind farm, in the dunes of western Jajich. A spokesman for TanzPetro - TL Fünselg's chief competitor in the western markets - denounced wind energy just twenty minutes after news broke in Nikolia. He denounced wind energy as "a dangerously unsustainable venture", claiming that the incident proves that "wind energy is far more dangerous to people and livestock than fossil fuels."

TL Fünselg @Britewind @TanzPetro: Study after study proves wind > fossil fuels. Welcome to the 21st century http://tinyurl.com/j2a4s22 http://tinyurl.com/hhtz3tz RETWEETSLIKES 8124.5K 5:21 p.m. - 19 May 2016

TL Fünselg was quick to hit back, its official Twitter account posting eight separate tweets listing almost thirty independent studies disproving TanzPetro's claims. A PR war seems about to kick off as the Trellinese energy giants hash out their favourite arguments once again, this time on social media.

Belka's funeral is scheduled for this Sunday.

[Glisandia]

Post retconned. Awaiting deletion.

[Romberg]

OOC: This news piece is a teaser for things to come.

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April 22 2016

20:41

EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS!

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IS TARP A TRAP AFTER ALL?

Following reports from multiple sources close to the Kaiser who would rather remain silent, it was recently revealed that not only has the Kaiser been secretly been negotiating to join the Tel al-Riyah Pact, or TARP for short, it appears that talks have been stalled.

The Tel al-Riyah Pact is a strategic alliance between several nations of central Astyria, and mainly consists of Aquitayne, Riysa as well as Cadenza, an autonomous associate of Trellin. It was formed as a pact between these nations to enforce neutrality and foster mutual cooperation in the face of the major power blocs present in Astyria right now. On paper, this does seem tempting and with previous history of the Kaiser, it would appear that he would be interested in joining the Pact as the ideals outlined by the pact would coincide with many of the Kaiser's personal beliefs and visions for the nation.

Yet on the other hand, the fact that these negotiations were undertaken secretly do prove to be suspicious. If the pact is really that much of a good thing, why would this not be public knowledge? And why have the talks stalled? What would the Pact demand which the Kaiser cannot accept, and what sacrifices would the Pact demand? Would it result in an erosion of our hard-earned freedoms and rights? Would it change our way of life for the worse and plunge us into poverty? Would it fly in the face of tradition and culture and instead force us into mindless drones? Were they sugar-coated promises that bordered on the absurd? Or outright lies? Many questions have been raised, but no answers are given.

What has the Kaiser been hiding from us? The people demand an explanation.

[Falkasia]

The coffee's been sitting for four days. Don't drink it.

"PressBox" Transcribed Report

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War Ravages International Economy

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Oil fields burn following engagements between Falkasian armored units and local resistors.

Al Duhaba, Gragastavia - After nearly a day of fighting, combined Falkasian and Gragastavian army units have managed to push back GLO insurgents to the city center of Gragastavia. Despite this, scorched earth tactics undertaken by retreating opposition forces continue to ravage the local economy.

The GLO, in a desperate bid to retain power and control, have undertaken an extensive campaign to level the infrastructure of the nation. While most military planners agree that there is no real strategic value behind this, there is often little strategic involved in committing terror acts against a civilian population. In this sense at least, the damage done is to the morale of the people.

The flow of Gragastavian oil, which serves as the primary lifeblood of the Falkasian economy, has been stopped due to facility sabotage. Oil and tank fields have increasingly become the site of massive armored battles, as opposition forces seek to use the local infrastructure as a shield and force collateral damage. Those facilities which weren't leveled through scorched earth have often been damaged beyond repair by sporadic battles. An engagement near the Al Duhaba Tank Farm earlier today saw a Falkasian armored column engage and successfully neutralize a brigade-sized element of T-34 and 7-72 tanks, although the battle ultimately led to the complete destruction of the crude reservoir and a resultant firestorm which could be seen almost as far away as the Falkasian border.

Economists remain steadfast in their prediction that the world economy will not be adversely impacted by the loss of supply. However, with gas prices already soaring into the double digits around Falkasia, most citizens are clamoring for a speedy end to fighting.

[Nikolia]

Public announcement

By Article 22, Paragraph 2 of the Law on the State of Emergency of the Kingdom of Nikolia posted in Royal Gazette n°25/09 and by the authority given by His Royal Highness the King, and the Crown Council, Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kingdom of Nikolia hereby declares a


STATE OF EMERGENCY - WILDFIRE ALERT
for the following prefectures: Franjevac, Konstanca and Preševo

Instructions for civilians:

• If you are in the affected area do not panic!
• Listen to the instructions of the authorities, public announcements and behave according to them.

