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Asahi Ximbun -- 21.DEC.2005 (Gacudai 2, Jùitxigaçu 25) -- Princess Aquico to Wed
Quiòto -- The Imperial Household Ministry announced on Taian [December 20] that Her Imperial Majesty had granted consent to the engagement of Princess Aquico of Micasa, the eldest daughter of Prince Tomohito of Micasa, and great-granddaughter of Emperor Taixò, to Antoine II Bourbon-Le Moyne, Dauphin of France and Louisianne. The wedding is tentatively scheduled for early Xitxigaçu [early August] next year.
The Emperor had met with Louis-Antoine, the father of the groom, and with Prince Tomohito, along with the young couple, to discuss the wedding plans and the implications for both families. It is reported that the meeting was brief, as neither of the parties had any objections. According to a press release, all agreed that it should be considered a private matter between the young couple, and will imply no obligations upon the Imperial House or the Japanese Empire to support the Bourbon-Le Moyne claims.
After the marriage, Princess Aquico will, according to Imperial Household Law, leave the Imperial House and become Aquico Bourbon-Le Moyne.[NT]
Asahi Ximbun -- 21.DEC.2005
(Gacudai 2, Jùitxigaçu 25 -- Princess Aquico to Wed
Quiòto -- The Imperial Household Ministry announced on
Taian [20 December] that Her Imperial Majesty had granted
consent to the engagement of
Princess Aquico of Micasa, the eldest daughter of Prince
Tomohito of Micasa, and great-granddaughter of Emperor Taixò, to
Antoine II Bourbon-Le Moyne, Dauphin of France and Louisianne. The
wedding is tentatively scheduled for early Xitxigaçu [early
August] of next year.
The Emperor had met with Louis-Antoine, the father of the
groom, and with Prince Tomohito, along with the young couple, to
discuss the wedding plans and the implications for both families.
It is reported that the meeting was brief, as neither of the
parties had any objections. According to a press release, all
agreed that it should be considered a private matter between the
young couple, and will imply no obligations upon the Imperial House
or the Japanese Empire to support the Bourbon-Le Moyne claims.
After the marriage, Princess Aquico will, according to
Imperial Household Law, leave the Imperial House and become Aquico
Bourbon-Le Moyne.[NT]
IBAP -- 13.DEC.2005 -- First
President Responds to Violence
Paris-sur-Mizouri, Osage, LA -- In a press release
today, Jean-François Young ordered all Louisiannan refugees
forcibly brought to Louisiannan soil, offering to have a Louisiannan
military escort aid in the transfer of the refugees. “I apologize
to all affected families, and especially to the citizens of
Meadville. It sickens me that our people would commit such an
atrocity.” Plans have been submitted to the NAL Parliament for
complete repatriation of Louisiannan refugees by the end of the year.
It is expected that Louisianne will make restitution to Mobile
for these wrongs. Speaking further, President Young stated, “I
have been in communication with General-Moderator Gore and have
willingly agreed to allow any Louisiannan involved in this horror
to be treated as any NAL citizen, tried by a NAL jury and
punished according to the laws of the League.”[DH]
12.DEC.2005 -- IBAP -- REFUGEE RIOTS IN MOBILE
MEADVILLE, Mobile, NAL -- Fighting and mob violence broke out today in the large refugee encampment outside of Meadville , Mobile . Nearly 1,000 are dead and injured at this time with a continuing body count to ascertain the total number of dead and wounded.
The NAL Home Guard was called out to subdue the rioters, but not before massive damage was done to the village’s centre. Of the 520 native residents, nearly 150 were assaulted, and at present count 25 are dead.
From present estimates, it is likely that the village is irreparably destroyed and will most likely become a ghost town. Because of the violence of the assault and mob violence against NAL citizens, the Home Guard are now preparing the refugees for expulsion to Louisianne.
Louisiannan officials have strongly agreed to this, and have pledged a willingness to extradition for all involved in the violence against this sleepy mobilian town.[DH]
IBAP -- 11.DEC.2005 -- Refugee
Riots in Mobile
MEADVILLE, Mobile, NAL -- Fighting and mob violence
broke out today in the large refugee encampment outside of
Meadville, Mobile. Nearly 1,000 are dead and injured at this time with
a continuing body count to ascertain the total number of dead
and wounded.
The NAL Home Guard was called out to subdue the rioters, but
not before massive damage was done to the village’s centre. Of
the 520 native residents, nearly 150 were assaulted, and at
present count 25 are dead.
From present estimates, it is likely that the village is
irreparably destroyed and will most likely become a ghost town.
Because of the violence of the assault and mob violence against NAL
citizens, the Home Guard are now preparing the refugees for
expulsion to Louisianne.
Louisiannan officials have strongly agreed to this, and have
pledged a willingness to extradition for all involved in the
violence against this sleepy mobilian town.[DH]
National News Corporation wire servive –-
10.12.2005 -- World Trade Towers Mystery Solved?
Philadelphia -- The office of the Special Prosecutor
Rudolf
Johanssen issued its report to Parliament regarding the airship
attack
on New Amsterdam's World Trade Towers which cost over a thousand
lives
and resulted in millions of pounds worth of damage. Authorized
by
General Moderator Albert Gore in the wake of rampant speculation
about
the perpetrators of the attack, the Special Prosecutor's Office
has
maintained very high security while working in tandem with the
Ministry of Justice and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Johanssen read from the report's précis in a news conference,
but
declined to answer further questions.
The report cited two areas of criminal activity regards the
attack. First was the hijacking of commercial dirigibles out of
Boston Aerodrome. This, the report concluded, was the work of a
cult-like religious group calling itself The Janus Fellowship
(after the zodiacal sign, Janus the Twin). Said Fellowship
originally formed around Jesse Garon Pressler, twin brother of rock
superstar Elvis Pressler, as a group dedicated to the idea of twins
and duality. It later became far more insular and exotic under
the leadership of alternate history writer L.Don Hobarth. The
motive for the attacks, according the report, was an attempt to
achieve enlightenment via a meaningful death. Hobarth, who has
since vanished from public view and is believed to have died,
insisted that a parallel world existed with which he was in periodic
contact and that union with this parallel world was the means to
transcending physical existence. He claimed to have learned of
some kind of an attack on the east coast of the North American
continent in this other Earth, and his followers were attempting
to recreate that event.
National warrants have been issued for Hobarth and several of
his
closest associates as well as dozens of Janus Fellowship
members.
The second criminal activity, the Special Prosecutor's report
noted,
was in the construction of the World Commerce Centre itself.
Engineering studies, noted Johanssen, clearly indicated
substandard
construction techniques went into the building of the Towers,
especially in their upper stories. Apart from those violations
of the
building codes of New Amsterdam and New Castreleon, Johanssen
noted
that these facts make the collection of insurance by the
original
owners of the building guilty of fraud. This matter, however,
falls
under the jurisdiction of the provincial courts and the evidence
is
being turned over to the Crown Prosecutor's Office in New
Amsterdam.
Johanssen declined to answer questions afterwards, so it is
unknown at
this time whether among those implicated would be George Bush
Sr., one
of the original investors in the World Trade Towers and around
whose
involvement speculation has been rampant. Bush is the father of
deposed Florida-Caribbean leader Jaime Bush and of executed
former
Tejas dictator Jorge Bush (nee George Bush Jr.).
The Janus Fellowship has been the center of numerous rumors
for the
past quarter-century, although its members have included several
entertainment celebrities. Most of its literature focuses on the
study
of duality and how that has been seen in terms of twins. The
Fellowship has claimed, for example, that several figures in
history
(such as Thomas Jefferson and Richard III of England) were in
fact
twins masquerading as single individuals. In 1989 the group
caused
considerable uproar when it attempted to purchase the entire
town of
Roswell, Jacobia. The attempt failed, and the reasons for it
remain
something of a mystery.[DZ]
STAR OF GEORGETOWN -- 09.12.2005 --
Shake Down of Senate turns into Shake Up in Philadelphia
GEORGETOWN -- The so called "Watergap Scandal" that
threatened Mr Gore's reputation and job, to say nothing of the
credibility of the nation this August last exploded in October when
Mr. J. S. Bachman, a.k.a. "Sore Throat" who had furnished a
series of audio tapes to the Inquirer of Philadelphia reporters Jack
Silver Crow and Lance Prevallet came forward to tell the truth
of the matter. "I just couldn't live with myself to see Mr Gore
plummet that way. I mean, I does voices to make folks laugh, not
to bring down governments!"
