Warreic News & Media

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Following a six month debate period on the matter from all three levels of legislature, and a three month revision period the Presidium of Warre has approved a new law which would provide citizenship for applicants after a two year term of active service in the armed forces or civil service, down from the three years mandatory requirement it had previously been; and would allow the High King to award any subject of the High Kingdom for meritorious service.

These two new additions to the Citizen's Code will streamline the process of Citizenship, allowing for more subjects to have the rights of full citizens and doing so in a time when the standing policy of armed neutrality has been cited as “lessening the need for actual armed forces” in active duty and yet seeks to balance those who choose civil service over that of military service out of moral, physical or psychological qualms.

Connor O'Ryan, Duke of Rygard and Vice-Moderator of the Presidium has went on record arguing against the lessening of service terms but given the Rygard region's typical xenophobic attitudes there should be little surprise there. (continue reading)

With the Independent Democratic Republic of Kashtan attempting to host the International Open House for the nations of the world to have a place to discuss their agreements in person and allow Europe a new tool for world peace, there stands a chance for lasting peace at an international level. This chance depends on the efforts of the diplomats involved and likewise the will of the nations of the world, but the mere fact that many of them are sitting at the same table provides some hope that this may come to be.

However, there is clear evidence that this is all a moot point if one looks at the simple facts of the event and those around it. Chiefly, the Cave Bear of the East, Kadikistan, has chosen to flex its muscles at the same time that this conference is being held in Shigö and worse still it is joined by one of the nations involved in the conference to participate in war games. While keeping one's military well drilled is important for defense and a sensible thing to do for any nation, especially powers such as Xinhai and Kadikistan, it only increases tension throughout the Long Sea.

Why does it matter to us though? Aside from the fact that Warreic subjects and Citizens in Siu Au could be detrimentally affected by increased tensions in the Long Sea, as well as shipping prices could skyrocket throughout that otherwise very busy region; it is something which matters to us all.

Keep your eyes on the Long Sea.

• Crotobaltislavonia's Farrago regime attempts to negotiate with numerous neighbors in Gallia over Extradition treaties.
  
• Ulaire Udalmen defeat Balragh Bulls in Warreic Royal Hockey League Semi-Finals.
  
• Famous Restaurant in Lumina, 'The Blazing Camel', in trouble over numerous food-borne illness cases against it.
• Where is the Heartland of the Germanic Peoples? An exploration.
  
• Warreic 'Norland' Agricultural Export Company reported to begin offering packaged Reindeer Meat in markets far south as Bergenheim.

Throughout the Warreic realms, a dish is popular enough to have been named 'High King of Summer Foods' no less than twenty times since the popular lifestyle magazine 'Realm' began to take votes and publish a list of winners every three months, and it should be no surprise why. Relatively cheap, easy to make for even beginners (but difficult to master truly), and with flavors which differ from more Germano-Gallian traditionalist fare, it has plenty of reason to be a favorite. But where did our High King of Summer Foods begin? Where did the delicious ground beef, diced onion, and seasonings delight begin?

The name provides the easiest answer of it all for us there, 'Hanguk Steak' as it is called after all. For those who don't know, the ethnic Seoran populace which lives with Warre calls their language 'Hanguk-eo' and refers to their shared community (at least in Warre) as 'Hanguk', and it was this group which brought about the origins of this recipe into Warre (and the world). While some may believe that the Hanguk community in Warre, Arthalan, and Siu Wui gained their love of beef after settling in our realm, traditional Seoran culture is one which eats meat as heavily as the rest of the world.

As such, when the majority of the Seoran immigrants came first settled in Warreic territory, they did so within the Sovereign Province of Siu Wui & Haitun; and while this territory provided them with plenty of space and opportunities for work, its typical fare was far more seafood focused than back in Seora, or even elsewhere in the Warreic realms. While beef was imported (from Warreic realm territories and outside it) as well as grown in small quantities on Siu Wui itself, the typical cost of a side of beef was tremendously expensive. With their typical ingenuity, the Hanguk populace began to work on this problem. Hanguk merchants began to buy cuts of meat which were seen as
unfavorable by most, and ground them into what we now know commonly as ground beef.

