HIGHMARK -- The Tytorian Aerospace Ministry claimed a major victory yesterday afternoon as the launch of Atlas 9 went off without a hitch. Atlas 9 is expected to take three days to reach the moon. The Atlas 9 launch is the first Project Atlas mission since the ill-fated Atlas 8 was forced to abort its planned moon landing in 1974. Executive Administrator Mackenzie Collins was unavailable for comment. TBS will broadcast the landing live in three days time.

(OOC: This news item was originally posted on the old forum on April 12th, 2017.  It's been retconned to today.)



TSARGRAD -- Prince Charles took to Twitter last night to publicly announce his engagement to Lady Theresa Hales, daughter of Sir Albert Hales, Earl of Covington and member of the House of Nobles.  Details of the proposal are scarce, as members of the royal family are generally not available to the press, but a source within the palace who spoke on condition of anonymity said that it took place in the Royal Palace's ballroom, and that several members of the royal family were present at the time.  Mutual interest between Prince Charles and Lady Theresa became known to the public only recently, though rumors have been circulating through social media for months anyway.  Public reaction to the engagement announcement has been generally positive, with most Tytorians wishing the soon-to-be couple well.



ST. ELMO'S CITY -- St. Margaret's Altruistic Relief Team, a newly-established non-profit organization sponsored by the Church of Tytor, has the declared objective of "abolishing, once and for all, the oppressive reality of inner-city poverty".  SMART, as it is affectionately known by its members, has already set up four soup kitchens, two homeless shelters, and a food bank in various St. Elmo's City neighborhoods.  Reverend John Nichols, the vicar in charge of the project, expressed his enthusiasm for the work SMART is performing.  "There's nothing I'd rather be doing," he said at a press conference on Tuesday, "Our intent is to do what the Savior Himself would do if put in our place, and the zeal with which our volunteers have tackled the job is truly inspiring.  I have confidence that we will yet do much good in our work."

TSARGRAD -- For the sixth year running, Rokkenjima has topped The National Telegram's Foreign Relations Poll, according to an announcement on the newspaper's website yesterday evening.  The annual poll, started in 1970, gauges the Tytorian public's view of various international powers, with factors such as trust, reliability, and even, occasionally, fashion sense being given consideration.  Most observers expressed little surprise, given that Rokkenjima has consistently been Tytor's most vocal ally since at least 2014.  Other placings on the poll have been met with similar reactions, such as Nya Åland's poor showing due to a perceived lack of tolerance for religions other than the state-backed Odinist faith.  More of a surprise has been East Moreland's drop in popularity, sustained since last year's poll.  Other major powers, most notably Achkaerin, have tended to retain moderate to high levels of public support from Tytorians polled.

It remains to be seen whether this poll will have any long-term effects on Tytorian foreign policy.  The full rankings may be found at www.nationaltelegram.co.ty.



RAVENSFORT -- Late Tuesday evening, firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in downtown Ravensfort.  The fire damaged several buildings to varying degrees, and the chapel for the local congregation of the Tytorian Reformed Church was declared a total loss.  The building was at the center of the blaze, which is believed to have been intentional.  Pastor J. Warren Handley told reporters that he felt "no ill will toward whoever is responsible.  Buildings can be replaced; I'm just glad no one was hurt".

The chapel, long known to congregants as the Old Stone Church, was built in 1746 and had been in continual use since then.  It was extensively refurbished in 2016 in conjunction with the 270th anniversary of its original dedication.  Damages from the fire have been tentatively estimated at T₡2.5 million, though estimates may change as the investigation continues.



TSARGRAD -- The parliamentary byelection triggered by the appointment of Sir Archibald Foster, MP, as ambassador to Dartfordia has begun to become competitive.  This morning brought further surprises when the Conservative Party announced Prince Harold of the ruling House of Tarrenburg as their candidate for the seat.  This marks the first ever instance of a member of the royal family becoming a major contender for a Tytorian election.  If elected, Prince Harold will also become the first member of the royal family to be seated in the House of Commons.  Public response to the announcement has been understandably mixed.  Lord Joseph Cornwallis, former prime minister and sitting member of the House of Nobles, praised the prince's desire to get involved with the running of his country, saying that "even royalty needs to be aware of the issues of the day".  Conversely, Benjamin Morales, leader of the Popular Front, denounced the Conservative Party's nomination, saying that "royalty and politics should not mix".  Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher's office did not respond to a request for comment.

TSARGRAD -- The eyes of the nation are fixed this month on a single byelection for a single seat in the House of Commons.  Normally, only the people affected directly by the vote would pay it any mind, but this time one of the major contenders is a member of the royal family, something that has never happened before.  A reporter from TBS recently had the chance to sit down with Prince Harold, who is the current favorite to win due to his personal popularity.  An excerpt of the interview follows.

TBS: "Thank you for being willing to meet with me.  I'm really excited for this interview."

Prince Harold: "You're most certainly welcome.  It's good to be with you."

