Greater Díenstad News Feed

[Castille de Italia]

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Early Polling Begins Union-wide for Premiership Elections
Thousands head to polls as close race between Perier, Adams nears peak.
Julianna de la Fuerte (@JFuerteCBS)
^{January 23rd, 2029 12:43 PM | Antietam, Castillia Castillian SU}

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ANTIETAM, Castillia — Across the Union, early voting has begun for voters who will not be able to cast their ballot on the 1st of February. At least 8,000 registered centers have opened in Castillia, the Clasdonian Republic, Viridia, and Grand Bristol. Voting for Union citizens in Castleclose has been suspended following GCS.R 197-4 "Temporal Revocation of Rights to Closian Unioners".

Several research polls suggest that former Premier Henry J. Adams, despite being removed from office following a vote of no confidence by his cabinet, will win the election over his main challenger, Senator Jacques Perier of the Popular Unionist Party. A Premier's College Antietam poll adversely suggested a Perier upset however, with Perier securing at least 56% of the popular vote and 175 of the 215 of the Confirmational Electorate votes.

The campaign has been extremely interesting this year. Perier's speech, often inflammatory, has drawn much criticism and has been frequently described as "racist, populist, xenophobic, and nationalist." Adams on the other hand, has juggled an unpopular war in Potthan and the outbreak of a civil war, as well as being removed from office. However, Labour Party leadership has refused to pull his nomination for reelection, and has been endorsed by his replacement, former Secretary of Energy William Reinhard Major, who neglected to run.

Adams is looked at as a favorite among liberals and moderates who want to see the continuation of social reform programs that happened under his Premiership. Notable achievements of his administration included the Economic Recovery Act, which privatized 90% of government-owned enterprises (as part of an economic transition from the former National Socialist government), and the Civil Rights Act, which affirmed civil liberties for all citizens regardless of race, gender, or religion.

Perier, on the other hand, has vowed to stop certain reform programs such as the Refugee Act, which has seen the influx of nearly 1 million Panoolie refugees, claiming that it threatens traditional and family values of everyday Castillians.

Exit polls suggest an early lead by Adams, but February 1st will prove who will be the 3rd Premier of the Union.

Senior Reporter Julianna de la Fuerte contributed to this article.

MORE IN WORLD

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• Closian Front still in stalemate following December Offensive [ 81276 ]
• Torrington rated internationally as one of "Top Ten Best Business Climates" [ 67521 ]
• Castillian Marines killed in skirmish with tribals in uncharted jungles [ 514328 ]

© CBC 2028

[Kan Psy]

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Bong Fei Publishing
"Tomorrow, coming today."

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From the labs at Bong Fei Lake . . .



The APEX

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BONG FEI R&D TEAM
DEMONSTRATES NEWLY
DEVELOPED ARMOR
SYSTEM AT BFL TEST-SITE
26 June, 20-- | Bong Fei Development Center, Bai Fong
Author: Armaments Development Team 446 & Dr. Oliver Freeling, Eng.D

Until now developed as a closed-door project for the Kanian military, Armaments Development Team 446 (ADT 446) recently announced the completion of their latest project: the Advanced Personal Exosuit. Or APEX, for short. It serves as the latest development in safety and protection for military and high-risk law enforcement personnel and was originally commissioned under a classified contract after military analysts reviewed after-action reports of peacekeeping forces in Baarjistan. It was felt that there was a growing disparity between the weapon systems employed on the modern battlefield, and the abilities and limitations of the average Kanian infantryman. Thus the first seeds of what would grow to be the APEX system were planted.

Pictured: A Kanian soldier in his full APEX rig.

"Its really remarkable," said project lead, Dr. Oliver Freeling, "to see how far technology has developed in the past few years. The modern infantryman is so far removed from his predecessor of years past. He's no longer another rifle in the line, but instead an independent force on the field of battle. For the last few years Kanian forces have been unknowingly lagging behind in this aspect. This team set out to change that and tests are showing they succeeded."

The APEX system is designed to answer the demands of the modern battlefield in or beyond GD. It employs high-density metals, composite armored segments, and a minimalist HUD to enhance a soldier's capabilities in the fields of strength and endurance. The full system includes advanced CBRN protective equipment and is compatible with existing field equipment in the event that Kanian forces encounter chemical or nuclear threats in the field. To mate these existing with an advanced communications suite, Picture-in-Picture HUD displays, and the ever-advancing BALCOTH turns a single soldier into a powerful force.

While any uses of the system in field conditions prior to this point would still be classified, the first public demonstration of the system occurred over the last ten days at the Bong Fei Lake Research Facility Test-Site 3 (BFLRF-TS3) - otherwise known as the "Tease 3" to many of the facilitiy's staff. The demonstration was composed of an eclectic assortment of activities that began on the first day with ADT 446 engineers and other staff giving lectures and demonstrations on the system's intended use and projected capabilities. It then progressed to a life-fire exercise by the assets of both the 1st Calvary and 2nd Infantry Division as they demonstrated the system's abilities in combat-like field scenarios. This culminated in an exercise simulating the rescue of several VIPs from an enemy compound with remarkable success.

With these tests having proven successful, deployment to conventional Kanian military forces has been authorized.

The priority will be towards those units stationed abroad or stepping up to such deployments, followed by remaining combat units, and then other forces.

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[Mokastana]

MNN: SPECIAL REPORT!!!
News so short your can't help but read the full story...

TOP STORY:

Republic of Mejico dissolves government, nation renamed to The Congress of Cozhuactl.
Nation to remain a member of the People’s Unified Federation.

Mejico City
Nation of Cozhuactl
People's Unified Federation

Just this morning, news came out of the Mejican Parliament that they have elected to dissolve the Republic, and form the new Congress of Cozhauctl as the new government of the nation. Parliament will be dissolved once new elections can occur. In the new Congress, all former member provinces of Mejico will have an equal number of representatives, equaling 10 from each province, under the new nation name of Cozhuactl. This was part of a compromise to ensure the nation remained unified. In addition, the name Mejico will be discontinued by the new government. Instead, Parliament chose to name the nation after the famous military commander Juarez Ahuacatl, who created the first Mejican National Front during the War of Liberty in 1839.

This comes after a long series of issues with the Mejican State, from the peaceful separation of Tatom from Mejico, to the foreign meddling in the Presidential Elections. Many Provinces wanted to follow Tatom’s lead and declare their own independence as well. There was discussions of forming the North Mejican State of Kayenan, between Baja and Mejiconorto, and restoring Aztlan, the southern provinces under historic Natul borders. Only when Parliamentarians from Centrijo and Azteca agreed to limit their influence in the country, by giving each province an equal number of representatives, was it possible to maintain the nation. As such, with a revision of Parliament to a Congress, and the Head of State position no longer directly elected, but instead an elected member of Congress, the new government of Cozhuactl will attempt to fix the issue of threats to elections by keeping the elections locally controlled.

Most Mejican government agencies and policies will be carried forward by the new government of Cozhuactl. In addition, Federal agencies promise all foreign relations and agreements that are affected by the Cozhuactl states will continue as agreed.

As for the future of the new Cozhuactl state, that will fall to the nation’s next elections this Spring.

[Morrdh]

RSF Task Force To Battle Space Pirates

MOS.- Earlier today the Ministry of Space announced that a Royal Space Force task force had been despatched on a 'CCA approved' anti-piracy operation.

The task force, under the command of Space Vice Marshal Richard Paine, has been sent to pacify pirates in the Lycaon system. This is in response to an escalation in attacks on shipping using the system to travel between the Gilbert and Adelaide systems when their connecting wormhole is closed. Though it is believed that the CCA is interested in opening up the Lycaon system for asteroid mining after the system had been ignored due to the lack of habitable worlds.

