[Earth II] Newswire

[Layarteb]

:: dumb article needs rewriting ::

[Terra Reborn]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation
Online Service

Imperial Palace announces that Royal Baby Expected
9th August 2013

The Imperial Palace, as the Von Karin Fortress is now called, announced this morning that Her Majesty Queen Jessica, Consort to His Majesty the King, is expecting the couple’s first child after eleven months of marriage. According to the press release the Queen is approximately five months pregnant. The King and Queen have been out of sight for over a month, enjoying their summer holiday aboard the Imperial Yacht Apilonia, and are due back tomorrow morning, no doubt necessitating the announcement as Her Majesty is likely to be quite obviously pregnant. The Palace Press Office revealed that the due date for the Royal Baby is the fifteenth of December, assuming of course that the pregnancy reaches full term. This is the Queen’s first child at the age of thirty-five and it is understood that the Royal Gynaecologist has been flown out to the Imperial Yacht on several occasions for routine check-ups along with the Royal Midwife.

The child, when born, will be an Imperial Prince from birth, with the style of His/Her Royal Highness, and will be second in line to the Imperial Throne behind the King’s son from his marriage to Her Late Grace Helena, Archduchess of the Northern Territories, who is of course His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, Prince of Australia.

The Prime Minister, James Alexander, congratulated the King and Queen and welcomed the news saying that it was the next chapter in the amazing love story that is the courtship and marriage between our beloved King and Queen.

[Layarteb]

2014 Canal Toll Rates Announced

By Wesley Brookfield
Published: September 6, 2013 | 12:48

LAYARTEB CITY - On Friday, the Layartebian Ministry of Commerce announced next year's toll rates for the Panama, the Suez, and the Thai Canals. As expected, the increase was slight, less than last year.

For this year, the increases stand at 3.5% for the Panama Canal, 2.5% for the Suez Canal, and 1.5% for the Thai Canal, which just began operations this March. New tolls are effective January 2, 2014. No impact to shipping traffic is expected due to these increases.

In 2013, the tolls were increased on the Panama and the Suez Canals 5% over what they were in 2012. The explanation as provided by the Ministry of Commerce was a lengthy explanation citing the increase in costs related to security and economic considerations. Though generally accepted, there were many critics.

CY14 Toll Brackets

Commerce
Commerce Weekly © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Layarteb]

2014 Budget: 22.5 trillion!

By Shawn Shaw
Published: September 6, 2013 | 16:16

LAYARTEB CITY - On Friday, the Ministry of Finance issued the proposed budget of the Empire of Layarteb for calendar year 2014. The total budget is §22,525,630,496,547, an increase of §804,260,289,224 over last year's budget. The increase is largely explained due to a number of factors.

Primarily, tax rates have been increased across the board. The incoming tax will increase 0.25% to 23.75%, the corporate tax will increase 0.5% to 13%, the duties tax will increase 0.02% to 2%, the enterprise tax will increase 0.25% to 6.75%, and the excise tax will increase 0.25% to 6.5%. Other income coming into the budget includes record arms sales in excess of §1 trillion, bonds in excess of §9 billion, foreign contracts in excess of §91 billion (including canal tolls), §700,000 in interest payments, and nearly §11 million in stock market profits.

Under the proposed budget, the biggest receiver is the Ministry of the Interior with 25%. In second place, the Ministry of Defense is allotted 20%. The Ministry of Education received a 0.25% increase and they will receive 12% of the budget. The Ministry of Intelligence will receive 11.5%, the Ministry of Justice will receive 9.5%, the Ministry of Finance will receive 7%, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will receive 5%, and the Ministry of Commerce will receive 4%. Making up the remaining 5.75%, 3% is allotted to an allowance bucket for additional spending, 2% is allotted to the federal surplus fund, and 0.75% is allotted to foreign aid.

Foreign aid this year is marginally higher than last year at §169 billion. The explanation for this is the changing situation West of the Wall and throughout Europe, where foreign aid payments to former October Alliance nations are no longer needed. The actual recipient list for foreign aid is usually not published until January of the year.

With this increase also comes a 1.1% growth in the country's per capita income. The per capita for the Empire of Layarteb currently stands at §51,425. This is lower than the 1.5% increase from 2012 to 2013, however.