They then modified a historic recipe for a Hanguk favorite, Ribs (The recipe being known as 'Hyo-Galbi, 효갈비 historically but Tteok-galbi, 떡갈비 in the modern day), and began to modify it. While a different reasoning had been the choice for the recipe before, the Hanguk populace in Siu Wui soon began to take this ground beef, mix in spices, finely chopped onions, and at time additional fillers such as rice or bread crumbs, and make patties of meat which they initially called 'Tteok-Gogi' (떡고기) meaning 'meat cake', and which quickly became so popular that their popularity swept off the island and back to the Warre and Arthalan, with the sailors who brought it back having problems saying the Hanguk-eo word for it, it quickly defaulted to being called the 'Hanguk Steak', after the people who created it, or the 'Haituner', after the fact that much of the beef consumed in the Sui Wui at the time came from small ranches on the more hospitable (and Warreic settled) l island of Haitun. The second it came to them it had problems picking up similar popularity, because beef was already cheaper there, and it was this lack of instant popularity that brought the two variations of the dish we now know. In 'Wuinese' restaurants and Seoran restaurants opened in Warre and in Arthalan, the dish was offered with Rice, Kimchi, pickled vegetables and wedges of fried potato, along with a tomato sauce as a 'Haitun Steak' or a 'Hanguk Steak' depending on the restaurants origins. Offered as a high dining experience with some exotic ingredients but a cheap overhead cost, it quickly became a popular alternative to more traditional steak house steak.

And its portable sibling, the Haituner similarly came to be from this reinvention. Given the sheer cheapness of the food and the portability it provided when placed in between two pieces of bread, small diners and fast food restaurants, as well as vendors aiming directly at dock workers, factory workers, and students quickly began to gain a strong following for the filling, easy to eat food they provided, and for the cost it was provided at as well. After a generation of workers ate these regularly, their children were introduced to them as well, and famous restaurants like Coro's Haituners found success. With that success, it's place in Warreic food history was cemented.

• 'Christmas Coup?' Read More about the ongoing situation in Crotobaltislavonia.
  
• Ulaire Udalmen defeated by CarrickAodh Crusaders in Warreic Royal Hockey League Finals.
  
• Famous Xinhainese animated series 'Cuisine Revolution' showcases the Haitun Steak in new episode. How close do they get in the execution?
• A lost Prince? Read more about the current 'Tanist Crisis' as it unfolds.
  
• Bergenheim Air Force provides trials for new fighter jet contracts. Where is Warreic Aviation Resources' entry?

As we have previously reported, and nearly every other newspaper in the Warreic Realms have done so as well, we've got a drastically different futur when it comes to the news High King of Warre in the current day. The next Tanist was previously assumed to be the self declared 'princeps of cool', Reynold MacCuAodha, grandson of the High King Anlon via his second son Dairreach, but following the discovery of the legitimate (and lost) son of Arthur MacCuAodha, the last Tanist and first son of the High King that has changed. Citing a number of factors, including simple clearer apparent sense of duty and skill our good High King has changed the line of succession entirely.



We can finally have some level of calmness in the matter of the Tanistry and the succession. The twenty plus year gap since the death of the previous Tanist during his tour of duty at the time of the Wars on Cocaine in Arthalan has finally been closed. All hail Edward Anlon, Son of Arthur, of the House MacCuAodha, our new Tanist! It's been a while since the confirmation and the statement of intent, but after review from the electors who have a say in the matter it was confirmed today. At the Landing Stone, in front of a crowd and a group of important figures such as the Grand Seanchaí, the Bishop of Lumina, the High Druid of the New Lyric Pagans, and numerous other figures representing cultural, business, political, and religious sectors the High King presented his anointed heir and the crowd did all the singing for the stone.



But who is our new Tanist, who is he really? Other than the son of the previous Tanist Arthur, he is a man with a storied past. 'Orphaned' at an early age according to court records, he was raised by classified sources until he turned 16 and immediately moved to do his first term of service for citizenship. Following this, he attended the University of Daire located as it is outside of Daire, in the northern coast region of Arthalan, and then returned to complete a second stint of service within the Warreic National Service, this time as apart of the Warreic Army within Arthalan. Some time last year, he was found by the Rigard, and following this he was brought into the fold by the royal family.



While Reynold pretended simply to be an Gallian from all opinions and news reports, young Edward is not what the average home province Warreic might consider 'truly' Warreic, it is this author's opinion that isn't true. Arthalan is nearly as old as the rest of the High Kingdom when it comes to referencing the High Kingdom's unification and not simply the Landing past Lyrdain Isle itself, and if the High Kingdom and Realm as a whole is to survive it will have to take steps to change and recognize that all its parts are of equal importance.



