AMW News Centre

[Depkazia]

Vatan
(Homeland)
Evening Edition

Samarcand Unveils Depkazi Association-Football Tournament
Khagan invests billions in stadia, transfer budgets

A new twelve-club professional association-football competition is set to become a key part of the Khagan's drive to rapidly modernise and enrich Depkazia, according to reports from the Registan, where Chingiz increasingly chooses to hold court.

New stadia are being constructed using a combination of vigorous Depkazi state industry and more experienced foreign contractors, chiefly from Gandvik, and the Khagan has earmarked several billion dollars in petrochemical revenues for both the development of domestic footballing academies and the acquisition of, 'top level' foreign football stars.

Chingiz has decreed that each of the twelve new clubs should be given the opportunity to sign at least one multi-million-dollar valued foreign player to spearhead their formative Depkazi teams. 'Centerpiece' players, it is reported, will be offered wages greater than those available in Europe's top leagues, as the DAFT attempts to hit the ground running with big-draw names. Intending also to foster domestic talent, the Khagan is reported to favour a cap on the number of foreign players that may appear in a match-day squad.

The first clubs to constitute the new competition will be drawn one from each of the Caliph's eleven principle subjects plus a twelfth from the capital. They are as follows:

1.FC Samarkand City

Thought to be Chingiz's favoured club, the capital-city side is rumoured to have an, 'effectively unlimited' transfer and salary budget and is pursuing some of Europe's top stars.

Dynamo Bukhara

Appearing to be pitched as 1.FC's hottest rivals, the Bukharan Khanate's second team gives a nod to the Celtic Communist state's state-organised fitness clubs, and early publicity campaigns seem to suggest an intended focus on home-grown talent.

Faithful Ak-Mechet

Representing Köktürük Khanate, ”The Millers” have been particularly successful in generating local interest with public events and advertising, their replica kit sales already under-way before a full squad has been announced by any DAFT club.

Aqtaw Isotopes
[...]


Inside!:
*Lack of established grass-roots football infrastructure cited as likely fatal to DAFT scheme
”No grass-roots? Ridiculous! We will play above-ground!” -Khagan responds to naysayers
*East finally sees state investment up-tick
No more feeling neglected in the face of Gallaga's reconstruction aid and Qazaqstan's pipeline wealth; Köktürük gets a boost from new military facilities as additional troops add to consumer base, and a mysterious construction scheme brings investment to the shores of Ysyk Köl

[Chrinthanium]

The Jet-Setting Emperor

His Imperial Majesty and his beau, Mr. Shane Jennings, have departed Chrinthania this evening and are heading towards a private vacation in North America. According to Brightmore Palace, the couple will be enjoying a few nights in Philadelphia.
While on his trip, His Majesty and Mr. Jennings will be meeting with American President Benjamin Maresial as well as participating in the American Thanksgiving holiday. After a few days in America, the couple will travel to Los Angeles, California where they palace stated that they will be enjoying a nice, relaxing, personal vacation in California's largest city. This trip marks the first time Emperor Nathaniel has visited America since his ascension to the throne in 2013. The exact details of the trip have been withheld at the Emperor's request and none of the Imperial Press Corps have been granted access to the emperor and his boyfriend for this trip.

The Palace announced this morning that His Imperial Majesty will be visiting King Lysander in Margravia City on 11 December. The palace hopes that this trip, the first time both monarchs will meet in their official capacities, will help to continue to forge a closer relationship with the Middle East nation while showing that the current Marimaian-Chrinthani relationship is already strong. It is reported that Mr. Shane Jennings will also be traveling with Emperor Nathaniel for this trip. The Palace stated it will release more information regarding this official visit as details become available.

/staff reports

[Chrinthanium]

News and Notes

SYDNEY -- Prime Minister Devin Pledger unveiled a new budget for the 2018 fiscal year. In a surprise announcement, the Environmental Protection Service has more funding than the Chrinthani Defense Force, something never before done. The Imperial Health Service continues to have one of the highest per-capita spending estimates at almost $5300 per capita. The National Pension Scheme has been given more funding and an increase in the twice-monthly payment for Chrinthani aged 65 and older. The new twice-monthly payment will be $900 per single person, $800 per married person. The National Debt, currently at $410.8 billion (23.9% of GDP), generated interest of around $8 billion dollars in 2017, though debt servicing continues at 300% of the interest rate, or around $24 billion. The budget also reveals its final bout of good news, there's a budget surplus for the 3rd year in a row. The Balanced Budget Amendment, passed in 2013, requires all budget surplus to be held "in trust" to the People. The current People's Trust is estimated to have grown to nearly $44 billion.