Currently, the proposed budget is in limbo until October 1, when it is submitted to the Emperor for approval. Changes made between now and then are minimal and require extensive documentation. If approved, this will mark another year of balanced budgets for the Empire of Layarteb. As of this writing, the current exchange rate of the Layartebian shingrot (§) to the African mark ($) is §1 = $1.9633. Unemployment is 2.56%.


Finance
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Earth_ Two]

.:. Updated to this point .:.

[Layarteb]

Peace in the Balkans

By Bethaney Worley
Published: July 5, 2013 | 17:34

LAYARTEB CITY - On Wednesday, peace talks between the Federation of Lacoze and the South Balkan Confederation concluded in Layarteb City with the signing of the Layarteb City Accord. Under the plan, which was initially drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation of Lacoze agrees to a full, international apology for its military intervention and its attempts to bring the South Balkan Confederation into its federation. The South Balkan Confederation agrees to an immediate and permanent halt to all hostilities against the Federation of Lacoze. Furthermore, both sides recognize the current borders of each state and the South Balkan Confederation agrees to curb its more rebellious and extreme militia groups.

Acting as guarantor of this peace negotiation, the Empire of Layarteb has agreed to a foreign aid package to both countries in the amount of §50 billion, to be split between both nations in two allotments each. The first is to take place immediately and the second one year from today, so long as all conditions of the Layarteb City Accord are upheld. Furthermore, both nations have agreed to lease one air base each to the Empire of Layarteb for the basing of Layartebian fighters and, if necessary, peacekeeping forces. The stipulations do not allow the permanent basing of bombers or nuclear and chemical weapons. The bases are not to be considered Layartebian soil like other foreign bases and the Empire of Layarteb is required to pay a rental fee on a yearly basis per base. This sum remains classified but sources have confirmed that the fee is per acre.

The Federation of Lacoze has agreed to lease Željava Air Base on the border of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina while the South Balkan Confederation has agreed to lease the military section of Pristina International Airport, known as Pristina-Slatina Air Base.

Further conditions allow the possibility of an export license to the South Balkan Confederation for the F-58 Viper fighter jet and the F-46 Enforcer fighter-bomber.

Defense | Foreign Relations
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Layarteb]

Balkan Deployment Commences

By Ciro Napolitani
Published: July 18, 2013 | 08:00

ROME - On Thursday, the first Layartebian Air Force fighters arrived at Željava Air Base in Bosnia and Herzegovina and at Pristina-Slatina Air Base in Kosovo. In contrary to other deployments, these were made with the inclusion of press reporters and photographers who photographed Layartebian fighters and cargo aircraft landing at both locations. At Pristina-Slatina Air Base, the first aircraft down were ten C-17ER Globemaster III cargo transports that had taken off from Ireland. They were followed by twelve F-58A Viper multirole fighters. Before another dozen Vipers landed, a trio of C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft landed. All in all, over one hundred and fifty aircraft have landed at Pristina-Slatina Air Base over the past few hours. However, most of them are cargo and logistics aircraft that will be returning to their origins before tomorrow.

At Željava Air Base, the deployment was nearly identical except for a few more C-5M Super Galaxy cargo aircraft and several KC-10A Extender tankers, which require a runway of 3,000 meters to land. The longer of Željava Air Base's two runways is 3,630 meters. The single runway at Pristina-Slatina Air Base is only 2,500 meters in length.

No word has yet been made concerning defense for these bases but if other bases are to be used as a model, troops from the Imperial Layartebian Defense Force will deploy at least one to two surface-to-air batteries, several surface-to-air mobile units, and base guards. The deployment could be as much as a battalion.

Defense | Foreign Relations
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Terra Reborn]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation
Online Service

Apilonian Empire seals arms deal with the Kingdom of Persia
5th November 2013

The Foreign Office, in co-operation with the Ministry of Defence, confirmed today a substantial military arms deal with the Kingdom of Persia. The Apilonian Empire became the second nation, after the Empire of Layarteb, to recognize the Kingdom of Persia under King Darius I in September of this year. Shortly after initial communications were opened the Foreign Secretary, Countess Thurston, visited the Kingdom of Persia and spoke directly with King Darius who re-affirmed his publically stated desire for good and amicable relations, and given the Imperial Presence on Bahrain this was viewed positively by the Apilonian Empire. In light of this the Apilonian Empire followed the Layartebian example and offered a substantial aide package to the Kingdom, which was gratefully accepted by King Darius and Jamal Farris, the Persian Secretary of the Treasury.

