APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

The Returnee Crisis is a time bomb, slowly defusing
AP Kuressaare

The crisis in Loago and Cabaon that started over a year ago and brought the destruction of the "Virunian Family of Nations" (the reformed version of the old colonial empire) and has pushed about a million people out of Loago and Cabaon which might be the biggest human migration in the 21st century. The nearly all of them are white Loagans of Virunian, and a minority of them of Gunnish, Pelasgian or Engell ancestry.

Their main goals were to return to their homelands, especially Virumaa, but there were other programs of resettlement, targeting those white refugees, especially in Engellachia, but also Natal. Some of the Gunns decided to go to Port Stanley, while others have seen Pelasgia as their best change for a fresh start. Out of the Nethian refugees, Port Stanley and The Empire of Azraq absorbed many of them.

This huge population movement has brought over the year up to 750,000 people into Virumaa, though estimates go towards a million, pushing the country's population to 10 million and severely straining the infrastructure of the country. Some of the analysts have already stated that what saved the Corporatist regime by now was the fact that the majority of the returnees came in late spring, and have the whole summer and early autumn to try to set up their life before the long and cold Scanian winter reaches the country.

The huge population movement is a strain to the protectionist Virunian market and can be a boost, for many of the returnees as skilled, as they have worked in the administration and the industries of Loago but the government needs to know how to quickly adapt to this sudden wave of arrivals. But it can also represent the final nail in the coffin of the corporatist regime set up more than 60 years ago, if the government shows itself as ossified and stagnant, as a social and labour conflict will be brewing between the workers in the Corporations who know that the arrival of sudden new skilled employees means that there is now a tight competition for the job.

"It is clear by now that the New Economic Mechanism, organised by Koit Sokk, wasn't as much as a good will arrangement to let people set up private enterprises, but rather, in the general view of events, the leadership of the National People's Action might have observed that the wave of returnees might actually overwhelm them and they will not be able to integrate the new Virunians into the corporatised state system, hence they liberalised the regulations, letting them organise themselves and set up their own privately owned companies. It is a step forward that modernises the regime," stated Olev Sisask, political analysts for Panoraam.

The regime has started a series of infrastructure projects, from the electrification of the Polar Railway, linking Imavere to Vendra and the Canal linking Lakes Vissi and Jaala to the Ida Sea to the building of housing estates in Imavere, Raasiku and Kuressaare, with even an ecological project in the far north designed to reduce the shrinking of the taiga. Those are all done with the goal of integrating the returnees, as State Elder Koit Sokk has stated that "the return home of so many Virunians must not be seen in such an apocalyptic way, but rather we must now work all together, for we are given the chance to make the country great."

Polesian Sea crossing deaths highest since Seven Day War
AP Midweis

The number of fatal drownings in the Polesian Sea has spiked dramatically, according to human rights organisations based in Bergenheim, driven largely by refugees trying to escape former Trivodnia.

Nearly 200 people, mostly women and children, are believed to have died in the last month attempting to cross the inland sea. Rescue crews blamed human traffickers sending families in unsuitable vessels for the death, as well as the strict immigration policy of the Polesian People's Republic, a Kadikistani puppet state carved out from Jewish-majority areas of Trivodnia.

"Criminals exploiting the desperate situation created by the dictatorship in Amstov are entirely responsible for these tragedies," read a statement from NGO Guardians of the Sea.

Polesia requires citizens to apply for an exit visa to leave, which is rarely granted as the Communist regime looks to stem the brain drain that has helped cripple the country's economy. As Kadikistan's victory looked imminent at the end of the Seven Days War, thousands fled across the Polesian Sea with the help of the Trivodnian and Bergenheimer navies, as well as local fishermen. While most survived, dozens drowned in the ensuing chaos.

The number of sea crossings dwindled as the Kadikistani military tightened its grip on occupied Trivodnia, although land routes through unstable Crotobaltislavonia proved lucrative for people smugglers.

