News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Lefkosea** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:59 am

SEPARATISTS WIN OVAJO ELECTION
PM says no to a binding referendum

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Aarón Tassis (@TassisAarón )
^{25 APRIL 2020 21:40 |GOUVEIA, ZARALAJA}

This livestream has now ended
Photo courtesy of ZSNR

Gouveia, Ovajo

Aarón Tassis wrote:03:04 - We now have the final results from the election, the PNPO have gained 31.7% of the vote and 31% of the electorate voted for the PLO. The incumbent AS gained 21.5% of the vote, down over 10 points. 7.8% of the voters voted for the CNO, GUC's regional counterpart. 8% of the electorate voted for other parties.

Aarón Tassis wrote:00:04 - Prime Minister Aparicio has addressed the media following her party's knockout defeat in the Ovajo State election, in her speech the PM congratulated the PNPO on their apparent victory over the PLO but reiterated her position that she would not allow a binding referendum on independence. The Wording of her statement still leaves open the option for a non-binding referendum to be held which would be seen as a victory for pro-referendum parties and the PM as she heads into the General Election in January.

Aarón Tassis wrote:23:12: - As vote counting continues, PLO voters have began a silent demonstration against the result following Medeiros' concession of defeat, Medeiros has returned to his home following his concession speech. The PM is expected to make a speech shortly on the Ovajo election and her party's disastrous defeat.

Aarón Tassis wrote:22:45: - We have breaking news from the Medeiros campaign headquarter, Medeiros has announced that he has called Soares to congratulate him on his victory. This all but confirms Soares to become Governor, although Counting has only just began. Medeiros made the speech along with his seven year old daughter and his girlfriend of 10 years.

Maristela Teixeira wrote:22:07: - We are live at Soares' campaign where along with the PLO's Medeiros, has claimed victory to an ecstatic crowd. In his speech Soares claims that his first act as Governor will be requesting a referendum on Ovajan independence. Medeiros, at his campaign headquarters also claimed victory saying that his party was on the brink of making the largest political earthquake in national history, he was elected as party leader in 2015 and since then has led the party's astronomical rise through the polls, taking it from a minor party to a major political force in the state and nationally.

Paúl Seco wrote:22:01: - We are live from Gouveia's main counting station where the mood from Pro-referendum and PLO supporters is ecstatic, the PLO has gained their largest result up over 20 points at the expense of most of the other parties, Governor Cunha's AS party is now facing a knockout electoral disaster and he is now likely out of the job. Olegário Soares, the PNPO's candidate for the Governorship is likely to be celebrating at home this result but knows he will have to make concessions to the rising PLO

Aarón Tassis wrote:22:00: - It's 10:00PM and the Polls have closed now we can bring you ZSNR's Exit poll. We are predicting a slim Pro-referendum majority, the PNPO at 31.5% of the vote, the PLO not so far behind with 31.2% of the vote and the AS falling into third position with 21.8% of the vote, the Chartists are now in fourth place with their promises of fixing the budget and cutting taxes, and the USC failing to make it into the top 5 gaining less than 3% of the votes. If this poll is correct Prime Minister Aparicio is in for a tough few months ahead as calls for an independence referendum look likely to dominate the rest of her term.

Aarón Tassis wrote:21:56: - At 10:00PM when the polls close we'll be delivering our Exit Poll in coordination with polling companies and other media groups, the exit poll is not definitive but was gathered by speaking to voters at 30 polling sites and factors in age, wealth, occupation and location. Despite that the exit poll is largely accurate.

Aarón Tassis wrote:21:51: - Joining us today will be ZSNR's Ovajo Correspondent, Paúl Seco live from Gouveia, the capital of Ovajo, the former governor of Ovajo Ambrósio Azevedo, current editor of Ovajo's largest newspaper "Ovajo Today", Maristela Teixeira and various other guests throughout the night.

Aarón Tassis wrote:21:50: -
Good evening and welcome to ZSNR's live coverage of the 2020 Ovajo State election. I'm Aarón Tassis and tonight we will be bringing you live coverage of the night's events.

Recent opinion polls put the separatists and PLO in a tight race with the incumbent AS polling in third. Tonight will surely shape up to be an interesting night for state and national politics, the result of tonight's election will decide if the state will pursue a referendum on independence or if the Right-wing PLO will sweep into power.

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 2:06 pm

Violaine Rousseau is the winner of EucloVision 2020.
The 18 year old Gaullican came first, one point ahead of Azmara, and secured Gaullica's hosting of EucloVision 2021.

Antoinette Giroud
April 25th, 2020|Verlois, Gaullica

Violaine Rousseau, initially on the stage accepting her victory on her own.
Photo courtesy of courteous photography.

Kesselbourg City, Kesselbourg

With her song 'Yeux d'ocean', Violaine Rousseau rose to first place in the final round of the competition. Scoring 154 points in a competition where the lower the points the better, Rousseau beat out the competition to be ranked first. Second to her came Azmara, with 155, requiring there to be a rigorous recount that did confirm to an exasperated audience, and fanbases around the world, that the initial count was indeed correct.

This year's EucloVision featured songs that touched upon religiosity, political chaos, war, love and loss. The genres were immense, as was the variety of languages sung in. Spectacularly, entries from Aimilia and Eldmark succeeded immense expectation and rose to fourth and fifth, spectacularly. Many of the songs featured are expected to become summer hits across the world; especially as contracts and record label dealings are signed.

The contest was not without controversy, with many spectators expressing their discomfort or annoyance at the inclusion of trans-singer Lilian Alves of Maracao. To make matters worse, she was originally awarded less points than she deserved based on an error within the counters. They quickly apologised and rectified their mistake, raising her from 15th to 12th.

When Rousseau was announced winner, she was invited onto the stage to perform another rendition of her song. Following that she was awarded her victory trophy and given the opportunity to give a speech remarking the power of music and the meaning of her lyrics and her song.

She initially began by announcing how happy she was to have been here. "Performing is my life," she said. "When I qualified and won to represent Gaullica at EucloVision, I was honoured. As many of you know I sing for the sake of the songs, not for prizes or for money or whatever. I told Marianne that, well I can't remember the exact words, but that I didn't really come her with an intention to win. I came here to have fun, to sing and dance and to appreciate good music. Which I did."

"A lot was sung this year. A lot of it was fun and upbeat, others were sad and thought provoking. Some fell into their own labels. And I'm here to defend that all of this is music. It all is. And message is important. I think its weird, pretty weird actually, that I rose above such artists. A performance by an East and West Miersan is historic and it was beautiful. I hope that those of you who voted for me can I also understand that you might have preferred my song, but their message was one of the most important in a generation: we can move past things, we can work together to make things better."

She lamented on how those around her have often supported her, including her parents and siblings. She went on to thank many of her fellow competitors, complimenting their music and saying that she was "blown away" by such pieces like Aimilia's "Flamingo" by Pak-Pak-Pak. She also embraced the second place winner, Friessun of Azmara.

Yet most notably was when she invited Lilian Alves, Maracao's singer, onto to share the stage with her. She embraced the singer on stage, declaring her bravery in attending EucloVision as an "inspirational moment for trans communities" everywhere. "Music is for everyone," they both exclaimed.

"I couldn't be more proud of [her]", Alves said during the embrace. "She say she doesn't want to win, but she deserves it."

Rousseau's closing statement has already caused some backlash online: "We're just vehicles for lyrics and songs, what we are outside of that doesn't matter. And if you voted for us based on how we look, or what we conform to, or how we express our belief, you didn't really understand the whole point of this competition. #TransRights."

Regardless of this, Gaullican President Jean Vallette has been noted for his appreciative tweeting throughout the competition. He congratulated each act individually (and paid particular attention to GraRoku and Klaudia for the power and symbolism of their song, and regarded Pak-Pak-Pak's "Bulahmingo" as one of his favourites) as they were announced and is expecting to meet with Rousseau following her return to Gaullica. It is expected she is to receive an "Order of Arts and Letters" in recognition of her victory as a progression, advancement and development of Gaullican culture.

