APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

Office of Foreign Affairs

The Republic of Yujin sympathizes with the victims of this tragedy, and denounces the Altaic Republics lack of actions in prematurely preparing sensitive and critical facilities against potential external threats. It is regrettable that fifty men need to die for a war in which their regime initiated, without having full calculated the consequences of their actions. We urge restraint amongst the military commanders of the Talemantine Empire, but are confident that there is no evidence that violence is being used to systematically target the civilian populace of Altai. We further condemn the actions of Altai in this conflict, and it's refusal of peace treaties hitherto enumerated by parties such as Great Engellex. For the sake of the Altaic people, we hope for a speedy end to this war, and a return to stability on Himyar.

Cidonian Military Mobilized

AP International

Supreme Leader and General Nazar of the Cidonian dictatorship has pledged "full support" to the Talemantine war effort and after a military parade in the capital of New Cidia ordered the mobilization of all armed forces within the nation. After reforming the nation and the disappearance of former Supreme Leader Timotei Hermanson, the nation of Cidonia has reappeared on the world stage.

Altaisk, Dulwich in ceasefire deal
AP International

The governments of Altai and Great Engellex have reportedly struck a firm ceasefire deal according to sources from both Altaisk and Dulwich. The two countries, which have been at a state of war since Altai conducted air raids against the Engellexic colonies in the Zadar-Istrian Islands, have accordingly made a breakthrough in bilateral negotiations. The news come little after a Kyivan media announcement that the negotiations have resumed under their mediation.

Although there have been no statements from either government yet, and no terms have been released, media outlets in the past had emphasised a certain pattern of requests on the Engellexic side. According to Altaic news sources, one of the peace proposals involved the payment of reparations among other clauses similar to the Talemantine demands, which were however deemed unacceptable. The governments of Altai and Engellex have yet to comment on the situation.

Though war's near its shores, Uudenmaanlinna refuses to offer solace to refugees
AP Uudenmaanlinna

Though the Karlskrona Accord is preparing to wage war with its neighboring state of Bantyr, prompting worries that the conflict might drive war refugees across the border into Uusimaa, human rights groups criticize the Northern republic for continuing to uphold its restrictive immigrant and refugee policy. Analysts say that a Karlskrona counter-attack against Bantyr could spark a refugee wave across Uusimaa's western border.

The country has been traditionally known for a highly restrictive immigration policy by Scanian and Germanian standards. Even working immigrants need to have a prepared workplace in the country before gaining residence if they don't have certain academic qualifications, which however has prompted a market for transnational workforce recruitment companies. Meanwhile, asylum seekers are held in closed facilities while waiting for their applications to be processed. Only six percents of asylum applications were accepted in 2010.

A subject of particular criticism is the border regime maintained by the country's Border and Alien Police and the Uusimaa Defense Forces along the western border. Though the government insists that illegal border-crossers from Bantyr get the same asylum process as everyone else, human rights groups claim that they are almost always returned to their home country in order to protect Uusimaan relations with its western neighbor. It remains to be seen how the government would react if a Karlskrona Accord offensive would spark refugee waves in Scania.

Document leak prompts accusations of political-economic corruption in Southern Uusimaa
AP Uudenmaanlinna

A set of what are purported to be accounting information and confidential e-mails between business actors and politicians in the Uusimaan industrial center of Talvilinna leaked this week into the Internet has caused controversy in Uusimaan economic circles and the country's independent media outlets.

Though quickly removed from its original source, an account of the popular Uusimaan blog site Lokipiste.uu, the documents released under a pseudonym "Freebird" quickly spread into the blogosphere as well as several smaller independent media outlets of the country. Mainstream Uusimaan media, largely controlled by the ruling True Soil Party and companies and cooperatives connected to it, has remained quiet on the subject.

"It's essentially a black book of corruption and could spark a widespread scandal", said Petteri Tiensuu, chief editor of Uusimaan news website uusikotimaa.uu, "It describes an intricate web of corruption, from bribery made to ETOK [The Southern Industrial Cooperative, a major cooperative enterprise] leadership by smaller private companies for advantage in bidding contests, and pay-offs made by the cooperative itself and others to state, provincial and local authorities for government contracts in the Provinces of Talvimaa and Kanta-Uusimaa.

While the accusations directly touch the heartland of the ruling True Soil Party - the capital region and its adjacent cities along the Southern coast - official sources have remained quiet on the subject. However, a spokesman of ETOK called the documents a forgery and said that the National Criminal Police had been contacted to commence an investigation into what the spokesman called "unfair, competition-motivated libel". The opposition Socialist Party meanwhile has called for an investigation to take place into the claims.

