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by **Minnysota** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:56 pm

Federal Council Responds to Terrorism in Skandera
Written by Ben Pastock, political columnist for Arkanian Daily

Supreme Councilmen Jan Huemack Leaves His Private Residence to Attend Emergency Session

With news of the tragic attacks in Temuair quickly spreading, the Federal Council has released an official statement:

"It is with great sorrow that we release this letter to the people of Temuair and Skandera. Unfortunate as the recent violence in the war against Gratislavia may be, this kind of attack against innocents is no way to respond. The people of the Arkian Republic stand with their Aisling brethren as they recover and respond to this tragic situation."

The situation in Gratislavia has been unpleasant to say the least. Aisling forces, in tandem with Dnieguan Armed Forces, invaded the once sovereign state not long ago. As a result of the conflict, refugees have poured into neighboring states. Somewhat controversially, the Arkian Republic declared that it would not be taking in refugees. In addition, as evidenced by tonight's vicious attacks, guerrilla and paramilitary groups have arisen in place of the Gratislav military to combat Aisling forces.

More updates will be released later tonight as information continues to come in.

• 150+ Confirmed Dead in Temuair Attacks[ 329 ]
• What Sparked the Recent Invasion of Gratislavia?[ 1544 ]
• Will Temuair Attacks Spark Security Increases within the Republic?[ 1544 ]

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by **Austrasien** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 8:41 am

Das Volk
News of Austrasia and the World

Roland III broadcasts message of support for victims in Temuair
King Roland III made a special live broadcast today with the Archbishop of Osterode, declaring that the Austrasian Riche stands in "full solidarity" with it's Skanderan allies against terrorism and called on Austrogoths to donate what they can to the victims. The Archbishop echoed the King's statements and announced that the Skanderan Catholic Church would be organizing a charity drive for the benefit of the victims and that all parishes will begin accepting donations "imminently". Shortly after the broadcast both houses of the Reichstag overwhelmingly passed a motion by the government with the support of all parties leaders to affirm the King's message, condemning terrorism in Skandera and calling on Austrasians to do whatever they can to aid the victims in Temuair.

Gendarmerie, Volkspolizei detain 104, seek 4
Meanwhile unheralded and without fanfare a co-ordinated nation-wide sweep was launched in the pre-dawn hours by the Gendermerie and Volkspolizer to detain known extremists and agitators associated with the Gratislavian liberation movement. According to police sources a special warrant from the court of national security to detain one-hundred and eight individuals was executed with one-hundred and four captured and four still being sought at this time. Police acknowledged that the warrant was sought in response to the attacks in Temuair but denied that there was any "concrete link" at present, the detentions are characterized as a precautionary measure and authorities emphasized the individuals detained were not being charged at present; only that investigations are "ongoing". The identities of the 108 individuals have not been publicly released as they are not currently wanted in relation to any crime.

by **Rodarion** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:06 pm

Chief State Prosecutor of her case, Lorenzo Piccone was lenient in his sentencing

Aisling porn actress Xoana Noela Navia has been found guilty of public indecency and sexual depravity. She has been sentenced to pay a $250,000 fine, offer an apology to the Rodarian people and will receive a life-long ban from entering the Papal Republic. Her accomplice, Luca Cristofori has been found guilty and his sentencing has been transferred to a Papal Tribunal. Her attorney from Temuair, Anton Dorta arrived prior to Cristofori's confession's introduction to Navia's case, who then reportedly advised her to plead guilty. State Prosecutor Lorenzo Piccone praised her honesty, yet decried her as "damaged individual who thrives breaking laws and living by bad rules, this is something alien and unwanted in Rodarion".

Navia was arrested on Monday after being caught engaging in oral sex with Cristofori down an alleyway close to the Luna Blu club in central Romula. Although she initially denied the accusation, CCTV footage of the act was shown to her by police prior to the court hearing. This damning evidence and the subsequent confession from Cristofori pressured her to plead guilty, her attorney Anton Dorta and her state provided defence lawyer, Maria Turelli both agreed that a guilty plea would spare her the ordeal of a court trial and permit a more lenient sentence.

Giving a statement after the hearing ended, her defence lawyer, Miss Turelli said, "the decision by Miss Navia to plead guilty to the three state prosecutors was the right thing to do, I and her Aisling attorney, Mr. Dorta agreed that a guilty plea would be more beneficial to her position and her wellbeing. She accepts her actions were wrong and she is pleased and of course relieved at how lenient the state was to her".

