News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Qianrong** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 8:11 am

ISOTAMAN CASTLE DESTROYED IN PRE-DAWN FIRE
All main buildings destroyed at Iha Castle, an Isotaman castle
and CN world heritage site located in Urasoe, in blaze

The main hall of Iha Castle on fire; it took almost 11 hours for firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

March 5, 2023 | by Sazuki Kitago'ori in Sakata | Iha Castle, a CN-recognized castle located in the city of Urasoe which was once used as the royal palace of the Isotaman kingdom, has been largely destroyed by a fire that began before dawn, local authorities say.

4,800 square meters of the complex's buildings were destroyed, including all seven of the castle's main buildings, four of them "beyond any possibility of repair", according to Urasoe fire chief Gakuto Nakama.

No casualties have been reported; however, some residents in nearby districts were reportedly evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Nakama stated that the blaze began at 2:20 AM in the morning, with more than ten engines and a hundred firefighters sent to the scene within an hour of the fire being reported; however, the fire was not fully extinguished until 1:15 PM, nearly eleven hours later, a fact which Nakama blamed on strong winds and poor water pressure.

Originally constructed in the 1310s, Iha Castle - a gusuku, or Isotaman fortress - also served as the royal palace of the Isotaman kings from its construction until the conquest of the Isotamas by Senria in the 1820s, excluding a brief period of Senrian rule in the late 1500s. After the 1820s conquest of the Isotamas it fell into neglect and was severely damaged during the Great War. It was reconstructed, with extensive backing by local fundraising efforts, in the 1950s and 1960s.

A symbol of Isotaman identity & heritage and a major tourist attraction for Urasoe & the Near Isotamas, the castle was on the official Community of Nations World Heritage list as one part of the "Gusukus of the Isotama Islands" site. It also housed a large number of Isotaman artifacts spanning several centuries.

City officials told reporters that there were some sprinklers located in the complex, placed to prevent an outside fire from spreading to the castle, but that there were not sprinklers appropriately placed to extinguish a fire beginning within the castle itself. Inspections are conducted twice a year, and fire drills occur at least once per year, the officials said.

Officials also said that a tourist event had been held at the castle until 1:00 AM, but that it was unclear if there was any relation between the event and the fire.

Ayano Taira, mayor of Urasoe and a member of the Isotaman Nationalist Party, described the fire as "a tragedy for Urasoe and the Isotaman people".

"Iha Castle is a symbol of the rich culture, pride, and resilience of the Isotaman people, and it is hard to accept the reality of what has happened to us today," she told reporters. "The municipal government of Urasoe, alongside the government of Urasoe prefecture, will do everything within its power to to deal with the aftermath of this event and to see it reconstructed."

Inhabitants of Urasoe interviewed by Kyouwa Sinbun described themselves as shocked and sorrowful in the wake of the fire. "Iha Castle looked over Urasoe like a protector on a hill," one man declared. "I cannot accept the reality of this."

Prime Minister Reika Okura also issued a statement on the fire, with an official statement from her office declaring that the Senrian central government would work with local authorities to investigate the fire and collaborate on reconstruction. "Iha Castle is an important part of our collective Senrian heritage and we will pursue all avenues to rebuild it and to prevent any further tragedies of this nature," the statement concluded.

Additionally, opposition leaders Akiko Hasegawa of the Democratic Party, Genzou Nagasawa of the Koumeitou, and Takesi Tunematu of the Kyouwakai have already put out statements offering sympathy to the people of Urasoe.

Culture Secretary and member of the pro-Aikokutou Justice Party Hirotosi Maezuka, meanwhile, told reporters that his department planned to undertake "an immediate emergency assessment" of the fire safety preparedness of Senrian cultural heritage sites.

The cause for the fire remains unknown, but is under investigation, according to Nakama.

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Related stories:
Senria - Government seeks to encourage tourism outside Keisi
Senria - Event celebrating Isotaman body art held at Iha Castle
Senria - Urasoe pref. hopes to preserve Great War tunnels
Senria - The Kouhimon fire shows the weakness of security at Senria's monuments

Other stories:
Senria - Hasegawa accuses Okura of failing to control rent rises
Etruria - Biancofore's lead narrows in Etrurian SD leadership race
Paretia - Euclean court rules against O Povo attack on judiciary
Yemet - UZIR embarassed by failed Girota raid

by **Saul Volcano** » Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:08 pm

Son of former Premier Cabral plans to reform New Democracy party
Jorge Cabral Pacheco, son of Timoteo Cabral plans to reform the party his father founded. He says this new form of the ND will take a different approach than before, saying they will "work with the government of Cerqueira and not turn to pettiness"
Luis Verde (@GreenLui) | 5 March 2023 | Precea

Jorge Cabral Pacheco pictured in front of an image of his father, Timoteo Cabral

Precea, Paretia: The party New Democracy was once the dominant force for conservatism in Paretia from the 1970s until 2021 when the Patron League, now Popular Victory, had taken many of it's members and voters with it.

Founded in 1972 by the conservative business man Timoteo Cabral, it came to be the party that would attempt to unify the right-wing, which had been divided through numerous parties, such as the Popular Leadership Front, Catholic Democracy Party, National Sotirian Force, and others. The messaging and charisma of Cabral lead to victories in the following elections, eventually becoming the governing party in 1975. He lead the party until 1980.

The party was broad, ranging from liberal conservatives to sotirian democrats to nationalists. The party entered a long period of being the opposition during the Premiership of Julío Pires. It came back in 2002, but it had changed, its party leadership alienated the nationalist and euclosceptic factions, even more so after the 2005 elections. This alienation of the more right-wing factions of course eventually lead to the rise of Cerqueira and the far-right in Paretia.

Remaining members of New Democracy eventually merged into a new party with the centrist Together for Liberty party and it ceased to exist by 2022. In 2023 Timoteo Cabral's son, Jorge Cabral Pacheco, has begun a campaign to rebuild his father's party. Cabral Pacheco was a member of the ND until it's collapse, since then he became an independent, deciding not to join the MED.

He has stated that the MED and other new opposition parties will not last. He said "Nicole Barboza's party will not last as it is, it's messaging does not make any sense. So-called conservatives who joined them have ruined their image. I plan to rebuild the New Democracy party, it's platform will be similar to that of my father's, economic freedom, sotirian values, and democracy. The reborn New Democracy will work with the Cerqueira government and not turn to pettiness. Clearly the Paretian people have some concerns about the Community, we will listen to these concerns. But also, there are concerns about democratic backsliding under this current government, we will listen to these as well. There are concerns about militant separatism in Tosutonia, we will listen to them."

Logo of the reformed New Democracy party

The party will have a similar logo as it's predecessor, a blue bull. Cabral Pacheco is a wealthy business himself, he plans on gaining support and members and will likely run in coming regional and local elections. He plans on releasing a full party platform, from what has been stated so far, it will be different that the platform of the former ND before it collapsed. Cabral Pacheco stating the party's platform will be similar to that of his father. It will likely have a soft euclosceptic policy to appeal to VP voters.

Cabral Pacheco was asked if he would ever join the Cerqueira government of O Povo, which has recently expanded in size with two smaller parties joining. He said "I would need to negotiate with the Premier herself before doing so, I've known Isilda since she became a prominant member of the old ND." Making a deal with her is not out of the realm of possibility. He has stated plans to talk with Cerqueira in the near future.

Premier Cerqueira stating she welcomes the New Democracy party's return to Paretian politics, as she has a "deep respect" for Cabral Pacheco and his father.

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In Other News:
EUCLEA - Azmara to hold elections
EUCLEA - Werania's SAPO and Greens ally together
EUCLEA - Adrina Drago closes gap in Etrurian SD leadership race
PARETIA - SD's Caselles endorses pro-EC Biancofiore
COIUS - Iha Caste in Isotamas burnt

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by **Eskaeba** » Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:26 am

Garamburan parliament approves renaming of New Mina to "Amankose"
The name change comes as an attempt to shed the legacy of the UBR in Garambura, and promoting influential Pan-Bahian thinkers.
Todii Asante writing from Amankose, Bahia

The High Court of the Republic sports the Pan-Bahian colours on large stone structures.

Today, a bill aiming to rename the city of New Mina in the country's north-east to "Amankose" passed with a near-unanimous vote.

The city, which was purpose-built under the name Mukoma during the time of the United Bahian Republic, was initially planned to serve as the confederation's new centralised capital, lying at a neat geographic centre amongst its member states. Renamed to New Mina in 1964, the city was not finished before the UBR dissolved in the mid-1960s.

Its architecture is unique in its style, taking heavy influence from brutalist and modernist architecture, rare in Bahia, and took a multinational team of over a hundred architects to design. It aimed to represent the quintessential "socialist city".

Since then, New Mina has seen much cultural and economic growth. The central institutions of the Congress of Bahian States are located in the city, and its buildings and events are often emblematic of Garambura's flourishing cultural growth in recent years. However, the city's name has constantly been a stickling reminder of times of occupation and authoritarianism for the Garamburan people.

