Imperial Media Service

[Monahtan]

[Please do not post - This is just a way to explain current events of my nation]]

Economy Dives!

The economy fell trillions today; citizens are fearful for the future.

Just two days after the government announced it would be raising the Defense Budget by an enormous one thousand percent, the economy took a tremendous hit. Deliberation over the proposed defense budget continued for weeks before government officials and the Premier finally agreed with one another to give our nations military an overhaul. While we've always been known to maintain a large military, the new budget would employ an additional fifty-seven million people.

Economists nationwide were struck with fear this morning when the bottom fell out of the national economy; trillions of marks lost overnight. Experts say this was due in part to recent government legislation regarding massive highway overhauls that will cost the government billions, and new business regulations requiring the private sector to go to expensive lengths to dispose of industrial waste.

There has been no official statement released from the Capitol Complex at this time, but sources within the government tell RMB that the implementation of the new defense budget will have to wait. Executives with one of the nation's leading arms manufacturing contractors told RMB earlier that they don't believe this is a set back at all. Since the budget had not yet been put into effect, the fall in the economy should have no adverse consequences on the every day life of citizens.

[TurtleShroom]

OOC: Welcome! Excellent post!

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HOLY REPUBLIC OF TURTLESHROOM
PRIVATE SECTOR
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE NOT LOADED YET INVESTMENT FUND
MEMO

Dearest Participants in our Mutual Fund and Those Who Consult Us:

We currently advise you to buy stocks in the companies with headquarters in Monahtan. Their economy has dropped significantly and has led to a rapid decrease in the worth of stocks. The ambitious among you might even be able to snag a Board seat or two if you really see a moneymaker.

Our economists see a recovery on the horizon and praise the nation's commitment to the Free Market and the economy as a whole. We feel that Monahtan is a sound investment that will make modest profits in the very near future.

Remember to tithe ten percent of your income to the House of the Lord when making money.

-ICBYNLIF Staff

[Monahtan]

News From the Front!

The RNS Askold, command ship of the Seventh Battle Group, assigned to coastal patrol - Picture taken Aug. 2011

It's no secret The Republic has been engaged in the Kaizerxisiv-Torassia War, but since the time our navy deployed to the area, the Capitol Complex had not yet released an official statement. Late last night, after almost a week of constant requests from the media and from citizens, Minister of Defense Aleksandr Osipov released the following statement:

"The Seventh Battle Group of our great navy has been assigned to the Kaizerxisiv-Torassia Conflict. Currently, The Republic is allied with Kaizerxisiv and is fully committed to winning this war and bringing home our brave men and women."

Osipov went on to say that there have been no Republican casualties since the beginning of the conflict. He would not go into detail about battle plans. Opinion polls conducted by RMB showed 88% of the citizens are in favor of the war because of the circumstances surrounding it and the Premier's approval rating has risen from 57% to 59%.

There is no end of deployment date set for the Seventh Battle Group as of now and the Minister of Defense, in his statement, suggested that even more military commitment to the war effort may be in The Republic's future.

We here at RMB wish our soldiers and sailors to proceed with Godspeed.

[Monahtan]

Another Conflict Looms

Naval Infantry marines hit the beaches.

Today, the Ministry of Defense issued an official statement regarding yet another foreign conflict. MOD announced that the Fifth Battle Group will be fully deployed to the Independent Highland States to combat two groups of rebels.

Several days ago, two groups of rebels, the Animal Liberation Front and the Green Tree Freedom Fighters, attacked a civilian uranium mining operation in IHS and took hostage the miners. The national government of IHS issued a plea for help and the international community responded with overwhelming support.

This will make the second conflict The Republic has entered this month and both were committed an entire Republican Naval Battle Group. The Premier's Office would not comment on the situation directly, but the Ministry of Defense did say in its statement that The Republic has been adopting a new policy of helping those nations in need.

Opinion polls were deadlocked on this incident, citing 49% against the new conflict and 51% in approval. The Premier's approval rating has remained 59% currently.