Chief State Prosecutor of the case, Lorenzo Piccone accepted her plea and conferred with his two colleagues before sentencing her. Prior to reading out the sentence, he praised her honesty, yet was sharp in his conclusion of the case and of her actions.

"Although I am pleasantly surprised by your honesty and praise your decision to admit to your actions, I am still disturbed by your actions. I would seem that you take pleasure in living against the rules and breaking laws and living your life by controversy, whilst this may be acceptable behaviour in Temuair, of which I do not judge of course, it is alien and unwanted in Rodarion.
"A woman of your profession is always a difficult notion in this country, that is why we have been lenient in our sentencing" he said.

Miss Navia is expected to pay a $250,000 fine and has received a life-time ban from entering the Papal Republic. The other condition that she offer a public apology to the Rodarian people was subject to debate between her representatives and the state prosecutors, what appears to have happened is that Miss Navia refused to publically apologise, whilst the state prosecutors made clear that they wanted Miss Navia out of the Papal Republic as quickly as possible, a final agreement where her attorney Anton Dorta would read out the statement with her present was reached.
The statement was given outside the hotel Miss Navia was staying at prior to her arrest.

"Miss Xoana Noela Xavia is deeply repentant of her actions, which was a violation of both Rodarian law and Rodarian society. She had come to this country for a job with Armada and wrongly used this opportunity to abuse the country that hosted her and for that she offers a heartfelt apology. She will pay the fine as requested by the State Prosecution Service and will abide by the ban placed upon her passport to never return to Rodarion. She does so with a heavy heart, but respects the decision made by the court, she hopes that Rodarion will come to accept her apology" Anton Dorta said. Following the statement being read out, Xavia departed for the airport to return home.

Although the trial itself was over in two days, it has revealed great divisions within Rodarian society over how she should have been sentenced. Romula mayoral hopeful, Vittoria Tauriello denounced the sentence as "hideously soft" at a rally this afternoon.

"I cannot believe how hideously soft the sentencing was, not only did she break laws cherished in our country, since they have protected us from falling victim to the same societal degradation seen in the developed world, it has protected us from the over-sexualisation of society, but she appeared to pleased of her crimes and this is how we punish her?" she said.

However, the Minister of Justice, Giorgio Orsoni was less critical, saying "her removal from Rodarion was the best course of action, she's out of our hair and off our hands, I would much prefer that, to knowing she is still in our country in a detention centre". Other NCP Senators were less forthcoming, vocal NCP backbencher, Senator Luigi Piccolo denounced the sentencing as an example of "Rodarion bowing the demands of a foreign country, Temuair wanted her freed so the government agreed".

Luca Cristofori, the model who was arrested alongside Navia will now be sentenced by a Papal Tribunal instead of a State Court, the decision to transfer his case came after his prosecutors declared his crime to be "religiously compromising". As a result of being transferred to a Papal Tribunal, Cristofori could face between ten and fifteen years in prison, his Chief State Prosecutor, Caterina Molinaro decried his case in contrast to Navia's as a "situation where someone who should have known better and acted better gave into the advances of a sexual degenerate".

Armada, the fashion house that employed both Navia and Cristofori has announced that it has terminated its contracts with both of them and publically apologised on its website for employing two "damaged individuals, where we, as the world's premier fashion house should have known better".

Written by Mario Cesario

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Pope Constantine XIV and Consul Ottavio Civitarese have expressed shock and horror at the Piet shootings and bombings which have left over 150 Aisling dead and over 200 injured. Consul Civitarese has said that the "Papal Republic stands in solidarity with Temuair in its difficult time, we will offer any assistance they require", whilst his Holiness has lamented the loss of life, "this is a horrific act of evil, surely the Lord himself is in shock at Temuair's pain".

A spokesmen for the Imperial Marshals Service confirmed early Saturday morning that terrorists had detonated a explosive device at the Mira Amphitheater before entering the facility and opening fire on the crowd with automatic weapons. According to reports, at least 170 people were killed in the blast and gunfire, with over 400 others wounded. Police indicate that, of the 10 suspected terrorist, four have been killed, two arrested and the remaining four remain at large. According to the press release offered by the Imperial Marshals Service, the Gratislavian rebel group known as the "Agrarian Socialist Party of Gratislavia" have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Aisling security services have confirmed reports that Aisling actor and musician Iain Fontan is among the dead. Fontan and his band were attending the Revival for Gratislavia event and were scheduled to preform later in the evening. According to police reports, Fontan staging area was extremely close to the center of the blast. Fontan was a decorated member of the Aisling Home Guard, and former member of the Imperial Air Force. He received the Distinguished Aviation Medal for combat actions taken in defence of Temuair during the invasion of Gratislavia in late 2015. Also injured in the attacks were musicians Aislin Fontan-Calligan, Fontan's wife and band member, as well as Lìosa Pereda, the needle rock musician from Astridia who organized the charity event.

