International Broadcasting Alliance | Newswire

[Nacrad]

Major Bakery Sued Over Labour Right Violations
Jacob Chan | 24 January 2022

---

PORTSVILLE - Major baking company Wah's Bakery has been sued in collective litigation by its workers over violation of the Employment Ordinance on 7 charges.

The company operates a network of factories across Nacrad as with its well-known and widespread stores. It has long been criticised for poor working conditions and low wages, although its labour standards were often criticised as sub-par, it had been legal if only on a technicality. However, the amendment of the Employment Ordinance in early June last year (2021) has made their labour practices illegal. When the amendment came into effect on New Year's Day, this bakery was accused of not changing its labour practices to match it.

The collective litigation accused the company chiefly of violating regulations for rest periods, workweek length and overtime pay, along with violation of the right to unionise. The workers were represented pro bono as gathered from the union's news release. It was said that the workers were made to work in conditions violating the amendment terms even in November and December despite requests to bring labour standards in line by Mid-Autumn Festival in late September. During Christmas Week, the union called for strikes.

However, it led to the chief accusation of the disregard for the right to unionisation. It was accused that the administration punished many of those who joined in the strike due to the union's call and demoted or even fired the union's key members, which violates the right of unionisation as enshrined in the Employment Ordinance from as early as the 1980s.

Furthermore, it is accused that the bakery violates the maximum workweek regulation as amended, requiring a 60-hour workweek, exceeding the maximum 50 hours. Moreover, it mandates its employees to overtime work, threatening to fire those who refuse. During peak season, a worker may be required to take on 12 hours of overtime, higher than the allowed 10 hours.

Finally, it was accused of not providing sufficient breaks. The only semblance to breaks is meal periods, just 1 for the 10- and 12-hour workdays, and 2 for the 14-hour ones being half an hour each. This is accused to violate the relevant sections on three counts, one in the frequency, where a one-hour's worth of break periods must be arranged for the first five hours, and half an hour every two hours thereafter, with break periods, arranged every 3 hours or more frequently, both requirements are not met. Additionally, paid meal time of at least 1 hour which can be counted as rest periods were called for, with one required every 7 hours. The meal periods are accused of being too short in length.

The representative of Wah's Bakery has yet to comment on this lawsuit as of the writing of this article.

[Nacrad]

Athery to Pass Controversial Transphobic Bill, Alliance for Equality Threatens Lawsuit
Brenda Mann | 7 March 2022

---

FOOCHOW, At. - The Athery State Legislature has passed what is dubbed as the "Don't Say Trans" bill, severely restricting the recognition and rights of transgender persons in the state. The Nacradian Alliance for Equality has stated that it will take the state government to court if its Conservative governor ratifies it. The gazetted copy of this ordinance outlines 3 policy changes that deviate from federal policy and are criticised as hostile to transgender citizens.

The first policy is that it will recognize the sex assigned at birth. It states that "State Authorities shall recognise solely the sex assigned at birth", meaning that their gender is disregarded in the state in favour of sex. Reportedly, the proposer of the bill, Alexis Lau of the National Party, stated that this is to fight back against the increasingly liberal and urban-dominated politics. She stated that the proliferation of LGBTQ+ "ideology" within Nacrad has significantly degraded Nacrad's standing in intellectual superiority, stating that "children should worry more about their studies, not their gender". However, the Alliance for Equality argued that this is a major regression and deviation from the scientific consensus that gender orientation comes in early childhood. It states that, by solely recognising the sex assigned at birth, it robs transgender members of the public of their right to free gender identification as granted by Article 68(1) of the Constitution.

It announced that, with the previous policy in mind, the state will deviate from the federal practice of issuing documents where the gender and sex of its holder are separately listed. It states "No document bearing the sex of the holder should bear his sex and gender in different fields shall be issued within the State, with exceptions from federal documents authorised to be issued within the state." It means that transgender citizens in Athery will no longer have their state-issued documents represent their gender. Lau argues that this is a natural extension of the previous clause, stating that "gender and sex are the same things, decided by the genitals one have". This is disputed by the Alliance for Equality, which argues that this is a natural extension of a bigoted argument and is thus not valid.

The final policy change is the classification of gender transitioning therapy as "child abuse". Under current federal policy, gender transitioning therapy can start as early as 10 years old following counselling and long-term psychiatrist appointments with guardian consent, and treatment can be sought at any time by an adult. This bill, on the other hand, states that "gender transitioning, medical, surgical or otherwise, shall be [...] regarded as child abuse." Lau argues that gender transitioning entails taking hormones with long-term or permanent effects, and in certain instances also entail multiple surgeries. She argues that children and adolescents who request this treatment are "more often than not just confused; in other cases perverted". The Alliance for Equality notes, on the contrary, that the barring of adolescents from taking on gender-affirming treatment is child abuse. It also notes that it violates Article 68(2) in the Constitution, which mandates "Accommodations shall be made [...] whenever feasible.

However, the Governor of Athery has refused to our calls to comment on his own opinion on the bill, saying that he sees no benefit to vetoing this bill, and refused further questions about his stance.

