"Welcome", State Councillor Mangjul said with a smile while bowing slightly with a smile. He waited until they were led to the helicopter outside to open what had been offered to him. "A very gracious gift", Mangjul said, rather surprised by the content of the box.

A first minutes later, the helicopter was able to take off. "I assume you were able to observe it as your plane approached the airport, of course, but that's the western side of Gyeongseon, the largest city in our Great Kingdom", he explained. "There", he explained again as their helicopter was about the southern flank, "at the other side of the river, it is one of the largest refineries in the country. If you are curious, I'll be happy to show it on our way back".

"This is the large Geonjohangong Desert", he explained as they moved a few kilometres away from the surrounding urban centers. "The main natural gas and oil reserves are found here. We are hoping to increase our production in the coming years. Logistics, however, have posed some obstacles to that in the last decades, due to orography, and particularly by the large variation of temperatures, more than eighty degrees through the year. To this date, the extraction of oil here, in the Bukjjeo region, is mostly for national consumption, not importation. While there is the possibility to build pipelines which reach Cassiopeia through the east, and even connecting with the western Hwangsaeggi region through the Sesogjeongnamjjog pass, which would be able to reach Lijiang through Gungju, was considered too costly due to the elevation and irregular terrain".

"Finally, there in the horizon, you can see the Mount Moseoli, which has become one important tourist attraction in recent years", he explained. "At the other side, it starts the Baekje Plateau, on its northeastern side, where the Yeogaehanam region is located. The region is considerable smaller and their reserves may not be as vast as the ones found here, and although the terrain and climate poses similar challenges, the reduced size poses fewer obstacles for the transport of energy in both directions".

"If you haven't any question", State Councillor Mangjul suggested, "we may start our way back".

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Shota Samadashvili, 72, has been announced as Prime Minister. Samadashvili, a former diplomat who served as ambassador in countries such as Rokkenjima, Tytor, and Lodja, as well as being appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 1998. In 2002, he left the diplomatic career after being appointed to the Council of State by Brzdmtsveli Tamaz Japharidze.

Samadashvili has declared that his appointment is "a great honour but even greater responsibility, and we have the duty to row together to end divisions". Regarding the recent wave of protests, he has declared that "violence is always unacceptable" but has promised that one of the first projects of his administration will be a new education law, in which past experiences, experts, and the sector itself, will be balanced as much as possible".

His government will be formed mostly by independent ministers, most of them with experience in the professional sectors or academy, rather that current lawmakers or former ministers, which has led to many to call it a technocratic government. Merab Dvalishvili, who will leave his position as Chief of the General Staff to become Minister of National Defense, and businesswoman Makvala Bendukidze Makvala Bendukidze, who will serve as Minister of the Treasury as well as Deputy Prime Minister for National Development, are two of the noteworthy government appointments in Samadashvili's government.

Meanwhile, students unions have demanded the release of student representatives arrested in recent days in which they have described as a "anti-constitutional political process against civil society". They have warned that protests will continue if they are not released and negotiations with the authorities are officially announced.

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Gyeongseon, Great Kingdom of Asadal

The delegation from the Rayyu Sovereign Oil arrived to the Gyeongseon International Aiport. A helicopter was already prepared for them. State Councillor Mangjul, who had professional experience in the energy sector, was waiting from the guests from Rayyu.

They had been informed that their visit may require more than a few days, given the ambitious nature of their bid. For that reason, they were invited to visit the capital city, Hwangjin, as one government official was interested to interview them personally. Before that, State Councillor Mangjul was instructed to receive them, inform them of the expectations, and show the state of the infrastructures and current investment in the location they planned to operate.

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The following company candidates have successfully granted access to the second stage of the tender process:

• DAIPEX - Expansion and maintenance of gas pipelines (Bukjjeo region)
• DAIPEX - Extraction of natural gas (Bukjjeo region)
• DAIPEX - Extraction of natural gas (Yeogaehanam region)
• Rayyu Sovereign Oil - Extraction of oil (Bukjeeo region)
• Rayyu Sovereign Oil - Extraction of oil (Yeogaehanam region)
• Rayyu Sovereign Oil - Construction of refineries
• Rayyu Sovereign Oil - Study and development of existing natural gas and oil pipelines, with the aim toward their modernization and better maintenance

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We are honoured by your letter and your wide experience.

If you would be interested to join us, we are in the position to offer you a one-year position in the Faculty of History of the Gyeongseon National University, in particular in the Department of Comparative History, which we believe would suit the best your experience, your knowledge and preparation, as well as your interests as researcher.

