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Offline Achkaerin

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Achkaerin News Service
« on: August 30, 2017, 01:21:13 AM »

Welcome to the Achkaerin News Service, the source for all news in Achkaerin regarding events at home and internationally, our renowned team of reporters will bring you the stories that matter as they happen.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 11:56:53 PM by Achkaerin »

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2017, 02:13:08 PM »


REFERENDUM DETAILS OUTLINED BY CABINET SECRETARY

Cabinet Secretary Michelle Lowe explained the Referendum details

By: David Woods, Political Correspondent

The Achkaerinese Government has revealed the details regarding the referendum on Achkaerin's continued membership of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation. They were announced and outlined by the Cabinet Secretary, Michelle Lowe. In a relatively short press conference Ms Lowe began by presenting the referendum details below:

Quote from: Referendum Details

1. On the 16th September 2017 those people eligible to vote shall be entitled to vote in a referendum on Achkaerin's continued membership of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation

2. The question shall be as follows:

"Should the Holy Empire of Achkaerin continue to be a member of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation or should it leave?"

3. 50.1% of the vote is a majority.

4. Campaigning officially begins on the 21st of August, both official campaigns will lay out their platforms within the first forty eight hours.

5. Anyone who has lived in Achkaerin or territories under its control for a minimum period of five years will sixteen years of age on polling day shall be entitled to vote in the referendum provided they have registered to vote. Voting registration shall close on the 9th of September.

6. All relevant legislation and processes in regards to political campaigning and electoral rules and regulations shall still apply and be implemented.

The Cabinet Secretary then explained a few of the details stating "The main purpose of today's announcement is to set out the rules as it were of the referendum, we make known the question that the people will be asked and we highlight some key details as to various important times throughout the campaigning period. There is of course one issue that has already been raised by Leave supporters which is the Emperor's power of veto, with many believing that with Crown Princess Serenity being a former Secretary General and now his niece Sakura Sheppard being the current Secretary General that the Emperor is somewhat biased on this issue. As an Achkaerinese citizen the Emperor is entitled to his opinion but he is mindful of this suggestion and has informed the Senate that it will be addressed promptly. We anticipate a hard fought referendum campaign from both sides and whatever the outcome the Achkaerinese Government will endeavor to have in place provisions that account for the result and how it affects the country."


GENOCIDE TRIAL PRODUCES SHOCK MOMENT

Crown Princess Serenity left the court clearly affected by what had transpired earlier in the day

By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent[/big]

The Andean Genocide Trials have concluded the evidence stage as the Defence opened and closed its case today, the defence only called a single witness to the stand this being Charles Foster Ofdensen, the former Lord High Steward of Rokkejima as well as the second person to hold the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation. In advance of his testimony the feeling among most legal analysts was that this was expected with many expecting a simple examination in chief to rebut specifics of the prosecution case most notably implications made by the testimony of Prince of Dartfordia and Emperor Emerita of Rokkenjima Alexander Anselmo. This they got, but the cross examination had more than a few surprises in store. First among them being that the Prosecution utilized provisions under Achkaerinese military law that allowed Crown Princess Serenity to conduct the questioning, while initially surprising it soon became clear why as specific knowledge known to the Crown Princess was used and weaved together to take apart the alibi's of Mr Ofdensen, over the course of testimony the Crown Princess established the true extent of Mr Ofdensen's crimes each relating in some part whether directly or indirectly to the Genocide these involving the kidnapping of Crown Princess Adriana and the failed assassination of Empress Emerita Beatrice Anselmo, all of which Mr Ofdensen on the witness stand confessed to. He also confessed to burying the orders of the Empress Emerita in relation to the enforcing of Article three of the Sakura Umeko Accord, a provision which would have seen Rokkenjiman military forces stepping into Nueva Ardia and potentially preventing further atrocities in the nation. With the Defence having rested the court has adjourned while the judge determines verdict and subsequent sentences. The Crown Princess was unavailable for comment and was seen carefully leaving the court building at the conclusion of the day's evidence with several commentators believing her to be distressed at the days events.

Speaking afterwards Admiral Rankin, the Judge Advocate General, said "Obviously given the high profile nature of the case and the fact that it's being broadcast live across Mundus this appears to be a very Ostlake[note]as opposed to Hollywood[/note] moment. But the truth is we see these sorts of things in the courtroom day in and day out, witness stories not stacking up, alibi's not withstanding scrutiny. The only unusual thing about today was the Prosecution seeking to use those provisions but that has seemingly been vindicated."
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FOX'S QUALIFY FOR KNOCKOUT STAGES

Fox's skipper Tovan Holtz was in fine form in the victory over Cantabria

By: Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent[/big]

Achkaerin's Fox's have qualified for the knockout rounds of the rugby world cup with a convincing 25-12 victory over Cantabria, the team unbeaten in the tournament brought their usual style of rugby a solid kicking game backed up with speed and pace in a free flowing attack. The team was led from the front against Cantabria by their captain Tovan Holtz (pictured above) who scored two tries in the victory. Coach David Nightingale said after the game "We've been improving each game, we've got more and more into sync as the tournament has gone on, the kicking game has got more accurate, our passing looks sharper and our set plays are getting more precise. Mercia won't be an easy game for us but we're optimistic. The interesting thing will be what the final placements are for the last sixteen because normally by this point we know at least one group winner, this year we don't, this year the top four seeds though they sit top of their groups at the moment could all lose those groups. It's the most intriguing rugby world cup to date."

The Coach of the women's team Lily Welsh, who along with the women's squad has been out in the Iwi with the men's team, was also asked for comment to which she said "It's been a fantastic learning experience for us out here, and we'll always be grateful to David and the men's squad for having us along. We've learned a lot from watching the matches and gained great experience from the atmosphere which hopefully we can use to our own advantage when we play next time."
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 11:56:14 PM by Achkaerin »

Offline Achkaerin

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Achkaerin News Service 3rd September
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2017, 01:12:55 AM »


EMPEROR HOPING FOR PEACE BUT READY FOR HARD TIMES AHEAD


The Emperor gave a statement explaining his reasoning

By: Olivia Moore, International News Correspondent

As the situation in Lakhzovia continues to unfold and in the eyes of many analysts becomes more unstable, the Emperor has taken the unexpected step of ordering what the military calls an Orange Flag,
 this is an order that puts the Achkaerinese Military on its highest state of readiness short of actually being at war, this involves the deploying and positioning of military assets, in this case a naval presence off the Lakhzovian coast combined with billeting of forces in Rokkenjima's tiannaman base are expected, it's also been speculated that the Emperor is utilizing diplomatic channels with various other nations to find a peaceful solution to a crisis that looks ever more likely to be heading for a violent solution. Speaking exclusively to Achkaerin News the Emperor explained his reasons:

"Whenever situations like this arise we hear a lot of statements, a lot of opinions, a lot of propaganda, we've been there, we've done that and we've got the t-shirt on more than a few occasions. The people of Lakhzovia have rights, they have the right to not live in fear of terrorist attacks, as a country Lakhzovia has the right to self determination. The Utman people also have rights, they have the right to live free from persecution and free from fear, because this is what this situation seems to be about - there's a lot of fear, a lot of anger and in some places hate across this ethnic divide between Lakhzov and Utman but the thing about these things is in the words of a very famous and very wise film character 'fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.' it's a cycle and it's vicious, the only thing violence will do is keep the wheel turning and maybe in a couple of decades we'll be back with the same situation. This is not a situation that bullets, bombs and missiles will solve, it is a situation that only talking can solve. Therefore I openly announce that within the next twenty four hours I will personally be sending a letter to both the Lakhzovian Government and the Utman leaders in the hope of putting in place the framework that will allow for peace talks to take place.

The orange flag that I have ordered forms a part of this framework, I respect that the Utman wish to see a change in their relationship with the Lakhzov people, just as I respect the concerns that President Kadassa has, but I will not stand by and watch another slaughter fought along ethnic lines, we as an international community of nations have failed to handle this sort of situation in the past, well not this time, I am committed to a peaceful solution and not only will I pursue that until it is exhausted but I will do all in my power to safeguard it as well. There are plenty of people who think this is going to become a war, I'd like to believe we can prove them wrong."


It is also expected that the Emperor will be opening lines of communication with other nations on this matter in the coming hours.



REFERENDUM CAMPAIGNING BEGINS


By David Woods: Political News Correspondent

The referendum on the future of Achkaerin's relationship with the CTO officially began today as the campaigns kicked into gear, it's being touted as the most significant Achkaerinese vote in modern times by the remain camp who argue that leaving the CTO would affect Achkaerin's standing in the world while the Leave campaign argues that such a claim is nonsense. It's a very thin line with voter registration having opened and a high ballot count expected come polling day, many analysts are already expecting the result to be too close to call. Crucially it has been confirmed that the Emperor will abide by the result of the referendum provided it is a convincing result, which many believe to be a minimum of 55% either way, this has emboldened the Leave Campaign who feared the Royal Veto in the event of their victory.


END OF THE TRUCKER


By James Robson: Home Affairs Correspondent

Are truckers on the way out? Well if Silver Moon Electronics has anything to say about it they might be. The electronics giant has in cooperation with automotive manufacturers been experimenting with so called 'driver less' vehicles, a technology that could if perfected see many of the traditional truckers across not only Achkaerin but Mundus as well put out of a job. And then there are those who believe this to be only the thin end of the wedge as one person who wishes to remain anonymous put it "It starts with driver less trucks and then what? Driver less trains? Cars? Planes taking off without a pilot? This could be the end of a great many livelihoods."

