The Western Isles News

[New Jacobland]

New Jacobland BREAKING

Gunfire has been reported near the Jicovian House following the passing of the Civil Defense Act. A group of around 200 peaceful protesters sat outside the building, waving signs:

#FreeNJ

Sack Saxman!

Lockdowns aren't Democratic!

Paramilitary forces believed to be connected to the Union for Palo Independence then arrived and opened fire at the House. Multiple windows were shattered, with minor injuries reported. They then shot two guards dead, and marched up to the House. TRF (Tactical Response Force) units arrived on the scene promptly, and exchanged fire with the paramilitary. 17 paramilitary and 2 TRF troops were killed, and 8 more injured. The House entered lockdown, and no injuries worse than cuts were reported.

More to come

New Jacobland BREAKING

[Sokeria]

April 4, 2021
Sokerian Press
Sokeria, Bolu

Sokerian Space Agency
The decision, signed by Sokerian President Oğuz Genç, established the procedures and principles for the establishment, duties and powers of the Sokerian Space Agency.

Ministry of technology and science: our national interests will also be respected in space

For the Space Agency, a budget of 10 million rumes is currently being targeted.

[Lesva]

Follow up to: Visit 1, Visit 2

No more time jumps after this

Martial Law in Effect

April 12, 2021

Military-appointed Acting President Taica Berislavić on a first foreign visit to Aprosia

In the third foreign visit since the Saela Spring and the first foreign visit since the restoration of a civilian government, Acting President Taica Berislavić visits Aprosia

Acting President Taica Berislavić is on an official visit to Aprosia today, April 12. This is the first visit for Berislavić since having been appointed Acting President by the Authority for Democratic Preservation (ADP) provisional military government, while ADP itself transferred power to a restored provisional civilian government on April 10. Snap elections are on the way. As for Aprosia visit, the official trip is to another strategic country of choice, as post-Saela Spring Lesva is now following a new foreign policy direction of abandoning the decade-long neutrality and isolationism, and aligning itself with Balnik and countries in the same geostrategic camp. Aprosia is part of the equation. It is expected that the discussions between Lesvan and Aprosian sides during this visit will include political, economic, social, cultural, strategic security and other relations in all walks of life. Acting President Taica Berislavić has already, in-advance, extended an invitation to Aprosian officials to visit Lesva in the near future.

[New Jacobland]

New Jacobland News

Jicovian House shooting

Minjin Dāö

Overview

More details have emerged about the shooting that occurred two days ago at the Jicovian House. 19 people were killed at the scene, including two TRF troops. A further two TRF troops have died as a result of there injuries. No civilian casualties have been reported, while seven people have been arrested over the shooting.

Saxman's Response

President Saxman held an emergency press release yesterday:

First of all, I want to condemn the people behind this attack, an attack on the sovereignty of New Jacobland. Multiple brave Tactical Response Force personnel gave their lives to defend our Democratic Republic. The UPI has gone too far. It is one thing to peacefully protest and believe in Palo independence, as many have done. It is another thing to kill innocent people to achieve the goal. With this aside, I have a major announcement to make. The Territory of the Palo will be under an indefinite State of Emergency. The government will not impose lockdowns...yet. On that subject, the Civil Defense Act is constitutional. I, and the whole Nationalist Party, will fight for the safety of New Jacobland, in the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court

The bench of five Supreme Justices have been chosen from the pool of ten.

Senior Justice José Luis
Senior Justice Martin Kemball
Justice Llewin Tioapa
Justice Wiling Manchulo
Justice Sanxa Majok

Three of these Justices are Paloai.

[Thromsa]

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Presidential Elections set for Thromsa

By Clair Côté
Monday - 5^th April 2020
VILLEFRANCHE-DE-L'HÔPITAL — The current President of the Union of Thromsa, Ralph Dawson, has set the dates for the following Presidential Elections for the 18^th of April, with second and third rounds, if needed, respectively on the 9^th and 16^th of May. The President's dates might extend his office for a few days, given that they were set with a delay due to a change in the electoral law by Parliament that only came into effect last week.

The President of the Union, an office established in 1968 after the complete independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, has seen 9 Presidents so far, with an addition of 1 Provisional and 3 Interim Presidents; current polls give a win for Guy de Bigorre d'Évreux, the candidate presented by the current governing alliance; however, Elizabeth David, polling in second place, may actually gather enough votes to bring the election on a second, or even third round. Other 7 minor candidates have also applied to run on the Election.

Guy de Bigorre d'Évreux, 36, from Maria Karolina, is a Partner at HWL, having started his career as a Deputy Assistant Solicitor of the Union, but having raised popular recognition from numerous cases he presented, pro bono, to the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court, as an activist for equal rights based on sexual orientation. Guy also received wide public recognition as a pundit for legal matters.

Elizabeth David, 63, from York, entered politics in 1984 when she won an elected seat in local government, successfully growing on her political skills, eventually becoming Minister for Education of York, and Secretary of State for Education of Thromsa, from 2004 to 2014 serving as a Representative and since 2014 as a Senator of the Union.

Other popular news:
- New children's playground in Lymbartonshire, Hampshire, constructed by Mayor's cousin, married to a Senator.
- French Music Festival in Orleans ends in a massive drug bust.
- 27 Members of the Ambacien National Convention enter into a punch-up on a parliamentarian sitting... because of donuts.
- Les 999, new criminal series airs Monday, critique

[New Jacobland]

New Jacobland News

Supreme Court case begins

Rowan Opener

As many of you will know, the controversial Civil Defense Act has been taken to the Supreme Court by the Union for Palo Independence. It is expected to be ruled illegal, however it will be near certainly tried again the moment the case is ruled upon. The reasoning behind Saxman's strategy is that he is almost certainly going to lose the Supreme Court case, because he had not declared a state of emergency when it was passed, thus invalidating the Article 9 defence.

Recap: Article 9 states that, in the event of a state of emergency being called, the Jicovian House has full power.

However, now that a state of emergency has been declared, he is almost certainly going to try again, this time without the shackles of a constitution. It appears likely it won't pass, as many Nationalists will probably be scared off seeing the political fallout this bill has left. But what is the process if it does pass?

1. Efforts would immediately begin by anti-CDA citizens to file petitions at local government offices.

2. These petitions will soon be consolidated into one, and the two month voting period begins. In this time, the petition must garner 50,000 legal votes.

3. Voting phase. It is expected the petition will achieve vastly more votes than 50k, with experts expecting upwards of a million.

4. If the petition achieves 50 thousand votes, it is submitted to the Supreme Court, which rules on its validity.

5. A binding referendum will be held, to decide whether to enact the changes outlined in the petition

This method is nearly the only thing the Jicovian House cannot change in a state of emergency. This is exempted from Article 9.

This process has never been used in New Jacobland before, and will set a major legal precedent for future cases if used.

Relations established with Hyukai

New Jacobland Foreign Ministry

We would like to thank the government of Hyukai for establishing formal ties. All those at the government look forward to closer cooperation between our two nations. We welcome all nations to apply for relations.