The position will start next September. However, if you were interested to additionally join us as a paid lecturer in one of the summer courses,

If you decided to join us, you can simply contact our office for any assistance regarding your accommodation and move to our city.

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We read your application with interest and we will be honoured to have you with us, as we are certain our students will be with someone of your experience.

The Bukbu Royal College has an one-year position of Visiting Professor of International Law which may be of your interest, starting in September.

The Bukbu Royal College is located in the city of Gyeongseon, and we will be glad to find you accommodation in case that would be required.

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Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, Mktvartvelo's head of state, addressed the nation in a television speech. The speech, which was unexpected as it was announced about one hour before it was broadcast, focused in the current political crisis the nation is experiencing, with violent protests which have continued despite the fall of Bidzina Samkharadze's government.

There were certain expectations regarding the speech, as it had been rumoured that the Brzdmtsveli would have agreed Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze, unconfirmed by the national government itself, to declare the state emergency as violence on the streets continued. However, she did not announce such thing.

In her speech, the Brzdmstveli censored and condemned the violence by protesters at length. "There are times one needs to take two steps back to be able to advance", she argued. "But there can't never be a reason or justification for bringing chaos to your neighbors' streets, for the destruction of property, and to intimidate and cause harm to others". She also insisted that dialogue and understanding should be the way forward, in which someone saw a criticism of the new government.

It is not expected, however, according to journalists with close sources to the Office of the Brzdmtsveli, several Mktvartvelian newspapers have published, that Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze may be replaced, particularly barely two weeks after its appointment.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gocha Mokleadze has assured that the government is willing to continue to reestablish order and end the violence. "Intimidation and violence will not force our hand. We will bring solutions but not against those willing to bring chaos and death to our streets". He also called student unions and organizations behind the protests to distance themselves from violent protesters and even cooperate with the authorities to identify them.

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Queen Hong receives Third Minister Hongju in one of the main rooms of the Queen residing quarters in the Inner Palace. Doctor Soon awaits in one of the corridors.

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Third Minister Hongju: This time they did not get their way.

Queen Hong: No, they should not have even a chance to do so. What were you doing?

Third Minister Hongju: That is, of course, right. But it was not simply possible to block the process.

Queen Hong: Cousin, I sometimes feel you're completely useless. Do not even think that further efforts are not necessary. Now, leave me alone. I have issues to attend.

Third Minister Hongju: I know, of course. Excuse me, I need to talk with the Royal Secretary too.

Third Minister Hongju leaves. Doctor Soon is announced.

Doctor Soon: I pleasure to see you a second time, Your Highness.

Queen Hong: While your youth does not help, I am satisfied with your credentials and I am rather pleased that I will have a female hand now.

Doctor Soon: I'll do my best to satisfy your confidence, Your Highness.

Queen Hong: Are you already accustomed to the atmosphere?

Doctor Soon: That is difficult to say, Your Highness. I am not exactly from the plains on one hand. This is indeed a very different place. But I am certain that there won't be nothing to complain.

Queen Hong: Let's go direclty to business. What's an opinion?

Doctor Soon: I'd need some additional tests before giving my final opinion, Your Highness. I agree that some rest is required for now. In the meanwhile, replace with medication with the one you had been taking before. I will help to alleviate the pain. When we have the results, I will be able to have a clearer answer.

Queen Hong: Alright, I will wait. It just comes at an unfortunate time.

Doctor Soon: I can understand, Your Highness. My advice, however, is that any new attempt should be discouraged in the current circumstances, probably forever, I am afraid. When we have the results, I will give my final word.

Queen Hong: I assumed you would say that. As you may understand, it is something that goes way beyond the personal.

Doctor Soon: I can imagine, Your Highness. But that's my medical opinion. In your current health situation, the chances would be even smaller, and it is likely to worse your condition.

Queen Hong: Alright, alright. I need to rest.

Doctor Soon: Of course, Your Highness. If you have any issues, contact me immediately and I will be back. Hoping for a good recovery until my next visit.

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Protests continue in Mktvartvelo for another day. Clashes between protesters and police in Azavrelia, Khashumi, Lagotsminda, Sachkhumi, Tetrumi, or Bolnomi have resulted in hundreds of arrests and people, both students and policemen, injured.

A national government spokesperson has warned that "vandalism will not be tolerated".

A spokesperson from "Vardobistve 14th Movement" has blamed the riot police for the clashes in Khashumi. "Police was today increasingly aggressive toward peaceful protesters, aiming to escalate the situation", she declared. "We will not be intimidated and we'll continue with our right to protest until our voices are heard", she insisted.