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by **Beumontte** » Sun Apr 26, 2020 4:19 pm

» BREAKING NEWS: Federal Police performs the biggest anti-corruption operation in history
» Operation Claúdia emitted more than 200 arrest warrants to the members of the corruption scheme

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Apr 25, 2020 | Castelonovo

Police officers collecting evidence this morning.

CASTELONOVO - Today, the Federal Police started this morning the Operation Cláudia, which has as its objective combat what could be the biggest corruption scheme in the history of Belmonte. Around two thousand federal agents with the assistance of the Civil Guard and even the SNI performed more than 200 arrest warrants in 38 cities from every province in the country, collecting enormous quantities of digital and material evidence that proves the existence of the scheme as well. The operation was led by the police chiefs Júlio Bastos and Anderson Gama along with the judge Catarina Mesquita, from the 6th Federal Criminal Division of Castelonovo.

The operation attracted national coverage during the first hours of its deflagration, with many radio and television channels cancelling their programming to broadcast the events and the arrests. Among the arrested, 56 of them are either a member or had deep relations with the UCN while 49 have deep connections with the PSD, being former deputies, senators and politicians in general. Among the operation's targets, there are included the former Governor of the Bank of Belmonte Gerônimo Braga and the former infrastructure secretary of the government of Ludovico Rosa Malvo Pasquini as well as many Maurino and Sócrates' allies, which shows the size of the political crisis that will come in the next days and its impact over the election, that still remains scheduled to happen on April 28th.

Minutes after the beginning of the arrests, the chiefs Bastos and Gomes and the judge Mesquita realized a press conference in the headquarters of the Federal Police, where they answered some questions and gave a complete list of every member arrested today, however, they decided to don't give any other exact detail due to the fact that the operation is still ongoing and will continue for the next months. Also, they didn't properly explain how the scheme worked, but it was said that everything was made around the use of federal and provincial overpriced works such as motorway reforms that are an integral part of the government's economic plan.

Until now, neither the prime minister nor the president or the leader of the opposition declared anything about the operation itself or the arrests, however, it's expected that a speech or announcement regarding the issue will happen tonight or tomorrow.

The Castelonovo Stock Market closed today in its biggest low in the last five years, and the economy starts to feel the effects of this upcoming political crisis. On the streets, small protests happened today, with bigger ones being planned to occur in the following days. However, the worst aggravating factor in this whole situation is the general election, that will happen in a mere three days. With the two biggest political parties being targeted for corruption charges, it's likely that the PSD will not have the same number of seats that it was expected, but it still possible that they will get a majority anyway. Another thing that is certain is that many people will vote in minor parties, such as the Socialist Bloc or the Sotirian Democrats, which aren't hit by the operation at least now.

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 8:33 am

Nuxican Injustice: Martynenko meets with local community leaders.
President Martynenko met with numerous Zalyk community leaders, whose people in the Asterias have been split ever since the occupation of New Kyrlav

Ihor Loboda (@LobodaIhor)
27th April, 2020 | Horodnytsia, Chistovodia

Martynenko met with Tzatan Nemaev, one of the most respected leaders of the local Zalyk communities in western Chistovodia. Here Tzatan is seen advising the president on his archery.
Photo courtesy of that Hallandic band that culturally appropriated Zalyk throat singing.

HORODNYTSIA, CHISTOVODIA

President Martynenko met with numerous leaders of the Zalyk communities in Chistovodia over the weekend, beginning a series in which he is directly visiting the communities along the Nuxican-Chistovodian border and ensuring their stories are told to the world. At the beginning of his trip, on Friday, Martynenko told the that he was honoured to have been invited by the Asterian Zalyk communities in the first place.

The majority of the Zalyk population in Chistovodia live along the shores of Lake Manotowic. They were amongst the first settlers from Narozalica to arrive; travelling substantially inland to form tight knit communities that preserved their cultural traditions. Much of their historic dress is preserved and worn, resulting in a vibrant cultural community that has survived until this day. They survived the nationalism under General Vadym Babych following independence from Narozalica and have become vibrant hunters and trackers of the Asterian interior.

However, due to the horrors and injustices of the war against Nuxica, much of the vibrant community of the Zalyks found itself fragmented and divided. The treaties imposed on Chistovodia, which saw land annexed from it (the province is now solemnly remembered as 'New Kyrlav'), also saw the destruction of the close knit communities of the Zalyks around the lake.

To bring to light their stories in light of increasing criticism that the remarks of the Workers' State is solely concerned with ethnic Narodyns, President Martynenko was invited by Tzatan Nemaev to listen to their side of the story.

He told President Martynenko that "there was immeasurable suffering" from the Zalyk communities that find themselves in now Nuxican territory. "Families will meet in the lake, escorted by authorities, were they can speak to each other. Sometimes you do not learn that your brother, mother, cousin... has died until they have the time to come to tell you. The languages in Nuxica are being lost as well, they tell me. They don't teach them the Zalyk language, or even permit the teaching of it in some places. They eschew our traditions and our customs, which flourished until they came and occupied our land."

President Martynenko embraced the man and assured him he was doing all that he could to rectify the injustices. He told him and the Zalyk community that he was sparing no time in exhausting the global economic forums and bodies to get justice for the occupied peoples.

Nemaev, one of the oldest members in his community, can recall participating in the war. "I fought for Chistovodia and I do not regret doing so. At the time I might have considered the war itself a bit of a pointless endeavour, but following the conclusion of it I have come to find that we were fighting for justice. And unfortunately we lost. It was a sombre reminder that evil prospers when good men do nothing; and the silence of much of the Asterias represents that."

"Many might view us as uniformed traditionalists in the middle of Asterias, but we know a thing or two about every topic under the sun. I find myself watching Marirana with fear and sadness, for a fear that the Asterian community will let the flame of righteousness die out in that country too."

Martynenko and Nemaev spoke for much longer, but these were private conversations. We do know however that the President experienced a wide variety of Asterian-Zalyk culture and participated in several horse-races, archery competitions and partook in the local cuisines. He also visited numerous schools and cultural centres, were he was video'd participating in the traditional squat dancing favoured in this region.

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by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:35 am

THOUSANDS ATTEND PROTESTS AGAINST PIPELINE PROJECT
Plans to move ahead with the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 project have drawn thousands of protesters throughout Caldia

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Mícheál Mac Innes (@mmigbf)
^{27 April 2020 | Spálgleann, Caldia}

Climate and environmental activists have staged protests in Caldia and throughout Euclea in opposition to the project.

SPÁLGLEANN – Protests organized by climate and environmental activists drew thousands of demonstrates yesterday, voicing opposition to the Caldish government's plans to push ahead with the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 pipeline bilaterally with Werania. On Saturday, senior ministers announced that the pipeline project would proceed without the Northern Forum. Legislation required to allow for its construction will be drafted and voted on by the Tionól within the next two weeks.

In opposition to the government's plans, activists organized protests throughout the country. Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 has created controversy both within Caldia and Euclea, drawing the ire of climate activists and foreign governments. Opposition from the Azmaran and Ordennian governments scuttled Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne's plans to build the pipeline, Caldia's second, under the scope of the Northern Forum. While this prevented the pipeline from getting the organization's approval and additional funding, it has not halted the project.

Activists throughout Northern Euclea have hoped to apply pressure to the Caldish and Weranic governments. Measures to push ahead with the project were initiated late last week. Protests began in Werania on Friday in opposition to the government of Chancellor Otto von Hößlin. They have since expanded to Ordennia, which is governed by the Ordennian Greens, Azmara, and Caldia. Thousands of protesters attended events throughout Northern Euclea this weekend.

Protests in Caldia were promoted and organized by the Greens. Many of the party's officials attended and played a leading role. Greens co-spokesperson Ciara Nic Innes said that plans to move ahead with the project were "reckless".

"A second pipeline will do nothing but speed up the climate crisis. We are faced with the greatest threat to our way of life since the War. Instead of expediting the destruction of our planet, we must do everything in our power to slow and avert it".

An estimated four thousand people are believed to have attended protests in Spálgleann, Shanbally, Garrafrauns, and Invertwinc. Smaller events were held in smaller cities. The largest was held in the capital, which drew over one thousand demonstrators.