TBS: "I appreciate that.  So, to begin, no member of the royal family has ever sought elected office like this before.  What made you decide to run for Parliament?"

PH: "Well, you see, growing up I'd always admired those old folks who got together in that big old building by Forrest Park, bickering and arguing but still managing to pass stuff anyway.  I'd always wanted to be like them.  Then, one afternoon last year, I looked in the mirror and realized I was finally old myself, and ever since then I've just been waiting for an opportunity."

TBS: "Really?"

PH: "Nah, I'm just kidding.  I've been paying attention to the issues on debate recently, and I feel like this country really needs a good solid shot of common sense.  There's so much we could be doing--that we should be doing--that we aren't doing.  I hope to be able to help this country get back on track; back to the standards and principles of compassionate government that have brought us so far in this modern global society."

TBS: "And you feel that you are the right person to help make that change happen?"

PH: "Yes, I do.  We'll see if the voters agree with me come election time."

TBS: "I see.  Could you elaborate a little bit on the changes you want to see happen?"

PH: "Certainly.  For one thing, I think that Parliament has recently been relying too much on what the world defines as a progressive modern society rather than taking a good serious look at what's best for this country and this people.  Now, don't get me wrong; I'm not being isolationistic or proposing anti-globalist policies.  No, nothing like that.  We live in a global society, and I think that's a good thing; it helps keep nations accountable.  But when the international community is advocating so-called reforms that run contrary to our moral values, or even pushing for inaction when action is required, then we need to choose to make a stand, even if it means that we stand alone."

TBS: "Might it be a little dangerous to abandon Tytor's partnerships and commitments?"

PH: "Oh, that's not what I'm proposing.  As I said, we live in a global community now, and we'll never again be able to do without allies and international treaties.  But when there are those who make friendship conditional upon their idea of how we Tytorians should run our nation, then perhaps we need to reconsider being friends with them."

TBS: "Are you referring to a particular nation or group?"

PH: "No, not really.  I simply think that this country needs to be careful.  You could, after all, make the argument that the world remains a dangerous place."

The full interview can be found at www.tbs.co.ty.

(OOC: I'll be posting it all from Prince Harold's point of view as a vignette here soonish.)

TSARGRAD -- The results of yesterday's parliamentary byelection in the Westham Park constituency are in, and the Tytorian National Election Commission has announced that HRH Prince Harold, Duke of Bridgeport, has emerged as the winner, taking 59% of the vote and edging out his two main rivals in the process.  Prince Harold's victory has come as little of a surprise to observers; he has long been popular in the Tsargrad suburb where he makes his permanent home, and his "careful and considerate approach to campaigning", as one commentator put it this morning, won him great voter support.

The Duke of Bridgeport's entry into politics is unprecedented, as members of the royal family have traditionally remained separate from "such mundane matters", as King William VI, the duke's late grandfather, put it so famously during his three-year reign.  Sources within the royal household stated to TBS that the palace intends to "keep some distance" from Prince Harold in order to avoid potential charges of meddling.  Whether this stance will have its desired effect remains to be seen.



TSARGRAD -- The nation's most eligible bachelor has finally tied the knot.  In a ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral in Tsargrad this morning, Prince Charles, the Duke of Parksfield, was married to Lady Theresa Hales, daughter of the Earl of Covington.  The marriage was performed by Archbishop Richard Valance of Tsargrad and was attended by representatives of several foreign nations, most notably the reigning monarchs of Krimeon and Rokkenjima.  Public response to the wedding has been overwhelmingly positive, especially on social media, where congratulatory messages were posted constantly for about an hour and a half following the service.

As had been announced in the lead-up to the wedding date, there were no press representatives at the ceremony itself.  However, Prince Charles did speak briefly late this afternoon to assembled reporters on his way with his new bride to the airport, from whence they departed on their honeymoon.  His statement, along with additional details about the wedding, may be found at www.tbs.co.ty.



TSARGRAD -- The Tytorian Aerospace Ministry announced Monday afternoon that a museum will be built at Highmark Cosmodrome, honoring various parts of the Tytorian space program, along with Tytorian aeronautical history.  The National Aerospace Museum, as the project has been named, is expected to be completed sometime next year, with a tentative opening date of December 1.

RAVENSFORT -- In what may turn out to be one of the costliest natural disasters in Tytorian history, Hurricane Eileen has pummeled Floodwater for most of the past twenty-four hours.  While the extent of damage to the island has yet to be determined, initial reports have confirmed at least twelve people have died as a result of the storm; that number is expected to rise as relief efforts continue.  Now, the Royal Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a hurricane advisory for most of Northmark and a large portion of East Crownlands, both within the area considered at highest risk of being hit by the storm under current projections.

