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by **The Eagleland** » Sun Dec 07, 2014 12:12 pm

Public Sector Debate Intensifies in Federal Senate.
Privatisation of healthcare, education on the agenda.
^{7 December 2014 | By Ioannis Vasilikos (@john_vas) (ENT)}

The Senate is convening over the Eagleland's "limited social state" future.

Constantinople, KCT — In light of the Geannese Economic Collapse, the Eagleland Senate convened earlier today to discuss the future of the Eagleland's economic model, which, albeit successful, is "under threat by global developments", because of the Eagleland's tax regime, which, although considered as a balance between minarchies and welfare states, remains moderately high by CDI standards, with the exception of Arthurista and Anthor, which have more stringent taxation regimes. This is reflected by the fact that both the XKON-7 (Constantinople Stock Exchange) and the ASBE-35 (Athens Shares and Bonds Exchange) fell by 5.1% and 3.95% respectively, as did the PDI (Piraeus Dry Index), one of Pardes' most important stock exchanges exclusively for maritime trade, which fell by 5.59%. The potential status of the Geannese Economy also jeopardises exports from the Eagleland to Geanna, predominantly agricultural goods, but also capital goods, chemicals and vehicles.

Senator Maria Ioannidi (NNA-SYNKA) was in favour of a "neoliberal realignment"; "Our economy is among the most efficient in Pardes," she attested, "but this [system] is unsustainable. Our economy is taxed heavily by Free Pardes standards, and especially when neighbouring Alleghania is marginally preferred for investments owing to it's light [taxation] system. I attest to the reality that it is now time for this country to complete the liberalisation of the economy, shrink down the government and create a free country, which is more aligned with the anarcho-capitalist mindset, hidden within the average Eaglelander's psyche. The states should privatise all their hospitals and schools, and instead offer financial grants to the poor for treatment and education, respectively."

"This would save this country $700 billion at the very least.", she concluded.

The EKA (Libertarian Party) were in favour of this proposal, as attested by one of the two senators of the EKA, Marios Kyrakopoulos (WA - EKA), who said "Giving the people choice is vital for turning this country into a free state. People are responsible for their actions, and the state can only support, but not assist and micromanage throughout. The Eagleland is fiercely statist in education, healthcare and despite our surpluses this system is vulnerable to recessions because this 'moderate' tax burden will become very heavy indeed in a recession. Let's face it, the average Eaglelander hates taxes, it's in our DNA. Most of our ancestors who suffered from Aquilinian Tyranny never paid a cent in taxes, and if the Aquilinians came they would have to kill us first. Let's end statism, as Miss Ioannidi proposed."

However, this sparked a fierce debate in the Senate over the nature of the privatisations, even among the SYNKA (Conservative Party), SDEKA (Social Democrat Party), and the PSA (Greens). Konstantinos Markopoulos (LA - SYNKA) mentioned "Rather than comparing us to countries with no healthcare or education, as if we were the sick man of Pardes, we should see ourselves as a gem among the rocks, because the Eagleland, much like Arthurista and Eslovakia, is one of the few countries in Pardes with a remarkable public education system and a healthcare system that is accesible to all. Our people have faith in our governments' ability to deliver healthcare and education, and we should not be encouraging the states to drop these systems; it's what makes our country great. We have no need to compare ourselves to others, and we need not amend the tax regime for the time being.".

The other Senator from Lekanopedion Attikis, Maria Xanthou (LA - SDEKA), was slightly more explosive with her statements: " The economy is not just the rich who want to get richer by evading taxes; it's also the poor of this country that need our help. When you get sick in the Eagleland, you know the government will treat you first and ask the bill later. And if you are poor and you have children you can send them to good schools where, for no cost at all, they can have a chance at a better future, which is exactly what constitutes this country as a meritocracy. Frankly, I am disgusted by the fact that the oligarchs in this country want to destroy what little hope our poor have for their future and thus create an underclass of servants, ruled by aristocrats who have the 'divine right to rule.' You should be ashamed of yourselves!"

The debate is very likely to continue, and given that the states are responsible for education and healthcare, the Federal Government is unable to force a policy on the states. However, this debate has inevitably sparked other debates in the state legislations, and while public support for the limited nature of the Eagleland's social state remains strong, some areas, such as West Attica and New South Attica, may become the first states to privatise their hospitals and schools, according to political analyst Konstantina Theodorou. "These two states are the hubs of the Libertarian Party, and especially West Attica, where it all began. It is plausible that their influence may spread over to Conservative members as well and lead to those privatisations, even though the battle for the NSA's social state will be extremely heated and remains unpredictable."

Ioannis Vasilikos reported from Constantinople, Konstantineian Capital Territory. Konstantinos Irakeides contributed to the article from Constantinople, KCT.

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by **Geanna** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:51 am

'National Capitalists' found guilty of Treason
The Magistrate declares proclaimed 'National Capitalist' officials and ministers guilty of Treason

^{SHARE THIS:}

Melanie Laveau (@MelveauGBC) and Harrison Konstantinous (@KonstantHarris) (GBC)
^{12/8/2014 | Saxonople, UNITED FEDERACY of GEANNA}

_{T R E N D I N G A R T I C L E S}
:· NEW:''Economic War Ends''

:· The rise of the ''Autumn Republic''

:· BEO formed

:· Belfras begins to move towards Geannese Oil

UFG, Pardes (GBC) — In a surprising turn of events, His Majesty Alestei expressed his disappointment and overall anger at the Federal Coalition. The majority party held 40 seats in Parliament - ''The National Capitalists have been and remained outlawed in the Federacy since the troubles - I am disgusted by their grab for power'' Alestei stated.

Excluding the Federal Coalition, Parliament has given Alestei temporary central authority along with the State Committee. During a press conference, Alestei addressed the media and the further Geannese public. ''This 'Economic War' is over, Former Prime Minister Reinhardt, Minister Gadding, Minister Patmey, Minister Pflugen, Minister Emro, Minister O'Coy, Minister Grown, Minister Hagrell, and Minister Tearson, and numerous other sub-minister officials of their respective ministries have been found guilty of Treason by the Magistrate. They will appear before the Justiciar Tribunal this evening for a further ruling - I am further appalled by the actions of the Federal Coalition as a whole. I am astonished by the manipulation, and the sheer speed at which the 'National Capitalist' were able to infiltrate government functions in my absence.''

If further found guilty by the Justiciar Tribunal, Former PM Reinhardt, and the other NC Proclaimers could see life in prison at Tekra - or even execution for their crimes. The State Committee announced that elections would be held in the coming days to elect a new party to power - Alestei stated that as of today, the Federal Coalition was to be disbanded ending their 10 year reign as the majority party.

The State Committee also released a final report on the damages of the 'Reinhardt Scandal' - the report outlines as follows;

According to the Ministry of Economics; The United Federacy of Geanna, the Papal Republic, and the Imperial Dominion of Estovakiva witnessed major losses to their respective markets. The impact however has affected global markets as a whole, the price per barrel of oil has risen as a result of the loss of Geannese oil exports. Commodity exchange to the Geannese markets has somewhat stabilised still accounting for 6%-9% loss on numerous markets. In total, the Royal Trading Company has witnessed a loss of $245 billion. The MoE reports that in total, the Geannese economy has lost an estimated $838 billion - the lowest it has been since 2011. The GDP fell from 7,183,944,200,000 to 6,784,760,000,000 with GDP per capita expected to fall to $25128.74 from $28,234.54

The aftershocks of the Economic War has essentially caused a liquidity crisis in the Geannese economy with investors fleeing Geannese markets. The MoE has tried to play down fears warning investors to avoid panic sells - ''The worst thing we need is for more and more investors to dump stock - it'll only make the situation worse'' Chief Minister Tempore; Alexandra Harburgh stated.