Massacre of Malin in Altai
AP Rovograd

Reports coming in from the Zamosk Peninsula of the Principality of Altai of a large massacre in the city of Malin. The act was dealt at the hands of the ProNat military organization a group dedicated to the monarchy of Altai and the Diaginist religion. The targets of the attack were women and children, the families of the leaders of the Salvationist Army. The Salvationist are a rebel group fighting against the state of Altai beginning with the republic and now the principality. The act has received condemnations from all sides of the current conflict between the Talemantine Empire and Altai and from both Christians and Diaginists alike.

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Talemaniki issues a strong condemnation of the violent act by the Altaics calling those women and children who died martyrs. "In our current times it is deplorable that in war a side would resort to the slaughter of innocent women and children who are not combatants in the fight. These innocents are martyrs for their faith and we pray for the families of those lost." Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Talemantiki, and Joscelin IV, Patriarch of Opsikioch in-exile plan to hold a special service at St. Andrew's Basilica in remembrance of those who list their lives.

The Salvationist have vow retribution for the murder of their families with a member of the rebel army speaking with the Associated Press under condition and anonymity. "The blood of those dead fall on the hands of the Czarina. The Diaginists want to erase our faith from these lands and when we stand up for our faith they kill our loved one, innocents in the fight in order to hurt our resolve. The Altaics have shown their true face and God will deliver us."

The Altaic government has yet to comment on the event in Malin.

Anti-war demonstrations across Vangala
AP International

Protests organised by the Romesh Nabi Young Communist Organisation and Jadugopal Basu Revolutionary Students' Association against the current global conflict occured today in major cities across the People's Republic of Vangala, with the largest taking place in Kilkila, Chingrikhali and Bator. Official Vangalan estimates claim several million were involved, with the Democratic Federation of Trade Unions, the Communist Party-affiliated movement, also participating, resulting in the closure of many Vangalan businesses. Foreign investors in the Special Economic Zones were largely unaffected, although there were reported attempts by radical elements to occupy the areas, which were stopped by the paramilitary People's Reserve Police, who also prevented attacks on the embassies of Cantigny, Carentania, Engellex and the European Defence Federation member-states.

The protests followed a controversial article by Subrato Praminik, better known by the moniker 'Subrato the Tiger', Chairman of both the Romesh Nabi Young Communist Organisation and the Jadugopal Basu Revolutionary Students' Association, which called for mass action as a response to the world war and worsening economic crisis. The youth wing of the Vangalan Communist Party is known for its radicalism, and frequently holds demonstrations, with many ending in violence and vandalism. Some analysts suspect it was a show of strength by hardliners in the Party, who are increasingly fustrated with Vangala's economic situation. The large police presence suggested a degree of discomfort in the Party leadership over the protests, with government-sponsored rallies normally allowed a freer rein.

However, President Moheen Chatterjee praised the protestors today in a press conference with foreign media and urged for an end to the conflicts. Vangala recently mediated successful negotiations between Carentania and the European Defence Federation over the future of Solaren, and has repeatedly criticised the wars currently raging across Europe.

Sevet activist shot, killed in confrontation with oil refinery security
AP Uudenmaanlinna

A confrontation between Sevet activists of the Land Rights Movement and security at the Talvikallio Oil Refinery, known for controversy caused by the project among native Sevets and environmental activists, claimed a life yesterday as an activist was killed attempting to breach the refinery's security perimeter. Land Rights Movement activists were attempting to blockade the refinery in protest of an expansion planned by the state-run Northern Energy Company.

Sources with the Peräpohja Provincial Police said that Holger Sombi, 33, was shot attempting to ram the refinery's C gate with a truck used as part of the blockade. A security guard employed by Vigilans Control Services fired a single shot from a 7,62x51mm semi-automatic rifle at the truck's cockpit after warning shots had failed to dissuade Sombi from his attempt at breaching the facility's security perimeter.

Related attempts by activists to climb over the perimeter fence of the refinery were repelled by security guards and policemen firing rubber baton rounds, and at least eighteen people - including two who had chained themselves to the A and B gates of the facility respectively - were arrested for breach of peace and taken to the Talvikallio police station. A dispersal order was issued for an assembled "Talvikallio Blockade" camp after the demonstration had turned unstable.

