"SFR VILLAGE" DECLARED OPEN IN HEYRA Following an agreement made almost a
year ago the East Moreland green energy company SFR have declared that they have reached a significant milestone in their work. The company have an agreement that they will be able to utilise 100km2 of Heyran territory for various tests utilising green technology in return for carrying out work to remove the vast number of landmines and explosive devices left over from the Great War. The SFR project have exclusive rights to the land they have been allocated for the next 50 years and the company have pledged to build facilities to test wind-turbines, wave generators and solar panels alongside a settlement. The settlement will go through three stages of construction, SFR Village, SFR Town and SFR City with each stage seeing an increase in power needs.
Alice Lucas is the companies CEO and was at SFR Village for the ribbon cutting which was carried out by Lord Lucas Osman who owns around 10% of SFR and gave them much of their start up oppurtunity. Miss Lucas explained the project saying, "It is our aim to use the settlement as a proving ground for technologies we want to show case to businesses and governments across Mundus. The SFR Village is to be a harbour we have made from sinking three large prefab containers and after pumping the water out of them pouring in concrete. We've then attached various floating pontoons and a road way over the top meaning we can service large cargo ships here in stable sea conditions. Next we've cleaned out a strip of land next to the coast from mines and we've brought in ten large shipping containers that have been converted into homes for the workers. An additional four have been set up as communal areas. These 14 buildings are now being run as part of community of 30 people who are running daily tests on equipment. We also have a former cruise ship sat off the coast where the staff cleaning the mines, many of them veterans of East Moreland's Royal Military Engineers are staying. To date we have cleared out a total of around 12,800 anti-personnel mines, 2,800 anti-vehicle mines, 1,900 explosive devices and 13 unexploded bombs. Thankfully no one has yet been hurt and we hope it remains that way. Its our hope that in 2070 the land will be returned to Heyra and we will have left them a usable settlement capable of being self sustaining in all ways and housing around 2,000 people. We will have in return received so much insight into energy production the project will have funded itself many times over."
It is expected that the "Village" will double in size in the next 3 months and the aim is for SFR Town, a settlement of around 1,000 people, to be operational by the end of 2022. Miss Lucas explained, "It is vital we now put in some infrastructure not only to simulate a real settlement but also to help the engineers get around to do their valuable work ridding Heyra of the legacy of the Great War. Roads will be a focus moving forward and that will allow us to begin experiments with non-polluting vehicles." It is expected that in the new year King David will visit the settlement as he is keen to see advances discovered here utilised in East Moreland.
KING SAYS QUEEN WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO GIVE UP CITIZENSHIP Following an interview given by Chief Councillor Grant Nightingale in which he called for Queen Stasya to renounce her Lodjain citizenship the King has today spoken on the subject. While the King and Queen have not been seen in public together since the shocking news of the Lodjain data leak scandal revealed her father had been involved in corruption and extra-marital affairs the King has defended his wife while speaking to the media at a sports club event. The King was in Keepton to open Keepton Boys School's new multi-sports club which will serve the whole community. The King watched some of the Mundus Games in the clubs new clubhouse and took part in a tag rugby match where the "Royal" team made up of the King, some of his security detail and local troops lost 30-10 to a team made up of the clubs Under 18's. While enjoying a post match drink the King chatted freely with the media and when asked about Mr.Nightingale's interview stated. "Mr.Nightingale is the highest elected official in East Moreland and naturally I respect his opinion. When he pushed for reforms of Higher Education and won the support of the Council I naturally support him. However as with other Chief Councillors such as Tim Carpenter, Hugo McGregor and now Grant we will not always see eye to eye. Queen Stasya is my companion, my friend and my wife, she however does not have any constitutional power of any sorts unless I give it to her. I have been on record saying that since we have Princess Freya, Archduchess Sophie and even my cousin Lilian all healthy and intelligent enough to be a good ruler in their own right that should for some reason I not be able to rule, or if I die, before Rhiannon reaches the age to take the throne one of those ladies would take the role of regent and not Stasya. With that in place I see no reason why Stasya should cut her ties with her homeland. We live today on a Mundus where barriers of nationality are breaking down and cultures are more open. I was thrilled my wife accepted the love of Helus, all be it a slightly unorthodox version. She's already immersed herself in charitable efforts here in East Moreland and would have been here today however naturally you can understand the Pelagiya family are in need of privacy while they come to terms with their situation. I hope this reassures Mr.Nightingale who I know only ever has the best interest of Morelanders in his heart."
The King also spoke on the idea of dual nationality saying, "Technically I am a dual national having taken up a passport of the Republic of Hygelac when the Toshikawans threatened the region with missile tests. I did so to support the brave stance of those scientists who risked their lives to stand as human shields against the threat. Several hundred people across Mundus did so in solidarity with those people and I for one am still proud to have that little blue book tucked in a drawer somewhere. I don't think dual nationality is an issue in the modern world."
