REFERENDUM DETAILS OUTLINED BY CABINET SECRETARY
Cabinet Secretary Michelle Lowe explained the Referendum details
By: David Woods, Political CorrespondentThe 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:
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."[/size]
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."