All news stories are submitted by participants in Ill Bethisad, all of whom are welcome to submit stories from their respective parts of Ill Bethisad. Submissions may be edited for clarity, language or style.
OMNIPRESSE -- 02.12.2004 -- PEACEKEEPERS ON ALERT IN PORT-AU-PRINCE
Port-au-Prince, Hayti -- Louisianan Peackeepers were deployed en masse in the streets of Port-au-Prince after the violence of yesterday which resulted in some deaths. Though it was later proven false, it was at first believed that the troubles were due to the visit of louisianan dignitary Nicolin Pô.
It seem that troubles started in the national penitentiary after a rumour spreaded that former FC collaborators were to be transfered to face trial. According to prison authorities, a large number of detainees tried to destroy part of a wall to allow them to escape and after many summon, guards were forced to shoot. It is believed that some of the body found were those of fellow detainees who refused to help the FC harliners and were killed prior to the botched escape attempt.
Shots were also heard across town but are firmly believed to be unrelated to either the visit or the troubles at the national penitentiary. Nonetheless, security was highten to insure the safety of the peackeepers and the population. [MP]
ANNAC & IBAP [JOINT RELEASE] -- 29.11.2004 -- MYSTERY SOLVED!
SAN DIEGO -- Today, amid flashes from reporter's cameras, Padrig Maughan, Former Prefect of New Cornwall announced his resignation.
"I resign today to fulfill another, more important position for the Republic. At the request of the other members of the Council, I take over as leader of Louisianne's Mining and Environmental Protection concerns.
"Our government expresses concerns for those Tejans and Alta Californians affected by the dis-reputable mining practices of companies that had been employed in the mining ventures in the Comte de Montagne (Recently Acquired Territory of New Cornwall).
"Already the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending Service Missionaries, couples whose goal is only to represent Christian values in serving and helping these afflicted peoples.
"Louisianne will negotiate with Alta California and Tejas to give a settlement appropriate to aid those affected by our oversight. As interrim Prefect, I nominate Albert Didier, to be confirmed by the Chrisitian Conservative Legislators (LMC) convention."
Albert Didier is a former party boss of the Parti Républicain Libre, PRL, but has been deeply entrenched in the Législateurs de Moralité Chrétienne. His nomination will most likely be confirmed in the next few days.
The Young Regime was deeply shaken with Maughan's departure to the LMC, however, Maughan remains true to the administration, as can be seen by his nomination to chair such a deeply important Agency. [DH]
LA VOZ -- 25.11.2004 -- PROTESTOR SLAIN BY GENDARMES
SAN DIEGO -- Commotion raged in downtown San Diego as German Zuniga was gunned down by defenders at the Presidential Palace.
Zuniga carried a letter and brandished a fire-arm as he explained the terrible death of his mother from cancer that he believes stems from the polluted waters of the Rio de Sangre. When the palace guards would not allow him to pass, he brandished the firearm. Upon firing the first shot in the air, snipers killed Zuniga, fearing the safety of by-standers.
An official press-release stated regrets for Zuniga's death, and promised an inquest into the behavior of the sniper.
In related news, talks are on-going between Tejas and Alta California, though it seems that talks may break down at any moment, as the Tejan delegation tries to obscure the matter. [DH]
EL TIEMPO DEL REINO -- 25.11.2004 -- WATER CLAIMS SOUR INTL. RELATIONS
SANTA FE, TEJAS -- Proof of Alta Californian tampering with the watershed has come to light today, as water taken near the border of Louisianne and Alta California proved yet more heavily laden with Arsenic.
"This proves the cases of cancer and debilitating skin diseases and deaths of wildlife." a government official stated.
Alta California denies that it has any participation in the matter, and recent troop movements suggest that the Alta Californios have something else in mind. [DH]
LA VOZ -- 22.11.2004 -- TEJAS, CALIFORNIA HEAT UP!
Skirmishes along Rio de Sangre between Tejan and Alta Californian farmers have erupted this weekend as both sides blame the other for the misterious poisoning.
Scientists in San Diego at the government's health institute have found that water samples have a very high level of arsenic, much more than have been recorded before the present.
Armed forces of el Reino de Tejas and Alta California have been called out to enforce a peace between the angry peasants while the governments hold closed door meetings in a neutral location.
Alta Californian sentiment suspects an alliance between some faction of the Tejan Kingdom and the Deseret insurrectionists, as the watershed of the Rio de Sangre is largely supported by drainage from Deseretan controlled areas.
Tejans on the other hand suspect that it's an Alta Californian plot in retribution for past wrongs.
War looms on the horizon, but may be averted by the quick discussions that both nations seem willing to embrace. [DH]
LA VOZ -- 15.11.2004 -- CALIFORNIAN ECOLOGY IN CRISIS?
SAN DIEGO, ALTA CALIFORNIA -- Today 50 fishermen from towns along the Golfo de California came to the capital, requesting ecological testing be done in the waters of the Gulf. Fishing supplies have declined rapidly, as has irrigated crops that are irrigated from Rio de Colorado or Rio de Sangre.
"Something is in the water. It has to be. Why else would the agriculture be dying, and the fish too?" German Zuniga said to reporters. "And look at my hands! In this last year I've had many bumps appear on my hands." Once the reporters have looked at his hands, Zuniga becomes emotional, and stifles tears, "Y mi madre...My mother; she has the cancer now. She was healthy three years ago. And now? She is dying! The government must help!"
No official recognition or news release from San Diego has been forthcoming. [DH]
IBAP -- 29.10.2004 [8 Brumaire, CCXIII] -- Silver Flows, Ecologists Rage, Tejas Simmers
Amid the Aspen trees that give 'Tremble' its name, new towers of steel are rearing up, changing the skyline. Yes, true to promise, Louisianne is opening world-class ski resorts this year, on top of rapidly expanding state-owned and moderated mines.
In the last year since the purchase of this land area from Tejas, a number of silver, zinc and lead deposits have been discovered, and a veritable silver rush has begun. Mining towns have sprung up, a few notable being Aspen, Almont, Baldwin, and Irwin, and are numbering as many as 12. Officials are expecting the number by spring to double to as many as 30.
This silver influx will pay for the outlays planned by First President Young and the Prefects. As the mining ventures have increased, pronounced resentment has been lobbied by the Oregonian Ambassador.
"What's next? Mining the World Protectorate Geyser Park? Is nothing sacred?" Pyotr Martinez opined to IBAP.
Not only is Oregon outraged by the mining ventures, but Tejas as well. Public indignation is building, claiming that Louisianne knew of the silver deposits and bilked them in the land purchase.
"They have kicked us while we were down. They offered a seemingly benign gift to help our people, and yet they have stabbed us in the back. Should we have expected any less from the double-dealing Louisiannais?" Ernesto Padilla, Ambassador of Tejas said. "We will not forget this. Louisianne will feel our anger, though only economically, for now."
"This is not the case," Jean-Francois Young said in conversation with Larry King. "While there had been rumors, our goals for purchase of this region was increased tourism, and trade with the world at large through these ski resorts. We were very happily surprised when our contractors informed us of the silver deposits. We had no intention of defrauding Tejas."
When questioned further about the growth of Lousiannan outlays and the international concern, bordering on dismay, Young said, "Besides the growing silver mines in Nouvelle Cournouaille, the Republic has been approached by the Autonomous Dakota Nation about a dramatic expansion of ecologically-benign mining of the Noirainnes."
There has previously been a small establishment of miners in Nouvelle Navarre, restricted because the Dakota wished to preserve the sanctity of the Noirraines. Now, with ideas of casino gaming filling their view, mining rights have been sold to the republican government in a 60-40 division of mining profits. This money will be used by the Dakota to fund construction of gaming facilities across Louisianne, as well as across the Mizouri in Les Plaines, NAL.
The LDS Church has also approached the council, seeking to give restitution for secret mining that has gone on for nearly a century. While complete details have not been disclosed, it is clear that restitution for the missing Mining Tax will be assessed over the next 20 years to cover retroactively the past 50.
When questioned by King in this double interview, Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the LDS Church said calmly, "We didn't wish to fund the corruption and greed that had so long plagued our higher government offices. We have now found a trustworthy leader, and have faith in the future choices of Louisiannans. For this reason we have come forward and negotiated with the Republic to pay back our outstanding tax-debt."
While this will affect the profitable-output of the Mormon mines, there is no expected collapse of the mining ventures, and some analysts say that with the veil of secrecy gone, the mines will expand ten-fold.
While these reputable sources of income have now come to light, there is a lingering rumor of misdealing with the new Ecu, of false-silver content in the new coinage, and other disreputable dealings. These rumors have not yet been substantiated, but persist, nonetheless. [DH]
WEEKLY WORLD NEWS -- 15.10.2004 -- LOUISIANA USES SLINGSHOT, CIRCUMVENTS MOBILE BORDER CONTROL
In an effort to breach the defenses of Mobile Province, Louisiannans are apparently resorting to a slingshot, launching themselves across the Mississippi along with all sorts of goods to be sold.
Ever since MP Sessions has come out against the Louisiannan Dual marking system, sales have been slow.
"We've got to recoup our losses. We feel this is the best way available," said David Helfand, canned goods reseller.
"It's not my fault the NAL can't see how reasonable the Louisiannan system is! I've got to make a living. I have a wife and children to feed!"
Both President Young and MP Sessions were unavailable for comment at time of Press.
=====
MALEVOLENT VOLE-PERSONS FOUND IN DESERET!
Their tunnels are filled with how-to-terrorize literature, the have gruesome talons, and they move like the wind...and they hate all of us who dare to live above ground!
University of Sante-Fe geologists declare that they've uncovered a secret pact between the Deseret Rebels and the hyper-intelligent Voles to remove all opposition to control of the earth.
"They've got pamphlets on bombs, biological warfare, and the Voles are capable of psychic blasts that can destroy the human mind instantly."
National Security Officials of Louisianne, Oregon, Alta California and Tejas have all expressed concern about this. "As if the Deseretans weren't bad enough, now we have a much worse enemy to deal with," a top Alta Californian official said. "Are the Deseretan's Stupid? Do they really think the Vole People will let them rule when all other humans are destroyed?"
=====
GOTEBORG FUNERAL BRINGS TO LIGHT NEWS OF THE END OF THE WORLD
In a shocking turn of events, scrolls uncovered during the inhumation of an re-patriated ex-Scandinaver declare the end of the world is nigh. Contained in the scrolls is the notable news of space-born influenza, brought from the marshes of Venus, similar to the terrible pandemic of 1918 that will decimate the population of the Earth. While the date is not certain, scientists do state, "Flu-Vaccines will serve no purpose. Nothing can prepare us for the types of microbes blown on the Solar wind from Venus." [DH]
IBAP -- 15.10.2004 [Santo Domingo, French-Gaulhosc Peace-Keeping Zone,
Hispagnola -- The streets of Santo Domingo ground to a stand still today as a 50,000 man Imperial Liberation Army marched out the Bay of Ocoa, a hotly contested territory in the consolidation of Hispagnola. The ILA (Ejército Imperial De la Liberación, EIL; Armée Impériale De Libération, AIL) composed mostly of soldiers from the former Dominican army have united under General Miguel Juan-Bautista, leader of the now ended Santo Domingo Junta.
"It is time for the violence to end. 46 have died in the last few days, forty-six common people who were simply defending their lands from an Aggressive Junta. We are the reinforcements for the people. We are the might of our new Emperor!" Juan-Bautista said over Radio Dominica yesterday.
"We pledge our support to the Emperor and will work to secure our island for the safety of its inhabitants," he went on to say in a poor quality recording.
Violence erupted in the Cordillera Central as French and Louisiannan peace-keepers have moved to secure the area. The Junta has taken to violent beheadings and shootings of villagers in an attempt to push back the 'foreign invaders.'
This last spate of violence is a continuation, some say, against supporters of Florida-Caribbea and the Bush Regime. The rebels also demand that the forces of New Francy, Louisianne and France be removed from Hispagnola and that all future decisions be left in the hands of natives.
The Cordillera Central Junta is accused by Louisianne, France and the Emperor's interim government of seeking to destabilize the government and suppressing the evident will of the people. Word from one of the top New-Francien diplomats in Cap-Haitien urged this junta to acquiesce to the Dessaline imperium, as it was the best hope for Hispagnola's future.
The second in command of this army, Remissainthe Ravix, told IBAP Tuesday that he had been to Santo-Domingo to aid in selection of soldiers to accomplish this mission. He wouldn't admit to the number he'd personally chosen, but said, "They will support the Emperor. They will support the Peacekeepers and build up Saint-Domingue."
"What is important is that this junta, these 'chimeres', (angry young men or monsters) are stopped, and the peace of the land restored."
Remissainthe is credited with persuading General Juan-Bautista to assemble this army as Remissainthe has established his own in the last months. "I swear complete fealty to the house of Dessaline," he said when asked if he were not another junta. His army now claims to be a division of the ILA. Initially the attempt of Remissainthe's army to aid flood-ravaged Gonaives was rebuked by the New-Francien troops, but the help was later accepted.
This added military might helped to protect food convoys from looting and rioting as they went to the flooded areas. Catholic Aid and LDS-Charities had been forced to suspend their humanitarian activities in the area until the Remissainthe Army came to bear.
It is also because of the Remissainthe Army that the Oregonian reforestation effort can continue, helping to prevent against future floods like this years.
All are not pleased with this development. Maria-Josephina, who declined to give her last name said, "Things were peaceful before the French, Louisiannans and New-Franciens came. Now we have war, war, war.
"We are told that the Empire will be established and all will be well. Dessaline's ancestors did no good for Hispaniola. I have no hope that he will either." [DH]
IBAP -- 13.10.2004 [22 Vendemiaire, CCXIII] -- REGIMENT DE PAIX
Paris-Sur-Mizouri -- President Jean-Francois Young looked somber today as he addressed the press gathering.
"There has been much pain and sorrow this year because of the hurricanes that have battered the Caribbean. There has been much pain and sorry in years past, and there will be sorrow in years to come.
"To this end, I seek to help alleviate this sorrow by instituting a national Régiment de Paix, a benevolent group that lives under the mantra, "Ask not what the world can do for you, but rather, what can you do for the world."
This program is to be funded in part by the Louisiannan Government. President Young is expected to seek approval and support from other countries. He is expected to depart later this week for stops in the NAL, Nouvelle France, the Federated Kingdoms and other European entites, seeking support for this group, and hopefully elevating it to a world peace organization.
"I see our people drilling wells in Africa, building shelters in the Caribbean, strengthening those who do not have the financial blessings we all enjoy." [DH]
IBAP -- 07.10.2004 -- EXCLUSIVE REPORT!!
Somewhere in the North Atlantic, Late August, 2004 -- A near secret rendez-vous was held in August high over the Atlantic, and has been held under legal gag-order until present. In attendence at this secret meeting were representatives from the TSRC and ATOE. Silence was broken today as the final agreements were cemented between ATOE and Aerospace Amalgamated. Negotiations are believed to be ongoing with the TSRC.
Berthold Rutan, an Oregonian of NAL/Louisiannan descent called this meeting to negotiate funding for research into a cheap re-usable space vessel. This vessel, it is suggested, could cost a mere 15 million ecus, compared to the estimated cost of 3 billion ecus for the development of a similar vessel to the TSRC's lander.