New Jacobland Foreign Ministry Official Communications

TV series Making of a Nation premiering next Monday

Amerin Xin

The highly anticipated new docudrama about the Second Jacobland War will premiere next Monday at 8:00pm. This is a three-part series with behind the scenes footage taken by soldiers and major leaders explaining their strategy. Must-watch stuff!

[Biaten]

Tuesday 6th April 2021
Hachen Times
Republic of Biaten



Party Leaders Hit Campaign Trail

As we draw nearer to the Senate Election, parties hit the campaign trail in areas they are hoping to win or maintain control in. National Revolution Party Jeffrey Harlan spoke to by-standers on top of a soapbox in central Newport, the capital of Gepripris. Gepripris, being the mineral rich region of the country, has a strong sentiment for workers’ rights. This was moast apparent due to the official endorsement of many workers’ unions in the region, most importantly the Northern Miners’ Union who represents the workers of the northern parts of Gepripris.

“My dear workers, the time is ripe, ripe for revolution. This revolution, however, shall not be won with guns, tanks or bomb. No, this revolution will be won through the ballot. The ballot is the undying symbol of the power of the people to take their future into their own hands. And what shall the party, the people’s party, do with your ballots? The re-distribution of wealth will be on the top of our agenda. We will start with tearing down the economic choke of the bourgeoisie which are strangling the life out of this nation’s productivity. Great investment will be funnelled away from the capitalist elites who take advantage of this crooked system, and into creating good jobs with fair wages to all. It is our goal to eliminate unemployment as soon as possible by investing into our industries such as mining, manufacturing, telecommunications and agriculture. This is the only way forward if we are to create an equal, self-reliant and prosperous society.

If elected to the Senate and, in 2024, to the National Diet and into government, the National Revolution Party will make sure that the true and legitimate supreme authority of this land, the farmers, workers and craftsmen that are the backbone of this nation, are given greater control through a higher degree of referendums on our most controversial issues, referendums which have been denied to us by this government.

But the Social Democrats are not our biggest threat to the sovereignty and prosperity of all of us. That title belongs to the Conservative Democratic Party. 30 years ago, some of you saw that buffoon, the right-wing bureaucrat Chancellor Bart Millford, how he sat in an ivory tower without giving the people the leadership they so desperately needed during such turbulent times. He may be out of office, but his closest political allies in the Conservative Democratic Party are trying to restore his legacy, a disastrous legacy which we, the National Revolution Party, spent 3 years reversing while in government. A vote for the Conservative Democrats is a vote for Millford, it is a vote for capitalist oppression, it is a vote for disdain towards the workers of this nation, it is a vote for an elitist plutocracy, and a painfully obvious lack of vision for this country. Do not have the wool pulled over your eyes, vote for change, vote for a workers’ revolution, vote for the National Revolution Party!”

Meanwhile, in Cranford, the capital of Auvia, the Conservative Democratic Party held another rally. A specially constructed platform was shared by both Garfield Debenham, the Party’s leader, and John Mills, the Party’s Senate leader and candidate for Senate President. Debenham walked around the crowds before he took stage. Greeting with loyal supporters, Debenham shook hands with members of the audience, giving them charming compliments. Upon taking the stage, Debenham gave a half-an-hour speech on his intentions on running Government. A short extract follows:

“The way I see government is quite simple. I see Government not as the shepherd, commanding sheep. If we are to compare the people to sheep, then I see Government as a wolf among a flock of sheep. Outnumbered, being constantly watched and never to be trusted. If a wolf invited you in for tea, and you were a sheep, you simply wouldn’t fall for it, would you? In the very same way, if the Government try to deceive you, or do you wrong, you aren’t going to vote them back in, are you? If you elect the Conservative Democratic Party to the Senate, then we will make sure the Government puts control over your lives into your own hands. I’ve said many times, and I’ll say it again: I trust family over Government.”

Debenham made a big point on the Armed Forces, calling for “a mighty, divine, wonderful” project to establish “the best Naval Force” ever seen and to “build an Army of strong, dedicated men who will be so fierce like a gang of tigers and lions”.

Mills, the Senate heavy weight, was joined on stage by the 6 other Conservative Democratic Senators. His speech was a lot more pragmatic and conventional, talking about legislation already proposed and passed. Mills gave a longer speech that Debenham, hammering home his commitment to legislating “in favour of people, not big Government”. A short extract follows:

“The more legislation we impose, the further we come from the people and I believe that would be a horrid wrong. So, if returned in the Senate, the Conservative Democrats will not vote for legislation against you, but instead we will vote for legislation that benefits you and your family. If you think we are doing wrong, we are going to listen.”

National Polling Average

Below is the current national polling average as of today.

Social Democratic Party: 40.6%
Communist Party: 27%
National Revolution Party: 12.4%
Conservative Democratic Party: 8.5%
Democratic Party: 7.5%
Biaten People’s League: 0.8%
Movement for Justice: 0.5%
Social Conservative Party: 0.3%
Other: 2.4%

Over the past few weeks, the Social Democrats have endured a slight decline in the polls, whilst the National Revolution Party and Conservative Democratic Party have been increasing their ratings. While it is unlikely that we will see an opposition party take a majority in the Senate, we could see the Social Democratic Party lose control of the Senate this election.

[Havalland]

The Royal Cryer

So Long MAR 20


The MAR 20 assault rifle has ceased production after a year, due to it’s unpopularity among the military. Although lighter than its predecessor it is considerably more expensive due to the titanium frame.
Being called clunky and uncomfortable by the enlisted men, due to its failure the MAR 19 will once again become the main assault rifle of the Havallish Royal Military and the MAR 20s will be donated to museums and friendly nations who wish to purchase them.
The MAR 19 will return to full production. Rifle advancement projects will be halted for a time to focus on other projects.

[Lesva]

Martial Law in Effect

Ousted Prime Minister Pagala Ira and ousted Speaker of the Carto Atsac Colecta are out of Lesva

Former Prime Minister Pagala Ira and former Speaker of the Carto Atsac Colecta are no longer in Lesva, with possible refuge abroad in an undisclosed location or several locations

Following the example of ousted President Puicu Gevin, the other two important former office-holders in Lesva and removed figures of the deposed Gevin regime – ousted Prime Minister Pagala Ira and ousted Speaker of the Carto Atsac Colecta, have likewise left the borders of the Republic of Lesva. This is the official conclusion of Lesva’s intelligence agencies. However, like with the deposed president, the intelligence agencies aren’t making it public information on where the former head of government and parliamentary speaker have gone to. It is not even revealed whether it is the same country, a different country or if all three might be in three different countries. The entire map is open, but given the fast refuge that has been taken by officers of the previous regime, it is unlikely they have gone too far since, unless they have been on a constant move. Right now, there is not even any conversation being had about whether anyone associated with the Gevin regime, including all aforementioned figures, will have cases opened up against them or an investigation launched for alleged electoral fraud and an attempt at the usurpation of power, which the Authority for Democratic Preservation (ADP), which removed the Gevin regime in a military coup on March 26, claims to have definitely happened.

