News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Minilov** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 3:35 pm

Trziste starts tracking its visitors

TRZISTE, Minilov — It has emerged that the city of Trziste, Rekaušće province, is using figures provided by telecom giant MiniFon to count the number of people visiting the city also to see what they are doing.

79.933 people visited Trziste in October, November and December. This works out at a daily average of 1.955. Students, employees and residents are not included in these figures. Minilov's privacy watchdog scrutinised the project but found that its privacy concerns had been met.

MiniFon is able to say how many mobiles are located in a particular part of Trziste at one time. An extrapolation is then made for the entire city also taking account of people on other providers or not using a mobile. "The figures will allow the city to market itself more effectively," says a city councilman.

Trziste intends to use the data to support tourism and commerce. In future measurements will be carried out every quarter. The entire project would cost the city 80.000 rubles a year. The data also reveals the nationality of callers and the origin in Minilov visitors hail from. This data can be drilled down to the provincial and even municipality level. The city intends to compare these figures with data from credit card providers as well as debit card information to work out how much people are spending or which event triggered a visit.

The findings of the first measurement are clear. Christmas attracted 4.900 visitors, a peak. The January sales month attracted large crowds to Trziste. 76% of Minilovan visitors hail from the same province, Rekaušće, 4,82% from Domora and 1,53% from Ljubimaca. Half of all foreign visitors are from neighbouring Euclean nations.

by **Union of Akoren** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 8:01 pm

Camille Chamoun - 23 March 2020

Home · Tsabara · Bahia · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

War ravages Bedjene as FAF faces stiff resistance.

Government soldiers on lookout in the besieged town of Beit Farouk.

Bedjene Province - Heavy fighting has gripped central Tsabara as the government continues its drive to secure control over the province and its capital in Qa’ah. Despite rapid earlier successes, as the government pushed further east, resistance has grown exponentially. Devastating fighting has been reported in numerous towns west of Qa’ah, while government forces have reportedly reached the suburbs of Qa’ah. Several independent groups have claimed that at least 2,500 people have been killed over the past three weeks.

After three weeks of steady advance, and loyalist forces being greeted as liberators, the federal operation in Bedjene province has turned markedly sour. Resistance from armed gunmen unaffiliated to any militia or group, are fighting alongside organised groups, who are appearing to be rapidly falling under the control of Al-Isbah. The Irfanic fundamentalist group, emerged from nowhere to global infamy following the cruel assault on Yeruham last December.

The resistance be Al-Isbah has been described as “fanatical”, “merciless” and “vindictively indiscriminate” according to sources in the armed forces.

Resistance to the government advance has been notably strong in the so-called “Fertile Column”, a north-to-south strip of lush farmland that lies to the west of the Ain Djasser Desert. The region has long been a hotbed for Irfanic fundamentalism, with numerous schools, seminaries and libraries producing some of the most controversial Irfanic theologians. The region’s stark economic divisions between rich and poor only further fuelled the movement. So unpredictable and volatile is the movement, that both late strongman Atwan al-Tughluq and even the Salahist rebels in the east have denounced them, though the latter has moved to accommodation with the group.

As federal forces pushed into the “Fertile Column” they found Al-Isbah entrenched and ready to fight. According to government sources and statements, the FAF has been forced in gruelling house-to-house fighting in the towns of Beit Farouk, Ajman, Kharadj and the western outskirts of Qa’ah. Al-Isbah militia appear to have been reinforced by fighters of the pro-Salah, “Irfanic Liberation and Resistance.”

Al-Isbah is reportedly relying on booby traps, improvised explosive devices, hit and run attacks in densely packed urban areas and worringly, suicide bombers and car bombs. This type of defence has inflicted a heavy toll on civilian populations according to several independent observer groups.

The Tsabaran Emergency Assistance Organisation has stated online that the situation in central Bedjene is “catastrophic”.

“We have seen thousands displaced by the fighting, for this is a heavily and densely populated region. We’re seeing hundreds of civilians killed, water and electricity have been lost either through collateral damage or they’ve been shut off. We’re seeing a catastrophe unfold here” a statement read online.

The stiff resistance has forced the government to rely further on air strikes in support of ground operations, which has in turn had an adverse effect on the FAF’s ability to avoid civilian casualties.

Yet, despite the resistance and toll the fighting is taking on army forces, the government has reaffirmed its vow to retake Qa’ah and destroy Al-Isbah.

In a televised appearance, interim premier, Aslan Ocalan said “we are prepared to do whatever it takes to restore order and dignity to Bedjene province. We will not allow one inch of our country to be oppressed or terrorised by fundamentalists. The struggle will continue until Qa’ah is brought back to the nation.”

In the south-east, forces under the Irfanic Liberation and Resistance have launched their own offensive westward into Trifaoui Province, in the aim of capturing Qusayir and Bayadha. Despite several towns and villages being seized by pro-Salah militants in January, the ILR’s presence has been limited until now.

Social media posts and sources in the province described rocket and artillery attacks, followed by large numbers of fighters and troops swarming across areas south of Qusayir. ILR forces have supposedly taken the towns of Hajanbah, Al-Masgi, Al-Matyah and Al-Mektaa.

Against the rebel forces, are elements of the Trifaoui Provincial Guard and the FAF’s 19th Infantry Brigade. The Ministry of Defence acknowledged the ILR assault against Trifaoui and in a comment said that, the “FAF are making all necessary moves to defend Trifaoui Province.”

The MoD confirmed that 111 soldiers had been killed in Trifaoui Province yet estimated that 400 ILR fighters had been killed. This has not been independently verified.

In a series of online videos, senior figures in the ILR praised the “good work of the revolutionaries charging to free Trifaoui Province.” Amateur videos from the province have shown ILR fighters raising Irfanic banners over buildings and portraits of Sheik Faizan Salah.
More as updates come in.

Comments Disabled |

E-mail
© Marzban Media 2020

Comments Disabled

MORE HEADLINES

Fact Check: Have 2,500 people died in three weeks? (10,654)
Interim Government announces raft of economic measures to stave off collapse (21,777)
Tsabaran Intelligence warns "Zorasan is training and arming thousands of volunteers" for ILR (45,996)
FAF foil bomb plot in Manara (18,420)
Government rejects Qadir Jabar as a "charlatan" (4,132)

by **Nuxica** » Sun Mar 22, 2020 9:01 pm

CARUTAGUA, SUNDAY, MARCH 22ᴺᴰ, 2020

Raimon Sangres, CEO of Lleixà, Casamitjana, and Company, leaving the company headquarters in San Pedro.

JUSTICE MINISTRY ANNOUNCES AN OFFICIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO 'LC&C-MACUSRIDA AFFAIR,' APPOINTS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE MINISTER VILLACRÉS ANNOUNCES CRIMINAL PROBE TO BE LAUNCHED INTO LC&C 'IMMEDIATELY,' CITING 'CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT' BY COMPANY OFFICIALS, HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVES
________________________________________________________________________________
GRAND JURY IMPANELED IN CARUTAGUA, TO BEGIN SUBPOENAING EVIDENCE 'WITHIN DAYS TO WEEKS'
________________________________________________________________________________
SCANDAL COMES MONTHS AFTER COLLAPSE OF IGNACI MAICAS MEMORIAL BRIDGE IN MACUSRIDA, WHICH HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND RESTORED BY THE COMPANY IN 2017, KILLED 35, INJURED 59
________________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY CLAIMS 'NO WRONGDOING,' AND VOWS TO 'FIGHT TO COMPLETE, TOTAL LEGAL VINDICATION'

Justice Minister Marina Villacrés announced that her ministry would be launching a criminal probe, with former Ministry lawyer Juan Martín Rouco serving as special prosecutorial counsel, into the circumstances surrounding and preceding the 25th of September collapse of the Ignaci Maicas Bridge in the city of Macusrida. The collapse, which killed 35 motorists and injured a further 59 others, 30 of which were critical, sparked intense anger both in the area and across the nation. It also comes a little over three months after the Ministry of Commerce released a preliminary investigation report which highlighted 'concerning missteps' that were taken during the course of the restoration process, but stopped short of placing criminal wrongdoing upon the company.

The decision to launch an investigation into the matter finally puts to rest months of fears and rumors that the government was somehow stymying the investigation, which largely was propagated by media sources such as El Defensor. Speaking to reporters, Villacrés was quick to confirm that her ministry had been able to conduct their investigation 'freely, at our own pace,' and that the decision to launch a criminal investigation was based on 'credible allegations of misconduct by company officials and executives at almost every level.' She refused to state the nature of those allegations, citing Justice Ministry protocols on active investigations.

'The nature of the allegations and their ultimate veracity,' she said. 'Will come to light as a result of our investigations, and any and all reports that result from our findings.'

The decision to launch an investigation remains controversial, however, with many legal experts noting the fact that the Justice Ministry is not investigating the matter itself.

Minister Villacrés also denied that the investigation had been started as a means of pre-empting a Parliamentary inquiry into the matter, calling such allegations 'baseless.' Members of the Opposition have been calling for a 'full and complete' investigation into the matter since the disaster occurred, with there being rumors that such a push was gaining support from backbenchers within the governing Laborers Party.

'The fact that a special prosecutorial counsel has been appointed is strange, given the nature of the investigation and the parties involved,' Agustín Quesada, head professor of legal studies at the University of Carutagua, told The Nuxican Post-Herald when interviewed about the topic. 'This implies that there is some sort of conflict of interest, either by the Justice Minister herself, or within the rest of the government, that cannot be looked past.'

'Additionally,' he said. 'the fact that there has already been a jury impaneled, with only have been three months of investigation since the Ministry of Commerce released their preliminary report, is equally strange. Finally, it's a bit shocking that a probe has been announced, considering Commerce Minister Villanova was keen to not place criminal blame upon the LC&C. Without speculating too much, one can only suppose that there has been a revelation of sorts on the matter.'

Lleixà, Casamitjana, and Company, for their part, has maintained their innocence since the collapse, initially sending condolences to the victims while also touting the company's 'longstanding record of work with the government, and history of quality and efficient work.'

They have stated the allegations that the company 'colluded' with members of the government in order to end the investigation are 'false and untrue.'

When speaking to members of the press outside of the company's main headquarters in San Pedro, CEO Raimon Sangres once again stated that his company has committed 'no wrongdoing' in the incident. Further, Sangres, in a reversal from his previous statements to the media, stated that his company would 'fully cooperate with all matters of the investigation,' and would 'fight to complete, total legal vindication.'

