Terra Magna News Express

[North Timeria]

Estovakian Development Continues

North Timeria continues to invest in Estovakia with the deployment of additional troops into Eastern Estovakia. The number of North Timerian troops is now at 350,000 and counting as the Reeves administration plans to deploy additional assets into the region. Currently, there is a debate on the deployment of strategic bombers and Manta II fighters. Construction of the necessary facilities is already underway and are expected to be ready by the end of the year. The Air Force has yet to make a statement on the deployment of these assets but NORIA has expressed a willingness to assign a small number of Manta IIs into Estovakia.
Reconstruction is also underway as North Timeria's Army Corp of Engineers work around the country to restore utilities and establish a foundation for a stable life. Their main objective to restore water and electricity has already been achieved with 97% of households having access to complete plumbing facilities. This is all apart of the 5-year development plan established by the FEA and North Timeria, this includes a free and open election in 2 years.

In the North things are a bit different as North Timerian forces continue to bombard enemy positions across the border. F-69 fly daily missions across the border and Patriots drones strike targets of importance deeper in enemy territory. There are over 100,000 troops stationed in the North and redevelopment has been a bit harder, especially with the construction of the Strategic MITONN FOB. This is an extension of North Timeria's missile defense network which will be operational shortly, the specific date has yet to be declassified. The MITON installation includes 3 TIA radar and a number of missile silos.

[Polonge]

Royals Life - Polongain Edition
Bledapestra, Polonge
January 10, 2079

It was announced by the empress today that her eldest daughter, the beautiful Crown Princess Maria Christina of Polonge and her husband, Crown Prince Matthieu are expecting their first child. The child, of it is a boy, shall be named Mikulàs and if it is a girl, it shall be named Josephine. The child is expected to be born in September of this year.

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

Unveiling of the Lieseltania class!


ISV Lieseltania (BBS-10) the class leader

Anne Fredriksen (@AFredericksen)
^{2 February 2079 | Alexandria, Atmora}

Today, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress has commissioned five new super-dreadnoughts; Lieseltania, Guldenhof, Miyazaki, Princess Eloise, and Tsushima all five of the battleships belonging to the new Lieseltania class battleships, the Lieseltania battleships have a length of 6,895 metres double the size of the Empress Katherine II class battleships and are larger than foreign Lofan class battleship and the Y-340 class battleship. The armour and shielding consists of 5.4 metres Titanium-A3 battleplate, 2.1 metres of Nanolaminate battleplate with a Mk. XIV Aster Energy Shields protecting the warships. The Lieseltania shall be armed with a four Thanix CR-02 S8 Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, capable of firing up to 20 rounds before recharging, considered to outclass any known MAC weapon currently in service within the IASC or any other space command, along with numerous other armaments mounted on the warship.

The crew of a Lieseltania shall be up to 3,850+ enlisted and officers, along with nearly 3,450 marines. Air complement of the Lieseltania shall be 550 aircraft, 453 Single Occupant Exoatmospherics Insertion Vehicles to be used to deploy ODST units. In addition to the Lieseltania batteships will be to carry and deploy ten Vendetta class destroyers.

Empress Katherine II has commented on Lieseltania class battleships as the undisputed most powerful dreadnought-battleship ever created by humanity and the most powerful warship in the galaxy, and has warned other nations who wish to compete with the Iro-Atmoran Spatial Supremacy that any attempt to out do the Atmorans in space will be fruitless, for every battleship you make the Empire make five more!

[Kingdom of Derita]

Vanessa Times
Vanessa, Derita
February 25, 2079

Annexation of the Norde Isles

As Prime Minister Variés’ premiership comes to an end, he continues to bring victory after victory for the Celestial Empire. As the Seidanese War continues, Variés approved the Duke of Angoulême’s operation in the Norde Isles, a group of islands just east of the United States of Connor. The Duke of Angoulême and an army of 7,510 Deritain soldiers and 7,100 Scottish soldiers proceeded to take over the islands and and re-establish the Kingdom of Scots. Queen Adelaide II herself was present as they conquered th island and established as a client State with Derita.

[Great New England Confederation]

Interstellar Confederation News Network

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Breaking News!

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CNES Ocaris Attacked and Boarded by Unkown Assailant!

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Welcome to ICNN, and we are here bringing the first report on a new and unsettling event in the outer fringes of human explored space. As most of us know, the Ocaris has been on a mission in exploration ever since it left drydock, however she has made an early return today, and she has nor done so under her own power. The Ocaris came under attack yesterday early in the morning, her assailants deactivating an advanced form of active camouflage which fooled even her most advanced sensors, however her shields prevented damage in this first barrage, and allowed her to return fire with her Particle weapons, we have been provided with a recording of the first exchange

"sir...twelve power readings starboard!, eight kilometers, unkow- Incoming!"
*explosion*
"Return fire!, direct power to shields and weapons now!""


