Septentrion Regional Headlines

[Nova Sylva]

[Achesia]

Narrative:

"Not suprising news today from Fawnnorth as the Ministry of Statecraft has announced its boycott of what it is calling "A game of cronies." Refering to the new Septentrion Regional Cup in which the Collitltion State of Sylva has announced it will host. Four other nations, Achesia's closest allies have announced their joinning the boycott. These include the Protectorate of Auyedelle, Kingdom of Aurde, New Sidonian Republic, and Concordia."

[Achesia]

Deleted

[Nova Sylva]

The Sylvan Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to initiate a successor to Trojan 2 main battle tank (MBT) before the end of the year.

The news was announced by the Defense Minister to Parliament, with the Minister adding that the MoD plans to conduct joint capability studies with Aemen for the project. This bilateral element is hoped to provide some tailwind to the recent alliance made by the two nations.

The capabilities studies are set to run between January and August, with Sylva and Aemen reviewing technologies and concepts for the future MBT before beginning production in July. Normally, MBT programs take some years, but the Defense Ministry says that on the heel of armed conflict with Wanka, a newer and more capable tank is needed as soon as possible. Speaking to a spokesperson, a source stated that the Trojan 2 successor will include technology from the nation's infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). According to the MoD, the in-service time of the Trojan 2 ends around 2030.

At this time it remains unclear whether the new tank will be an entirely new design or an innovative update of the current Trojan design. That said, the fact that the Sylvan MoD refers in-house to the project as "Caballero Tanque" is a fairly strong indicator of the lie-of-the-land at the moment.

German lawmakers asked the MoD back in October 2012 to review and re-evaluate the country's MBT requirements and to plan for an eventual Trojan 2 successor.

Although MBT fleets have declined massively since the end of the Pan-Septentrion War, their value has recently been demonstrated by the Saxon War and the Wankan Army's massive buildup. Indeed, as a consequence of the Saxon War, the Defence Minister decided in April to increase the number of active Sylvan MBTs from 325 to 428. Comparatively, West Germany used to operate 2,300 Trojan IIs during the 1980s.

[Achesia]

Narrative: "News today in a press confrence as Prince Rodolf Requient announces if elected he will not use his Royal title. "When I am elected I will be of the people, for the people." He was quoted in a speech he gave last night at a fund raising dinner. It has been widly questioned the role of the monarchy in this candidates bid for the chief executive position. His announcemrnt today has put those concerns at ease."

[Achesia]

Narrative: "President Freddrick today weighing in on the campaign for the Presidency. The incumbent to this election he faces a very real threat to his power, Prince Rodolf who has taken up the banner as the Royalist Party Canidate. The President however did not have kind words for his opponent labeling him a "traitor to the people." The President candidly said to our reporters after his briefing in which he undoubtably was trying to make something of the mess he created in the former colonies. The President equated the Royal running for elected office ad a ruse to incite a coup against the elected government and put us under the chains of absolute monarchy again. However many Acheisan's have scoffed at this idea and welcome the freash blood to the train wreck that has been Fawnnorth under the Freddrick administration. Many have spoken out and protested agasint the corporate rule that has been bulldozing individual needs for that of powerful NGOs."

[Achesia]

Narrative:

"In what has been called a rearing of old Achesian corporate face's head, Party of the Republic Senator Hubert has announced his candidacy for the race for the Presidency. Largely received as the last ditch effort of the Board of Governors to retain some semblance of power in the wake of such Royalist Party gains that have not been seen in many elections. With a member of the Royal Family taking the lead in the polls this election for the office of the President, many within the old corporate power structure are worried that President Ottokar Freddrick the incumbent candidate will not be able to beat Prince Rodolf.

In the past week of campaigning Prince Rodolf has made major gains against President Freddrick in polling numbers in many different provinces of Achesia. Many working class citizens of the nation have suffered greatly under the failed policies of the current administration, and the remaining portion have been frustrated in the lackluster handling of the colonies which Achesia recent lost. It is largely believed this has been due to corporate corruption and poor handling by the Corporate Congress, and has renewed calls by many populace free thinkers and Senators which are elected by the people to call for the end to the corporate controlled provisional government that was set up as a temporary means of governance after the civil war.

Prince Rodolf has not said either way what he will do to end the current provisional government and create a new one if he is to take office, however many speculate that he will in fact hold a referendum to form a new system of governance. Many call for the end of the Board of Governors which has acted as a oligarchy of types, hiding behind the secret walls of corporate structures and calling the shots for everything down to the minutia of day to day operations of the public sector. In a recent poll even the citizens of Achesia have said they would like to see the role of the Ackular, which has been but a figurehead since the war, to increase into some bit of power as the head of state. But others fear this will once again rip the country in two.

Elections are to be held in one months time."

[Achesia]

Narrative:

"A blast rocked the streets of Civary this morning as dozens die in what has been called a horrifying scene in the early morning comute. No offical statement has been made by the government but the authorities are on the scene investigating. We will bring you more coverage as the situation develops."