ESTMERISH EDITION

by **Nuvania** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:49 pm

Opinion: We Need Diplomacy, Not Belligerence

SHARE

Andrew Bohn (Leader of the Opposition)
24 March (12:10pm)

The announcement of the recall of the ambassader to Belmonte is a sad reflection of the state of affairs that we find ourselves in, and a situation that is entirely avoidable if we didn't have a government that was hellbent on not only punishing those that engaged in actual diplomacy with what we consider to be our stated enemies, but those with whom Belmonte shares cultural and linguistic ties and a common heritage. The fact that our government is clinging to an outdated belief in stamping out communist influence when and where it manifests is testament to the National People's Party (NVP) being nothing more than an old man's club, whose membership is not dictated by proper leadership qualities, but by a shared willingness to engage in an authoritarian intimidation of their opposition, both domestically and internationally.

Indeed, a lack of leadership qualities is becoming readily apparent in the NVP, especially given the apperance of their junior coalition partners in the Nuvanian Agrarian League (NAB) driving the government's response to Belmonte's diplomatic summits in Maracao and with the President of Chistovodia. It seems that our once visible and equally beligerent Chief Minister has taken a back seat, and let his attack dog try and browbeat Belmonte into submission. Tough love is very much the order of the day it seems, the kind of "this is for your own good" rhetoric that a wifebeater uses to justify his heinous acts against his family.

Because that is what the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation (AFDC) is: a family. More to the point, the NAB/NVP's recent actions are completely out of tune with what the AFDC is supposed to be about: cooperation and diplomacy. It is a forum, this means that everyone has a right to an opinion and a right to express said opinion. It is supposed to be providing a place for all parties to express grievances and responses equally, without molestation and intimidation from bullies. It is supposed to be about cooperation; a collection of peoples, nations, countries, coming together for mutual benefit and working together to lift one another up.

Where does recalling ambassadors and making ambiguous threats come into any of this? Where does issuing condemnations of countries for engaging in diplomacy come into this? I'll give you a simple and succinct answer: they do not.

So it is immensely frustrating and infuriating that we are seeing such actions being implemented by the government against countries that go against the freedom of expression and cooperation values that the AFDC expresses, it goes against the community nature that the AFDC promotes. It sows nothing but mutual distrust, division, and animosity between countries that should be working together to come with a solution that benefits everyone. Why our government decided on such actions that do more to harm unity than promote it, especially in a time of such uncertainty, is beyond me. We should be doing everything in our power to preserve the organisation that we have, to promote cooperation not only within our organisation, but also to promote it outside, to show that we are not run by a collection of immature schoolyard bullies, but that we are actually compassionate and willing to hammer out compromises to reduce friction, reduce tensions, and reduce uncertainty.

My own opposition to the unwritten policy of non-engagement with Maracao has been made known before, but I will reiterate it here because it is a failure. Nothing has changed since the AFDC came into being, and nothing has changed in the decades preceeding the creation of the AFDC. This idea that if we do nothing, eventually something will happen is moronic. The idea that our lack of inclusion of Maracao in regional trade and diplomacy would result in an inevitable implosion and a change of government hasn't eventuated. If anything the Maracan economy is going from strength to strength, boosted by Euclean and Asterian tourism from non-AFDC countries. It is completely ridiculous to continue this policy, because how long do we wait? How long can we wait? Given the current state of affairs it's entirely likely that the AFDC will implode before Maracao does.

This is why we need to engage with Maracao. This is why we need to engage with Belmonte. Doing none of these things will make us worse off than if we swallowed our pride and asked them what we can do to make the situation better. With Maracao we know that they would be willing to improve and negotiate with countries if they simply put aside their differences and were willing to negotiate. Belmonte came to the table from a position of mutual benefit, and from a place of shared language and history. Instead of taking this is an opportunity to engage with Maracao, we decided Belmonte was the new enemy. This thinking has to stop. Maracao is ready and willing to negotiate if we listen.

As Leader of the Opposition, I have limited influence in the sphere of politics but I can assure those that going into election year next year, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and its partners, will no longer abide by the AFDC non-engagement policy. We will not sit back and wait for something that will never happen, we will not sit back and let the current crisis continue to deep tensions between friendly nations. We will be proactive diplomatically, and we will engage with countries like Maracao if nothing can be done to resolve the crisis in the meantime.

We need to act now, before we lose everything.

by **The Kingdom of Eldmark** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 7:20 pm

Brahe calls for emergency AFDC summit
^{JAN KJÄRRSSEN}
^{Monday, 23rd March 2020|Hammarvik}

With the Maracan and Chistovodian visits already signed, sealed, and delivered, it is becoming more and more clear that elements separate from the member nations of the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation are attempting to influence the member states for ulterior and destructive motives. This has prompted a variety of responses from the Forum, most notably Nuvania's and Imagua's decision to pull their respective ambassadors from Belmonte in protest. Nuvanian Opposition Leader Andrew Bohn was notably one of the only dissenting voice regarding these actions, while most others stayed eerily silent, until this evening, following a press conference from PM Brahe's office on Observatory Circle. Echoing much of the same rhetoric as her colleagues in Pietersburg, she stated the following:

"It greatly disappoints me that the government in Castelonovo has elected to consistently wine and dine with the elites of Maracao and Chistovodia, nations consistently undermining the Forum both then and now. Still, it has shown itself evident that this too is another attempt by them to weaken the collective progress and will of the AFDC, and this will not be tolerated."

She did, however, refuse to comment whether or not she was to do the same and pull ambassadorial staff, and instead call for a more united response to the situation.

"It is not currently our prerogative to punish our citizens living abroad in Belmonte for the actions of their government. Further, it is important that any action, either against Belmonte's government for its actions, or against the Councilist nations of Chistovodia and Maracao, that is taken should be made and executed by the forum. I urge for the Executive Council to meet regarding this as soon as possible so we have a more united response. The only appropriate answer to outward attempts for division is to come together."

Whether or not a meeting is to be called or not is of course up to Secretary-General Ornell Elliott. We will update more as the story develops.

©världenidag.el 2020

MORE HEADLINES

: FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Minister pushes back on efforts to interfere in eastern NUX: "Nuxican Affairs are Nuxican Affairs." [ 42,311 ]
BELMONTE: Nuvanian and Imaguan ambassadors pulled from Belmonte after Martynenko visit, is Eldmark to follow suit?[ 32,321 ]
MARTEN: If Brahe's summit is to go forward, will his warning to "watch out" play a role? [ 41,165 ]
NORTHERN EUCLEA: Northern Forum leaders to spat over pipeline proposal. [ 34,163 ]

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Mon Mar 23, 2020 7:24 pm

AFDC SECRETARY-GENERAL TO CALL EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Ornell Elliott schedules emergency meeting under pressure from Eldmark as AFDC's stability weakened

SHARE

ROBERT MOSES (@BobMoses)
24 March, 2020 13:24 IST | SAN PIETRO, ASSIMAS

Secretary-General Ornell Elliott

With tensions rising between Belmonte and the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation, combined with calls from both Permanent Secretary Tate Tucker from the Imaguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Eldish Prime Minister Tyra Brahe for an emergency summit to take place, Secretary-General Ornell Elliott of the AFDC announced an emergency meeting of the Executive Council of the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation to take place on 25 March.

"The unilateral actions taken by our member states in recent weeks, in particular Belmonte meeting with their Maracan counterparts without informing the Asterian Forum for Development Cooperation, and Nuvania's recent decision to recall their ambassador and most of their diplomatic staff from Belmonte, is a cause for concern," Elliott said. "With each passing day we act with no unified voice, the more we risk this organisation collapsing onto itself, and this is something that we are unwilling to face."

"Therefore, we are calling an emergency meeting of the Executive Council to take place tomorrow evening, so we may discuss and resolve the situation between our member states, and decide upon a collective course of action," Elliott declared. "I expect that all members shall be present and willing to contribute in good faith to ensure that this crisis ends, and that we move forward with one united voice."

When asked by a reporter from ITS what measures are planned to be taken, Elliott responded that "as of this time, it is uncertain what measures will be taken. It will all depend on how these discussions go tomorrow."

More as the story develops.

Comments [ 13,669 ] |

E-mail
© GOVERNMENT OF IMAGUA AND THE ASSIMAS 2020

MORE HEADLINES

Polls show DLP, Nationals at 31% and 29%, MNI at 27%, Greens at 12% [ 13214 ]
Jacques Besnard to be extradited from Imagua to Alexandria to face trial [ 11509 ]
Lleixà, Casamitjana, and Company to be investigated over bridge collapse [ 6136 ]
Opinion: Nuvania does not go far enough, Belmonte must be expelled [ 5951 ]
Technology: Will Trziste's surveillance spread far and wide across the world? [ 4684 ]

by **Beumontte** » Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:34 pm

» Maurino confirms Belmonte's participation in AFDC meeting, answers foreign criticism
» The prime minister said that the country doesn't have the obligation to explain itself to international organizations

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Mar 24, 2020 | Castelonovo

The prime minister answering questions today.

CASTELONOVO - With the current diplomatic crisis triggered by the state visit of Belmontese politicians to Maracao and aggravated by the meeting of Chistovodian president Martynenko with prime minister Maurino in Castelonovo, several world leaders started to press for an emergency summit among AFDC member-states to be realized in order to end the actual crisis and avoid that it becomes something more serious that could even lead to the end of the organization, with these wishes being complied as secretary-general Ornell Elliott decided to call a meeting in Imagua to address the issue tomorrow, 25 March, with all members of the association's Executive Council and asked for chiefs of state and government, as well as its diplomatic entourages, be present at such.

Today by the morning, the government decided to do a press conference in the Bensafrim House, where the prime minister was confronted several times by many journalists regarding the current diplomatic crisis and the emergency meeting scheduled for tomorrow. In relation to Belmonte's presence in the summit, Maurino was clear and confirmed her presence as well as the presence of the president of the republic, Caetano Villa-Lobos, deputies, senators, and a team composed by diplomats and accessors. Furthermore, the prime minister also announced that the FM (Forummaker) and one of the biggest critics against the current situation of the AFDC, Arthur Rossi, could go to San Pietro too. The fact that the entourage has a great number of people that are supportive to the government's actions shows a probable hostile position when it comes to any critic against the diplomatic opening process between Belmonte and Asterian AIS members, which is being the reason of fear among many as it could indicate a defensive and reluctant behaviour against every measure decided there.