Sevet activists and members of the opposition Socialist Party claimed that Sombi was deliberately murdered, being known as a vocal figure of the movement defending the Sevet land ownership against government appropriation to back Northern Uusimaa's oil production. However, police sources said that though the shooting would be investigated there was "no proof of wrongdoing".

Votes on Money Bills Today
AP Sainte-Elisabeth


The Chamber of Deputies is to vote on several money bills for the next budget fiscal year.

Among the measures include a three-year pay freeze for government workers, four years for deputies, and a 30 percent cut for travel & staff allowances for Peers.

Despite a budget surplus last year the calling for cuts in administrative spending is expected to save the government nearly 11.5 million Coeur over the span of five years, which would be reinvested in other departments on an as-needed basis.

“This is a move from the government to reinvest funds in needed sectors,” said Deputies Conservative Whip Charles Baez. "We hope the government will take these bills seriously and save the public from paying for unnecessary costs."

These bills have been introduced into the lower chamber as private bills, with the Liberal government explicitly not endorsing any particular bill.

However, a bill introduced by a coalition of Liberal, Conservative and Popular deputies is calling for the government to accept a proposal put by the upper chamber to take majority stockholder-ship of the Société Générale from King Louis X for an annual allowance, similar to the British Civil List. The value of the monarch’s stock is estimated at 1.8 billion Coeur (1.26 billion USD).

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, has stated the government may consider the proposal.

Talemantros said:

Massacre of Malin in Altai
AP Rovograd

Reports coming in from the Zamosk Peninsula of the Principality of Altai of a large massacre in the city of Malin. The act was dealt at the hands of the ProNat military organization a group dedicated to the monarchy of Altai and the Diaginist religion. The targets of the attack were women and children, the families of the leaders of the Salvationist Army. The Salvationist are a rebel group fighting against the state of Altai beginning with the republic and now the principality. The act has received condemnations from all sides of the current conflict between the Talemantine Empire and Altai and from both Christians and Diaginists alike.

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Talemaniki issues a strong condemnation of the violent act by the Altaics calling those women and children who died martyrs. "In our current times it is deplorable that in war a side would resort to the slaughter of innocent women and children who are not combatants in the fight. These innocents are martyrs for their faith and we pray for the families of those lost." Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Talemantiki, and Joscelin IV, Patriarch of Opsikioch in-exile plan to hold a special service at St. Andrew's Basilica in remembrance of those who list their lives.

The Salvationist have vow retribution for the murder of their families with a member of the rebel army speaking with the Associated Press under condition and anonymity. "The blood of those dead fall on the hands of the Czarina. The Diaginists want to erase our faith from these lands and when we stand up for our faith they kill our loved one, innocents in the fight in order to hurt our resolve. The Altaics have shown their true face and God will deliver us."

The Altaic government has yet to comment on the event in Malin.

Click to expand...

Opposition drops Bills
AP Sainte-Elisabeth

A spokesperson for the Conservative opposition announced they would drop their support for the bills proposed in yesterday’s session.

The opposition led a coalition of fiscal and social conservatives from the various parties, and had enough votes in the Chamber of Peers to get them passed.

Many saw the actions which took place yesterday as an outright demonstration on the Coidavid Ministry, marred with scandals not from the government but from senior politicians in his party. This included the resignation of at least five Liberal deputies, all of them replaced by Conservatives.

The votes yesterday were not on the bills but on a proposal for the Deputies to create a committee to oversee budget cuts. Nevertheless, the approval of the proposal was seen as a direct attack on the government.

“Such actions damages the credit of the government,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.

One high-ranking official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the opposition halted their campaign after it was discovered the proposals were originally discussed in a closed session of the Peers. Although the recommendations were made behind closed doors, laws stipulate the upper house cannot debate on issues pertaining to the finances of the government. Thomas Cordoro, professor of political communications at Université de Dojeine, called the overturn a great public move.

"Issues debated in closed sessions, which are not even voted on, is constitutionally legal," he said. "But, from a public relations perspective, it would make the opposition quite unpopular being seen to take orders from the unelected upper house."

Prime Minister Coidavid will be present during today's session, including discussing policy during his Question Time.

Ministerul Afacerilor Externe

We cannot believe that the Talemantine government is using such exaggerated propaganda to gain political support from the foreign countries. It is a desperate act made solely to discredit the Principality.

We must not forget that the real victim in this war is the Principality itself, made by Diagists, Muslims and Christians alike. All of them are victims of an ultra-fanatical organisation with no purpose but the destabilize and country and create inconveniences for the population living in the range of their actions, Christians and Diagists alike.

