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Vazha Virsaladze, Minister of International Trade and Cooperation, declared that the recent change on the travel advisory level on the First Empire of Rokkenjima was "obviously an assessment on the current situation as consequence of an escalation of actions by Rokkenjiman authorities against our nations" and that, as things develop, and situation returns to stable and there were a change of course in the actions of the Rokkenjiman government, the assessment is likely to change. "The First Empire is certainly a stable and safe country in terms of political stability and public order", Minister Virsaladze explained, "but as their government was aiming in an escalation of actions and aggressive rhetoric, our assessment was that there was a certain risks that Mktvartvelian citizens could be caught in the middle of an unexpected increase of escalations against Mktvartvelian interests". The minister declared that "it is only natural, if there is an improvement in Mktvartvelo-Rokkenjima relations, such assessment will be changed immediately".

The minister insisted, however, that such travel advisory should not understood as "a barimeter of our diplomatic relations with a nation", he added. "There a countries about which we have issued a more serious travel advisory, due to unfortunate situations in that country regarding political violence or the presence of organized crime or terrorist forces", the minister argued, "but, at the same time, we have a fluid and constructive diplomatic relations, even founding increasing chances on cooperation on many issues". 

"As the First Minister and other government officials have explained before", Varseladze declared, "we have no interest to have a high tariff regime with the First Empire of Rokkenjima, as such situation does not benefit both countries. It was not a situation of our choosing and as usual, we would be happy to see such situation ending. However, the minister added "the existence of an anti-Mktvartvelo trade legislation on the books of the First Empire of Rokkenjima, maybe permanently, it is seen by us as an obstacle for improving trust between both countries, even if policies such as recent tariffs and sanctions issued by both countries were soon, as we would be glad to see, dropped or at least considerably reduced".

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Laparaki Azavrelia won their third women's National Basketball League title after defeating ZSD Ktsatskuri by 88-52, the biggest difference recorded in a league final match.

Despite losing the first leg, ZSD Ktsatskuri hoped to give the surprise as a stronge showing in Ktsatskuri where they were able to challenge their rivals through the match only ending to lose the match by five points in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

This time, the match did not have much story and the evening became a party for the local fans, as ZSD Ktsatskuri proved ineffective in both defense and attack, with the team from Azavrelia winning 44-28 in the end of the first half. There seemed to be a reaction in the first minutes of the third quarter, in which ZSD Ktsatskuri managed to score 7 points in a row. However, that impression soon faded away, as Laparaki Azavrelia proved to be a much more consistent team during the match. The last quarter, which started with a 25-point difference, proved to be a mere formality before Laparaki Azavrelia was able to show the league trophy to the local fans.

SG Tamara Kankia was chosen as the MVP of the final, with 21 points and seven assists. "After losing the [Brzdmtsveli] Cup final, we needed a night like this", Kankia declared. "It has been such a special night for me, and I am extremely happy we were able to end the season with such way", the twice Mundus Games champion declared.

Gvantsa Pasikashvili, ZSD Ktsatskuri coach, expressed her disappointment. "We proved quite inefficient today, it was not exactly our best basketball, everything we had trained for such special final...Our girls can only be proud for all they have done, and I can only congratulate such strong rivals. But we failed to offer the same level we did the other day or during the cups semifinals".

ZSD Ktsatskuri was not exactly the favourite to the title, as they ended seventh in the regular season. However, against all odds, they advanced to the final. But in the second leg in Azavrelia, the real distance between both teams showed again.

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Her Most High Majesty Brzdmtsveli Ketevan called Empress Sutāraito to address the current situation between the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo and the First Empire of Rokkenjima. Both heads of state spoke today about the current differences and disagreements, without the aim of discussing policy or establish immediate negotiations but to reduce misunderstandings even if disagreements may remain for a while between both countries and their governments. The conversation could be described as cordial and conventional.

During their conversation, Her Most High Majesty Brzdmtsveli Ketevan expressed her belief that both countries will be able to find a diplomatic and bilateral solution to the current differences, even if that may look far to be the case today. Her Most High Majesty the Brzdmtsveli expressed her concern about the bellicose hypothetical rhetoric used by third countries and the most recent figurative language of describing the current situation as a physical fight. Wars are a serious matter, and responsible heads of state and government representatives, Her Most High Majesty the Brzdmtsveli shared her opinion with her Rokkenjiman counterpart, should do their best to avoid inciting the ordinary citizens toward emotionally-driven responses and further animosity that may threaten the peace between nations, even if such language was done merely in the field of metaphors, and the only fight to be fought is done in the form of tariffs and sanctions.

