NS World News- Your nation's news

[Great Nortend]

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FRIDAY · 28 MAY MMXVIII · PRINTED IN LENDERT · ONE PENNY

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[Hundredstar]

pix: MoTTeM
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Ministry of Trade / Technologies & Mining [MoTTeM] through its minister, Dr. Andrew Buddy Tostado leads a round table dialogue with ambassadors of the friendly countries to Hundredstar on June 30 as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance Hundredstar's trade and investment with the global economy.

During the dialogue, the two sides acknowledged the vast opportunities in the allieds' region to be explored, according to MoTTeM in a statement today. Dr. Tostado said Hundredstar needs to re-engage with its allied as it is emerging market and has an attractive prospect for Hundredstar investors. He said the burden on his shoulders was huge as his ministry was fully responsible for attracting quality investors and foreign direct investment to the country, as well as to assure investors that Hundredstar "is a place to do business".

To improve the standards, Dr. Tostado said his ministry has embarked on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), digitization, robotics, artificial intelligence, data analysis, automation advancement and other emerging technologies that will change the lives and ways of doing business. For investment, Dr. Tostado is confident that despite global slowdown, Hundredstar will remain the preferred business destination in the region, based on its solid foundation and skilled workforce. Hundredstar's conducive business environment has become one of the world's major investment destinations for offshore production operations. Hundredstar, to date, has attracted over 5,000 foreign companies from more than 40 countries to establish their operations in the country. Most of them have developed and diversified their operations, demonstrating the confidence of Hundredstar as a location for their venture.

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Other News

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• XavierTV's rebranding to focus on attracting young viewers- The re branding of XavierTV is aimed at attracting new viewers especially among young people as well as retaining its older viewers.
• Palmkinder Eco Park to open in October- The Palmkinder Eco Park (TPEP), which is set to become a Bledllyn Valley destination for recreational and tourism activities, is scheduled to open in October.
• 15 foreign hookers nabbed in Lewcaster- Fifteen foreign women working as Guest Relations Officers (an euphemism for prostitutes) were nabbed in immigration raids on two entertainment clubs's.
• Mr. Voncile Zinck appointed as National Trading Development Agency deputy director- Deputy Minister of Trade/ Technologies & Mining, Mr. Walker Yake confirm that former Hundredstar representative to NationStates International Trade Association is appointed as new DD to NTDA.

[Drongonia]

National Party slips in Polls - Labour surges to 50%
Submitted 3:08pm DGST - Katie Martinez

In a recent FUX Media Research poll, 5,000 registered voters were asked which party they would vote for if an election were held tomorrow, and the results were surprising. National, who are currently in a governing coalition with the Conservative Party, were dealt a crippling blow in the polls, only receiving 46.1% of the vote, which equates to just 55 seats in parliament, and when combined with Conservative's 1.5% (2 seats), they would reach a figure of 47.6% or 57 seats, 4 short of the 61 needed to govern.

In contrast, Labour received a flat 50% of the vote, and assuming a rise of 0.5%, that figure becomes enough to govern alone if they wish. Pairing their figures with the Green Party, the total rises to 51.4% or 63 seats, a clear majority and enough to govern effectively. This is almost a polar opposite to the poll results which Labour has been faced with since its election loss in 2016. Additionally, the last time Labour achieved a majority in the always-volatile polls was in a TVDG Poll, conducted in early April 2018.

FUX News reached out to the offices of the leaders of the major parties for a response to our poll, and we received a response from only the offices of Bill English and Sarah Ellice. The response from the office of Bill English reads:

I am disappointed at this poll result, but not entirely surprised. People have been sick of some of the internal disharmony which has been going on within the party over the past month or so, and I'm pleased to say we have stamped it out. Now, our focus is fully shifted back towards running the country and delivering for the people of Drongonia. We still believe we are in the driver's seat moving towards 2020 and we will be 100% committed to hearing the concerns of our citizens.

The reponse from the office of Sarah Ellice was opposite in nature:

I am ecstastic that the mainstream media have finally heard what we've been hearing out on the streets for some time now. The people are sick of the "more of the same" attitude of the current government, as well as its apparent endorsement and non-punishment of blatant racists and white supremacists through denying hate speech reform. This is only one poll, and a lot can and will happen between now and 2020, but we firmly believe we are in the dominant position approaching the next general election in 2020.

It seems that both party leaders are adamant that they are in the best position going forward into 2020, but one thing is for certain, the upcoming election is going to be one to remember, as the minor parties are being squeezed out and the two largest players compete for dominance.

[Alinghi Federal-Democratic Republic]

Alingan Zar, become stronger.
The exange rate to a dollar lowered to under z. 0.20, arriving to 0.1955. The Confederal Bank would do an announcement. Inflation will be to + 0.1%

[Akrafjall]

Fatal shooting in guard's barracks, soldier detained

23/06/2019
Written by Lars Severn

A guardsman private has been detained by MPs after a fatal shooting in Holheimar's Sølvgade Castle early this morning. Holheimar Police Service were radioed for assistance by Military Police personnel at 05:00 after a trespasser was fired at by a on-duty guard. Police arrived in minutes alongside the city's Emergency Response Team (NRH) and ambulance medics who declared the unnamed male dead at the scene.

A spokesperson from Holheimar Police Service said: "Our control room received a radio message from the local military police on the multi-agency band for urgent assistance for a police-involved shooting, we sent a total of 21 vehicles to the scene, including General Duties, Public Order, NRH and an Incident Commander to the scene. Until facts could be established, we declared a serious incident with the State Police, who sent their Terror Incident Team for the preliminary investigation. We determined this was not a terrorist incident, and handed the scene to the Military Police, as this is in their area of service, we will continue to liaise and assist with them throughout their investigation."

Similarly, a spokesperson from the ambulance service said: "We recieved a call from the police for a shooting, we sent 2 ambulances, a officer, a Emergency Medical Team and had Med-031, the Medevac helicopter from South Medevac Rescue on standby. We placed Holheimar City University Hospital's Trauma Centre on standby for a major incident. Unfortunately our patient was declared dead on scene. We will assist the medical examiner with their enquiries as needed."

