Sunalayan News {SUNALAYA ONLY!}

[North Baggnagia]

North Baggnagians say a tearful goodbye to His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic in a State Funeral

SILCENDA, NORTH BAGGNAGIA – Today is a heartbreaking date for all Baggnagians. But only those living in the Free North will have the honor of being at the presence of this event and pay their respects. North Baggnagia is saying goodbye to our first Beloved Leader. His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic is being escorted by North Baggnagians into his final journey. The Great Leader is going to heaven after having His time as our Beloved Leader cut short. His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic has left the vessel that Baggnagians and the whole world knew him in. The Dear Leader shall now transition into the greater plane of existence, something greater than human despite having already been above human here on our world. The Great Leader will transcend into heaven or transition into some alternative plane of existence that our human knowledge has not yet reached.

North Baggnagians are grieving in pain all day today. North Baggnagian flags have been lowered at half-mast or have black ribbons tied to them. The 100 Days of National Mourning remain in effect by the legal order of the Consultative Assembly of North Baggnagia. The soldiers of the North Baggnagian Holy Army are shooting symbolic shots into the sky to honor the Great Leader and His journey into heaven. The casket with the remains of His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic is travelling through Silcenda. Endless masses are aligned from all sides and follow this casket in grief, not wanting to let this be the final moment. Many do not want to let of the Great Leader. They are falling to their knees in grief. Convoys are following the casket. The Cabinet, those who have been by the side of His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic this whole time, are following the casket at every move, in every step of its journey. In the aftermath of the casket’s final journey a Grand Military Parade in Honor of His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic will be held.

Throughout this whole day Baggnagians are grieving. But they are also thanking His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic for everything the Great Leader had done. His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic ensured North Baggnagian freedom at the time when the Southern portion was occupied and cut off by Sunrisian imperialists. The Great Leader brought North Baggnagia prosperity against imperialist attempts to isolate North Baggnagia with sanctions. The Great Leader has been making North Baggnagia a military power by growing the North Baggnagian Holy Army. The Great Leader has been devoted to the Holy Quest of reuniting the Baggnagian land when the North Baggnagian Holy Army goes into the Final Holy Battle against the Southern collaborators and Sunrisian imperialists. His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic has managed to balance all of that and bring flawless results. In a short time the Great Leader has pushed North Baggnagia to the ranks of a Global Power. These impossible tasks could have only been accomplished by someone not from this plane of existence.

The Consultative Assembly of North Baggnagia has immortalized the First Leader, A Revolutionary and Father of North Baggnagia His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic in the Constitution. The Great Leader will from now on be known as Chief of State of North Baggnagia for Life. It means that no future Leader will be able to hold the title of Chief of State because the His Excellency Great Leader Fran Hapenic will forever remain Chief of State of North Baggnagia for Life. Additionally a Golden Statue will be built in the main square of Silcenda as a memorial and monument of His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic.

This day and the entire period of 100 Days of National Mourning in North Baggnagia will be grief days. But there is also a sense of hope. His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic promised that His death is not an end of Him like it is for an average human being. The Great Leader said that He would travel into heaven or an alternative plane of existence. But very soon the Great Leader would be back in a new vessel and that new vessel will declare itself to the people of North Baggnagia under a new name. The Great Leader said that His vessel has been chose in advance and it will be one of the Cabinet. This means that one of the officers of the Cabinet will become a vessel for the consciousness of the Great Leader to come back and further lead North Baggnagia from there. The Great Leader promised not to leave the people behind and be present in North Baggnagia because of the Holy Quest to lead the North Baggnagian Holy Army into the Final Battle. North Baggnagians do not know which vessel the Great Leader has chosen but the entire nation eagerly awaits the Great Leader’s reincarnation and His Apparition.

The remains of His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic will be immortalized in the Mausoleum of Chief of State of North Baggnagia for Life Fran Hapenic. The immortalization will not happen immediately because North Baggnagia was not prepared for His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic to leave so unexpectedly. Mausoleum of Chief of State of North Baggnagia for Life Fran Hapenic is only under construction but upon it being finished His Beloved Excellency Chief of State Fran Hapenic will be placed there to continue watching over North Baggnagia from where ever the Great Leader is.

[New Vesvai]

NEW VESVAI BROADCASTING

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BREAKING: Anonymous Whistleblower Reveals Himself To Be Kaleo Aitebi, A Now-Former Agent Of New Vesvai’s Intelligence Directorate Having Recently Taken Asylum In Sunrisia

New Vesvai’s anonymous unofficial revolutionary has brought himself out of the shadows. The anonymous whistleblower, now-former agent of New Vesvai’s Intelligence Directorate who has leaked the government’s secret plans now has his identity revealed. That man whose identity everyone wanted to know is named Kaleo Aitebi, a former agent of the Intelligence Directorate of New Vesvai as he originally presented himself.

Mr. Aitebi revealed himself by recording a video address that he had uploaded online. His original intention was to try reaching for New Vesvai’s press again and give an interview. But that plan was cast aside when Aitebi became concerned that New Vesvai’s journalist community might get in trouble for communicating and giving exposure to somebody that might be prosecuted for treason in New Vesvai. In his video address, Mr. Aitebi introduced himself, gave all the details of the situation and the background to prove that he was indeed the whistleblower, and said that he is now hiding out in Sunrisia after asking for political asylum there.

Kaleo Aitebi said that he fled New Vesvai a day before the secret leaks according to his plan. He asked all the journalists whom he had given secret plans to not to publish them until a certain date, when Aitebi will long be out of New Vesvai. The plan worked and once Aitebi was out of the government’s hand, the truth came out. Aitebi said that this move has undoubtedly made his life more difficult and he is uncertain about the future. But Aitebi also knows that he did the right thing and the patriotic thing.

New Vesvai Broadcasting has already reached out to Mr. Aitebi for an interview. The option is either to have a video chat or a personal interview in Sunrisia. Other new media networks in New Vesvai are also jumping onto the story to try and get an interview from the most controversial and most wanted man in New Vesvai.

[Lylhorion]

Foreign Minister Departs for Rhodevus

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The Minister of Foreign Relations left Ecbatana early this morning, en route to Rhodevus for a conference or crucial importance. Growing political instability in Parliament led to their dismissal, a move that sent shockwaves through the Lylhorion political establishment and created outrage among voters. How to address the situation is extremely important to the Lylhorion Government, and Foreign Minister aims to obtain Commonwealth assistance in supporting the King’s rightful place on the throne.

The Foreign Minister also aims to get funding assistance with major spending initiatives, like the planned construction of the Pars Artificial Island, the Naval expansion for combating crime operations and security threats, and the nations desperate need to replace water systems in major cities. The nations tax revenue simply won’t accommodate for the countries expansion needs, especially in the face of a potential population boom.

Assistance in conducting a national census is needed as well, and in large part because the Office of the Census has been underfunded and underprepared for the last 5 years. A neglect for the important office has left it with to few of staff, to little money, and not enough questionnaires to mail to every household.

The King has also ordered the Foreign Minister to seek assistance in curving population growth, illegal immigration, and to seek advice on whether or not Lylhorion needs to curb legal migration into the island. The islands infrastructure needs have been unable to keep up with the growth experienced in cities across the country, with an economic expansion attracting hundreds of new businesses and hundreds of thousands of residents. Water lines are stressed, energy limits are fast approaching, and infrastructure badly needs major investment of the country is to continue healthy growth.

The nation is faced with many challenges to overcome, and with the help of the Commonwealth and Rhodevus, the King believes stability and order can be returned. Or, that’s what his Ministers hope at least. One thing is for sure, these crisis didn’t seem so present and urgent during the reign of King William II, and I think one thing can be agreed to: a return to normalcy is needed.

[Solensland]

His Excellency Busara Zawadi Slams Western Imperialism

Early this morning, His Excellency Colonel Busara Zawadi addressed his loyal subjects over growing public concern about western imperialism involving its neighbor and close personal friend to His Excellency, President General Ad-Idi and the Democratic Central Zambian Republic. His Excellency had the following to say in a rousing speech given in the capital, Freetown.