Hurricanes are rare in Tytor; the last one to hit the mainland, Hurricane Mitch, did so in 1993.  Mitch dealt an estimated T₡55 billion in damage in Southmark and Decapolis before dissipating just south of Aquilae.  However, Eileen has the potential to be considerably more destructive.  Eileen has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane as a result of impacting Floodwater, but some scientists working at the ROAA have expressed worries to TBS that the storm's path across the southern Sea of Kyne could strengthen it again.  Whether this happens remains to be seen, but Eileen seems likely to be very destructive to northern Tytor one way or the other.

Live updates of this situation continue to be posted online at both www.roaa.gov.ty and www.tbs.co.ty.  We will continue to report on the progress of the storm as the story develops.



TSARGRAD  -- Representatives of the Joint Emergency Team, or JET, have offered the use of resources assigned to the organization for disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Eileen.  The composition of these assets, earmarked for deployment in Noobia prior to that nation's refusal to accept international aid, is unconfirmed, but Shelby Forthright, Speaker of Floodwater's People's Assembly, told a TBS reporter that "every little bit helps".  It is expected that the JET's offer will be accepted, though Prime Minister Thatcher's office did not respond to a request for comment.



WILLIAMSHAVEN  -- Minister of Transportation Ollie Chapman confirmed on Friday that approval had been given for New Derusmian International Airways (NDIA) to begin flights to and from Tytor with the new Matteus 500 supersonic airliner.  These flights, planned for Williamshaven's Kimberly-Barnes International Airport and Tsargrad's Thomas Warwick Memorial Airport, have been delayed until after the passing of Hurricane Eileen, though neither destination is within the projected path of the storm.

Some members of the international community have expressed concerns about the pollution effects of supersonic transportation, particularly as New Derusmia has committed to reducing air transport pollution dramatically in the next several years, but NDIA CEO Martin Shoburgen rejected those concerns in a statement to the press this morning.  Whether this dispute will affect the airline's international standing is yet to be determined.

TSARGRAD -- Several junior members of the Conservative Alliance bloc in parliament offered denunciations of Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher today for her government's handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Eileen.  The hurricane, which devastated Floodwater and coastal Northmark earlier this month, has a confirmed death toll of at least two hundred.  The criticism centers on aid sent to the affected areas, with Roger Smethwick, MP for Highmark West, stating that the reconstruction effort is "remarkable only in its deficiencies".  Edmund Markhurst, MP for Cloverfield-on-Ash, further stated that "the honorable prime minister's government ought to be ashamed of itself; to have failed so miserably in something as important as cleaning up after a hurricane is almost certainly unprecedented".  This criticism seems to stem from frustrations over perceived lack of progress, something Willard Cambridge, Minister of Internal Affairs, called "inevitable" in a press conference this afternoon.  The Internal Affairs Ministry has been given full responsibility for cleanup and reconstruction in Eileen's wake, and the regions hardest hit by the storm remain designated disaster areas.

Neither Prime Minister Thatcher nor John H. Goodfellow, current leader of the Conservative Alliance, responded to requests for comment.



TSARGRAD -- Mayor Thaddeus O. Kundick of Tsargrad has survived what seems to be his second assassination attempt in five months.  A source in the Tsargrad Police Department familiar with the incident told TBS that three gunshots were fired into the mayor's car soon after he arrived at city hall this morning.  No injuries were reported.  As with the previous attempt in May, no suspects or motives have been identified, though the same source said that police are now attempting to investigate convicted Tsargrad mafioso "Boss" Jordan's former organization, believed to still be operating in the city.  Mayor Kundick declined to comment on the case.



WILLIAMSHAVEN -- Admiral Lord Robert Waverly-Edwards, ranking admiral of the Tytorian Royal Navy, announced in a press briefing on Wednesday that Tytor will be sending the submarine HTMS Archer on a global goodwill tour.  The Archer, originally commissioned in 1952, was Tytor's first nuclear-powered warship.  News of its tour comes amid rumors that the Navy is debating plans to replace the nation's two Archer-class submarines; Navy officials have thus far refused to either confirm or deny whether such debates are occurring.  According to Admiral Waverly-Edwards, the cruise will begin on October 10th and is expected to include a circumnavigation of the globe.  While no ports of call were definitively stated, Waverly-Edwards said that the itinerary likely would include stops in Rokkenjima, Novincia, and Dartfordia, all historical Tytorian allies.

TSARGRAD -- In a brief statement to reporters on Saturday, Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher's office confirmed reports of the impending purchase of five nuclear-powered attack submarines from the First Empire of Rokkenjima.  The submarines are expected to be transferred in the near future, though neither the purchase price nor the names of the submarines in question are currently available to the press.  News of the planned sale emerged earlier on Saturday in a story published by RBS.  Some speculation has been reported that the new submarines could be intended to replace the Archer and Tsargrad classes, which have been in service since the 1950s and are showing their age, despite more recent modernizations.