[Murovanka]

Preussen returned to Wanka

Local government hands authority over former Wankan territories back to Wanka

Locals cheering as Wankan troops march into country

MECKLENBURG- Wankers all over the world celebrated yesterday after the Wankan government and the federal Territorial authority signed an agreement formally transferring control over the provinces of Preussen, Memel, Soldau and Pommern (called Preussen as a whole due to its size) to Wanka. This followed a regional referendum which resulted in an overwhelming majority voting to reincorporate the territories, dubbed the “Lost Lands” in Wanka, back to its former owner, lands which had been separated from mainland Wanka in the Treaty of Hessen. Chancellor Sonneborn has declared today a national holiday as Wankan Foreign Minister von Preisen meets locally elected leaders to sign the instrument of accession. The event was marked by a military parade by several Wankan Army divisions symbolically marching into the region as the Zentrum party celebrated the completion of its central tenet of reinstating the national borders of 1960.

The loss of Preussen came about after the defeat in the Pan-Septentrion War whereby the Sylvans, in the peace treaty dictated to Wanka at Hessen, looked to strip Wanka of its status as global power in the world by fragmenting its power and handing over Wankan territories with significant Wankan majorities to other states, or creating puppet states out of them. The ethnically homogenous Wankan population of Preussen was forced to endure tremendous hardships as second-class citizens under territorial rule and pressure had especially increased, after Wankas reemergence on the global stage, to settle the issue of the historical borders. The pressure on the Territorial government was marked by hundreds of border clashes with dozens of deaths on both sides as Wanka sought to reassert itself with the local authority finally settling down for negotiations after the Wankan victory at in the Saxon War and threats to militarily occupy the districts. Increasingly confident pro-Wankan Prussian leaders also demanded more religious freedoms (as opposed to the state-imposed dragon-worshipping religion) and equality with fellow citizens. Sonneborn himself lauded the Foreign Ministry for their efforts in peacefully pushing for the return of the territories, saying in a televised address that the “Treaty of Hessen has been revised” and that the “borders now stand at their rightful place”. Nevertheless he has stated that he is aware of the challenges faced by the nation in reintegrating the districts into Wanka calling for the Wankan people to “stand together” to overcome the obstacles. The accession means thirty million more people have been added to the nations population, a 20% increase to the original 148 million citizens. Industry has partially flourished in the new territories but much of the population remains rural and poorer than the current average Wankan.

The dealing however raised concern outside Wankan borders as members of the Entente Cordial issued a joint statement condemning the “aggressive manoeuvres” of Wanka and its “use of military force to reinforce its expansionist claims” in addition to “regretting the revision of the Treaty of Hessen which was designed to retain peace on the continent.” Furthermore Sylvan First Minister Navarro has declared that the “balance of power in Casaterra” had been upset and “peace has been yet again undermined and is under threat by the warmongering efforts of Sonneborn”. Relations between Sylva and Wanka, countries which had just signed a treaty concluding a war between them, remain tense as the two sides regularly engage in war of words over policy issues surrounding Saxony, the Sellenland, trade security, Erquin and now Preussen but commentators have remained firm that another clash of arms would stay unlikely. “Neither side wants to fight another exhausting war, with Sylva having to fight in Altagracia and the Wankan economy in the drains.” said Josef Streidinger of the ZWF. “Besides, there is little more the Entente Cordial can do about Preussen.”

[Erquin]

The Erquinian Telegraph - 25-Biticent - 2/18/2016
Erquinian Elections begin, 4 candidates begin campaigning

Editor: Jerry Keravel

Inside an Amadar voting station set up for upcoming elections

The time that all of us Erquinians have been waiting for has arrived. The beginning of the elections is officially beginning next two weeks, with 4 candidates from 4 different parties. Franko Hillary, the current president who has had a 10 year term, will be giving away his position in the next few months to the winner of a candidate, who will have a standard term of 5 years. The new system has been put into effect due to the public sharing a disappointment against what seemed to be too long of a term. The 10 year term was called by a member of the parliament " a start for the Erquinian state to rebuild up with just 1 president. This election is perfect now due to the stability of the country, which can allow for 5 year terms and democratic elections.".

Currently, the biggest party in Parliament is the Erquinian Socialist Workers Party, possessing 65 seats out of 110 seats in Parliament. Then there is the Erquinian Nationalist Socialist Party, the 2nd biggest seat holder in parliament, holding 23 seats. The Erquinian Conservative Party, the 3rd biggest seat holder in Parliament with 12 seats and the Erquinian Capitalist Democratic Party is the 4th largest seat holder in parliament with 10 seats. All have their own candidates.

The ESWP has Tyler Cortez, a 53 year old Erquinian-Sylvan Socialist. His ideals were rejected in his home country of Sylva, moving to Erquin 15 years ago. He became a high ranking in the ESWP for his energetic personality and fanatic devotion to Democratic-Socialist ideals. His ideals include a standardized welfare checks, the idea of a firm hand on private business, and domestic programs. Critics say that he could be detrimental to the country's current stability, but Bronco waves it off as mudslinging.

The ENSP has already been classified as a pro-Wankan policy party, with rumors that Wilhelm Sonneborn of the Wankan Volksrepublik is secretly funding this party. Their candidate is Hans Ambros, a 44 year old Erquinian-Wankan. He does have a connection to Heinrich Sonneborn, both being friends. His policies are nearly the same to Wankan government policies. He is known as a calm, quiet man. However, its been reported by some that "he has somewhat of a creepy look and is rude at times.". His critics say that the party is really just an attempt by Wankan officials to inject a more cooperative government into the country to use it as sort of a puppet.