[Westmoor Isles]

UNPRECEDENTED RAINFALL PREDICTED
April Showers Could Be Dangerous

Devil’s Alley, Bernow, Westmoor. April 7^th

For the past week rainstorms have battered the state of Bernow. While heavy rainfall is nothing to be surprised by in Westmoor, meteorologists believe that this coming week will bring about an unprecedented level of rain to the Angel’s Peak and Devil’s Alley areas. Some may be rejoicing at this news an look forward to a few cozy days inside, though some experts do not share that optimism.

The Gazette consulted with several experts regarding the upcoming stormy weeks, including geologist Gary Cromwell and the Minister of National Resources for the state of Bernow, Anthony Walt. Cromwell warns that this rainfall may begin a process known as liquefaction in some of the hills and mountains surrounding the metro areas.

According to Cromwell and Walt, a process known as liquefaction could occur atop several mountain tips located alongside Angel's Peak and Devil's Alley. This process would create a slurry of mud that potentially could travel as far as the suburbs of Angel's Peak. A large part of the metropolitan areas have protections in place to block the flow of this slurry but, according to Minister Walt, there are a number of underserviced area where delapidated infrastructure poses a risk. Among these areas are some of the poorest regions in the state of Bernow.

Members of the Devil’s Alley city council, including the mayor, Amy O’Shea, assured citizens that the situation was under control. Several Westmoorans voiced their displeasure with O’Shea’s statement on social media. They believed her statement reflected a nonchalant and dismissive stance towards legitimate fears of citizens. Those living in Devil’s Alley and Angel’s Peak are advised to visit the Bernow State Ministry of Natural Resources’ severe weather advisory page on their official website to see if they’re within “at-risk” areas for landslides.

RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE CELEBRATES WESTMOORISH DIVERSITY
Westmoorish Society for Interreligious Cooperation Celebrates Another Succesful Conference

Angel's Peak, Bernow, Westmoor. April 7^th

The Westmoorish Society for Interreligious Cooperation, or WSIRC, hosted the 28^th Annual Westmoorish Conference on Spirituality earlier this week on April 2^nd. This 18-hour-long conference hosted a number of spiritual authorties form across The Western Isles with numerous seminars and Q&A sessions on topics across the religious spectrum. Notably, this was the first time in the nearly three decade lifespan of the conference that there was a designated block of time for Protacist seminars.

The Gazette had the privelige of speaking with Bayu Simanjuntak, founder of the WSIRC. Simanjuntak established the Society in 1992, hoping to encourage much needed conversation between the diverse spiritual organizations that call Westmoor home. While Simanjuntak has not presented at the conference since his retirement as President in 2005, he has always been certain to attend and "continue to learn about the array of ways humanity contacts God."

Notable speakers included Father Horacio Armenta, a San Javieran Catholic priest, as the keynote speaker and Johan Belmont, renowned Westmoorish Buddhist monk and humanitarian. This year's overall theme was "Unity and Benevolence", which Father Armenta delivered a passionate speech on. Armenta commented on the growing violence against non-Christians in Westmoor, condemning perpetrators as "cowards who have no grasp on Christ's teachings."

Bayu Simanjuntak told the Gazette that when he founded the WSIRC he'd hoped that the Society would encourage disagreements between faiths to be resolved through peaceful conversation rather than violence. He says that he is saddened by the violence increasing in Westmoor, but is given hope by the Conference's success.

[Aizcona]

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HEADLINE: AIR FORCE MEMO STATES UNMANNED AIRCRAFT FUTURE OF WARFARE

An Aire Indarrak Memo released to the public states that the Estral Indar Armatuak considers unmanned fighter and bomber aircraft to be the future of aerial warfare. In this memo there is a commitment to producing this next generation of aircraft.

Designing a next-generation manned aircraft will be a critical mistake. Every year remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) replace more and more manned aviation platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming ever increasingly capable. By the mid-2030s, any new manned aircraft that is put into production will be obsolete on arrival if it is a manned platform. In order to make sure the Aire Indarrak maintains a qualitative and technical edge in aviation, it needs to invest in an unmanned-capable aircraft today. Recent advances and long-term trends in automation and computing make it clear that such an investment is not only prudent but necessary to maintain capability overmatch and avoid falling behind.

...

AI is getting better and better every year and human abilities will continue to be bested by AI in increasingly complex and abstract tasks. History shows that human experts have been repeatedly surprised by AI’s rapid progress and their predictions on when AI will reach human parity in specific tasks often come true years or a decade early.

...

Aircraft, apart from remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), are designed with a human pilot in mind. It is inherent to the platform that it will have to carry a human pilot and devote space and systems to all the necessary life support functions. Many of the maximum tolerances the aircraft can withstand are bottlenecked not by the aircraft itself, but to its pilot. An unmanned aircraft do not have to worry about protecting a human pilot or carrying one. It can be designed solely for the mission.

Aviation missions are also limited to the endurance of human pilots, where there is a finite number of hours a human can remain combat effective in a cockpit. Using unmanned aircraft changes that equation so that the limit is the capabilities of the aircraft and systems itself. Like surveillance drones, AI-piloted aircraft could remain on station for much longer than human piloted aircraft and (with air-to-air refueling) possibly for days.

The future operating environment will be less and less forgiving for human pilots. Decisions will be made at computational speed which outpaces a human OODA loop. Missiles will fly at hypersonic speeds and directed energy weapons will strike targets at the speed of light. Autonomous aircraft piloted by AI will have distinct advantages in the future operating environment because of the quickness of its ability to react and the indefinite sustainment of that reaction speed. The future will be even more unforgiving with a hypersonic threat environment and decisions made at the speed of AI that will often trump those made at human speeds in combat.

Unmanned aircraft are also inherently more “risk worthy” than manned aircraft. Commanders with unmanned aircraft can take greater risks and plan more aggressive missions that would have featured an unacceptably low probability of return for manned missions. This increased flexibility will be essential in rolling back and dismantling modern air defenses and anti-access, area-denial networks.

...

In conclusion, the future of aviation is unmanned aircraft – whether remotely piloted, autonomously piloted, or a combination. There is simply no reason that a human needs to be in the cockpit of a modern, let alone next-generation aircraft. AI technology is progressing rapidly and consistently ahead of estimates. If the Aire Indarrak waits to integrate AI into combat aircraft until it is mature, it will put Estral aviation a decade or more behind.

Platforms being designed now need to be engineered to incorporate AI and future advances. Human pilots will not be able to compete with mature AI – already pilots are losing to AI in dogfights; arguably the most complex part of their skillset.

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

AIZCONA CONCERNED WITH TURN IN LESVAN INTERNATIONAL POLICY

When asked about the recent turn in Lesvan International policy by a reporter at a press conference, Consul Otxoa Echarren, stated that Aizcona is keeping a close eye on the situation. With the election instability and the shift toward nations like Balnik and Aprosia, this situation could lead to instability in the Southern Seas. Read More.