Regional experts say the surge in deaths in the Polesian Sea may recent happenings in former Trivodnia. Kadikistan is formally annexing the Slavian-majority territories, while Polesia has launched a new crackdown on dissidents in response to turmoil in its larger neighbour.

"A tense, more oppressive political climate may have forced many to reconsider their options," said one diplomat who asked to stay anonymous.

The Polesian People's Republic refused to comment on the deaths.

OSTMARK AND KADIKISTAN SIGN MUTUAL-DEFENSE PACT
AP Wien

WIEN (People's Republic of Ostmark) - The Kadikistani Union has made reaffirming its influence in Germania a top goal by signing a mutual-defense agreement, or Belgarsk Pact with the National-Syndicalist regime of Horst Grasser, and by guaranteeing the sovereignty of the People's Republic of Ostmark.

People's Chancellor Grasser met with First Secretary Moravscik in the city of Belgarsk, where the two leaders discussed the current geopolitical situation and agreed to streghten their diplomatic relations by signing a treaty that is set to deeply reshape the international alignment of the small south-eastern Germanian state.

"The Belgarsk-Pact's goal is strictly defensive in nature, to ensure and guarantee a future of peace, prosperity and progress for the national working class of the People's Republic of Ostmark. By signing this treaty we have, once again, demonstrated our commitment to world peace and regional stability." said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Ostmark.

Political analysts suggest the move comes as tensions rise once again in the Long Sea region, with the National-Syndicalist regime of flambolyant leader Horst Grasser struggling to cope with international sanctions and pressure. The treaty, say the analysts, will most likely lead to a partial deterioration of the relations between Wien and its western neighbor, the Union of Eiffelland Retalia.

Aussenministerium — Ministero Degli Esteri
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien — Treviri, Eiffellandia-Retalia

We are extremely puzzled by this move. We have respected Ostmark's sovereignty, we have respected Ostmark's switch to national-syndicalism, we have signed trade deals with Ostmark, Ostmark had nothing to fear from us. No sanctions have been imposed upon Ostmark by Eiffelland-Retalia. We haven't even tried to influence the path Ostmark chose to follow. We do understand that recent events initiated by countries far away made the Government of Ostmark fear for the country's safety, and we also understand that Ostmark cannot join a mutual defence pact with Eiffelland-Retalia due to last year's war in Gallo-Germania, but if Ostmark would have contacted us in parallel with Kadikistan, it would have obtained guarantees from us that we would defend Ostmark against the recent threats from far away countries. This situation will force us to take measures.

Gianluigi di Gravesano-Carone, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Eiffelland said:

Aussenministerium — Ministero Degli Esteri
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien — Treviri, Eiffellandia-Retalia

We are extremely puzzled by this move. We have respected Ostmark's sovereignty, we have respected Ostmark's switch to national-syndicalism, we have signed trade deals with Ostmark, Ostmark had nothing to fear from us. No sanctions have been imposed upon Ostmark by Eiffelland-Retalia. We haven't even tried to influence the path Ostmark chose to follow. We do understand that recent events initiated by countries far away made the Government of Ostmark fear for the country's safety, and we also understand that Ostmark cannot join a mutual defence pact with Eiffelland-Retalia due to last year's war in Gallo-Germania, but if Ostmark would have contacted us in parallel with Kadikistan, it would have obtained guarantees from us that we would defend Ostmark against the recent threats from far away countries. This situation will force us to take measures.

Gianluigi di Gravesano-Carone, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Click to expand...

The decision to sign the Belgarsk Pact has nothing to do with our opinion of Eiffelland-Retalia, which we do not perceive as a threat to our sovereignty and we still consider as a friendly nation. We have no reasons to believe that Eiffelland-Retalia will attack the People's Republic of Ostmark, and we aknowledge that Eiffelland-Retalia has shown nothing but good neighborliness and will to cooperate with the People's Republic of Ostmark, despite the economic and political differences between our nations.