Her Most High Majesty Brzdmtsveli also shared her conviction that, based in her own experience in the private sector, trade wars rarely result in an overwhelming victory as those the First Empire may have experience in the battlefield in recent decades, but cause losses on both sides and more often than not have to be resolved through negotiations or a sensible agreement. That eventual scenario, of course, may still be seen far away and both sides may need to do a lot of work before it could be achieved, but not an unlikely horizon.

Office of the Brzdmtsveli, Unitary State of Mktvartvelo

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued the following alerts on travel advisory of the following countries, with immediate effect:

Federal Alliance of Xerente. Red alert. Do not travel. Avoid or reconsider any travel to the country due to civil unrest, presence of armed groups, and more than likely attacks against foreign groups and individuals.

First Empire of Rokkenjima. Yellow alert. Reconsider any travel unless strictly necessary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns citizens to avoid any travel to the First Empire of Rokkenjima and its overseas territories which is not strictly necessary as the Ministry of National Security considers increasing risks of wrongful detention of citizens of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo in the mentioned country in its last assessment. Our embassy and consulates in the country will continue to be fully operational for any citizen currently in the country which needs more information or may be facing any problem with the authorities.

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Minister of the Tresaury Silamaze Arsenidze has announced that the national government will levy an 25% tariff on the imports from most goods from the First Empire of Rokkenjima, following the decision by the East Ardian nation to suspend normal trade relations and threaten further tariffs against companies from the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo.

"Unfortunately, we are not given other options, following the nature of the escalation of arbitrary threats coming from the Rokkenjiman administration against Mktvartvelian companies and against our sovereignty", Minister Arsenidze explained. "This was not a situation of our choosing and I am hopeful this will be only a temporary and short-lived decision. As soon as the Rokkenjiman government decides to change course, restoring normal trade relations with our countries and suspend or repeal any legislative or executive decision which turns threats against our sovereign nation as a national policy, we will happily suspend this tariff policy immediately".

The minister also criticized Councillor Anselmo's remarks that Mktvartvelo's economy could not be considered a free market. Arsenidze described such comments, although without mentining the Chancellor's name directly, as "not only false but defamatory". She argued that "it seems to me that Rokkenjiman officials that their definition of a free market consists in a situation where the state does not interfere with the decisions and operations of corporations. This is not our case. It is our belief and conviction that a free market can only exist within a robust legal system and a regulatory framework which ensures property rights, contracts, and business practices are respected while monopolies, unfair trade practices, and cartels are prevented. Therefore, it can be only described as ridiculous to declare lawfare in the cases where only a person or company was found to be in fault of not being able to honour the law".

"I am certain that the First Empire have their own, for example, safety and food standards regarding the imports of products and their products from the local industry", Arsenidze continued. "This is not different. It also needs to be repeated that Rokkenjiman reaction does not come after a policy of our government but rather of our courts, which operate independently of the will of the government. For those reasons, I am hopeful that the Rokkenjiman government would change of policy in behalf of the interest of all Rokkenjiman citizens and companies".

"Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia has communicated me the need of the announced policy in the current circumstances", Arsenidze declared, "and his conviction and hope this may be only a temporary policy, something I have the hopes as well, of course". However, while Arsenidze has declared that the national government has no interest in a succession of escalating measures and counter-measures, any action against Mktvartvelo issued by the First Empire of Rokkenjima will be met with an identical and proportional response".

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The Rokkenjiman ambassador in the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo was summoned by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Katsarava to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ktsatskuri.

The Rokkenjiman ambassador was summoned for a reprimand conversation after the approval of the "Mktvartvelo Trade Act" and the announcement of the East Ardian empress to suspend normal trade relations and threatening with retaliatory tariffs against the country in which has been described by the Mktvartvelian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as "an arbitrary attack against our judiciary system".

The Rokkenjiman official was also lectured on the Charter of Khisjvari, the system of basic laws established since more than a century and their current framework, and the judiciary system, Dedamitsa newspaper has reported.