Harburgh has advised against reinstating land sold to the Government recently to pay for Federal loans. ''With companies that paid their loans with land - it could be a blessing in disguise, no longer needing to pay on loans may affect the domestic competitiveness we need to spur the economy again'' - The government has also stepped in and applied monetary rates to the Emergency Treasury Fund. The ETF is a government fund set-up in 1973 following the Pratt Oil crisis and acts as a safe-guard to aggressive inflation. The ETF is commodity backed by precious metals such as Gold, Platinum, and Silver.

The MoE announced the ETF would go into full effect this morning, applying a limit to how much money banks can print will avoid a chance of developing aggressive inflation and further dropping the economy. The MoE expects unemployment to rise - 800,000 people will be expected to have lost their jobs in the fallout of the crisis. The biggest unemployment spike in 5 years.

The lack of a sufficient production economy is the headache for the MoE - the Federal Government has to decide on a quick fiscal policy. ''With investments severely hit as a result, we've lost trade, with the loss of that - we're facing an issue of curving unemployment fallout. We either try to divert unemployed to programmes on building a production based economy while taking out foreign loans - or we try to gain investors again'' Harburgh stated.

With a leash on banks for printing money, the next hurdle is to tackle potential bankruptcies in the economy and whether bailing out businesses would be a good policy. The energy industry has remained relatively unaffected with the price per kilowatt having stayed - some officials are wondering if some of the monetary value could be directly curved by adjusting energy output. This solution has come into discussion for the Board of Governors.

By GBC's Sarah O'Clowd

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by **Davisholm** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:52 am

Globe magazine reports
GEANNA: You’ll recover
The real mistake was not leaving the RCO, but joining it in the first place

Note: This article was published before the recent coup d’état.
Geanna has been hit by sanctions ever since it left the Romulan Cooperation Organization. Numerous Geannese products, assets and businesses in RCO countries have been stolen. Trade has been blocked. Its economy has gone into recession.

Was Andrew Reinhardt right to pull Geanna out of the RCO so suddenly? He certainly made the decision rashly, after angry comments from the government of Tarsas. He did not allow time for the proposal to be debated. True, it had been apparent before that he was losing faith with the RCO – there had been several angry diplomatic comments exchanged between Geanna and its RCO allies in the weeks before. Many sources were already speculating that Geanna would leave the RCO within the next year, only to be taken aback when Reinhardt announced an immediate withdrawal.

But if it was made the wrong way, it was the right decision to make. Globe has never hidden its belief that Free Pardes is preferable to Unfree Pardes. We regard Rodarion as being a negative influence on the world. One of the greatest challenges that liberal democracies will face is how to deal with Rodarion’s growing wealth and authoritarianism. For this reason, these nations must work together and resist the temptation to huddle with unfree nations in return for short-term economic favours. Being a democracy with high civil liberties and an affluent economy, Geanna was never suited to sitting with Rodarion and their allies in the RCO.

The real mistake the Geannese government made was joining the organisation in the first place. If there was another mistake they made, it was not pulling them out sooner. During its time in the RCO, Geanna allowed itself to form economically ties with its member nations through investment and trade. After Geanna stormed out, Rodarion and Tarsas were able to inflict retaliatory damage by severing these ties. But if Geanna had stayed for longer, the ties would have only deepened.

The trade war against Geanna has hurt their economy quite badly, but it will recover, so as long as they can find new trading partners. There are plenty of nations in the CDI which would be happy to do trade with Geanna and happen to be freer and more trustworthy than Rodarion. The RCO nations who wage trade war are also feeling some economic repercussions, mainly because they’re losing out on Geanna’s vast oil industry. Their vindictive actions will also have a deterrent effect on trade and investment in the long term, one that is not easy to measure. What business in their right mind would sell oil to a country with a history of refusing to pay oil bills? (Admittedly, some would) These losses would outdo any immediate profit gained from stealing their assets.

by **Tippercommon** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 7:25 am

Omnibus has serious implications going into 2015

Chief Minister Keegan rendering testimony to the National Assembly during the fight to pass the Omnibus.
Courtesy of the Parliament of Republics

By Kayla McLewis

Sussex, TIPPERCOMMON - The Postbellum Omnibus Act of December 2014 was signed into law by Chief Minister Gerald Keegan this morning after being approved by the National Assembly and Senate Chamber Joint Committee on the 5th of December. The act was pushed through by the Unity-National Coalition late this November shortly after the end of the Tippercommon Civil War. It includes additions to the obligatory spending cap for the first quarter of 2015, reform to Tippercommon's securities market, measures to aid in the rebuilding of infrastructure in Sussex, provisions regarding the reorganization of Hyperion and Ayton-Shelvay, and permission for the Chief Minister Keegan to begin military operations in the Ashizwan state of Terinyi.

Military Deployment a "Go" in Terinyi

At the beginning of the Tippercommon Civil War on 25 May, Hyperion forces crossed the Redford River and would continually bombard the capital of Sussex and Tippercommon forces in Sweetwater until a cease-fire was declared in mid-August. However, a battle which was obscured by the year's events was all but ignored as the rebels pounded the capital: the Battle of Terinyi.

The Terinyi National Socialist movement recently engaged in a lightning campaign in mid-July at the height of the Tippercommon Civil War, capturing the nation's valuable diamond mines in the north and pushing loyalist forces further south. As Stortford NAB fell to militant forces, the Corps of Constables announced through several right-wing media outlets throughout Pardes, including Rodarian media outlet "National Patriot," that it was under a private security contract by the Terinyi National Socialist movement, similar to the type it had received from the UTR from 1990 to 2014, and that it had begun operations in Ashizwe.

Heavily armed, completely self-sufficient (off of Terinyi diamonds, agriculture, blackmarket weapons, and oil), the Corps of Constables has recently called on contractors around the world to join them in their cause in a state which has been labelled a haven for "terrorist groups" by the UTR Judicial Office.

Since the end of July the State Department and Office of Homeland Defense have requested the legislature and the Chief Minister to authorize military involvement in Ashizwe in order to curb the threat. However, these requests came just as the rebels picked up their effort in Sussex, and a quarter of the Parliament laid dead or were being held captive by rebel forces. Chief Minister Kennedy refused due to her need to prioritize the Sussex. And as a result, Terinyi fell, with 400 UTR sailors and marines with it.

This was one of the most politically charged issues of the Omnibus, with the Parliamentarians wishing to stay out of foreign affairs all together, abiding by an ethic of "legal neutrality." However, the measure passed and as a result, CM Keegan has ordered the immediate mobilization of some 10,000 Marines and support forces in order to curb the threat. While the exact time at which these forces will engage in combat operations in Terinyi is uncertain, this will be a large step for Tippercommon, being the first time the nation has engaged in active combat operations outside of its border in over 40 years.

Economic & Budgetary Reform

The issue which has been on the books since mid-2013 when the new Parliament was elected has been the regulation of Tippercommon's securities trading policy. In August of 2013, the a massive financial crisis hit Tippercommon hard, the result of the seizure of over 75% of the nation's oil fields by armed rebels and the subsequent bankruptcy of several Sussex Group-subsidiaries. Almost overnight, the Tippercommon financial system collapsed, with the majority of the nation's securities and commercial banking institutions going under. As a result, a large portion of Tippercommoners lost their deposits, interest rates spiked, and mortgages and loan debt was transferred to the Tippercommon government.

Under the Omnibus, commercial banks are now insulated from the securities banks, with any commercial bank registered with the Treasury Department barred from (1) sharing high-level employees with investment banks, (2) sharing board members or board staff with investment banks, (3) participating in the distribution of securities, and (4) investing in non-investment grade securities themselves. In addition, the Omnibus has created the Office of Deposit Insurance which as of 1 January 2015 will guarantee depositor accounts up to $300,000 in insurance for each deposit ownership category in the insured bank. The ODI will be funded via premiums paid by banking institutions rather than appropriations from the federal budget.

