Lyceni News Feed

[Alexiandra]

New Phase of Alexiandran Space Development Begins




Artist's conception of Alexiandra's new 'kinetic strike' platforms

LOCKBOURNE, ALEXIANDRA — The National Space Command celebrated its first successful launch in over two years today. A HLC-12 'Atlas' rocket, carrying the first of the Republic's new Brimstone-class weapons satellite systems, escaped the Earth's atmosphere shortly after dawn on Monday morning. According to Dr Brian Faulks, head of the Brimstone project, preliminary data indicates that the platform - along with a separate satellite designed to provide targeting and communications capacity - has taken up a stable orbit as planned.

The Brimstone marks a new epoch in the long and illustrious history of Alexiandra's space programme. It will allow the Republic to strike targets anywhere on the surface of the Earth using tungsten projectiles; hitting the ground at speeds of up to three kilometres per second, these 'rods' are expected to produce destructive effects comparable to those of a tactical nuclear warhead. Over the next few months, Dr Faulks says, a further six weapons systems will be put into orbit, each armed with a classified number of 'rods'. He also reaffirmed the Republic's intention to resupply its Rising-class kinetic bombardment satellites. During hostilities with Traldonia, Riomler and later the People's Government of Lower Magica, many of the re-entry vehicles employed by the Rising-class craft were used up in attacks on enemy positions. By 2025, Faulks says, these will have been replaced. 'It is very important that, as we face new threats both within Lyceni and beyond, we continue to develop and expand Alexiandra's cutting-edge military technology,' he states. 'Integral to this objective is the maintenance and upkeep of existing platforms, including those of the Rising-class.'

Dr Faulks was likely alluding to tensions with the Federal Republic of Vichnaya, which have been on the rise since the latter's abortive intervention in the Magican Civil War earlier this year. Alexiandra's development of new and immensely destructive space weapons will almost certainly face a hostile reception in that country, especially given how effective similar weapons proved to be in the Traldonian and Magican Civil Wars. There are domestic critics, too - President Harper Montferrat's political rivals allege that the new satellites are restricting expenditure in other areas, most notably education. The President's office refutes this, however, and has issued a statement claiming that education spending will 'continue to rise in line with pre-existing estimates'.

[Upper Magica]

RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUES - GOVERNMENT COMES UNDER FIRE FOR QUESTIONABLE SAFETY, LABOR PRACTICES

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A photograph of a destroyed Aquis city street in mid-day, as crews prepare to rebuild this shattered neighborhood.

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AQUIS, EMPIRE OF MAGICA - One month later from the conclusion of the Second Magican War, reconstruction on the Imperial capital of Aquis continues apace. With an estimated 550 billion florin in damages alone rendered unto the Great Golden City, experts and officials are on the record as stating that reconstruction will take years, as Red Magican UXO devices uncovered underneath the rubble will significantly impede the clearing of debris, while adding on top of the massive financial costs a uniquely terrible human cost.

Earlier this week, LNN reported that over twenty construction workers were killed after inadvertently triggering an unexploded munition, presumably of the AS-4 or KSR-2 type while clearing the debris of what was once an apartment highrise. Trade unions are demanding that more stringent safety protocols are introduced into worksites and that the Imperial Army make available munitions disposal experts and equipment to private contractors.

While the Magican Government has made no comment so far, it is expected that these resources will be made available in the form of not only those disposal experts of the Imperial Army, but also similarly-qualified experts from the former Magican People's Armed Forces, many of whom are prisoners of war and legally protected from being compelled to perform dangerous work such as explosive-ordnance disposal.

Despite this, reports have indicated that Red Magican prisoners of war are, in fact, performing dangerous work on behalf of the Imperial Magican state; human rights groups both domestically and abroad have decried the practice, while the Magican Government has defended its stance, explaining that: "...the participation of former soldiers of the Magican People's Armed Forces, particularly their specialists in explosives disposal and NBC weapons disposal, is absolutely necessary in these critical initial stages of the reconstruction of not just the South, but the entirety of our Archipelago."

The Emperor, however, has been more vocal in the program's defense. Arthur the Second has been quoted as saying:

"This is not involuntary servitude, as many critics of our practices would allege. Former personnel of the People's Armed Forces have a choice - they can work for a wage, paid out in florin, not scrip or some such nonsense until they are duly discharged, with any and all pay - with interest, might I add - to be disbursed on their release, or they can sit in a cell. Either way, they are fed and clothed. Most choose to work - to better and make safe not only their own communities, but the entire country."