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The Ktsatskuri Second High Court ruled against Abstergo Industries in their case against the  Ministry of Telecommunications and Information regarding the suspension of the commercialization of a number of the corporation's products in the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo.

"By today's judgement, the High Court dismisses the appeal and thus upholds the judgment of the state administration", the court said in their final ruling. The courts grants the state the right to suspend product when they are found in contradiction to the duty to protect national security and the rights of citizens and consumers.

As a consequence of the ruling, the suspension of the latest AoS and Lexus technology developed by Abstergo Industries will be upheld as it is established it does not contravene existing legislation. However, the suspension would not affect other products commercialized by Abstergo Industries.

The high court, in his official ruling, also argued that the ministry and the regulatory bodies did not operate with the required transparency in their communication and the exercise of their executive function. While, the ruling established that the national government acted in their established executive and legal capacities such as those granted by the State Security Powers Act and the basic laws, and that the state attourneys presented enough technical evidence in their arguments and the assessing of evidence by experts, for that reason, the court established that Abstergo Industries would be charged to only pay for 70% of the expenses of the trial, the other 30% to be paid by the Ministry of Telecommunications.

While Abstergo Industries legal team is still expected to make a public statement, state attorney Merab Chigogidze has declared "we are mostly satisfied, proud that good judgement has prevailed in accordance to the evidences presented and the obvious facts, and it has been proved that authorities did exercise their power in accordance to the law, the constitutional order, and without any kind of arbitrary motivation".

As the verdict of the case is finally announced, Abstergo Industries is left to only the right to appeal to Mktvartvelo's Supreme Court as last and final resort.

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Merab Moghalatadze, Liberal Democratic Party MP for Northwest Valori, has found himself in a controversy regarding his conversion to Christianity.

While speculation about the politician's spiritual and religious beliefs arose in the past, being a strong advocate of a more strict separation between church and state during parliamentary debates, he found himself in the middle of a controversy, after it was confirmed that he and his wife named their second with the name of Davit. Samqaro, a conservative political magazine, in an article published in the website has declared "Mr. Moghalatadze, which such sly behavior and cowardice does not deserve to represent a mostly working-class district where oddness is rare and an overwhelming majority adheres to traditional and national values". In social media, Moghalatadze was found harsh criticism as well, but also commentaries either expressing support for the Valori politician or supporting his exercise to freedom of religion.

Moghalatadze has expressed appreciation to "all those who has showed me solidarity and kindness in these last days", and declared that while "we have nothing to hide" he can only ask for understanding and respect for "the privacy of my family, my beloved wife and my dear children". Addressing the media before last National Assembly session, he has also indicated "I only found understanding and respect from my colleagues in the parliament, from all parliamentary groups", he indicated.

A spokesperson of the Liberal Democratic Party has declared that their organization "being a secular political party, we have only respect about the personal decisions of all members of our party". Orivegza Mgaloblishvili, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party has declared that "our colleague's record speaks for itself", he argued, "he has only showed constructive professionalism and devotion to improve the well-being of his constituents".

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The Siege of the Sky (XVIII) | Hayanttangam, Great Kingdom of Asadal


Deputy Director Yoo had arrived to the region without fanfare. As Deputy Director of Organization of the Development and Construction Corps, known as Gundan,  he was chosen as the de facto most powerful civilian official in Hayanttangam. Things were calmer now, Yoo realized, at compared to one month ago, when the first Gundan officials arrived only to coincide with a terrorist attack against the Third State Minister. Still convalescent, the Third Minister was finally transferred to the capital city the morning before Yoo arrival.

While reconstruction had already started, Yoo found there were obvious signs that it will take still a long time for the region to turn into its normalcy. "In order to build a proper bureaucracy and effective organization", Yoo told his assistant Seo, "it is required to accelerate the repopulation from citizens from other provinces. It would be a mistake to relay and trust the locals. The Directorate may dislike it, but we may need to increase the budget for our operations here".

After spending two days in Samwon, they continue their journey until they reached a small recently established village, almost exclusively inhabited by soldiers and recently arrived state employees. There, they met Assistant Officer Park, whom Yoo had met when the now Deputy Director headed the Gundan para-military force, a decade ago. They were told how the situation remained dire in the countryside and the most distant urban centers, with thousands and thousands still languishing in prisons and detention centers. A few weeks ago, Park told them, about two hundred prisoners had died not far from there as consequence of an epidemic in one of the overcrowded detention centers.