At a subsequent meeting in October, between King Walker and King Darius, the security situation in the region was discussed. Given increasing concerns in other regions, most notably the Mediterranean where there has been an increase in activity across the board, most notably the fall of the Federation of Lacoze, it was considered advantageous for the Empire to be able to withdraw its aircraft carrier battle group from Bahrain, however this could only be done if another regional power, the Kingdom of Persia in the Empire’s mind, could be responsible for a stable state of affairs in the Gulf, working closely alongside a small Imperial naval squadron based out of Bahrain. To facilitate this it was decided that the Empire would do everything it could to support the Kingdom and this ultimately resulted into day’s arms deal.

As part of the deal the Apilonain Empire is selling to the Kingdom of Persia nearly four hundred Typhoon FGR.5, as well as nearly two hundred strike fighters and ground attack aircraft as well as support and transport aircraft, all surplus to the requirements of the Imperial Air Force. Perhaps the largest part of the deal is the sale of over thirty Type-26 Frigates for service in the Royal Persian Navy, as well as a number of patrol and minesweeping vessels. These vessels, newly built, were originally intended for the Federation of Lacoze, however in light of that nation’s subsequent collapse the vessels were sitting in Imperial Shipyards in need of a new buyer, an opportunity that the Persian Department of Defence was supposedly all too eager to snap up when made available to them. It is also believed that there are high-level discussions taking place behind closed doors regarding the future requirements of the Royal Persian Armed Forces.

Delivery of the arms is expected to be completed by the New Year at the latest and the Imperial Navy and Imperial Air Force are providing technical assistance as required as well as any support required to re-constitute the Royal Persian Navy. His Majesty King Walker stated when questioned that he was hopeful that the Kingdom of Persia would be a close friend of the Apilonian Empire for many years to come, and that this was a large step in that direction.

[Layarteb]

New Special Economic Zones Announced
By Russ Handle
Published: January 21, 2013 | 12:00 [UTC-5]

LAYARTEB CITY - In a surprise announcement today, the Layartebian Ministry of Commerce announced the establishment of two, new Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.

Coming just five days after the announcement of the Empire's administrative divisions, the establishment of two new SEZs off of the western coast of North Africa serves to benefit both the Empire and the North African countries greatly.

Special Economic Zones are areas designated by the Ministry of Commerce where the Empire's strict trade laws are relaxed. In addition, all trade within these zones is considered free trade and trade goods are less heavily scrutinized. However, the trading of illegal goods and services remains strictly forbidden and enforced in such zones. Currently, there are thirteen SEZs, which will now be increased to fifteen.

During the announcement, the Layartebian Minister of Commerce announced, "The establishment of these zones stands to benefit both the Empire and North Africa greatly. These island groups can provide a stepping-stone for nations in North Africa to consolidate and organize their exports for the Americas. Trade routes from both of these island groups reach both North and South America equally as well as the Caribbean communities." When asked what effect this would have on relations, the Minister of Commerce was hopeful in his reply, "It is our hope that this establishment allows the Empire to come closer, economically and politically speaking to both the Kingdom of Dalmasce and the Confederated States of Phoenica. Additionally, we expect that the New African Republic will be heavily favorable to this arrangement."

The SEZs officially take effect on March 1, 2013.

Economics
Falcon City Globe © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Terra Reborn]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation
Online Service

King and Queen welcome Royal Baby
26th November 2013

Her Majesty the Queen has given birth to a daughter, the King's second child, on the 25th November 2013 Announced in the traditional way, with a formal announcement being posted on an easel outside the Imperial Fortress for the world to see, the text read:

Her Majesty the Queen was safely delivered of a daughter at 9.45pm today. Her Majesty and her child are both doing well.