[Riomler]

New Rovaria-in the begining,people were adament on helping upper magica,now considering the heavy casualties suffered,they are reluctant to even talk about magica,local critics have stated"why even help them at all!?What have they ever done for us?",the goverment has condemned this and released a statement"Riomler is most gracouse of magica helping to rebuild our great country and you suggest turning our back on them now?Forever onward,magica is our ally and we will risk life and limb to protect it."

[Harrisopia]

Harrisopian Royal Wedding Excites Nation
Harrisopia came to witness the first Royal wedding in decades when King Theon Jadeous finally married his beloved Penelope.

The late Alex Jadeous, predecessor and Uncle to the King, lived his life without a wife, making this wedding the first of its kind in almost half a century.

Harrisopia's involvement in the Magican Civil War saw the planned summer wedding be moved to autumn with several high profile attendees.
Alexiandran President Montferrat was seen alongside Magican leader Arthur the Second. Numerous government officials were there as well as acclaimed Harrisopian actress Danielle May-Lewis and Captain of the Harrisopian national football team Barry Kane.

A notable absence was Vichnaya Ambassador Clark Beaton who is known to have a close relationship with the King. Rumoured tensions with the Republic of Vichnaya have been downplayed in recent weeks though the Ambassador's absence suggests things could be worse than the government would like to admit.

With our nation moving ahead into uncertain times the union of a King and a Queen will be hoped to inspire us all to a stable future.

[Riomler]

Riomler govermeent has congrtualated the king and his wife and hope you have a great life together.

[Upper Magica]

IMPERIAL SECURITY BUREAU ABOLISHED - SECTION XIII, SHADOWY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY'S EXISTENCE CONFIRMED

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Michel Ladroit, notable trade unionist and outspoken liberal figure of the early 90s, testifies to His Imperial Majesty Arthur II on abuses suffered while in the custody of the Department of Social Order. Notably, his left hand has been disfigured.

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L'ANSE A LA MEDEE, EMPIRE OF MAGICA - Today, in a press conference, Emperor Arthur II announced that the Imperial security apparata, notorious at the turn of the millennium for its reputation of human rights abuses largely made against liberal democrat, republican and Marxist activists, figures, and sympathizers, will be reorganized and held responsible to the framework of the new constitutional order that has yet to emerge.

Most stark, however, was the admittance by the Emperor - indirectly - of the existence of a thirteenth section of the ISB rumored to be responsible for foreign intelligence gathering and black operations. Practically an open secret among Magican elite and decisionmakers as well as those of Magica's allies and adversaries, the Section is long thought to be responsible for a great deal of the Magican intelligence community's heretofore unexplained successes.

In the plans put forth by the Emperor, Section 1(Military/Signals Intelligence Bureau), Section 7(Space Surveillance Office) are to be folded into the operations of the General Staff, operating as the newly constituted Military Reconnaissance Office.

Section 2(Bureau of Criminal Investigation), Section 3(Office of the Gendarmerie), Section 6(Narcotics and Firearms), Section 9(Counter-Terror) and Section 10(Digital Operations) will be folded into the Directorate of Central Security, responsible for the maintenance of domestic security and Empire-wide law enforcement, while also subsuming the Imperial Navy's Coastal and Revenue Service, taking on the protection of the Empire's littoral from smuggling activity.

Sections 4(Economic Affairs) and 5(Foreign Affairs) will be folded into the Ministry of Trade and the Foreign Ministry respectively, continuing to provide information to their respective ministries on new commercial and foreign developments.

Section 8, the formidable Analytical Department of the Imperial Security Bureau, and Section XIII will be folded into the Directorate of Central Intelligence, the Empire's first publicly-confirmed foreign intelligence service.

Most notable, however, are the absence of Section 11, the feared and much-maligned Department of Social Order and Section 12, the ISB's media manipulation and censorship department from this reorganization.

When question time came around, our reporter inquired as to the absence of Sections 11 and 12 from this new order. The Emperor had this to say:

"We have no place for secret police and censorship in the new constitutional order. Indeed, we're going to be taking a close audit and accounting of all ISB activities - particularly that of the Department of Social Order - to discern if human rights abuses have, indeed, been committed. If we find that wrongdoing has been committed on a systematic scale, we will take appropriate action as the law and common morality demand."

