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[Van Riebeeck Land]

★ REGION OF AFRICA ★
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DO NOT POST UNLESS YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF AFRICA.

Post any impending news events about whatever is on the front burner in your country; may the news be political, sports, about crime or war, or anything else that is happening in your country or the region. Because of the cultural richness of this region, we are sure to see some very interesting news.

[Van Riebeeck Land]

ECONOMIC REPORT: UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN 4.71%. WAGES HIGHER

by William Hayes | May 26

KAAPSTAD, Wes Kaap — New and Promising Economic Reports have suggested that the past 2 years of the Naudé Administration have lowered unemployment 4.71% and raised the average wage by about RJK 3000.

Many in the Liberal Party have quickly credited its newly implemented Economic Populist policies, including the expansion of adult education subsidies, agriculture subsidies, the federally mandated maternity leave, massive deregulation, and trade tariffs on many foreign imports as the main factors in driving up consumer confidence in the economy, and building a new generation of products "Made in Van Riebeeck Land". This all has created a need for more workers in higher paying blue collar jobs.

Members of the opposition are still skeptical about the Government's role in the economic expansion and the unemployment numbers, but have failed to make any further comment to VRL News.

Overall, the general populace is looking forward to the current economic boom, and according to the new reports, spending more and further advancing the economy. It just goes to show the Liberal Government is doing something right!

[Van Riebeeck Land]

'THE BEST OF VRL': KARASBURG REMEMBERS FORGOTTEN SOLDIER 43 YEARS LATER IN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CEREMONY

by by Hans Van Schauroth | May 27

KARASBURG, Karas — After walking out of a small parking garage on the K21 and turning the corner on Highway 83 on the way to an official V.R.L. government Rhodesian Bush War Commemorative Event at the Karasburg District Courthouse downtown here, one is immediately confronted by two nice men passing out pamphlets promoting their Lutheran Church’s ceremonies.

A few more steps towards the courthouse and across the street is a small-town barber shop. A few more steps down is a Boer bar, where a group of local
just-past-college-aged men are planning a Cricket game outside that same courthouse where a local boy is being honored for his decades-ago sacrifice for Van Riebeeck Land.

Lance Corporal Alexander Gruber died at 19-years-old in Rhodesia in March 1975, just a few months after he arrived there in December 1974. He was the life of Karasburg, by all accounts, before he left to serve his country in one of the most gruesome wars in V.R.L. history. Like 410 other Van Riebeeck Landers, Gruber died in the jungle-covered country amid one of a series of wars and conflicts throughout the 20th century in which Van Riebeeck Land was holding off the spread of Pan-Africanism on the in the continent.

Domestic political tensions meant Rhodesian Bush War veterans were shunned upon returning home, and the sacrifices of those killed in action—or prisoners of war and those missing in action—were not remembered and honored like the previous generations who fought in the World Wars.

But Karasburg never forgot Alexander Gruber or those with whom he served, as evidenced by the hundreds gathered here on a Memorial Day weekend Sunday for a local boy who died for their freedoms 43 years ago. Gruber, more than half a century later, finally received the medals he earned, the honor he is due, at a ceremony here in the heart of middle Van Riebeeck Land–hours away from the bustle of Kaapstad or Bloemfontein–in the center of central Karas.

A young man born out of time, Gruber could have just as easily been one of these other college-aged kids polishing off a pint before taking the Cricket field–were he lucky enough to be born a few decades later. But Gruber was of age during the height of the Cold War, when V.R.L. was battling Pan-Africanism’s rise all around the continent–especially in Rhodesia.

Gruber was just a Lance Corporal. He was not a general. He was not even an officer. He served at one of the lowest-level enlisted ranks. And when he died, his family here in Karasburg was not far behind—so there was nobody to take care of his estate, his gravesite, or his military record jacket, including the awards he was due.

It turns out his old military buddies would step up to do that for Gruber. It’s one of the most heartwarming stories in the country, one that has received years of attention from Karasburg Times Columnist Amanda Werner and recently a shout-out from the Orange Street Journal Editorial Board.

Liberals, Democrats and Members of the opposition united to commemorate Gruber with the medals he earned but was never awarded, including two purple hearts, here in the heart of Naudé Country. This working class town, the hometown of Jonathan Hadleigh's father Edward Hadleigh and of former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Weber, which shifted from its Labor Party roots to vote for Prime Minister Elzebe Naudé in 2016’s tumultuous general election, rallied around the veteran community as hundreds of locals, including many veterans, gathered for a parade and honor ceremony downtown, on Sunday, just two days before Memorial Day.

[New Gazi]

Gazilian Fighter Pilots Visit Cannoneers' Match

When the whistle blows to start Match 2 between Equestrian States and New Gazi, many Gazilians will be in the stands. A select few will be in military dress uniform. A group of 16 pilots from the Gazilian Air Force has flown in from the West African nation. Just six weeks ago, they returned from war in an East Asian land called Yanjin. Now they have returned and are reorienting to life outside of war.