A subsequent statement by the Imperial Fortress confirmed that Her Majesty was admitted to the Karin Royal Infirmary in the early stages of labour early this morning, she gave birth to a girl weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces at 2145hrs Imperial Capital Time. The Royal Gynaecologist, Thomas Kincaid, delivered the baby assisted by Sophie Wilkinson, Physician to the Queen. Immediately after the formal announcements, gun salutes signalled the Birth in many cities across the Realm, with the bells of Karin Cathedral, and many other churches across the land, and many iconic landmarks in the Empire were illuminated in various collars. It has also been reported that the Royal Mint intends to issue commemorative coins to celebrate the Birth. Reports of public celebrations have already reached the IBC and a large crowd has gathered outside the KRI to pay their respects. Imperial Warships around the world will dress ship if alongside and fly their Battle Ensigns if at sea to celebrate the Birth, the traditional signal announcing the Birth having been sent at 2220hrs.

His Majesty the King, who was present for the Birth, exited the hospital for a short time and acknowledged the crowd shortly before midnight confirming that both the Queen and the child were doing well, despite the Birth being two weeks premature.

Her Majesty and the child were kept in hospital for the majority of the next day under close observation before being discharged late this afternoon. The King and Queen departed the KRI with the Princess late this evening. After allowing photographers to get their first glimpse at the royal baby, His Majesty made another statement announcing the name of the child, Olivia Jessica Anne. Therefore the child shall be known as Her Royal Highness the Princess Olivia, and has been an Imperial Princess from Birth.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Australia, the Princess Olivia’s older brother, was at sea at the time of the announcement, having been planning to fly home in time for the due date. However sources within the Imperial Navy are indicating that after HMS Cairns, the Prince’s command, had returned to its homeport ahead of schedule flying a massive battle ensign, His Royal Highness is to fly back to Alaska to meet his sister. He is expected to remain in the Northern Territories until the baptism, during which time he is likely to engage in a number of engagements in North America, with the Cairns undergoing a refit which had been planned in any event for the original date. Other senior Royals including the Duke of Alaska and the Duchess of the Yukon, the King’s brother and sister, are expected to fly back from their current positions as ambassadors to close ally states in time for the baptism.

The Prime Minister, James Alexander, expressed his happiness at news of the Birth and that both mother and child were doing well, and is likely to visit the family in the Imperial Fortress some time tomorrow.

[Layarteb]

White Sands AFB Runway Reopens


Aerial view of White Sands AFB

By PFC Joseph Miller
Published: December 2, 2013 | 11:00 [UTC-7]

WHITE SANDS - In a short ceremony, the Imperial Layartebian Air Force has reopened Runway 4/22 at White Sands Air Force Base.

The runway has been closed since November 2012 in order to allow for the construction of an additional section of the runway on its northeast quadrant. When closed, Runway 4/22 was 3,223 meters (10,575 feet) in length. It reopens now with a length of 4,800 meters (15,748 feet).

At this length, the runway can accommodate any currently built or in-planned aircraft or spacecraft. Additionally, the increase allows White Sands AFB to tie Mühlhausen AFB for the longest runways on record within the Empire's network of civilian and military airports. The longest runway within the Empire of Layarteb, proper, is at Layarteb City IAP with 4,441 meters (14,570 feet).

White Sands AFB is the Empire's largest foreign airbase and it serves as home to aircraft from the Military Airlift Command, Strategic Air Command, Special Missions Command, and the Tactical Air Command. Established on April 15, 1985 in response to hostile relations within the Confederation of Eastern America, White Sands AFB has continued to be an important base for the Empire's strategic, global vision.

Defense
Ministry of Defense © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Layarteb]

Solstice Concert Returns to Layarteb City


Summer concert at Yankee Stadium.

By Ryan McGillis
Published: December 13, 2013 | 12:30

LAYARTEB CITY - Announced on Friday, the annual Solstice Concert will once again return to Layarteb City after a one-year hiatus. It will be held on Saturday, December 21 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. This follows a show in Baltimore, Maryland last year and the iconic performance of 2011 on Governor's Island. The concert will commence at precisely 12:11, the moment of Winter Solstice.

Set to play at this year's concert, often billed as the most metal of metal concerts, will be White Zombie, performing the third show of their reunion tour, Black Sabbath with Bill Ward on drums citing the original lineup, Disturbed, and of course, the Band of the Empire, Metallica.

In the usual announcement interviews, band members professed utter respect and appreciation for being chosen to play at this year's concert. When asked what his initial reaction was, Rob Zombie, front man for White Zombie had no words, only the sign of the horns gesture with his hand, a gesture popularized by the late Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath in 1979.

