The Western Isles News

[Atnaia]

SOAR Planned Attack on Coldwater Subway
Hacktivist Organization 'The Rood' Implicated in Planned Sons of Asorist Retribution Attack on Coldwater

Symbol of anonymous hacktivist
organization The Rood

COLDWATER, COLDWATER, ATNAIA - Following a raid last week on a SOAR cell safehouse, LISA has announced that SOAR intended an attack on Coldwater's subway line during this week's final Quorum Nominee debates at the Coldwater Convention Center. According to sources inside LISA, massive data leaks perpetrated by hacktivist organization The Rood were used by SOAR to help them plan the attack, and had the swift intervention of LISA not occurred, the attack almost certainly would have been successful.

"While I'm not at liberty to announce how The Rood's leaks could have led to the success of the attack at this time, I can tell you that this is a perfect example of why we should crack down on organizations like this one," announced LISA director Joe Blythe. "Had we not gotten lucky with the tips of concerned citizens, the Rood would have directly led to a successful domestic terrorist attack that had the potential to kill dozens, perhaps even hundreds."

While LISA hasn't specifically announced what form the attack would have taken, they have announced the potential for damage was "staggering" and that it's choice of target was "very deliberate".

"The attack was definitely targeting the politically aware populace who support our new democracy," Quorum representative Afram Kwaku said. "Asorists cannot and will not compromise their vision of democracy for something effective and powerful, like the new hegemonic order."

In response to the attack, the Quorum has announced that they will be expanding the data surveillance capabilities of both LISA and ANIA in order to shore up further possible information leaks. Furthermore, Hegemon Wessich has stated that the Quorum will be discussing whether to consider The Rood and similar hacktivist organizations as terrorist sympathizers. If classified in this manner, hackers associated with The Rood could be arrested and held in debtor's prisons indefinitely.

[Atnaia]

Black Hill Heatwave Music Festival Opens With a Bang
Week-long Music Festival Sees Record Turnout In Spite of Actual Heatwave

A-Pop's newest sensation, Char
wowed crowds with her opening
performance

BLACK HILL, COMBREY, ATNAIA - Black Hill's famous summer music festival, the Heatwave, saw an unprecedented turnout this weekend as thousands swarmed to the city to see their favourite Atnaian performers, despite the city facing an actual heatwave. The festival opened with a performance from the newest A-pop sensation, Char, whose first album has sold 12 million copies since its release in April. Performances have continued at venues around the city, including shows by D.A.V and the Dollars. Fans are excited at the prospect of seeing Squiff and the Watchback Kidd live, the electronic-acoustic duo being known for putting on very few live shows.

Black Hill has faced an unprecedented early summer heatwave over the past week, with temperatures rising as high as 40 degrees Celsius with high levels of humidity uncommon to the mountain city. Festival organizers urge attendees to remain well hydrated and to wear proper clothing and UV protection during the festival. Many of the shows larger outdoor performances have been shifted to evening and night hours, much to the chagrin of Black Hill citizens. One citizens advocacy group, the Black Hill Living Association, has been pressuring the town administration to ban night-time performances in the city since last years Duke of Rap show pulled several thousand people into the downtown core after midnight, closing down public transport and many city streets the following morning, causing severe delays to commuters. The group has also complained of frequent instances of public intoxication prevalent during Heatwave, and of the prevalence of vandalism.

Heatwave was started in 2007, and has been an annual staple of Black Hill's summers ever since. The festival features a wide selection of Atnaian artists, especially A-pop and Atnaian punk hop performers. Atnaian brewers like White River Brewers and Longhouse Brewing Company are noted sponsors of the festival, and local bars and narcotics stores report remarkably high sales during the week long festival. The festival has been the target of some controversy during its history, most notably the 2008 Je Sweet Disaster, in which eight people were crushed to death in the crowds watching A-pop idol group, Je Sweet. This led to the Festival Act of 2009, which overhauled occupancy laws for public venues nationwide and which has been cited as the basis for several laws which limit the rights of public assembly.

A full list of performances at this year's festival can be found on the Heatwave website at http://www.heatwavemusicfestival.com/shows.

[Atnaia]

Polls Open to Record Turnouts
Quorum Election Opens, Sees Renewed Political Vigour

Polls Open Nationwide For
Quorum Election

PORT GRAY, ATNA, ATNAIA - As polls open this morning for Quorum elections to choose Duke Bastien Adenbury's replacement on Atnaia's highest governing council, thousands flock to polling stations nationwide to cast their ballot. According to experts, Atnaia has not seen such a record turnout for a single election in decades, as "institutionalized apathy" to politics has become the nation's norm. At this time, it is unclear who will take the seat, with both Ptolemy Wu and Rheya York ranking high in pre-electoral polls. Quentin Brockstone, another candidate for the open seat, has claimed that he still has high hopes for a victory despite his lower poll scores, while the final candidate, Caroline Dormer, has remained mute on the matter.

Experts disagree on what has caused this explosive turnout for Atnaian democracy, although consensus seems to be leaning towards either the somewhat inflammatory nature of the rapid, month-long election cycle, or a renewed trust in the efficacy of the new Atnaian democracy following several months of proven effectiveness by the Hegemony's representatives. Those running polls across Atnaia claim that they worry that they may have to turn away many voters when polls close tonight at 20:00. Substantial lines have already been reported at polling stations in Port Gray, Coldwater and Ambress.

What practical effect a single new voice in the Quorum will have on Atnaian policy is hotly debated, considering the constitutional need for majority Quorum support for any major legislation, although some claim that whoever is elected is likely to be picked up by the Hegemon's inner circle as a potential ally, and therefore their voice will likely have strong ripples in Atnaian policy. This inner circle, comprised of Hegemon Thomas Wessich alongside Quorum members Afram Kwaku, Dr. Robert North and Bartimaeus Yorke, has earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname of "The Grand Authority" by some political analysts, and is widely regarded as the think-tank and prime movers on many of the grander policies instituted by the Quorum in the past several months. These same analysts claim that this group will likely attempt to recruit any new Quorum members to their cause, to help solidify their legislative voice in the Quorum.