Protests are scheduled to continue next weekend, with activists hoping to increase pressure on the Mac Suibhne government. Mr. Mac Suibhne and his Social Democratic Party have been criticized by climate activists of failing to sufficiently address the climate crisis. In addition to the Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 project, activists have voiced concerns over the PSD's its support for the petroleum industry and its failure to back taxes on major carbon emitters.

A spokesperson for the taoiseach reiterated the government's position that it is already working to address the climate crisis through its Climate Action Plan, which was unveiled in September.

"This is something we are serious about" the spokesperson said.

Despite opposition from green activists and the ongoing protests, Tuaisceart-Süd 2.0 generally has political backing across the ideological spectrum in both Caldia and Werania. Both national governments remain supportive of the project with little sign either intends to change course. Measures to push ahead with the project are expected to receive parliamentary approval in both countries.

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by **Azmara** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:55 pm

THOUSANDS GATHER IN CENTRAL AALMSTED TO PROTEST SECOND PIPELINE
The protest, thought to have been attended by up to 10,000 people, has attracted much attention

Ana Jonsdohter (@anajdohter)
^{27 Apr 2020 | Aalmsted, Azmara}

Protestors in Mikel-Hankssun-Plaas in the Stefansburg neighbourhood of Aalmsted.

AALMSTED, AZMARA – The capital city was shook today as many gathered in the squares of its Stefansburg neighbourhood, known for being the location of many central political and cultural institutions, were overwhelmed with protesters angry over the commencement of efforts by the Weranian and Caldian governments to bilaterally build the proposed Tuaisceart-Süd II pipeline and the apparent easy ride the proposals will get through the Volkstag and the Comhthionól.

The proposals were originally presented to the Northern Forum, which was to contribute extra funding to constructing the pipeline. However, as the Ordennian government moved to block it and the results of the Azmaran election last Sunday made it clear that any government formed would see the strictly anti-pipeline Green Party and The Radicals heavily involved and would thus likely support the Ordennian motion, it was withdrawn from the Northern Forum and the two governments began to build it bilaterally.

However, this has not left activists in any of the four EC members particularly satisfied, as protests erupted into action on Friday in Westbrücken after the Weranian government began to take definitive steps towards bilateral action, followed by Ordennian protests in Västdal on Saturday and then yesterday's protests across Spálgleann and Aalmsted. Furthermore, many Azmaran activists have directly criticised both Prime Minister Jorśsun for a perceived passive attitude towards the pipeline and certain ministers for actively supporting them. To this end, many protestors made active calls for the resignation of the "Lacagh cabal" - a pejorative term used in Azmaran environmental circles to refer to three Workers' Party ministers that have been open in their support for the pipeline: Health and Social Care Secretary Mâþijas Jonssun, Euclean Secretary Karla Jonsdohter and Employment and Industrial Relations Secretary Jon Maarksun.

Alþingsplaas, the square located directly outside the Folksmot building, was overcome by a tsunami of overwhelmingly young protestors, many chanting pro-environment and anti-pipeline slogans and holding signs with similar slogans on them. Two of these signs notably saw mass attention when images of them were posted on microblogging platform Twitter, the first of which showed pictures of Weranic Chancellor Otto von Hösslin, Caldish Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne and Jorśsun side-by-side with the caption "The NKP is the only party to control three national governments", while the other referenced Azmara's close second-placing in Saturday's Euclovision contest, saying "Freissun and our future grandchildren's future were robbed". Initial images of both of them, posted on the site by user Maarija Leifsdohter, have received thousands of likes and re-tweets each, trending not only in Azmara but in other countries affected by the protests as well.

There were many high-profile appearances at the protests, as Green Culture and Equality Secretary Nathalie Dunkle, herself a Weranian migrant to Azmara, addressed a crowd in the Bojnersplaas square on the southern fringes of the neighbourhood. In her speech, she said that as the pipeline passed, she felt "dismayed to call [her]self Weranian", but that the nation should keep in mind that "such actions do not mean all Weranians support the pipeline", calling for solidarity between the protesters across countries and citing a recent poll showing a plurality of Weranians opposed to the building of the pipeline.

Radical leader Ana Freidriksdohter also made a brief appearance at the Alþingsplaas protests, but her stay was short and her presence was largely dwarfed by speeches by young protestors, with a passionate tirade by 17-year-old Aarne Niinassun from Nordberg accusing the Northern Euclean governments of selling the younger generation out for oil money garnering much attention, with a soundbite where he condemned the Weranian and Caldish governments for allowing "the eventual destruction of the human race in a fiery inferno" and further biting into the Weranian government, saying that "no true nationalist would want to see his nation meet such a fate".

However, the move towards bilaterally building the pipeline may have prevented a long, costly government formation process akin to those in 2005 and 2008, as the issue of the pipeline which so divided the Workers' Party from their potential coalition partners in The Radicals and the Green Party has been removed from Azmaran control. However, with activists baying for the blood of pro-pipeline ministers, spurred on by said potential coalition partners, a brutal process followed by an almost coup-like reshuffle which it is not clear Jorśsun would survive is still heavily within the realms of possibility, and he may fall another victim to the "revolving-door leadership syndrome" which has plagued Azmaran politics since 2003 and which many believed that his premiership would be the end to.

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by **Etruria2** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:29 pm

His Holiness, Patriarch Macarius II praises the "ingenuity and resilience" of Radushians in televised Easter Address.
In his televised address, called out teachers, doctors and workers in pursuing Radushia's future.

Nasta Kovaleva (@Nkovaleva)
19th April, 2020 | Chrivotava, Radushia

His Holiness, the Supreme Patriarch of Radushia, Macarius II used his televised Easter address to celebrate the “great progress our country has made in recent years”, while also praising the “ingenuity and dogged resilience of all Radushians in pursuing a prosperous tomorrow.”

His Holiness, Patriarch Macarius II during his televised address to mark Easter.

Having spent the day leading Easter celebrations, His Holiness took to dinner-time TV to give a warm message to the Radushian people, that has since become an annual fixture. Last year, His Holiness spoke of the great strides made in public health and education, two areas he has taken a personal interest. This year’s address fell under the theme of “general success in modernisation.”

Speaking from his official residence at the Holy Lavra of Saint George over Staraya Vodva, he said, “God’s blessings upon you, your loved ones and our country, this holiest of holy days. Today I wish to extend warm words of encouragement and thanks to all Radushians, for the great efforts and progress made in modernising our country.”

He said further, “ever since we secured independence, our quest for modernity in economic life has not been an easy one. We struggled with instability among the minorities, we struggled with chaotic management and often, ineptitude, having been dependent on far off officials to maintain our economy. But, we prevailed and now charge ourselves and ourselves alone with the management of our economy and industries. We prevailed through the ingenuity and dogged resilience of all Radushians in pursuing a prosperous tomorrow.”

His Holiness gave a direct mention to the effort of teachers, saying, “I give warm praise to our teachers and tutors who do the good work of bringing knowledge to our children. Their innocence is only boosted by knowledge of the world, the means of the world and of all godly things. I give warm praise to our teachers who are waging great war upon illiteracy.”

“To our doctors and nurses I thank you, you bring health and wellness to our country and you truly do good work, with blessed hands and minds you save lives and end suffering with kindness and love. You extend our lives and ensure our children enter this world healthy and happy, I thank you” he said.

His Holiness went on to repeat a popular mantra of his, referencing Matthew 5:5, saying, “we were a meek country and always remember, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”, he followed up by saying, “and let the story of the resurrection be an inspiration for us all, as we continue the work of modernisation, that from darkness and grief, true happiness and glory can emerge.”

His Holiness Patriarch Macarius II has worked tirelessly in areas of public health and education, involving himself with numerous cabinet meetings and government operations aimed at improving national inoculation programs, hospital constructions and reducing illiteracy. His Holiness has spoken at length, the importance of matching young education with the education of adults.