Will he factor this into it all? Time will tell, but our new Tanist has this reporter hoping, and given the confirmation went so far to officially announce that Tanist Edward would be given executive power in line with his grandfather so that he might prove himself and be shepherded by the Elder MacCuAodha, we will likely see shortly.

• Trivodnian Crisis continues, will the War of Gallia bring ruin to us all?
  
• Animated Children's Epic 'Call of the Lyr' to be released in theaters as far afield as Seodae and Siu Wui after a win for the Rygard Animation & Inovation Network in regards to 'Festival Release' rights.
  
• EKEA, how will effect international trade?
  
• Be it the CarrickAether Sidhe, the Dog&Bone Ibone R10, the Jysk Frukt brand smartphone, what is the best choice for your average Far Western consumer?

So it's been on all the lips across the Warreic Realms since the media caught a brewing argument from the Imperial Senate's meeting in Kirkdown*, but it is time for a fact check. Is it just a rumor, or was it really said in front of the Senate, God, The High King, and through the grace of it being a televised session, the people of Warre, Arthalan, and Siu Wui, the words to start a boyish war? While it's known that Edward Anlon, the Tanist of Warre is not what one would call a traditional young man for the job (being raised almost like a commoner given his orphan status, and raise in the United Sovereignities of Arthalan's Kingdom of Tauros of all places) he has proven to be very popular throughout all the classes and groups present in Warre. He's something different, but still quite legitimate.

His cousin Reynold, being the long standing presumptive Tanist (though never confirmed), is the figurehead for traditionalists who have issues with young Edward's history, his methods, and his politics. They want things to stay as they have for centuries, and they want closer ties to groups in Gallo-Germania despite the clear signs which show that's a dead pond to be fishing in. They've been moving to attempt to challenge Edward's placement as Tanist retroactively, and try to use a simple set up for their excuse. Can they attack his heritage? No. His legitimacy? No. His morality? Reynold, Edward's opponent, has been accused of a laundry list of infractions and always gotten away with it or the issues his actions caused via the fact he is the High King's grandson, so that's out for them as well. So what did they use as an excuse? The fact that Edward already has a son with an ethnic Meascan** young woman is what they chose to take issues with. The fact that it was out of wedlock, and that she is Meascan so the Tanist's future tanist might be a mixed-breed himself. Words which had just been whispered up until the point Duke Connor Ui'Ryan brought it up as a formal accusation, and Reynold's snickering about such 'tastes' was heard by Edward.

While the Royal press agency refuses to comment, a chair was seen flying across the room at Prince Reynold and following that Edward Anlon demanded a turn at the podium. What follows is a video recording of the young Tanist's speech.

Edward: Listen, and listen good. From the banks of the Rio Naranja in the West to Siu Wui in the east. Reynold is a piece of shit who after he found out he was my cousin didn't greet me with warmth and happiness, but instead growled at me like a scared poodle. He's been groomed by his friends and circumstance for too long to think he's anything but the absolute top notch of all human beings and he's been too long sheltered from the circumstances, feelings, and lives of other Warreics. He criticizes me because the mother of my child is not 100% Peninsular, and hell because she's not from 'Warre proper'. I say how do you think Arthalan came to be, you Pendejo? He criticizes me for things which are intrinsically apart of me and I don't say a word about his partying or the fact that as close as he is to Duke Connor or Marquis Alphonse Matanzas that I'm pretty sure one of the three of them is the lover of the other two. I don't talk about his partying or the fact that he won't settle down and give the realms governing they deserve. I don't say a single thing about him or his cronies because that isn't the way of a Warreic King.

Tanist Edward is seen punching the podium with his fist, face reddened and nostrils flaring.

Edward: What I do say is that I'm tired of his shit. He wants to see how a real Warreic acts, and how a real Warreic King acts, I'll show him. I'm invoking the Code of Grievance Resolution circa 1512. I'd say I'm challenging him to a duel, but that isn't very responsible. Reynold, I'm going to beat your ass up and down a ring, and we're going to televise it. No civil war bull shit or succession crisis like you and your cabal are trying to brew when Grandpa isn't even dead. We're going to fight, and it's going to be televised with proceeds going to humanitarian causes in the Gallo-Germanian regions effected by war, Mazidia, and Loago, as well as to help with the Engellpox outbreak up in Cantignia. Some will also be spent to help children in need throughout the Warreic realms. Fight me and win, you're the next Tanist. Don't fight me and I expect you to keep your mouth shut henceforth, like the spare spare you are. But whatever happens, this will solve the issue of the next High King the good old fashioned way, with us fighting and not people fighting for us.