The exchange of fire lasted for three hours, with Ocaris managing to destroy or cripple five of the twelve hostile contacts before finally taking a major hit to her powerplant, rendering her immobile, and she continued to fight for another three minutes before her weapons were disabled, bringing down another two enemy vessels. This was when the Ocaris was subjected to a very serious boarding attempt, which resulted in brutal close quarters fighting that lasted for eight hours, resulting in the death of six hundred eighty-two Confederation personel, and the wounding of another two hundred thirty-four, and saw enemy forces gain control of more than half of the ship, however the enemy was held out of major areas by the brave and almost suicidal efforts of the Death Marines and Stellar Marines stationed aboard the vessel, of which the Stellae Marine detachment, the 45th Marine Battalion, suffered seventy-two percent losses in the fighting. The fighting continued in a slow retreat for Confederation forces until Battle Group Echo Four, led by the cruiser Inconquerable arrived, and managed to destroy two of the remaining enemy vessel and forced the rest to withdraw, though at the loss of a destroyer and two raiders. It took the combined efforts of the battle group six hours to eliminate enemy forces on the Ocaris, by which time Confederation losses had climbed to well over a thousand dead, including the full crews of the two raiders lost. The Inconquerable has towed the Ocaris back to earth, where she is currently being placed in dry dock for repairs, though there are concerns that the Ocaris may be unable to return to service due to the extent of the damage she has suffered from the engagement. Of the Dead and wounded, Captain Kevin Sherman, crown prince of the New England throne, has been confirmed to be among the wounded, with a severe plasma burn to his upper torso, however he is expected to recover.

The currentConfederation casualty totals are:
1,345 Dead
645 Injured
345 missing

Casualty figures for the hostile force are Unkown, but the number killed aboard the Ocaris currently numbers 2,456, though this is not a sure number, as we are not certain how many crew their ships carried. The Stellar Defense Fleet has currently been placed on high alert following the blatant attack, and Senate has announced a full effort to the discover the identity of who, or what carried out this attack, and that when they are found, the Confederation will return the favor in full.

[Polonge]

Royal Wedding in New England!

Crown Princess Victoria in her wedding dress

July 27, 2079

The wedding of Kevin, Crown Prince of New England and Victoria, Princess of Polonge and Hrvatska took place today in New England. 922 guests attended the wedding, including several foreign royals such Crown Princess Maria Christina and her husband Matthieu, along with the Crown Prince and Princess of Derita and the Dutch-Empire.

The wedding was a secular ceremony, surprising considering the princess’s devotion to the Catholic faith. The wedding was resides over by Judge Andrew Perry. An estimated 936 million people watched the ceremony worldwide and two million spectators lined the route of Victoria’s procession, with 4,000 police and 2,201 military officers to manage the crowds.

Princess Victoria arrived at the marriage hall in the Glass Coach with her father, Leopold , Archduke of Hrvatska; she was escorted by six mounted Police officers. She arrived almost on time for the 11:20am ceremony. The carriage however was too small to hold the two of them comfortably due to her voluminous dress, designed by the famed designer Elizabeth Percy, and train. She made the three-and-a-half minute walk up the red-carpeted aisle with the sumptuous 25 ft (8 m) train of gown behind her held by her ten bridesmaids and escorted by her father.

Victoria was then presented to King Isaac and Queen Maria, and the two women exchanged kisses on the cheek. King Isaac ceremonially gave his royal blessing and Princess Victoria was then presented to Crown Prince Kevin. The service proceeded with the formal service and congregational singing of three well known hymns, fanfares, anthems, organ and orchestral music. In the marriage vows, the couple promised to "love, comfort, honour and keep" each other. This was sealed by the exchange of a single ring. Victoria did not promise to "obey" Kevin as part of the traditional vows. That word was eliminated at the couple's request.

Following the ceremony, the couple and closest of the guests went to the Royal Palace for a wedding breakfast. Victoria and Kevin made a traditional appearance on a balcony of the Royal Palace at 13:10, and delighted the crowd when they kissed.

The couple had 27 wedding cakes. The Stellar Armed Forces supplied the official wedding cake. Christopher Gill, head baker at the Royal Stellar cooking school, made the cake over the course of 14 weeks. They made two identical cakes in case one was damaged. The couple's other wedding cake was created by Deritain pastry chef E.D. Villepin, who was known as the "cakemaker to the kings". Another wedding cake was created by Chef Nicholas Logg; Chef Nicholas had previously made Empress Alanna’s 80th Birthday Cake.