Investigation into the death of Duke Adenbury has officially ruled the former Quorum member's death "technical error leading to death", claiming that an error with his modernized, "internet-of-things" insulin pump led to an overdose causing renal failure. The Quorum has ordered that the company responsible order a recall to investigate the error. This comes following some speculation that the death may have been a targeted attack by hackers with access to the pump's network-based control set-up. Some in LISA have said that such accusations continued to be studied, but have been careful not to point fingers at possible suspects. Despite this, conspiracy theories abound regarding SOAR, The Rood, Northern Atnaian-Merritian separatists, or even members of the government itself, all of which have been widely disregarded or even disproven by sources nationwide.

"A fringe sector will always look to blame tragedy, no matter how accidental or uncontrollable, on those in power or those who want to be in power," Hegemon Wessich stated in response to questions regarding the "Adenbury Assassination" Theories. "Bastien was a long-time, dear friend of mine, and I cannot imagine anyone deliberately attacking him. What we have is a device he was using to control his illness having a glitch that unfortunately caused his death. All we can do now is ensure that it doesn't happen to others, and that his replacement in government continues to uphold his legacy of dedicated service to this proud nation, her people and her culture."

[Taziristan]

6/30/16
Adam Ruh Voice
Adam Ruh, Taziristan

Cleric of Adam Ruh Issues Challenge to Bhikkustani Shias

Earlier this morning during the Jumu'ah, the Cleric of Adam Ruh issued a challenge to the Bhikkustani Shias regarding their Fatwa against Vioraux before the war began.

"The situation between the nations of Bhikkustan and Vioraux is a very dangerous one. But, does it call for a Fatwa? By what authority do our brothers proclaim this? On what basis do they attach a political goal of Buddhist nation to the very religious doctrine of Shia Muslims and, by extension, Shi'ite Muslims in Taziristan? To do so based on no other basis than your earthly clinging to a flag, a city, a nation, or a government is most certainly unholy in the eyes of Allah who, in Sura 3:105, Sura 6:159, and Sura 23:52, cries out against the division of our religion based on Nationalism or any other thing that may divide us. I implore my brothers to come to Adam Ruh and answer these questions and seek to unify our religion in the region so as to not contradict Allah in his message."

If the Bhikkustanis accept, the meeting could produce a council which could be the officially recognized authority from which Fatwas could be issued if the clerics in other nations also declare it worthy of such recognition.

The Cleric of Adam Ruh also spoke of his mosque's efforts overseas and readily informed the congregation that ground had been broken on several new mosques in Covonant, New Aapelistan, and even in places as unexpected as Ostehaar. In other nations, he claimed that Muslims had been consolidated and were moving to spread the word of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Allah.

In Other News, Taziristan has been accepted into the League amid a vicious debate that prompted the Secretary-General to call order to its halls s Vioraux was accused of Genocide and Human Rights abuses after Victoire issued the 'Instruction', a law requiring citizens of Bhikkustani descent to report to authorities "without expectations of returning home" and have since been pushed into "safety camps." After a disorderly debate, the League voted on Resolution 12, which ordered that investigators be allowed to enter these camps and all prisons to review the treatment of Bhikkustanis there.


A delegate speaks on the League Floor in the International District

The Situation exploded weeks ago when the Bhikkustani government executed citizens of the Vienne Government after being convicted for drug trafficking, a serious crime in Bhikkustan. Since then, seemingly small issues have created a snowball effect, leading down to an attack on the Domananian fleet, taking 3,000 lives. The matter has since been moved to the League where little progress for peace has been seen, despite Resolution 12.

Also In The News, President Brushed Alkalari announced that a plan to revitalize Rural villages and to improve infrastructure and aid in those areas was approved by the Council in a rare Unanimous vote. Recently, the Council has been pushing for economic reforms in those areas, where the average income is as low as 3,300 Quen. The plan also lowered taxes to businesses who planned to open plants or refineries so long as they hired only from the less fortunate areas of Taziristan. This, among other reforms, is a "hopeful light at the end of the tunnel in Taziristan's long struggle against poverty," Alkalari said in a statement.

How effective these measures will be is, however, unknown.

This has been the Voice of Adam Ruh.

[Bloody Yellow Stars]

June 30, 2016
BYS Entertainment News
Old Starsia, Bloody Yellow Stars

Idol Group Girls Sensation to Receive an Animation Series

The idol group, Girls Sensation, has become the new sensation in Bloody Yellow Stars. The girls formed after noticing the lack of idol culture in the nation and a surge of popularity of idol groups in other nations.

"We decided to bring something new to Bloody Yellow Stars," Emi Kousaka, the group's leader, told interviewers. "And we're very happy with how far we've come and the joy that we're bringing to the people."

With a surprise album, "We're Realizing Our Dreams," just released, featuring the A-side track with the same name and the B-side track "Listen to the Voice of Our Youth," the girls have finally confirmed that this album in fact contains the opening and ending tracks of their new animation series, "Girls' Ambition! Story of Idol School Days," set to start broadcasting in a month's time.

"It's very exciting," Kousaka said. "We'll be working very closely with the animators to make sure that this series will be the very best!"

With an animation series announced and their subunit performance quickly approaching, Girls Sensation continues to ride the waves of success with no signs of stopping anytime soon.

[Bhikkustan]

The Samadhi Sun
Presenting News Now
1/7/16

Bhikkustani Shia Council to meet in Adam Ruh

After the challenge to the legitimacy of their fatwa by the Taziristani Cleric Supreme the Ayatollah of Alanghatai Ahmed Dul has decided to accept their challenge. He will meet the Taziristani Shia authorities in Adam Ruh to debate the legitimacy of the fatwa that critics have slammed as "currying up to the authorities" and "involving Islam in a Buddhist war". In total 7 Bhikkustani clerics will visit Taziristan for the debate. The others are the ayatollahs of Samadhi, Maijlong, Punbhai, Sringapor and Abhīrapallī, with the Grand Ayatollah of Moukere also joining the congregation. Islamic leaders from across the isles are invited to join in the debate, so that it is truly reflective of the Ummah as a whole.