[The Technocratic Syndicalists]

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Arcaenia ∙ World ∙ Politics ∙ Science ∙ Lifestyle ∙ Sports ∙ Entertainment ∙ Tech ∙ Defense ∙ Health ∙ Opinion

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Air Force Test Drops Nuclear Bunker-Busting Bomb

An inert B93 bomb was dropped from an Air Force RB-80C bomber to test it's non-nuclear components, Air Force officials say in statement

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An RB-80C bomber in flight. Photo credit: Arcaenian Air Force

THULE - Air Force officials announced earlier today that an inert B93 nuclear bomber was dropped by an Arcaenian RB-80C bomber at the Air Force's Thule Test Range (TTR), itself located at the northern fringe of Thule Air Force base, headquarters of the Arcaenian Air Force's Strategic Air Command. The test marks the first dropping of the B93 mod-1 bomb, itself an improved version of the ArcaeniamAir Force's B93 earth-penetrating nuclear weapon (EPNW). According to the press release the test aimed at varying the functions of the bombs non-nuclear components including the guidance & navigation systems, rocket motor, radar altimeter, and void-sensing fuzing system.

According to the website of the Arcaenian Nuclear Security Agency (ANSA) the B93 is a GPS guided, rocket boosted earth-penetrating nuclear free-fall bomb with a weight of approximately 3175 kilogram that contains a variable-yield thermonuclear warhead which can be set to yields in the "low kilotons" or to it's maximum design yield of 1.2 megatons. The B93 also includes a slew of modern safety features including a fire resistant pit, insensitive explosives, and a digitized Permissive Action Link (PAL). In an earlier test the bomb's silicon-carbide alloy casing was attached to a rocket sled and accelerated to high-supersonic speeds where it smashed through "more than 30 meters worth of steel reinforced concrete walls" after which it continued to travel for more than a kilometer dowrange before finally hitting the ground, verifying the bomb's intended earth penetrating capability. According to the press release the inert bomb was not recovered after the test for examination, stating that a recovery effort would not be economical as the bomb had punched though "several hundred feet of earth before stopping".

"The improved B93 bomb is a key component of both our nuclear triad and our nuclear deterrence force and ensures that the Arcaenian strategic bomber force remains relevant to nuclear war fighting both now and well into the future" General Jack D. Ripper, head of the Arcaenian Air Force's Strategic Air Command, said in a press release after the conclusion of the test. According to Air Force officials the test was joint effort between the Air Force's Nuclear Weapons Development Center (NWDS) and the Arcaenian Nuclear Security Agency (ANSA). Air Force and ANSA officials also confirmed that there we're no future plans to conduct a test-drop with a live warhead, stating that the B93 uses an "existing and already tested physics package" and that a live test would incur a "severe fallout risk " due to the hundreds thousands of tons of radioactive debris that would be thrown up into the air with a megaton-yield sub-surface explosion.

[Eitoan]

www.News-Herald.et.com


Shrdlu’s First Challenge
Long Time Concerns About Espionage Reputedly Aired:
Free Democrats and Leftists in Both Houses Bring Pressure On Administration

Sources close to newly inaugurated President Ephriam Shrdlu have indicated that a widespread investigation of foreign espionage is planned, to be headed by Attorney General Dan Venkempen. Preparations are reputedly in the early planning stages, but those sources have indicated that the major target would be the Office of National Intelligence Operations (ONIO), the umbrella agency for all domestic and foreign espionage, counter-espionage, and anti-terrorism departments across the Eitoan government. Given the Attorney General’s wide-ranging powers, it is also believed that the probe could touch upon allegations of big-power influence in the Department of Foreign Affairs, long a bone of contention with the leftist opposition, as well as Shrdlu’s ruling Free Democrats in the Upper House (Ghastak) and Lower House (Dashez). In keeping with the traditional 90-day honeymoon for the new administration, none of the members of the Ghastak or the Dashez have come forward publicly with allegations, but it is believed that Communist and Socialist members of the Ghastak have conveyed their concerns to their Free Democrat counterparts, who have informed President Shrdlu in a memo delivered to him on the second day of his administration. The Socialists are the largest party in the Ghastak, with the Free Democrats in ruling coalition with the conservative Civic Platform. The Free Democrats hold an outright majority in the Dashez, and are seen in concurrence with the sentiments of their Ghastak counterparts.

If true, such an investigation will put pressure on Mike Boonstra, Chief of National Intelligence Operations, to police his agencies and provide sensitive information to the Attorney General’s staff. Boonstra had served in the Office Foreign Counterintelligence Operations until it was abolished and re-formed as the Department of External Security in the wake of leaked documents regarding slaver state infiltration in the Eitoan financial and utility industries. Leftist Ghastak Members, and some within the military had been vocal about questions of the top echelon in the intelligence community, causing a shuffling of the deck at ONIO twice in the last 25 years. Those concerns have apparently not abated since the election and Shrdlu’s subsequent inauguration. If an investigation were to expand into the Department of Foreign Affairs, Shrdlu’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Randall Field may be under pressure to clean house, or, at the worst, resign. Field, a noted diplomat, had served with distinction as ambassador to Relica and The Golden Throne successively before coming home to direct Foreign Affairs’ Office of Long Range Planning, and has served as a pilot in the Eitoan Air Force, leaving the service at the rank of Captain, before embarking on his diplomatic career. He had received widespread endorsements from across the political spectrum for the post, and this may be seen as insulation against any controversy that would be more damaging to Mr. Boonstra. Still, there are those that generally view the Foreign Affairs Department as too deferential to Ralkovia, Eitoan’s former colonial master. The view is particularly prevalent in the military, where many among the senior and junior officers have voiced the opinion that diplomatic attachment to any major power, particularly those in the region create a blind spot in defensive preparations. The tension between the neutralist-oriented military and Foreign Affairs has plagued the previous 3 administrations as the General Staff’s proposals for collective security with neighboring states were stymied by Foreign Affairs.

Attorney General Venkempen has remained tight lipped about any possible investigation, but sources at the Department of Justice and Law Enforcement have noted a flurry of activity this week in review of staffing senior positions for narcotics, espionage, and counter-terrorism investigation. The emphasis on investigatory staffing this early in the administration is seen by some as a harbinger of the anticipated review of foreign influence in the spy agencies, rather than an immediate jump to prosecution. Also, a shuffling of the investigation staff would likely fly under the radar of press scrutiny and foreign operatives, as opposed to a more public replacement of prosecutors appointed under the previous Civic Platform administration. Mr. Vemkepen’s Civic Platform predecessor, Rick Tapscott noted to the News-Herald “I wouldn’t jump the gun about any investigation just now. The military vs. diplomatic and intelligence community tension has been around for years, and it’s been a red herring for all incoming Attorneys General, Civic Platform, Free Democrat, and Socialist alike. It’ll continue, too. As prosecutors and investigators, we’re sworn to defend Eitoan against all espionage and treason, and I’m sure Mr. Venkempen is up to the job. He’ll get pressure, god knows I got lots of that, but review and investigation procedure, and legal cannon for counter-espionage is well established. And I’m sure he’s up to the task, both of rooting out actual spying activity, and withstanding pressures for a witch hunt. I wish him well, as should all Eitoans.”

[Castille de Italia]

Jacques Perier, Popular Unionist Party, wins in a historic upset in the national election last night, becoming the
3rd Premier of the Union effective March 15th on Inauguration Day.

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Jacques Perier Elected Premier in Historic Upset
Perier won with a total of 162 Electors and 56% of the popular vote
Julianna de la Fuerte (@JFuerteCBS)
^{2 February, 2029 02:43 AM | Antietam, Castillia Castillian SU}

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ANTIETAM, Castillia — Henry James Adams officially conceded early Friday morning when it became apparent that Jacques Perier would become the next Premier of the Union by both popular and an Electoral vote. Adams reportedly phoned Perier early in the morning to congratulate him on a well-fought battle to determine who would be either elected, or re-elected.

Perier, who had staged a large election-night rally at the Antietam Olympic Stade de Nationale, has not yet given any official announcement or speech regarding his electoral victory. He has won with 162 confirmed Electoral votes and at least 56% of the popular vote (as of this article, ballots are still incoming in certain close-to-call districts).