SYDNEY -- Emperor Nathaniel's in "Perfect health" according to his personal physician. In his annual checkup on The Emperor, Dr. Eddie Yates gave His Majesty the health check yesterday and reported to CBC News, "His Majesty is in perfect physical and mental health." The report, released earlier this morning by The Palace, indicated that His Majesty has gained 4 kilograms in weight, a statistic that His Majesty joked about with reporters this arvo, "I would love to tell you it is all from exercise, but it is well known that I have a love affair with cheesecake that makes Shane jealous."

MELBOURNE -- There is no business like show business, and that's what promoters are hoping for as Chrinthani Idol begins its 3rd season. Talent searches from all over the country have scouted over 145,000 want-to-be stars, out of which only one can be crowned champion. The show reached the top of the rating charts last year for the first time in its history. Chrinthani Idol producers hope the show will win over its time slot this year. The show will be broadcast on CBC beginning March 1.

ALSO REPORTED:

Hot, that's the weather report for the Southeast of the Chrinthani mainland. Temperatures should range well into the mid-30s from Sydney to Melbourne.
A 5.4 earthquake struck about 40 kilometers off of the Christchurch area. Minor shaking reported in and around the city with minor damage.
Conspiracy Theorists claim that Emperor Nathaniel is really an immortal sent from another civilization to rule over Earth, The Palace denies the allegations.

[Convallaria]

[Convallaria]

[The Crooked Beat]

The Latest News from Gandvik

From Päivä

It has been unanimously agreed-upon that to continue publication of this paper without our making some acknowledgement of recently-changed political circumstances would be unacceptable, both from the point-of-view of what we flatter ourselves to call our integrity as journalists and from the perspective of our readers, to whom we as an organization owe our very existence. As our readers are undoubtedly aware, an awareness, we keenly hope, enhanced by our paper’s coverage, political upheavals surrounding Lieutenant-General Benckendorff’s attempted coup d’etat have affected conditions for our national press fundamentally. Censorship, which many, ourselves included, have taken as for all intents and purposes defunct since Chancellor Bjorgstrom’s restoration to power eight months earlier, has on this very date been abolished with the full force of law. Since 1927, press censorship amounted to a simple, unavoidable fact of life for any publication in this country setting itself up as a purveyor of news and information. While this condition inevitably compromised to a greater or lesser degree our paper’s intended function as a public service, compliance with the state censor, which likewise could act with greater or lesser severity depending on circumstances, amounted to the dividing line between legal and illegal publication.

That not all of our fellow journalists acquiesced in this compromise is a glowing testament to their courage, dedication, and professional skill, and it is to our everlasting regret that, as a body, we did not follow those pillars of integrity in their unyielding quest for truth. Nonetheless it was our calculation and that of our predecessors, through the years, that work of value could still be produced under the restrictions which censorship imposed, that some general picture of events, however incomplete, would still benefit the reading public at large. We would like at any rate to think that our primary sin, in operating under the yoke of censorship, was one of omission, rather than of outright fabrication, and that we have in the main done our best to report events as truthfully and honestly as possible while remaining on the side of legality. Clearly it was not always possible to reconcile, however imperfectly, the demands of the law with our journalistic responsibility.

We are immensely gratified to report that, as of today, those burdensome restrictions no longer apply. We wish to promise our readers that, from here forward, Päivä will strive to report, as the Americans famously put it, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, may the Lord help us. We are confident that press freedom will permit our exceptional staff of journalists and editors, who have always maintained a professional standard second to none, to exercise their formidable talents to the fullest possible extent.

In parting, we wish above all to exhort our fellow countrymen to keep foremost in their hearts and minds those principles which have proven the ingredients of our nation’s survival and success throughout the past century, namely, those principles of peace, tolerance, and solidarity which have always marked Gandvians out among the peoples of Europe. We wish always to express our heartfelt thanks to our readership for its loyalty.

