National Frievolker Broadcast [IC NEWS] [READ ONLY]

by **Frievolk** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 1:39 pm

Newsletter from 13 December

De Nationalstaat
Third day of Election Over: New Fursthaus organized.
Hess van Dyne (@hessvandyne)
^{13 December 2018 15:45 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

At exactly 12 a.m. of 13 December, the First phase of the Election Week has officially ended. Of the 115,004,461 registered potential voters, 89,980,003 have cast their vote (bringing the exact turnout to 78%), and the 64 new democratically elected Fursts have joined the 16 Hereditary Princes to form the new Fursthaus.

Close to the pre-electoral predictions, KPF, and APF control the largest numbers of seats with The Constitutionalists controlling 27, three less than what they did in the last election while the Absolutists are two down at 18. Surprisingly, the former minor opposition in the Grand Imperial Party has taken the third largest number of seats with 12. Talks of a new Coalition between the Constitutionalists and the Grand Imperial Party have started, though it will not be confirmed or denied until 18th of December, when the new Diät is officially formed.

De Lokale
Frievolk, Germany, Iberia warn France to contain its Yellow Vests after 7 similar riots occur in said countries.
Alex Pervaut (@pervautalex)
^{11 December 2018 17:45 | Paris, France}

The Yellow Vests movement (French: Mouvement des gilets jaunes) is a socio-political and economic movement that began demonstrating in open public protests in France on 17 November 2018. Generally Motivated by rising fuel prices, the high cost of living and claims that a disproportionate burden of the government's tax reforms were falling on the working and middle classes (especially those in rural and peri-urban areas), protesters have called for reductions in fuel taxes, the reintroduction of the solidarity tax on wealth, the raising of the minimum wage, and the resignation of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

While originally peaceful, the protests- particularly in Paris- deviated into riot and violence and in true French tradition, spread to the neighboring countries as well. German Alsace, as well as our very own Sudseit Dover and the Belgian Walloon (both territories with a relatively large French minorities) along with the Border regions in Iberian Occitania and Aquitaine have all seen similarly-themed protests over somewhat similar affairs. Threatened that a new wave of protests may destabilize Europe -not to mention, deviate into national-exclusionist rhetoric or worse-, France's European neighbors have repeatedly demanded the French government to "Deal with" the situation as quickly as possible. Given the WA Resolution on "State Conduct against Demonstrations", however, it is not possible for France to deal with the situation in the manner it usually does (that is to say, with Water cannons, brutal suppression, and arbitrary arrest) without any political consequences in an International scene.

The most recent of these protests, in the Frievolker Calais, led to 756,000Ƒ in public property damage, as well as 7 people injured in the protests themselves.

MORE HEADLINES

Bruxel Today: New City Regulation law limits city populations to 600,000 in Belgium.
Emma Goldstein (@egoldstein)
^{12 December 2018 17:30 | Bruxel, Frievolker Empire}
De Reikszeit: NLZ-Eins Lunar Center to be added five more wings, receive more funding and personnel.
Hess van Dyne (@hessvandyne)
^{13 December 2018 13:00 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
Beruner Post: India joins Entente, debates rejoining to the Imperial Federation.
John Brown (@verifiedbrown)
^{13 December 2018 10:20 | Colombo, British Empire}
Alltägs Ökonom: Russia, China halt all diplomatic relations with Fararud, have recalled diplomats. "The Entente will react accordingly if the integrity of any of her members is violated" British P.M. May comments.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{11 December 2018 21:30 | Tehran, Iran}
Karribik Leben: Gunman opens fire in a cathedral in Campinas, Brazil. Kills four before committing suicide.
Jose García (@josegarcia)
^{13 December 2018 11:45 | Campinas, Brazil}

by **Frievolk** » Fri Dec 14, 2018 2:32 pm

Newsletter from 15 December 2018

De Nationalstaat
Dominions of South Africa, Aden formed. Kuwait still under direct rule.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{15 December 2018 10:30 | Kapstadt, Frievolker Empire}

As the readers know, the Frievolker possessions in Southern Africa, carved out of the African Union following the Everlasting victory nine days ago, were unified into the Dominion of Zudafrika, with the elections for the civil government under way. While military government will remain in the region until stability has been successfully brought to the region, the direct rule is expected to be dissolved on 20th of December with the new, Elected government established instead. The site formerly called The Presidential Palace (the African Head of State's place of residence) in Johannesburg is under repurposing to be used as the future Reiksdirektor's place of residence.

But not all is going quite as peacefully. Thousands of the residents of Zudafrika have gone to protests, many already fear they may fall under a new Apartheid State. Despite reassurance from the Military and Civil governments that no such thing may happen, more than 300,000 in Johannesburg have been in protest ever since the treaty of Baghdad, with at least 9 million more protesters in the other cities of the new Dominion. In fact, more than half of these protesters have demanded 'either let us out of this apartheid or get out of here!', which may be the first demand to be met.

See Also:
De Kapsherold: African-Zudafrikan treaty to exchange the mistreated Cacausian citizens of African Union with Zudafrican Blacks meets high support from both demographics.
Nederstjille Welle: Evangelist missions to Aden, Kuwait, sanctioned by the United Nederstjill Church.

De Frie Klub
DEMOCRACY UNDER THREAT! WA-funded Economist Intelligence Unit release Democracy Index of 2018.
Frank Gurner (@frankgurner)
^{14 December 2018 11:30 | Albany, New England Commonwealth}

The Economist Intelligence Unit, a group of economic and socio-political international researchers funded by the World Assembly revealed the Democracy Index of the year 2018 a few hours ago:

Nation Name Score Difference Status
The Republic of Norway 9.78 State formed Full Democracy
The Swiss Cofederation 9.73 -0.05 Full Democracy
The Commonwealth of New England 9.65 +0.12 Full Democracy
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth 9.43 -0.01 Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Sweden 9.39 State formed Full Democracy
The United States of America 9.34 -0.005 Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Denmark 9.2 State formed Full Democracy
The Dutch Empire 9.05 +0.03 Full Democracy
The Empire of Brazil 9.01 -0.01 Full Democracy
The Austrian Empire 8.73 +0.23 Full Democracy
The Frievolker Empire 8.73 +0.37 Full Democracy
The United Communes of China 8.53 -0.06 Full Democracy
The Piedmont 8.43 -0.07 Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Greece 8.43 0.0 Full Democracy
The Democratic Republic of Federated Syria 8.37 State formed Full Democracy
The Imperial Federation of Britain 8.17 -0.23 Full Democracy
The Republic of Korea 8.00 +0.03 Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Romania 7.98 -0.03 Flawed Democracy
The German Empire 7.93 +0.04 Flawed Democracy
The Kingdom of Italy 7.9 +0.007 Flawed Democracy
The State of Israel 7.81 -0.14 Flawed Democracy
The Baltic Republic 7.52 -0.32 Flawed Democracy
The Kingdom of Colombia 7.43 +0.34 Flawed Democracy
The Australasian Confederation 7.38 +0.14 Flawed Democracy
The French Republic 7.35 -0.34 Flawed Democracy
The Bolivian Syndicate 7.32 +0.04 Flawed Democracy
The Republic of India 7.23 +0.01 Flawed Democracy
The Allied Republic of Iran 7.07 +5.04 Flawed Democracy
The Republic of Bulgaria 7.02 -0.04 Flawed Democracy
The Mexican Empire 6.85 -0.08 Flawed Democracy
The Republic of Croatia 6.62 -1.24 Flawed Democracy
The Iberian Empire 6.54 +0.34 Flawed Democracy
The Japanese Empire 6.45 -0.94 Flawed Democracy
The Territory of Kuban 6.06 +0.02 Flawed Democracy
Georgia 5.9 -1.2 Hybrid Regime
The Most Serene Republic of Venice 5.62 -3.2 Hybrid Regime
The North African Confederation 5.23 -1.6 Hybrid Regime
The Ukraine 5.12 -0.32 Hybrid Regime
The Republic of Turkey 4.5 -2.01 Hybrid Regime
The African Union 4.3 -2.07 Hybrid Regime
The South Arabian Federation 3.59 +1.2 Authoritarian Regime
The Kingdom of Siam 3.25 -0.49 Authoritarian Regime
The State of Belarus 3.1 -0.83 Authoritarian Regime
The Russian State 2.67 -0.93 Authoritarian Regime
Thule 2.12 0.0 Authoritarian Regime
The Sultanate of Egypt 1.83 +0.23 Authoritarian Regime
The Arabian Empire 1.67 +0.03 Totalitarian Regime
The Kingdom of Fararud 1.57 -0.01 Totalitarian Regime
The American Union 1.45 +0.03 Totalitarian Regime
The Principality of Serbia 1.32 -0.17 Totalitarian Regime
The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma 1.04 +0.02 Totalitarian Regime

The results show that the world has, over all, lost more than two whole scores (an entire rating status) in the last year, and if we ignore the random date of Iran, the majority of the states have become more authoritarian. This is, the EIU states, a dangerous trend that has been following since 2003.

MORE HEADLINES

Karibbik Leben: Libertalia, The American Union, Africa, United States, New England co-sign agreement to share currency.
Jose García (@josegarcia)
^{12 December 2018 17:45 | Castries, Frievolker Empire}
De Telegraf: German-Russian conflict over Sankt-Peterburg reignites after Russian politician refers to region as "Petrograd", calls for 'National Reintegration'
Iosif Mandalov (@josefmandalov)
^{11 December 2018 9:25 | St. Petersburg, German Empire}
Beruner Daily: Russia arms border with Kuban, Fararud. German Chancellor Merkel calls for Seigerpakt emergency meeting.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{13 December 2018 10:40| Berlin, German Empire}
Kish Express: Iranian Parliament to debate occupation of Georgia as a safeguard against Russian aggression.
Mina Zand (@minazand)
^{13 December 2018 13:50| Tehran, Iran}

by **Frievolk** » Mon Dec 17, 2018 12:45 pm

Newsletter from 18 December 2018

De Nationalstaat
Election Week ends, new government formed!
Hess van Dyne (@hessvandyne)
^{17 December 2018 12:00 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

The Election week officially ended on 12 a.m. of 18 December. With the last votes taken in, all official and legal Wählenplatze were closed down in 2 a.m., and the counting began. Official counting of the votes continued into later today, until the official results were released on 1 p.m.