Ideas of renaming the city have been floated around for decades. After Garambura's first president and independence leader, Takakunda Kuda Kani, died in the city in 2001, many proposals to rename the city to Kuda Kani were considered. Ultimately the plans never came to fruition, but the concept of renaming the city stuck. The bill, introduced in 2022, honours influential Pan-Bahian philosopher Daniel Amankose, who organised the Conference for the Promotion of the Pan-Bahian Idea in Mambiza in 1907, the first major step in the development of Pan-Bahian thought.

The city's name change wishes to honour its roots of Pan-Bahianism, acknowledging its history and its future in the city. The name is scheduled to change on March 31, pending approval from the Pan-Bahian Congress.

My Last.fm · by **West Kirkon** » Tue Mar 07, 2023 1:55 pm

Mariya Nazarivna - 07 March 2023

Home · Vinalia · Asteria · International · Politics · Finance · Sports · Entertainment · Health · Travel · Weather · Opinion

Vinalia petitions return of artifacts from Piraean institutions

Lord of Chorna Skelya at the time of Soravian arrival to Vinalia.

Vinalinsk

The Vinalian Government formally presented a letter to the Piraean Embassy and government, requesting the repatriation of Vinalian artifacts currently housed and located inside Piraea. In a joint conference between the Minister of Indigenous Rights and Identity Kateryna Feodosiyivna, and Minister of Culture and Sports Bohdan Sheremet, the Vinalian government formally requested the transfer of 13 cultural artifacts of indigenous origin discovered in modern Vinalian territory, from Piraean institutions. Most prominently among the artifacts was the Codex Alikianos. A codex of Zapoyan origin which was discovered sometime in the 16th century, and transported to Euclea at that time. It was rediscovered in the archives of the National Library at Alikianos in 1988. Other artifacts include Zapoyan figurines and sculptures from the city of Chorna Skelya.

“The Vinalian government feels its time that these artifacts, irreplaceable parts of our collective Vinalian heritage be returned to Vinalia, where they were made and ultimately belong” stated Senator Feodosiyivna. “We hold state of the art facilities for the housing, display, restoration, and research of such artifacts. No scientific value will be lost in their transfer to Vinalia.” remarked the Senator in counter to possible claims of the recipient nation inability to house such artifacts, issues raised in other repatriation of artifact situations elsewhere. The artifacts the Vinalian government has requested are not all Vinalian artifacts housed in Piraea according to members of the National Vinalian Heritage Foundation, but are its most important.

Vinalia has made successful and unsuccessful repatriation of cultural artifacts from foreign nations. Most prominently when Ardesia returned artifacts looted during the Great War to South Vinalian institutions. Vinalia has been careful to make requests at opportune times to maximize its possibility of repatriation. South Vinalian institutions were denied their request to return a set of Úuchmáan cloth armors dated to the 12th century currently in Etruria in the 1950’s. Vinalia has favored artifact lending primarily with Chistovodia, and Ardesia to circumvent issues arising from ownership of these artifacts.

The decision comes on the heels of a major archeological initiative announced by the Vinalian government earlier this year, to enhance understanding of ancient civilizations in Vinalia, termed Focusing on the Past. Among its goals lay “the return of Vinalian items to the country, and the normalization of ownership of items as solely Vinalian”. The initiative has made its first target the Codex Alikianos, a purposeful decision.

Piraea itself has been embroiled for decades in disputes over ownership and possession of various artifacts from differing historical periods with other Euclean countries currently in their possession. Which they state rightfully belongs to Piraea. Vinalias' request does seek to take advantage of that situation pointing out similar parallels between the Piraean dispute and the Vinalian dispute. “It's a similar situation, and I hope our Piraean counterparts can see the need for empathy in this situation” remarked representative Sheremet.

The Codex Alikianos was looted from Chorna Skelya a city which is said to be consistently inhabited back to 200 BCE. The Codex is a rarity among the already sparse Zapoyan index of codices, just a little over 33 exist, as it depicts primarily life after Euclean arrival. The codex showcases early attempts of resistance by Zapoyan city states to counter the growing Euclean presence in the continent.

“Currently it is the best indigenous source we have for the decline of Zapoyan polities, most prominently the Calkhun empire, in the wake of the collapse of the Tzapotlan empire to Povelia. The Codex describes in great detail the collapse of central authority as the Tzapotlan Empire ceased to exist, and disease made its way across the region.” stated Sofia Agdil of the National Museum of Zapoyan studies in Catherinsk.

“The Codex has served as a stepping stone between our understanding of the situation at the start of Euclean entry into the region, and the end of general hegemony in the face of encroaching Povelian and latter Soravian interests.” Remarked Ivan Shermvent with the National Museum of Zapoyan studies in Catherinsk as well.

The Codix is dated to 4 years after the arrival of Orlav to Vinalia, in 1572. The Codix is also noted for its more rushed style compared to other codixes. Showing a last ditch attempt at recording history. It might also indicate the impact that disease had on Zapoyan society, as the death toll left little time for recording of history, or the ability of knowledge to be fully transferred. Which might explain why most of it is undeciphered so far.

“The current theory is that it was written by multiple scribes with differing levels of knowledge and skill. It shows the impact that disease had in wiping out centuries of knowledge, which could no longer be transferred down” stated Sofia.

The Vinalian government also stated that Vinalia would be more easily reached by both national and international experts, with the goal of its decipherment. Rather than Piraea.

The request is seen by many as a step in the right direction, however many find the focus of the government on trivial matters as distracting. Others state that the Codex Alikianos is not as important as other artifacts, most of which are located in Soravia. “We’re requesting 13 items and one codex from Piraea, when we could request 1,000 artifacts and a dozen codexes from Soravia and not even scratch the surface.” stated Indigenous Archeologist Stefan Prokopenko.

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by **Qianrong** » Tue Mar 07, 2023 3:08 pm

POLICE "LOOKING FOR SUSPECT" IN IHA CASTLE FIRE
National police say security footage gives reason to consider
arson in the Sunday morning destruction of Urasoe castle

Aerial photograph of firefighters extinguishing the last vestiges of the fire at Iha Castle.

March 7, 2023 | by Moriyasu Akibahara | Hiroyosi Yamamoto, director of the National Police Agency, has told reporters today that the police are considering the possibility of arson and "actively looking for a suspect" in connection with the destruction of Iha Castle on March 5.

"While we have not yet fully ruled out the possibility of other causes, a review of footage from security cameras on the Iha Castle grounds and traffic cameras in nearby areas of Urasoe between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM gives us reason to seriously consider the possibility of deliberate arson," Yamamoto told reporters during a press junket in Keisi.

He added that police were "actively looking for a suspect" seen in said footage, and distributing a description of the individual to the press, police, local authorities, and customs & border control checkpoints. The suspect is described as an individual roughly 1.7 to 1.8 meters tall, of average build, with short-cropped black hair, no facial hair, and brown eyes.

Iha Castle, part of the "Gusukus of the Isotama Islands" CN World Heritage site, was originally constructed in the 1310s as a fortress and palace for local nobility, and is regarded as a symbol of the history and culture of Urasoe and Tomigusuku prefectures. The main seven buildings of the castle complex were destroyed by fire between 2:20 AM and 1:15 PM this past Sunday, with local authorities blaming the prolonged fire on a lack of interior sprinklers, strong winds, and poor water pressure in the area.

While investigation of the fire was initially begun by the prefectural branch of the National Police, the investigation was transferred to the national level of the agency on account of the castle's importance as a symbol of Senrian culture.

Yamamoto declined to explicitly answer if the police were examining security footage from ferry terminals and airports in Tousuu and the Isotamas, merely stating that the police were examining "all relevant footage which is available to us" and that "the distribution of the suspect's description to border authorities will prevent them from escaping national jurisdiction".

MORIYASU AKIBAHARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from the University of Keisi with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

My Last.fm · by **West Kirkon** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:33 pm

Hacyinia blames Lavana for explosion that killed a Hacyinian general

Kuwat Kuwat | 09 March 2023

Major General Akhmet Turlan was killed by an explosion in his vehicle as he was sitting in his car inside a parking lot.

Major General Akhmet Turlan was killed by an explosion on March 6th in Dabulug the Hacyinian capital. The Hacyinian government has placed the blame on Lavana, accusing them of assassinating the General. On the anniversary of the 2022 Coup that saw Lavanas political structure, and country descend into a brief 3 day countrywide firefight, as forces loyal to Former General Secretary of the Lavanan Section of the Workers International Khudu Narimanoa and former Premier of Lavana Laina Keomany attempted to overthrow the other. International experts are divided as limited information exists in regards to the assassination at this time.