The ECP is a rather small party.The party holds conservative views and many believe their policies are rather against what the people really want. Their candidate, an Erquinian-Columbian at the age of 67, is Frederick Smith. Frederick has been described as an audacious and bold person, making rather rash decisions and may, according to critics, employ controversial ways of campaigning. The candidates policies has a large focus on bolstering national security, police, and isolationism. His ideal of isolationism has been seen as a possible danger for the country's future survival if he was elected. Without trade, Erquin would lose its ability to maintain her increasingly complex infrastructural system (Trains, boats and planes need oil too!) and also her own security. Critics believe that there will be no way Smith will win.

The ECDP is the smallest party in parliament right now. With the popularity of the Socialist-Democracy system, the Capitalist party is merely a shrew compared to its competitors. Their candidate, another Erquinian-Columbian, is 65 year old Ronald Berkley. Berkley is known as a rather mild-mannered man, being seen as reasonable and empathetic. However, his policies are obviously capitalist, and the parties popularity doesnt make his chances of winning the elections big in any way. Many Erquinian citizens are comfortable and some even rely on the welfare system and the Socialist system in general. To them, a Capitalist society could lead to corruption by large corporate giants and an unfair society.

[Achesia]

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ROYAL VICTORY ON ELECTION DAY

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Victory for the Royalist party yesterday in the general election for the Presidency of Achesia. The people have spoken and in a momentous event the Royalist Party, party to which pledges it's loyalty to the Ackular and the Royal Family, won the election and seats Rodolf Requient, a Prince of the Royal Family as the President. This is the first time in the history of Achesia that a Royalist has taken the top executive spot in the country, and certainly signals a shift in the internal politics of the nation. Now that the Achesian National Party has lost out, it is unclear as to what direction the nation will be taken to. However; the Corporate Congress and Board of Governors have yet to speak on the outcome of the election, a highly unusual circumstance during such a hotly contested run.

In addition to the the victory in the election for the presidency, the Royalist Party also made hug gains in the Senate, taking majority control over the house of legislature and what seemed to be landslide victories. The people of Achesia, clearly unhappy with the corporate rule, have ousted them almost entirely, except for the few senators who were not up for re-eleciton. This gives now President Rodolf huge power in deciding the direction of the country, with only the Corporate Congress and Board to stand in his way.

The big question is, what will this mean for the direction of the country? Many opposing ANP pundants have warned this will be the end of democracy in Achesia, citing that Royal control of both aspects of government and the noted absence of the Board from all of this hints that the dismantling of the allegedly temporary corporate contract that gave them authority to manage the Achesian government. Royalists have insisted that they will not take away the people's right to vote for their senators, but have said nothing about not dismanteling the corporate congress. Time will tell what the future will hold.

[Achesia]

Narrative:

“In lavish Achesian fashion today the Crown Prince of Achesia, James Requient was married to his beautiful bride the Princess of Aurde, Pricilla Manderfield. We are told that a total of twenty-six were invited to the wedding, mostly Royal Family and heads of the highest noble families. The President Elect himself Rodolf Requient was in attendance according to the staff at the very exclusive affair."

[Achesia]

[Murovanka]

30 DEAD IN SAXON PLANE CRASH

Civilian aircraft en route to Dresden crashes with all passengers feared dead

A TDF soldier stands guard at the wreckage

DRESDEN- A civilian airliner carrying thirty passengers, including the crew, crashed yesterday on the southern outskirts of the Saxon capital at noon. The plane, a Douglas DC-3 flying in from Corbinsburg to Dresden Flughafen had been, according to eyewitness reports, shot down by a surface to air missile although TDF officials have refrained from commenting on the cause of the crash as evidence is still being gathered. The TDF, which proceeded to secure the wreckage site has as of yet not ruled out any causes of the crash and has announced an investigation into the incident; in addition, bowing to public pressure, it had released the names of the victims. Amongst them were twenty Sylvo-Saxons and ten Wanko-Saxons, all predominantly wealthy refugees forced to flee to Sylva due to the war. Nevertheless, an unnamed TDF official reported that, on condition of anonymity, initial findings were pointing toward downing by a ubiquitous Sylvan-made surface to air missile likely fired by one of the numerous militant groups in Saxony

The transitional authority meanwhile had to deal with anti-TDF demonstrators gathering at the site of the crash and demanding access; the Saxon Liberation Treaty, officially established on the day of the crash, issued a statement calling for an “impartial investigation” into it and at the same time condemning the use of force on pro-Wankan protesters. Eyewitnesses had reported that the TDF had resorted to rubber bullets and tear gas to push back the demonstrators at the wreckage site and the violence had escalated since then. The TDF in return blamed the SÄBEL (as the Saxon Liberation Treaty is known by its German acronym) for instigating violence. This was the first event for the pro-Wankan coalition, represented by various Saxon interest parties in the Saxon Assembly, which seeks to “free Saxony from Sylvan imperialism”. Set up in face of harsh Aemen and Sylvan protests, plans to clamp down on the SÄBEL by the TDF have been repeatedly blocked by the Wankan government who see the quasi-parallel administration as beneficial to their interests.