[Monahtan]

The Republic Mourns

Premier Mikhailov with two soldiers standing guard.

The Republic is in mourning today as the Premier, Vadim Mikhailov, passes away. Premier Mikhailov's passing comes at the end of a three-month long battle with cancer that unfortunately he lost while at Utzen HealthPlex.

For the last several months, The Premier had been admitted to multiple hospitals around the world for treatment, but ultimately, the cancer took over. Chancellor Mikhail Volkov of Huznet spoke today from his office fighting through a stream of tears:

"The Republic lost not only a remarkable leader today, but an extraordinary human being. I have known The Premier for thirty years and without his leadership, I don't believe this nation would have prospered as it has. The world will feel the loss of such a wonderful man."

As of now, Chancellor Volkov has assumed the position of Interim Premier until such time as the Districts can vote, but Volkov is already ahead of the other Chancellors with an approval rating of 87% of citizens.

In his lifetime, Premier Mikhailov served in the military, achieving a final rank of Major General in the Revolutionary Army prior to the formation of The Republic. Mikhailov was the second person to hold the office of Premier in the new government and many would say his radical democratic and economic reforms steered The Republic to an extremely bright future. The Premier's most trusted and senior advisers, those in the Capitol Complex, refused to give statements in the wake of the news, but several independent journalists reported seeing several of them leaving Utzen HealthPlex earlier today.

The Premier had been married for forty-seven years and is survived by his wife and their two sons. All Republican flags throughout the country are traditionally flown at half-mast for thirty days following the death of The Premier.

From everyone here at RMB, our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Premier Vadim Mikhailov, his friends, and the rest of the nation.

[Monahtan]

The New Premier Announced!

Following months of emergency deliberation, all Republican Districts have voted. An official statement from the Capitol Complex came earlier today:

"It is with great pleasure that I can finally announce Premier Mikhailov's successor. After carefully reviewing each and every vote from all Republican Districts, it has been decided that Mikhail Volkov will be named Premier of The Republic. Comrade Volkov will vacate the office of Chancellor of Huznet on March thirty-first and assume the duties of Premier on April first. On that day, I hope all of The Republic will join me in..."

The announcement came following the tragic death of Premier Mikhailov almost ten months ago. Since then, the government has been running less-than smoothly by Under-Secretaries and Chairmen of various departments. Since the Revolution, no Premier has ever died in office, leaving this situation to not only serve as an awakening call for the government, but also to put in place future procedures to make future transitions easier.

The Capitol continued their statement by saying Premier-elect Volkov promises to make radical changes in The Republic's economic, political, and military systems. Rumors have even begun to surface of his plans to begin an extensive annexation of territory. He's been widely criticized for this, citing The Republic's two recent conflicts. Many Republicans are strongly against putting The Republic in any situation that could lead to more war.

Covering the new Premier's taking of his oath of office, RMB will be on scene on April first at The Capitol Complex.

[Monahtan]

WAR!!

Republican Naval Infantry on parade in Finestra during a military celebration

A spokesperson for the Capitol Complex released a statement today concerning recent Republican troop and naval movements. By order of Premier Volkov, the Seventh Battle Group along with its attachment of Naval Infantry soldiers was deployed to The Fascist Monarchy of Albioney last week. The order came after a military installation in Albioney was attacked and captured by a group of rebel militia. The Capitol Complex reports that the installation has been retaken by the government with minimal loss of allied life.

Following these events, The Holy Empire of Artite publicly declared its support for the rebels and subsequently declared war on Albioney. The Premier, after meeting with the General Committee, has made the decision to enter into the war on the side of Albioney. As of today, The Republic is official at war. In the coming days, multiple units of The Republican Armed Forces will be activated and deployed to defend The Republic and its allies against harm. RMB will continue to bring you the latest news from the front as we will be sending correspondents to cover the action first-hand.

As always, our thoughts and prayers go out to the brave men and women of our military and their families.

[Monahtan]

The Navy Sets Sail

The battle group sails toward Egypt.