[Ceryana]

"How do you sleep at night with those satin pillows, Prime Minister?": Parliament becomes pillow fight battleground

---

Sophie Chakrawangsa | Tuesday, 8 March 2022


Thousands of protestors staged a no-pillow sleep-in on Hongkong Place in the middle of the Noules financial district on Monday night.

NOULES | Opposition and crossbench parties grilled the government this morning in Parliament over its decision to vote against the proposed World Assembly 'Comfortable Pillows for All Protocol' resolution, accusing the Conservative-Democratic Alliance of having "lost touch with everyday folk".

Labour Shadow Minister of Welfare Cheong Hsiao-Chun (ZH: 蔣孝浚) led the impassioned reproval during Question Time, arguing that quality sleep is a fundamental human right. Cheong claimed that the government's decision was caused by its "unwillingness, and, in fact, inability, to commit to a programme of reducing homelessness and improving housing quality across the country". IPTC MP Fatima Mahawarna joined Cheong's criticisms, citing the homelessness crisis in Sainte-Aurélie which has affected over 40 thousand of the city's 3.2 million residents, while Greens MP Michel Edwards (ZH: 謝天仁) referred to the "cultural importance of pillows".

Prime Minister Thomas Grant-Lee (ZH: 葛李奉世) rebuked the accusations, stating that "Labour is seeking to widen the issue under debate" and that the housing crisis was "induced by the previous Labour government". Grant-Lee explained the government's decision to vote against the resolution was because "it is a poorly thought-out policy that was a result of poor consultation and poor drafting". Grant-Lee further argued that "the resolution would have no positive impact on solving any of the issues raised by the opposition and cross-bench".

Treasurer and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Marie Lim (ZH: 林宇文) stated that "there was no practical way to implement and enforce the resolution as law without bankrupting the government". Lim claimed that "pillows were largely a matter of personal responsibility that were best handled by the forces of supply and demand in the market", to the booing of several opposition and crossbench members. Labour MP Stephen McMahon could be heard shouting "How do you sleep at night with those satin pillows, Prime Minister?", before being asked to leave by Speaker John Pereira for disobeying instructions.

The heated exchange in Parliament comes off the back of pro-pillow protests across the nation on Monday night, involving over 50,000 protestors in Noules and state and territory capital cities. Several backbench government MPs have alleged that the National Manufacturers and Retailers Association of Household Linen (FR: Association Nationale des Fabricants et des Détaillants du Linge Doméstique), or Associ-Linge, has been providing financial incentives (including cash) to attend the protests. CBA has not been able to independently verify these allegations.

Voting for the World Assembly resolution is due to be completed early tomorrow morning at 01:00 (CET). According to domestic polling organisation QuestionNow, 11% of those polled were in favour of the proposed World Assembly resolution, while 15% were against. The remaining 74% indicated that "they did not care" or did not provide an answer.

[New Agraya]

Just this morning, the meteorological team at our paper has confirmed a 98% direct hit from what is being called “The Storm of The Decade.” Snow will begin Wednesday evening, turning heavy overnight with winds of 60kmh barraging the coast. January City is under a severe winds advisory, with 100kmh possible on Thursday. The RPTA is preparing to suspend train service, and all citizens are encouraged to avoid travel if at all possible. Snowfall totals of 60cm are expected along the coast and southern moors, while areas around the Cíoche Mountains should prepare for 1-1.5 Meters.
“It’s not abnormal to see storms like this as we know, especially in March.” Says Áine Ó Ruairc, Meteorological Technician with the RPDFA. “However, the wind speeds and snow totals are going to rival the blizzard that broke the record in 2008. With ‘The North Sea’ frozen at the moment, we could end up seeing a lot more as snow from open waters blows back to us with the strong winds. New Agrayans are tough people, especially when it comes to winter, but I would absolutely recommend that everyone stay indoors if at all possible.”
Measured in Celcius
Left: the town of Maeve 2008
Head of State and Party Leader Aisling Cearbhaill is working with the RPDFA (Revolutionary People's Defense Force) to deliver food and supplies to housing units across the country, and emergency workers are on standby in every precinct. Contact your local State Housing Authority if you are having any issues with heating or electricity, community centers are open and prepared to house families during this storm.

News Correspondent, Lucy Gallade
Run by the Revolutionary People's Union for Arts & Culture

[Nacrad]

Navy Commissions New Missile Boat
23 March 2022 | Hannah Kan

---

STONECUTTERS ISLAND, Portsville - The new Ocean-class Corvette has been demonstrated and accepted into the Southern Fleet.

Depending on who you ask, the Ocean-class Corvette, which has been developed under the codename "Next-Generation Small Surface Combatant" since 2018, can be either a way for Nacrad to fight against the rapidly expanding PLAN and Soviet Navy (VMF), or a waste of time and money on a small vessel that cannot project power. Nonetheless, its engineering is still never before seen in Nacradian naval ships.