ST. ELMO'S CITY -- Quentin Finster, arrested late last month while attempting to carry out an apparent plan to blow up the Bank of Tytor Tower in downtown Newcharter, has been discovered dead in his cell at Decapolis Provincial Penitentiary just outside St. Elmo's City.  Finster, a resident of Vigil, Southmark, was being held without bail pending trial on a number of charges, most notably attempted domestic terrorism, a high-level felony with a minimum sentence of ten years in prison.  Cause of death has not been determined, but police have not ruled out homicide, despite the fact that Finster had been placed in solitary confinement for his protection leading up to trial.  This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.



WILLIAMSHAVEN -- A spokesman for the Navy stated that delays in the departure of HTMS Archer for the submarine's planned round-the-world goodwill tour were caused by emergency repairs to the vessel's propulsion system.  The exact nature of the needed repairs was not revealed, due primarily to national security concerns, but estimates put the new departure time at about noon on Wednesday the 16th.  A planned itinerary has been released and can be viewed on the official navy website, www.navy.gov.ty.

TSARGRAD -- The purchase of five Rokkenjiman attack submarines, announced earlier this month, has been put on hold, a government spokesperson told reporters this evening.  The deal, still pending at the time of its suspension, has come under fire from parts of the international community, with the Bakkermayan government in particular denouncing it as a breach by Rokkenjima of the treaty which established the Mundus Atomic Energy Agency (MAEA).  That treaty, not currently adhered to by the Kingdom of Tytor, stipulates restrictions on the sale and transfer of nuclear materials by its signatories to non-MAEA states.  According to an individual familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher had intended to present the treaty for consideration by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee early next month, something the individual said is now unlikely to happen.  Instead, the individual said that the prime minister is looking at alternative proposals for new Tytorian submarines that were discarded
when the decision was made to purchase the Rokkenjiman vessels, with this process being given greater priority than potential ratification of the MAEA.

Reactions in parliament to the Bakkermayan criticism has been almost universally negative, with J. Jonah Johnson, MP for Newcharter South, even calling the MAEA "yet another tool for the degradation of Tytor's national sovereignty".  Most backlash, however, has focused on what Prince Harold de Tarrenburg, MP for Westham Park, called the Bakkermayan government "leaping to conclusions without taking any of the steps necessary to get there".  Similar sentiment was espoused by Abraham Gray, MP for Rotherford-on-Sea, who stated his opinion that "the Bakkermayan government has no business attempting to act as spokesman for the entirety of any international organization"; as well as Harriet Gunn, MP for Adderwood, who said that "Bakkermaya has simply made itself look petty".

When asked about the suspension of Tytor's trade deal with Rokkenjima, opinions were more mixed, with some saying that the deal should have gone forward.  Others agreed more with Sir Gregory Major, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who explained that "the last thing this government wants is to cause our allies to fail to live up to their treaty obligations".



ASHINXAO -- Royal Navy submarine HTMS Archer arrived late this afternoon in Ashinxao, Rokkenjima, its first foreign stop on its round-the-world goodwill tour.  Archer will remain in Ashinxao for the next few days, with non-sensitive parts of the vessel open to guided tours by the crew during that time.  Similar arrangements are planned for each of Archer's succeeding stops.

HTMS Archer, Tytor's first nuclear-powered submarine, is under the command of Captain Amanda Wilkinson.  Accompanying her on the tour are Terrence Cahill, MP for Foggy Bottom, and Dwight P. Barnhurst, MP for Williamshaven East.  The two lawmakers both have experience with foreign policy; Barnhurst served as ambassador to Achkaerin from 1992 to 1999, while Cahill is a sitting member of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.  It is expected that Cahill and Barnhurst will interact with any foreign government officials who visit Archer during the tour.

TBS will continue to report on this story as it develops.

TSARGRAD -- Between 12:46 and 1:22 PM, West Albion Standard Time, unidentified terrorists attacked at least seventeen targets across Tytor.  Initial estimates are putting civilian casualties between two and five thousand.

TBS will continue to report on this story as the situation develops.

TSARGRAD -- Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher addressed reporters Saturday afternoon, expressing thanks to the various nations, organizations, and individuals who provided assistance to Tytor in the immediate aftermath of last month's Remembrance Day attacks.  "Our nation is indebted to those brave souls who risked their health and safety to come to our aid in these dark times," she said in part, "We will always remember their selflessness, even as we move past the need for their help.  With their assistance, we have succeeded in initial recovery efforts, and we are incredibly grateful for this."  The prime minister continued by addressing several specific people by name, mentioning, for example, efforts by Crown Princess Adriana of Rokkenjima in blood drives and other relief initiatives.  The full speech may be viewed at www.tbs.co.ty.



CHRISTIANSBURG -- National Box Office Association officials confirmed Thursday that Imperial Studios' A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood now holds the live-action record for first-month domestic earnings.  The film, featuring Tom Hanks as beloved children's television personality Fred Rogers, has grossed ₡353.2 million thus far, breaking the first-month record previously held by 1998's The Truman Show, also by Imperial Studios.  Critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with most praise directed at Hanks's performance.  A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood continues to play in theaters nationwide.