Duke Reynold is almost seen trying to stop the mere idea and claiming the media's tapes should be seized, but the High King (who had been sitting in on the session the whole time) interceded that it was entirely legal.

So fact check, laying the rumors from the lies. One of our princes just said he was going to beat the other one black and blue for being a snooty behind. You can't make this shit up.

• The struggle for equalized pay across the Imperial Rugby League continues, with Rugby players in Warre, Arthalan, and Siu Wui continuing to strike despite missing a good deal of the season already over pay differences between currencies.
• BuisFad Crew: Taste taste! Sgt Piobar vs Cld Bru vs SunCola vs Dynamo. What's the best?
• When is it too early to decorate for Christmas? It's not even Thankskinsmens Day!
• Is the ban on Gallo-Germanian cars economic Warfare, an attempt at protectionism of consumers, or a sheer mix up of measures of driving? An exploration.
• Whale Watching companies battle it out with Whale Safari Hunting companies over water territory rights? Both attacked by Blue Peace? Caught on Camera!

*Kirkdown Metropolitian Territory, United Sovereignity of Arthalan. The Warreic Realm senate has for the past thirty-five years had all its 'winter' sessions in Kirkdown, which is known as 'The Second Lumina' by many for its importance in Imperial politics. Recent policy alternates the Senate meetings between 4 locations over the course of the year, with CarrickAodha, Kingdom of Lumina holding it for 5 months, Kirkdown for 4 months, Siu Wui for 1 month, and Dal-Ross, Kingdom of Tauros holding it for 2 months, except for breaks.

**Meascan - A racial definition, used by many in the Warreic realms. Literally and technically means 'Mixture', but almost universally is applied to people of Gallo-Gemanic-Scanian, or Auraro-Himyari(Warreics count as Auraro-Himyari the same as Aurarians or Borovangen do in this instance) and native Occidentian, descent. Roughly equivalent to the term 'Mestizo' in the Aurarian or Borovangen tongues and Mazidian/Rio De Oro/Vaquero Free State uses. Peoples of other mixed races are called by other terms.

Citation from a column on a large Eiffellandian newswebsite: "In any case, I can recommend a very good plastic surgeon who will repair the princely cousins' faces after the fight, and a very good dentist who will repair the princely cousins' teeth."

There are not many nations within Occidentia which don't enjoy the tradition of Thankskinsmens' Day and its accompanying parties and feasts, but what is the source of all the cuisines which actually appear during the average Thankskinsmens' Day Dinner? We've done the research and come up with an explanation for what each food represents and why it's tradition to eat those foods. While your average Arthan already probably knows this, our readers in the Homeland or in Siu Wui might not know, so we felt the need to explain it!

Roasted Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Green Bean Casserole. These are all popular enough foods throughout Occidentia that it would be hard to let one particular nation, state, province, or sovereignty claim it. However, there are numerous other dishes which make up a proper Thankskinsmens' Day Dinner, and we've found the root of each dishes inclusion:

Grits & Shrimp - A dish which is popular among many, but definitely requires a refined palette AND fresh shrimp to enjoy. Where's it from? Our cousins in Beautancus.
Grilled Salmon & Salmon Caviar - This Cantignian treat spread first among the upper classes of Warre & Arthalan and over the centuries became a 'taste of home'. Most of the salmon consumed in Arthalan and Ware comes from Cantignia too, though Warre produces some of its own as far as wild salmon goes.
Prime Ribs - That's something you think is just because of Taurosites, but you'd be wrong, it's a tradition added to the family table by Sylvania and it's excellent beef industry.
Tamales - Mazidian, right? No, you'd wrong. They're far more popular among western Arthans and Vaquero Free Staters than they've ever been in Mazidia, and it is from our own Arthan Indigenies that Tamales come. You haven't lived until you've had a beef one in orange sauce!
Haggis - This one should be obvious, it's from one of our rowdy northern uncles, Caledonia. There roast turkeys are popular as well, but it seems more likely that we introduced that to them than vice versa - why? Turkeys are native to Occidentia.
Empanadas and Churros - Delicious! Almost as good as pumpkin pie... unless someone had the bright idea to invent pumpkin pie empanadas, then I'd probably die a diabeato! These are the gifts of Auraria to our cuisine, and while we enjoy them as deserts, in Auraria they're more likely to be like the Retalian calzone, filled with meat and sauce.
Cranberry Sauce - While technically from the Cranberry, a native plant of Occidentia, the idea of making it as a sauce to go with meat comes from the Ostwegians we are sure. Have you tried Lingonberry jelly? Very similar.
Rolls and Pita - This is a Pelagasian gift to the dinner table, but that's kind of obvious, no?
Finally, you can think Mazidians for the delicious spiced apple cider that is enjoyed on Thankskinsmen's day. Stories say that when apple juice was introduced to the country it was disdained as 'not having flavor' until it was heated and cinnamon and other spices were added.