[Serpoje]

12 April, 2021
Serpojen Press
Serpoje, Bolu.

Abant Lake is protected by the government.

The Ministry of nature and Agriculture has placed Abant Lake and its surroundings under protection. Buildings and areas, such as hotels, restaurants, can only be built by the state.

[Biaten]

Monday 12th April 2021
Hachen Times
Republic of Biaten



Parties publish election manifestos

All of the main parties have released their Senate election manifestos. Some of the manifestos have indicated shifts in party policies. In the Communist Party’s manifesto, the Communist Party announced that it now supports same-sex marriage, the first time it has done so. Similarly, the Conservative Democratic Party also shifted in terms of LGBT rights, announcing that it will repeal same-sex marriage but will support same-sex civil unions, a policy which it has not supported until now.

In their manifesto, the Social Democratic Party has adopted several conservative policies, such as tax cuts for the married and those with children. The Social Democrats are also pledging to raise the minimum wage to 10 Thalers for all workers above the age of 21 by next year, net zero carbon emissions by 2050, privatisation of the banking sector while maintaining regulations introduced in 2008, the construction of 3,000 homes a year and maintaining Biatenian membership in WIDA. In order to increase competition in the telecommunications industry, the Social Democrats have, in their manifesto, said they will raise the mandatory minimum amount of service providers on any network from 2 to 3.


National Polling Average

Below is the current national polling average as of today.

Social Democratic Party: 40.5%
Communist Party: 26.8%
National Revolution Party: 11.9%
Conservative Democratic Party: 9.4%
Democratic Party: 7.5%
Biaten People’s League: 0.7%
Movement for Justice: 0.4%
Social Conservative Party: 0.2%
Other: 2.6%

[Serpens Land]

Eaton, Fort Charlotte

Heavy Winds and Rain Expected for East Coast

Mary Wilkinson | SLBC News
April 16th, 2021

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Officials are warning of major storms all along the south-east coast of Serpens Land this weekend.

The storm – which is also predicted to batter the Westmoor Isles with heavy rain and flash floods – is expected to hit the east coasts of Atonia, Chatham, and Fort Charlotte, as well as the North Mesder Island Territories.

The wind is expected to pick up overnight and is expected to gust up to 100 km/h by tomorrow afternoon.

Heavy rainfall is also expected and officials are cautioning against travel due to high winds and poor visibility caused by the storms.

Many coastal cities have begun to prepare for the storms by erecting breakwaters out of sandbags and issuing local weather alerts. Jamie Collins, the Mayor of Eaton has stated that "everything is under control".

[Domanania]

April 14th, 2021
Federation Broadcasting Channel
Domanania

Continued Protest over Hunter Valley Development

On March 14th, the Tawunt regional government sent out eviction notices to residents of Hunter Valley, a ghetto built in the 40's, instructing them to move out for the development of a wind farm. These notices were met with push back that resulted in a protest march that was dispersed by local police. Today, as the bulldozers and demolition crews arrived, they were met with over 1,000 residents, and several hundred others from across the region stood in a line in front of the crews, preventing the crews from performing their jobs.

Crews attempted to scare off the protestors by threatening to drive through them with machinery. A couple of fights were reported to have broken out among the two groups. Shortly after 9am, the local police were called in to disperse the crowd. Over the next two hours, only 10 individuals were pulled out from the nearly 2,000 people were arrested. Some fights broke out between police and protestors during this time.

At 1pm, more police arrived, as well as specialty units armed with assault rifles. Continued attempts were made to disperse the group by using sting grenades. There were reports of injuries among protestors. By then, another 15 people were arrested.

Photo taken by resident in near by apartments

At 2pm, the police were given the order to forcefully disperse the crowd. Almost 200 officers from as far away as the capital marched towards the line of protestors with riot shields. At 2:12pm, the police and protestor lines collided and a violent brawl ensued. Police made use of batons, shields, sting grenades, and there are reports of gun fire, insinuating lethal force was used.

The brawl lasted for almost 15 minutes before all protestors dispersed, either fleeing into the still occupied buildings. By the end of it, 300 people were arrested, with an additional 30 protestors being admitted to the hospital with minor injuries, 10 with serious injuries, and two people are reported dead. By 2:40pm the police had secured the scene, and issued an order to residents and protestors still inside to vacate.

By 5pm, the local governor had this to say:
"Their cause is sympathetic..." said governor Tázhkuk "But we have to remember that they were given an order and time to leave the premises. They had no legal right to impede the lawful actions of demolition crews. Thinking they had the rights of other countries to impede us lead to the events of this afternoon. The two people who died did this to themselves. Had they obeyed the order, they could still go home to their families. They have no one else to blame."

Governor Tázhkuk is well known for his firm views on law and order, being elected on an anti-crime platform for the region. This is the fourth protest turned riot to occur during his time in office, each one being put down with liberal use of harsh police tactics. Many are critical of the governor's attitude towards this event, with opponents across the country already calling for his removal. However, it is unlikely that these complaints will have effect on his office.

[Nhoor]

[Biaten]

Tuesday 20th April 2021
Hachen Times
Republic of Biaten



Chancellor holds Rally in Cranford

Today, the Chancellor took the campaign trail to Cranford, the capital city of Auvia. Auvia has, for the past 20 years, been a marginal region between the Conservative Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party, with the Social Democratic Party holding more seats in the Regional Diet, while the Conservative Democratic Party have held more seats for Auvia in Parliament. In order to appeal to the conservative-leaning voters of the region, the Chancellor talked about how the government has and is planning to eliminate crime. Below is a large segment of the speech.

“In our democracy, crime is a community problem. We must bound together to fight this common struggle against a great internal danger within our society. But the key to effective crime control remains, in my judgment, effective gun control. And those of us who are really concerned about crime just must, in some way that may seem impossible, make your voices heard and felt. We must continue to work for the day when every Biatenian citizen in this great and mighty nation can get the full protection that we are all entitled to and that we all deserve. The protection that even the most civilized nations in this great world have to offer. We have been through a great deal of anguish these last few months and these last few years, too much anguish to forget so quickly, but we must once again unite and make ourselves be heard. Our task is far from completion. We have come a great way, truly. A great way. We have made great progress, but not nearly enough.”


National Polling Average

Below is the current national polling average as of today.

Social Democratic Party: 40.2%
Communist Party: 27.2%
National Revolution Party: 11.2%
Conservative Democratic Party: 10.1%
Democratic Party: 6.9%
Biaten People’s League: 0.8%
Movement for Justice: 0.5%
Social Conservative Party: 0.3%
Other: 2.8%

In the past couple of weeks, we have seen a rise in support for the Conservative Democratic Party. This could be because of their support for more liberal social policies, such as supporting same-sex civil unions and running on a campaign of small government. We most likely see them overtake the liberal Democratic Party and perhaps even the National Revolution Party on 6th May.