Despite the lack of evidence the Sylvan government was quick to lay the blame with the Navarro Administration pointed its finger at the numerous pro-Wankan militias, supported by Wanka, claiming that they were the “only ones with the capability and funding” to orchestrate such a “terrorist attack”. Navarro personally blasted Sonneborn for supporting the militias in using “scare tactics” to forcibly expel Sylvo-Saxons from Saxony, a claim the Wankan chancellor vehemently denies. Sylvan experts have considered suggestions concerning a possible misidentification of the aircraft, saying that it was highly likely that the pro-Wankan militias had mistaken it for an attacking Sylvan fighter aircraft or helicopter. The Wankan government in return has repeatedly pointed to the make of the missile that brought it down, in addition to the apparent expertise with which the perpetrators executed the attack and vanished with officials implying that Sylvan forces had been involved. An intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the aircraft had been carrying two Wankan government officials with highly valued intelligence and that the Sylvans had, in a “last ditch attempt” to stop the agents from returning home, shot the plane down. Rumours online also suggested that the aircraft was shot down by the Coalition State Air Force to be able to place the blame on Wanka and tarnish its reputation. Tensions have not subsided since the war between the two nations ended less than a month ago with both Sonneborn and Navarro regularly accusing each other for continuing the conflict by underhand means. With a crucial referendum scheduled in less than a week, on the 15th of May, both sides have ramped up support and efforts to their various proxy parties. In their zones the Wankan and Sylvan TDF detachments clearly favour the local Wanko-Saxons and Sylvo-Saxons respectively. The Wankan TDF division has been accused of supporting and turning a blind eye to armed factions attacking local Sylvo-Saxons while the Sylvan TDF division has been accused of racially discriminating between ethnic Wankers and Sylvans when considering applicants to their Resettlement Zones. The verbal war recently reached new heights in the latest flare-up of violence near the capital where a Sylvan-run TDF military outpost had been supposedly raided by what Sylva claims “Wankan special forces”, a claim denied by Wanka.

[Murovanka]

Gauliscia sinks Wankan trawler

Anti-Gauliscian protests erupt as tensions escalate in the Gulf

Screengrab from video taken by Wankan Navy

FRIGIA- A Gauliscian Coast Guard ship sank a Wankan trawler which was fishing in its waters, carrying out its threat to destroy any Wankan ship that was found within its claimed maritime boundary. According to Gauliscia, the corvette SWB Heidcheborn, after having issued numerous verbal warnings to turn back, shelled the Auyadelle-registered Nuda. The entire crew was killed as Wankan Search and Rescue teams were not permitted to evacuate survivors. The sequence of events is disputed by Wanka, which claims that the fishing crew had been fired upon with no warning. Starting in Wilhelmshafen, anti-Gauliscian protests and riots organised by the large Wankan coastal fishing community broke out and spread along the coast resulting in over fifty injured as police struggled to contain the violence. The incident provoked a diplomatic outcry and has raised tensions between Wanka and Gauliscia to new heights as the dispute over Wankan territories in the Western Gulf continues.

The fishing dispute has characterised the conflict in the Western Gulf with Gauliscia claiming sovereignty over Auyadelle, Frisia and Speiland and its surrounding resource-rich waters, sending fishing boats into Wankan waters closely followed by heavily armed Gauliscian coast guard vessels, using these to outmanoeuvre and outmuscle the Wankan presence there. This lead to Wanka responding in-kind, with Wankan trawlers venturing into Gauliscian waters closely watched by the Wankan armed forces in the Gulf. Several recent confrontations between the rival navies prompted the Gauliscians to declare a “shoot-on-sight” measure on Wankan ships which crossed over the maritime borders, a policy decried as “draconian” and “horrendously irrational” by the Wankan Foreign Ministry. However, as Gauliscia is no stranger to issuing bellicose statements, few believed that it would actually carry out its threat. The shock as such was to be found worldwide as governments and netizens alike expressed their horror at the deaths of the fishermen, with the Wankan government condemning the “barbaric conduct” of the Gauliscian forces and Wankans whipping up anti-Gauliscian sentiment with hashtags like #jesuisnuda and #bombgauliscia. The Sylvan government similarly expressed “shock and dismay” at the events and offered their condolences to the victims of the “reckless behaviour” of the Gauliscian navy while Atramentar urged both sides to deescalate the confrontation immediately and “resume negotiations for the benefit of us all”. Erquin “condemned the aggression” by Gauliscia, calling for her to “cease and desist” its practices and “formally apologise” to Wanka. Talks between Gauliscia and Wanka broke down last week in Cascadia with no solution in sight as neither side refused to back down on their demands with Gauliscia, according to the a statement by the Wankan government, having simply “threatened war” and made it clear that there was “no room for negotiation” over the conflict in the Western Gulf. Leaked details of the transcript of the meeting revealed furthermore that the Gauliscian delegation had accused the Wankans of “trickery and imperialism” and compared the nation to a “dead man” and its behaviour to that of the “pounding of the crimson-stained hooves of a boar” leading to outrage within Wanka, many ridiculing the government’s apparent weak stance and measured responses.

However, the aftermath of the talks has resulted in the Sonneborn administration openly take on a much more assertive position, announcing the reinforcement of military garrisons on Auyadelle and Frisia. In addition, troops of the Staatssicherheits-Korps and the 35th Marine Division have commenced exercises simulating amphibious landings, mirroring possible Wankan actions if hostilities were to break out in the Western Gulf. The region, as the gateway for millions of tons of trade, is most importantly the only maritime route for Wankan and Atramentari shipping and the military bases there have, since coming under Wankan possession at the Treaty of Charlie, been a deciding factor in the projection of Wankan economic, political and military power across the world. While Gauliscia has been content with having Wanka maintain its position in the Gulf, it has a long-running dispute around Auyadelle as its projects to divert water from rivers running into the peninsula has encountered stiff opposition from Wanka which relies on the rivers to supply the growing city. In addition, the Gauliscian government has long accused Wanka for covertly supporting social revolutionaries staging a decade-long insurrection against the military-run government, supposedly using its possessions in the Gulf to undermine Gauliscia. It remains to be seen whether the two regional powers can solve their problems peacefully; the recent talks do not give much encouragement. Nevertheless, for neither side is an open war desirable as a standstill in trade would prove destructive for either economy.