Similar to the Fursthaus, the Constitutional and Absolutist Parties, each leader of the two main coalition of the country, hold the majority. Surprisingly, the Absolutist party holds almost half the seats of the Constitutional Party, which has employed a new Coalition as the Ruling faction of the country. Losing all of its old allies, the Constitutionalist Party (27,91) officially joined a coalition with the Grand-Imperial Party (12, 43) with 134 lower and 39 upper house seats under their control. The Absolutist Party (18,48), also losing its main ally, has formed a grand coalition against Constitutionalists holding Home and Culture (1,31), The Social Democratic Party (7,26), The Egalitarian Party (0, 23), and The Green Party (8,1) controlling 129 loewr and 34 upper house Seats.

The balance of the opposition is disheartening for the opponents to the current government, as it seems almost impossible for the Republicans, Absolutists, Social Democrats, and Ethno-National Royalists to be able to get into agreement over anything, even if they have all banded together as the "Loyal Opposition" of the Government.
The New Government has been formed and the new Sekretariatskabinett has been brought to the Diet for a vote. Chancellor Harlow, third term, is expected to deliver his Inaugural speech in 7 p.m.

See Also:
De Reikszeit: Chancellor Harlow promises "Less Aggression, More Precision" in Inauguration address.

Alltägs Ökonom
Post-Recon Generation more depressed than any other generation in recent 70 years.
Walter Hohzerbasch (@walterhohz)
^{16 December 2018 19:30 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

Recent polls only seem to admit and put on paper what millions of pharmacists, psychiatrists, teachers, parents, and even the generation in question themselves have been saying in various platforms. The Post-Reconstruction Generation is more depressed than any generation in the recent 72 years. In truth, the last generation to be as depressed and mentally problematic as those born between 1995 and 2000 are those who lived throughout the hellish era of the Second World War.

The generation in question dominates use of mental depressants, anti-depression medicine as well as medicine for various other mental disorders. five of every ten people diagnosed with a such disease are member of this generation, and suicide, harmful coping methods (such as physical self-harm) are almost rampant, both within schools, colleges, and in home. What is the reason, and what is the solution, nobody knows.

De Akademie
327 universities across the Occident debate: "Should Fan-fiction be considered a literary genre?"
Professor Ryan Leisson (@ryanleifsson)
^{17 December 2018 12:19 | New Haven, New England Commonwealth}

A total number of 327 diferent universities, colleges, and other institutes of higher education with viable and credentialled Literary Academia have once again set flame to the fires of a debate that has been on and off since the conception of modern "Fan Fiction" in 1967. Should "Fan-fiction" be considered an independent but equally valid genre of Literature?

MORE HEADLINES

Kish Express: Last Frievolker Contingents in Syria return home as stability returns with Assad toppled.
Ardalan Khamsi (@Ardalanv)
^{17 December 2018 12:00 | Damascus, Syria}
De Weltstimme: WA Votes on Military Intervention on Burma again, motion carries 30 to 19. The World Assembly to deliver an Ultimatum in the next twenty hours.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{18 December 2018 19:00 | New York City, New England Commonwealth}
De Adenslicht: Arabia to face population crisis as 50-51 million Arabs are banished from Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.
Herman Heßler (@hermanhessler)
^{17 December 2018 19:00 | Aden, Frievolker Empire}
De Frie Klub: Serbia, Romania, and Belarus only countries in EU to still have Blasphemy laws.
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{18 December 2018 10:00 | Wien, Austrian Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 1:43 pm

Newsletter from 23 December 2018

De Korrespondenz Arbeiters
Wave of Automation continues unhindered: 39 new private entities have laid off 1,219,900 more workers.
Ludwig van Hosen (@ludwigvanhosen)
^{23 December 2018 17:35 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

The Wave of Automation has left a great ruin on its path. More than one million laborers, almost consistently from the lower class (Point of Reference: those making an annual income less than 36,000Ƒ) have been laid off and forced into suckling the Government's proverbial teats as multiple Private Companies have decided on full automation.

The Government of the Frievolker Empire needs to address this scenario, in this writer's opinion, not by expanding welfare and bloating an already monstrous institution but by regulating Labor in a such manner that such a widespread abuse of laborers can not happen again.

See Also:
De Weltstimme: Austrian Imperial Council votes against Hungarian fringe politician's 'Slave Laws' unanimously.
De Frie Klub: Statue of Emperor Otto the Tyrant vandalized in the Altenplatz of Berun.

De Lokale
"We Pledge to Secularization" claims School district in Friewust as religion is purged out of 13 schools.
Kurt von Hangerfeld (@vonhangerfeld)
^{22 December 2018 11:10 | Friewust, Frievolker Empire}

A school district in the city of Friewust has, in a controversial move, began a full social purge of everything regarding religion in its jurisdiction. Old courses have been taken out of use and new books and lesson plans, all devoid of anything containing religion in any aspect, have replaced them. Classes about religion (including theology, which Akademie des Altenhart was famous for) have been dropped, and openly religious teachers have all been fired without pay. 9 former teachers have already taken the School District to Labor Court since the beginning of this so-called purge.

The School District Superintendent, Marie Kurfrient, announced in an interview that "We of Friewust pledge to secularization. The banishment of religion as a social institution from the academia is non-negotiable, doubly so when that academia is about impressionable children. I only hope that more of my fellow instructors will join me in this, and forgive me for using the term, crusade for better education."

MORE HEADLINES

Voice of the Frievolk: The Reiksdiät accepts Secretaries of State, Foreign Affairs, and Public Sphere. Negotiations over the remaining secretaries underway.
Hess van Dyne (@hessvandyne)
^{21 December 2018 10:25 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
Nederstjille Welle: De Ferienzeit starts in earnest as Yuletime observation begins in the Altenhain of Dakia.
Otto von Klau (@verifiedottoklau)
^{23 December 2018 19:45 | Dakia, Frievolker Empire}
De Telegraf: World Assembly delivers ultimatum to The State of Burma, Sovereign States begin mobilization.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{23 December 2018 15:45 | New York City, New England Commonwealth}
Beruner Post: Wien Memorial for victims of terrorism interrupted by terrorist attack.
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{23 December 2018 10:45 | Wien, Austrian Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:29 pm

Newsletter from 25 December 2018
We Wish you a Merry Christmas!

Bruxel Today
First contingent of 'Orbital Drop' units finish training.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{24 December 2018 11:45 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

As the world tension rises once again, the Spokesman of the Space Branch of The Imperial Warforce of Frievolk officially announced the introduction of a new Military Unit. Operational as of 25 December, the first batch of The affectionately dubbed "Spacemarines" finished training and were given official rank in their graduation ceremony a few hours ago.

Operating from Himmelsaugen and the 4 smaller stations under its command, the Spacemarines are the first units in human history to employ the tactic generally called "Orbital Drop", which is exactly what it sounds like. It is obvious that once the Infantry Armor reaches an operational stage with a capability to withstand an orbital drop, the Marines may be reequipped and repurposed, with their doctrine changed accordingly.

See Also:
De Nationalstaat: Imperial Military Shipyards in Klaumark, Berun rapidly expand in size.
De Telegraf: Mk. II Infantry Armor to see official use beginning in 8 January.

De Lokale
WA Begins debate on fate of Burma following a potential victory: Direct Rule by WA and Annexation by neighbors most popular options.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{25 December 2018 17:35 | New York City, New England Commonwealth}

As the reader knows, the World Assembly's motion to deliver an ultimatum to The State of Burma regarding its uncountable accounts of human rights violation, border aggression, and acts of criminal intent, most of which it has been employing since at least 1970. While the offending state ponders on whether or not to accept the Ultimatum, the World Assembly began debate on the possible fate of the latter in the event of a potential military victory following a potential refusal to adhere to the terms of the Ultimatum.

All nations, even the 14 that originally opposed the ultimatum in its entirety, have begun delivering suggestions. Thus far, there are two major suggestions. The German Empire, on behalf of the Victor's Pact, has suggested employing a temporary Direct Rule over the Territory of Burma, to be lifted once the World Assembly can be sure that the state can function without rogue action. The British Empire, on behalf of the Entente, openly suggests that as Myanmar has proven to the world that it is a Failed State, its is ceased to be legitimate, and thus should be ruled, permanently, by a different state under official annexation. Main Candidates for a proposed annexation are -not to this author's surprise- Siam and India, both The Imperial Federation's close allies.

Of course, all this is only in the event Burma does not accept to adhere to the -in all honesty, relatively tame- terms of the Ultimatum, but what happens next, we can only wait and see.

MORE HEADLINES

De Kapsherold: Rebuilding Process begins in Zudafrika, estimated to take 1.4 times the monetary reparations accepted in the Peace of Baghdad.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{25 December 2018 10:45 | Kapstadt, Frievolker Empire}
De Adenslicht: Israeli PM agrees to hold early election in April 2019.
Katrina von Metz-Harlow (@verifiedkatrinavonmetzharlow)
^{24 December 2018 17:29 | Jerusalem, Israel}
De Reikszeit: SHOWDOWN IN FARARUD: Russia, Iran, China begin invasion.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{25 December 2018 10:50| Tehran, Iran}

by **Frievolk** » Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:30 pm

Newsletter from 28 December 2018

Dakian Herald
Bus accident in Wissenplatz Friebaurn kills 10, injures 29. City in protest.
Abraham van Hanschfeld (@hanschfeldabraham)
^{27 December 2018 14:00 | Friebaurn, Frievolker Empire}

Ten people have been killed in a bus accident at Wissenplatz Friebaurn, the largest university in the city of Friebaurn and one of the ten largest and most prestigious in the Empire. The bus was carrying 40 students along a mountainous road within the Faculty of Polytechnic (Fakultät für Polytechnik) in northwestern Friebaurn (a city in the Province of Berun), when it came off the road and hit a concrete column on Tuesday.

Seven were instantly killed, the deployed Notfalloffiziere report, while an updated death toll of 10 was reported by the City's Notfall a few hours later. The University blamed the crash on the driver having a stroke, but many on social media pointed to its ageing bus fleet and lack of road maintenance, and later the City's Notfall confirmed there was no evidence of a stroke.

The city rose in protest a few hours later in protest, and among other things, legal persecution of the University's administration has been demanded.

