Eurth News Network [IC]

[Orioni 2]

Eurth News Network (ENN)
ENN is a regional conglomerate of news stations from individual nations. Members of the Eurth region may use this thread to post news updates and events in your country. The goal is to have a general news feed for Eurth, so we can be informed about what is happening in other countries in our region and know how things are going. You can post photos in the news message if you like. Thank you @Adaptus for reminding me we need one of these. ;) All posts will be IC.



See also:
- Eurth News ViewTube account (IC)
- @EurthNews Witter account (IC)
- Newsroom of Eurth (IC)
- NationStates embassy of Eurth (OOC)

[Orioni 2]

Roiters is one of the oldest news agencies in the region. The agency is based in Nordhaven, with regional centres in almost all other countries. It sends out news in English. Roiters was founded in 1915 by Leopold Ackerman as Roiters News Agency. Roiters is a nonprofit autonomous public corporation, operating commercially and independently of the Orioni government. Roiters statutes prohibit direct government subsidies. It is administered by a CEO and a board comprising 10 members. The board elects the CEO for a renewable term of three years. Roiters also has a superior council charged with ensuring that the agency operates according to its statutes, which mandate absolute independence and neutrality.

Would you like to know more?

[Adaptus]

*With Jon Humfaeres*

As the Grand Kingdom prepares itself for another election year, the Leader of the Opposition has opened up the Monarchy Debate once again.

Newly appointed leader of The People's Party of Adaptus, Jeremae Corbynus has, in a speech today at the Plato Academy of Humanities and Sciences, has sent the nation back into the long overshadowing Monarchy Debate.

In his speech Mr Corbynus stated:

"As an enlightened country, on the forefront of social ingenuity, and excellence, why is it that we burden ourselves with the baggage of history, in catering for an outdated medium. Royalty - in any form - compresses the liberty of the democratic, and meritocratic process. Inherently, a monarch is a tyrant."

Mr Corbynus has ruffled many feathers with his comments, none less than those of his own number. Several senior and many junior members of Mr Corbynus' own party, the PPA, have openly criticised their leaders policies in regards to the monarchy. Praetor Aeries Allenos, a member of the PPA shadow cabinet said the following several days ago:

"Jeremae [Corbynus] has this issue in which he becomes to personally connected to policies. His stance on revised Monarchy in Adaptus is antiquated. His views towards barbarians simply put, boarders on overzealous fanaticism."

Allenos was a key opponent to Corbynus in last years PPA leadership election, and has become an outspoken critic ever since.

However it does not seem that the divide on Monarchy stops at the People's Party. According to an opinion poll commissioned by the ABC this morning, 46% of Adaptons still favour a switch to a Republic. Despite Revised Monarchy and the college system being reinstated almost a decade ago.

The opposing edge to the spectrum, there is a growing number of Adaptons calling for the reintroduction of Empire. Earlier today we spoke with Chairman of the campaign group 'Empire Reinstated', Angelika Vestari to hear what she had to say.

Well Jon. A lot has changed in the last 300 years. Our nation actively acknowledges ourselves as 'Grand Adaptus'. And geographically the nation now encompasses an area not seen since the days of Empire over 300 years ago. In addition to this, it is only right that embracing revised monarchy we shrug off the last mantle from the old system 'King' and 'Kingdom'. Both terms stand for a bygone era in Adatpus. It makes semantic sense to drop those titles and fully embrace the Renaissance".

It's clear from many attitudes that Monarchy may crop up as a key issue as the Provincial Elections draw nearer.

To gain some insider opinions on the matter we reached out to the College of Principles for comment. And, all the way from Orioni at the G7 Summit we are joined, via Trype, with King Jovian II.

Good afternoon, or evening rather, Jovian. What's your take on the matter? Being the first revised monarch surely, you have a very valid say in the matter.

"Good afternoon Jon. Well, although what Mr Corbynus is saying, I can't say I disagree with. However I think he has misplaced what he is saying. Revised Monarchy has vastly distanced itself with the old system. I mean we have a fully elected monarchy now. I mean, yes, it is a closed election, and takes place within the College. But it's a position literally attainable by anyone. The College isn't clueless. Principals have rules and regulations to abide by. The days of incapable Kings is long gone. We have a proper system, with proper fall backs in place. Quite possibly the most advanced political process in the region. And I just think Mr Corbynus has missed his mark. Simply put Jon, I think he's living in the past."

Thank you Jovian. So glad you could join us from the other side of the region.

"No problem Jon."