• Warreic Sport Association in-talks with Caledonian and Ivernish Hurling Leagues for International Hurling League formation.
  
• Standardized currency chosen for Warreic and Anlyric Realms Rugby. Rugby Players Union achieve great victory, but at what cost for the popularity of the sport?
  
• Elbener Inquisition: Joking matter or archaic institution shambling in the modern day?
  
• Seodae bans numerous Reikokan musical acts, citing 'promotion of perversion' as the reason.
  
• Engellex Fires on its own Embassy? Read about the controversy surrounding it.

• Heavy Storm season in Siu Wui stumps Vacation Planners
  
  With the instability in Laogo, the Warreic airline system throughout the east stands to suffer serious issues with this coming Christmastide. Siu Wui, a city which is bustling outside of the Christmastide season has some issues ahead of it in the coming year. The two major domestic airlines which operate out of Siu Wui, Leviathan Airlines and Hamar Airlines are stated to be prepared to redirect flights, but between the traditional storm season of the Hamar Sea and the instability of the Laogo region, there are serious concerns that the hundreds of thousands that regularly fly out of the region for the Christmastide season to visit friends and family will have some issue actually doing so. (Read more here.)
  
• First Hockey Ultra Region League Game Scheduled for this Weekend
  
  After some time, regulation and contract disputes and more, the newly established 'highest tier' level of the Warreic Hockey League system, the 'HURL', or 'Ultra Region League' has is set to begin play this Saturday, 12/8/2018. The initial match-ups are scheduled to be aired back to back on Starlight System's Sports Channel, Starlight Sports-52. Initial match-ups are set up against Ulaire Udalmen and CarrickAodh Crusaders, followed by the Siu Wui Swordsmen and the Kirkdown Kings. For more about the scheduled match-ups in the Ultra Region League, details on its discussions with the various other hockey leagues and markets for international expansion, and more, check out our (Sports Section.)
  
• Princely Punch-out scheduled for the 15th of December.
  
  The to-be-televised and pay-per-view match-up of the Tanist Edward Anlon and Prince Reynold is scheduled for the 15th of December. As previously discussed, the proceeds from the ritual combat bout are expected to go to various charity organizations, including the Red Triskele, the Warreic Orphan Care Fund, as well as numerous other charity organizations across the planet. Read more, as well as what odds are being placed in the Siu Wui gambling authorities, (here.)
  
• Invasive Species Found in the Waters around Port Artur, New South Caithland
  Alarm has been raised by the Port Artur regional marine authority over the release of at least one hundred Azraqi Spice Island freshwater eels by the Blue Peace “Animal Protection Organization” which has previously been called a terrorist organization by the Warreic government. This species is known to breed rapidly compared to many species of eels in Occidentia, and it is for this reason that the local marine authority has fishermen out on call to capture the eels, and has a bounty on any eel nests or eels found in the region. Blue Peace had previously commented on the 'successful liberation of at least a hundred Azraqi Spice Islander freshwater eels from aquaculture fish farms from the Port Artur region, where they were aimed to be used for the demand for eel in the region. Similar action has occurred or been planned by Blue Peace cells in Taurantine, Beautancus, and the Mazidian Dominion. Warreic officials are planning to deal with other international governments to deal with the Blue Peace at a more international policing level. (Read more here.)
  
• Sargaint Piobar to release 'Sgt Piobar Lime' for a limited time.
  
  Following the popular modification of adding Lime Juice to the unofficial national soft drink of Warre in many southwestern Arthalan regions spreading to more mainstream use, the Abbey Road Soft Drink Company has announced a limited, test run of the new flavoring throughout Arthalan, Warre, Siu Wui, and in select markets in the Vaquero Free State, Rio Del Oro, and Mazidia. Find out where you can find your's (here.)