During a press conference, Consul Civitarese could not confirm whether any Rodarians were among the dead in Piet, though according to the Foreign Ministry there are currently 453,000 Rodarian tourists in Temuair and it is working with the Rodarian Embassy in Dinsmark to identify any possible Rodarian casualties. It has established a support hotline for any families who have people in Temuair.
"At this time, I cannot confirm whether any Rodarians are among the casualties in Piet. I understand that Temuair is a popular tourist destination and it is possible there are Rodarian casualties, we are working tirelessly to identify anyone of Rodarian origin involved in this shocking attack.

"Know that the Papal Republic stands in solidarity with Temuair, in its difficult time and we will offer any assistance they require. This country like any other, will never accept terrorism, never is it acceptable to conduct such evil upon innocent people. We stand with Temuair in its fight against terrorism and I am sure I speak for all 1.4 billion Rodarians when I say we will pray for you all" he said.
The Holy Father addressed a special mass of Cardinals and reporters, where he denounced the terrorists as "animals".

"The individuals who have unleashed this evil upon the innocent, the young and the fruit of the future are nothing more than animals, yet they are less than animals for animals never kill for fun. I am sure that the Lord himself is in shock over Temuair's pain and that the Heavens quaked under the loss of life. But know that we all feel their pain and that we pray for their loved ones.

"I pray that the Holy Mother offers to the loved ones in pain right now, the love and mercy she can offer. I pray that the loved ones in pain overcome their loss and know that their friends, children, spouses and parents are in the caring embrace of the Lord" he said.

The Foreign Ministry however has issued a travel warning for Temuair, its website has stated that "there is a greater chance of violent incidents. We recommend caution for Rodarian citizens during their consideration on travelling to Temuair".

Written by Mario Cesario

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by **Minnysota** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:55 pm

Protests in Friitze Over Latest Appointment to Secondary Council
Written by Jon Cristenson

Anti-Riot Units Have Been Dispatched to Prevent Violence

It's been nearly a month since Chief Economic Adviser Michael Feda was appointed to his position. Being of both a Jewish and ethnically non-Arkian background, it was a highly controversial move by the Federal Representatives. Both the Federal and the Secondary Councils have come out in support of the nomination, but that has done little to curb the unrest in the north, where the greatest amount of ethnic and religious tensions exist.

Earlier today, a widespread demonstration took the port city of Friitze by storm. Units at the nearby military base were immediately put on alert, but so far the demonstration has been contained to the center of the city. Signs decrying the lack of justice for Arkians and calling Jews words that cannot be published flooded the city. Although many at the scene decried the movements as being "racist and intolerant", the numbers continually increased. Riot police were dispatched when several incidents of violence were reported. Twelve men and two women were arrested for separate cases of conspiracy to harm others.

Though they are nearly a month late, the protests are expected. The last Imperial stronghold during the Arkian Civil War, Arkians living in Friitze take pride in the fact that their city stood longer than the capital despite being besieged by Republican forces for nearly two years. Tensions between ethnics and those who are either immigrants or followers of another religion have been high in the north ever since the dissolution of the Empire. Though the new Federal Council has made it clear that they will do their best to assimilate non-Arkians into society peacefully, it remains to be seen whether those in the north want to assimilate those they deem inferior at all. As a nation that plans to grow and step into the international scene, Arkia can only hope these demonstrations quickly end.

• Former Councilmen Decries Last Month's Appointment[ 329 ]
• A Look Back at the Arkian Civil War[ 1544 ]
• LIVE FEED: Attacks in Temuair[ 1544 ]

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by **Rodarion** » Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:59 pm

Vittoria Tauriello has proven herself an incredibly capable candidate in the race to become Romula's next mayor

Romula mayor hopeful, Vittoria Tauriello is set for victory according to latest polls. According to RoPopolo and GovRo, roughly 53% of voters will vote for Tauriello. The National Catholic Party's Fabrizio Naro has seen his ratings plummet in recent weeks, falling to 30%. At a rally in southern Romula, Tauriello declared a "revolution was beginning and it is beginning with your votes". Consul Ottavio Civitarese has reportedly rushed to Romula to campaign on behalf of Naro before voting begins on Monday, yet many in the National Catholic Party have criticised his decision to go as "too little too late".