[Westmoor Isles]

FLOODS RAVAGE THE BERNOW COUNTRYSIDE

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Countless Homes, Businesses, and Roads Damaged Following Period of Intense Rain

Over the past week the Westmoor Isles have experienced excessive rainfall that has surpassed previous records for the month of April, and with this intense rainfall has come numerous floods across the state of Bernow. Meteorologists report that soil which has been heavily saturated by recent rainfall has enabled greater runoff than usual and triggered major to moderate flooding in several areas. The flooding has been the worst along the banks of the Python River, where numerous towns have had levees fail to hold back the encroaching waters. At some points, the Python River reached a height of 10 meters as massive walls of water ran downstream from mountain slopes. So far, the damage has been the most severe in the city of Devil’s Alley, where rainfall reached over 100 millimeters within six hours and caused a dangerous flash flood. Overall, more than 180 millimeters of rain have fallen across several areas in the state of Bernow within the past 24 hours. Roads turned into violent rivers as many were stranded atop their cars, waiting for the flooding to stop.

Emergency Response teams quickly deployed and established a makeshift headquarters in the city of Devil’s Alley, where they have been rushing to help civilians. Several towns upstream from Devil’s Alley have been evacuated as the response effort works to prevent any casualties. While an exact figure is currently unavailable, there are already countless homes and businesses destroyed by the flooding. Several motorways have been rendered inaccessible by floodwaters and dozens of homes are now without power, leaving some stranded with no way of accessing food or clean water.

To make matters worse, cities further south from Devil’s Alley along the slopes of the Bernow Mountain Range are at risk of being damaged by landslides caused by the excessive rain. Fortunately, retaining walls have held back landslides from reaching the urban areas of Bernow state capital, Angel’s Peak. Early signs indicate that this is not the end of the crisis for Angel’s Peak, as floodwaters have already begun encroaching on the densely populated urban areas of the city. Riverene flooding is expected within the city of Angel’s Peak as the Python River running through the city’s urban centers may surpass its levees. Thankfully, experts believe that the Solomon-Bakker Dam in Angel’s Peak will hold against the floodwaters.

Flooding has been less severe in the state Noirhaven, likely due to the quality of infrastructure surrounding the Black Creek River. Most major motorways in the state of Noirhaven are distant enough from any slopes that are at risk for landslides, though authorities still recommend avoiding them at this time. Farms in the Highlands have only been slightly damaged by the heavy rain, though crop damage could worsen if storms continue. Storms passed the Lowlands relatively calmly and life goes on as usual in the city of Graig. Besides for the threat of dangerous floods, these storms have also brought about high wind speeds, with gusts in Noirhaven and Bernow dangerously flinging debris onto roads.

WMN3’s sources say that this sort of disaster is unprecedented in recent years and fear that local agencies are not prepared, trained, or equipped enough to cope with the sheer number of at-risk areas. Meteorologists have described this storm as a “1 in 100 years flood” and say that it shows no sign of stopping. Early reports from the Westmoorish Army’s 800-man Crisis Response Regiment indicate that as many as 11 people have died from the flooding in northern Bernow. Three of these deaths were caused by attempting to drive through flood waters, an unfortunately all too common final act for those in their vehicles during floods. Experts advised WMN3 that less than a meter of water is enough to carry away vehicles and as little as 15 centimeters of fast running water can sweep away victims. With little sign of stopping, international intervention could be the only hope for hundreds of civilians who may not be able to escape the flooding or landslides.

Prime Minister O’Connor declared a national state of emergency following the flooding in Bernow and advised all citizens to heed local emergency weather advisories. O’Connor used emergency powers to order the deployment of the Crisis Response Regiment and the Minister of Defense, Joshua Peterson, transferred command of the Regiment to the Governor of Bernow. Governor Melanie Wilson echoed the Prime Minister’s warning and advised that everyone within at-risk cities evacuate immediately and that, even those who live outside of at-risk areas, calmly prepare for potential power outages.

UPDATE: The Ministry of Natural Resources of Bernow and the Federal Ministry of Defense have issued a warning that some people, mostly in the southern areas of Bernow, have received emergency warnings on their mobile phones falsely stating that it was a test of the emergency broadcast system and that there was no danger. These warnings are false and individuals who receive them should immediately take the precautions mentioned in the official Governor’s advisory.


READ MORE AT: http://www.wmn3.co.wmi/topic_floodng

[Ioudaia]

WIDA exercises feature realistic training, live fire

The Western Isles Democratic Alliance announces the completion of the Alliance's first major air exercise, which brought together aircraft from Biaten, Domanania, Ioudaia, and Martenyika, including air detachments from both Ioudaia's Navy and Air Armada. Over 60 aircraft participated in the 18 day long series of maneuvers conducted in Ioudaia's Northwest Training Range and the adjacent Doman #10 West Airbase and Western Test Range.

The first week was spent in joint-operations exercises, starting with pairs of squadrons from two different nations, and working its way up to a set of exercises involving nearly all aircraft present. Operations were conducted over terrain ranging from the coastal Bromil Rud valley to the hilly and alpine areas of the Oros ton Thoukidides. This was the first time aircraft from all nations of the Alliance flew together as a group. Most Alliance fighter pilots were flying similar combat aircraft: the Ioudaian and Martenyikan Gryphes, the Doman TR-6 and the Biatenian F2-15 multi-role aircraft. Additionally, Martenyikan fighter pilots flew the Flecha. Doman A-1 maritime patrol aircraft and Ioudaian B-19 bombers, P-91 early warning/forward control planes, and DF-130 tankers also took part.

The next ten days were spent engaging in the core of the exercises, simulating air combat against a variety of potential adversary aircraft. These differential air combat training maneuvers were led by Ioudaia's Flight Training Command. Multi-national air groups trained against adversary groups made up of Ioudaian E-15, Doman T6-C, and Martenyikan Flechas. Training exercises included both dogfighting and beyond visual range engagements, with fully-simulated electronic environments.

The keystone exercise was a complex mission involving a simulated attack by adversary forces, including the E-14.1 acting as ground attack aircraft, E-15 and Gryphes acting as opposing multi-role aircraft, the Doman A-1 and Ioudaian B-19 simulating subsonic and supersonic bombers, respectively. This was followed by a simulated friendly counterattack on adversary bases and air defenses.

Finally, Alliance aircraft carried out live fire exercises against a variety of targets including dedicated target drones and remotely-flown Ioudaian E-85, E-88, E-15, Doman T6-C, and Martenyikan T6-C aircraft. These exercises were mostly conducted beyond visual range, however, the agile E-15 drones were engaged in simulated dogfights.

[Lesva]

Martial Law in Effect

Lesva sends more doctors and teachers to the developing world

More developing countries are to have Lesvan doctors and teachers dispatched there, the first such gesture since the change of power in Lesva

Lesva is sending more doctors and teachers to the developing countries of the world as an individual aid mission. This has been a Lesvan tradition under the previous governments, but it was unclear how the change of power of the Lesvan Spring would affect things. Apparently, the tradition persists. President Taica Berislavić, temporarily holding the position, has said that Lesva would not turn away from the humanitarian commitments it always had before the world, no matter what the situation is like in the “Corner of Liberty.” Now, the new leadership in Lesva, including the current provisional one, is sending its’ own dispatch of doctors and teachers to the developing world to leave its’ own mark or make its’ own contribution to the humanitarian commitments of the Republic of Lesva.