Our fathers did not toil many years ago to throw off the chains of oppression from these foreign powers just for them to eventually attempt to collect us up like items in an imperialist bread line. I say we can not stand for this! we must take up arms and prepare to defend our neighbor to the fullest of our abilities. So to arms brethren! We must not let this act of imperialist aggression be allowed to go unchecked!

*the speech was then followed by a 10 minute standing ovation*

Due to the past incidents with the kingdom of Talvistova, "Death to the Imperialists" has become a rallying cry all throughout the nation.

Other news:

• stories of disappearing Catholics "Baseless"
• His excellency's Historic Battles with Oppressors: an analysis

[The Layfetian Republic]

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Six Years' War era sword found in River Fork Woods

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The Six Years' War is considered to be one of the most important conflicts in world history, owning to its legacy on warfare, the establishment of the Rhodeve Colonial Empire and at least at home, granting independence for Layfet, which is why the Six Years' War International Museum in Nordipolica is always looking for more artifacts and accounts from the war to add to its collection. They where lucky after a hiking expedition through the River Fork Woods, a group of college students discovered a sword from that era and donated it to the museum. Martin Kelly (above) described the find as "legendary" as most swords of the era are still in private collections or in military archives.

"We are still checking our records and performing tests to see who owned the sword. If we find it's of Capslandian origin, we are going to ask the Capslandian Government for permission to keep it. After all, it would be their property. Hopefully we get to keep it, regardless of who belonged it." Kelly said. He later admitted that hopes it is the long lost sword of Marcus C. Clemens, the Duke-General of West Goldwyn or of Major Johnathon P. Marshall, who would later fight outside Layfet.

The museum staff will be traveling to Goldwyn next Friday to examine the tomb of Clemens (where Clemens fled after he failed on becoming King of the country) to see if the artwork around his tomb matches any of the art found on the sword. The hikers who found the sword were paid $L 2,000 each for their find.

IN OTHER NEWS
-UIN HQ closed today, Kiezian, Layfetian, and Kohhaurese officials to handle transfer of UIN assets to Kiez.

-Union Party Nominee Spencer Hastings caught doing "sexy" photoshoot.

-Kiez-Layfet Military Treaty which has existed since 1981 to be re-analyzed by Congress. Executive Minister Susan Polster to travel to Kiez to work out future relationship.

-Still no sign of Economic aid bill in VU for Layfet, Layfetian stocks stay put.

-Capitalist Party Nominee Anthony Benson urges MPs not to dissent on VU Eikengaard bill, despite Nina Islands Bill going south.

-Layfetian Telecoms releases A200 phone

[Sunrisia]

Sâlúbĕr Administration Admits That Kaleo Aitebi From New Vesvai Has Been Given Sanctuary In Sunrisia: Government Of Sunrisia Takes A Stance Against The Government Of New Vesvai

It has been days since the recently-revealed Kaleo Aitebi, a former agent of the Intelligence Directorate of New Vesvai, had leaked secret plans made by New Vesvai’s government. Those plans included – provoking a war against Vesvai by launching a “false flag” operation that would blame Vesvai of aggression and justify a counter-attack, outside of New Vesvai’s law allow torture of all prisoners lie POWs, suspects of spying for foreign countries, suspected terrorists and others, as well as falsifying the next general election to guarantee a flawless re-election of the incumbent AIT coalition back into a governing majority and leadership over New Vesvai’s government. There were other plans leaked that were included in the secret documents that Aitebi provided to journalists in New Vesvai, however, the 3 aforementioned secret plans were the ones that have caused most controversy and outrage in New Vesvai. Kaleo Aitebi, who has now revealed himself to the world after remaining anonymous, came to Sunrisia a day before the leaks, asking for political asylum in our country, which was provided to him. Currently, Aitebi is safe and has nothing threatening his life, as stated by Agénâ Rûmár, the Media Representative for the Administration of the President.

The Sâlúbĕr administration could not appropriately react to the events in New Vesvai because President Válîd Sâlúbĕr and members of his administration have been preoccupied with the SOWEFTA summit that was hosted in Orentan. After the summit had concluded, the President dedicated time to meeting with a delegation of opposition parties of Creperia that had come to Sunrisia separately from the official Creperian government delegation that arrived for the summit. Vice President Amíc Fútûra and Minister of International Relations Edén Sȏlítûdá also were by the President’s side in a meeting with Creperia’s opposition delegation. The news from New Vesvai broke and subsequent events followed while the Sâlúbĕr administration was preoccupied with the SOWEFTA summit and meeting the Creperian opposition delegation, which is why the Sunrisian government could not get around to addressing the situation in New Vesvai. Addressing the situation was needed especially because one of the scandalous leaked government secrets in New Vesvai was directly related to Sunrisia and could put the relations between both countries on the line.

This morning, after having dealt with other immediate issues on the to-do-list, President Válîd Sâlúbĕr has finally gotten around to personally meeting with New Vesvai’s political expat Kaleo Aitebi after inviting him to the Presidential Palace. The President hailed the former intelligence agent as an honorable individual, who fulfilled his duty for his own country. President Sâlúbĕr promised that Kaleo Aitebi would not be extradited to New Vesvai, where he could be prosecuted or even killed for the risky action he could taken, which New Vesvai’s government could classify as treason to justify harming Aitebi.

After meeting with Kaleo Aitebi of New Vesvai, President Válîd Sâlúbĕr gave the following address:

“The news from New Vesvai is troubling to us for a number of reasons. Basically, all of the leaked plans are unsettling to us. We condemn military aggression launched under a false pre-text and by framing another country. We condemn torture, especially when the official law of the country still formally prohibits it, while government officials, intelligence agents and the military go ahead and use it with disregard not only to their own country’s constitution, but also human dignity. We condemn election falsification, because knowing what difficult conditions in the formerly-united Vesvai led to the independence of New Vesvai. Election falsification should have no place in New Vesvai, not only as something hypocritical, but also something sacrilegious and against everything that New Vesvai was built on. New Vesvai was supposed to be a safe-haven for Vesvaian democracy.

However, we are obviously deeply troubled by the intention to attack Vesvai by staging a “false flag” and therefore not only justifying a “counter-attack” on Vesvai in retaliation for their attack, but also hoping to get Sunrisia involved in this “counter-attack” because of the Mutual Defense Treaty between New Vesvai and Sunrisia. This plan was being crafted behind the back of the Prime Minister of New Vesvai, behind the backs of the people of New Vesvai, and behind our backs to. The current government of New Vesvai wanted to abuse the Mutual Defense Treaty as a permit to conduct war crimes, while having a shield from Sunrisia. You will not make us an accomplice in your crime. This move has made us lose trust in the current government of New Vesvai.

As President, I will support for the Mutual Defense Treaty between New Vesvai and Sunrisia to still remain in place, because our commitment is to the people of New Vesvai and not the government of that country. However, my administration will consider certain measures and having mentioned the government of New Vesvai, those measures will be aimed against the current political leadership of New Vesvai. We will be recalling our ambassador from New Vesvai’s capital Perloveu. The Sunrisian side will reach out to the Ederi and Creperian governments to offer a unilateral suspension of the existing trade deal between SOWEFTA and New Vesvai. I will also be addressing the Convet, in order to ask the lawmakers to introduce individual sanctions against the government of New Vesvai and those associated with it. I will not ask for or support the suspension of visa-free travel for the citizens of New Vesvai to Sunrisia, however, I will sign an executive order that will require for increased checks at the border for people coming from New Vesvai to Sunrisia at the time of crisis in New Vesvai.

As for Mr. Aitebi, I would like to recommend that the government of New Vesvai not expect us to extradite this man back into their hands. Mr. Aitebi is now here in Sunrisia, safe and sound. His brave actions, risking his life, have “done a solid”, to put it lightly, not only to the people of New Vesvai, but also to us Sunrisians. Regarding the current situation on the streets of New Vesvai, we hope that the protests will remain peaceful. We discourage New Vesvai’s leadership from using force against their own people, but we also hope that the demonstrators will not go down the wrong path of violence, because they are better than that. Personally, even if it sounds undiplomatic, I think that the government of New Vesvai is getting what it deserves from the people of New Vesvai and there are the ultimate judges of that government’s actions.”