There has been no response from the company at this time.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2017, 01:19:21 AM by Achkaerin »

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2017, 12:58:13 AM »


SECRETARY GENERAL BREAKS SILENCE ON LAKHZOVIA


Secretary General Sakura Sheppard during her weekly press conference at the Palace of Nations

By: Emilia Brittaine, CTO Correspondent

At her weekly press conference in the Palace of Nations, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation Sakura Sheppard broke her silence on the Lakhzovia situation, though she did maintain her silence on the upcoming referendum she did make comments on the released Lakhzovian election results saying:

"It's difficult to be able to say anything positive about these results, because while they may well be accurate no one can be certain of this because the results have to be taken with a pinch of salt and viewed with a lot of skepticism. The CTO asked for these results within a week of them not being released, there was a resolution on the chamber floor and my understanding is that that resolution was put because this might happen. I can guess how these results will play across Mundus and we've already had the notable Rokkenjiman response to them. So I'm going to ask President Kadassa to show good faith and to help resolve the election issue to everyone's satisfaction by releasing the evidence of electoral malpractice to the Mundus Crime Agency for independent investigation."

What President Kadassa's response will be is unclear. In related news the Lakhzovia issue is reportedly under discussion at LISA HQ and the build up as per the Emperor's Orange Flag order continues. The crisis does not appear to be on the road to a lasting resolution any time soon.



"LEAVING CTO NOT A RISK" - VICE CONSUL


By: David Woods, Political Correspondent

The referendum campaigning continues to hot up as polling day draws ever closer, today the leader of the leave campaign none other than Vice Consul Rhian Kennedy declared in an interview that "Leaving the CTO is not a risk" when asked what she meant she explained that "When we look at the track record of the CTO in dealing with situations when push comes to shove we see nothing more than the same two nations stepping up to the plate time and time again. Just look at the Uppsala situation, it's a crisis that on paper appears tailor made for the CTO, the MHO could handle the medical side the Refugee Council the refugee side, yet the response was so underwhelming it's unbelievable and this isn't the first time. It has to stop because this isn't funny anymore and we have no reason to believe that this will change any time soon, because we've heard the same promises from other nations before about how they'll contribute and they don't. What we on the Leave side are saying is 'why are we flogging a dead horse?' it's blatantly obvious, for the most part because East Moreland is the exception, that the nations that share our values and are prepared to render aid as we are operate outside the CTO these being the likes of Ui Cenneslaig, Lodja and the Iwi - wouldn't our time be better spent establishing closer working relationships with these nations? Nations that actually seem to care? What we propose is a re invigoration of the Cross Mundus Agency, it's streamlined nature coupled with the membership provides a much better foundation towards the hopes that we as a nation have for the future of Mundus."

When asked for comment Senator Matthew Patterson, the Minister of Economic Affairs and leader of the remain campaign, stated "No one's going to deny the CTO has flaws because it has plenty of them, but we can work them out let's at least try that before we walk away from something."

« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 01:26:12 AM by Achkaerin »

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2017, 12:25:46 AM »


CHAMBERS SLAMS LAKHZOVIAN AND SAHERISTANI ACCUSATIONS - PUTS RECORD STRAIGHT

Minister of Foreign Affairs Richard Chambers during his speech

By: David Woods, Political Correspondent

Following reports of a 'Pro Utman Rokkenjiman-Achkaerin Axis' the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke today in the Senate on the matter, it was to be a rare moment as there was no opposition to the speech, no points of order raised, there was however a clear undertone of frustration that such a speech was required. The full text is below:

"Mr Speaker I would first like to thank my fellow colleagues from all parties for returning to the House for this afternoon, as everyone knows this establishes that we meet the minimum threshold for matters of debate. We would all much rather be out campaigning on the referendum issue but regardless of which side we are campaigning for we come here this afternoon in a single unified cause - to defend the name of our nation.

Mr Speaker as members of the House may be aware there have been statements made by the Governments of both Lakhzovia and Saheristan in which the term 'Pro Utman Rokkenjima-Achkaerin Axis' has been used. This is a scandalous and baseless accusation made by two governments that either haven't read who has said what or they are trying to sow discontent. One may be able to pass comment on Rokkenjima as they have made official statements in regards to this matter. But has there been any official recognition of the Utman Republic by this Government? No there has not. Has there been any official statement from this Government on the election results since they were released? No there has not. Therefore to even suggest Achkaerin has taken a position on this matter is absurd, we remain as we always have committed to a peaceful solution to the crisis.

The only statement on the election results from an Achkaerinese citizen has come from Sakura Sheppard in her capacity as Secretary General of the CTO. These are comments made in her weekly press conference in the Palace of Nations, as she is the Secretary General she is considered to be independent of any and all political affiliations with her home country, she is the leader of an organisation she is not party to Achkaerinese policy making nor is she at present speaking with any Achkaerinese authority. This is a point that I would expect both Lakhzovia and Saheristan to understand as they are both members of the CTO.

We have been clear from day one of our intention for a peaceful solution. The Emperor ordered an Orange Flag in response to Free Mundus Network reports of Lakhzovian military build up, because Mr Cikniye is correct you cannot negotiate in good faith with a gun pressed to the back of your head, he refers of course to the military buildup off the Lakhzovian Coast amounting to his opinion the international community forcing Lakhzovia's hand, I refer to the 'gun' that Lakhzovia holds to the Utman's head by means of their military build up an act that pre-dates our own build up. The Emperor has been clear and consistent on this from day one, we saw similarities in the Lakhzovian crisis with other recent events and decided to take the pre-emptive step of readying military assets to diffuse a crisis and to keep the death toll as low as possible, and I don't think any nation can say that the Emperor's heart was in the wrong place, over the last year Achkaerinese personnel have seen things in theatre that no one should ever have to see and we made a pledge two simple words 'Never Again' we were not prepared to see that horror or horrors of that type visited on either the Lakhzov or Utman people. We hope in fact we pray that we are wrong but sometimes overreacting and looking silly is far more preferable to doing nothing and this is one of those times.

We now have allegations of chemical weapons and what could be taken as a chemical weapon attack. We are in the process of investigating this latest development. Now we fully respect that the Lakhzovian Government views the Free Mundus Network as nothing more than propaganda, we disagree and we disagree because of the publication's track record, this is the news outlet that broke the Andean Genocide story, that named names, that dared to implicate the Cross Straits Union in that affair and when all was said and done what the Free Mundus Network reported stacked up with the evidence gathered for trial, so we will examine the evidence on all relevant issues before we make any official statements as to our position, the same as we have always done.

Until such time as that Mr Speaker our military forces will remain at their current state of readiness, the most recent allegations make it impossible for us to do anything else."
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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2017, 11:24:15 PM »


ACHKAERIN VOTES LEAVE


By: Emilia Brittaine, CTO Correspondent

Achkaerin has voted to leave the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, the result was a bit of a shock to some especially given how things were going for most of the night as the Remain campaign held sway but eventually something gave as two major cities Solaria and Dovah declared for Leave this followed up by landslide leave votes in Gowu and Mossflower brought an end to Achkaerin's CTO membership. As expected following the night's events the Emperor, in coordination with the Secretary General of the CTO issued a statement outlining the reasons why Achkaerin had in his opinion voted to leave and what the timetable of Achkaerin's departure will be. It begins at the upcoming summit at Aldspring where an Achkaerinese representative will hand over a letter to the Secretary General announcing the countries formal intention to leave, and ends at the end of the current Secretariat term. It's seen as surprising that Achkaerin would attend the meeting in Aldspring this was explained by Consul Michael Williams

"Originally we did not intend to attend the summit but this comes at the request of the Secretary General who like the rest of the CTO hopes to rectify the circumstances so that this does not become the start of something far more damaging than it already is. Our presence there will be constructive as we hope to outline for the CTO the reasons why this vote has gone the way it has and we hope that the CTO will take steps to address these problems and that it will ensure that it does not repeat itself in allowing the same nations to carry the ball every time. Because if this is not addressed then the CTO's future is in serious doubt. However this does not change how Achkaerin will operate on the international stage we will stand up for justice, we will stand up for the oppressed we will stand up against those who would perpetuate the evils of this world. This will be reaffirmed in our Foreign and Defence Policy Review statement in the coming days where the full policy will of course be restated."

The Secretary General could not be reached for comment as she is presently chairing a session of the General Assembly.



EMPEROR HOPES FOR QUEEN VIKTORIYA'S SWIFT RECOVERY


By: Olivia Moore, International News Correspondent

The Emperor has sent his best wishes to the Lodjan Royal Family following the attempted assassination of Queen Viktoriya, speaking during an interview which touched on a variety of subjects including recent revelations over what may have happened to an Achkaerinese Wasp helicopter the Emperor took a moment to talk about events in Lodja saying: "Queen Viktoriya may not have held the Lodjan throne for long, but she's already become one of the finest Monarch's on Mundus and a role model for plenty of young women and girls everywhere. I have come to know both her, her sister Alana and their family and I view them as friends.I hope for a speedy and full recovery for Queen Viktoriya at this time and my thoughts go to her, her family and her nation at this difficult time."

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2017, 01:25:45 AM »


MILITARY TO CONDUCT EXERCISES IN GREAT NORTHERN OCEAN


The exercises will serve as a robust examination of the capabilities of the Kryptonite Class Frigate

By: Penny Noble, Defence Correspondent

The Achkaerin Imperial Navy is to conduct routine military exercises in the Great Northern Ocean in the coming days, the exercises that will in collaboration with the Kingdom of Vaguzia have reportedly been on the books for months and are expected to serve as a test for several things in development as well as the first real examination of how the Kryptonite Class Frigate the newest addition to the Achkaerinese navy does in its intended role. A Ministry of Defence spokesman elaborated on the exercises saying "We do these things periodically as a means of ensuring our military personnel are as sharp as they have needed to be in recent times, we intend to see simulated engagements of routine actions and also the testing of equipment in development, we have no intention of causing problems for anyone else with these exercises which is why we're doing this well out of everyone's way. We're grateful for the presence of the Vaguzian Navy and are quite eager to see just what they can throw at us in the way of curve balls."