[Allanciantic]

Massacre at Spreck Deposit, fifteen civilians dead

VINDOBONNA- Earlier today at the first frontline of the Allanzi-Allied National war, a handful of brave oil workers were assisting their comrades in the Northern Gendarmerie when a force of several tanks and a large group of mercenaries breached the border, unabashedly slaughtering at least fifteen oil workers. There are no known survivors of the massacre, and their bodies have yet to be recovered.
"I am heartbroken." Said Valerie Summers, a Sylvan immigrant and the mother of one of the fallen. "Alex [an engineer at the Spreck Deposit] was such a kind boy, I wasn't surprised at all when the telegram said he stayed behind to help our boys in gray." Already, a shroud of mourning is passing over the nation for these brave souls. The central government has already announced state funerals will be arranged as soon as possible.
An anonymous reporter for the Times brought up the suggestion that although the troops that killed the workers were mercenaries, they bore arms and tanks manufactured by the Allied National military. Reports also come from border villages complaining of sacking and looting, although these claims are unauthenticated. More information forthcoming.

[Erquin]

The Erquinian Telegraph - 25-Biticent - 7/26/16
Unclaimed island chain sought after by Erquinian government in the Meridian Ocean

Editor: Jerry Keravel

S.S Sea Stallion going towards the Scorcshy Island Chain

Earlier this month, the Erquinian government had announced its "funding of a research facility in a chain of islands known as the Scorcshy Island Chain in the Meridian Ocean north east of Valencia and south of the Organized States. These unclaimed islands have remained isolated and untouched for hundreds of years and apparently, the research firm, simply called Blue Corporation, has taken interest in this, believing there to be potential for new species of plants and animals to be discovered here and to see the results of evolution in an isolated environment.

Now, later on, the first ships are making a voyage to the prized islands. Tons of supplies for constructing an outpost are making their way on freighters provided by the government to the islands to create the base. All these supplies include compact housing units, cement, tools, construction vehicles to pave a planned runway for cargo aircraft, and all sorts of things. Along with these freighters travels the research ship, Nautilus, already owned by the firm. On it are scientists and workers who will live on the island.

Many people have expressed their interest and happiness at the new developments, some saying that it could provide new cures or insights into biology that could save people, others saying that it is a new thing for the government to be spending funds on instead of the military, but actually new developments. However, some arent too trusting. Some believe that this is all a coverup for the government creating a naval base on the islands to expand their influence and to become more a power in the world.

"They think us for fools." says one conspiracy theorist, who asked to keep his name anonymous, saying that there could be a correlation between the increase of the Erquinian Navy's budget, not to mention the two new Innsbruck-Class missile cruisers being built, and the construction of the new outpost. He also bases this off of the amount of money that was reportedly poured into the project, about 40-50 million bits, being too much for a simple research outpost and that it is proof that a military base complete with quarters for sailors, port, runway, submarine pens, and other things will be established.

[Erquin]

The Erquinian Telegraph - 25-Biticent - 8/2/16
Sylvan Mobilization worrying, Erquinian military readies in reaction.

Editor: Jerry Keravel

Ever since the Sylvan government has announced mobilization, worried generals of the EAF are begging the parliament to allow for mobilization. Now, they have been given the green light for defensive readiness. All of the cause for this has been presumably over the NSR's rapidly deteoriating economic situation.

It all started after the NSR was sanctioned by an international coalition, including the Organized States and Westervelde, due to its funding of terrorist groups in both of the large countries. Ever since then, the Dinero, the NSR's indigenous currency, has been rapidly sinking in value as the sanctions targeted Sylvan oil exports, a major source of income of the nation, to the point where the Dinero has sunk down to 30% of its previous value.

It continues to fall as nations like Erquin and Gauliscia have begun selling off their FOEX reserves of the Dinero for way below the market value.

As the glass castle that is the Sylvan economy shatters and wobbles, the NSR government has labeled this as an "economic war", a label which has been seen to be taken by the Sylvan government seriously and is the cause of concern for military officials with military conflict on the horizon in Casaterra.

[Achesia]

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Achesia Makes A Move

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Achesia to Round Up Sylvan Koso

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Economists today taken by surprise as the recently quiet Realm of Achesia began buying large amounts of Sylvan treasury securities during a unprecedented week of hardships for the Sylvan economy. Many observers of Achesian political economics however; predicted this move would come, but with the recent decline in the Ackular's health any movement from the Realm has come at a snails pace. Prince James Requient is believed to be leading the country while his father is attended to by a team of doctors on a constant basis. Working closely with some of the brightest economic minds within the Realm, Prince James is surely making this move to buy up large quantities of Sylvan debt to save their trade relationship and surplus on Sylvan imports from Achesia.