The prime minister also took the opportunity to criticize the Nuvanian decision of recalling its ambassador and diplomatic team from Belmonte as a response to the visit of president Matynenko, cutting the majority of ties between the two countries. Regarding that, Maurino said that such a decision is "ridiculous, unnecessary and provocative", stating that it harms the good relations between both peoples and its economies while shows how much the Nuvanian government is totalitarian and doesn't support divergent decisions, which could lead to Belmonte "rethink" its positioning and also ratify more harsh decisions. The same speech was echoed by the foreign secretary Graça Fonseca, who admitted days prior that she was working to make the country position itself in a more "firm" way against any "abuse" committed by Nuvania and "the crazy" Robert Marten, in a tone change made with the purpose of making the country impose even more its "national sovereignty."

Maurino also spoke about the declaration made by the opposition leader, João Sócrates, towards her government, saying that he "doesn't know what he says" and stated that he is a "dizzy person who pretends to sell our country." Sócrates, in response, said that more five years of PSD rule would lead Belmonte to the "rock bottom" and claimed that he is working in a motion of non-confidence while urged everyone to vote in the UCN in the upcoming general election in April.

In the streets of Castelonovo, the population is divided about government actions but united against possible sanctions to Belmonte. According to the last census realized by Diário which interviewed more than two thousand people, 47% of the population supports the diplomatic opening to countries like Maracao and Chistovodia while 42% are against and 11% doesn't know how to answer. About the current crisis, 49% of the people declared to approve the government leadership while 48% aren't, and when it comes to possible sanctions and punishments that the country could receive, the overwhelming majority disagrees with them: 96% said that they oppose any decision of this kind, independently of the actions that Belmonte could do tomorrow or in the following days.

Top comments
You must be logged in to comment.

© 2020 Diário Group

OTHER NEWS

Opinion: If the AFDC doesn't want Belmonte's freedom, then it's our time to leave (17804)
The impacts of the diplomatic crisis on the general election (11084)
Former Alexandrian president extradited back to Alexandria amid corruption charges (8612)
maurino denies that belmonte is a socialist nation, sends journalist to gulag (4509)

by **Fjalland-** » Wed Mar 25, 2020 3:36 pm

TWO MORE FORUM MEMBERS JOIN THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT; NATIONAL COALITION ON VERGE OF CRISIS
Two more Forum members have crossed the floor to join the Conservative Movement

SHARE

Gaspard D'Aboville (@GaspaD'abov)
^{25 Mar 2020 | Lafayette, Alexandria}

Zacharie Devillers was one of the members who crossed the floor

LAFAYETTE, ALEXANDRIA – Shock and horror are the words that best describe the National Forum this morning after two prominent members of the National Coalition abruptly stood up and joined René Hauet as members of the Conservative Movement bringing their number of FMs to 3. The shock move has put the National Coalition into Crisis mode as the party seeks to hold itself together.

Zacharie Devillers and Valérie Belyea, both former cabinet members were members of the Moderate wing of the National Coalition which has been alienated by the move to the right by party boss Olivier Vallotton who was elected in December by 27 of the at the time 63 FMs in the National Coalition. In a press conference the now three FMs said there were at least 20 FMs in the National Coalition who have expressed interest in defecting to the new party. If this was the case the party would lose it's majority and plunge the country into political chaos.

Devillers who chairs the Forum's budgeting committee and was the former Education Secretary was Vallotton's most vocal opponent during the Party Leadership contest had called for party unity only days earlier on chirper, claiming that Vallotton cannot be trusted leading the party towards a party more similar to the Tribune Movement of Etruria.

Belyea, founder of the Internet provider Saintelecom said the move was due to the party's inability to function normally. Belyea, who gained led nationwide protests demanding the country legalise Same-sex relationships last year.

At a separate press conference in Soliogne, Vallotton called the pair a deceptive pair who had caused a major political crisis over their fantasy view of leading the country to revolution. He also accused them of being in league with the AWF whom he called "terrorists". Later on Vallotton was forced to cut a speech short after a student group began protesting.

The dramatic scenes this morning also have renewed long standing fears that the National Coalition is on the verge of collapsing between its two factions, the party has taken a move towards the right of the political spectrum with party bosses reportedly financing primary opponents for more moderate members of the party which is what led to Hauet to leave the party when it was announced the popular FM would not be allowed to run for his suburban Lafayette district.

This also poses a dilemma to the National Coalition as recent opinion polling for the local elections shows the PSD, Alexandrian Democrats, Greens and Conservative Union are all set to take seats away from the party with the most recent polling suggesting the party will lose control of up to 40% of its council seats which the party does not have such a solid control over as it does in the National Forum.

Comments [ 9341 ] |

E-mail
Newsco© Inc. 2020

9341 comments

MORE HEADLINES

Opinion: Call a Legislative election now or face Political ruin. [ 6488 ]
Campaigning for Local elections enters final 10 days [ 5388 ]
3 hospitalised following Firework stunt on a city buss [ 6433 ]
AWF leader questioned by police [ 6633 ]
Besnard may fight extradition from Imagua [ 7282 ]

by **Etruria2** » Wed Mar 25, 2020 6:14 pm

"Most pro-family budget in Etrurian history"
2020 Budget introduces the Famiglia+ scheme alongside billions in investment into the economy and infrastructure and blindslides opposition
Matteo Tasa
^{26 March 2020 | Poveglia, Etruria}

SHARE

The government has announced the largest public investment into the economy since the end of the 1940s, while also announcing its much anticipated FamiliaPlus scheme. Finance Minister Leandro Galizia said that this year’s budget was the “first budget that empowers the hard-working people of Etruria, by restoring government trust in their own abilities and ambitions.” President Francesco Carcaterra also described it as the “most pro-family budget in our nation’s long history.”

Foreign Minister Leandro Galizia announcing the budget in the Chamber of Representatives.

The 2020 budget has come to shatter numerous records, including the largest annual direct investment in infrastructure, telecommunications, vocational training and small-to-medium sized businesses.

This includes a further ₣3.4 billion investment into new roads, modernisation of the Fauglia metro and the construction of new rail links between Novalia’s and Carinthia’s cities. The budget further expanded financial contributions to the 2016 “Competitive Industrial Development Grants”, in which start-ups and manufacturers compete for lucrative government grants for expansion or diversification, the funds have been increased by ₣1.5 billion. The government also announced plans for utility subsidies for small-to-medium sized tech, IT and manufacturing companies, where the government will pay 90% of their electricity and energy bills.

The budget also saw promises for legislation prohibiting the privatisation of state-owned rail, water and electricity corporations, a long-held Tribune concern. Other legislation included was a commitment to see 5G networks established across Etruria by Etrurian companies as part of the Tribune’s long-term plan to secure the country as a leading economy in digitalisation.

The budget announced a decrease in Financial Transaction and Corporate Income taxes for manufacturers, slashing the rates for factories from 24% to 21.5% and 28% to 25.5% respectively. The government since 2016, has been constant in its efforts to further expand the profitability of Etrurian manufacturing, with state-backed efforts to break into Coian and Asterian markets seemingly being successful.

This year’s budget however, made even bolder steps with a series of schemes aimed at young families, either seeking to enter the property market or renting. However, the biggest story of the budget was the government’s much anticipated “Famiglia+” scheme.

The budget has set aside over ₣15.5 billion for “Famiglia+” in which young married families between the age of 24-29, with one child are able to access monthly payments of ₣250, while couples with two children can access ₣300 a month. This would be the largest monthly payment to citizens by the government in Etrurian history and would be open to an estimated 3.5 million households. The government championed the scheme in the 2018 election, promising to introduce the scheme once federal finances permitted it. The government described the scheme as a “national investment into the Etrurian family.”

When the website for Famiglia+ was launched, the liberal-left immediately sprung into action to wage further culture war on the family unit, by claiming that only married couples being eligible excluded same-sex couples with children from accessing the funds.

Among other measures was the abolition of the Familial Inheritance Tax for estates valued up to ₣500,000 (€450,000), the introduction of rent controls for young couples (aged between 21 and 27) who are renting from state-private landlords, the introduction of new federal social housing where monthly rent goes toward outright purchase of the property for couples of the same age. The budget went further with the provision of free childcare for parents taking vocational or professional training, if they cannot afford nor find suitable care.

Other areas where the budget introduced big changes was a series of promises by the government to further de-regulate manufacturing, environmental standards and construction. The government stated that by de-regulating the “highly controlling and suffocating culture” of previous governments, it would unleash the “nation’s potential.” The government has hoped to de-regulate manufacturing to expand industrial areas at the expense of protected areas in suburban districts of major cities.

Finance Minister Galizia also used his address to announce that the government was officially granting authorisation for energy companies to explore the possibility of fracking sites in Etruria. Such a move was rumoured but kept quiet due to the ceaseless and very public opposition of “green” groups, who oppose fracking for ecological reasons. However, the government stressed that should fracking be possible in Etruria, it would be necessary due to the “chaos of oil producers.”

In his speech after listing the budget’s provisions, Finance Minister Galizia told lawmakers, “this is a budget that empowers the hard-working people of Etruria. This is a budget that knew the promises made and it has kept those promises. We are the party of patriotic families and we have proven that once more by giving families the tools to realise their own ambitions and dreams.”

“We are giving the young families of our country, the parents of our future the means to secure their own futures. We are giving the companies and businesses of this country the means to secure their own futures, so that they provide us the means to do more. We are working for Etruria so that Etruria may grow prosperous as it deserves to be” he said further.

President Francesco Carcaterra praised his Finance Minister and the Tribune Movement, triumphantly telling the full chamber, “the people of our great country put their trust in us, today, we are honouring that trust. The people of this country accepted our promises and we kept them. The motto of this government and the Tribune Movement is without doubt, promise made, promises kept.”

To loud cheers and applause from Tribune MPs, the President said, “we are now the nation of the family, we are now the most pro-family nation in the world. We are the bastion of traditional values and by God’s grace, we will be confident enough to recognise Etruria is the bold bastion of Euclean and Sotirian life.”

2020 BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Introduction of the Famiglia+ scheme.
Further investments into national infrastructure.
Creative tax cuts and further competitive grants for tech start ups and small-to-medium sized manufacturers
Deregulation of manufacturing, environmental standards and construction.
Rent controls for young families.
Abolition of the Familial Inheritance Tax for estates worth ₣500,000.
Introduction of new federal social housing where rent payments go toward final purchase of property - dubbed "Rent to Buy."
Free childcare for parents pursuing vocational or professional training outside normal working hours.
Ban on Sunday Retailing.
Federal pressure on state administrations to increase minimum wages to ₣7.50 an hour.
Legislation prohibiting the privatisation of rail, electricity and water companies.
Promise to build the 5G network using only Etrurian providers and companies.
Finance Ministry to announce second "major initiative" tomorrow.