A "just married" sign was attached to the landau by Princes Nicholas and Frederick, Victoria’s brothers, which raised smiles as the married couple was driven through the city as they left to go on their honeymoon.

[Polonge]

Royals Life - Polonge Edition
Bledapestra, Polonge
September 8, 2079

Maria Christina, Crown Princess of Polonge, the wife of the Portuguese born Prince Matthieu, Grand Duke of Baranja has given birth to a son, the Imperial family announced today. The child has been named Mikulás Eugène János, Imperial Archduke of Polonge, Prince of Portugal and the Royally United Provinces.

The Grand Duke of Baranja was present for the birth of the couple's first child, at 11 a.m. local time at St. Mary's Hospital in Bledapestra.

The newest arrival to the royal family weighs 8lbs 7oz (3.8 kilograms), and both mother and baby are "doing well," according to the Palace.

“The Empress, The former Emperor, The former Empresses of Polonge, Empress Anna Charlotte Princess Amalia and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news," Bleda Palace said.

The royal baby is second in line to the Polongain throne.

[Great New England Confederation]

Confederation Interstellar News Network
Senate Anniunces Creation of Client Kingdom of New Boston

New Bostons new monarch, Client-King William Julie

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Welcome to CINN, and today we bring you a shocking and unexpected turn of events out on the Frontuer. Today the senate announced that New Boston would be given Semi-Autonomy, and would be placed under the rule of its own monarchy as a Client-Kingdom of the Confederation. The new monarch will have executive powers at the planetary level on the colony, but will be subject to the laws and word of the Senate.

The Title for this new position fell squarely on the shoulders of Liuetenant General William Julie, who had been previously promoted after his brave and honorable defense of the colony. He reluctantly accepted the position, and as his first act as Client-King, he dedicated a memorial in the center of the colony to the brace men and women who died during the fateful battle, including the names of all of the officers and crew aboard the four starships destroyed in the defense of the colony.

[Irav]

A new Geopolitical Behemoth


The territories of the Reude Confederacy in dark green.

Anna Ruiter (@ARuiter)
^{September 12th, 2079 | Westerkwartier, Irav}

Iravian imperialists all across the political spectrum are cheering today as the borders of the ever-growing Iravian Union have been expanded once again. With one treaty or as the Primarch has said it ’’A simple piece of legislation.’’ more than five-hundred million souls have been annexed into the Iravian nation-state.

Barely one hour ago the announcement was made by the national government. The governor of Terra Iravia, Sir Geert-Jan Berg, announced on the steps of the Palace of Parliament that as of the 1st of January 2080, that all territories previously belonging to Terra Iravia, the Carpathian Union, Vrijstaat Thüringen, and the Bouwman Ports are to be united under a new central government.

This new geopolitical behemoth will be known from the 1st of January onwards as the Reude Confederacy, named after the indigenous tribes that have inhabited the lands that would later become the Iravian Union. This new confederacy will be home to nearly 1,25 billion inhabitants and will encompass an area of 26,5 million km2, which will make the Reude Confederacy the largest nation on Terra by a comfortable margin.

The executive branch of this new sub-nation will remain stationed in the Westerkwartier, the historical city that before housed the governments of the Iravian Union/Federation, and Terra Iravia.

[Polonge]

Docherty Post
Bledapestra, Polonge
September 18, 2079

Soldiers return from Seidang

2,000 soldiers returned home from service in Seidang today as Hopfer announced that Polonge will be pulling out of the war there, in order to protect the interests of Polonge and the world. This was meet with celebrations as families were once again reunited. Meanwhile the Crown has started selective service, teaching young people to serve the nations, quote saying “It is time that we stop wondering what the Empire can do for us, but what we can do for the Empire.”

[United States of Conner]

With Primaries Complete, 2080 Elections Begin

Cormac Anderson (@CormacAnderson)
^{September 17th, 2079 | Conner City, United States of Conner}

After an administration that spanned decades and permanently changed the face of the United States, President Joshua Swanner announced last month that he will not seek, nor will he accept the nomination of his Coalition for President in 2080. That news prompted a flurry of movement from all sides of the political spectrum, with several candidates emerging in a busy primary season.

Now that primaries have been completed in all the major parties, we can confidently list the major candidates for President in the 2080 election. With the dissolution of the Traditionalist Party in 2076, and the schism in the Socialist party over Connerian-Iravian relations leading to that party's political irrelevance, the major parties nominating candidates will be the Libertarian, Progressive, Liberal, and Republican parties. They are as followed, along with a brief description of their platforms.