[Atnaia]

Rheya York to Take Quorum Seat
Rheya York Elected to Quorum Amidst Controversy Regarding Polling Numbers

Rheya York Takes Quorum
Election Victory

PORT GRAY, ATNA, ATNAIA - Following a tumultuous and rapid election cycle, Rheya York is set to take the Quorum seat left vacant by Bastien Adenbury following the Duke's death. Despite calls for repeated recounts since Friday night from supporters of rival Ptolemy Wu's campaign regarding discrepancies in polling numbers, the national government has announced York to be the decisive winner. Prefectural administrations across the country have reported multiple counts of votes, delaying the announcement, but despite some initial confusion, York pulled ahead with 45% of the vote versus Wu's 39%, Quentin Brockstone's 10% and Caroline Dormer's 6%.

"We are proud to welcome York onto the Quorum and look forward to working with her to further advance our nation's continued and proud development into a global power of interest," Hegemon Wessich said following the announcement. "Her pride in Atnaia and it's ideals, her grasp of the historical context of this nation's role in regional issues, and her nationalistic integrity will make her not only a welcome addition to the government of Atnaia, but a powerful and influential voice fighting for the best interests of the Atnaian people."

York was ecstatic in her acceptance speech in hometown of Coldwater.

"This was not only a victory for Atnaian pride and Atnaian ideology, but for diversity and our continued growth into a glorious and global future," York said. "I am proud to be able to accept this role and help guide this nation into a better tomorrow. We will solve the issues that have left Atnaia divided, and once we are united in purpose, we will do the same for the region and the world. We can be international role models of peace, unity, industry and responsibility, and I will fight for that future from this moment forward."

This speech comes as a surprise to some analysts, who saw York as a proponent of isolationism. "The speech suggests a much more globally-involved York than we saw on the campaign trail," said Matthew Blinder of The Gresian.

York's campaign manager, Frederick Jones, had a different spin. "What Rheya was saying from the beginning was that we have to deal with problems here at home before we can look outward. She stands by that promise. This is not a revelation of Wu-like interventionism, but of responsibility for Atnaia, which has always been the center of Rheya's politics."

The Quorum will meet on Monday to welcome York to the act of governance. It is expected that they will be discussing alterations to Atnaian education, which are set to be announced before the August school break. Also on the docket are organ-donation laws and gambling laws, according to insiders at the Hegemonic Administration Buildings.

[Taziristan]

7/2/16
Taziristani National News Network
Adam Ruh, Taziristan

Rare National Poll Finds Massive Discontent in Rural Farms, Mines, and Offshore Oil Drilling

Earlier Today, the University of Adam Ruh in partnership with the Islamic Guard and the Public Committee, announced that it had completed the first comprehensive national poll measuring contentment with the state of the economy, education and healthcare systems, and the government's job in addressing any grievances. The Results were astoundingly negative.

For the state of the economy, the total people who felt satisfied or above with the statement "The national economy is serving its citizens well" was just 13 percent. A total of 87 percent said that the economy was not serving Taziristanis in any meaningful way. According to the University, The main reasons cited for this large number were the lack of jobs that provided any upward mobility and the lacking of good pay (The average rural worker only makes 3,300 Quens a year and the average Urban worker only makes 7,500 Quens a year, both well below the cost of living in most areas).

When answering the question "Do the Education and Healthcare systems currently in place live up to your expectations," the answer, though less so than the economy, was still resoundingly negative. For satisfied and above, the people questioned only answered 27 percent positive and 73 percent negative. These numbers are not surprising when looking at raw data, especially for the education services.

Of all attendees of secondary education centers, only 32 percent graduate, 44 percent become literate, and 30 percent drop out due to Family needs, especially in farming, factory, and mining families. However, this does not tell the whole story. Only 48 percent of children who are of age to attend secondary schools do attend, and only 23 percent of these 48 percent are girls. According to the University of Adam Ruh, the lack of educated females and mothers combined with poorly educated men produces a constant flow of uneducated children into the society. However, families with both a mother and father who graduated secondary education centers, and especially those who had post-secondary education, almost always had children who would graduate.

But how is the government handling these issues? Not well, according to the results. In the past, the number of citizens disapproving of the current way in which these issues are addressed has been between 40 and 50 percent, with the last poll taken some 10 years ago. This year, That number has risen to 63 percent, despite an increasingly nationalist cry from the Islamic Guard and the intrinsic nationalism in many of the Nation's mosques.

In response to these numbers, Union Leaders have called on many news stations to give statements. One of those union leaders was Serkan Selahattin, who represents Manual Workers of Taziristan, a union that is the spearhead of the Coalition for Worker Rights, a multi-union organization.

"The blame for this great struggle of the Taziristani people lays not at the feet of the government, but at the feet of the Nationalized mining, oil, and gas companies that own the Council. They have bought every last member and used this group of men, who claim to be Muslim and who are not held accountable for their actions, to create a political and social order that best helps them make more money. This must end. The Public Committee and the President need to be given more power than they have now to keep the council under control."

Serken also promised a Coalition strike which critics say would have no effect on policy and would serve only to cause a confrontation between police and strikers. Regardless, Serken has promised that the strike will occur sometime in the next few days.

[Atnaia]

Quorum Announces Planned Education Reforms
Major Alterations to Education System to Come Into Effect Following July August Break

Early Primary Education Classroom

PORT GRAY, ATNA, ATNAIA - After months of debate following approval of increased nationalization of education in Atnaia, the Hegemonic Quorum has announced the final shape of planned reforms to the Atnaian education system. The new system will revise the duration of the academic year to have it follow the fiscal year from April to March. Furthermore, school structure will be simplified into a form inspired by the Japanese education system. Pre-primary education will continue to be provided by private kindergartens. Compulsory education will be provided by a majority of government-run schools, from grades 1 to 6 (ages 6-12), followed by three years of compulsory junior high which will be offered by both private and public institutions. High school, from ages 15 to 18, will be non-compulsory, and mostly offered through private institutions with government vouchers offered to lower income families. High school education will remain a requirement for entry into university.