Vittoria Tauriello, a former schoolteacher has rocketed to the top of every single poll produced for the mayoral race. When she declared her candidacy on December 3, only 5% of Romulans were aware of who she was, now 98% say they are aware of who Vittoria Tauriello is. Her platform has been markedly anti-NCP and anti-Rodarian Socialist Party, at one rally she claimed both parties were "dedicated to self interest over the interest of the eternal city". She has claimed a decline in city infrastructure and ill-preparation for further rural-to-urban migration as evidence that they work for their own gain than that of the city.

She has vowed to introduce new taxes that will be used exclusively for the funding of new schools and school expansions, she has also vowed to expand rent-to-buy schemes to greatly assist aspiring home owners in Romula, whilst declaring that she would cut back on 'vanity projects' to fund house building, Tauriello has also vowed to secure more federal funding for schools in Romula, stating at a meeting with the Romula Teacher's Sub-Union that "it is the duty of Federal government to ensure the Federal Provinces and the Municipalities have the means to deliver the most basic social services and this great city needs help, we can't debate the future of children". Tauriello has also promised to back a third runway at Pope Julius II international airport and then to establish an advisory board which will study plans to expand Escalapiano Airport over further expansion to Pope Julius II. She also stated that she would cooperate with neighbouring Federal Province of Vespasia over developing better transport links to alleviate traffic congestion on Romula's key avenues.

However she has come under coordinated fire from Green Party candidate Floriana Fiorini for failing to address the city's pollution problem, RSP candidate, Salvatore Adamo for his part attacked her for not even mentioning pollution in any of her speeches. She counter yesterday whilst speaking on Radio Souno, that Adamo was firing "empty bullets from a gun of hypocrisy". She earlier claimed that pollution in Romula was the fault of carbon emitters in Vespasia and Bagnaria, her comments were disputed by Bagnaria's Federal Legate Giovanni-Paolo Oliverio, who claimed that Tauriello was "scapegoating people and Federal Provinces outside of Romula to ease her way into city hall".

Despite the poor turn in polls, NCP candidate, Fabrizio Naro has continued to campaign with great vigour, speaking to students at the University of San Michele, he dismissed Tauriello as a "outsider arisen to cause disunity and chaos". Fabrizio for his part has vowed to continue the successful policies of incumbent mayor Ignazio Borghese, who announced his intention to formally resign as of tomorrow following a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Borghese was elected as mayor in 2014 with the highest electoral vote in the city's history.

On housing issues, Naro and Tauriello have followed identical routes, with increases in house building, except whereas Tauriello is vowing to introduce cuts to certain projects to fund house building and for more federal funding, Naro has stated that Romula owes it to itself to become completely self-dependent on funding for projects. During his speech to university students he said, "how can this city be the capital of the world, the eternal city, if it cannot manage itself? We must secure solid and workable finances for Romula before we start asking for more handouts".

Vittoria Tauriello, speaking on Romula Radio Una, dismissed his comments, stating that his view of Romula as a person would bring ruin.

"He is treating Romula's finances like someone's bank account and treating the situation as if Romula must first become financially viable before possibly asking for assistance. How can you treat the capital city of the world's second largest economy in such a way? How can someone be so flippant with the future of children?" she said.

Despite the occasional personal attack, the campaign has been relatively calm and friendly. During Saint Augustine Day events last week, Fabrizio Naro and Vittoria Tauriello were spotted joking with one another during a military parade. Yet many of Naro's supporters have criticised the role of the city's newspapers, who have been highly critical of Naro's candidacy. The Posta Romulana produced a scathing attack on his appearance in early January, calling him a "man who shows nothing but officiousness and a stern exterior, he looks more intimidating than a senior civil servant", whilst the Messaggio di Mattina compared Naro to a "vampire just emerged from his crypt".

Both Naro and Tauriello clashed on the matter of federal funding for start-up assistance grants, Tauriello wishes to request further federal funding to assist tech-start ups in the capital, the policy has proven highly successful in Palestrina and Caicova, however Naro has criticised the continious requests of federal funding as a symptom of "inexperience, you simply cannot ask for more money every single day".

