Domestic: Alesian riots wane, Imperial Guard withdrawAnna Rezan, Alesia, Kingdom of DaciaAs the last of the 5th Battalion of the Imperial Guard leave Alesia, the end is finally in sight for the 2020-21 Alesian Riots.
Starting in mid-June of 2020 as a protest against the mass arrest and removal of the homeless and poor populations in Alesia, and across Doravo, the protests soon evolved into riots against the increasingly authoritarian government and the brutal repression of the protestors.
The riots reached an all-time high in December when the Alesian Police fired live rounds indiscriminately into an advancing crowd, killing 21 and wounding 103.
In early January, Chancellor Adrian Caruso authorized the 5th Imperial Guard Battalion's deployment to the city of Alesia to assist the local police.
The Inquisitorial Service also sent a special team to the city, though their purpose is unknown.
Early Friday morning January 29th, the rioters' de facto leader, Rufus Nakos, was arrested by local police and transferred to the Inquisitorial Service satellite facility in Alesia.
His arrest marks a pivotal moment for Doravo as one of the most wanted criminals is finally detained.
Nakos’ supporters were spotted gathering outside the DIS facility before the leaders were also detained as the rest scattered.
Her highness Sofia III had this to say...
"The ending of the Alesian Riots brings great joy to me as the citizens of Alesia and across Doravo can finally rest easy as the violence ends. However, the arrest of Mr. Nakos concerns me. Yes, he was a very violent and disruptive citizen, but there is no evidence of any criminal activities and the arrest threatens our nation's stance on the right to free speech."
In response, Chancellor Adrian Caruso said this,
“The arrest of the terrorist Rufus Nakos and his supporters brings honour to the brave members of the Imperial Guard and Inquisitorial Service. This terrorist threatened the people of Alesia and all of Doravo with his dangerous demands and actions. The people can rest easy now knowing Nakos is behind bars.”
Despite the few scattered rioters across Alesia, the primary groups have dispersed, and many businesses are now beginning to open back up.
The Queen of Dacia, Her excellency Cassandra II expressed her delight at the ending of the riots, saying, “I am delighted that these vicious riots have ended and the great citizens of Alesia can return to their daily lives. And it saddens me to think that so many Doravans joined in the riots."
Her excellency went on to ask that any true proud Doravan should avoid degrading themselves with acts of violence and instead place their trust in the monarchy and state.
A recent poll conducted revealed that the public’s opinion on the government response to the riots is mixed.
49% said they supported the protests, while 42% did not support them, and 9% said they were indifferent. Another poll revealed that 78% of respondents said they did not agree with the government response, while 19% said they did agree, and 3% reported not feeling too strongly one way or another.
Nevertheless, with the near end of the Alesian Riots, the city can finally begin to recover and prosper once again.
Domestic: Ferry experinces catastrophe in the Bay of TrentDimitrios Drivas, Republican City of MileaAs the 8 a.m.
Milea-Pyrgos Ferry made its final maneuvers across the Red Chanel from the city of Pyrgos to the city of Milea, the high-speed ferry slammed into Milea’s Coral Pier around 8:45 a.m. Friday.
Scores were left bloodied and writhing in agony as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
According to several witnesses, packed with 326 passengers and five crew members, the vessel tossed people like rag dolls as it slammed to a halt, flinging those aboard into the air and against walls, seats, and windows.
“I saw a lot of bleeding heads with white bandages (and) a lot of people strapped to boards,” said passerby Zoe Stamiadi.
“It felt like we were in a car crash,” said passenger Aris Kanas, who watched in horror as medical personnel began triage on at least 85 injured people.
Two were initially listed in critical condition as emergency crews rushed the wounded on stretchers to hospitals. But by Friday evening, authorities said only one person’s condition remained critical.
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash. The Imperial Maritime Safety Committee deployed a team to the scene and planned to undertake their investigation on Saturday more fully.
As the vessel approached Coral Pier, witnesses said, unsuspecting commuters had gotten up from their seats and packed closer to the ferry exits and atop stairwells – a typical occurrence at the end of the ferry’s hour-long commute.
But the perches may have magnified the effects of the crash, as passengers careened down stairwells and against windows.
“We know that they hit the pier at a relatively high rate of speed,” said Coast Guard Capt. Alekos Sarriades, who estimated that the boat had been traveling at about 14 knots.
Alekos said the vessel seemed to be “going pretty fast for a boat that was supposed to be docking.”
After the crash, the front of the ship bore a large gash.
Thirty-one people were transported to Milea’s St. Mark Republican Hospital. Of those, all were considered non-critical and were expected to be released Tuesday.
Total damages are estimated to be around ₭5.5 million, or $741K.
Domestic: Kulung insurgency finished? Doubtful says DIS DirectorPetros KravaritisA joint press conference yesterday evening by the Minister of the Interior and Director of the Doravan Inquisitorial Service spoke on the current Kulung Insurgency currently plaguing Doravo.