So there you have it. Adaptus seems to be in the grip of a serious election debate, with strong words from both sides of the argument. So where do you stand? To have your say please Squeak us at @ABCNews with the Hashtag #MonarchyDebate, or leave a comment on our FaceLook.

I've been Jon Humfaeres, goodnight.

[Orioni 2]

Tonight on BS News, we bring you an exclusive report on the Great Queendom of Suverina.

What makes this nation so supposedly 'great'?
What shady path made Eva the queen of all Suverin?
And what else is going on in the boring underbelly of the occident?

OOC: Everything that's being "quoted" here comes from the official NationStates page of Suverina. http://www.nationstates.net/nation=suverina

Political Freedom
When we first visited in Chişinău in 2006, we knew little of their strange and small western state. Their people had only recently joined Europa, and very few of them seemed concerned with happenings in the outside world.



Today, a decade after our first visit, the nation is still as cold as the last time we were here. But there have also been some changes: Suverina has become "renowned for its barren, inhospitable landscape, state-planned economy, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, hard-working, devout population of Suverin have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often."

"The relatively small government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Industry, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Chişinău." Most Suverin, when asked what they think about their government, shy away from the question and quickly start talking about something else. That in itself should say something about this 'great' nation.

Although officially a semi-constitutional monarchy, the apparatchik commonly refer to each other as 'comrade'. Officially, this "Great Queendom of Suverina is a gargantuan, cultured nation, ruled by Queen Eva with an even hand." Queen Eva I rose to power in 2006, under quite suspicious circumstances. She was never supposed to be on the throne if it hadn't been for the assassination of her brother Michail II. During the reign of Eva I, dubious policies have been enacted, such as establishing friendly relations with the mass-murdering regime of Machina Haruspex.


Economy
When walking through the center area of their capital Chişinău, it immediately becomes clear how deep the equality runs in this self-proclaimed 'socialist' nation. The answer is: not very deep at all. Ignoring the hordes of tourists bobbing around while taking obnoxious selfies and out-of-focus pictures of gold-domed churches and palaces, one wonders how much of this wealth is being shared between these 'comrades'.

According to official sources, the "average income is an amazing 309,164 Suverin Rubels, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.7 times as much as the poorest." At first that sounds like a lot of money, until you find out how much a Suverin Rubel is actually worth. Consider also their absurdly inefficient tax system, where "the average income tax rate is 9.0%, but much higher for the wealthy."

Put these two together, and all of this raises a lot of questions. How can a nation promote socialism, while at the same time promote a decadent monarchy? We took to the streets of Chişinău, but again, the general population shunned us with suspicion.


:pic: Suverin people are reluctant to talk to foreign journalists, even one as famous as Bron Urgundy who can be seen here wearing a thick fur coat to protect him from the cold occidental climate.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Individuals who are malcontent with their financial situation have much to risk. Just thinking about starting your own private businesses can get you into a lot of trouble. "The frighteningly efficient Suverin economy, worth a remarkable 5,245 trillion Suverin Rubels a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal." Yes: illegal. So don't think about being your own boss. You either do what the government wants, or you end up in jail.

If not for himself, then what else can a man do to put food on the table? Apparently in Suverina, you have a limited choice between very few government-run sectors. "The industrial sector, which is broadly diversified, is led by the Information Technology industry." We wondered what this meant. Going through the dictionary of Suverin doublespeak, you won't find out about this particular industry. But the few political exiles who we managed to convince to speak with us, all lead us to believe the regime operates a million man army to monitor the private internet traffic of all of its citizens. Fortunately most Europans know better than to trust Suverin software, since it'll set off massive malware alerts.

In case you are not lucky enough to join the Suverin 'securitate', perhaps another industrial sectors may sound more appealing. The economy receives "major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Book Publishing, and Uranium Mining." Yes, that's right: if you're not building killing machines for the glorious leader, or underground digging for radioactive materials, you can always get a job re-printing Mao's Red Book.


Civil Rights
When it comes to the population of Suverina and their liberties, there are some seriously bizarre customs that predict their daily life: "The nation leads Europa in per capita stalking, toddlers are wielding machine guns in the name of national defense, Suverina's free colleges struggle to maintain standards in the face of overwhelming demand, and rocket boots and thermal detonators have become standard-issue military gear."


:pic: In Suverina, the 'baby boom' actually goes 'boom!' Now isn't that cute.