All the best,

The editorial board

Negotiators reach agreement on future administrative framework

A surprise press conference convened early last Sunday in Qazan, Tataria’s provincial capital and most populous city, was the occasion for an announcement delivered jointly by Matthias Joseph von Ungern-Sternberg and Hans Teller to the effect that agreement has been reached on a mutually-acceptable solution to the political crisis prevailing in that province ever since the collapse of Lieutenant-General Benckendorff’s coup attempt last April 1st. This announcement arrives at a time when tensions between Tataria’s Muslim community, corresponding to approximately 45 per cent of the territory’s population, and the approximately 30 per cent of residents who claim adherence to one of several Protestant denominations existing outside the umbrella of Gandvik’s Lutheran official church, remain palpably high. The latest major outbreak of disorder, in which members of Governor Klaus Malmberg’s National Popular Party of the Urals and the Jaizar took to the streets in protest after an armored formation stationed nearby invaded Orjalinna's Civil Guard headquarters, evidently in order to release several detained Army personnel, had given rise to fears of a general breakdown of the local security situation. Sunday morning’s announcement, however, would seem to suggest that a peaceable settlement is in fact on the horizon.

Neither Ungern-Sternberg, former under-secretary to the Foreign Minister and acting on behalf of the national government in Riga, nor Teller, mayor of Orjalinna and representative for Malmberg and his Kansallinen Suosittu Puolue/Ulusal Popüler Parti (KSP/UPP), were willing to reveal the specific language of the agreement, both men emphasizing that a number of detailed provisions remain to be settled even at this late stage. The two chief negotiators did indicate that a mechanism by which whatever party happens to govern Tataria will be compelled to fill certain senior posts with individuals drawn from among all of Tataria’s stasticially-significant ethnic and religious communities, is at the core of the arrangement arrived-at. According to Teller and Ungern-Sternberg, this structure, intended to prevent the formation of a local government along exclusively communal lines, is hoped to help stabilize the strained state of relations between Turkic Muslims and the predominantly Protestant descendants of more lately-arrived settlers from western Gandvik, and to establish an effective foundation for mutual trust between those historically-antagonistic segments of the territorial population.

Prospects for a successful conclusion to bilateral negotiations, first joined in late May of this year and carried on without major interruption since, had been described by a number of prominent commentators as dim prior to Sunday’s joint announcement. The relatively low-key manner in which talks were conducted, coupled with the national government’s refusal to comment in detail on their progress, served to breed considerable skepticism that a solution would in fact be reached, particularly in light of uncertainty as to the extent of either party’s authority and legitimacy among the communities and interest groups at issue. Recent belligerent statements made by Hans-Jakob Thirkell, current high elder of the United Reformed Church and generally acknowledged as the de facto leader of Gandvik’s Calvinists, have served to cast yet more doubt upon the real value of any deal reached between Qazan and Riga. Malmberg, however, whose KSP/UPP remains, to all appearances, the legitimate platform for Turkic political aspirations, was quick to endorse the joint statement and in a press conference of his own signaled his intention to honor the agreement, “…in letter and in spirit.”

Malmberg’s own position as provincial governor, a post which he has occupied continuously since 1987, will reportedly be decided in the course of a special election, to be held separately from elections for the national legislature tentatively scheduled to go ahead in approximately three weeks. The decision to detach Tataria from the wider electoral contest, the two negotiators explained, stems from Riga’s reluctance to apply there municipal government reform such as is being introduced elsewhere in Gandvik at a time when conditions remain unsettled. In light of its special circumstances, Tataria will reportedly keep its preexisting system of provincial government and territorial organization, a doubling in size of the province’s legislative assembly amounting to the only significant alteration identified as yet. Most observers expect Malmberg to win the election for governor, the first truly open and competitive contest of his career, by a clear margin. The incumbent, in spite of what seemed like a dip in his political fortunes as of late, can presumably remain confident in the ability of his well-established political machine, tied particularly strongly to the trade unions and religious brotherhoods, to deliver a convincing electoral majority. While recent survey data tends to suggest that enthusiasm for the long-serving governor may be somewhat lukewarm even among his traditional constituency, a viable competitor for the Turkic vote has yet to emerge and would appear unlikely to do so at this late stage.