James Hetfield, front man for Metallica announced, "It's always an honor for Metallica to play at the Solstice Concert. It's our mission on this Earth to spread metal music, and live music, and this is the most rewarding opportunity." When asked what the set list was, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich answered, "You'll find out when we play it."

A fan of the concert, the Emperor provided only a short quote, "It's good to see the concert back in Layarteb City and even better to see them play in Yankee Stadium."

It is rumored that the Emperor secretly attends each show. Certainly, his attendance at the 2011 concert was not secret as he was spotted in the VIP section speaking with Metallica's band members prior to their set. He is also rumored to personally thank and congratulate every band member who plays at the show.

Tickets go on sale Monday morning, December 16, a day commonly known as "Call Out Day" throughout the Empire. Studies have shown that the number of people calling in late or sick that day is four times as high as any other day. Because the Solstice Concert is so deeply ingrained in Layarteb culture, employers often excuse the call out or look the other way.

Entertainment
Metal Mania © All Rights Reserved 2013

[Earth_ Two]

.:. Updated to here .:.

[Terra Reborn]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation

His Majesty The King's Christmas Message
25th December 2013
Originally Broadcast on IBC One

The past year has been a difficult one, as have many in recent memory. The year has seen the Apilonian Empire face threats across the world, from trouble in the Middle East to threats in our own backyards, all of which were fended off by the brave efforts of our Armed Forces. Yet the year has also given us many reasons for praise and joy; Western Australia is now free from the oppression of tyranny, Sierra Leone is now safe from the threat of civil war and violence, the Western American states came together to reject tyranny and have become a cherished member of our great Empire. All throughout this year the men, women and children who make up my peoples have come together for the betterment of the Empire, whether they have been a part of it since the very beginning or only just joining as early as a few months ago. It is the greatest pleasure a Monarch can have to see the greatness that you are all helping to build. And something that myself and the Queen look forward to seeing more of as we embark on our Empire-wide tour in 2014.

This year was of course especially important to me personally, as myself and Queen Jessica welcomed into the world our first child, Princess Olivia. It was humbling to both of us, my son Prince Arthur, and the rest of my family, to see enthusiasm which greeted the Birth, which made it all the more memorable for me and my family, for which I thank each and every one of you from my heart.

At this time of year we are reminded that there are those who are not as well off as many others in society and it is only through the enormous dedication and effort of an army of volunteers that allow them to celebrate this time of year. These public-spirited people come forward in the great tradition of those who devote themselves to keeping each other supported and comforted. Indeed for many others, service will come first at Christmas time. Those serving in our Armed Forces, particularly those men and women who are at-sea or otherwise deployed around the globe, those serving in our Emergency Services, keeping our streets safe and our hospitals open, and all whose sense of duty takes them away from friends and family and who will be missing those that they love. Those men and women deserve the upmost respect of those of us who are served by them over this Christmas period.

There are also those who have lost loved ones and may find this day particular hard and full of memories, it is therefore incredibly important to reach out at this time of year beyond hour familiar relationships to those that we think may be on their own. Christmas, for me, has always had a spirit of togetherness, regardless of cultural and societal boundaries. It is a day for each and every one of us, whether were are Christian or not, to come together to celebrate everything that we have accomplished. It is a day for us to banish the darkness and illuminate the dark places with our personal light.

On that note I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

[Cotland]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
ROYAL MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
THE REALM OF COTLAND
NO 1-7 VICTORIA TERASSE
NO-02062 OSLO, COTLAND

We Sverre II, by the Grace of God, King-Emperor of the Realm of Cotland, King of the Wends, the Goths, the Nenets, the Komi, the Samis and the Finns, Grand Duke of Livland and Storlitauen, Lord Protector of Kaliningrad and Polynesia, and of His Other Territories and Realms King, Supreme Warlord of the Realm, Defender of the Faith, and Protector of the Jews, do announce, that under Our Hand and Seal, in the Royal Palace of Oslo on Thursday, the Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Thirteen, have declared the following;

That due to resurgent piracy activity, a state of military emergency is declared in the eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea. As a consequence, a Military Exclusion Zone (MEZ) extending from 35°05'N-002°13'W, north to 35°35'N-002°13'W, east to 35°35'N-003°15'W, and south to the coast of Morocco at 35°13'N-003°11'W has been established and is enforced by elements of the Royal Cottish Navy.