The ship demonstrated its high top speed of 45 knots, with its large water jet motors propelling this 1,300-tonne ship to almost highway speeds. Off the seas of Lantau Island, the ship also demonstrated its copious firepower. According to Navy information, this 83-meter long, 18-meter wide missile ship carries 16 Sea Spear IV surface-to-surface missiles, 8 Sky Bow III surface-to-air missiles, and 24 VLS cells which is fully compatible with all VLS missiles. On its bow sits a 76-mm autocannon, which is seen on ships even as large as the Portsville-class cruisers.

Members of the press were invited to tour the ship before its christening and commissioning. During the tour, it is revealed that the ship has 3 diesel engines and a gas turbine, which generate 31 MW of propulsion in total. In perspective, this power output is almost two-thirds of the much heavier Fearless-class frigate, previously the smallest surface combatant in Nacradian service.

The ship demonstrated its wave-piercing and high speed capabilities on the South Sea, where it reached a speed of some 45 knots on the relatively calm surface as measured by our own GPS speedometers.

The ship was named NNV Ocean, which is in honour of HMS Ocean, the first ship to be given to the Nacradian colonial navy some 200 years ago.

[International Broadcasting Alliance]

International Broadcasting Alliance to debut in the WorldVision Song Contest

MAKHAVIV—The IBA Council has announced today that the International Broadcasting Alliance will make its debut at the 98th WorldVision Song Contest in a to-be-announced location.

According to a spokesperson, the IBA does not need to enter on behalf of a broadcaster because it in itself is a union of broadcasters, therefore the IBA's participation is on behalf of all members of the alliance.

In order to make the participation happen, the six member countries of the council have formed a joint delegation consisting of comittee members from each of the six countries that will be in charge of the IBA entry to the contest. In order to not circumvent the rules of the contest, four of the countries that had previously announced their participation as individual delegations have withdrawn their entries, opting to participate as one joint team.

And who will represent the IBA in its debut edition?

The six council members have decided to form a common framework consisting of popular artists in their respective countries. The supergroup is named DANAE: Electric Boogaloo and consists of the following members:

• Rigas Jengiz, from Britonisea
• Vian Genamman, from Carrelie
• Paóla Amadin, from Kalosia
• Kaylileenástkadeenada Ñadiakimadoradaþínkaðerren, from Natanya
• Jules Vergule, from Normandy and Picardy
• Veli Pinheiro, from Todlichebujoku

The supergroup is named after famed former WorldVision entrant DANAE (from Lymantatia), and the six artists have previously represented their own nations either at WorldVision or WHF in the past. Namely, Rigas winning WHF26; Vian in WHF59, Paóla winning WHF25; Kalileen in WV31, Jules winning in WV46; and Veli winning WV32.

The song they will sing is titled "That's Not Even Ugly". Click below to check it out!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING ALLIANCE DEBUT WORLDVISION ENTRY

[Continental Free States]

China Votes in Republican and Socialist!

---

Constance Henderson, WaPo

Apr. 4, 2022; Nanking, China

It has been only months since the Chinese War of Independence ended decades-long Japanese rule on the Mainland, and many were worried that the 'United Front' established between republican and socialist warlord cliques would end with the same fate as its historical namesake, but all worries were put to rest today as the Chinese people went to vote in the First free and fair election to be held in China since 1923. Guanyu Duan, the leader of the Five-Banner Army (Chinese: 五旗軍; Wu Chi Chun), a coalition of militias and warlords that formed the bulk of the Forces of Free China in the late war, was elected as the President of China, while Shiuefeng Chou of the Socialist Party of China (Chinese: 中國社會主義人民黨, Chongkuo shehui tang) and former uneasy ally of Duan during the war, became the Prime Minister after his party gained the majority of the seats in the House of Representatives in the same election.

The Duan-Chou election, though odd to most given Duan's lack of allegiance to any particular ideology, had been expected, as both had held their offices temporarily since China gained its independence on February 20 as part of their United Front. It is not clear how China will go from now, and to what extent Chou will hinder the Chinese rebuilding effort, as Duan's agreements with the US, UK, Germany and France had played a major part in China securing its independence so quickly, and it is yet to be seen if this United Front will hold for the next four years or more.

[Scotatrova]

Victoria Moia Dies In Plane Crash

---

Authorities confirm that singer Victoria Moia was killed in a plane crash shortly after take off from the airport in Amara on Sunday evening. The jet carrying the 54-year-old performer lost contact with air traffic controllers after it took off from Celetor at 8:18 p.m. following Moia's concert there. Contact was lost about 59 miles away, Scotatrova's transportation ministry said in a statement. It was scheduled to arrive in Sumanthal before 10 p.m. An investigation into the crash was announced mere hours after the news was reported. Shortly after Moia's death was announced, vigils were held in dozens of cities across Scotatrova and dozens more in other Hescettgovian American nations such as Atzlana and Maragua. Moia, also known as the "Reign eu Flacaro" (Queen of Flacaro), was born in Franciscas, Atalon and was best known as a superstar in the world of Flacaro music, as well as Scotatrova's most successful female artist, selling over 95 million records. She is most notable for standing out in an industry that was traditionally male dominated, and led to the rise of more successful female Flacaro artists.