With Riga and Qazan now agreed as to the path forward, much will depend on Thirkell and his willingness to go along with an agreement drafted, it appears, effectively without his input, and for which he has shown very little warmth. Talk of an electoral boycott by the members of the United Reformed Church, a course of action which Thirkell himself has neither endorsed nor repudiated in his public statements, is reportedly a source of considerable anxiety for officials in Riga, not least because trust in Malmberg’s promise to observe the Sternberg-Teller agreement “unconditionally” is itself far from unconditional. Recent reports suggesting that Matthias Joseph von Ungern-Sternberg was in fact poisoned at some point near the end of his mission in Tataria appear likely to complicate matters still further, and while both Malmberg and Thirkell have strenuously denied any involvement in foul play directed against Riga's representative, any instance of which has yet to be officially confirmed by the national government, these rumors nonetheless appear to underline the uncomfortable fact that elements are active on Tataria's political scene which neither of the leading political bosses and party organizations can fully control.

[Convallaria]

[Convallaria]

[Chrinthanium]

PROFESSIONAL SOCCER STAR LETS EVERYONE KNOW HE'S GAY ON INSTAGRAM USING SHAKESPEAREAN QUOTE AND PRIDE FLAG AFTER INFORMING TEAM, CLUB BOARD

SYDNEY | By: Michael Robinson

SERGIO ÁLVAREZ | Stock photo

It isn't easy coming out of the closet. Even in Chrinthania today, there's still a perception of a change in the person who announces publicly that they're gay. Sadly, it's a part of our lives that just doesn't seem to go away. Nowadays, with celebrities coming out of the closet as a higher rate than any other time in history, with literally hundreds of social media reveals and opinion pieces in news services, we're reminded today that in the world of professional sports, being openly gay is still taboo. Take, for instance, today's biggest news from League One. At a time when clubs are waiting for the start of the transfer window, when players are focused on offseason training and vacationing, one player has decided to blow the doors open on the closet and come bounding out.

Sergio Álvarez, rising star forward of AFC Sydney, posted on Instagram earlier today with an announcement:

A simple picture of a gay pride flag captioned with a line from Hamlet's first act. The post has since garnered over 90,000 likes and has thousands of comments most of which are filled with shock, some of which are filled with vitriol, but most of which simply congratulated the wunderkind on his decision to come out of the closet. Several of his teammates also weighed in with congratulatory notes including star centreback Javier Dominguez, perhaps Sergio's closes mate on the team, who responded simply with, "Good on ya, mate." That most Chrinthani of phrases. Message like these were the dominant sentiment on the post:

"Way to go, Sergio" posted a user who goes by the name of KiwiThunder90

"FINALLY!! A PRO PLAYER COMES OUT!!! BARRIERS FALL!!!" stated user OntheDLTooLong

"Now that's how you come out!" replied the Governor of New South Wales, Kip Heatherington

Most notably prominent in their support was the AFC Sydney official instagram account which simply posted two hashtags: #pride and #OhSergio. The first in honor of LGBT History Month and the second a popular hashtag taken from a stadium chant sung when Sergio scores a goal. Beyond their comment on the post itself, Owner and Chairman Reg Dixon said in a press release, "We've always supported the LGBT community here in Sydney and in New South Wales. We are honored and pleased that Sergio trusted us enough with this most personal of information and we have vigorously reinforced our desire to assist him moving forward." Mr. Dixon also added. Manager Ryan Davis also weighed in this afternoon, "I think it's great for him. I'm certain it's a weight off his shoulders."

Not all of the responses were pleasing to the ear, though. Almost an hour after the news began to spread like wildfires in the bush, Conservative MP Christina Blackstock spoke in an interview on Fox News, "Why can't gay people just stop talking about it." Expanding her remarks when pressed by the panel, she intimated that being gay was a choice and that there is no reason to announce it to the world. "I think the problem started when people began believing you have no choice in your sexual orientation. You do. That's why Gay Conversion Therapy works."

"You don't honestly believe that a gay man can play soccer," stated former League One chairman Vic Taylor, "I mean, what's it gonna do in the locker room? Some blokes'll feel threatened by this and that won't keep cohesion on the team. Why'd he do a stunt like this? He's a chop shy of a barbie if you ask me."