There was widespread belief that despite being removed from office and replaced with one of his cabinet members, Adams would win the election. Going into the night as ballots began coming in, Adams appeared to have a slight lead in key voting districts. By 7pm however, the tide had turned and most swing district were voting for Perier.

“It was Perier versus almost all the experts … it looks like Perier was right,” said CBC political analyst Michael Reese at 10:40 pm on election night (before major battleground districts had been called).

Liberal hopes that Adams would easily defeat Perier crumbled as the evening wore on, as Perier's bombastic style appeared to win significant support among white, working-class and rural voters across the country, all who felt disenfranchised with Adams' aggressive social reforms and introduction of thousands of refugees.

Senior counsel to Perier, Deborah Williams stated on Accelafeed that "there was a silent majority. One that believed in the message of a greater Union from one man who can accomplish that."

Senior Reporter Julianna de la Fuerte contributed to this article.

MORE IN WORLD

• BREAKING: Jacques Perier elected Premier of the Union [ 349818 ]
• Opinion: "Will Perier Mean End of Democracy?" [ 81276 ]
• Protests begin over election of Perier [ 67521 ]
• Darren Cartage: "Perier means a strong Union" [ 514328 ]

© CBC 2028

[Republic of Vectors]

BREAKING NEWS

An extended firefight erupted on the Southern beaches near the town of Viyeur in the pre dawn darkness of early Tuesday morning.

Just after one thirty in the morning, reports indicate that the Vectorian Border Agency (VBA) received a tip from a local about suspicious activity near the water. A patrol vehicle from the VBA station in Westcamp, and a police cruiser from the National Police (NP) detachment in Viyeur were dispatched to investigate the event.

At approximately zero one forty, the police cruiser approached the area, the officers dismounted and approached on foot. Using night vision and thermal vision equipment, the officers were able to identify approximately ten individuals stuffing what appeared to be wetsuits into bags, while attempting to hide behind a shrub line along the beach. The NP officers were able to identify objects that appeared to be firearms with each of the suspects.

At approximately zero one forty four the NP officers reported the incident to regional headquarters, where land, air and sea units were sent to respond. Reports indicate that as the officers were radioing the report, they were spotted by the group, who attempted to flee. Their attempt was apparently unsuccessful, as the VBA patrol vehicle arrived in scene and was able to cut off the escape of the group.

The gunfire started as the NP and VBA attempted to communicate with the group and have them surrender, with the assailants then using high power firearms and explosives to disable both vehicles and incapacitate all Vectorian officers present.

At approximately zero one fifty nine, a VBA aerial unit located the group and directed Vectorian Law Enforcement to their location. A significant fight erupted, which lasted until approximately zero two fifteen, at which time the last of the threat was neutralized.

At this time there are still many questions left unanswered;
Who were these people?
What they were doing at the beach?
What has happened to them?

We are expecting updates from the National Police soon. It has been confirmed that ten Vectorian officers were killed in the attack, and several more have been hospitalized. The entire eastern half of the Viyeur recreation area is still closed to the public, and there is a significant number of Border Agency, Coast Guard, and Navy ships and aircraft, out there looking for whatever dropped the group on the beach.

[Imbrinium]

IBC News report:

IBC news has learned that the foreign minister along with other high ranking staff members in the cabinet will be conducting a tour of the central region mainly central allied members the countries and territories belonging to The Golden Throne and Stevid to show support for the new alliance and meet with local governments on some projects that the Crown and its allies have been working behind the scenes.

The first stop will be New Empire where the foreign minister and the minister of agriculture to go over a project of replanting millions of trees in the former wasteland there, the TGT has spent millions of dollars and millions of man-hours to rid the surface from the radioactive soil. The plan is to bomb the surface from a type of bomber dropping trees in special cases to plant into the surface.

[Patrick OConner]

On TV screens across Greater Dienstad, whatever broadcast was on was interrupted. A picture of an of old fashion scale replaced whatever was on previously.
A voice spoke over the image.
"Standby for an important announcement."

The picture of the scales was replaced with a room. The room was plain and white with only a small podium in the center. On the back wall was the same image of the scales painted in gold. To the left and right of the scales are a single man each one heavily armed and dressed in tactical gear. Both of them were wearing balaclavas. Behind the podium was a another dressed this time like a judge with robes and gavel. He also wore a mask but this one was model on the face of Lady Justice.

The man behind the podium spoke
"People of Greater Dienstad, now you will receive us. I stand before you today as part of an organization. We do not ask for your poor or sick. It is your corrupt and evil we claim. With every breath we have, we shall hunt them down until there blood rains and there bodies fill the sea. Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal, these are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. These are not polite suggestions, these are codes of behavior. And those of you that ignore them will pay the dearest cost.
There are varying degrees of evil and transgressions. We urge the lesser forms of scum to not cross the bounds and become truly corrupt and evil for on that day we shall be there and we shall send you to whatever afterlife you choose.
For too long the corrupt, the evil,and the scum have been able to escape the justice of this world or the law has failed to punish them fully for sometimes the law does, unfortunately, fail to protect the innocent. And since no one else will, we shall stand up and avenge the wronged for through your silence and inaction you have given us your consent and we shall thusly act according to our principles.
Through various means, money, fame, power, they have escaped justice and flouted the law. The police are rendered helpless to stop them or are actively collaborating with the scum. Corrupt politicians, rapists, murders, human traffickers, slavers, terrorists, those you swindles others of their life saving. All traffic in misery, fear, and suffering of the innocent common man and woman. All have broken the law and not been caught or if so the law has failed to punish them fully. They have inflicted pain and suffering upon the innocents of this world and they have done so without fear of retribution and the victims have gone unavenged. No more, the time has come for the criminals and scum of the world to know the misery, pain and fear they have inflicted upon the world for we shall inflict it upon them.”

The man on the right stepped out of the frame and returned dragging a man bound and gagged with duct tape onto the screen. He then firmly sat the man down in from of the podium and secured him to it. The man was wearing old style prison clothes with the horizontal black and white stripes. The man was in early twenties narrow shoulders. He had black hair and olive skin.
The man dresses as the judge resumed speaking
“This man Hector Salamanca, a Sicario of the Salamanca Crime Family. He is a member of the family itself. Mr. Salamanca has committed many crimes in the name of his family and in the name of drugs and money. Such crimes as premeditated murder, manslaughter, torture, kidnapping, rape, arson, and many other violent crimes. And if he did not do it he ordered it done. He has hurt untold number of innocent people in his life.”

The man dress as a judge leaned down and ripped the tape from his mouth.

“How do you plead?” the judge asked

“My father will pay you any ransom you can ask.” Hector responded sounding and looking very much afraid

“How do you plead” The man dressed as the judge asked again

“P-Please have mercy.”

“Did you have mercy when you slaughter families? Did you have mercy on those woman you raped?”
“Spare me I promise-”

“HOW DO YOU PLEAD?!?!” The man dressed as a judge bellowed

“INNOCENT!!!” Hector said in a terrified scream

“THIS COURT FINDS YOU GUILTY OF CRIMES AGAINST THE INNOCENT!! GUILTY OF MURDER, OF RAPE, OF SLAUGHTER AND DESTRUCTION WITH NO REGARD TO YOUR FELLOW MAN!!! I FIND YOU GUILTY OF ALL THESE CRIMES AGAINST THE INNOCENT MASSES!!!!”
The man dressed as a judge looked down at begging pleading man and he declared loudly and boldy
“THE ONLY PUNISHMENT SUITABLE FOR YOUR NUMEROUS AND HEINOUS CRIMES IS DEATH!!!!” and the man dressed as a judge slammed his gavel down with a finality of an irrevocable sentence pronounced
“TO BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY!!!”