According to polling, Tauriello has struck support from the city's middle class and young voters, an historical base for the NCP in the capital, political analyst at the Pontifical Academy for Social Studies in Banari, Michele Purelli said, "what appears to be the case in Romula is not so much a rebellion against the National Catholic Party, but a genuine sway of support towards this highly charismatic woman, who has come from nowhere offering real promises for real issues, I do suspect that if the NCP had selected a more capable candidate, the situation would be very different."

Despite her strong poll ratings, Tauriello has refused to succumb to complacency, at a rally yesterday she told her supporters to "remain vigilant, the fight is yet to be won, as much as the polls are encouraging we should not and cannot take them to be a sign of certainty, we've got to keep fighting as if our lives depend upon it" she said.

Voting stations will open at 6.50am and will close at 10.00pm on Monday 15 February, voting is mandatory according to the 2013 Electoral Reform Act - failure to vote will result in a fine.

Written by Mario Cesario

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by **Western Confederation** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 4:42 pm

MoneyFlow Report: Business in the World
Markets roiled in January, as fear driven by a brief vocal exchange between global economic powers Rodarion and Belhavia. Hudson Angelo buying a huge stake in Constance Bank. The deteriorating situation in Torchland and Bogoria and much more. Though what is the alternative? What is the safe haven for entrepreneurs these days? LSJ interviewed the founders of the MoneyFlow business magazine today who just recently published their new "Business in the world" report.
Christine Ridgeway, cridgeway@lsj.com — (Liberty Square Journal)
^{February 19, 2016 | Franklin, South Lake}

_{Map showing the nations covered in the report. Stars shown in dark green, Cash Cows shown in light green, Questionmarks shown in yellow, Dogs shown in red.}

LSJ - One of the worst starts of a year, according to many analysts. The Lewis Yorkshire Industrial Average and the Seven Union Proponents Fivehundred dropped significantly with the start of January. The Palmerston Index perhaps hit the most out of all with a 17% plummet since the beginning of the crisis and is still going through a sharp bear-trend. Provisa has similar repercussions with the Provisa Stock Exchange dropping 202.40 points as it recovered in the end of the month January. Loweport and Vistrovio didn't come clean either with a similar drop.

Some scholars claim anti-CDI sentiment voiced by Romula is the cause of recent hypersensitivity and high volatility in the markets, others claim that the negativity in most countries turns into a negative spiral, reflected on the markets. Economists mean that even the Anikatian economy - one of the fastest growing economies alongside Rodarion since the 21st century - is victim of previous month's “miserable outcome”, according to MoneyFlow research branch director Ian Wahlberg.

It is due to him, as founder, that his business-oriented magazine, next to Lion Rock’s Far East Business Review and Temuair’s Enterprise became one of the best sellers among business-related magazines in the world. It goes as far as even the IOTS (Independent Organization of Transitional Structure) asking for advice from its employees in order to perfect its quota and criteria system for the Western Market States.

“Even though the start of 2016 advanced at a snail’s pace, the economic outlook for this year is yet another positive one. This confidence has reemerged in the end of January with the correction of major stock exchanges and the economic perspectives being ahead with numerous businesses offshoring and willing to take new risks. This particular research report sets straight whether a particular nation is business-friendly and ranks each nation based on information acquired by the World Bank and the Global Monetary Fund.” Says co-founder of MoneyFlow Elton Cornwell.

This report is based on a classification of nations based on four groups: 1. Stars (dark green), which are the most attractive nations for businesses. 2. Cash Cows (light green): nations that are semi business-friendly. 3. (yellow) Questionmarks: Neutral business nations, or nations without data. 4. Dogs (red): Nations that largely do not attract businesses. Although quite similar, these classifications are not to be confused with the growth-share matrix.

The report’s results ranks nations such as Arhurista, Anikatia, Belhavia, and all but one of the Western Market States as Stars. Ranks Belfras, Eaglelander Republic, Valinor, Temuair, Hornatiya... as Cash Cows. The Dogs, according to the report, are Estovnia, Tule, Ankaran Union, Bogoria, Bariya among others (see map). Some nations were hard to place in a specific category, according to the researchers. For example: Whether the Kingdom of Belfras is a Star or a Cash Cow whether the Papal Republic of Rodarion is a Cash Cow or a Questionmark and whether Westonaria is a Questionmark or a Dog.

The formula has been set by revisionists within the financial community of the world. Pundits of the International Financial Insider as well as Liberty Square Journal endorsed the report, the latter approving it with four out of five stars. Criticism was not unheard of because the report relied mostly on black and white statistics rather than first hand experience. But as director Wahlberg concludes: “Everything is a matter of management, even when we had to create this incredibly difficult report, we had to stay close to the facts.”