At 8pm on March 6th a loud explosion rocked the Dzharly neighborhood in central Dabulug, prompting a large cloud of smoke to rise in the elite residential neighborhood. Firefighters and paramedics reported that a man was killed inside a car that caught fire, while another 3 people were injured in neighboring houses, and pedestrians around the car. Initially it was believed that a malfunction in the car had prompted the explosion. However the Hacyinian government got involved when General Turlan was reported missing by his wife on the night of March 6th, and the car was further investigated. His wife claimed that he had gone out for dinner with his friends as he usually did, but had not returned. Today March 9th, the government of Hacyinia formally stated that Turlan was assassinated by Lavanan operatives inside Hacyinia. Lavana formally denied the accusation stating that it does not conduct foreign operations, especially following the truce obtained to end the previous Lavanan-Hacyinian conflict. However Lavana did state that Turlan was the Major General in charge of the Hacyinian Chemical weapons program. With Lavana stating that it is a possibility Hacyinia committed the assassination to prevent the revelation of Hacyinian chemical secrets to Community of Nations Inspectors, currently in the country. The accusation is most likely an attempt to raise controversy and reject the claims by Hacyinia.

The eve of the anniversary does bring questions up, however the assassination would be a first conducted by Lavanan authorities. Along with implying that Lavana actively seeks to destabilize the Hacyinian state, it would indicate that Lavana has the means of conducting such a complicated assassination. Leaving many skeptics pondering on how Lavana could had quickly developed such skills. Hacyinian authorities remained silent on how Turlan was killed, but did raise the possibility of a car bomb, a drone, or a grenade as the method by which the assassination was carried out. Stating that Turlan was sitting in his car when it exploded.

Mere months after a deadly war, the explosion does come as a shock to the Hacyinian state, as a reminder that it still is actively engaged with security concerns. If Lavana did commit an assassination, it would imply that Lavana has the ability to strike deep and accurately at Hacyinian VIP’s, which will create paranoia and insecurity both at the top and at the bottom. Tensions have spiked, as Hacyinia conducts its investigation, with Zorasan being the dependent factor on what is the following course of action. What is clear is that the Hacyinian-Lavanan struggle has not been brought to an end, and a status-quo like the one that existed before October 1st 2022, is no longer achievable.

by **Saul Volcano** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 1:37 pm

Cabral Pacheco's reformed version of New Democracy to join O Povo
After negotiating with Premier Cerqueira the leader of the reformed once dominant conservative party will join O Povo and work with Premier Cerqueira
Luis Verde (@GreenLui) | 10 March 2023 | Precea

Cabral Pacheco with Premier Cerqueira after announcing plan to join O Povo

Precea, Paretia: The reformed New Democracy party will become the newest member of Cerqueira's O Povo political alliance. The party of Timoteo Cabral's son, Jorge Cabral Pacheco, has a vastly different approach to dealing with far-right forces than the New Democracy under leaders such as Vasco Gonçalves and Josué Marmeleiro.

Cabral Pacheco had begun meeting with Premier Isilda Cerqueira and O Povo leaders to discuss joining her political alliance. Cerqueira and Cabral Pacheco were fairly close when they were both members of New Democracy. Cabral Pacheco even referring to her as "an ally and friend in the party, who was concerned about how it was being run". He has called Cerqueira's swift political takeover of the right-wing of Paretia as "meticulous and miraculous".

The O Povo alliance had already recently expanded adding two fairly young, small parties, the Sotirian Liberation Community and Pan-Paretian Party. Similarly to the leaders of these two parties, Cabral Pacheco will likely end up as a member of the cabinet of Cerqueira.

Cabral Pacheco has stated that he will work with Cerqueira and take a new approach that he says his father would have taken. His father was an euclosceptic like Cerqueira, although not the extent of her. Cabral Pacheco says he will work to ease relations between the Community and O Povo's government.

Recent events in Tosutonia have been a catalyst for Cabral Pacheco to reform the party. Cabral Pacheco said that "far-left elements such as the New People's Army of Tosutonia must be dealt with harshly, I support Premier Cerqueira's actions to take down many members of the militant separatist movement that seeks to terrorize the Paretian people."

Premier Cerqueira stated today that "I am glad to see the party I once tried to save return to it's roots under Cabral Pacheco, I hope to see them succeed alongside Popular Victory. New Democracy will become an integral member of O Povo and I am sure will become a voice for those who believe Popular Victory's views are too extreme."

Cabral Pacheco is going to likely become a member of the cabinet of Cerqueira.

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In Other News:
PARETIA - Paretia prepares for Euclovision
ASTERIAS - Team Paretia prepares for Coup du Monde
COIUS - Garambura to rename New Mina to Amankose
COIUS - Senrian authorities say Iha fire was Arson attack
COIUS - Hacyinian general killed in explosion

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by **Qianrong** » Sun Mar 12, 2023 12:58 pm

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH IHA CASTLE FIRE
Senrian of Shangean ethnicity arrested by customs trying to
board ferry to Kintao; police investigating for links to Rongzhuo

Aerial photograph of firefighters combing the wreckage of Iha Castle.

March 12, 2023 | by Moriyasu Akihabara | Senria's national police say that a Senrian citizen of Shangean ethnicity has been arrested in Sakata in connection with the March 5 destruction of Iha Castle in Urasoe prefecture.

National Police Agency director Hiroyosi Yamamoto told reporters in Keisi that the suspect was arrested at a ferry terminal in Sakata while attempting to board a ferry to Kintao, an autonomous territory of Shangea.

"We believe the suspect attempted to 'lay low' for a few days, before trying to escape the country to a place where he would be able to avoid the repercussions of his actions," he declared. "Luckily, thanks to the tireless diligence of Senrian customs and border security officers, he was captured and brought into custody."

The suspect is believed by police to be the individual seen in security footage from the Iha Castle grounds and traffic cameras at around the same time as the fire, and is regarded as the most likely suspect in case of arson.

Iha Castle, part of the "Gusukus of the Isotama Islands" CN World Heritage site, was originally constructed in the 1310s as a fortress and palace for local nobility, and is regarded as a symbol of the history and culture of Urasoe and Tomigusuku prefectures. The main seven buildings of the castle complex were destroyed by fire between 2:20 AM and 1:15 PM this past Sunday, with local authorities blaming the prolonged fire on a lack of interior sprinklers, strong winds, and poor water pressure in the area.

As of press time, the police have declined to release the name or exact age of the suspect; however, a broad description of the suspect - male, roughly 1.7 to 1.8 meters tall, of average build, with short-cropped black hair, no facial hair, and brown eyes - was distributed to the press for publication on March 7.

Yamamoto did state that the suspect was from Myouri Prefecture, which consists of the Sunahama Islands. The Sunahama Islands have a noteworthy ethnic Shangean population; the current Shangean regime continues to maintain a Yao dynasty-era claim to the islands, in violation of the treaties which ended in the Great War.

He also added that police were "investigating" the possibility of a connection to Rongzhuo, though cautioned that this investigation was "preliminary in nature".

The possibility of Shangean involvement raises the specter of parallels to the destruction of the Kouhimon gate in Ukyou, another important Senrian heritage site, in a fire started by an agent of Shangea's Shujichu secret police in 2008.

Yamamoto further stated that the police investigation had found "no compelling evidence" to suggest that the fire could have been caused by an electrical fault or gas leak, further focusing suspicions upon deliberate arson.

MORIYASU AKIHABARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from the University of Keisi with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

by **Etruria2** » Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:22 am

Giorgio Amadeo Biancofiore elected leader of the SD
Dinara's Prefect takes the leadershop with 41% of the vote, just 1,500 votes ahead of Adrina Drago - who is appointed Deputy Leader
NOTIZIE by Giorgio Simone Parrinello

14 March 2023

The Prefect of State for Dinara, Giorgio Amadeo Biancofiore has defeated his closest rival Adrina Drago by 1,500 votes to become leader of the SDP and official leader of the opposition. He told the party conference, “I am ready to lead our party to victory and our country back toward democracy and a progressive, compassionate and Euclean future.” He also used his victory speech to announce his appointment of rival Adrina Drago as Deputy Leader of the party.

Giorgio Amadeo Biancofiore addressing the SD conference as leader.

After a near-two month campaign, which saw often brutal exchanges between the four candidates, tense debates over the EC and how best to confront the Tribune government, the 458,000 members of the party gave their final say.

The result was announced at the party’s extraordinary conference in Faulia, with Party President Nera Stipičević announcing the result to packed auditorium of over 3,000 delegates. The SD uses a winner-takes all result with a simple majority needed to be elected leader. Of the 458,000 members and affiliated members, 429,000 voted, making this race one of the largest in terms of votes cast in its history.

Biancofiore won 176,557 (41.14%), Adrina Drago secured 175,054 (40.79%), hard-left candidate Bruno Locatelli won 66,300 (15.45%) and centrist candidate Simone Casella won 11,204 (2.61%).

The Dinarian politician took to the stage following the announcement to a standing ovation from the auditorium. He immediately expressed his hopes that “today will herald the beginning of a great journey in which we will take our country back from the functionalists and restore our democracy and constitution.”

He said, “We must now come together after this race and rally around the simple and single most important point, that we are the party best prepared to save our country, to save our democracy and push back against functionalism’s return. All of the free world looks to us now, in hope, in trepidation and in expectation. I say that together, we can and we will succeed. We must do this not only for ourselves, but all those who seek to see democracy and truth triumph over authoritarianism and deceit, love over hate, kindness over cruelty and compassion over contempt.”