In other news:

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• State funeral held for North Baggnagian dictator Fran Hapenic, who has recently died of an undisclosed cause.
  
  
• National Defense Consultant Clîpăs Dépúlsên: “We are aware of the rhetoric recently being heard in the North Baggnagian state propaganda about the “Holy Quest” and the “Final Grand Battle against the Southern traitors and Sunrisian imperialists.” Of course this rhetoric comes into conflict with a semi-thaw recently reached with North Baggnagia. It could be an early signal that the successor, whomever they might be, aiming to back-track towards hostility again. We never started trusting North Baggnagia even after the border talks and remained cautious about. If the regime tries to resume tension, we will be ready to contain them. At the same, we currently view this as a propaganda rhetoric to mobilize the populace, exclusively for internal consumption and not for any action outside. A semi-thaw with South Baggnagia and Sunrisia is something North Baggnagia has been benefiting from as well, but we are ready for anything.”
  
  
• Ongoing “Fire Wall” military exercise in Western Corentia planned to end on the morning of August 1, says a spokesperson for the Sunrisian Defense Force (SDF).
  
  
• Sunrisian Naval Forces on patrol in the international waters near Ziamban (Aethiopia, Sunafrica).
  
  
• Department of Security says that the navy’s mission is to trace out possible humanitarian routes and corridors towards the escalating war zone in Ziamban (Aethiopia, Sunafrica). The focus is on the situation around DCZR, as confirmed by the Department of Security.
  
  
• Top Releases on the Sunrisian Musical Charts (In No Particular Order):
  
  
  • Ex Machina – “Térpâ” (Melting).
    
    
  • Sinaophi – “Porro.”
    
    
  • ’86 – “Semita.”
    
    
  • RR – “Memorium.”

[Demitor]

Demitorian Broadcasting Service
"The Voice of the common Demitorian"

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Demitor shoots down DCZR aircraft transiting over southern Demitor, Union declares a no-fly zone over the DCZR

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A Demitorian Air Force Rockwall Industries LAA-35 Vigilant light attack aircraft over the Southern Demitorian countryside on a routine patrol.

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After the escalation of an impending conflict to the south of Demitor in the DCZR has sparked increased concern over the security and economy of the Ziambian continent, the Southern Command of the Demitorian Air Force (DEMSOUTHCOM) has announced it will be imposing a no-fly zone for aircraft of the DCZR until the cessation of hostilities on the continent. This comes after the numerous declarations of war on the DCZR by foreign nations, and following several close calls between DCZR and DAF aircraft over the middle of the continent. After the incident, numerous activations of the Air National Guard of the southern states of the Union and the Union's own Aviation Regiments has prompted amassing of forces in preparation for an airborne defense of Demitor. The Union Ministry for War released a statement that the states of the Union were currently in discussions through their respective State Ministries counterparts for consideration of a formal declaration of war. Already the Legislature for the South, the combined legislature of the southern states independent of the main union's legislature has already approved a general declaration of war that is currently under consideration in the council of Deputies.

The southern states have also declared a regional ban on taking any refugees of the DCZR if they do materialize, with southern nationalist politicians using the war as a talking point for stopping the taking of refugees of any state. The Union Security Service has stated that the current conflict may bring as many as twenty to thirty thousand migrants attempting to cross into Demitor via the lengthy southern border. The Air Force has stepped up patrol of it as a part of the full mobilization of the Air Arm using a light attack aircraft fleet due to this threat. The observance of several bombers has also risen concerns about a possible offense coming with the mobilization.

[Creperia]

NATIONAL NEWS NETWORK

Creperians vote in a key parliamentary election

The decisive parliamentary election has begun with hopes of it breaking Creperia free from the current political crisis

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The awaited day has come to Creperia. Polling stations and ballot boxes have been opened up around the country for Creperians to cast their votes. The turnout is approximated to be high because of how decisive this parliamentary election will be. Prior to this day, during the campaign, the popularity of the Liberal–Democrat coalition government has been dropping and some key resignations have happened. In contrary to the government’s popularity, various opposition parties have been rising in their approval ratings. The military announced that it was on the verge of mutiny, but did not formally declare a mutiny. Although the recent behavior of the armed forces could already be called a mutiny because of refusal to obey the government and even making threats and demands to the government. Experts predict that the Liberal–Democrat coalition does not stand a chance and will be ousted by a protest vote in this parliamentary election. After today’s voting is done and all ballots are counted, that will be the day when all answers will be clear. What has all of this been coming to?

Prior to the parliamentary election, the leading force in the nation has been Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists. It is a coalition of opposition parties with various leanings but which uphold nationalist, though unbigoted, views. Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists has been the loudest voice among the rising Creperian opposition during this political crisis. The coalition is a relatively new political bloc of parties that themselves are recent and made up of a new generation of politicians. There are other new opposition parties that have not joined Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists because of them sharing different ideologies from the coalition. But even with these differences, these opposition parties have still stood beside Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists in confronting the government. Many had their members join Creperian delegation of opposition parties that went to Sunrisia much to the disapproval of the government which had the “official” Creperian delegation also in Sunrisia at that time for the SOWEFTA summit. Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists has not only been the loudest voice in this rise of new opposition but also a de facto leader of Creperia’s new political opposition because of the size and influence of this coalition.

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In Other News:

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• Political crisis: Creperian Military warns the government one last time that the non-intervention of the armed forces will depend on the fairness of the parliamentary election.

[Vesvai]

VNNHD

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Vesvai Removes Anti-Air Missiles From The Border With New Vesvai After 12 Days Of Stationing

The Royal Vesvaian Security Forces have removed the anti-air missiles that were stationed at on Vesvai’s side of shared border with New Vesvai. The anti-air missiles have been removed after 12 days of stationing and the removal was done by the order from the government. The order came after Minister of National Defense and Security Robert Praesedit met with Prime Minister Jonathan Mollisal. Afterwards the order was transferred to the command of RVSF who then proceeded to remove the anti-air missiles.

Minister Praesedit made it clear that Vesvai promised to station anti-air missiles on the border only temporarily and has upheld that promise. According to him the move gives the Dominion of Vesvai more credibility and truthfulness in comparison to New Vesvai and its actions. Praesedit outright said that New Vesvai had:

“[L]ost one war to us at least and that is the PR war. They are really looking bad these days and considering the entire mess that New Vesvai is in, the Dominion of Vesvai is beginning to look better day after day. People inside New Vesvai are opening their eyes and realizing who the villain is in this confrontation. Hopefully our own people too will start realizing that the truth is behind the Dominion of Vesvai. With the whole government fiasco and civil unrest that New Vesvai is facing we do not view them as a credible threat at the moment. Our relief has only been strengthened by New Vesvai’s apparent rift with Sunrisia. This definitely is the right time to remove the anti-air missiles.”

Praesedit said that New Vesvai is currently not viewed as a threat because of the problems it is facing inside and also because of the rift it is facing with Sunrisia. But even with this sigh of relief the Dominion of Vesvai is not relaxing completely. The Minister made it clear that even without the larger anti-air missiles RVSF on the border will still maintain enough anti-air weaponry to be able to shoot down New Vesvai’s warplanes in case they dare to invade the skies of the Dominion of Vesvai. Praesedit added that instead of missiles the Royal Vesvaian Air Force would maintain a large number of warplanes along the border to match the number of New Vesvai’s warplanes policing the airspace on the other side:

“[E]ven if the state of New Vesvai is not a threat our soldiers at the border have gotten threats from their troops. To us it kind of signals that New Vesvai’s army may act independently even if their own government and political system are in crisis. If we wake up to New Vesvai becoming a military dictatorship tomorrow morning, we have to be ready to hold them back. Fight fire with fire. Only parity and an equal power of forces at the border will deter a direct armed clash.”