Vangalan Communist Party accused of anti-Semitism
AP International

The ruling Vangalan Communist Party has been condemned as anti-Semitic by a variety of Jewish groups following protests outside the Embassy of Touzen over the planned construction of Jewish settlements along the Seoran border. The demonstrations, organised by the youth wings of the Party, the Romesh Nabi Youg Communist Organisation and Jadugopal Basu Revolutionary Students Association, featured effigies with stereotypical Jewish features burned, and extracts from anti-Semitic texts, including the notorious Protocols of the Elders of Zion, read aloud. Placards associating Jews with financial capitalism were also common.

The People's Republic of Vangala had condemned plans for Jewish settlements in Seora, supported by the World Zionist Congress and the government of Touzen, and compared them to ethnic cleansing. A speaker at today's rally made controversial comparisons with the extermination campaigns of the militarist regime of Touzen during the Great War.

Vangala historically supported the creation of a Jewish homeland from territory in Hajr focused around the city of Jerusalem, and hosted the radical Revolutionary Zionist Organisation. However, since improved relations with the Sultanate of Hajr, such claims have been dropped.

A spokesperson for the Vangalan Communist Party stated in response to the accusations the Party 'does not tolerate or espouse racist views, but remains strong in its opposition to Jewish colonisation of Seora, supported only by extreme Zionist elements of the international Jewish community and neo-imperialists in Nokanawa'.

Northern Sørlandeten nervous on eve of mass Celtic nationalist rally
AP International

Celtic nationalism has become a serious problem in Northern Sørlandeten, in the semi-autonomous county palatine regions, which has seen local Celtic nationalists becoming greatly emboldened by the resurgence of Warre. The largest of such groups, Movement for Celtic Identity and Freedom (MCIF), has organized a rally – the largest ever organized by a Celtic organization –*which aims to mount pressure on the local government and embarrass the National Government of Lars Edmundsen internationally.

The city of Ettesevik, in the semi-autonomous County Palatine of Trøndelag, in north-western Sørlandeten, is a city known mostly for its historic district, iron-mining and its shipbuilding –*and because of the presence of the single largest urban concentration of Celts anywhere in Sørlandeten, estimated to be 125,000 in the 2010 Census, with a total national Celtic population of 430,000. This is the city where the MCIF has decided to hold their rally, much to the concern of the rest of the 780,000 citizens of the city.

Speaking at a press conference, the MCIF leader stated his organization's goals as being "to break free of the shackles imposed by the Sørlandet Crown and unite the Great Celtic peoples under one banner, one nation." This hardline view is responsible for much nervousness in the City of Ettesevik. The Ministry of the Interior has yet to issue a statement, despite numerous rumours of illegal incidents occurring as MCIF supporters gather in the city.

Possible mafia ties for texting driver
AP San Salvo

The driver who hit and fatally killed the son of now prime minister Gaetano Merlino shortly before election day may have ties to Potenzan organized crime, Carabinieri (Potenzan police) officials have said. He was charged with arson ten years ago and said to have been working for the Piazzi crime family, one of the largest in the grand duchy. However, Carabinieri officials say this evidence is merely circumstantial, and there are no direct ties that can be found between the accident that took Merlino's son and the motivations of the driver. Eyewitnesses confirm that they saw the driver texting at the time he swerved towards Merlino's wife and son. Officials also say that, since the arson charges, the driver has had an otherwise clean record.

The driver has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to five years in jail. Court officials say, with good behavior, he could be out in two.

Altai said:

Ministerul Afacerilor Externe

We cannot believe that the Talemantine government is using such exaggerated propaganda to gain political support from the foreign countries. It is a desperate act made solely to discredit the Principality.

We must not forget that the real victim in this war is the Principality itself, made by Diagists, Muslims and Christians alike. All of them are victims of an ultra-fanatical organisation with no purpose but the destabilize and country and create inconveniences for the population living in the range of their actions, Christians and Diagists alike.

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Vangala suspends diplomatic relations with Cantigny
AP International

The People's Republic of Vangala has withdrawn its ambassador from Cantigny and is closing its embassy in the capital Vesper in objection to the discriminatory policies of the Cantignian government, as well as ordering all Cantignian diplomats to leave within 48 hours. External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman also called upon other nations in Toyou and Oceania to sever diplomatic ties with Cantigny in protest. Cantignian plans for extra surveillance and possible deportation of non-white communities have drawn strong criticism from the international communities, with nations from Butuan and Khalistan to Carentania and Euskadi condemning the measures.