“It will not be easy, after seven years they have gamed the system to benefit themselves, they have made mockeries of what a free and fair election looks like and they have turned ARE into a propaganda outlet. They lie and spread poisonous fantasies online to turn voters against us, but we will persist. It will be hard and it will be a struggle but we will do whatever it takes to save our democracy, together” he said further.

After giving his speech, he invited Adrina Drago to the stage, to announce to the packed auditorium that after the candidates were informed of the result before hand, he had formally invited her to serve as deputy leader of the SD.

“I want to inform you all that my first ever act as leader of the party was to invite Adrina to serve as my deputy leader, and inevitably, as my deputy president. She is a formidable force for our party and I would be honoured to have her by side and have her wisdom and counsel. She has agreed” he said to her grinning and loud applause from the delegates.

The move was unexpected but welcomed by many party operators among the audience. One who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “the result being so close meant that Drago had to have a prominent role, I did not expect deputy leader at all, so I give Giorgio Amadeo absolute credit.”

Giorgio Amadeo Biancofiore now succeeds Chiara Mastromarino who stepped down in January after a series of scandals over her leadership style and defeat in Novalia.

His election was met by excitement in the Tribune Movement, who immediately posted a chirpr with the caption “sure, let’s go!.” The chirpr’s message said, “Biancofiore and Drago?! The 2016 nostalgic and Reali’s teacher?!” In reference to Biancofiore’s support for renewed EC membership aspirations and Drago’s time as Education Minister under Emiliano Reali’s government.

‘Etruria plus Euclea’ for its part immediately put out a statement saying, “considering the new SD leader’s desire to see Etruria join the Euclean Community, a desire shared with E+E, will he now commit to our proposal of a united opposition alliance, to defeat the Tribune Movement and bring about the future our country deserves?”

Biancofiore is expected to announce his frontbench team in coming days. As he remains serving as Dinara’s Prefect of State, it is expected Adrina Drago as Deputy Leader will lead the party in the Chamber of Representatives until he has able to secure a senate seat.

Other News

Fire engulfs Senrian castle
Shangean arsonist strikes again?
Popular Victory tightens grip over Paretian right
Veratian schools at centre of corruption scandal run by "neo-socialists" according to Carxeri
Air Etruria locked in pay dispute with pilots
Antibiotic shortage blamed on foreign suppliers

by **Asase Lewa** » Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:20 am

'When our part of the country faces real problems, when real reactionaries run roughshod over women in the rural areas, there is silence': International Women’s Day at a Women’s Shelter in Lokpaland
by Komi Edem

A young woman and her daughter at the Kpéssi Women's Shelter.

Kpéssi, Lokpaland:

It was well past midnight at this point. A weary, ordinary working-class woman sipped a bit of tea as she looked at working-class female face after working-class female face, each face traveling from afar to seek shelter—a few, a few too many, emaciated, and far more, far more too many, bruised. She grew ever-wearier and angrier by the minute and gave one more sigh, the sort of sigh that is the last one suffered before an inescapable, revolutionary rage.

To most Asalewan women, this sigh and rage is endlessly familiar—from oral histories, literature, radio shows about life just before or during the Revolution—but never actually seen. Instead of the suffering-turning-to-rage on the eve of the Revolution, or the heroic anti-patriarchal and anti-male chauvinist revolutionary struggle during the Revolution, the Protective-Corrective Revolution, and the Women’s Strike, the struggle of the Asalewan women’s movement has become that of a gathering of elderly veterans, triumphant yet contented, militant yet satiated, the riotous-yet-sedated politics of Asase Lewa’s new majority: urban, Lowlander, educated, poor by Euclean standards but affluent by Bahian ones. On International Women’s Day, the food and tea-driven friendliness in Kbeme, the khat sessions in Ashianyo, the alcohol-driven burst into dance and revelry in Ajase are all by now so well-documented and hailed by the newspapers and mass organizations that they need not be repeated here.

Yet this scene of weary and battered proletarian women is one that is neither confined to the travails of the Toubacterire and the Revolution, nor to the memories of our Tiwuran-born sisters. It is, indeed, one still happening at the Kpéssi Women’s Shelter, a center for victims of domestic male chauvinist violence in Kpéssi, a town of 100,000 people that is the capital of the Danyi Region in southern Lokpaland, a region that, though virtually free from tribal-terrorist violence today, was a historic hotspot of tribal-terrorist activities in the 1990s.

To the workers at the shelter, the celebratory crowds and atmosphere of the Lowlands was but a distant article or broadcast. Like their fellow Women’s Federation and female Section activists throughout the country and city, the shelter workers marched and participated in the town’s International Women’s Day demonstrations. But rather than return contented to their dining halls and communes for some restful sleep, the shelter workers’ rebel spirit compelled them to return to work immediately, preparing for the night and the day to follow.

While the day might be a respite from male chauvinist violence in the Lowlands, this is not true in the Highlands, Tchilalou, the shelter’s director, explained. If anything, she said, “the [male chauvinist] violence gets worse the night and day after International Women’s Day. Bitter husbands drink while they are cooking on the Day, certainly the Day after, and after they drink, they fight and they kill. There are so many cases we encounter every day of angry drunk men demanding ‘the men’s day’ the day after ‘the women’s day,’ and when the women do not submit, the result is violence.”

The fierce rebel proletarian spirit in response—held within the shelter workers’ hearts as they worked all night to prepare for “the men’s day”—was obvious. But whatever their rebel spirit, these workers also held an obvious—if, in classic Highlander manner, understated—trepidation. It wasn’t hard to figure out why. When arriving at the Shelter, the first thing to hit me was the severe overcrowding—not the bunks and multiple mattresses packed together in a room that every Asalewan knows well, nor the hammocks under verandas and cots beneath tin roofs common to this part of Lokpaland, but a bleaker, truer overcrowding, one in which it becomes unclear whether the bruises on women’s faces were from male chauvinist violence or people stepping on the bodies that cover every available floor space in rooms only designed for two or three women at a time.

The Kpéssi Women's Federation and Workers' Council built the Shelter in 1997 with a capacity for 120, and underwent substantial renovation in 2015, expanding its capacity to 250, yet an average of 700 women sleep under the shelter’s roof every night. The Shelter has more than enough capacity to meet the needs of Kpéssi, but this is only a minority of those sleeping at the Shelter, Tchilaou explained. “We do get a decent amount of victims of male chauvinist violence from Kpéssi and a few other nearby urban areas, but most people sleeping here are from the rural areas. As difficult as the situation is for women in Kpéssi, the situation in the rural areas is far, far worse.”

When interviewing those at the Shelter, it was not difficult to discover why the number of victims from Kpéssi was much lower. In addition to much lower rates of male chauvinist violence—if still higher rates compared to the Lowlands—the scars the insurgency still has on rural areas means that the tradition of Highland hospitality is much stronger in the city than the countryside, meaning that fewer women need to access the Shelter to sleep. Indeed, many Kpéssi women only accessed the Shelter for services related to male chauvinist violence.

“I slept here for a few days a couple of months ago, but I am sleeping on a hammock at my sister’s place right now and I should get support with a new boardinghouse soon,” said Manya, one victim of male chauvinist violence living in Kpéssi. “I am only visiting the Shelter to help connect me to a psychoanalyst who specializes in male chauvinist violence.”

In Kpéssi itself, victims of male chauvinist violence also have access to a much stronger support system than in the rural areas. “In addition to establishing the Women’s Shelter, we have established a dedicated anti-male chauvinist unit within the Kpéssi People’s Security Committee and a Women’s People’s Security Station in Kpéssi,” Wowozanga, a member of the Kpéssi Workers’ Council and a doctor who works at the Shelter, said. “We have also worked closely with the Women’s Federation and pro-Revolutionary, pro-feminist Sotirian and Feitshist leaders to lead mass campaigns against male chauvinist violence, and we have passed a resolution to give housing priority to victims of male chauvinist violence, so that they might enter into a more secure living situation quickly.”

Yet, according to Tchilaou, “the victims of male chauvinist violence in the rural areas do not have access to the same services as in Kpéssi. They do not have housing priority in the rural areas, they do not have shelters in the rural areas, they do not have anti-male chauvinist PSC units in the rural areas, so the chauvinists and tribalists keep attacking their women and the victims keep going to Kpéssi.”

Tchilaou, the Director of the Kpéssi Women's Shelter.

The causes of this lack of support in rural Danyi are complex and myriad. As is the case everywhere in the rural Highlands—and in the Highlands more broadly—underdevelopment remains a much more chronic problem than in the Lowlands. According to Dayo Omowale, a sociology and Nemtsovism professor at Edudzi Agyeman University, “until there is comprehensive action from all levels of society and the Section to combat uneven development, the Highland-Lowland divide will remain the last major source of inequality in Asase Lewa, and underdevelopment will limit the capacity of the Workers’ Councils, the Women’s Federations, and the mass organizations and Section to provide services in the Highlands, particularly in rural areas.”