The now-removed anti-air missiles were stationed along the border 12 days ago after the Vesvaian Revolutionary Air Defense Force (New Vesvai’s air force) greatly increased the number of its warplanes in its own airspace near the border with the Dominion of Vesvai. New Vesvai did so after accusing the Dominion of Vesvai of having its warplanes invade New Vesvai’s airspace without provocation. The accusation was denied as a fabrication by New Vesvai. Anti-air missiles were then stationed by RVSF to potentially shoot down New Vesvai’s aircraft if this boost in numbers was a cover-up for an aerial invasion of the Dominion of Vesvai. With an escalation of events in New Vesvai the military strategy has been changed. The anti-air missiles were removed after a temporary stationing period as promised and the Dominion of Vesvai will now instead be giving a mirror response to New Vesvai’s actions.

[Capsland]

Social Democratic MPs Narrow Down Leadership Candidates to Two

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The two candidates have been narrowed down to retired banker, Geoff Dundas-Litten MP and far left activist, Helen Maple MP

In the latest in the Social Democratic leadership election that was called on the 5th of July after the resignation of Barbara Giles, MPs have held successive ballots and now only two contenders remain. In the last ballot, relative of the Queen Dame Isobel Supritt-Humes MP received 34 votes, retired banker Geoff Dundas-Litten MP received 58 votes and current shadow foreign secretary Helen Maple received 37 votes resulting in Dame Isobel Supritt-Humes being knocked out of the race.

So who are the two contenders which will face a public vote from the current 732,433 Social Democratic Party members?

Shadow foreign secretary, Helen Maple MP, is somewhat of a controversial figure within contemporary Capslandian politics. Currently the shadow foreign secretary, Barbara Giles chose Ms. Maple to be in her shadow cabinet in order to form an alliance with the far-left wing of the SDP and prevent dissenters from within. Helen Maple MP was elected to the National Parliament in the 2010 general election under Executive Chancellor Horatio Eldbridge and remained a relatively unknown figure until rising to prominence in 2015 when she openly protested the continued SDP coalition with the Libertarian Union and Bryant Rennard's decision to accept the Libertarian Union's proposal for further privatisation of the national health service, Nashwell.

When the SDP-led government collapsed in 2017 due to this decision, Ms. Maple was expected to resign and defect to the Socialist-Bloc however elements in the SDP before the election convinced her to stay, according to one former SDP MP.

Ms. Maple has proposed holding a bilateral "peace meeting" with the Socialist Republic of Kiex if she were to become leader and get elected as Executive Chancellor in the next election. Which did not come as a shock as the MP has been increasingly hostile to David George's approach to Eikangaard and Layfet but it proved controversial nonetheless. Another policy proposal was to re-examine the current confidence and supply agreement the SDP has with the Parti de la Libération in the Goldwynian Parliament openly attacking the Parti de la Libération for "perpetuating nationalist thought and discord in Goldwyn". The contender has also vowed to use her position to call for "sweeping internal reform" of the VU and committed to holding the government to account of the 'Missileman' Scandal. Only just clinging onto the race with 28.68% of the vote from other SDP MPs compared to her opponent Geoff Dundas-Litten MP who received 44.96% of the vote.

Geoff Dundas-Litten MP is a senior figure in in the SDP, counselling both former SDP Executive Chancellors Horatio Eldbridge and Bryant Rennard. He has been close to the inner circle of the party since 2007 when he became an adviser to to the then leader of the opposition, Horatio Eldbridge. Although not publicly, he advised Bryant Rennard to not accept the Libertarian Union into the governing coalition in 2015 and quietly left the SDP inner circle in protest after the SDP formed a coalition with the Libertarian Union anyway. Ever since, he has remained a respected figure in the party seen as a leader of the centre-left wing of the party.

He has proposed to immediately review the "PALS2 Agreement" to examine the economic impacts it'd have on Capslandian workers and to help reintroduce legislative protections for state workers.

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In other News
- VU Parliament formally condemn the use of the death penalty
- What a free trade agreement with the Seven United and Ouraicon would mean for Capsland
- Weather warning for Capsland, flooding brings severe travel delays around the country

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GDP Growth Forecast
BoC Interest Rate
Currency Strength
Executive Chancellor Approval
Burton Temperature
1.22%
2%
$1.415
47%
27°C

[The Layfetian Republic]

BREAKING NEWS!
United Intelligence Network Closes Down after 13 years!

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Following the ratification of the PALS agreement with Capsland, the Layfetian government has officially left the United Intelligence Network - that international intelligence sharing network, ant-terrorist operations, and national security organization that former Union Party candidate for Executive Minister Oliver J. Cromwell envisioned in 2006 and set up with various intelligence agencies and defense departments of Layfet, Kiez, Kohharu, and Pantorrum.

Today, the organization officially closes with the UIN building in Tonnes being stripped of any assets it has, with most of them being destroyed and others being sent to Kiez. This marks the organization defunct as Kohharu doesn't have the intelligence infrastructure to keep up and Pantorrum being inactive in the organization since 2015. Layfet will transfer its UIN personal over to the National Investigations Agency until such time the government can create Layfet's own intelligence agency. NIA Director John T. Cromwell (younger brother of Oliver Cromwell) said that after this is created, he will purpose an idea to integrate VU member states intelligence agencies into a sort of "Nine Eyes" program.

Oliver Cromwell is personally overlooking the closing of the UIN and once it is officially over with, Cromwell will then act as a special liaison between Layfet and Kiez under Ambassador Victor H. Pierce. Pierce and Cromwell will work with their Kiezian counterparts to reassess a new Layfet-Kiez relationship. The Layfetian government has no plans for the UIN building at this time.

IN OTHER NEWS

-Several Progressive Party Kiez Loyalists Congressmen resign after "playing themselves" with PALS agreement

-Union Party Nominee Spencer Hastings announces plan to travel to Capsland to talk with Executive Chancellor David George

-Progressive Party Convention approaching, Crane and Fitch rally up in polls, Polster falls behind.

-Still no economic aid bill in the VU, Layfetian public starting to worry, Libfray may dip.

-Olympic Cove Police Department arrests Afroslavian sneaking cocaine into the VU.

[Creperia]

BREAKING NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS NETWORK

Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists wins parliamentary majority

A “regime change” occurs - the political coalition of opposition parties triumphs in a key parliamentary election, ousting the incumbent Liberal–Democrat coalition

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Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists coalition has grasped the expected victory from the government with a landslide victory in the parliamentary election. With percentage collected the largest new opposition force in the country has won a clear majority and will have leadership over the legislature and forming the next cabinet. The victory of Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists also brings with it an ascendance of a new generation of politicians and fresh faces to power in Creperia. It something that no revolution could bring in the country’s recent history, not even during the Blue Revolution or the military mutiny that led to the founding of the present-day Third Republic. Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists also brings with it an ideological undertone now present in many fellow Western Corentian countries.

The victory of Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists has been a popular prediction by experts who view this victory as a question of time and not a question of “if.” And yet supporters are still celebrating this victory and calling it a “regime change.” Also predictably the Liberal–Democrat coalition has faced defeat after a period of a collapsing approval rating for their government. The Liberal and Democratic parties are trying to maintain political correctness but it has been apparent by the body language and behavior of many incumbent officials that they are quite unhappy with the loss. Probably they were expecting a last minute miracle at some point which many are shrugging off as something that was practically impossible at this point. The Liberal and Democratic parties will now have to hope for better luck in the future while being in the opposition. Political analysts are recommending that the two parties now focus on “rebooting” themselves and their image after a series of top-ranking resignations from their parties and a rift between their government and the public.

In the meantime the victorious Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists thanked supporters and controversially thanked the military for its pressure towards the current government against falsification. Obviously this has made many Liberals and Democrats jump towards blaming the winners for illegally conspiring with the military and leading to a “disguised coup.” But the truth is that nobody is really interested in listening to the Liberals and Democrats in the present. Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists promised that their new coalition government will end the political crisis, unite the country, “actually” fix the rift between the military and the government, and move Creperia forward rather than going in circles.