"We seek to emulate the flourishing education systems provided in Japanese institutions, which we see as a role model of global strength in their rankings in maths, sciences and language education," said Lady Courtney Lostwith of the Quorum, who has chaired the redevelopment plan. "We want Atnaia to set a benchmark for education in the Western Isles, and this will be a first step to that goal."

The Quorum also outlined it's structure for university entrance exams and standardized testing. "We want these exams to allow us to determine our educational strength and growth, but not to act as educational ends in and of themselves," said Lostwith. "These tests are a means to an end, and that end is determining where we are strong and where we are weak so that we can better serve this nation's youth. Preparation for these exams should not trump the education of skills and subjects required to grow as people, but supplement that growth."

As a result of the change-over, the term between September and March will be considered a transitionary term, allowing implementation not only of the new system, but to phase in the new government standardized curriculum.

"Private institutions have had too much free rein to develop their own curriculums, leading to widely varied and disoriented educations," Lostwith explained. "The new curriculum will focus primarily on prepatory education for entrance into a new global workforce, with education of second and even third languages, and a focus on math, science and Atnaian history that will give students context into our global position and our presence in the future."

[The Grand Royal Commercial Prefecture]

Anisteran Broadcast Network
Mesder Sea - Starfall Platform
10:26 PM - July 5, 2016 - Live Broadcast

"After fifteen years of research and development, our beloved Aeronautics Department at Port Monica Naval Academy, have successfully launched the first test flight for our new innovation in national defense technology: The Starfall Lotus. We can't quite disclose what the system is capable of, but rest assured, the deployment of the Starfall Lotus is a leap into national peacekeeping."

Social Media has lit up with speculation as to what this system actually is, what its capable of, and what its purpose is. Some say the Starfall Lotus is an orbital kill vehicle, other speculate that the Starfall Lotus is an experimental aircraft. No Official Statement to the Starfall Lotus' true nature, has been released.

According to press released trajectory records from the Western Isles Regional Early Warning System, the Starfall Lotus was propelled upwards to suborbital altitude from the Starfall Platform, then began a severe, near vertical descent back towards earth, only to suddenly pull up and level out. Travelling at supposed high speeds, the TWIREWS became unable to track the Starfall Lotus' trajectory, as it proceeded into horizontal flight. The Starfall Lotus' trajectory and estimated velocity, demonstrates that it would pass across the GRCP within the range of Hypersonic Speeds. (Mach 5 - Mach 10) (1,702 – 3,403 meters per second) The Starfall Lotus, is expected, due to its namesake, to land in open waters within the Lotus Sea. GRCP Retrieval Boats have already been dispatched, according to the Port Monica Harbor Authority.

Police complaints have spurred up across the country, reporting 'a loud booming noise from the sky', causing quite a panic in the GRCP.

Authorities urge the Public to remain calm, during this test flight. More News and Announcements, Coming Soon.

[Keomora]

July 6, 2016
KPNN
Keomora-Carpestan border

The Gottfried Refugee Crisis

Despite the League's peacekeeping force within the Gottfried province the numbers of Carpestani refugees stemming into Carpestan has not changed. What began three weeks ago as a dozen of political refugees entering the country escalated to thousands of refugees fleeing from Jahenian military forces. As of the moment there are 300,000 refugees living in temporary camps with more expected to arrive the following days. While conservatives have criticized the Darkwill Admistration on allowing the refugees to enter Keomora many believe that they should be allowed to stay until they can return home.

[Ostehaar]

July 8th, 2016
First News Network
Porohare, Ostehaar

---

PM DORIAS: WILL FURTHER DECREASE DEFENSE SPENDING

---

Prime Minister Rikard Vulf Dorias said yesterday evening, during a press conference in the Darna, that if elected Prime Minister again next year, he will work to decrease the defense budget even further. This statement comes only several days after the official announcement by the Darna House Committee, setting the date for the upcoming February 2017 parliamentary elections and establishing an Elections Committee to oversee the process.

The Prime Minister's statement - the first one concerning his party's plans for the post-election national budget - sets the ground for a heated debate over government spending on defense, with Dorias' Labor Party leading the 'decrease' camp and the New Ostehaar opposition party leading the 'increase' camp. FrontLine surveys show no broad consensus among Osters that Ostehaar is spending too much or too little on the military. Osters' views of the money spent on national defense and the military have held fairly steady in recent years, with 37% now saying the nation spends too much and 28% saying it spends too little. The rest say spending is about right.

Ostehaar's current $22 billion USD defense budget makes up 23% of the government budget and more than 7% of the country's GDP. Most of this amount goes to the military: $16.6 billion USD, which are 17.4% of the government budget and 5.5% of the GDP. Prime Minister Dorias stated that he intends to lower the entire defense budget - including the military budget - by about 15%. He added that instead, more funding would be allocated to national infrastructure, scientific development, and the industry.

Dihn Lohkaster of the New Ostehaar party criticized Dorias' plan, saying the military will have trouble maintaining its advantages in the future, if these budget cuts would happen. The Labor Party spokesman responded by mentioning the military's recent re-organization and its moves to increase its efficiency - such as the reduction of ground combat units and the disbanding of fighter squadrons during the last year. "We will have no trouble maintaining our qualitative edge," said the Labor Party spokesman.

[Bloody Yellow Stars]

July 8, 2016
BYS Entertainment News
New Starsia, Bloody Yellow Stars

A Summer Miracle: Girls Generation Subunit Live Approaches!

Last month, the girls of Bloody Yellow Star's rising idol group Girls Generation announced that they would be dividing the group into three subunits, revealed to be Primavera, immaculate white, and BaBe. They also announced that they would be performing their second concert at the Grand Star Stadium of the nation's capital, featuring the debut albums of the subunits that would be released afterwards.

The tickets sold out in a few weeks' time. With the concert this weekend, people are coming in from all over the nation to attend.

"It's a great honor to be able to perform in New Starsia," Emi Kousaka, the group's leader, said in an interview today. "We put in our all in our practices. Girls Sensation will shine tomorrow at the live!"

Girls Sensation is also to receive its own animation series, Girls' Ambition: Story of School Idol Days, which will begin broadcasting next month.