Moia grew up in a musical family, with her father being a piano teacher and her mother a singer as well as her two brothers. Moia first gained widespread recognition after she had won the annual music competition Ereide eu le Cançe Scotatrofina at the age of 21 in 1989 with the song "Agia Fema", starting the first of three consecutive victories for the state of Atalon. Not long afterward, Moia was signed to a label and would begin to build a loyal following throughout the Hescettgovian world. Her music centered on testimonies of gender nonconformity. She was also one of the few women, at the time, who openly sang about “non-traditional” behaviors among women. Moia's music was a source of empowerment for young women who saw their stories reflected in her music. Aside from music, she was active in her community and donated her time to civic causes. Already Moia's death has made front-page headlines in Scotatrova and several Hescettgovian American newscasts. Politicians and other celebrities have expressed their condolences. Moia was the mother of three children and grandmother to five and married to former football star Ivan Moia.

[Danlina]

ENGLISH

News Updates Provided By:

---

First Woman Prime Minister for Danlina?

image courtesy of the Party of Liberal Action

Yesterday (Sunday), the Party of Liberal Action finished voting on their primaries, with the party's next leader chosen to be Orli Hanovič, who serves as the current administration's Minister of Foreign Affairs. Orli Hanovič has been with Liberal Action for twenty-six years, and has served as a minister during the party's last two terms under Prime Minister Sámuel Robinski, as well as under Prime Minister Grégorj Oloničslav for a single term. Many experts and political commentators have voiced their approval of Hanovič as a solid candidate, even with the big shoes Robinski left for her to fill.

If she wins the elections on April 19th, Hanovič will be Danlina's first woman prime minister, joining Parentell's former Prime Minister Viktorjá Popovislav as the second woman head of government in the history of the Parens. The odds seem to be in her favor, with high approval ratings in the polls and an established relationship with Alliance For Peace's Jošusláv Hriž and the Green Party's Tatjá Márkovič forecasting smooth sailing in the coalition-building department.




Videos Of Parentelli Checkpoint Incident Go Viral

Two days ago (Saturday), an incident in the Tseleyan city of Jargleb claimed the life of a Tseleyan man in his late 20s as he was shot dead by Parentelli soldiers at the Eastern Jargleb checkpoint, a place particularly infamous for such incidents. Images and videos of the incident's aftermath went viral as locals were able to capture them on their phones before the Parentelli soldiers could cover up the scene.

In reaction to the public outcry, Parentelli authorities issued the following statement: "The recent incident at Eastern Jargleb is deeply concerning, and an investigation into the chain of events that lead to it is underway. The names of those involved cannot be revealed for the time being, but from the evidence available it is certain that the officers acted in self-defense, though whether or not with excessive force is yet to be determined".

Local Tseleyan authorities stated: "What happened [at Saturday] is abominable, and another sign that Jargleb should be left alone. We are not the attackers, we are the oppressed. It is time for the Parentelli military to step out of Jargleb and let us govern ourselves properly".


Parentelli soldiers carrying away the body, image courtesy of The Jargleb Gazette

[Scotatrova]

Scotatrova Officially Recognizes Genocide of Indigenous Americans during the Scotatrovian Empire

---

Indigenous Americans in southern Atzlana

From the colonial period of the mid 1600s through the nineteenth century, the indigenous peoples of the Americas have experienced massacres, torture, terror, sexual abuse, systematic military occupations and removals from their ancestral territories. It is estimated that during the initial Scotatrovian conquest of the Americas up to eight million indigenous people died in a series of events that have been described as the first large-scale act of genocide of the modern era. Hescettgovian America has long pushed for the deaths to be recognized as genocide, a term that Scotatrova had long rejected. Earlier last month the Senate passed a bill that calls it a genocide, weeks after the Chamber of Deputies had done the same. The consensus of historians and academic institutions as well as all 8 governments of Hescettgovian America and 20 Scotatrovian states are that the events are a genocide. Nations such as Bialya and Antalanga, who have had their own native people opressed by the Scotatrovian Empire, have stood with Hescettgovian America in calling what had happened to their peoples a genocide. The government of Scotatrova has never officially confirmed nor has it ever officially denied the actions as a genocide, but has issued several apologies about the "horrible atrocities faced by the indigenous Americans at the hands of the Scotatrovian crown." The government has issued statements that it is not clear that "the terrible events that afflicted the Indigenous American population at the beginning of Scotatrovian colonization" to be genocide. Scotatrova does acknowledge the tragic events had devastating effects on the identity, heritage, and culture of all the people in the areas that the events have occurred. Several official documents describe the events as genocide. The Chamber of Deputies adopted resolutions commemorating the genocide in 1956, 1982 and 2003. President Elijah Lopez also described what had happened as genocide in a speech in 1976. After the tenure of Elijah Lopez, later Presidents have refused to do the same. The legislatures of 23 out of the 32 national units have made individual proclamations recognizing the genocide. In response to the 23 national units that have recognized the event as a genocide, the government clarified that "Scotatrovian states and territories have no constitutional role in the formulation of the Scotatrovian foreign policy."