Even though the owernship of fire-arms seems to begin at a shockingly early age, "crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown." After going through dozens and dozens of bureaucratic redtape, we managed to get our hands on the latest statistics on leading causes of death in Suverina. To our amazement, only 16,8% of the population dies of old age. Certainly all this uranium mining has an impact on people's health, with 55,2% dying of cancer, and 1,3% die from a nuclear spill. Surely, if we were to meet our maker, we would love to be one of those 1,6% who die from "acts of God", whatever that may mean. Since the "national religion is Orthodox Christianity" you meet your end with heavy smoke blown in the general direction of your cascet.

Still, this remains a much better choice of an ending, compared to the way the Suverin treat their non-human lifeforms. "Suverina's national animal is the Aurochs, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation."

We end tonight's report with a wonderful poem by an unknown visitor to this notorious nation.

The only souvenir-a
you bring from Suverina
are a government subpoena
and an itchy case of seborrhea.

[Orioni 2]

Good evening Europa. I am Bron Urgundy. Welcome to BS News.

OUR MAIN STORY tonight: a large number of high-level Illiminatu are gathering in Orioni for a three-day international conference to determine the future of the entire region. Officially called the G7-summit, we will refer to it as the SOJA-summit, named after each participation nation: Suverina, Orioni, Jilderen and Adaptus. The rich and powerful landed in O’polis with unmarked government airplanes. These airplanes are presumed similar the those used in special rendition flights to black sites. These conspirators of the ‘New Europan Order’ started their secret conclave with a visit to a museum, we presume to pay homage to their imperialist ancestors. Later that day, in our very own imperial palace, an exclusive gathering was held with extravagant dinner. We can only presume what happened next, but anonymous sources indicate a likelihood of dark orgies and fornication. More news on this topic will certainly follow.

THE SECOND ITEM in our broadcast is a brief follow-up on earlier report. Our special report on the extraordinary situation in Suverina had some unexpected consequences. This report was seen by 3204 viewers throughout the region, a new record for this news station. Amongst those viewers must have been some of the Suverin apparatchik, who seem to have escalated our report towards higher authorities in the despotic queendom. Only days after his in-depth investigation, our star reporter Bron Urgundy is being sought by the regime. This is yet another example of the autocratic regime’s disrespect for basic civil rights. Apparently they have no respect whatsoever for neither freedom of speech nor freedom of press. Where will this end?

[Orioni 2]

Good evening Europa. This is BS news, and I am Bron Urgundy, coming to you live from a location that is most certainly not anywhere near the city of Dubasari in Suverina.

ON THE MOTORWAY between Suverina and Adaptus there was a mad car chase. A stolen Ford Mustang ran from cops and used some impressive manuvers to outwit the cops. Cats supposedly have nine lives, and after watching this video, I've come to the conclusion that Mustangs must have a few, too.



This pissed off out of work stunt driver behind the wheel evades police for more than 45 minutes. They pull PIT manoeuvres on him multiple times, but he manages to get right back in the game as if all those hours playing GTA finally paid off. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have the cheat code for infinite lives, and eventually homeboy's luck runs out. At least he compiled one helluva highlight reel before the cops retired his top score early. But I still want this guy on my Rocket League team.

[Afropa]

POLITICS // Struggling war against Violetists

The military campaign by Afropa and neighbouring nations to combat the West Europa group Violetist Liberation Army has been hampered by a failure among those countries to share crucial intelligence — sometimes even within their own security services, Afropan and other officials say.

Western partners have balked as well. The intelligence services have struggled at times to provide information quickly about V.L.A. militants to the Europan countries — Afropa, Jilderen, and Suverina — without violating restrictions on what can be shared from spy satellite imagery or electronic eavesdropping within rules for not disclosing sources and methods.

Until recently, Western officials and analysts said, Jilderen and the Suverina provided only sanitised intelligence reports to the Afropan military. The countries feared that more detailed information might be misused by an army that human rights groups say has committed abuses against civilians as it battled V.L.A., which has pledged loyalty to the Order of Violet.

And a new intelligence “fusion center,” created in Dieudonné as part of a multinational task force, has only recently overcome budget and staffing shortfalls, as well as lingering mistrust among the participating countries, to help coordinate operations.

“The big unanswered question right now is how much are all those countries that are participating going to collaborate and work effectively,” army chief Jules César Jajo, who commands Afropan Special Forces in North and East Afropa, said in a recent interview here, noting that V.L.A. moves easily across borders.



Even within the West Europan countries, interior ministries often do not share information about terrorist threats with their military counterparts.

In the wake of the V.L.A. attacks on small villages in the past year, the authorities in Afropa, as well as throughout Europa, are seeking to fill glaring gaps in intelligence sharing.