KROKOM -- Sir Craig Larson, Tytorian Ambassador to Nya Åland, presided over a dedication ceremony Saturday evening for new Christmas decorations displayed at the embassy in Krokom.  Most attention went to a lighted nativity scene erected in the yard in front of the building.  The nativity, composed of life sized figures dressed in clothes intended to be as historically authentic as possible, is the result of a funding campaign spearheaded by the Church of Tytor's Diocese of Farmington, which has jurisdiction over church members visiting or living in Nya Åland.  The display is seen by observers in Tytor as a not-so-subtle protest against Nya Åland's religious policies, which prohibit the public expression of any belief system other than Odinism and are largely seen as discriminatory toward religious minorities.  In his statement to the press at the dedication, Ambassador Larson noted that the embassy is considered to be sovereign Tytorian territory and urged Ålander Christians to adhere to the current laws of their country until such time as they could be legally repealed.  Nya Åland's government has not yet responded to this event, though it is expected that a response will be forthcoming.



ARDEM CITY -- The submarine HTMS Archer arrived late Saturday night in Ardem City, New Derusmia, the latest stop on its round-the-world goodwill tour.  The vessel's chaplain will host a public church service Sunday morning, and the submarine will open for limited tours thereafter.  It is expected that HTMS Archer will remain in New Derusmia over Christmas, departing for Huoshui in the SICR on the 26th of December.



WILLIAMSHAVEN -- In a press conference on Friday, Admiral Lord Robert Waverly-Edwards confirmed that the Tytorian Royal Navy been authorized to begin constructing a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines to replace the aging Archer and Tsargrad classes.  In the same press conference, Waverly-Edwards also announced plans to construct a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to replace HTMS Admiral, which was originally commissioned in 1950.  This confirms rumors that have circulated in recent weeks, stating that such confirmation was impending.  Further details are expected to be released in the near future.

TSARGRAD -- In what is possibly the most notable exploitation bust in history, an international criminal investigation has taken down the largest child pornography site in the world.  The Ministry of Justice, the Royal Intelligence Service (RIS), the Royal Bureau of Revenue's Criminal Investigation Division (RBR-CID), and the Decapolis Provincial Attorney's Office held a joint press conference this afternoon announcing the results of the online raid.  Reporters were informed that several Tytorian users of the site had been arrested, with two more committing suicide to evade capture, though no names have yet been released.  The takedown was an international endeavor, with support from the Achkaerin Intelligence Service (AIS), Rokkenjima's Imperial Naval Intelligence Service (INIS), and Centralia's Office of Strategic Services (OSS).  The extent and results of this foreign involvement is not yet public knowledge, but it has been confirmed that the website was based in Centralia.  Arrests are expected to occur around the world as child pornography is illegal in most countries, and the user list found on the site's servers included traceable information from an international clientele.  According to a handout given to reporters, the RIS has contacted several foreign intelligence services that were not involved in the operation with pertinent information gleaned therefrom.  It remains to be seen how these other nations will react to this development, though the expectation is that all users of this site will ultimately be apprehended.

Rumors that this operation was intended to target those responsible for last year's Remembrance Day terrorist attacks remain unsubstantiated at present.



HIGHMARK -- Mackenzie Collins, Executive Administrator of the Tytorian Aerospace Ministry, announced this evening that Project Challenger has been given the green light for moving forward with manned missions.  The first such mission, to be undertaken by SS Challenger II, is intended to simply pick up where the first Challenger left off, performing several orbits of Mundus before returning to Tytor.  However, future missions will involve such things as placing the long-delayed William Patterson Space Telescope into orbit, conducting experiments involving the effects of microgravity, and servicing existing Tytorian government satellites as needed.  In the press conference announcing the resumption of operations, Administrator Collins also shared plans to look into using the Challenger vehicles to conduct clean up operations, disposing of decommissioned satellites as is found necessary.  This part of the announcement is believed to be in response to remarks earlier today by Professor Guiseppe Kessler of the Allied States of Ardia about the dangers of what he referred to as "micro-debris", which could potentially form through collision of two or more derelict satellites.  It remains to be seen whether anything will come of this idea; presumably, discussions will take place at the Aerospace Ministry soon.



TSARGRAD -- Preparations are mostly complete ahead of the planned visit of Pope John Francis I later this week.  According to information given to the press, the head of the Catholic Church is to arrive via plane at Tsargrad's Thomas Warwick Memorial Airport on Friday, February 21st, at which time he will begin his stay with a visit to the Royal Palace.  The papal tour is expected to include stops at each of Tytor's ten largest cities, a papal mass held at St. Philip's Cathedral in Tsargrad on the 23rd, and an address to a joint session of Parliament on the 26th, among other things.  The visit will conclude with the pope's departure on the morning of the 27th.  A full schedule can be found online at www.foreignministry.gov.ty.