Toward the end of his address, his Holiness praised Radushian society for overcoming past divisions and repeated his promise to be the “man who does what can be done further heal the wounds of division and discord between the people of our country. For peace, harmony and social success is all that we seek and all that God aspires for us all.”

Chief Minister Raman Yarmoshyn made his easter address while visiting a soup kitchen in Chrivotava. Addressing reporters outside he said, “this year is looking to be one of great progress and success for our country. GDP growth is strong, unemployment is at its lowest in five years and incomes are rising. More work is needed to be done, but people can still rely on the Sotirian Party to honour its promises.”

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by **Nuvania** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:44 pm

Former Alkmaar CEO Extradition Challenged

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Aaron Clarke (@AaronClarke)
28 April (3:00pm)|DECOUVERTE

Former Alkmaar CEO Frans de Jongh.

The extradition of former Alkmaar CEO Frans de Jongh has been challenged in the Judicial Court of Decouverte today after allegations were made against the other members of the executive board of the mining giant.

The allegations include claims that another member of the executive board, Alastair Downing, who assumed the role of CEO after de Jongh resigned, had orchestrated the selloffs as part of a greater purge within the executive board of the company, and that Downing had also colluded with the Financial Crimes Office (FCO) in order to remove de Jongh and other executives from their position.

The lawyer representing Frans de Jongh, John Searle, said that there was substantial evidence that there was collusion between the FCO and Downing to remove de Jongh and other board executives owing to a long-standing dispute about the direction in which the company was heading, as well as a number of unproductive and costly investments in Bahia. Searle said that there was motive to have de Jongh and a number of his supporters removed from their positions, as Downing wanted to restructure the company and invest elsewhere.
"What I can tell you is that there was a reason to have de Jongh removed from his position as chief executive," he said. "The incumbent chief executive has known contacts in the Financial Crimes Office, and wanted to assume control over the company, so what better way to do that then to give misleading advice to his superiors and other executives and frame them for insider trading."

Five members, including de Jongh, were issued with arrest warrants by the FCO on April 7 after an investigation into the sale of Alkmaar stock prior to their resignation. It is believed that around ₲6.58 billion (€350.7 million) of stock was traded in between 11 and 12 August 2019, the day before the Pietersburg Andelebeurs (PAB) suffered one of its largest daily declines since 2005.

The five members included Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Andre de Jongh, the brother of the former CEO, Robert Kriel, George Hermann, Johannes le Roux, and CEO Frans de Jongh. All were either forced to resign or quit the company in the days leading up to the issuing of arrest warrants. As of 28 April, both the de Jongh brothers and Hermann have been arrested, with outstanding warrants for Kriel and le Roux, the latter believed to be in hiding in Saint-Baptiste.

Searle believes that de Jongh would not receive a fair trial if he returned to Nuvania, stating that the connections between Downing and the FCO would allow for any trial to be prejudiced.
"It is obvious that with this collusion comes some influence on the Financial Crimes Office to prosecute and secure a conviction against de Jongh and other executives," he said. "It would be a case in which the judges would be unable to provide an unbiased and impartial judgment on the case."

A small number of lawyers representing the FCO were present at the hearing in Decouverte, and presented their case for extradition. Marelize Raubenheimer, the chief lawyer for the FCO, said that attempts to smear and undermine public confidence in government institutions by alleging collusion was a "gross slander of our public institutions."
"The Financial Crimes Office has always been, and remains, an impartial government agency that acts when it discovers significant violations of Nuvania's financial laws and regulations," she said. "The only thing that is happening here is an attempt to further undermine public confidence in government agencies and other public institutions." Raubenheimer reiterated that de Jongh had "knowingly engaged in insider trading" during her opening statement, saying that the evidence against him, and other executive board members, was significant.
"The evidence against Mister de Jongh is such that he would almost certainly be convicted if he returned to Nuvania, becasue we have conducted a thorough investigation into his financial activities and have that evidence to present to the courts in Nuvania."

Insider trading is covered by the Financial Crimes Act 1956, which prohibits the sale or purchasing of shares based on information or advice that is not freely available to the public. If convicted, de Jongh and other executives could face a fine of ₲155 million (€8.24 million), the highest fine imposed by any legislation in Nuvania, or a prison sentence of up to three years.

Searle believes that a prison sentence would be "akin to a death sentence" if a trial was to go ahead in Nuvania.
"It is very likely that Mister de Jongh would face almost certain death in Nuvanian prison," he said. "On that basis, Mister de Jongh should not be allowed to travel back to Nuvania to face trial for these false charges."

A decision on extradition will be made on May 10.

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by **Caltarania** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 11:44 am

World · Miersa · Politics · Economy · Culture · Technology and Science · Sports · Arts · Weather

Analysis: What might Miersan reunification look like?

Interest in a united Miersa has recently entered the mainstream again; what complications would such a reunification entail?
Barykada Krasinski | 29 April 2020

The Żobrodź Wall, dividing the city into east and west, has become eponymous with the modern
partition of Miersa.

Żobrodź, Miersa — No doubt spurred on by the recent near-victory by the joint-Miersan nomination in Euclovision, discussion by cultural and non-political figures has led to a resurgance in interest in Miersan reunification. While such discussions are no doubt well-intentioned, the result - on both sides of the border - has been a misinformed debate.

While most Miersans will have been taught of the partition, the educational systems of both states - including our own fair east - have had a vested interest in telling only half of the story. As a result, East Miersans expect their western comrades to throw off the shackles of Narozalican rule, and West Miersans await the day that their pious eastern cousins expel the Swetanian Sotirias-killers. Neither of these are likely scenarios; and the members of both states are, in fact, seemingly quite content with their lot. While the west is indeed poorer than the east, many there consider 'faith and land' to be more important, and are sure to bring up the East Miersan institutionalised religious repression of the 50s and 60s in any discussion or debate of relative prosperity.

So given that the two states and their people are vastly divergent, why do calls for reunification continue to ring true, and create buzz on both sides of the border? The easy answer is ethnic nationalism. The harder is fraternity.

Reasons aside, what is the likelihood of reunification? Calls are unlikely to be answered without significant popular upheaval; the government of neither state have any interest in making a deal with the devil, and there is a lack of good-will between them. Even the negotiations to submit a joint Euclovision entry were, according to one source, fraught with tension, closer to the 1982 peace talks than to a singing competition meeting.

But let's say that reunifcation was on the cards; the governments of both states become more pliable, and the current calls for unity transform into real, grassroots, popular movements. What then?

The two states would, presumably, engage in discussions with one another in order to secure reunification.

These talks are unlikely to get far. Even if both East and West Miersa had governments which were committed to reunification, they would have to contend with a number of political stakeholders, almost all of which have a vested interest in the continued partition of Miersa. Sylwester Wrzesiński, President of West Miersa, would have to contend with the formidable influence of Samistopol in West Miersa. The Western government is heavily indebted to Narozalica, economically and militarilty, and Narozalican military strategists view West Miersa as a key buffer between itself and the wider east.

For her part, Anna Wlodarska would also have to overcome some significant roadblocks. East Miersa is not nearly as indebted to Swetania as the West is to Narozalica, but nevertheless the two countries share a close relationship, and any move on Wlodarska's part will have to be careful not to appear as though the East is 'abandoning' socialist principles. This will be hard to reconcile with the need to, at the very least, adopt a system of multiple economic models within the same country. This ties into a wider problem for the East; our council republic will make any attempt at compromise with the West incredibly fraught. While Wrzesiński needs only convince his financial backers and Samistopol, Wlodarska will have to sell any reunification deal to the millions who participate in our industrial democracy.

The most likely scenario, then, seems less like reunification and more like detente. Unless one side or the other sees a significant change in government, the only possible reunification that would be accepted might be a sort of Miersan Confederation, in which both East and West retain their economic and political systems, but submit to a multi-person executive which has authority on only foreign relations and defence. Is this what most think of when they call for reunification? Would this even be a viable, stable system of governance? It is difficult to say. What is clear is that for the wall in Żobrodź to fall, there will likely have to be a shake-up in the affairs of the Miersan basin. With both east and west seemingly fortified in their positions, reunification might have to wait until the next generation.