Military and warfare activity may take place in the MEZ without warning. All shipping and aviation is strongly advised to avoid this exclusion zone as far as is possible, as the safety of shipping and aviation within this area cannot be guaranteed.

A blockade of the coastline within the MEZ is currently in effect. Any ships or aircraft attempting to challenge the existing blockade will be refused. The use of deadly force in maintaining this blockade is authorized and will be employed against any blockade runners, regardless of nationality.

The beforementioned MEZ will remain in effect until further notice.

All foreign Governments are requested to forward this announcement to their respective merchant shipping and aviation.

[Layarteb]

The Empire Tops 1.358 Billion

By Kyle Brown
Published: January 8, 2014 | 14:26 [UTC-5]

LAYARTEB CITY - An unofficial estimate of the population of the Empire stands at 1,358,050,000, over 1.358 billion, making the Empire of Layarteb the most populous nation on Earth, with a slight edge over the Republic of China, which is estimated at 1.354 billion people.

The last official census of the Empire was conducted in 2010 and it revealed a population of 1,351,492,975. This jump comes after major territorial gains in 2011 that included the Balearic Islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, Crete, and various islands in the Persian Gulf. In 2012, the Empire expanded with the successful annexation of Vanuatu, Hong Kong, and two prefectures in southeastern China following the Sinaean-Layartebian War. Last year, Monaco rejoined the Empire along with three city-states in India's Puducherry division.

The next official census will not be conducted until 2020, per law, but unofficial estimates put the Empire's population over 1.4 billion by 2015 and potentially over 1.5 billion by 2020. Each year, various agencies calculate the populace of the Empire unofficially by comparing the birth and death numbers, immigration and emigration numbers and comparing them against the official census population. Numbers are usually rounded and thus they are more ballpark figures.

Layarteb
Layarteb City Herald © All Rights Reserved 2014

[Brydog]

Navy Rescues Captain at Sea
Jan 1, 2014

GDANSK- Today, the Federal Navy rescued the captain of a merchant ship at sea. According to reports, the ship's master, Janek Piatek, 49 suffered a heart attack while at sea. A Navy W-3RM took Mr. Piatek off the vessel to recive medical attention at a military hospital in Gdańsk. Mr. Piatek is expected to make a full recovery, and the ship reached its destination without further issue.

[Layarteb]

ILN Leaves Hammerfest

By Tammy Meehan
Published: January 13, 2014 | 12:00

OSLO - The 1st Carrier Strike Group of the Imperial Layartebian Navy departed its naval base in Hammerfest, Norway Monday for the last time ever. In an agreement with the Cottish Realm, the 1st Carrier Strike Group, stylized as "CVSG," will move further south and take up permanent basing in Horten, Norway, approximately sixty kilometers south of Oslo.

The move, which was five years in the making, came at the behest of the Cottish Ministry of Defence, which has petitioned the Imperial Layartebian Navy to move the 1st CVSG and its associated air wing, the 35th Naval Air Wing to a more hospitable climate. The 35th Naval Air Wing will call Sandefjord Airport its home, naming the Layartebian section, Naval Air Station Torp. Sandefjord Airport is already home to a reserve contingent of the Royal Cottish Air Force.

According to defense officials, the move to Horten took five years due to two major factors, the primary one being the upgrading of facilities to handle the nuclear task force and the secondary being the political dealings with the Kingdom of Holland. Tension between the Cottish Realm and the Kingdom of Holland continues to this day and the Empire is a noted friend to the Kingdom of Holland. According to a senior defense official, "The move to Horten had to be done in a way that would not alarm the Dutch into thinking that the Empire was stationing this group within striking range of their coast. On the contrary, this group has a potential role in keeping the peace thanks to its proximity to the Dutch coast. The Empire is committed to peace between both the Cottish and the Dutch."

Currently, the 1st CVSG has a total of 1,295 nautical miles to travel to make it to Horton, They are expected to arrive around noon on Thursday, January 16. Fixed-wing aircraft will departure Naval Air Station Hammerfest tomorrow and make the trip down to their new home in Sandefjord but helicopters will travel aboard the naval vessels to save fuel costs of a nearly 900-mile long flight.