[Atnaia]

Twelve Killed in SOAR Bombing
Asorist Terrorists Bomb St. Luke's Train Station, Quorum Passes Surveillance Ordinances

Aftermath of Bombing at
Train Station in St. Luke's

ST. LUKE'S, TENTMOUNT, ATNAIA - Twelve individuals are dead and 21 injured following an explosion at the new Lord Johnston Train Station in St. Luke's. The Sons of Asorist Retribution have claimed responsibility for the attack in a manifesto released on their website.

"This is only the first strike in a new war against the fascist ideals of a government that does not allow for the people's voice. We will not allow the continued subjugation of our rights in the name of so-called security," the manifesto reads.

According to sources inside the government, the bomb was detonated on the East-West arrivals platform to Port Gray, heavily damaging an incoming train and the newly expanded building. Individuals caught in the blast were primarily workers moving to St. Luke's as part of the government's continuing Port City Project. According to video surveillance footage from the train station security system, the explosive was placed in a plastic bag which was placed in a rubbish bin on the platform some time before detonation. No information has yet been released on a description of the bomber.

In response to the attack, the Quorum swiftly convened and has passed a resolution putting into place wide-spread surveillance ordinances. The rapid move has been lauded for its decisive action. Those suspected of connection to the Asorists can now have their communications remotely overseen without the need of a warrant. Furthermore, the Quorum has received permission from Heron Technologies to have direct access to all of the companies metadata records.

"We will not allow our nation to once again descend into the anarchy of war," said Hegemon Wessich. "We will protect our people, our truly Atnaian people, and their ideals. The Asorist terrorists do not represent the voice of the people. They represent only the voice of collapse, instability and chaos."

The government has also offered rewards to any citizen who can bring forward information leading to the capture of any Asorist or Asorist sympathizer, expanding upon the Stone Wall-Bastion Anti-Asorist ttip network.

[Taziristan]

7/9/16
Taziristani National News Network
Adam Ruh, Taziristan

---

Strikes Begin Across Taziristan, Violence Erupts, Leaders Arrested

---

Early Friday Morning, Workers in the Coalition for Workers Rights began a national strike in mines, farms, oil rigs, and factories across the nation with demands that the Council and the Supreme Cleric address their concerns immediately or else Natural Gas and Uranium Miners, neither of whom had not been seen on the streets before this, would join the strike. Police responded with heavy and aggressive tactics, causing injuries and leading to the arrests of some 350 workers.

The Strikes began at about 5 Am Yesterday, when most workers would arrive for their shifts, by performing sitins of the work place. Many tied or chained themselves to pieces of equipment. They demanded that issues such as pay, education, and healthcare be addressed at once by both the employers and the government. If they did not hearfrom the President, The Supreme Cleric, and the Council by the end of the day Friday, that the strike would continue to grow and take on more and more industries, with some groups as small the Farmers Unions officially joined the strike at Noon on Friday.

There was no response from any demanded party.



When the deadline came up, the Police, backed by members of the Islamic Guard, moved to end the strike. They struck almost simultaneously across the nation, rushing into workplaces and removing strikers by force. Few resisted, but 350 were arrested, including all leaders found. After the Arrests, President Brushed Alkalari made a statement that was in line with the Guard and the Council's views on previous strikes.

"The disruption of the work place cannot be allowed while our nation relies so much on their work. These men are selfish in their actions, UnTaziristani in their minds, and UnIslamic in their hearts."

It is currently unknown if the Supreme Cleric will make a statement from his debate with the Bhikkustanis.

UPDATE: WAREHOUSE UNDER SIEGE, SHOTS EXCHANGED BETWEEN POLICE AND STRIKERS

About 3 hours ago, at 12 Am Saturday Morning, shots were fired between strikers and police. Serkan Selahattin Is said to be involved.

"In Dergo, a small group of some 50 workers was believed to be occupying the property of Taziristan Oil and Natural Gas Company. When officers attempted to clear the workers out, they received accurate and heavy rifle fire, to which we responded with gas and returned fire. However, we have been unable to clear them out. 5 Officers have been injured, 2 have been killed."

The workers claimed on a live feed on social media that the police and Islamic Guard came in shooting, showing pictures of unarmed workers laying in pools of blood as. One video from Serkan showed the entrance of police, who deployed heavy amounts of tear gas and shot anyone who moved at first. This prompted a return of fire in self defense, according to Serkan.

The Islamic Guard denies this story, saying that it was the second attempt that is being shown, not the first.

UPDATE: WAREHOUSE SIEGE ON FIRE, LIVE STREAM SHOWS MISERY, PAIN

At about 4 AM this morning, local fire and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene of the Warehouse siege in Dergo. The building was set ablaze about 10 minutes before, according to the Islamic Guard captain, who is in charge of the company sent to clear them out.

Live feeds from inside the building showed the deployment of gas through windows, then a sudden burst of flames. Screams could be heard from down the street as the Islamic Guard stood and watched.

UPDATE: MASSACRE AT DERGO

Earlier this morning, we reported that the Warehouse was on fire due to gas. It has since been confirmed that the Islamic Guard used a flammable gas, then threw grenades and even molotov cocktails into the building. When emergency crews arrived onsite, they were told not to go in. One firefighter spoke through tears on the condition of Anonymity.

"We arrived and you could see the same black smoke rising out of the building. As we got ready to jump out and go in, Guardsmen approached our truck and told us to stay put. The screams inside continued only for a minute after that before the entire building became engulfed."

Pictures have been captured from the scene since then, but cannot be shown here.

[Jahe Davmwoem]

July 7, 2016
Imperial Government News Organization
Jahe Davmwoem

Pondes daily addresses continue, systems now secure!

After the Naval HQ was attacked, a cyber attack had destroyed the system that delivered the addresses. This cowardly attack left the civilian systems, which have no military importance, down. But they have been moved to Highrock, so now the addresses will continue. Here is the speech, still available over print, radio, and TV as always.

"Good afternoon Imperials. I would like to have a chat with you, if that is alright. I have been very focused on preparing your future. Let me explain a few items of importance to you.