Neu Kuwaitik Stimme
Reiksdiät debates over goals of the Imperial Administration in South Arabian Federation.
Ahmed Hamoon (@ahmedhamoon)
^{28 December 2018 18:00 | Kuwait, Frievolker Empire}

Chancellor Otto van Harlow opened a debate in the Imperial Diet on what the goals of the Imperial Administration in the South Arabian Federation should be. South Arabia, a nation formed out of the partition of most of Southern Arabian Peninsula from the Arabian Empire following the Everlasting Victory, was put under the Empire's Protectorate by the World Assembly three days after the Peace of Baghdad.

While the World Assembly has put the Protectorate Mission as "Protect the young nation's sovereignty and help them gain a functional state that will let them join the International Community as an Equal at the earliest convenience possible.", the Empire is not completely willing to perform that to completion. In particular, four different Parties in the Empire -one from the Ruling Coalition no less- demand Permanent Direct Rule and possible future Annexation, while a similarly large bloc demands taking concessions and releasing the state "to the wild".

A similar situation in Egypt has been resolved after the British Empire and the Egyptian civil government agreed for Egypt to become a member-state of the Imperial Federation following its independence in ten years.

Voice of the Frievolk
Siamese legislature legalises medical cannabis and kratom!
Wisut Rutnin (@wisutrutnin)
^{26 December 2018 18:00 | Bangkok, Siam}

Siam's legislature has agreed to amend the country's drug law to allow the licensed medical use of cannabis, as well as kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller. The Siamese legislation on Tuesday passed its final reading at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions.

"This is a New Year's gift from the National Legislative Assembly to the government and the Siamese people,” said Somchai Sawangkarn, chairperson of the drafting committee, in a televised parliamentary session.

Siam is the first country to take such action in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world’s strictest drug laws. The move is under consideration in neighboring Australasia, as well as the German Dominion in East Asia. Recreational use of the drugs remains illegal in Siam and subject to prison terms and fines commensurate with the quantities involved.

Public hearings showed overwhelming support for the measure.

MORE HEADLINES

Nederstjille Welle: The Imperial Diet consents to new Government Policy to increase Nederstjil population in the Metropole.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{28 December 2018 10:50 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Akademie: "Sapient AI not possible in foreseeable future." Koniglik Forschungsinstitut Aldenplatz representative claims, "Sentient, well-programmed androids still a possibility."
Professor Adam von Blukstein (@blukstein)
^{27 December 2018 10:50 | Friebaurn, Frievolker Empire}
De Telegraf: Emperor Henry IX, Kaiser Johann, Keizer Willem-Alexander, Kaiser Karl, and Kaiser Georg Friedrich accidentally deliver Christmas Messages with identical content.
Wilhelm Loeb (@willloeb)
^{26 December 2018 8:40 | Berun , Frievolker Empire}
Beruner Post: CATASTROPHE IN HAWAII: Accident in U.S. Power Plant in Hawaii. Foul play suspected.
Jean Hammond (@jeanhammond)
^{27 December 2018 1:34 | Honolulu, United States of America}
De Adenslicht: Roughhousing in Indian legislature as debate on rejoining the Imperial Federation gets heated.
John Brown (@verifiedbrown)
^{28 December 2018 14:52 | Delhi, India}
De Frie Klub: The Brotherhood of Nations disowns Burma amidst international preparation for a quick war. "So much for 'Brotherhood'", King-Emperor Henry quips.
James Author (@jamesauthor)
^{27 December 2018 10:30| Berun, Frievolker Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:32 pm

Newsletter from 1 January 2019

Happy New Year!

De Telegraf
"There will be no Token Representation for any minority in the Imperial Diet" Imperial Chancellor Harlow declares.
Arnold Zahringen (@arnoldzahringen)
^{1 January 2019 9:35 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

Chancellor Harlow expressed, in response to recent demands by various minorities for "extralegislative representation", that he would not allow such a resolution to pass.

A big tent of "Frievolkers for Better Representation", with a Diät delegacy of 5 Furstshaus seats and 39 Volkshaus seats has demanded that the Minorities in the Empire are not well-represented, and that the Imperial Legislation will need to adapt itself in order to represent her citizens better. "The Imperial Diet gains its delegates by numbers of voters. This means, inherently, that the Majority will always trump over us, the oppressed and underrepresented minorities!" Edelweiß Mornenburg a delegate of the Imperial Diet suggested, "That can not be allowed to continue. If a delegate is to represent 750,000 citizens of this Empire, then they can not logically accomodate all of their representatives. By law of majorities they will inherently do what the majority of their representatives want. In order to circumvent that, we need to have a select number of seats guaranteed for people who'd otherwise become victims of the tyranny of the majority, as we are right now!"

"We do not elect a single delegate 'for every 750,000' citizens. We dedicate a single seat for every 750,000." Chancellor Harlow did not view that lightly. Once the delegate's time on the floor had passed, he responded thus: "What happens, as I am sure you know but like to pretend otherwise, is that only the first 293 Volkshaus candidates and the first 64 Furstshaus candidates can be allowed to take those seats, as we all accepted under our Constitution. If these so-called minorities believe they deserve representation -and of course, they are correct, all of us deserve that-, they can form themselves a party and become represented. Surely, there are enough of you -put together- to top the Communards, with two Volkshaus seats? Form a party, just like everyone else, and run for office, because There will be no Token Representation for any minority in the Imperial Diet. I will personally exercise my Constitutional Right to veto any resolution suggesting that as long as I am in office."

De Lokale
BURMA VS. THE WORLD! 11 countries declare war on the State of Burma following her failure to comply to the Ultimatum in a week's time, more to follow!
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{31 December 2018 14:45| New York City, New England Commonwealth}

As of 12:45 31 December, the World Assembly and all associated nations are officially at a state of absolute war against The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. This has come to be due to the lack of Burmese response to the Ultimatum delivered by the World Assembly, and therefore the state of diplomatic contempt caused between the state and The World.

The World Assembly agreed to administer, draft, and deliver an Ultimatum to The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma on 23 December 2018, demanding the State to agree to cut back its authoritarianism, to lift the Military Dictatorship, and to hold a diplomatic, WA-overseen referendum in order to change the state's regime. The Ultimatum, delivered at 00:00 of 23 December, was given a deadline of seven days, which passed a few hours ago. On 23:59 of 30 December, the World Assembly announced that it had not received any response from the Burmese Administration to inform the Assembly of its acceptance or refusal of the Ultimatum, and thus declared Burma to be "in contempt of Clear, Pre-accepted International Law". An Emergency session of the Security Council in the early hours of 31 December brought the eventuality of our current world.

Following the World Assembly's deceleration that Burma was "at contempt of the World and now a Rogue State", The Kingdom of Siam, and the Australasian Confederation declared war on the State of Burma on 8:45, citing "Pariah State" as their casus beli. This was responded to by Burma, which declared war on The Republic of India in 9:04, citing "Imperialist Aggression" as her casus beli. In response to the aggression, the British Empire called upon the Worldwide Entente, causing The British Empire, France, Mexico, The Dutch Empire, The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and The Empire of Brazil to declare war on Burma in a joint declaration on 10:53. Following that, the German Empire cited support of their fellow in Australasia as their own casus beli, calling on Seigerpakt to join the Punitive Mission. The German Empire, The Frievolker Empire, The Commonwealth of New England, Iran, Israel, The Austrian Empire, The Piedmont, Greece, The Kingdom of Colombia, Romania, The United Baltic Republic, and Croatia declared war on the Republic of Burma on 12:53. The 21 countries currently at war with Burma agreed, on 13:31, to fall under primary casus beli of "Pariah State", thus unifying the five independent wars as a single Punitive War against Burma.

The Brotherhood of Nations has not responded to this aggression, following their promise on 27 December and keeping out of the war. The Indian, British, Australasian, Siamese, and German Fleets have already begun operation, while Siam and India have already begun moving troops into the pariah state.

Read Also:
De Lebenswaffe: OPINION PIECE: Should Foreign Volunteer Divisions be brought back?

De Akademie
Cancer breakthrough: British Scientists say immune system transplants mean 'future is incredibly bright'
Henry Granger (@henrygranger)
^{29 December 2018 18:00 | London, British Empire}

Scientists have discovered a breakthrough treatment to fight cancer, as they claim the disease will no longer be deadly for future generations. Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London believe it is possible to strengthen the body's defenses by transplanting immune cells from strangers.

Patients will begin to receive the new treatment next year, and the team now wants to establish ‘immune banks’ to store disease-fighting cells.

MORE HEADLINES

Nederstjille Welle: Palast von Weißkron hosts 30 minutes long Firework Show all over Haupstadt Berun.
Hanna Weinreb(@hweinreb)
^{1 January 2019 00:30 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Kapsherold: Evidence of Scorched Earth Tactics used by Africans during retreat to Johannesburg brought to the World Assembly, may force African Union to pay further indemnity if accepted.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{1 January 2019 17:45 | Kapstadt, Frievolker Empire}
Neu Kuwaitik Stimme: Syria pledges support to any possible future Kurdistani movement local to Turkey.
Ardalan Khamsi (@Ardalanv)
^{1 January 2019 12:30 | Damascus, Syria}
Voice of the Frievolk: 209 American, 3 British, and 1 Frievolker citizens killed in mass shooting in Kentucky Church. "Fix your 'Heroic Violence' problem before we are forced to fix our American problem" states Hans von Friebaurn, Frievolker Ambassador to the United States.
Heinz Scharnhorst (@heinzscharnhost)
^{29 December 2018 13:31 | Frankfort, United States of America}
De Nationalstaat: Situation in Australasia "dire", Australasian representative says. Diet to ponder over funding immediate return of Frievolker expats, tourists, visitors back home.
Franz Schneller (@franzisch)
^{1 January 2019 8:10 | Jakarta, Australasia}
Kish Express: SHOWDOWN IN FARARUD: Tashkent captured by Russian forces; Russia, Iran, China to meet in Tashkent to negotiate partition.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{1 January 2018 11:19 | Tehran, Iran}
De Adenslicht: Egypt to join the Imperial Federation of Britain as member-state following independence.
Einhart Hohzern (@hohzerneinhart)
^{29 December 2018 23:10 | Cairo, Egypt}

by **Frievolk** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:30 pm

Newsletter for 4 January 2019

Nederstjille Welle
Zweikampf to become National sports, enthusiasts rejoice.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{3 January 2019 14:23 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

The Imperial Diet brought up a new debate on our country’s National Sport today. As you know, the Empire does not have an official National Sport, due to the relative diversity in opinion and taste. However, an Anonymous motion to the Imperial Diet requested a vote over whether or not Zweikampf, one of the most popular sports in the Empire, could become the official national sport.