Defense
Oslo Herald © All Rights Reserved 2014

[United States of Brink]

World Cup V Host Announced

The New African Republic will be hosting World Cup V, set to being in in just under two months. It will be an especially festive celebration as the World Cup marks its 5th anniversary in the nation that hosted the original tournament.

As if that were not enough this year’s World Cup coincides with Cape Town’s Free Cape Festival, the largest music festival on the planet. On its own the Free Cape Festival, held annually, boasts 24 hours of music and other live entertainment for an entire week. Citizens from around the world gather for a weeklong celebration.

With qualifiers will underway, the host team looks to regain its title for what should be an amazing international event.

[Layarteb]

Imperial Layartebian Navy Ynogas Are No More


Ynoga class CVLN underway.

By Lucielle Wagner
Published: February 3, 2014 | 12:00 EST

LAYARTEB CITY - On Monday, the last two Ynoga-class nuclear-powered light carriers have officially been removed from active service by the Ministry of Defense. Both the ILS Ynoga (CVLN-76) and the ILS Atlantic (CVLN-83) were retired in a moving ceremony. The Ynoga-class aircraft carrier is now fully replaced by the Washington-class aircraft carrier, which displaces more than double the weight and carriers a full complement of aircraft.

Nine Ynoga-class aircraft carriers were built between 1981 and 1987 for the Imperial Layartebian Navy while another 50 non-nuclear variants were constructed for navies around the world, many of which remain in service still. Originally designed to provide amphibious assault groups with extra firepower, the Ynoga-class began the heart of a smaller, carrier strike group or CVSG when the larger Nimitz's were retired in favor of the Luna-class supercarriers and the Enterprise-class supercarriers.

The retirement of the Ynoga-class dates back to the late-90s when it was determined that the Ynoga was not a cost effective battle platform for the 21st century. The Washington-class carrier was thus designed as its replacement and ten have now been built since 2002 for the Imperial Layartebian Navy. The navy took delivery of its first three Washingtons in 2010, the next two in 2011, three in 2013, and two in 2014.

Sea trials for both vessels are expected to be completed by April 28, at which point, they will be declared fully operational.

Defense
Layarteb City Times © All Rights Reserved 2014

[Itailian Maifias]

King Willem-Alexander Crowned!

The HAUGE - In the most watched television event in Dutch history, His Royal Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau was crowned in an elaborate ceremony inside the Noordeine Palace at the center of the Hague. His Majesty's coronation comes two weeks after Her Majesty Queen Dowager Beatrix I announced her intentions to abdicate the throne in favor of her eldest son due to health related concerns, Beatrix having ruled the Kingdom for the last nine years.
His Royal Majesty wasted little time in getting straight to the business of State, immediately announcing a ceremony for the investiture of the Prince of Orange, the Kingdom's heir, for his eldest son, Prince Thor who is a member of the Royal Dutch Army and is currently serving as a Captain with them. His Majesty also announced some new changes to the Privy Council, elevating House Abendroth to the status of Senior House and restoring House Hanover to the same status. He also announced in his Coronation Honours List that, among numerous titles and awards, His Lordship, Baron Jonas Abendroth of Nurting was being elevated to the Dukeship of Wurrtemberg, as well as retaining his Barony title which he may pass along to his heirs. He also inducted Brigade-Generaal Mathys Penders, a veteran of the Iran campaign as well as the commanding officer of the 2nd Corps in France, into the Military William Order as a Commander and also bestowed upon him an Honorary Sabre, the highest military honour in the Kingdom. Several other minor awards and honours were awarded to numerous individuals for their actions over the past years.

[Earth_ Two]

.:. Updated to here .:.

[United States of Brink]

Windhoek Instruments Announces Stock Split

By Boma Ditoulsef
Cape Town-South Africa – Marked by unimpeded growth over the past decade, Windhoek Instruments has established itself without question as the world’s largest, most profitable company. Its IPO marked the most successful transition that a privately owned company could make into the public market. Since its launch on the Cape Town International Stock Exchange, WI has seen its stock price grow steadily to a whopping $1,602.02. With all shares under private ownership abroad and the high cost of the stock itself, trading developed into stagnation.

With global volatility on the rise, ownership saw opportunity to expand into new emerging markets. It was agreed upon earlier in the month by the board and endorsed by company CEO Liesel Adelheid this morning that the company would split its current stock. This would do two things. First it would lower the cost of the current stock price. Secondly it would create new stock for the company to sell in order to generate capital. Current owners of WI stock will see no decrease to their overall value.