First of all. The armed forces are ready. We WILL NOT ATTACK the islands. We will let them come to us, on territory they do not know. This time they will be ready, and it will be the skills of the men, and the strength of their resolve, not cowardly surprise attacks, that will win the day.

Now, to speak of resources, due to a working on part of our most noble allies Eutristan we have oil. Our harvests have never been better. We have enough in Highrock alone to survive years of siege. So again I say to our enemies, come at us!

Now I must leave. I ready myself to work for you. Rebuilding the worlds greatest nation? Well, that takes time, even for me. So do your part, and between your fruitful labors and our guiding hand, we will push forward. Farewell.

[Maktbalansen]

6/10/16
The Maktbalansen Times: The only paper endorsed by Dioragno.
Ragno, Maktbalansen

Written By Zach Waghinoff

In the White Throne, Dioragno has finally admitted that several people are leaving the country. Many are seemingly leaving for fear of religious prosecution, says many cultural studies done. This marks a huge step, as now Dioragno needs to devise a way to get these misguided souls back into Maktbalansen. We interviewed Dioragno, and he told us what his plans for the future were.
ZW: May Ederkop bless you sir.
Dioragno: (will be DR from here on out) Yeah, same to you.
ZW: So the recent crisis of cowards is plaguing the nation. What is your plan to respond?
DR: Cutting to the chase, eh? I even prepared tea.
ZW: Oh! I am so sorry sir, I'll pick up my tea cup right away!
DR: Don't, I'll talk first. Regardless, I have a master plan, as always.
ZW: Of course! I never doubted you sir.
DR: My master plan is to ask nicely.
ZW: Genius!
DR: A tele along these lines: Those are our people. Bring them back. I'll even come take them. But they are ours. We need to deal with them. Thanks.
ZW: Eloquent. And who will this be directed to?
DR: Anyone who has those cowards, specifically The Empire of Keomorra. They have a ton of them.
ZW: And when will this be sent to them?
DR: Actually, if anyone with refugees gets this, here it is. Give them. We need to fix them.
After this, we had a nice tea time, and he talked no more.
-Zach Waghinoff

[The Kingdoms of Jhaugher]

Balae ni Vandul, Qhul Vuirin
11 July 2016 3:34 PM

BNP calls for increased military spending

The Baldrounien Nationalist Party, a far-right political party in Baldroun, has been protesting at the gate of the Balae ni Vandul for 3 hours now. The leaders of the party explain that the protesters want the government to increase the spending on defense, and enlarge the military to its former size. "We are currently in an age where every damn nation wants to conquer another! The last thing Baldroun needs is one of those nations to threaten us! And that, my friend, can only be achieved through the military! Qhua medifedh!", argues Vhou Aboudhe, the president of the party.

The Qhul Vuirin Police Department is on the rally grounds, keepeing the peace as the protesters rally on. The police have talked to the protesters about vandalizing the Balae ni Vandul, reminding them that they can be arrested for vandalism, especially of the house of Mevandule.

Qhulombaen to protesters: "Think about your children first"

A press conference has been called by the Office of Qhulombaen an hour ago, and the Omlaqoqhen (Speaker) of the Qhulombaen has stated that "the Qhulombaen prioritizes the welfare of the citizens of the state, rather than spending against perceived, yet non-existent threats". The Qhulombaen has said that he will take steps to ensure that Baldroun will not be in danger.

[Pacific Peace Union]

[Atnaia]

After the Flood
Hundreds Dead. Thousands Displaced. No Government. Little Order.
What Does the Merrit Isle Disaster Mean for the Island Micro-Nation?

Light shines down from cloudless skies above. A warm breeze carries the smell of calm seas. If it were any other year, this would be prime tourist season for the tiny republic of Merrit Isle, the time of year when thousands of tourists from around the world would flock to the island's pristine beaches, full-service resorts and opulent entertainment. In some places, you could close your eyes and imagine the street vendors selling souvenirs, the families leaving aquariums or theatres to catch lunch at one of the many boutique cafes that dot the streets of downtown Merrit City.

Then you open your eyes and see the carnage. It's been weeks since the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave hit Merrit Isle, and flooding is only just starting to recede after weeks of heavy rain. Rubble and debris litters the streets. Cars remain flipped, buildings destroyed, and as the floodwaters recede, the bodies of those trapped below begin to appear, hideous reminders of the horrendous disaster that occurred here.

"We got some over here," one of my guides yells, pointing to a flipped car. The group I am with are military from Atnaia, and they're gathering bodies for identification before other relief workers come through with construction equipment to clear the streets. A few troops go over and pry the doors off the car with the jaws of life, and then unhook the bodies of the poor souls who were trapped within from their seatbelts and drag the bodies out to be placed on a flatbed with the others we have gathered.

This is not an uncommon scene, now that the flooding is receding. Relief efforts for the past few weeks have been primarily focused on the living, tending to the injured and feeding those who have been displaced from their homes. Power is still unavailable to the island, as the Merrit Isle Nuclear Reactor Facility remains in a seemingly permanent state of unknown disrepair, so much of this relief work has been done under the power of generators. Now, however, the isle seems to be settling, and relief efforts can turn towards the goal of clearing the city for rehabitation and reconstruction.

"Half these places seem ready to come down," one of the men I am with tells me. "It's going to cost an absolute fortune to rebuild the place. People can't live here. Not like this."

Statements like this are becoming increasingly common amongst the refugees of the island, who question whether they will be able to return to their homes, or even if they have homes left to go back to. Even if they do, what is the island to do in the upcoming year? It's economy is based on tourism, which has completely disappeared in its peak season after the disaster, and even the farms outside of Merrit City and across the rest of the Isle have been reduced, at most, to a snail's pace of production. With no government agents having been recovered, the Isle exists in a bizarre state of limbo.

This has convinced many in Atnaia that a more firm intervention is needed. From citizens to members of government, calls have been raised to return Merrit Isle into the Atnaian fold. Incorporating the isle as an Atnaian province will ensure that the Merritians have somewhere to go, and will provide them with the support required to rebuild. Foremost among those calling for intervention is Ptolemy Wu, former military captain who ran for Quorum in the recent elections.