Others Instagram users commenting on the post stated things like, "Faggots can't play sports. That's a real man's domain" and "Great, now a sport I can't watch because in a few years it'll be full of poofs." CBC News declined to reveal the identities of those users and was unable to quote a few due to the use of strong language.

CBC News spoke with the 22 year old striker about his decision earlier today, "Well," Sergio said, "I didn't have anyone growing up to really look up to as a gay teen in the sports world. I mean, all the athletes that have come out are either in retirement when they do it or they're sports not as popular. I decided I had a responsibility to come out and show the younger kids that you too can be gay and an athlete competing at the highest level. Especially in soccer, which seems to be the last bastion of machismo. My hope is that this will help other athletes who may also be gay in deciding to come out. It's also my hope that we can finally start building a league that is more accepting of not only the idea of LGBT players, but tolerant of their very presence."

As to why he chose that specific quote, Sergio stated, "Being true to yourself means being honest with yourself as well as being honest with everyone. I cannot think of a better quote for inspiration when it comes to coming out."

[Marimaia]

Voice of Saint Lucia

"The Choice of the People"

Margraves Acquire Cap Maison

by Carson Winters, Business Editor
25th June 2018

It has been confirmed that Cap Maison Luxury Hotel and Spa has changed hands in a multi-million dollar deal and is now the newest acquisition of Margrave Holdings, the investment company owned by the world famous Margrave family. An official statement released by Margrave Holdings stated that Cap Maison is "a beautiful resort and a long-desired acquisition", and assurances were given that all current staff shall remain employed as "they had earned their positions and would therefore retain them".

First Minister Michael Baptiste commented on the deal, saying that it "demonstrated Saint Lucia's attractiveness for investors" and that "Saint Lucia welcomes the Margrave family with open arms". First Minister Baptiste and his National Development Alliance (NDA) party campaigned heavily during last year's elections on a platform of bringing more investment into Saint Lucia but had since struggled to attract the sort of capital influx that they initially hoped for, so today's news will undoubtedly help to silence their critics in the House of Assembly. The leader of the opposition United Democrat Party, Anthony Mallett, responded to news of the Cap Maison deal by stating that "the NDA have just been saved by the Margraves".

The acquisition has now raised the question of potential future investment in our island's economy by the Margraves as they have a proven track record of consistent investment in regions where they possess holdings. For example, their acquisition of the globally renowned Harrods department store in London was followed by investment in the wider Harrods group as well as the acquisition of the Maybourne Hotel Group, which operates a number of five star hotels in the British capital. The exact worth of the Margrave family is not known to the general public but they are believed to be one of the wealthiest families in the world. In addition to Margrave Holdings, the family are known to own a wider corporate empire which includes shipping, sportswear, food and drink, media, and of course the Marimaian Caliphate-based Margrave Oil Company.

Carson's Opinion:

If I'm being honest, this could be the best thing to happen for Saint Lucia in a long time. The Margraves never invest in anything that would make a loss so their purchase of Cap Maison demonstrates a clear vote of confidence in our tourism industry. Expect a great deal of investment in the resort as well as the potential for Cap Maison employees to receive more generous wages, as the Margraves are known for paying their employees particularly well. I wouldn't be surprised to see additional investments being made over the next few months and years as the Margraves get to know Saint Lucia better.

[Chrinthanium]

[Convallaria]

https://imgur.com/XBV0rZ5

- The image file was far too large to upload via the thread

[-Roma Invicta-]

Civis Romanus

A Decree of the Senate and People of Rome regarding Roman Citizenship and Roman Sovereignty.

The highest priority of the Roman State is the protection of its citizens, both at home and aboard; this decree, proposed by the Consuls to the Roman Senate, and enacted at their command by the Comitia Civis, shall be the Supreme Roman Law when matters of Citizenship and Sovereignty are to be considered. Violation of this decree by any Roman is under pain of death or exile, and by any foreigner, individually or collectively, under pain of whatever retribution the Senate and People of Rome deem appropriate, up to and including military action.

Section I: On Citizenship

• A Roman Citizen is defined as any individual who is a Roman Citizen by birth, or an individual who is in possession of grant of citizenship.
  
• No Citizen of Rome shall be impeded by any individual, party or state whilst going about his/her lawful business.
  