During Diaz's campaign, he had promised that if he were elected, he would push for the recognition of the genocide. Many lawmakers and have lobbied Diaz to make the announcement on or before Easter Day. Not long after 12 pm Muse time, the President gave a speech in front of the Teraça Cadith shortly after the Senate announcement. President Iago Diaz formally acknowledged that the systematic killing of hundreds of thousands of indigenous Americans in the Americas was, in fact, an act of "genocide." During his address, the president had said:

"Nel poix ivitir pensar comon lí asiles vethso la plecide eu nosres seraphes ai lúe saeles ai maza. Diçíon que affortíon gom ilos theuse ía civilidith, mur asasiníon par miles gom bales ía malates ai liug eu lanças. Me tasa que noz avieren qüered escludedus ai lúo que ai nuose rispet. Alcunes diçe que nel ei giuste caranar, mur noz fium ai un avexeta, trovome colses que considerome inferiur ía elus robesó súe teír. Des enthoç, multalefas gezas que considerome inferiur fiuth mandadus ai fire nosre uevre por nuose. Qüenia se foth age uevre, lamentome súe udare comon un atada ai nosres valeres."

"I can’t help but think how the Natives viewed the arrival of our ancestors on their shores en masse. They said they brought with them God and civility, but they murdered by the thousands with bullets and disease instead of spears. I imagine they would’ve wanted us excluded as far as we were concerned. Some say its unfair to compare, but we went to a continent, found people that we deemed inferior and stole their land. Since then, different races that we deemed inferior were sent to do our work for us. When that work was done, we lamented their presence as an assault on our values."

[Danlina]

ENGLISH

News Updates Provided By:

---

Orli Hánovič Wins Elections

Orli Hánovič during her victory speech

As many have anticipated, the results of the elections show a clear win for Orli Hánovič's Party of Liberal Action, with 41 seats in parliament or about 22% of votes. Joining Liberal Action to form a coalition are Hriž's Alliance for Peace, Márkovič's Green Party, and Ljonosláv's Labour, forming a solid coalition of 116 seats or just over 64% of parliament.
In her victory speech, Hánovič thanked the Danlinian people for voting for her and her party, proclaiming that she will stay true to the vision of her predecessors in the party's leadership in moving the nation forward both economically and socially.
Hánovič's election and inauguration into the office of Prime Minister is noted by many for its historic significance, as she is the first woman PM in Danlina's history.

Vice-coalition leader and leader of the Alliance for Peace party, Jošusláv Hriž, has stated that he is optimistic for Danlina's future following the final coalition negotiation meeting between the four parties, hinting that perhaps the Party of Liberal Action will soften some of its stances on energy and defense that have come under the scrutiny of the left for the past eight years of Rubinski's administration.


Gélsne Riv Back On Tour

The praised hip-hop band from Skarjábo had decided to reenter the music scene after a decade without any new music, signing with NovkoFal Records to begin recording a new album during the summer. Vizél Strit, the band's lead, has stated that the new contract with NovkoFal is "exciting" and "refreshing", and confirmed that the album will include collaborations with established artists such as Narkis and Séksi Mašiné, as well as up-and-coming names such as Éko Árelski.

As part of the new contract, Gélsne Riv will be touring with their old albums again fo the next year, giving fans their long-awaited show of classic GR songs before they release the new album.


Gélsne Riv's members

[Continental Free States]

New Hereditary Honours Granted in the British Imperial Federation!

---

Adam Watson, WaPo

June. 5, 2022; London, United Kingdom

While it has been tradition that the Imperial-Federal Honours Committee award British and associated Honours regularly twice a year, the practice of awarding titles of hereditary peerage had been for the most part abandoned in the mid-1980s during a wave of modernist, crypto-republican governments in Westminster, this unwritten chain was broken when the London Gazette's special edition for the King's Official Birthday on June 4 included, for the first time, viscounties, baronies, and baronetcies not just for the United Kingdom herself but for all three of its Dominions. The list, which includes well over 425 investitures in all five of the United Kingdom's five Orders as well as hundreds more in all its dominions and Federation Realms, was unique both in that for the first time it included one burgreveship, 13 baronies and 20 baronetcies awarded at the behest of the Crown and had no Life Peerages awarded, a break from decades-long tradition.

This, added to a recent Lords Reform that elevated the hereditary peers and put a fixed number of Life Peers allowed to sit in the House of Lords has been interpreted by some as part of an ongoing rollback from democracy seen in most European monarchies that are once again investing in or empowering an unelected upper house, reducing the powers of the elected lower house or even extending the powers of the crown. While democracy advocates, labor activists and progressive politicians continent-wide have condemned these ongoing events -including the recent awards in the King's Birthday Honours, it is not expected to cause a change as most of Europe -indeed, all of the Civilized World- is seeing a minor shift towards the right and traditionalism during the last 14 years.