Orioni intelligence and counterterrorism officials said it was a challenge to share sensitive intelligence with the Afropan allies fighting V.L.A. and other terrorist groups. There are different rules for what intelligence is shared with each country, and what one country can or cannot share with its neighbour — even though all are trying to fight a common regional enemy, the Violetists Liberation Army.

“Because Orioni policy in Afropa is for Afropans to take the lead, a lot of the challenge is building trust among the partners themselves and not generating a dependence on what information we do have,” said Sir Andrew Pipkin, the councillor of foreign affairs.

To help speed the release of information, analysts are being encouraged to “write to release” — mostly meaning stripping information of sources and methods to ensure broader and faster distribution to partners without dumbing down the content. Drone photos provided by Jilderen recently helped the Afropan Army avoid a major V.L.A. ambush.

Army chief Jules César Jajo said that since Afropa’s president, Pierre Panza, instituted military reforms in recent months, “my guys are now coffee-breath close to our partners in the northern river basin.”

“As a result,” General Jajo said in an interview last week, “we have developed relationships of trust.”

Since taking office, President Panza has begun a major push to rid the country of V.L.A., which has assaulted northeastern Afropa for years. In past months, the group has spread across borders to terrorise the country’s neighbours, too.

The nations in the region that have become V.L.A.’s new stamping grounds have long been distrustful of one another. President Panza met with their leaders one by one, shoring up support for a campaign to join forces to fight the group.

But president Panza’s strategy of forging individual relationships did little to build trust among the nations themselves, Western diplomats say. All are working together now, but with a skeptical eye on one another. And while the Afropa-led effort has retaken a significant number of villages that were under V.LA. control, the authorities have been less successful sustaining security, allowing fighters to continue to raid the very villages recaptured by government forces.

Military efforts have freed thousands of hostages of V.L.A., most of them women and children. Yet the effort to press them for information about fighters appears inconsistent. In some instances the hostages, some of whom have been raped, are taken to camps where humanitarian groups spend time interviewing each about psychological problems that he or she may suffer. But it appears that no one is asking about the tactics and locations of fighters, alongside whom many have lived for months.

In contrast, in the eastern region in Afropa, the military has been detaining and screening nearly everyone held hostage by V.L.A. in an effort to collect information and determine whether the individual formed an allegiance with the militants. The detentions sometimes last months, and include even children. At the one refugee camp, near a part of the country where V.L.A. has launched numerous attacks, residents said no one had inquired about the fighters.

There are examples of success. A young woman trained as a bomber near the border between Cabarria and Afropa dropped her explosives and instead ran to the authorities in the village she had been sent to blow up. Her information led to a major operation that captured and killed numerous militants, officials said.

Army Chief Jajo praised the emerging cooperation among the nations. One recent operation involved 500 soldiers from Suverina and Afropa, and guidance from the multinational task force in Jilderen.

In particular, he said, intelligence from Jilderen has been pivotal to carrying out operations. “They’ve given us very good information, and we can verify it,” he said. “And they also have given us information that we don’t have.” Chief Jajo added, “It’s the first time Jilderese have been this involved in Afropa.”

[Afropa]

Original: http://z7.invisionfree.invalid.com/Europa/index ... p=22056150

POLITICS // Dieudonné car bomb: V.L.A. claims responsibility for killing at least 50 people in explosion in Afropan capital

Violetist Liberation Army (V.L.A.) has claimed responsibility for killing at least 50 people using a car bomb reportedly disguised as a fruit and vegetable stall in Dieudonné.

The blast hit a crowded outdoor market in a predominantly Christian area of the Afropan capital's Cuvette City district, ripping through nearby buildings and leaving cars riddled with shrapnel.

Officials said it killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 60 others. There were fears the death toll would rise as many victims remained in a serious or critical condition.

Corneille Cartier, a 45-year old grocer, said the bomb was concealed inside a pick-up truck loaded with fruit and vegetables. He said it was parked by a man who quickly disappeared among the crowds of people.

“It was such a thunderous explosion that jolted the ground,” he told the Afropan Press.

“The force of the explosion threw me for meters and I lost conscious for a few minutes."



V.L.A. released an online statement claiming it had targeted a gathering of governments soldiers in the attack.

The terror group has carried out numerous similar massacres in recent months as it continues to control swathes of northern Afropa, where it is being pushed back by Afropan forces and Christian militias.

President Pierre Panza has hailed the recapture of around 40 per cent of former V.L.A. territory in the country but terror attacks in the capital and elsewhere have continued unabated.

On 2 May, the so-called Order of Violet claimed responsibility for killing 18 Christian pilgrims in another car bombing in Dieudonné, while a double explosion had killed more than 30 people in the northern city of Hawamas the previous day.