This evening, we heard that Military Police KEA detectives had detained the guardsman involved in the shooting, a member of the Army Civillian Relations Battalion responded to our questions saying: " At 04:48 a Guardsman Private from the Royal Life Guards barracks in Sølvgade Castle had spotted and challenged a trespasser while on his posted guarding duties, he challenged the male a total of 3 times. After a third challenge, the guardsman stated the male produced a weapon, at which point the guardsman fired two shots aimed towards non-vital organs, the alarm was raised and MPs restrained the male and administered first aid until the ambulance arrived, unfortunately the male subject was declared dead at the scene, his body was handed over to the Medical Examiner of Holheimar County, and KEA detectives began to investigate the shooting, the involved guardsman was detained for questioning to establish facts. We cannot comment further at this time."

The male victim or the suspect guardsman have yet to be named, which we assume will not happen until after the Medical Examiner's investigation but tonight, the castle gates stay closed and the guards on high alert with all but authorised visits cancelled and all on-leave personnel recalled. Police also occupy the exterior of the barracks, conducting regular ID checks, and suspect it will be like this for the week. The nation is split between who to blame, but we imagine the vote will be cast once the outcome of questioning and a ME report come to light.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Secretary-General Announces Formation of the Srivijayan Consortium
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=458026&p=35875509#p35875509

[Pan-Asiatic States]

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=458026&p=35880393#p35880393

[Hundredstar]

Sandcutter Daily Latest August 2019, 10th Ministry of International Development & Industrial Strategies, Industrial Park's Hundredstar director, Mr. Patel de Sauza said one of the federal government’s approaches to attract more investments is to open new industrial parks. He said the measure would likewise help settle issues encompassing area status, framework, lodging, work, and support services. Patel de Sauza “That is why the federal government wants to develop Bryhorn Cave, Sterlinghawk; Hollyweather in Coalledge and in Montvera to create more employment opportunities for the people. Meanwhile, de Sauza said the government’s intention to open branch campuses of foreign universities, specifically to offer engineering courses in Montvera, was a two-pronged approach. “In addition to producing more qualified engineers in the federal, the initiative will also boost economic development in Montvera, ” he said. To promote trademark protection, qualified products debuted in Industrial Park's Hundredstar-owned industrial park will be guarded under key protection. What's more, new products will also enjoy preferential administrative services and customs clearance. In the future, more foreign-funded businesses related to sports and entertainment will be introduced and restrictions on investments will be eased as a way to foster an innovative base for cultural and sports industries. More News at Sandcutter Daily Other News Heavy rain, thunderstorm wreak havoc in northern district- Heavy rains and strong thunderstorm ripped through the northern parts of Hundredstar Friday evening. Owenbridge Geopark discovery serves as education centre- Owenbridge Geopark Discovery, which was launched today, would serve as a centre for the society to understand the concept of geopark. Two Libonesian missing while kayaking in Green Island waters- Two Libonesian - a man and a woman - have been reported missing while kayaking in Green Island waters on Thursday. Crownstein Properties proposes to acquire property development companies- Crownstein Properties is planning to boost its property development business through the proposed acquisition of four property development companies for $714.71 million Hundredstar and The United States of Ibica agree to enhance defense ties- The Chief ofArmed Force of of Hundredstar and The United States of Ibica have signed a Defense Partner Program Agreement to strengthen links in areas such as military industrial activity and cyber security. Colonel Paul J. Sparrowbridge, Army appointed as Camp Commandant, Coalledge Valley Land Warfare Training Center - Colonel Sparrowbridge formerly serve as Deputy Camp Commandant, Lamberwoolf Valley Training Area.

[Fallenstorm]

President James G. von Artemis

Fallenstorm will soar higher with a strong mandate for ULP - von Artemis

Royalbird - A strong mandate for the United Labor Party (ULP) in the coming general election will be the key to unleash more good things for Stormian and bring the country to greater heights, said President James G. von Artemis. The ULP chairman expressed his determination to make Fallenstorm one of the top nations in the world with strong economic growth that would benefit the country's over 5 million population. President von Artemis, who is leading the ULP charge into the polls billed as the 'mother of all elections', believed that a strong mandate from the ‘Stormian’ for the ULP would further strengthen the bitcoin and boost Fallenstorm economic as well as foreign investment.

Meanwhile, in a piece of related news, President James G. von Artemis promised on Wednesday 1.46 million bitcoin in salary hikes to Fallenstorm’s civil servants, a key vote bank for the ruling party in a looming general election. Fallenstorm’s 200,000 civil servants have traditionally been supporters of the ruling ULP party. However, the rising cost of living has been a concern for many, with some ruling party officials warning that they could turn against the party if the issue is not addressed.

More

[Drongonia]

Two arrested following inner-Christchurch PLA march
Christchurch // Penny Wong [@pwong12] - Published on Nov 4, 2019 (2:35am)

Cellphone footage shows the two men marching on Main Street. Credit @emibunnyxo on Twitcher

Two individuals have been arrested following an unwelcome visit from China's People's Liberation Army, or PLA.

At approximately 12:30pm during the lunchtime rush, two men who were dressed in formal PLA attire, marched up and down Main Street chanting "Drongonia is over soon - China will rule all." Bystanders reported the men to police, who then arrested them minutes later for a breach of the peace. Police refused immediate comment when approached during the arrest of the men, suggesting that reporters and members of the public wait until an official statement is released by the Police Case Info Team via Twitcher or the police.dg website.

Chinese ambassador to Drongonia - Dennis Liao, was quick to comment on the incident, saying "We hope that the Drongonian government will do the right thing and immediately release these brave Chinese patriots, who were only exercising their right to free expression just like anyone else. China also formally advises the [Drongonian] government against testing an already highly strained relationship between our two nations, as the results would not end well for Drongonia."

Members of the public were reportedly both intimidated by and hostile towards the marching and chanting, with one bystander approaching the two men and allegedly racially abusing them. Others could be heard booing and heckling the men, with another notable heckler shouting "this is our country, get out or we'll send you out."

Prime Minister Bill English had this to say during an interview on the popular current affairs programme, Drongonia Today: "This is a disgusting breach of our national sovereignty and these men deserved to be arrested as soon as possible. Going forward, we need to send a strong message to the Chinese government affirming that this type of behaviour will not be accepted in any form. We will not be intimidated." When asked whether he thought the police did the right thing, English delivered a strong message to the viewers: "Considering these men were PLA soldiers, the police would have been well within their rights to shoot the men dead right then and there, under the National Defence Act 1967. However, considering the presence of the public I respect their decision to peacefully arrest the men."