• Poppy Plaza Studios sues Cyborg Goat production company
  
  Earlier this week, Poppy Plaza Production Studios, -the brain trust left behind by Jen Himsen to promote educational projects for children world wide, but especially offshoots of the (1960 to present) ongoing children's educational television program-, Poppy Plaza has sued Abel Verdent's adult animation company "Idiot Gorilla", over a recent parody sketch Idiot Gorilla's "Cyborg Goat" television program contained. The sketch, attached in the following with a MeTube link, was called "Plaza de Poppy, Aurariano Edicion" and featured a song by the father of series favorite Elmore, about the days of the week starting with Tuesday, and including Tuesdays for Seista, Wendsday for work, onwards to Sunday for god and Monday for Daddy and Uncle Rodrigo's private time.
  
  The series creators had no issue with the parody at first, before concerned parents began writing in. Now they head to imperial court over a definition of copyright and what constitutes as parody.
  (Read more here.)
  
• Royal Ritual Rumble Results
  
  The Ritual Combat to determine the next Tanist of Warre, Arthalan, Siu Wui and the Warreic Realms went on as scheduled one week ago and to no one's surprise it proved to be the best selling pay per view event in the history of the Warreic Realms, bringing in a purported 1,00,000,000 Euromarks in paying viewers just from domestic audiences. The events proceeds were promised to numerous charitable organizations and those donations are now moving towards them. WWO CEO Vance McMihon was quoted as offering Edward a job in the Wrestling world if he lost, but as we saw by the end of the bloodied and bruised face of tanist contender Reynold, no such job offer will be needed. Sports and political commentators worry this will spur a resurgancd of ritual combat for political control. Read more in (Politics Section.)

• The Methuselah Accounts V announced for PC and the CarrickAether Dullahan
  Popular action-RPG series 'The Methuselah Accounts' is heading for release in emulated, ported format to the CarrickAether Dullahan but more than that CarrickAether has been able to get a licensing deal to get the newest game in the series, to be released on its console at launch, which both CarrickAether Computers and Beithesed Entertainment, the creators of TMA, believing such action will bolster sales. Already, The Methuselah Accounts have covered the 'Victan Counties', the homeland of the 'Victan Imperial' race in the second game, as well as the Scanian Inspired Tyrrim in the most recent TMA game, TMAIV: Tyrhold. The homeland of Carnons, in the first game, 'Gladimont', and the pan-Nethlian, Uroduah, Pelagasian, and Aurario-Iberanol inspired Bloodguards' homeland of Anvilrock in the third game, Anvilrock. This has fans wondering which of the other six races' homelands will be featured in this adventurous romp. (Read more here.)
  
• Major Strike against the Triads of Sui Wiu
  
  Siu Wui Royal Police Forces have announced that they seized approximately fifty million Euromark's worth of illegal fisheries equipment, tanks, butchering tools, drugs, counterfeit money, gambling tools and machines, and more have been seized as evidence after one of the largest raids in recorded Warreic history on the Black Spiral Triad of south Konlon Bay in Siu Wui. Find out more about the situation in our (Law & Crime Section.)

((OOC: More to come, perhaps in an additional post. Getting a bit of writer's block. ))

• Criminal Underground 4... best selling game for the month on for the PC and the CarrickAether Dullahan
  There's some controversy spoken about the adventure-RPG-racing-open world game known as 'Criminal Underground 4', and their publisher, Metalhead Games, is nothing new to the controversy. After nearly six years of work, the latest installment of the series released on Valentine's Day and with a catchy jingle, a killer ad campaign, and a promise to 'keep you warm and up all night even if your SO won't', Criminal Underground 4 broke records throughout the Warreic Realm for sales; but it isn't without controversy. Some criticized CarrickAether's allowal of the game to be made for their game console as well, and others criticized the largely realistic recreation of metropolitian Kirkdown, or as the game calls it 'Downkirk', in its parody recreation. Some have complained about its humor, others about its violence, and still others about the fact that one of the missions seems to piggy back off the recent fist fight on national air over tanistry, with a character committing to a machete fight to gain a dukedom at one point in the game. (Read more here.)

((OOC: More to come, perhaps in an additional post. Getting a bit of writer's block. ))

• New Seal Subspecies declared
  Everyone knows that Seals are often jokingly called 'Sea Hounds' and considered a national animal throughout Warre, but what they may not know is that these creatures were not native to all of the regions of the Warreic Realm originally. While abundant throughout the Thuamantic Ocean and Southern Ocean, in the waters around Siu Wui, they were generally absent until the crew of the WSS Whipwind, a merchant vessel that was known to sometimes specialize in the transport of Exotic Animals, was bringing a small troop of Seals from northern Warre to be given as a gift to the rulers of Azraq.
  