TSARGRAD -- With the recent announcement of abdication by Empress Beatrice of Rokkenjima, the Royal Palace announced plans for His Majesty King Michael to visit Pyrettania "in the very near future".  Details of the trip have not yet been released, but it can be reasonably assumed that it will include a visit to the now-former empress, a close personal friend of the King.



WILLIAMSHAVEN -- In a press release issued Friday afternoon, the Admiralty announced the names and overall design plans for the aircraft carrier and five submarines announced in late December.  The carrier, to be named HTMS Monarch, will succeed HTMS Admiral as flagship of the Home Fleet and Tytor's largest surface warship; Admiral is expected to be converted into a museum ship in Williamshaven following its decommissioning.  The submarines, which will replace the Archer and Tsargrad classes, will be named HTMS Remembrance, HTMS Victory, HTMS Implacable, HTMS Formidable, and HTMS Matthew Howard.  The last is in honor of the late cosmonaut of the same name, first Tytorian on the moon and commander of the ill-fated first and only mission of the space shuttle Challenger.  The Admiralty has not yet released a timetable for the ships' construction, only stating that this forms the Tytorian Royal Navy's highest current priority.



HUOSHUI -- HTMS Archer, Tytor's first nuclear-powered submarine, arrived today in Huoshui, a port in the Second Imperial Chinese Republic and the vessel's last stop in Ardia.  Archer is expected to remain in Huoshui until the 24th, at which point the submarine will cross the Karifan Ocean en route for Innsmouth, Centralia.  Innsmouth being the last port of call included as part of Archer's round-the-world goodwill tour, the vessel will then return to Tytor, where it will return to service until the completion of its replacement, HTMS Remembrance.

(OOC: Ignore the ridiculously large gap between Archer's arrival in New Derusmia and its arrival here.  Originally, it was going to visit two ports in the now-nonexistent Republic of Sinsu.  That, and I forgot to post this update in a more timely manner.)

TSARGRAD -- Mere days after a historic meeting with LDS Church leader Howard K. Fisher, Pope John Francis I made Tytorian religious history once again via a ninety-minute discussion with Archbishop Richard Valance, head of the Church of Tytor.  Today's meeting marks the first between a pope and an Archbishop of Tsargrad since the 1643 beginning of the Tytorian Reformation during the reign of King Edward VI.  What was discussed remains unknown, but Archbishop Valance has scheduled a joint press conference next week with his Catholic counterpart, Archbishop Roland Maybury of Southford.[1]  Due to the timing of the announcement, it is expected that the conference will involve some sort of ecumenical initiative.  More on this story as it develops.



WILLIAMSHAVEN -- In a previously-unannounced ceremony, the Tytorian Royal Navy's new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to be christened HTMS Monarch upon completion, was laid down Monday afternoon at the Williamshaven Navy Yard.  The admiralty simultaneously disclosed plans to begin construction of the Remembrance class of nuclear attack submarines over the course of the next few months.  Admiral Lord Robert Waverly-Edwards, the Navy's raking officer, told reporters that "these additions to the Tytorian fleet will boost national defensive capabilities far beyond their current levels", adding that "modernization is the key to the future". 



AQUILAE -- Customs officials at three international airports in Decapolis seized cultural artifacts from Clysperis in an apparent smuggling bust this morning.  The artifacts, mostly small statues and estimated at a value of over ₡4.2 million, arrived in the country in direct contravention of cultural preservation laws, among them a recent ordinance banning the importation and sale of such items of Clysperi origin.  The accused smugglers, including a Tytorian and at least three Clysperi nationals, are being held pending trial.  No formal extradition treaty exists between Tytor and Clysperis, so it remains to be seen how their charges will be handled.  This is a developing story and will be updated.

---

1.

OOC note: The Archbishop of Southford has been the de facto head of the Catholic Church in Tytor more or less consistently since the reestablishment of Catholic hierarchy there in the mid-1800s.  In a sense, the Archbishop of Southford is to the Archbishop of Tsargrad what the Archbishop of Westminster is to the Archbishop of Canterbury in real-world England.

ST. ELMO'S CITY -- Following the unanticipated interruption of regular broadcasting in Tytor on Wednesday, March 4, the Bureau of Domestic Investigation has issued a warrant for the arrest of Emmanuel Sutherland, believed to be behind the terrorist attacks of November 11, 2019.  In the mass media interruption earlier this month, a man threatened further terrorist attacks by a group he called "Rapture", presumably if unspecified demands are not met.  BDI analysis of the recording led to an identification of this man as Sutherland, a former parish priest who left the Church of Tytor close to a year ago.  Sutherland is wanted in connection with the Remembrance Day attacks, which he has apparently claimed credit for.  Any sighting of Sutherland is to be reported to either the police or the BDI; under no circumstances should he be approached.