Indeed, GDP per capita in Lokpaland is $5,075, just barely half the national GDP per capita of $9,137, and less than half the GDP per capita of Anloland, at $11,618, or Edudzi Agyeman City, at $13,932. A comparison of rural Highland areas—particularly in Danyi, thanks to its legacy of insurgency in the 1990s—to Kbeme and the rest of the Dama Delta would reveal an even greater disparity.

However, virtually all rural victims of male chauvinist violence that I interviewed also identified a different factor at the heart of the rural non-response to gender-based violence: the influence of former tribalist-terrorists over the local Workers’ Councils. Many former tribalist-terrorists were elected to Workers’ Councils in rural Danyi following the 2000 peace agreement between the Bahian Council Republic and the moderate wing of the Lokpa Spiritual Freedom Army, and continue to exercise great influence over public policy in the region.

“When I complained about my assault to the local Workers’ Council and Revolutionary Councilist Defence Committee, they offered nothing,” Nawé, a rural victim at the Shelter, said. “My husband was friends with a big man on the Workers’ Council from their days in the [Lokpa Spiritual Freedom] Army, so there was nothing I could do, and no one who would believe me.”

The Presidium began disqualifying the most outwardly reactionary elements in Lokpaland throughout the country following the Anti-Revisionist Revolution. However, the Section and the People’s Revolutionary Army’s desire to preserve the delicate peace agreement, and keep the remaining insurgency small and contained, means that many former tribal-terrorists—like those in Nawé’s area—still hold office. Furthermore, while “the former tribalist-terrorists nominally embrace Councilism,” according to Tchilaou, “it is plain as day to see the differences. In the rural areas, you do not see the same level of services as in Kpéssi or even in many of the rural areas in other parts of Lokpaland.”

“The only thing that infuriates me more than the male chauvinism of the former tribalist-terrorists is the failure of the Presidium of the Section to disqualify and combat them,” Wowozanga said. “I am a proud member of the Section and I support it precisely so that it can disqualify reactionaries such as these ones, and the efforts of the Section and the Women’s Federation have, without a doubt, consistently been in favor of women’s empowerment and ending male chauvinist violence, with the Presidium helping initiate the mass campaigns against it in Lokpaland and funding the Women’s Shelter.”

“But there is, still, a gap. It is a national celebration when the refinery and dockworkers of Edudzi Agyeman City and the Dama Delta obtain the first washing machines to land on Asalewan shores, and the Supreme Workers’ Council rushed to pass menstrual leave after the Women’s Federation agitated across the country for it. But when our part of the country faces real problems, when real reactionaries run roughshod over women in the rural areas, there is silence.”
When questioned for comment, representatives from the People’s Revolutionary Army and the Presidium of the Section stated that they “sought, above all, to maintain peace in most of Lokpaland under the terms of the present-day peace agreement,” and mentioned numerous measures aimed at combating male chauvinist violence in Lokpaland, such as mass campaigns in local Section and mass organization media outlet, and boosts in funding for Women’s Shelters, including the one in Kpéssi.

For her part, Tchilaou held the view that the Section’s efforts, while too modest, were positive, and proof that the current system is working, if slowly. “There needs to be much more funding for anti-male chauvinist violence efforts, absolutely,” Tchilaou said. “But the security situation is uncertain enough that the only real solution, the only long-term option, is to out-organize the reactionaries by installing truly feminist candidates in the rural areas. I was in the Army during the insurgency, and I have cousins closer to the borderlands, and I will do everything I can to make sure that my daughters do not face the same difficulties.”

“But, no matter what, we are determined to continue and to press onward in the fight against male chauvinism and for the rights of women, no matter the challenges and threats ahead,” said Tchilalou. “We can and we will stand up to all reactionaries and tribalists who seek to oppress women, we will do our part to fight for justice and social equality. To quote Chairman Edudzi, women hold up half the sky, and, guided by Councilism and Nemtsovism-Tretyakism-Adelajism-Edudzism, there is nothing we cannot do.”

The names of Manya and Nawé, and some details of their lives and situations, have been changed to protect their privacy.

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by **Slirnija** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:52 pm

by **Hacyinia** » Sun Mar 19, 2023 11:58 am

Qoğamdıq Qujat

News for Hacyinia

3.19.23

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Funeral service held for slain Major General Akhmet Turlan; goverment officals in attendence.

”Retribution will come to the fiends who committed this crime”

Written By: Fatimae Elenae

The funeral for slain Major General Akhmet Turlan was held in Dabulug today in a large ceremony. Soldiers from the Royal Hacyinian Army carried the martyr's casket through the streets where crowds of onlookers wept and cursed the Major General’s killers. The Khan and officials from the defense ministry attended the nationally-televised event.

“Major General Akhmet Turlan was a hero to the Hacyinian nation, a soldier who never flinched from his duty.” Stated General Magjan Kuanysh, the slain Major General’s commanding officer. “No matter the personal cost to fulfilling his duty, he always accomplished his tasks. We can only hold him up as an example for the rest of the nation to follow in his footsteps.”

The Major Generals career within the Royal Hacyinian Armed Forces was reviewed during his funeral, including multiple tours of duty fighting against Lavanan incursions and suppressing Chanwan bandits. The Major General had most recently devoted his time to military engineering, with much of his postings at remote installations overseeing critical developments. The Major General was considered to be a rising star in the ranks, and tragically left behind a devoted wife and two children.

“This attack on a brave patriot goes to show the lengths the enemy, our barbaric foe, will go to. They are not content with merely attacking us during the day, they will attack us at night!” The Khan stated in a thunderous speech given at the funeral. “They will attack us even when we are driving home, so our families will never be able to embrace them one last time.”

“We cannot let the proud son of Hacyinia’s death be in vain! We must stay steadfast, we must be prepared to hold the line! For our enemy seeks to wage a war of apocalyptic destruction upon us! I urge all of Hacyinia - man, woman and child - to look to this man who sacrificed everything to protect you, me, and us. We all must be prepared to make the same sacrifice!”

The Khan’s speech was met with standing applause from the crowd of government and military officials, as well as from the masses attending the ceremony. Cries of “Hacyinia now, Hacyinia forever!” rang out from the crowd with fervor that was sure to be heard in even neighboring capitals. The cheers and applause continued for several minutes before Major General Akhmet Turlan’s widow stepped onto the stage, with the Khan standing beside her for support.

“I loved my husband very much.” She stated, choking back tears. “I just want to say this to the cowards who took away my husband, the father of my children - I hope that death finds you soon, and I hope that death is agonizing for you!” She screamed, before stepping away off stage sobbing.

Flags around the country will remain at half mast for a period of one week in further memory of Major General Akhmet Turlan.

Other news in Hacyinia:

Crackdown on Chanwanese illegal mining operations begins in the west
What to expect for Naadam 2023
Exclusive interview with Hacyinian-Gaullcian Invictus star Fraczyszek Olesz

by **Union of Akoren** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 6:21 am

State President Haftar announced reforms to “unleash private enterprise”
State President announces plans to open pension funds up to investment as well as a new Central State Commission.
POLITICS by Abdullah al-Mosawi

21 March 2023 |02 Esfand 2344

State President Rahim Ali Haftar announced plans to “unleash private enterprise as the vanguard of the great journey to prosperity and development” he also said, “the state and business together will continue the great cause of lifting our homeland up from the chaos in which it was born with clarity and purpose.” He made the comments in a speech to students at the Front’s Sardar Abdullah Al-Attassi School.

State President Rahim Ali Haftar addressing students.

Addressing 1,300 students in a pack auditorium to mark the beginning of the examination period, the State President said, “I wish you success in your upcoming examinations, as you take the first steps toward entering public service.”

He went on to say, “as you prepare yourselves to serve the nation and the revolution, we must as being responsible to 210 million people remind ourselves that we are tasked with continuing our nation’s great journey toward becoming the nation we are destined to be.” He said further, “to remind ourselves of the destination we seek to take our Union we must forever be mindful of the place from where we came. A place of destitution, starvation, deprivation, ignorance and servitude to foreign imperialists and then their lackeys.”

“When the Etrurian came, he shattered our homeland apart. Infected our minds and souls with racialist identities all to erase from us Zorasan. They sought to divide us, condemning us to their rule and that of petty princes and collaborators, some of whom dared call themselves Shahanshah. When they fled during their Solarian War, these lackeys and collaborators remained to feast upon the carcass of Etruria’s empire in our homeland. As they feasted like vultures, we the people starved. We scratched a living off the rubble of our homeland, but Khoda, the merciful delivered us Rahbar Sattari and our Union Fathers, through their leadership, our shared sacrifice and pain, we destroyed the pretender vultures and our great revolution delivered us our Zorasan, our Union” he said to loud applause.

“We must remember and honour the hardships of our ancestors, we must remember the hunger, the exploitation and we must remember, how the times saw us condemn one another, consume one another in depraved desperation. We must remember that it was the Union that lifted us all out of the abyss and placed us upon the great journey toward greatness, discipline, order, security, unity and prosperity. Never forget companions, that the state, our National Renovationist state alone saved the nation from the gaping maw of desolation” he told the students.

He then went on to announce plans for economic reform that would further boost private business and invite industry into assisting the Union-Government formulate long term strategies.