Barykada Krasinski is a professor of politics and international relations at the University of Dyńsk, and the author of 'Wlodarska and the Wall'.

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by **Beumontte** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:58 pm

» "The prime minister knew everything"
» More shocking revelations about Operation Cláudia are released, and politicians talk about their versions of the history

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Apr 27, 2020 | Castelonovo

Judge Mesquita during today's press conference.

CASTELONOVO - Today, the judge Catarina Mesquita, from the 6th Federal Criminal Division of Castelonovo and one of the responsible in charge of the command of Operation Cláudia, gave another press conference in the headquarters of the Federal Police with the purpose of better explaining the operation and how the corruption scheme discovered yesterday worked as well as who are the involved persons, revealing more shocking information about how businessmen and politicians from the federal, provincial and municipal sphere, right and left-wing, liberal and conservative, united to steal public money through private and state-owned works and constructions.

According to the information already released by the PF, the scheme was considerably old, existing since around 2011 under the government of Ludovico Rosa, but ran in a simple however very profitable way: private and state-owned companies' employees, working for the government, would overprice on purpose constructions to receive more money from regional and national banks, stealing and distributing the money among other members of the scheme through an allowance system. The main organizers of everything were the economist and former Governor of the Bank of Belmonte Gerônimo Braga, who ensured that the money would go to these constructions, and the former infrastructure secretary during Rosa's administration Malvo Pasquini, which was responsible for ensuring the construction of these works. Besides the two, deputies and senators from the National Congress would approve this money, with various former governors from several provinces also being investigated right now. However, the most shocking news was revealed by the judge herself, who said that the prime minister had total knowledge of every corruption activity, but decided to do nothing to maintain a solid base in the congress:

"Regarding Maurino, we have clear evidence that the prime minister knew everything, all activities made by such a criminal group, but decided to do nothing for the sake of maintaining a solid parliamentary base inside her party and inside congress."

Other individuals that knew about the group are the secretary of justice and public security Sérgio Guerra, his predecessor Luís-Henrique Guimarães, the secretary of infrastructure and energy Lourenço Pontes and the secretary of waters and ports Tasso Cardoso.

In response to today's discoveries, a spokesperson of the presidency of the republic announced outside Mascarenhas Palace that the president "absolutely condemns any act of corruption" and said that if he is useful for the continuation of the operation, he is willing to be heard by the Federal Police. Rita Maurino, in turn, said in a social network soon after the end of the conference that every accusation against her is "totally false", stating that she doesn't know about any corruption scheme and even went into attacking the judge Mesquita, accusing her of being a "reactionary that uses her power to destroy a legitimate government." Secretary Guerra said through a simple message released to the press that he didn't have any knowledge about this scheme and said that today's declarations show that the Federal Police is "working in favour of the true corrupt establishment against us, from the left", ending the letter promising that he will try to revert the operation. Both secretaries Pontes and Cardoso, as well as Luís-Henrique Guimarães, refused to answer when Diário tried to contact them.

The deputy prime minister and foreign secretary Graça Fonseca, however, took a surprising posture, attacking her ally and her cabinet members by saying that she "was wrong by knowing everything and making nothing, which could cost the election that was certain to end in a great victory to our coalition," dividing, even more, her group, the radical socialists, with Maurino's more moderate leftists. Although this doesn't necessarily mean the immediate end of the PDS-BS coalition, it's highly likely that it will not survive the next months independent of electoral results.

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by **Beumontte** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:23 pm

» Election 2020: the official results
» Both UCN and PSD suffer heavy defeats while the Socialist Bloc emerges as the winner of the night

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Apr 28, 2020 | Castelonovo

CASTELONOVO - After a long night, the Electoral Committee announced the official results of the 2020 general election, showing a historic outcome never seen in Belmontese history. The Socialist Bloc, after staying 20 years behind the PSD as a junior partner and without bigger expectations about tonight, became the party with the largest number of seats in the National Congress and, according to internal information sent to Diário, will form a minority government with the far-left Social Workers' Party under the confidence and supply of the Green Party instead of making a deal with Maurino's PSD, mostly because of new revelations released by Operation Cláudia which shows that the government knew about the corruption scheme. Thus, it's highly likely that the current deputy PM, foreign secretary and socialist leader Graça Fonseça will become Belmonte's next prime minister, being the second person of her party and the second woman to be elected to the office.

See below the new composition of the National Congress compared with the previous general election in 2015:

Social Democratic Party - 36 seats (-61)
National Conservative Union - 37 seats (-21)
Socialist Bloc - 63 seats (+50)
Social Workers' Party - 26 seats (+23)
Green Party - 14 seats (+10)
Sotirian Democrats - 21 seats (+8)
Citizens' Alliance - 3 seats (-4)
People's Centrist Union - 1 seat (-7)
National Movement - 5 seats (+2)

Now, president Villa-Lobos will meet with every party leader to form a government and an opposition, however, it's already clear that the Socialist Bloc and its leader Graça Fonseca will lead the country. Meanwhile, in the streets, the climate is of joy and happiness from radical socialists, communists and environmentalists but disappointment among UCN's supporters and rage inside the PSD, where the prime minister Maurino said that will only say anything about the election results tomorrow, where it's likely that she will do her resignation speech. Independent of results, today's election will be known in history for having one of the biggest and most dramatic twists already seen in the world, with the new administration having to face the upcoming political and economic crisis caused by Operation Cláudia.

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by **Inhorto** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:50 pm

SAN ESTEBAN TO PROHIBIT HEALTHCARE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS, TRANSGENDERS
The Assembly of San Esteban, a state of Auratia, has voted to prohibit hospitals and healthcare providers from discriminating against patients on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

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FELIX LASCARA
(@FlxLascara12)
^{30 April 2020 10:00| Villadad, San Esteban, Auratia}

Members of the Sotirian Federation and National Front walked out of the San Esteban Assembly chamber after the vote

VILLADAD, SAN ESTEBAN — In a decision celebrated as a major step forward for LGBT rights in Auratia, the Assembly of San Esteban, the country's second-most populous state after La Virtud, has voted to prohibit healthcare discrimination against members of the LGBTI community. The decision, though widely expected, has been lauded and criticized by politicos and private citizens across the country. San Esteban will become the second state in Auratia, Iustia Nova being the first, to protect LGBTI+ individuals from any form of discrimination on the part of private individuals or organizations.

The Miguel Vasques Act, the law in question, prohibits both public and private healthcare institutions from denying healthcare or stay to any person on account of sexual orientation, sexual preference, or gender identity. Institutions and practitioners that refuse to comply face fines or losing their state license, according to the law.

The law is named after Miguel Vasques, a San Estebanian who was denied access to medical treatment for an ulcer on account of his open homosexuality. Mr. Vasques's private practice refused to admit him, citing erroneous fears that Mr. Vasques would "transmit AIDS" and exploit children. The practice's decision was supported by religious freedom laws that allowed private institutions, including healthcare providers and clinics, to deny homosexuals access to treatment on account of religious beliefs. Vasques died of gastrointestinal bleeding on 18 November 2007. Most experts agree that had he received medical attention, he would have likely survived.

The bill's author, Assemblywoman Sofía Mandes (Liberal), celebrated the Assembly's decision to adopt the law as a great leap forward in treating gays, lesbians, and transgenders as people. "In no developed country should someone's sexuality preclude them from receiving adequate healthcare. In no Sotirian country nonetheless," Mandes said on the Assembly floor.

Auratia has long been criticized for denying homosexuals and trangenders protection against healthcare discrimination, especially by other members of the Euclean Community. According to the Euclean Monitor, Auratia "has a long and sordid history of denying LGBTQI individuals basic access to healthcare needs."

The measure passed the Assembly 56-39. The measure was introduced to committee on 8 September 2019 but was stalled for the duration of the Assembly's Christmas recess. Originally a private member's bill, it was quickly adopted by the government of Governor Julio Brion, Liberal. Governor Brion has advocated for greater protection for LGBTI individuals and is seen as somewhat close to LGBTI leaders in Villadad, the state's capital. The bill was reported out of committee on 28 January and has since been the subject of rancorous debate on the Assembly floor.