MORE HEADLINES

2020 Budget: What does it mean for you? [ 27209 ]
2020 Budget: No changes to taxes, why? [ 4997 ]
Etrurian Green-Left Alliance vows to "fight the fracking machine" [ 945 ]
Liberal-Left attacks Famiglia+ over same-sex family discrimination [ 651 ]
AFDC in crisis [ 116 ]

by **Eskaeba** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:14 am

ANGELIKA CUVILLIER TRAVELS TO PORTO LESTE TO OPEN NEW HOSPITAL
March 26, 2020 | Porto Leste, Maracao
Written by João Felix

Cuvillier gave a speech commemorating Maracao and Belmonte and condemning recent
diplomatic events within the AFDC.

The Angelika Cuvillier General Hospital opened today in Porto Leste, and will be Maracao's largest and most advanced hospital.

Two years after Chistovodia had approved funding for the construction of a new state-of-the-art hospital in the Maracan capital city of Porto Leste, it has finally been completed and was unveiled earlier today to the general public. Among many guests was Chistovodian Premier Angelika Cuvillier, whose influence in securing Chistovodian backing of the hospital's construction was paramount. She was the plan's strongest supporter in the General Congress and delivered several pivotal talks that secured a majority backing of the funding.

While present in Porto Leste, Cuvillier was spotted in pictures with the general public, as well as talking with Maracan Prime Minister Julio Fonseca, who was present due to Costa's inability to attend due to illness. Granted the podium onlooking a crowd of around 25,000 that had gathered in the city's picturesque courtyard, where the new hospital was constructed, she delivered a speech commending the Maracan people for their "undeniable and unbreakable" unity in the face of an "authoritarian entity masquerading as the continent's bastion of democracy and values". She, as well as Fonseca, who spoke afterwards, also extended their commendations and gratitude to Belmontese Prime Minister Rita Maurino, with Cuvillier remarking her "efforts to de-escalation" were "remarkable". She also condemned the "brazen" actions of Nuvania, referring to the removing of diplomatic staff from Belmonte as a result of recent Maracan and Chistovodian state visits to the country.

With the sky blue and sun shining overhead, Cuvillier cut the red ribbon to inaugurate the new Angelika Cuvillier General Hospital, named such for her efforts in securing the hospital's construction. The hospital spans 10 floors, and can accomodate up to 650 patients, by far the largest in Maracao. The hospital also boasts a usual doctors on the second floor and a surgery on the seventh floor. It will also employ up to 1,500 doctors within its premises, making it the most well-staffed hospital in Maracao as well as largest by staff capacity.

The hospital also marks a new rung in the heaven-bound ladder of Cuvillier's political career. At age 30, she has already left a lasting mark on the socialist world with her position, with success only continuing to grow as she enjoys more and more domestic popularity as well as increasing popularity abroad and within the AIS. In any circumstance, and through any ideology, Chistovodian Premier Angelika Cuvillier should be looked upon as an inspiring role model for any young female aspiring to be a politician.

© Tempos de Maração, 2020

by **Liecthenbourg** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:17 am

Camille Chamoun - 1 Nisan AM 5780 / Panjshanbeh: 7. Farvardin 1399 / 26 March 2020

Home · Tsabara · Bahia · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

Tsabaran navy deploys to Hitteen as government exercises authority in the south.

A squadron of ships from the Tsabaran navy were deployed to the Qadessiyya Bay

Hitteen, Qadessiyya Province - Government forces have begun combating forces of the insurrectionists and religious extremists associated with Sheik Salah, which refers to itself as the 'Supreme Political and Resistance Committee', but has also been referred to as 'Irfanic Liberation and Resistance'.

With a military offensive around Bedjene seeing success that began earlier this month, Adunis has aimed on reasserting control over the seas and ports in the south of the country. Unlike the army, none of the navy has experienced any defections -- and several questionable captains were preemptively detained by forward thinking admirals. This is with the exception of the 'El Fateh', a corvette stationed at Hitteen which fled south to Zorasani waters following the instability in the region. Nazim al'Qutayni has requested to Zahedan that the ship be returned to assist in the endeavours to defeat Salah's insurrectionists.

The naval squadrons sent to Hitten in Qadessiyya are to provide naval and air support to the advancing forces of the Federation's army as it aims to wrestle control of key parts of western Qadessiyya, eastern Trifaoui and Juraynah. It is composed of three destroyers and four frigates. They are expected to bring much needed force of arms to wrestle control of the seaports in the region back to the government. In conjunction with the attack, Nazim al'Qutayni has imposed a no-fly zone that extends to civilian aircraft over southern Tsabara due to sensitive military activity in the area.

Much of the region has seen minor towns and settlements come under attack from what is being reported to be a new aspect of the ILR. These forces, now known as the 'Irfanic Volunteer Army', seems to be composed of multinational Irfanics that were summoned to a call to arms by Sheik Salah. Several captured soldiers are claimed by the government to have originated from across the continent, including as far as Mabifia and Ajahadya. Most shockingly, several Euclean countries have been informed by Adunis that some of the members of the IVA that have been captured in both the movements in the south and the Bedjene offensive are Euclean citizens.

"We are calling on international governments to better vet those who are leaving their countries in this time of crisis" a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry told Le Fédéraliste.

Comments [ 12251 ] |

E-mail
© Marzban Media 2020

12251 comments

atuditemilsperger · 1 hour ago
Tsabara has a navy?

8,761 up · 5,186 down
REPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE

BoeJiden · 1 hour ago
*coughs in beer disease*

43,195 up · 45,826 down
REPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE

NazimAl'QutayniWinsSuperTues. · 1 hour ago
What even is Hitteen

5,541 up · 867 down
REPLY · UPVOTE · DOWNVOTE

MORE HEADLINES

ERROR LOADING. (10,654)
ERROR LOADING. (21,777)
ERROR LOADING. (45,996)
ERROR LOADING. (18,420)
ERROR LOADING. (4,132)

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:32 am

Susanna D'Aboville - 25 March 2020

Home · Kesselbourg · The Continent · The World · Policy · Opinion · Features · Newsletters · Continental Pro

SENIOR COMMISSIONER WARNS AFDC KESSELBOURG IS 'CONCERNED' OVER INTERNAL DIVISIONS, ECONOMIC DISRUPTION

Trade Commissioner Maeve Ní Snodaigh has expressed the bloc's concerns regarding AFDC internal politics.

Kesselbourg, Kesselbourg - Signalling growing discomfort within Euclean capitals, senior voices within the Euclean Commission have begun to express alarm over internal squabbles that have plagued the Community's largest trading partner, the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation. Tensions within the Asterian-based group have grown in recent weeks as member-states have grappled with diplomatic and economic overtures made by one of its members to rival states. Belmonte's warming of relations with both Maracao and Chistovodia have drawn the ire of other governments in the bloc.

Leading voices within the AFDC, including Eldmark's newly-appointed prime minister Tyra Brahe, have successfully lobbied the bloc's leadership for an emergency summit to address Belmonte's changing diplomatic ties. With an emergency meeting set to take place this afternoon, the Euclean Community has officially weighed in on this issue.

In a statement made to reporters this morning, the Commissioner for Trade, Competition, and Innovation urged the AFDC to "reach a consensus" and to avoid "prolonged uncertainty".

"Of course [the Euclean Commission] are concerned by political divisions forming within the AFDC. The trade relationship between our organizations is unparalleled. Instability and a period of prolonged uncertainty undermines that relationship. We hope that member-states of the AFDC are able to reach a consensus and resolve the issues the face without creating economic disruption" Maeve Ní Snodaigh said earlier today.

She said that any major disruptions may force the EC to "reevaluate" its relationship with the AFDC, citing trade concerns and challenges posed to existing trade agreements.

The EC has a close relationship with the AFDC, with members that include Satucin, Nuvania, and Valentir. A number of economic treaties exist between the two, including a comprehensive free trade agreement.

Ní Snodaigh has not been alone in expressing her concerns over an AFDC split, Several other Euclean governments have cautioned the bloc against suspending or otherwise sanctioning Belmonte. Estmerish prime minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth indicated that the EC "ought to completely reassess" its partnership with the AFDC should significant economic disruption occur. "There are other options" he remarked, in a veiled reference to potentially deepening ties with Halland and Nuxica.

A spokesperson for the Weranic government indicated that they were “watching the situation regarding the AFDC closely”. However, he also said that “the way that the organisation is conducting itself is leading to serious questions on whether it can continue to deliver stable economic relationships and business confidence”.

by **-AlEmAnNiA-** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:58 pm

Nuvanian Ambassador Summoned Following “Random” Recall of Ambassador to Belmonte

SHARE

Dragan Pironev
^{Tretogor, Poliania
26 March, 2020}

Minister-President Vačeva spoke to reporters Wednesday about the “volatile situation”
developing in the Arucian.

Tretogor, Po. — The Office of the Minister-President has summoned the Nuvanian ambassador to Poliania, Marick van Zyl. The summoning comes two days following the western Asterian Inferior country recalled its ambassador to Belmonte after the latter held talks with Chistovodian President Viktor Martynenko.

The AFDC and the Asterian members of the AIS, Chistovodia and Maracao, have a shaky history, with Maracao seizing Dunhelm Island from Estmere in 1945, and the AFDC accusing Chistovodia of funding far-left militant groups during the 1970s.

“The actions of the Nuvanian state must be called into question,” the Minister-President said.

“The country has needlessly escalated what was a sign of improvement for the region into an unnecessary and unwarranted political crisis that threatens to destabilize the already fragile situation in the Arucian.”

The Minister-President went on to say that current “foreign and economic policy with regards to the [AFDC] will be reevaluated” if “the current direction the organization is taking continues.”

Poliania is the latest country to criticize the AFDC’s handling of the situation.

Earlier today, EC Trade Commissioner, Maeve Ní Snodaigh, expressed concern over the Nuvanian and Imaguan actions, saying “We hope that member-states of the AFDC are able to reach a consensus and resolve the issues the face without creating economic disruption.”

Trade Commission Snodaigh went on to say the EC may “reevaluate its relationship with the AFDC” if any disruptions to trade arise over the AFDC’s handling of the situation.

Likewise, the nations of Werania and Estmere have both chimed in concerns over the growing situation in the Arucian, with Estmerish Prime Minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth notably saying the EC should “completely reassess” its partnership with the AFDC.

The Minister of State for International Trade Gavril Jermalovič has refused to directly comment on whether Poliania will be taking a similar stance.

“We are closing monitoring the situation,” Minister Jermalovič said. “If trade gets disrupted further over their antics, then we will work closely with our partners in Kesselbourg to minimize its impact on the country.”