However, while aknowleding our countries' desire for peace, we must also realize and accept the fact that some countries and groups of interest in Europe do not share our same noble desire, and we want them to know that we are ready for the other case too.

Ignoring for too long the presence of Post-Delegationist navies, which are the sole responsible forces for the acts of deliberated attacks and the recent escalations (the Hyacinthe being the most iconic and emblematic incident), would have only exposed our nation to a foreign aggression, the same that the Aurarian Republic avoided only by giving in to the arrogant demands of the stateless entities of the Far East and the Far North.

Unfortunately, we noticed a certain willingness of a number of nations in Gallia and Germania (the Union of Eiffelland-Retalia is among those nations) to open talks with forces that in the recent past have both expressed hostile opinions against the People's Republic of Ostmark and enacted sanctions against its economy and government.

For the People's Republic of Ostmark, the legitimation of anti-gallogermanian far-eastern lobbies is simply unacceptable.

We will never accept to talk or cooperate with foreign, hostile post-delegationist forces on the premises of protecting Long Sea trade routes. It is our belief that the Long Sea is perfectly safe and so are the countless trade vessels that sail its waters on a daily basis - what makes it unsafe is the presence post-delegationist navies that, as stated by the report of the Aurarian Republic (a report that we fully subscribed), are the ones that threatened the stability of the region and perpetrated deliberated attacks against civilian trade ships, and plain terrorist attacks against a sovereign nation.

When the aforementioned hostile international lobbies issued an ultimatum against the Aurarian Republic, the People's Republic of Ostmark firmly reacted by expelling the diplomatic corps of the Commonwealth of Pohjanmaa and the Anti-State. The Aurarian Republic eventually gave up to the vile demands of the Anti-State, but we realize the Aurarian government had only two choices: either accept the demands, or prepare for war.

The People's Republic of Ostmark will not be the next Auraria.

On these premises, it is the duty of the People's Government to guarantee the safety of our citizens and our national waters. This the reason that prompted our diplomacy to sign the Belgarsk-Pact with the Kadikistani Union, and it is a pact that embodies in its articles the common bond that unites the working classes of Europe, united in their endeavour against capitalist imperialism and exploitation.

Ostmark will always promote peace and the principle of good neighborliness, as long as in the frameworks of a reciprocal cooperation and respect for national sovereignty.

For the Protection of Workers' and Farmers' Power,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
People's Republic of Ostmark

STRENG GEHEIM — SEGRETISSIMO — TOP SECRET

Innenministerium — Ministero degli Interni
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien — Treviri, Eiffellandia-Retalia

TO: Volkskanzler Grasser

Your Excellency,

I write to you as Vice-Chancellor of Eiffelland-Retalia, currently acting as Chancellor.

Meanwhile, we ourselves are realising that the decision to talk with the Post-Delegationists was unwise. It is impossible to discuss with people who are not interested in the views of other people. As indicated to you before, Eiffelland-Retalia will not ratify the Long Sea Authority Treaty; however, we have some people to take out of Kashtan alive, so we have to choose our moves wisely at the moment. We currently cannot voice our opinions on the Anti-State, but will do so as soon as we can.

Yours faithfully,

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Minister of Internal Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

Supreme Court forces adoption of E-Gov Platform
AP Camp Hill

The Supreme Court has finally gave a final and definitive decision in the case of Mtoto vs Electoral Comission in which the ex-Chief Minister of Natal, Luke Mtoto has asked for the adoption of the E-Gov platform created during his tenure as an electronic system for voting in elections and referendums and setting up civic initiatives and petitions. The Electoral Commission, back when the E-Gov System, called Inkundla, was set up, has stated that it is too soon for it to be used.