Name, Party	Qualifications	Economy	Space Issues	Military	Social Issues	Cold War/Iravian Question
Drew Luceno, Libertarian	3 Term Senator Chair of the Senate Economic Committee	Increased deregulation of the economy, support for small business	Expand the right for private vessels to arm themselves, deregulation of mining on asteroids and planets	Military should be used to protect rights and democracy	Government involvement in personal lives should be kept to a minimum	Irav should not be allowed to impose authoritarianism on unwilling nations
Andrew John Lorris, Progressive	4 Term Representative Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee	Increase taxes on rich, decrease economic equality, break up massive corporations	Government should lead the way with regards to space exploration	Military should be able to defend those who cannot defend themselves against aggression	Government should be actively involved in fighting discrimination at the micro and macro levels	Irav is a dangerous state that should be treated accordingly
Lucy Tess, Liberal	Incumbent Mayor of Hyperion	Increase taxes to pay for infrastructure upgrades	Government and private corporations should work together to explore unknown regions of space	Military should be a last resort but be prepared to defend rights anywhere	Government should be somewhat involved in ensuring all Connerians are treated equally	Irav is an enemy of democracy and freedom and should be treated as such
James Villius, Republican	Head of Colonial Affairs, Rohan System Fleet Marshal, Connerian Fleet (Ret.)	Decreased regulation of economy, with some exceptions	Prioritize technological development and space exploration, government should partner with industry	Military should be used to defend Connerian interests only in all but the most extreme cases	Government should actively promote meritocracy, but not be involved in personal matters	Irav is a dictatorship that should not be allowed to influence Connerian interests

As always, we'll keep you up to date with more on the Connerian election as it develops.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Royals Life
Fontainebleau, Derita
December 7, 2079

Marriage of Queen Adelaide and Prince André

Queen Adelaide in her wedding dress

After year’s of waiting, it has finally happened. Prince André, Duke of Normandy and Queen Adelaide II of Scotland were finally married this afternoon. The 19 year old queen and the 21 year old prince had been engaged since they were both children and had fallen in love along the way. The two were married in a notably simpler wedding than most royals, as a mostly Private affair, unfortunately and much to the complaint of the public. The brides’ sisters and parents attended and the groom’s parents and maternal grandmother as well as most of his siblings. His brother, Prince Alexandre is currently on duty in the Amperiale Army and was unable to make it to the wedding. They couple intend to honeymoon in Edinburgh before coming to their new home at Château de Creully.

[Beliany]

Anspach Journal
Bleugate, Beliany
December 9, 2079

Dedro-Belian Trade Alliance

King Leopold I and Prince Régent André meet today in Bleugate and after a ten hour long meeting in the Royal Palace with Prime Minister Rhodeste, the two had successfully came up with a new trade deal, known by some as Débutante, as the trade agreement between Derita and Beliany.

Under the agreement, 37 per cent of Deritain exports to Beliany and 35 per cent of Belian exports to Derita will be tariff free by June 2080. All tariffs for Deritain exports to Beliany will be eliminated by 2088, and 96 per cent of Belian exports to Derita will be tariff free by 2091. Mutual investment and trade in services will also be facilitated.

The deal also allows 1,800 specialised workers to go from Derita to Beliany for a period of up to three years. This, however, will be limited to approved occupations and to a maximum of 100 such workers in any sector, except for traditional Deritain medicine practitioners, Deritain chefs, and Dedroit, Xhosa and French teaching aides, which have maximums of 150 or 200. Beliany will also establish a working holiday scheme enabling up to 1,000 young Deritain nationals annually to travel and work in Beliany for up to 12 months. Both countries have agreed to enhance business visa conditions and processing.

[Selesburge]

Royals Life — Selesburge Edition
Selesburge, Selesburge
December 14, 2079

Royal visit in Selesburge

Grand Duke Antoine IV meet with Queen Jelena III and her husband Prince Karlo in Selesburge today as they prepare for the marriage of two members of their families, the Grand Duke’s son Hereditary Grand Duke Maurice and the Queen’s granddaughter, Countess Alizée of Évreux. The two are planned to be wed in the spring of 2080 in Selesburge.

The meeting between the two monarchs is said to have been very pleasant between them as they enjoyed tea and took a tour of the Grand Ducal Palace. It has been make quite clear that despite the marriage that shall take place between Countess Alizée and Hereditary Grand Duke Maurice, This will be a personal marriage union, not a political one as Makonia will maintain its strict neutrality.