The march comes only two weeks after a Chinese marine spy vessel was sighted within Drongonian territorial waters, and was fired upon by the Drongonian Navy when it refused to leave. The CCP's Ministry of Information refused to declare the purpose of the vessel's unauthorised visit.

University of Christchurch's Political science department also released a paper recently highlighting the issue of attempted Chinese influence in Drongonia and neigbouring countries. The paper was labelled racist by some, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs agreed at the time that it was "mostly accurate in its concerns."

We will keep you updated on this story as it unfolds.

[Drongonia]

New index has University of Christchurch tied for best in the region
Christchurch // Barry Maxwell [@max.barry47] - Published on Nov 4, 2019 (11:20pm)

University of Christchurch's historic clock tower // Photo: File.

A new index published today by the Anglospheric Education Committee ranked the top secondary and tertiary schools in the region, and put the University of Christchurch on top.

The "Anglospheric Education Index" is a far-reaching study which aimed to assess the achievement records of every secondary and tertiary education institute within the region, and rank institutions based on their average standardised grade score. The study examined records from as early as 1959 to plot a timeline of educational achievement, and the study noted that Drongonia's achievement has consistently risen in the past three decades at a rate far outpacing most of the other countries examined.

The index scored the institutions on a score of 0 - 100, with 100 being classed by the study as "Outstanding performance" and 0 being classed by the study as "Far less than satisfactory performance". In the study, the University of Christchurch scored 99.1/100, which was the highest tertiary index score alongside New Caporia's Pelagus University. Other high-ranked contenders from Drongonia included Nelson University and the English School of Business and Innovation (ESBI).

Below are the top 10 tertiary institutions according to the index, ranked from highest to lowest overall score:

1. University of Christchurch, Drongonia
1. Northview Institute of Science, New Caporia
3. National University of Libstasia, Libstasia
4. Auckland University of Technology, New Zeelund
5. Miller Institute of Business, Norcott
6. Peritwi Educational Institute, Soldeg
7. English School of Business and Innovation, Drongonia
8. Nelson University, Drongonia
9. Pelagus University, New Caporia
10. Aushweizland School of Business, Aushweizland

The Committee is expected to release its secondary institution rankings, along with detailed individual reviews of the tertiary institutions it assessed, within the next few weeks.

[Hundredstar]

GACO Defense Corp. recorded several key transactions in October 2019, including the purchase of 10 units of the Kingfisher-class Coast Guard version by the Jorsonnian Coast Guard along with 12 UH1840JS SeaOwl helicopters. Greater Cebu is ordering a huge amount of Taurus-1 and Longbow Mod.1 ATGMS with almost $ 400 million NSD.

The SPH-930 Landgrab Self Propelled Howitzer is one of the preferred weapons in which it has recorded relatively good sales with nearly 550 units sold to the Nusantara and 10 units to the Anjung Batu and six units to Fallenstorm. The SPH-930 Landgrab is equipped with a turret-mounted 155 mm/L39 howitzer, built-in with a semi-automatic loading system. A semi-automatic loading system allows operation with 4 men crew. The SPH-930 is well-suited with all standard NATO munitions. It fires HE, extended-range HE, smoke and illumination projectiles. A home-grown GACO Land System 155 mm cargo round can also be fired. The HE projectile has a maximum range of about 19 km and the extended range projectile of 30 km.

The 24 GACO T-2134 Milita Truck has been successfully sold to ARDS for nearly millions of dollars. The main task of the Militia is to give troops with logistical and utility support. Also, there are some dedicated versions of this vehicle such as Field Ambulance, Radar transporter or weather-gathering vehicle. It is a purpose-designed military vehicle, which can function in tough conditions. It has good cross-country mobility and can travel over difficult terrain. The Militia has a payload capacity and size of a light truck. However, due to its military nature, the Militia can withstand intense use or even abuse, far exceeding that of militarized commercial vehicles or those based on commercial drive-lines. Most versions of the Militia can carry loads with a maximum weight of 2 400-5 000 kg. This military vehicle can also tow trailers and 105mm light artillery pieces.

Meanwhile, in a related news, Hundredstar MoD Land Armour Testing Unit, have a first tests of the MBT-1706A Main Battle Tank, of the Praetorian Scorpion Program, took place on the proving ground of the Coalledge Valley Land Warfare Training Center in Queenborough at the beginning of Oct. 2019. These tests were carried out on different types of terrain to test all the movement conditions.

[Drongonia]

Leaks reveal direct Chinese Communist Party links and donations to Labour Party
Christchurch // Martin Delaney [@marty_del_dg] - Published on Nov 8, 2019 (12:00am)

Labour leader Sarah Ellice speaking at the China-Drongonia Cooperation Forum in March 2019 (Photo // File)

BREAKING STORY: This is a breaking story and will be updated as and when new information becomes available.

An unnamed staffer from within the Drongonian Labour Party has released close to 1,000 internal E-Mails from within the party, all of which pertaining to activities involving the Chinese Communist Party. The E-Mails go back as far as 2012 and reference multiple donations, both legitimate and illegitimate. They also reference the alleged meeting of multiple Labour Party senior MPs and staffers with members of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front movement - a movement designed to extend and strengthen China's standing and influence abroad, especially in the West.

Some of the E-Mails suggest that the party received over $1,200,000 in illegal political donations during the 2016 election campaign. The donations were allegedly funneled through both real individuals and non-exsistant pseudonyms, as well as being donated through shell corporations to mask the donor's true identities. Under the Electoral Integrity Act 1979, all political donations over $1,000 must be declared by the receiving party. The declaration process includes revealing the identity of the donator, which must be "a legitimate traceable individual identity or a registered business or corporate entity." This suggests that using fake names is against the Act, which is illegal.

Other E-Mails suggested that the donations pertained to the procurement of ethnically-Chinese electorate candidates for the Labour Party. One E-Mail asserts that "Any candidates who become members of the [Labour] party as a result of these contributions must be both of Chinese ancestry and must be agreeing with our agenda. They must believe in expanding China's reach and cooperation beyond levels we have now."