Prior to the evacuation

• Make sure firefighters and rescue units can get to your house.
• Close all gas valves, plug off all electrical devices and put off all open flames (candles, fireplace, heating units, etc.)
• Bring all documentation with you (Personal identification documents (ID, passport, driver's licence), insurance documents, house documents, etc.)
• Bring only necessary quantity of clothes, there is a possibility that your house remains intact.
• Make sure to bring necessary quantity of water and food for several days
• Alert and inform your neighbours on dangers. Help them prepare for possible evacuation.

Evacuation

• It is advised not to evacuate if command for evacuation is not given by the authorities, or you and your family is not in immediate danger.
• If fire starts in your house/apartment, leave the building immediately.
• Evaluate evacuation plan with your family and neighbours. Make sure everyone knows at least two emergency exits. If you live in a building that possess elevator, DO NOT use it, under any circumstances.
• If the fire is rapidly spreading, alert all persons nearby.

If fire catches you in open area

• Try putting it down using fire extinguisher or other with objects and devices that could help putting it down without endangering yourself.
• Inform authorities. Call firefighters on 124, or EMERCOM on 11011
• Have in mind that you will be able to put off a flame only if it is in its initial phase. You will not be able to approach a blazing fire because of immense heat.
• Help with evacuation of people from the area in safest and shortest way.
• Do not enter stairways if they are filled with smoke. Do not use elevator. Limit your breathing in smoke-filled areas and rooms.
• Stay as low to the ground as possible. Heat and smoke are in higher parts of the room.
• Request help from neighbours or persons nearby. Also provide help to others when necessary.
• Do not underestimate the event. Work on reducing the panic among the crowd.
• If you can not leave the building because of smoke, close all windows and doors of a room you are in. If you are in an apartment, stay close to the window so that arriving rescue units can see you.
• If it is possible, make sure someone waits for rescue units in front of the building, and explain the situation to the rescuers. Follow the instructions of the rescue units.
• If you are in front of a room where fire has been burning for some time, do not open the doors suddenly as it could lead to sudden spread of flames.

How to report a fire

• Call firefighters on 124, or EMERCOM on 11011
• Do not think that someone already reported the event.
• Talk slowly and clearly. Explain what happened and are people in danger
• Specify exact address of site of the accident, and, if it is possible, wait for the rescue units.
• Be ready to specify further information, as well as your personal information.
• Finish the call only when the authority you called allows you to.
• Do not use phone until help arrives. Rescue units might call you back for additional information.
• If you are not sure what to do, ask for an advice.

Vegetation fire near you
If vegetation nearby catches fire, proceed as follows:

• Perform the aforementioned steps and call firefighters
• If the fire is in starting phase, involve in efforts to put it down by any means possible. If there are no standard extinguishing devices, you can use sand, earth or gravel, branches that have green leafs on it, shovel, wet broom, or a blanket. Make sure not to endanger yourself, and always think about fleeing the area.
• If you have to evacuate from the area, seek shelter that is not in immediate danger of flames. Make sure to remove all flammable things from its surroundings
• If you are at home, if it is possible, spray your house and its surroundings with water.
• Close the gas valve. Fill as many pots and bottles with water as possible and keep them within reach.
• If you have to evacuate the object, assess if it is possible. If you and your family members must go through smoke to reach to the safety, wear cotton clothes soaked in water, cover your face (specially your nose and mouth) and quickly leave the area.
• After the fire, do not open the windows for some time. Stray embers might set fire to the interior.
• Do not distance yourself from object for some time. Do not let hotspots unsupervised.

[Woodstead]

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LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Construction finishes on most anticipated infrastructure project in Woodstead.
Agneyz Deyn, Contributor

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This morning, the Guardian Directorate travelled to the Saint Edward to witness the final touches being fitted to the most-anticipated crossing in the last two decades. The long-awaited Kontakt Tunnel stretches for just under 180 kilometres between the Nitrian voivodeship to Teaculture in the centre of Saint Edward.

The official budget is yet to be declared publicly, but just three months ago, the Woodsteasian Federal Office of Transit, Works, and Santitation (FOTWAS) released a statement to say that the project was running on budget. Today marks the end of the 22-year construction period, and shall be ready for a maiden voyage in October 2016.