Opposition leader Apostol Veličkov slammed the Minister-President for not taking a “firm stance” over the issue, saying the nation shouldn’t negotiate with “thugs” who “bully and intimidate other nations into obedience.”

by **Nuvania** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 12:18 am

Government Addresses International Concerns Regarding Diplomatic Crisis

SHARE

Susanne Paulson (@SuePaulson)
27 March (1:00pm)|PIETERSBURG

Foreign Minister Maarten van Doorne during a press conference.

Foreign Minister Maarten van Doorne has addressed international concerns regarding the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation (AFDC) handling of the Belmontese diplomatic crisis this morning, stating that there was "no cause for concern" regarding how the crisis was being handled.
"We as an organisation have come together to resolve the crisis in a manner consistent with internal rules and regulations surrounding these sorts of crises," he said. "What everyone must remember is that this is an internal issue within the AFDC and it is being handled as such. There is no threat to any international agreements the organisation is part of, there is no threat to trade. As far as anyone is concerned it is business as usual."

This comes after the Euclean Community and Poliania both expressed concerns regarding the handling of the Belmontese diplomatic crisis. The Euclean Commissioner for Trade, Competition, and Innovation, Maeve Ní Snodaigh, said in a press statement that the AFDC should "reach a consensus" and "avoid prolonged uncertainty."
"The trade relationship between our organizations is unparalleled. Instability and a period of prolonged uncertainty undermines that relationship," she said. "We hope that member-states of the AFDC are able to reach a consensus and resolve the issues the face without creating economic disruption."

Van Doorne said that he understood the concerns of the Euclean Community (EC) and said that whatever the AFDC had decided would be internal only, and would not affect the organisation's capacity to trade with other countries and organisations.
"Again, this is an internal matter," he said. "How the AFDC decides to respond to the crisis is determined internally. What it decides to do would only apply internally. The organisation as a whole is secure, it is still able to trade and it is still willing to be a constructive member within the international community."

In addition to the concerns raised by the Euclean Community, various governments in Euclea itself have raised concerns regarding the handling of the crisis, with Estmerish Prime Minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth stating that the EC should reassess its relationship with the AFDC. A spokesperson from the Weranic government also questioned the wisdom of maintaining the relationship with the AFDC. Van Doorne said the Estmerish government in particular "did not have a leg to stand on" when it came to creationg instability and tensions internationally.
"Given the actions of Ashcombe in the recent past it's amusing that the Prime Minister believes we're the ones creating trouble," he said. "Didn't they try to bully a country they disagreed with?"

In Western Euclea, Poliania summoned the Nuvanian ambassador there to express their concerns regarding the diplomatic crisis, stating that the actions of the Nuvanian government should be called into question. The Minister-President further said that their own relations with the AFDC would be reevaluated should the organisation's actions continue.

Van Doorne said that he had spoken with Nuvania's ambassador, Marick van Zyl, and reiterated that any resolution adopted by the AFDC would not affect international trade. In addition, van Doorne said that while the recalling of the ambassador was, in hindsight, "not the best decision this government has made", it was nevertheless an expression of the frustration that the government was feeling with Belmonte's continued rapprochement with the AFDC's regional rivals.
"What a lot of people fail to understand is that there is a certain amount of goodwill and trust we place in our friends and allies within the AFDC," he said. "Hosting diplomatic summits with countries that occupy territory of member states without informing anyone of these summits, as well as hosting the president of a country that has supported terrorist groups in the past is a complete violation of that trust and goodwill that we give to one another. It's unacceptable, and the organisation agrees that it is unacceptable. We would not be in this situation had either of those not occurred."

In addition, he also said that the government would not wish to impose anything unjust on the Belmontese people, citing recent polls that 42% of Belmontese disapproved of the government's diplomatic visits, and nearly half of respondents disapproved of the current government.

Questions are being asked about whether or not the government has adequately responded to the crisis, with Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Bohn, writing in an opinion piece that the government was acting like "schoolyard bullies" and that the policy of non-engagement with Maracao was not working. He said that he would open up diplomatic channels with Maracao, something which no political leader has stated before, although Bohn did not go as far as to declare it as official Democratic Action Party (DAP) policy. Further criticism came from the leader of the Sotirian Democratic Party (SDP), Wickus Postma, stating that the government's actions were "damaging to Nuvania's international reputation".
"It is apparent that the government is going to cause much damage to Nuvania and its reputation overseas," he said. "This is something we must avoid, or we will suffer the consequences."

The Foreign Minister was asked about today's aborted motion of non-confidence in the General Council. He responded by dismissing questions about whether or not the government could count on the confidence of the General Council, and related questions over its ability to govern. He said that the fact that the motion did not go ahead was a sign that the government was comfortable in its continued support within the General Council.
"We have the numbers, we have the votes, I don't consider there is anything to suggest that we're in trouble," he said. "But we will be mindful of further developments."

by **Xiaodong** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 10:46 am

International Relations Minister - Xiaodong "deeply concerned" regarding AFDC crisis
27 March 2020 | By Jiang Huliang

Minister of International Relations Xu Bangguo

LIANGZHI - Addressing reporters today International Relations Minister Xu Bangguo has outlined Xiaodong's stance on the recent crisis gripping the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation, stating that the government is "deeply concerned" over disproportionate action being debated by the organisation following Belmonte's decision to undertake a state visit to the island nation of Maracao.

"The Xiaodongese government believes that the AFDC has reacted inappropriately to the decision of Belmonte's leaders to undertake visits to Chistovodia and Maracao and has caused unnecessary disruption to businesses as a result. Whilst Xiaodong recognises that such a debate is an internal issue for the AFDC, we also remind AFDC leaders that fairly normal state visits are little excuse to debate suspending members from a common market and thereby causing major economic uncertainty".

"The Xiaodongese government is concerned that if these issues are sufficient to lead to significant disruption within the common market that its long term viability has to be called into question. That therefore makes it not merely an internal issue but one which affects all nations that maintain normal economic ties with the AFDC."

Xu's comments come after similar criticisms have been raised by the Euclean Community and Poliania of the AFDC, with Nuvania in particular singled out for attempting to coerce Belmonte by threatening major economic disruption. The Nuvanian foreign minister, Maarten van Doorne, earlier today made several combative statements that have been seen to prompt Xiaodong into responding.

Whilst not referencing van Doorne or Nuvania, Xu did state that the concerns of other countries regarding the AFDC are "legitimate and measured" and that bellicose responses "only put more into doubt the stability of the AFDC as a trading partner".

Xu stated that if the crisis continues Xiaodong would have to "seriously consider" approaching the International Trade Organisation to provide clarification of the AFDC's status as a trading block and would be open to working with likeminded countries surrounding such a course of action. In the meantime Minister of International Trade Wan Changlong has stated that the ministry is currently providing advice and guidance for business operating in the AFDC for likely scenarios and options regarding the crisis.

"Whatever the case, we'll make sure Xiaodongese business in Asteria can continue to function as normally as possible" Wan stated.

by **Azmara** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 12:01 pm

ANYWHERE BUT STEFANSBERG: HEUTHENBERG VOTERS OPT FOR REGIONALISM
"No other party cares about towns like these."

SHARE

Leif Freissun (@lfssundah)
^{27 Mar 2020 | Heuthenberg, Haadland, Azmara}

Heuthenberg Bayside has seen a steady decline over the past few decades.

HEUTHENBERG, AZMARA – "The history of Heuthenberg is the history of Azmara." was Prime Minister Jorśsun's statement as he launched his 2017 election campaign at the Bayside Leisure Centre, a brief three years ago. The statement hearkens to the city's history: its 19th century decline from being the nation's key seaport soon before led to the city being a centre of the Republican Revolution in 1855, which established modern Azmara.

Many other events in the city's history have reflected the start of new ages in the nation's history; linguistic riots in the 1880's led to the lessening of aggressive nationbuilding policies aimed at creating a unified Azmaran culture, the Azmaran Section of the Workers' International was both founded and gained its first seat in the town, and the decline of its tourism industry in recent decades is all too reflective of industrial decline across the nation. The town also carries the status of being the birthplace of Home Secretary Sofija Anasdohter, widely tipped as a potential future Prime Minister.

But the city is set apart from Azmara in many ways; the City of Heuthenberg is the only district in the Commonwealth to record a language other than Azmaran as the plurality native language: the IJssentaal language, often marginalised and treated as a dialect of Azmaran throughout history, is spoken natively by 45% of households as opposed to 43% speaking Azmaran. It was also a key stronghold of last year's devolution referendum, and its voting history in recent years has seen it won by both the left-wing populist Socialist Party in 2014 and by Free Alliance 08, the regionalist coalition, in 2017.

An elderly woman I meet on a bench at the seafront expresses to me her intention of voting for the regionalists again this year. She decries an "Aalmsted elite" in politics that she feels cater only to the interests of the central regions of the country and slams the Prime Minister for a perceived inaction, saying that while he "talks a good game" about social deprivation, he has failed to address high unemployment rates both in Heuthenberg and many nearby towns, and that she has "lost faith" in the central government's ability to deliver to her hometown.

The sentiment of being neglected is one I get from many other voters in the town. Two young men sitting on the sea wall, holding a bottle of Ruttish-brewed beer each, are quick to slam inaction over the town's issues with deprivation. Both relay to me their issues finding adequate employment; one has "never found a stable job" while the other tells me his family's struggles with money; while they run a souvenir shop in town, it sees "no business" in the winter months and savings from summer fail to fully cover the cost of living over the winter and thus they rely on welfare payments to sustain themselves for part of the year. Neither is sure if they will vote in April, but both express sympathies with Free Alliance, yet neither rule out the established parties like the woman from before.

A fourth person, walking a dog along the beach, also expresses these sentiments. She tells me without hesitation that "no other party cares" about towns like these when I mention regionalism, and she angrily slams the Sotirian Democrats and the right-wing People's Party for their public opposition to local devolution, calling their approach "dangerously myopic" at best and "openly chauvinistic" at worst.

However, other people I meet are considerably more enthusiastic about the town's prospects. I walk into a community café on the seafront, set up by activists in the local community and subsidised partly by the government to provide a stable employment to young people struggling to find it. The staff I meet do not share the despair and disenchantment with national politics as the people outside; the three people currently serving I meet all express regionalist sympathies to some extent, understandable in a city which voted over 85% for regional devolution, but all three throw their support behind the incumbent Workers' Party, praising government schemes aimed at reducing the heavy rates of structural and youth unemployment in the town, and express support for the attempts to devolve power to the Haadland region by the Home Secretary.