As the reader knows, Zweikampf, or Dueling, is a combat sport fought in three different branches with very different rules. It is, of course, a popular sport in most of the world with an International Federation of Dueling (Fédération Internationale de Duel) that holds zonal and international championships, World Cup Compeitions, and even Olympic Games for the sport. An extremely popular sport across the Empire, mostly in the Academia and the Upperclassmen though with a surprising number of clubs and cliques in the other classes as well, the competitive professional sport has been a prominent sport in the Metropole ever since Dueling was made illegal by Queen Anna the Pragmatic in 1817 in response to a duel that got her son (Prince Herman) killed.

The motion was passed with a relatively high majority, and it is expected to become law if Kaiser Johann gives his assent, though he has yet to refuse assent in this last 7 years.

Read Also:
Beruner Daily: Mensur club formed in University of Berun, Principal shows support.

De Reikszeit
Thule demands Democracy! Alþingi to be formed for first time in a thousand years to vote over possible formation of The Thulish Commonwealth.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{3 November 2018 15:34 | Reykjavík, Thule}

The people of the small thalassocratic pagan Theocracy located in Iceland and Greenland declared the Government toppled earlier today in the conclusion of a three day long conflict after the New Year festival in Reykjavík, Iceland.

The angry citizens of the sovereign state brought down the council of the High Priests and have put them in custody until their fate can be decided by a tribunal. The People have announced that they intent to call upon Alþingi (“The Althing”), where the small population of the Pagan Union will decide on the fate of their country. Currently, the most popular voice seems to call for the formation of The Thulish Commonwealth, named after the old Icelandic Commonwealth of 932-1000, in form of a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.

Thule is one of the three countries in the World with a “pagan” (non-Abrahamic) State Religion, and while it may be likely that the next government may proclaim Secularity, it is almost impossible for the population to renounce their beliefs anytime soon, especially as paganism rises in popularity across Europe and Northern America.

Kish Express
Georgia and Kuban the latest casualties of the Russo-Iranian rivalry.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{3 January 2019 17:40 | Tehran, Iran}

The Centuries-long Russo-Iranian rivalry has taken two more neighbors as casualty. The Allied republic of Iran and the Russian State invaded and occupied their respective neighbors in Kuban and Georgia, both states to be annexed as core territory in due time.

The Rivalry between the two ancient countries officially began in with the Qajarid period where Russia, in two consecutive Wars (War of 1804-13 and War of 1826-28) forced two consecutively harsher and more unfair treaties (Golestan and Turkmenchay) on Iran, in which Iran ceded the total territories of Dagestan, Armenia, Georgia, and Azarbayjan. The ultimate humiliation for Qajarid Persia was the treaty of Akhal, which forced Iran to cede territory in Central Asia and give up any claims regarding those regions.

Of course, Iran managed to annul most of these treaties in the Conference of Versailles after the First Great War, which was when the tables turned. With Russia in a decade long Civil War, Iran’s bright star began shining. Reza Shah reoccupied and reannexed Armenia and Azarbayjan in the 1930s, and after the humiliating Russian defeat in the second world war, managed to secure swathes of land in Central Asia and going the deepest any Iranian State had ever gone in the region (almost reaching the Cossack regions). Following the reconstruction era, Iranian-Russian relations developed into a lukewarm neutrality (from the hostility of the Qajarid period and early Pahlavi period), eventually forming an alliance too during the 40 years long Islamic Republic (though many suspect that was due to the fact the Administration of the Islamic Republic hated the Iranian peoples). This relation was only made worse after the Iranian Revolution of 2018, when an irredentist, ultra-nationalist and zealously xenophobic regime replaced the IRI.

The feud surged again late into 2018, when Iran refused to adhere to a treaty that secured only 20% of the Caspian Sea’s resources for Iran and instead cited an older, 1790s treaty that gave Iran 50% of the resources. In response, Russia began contemplating harsher methods of response. With Iran’s victory in the war against Arabia, this came to pass.

Russia invaded Kuban’s northern borders at 2:30 a.m. local time of 2 January 2019. In response, the Iranian Parliament agreed with President Damavandi’s proposal for occupation and possible annexation of Georgia, and Iran invaded their northern neighbors in Georgia and Kuban in 5:25. Iran succeeded to occupy most of Dagestan, Kuban before the two forces finally confronted each other in 9:00 a.m. local time, where a small skirmish took place between the two military forces.

The skirmish was quickly put to an end when the two countries called for a ceasefire. The treaty of Dagestan, signed on 3 January 2019, agreed to the new borders in the Caucasus. Kuban’s government in exile in Romania and Georgia’s government in Exile in Bulgaria have both petitioned the World Assembly to intervene, but as the two countries are major members of two of the three main factions of the Security Council, it is unlikely for anything to come to place.

Read Also:
De Lokale: Belarus to leave Russia’s side, joins EU and WTO.
De Adenslicht: Iranian Parliament demands return of IRI-affiliated war criminals from 3 countries.
Neu Kuwaitik Stimme: Iran, Russia, China in negotiation for partition of Fararud.

MORE HEADLINES

De Korrespondenz Arbeiters: Frievolker chef founds restaurant, pledges only to take as much as a customer can pay.
Ludwig van Hosen (@ludwigvanhosen)
^{2 January 2019 15:30 | Kasigberg, Frievolker Empire}
De Nationalstaat: The Imperial Diet to vote on “Language Overhaul Act” soon.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{3 January 2019 10:15 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
Bruxel Today: The House of Klau issues official Family Feud with The House of Ulenkeng.
Otto von Klau (@verifiedottoklau)
^{3 January 2019 11:15 | Klau, Frievolker Empire}
De Lebenswaffe: China Unleashes world’s first functioning Naval Railgun in new Pacific Fleet.
Klaus van Heim (@klausvanheim)
^{4 January 2019 10:15 | Singapur, German Empire}
De Telegraf: Austrian Empire becomes 13th country to have active Aircraft Carriers.
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{4 January 2019 17:30 | Wien, Austrian Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:26 pm

Newsletter for 7 January 2019

Beruner Daily
All participants of the recent war to receive commemorative awards.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{7 January 2019 15:45 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

The War is over. The Empire's victory, absolute. We have gained a dramatic increase in population and in areas under our control, and have indubitably made The Frievolker Empire the undoubted overlord of The Middle East. This does not, however, resurrect the 20,004 brave men and women we lost in the war. It does not return time and heal back the injuries -some permanent- that 160,034 men and women sustained. It may pay back the monetary losses -certainly, the Arabian Oil Fields completely under the Empire's private ownership help there- but it is not enough. If you ask me, neither is the recent announcement made by the Brass: All personnel who fought in the six-months long War against Arabia and Africa will be given commemorative Awards.

The era of medals, orders, and awards adorning any soldier's uniform is over. We no longer live in the delusion that War brings Prestige. We've seen what war brings, and while this time, it was mostly not in our own homes and on our own people, it is still a very hurting and dismaying reality. The Brass, The Emperor, and the Diet may want to pretend this is 19th century and we are The Perfidious Albion, out on an expansive spree, but the soldier, the civilian, and the intellectual know better at this point. That said, the Medal itself, I have seen, is a very beautiful one, and pleasing to eyes, even for a Privät, a Matrose, or a Flieger. I only hope we don't have to fight in another war, and that the Brass doesn't have to assign people like me to knock on a door and hand over a medal on a bodybag, solemnly pleading "I am sorry for your loss, ma'am. Your husband was a very brave man." As has been my job for more than twenty years now.

De Lokale
Is the Current setting of the World Powers about to change?
Frank Gurner (@frankgurner)
^{6 January 2019 18:30 | Klau, Frievolker Empire}

Up until less than four years ago, the formation of the Weltmachte had been the same for more than half a century. Germany, Britain, and New England were the Big Three, Russia, Japan, China, and Frievolk their weaker fellows. Everyone else? Almost consistently in the spheres of influence of the first three. Four Years ago, something changed. Canada left the British Sphere -and the British Federation- and became Frievolk's sphere of Influence, allowing it to become an actual Empire. Since then, things have only changed more dramatically.

Frievolk, Japan, China, and Russia have each taken this small quake in the until-then stable foundation of the Greater Seven. Japan took in Thailand as its new "friend", China tried to align itself with Australasia, using their shared ideology as a staging ground. Russia has gone on annexing sprees this last four years -even if most of her influence in the Middle East dwindled when Assad did- and Frievolk? Well, we effectively became the Master of The Middle East, though we may not remain so for long.

With the Piedmont effectively leaving the German Sphere of Influence and becoming the junior partner of a Personal Union under Kaiser Johann, with the formation of our Imperial Protectorate in South Arabia, with the new Middleman's Entente at our beck and call? The Empire has successfully become a power in its own right. That is, of course, not all. A shift in the order of the line of powers would not really merit this great a discourse. What does is the fact that one power is off to leave the Permanent Seats in the near future. Russia.

Russia's Sphere of Influence was, undoubtedly, the Middle East. With Turkey -a close ally- and The Iran-Syria-Iraq triangle that heeded her beck and call, She ruled and enjoyed the rights to most of the regions resources. Then, Syria and Iran revolted and toppled their pro-Russian Leadership. While Syria hasn't been that much of a trouble (apart form dealing with a very pesky Turkey -another country off to leave to roster of the Security Council- in a short and decisive war), Iran has indubitably been. As of 2019, Iran effectively controls Iraq, Georgia, and Dagestan, not to mention the Arabian oils previously enjoyed by Russia so extensively, and it has been in an increasingly hostile tit-for-tat with Russia since early 2018. Russia has little time left on the Table of the Seven. Is Iran, under national rejuvenation and emboldened after finally dealing with her most hated enemy, about to take her place in the sun? We have yet to see.

Read Also:
Voice of the Frievolk: OPINION: Is the British Military facing a recruitment crisis?
Nederstjille Welle: Venetia falls under Piedmontese Sphere of Influence.

De Adenslicht
Israel, Syria open talk on forming a "Levantine Federation", not likely to go anywhere anytime soon.
Katrina von Metz-Harlow (@verifiedkatrinavonmetzharlow)
^{5 January 2019 15:00| Jerusalem, Israel}

With the Middle East in an uneasy yet stable peace for the first time since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and with Arabia and Turkey finally put back in their place, two countries have seen fit to open talks for a... let's say... very ambitious plot. Ambitious that is, but not very likely.