With the release of the report the Lewis Yorkshire Industrial Average climbed 65 pts _17,506.50, and the SUP500 12 pts _2,101.95, during today's trading session in the Franklin Stock Exchange.

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by **Rodarion** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:37 pm

Rallies in Drenova have continued well into the night

Almost 200,000 people are believed to have marched across Carnaro today after the United Carnaro Front declared a "week of crying voices" after declaring the government's refusal to even comment on its offer of negotiations a "travesty". Drenova, the de-facto capital of the province saw almost 85,000 people take part in peaceful protests outside the city's administration building. Today also saw Federal Administrator of Caicova, Armando Chinaglia declared his intention to propose a non-binding referendum to the province's assembly on Carnaro returning to province, whilst also announcing a formal and binding referendum on the province's flag, which he hopes will be reverted to the 19th century flag of the former Caicova-Carnaro Papal Province. Rhetoric against the Torchlander government also became more pronounced as Senators slammed the Torchlander and Belfrasian governments for their treatment of Carnaro.

After three weeks of silence from both the governments of Torchland and Belfras, the United Carnaro Front which has become the formal leader of the reunification campaign in Carnaro called for mass protests across the region in anger of the government's decision to completely ignore its simple request for talks on a referendum. By Sunday it was estimated by mentions on social media and direct confirmations of attendance on the UCF's website that between 50,000 and 100,000 people would take part, earlier this evening they confirmed that the number was around 200,000; double the expected show of support.

In Bencovazza the second largest city in Carnaro saw 50,000 people protest in the Piazza dell'Unità, in Casteggio on the Sorrentine Coast, 18,000 people took to the streets throughout the day to protest against the government. Most of the events organised and funded by the United Carnaro Front offered "debate houses" for both sides to hold frank disucssions on the referendum, they also sold food, drink and merchandise. Popular Carnarian musicians also took part in the festivities, singing to thousands in Drenova and Bencovazza.

In Drenova, the senior UCF leaders led rallies, with Pietro Cavallero proclaiming that the "fight for reunification will never end, we will secure our democratic right whether it takes months or years". He also stated that the government would continue to refuse to cooperate with the UCF out of hatred saying, "why do they ignore us? Why do they ignore our calls for a single democratic act? Because they are undemocratic and hate us, they hate our faith, they hate our integrity, they hate our morality, they hate that we see them for what they are; businessmen given a country because they have money, we must be prepared for them to continue ignoring us and denying us democracy" he said.

Speaking further, Cavallero said "I hope they hear our voices, I hope they feel the ground shake beneath their feet because of our united voices, I hope they shake in realisation that we cannot outlast the people's will".
Giorgio Mogherini, a prominent talk show host in Carnaro also led a rally in Casteggio, where denounced the Torchlander government as "illegitimate and morally bankrupt" he also accused Belfrasian Prime Minister Aaron Sentar of being beholden to the Board's bank cheques.

"This government is a foul one, it is bankrupt morally, yet flush with money, so much money that clearly Sentar is behold to their thick wallets and big bank cheques. Who are they to deny us our birth right? Who are they to deny us our right to determine our own futures? Who are they to deny us the right to return to our kin across the border?" he said.

PRRB correspondents managed to speak to some ordinary Carnarians who were adament that the UCF would eventually succeed in getting a referendum.

Maria Schiovini, a 22 year old law student said "I know there's a lot hatred towards the Market State and what it stands for and what's it done to us, but I really do think deep down these people understand that they can't deny us our democratic rights forever, I know for a fact that the UCF will succeed in making them realise this".

Piero Polizzi, a 43 year old former WCS Army officer was less optimistic, "this event is magnificent, I have never seen so many ordinary people amassed in place for a single purpose in my life before, the WCS never got anything like this going. This really shows that the people of this region are united behind the UCF, which counts for something, but at the end of the day if the government and their Belfrasian masters won't let us part ways then they won't, things will get ugly then."

Chief Rabbi of Drenova, Paolo Spurelli was also present on the main stage, he called upon every ethnic Rodarian in the region to put aside religious differences and economic differences among them and unite behind reunification.

"I am Jewish, there are Jews among you and Catholics, but our blood is Rodarian and that is what keeps us strong. I aks you to remember that and keep that close to your heart because we must stand united in our cause for reunification, Jews and Catholics stand united in the Fatherland, so to we shall here in our homeland" he said to much applause.