Current Prime Minister Ditt Regimēna will have to resign after his short tenure and transfer power over to a successor who will be appointed by the new government of Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists. The question now remains with the political fate of President Karr Gaudēl. Either he will remain in office until the upcoming presidential election, resign before that or be booted by the new government earlier to be replaced by an Acting President from a new team. Analysts believe in both options as a possibility. President Karr Gaudēl is an Independent and was not from the ranks of the outgoing Liberal–Democrat coalition government. At the same time his personal popularity has dipped partially because of his association with the Liberal–Democrat government and partially because of his presidency on its own. The President has been seen as someone who has been “consumed” by the Liberal–Democrat government and turned into one of their own with time. President Gaudēl could be removed earlier because of his declined approval rating. At the same time because the President is an Independent the new government might still keep him around as a non-threatening figure head. But more experts are leaning on theory that the President might be ousted earlier because Opposition Alliance – New Nationalists has campaigned on “cleaning house” and removing all remnants of the previous government that they can. The new opposition-controlled parliament will have the power to influence the further fate of the President.

[North Rukonia]

Largest Firearms Auction in North Rukonia to Start On August 1.

Lijimö, Erékéssá Province- Gun nuts and military enthusiasts alike are getting ready for the Erékéssá Weapons Auction which takes place from August 1 to August 15. One of the most prestigious firearms auctions in the world, as well as one of the largest, the EWA always has something interesting.

This year, the auction is headlined by Æsenvir Rikkelsön's Kar39, which was famously used by the Lükhyrl during the Razing of Volokarn in 1943. The weapons stock depicts the Volsfer, the Aunhii creation myth on one side, and an Aunhii prayer asking the gods for strength and wisdom on the other side, and both sides are inlaid with silver, will be sold on July 30.

The Lükhryl famously fought by Augustus Everen Sr. who also died in the battle, which caused Augustus Everen Jr. to join the Rukovian Resistance and help to oust Tsarist control from North Rukonia.

Alongside the Kar39, the EWA will also have tanks for sale, and many other exotic weaponry. However, those who are looking for a more medivel style of gear will have to wait untill the Hulson Historical Weapons & Armor auction in December.

Skölvveerraanniidd Mayor announces "Skyway" project

Skölvveerraanniidd, Estoel Archepelago- Mayor Uwe Lomir announced plans to connect up to 80 blocks of the city together with enclosed bridges spanning from one building to the next at 12 A.M. this morning.

"The city has decided to build 'skyways' to connect a large chunk of buildings together, allowing people to walk from one building to another with out leaving the climate controlled area. This will allow for safer city travel during phenomena such as heat waves, and will allow for disabled persons to more safely travel from A to B.

The building owners of the area that this system is planned have agreed to its construction. However, different sides of the skyways may close at different times due to a scheduling difference between the buildings. However, they will be open for most of the day.

Current estimates expect the project to be done by november."

Many have expressed their liking of the project on social media, so far as to get #connectthecity trending, and many would like to see this project expanded to encompass the entirity of Skölvveerraanniidd.

Other News

-Man finally awake after trying to cross border with serial theif and rebel terrorists

-Woman discovers hidden passage in her prison cell

-Rumor: Council to ban travel to and from Demitor, revoke Rukov recognition of the country

-New dating sim that lets you date world leaders taking the country by storm

[Antachia]

ANTACHIA CITY BREAKING NEWS - SPECIAL EDITION

Headline: Finally arrested the 'Marine Serial Killer', the handsome man bringing young women to his yacht, then stabbing them and throwing them all off his yacht. It has awfully happened constantly for 1 month, with a total of 78 victims, the worst serial killer ever in Antachia. The jury has incriminated the suspect as 'GUILTY', as the mother of one of the victims, Rosanna Jones, shed in tears as the Accusing Prosecutor was showing the jury some photos of this mentally disabled victims. It was found on the crime scene a phone with death threats to the ex serial killer's wife, as she had broke up with him 5 months before. Her name was Adeline Monroe, the first psycho's victim, a young and brilliant woman with a superb career. All she had done of wrong was just to marry that man. Along with the case has witnessed the 68 years old man - neighbor of the killer - Jonathan Rossi, as he often heard loud screams & crying noises from the serial killer's house, & a 8 years old boy (name not viven for security reasons) that has once accidenty witnessed the psycho into the act of abducting a victim and lately killing her into his yacht. The police was able to track him down after 1 month of genocyde & successfully arrest him, without the suspect "opposing any kind or form of resistance", as the report says.

[Antachia]

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Welcome, everybody to this very 1st relaxing session of Antachian-nature discovering session. Today we are going to talk about the Antachian Bahamas-like styled tropical rainforests, and about its ways & path-tracks. Let's starts!



This is a first image we see. This incontamined area of awesome tropical forest is one of the best in Antachia; here you can encounter particular insects, like the Dryocosmus kuriphilus, or "bigger animals", just like dangerous lions to camoufing sloths and koalas. The sloth, especially, is a very common animal in Antachia, maybe the slowest; this animal is aswell represented as the main Antachia's one.

Sample 1; particular insect from the tropical-rainforests in Antachia

Example of typical African lion living in our rainforests, of whose's inhabitance is still unknown, yet protected by safari rangers

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Now, let's proceed to the pathways; those are some sort of 'ways' where in all safety and with a ranger's assistance you can observe those animals from any distance you prefere. Those are classified as: Not Dangerous, Med. Dangerous and Extremely Dangerous. Med. Dangerous & Extremely Dangerous animals may be inly seen from a big distance with binocles. You are also allowed to feed those animals & try the amazing experience about being in contact with the nature, but you must be allowed by the ranger after you bought the food at a local reservation park shop. Also, lastly, in this special pathways you might always want to see circus, buy souvenirs & have an amazing snack into the nature.

[Antachia]

ANTACHIAN ADMINISTRATION WING
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT BRANCH

It happened today, Brian O'Connor & Paul Annis have discovered mostlikely possible presence of liquid hydrogen with oxygen molecules in stellar dust, which'd indicate that Mars defragmented asteroids do contain liquid water, also the researches will continue in order to successfully discover new things and to generally contribute to the worldwide and national scientific progress.

[Creperia]

NATIONAL NEWS NETWORK

Military greeted in Miraya as heroes for not allowing fraud in the parliamentary election

Creperian Military enters capital Miraya, being greeted with thankfulness from Creperians for deterring electoral fraud that was suspected to happen under the outgoing Liberal–Democrat coalition government

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The breakthrough of the parliamentary election in Creperia was achieved not without the military’s role. The Creperian forces were said to be moving to capital city Miraya prior to elections day and are said to have remained “parked” outside the capital for the duration of the vote. This move was a clear demonstration of another military mutiny. The armed forces did this outside the orders by commander-in-chief President Karr Gaudēl and did not seem to care much for his opinion as the government’s stooge. The presence was a clear follow-up to the previous verbal threats by the commanding officers to the Liberal–Democrat coalition government. The troops warned the government against electoral fraud which was recognized as a possibility under that unpopular government made up of old elites. This was meant to be psychological pressure, where the rebellious military left open a possibility of not only a mutiny, but a coup if electoral fraud happens. The pressure appears to have worked and Creperia ended up having its parliamentary election be a fair one. The opposition has unseated the incumbent government and will now form and lead the next government.

Today Creperians are celebrating the outcome of the parliamentary election and the military are being hailed as heroes for their role. Miraya residents have invited Creperian troops based outside Miraya into the city itself to be greeted and congratulated by masses of people for everything they had done. Such influence of the military in Creperia’s affairs may seem unusual to outside cultures, but it has its historical roots. The Creperian Military has always had a unique position and function within Creperia. Whereas a military is usually the defender of the country from outside aggression or terrorism, in Creperia the military has garnered the reputation of the Defender of the Constitution. This reputation developed throughout Creperian history. The Creperian state has always had a unique relationship with its own military. It is linked to Creperia’s unique history with coups and military mutinies that have often led to revolutionary results like regime changes, dismantling of the old system and replacing it with a new one. Sometimes it was for better or for worse.