The Capitol Complex released a statement today regarding the recent civil war outbreak in Egypt. The Capitol Complex reported that two naval battle groups were dispatched to the area to monitor the situation.

As the navy sits idle in the Mediterranean Sea, war continues to rage throughout Egypt as three distinct claimants to the throne have emerged. The Minister of Defense Aleksandr Osipov told RMB today that The Republic has no intentions to enter into the conflict nor does it intend to publicly side with one of the claimants. It is unknown if any of the claimants plan to attack our fleet and bring The Republic directly into the conflict. We were not able to obtain a statement from any of them.

We here at the RMB ask that you keep our brave men and women in your thoughts.

[Monahtan]

Military Spending On The Rise

Republican soldiers marching in the annual military parade earlier this year.

Following the deployment of two naval battle groups to Egypt, the Capitol Complex released its bi-annual military budget to close out 2014 and bring The Republic into 2015. The budget spells out spending increasing across the board for all branches of The Republican Military. The budget was increased from two trillion dollars, approved in the first budget of the year, to twenty-seven trillion in this budget; an incredible twelve-hundred percent increase.

Along with the budget, the Capitol Complex released a statement ensuring the population that this increase in spending will not affect taxes as the money has been sitting in surplus for years. Furthermore, the statement said that along with a general increase in size, the new influx of money will be used to modernize the military and for research into new weapons platforms.

The Capitol Complex also hinted at the fact that a new, reinvigorated space program could be in the works, although this could not be confirmed with our sources.

Here at RMB, we can certainly rest easier knowing The Republic is spending so much money keeping us safe.

[Monahtan]

Redesigned Flag Unveiled!

New, redesigned flag of The Republic

Earlier today, the Capitol Complex released the new, redesigned flag of The Republic. The new flag comes after the Premier announced earlier this month that Republican pride was declining across the nation.

The new flag maintains the crimson background symbolizing the blood of our brave soldiers that fought for our independence during the Great Conflict. The star in the top left symbolizes the guidance of the heavens. The new design has been aptly named "The Guidance" after this symbol. The hammer and sickle represent the "never rest" attitude of Republicans that strive to continuously improve. The three yellow bars represent the three sides of the Great Conflict - the outer bars slightly smaller and the inner bar larger to represent The Republic emerging as the victor, but still conscious of the ever-present threat.

Designs for the new flag are available to manufacturers upon request and will be flying at all Federal buildings and installations by the end of the week. Production of the previous flag will cease immediately and the Capitol Complex requests that anyone flying it replace it as soon as possible with the new design.

The RMB has already replaced our old design with The Guidance and proudly fly it above our headquarters.

[Monahtan]

Assassination Attempt Thwarted!

Premier Mikhail Volkov being rushed into a vehicle.

Thirty minutes ago, while making a public appearance for lunch, Premier Volkov suffered an assassination attempt. The Capitol Complex confirms that no one was hurt in the bold attempt on our leader's life. The Federal Security Bureau quickly apprehended the suspect and he has been escorted to an undisclosed location. They report the situation is still under investigation.

Following the incident, the FSB announces security measures will be increased on all government officials and the Premier will not make public appearances until further notice.

[Monahtan]

Reorganization!

The new Imperial Seal

Today, our great leader Mikhail Volkov held a press conference of the highest importance. Following months of meetings among top officials, Volkov announced today that the Republic of Monahtan would be reorganized into the Empire of Monahtan. Volkov, now assuming the title of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Mikhail The First, assured the nation that this would usher in a new era of prosperity for the nation. The Emperor announced the dissolution of all previous committees, councils, or boards governing the country and announced it would now be governed by the newly appointed Imperial Central Command, of which the members have not yet been released.

This brings exciting news for us as well as we will no longer be known as the Republican Media Bureau. Henceforth, you will receive your news from the aptly renamed Imperial Media Service. Over the course of the next several months, the Empire will gradually work on transforming all existing "Republican" aspects of the country to the new "Imperial" demonym.

We're excited to be the first to celebrate our new Imperial citizenship and look forward to more exciting changes in the future!