The results as of this morning's tally announced by the GM's
investigating commission are startling in their effect. Thus
far, seven senators (all Progressive-Conservatives) have been named
(from Massacheussets, New Castreleon, Pennsylvaania, Virginia
(both senators), Tenisi and Mobile have been discovered to be
co-conspirators as well as three MPs from Pennsylvaania and one from
Mobile as well as two undisclosed but rather high ranking
officials from the Louisianan embassy. Several aides and high level
ministers at P-C party headquarters were named in suits alleging
gross misconduct in misrepresenting the facts of the GM's actions
during the recent war. Charges ranging from conspiracy to
treason are to be laid against the participants, and the Court is set
to hear the case early next year. "Sore Throat" Mr. Bachman
received a special citation for speaking out the truth of the
matter. It has come to our attention at the Star that several
prominent publishing houses are seeking to commit Mr Bachman to book
deals.
Political commentator H. Ross Lambaugh of ABC radio stunned
his audience yesterday with the following statement: "The events
of that last few months have clearly spelled the demise of the
Progressive-Conservative party in this North American League, and
have certainly destroyed what might have otherwise been a very
strong chance at regaining the General Moderatorship in 2010. My
fellow Americans, what I am about to say will shock the knickers
off of many of you. While I consider myself an American and a
conservative first, I have long prided myself on my affiliation
with the P-C. However, having thought long and hard about the
recent turn of events, I have no choice but to renounce my personal
connexions with that party. Of course, I shall remain your
devoted conservative servant, and shall continue to strive for the
day the Whigs are cast out of Philadelphia on their keisters, but
in the NAL, a nation of laws, we must do things the right way.
The P-C have shown to what depths a party in desperation to seek
power can stoop, and I can not personally align myself with such
a party." [PB]
From L'Étoile de Lyons-sur-Mizouri
-- 07.12.2005 -- Togan Currency Found to be Debased, Throne in
Danger
Tests have found that Toga's mint has been debasing its
silver coinage,
with the siligi (shilling) having an intrinsic value of only
9.3d, and
other coins debased by a similar proportion. Further
revelations have
come out that the Bank of Toga lacks sufficient silver reserves
to back its banknotes.
Combined with revelations of the king falling for yet another
get-rich-quick scheme, protests which have been raging around
the small kingdom have taken a more radical turn, with open calls
for the abdication of King Taufa'ahau Tupou V, with some calling
for the end of the Tupou Dynasty, and the establishment of
either a republic or a personal union with one of the British
monarchs, or a new native dynasty. Others wish to see one of the
princes of the royal family taking the throne.[NT]
DANDY Magazine -- 1.DEC.2005
(Winter 2006 edition)
In this issue, we interview best-selling novelist V.A.Howard
and Hadrian Voermann, noted American film director currently at
the helm of the new motion picture adaptation of LORD OF THE
RINGS.
VH: We meet at last! BBC World News Service -- 30.NOV.2005 --
New French Language News Agency Sets out to Rival BBC, IBAP
PARIS -- In an announcement at Paris today,
Communication Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres announced the signing of
a contract by public and
private stations around the french speaking world to create a
new news
agency to rival the BBC and IBAP.
Canal Français Informations International or CFII would be
set to
launch in January of 2006. Agencies that are known to have
signed up
are the TéléLouisianne group, and negotiations with Omnipresse
from
New Francy are still ongoing.
This new broadcaster is intended to serve as a platform to
counter the
Francophone perception of prevailing Commonwealth view of world
affairs. This was especially noted during the Florida War of
2004, where reports of the
war were largely handled by the BBC and Rikets Radio &
Television.
When concern was raised in the halls of parliament as to the
chances
of success for the CFII in the fast-paced global TV news sector,
the
French culture minister, Alastaire Pernet was quick to say: "We
have
to enter the fray, and quickly so. Let us not abandon hope."[DH]
Journal of the Visual Arts -- 29.11.2005
-- Lord of the Rings Project Unveiled
Atlanta, Jacobia (NAL) -- Amid great fanfare,
executives at
Metropolitan Moving Pictures announced that director Hadrian
Voermann
has been giving the go-ahead to make two motion pictures based
on the
classic fantasy novel "Lord of the Rings" by Sir John
R.R.Tolkien.
Voermann is a veteran filmmaker who once before attempted to
make a
big-budget fantasy epic, titled "Mythos" but which never left
the
development stage. His previous movies include a wide range of
hits
and misses, including the science fiction "Glaive Runner," the
explicit noir thriller "Instincts Basic," the feminist road
picture
"Louise and Thelma" and the almost hallucinatory "The Sapphire
Forest." He has also adapted novels to screen before, most
famously
"Lotilda" based on the scandalous work by Vlad Nabokhev. His
most
recent film was "Not Faithful," a drama about adultery.
According to studio spokesmen, the preproduction of
"Fellowship of the
Ring" has already commenced, with casting expected to be
finished
within the next three months. Filming is scheduled to begin this
summer on location in Oregon.[DZ]
L'Étoille de Lyon-sur-Mizuori --
29.11.2005 -- Empire of Japan Adopts New Flag
Quiòto - The Imperial Parliament passed a bill
adopting a new flag for the Empire of Japan, the former flag having
been devolved upon the
recently-created Kingdom of Yamato, which consists of the
historic
homeland of the Japanese Empire. The new flag combines elements
from
the historic "Rising Sun" flag of Japan with elements from the
flags of
Corea, Lùquiù, and Ezo.
The flag has, at its center, a mostly-red circle, with
yellow and blue "commas", combining the _mon_ of Lùquiù (three
"commas", of red, yellow, and blue) with the simple red circle of the
Japanese flag. Surrounding this central _mon_ are the 8
hexagrams from the Corean flag. Finally, the field itself is dark blue,
representing Ezo's flag, which is a red-on-white 7-pointed star
on a dark blue field. It is nearly identical to the flag of the
largely defunct East Asian Federation (founded in 1912,
superseded in 1920), with the exception that the
latter had a white field, Ezo having not been a distinct entity
at the time.[NT]
Numismatic News -- 22.11.2005 --
Cò to be Redesigned
Òsaca -- The Imperial Mint today have announced that
beginning next
year, the cò would be redesigned to address complaints stemming
from the use of the late Prince Hiro's image on the coin. The
new design will have the
standard chrysanthemum crest and "2 fun" in kanji on the
obverse, and a stalk of rice, borrowed from the former quarter-momme,
along with the Romàdji "2 Fun", on the reverse.[NT]
BBC World News Service --
18.11.2005 -- The RTC in Brief
DANZIG -- The referendum about political unification
of Galicia and
Volhynia did indeed take place on 25 November, 2004, in an
atmosphere of
violence, intimidation and fraud. Nevertheless, the plebiscite
ended
in a huge majority for unification at both ends. However, the
Lithuanian regime reactie oppressively, and the decisions taken by
the people still haven't been implemented yet.
As a result of the government's inability to act and react,
the UNDO,
the party of the Ukrainian minority and one of the major parties
of
the RTC, finally withdrew from it in December. Chancellor Sacz
remained in office at the head of a minority government,
contantly supported by changing majorities. It was unable to do much
about the situation, even more so than it had been previously.
In these circumstances, the Volhynian-Galician problem and
the situation in Southeast Florida lingered on. The fact that this
minority government never fell and was not forced to organise
new elections can be considered one of those true miracles that
only the RTC seems to be able to produce.
Last April, seven rightist parties in Veneda, as well as
fourteen other political and social organisations formed a new
political bloc, the so-called "ŻŻŻ". It became a loose confederation
of very different parties, most but not all of them conservative
in signature.