HIGHMARK -- With as much fanfare as could be mustered by the Tytorian Aerospace Ministry, Project Challenger officially resumed this morning with the launch of SS Challenger II.  Challenger II achieved orbit successfully and will make a planned thirty six orbits before returning to Mundus.  In command is veteran cosmonaut Peter Travers, famous for his participation in last year's Atlas 9 moon mission.  Due in part to the catastrophe that was the original Challenger's attempted launch, Travers is accompanied by only one other cosmonaut, Hamilton Fox.

Executive Administrator Mackenzie Collins was not available for comment by press time, but he is expected to issue a press release at some point in the near future.  With the resumption of operations of Project Challenger, the Tytorian space program stands poised for additional breakthroughs over the coming months and years.  In particular, experts expect the launch of the long-delayed William Patterson Space Telescope, inclusion of non-Tytorian cosmonauts, and possibly a Tytorian space station.

TBS will continue to provide coverage of Project Challenger as news arises.



INNSMOUTH -- Tytor's oldest nuclear-powered submarine pulled into Innsmouth, Centralia, early this evening.  This marks the last port of call for HTMS Archer's round-the-world goodwill tour, and current plans call for the vessel to leave Innsmouth on Thursday in order to return to Williamshaven and complete the trip.  Archer will subsequently return to active service until the completion of its replacement, the planned HTMS Remembrance.



TSARGRAD -- Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher told reporters on Monday that Tytor will remain committed to supporting the restoration of peace and democracy in Izhitsa, specifically referring to the country's provisional government.  "Tamora's concerns, while rooted in experience, prove to be little more than paranoia on their behalf," she said in Monday morning's press conference, "To label the only possible government of Izhitsa illegitimate simply because one of the parties involved holds to a form of communism is remarkably short-sighted in the 21st Century.  We have seen that those calling themselves communist rarely fall into easily definable categories; yes, the USR unleashed dreadful hardships upon several of its neighbors, but Rodina and Kaitaine hold no monopoly on far-let ideology.  To suggest as much would do a grave disservice to the popular movements that led Quinntopia and pre-coup Themata, the former of which was for a long time one of Tytor's closest allies and a true friend to democracy and freedom."

When pressed on comments by Pharaoh Akasha of Clysperis, Prime Minister Thatcher dismissed them.  "Personal attacks and misinformation are not how one obtains a good negotiating position," she said, "If certain national leaders find themselves ready to engage in meaningful dialogue rather than merely casting stones, they may let me know."  The prime minister declined further questions about the Clysperi ruler, choosing instead to move on to other topics and saying simply, "I have no time to speculate about the reactions of thin-skinned despots.  I have a government to run."

The full press conference can be viewed online in both text and video at www.tbs.co.ty.

VIGIL -- The Bureau of Domestic Investigation announced today that a raid on a Vigil warehouse, suspected of being a human trafficking hub, has resulted in the capture of several high-ranking members of the terrorist group known as "Rapture".  Also seized in the raid were a large number of important documents pertaining to Rapture's organization and operations.  According to the BDI, these documents confirm suspicions that former priest Emmanuel Sutherland, referred to by his followers by the alias "Legion", was behind the Remembrance Day terrorist attacks of last year.  Sutherland's present whereabouts are unknown, though BDI spokesman Ron Burnett told reporters, "There is reason to believe that [he] may have left the country."  The full text of the announcement can be found online at www.tbs.co.ty and www.bdi.gov.ty

In related news, the Ministry of Justice has issued a ₡5 million reward for information leading to Emmanuel Sutherland's capture or conviction.  For more details, visit www.justiceministry.gov.ty.



HIGHMARK -- In an event witnessed by millions of Tytorians on live television, the Tytorian Aerospace Ministry put the William Patterson Space Telescope into orbit on Friday.  The mission utilized SS Albion, third of the Project Challenger orbiters to be built, and was commanded by cosmonaut Hamilton Fox.  Executive Administrator Mackenzie Collins shared his expectations that the Patterson Telescope will provide "countless insights into the workings of our universe for many years to come".

The space telescope's launch had originally been scheduled for July, but was pushed forward a week ago upon the instructions of Administrator Collins to the earliest available window, according to an anonymous source within the Aerospace Ministry.  Rumors that the change in schedule was prompted by the loss of Achkaerin's Theia Space Telescope three days earlier remain unsubstantiated at present.



TSARGRAD -- In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher, Mayor Wilson Corner of Tsargrad announced this morning that the nation's capital will be launching another bid to host the Mundus Games.  In making the announcement, Mayor Corner said that security in the city "is at its most effective in years", and that there will be no danger of violence disrupting the Games' proceedings.  Prime Minister Thatcher used the opportunity to inform reporters that "the storm has passed", referring to the terrorist attacks that have rocked Tytor recently, though she gave no details at the time.  Today's announcement of the capture of several terrorist leaders in Vigil came a few hours later, and the prime minister confirmed via her press secretary that the capture had been on her mind at the time of her statements.  For video highlights of the press conference, and a full text of the announcements, please visit www.tbs.co.ty.