In the wake of the Tippercommon Civil War, an additional $230.8 billion of mandatory spending was passed both by executive order during wartime and by the Parliament post-war, funding a 200% expansion of the UTR Joint Forces, military technology projects (such as the F3 Corsair program), and an expansive state project to rebuild much of the infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the Battle of Sussex. With the Parliamentarians voted out of the majority in 2013 after the financial crisis, the liberal Unity-National Coalition has managed to pass a number of spending bills, including the expansion of the Tippercommon welfare system, restoration of the roadways within Sussex, and the construction of several new naval bases. This increase spending brought the Tippercommon budget, which was reaching the tail-end of recovery post-financial crisis, from a $101.2 billion surplus in June of 2013 to a $129.6 billion deficit in December of 2014.

Former Chief Minister Nina Kennedy - commander-in-chief during the Civil War prior to the elections in September of 2014 - labelled these spending hikes as necessary, stating that, "In order to put Tippercommon on a road to recovery and to ensure that our national defense is never stiffed again, we will have to make some sacrifices in the short-term in order to reap the long-term benefits."

Additionally, the Omnibus has outlined a restructuring of Tippercommon's income tax bracket structure. Originally, the highest tax bracket had began at $450,000, meaning all income above $450,000 would be taxed at the same rate (which at the time was 32%). Under the Omnibus, four new tax brackets at $800,000, $1,300,000, $2,500,000, and $5,000,000 have been created with current tax rates set at 41%, 45%, 48%, and 51.5% respectively. The $450,000-$799,999 tax bracket's rate has been increased from 32% to 39% as well, with the lowest four tax brackets ($0-$10,000, $10,001-$20,000, $20,001-$45,000, and $45,001-$80,000) being lowered on average 5%. The $80,001-$120,000 tax bracket has also been lowered from 25.5% to 23%.

The shuffling of the tax brackets has seen substantial backlash from the Parliamentarian opposition, with Deputy Harold Fish of Redford condemning the policy change as, "... this body's liberals punching our job creators in the gut." Chair Tiller of Redford has shared this sentiment, stating that, "higher taxes are not what this nation needs right now."

The Unity-National Coalition has rejected these claims. CM Keegan rebuked during the press conference following the signing of the Omnibus, stating, "As much as my colleagues would like to disagree with me, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company is not who drives the economy. Our corporations bring Tippercommon prosperity through development and economic expansion, yes. However, our middle-class is the true job creator. Working people who buy that CEO's products, who enable that CEO's company to operate are what fuels our economies. Not corporate elites who hide their money away without giving back to the economy. Now, I am and will always be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to better the lives of all Tippercommoners. The real question is, is the 1% ready?"

Hyperion, Inc. Drilling Operations to Expand into Geanna

Since the end of the Tippercommon Civil War, the Hyperion Commercial Zone - which up until the 24th of August 2014 was under military occupation by the UTR Joint Forces - has seen a dramatic upturn. With practical autonomy in its own financial policy, oil drilling operations have expanded exponentially, with the largest Tippercommon energy companies, most prominently Hyperion Incorporated, propping up oil fields all across Hyperion and Ayton-Shelvay. Hyperion, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Halstead announced last night that the corporation will indeed be expanding its drilling and mining operations into Geanna; a state which has taken an economic toll at the hands of the RCO. Since the state withdrew from the RCO, the Papal Republic has ceased trade with Geanna, essentially buying out the property which Geannese companies operated on previously and not honoring its debt of $2.4 billion URD for Geannese oil imports. During this period, Geanna took a 17% hit to its gross domestic product (a net decrease of some $1.3 trillion URD).

As of the 6th of December, Geanna has received some $14 billion from Belfrasian and Anthoran investment. During this period, the Geannese government acquired over $94 billion URD worth in land under a program entitled "Land for Loan" which allowed for large businesses to pay off federal loans. As part of Hyperion, Inc.'s press brief, it intended to establish, "substantial mining and drilling operations within Geanna which would provide the Geannese with stable employment." It is expected, pending further negotiation, that Hyperion, Inc. will buy a substantial amount of land from the wounded oil giant in order to initiate operations which will range from oil drilling to coal and metal mining. While it has not been determined fully to what extent Geanna's unemployment has climbed, it is expected to be much higher than the 5-6% unemployment seen prior to the trade war.

With Rodarian imports of Geannese products expected to be substantially lower than during Geanna's membership with the RCO, the battered state will be looking for buyers for its oil. Press Secretary Charles McAvoy of Hyperion, Inc. hinted at a possible deal struck with the Geannese government to provide another trade partner for its oil exports. In a press brief issued after the corporation's main announcement, it was stated that Hyperion, Inc. will "invest in current Geannese oil firms" and "buy oil extracted at Hyperion, Inc. facilities from the Geannese government at pre-crisis prices until 1 March 2015." It is unclear what Hyperion, Inc. intends to do after this "buyback" period ends, although it will most likely begin selling oil to the Geannese government at market value.

This expansion into Geanna marks a huge leap for Hyperion, Inc. Formed on 1 September 2014 as the Hyperion Commercial Zone's de facto Department of Commerce, Treasury, Labor, Interior, and primary financial and commercial regulatory body, Hyperion, Inc. became Tippercommon's largest state-owned company, rivaling the defunct Sussex Group in size. This new deal will be Hyperion, Inc.'s first venture into foreign markets, signifying the beginning of a new era in Tippercommon's influence abroad in a post-Sussex Group climate. This may prove to open to the door between the State Department and the Geannese government as well as the two governments had previously not interacted on any significant level.

The executive of the UTR has not made any official statement regarding Hyperion, Inc.'s decision and has generally kept silent during the trade war. However, Unity and National Deputies have by in large supported the move, with the Party of Parliamentarians denouncing the move. Parliamentarian Chair Lucas Tiller III criticized it as being a case of, "the government meddling with the free market" and that Hyperion, Inc. is nothing more than, "Hyperion and [Governor] Halstead's plot to turn Tippercommon into a Communist state."

Ayton Confederation and Hyperion given representation, new political climate

The Parliament of today is definitely a different Parliament than the one we saw prior to the Civil War. The new Unity-National Coalition is a progressive farcry from the right-wing Parliamentarian administration which commanded Tippercommon from 2011 to 2014 and the fairly conservative Unity majority from 2001-2006. The Communist Party, which previously had no seats in either the Senate nor National Assembly, now has two and six seats in either respectively. The centre-left National Party has held more governorships and more republic legislature seats now than it has in the nation's history. And why? New provinces.

As part of the Treaty of Ambrosia which ended the Civil War, the Hyperion Commercial Zone and all five provinces within the Ayton Confederacy - a jointly administrated territory between Tippercommon and Belhavia - were given representation within the National Assembly and Senate Chamber with equal status as the other established republics. It also gave them the right to establish independent republic legislatures and gave their province's governors powers comparable to the other republics. The primary difference between Ayton/Hyperion and the rest of Tippercommon? The Gaels.

Tippercommon's Gaelic population has historically been more liberal than their northern Anglo-counterparts. Hyperion was striped of its representation in 1990 after martial law was declared in 1984. Decades of domination of largely conservative governments who did not properly represent their peoples interests have taken their toll on the Hyperians. With a new sense of independence, the largely National Party and Communist Party representatives from Hyperion and Ayton have turned the tables, belittling the once powerful Parliamentarian government to a 199 seat opposition party in the National Assembly. As the Class II and Class III Senatorial elections have not yet occurred, scheduled for 2016 and 2018, the Parliamentarians hold a slim majority of 26 out of 50 seats in the Senate Chamber. This means while Tippercommon's budgetary policy may largely be decided upon by the liberal National Assembly (after negotiation with the liberal caucus of the Senate Parliamentarians), foreign policy will still be in the hands of the Parliamentarians.

However, say four years in the future, what will Tippercommon's government look like? According to top political science researcher at the University of Sussex Dr. Anika Leithner, the National and Communist Party's rise will likely continue. While the National Party's number will probably not rise to the point where it can establish a government without creating a coalition, or even outnumbering the centrist Unity Party, its influence will be felt in domestic policy for years to come. Dr. Leithner has predicted that this will lead to an expansion of the Tippercommon welfare state and the possible emergence of a independence movement in the Ayton Confederacy in the coming decades.

by **Davisholm** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:22 pm

DBN reports
People's Movement tops the poll in Swineland
Anti-immigration party wins the most primary votes but not the most seats

Preliminary results suggest that the Davisian People's Movement has narrowly won a plurality of the vote in Swineland, Davisholm's second most populous province, quadruple their previous vote share.