On September 25, elections for the Sejm took place. They
ended in a huge victory for the ŻŻŻ, as well for the
right-conservative agricultural party WPP. Talks for the formation of a new
government are still going an, and a new government is soon to be
expected. In the meantime, the demissionary government of
chancellor Jan Sacz is still acting. It is unknown who the new
chancellor will be. Powerful candidates seem to be former general Marek
Aldendorf, bank president Alfred Swiss-Oberg, and ZZZ leader
Leoń Janaczyny.[JvS]
BBC World News Service -- 15.11.2005 --
Princess Weds Commoner
Quiòto -- Princess Noli-no-miya Sayaco, only daughter
of the Retired
Emperor and aunt of the present Emperor, married her fiancée,
Curoda Itxirò, in a low-key ceremony on Djùgaçu 18 [14 November].
The wedding itself took place at the Imperial Hotel in Quiòto.
It marks the first time that an Imperial daughter married a
commoner with no Imperial or noble ties. The ceremony was attended
by numerous members of the Imperial Family, including Her
Imperial Majesty and the Retired Emperor, and several close relatives
of the groom. By marrying a commoner, Sayaco lost her Imperial
Status, and was granted a lump sum payment of 25,000 lò
[FK£50,000].
The Emperor bestowed upon the former Princess the new title
of Countess
Noli, and both bride and groom have adopted the surname Noli,
derived from her former Imperial title.
The wedding reception was held at 1200, and was attended by
over 120 guests. It was the first time that an Emperor had
attended the wedding
reception of a princess, according to the Imperial Household
Agency.[NT]
Rikets Tidende -- 18.10.2005 -- GROWING
SENTIMENT IN VAN DIEMANS LAND TO JOIN THE SCANDINAVIAN REALM
HOBART -- There is growing sentiment in Van Diemans
Land to secede from Australasia and to become part of the
Scandinavian Realm.
This follows the the marriage of one of their own citizens,
Mary Elizabeth
Donaldson, now Crown Princess Marie Lisbeth, to Crown Prince
Frederik of the
Scandinavian Realm, and the recent birth of the couple's child.
Van Dieman's Land is a territory of the Australasian province
of Guereintia, a Kemrese dependency.
However, Crown Princess Mary and her newborn child are
increasingly seen as
more closely connected with Van Diemans Land than the Kemrese
monarchy
itself.
The Scandinavian Royal couple has made more visits to Van
Diemans land than
any of the Kemrese royals.
Rob Newitt, leader of the Van Diemans Land Party (VDLP), has
said, "Crown
Princess Mary and her child are Van Diemanlanders, she is one of
us, and her child will be our king".
The VDLP claims that Van Diemans Land has not advanced nor
has it recieved
as much attention as mainland Guerentia, is virtually ignored by
the Kemrese
monarchy, and has had its sovereignty eroded to the point where
it no longer controls its forest, fisheries, mineral wealth, and
agriculture.
SR chancellor, Åke Ovesen Høgh-Guldberg, has remarked, "that
it is too early to tell whether this is just a temporary phase
due to the Crown
Princess's current popularity or a genuine sentiment."
The VDLP is predicted to win in the next election.[KJ]
Rikets Tidende -- 16.10.2005 -- CROWN
PRINCESS MARIE LISBETH GIVES BIRTH TO BABY PRINCE
COPENHAGEN -- The Realm's Crown Prince Frederik and
his Australasian
born wife, Crown Princess Marie Lisbeth (of Van Diemen's Land),
have had a baby prince.
The child, tipped to be called Christian in line with royal
tradition, becomes second in line to the throne.
A 21-gun salute boomed from the old fortress at midday
throughout the Realm
to mark the birth. Bonfires will later be lit along the beaches
and fjords.
Scandinavian Chancellor Åke Ovesen Høgh-Guldberg has offered
his congratulations to the royal couple, as has the Australasian
Prime Minister.
Their newly-born son is likely to be named Christian, in
keeping with
Oldenburg royal tradition that decrees all kings are either
named Christian
or Frederik.
The baby was born early on Saturday morning, 01:57 PMT, at
the Copenhagen
University Hospital, and weighed 7 lb 11 uc SI, the royal palace
said.[KJ]
STAR OF GEORGETOWN -- 17.10.2005 --
Parliaments Knickers in a Twist, Dance Master Gore Has Them
Chacing Their Tails!
Georgetown -- The present Scandal brewing in the City
of Fraternal Love took a new twist Friday last as the High
Court's commission revealed that the true scandal is not GM Gore's
alleged involvement in the ouster of President J. Bush of the
erstwhile Republic of Florida-Caribbea, but in stead revolves around
the audio tapes purported to have been recordings of the General
Moderator hatching the coup plot with certain southern Lords
Governors. On Friday last, a veritable bomb was dropped as the one
dubbed "Sore Throat" -- one Jospeh S. Bachman of Harrisburg,
Penna. -- stepped forward, apparently suffering from a guilty
conscience at watching the embattled GM's fortunes and public
confidence at first waver then plummet like a sinking airship.
According to Crawford, a local commedian who as it turns out is renown
in the club-and-pub circuit as a master "voice man" or
impressionist, he was approached after performing in Philadelphia last
April by two men who introduced themselves as "political
satirists". They engaged his services in what they represented as a spoof
of GM Gore ordering the ouster or assassination of President
Bush of Florida, in order to use in their own daytime conservative
oriented radio talk show. It turns out, however, that this was a
ruse perpetrated by long time senators Franklin (P-C
Massacheusets) and Lewis (P-C New Castreleon) at the behest of party chair
senator Luke Himmel-Walker (P-C Pennsylvaania).
This morning, the situation in Philadelphia was turned
entirely on its head, as Mr Gore stormed into the Senate curia with
haggard aides in tow and, striding purposefully to the dais,
commanded that all senators present themselves to the chamber. The
live televised coverage was soon being broadcast on all the major
networks as Mr Gore gracefully switched into Presbyterian
preacher mode, berating the named senators for their "dastardly and
cowardly acts of political scallawaggery" and the Senate in
general for being a "house of ill repute".
By noon, the chamber was packed and the General Moderator
read out a statement that called for the investigation of the named
senators and their (unnamed) accomplices. The GM waved a sealed
envelope threateningly at the stunned audience, intimating that
he "know[s] who's in who else's pockets and who's buggering who
and no one well be overlooked in this far deeper and utterly
unpatriotic scandal of epic proportions". No one on the chamber
floor dared speak out, but the consternation, or rather
constipation, was clearly to be read upon the faces of many of our nation's
senators.
Political commentator H. Ross Lambaugh of ABC radio took up
the story in his popular afternoon radio show, saying: "Well, Mr
Gore was dancing like a cat on a hot tin roof this time last
week; but it looks very much like Dance Master Gore shall be
calling the senators to do-si-do from here on out. Whatever the
meaning of his veiled threat with the sealed envelope earlier this
morning, it was clear from looking at the faces in the crowd that
the GM's words were stabbing deep into the hearts of many in
Philadelphia this morning. At this time, it is anyone's speculation
as to what the end result will be. Last week we were looking at
serious and creditable charges of misconduct against Mr Gore;
this morning, it looks like at least two provinces will soon be
holding special senatorial elections..."
Time will tell what the results of this inquest shall be.
[PB]
Wita Warsiny -- 17.SEP.2005 -- Miracle
in Robina Minarza
Read all about it here![JvS]
Newsday -- 14.SEP.2005 (27 Fructidor,
CCXIII) -- Elections Coverage Continues
Chambéon, Nouvelle Cournouaille (LA) -- The votes are
still coming in from the various districts of the Prefecture,
and polling is expected to wrap up on Saturday. While there has
been no official release of current votes, a TéléLouisianne Exit
poll is giving a strong two-thirds majority to Johannes Yager,
with Albert Dider trailing near 15 percent, and other minor party
candidates taking up the remaining 25 percent. This data is
largely
skewed, as areas that are strong Didier supporters have been
slow in forwarding their votes to the prefectoral seat.
Voile, Alpes-Argentés, Nouvelle Cournouaille (LA) --
Padrig Maughan announced his thanks to the Luthériens
Démocratiques Populaires, but rejected their offer of membership.
"President Young and the others of the council belonging to the
Républicains Libres have welcomed me back to the fold, and I thank them.
I will continue to support the religious right, and will keep
the LDP and their constituents as I hold public offices.
New Orleans, Saint-Onge (LA) -- The flood waters are
receding, power is being restored, but the effort is far from
over. Much of the lowest areas of the city remain in question, and
their future, unclear. Many have returned home, restoring their
homes and fighting off looters.