To understand the important relationship between Achesia and Sylva (as well as Achesia and many other nations within the region) it is key to note the large manufacturing economy that Achesia boasts on an international scale. It is important for the Realm in this situation that the value of the Sylvan Koso does not diminish as its ability to buy Achesia goods would follow suit. The economic actions of both the Republics of Westervelde and Gauliscia selling off of the Sylvan Koso from their reserves, has created a difficult situation for Sylva and its trade allies. By flooding the market with the currency it has therefor begun diminishing its value. Achesia evidently hopes to reverse this process by buying up what Westervelde and Gauliscia sells.

It remains to be seen if Achesian officials will do anything to either condemn or aide the Sylvan assault on the Kingdom of Aemen. Thus far no official statement has been made on the matter of the numerous Sylvan Army units crossing the boarder and skirmishing with Aemen forces. Some critics of the Realm point to the previous conflict in Aurde- in which Achesia intervene against the Organized States-Sylva invaders that sought to overthrow the monarchy- as a precedence that Achesia will back up her allies in any sort of conflict. However the obvious answer to this is that the invasion of Aurde from OS aligned forces was a blatant aggression on OS' part and Achesia acted in the most just fashion, despite the rest of the region turning a blind eye. This evidence clearly shows that Achesia's next actions, in this writers opinion, will be to work through diplomatic channels to get their trade ally, Sylva, to stand down. But with the slow and quiet pace that the Realm has been operating at in recent months than it remains to be seen what the next move will be.

Prince James has proven himself a capable diplomat and statesmen as he oversaw a large part of the conflict in Aurde. His ability to handle such a situation in Sylva, as it begins to march the whole region towards large scale war, will be tested. The situation for Achesia in this conflict is a complex one. The Realm can not intervene on its allies behalf, as the actions of the Sylvan government between the invasion of Aemen and its overthrow of elected democracy, has caught the ire of the region. However; if Achesia lets OS aligned nations within the region overthrow the Republic of Sylva in install a pro-OS government, then Achesia would be out a key ally. This after it already has lost Murovanka in recent months to a new Islamist government, another issue feather in Achesia growing cap of problems.

Needless to say Achesia has its work cut out for it in the coming months, as the situation begins to deteriorate.

[Allanciantic]

Schlenko Clarion
His Imperial Majesty's chosen newspaper since 1913

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Protests rock capital

Uma Massermann

On Wednesday, in protest of the sudden mobilization and the shocking nosedive of the technology market's worth, hundreds took to the streets in protest. Maurice dePas Boulevard as well as Landerform Avenue saw the most protesters. Both streets were so clogged they were literally impassable by cars. From what I can tell, boatmen, factory workers and other lower class individuals made up the majority of the protesters. Police were dispatched to the area more to protect the protesters. It was expected the group would disband within a few hours.
However, as night fell on the city, students and factory workers took to the streets in droves and droves, with retailers and myriads of others joining the scene. By dawn, an estimated 10,00 had gathered in downtown Battenburg.
Although everything from unpopular tax reforms to the recent war was protested, the most common complaint was the weak rule of the Emperor, who is increasingly drawing fire as an ineffective ruler from both abroad and at home.
Curiously, present at the protest were several people wrapped in classical Ferrarinist mourning shrouds carrying candles, seemingly in grief for the deaths of several oil workers yesterday. Also present were men and women in black trench coats and black helmets identified as members of the "the Karf," the colloquial name for the Kalintisaar Pheiberun secret police division.

[Achesia]

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NEW PARTNERSHIPS YEILD NEW HOMES FOR RAAF

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FAWNNORTH- The high command today in a news conference announced that a partnership with three regional nations: the Republic of Nasaria, Unified Balkin States, and the United Realm of Gauliscia, have yielded agreements to base both assets and troops in various bases that have yet to be disclosed. This is only the second time that Achesian forces Have been based outside of the Realm, with the first being the Republic of Valencia. "Unprecedented is this military cooperation." The Supreme Commander, General Seplich said during this speech today. He continued to outline the military and economic opportunities that this sort of forward deployment of Achesian soldiers brought to not only the Realm but to those host nations. He further outlined the role that the RAAF has in securing trade routes and keeping the peace within the region as various other nations such as the Organized States and Republic of Westervelde continue to destabilize it with hawkish interventions.

It was not announced what sort of units were to be deployed to those nations for security reasons, but it is within our limits to speculate that a large amount of naval assets would be present in the Gaulicisa and Nasaria as both of those locations are in the heart of very crucial areas that have seen large amounts of conflict in past years. "A vantage point for swift response." Is another highlight from the Supreme Commander's speech as he spoke of the great importance of having Achesian troops close to these conflict zones.

"We keep them in check." He referred to the Columbian/Westervelde bloc. "It is important that Achesia is there to ensure the peace, to ensure that the conflict doesn't go to far." And supremely important it is for the Achesian military to be at the forefront of many of these conflicts to ensure hawkish champions of "freedom" do not try and take advantage of a destabilized state, in attempt to prop up their own form of crony government. Ever since the conflict in Aurde when OS/Sylvan forces attempted to take over the country by fabricating evidence that the government there was killing minorities- a untruth that turned out to be only a rogue unit with leaders connected to OS inner circles- Achesia has been stepping up its game to counter such blatant imperialism. Today, great steps were taken to prevent the next Aurde, with Achesian forces now on watch throughout Cassaterra within arms reach of any location a savior is needed.

-Brian Vox is a reporter for the Achesian National and frequent contributor to various Defense forums.