Cuvette City has seen several rounds of fighting. In April, V.L.A. carried out devastating back-to-back market bombings in the district, killing at least 73 people.

The V.L.A. has declared Christians apostates and has targeted them in bombings at churches, markets and on pilgrimages in several regions of Afropa.

The EN's Special Representative for Afropa, Charles Chocolat, warned that a political deadlock and civil unrest threatened to undermine progress and urged Afropan authorities not to underestimate a "formidable and determined enemy".

According to the Europan Nations Organisation at least 741 Afropans, including more than 400 civilians, were killed in April and 1?374 wounded due to the ongoing violence.

[Orioni 2]

Good evening Europa. I am Bron Urgundy, and you are looking fine as ever.

Our main story tonight:

Pokémon Go is introducing gamers to the horrors of physical exercise

The beauty of most video games is that they can be played while sitting relatively still in the privacy of one’s own home. For decades, the couch (or, failing that, comfy chair) has been the gamer’s natural habitat. Sure, there are occasional titles like Dance Dance Revolution and that Wii Fit nonsense that require the player to actually, like, do stuff, but those have been anomalies, exceptions to the rule.

Now, however, there is the nightmare of Pokémon Go, the latest entry in a universally known, decades-old franchise. It’s not like gamers can avoid this “augmented reality” mobile game. It’s freaking Pokémon, for Christ’s sake, the series they’ve known since grade school. The trading cards, the movies, the animated series.



Gamers are in too deep to get out now. So they’re dutifully downloading the app for Android and iOS and heading out into the dreaded and dreadful real world to hunt for whatever Pokémon might be out there. “Gotta catch ’em all!” is not just a slogan anymore; it’s a lifestyle choice.

So are gamers happy for the opportunities Pokémon Go has given them? Many are not. Sore legs are a common complaint. But others, while still complaining of soreness in the leg area, are acknowledging that the game is a decent workout. "My legs are actually sore from all the walking I did yesterday playing pokemon go...who needs a gym membership"

[Afropa]

War on Violetist Liberation Army

Recent months had seen an escalation of violence between Violetist Liberation Army extremists fighting for independence in Northern Afropa and the Afropan armed forces under command of Jules César Jajo. The V.L.A. had been shifting its operations across Afropa's border at will, making it difficult for government soldier to persue.



Special forces assisted by foreign commandos succeeded in killing several members of the V.L.A. militant group in an attack last week, a military spokesman said on the radio. It was not yet clear whether any high-level operatives had been eliminated.

The raid took place on Monday night, when a contingent of special troops acting as returning farmers assaulted a V.L.A. checkpoint in Hawamas, a city in northeastern Afropa that has become a notorious hide-out for the militants. The special forces had been quietly working around Hawamas for months, with increasing success. As the force approached the checkpoint, the militants opened fire, setting off a gun battle. Three V.L.A. militants died; no Afropans were hurt.

The V.L.A., an Afropan militant organization that has sworn allegiance to the Order of Violet, runs several illegal checkpoints in Hawamas, where they raise funds by taxing residents and merchants for moving goods through the area.

Rumors have been circulating in Dieudonné that the V.L.A.'s leader, Abu Bakr al-Banfasji (البنفسجي), was killed in a missile strike in Hawamas last week. But president Pierre Panza said that the military was still assessing the results of the operation, and that it was too early to determine whether any senior V.L.A. commanders had been killed.

L'Afropa Quotidien reported that a second raid was conducted in Hawamas on Tuesday. Afropa's news media also said senior V.L.A. leaders had been killed in operations in Hawamas.

Afropa remains in a dangerous state of limbo, with hundreds, if not thousands, of V.L.A. fighters operating across the country. In recent months, the V.L.A. have killed countless civilians from Afropa and neighbouring Jilderen. Thousands of people have died from famine, disease and conflict, while nearly fifty thousand have been displaced by the conflict.

[Orioni 2]

Oriental Airlines boasts 150 million profit "despite challenging year"

O'POLIS -- The Orionii carrier Oriental Airlines (OA) has announced a net profit of 150 million ION for last year (an operational profit of 200,4 million) and is happy with this result as it was, after all, a "challenging year" as the airline calls 2016, the year of the royal aircraft crash in Adaptus.

OA CEO Bertrand Tingus was happy to announce a profit of 150 million despite the relatively high financial impact of the 5 March terror attack. As a result, the airline saw much lower occupancy of flights to Adaptus and other western nations. Things were only completely back to normal around the summer holidays.