President Young's authorization for the militia to shoot
looters on sight has been heeded, but with moderation, as those seen
stealing only food have been arrested and moved out of the
disaster area.
The evacuation of Louisiannan citizens from Mobile has
proceeded apace, and the Louisiannan government has extended its
deepest and heartfelt thanks. "We recognize the brotherly love that
Mobilians have extended our people. It is my hope that we will
remember this should they ever be in need."
Mutterings from public officials in Mobile suggested the
Hurricane was
generated by Martians as a means to inseminate spies into the
populace.[DH]
Newsday -- 13.SEP.2005 (25 Fructidor,
CCXIII) -- Special Report: Polls Open In Louisianne
Chambéon, Nouvelle Cournouaille (LA) -- After the
slanderous news reports against incumbent Albert Didier, and the
allegations that he was somehow connected with the destruction of
one of the many levees of Nouvelle Orleans, M. Didier has dropped
a significant percentage in the polls.
"C'est simple; il est de même parenté que ces frangins de la
PRL." an old crone quipped. And in truth, if the allegations are
verified, M. Didier will prove to be no different than his
estranged friends in the Parti Républicain Libre.
This is seen as a major blow for the budding Législateurs de
Moralité Chrétienne (LMC). While M. Didier's standings in the polls
have improved since the allegations were made, he is still
expected to have a poor showing in the pending elections.
Nouvelle Orléans, Saint-Onge (LA) -- The Batavian
embassy received their countrymen today who have arrived to help in
the restructuring and reconstruction of the dams around the
city. Prefect Marie-Claire Gildersleeve has approached the Batavians
about other cities and locations along the coast of the
Louisiannan nation to help shore up the vanishing coastline, which is
taking much agricultural land away with it.
Zarahemla, Nouvelle Cournouaille (LA) -- Johannes
Yager placed his ballot in the box to the flash of cameras and the
chatter of reporters. Yager said simply "My desire is to usher in
an unprecedented period of cooperation and community building.
People reaching across boundaries - be they religious or race,
political or geographic - to creat a republic that is truly
respectful of each individual's pathway toward life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness must be our hope."
When questioned about his father's mining and other
entrepreneurial ventures, he stated simply. "My father, one of the great
entrepreneurs and philanthropists of this prefecture, taught me
that capital - monetary or political - is to be used to benefit
others. I intend to continue that tradition."
Yager has pushed a campaign of economic redevelopment for the
westernmost prefecture, seeking to build up an economic and
industrial base that will foster long term growth. "Government can't
really create jobs. But government can improve the environment
in which the private sector creates jobs," Yager said.
"I stand before you in the spirit of pure public service -
not as a protector of the status quo, but as an agent of change. A
vote for me is a vote for that change, a vote to distance
ourselves from Party Bosses, men who seek only their own gain, such as
would seem the case with Monsieur Albert Didier."
Alpes-Argentés (LA) -- From his office in Voile,
Padrig Maughan issued a statement renouncing his membership in the
Législateurs de Moralité Chrétienne (LMC). "I joined the
Législateurs de Moralité Chrétienne, feeling that there was a missing
direction in the Républicains Libres. As the shine has worn away, I
see now that I have been duped. I cannot support a party that
is simply the evils of prior years redressed in finery. I
renounce the LMC, and will return to the Républicains Libres, should
they accept me back."
Word has not been forthcoming from official venues within the
RL, however, rumor does suggest that Maughan will be welcomed
back, with open arms.
An official spokesman from the Luthériens Démocratiques
Populaires has said that should M. Maughan wish, he could join the
ranks of the LDP at any time.[DH]
NIEUWE HOLLANDSCHE COURANT -- 2.SEP.2005
-- DOMINEAU SAFE AND SOUND
NOUVELLE ORLÉANS (LA) -- Despite all the calamities
that have ravaged
Lousianne in recent times, at least one positive thing can be
reported: the famous jass musician Antoine "Fêtes" Domineau is
safe and sound. The 77 year old singer/pianist had earlier been
reported missing, but today his daughter recognised him on a ship
with evacuees.[JvS]
NIEUWE HOLLANDSCHE COURANT -- 1.SEP.2005
-- BATAVIAN RESCUE WORKERS LEFT FOR LOUISIANNE
THE HAGUE -- A team of Batavian rescue workers and
hydraulic engineers have left for Louisianne. Their mission is to
help make the city of Nouvelle Orléans inhabitable again as soon
as possible. The group, led by prof.dr.ir. Theodorus Looman of
the Technical University in Eindhoven, will concentrate its
activities mostly on pumping away the water; as a result of Furacano
#11, about ninety percent of the city is currently inundated
with water from the Gulf of Mexico.
This morning, a convoy of twelve airships set out from The
Hague for Nouvelle Orléans. Apart from the engineers and rescue
workers, the fleet are transporting pumps and other draining
equipment. They are also accompanied by
ca. 500 Batavian troups. "At this moment, the city is in chaos.
There is vandalism, arsony, and pillaging everywhere.
Unfortunately, our people can't possibly do their work without
protection", a spokesman of the Ministry of Defense said. The regiment is
under the command of General Gerrit Hogensteijn.
Prime Minster Zeger-Jan Quaadfliegh wished Louisiannan
president Young "all success in the world". "We haven't forgotten how
generously Louisanne helped us when we were hit by the çunami.
Now it's our turn. Together we will bear up against the
devastating forces of nature", he said.
Crown prince Guillaume-Alexandre, very interested in
hydraulics himself, will probably travel to Louisianne himself within
two or three days, in order to inspire the Batavian rescue workers
with courage.
An estimated nine or ten Batavian tourists and business
people have not been evacuated from the city yet. The embassy assure
us that these people are "hard to trace, but not missing".[JvS]
IBAP -- 31.08.2005 (13 Fructidor, CCXIII) -- Shady
Dealings in Oregon?
While visiting Oregon last week as part of his tour to
strengthen the
border crossings of Nouvelle Cournouaille and protect against
possible
infiltration by Deseret insurgents, M. Albert Didier,
Acting-Prefect is reputed to have visited with Jaime Bush, exiled in
Oregon since the end of the 2004 Florida War.
While this sighting has not been certified, it has greatly
damaged M. Didier's standings in the polls. His position is
further weakened as the ongoing investigation as to the failed levees
of Nouvelle Orleans suggest that they were destroyed using
mining explosives, several of whose end caps have come from sites in
the newly acquired Alpes Argentés.
Shortly after news of this visit came to light today, other
evidence of graft has surfaced. Anatole Desse, Maire of Nouvelle
Orleans stands accused of grafting hundreds of thousands of écus
in gifts from various construction companies vying for the
construction bids for M. Desse's project to raise Nouvelle Orleans'
street levels.
Pundits are quick to cite the link of M. Desse and M. Didier,
both members of the former Parti Républicain Libre (PRL) and new
Législateurs de la Moralité Chrétienne (LMC). LMC party
leadership has denounced claims of graft, but demand that a full
investigation be conducted into both of these allegations.
President Young was unavailable for direct comment, as he was
surveying the disaster area. An aide relayed that M. Young was
"deeply concerned as to the state of affairs," and that he
wishes "quick and proper solution to these awful, but sadly, not
unusual allegations." The aide quipped that he was sure commentary
of Martians would be forthcoming.
Marie-Claire Gildersleeve, Prefect of Saint-Onge has
appointed Vice-Maire Raymond Nagin to serve as Mayor of Nouvelle Orleans
for the duration of this crisis and the investigation against M.
Desse.[DH]
THE COPPERS BLOTTER -- 31.08.2005 --
SABOTAGE!!
MOBILE -- Word from our western neighbours is that
sabotage might have played a role in the insult added to the injury
suffered by the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Furacano
#11 on Tuesday morning. The Gendarmerie of Mobile City has
offered its services to the Mayor of New Orleans, seeing that his own
forces are being harried in protecting what is left of the
city.[PB]
BILOXI HERALD -- 31.08.2005 -- ANARCHY IN
LOUISIANNE SPREADS TO AMERICAN GULF COAST
BILOXI -- Human nature can on the one hand be nearly
angelic, evidenced by the amount of aid flooding into St. Onge
Prefecture of Louisianne and the mutual cooperation to be found
among all the affected Gulf Coast communities of both the NAL,
Louisianne and the Louisianan colonies hosted by our great
province. Human nature can also be horrifically wicked, as evidenced by
the looters who have taken over New Orleans; and the hordes of
refugees who had hoped to seek temporary shelter in the NAL, but
too many of whom have taken to looting right alongside our
fellow Mobilians.