Imperial Minister Quintus Hirtius spoke on the Imperial Guard's recent advances to combat the insurgency and how he expects the conflict to cease by 2023.
Currently, the insurgency holds no territory or towns and has retreated deep into the mountains of northern Arcadia and southern Lynova.
He went on to say that reconnaissance photos have revealed the suspected encampment of the insurgents, with no comment on any planned action.
The consensus among most government leaders is that the group, known as the Kulung Freedom and Liberation Movement, is all but finished. And is of little threat to the empire.
However, DIS Director Heraclius Kontoz says he expects the group to continue fighting. And warns that the KLFM is still a very real and active security threat to the empire.
Her Highness has not commented on the group or its activities. However, he did express her grievances and sorrow after the 2020 November Bombings in the town of Nicamea, Lynova.
The Grand Princess of Lynova also expressed her condolences to all families affected.
The 2020 November Bombings were the last major incident by the KLFM, and the joint response by the Imperial Guard and Inquisitorial Service pushed the group deep into hiding.
It is our hope that the KLFM cease all violent actions towards Doravo and her people, and that the brave men and women of the Imperial Guard remain safe in their fight against these rabid terrorists.
International: Chancellor Caruso attacks Euranian dominionship over Arashtar bringing forth another round of Chancellor/Empress quarrelsIrini Mouchou, Rhodini, Kingdom of ArcadiaOn a visit to the city of Rhodini, Chancellor Caruso held a rally outside the former Rhodini Assembly building, the same location the transfer of ownership of the Free City of Rhodini from Eurania to Doravo occurred.
During the rally, Caruso praised the city's current reductions of crime and poverty and congratulated the mayor on his public works and education policies.
Later on however, Caruso shifted his focus onto the Euranian overseas territory of Arashtar, a disputed territory claimed by Doravo but under the firm control of Eurania.
Caruso criticized Eurania’s current ownership of the territory and denounced Euranian rule over it claiming, “The Doravan archipelago and all its islands and territory belongs to Doravo. Any foreign claim to the land is unjust and has no merit.”
Her Highness Sofia III later made a statement on Caruso’s tone and blatant disregard of international relations later in the day, saying,
“Chancellor Caruso’s tone and his disregard of Doravo’s international relations brings shame to me. It is the monarch's role to represent Doravo on the international stage, and these remakes in no way represent my stance on Arashtar.”
These comments come as the latest of multiple incidents of the Chancellor and Empress diametrically opposing each other on a pivotal issue past Doravan governments have been united on.
This latest argument has again divided the nation on yet another issue when Doravo needs to stand united and strong.
“If the Chancellor and Empress continue to bicker and attack one another, how can they expect their people to come together?” says prominent political analyst Haris Zurlas.
The Imperial Senate has also brought forth the question of Chancellor/Monarchal relations.
The Chancellor is technically subservient to the monarch acting as their chief advisor and supporter. However, since the Chancellorship Enabling Act of 2018, spearheaded by Chancellor Caruso, the powers of the Chancellor have risen to rival the monarchs.
The Imperial Fascist and Royalist League of Doravo, the dominant party, has been divided on the issue as well, with the royalist faction throwing their support behind Empress Sofia III, while the fascist faction supporting the Chancellor.
However, the pacifistic and liberal attitude of Empress Sofia has caused even some of the hardline monarchists to oppose her in favour of her son, Crown Prince Leopold V.
“This issue threatens to divide our great empire,” says Deputy Chancellor and Senate Speaker Victoria Makros, “and must be resolved immediately.”
International: Doravan-Balnik relations closen as new trade deal signed during state visit amid a planned joint military drillAlex ManakisA “historic” trade deal was signed yesterday by the Balnik head of state Andre Chernobog and Doravan Empress Sofia III.
The deal set new tax, tariff, and investment policies with an emphasis on oil and energy products as well as agricultural products.
The deal was signed during the state visit of Empress Sofia III to Balnik amid the future bilateral military drill set for early February.
“Doravan and Balnik forces will take part in joint military exercises in northern Balnik early February”, the Doravan defense ministry announced Friday.
The “Faronna 2021” drills will deploy wheeled vehicles and light weaponry to be flown to the drill location on the islands by Doravo’s latest transport aircraft, the ministry said in a statement.
The exercises, running Feb. 1-5 will focus on defensive tactics, encirclement, and battlefield control and command, the ministry said.
The exercises have special meaning for Doravan-Balnik ties as the nations come closer together.
Since establishing a bilateral military and economic alliance three decades ago along with the associate state of Aprosia, Doravo and Balnik have cooperated increasingly closely on military matters and diplomacy. Our militaries regularly hold joint exercises and back each other on international issues like the occupation of the Faronna Islands by Balnik, which is wholly supported by Doravo.