[Seidang]

National Report
Buôn Ma Ria, Seidang
December 25, 2079

War Ends!
Long Live the Emperor!
Liang I of Seidang

The Seidanese War, also known as the War of Imperial Restoration has ended. It has ended in a Glorious Restoration of the Imperial Family. Adopting a new name to celebrate the return of the Empire of Seidang, Emperor Liang I of Seidang of House of Tuyệt, arrived in Buôn Ma Ria for the first time, becoming the first monarch to do so in over 171 years. After the fall of President Hoàng, the tyrant who had commanded the military dictatorship that masqueraded as s democracy, at the hands of Prince Alexandre of Derita at the glorious Battle of Há Bai, and then the capture of the city of Buôn Ma Ria by the Prince and General Elisé Soga, the Amperiale Army liberated the citizens from the shackles of the corrupt and evil Republic. With in minutes, President Sái had been apprehended and the way for change cleared for the Emperor’s return.

Arriving with an escort from the Prince Régent of the Celestial Empire and his son, Prince Alexandre, Emperor Liang toured the ancient capital city for the first time, and was meet with thunderous applause and cheers. They were joined by the Emperor’s mother, the elderly Dowager Princess Phương Ngọc, who had been unlawfully kept in prison on the capital city before being rescued by Amperiale forces. Together they made their way to the former headquarters of the Republican government in the ancient capital city. President Sái Chang Vu, have served as the 18th and last President of Seidang formally stepped down and handed Liang I the ancient crown, kept in the nation’s vault for over a century.

Emperor Liang then graciously showed mercy and banished Sái and a select few his cohort. They expected to arrive in Mantara in exile later today. Emperor Liang went further on to present Prince Régent André, on be half of his father the King-Emperor, the Order of Rajamitrabhorn. He then knighted Prince Alexandre in the Order of Liang and Order of the Crown of Seidang, and presenting him with several medals for his service. General Soga was given the Bravery and Cictory Medals for her excellent command. The Emperor declared a new era, one of power and prestige for the empire, and with their new greatest ally, the Celestial Empire.

The Emperor is to be formally crowned in March of 2080, and it shall be a new era, a golden age for the Empire of Seidang!

[United States of Conner]

James Villius Inagurated at Midnight

Cormac Anderson (@CormacAnderson)
^{January 1st, 2080 | Conner City, United States of Conner}

At midnight last night, President-Elect James Villius was sworn into the office of President of the United States of Conner. Mr. Villius, the Republican candidate for the highest office in the nation, walked on stage at 11:58 and spoke briefly with President Joshua Swanner. At midnight, Swanner read the Oath of the Presidency to Villius, with Supreme Court Justice Sarah Anders as the chief witness. Here are some key moments from the ceremony.

[embedded video plays]

Cameras focus as Villius, wearing a dark suit with a blue tie and a falcon lapel pin, walks on stage. Thunderous applause erupts from the crowds gathered in front of the stage, which stretch back far behind the camera. Villius waves before shaking hands with President Joshua Swanner. Behind them, a massive Connerian flag is unfurled, dwarfing both men and everyone else on stage. Behind the flag are the symbols of the Armed Forces, districts, and in a change from tradition, the emblem of the Luxian Empire.

[camera cuts]

As the clock strikes midnight, Swanner begins to read to Villius, with Justice Anders in court dress behind them.

Swanner: Do you swear to uphold the duties assigned to you by the Connerian Constitution, in accordance with the rules and regulations outlined by the same?

Villius: I do.

Swanner: Do you swear to work tirelessly to advance the general welfare of the Connerian people, who have granted you this power?

Villius: I do.

Swanner: Do you swear to, against all her enemies, defend this nation with your life?

Villius: I do.

Swanner: Very well. By the power vested in me, I pronounce you President of the United States of Conner.

The two shake hands, and Swanner and Anders exit the stage. Villius turns to the podium and begins to speak.

My fellow Connerians, I thank you dearly for putting your trust in me to lead you into the next chapter in our history. Our first step is to solidify our standing as the political, cultural, and economic center of the universe.

Camera cuts to a later point in Villius's speech.

I swore, if I was elected, I would keep our nation out of pointless foreign interventions that did nothing to help us. That promise is one I will uphold. I swear again, I will never force a single one of you to die somewhere on the other side of the system in a war that does not benefit you.

Camera cuts.

"Too many times in our past, Connerian supremacy has come by the sword, our dominance shown by walker tanks and faceless soldiers. We could do something else. We could bring others into our fold instead of conquering, and let our ideas and our capital make our case, instead of our arms. We could be generous - we could bring others up instead of forcing them down. So let this day portend the evolution of the human race, the next step of civilization - the repudiation of violence and the value of creation over destruction.

Camera cuts.

I am not blind to the realities of the world. Our Armed Forces must be prepared to defend us against any threat. Despite not often displaying it, the power of our military is without equal. Those who would destroy Connerian property, kill Connerian citizens, and harm Connerian interests must not rest easy, and you all must rest easy, for the same reason - our ability to rain down retaliatory fire and brimstone is and shall remain unparalleled. We will be ready to face any threat the world throws at us.