Supported by the Labour Party, Governor Brion was able to cobble together the votes to pass the bill. He received near-unanimous support from his own party, the Liberals, as well as sharp condemnation from the Sotirian Federation and the National Front. Opposition Leader Nazario Ballarino (SF), who was among those that walked out, condemned the bill as "an affront on our Sotirian values" and "an overreach of state government authority."

A modest crowd celebrated the decision on the steps of the Assembly building. Petrona Amparan, leader of March for Equality Villadad, praised the Assembly's decision but lamented that more could be done. "We're still fighting an uphill battle, and there's a high mountain left to climb. We're inching closer to equality every day."

The reactions in Cienflores, the nation's capital, have likewise been mixed. The Auratian Senate, controlled by the Sotirian Federation under Prime Minister Germán del Caserío, is unlikely to pass legislation protecting LGBTI rights any time soon. In a comment to a La Manco reporter, del Caserío said that he was "disappointed in the outcome." Leader of the Opposition Camilo Aro (Liberal) called the decision "a step in the right direction." Aro is reportedly interested in introducing similar legislation on the federal level.

The decision by the Liberal Party to support anti-discrimination legislation in state legislatures is considered in some circles as a litmus test to determine whether the Liberal Party should formally include supporting LGBTI rights in its party platform. Although many local affiliates and branches have inched towards more progressive views, the Liberal Party's national leadership has been indecisive on the issue of gay rights. Although most Auratians (74%) disapprove of gay marriage, more and more voters — especially millennials — have expressed charitable views on issues like banning anti-gay discrimination or allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the armed forces. Support on the regional/state level may, according to some analysts, translate into the Liberal Party adopting a nation-wide platform of supporting gay rights, a position that would have been inconceivable twenty or even ten years ago.

"Times are changing, folks. We must either adapt or get buried in the dust," said Assemblywoman Mandes.

Felix Lascara is a staff writer at La Manco.

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by **Slirnija** » Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:00 pm

by **Eskaeba** » Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:34 am

by **Beumontte** » Fri May 01, 2020 2:01 pm

» BREAKING NEWS: Maurino will officially resign on May 4th
» After five years in power, the prime minister announces her resignation after major defeat at yesterday's election

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Apr 29, 2020 | Castelonovo

The Prime Minister announcing her resignation this
morning.

CASTELONOVO - After a historic but disastrous election night for the government, the prime minister Rita Maurino announced today in a press conference broadcasted by the EBC in the Bensafrim House her intention of resigning in both the offices of chief of government and leader of the PSD, officially ending her tenure after staying five years in power. There were present in the conference her entire cabinet, including surprisingly her foreign secretary and future prime minister Graça Fonseca, as well as deputies, senators and supporters in general, with the speech itself gaining national attention over the entire course of the day.

The speech lasted an hour and not only covered her government trajectory but her entire political life as well, from her first activism campaigns while she was a recently graduated lawyer specialized in labour rights until her office as governor of Favônia in the 2000s and consequently through her prime ministership, ending the conference in a very thrilling way. While speaking about her government, Maurino emphasized the improvement of workers' rights, stating that her administration was "the only one in history that spent most of its time working in favour of the poor to treat them with dignity" quoting as an example the various increases in the minimum wage and the approval and expansion of more broad labour rights. The prime minister also talked about her projects against poverty and illiteracy, saying that the development of Belmonte was "the base and driving force of every government plan" and ended it by attacking what she claims to be a "conspiracy that overthrew a legitimate government," the Operation Cláudia, reiterating that she wasn't involved or knew any corruption scheme, saying that "they have been successful in overthrowing me and making me a corrupt person through lies, but they will never end our struggle against poverty and inequality."

After the end of her speech, some of her allies went into the pulpit to express similar messages of support. The secretary of finances and the treasury Patrício Buarque, who is a cabinet member since 2016, said that she was "one of the best individuals to occupy the office of prime minister in history" but wished good luck for the new socialist government. Nevertheless, one of the biggest surprises of this morning was the next prime minister, Graça Fonseca, participating in the event and even addressing a brief speech about her days after criticizing her position regarding Operation Cládia and the fact of doing almost nothing to contain the corruption inside the government. Fonseca said that Maurino made a "wonderful and historic job to improve the living conditions of Belmonte" and that "she will be known in history as a good leader," receiving many applauses in response.

Now, the prime minister will officially resign on May 4th, a date which the new National Congress will meet for the first time to vote for the confidence of Graça Fonseca that it's likely to be approved. Soon after, president Villa-Lobos will appoint Fonseca to the office, and she will assume in the next day. About the party leadership, after her resignation, the deputy leader Ricardo Pontes will be in charge of a caretaker leadership until a new winner emerges from the party election scheduled to happen next month. Despite being too early, many believe that the FM Arthur Rossi will be the winner of the dispute.

Although the stock markets still react negatively and she leaves the office in a very disturbing moment with many corruption charges, a quick poll made by the EBC shows that almost 40% of the population sees in a positive way the Maurino era and its legacy, being one of the most popular prime ministers of the 21st century.

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by **Union of Akoren** » Sat May 02, 2020 6:09 pm

Audacious ILR cripples regime navy warship in stunning missile attack
A puppet regime frigate has been successfully crippled by two anti-ship missiles fired from Qadessiyah Province, slapping the Euclean controlled govt

Nasta Kovaleva (@alMuqawama)
03 May 2020 | Sidi Amar, Free Tsabara

Soldiers of the Irfanic Liberation and Resistance forces have scored its first blow against the regime’s navy after one of its frigates off Qadessiyah was struck by a missile. The vessel was engulfed in flames, which lit up the horizon. The images of the burning warship, widely believed for indiscriminate and merciless bombardments of ILR held areas in the province, have since gone viral across the internet.”

Fishermen caught the moment the missiles struck on camera, which has since gone viral

An ILR statement online said, “let the squatter regime in Adunis know that we can strike them even at sea. We will wage this great war in all settings until the free, just and godly rule in Adunis over the corpses of the puppet regime.”

According to a triumphant statement by an ILR spokesman, who spoke within minutes of the first images appearing online gave a detailed account of the victory at sea.

“Over the past several days, ILR forces in Qadessiyah have been struck by missile bombardments. Initially we believed these to be the work of the regime’s air force, but use of radar systems, we determined it was coming from the sea. In response, ILR recon forces observed and located one of the vessels responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.

“The ILR supreme command ordered its immediate destruction, and with the ILR possessing the means and know how to complete such a task, special units were deployed to the coast. And only some hours ago, three anti-ship missiles were fired at the offending vessel, with two striking the ship. It was swiftly engulfed in flames and slowly limped away” he said.

“This was a direct action that surely slapped the face of Qutayni and his squatter regime. We have reminded the regime and its forces of death that the ILR can and will defend itself. And by the grace of God we will sink more ships dare they strike our land again” he concluded.

Other statements and rumours include a popular claim that the missiles were aided by information provided by fisherman. This claim was further fuelled by the viral footage and images of the missile strike appearing to come from a small boat.

The spokesman refused to give detail but assured viewers, “all people of Tsabara who stand with us do in the bravest and loyal of ways. This unity is what send Al-Qutayni and his cabal of foreign puppets into the Sea.”

It is not known how many regime sailors were killed or injured in the successful strike. The vessel appeared to remain afloat after the strike, though it listed and bellowed out smoke.

The missile strike follows a series of successes against the puppet regime’s pathetic air force, with three aircraft shot down by the indomitable Irfanic Liberation and Resistance over the past two weeks. The free nation was also buoyed by news that over 30,000 volunteers had been trained and deployed to the Fronts, to assist already present forces in destroying the forces of Euclean imperialism.

In response to the ship strike, Sheik Faizan Salah said online, “everyday the puppets realise they cannot finish this war, soon, they will realise they cannot win.”

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by **Nuvania** » Sat May 02, 2020 8:21 pm

Financial Crimes Office Raids Bank Of The Orient Headquarters

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Tilana Stander (@Tilana Stander)
3 May (1:30pm)|PIETERSBURG

Special Tactics Unit (STA) officers during the raid.