When I relay the charges of people outside that the government has done little for the town, they are able to cite immediate examples of schemes implemented; funding for building affordable housing to allow young people in the area to be able to secure liveable accommodation, increased funding for further education in the area to enable people to gain skills, subsidies for community projects such as this aimed at reducing unemployment, and investment in new facilities to allow emerging high-tech industries to open their doors in the local area. However, a sense of regret that these attempts have associated time lags to their effect is expressed by one of the employees, while another expresses scepticism as to whether the scheme will pay off, but is grateful that attempts have been made to tackle the town's social problems.

A man outside gives his endorsement to the Radicals, citing a belief in their leadership at the provincial level and expresses a wish of similar success at national level. He also expresses to me an unconventional method of regeneration: the use of cultural activities to instil a sense of hope and belonging in the town, and discloses his work for a non-profit attempting to do this. He takes me to a mural on a building at the seafront portraying various scenes from the town's history, which he explains he did with a group of students from a local vocational school in an attempt to encourage them to take pride in their local community. He also points to the non-profit's work in other areas, such as its work in staging amateur theatre productions to add a sense of purpose to the lives of young people in the town. While he says his non-profit's projects will not create jobs, he is confident of its ability to improve the town by giving its residents a better standard of living overall.

The election in Heuthenberg seems more a referendum as to whether the policies of the current government have had a noticeable impact in reducing the city's high rates of deprivation and unemployment: residents that believe they have intent to vote for the incumbent Workers' Party or for the Radicals given their role at the provincial level, while residents that do not believe they have led to much change are likely to vote for the Free Alliance. However, the resilience of many of the town's residents will shine through any number of ballots by any candidate; the attempts to set up projects such as the community cafe or the non profit show initiative amongst the residents to try and improve the town around them, while the fact that many of those that feel so disenfranchised by national politics are still able to put full faith in the local regionalist movement and a belief that further devolution will help improve the area shows a sense of optimism that shines through.

Comments [ 11028 ] |

E-mail
© De Aalmsted Heraald Inc. 2020

11028 comments

MORE HEADLINES

New Azmara manifesto calls for end to traditionally restrictive immigration laws. [ 7305 ]
Ostby-an-de-mer beat Saltsdyyk 7-0 [ 18292 ]
Opinion: What does the Asterian Crisis mean for Azmara? [ 9192 ]
Stabbing of two men in Wucing shakes town's conscience. [ 17038 ]
Fashion: Why are yellow socks so popular this year? [ 8343 ]

by **Qianrong** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 1:05 pm

TAKAMATU: AFDC "SHOULD GET ITS HOUSE IN ORDER"
Political controversy over Belmontese state visit provokes serious
uncertainty for commerce, Takamatu warns; urges quick end to crisis

Rites Minister Takamatu described the political uncertainty within the AFDC as an obstacle to commerce.

March 27, 2020 | by Moriyasu Akibahara | Minister of Rites Yumi Takamatu has told reporters that the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation "should get its house in order", amidst a political rift between Belmonte and the organization's other members that many consider a threat to commerce in and with the Asterias.

The crisis was provoked by a state meeting between Belmontese and Maracan diplomats in Maracao; Maracao occupies a small island in the Arucian Sea claimed by Imagua, one of the AFDC's other members. It was further exacerbated by a meeting between Belmonte's Prime Minister Rita Maurino and President Viktor Martynenko of Chistovodia. In subsequent days, several nations have recalled or threaten to recall ambassadors from nations involved, and the AFDC has even discussed laying temporary sanctions upon Belmonte, which is supposed to be a member of the organization's common market and customs union.

"We respect that this is a diplomatic affair between Asterian states; however, Senria has long had strong cultural and economic ties with nations in the Asterias, and values these ties and their preservation deeply," Takamatu told reporters at an organized press junket earlier today. "The current situation creates substantial uncertainty for COMSED diplomatic and economic programs in the region, for the strong ties Senria and its entrepreneurs have with Asterian economies, and for those Senrians with relatives living in the region. The actions and escalations undertaken by certain AFDC members appear disproportionate to the situation at hand, and potentially jeopardize peace and security in the Asterias. All parties need to take a step back, and the AFDC should get its house in order, in the interest of maintaining and promoting our ongoing cooperation."

"The current situation, should it fail to be resolved soon, or be prolonged by further escalation, would likely place doubt upon the AFDC's stability and viability as an economic partner, and potentially force a reanalysis of the situation which Senria- and we believe all AFDC member states- would prefer to avoid," she concluded.

Takamatu's remarks place Senria in line with an odd coalition urging for a deescalation, consisting of much of Euclea and Coius. Similar remarks have been made in recent days by Euclean Commissioner for Trade Maeve Ní Snodaigh and Xiaodongese Minister of International Relations Xu Bangguo, among others.

An anonymous source within Senria's Ministry of Revenue told Mainiti Sinbun reporters that the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Rites were reportedly discussing the possibility of bringing the seeming insolvency of the AFDC to the International Trade Organization if the crisis provoked continued economic uncertainty for Senrian businesses. When reached for comment, Ministry of Revenue spokesperson Nobutaka Kanamura said that these claims were "unsubstantiated"; the Ministry of Rites declined to comment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article mistakenly included a subtitle referring to Senria's performance at the Winter Invictus Games. This was an error, and the correct subtitle has been included.

MORIYASU AKIBAHARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from Keisi University with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:05 pm

LIVE: 2020 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS
Democratic Labour Party to form government

SHARE

TYRA HOWARD (@TyraHoward)
27 March, 2020 16:59 IST | CUANSTAD, CITY OF

Election results

Tyra Howard wrote:10:20 pm - And finally, Newport has been called for the DLP, with incumbent DLP MP and Foreign Minister Jonas Barrett winning with 46.5% of the vote.

Agnes Ingram wrote:9:48 pm - Saint Ellen's-West has been declared for the Movement for a New Imagua, with Jack Williams winning the seat with 50.8% of the vote.

Tyra Howard wrote:9:32 pm - With 73.5% turnout, we are declaring that there will be a Democratic Labour minority government in the Lesser House.

In the presidential arena, we are seeing that as Edmondo Privitera is leading against National challenger Cassius Armstrong 55-45%, we are also declaring that Edmondo Privitera has secured a second term. This is the first time since 1988 that an incumbent Prime Minister and an incumbent President from the same party have been re-elected.

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:9:28 pm - We've just been informed that National leader Giocondo Stasio has lost his own seat to MNI candidate Danio Zangara, with Zangara securing 48.9% of the vote. We have also been informed that Saint Isidore's-East has also been won by MNI candidate Brett Lawrence with 51.4% of the vote.

On the island of Imagua, the incumbent National MP, Mason Greenwood has won a second term, with 61% of the vote. Thus, in the Lesser House, we can clearly see that the DLP has twenty-five seats, and is currently leading in Newport, while the Nationals also have twenty-five seats, and are leading in zero constituencies. The MNI have sixteen seats, and is currently leading in Saint Ellen's-West, and the Greens have two seats, and are leading in zero constituencies.

Tyra Howard wrote:9:15 pm - Given the close results, we here at the ITS are forecasting a Democratic Labour minority government.

Agnes Ingram wrote:9:14 pm - The DLP have won two seats in Altaithe, with Altaithe-Northeast and Altaithe-North being held by their incumbent MPs Vinnie Lee and Luke Edison, who have won with 64% and 68% of the vote respectively, and will serve their second and third terms in the Lesser House. In Saint Ellen's-East, MNI candidate Dan Green won with 53% of the vote, while in the constituency of Morgan in Cuanstad, Ed Tagawa of the Nationals won with 64% of the vote, allowing him to enter the Lesser House for the first time. Finally, in Lundholm-South, National candidate Frank Smith won with 48% of the vote.

On the Assimas, Adele Piacente of the MNI won the constituency of Penza-Saso with 58% of the vote, while Agabio Ferrarini of the MNI won the constituency of Inzerillo with 55% of the vote. Finally, Debora Galla won the constituency of Colline della città, with 59% of the vote.

This gives the DLP twenty-five declared seats, the Nationals twenty-four declared seats, the MNI fourteen declared seats, and the Greens two declared seats. The MNI are leading in three constituencies, while the DLP and the Nationals are leading in one constituency each.

Tyra Howard wrote:8:56 pm - Cuanstad is filling out, with Chuck Simpson of the Nationals taking the constituency of Stanmore with 54% of the vote, while in Harston, Minnie Fleming of the DLP won with 52% of the vote. In Hythe, incumbent MP Sotiras Baxter won with 68% of the vote, allowing him to serve for a second term, in Palmerston, Maddie Hayes of the Greens won with 51% of the vote, Cathy Bates of the DLP won the constituency of Cromerth with 53% of the vote, incumbent DLP MP and Defence Minister Bob Farrell won the seat of Abingdon-Bredon, with 66% of the vote, and allowing him to serve a fourth term in the Lesser House. Finally, in the Thompson Hills, Sonny Hardy of the MNI won with 49% of the vote.

Outside of Cuanstad, the constituency of Saint Christopher's was won by MNI candidate Robbie Macdonald, with 61% of the vote, while on the Assimas, incumbent DLP MP Dario Foppiano won with 63% of the vote in the constituency of Cucinotta-Monastra, allowing him to serve for a second term, while incumbent DLP MP Leo Chimenti won with 58% of the vote in the constituency of Travaglini, allowing him to serve a third term. As well, Rebecca Di Muzio of the MNI won the constituency of Catena-Proserpina.

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:8:23 pm - And the declared seats keep on coming.

Saint Florian's-North has been won by incumbent National MP Trevor Saunders, with 61% of the vote, allowing him to serve a third term in the Lesser House. In Bronstad-North, DLP candidate Ruben Morgan won with 58% of the vote, allowing him to serve a second term in the Lesser House.

Two seats are also declared for the Nationals in New Lumbridge, with incumbent MPs Bo Robinson of New Lumbridge-North, and Phil Lloyd of New Lumbridge-South winning with 66% and 70% of the vote respectively.

In Nua Taois-South, Larry George of the Nationals won with 58% of the vote, allowing him to enter the Lesser House for the first time. In Nua Taois-West, incumbent DLP MP Autumn Rodgers won with 48% of the vote, allowing her to serve for a second term.

In Cuanstad, incumbent DLP MP Joseph Bradley of Mona won with 64% of the vote, allowing him to serve a second term in the Lesser House, while in the constituency of Thompson, National candidate Tommy Edgarson won with 55% of the vote.

On the Assimas, in Rutigliano-East, Marolo Aloisi of the MNI won with 61% of the vote, and in Piccole Colline, Corrado Lavigna of the MNI won with 58% of the vote.