HIGH PRIESTESS PASSES AWAY



By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

Anna Mirabelle, the High Priestess of the Cult of Namis has died. The seventy five year old is reported to have died in her sleep. The process for choosing the next High Priestess is likely to begin shortly, this involves the three Alha's seeking the guidance of the Goddess's through the Oracle as to which of a number of candidates should be the next High Priestess. A period of contemplation that can take many days to complete depending on on the number of potential candidates. The name on most peoples lips is Melinda Jones, a prominent Priestess within the Cult and known to many as she makes regular television and radio appearances, others suggest Rowena Braithwaite as a more traditionalist option. There are other names being thrown around but the expectation is that it will be one of these two.


HARRISON BACK IN TRAINING


By: Felicity Stewart, Sports Correspondent

Formula Mundus Drivers Champion Megan Harrison is back behind the wheel, albeit in a simulator. The Riviere Corporation Racing driver suffered a freak accident and severe injuries some weeks ago in qualifying for the Sisko Grand Prix, however after being spotted in the paddock at the Hambley Grand Prix and also at the Krokom Grand Prix she's now got down to the business of rebuilding her strength and is targeting a comeback towards the end of the current season. She took a moment to speak about her experience after the accident:

"I don't know if I'll ever remember any of the accident, I remember losing control at the corner but not the impact. But it's been the most frustrating period of my career just sat on the sidelines watching the races unfold and not being able to do anything to affect the outcome, Amy's been brilliant coming in mid season and I have to say when I walked down the pit lane at the Hambley Grand Prix and saw all the support efforts the other teams had made on my behalf I got so emotional, because even though as a member of the Formula Mundus family you know people are thinking about you, it still shocks you when you see how much they truly care. If all goes well I hope to be back on the grid in a few weeks, whether I'll be my old self or not I don't know but I want to get back there, I want to win more races, win more championships so we'll see what happens when I get back on the track."
« Last Edit: September 28, 2017, 01:47:29 AM by Achkaerin »

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2017, 12:55:21 AM »


NEW HIGH PRIESTESS ELECTED


Alexis Minette pictured in Uppsala only days ago

By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

The Cult of Namis has a new High Priestess. The Council of the Alha has following the death of Anna Mirabelle elected what is seen as a surprise candidate as the baton is passed to Alexis Minette. Ms Minette is actually a Priestess within the Achkaerinese Army and was recently deployed as part of the relief effort to Uppsala. The decision has been greeted with optimism in many quarters as an election that breaks the norm of an academic taking the role as one member of the public put it "This is great now we have someone who can speak from experience rather than just lecture." The date for the Anointing Ceremony has not yet been set though as is custom it is expected to take place in the coming days once the preparations are made. It's believed that her practical experience in Uppsala will stand the new High Priestess in good stead when addressing such matters from a faith point of view. Politicians and the Emperor have also sent their congratulations to the new High Priestess.



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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2017, 06:25:09 PM »


ARCHBISHOP DEED TO POPE "TAKE CARE OR RISK LOSING THE CHURCH'S SOUL"


By: Victoria Parks, Faith Correspondent

Following recent statements by the Pope of the Catholic Church, Archbishop of Ashwood Martin Deed who is the Senior Catholic Clergy member in Achkaerin has commented on the statements and he's not overly happy about the way in which it has been handled. When questioned he made the following statement:

"This whole affair has been frustrating and unhelpful and there are many reasons for this most stemming not from any history to do with Sionists and conflict but more to do with decisions taken behind closed doors in recent days. In the Catholic Church we have a principle of Papal Infallibility which means that on matters concerning faith and morals the Pope is always right. This infallibility is challenged by some within our Church on many scriptural grounds but that is a point that in the present context is wholly irrelevant as the statements made by the Pope do not concern matters of faith but economic decisions and are therefore matters of state.

In most countries there is a clear division between religion and the state that avoids the sort of confusion we've seen happen in recent days, in the Ecclesiastical State this does not exist so it is therefore  incumbent upon the Pope to take great care in such matters or risk losing the soul of the Church. In making a statement on economics the Pope said the following 'barbarous socialist economic models that have destroyed the Kingdom of Heaven!' The problem is obvious it's a matter of state and yet the language and the person making the statement give a different impression they appear to make it a declaration on a matter of faith and if it ever becomes the policy of a Christian Church to abandon its core values and let's be honest these are values rooted in socialism, then the Church risks a schism the like of which it has never seen.

I hope that moving forward the Pope will continue to develop his personal understanding of his position both as Head of State of the Ecclesiastical State but also as Head of the Catholic Church there is when it comes to Theocracy's operating with this structure a balance that needs to be struck and it needs to be clearly managed and clear to the public and the world, in this instance it hasn't been but this is something the new Pope will learn with experience."



WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM POLICY REVIEW?


By: David Woods, Political Correspondent

Tomorrow sees the much anticipated Foreign and Defence Policy Review but everyone's wondering "What's going to be in it?" given the continued commitment of Achkaerin to the principles of the CTO, despite the decision to leave, most expect a simple restatement in regards to Foreign Affairs.
 However the Prefect system trial is expected to be reported on and probably formalized and rolled out proper. But it is the defence area where there is the greatest anticipation as there are rumors of a reorganization and a bag of tricks being referred to as the 'Chasm Collectibles' in reference to a series of projects that were put into motion during the 'Great Chasm' but have been given further development time because of the end of that period of time.
 Finally there is the matter of Achkaerin's nuclear deterrent there is not expected to be any change in policy in that regard although there have been rumors about an announcement in that regard. But everyone will just have to wait for the review.


« Last Edit: December 11, 2019, 10:56:10 PM by Achkaerin »

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Re: Achkaerin News Service
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2017, 08:23:16 PM »


FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICY REVIEW DELIVERED


Ms Taylor delivering the findings of the review this afternoon

By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

The much awaited review of Achkaerin's Foreign and Defence Policy has concluded with the delivery of the report earlier this afternoon. Perhaps the first surprise was the identity of the person delivering it - Nettie Taylor, the former Rokkenjiman Councillor for Foreign Affairs and before that Premier of Rokkenjima, now she works as part of the Achkaerinese Royal Household advising the Emperor on her field of expertise in Foreign Affairs. The full text of the speech is below:



Achkaerin Foreign and Defence Policy Review Speech

"This report is the result of many weeks work by the Achkaerinese Crown, Achkaerinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, the Military Defence Initiative, Achkaerinese Intelligence and Military leadership. Special recognition is also due for the Cabinet Secretary Michelle Lowe who has spearheaded and driven this process, we had initially hoped to present this report at an earlier date however to do so with the prospect of having to subsequently review the review due to the CTO referendum wouldn't have been the best use of time. We therefore decided to wait until the referendum result was known as this would allow a smoother and more accurate report.

The findings of the review show that Achkaerin's military has been stretched to breaking point consistently for an extended period of time, ever since Marseilles through Uppsala, Toshikawa, the Cult of Helus Genocide and now presently Phuebra and on standby for Lakhzovia should that descend into another such event. We pay a respected tribute to our service men and women returning from active service in Uppsala, to those still out on active service and also to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, considering the role that it seems our service men and women have been put in lately it was clear that there was a need to change. In the area of Foreign Policy Achkaerin has often apparently had issues with communicating it's positions with many stances being decided on a case by case basis, this is a great strength but also somewhat seemingly confusing for other nations. It was determined that steps to remedy this needed to be taken.

We remain committed to the Treaty's we are signatory to and to the principles we stand for - equality, justice, freedom to name only a few but above all truth, there are many sides to each story and only one truth and it is the truth that must be pursued at all times. To better shape our diplomatic contacts and to reinvigorate them Achkaerin has been trialing the Prefect System -this is a system that establishes a hierarchy within the ambassadorial corps in that for each continent on Mundus one Achkaerinese diplomat is appointed to the position of Prefect, this has been piloted on the continents of Ardia and Alba Karinya with great success and is now being rolled out to Aranye and Albion. The Prefects will be responsible for the Achkaerinese diplomats on those continents and be a point of contact for nations at a more localized level, they will report directly to the Foreign Office. The Prefects are as follows - Declan Cox is confirmed as the Prefect of Ardia to be based in Ui Cenneslaig, Tommy Walker is confirmed as the Prefect of Alba Karinya to be based in East Moreland, Victoria Conway is appointed the Prefect of Albion to be based temporarily in Dartfordia while permanent arrangements are made. The Prefect of Aranye is yet to be determined.

The Emperor is mindful of the need to establish broader diplomatic relations with other nations and hopes that this system will allow us to do that. Pursuing a mutually beneficial and cordial relationship is to be the cornerstone of Achkaerinese policy when making first contact with nations. We will go back to basics and build from there. We will maintain our bonds with our close friends while we make new friends.

Military force is always a final resort, it is not something we rush to, nor are decisions around the deployment of forces taken lightly. We have a very clear overriding directive when it comes to the sanctioning of or military intervention of some description. A directive which states that Achkaerin does not intervene in the internal affairs of another sovereign state unless under one of the following conditions:

Achkaerin has been attacked - this is self explanatory, an armed attack against Achkaerin will be responded to in a proportionate manner and we make clear that a nation has the right to self defence, if we are attacked we will strike back, we will eliminate the threat and we will make sure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions.