The Financial Crimes Office (FCO) has launched a raid at the corporate headquarters of the Nuvanian branch of embattled Imaguan banking giant, the Bank of the Orient, after it had received information regarding the bank had both committed and facilitated illicit financial criminal activities related to a newly opened investigation, and an existing investigation which resulted in the issuing of arrest warrants.

The raid comes just over two weeks after the Special Operations Task Force of Nuxica's Civil Guard raided the Nuxican headquarters of the Bank of the Orient regarding alleged financial misconduct. In addition, it was revealed in January that the bank had played a role in the laundering of €7 billion, with the money having links to organised criminal organisations.

FCO spokeswoman Stephanie Hall said at a midday press conference that the raid had been initiated after the FCO was investigating alleged insider trading involving five members of the executive board of mining giant Alkmaar, as well as being asked to investigate alleged criminal activity involving using the bank to facilitate bribery of public officials in the appeal launched by former Chief Minister Robert Marten in response to the non-confidence vote passed on April 15.
"We have multiple instances in which the Bank of the Orient has, at the very least, been implicated in facilitating illicit financial transactions," she said. "These instances, especially in the Alkmaar case, are known to have used the bank to facilitate these transactions and therefore require further investigation."

She said that she was also working with her counterparts in Nuxica to ascertain whether any illicit financial activites involving Nuvanians had been uncovered by their investigation into the bank. In addition, she had also contacted the Federal Police in Belmonte to offer assistance and acquire information about illicit payments through the Bank of the Orient to Belmontese officials. However, the bank has so far not come under the scrutiny of the Federal Police, who launched Operation Cláudia, the largest anti-corruption operation in Belmontese history, last week.

The raid began at ten this morning when National Police officials and members of the Special Tactics Unit (STA) entered the corporate offices in central Pietersburg, cordoning off Bowen Street and Viljoen Road in order to prepare for the raid. Hall said that National Police were present to both assist the FCO in its seizure of documents and computer servers, as well as issue arrest warrants for certain bank staff. She also said that the Special Tactics Unit was present to "execute the swift arrest of individuals of interest without incident".

By midday a large crowd had gathered at the police cordon. Witnesses reported that dozens of boxes containing files and papers had been removed from the building, along with at least two computer servers. They also said over a dozen people had been lead out of the building in handcuffs, with some of then taken away in the back of a police van. Bank staff were seen leaving the building distraught and in shock. One woman, who requested that Die Vrystaat not use her name, said that the police pointed a firearm at her and ordered her to open up a filing cabinet.
"He yelled at me and told me to 'open the f----ing filing cabinet'," she said. "So I did and another person came and removed all of the files inside. I was in tears I was so scared."

Bank of the Orient's Nuvanian operations spokesman, Johnathan Trimbole, said that the Bank of the Orient was "willing and eager" to work with the FCO regarding the conduct of the bank and its customers.
"The Bank of the Orient has conducted its business in Nuvania in accordance with Nuvanian financial laws, and in an open and transparent manner," he said. "We will work with the Nuvanian authorities to determine whether or not our customers have betrayed our trust and used our services to commit criminal activity." However, he would not comment on the raid, stating that neither he nor the bank itself would comment on an ongoing investigation.

Revelations of involvement in money laundering and two investigations into the Bank of the Orient have once again put the spotlight on the banking laws and practices of Imaguan banks, which according to the Professor of International Studies at the University of Pietersburg, Samuel Hofmeyr, have garnered a reputation as being "safe havens for criminals and corrupt politicians".
"Imaguan banks have notoriously strict privacy policies which means any investigations into them are very difficult," he said. "The lax banking laws in Imagua also make it very easy to facilitate these banks and offshore account holders to pour billions of euclos into Imagua each year, tax free." He said that banking reform was a "point of contention" domestically in Imagua and the Assimas, and with increasing evidence of foreign governments and businesspeople using Imaguan banks to commit financial crimes or facilitate criminal activities, it could become a point of contention among friendly governments.
"There's been a gentlemen's agreement of sorts regarding Imaguan banking policy and friendly governments, especially in the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation (AFDC)," he said. "Given that the largest investigation so far has come from a non-AFDC country, the outcome of this investigation could see the AFDC decide to part with Imaguan government over the protection of Imaguan banks and banking policies."

FCO spokeswoman Stephanie Hall said that the FCO's subsequent investigation into the Bank of the Orient had been taking some time, and said that the speed of the investigation would "take some time".
"We've got a lot of information to sort through," she said. "The length will be determined by how much we find."

She said that the investigation and the raid was not about repairing the image of the FCO in light of allegations of political collusion made during the extradition appeal made by the lawyers of Frans de Jongh, the former Alkmaar CEO.
"We are an independent government law enforcement agency," she said. "We can and will act to enforce financial laws and arrest wrongdoers in Nuvania."

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by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Sat May 02, 2020 9:09 pm

DLP GOVERNMENT TO TIGHTEN REGULATIONS ON BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS
After two separate raids conducted against Bank of the Orient, Prime Minister Egnell considers tightening leash

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TYRA HOWARD (@TyraHoward)
3 May, 2020 15:10 IST | CUANSTAD, CITY OF

Douglas Egnell at a press conference on 3 May, 2020

Hours after the Bank of the Orient's Nuvanian headquarters got raided by the Nuvanian Financial Crimes Office, just weeks after its Nuxican headquarters was raided, Prime Minister Douglas Egnell declared that "it is time to consider tightening regulations on our country's banks and credit unions."

"The raids against the Bank of the Orient's operations in Nuxica, and in Nuvania, is a damning indictment on our country's banking system, and a stain on our country's reputation," Egnell said. "The Bank of the Orient has used our banking laws, time and time again, to protect the money robbed by corrupt officials from their own people, and to protect the money taken by criminals at the expense of their victims."

"Thus, it is time to consider tightening regulations on our country's banks and credit unions," Egnell declared. "This government will table a bill to tighten our country's banking industry at some point in this mandate, and we will hold the banks and credit unions on this island accountable for their activities."

Dalmazio Pasquarello, MP for Ineweyu-Guardia, and the leader of the Movement for a New Imagua, criticised the speech, saying "Imaguans are demanding action now. They do not want to wait for some indeterminate period of time for a bill that may never get through! Therefore, I pledge that when we return to work tomorrow, the Movement for a New Imagua will table a bill to significantly tighten regulations on the banks, and hold them to account!"

No comment can be reached from either the Green Party, National Party, or the Bank of the Orient at this point in time.

Comments [ 42,069 ] |

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by **Union of Akoren** » Sun May 03, 2020 12:31 pm

Union-Government to recognise Garamburan interim government and offers aid programme after Euclean pullout
^{EHSAN DEYGANZADEH, FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT}
^{Yekshanbeh: 14. Ordibehesht 1399 |Zahedan}

The Union-Government has offered to “assist the development of Garambura” following Euclea’s “callous and tiresome withdrawal” in response to the legitimate act by the Garamburan military to remove from power a corrupt and dangerous leader.

File photo State President Vahid Isfandiar spoke to General Gatamba over the phone.

According to a statement released by the Supreme Leadership, State President Vahid Isfandiar had spoken on the telephone to CRN chairman, General Jean Paul Gatamba, assuring him, that “the Union stood ready to offer any and all assistance required at this time, let alone be ready to provide the good people of Garambura the aid and assistance, Euclea so eagerly used to control and domineer, without prejudice or demand.”

He further said to the interim leader of Garambura, “Zorasan is prepared to provide the aid Euclea so wickedly stole away, without precondition. All developing nations are deserving of assistance, especially since any issues of development stand as the legacy of colonialism.”

The State President also informed Gatamba that his government would receive full recognition from the Union and that Xiaodong would likely follow in coming days.

The Chief-General of the Garamburan armed forces, Jean Paul Gatamba and his National Restoration Council seized power following certified claims that President Anesu Madhuku had rigged the election to secure his tenure.