P.M. Netanyahu and President Dalal (respectively of Israel and Syria) individually announced that their two respective countries would be opening talks on whether or not to create a federation somewhat similar to the failed experiment that was the late United Arab Republic (under Gamal Abdul Naser). Both powerful countries and both members of an alliance unofficially led by Iran and Frievolk, Syria and Israel have historically had a great deal of hostilities towards eachother, at least until Syria stopped being Arab-land, and Israel stopped letting Lebanon play around. Today, Israel enjoys the Sinan Peninsula due to Syrian intervention, and Syria enjoys Jordan (a land Israel has had claim to since 1948) due to Israeli settlement. They, of course, have little else in common -Israel not willing to give in into another nation for the risk it ends into a pogrom like so many times before, and Syria not planning on letting religion have a say in their own government- but this is, still, heartwarming. Who knew all it took to stabilize the region was to kick the Arabs out of it?

MORE HEADLINES

De Lebenswaffe: The Empire will revive 'foreign legions' volunteer unit, recruitment plans to focus on Piedmontese, Libertalian and Croatian demographics for now.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{5 January 2019 17:30 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
Oss Express: OPINION PIECE: Should the Dutch be taken to the Hague for teaching about the "lost provinces of Zeeland, Brabant, and Limburg"?
Jonna de Sann (@jdesann)
^{7 January 2019 15:00 | Oss, Frievolker Empire}
De Frie Klub: Refugee who rescued 5 Greek Citizens to receive citizenship, medal of service by the Greek Government.
Herman de Ville (@hermandeville)
^{5 January 2019 10:25| Athens, Greece}
De Reikszeit: Chevenoir, Ulenkeng ancestral manor burns down in Cambrai, Law Enforcement suspects arson.
Otto von Klau (@verifiedottoklau)
^{5 January 2019 19:00 | Cambrai, Frievolker Empire}
De Weltstimme: 79% of Mandalay, Burma destroyed by unstopped German Naval Bombardment.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{7 January 2019 19:10 | Singapur, German Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:35 pm

Newsletter for 10 January 2019

De Akademie: Fistfighting in Academia: Social Science and Political Science lecturers brawl over definition of Imperialism.
Joachim Baurn (@jobaurn)
^{10 January 2019 11:35 | Friewust, Frievolker Empire}
De Korrespondenz Arbeiters: "The Turkish government did not torture labor activist", Investigation sanctioned by the Turkish Government concludes.
Ardalan Khamsi (@Ardalanv)
^{8 January 2018 18:45 | Ankara, Turkey}
Voice of the Frievolk: Wave of Automation claims new victim: Manufacturing! 27 different manufacturing companies have laid off most workers as they achieve full automation.
Ludwig van Hosen (@ludwigvanhosen)
^{10 January 2019 15:13 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Frie Klub: Eberhart von Amsel, Chairman of Green Party, quits social media.
Eva Erdbrink (@erdbrinkeva)
^{9 January 2019 15:00 | CITY, COUNTRY}
De Lokale: The WA Offensive on Myanmar is three days away from capital in Rangoon. Burmese administration relocates to Naypyidaw.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{8 January 2019 19:28 | Singapur, German Empire}
Beruner Daily: Video showing French Boxer punching an Anti-Riot officer goes viral, French citizens donate 150,000 franc in support.
Alex Pervaut (@pervautalex)
^{9 January 2019 10:15 | Paris, France}

by **Frievolk** » Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:41 pm

Newsletter for 15 January 2019

De Nationalstaat
Himmelsbrecher class Airship uncovered by hobbyist noble, will circumvent the world after repairs.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{15 January 2019 17:15| Kergenstadt, Frievolker Empire}

Norman van Hecht, minor Nederstjil Noble and amateur hobbyist, recently announced that an excavating team hired -and led- by himself had uncovered a relatively intact Hot Air Skybreaker (Heißluft Himmelsbrecher) in the countrysides near his ancestral home -and throne to seat of minor power- of Kergenstadt. The discovered vessel, sadly without her christened name intact, is a cornerstone of aerial navalry of early 20th century, before the invention of the Aircraft Carrier made the requirement for larger aircraft moot for the time being. Its Armor and Armament were similar to a Dreadnought, as the Skybreaker was designed as the "flagship" of various countries' Airship fleets and as big a symbol of prestige as a Dreadnought.

This Particular Skybreaker, Herr Norman theorized, probably belonged to the Royal Warforce of Frievolk and had been toppled roughly around 1916, during the final hours of the Battle of Konigsblau, the last defensive battle against the Dutch Empire before the Kingdom of Frievolk was finally successful in breaking the Dutch offensive and began pushing into enemy territory. As any historian knows, there were only three Hot Air Skybreaker class airships present in Konigsblau: S.M.L. Bernard, S.M.L. Ertonz, and S.M.L. Wastrecht-Orenblau. It is yet to be discovered which of these three this new Skybreaker will turn out to be.

The Skybreaker's guns were mostly out of commission, probably dismantled before it fell out of the sky as result of the combat, but most of its armor is still intact. The floating mechanism, not to mention the three engines, are also in good shape, but the Noble has suggested that it might take a larger sum than expected to have it rebuilt. "Ad yet, that is a cost I am willing to pay." he suggested. Herr Norman van Hecht suggested that he was planning on circumventing the world with the ship. "I am, therefore, calling for anyone who would want to join me on my journey. Help me rebuild this, and provided we find a crew and a good mapper, we can go over the world in much less than 80 days."

Nederstjille Welle
Kingdom of Belgium bans halal slaughtering practice, drawing praise by everyone and protest by the Muslim minority.
Emma Goldstein (@egoldstein)
^{15 January 2019 10:00 | Bruxel, Frievolker Empire}

A Ban by the local Royal Assembly of the Kingdom of Belgium on the Muslim way of ritual slaughter of aimals went ito effect o the New Year's Day, part of a clash across Europe over the balance between Freedom of Religion and Animal Welfare.

With Animal Rights advocates and Right-wing Nationalists pushing to ban ritual slaughter, religious minorities of different types (including the 0.7 million large Jewish Community in Belgium) in the other territories of the Frievolker Empire, as well as all over Europe, fear that they are target of bigotry udner the guise of animal protection.

Laws across Europe and European Union regulations require that animals be rendered insensible to pain before slaughter, to make the process more humane. For larger animals, stunning before slaughter usually means using a “captive bolt” device that fires a metal rod into the brain; for poultry it usually means an electric shock. Animals can also be knocked out with gas.

But slaughter by Muslim halal rules requires that an animal be in perfect health — which religious authorities say rules out stunning it first — and be killed with a single cut to the neck that severs critical blood vessels. The animal loses consciousness in seconds, and advocates say it may cause less suffering than other methods, not more.

Most countries and the European Union allow religious exceptions to the stunning requirement, though in some places — like the the Dutch Empire, where a new law took effect last year, and The German Empire — the exceptions are very narrow. Belgium is currently the only part of the Frievolker Empire that does not provide for any exceptions.

Ann De Greef, director of Global Action in the Interest of Animals, an animal rights group, insisted that stunning does not conflict with halal doctrine, and “they could still consider it ritual slaughtering,” but the religious authorities refuse to accept that. “They want to keep living in the Middle Ages and continue to slaughter without stunning — as the technique didn’t yet exist back then — without having to answer to the law,” she said. “Well, I’m sorry, in the Empire the law is above foreign religion and that will stay like that.”

The idea for the ban was first proposed by Ben Weyts, a right-wing Flemish nationalist, advocate for reorganization of Belgium into "Flanders-Wallonia" and the minister in the Flanders government who is responsible for animal welfare. Animal rights groups applauded the legislation. When it was approved by the Flemish Parliament in June 2017, Mr. Weyts hailed the vote on Twitter, writing: “Proud animal minister. Proud to be Flemish.”

Right-wing politicians in several countries, particularly those opposed to the presence of growing Muslim populations, have seized on the issue of religious slaughter as an example of Western societies bending over backward to accommodate minority communities.

“The truth is that this measure was an easy win, which had the backing of large parts of the population concerned with animal rights,” said Mr. Bayram, aligning them, at least momentarily, with the far right.

Belgium, with a population of about 11 million, is home to roughly 500,000 Muslims. Those who adhere to their religious rules will soon be forced to order their meat from abroad, which community members say will mean paying more, and could even lead to food shortages. Leaders of Islamic groups say they hope that lawsuits they have filed in the Imperial Constitutional Court might still lift the ban on slaughtering without stunning later this year, though it is very unlikely.

Read Also:

Bruxel Today: After winning re-election, Luxembourg's local government moves to provide free public transport and increase wages.

De Lokale
BURMA VS. THE WORLD! Rangoon, Naypyidaw fall to Coalition Assault; Burmese government unconditionally surrender. Conference of Burma to begin momentarily.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{14 January 2019 23:12 | Naypyidaw, Occupied Burma}

Read Also:

De Frie Klub: Belarus, one of ten nations with a ban on emigration, abolishes law in referendum.

MORE HEADLINES

Daily Siegesruhm: Terrorist bombing destroys Center in Siegesruhm, Zudafrika, kills 7 and injured 25. Investigations in progress.
Eberhart von Dreul (@dreuleberhart)
^{13 January 2019 18:00 | Siegesruhm, Frievolker Empire}
De Kapsherold: Private Investigators, Security become more popular in the Dominions as the Military gives way to Civil Government.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{15 January 2019 10:45 | Siegesruhm, Frievolker Empire}
De Adenslicht: "Iranian-enforced population related policies are genocidal" Arabia protests. "Not having any babies when you have 100 million people inside an inhabitable desert is just common sense." Iran responds.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{14 January 2019 13:45 | Tehran, Iran}
De Telegraf: Danzig politician stabbed on stage during charity event. Investigation has not resulted in anything yet.
Klaus van Heim (@klausvanheim)
^{15 January 2019 3:25 | Danzig, German Empire}
Beruner Daily: Paris sees explosion just before Yellow Vest Protests were planned to resume.
Alex Pervaut (@pervautalex)
^{12 January 2019 17:35 | Paris, France}
De Weltstimme: Greek Politician calls Macedonia "Rightful Greek Land", demands Principality of Serbia to cede territory.
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{13 January 2019 10:15 | Athens, Greece}

by **Frievolk** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:46 pm

Newsletter for 19 January 2019

De Telegraf
Movement rises in support of Reorganization of States, sees support in the Diet.
Ernie Hermand (@erniehermand)
^{18 January 2019 12:15 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

A voting bloc made of The Grand Imperial Party, Home and Culture, and The Absolutist Party of Frievolk has called in a National Dietary Act for reorganization of the Frievolker Confederation, calling for the dissolution of older states and formation of new, rump-states that can be better governed.