[Harrisopia]

Defence Pact Honoured as Tensions Grow

Harrisopian Armed Forces have been seen in recent weeks completing military drills alongside Riomlerian soldiers in the latter's territory.

The Harrisopian government is currently testing the waters internationally with trying to add to what is considered "allied forces" as potential hostilities with the Republic of Vichnaya loom.

Harrisopian General James Davenport was unavailable for comment on current affairs though it is suspected that this will not be the first time Harrisopian troops will be conducting military training with fellow Lyceni nations as rumours grow of talks with the Commonwealth of Aquilara over another defence pact to further strengthen alliances.

With Harrisopia currently at the forefront, it is expected similar actions will be taken by the Republic of Alexiandra and the Empire of Magica in due course.

[Aquilara]

Smuggling a "lucrative business" at Aquilara-Riomler border, report finds.

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Border agents on standby at a known illegal border crossing (file photo, faces blurred)

The gamble for easy money from smuggling contraband, drugs, and illegal migrants is hard to resist for those working and living near the border with Riomler, according to a report released by the Aquilaran Intelligence Committee. The report concluded that, despite the risks, smuggling is a "lucrative business" along the border, with illicit trade valued at an estimated $12 billion last year and set to increase over time.

While smuggling goods and drugs back and forth have historically been the largest forms of illicit trade, the report found a startling increase in human trafficking and illegal migration since 2017. The report confirms trends seen by Statistics Aquilara and the Citizenship and Immigration Department, placing most of the blame on the conflicts ravaging Riomler to the north and, to a lesser degree, Magica to the east. With huge existing pressure on the legitimate immigration system, foreign nationals and migrants are seeking entry to Aquilara by other means to take advantage of its neutral status and stable economy.

With this trend, death happens almost daily. One smuggling trip this week ended in tragedy, with 46 migrants found dead outside of Alvazaros - a bustling trade hub in the north of Aquilara. Most of the 46 died of heatstroke and dehydration after being locked inside a cramped cargo container in blistering jungle heat without any water or ventilation. These deaths, the report says, are unlikely to stop unless a solution can be found.

Truckers and locals who find themselves in financial hardship sometimes accept offers to transport migrants. The report finds that poorer families and truckers with large debts typically seek ways to supplement their incomes, including by taking drastic measures like transporting people.

Legal trade activities between the two countries were valued at $200 billion in 2021 and there is some legitimate commuting for work across the border. The Aquilaran Department of Foreign Affairs has signalled its intention to communicate with their Riomlerian counterparts to discuss ways of mutually increasing border security without greatly affecting trade and legal border crossings.

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[Riomler]

The Riomler goverment agrees with their aquilarean counterparts and wish to discuss this in rovaria.









Riomler also sends its new weapons to the allied training grounds that are taking place in riomler.

[Harrisopia]

War Preparations Continue

A new Harrisopian weapons production site has begun construction in Lockbourne, the capital of Alexiandra.
Many are assuming this is a response to tensions across Lyceni though official statements from both governments claim that this was a move agreed and planned several years before.

The weapons to be produced are believed to primarily be infantry weapons rather than more advanced vehicles and missiles though rumours suggest a future expansion in this area is not outside the realms of possibility.

When asked for comment Production Manager Catherine Holloway stated "The close relationship between Harrisopia and Alexiandra is common knowledge around Lyceni. Our countries regularly engage in trade, military exercises, shared weapon deals etc and we have for years. The construction of this site isn't unusual and shouldn't be used for fearmongering."

[Upper Magica]

HUMAN TRAFFICKING RING DISASSEMBLED - 34 ARRESTED, 5 KILLED, DEATH PENALTY ON TABLE

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QUAI DE ARGENT, EMPIRE OF MAGICA, NORTHERN INTEGRATION ADMINISTRATION - In a shocking turn of events in the city that was once named after Marx, Imperial Magican gendarmerie operating in conjunction with the holdover institution of the Provisional People's Armed Police, in a daring raid at dawn forcefully descended on a derelict warehouse and dockyard that, after a weeks-long investigation, was established to be a center of the world's oldest illegal trade - slavery.