The birth of present-day Third Republic, the current Creperian state, can be credited to the military too. During the days of the Second Republic, a growing rift between then-President Alcc Laēta and the National Assembly (parliament) at the time, led to a full-on conflict that escalated into a constitutional crisis. The National Assembly was supporting a referendum on whether Creperia should change from a presidential republic to a parliamentary republic. Then-President Alcc Laēta opposed such a referendum and threatened to veto any parliamentary decisions calling for such a referendum. The head of state wanted to keep things as is. This confrontation, with neither side wanting to back down, paralyzed the government and deepened the constitutional crisis. The Creperian Military entered capital Miraya without anyone’s orders and pressured the government to resolve this issue or the military would be forced to take unspecified action. At the time, the military had a very bad relationship with Then-President Alcc Laēta and was just not ignoring him as commander-in-chief, instead acting independently.

Then-President felt outnumbered by the National Assembly, felt that the public opinion on the issue was not on his side and was perfectly aware of his personal relationship with the military. Laēta resigned as President and the National Assembly soon announced a constitutional referendum. The referendum to transform Creperia from a presidential republic into the parliamentary republic passed with 62.17% in favor, 26.43% against and 11.4% undecided. A new constitution was adopted, replacing the Second Republic with the Third Republic. The government at the time resigned in its entirety and the Provisional Assembly took over to lead the Third Republic before the first parliamentary and presidential elections. Ultimately, those first elections brought to power the same Liberal–Democrat coalition government which has just been ousted in this parliamentary election, also not without the military’s shadow hovering over it. The day of that particular military mutiny and of the constitutional referendum are celebrated annually as those events that led to the birth of the present-day Third Republic.

But the military’s increased role has been controversial and not always positive. Sometimes, throughout Creperian history, in older periods of Creperian modern history, the military had removed the government to replace it with a military junta. Those juntas themselves had to be removed by force eventually. In other times, the newer chapters of Creperian modern history, the military declared mutinies to pressure the ineffective or unpopular government to not act outside the constitution. Such pressure from the military usually led to the government resigning voluntarily out of embarrassment, realization of its own ineffectiveness or some other reason. The military switched to this strategy with a new generation of officers, also because of the progress of Creperian society towards what is deemed appropriate and also the evolution of the rule of law along with appropriate measures in the Creperian state. At times of new generation’s military mutiny strategy instead of old generation’s outright coup, it started to seem that the military of the newer days was actually acting in national interests and not its own interests like the previous generations. The military pressured the government to act appropriately and within constitutional norms, without actually making a move against the government itself. It was more of a form of psychological pressure where the military did not rule out that it might overthrow an ineffective, unpopular or constitution-violating government in a coup. At these instances, the psychological pressure usually ended up working and no coups were necessary.

But during those times when the military, made up of previous generation officers, actually overthrew the government and established a military junta, they also claimed to be acting out of patriotic duty and national interest. The military that would go on to overthrowing the government immediately and establishing a junta claimed to be removing an ineffective, unpopular or constitution-violating government. That is the same argument as used by the newer generation military that instead used military mutiny and psychological pressure to influence the sitting government, without the apparent intention of overthrowing it and getting power. They only used psychological pressure. After the Creperian Military under new generations chose to pursue mutiny over coup, it is when the military’s reputation as the Defender of the Constitution actually started gaining merit. But the label of the Defender of the Constitution was being placed on the military even in the older times, when coups were overthrowing governments and military dictatorships were being created. The recognition of the military’s unique role in Creperian politics also came at those times. Certain social layers or just the Creperian society at those times, had a more cynical and naïve approached that tolerated the military overthrowing what they saw as ineffective governments.

[West Zilveren Berg]

Power Transfer In West Zilveren Berg: Newly-Elected Chief Secretary Faas Van Hoebeek Goes To Sunrisia As First Official Foreign State Visit

The new recently-elected West Zilveren government has inherited power from the Parliamentary Legislative Assembly of the State of West Zilveren Berg in an official and historic ceremony of power transfer. The transition happened after the 4 parties that won the All-National Elections – Alliance of New West Zilveren Berg (ANWZB), Union of National Liberals and National Democrats (UNLND), National Movement for West Zilveren Progress (NMWZP) and Alternative Democratic Liberal Party of West Zilveren Berg (ADLPWZB), had formed a coalition and finished forming the key basis of the new government. The process of forming a new government will be completed fully, when all seats are filled, but the majority of the work has already been completed for a power transfer to be ready. Chairman Shou Vedder said his farewells to the people of West Zilveren Berg, expressed his appreciation and wished luck, as he left the position of de facto head of government. The Parliamentary Legislative Assembly of the State of West Zilveren Berg, a provisional authority that led West Zilveren Berg through the tough transitional period, has dissolved itself after transferring power to the new elected government. The transition of power was a historic and emotional event for West Zilveren Berg.

Now led by a coalition government of 4 parties, upper house Senate and lower house House of Representatives have gathered for their very first sessions as parts of the newly-elected and formed West Zilveren legislature. The very first order of business for both chambers was to elect a new head of government to be the face of the first elected authority of West Zilveren Berg. Originally, the 4 parties in the coalition wanted to agree on the pick for a head of government much earlier, as part of the government’s formation process and before a transition could occur. However, the sides ultimately settled on several candidates, 1 from each of 4 parties, and instead agreed that the head of government would be picked after the legislature is formed and a power transfer happens. Eventually, the Senate and the House of Representatives have settled on the final pick for the head of government and that was Faas Van Hoebeek from the National Movement for West Zilveren Progress (NMWZP). Van Hoebeek was elected Chief Secretary of the State of West Zilveren Berg and the very first of head of the very first democratically-elected government.

After being inaugurated at both chambers of West Zilveren legislature, Chief Secretary Faas Van Hoebeek gave 2 separate addresses at the Senate and the House of Representatives, but both had pretty much the same text. Chief Secretary Faas Van Hoebeek thanked the Parliamentary Legislative Assembly of the State of West Zilveren Berg for its’ caring leadership, personally thanked his de facto predecessor Chairman Shou Vedder and congratulated him on the Golden Sun award that the Chairman was given in Sunrisia. The Chief Secretary also thanked the people of West Zilveren Berg for their votes, thanked his colleagues in the government for appointing him as the first Chief Secretary of West Zilveren Berg and thus already making him part of history, and called upon the new government to not disappoint the citizens, because recovery and progress from it are not over yet.

After the new government adjusted to power for a few days, including Chief Secretary Faas Van Hoebeek adjusting to his position, the head of government embarked on his very first official state visit abroad. The destination is, unsurprisingly, Sunrisia.

[Antachia]

It happened today, 26th of July, Year 2019. Our lovely and majestic Minister of Treasury Amanda Festenn-Anderson died because of an hemorragic stroke during breakfast, at the brilliant age of 59 years old. She's been serving for more than 15 years - under solemn swearing - for the Government, daily serving and protecting our amazing nation. She died during breakfast with her 3 daughters; regardless the EMT's fast-response, she was already deceased. "A woman of grand prestigy, humble but yet valuable, she was able to warm your heart with 2 or 3 words of her. She was an angel sent to Earth."--said Prime Minister Andrew Tucson, Minister of Transports.
Biography:
Born on 1st of July, 1960 in Heerghyjaw, District 8 of Antachia Western Hamblets, daughter of Mary F. Anderson, model, actress & wonderful singer, and Jonathan F. Anderson, King of the Eastern Antachian Seas Realm. Member of the Royal Family, she's anyways always kept a humble and respectful behaviour with an awesome education behind of her. Graduated in 1982 in Law Enforcement, she started working in Superior Antachian Courts as a Clerk. Then she has been an activist and knew that her life-goal was to become a politician, in order to disrupt the corruption and noonethelessly for the women's rights; that's what she did, as dedicating her life within the position of Minister of Treasury, where she's been always acting professional and financing activism operas. Now the entire Antachia's population mourns her death as her parents, both 82 years old, are counselled by friends and familiars. Even the King of Southern Realm stated: "She had a valuable position and had an awesome positivity and magnanimity, even in hard situation--that's what made her the perfect woman she was, until today...". The Royal funeral will be hosted by the defunct's familiars, as donations are open, for general charity extras and to be solidal to this awesome woman. Funeral will be hosted 1st of August, on Antachia Beach Cemetery in Eastern Antachia City, at the hour 2:00 PM, just after lunch, & will totally last 2 hours, + 30 mins of commemorations & speechs. May God bless Amanda and her soul.