Tyra Howard wrote:8:03 pm - And we now have four seats coming in from Altaithe, all of whom are National seats. Altaithe-Central's incumbent MP, Jim Daniels won a second term with 52% of the vote, Altaithe-West is won by National candidate Mark Richard, with 61% of the vote, Altaithe-Southwest was won by incumbent National MP Destiny Glover with 61% of the vote, and Altaithe-East was won with Eddie Prisco, who won with 52% of the vote.

In Cuanstad proper, the seat of Callen is held by incumbent DLP MP Mack Gallagher, who maintained the seat with 61% of the vote. In the constituency of Wilson, DLP candidate Laura Grant won with 52% of the vote, while on Floodplain, National MP Leonard Hopkins won with 68% of the vote, allowing him to serve for a third term in the Lesser House. Finally, at Saint Oran's, DLP MP Sam Blackwell maintained his seat with 63% of the vote, allowing him to serve for a second term in the Lesser House.

Up north, Nua Taois-North has been won by incumbent National MP Fred Dubois, with 59% of the vote, and allowing him to serve a third term in the Lower House. Nua Taois-East was won by Quinn Fox of the Nationals, allowing him to enter the Lesser House for the first time. Saint Isidore's-West was won by incumbent National MP Barney Hunt, with 58% of the vote.

Finally, DLP leader Douglas Egnell won his own seat, with 64% of the vote, allowing him to serve a fifth term in the Lesser House, and potentially allowing him to serve as Prime Minister in the event that the DLP forms government.

Thus, the Nationals have fifteen declared seats, the DLP have thirteen declared seats, and the MNI and the Greens are still at six declared seats and one, respectively. This leaves thirty-five seats remaining, and of the thirty-five remaining seats, twelve seats are being led by the DLP, eleven by the MNI, nine by the Nationals, and two by the Green Party.

Tyra Howard wrote:7:41 pm - So far, we have the following seats declared:
Nine seats for the Democratic Labour Party
Eight seats for the National Party
Six seats for the Movement for a New Imagua
One seat for the Green Party

This leaves fourty-six seats left to be declared, and of these:
Seventeen seats for the DLP
Sixteen seats for the Nationals
Eleven seats for the MNI
One seat for the Green Party

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:7:35 pm - And more results are coming in as we speak.

In the Cuanstad Parish, Cuanstad-Centre has been declared to be held by National incumbent Reg Morton, with 73% of the vote, allowing him to serve for a third term. Elsewhere in Cuanstad, Dockside has been won by incumbent MP Isaac Tolbert of the DLP, with 61% of the vote, allowing him to serve for a second term, Mark Powell of the DLP has won his first term in Southbank with 59% of the vote, and of course, Amy Atkinson won her first term in Downs with 52% of the vote.

Elsewhere on Imagua, Lundholm-North has been won by National incumbent Percy Bell for a second term, with 63% of the vote, Lundholm-East has been won by National incumbent Pete O'Neal with 58% of the vote, Saint Florian's-South has been won by National incumbent Archibald Cooper, with 61% of the vote for a fifth term, and Bronstad-South has been held by incumbent DLP MP Ben Knight, who has won a second term.

On the Assimas, Piacentino-Viselli has been won by Bino Fichera of the MNI, with 64% of the vote to incumbent National MP Berengario Chimera, who only gained 28% of the vote. Rutigliano-West has been won by Ruperto Iarussi of the MNI with 55% of the vote, and in the Fabbriche constituency, Ambra Pedone of the DLP won with 54% of the vote.

Agnes Ingram wrote:7:16 pm - We are now starting to see a flurry of results coming in now.

In Ineweyu-Guardia, MNI leader Dalmazio Pasquarello has won his seat with 59% of the vote, while in the constituency of Avitabile, Soccorso Fiorilli of the MNI won with 69% of the vote. In the constituency of Porto in San Pietro, Elisabetta Cefalu of the DLP has won a fourth term with 58% of the vote, while in Piacentino-Viselli. Finally, in the constituency of Città vecchia in San Pietro, Eros Vetro of the DLP has won a second term with 64% of the vote.

On the island of Imagua, Green leader Mystelle Stone has won a second term in the Chatman Hills, with 52% of the vote, while in Lundholm-Centre, DLP incumbent Lucas Gausa has won with 64% of the vote. In Knowleston-West, Kerrel Benson of the Nationals has been elected for his first term with 54% of the vote, while in Knowleston-South, National candidate Moses Burton has been re-elected for a fourth term with 67% of the vote, and lastly, in Knowleston-East, Beth Sutton was re-elected for a second-term with 68% of the vote.

The DLP are now leading or declared in twenty-seven seats, the Nationals are leading or declared in twenty-four seats, the MNI are leading or declared in seventeen seats, and the Greens are leading or declared in two constituencies.

Tyra Howard wrote:6:59 pm - MNI candidate Andrew Farman have gained the constituency of Saint Hubert's, with 64% of the vote. The DLP are now leading or declared in twenty-seven seats, the Nationals are leading or declared in twenty-four seats, the MNI are leading or declared in seventeen seats, and the Greens are still leading in two constituencies.

Tyra Howard wrote:6:44 pm - And now, Nua Taois-Centre has been declared for the DLP, with incumbent MP, and current Indigenous Affairs Minister Helen Ilumani being re-elected with 67% of the vote for a second term. The Nationals are leading or declared in twenty-seven seats, while the DLP are now leading or declared in twenty-six seats, the MNI are leading or declared in fifteen seats, and the Greens are now still leading in two constituencies.

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:6:31 pm - And for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, Austin Houghton has returned to the Lower House, as ITS declares Saint Fiacre's for Austin Houghton, with 58% of the vote. The DLP are now leading in twenty-seven seats, while the Nationals are leading or declared in twenty-seven seats, the MNI are leading or declared in sixteen seats, and the Greens are now back up to two constituencies.

Tyra Howard wrote:6:22 pm - And the first constituency to be declared by the ITS is Saint-André, with incumbent MP Lucian Genet securing a third term with 73% of the vote. Elsewhere, the Nationals are leading or declared in twenty-seven constituencies, the DLP is now leading in twenty-five constituencies, the MNI are leading in seventeen constituencies, and the Greens are now only leading in one seat, albeit by a comfortable margin.

Tyra Howard wrote:6:00 pm - And with the polls closed, we are now reporting the first results. All of these results so far are early votes. So far, the Nationals are leading in twenty-eight constituencies, the DLP is leading in twenty constituencies, the MNI are leading in twenty constituencies, and the Greens in two constituencies.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:55 pm - Welcome back. I am Tyra Howard, and I am joined here by Lord Mayor Ken Lagerfelt of Cuanstad, and former Prime Minister Agnes Ingram. We are covering the 2020 election results, as they come in when the polls close in about five minutes.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:49 pm - And now, with only ten minutes to go, we urge all voters who have not voted to leave now and go vote. If you are still in line when the polls close, you have the right to stay in line, and you will be allowed to vote. We will be back after the break.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:45 pm - Thank you, Mrs. Ingram. As we reach fifteen minutes before the polls close, we are going to reveal the 3D map that we will be using throughout the night's coverage to show which constituencies have parties leading and which ones don't. We have a 3D chart of the Lesser House, so we may track in real time how many seats have been declared for which party. And throughout the night, we will be interviewing party leaders, as well as the Lord Mayor of Cuanstad, Ken Lagerfelt, and former Prime Minister Agnes Ingram.

Agnes Ingram wrote:5:40 pm - I agree with you. In my time as Prime Minister, my colleagues from Cuanstad were much more liberal than my colleague from Saint Fiacre's, or my colleagues from the rural constituencies of Saint Isidore's. I do not see the attitudes of the MNI ever gaining much ground in Cuanstad, or even in Nua Taois. I can see San Pietro, given that this area has, in recent years, been seeing the rise of far-right extremism, but in general, I do feel the MNI will be confined to the countryside, and maybe San Pietro.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:37 pm - Definitely. I do not know anyone who knows anyone who will be voting for the MNI here, and I reckon most in Cuanstad are not going to vote for the MNI, especially given their somewhat... controversial platform, shall we say?

Agnes Ingram wrote:5:35 pm - We are a country of regions: that alone means that we cannot always guarantee that people will vote the same way. In the countryside, the Nationals and the DLP have been far more conservative than in the towns, and given that, the MNI certainly will make inroads into the countryside. But given the more liberal nature of towns, the more liberal nature of the Assimas, I simply do not see the MNI gaining more than a single seat in Town, so to speak.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:33 pm - Welcome back. I am Tyra Howard, and I am joined here by Lord Mayor Ken Lagerfelt of Cuanstad, and former Prime Minister Agnes Ingram. We are covering the 2020 election results, as they come in when the polls close in about twenty-six minutes.

Mrs. Ingram, to continue where we left off with the discussions, do you think there are any confounding factors which can affect the election results?

Tyra Howard wrote:5:29 pm - Certainly. And now with thirty minutes to go, may I remind our viewers that if you have not voted, do so now. If you're in line when the polls close, stay in line, and they will let you vote. We'll be back after the break.

Agnes Ingram wrote:5:27 pm - Given the recent crises faced, I feel that the MNI even becoming the kingmakers can jeopardise the continued existence of the AFDC. We've seen how the AFDC failed to act to stem this little crisis over Belmonte establishing deeper ties with the Maracan regime, and how it has caused unease and discontent among outside investors. The MNI even becoming the kingmakers would definitely undermine the very foundations of the AFDC, and cause it to be seen as a failed experiment. All this because the AFDC acted too little, and too late, and because the MNI was able to exploit people's fears of the AFDC.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:25 pm - Certainly, ma'am. This election campaign has been quite fascinating, particularly for the two major parties who are seeing the MNI take their support, and to a lesser degree, the Greens taking their support away from the DLP. How will this election affect the AFDC?

Agnes Ingram wrote:5:23 pm - I do not really know if the Nationals will be taking power tonight. While we are undeniably close with the governing Democratic Labour Party in terms of polling numbers, I am unsure if we'll have the seat distribution, given that the MNI has been appealing to the right-wing, especially out in the countryside. But I do feel it will result in a minority government, regardless of what happens.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:21 pm - Thank you for your observations, Mr. Lagerfelt. Besides Mr. Lagerfelt, we are also joined by the former Prime Minister, Agnes Ingram. Good evening, ma'am, do you think this election will help the Nationals take power?

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:5:18 pm - I do doubt that this would actually be the case: while they do include many of the same people, and they do appeal to similar demographics, the MNI has learnt from the NRP's time in power, and has taken cues from their Tribune counterparts across the Vehemens. If they play their cards right, I bet that they're going to become the kingmakers tonight. It won't matter if the DLP or Nationals win, if the MNI does not give their blessings, that minority government will fall.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:17 pm - It would be hard for Pasquarello not to gain at least a dozen seats, that is for sure. And given that Houghton is running for the MNI, I imagine it will probably seek to ensure that rural arch-conservatives will have a voice, and give a sense of continuity between the NRP and the MNI.