Primary vote:
Davisian People's Movement: 24% (up 18%)
Davisian Socialist Worker's Party: 23% (down 12%)
Liberal Party: 16% (down 2%)
Green Party: 16% (up 2%)
Swineland League: 9% (up 2%)
Union of the Right: 5% (down 5%)
Independents: 5%
Other: 2%

It will take a few days for the vote counting to be completed and the seat count is known. While the results will roughly reflect the popular vote (although independents and parties which take less than 5% of the vote typically struggle to win seats), they will also be affected by how voters ranked the other parties on the ballot.

The parties in the incumbent provincial government - the DSWP and the Greens - took 39% of the vote between them, meaning that they have lost their majority in the provincial parliament. It is unlikely that they would be able to have a majority even if they were joined by the Swineland League; besides, this regionalist party had campaigned heavily against the government. It also looks unlikely that the DPM, the Liberals and the Union (who took 45% of the vote between) have won a majority between them. If the DPM succeed in forming a government, their provincial leader Jerry Mannion will become the party's first ever provincial Premier. The DSWP have ruled out any cooperation with the DPM or Liberals and have announced they will go into opposition. Jeremy Rutherford, the incumbent Premier, has announced that he will resign as both Premier and provincial leader of the DSWP.

Both the DSWP and the opposition Liberals faced a backlash due to the 'Shady Money' scandal which revealed that both parties had accepted large donations from anonymous businesses. The DSWP was further harmed by low turnout (estimated at 52%) and the lacklustre popularity of the federal DSWP government. But the Liberals and Union both failed to profit, due to the Davisian People's Party emerging as the main vehicle for opposition. Other issues of the campaign include a motorway link near to Creighton, education, transport and provincial powers.

by **Virana** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:01 pm

Geannese King Alestei declares National Capitalist witch-hunt, disbands majority Parliament party
In unprecedented move, King Alestei disbands Geannese majority Federal Coalition as Geannese economic crisis affects world

^{SHARE THIS:}

Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (The Heat)
^{Dec 8, 2014 10:21 pm | Saxonople, United Federacy of Geanna}

Geannese monarch King Alestei issued a royal decree disbanding the Federal Coalition, a party that held a majority in the Geannese parliament, and simultaneously arrested a number of Members of Parliament (MPs) suspected of sympathizing with the outlawed National Capitalism movement. The Heat photo

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· NEW: Geannese Magistrates likely to
find Nat Cap sympathizers guilty of
treason

:· King Alestei disbands Parliament majority
party, is given provisional legislative
powers

SAXONOPLE — In an unprecedented turn of events that some have already begun to call a de facto legal self-coup, Geannese monarch King Alestei disbanded the Federal Coalition, the majority party in the Geannese Parliament, and ordered the arrest of a number of Federal Coalition MPs suspected of supporting or sympathizing with the illegal National Capitalist movement.

The move came just days after the Geannese economy entered a free-fall after initiating a trade war with several nations in the RCO, notably Rodarion, the world's third-largest economy. The effects of the trade war have impacted several markets globally.

Among the members of Parliament arrested under the royal decree are former Prime Minister Reinhardt, Minister Gadding, Minister Patmey, and several others among the leadership of the Geannese government. If found guilty by a judicial tribunal for treason by supporting the illegal National Capitalism movement, these former MPs could face life in prison or execution.

The National Capitalist Party was a Geannese political party that is blamed in modern Geannese political circles for "the Troubles", a series of unrest between socialist sympathizers and capitalists during the early 20th century. The ideology of the National Capitalist Party has been illegal in Geanna since the mid-1930s. Geannese media outlets, particularly the GBC (which often supports the current monarch in its coverage), have begun to refer to the penetration of National Capitalist sympathizers within the Federal Coalition party, and therefore into the majority governing coalition, a "legal coup", which brought about the party's dissolution at the hands of the king.

40 of the 68 seats in the Geannese parliament are now unoccupied, as Parliament has handed temporary legislative control to King Alestei and the associated State Committee, an advisory body that serves as an aide to the prime minister and monarch. Current indications suggest new elections will be held soon and parliament will be de facto dissolved.

Geannese markets continue to fall as the perceived instability has made the country a toxic area for foreign investment. Official figures suggest the country has already lost around $500 billion in productive capacity, an astonishing 8% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, in just the last few days.

Who did the coup?

Many Geannese broadcasting networks, particularly the GBC, are now calling the penetration of National Capitalists to senior positions in the Geannese government a "legal coup", referring to King Alestei's recent decrees as a measure to counter the government takeover by an illegal political movement.

However, a number of skeptics have pointed out that King Alestei's actions have resembled a coup, particularly his unilateral disbandment of the Federal Coalition. Geannese-Emmerian pundit Michael Adair, host of EBS's popular political talkshow In Public View and outspoken conservative, has been quick to criticize the moves.

"King Alestei has initiated a witch-hunt mirroring the Red Scare with the National Capitalists, arresting anybody in government suspected of being a sympathizer," he asserted on his daily talkshow. "The Federal Coalition's majority in Parliament was obtained through a proper, democratic process. Alestei's unilateral, indiscriminate dissolution of that party on the grounds of an archaic law, a law that itself restrains free expression and free thought, is a ridiculous move that exploits borderline loopholes to usurp Geannese democracy."

Adair criticized the Geannese government of considering the National Capitalists illegal in the first place. "I think this points to a larger issue within the context of Geannese human rights: the continued, government-led suppression of political ideologies for personal motives. That, combined with the virtually unchecked power of King Alestei, is why we need to aggressively pressure the king to restore the Federal Coalition, release his extended grasp on unchecked power, and bring peace to the troubled Geannese people."

President Alex Vaziri was in Geanna during the crisis, present to attend a wedding between Geannese Prince Gabriel Alestei and Ulthrannian Princess Anne-Marie Santiago. He held emergency discussions with Belhavian President Eli Goldman regarding the trade war that was announced by the Geannese government shortly after the ceremony. Him and President Goldman denounced the trade war and called for a smooth resolution to the crisis. They also announced an emergency EG3 summit between Emmeria, Belhavia, and Rodarion to occur later this month to discuss how to handle the recent economic issues.

"A trade war hurts everyone," Vaziri said during a press conference in Saxonople shortly after Geanna and several RCO powers announced economic sanctions against one another. "Nobody wants it: not the Geannese people, not the Rodarian people, not any people in Pardes. Ending this in favor of peace and prosperity is within the interests of everyone involved. Together, we can put a stop to this."

King Alestei's decree repealed the embargoes on goods and services from the RCO, effectively ending the trade war but causing a rippling effect whose impact has been felt across Pardes.

Shortly after King Alestei's decree, President Vaziri released a statement from Air Force One on his way to Dakos, Belhavia for the EG3 summit expressing disapproval.

"There are a lot of tensions in Geanna that need to be resolved," he said. "I am significantly concerned for the liberty of the Geannese people. I advise all parties to resolve these issues in a constitutional, democratic, and transparent manner."

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by **Central Prestonia** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 10:26 pm

Defence Ministry Mulls Troop Increase in Kigeme as Protests Intensify

Bolola, Republic of Kigeme and Hudson, Prestonia Key Prestonian and Kigeme leadership met today for a series of talks as unrest in the tiny Ashizwe nation at the headwaters of the Bolabongo River showed no sign of abating and rumour swirled regarding an increase in the Empire's Permanent Peacekeeping Force in Kigeme.