With that the man on the left stepped forward and drew his side arm and leveled against the man's head and then pulled the trigger. A loud bang echoed in the room and blood, bone and grey matter sprayed on the right side of the room and the man slumped over. Blood flowed from his from the gaping head wound and quickly pooled around the podium and the man dressed as a judge.
The man dressed as the judge resumed to speak
“LISTEN TO ME NOW SCUM OF THE WORLD!!! There will be no mercy, no compromise, no escape from us. We will come and we will find you and we will make you pay dearly for your crimes. No matter where you are, no matter who you are. No money, nor power, nothing will stop us or save you from our wrath. This is our promise, this is our purpose. We will find and we will right the Scales of Justice.”

The men to either side thrust banged there curled fist against their chests, right over there hearts and both yelled.
“The Scales will be righted!!!”
The image clicked off and replaced with a precious picture of a set of scales.

[Morrdh]

Early Arrival Sparks Regional Unease

MOS.- Earlier today the Ministry of Space announced that the Bayleaf-class transport HES Oakleaf had arrived a few days earlier than expected, prompting unease from some Dienstadi nations.

"Space travel isn't a fine art," stated a Ministry spokesperson in a prepared statement."There are no many factors such as timings and fuel consumption to make reliable ETAs difficult at best. Its not that uncommon but understandably a large spaceship just showing up in orbit will make some people twitchy."

"But we can confirm that the Oakleaf is a transport ship which is due for a refit at the Lunar shipyards." The spokesperson added. "She'll be in station keeping over the western part of Greater Dienstad as part of a prior agreement with the Empire of Itailia to allow its space personnel to gleam valuable knowledge about CCA spacecraft. This is expected to last no longer than a week before the Oakleaf leaves for Lunar to begin its refit."

"Whilst the Oakleaf is in Earth orbit we extend an invitation to GD nations to send representatives for guided tours of the vessel."

[Potthan]

IMPERIAL NEWS NETWORK

BREAKING NEWS

LONE WOLF TERRORIST BLOWS UP WEST WING OF IMPERIAL GRAND LIBRARY, GUNS DOWN SURVIVORS

At approximately 1:23PM what police predict to be at least a quarter ton of explosives destroy the west wing of the Imperial Grand Library and mere minutes later, an unidentified adult male wearing old military combat uniforms carrying an automatic weapon entered the east wing and started shooting people fleeing. Police say he is still at large, having successfully evaded police. Officials say he was last seen on foot in the Pol Revierre Forest.

So far, it is estimated 50 people are dead, 100 people are missing within the rubble, and 60 are injured.

The identity of the perpetrator is unknown and the only fact are known that that it is an adult male,roughly aged 25-45, that is a native Potthani. He was last seen driving a 2 door white pick up truck. It is suspected he is armed and dangerous and if you see him, report it immediately to police.

Witnesses and first responders call the scene "Something out of a movie, you'd ever expect to see something this bad". It is said that the west wing and a small portion of the central lobby is demolished leaving only a metal skeleton or even making the frame topple alongside the structure.

Left-wing media personalities call for a "Restriction of assault weaponry" as Potthan has no gun laws as of now. However, right-wind personalities claim it is the lack of guns that didn't stop this man.

In response to this, Emperor Havok has personally put together a special unit of hardened and skilled police officers, investigators, and soldiers to track down and bring this terrorist to justice. He calls this group BDK "Bogdan Dasha Kaav" (Justice to the Wicked).

[AHSCA]

AHSCA News Agency
-Part of the United Island Office of Information and Culture (UNICIM)-

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Mutual Parental Assistance Program Passes Legislature



A campaign platform of Congressional Leader, Pacifica (NIP - Corona) was incentives for young single parents adopting and raising children with or without a spouse. Today her bill has become a reality as the Congress passed in favor of a tax relief for future parents. Pacifica, a single mother herself, felt while AHSCA welfare programs were helpful they usually were more aimed at solving family issues for young struggling parents, recently widowed, separated or just families heavily reliant on long travel times (sailors, fishermen, etc) and not enough to help in AHSCA's orphan population. It's estimated a staggering amount of island children are left parentless for any number of reasons, abandonment, sickness, natural disaster or nautical accidents and it's hard to find these children homes.

"Many still recall the post-war days where so many left orphaned ." Pacifica told to the media in regards to her bill. "Few take into account while the reconstruction days are over it's still an issue even in peace time, especially in our part of the world. It leaves many vulnerable and easy prey for trafficking."

It's not just catastrophe or accidents that can leave a child left without a family. Under AHSCA law abortion is permitted under extreme circumstances. This can leave young mothers who may not be ready for the responsibilities of motherhood, overwhelmed. To ideally circumvent back woods and risky medical procedures AHSCA policy has instead ineptitude safe-haven laws making leaving a child into the care of clergy, individuals or relatives easy with no questions asked. Still with the needs a child and the expense of raising them, it can be difficult to find any person who wants or needs another child in their care, usually placing the burden on the churches. Nadeshiko Yumoto, a Priestess with the Madokami religion and childcare giver commented on the situation. "Of course we'll always take a child no matter what, and we'll do our best to raise them until someone adopts them or until they simply age to a point they can work on their own, join the military or even become a fellow clergy with us. But it's not always easy for us, space can be limited, our resources can be limited. I like what Congresswoman Pacifica is working for, a chance for anyone who wants care to give to give it."

"Not only is this for singles, it's also for same-sex couples. Whether they adopt, whether they have a child through surrogacy, we want this bill to help all parents to raise children." Pacifica elaborated more on her bill. "The current welfare in place helps families my extensions will help singles and give more single parents a desire to help their community and raise children."

The bill will offer a 5,000 Credit Advance with an additional break every tax year. Critics argue there will be those who want to abuse the system for monetary gain. "It's unfortunate but every person with ill intent always finds ways to game the system. But I think those wishing for a child to raise will outnumber the ones who have less than noble intentions."

The bill goes to Duchess Villa for her signature and she is expected to sign it.

[Morrdh]

Stevidian Ship Deal Struck!

MOD.- After announcing that it was looking at acquiring new ships for the Navy, the Ministry of Defence has now confirmed that a deal has been struck with the Stevidian government.

The deal sees the Royal Morridane Navy gaining access to a number of Stevidian warship designs under licence with the majority to be constructed in Commonwealth shipyards, though it is believed that negotiations are underway for use of Stevidian shipyards. Its means that the Morridane shipbuilding industry will receive a huge boost as the contract is expected to take years, if not decades, to fulfil. In addition it means the Royal Morridane Navy will benefit from more modern designs, something that was highlighted in a recent review of the Morridane Armed Forces.

To help offset costs, the Navy's current fleet inventory will undergo inspections over the coming months to determine the conditions of the various vessels currently operated with the view of selling on most of these vessels when their replacements start entering service. It is known that the Tuktar Defence Force and the Royal New Garrack Navy will be given first choice on vessels with the remainder being put up for sale on the international arms market. The first of the new vessels expected to enter service is the Starling-class frigate to be operated in the ASW role in areas such as the Gulf of Mordent, other escort vessels such as the Reef-class frigate and the Lemartes-class destroyers are also expected to enter service in quick succession. However it is expected to be a while longer before capital ships such as cruisers and carriers enter service, though the use of Stevidian shipyards will help supplement Morridane ones and possibly see batches of vessels at a time enter service.