  Not all of them made their way to Azraq, and a small duo of them found their way into making their homes in the waters around Haitun and Siu Wui, often performing tricks to get the fisher men to feed them, and saving fishermen who were knocked from their boats. Quickly gaining the name Tianshi Haigou, 天使海狗 (Literally: 'Guardian Angel Sea Dogs') they became popular totems for good luck among the Haitunese fishermen and symbols of the nation within Siu Wui as well. Statues began to be built in their honor in the docks most used by the Haitunese fishermen, and many fishermen's associations began to pay sizable sums for the capture and import of Seals into Siu Wui from Warre.
  
  They became common attractions to the towns folk, as well as frequent defenders of fishermen, especially from the native Devil Shark found around the waters of Siu Wui and Haitun, and it was for this reason that they survived longer than anyone expected. After their initial accidental drop off in the year 1819, they have developed smaller coats of fur, sleaker bodies, much smaller weight, and a tolerance for an amphibious, omnivorous diet. In the span of 200 years, they have changed from being simply a symbol of Warre, to being a symbol of Siu Wui and its status as a child of the Empire. Recently, scientists from the University of Harton, along with scientists from the Royal University of Sui Wui, The University of Lordstone and scientists from Pohjamma's universities, all finished a study and formally decided that the Haitun Harbor Seal was a distinct sub-species. Naming it Phoca vitulina Haigou, they released their findings early yesterday for peer review.
  (Read more here.)

For those who haven't been paying too much attention to the domestic political news scene of the Warreic Realms, it might come of a bit of surprise to hear this, but we might very well have the closest thing we've ever had to a political party controlling the legislatures. With the win of Kenneth Colburn over Seat 793 of the USAW Parliament, Wei Shei Shin of the 13th Seat of the Siu Wui-Haitun Sovereign Management Council, and Rorik Von Lygastein in the 100th seat of the Govan Parliament, the self-proclaimed 'Gaebolga Coalition', so called for its aims to be like a spear and actively collaborate with other nations to eliminate issues, rather than sticking to the decades long (since the Milesia Crisis, for those who were not up on Warreic Historical Proceedings) effort of neutrality.

The Brain Child of The Tanist himself, this group has technically skewed the rules of the constitutional charter against a party simply by remaining firm on their own individual politics but firmly in agreement on several key points of political ground outside of this. With the wins of these young, predominantly ex-military or ex-police citizens of the legislative seats which were open, the Coalition has won itself a majority stake of the control of the legislatures throughout the Warreic Realms. It remains to be seen how active they will be in seeking out diplomatic ties, alliances, and agreements if they are capable of using their political capital to do that, and it remains a key issue to consider- the ongoing crises that is Gallo-Germania.

• The Eternal Crusade up for a potential animated or live action television adaption after strong showing of the movie in Germania an Beyond..
• Poppy Plaza Parody Battle continues in the Courts after a recent batch of new evidence.
• Famous Restaurant in Lumina, 'The Blazing Camel', in trouble over numerous food-borne illness cases against it.. AGAIN. How does this plae stay open?
• Conall The Crusader - New Game in the works?
• Reindeer Meat finds itself extremely popular in a surprising place, the Govan Coast. Why is this though?

Up Next! The World through Food, with Andrew Zapata!

A Commercial for Tom's Grocery Store plays, offering freshly imported and butchered reindeer, bison, and elk at can't beat prices. It is followed by a commercial for Caledonian Appliances, which features a kilted Santa Claus noticing several gifts on the back of his sled which were not delivered. When asked where they came from, he says 'Ho ho ho, even Santa Claus needs a present now and again. Caledonian Appliances, what else?'

The World Through Food Opening crawl begins, introducing the bald, chubby, and clean shaven Andrew Zapata, an Aurarian-descended Warreic with an obnoxiously wild Aresuran patterned shirts collection. It introduces him and his history as a cook and chef, as well as the offer to begin a show that came following the success of his 'Food Studies' articles. As the opening ends, he stands with a smile and introduces today's episode, after catching beautiful views of north-central Arthalan, a mountainous, steamy in places, region complete with tropical jungle in areas.

Hello and welcome to The World through Food with me, Andrew Zapata! Tonight we've got a special treat as we visit one of the most isolated, culturally distinct, and interesting parts of inland Arthalan, the duchy of San Crucadores, a region which is distinct from the rest of Tauros, or from the rest of Arthalan because of its linguistic touchstones, its heavily tribal and meascan influenced culture and landscape, and its history as one of the colonies of The Order of St. Basil, alongside of Auraria before it became apart of Tauros and Arthalan.