Air Force General Kirabo Mhira planned the trip as a reward for the officers, coordinating with several government programs. It started with requesting what are known in the Gazilian government as 'War Bonuses'. The pilots met several important criteria, to be eligible for such a reward. For one, they represented New Gazi to an international alliance. They also held prominent roles in the fighting. Government funding generated over time through military surplus was round up to pay for the flight and tickets for the fighter pilots.

The group of pilots represented the spear of a small fighting force sent to assist Vangaziland and a handful of other allies. The Gazilians fit into an air strategy that saw them mostly flying air support. Fighting has been heavy, especially for the marines from Vangaziland. One of the Vangazi spoke on the African pilots while being interviewed on their rotation back home. "They were angels on our shoulder. There were days they kept us alive."

The pilots flew the Gripen fighter, produced under license in Vangaziland for export. The fighters are the workhorse of the African air force, joined by a smaller number of more advanced aircraft.

Each pilot will wear the Khaki uniform of the Gazilian Air Force. They'll wear the Dress-B variant, which comes without the jacket. Fresh Yanjin campaign medals will adorn their chest, along with their other ribbons.

The pilots will most likely not have war on their minds as they watch one of the most anticpated matches in Gazilian football history. The Cannoners were playing Equestrian States in their homeland, at a beautiful stadium. It would be an experience that would surely last in the minds of these pilots.

"It's just great to be able to see players like Diya and Contee play live. I've watched them for so many years", said Lieutenant First Class Umaru Shehu. "This is, like... Such a rare opportunity. This is the first time the last of the veteran group has qualified. To be here is surreal."

The players spoke on what it meant to them to have Gazilians fresh from war in attendance. "It puts everything in perspective", said defender Baako Iwu. "To us, soccer is everything. Sometimes we have to step back and remember people put their lives on the line to protect and represent us."

The Cannoneers will face the Ponies at Star Stadium in Canterlot.

NGN
Sports

[Akaran Islands]

Emperor and Empress Expecting First Child
by Ezari Nasriv

The Imperial Palace has released some exciting news. His Imperial Majesty Emperor Senaso V and Her Majesty Empress-Consort Aita have announced that the couple is now expecting their first child. The Royal Couple made the announcement via state TV, Monday morning at 8:00 AM. As the Empress is in the early stages of her pregnancy, we have no confirmation on either a due date or a gender, however the entire nation is very excited to welcome the new Royal baby. It is believed that the Empress has been pregnant for about a week, and outside of the Royal family and Executive staff, others who were informed ahead of time include King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, His Holiness Patriarch Theophilious of the Akaran Orthodox Church, as well as close friends of the Emperor and Empress.
Aside from the joy this announcement has brought our Empire, this new child shall further secure the integrity of the monarchy. He/she shall be replacing His Imperial Majesty's brother, Crown Prince Abrahim, as the heir to the Akaran throne. This is a relief to many who were worried about Abrahim's oftentimes less-than-royal behavior. While we currently have no statement form the Crown Prince, we expect him to accept the loss of being next in line to the throne.

[Mombombu]

Truly Inspiring: President Mgumbe Calls for Unity, Increased Defense Spending in Address to African Congress Nov 26 2018

African Continental Congress, Malï — In an address to the African Continental Congress, our glorious President Imamu Mgumbe called on the 83 member nations of the region to commit themselves to the causes of both Pan-African unity and mutual defense.

"The world is changing. We must change with it. As new challenges arise, it is not enough for Africa to merely have a political union, we must also have a shared cultural and military union, as well. Mombombu is ready to be the country that leads Africa headfirst into the 21st Century."

The President went on to eloquently expound upon the need for a regional defense force. Our leader also stressed the importance of Mombombuan leadership in Africa, stating that any military alliance would need to be lead by Mombombu and supplied by our superior Mombombuan arms.

At the conclusion of his remarks, our most-respected and admirable President received a standing ovation from all members present.

[Zeo]

[Deerfen African Republic]

[Milovia]

The Prime Minister, Zenaya Jowanda announced she would increase military spending, something parliament has alry approved. The King, with little power, still voiced his support for the military. Meanwhile, Our Agency, MFN, estabilished its first foreign office outside Milovia. In other news, Parliament rolled out a Foreign AIDS/HIV aid bill, titled Bill 239. While AIDS is a disease infecting 490,897 Milovians and counting, the Ministry of Health has vaccinated most Milovians. In Economic News, Farming Villages are growing in size as demands for food increase, making once poor villages lower middle class towns. In Society, LGBTQ Laws are protested, as Parliament debates decriminalizing Homosexuality and Transgender medical operations. In Sports, Milovia Creates its first Lacrosse Team in Goltibwe, and the Prince has started a sports initiative promoting sports in poor areas. That's all, this is the MFN Update. It is 3:48 AM in Milovia.