President Young's "we shall sentence them to minimum wage
jobs" decree is being laughed at by many on both sides of the
river, but his pleas have convinced our provinces constabulary to
take every pains not to shoot looters without trying to determine
their nationality first. It does not need to be pointed out to
any patriotic Mobilian that provincial law makes provisions for
the defense of life and property against spoilers and robbers
[just as it also makes several provisions for those who would take
the fight off their land and join a posse or vigilante gang]. The
constabulary have no authority to interfere in the exexcution of
justice under such threatening circumstances, but all local
chiefs of police are urging locals to exercise restraint. Several
locals have banded together in an effort to capture Louisianan
looters, apparently hoping that some kind of reward has been posted
for their safe return.
Far from a violent welcome, the officialdom of the province
is trying its utmost to accomodate the influx of Louisianan
inhabitants in segregated camps, safely away from the recovery and
reconstruction efforts going on in the cities. It is Mobile's
sincere hope that all Louisianan citizens who enter the NAL will be
directed to local authorities, so that they may be quickly
relocated. Some have taken to calling the camps at St. Louis and
Magnolia the "Nouvelles Colonies". This of course raises suspicions
as to what will become of these refugees in the weeks and months
to come...[PB]
IBAP -- 31.08.2005 -- Agents Saboteurs
on the Loose?
Baton-Rouge, Pontchartrain, Saint-Onge -- Rumor is
growing that there are Sabotage Agents loose in New Orleans. An
unidentified member of the Corps d'Ingenieurs de l'Armee
Louisiannaise avered that there was strong evidence of "high-explosives"
used to detonate the Hammond Highway Levee.
Official government channels will only say that this levee
break is
under investigation.[DH]
IBAP -- 31.08.2005 (13 Fructidor, CCXIII)
-- The National Government Responds
Paris-sur-Mizouri -- President Young and the Council
watched as trainloads of National Militia, supplies from the
coffers of the LDS church, and from the Catholic Diocese of Osage as
well as materials moved down the
tracks toward the ravaged Prefecture of Saint-Onge. Riding in
`the Aigle',
President Young granted an interview with IBAP.
Q: Why have you mobilized the Guard National, when before
this time
it has only served as a defencive entity?
A: Simply put, we are mobilizing it in defence. Defence of
those in
Nouvelle Orleans who cannot defend themselves. In defence of
our neighbors and the riff-raff that menace them. With permission
from the local government (aside our dear friend Geoff), we are
organizing the refugees and guiding them back across our borders
into the Loire-Neuf.
Q: Organizing the militia on foreign soil?
A: They are members of the militia, yes. The militia itself
is not activated, and the members of the militia are merely
serving as civilian leadership to guide the masses across and into
waiting camps in the Loire-Neuf. From this starting point we
will be moving our citizens to temporary camps in the
Garonne-Neuve, Les Ozarques, Mississippi and the Côte d'Or [departments
within the prefectures of Osage and Saint-Louis].
Q: And what of those who cross from Pontchartrain and La
Salle? What of the Pays-Lointains?
A: We are working closely with Mayor Desse and Governeur
Rochambeau to re-direct the tide of refugees. We will be directing
our people in a massive effort to restore the infrastructure.
As most of these people will not be able to return to work until
some time, months from now, we will use their help in restoring
infrastructure, cleaning up the cities and towns.
Q: And the looters? Surely you realize that a great
percentage of the
population is looting and pillaging our cities.
A: That I sadly do realize. It is because of that that the
entire Prefecture of Saint-Onge is under martial law, and those
caught looting will be sentenced immediately to forced labor (at
the national minimum wage) until they repay the damages they
have caused. We ask that any of our citizens caught in such acts
abroad be treated with the same dignity and severity of the local
law, be it Tejas or Mobile.
The Militia of Côte de Châtaigne has been mobilized to
protect Nouvelle Orleans, and the National Corps d'Ingenieurs is on
the way in special zeppelin to quickly restore the pumping power
of the pumps in Nouvelle Orleans, as well as restore the levees
that were destroyed.
Q: And what of the rumors that the third levee was detonated
by agents
saboteurs?
A: No Comment. At this time, anyway. It's under
investigation.[DH]
IBAP -- 31.08.2005 -- The Horrors of
Nature
In the wake of a massive furacano, the eleventh of the
season, striking the coast of Louisianne, and the NALien gulf
provinces, the death-toll is rising, and the city of Nouvelle-Orléans is
under water.
While many were able to be evacuated thanks to the
meteorological warnings made possible by the Bureau Météorolgique
National's system of aerostats and the new space satellite, there was
still a large death toll, and the destruction of many historic
areas of the city due to flood. Two massive levees broke along the
Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, and a third was destroyed
under somewhat questionable circumstances. There is an
investigation pending into this more dubious destruction.
Mayor Anatole Desse described the city as "a den of anarchy."
He and the Councillors of the Arrondissements have met in
emergency session to procure aid not only from the national government
but from other governments world-wide that have a vested
interest in the rapid re-establishment of this key port-city.
When asked about the effect of the furacano on the plans to
"raise" the ground level of the city, Mayor Desse said flatly
"This will of course increase our resolve to build the city up
quickly. If we had completed our task years before now, we would
not be underwater, but rather, the water would be running off our
streets and back to the ocean and river."
Alphonse Rochambeau of the Pays-Lointains was only quoted as
saying, "Like every other lemon thrown at us, we will make a
TARTE!" to which he lifted a shot glass of whisky before setting
out with his Cabinet to direct relief efforts in the heavily hit
twin cities.
President Young has promised national aid, and embassies from
New Orleans are en route to the Council Fire and National
Parliament of the NAL seeking help in re-establishing the grievously
wounded trade route.[DH]
BBC NEWSBRIEFS -- 30.08.2005 --
REACTION TO FURACANOES AFTERMATH
From the Examiner of Philadelphia this morning: "...We
shall be expecting embassies from the Louisianans within this
present week seeking aid in reconstructing the now ruined Jewel of
the Mississippi, Nouvelle Orléans. Even before the furicano came
ashoar yesterday in the early morning, plans were being made in
the Parliament to appropriate aid for our western neighbours.
It should ought be recalled that the Mississippi River is
international waters for all of its length from the cities of St.
Louis on down. It is not a matter of leaving Louisianna to sort
out its own internal matters -- indeed, the city of New Orelans
in general and the freeports in especial are of equal importance
to those living east of the Great River as they are to those
living west of it."
From the Star of Georgetown: "Reports of the Anarchy
spreading across the southern parishes of St. Onge Prefecture
have raised alarm bells in
the halls of Parliament as well as down in the "Old Easy". What
with refugees fleeing the destruction wrought in St. Onge
Prefecture, what with Nouvelle Orleans awash in sewage and corpses,
general rioting, looting and what with the long known fact that
Young's precarious position as Louisianna's only reformist
President, the present disaster has given us cause to wonder how much
longer the assorted and entrenched grifters, grafters, scallawags
and
profiteers that make up much of the Louisiannan political
landscape will put up with his reformist bent. As is well known, in
the "Bons Jours", a natural disaster such as the present furicano
would have caused even the most jaded
profitmonger to literally drool over the opportunities to
squeeze and extort the natives of the Jewel of the Mississippi out of
thousands or millions or ecus. The question before us now is
this: are we to sit idly by while Louisianna slides into anarchy
from the south up or are we to consider all the plans available to
us to shore up their foundring government and defend our border
from further incursions of refugees?"