"Merrit is Atnaian," he says. "It's people are Atish. It speaks Atish. Our histories are tied together, and we must defend our Atish brothers and sisters. We must take control before this disaster leads to chaos."

Of course, there are critics to this idea. The arguments against taking control of Merrit, even in the short term, are primarily fiscal.

"We already are spending millions on relief aid," says Lorenzo Machiano of the Atnaian Organization for Economic Responsibility. "If we were to extend our grasp over Merrit, the costs of rebuilding the entire island would fall on our shoulders, with little to no pay-off. It's simply not feasible."

Arguments have been made for the strategic power control of Merrit Isle could bring, in regards to Atnaian naval power in the Mesder Sea and as a staging point for early warning and defense systems. Atnaia has held bases on Merrit before, although this tradition has fallen away since the 80s.

"If we are to increase our military presence and respect within the region," says Wu, "we need Merrit."

Calls have gone out for the Quorum to hold a referendum amongst the Merritian people for entry into the Hegemony. Thus far, the Quorum has remained quiet on the matter, although the Hegemon has said that "we will consider all available options for helping our friends and family on Merrit" and that "it is, in the end, a decision the Merritian people must make". Despite this,no plans have yet been put forth for military withdrawal from Merrit.

With this all in mind, questions regarding Merrits future are very much on the forefront of many people's minds. As rebuilding begins, what can such a small and devastated populace do for themselves? While many show pride in their independence, pride only goes so far in protecting ones self. As I walk through the city streets and see the hundreds of bodies of men, women and children, I have to ask one question.

Is independence worth this?

-Story by Donald Halfswan, Merrit City Gazette

[Jahe Davmwoem]

July 11, 2016
Broadcast from Imperial Government in exile
From Keomora

New declarations from True Emperor Markus

Emperor Markus, who has been staying in a palace in Keomora, has made a new series of declarations for all Imperials. It is unknown if Keomoran Empress Katherine knew about or approved of these, but they have been sent by radio to Jahe Davmwoem.

The Declarations

• It is know mandated that any true loyalist of Markus has the duty to do all in their power to fight against False Emperor Pondes. Any crimes that are committed in these actions will be forgiven by Emperor Markus when he returns home, except in the most extreme of circumstances.
• When Markus returns home, any member of the Pondes Government will have one week to turn themselves in. Any who refuse will be considered rebels. All except those who act against the people will be forgiven and allowed to return to a civilian life.
• Any soldiers who are in the armed forces or are retired but still wish to fight for the True Emperor are encouraged to either flee to Keomora, or to the northern islands. Do not go in uniform, so you are not mistaken for enemy combatants.
• After discussions with the government in exile, True Emperor Markus has decided to allow the formation of political societies, who will be allowed to run for city/village councils. This will not extend to Highrock officials, who will still be chosen by the Civilian Director. The Civilian Director will also have to be a non-society member.
• While no decision has been made yet, there will be talks of opening up the Imperial economy.
• The government in exile refuses to accept Imperial Gottfried as an Imperial province. It will be returned to Carpestan. Votes may be held to see if the Christian population wants the True Imperial Government to set up an embassy to serve as protectors to the Christian community.

New Flag



The government in exile has adopted a new flag for the nation, and asks that Keomoran/C6 soldiers distribute them to civilians as they liberate them. The red lines represents the blood and sacrifice that must be spent to protect the nation, which is the purple line in the middle. The nation is the monarchy (the crown), and the people with their councils (the wreath). The sword shows how both are equals in defending the nation.

No comments have yet been made on the situation with the nukes.

Diplomacy

The True Government has decided to make the painful choice of renouncing all ties to Eutristan. While our nation will be forever grateful to them for their help, their support to the False Emperor cannot be forgiven. When the True Government returns, it will carefully consider every relationship with every government.

New policy of Omhelzing

Omhelzing, or hug in Dutch, to be called Obejmout in the other language of our nation, is a new policy set out by the True Emperor. It will set out to create acceptance and openness to different people, faiths, and ideas. A committee of reconciliation will be set up with the task of helping all minorities in any way rise up to the high standard of living enjoyed by the majorities.

[Atnaia]

From the Hands of Titans
How One Man's Innovation Seeks to Reshape the Fabric of Atnaian Society and the Future of Our Nation

Killian Masque is the modern Prometheus.
Fighting against an established aristocracy to provide
innovation, invention and growth, Masque has grown from
mere man to titanic legend in his decades-long quest to
carry Atnaia into the future.

In a college dorm room in 1990, while most of his friends and fellow students were studying for their final exams, a young man is frittering away his time designing a video game. It's called Road to Castle Hell, a deliberately dark and gruesome and yet sometimes silly roleplaying game, filled with eldritch abominations, robots, knights and jetpacks: everything that interested the young man, thrown into a blender, and disseminated into a piece of software that would eventually lead that young man into failing out of his first year of college at the Atnaian Technical Institute. Yet it would be on the back of this game that an empire would be built, and without Road to Castle Hell, the Atnaian technological landscape would not remotely resemble its current form.

Killian Masque was born in 1972 to a working class mother in Port Gray. He was raised mostly by uncles and aunts while his mother worked, and his brilliance was visible even at an early age. Yet so were his eccentricities, especially his disdain for authority. By the time he had reached secondary school, young Killian had been tossed out of three schools for his behavioural tendencies. Killian was uninterested in school, preferring comic books and fantasy novels to lessons or homework, yet much to his teachers' chagrin, he still managed to maintain the top grades in his class.

"I was awful," Masque says. "I never listened, I questioned teachers, I threw tantrums in the middle of the classroom. By 10th grade, most of the teachers in my school had learned to just let me sit in a back corner, reading a comic book, lest I throw a chair or break a window."

At the age of 16, Killian discovered computer programming, a skill he took to like a fish to water. A teacher brought the burgeoning industry to his attention, and it was with that teacher's help that Killian wound up setting aside his behavioural issues to buckle down and learn to work.

"His name was Max Ferdinand," Masque looks pensive as he remembers. "I can honestly say he was the first adult to take an interest in the way my brain worked...to think of my future and not my present."