[Murovanka]

Ostfalische Post

Wankas most trusted news source- English Edition
22nd September

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Terrorists strike Nürnberg

NÜRNBERG- Three gunmen opened fire in downtown Nürnberg yesterday, killing at least seventy people, with investigations ongoing. The attack started at 11 o’clock in the morning at the Kaiserin-Maria-Schauspieltheater where the famous theatre group Zolikon was performing “Saladeen and his Fifty Wives”. According to eyewitness accounts, the three men arrived in a black Volkswagen, killing a guard and fatally wounding another as they forced their way into the building, where they started firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Armed police units arrived within ten minutes and, upon engaging the attackers inside the theatre after a two-hour standoff, two of the three detonated suicide vests and the other was killed in the shootout. This takes place just days following the twin attacks on Lendol and Sylva which in itself claimed 125 lives, all of which were claimed by the Ummayan-based Junud al-Kabaab (Soldiers of the Holy Rock) group, making this the deadliest series of terror attacks ever to take place on Casaterra. Experts have said that the strikes were likely coordinated. A thirty-five year old Ummayan-born Wankan was arrested in connection with the bombing with another, said to be the cell leader, on the run.

In a press conference, Foreign Minister Johann Blumenthal said that “Preliminary evidence, including the interrogation of the suspect, has shown that the terrorists were likely based in Pomerania, with members of the cell each arriving separately in Nürnberg in the weeks prior to the attack. However, how they obtained the weapons- especially under Wankas strict gun laws, and how two of the terrorists- both Ummayans- had managed to enter Wanka are not yet known and will be the focus of our investigation.”

In an official statement, the Chancellor’s office condemned the “cowardly continent-wide series of attacks”, promising “swift retaliation” on the perpetrators and the group itself. “Wanka stands in solidarity with Lendol and Sylva in face of the terrorist scourge. The acts of Junud al-Kabaab are against all human and moral values and have nothing to do with Shahidism.” The Wankan Ulama, the highest religious body in the nation, also expressed repugnance at the “hateful crime against humanity”, saying that al-Kabaab had “twisted the divine words of the Hadayya for their own sinful purposes.” In a fatwa, the Grand Mufti declared the militant group, which is waging an insurgency in Ummayah with the goal of creating a global caliphate entering on the Shahidian birthplace, as “false and illegal.” The fatwa explained that Jihad, or holy war, could only be justified in self-defence and by killing innocent civilians, the group had defined itself as simply an evil satanic non-Shahid cult.

The targeting of Wanka by the Shahidian militant group follows the Wankan government’s support of the Ummayan government, widely seen as despotic and authoritarian, against al-Kabaab and other rebel groups; outside commentators have noted, however, that the Wankan role in Ummayah remained ambivalent with several reports by investigative journalists revealing that cash and weapons had flown to both sides of the conflict, from multiple sources inside Wanka. Up to early this year, al-Kabaab members reportedly talked favourably toward Wanka. “It is a rather complex net.” Simon Delacruz of the Sylvan Institute of Strategic Studies said. “What we see here can be explained by the historic Rashaida-Kharjii split, both branches of Shahidism, with the Rashaida being the most populous and dominant branch in both Wanka and Ummayah. While for long periods of time the two got along quite well, the Kharjii notably form the poorest of the populations and have become significantly disenfranchised. In Ummayah, the Kharjii have been persecuted under the current Rashaida-dominated regime and in Wanka, the Ulama leans heavily toward the Rashaidan school of jurisprudence. The unrest in Ummayah and the targeting of Wanka is merely the divisions going hot.”

[Organized States]

[The Soodean Imperium]

Zhihui
“The Pursuit of Knowledge”
Foreign edition * 1 October 2016

After a long period of silence, Emperor Su Dou today appeared on national television to make an official statement, of the sort once common in his early reign. In the video, which lasted less than fifteen minutes and was allegedly broadcast live, he stated that after several months of hospital treatment he had made a promising recovery and was now resting in the city of Imsunghae. He also commented on recent issues of national and international importance, advising his citizens to remain united and cooperative in the wake of international terrorist attacks, and thanking his advisers and ministers for responsibly handling national affairs in his absence.

The now-66-year-old Emperor’s health has become a source of much concern in the Soodean Imperium, in large part because little concrete information has been made available to the public. Most official state reports dealing with the subject repeat the now-familiar summary that “His Majesty’s heart is burdened by the eternal devotion with which he has committed himself to building up the country.” This has led some to speculate that Su Dou is suffering from angina or hypertension brought on by stress and overwork, an increasingly common diagnosis among white-collar workers which many attribute to the competitive nature of Soodean society after the reforms of the 1990s. The extent of the Emperor’s illness remains a closely guarded secret; the length of his recent hospitalization does not bode well for his health, but his recent appearance restored some confidence that he may make a full recovery.