From the Register of Mobile (NAL): "When it was made
clear the recent furicano, no. 11, was to release her full fury
on our neighbours to the
west in Nouvelle Orleans, we welcomed such visitors as heeded
the evacuation orders and decided to flee to the east, and have
set them up as nicely as possible on short notice. Now, the vast
breadth of the furicano was made known in the destruction wrought
here in the American coasts of the Caribbean -- and still the
Louisiannans make their way east, across border crossings
destroyed by the storm. What is to be done with all these refugees, some
of which have
joined in the looting of damaged Mobilian towns? Not that the
great province of Mobile would turn any away, but we too are
suffering from the furicanoe's devastation! Mr Young -- will you not
control your own people? Or must we call upon the militia to
repel the invaders?"
From the Catholic Herald of Chicago: "...Special collections
in every diocese and every parish in the NAL are to be
recommended by the Episcopal
Council of North America, in order to help rebuild the
communities devastated by the furicano, particularly those less fortunate
in Biloxi, Mobile and New Orleans."
And on the lighter side, Mobile provinces own Geoffrey
Sessions on the Larry King Live Radio Programme: "It's all a hoe-axe,
Larry, that's right a big ol hoe-axe. This "furicano" nonsense
is just the latest in a series of scams perpetrated by the
"Lose"-ianan government to bilk the American people of their hard
earned guineas. This is pure ponziism and scallawagery of the basest
sort. Now, don't even get me going about the imminant invasion
by their special ops forces and blue Martians posing as homeless
refugees! This situation just won't do!"[PB]
Rikets Tidende -- Monday, 29/08/2005 --
FIRST CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF TRANQUEBAR RUMHAVN COMPLETED
TRANQUEBAR -- Tranquebar is literally growing. The
first phase of the construction of the TSRC's permanent cosmodrome,
the extension of the
breakwaters along the northernmost part of Tranquebar's
coastline, is complete. The next phase will be to fill up the 1½ mi long
enclosed area with dredged material from the seabed to create
the artificial island of Bylgjeholm ("Wave Islet"). Bylgjeholm,
which will the site of the TSRC's permanent cosmodrome, is
scheduled to be completed by next year.[KJ]
Rikets Tidende -- Monday, 29/08/2005 -- BRASILIAN TO BE
FIRST CIVILIAN IN SPACE
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brasilian milliardaire and
adventurer, Ferdinando Collori, has purchased from the TSRC the first
ticket for the first civilian space jump -- a freefall dive from
suborbital space. The first space jump was performed last year by
the SR naval airman, Josef Petersen Quitanga. After this
historic and successful jump, the TSRC has been commercializing the
idea of space jumping to rich adventurers like Collori. Further
experimental jumps would still have to be carried out by the TSRC
to perfect the procedure and before Collori can attempt it
himself. But by then, the Tranquebar cosmodrome,
which is currently being constructed, should be completed. It is
hoped space jumping will become popular among the immensely rich
tourists that come to visit Tranquebar.[KJ]
IBAP Science Journal, Vol III, Ed. 9 --
27.08.2005
Salem, Oregon -- Low-level infra-red lights blink out
in the distant surf near Salem. Transponders in the flotilla of
buoys warn ships around,
although no ships are expected through the area.
The buoys are a visual anomaly only; they seem to serve no
purpose, that is, until you walk down the beach to what appears to
be a driftwood beach hut.
As I neared the hut, the whine of electricity production came
louder and louder to my ears. I turned to my guide and asked
"Is thou sure this is safe?"
He nodded, and conducted me in to the hut, which goes
underground and looks down on transformers, carrying power to Salem in
what promises to be a technology as fruitful as the famed Tesla
Reactors of Dalmatia.
Ecotopian scientists have developed a means of harnessing
wave-power, converting the undulation through these buoys into 250
kilowatts of power each, enough that 500 of these power the
entirety of the business districts of Salem and Portland.
On entering the deepest portion of the power station, I'm
greeted by Agnette von Johannes, pioneer of this incredible
technology. When I asked her vision of the future, she said in her
accented English, "There is tremendous potential in the oceans to
supply energy for the world. Think of it! All the tiny islands
of the pacific no longer dependent on combustion, but rather, a
small number of power generating buoys, buoys that will generate
power so long as the sun heats the oceans and the Moon orbits
the Earth!"
Miss von Johannes is planning proposals for all of the major
coastal North American countries to speak of this power
generation ability, beginning with Montrei.[DH]
Asahi Ximbun -- 24.08.2005 (Gacudai 2,
Xitxigaçu 26) -- Editorial
Changes in North America Until recently, the conventional
wisdom was that the North American League was the most stable of
North America's nations, certainly more stable and politically
clean than Louisianne. Yet, while
Jean-Francois Young has been cleaning up Louisianne's
government, the NAL's
government has been descending into chaos. Recently, an MP from
the province of Oxbridge threatened an MP from Jacobia Province
with a gun. Though no
shots were fired, the very fact that, not only was a gun brought
into the Parliament building, but was brandished threateningly,
bids poorly for the future. We can only hope that GM Gore will
do the honorable thing and step down from his General
Moderatorship.
This latest scandal has leads to new questions about the
wisdom of allying with Louisianne. Louisianne, too, had reason for
bitterness towards FC. Could the Watergap scandal have involved
Louisianne leaders? If so, the opposition argues, the effects
on Louisianne could be far worse, bringing down the whole
government, and potentially destroying our careful investments in that
mid-continent republic.[NT]
STAR OF GEORGETOWN -- 23.08.2005 --
PARLIAMENT IN
UPROAR OVER RECENT REVELATIONS RE FLORIDIAN COUP
GEORGETOWN -- News has come to the City that two
independent labs have confirmed the authenticity of the damning audio
tapes that were leaked to
two junior reporters of the Inquirer of Philadelphia last May.
[See also our series of articles summing up the Scandal at the
Watergap Hotel*] In light of materials revealed to various news
media, a press conference had been scheduled
for Friday at noon.
As all now know, the tapes record secretive meetings between
GM Albert Gore, the MPs and Lords Governors of Jacobia and
Cherokee Nation regarding the "situation in Florida", and range in
date from 2000 to as recently as late 2004. The Governors speak of
the "untenable situation that Mr Bush is putting us in" and that
"we can not solve this problem in the usual fashion
[diplomacy]". Mr Gore's characteristic Tenisi drawl is very clear in saying
"You boys just do what you need to do. We want Bush taken care
of."
The source of the tapes is unknown, and the Inquirer is
guarantying their source's anonymity; though the young reporters admit
they have dubbed him "Sore Throat", on account of his rough,
raspy voice.
If that weren't bad enough, the situation in the Houses of
Parliament at Philadelphia is deteriorating this week as several
more tapes were released to NBC's Philadelphia bureau this Monday
that seem to outline an American instigated coup during the last
weeks of the Caribbean War. The Parliament was in an uproar
Tuesday morning as the MPs from Jacobia and Cherokee Nation took
their seats; many MPs calling for investigations or removal
proceedures. When it became clear that the MPs in question were not
going to leave the chambers,
one MP from Oxbridge drew a small pistol and threatened the
Jacobian MP, which threw the whole chamber into chaos. The situation
came to blows when the New Icelandish MP knocked the gun from
Oxbridge's hand; but the Sargeant at Arms
restored calm in short order by separating the parliamentarians
with the Mace.
In an interview with MP Chavez from West Florida this
afternoon, the Star has learnt that no one in the Floridian Resistance
movement was aware or
invovled in any coup against former President Bush of
Florida-Caribbea. It was assumed that the coup came solely from within the
Miami military corps.[PB]
PRESS INTERNATIONAL WIRE SERVICE --
23.08.2005 -- NEWS IN BRIEF FROM PORTO RICO
SAN JUAN -- Various Portorican news papers chimed in
on the surprise Scandinavian overture of a peace treaty between
the Realm and the Nation of Porto Rico. While most of the
Portorican press have proven to be welcoming of the announcement,
several outlets prefered to reserve judgement.
The Nuevo Día of San Juan reported: "...the diplomatic
mission sent from the SR capital of Goteborg confirmed a treaty of
peace between the nation of Porto Rico and the Scandinavian Realm,
thus officially ending the War of Caribbean Liberation..." and
"...the
unexpected largesse of their coffers has not gone
unnoticed. For our part, we shall gladly accept
their offers of peace and their assistance, as we
have from the North Americans, and account them
henceforth as amigos..."
The Estrella of San Juan reported: "Far from the cold
reception we had expected, given the sad events late in the War, the SR
seems to have completely
shorn itself of its former bloodthirst and has confirmed
''friendly diplomatic ties'' now exist between our two countries..."