Rutan is well known for his astonishing aircraft that have made waves in the world news, among them the world-circumnavigating Putnik, or Traveller. This vessel was the first to succesfully go around the world without refueling.
Rutan's plans are currently shrouded in secrecy, but it has been announced that at least ATOE has decided to fund research to this end, for a vessel that will be able to ferry cosmonauts from Earth to space much more cheaply and efficiently than other methods currently under review.
Response from TSRC representatives is pending at this time. It is believed they will consider this option, however their complete participation in the venture is doubtful in light of their successfully developped space vessel.
A government land grant has been approved for Aerospace Amalgamated, SA, to build an annex near the location of CNEL headquarters in Louisianne.
Rutan has been reportedly working on a space ship design for the last five years. An insider said on condition of anonymity that Rutan's presentation to the TSRC and ATOE is an attempt to bring his plans to fruition within five year's time, as opposed to the 20 he would have waited, should he go it alone. [DH]
IBAP -- 01.10.2004 [1 Vendémiaire CCXIII] -- ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, LOUISIANAN STYLE!
Chambéon, Nouvelle Cournouaille -- Padrig Maughan stood calmly before the Chrisitian Conservative Legislators convention in Chambéon, and accepted their nomination for his continued service as Prefect.
At the same time, in nearby Mensac, Johann Yegarre was nominated by a coalition of Labor, Industiral and Growth parties. Yegarre is a renown industrialist and philanthropist, lending his private Zeppelin to President Gordon B. Hinckley, of the LDS Church for any travel needs.
While Maughan has a distinguished record for the Prefecture, it's also been noted by many that he seems to favor the environmentalist cause over the middle road approach that is seen in Yegarre's directorship of Yegarre Enterprises, one of the leading construction, chemical, mining, pharmacological companies in the country and quite possibly the world.
Yegarre also has had numerous dealings with the current leadership of Tejas, Oregon and Alta California, as well as the NAL, due largely to his company's growth around the world. Because of the interaction he's had with heads of state as he's established branches of the family company, many feel that he'd do what's best for Louisianne, and Nouvelle Cournouaille in particular by improving the growth for labor that has recently lagged.
Maughan on the other hand has served since the age of 19 in some capacity or another of the government, as an aide at the National Assembly as well as through his own law firm in Neuvanòsc in northeastern Nouvelle Cournouaille.
Most analysts at this stage are predicting a very tight race between Maughan and Yegarre. It's uncertain who the remaining 1/3 of parliamentary constituents will side with come election day, but some are predicting a landslide for Yegarre in recession-stricken Nouvelle Cournouaille. [DH]
Weekly World News [NAL], 26.09.2004 (Highlights)
CHIROPTOMAN STEALS AUTO FOR A FOUR STATE JOY RIDE! RECENT ESCAPEE FROM NAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH FACILITY REMAINS AT LARGE!
WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA -- Chiroptoman, the NAL's most cherished winged deviant caused a furor in the quad-state area as he circled around the nation's capitol on the Postal Roads.
Mere seconds after salesman Ulf Olafssen had opened the door of the brand new Lyksas sports-utility-vehicle, Chiroptoman jumped from the roof of the dealership, climbed in, and drove away. He drove north, through Ter Mair and on, through Pennsylvaania, Kent and New Sweden, where he abandoned the stolen vehicle.
"It all happened in a blur," the would-be owner told our reporter. "I'd only begun to walk through the doors to the waiting vehicle when the gray beast jumped in, slammed the door and drove off! He didn't even signal his merge to the highway! He went over the horizon like…a bat out of hell!"
The local constabulary surmises that this was not a chance-occurrence. Chiroptoman had most likely been waiting for just the right moment for hours. Constables gave Chase, but they were lost in traffic.
While many citizens reported sightings of the Lyksas, but the last sighting in New Sweden states that it was empty, and had been ravaged by Chiroptoman prior to his disappearance from the scene.
NIA Special Forces Agent Henrik Rysker, from the New Sweden branch spoke confidently to us. "We have followed his movements. We're just moving in on his current location now."
When asked how Chiroptoman had learned to drive, Rysker said, "The locale is classified, but he was serving the Commonwealth." This service is evidently over, as Chiroptoman has become more and more sociopathic in his escapades. He also has been taking risks, as seen by his drive-thru order at a kruler/Berliner shop outside of Philadelphia, where several Pennsylvania Constables were reviewing a sting operation.
Desperate to prevent public trauma, authorities request all citizens to report suspicious activities or persons to the NIA, allowing the re-capture of this now-dangerous man.
----------
BUSH BROTHERS BREW BRUHAHA IN BELIZE
According to reports from the Commonwealth intelligence agency, Jorge and Jaime Bush have not given up their imperialistic designs, and are currently planning an assault on Belize.
"We believe that they've recruited large sums of money from their father and relatives, have assembled a small army, and are at this moment working through the jungles of the Yucatan to invade Belize and establish their own seat of power yet again."
While citizens are encouraged to be attentive, they are also under martial law, near the border.
"I can't believe they would try that here!" Marcos de los Santos da Silva said. "I can't believe it. They were thrown out of their own countries. Why would they come here?"
Commonwealth authorities have assured Weekly World News that appropriate military preparations are in force, and the Bush Brothers will be apprehended should they actually try their venture.
"We could have mis-information." A Captain said, under condition of anonymity. "They could be on vacation in the Yucatan. We will err on the side of caution."
------------
RENOWNED GEORGETOWN PSYCHIC PREDICTS CALAMITY!
Trained in the mystical arts by her Ukrainian Babushka, Mme Governiak's home smells of incense and is dimly lit. In this exclusive interview with Madame Governiak, renowned psychic of the Balkans, we have been able to uncover terrifying future events. Among them, what we can only take to be the re-birth of Florida-Caribbea under the guise of a Cuban Nationalist Party, whereby all Atlantic nations will be terrorized.
Mme Governiak also spoke, as she channeled her spirit guide Uhumahomatomi, an Anasazi warrior, declaring, "In the time of darkness gathering, the flying tree of the pale-ones will rise from the ground and be lost from sight amidst the clouds, but in that moment it will die; the anger of the sky will rage upon it and it will shine for a moment as the brightness of the sun, and will be gone."
She later interpreted this to mean that the TSRC's launch vehicle will be destroyed by weather phenomena some time in the fall or winter.
Mme Governik also said, channeling her guide 'Ataxika an east-asian servant of the 2nd century BC, "The daughter of the goddess Amaterasu will fall. The invisible ones will lash out in rage as the Daughter and her samurai visit the great flat lands. On the cusp of water will the invisible ones strike, and be revealed to be Kasei, children of the Fire-Planet. The Daughter-goddess will fall, but rise again. Her valiant samurai, foreigner to the holy islands will be slain."
Mme Governik tried to explain the meaning, but Ataxika continued, at times interrupted by Uhumahomatomi (shown through the initial of the guide following the statement), "Many will say it was the dark ones, seeking freedom from the Goddess and her children. They are confused." A
"Some will say it is the invader, come across the sea, seeing the displacement of the Algonkians and brother tribes as insufficient. They are lied to." U
"Some say it is evil in the divine house of Amaterasutu that jealousy, long hidden, has moved to destruction. Abomination and lies." A
"The peasant rebellion will be crushed, women and children slain by angry Xoguns, eager to restore the honor of the Daughter-Goddess and venge themselves for their lost brother, the foreign Samurai." A
"They will be driven from their caves, from their tunnels and huts and will seek solace in our homes. We will receive them, and they will be protected for a time." U
"An estranged child will speak the truth, but be silenced like a fool." U
"He will see the invisible ones, and know they are Kasei." A
"He will be scorned and chased as his dead ancestors, and driven to his death. But from his grave will come the truth." U
After this taxing revelation, Mme. Governik was held in trance, uncommunicative and unresponsive. When at last she awoke, she sobbed for some five minutes. When she could vocalize her thoughts, she declared the revelation.
"Her Majesty The Emperor, Empress of Japan will nearly die. Some of her entourage at the time will be slain, but she will survive. Some will think it is the Yacuza or a plot by other nations. It is not so. Many will take the opportunity for retribution and will attack the Deseretan people. They will flee, but find refuge in the south, and may in time, return.
"I cannot say when, precisely, but before five years time passes, Her Majesty the Emperor will be in Meidji-dò and will be wounded. Some will say it is earthly, but I can say clearly that it will be from those above, those from Kasei, the Fire-Planet.
"Whether this means Martians or somewhere else ... possibly Zeta ReReticuli ... I don't know. But the denizens of space curse our brazen climb to the heavens and will put us in our place. The motions of humanity to the stars will end in disaster."
When asked about other, earthly threats, Mme Governik said flatly, "Millions will arise, but only the truth, the truth seen by the estranged brother of Uhumahomatomi is correct. All else is lies, fabricated by the weak human mind to explain that which cannot be explained."[DH]
Asahi Ximbun -- 25.09.2004 (Gacudai Gannen, Hatxigaçu 23) -- Imperial Space Agency Chooses Permanent Cosmodrome Site
Quiòto -- His Imperial Highness Prince Aquixino announced today that the Imperial Space Agency had chosen the southern end of the island of Tanegaxima in Cagoxima-quen, Quiùxù-xù as the site for the permanent cosmodrome. When asked why this small island, known to history as the site where firearms were first introduced to Japan, was chosen, His Imperial Highness pointed out that there were no major settlements near the site of the future cosmodrome, and thus no noise problems, but without being inconveniently distant from major population centers. In addition, he added that a more southerly location would be preferable to a northern location, such as Ezo's proposed site.
Construction is set to begin on 3 October.[NT]
Gníomhaireacht Nuachta Fánach -- 24.09.2004 -- Ireland Expands Territorial Waters, Annexes Rockall -- by Peadair Ó Neachtain.
SLIGEACH -- In a move that has puzzled some abroad, Dáil Éireann passed a bill earlier today to expand Irish territorial seas to include the areaaround the as yet unclaimed island of Rockall.
A government spokesperson said: "The action was taken in order to secure trade with Iceland. The bill includes provisions for the Coastguard Service to build a lighthouse on the island."
The spokesperson would not respond when asked if the actual reason was due to pressure from Tír Chonnaill and Tír Bréifne whose petrochemical commonwealths intend on expanding their drilling further out into the Atlantic.[KG]
IBAP -- 19.09.2004 (1 Sans-Culottides, CCXII) -- Storm Cleanup Begins Today
Baies de Biloxi-et-Mobile, Pays-Lointains -- Clean-up began today, rather than at the end of the National Festival as citizens cleaned up after the ravages of Furacano #9, which earlier had looked to slam the already beaten Floridian peninsula.
Gouverneur Alphonse Rochambeau jibed, "It's a good thing we're celebrating labor day in two-days time." He gestures around himself, "We're going to need the labor to clean up this mess!"
A state of curfew was established just prior to landfall of the furacano, and remains in effect, citizens required to remain in their homes from 19:00 to 7:00, or an hour before sunset and after sunrise.
"We of course thank the Mormon church," Rochambeau continued, "Their goodwill offerings are much appreciated by the citizens of the Pays-Lointains. The only thing they forgot was the wine!"
The Guard National remains activated until such time as regular policing returns to effect. The council met in emergency session earlier today to approve an aid package to restore some of the losses of the newly re-integrated Pays-Lointains.[DH]
Asahi Ximbun -- September 18, 2004 (Gacudai Gannen, Hatxigaçu 16) -- Emperor To Wed
Quiòto -- Her Imperial Majesty announced yesterday, during celebrations marking the 100th day of her reign that she was now engaged to Prince Cañin-no-miya Masahito, the grandson of Prince Cañin-no-miya Naohito, the 8th, and current, head of the Cañin branch of the Imperial Family. Marking the betrothal, Her Imperial Majesty has conferred the title Alisugawa-no-miya upon the prince, thus reviving the Alisugawa branch, which has been extinct since Taixò Gannen (1906). This title will move him up to number 21 in line for the throne, up from his current position at 49.
The newly-created Prince Alisugawa is a distant relative of Her Imperial Majesty, being her fourth cousin once removed, both being descendants of Prince Fuximi-no-miya Cunie, the 21st head of the Fuximi-no-miya branch (lived Quiòwa 2 - Meidji 8 [1802-1873]), the Prince through a direct male-line descent, the Emperor through her great-grandmother, the Empress Codjun, Empress to the Xòwa Emperor. By law, Her Imperial Majesty can only marry a member of the Imperial Family, as any woman in the Imperial Family who marries outside the family loses her status as an Imperial Family member, and, thus, she would be unable to remain on the Throne.
The marriage between Her Imperial Majesty and Prince Alisugawa will be held Gacudai 2, Gogaçu 7 [June 6, 2005], the day following the enthronement ceremony. Invitations will be sent out to the rulers of all nations with whom Japan has friendly relations.
The Imperial Household Ministry is currently studying the matter to decide what the appropriate title of Prince Alisugawa should be after marriage, as none of the eight female emperors in Japanese history have been married, except for Suìcò (r. IE 1253-1288 [AD 593-628]) and Saimei (r. IE 1302-1305, 1314-1321 [AD 642-645, 654-661]), both of whom were married to former male Emperors, in addition to their qualifications to the throne by blood.[NT]
WITA WARSINY -- 14.09.2004 -- Arensky assumes dictatorial power Click here. [JvS]
WITA WARSINY -- 13.09.2004 -- UNDO threatens to leave coalition
Click here. [JvS]
IBAP International News Services -- ATOE LAUNCHES SIMIAN; NEXT LAUNCH DELAYED -- 09.12.2004 (25 Fructidor CCXII; Gacudai Gannen, Hatxigaçu 10)
CÒTXI, XICOCU, JAPAN -- The launch and retrieval of Yamashi, a Macaque Fuscata, went off without any problems on Tuesday last, however tests revealed minor containment issues for the atmospheric systems. While the health of Yamashi was not compromised, the planned launch of cosmonaut André Suzuqui, a Japanese Louisiannais, has been rescheduled for some time in January if a simple fix cannot be found.
"It's a bit frustrating and discouraging," Jean-Louis Cattin avered after the results of the launch were announced, "but we've not had any real set-backs before now, and it really is a simple problem. We're lucky this showed up now, and not when André was on his way up to space. Human life is more important than speed."
While the Sarutahico vessel undergoes a thorough inspection, other concerns also demand attention of the fledgling space organization. While a spirit of scientific detente has existed between the TSRC and ATOE, much to the surprise of the world at large, ATOE's base of operations remains undecided.
The debate over location for the ATOE launch facility remains highly contested, factions from all over Xicocu levying requests of the Imperial government, and Ezo seeking to bring this economic boon to itself with the well-situated island of Lake Tòya-co a high-profile candidate.
The CNEL Oversight Comittee is also embroiled in debate over reactants for the Raitdju rockets, which are to be used as lift vehicles for later steps in the ATOE goal of a lunar landing. As the onus of development has been largely in CNEL hands until recently there has been very little Japanese input. It is probable, with the cooperative venture that Japanese rocket scientists will bring their comments to bear in the debate. [DH]
=====
BUARIKI, ARANUKA, MICRONESIAN CONFEDERATION -- Opening today in this small island village is a symposium of the world most renowned science fiction authors. Among the noteable visitors were Ms. Sijay Tsherriah of Oregon, Artvir Klaric, renowned Cambrian author of 1999, 2009, and 2999 and many other space saga, and Emeritus member of the Interplanetary Society of the Federated Kingdom. Many other noteable authors make for a large gathering that, with support staff, nearly double the size of this tropical village. Noteably absent were invited delegates from the TSRC and Euro-Consortiums.