The Quai de Argent(formerly the Metropole de Marx) network, as the Imperial Directorate for Central Security has referred to it in its communications on the subject, is at least partially responsible for a spate of disappearances within the Anchorhead Occupation Zone as well as, in recent times, the discovery of what Alexiandran naval captains have referred to as 'floating graveyards' - flotillas of often shoddily and rapidly constructed boats that are far from seaworthy as individuals seek to escape the poverty conditions of Northern Magica, while others seek to escape prosecution by the new Imperial regime. Oftentimes, these ships, inbound towards the Fed. Rep. of Vichnaya to the north and the Commonwealth of Aquilara to the west-south west, are overtaken by high tide and storms, and end up capsized in the notoriously terrible conditions of the Magican Straits and the Southeast Lycenian Tropics at large.

Officials were proud to announce that only two officers were injured during the aggressive breaching operation, while five were killed resisting arrest. Of those thirty-four arrested on charges of torture and human trafficking, three were Vichnayan nationals, two were Aquilaran nationals, one Harrisopian, one Riomlerian, and one Alexiandran. Shockingly, in the case of all persons involved without regard to nationality, the Magican government has announced its intention to pursue aggravated enhancements on all human trafficking charges pressed, meaning that the death penalty would be mandated in sentencing if found guilty in accordance with the Imperial Decree on Anti-Slavery of 1839.

Human trafficking with the intent to furnish a person or persons for sale for any purpose is among one of a handful of crimes - such as intentional singular or mass homicide, aggravated and/or habitual sexual assault, CSA of any kind, treason, manslaughter as a result of committing a violent crime(such as arson, armed robbery, kidnapping, or operating a vehicle or heavy machinery under the influence), piracy, or terrorism - that either specifically prescribe capital punishment or provide it as an option at the discretion of the judge and prosecution as a punishment for said crime in Magican law. Of these crimes, only human trafficking with the intent to sell, intentional homicide, piracy, forcible intimacy with minors under the age of 14, and treason specifically mandate execution as the only recourse to the Empire for these acts.

The Minister of Justice has issued a press statement, quoted as saying:

"...capital punishment for human trafficking is not only just, but morally required. The Empire of Magica is not a place where slavers can prosper, and we must make that abundantly clear to not only those dissolute criminal groups that pop up like vermin in the disorderly and impoverished Northern Reintegration Zone, but foreign criminal elements that would take advantage of the situation. We value a productive and amiable relationship with our neighbors and allies, but we will not tolerate their criminal elements coming to our shores thinking they might be able to breathe new life in an institution that ought to have been long-dead: the slave trade."

The United Magican Press has reached out to the embassies of those non-Magican nationals arrested; so far, we've received no comment, but we'll keep you updated.

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Would you like to know more?

This week's top headlines:
1. Preparations continue for Vichnayan/Magican summit in L'Anse a la Medee
2. UXO explodes in La Rosa, killing 22
3. Pundits lambast Emperor's bachelorhood after lese-majeste laws are revoked
4. Defense analysts: Leak of MagIC, Red Magican defense schematics to Vichnayan hackers is a catastrophe
5. Opinion: War in Lyceni is unthinkable - and the Empire isn't ready for it

[Alexiandra]

New Cyber Research Centre Opens in Ockridge


The Ockridge Center for Cyber Security in Ockridge, Alexiandra

OCKRIDGE, Alexiandra - The National Cyber Defence Institute celebrated the opening of a new, multimillion pound cyber research laboratory in Ockridge today. Construction on the massive structure began in 2015, as part of outgoing President Stuart Bright's 'Secure Futures' initiative. The programme, which faced significant opposition from peace activists, saw the Alexiandran defence industry receive a £2bn influx to 'combat emerging threats to the Republic's security and peace in Lyceni'.

While details of the exact research to be undertaken at the site remain classified, Alexiandran officials said that they 'looked forward to working with expert colleagues from across Lyceni' using the facility's state-of-the-art equipment. Many have interpreted this to mean that Harrisopian and Magican specialists will be invited to collaborate with their Alexiandran counterparts in developing cyber-weapons for use against Vichnaya. A spokesman for President Harper Montferrat was quick to dismiss such claims, however, saying that the Ockridge Centre 'has been under construction for nearly eight years, and forms part of a long-term strategy to bolster national security'.