What began six weeks ago with an industrial accident in the Prestonian-owned Pugari Mining Corporation's No. 7 Mine has quickly become a lightning rod for long-simmering tension between the majority Geme and minority Mutong ethnic groups, threatening to undo nearly two decades of peace between the groups following the 1998 Hudson Accord which ended the Kigeme Civil War. Since then, according to international observers, a sharp divide has emerged between the two groups, with Mutong largely excluded from positions in government and education and relegated to the status of second class citizen in a land where they make up 46% of the population.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, which saw 26 Mutong die in a mining collapse, the United Congress for Labour held memorials and strikes in Pugari province demanding a full investigation of the corporation's safety standards and of the conduct of its security staff, contractors from the Prestonia-based Hyperion Group. In response, the Kigeme government under President Johnson Kutomi issued a swift crackdown on union activity as Hyperion and Pugari Mining officials denied any wrongdoing in their conduct while pledging a full internal investigation. In the intervening weeks, protests have spread to the capital of Bolola as well as other major cities, with UCL leader Solomon Tshembe releasing a list of demands to be met by Christmas upon pain of general strike. The Kutomi administration has in response characterised these demands, which include power sharing and free elections, as extortion and stated that any general strike would be regarded as "treasonous sabotage of the Kigeme state."

"We will not allow the running dogs of the Mutong Democratic Republic to force their communist filth down good Geme throats," Kutomi told a cheering crowd of mostly-Geme supporters in Bolola last week. "If the dogs rise, we will throw them into the dirt where they belong." The Kutomi administration has long accused the neighboring Mutong Democratic Republic of colluding with the Mutong minority in Kigeme to sow unrest, allegations which were central to the 1996-98 Civil War in which Kutomi played a major role. Mutong rights groups in Prestonia and abroad have repeatedly characterised Kutomi's actions in that conflict as crimes against humanity. This evening, Tshembe hit back, vowing that strikes would go ahead unless all demands were met.

"The Kutomi government cannot continue to ignore the will of our people," Tshembe told supporters. "We have been heard, and we will continue to be heard, until we are understood. And if the government will not understand our words, they can understand our fists."

At home, government contenders and senior figures reacted to the deterioration by urging calm in the embattled Ashizwe state as part of high level talks between the Prestonian embassy and Kutomi administration, as well as parallel talks between the Kigeme embassy and Foreign ministry. Key in these talks has been the persistent rumor of an increase in the 500-strong Permanent Peacekeeping Force, a possibility addressed by presumptive Premier Jordan Howe during a radio interview this afternoon.

"I am a noninterventionist, but I am also a realist," Howe said. "And we have an investment in Kigeme in more ways than one, an investment in their democratic development and peaceful interaction, and I see a continued and increased presence in Kigeme as a viable means to support those ends." Any proposed increase in the PPF size, however, would require an Enabling Act, as the Imperial Army is not ordinarily permitted to be deployed abroad. While it was not immediately clear whether the typically non-interventionist Federal Party would vote for such an act in enough volume to pass it, Union leader and Premier-hopeful Sir Arthur Cavington said that he felt confident his party would vote for it "if it comes to that."

"We of the Union Party care deeply about peace in Kigeme, and the preservation of that peace through our commitment in the PPF," Cavington told PBC. "We are deeply concerned, as the Federal Party is, about the long-term democratic development of Kigeme along a framework which respects the basic human rights of all its citizens. This is something that I have and will continue personally convey to the representatives of the state, and no matter what government leads us into 2015 and beyond we sincerely hope that they will take this issue seriously going forward."

by **Davisholm** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:00 pm

DBN reports
Landsburgh DSWP in chaos over disputed nomination contest
Woods and Kane accuse the other of fraud and electoral malpractice

After a total of five recounts, the DSWP have declared that Thomas Kane has won their nomination for the upcoming Landsburgh mayoral election. However, the runner-up Stanley Woods, who was the DSWP nominee in the 2011 mayoral election, has refused to concede defeat and continues to dispute the result. He has accused Kane of electoral fraud and breaking campaign spending and advertising rules. Kane denied any malpractice and hit back at Woods with similar allegations.

The nomination contest was an open primary, in which any registered voter could vote. A total of 237,504 voters in Landsburgh cast a valid vote, representing around 11.4% of the city's eligible voters. The Alternative Vote system was used to pick a winner from five candidates. Stanley Woods won 45% of the primary vote, while Kane won 40%. But after preferences were counted and recounted, Kane led with 119,228 votes to Wood's 118,276, a margin of just 50.2%-49.8% and 952 votes.

But Woods believes that his defeat is illegitimate. He accused the Kane campaign of employing dirty tricks against him. He cited an article in the Herald Sun which reported that some supporters of Kane had apparently been asking voters to give them their postal ballots. "There have been a lot of people in this campaign who visited someone's house, said 'Hi, we're from the DSWP. Who do you want to vote for? Woods? Okay, we'll just take your postal ballot and post it for you.' There has been an orchestrated campaign to rig the poll going on here." He also mentioned a leaflet entitled "WHY WORKERS MUST STOP STANLEY" which had been distributed to 100,000 houses in the week before the contest. It listed various quotes from Woods which sounded right-wing. Some of the quotes were definitely genuine, but others could not be sourced and were likely fabricated. The leaflet did not have a campaign logo printed on it, in violation of the campaign rules.

Kane responded by denying the allegations. "I have won this fair and square", he said to reporters. He argued that "Stanley Woods is essentially a Liberal in sheep's clothing. He shouldn't be surprised that he couldn't even win support from his own party. He should be surprised that his dirty tricks worked so well and made the contest so close. Quit whining!" He fired back at Woods by arguing that he was guilty of electoral malpractice of his own. He suggested that Woods' supporters had been the ones who had been asking voters for their postal ballots and that "Woods is only relaying paranoid right-wing conspiracy theories from the Herald Sun and other right-wing rags." He said that "His campaign has been nothing but negative and dirty tricks. He has sought to portray me as an unelectable left-wing loony. He has nothing positive to offer the DSWP or Landsburgh."

Woods is considered to be a moderate within the DSWP, while Kane is considered to be more left-wing. As Kane is not well-known to voters outside of the DSWP, little is known about how he would fare against incumbent mayor Richard Head, a moderate Liberal. Woods came close to unseating Head in 2011, but polls show he would be in a weaker position if he stood a second time. Head is quite popular with Landsburgh voters; the federal DSWP government is mildly unpopular across the nation. The government's poll ratings have been improving in recent months, but their troubles are far from over. The DSWP were recently outpolled by the Davisian People's Movement in Swineland and now face a difficult by-election contest in Radcliffe, a suburb of Landsburgh, that could end the DSWP-Green majority in the lower house.

With neither candidates willing to back down, Chancellor Harriet Deacon intervened in the dispute. She said that "The DSWP is keen to win the next mayoral election because we believe that Landsburgh deserves a better mayor and government. This nasty row between the two candidates has got to stop. It's dragging the party down and threatening to sink our chances of electing Landsburgh's next mayor." She also said that "Electoral fraud is a very serious crime. Filling out someone else's ballot is illegal. Distributing campaign material anonymously is illegal. The candidates are accusing each other of criminal wrongdoing. We will call in the police to investigate if they are serious about their allegations." She will meet with the two candidates later this week in order to broker a solution to the dispute.

Opponents of the DSWP were delighted by the display of infighting. Head himself tweeted: "The Landsburgh DSWP are in a mess as they can't elect a candidate for the mayoral election. Has Christmas come early? #LandsburghDecides." Davisian People's Party leader Kirsten Fox said that "Does it matter who the DSWP nominate for the mayoral election? Either way, they're going to get steamrollered."

by **Rodarion** » Tue Dec 09, 2014 10:26 pm

A Letter to the people of the Papal Republic

December 10th, 2014| 10.00 AM PCT | înregistrate| By: Senator Octavian Candreva

To the proud people of our Papal Republic, to the mothers and fathers of our future generations, to the workers who sweat in the heat of industry, to the defenders of our eden and the name of the Lord, to the citizens of the Church State.

Our nation is at a crossroads, we stand before the decision that will determine our future for decades, we stand before the decision to finally exert our rights and abilities as a major world power, or to maintain our now historical attitude of shyness and reluctance, yet I am sure that as you read this, you shall become privy to the feelings and beliefs of your National Catholic Party and then agree with me, on what must be done to ensure our rights and abilities as a major power are not ill-used.