While the actual proceedings are closed to the press, Jean-Louis Cattin, in Bermuda shorts and Kanawikiian shirt smiled and said, "This is a sort of meeting of the minds, drawing upon the great imaginations of scientifically minded writers who can foresee a future for humanity different from the path we're on today. We consider this research for future projects, because as many of you know, science fiction quickly becomes science fact. Just look at the Ekranoplanes and Spretu jets! Jet propulsion has been a dream for 50 years, but only in the last ten it has shifted from the realm of science fiction to science fact. Artificial Satellites orbiting the Earth were almost unthinkeable before the announcement by the Tysk-Scandinavisk Rum Companie! Look at us now, engaged in a world-wide push for the exploration of space!" [DH]
Eu Aulón news brief -- 09.08.2004 -- HIGH TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT MONTRÉI CAUSE CONCERN FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY
Montréi -- Hot weather throughout Montréi has lead to warnings from the Agença de Bombairos Naçonáu de Montréi (ABNM) about increased and dangerous fire conditions throughout the nation today.
Evidence of such danger is the recent fire near Layo Claro, close to the town of Los Géisers, which has burned over 12,000 acres. Resident Joána Fonts de Furtao, who lost her home said that "It was almost like it came out of nowhere. The fire raced up the hill and engulfed the house. I was almost unable to gather what few belongings I managed to save".
Officials are warning that these record breaking temperatures are expected to continue for the next few days. Even in usually temperate places in Montréi, such as the capital, temperatures over 90 degrees Farenheit have been recorded. The heat has caused many of those living in inland cities to seek refuge from the heat at the beaches along Montréi´s bay.
Lead meteorologist at the Scola de Stúios Superiors Naváu (SSSN), Dr. Jos Deufin states: "It is not unusual this time of year in Montréi for the temperatures to increase 10 to 15 degrees warmer than is typical of average Summer temperatures. September is the warmest month in Montréi. What is unusual, however, is the temperatures we have been seeing the past few days, that is to say, temperatures of 85 to 90 degrees, 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the average."
Officals at the Agença Meteorológica Naçonáu (AMN) stated that the launch of the Louisianne weather satellite was a milestone in meteorologic science and they eagerly await to see how well it functions. Scientists at the AMN have been at work on their own satellite projects, slated to be Montréi´s contribution to meteorologic science. Officials further stated that while Montrei has no Space angency of its own, it would be looking to work with other nations to launch its satellite projects into space.[BG]
BBC, America Desk -- 07.09.2004 -- Furacano #6 in it for Long Haul
Talahasse, WF -- Furacano #6 approached the east coast of the RTC Occupation Zone as a category B storm, but soon slowed to a crawl and prepared to dump vast quantities of rain on an already ravaged landscape. For thirty hours after making landfall, the storm crept across the peninsular, causing damage in the RTC's Occupation Zone as well as in East Florida (American Zone). By the time the storm reached Tampa, the storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm. By the sixth, the storm had passed out over Tampa and C. San Pedro and into the Gulf of Mejico. As of this morning, the storm turned north and crossed over West Florida (American Zone) and has since passed into the NAL proper where it is now classed as a tropical depression.
Most of the damage done in American Florida was to the relatively weak electrical infrastucture. Flood damage is expected in Jacobia and other central-mountain provinces of the NAL. As of the now, American observers in the RTC's Zone are unable to calculate damages due to the current storm. Red Cross worker Lille Scrubber stated "at this time, we are having great difficulty in distinguishing new damage from that which occured a fortnight or so ago during furacano 3 or even that which happened during the Scandinavian invasion."
Patch up efforts are in hand in American Florida, as there are already Floridian agencies in operation able to take on repairs; and the Corps of Engineers is on hand to lend aid where needed. Negotiations regarding the lending of men to the RTC to help out in their Zone are currently stalled; however, donations of food, water, medical supplies and building materials have been accepted throughout this period.
As if the present news weren't bad enough, Floridians can look forward to furacano #9, which is currently passing through the Caribbean on an apparent path towards southern Florida.[PB]
Asahi Ximbun -- 07.09.2004 (Gacudai Gannen, Hatxigaçu 5) -- Date Chosen For Vote
A joint session of the Imperial Coccai has chosen Jùitxigaçu 6 [December 7] as the date for the people to vote on the proposed Amendment IV, which was passed by the House of Peers last Senxò [September 4] and by the House of Representatives on the 22nd of last month [August 25]. By law, at least three months must pass between the Coccai's passing of an amendment and the popular vote, in order to allow time for both sides to campaign. The law also stipulates that the vote cannot be more than four months after the Coccai's vote, thus, it had to be between Jùitxigaçu 2 [December 3] and Jùnigaçu 2 [January 2]. Jùitxigaçu 6 was chosen as the first taian [6th day of the week, a day off for many workers] in that period.[NT]
IBAP -- 07.09.2004 (20 Fructidor, CCXII)
Le Caillou, Saint-Louis, Louisianne -- It was reported this morning that Guillaume Henri Claintaun has died, due to massive heart-failure. The Prefect's condition was not publicly known, but the Prefectoral physician was heavily concerned. In a press conference he stated, "We knew of the Prefects condition, and while we tried to save his life, first through suggestions of diet and exercise, and last night through massive surgery, it was not enough."
Hilary Rodham Claintaun, Prefect-Elect will assume duties of Saint-Louis tomorrow, though it is likely that most of the less pressing matters will be put on hold until a weeks time, allowing Mme. Claintaun time to greive the loss of her husband with their daughter, Kelsea.
All flags were flown at half mast for honor of the deceased although some of the more conservative districts of Le Caillou were visibly unchanged by the news. "He was a philanderer," an elderly lady said, on condition of anonymity. "No wonder his ticker went kaput! He drank and caroused so much I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. I'm surprised that Hilary has stayed with him all this time!" She shook her head as she walked away in disgust.
Guillaume Claintaun had been feeling chest pain for the last week, and yesterday had checked himself into the Hôpital Hôtel Dieu for a check up on his situation.
Word was leaked by a hospital employee that suspicion has been raised because of the Prefects sudden decline in health. "By all standards, he should have survived this surgery. This was standard surgery, and while there was much damage to his heart tissue, he was not so far gone as to die on the operating table."
An inquest is in process, and an autopsy will be performed on the fallen Prefect to estimably put end to these rumors.[DH]
WITA WARSINY -- 06.09.2004 -- "The Eagle and the Sun" (T. Clentsin) Sparks Antivenedism Charge [Book Review by: Nikolay Talers]. Read the review here. [JvS]
IBAP -- 02.09.2004 (15 Fructidor, CCXII) -- BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!
Port-au-Prince, St. Domingue -- Louisiannan and other peacekeeping forces have spent the week urging the locals to 'batten down the hatches' as the latest in this years furacanos beats its way to slam into the RTC held Southeast Florida. Most have been happily complying with the requests, and order is the general rule, even in the newly secured French Zone.
IBAP -- 02.09.2004 -- A NEW PRESIDENT
St. Louis, St. Louis, Louisianne -- Hilary Rodham Claintaun smiled and waved to her cheering supporters from the St. Louis Parliament as the long political trail ended in success. Moments before she had received a concession visit from Populist Michel Huckabée. Richard Alouicious Gépard declined to make the traditional show of support to the newly elected leader. Amidst cheers she took a stand on the stand of office as Priest Robert Delacroix administered the Oath of office.
Now begins the coordination period as the affairs of the Prefectoral office change hands. Most pundits say that it won't take too long, as Hilary seemed to have been running the office since the beginning.
IBAP -- 02.09.2004 -- ATTEMPT AGAINST WEATHER SATELLITE
Pamplona, Nouvelle Navarra, Louisianne -- Alta Californios who had been granted tourist visas to visit the International Geyser Park were apprehended as they tried to breach the CNEL launch facility early yesterday morning. "We won't let you launch that device of evil!" they screamed. "We know what Louisianne plans!" another shouted. "They will never take the Deseret! This is a spy satellite! We will stop the threat! We will not lose our homes!"
Authorities in San Diego were unavailable to comment on events, but a prepared press release stated that most likely these persons had been victims of the Deseret Militia, and were most likely swayed by past behaviors of Louisianne.
Jean-Louis Cattin spoke calmly and quietly against the accusations that todays launch was a spy satellite. "This is the long planned weather satellite built by the Bureau Météorologique National. It is not a spy satellite, there is no need for spy satellites. The allegations that Louisianne plans an invasion of Alta Californian land is preposterous. We would simply offer purchase of the land, as we did with Tejas. We invite Alta Californian officials to come and verify for themselves the honesty of our efforts, should they desire it."[DH]
Newsletter of the American Bureau of Atmospheric and Oceanographic Studies -- 31.08.2004 (Sept 2004 ed.) -- Water Water Everywhere...
Province of Virginia cleans up after passing of Tropical Storm #7 -- The remnants of TS-7 which battered Carolina on Sunday kept the punches coming as it passed over Virginia on Monday. Central portions of the province received a foot of rain and flooding in many parts reached 12 feet. Five people are known to have died; many power lines are down and hundreds of structures received water and mud damage. Lord Governor Warner has declared portions of the province a disaster zone. An aid package has been prepared for the region and the General Moderator has promised that the whole nation stands ready to get the Virginians back on their feet.
Furacano #6 threatens central Florida -- American forces patrolling the border between northern and southern Florida are meeting with a great swell of refugees that have heard rumors of a fantastic furacano bearing down on the central parts of Florida. Most of those who are seeking to cross say that furacano #3 destroyed whatever the Scandinavians and Coroners left intact, and that the shelters provided by the RTC occupation forces could never withstand a strong storm.
Wild flooding in Kemr washes village into sea -- Back in the motherland, things were no sunnier this past month. A fortnight past, heavy rains triggered devastating flooding in the small village of Castrewbo in Dûnein province where a 10 foot high wall of water swept through the seaside town. Happily there are no confirmed deaths, due in part to the gallant flyers of the RAFs two local rescue airships. Astoundingly, the severity of the flooding left as many as 1200 people in need of a rescue, and one ship was called up from Castreleon and a further two from the Wight coast in England were summoned. King Pedr visited the devastated site and consoled the survivors while praising the valour of the flyers who had to manoeuver their ships in very nasty weather. An aid package for the region is sure to come from Castreleon, but it is not yet known how much of the village is even left to salvage.[PB]
OMNIPRESSE -- 30.08.2004 -- Haytian Leader Declares End of Hostilities
OMNIPRESSE FIELD OFFICE, CAP-HAITIEN -- A spokesman for Houngan Lessandre, the spriritual leader of the insurgent Loas' army, has announced today that all hostilities on his militia's part will cease as of today across the island.
This came after 4 days of intense negociation between the cleric and a group of haytian political envoy. The houngan is reported to have made this decision after a deal was made werehas him and his faction will join the reconstruction process on the side of HIM Dieudonné III.
An imunity will be granted to all insurgent under his banner in exchange for a promise that the barricades they have built wil be removed and that the checkpoints manned by them will pass under the control of peacekeepers.[MP]
An Gníomhaireacht Nuachta Fánach -- 30.08.2004 -- Montserrat Votes For Integration -- By: Peadair Coppinger, Antillean Correspondant
NAOMH COLMCHILL [St. Iewan]: Polls closed earlier today in the Montserratian Integration referendum, with 80% of the poll voting in favour of Integration. This move will make Montserrat the 12th Tuath, or province, of the AÉ, and shall henceforth be considered part of the Cuige, or "fifth" of Connacht. The Cuige are historical divisions of the island of Ireland.
After the 1995 volcanic eruptions that devastated Montserrat, many of the island's population of 10,000 were forced to leave the former Kemrese colony. Most removed to the AÉ. Since the eruption, the AÉ government have been helping with the restoration effort on the island and this helped rekindle the relationship between the Irish and the "Antillean Irish".
The Oireachtas is now preparing for the two new Montserratian TDs that will be taking their seats as soon as federal elections are held on the island. Montserrat's status as a Commonwealth member is not affected.[KG]
WITA WARSINY, Wnierdzej -- 27.08.2004 -- POLARISATION AROUND VOLHYNIAN REFERENDUM
WARSINA (WSAP) -- Tension rises in Volhynia. Last Wednesday Lithuanias prime minister Pustys already firmly denounced the referendum launched by the provincial authorities about a merger of the province with the URAG. Yesterday, interior minister Algirdas Sznieckus said that he will use the police if the Volhynians go along with it.
Governor Paliczny of Volhynia is furious. "What do they actually think they are doing?", he said. "Using brutal force against unarmed people who want nothing but to exercise their democratic rights? Bah! This corrupt government is clearly transforming the country into a police state. Is it thát much we are asking? We have no intention of seceeding from the Republic, nor even do we intend to leave Lithuania. But if they will use violence against us, we will not hesitate to strike back."
In the meantime, both the camp of supporters of the referendum and the camp of opponents against it are growing. Already on Wednesday, the organisation of Czechs in Volhynia joined the Ukrainians in their endeavours; yesterday, the organisations of Belarussians and Polessians did the same, as well as the PKRDK [Communist Party of the RTC, ed.]. Volhynia's two major Jewish organisations have declared neutrality in the matter.
In Galicia, the referendum has encountered less resistance thus far. The anti-Ukrainian party "NoŚcia Galicja", and the National Democracy (ND) have both called the Veneds of Galicia to boycot the referendum and to do whatever lies in their possibilities to stop it. But Veneda's mainstream parties seem less determined than their Lithuanian counterparts. Justice minister Kryszkot: "The whole thing is of course ridiculous. Obviously, this referendum has no legal status at all, and we are not bound to it in whatever way. But if they really want to go along with it, then let them have it. It is their own local thing, after all. Strange that they organise a referendum about usurping another state's territory, though."
It is still unknown what stance the central government of the Republic will take. Minister Petruszenko of Nationalities and Religious Affairs has expressed her unambiguous support for the referendum. On the other hand, ministers Urbaitis and Dvarionas, both members of the Lithuanian Respublikonai, have already said that no government with their support will ever go along with it.
The Sejm has appointed as special committee to investigate the situation.[JvS]
Czeskej Maljn (Cheshskij Malin), Volynie -- During the meeting of all the Volynian Czech representatives, support for the forthcoming referendum was discussed. Sokol chief, or vrchnj naaczelnjk, Olek Pugman stated, that "all Sokols do support a creation of Slavonic independent and autonomous entity within RTC". In his speech, he politely spoke about human and minority rights in the RTC, but in the same breath he accused it "of suppression of Slavs". The Chairman of the prominent nationalistic party Czeskaa Cesta (or Czech Way), Stanislaw Kros, put the strongest accent on separating all Slavs from the "supervision of Teutons and their minions".