Inkundla uses a registration system where the personal identification number and a special tax code is used to recognise a citizen and allows them to set up a password and to electronically cast their vote from their home of from an app on their smartphones. The DER and the INTAF, the federal agencies overseeing the external and internal intelligence of Natal have tested the security of the system and have given their approval, with an INTAF report stating that "an external hijacking is nearly impossible".

The Supreme Court has voted 7-3 for the adoption of the E-Gov platform and that will mean that it will be used in the coming elections. The Court has stated that they see this as a change to attract young people's interest in the democratic and political process, stating that the ease and the lack of queues on the voting booths will make many cast their votes. It will also make voting fraud harder, as the voting database is automatically updated. Those who don't have access to the platform through the lack of a PC, laptop, internet or a smartphone can still use the classical system.

Under the current electoral laws of the Federation of Natal, all citizens over the age of 18, and the emancipated ones over the age of 16 are allowed to vote. In addition to that, immigrants who have lived in the Federation and had a continuous job and payed their taxes for over a year, have the right to vote in referendums, local and regional elections, but not in the Federation-wide legislative and presidential ones.

Nedernesian Police and Intelligence Raid Port Complex; West Thaumantans Detained
AP Vrijpoort / Freeport

The Royal Commonwealth Mounted Police (RCMP) of Nedernesia and the Veiligheidsdienst (VeDi / Security Service) raided offices at the Port of Vrijpoort early this morning working on intelligence gathered by the Nedernesian Signals Directorate (NSD), which handles domestic and foreign signals intelligence and cyber defence. Five men were detained at their homes overnight, which were raided at the same time as the offices. Two men each from Beautancus and Sylvania and one man from Clarenthia were detained and taken into custody. The raided offices belong to Thaumantic Trading Services Pty Ltd, a company registered in Nedernesia. The RCMP is currently working with Standard Chartered Bank, which services the accounts of the company, to determine the ultimate beneficial owners of the business. According to Companies House, the Nedernesian commercial registry, Thaumantic Trading Services Pty Ltd is directly owned 50% by a Clarenthian registered company and 50% by a Beautancan company, which are owned by companies registered in Sylvania, Natalia, Jyskerige-Østveg, Nicosia, Eiffelland, Auraria and other countries. The RCMP's Special Financial Crime unit is handling the case. Assets of the raided company have been frozen.

A spokesman from the Nedernesian Signals Directorate said that the five detained men had had their telephonic and cyber communication and transactions monitored for years on suspicion of 'highly illicit activity', but NSD would not comment further on what those suspected activities are. A source close to the sting operation, who asked not to be identified, said that Thaumantic Trading Services has been under suspicion of human and drug trafficking, as well as money laundering.

VeDi agents were seen blindfolding the detained men and taking them away in separate vehicles with RCMP escorts. The embassies of the respective governments to whom the men are citizens of have been alerted of their detainment and consular officials will be granted access to them, but attorneys will not be permitted to see the men for the moment as VeDi detained them under powers of the Defense of the State Act 1984, which suspends certain rights for individuals suspected of crimes deemed 'critically dangerous to the Commonwealth'.

AP has submitted a Freeflow of Information Request to the Nedernesian Government in order to obtain further details of this case. AP legal counsel expects the request to be denied, however. Local Nedernesian press, known for being fiercely independent, is expected to have a field day over this breaking news.

@Sylvania @Beautancus @Clarenthia

Private Refugee Initiative Sends Ship From Westport To Burgundy
AP Deliverance

The pro-refugee NGO "Hands Across Oceans" has announced the departure of one of its ships, the Thaumantic Star, for ports in Burgundy. According to a press release, the ship is intended to take in refugees fleeing from hostilities in central Gallia and bring them to countries willing to accomodate them. It will furthermore deliver humanitarian aid to the wartorn country, with Hands Across Oceans stating that it is already preparing the necessary infrastructure to acquire it in regional countries to avoid the need for lengthy travels across the Thaumantic.