• No Citizen of Rome shall be harmed by any individual, party or state whilst going about his/her lawful business.
  
• No Citizen of Rome shall be deprived of his/her personal property by any individual, party or state whilst going about his/her lawful business.
  
• No Citizen of Rome shall be detained by any individual, party or state whilst going about his/her lawful business; all legal detainment must be founded on a basis of evidence and, in due course, a fair trial.
  
  
  • No Citizen of Rome accused of a crime, no matter how heinous, shall be deprived of legal counsel; those Citizens detained abroad shall not be deprived of counsel provided by the Roman Embassy, Legation.
    
  • No Citizen of Rome shall be put to death without benefit of legal counsel and a fair trial; absence of either, in Rome’s determination, shall be deemed in breach of this decree.

Section II: On Sovereignty

• Roman Territory is defined as the City of Rome plus all areas classified as a Province of Rome; with further territorial airspace and waters extending as far as twenty-four nautical miles past the base shoreline. A further twelve nautical miles is claimed as a contiguous zone and a further two hundred nautical miles is claimed as an exclusive economic zone.
  
  
  • No military vessel, aircraft or other unit shall be permitted to enter Roman Territory without prior permission; any such intruding asset shall be considered hostile and may be attacked at any time by Roman Military forces.
    
  • Rome retains a closed border, no foreign individual, party or state actor may cross the frontier without prior authorisation. Furthermore, Rome retains the right to restrict access to the Republic to any foreign individual, party or state actor at any time without giving any reason, and any entrants may be subject to search.
• All occurrence within the territory of Rome is considered an internal, domestic affair; no foreign individual, party or state will be permitted to act within the territory of Rome without the expressed permission of the Senate and People of Rome. Any individual, party or state violating the territorial integrity of Rome under arms will face immediate and severe repercussions.
  
• No Roman-flagged vessel or aircraft shall be impeded or molested whilst conducting its lawful business in international waters or airspace; any such acts of piracy, terrorism or hostility shall be dealt with severely as a breach of this decree.
  
  
  • Any Roman-flagged vessel or aircraft may defend itself against unlawful or hostile action.

This post is subject to adjustment and alteration.

[Saint-Laurent]

Saint-Laurent Signs $422M Aircraft Deal


C-27J Spartan in Roman Air Force

By Leverett D'Aubigné
Published: 25 February 2019 | 16:40

SAINT-ARTOIS - Minister of the Armed Forces, Orson Grondin announced Monday in a press conference that the military of Saint-Laurent has signed a deal with the Roman Republic to purchase twelve C-27J Spartan air transports. The deal, which will see eight aircraft for the Armée de l'Air Saint-Laurent (AASL) and four for the Marine de Saint-Laurent (MSL) has been a "long time coming," said Grondin.

The C-27J is a modern variant of the G.222 or C-27A Spartan, which was introduced in the late 1970s. Since their introduction, the AASL has been flying eight aircraft as a means of transportation around the various islands of our republic. The aircraft is said to have a payload of 9 tonnes with a range of approximately 1,400 kilometers. The advanced "J" variant, which was introduced in the mid-2000s, will provide a payload increase to 11.5 tonnes and a range increase of nearly 400 kilometers.

While some have criticized the Ministry of the Armed Forces over the purchase of the aircraft, citing a high price tag in comparison to other aircraft on the market. However, Minister Grondin responded that such criticism was "based entirely on a cost basis and not a capability or integration basis." Delivery of the first aircraft is expected next year.

Armed Forces
Saint-Artois Times © All Rights Reserved 2019

[Great Australisia]

NEWS / AFRICA

CIVIL UNREST IN AUSTRALISIA

Thousands of Zulus take it to the streets after decades of deemed "repression" by the Australisian Imperial Government

March 30th 2019, 5:43 PM



Nongoma, Zululand, Empire of Australisia - On the Sunday of March 24th, thousands of young Zulus march on the streets in protest of their treatment by the Australisian Imperial Government, in a supposedly declared "golden age" by the Australisian government.