More than half a million Czechs are eager to show how Slavic they are, to get closer to the gravy train in a new administration. It will remain to be seen how the official Lithuanian authorities will react.[J-ii]
WITA WARSINY, Mrzekurdzej -- 25.08.2004 -- REFERENDUM ABOUT GALICIAN-VOLHYNIAN UNIFICATION
CZYTAĆ LEONIÓR (WSAP) -- On October 25, the shortest notice allowed by the constitution, the inhabitants of Galicia will be given the chance to vote about the unification of the Ukrainian Autonomous Region of Galicia (URAG) with the Lithuanian province of Volhynia. In a meeting of the Galician High Council, which took place behind closed doors this morning, a motion calling for the referendum was submitted by the Ukrainian National-Democratic Organisation (UNDO) and passed with 51 members (out of 75) voting in favour of the proposal. Immediately after the conclusion of the meeting, chairman Darko Popczuk of the Council made the decision public in a direct address to the Galician population, which was broadcast live on Ukrainian Radio and Television Galicia (URiTH 1).
A similar referendum is scheduled in Volhynia on the very same day, president Orest Paliczny of the provincial council announced on a press conference in £uck only 40 minutes later. The council had adopted Paliczny's proposal with 27 against 4.
"This day will be remembered by all Ukrainians in the world. If both populations will vote yes to our proposal, all Ukrainians of the RTC will finally be united, the first time since 1340," Popczuk said, visibly satisfied with the decision. Paliczny said: "We are done with being a Lithuanian backwater. We are done with being the playground of rich Venedic and Lithuanian landowners. We are done with Volhynia being little more than a colony. At last our land will belong to its own inhabitants: Ukrainians."
The legitimacy of both referenda is questionable, though. The RTC constitution does provide in both a consultative and a legislative referendum, but only on the level of the Republic, the crowns, or the municipalities; nothing is said explicitly about provinces or regions. Notwithstanding this fact, if a convincing majority on both sides speaks out in favour of the plan, it will be extremely hard for any higher level authorities to push against its implementation. This is said to be exactly what Popczuk and Paliczny are playing at.
Although the Venedo-Lithuanian border would not be affected directly by an eventual Galician-Volhynian merger, the governments of the two crowns have reasons enough to worried. Both fear that a condominium status of Galicia-Volhynia would weaken their control over the territory considerably, and that it might ultimately turn the region from their exclusive property into an almost equal constituent of the RTC. Such a construction would be bad in particular for Lithuania, as it would further reduce its influence in matters concerning the Republic.
In a first reaction to the news, Lithuania's prime minister Mindaugas Pustys denounced the Volhynian referendum. "It's outrageous", he said. "Naturally, we cannot allow this to happen. A referendum is a serious thing, which must not become the toy of ambitious, self-indulged local politicians. Besides, it is illegal. If we go along with this, every street will sooner or later start organising its own referendum, and then? Whatever the Galicians do is their own business, but I assure you: in Lithuania this is not going to happen."
Neither the Venedic nor the central government have issued an official reaction yet.[JvS]
Asahi Ximbun -- Gacudai Gannen, Xitxigaçu 22 (August 25, 2004) -- Amendment Four Passes House of Representatives
Quiòto -- The proposed fourth amendment to the Imperial Constitution has passed the House of Representatives, and will now be sent to the House of Peers for its approval. If the House of Peers approves it, then it will be sent to the people for approval, requiring a majority of the people in a majority of the constituents (the 7 xù, Corea, Lùquiù, Ezo, Micronesia, and Kanawiki), before reaching Her Imperial Majesty for final approval. The proposed amendment has been dubbed the Kanawiki-Yamato amendment. If approved, it will acknowledge Kanawiki's full independence, and will reorganize the Empire to make Yamato a first-level constituent, with its capital at Edo. It will also alter the amendment process to define "constituent" in the amendment process as the 7 xù of Yamato, the 8 provinces of Corea, the Republic of Ezo and the Kingdom of Lùquiù.
This current amendment was formed from a merger of two earlier proposed amendments, one recognizing Kanawiki's independence, the other recognizing Yamato.
The notion of a Kingdom of Yamato has long been popular as the current constitution means that many matters, such as education for Yamato are handled by the Imperial government, in which Coreans, Ezoans, and Lùquiùans have a say, despite the fact that those matters in Corea, Ezo, and Lùquiù are handled by those governments, with little say from the Imperial Government. In addition, the alteration of the amendment process will give the Coreans more say, as instead of being just 1 of 12 constituents, they will be 8 of 17. The xù's say is reduced from 7 of 12 to 7 of 17. However, despite its popularity, the amendment never got far because the former Emperor on several instances stated his refusal to approve any such amendment, fearing that it would lead to a breakdown of central authority, with Edo and Kieñseñ taking power away from Quiòto. However, when asked by the President of the House of Representatives, the present Emperor stated that she would approve the amendment if it reached her.
The proposed amendment also states that the current flag of the Empire of Japan would revert to Yamato, with a new flag for the Empire to be determined, and the imperial currency would likewise revert to Yamato.
The final clause of the proposed amendment defines Yamato and Corea as inalienable parts of the Empire, and provides for secession by the other constituents, if 2/3 of the people choose to do so. This was a reaction to the unilateral breaking by Kanawiki of the bonds between it and the Empire. The informal understanding of Corea and Yamato as the Empire's core, with other constituents as peripheral, is thereby codified in law.
The full text of the proposed amendment follows:
Article 148. The High Kingdom of Kanawiki is hereby no longer recognized as being a constituent of the Empire of Japan. The Empire renounces all authority over Kanawiki.
Article 149. The seven xù are hereby reorganized into a Kingdom of Yamato, with the Emperor of Japan as its King or Queen, and Edo as its capital.
Article 150. The term "constituent of the Empire" shall be redefined to exclude the xù in place of Yamato.
Article 151. For purposes of future amendments, "constituent of the Empire" shall consist of the the xù of Yamato, the provinces of Corea, the Republic of Ezo, and the Kingdom of Lùquiù. Any alterations to this shall require an amendment to the Constitution.
Article 152. A Constitutional Convention shall be called for the Kingdom of Yamato consisting of representatives from all over the proposed Kingdom. The Kingdom shall not come into being unless a Constitution has been approved within 2 years of the ratification of this amendment, and until such time as a new Constitution has been approved, the government of the Kingdom of Yamato shall be run according to the Imperial Constitution, excepting those clauses not applicable to Yamato, or otherwise modified by this amendment.
Article 153. The official language of the Kingdom of Yamato shall be Japanese, and all internal matters shall be handled in that language, but Yamato shall be required to translate its laws into Corean.
Article 154. No clause in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Yamato, nor any law passed by the same which conflicts with the Constitution of Japan shall be held valid
Article 155. The present flag of the Empire of Japan shall revert to the Kingdom of Yamato, and a new flag shall be created for the Empire of Japan, but until the new flag is approved, the old flag shall continue in use.
Article 156. The currency produced by the Imperial government shall devolve to the authority of the Kingdom of Yamato.
Article 157. Upon ratification of a constitution, all matters currently handled by the Imperial government which affect only the 7 xù shall devolve to the Kingdom of Yamato.
Article 158. The Empire of Japan shall eternally consist of Yamato and Corea. Other constituents may secede if the people thereof decide to do so by 2/3 vote; but in any such case, negotiations shall be required with the Empire to determine the status of military forces, territorial extent, share of the Imperial Debt, and any other necessary issues.[NT]
OMNIPRESSE -- 25.08.2004 -- Dominican Violence Blamed on Army of Loa
CAP-HAYTIEN, HAYTI -- Further violence in various cities of Hispognola seen in the last few days have been blamed on the Militiamen of the Loa's army. Exchange of gunfire and siege have been reported in both peacekeeping zones as well as in the so-called "juntas areas".
One such siege in Bois-Caiman near Cap-haitien was said by those involved to be pre-emptive. It should be remembered that it was there that Houngan Boukman is said to have organised the ceremony that launch the haytian revolution and is thus regarded as a site with both historical and religious significance. Many local voudouisants have stated that they feared the site might be desecrated by foreigners and thus occupied the land. In this time of uncertainty, the protection of historical sites has become a hot issue in Hispagnola due to the importance of ancestor worship in the local faith.
In various cities, peacekeepers have come under threat after entering hounfour during house to house search. Since those houses of worship are not always identifiable in a way that foreigners are acostumed to, this as lead to some unfortunate misundersanting. Most Forces now give a mandatory cultural sensitivity classe to their peacekeeprs to avoid future incidents.
It is believed by most observers that only a government able to respect such values will manage to give peace to the troubled island.[MP]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 23.08.2004 -- PRINCE JOACHIM AND PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO DIVORCE
KJØBENHAVN -- The Office of the Court Chamberlain called yesterday, with just a few hours notice, a press conference at Amalienborg Palace. At 11:30 Chamberlain Ove Ullerup informed the press that Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra have decided amicably to separate with the intent to divorce.
The announcement confirmed that proceedings had begun in the first divorce to hit the Scandinavian Royal Court in 200 years.
According to the press release, the Prince and the Princess will each continue their royal duties and protectorships. Prince Joachim will continue to reside at Schackenborg Manor in Schleswig, while Princess Alexandra will move to the couple's apartment at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen with their two young sons. The princess, who was born a commoner, will retain the title "Her Highness" following the separation.
Royal insiders do not expect the Amalienborg apartment to remain Princess Alexandra's permanent home. But Chamberlain Ove Ullerup stressed that Princess Alexandra has no plans of leaving the Commonwealth of the Scandinavian Realm.
The couple's divorce will have no implications for the line of inheritance to the throne, as per law of royal ascent, even if the Princess decides to leave the Scandinavian Realm altogether. The divorce will be finalised after six months, as per Schleswig-Holsteiner law in cases of no-contest separation.
The Royal Family is reportedly "deeply saddened" by the news of the divorce, but Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik support the decision.
The press release was accompanied by a joint statement from Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra:
"After many long and difficult considerations, we have mutually decided to seek separation with intent to divorce. We have agreed upon the terms of separation, and we will share joint custody of our children.
"Each of us wishes to carry out our official duties as fully as possible, as well as continue our cooperation with the organizations with which we are involved.
"We have always encountered very great solicitousness and generosity from all quarters, and we sincerely hope to meet with understanding for this difficult decision we have made."[KJ]
RIGETS TIDENDE - 23.08.2004 -- MAN JUMPS TO EARTH FROM SUBORBITAL SPACE
AKRA -- Thousands of tourists had travelled to the Tesji Lufthavn (and now also Rumhavn) near Akra in Gadangmeland to witness the launch of the first human being in space yesterday. Among the spectators was a contingent from Louisianne led by Jean-Louis Cattin, CEO of Lousiannan space agency CNEL and researchers from the Kemrese Royal College of Medicine.
Those that came could witness yesterday the flight of Kongelige Østindiske Marine testaeronauts Georg Aleksandersen Gagadie and Josef Petersen Quitinga rocket into the history books as the first human beings in space. Quitanga also performed the first ever freefall dive from space. These 4 feet tall negritoes from the Andaman Islands were chosen because of their small stature and most importantly their light weight.
The suborbital flight was a two-part system. It began with a vertical take-off. Gagadie and Quitanga were seated in a two-seated rocket-powered flying fuselage called the Raumgleiter. The Raumgleiter itself was mounted on top of a main rocket, called the Spitze, with the newly developed triple-propellant rocket engine that uses both ethanol and liquid hydrogen as fuels, and liquid oxygen as the oxidizer. At lift-off the tripropellant engine burned both fuels, gradually changing the mixture over altitude, eventually switching entirely to liquid hydrogen once the ethanol was burned off, which thus allowing the rocket to take advantage of the different properties of each fuel at different altitudes. The Raumgleiter then jettisons the Spitze when all of its fuel is used up. The Raumgleiter then ignited its own bipropellant rocket engines, which uses liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, boosting the velocity of the Raumgleiter further to reach the official recorded altitude of 71 miles 4 stadia and 608 feet, where Quitanga jumped out to start his dive. There, the blackness of space and the curvature of the Earth was visible, as evidenced by photographs taken by Quitanga. Both men experienced several minutes of weightlessness.
After separation, the Spitze followed a trajectory that carried it over 50 miles high. Upon reentry, the dive brakes situated between the fins opened to maintain a stable attitude and decelerate the vehicle to subsonic speed. When the main rocket reached the lower, denser atmosphere, four parachutes located just behind the dive brake flaps were deployed, slowing the final descent for a gentle splashdown in the Guinea Gulf, where it was then towed back to Anloga by TSRC tugboats where it can then be prepared for another launch. Meanwhile, the Raumgleiter simply dived back to earth and into the thicker atmosphere where it glided back and landed in Tesji Rumhavn.
Quitanga performed his more than 1/4 hour long space dive wearing a pressurized suit. To slow down his descent and keep himself stable during the reentry phase of his fall, he pulled out a ram air reentry ballute, which is a cross between a balloon and a parachute. As he entered the thicker atmosphere, the ballute's ram air scoops kept it inflated to the correct pressure. After he slowed down to subsonic speed in the lower atmosphere, the ballute was release and he pulled out a parachute and splashed down gently in the Guinea Gulf where he was picked up by a TSRC boat.
The jump proves two things; that pressure suits work in the vacuum of space, and that it is possible to jump ship at suborbital altitudes. However, it will not work at higher orbital altitudes, where speeds are so high that friction with the atmosphere will generate so much heat that it will burn the pressure suit. Only the Raumgleiter itself is protected against this, as it is actually designed for orbital altitudes, which will be tested in about two months time.[KJ]
Asahi Ximbun -- Gacudai Gannen, Xitxigaçu 20 [August 23, 2004] -- Poison-Free Pufferfish Developed
The Tocugawa-era haiku poet Maçuo Baxò once wrote "Ah, yesterday passed without incident / So much for the blowfish soup." Likewise, Yosa Buson wrote "Having eaten blowfish soup / I woke from sleep / To find myself alive." For centuries, the pufferfish, or fugu, has been a risky delicacy, requiring very special preparations to avoid killing the eater.
Many folkloric remedies existed, including burying the victim up to his neck, the stem of an eggplant, juice of myoga or Japanese ginger and a lump of camphor ground into fine powder. Another recommendation was to grill dried squid and inhale the smoke. Whether any of these worked is unknown.
Studies have since contributed greatly to the present understanding of blowfish toxin. Its chemical composition was explained exactly 40 years ago. Further research has revealed the basic mechanism by which the fish stores poison in its body by feeding on substances that are partly toxic themselves. However, exactly how that mechanism works and why the fish store toxic substances in their bodies in the first place are among many questions that still remained unanswered.
However, researchers at Nagasaqui University have succeeded in mass-cultivating pufferfish without toxin by raising them on a specific diet. The txùgocu xù government is said to be preparing a proposal to the Imperial Government to establish a special "Fugu deregulation zone", where restrictions on the sale of fugu will be eased.