Movements in support of a reorganization of the Imperial Confederation have existed since early 1919. At the height of the First World War, a minority bloc with rising popularity had called for the formation of the Kingdom of Netherlands out of any possible annexation from the Dutch Empire's territory, and even at the height of the Second World War -where the current territory of "Southern Strait of Dover" was annexed into the Empire- such movements existed. They were, at three different times, vetoed by King Bernard who did not wish for a return of Dutch-Frievolker hostility after the first world war. This was precisely why the current model of Kingdom, Grand Duchy, Duchy exist in the Frievolker Confederation (the oh-so-beloved "Metropole").

This status quo was challenged recently by a number of politicians. The "Kingdom of Belgium" is, as often expressed, a hotbed of ethnic clashes while the more Southern Walloons feel closer to their French Southern Neighbors, the northern Flemish people -despite their close linguistic familiarity- have never suggested a "joining", often calling for an independent "Flemish State". This may -should the twelve Dietary debates, the Final Dietary vote, and then the National Referendum all succeed- result in the dissolution of Belgium and Sudseit Dover, instead forming Flanders and "Sud-Nederreik" instead, while the northern Dutch realms would be reorganized into Nederlands, or -if the Empire feels like not offending our Dutch Neighbors- Nord-Nederreik. Luxembourg and the Nederstjil Kingdom have not demanded any form of reorganization, and it is not likely they may face any. No laws have been drafted for the government of the future Federal States. The first debate on National Reorganization is expected to be held on 24th of January.

Oss Express
Klau-Ulenkeng feud leads to open fistfighting in the 'neutral' city of Harrenfeld, 1 killed and 19 injured.
Otto von Klau (@verifiedottoklau)
^{19 January 2019 18:30 | Harrenfeld, Frievolker Empire}

The Now-two weeks long feud between the two houses of Ulenkeng and Klau recently came to a destructive outcome when Harrenfeld became the site of the most recent -and perhaps the first since the Ostenfeld-Onmitz feud of 1903- street battle in our history. Agents in Klau and Ulenkeng colors engaged in open and public hostility in the town's Platz de Eintracht (Concord Square).

The two houses of Klau and Ulenkeng have held each other in dislike since 1916, when the Ulenkeng became a Noble House -despite the protests of the Klau, at that point the third most important Noble House in the Kingdom of Frievolk. The fact that the Ulenkeng succeeded in defeating (among others) the House of Klau in the Race for the Throne of the newly-created "Sudseit-Dover" became only an insult. A state of mutual breaking of relations between the two houses was declared and held between 1940 and 1993, before their relations finally warmed into the lukewarm that the two houses upheld until recently, until Elise de Ulenkeng, head of house and Duchess of Sudseit Dover, declared a state of family feud between her house and that of the House of Klau. Wolfgang von Klau personally confirmed, and returned the state of feud in 3 January 2019.

A few hours ago, 37 individuals related to the two houses and their vassals fell into open violence. Five of these numbers were armed with firearms and the street battle soon turned from a brawl into a firefight. A Wolfhart von Klau was killed in the resulting fight, while another 19 (twelve belonging to the Ulenkeng) were injured. The battle was put to a stop by the Law Enforcement, which arrived at the scene four minutes after the brawl began, and succeeded in apprehending the individuals. The injured were sent to a hospital while everyone not requiring immediate aid was taken into custody. The Kaiser made an announcement regarding the feud and its first -and hopefully last- battle, "This breach of civilized conduct is highly discouraged and condemned. I personally pledge that these faulty individuals will be punished to the extent of the law. To my friends Elise and Wolfgang, I say only this: Should this feudal bickering of yours continue, I will be most displeased."

De Frie Klub
Brazil relaxes gun ownership laws for first time in 3 decades.
Dom Phillips (@Domphillips )
^{15 January 2019 16:45 | Rio de Janiero, Brazilian Empire}

The new Prime Minister of the Brazilian Empire, Panchito Juan Custódio, singed a decree making it easier for citizens to keep a firearm at home. The move was criticized by public security experts, but lauded by her supporters.

"It is a gateway to violence and terrible news for public security" said Renato Lima, president of the Brazilian Public Security Forum, a non-governmental body that co-produces the annual Violence Atlas of murder rates. At a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, PM Custódio said that the decree had been drafted "so that good citizens can at this first moment have peace inside their homes." he strongly suggested that more measures could follow.

Sgt. Anderston Valentim, a police officer in the same city, has highly supported the measure. "I prefer to have a good citizen armed than an armed bum."

Freeing up gun ownership was a key campaign promise for Custódio, who campaigned to victory on his reelection on a tough, anti-crime platform. Rules were of course tightened in Brazil following a 2003 Decree and susequent national amnesty where thousands of firearms were handed in for destruction.

“Mission accomplished, now it’s not just bandits who can have weapons in Brazil,” tweeted businessman Luciano Hang, a prominent Custódio supporter, to his 166,000 followers.

The new decree makes it easier for Brazilians to keep weapons at home, waiving the requirement for an interview with a police officer to demonstrate the need for a firearm at home. It also increases gun licences’ validity from five years to 10.

Instead, people living in rural areas and in states where the 2016 homicide rate was more than 10 deaths per 100,000 – as was the case for every single state in the Brazilian Empire– can apply to keep weapons at home. If there are children or anyone with mental deficiency living in the home, citizens applying to possess weapons need to declare they have a safe.

Legal ownership of weapons has soared over the last decade in Brazil. In 2007, 3,900 new weapons were registered by Imperial police in Brazil. Ten years later that had risen to 33,000, according to official data obtained by Sou da Paz (I’m From Peace), a São Paulo-based non-profit group.

Sgt Elisandro Lotin, head of a national association of non-commissioned police officers, said the decree would increase deaths in domestic arguments, burglaries and after disputes in bars. He noted that about 400 police officers are killed each year, many of whom were armed. “If having a weapon was protection, we wouldn’t have these police being killed,” he said.

MORE HEADLINES

De Nationalstaat: Should Hospitals be automated? Doctors disagree.
Ludwig van Hosen (@ludwigvanhosen)
^{18 January 2019 10:25 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Lebenswaffe: "If you have the funds for it, you can buy and man an Aircraft Carrier and use it in combat as an independent faction", former military consultant admits.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{19 January 2019 19:45 | Klaumark, Frievolker Empire}
Beruner Post: Wilhelms-stadt (Penang) to be smoke-free in 5 years: Health committee chairman
Klaus van Heim (@klausvanheim)
^{19 January 2019 18:00 | Wilhelms-stadt, German Empire}
De Weltstimme: WA considers Iranian, Syrian, Israeli "dearabization" legitimate after lengthy debate, cites "National Self-determination"
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{18 January 2019 20:35 | Naypyidaw, India}
De Lokale: India, Australasia to butt heads over annexation of Burma, WA to decide future owner of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Franz Schneller (@franzisch)
^{18 January 2019 10:00| Naypyidaw, India}

by **Frievolk** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:38 pm

Newsletter for 23 January 2019

Bruxel Today
Belgian Legislature bans supermarket from throwing away excess food, May become Federal Law if passed by Reiksdiät.
Emma Goldstein (@egoldstein)
^{20 January 2019 18:30 | Bruxel, Frievolker Empire}

The Local Belgian Legislature, Assemblée Royale, recently passed a law that banned all supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing them instead to donate it to charities or food banks.

Under a law passed unanimously by the Assembly, as of January 31st, large shops will no longer bin good quality food approaching its best-before date. Charities will be able to give out millions more free meals per year to people struggling to afford to eat.

The law follows a grassroots campaign in Belgium by shoppers, anti-poverty campaigners and those opposed to food waste. The campaign, now successful, hopes to persuade the Imperial Diet to adopt a similar law across all of the Frievolker Empire, and later hopefully the European Union.

The law has been welcomes by food banks, which will now begin the task of finding extra volunteers, lorries, warehouse, and fridge space to deal with the increase in donations from shops and food companies.

The Law will also bar supermarkets from deliberately spoiling food in order to stop it from being eaten by people foraging in stores' bins. While the number has seen a dramatic decrease, people still are known to forage in supermarket bins at night to feed themselves. People also have finding edible products thrown out just as their best-before dates approached. Some supermarkets doused binned food in bleach, reportedly to prevent food poisoning from items taken from bins. Other supermarkets deliberately binned food in locked warehouse for collection by refuse trucks.

Now bosses of supermarkets with a footpring of 400 m² or more will have to sign donation contracts with charities or face a penalty of 10,000Ƒ.

Jacques Bailet, head of Banques Alimentaires, a supernational network of food banks, described the law as "positive and very important symbolically". He said it would gratly increase an already emerging trend for supermarkets to donate to food banks.

“Most importantly, because supermarkets will be obliged to sign a donation deal with charities, we’ll be able to increase the quality and diversity of food we get and distribute,” he said. “In terms of nutritional balance, we currently have a deficit of meat and a lack of fruit and vegetables. This will hopefully allow us to push for those products.”

Until now Belgian food banks received 100,000 tonnes of donated goods, 35,000 tonnes of which came from supermarkets. Even a 15% increase in food coming from supermarkets would mean 10m more meals being handed out each year, Bailet said.

Food banks and charities will, for their part, be obliged to collect and stock the food in properly hygienic conditions and distribute it with “dignity”. This means the food must be given out at a proper food bank or center, where human contact and conversation is fostered, rather than, for example, simply organised as handouts on the street.

Crucially the law will also make it simpler for the food industry to give some excess products directly to food banks from factories. Until now, if a dairy factory made yogurts carrying the brand name of a supermarket, it had been a long, complex process to donate any excess to charity. Now it would be faster and easier. “That is very important for food banks because this is a real source of quality products, coming straight from the factory,” Bailet said.

A similar law was recently drafted and passed by the French Senate, while the British Empire also debates on implementing it on a local scale.