Outgoing President of the World Republic Nathaniel Winters has not commented on the mission, but the Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that it is not involved with the activities of Hands Across Oceans nor had any previous knowledge of their plans. The Department furthermore stressed its belief that belligerents in Gallia would respect the neutrality of the World Republic and the civilian nature of the initiative and treat the NGO with utmost courtesy for its noble efforts. Whether or not the World Republic would be willing to take in Burgundian refugees the spokesman of the department could not clarify.

"Within the existing laws of the World Republic, refugees reaching one of its states have several options to apply for asylum. Whether there will be any concerted effort or general asylum for refugees from Burgundy is a political decision that will ultimately rest with the new President."

Kashtan introduces Leninovist classic into school curriculum
AP Siyang

News has emerged from the hermit republic of Kashtan that Kadikistani state historian Milutin Jelić‘s “Leninov: A People’s Father” would become compulsory reading material throughout all middle schools in the secluded Central Touyouan state. Beginning with the next school semester starting in September, thousands of children will read the 1971 800 pages “epic history book” (Ivar Friendship Association) detailing the early life and rise to power of the socialist statesman who’s political ideology has dominated the socialist world for the last century.

The book, which has been described by sources outside Kadikistan as “the written apotheosis of a mass murderer, only useful for the study of a bizarre cult of personality, not objective historical facts” (The Capitollium, Gunnlandia) and “destilled pre-liberalization Kadikistani state propaganda even Ivar is ashamed of these days” (Touyou Book Review), will be read by students side to side with “The President: Our Titan”, which has already been part of the curriculum for 10 years, introducing students to the nation’s enigmatic leader, The President, and his father, who ruled before him as “The President” with the same name and their alleged superhuman feats. The Ministry of Education stated that over 100,000 copies of both books had been prepared to give students the opportunity to take copies of both books home with them as sources of support throughout their lives.

The Independent Democratic Republic of Kashtan (IDRK) has been for the longest part of its history courting both the Leninovist and Post-Delegationist worlds, often temporarily aligning with the side that would offer the most aid to the chronically malfunctioning command economy of “Cybernetic Commandism”, the country’s obsolete network of ancient 40+ years computers controlling quotas for the network of state industries dotting the country. Officially the country has never rejected Leninovism as its leading ideology, but the homebrew addendum of ideological fragments known domestically simply as “Democracy” has in practice superseded the former in importance, giving the President a more ideologically flexible framework to work with. While often counted to be tentatively in the Touzen camp, international politics has often seen the Kashtanese regime as more of a true renegade merely out for its own gains.

While some analysts predict that the introduction of the pro-Leninov work into the curriculum heralds a pro-Kadikistani pivot in Shigö, it has also been suggested that more simply the President seeks to legitimize his rule by putting his tradition of strong man rule into an international context of similar autocrats.

“The only reason they are not reading about Hayabusa is because no gospel has been written about him - yet”, Professor of Kashtanese Studies at the University of Trier, Dr. Ziege, opinioned.

Rochefort Ministry Announced
AP Saubagne

This morning, Jean-Marie, marquis de Rochefort traveled to Rothesmont Palace, where The King formally asked him to form a government as . The 37-year-old Conservative Leader will chair the Royal Commission of Governance, which has been immediately tasked to negotiate a two-week long strike in the Mine Region that has slowly grown into a national strike and important issue. If not resolved, the entire Curlan economy will come to a grinding halt.

"His Majesty has tasked me with the most important endeavor," Jean-Marie told reporters shortly after the royal audience. "I have King Louis-Philippe that Government will open negotiations with leading industry and union leaders."

The strike began earlier this month near Bazieu, when 37 injured miners were denied their benefits from TBC Industries, one of the nation's leading mineral corporations. The local union strike has since expanded across industries and cities.