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:5:13 pm - Of course. I think that unlike in 1992, the Movement for a New Imagua has strong support outside of the Imaguan countryside, especially in the Assimas. And given how both major parties have not been paying attention to "their" interests, particularly on the Assimas, we're going to see constituencies who have voted DLP for decades, who have been safe seats since 1948, all flip for the first time in history. And I reckon that'll be quite a thing to watch, especially given that the MNI probably has even less resources than the National Reform did when they made their big surge to power in 1992. It is like if Austin Houghton somehow led his party from having zero seats at all to twenty-one. But in reality, he won one seat in '88, built up his momentum while he was in the house, and then gained 21. Pasquarello, I imagine he'll go from zero to at least twenty.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:11 pm - I agree: given this, I feel we may have a bit of a repeat of 1992, with the two dominant parties being thrashed by an upstart third party: just like how the National Reform Party thrashed the Conservatives and the DLP, I imagine the MNI will be thrashing the DLP and the Nationals: not enough for them to take power outright, but certainly enough to make them the kingmakers. Is that so?

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:5:09 pm - Call me Mr. Lagerfelt. I honestly don't know: the polls have been saying that it is going to be a close race between Douglas Egnell of the DLP, and Giocondo Stasio of the Nationals, but with the rise of the Movement for a New Imagua under Mr. Pasquarello's leadership, I feel that this would be a confounding factor which would affect the formation of a government. And the Greens may gain a few more seats here in Cuanstad's constituencies, which certainly would be interesting.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:09 pm - Certainly, Your Worship. Do you have any idea who will win tonight on the national level?

Ken Lagerfelt wrote:5:08 pm - I am feeling incredibly confident that the elections are going to go well. I've seen people queue up at polling stations across the city, and after campaigning for re-election for my position, all I hope is that everything will go well.

Tyra Howard wrote:5:07 pm - Joining us in the studio tonight is the Lord Mayor of Cuanstad, Ken Lagerfelt, Ken, how are you feeling right now?

Tyra Howard wrote:5:00 pm - Good evening, welcome to ITS' live coverage of the 2020 general elections. I am Tyra Howard, and we are now presenting tonight's election coverage for the 2020 Imaguan general election.

The last opinion polls yesterday shown the DLP leading at 30%, the Nationals at 29%, the MNI at 28%, and the Greens at 10%, which shows that this can be a close race. We have an hour to go until polls close, so if you haven't voted, do so now! If you're in line when the polls close, stay in line.

Comments [ 13,669 ] |

MORE HEADLINES

The AFDC's response to the Belmonte-Maracao crisis [ 13214 ]
EC, IFDS, and COMSED demand AFDC end the crisis or else ITO might be involved [ 11509 ]
Who will win the local elections? [ 6136 ]
Tsabaran civil war takes a turn as navy deployed to Hitteen [ 5951 ]
Opinion: Can the AFDC survive this election? [ 4684 ]

by **Tir Hael** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:46 pm

Unparalleled bilateral talks between NVO and COMSED to begin in Keisi

27 March 2020 | By Andrew McCartaigh

President Quinn and Ueyosi Watanabe, Senior Advisor for Asterian Affairs

Hallandic President Arthur Quinn arrived in Keisi in his second state visit following the invite of his Senrian counterpart, Prime Minister Reika Okura, to visit Senria as an honoured guest for the country’s celebration of its 102nd anniversary of the Senrian Revolution. The Hallandic President was joined by the Nuxican Foreign Minister, Umar Pratdepadua, and the Cassien President, in an unparalleled two-week long visit of the block. The visit is considered by many a sign of consolidation of ASTRA - COMSED relations, amidst increasing uncertainty in the AFDC. President Quinn, in the last year of his mandate, has repeatedly together with Prime Minister Mac Dónnail called for increased economic and strategic partnership with the Coian block on “all levels”.

Prime Minister Okura told reporters that the prolonged state visit was an ideal opportunity to promote ASTRA-COMSED partnership. “COMSED and ASTRA have already built a strong relationship in several areas, which has economically and politically benefitted all parties involved,” she said. “In the uncertainty of the modern world, our partnership with ASTRA provides stability and prosperity to many nations in Coius and the Asterias alike, and I look forward to expanding this relationship further in discussion with President Quinn.”

Okura also expressed support for a further deepening of the military ties between COMSED and the NVO. “It is my hope that myself and my fellow leaders will make further progress on joint research and development programs and on military standardization,” she stated. “These programs have benefitted all parties involved, and I am confident in our ability to make even more progress in this regard.”

In an official address to the press this morning, Prime Minister Mac Dónnail has expressed Halland’s need for increased international partnership with Coius. “The prosperity and success of the free Asterian nations can’t be explained by any factor other than its deep commitment to the international community. Cementing closer relations with our fellow Coian brothers is a desired, mutual beneficial step towards the advance of both economies. Senria and the COMSED as a whole has a long history of multilateral cooperation with Halland and its allies, along with shared interests in upholding a stable international order based on dialogue, not on unilateral strongmanship. Furthering this cooperation is only natural.”

The visit’s agenda has been received warmly in Senria, particularly amidst the uncertainty provoked by turmoil within the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation, which has caused significant uncertainty about the state of affairs within the Asterias. For many Senrian businesses, this re-affirmation of COMSED-ASTRA economic ties serves as a sign of stability, and the Keisi Stock Exchange showed a marked tick upwards on the day the state visit began as a result.

The agenda of the Head of State’s first day of visit is crowded, with a series of bilateral talks scheduled for the day. Although the visit was scheduled prior to the recent AFDC turmoil, the theme was allegedly commented between the two statesmen and the presence of the Nuxican Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Quinn and Prime Minister Okura made a press release following morning talks between the two, where both discussed the begin of a series of accords which would bring partnership between COMSED’s economic and military arm and NVO and ASTRA to “a new level not seen yet between the two continents”, said Prime Minister Okura.

Several Accords between the blocks have been historically established, with Halland notably being a COMSED associate. NVO and COMSED’s military branch are close international partners, with several agreements on the standardization of equipment, technology and officer interchange programs and mutual partnership. In the economic branch, the blocks have since 1996 a comprehensive trade agreement.

The possibility of an extension of these agreements were raised by the Cassien President, Jean Tremblay, in the end of last year, following increased tensions amidst the rise in oil prices due to Zorasan’s actions and the Tsabaran crisis. ASTRA, which includes two of Asteria’s largest oil produces, has since increased its presence in Coian markets. Coius represents the majority of exports of ASTRA as a whole, representing a significant share of the three member nations’ Gross Domestic Products.

This state visit is a clear sign of increased economic and strategic cooperation beyond mere diplomatic protocol. The following days are likely to feature extensive billateral accords, should the block negotiations be fruitful.

MORE HEADLINES

New Kyrlav man is found drinking beer with bear. "It was just the right thing to do", he said. [ 192142 ]
Editorial: ASTRA and the AFDC should aid one another for a more cohesive Asteria. Does the AFDC help itself towards this goal? [ 66124 ]
"It is time for a new set of negotiations with Imagua regarding relocating Mordred", says Social Democratic Nominee Anna Cohen [ 42510 ]
Zorasan reinforces Ain Samad Air Base following anniversary of the Solarian Crisis [ 29460 ]
Chicken or Pasta? Health experts puts an end to the airplane food debate [ 14684 ]

COMMENTS

Alberta-chan:
How am I supposed to share this on social media if it has no headline? Everyone knows the average Hallandic only reads the headlines.

by **Caltarania** » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:02 pm

AFDC SHOULD LOOK TO COMSED, MINISTER SAYS
Trade minister Ngawang Nyingpo warned that the AFDC crisis risks trade
relationships, calls for calm and dialogue between affected Asterian states

Trade Minister Ngawang speaking in Keisi during the ASTRA-COMSED conference and Senrian Revolution celebrations.

LADUMRA, TINZA - 27/03/2020

While in Keisi for the 102nd anniversary of the Senrian Revolution, trade minister Ngwang Nyingpo has pleaded with AFDC figures to reach a diplomatic solution to the ongoing political crisis that has engulfed the organisation, while also pointing to COMSED as proof that "productive things can get done" between states when dialogue and diplomacy are used, even when those states adhere to wildly differing ideologies.

The crisis in question began when Imagua and other AFDC nations expressed disapproval over a meeting of Belmontese and Maracan diplomats, and the subsequent meeting of Belmontese Prime Minister Rita Maurino and Chistovidian President Viktor Martynenko. Maracao and Chistovidia are both described as constitutionally socialist, and Maracao currently occupies territory that is claimed by AFDC member Imagua. AFDC members then withdrew ambassadors from the states involved, with the AFDC also discussing the possibility of sanctioning Belmonte; nominally an AFDC member.

The spat soon gained international attention, with representatives from Xiaodong, the Euclean Community and Senria all calling for deescalation of tensions and the return of embassadors.

Earlier today, the trade minister joined calls for deescalation, while also suggesting that the AFDC look to COMSED as it searches for a solution to the crisis. "In COMSED, we have nations of all stripes, speaking multiple languages and following many alternate paths" the trade minister told reporters. "We also share joint humanity, however, and are able to cooperate, and productive things get done. AFDC members should look at us, and remember their shared humanity with Maracao and others. Maracan, Belmontese or Nuvanian, we all stand to gain from stability".

"Tinza and Asteria share many trade and, increasingly, cultural ties. At a time of such uncertainty in the international economy, I would encourage the AFDC to undertake reasonable measures so as not to disturb trade, and to put this crisis to bed. We all stand to benefit from cooperation". Commenting on claims that the Senrian Ministry of Revenue was looking into bringing the AFDC to the ITO over insolvency, and uncertainty in Senrian markets, Ngwang said that it was "all speculation with no proof", but also noted that "such actions are not unorthodox" if significant damage was done to the international economy.

While in Keisi, the trade minister held talks with Hallandic President Arthur Quinn, in particular over new ASTRA-COMSED trade deals. Speculation also spread that the NVO, the military alliance of which Halland and all ASTRA members are a part of, would step-up cooperation with COMSED. Such actions would certainly raise eyebrows in Rongzhou, experts claim.

Prior to his departure, Ngwang told the President and council of ministers that his key aims were to secure further Hallandic investment in the Tinzan economy, to deepen trade relations between the two blocs, and to ensure that the AFDC crisis did not impact transcontinental trade.

News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

Trziste starts tracking its visitors

Who is online