With Ferdiand's help, Masque found himself not only getting top grades, but also developing connections with his teachers, and in 1989 he was accepted to the prestigious Atnaian Technical Institute on a scholarship. For his poor family, this was stupendous, the height of possible achievement.

"Imagine their disappointment when, three months later, I failed all my classes," he chuckles. "All over a video game none of them understood. You have to imagine, I guess, since I didn't tell them for six months after that."

Indeed, Masque didn't see his failure as all that worrying. It gave him more time to program games, living off of friend's couches. By May of that year, he had not only completed Road to Castle Hell, but it's sequel Escape from Castle Hell and an early puzzle-platformer, Dr. Dino. Masque managed to convince his roommates, Harold Coolidge and Gregory Rice, to help him fund a new company to distribute the games. He took out several loans, and by the end of May in 1990, Heron Games and Technologies was founded. Seemingly overnight, Masque's games exploded in popularity, carried by a growing interest in Atnaia regarding home computing. As Masque, Coolidge and Rice worked on their next game, it became clear that current computers and consoles weren't powerful enough for their dreams, and they began designing hardware.

"Those early consoles were basically trash," Masque remembers with a laugh.

It was while building those early "trash" consoles that Masque and Coolidge developed a proprietary interface for their platforms, which became known as HGUI, or the Heron GUI. In 1991, soon after the market release of the company's first console/computer, the Heron Home Entertainment Console, the company shifted focus towards this interface, and would begin reshaping not only the future of their company but of the nation. In 1993, the Heron OS was born, and with it an explosion in Atnaian computing. The company's shift in focus brought Masque into the limelight as he, Coolidge and Rice began to see their company grow. The release of their Nest home computer saw them come to the attention of government agencies in Atnaia.

"We were the first homegrown computing firm to gain commercial success," Masque said. "I wasn't happy with the aristocrats breathing down our necks, but the next thing I knew we were putting together server banks for government agencies and providing computers for offices around the country."

And that's when Masque began to develop an idea. Right on the cusp of the Atnaian .com Boom, Masque was gaining practical experience in networks he had only theorized about before.

"I remember when I was a child, I always wondered why the rich kids got everything: better clothes, better books, even better schools. I had always dreamed of levelling the playing field," he says. "I used to picture myself as my favourite comic book superhero, the Watcher, this sort of machine intelligence, providing fairness and clarity. And then, in the later years of the 1990s, everything just clicked and fell into place, and I realized something: I could be. All those limits, all those imaginary lines, were breakable, bendable. I can't say I always dreamed big, I was a lazy kid, but I started to. I had my eyes opened, and I was never going to close them again."

Coolidge played a big part in this. He had a keen mind for predicting technological trends, and between his technical business acumen and Masque's vision of the future, they began making business choices which would put them on the front edge of the upcoming technological explosion. Expanding their server technologies, they became the nation's largest ISP within the first half of the 2000s.

Unfortunately, Coolidge passed away in 2001 of long-term heart conditions, and Rice left company management to serve as head hardware designer for the company, as he had never had much interest in the day-to-day business of the company. Heron was rapidly becoming one of the most powerful company's in the country, and Masque, now sole owner, had big dreams. He began leveraging his cunning and charisma, and soon Heron was swallowing smaller companies whole.

"Limits are invisible and imaginary," he explains. "I needed the best people for my dream of the future to become a reality, no matter where I found those people. I couldn't be limited by imaginary company boundaries. If I found a person of vision and brilliance, I made sure that they were working with me."

The goal was integration. Masque pictured a connected world, where everybody had access to information, no matter where they were, where every device recognized the world around them and helped propel the world forward.

"My hero was Prometheus," Masque says. "In the myth, the gods hoarded fire away, to control and limit man. I had come to the realization that the aristocracy had done the same thing with information: controlling it, dispensing it in limited quantities, to control people. Why was I the first person in my family to be able to pursue my dreams? Why had my mother had to work for 16 hours a day to keep a roof over my head? Why was I raised by uncles and aunts and only saw my mom for brief instances as the sun was coming up or going down? Because the upper class had stolen control, and made sure she could never chase her dreams. My goal is to make sure that everyone, no matter who, can gain control of the information to control their future."

Society has already been bending to the force of Masque's dream of a future predicated on the flow of data and communication. The past decade has watched as Atnaia has become increasingly connected, culminating with Heron's release of the Wired City Project earlier this year.

"Port Gray is only a first step," Masque says. "Imagine a country...a world...where access to information knows no imaginary boundaries of home versus work versus public, where you are connected and plugged in to the information you need and dream of whenever you want to be, and where that dream is not only affordable, but seen as a basic human right."

And his dreams don't end on the surface of earth. Masque has been one of the loudest voices calling for increased aerospace research.

"Progression, evolution, it is the meaning of everything," Masque explains. "And we control our evolution now, with technology and information. And the next obvious step of our evolution is in the stars."

Masque has been at the fore of the Atnaian futurist movement for years, funding projects from de-extinction developments to vertical and urban farming grants to the development of AI. In his own words, "technology does not have to be the means to an end, it can be an end in and of itself".

"We don't have to dream of being superheroes or gods anymore," he says. "We've been delivered from darkness by fire, and the fire was given to us from the hands of titans. We are the titans now, and we get to decide how to light the way. Knowledge is power, and our power has the potential to be limitless."

[Ipland]

Deleted

[Ipland]

Deleted

[Keomora]

July 14, 2015
National Broadcasting Station
Benezandria, HQ

Keomoran government warns Bhikkustan over battlegroup nearing Keomoran Waters
In an emergency broadcast the Keomoran Parliament issued a warning to the Bhikkustani Government and fleet that passing through its waters due to fleeing from their ally Domanania after unilaterally and unjustifiable butchered the Domananian Fleet in the North Mesder Sea, stating that they will not tolerate their presence withon their waters. According to Senator Tryu: "We do not want war. But we will not grant passage to their fleet, and it will be best that they turn around. We do not want war but if they continue in their path we will have not choice but to use military force. Consider yourself warned. In addition the Keomoran Parliament has condemned and placed sanctions until Bhikkustan desists and end these hostilities.