Another few yards of track are to be laid to connect the Kontakt Tunnel to the new terminal at Teaculture International Station which already serves the entire national high-speed Interhub network. Kontakt will be cutting the journey across the Mederano Sea to just shy of an hour from the original 4 and a half hour ferry journey. Leading financial figures have eagerly welcomed the news with the Business and Industry Confederation director, Terry Bulmeam, claiming that the opening will bring more Astyrian workers in Teudallum to our cities for jobs.

Environmental groups, in 1996 vehemently opposed the link. However, the website for the local Saint Edward Assembly Green Party expressed that the link is now a sign of prosperity and hope. The party once opposed the link. However, it now accepts that there is an ever-growing demand for business-oriented travel, and a link will cull the demand for the volume of flights from Oppidum and Woldland to Teudallum.

The FOTWaS Director, Lydti Klosta has overseen the closing stages of the project. Herself a Green Party member from Deerford, which is served by the Interhub network, she was involved with the radical green movements of the 1990s. Today, in contrast, she told the press that she was ‘thrilled’ with the ‘huge possibilities’ that the project will bring, and that this will ‘foster a better international strategy of cooperation’ for Woodstead.

On the other end of the Kontakt Tunnel, Nikolians also celebrated the end of the project. Minister Ilić from the Nikolian Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced today in Veles that the construction meant 'huge opportunities' for Nikolia, stating that 'another link to a chain has been added' to Astyrian trade.

Whilst the final cost is yet to be announced, no complaints have yet been aired about the project, and it seems that Kontakt can only be for the better.

[Nikolia]

The Kontakt has been made!
Monday, 27. JUN 2016, 15:32

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The machine doing the final breakthrough. © RTN 2016

Today marks the end of 22-year long construction of the Kontakt tunnel, an underground rail tunnel connecting Nitrian Voivodeship with Teaculture in Woodstead. The 180km long tunnel has been finally completed and it is now being prepared for the first train to go through in October this year. The Kontakt tunnel features state-of-the art safety systems monitored and controlled by control facilities located on both Nikolian and Woodsteadian side.
Although now broadly celebrated, it found large resistance during its starting phases. Notably, many environmentalist groups opposed the construction, as it could have hurt the seabed and rare species of algae and corals that lie between Nikolia and Woodstead. Nowadays, seeing that the tunnel can only benefit economy and business between the two countries, many people changed their opinion.

Minister of Industry and Transportation, Mr. Ilić held a press conference in Nitrian capital, Veles where he stated that the tunnel is bringing huge opportunities for both countries, most notably in business and trade. He also said that another link to the chain has been added to Astyrian trade.

Later that day, Minister Ilić and Woodsteadian Director of Federal Office of Transit, Works, and Santitation, Mrs. Lydti Klosta met in the middle of the tunnel and together inspected the final works on the tunnel. She later said to the press that she was thrilled with huge possibilities this tunnel provides, and that it will foster a better international strategy of cooperation for Woodstead.

His Royal Highness, the King has released a short press release where he blesses all the workers and engineers that worked so hard for this project. He also added that he is planning to take a seat on the maiden voyage through the tunnel that will take place in October later this year.

[Woodstead]

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FOUR WALLS ARE NOW FOR PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE
House-building firms face a hard few years ahead as citizens take it upon themselves to build the next generation of housing

Just months ago, the Federal Government rolled out its project to build three million dwellings across the Woodsteasian Federation, studies suggest that the next five years could become a turbulent period for commercial building firms unless they conform to the specifications outlined by planning departments across the country.

47,000 new homes, since 2009, have been built as part of self-build and cooperative housing projects led by normal citizens rather than large firms. Furthermore, co-housing projects which have been set up by affluent middle-class families on their own land have been successful. The next wrung on the property ladder has changed- no longer do people snap up new estates developed by big commercial firms.

Another trend since 2013 is crowdfunded self-build opportunities through online crowdfunding networks. Intentions to gather around common land in basic housing is the aspiration for many first time buyers- it is cheaper, truly cooperative, and will not be funded unless the amount necessary for budgeting the project is fulfilled. Many feel that this new opportunity is low-risk and is less susceptible to the hidden costs of the long-underregulated big 5 housing firms.