The Perla del Sur of Ponce reported: "...it shall remain to
be seen whether these grand gestures of our newly committed
Scandinavian friends shall extend to our poor wayward cousins in
Florida, whose lands they destroyed with wanton abandon and left in
the care of an inept power when they were done looting and
pillaging..."[PB]
Rikets Tidende -- Monday, 22/08/2005 --
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE SR AND PÔRTO RICO
CHRISTIANSTED -- The Irish naval squadron patrolling
the waters
between the Cruzan Islands and Pôrto Rico alongside their
Scandinavian
counterpart will no longer be needed as friendly diplomatic ties
have been
established between Gøteborg and San Juan. Ireland intends to
completely
withdraw from its engagement in the West Indies in the next few
weeks, including its roll in the occupation of Florida.
The SR government, in addition to providing developmental aid
to rebuild the
war ravaged Cruzan Islands, will now also be providing
developmental aid to
Pôrto Rico. Cruzan stateminister, Bep Karl Jansen Durloos, has
called it "an
important gesture to show our commitment to heal the wounds
between our
peoples".[KJ]
BBC World News Service -- 20.JUL.2005
(Gacudai 2, Rocugaçu 21) -- Succession Challenged
Chheñjiñ -- I Sek, a retired singer, and cousin to the
late Grand
Prince Hoiyn (I Ku), has contested the legitimacy of I Uen's
adoption
and succession to the late Grand Prince's titles.[NT]
BBC World News Service -- 19.JUL.2005
(Gacudai 2, Rocugaçu 20) -- Posthumous Title Bestowed to Grand
Prince
Chheñjiñ -- Former Grand Prince I Ku has been given
the posthumous
title of Hoiyn by the I House.[NT]
BBC World News Service -- 17.JUL.2005
(Gacudai 2, Rocugaçu 18) -- Grand Prince Dies
Chheñjiñ -- Grand Prince I Ku, son of former
King-in-Exile Sajo and
nephew to former King Sunjoñ, and Hereditary Governor of
Hamgieñpuk,
passed away yesterday. He is succeeded by his adopted son, and
cousin,
I Uen.[NT]
CYP Newydhon Releases -- Wednesday 13th
July, 2005 -- CCB, CSB AND SEANAD IN JOINT SI DECISION
By Paedryc Caemyn, finance correspondant -- Today the
Cerda Ceyserec Bancwryth, Cerda Saerned Bancwryth and the Seanad
Ynyad have finally approved the conversion of Armorica's
currency from the age old system inherited from our Gaulish ancestors
to the modern SI system used world-wide. After a year's
protracted negotiations with the EF, the Armorican finance industry and
widespread public consultation, the decision to ratify the Isles'
entry to the EF monetary union had today been approved by the
Seanad, with a majority of
only three senators.
Despite widespread public protests and royal disapproval (HM
King Rodry
was widely expected to exercise his ancient perogative of
"nedansyw"), the first stages of conversion will begin later this
year, with full changeover expected to be complete by December 2006.
Shopkeepers will be expected to display prices in both denaer
and EF livres as of Samaen this year, Arvorec EF currency will
begin to be issued as legal tender by Samaen 2006. Banks will be
obliged to exchange denaer for EF livres until 2010.
Representatives from the Tourism Committee welcome the
change, pointing out that EF livres and FK pounds have been accepted
in Landrewan and Porthbelen for years, as such the decision only
confirms and extends existing practice.
Maelgwn ap Cêrdhyn, spokesman for the CCB, also welcomes the
changeover,
stating "it's time we caught up with the rest of Europe- the
time for
monetary isolation is over! You can already hear the cheers
across AN Cânva!".[DJ]
WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP TO VISIT CEYSER
The Scandinavian cruise ship "Værlden", the world's largest
cruise ship is due to arrive at Ceyser on Thursday. Passengers on
board the "Værlden" travel the around the globe after buying or
renting apartments on the ship.
Described by some as a floating block of flats, it stopped
off in Saern last year but it was thought it was too big for
Ceyser's shallower anchorages. However, during last year's visit to
Saern the captain took the opportunity to visit Ceyser and check
depths around the island.
She is due to moor off the coast of Daerryd Bychan and the
passengers will be able to take transfer boats to the main harbour
of Landrewan, while the ship will be open to curious
Ceyseraedeth for tours. She is due to depart on Saturday.[DJ]
PRESS INTERNATIONAL WIRE SERVICE --
10.07.2005 -- Furacano #4 Approaches West Florida
Pensacola, West Florida -- Just 10 months after last
year's disasterous Furacano #9, a new furacano is once again
preparing to strike at
the beleaguered people of West Florida, who are still recovering
from the
effects of the Florida War and last year's furacano.
Hundreds of thousands have evacuated northwards, into
Cherokee Nation,
determined not to ride out another storm, especially one that
has strengthened up to a Category 4, above last year's furacano,
which was only a 3.
Furacano-strength winds extend out 40 miles from the center,
and could go as far as 175 miles inland.
The Furacano has already killed 20 people in Haiti and Cuba,
and knocked
out power in the Florida Keys, in the Irish Occupation Zone of
South Florida.[NT]
Le Ioc (The Humorist, of Ysca) -- 28.JUN.2005 -- Power of the Sun on Earth
Cadarache, Saint Paul-lez-Durance, Bouches-du-Rhône, France -- Powerful news broke today as great scientific minds of France, the Federated Kingdoms, the Batavian Kingdom, Italy, the Scandinavian Union and the Empire of Japan announced the completion of construction of our world's first ever Fusion reactor, known as Iter, in Cadarache, France.
This first Fusion reactor will test important aspects of the Fusion reactor to prepare for full commercial power generation. The tests will study the full range of use, from Ramp-up for power generation, Ramp-down for cleaning, reloading of fusionable materiel, and other safety procedures.
Fusion is touted as the wiser, better nuclear option, as the nuclear
reactants degrade fully in a matter of decades, and within days if in a human body.
While ITER will be a functioning fusion reactor, the first viable commercial reactors aren't expected before mid-century, unless incredible breakthroughs are experienced during the daughter projects of ITER. This is not discouraging to the scientists who are working on ITER. "It's an important first step, just like the steps taken to uncover Fission as a viable energy source," said Daffyd da Castreleon, lead FK scientist.[DH]
17.JUN.2005 -- BBC World News Service -- Laibach sold-out Elenü Hall in Settikortu
The popular band Laibach sold-out a concert in the Nassian capital Elenii. Almost 60.000 people from not only the city but also from around the country came to listen to the exhortion of Tomaž Hoštnik, who was present at the concert. His speeches have appeared recently in all major regional newspapers.
Laibach's newest album, W.A.T., as have many of their records, demonstrated strong political involvement, pointing out on the major problems of the political scene in Eastern and Southern Europe. Their song "Tanz mit uns" was banned by many conservative radio-stations in the region. Of particular note, Laibach has had problems in Bohemia, where their concert was shut down after first 30 minutes with official excuse that it was "too loud" and "a disturbance to the peace".
Although the Nassian government is strict in its policy to not meddle in
internal affairs of other states, the occupation of Slovenia was never
recognised and even now, a Slovene flag flies over the town-hall in Sëttikortu marking the 1996 anniversary when the Principality of Slovenia was proclaimed and then crushed by Croatia. The prime minister Aromiroo was also in attendance at the concert, not in an official capacity but as a private citizen, giving a speech before the concert was opened, expresing his sympathies to the struggle of Slovenes for independence.
We can expect protests from the Croatian regime, but it is the blood in our veins which tells us, that Slovenes are our brothers in a fight for freedom and their human rights. Let us dance with them![Jij]
AP Wire Service -- 5.JUNE.2005(Gacudai 2, Gogaçu 6) -- Imperial Wedding
Quiòto -- Her Imperial Majesty the Emperor will wed her fiancé,
Prince
Alisugawa-no-miya Masahito, today in a public ceremony attended
by
leaders from around the world. The marriage will occur shortly
after
the coronation. Prince Alisugawa is the Emperor's fourth cousin
once
removed, related most closely through her great-grandmother, the
Empress
of Emperor Xòwa.