"The army has authorized male teenagers and adults who received clearances from the High Office to work in the agriculture sector", Park informed. "However, as housing remains scarce and many villages were demolished for security reasons, the process is going too slow".

"This is not very productive", Yoo argued. "We need to increase the workforce as soon as possible. All investment will be fruitless if we can make the economy move immediately".

The next day, Park escorted them to a school which had been funded by the Gundan. The school building was a former old monastery, which had been restored and rebuild to serve it is new purpose. Around it, a system of prefab barracks were built to house the increasing numbers of children, many of them orphans but others simply under the authority of the state following preliminary rulings by the military courts. There, they met Mo-yeon, a woman in her thirties, one of the first -excluding medical personnel- female civilians to arrive to the region in the afterwards of the military operation. Yoo witnessed an element of improvisation in the whole enterprise, even if, at least for its most basic functions, the school was well-organized. Mo-yeon showed them the installations and some of the main activities done daily in the school to the visitors. Yoo was well-aware of Mo-yeon's family connections, so he was not exactly too inquisitive in his inquiry about the project.

"If we had the means", Mo-yeon explained as the three walked through the backyards of the building, "we would like to build an additional building, so we can house the students in better conditions and increase the number of classes and courses".

"I am certain that such wish should not be too hard to achieve", Yoo replied.

"Giving the circumstances, of course", she continued, "our efforts are quite modest, mostly feeding them, offer psychological support, and teach them some discipline. On the educational level, our ambition is limited, at least for the first year. Not only the number of students, but the disparity of ages became an obvious obstacle. After all these years, many of the children do not speak our language. As a consequence, our teachings are being limited to teach them to speak, read and write in our language, some basic maths, general classes about history, culture and, of course, religion, as well as some leisure activities".

"I can imagine", a mostly uninterested Yoo replied. "We are confident that a new future will be build as similar efforts are being spread through these lands".

Yoo and Seo shared a lunch with the Mo-yeon and the rest of teachers and administrative personnel in the school-residency. The staff canteen was found in the basement of the main building, which Yoo found not an exactly cheerful ambient. The same evening, this time without Assistant Officer Park, they continued their travel toward Yangmonsan.

They arrived to Yangmonsan, which reconstruction was quite advanced, and almost unrecognizable for anyone who may have visited the town a year before. The new buildings, mostly housed military personnel and recently arrived staff for the local government. Most of the original population, mostly families and some of those who were released from detention centers, moved to a settlement mostly formed by a shanty town, about one kilometer away.

In the middle of Yangmonsan town center, a large building at the style of Outer Hwangjin presided the place with stone pavement. There, General Choe was waiting them in his main office. The general had remained as the highest authority in Hayanttangam.

"Welcome", General Chloe told Yoo as the visitor entered the room. His voice, however, did not sound too pleased to meet his guest. Yoo understood that the officer was not probably too happy that his success in the battlefield was tainted by an unfortunate incident. Or maybe he was simply displeased to be forced to remain in this insignificant lands, a feeling which may be waiting for himself.

"Thank you, sir", Yoo replied with a slight reverence. "I bring you personal greetings from General Director Mangjul. He congratulate for your successful endeavors".

"It has been a long time since I met him in person, to be honest", General Choe replied. "As far as it is possible, we will be happy to assist you in your task. However, I am hopeful that your forget of the true nature of your role and your obligations".

"Of course", Yoo replied. "I am well aware of the challenge ahead, and I will be happy to accept your cooperation as I will offer mine. If anything, we were surprised that choose this place as center of operations".

"Logistically", Choe explained, "it has its obvious advantages. I understand that you may have found Sanwon much more pleasant, with its own limitations, but it was important to avoid previous mistakes".

"I understand", Yoo replied. "I plan to remain here for at least a week, in order to gather information before I am able to put things forward. It is not my wish to disrupt or destroy what was already built".

"We will be happy to offer you the best accomodation that we have available", the general replied. "In the meantime, I can only remind you that, as long as His Grand Majesty orders otherwise, any civil appointment will continue under the authority of the ministry".

"There are no doubts about that", Yoo replied with a smile. "We will be happy to cooperate with the local governments. We will try to continue what your soldiers achieved in these lands, nothing more".