The opening ceremony was a modest affair, attended by a small crowd consisting mainly of defence officials and cyber-security specialists. Deputy Defence Minister Louis Favreau delivered a short speech before cutting a ribbon and entering the building for an official tour. The Centre is expected to begin operations this week, complete with a three hundred-strong staff of technicians and researchers.

[Riomler]

Rovaria,

Considering the large threat that vichnaya holds,a proposition just went through to build a Great Wall stretching from west to east of the border,the government has said they still accept immigrants,but they have to bring identification so no “accidents” happen.Considering it’s on the border,it’s not safe so riomler has started to adding frigor artillery placements on the walls where they are finished.the walls themselves will be finished on about 3 weeks(IC time) because there are going to be 300 construction workers building this wall.

[Harrisopia]

Traldonian Protests Cause Chaos

Fierce protests have occurred across the country of Traldonia as allied occupation goes into its third year.
Since the conclusion of the Harrisopian-Traldonian Conflict the nation of Traldonia has been under the control, primarily, of Harrisopian and Alexiandran forces.

Allied occupation has caused a great stir amongst the international community with many, Vichnaya in particular, throwing out accusations of tyranny and colonialism.

Following the end of the war there has been noted unrest from many Traldonian citizens however in recent months we have seen the most aggressive protests with several incidents of violence and vandalism seen from the native population.

King Theon Jadeous was asked recently to give his views on the situation
"The former leaders of the nation of Traldonia showed that they were nothing more than bloodthirsty dictators. Allied occupation of the country was never meant to be perceived as a desire for colonisation. Neither the Kingdom of Harrisopia nor the Republic of Alexiandra are empires and have ever shown the potential to be as such."

Civil rights activists would disagree however with Roger Morley, leader of Harrisopian charity I Hate Hate, making his thoughts clear
"Traldonia are an independent nation. I can appreciate why the conflict between our countries may have happened, even though it could easily have been avoided, but why should the people suffer because of it? The conflict ended three years ago. What business do the armed forces of Harrisopia or Alexiandra have for being there? No one seems to want to answer that question."

The public's opinion on this matter is divided but Vichnaya's involvement is a cause for concern with rumours surfacing of the possibility of what is quoted as "justified intervention" on their part when it comes to allied occupation.
More to follow soon.

[Alexiandra]

Republican Guard Troops Deployed to Occupied Traldonia



Republican Guard troops confront protestors in Onyx early on Thursday morning.
Image credit: Julian Wohl, ABBC

ONYX, Alexiandran Traldonia — Troops from the Republican Guard, Alexiandra's reserve army, were officially deployed to occupied Traldonia late on Wednesday night. In a short statement to press outlets, Dylan Harris - the Alexiandran Governor in the region - said that the movement of forces had taken place 'at the request of myself and other local leaders' and was a 'temporary measure designed to protect the citizens of Traldonia'. It comes as mass protests have rocked the troubled occupation zone over the past three days, resulting in damage to both Alexiandran and Harrisopian government facilities.

Up to 15,000 troops are believed to have crossed the border from Alexiandra overnight, with Traldonians awakening to find armoured vehicles on the streets of Onyx for the first time since the occupation began three years ago. While a small military presence had been present since then, it was reportedly deemed insufficient to deal with the scale of the protests which erupted earlier this week. Protestors are demanding the removal of Alexiandran and Harrisopian military bases from Traldonian soil, as well as the restoration of the occupied zones to Traldonia proper. The Traldonian government itself, installed by Allied forces in the aftermath of the Traldonian War three years ago, has not commented publicly - but anti-occupation voices in both Alexiandra and Harrisopia have issued sympathetic statements.

Nevertheless, the Alexiandran government's stance remains unequivocal, with President Harper Montferrat stating on Tuesday: 'The regions occupied by Alexiandran and Harrisopian troops no longer belong to Traldonia. They were forfeited when the Empire decided to wage a cruel and unlawful war of aggression against its neighbours. For reasons of national security, Alexiandran-occupied Traldonia will remain part of our Republic for the foreseeable future.'

Experts have suggested that the Republic hopes to retain its northern conquests as a buffer zone against future Traldonian incursions. The territories are also home to several manufacturing hubs, including the regional capital of Onyx, making them a powerful asset as tensions with Vichnaya escalate.