“As we continue on the Great Journey, we must also be conscious of the need to be pragmatic. We must recognise that inefficiencies exist, potential stifled, growth denied. That is why, I wish to announce the Central Committee’s approval a reform plan that will unleash private enterprise as the vanguard of the great journey to prosperity and development.”

“Among the measures included will be further liberalisation of internal trade mechanisms, supportive regulations for IT, digital and technological sectors. Further market regulation to boost our manufacturing base and car industry. The Union-Government will also seek to reform the pension system to enable private funds to invest into infrastructure and industrial expansion projects” he said.

“Furthermore, the state and business together will continue the great cause of lifting our homeland up from the chaos in which it was born with clarity and purpose. This shall be achieved by establishing a new Central State Commission for National Development, a vast and larger umbrella state commission that will manage and lead all economic and industrial state commissions existing today, it will be subject to the authority of the Central Committee and boast the CEOs of the Union’s fastest growing private and non-petrochemical companies as members. We shall hear directly from the Union’s best on how best to manage the economy, this shall be the Union of state and industry for the benefit of all Zorasanis” he explained.

The State President, together with First Minister Gafur Qahor have worked tirelessly since assuming office in November 2021 to organise a strategy to “maximise economic growth through development, diversification and common prosperity” with the aim of establishing the Union as one of the tenth largest global economies by 2035. The Union-Government is keen to significantly boost the manufacturing and technology sectors, to facilitate job creation and reduced economic and budgetary dependence on the petrochemical industry.

The government’s National Development Sovereign Wealth Fund is looking at a potential historic boost this year, with an estimated €187.56 billion injection from heightened energy prices. The ND Fund is used by government to fund various public works, grants and investments across non-petrochemical industries. Famously, the New Generation Rail Network, one of the world’s longest high-speed networks was built using funds from the ND Fund. The possible opening up of pension funds to investing in infrastructural and industrial projects, will enable the ND Fund to be used elsewhere, including supporting tech and industrial sectors.

The reforms announced today follow the Union-Government’s establishment of a State Commission for Employment and Labour Affairs, to tackle youth and female unemployment. In recognition of the issue, the military’s Great Soldier Foundation announced its launch of the Heroic Coder Scholarship to support poorer students from rural regions to secure scholarships at university for digital and technology linked degrees. This was followed by the National Renovation Front announcing its own new scholarship directed at female students to secure scholarships in STEM courses.

Increased energy prices is expected to deliver the Union GDP growth of 11.1% this year. Last year, the Union’s economy grew by 11.8%.

Other headlines

Central Committee to debate “major political reform” proposal
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Union-Government to trial state funded debit card for refugees
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Hacyinian-Zorasani relations have never been stronger

by **Xiaodong** » Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:59 pm

Shangean government slams Senria for "shameful" accusations surrounding Iha castle fire
23 March 2023| By Fu Bingbing

Iha castle burning down

RONZHUO - In a statement today the Shangean government has denied any role in the recent the Iha castle fire in the Urasoe prefecture on the Isotama islands in Senria after an ethnic Shangean from the occupied Haishe islands was arrested in relation to the fire. Additionally Shangean authorities have warned against Senrian officials “discriminating against” ethnic Shangeans in Senria stating initial investigations are at risk of “politicisation”.

“The initial actions of Senrian authorities mean that we must vigilant about the possibility of a campaign of ethnic repression” the Coordinating Minister of Social and Cultural Affairs Lu Qinqin. “Shangea is ready and eager to provide funds to reconstruct the historic Iha castle that survived Euclean colonialism and is sadder that one of the great pieces of cultural heritage in the Isotama islands has been destroyed”.

“Nevertheless the initial steps of the Senrian authorities - to arrest and ethnic Shangean and blame ourselves for this tragedy - is way off the mark. As usual, the Senrian government wants to use this to politicise the status of the Haishe islands and undermine cross straits relations at a delicate time, to the detriment to the cultural heritage of the Isotaman people”

The Shangean government has confirmed that if Senria continues to pursue a line of investigation implicating Shangea it would begin to treat the issue as a diplomatic issue, with foreign minister Jiang Zhongyu stating that the role of the Haishe islands is being dragged into the debate.

“The fact that initial focuses have jumped straight into arson and seen accusations thrown round about Shangea and the Haishe islands…this is clearly a delicate situation. Shangea will however not be insulted on this issue”.

The Haishe islands were formally under the suzerainty of the Tao dynasty until they were annexed by Gaullica in the 19th century. Senria has occupied them since 1934 on the basis that Senrian pirates used them to hide treasure in the 16th century and they have remained under Senrian military occupation since, being the site of numerous Senrian nuclear weapons tests. Since the 1970s Shangea has formally submitted requests to the Community of Nations to oversee the decolonisation of the islands and their return to Shangea, although this has been opposed by Senria.

by **Slirnija** » Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:37 pm

by **Chemensia** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:04 pm

GOVERNMENT PUSHES CHARGES ON E. HOROLAND POLITICIAN

Minister of Policing and Law Adetokumbo Shagaya speaking with press earlier this month regarding Provincial Congressman Nguembang

By Adeayo Okafor | 25 March 2023

Bembsangi, Eastern Horoland: Today the Tiwuran Armed Forces and Ministry of Policing and Law have jointly announced that charges have been officially placed on Kashim Ngeumbang, the speaker of the Eastern Horoland Congress and prominent Irfanic Interest Coalition leader in the Eastern Horoland State. MPL Spokesman Omar Chukwu told reporters that "after two months of investigation, the ministry has come to the conclusion that Provincial Congressman Ngeumbang has been in contact with separatist and extremist elements in Horoland, and shall be charged and places on trial for sedition and corruption.

According to the official report released a few hours later by the ministry, Nguembang has been accused of taking payments from extremist groups to vote against certain anti-extremist bills in E. Horoland, such the Provinical Unification Act that was pushed in 2020, and the Religious Extremism Act in 2022. He is also accused of funneling campaign funds into these groups. Nguembang is also accused of influencing other members of the congress to vote against laws, and the report also states that would pay officials and staff to act against certain bills. The report also states that the department is looking into other possible politicians in the province who have been involved in similar dealings. Nguembang is currently under arrest and is being held at an undisclosed MPL facility. The MPL, following this arrest, has begun investigations into the E. Horoland IIC and called for increased TAF security elements in the region.

Nguembang has been involved in local E. Horoland politics for some time, being a member of the Bembsangi City Council from 2010-2019 and being a member of the Provincial Congress since 2021. Ngeumbang was initially detained by TAF soldiers in early January, and he put under investigation following TAF raids of his house and offices at the Rurivango Provincial Republic Assembly House. MPL agents acquired the case in late January after it was determined to be out of military jurisdiction. The MPL would suspend local assembly activity to allow for further investigation, but the courts struck down their request for a search warrant of the entire assembly building, and assembly activities resumed session on February 10th. E. Horoland congressmen and women began protesting the government actions, and were eventually forced to assign an interim speaker after the MPL transported Nguembang to MPL facility in Kisando.

This arrest has resulting in many peaceful protests in E. Horoland, and has been accused of being "unlawful" and "tyrannical" by certain members of the IIC. When asked why Nguembang was detained in the first place, TAF spokeswoman Amy Taiwo-Giles told the press that "We had been tipped by informants and whistleblowers within the Eastern Horoland government, who we will keep anonymous for their safety, and Nguembang was determined to be the highest threat to Tiwuran security. We are still looking into further investigation in that province." and also said that "we are working closely with the Ministry of Policing and Law to determine if the groups Nguembang was working with work with MIRIF, foreign enemies, or other major security threats to our country."

Trial dates are currently pending, and it is known that Nguembang will be tried at the national level. The Cogoday Post will continue our reports of news of this trial in the coming weeks.

IN OTHER NEWS
-Vice-President suggests possible "Tour of Euclea" to strengthen ties
-Uhiohia teachers on strike over low wages
-Senrian Castle Fire accusations called "petty" by Foreign Minister
-Piraean PSEE chooses Moustakopoulos

by **Qianrong** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 6:39 am

IHA ARSONIST ACTED ON RONGZHUO'S ORDERS, PM SAYS
Arson suspect had "extensive communications" with Shangean
spies and received suspicious wires shortly before & after fire

Reika Okura (file photo) told reporters that "all signs" link suspect Tou Yuukou to Shangea's Shujichu.

March 24, 2023 | by Moriyasu Akihabara | Prime Minister Reika Okura has formally accused Shangea's Secretariat to Eliminate Counter-Revolution - commonly known as the Shujichu - of involvement in the March 5 arson attack on Iha Castle, saying that suspect Tou Yuukou had communicated extensively with several individuals identified by Senrian police and intelligence services as Shangean spies and received suspicious wires on the days preceding and following the attack.

The accusations were formally made at a press conference held at the Kantei early this morning.

The suspect in the attacks, Tou Yuukou, is a 38-year-old man from Myouri, in the Sunahama Islands, of Shangean ethnicity. He was arrested on March 12, but his identity was not released until March 22, a decision made "due to aspects surrounding the investigation" according to the National Police.