Our nation is beyond unique compared to the established powers of our world, we are nation renewed yet still to be rejuvenated further, we are a nation transformed, reborn and arisen anew. Before, we were a nation in decline, a decrepit, decaying force of what was before. Then came the National Catholic Party, led by Adrian Antonescu, we gave to the nation, National Catholicism, an ideal, a thesis, an ideology fit for all. It dismissed the views of the historical mind, it dismissed the class system, as self destructive, it dismissed liberty as fool-hardy, and it dismissed individualism as a path to corruption and national annihilation. It took the people of our nation, before the Mother Church and raised them high above what was accepted as inevitable, it took the hands of the citizen and led him or her down a path of industrious renewal, ever before the guidance and paternal love of the Mother Church, it led the nation to a new future, one of prosperous work, everlasting faith and undeniable security.

Our party, has led this nation, from the gates of total demise and irrelevance and returned it to the sunlit hills of global power. We lifted the nation up from its knees, dusted it off and returned it to the ordained path, in service to the Mother Church. Our Mother Church guided us, carrying the torch as faith, the NCP led the people in following the light and look at us today. Our party is envied, our party is despised by those in ‘Liberal Pardes’, it is despised for its ideals, its membership, its support and its success. No party can claim such success, the Federalists of Emmeria, the Conservatives of Belhavia, the Labour party of Arthurista, none can claim successes on the scale of the NCP. Yet this success is owed to you, the people of Rodarion, without you, we could not have resurrected Rodarion, without you and without the Mother Church we would have descended further into the depths of history, a nation no more, a people no more.

Our party tasked itself with national transformation, from a decrepid old man, into a fit man of youth, renewed and reenergised, we have done that, now our party's task should be to introduce to 1.4 billion Rodarians, National Catholicism. Only then, through complete unification of mind and soul, can we truly raise our nation above the rest and stand tall, only through unification of the legislature, by the admittance of a single party, can we be united. The people of Rodarion have shown time and time again, their ceaseless support for the National Catholic Party, from 1955 to 1997 we served you, we served you until the end. We made mistakes, every party and government makes mistakes, yet by the grace of god and your forgiveness we returned to govern in 2005 and ever since you have returned us your support. This year you gave us the largest mandate ever in human history, over 530 million of you voted for our party, 60% of the electorate. I wonder now, what could we achieve as a nation, if our entire great nation was introduced to National Catholicism and all embraced it. One nation, one people, one Church State, completely united, in mind, soul and hand.

Our democracy was created in the age of radical thinking, yet it nearly led to our demise at the hands of communists. With the salvation by the NCP, the people became united and democracy became a medium for the national will, a loudspeaker for the national communion and your will was the NCP. Imagine our society, united before one party, it united before service to the Mother Church and the Holy Father. No more debates on the nascent traits of conservatism or liberalism, but a debate on how to exercise our energies as a united people, no more division on basis of the ballot, but a unification of mind and soul for the betterment of the family, of the national communion and the Papal Republic.
What I propose is radical, yet it is mere theoretical thinking and imagining, imagining a strong and firm society, a national communion in total unity, united, mind and soul. We may walk out onto the street, knowing that we share the same goals, share the same values and respect the same institutions, the state, the laws of the state and of course the Mother Church, which guides through its sovereign strength. A nation of workers and employers united in their drive for national prosperity, a nation of teachers and students, united in their drive to educate the nation and become learned. A nation of the people and its sovereign Mother Church united, in the drive for salvation before God, united in defence of the world’s greatest nation.

The trade war brought down upon us by the terrorists in Saxonople has dented the hull of our dreadnought, yet we move swift as ever, our industrious renewal protecting us, our government working ceaselessly in defence of our progress and of our rejuvenation. Let us stand united now, let us all embrace National Catholicism now, in face of this onslaught, let us become united in mind and soul, to weather this dastardly storm, let us do it for the sake of our nation, let us do it for the sake of the children and the children yet to born, cover our progress with our lives and bodies. Let us become one nation, one people, one Church State and overcome any foe and reach the position aloft all others, as God demands.

PRRB's Petru Alexandrescu contributed to this report.

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by **Ulthrani** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:29 pm

Farewell, Duque de Pajorca
A victim of new cuts takes it final voyage under Ulthrannic control
Ricardo Landin| December 10th, 2014

The IBA Duque de Pajorca sailing out of Sedel, Kingdom of Asturia

The Navy has announced today that the procurement of the IBA Duque de Pajorca by the Royal Gratislav Navy has been finalized and that the official exchange will take place at a ceremony in Bedero, the capital of Gratislavia. The vessel, which costed the Gratislavs nearly $400,000,000 to procure, has been in the Ulthrannic Imperial Navy since 1981 and is considered one of the most venerable ships in the southern fleets.

“A veteran vessel of our fleets will soon see a new life under the command of a new nation that wishes to expand its ability to secure and defend her place on the high seas” A spokesperson from the office of Lord Admiral Gutiérrez said to news media this morning in regards to the sale.

The Duque de Pajorca is estimated to be one of nearly two hundred warships and submarines that will be either sold or scrapped as apart of the massive reforms that are coming to the Unified Armed Forces of the Ulthrannic Empire. It is reported that another carrier in her class is up for sale and a supercarrier is currently being sailed to Belhavia where the Weiss Brothers, Ltd. Shipbreaking Company will tear it apart and sell it for scrap.

Before making her maiden voyage from her base near Sedel, Asturia, the crew were treated to celebrity-like status by the locals and other members of the Navy. The 850 men and women onboard the ship were treated to wine, food and song before preparing to depart port. In a speech from the flight-deck, Captain Jorge Ramirez Pouso said to his fellow sailors and airmen:

“I have been in the Navy for thirty years, most of us have had our time in service to our Emperor and Empire. All I can do now is be proud that I have the opportunity to sail this beautiful construct to her new home and to train the men and women who will soon make this their home. I am beyond words when I say that my final tour of duty is with you and with this ship!”

The IBA Duque de Pajorca will arrive in Bedero within a few weeks, where it shall be rechristened ‘HMS Karadjornje’ by the Tsar. It is unknown at this time if the Empire will send any kind of diplomatic party to join the ceremony.

By RTVO Correspondent Ricardo Landin

IMPERIAL NEWS

Livirica will officially join the Empire
Force Project 2018: What is it?
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by **Davisholm** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:12 pm

DBN reports
House of Provinces passes SODA
Anti-gay discrimination to be outlawed on a federal level

The House of Provinces voted by a 56-38 margin to pass the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Act (SODA), which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The legislation covers discrimination in employment, services and certain forms of hate speech. Private organisations, religious establishments and affirmative action programs are exempt from most of its provisions. It is modelled largely on the 1967 Race Discrimination Act.

Kathleen Mason, the Minister of Equality, Women and Social Affairs, insisted that the legislation "makes very little difference to the existing reality." "Almost all provinces have anti-discrimination laws. We're only extending the protection to the last holdouts. We're also making easier for business and organisations to abide by the law by providing a standardised legal code. It irons out inconsistencies and holes in provincial legislation, while giving the provinces the right to take further measures to combat discrimination if they consider it appropriate."

Only four jurisdictions of Davisholm offer LGBT people no legal protection against discrimination - Meath, Biscany, Charlotte Islands Territory and the Mountain Territory. The federal government already bans discrimination in most but not all employment cases. Most ban discrimination in employment and business services, but the wording and the strength of enforcement varies. In most provinces, the new federal law will come into effect in the space of two months. However, in the four 'holdout' jurisdictions, some of the provisions will not come into force for over a year. Mason said that "This will give organisations who have not previously had to comply with anti-discrimination laws time to adjust before the laws come into effect." Some DSWP and Green senators argued the delay was unnecessary or too long.