Perhaps some day, the fears expressed by those great haiku poets will be a thing of the past.[NT]
ASAHI XIMBUN -- Thursday, August 19, 2004 -- SCANDINAVIAN-GERMAN COALITION LAUNCHES CHIMP IN SPACE
Quiòto -- His Imperial Highness Prince Aquixino congratulated the TSRC on launching the first living being in space in a press conference today, though expressing his surprise at their reticence "You can be assured that Japan and Louisianne will let the world know of each and every launch. We hope, in addition, that the TSRC will be open about their findings on Futte. There's no reason to repeat the same experiment if valuable data is available from the first one." However, he responded to the characterization of Japan's lunar landing mission as "frivolous" by saying "Our desire to visit the Moon is not, as our European friends would have it, frivolous. No mission whose goal is the furthering of human understanding can be qualified as 'frivolous'. In addition, Her Imperial Majesty believes, and I have come to agree with her, that the accomplishment of this great task will fill our people with confidence in themselves, and will give us a vital optimism which will fuel other, more Earthly, tasks. In addition, some of our scientists believe that there may be important resources available on the Moon." In response to comments about the fuel, His Imperial Highness replied "This is not my area of expertise, however, those under me whose area it is assure me that the fuel is genuinely efficient and ecologically friendly. However, we are aware that, no matter what our calculations show, experience may prove another method better, and will be interested in observing the TSRC's progress". Responding to a question about their plans to launch a person into space this weekend, he replied "We are quite surprised that the TSRC feels the need to be so secretive about their plans that we have heard nothing before this. However, this does not affect our own plans. They have proclaimed no desire to reach the Moon, and therefore their program does not conflict with our own. We wish them success in their endeavors."[NT]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 19.08.2004 -- FUND FOR SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
GJØTEBORG -- In an effort to raise funds for the restoration of Southeast Florida by Furacano #3, the SR Finance College has announce that it will be auctioning off some of the cultural treasures, which were entrusted to the Finance College after they were taken as spoils in the recent war against Florida. A further million rigsdalers in specie will be taken from the Finance College's foreign aid treasury and donated in Her Majesty's name to the fund for Southeast Florida.[KJ]
IBAP, Foreign Desk -- August 19, 2004 -- Shark Attack off Montrei Coast
MONTREI [By Jorge Franco] -- Near the border with Meidji-dò, two divers, Randolpho Fritas and his friend Cliff Zimmerman, a NAL émigré were separated and Fritas killed by a Great White Shark.
"It's like getting struck by lightning." An offical said. "It doesn't happen very frequently at all. It can happen to anybody, but its so rare, you don't think about it. Divers really don't have to worry about this happening."
"I was right beside him. I was two feet away. Just took him, gone. He was just gone." Zimmerman remains terribly shaken after knowing his friend had died so violently, when they had only moments before been free-diving for abalone, in a mere 12 feet of water.
"He was just gone," Zimmerman said, "I didn't see anything. You realize even more so, how quickly you're here one minute and gone the next."[DH]
WITA WARSINY -- 18.08.2004 -- Millions for Southeast Florida
Click here.>[JvS]
THE STAR OF GEORGETOWN -- 15.08.2004 -- LATE EDITION
Ciudad San Pedro -- Earler estimates of damage caused by furacano #3 in southern Florida seem to be considerably far from the mark as of late this afternoon. The most reliable reports from Irish occupation forces relate thousands of tales of woe all across their Zone of Occupation. Hardest hit was the distrito of Carlotta (the furacano came ashore at Porto de Carlotta), where the Irish estimate that perhaps 5% of all structures in the district remain standing. Of the remaining structures to have survived the invasion, the vast majority were levelled or severely damaged after the furacano passed by. Damage estimates currently run to nearly two million pounds Irish.[PB]
BBC News, America Desk -- 14.08.2004 -- Furacano #3 Slams Cuba & Florida
CIUDAD SAN PEDRO, American Zone -- Furacano #3 left swathes of damage and destruction in Cuba and Florida late this week. Initial reports from the BBC agents in La Habana state that the storm passed to the west of the capital on Thursday. Winds were high and many areas are flooded, but damage could have been much worse. Cubas interrim president, former NAL rounders star Fidelito "el Martillo" del Castro, made a public appearance in the refugee camp outside La Habana to "declare victory" against the furacano. British and American efforts at rehabilitating the local infrastructure and economy were little affected by the passage of the storm. Charles Martin, a London based chief engineer in charge of helping rebuild Cubas rail lines, states that damage seems minimal at this point and can easily be absorbed by the firms taking a hand in the rebuilding efforts.
The news out of Florida is much worse. Furacano #3 picked up much strength over the Caribbean and slammed the southwest coast of the Irish Occupation Zone at Porto de Carlotta and headed to the north east, passing over the once prosperous resort city of Orlando, now the site of one of the RTCs relocation camps and passed out over the Atlantic at Daytona in the American Occupation Zone.
Twelve are reported dead in the Irish Zone, and hundreds are listed as missing. The death toll in the Irish Zone will undoubtedly rise, but it is unlikely that a firm figure will be reported. In the RTC Zone, no accounting has been made as of yet, but reports indicate that thousands inhabiting the squalid relocation camps may have perished.
Several reports of minor looting incidents have been made throughout the region, but of greatest concern for American officials are the reports of violent uprisings Saturday in the camps around Orlando - about five miles from the military border.
Priest Gouilliame Jowanes of Catholic Social Services of the Americas observes: "To put it simply, anti occupation and pro Bush sentiment are festering in these camps, which have sprung up all over the southeastern part of Florida. There are no schools, little health care and no sanitation to speak of. The people are hopeless and resent the occupation by the RTC. In many of these camps, people are arming and the rate of violent crimes is astronomical, possibly at the instigation of rebel groups which the Irish and especially the RTC have had little luck in quelling. They must do something soon - not just about the so called 'Bushwhackers' - the rebel groups - but to improve the living conditions of the people living in the Occupation Zones."
Irish officials have worked furiously to rebuild their portion of Occupied Florida and have made great strides. Recent reorts indicate an overall favourable rating regarding Irish efforts in the land. Miami, however, has proven to be their hardest nut to crack, with criminal warlords and Bushwhackers infiltrating efforts at forming an interrim government. A few unofficial camps have appeared on the outskirts of Irish Miami, but have suffered little of the turmoil that is evidenced in the RTC Zone.
Irish officials have vowed, Saturday morning, to quickly assess storm damage from furacano #3 and distribute needed funds and work gangs to areas that need repair quickest. The military governors staff in RTC Miami were unavailable for comment.
Remnants of the furacano are expected to pass over coastal regions of Carnolia, Virginia, Ter Mair and New Sweden late Saturday before passing out over the Atlantic.[PB]
IBAP -- 13.08.2004 (25 Thermidor CCXII) -- WORLD RESPONSE TO ATOE
Fast on the heels of the announcement of the formation of the Trans-Oceanic Alliance for the Exploration of Space nations have presented themselves to partner up with this space effort. "I'm pleasantly surprised with the reaction of the nations of our world. The goal of space is not just for Louisiannans or citizens of the Japanese Empire. It is for the world as a whole." Jean-François Young glibbed. ATOE-Louisianne has been inundated with calls by scientists and industry. The Kemrese government has not only pledged its renewed partnership in studying the effects of space travel on terrestrial organisms; Positioning and Mapping satellites are planned for launch to map the surface of the Moon in preparation for the moon landing. An offer has been extended to the TSRC to share the scientific discoveries by this mission. At press time no response has been received. TSRC later accepted this offer and exchanged the information gleaned from their launch of a simian. New France, habitually antagonistic to the Republic of Louisianne, has also pledged its kawaric expertise in the form of at least one, but up to six kawaric arms to aid in the construction of the Çuxima Space Station. These mechanical arms will help cosmonauts move objects and repair portions of the proposed station or even docked vessels.[DH]
IBAP -- 10.08.2004 (22 Thermidor, CCXII) -- Louisianne Postures on Hayti
Quiòto, Japan -- In a speech delivered today at the Imperial Palace, and transmitted via the orbiting Télétoile, President Jean-François Young addressed the Japanese, Louisiannan and world media. A portion of his comments were directed particularly to the Haÿtian/Hispagnolan Issue.
His comments regarding the Louisiannan Policy on Haÿti and Hispagnola:
"III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS ABROAD
"I stress the strength of our economy because it is essential to the strength of our nation. And what is true in our case is true in the case of other countries. Their strength in the struggle for freedom depends on the strength of their economic and their social progress.
"We would be badly mistaken to consider their problems in military terms alone. For no amount of arms and armies can help stabilize those governments which are unable or unwilling to achieve social and economic reform and development. Military pacts cannot help nations whose social injustice and economic chaos invite insurgency and penetration and subversion. The most skillful counter-guerrilla efforts cannot succeed where the local population is too caught up in its own misery to be concerned about the advance of those who would subjugate them.
"But for those who share this view, as in the Louisiannan Zone of Hayti we stand ready now, as we have in the past, to provide generously of our skills, and our capital, and our food to assist the peoples of the less-developed nations to reach their goals in freedom—to help them before they are engulfed in crisis.
"This is also our great opportunity in an CCXIII. If we grasp it, then subversion to prevent its success is exposed as an unjustifiable attempt to keep these nations from either being free or equal. But if we do not pursue it, and if they do not pursue it, the bankruptcy of unstable governments, one by one, and of unfilled hopes will surely lead to a series of totalitarian receiverships.
"Earlier in the year, I outlined to the Assembly a new program for aiding emerging nations, as in Hayti; and it is my intention to transmit shortly draft legislation to implement this program, to establish a new Act for International Development, and to add to the figures previously requested, in view of the swift pace of critical events, an additional 34 million écus for a Council Contingency Fund, to be used only upon the Council's determination in each case, with regular and complete reports to the Assembly in each case, when there is a sudden and extraordinary drain upon our regular funds which we cannot foresee—as illustrated by recent events in Hayti—and it makes necessary the use of this emergency reserve. The total amount requested—now raised to 130 million écus—is both minimal and crucial. I do not see how anyone who is concerned—as we all are—about the growing threats to freedom around the globe—and who is asking what more we can do as a people—can weaken or oppose the single most important program available for building the frontiers of freedom."
President Young went on to ask for increased funding for pro-liberty radio stations to be broadcast in the languages of the Caribbean basin.
After his speech, President Young was asked regarding a Louisiannan 'Economic Missions' in Haÿti and Hispagnola. His sole response was "We are currently seeking resolution with His Majesty Dieudonné III with regard to eastern and western Economic missions to help support the Haÿtian and Hispagnolan peoples in this time of integration into the Empire of Saint-Domingue. We expect a favorable response soon to our requests, and will begin prompt deployment in the hopes of bolstering this people before mid next-(republican)-year."
No further questions were answered.[DH]
La Noticia-Diaro de Pensacola -- 07.08.2004 -- City Reverts to Old Name
AGUANEGRA -- Aguanegra City Council Approves Name Change Aguanegra, West Florida - The City Council approved, in a 6-3 vote, a proposal to change the name of this city from Aguanegra back to the historic name of Milton. The name change will be effective at midnight tonight.
The name Aguanegra was adopted on 8 May, 1974 amidst growing anti-NAL sentiment. That move was particularly favored by the commander of Hernando Base. Prior to that date, this city had been known as Milton since its incorporation in 1844. The name is thought to derive from the English phrase "Mill Town". The area has been settled since the early 1800's. In its early days, the Aguanegra River (or Blackwater River as it was known at the time) served as the main transportation artery for its timber, lumber, brick, naval stores and ship building industries. Early names for the settlement included Blackwater and Scratch Ankle, after the brambles and briars that once grew along the banks of the river.
The city grew rapidly, and the 1850 census showed that the Distrito de Santa Rosa, for which Milton served as its seat, was the most industrialized county in the Floridas at that time. Although South Florida later supplanted West and East Florida as the center of industry and culture in the Floridas, Milton remained an important part of West Florida, with Hernando Air Force Base being built outside the city in 1943 and the University of West Florida founded in 1965. The most recent census showed a population of 53,874, with suburbs sprawling out to meet Pensacola's suburbs. It is the largest city in West Florida.[NT]
CAP-HAITIEN -- Unconfirmed reports are coming in about an uprising in the Montagne noires region stradling the Neofrancian / louisianian peacekeeping zone.
A previously unknown militia calling itself the "Army of Loas" have seized control of some surrounding towns.
According to some sources the group, under the spiritual leadership of voodoo cleric Houngan Lessandre, aims to establish an haytian nation based on religious principle and freed of any foreign influences.[MP]
L'Etoile de Lyons-sur-Mizouri -- 07.08.2004 -- Hispaniola Fractures Worsen
By Niko Tailleur -- While west of the line of demarcation the tense situation simmers, eastward tensions flare to un-foreseen levels as Hispaniolans fight brutally to fill the power vacuum. Several of the heretofore more powerful juntas have disintegrated.
The Puerto Plata Junta, formerly pro-Cuba is now in tatters, with with only the western 1/2 remaining fully Pro-Cuban.
The Santiago-SanJuan Junta, stable for the last six months, formerly surrounded the Ecotopic-leaning 'Ecospaniola' Junta (occupying the national parks in of central Hispaniola) is violently dismembered following the terrible bombing death of the seven (7) major junta leaders. Preliminary reports suggest a Pro-Castillian movement in the region of San Juan.
On the Cabo Samaná, on a line between La Manga and Los Róbalos heavy fighting between the San Francisco de Macorís Junta, which is pro-Haÿti and the Samanán Pro-Cubans has abated for the time being, enlarging the pro-Haÿti region, but the Junta looks tenuous to international obervers.
A large, pro-Castillian force has surfaced in the Cordillera Occidental and is fighting the already embattled pro-independence La Romana Junta, which is already losing ground before the island based Pro-Cuban Junta.
The Santo Domingo Junta, Pro-Haÿti, has been making overtures to France for a peace-keeping force to support them and a joint Francien/Gaulhòsc force is expected some time later this month.
Because of increased capacity on the part of Haÿtian National Army forces, Some Nouvelle Francien and Louisiannan troops have been freed to move to the front, and are aiding the neighboring pro-Haÿtian Juntas in consolidation.
Dieudonné III while unavailable for comment is reputed to be brushing up on his spanish and creole.[DH]
Gacudai Gannen -- 07.08.2004 ( Xitxigaçu 4; 19 Thermidor, CCXII) -- First President of Louisianne Arrives in Quiòto
By Marc Lenoir -- Early this morning at the Quiòto Aerodrome Le Grand Aigle, private vehicle of Louisiannan Président Jean-François Young arrived quietly, and was quickly sheltered in a hangar.
Président Young is continuing his visit of eastern nations on presumably economic grounds, securing a stronger trading agreement with the High Kingdom of Kanawiki.
Président Young and his entourage were lead on a quiet and efficient tour of Quiòto, shown the many historical features of the city.
He was then shuttled around on the Imperial Xiñcansen, or Bullet Train, to view other sites in Japan, including the site of the future Imperial Cosmodrome in Xicocu, before his official meeting with Her Majesty the Emperor. He is expected to view industries and other manufacturing emplacements that will relate to his economic proposals.[NT]
Eu Aulón -- 06.08.2004 -- Singer Aimee Mann Sets the Stage for Montrei Tour Dates and Gets Lost in Space
Entertainment This Week -- Critically acclaimed singer and song writer Aimee Mann has issued tour dates for Montrei beginning the end of August. Mann, who is best known for her work on the motion picture "Magnolia" has a growing following of Montreiano fans.