Amidst years of great economic progress in Australisia, prominent Zulu nationalist leaders have envisioned that the Australisian crown would be more open towards peaceful negotiations and grants of greater autonomy. Yet, very little reform or change has occurred. The de-jure policy of the crown is to integrate Zulus with the Australisian Empire, however such attempts have resulted in unrest and chaos. Thus, the crown has essentially ignored the Zulus and keep them out of discussion in Australisian political circles since 1914. As such, they have been ghettoized and segregated under lower standards of living.

A long history rests behind the rebellion
The ethnic conflict between the Zulus and the mainstream Latin population of Australisia is deep-rooted historically. Tensions rose between White Australisian and their indigenous allies against the Zulus and their Bantu allies centuries back as settlers sought to conquer new land to prosper in. Since 1879, the Zulu Kingdom has been annexed by the Australisian Empire. The crown carried out actions to integrate the Zulu population, though they've resulted in violence and backlash. Therefore, the crown officially changed its policy in 1906 to segregate, ghettoize, and ignore the Zulus.

The history of Zulus as a strong and independent Bantu kingdom able to resist Australisian settlement remains a strong sentiment and is part of the Zulu's spirit in resistment. Another dimension of the population is religious divide. In 1901, the Zulu Catholic Church broke away from Rome and renamed themselves to the "Zulu Christian Church" amidst tensions over syncretic practices. This initially prompted the crown to adopt a strict assimilationist policy in replacement of an "integration policy." A rise in violent backlash prompted the crown to adopt an ethnic segregationist policy in 1906. Thus, it's been socially unacceptable within Zulu circles to be a Catholic. Their population is largely divided between traditional Zulu paganism and syncretic Christianity.

Since 1948, the Australisian Crown funded "passive assimilation" programs. Boarding schools and educational programs were established to educate and train Zulus in order to baptize into the Catholic Church and ethnically re-classify. They have only been mildly successful since partaking in them often resulted in social isolation by the rest of the Zulu population, even to this day (for this reason, these programs have often appealed to outcasts in Zulu society). The general motive of Zulu elites has been to demand greater autonomy from the crown, though in recent years a growing faction of "radical separatists" has increased in size.

Unrest has reached a new peak
Currently, separatist activity is at an all-time high since 1962. The Viceroyalty of Zululand continues to be governed by officials sent from Australisia City. Moreover, Emperor Constantine XIII's policies have led to increases in separatism as local autonomy has been steadily decreased. Several Churches have been shut down, Zulus in local government have been ousted and dismissed, and economic policies have prevented the economic expansion of Australisia from improving Zulu standards of living.

Nationalist leader Zonkizizwe kaBhekuzulu has stated the following in an interview:

"We have had more than enough with how the Australisians treat us. We demand to be peacefully left alone, or even be given some degree of self rule in the empire! Their only response is to spit on us and call us derogatory slurs. Passive resistance has not worked one bit. This new emperor has put our disenfranchisement at a peak! Just yesterday, the Church I went to was shut down over what papists call "heresy." If the imperial government is going to keep this up, we will not bow down and accept it. We will rise up and demand change! We're taking it to the streets now in hopes of action. Our protest is peaceful and we took steps to ensure no protesters hold up signs calling for independence. All we demand is a bit of respect as imperial subjects! Is that too much to ask for? If this protest ends in violence, I will have no choice but to become a separatist."

Currently, thousands of young Zulus have marched in the streets chanting and holding up signs. The exact number is unknown, though leaks of nationalist internet circles suggest that more protests are to arise within the coming days. The predominant opinion in Zulu nationalist leadership is peaceful resistance and a demand of autonomy, and no violence has yet arisen in these protests.

This protest marks an important turning point in Australisian-Zulu relations. For decades, there has been quiet acceptance as their status in being second class citizens. Zulu nationalist leaders were in hope that such an attitude, combined with self-improvement of Zulu communities, could eventually lead to imperial autonomy grants. Additionally, economic opportunity has allowed for an easier process of ethnic reclassification, pacifying much hope of reform. Though it appears to be backfiring on itself as many anticipate that at the very least, such great prosperity in the Australisian economy of recent times would at least mildly improve otherwise stagnant standards of living for the majority of their population.

Viceroy Ramírez Damasus has sent police to keep peace. Emperor Constantine XIII has yet to issue an official response. There remains uncertainty over the future. Some anticipate peaceful renegotiation, while others have predicted the beginning of a separatist war.