"I am convinced that it is the case", Choe added, with a less assertive intonation this time.

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According to Teadmine Research latest survey, the coming State Governorate could lead Jugland toward an unprecedented results.

Teadmine Research polls suggest that the Progressive Liberal Party would remain as the largest political party, although suffering a decrease, with 26% of the vote. The Betse Coalition would come second, with 20% of the vote, in an unprecedented result for the young coalition.

The Constitutional Party would received a 13% of the vote, while Accord for Jugland coalition would fall to 10% of the vote. The poll also predicts a small surge in the separatist Freedom Party and the leftist Workers Democratic Party.

"It is difficult to estimate the impact of this result would have if elections would be held today", the polling agency argues, "as this is a nationwide survey, of course. But we predict that both the Progressive Liberal Party and the Betse Coalition would be posed to win comfortably the two ethnic constituencies, particularly the latter".

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Veera Sandvik (Jugland Nuorten) became the first winner of the women's edition of the Tour of Akhalgazrdebis, after finishing fifth of the stage and widely increasing the differences with most of her rivals for the general classification.

Tiina Sten (AD-Norheim) won the final fourth stage, after a long breakaway of more than one hundred kilometres. Eka Gabelaia (Akhalgazrda Mktvartvelo) was close again to win a stage, but she could only reach the finish seventeen seconds after Sten, along Lotta Pelander (Kommuna-Albrektberg). Veera Sandvik arrived two minutes after Sten, but facing only her own fatigue as she had a comfortably lead over Gabelaia, who would finish second in the general classification at one minute and forty-four seconds.

"I can not be more happy, although it was one of the toughest days on a bike", Sandvik declared after she finished the stage, which ended in a 16-km climb at 2174 ahead of the sea level. "I was a bit concerned, I am not going to lie, as we found ourselves almost one minute behind in the first climb, sixty kilometres still to the finish, particularly knowing the end of the stage. But I knew we needed to keep calm and trust our legs".

"This was a wonderful way to end  our season, although I would have preferred to win one of the stages too", the 21-year old joked. "It was not possible but I feel I have showed that I am able to perform in any kind of terrain. Next season will be completely different, of course, it will be a real challange but I will be ready to help my new team", declared Sandvik, who rode the last two seasons as a trainee for Landsbygdabank Team and she is expected to join Kommuna Ladies team in 2025.

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The President of the State Governorate, Grimwaldyna Nygaard, has announced that all members of the State Governorate have decided to resign with immediate effect, following the political crisis which has led to a legislative and executive stagnation of the State Governorate beyond the continuation of basic services.

"This is not a situation than anyone of us wanted, or even could have predicted, a year ago. However, we have concluded, even I have to accept this could be a wrong conclusion, that it would be as irresponsible to remain in our seats with a feeling of impotence as trying to bring political chaos for personal or political gain with an immoral gain which hijacks, metaphorically speaking, the hopes and prospects of our citizens", President Nygaard declared in clear criticism of the Betse coalition, which has demanded a change toward a "more pro-sovereignty" policy as requisite for further cooperation within the State Governorate.

The decision would compel to automatic elections to the State Governorate in about sixty days, in an unprecedented political scenario for the Safraen territory. Negotiations between the leaders or representatives of the five political parties and coalitions in the State Governorate this time once again failed in the last 24 hours. However, direct negotiations between the Progressive Liberal Party and the Betse Coalition finally reached an informal but official agreement: the Progressive Liberals would accept a change toward support of negotiations aimed to increase the sovereignty of the territory as well as constitutional reform if pro-sovereignty candidates obtained a resounding result of a simple majority in State Governorate members; on the other hand, Betse Coalition will accept to stop blocking legislation if pro-sovereignty or separatist candidates once again find themselves in the minority.

"Some may fool themselves or receive these news triumphantly", Nygaard continued. "But the only truth is that we have failed to do our duty. We have failed to serve our citizens properly with responsibility. I am confident, however, that this failure will be able to motivate citizens to advance toward a brighter and more responsible outcome, instead of bringing more division and poor judgement".

Secretary Nestani Baramidze described the situation as a "resounding defeat of the forces of responsibility against those of populism and unconstitutional behavior". According to a report, Baramidze's Accord for Jugland rejected to resign from the State Governorate, but the Progressive Liberal Party warned them that they would probably force them to not being considered as part of the compromise with Betse Coalition.