Mann's first released album in Montrei, "Bachelor No. 2" was released in the year 2000, and was met warmly by both critics and fans alike, due to the popularity of her song "Save Me", written for the Magnolia soundtrack. Her latest album "Lost in Space" has a much different theme to it than Bachelor No. 2, with songs about social misconnections and drug abuse that weave the cloth of Lost in Space.
Despite the melancholy tone of Lost in Space, Mann, known for wry, and clever lyrics, counterbalances the mood with soaring orchestral arrangements as in "Today's the Day", to the complex arrangement of "Invisible Ink". Lost in Space is not for the beginner, but those who venture may be pleasantly surprised.
Tour dates:
August 20 - Eu Castiuio - San Françisco
August 21 - Eu Teatro - Montrei
August 28 - Eu Teatro de Bonaventura - Bonaventura[BG]
IBAP -- 04.08.2004 (16 Thermidor, CCXII)
Arriving at 0600h in beautiful Oahu, President Jean-François Young waved happily at the reporters and citizens outside the Aerodrome security perimeter before he was hurriedly hustled into a state land cruiser.
Most of the morning was spent in private meetings with His Majesty, Viceroy of Kanawiki, Kamehameha X. While the details of their meetings were not made publicly available, reporters were told it involved the upcoming Japan-Louisianne Trade Summit.
President Young and His Majesty both addressed local reporters, and these remarks were relayed from the Kanawiki'ian aerostat to Télétoile, rebroadcast simultaneously to Louisianne news groups.
"What a beautiful land to behold!" Young said. "I look forward to the future of the Kanawiki'ians, the Japanese and the Louisiannans." He also announced in his address the opening of a full embassy in the capital Honolulu, construction to begin immediately. The Embassy will be designed by local architects, among them Tadashi Sato, a local artist. It is anticipated that construction of the Embassy will be completed in five years' time.
"We greatfully welcome the Louisiannan Embassy. Trade between our peoples will be truly valuable." Kamehameha X said, beaming.
After the short meeting, President Young was hurried off to board Le
Grand Aigle toward his final destination of Quiòto.[DH]
Omnipresse -- 03.08.2004 -- NEOFRANCIAN COMMANDER COMMENTS ON RIOT
CAP-HAYTIEN, HAYTI -- Maréchal de Camps Raymond de Ramzay, commander of the neofrancian peacekeeping force in Hayti has just issued a press release in regard to the events that took place earlier today in Cap-Haytien.
In it, he decries the actions of what he refered to as "Foreign agent- provocateurs".
"These terrorists", he wrote "seek only to bring chaos to a nation already ravaged by more then 40 years of republican exactions, first under General Papadaux and more recently during the illegal occupation by Florida-Caribea".
Commander de Ramzay then goes on to pledge that those responsible would be brought to justice and that the event would not in any way derail the reconstruction process.
As for the claims that the Intendency would seek to influence the political process of an once-more independent Hayti, the Maréchal de camps said "The Indency which only happyness and prosperity for the people of hayti and whichever political system they wish to use is a question to be debated solely betweem them and their legitimate Emperor, Dieudonné III."[MP]
IBAP -- August 3, 2004 (15 Thermidor, CCXII)
Ten were killed and 25 wounded as Haytians marched on the Nouvelle Francien headquarters in Cap-Haÿtien today. The protesters shouted slogans implying that the promised elecions have been held up by Nouvelle Francien trickery, that they sought to annex them to Nouvelle Francie with a puppet Intendant, and that DieuDonné III was being prevented from leading the island nation.
Similar demonstrations took place in the Louisiannan South, although there were no deaths and only minor injuries. The cries in the south were hostile to the Republican government of Louisianne, demanding the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Haytian soil and a return to the Empire of Hispanola under the reign of DieuDonné III.
Little has been heard of Hispanola proper, although some claim that it is being slowly infiltrated by the Cuban junta seeking to restore at some level the Florida-Caribbean nation. A joint Irish-RTC peace-keeping force was promised earlier this year, but due to complication in Florida have not materialized.
M. Dessaline was unavailable for comment, residing in seclusion in the Imperial Palace under protective Haytian guard, loyal to the emperor.
Haytian diplomats have approached the leadership of fractured Hispanola in both Santiago and Santo Domingo, but as yet have been rebuffed by the various juntas.
See political map:
Asahi Ximbun - Gacudai Gannen -- 30.07.2004 (Rocugaçu 26) -- SPACE BILL PASSED
Quiòto -- Her Imperial Majesty signed into law a bill providing for a space program. "Today, we join Louisianne, the Holy Roman Empire, France, Éire, and the Scandinavian Realm in reaching out beyond this terrestrial globe. Japan shall seek greater glory in the peaceful exploration of space." Her Imperial Majesty later announced that the director of the newly-formed Imperial Space Agency will be her uncle, HIH [His Imperial Highness] Prince Aquixino-no-miya Fumihito. HIH Prince Fumihito humbly accepted the offer. "I am pleased to be able to serve the Emperor and the Empire. I shall do my best to make Japan's space program second-to-none."
The Imperial Mint, the Corean Royal Mint, and the Ezoan National Mint will release special commemorative gold coins valued at 8 lò/yañ [FK£16] to celebrate the start of a Japanese space program. The coins are expected to be released on Tanabata next year on 5 August, 2005.[NT]
L'Étoile de Lyons-sur-Mizouri -- 03.08.2004 (15 Thermidor, CCXII) -- Floridas Integrating Peacefully
By special correspondent... I visited the Floridas between the 11th and the 14th of this month [July 30-August 2], in order to see for myself whether the positive, optimistic reports coming from the NAL were accurate. I half-expected to see simmering resentment, and anger over the invasion. However, much to my surprise, I found that the majority were not only accepting of the Americans, but were happy about it.
I started my tour in what had, until the recent War, been called the Distritos Transperdidanos, the occupied zones of Mobile Province and Cherokee Nation. I was unsurprised to see that the residents of that area were happy to be returned to the NAL. Much of the population of that region was comprised of people living there when it was still NAL territory, or were children of those who had grown up in the NAL, for the younger generation. Crossing the Perdido River, however, I expected to find resentment of the Americans. Instead, I found, for the most part, a sense of hope. One Floridiano explained it to me like this "Under El Jefe, and the previous Presidentes, we were pretty much ignored. Not one peso was spent on making our lives better. They cared only about the military bases. Under los Norteamericanos, we see hope. North-American provinces, they are much better than FC estados. They are richer and freer. Philadelphia is much better than Miami."
Many other Floridianos agreed with that sentiment. "I'll take el Moderador-General over el Presidente any day". In West Florida, I found anti-American sentiment strongest in places like the former naval base at Pensacola and the former army base at Aguanegra. But even there, pro-American sentiment outweighed anti-American. I found a small minority who wished that East and West Florida had become a new nation, excluding South Florida, allied to the NAL. Outright anti-American sentiment was hard to find. As I traveled into East Florida, I found sentiment a little more divided, particularly areas such as Avilés, in the northeast, where a short-lived uprising took place last month.
Further south, however, sentiment became more and more anti-American. In Aguaclara, the southernmost city of East Florida, located on Tampa Bay, sentiment was clearly against the Americans. "Los gringos have no business being here. We want our republica and our presidente back! We demand that the Irish and los Dos-Coronas and the Yanquis leave our country. I'll grant that los Americanos have a claim on the land north of the 29th parallel, the 1806 War and all that, but not here! Not this far south! Viva la Florida! Viva el Presidente!" I found that this gentleman's sentiments were not exactly uncommon in the far south of East Florida. Yet, even these resistors I expect will make peace with the Americans. Matters south of the new border were much different.
The southwest is relatively peaceful, under enlightened Irish rule, and I suspect they may even be willing in the not-too-distant future to join their northern counterparts. The southeast, however, has been tragically mishandled by the RTC, and rebellion is simmering there. A few SE Floridians expressed a desire for political union with the recently reborn nation of Cuba, if they couldn't get the rest of Florida back.
Interestingly, I found that in many areas, the NAL sixpence coin (6 centimes) is already being nicknamed "un peso", after the currency of the old regime, which was worth five and one-third pence (5 1/3 centimes) at the time of the collapse, thus making the sixpence a close equivalent; accordingly, the threepence (3 centimes) is called "medio peso", the shilling (12 centimes) is often referred to as "2 pesos", the half-crown (30 centimes) as "5 pesos", and so forth, though the pound (2.40E) is called "una libra". Only time will tell if the Floridians keep this peculiar colloquialism, or if they'll use the standard chilín (1 chilín = 36 soles = 12 centîmes). The official currency will not, of course, use the term "peso".[NT]
IBAP: 3.8.2004 (15 Thermidor, CCXII)
Leaving after a small press conference last evening, President Jean-François Young boarded "Le Grand Aigle," the specially maintained presidential airship capable of classified airspeeds, and defensively armed to the teeth.
While declaring that he departed for 'pays-étranger.' President Young could not be pressured into a further declaration of destination. Top Palais officials did aver, however, that President Young would be away for the better part of a month, and would be about official business.
In his speech he did cite the successful launch of Télétoile earlier this month, and looked forward to testing the broadcast capabilities of this newest wonder of the heavens. When asked about his radical changes of Louisianne's foreign policy, he stated simply, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future."
It was announced later (0400h LST) that President Young was in fact en route to the Empire of Japan, to carry out negotiations with various companies, officials, and most likely, Her Majesty the Emperor, herself.
No timetable has been released at this time, due to security precautions.[DH]
The STAR of Georgetown -- 30 July, 2004 -- Motions for Provincehood Granted to the Floridas.
In a demure ceremony at Philadelphia, in the old Staathouse, where the original Charter was signed, members of the Convention joined the General Moderator in announcing the official Grant of Provincehood to the parties representing the two territories of East and West Florida. Historically, the two new provinces will be numbered 32 and 33 due to the fact that the Government ceded them to the Spains in 1808 after the 1806 War in which that territory was siezed. Thus their status is to be called "readmitted provinces" rather than "newly admitted provinces".
Though some folks inside the Beltway expressed surprise this week end over the seeming rapid progress of our "former enemies, who even now seek to infiltrate our country"; we ask, must it be pointed out that these Floridians are no more than long sundered kin and long lost bretheren?
Amongst the more vociferous opponents to provincehood was MP Sessions (C-Mobile), who decried "this ungodly admission of foreign devils within the sacred precincts of the Council Fire" as a sure sign of the End Times. Must it be pointed out to the learned MPs that both Floridas were original signatories to the earliest documents of this fair land, including its Charter (1803)? Must it be pointed out that, even during the long years of occupation, our troops often infiltrated deep into Floridian territory with the express and freely rendered aid of the patriots of the Floridas?
A date has not yet been announced for the formal readmission of the two provinces, but next February or March seems favourable. Already, the two new provinces-to-be are taking on the tasks of integrating themselves with great vim. Economic processes are well advanced, especially since the introduction of the American pound as the currency of the occupation; and the restructuring of the adminstriative infrastructure is nearing completion.
Some people inside the Beltway especially have expressed some concern over taking on the damaged economic system of northern Florida, especially in light of the fact the Scandinavians absconded with a large portion of the metal reserves in the Banco Nacional. Recent intelligence has revealed that the Banco Nacional had secured a substantial amount of metal reserves in the Old Presidio at San Augustín. Other stocks of old pre-revaluation Floridian pesos were found aboard ships seized by American forces at Ciudad San Pedro and in the Bank of Pensacola. These funds have been transferred to the NAL, held in trust by the Provisional Government; and will be used first to rebuild damaged property and improve infrastructure. Other funds will be used to pay for munitions and for services rendered by the American military.
Some confusion has propagated rumours that the Floridian pound will be separate from the American pound, and that the notes and coins will be entirely in Spanish. These rumours were resoundingly quashed by the Provisional Government which presented specimens of the new bank notes and coins proposed for the new Provinces.
While for the most part, typical American currency from all parts of the country will circulate in Florida (as is the case everywhere else); some denominations that are particularly Floridian will be introduced, such as the "sol", or one third penny. All currency and bank notes will be bilingual English-Spanish (per Bank of America and Commonwealth specifications) and all coins will be in Spanish (per Mint Regulations) and have the usual standard numeric denomination and national symbols. The system decided upon is one libra (pound) equals 20 chilines (shillings) which equal 720 soles. Each sol is the equivalent of one third penny or four granoes.[PB]
IBAP - 27 July 2004 (8 Thermidor CCXII) -- Télétoile Shining Brightly!
In a launch early yesterday morning CNEL sent the first functional telecommunicaitons satellite into space this morning. Riding atop the 'Lambda' rocket launched from 'Le Cygne' Télétoile, as it is known, had stabilized its eliptical orbit by the end of the day.
Designed to transmit telephone and high-speed data communications, Télétoile is the first privately owned satellite, all others belonging to governmental associations.
Belonging to RepubliComm, Télétoile is part of a multi-national agreement between RepubliComm, Louisianne Telegraph and Telephone Laboratories (LTTL), CNEL, and Japanese PTT to develop satellite communication. LTTL has an 'Earth Station' set up in St. Antoine, halfway between Paris-sur-Mizouri and Toulouse, but is building a more permanent facility further north in Romans-sur-Platte (New Cornwall). RepubliComm holds a contract with CNEL, reimbursing the agency 3 million écus for each launch, independent of success.
Télétoile is a medium-altitude satellite, in an elliptical orbit that is completed once every 2 hours and 37 minutes, rotating at a 45 degree angle above the equator. Because of this, its transmission avaliability for transpacific signals is only 10-15 minutes in each orbit.
The first television pictures have been relayed of the flag and operations crew in front of the 'Earth Station' this morning. A televised parade from the prominent 'Little Kyoto' in Baton Rouge is planned for relay to Japanese television stations. Due to the distance, however, aero-stats blimps will relay the signal to Helèna, New Navarra before passing through Télétoile to the Japanese aero-stats for dissemination.
Télétoile is roughly spherical, about 76 centimeters long, weighing 77 kg. Dimensions of satellites are currently limited by CNEL's Lambda rockets, although plans are in the works to increase rocket size, sa current rockets hardly test the lift capacity of 'Le Cygne.'
Télétoile is equipped with a helical antenna which receivs microwave signals from ground stations or aero-stats, then amplifies and rebroadcasts the signal. When recieved back on the ground again, the signal is only a nanowatt or so in strength and a maser amplifier is therefore used to increase signal detection ability.
This Télétoile, or Télétoile 1 is largely an experiment, expected to go out of service before mid-next-year (May, 05). Others are expected to follow, and are currently in the works.[DH]
CALCUTTA TIMES 25 JULY 2004 -- CIRCARS CHANGES NAME TO KALINGA
GUNTUR: Yesterday, at a public ceremony before the royal palace at Guntur the renaming of the Kingdom of Circars to the Kingdom of Kalinga was officially declared. In the precence of the King, a great assembly of notables and community leaders, as well as large crowds of people the teturn to the ancient name of the country was solemnly declared. A declaration was read in Sanskrit, Telugu, Urdu, Oriya and English, the new national anthem was sung in Sanskrit, Telugu and Urdu, and a poem of two thousand lines in Sanskrit celebrating the history of Kalinga was declaimed.[BPJ]
WITA WARSINY -- 30.06.2004 -- GALICIAN-VOLHYNIAN MEETING IN CZYTAÆ LEONIU
CZYTAĆ LEONIÓR (WSAP) -- According to an anonymous source within the Ukrainian National-Democratic Organisation (UNDO), a secret meeting has taken place last week in Czytać Leoniu between prominent Ukrainian members of the Galician High Council and the Provincial Council of Volhynia. Although no details were given about the subjects discussed, the meeting was in all probability aimed at preparing Galicia's expansion with the Lithuanian province of Volhynia.