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Protests have restarted in more than a dozen of cities in Mktvartvelo. Besides a few isolated incidents in a pair of towns, the protests were mostly peaceful.

Students organizations have demanded the new government to open negotiations to discuss their demands and to be informed of the new education policy of the national government. The government, however, does not seem to be interested to start discussions before the end of the summer break.

If their demands are not heard, student unions have warned, protests will continue. However, the national government spokesperson has declared that the government will not accept any kind of blackmail from public disturbances.

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Givi Sopromadze won the Azavrelia Grand Prix, an one-day professional continental cycling race held in Mktvartvelo's largest city.

The Mktvartvelian rider from MKTkom team was able to win the race after easily leaving behind his breakaway companion in the last kilometers of the race.

Juglander rider Kimmo Peltonen arrived third, one minute and twenty-six after Sopromadze. Germund Strand, Peltonen's AABL teammate, arrived fourth a few seconds later, as the first rider of the six-rider chasing group.

It was the first win this season for Sopromadze, who finished 4th in the Ashina Grand Tour earlier this season, but who had failed until today, to conclude his efforts with a win.

"I knew I had to prove it as long as there was not cooperation behind", Sopromadze declared. "I had been so close during this season but I knew this could be my chance".

Sopromadze confirmed that he will continue to participate in a few continental races in Mktvartvelo before the Tour de Mountalon and joining the Mktvartvelo national team for the coming Mundus Games.

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Grand King Wonhyo receives the weekly ordinary royal audience in the Throne Hall of the Cheongung Palace. He heads the meeting, with his wife Queen Hong at his left, in which all members of the Privy Council are gathered.

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Grand King Wonhyo: Was that all?

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: No, Your Grand Majesty.

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: The final point of today agenda is a petition endorsed by Governor Jin in consideration of the final veredict of the Sixth Court against subject Pyeon from Gungju.

Grand King Wonhyo: That name rings a bell. What's the issue exactly?

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: Your Grand Majesty, subject Pyeon served previously under the Ministry of Taxation and Finance before you arrived to our capital. He was recently sentenced to ten years to prison, confiscation of his personal properties, a 40-year suspension to serve in any form of state employment, extended for a 10-year for his direct relatives, in accordance to the Code of National Crimes, for his role in funding illegal activity against the Crown.

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: That's right, Your Grand Majesty. Despite the seriousness of the crimes and the fairness of the verdict, Governor Jin endorsed a petition of partial pardon given the past contribution to the state by the subject and his mere auxiliary role in the mentioned illegal activities.

Grand King Wonhyo: Ah, yes, I can remember that the Royal Secretary mentioned it a few weeks ago. I read the dossier but I did not remember the details.

Royal Secretary Hongju: That's right, Your Grand Majesty.

Grand King Wonhyo: I found it both childish and distasteful. I don't feel this is a issue worthy of expanding this session. What's your view?

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: I personally met the subject some years ago. I was as displeased as surprised when this issue came to my ears for first time some months ago. The mind of a person is, of course, always difficult to judge. It is not easy what motivated a person to act the way they did. The acts in question, they are certain as vile as banal, and they deserve our censure, as the courts decided. The Governor's endorsement, however, is not without merit. The law is fair but cold, and sometimes it is not judged correctly. After all, what moves most of the people is not rationality but mood and feeling. Sometimes, small act of clemency, even if limited, may help the people to understand easily the common sense and good sense behind the actions and policy of the state. Particularly, as we are preparing to enter in special celebrations regarding the anniversary of your coronation, Your Grand Majesty.

Queen Hong: Your good heart surprises me, Chief State Minister. Is that your final argument regarding this case?

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: If you allow me to intervene, Your Excellency...No, Your Highness. It is also worthy to mention that the Podo Festival is coming soon, and that it has been a tradition, for more than a century, that an act of clemency is granted by the Grand King on the eve of this important festival. For that reason, several cases were sent to our office to such occasion. Unfortunately, we could not conclude an unanimous agreement this year. But it seemed to the majority that such case, while unpleasant and ungrateful, could be the best option. One could say that it is better to show clemency to an idiotic criminal than to a dangerous one.

Third Minister Hongju: That's an interesting view, Your Excellency.

Queen Hong: This conversation is rather too abstract when one ignores all the details. Hasn't anyone a copy of such dossier here?

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: Naturally, Your Highness...

Queen Hong: That's right. How many pages has it?

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: It has...well...fifty-six pages, Your Highness.