The legislation divided parties. The DSWP gave its senators a free vote, with 34 voting in favour, 7 voting against and 1 abstaining. The Liberal party were mostly opposed but even more divided, with 10 voting in favour, 15 voting against and 1 abstaining. During the lower house debate on the passage of the bill, their party leader Tom McFadden had said that "The federal government shouldn't legislate on social issues. I'm against treating gay people as though they are an underclass, but I also don't think that provinces who aren't ready for gay rights should be forced into accepting them." He also criticised the hate speech provisions, arguing that they "strayed too close to eroding free speech." Other Liberals were supported the bill; Landsburgh mayor Richard Head said its final passage was "fantastic news".

Barry Pritchett, director of the LGBT rights campaign group, said the passage of the bill was "excellent news". He said that "Today, Parliament has taken another step forward in making Davisholm a fairer and more equal society." However, the bill was opposed by many churches, as well as the Davisian Association of Family Tenets and other social conservative groups. DAFT released a statement criticising the bill for "imposing moral values on our nation which are at odds with our traditions and values."

The Union of the Right imposed a three line whip on its senators to vote against the bill. However, one of them (James Moynihan of Meath) defied his party by voting in favour. The Greens were unanimously supportive while the People's Movement were unanimously opposed.

The bill goes to Governor-General John Herbert Chorley to receive Royal Assent.

In other news:

Government "open" to giving asylum to figures in Geanna's deposed government
Four party coalition to be formed in Swineland
No resolution in sight for Landsburgh ballots dispute

by **Rodarion** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 8:20 pm

Bogorian police continue massacres

Footage shows armed police gunning down protesters a day after 30 are killed

December 12th, 2014| 11.00 AM PCT | înregistrate| By: Bojan Jokanovic

A day after ethnic Czech, Latvian and Lithuanian police were found to be responsible the indiscriminate massacre of 30 innocent protesters in the southern city of Konin, further images and videos have emerged today, of the same ethnically centred police officers using military grade weapons to shoot and kill protesters, in other cities. This comes as over 300 more ethnic Pole police have deserted over to the protesters in anger of the massacre of their ethnic kin. The government has called for an emergency session of the Senate to produce a partisan response to the massacres. According to Wislaw Sokol who spoke on NRTV1 news this morning, almost 45 people have been killed since yesterday.

Images from that fateful day in Konin yesterday have caused outrage across the Papal Republic, with most Rodarians calling for a complete cutting of ties between the Rodarian and Bogorian governments. Individual Senators have also spoken out against the Bogorian government, with Minister of the Interior Radu Hasdeu, denouncing the massacre as a ‘symbolic act of racialist and sectarian oppression’. Senator Jovan Dumancic (NCP) said, “the government in Utena, which is comprised of entirely of those Pagan ethnicities, show no remorse or emotion as their agents of oppression and tyranny gun down innocent men and women, exercising the right guaranteed in the Bogorian constitution, utterly vile and monstrous.” Proconsul Alexandrescu has also denounced the massacres as “inhumane, brutal and escalatory.” Numerous political academics in the Papal Republic have now stated openly that mass violence, even civil war is now a certainty.

Ethnic Poles and ethnic Rodarians have been protesting across the south for over two weeks, against what they call institutional and economic inequality, as since the collapse of the Socialist Republic of Bogoria in 1999, all foreign investment and economic reform has been focused in the north. What makes matters worse is the fact that Bogoria is split entirely in half on ethnic and sectarian lines, the south, populated almost entirely by Poles and Rodarians is entirely Catholic, the north, populated by Czechs, Latvians and Lithuanians and majority Pagan. Although 5,480 ethnic Poles live in the north and 3,492 northerners live in the south.

Since the collapse of the communist regime in 1999, Bogoria has suffered prolonged ethnic tensions, almost culminating in civil war between 2002 and 2003, however swift diplomatic intervention by the Papal Republic and Kingdom of Anthor averted such a crisis. Yet the tiny landlocked nation of 31 million people has suffered from sectarian and ethnic terrorism, with 192 Catholic school children murdered in 2007, this attack eventually spawned the December 19 Movement or D19, which would later carry out attacks on government institutions.

His Holiness Pope Constantine has spoken over the crisis in Bogoria, urging for calm and peaceful discussion, “no nation should ever deploying such brutality upon the streets in response to a protest, no matter how vocal the protests are against the government of that nation. I pray for those involved to release their hatred and anger and open the way to mutually beneficial dialogue, peace can only be attained when two sides are willing, I pray for peace in Bogoria.” Despite the Pope’s gallant and honourable call to peace, many within the Mother Church have denounced the Utena Government as a ‘manifestation of sectarian evil’, including Richard Dolan, Archbishop of Chaleur, who said, “if the Emmerian government makes excuses for this massacre, there will be outrage within the Catholic community I am sure of that.”

The footage of the massacre has been found across social media and video sharing sites, all three state guided broadcasters and news channels in Rodarion; PRRB, NRTV, RCNN, showed the footage unedited to the entire nation last night and this morning, with President of PRRB, Mihai Leu saying, “we were requested by the government not to deny the poor victims of this tragedy their dignity and to show the nation the utter brutality thrown at them, so we chose not to edit out the gruesome details, we showed the nation the truth, we showed the nation as a mass murder.”

A PRRB poll published this morning, showed that 58% of Rodarians believe the Utena government ordered the shooting, with 18% saying no and 24% saying they didn’t know. A poll conducted by the National Morning Herald newspaper, showed that 66% of Rodarians demanded a response against the Bogorian government and 26% said they did not support a response, 16% they didn’t know. What is clear from these polls is the utter disgust within Rodarion over the massacre, some 200 ethnic Poles have entered Rodarion as ‘refugees’ prompting fears that the situation in Bogoria will escalate into all-out civil war.

Proconsul Alexandrescu has recalled the Senate to debate a response to the crisis in Bogoria, his Holiness and the Papal Continuing Committee are expected to meet with Proconsul Alexandrescu tomorrow for a briefing on the situation, Consul Ceausescu is currently in Dakos, for the EG3 summit over the current global economic crisis following the abhorrent actions of the disgraced Geannese premier, Andrew Reinhardt.

PRRB's Bojan Jokanovic contributed to this report.

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by **Davisholm** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 3:43 pm

DBN reports
News in brief:

The Kane-Woods saga continues
The Landsburgh DSWP remains uncertain about who will be their nominee for the Mayor of Landsburgh, after a disputed primary ballot. The party has judged Thomas Kane to have narrowly won the contest, but his opponent Stanley Woods has denounced the result and accused his opponent of fraud. In the latest development, Kane has said he would quit the party if his victory was declared to be invalid. Chancellor Harriet Deacon will meet with Woods and Kane tomorrow and attempt to broker an end to the dispute, which she says is "hampering" her party's chances of defeating incumbent mayor Richard Head. Head's approval ratings have risen from 55% to 62% amid the controversy. MORE

Swineland to hold referendum on gay marriage
The four parties in the new Swineland government, which has yet to take office, have agreed that the province should hold a referendum on whether to scrap the province's controversial gay marriage laws. People's Movement leader Jerry Mannion, who is expected to become the province's next Premier, opposed gay marriage at the time it was introduced but has said that he did not want to repeal it. He said that the referendum would be held "to placate the Union of the Right". The law was originally unpopular when it was introduced and some sources say it may have contributed to the DSWP's defeat last week, however a small majority of voters say that they do not want the law repealed. MORE

Independent MP pledges not to bring down the government
Gale Douglas, independent MP for Edale, has said that he would support the Deacon government on confidence motions. He said that "While I do not agree with every decision the chancellor makes, I still believe that the DSWP are better-suited to governing the country than the right-wing opposition. I also don't see any benefit in forcing an early general election, especially as the next one is less than a year away. So I will support them on confidence motions. I will decide whether to support their bills on a case-by-case basis." This move increases the government's majority in Parliament from 1 seat to 3, strengthening the government's position. MORE

by **The Eagleland** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 4:41 pm

Vyacheslav Grinko releases '2014 Conclusion Speech'.
Reforms announced after Proletariat Congress approves Reform Act 2014.
^{16 December 2014 | By "A" (REN News)}

Vyacheslav Grinko delivered his speech before a crowd of 15,000 persons, and his speech was televised across the world.