Volhynia's relationship with the Ukrainian Autonomous Region of Galicia has been on the political agenda of both sides for several years. The province, with a Ukrainian population of 85 %, is the poorest of the entire Republic, and many Volhynians blame this to neglect on the part of the Lithuanian authorities. Last year, the Movement of Volhynian Ukrainians (RWU) gained the absolute majority in the provincial council, and governor Orest Paliczny has been lobbying for a merger with Galicia ever since. His ideas were quickly adopted by both the UNDO and the Galician High Council. But although Paliczny and UNDO leader Darko Popczuk are open about their ultimate goal - the unification of all Ukrainians of the RTC in one territorial/administrative unit - they have never been clear about the means by which they plan to achieve it.
The strategy that will most likely be followed by Paliczny and Popczuk is that of a parallel referendum: if a vast majority on both sides votes in favour of the merger, the governments of Veneda and Lithuania are confronted with an accomplished fact. Both are vehemently opposed to the plan, as they fear not without reason that it would de facto turn Galicia into a third, semi-independent constituent of the RTC and thus disturb the delicate balance between Veneda and Lithuania. This is also the reason why the Ukrainians are so secretive about it: they want to limit their opponents' response time to a minimum.
Both Popczuk and Paliczny were unavailable for comment. Minister Petruszenko of nationalities' affairs, UNDO member herself, denies any personal involvement in the plans. She added: "As long as nothing is official, I don't see why the Republic government should take any stance in the matter".[JvS]
Asahi Ximbun, Gacudai Gannen, Gogaçu 21 (June 25, 2004) -- COIN COLLECTORS WILD FOR SAISEI TOCU
QUIÒTO -- Tocu coins [new low-silver coins released earlier this year to replace the copper quarter-momme; worth a hair under 2 FK pence] from before the reigning Emperor's ascension have gained enormously in value among coin-collectors. Only a few thousand were produced with the date stamp of "Saisei 53" before the date had to be changed to "Gacudai Gannen". Collectors have been willing to pay as much as 5 xu [12/6, FK] each for the coins [80 times face value], and prices are expected to continue to rise higher.[NT]
Asahi Ximbun, Gacudai Gannen, Gogaçu 18 (June 22, 2004) (evening edition) -- SPACE PROGRAM PROPOSED
QUIÒTO -- Amagawa Hoxi of the Democratic Party proposed a Japanese space program today. "Space ... the final frontier. This should be the Empire's newest goal. Let us go forth and open the reaches of space. Let us explore our neighboring worlds. Most of all, let us not fall behind the rest of the world again! Instead, let us lead the world in space exploration." Amagawa-san received warm applause, but his proposal is expected to face an uphill battle. If approved, however, the Empire will be only the third nation to enter space, after Louisianne in North America, and Germany in Europe.[NT]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 20.06.2004 -- NAS AND SAVE TO ENSURE ALL IS WELL IN ANTARCTICA
GJØTEBORG -- The Scandinavian Realm (SR) has invited the Neutral Aid Society (NAS) and the Society Against the Violation of the Environment (SAVE) to ensure that the condition of the detention of Silva-Gonzales & company remain humane and environmentally sound.
NAS originally expressed some concern after hearing rumours that all the food the detainees were getting was a Swedish specialty of fermented herring. But the SR has reassured the NAS that the first supply drop to the detainees contained (among other things) meals that passes all requirements for a suitable arctic diet with a very high calorie and fat content.
Antarctica has a very fragile environment, so the SAVE's concern is with waste disposal at the detention camp. The SR has also expressed similar concerns and has tried to alleviate the problem. The first supply drop consisted only of food, non-impregnated firewood, and other items that can be thrown into the fireplace and reduced to ashes without releasing toxic chemicals. The detainees will inevitably burn anything they can, even their own excrements, in order to stay warm.
Though SAVE is normally against the use of fire for waste disposal in Antarctica, they are willing to make an exception in this case. Gordon Nonis, regional president of the SAVE Antarctica, has expressed: "The situation is not ideal. But frankly, unless the SR drops this whole idea of keeping Silva-Gonzales and his men completely isolated, we simply do not have much choice in the matter. The best we at the Society [Against the Violation of the Environment, ed.] can do is to participate in the drops and to ensure that the only the right items are headed for incineration, rather than to refuse the SR's invitation. The only real problem now is the disposal of urine. The detainees can't burn their urine. But I'm certain we'll find a solution to that."
Two representatives, each from NAS and SAVE, are working in close cooperation with the military personnel in charge of flying supply drops to the detainees. The representatives will be participating in the next and future supply drops. These supply drops are the closest these representatives will ever come to the detainees since direct contact with the detainees is strictly forbidden for anyone.[KJ]
The Times of New Amsterdam -- 19.06.2004 -- MORMONS OPEN TEMPLE DOORS TO SHARE BELIEFS -- By Katherina Gressmann, NAL National News Services
NEW AMSTERDAM -- A rare event is taking place on the streets of New Amsterdam and will soon happen again in our national capitol: a tour of a Mormon temple. This is an exceptional glimpse at the architecture of a It's a rare glimpse of the architecture of an inimitable, frequently misunderstood religion. In the temple of New Amsterdam there is a feeling of the sacred expressed in light and mirrors and enveloping silence.
(Reinhart Dutch, NALNN photo) Caption: The new Mormon temple in New Amsterdam will hold tours until July 5.
Some highlights of this sacred edifice: a large baptismal font resting on the backs of 12 life-size statues of oxen; shimmering white rooms that on each floor become progressively whiter, evoking a celestial glow. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or l'Eglise de Jesus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours, the proper name of the church, preferable to 'Mormon', will formally dedicate this new temple July 13, and after that it will be closed to non-adherents.
These tours, free to 56,000 people who nab the dwindling reservations, are part of the church's ceaseless effort to reach past those closed doors to gain respect in the world at large, if not converts. It surprises even New Amsterdamers that 42,000 Mormons live in the metro area. Inside a bland, white stone box of a building at 65th and Columbus, across from Lincoln Center, there's been a meeting house serving local Mormon congregations since the 1970s. Expect the membership numbers to soar. Temples and converts, like chickens and eggs, each prompt the other. In 2000, there were only 50 temples worldwide. New Amsterdamers hauled to Boston, where a temple opened in 2000, or to suburban Philadelphia, where the first temple outside of Louisianne opened in 1974.
There are now 12 million Mormons worldwide, all encouraged to visit a temple at least once in a lifetime to experience "the crowning blessings the Church has to offer," says the church's 15th president and prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. Realizing this can mean a long, costly journey for many in the Third World or the inner city, Hinckley launched a multimillion-dollar building blitz to bring the temples to the people. So far, 69 new temples have opened in the last four years, including one in Copenhagen, Denmark, Scandinavian Realm, dedicated on May 25th and the New Amsterdam temple. All are mortgage- and debt-free, paid for by tithes and LDS Church investments, and served entirely by volunteers who preach, teach, sweep up the trash and launder the special baptismal robes.
Mormons are baptized in chapels or meeting houses where members and potential converts worship on Sundays. But only a temple will do for key LDS rituals: being "sealed" in marriage for eternity, offering blessings to prior generations and receiving "endowments" (teachings on the nature of God, man, human experience and the universe). These sacraments require members-only privacy because they are the most sacred — and most often misunderstood and attacked.
Christians who say the Bible is God's final revelation object to the Mormon belief that founding prophet Joseph Smith received a third testament from Christ, the Book of Mormon, transcribed in 1830 for the Latter-day Saints.
Many people associate Mormons with the church founders' polygamous practices, which has been banned since 1890, stereotype its devotion to family self-sufficiency as clannish paranoia and view proxy baptisms as insulting their ancestors' faith. From its earliest days, secrecy, which also might be considered a sort of sacred privacy, has been a hallmark of the church. Launched in western Aquanishuonigy, it was driven ever westward until Joseph Smith and Brigham Young settled believers in near-isolation in the far western reaches of Louisianne.
Temple tours, however, allow the church to offer a graciously and carefully controlled look at its beliefs and practices. At the New Amsterdam temple, the refurbished meeting house, gym, social hall and offices remain in the building, sandwiched on two floors and distinctly separate from temple areas. Highlights of the four temple floors:
• The baptismal font is sunk into a platform supported by oxen
statues representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The font will be
chiefly used by teenagers who take on the honor of baptizing
ancestors. Baptizing by proxy is "a choice, a free-will offering to
a (non-Mormon) ancestor whose consciousness as an individual
continues in the next life," explains church spokesman Dale Bills.
It's not an imposition, insult or posthumous conversion.
• Furnishings and art echo Mormon belief, history and culture —
mixed with a touch of New Amsterdam. Beehives, the emblem of ever-
busy Mormons working together, decorate the oak doors that have
hardware resembling the windmills of the Netherlands. Even the
upholstery tacks are embellished with tiny beehives or windmills.
Artwork chiefly features either Christ or landscapes to emphasize
the beauty of creation.
• As believers ascend in knowledge, commitment and spiritual
maturity, so rooms on each floor are progressively whiter and
brighter. Architect Frank Fernandez used three different white
paints, each more luminous, for three temple levels, and the
recessed lighting and enormous chandeliers make rooms twice as
bright as ordinary rooms.
• The highest rooms have facing mirrors to offer visions of eternity.
The prospect of this oasis of silence and beauty two blocks from her house thrills Jennifer Buckner. No longer must she and her husband load up their four young children for a weekend dash to a temple a few times a year. "Now we can get a sitter and go over to the temple for a few hours," she says. "Whether you are there for yourself or helping others, you are in an incredibly peaceful place. I love the idea of peace in the center this crazy wild city."
The Philadelphia temple has been under renovation for the last three years, but is now nearing completion, and an open house is slated for the month of August. This temple was announced as the first temple east of Louisiannan territory, in 1968. Ground was broken by President Hugh B. Brown, First Counselor in the First Presidency on the Seventh of December, 1968, and it was dedicated by President Spencer W. Kimball, the prophet of the Church at that time, on the 19th of November, 1974. The design of the Philadelphia Temple was patterned after the Zarahemla Temple, six spires adjoining the building at either end, the tallest of which rises 288 feet over the Capitol Beltway. It is located on a wooded hill overlooking a park in Cherry Hill, Kent. More than 750,000 visitors viewed the completed temple during a public open house prior to its dedication.
While watching Betty Ford, wife of Prime Minister Ford, have her photograph taken with President Spencer W. Kimball during the temple open house, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now prophet and president of the Church said that he couldn't help but recall how the Prophet Joseph traveled to Philadelphia and was unsuccessful in petitioning the government to compensate the early members of the Church for their sufferings in Les Plaines and Aquanishuonigy, and that this had driven him to lead the mormons from the NAL-SLC to Lousianne. Elder Hinckley said it made him realize how far the Church had come in the respect and confidence of public officials. Each Christmas season, a ceremony is held to switch on the lights on the grounds surrounding the temple. In the past, ambassadors or diplomats from many countries have attended the ceremony.
The Prime Minister, the various royalty and all leaders within the NAL have been invited to attend this open house.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Eglise de Jesus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours / Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons):
• 12 million members worldwide in January 2004 up 33% from 1994 and
climbing at a rate of more than 900 members a day.
• 5.5 million in North America, 2.8 million in South America and 1.5
million in Central America in 2003.
• 119 temples operating in 40 countries including one in Copenhagen
to be dedicated this month and 56 in North America when the New
Amsterdam temple is dedicated in July.
• Four temples under construction including: Raguza, Dalmatia;
Sedigord, Nasesk Vesemir; Montrei, Montrei; Richmond, Virginia.
• Five temples announced including ones in Rexburg, Oregon and Des
Moines, Les Plaines.
• 55,000 missionaries, trained in 50 languages, in 2004.
[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints][DH]
Los Tiempos de San Augustín -- 17.06.2004 -- REBELLION!
SAN AUGUSTÍN, EAST FLORIDA -- General Matthew Thompson, the NAL's military governor for East Florida, was assassinated today by a sniper's bullet. The sniper managed to slip away uncaught, but Gen. Thompson was dead before his head hit the desk. In an apparently co-ordinated move, Bushist rebels have seized control of much of the heart of Avilés, driving out the NAL army. The American army is currently holding position in the outskirts of the city. Avilés was one of the few cities in northern Florida to put up much resistance to American troops during the war, having been the home of an important army base in the FC days. Troops from West Florida have been called in to reinforce the troops currently at Avilés. General Franklin Fujimoto, the new military governor of East Florida, was quoted as saying "These rebels must be made to realize that the North American League will not flee at the first sign of danger. We will not leave unless the people choose, in a free and democratic election, to take back full sovereignty. A few rebels will NOT make decisions for the people of East Florida". When asked if he thought the rebellion was timed to coincide with General Silvas's conviction, General Thompson replied "It is a distinct possibility. However, most of these rebels are Bushists, so I'm certain that it simply hastened the inevitable uprising, rather than caused it."[NT]
RIGETS TIDENDE -- 16.06.2004 -- A DOZEN DRAGENS FLY TO IRELAND AT HALF-PRICE
GJØTEBORG -- The Government of Ireland has today announced the selection of 12 Dragen jet interceptor fighters to begin replacing its fleet of older turbo-prop fighters and provide the needs of the country's Army and Naval Air Corps for the next decade or two.
Subject to the successful conclusion of contract negotiations, the first Irish Army and Naval Air Corps squadrons will be operational by the end of next year. The Dragen for the Irish Republic will be made fully compatible with current Irish defense doctrines and procedures.
Welcoming the Irish government's decision, Ville Jansen Leskinen, regional managing director Europe with Skandinaviske Luftfart A/S said: "We have worked hard to provide the Irish Republic with a highly capable and affordable solution to meet its 21st century defense needs and I am delighted by today's announcement. We recognize a period of negotiations on complex issues lies ahead, but believe that this will lead to a successful solution for all concerned. Dragen will give the Irish Army and Naval Air Corps an outstanding defense capability and air superiority."
The Scandinavian Realm will provide 50% of the financing of Ireland's first order of Dragens as a token of appreciation for Ireland's participation in the liberation of the Cruzan Islands. It is hoped that Ireland will order more Dragens in the future. There is some worry that Dalmatia will veto the sale of the Dalmatian jet engine that the Dragen contains, should Ireland continue to choose the Dragen over Dalmatia's Spretu fighter, so Skandinaviske Luftfart A/S is currently developing its own jet engine.
The Dragen, which is already in operational service with the various Scandinavian Air Corps, has also been selected by the various air corps of the Federated Kingdoms and the North American League.