Images of historical scenes and historical foods, especially the thin bread favored in Warreic popular culture by Nicosia, crusaders, and jungle scenes, some clearly by reenactors who were included in the episode.

Today we'll be meeting my friend Marcos and eating 'The Rancher's Meal', which is called that because aside from some minor alterations, it is a meal that has historically and is currently, eaten multiple times a day by the people of the small farmsteads and ranches, collectively called 'Rancheros' here, and by generally every working man besides.

A man in a suit and tie, with cowboy boots and a satchel over his shoulder approaches Andrew, and this is introduced as Marcos. Soon they are shown going to and from numerous locations in town gathering ingredients and telling stories of how that is grown, why it is eaten, or showing clips of people preparing it and/or harvesting it freshly. A small chicken farm in the middle of an urban neighborhood is visited for fresh eggs. A huge pan of beans is first washed, then boiled on a gas stove for hours, slow simmered with chopped onions and thin sliced garlic added to it, slowly simmered before being mashed and allowed to cook. Rice-Corn Flour is used to make a masa, or batter, and this is pan fried on a burner which is always there out on the street, and these fresh cooked San Crusadores style Tortillas are then bought by Andrew and Marcos. A man shows them his Avocado grove behind his house after being asked where he gets such fresh Avocados, and he proceeds to give them freshly picked, ripe ones. Back in the market, fresh tomato salsa is chopped, seasoned, with lemon juice and spices added and then ground in a pulmise before being sold to Andrew and Marcos. Andrew takes the time to ask why a seventy year old woman still does it by hand, and Marcos translates. They are answered by her that she's been doing it this way for eighty five years, and sees no reason to change it now. Soon they buy Plantains, and they return to Marcos' house. Marcos sets Andrew to chopping onions for burger patties to accompany their meal while Marcos fries the plantains, and the eggs and they discuss the history of this all. San Crusadores was ruled over for nearly three hundred years by Tiburan Catholic authorities, and tithe and taxes were heavy, but people also simply were poor so ate was near by. Soon, a series of plates is made by Andrew and Marcos, and every person who helped make the food is invited to partake in the refried beans, tortillas, fried plantains, sunny side up eggs, avocado, salsa, and hamburger patties. They finish it up with the local soda pop, which is called 'Champagne' in the local dialect (and brand is called Soda Champange for that matter), and chase it with a shot of the local Plantain Whiskey, a thing which Andrew is hesitant about but Marcos insists on. At the end, they thank everyone for being on the show, their food, and their knowledge.

This has been San Crusadores, a small duchy-tier province within the United Sovereignities of Arthalan and Warre, nestled in the Grizzly Mountains about two hundred miles south of Las Brujas. It's like a home away from home to me, and I think it has just as much value to be explored as the best Azraqi or Larsian food, Gallia has skill but home recipes handed down for centuries can't be scoffed at.

Thank you, and good night!

Following a series of legislative wins, the executive finds itself with even more powers than ever, and one of the first efforts of the Tanist, our vice-executive has been to declare 'An effort to make the strength of Warre help the world more actively', and among the first efforts in response is to send a relief effort to PISPALA, Pohjanmaa despite the nature of the Post-Delegationalist neighbor to the far north of Warre. Further efforts include preparing a package of arms to be sold to Nicosia, as well as further afield such as the legitimate government of Loago and the government of Cybaon.

Further still, in an effort to fend off a recession thanks to the many economic disasters which have been caused by the troubles in Gallo-Germania, Engellex, and beyond, he has fielded a preliminary plan to create an economic union or economic free trade block, or both with its neighbors in Ivernia, Cantignia, Jysk-Ausweg, Caledonia, and beyond.

• Oil Prices down per barrel with speculation on the arrival of Shaeoiumlah Oil to the World's Markets in greater bulk. What does this mean to the Warreic Economy aside from cheaper prices at the pump?
• Without a word in dispute from the Warreic Executive, does this mean the Tanist and High King have given tacit approval for the measures of Engellex to fight Long Sea, Thaumantic, and Three Seas Piracy?
• With Crotobaltislavonian live-fire exercises announced, could gallo-germanian tensions reignite?
• Capitalism vs Post-Delegationalism vs Communism, what are the benefits and the weaknesses?
• Ridraig & Ruins Movie announced after successful Havok! Comics Graphics Novel series, if it will be an original story or based off the Havok! Comics series remains to be answered.
• Squid-ish shaped Starships and different uniforms make 'Star Wardens', the Warreic Adaption of a foreign series, seem entirely new.