[Eitoan]

www.News-Herald.et.com


Trade Pact With Relica To Be Signed
Agreement Ratified by Upper House:
Shrdlu Announces “Eitoan Initiaitive”

President Ephraim Shrdlu addressed the Ghastak (Upper House) following it’s 33-2 final approval of the Relica - Eitoan General Trade and Economic Agreement (REGTEA) reducing tariffs and fees, and standardizing product and service regulations between the two northwestern republics. In the final vote, only two Civic Platform MGs declined the treaty, amid fears of foreign competition among some in the banking sector. The agreement, a result of intensive negotiations between Secretary of Foreign Affairs Randall Field and the Relican Minister of Foreign Affairs William Jamison was framed as part of Shrdlu’s “Eitoan Initiative” in his remarks at the Ghastak, along with the nation’s accession earlier in the month to the Global Aerospace Trade Association (GATA). In announcing the recent trade agreement, Shrdlu told the Ghastak “These two agreements are important in and of themselves, GATA for opening up worldwide trade and transportation, and REGTEA in strengthening ties with our neighbors in the northwest. The objective of The Eitoan Initiative is a systemic, comprehensive effort to widen commercial and consumer opportunities for the Eitoan people, rather than depend on the piecemeal approach of the past. REGTEA accomplishes a comprehensive improvement in the movement of goods, services, and ideas with one of our most important neighbors, and gives our critical enterprises a schedule of fee reductions and regulation standardization with which they can beginning planning for expansion. Taken together, I can see great benefit throughout Eitoan, from lowering aggregate prices for the consumer to bolstering the rapidly growing distribution sector. And it is our hope that the provisions of REGTEA will become the basis for a generalized trade agreement among all the northwestern states.”

President Shrdlu also indicated that discussions are underway with Relica regarding a collective security agreement, saying "Our interests are congruent with Relica in the area of regional security. There have been communications, now in preliminary stages, for a memorandum of greater cooperation with Relica. At this time I cannot report details to the Ghastak, but it should be understood that this underlines greater assertiveness for the northwestern states in charting our own course, and reducing exposure to influences that are external to our region. In no way should it be seen as a threat on any level to friendly and neutral states."

Sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs have indicated that there will be simultaneous signings by President Shrdlu and Secretary Field at Foreign Affairs in Vladarsik, and Eitoan Prime Minister Michael Francis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jamison in Avalon.

The outline of the agrrement, shown below covers a wide range of goods and services:

Relica - Eitoan General Trade and Economic Agreement

Part I. Schedule of Tariff Redictions
Section A. Tangiable Prodiucts. All tariffs to be reduced to below 2% within 10 years, for commodities in these paragraphs:
1. Precious Metals
2. Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas
3. Food and Kindred Products
4. Lumber and Wood Products
5. Industrial Inorganic Chemicals
6. Machine Tools
7. General Industrial Machines and Equipment
8. Consumer Appliances
9. Agricultural Products.
Section B. Intellectual Property.
1. Copyrights - removal of fees and total reciprocity within 6 years
2. Patents - "
3. Trademarks - immediate removal of fees and total reciprocity between the states.
4. Software - Reduction of fees to below 2.5% within 1 year.
5. Genetic Engineering - immediate removal of fees and total reciprocity between the states.
Section C. Financial Services. Removal of all tariffs and implementation of bank interoperability for:
1. Banking - within 2 years.
2. Insurance - within 3 years.
Part II. Standardization of Product Regulation between the two states, to be implemented within 18 months, for the categories in the following:
A. Utilities
1. Electrical power generation and transmission.
2. Gas extraction and distribution.
B. Food and Pharmacuticals
1. Pharmacutical Quality
2. Food Safety
3. Transportation of Food Products.
C. Electircal Equipment and Appliances
1. Consumer and Industrial Electrical Appliances.
2. Industrial, Mining, Agricultural, and Construction Equipment
3. Transportation and Aerospace Vehicles
4. Computer, and Communications Equipment.

An early assessment of the impact of the agreement released by Burlington Economic Associates indicate the major sectors effected would be in Chemicals, with a growth in exports up to 4%, imports of Software expected to increase by 7%, Food exports up by 6%, Industrial Equipment imports with 12% additional growth, and Vehicle imports up by 15% upon full implementation of REGTEA. The Burlington report also estimates that the accelerated removal of barriers to banking and insurance operations between the two countries will spur a significant demand for IT and Merger, Acquisition, and Devestment services, by 9% and 7% respectively in the next two years. Jon Clark, Vice President for Governmental Affairs of the Eitoan Society of Chemical Manufacturers, and a major supporter of REGTEA during hearings in the Ghastak told the News-Herald “I’m very encouraged by the possibilities for additional sales in Relica as a result of this. It is our hope across the industry that chemical tariffs can be reduced below the 1% level within two years – well ahead of the REGTEA schedule. We know the strength of the market in Relica, and our ability to ramp up in most segments of the industry means that we can meet demand there as prices drop. This is a major accomplishment for Eitoan chemicals.” Clorrine Blackman, Director of Banking Services for leading accounting and information technology firm Lobhdain Business Systems commented “We anticipate upping our recruitment by about 1000 nationwide in the next three months to meet demand due to updated REGTEA regulations alone. At this time, additional merger and acquisition activity has not been factored into demand due to the uncertainty that equalization of regulatory requirements will actually spur expansion of Eitoan banks into the Relican market, or Relican banking entry into Eitoan. And we expect that competition with the other Big 7 business services firms for leading talent, especially in communications, data analysis and administration, and regulatory compliance will put a great strain on the market, probably increasing starting salaries for recent graduates by around 6%. The price may be steep, but Lobhdain will step up to the plate in this new world of northwest business”.

[Relica]

Avalon, Relica - Announcement has been made that a trade agreement has been signed with the nation of Eitoan, the first move of what many expect to be an aggressive Relican lead push for the economic unification across the region. It is also believed that talks are ongoing between representatives of both nations regarding a collective security agreement; widely expected to be at the top of the Relican agenda in order to deter outside influence in regional affairs.

"In order to establish a lasting peace globally we must first establish strong relationships with our regional neighbors. Today is a great day for both Eitoan and Relica, and we look forward to continued cooperation and goodwill between both our nations" - from the office of Prime Minister Michael Francis

Reports have also surfaced preliminary talks with several other nations, although no specifics have become available at this time. Among other things discussed was the formation of a regional football league, with a projected launching date inside of calendar year 2018.

[Patrick OConner]

Seas of Change: From Wood to Metal

By Dr. John Wallace Smith Professor of History At Savannah University

History forever marches on and man with it. Man strives to forward progressing every year. One of the things that progresses with time, is technology.

One of the most rapid periods of advancement was during the Unification Wars. These were a series of wars, fought from 1799 to 1851, fought between the Second Republic of Merica and various neighboring states that were eventually absorbed into the Republic. During these 52 years of war, the Republic saw the rapid advancement of technology. Prior to the wars the meritocratic structure of the Republic and economic freedom allowed many people to prosper and gave brilliant minds free reign and attracted many from other lands. One thing to emerge from the period just prior to the wars was more efficient iron production, this would play a huge role later.

Many of the rapid advances were from contests sponsored by the state. These contest were held in response to fears that the surrounding states had eyes toward conquering the Republic which was seen as weaker by its neighbors and a few did have ambitions as such since the Republic was smaller than its neighbors in terms of land mass and the population at least. Also, the Republic was attracting many of the best and brightest minds and most capable individuals from other kingdoms and nations due to the meritocratic structure of the Republic which allowed these people to rise to places of high status they would not otherwise be able too, due to the structure of the other societies. All of this led to a rapid advancement of technology within the Republic which it would ruthlessly exploit in coming wars. Of this technology were better metallurgy and more efficient iron production which meant more available and higher quality metal for cannons and armor. In addition to this, after the war with the Southern Raiders, a machine was invented to bore cannon barrels instead of being forced to cast them whole by a man named Elijah Wood. This machine was adapted to bore cylinders for steam engines this allowed them to be made smaller and more powerful and could be mounted on to ships, a debate briefly rages as too paddle wheel versus screw, which was settled by a tug of war between the two types of propulsion, screw won. Prior to this they were called atmospheric engines and operated on vacuum pulling the piston down instead of steam pushing. Using these advantages, the Republic would quickly take the lead in warships in the following the years. The Republic already possessed certain advantages over its enemies in the form of exploding shells and more effective sail layouts and was experimenting with limited iron reinforcements but this was revolutionize everything.