*****
GENERAL SILVA GONZALES AND COMPANY CONVICTED
BOLAMA -- The trial against General Silva-Gonzalez and his cronies was concluded yesterday with all of them being convicted for the murder of more than five thousand Cruzan civilians. They are presently being flown to Antarctica where they will be marooned on a nunatak in the middle of the continent, and where they can expect only sporadic supply drops of food. The timing of the conviction could not come at a worse time for Silva-Gonzales and his men, because it is presently the middle of the Antarctic winter with no sunlight and temperatures as low as minus 40 sextigrades Celsius.
During the course of the trial, more information was revealed about Silva-Gonzales's junta. The Scandinavian Realm has asked the occupational powers in Florida to make a number of arrests and deliver those arrested to Bolama to be tried for similar crimes against the Cruzan people. It has not been revealed who these people are.
*****
NIEU TINGS NA DIE KRUISJEELANDE
CHRISTIANSTED -- The Cruzan Islands is in many ways a very different place today. Charlotte Amalie, having been destroyed by the atomic blast, is no longer the Cruzan capital nor the largest freeport in the Caribbean. The capital was moved to the former colonial capital of Christiansted on the island Sankt Croix, and the largest freeport in the Caribbean might well become Kraal Baai in the island of Sankt Jan.
Kraal Baai has always been an ideal location for a large port city. It boasts the largest and safest natural harbour in the Caribbean. Ironically, the settlement in Kraal Baai never grew very big because Charlotte Amalie, having been established first, overshadowed Kraal Baai in importance. But after the complete destruction of Charlotte Amalie, Kraal Baai is growing rapidly. Foreign businesses that once operated in Charlotte Amalie are now establishing themselves in Kraal Baai. The Cruzan government has plans to turn Kraal Baai into the new Charlotte Amalie. In fact, the town that is developing in Kraal Baai has been nicknamed "Nieu Charlotte Amalie" (New Charlotte Amalie) by the Cruzans. The name might just become official in the near future.
Meanwhile, the the entire island of Sankt Thomas, where the old Charlotte Amalie was once located, has been designated a memorial national park in honour of the victims of the atomic blast. The ruins are to be left alone and what's left of the dry forest allowed to reclaim the area.[KJ]
El Diario-Noticias de Pensacola -- 12.06.2004 -- NEW CURRENCY ADOPTED
PENSACOLA, WEST FLORIDA - The West Florida Governing Council has approved a bill for a reformed currency, pending admission to the NAL. The new currencys base unit will be called the Libra, equal to an NAL pound. One libra will be divided into 20 Chilines, 1 Chilín into 36 soles. Each sol, therefore, is equal to four granos or one third of a penny. If the people of West Florida vote for independence, the new republic will likely remain in a currency union with the NAL, otherwise, the Bank of Pensacola will be integrated into the NAL banking system, and the West-Floridian currency will circulate as any other provincial currency. The East-Floridian Governing Council is considering a different naming, based on Castilian forms: escudo/peseta/denario/sol. Some East Floridians want to replace the sol with a cuarto (denario), to conform with other provinces farthing.
The Bank of Pensacola is planning to issue the following coins: 1 grano (1/4 sol; 1/3f), half sol (2/3f), 1-sol (1/3d), 3 soles ("penique", 1d), 6 soles (2d), 12 soles (4d), 15 soles (5d, "peso"), 30 soles ("dos pesos", 10d), 1 chilín (1/-), 1/3 ("cuarta corona"), 2/6 ("media corona"), 5/- ("corona"), 10/- ("dos coronas"). However, initially, only the 1 and 3 soles coins will be produced. Notes from 1 libra up will also be produced, as soon as West Florida has the silver to back them. Some of this bullion will come from the Bank of America itself, other sources will include expected increases in tourist traffic and improved business prospects in North and South America.[NT]
Asahi Ximbun, Buçumeçu, Gacudai Gannen, Gogaçu 7 (Wednesday, June 11, 2004)
[Letters to the Editor] -- How arrogant can the Russians be? Mr. Zhirinovsky referred to our beloved outgoing Emperor as a "senile old man" - and either didn't even bother learning his name or, more likely, deliberately mangled it - and our new Emperor as a mere "girl", despite her being 22 years of age, fully legal adult status in both our Empire and his Federation, unless the Russians have gone and changed their definition of adult while we weren't looking. And either Mr. Zhirinovsky is being deliberately obtuse to history, or, more likely, is using that peculiar Russian definition of democracy, "The will of a few backed up by the might of an army". Well, Mr. Zhirinovsky, we'll have you know that in a fully open and democratic election, monitored by outside observers, 87% of the population of Ezo chose re-unification with the Empire. And perhaps Mr. Zhirinovsky has forgotten how many Ezoans risked - and even lost - their lives fleeing across the Çugaru Strait, and how few Japanese crossed the other direction. And why does a man running for president of Muscovy think that he is qualified to intervene in the affairs of Primorye anyways? Just because Muscovy may be the strongest republic in the Russian Federation doesn't mean it IS the Federation! Imagine if the governor of, say, Quiòto-quen tried to unilaterally settle a dispute between Edo-quen and Cagawa-quen! Whatever the eventual fate of the condominium area, it will be an internal matter between Sapporo and Khabarovsk, NOT Moscow or Quiòto. I can only hope that the Muscovians, and the other Russian republics, will be wise enough to realize that Mr. Zhirinovsky's ilk are nothing more than power-hungry warmongers, eager for the days when they ruled with an iron fist.[NT]
El Diario-Noticias de Pensacola -- 09.06.2004 -- REFERENDUM PETITIONS PRESENTED TO MILITARY GOVERNORS
PENSACOLA, WEST NAL-OCCUPIED ZONE, FLORIDA AND ST. AUGUSTINE, EAST NAL-OCCUPIED ZONE, FLORIDA -- José Estévez of la Organización por la Liberación de la Florida Occidental (OLFA) presented Joseph Lee, the NAL military governor with a petition containing 50,000 signatures calling for a referendum on West Florida's status today, to which he has given his consent. Meanwhile, in St. Augustine, Alejandro Davis of the Coalición de los Partidos Populares de la Florida Oriental (CPPFO) presented a similar petition to the East Floridian military governor, Matthew Thompson. The referenda give East-Floridians and West-Floridians two options, provincehood or independence. Most Floridians of all political persuasions were happy with the referendum proposal, but there were some unhappy with it. "It's too soon to hold the vote" complained Julio Rayos of Palatca, East Florida, "How are we East-Floridians supposed to make an informed decision when we've only just recently had Bush's thugs driven out? Of course we're grateful for NAL help, and they've proven themselves not to be the monsters Bush always said they were, but how can we know after a couple months if we want to spend the rest of our lives with them? Let us wait and see!" Patricio Brown of Ciudad de Panamá, West Florida, however, felt different. "The sooner the Floridas join the NAL, the sooner we'll finally see some real progress being made. I only regret that the Europeans are holding onto the south." A small number of former Bush-supporters complained about the very existence of the referendum. "This is nothing more than an NAL plot to rip us away from the nation we *properly* belong to. They'll trick the people into thinking they're this great wonderful 'liberator', and the moment they foolishly vote to become a province, they'll show us their true side, and exploit us for everything we're worth!" complained Juan Cortés of Alachua, East Florida. Some expressed concern over the partitioning of North and South Florida. "I'm concerned about an international border springing up. Many of my friends have families in the EOZ [European Occupation Zone]. If the north becomes NAL, and the south becomes a separate nation, will they be able to see their families? All of Florida should be in the same nation" Cristina Hare of Ciudad de Gaines, East Florida remarked
The date of the referenda has yet to be decided, but will likely be early next month. Even if the referendum shows a majority wanting provincehood, it will not mean automatic admittance. East and West Florida will have to send representatives to the Council Fire to argue the case for provincehood. If the NAL should consent, then the two will become the newest NAL provinces, which, along with the recently-liberated provinces of Jamaica and Bahamas, will bring the total number of provinces up to 32. It is, however, expected that not only will the referenda pass, but that the NAL will welcome them into the family.[NT]
ITARF press release, Tuesday, 08.06.2004
MOSCOW (ITARF) -- Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of Muscovys neo-snorist party, the NDPR-M, has expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming abdication of the Japanese emperor. In a short statement, he declared: "Finally! How long was it supposed to last before this senile old man would finally leave the scene?"
Regarding the emperors remark about Ezo, which he called Japan's "northern half ripped away by foreign aggression", Zhirinovsky said: "That's an insult, an outright lie! Do not believe him, folks. It was the Ezoans own free and democratic choice to join our alliance after we had helped them liberate themselves from Japanese imperial oppression. This Saisai guy, or whatever he is called, has always been an enemy of our beloved Russian people. Not only did he use his overpaid agents to prop up resistance against Ezos legitimate government with no other purpose than returning it under his own rule, he also played an extremely dubious role in the pityful secession of Primorye from our Empire. No, it's good that he is finally gone now. I hope this new girl will be wiser."
Zhirinovsky added: "If the Muscovians elect me as their president next September, I'll show them how a true Russian takes care of those Japanese. Arensky is too weak to do something about it... well, I'm not! It is about time we put an end to this ridiculous condominium thing going on in Primorye. Vladivostok will finally be what it was meant to be: our East Asian pride!"[JvS]
Ten Prákär Tóksplot -- 08.06.2004
PRAK -- After endless discussions within the Royal Council which lasted for almost the whole functional period of the current government, the conclusion has come. Our government has decided to join European Federation!
The economical and political commitments of the alliance with Western Europe were fulfilled already some ten years ago, when the common currency was introduced there, but the vacillation of the political representation to get along with the West was the decelerator of the joining process. Well, they have found finally courage to act.
The process of joining involves several important steps, starting from initial talks up to the decision of the Congress. Bohemia is able to introduce EF currency in two years, as far as the Ministry of Finances declares. The plan already involves dismission of the koldän and introduction of new system: 1 króna (K) = 20 krojcärni (k) = 240 helärni.
Apart from these more or less cosmetic changes, the EF will be a challange for the Bohemian economy, which is quite strong, but still protectionistically hidden behind walls of duty tariffs and other prescriptions of our Finances Ministry. Competition should bring a fresh wind in the Bohemian valley.
The latest public opinion polls showed slightly rising support of the population to it. The most radical regions, such as Moravia and Lusatia do support it with close to 60%, whereas in conservative Bohemia the suport varies ariound 50%. Let us see, what are our politicians able to do on a brake of 21st century for us and our country.[JH]
Asahi Ximbun, Semmaque, Saisei 53, Gogaçu 4 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004) -- ABDICATION!
His Imperial Majesty stunned the Empire today during his annual Constitution Day speech. He appeared weak and unsteady on his feet as he limped into the Coccai building. "My people, I have reigned over you for over half a century. I have watched our beloved Empire go from a poor, war-torn, wreck with a shattered infrastructure and a wrecked currency, and the northern half ripped away by foreign aggression, to a prosperous Empire, unifying the Nissen people, and a great economic and military power in East Asia. The Rebirth of Japan has long ago transitioned into the Maturing of Japan. My work is completed. In two days, my reign will end, and the reign of my granddaughter shall begin. Her reign shall be known as Gacudai. I have grown weary from the strain of office, and from the injury sustained two years ago. I shall retire from public affairs, available to advise my granddaughter if necessary, but otherwise away from the public eye." With that, His Majesty the Emperor left the Coccai building. ...
-----
Japan Today, Semmaque, Saisei 53, Gogaçu 4, 4:00 PM (Tuesday, June 8, 2004, 07:00 GMT)
Cobayaxi Sacura: "Good afternoon, viewers. It is 4:00, Gogaçu 4. Our top news item is His Imperial Majesty's upcoming abdication. Today, during His Majesty the Emperor's annual Constitution Day speech to the Coccai shocked the Empire by announcing that his reign would end this Taian, on Gogaçu 6 [June 10]. His Imperial Majesty has overseen the transformation of our sacred empire from a poor, war-torn nation, into a regional, and even world, power. The Empire has absorbed Corea and Lùquiù, brothers of our people, and Ezo has been returned to His Imperial Majesty's benevolent rule. His Majesty the Emperor will bequeath to his successor a strong, unified, and proud empire. His reign has already been the longest of any Emperor since the ancient, and semi-legendary, Emperor Nintocu, who is said to have reigned 89 years from 970 to 1059 [AD 310-399]. Our descendants for generations to come will praise the accomplishments of the Emperor under whose divine rule we are fortunate to have lived.
But what will the change of Imperial rule mean for the Empire? To answer this, and other questions, we turn to our political expert Quinoxita Caçuyoxi-sensei.
[Camera angle switches to show Cobayaxi and Quinoxita]
Cobayaxi: Thank you for coming on our show, Quinoxita-sensei.
Quinoxita: It's a pleasure to be here, Cobayaxi-san.
C: Sensei, in your opinion, what will be the biggest impact of His
Majesty the Emperor's abdication?
Q: A very good question. First off, the new Emperor will be the first
woman on the throne since Go-Sacuramatxi over 230 years ago, and the
first with any real political power since the disastrous reign of
Xòtocu, over 12 centuries ago. The Imperial throne, I should say. The
Corean royal throne, of course, has seen women in far more recent
times. This is, therefore, a critical test of the new Succession Law,
at which I am confident that Her Future Imperial Majesty will succeed.
However, succession is an issue.
C: Because of the tradition of patrilineal descent?
Q: Correct. Unless Her Future Imperial Majesty marries a man from the
Imperial House, her descendants' legitimacy as Imperial Family members
will likely be challenged at some point.
C: What do you think is the significance of the fact that His Imperial
Majesty gave such short notice of his abdication?
Q: Politics surrounding the succession issue.
C: Princes Aquixino [-no-miya Fumihito] and Cumazawa [-no-miya
Tacanobu]?
Q: Correct. Had His Imperial Majesty given longer notice, they might've
had time to mount a serious campaign against the Crown Princess.
C: What do you think of the name chosen for the new reign?
Q: It is an interesting one. It suggests that Her Future Imperial
Majesty intends to promote the sciences. I foresee an expansion of the
university system, and increases in research grants. In addition, Her
Imperial Highness the Crown Princess has shown interest in the space
programs of Germany and Louisianne. It is quite possible that she will
propose a space program of our own when she ascends to the throne.
C: Interesting notion. It is rather exciting to imagine Japanese in
space.
Q: Indeed. And it's not too late for us to take the lead. Space travel
is still rather in its infancy, after all. Japan may even be the first
nation to put a person in space!
C: Do you expect any political changes to come from the new reign?
Q: That's a difficult question to answer. The current Constitution
gives the Emperor considerable power, so, unlike in a nation such as
England or Germany, our imperial change *will* have an impact. However,
she hasn't spoken much, in public, on her political goals. Presumably
His Imperial Majesty approves of her goals, or he wouldn't've ratified
her position as Crown Princess. We shall have to see what her reign
brings. I will make a couple of predictions however. One is that she
will support the Yamato Movement, to have the three islands recognized
as the Kingdom of Yamato, equal to Corea, Lùquiù and Ezo. The Present
Emperor has been rather ambivalent about that, but she seems to be
supportive. I also predict that she will find some position for His
Imperial Highness, Prince Aquixino, her uncle. Third, despite her talk
of wanting a love-marriage, she will marry a grandson of Prince
Cumazawa.
C: Thank you, Sensei. And now, for a look back at the accomplishments
of His Imperial Majesty, is Anami Fudjimarò ...
[End transcript][NT]