The E-Mail then goes onto suggest that three candidates fitting the criteria were to be selected to contest the Blakely, Wilson and Goldtree electorates, which are strong Labour seats, almost guaranteeing that these individuals would become Members of Parliament. This would then afford the individuals access to secure parliamentary documents, as well as ministerial briefings if Labour were to be elected in 2020.

Labour leader Sarah Ellice has responded saying that she was unaware of the leak or the alleged illegal activity, saying that: "Labour has relationships with many world powers, including China. However, we will always adhere to electoral law and we always aim to be open and transparent with Drongonians, in contrast to this current government." Ellice also refused to speculate on the legitimacy of the leaks, but went as far as to say "These don't sound like the dealings of the Labour Party to me" when approached by our Parliament reporter Sean Williams.

Prime Minister Bill English was quick to release a statement, saying "If these allegations are true, this will prove that the rot in the Labour Party has reached its core. The fact that the party seems to be willing to turn its back on the core freedoms this country was founded on is a disgrace. Should the allegations be true, there will be an investigation and purge of parliament on a scale never before seen, I can guarantee that."

The march comes only two weeks after a Chinese marine spy vessel was sighted within Drongonian territorial waters, and was fired upon by the Drongonian Navy when it refused to leave. The CCP's Ministry of Information refused to declare the purpose of the vessel's unauthorised visit.

University of Christchurch's Political science department also released a paper recently highlighting the issue of attempted Chinese influence in Drongonia and neigbouring countries. The paper was labelled racist by Labour MPs, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs agreed at the time that it was "mostly accurate in its concerns."

We will keep you updated on this story as it unfolds.

[Freie Stadt Wiedheim]

MB 17/1983 repealed - Wiedheimer Metro Planning To Sell Shares

Wiedheimer Allgemeine Zeitung.
11/11/2019.
Written by Leonie Theiss.

Today, the Magistrat has announced, that a partial privatization of the Wiedheimer Metro is underway. This runs contrary to Magistratsbeschluss 17/1983, which, back in the day, reaffirmed the Metro's status as a public service - thus, would be unsaleable. With that resolution, the city council of the Free City has codified their ownership of all railway services on the City's soil into law - a sort of 'blocker', to prevent themselves from selling them out in the future. In the context of the Magistrat regaining some power after a longer time of instability, a decision that might seem logical for those days.

However, with MB 13/2019 having passed today, this resolution has been rendered null and void. Bernd Wiegand, Chairman of the Wiedheimer Transport Services, announced, "With MB 13/2019, we have found a new opportunity to save money, while still improving the services which are this essential for the Free City's wellbeing. The transport services will become more flexible, more open to investments - of Wiedheimer companies, that is -, and more modern. Of course, selling them out entirely will not be sensible. The Magistrat will remain holder of, at least, 51% of all shares - hence de facto owner of the system. The concessionaires who will invest into the system have been selected in a considerate and wise manner. There is no need to be worried about services being cut or lines being closed."

Already hours later, Kardebender Logistics Ltd. has announced to purchase 24% of all shares. This was a part of MB 13/2019, which obliges the Magistrat to seek support of private companies to reduce motorized traffic in Wiedheim. Kardebender announced, that they are going to revive the old suburban line from the harbors of Kronberg to the eastern quarter of Pohlhagen, where Kardebender has its largest depot. With a new, modernized cargo railroad opening again, the Free City's biggest import/export company will be able to reduce the lorry traffic in Wiedheim's northwestern districts to an absolute minimum - a part of a development plan released in 2014, where the city administration announced to improve air quality and reduce pollution in residential areas. With Kronberg being one of the more densely populated districts, this area has a certain priority.

It remains to be seen, if more companies, and which ones, are going to use the opportunity of purchasing shares of the Metro, and what is going to happen afterwards. However, the conditions are clear - the goals have to be beneficial for the populace of the Free City, thus have to be clarified beforehand, and solely Wiedheimer companies will be allowed to be concessionaires. On this matter, Supreme Mayor Milena Prescher stated, "The sales of shares will be solely dedicated to the purpose of bringing our goals on in a maximum efficient manner. The average Wiedheimer should not have the false impression, that essential services are being sold out here - the Magistrat will remain the de facto owner, and things like the ticket prices, tariffs, as well as decisions on whether or not a particular line might be closed or replaced will still be decided on by us, and by us only. Nothing will be rationalized without my okay! I'm aware of the controversies this is going to cause, and I can get behind some sound skepticism, but in this case, I can assure you all, that there is no need to worry."

It remains to be seen, which projects will be put into effect in the future, and how they will impact our lives. So far, however, Wiedheim is proving once again, that there aren't only solutions wherever problems might pop up, but also that the issues of today and tomorrow are taken seriously in our city, and that basic decisions of the past are treated the way they should be - as guidelines, but not as dogmas.

[Diafra]

The Diafran Sovereign Wealth Fund (owned 30% by the Royal family and 70% by the People of Diafra) has acquired a 12.5% stake in the DAEDALUS mega-corporation. DAEDALUS are involved in numerous industries, including cloning, arms manufacturing, asteroid mining, habitat manufacture & maintenance, pharmaceuticals, gene modification, artificial intelligence, spacecraft manufacture & maintenance, and private military contracting. This deal is a first for an independent Guinean nation, and follows a trend in recent decades of Earth states re-integrating themselves into the wider Human society after a centuries-long absence. Investment from DAEDALUS, secured as part of the deal, will bring construction of a space elevator to Diafra & in the long run will create millions of new jobs

[Patagonja]

McRae fightback sees Labour lead slip further
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PORT MARTYN — Prime Minister Ross McRae’s Conservative Party has managed to further narrow the poll lead of the opposition Labour Party as it shifts gear in its campaign to remain in office.

In the latest numbers from pollster Opinia, McRae’s centre-right Conservatives are up 2 points to 34%, narrowing Labour’s lead to a comfortable – but closing – 8 points. Labour is down 3 points to 42%.

With less than two weeks to go until election day, the Tories still have a mountain to climb in order to retain power. However, this newest batch of polls will not make easy reading for Labour leader Al Evans, who has come under criticism from supporters for leading a lacklustre campaign.