Rhetoric in the Papal Federation turned more hostile today, after the Senate held a special questions and debate session dedicated to the Torchlander question, both Consul Ottavio Civitarese and Foreign Minister Pietro Ciano faced tough questioning from all parties. Many Senators used the opportunity to grandstand and offer their insights into the growing political crisis.

Senator Marco D'Campi (NCP) proclaimed the situation in Carnaro a disgrace, "never before has the world seen such a clear and present denial of democracy by a state subordinate to a supposed democratic state, how long will this country stand by and watch our ethnic kin be treated like second class citizens, be treated like prisoners in a country they reject wholeheartedly? If we do not act in some way we will become as criminal as the board of directors and their Belfrasian masters".

Another Senator, Firenze Pagliano (NCP) claimed that the situation would only worsen because "Rodarphobia" and anti-Rodarian racism, "clearly the situation is worsening through racism towards ethnic Rodarians, if the Jews wanted a referendum, you think the board would say no? What about the Occidentians? Oh I am sure that Palmerston would be willing to see them go, but instead they subject the Rodarians to nothing more than life imprisonment in a social experiment, it is racism and nothing more. And we must respond to racists will necessary punishment, such as sanctions on board members, that is my position" she said.

Acting National Democratic Party leader, Anna Albarello asked the Consul if he would consider lifting the ban on donations to the UCF from within Rodarion. The Consul however rejected calls for greater involvement, saying "it is not the policy of this government to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, but be rest assured that we are observing the current situation closely, but to become involved in the situation now, would be highly counter-productive, for now we can only continue calling for talks between the UCF and the Torchlander government and for Belfras to act responsible for a change" he said.
Rodarian Socialist Party leader Vittoria Vetra denounced Belfras as the greatest threat to freedom and liberty in Lusankya.

"For all their provocation and nonsensical claims, the Belfrasian press is correct in stating that there is a serious threat to freedom and liberty in this hemisphere, it is not the Papal Federation, it is the Kingdom of Belfras. They denied the right of self determination to the Bogorians and they won it the hard way, now they do so to ethnic Rodarians in Carnaro - I would daresay that this is a greater crime because we are talking about our own people.

"They claim to be a democratic state, but no democratic state would deny rights to another people, unless of course their entire democratic institution is built upon hypocrisy and xenophobia" she argued, she received deafening applause from NCP Senators, whilst many in her own party sat in silence.

Written by Mario Cesario

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by **Western Confederation** » Tue Feb 23, 2016 8:07 am

BREAKING NEWS: Board to enter talks with UCF leadership.
The Torchlander board finally breaks the ice: "We want to enter talks with the UCF." But UCF calls for a referendum were not met during Chairman Walker's speech and press conference in Palmerston today, on the contrary; "Torchland will stay united, that I can tell!" The Chairman reassures.
Marco Portsdown, mportsdown@STN.com — (Staten Torchland Network)
^{February 23, 2016 | Palmerston, Torchland}

_{PICTURED: Chairman David Walker during his speech at the Marlene Gardens, Palmerston.}

STN - Controversy sparked with UCF accusing the board for misconduct by not "responding in time", thousands of pro-UCF protesters took to the streets of all major cities in Torchland, chanting anti-CDI, and anti-market state rhetoric. STN correspondence teams in Unity and Berkeley witnessed instances of burglary, theft and in some cases serious sexual misconduct. At least half a dozen are arrested and taken into custody by the Ford's Security Police, "many more are still on the loose." Concludes chief director of police operations in Unity. It is perhaps now that the UCF is getting what they wanted, after three weeks of radio silence the board finally spoke up. Chairman Walker addressed the current situation in his speech followed by a press conference in the Marlene Quarter of Palmerston. The following covers the most important parts of his 28 minute long speech.

(12:04.54 pm) "...As you may know people in our great country are going through a tough period. People are getting robbed by so-called protesters and women are getting raped on the streets. Frankly I think It's horrendous. [applause] Now don't get me wrong, you can protest peacefully in our country but after what we have seen yesterday, I highly condemn the actions conducted by some-not all-of the protesters. [applause] My job as chairman is to be the voice of the board and the voice of people in our country. Sometimes our board stumbles across tough issues we need to deal with. These issues can't be solved overnight. These issues require a couple of days-weeks-even months to take care of. Let me tell you it's not easy, but we are doing everything we can to get the job done. The State of Torchland is a great country [with] great people, but there are also people outside this country that want to harm us. They say; Torchland is bad, they say we are immoral, they say we are only about the money. To those people I say: think again. Would you rather live in a country where the government controls everything you do, see, and think, or would you rather have freedom and liberty? I think we all know the answer to that." [applause]

...