These investitures are also an abnormality as King Albert IV, unlike his father Albert III, had thus far preferred not to intervene in acts of the government, rather preferring to "advise and counsel" as it goes in British Constitutional Law. The renewal of awarding hereditary honours, in addition to a recent offer made to Sir Oswald Chesterfield (Prime Minister of the UK from 2006-2014) to raise him to an earldom and the appointment of Prince Albert, Duke of Leinster -the King's grandson and second in line to the throne- as governor-general of Canada, may be the beginning of a dramatic shift in British politics.

[Arpasia]

1/06/2022
Arpasian military pulls out of Kawanda after two decades of fighting

---

An Arpasian soldier stationed in an FOB in Northern Kawanda

In a public statement given out by the Arpasian Armed Forces upper command, the Arpasian military is officially going to pull out all of it's forces that are currently stationed in Kawanda, this was initially seen as surprising, due to the recent activity of the Arpasian Armed Forces over the nearly two decades since they have deployed troops to the war-torn nation in 2004, in an effort to fight Qadasist terrorists in the country. And the official reasoning behind this abrupt action is high casualties suffered by the units over the years.

This action has been met with varying reactions within the International community, and much the chagrin of the Occidentian government, who had been involved with the war in Kawanda for more than three decades, they demand the Arpasian military to not leave the warzone, as the terrorists have not been completely vanquished, while nations who are part of WACTA commend the Arpasian military for pulling out, as they believe this would help decrease the influence of Non-Afrean powers in the western regions of the Afrean continent, with some columnists regarding this claim to be in turn, let opposing organizations to gain ground in battle.

Several days following this statement, Arpasian Armed Forces units were airlifted back to several Air Force Bases in Eastern Altropian countries, the first military unit to return to Arpasian soil is the 344th Mechanized Brigade out of Sallienes Air Force Base, Upper Sascony region, and it is after this unit's return that several other units begin returning to their homeland or other military installations to complete their first leg of their journey home, while some a large portion of soldiers still stationed in Kawanda still fighting alongside Occidentian and allied forces.

In several instances, Arpasian units have been transported via military vessels, during times where military transport jets were full, these vessels have their courses straight through Arpasia, or to other nearby military bases for these soldiers' first layover on their trip back to their homeland, and other times, these soldiers were moved to nearby AOTA bases to stay for a short period of time while they wait for their chance to return via air, but as of now, only 21.4% of all Arpasian soldiers who had been stationed in Kawanda have returned, while the rest are ordered to not engage the terrorists any further, for the Arpasian government has declared themselves as neutral.

---

Lisperian soldiers carrying a wounded soldier onto an Occidentian Helicopter

History of Arpasian involvement in what is now known as the Kawandan Civil War dates back to the beginning to the Kawandan conflict in 1993, when at the time, Arpasia, which is also an AOTA member state, has considered themselves as an observer, along with several other member states who have assumed the status of observer. Arpasia has stood neutral throughout most of the conflict, until an incident that would cause the Arpasian military to enter the conflict, on December 6th, 1995, the Arpasian embassy in Kawanda gets bombed by the terrorist organization which AOTA member states are fighting against, and as retribution for the attack, the Arpasian government states that they are officially entering the conflict.

Initially, the Arpasian Armed forces have sent 15 mechanized units to fight in Kawanda alongside the AOTA combatants, they would be sending more units to the country as the years progress, and as the years pass, casualties on the Arpasian and AOTA side begin to steadily mount, but despite this, the fighting continued, with the territory held by the terrorists slowly shrinking over time, attributed mostly to the large number of AOTA personnel and vehicles utilized in battle, this in turn, has resulted in considerable losses, which only adds to the mounting casualties experienced by both sides.

As the years pass, the Arpasian government begun to realize the futility of fighting in the war, and this all came to a head several weeks ago, when the Arpasian government declared a status of neutrality, an act seen as a bold move, or quite the opposite by the international community.

[Nacrad]

Pride Event at the University of Nacrad Devolves Into Gunfight
Cameron Wong | 13 June 2022

---

UNIVERSITY OF NACRAD - A pride event held by the Queer-Straight Alliance of the University of Nacrad, the first and one of the largest LGBT student bodies in the nation, was rudely disturbed by a gang of 5 gunmen and devolved into a gun fight when members of the Weapons and Tactics Association retrieved guns to fire back during the attack.

Lecturer Ramona Pagilawan, the first transgender lecturer at the University of Nacrad, was the speaker at a pride event held in the Student Union Building in the University of Nacrad, invited by the Queer-Straight Alliance. She recounts that 5 masked gunmen barged into the place she was giving a speech, and began indiscriminately firing upon the crowd that had gathered. She recounts that "the next thing I know, I was lying here in King George's Hospital". She was shot by 4 bullets, one of them "dangerously close" to her heart, and one lodged in her abdomen.