[Riomler]

riomler,Rovaria-Rovaria sends its hope and wishes that the civil strife in traldonia will end soon meanwhile it is also receiving word that a current situation is happening in a familier country...

TRANSMISSION

Basin city,Kinbridge-Help!Help!traldonian insurgents are attacking the capital and were being overrun!(explosion)please send reinforc-(gunshots) -transmission ends

[Upper Magica]

Imperial Magican Armed Forces Rolls Out New Modernization Program

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Artist's render of the new ATV-M 'Scorpion', to be used by Imperial special forces on reconnaissance missions. This unique motorbike is all-terrain and, uniquely, armed with four anti-tank rocket mounts.

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AQUIS, EMPIRE OF MAGICA - Today, officials from the Imperial Air Force, Imperial Army, and Imperial Navy announced in a rare joint press conference a ten-year plan to modernize the Imperial Armed Forces at large. Over the next five to ten years, every aspect of the current system will be reorganized; the long-standing division of the Imperial Army will be eliminated as a unit in favor of brigades which, according to General-Marshal Rousseau representing the Imperial Army, will result in a more lightweight Imperial Army fit for the envisioned expeditionary battles of tomorrow. As part of the Army Restructuring Plan, more of a focus on battlefield logistics and quick deployment will be made through further investment in the Army's organic air-transport capability and its motor pool, as well as the tactical, strategic, and unit training necessary to utilize these new capabilities. This doesn't come without a price: the Army's vaunted main battle tanks are slated to be struck from its inventory, while existing armor capabilities are to be audited for cost-efficiency and practicality in a post-Reunification environment.

However, this does not signal the 'end of an era' for the tank in the Magican Imperial Army - Model 90/120 and Model 90/120 'Ghosts', light tanks with main battle tank armament and, in the case of the 'Ghost', IR detection countermeasures are slated to be acquired in bulk to offset the loss of so many heavy tanks: over 260 of both types have been delivered with 720 more on the way. To supplement this new tank force based on maneuver, shock, and operational capability in rough environs, the concept of the 'tank destroyer' has been revitalized - Model 1 'Hailfire' NLOS-AT platforms, also known as 'missile tanks' based on the Model 90 chassis are capable of firing a whopping salvo of six Hellfire missiles from either direct fire or an indirect fire position up to 11km away, guided to their quarries by either laser rangefinding from front-line infantry or in cooperation with reconnaissance drones.

In addition, for the average infantryman, the Army will finally phase out the venerable AR-10 as the standard infantry rifle, though it will remain in use within the Territorial Army, replacing it with the bullpup AR-3 'Hellion' chambered in 6.8×51mm Magican caliber alongside the AR-11 'Terminator' specialist weapon. Existing artillery platforms such as the Model 6 Rhino will likely be upgunned with cannon and fire control upgrades allowing gunfire to reach a whopping 67km away with the usage of Very Long Range special artillery shells, while precision guided rounds - at a much lesser range of 38km - are expected to make up the mainstay of ready ammunition stores in two years' time.


The Naval General Staff also revealed its final iteration of the long-rumored 9th Naval Decree - likely the last such example before parliamentary control is slated to take effect in 2025 - outlining not only a modernization of the Navy, but an expansion: the four Emotive-class battleships will likely be replaced with five Predator-class Arsenal Ships, projected to weigh in heavier than the Emotives by a mere 4,000 tons: 76,000 tons fully equipped while boasting 512 missile launch cells of all shapes and sizes, as well as several dozen light gun, close-in weapons system, and rolling airframe missile emplacements.

The Assault-class fleet carriers, Boucanier, Grenadier, and Mousquetaire will be reportedly kept, while the two Armory-class fleet carriers are slated to be moved to the Reserve Fleet and replaced in an active role by five Raptor-class supercarriers, two of which, the Aigle and Crecerelle are already operational, while a third, the Faucon, will enter into service this year. The aging Commodore Paris class of guided missile frigates - all 47 of the ships - will be gradually replaced by 54 new and modular Littoral Combatant Vessels capable of taking on nearly any mission anywhere while having stealth as a centric feature in their design. The Imperial Navy's cruisers are slated to also be scrapped in their entirety, with the cruiser and destroyer force to be replaced by the Next-Generation Guided Missile Destroyer; 21 destroyers and 8 cruisers will be replaced by an order of 28 of these unclassed destroyers, the design of which is still reportedly ongoing; sources indicate these ships are directly meant to be peers to the existent advanced Lider-class design utilized by Vichnaya which, by all accounts shocked the Naval General Staff through its blatant superiority to existent Magican and allied designs.