OA estimates the "direct financial impact" at some 100 million ION. "Only a part of that money could be compensated through insurance", Tingus pointed out. The success of the past year is thanks to the fact that OA managed to offer services at other internatioal airports. OA managed to carry some 21.000 passengers each day via this work-around.

AO enjoys back-to-back profits after posting over 141 million euros in profits in 2015, which had marked the first positive balance since 2010. OA carried 7,7 million passengers last year, 3 percent more than in 2015.

[Orioni 2]

New legal obligation to provide fast internet access

O'POLIS -- Orioni councillor for the environment Constantine Vogels intends to ensure that planning permission for housing or renovation work will only be issued if the housing is ready to provide fast internet. Mr Vogels says that he is responding to the prominent trend in Europa to provide all citizens with fast internet.

Orioni currently performs well when it comes to providing fast internet for its citizens. Still, figures from the economy council show that one in five households still hasn't got fast internet, often because of the cost.

New urban planning legislation imposing fast internet should also help to end discussions. At present some people only discover that they will have to dig up their drive to get fast internet installed after they have taken possession of their new home. Some tenants also have to make do without because landlords fail to install what is needed to provide fast internet to cut costs.

Telecom operators have also been requesting a clearer legal framework. The Orionii architects' association does not believe the new regulations will push up prices too much.

[Afropa]

Original: ECONOMY // Overfishing in Lac Lamartine pushes fish stocks to the limit

Once upon a time, Lac Lamartine teemed with fish and life was good. But now, sun-creased fishermen lament as they reel in their nearly empty nets.

"Your net would be so full of fish, you could barely heave it onto the boat," said Maurice Mamadou, a local fisherman in Afropa, gesturing to the meager assortment of tiny fish flapping in his wooden canoe. "When I was a kid, you could cast a line out your back door and make a good catch," he said. "Now this part of the lake is nearly empty."

Overfishing is depleting fish stocks across Europa, with 90 percent of the world’s fisheries fully exploited or facing collapse, according to the Europan Nations Organization. From Adapton king crab fishermen in the west Gulf of Adaptus to Orioni that poach red snapper off the coast of Niederoestereich, unsustainable fishing practices threaten the well-being of millions of people in the developing world who depend on the sea for income and food, experts say.


Fishermen pulling in their nets off the coast of Lac Lamartine, Afropa.

In Afropa, fishing stocks are plummeting. Local fishermen working out of hand-hewn canoes compete with megatrawlers whose kilometer-long nets sweep up virtually every living thing. Most of the fish they catch is sent abroad, with a lot ending up as fishmeal fodder for chickens and pigs in the more developed nations. According to one study by Greenpeace, subsidies for some fishing companies amount to a significant portion of their income. For one large state-owned company, the €12 million diesel subsidy it received last year made the difference between profit and loss, according to a corporate filing.

The nation’s fishing industry employs more than 400 thousand people, up from only 80 thousand in 1979, with almost a million others relying on fish for their livelihood. With two-thirds of the population under 18, the strain has helped fuel the surge of young Afropan trying to earn a living in the blossoming drugs trade with Cabarria.

[Magnaeus]

Originally published on: http://z7.invisionfree.invalid.com/Europa/index ... topic=4265

This is a public statement by the President of the Magnean Confederation

Magnean neutrality is one of the main principles of Magnaeus' foreign policy which dictates that Magnaeus is not to be involved in armed conflicts between other states. This policy is self-imposed, permanent, and armed, designed to ensure external security and promote peace. Magnaeus has not participated in a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the Treaty of Paris in 1815.

Magnaeus takes an active role in humanitarian activities. Magnaeus has joined the United Nations after a referendum. Magnaeus participated in the development of the International Human Rights Court, intended as a mechanism of international justice.

The Magnean government offers to serve as neutral grounds to all nations in Europa willing to discuss international conflicts and disputes. Nations of Europa who wish to enjoy this privilege are invited to establish an ambassadorial delegation in Venège.

Signed,

Sophie Gerber

[United Islands of Evergreen]

Hello! I welcome all to see Evergreen's Constiution we put into act as of yesterday in part of being recognized as a country for 15 days!

United Islands of Evergreen

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=819966

[Orioni 2]

Afropan prostitution ring uncovered in Zuidhaven

ZUIDHAVEN -- City police raided several premises in the red light district in Zuidhaven this morning, busting a large-scale network of human trafficking for prostitution. The house searches had been carefully prepared for months; five suspects were arrested and some 30 young girls were saved. Detectives raided several locations across the country: suspected hiding places for the suspects, safe houses where the victims were accommodated, and some 30 brothels around the Zuidmax Terminal. Police apprehended five suspects, including the main suspect. The investigation focused on a leading Afropan female pimp. She is thought to have climbed the ladder in recent years and is now at the helm of a network "which is notorious for its ruthless approach of Afropan prostitutes", imperial police say.