"Police and intelligence service investigations of the suspect's computer and cell phone show extensive communication through email, phone calls, and encrypted messaging applications, over a period of several months, between the suspect and individuals identified as active agents of the Shangean Shujichu in Senria, Shangea, and Kintao," Okura stated. "In those conversations which we have been able to obtain or recover, these agents used propaganda regarding Shangea's supposed historical claim to the Sunahama Islands in order to radicalize Tou Yuukou and incite him towards violence against the Senrian people."

Police sources connected to the investigation told Mainiti Sinbun that Tou's personal and digital affects also included material denying the Senrian Genocide and Shangean nationalist paraphernalia.

Okura also stated that the police had obtained Tou's bank records, demonstrating that Tou had received several wires totalling roughly ¥5,000,000 (approximately €35,400) in the weeks before and after the attack, sent from shell companies registered in Shangean-aligned countries like Siamat and Nainan. "All combined evidence suggests that these wires constitute the Shujichu paying Tou a portion of a promised sum 'up front', and the remainder of the sum after he had completed his mission."

"Let those who doubt recall that this is not the first time Shangea has despicably used arson to attack Senria's cultural heritage," Okura added, referring to the 2008 destruction of the Kouhimon gate in Ukyou by an agent of the Shujichu.

She further noted that Shangea had denied involvement in the fire and used state press to accuse Senria of making "shameful accusations" on March 23, the day following the revealing of Tou's identity but before any formal accusation of a link by Senrian police or officials.

When asked how Senria would respond, Okura first stressed that the criminal investigation into Tou - and any others discovered to be connected to the crime - would continue "within all the lines laid out by Senrian law, in order to uncover the fullest extent of the truth". She also noted that she had already summoned the Shangean ambassador to demand an official apology and full financial restitution for the damages done by the fire, and stated that Senria's government would engage in "intense consultation" to determine how to proceed on the international stage.

"The nature of the response beyond that depends upon whether the Shangean government admits its guilt, pays restitution, and permanently ceases this unacceptable vandalistic behavior, or unrepentantly seeks to obfuscate its guilt and shift blame by talking of 'politicization' or 'discrimination'," she concluded.

MORIYASU AKIHABARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from the University of Keisi with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

by **Qianrong** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 6:42 am

SENRIA TO SEEK CONDEMNATION OF SHANGEA BY THE CN
Motions condemning Shangea for the destruction of Iha Castle
will be filed before International Assembly, Social Council

Senrian ambassador to the CN Hiroyosi Haruna emphasized the necessity of action by the body.

March 25, 2023 | by Hiromu Kusanagi | Hiroyosi Haruna, the Senrian ambassador to the Community of Nations, has released an official statement declaring that Senria will file motions condemning Shangea for the arson attack on Iha Castle before both the International Assembly and the Social Council "as soon as possible".

Iha Castle, part of the "Gusukus of the Isotama Islands" CN World Heritage site, was originally constructed in the 1310s as a fortress and palace for local nobility, and is regarded as a symbol of the history and culture of Urasoe and Tomigusuku prefectures. The main seven buildings of the castle complex were destroyed by fire between 2:20 AM and 1:15 PM on March 5, in what Senrian police and officials believe was a deliberate arson attack engineered by Shangean intelligence services, akin to the 2008 arson attack on Ukyou's Kouhimon Gate.

"In the month since Iha Castle was destroyed by fire, all evidence has pointed to the conclusion that its destruction was caused not by an electrical fault, nor a gas leak, but by deliberate arson in a scheme engineered by the intelligence services of the Auspicious Republic of Shangea," the statement notes. "This act of despicable cultural vandalism is, unfortunately, not unprecedented behavior from Rongzhuo."

"The Community of Nations must clearly and emphatically condemn this criminality, which deliberately targeted a CN World Heritage Site, and which stands in direct opposition to all the values embodied by this institution," it continues. "Therefore, as an initial step, Senria will file motions condemning Shangea for this heinous act of destruction before both the International Assembly and the Social Council of the Community of Nations as soon as possible."

"It is our hope that the whole world will stand with us in condemning those responsible for this contemptible, cowardly act."

Haruna later told journalists that action by the CN - "both symbolic and tangible" - was imperative, a sentiment echoed by Minister of Rites Yumi Takamatu at a press conference shortly thereafter. "The targeting of Iha Castle by Shangean intelligence services represents an assault not just upon the people of Urasoe prefecture and against the Senrian nation, but an assault upon the Community of Nations and its principles," she declared. "The Community of Nations must make it clear that such cultural vandalism against our collective human patrimony has no place in this world."

The Shangean embassy in Keisi did not respond to a request for comment.

HIROMU KUSANAGI is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from Siouziri University with a degree in journalism in 2000, and previously worked as a freelance journalist for several Senrian and Euclean publications. He currently lives in the city of Kiyokawa, Keisi Prefecture, with his wife and two sons.

by **Qianrong** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:14 am

OP-ED SHANGEA IS LAUGHING AT THE AIKOKUTOU
For years, the Aikokutou has presented themselves as the best option for Senrian security.
The arson attack on Iha Castle proves that Shangea now regards them as a joke.

There can be no doubt that there is a direct link the arson attacks on Iha Castle and the Kouhimon.

March 26, 2023 | by Yosiko Asuhara | Ever since the beginning of their hold on power, the Aikokutou has relentlessly hammered upon one theme, one idea which they have always lorded over Senria's opposition - "only we can be trusted to protect Senria from Shangea".

It was this conceit that led to the 1927 Government of National Salvation agreement between then-leader of Senria Isao Isiyama and then-general Katurou Imahara, and in the wake of Senria's 1935 victory over Shangea in the Great War, it has been the favorite talking point of every Aikokutou leader from Tokiyasu Kitamura to Takesi Takahata to Kiyosi Haruna to Hayato Nisimura right up to Reika Okura. Only the Aikokutou, the Senrian populace is constantly told, has the knowledge and competence to protect our country from the revanchists across the Rangyoku Strait.

These words have never seemed more hollow than they do now.

The government of Prime Minister Okura waited as long as it could to avoid drawing the explicit, and obvious, parallel between the fire which destroyed Iha Castle in Urasoe at the beginning of this month and the fire which destroyed the famous Kouhimon in Ukyou in 2008. It is clear why - for the entirety of 2022, her government was dogged by the scandal regarding the shoddy reconstruction of the Kouhimon - in which both Okura and her predecessor Nisimura were directly implicated - and her decision to respond by arresting those few individuals who provided the public with some level of transparency amidst a sea of Aikokutou obfuscation.

Because of the destruction of Iha Castle, any hope Okura had of burying this scandal in the past is gone. Any discussion of reconstructing Iha will be steeped in the memory of the corners cut by Aikokutou cronies in the reconstruction of the Kouhimon, the question of whether or not a reconstructed Iha Castle will begin decaying only a few years after its rebuilding on everyone's lips.

And Shangea seems to be aware of this. When Shangean social & cultural affairs minister Lu Qinqin declared that "Shangea is ready and eager... to reconstruct the historic Iha castle", one can easily imagine "since you are evidently unable to reconstruct them yourself" as the implied follow-up.

Indeed, there is every reason to believe that Shangea sought this parallel deliberately. We are told that the Shujichu spent months "incit[ing the suspect in the arson] towards violence against the Senrian people" using Shangea's revanchist claims to the Sunahama Islands and material denying the Senrian Genocide. Yet when they gave him his mission, it was not to target Senrian military or government facilities on the Sunahamas, nor a memorial to the victims of the Senrian Genocide, nor did they tell him to target important infrastructure, nor did they direct him to attack civilians directly; they told him to attack a cultural site by arson. The parallel was deliberately constructed.

The Shangeans, in short, are aware that those currently in power in Senria are shambolic, self-interested, and internally divided, and that these are things they can exploit with impunity. Far from being cowed by the Aikokutou, Rongzhuo does not even take the Aikokutou seriously anymore. They believe that they can act with impunity, can deliberately provoke us, because they have ascertained - not incorrectly - that the self-inflicted decay in the Senrian government will hamper any meaningful response.

I do not point this out due to a sense of hawkishness; on the contrary, I find the relentlessly dogmatic belligerence of the Aikokutou to be deeply unhelpful, something which has caused us to miss or reject opportunities for the measured normalization of relations with Shangea during those periods when Shangea has actively sought dialogue. In this sense, it is ultimately something that has hurt us more than it has helped, by guaranteeing that our relations with Shangea remain on a knife's edge.

Unfortunately, Shangea is currently firmly under the control of the hyper-militaristic faction headed by Yuan Xiannian, in part because of Senria's failure in prior decades to work with the diplomats and pragmatists who Yuan has since purged from the upper echelons of Shangean governance.

Under these circumstances, there is indeed some truth to the claim that Senria needs leaders who Shangea will take seriously, leaders that Rongzhuo believes have the efficacy and resolution to meaningfully stand for Senrian interests and contain Shangean aggression. But the events of the past month have made it abundantly clear that Rongzhuo does not take the Aikokutou seriously - that they feel like they can aggrieve Senria and her people with impunity.