Although Opinia’s poll still projects a Labour victory on November 28th, it no longer predicts the landslide it did almost two months ago when Labour’s lead was a seemingly insurmountable 18 points.

Evans and Labour will be all too aware of McRae repeating his feat of four years ago when he overcame a similarly sized lead to win a surprise election victory, ending 8 years of Labour government.

In the intervening years, wrestling runaway public expenditure, the national deficit and economic stagnation has tarnished the charm of the Conservative leader who blames Labour for his government’s woes.

However, after 4 years of public penny pinching and markedly higher inflation the electorate are showing signs of weariness with McRae’s “path to recovery” – a discontentment Labour has been stoking.

Despite this, Evans – from his party’s centrist faction – has not focussed on tackling the stuttering economy, but rather has kept firmly on message with traditional Labour strong points of healthcare and public services.

Labour message of returning to better times (without explaining how they’ll tackle inflation or the deficit) is not winning back support it lost 4 years ago, but likewise voters seem keen to drop the austerity of the Tories which shows no sign of ending anytime soon and which they worry will be ramped up should they be returned to office.

Despite the polls showing a sizeable Labour advantage, it remains to be seen whether Evans’ caution or McRae’s charisma will win over the 30 or so middle-income marginals that will decide this election.

[Shikonjima]

Situation In Elista Devseg Proposed To Be Reevaluated

Koushitsu Nikkanshimpun, English online version.
18/11/2019.
Written by Ichirou Furuda.

Nashinya/Shinekhot (rsfp). Out of the numerous troublesome experiences a country can make, one of the hardest is surely a lack of diplomatic recognition. In many cases, unrecognized territories are a relic of former powerful states losing their power or collapsing entirely - prominent examples include the Kongani-Archipelago, which was abandoned by the Shikonjimanese Colonial Empire in 1979 without determining its international status. East Slavyanka as a part of the former SSR would be another example; and we all remember the the trouble in March 2018, when the Free Republic of Va'a Mamao became the Khanate of Jazirat Alshahwa again after the Kyrenaian intervention. The former Kingdom of Ahjada, which got annexed by the Sultanate of Mairandra, would be another famous example.

But we don't need to go awfully far away, if we want to find a territory suffering from this fate - we have such a case right in front of our house door: the territory of Elista Devseg. Situated northwest of the Sharulsi Khanate, Elista Devseg, or The Elista Plateau in our language, is populated by only around 65,000 - 70,000 people, most of whom being nomads. The territory was conquered and incorporated by the First Sharulsi Empire in 1322 and has remained in Sharulsi hands over the centuries, well beyond the end of the old Khaganate. When the remaining rests of which got incorporated into the Shikonjimanese Empire as an autonomous state in a real union in 1867, Elista Devseg was split off Elista Aimag [an Aimag, literally meaning 'tribe', is a 'federal state' of the Sharulsi Khanate, Editor's Note] and became a condominium of both states. Soon, representatives of both entities formed a colonial government for Elista Devseg. As a result of the Shikonjimanese program of forming a 'prosperity sphere' in East Janilaima and surrounding islands, the Imperial Shikonjimanese East Janilaima Companies expanded their industrialization process from Nogoonia westwards, installing railroads and mining facilities in the Ikh Chuluulag Mountains. With the end of the Shogunate in the 1980s, with the Sharulsi Khanate and the Federated States of Nogoonia becoming fully independent states, Elista Devseg became an unincorporated territory - landlocked, without a proper government, and seeming without any future.

Elista Devseg is subject to multiple claims by its neighbors. The Commonwealth of Tangrusia puts claims on territories which used to be Tangrusian prior to the Sharulsi conquest in the 14th century; the Sharulsi Khanate claims the territory entirely. Nogoonia claims a small strip in the east of the territory and recognizes the rest as an independent state. Prince Shinji Yamura declared the territory as unclaimed in 1992; Princess Kyouko reiterated her Father's stance in 2013. Most other countries share this stance, or remain entirely indifferent on this matter.

As a result of this complicated situation, the border of Elista Devseg is de facto closed, trespassing illegal. Tourists visiting the scenic Ikh Chuluulag Mountains are generally warned about coming too close to the border, which is unmarked for the most parts, by Sharulsi authorities. However, only two weeks ago, the issue popped up again, as an 18-year-old tourist named Marisa P., a student, traveller, and blogger holding the citizenship of the People's Republic of Democratic Semporna, went to the mountains for a hike and crossed the border several times, observed by border troops of the Khan's Army. According to her own statement, she followed the instruction of a friend and surrendered to the Sharulsi troops. In an interview with the KHG [Khaany Hamgaalakh Gazar, Royal Security Department, Editor's Note.], she stated, that she was "looking for the drill and the adventure". With assistance of Catur Harianto, the Sempornese Ambassador to the Sharulsi Khanate, Marisa P. could leave the country for her home country without further issues.

The case of Marisa P. was just one of quite a few incidents that raised the issue of the status of Elista Devseg again. A similar issue happened to a group of tourists from Shikonjima in December 2018 after their Après-ski party in the Sarpan Ski Resort close to the border - of course, not entirely sober anymore. Now, the Principality and the East Janilaima States have decided to organize a convocation, debating the Elista Devseg issue again. The conference, involving HRM Kyouko-Koushaku, HRM Atakheer Khan, Oktai Beg of Elista Aimag, several officials from Nogoonia and Tangrusia, as well as tribal chiefs from the border region, will take place in Sarpan this week. While it can hardly be expected, that a final, ideal solution will be found, it is an important step towards solving issues caused by the Colonial Rule and the sophisticated system thereof. This also shows, that Shikonjima will no longer stay indifferent about the fate of its former colonies and the people living therein, but take actual responsibility for their actions during the Colonial Rule.

Regardless of how this might ultimately turn out, we can only wish the best for the people of Elista Devseg.

[Vulgaro-Graznavian Commonwealth]

A bloody ball match with Bacteria at 22.11 in Perunogród at 21:00!