The split is scheduled to occur by the end of the fiscal quarter.

[Brydog]

Foreign Ministry to Prevent Major Hooligans Traveling to World Cup

WROCLAW- Today the Foreign Ministry announced it will stop major hooligans from attending the World Cup. The decision was to ban major leaders from attending the event. According to the spokesman for the Ministry, convicted felons who were arrested for crimes connected to football games will not be allowed to leave the nation to the New African Republic. However, the ban only applies to convicted felons since, under federal law, felons can be the only persons banned from a sporting game, which means that hooligans could attend the World Cup. The Federal Police has handed over the list of felons which the Foreign Ministry will use to prevent the felons from traveling to the game.

[Terra Reborn]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation
Online Service

Imperial East India Company to operate Warships for the first time in over a Century- Response to Melilla Incident reaches new height
Saturday 25th January 2014

For the first time since the late 1800s the Apilonain Empire is to formally allow a non-military organisation, specifically the Imperial East India Company, to operate warships under the Imperial Red Ensign. The IEIC, the largest corporation in the Empire and one of the largest in the world, operates a large fleet of cargo vessels that ply trade routes all over the world not just its historic haunts of the Pacific and East Indies. The IEIC, which was originally founded in 1525, historically operated its own commerce protectors as late as 1870 however the decline of piracy throughout the 1800s reduced the need. However the Melilla Incident of last December demonstrated the piracy is still a very real threat and whilst the Imperial Navy is committed to hunting pirates and keeping the trade lanes clear, not only can they miss some pirates bases but the Navy cannot be in every place at once, especially given the Navy’s commitments. Therefore the decision was made to allow the IEIC, which operates its own private paramilitary force, to formally operate light warships to protect from pirates. The vessels that the IEIC is expected to operate are new-build Armidale-Class Patrol Boats, which the IEIC’s public affairs office was quick to point out, are ideally suited to commerce protection against other light warships and fast-moving light craft that modern pirates operate, and do not generally pose a threat to larger national warships.

The Imperial East India Company has enjoyed a privileged status in the Apilonian Empire for centuries, dating back to its initial founding in the Expansion Period of the 1500 and 1600s under Emperor William III and his successors. Like most Imperial institutions the IEIC was dissolved with the Fall of the Empire, but when the restoration came bout in 1980, the surviving IEIC board members and their families were still individually very wealthy and, in return for a return of their privileged status, were invaluable in supporting the Imperial Government during the Reconstruction. As a result of this, and its historic position, the IEIC’s senior management and Board of Governors have long wielded substantial influence in Imperial Politics, particularly in the House of Lords where this decision originated, and it is highly likely that this influence has brought about this ruling.

The Imperial Admiralty, which has expressed its concern regarding this ruling, has already begun to implement a number of safeguards to prevent this ruling from being abused. All IEIC officers who are to serve aboard these warships will be required to attend the Imperial Naval Academy’s warfare school to ensure that they are competent to operate warships, the ships themselves and their operations are to be heavily scrutinized and it is believed that the Imperial Admiralty intends to deploy official observers (most likely specially trained and empowered individuals holding a INAR (Imperial Naval Auxiliary Reserve) commission) to each IEIC warship to ensure that they do not take illegal action. It is also likely to be highly encouraged for these ship captain’s to apply for a commission in the Imperial Naval Reserve, both to ease legal problems of these warships operating in foreign waters (in that they will at least be skippered by a reserve officer, much like the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships), and given that in wartime the IEIC will be required to allow the Admiralty to make use of its ship as and when required.

When questioned about the matter the new First Lord of the Admiralty: Admiral of the Fleet The Earl of Vancouver (better known by his name prior to be raised to the peerage; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Kittinger), said:

“The Imperial East India Company has proven itself component and trustworthy in operating ships of war in the past, and indeed they have been highly useful on occasion. Whilst the IEIC’s history may not be entirely above-board this has been on the commercial side, and in fact the conduct of IEIC officers has consistently been exemplary, and I fully expect this to continue, and this will allow the Imperial Navy to concentrate its anti-piracy operations on the most dangerous areas without leaving other areas and the dozens of Imperial merchant ships that pass through them every day unprotected.”