Andy Wong, the chairperson of the Weapons and Tactics Association, was present with 2 of his friends from the same association. When confronted with the gunmen, they quietly retreated to the association's room just upstairs, and retrieved 3 AR-15s with their ammunition. They reportedly returned fire upon returning to the area, killing 3 of the gunmen while taking 1 casualty and 1 injury. The remaining 2 were injured, and 1 was immobilised before he were able to flee. "I think that this is the duty of the WTA. There's a reason that we all picked up guns, for me it's to use them to protect our freedom," said Andy.

During the incident, the gunmen killed 7, including the killed WTA member, and injured 23.

The University of Nacrad expresses deep regret over this incident, and offers to appoint therapists to keep up with the mental health of those involved in the incident. The university authority and the student union have both resolved to not place any blame on those who fight back, while the Riverfort District Court judge Stanley Chan opined that the students acted on self-defence, committing no offence. The immobilized gunman was arrested, but one had escaped and is currently wanted.

[New Agraya]

Lucy Gallade, National News Correspondent


To the Citizens of New Agraya and whomever else, it is with absolute delight that I announce the engagement of our Party Leader Aisling Cearbhaill to long-time girlfriend Sonia Rosalia! The proposal occurred last Monday during Ms.Cearbhaill’s visit to January City, Ms.Rosalia’s hometown. A date for the wedding has not been set, but I think I speak for all of us when I say congratulations to the happy couple! While news of their relationship only recently surfaced, the two have been a couple for nearly seven years. Ms.Cearbhaill has always been upfront about her sexuality, but we had all incorrectly assumed she was single.

The two met at a gallery show back in 2014, before Aisling was Party Leader. Ms.Rosalia had just been promoted to curator at The National People's Museum of Modern Art, and literally bumped into our leader causing her to spill a glass of blackberry mead. “It was love at first sight” says Sonia, who remembers the incident fondly.

Sonia Rosalia was born July 18th, 1989 in January City to Kempreise parents. As with most of us her childhood was harsh, growing up during The Revolution. She was orphaned in 1997 when both her parent’s guerilla platoon was captured by a Right-Wing Militia. Rosalia spent the rest of her childhood at The Duana House (boarding school and orphanage) in Angela, before being accepted to The People’s Institute of Art in 2006. In 2010 she was appointed to The Revolutionary People's Union for Arts and Culture and the rest is history.

I hope you all join me in sending our love to Sonia and Aisling! Party Leader Aisling has announced that from now until the month of September any couple is entitled to free coffee at any café in Revolution Square. Long live our Republic and Freedom in Equality!

Lucy Gallade, your resident journalist, Ex-Pat, and Proud Citizen signing off!

[SOUTH OLPEN]

---

Dep. of Trade Loosens Foreign Investment Regulation
-by Renart Sauvageau

Since the founding of the Scezonia Stock Exchange, it
was one of the strongest exchanges on Earth

Last night, the Department of Trade (DOT) announced that it was loosening the restrictions for foreign investors entering Olpenese stock markets. The new regulations minimize the previously strict regulations on what nations can purchase stocks on ideological grounds. For instance, the Galapagos, KTO members, and their citizens can invest in Olpenese corporations.

Other restrictions have been lifted as well. While foreign nations themselves cannot hold more than 26% of the shares (as the government has 50% they rarely use to vote), their citizens can. New companies owned by other countries can now also be sold in Olpenese stock markets, as previously only Olpen-based companies could sell.

This is hoped to make the Olpenese Stock Exchanges more revenue to be given to the state. This will supposedly cover military costs and the new infrastructure bill passed 2 months ago. The new revenue will also be used to loan to other states so that Olpen could have what it calls 'Insurances" which can protect against a sudden deficit.

This was controversial among protectionists, who see this as allowing Olpenese countries to serve foreign powers rather than the Olpenese state and people. these concerns have not been met, and right-wing papers and groups like the Patriots Army have picked up on this and have implied that the government does not care about the security of the poor.

---

Memorial To Sorit and Queen Sinestra To Be Built
-by Armenag Kadoyan

Constitution City Square, where monument is to be built

In Constitution City, a 500,000-dollar statue to Gabrielle "Gabby" Sorit is to be built near a plaque to Queen Sinestra Dragonheart. This comes on the 4th anniversary of her death, and almost 2 years after the Almatonian Genocide. The monument will be life-sized (5.8 feet tall), but will be raised on a 2 feet pedestal.

It will be at the center of the Constitution City Square, known as Republic Square. It will be able to be seen from the Ministerial Palace, as well as the Meretican Embassy. The Square is visited by 2 million people a day, with many of those being tourists. The area was built in 1973, 12 years after the making of Constitution City.

Much of the funding is coming from the Sorit family, with much of the rest coming from the Chamber Ministers' own pockets or from donations. The design will be chosen in a contest. The reward for the contest is 10,000 dollars, as well as great fame and honor. The contest is in the early phase, after which it will go to finalists chosen by a commission before the final 4 are given to the public in an online referendum.

Queen Sinestra will have a small plaque near it 30 feet away as a monument to the friendship the two had. It will be a bronze tablet on a granite podium and will be 3 feet tall. The area around it will have a still pond as a memorial to those who died in the Almaton Atrocity and King Vilnius.