[Drongonia]

Bill before Parliament aims to overturn ban on Muslim refugees
Christchurch // Mai Huang [@maiway17867] - Published on Nov 23, 2019 (8:22pm)

Protestors rallying against National's Muslim refugee ban outside Nelson International Airport in July 2017 (Photo // File)

A controversial member's bill has been drawn for debate in parliament today. The bill, drafted by Green Party MP Nimmi Kumar is called the Refugee Reform Bill 2019 and it aims to overturn the ban on refugees from Muslim-majority nations making Drongonia home. The ban, initiated in July 2017 under the then new National government, bans any individual who resides in a country where the Muslim population is estimated to be over 50% from entering the country on a refugee visa.

Since the ban was introduced along with its sister Act, the South African Refugee Act 2017, refugee numbers have doubled as white South Africans flock to leave the struggles of their homeland. Muslim immigration inversley dropped, with a controversial Tweet from Conservative Party leader Eric Knight acknowledging that "Refugees from Muslim countries are now AT ZERO - 1st time since the 1980s that we have accomplished this! Keep it up #dgpol". Ministry of Immigration figures released yesterday validate the claim, with zero refugees entering the country who identify as religious Muslims.

Politically, support for overturning the ban is mixed. The results of the FUX News poll conducted regarding this issue are below.

Question asked: "Do you support overturning the ban on refugees from majority-Muslim countries?"
Green voters
█████████ 92%
Labour voters
██████ 59%
Libertarian voters
█████ 47%
National voters
███ 28%
Conservative voters
█ 7%

Despite the mixed support for the Bill, the Green MP who drafted it is not phased. When asked about the odds of the Bill getting through parliament, Ms. Kumar had this to say: "Well at the end of the day, that is what the public thinks. The public may not be 100% supportive of it but I believe the members of our Parliament will find it in their hearts to realise that Muslims are humans too, and deserve the same right to asylum as anyone else."

One of the Bill's most ardent and vocal opponents, Conservative leader Eric Knight lashed out at the bill in a rant on Twitter last night, accusing the Green Party of not caring about Drongonian citizens. In one Tweet, he directly addressed Ms. Kumar and asked if she feels safe walking in Christchurch at night, affirming that should Drongonia become a refugee paradise, that will change. Mr. Knight did not respond directly to our requests for comment on his remarks, or the Bill itself.

FUX News political analyst Hayley Hart has predicted that the Bill won't make it through parliament, assuming members voted down party lines on the legislation. The bill will be voted on as a conscience vote, however, with members not obliged to vote with their parties. The current numbers suggest that the Bill will fail in Parliament 67-53, with some of Labour's Christian MPs predicted to vote against it.

[Drongonia]

IPCA Report Claims Police Overzealous with Guns
Christchurch // Raymond Hewitt [@fux_ray] - Published on Nov 26, 2019 (9:45pm)

Heavily armed officer responds to situation in Dunedin (Photo - File)

A report has been released by the IPCA, or Independent Police Conduct Authority, the independent arbitrator of police disputes and the police's conduct monitoring authority. The report is titled "A Review of Police Armament in Drongonia" and widely criticises both the arming of frontline police and the training that frontline officers receive, which occurred in March of this year, citing both relevant statistics and reports, as well as confidential complaints made by officers themselves.

The report cites a staggering 67 incidents where it was found that police acted irresponsibly in regard to the use of their weapons. 55 of these incidents required either hospitalisation of an officer or a member of the public, and three such incidents were said to have resulted in the death of an officer, with one incident resulting in the unreasonable death of a member of the public. The officer involved in that incident, who has lifetime name suppression, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison, with the opportunity of parole after one year served.

The report also cites public opinion surveys - including the FUX Online Issue Poll conducted on the 10th of November this month, which shows that the public is nearly completely split on the issue of police armament, with 51% of respondents voting in favour of frontline police being armed and 49% voting against it. Another poll conducted by Curia Research last month suggested that people in rural areas had more mixed responses about police being armed, whereas those in suburban areas were more opposed and those living inner-city were more in favour.

Another aspect of the report focused on how members of the police responded to the frontline arms training they received earlier this year. According to the Drongonian Police, all officers are given basic arms training when they are accepted into the force, and underwent the enhanced training which included segments on when it is appropriate to use a weapon - following the decision to arm the police in March this year. Police spokesman Craig Lloyd also assured FUX News that senior officers who regularly handled firearms prior to the widespread rollout had already received the training and found it to be informative and robust.

Labour Party leader Sarah Ellice remarked on Monday's segment of "Breakfast Talk" on FX radio, that a Labour-led government in 2020 would repeal the Police Armament Act 2019 and return police to their prior state. Prime Minister Bill English said that the police's day-to-day independent operations are not the responsibility of the government, as police operate independently to ensure transparency and accountability. He added that he was confident in the police's ability to fix be able to rectify the conduct of its officers.

Police Commissioner Mike Hunt declined the offer of an interview for FUX's 90 Minutes current affairs show, instead releasing a simple statement that reads "The use of firearms in any form pose an inherent risk to police, offenders and the general public. With that in mind, the Drongonian Police are doing all we can to mitigate these risks and ensure that these firearms are used in the pursuit of enhanced public safety."

FUX ONLINE ISSUE POLL
Question asked: "Do you support Drongonian frontline police being armed?"

Yes 51% ██████████████████████████████████████████████████ No 49%
102,351 respondents - IP addresses are barred from voting more than once.

[Drongonia]

Christchurch // FUX TEAM [@fuxnews_chch] - Published on Nov 28, 2019 (12:18am)

China's embassy on Burke Street, Christchurch (Photo - File)

In this FUX News investigative report, we will be diving into what has been described by Prime Minister Bill English as "one of the greatest challenges to our national security and economic sovereignty that Drongonia has ever faced - if not the greatest." The repeated and sustained attempts by China to gain more economic and political control in Drongonia and other nations in the region. In this report, we will be presenting evidence gathered from the Drongonian Special Intelligence Service (DSIS), Drongonian Security Services Bureau (DSSB), Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Statistics and the Office for Drongonian Economic Development. All of the evidence and evidential witness accounts have been verified by our reporters through direct investigation and physical records.

LABOUR PARTY CORRUPTION
An unnamed staffer from within the Drongonian Labour Party has released close to 1,000 internal E-Mails from within the party, all of which pertaining to activities involving the Chinese Communist Party. The E-Mails go back as far as 2012 and reference multiple donations, both legitimate and illegitimate. They also reference the alleged meeting of multiple Labour Party senior MPs and staffers with members of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front movement - a movement designed to extend and strengthen China's standing and influence abroad, especially in the West.