Achkaerin has been asked to step in - this would be comparable to action in Phuebra, we were asked to help stabilize the country by the democratically elected government. I want to make it clear just because Achkaerin is asked to assist does not mean we will assist, any decision made in this respect is made having reviewed the evidence and in the case of Phuebra we saw a clear case of a religious fault line leading into a civil war with a coup taking place. Having seen that we determined that it was right to step in as requested.

Achkaerin is obligated by Treaty to intervene - this is straightforward as it covers stuff like mutual defence clauses so events such as the Seaforth Eugenics War and the War of the Enlightenment, under the CIS Charter we had an obligation to defend those nations and we did.

There is an International Mandate for intervention - This would cover circumstances such as Marseilles and Uppsala, Achkaerin was not obligated by Treaty to commit to these efforts but did so following careful thought and deliberation of all the evidence and implications of such a commitment. Naturally following the referendum result Achkaerin is no longer bound to CTO resolutions but we shall continue to monitor events at the Palace of Nations should the organisation continue to exist, if it does not then we shall see what can be done to build something anew.

To not intervene would be abhorrent and or immoral - Simply put this is the Cult of Helus Genocide, when you have people being massacred because of skin colour, faith, sexual orientation or ethnicity even tribe identity it is not acceptable. It would have been completely unthinkable to not defend the innocent and save them from certain death.

The seeming continued deployment of Achkaerinese forces for extended periods of time has led to the need to refocus our efforts around the capabilities of our military, we don't have the numbers of other nations in terms of boots on the ground so we have to play to our strengths which are found in the Imperial Navy and Achkaerin Air Force. We must take measures to fight smarter as this is how we can make up the deficit to other nations. Therefore we will be bringing into service in the coming days the SCION network, as some may guess this is an Achkaerinese developed system that builds upon the principles of Rokkenjima's ICON network. We will launch the network through our new satellite generation when they go up into geo-synchronous orbit. For those interested SCION stands for Strategic Communications and Integrated Operations Network. This will allow us to identify, analyze and neutralize threats more effectively and maintain a secure communications network. We will continue the development of in progress projects that will see more strings added to our bow, it is sensible to do so as with a military that has been called on time and again in a multitude of environments and situations of late that we do everything possible to ensure that they can do the job more effectively and efficiently. Part of this will be the introduction of the Yangtzee Khiang Class support vessel to the Imperial Navy replacing our Gladius Class support vessels. This new vessel class, currently in production following successful testing, will allow us to move greater amounts of cargo around Mundus and respond to crisis situations far more quickly than our present capability allows us to. These ships are akin to the Global Pre Positioning Ships used by East Moreland and like East Moreland has before us Achkaerin will be seeking homes for these vessels.

Achkaerin is a nuclear power, in fact it is the nation that created nuclear weapons, something which we can't take back no matter how much we may want to, the current Achkaerinese arsenal will be cut down to the bear minimum required for us to be able to support a nuclear deterrent, this is what we term 'Plowshare'. A clear indication of a step in the right direction.

Our policy's are not changing that much there was not much wrong with the intent but more the practicality and logistics this will be addressed by the details of this report and the institution of these measures."



Following the review statement Ms Taylor was asked several questions mostly about the review though one did cheekily ask how she was finding life in Achkaerin to which she answered "It's different to Rokkenjima, it's a lot more relaxed up here, I don't know if that's the cold air or what. It's just nice to not have an office to work in but be able to feel like I'm working from home." As for the public opinion on the review it's been a mixed bag but is mostly positive though as with the media most were taken by surprise at the presence of Ms Taylor and her new job advising the Emperor but in the words of one shopper in the Valtheim Market "She's experienced, intelligent and she knows what she's doing I think this is a good thing."

The review's measures and recommendations are to be debated in the Senate later in the week and are expected to pass with no problems whatsoever.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2024, 07:28:09 PM by Achkaerin »

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« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2017, 11:54:30 PM »


HIGH PRIESTESS ANOINTED


By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

The newly elected High Priestess designate Alexis Minette has been anointed. The ceremony formally confers upon her the title, office and responsibilities of High Priestess of the Cult of Namis. The ceremony, a once in a lifetime opportunity, took place at the Temple of of the Trinity in Valtheim. During it the High Priestess underwent the sealing ceremony. Following the ceremony the new High Priestess held discussions with the Achkaerinese leaders of other faiths which according to various sources went well and were highly productive. It's believed that the new High Priestess has placed inter faith cooperation at the top of her list. Her first official engagement is expected to be the Memorial Day Festival of Remembrance.



SCION LAUNCHES BEGIN


By: Kimberley Thorn Science and Technology Correspondent

Following the acceptance of the recent policy review by the Senate the first satellite launches for the SCION network have begun, the first launch took place earlier this afternoon with several more launches planned in the coming days. The Director of the Achkaerin Space Agency Gary Hale following today's launch said "These launches are of course part of the results of the recent policy review, we're hoping to get the network up and running within a reasonable time frame, at the moment we're aiming for the new year but we're not discounting overrunning into 2018."

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« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2017, 10:21:42 PM »


AADC SWIFT MAKES TEST FLIGHT


By: Kimberly Thorn, Science and Technology Correspondent

The first of Achkaerin Aeronautical Development Company's (AADC) three newest aircraft in development has made its first test flight, the Swift (pictured above) is designed as a jet for business or private use. It only flew for a routine test today but many experts believe the swift to be the future for private customers in Achkaerin, including according to rumor the Royal Family. It is expected to have a speed in excess of Mach one though the exact speed has not been confirmed by the AADC at this time, when asked for comment AADC CEO Darren Eagle said "There are very few areas on Mundus where this type of air travel is required, Achkaerin sits in the Great Northern Ocean being able to cross that expanse of water quickly is something of the utmost importance. But it's not just the speed that makes the Swift special. The plane has no windows instead utilizing tiny cameras sending footage to thin, curved displays lining the interior walls of the fuselage, this allows us to take things up a notch and we're very excited about the future testing of the aircraft."

It was also confirmed that Mr Eagle's daughter Lindsay who heads up aeronautics at the Achkaerin Space Agency has been consulting on the project.

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« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2017, 09:47:45 PM »


PEACE TALKS EARLY BREAKTHROUGH - PEACEKEEPING FORCE IMMINENT


Achkaerinese soldiers boarding a plane at Rokkenjima's Tianamman base in Aeternum

By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Lead Correspondent

It has been reported in the last few hours that the Secretary General of the CTO, Sakura Sheppard, has managed to get an early breakthrough in the ongoing peace talks between the Lahkzov Government and the Utman. Speaking during a break in the talks aboard the REMNS Dalek, an East Moreland Drone Carrier, the Secretary General explained the breakthrough stating:

"With the events of Bokar village it became absolutely necessary to make preventing the situation boiling over into a full scale civil war top priority.
 The package agreed with both parties is a peacekeeping force comprised of several elements operating within agreed areas and includes the Lahkzovian-Somerset border region. The elements are firstly troops on the ground within those regions, secondly a no fly zone operating above the area and thirdly a customs border at ports under Utman control at present. These are measures that are designed to allay the fears of both sides and satisfy the international community that nothing untoward is going on. The primary responsibility of the Peacekeeping force at the present time is likely to be countering the Hand of Emet militia. Command of the Peacekeeping Force has by agreement been given to General Kakashi Fuji though a request to the international community for support in these elements is likely to be forthcoming shortly."


General Fuji is presently en route to Somerset where he is expected to request the permission of the Somerset government to establish an operational base camp on their soil. In the meantime Achkaerinese troops on standby at Rokkenjima's Tiannaman base in Aeternum have been boarding aircraft and the first group of peacekeepers is expected in Lakhzovia within the next few hours.

Attention at the Peace Talks is now expected to shift to more long term issues such as the security of any future Utman state, what form of state that might be and how that state should it come into being will be established.



CTO VOTES THROUGH REFORMS - WILL ANYTHING CHANGE?


By: Emilia Brittaine, CTO Correspondent

The General Assembly of the CTO has voted through a far reaching reform of how it operates. The Silverhills Resolution as it is called does several high profile things it firstly brings into effect the Silverhills proposal originally formed by King David of East Moreland this is a proposal that abolishes the Security Council, removes the Secretary General and replaces them with a civil service as well as placing a President in place to represent the CTO internationally. The resolution also brings in measures to ensure that the so called "Commitment issue" is addressed as Resolutions in which military force is legislated for will now include as part of them a list of member states who are prepared to commit to the action and how they will commit to the action, while also granting the General Assembly the authority to address nations that say they will commit and then do not - a mechanism that is sure to prove popular in some nations. It may well be the case that the present situation in Lakhzovia forms the first use of such things.

This resolution also lays out the final timetable for Achkaerin's departure from the CTO, the 30th of November is set to be Sakura Sheppard's last day as Secretary General while on the 1st of December Rokkenjima will appoint the first President of the CTO and Achkaerin will formally leave the organisation.



HARRISON MAKES FORMULA MUNDUS COMEBACK


By: Felicity Stewart, Sports Correspondent

Megan Harrison will make her return to the Formula Mundus grid at the next race this season - the Leocaster Grand Prix in Bykrestan. The current world champion has been out of action since a horrific accident during qualifying at the Sisko Grand Prix earlier in the season. However following weeks and months of physiotherapy and training she's been declared fit to race. It's an announcement greeted with joy by Formula Mundus fans in Achkaerin.
 Harrison has paid tribute to team mate Amy Ashton who has been racing in her seat since the accident notching up an impressive set of results including victory in Gowu. Speaking following the announcement Megan said the following:

"I never dared to dream I'd be back behind the wheel this season. I'd hoped but never thought it would happen. Amy's done brilliantly while I've not been around and given the team every chance of retaining the constructors title. It's shaping up to be an interesting climax to the season and while it's been interesting to watch it's been frustrating to not be part of it and I'm looking forward to putting those who are fighting to claim my crown through their paces."