Lesva looking to extradite former President Puicu Gevin from the mysterious foreign sanctuary

The foreign sanctuary of former President Puicu Gevin, which remains known only to the provisional government, the military and the intelligence agencies, may soon have to give up Gevin back to Lesva

In other news, the Republic of Lesva is apparently not planning to permanently say goodbye to former President Puicu Gevin or say goodbye for a longer time. The provisional government revealed plans aiming at returning former President Puicu Gevin to Lesva from his foreign sanctuary. Like before, the foreign sanctuary is not being revealed to the public, but it is known to the intelligence agencies, the military and the provisional government. It is not revealed why the Lesvan state wants Gevin. Talks of trying him for an attempted usurpation of power or of giving him amnesty have not begun yet on an official level.

[Belantica]

Parliament to Debate the Future of Single Use Plastics
Single use plastics, while they have helped to make more things convenient to society, have in turn created a problem that lead to environmental impacts around the world. It is estimated that around the globe, over 1 million plastic bottles of water are purchased very 10 minutes. Sadly, most of these plastic bottles, and other types of single-use plastics, never find their way into a recycling bin, or even a normal garbage bin for that matter. This results in plastics being disposed of alongside roadways, in greenspaces, and in our waters and on our beaches. Not only does this cause sanitation and health issues for people, it also endangers wildlife with sickness, injuries, and even death in some cases. While efforts from environmental groups an d other activist have helped with cleaning up plastics, many believe that the core issue lies within practices of industry.

There is now talks beginning on addressing this issue on the federal level. Later this later during the summer months, a new bill aimed at tackling environmental issues will be presented before the Parliament, to further the country's interest at reducing their impact on the planet. Since the bill has not yet been drafted, the idea of placing regulations is simply just an idea gaining more traction on social media and at coffee house discussions. The "big" plan for this would be to almost eliminate all beverage containers made from plastic and use substitute material such as aluminum, glass, and "alternative materials safe for human use". So far this has gained interest from MPs and Senators belong to more left-leaning parties, such as the New Liberals, the SDP, and the Greens. Many within the Liberal Party are split on the issue, while the Conservative Party is already claiming it will be a hindrance on business. Furthermore, the Belantic Association of Bottlers has came out and stated they will be against such legislation, as according to them, "will only an undue burden on the consumers and users of beverages, as companies would be forced to pay more to retool their facilities and source alternative materials. Meanwhile the Clean Roads, Waters, and Lands Group argues that such a burden on consumers would only be temporary, and will eventually lower in price once industry has finished converting to using other materials. Some also argue that eliminating these plastics and limiting their production might lead to "lower gas prices" as the demand for plastic will drop.

Either way, this is still something to watch, as Belantica's government becomes more committed to reducing their reliance on oil and environmental impact.

In Other News
- Where did the former Lesvan president go? Some speculate he may have fled to somewhere "quiet" in Belantica, however it can't be directly confirmed
- Several police departments in Belantica are considering the purchase of MAR 20 rifles from Havalland, however this must approval from both national governments and the Ministry of Public Safety
- Tensions rising across Gael, would Belantica avoid the so called "disturbances" happening around the region?
- LDA Group to release 5 new electric vehicles this year
- Old man yells at moon in a small Watkins village, reason for doing so is unknown

[Balnik]

This media has been approved for publication by the Board of Public Thought

April 26, 2021

Balniki Energy Crisis Stabilizes

In Rustov Chairman of the Board of Interior, Andrija Miloš announced this morning in a public conference that the energy crisis Balnik has been enduring for the last three years has finally been subsiding. Energy projects completed in late 2016 were not enough to provide an energy surplus, so as a result the nation has faced energy shortages and rationing in the meantime. Oil refineries and plants started being constructed in late 2017. With the acquisition of the Faronna Islands Balnik amplified it oil production, with large amounts of money invested in the oil in the region. Months later large amounts of oil was being shipped to Golodets from New Rustov. In the coming months energy production began to slowly increase, with energy rations being lifted in smaller cities around Balnik.

Oil exports have also increased among foreign nations as well, with exports going to Belantica, Aprosia, and even the Doraltic Republics, in attempts to ease tension and open the channels of discussing over the Republic of Feerwerd. Balnik has also clashed diplomatically with its neighbour, Roendavar, over the acquisition of the Faronna Islands and its "Economic exploitation over the islands." However these claims are completely fabricated and have no weight, with Balnik ensuring that the biosphere and environment of the Faronna Islands is maintained.

[Ainslie]

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27th of April, 2021

Arnton, WL - Mostly Sunny. Max: 23C Min: 9C

INTERNATIONAL: PM: ‘Comprehensive support’ on the way to Westmoor

ARNTON (AN) - At a press conference in Arnton today, Prime Minister Gifford was joined by ERA Director Charlie Endarin to announce that well over a hundred Ahnslen emergency specialists will be deployed in response to devastating floods which have broken levees and threatened the integrity of the emergency management systems currently in place in the Westmoor Isles. In a simple message to the media and to the Westmoorish people, the Director was unusually concise and brief in explaining what the purpose of this operation was that “they need our help, and that means we need to step in”.

An initial group of thirty personnel from the Irregular Casualty and Mass Trauma (ICAMAT) team are understood to have been dispatched from Herriden late last night and are already on the ground in Westmoor, en route to Angel’s Peak. This morning’s conference focused on the comprehensive and extensive support the Ahnslen Government is putting into place after Prime Minister Gifford spoke with her Westmoorish counterparts late last night.

“Late last night, at about 10:30pm, I had the opportunity to discuss the recent events in the Westmoor Isles with Prime Minister Joseph O’Connor and senior officials within the emergency management apparatus in the nation. The devastation and the human suffering they speak of is sobering and troubling. The kinds of reports we received last night from the Honourable Prime Minister speak of a situation that calls for the Unified Electorates to step up to the plate and go all out to help them.

We immediately responded. As soon as I put down the phone after listening to the plight of the Westmoorish people, I raised the phone once again and spoke to Director Endarin of the ERA. We agreed on an immediate dispatch of thirty ICAMAT personnel from Herriden - particularly medical and engineering specialists. They are on their way to the most affected regions of Westmoor as we speak, having landed in Black Creek early this morning.

Today I announce a further one hundred and fifty people to follow these ICAMAT teams into responding to a disaster that nation has not seen in many decades. Prime Minister O’Connor made it clear to me that the recovery effort is going to be long, difficult and significant.”

She then continued by explaining what the support will be, at least in the short term, agency-by agency.

“The ERA will dispatch fifteen incident management team specialists to help the existing emergency management apparatus in Westmoor to direct the aid and resources they currently have to do the most they can to help their people. It is likely that as the waters recede, this amount will grow as the complexity of the recovery effort increases.