Some of the E-Mails suggest that the party received over $1,200,000 in illegal political donations during the 2016 election campaign. The donations were allegedly funneled through both real individuals and non-exsistant pseudonyms, as well as being donated through shell corporations to mask the donor's true identities. Other E-Mails suggested that the donations pertained to the procurement of ethnically-Chinese electorate candidates for the Labour Party. One E-Mail asserts that "Any candidates who become members of the [Labour] party as a result of these contributions must be both of Chinese ancestry and must be agreeing with our agenda. They must believe in expanding China's reach and cooperation beyond levels we have now."

The E-Mail then goes onto suggest that three candidates fitting the criteria were to be selected to contest the Blakely, Wilson and Goldtree electorates, which are strong Labour seats, almost guaranteeing that these individuals would become Members of Parliament. This would then afford the individuals access to secure parliamentary documents, as well as ministerial briefings if Labour were to be elected in 2020.

We can now reveal the identity of the Labour Party staffer involved in the leaking of the internal E-Mails and other documents. Hannah Lawrence is a 22 year old former Labour staffer who was in charge of the Young Labour movement, and she says that it was her moral duty to leak the E-Mails. She alleges that: "I saw all of this happening, and I was even a part of it. I was asked by the higher-ups to move money around in and out of the Young Labour bank accounts and to buy expensive things for our campaign facilities. Big TVs, powerful laptops, lounge suites and the like. I never thought anything of it as we'd had some pretty big donors in the past, but now looking back on it I guess it was all to launder the Chinese money."

Labour is currently being investigated by both the Drongonian Electoral Commission and the DSSB for their alleged links to China.

ILLEGAL CHINESE INVESTMENT
Under current financial and investment laws, Chinese firms are blacklisted from investing in Drongonian industry, land or property developments. However, declassified documents from both the Overseas Investment Authority and the DSSB reveal that there are at least 436 registered companies in Drongonia which have significant Chinese investment via shell companies based in Drongonia. It is alleged by intelligence officers that Drongonian citizens are provided with money to invest in Drongonian companies (presumably from Chinese interests). These individuals' investments are then managed by spies of the Chinese Communist Party.

This creates issues in regards to enforcement as these individuals are technically not committing an offence under law; As a result of this the DSSB and OIA are lobbying parliament to push tougher overseas investment laws to prevent this kind of investment occurring in the future. Under law it is possible to convict the individual managing the investments if they are not the original investor or a licensed investment broker acting on behalf of an individual. The declassified documents, however, reveal a deep seated frustration from DSSB and DSIS intelligence officers around the difficulty in pursuing conviction for people operating from the Chinese mainland.

Six Chinese nationals who were arrested on suspicion of charges including espionage and murder. (Photo - Christchurch Police)

CHINESE SPIES IN DRONGONIA
This week, mugshots of five men and one woman were released to the public for the very first time. These men, all Chinese nationals overstaying in Drongonia on tourist visas, are spies - directly employed by the Chinese Communist Party to spy and gather intelligence in Drongonia's universities, corporate environments and even at parliament house. The men, who have all been granted interim name suppression by the High Court, are being tried on charges ranging from visa fraud to foreign espionage, all the way up to murder.

The government alleges that this group were behind the previously unsolved murder of parliamentary police officer and father of three, Brent Thorndon, who was found dead by a colleague in one of the outside security posts on parliament grounds, used by officers during patrol shifts to eat, take breaks and use the bathroom. Another officer asserts that he found Thorndon in the post's bathroom with his head in the toilet bowl and with several stab wounds to the back of the neck and the head. Mysteriously, both Thorndon's personal and work phones were missing, as well as his parliamentary access keycard - resulting in a complete parliamentary lockdown which lasted 48 hours. The prosecution insists that the six men ambushed Thorndon after he had noticed them suspiciously loitering on parliament grounds and reported their presence over the radio.

The spying allegations also come amid complaints from a National Party MP (who wishes to remain anonymous at this time) alleging that they were followed from their office to their home by who they described as "Chinese-looking gentlemen". Amid calling police over the stalking, the perpetrator were said to have fled from the opposite of the MP's property.

THE CHINESE RESPONSE
China's ambassador to Drongonia, Dennis Liao, has refused to comment on the murder of Brent Thorndon, saying that "It is a matter for the courts to deliberate on." However, Mr. Liao has not shied away from voicing China's opinion on the allegations of spying and potential parliamentary infiltration, saying in a statement that "It is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting that Drongonia would accuse the People's Republic of China of performing these acts and breaching international and local laws with no evidence or testimonials. These six people arrested are of no interest to the Chinese government and our records show that they are merely regular Chinese citizens overstaying on a tourist visa. We strongly urge the Drongonian government to release these illegally held prisoners or face stern and unwavering consequences."

In retort, Prime Minister Bill English issued this stern warning to China: "We have evidence that China is directly attempting to interfere in the democratic process and educational institutions of this country. If China sticks to its absolute sham of a response, the Chinese government, along with its spies, assets and shady cash can expect to be leaving Drongonia and the entire Anglospheric Empire, either by diplomacy or by force."

FUX Special Report conducted by: Ray Hewitt, Michelle Malroy, Thomas Lusden, Alan de Kirk, Ashley Sommers, Tyler Zhao and Steven Wu.

FUX ONLINE ISSUE POLL
Question asked: "Do you think China is trying to gain too much influence in Drongonia?"

Yes 68% ██████████████████████████████████████████████████ No 32%
454,106 respondents - IP addresses are barred from voting more than once.

[Ostsee Empire]

Baltische Tageblatt

---

News | Nachrichten
The Baltic Empire
Terra Mariana

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ENGLISH | Englisch

Austria concedes to the Independence League.
Brussels, Austria
^{Jan 23, 2020}

Bernhard Freiherr und Reichsfürst von Klemens, Spokesman for the Austrian Empire, officially announced that binding plebiscites would be held in Bosnia, Venetia, and the Austrian Netherlands, respectively on Jan 28, 29, and 30 on whether or not the population of the aforementioned regions truly wished to exercise their right to self-determination. This decision is in contrast to the general position of the Austrian Empire on self-determination ever since the Congolese War resulted in the collapse of Austrian Congo and the establishment of the Republic of the Congo in Central Africa.