By marrying a member of the Imperial House, it will assure that
her
children will likewise be members of the Imperial House, and
thus
eligible to succeed, as membership in the Imperial House is
strictly
patrilineal. Under ordinary rules, her children would be fairly
low in
the succession, gaining their position through their father.
However,
Her Imperial Majesty is expected to place them at the front of
the line
by a special Imperial Decree.[NT]
HV: At last, yes. You know, I was actually up for directing one
of
your novels. Pushed hard for it, as a matter of fact.
VH: Oh? Which one?
HV: "Wingless Angels" the one about the castrati singers.
VH: What happened?
HV: Damned if I know. Studio politics maybe. Something.
(shrugs)
Water under the bridge.
VH: And now you're going to do "Lord of the Rings."
HV: Yeah. That should get me burned in effigy. I hope so,
anyway.
VH: You hope so?
HV: If people don't care about what you're doing, if they don't
get
riled up, what's the point? Don't know about you but I could
just as
easily be selling real estate and commodities or be a really
top-notch
dentist somewhere.
VH: I'm fantasized about being a therapist.
HV: There you are, then. But you're an artist instead.
VH: Exactly.
HV: Why?
VH: That is what engaged my thoughts and heart.
HV: Exactly. Exactly. And when you're doing that, you reach
out to people. But you don't want them to just pat you on the
head and
say "good boy, here's a cookie."
VH: I quite like cookies.
HV: (laughs) So do I. But I'm a grown up, or so they say. I
can go
out and buy me own cookies. What I want from others, what I'm
trying
to get from them in my movies, I want them to react. To get
stirred up.
VH: To be changed.
HV: The name of the game, after all. You stand still long
enough,
you die.
VH: Good point.
HV: Thanks.
VH: So—and this has got to be occurring to every single Tolkien
fan
reading this—are you planning on deliberately upsetting loyal
readers
of these books? Because that is something of the impression I'm
getting.
HV: Not deliberately. I'm not going in to work each day saying
to
meself "Oh, how can I stick it to those Tolkien people this
morning"
nothing like that. But…there's no real way to do the books
justice without upsetting some fans. Not all. But some. The
books are
too big, for one thing. Way too big. It'd be like climbing
Mount
Everest naked to try and make this as trilogy and I'm not making
a trilogy.
The studio won't go for it. We're making two movies. Not
three. And
that means cuts.
VH: A lot of cuts?
HV: Well, yeah. Can't be helped. Like Tom Bombadil. Great
character. Loved that chapter. Full of just juicy, wonderful
bits. Gotta go. Sorry.
VH: That's going to cause disappointment.
HV: Sorry.
VH: Are you?
HV: About that, definitely. But there's no room. I've got
maybe six
hours to fill up and there's just not enough in that whole bit
to
justify keeping it there. Gotta go. You see…well, you probably
already know…a book and movie are just very different things.
You can
set your own pace with a book. John might read "Lord of the
Rings" in
a couple of weeks. His twin brother might take a year. And
they both
might like the book exactly as much. Or as little. The point
is,
they set the pace. Not with movies. With movies, I set the
pace.
And I have to keep in mind you can only sit down so long without
needing to go to the toilet.
VH: But you can't take the movie with you.
HV: No you can't! So you've got to streamline things. Got to.
Some
characters have to go. Others are combined. The beats and
rhythms of
the story need to be worked out all over again.
VH: You don't have to sell me.
HV: Well, maybe one I'll have to.
VH: Okay. We can hope! But I'll bet any amount of money that
what
readers really want to know are specifics. What specific
changes are
you making for the films?
HV: (pause) They're not all worked out yet.
VH: (laughing) How very coy!
HV: No, really, the whole process… (pause) We're cutting one
of the
Fellowship. I am. I'm omitting a character who is, in the
book, an
actual member of the Fellowship. Gone. No longer there. And
one of
the really major locations that everyone talks about is also
gone. Cut.
VH: I can hear maybe a mob putting together that figure in
effigy
even now.
HV: Good. Actually, I feel like this enormous tease telling
you
that. Truth to tell, I don't think the professor…Sir John I
should
say…would be at all pleased. He'd very likely be quite unhappy
with
me. Quite, quite unhappy. Which is too bad but I'm the one in
charge
so I've got to do what I think works best for the film and
story. He
wrote the book. I'm not touching that. It exists and nothing
any of
us can do can whittle away one atom of what the book is, which
is
brilliant. But the movie has to stand on its own. It can't
depend on
anyone having read the book. Should that happen, the movie is a
failure.
VH: Makes sense.
HV: Glad you think so. Would you mind telling the hordes of
Tolkien
fans that.
VH: I don't think it'll do any good.
HV: Probably not.
VH: So when you say someone in the Fellowship has been cut…
HV: Replaced, really. With another character who needed to be
more central to the action. (pause)
VH: Are you going to say any more?
HV: Not about that. (laughs)
VH: And the location you're cutting?
HV: Rivendell.
VH: Rivendell! Wow.
HV: That was actually an easy choice to make. Given that we
have
only two films, then we needed to streamline as much as we
could. One
of those streamlinings was the glimpses we see of peoples and
races
who don't really take that much part in the main story.
Specifically,
the elves.
VH: But they're vital!
HV: Yes. But they don't do much. Most of their important bits
happened before this story even begins. So rather than take
this
thematic detour…no, not detour. More like an oasis. Rather
than
visit two more-or-less same oases in the tension-filled
landscape that
is Middle Earth, our film…my film…has the Fellowship only visit
one
Elvish land. In this case, Lothlorien. I had to cut one of
them, and
frankly Rivendell seemed the less exotic. The less meaningful
in
terms of what the story is all about.
VH: So you're doing away with the Council of Elrond?
HV: No, no. Not at all. Relocating it.
VH: Into Lothlorien?
HV: Pretty much.
VH: So what other changes have you decided upon?
HV: Decided upon? Nothing major. Not yet. A lot of things
are
still getting worked out with the studio, because they have to
pay for
it after all. My own view is that you've the material, right?
But it
has to be changed just because a book isn't a film. So those
are the
changes you have to make. Then you've got the changes you're
really
forced into but would rather not do. I mean, you can't afford
to hire
ten thousand extras and make them all up like goblins. Or put
suits
of armor on them. Just not possible. So we do tricks and
things to
get around that. But that's also where you get into
negotiations with
the money people. Some things—details really—would end up
costing a
fair amount. So, understandably, they'd like to see as many as
feasible of the pricey details go bye. Me, I'd like to keep
them all.
So we go back and forth. Well, for example—stock footage.
Studios
love stock footage. You can see why. I don't want to use any.
But
if I do, it'll save thousands and thousand of pounds and the
money
people like hearing that. So one of my jobs is to go through
the
stuff that hasn't been used much, or sometimes at all. Any
footage
like that I can use, I will. And that way, the studio lets me
budget
pointed ears for the elves and hobbits. Stuff like that.
VH; Since you've started on the business side of the
production.
HV: (laughs) For my sins.
VH: (laughs) Why are you filming in Oregon? That's one of the
first
questions that came to my mind when news of the movies came
up.
HV: There wasn't anything preordained about that. It was just
logistics. You need lots of open area, woodlands and plains and
mountains, right? And you need it out of sight, or enough out
of
sight, of any signs of human habitation. So Europe is right out
from
day one. So is a lot of America, to be honest. Now there are
places
that'd be great. The Ukraine, for one. But everyone would
rather
film somewhere a bit more stable politically. I've been to
Aotearoa
and let me say that would have been great. But its something
like ten
thousand miles away from the corporate headquarters and all
their
experts and equipment. It really came down to either Ontario or
Oregon—and frankly Oregon sweetened the pot.
VH: Really?
HV: Oh yes. Tolkien is very popular there and the local
politicos
really wanted that coup under their belts. All the fees for
permits
got waived, for one. We're getting a discount on our utilities.
They're giving a tax break to any local business that works on
the
project, and let me tell you that makes things tons easier right
there. And of course they're thrilled to have the extra
income.
VH: Plus they somewhat used to having film productions
there.
HV: I know some television programs are filmed there. Abyss,
am I right?
VH: Yes. And some others.
HV: Plus some other movies. Yeah, it's a good deal all
round.[DZ]