There were other advantages that the Republic enjoyed as well. Namely, the corruption and nepotism most of the Republics adversaries were riddled with. Many of the men in positions of power were there due to corruption or by birth not by skill and those with it were often kept out of such positions as those in power sought to keep it that way. Thus the gifted and brilliant would flee to Republic were there talents were rewarded, so a brain drain of sorts was occurring everywhere but the Republic. In short, if a noble or rich person does not have the idea it was bad and it would make no headway. And this helped give the Republic is technological edge later.

All of these advantages would come together in 1826. Earlier in 1821, the Duchy of Jekyll and the remnants of the Southern Raiders went to war against the Republic and actually managed to push the Republic forces off the island and retake all of the Confedercy lands and push the Republic Navy from the sea. Republic began construction of a new ship class in 1826 using all of the new technologies, the casemate ironclad. And then on December 8, 1827, the Republic launched a full counteroffensive and leading the way were new warships clad in iron. A full two squadrons of eights ships each, a total of 16, lead the counter-attack on the sea. These new ships were built of varying sizes. However one thing they all shared in common was a slanted casement protecting them, they were all steam powered and had a ram. Ten of them were not much larger than gunboats and only carried a total of 2 7 inch rifles each but these guns were mounted on an internal swivel so they could be withdrawn from the firing port on the starboard and switch to port or fire one over the bow and stern. These were the Congress class. While 6 of these casemate ironclads where of larger designs close in size to a frigate, and armed with eight 9 inch smoothbores and two 7 inch rifles, these mounted one each at the bow and stern. These were the Republic class. Each of the Republic’s was powered by 2 steam engines supplied by four boilers giving a total of about 1,200 horsepower while the Congress only had a pair of boilers and a single steam engine supplying 300 horsepower. Both classes were built in the O'Malley Shipyards.

These new ships possessed both great advantages and disadvantages. These ships were slow only able to manage 6 or 7 knots at most so a sailing ship with a good wind could outrun one but they were not reliant on the wind to propel them through the sea. But the biggest advantage each these ironclads had was their armor. The ironclads were also limited in range due to reliance on coal for there boilers, meaning they had to hop from port to port or be accompanied by colliers. Each one was covered in 6 inches of iron back by a foot of wood. This armor covered the side of the casemate and extended below the water line 2 feet, the tops were relatively unarmored. This armor protected the ship from all manner of shot and shell from solid iron shot to the exploding shells, and there were not any cannons around really capable of penetrating the armor of these ironclads. However, all this armor was heavy and prevented the ships from being built as large as other wooden vessels or being as heavily armed. However, this was made up for by outfitting the ships with heavy cannon and rifles that fired exploding shells capable of devastating wooden hulled warship. The only other disadvantages were the Republic class was somewhat top heavy and did poor in heavy weather. This was later demonstrated when the Senator was lost in a bad storm in 1830.


The only thing comparable to these ships were those made of ironwood. Ironwood is a species of trees related to the oak, more specifically live oak. However, these faces issues, most important of which is that ironwood was notoriously difficult to work with. There were special techniques to make it easier but these were zealously guarded by the Sea Hunter and their shipwrights and nothing would pry this knowledge from them. Another issue was that the ironwood trees grow only in the northern highlands and the high cost of materials. Despite the advantages, ironwood ships offered, as demonstrated by Captain Wallace and the Acionna during a punitive raid, no one was interested in pursuing ships made of ironwood and were fine to leave it to the sea hunters.

On December 8, 1827, the Second Republic Navy sailed into battle against the Duchy of Jekyll and Southern Raiders. A fleet of over 56 ships, 16 ironclads, 30 wooden warships of varying classes, the rest supply, and colliers. On December 22, 1827, the Republic fleet met with the enemy fleet at the mouth of Terror Bay. A fleet of 69 warships, led by a squadron of 8 first-rate ships of the line and 4 second and 4 third-rate ships of the line. The wooden ships of the Republic Navy held back while the 16 ironclads moved in to engage the enemy. The Congress's held back and hammered the enemy fleet with there rifles from long range and were devastatingly effective since they were firing shells. While the Republic's closed in and hammered the enemy fleet to splinters while the enemy ships were impotent to respond as broadside after broadside bounced off of the ironclad's armor. It was in truth no battle but a slaughter as 29 ships were outright sunk, 11 captured after they surrendered while 19 were forced to flee in varying states of damage even though the Duchy of Jekyll had mastered the art of making exploding shells, they were still unable to significantly damage the Republic ironclads due to their iron thick armor. The Republic fleet suffered damage to two Republic class ironclads, one had a funnel shot away and another also had the funnel shot away and suffered damage when a shell entered through a gun port and exploded. After the battle, the Republic was able to land its troops and materiel unmolested and eventually retake the lost territory and eventually conquer the Duchy of Jekyll. The Duchy would attempt to sortie ships to combat the Republic at sea several more times but each time they would meet the Republic ironclads and be soundly defeated each time. The Republic had firmly established its dominance at sea and it would maintain that for the rest of the Unification Wars.

The Age of Wood was over and the Age of Iron had arrived.

[Patrick OConner]

A new video popped up on the internet and it goes as such.
A picture of an of old fashion scale replaced whatever was on previously.
A voice spoke over the image.
"Standby for an important announcement."

The picture of the scales was replaced with a room. The room was plain and white with only a small podium in the center. On the back wall was the same image of the scales painted in gold. To the left and right of the scales is a single man each one heavily armed and dressed in tactical gear. Both of them were wearing balaclavas. Behind the podium was an another dressed this time like a judge with robes and gavel, even wearing the old style powder wig. He also wore a mask but this one was model on the face of Lady Justice.

The man behind the podium spoke
"I come to speak to you once more people of Greater Dienstad, for it is time to carry out justice again.”


A bound and gagged man wearing a torn up and bloody suit was dragged out into view by another man dressed like the guards and dumped in front of the judge. The man’s leg was bandaged recently and was red from blood.

“This time I bring before you, Eric Cozora aka Ernesto Cortez, a former lieutenant of the Cortez Cartel, now works for the Zaragoza Cartel. He has been living the high life as a fertilizer baron as of late. You stand accused of murder, both manslaughter, and premeditated, rape, torture and ordering such, aiding and abetting those that perpetuate even more such crimes upon the innocent. You escaped justice one time by agreeing to turn on your former family and friends and aiding the PUF but not this time. ”

The man dress as a judge leaned down and ripped the tape from his mouth.

“How do you plead?” the judge asked

Cortez gulped and looked around, and began laughing through bloody teeth
“This is how it ends? Some crazy nut jobs in a mock trial?” He barked, coughing up a bit of blood before finishing.

“How do you plead?” The man dressed as the judge asked again unconcerned and unbothered by Cortez’s outburst.

“It doesn’t matter how I plead, you’ll kill me anyways gringo.” Cortez smiled with broken teeth.

“ True.” The judge said “But do know what you have done? Do you know that it was wrong? Do you not wish the redeem yourself even a little? Again I ask how do you plead?” The man dressed as the judge asked again.

“Redemption? Ha, a bit late for that it seems. As for your ‘charges’... Rape? naw, wasn’t me. On my orders? Maybe? I don’t know what my men did in those days. Murder, sure, it passed the time. What do you want? Me to grovel before I die, just do it Cabron. It was going to happen eventually.”

The judge said "It would redeem yourself a little if you admit what you did was wrong but since you do not seem to see it that way, we have a duty to perform. This court finds you guilty of all crimes you have been accused there of”
The man dressed as a judge looked down at the man and he declared loudly and boldly
“Only punishment your crimes is death” and the man dressed as a judge slammed his gavel down with a finality of an irrevocable sentence pronounced
“Sentence to be carried out immediately.”

With that, the man on the left stepped forward and drew his sidearm and leveled against the man's head and then pulled the trigger. A loud bang echoed through the room and blood, bone and grey matter sprayed on the right side of the room and the man slumped over. Blood flowed from his from the gaping head wound and quickly pooled around the podium and the man dressed as a judge.
The man dressed as the judge resumed speaking
“The scales have been balanced and the victims can rest in peace now. And to all of the remaining criminal scum out there...Judgement Day is coming.”