(12:26.30 pm) "As chairman and businessman I feel called for negotiations, so do my colleagues, and we will never back down from that. But - I have to say - the way the UCF and some Rodarian officials have expressed themselves is totally misplaced. Now let me make this clear; Rodarians are great people, we have some great Rodarians living in our country - hard working people that are friends of mine. But the way some Rodarian leaders have expressed themselves is totally irresponsible and only adds fuel to the fire. We have seen horrendous crimes committed in our country - like what we have seen in the GloboCorp headquarters the other day and people brutally murdered simply because they belong to another ethnic group. These animals have some terrible beliefs, no nations can possibly endorse them. Before I am going to say anything I'd like to stress this is not a matter of giving in, Torchland will stay united that I can tell you. But first we need to know what is going on. We have a problem. Right now we have tighten our security needs, tighten our border security, work close with our allies and listen to what others have to say. Yes, this means we want to enter talks with the UCF..."

For the full speech of the Chairman click here. The subsequent press conference inside the House of the Board, the chairman was exposed to some tough questions, the first came from our own STN reporter Lleyton Murdoch: "Mr. Chairman, what is your take on the hostile rhetoric from the Papal Federation and the recent Papal army military drills in Caicova?"

"I think it's very unprecedented Lleyton, and I think instead of stabilizing the situation they are only making it worse. Again the Rodarian people are great people, we have some great Rodarian board members and Rodarian entrepreneurs that are friends of mine. But some senators in the Papal Federation stick their noses where they do not belong. This is Torchland after all, it is very unprofessional to criticize us and our country. If we wanted we could do the same thing, not to mention the many internment camps across the eastern border. But we do not because we insist upon building strong relations with the region. As for the military drills - well, I think it's unfortunate that rather than working together with us to solve the problems they are provoking us across the border for everyone to see."

The second question came from Provisa Times Elezar Cohen. "What is your stance on the Federal Administrator of Caicova, Armando Chinaglia declaring his intention to propose a non-binding referendum to the province's assembly on Carnaro?"

"I think it's madness, Elezar. Caicova is a province within Rodarion and for an administrator to declare an illegitimate referendum on another country's soil is illegal and against international law. I have the best interest for the Papal Federation, but I hope they can tone down Mr. Chinaglia for his outrageous remarks which we all condemn. The territorial integrity of Torchland is not to be questioned. For hundreds of years people have lived here in peace together. Now this guy is going to tell us otherwise? I mean come on."

The third question came from PRRB's Emma Marone: "Why are you ignoring the UCF's simple call for talks on a referendum?"

"Oh look, it's the PRRB... [brief laughter] I think I have addressed this question earlier in my speech. Let me repeat what I said: we are not ignoring anything. Look, the board needs time to debate over key issues, that frankly sometimes can even take up to a month. Again we want to come up with a solution, but that's not going to happen through a referendum of land-grabbing. It's simply not going to happen, Torchland will stay united. But I understand that there are a lot of people in this country that are not satisfied and I think we should come up with a solution together, rather than each going our own way. I said I want to enter talks with the United Carnaro Front and I am a man of my word."

The fourth question came from Stuart Kiley of BNN: "How are the Belfrasian-Torchlander bilateral relations, and will you strengthen military and diplomatic ties with Belfras in light of the recent events?"

"Yes, Belfras is a cordial ally of Torchland. We have an outstanding relationship with the Belfrasian Kingdom. Prime minister Sentar has done a terrific job in getting our countries closer together. Our recent agreements - including the defense agreement - will make sure that our nations cooperate on all fields as close as possible. Especially after what we have seen and witnessed in Unity; a lunatic that went into the GloboCorp headquarters and started shooting people because they were from a different race or ethnicity. We need to stay strong with our allies in the region, which is something Torchland really needs right now."

It seems that the board of Torchland is willing to enter talks with the UCF, but under no circumstances will the territorial integrity of Torchland be questioned. What could be an alternative one-state solution, and whether the UCF will agree to this is still unknown. According to recent polls the Chairman approval rating after Chairman Walker's speech spiked. Many feel associated with him, because "he is telling the truth." According to one Coffee Party movement member during a rally in the Staten Quarter of Palmerston today, who cheered and applauded the 28 minute speech of the chairman. Critics say he lacked political correctness.

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