Queen Hong: That would be too bad, isn't it? Certainly the last thing we need. But I'm still curious, to be honest. Couldn't you open it, let's say, on page thirty-eight?

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: Alright, Your Highness. Oh...let's me see...

Queen Hong: Why don't just start with the beginning? Like the first complete sentences.

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: Sure, Your Highness...It is just the middle of the indictment, it seems. Or rather, just quoting some of the evidences that the court...

Queen Hong: Just read it.

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: Yes, Your Highness...Here it goes: "Such it is the unpleasant situation our nation was forced by the frictions of these honourable families. One could not blame our monarch, or not completely, as he would still be required to give remedy to the illness our country is facing. If that is possible, only time will be able to say. Maybe in the current situation, we can only lament ourselves to the place our nation has been placed by some of those factions, willing to accept a minor but comfortable role in this decayed land, even if temporarily, only motivated for their lust to retain and enjoy their power, even if that meant handing over the power to a corrupted person, who inherited all the vices and none of the virtues of her father, the Grand Marshal..."

Queen Hong: Interesting. Continue.

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: "...First there was political decay, followed by economic, social, and legal decay. It was inevitable that moral decay will be followed next. And so it came. Now, the fate of our nation, of our children, was given to an incestuous viper whose own resentment and hate, a likely combined lust toward power and wealth, as well as her aims to vengeance and control our nation as it was her own kindergarten, in a move to use the mistakes and weakness of those who preceded her to build a network of..."

Queen Hong (laughing awkwardly): That's enough! Oh, the Sun and the Moon! What kind of cheap novel is that? Maybe we should feel sorry about our judges if this is the kind of literature they are forced to read and judge. Don't you find this amusing.

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: No, Your Highness.

Grand King Wohnyo: That was certainly disgusting. Let's stop this.

Queen Hong: I can not disagree. However, I must say it still amazes me that someone with the moral rectitude of Governor Jin was able to navigate, with his compromise toward justice, through that sea of fantasy and slander while balancing his sense of fairness and his knowledge of the well-being of the state. Such compromise is not easy to achieve without corrupting your own heart. In most cases, I mean.

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: I have no doubts that the latter was not the case, Your Highness. The Governor has served this country greatly and gracefully for more than twenty years after all.

Queen Hong: Indeed. It is also a pity that he has not been able to pay us a visit for quite a long time, isn't it? Besides official duties, of course, one can imagine he had many issues to attend. I heard that his third son finally married to a certain lady. A young woman who must have a brother-in-law, whose father must have a brother.

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: That's...a possibility, Your Highness.

Queen Hong: Wouldn't it be a great coincidence if that young spouse was the second cousin who was married to someone in this palace, after all?

Deputy Chief Minister Oh: That...could be in that would be the case, certainly, Your Highness...

Queen Hong: Indeed. Anyway, these cases are always complicated and I am grateful I was not fated to be a judge or governor who needs to ponder on these issues from all the required perspectives.

Grand King Wonhyo: This issue was extended for too long. Let's close it immediately.

Queen Hong: Alright. But don't you agree that it may be not always right to force the children to pay for the weight of the crimes of their parents, my Grand King?

Grand King Wonhyo (visibly annoyed): That could be certainly be the case, generally.

Queen Hong: If that's the case, why not just suspend the verdict regarding the suspension of the rights of the sons and a limited economic punishment so they retain the ability to sustain their livelihood? We wouldn't be seen as petty anyway.

Grand King Wonhyo: Alright, let's do that. We had enough.

Chief State Minister Jungjin Um: Yes, Your Grand Majesty. We will prepare the document for your signature tomorrow.

Grand King Wonhyo: The session has finished then.

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Gocha Mokleadze has been appointed as Prime Minister of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, following the resignation of Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze.

Mokleadze, 59, has been a member of the National Assembly for more than fifteen years (from 2001 to 2006, and again from 2013 to 2023) . He has also served as elected member of the Council of State, from 2007 to 2013. He served as Minister of Telecommunications and Information from 2011 to 2014. He is considered a member of the moderate block in the National Assembly, and a close ally to Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili, according to some local reports.

Mokleadze, in his first speech as Prime Minister, has declared that his government aims to "build bridges between the best men" in order to decreases division and "restore social peace through moderation, common sense and dialogue". His government will include conservative MPs, such as Irakli Bneladze, former ministers who served under Prime Minister Gela Berdzenishvili's administration such as Otar Keburia, and even some ministers who have been serving during Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze, as it is the case of the Zviad Alaverdashvili and Anzor Papuashvili, the former Mayor of Azavrelia. Tariel Tavadze, the Minister of Religious Affairs, will be the only incumbent minister who will continued in his current position.