Just last week, the Union of Construction Workers held an emergency meeting after all commercial firms presented five consecutive years of net loss and a sheer drop in contracts. Councils and local planning authorities have become immune to the pandering of such firms which bring second homes to foreign citizens, before providing homes to those who need it most, and the UCW have not held back in previous years of presenting scathing analyses of the restrictive planning laws. However, the 2015 annual general meeting showed utter discontent towards the big UCW employers which have failed to convince the public and government bodies that they are competent enough to build a new generation of responsible, sustainable, and economically sensible housing options. 2016 showed the very same trend strengthening.

The housing stock contribution this year, from commercial firms, has plummeted to an all time low. One could blame the resounding inflecible authorities, or one could listen to the full dialogue in this new era. Anti-gentrification groups have recently called upon the UCW to give testimony to the future of the workers. A poll conducted for UCW by the Saint Edward University Urban Georgraphy programme actually showed a trend of union members feeling that more opportunities will come if they left their current employers and joined the Federal Government '3M25' initiative for housing as smaller firms, or individual craftsmen. Of this study, carpenters and scaffolders felt that the best way to provide for their families was to conform to the 'reasonable' standards under planning laws which their current employers which to negotiate. However, a missive in October 2015 to all authorities from the Federal office of Transit, Works, and Sanitation instructed officers to be stubborn and responsible. Now, it seems that most construction workers in the national unions favour governments, and would rather be freelance contractors for government-funded housing and co-housing projects.

Such a trend, in concurrence with the new Federal Government '3M25' initiative, which promises 3 million state-funded homes by 2025, has become a diabolical concoction. Today, executives from the five main housebuilders are holding a conference in Oppidum. The table will surely host hot-headed debates. As a long-time researcher in the field of development, I would propose to the executives that the message is clear: back down! If these firms conform to the regulations and specifications, local authorities can and will approve projects. The news suggests that the firms are backed in a corner at this stage. If they wish to jump over the wall, many foresee the fall of these firms, and the only successful plan can only be to wave a white flag and let the authorities, anti-gentrification campaigners, and the unionised employees take the wallet, phone, and keys.

The message is clear. Conform, or lose money. The workers have woken up, and now, so must the executives. The nation has now revived the 1980s co-housing trend, and faces the possibilities of pre-1950 attempts which favour the idea that everyone must have access to the property ladder.

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Dr. James Pedersyn @jpedsted1961
Dr. Pedersyn is our guest opinion contributor this week. He is the programme leader lecturer of Urban Geography at the Saint Edward University, and has led research in to housing and food security since 1997.

[Woodstead]

AAG CHANGE TAKES OFF ON ITS ANNUAL SCHEDULE AAG announce big, under-explained plans for 2017, but is it really too big to understand? Millennium Airways has been a beacon of constant change at a corporate level. If the Treasury had a penny for every time a restructure or rebrand for a national airline occurred, post-seventies Woodstead would have probably fought off its austerity programmes. This year, AAG, the holdings group of Millennium Airways closed down its expansion operations for both Millennium and the Cez-Zaern Aethra Airlines. Not much was known as to why. However, in January, we did hear from a spokesperson for AAG that a restructure was underway. New developments in relation have now come to light after a press conference today in Oppidum Exhibition Centre. The new Ingrivald Airlines Group, the only subsidiary of Central Airholdings was sold by Corpus Consolidated to AAG in April for an undisclosed amount, though it was never mentioned publicly until today. AAG gave an hour-long presentation from the current AAG President, Eszijena Ulrykadorti, revealed a rather remarkable overhaul, considering that Millennium, Aethra, and Ingrivald Airlines have all been expanding in their current form as newcomers since just two years ago. 'Streamlining is important, and a key to success', said Ulrykadorti. 'The lock on success is lack of cooperation. Together, the Millennium Airways and Ingrivald Airlines brands can hold up an excellent place as a serious competitor in a world which flies for functionality above all else.' No mention of Aethra Airlines in that? That is because Aethra has been performing pretty poorly, according to an inside source. Overstaffed, low sales, too many destinations, and a fleet too big, the curse of its predecessor-LibettAir- seems to have struck the way that CZ flies. Aethra's fleet and operations, we are told, will be split between Millennium Airways and Ingrivald Airlines and that the staff will be allocated new positions. We gave an opportunity for any representatives to confirm this, but our invitation was declined. We are also told that AAG holding group will be re-branding as a holding group to Ingrivald-Millennium. New logos- as always-will soon be publicly available according to our source, but much is yet to be known about what will happen. It seems that a downsize and consolidation is what the group is intending to execute. However, it does leave some of us scratching our heads, and it seems that GNT should be pulling your suggestions together for the next big annual rebrand. Do AAG actually exist to fly us to our destination, or rather just fly from one failed plot to another scheme which will always bring back the same fate? In the last 3 years, the ownership of these companies has been passed around more than a box of after-dinner mints. Should AAG--- I'm sorry, Ingrivald-Millennium wish to rebrand their strategic trend of not facing us experts when we raise such questions, the Grand Northern Times will be happy to speak with representatives from the airline group. [box]UPDATE- 10 Jan 2017: An update was announced to this restructure in November 2016. Several smaller airlines entered talks with Ingrivald Airlines Group and AAG to discuss a new "Consortium for Woodstead, Cez-Zaeri, and Ijarnesyl" according to a spokesperson for Ingrivald Airlines Group. Approved by 10 national governments, the former Ljoftsjef Group for Sarlsvert, owner and several smaller airlines joined in December. We can now confirm that this new airline group will be known as Flijwiza (Ij, referring to Ijarnesyl; wi, to Woodsteasian Isles; and za, to the Zaernland region in Cez-Zaeri. We have been told that this new consortium will be ready to hot hard with its new name in the coming year. Kay Avery, Student Blogger, Oppidum School of Business and Finance[/box]