KOLDIV — The First Citizen of Bariya, Vyacheslav Grinko, has released a public statement today from his Podium in Revolution Square earlier today. His speech marks the conclusion of the 2014 year, and outlines the targets and goals for 2015. He also intended to announce the key areas of the recently passed Reform Act 2014, in which serious reform policies have been implemented. In his speech, one captured Eaglelander national, who was selling drugs, was executed.

"Dear Bariyans,

It is with acute sadness that I announce to the thieves and barbarians of the CDI, from Belhavian Bankers to Eaglelander Shipowners, to Arthuristan Lawyers to Emmerian Engineers, and from Belfrasian Shipmakers to Western Corporatists, that you no longer own our economy! You have been raping this great nation for too long! You have refused to contribute fairly to our glorious, independent economy! You have resisted the power of the Bariyan Collective! Bariyans! Think of the hunger and despair that you face, as our money is dumped by the western axis of evil to devalue it, thus rendering you powerless to westerner predators who sell food at artifically inflated prices so they can.. 'educate' themselves at their... 'colleges'!

It is time for Bariya to fight back! As of today, December the 16th 2014, I order the immediate implementation of Reform Act 2014, which, first and foremost, commands the seizure of ALL assets, ships, bank accounts and I order the immediate nationalisation of the Bariyan Stock Exchange. I order the nationalisation of all illegal casinos, mines, quarries, factories, and command the illicit trade of goods and services to stop. We will put order in Bariya, and make Bariya Bariyan for all Bariyans! We will return to the glorious days of socialism, and to illustrate my point, I have here one specimen of western decadence! An Eaglelander who was trying to sell marijuana to our own people, made some money, and then tried to sell some to our soldiers! At an army base!

As you can see, we treated him softly. A couple of bruises, some broken ribs, nothing special. This Eaglelander had a big mouth so we cut his tongue. See, he represents one of the many facets of evil in our society. As we pour petrol over his head, I want you to realise that Bariya is not to be messed with. BURN THEM!!!

As his corpse burns brighter than the sun, I must announce that the Reform Act is not just about nationalising the economy, and maximising corporate taxes to 95% of net profits. We must also get rid of those useless cops we have! We have had enough of those corrupt cops grazing our cities for non-existent crime. We have had enough of bastards who think they serve us. I say it's time to get rid of the police. Under the Reform Act, the Proletariat Guard will be disbanded indefinitely, and all police officers shall be burned for their crimes against our people! I ask my fellow Bariyans to take guns and kill anyone you see and know is a police officer, rape their wives, and sell their children to feed yourselves! The glorious Bariyan Army will support you win your endeavours! KILL THEM ALL!!! OUR ARMY WILL PROTECT US!

I also announce that the Bariyan Army is given the freedom to enter our cities and liberate us from those black market gangs! With the help of Bariyans, we shall clear our streets of drug dens, gambling dens, whorehouses and anything else this world needs from us! WE ARE NOT WEAK! THERE IS STRONG, AND THEN THERE IS BARIYA STRONG!

MAY 2014 MARK THE END OF OCCUPATION FOR BARIYA, AND MAY 2015 BE OUR YEAR OF FREEDOM! WE SHALL RETURN TO THE PAST! WE SHALL ONE DAY DESTROY THE CDI AND BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD! LONG LIVE BARIYA!!!"

His speech has been criticised from around the world, but experts attest that his move received maximum political attention from the CDI states. Severe response awaited shortly, Bariyan Army units along the East Coast have been activated for deployment.

"A", our correspondent, has reported for REN News from Koldiv. This article has been assessed and verified by the Editorial Team of REN News.

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by **Valinor1** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:29 pm

Bariya Barbarianism Condemned, Battle Group ordered to Bariyan Coast
The immediate seizure of foreign assets & property by the Bariyan government has been hotly condemned as barbaric by Valtos

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Niels S. Møller (@NielsMøller) (KH)
^{December 16, 2014 12:00 PM | Valkos, Kieva, Kingdom of Valinor}

Carrier Battle Group 8, centered around the V.R.S. Poseidon, traveling in the South A'kytian Sea Kavala Herald photo

Valtos, Valinor — Earlier today, the Bariyan "elected" leader, First Citizen Vyacheslav Grinko announced the passage of a Reform Bill 2014, and subsequently nationalized every industry within the struggling nation, which has already suffered at least one recession this decade, and also announced that he would seize all ships, merchants, and foreign assets that were not natives to the country, all while there was a burning citizen of Eagleland in the background, who was set on fire will on live television.

Foreign Minister Allae Rinki has denounced this "surprising act of barbarity" and stated that it was no way for a government, or for anyone, to behave and that the act was deplorable. Immediate consequences of the actions were the seizure of 22 Valinese merchant ships who were transporting food and other trade materials for sale in the country, as well as the loss of approximately 4.6 billion Emmerian dollars, which have been invested in the rebuilding and modernization of the country, or from private investors.

Minister Rinki immediately stated that the Kingdom would defend all of its citizens, regardless of their location being domestic or abroad and officially announced the closure of the Bariyan-Valinese border to all non-military traffic and lodged a formal diplomatic complaint with their embassy in Valtos and demanded the release of Valinese property and assets. To this affect, the 8th Carrier Battle Group, one of two centered around nuclear supercarriers, has been ordered to divert from its return trip home to redeploy along the Bariyan coast, with no mission statement released from the DoD; however an official was reached anoymously and stated that there was plans underway for the the "forced" recovery of Valinese property unless the Bariyans "behaved like grown adults and a sovereign state and played by interational law." The DoD official refused to speak his name due to the sensitivity of the subject, but also added that upon Prime Minister Irenaeus's return tomorrow, more severe actions may be implemented. A 24 hour deadline has been given on the return of Valinese property

In addition to the Navy, the 1st Mechanized Division has been reported to be sighted around Fort Jollun, which is just fifteen kilometers from the Bariyan border and home to the 2nd largest armory the military maintains; containing enough equipment, vehicles and ammunition to fully supply three divisions for a full campaign.

Niels S. Møller contributed to this report.

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by **Valinor1** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:41 pm

Parliament suspends trading with Bariyan state and private interests
Following the expiration of the 24-hr deadline to return Valinese assets, Parliament severed any trading with Bariya

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Niels S. Møller (@NielsMøller) (KH)
^{December 17, 2014 4:17 PM | Valkos, Kieva, Kingdom of Valinor}

House of Commons following the passage of Trading Suspension Resolution 382 Kavala Herald photo

Valtos, Valinor — Following the expiration of the twenty four hour deadline imposed by our government for the Bariyans to return the Valinese ships, assets and materials that the First Citizen had seized yesterday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Alexio Porba, announced the passage of Trading Suspension Resolution 382, which ends any trading with the "failed state" of Bariya and has frozen all Bariyan assets inside the country, and seized any materials, which the Treasury has announced will be inspected, cataloged and donated to the Committee for War Recovery, the body responsible for overseeing the reconstruction efforts in the industrial provinces.

Many Opposition MPs who voted against the Resolution cited their concern for "further damaging our fragile economy", the Valtos Stock Exchange fell four thousand points yesterday, with a continuing trend today of closing eight hundred points lower then the opening, but the Chancellor has stated that he remains hopeful abouts impacts, with trade already severed one way, he stated he was doubtful further severe dips would be seen, and added on the Treasury will be opening a monetary compensation program for the merchants, companies and individuals harmed by the "reckless acts of insanity" the Bariyans committed.

In addition to this, an unnamed Department of Defence official, who wished not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, has confirmed that the 1st Mechanized Division, the first unit to complete the new training programs that the newly established Valinese Army laid out, with Emmerian trainers helping in their schooling and basic instruction, has been deployed along the Bariyan border to help "prevent any further extreme actions that may led to regrettable consequences"

Niels S. Møller contributed to this report.

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