Within the next two days, a hundred ARSF personnel will be dispatched from the International District to Westmoor to help with the practical activities any given community recovering from a flood will have - tasks such as moving mud and water from out of homes, taking away debris and bringing essential items into communities which are isolated or otherwise impacted by infrastructure loss.

I must also thank Governor Pescott, who has confirmed and put into action plans to send specialist flood search and rescue teams that are attached to the emergency services in Burnessa to Westmoor as well. This will initially be twenty four people. The Governor indicated to me that that support will be leaving Watarah for Westmoor today.”

The Prime Minister then briefly opened the floor to questions. During this time, she said that ‘all requests will be considered’ from the Westmoorish Government and did not rule out that Ahnslen emergency services workers may be in the nation for some time.

“We do not fully know yet how much support the Westmoorish Government wishes to have into the longer term - over the coming months if not a year or two. Once they contact us and articulate the kind of Ahnslen help they wish to have into the future, we will consider that and see how we can best meet that need.”

Prime Minister Gifford also stated that a donations fund has now been set up by the International Disaster Fund, and directed those wishing to help to navigate to idf.com to see how they can support those affected by the disaster.



DOMESTIC: Party spared as Judicial Council delivers Indenats case ruling

ARNTON (AN) - In what has been described as a potentially landmark case in Ainslie’s legal history, the Judicial Council has refused to dismantle the Independent Nationalists Party. The Council, which began the case late in March, was very split in its opinion but unanimously stated that the charges brought against the Independent Nationalists Party were not ‘so substantial and significant to warrant the exercise of an unexplored and potentially dangerous power that may or may not be conferred upon this Council’.

The case concerns a number of accusations from the Advocate-General against Lawrence Jackson, the disgraced and outspoken former leader of the Independent Nationalists Party, and the Party more broadly owing to its close ties to Jackson’s activities. These were drug trafficking, terrorism, Jackson’s eligibility to continue to be a member of the Arlanite Legislature, treason and ultimately using these arguments to suggest that the integrity of the Governor’s election over the electorate may be compromised. In addition to this, the Advocate-General hinted at the possibility that the Judicial Council may be able to dismantle the party by extending its powers to dismiss a member of the Parlai.

In a decisive majority, six out of the seven Judicial Councillors found that Jackson was not guilty of drug trafficking. Rather, they did characterise his activities as being ‘not distant from a joint criminal enterprise’ but refused to find him guilty on this point.

The Advocate-General also requested the Judicial Council to use its inquiry powers to examine whether Jackson’s acts amounted to terrorism as a result of the apparent link between the cults he colluded with and the Government of Balnik. They accepted this, briefly investigated the matter and dismissed it by a slightly more narrow majority. On a similar question, the Judicial Councillors found that he had not committed treason either.

The more complex and uncertain points surrounding the trial focused on how the Constitution and constitutional law principles more broadly may apply to the case. Firstly, the Councillors considered whether Lawrence Jackson, by seeking asylum and effectively avoiding appearing at a trial in Ainslie has ‘dual allegiances’ and thus cannot serve as a representative of any group of Ahnslen people in the setting of a Government. It can be now revealed that evidence late in the trial proved decisive on this point, with all seven Judicial Councillors ruling that he had dual allegiances from the point at which he accepted money from a suspected agent of the Balnik Government in order to collaborate with cultists. The Chief Judicial Councillor and three Judicial Councillors - Kevellan, Merell and Avern were prepared to assume that by accepting payment from the cultists, Jackson was no longer fit to hold office even if the revelations surrounding the Balniki agent were not true.

They declined to make a connection between the claiming of asylum and the existence of dual allegiances, however all seven Councillors found that the ‘suspect bases on which the asylum was requested’ was early evidence to suggest that dual allegiances did exist but that this was not vital for the case. As a result of this, Jackson was immediately dismissed from his position as leader of the Independent Nationalists Party and as a Delegate to the Electoral Council.

The Court then had to consider whether and who else it would disqualify. As stated prior, they found that the Judicial Council did not have the power to dismantle a party on the basis of an adverse finding against the leader of the party. However, they hinted at the potential that if a party were to come under trial and found to have ‘significant structural criminality’ and that it is ‘so plagued and diseased to the extent that the rot cannot be cleansed’, the party was able to be dismantled. Regardless of this, the Court found that by compromising their integrity and aiding in the escape of Jackson to Balnik, four mayors who also served as mayors in Arlanah were disqualified as well as an independent nationalists party councillor.

It remains unlikely that Jackson will face any punishment as per se, owing to the low likelihood that he will return to Ainslie after successfully attaining asylum in a nation that has no extradition arrangements with the Unified Electorates. However, it is quite likely, according to Arcale Gende of the University of Norlands that charges will be pursued against the four mayors and the councillor by the Unified Electorates for aiding and abetting a fugitive in being able to escape lawful detention by the police.

The case as a monumental effect which can be demonstrated by this being the first time six elected officials have been dismissed from their posts by the Judicial Council. However, the practical effect of it on Arlanite politics is far more wide-reaching. The finding of the Council creates a situation where the Governor, who has relied upon the votes of her own party and the Independent Nationalists to forward her agenda, no longer can rule with certainty over Arlanah. The Judicial Council also also pointed out that an election for each one of these posts would be necessary, owing to the inability of the Court to find a suitable second candidate which would honour the people’s wishes - this is largely as a result of the heavily split preference flows between the various candidates in Arlanah. As a result, the Governor now likely faces two choices - either to call an election for the entire electorate or to hope that the smaller elections that now must occur because of the disqualifications fall in a way that is favourable to his or his party.

Governor Wollins has not yet made a statement about the case or the vacancies it has caused. Largely, the Governor has remained quiet despite persistent questioning from the media about the case, citing that he refused to comment on ongoing legal matters. Arendai contacted the Office of the Judicial-General and the Office of the Prime Minister. Whilst the Office of the Prime Minister offered no statement, the Judicial-General confirmed that after consulting with the Prime Minister, they would publish a statement later this afternoon on the topic. Arendai will post that as soon as we have it.

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Arendai International (c) 2021.
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[Lesva]

Martial Law in Effect

Media of Belantica may have exposed their country as former President Puicu Gevin’s sanctuary

The secret location that former President Puicu Gevin fled to, may have been exposed, when the media of Belantica itself mentioned the country in the report regarding Gevin’s location

Since the disappearance of former President Puicu Gevin and the revelation that he has fled abroad, the provisional military government of the Authority for Democratic Preservation (ADP) and the current civilian provisional government have not revealed the location of Gevin’s whereabouts. Neither have the locations of former Prime Minister Pagala Ira and former Speaker of the Carto Atsac Colecta, both of whom have also fled Lesva abroad for undisclosed location or locations. It is not even known whether all three have gone to the same country, two of them have gone to one and the other to a different country or whether all three have gone to three different locations. Even though this information is not being made public, the government, the military and the intelligence agencies claim to know, where all of the former leadership’s officials are.