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« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2017, 10:59:01 PM »


GARETH BRYCE ESCAPES PRISON


By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

Gowu Police have reported that notorious killer Gareth Bryce has escaped custody. Bryce aged thirty five, was imprisoned five years ago following a killing spree in which he murdered for no apparent reason twenty people, all of them Christians. His reign of terror marked one of the most trying times in Gowu's history, he would likely have remained at large had he not been picked up by coincidence on a traffic offence, following which evidence was found in his car that secured a conviction. The escape occurred while Mr Bryce was being returned to prison following a hospital stay for surgery, the van he was being transported in was boxed in and ambushed, two of the three officers in the vehicle are dead and the third is critically injured in hospital. Within minutes of the escape being reported, two hours later, the Chief Councillor of Gowu issued an international arrest warrant for Bryce saying "Six years ago Gareth Bryce ruthlessly killed twenty people all from a single religious community, he sought to pit community against community in this city but we refused to give him the satisfaction of achieving his aims, rather than being divided we became stronger together. Men who seek to drive others apart will have no safe haven anywhere, we will find him and his accomplices and we will catch him."

Amber Duff, the Chief Constable of the Mundus Crime Agency and the arresting officer five years ago, has declined to comment on the development at this time.



THE HISTORY GIRL ON HER MOMENT AT THE WORLD CUP


By: Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent

The World Cup is looming again and once again Achkaerin start as the favorites, however there's another Achkaerinese citizen going out to Himeyama, Nerys Sherman (pictured above) accompanied by four other officials will make the trip as a refereeing team. Ms Sherman stands to make history in that she will become the first woman to referee an MFA World Cup match when she takes charge of the opening game of the tournament between the hosts Himeyama and Akhabnil. When asked about this moment she said "It's an honor to be selected to referee any World Cup match, but to be the first woman to do so is something long overdue, I was an assistant referee three years ago and with all the changes to how the game works that the MFA have brought in, which are for the better let's make no mistake about that, it's gotten harder and harder for every referee regardless of gender because we have to be trained up on all the new stuff. It's going to likely be a hard fought game when Himeyama and Akhabnil play there's no love lost between the two countries and I fully expect that it will eclipse any refereeing experience I've had to date. The MFA did ask, well rather they jokingly asked whether I'd like to take my Taser onto the pitch with me since my day job is a police officer over in Artaxia, but I hope I won't need it."




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« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2017, 11:28:44 PM »


BRIANNA AZUREWIND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPENS


By: Amira Cotton, Gowu Correspondent

Brianna Azurewind International, Gowu's new airport opened today. The airport that doubles the capacity of it's predecessor Gowu International is located not on land but on the water, constructed on an artificial island in the Rokkenjiman Sea and connected to the continent by a rail and road bridge. Speaking at the opening the Deputy Chief Councilor of Gowu John Howard said "This is a great moment for this city it will open Gowu even more to the world and primarily Ardia by increasing our capabilities and our efficiency. This is something we've been waiting for for years and it's not before time."

Many major Achkaerinese based airlines have already announced their intention to operate out of the new location including Achkaerinese Airlines,
 with flights expected to be operational from the new airport in the new year as Gowu International phases out operations. The good news is that staff at Gowu International have been offered the opportunity to move locations and work from the new airport.



FOX'S READY TO GO


By: Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent

Achkaerin's Men's Football team are ready to go in the World Cup. So says the teams coach, Dame Julia McCabe (pictured above). The Fox's ranked number one in the world won their second world cup in last years tournament in a thrilling final against Nya Aland. This year the team is pitted in the group stages against Ui Cenneslaig, Rodina and Herrunbucht, it's a group that the analysts expect Achkaerin to qualify from comfortably but no chances are being taken by McCabe who has said "It's always one game at a time in these things, we'll see what happens, wasn't that long ago we were underdogs in these things and now we're the favorites. We know we should progress and we hopefully will have more success."

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« Reply #15 on: December 25, 2017, 01:46:58 AM »


EMPEROR MARRIES DURING CONCERT


By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

Emperor Peter Azurewind has married his fiancee Renee Sandiego (now Renee Azurewind) during the Snowflake Concert at the Royal Theatre this evening. The Concert, which incidentally received excellent reviews from those in the audience, was held to launch a new homeless charity initiative championed by the Royal Family with the initial focus being around making sure that no one goes without a meal on Christmas Day. However towards the end of the concert the audience was treated to front row seats to a Royal Wedding as the Emperor and his fiancee tied the knot on stage. Afterwards the Emperor explained that he was as surprised as anyone that it had happened and that it had been the scheme of his children Prince Simon and Crown Princess Serenity as well as his niece Sheriff Sakura Sheppard.
 As for the now Mrs Azurewind she has also been granted the title of Duchess of Rosemoor. The Achkaerin News Service congratulates the couple and wishes them every happiness.

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« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2017, 12:55:12 PM »


From all at the Achkaerin News Service we hope you have had a Merry Christmas and that you will have a Happy New Year. As is our tradition we report on the Christmas News on Boxing Day.


EMPEROR'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH


By: Niamh Roberts, Royal Correspondent

The Emperor has used his Christmas Speech to the nation to pay tribute to family at both home and abroad, in his short address, broadcast live on Christmas Day, the Emperor as is his custom, spoke about things he does not normally speak publicly about. The full text is below.


Quote from: Transcript


Good Afternoon.

At this time of year there's so much joy whether it be Christian's celebrating the birth of their Saviour, the Odinists celebrating Yule, ourselves followers of the Cult of Namis celebrating Namira, in my house this year that is doubled up with celebrating my marriage to my fiancee now wife Renee. The world is a great family of nations drawn from all creeds, colors, orientations and faiths, when one of us is hurt all feel it, and right now there's a lot of hurt going around, the death one of the brightest Queen's I've ever met is still shocking. However there is always in our darkest hours hope. A simple four letter word but it is a word that inspires us to great things, it gives us the courage to stand up when we fall down.

Ninety years ago this nation showed that courage when it took a stand and our people both here and abroad paid for it but none doubted the cause because hope was our cause and in a world of fear hope was what we clung onto, over time others made the same sort of decision this is how contagious Hope is. Today we have soldiers, sailors and air force personnel continuing to offer that same hope, over the past year the Achkaerinese Armed Forces have seen action yet again, this time in Phuebra, in Uppsala and soon Lakhzovia as well. For those who continue to guard the gates of this world against those that would do it harm I think we can all offer our thanks. And to those that would do it harm, let us reach out to them and show them that when one walks in darkness they can be guided back to the light, for this is love of our fellow people and at this time of year it is wise to remember that Peace and Love and Hope are powerful things and that we should dedicate ourselves to these causes.

Merry Christmas


FOX'S WIN OPENER


By: Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent

Achkaerin's footballers have won their tournament opener against Ui Cenneslaig 3-1. After falling behind midway through the first half the Fox's hit back in the second half a free kick from Cesc Santiago was sandwiched between a brace from Danni Leonidas (pictured above). Team coach Dame Julia McCabe said afterwards "It was a professional, solid performance, we didn't get rattled when we went behind, we stuck to our game plan and we were rewarded for it. There are things we need to improve on before our next game but we'll look at the positives as well."

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« Reply #17 on: January 04, 2018, 01:01:50 AM »


GRACE ALLEINE BRINGS IN NEW YEAR AT VALTHEIM PARTY IN THE PARK


By Lucy Sullivan, Special News Correspondent

Grace Alleine led the celebrations in Valtheim's traditional party in the park as Achkaerin welcomed in the new year. The singer who claimed Christmas Number One this year with Smoke and Fire played the new year in with a collection of some of her best songs while fireworks lit up the sky above Liberty Garden Park. Speaking afterwards Lady Alleine said "I never thought I'd be playing this festival, it's one of the biggest on the domestic calendar and to have this combined with Christmas Number One makes this feel like a dream, so I'd like to wish all my fans a happy new year and let's hope 2018 is as good if not better than 2017 has been."



NEW YEARS HONOURS RELEASED - SCIENTISTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS HONORED


By James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

The Achkaerin New Years Honors List has been officially released and there appears to be a scientific focus this year. Topping the bill as has been expected over the last week is the formal declaration of the Emperor's wife the now Princess Renee Azurewind as Duchess of the hold of Rosemoor. Other major honors have been granted as stated to mainly scientific fields as Nicola Fernley (pictured above), the director of flight operations at the Achkaerin Space Agency, receives a knighthood making her a Dame and member of the Djana Azurewind Order, other knighthoods have gone to the CEO of AADC Darren Eagle who is now Sir Darren Eagle while Satella Watts the team Principal of Riviere Corporation Racing is also made a Dame. Phoebe Scott and her team of research students from the University of Artaxia receive membership of the Fawn Azurewind Order for their work with Graphene and development of a car using water as fuel. There is also special recognition for the Achkaerinese military personnel deployed to Uppsala in recent times as they are awarded Emperor's Commendation medals while the Andean Genocide Forensics Team that continue to identify the dead bodies of the victims of that atrocity are awarded membership of the Morgana Azurwind Order.

The international awards - these being the Ayanami Orders have also got some big names this year as the Emperor has awarded honorary knighthoods and admission into the Anezaki Ayanami Order to Timothy Carpenter of East Moreland for contributions to youth and international work, as well as posthumous awards of the same type, otherwise known as the Edelweiss List, to the former Head Gothi of Nya Aland Daniel Stenberg for contributions in the world of politics, the former Head of Longhouse of the Union of Nordic Peoples Willa Sunbrek for her work in international politics in the cause of peace, recognizing specifically the Uppsala Convention, and finally the late ruler of Lodja Queen Viktoriya Tar for her contributions in furthering the ground work of the Uppsala Convention and for her many excellent contributions on the international stage during her reign.