[Britonisea]

Latest News
Brityunik Vefecosoin Cairkovoin
http://www.bvc.com/news

---

27th June 2022
Serving nationwide

---

"A shame" says Doportedas City Council after the city loses its third bid to WorldVision...

Not good enough: Doportedas' bid to host the competition came seconds with 222 points to Kalosia's 230 points. A total of 21 WorldVision delegations voted, making it the largest bidding vote for quite some time.

A month before the Brito Day celebrations, it has been announced that the Britonish bid to host the 100th WorldVision Song Contest is unsuccessful - with the nation losing a bid for the first time in nearly 50 editions...

After Petre Lemetre's emphatic win at the 99th WorldVision Song Contest, BVC Studios and BITC partnered up to bid for the 100th WorldVision Song Contest. Keeping the opportunity under wraps until the very last minute, had the bid won, The Grand Hall in the north of the capital city would've brought the contest back to Britonisea for the first time in 19 editions, with Britonisea yet to host WorldVision in a post Jury & Televote split world. 21 WorldVision Song Contest delegations decided to vote for the host, with the race allegedly being close throughout the voting process - with it favouring Kalosia and the bid from Monterra, Doportedas losing by a mere 8 points in the end. The defeat marked the third time that Doportedas has lost the rights to host the WorldVision Song Contest, with the first time being at 35th WorldVision Song Contest - where Doportedas came third, the 56th WorldVision Song Contest - where Doportedas placed first amongst Besini but lost due to Committee vote and now the 100th WorldVision Song Contest.

Thousands had been spent on the bid, according to the broadcaster - the most they've ever spent on a bid. BITC decided to spend as they were more than confident that their bid would win the rights to host the contest. Some have suggested that the city itself is the reason why the country did not win the rights, with the large Doportedas being a turn-off for delegations, while some debunked this theory due to Telm City's win - a city which has a similar size to Doportedas, at least in terms of population. There was a lot riding on the contest had Britonisea hosted, with at least six watch parties planned in different nations across the multiverse, including Togonistan and Izmedu which would make part of the live broadcast and while over ten broadcasters had officially backed the Britonish bid, questions as to whether BITC did enough, or whether said backings materialised have arisen.

As previously mentioned, this is Doportedas' third failed bid to host the competition. The Doportedas City Council have released a statement;

"Of course, it is a shame that Doportedas won't be hosting the centennial edition of the WorldVision Song Contest. We have put in a lot of work to come up with a bid that we are proud of - learning from past mistakes from our old bids. The city and the broadcaster will go back and evaluate the bidding process before deciding our next steps. Doportedas remains committed to one day hosting the WorldVision Song Contest and believe cannot wait to welcome fans from across the world to this world-class city. We respect the decision made by the 21 WorldVision delegations who have voted and wish the best of luck to the host of the 100th WorldVision Song Contest and indeed the Special Edition."

- Doportedas City Council

It is worth mentioning that Britonisea, in coming second in the bidding process, won the rights to host the Special Edition, WorldVision "Second Chance", which would have taken place in the Grand Hall a couple of days after Brito Day. It looks as though there would be over 20 participants, but the broadcaster announced during the bid that it had no intentions to host the Special Edition, with BITC releasing a statement about this after Britonish fans hit out at this decision;

"The bid that was submitted to the WorldVision Committee and the delegations of the WorldVision Song Contest was for the 100th WorldVision Song Contest alone. While we knew that the Special Edition was going to happen, BITC and BVC Studios did not learn about the theme until very late in the bidding process and while the final choice was the one that BITC had brought to the table [ie a Second Chance WorldVision], allegedly alongside other broadcasters, the planned content in our bid would require significant changes and readjustments that were not feasible. At the time the bid was being constructed, there was no confirmation whether the runner-up of the 100th WorldVision Song Contest bidding process would host the Special Edition or not. Britonisea would love the opportunity to host a special edition of the WorldVision Song Contest and believes that with the nation's rich history at the contest, Britonisea would be the perfect host. Though, in a similar fashion to other hosts of special editions, BITC would either like to be approached or participate in a separate bidding contest where the broadcaster can plan specific content to make the best version of the show that there can be.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and while Doportedas won't host either the WorldVision Song Contest or WorldVision "Second Chance", we are excited the Spiritual Republic of Caryton will host WorldVision "Second Chance" - the first time their nation has the opportunity to host an IBA sanctioned event. We thank the broadcasters and fans of #doportedas100 and we promise that BITC and BVC Studios won't be discouraged by this result.

- a spokesperson from BITC

It has been announced that BVC will bid to host the upcoming 10th Junior World Hit Festival - with the nation having never bid for the Festival before with more information on said bid being revealed later on during the summer. It was also unclear whether BITC plans to submit a bid for the 101st WorldVision Song Contest, which would mark 70 editions since Britonisea's debut at the contest, and 20 editions since their last hosting in Boschke.

The 100th WorldVision Song Contest is set to go ahead on the 16th July 2022, live from Monterra, Kalosia. However, there seems to be talks to introduce a Semi-Final process to the contest.