On their part, in their first statement following Nygaard's announcement, proclaimed that "there should not be any lamentation or regrets. The people will be able make their voice sound in a democratic way to march toward a new future".

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The Ministrer of Public Works and Transport, Givi Jajanidze, visited today Khoni, in western Mktvartvelo, where he met with local officials, businessmen, and community leaders. The Minister argued that national government's investment in the region which help Khoni, as well as the provinces surrounding it, to turn into a regional transport hub which will contribute to increase investment and economic growth in the region. "Plan 2700 aims to increase growth, connectivity and social mobility through new and more modern infrastructures, on one hand, and improve the well-being of citizens with the building of new homes and urban areas in assistance to the Social Housing Project", he declared.

Despite recent criticism that the Ministry's construction and public works could have been disproportionately affecting religious and ethnic minorities by dispossessing them of homes and properties with some of the affected have alleged to be undervalue compensations, Jajanidze has insisted that the plan was designed carefully, as much as geographical and cost limitations allow it, to affect the lowest number of people as possible. "It would be, not only dishonest, but terribly absurd to entertain the idea that we are planning roads, railways, and dams, in order to damage the well-being of any resident", he argued. "Absolutely not, but such important projects always involve to take some tough decisions in order to help the national interest and the development of communities, towns, and provinces".

"No national government in recent memory has built so many social housing and improve the well-being of communities independently of their background, so those trying to paint some kind of ominous picture could not be more wrong and ridiculous", Minister Jajanidze argued. He has argued that the projects are a mean as an end it itself, increasing employment and social mobility between the same communities. "The process has been clear and transparent", the minister finally insisted regarding claims of speeding up projects as legislative elections approach in the final months of the year.

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Thousands gathered in the streets of Albrektberg demanding "real sovereignty" for Jugland and their citizens. The demonstration was called and organized by the "Juglander Movement of Citizens", a self-described pro-sovereignty independent civil platform, and supported by political parties such as the Betse Coalition, the Freedom Party, and the National Democratic Party.

Activist Louis Matsuda read the official manifesto calling for "the right to decide our future, freely and without impositions", in the form of both direct negotiations and a referendum to decide the territory future. Demonstrators marched under a large banner with the motto of "Jugland today: Democracy and Sovereignty". However, demonstrators chanted a varied number slogans, including those calling for full independence from the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo.

The Betse Coalition State Governorate members attended the rally, as well as several local and Legislative Assembly representatives from the coalition as well as the National Democratic Party and the Freedom Party. Mei Nagai, as Betse Coalition's Secretary of Institutional Relations addressed the crowd, reaffirmed the coalition stand to demand direct negotiations as a government policy.

A spokesperson of the State Governorate declared that "we respect the right to free assembly and freedom of speech, of course", but insisted in the hope that a reasonable understanding could be reached between all members of the State Governorate as well as a majority of parliamentary groups in the Legislative Assembly.

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Hanna Liimatta, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, has expressed confidence that negotiations between parliamentary groups will be able to end the impasse in the Juglander State Governorate.

Betse Coalition has demanded the right of self-determination be recognized as official policy by the State Governorate or deep reforms were initiated so voters can influence and decide more clearly the policy of the government. In opposition to the other representatives in the State Governorate and a majority of the Legislative Assembly, Betse Coalition has insisted that they will continue to block legal and executive initiatives as their alleged electoral mandate from their voters impel them.

Betse Coaltion's "pro-sovereignty demands" have met with a direct rejection to negotiations from Ktsatskuri.

Liimatta, deputy representative of the Liberal Progressive Party, has declared that she is confident that negotiations inside the Legislative Assembly could result in a sensible agreement to end this political blockade.

"Voters are not interested in these kind of political games, as recent polls have suggested", the Speaker declared. "I am certain that they understand it. I am hopeful there's a room for agreement".

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In an announcement yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense unveiled the decision to complete a Low-Attitude Missile Defense System with the aim at bolstering national security, Minister Otar Gedevanishvili explained. The initiative aims to improve the nation's military capabilities, Gedevanishvili argued, by intercepting and neutralizing short- and medium-range missiles. The system will specifically target low-altitude ballistic and cruise missiles.