[Pallamara]

Oranje Companie announces higher than expected quarterly earnings, but cautions investors

Vrijpoort, July 24, 2019

The Oranje Compagnie listed higher than anticipated quarterly earnings this morning, but the chairman, Jan Van Zyl cautioned that continued growth was going to require that more of the company's massive "Triple E Klasse" container vessels being put to sea. Too massive to be economically constructed in Pallamara, the contracts for the remainder of the vessels to be launched were cancelled, following quality control issues at the previous yard, creating doubts about the future of the class, requiring a replacement be found.
Oranje is the largest corporation in Pallamara, being publicly traded, but with a controlling interest being held by the crown. Originally the Vereenigde Oost-Zees Compagnie, when that entity went bankrupt in the 1830s, its debt was purchased by the Crown, and assets were folded into a new entity named Oranje, after the royal house. The fall of the VOC ushered in a thirty year period of decline which saw Pallamara reduced to a remote, unimportant backwater, during the "Hard Times" of the first half of the 19th century.

Although never quite reaching the heights (or occasionally infamy) of its predecessor, the modern Oranje is mega-corporation with many different branches around the globe, but its main business is the transportation of goods on the high seas, and the newest class of container vessels have created a revolution in sustainability and economic operation. Twenty have been built so far, but plans call for at least 50 of the vessels to eventually sail the high seas.

Besides freight, Oranje is heavily involved in other forms of international commerce, notably banking, and the insurance/reinsurance, with a special emphasis on maritime insurance and underwriting. Being by far the largest corporate entity in Pallamara, it serves as a sort of litmus test for the economy in general, with the market falling and rising on its fortunes. In recent years, the company has attracted criticism that like its predecessor, Oranje has too much power and influence, becoming "too big to fail" and still having virtual monopolies over several sectors of local industry. These same critics also point out that the company unfairly benefits from its relationship to the Pallamaran crown, which still maintains a controlling interest, though (allegedly) it is insisted that neither the Grand Duke, nor the royal family play any role in the actual running of the company, and insist it follows all the same rules that any other Pallamaran corporation is subject to. Having said that, due to being a crown owned entity, it is specifically exempt from the normal legislative oversight that other such businesses must face, which makes many uncomfortable, and rumors of shady dealings overseas abound.

[Pallamara]

PSS Pallamara Retirement announced

Den Helder, July 25th, 2019

Today Groot Admiraal Dan van der Vat, announced that the training cruiser Pallamara, long a symbol of the nation's navy and prestige at sea, would be retired next year, citing the costs of maintaining the vessel and difficulty obtaining spares for critical engineering components. Launched in the early 1950s, the PSS Pallamara was the nation's last gun cruiser, the third vessel of a class of three. After serving for over thirty years, she was converted into a gunnery and cadet training ship in the 1980s, and became famous for her visits to foreign ports, often in the company of the royal yacht/diplomatic vessel Eos. It is noted the Grand Duke's daughter, Hannah is currently serving aboard the vessel as an instructor.



After her retirement, the vessel will become an attraction moored near the Maritime Heritage Museum in Vrijpoort, where she expected to bring in many visitors. Originally intended to remain in service until 2026, the increasing costs and lack of spares have forced an early retirement. The longevity of the Pallamara had been accomplished by using her two sister ships as a source of spares, but even such cannibalization could only go so far. Many have expressed sadness that the time of the "Grand Lady" has finally come to an end, but the fact the vessel will live on as an attraction to inspire future generations of sailors comes as a relief.

Meanwhile, the role of training ship will instead be taken by the frigate Astarte, the lead ship of her class, who was decommissioned to the reserves two years ago, and is currently undergoing renovation for the role, including having her hangar converted to a classroom area. It is understood, however, that the Astarte is to be a temporary solution until a purpose vessel can be constructed, which insiders within the Rijkzeemacht say will serve as both a training and command vessel.


With the core of the fleet built around three carrier groups, the RZM nonetheless faces a growing need to replace older vessels, such as the rest of the Astarte Klasse frigates, but are waiting for the third carrier of the Willem de Strichter Klasse to enter service before embarking on another large construction programme, which will center around the Bellona Klasse DDGs, the first of which are expected to soon join the Rijkzeemacht.

[Pallamara]

National Fennec Day Celebrations planned!

Vrijpoort, July 26th, 2019





Celebrations and events across the nation are being planned for National Fennec Day, celebrating the nation's favorite pet, and unofficial national animal. The first fennecs brought to the island were a pair intended as diplomatic gifts, from Empress Placidina II of Romaikos to the Grand Duchess, Aurelia in 1752. Their cuteness and antics created an immediate craze for the tiny foxes at court, creating an immense demand for more of them, which would send all sorts of people scouring the deserts for more of the little creatures. Being small, fast, and hard to catch, living in inhospitable terrain, far away, (leading to demise of more than one searcher) just one fox could be worth its weight in gold, at the height of the "Fennecmanie," though this price gradually went down as more breeding pairs were (unwillingly) brought to the shores of Pallamara.

While at first a treasured status symbol and pet of the ultra wealthy, enough of these eventually escaped to create a stable breeding population in the wild, but were attracted to local farms, by the availability of rodents, where many bemused farmers started feeding them, considering them kind of good luck symbols, and calling them "feeënvossen" or "Fairy Foxes" Over time, these wild foxes generally became as tame as the the captive bred ones, and became pets that anyone could have. By the early 1900s, they'd become the most common pet on the island (cats being a close second) and were considered to be completely domesticated.

In 1973, an initiative sponsored by the Landsraad put the question of what should be Pallamara's national animal to the vote, but didn't properly specify the creature in question needed to be a native species, with the Pallamaran Domesticated Fennec winning by a huge margin. Grand Duke Adrian III, not wanting to go against popular opinion, but equally not wanting the national animal to be an imported species, rejected the choice, but at the same time, decreed a national holiday celebrating the Fennec's first arrival in Pallamara. While officially the national animal is the Fretkat (fossa), many still consider the fennec to be a national symbol, with it appearing on all sorts of things in the nation, leading many to conclude the Fennecmanie to have never really gone away. The Holiday will be marked by parades, fennec shows and other themed events, as owners all over the island proudly celebrate their favorite four legged companions!

Editors note: It should be added that "wild" populations do still exist, though they are a protected animal, despite complaints of many conservationists that they and cats have had a considerable damaging effect on many native species, however every suggestion to cull either for the protection of native birds and mammals has been shouted down by angry fans.

[Eastern North Islands]

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Development of New Wind Farms

Since the Altian Defence Force assumed control of the country in 1989, life throughout the Eastern North Islands has improved drastically. Under the A.D.F.'s guidance the country was able to recover from the economic recession of the 80's and every citizen now has free access to education and healthcare. A list of improvements since 1989 is incomplete without the mention of the government's dedication to renewable energy, with the country being completely powered by clean energy since 2013.

Chief Commander Panos Toccou of the A.D.F. has recently announced the development of brand new wind farms on the islands of Altis and Vis as part of a greater improvement to the country's energy capabilities. The new energy capabilities would be a benefit for a growing Altian population and also allow a greater increase in the export of electricity to foreign countries, which currently contributes millions of lira to the economy every year.

Wind farm in southern Altis

[Asanagi]

ANN - Asanai National News
Asanagi's Source for Developing Local and Global News.

Asanai Meritocratic Council Passes Bill Banning Loot Boxes

A back and forth debate has been raging over the past couple months over the legality of Loot Boxes in video games. Loot Boxes, for the uninitiated, are a new monetization tactic introduced into recent video games which allow players to buy in-game packages which contain a random number of items of varying quality. Many of these games are marketed to children, and in that regard, a legal and moral debate over the inclusion these mechanics into the games has been brought before the Supreme Court.