In response, the Euclean nations and their Euclean Community suspended all economic aid to the country in protest of the overthrow of a corrupt leader. However, the move in turn was widely condemned in Zorasan, where Foreign Minister Saeed Rasfanjani in an address to the Popular Assembly several days ago said, “we find the repeated actions and behaviour of Euclea in Bahia to be repetitive as it is tiresome. The hubris and arrogance of Euclea in Bahia is only matched by the short-sightedness of their diplomacy of pettiness.”

First Minister Farzad Akbari commented in the same session, “It is most likely that the Eucleans sought to strip the needy and dispossessed of Garambua regardless. They would have stripped aid away if Madhuku’s rigging was confirmed and on the flip side they strip aid away because Madhuku was punished.”

The First Minister went on to say further, “if the developing nations of Coius cannot rely upon the recompense of Euclea for colonialism, then they can surely rely on the free nations of Coius to aid them in their stead.”

Concern for the economies of Bahia have been deepened in recent months following the outbreak of civil war in Tsabara, where rebel forces seized the eastern half of the Trans-Bahian Railway inside Tsabara. While rebel forces under Sheik Faizan Salah have sworn to keep the railroads open for Bahian exports, out of “anti-imperial solidarity”, the railway is likely to become devastated through war. Numerous other rebel groups, notably Al-Isbah have sworn to “destroy the lifeline of the regime.” It is understood that members of the Superior Council are exploring options for assisting Bahian countries to circumvent the need for the TBR. One option being considered is offering major investment into Bahian ports, or modernising sections of the Mabifian rail network to enable Bahian states to export through Zorasan.

©SABRP. 2020

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by **Eskaeba** » Sun May 03, 2020 1:10 pm

About me · by **Luziyca** » Sun May 03, 2020 1:45 pm

TSURU MAWERE URGES FIRMS TO GO WEST
With Garambura realigning itself to ROSPO, Mutungamiri Tsuru Mawere urges firms and businesses to go to Rwizikuru

Mutungamiri Tsuru Mawere visiting a corporate HQ in Port Fitzhubert

Gondo Chikwava | 3 MAY, 2020 14:30 | PORT FITZHUBERT, RWIZIKURU

Today, Mutungamiri Tsuru Mawere announced a plan to encourage businesses to invest in Rwizikuru, and for businesses currently based in Garambura to move into Rwizikuru, expressing fears that they might be caught in the crossfire between COMSED, the Euclean Community, and ROSPO, as Garambura's new regime is facing isolation from among the EC.

Tsuru Mawere said that "we have heard reports of murungu-owned businesses being attacked because of who they are, we have heard news of prominent Garamburans being afraid to express their views, and with the recent decision by Zorasan and Xiaodong to send aid to replace the EC aid, I imagine most in the Garamburan business community are concerned that they will suffer as they lose access to some of their important trading partners."

"After having consulted with the cabinet, and having discussed alternatives to encourage Garamburan businesses and firms to the Kingdom of Rwizikuru, we are going to encourage Garamburan-based businesses to move their operations to Rwizikuru," Mawere declared. "Our regulations are such that we can ensure that there will be economic growth that will trickle down to even the poorest Rwizikuran, we have easier access to the world market than Garambura, and there will be zero chance of any political unrest in our country."

"All you need to do is go west across the Gonda and the mountains," Mawere said. "We will help you set up your new home, so that you will do better here than if you stayed in Garambura."

Comments [ 8,686 ] |

by **Liecthenbourg** » Sun May 03, 2020 4:51 pm

Lambert reaffirms aid will return after civilian rule is restored.
Gaullica's Foreign Minister, Sylvain Lambert, says "aid was never going to be indefinitely removed".

Antoinette Giroud
May 3rd 2020|Verlois, Gaullica

The Foreign Minister called claims this was indefinite "misleading, false and damaging".
Photo courtesy of courteous photography.

Verlois, Gaullica -

As ROSPO states, notably Zorasan and Xiaodong, propose to pick up the developing aid-deficit in Garambura, Gaullica's Foreign Minister has reiterated to General Gatamba that aid being cut is not "indefinite". The government has quick to reaffirm that position, with numerous Euclean states backing the motion that would re-institute development aid on the condition a civilian government is restored.

'The Garamburan' reported that General Gatamba will accept Zoroasani and Xiaodongese aid with open arms. The Garamburan general reaffirmed his commitments to existing Garamburan-Euclean relations, specifically that of Gaullica, but told the world that he would not shy away from aid being offered to his country.

The row between Mutimukuru and Verlois has left an economic uncertainty in the country, with Premier Tsuru Mawere of Rwizikuru urging businesses in Garambura to reorient themselves to his nation. This atmosphere of economic uncertainty, critics of the government have said, has left Garambura with little choice but to accept aid from ROSPO.

"We urge General Gatamba to reconsider his acceptance of ROSPO aid; particularly as Zorasan has been a key force in destabilising much of Coius," Foreign Minister Lambert announced today. "One only need to look at Tsabara to see where their generosity in economic aid lends itself. Furthermore, as a state that is conducting itself in an increasingly rogue way, particularly over AEC inspectors and the potential acquisition of illegal nuclear weapons, associating with Zahedan will do nothing but to delegitimise any civilian institution resurrected by the General when the time arrives."

The Foreign Minister called out attempts to disregard this as a fact as "incredibly dangerous" and that it was "blatantly misleading". She said that those who were arguing Gaullica would cut developmental aid entirely were "misleading the public". She added that Gaullica had been a "strong voice for Garambura in the Community and the Internal Council of Democracy" but warned Gatamba that "further delays would make this task harder."

Euclean foreign ministers have also reiterated their commitments to the restoration of development funds to Garambura, pending a restoration of civilian government.

It has been reported that President Vallette also reached out to General Gatamba. Whilst the specifics of such a call are not known, it is widely suspected that the President strongly recommended that he reinstate civilian rule to his country. The President did confirm such a call took place and said that conversations between Verlois and Mutimukuru would continue.

Comments [ 15,678 ] |

15,678 comments

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by **Tusing** » Mon May 04, 2020 3:51 pm

by **Eskaeba** » Tue May 05, 2020 1:21 pm

by **Minilov** » Wed May 06, 2020 1:44 pm

Exhausted bus drivers protest working conditions

MALJUBAV, Minilov -- The drivers of the local public bus transport in Maljubav, the company M-Promet, filed a complaint against their working conditions. Drivers work until midnight and begin the next morning at 6 AM. They argue the company isn't respecting their legally prescribed 12-hour break.

The collective working agreement states that drivers are entitled to a break of at least eight hours between working shifts. The drivers, who wish to remain anonymous, claim that they often had to work the evening shift until midnight and then arrive in the morning shift around 6 or 7 o'clock and were unable to rest. They asked for justice in a report to their union representative. The union later filed a misdemeanour report with the Labour Court in Maljubav.

Earlier today the union commissioners of the two unions operating within M-Promet met with the director Štanco Igorev. The union commissioners requested a strict adherence to the company’s collective agreement, where a daily shift of 8 hours is followed by a break of 12 hours.

Director Igorev disagreed, stating that: "In our collective agreement, it is stated that the break should be 12 hours. But in article 189.B of the Labour Act, it is stated that the break can be shorter for employees in public transport. We will start harmonizing our collective agreement with the law so that the break is eight hours." Both parties left the meeting without coming to an agreement.

Union commissioners commented that: "This problem is systematic and widespread in M-Promet. The complaint was signed by 73 drivers, of which about 40 are union members. We will speak with them immediately after this interview and discuss our collective position."

Director Igorev declined our interview but released a press statement. "No one is in favour of changing the working shifts. This legislation was decided by the national assembly, which answer only to the people." The statement added that "M-Promet drivers work six days a week, less than eight hours a day, with many daily breaks."

Based on the anonymous report, the Transport Minister Mr Dobravoda Tolleb will perform an inspection and compile a report. The minister commented that: "The procedure is ongoing. We will comment once the Labour Court announces a legal ruling."

If it turns out that they violated the regulations, M-Promet faces a fine of 30.000 to 60.000 rubles.

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Exhausted bus drivers protest working conditions

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