Camera cuts.

The great war machines of the world, those who would oppress others for their own gain, those who thrive off of suffering and pain, do not go unnoticed. As they continue to snuff out the light of liberty and progress wherever they go, we are most certainly watching. History will condemn them, but history has also already condemned them. They will lose. They always do.

Camera cuts.

Every single one of us will have a role to play in the time to come, as we take our next great step into the future. To do this, we must create an environment in which the strong are allowed to rise, and those with merit must be rewarded. Together, we will make the United States the destination for humanity's best and brightest, for here we will provide them with an opportunity to reach their full potential.

Camera cuts.

The continent of Providentia has long been the center of civilization's knowledge. The Luxian Empire - our ancestors - knew well what their duty was. Our duty shall be the same - the advancement of technology that will benefit the human race as a whole, and the betterment of our lives through scientific advancement.

Camera cuts.

Once again, I thank you all for trusting me to lead our country into the future. I promise you this - my administration aims to enrich every single Connerian, raise your standard of living, and propel us into the next stage of our evolution as we continue to reach for other stars. Lux e Tenebris, and may the Light stay with us all.

Applause erupts as Villius waves again before striding off stage.

We'll have more on the status of Mr. Villius's Cabinet appointments and first policies as it emerges. Stay tuned.

[Makonia]

Bagata News
Bagata, Makonia
January 5, 2080

Derita-Makonia Free Trade Agreement

A comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Makonia and the Celestial Empire of Derita was signed by Her Majesty, Queen Jelena III and the Deritain Minister of Commerce Christopher Souchon earlier today in the capital city of Makonia. A bilateral Agreement on Labour and Employment was signed simultaneously by Queen Jelena III and the Deritain First Secretary of the Celestial Empire, Magnus Variés Jr. .

The FTA improves mutual market access for goods and services, enhances legal security for the protection of intellectual property rights and bilateral economic relations in general. For the vast majority of bilateral trade, the FTA will dismantle tariffs fully or partially, immediately or sometimes subject to transition periods of 5, 10,12 and in specific cases 15 years. In the area of technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, sector-specific cooperation agreements aim at reducing non-tariff barriers to trade. For trade in services, more precisely defined rules compared to the GATS of the WTO will apply, e.g. for approval processes, as well as improved market access commitments for various services. Regarding intellectual property, the level of protection in selected areas will be improved compared to the multilateral standards of the WTO, including in the area of enforcement. The Agreement also establishes an institutional framework under a Joint Committee for cooperation between the relevant authorities for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement, further develop the Agreement and for resolving specific issues (consultation process, dispute settlement). Furthermore, the FTA covers rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, trade remedies, investment protection, transparency in government procurement, trade-related environmental and labour issues, economic and technical cooperation.

With such a comprehensive coverage, the FTA establishes preferential trade relations for goods and services between Makonia and Derita, facilitates bilateral trade, strengthens protection of IPR and improves the legal security for economic exchange. The FTA goes indeed far beyond tariff-dismantling, fostering cooperation in various fields such as science, innovation, research, education, culture, to name just a few. The FTA enables a competitive advantage compared to other countries which do not have a FTA with Derita and prevents discrimination against Makonian economic operators compared to Detita’s existing and future free trade partners.

[North Timeria]

Times
Infinity, North Timeria
January 10th, 2080


Princess Carolina has given birth to a daughter at Lower East Medical in Infinity. The royal family has yet to make an official announcement but multiple sources have confirmed the news including a post by longtime boyfriend Devan Harper. The couple were both reported to be there during the birth but Harper flew out in the morning to join his team in Osea as their playoff game approaches.

The new baby is said to be healthy and her mother is also well after being in labor for 10 hours. Friends and family were seen entering the hospital late at night and the King and Queen spent the night with their daughter and new granddaughter.

[Selesburge]

Selesburge Observer
Naambourge Islands
January 23, 2080

Selesburge’s Flag rises over the Naambourge Islands

Island of Périsart

The Selesburge flag was raised over the island of Périsart, the third largest of a collection of Naambourge Islands. The Naambourge Islands, a group of islands located 20 miles east of Tristania, have been most uninhabited and unclaimed for years until 1967 when a group of Selesburgers landed on the islands and started to populate them independently. There was some discussion of the islands joining the Grand Duchy in 1991, But Grand Duke Antoine III never approved of the moment. Now, almost 90 years later, Grand Duke Antoine IV and Prime Minister Vigouroux have approved the official claiming and appropriation of the Naambourge Islands.