Vangala and Cantigny have a history of diplomatic disputes. Vangala denounced the Cantignian invasion of Butuan and its increased military activity in the Toyou-Oceania region, and claims Cantigny acts as a proxy for Engellex in the area. Cantigny suspects Vangala of supporting left-wing insurgent groups and is wary of its close ties to the European Defence Federation.

Cantigny has yet to issue a formal response to the suspension of ties.

Havenshire Coast Guard alleged to be imprisoning illegal immigrants under auspices of Drug Trafficking
AP International

A New report published by an independent investigative NGO has claimed that the People's Republic of Havenshire is quietly detaining large numbers of illegal immigrants. Drawing on a number of independent sources both within and outside of the socialist fringe country, the Report has stated that as many as 50,000 illegal immigrants might be interned without trial in the country.

"Havenshire has a history of using its less fortunate citizens in exploitative workcamps." stated Dr.Frank Hardacre, a resident of Breotonia and a keen advocate of human rights. "From what we have ascertained, the Havenshire Coast Guard has begun deploying itself in increasingly greater numbers, possibly augmented by the People's Navy, under the auspices of cracking down on Drug Trafficking. Our sources indicate, however, that boats with few people and a lot of drugs are getting waved through, whilst the immigrants are being arrested and detained once ashore in large, poorly serviced holding camps. Where they go after that is unknown."

Havenshire has refused to respond to these claims, however it has periodically banned the Associated Press from its country, and blacklisted its website's IP addresses. Whilst this is the first formal report to examine this issue, the increasing prevalence of drug-related crime in Havenshire, something its own government admits, confirms that the Coast Guard has indeed been strengthened.

"I don't know if this is happening opportunistically as a side-effect of a genuine response to drug crime or is the tip of a more sinister iceberg, but given the anonmyous tips we've recieved from those who have escaped the holding camps for illegal immigrants makes me suspect the latter." stated Dr. Hardacre.

Although not traditionally considered a safeharbour for illegal immigrants, the number of people fleeing the Wars in Solaren, Montelimar and bad economic times has increased enough that the number reaching even Havenshire has increased. The reason for this is often attributed to the pro-welfare state propaganda put out by Havenshire's Aid Co-operative, which has often been accused of promoting socialistic policies and causes under the guise of providing general aid and welfare to the neediest peoples.

THE Covenant denies any form of communication with the Vangalan Regime, and declares this Associated Press dispatch to be erroneous in all aspects:

• Covenant Diplomats have not received a 48 Hour Notice
• Cantignia has no outstanding disputes with Vangala
• Covenant Forces have never invaded Butuan, or engaged in violent conflict
• Covenant Forces and Assets have not assisted the Engellexic War Effort
• Cantignia does not suspect Vangala of supporting left-wing extremist groups

If Vangala is interested in specifically outlining its dispute(s) with the Covenant, all measures will be taken to ensure they are heard and appreciated.

Forward Cantigny!
Benjamin Stokes,
Chief Officer

Touzen embassy in Vangala reacts to recent protests
AP International

After recent protests in front of the Touzen embassy in Kilikila, which by some observers had been described as anti-semitic, the Touzen Embassy in the Vangalan capital has now reacted by erecting a large billboard on top of the embassy building's roof. The protests in question had started after the Touzen media had announced the impending beginning of a Jewish settlement project in Seora that had been agreed upon by the Constitutional State's government and the World Zionist Congress, a pressure group calling for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Hajr.

The billboard, written both in English and Vangalan, is headlined "A personal appeal" and in a bulletin point style encourages the reader to rethink his own beliefs through questions such as "When have you personally been negatively affected by a Jewish person in your life?" At the bottom of the billboard, the reader is encouraged to tune in to Voice of Liberty, Touzen's pan-Touyou radio program that is broadcasting news and information from the Constitutional State's Post-Delegationist perspective. The billboard closes with the remark "Liberty is in your hands - seize it!"

The Touzen embassy said that it felt encouraged to "strike up an open dialog with those that constitute Vangala, the people of Vangala" because of "methods of agitation employed by certain groups that seek to foster hostilities and tensions at the expense of others". "It is our way of communicating with the people. Precisely that is the task of the Touzen missions across the globe - to enable a broad dialog between the Constitutional State and all strata of societies", Touzen Ambassador Kentaro Wakayama told AP.