Mamuka Keburia, member of the Council of State, has been appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for State Administration, as well as Minister of State, becoming the second highest-ranking government minister after Prime Minister Mokleadze himself.

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The Armed Forces of the Great Kingdom of Asadal consists in four branches (the Air Defense Force, the Central Ground Army, the Grand Royal Guard, and the Royal Corps).

The Grand King is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Great Kingdom of Asadal. The head of the Armed Forces is the Grand Marshal, the highest military rank in the country. Very often, but not always, the Grand Marshal also serves as Minister of the Army. As Grand Marshal he has direct authority over the Central Ground Army and the Air Defense Force, and operational command over the Royal Corps and the Grand Royal Guard.

For logistical reasons, the headquarters of the Air Defense Forces are found in the city of Gyeongseon. The Air Defense Forces were established in 1929, and its headed by the Supreme Commander of the Air Defense Forces.

The Central Ground Army, headed by a Chief General, is the largest military force in the Armed Forces of Asadal. Its headquarters are found in Outer Hwangjin and it is under the direct control of the Grand King, as most military appointments require the signature of the Grand King himself. The Central Ground Army, however, is focused on defense of the borders and the public order throughout the country, and it has only a minor detachment in the capital city.

The Royal Corps is a military branch tasked with the defense of Outer Hwangjin and the southern and eastern regions. They are particularly trained for deployment and fighting in mountainous terrain, as they are often deployed in such terrain in special missions if it is required. The Royal Corps were established in 1819, and it has a particular focus on counter-insurgence training since it was reformed in the 1960s. The military leadership, as well as large number of their military officers, is traditionally formed by officers from the royal family or from families derived from the original clan from which the Yun Dynasty came from.

The Grand Royal Guard is a special force unit tasked with the defense of Inner Hwangjin and the Heavenly Palace, the official residency of the Grand King and his family. The leadership of the Grand Royal Guard is directly appointed by the Grand King himself, and it is often headed by a member of the royal family.

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After meeting Brzdmtsveli Ketevan, Prime Minister Bidzina Samkharadze has announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

In his announcement, Samkharadze has assured that the decision after carefully thinking about the interests of the nation, declaring that the Brzdmtsveli was the first person to know about his decision, which there is no turning back.

In his last speech as Prime Minister, he both thanked those who have been working in his administration, and he listed the legislative achievements achieved during his time as Prime Minister. "I am certain there are some which may disagree with this decision, including some of those whose opinion I gave the greatest consideration. But I am convinced that the path we started in the last year is going to be continued, with renewed strengths, sooner than later".

Bizdina Samkharadze was appointed Prime Minister in early 2022. He has led the first Liberal-leaning government in Mktvartvelo since 1997. During his time as Prime Minister several reforms were started, on the fields of social rights, parliamentary and electoral reform, or even religious legislation. However, many of those reforms faced opposition in the National Assembly, in some cases, or in the more conservative-leaning Council of State. The most recent legislative defeats, as the ongoing violent protests, have eroded the government, which led the resignation of seven ministers in the last week. However, as the National Assembly had passed this year budget, many expected that Samkharadze would be trying to lead the government at least until next year legislative election.

Deputy Prime Minister Orivegza Mgaloblishvili will immediately assume as caretaker minister. However, it is expected that a new Prime Minister will be appointed soon, once an official procedure of negotiations and nominations is started by Speaker Ramaz Kintsurashvili.

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ZSD Ktsatskuri defeat 83-66 Napertskali Khashumi to win the Brzdmtsveli Cup, the second most important domestic title in women's basketball in Mktvartvelo.

While Napertskali was considered slightly the favourites for the final, as they are currently second in the league classification, ZSD Ktsatskuri took an early lead, winning 8-26 the first quarter. While Naperstkali Khashumi was able to reduce the 19-point difference at the half to twelve points after a good third quarter, ZSD Ktsatskuri did gave them a chance in the final quarter, particularly as consequence of the accuracy of SG Songulashvili and the defensive work of their power forward Aka Satinadze, who combined 6 defensive rebouds and 6 offensive rebounds. Only center Mesame Datuna was able to keep alive Napertskali Khashumi with her 21 points and eleven rebounds, but it was not enough against the club from Ktsatskuri.

Nino Songulashvili, who scored 20 points, with a 86% accouracy from the 3-point range, was chosen as the MVP of the final.

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