BY TERRENCE CAHILL, MP -- As former prime minister Sir Oliver James once remarked, "The Free World will not preserve itself."  This was true in the years when he led our country, and it is even more so now.  When left to its own devices, our world has a tendency to revert to despotism, to oppression, and to war.  In recent years, however, we have seen the emergence of something of an international order of nations committed to the maintenance of democracy, freedom, and peace.  This order has been composed by such nations as the First Empire of Rokkenjima, the Kingdom of Dartfordia, the Kingdom of East Moreland, and the Holy Empire of Achkaerin.  Together, these nations and others like them have made the conscious decision to stand up to the likes of the USR, Zachachevania, Transvaal, and so on.  Through the efforts of these nations, we have seen the creation of international treaties and organizations for the betterment of the world in which we live.  Without the efforts of freedom-loving people around the world, we would not have the level of peace and stability that we have today.

Yet, despite the achievements of the international community, tears have begun to form in the fabric of our global society.  This is best exemplified by reactions given to the development of nuclear weapons by Slava Lavosk.  Only two nations, and I am proud that Tytor was one of them, backed up condemnation of Slava Lavosk's provocative actions with firm actions of their own.  The rest either remained indifferent or, bizarrely, chose to place condemnation on those who acted in an attempt to prevent a greater crisis.  In this way, the bulk of the international community chose to place the continued security of the Free World second, though what was being placed first is less than clear.

Similarly, we see now the emergence of a new power bloc, led by the Empire of Tamora.  This is a realm that relies on the ancient and long-discredited institution of slavery, and actively pursues its spread.  Tamora is making a concerted effort to challenge the unity and security of the Free World, and yet nothing is being done to prevent that from happening.  Instead of presenting a united front against the practitioners of slavery around the world, those who were Mundus's leaders not so very long ago are contentedly watching it turn away from all the progress we have made in the last decade.  In short, dictatorship seems to be coming into vogue, and democracy is rapidly going out of fashion.

Where are Mundus's leaders?  I fear very much that they may now be the anti-humanitarians ruling from Djerb.

Terrence Cahill has served as MP for Foggy Bottom since 1989, and as a member of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee since 2014.

PORT MONSOON -- In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Admiral Sir Thomas Richardson, commander of the Kyne Fleet of the Tytorian Royal Navy, confirmed social media rumors that a Tytorian warship stopped and searched a Centralian-flagged cargo ship in the Sea of Kyne.  Admiral Richardson told reporters Captain Conrad Lieberman of the destroyer HTMS Towers acted under the terms of the Fair Seas Concordat on a tip from the Royal Intelligence Service in stopping the bulk freighter MV Great Hangleton, which had a manifest claiming it was transporting grain to Zimalia, and that several dozen people were discovered in the cargo hold.  These people, the identities and nationalities of whom have not been released, were determined to be victims of human trafficking and were removed from the cargo ship.  Admiral Richardson further stated that the MV Great Hangleton has been impounded at Naval Station Port Monsoon pending investigation into its ownership and destination, while the crew has been detained pending charges.  A video and full transcript of the press conference can be found online at www.tbs.co.ty.



TSARGRAD -- In a special joint session called Monday by Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher, Parliament has ratified the charter of the Cross-Straits Community, described by some commentators as a formalization of the informal Cross-Straits system.  The new Cross-Straits Community, or CSC, is intended to act as an umbrella organization encompassing the Cross-Straits Treaty Organization, the Cross-Straits Union, and any other organizations or bodies which accede to the charter in the future.  The charter passed both houses of parliament by significant margins, and His Majesty the King gave his royal assent shortly thereafter.  Prime Minister Thatcher hailed the ratification as "a new dawn for Tytor and for the world", calling attention to the flexibility the CSC gives its members.  "Most here will remember the debate in this country at the time of the establishment of the Cross-Straits Union," she said in a speech following the vote, "Not to put too fine a point on it, the CSC charter respects the national sovereignty of Tytor more than almost any other form this agreement could have taken.  The CSC's provisions include nothing to which Tytor has not already agreed, and yet it provides a greater link between this great nation and its allies, present and future.  As we move forward into this new era, we do so arm in arm with those we have long viewed as friends."

Additional details of the vote, along with a full transcript of the Prime Minister's speech, can be viewed online at www.tbs.co.ty.



TSARGRAD -- Just after midnight Wednesday morning, Tsargrad mayoral candidate and former police chief Samantha Weathers was killed in an apparent car bomb assassination.  Weathers, who was 62, had secured the Progressive Party's nomination for the mayoral election scheduled for next month.  It is uncertain at the moment what if anything the Coalition for Democracy will do in reaction to this sudden turn of events, as the deadline for changing candidates on next month's ballot has passed.

Police have opened an investigation into the Weathers assassination.  No group has claimed responsibility as of yet, but a police spokesperson referred to remnants of Tsargrad's historical organized crime rings as "among the primary suspects", because of Weathers' previous experience in law enforcement.  This is a breaking story and will be updated.