De Kapsherold
Africa faces imminent collapse as millions of Africans rise to streets, demanding dissolution of the African Union into smaller components.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{23 January 2019 16:45 | Kapstadt, Frievolker Empire}

Millions of African Citizens all over the Continental union have rose to streets in a week-long protest against the Federal Government.

The African Union, originally founded after the fall of the Orange Free State and its Apartheid by violent war waged by more than ten African States (and non-African Allies), was a confederation of multiple states built upon the Post-Colonial theory. It appears, however, that following the country's failure in its only military test, the African people are no longer willing to attend to it.

Millions have set out into streets, starting with only twenty cities across the country -mostly in the Central African region, which has the highest concentration of non-Black African citizenry in the continental union- on 16 January, only to see a dramatic rise that led to 450 cities, including the Continent's Capital in Lagos rising in violent and harsh demonstrations. The African People's Supreme Council has met in an emergency session to debate on what to do, while Aderiyike Chahine, The Speaker of the African People -the African Head of State-, has called for "peace and good will among all Africans".

It is currently unclear on what the possible shape of Africa after the inevitable collapse of the weak, almost penniless African Union will be, but following the recent mobilizations -including the act of imperialism that led to the gormation of the Dominion of Zudafrika, the future of Africa may be bleak.

Read Also:
Voice of Berun: New England finally allows Liberia to hold binding referendum for Liberian Independence.

MORE HEADLINES

De Nationalstaat: Friestillkampf Championship match ends in favor of four-times champion, Alwin Edelhorst.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{DAY January 2019 TIME | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Reikszeit: Klau noble implicated for burning down Ulenkeng manor, awaiting trial.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{21 January 2019 12:31 | Klau, Frievolker Empire}
Nederstjille Welle: Urban farming has seen increase in popularity the last three years.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{22 January 2019 10:15 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Lokale: Brazil, and Mexico pledge treaty of mutual defense, Colombian politicians comment negatively.
Esteban Gonzales (@Stephangonzales)
^{20 January 2019 15:00 | Bolivar, Colombia}
Kish Express: Iran presents case for International Settlements under WA administration in Dubai, Shanghai, Brunei, Monaco to the General Assembly.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{23 January 2019 15:00 | Tehran, Iran}
Karibbik Leben: Eighteen countries, including four Permanent SC Seats, recognize New Libertalia as a sovereign state.
Jose García (@josegarcia)
^{20 January 2019 12:15 | Castries, Frievolker Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:10 pm

Newsletter for 27 January 2019

De Nationalstaat
The Rebuilding of Middle Eastern Acquisitions may take less time and resources than originally expected, local goverments suggest.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{26 January 2019 14:00 | Kuwait, Frievolker Empire}

The Reiksdirektor of Kuwait recently revealed that the city-state, annexed from the Arabian Empire, will be completely rebuilt and rejuvenated in the next four months. A mutual treaty with Iran and Syria, as well as interdependent trading with the more-prosperous Persik Inseln has given the Dominion the funds and resources it needs to complete the rebuilding of the minimal destruction caused by the Frievolker Bombardment during the Persian-Arabian war. It is possible, the Reiksdirektor suggested, that once the Kronreik has been rebuilt, that the migration laws regarding Kuwait, Persian Isles, and Zudafrika to be partially enacted.

De Lokale
Mexican-Brazilian relations "have never been better!", Colombia feels threatened.
Esteban Gonzales (@Stephangonzales)
^{27 January 2019 15:45 | Bogotá, Colombia}

An Article in a Mexican Newspaper, published two days ago, painted a picture of the nation's great relations with Brazil. The Author, citing recent treaties and announcements made by the two countries' officials, called on a league with Brazil to be maintained and hoped for an official declaration of mutual alliance. Similarly, Brazilian diplomats in Mexican capital have been outspoken, an anonymous citizen of Mexico City said, in support for an alliance between the two respective nations. According to the official dossiers published by the Empire's embassies in the two countries, relations between the two countries is at an all-time high, and may lead to a mutual pledge of military support soon.

Colombia has long since been threatened by its two main neighboring countries. The Brazilian and Mexican Empires have in multiple times fought against it in wars that the sum of which resulted in more than a million casualties from Colombia alone this last seventy years. A Crisis, as the readers remember, that rose with the revelation that once the current Colombian sovereign passes, The Brazilian Emperor -or his heir- may inherit the throne of Colombia. A detailed article made by a Colombian correspondent to this media has revealed that the chilly Mexican-Colombian and Brazilian-Colombian relations may erupt in violence soon. A detailed analysis of the three countries' respective militaries led the writer to the conclusion that should a war erupt in the near future, Colombia may not be able to survive. Due to this, it is very possible that soon we will see the citizens of Colombia demand their government to seek a change in their agreements with the Siegerpakt's military doctrine in order to diminish the unavoidable threat a future Brazilian-Mexican alliance may pose.

MORE HEADLINES

De Frie Klub: Italian immigrant arrested as suspect for the Siegesruhm bombing.
Herman de Ville (@hermandeville)
^{26 January 2019 9:21 | Siegesruhm, Frievolker Empire}
De Telegraf: "Lang leve Vlaanderen" Flemish Nationalists chant in support of Reorganization in 12 cities across Northern Belgium.
Ernie Hermand (@erniehermand)
^{27 January 2019 21:00 | Antwerp, Frievolker Empire}
Beruner Post: Novel based on a fictional Second Brothers' War becomes a best-seller in Austria, Germany, Switzerland.
Iomus Severitus (@iomusseveritus)
^{27 January 2019 17:00 | Berlin, German Empire}
De Reikszeit: The Icelandic Commonwealth to be formed again, a new monarch will be crowned sometime in the next month in Reykjavík.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{25 January 2019 19:00 | Reykjavík, Thule}
De Kapsherold: Germany, Netherlands, Frievolk warn African Union against using military to quell protests as zones of Influence begin shaping in the Continental Confederation.
Klaus van Heim (@klausvanheim)
^{25 January 2019 19:00 | Lilongwe, Frievolker Empire}

by **Frievolk** » Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:10 am

Newsletter for 5 February 2019

De Nationalstaat
Politician sacked and fined after it was discovered he had "Anti-vaccination" opinions.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{4 February 2019 12:15 | Wustelstein, Frievolker Empire}

A local mayor of the Kingdom of Frievolksland was sacked after recent information revealed he had been supporting and funding "Anti-Vaccination" groups in the city. Adolf Wustenberg, 64, mayor of Wustelstein for the last 14 years, was sacked from office and imprisoned on 4 February 2019. His actions are estimated to have been the reason for more than 1,209 deaths by easily preventable diseases. The Imperial Diet has agreed with the local legislature's decision and has proclaimed that they will establish laws to persecute people who politically protest Vaccination to the "full extent of the law, as though they were Child killers and Genocidal War criminals".

De Lokale
Germany, Siam, India, Australasia increase security in as evidence suggests ISIL may be relocating to East Asia and Oceania.
Arnold Drauler (@arnolddrauler)
^{5 February 2019 12:45 | Singapur, German Empire}

SINGAPUR: The terrorist group "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (IS) is today a shadow of its once-formidable self in the Middle East, with its army in tatters and its territories reduced to a sliver of turf. But the ideology of IS -which includes the setting up of a caliphate- is far from dead and buried, and its supporters, including those who have returned home after fighting wars in Iraq and Syria, have now set their sights on turning South-east Asia into the next terrorism hotspot.

For IS, the region has all the ingredients needed to become its next cauldron of violence; Porous borders, existence of logistical bases, weak regimes, poor enforcement measures and disenchantment among ungrateful Muslims. "Southeats Asia has been dubbed as the Second front for IS" said Professor Mohd Kamarulnizam Abdullah, who researches on terrorism and religious violence at "Northern University", one of the most prestigious in the German dominion of East Asia.

The region already has had a taste of IS-style terror in recent years. In 2016, ISIS-linked militants launched a gun and bomb assault in the centre of Jakarta, Australasia, killing several people. Last saturday (Jan 27), a Roman Catholic cathedral on Jolo, an Island in Australasia, was bombed as worshipers gathered for mass. IS claimed responsibility for it. While Singapur (and the rest of Deutsch-Ostasien) has been fortunate enough not to have experienced any violent attacks, it may become increasingly harder to keep the country secure from the threat without extreme measures as the web of terror closes down in on the island. While the local government has repeatedly stressed that a terror attack is not a matter of if but when, there remains a sense of complacency among locals, as well as the larger Imperial Government of Germany. A recent report by the local Ministry of Domestic Affairs showed only 20% of the population of the dominion felt that a terrorist threat was imminent. STTAR 2019 also said that the region's "most pressing threat" comes from IS. In 2016, an IS-inspired pot to attack Marina Bay Sands from Batam -a 40-minute boat ride far from Singapur- was foiled.

It is currently unclear what measures India, Australasia, Siam, and Germany may take to put a stop to this threat, but a number of options, even military government and "temporary or permanent detainment" of all Muslims has been suggested to be on the table.

MORE HEADLINES

Voice of the Frievolk: Recently uncovered Skybreaker was named "S.M.L. Bernard", fought in WWI. Local government takes Graf Hecht to court over ownership.
Brian von Motke (@vonmotkejr)
^{29 January 2019 18:45 | Kergenstadt, Frievolker Empire}
De Telegraf: Father given only "months" to live is now living cancer-free thanks to "World-first" operation.
Wilhelm Loeb (@willloeb)
^{31 January 2019 18:50 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
Hansfund Express: Drunken British passenger fined Ƒ25,000 for forcing Hansfunder plane to land.
Herman Heßler (@hermanhessler)
^{1 February 2019 15:45 | Kasigberg, Frievolker Empire}
Daily Siegesruhm: Central African Union Zone names itself 'Mittelafrika', Britain protests 'German influence'.
Suzette Travers (@sutravers)
^{5 February 2019 18:30 | Kapstadt, Frievolker Empire}
Bruxel Today: Serbia demands Greece to "drop" their claim on Macedonia. Germany, Britain, New England side with Greece.
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{3 February 2019 10:50 | Athens, Greece}

by **Frievolk** » Mon Feb 11, 2019 1:51 pm

Newsletter for 12 February

Beruner Daily
BERUN IN GRIEF! 100 dead and 500 injured in tragic traffic incident!
Maria von Wusterberg (@mariawusterberg)
^{12 February 2019 16:25 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

Tragedy struck Berun and the entirety of the Frievolker Empire today. At exactly 15:13, at the height of noon traffic jam, more than 100 different vehicles collided with each other, causing the worst traffic accident in the history of the Realm, and possibly the entirety of the European Continent to occur.