However, a “media bombshell” may have been dropped by foreign news recently. The media of Belantica had a segment, where it was questioned in the following way – “[W]here did the former Lesvan president go? Some speculate he may have fled to somewhere "quiet" in Belantica, however it can't be directly confirmed.” Even though as it was said in the segment itself, it cannot be confirmed, this segment has for the first time given Lesvans an idea or a theory where former President Gevin may have gone, which they did not have up until then. Belantica is now the prime suspect for the Lesvan population, although nobody from Lesvan government, military or intelligence officials is confirming or denying Belantica’s involvement.

Lesvan leadership says that the “unnamed sanctuary of Puicu Gevin” will strain the relationship with Lesva, if it does not return Gevin to Lesva, when asked

Without mentioning the country by name, various officials of Lesvan government and even military say that the country, which has Gevin, will strain the relationship with Lesva if it refuses to give the former president up

Even though Lesvan government, military or intelligence officials are not mentioning the country by name and are not confirming nor denying that it is Belantica, the issue of former President Gevin’s disappearance has been addressed recently.

Chief of the General Staff of the Lesvan Armed Forces General Pava Sari made the following statement:

“At this moment we will not reveal where former President Puicu Gevin has been taken to, but we want to confirm that the country which had the former president “extradited” there, did not do it alone. We cooperated in this action and gave a green light to Gevin’s removal. However, we did not “gift” the former president to this country, therefore, we expect him to be returned to us soon, since we needed him gone until the situation stabilizes. If the country that has the former president on its’ territory right now, does not return the former president to Lesva, when the Lesvan side makes such a request, then it is going to strain relations. This is a warning, which I have been given authority to make.”

Lesva and Balnik plan a joint military exercise on Faronna Island

Chief of the General Staff General Pava Sari revealed plans that Lesva and Balnik would hold a joint military exercise on Faronna Island

In another statement that Chief of the General Staff of the Lesvan Armed Forces General Pava Sari made, the General said that Lesva and Balnik were planning a joint military exercise soon on Faronna Island. Lesva suggested having the mutual exercise and Balnik suggested the location. It would still be discussed between both participating countries on whether it would be an army, navy, air force or an all-encompassing comprehensive exercise that would be held on Faronna Island.

[Westmoor Isles]

FLOOD WORSENS AS DAM FAILS

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The Solomon-Bakker Dam has Malfunctioned and Threatens Countless More Lives

The Solomon-Bakker Dam located in Angel’s Peak has unexpectedly released floodwaters into urban areas of the city following a malfunction in the dam’s water release gates. The cause of the malfunction is currently unknown, and a thorough investigation is pending following the end of what is now being referred to as the Bernow Flood of ’21. Management of the crisis is no longer solely in the hands of the Westmoorish government following the deployment of numerous Ahnslen personnel who will aid in the response efforts. This foreign assistance is desperately needed and could not have come at a better time as large areas of Angel’s Peak previously thought to be safe from floodwaters are now at risk. The Solomon-Bakker Dam’s gates usually help mitigate floods by reducing the amount of floodwater flowing downstream, but this afternoon the gates opened past a safe threshold, spilling a massive amount of floodwater down the Python River.

The dam’s failure not only has created a greater threat for the city of Angel’s Peak but will worsen the already dangerous conditions downstream. So far, over 20 deaths are estimated to have occurred as a direct result of floods. Hospitals in the state of Bernow have had to evacuate patients to facilities in Noirhaven as they deal with power outages that have now lasted several days. The Southbound M-3 motorway connecting the state of Bernow to the Highlands has been completely blocked off by landslides, meaning that evacuees have been entirely channeled to the northeast, placing extensive strain on already overburdened hospitals. Homeless shelters and churches in the city of New Leiden have been converted into tent cities to house the numerous displaced citizens of Bernow.

To assist in the rescue efforts, the state government of Bernow has begun accepting donations of small watercraft such as kayaks. Despite the volume of voluntary watercraft donations, soldiers from the Crisis Response Regiment have also appropriated many kayaks and rowboats from citizens living in Johannestad and New Leiden. Many gave up their property willingly, though a small conflict broke out in Johannestad as disgruntled civilians took to the streets in protest of the army’s actions. Some stated that this violated eminent domain laws as the military failed to offer any compensation for their seized property. Others, including the mayor of Johannestad Javier Wright, believe that the actions of the Crisis Response Regiment violated the Westmoorish constitutional right to “travel freely” by seizing vehicles. Critics of Wright have pointed out that the Westmoorish Constitution only prevents the government from passing legislation that violates the right to travel freely, and that the actions of the military have not prevented civilians from leaving the city.

In order to facilitate the response of the ICAMAT personnel who arrived in Black Creek, traffic along the Eastbound M-1 is being heavily monitored and regulated to ensure the safe and efficient deployment of emergency response teams. Prime Minister Joseph O’Connor released a statement requesting that all individuals planning to travel this coming week avoid using major motorways and exercise caution if they see ambulances, police, and military vehicles traveling at high speeds.

O’Connor also offered assurance to those who have been affected by the floods that “everything will be over soon.” O’Connor had this to say:

“We are experiencing perhaps the worst disaster that the Westmoor Isles has seen in the past century. Time are bleak and many of you feel as if there is no hope for recovery. But we will recover. With the help of our Ahnslen friends, the sun is coming over the horizon. Westmoor will endure as she has after crises worse than this. We will show the world our unity, our strength, and why Westmoor truly is Providence’s Purest Gift.”

To read the Prime Minister’s full statement or learn more about the crisis go to: www.wmn3.co.wmi/flood_updates

POPULAR WESTMOORISH SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS DROWN IN ANGEL'S PEAK FLOODWATERS

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Two Social Media Influencers have Drowned Live on the Internet after the Solomon-Bakker Dam Failed

Twin siblings Mark and Nevaeh Luciano have tragically drowned after attempting to ride an inflatable inner tubes on the floodwaters being released by the Solomon-Bakker Dam while being livestreamed by their roommate, Daveed Taylor. The two had just celebrated their 21st birthday the prior week and were performing the stunt as part of their "Peak Week" series of livestreams. Mark and Naveah, or, as they were known online, "The Luciano Kids" have gained widespread popularity in the Westmoor Isles for their prank videos featuring the five other influencers that live with them, including Daveed Taylor. Their popularity even spread outside of Westmoor, and they were beginning to gain a major following. Their shared TWItter profile, @LucianoKeeds, has over 313,000 followers.

The livestream that included their death had over 50,000 live viewers and the video-on-demand version of it has received nearly 750,000 views since their death. Moderators have yet to take down the video, but it is expected to no longer be available very soon. The livestream featured the two of them posing in front of the rushing floodwaters with their "The Luciano Kids" branded inner tubes before being swept away by the waters. Their bodies were later found by Daveed Taylor and reported to the police and paramedics, who arrived on scene to confirm their deaths. Taylor was not taken into police custody after the incident, though criminal negligence charges are being placed against him.

READ MORE AT: www.wmn3.co.wmi/luciano_kids_flood