King David was also asked about the upcoming Alba Karinya Day on October 7th. The celebration was put in place to mark the foundation of the regional body the Alba Karinya Organisation. "Thankfully the AKO has had to do very little. We put in place a strong charter that helps us trade fairly, work together in key fields and share the prosperity of what I think would be fair to describe as Mundus' most peaceful continent. This year we intend to have a few events across the nation to celebrate the organisation and one of the key will be the opening of a memorial to those who died in the Academican Civil War operations we were part of under the umbrella of the AKO." The memorial will be in the grounds of the Temple of Jekar at Ostlake and its design is being kept covered until the day.
"WORLDS STUPIDEST CRIMINALS" FOILED There were strange scenes yesterday morning in Aldcliffe as the alarm at the National Savings Alliance bank in the city went off shortly after opening at 9am. It transpires that four armed men and a get away driver had attempted to rob the bank close to the city centre. The group however were challenged upon exiting the building and darted back inside creating a hostage situation which lasted less than two minutes according to eye witnesses. The reason for this fast resolution was the gangs poor planning as the bank sits less than 1km away from Red Legion's HQ and the road generally has a steady stream of people coming and going from the base. In this case a pair of cars containing eight Red Legionnaire's was on its way to the units specialist training area on the edge of town and responded to the sound of a flashbang the group had used to subdue those inside. An eye witness explained the scene saying. "we suddenly heard what sounded like a very loud firework and then the bank alarm began to sound. Next the sound of screetching breaks and eight guys running to the back of their SUV. Next thing guys in jeans and t-shirts are strapping on body armour and shouldering rifles. At first we thought they were the robbers going in."
Eyewitnesses say a Legionnaire challenged the exiting gang to put their weapons down but instead the group ran back into the building. Brigadier Kelly, the commanding officer of Red Legion explained. "We had a Sergeant taking seven of his men to the urban firing range. They were due to run some drills there and had all their operational gear onboard their vehicles. Naturally having heard an explosion they are trained to respond and did so. Our men are trained to quickly assess threats and take appropriate action. The Sergeant believed the panic their arrival caused the criminals may have lead to the gang taking action on hostages and so determined a quick assault was in order. They effected entry and with the skill we expect of them quickly gained control of the situation." Eye witnesses claim they saw the Legionnaires deploy their own flashbangs before entering through the doors. Two gunshots were heard and the siege ended before it began. Police arrived on the scene three minutes later to find all five of the criminal gang apprehended with two of them suffering from wounds to their chest, both are now said to be in a "serious but stable" condition at the Aldcliffe Barracks hospital.
The local Police commander told us, "It is highly unusual for the military to respond to a situation like this faster than the Police. We however have a good working relationship with the armed forces and they are permitted to intervene if they believe firearms or explosives are being used and present a threat to life. While I would have preferred to give an operational go ahead I can not commend the Legionnaires high enough as they did not permit the suspects to establish a position which may have been difficult to bring to a bloodless conclusion."
Local pub owner Harry Mason who owns the cities Tipsy Badger public house which is just across the street spoke to us saying. "They have to be the dumbest criminals in East Moreland if not Mundus. Aldcliffe is a small place where about a good chunk of the population is either a serving Red Legionnaire or a former one. They aren't exactly shy in getting stuck in when they think bad guys are up to no good. You'd have stood a better chance stealing the silverware at Northfort Palace than stealing a single penny from a bank practically next door to Mundus most elite counter terrorist unit. I'm just amazed they all got out alive, perhaps it explains why they were going to the firing range."
The Chief Executive of the bank chain thanked the men for their swift action saying, "We of course train our staff in what to do during robberies such as this but that doesn't make it any less frightening. We thank the Legionnaires for their bravery and quick thinking." Ironically the bank was successfully robbed in 2014 when Major Alex Redfern of Red Legion raided the bank during the Regency Crisis. The Major was then the King's Chief of Royal Household and when it became clear Prince James had effectively orchestrated a coup by attempting to assassinate King David the Legion locked down the barracks and refused to accept the Prince's orders. Major Redfern and a team of around 12 Legionnaires however were in Northfort at the time and began a campaign of attacks across the nation to try and distract the traitorous opposition and Borlander coalition while a co-ordinated attack against the usurper could take place. Major Redfern robbed six banks in three days making off with valuables and money worth around £10million, making him effectively East Moreland's most successful bank robber. Following the return of King David the funds were fully returned and Major Redfern was cleared of all crimes. One member of bank staff however was present on that day and this and said, "I remember Redfern didn't even bother hiding who he was it was like he wanted people to know he was doing it. That was just a blur I think they were in and out in less time than it took this lot to get in the door, at least it feels that way. It seems Red Legion are good at robbing banks and rescuing them."
The identities of those arrested is yet to be confirmed however Police do not believe this is connected to the Borlanders who have in the past targeted banks in an effort to raise money or disrupt the economy.