The Konig Franz Straßenkreuzung (King Franz Intersection), located in Platz des Gluklik (Gluklik District, Northeastern Berun), which has historically been an important part of the City, was the site of this catastrohpy. At exactly 15:13, with the lights green for Konigsstraße-Nord junction, more than 40 vehicles were moving through the intersection. Coincidentally, the red lights of Konigsstraße-Zud, Ruhmstraße-Ost, and Ruhmstraße-West all turned green.

The reader probably can estimate the number of cars that had been in the area at the time. More than 160 cars in the immediate area of the intersection began moving, and immediately caused collided with each other in the middle of the intersection. The few who had been lucky or quick enough quickly veneered to a different side, getting out of the immediate blast zone, but within 23 seconds, the intersection itself had ran out of space, and even the cars that had braked were collided to by the ones behind them.

The event, the very first of its nature (where all lights end green at the same time in such a large intersection), resulted in at least 100 immediate casualties, with more than five times that injured -some minor injuries, but the majority horrific injuries such as spinal fracture that may turn them immobile). The worst came when it became obvious the emergency service could not use their regular fleet of vehicles. The fastest ambulance vehicles were forced to stop roughly 300 meters away from the intersection, and the paramedics and police officers were deployed by foot.

The Police has not issued any declarations for the cause of this traffic accident, and investigations are still on-going.

Read Also:
SOURCE: 28 cities have become Smart Cities by fully connecting to the Internet of Things in the last 3 years.

MORE HEADLINES

De Nationalstaat: Politician comparing LGBTQ+ to "Inquisition" sacked from office, barred from political activities for life.
Esbern van Mattelmark (@mattelmarke)
^{10 February 2019 16:25 | Wustelstein, Frievolker Empire}
De Frie Klub: Ustenberg police brings forth plans to "purge" city of all crime.
Frank Gurner (@frankgurner)
^{8 February 2019 18:00 | Ustenberg, Frievolker Empire}
Beruner Post: High Fantasy most popular fictional genre for fifteenth consecutive year.
Iomus Severitus (@iomusseveritus)
^{9 February 2019 15:00 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}
De Weltstimme: Austrian Government refuses to allow "a second 1867" after rising demands of self-governance from various far-right Hungarian Politicians, will continue governance from Wien.
Ludwig van Hosen (@ludwigvanhosen)
^{10 February 2019 9:30 | Wien, Austrian Empire}
SOURCE: Iranians rejoice first 22rd of Bahman without oppression or military, Anti-Islamic and Anti-Arab demonstrations in the majority of Iranian Cities on the anniversary of the previous regime's revolution against the Monarchy.
Abtin Matini (@abtinmatini)
^{11 February 2019 19:45 | Tehran, Iran}

by **Frievolk** » Wed Feb 27, 2019 1:04 am

Newsletter for 27 February

De Lebenswaffe
"The Creation of a New breed of Capital Ships will become vital as more countries develop the Railgun" Military theorists state.
Klaus van Heim (@klausvanheim)
^{27 February 2019 15:50 | Berun, Frievolker Empire}

While the world had not seen any naval arms race ever since the Treaty of London, we all knew this was not going to last for long. After 73 years, the Naval Arms Race that saw its end at the Second World War has once again been restarted. The Major Powers of the world Scramble once again to build, refurbish, and rearm their Navies to battle the influence of their rivals -and friends- on the world.

The "Railgun" Arms Race, as it has come to be called, officially started on 4 January, 2019 in the middle of the International Intervention in Burma, when the Chinese State revealed a terrifying weapon in the form of a Naval Railgun. Within the next few weeks, China began arming its fleet with this weapon, while its rivals in Japan, Britain, Germany, and New England scrambled to design their own versions of this weapon. As of 27 February, a total number of 17 states are reported to have developed their equivalent of the Chinese Railgun, and a question has been brought up by various military theorists. "Is the Aircraft Carrier sufficient as a Capital Ship?"

The Aircraft Carrier has been the single greatest sign of a World Power's influence and the symbol of its power projection for the majority of the last century. The moving Airbase, as well as the Capital Guns, allowed the Aircraft Carrier to project its owner's power all over the world, and multiple wars were won by the projection of Aircraft Carriers. While "Skybases" -a less popular Capital Ship- are also used to the same effect, the Aircraft Carrier continues to be a superior vessel due to its nature of not infringing upon a fellow state's territory by design. However, with the invention of a Railgun, Dreadnought-style Vessels with multiple Capital Guns may regain their lost popularity. The modern Solution, theorists say, is to fuse elements of both classes to create a superior Capital Ship. The expenses, of course, were not disclosed.

De Weltstimme
BALKAN CRISIS REFLAMED! Greece and Serbia cut all diplomatic relations with each other!
Bernie Johnson (@bernardthejay)
^{26 February 2019 10:30 | Athens, Greece}

Following Greece's refusal to renounce claims on Northern Macedonia (a territory currently under control of the Serbian State), Serbia officially "cut all diplomatic relations" with the other state. The Greek Diplomatic Corps in Serbia were ordered, by the Serbian Prince, to return home and the Consulates, Embassies, and other Diplomatic buildings owned by the Greek State were occupied by Serbian military. This action, seen as an insult by the Greek Government, led them to do the same to their own Serbian Diplomatic Corps.

As the drums of war draw ever near, Austria, Bulgaria, and Croatia have all mobilized their military to support their ally in Greece, while Serbia has asked for support from their own allies in the Brotherhood of Nations. Venetia, the only other Brotherhood member in the vicinity, has declared support, but will not join militarily due to their peace with Austria if Austria is involved in a possible war. The World Powers have all declared neutrality in the affair, though it is obvious the majority side with Greece over the Pariah State of Serbia.

While Austria has yet to declare anything militarily, Greece, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria have all began a partial mobilization, while multiple border disputes and hostilities have taken place between Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Is the situation in the Balkans about to deteriorate into another War? We can only wait and see.

MORE HEADLINES

De Telegraf: Reiksdiät votes to form "Flemish Republic" upon dissolution of Belgium.
Ernie Hermand (@erniehermand)
^{26 February 2019 21:00 | Antwerp, Frievolker Empire}
Dakian Herald: Frievolker Company produces first Foldable Smartphone.
Abraham van Hanschfeld (@hanschfeldabraham)
^{25 February 2019 15:40 | Klau, Frievolker Empire}
De Frie Klub: Poland, Belarus, Ukraine join to form "Intermaria". The WA to vote on legitimacy.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{24 February 2019 21:45 | Warszawa, Intermaria}
De Adenslicht: Israel becomes 6th country to send man to moon, "will build a colony" if successful.
Katrina von Metz-Harlow (@verifiedkatrinavonmetzharlow)
^{23 February 2019 15:00| Jerusalem, Israel}
De Reikszeit: Joachim of Denmark crowned King of Iceland on 25th February.
Weiß Schmidt (@whitemansmith)
^{25 February 2019 19:00 | Reykjavík, Iceland}

Nation Name	Score	Difference	Status
The Republic of Norway	9.78	State formed	Full Democracy
The Swiss Cofederation	9.73	-0.05	Full Democracy
The Commonwealth of New England	9.65	+0.12	Full Democracy
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth	9.43	-0.01	Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Sweden	9.39	State formed	Full Democracy
The United States of America	9.34	-0.005	Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Denmark	9.2	State formed	Full Democracy
The Dutch Empire	9.05	+0.03	Full Democracy
The Empire of Brazil	9.01	-0.01	Full Democracy
The Austrian Empire	8.73	+0.23	Full Democracy
The Frievolker Empire	8.73	+0.37	Full Democracy
The United Communes of China	8.53	-0.06	Full Democracy
The Piedmont	8.43	-0.07	Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Greece	8.43	0.0	Full Democracy
The Democratic Republic of Federated Syria	8.37	State formed	Full Democracy
The Imperial Federation of Britain	8.17	-0.23	Full Democracy
The Republic of Korea	8.00	+0.03	Full Democracy
The Kingdom of Romania	7.98	-0.03	Flawed Democracy
The German Empire	7.93	+0.04	Flawed Democracy
The Kingdom of Italy	7.9	+0.007	Flawed Democracy
The State of Israel	7.81	-0.14	Flawed Democracy
The Baltic Republic	7.52	-0.32	Flawed Democracy
The Kingdom of Colombia	7.43	+0.34	Flawed Democracy
The Australasian Confederation	7.38	+0.14	Flawed Democracy
The French Republic	7.35	-0.34	Flawed Democracy
The Bolivian Syndicate	7.32	+0.04	Flawed Democracy
The Republic of India	7.23	+0.01	Flawed Democracy
The Allied Republic of Iran	7.07	+5.04	Flawed Democracy
The Republic of Bulgaria	7.02	-0.04	Flawed Democracy
The Mexican Empire	6.85	-0.08	Flawed Democracy
The Republic of Croatia	6.62	-1.24	Flawed Democracy
The Iberian Empire	6.54	+0.34	Flawed Democracy
The Japanese Empire	6.45	-0.94	Flawed Democracy
The Territory of Kuban	6.06	+0.02	Flawed Democracy
Georgia	5.9	-1.2	Hybrid Regime
The Most Serene Republic of Venice	5.62	-3.2	Hybrid Regime
The North African Confederation	5.23	-1.6	Hybrid Regime
The Ukraine	5.12	-0.32	Hybrid Regime
The Republic of Turkey	4.5	-2.01	Hybrid Regime
The African Union	4.3	-2.07	Hybrid Regime
The South Arabian Federation	3.59	+1.2	Authoritarian Regime
The Kingdom of Siam	3.25	-0.49	Authoritarian Regime
The State of Belarus	3.1	-0.83	Authoritarian Regime
The Russian State	2.67	-0.93	Authoritarian Regime
Thule	2.12	0.0	Authoritarian Regime
The Sultanate of Egypt	1.83	+0.23	Authoritarian Regime
The Arabian Empire	1.67	+0.03	Totalitarian Regime
The Kingdom of Fararud	1.57	-0.01	Totalitarian Regime
The American Union	1.45	+0.03	Totalitarian Regime
The Principality of Serbia	1.32	-0.17	Totalitarian Regime
The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma	1.04	+0.02	Totalitarian Regime

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