There are also junior honorary awards - membership of the Seònaid Ayanami Order has been awarded to Princess Georgia of Dartfordia, something most believe is an honor delayed from previous years, in total combining all the numbers together there are 138 civilian honors bestowed this year.



FOX'S CHARGING TOWARDS KNOCKOUT ROUND


Midfielder Cesc Santiago scored a rare hat trick as the Fox's brushed Rodina aside

By Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent

Achkaerin have won their third straight group game in the World Cup leaving them top of Group C and within touching distance of the knockout rounds,
 the team's latest game saw them brush aside Rodina by a score of 4-0 with midfielder Cesc Santiago the star of the show as he scored three times in the second half to secure victory. The first goal of the game came twenty minutes in as striker James Cairns slotted home from a well judged through ball from midfielder Anders Asamoah. The second half goals belonged to Santiago, the first a free kick from twenty five yards out, the second a chipped finish from the edge of the area and the third a first time finish from the same range. Speaking afterwards the national team coach Dame Julia McCabe was full of praise saying "We're getting more and more on song with each passing game, tonight our pass and move was sharp, our tempo was right,
 we created plenty of chances and we took them. I'm proud of the players they've done really well so far."



TRUST PREMIERE'S IN VALTHEIM


By Gabriella Tate, Entertainment Correspondent

Fiona North's debut feature film has premiered in Valtheim, the picture named Trust uses publicly released documents and information concerning the Andean Genocide to tell the story of the events of the tragedy through a dramatization of the Court Case and other associated events including flashbacks based on witness statements and accounts of survivors. The film stars the now Duchess Renee Azurewind, for the last time under her maiden name Sandiego, as the former Empress of Rokkenjima Beatrice Anselmo and noted singer and actress Alchemy Naismith opposite the Duchess as Crown Princess Serenity Azurewind, which makes for an excellent soundtrack to the film, the two women lead a high quality cast. The film has been well received by critics across the board with special praise for its approach to addressing the greatest tragedy of recent times in a very real way, speaking at the premier director Fiona North said "I'm unbelievably happy with the result. When we set out on this journey together we set out to make sure that this terrible event was remembered for the same reasons that every Memorial Day we remember the Great War fallen, so that it never happens again. I never imagined I'd get a cast like this for my first film in the chair either but it seems that the message I wanted to convey has resonated and for two leading ladies I could not have asked for better Renee's grace and elegance combined with Alchemy's power made a strong foundation for this. It was a delicate balancing act at times because we didn't want to sugarcoat or gloss over events that happened but at the same time this wasn't about making a horror film or glorifying what the Toshikawan's did, this was about giving the victims story and reminding the world that this happened and that justice was delivered."

Also at the premier her Majesty Renee Azurewind said "This was probably the most demanding role of my career. To play someone who, prior to these events, was so highly regarded was never going to be easy and when you've got scenes where you've got to be nasty almost horrible beyond belief about people who are family is just so weird. But this is a picture I'm proud to have been a part of." while co-star Alchemy Naismith said "I had to pinch myself several times when I was asked to play the Crown Princess on the big screen let alone in a film this significant because it's such a humbling thing to have been a part of."

The film opens world wide tomorrow and all the profits will be donated to the Andean Genocide Victim Relief Fund.

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« Reply #18 on: January 09, 2018, 11:34:31 PM »


SENATOR WARD ANNOUNCES MAJOR REFORMS


Senator Ward at the start of today's debate

By: David Woods, Political Correspondent

The first day of the new Senate Semester began with the Government's announcement of what has been described as "the biggest shake up of the education system for decades." the long rumored reforms would see landmark changes to the current system as it will see so coined 'Apprentice Levels' introduced parallel to the Astute Levels Achkaerinese pupils take at eighteen years of age. At the beginning of the debate the Minister of Education David Ward outlined the reforms saying:

"Mr Speaker, for a long time now there has been an almost silently accepted truth in the education system, you attend Primary School, you attend High School, you sit your High School Finals, if you do well enough you can continue to sit your Astute Levels and based on those results you can attend university. The point Mr Speaker is that this is an approach that reduces the students to cash cows and our education institutions into a sort of sausage factory, where only the brightest are apparently accounted for, as for those who do not sit their Astute Levels there are employment opportunities, some are successful in this, others enlist in the armed forces and of course some fall through the cracks and end up in trouble. Mr Speaker the House will be aware that as part of the implementation of the Foreign and Defence Policy Review that the Age of enlistment in the Armed Forces is being raised to eighteen years of age something that brings up comparable to our allies and friends across Mundus, that means that the enlistment option in the military is no longer on the table for sixteen year olds when they choose not to proceed to their Astute Levels.

However Mr Speaker, this government does not intend to lose the benefits that sixteen year olds have gained by being able to enlist in the military in this way, it has by the accounts of several of my constituents who enlisted at that age taught them valuable life skills and principles. It is now the time Mr Speaker that these sort of skills were available to everyone at that age. The Bill before the Senate today is an educational reform that does exactly this, it introduces what we are terming Apprentice Levels, these being courses that run for students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen who do not wish to take Astute Levels allowing them to learn the skills of trades such as carpentry, hairdressing, engineering, plumbing and others, in coordination with local businesses. Mr Speaker it is time that we stopped knowingly cutting the kids loose at age sixteen, it is time that they were offered the opportunity to develop to their full potential, High School's have a duty to all their students to prepare them all for their lives in what we call the real world not just to those who have the best chance. It is time this was recognized and it is time something was done about it. So I urge the Senate to vote for this Bill and continue to show how important the future is."


Following a short recess after the debate the vote was held with the Bill passing the Senate stage by tally of 380 in favor and 119 against, as is convention the Speaker abstains. But that was not the end of the story as the Bill was signed into law by the Emperor an hour later, making it a record piece of legislation in terms of time taken.


« Last Edit: December 11, 2018, 04:39:53 PM by Achkaerin »

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« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2018, 06:24:51 PM »


VIRGIL PROBE LAUNCHED


By: Kimberly Thorn, Science and Technology Correspondent

The latest Achkaerin Space Agency mission got underway earlier today with the launch of the Virgil Probe, the mission which will see a close up analysis of a metal asteroid known as Kleaclite was launched during a routine orbital mission with an Athena Class spacecraft. Following the successful launch of the Athena into orbit, the payload was deployed by the flight crew and sent on its way by Mission Control in Djana-Ville. The probe will take months to reach the asteroid and as a spokesman for the ASA put it "Getting the probe into space was the easy part, getting it to the asteroid is much harder."

In related news the ASA confirmed a renewed Luna based focus for manned missions aiming to use them as a catapult for manned missions further out in the solar system and also released some details of project Atlantis, the ASA program designed to support such missions, it includes the establishing of a station in orbit of Luna to serve as a relay point, it’s a risky proposition for a great many reasons especially the distance from Mundus if something such as a systems failure were to occur, but the ASA is reportedly confident in the project. We’ll bring you more as this story develops.



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« Reply #20 on: January 31, 2018, 10:23:54 PM »


EMPEROR CONGRATULATES NEW LODJAN QUEEN


By Niamh Roberts, Royal Family Correspondent

Emperor Peter has sent his congratulations to the newly elected Queen of Lodja Tatiana Kohut, who will be titled Queen Klara II. During his weekly press conference the Emperor stated: "I had the great honour and privilege to call Queen Viktoriya a friend and I still count her younger sister as a friend. I extend my congratulations to the new Queen and look forward to attending her coronation, I also hope that I will have the privilege of establishing a continued relationship between Achkaerin and Lodja with the new Queen."

The Coronation of the new Queen is set to be the first official engagement which would see the Emperor and his partner Renee attend as husband and wife.



MILITARY BANS FITNESS TRACKERS


By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

The Achkaerinese military is to ban the wearing and use of fitness trackers inside official facilities for the foreseeable future. The announcement made earlier today by Field Marshall William Dawson (pictured above) as he attended an urgent Senate Committee, comes in the wake of the accidental release of heat maps showing the routes taken by the wearers of these items revealing highly detailed street maps and in some cases the layout of high security facilities, in the case of Achkaerinese facilities these include the Headquarters of the Military Defence Initiative, the Whirlpool Shipyards and Coral Rift Maximum Security Prison. Field Marshall Dawson stated "This is a measure that in terms of the present situation may be futile as the damage may well be done, however moving forwards this is a measure that will prevent future issues of this nature. This is a major security risk and is being treated as such, we will be heightening the security status at military facilities immediately. The evolving nature of warfare tactics apply not only to armed forces but terrorist organisations as well in regards to those tactics intelligence plays a critical role and these heat maps represent a clear and present danger to the safety of military personnel, in fact if a criminal offence were carried out using these maps as a basis then the company concerned would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."



AIR FORCE TO UPDATE HELICOPTERS


artist impressions of the planned Eagle and Hummingbird type helicopter

By: Penny Noble, Defence Correspondent

The Air Force has announced its new helicopter developments, the move comes in recognition that the Wasp type helicopter has been in service in one form or another for coming up on fifty years and the Butterfly is becoming somewhat outdated as well. The planned replacements are the Eagle and the Hummingbird to replace the Butterfly and Wasp respectively, when asked for comment the commander of the Air Force, Sky Commander Sam Fernley, said "This is something we've needed for a long time, the Wasp and Butterfly have been long standing stalwarts of the Air Force but we've reached a point where the program of those helicopters is getting closer and closer to completion especially as the nature of the military evolves. The development of the Eagle and Hummingbird will allow us to maintain our operational capabilities within these new environments even considering the downsizing in the numbers department."