Located off the eastern end of the Tristania, the archipelago of the Naambourge Islands are composed of eight islands, totalling 242 square kilometres (93 sq mi), and of which only two are inhabited. The islands are bare and rocky, with steep coasts, and only a thin layer of peat to soften the hard landscape.

The islands are geologically part of the southeastern end of the Poilès Mountains.
Périsart Island, whose area is smaller, 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi), is the most populous and the commercial and administrative center of the archipelago. A new airport, Périsart Airport, has been in operation since 2060 and is capable of accommodating long-haul flights from Selesburge.

Maimomble-Lengennau, the largest island, is in fact composed of two islands, Maimomble Island (also called Grande Maimomble), 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi), connected to Legennau Island (Petite Maimomble), 91 square kilometres (35 sq mi), by the Dune de Toubourge, a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) long sandy tombolo, A storm had severed them in the 18th century, separating the two islands for several decades, before currents reconstructed the isthmus. The waters between Lengennau and Périsart were called "the Mouth of Hell" (French: Gueule d'Enfer) until about 1962, as more than 700 shipwrecks have been recorded in that point since 1800. In the north of Maimomble Island is the village of Roagonne (710 inhabitants), while Langlade Island was almost deserted (only one inhabitant in the 2060 census).

A third, formerly inhabited island, Isle-aux-Montciennes, known as Île-aux-Canoît until 1993 and located a short distance from the port of Périsart, has been uninhabited since 2025.

[Les Etats Connuriste]

State Funeral of Alice I

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Lausanne to follow the funeral procession.

^{SHARE THIS:}

Eleanor Riencourt (@EleanorRiencourt)
^{January 21 2080 | Lausanne, Switzerland}




Today marked the state funeral of Alice I of Connuriste, after she died in her sleep earlier this week. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps even more than a million, turned up and lined the streets of the Swiss city to witness the funeral procession and pay their respects to the former Empress.

Empress Alice I ruled the nation from 2026, when she married Emperor Connor I until she stepped down in 2061, handing the throne to her only son. From 2043 onwards, it was a task that fell to her alone after Connor I was assassinated. Whilst at first her public image was shaky, it did not take long for the nation to fall in love with her just as the Emperor had. She and her first husband were very well known for being what many considered a perfect couple, sometimes to the neglect of the political world. She may have been his second wife, but her legacy is such that it is not difficult to forget that he ever married anyone else. Alice and Connor are considered by modern historians as two leaders who built the foundations of what our country is today, an Emperor and an Empress that brought Etats Connuriste out of isolation and in to prosperity economically, socially, and even on the battlefield. When Alice found herself at the helm all alone in a time of national crisis, whilst expecting no less, she steadied the ship and exacted justice against those who sought to start civil war. In the later years of her life, she too remarried, to Étienne Stephan I, who sadly passed a few years ago. He was an honorable man, perhaps most well known in Connuriste for being Archduke of East Derita-India and the father of our great ally Anna Charlotte.

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By SCHWEIZUBERMENSCH - 8 mins Ago

This is indeed the end of an era. A lot of us weren't around when she led us but she was brilliant! A sad day it is.

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By seriouslyobsessive - 10 mins Ago

Wait, does this literally put Connor and Charlotte at the head of the family!?

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By illuminaticonfirmed - 13 mins Ago

i really wanna say it was an inside job but i haven't come up with a conspiracy theory yet so riperoni in peperoni

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By tehmonarchyman - 15 mins Ago

Now she's in heaven with her husband, at least.
Read more

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By yayfortrains - 16 min Ago

didn't expect to see this whilst scoffing my breakfast.

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[Great New England Confederation]

New England Stellar News Network

New England settlers arrive on Viscaria IVb

Viscaria, site of the Excalibur colony

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Hello, and welcome to NESNN, it has been several years since the first New England colony, New Boston, was founded, and that colony has since become an important source of resources, as well as a jumping point and operating location for Stellar Defense Force starships in the sector defending the Confederation from the extraterrestrial threat.

Now the Confederation stretches its grasp out even further, landing the first colonists on the second moon of the gas giant Viscaria IV, a source of valuable gasses and other materials essential to the Confederation in use from fuel to weaponry. The moon is earthlike, though like New Boston much smaller than earth both in size and in mass. However the moon gives the Confederation a monopoly over the mineral rich asteroid field present in the system, which contains high concentrations of Cadmium, used on various applications, of which most important is the construction of starships.

Senate has already assigned a defensive Fleet to the system, and has announced the deployment of a Marine battalion to the moon to secure it from potential aggression, along with an armored battalion to offer support on the moon.

While it will take years for the colony to become an equal to new Boston, there is now doubt that it will put a new ring on things

[Les Etats Connuriste]

End of the week news roundup

Chancellor Aurelia MacDonald was all smiles earlier this week as she announced the creation of the CCC.