The men to either side thrust banged there curled fist against their chests, right over there hearts and both yelled.
“The Scales will be balanced!!!”
The image clicked off and replaced with a previous picture of a set of scales.

[Lamoni]

Ordernite harassment of Lamonian deep sea fishing ships on the rise around Omega!

By: Markus Wolfe
Staff Writer
Lamoni Today

While relations between the Free Republic and the Ordernite Government have always been best described as a state of cold war, physical distance had previously always reduced the chances of war between the two states. However, with the admission of southern Indras (subsequently renamed to Omega) into the Free Republic, and Ordernite actions in Holy Panooly, the Ordernites started to harass Lamonian fishing trawlers in international waters. Initially this harassment was relatively harmless, but Lamoni Today has recently received word that multiple Lamonian fishing trawlers have been rammed by Ordernite warships, as well as having their trawling nets cut by these same Ordernite warships, causing extensive damage to the deep sea fishing ships in question. Experts in international security and relations speculate that these reckless actions by the Ordernite Government and Navy amount to a test, in which they would be able to gauge any Lamonian response, while making war a less likely alternative.

In response to the hotly renewed Ordernite harassment of Lamonian deep sea fishing ships around Omega, and the economic threat which such actions pose to the economic situation in that Lamonian state, President Stinson has ordered the Lamonian Navy to dispatch Maritime Action Groups to the area, after consulting with both his cabinet, as well as leaders in both chambers of the Lamonian Legislature. The cruisers of each Maritime Action Group will be tasked with escorting Lamonian fishing ships in the area, presenting a potent reminder to the Ordernites that their actions will not go unanswered. In addition, Surface Action Task Forces are also being dispatched to Omega, in order to form a second line of defense, as well as allowing the light carriers of these SATFs to utilize their F/A-38A/B Sentinel aircraft to provide further protection, in conjunction with land based aircraft from the Lamonian Air Force.

It is also entirely possible that the Ordernite Government will establish military bases in Holy Panooly, which will place Lamonian and Ordernite forces closer to each other than has traditionally been the case, significantly increasing the chances of turning the cold war between the nations hot. The Lamonian Legislature has already approved funding for the construction of an increased number of military bases in Omega in order to counter this threat, and preserve the Lamonian stonghold in central Greater Dienstad. The resulting larger number of Lamonian military forces will also make for an increased impact upon the remaining Indrasi rebel groups in Macabeean Indras, whom Macabeean forces have reportedly been driving south, over loud objections from the peacekeeping forces monitoring the border between Macabeean Indras and Omega.

[Yohannes]

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Gandoor and Yohannes invest into bilateral oceanic trade

... the widespread use of the Jakarta Class very large multipurpose bulk cargo ships is set to realise further efficiency gains in industrial minerals and metals transportation from Gandoor to the nineteen countries.....

Te Whanganui a Tara, 15 May — The project will increase the competitiveness of Gandoorese industrial minerals and metals in relation to shipments from other nations in Greater Dienstad, which were historically the nineteen countries’ major suppliers. The ultimate beneficiary will be Gandoor’s industrial steel and raw materials industries, which are set to increase to become serious export earners for the Democratic Republic.

The 395,000 deadweight Malaya is the first in a series of eleven very large multipurpose cargo ships ordered by the Gandoorese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Commerce’s approved company Gandoorese-Yohannesian Ore and Metal Shipping, on the strength of a long-term contract with various Gandoorese industrial mineral exporters and producers. The ship took on her first load at the Port of Gandoor City in May.

Malaya signals the beginning of a massive stage of new investment in very large cargo ships to fill the trading sea routes between Gandoor and the nineteen countries, as a result of the Gandoorese Minister of Foreign Trade and Commerce Ami Yamada’s decision to approve the exporting of various Gandoorese minerals, industrial-grade steel and titanium products, and AH32, DH32, EH32, AH36, DH36 and EH36 shipbuilding grade steels to the continent of Yohannes to feed the commercial shipbuilding need of the nineteen countries.

This morning, Emily Kirchweger, the Minister of Economy, Industry and Trade of the nineteen countries, has announced her plan to contact various serious investors from Imbrinium, Lamoni, Mokastana, Tekeristan and elsewhere to help fund the expansion of Gandoor-Yohannesian oceanic trade.

“I believe that the widespread use of the Jakarta Class very large multipurpose bulk cargo ships is set to further improve efficiency gains in industrial minerals and metals transportation from Gandoor to the nineteen countries in 2018.”



Published by The Imperial Herald

[Stevid]

Imperial Broadcasting Corporation News

Massive Naval Defence Deal
Signed with Morrdh
Holy Empire agrees defence export and procurement
rights with the Commonwealth of Morrdh

Sun 18 Mar

A Reef Class frigate under construction
for the Commonwealth of Morrdh

A multi-trillion pound defence procurement deal between Stevid and Morrdh has been agreed in what has been seen as a massive thaw in recent relations. The deal involves the mass production of Stevidian naval vessels and equipment on license to the Commonwealth of Morrdh with potential for many of the construction contracts to be fulfilled in Stevid itself.

The land mark deal will allow, for the first time in Imperial history, unique Stevidian naval designs to be used by a foreign power outside of the Holy Empire and is sign of not only Stevidian defence exports reaching a new and unprecedented height but also in the calming of relations with Morrdh, a state that has recently found itself under regular media and political scrutiny from Stevid.

Reportedly from Morridane media sources, the initial ship classes allowed for production on licence are the Starling and Reef Class frigates and the venerable Lemartes Class destroyer. All three ships form the backbone of the Royal Navy and the Astratii battlefleets, and all have long and successful records of service in both peace and wartime. Furthermore, it is reported that several capital ship licences have been sold to Morrdh including the Sanctus Mare Class super carrier, the Lustria Class assault ship and task force light carriers. Specifics on the light carrier classes and possible cruisers or battleships have not been revealed by either Morrdh or the Ministry of Defence.

In response to the official declaration from Morrdh the Ministry or Defence and the Department for International Trade said in a joint statement: “This is the biggest defence contract in Imperial history and maybe in the region, save from Lyran Arms contracts. The fact that Morrdh has looked to the Holy Empire to bolster and modernise their own navy is not only a great honour but also a testament to our shared history and beneficial to our current relationship.”

Current Morridane military technology has not advanced much beyond that found in the 1980s or 1990s, although this is through government defence policy. However this policy has meant cost effectiveness and numerous amounts of equipment being available, furthermore it has forced Morridane military personnel to be adaptive and innovative with their tactics in war and many nations have fallen foul of over estimating Morrdh’s prowess at fighting, particularly in the air. However it seems that the Morridane Defence Ministry has decided that aging technology together with pioneering tactics may no longer be enough and thus forced their hand into modernisation.

Analysis
Marcus Septimus
Business Correspondent

Morrdh’s decision to procure Stevidian naval equipment is a huge validation of Stevid’s military and industrial might. The country has had mixed success on the world stage at exporting domestically developed weapons, though in no small part to government reluctance to give away technological secrets. The majority of the Empire’s business in the defence sector is the production of arms and equipment on license for other foreign states or as part of domestic procurement. As it stands Stevid has Greater Dienstad’s 5th largest general manufacturing and arms manufacturing sectors; in terms of domestically designed equipment being exported to a global market, the Empire lags far behind regional competitors (The Empire's biggest being Stevidian Battle Armaments and Electronics (SBAE) and Victor-Crosby) – especially when compared to the heavy weights of Lyran Arms, LAIX Arms and the Kríertor Conglomerate.

The Morridane navy has a large reliance on late Cold War naval ships, primarily of British design. The decision to modernise and use Stevidian ships can be seen to have been for two reasons: Modernisation to combat a resurgent Ordenite Reich and to warm relations with the Holy Empire that have cooled and stagnated substantially since the last regional war and Morrdh’s seizure of Tuktar in the former Red Star Union. The fact that Department for International Trade as accepted the Commonwealth’s request is saying much for the change in relations. This also comes at a time where the new facilities at the region’s biggest naval base, HMNB Vulcan in Valvidia, have almost been completed together with a sector of the base given over solely to the Commonwealth’s MOD to control.