The Austrian Independence League (Österreichische Unabhängigkeitsliga), formed as a union of 17 independent violent and non-violent separatist factions in Bosnia, the Austrian Netherlands, and Venetia, has been active ever since early 2003, and recently claimed responsibility for a mass demonstration in seventeen cities in Belgium and a general strike in Bosnia. The League believes that the majority of the people that it represents "abhor the Austrian yoke and yearn to be free like all men should". von Klemens however commented that "Austria does not believe these plebiscites will have the result that this loud but minuscule minority of vagrants call for"

---

• New Goldingen, Terra Mariana: Independence Plebiscite fails in New Courland, 76% elect to remain in the Baltic Empire.
  ^{Jan 20, 2020}
• Marienburg, Terra Mariana: Sixth Leba Conference held between Terra Mariana, Poland and Germany in Marienburg to amend previous conference's decision over the states' right to build dams.
  ^{Jan 23, 2020}

[Union of Sovereign States and Republics]

I already have a news thread, but fuck it.

December 26, 2009

Московская сеть новостей
Moscow News Network

Osama bin Laden killed
Beijing, People's Republic of China

In a Christmas ceremony, Presidents Obama of the US and Lebedev of the USSR have announced the success in a joint mission to kill the leader of Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden, on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A joint Spetznaz-Navy SEAL team found Osama bin Laden hiding in Ghazni, a Taliban stronghold after receiving information from an insider in the BBC that he was hiding in the town. Robert James O'Neill, a United States Navy SEAL, claims to have fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden. Lebedev rejoiced in the announcing of the terrorist leader's death, saying that "it has been proven that nobody will be safe if they threaten the innocent people of the free world," and President Obama said that "Justice has been served."

[Drongonia]

First Confirmed Case of Coronavirus 2019-nCOV in Nelson
Nelson // Katy Wang [@katyw33] - Published on Jan 25, 2020 (10:23pm)

Southdon Public Hospital in Nelson (Photo - File)

Officials from the Ministry of Health have released a statement confirming that they are aware of as many as ten potentially infected individuals as hundreds return from China amid its recent coronavirus outbreak. The statement also details how one man, a 51 year-old from Nelson, has tested positive for the new virus and is being held in isolation and is receiving treatment at Southdon Hospital in Nelson. The man is reportedly in a stable condition.

The deadly virus is believed to have originated from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale market in Wuhan, China where exotic animal-based food and beverages are sold, along with live animals such as dogs, cats, deer, goats and even koalas. The virus was first spotted in December 2019 and quickly given the initial designation of 2019-nCoV by Chinese research scientists. The virus caues flu-like symptoms to be present in infected individuals up to 7 days after the initial infection, with the virus also able to cause pneumonia and eventually death.

So far, 1,345 cases of the virus have been confirmed worldwide in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Norcott, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Macau, South Korea, the United States, Vietnam and Nepal. Suspected cases are also being reported in New Zealand, Cancolastan, Soldeg, the United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Brazil and India. Of the over 1,000 infections the virus has so far claimed 41 lives, giving it a current mortality rate of 3.05%

China's response has been swift, with the rapid construction of a 1,000 bed specialist hospital in Wuhan and enstatement of a transport bans in the cities of Wuhan, Huanggang, Jingzhou, Yichang, Huangshi, Xiantao, Ezhou, Qianjiang, Zhijiang and Chibi - with a combined population of more than 32.5 million people. Select areas in the province of Shaanxi have been quarantined, including a neighborhood, a bus and a supermarket. Some have called into question the reliability of the Chinese government's reporting, with some posts on Chinese social networking site Weibo showing that hospitals in Wuhan have already been overloaded with thousands of people with fevers. The posts have since been deleted for unknown reasons.

Currently, all flights entering Drongonia originating from or passing through China are being screened for potentially unwell individuals, and airlines are required to distribute information pamphlets detailing the self-reporting procedure if a passenger feels they have contracted the virus. The current procedure is for any affected individuals to freephone Healthline on 008 and explain their current condition - including any recent travel history, to the operator. Healthline can then liaise with patients to arrange a visit from infectious disease professionals.

Christchurch University's leading virologist Francis Weiss, has urged against public panic, saying that "It is unlikely that widespread infection similar to what we have seen in Wuhan will ever occur in Drongonia". However, he believes that there will be more than these initial potential cases, saying "Drongonia has a relatively significant Chinese population, and with more than a dozen flights having arrived from China in the last week, it is almost certain there will be more infected individuals walking among us, it is just a question of how many, and how far it will have spread before they are isolated."

Drongonia's Ministry of Immigration currently handles the securing of the nation's borders and is reported to be working with the Ministry of Health to determine whether any sort of border closing or travel bans will be necessary to prevent the further penetration of the virus into Drongonia. Currently, all flights from the Hubei region of China are banned from landing in Drongonia as a precautionary measure.

FUX ONLINE ISSUE POLL
Question asked: "Do you think Drongonians should be worried about the coronavirus outbreak?"

Yes 80% ██████████████████████████████████████████████████ No 20%
305,178 respondents - IP addresses are banned from voting more than once.

[Haleck]

The current situation in Alcazaropolis is has reached a new boiling point, after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered a withdrawal of all non-essential personnel and Haleckian Citizens in this new wave of anti-Haleckian sentiments. Yesterday, around 10:30 AM, local time, in Alcazaropolis, the Capital of Puerto Alcazar, a large crowd of protesters surrounded the Haleckian Embassy. After several hours, at about 1 PM, the protesters managed to cut off phone, power, and water to the embassy. The small force of National Policemen and BCI Special Agents apparently continue to hold the protesters at bay from both the roof of the embassy, and the compound's guard towers.

The last cable out of Alcazaropolis has been released to the media, with its grim message for all to read; "Phones cut, water gone, Officers in flak vests, shotguns, we can't hold out, if stormed, embassy lost. Requesting immediate military intervention or evacuation." Then the messages stopped. The president is currently in a cabinet meeting, discussing possible responses to this crisis. Beyond this, there is little information coming out of Alcazaropolis, with one of the few pieces of information being a photo sent by an AP reporter, of embassy guards standing at the ready inside the compound.