[Aquitayne]

Aquitayne to Increase Pangeian Troop Size by 25,000

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By JESSICA ALBRIGHTJuly 11, 2016

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Prime Minister James Zaeir discusses the troop increase during a press conference in
Telora after the announcement was made.

Camara Populi, Telora -

Earlier today, Prime Minister James Zaeir held a press conference inside the Prime Minister's Chambers at the Camara Populi, Aquitayne's seat of governance, to announce new efforts to combat a growing summer insurgency in Pangus and Prudenesia. The Prime Minister made his announcement firmly, asserting that "in these trying times, and with elections so close on the horizon, it makes complete sense for Aquitayne to re-devote itself to its defense of Pangus and Prudenesia's people, infrastructure, and livelihoods."

The Aquitaynian public has been made well aware of the growing insurgency in Pangus and Prudenesia since the winter ended. The most shocking attack undertaken this year, and one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in recent Astyrian history, was the Prudenesian Liberation Front's assault on the Imperial Dias in Symphony, Symphonia, leading to a stand-off that claimed the lives of over 70 people and lasted three days. It was an attack that rocked not only Symphonia, but Aquitayne as well - with over 50,000 liters of blood donated to the Astyrian Red Cross to help Symphonian victims of the attack, as well as an outpouring of support to Symphonia and its people.

Ultimately, the attack shook the foundation and the core of the United Kingdom, and split public opinion drastically. A Wright poll conducted after the 2/27 attacks found that Aquitaynian opinion of the conflict shifted drastically after the attack, with over 64% of Aquitaynians saying that they supported the intervention in Insula Fera, with 42% stating they felt that the nation was worse off than it was before United Kingdom intervention.

In the announcement this morning, the Prime Minister announced that two brigades from the 1st Infantry Division and ground elements from the First Marine Division, First Marine Aircraft Wing, including logistic support, would be deployed in the coming weeks to Insula Fera to assist in anti-insurgency operations. The Prime Minister told the Tribune that "the deployment numbers are justifiable, and we are committed not only to the continued support of Pangus and Prudenesia, but likewise the defense of our allies abroad and to securing our borders here at home."

Critics of the Ministry of Defense have called the increase in deployment "drastic and ill-prepared", claiming that Aquitayne is quickly becoming an imperialist and force-projecting power in eastern Astyria, something that has not been seen since the end of the Second Great Astyrian War. A majority of the same groups also criticized the Prime Minister and his office in April when the Ministry of Defense announced a troop increase of 150,000. Most public policy and security analysts at multiple think-tanks across the country agree that Aquitayne is not only gearing up to become a more powerful player in Astyrian geopolitics, but likewise it is preparing to become one of the largest powers in eastern Astyria as a direct consequence of its inability to retaliate effectively when the Dangish Empire pressured the UK into conceding during the initial phases of the intervention.

Ultimately, Aquitayne is now assisting Aswick in its civil war as well as seeing increased border tension to the west, and retired Chief of Staff Grand Field Marshal Timothy Jasper told the Tribune that "the MoD is quickly trying to put its hand into too many hats. They'll find soon enough that Aquitayne lacks the logistic infrastructure to support three wars on three continents."

The first wave of Aquitaynian reinforcements are expected to land in Pangus by the end of the month.

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