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Eleanor Riencourt (@EleanorRiencourt)
^{Sunday 17 March 2080 | Lausanne, Switzerland}

- The Imperial Council was in session last night, debating the exact extent to which proposed plans for increased defence spending and militarisation, especially with regards to Connuriste forces in space. The topic of conversation as the session came to a close concerned whether or not investment should happen inside our own borders or outsourcing to the Atmorans, with whom this nation's government has conducted military deals with in recent years.

- After the election of Rigmora Géza in Polonge nearly two weeks ago, there is a possibility that the Chancellor will seek to gain diplomatic ground with a fellow Catholic nation. Polonge and Connuriste have had little official interactions in the past but there is a desire for that to be increased. Chancellor MacDonald has reportedly drawn up plans for a meeting between her and the newly elected Prime Minister and is allegedly hopeful that they will find a common understanding.

- Chancellor MacDonald also officially announced the creation of the CCC earlier this week, the Connuriste Cannabis Company. This has been a long term project of hers that has taken time to develop and overcome some issues from earlier proposals. The CCC will result in the creation of a nationalised and regulated Cannabis trade in Connuriste. It will fall to the Minister of Economics to administrate this company. Cannabis has been available medicinally in Connuriste for several decades but now it is to be legalised. The Chancellor hopes this will help combat the illegal black market trade of the drug and make it safer for everyone involved. Independent growers will be permitted to sell with their own businesses, subject to increased tax over the CCC. The increase in tax revenue expected from this will be able to put billions of pounds towards new national projects in the future.

- Servette Genève 1890 FC have won a third consecutive Swiss Super League championship this weekend. They defeated FC Zürich 3-1 in today's early kickoff to put themselves beyond the reach of second-placed FC Lausanne-Sport. Supporters have taken to the streets of Geneva in celebration as the club adds further silverware to their trophy cabinet, having languished in the lower divisions in recent history before their takeover.





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[Aaoju]

Calls for investigation of President Piripi

President Raione Piripi was underfire today at rumors of his allegeded abuse of power.

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Jiki Panaleke (@realJikiPanaleke)
^{Tuesday 19 March 2080 | Rakoroi, Aaoju}

A petition has been submitted to Aaoju’s Speaker of the National Diet calling for an investigation into the President and members of his cabinet for allegedly breaching the constitution and abusing their powers.The petition contained 3330 signatures.

A member of a committee behind the petition, Tataio Siosifa, presented a copy to the Speaker of the National Diet, Lord Apineru Autagavaia one of the chieftains that present the various section of the country on Monday.

Matangi Aaoju reports it was endorsed by former Secretary of State, Iuta Uta'i, who Piripi fired without warning three months ago and one-time Secretary of Finance, Mauga Falagi, who Piripi fired five months ago after Falagi propose a tax cut.

The petition names seven members of the cabinet including President Raione Piripi and alleges they breached the Constitution as well as other laws for their own personal again and abuse of power, saying they are not trustworthy to govern.

The petition also accuses them of bad governance and misuse of government properties and taxpayers money.

It calls for the National Diet, which opened today, to postpone deliberations on the new 2080-2081 budget, so that an audit can be carried out.

Lord Autagavaia says it is a Constitutional right to petition the National Diet and one that had not been respected in the past, which he hopes to change and he will look into the issues concerned, and according to National Diet regulations determine the next step.

[Polonge]

Royals Life — New England Edition
Boston, New England
April 7, 2080

Crown Princess Victoria of New England, widow of Crown Prince Kevin and daughter-in-law of King Issac and Queen Maria gave birth to the posthumous child of her husband, who died a hero during his brave and valiant defense of the colony of New Boston months ago. The child was born at 9:05 pm today, becoming the first and only grandchild of the King and Queen, renewing hope in the future of the monarchy of New England. The birth took place at the crown princess’ private estate by a personal royal doctor, at Waltham House. The child is a girl, a princess, and her name has been released as Princess Victoria Maria Christine of New England.

[Makonia]

Bagata News
Bagata, Makonia
April 14, 2080

Royal Wedding in Bagata!

Prince Kresimir and Princess Charlotte were married this morning in a religious ceremony in the capital city of Makonia. The royal wedding was a popular event as Princess Charlotte, sister of the Grand Duke of Lüneburg is the first foreign princess to marry into the royal family of Makonia in decades. The wedding was attended by the Queen, the Prince Consort and the Crown Princess along with Kresimir’s parents, Princess Elena and Sunjia Zgela. On the bride’s side attended her mother and brother, along with the Crown Princess and Crown Prince of Polonge. Following the ceremony the couple retired to the royal palace.