Though the country’s traditional air defenses are well-developed, the new LAMD system will focus on intercepting low-flying missiles, such as tactical ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles, which pose an increasingly potent threat to civilian and military infrastructure. The system will be developed as a partnership between the Ministry of National Defense and Parebi Systems.

First Deputy Minister Otar Nasidze underscored the strategic necessity of the system during a press conference, stating that "as our adversaries and potential enemies improve their capabilities, this system will improve our current ones toward ensuring the protection of our cities, troops, and military and cultural assets as well".

While the government has voiced strong support for the initiative, the project is not without its critics. Opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about the cost of the program, which is expected to reach several billion dollars. Some members of the opposition have argued that the government should focus more on diplomacy and conflict resolution with its neighbors rather than investing heavily in military technology. Orivegza Mgaloblishvili, from the Liberal Democratic Party, has argued that Mktvartvelo should rather focus to improve its deterrence capabilities and attempt more ambitious diplomatic initiatives with nearby countries, such as the trade agreement achieved during the Bidzina Samkharadze's government with the Holy Empire of Achkaerin, he suggested.

"At a time when many citizens may be struggling with economic and financial challenges, investing even further billions, after the National Assembly approved increase in defense spending in the last budget", Eter Vazhkania from the Radical Democratic Party declared. "We should be careful to avoid accidentally forcing an escalating arms race in the region".

Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia has declared that it is required to strengthen the nation's military capabilities to increase Mktvartvelo's security and voice in the world. "As the world faces uncertain times, it is essential to invest in our security to secure our future as a free and independent nation".

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Brzdmtsveli Ketevan received the Mktvartvelo athletes in Ktsatskuri. "You have represented not just yourselves, but the spirit, the strength, and the resilience of our entire nation once again on the world stage. Through your dedication, you have shown us the power of perseverance, the value of hard work, and the triumph of the self-sacrifice", she declared.

Mktvartvelo finished 14th in the Mundus Games, with 35 medals. Once again, the nation showed a great performance in gymnastics, which was the source of close to half of the nation's medals in the Mundus Games. Still, the nation experienced a decree in the number of medals, and particularly in gold medals, compared to the two previous Mundus Games.

Manana Dedalia, Minister of Sports and Civic Education, has declared that a "Azavrelia's cooling down effect" was expected sooner than later but the nation can only be proud as "we have been able to develop ourselves as a true powerhouse in an important number of sports and disciplines". She indicated that the national government aims to help to continue this path "without losing sight that, while we will increase our investment in grants and infraestructures for our athletes, our aim is to improve the lives of our citizens in their well-being and spirit for self-improvement".

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Noble Consort Lady Im, carrying her baby, contemplates the lake at the Central Garden. The Queen approaches them as she returns from one of the palace shrines.

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Noble Consort Lady Im: Good morning, Your Highness.

Queen Hong: You must have woken up quite early. You recovered quite soon, but you may not force yourself.

Noble Consort Lady Im: Yes, Your Highness. He woke up very early once again. But thank you for your wise advice. Do you return from the northern shrine?

Queen Hong: Are you following my steps, Noble Consort Lady?

Noble Consort Lady Im: No, no, Your Highness. Not at all. I heard once, in my first days here, that you did often. I can't remember when exactly. The Moon season is arriving once again.

Queen Hong: I was only kidding. Once again? You have already started to talk like a veteran in the palace.

Noble Consort Lady Im: That's not, Your Highness! It's just I can hardly believe that's already one year since I came here. So many things have happened since them. Things which I hadn't imagined before.

Queen Hong: Yes, I can imagine. But you should keep in mind that here things advance and change faster than outside.

Noble Consort Lady Im: What do you mean, Your Highness?

Queen Hong: One shouldn't allow personal relationships and emotions to cloud our judgement. Believe me, I have seen it since I came here from first time. Everyone has here a place and a role. Fate, of course, will play its part, so it's better to prepared.

Noble Consort Lady Im: Yes, of course, Your Highness. You have a greater experience than myself, but I don't ignore that fact.

Queen Hong: The source of our strength may be as well be the source of our weakness. And you're currently carrying it on your own arms. You may me pushed toward irrelevance if you fail to protect it.

Noble Consort Lady Im: I don't ignore that, Your Highness. But it's not those consequences the ones which would cause me pain and discomfort.