The Afropan girls were recruited in their homeland, where they were promised a beautiful future in Orioni. In return for the long journey they could make, they had to undergo a cruel voodoo ceremony where they had to swear they always obey their pimps. After swearing the oath, the girls were transported across the Azure Sea. Imperial police say this journey was a tough and life-threatening expedition during which some were raped. Some even died from starvation. When they had arrived in Orioni, they had to work as a prostitute immediately and make big money (an amount of 45.000 ION is mentioned). When they didn't obey or tried to flee, this could have grave consequences for their family in their homeland.

[Orioni 2]

Ancient dromedary remains discovered in Andro

ANDRO -- Archaeologists came across the skull of an adult male dromedary from Roman Times in Andro. The excavations took place in 2014 and 2015, but the news has only been released now as it first had to be determined which animal the bone fragments were from.

The remains include fragments of the skull and two well-preserved upper jaws. They were discovered in a small water furrow embedded in a third-century wall. Further research will be done to determine its exact age.

"DNA research determines the age and the sex of the animal. We are talking about a relatively big and strong animal, which suggests this was an adult, male dromedary. But we can only be a 100 percent sure after further DNA research because you also had hybrids at the time", says Petar Socyns of the ESU. "At that time, Romans had camels mate with dromedaries to get stronger animals."

"Remains of camels or dromedaries are very scarce in eastern Europa. They are mostly found on busy commercial routes. The Andro dromedary probably had to transport goods along the trade link between the port cities and interior of Orioni.

[Orioni 2]

First heat wave of 2017 triggers govt action plan

People enjoying a moment of refreshing coolness

O'POLIS -- A blistering sun will be out the whole day again on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to reach 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in western and central regions, but may climb to 33 in the east of Orioni. Children and older people are advised to stay in cool places and to drink enough water. The hot weather is expected to continue on Monday and Tuesday, bringing the first heat wave in the month of May since 1998.

Though the sun will rule in most parts of the empire, clouds may appear in western areas near the Pirilao and Tamurin Sea in the afternoon, with possibly a local thunderstorm in the evening. While temperatures will be around 30 Celsius in most places, it will be cooler in the mountain region and at the northern coast.

Monday will see the same weather, but maybe a little bit more unstable with a higher chance of thunderstorms. The same for Tuesday, when temperatures could climb as high as 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), but things are to change on Wednesday night to Thursday, when fresh rain should mark the end of the hot spell. Temperatures around 22 or 23 Celsius on Thursday or Friday.

The next hot days will be enough to officially speak of a heat wave, for which five days of maximum temperatures above 25 Celsius are needed, including three days above 30. Today, rail services offered seven extra trains from the capital city of O'polis to the seaside near Zuidhaven. A total of 35,000 day-trippers took the train to get to the Azure Sea to help ease traffic congestion.

The Councillor of Health, Professor Bobo Lang, has triggered the heat plan, advising people to look for a cool place, to drink enough water and to avoid physical activity during the hottest moments of the day. This applies especially to infants and elderly people.

With the sun being so strong at this time of year, the so-called UV-index is very high, meaning you can easily get sunburnt.

[Orioni 2]

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Afropan and Suverin win 20km of Sirius

Runners crossing the finish at the 20km of Sirius

SIRIUS -- David Hardieu of Afropa is the winner of this year's 20km of Sirius run. The Afropan ended first in a field of 40.000 crossing the finishing line just over an hour after HRH Alesia, Grand Princess of Dion, had fired the starting shot. Suverina's Sophie Marçu raced to fame crossing the finish as the first woman after one hour and 14 minutes.

The Red Cross reports that quite a few people needed treatment during the course of the race. Most suffered light injuries, often because they were not wearing sensible shoes. Nearly 500 needed treatment because of the heat or other ailments. Dehydration, strained muscles and other minor injuries created work for Red Cross carers. Nobody suffered life-threatening injuries.

The 20km of Sirius is a last major preparation of the much larger upcoming meeting at the annual Zuidhaven Marathon.

[Magnaeus]

Originally published on: http://z7.invisionfree.invalid.com/Europa/index ... p=40002856

[Orioni 2]

Where in the world is Bron Urgundy?