At a deeper level, there has been anxiety about what the Emperor’s death would mean for national stability. Ever since he seized power in a 1987 coup remembered as the “Decembrist Revolution,” Su Dou has been at the center of the Soodean government, in some respects tightening state control compared to the previous Democratic People’s Republic of Menghe period. Yet he is still viewed positively by the majority of the population, due to his role in growing the national economy, improving rural infrastructure and public services, modernizing the armed forces, and doing all of this without the often-correlated rise in crime or income inequality – a set of accomplishments collectively summarized by his slogan of “Um-eul Baucheon-e,” or “Build up the Country.” In his absence, the future of the Soodean Imperium remains in doubt. Some sharp observers commented that his video’s praise of advisors and ministers was a suggestion that he is preparing the way for a gradual transition of power. In such an event, the reins will pass to Linnan Fen, who holds the post of Designated Successor and whom the Emperor has groomed for the role. Yet some government officials have speculated that Mr. Linnan is still too young for the role, and Su Dou did not specifically mention his name in his reference to the “various advisors and ministers” who handled the country’s administration during his hospitalization.

Internationally, however, some observers have speculated that the Emperor’s death may usher in a period of democratization. In spite of efforts to evenly distribute the benefits from economic growth and maintain cultural and ideological control, the country’s rising middle class has made increasing demands for formal political rights. And although the Soodean government has thus far held fast to its position that centralized control is necessary for stable development, it has also gradually ceded certain rights to its population, formalizing private ownership of small enterprises and lightening some areas of internet censorship. Certain moderate politicians have expressed an interest in extending this process to include gradual democratic reforms, such as the election of local and provincial governors and the legalization of opposition parties. Yet the highest officers of the Soodean Army and Imperial Soodean Navy remain strongly opposed to such measures, as do hardliners in other areas of the government. Even if his health remains stable, the Emperor will face a difficult challenge in persuading these factions to remain united when the transfer of power eventually arrives.

[Murovanka]

Ostfalische Post

Wankas most trusted news source- English Edition
24th October

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Sylva Mobilizes on Saxon Border

Repeat of the Saxon War impending?

MUNSTER- The Sylvan Army announced major training exercises to be conducted on its border yesterday as tensions with Wanka over Saxony, over which the two arch-enemies last fought eight years ago, escalated sharply. Wankan President Karl Grawitz reacted furiously, accusing Sylva of “going on the aggressive war-footing that we all know too well” and announcing the transfer of an entire army corps to Saxony to “meet appropriately the Sylvan aggression”. This follows the formation of the Chandler Tripartite, which allows the stationing of Achesian troops on Sylvan soil and permits a “first-strike on a highly provocative third party” amidst an increasingly belligerent war of words between officials of both nations. Chandler has accused Kronstadt of breaking the Erus Accords by moving troops Saxony, in addition to expressing concern at the “systematic violation of human rights” in Wanka and the “status of ethnic Sylvans and Seguidorians” in Shahid-dominated Wanka. Kronstadt has flatly denied any violations of any kind, instead accusing Sylva of stirring unrest, notably in Prussia, and “waging a secret war to destabilise Wanka and preparing to invade again”. Saxony has historically, and still forms an important buffer zone (and at times launchpad) for whichever nation held control over it and holds symbolic importance for both sides. The Erus Accords, which concluded the Saxon War mandates under Article 6 that Wanka could not deploy any “offensive weaponry” into Saxony. Upon accession of Saxony to Wanka, the Sonneborn regime furthermore promised to protect the rights of all Saxons regardless of ethnicity or religion, a pledge coming into question as Shahid religious law manifests itself in the judiciary.

This comes as Wanka is engaged in an open rebellion by its eastern states, which the government labels a “collection of terrorists and gangsters” and “puppets of foreign nations seeking to undermine Wanka”. “There are worrying parallels with the build-up of the Saxon War to what is happening now” Simon Delacruz of the Sylvan Institute of Strategic Studies said. “Then and now, Sylva forms power blocs directed against Wanka. Diplomats of both sides spew their rhetoric, the armed forces prepare for battle. The Saxon War was initiated by a Sylvan first strike. The Chandler Tripartite explicitly permits a first strike. However, the last time, the Wankan nuclear program was the spark; this time, it may be the ongoing insurgency in Prussia. Both Prussia and Saxony have large ethnic Sylvan and Seguidorian minorities which could well be used by Sylva to justify an intervention. Or it could be the renewed emergence of international terrorism, which all parties are accusing each other of supporting.” Which is true to the extent that it had likely sparked the uprising against the central government; Kronstadt had suspected that the Nürnberg bombers had been sheltered in Pomerania and SS actions there had provoked massive demonstrations. Following terrorist bombings in Sylva, Lendol and Gauliscia, these nations, together with Wanka, have all pointed fingers at their respective geopolitical rivals while condemning and promising to unite with the international community against the extremist threats.

The conflict in eastern Wanka meanwhile continues to escalate despite calls for restraint and even cessation of hostilities as the Wankan Air Force ramped up its campaign against the separatists: on Monday, the Königsberg Hospital reported fifteen civilian deaths and fifty wounded as a result of an airstrike which hit the Königgratz suburb. Heavy fighting between regime forces and rebels was reported by Radio Free Prussia on the A7 where militiamen had set up a roadblock, with the Prussian military claiming ten deaths on their side. In southern Prussia, government forces have opened a second front, heavily shelling the town of Kehlen, an important separatist stronghold. The conflict, described as “destabilising” and “inviting a humanitarian crisis” by various nations, is being followed with unease abroad, for it is expected that the migration crisis will continue to escalate. Already up to half a million Wankans have fled the country, mainly through Saxony’s porous borders, with the aim of getting to Sylva, Lendol and even as far as Hemithea. While the initial welcome to the refugees has been somewhat reduced, with Sylva strengthening its border controls, this has done little to slow the emigration of Wankans in search of a safer life.