When Senrians go to the polls this December, they should keep this fact in mind.

Yosiko Asuhara is a representative for Utimura Prefecture in the National Assembly, and a member of the Democratic Party. Born in western Utimura Prefecture in 1955, she graduated from Haneda University in Isikawa and was accredited as a lawyer in 1987, working in that position for over a decade before being elected to the National Assembly in 1998; she has also worked as a visiting professor at Keisi Gakuin and Seiryou Women's universities. Her legislative priorities include womens' rights, worker and consumer protections, and criminal justice reform. She currently lives with her male partner in Utimura.

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Related stories:
Senria - Senria will seek CN condemnation of Shangea over arson
Senria - Okura formally accuses Rongzhuo of engineering Iha arson
Shangea - Shangea dismisses Iha fire investigation as "politicized"
Senria - The ghost of the Kouhimon scandals haunts Reika Okura

Other stories:
Senria - Senria will seek CN condemnation of Shangea over arson
Senria - Sunahamans protest against arrest of Iha castle suspect
Etruria - Biancofore elected new head of Etrurian Social Democrats
Senria - Legislature moves to ease trade curbs between Senria, Ansan

by **Xiaodong** » Mon Mar 27, 2023 6:05 pm

SHANGEAN NAVAL FORCES TO PERFORM DRILLS CLOSE TO HAISHE ISLANDS
March 28, 2023| By Deng Yazhou

Shangean destroyers in southern territorial waters

LUOYUAN - The Shangean government has announced that the Nanyang Fleet will be performing military live-fire drills around the Coral and southeast Honghai over the next three days, with several exercises to be performed 50km away from the Haishe islands as confirmed by the Southeast Military Command (SEMC).

“The Shangean Navy has with the approval of the State Presidium deemed it necessary to undertake live fire naval drills and missile testing to augment our strategic capabilities and ensure security in the Honghai and Coral Seas which are vital for Shangean security. The drills are expected to last from 8am to 9pm and we urge commercial vessels to avoid entering areas where the drills are being undertaken during that time”.

SMC have confirmed that artillery and missile testing will be performed, although so far have only stated that the Nanyang fleet will be involved. Whether aerial units will also participate has not been staged by SEMC.

The Shangean military has been placed on high alert by Coordinating Minister for Security and Justice Ren Shaokuan. The Shangean government has stated that due to “anti-Shangean accusations and actions” in recent weeks that the Shangean military should be expected to ensure “maximal defensive positions” to deter conflict.

These tensions are thought to come from recent actions by the Senrian government which alleges that a Shangean agent burnt down the historic Iha castle earlier this month. The Shujichu have denied that the man arrested, an ethnic Shangean named Zhang Yongkang, has had any contact with Shangean government officials. The Shangean government conversely has offered to finance reconstruction of the castle which is a global heritage site.

Although the cause of the fire is unknown, some suspect that far right groups in Senria have performed a false flag attack on the castle in order to justify a crackdown on ethnic Shangeans, or that the government itself did so. The ruling party, the Aikokutou, is facing a tough re-election campaign due to a terrible economy and embedded corruption.

by **Lilitou** » Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:14 am

by **Slirnija** » Tue Mar 28, 2023 4:02 pm

by **Xiaodong** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:53 pm

Shangea will "never again surrender" to foreign threats, Foreign Minister Jiang Zhongyu states over Haishe situation
29 March 2023| By Fu Bingbing

Coordinating Minister for Foreign Affairs Jiang Zhongyu

BAIQIAO - In a speech today at the former imperial palace in Baiqiao the Coordinating Minister of Foreign Affairs Jiang Zhongyu has said Shangea will "never again surrender to imperialist forces attempting to dictate terms to our nation" as the situation at the Haishe islands intensifies.

With Shangean Naval Forces performing live round drills close the islands supplemented by the airforce at the same time as Senrian and Estmerish forces, Jiang has confirmed that Shangea will continue to perform the drills despite criticism from other foreign countries like Etruria.

"Brother nations across the planet are united behind Shangea in affirming our commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the Honghai and Coral Sea region. Our drills are intended to augment our combat capabilities and prepare for any eventuality in any potential future theatre in order to safeguard the Shangean civilisation of 600 million people".

"The machinations of global plutocrats does little to concern us, and hollow words mean nothing. When our Senrian partners are ready and able to de-nuclearise the Haishe islands, in line with our shared goal of a nuclear free world, then we can talk about exacerbating tensions in the Honghai and Coral seas".

Jiang stated that the Shangean government was taking "every precaution needed" to avoid a confrontation with Estmerish and Senrian vessels, although did confirm that the Shangean government would continue to recommend that civilian ships avoid the region whilst the drills take place. Jiang further stated that it "alert and listening" to nations such as Nainan, Zorasan, Chistovodia, Hacyinia and Rwizikuru in offering their concerns and advice about the situation.

"The world is speaking, and Shangea is listening. But we will reject those that threaten or refuse to understand our position" Jiang stated.

The Coordinating Minister confirmed that Shangea would be submitting a right of reply to the CNSC for the "baseless accusations" put forward by the Senrian government and that it "rejects the notion that a member of the Secretariat to Eliminate Counter Revolution financed, planned or in other way assisted in the destruction of the Iha castle". Jiang called the burning of the castle "sickening" and a "crime against the Isotaman people" and that Shangea was "ready and raring to go" to provide reconstruction aid.

"On the Iha castle issue, as soon as the Senrian government gives the go-ahead for our reconstruction offer, we will put all hands on deck to bring the castle back to its former glory" Jiang stated.

by **Slirnija** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 3:27 pm

by **Qianrong** » Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:55 am

TOMIMOTO: "GREAT SOLIDARITY" FROM SENRIAN ALLIES
Defense Minister praises Etruria, Estmere, others for defending
territorial integrity, reprimands "both-sidesism" and "infantilization"

Defense Minister Hiroto Tomimoto (file photo) emphasized the "firm resolve" of Senria's allies and partners.

March 31, 2023 | by Moriyasu Akihabara | Minister of Defense Hiroto Tomimoto praised the "great solidarity" shown by Senria's allies and partners in the face of rising Shangean belligerence in a speech delivered today in Myouri to the Senrian sailors participating in ongoing Senro-Estmerish naval exercises.

"The Senrian nation continues to boldly confront those who are committed to the transgression of its sovereignty, the destruction of its heritage, and the jeopardization of the lives and well-being of its people, and the proud members of the Senrian Republican Armed Forces are our impenetrable shield against these aggressions," he declared. "The diligence and honor shown by the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of Senria - including all of you - is exemplary, and brings pride to the Senrian people."

"In your sacred duty, we know that we have the support of our noble SAMSO allies, who alongside us remain fully committed to upholding peace, prosperity, and security in Coius and the world," he continued. "We must also recognize the great solidarity of our other allies and partners, and all the others who have come forward to demand respect for Senria's territorial integrity and cultural heritage - our longtime friends from Estmere who are with us today, our brothers in spirit from Etruria, as well as our partners in Werania, Gaullica, Soravia, Satucin, and countless other countries."

"Alongside our global network of allies and partners, we will continue to work tirelessly to defend the rules-based international order and the security it provides, and the exercises which you are undertaking today are a key part of that effort in the Honghai, Coral, and Glacial Seas."

Tomimoto also obliquely reprimanded "those who engage in both-sidesism" by suggesting that Senria and Shangea are equally culpable for rising tensions in south Coius. "There are some who wish to remain neutral in the face of moral conflict, who speak platitudes of 'a history of Senro-Shangean conflict' while gesturing vaguely towards peace, but we should not be daunted by these misguided individuals," he stated.

"Anyone who honestly examines history - both the events of the past few months and the events of many centuries - will see clearly who is the aggressor, who has repeatedly transgressed the sovereignty and assaulted the culture and peoples of ourselves and countless others, and know that the both-sidesists are mistaken."

"Nor should we be daunted by those in the world who would wish to infantilize us, portraying us as 'battered victims' of bygone Euclean ambitions, portraying our equal partnerships with our Euclean allies as proxy puppeteering," he continued. "These individuals' beliefs are wholly detached from reality, and themselves reflect a preening imperialism by seeking to deny the Senrian nation its agency and its strength."

While Tomimoto refrained from naming any names, it is likely that these remarks were veiled criticism of certain governments which have attempted to remain neutral in the face of ROSPO aggression or even expressed support for Shangea outright, such as Isilda Cerqueira of Paretia and Viktor Martynenko of Chistovodia.

Tomimoto finished his speech by emphasizing the "great pains and precautions" that Senria's armed forces were undertaking in order to make sure that the Senro-Estmerish naval drills, which were scheduled before the destruction of Iha Castle in an arson seemingly planned by Shangea's Shujichu secret police force, does not provoke a confrontation with Shangean vessels participating in live-fire drills that Rongzhuo hastily announced after Senria disclosed evidence linking Shangea to the fire.

MORIYASU AKIHABARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from the University of Keisi with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

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