Trade in Technological Secrets

The Royal Navy's new DRAGON laser system

One of the more surprising inclusions in the arms agreement is the Lemartes Class guided missile destroyer. When it was first unveiled it was easily the most capable and powerful class of destroyer in the world, albeit now there are several international competitors. The destroyer still forms the mainstay of the Royal Navy’s air defence ships and currently has several types of cutting edge military technology. This includes the PAAMs/Sea Viper missile fire control system using the Tempest missile system, CELLDAR passive radar receivers, Close-In Laser System (CILS) and the Infra-red Laser Missile System (ILMS) alternative to conventional close in weapons systems (CIWS) like Goalkeeper and Phalanx instead using a variety of methods to lock onto threatening objects and using either cannons or missiles to engage them.

It is believed that as part of the arms package Morrdh would have access to all the hardware and software that comes with a Lemartes Class minus CELLDAR and the Tempest missile system. CELLDAR requires much more extensive infrastructure such as bistatic transmitters that can be found on capital ships and Tempest is multinational collaborative missile system that Morrdh was not party to; however Lemartes destroyers previously used missiles from the Aster family, notably Aster-15 and Aster-30 with provisions in place to update to the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM)/Sea Cepter. Whilst the Holy Empire uses Tempest for medium to long-range air defence, there are stockpiles of the aforementioned missiles that are likely to be included in any defence deal with Morrdh.

With the laser system comes to most controversial aspect of technology sharing. The Ministry of Defence has already unveiled the successor to the CILS as the DRAGON laser system found on the Antares Class currently being rolled out fleet wide. It can be deduced that perhaps the Holy Empire sees that CILS system as that obsolete that Morrdh can have it. However much of the scientific advancements made on DRAGON were from experiences with CILS. Whilst DRAGON is quantum leap forward in terms of beam forming and power usage, CILS was the foundation in its development that could now be beneficial to the Commonwealth of Morrdh. The Ministry of Defence has not commented on the probability that Morrdh could develop its own laser based anti-air system from Imperial technology.

The Lemartes Class brings to Morrdh a centralised and coordinated local area anti-air defence for its fleet. Their reliance on older technology would make fleets vulnerable to massed missile or air attack. But with the inclusion of several vessels with the PAAMS/Sea Viper system in conjunction with the SAMPSON array and long-range S1850M 3D ASR gives Morrdh much more capable anti-air defences if correctly integrated.

It remains to be seen whether or not capital ships form part of the arms contract but if it does then the Commonwealth gets its hands on capable aircraft carriers and helicopter assault ships.


SBCN - Stevidian Broadcasting Company Network
IBCN - Imperial Broadcasting Corporation News
"God Save the King"
"God Save the Empire"

[Morrdh]

PM To Meet Reich

MORRDH.- The Prime Minister's Office has announced that Sir George Whittleton, the Prime Minister of Morrdh, will be meeting with senior officials from the Fourth Reich.

It is believed that the meeting will be taking place within the Second Empire of the Golden Throne and will concern the Free State of Tuktar. Though no details have been confirmed it is known that the PM is seeking assurances regarding Tuktar's security. There is speculation that a possible non-aggression pact may be on the cards, something that could reduce the chances of future conflict between the Commonwealth and the Fourth Reich. Critics have argued that the Prime Minister is simply playing for time as the Commonwealth conducts a major rearmament and modernization of its armed forces, the recent naval deal with Stevid they argue is proof of this.

[United World Order]

ORDENCHE - RUNDFUNK - GESELLSCHAFT

ORDENITE BROADCASTING CORPORATION

REICHS-MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA AND ENLIGHTENMENT

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Reich Class Battleship unveiled and launched.
The Reich Class Battleship seeks to show the region the power of the Kriegsmarine.

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Tuesday, March 20th, 2030.

The Kriegsmarine which has since the end of the terrible 2nd Krasnovan War of 2028 in which over 165 ships were sunk or scuttled in the battles that followed in the sea against several competent navies during the war. It cost the volksgenossen over 45,000 sailors who were victims of a war perpetrated by the powers who look to see the Reich in ruins. These same powers have now insisted on provoking the Reich since as they look to take control of the seas, they look to constrict us as a snake would to it's prey. The newly unveiled and launched Reich Class 'Battleship' looks to put these powers and critics in their place and cement the power of the Kriegsmarine. Although being termed as a 'Battleship' the Reich Class is a modern day capitol ship which is capable of leading entire fleets of the Kriegsmarine into battle wherever it may arise. The power that it brings comes with it's armaments, the Reich Class most importantly offers two tri-cannons offering 600mm firepower for coastal bombardment and or engaging enemy ships at sea. Several VLS pods are available as well for the use of various missiles that are used frequently by other ships in Kriegsmarine service. High end electronics and radar are also incorporated into the Reich Class, being able to communicate with nearby ships with some distance. The RGWS Mk.II marks a extraordinary step for the Kriegsmarine as a competent modern Navy as the inclusion of two RGWS Mk.II[Railgun Weapon System] which had still been in a testing phase six months ago, but had passed preliminary tests with flying colors is now being showcased as a crucial weapons system for the Reich Class, which will put it way above other neighboring Navies at sea. With the launch of the Reich Class 'Battleship' comes the launch of 3 of it's kind, KNS Admiral Johannes Weidinger, KNS Ludwig, and the KNS Reich with 4 more scheduled to be launched by 2035.

[Morrdh]

Goodbye SLR, Hello LAR?

The Changing Face Of The Morridane Soldier

MOD.- The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) is being replaced as the standard infantry weapon of the Morridane Armed Forces.

After decades of long service and faithful service, the SLR is to be replaced by a new rifle known as the L28 Light-Automatic Rifle (LAR). The LAR is an indigenous design that superficially resembles the Barrett REC7 and uses the 6.5x45mm JMC round, which is already in use with the Commonwealth's allies. Though it is understood that the SLRs equipped with SUIT scopes will be retained as dedicated marksman rifles, but the Sterling SMG has had confirmation that it will be withdrawn from military service with many examples being given to civilian police forces.

The LAR isn't the only new item that the Morridane infantryman can expect to receive; new ballistic nylon helmets to replace the older steel ones in addition to a newer DPM uniform. Other changes include splitting the current 10 man infantry sections into a pair of 5 man fireteams, plus extra GMPGs being issued on the basis of one per fireteam.

[Imbrinium]

IBC NEWS BRIEF

Just days after the Reich’s Kriegsmarine announced a new ship’s class the Lord Sea Admiral Guarino Costa along with the Vice Fleet admiral Mauro Gallo stood in front reporters and made a brief statement about the Reich’s new ship and the current threat posed by them.

“Good Morning ladies and gentlemen the Royal Imbrinium Navy has known of the Reich’s new “Battleship” for some time now, the office of naval intelligence has pictures of their new ship though these are still classified due to the nature of how they were obtained.”

“I’ve been instructed to clear up a few things that the Kriegsmarine had stated in their briefing, first off the Kriegsmarine owns nothing outside their own waters they lack the numbers, training, and tactical skills to pose any more threat than the pirates that currently harass shipping. Second, the Kriegsmarine and its hierarchy are flawed to think that a new ship class could fix their poor performance against other navies in the region. The Kriegsmarine and the Reich will not or can pose a threat to shipping in the central region area. The Crown along with the Royal Imbrinium Navy has also sent a message to the Lamoni navy stating that the RIN will assist in efforts to stop harassment of their ships and any other ships in the central region area.”

“The Royal Imbrinium Navy will hold true to its key value of keeping sea lanes open and free of travel and restrict those nations who will choose to oppose freedom of movement”

"Thank you again ladies and gentlemen have a nice rest of the day"