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« Reply #21 on: February 09, 2018, 10:54:35 PM »


BENE GESSERIT RECOGNIZED


The Emperor was kept informed of the Senate's proceedings during a visit to Foxton

By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

The Bene Gesserit Faith, a religion viewed as 'evil' by the Kaitaine Government and associated with terrorist acts has been recognized as a religion by the Achkaerinese leadership. The move which was simply an affirmation of the freedom under Article Nine of the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights was first dealt with by the Senate where it achieved a landslide victory of 449 for and 50 against and then signed into law by the Emperor upon his return to Valtheim from a day trip to Foxton. The Emperor was kept up to date on the Senate proceedings throughout the day and following the Senate vote stated:

"Under Article Nine of the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights the Bene Gesserit Faith receives recognition within Achkaerin. However I wish to make clear that just because someone follows a religion associated with terrorist activities does not make everyone who follows that faith a terrorist, we know that the Sorority of Materna the terrorist group that staged a coup and briefly ruled Marseilles not that long ago were a small part of the worshipping community of the Church of Materna,  we recognize the Church of Materna as a religion but we also recognize the Sorority of Materna as a terrorist group using that religion in a twisted form for their own ends. Therefore the Bene Gesserit community is recognized but that does not mean that citizens of that community are not subject to the rule of law within this nation. I am also aware that one of the four Chapterhouse schools sits just outside our nations capital, following the attack on the school in Mountjoy a police presence around the school in Achkaerin was put in place, this school has been subject to several official school inspections and also several spot check inspections by the Achkaerin Inspectorate of Schools, scoring well in each case. It will be by order subject to an official investigation in light of the revelations concrning this chain of schools and any action required as a result of that investigation will be taken."

In related news the Emperor declined to comment on the ultimatum issued by President McPherson.




NAVY STARTS TRANSITION TO THE FUTURE: SEÒNAID CLASS LEADS THE WAY


artists impression of the presently under construction Seònaid class carrier

By Penny Noble, Defence Correspondent

The Imperial Navy Fleet Planning and Development Group (FP&DG) has revealed that the Imperial Navy is to upgrade its carrier fleet to replace the currently in service Intrepid Class vessels INS Intrepid and INS Seònaid Ayanami with the new Seònaid class carrier (pictured above), it has been revealed that the ship names will stay the same. In addition the Azurewind Light Carrier's the INS Djana Azurewind and INS Saya Azurewind are to be decommissioned, though it is believed that they will be replaced by a class of smaller vessels. The fate of the four vessels leaving the service of the Imperial Navy has not yet been determined with many speculating that they may be made available for sale, an option that Vice Admiral Toshiya Miyata the chair of the FP&DG didn't rule out but he did make clear that "Equipment and technology specific to the Imperial Navy would be replaced with the export equivalents prior to sale." when asked for comment on the replacement vessels the Vice Admiral stated "The Intrepid class has been in service for forty three years, the Azurewind class for thirty years both have seen plenty of action and both have performed far above what was ever expected of them in circumstances that we could never have predicted. The time has come to ensure that moving forward the Imperial Navy is capable of fulfilling a multitude of operations in a variety of circumstances this began with the introduction of the Kryptonite Class last year and is an ethos we intend to continue to emphasize in this transition period and into the future with the Seònaid class featuring new and innovative technologies within the navy. As for the smaller class of vessel, that will form the agenda for the next few sessions of the FP&DG."

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« Reply #22 on: February 14, 2018, 05:23:55 PM »


IS LAKHZOVIAN OPERATION SHIFTING GEARS?


By Olivia Moore: International News Correspondent

It's been quite an interesting twenty hours in Lakhzovia with an alledged Sarin attack by the Khalinz Brigade, the beginning of an Achkaerinese military operation and most recently Lakhzovian air strikes, this chain of events has raised several questions about what the international operation will now proceed to do in the wake of such developments, we put several of these questions to the commander of the Peacekeeping Operation, General Kakashi Fuji (pictured above) in an interview at the operations command position in Somerset


Quote
Q: General what is the present state of the Peacekeeping effort?

It's at a defining point, our primary objective was to maintain the peace and this remains the case, unfortunately due to several issues we have seen trouble arising in our carrying out of this mission. As a result we hav yet again come to a point where the brave servicemen and women of Achkaerin, East Moreland and Ui Cenneslaig are shouldering most of the responsibility for what's occuring from our side. The logistical issues and political elements have meant that it took longer to be able to begin operations and as such we are facing not only a challenge of monitoring a situation but now far greater concerns.

Q: So does that mean the mission is changing?

No it doesn't, the priority remains the same, protecting the innocent and saving lives, ensuring Lakhzovian compliance with the Uppsalla Convention. We will not deviate from this responsibility.

Q: Speaking of the Uppsalla Convention what does the alleged use of Sarin mean in that regard?

First we must verify that this is a Sarin attack, this is what we are presently in the process of doing and I'm sure Achkaerin isn't the only nation looking at this. If verified then then we must seek out and hold to account those responsible it's an abhorrent act. There would also then be the question of how the Brigades came into the possession of Sarin to answer, but that is getting ahead of ourselves first we must wait until we know whether or not this is what it is alleged to be.

Q: And what about the Lakhzovian Air Strikes?

As a military man I can understand the justification for such action, there's a need to respond when such things happen. The fallout from the air strikes however is a different matter it has meant that we now have thousands of refugee's heading towards the Somerset border, this smacks of irresponsibility as it drives civilians from relative safety right into an active combat zone and forces us to come up with a solution to this development which will be announced soon. However of even greater importance now is the establishment of a safe route out of Lakhzovia for civilians and we will be communicating with JET and other agencies to facilitate their welfare once they are safe.

Quite what the approach of the General will be to the refugee issue is unclear at this time however he has been in discussions with Lieutenant Asa of the JAG Corps, suggesting that an announcement is imminent.


ACHKAERIN SPACE AGENCY TESTS LATEST ENGINE


By Kimberley Thorn: Science and Technology Correspondent

The Achkaerin Space Agency has tested its latest engine, the Inferno which is set to propel the Achkaerin Space Agency's Falcon heavy lift launch vehicle performed above expectations in the test. The engine and the vehicle form part of the Achkaerin Space Agency's future mission planning as they look towards the next generation of space exploration. More details on the future missions are expected in the coming days and the rumour is that some of them are high on the diplomatic agenda as well as the Agency seeks more funding for the future.

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« Reply #23 on: February 17, 2018, 05:57:12 PM »


NATIONAL TRIALS UNDERWAY


By: Felicity Stewart, Sports Correspondent

The national trials for the upcoming Winter Games have begun, the process which sees the final selection for 'Team Snow Fox' the nickname attributed to the Achkaerinese team that will travel to the games has been occurring in Valkyria at the very venue that hosted the first ever Winter Games. The trials are being watched by Chef de Mission Princess Esme Azurewind. And there's great interest in the Achkaerin team selection as many believe that the majority of the team will be games debutants, though until the team selection is finalized that is just rumour. Of interest is that this years edition of the games sees the inclusion of Bandy as a demonstration event, meaning that although gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded they will not be counted towards the final total, it will then be the decision of the Mundus Games Committee as to whether or not the sport will be included in future editions of the games.

The inclusion of the sport in the program this year has led to an increased interest in the national trials with the surprise announcement that the Achkaerin women's team is to be coached by Emalet Silvermist (pictured above on the right), the Achkaerinese ambassador to Lodja, it may seem odd but according to Princess Esme "The blend of football tactics and strategy that can be applied to Bandy mean that Emalet has a thorough grounding in what she needs to do and how the basics of the game can be played. Emalet's agreed to coach the women for this tournament and afterwards we'll take a decision on her future in the role."

Emalet Silvermist has not yet commented on her appointment but a delivery made to the Palace of the Goddess in Lodja where she resides as ambassador is said to have contained rule books and DVD's of games so she certainly appears to be taking her role seriously.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2018, 09:32:07 PM by Achkaerin »

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« Reply #24 on: February 21, 2018, 09:05:51 PM »


CARTWRIGHT PLAYS DOWN RUMOUR MILL


By: Niamh Roberts, Royal Correspondent

The Royal Press Secretary Hannah Cartwright has dismissed rumours that scheduled state visits have been moved up due to ongoing situations across Mundus. The rumours come in response to the expected visit of the Premier of Himeyama and that of the Pope of the Ecclesiastical State. The speculation has been that the persistence of circumstances in Phuebra and the recent return of the Nurashima/Barnacle situation had prompted an urgent shift, however Ms Cartwright dismissed the suggestions saying: "Both the visit of the Himeyaman Premier and the Pope have been on the books for a long time, the fact that they coincide with certain international incidents is nothing more than a coincidence. Will the Emperor raise the matter of the island chain with the Himeyaman Premier? I can't say for certain but I imagine the probability is high. Will it be raised with the Pope? Possibly but at the moment the main international concern that will likely be discussed with Ecclesiastical State is the Phuebran situation as that approach's what we hope is a shift in dynamic."

Ms Cartwright when questioned on the Emerald Strait situation explained that the Cabinet was discussing the situation and that a response would come however there was no intention of engaging in what has in the past been termed "Battleship Diplomacy".



ACHKAERINESE LAWYERS TO HELP VAFLEON MILITARY JUSTICE REFORM


By: Olivia Moore, International News Correspondent

Achkaerin's military lawyer's are to carry out an assessment and if necessary reform of the Vafleon military justice system. The agreement between the two nations will see an Achkaerinese team led by Major Caroline Dawes (pictured above) observe current procedures in the country's military justice system before stepping in if required and making recommendations at the end of the process. This is expected to last a few weeks but could last longer depending on the recommendations of the report as education provisions are not ruled out as a consequence. The team is expected to depart over the weekend and start work next week.