Legal representatives of multiple industry giants from across Sunalaya came before the Court to argue their case, locking horns with consumer and children's rights advocates, as well as psychologists who studied the mechanics and their effects on children and other gamers in detail. Despite attempts to claim that Loot Boxes were moral, ethical, and unharmful, including a laughable attempt to rebrand them as "Surprise Mechanics" by one company, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Loot Boxes would be considered gambling targetted to children. Additionally, it also found that Loot Boxes presented a danger not just to children, but people recovering from addiction.

Following this, it presented it's findings to the Meritocratic Council, which quickly wrote and passed a bill, banning all instances of Loot Boxes of appearing in video games withing Asanagi. Under the Bill, called the Psychological and Ethical Safety of Video Games Act, all publishers and developers will remove all instances of Loot Boxes from their games by September 3rd, 2019, or face harsh penalties up to and including the banning of their games from sale within Asanagi.

This threat, however, has not deterred some. A spokesperson from the games publisher Digital Arts stated that the company would not remove Loot Boxes from their games, stating:

"We believe that the inclusion of Surprise Mechanics is entirely ethical, and we question the validity of the reports that claim they are harmful to both children and recovering addicts. We believe that the inclusion of Suprise Mechanics allows fans of our games allow players to continue supporting our development teams. We furthermore conclude, that by forcibly removing the capacity for our fans to show our support, that Asanagi is attempting to quash free-speech within its borders. If parents are truly concerned about the effect these mechanics may have on their children, then they may simply turn on parental controls to halt a certain number of in-app purchases. However, we again stress that there is not data that supports the idea that Surprise Mechanics are anything other than ethical and moral."

James Howard
Digital Arts Spokesperson

[The Layfetian Republic]

CUE: Diplomacy in Depth Theme

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE

PRESENTS
DIPLOMACY IN DEPTH: SPENCER HASTINGS - THE NEW FACE OF LAYFET?

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[DIPLOMACY ROOM] BRISBANE: "Hi, I am Normon Brisbane, host of Diplomacy in Depth. Last week we covered the PALS agreement and what it might mean for the future of Layfetian, Capslandian, Kiezian, and VU relations. In that episode i mentioned several times a name that has become quite popular across the country as of late and that is of 22 year old Union Party Nominee for Executive Minister, Spencer Hastings. She was instrumental in the negotiations for both versions of the agreement, being our nation's lead negotiator. Today we will be going over Hastings' career and why she might be the new face of our country.

Hastings was born in Maracachot and at a young age and through high school, she would set herself up for success, participating in debate, academic championships, Model-USA, Model-VU, and Model Congress. At 16, she took a summer abroad working in the Layfetian Diplomatic Core working in Rezua providing aid work as well as taking center stage in settling negotiations for the renewal of University of Nordipolica's satellite campus in Saint Claresburg."

[CUT TO UNORD-SC Rebeka Lizabont Lecture Hall, lower screen indicates UNORD-SC President Micheal Kalchek] KALCHEK: "I was immediately surprised with how well Hastings could debate. At the time, Rezua's department of education saw declining enrollment, in fact we were down to less then four thousand students, and was going to shut the school down, but then Hastings, who was an intern, just there to observe jumped into action after I couldn't convince them to change their minds. She gave a second chance. The school is still open because of her we met our enrollment goal that she negotiated for last year."

[CUT TO DIPLOMACY ROOM] BRISBANE: "AFter that summer, Hastings' family moved to Emery Heights and at 17, she worked part time at the Librian Embassy and after graduating from Elizabeth Taylor High School, she applied to work for the Foreign Relations Department."

[CUT TO UNORD CENTRAL FOUNTAIN, loew screen indicates Former Layfetian Foreign Relations Director Luke Brant] BRANT: "I wanted to give someone young a chance, when I saw Hastings and her skills and also reading about her work in Rezua I decided to give her a test and take a chance. I made her the Deputy Ambassador to North Rukonia at 18. Other in the department thought I was insane, and I was too, but I thought it was worth a risk."

[CUT TO DIPLOMACY ROOM] BRISBANE: "At her post as Deputy Ambassador as well as studying International Relations at the University of Nordipolica during her free time, Hastings was called to work diplomatic deals that included the Nina Islands Independence Deal, Layfetian Entry into the VU, that tunnel deal, and the recently as I mentioned, the PALS agreement. Her popularity in the foreign sphere garnered the attention of the Union Party, were she decided to run up against big wig - Oliver James Cromwell, but managed to defeat the titan and become the Union Party's nominee to Executive Minister."

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[DIPLOMACY ROOM] BRISBANE: "Welcome back! Let's get into it. As soon as she gained the nomination from the Union Party, Hastings took to the stand and gave a roaring speech about "returning to normality" giving promises like getting Layfet back into the United Sunalayan Assembly, releasing public corporations, diversifying military aspects, fixing relations with Sunrisia and Belantica, as well as opening up Layfet more and overhauling the economy. She then announced that former Ambassador to the USA - Francisco Lascano-Bravo will be her Deputy Executive Minister Running mate. Mr. Lascano-Bravo?"

LASCANO-BRAVO: "Thank you for having me, Norman. It is a pleasure."

BRISBANE: "The pleasure is all mine. Tell us, what made you decide to work for Hastings?"

LASCANO-BRAVO: "It was her passion. Spencer has a way of thinking of thinks other then most people. She never sees things as impossible but as a challenge. I haven't seen someone like that since Edmond Dantes was Executive Minister. But while he had the experience, he doesn't have Spencer's drive. When I left the USA, I didn't want to. I thought it was foolish and I still went to meetings despite my post being non-existent. Spencer liked that so she approached me and asked me to reinvent Layfet and I followed."

BRISBANE: "Think that Spencer can win the election?"

LASCANO-BRAVO: "It is definitely a dream, but still a possibility. I think she has a chance, right? She was able to beat Cromwell after all and he was the most popular man in Layfet for a while. She has a shot, especially since the Progressives aren't looking so hot right now."

BRISBANE: "Thank you Mr. Lascano-Bravo"

LASCANO-BRAVO: "Your welcome"

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[DIPLOMACY ROOM] BRISBANE: "Welcome back once more to Diplomacy in Depth. We are covering Executive Minister candidate Spencer Hastings. The Nordipolica Post tells us she is currently leading the polls at fifty-four percent compared to Anthoney Benson from the Capitalist Party twenty-eight percent and generic progressive at eighteen percent. This Hastings Mania is currently quite a phenomenon. I have political annalist James Richard Carter on the phone to explain it."

CARTER ON SPEAKER: "The Hastings Phenomenon is a result of complacency from the Progressives, Susan Polster's failures, and VU influence. We have seen a change in the country ever since the end of the cold war and the fall of the USJR. When it fell, Layfet's allegiance to the bloc was no more and it was struggling to find a new place on the world stage. While we have always been a powerful country in terms of diplomacy, Layfet still can't survive on its own and has always been under a sphere of influence of some other state. The Progressives who controlled Congress since the end of the Civil War couldn't find something for us to rally behind or find a new direction and thus they panicked, giving rise to new capitalist and centrist views of which Layfet hasn't decided where to fall. The VU is Layfet's next sphere of influence but it took us from the fall of the USJR and now to do it, showing that Layfet had no real direction. Polster's hefty diplomatic and domestic failures show us that progressives weren't prepared for this and are struggling to keep up with the direction of where the country wants to go, which also gives evidence as to why many progressives are still clinging to the alliance with Kiez. That's why Hastings is so popular. She wasn't afraid to ride the nation's direction unlike Cromwell and Polster and the remaining progressive candidates Fitch and Crane. Her only real competition is Benson, but with capitalism still pretty unpopular, I'm betting Hastings will win."

BRISBANE: "Do you think this wave will end once, Hastings' popularity will decline?"

CARTER ON SPEAKER: "Probably, unless she is able to keep that wave alive by keeping her promises. We will see."

BRISVANE: Thank you Mr Carter. And that concludes our show. Next week will analyze Capslandian Executive Chancellor David George and his rise to power and why many are calling him the next World's Statesman. Thank you for joining us on Diplomacy in Depth."

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