Queen Hong: Of course, Noble Consort Lady. I am willing to assist you, as long as you don't forget your duties and accept my guidance.

Noble Consort Lady Im: I will, of course, accept it with pleasure.

Lady Officer Ko: Excuse me, Your Highness. I finally found you...I hope I did not interrupt you. Good morning, Your Noble First Lady...An important message has arrived.

Queen Hong: Alright. We will continue our conversation later.

Noble Consort Lady Im: Of course, Your Highness. I will be at your service.

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After the last weekend by-election, the two Betse Coaltiion reelected candidates to the State Governorate, Matsuyama Ryosuke and Shimura Akane, have demanded a "path toward self-determination" as new Juglander government policy after the result of the election. If not attempt to change of policy or open negotiations, Shimura had announced, they would block government's actions as part of the State Governorate.

Albrektberg third district and the Yamato-minority ethnic constituency by-election resulted in the reelection of both Betse Coalition, which had resigned during the recent religious freedom protests and run this time in an openly self-described pro-sovereignty platform, promising to open the way to a referendum to decide Jugland's future regarding its self-determination and current constitutional arrangement inside the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo.

While the election result was rather close result (in which Betse coalition candidates were reelected after obtaining 35% and 32% of the vote, respectively), Shimura and Matsuyama have argued that the fact that the by-election involved close to one million voters (about one fifth of the total population of the territory) the result would have embraced a call for a real change of policy and status which could not be ignored and grant them with a mandate toward self-determination policies.

It does not look that the rest of representatives share such view, arguing that support for such proposal in the Legislative Assembly remains unchanged. The Betse Coalition elected secretaries also demanded more prominent positions in the State Governorate, in which Shimura already headed the Secretary of Home Affairs and Justice. They would have also threatened to block any government's actions before an official proposal for a pro-sovereignty plan is officially approved by the State Governorate. Under the constitution, every decision of the State Governorate must have been approved by consensus of all the members of the State Governorate, and this could extend to laws approved by the State Governorate to be signed in to law.

An "Accord for Jugland" official has described such strategy as "irresponsible political blackmail". However, Secretary Grimwaldyna Nygaard, President of the State Governorate, has expressed her confident that a "reasonable agreement" can be reached within all members and political forces of the State Governorate.

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Mktvartvelo aimed to quench, at least momentarily, their drought in gold with both basketball finals, in which men's and women's teach had reached the final, in the case of the men's team, for third time in a row. At the end, only the women's team will return back to Mktvartvelo with a golden medal around their necks.

Mktvartvelo's men's team reached the final as the main favourites to the title after winning the Mundus Games in 2022 and 2023. However, they were defeated by in a final 88-82 after a poor second quarter. While the team improved their play in the final two quarters, it failed to overcame the thirteen-point deficit in which they ended the first half. A considerably lower than usual performance from the three-point range (including ten misses in the first half) contributed by a more than disappointing result for the Mktvartvelian fans, who harshly criticized the players during and after the match. Only SG Murab Nemsadze, with 17 points gave hope for a comeback in the final quarter, but those hopes proved fruitless as Mktvartvelo was defeated by Renaku by 82-88.

"We failed to reach our best level today", Avtandil Revazadse argued, who rejected that the performance was caused by either fatigue or lack of motivation. "A period of self-reflection will be needed", Revazadze declared, "to learn to go back to the winning path. I am confident that will be the case".

In the other final, Mktvartvelo's women's team defeated Cassiopeia by 78-73 to win their second Mundus Games gold medal, after failing to reach the final in Valtheim 2023.

After a balanced first half, Mktvartvelo took distance for their rivals in the third quarter (24-16). They managed to increase their lead to ten points in the last quarter. However, the Mktvartvelo's team managed to feel the heat as Cassiopeia got to within at 62-61. However, the East Ardians momentum was immediately cooled down with a Mktvartvelo's team 7-0 run with 5 key points by guard Sophi Gachechiladze, who ended with 18 points. Marlena Chilachava, with 14 points and 6 rebounds was chosen as MVP of the women's final.

"It's never easy. For me, it has been a tough year", an exultant Gachechiladze declared, as the 34-year old guard struggled with a serious injury during most of the season. "I can't be more happy to be part of this generation of players", she added as the players prepare to listen to Mktvartvelo national anthem.

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