The Air Force, too, will also undergo a radical change, but not quite as drastic as that of the Navy: the F-4 2000, a mainstay of the Air Force's ground wings, will be universally replaced by the F-23 Black Widow. The A-10 will be further supported in its close-air support role by the new Orca light-jet VTOL aircraft - by all accounts a highly maneuverable craft that is superior to, in all respects save for armor, the Super Tucano which it will replace in service. The AH-66 Firelance will also enter into service, filling a vital need for stealth-capable attack helicopters, augmenting the existing fleet of AH-64 Longbows.

All in all, these concerted procurement and modernization programs represent a stark turn from the age of pre-Unification mass combat and an increasing focus on aggressive maneuverability and expeditionary deployment with small units. Political interest groups have criticized the increased spending on the military in addition to the continued active role of the Territorial Army, which remains partially mobilized on occupation duty. Niall Jacques, spokesman for the newly-constituted Party of Constitutional Principle, was quoted as saying:

"Every bullet and every shell manufactured and paid for by the Imperial coffers represents, in all practical sense, a theft from the job we've to do in the task of rebuilding our Archipelago, which I might remind everyone - not that it needs to be - still remains in a state of mass destruction. That this questionable legislation was passed, in effect stealing from future generations through tens billions of florin of debt incurred, or by direct specie, also in effect stealing from the rebuilding effort, is offense upon injury. Although I will always sing the praises of His Majesty for giving freedom back to the people, no man is beyond criticism: this militarization is a massive mistake on his and the Government's part."

On the other hand, the Union of National Interest, representing the firmly xenophobic conservative and religious right, had this to say, as its leader, Artoria Jimena directly commented: "His Majesty, by getting this bill passed and assented to, will be lauded for generations to come. Our Archipelago, as evidenced by prior events, is in open sights. If Vichnaya had invaded, we would be their umpteenth oblast and our Emperor reduced to some figurehead in their system of government as they've done with other noble lines in their country. Imagine it: our Cathar churches burned down, replaced by... what, profane devilry in the form of worship of the Stars? Ludicrous. We cannot depend solely on our 'allies', either. By the time they got here in the Second War of Unification, Red bastards were already at the gates of Aquis. We are strong when we make ourselves strong - not by relying on others to save us."

It is expected, too, that surplus last-generation equipment such as the M60A6-2000, Panther II/105 main battle tanks, the F-4 2000, AH-1 Cobras, Agitator III/155 tank destroyers, T-80-II heavy tanks, M110 siege cannons and even some naval ships struck from the Fleet lists will be lend-leased and delivered to the government of Riomler; negotiations are ongoing.

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Would you like to know more?

This week's top headlines:
1. Group of 8 Vichnayan, Aquilaran, Alexiandran, Harrisopian, Riomlerian nationals sentenced to death by the guillotine on charges of aggravated human trafficking; executions slated for next month pending appeals
2. 'People's Government of Magica' government-in-exile founded in Onasa
3. The Falcon and The Kestrel, movie about Vichnayan airman and three Imperial Guardsmen trapped in Lower Magican territory releases in theaters: makes top 5 in box office sales this month
4. Opinion: Release the Magican People's Army from PW status; let them reintegrate!
5. The Emerging Art of Nationalist Trash Talking in Video Games - what does blyat mean?

[Riomler]

Riomler condemnes vichnaya and sends 10 frigates and 4 destroyers to patrol allied waters while sending 100,000 more soldiers to reinforce the border

[Riomler]

RNN-Today it is declared that the country of buhers has risen up from the ashes!,people are furious with the government and demand they have their freedom,the government released a statement just a minute ago .Alexander riondel-“We defend our borders,keep you safe and fed and you Rebel?Fine,have your independence BUT know that you have just waged a war you never thought possible and there will be a fight now leave me,yes goodbye news reporters,I don’t speak to buherians.”This sends a powerful message to the breakaway state that that riomler does not easily let go,how will buhers respond?Come back tonight to find out.

[Merne]