FIRST ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR WINTER GAMES


By: Felicity Stewart, Sports Correspondent

The first athletes for the Achkaerin Winter Games team have been announced, both in the freestyle skiing and for added intrigue it's a brother and sister in Jim and Leah Anscombe (pictured above). The pair who will both make their Winter Games debuts this year came seemingly out of nowhere to shock the established Achkaerinese skiing community both booking their places with a strong demonstration of their skills. When asked for comment Jim spoke for them both saying: "It's so exciting a real dream come true to get to compete against the best in the world, people we've been curious about stacking up against. Medals aren't on on our minds, all we want to do is go out there and put on a good show."

The National Trials will continue over the next few days with further announcements on the team expected.



RENEE AZUREWIND WINS OZZIE


By: Gabriella Tate, Entertainment Correspondent

Renee Azurewind, wife of the Emperor and Duchess of Rosemoor, has won an Ostlake Film Award otherwise known as the Ozzies. She won Best International Song for the song "Don't Cry for Me Rokkenjima" from the film Trust in which she plays the former Empress of Rokkenjima Beatrice Anselmo through the events and aftermath of the Andean Genocide. It is the first time an Achkaerinese citizen has won an Ozzie and for the Duchess probably the highlight of her career so far. In her acceptance speech the Duchess paid tribute to the other nominee's, thanked the cast and crew of the film and singled out Becky Leighton, the composer of the score paying special thanks to her. Trust itself may not have won Best International Film, but it came pretty close and on this showing there are likely to be plenty of other chances in the future for director Fiona North. However no one would know there was any disappointment judging from the look of pride on the face of the Emperor as his wife accepted her award.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2018, 10:02:17 PM by Achkaerin »

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« Reply #25 on: February 22, 2018, 09:34:52 PM »


CROWN ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR BEATRICE ANSELMO


By: Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

The return of Beatrice Anselmo to the Rokkenjiman Throne was always going to cause shock, though I doubt anyone expected a response from Achkaerin like this. Coming around six hours after the Imperial Decreee was made came the Achkaerinese official response delivered by Crown Princess Serenity:

"The events in Rokkenjima some hours ago are the concern of Rokkenjima, however considering this latest round of events there is a concern and while we would have rather not brought this out in public however what can only be described as an impulsive announcement has forced our hand to respond in public. The Imperial Decree states "At no time did I, nor any legitimate operative of my Government, offer any assistance or offer to the Borland Separatists." This implies that there was at no point any communication between Beatrice Anselmo and the Borland Separatists and is further supported by details from the Rokkenjiman Press Office, now this may be true however the official sworn statements entered into evidence at the Andean Genocide trial including those by Beatrice Anselmo state that Charles Ofdensen used 'the fact' of Beatrice's contact with the Borland Separatists as the means of blackmailing her into silence during the Andean genocide events. Obviously the narratives are different and the fact that one was given in a sworn statement made under oath is a major issue and one that Beatrice Anselmo must answer for.

Therefore following the revocation of the diplomatic immunity the Rokkenjiman Empress would normally receive the Achkaerinese Crown has issued an international arrest warrant for Beatrice Anselmo on the charge of Perjury, we make this public knowledge because we are obligated to and it follows review of all material relevant to the case. We hope that Beatrice Anselmo will not make this process any harder than it has to be and will voluntarily hand herself into Achkaerinese authorities on this matter. In relation to the broader matter we shall make our own determinations in regard to Lucinda Hadley but we also make it clear that Rokkenjima has a lot of work to do before it gets anywhere near where it was two and a half years ago, it would be foolish to believe otherwise."





« Last Edit: February 22, 2018, 10:14:59 PM by Achkaerin »

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« Reply #26 on: February 28, 2018, 09:26:19 PM »


SWIFT PASSES INITIAL TESTING, ACHKAERIN AIR AUTHORITY CERTIFICATION PENDING


By: Kimberly Thorn, Science and Technology Correspondent

The Achkaerin Aeronautical Development Companie's (AADC) Swift jet has passed the final round of initial testing. The jet which boasts many interesting features and an impressive maximum speed represents the next stage development in Achkaerinese air travel with many airlines in Achkaerin believed to be interested in acquiring the jet should it make it into production. The next stage for the Swift is a further, more intense battery of tests required by the Achkaerin Air Authority to determine whether or not it will be certified for production. When asked for comment AADC's CEO Sir Darren Eagle stated that he was "Thrilled that the Swift has passed the first stage of testing and confidence is high that it will achieve certified status."




SILVER ARROW MAKES WINTER GAMES TEAM


By: Nick Watson, Sports Correspondent

The National Trials for the Winter Games continue and today saw the first of the short track speed skaters qualify for the games. Amy Silver (pictured above) nicknamed the 'silver arrow' is set to compete in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m in addition to the women's 3000m relay. The skater who hails from Valkyria is an unknown in terms of Winter Games experience but at present she is the athlete who has the most pressure on her shoulders from an Achkaerinese point of view, it's also likely that no other athlete on the Achkaerin team will have this many medal chances. Other notable qualifiers from the discipline include Martin Fox and Louis Finley, both veterans of the two previous Winter Games and will look to impart all their experience onto the lesser known competitors and try to get medals of their own. The trials will continue over the next few days as more athletes are selected and the team begins to take shape.


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« Reply #27 on: March 01, 2018, 09:49:24 PM »


UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO CHALLENGE SOLAR SPEED RECORD


By: James Robson, Home Affairs Correspondent

A group of students from the University of Artaxia is to challenge the land speed record for a solar powered vehicle. The project named Dawnbreaker will if all goes to plan see the current record of 56.751 mph fall though by how much is uncertain but the target speed of Dawnbreaker is reportedly 58 mph. The project is led by research student Kit Davenport who stated earlier today: "We're under no illusions about the scale of the challenge we've set ourselves we're just a bunch of students from a university with relatively speaking limited funding. So we're not going chasing after any of EMAC's records...yet and we wish the space badger the best of luck. For the moment though we're looking at seeing just what we can do with what we have available. It's reminded us of the Intelligentsia Games in terms of having to do the best we can with limited resources."

The intention of the students was mentioned at the Senate later in the day with Minister of Science and Technology Kathryn Deed wishing the team in their challenge.

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« Reply #28 on: March 05, 2018, 10:13:41 PM »


MAKIN TRIAL BEGINS


By James Robson: Home Affairs Correspondent

The trial of Thomas Makin has got underway in Valor today. Mr Makin is charged with the murder of Ms Franchesca Owens late last year, the defendant spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address before entering a plea of not guilty to the crime, the trial is scheduled to begin later in the week. There has been no comment from any of the parties involved in the case and Mr Makin was remanded into custody to await trial. One surprise guest in the courtroom was Carla Fenchurch the Royal Counsel, which raises questions as to why the Emperor may have an interest in the case. There will be more on this story as the trial continues.




SHOCK AT "BOLT OUT OF THE BLUE" WILDFIRE


By Amira Cotton: Gowu Correspondent

It is a sight not seen since 1988, a wildfire rages through the hills in the south of Snow Flower Hold. Given the rarity of the event there has been plenty of speculation as to the cause but there has been no official confirmation or comment on that point, however Chief Councillor of Gowu Xiaoling Tsu has said "Everything that can be done to combat this blaze is being done, we are evacuating everyone in settlements at risk, we are indebted to our brave fire fighters who are combatting this blaze and the authorities are investigating as best they can what is responsible for this wildfire.

It's been noted that the location of the wildfire could spread into Phuebra, Toshikawa or even Nueva Ardia should the wind conditions change.

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« Reply #29 on: March 30, 2018, 12:13:03 AM »



ROYAL ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED


The newly engaged couple during a night out at the theatre in Saika earlier this week

By Roisin Shaughnessy, Chief Correspondent

The Count of Saika Emerson Ravenswood and the Lord Protector of Somerset, and Princess of Rokkenjima, Evanthe Rhodes have announced their engagement. The Count reportedly popped the question during the celebration's at Somerset's establishment day, the couple have already received the congratulations from the Emperor of Achkaerin, the Viceregent of Rokkenjima and the Governor of Somserset. Details on the wedding aren't yet forthcoming though the plans will be made public as the couple make their decisions, rumor is that High Priestess Alexis Minette has already been in contact with her Cult of Helus counterpart in Achkaerin Priestess Hannah Barker leading to some early suspicion that the ceremony will be a joint effort. In related news the adopted daughter of the Count, Amy Ravenswood who presently attends the Portworth Institute of Sport commented, while between lectures, that she was "Overjoyed for them."



EMPRESS BEATRICE SENTENCED


By James Robson: Home Affairs Correspondent

The Empress of Rokkenjima, Beatrice Anselmo, has been sentenced in court. Charged with Perjury concerning evidence given to the Andean Genocide war crimes trial and more recent statements of the last few weeks the Empress was in the eyes of many legal analysts left with little choice other than to plead guilty to the charge, which she duly did. The sentence? The Empress received a six month custodial sentence in a low to medium risk prison, a fine that she must pay personally of र800,000,000 and a further custodial sentence of ten years that has been suspended. The related issue of a potential appeal of the not guilty verdict in relation to the Andean Genocide has been denied at this time due to the lack of any substantive and reliable evidence. There has been no comment from anyone in an official capacity on this matter though it is understood that the defence of the Empress was led by Crown Princess Serenity in her capacity as an officer in the JAG Corp.