[Orioni 2]

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Extra alcohol checks on motorists during weekend


A driver is checked by imperial police

O'POLIS -- During this weekend imperial police services across the nation are holding their fourth "weekend without alcohol". From Friday evening until Monday morning extra roadside checks are carried out on motorists to make sure that they haven’t been drinking.

By announcing that the roadside alcohol tests will be carried out the imperial police services hope that motorists will be discouraged from drink-driving and will seek alternatives such as using public transport or designating a friend or family member that won’t drink to drive them.

"The summer does, of course, provide an opportunity to consume more alcohol. There are pavement terraces, the weather is nice and people are more exuberant. We know that more alcohol is consumed at such times. So choose a dedicated driver in advance and never drive when you have had a drink" a spokesperson for the Imperial Police told Roiters News.

In addition to the awareness campaign, the imperial police services want repeat offenders to realise that there is an increased chance that they will be caught. Around 100 local police services, various authorities responsible for road safety and partner organisations are taking part.

The success of the campaign is highlighted by figures from last year. In 2016 checks were carried out on some 230.000 drivers. More than 220.000 of this tested negative for alcohol. Just over 3% were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

[Orioni 2]

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Pirates hijack Orioni cargo vessel


Archive image of MV Amalas 1 (1971)

ZUIDHAVEN -- An Orioni-owned cargo vessel Amalas has been hijacked by pirates in the Northern Meteorolas sea. The Orionii cargo vessel was carrying food when they were captured by the pirates, an anonymous source in the Defense Department reported. The number of crew on the ship named MV Amalas 1, registered in Zuidhaven, remains unknown.

The Amalas was taken to the coast of Lahaina in Bainbridge Islands, where pirate crews threaten locals into following their orders. No ransom has been demanded so far although local officials say the pirates are given immunity from prosecution.

The Amalas hijacking is the first piracy attack this year. Piracy on the high seas had reached its peak between 2012 and 2016, but had since subsided. Much of this was due to an extensive anti-piracy action by Jilderen. In 2016 pirates hijacked their last ship in the Konstantinopoli Sea, the oil tanker Sira 13, its crew aboard the boat were dumped on shore. At the peak of the piracy crisis in January 2014, 736 hostages and 32 boats were held.

The government has yet to confirm the report. Analysts believe the resurgence of piracy is owing to the growing influence of corruption, drought and famine.

[Orioni 2]

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Navy warns ships as pirates prowl waters off Bainbridge Islands


The Pirates actually look a lot more like this

O'POLIS -- Commercial ships must once again shore up their defences against forced boardings at sea, Navy officials said on Sunday, warning that pirates are operating in waters off northern Bainbridge Islands after 14 months of calm.

## Official comments

Military commanders at the Imperial Command Centre have been monitoring the situation, from a relative distance. Orioni has no permanent base in Bainbridge Islands. This attack is believed to have been carried out by pirates from the western area surrounding the Konstantinopoli Sea. Defence councillor Toren said that while he was not calling for a response yet from the Imperial Navy, the pirate attack on a commercial ship off the coast of Bainbridge Islands means that civilian mariners and shipping companies must be on high alert. Supreme Commander Bruiser, the head of the defence forces, said drought and famine in Bainbridge Islands are a probable reason behind the recent attack, in which pirates have boarded and seized a commercial ship.

## Impact on trade

SC Bruiser said the military was urging civilian shipping lines to bolster their security. Military officials said some commercial shipping companies had let go some of the security guards hired to protect their ships after the decline in attacks. “We’re not ready to say that there’s a trend,” SC Bruiser said. “But we’ll continue to watch it.” The SC's comments came after a week of intense news coverage on the captured cargo vessel Amalas. A significant portion of the world’s commercial ships travel near and through the Northern Meteorolas and toward the Occident, and the return of attacks may mean another coordinated international effort to fight piracy, officials said. During the height of the last round of attacks, a coalition of foreign navies increased patrols along the Konstantinopoli coastline.

## Part of a larger conflict

The return of pirate attacks comes as the international community is trying to battle the rise of extremism and the illegal drugs trade. Most of the fighting against these extremist and criminal groups has been done by the Afropan military, but some of the countries that are hit by these criminals may be planning to send additional troops. That has left the Orioni defence force scrambling to try to prepare the military to take over the fight.

[Magnaeus]

Originally published on: http://z7.invisionfree.invalid.com/Europa/index ... p=40002856

(Image)

One more day to go, people.

The long-awaited Diplomatic Ball in Venège will take play on July 1st. For those who signed up, I hope you're as excited as I am. For those who didn't, well, there is always next year.

Stories and pictures will be included here. http://z7.invisionfree.invalid.com/Europa/index ... p=40003359