The first prime minister to sit in the Chamber of Peers in over a century, Prime Minister de Rochefort has selected his finance minister, Christiane Dimont, to represent the Ministry as Leader of the Chamber of Deputies. Dimont will make history on Monday as the first woman ever to lead the Chamber. Additional ministers include:

Secretary of State for Economy and Home Affairs: Madeleine Courbet
Secretary of State for Defence: Adrien Barbeau
Lord Chancellor: Edmond, baron de Cazenave
Secretary of State for Culture, Education & the Arts: Anne-Marie, comtesse de Besson
Secretary of State for Health: Dr. Pierre-Louis Mesny
Secretary of State for the Church: Gabriel Pascal
Secretary of State for Social Security & Equality: Victoire Blanchet
Secretary of State for Infrastructure: Louis, baron de Chuquet
Secretary of State for Environment, Energy & Climate: Tristan Dufour
Secretary of State for Public Innovation: Nadine Gaume

World Republic to place soldiers on ships in Engellsea
AP Deliverance

Just hours before leaving for the first stop in Clarencia on her tour across the globe, President Donna Trumm announced an executive order to the Navy. Civilian shipping flying the flag of the World Republic within the Engellsea are to be manned with detachments of Marines to ensure their safety.

The decision was made after reports of piracy against Salian shipping in the area emerged. President Trumm noted the "instability and lawlessness" of the area and insisted on the World Republics determination not to tolerate such acts, but did not accuse any parties in particular.

Analysts suggest that the decision was furthermore made as a precaution against attempts by domain-forces to intercept trade shipping with the Burgundian Peoples' Republic.

Courtroom Erupts in Chaos after Acquittal of 'Gang of Five' Accepted by Nedernesian Crown
AP Vrijpoort

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Vrijpoort Metro Police were called in to help clear the courtroom

What was supposed to be the first trial of the so-called 'Gang of Five' legal case in Nedernesia turned into what can only be described as a 'supermarket battlefield'. Chief Judge Motoo Kaneko of Vrijpoort Magistrates' Court allowed for the defense team to submit a request for acquittal for three of the five accused and invited the chief defense barrister, Mathijs van Daalen, to address the court. Shortly thereafter the Crown Prosecutor, in what many legal experts call a shocking about face, accepted the request saying that the Crown would not block the move so long as a few minor requests were made.

Gasps filled the courtroom with insults from the public gallery spat out towards the five accused. Soon an egg was thrown in their direction which unleashed a torrent of eggs, tomatoes and even soiled baby diapers, which are a common projectile in Nedernesian civil protests that turn hot.

Cameras are not permitted in Nedernesian courts to protect the privacy rights of all parties and to prevent disruption from their noise and flashes, as well as the pressure their presence can exert on all sides. Court sketch artists were able to provide depictions of the chaos today. This is the first time in decades that a Nedernesian courtroom has disrupted into such chaos. Court Police and the RCMP officers tasked with guarding the five defendants, were ordered by Chief Judge Kaneko to clear the courtroom. After ten minutes went by the building's security alarm was set off and backup from Vrijpoort Metro Police was called in to to assist with the lock down of the building and arrest of disruptive members of the public.

No defendants were struck with projectiles, however a few members of their legal team took direct hits of eggs and diapers. Mathijs van Daalen, leader of the defense team, said he was 'disappointed' with the public's hilarity but happy with the Crown's decision to not challenge the acquittal request. Many legal experts say that the Crown Prosecutor's Office was likely ordered from above to not challenge the request. The only government office with influence over legal proceedings is the Senior Minister's Office, which has many speculating that Senior Minister Bas Duinman directly intervened to prevent the Crown from pursuing further prosecution.

Chief Judge Kaneko could not be reached for comment, but his office said that as proceedings were disrupted the official approval of the acquittal will have to take place later this week, potentially in a courtroom closed to public viewing with only legal counsel and the press allowed in to prevent a repeat of today's hysterics.

President Trumm visits Salen, encourages military action
AP Deliverance

President of the Socialist World Republic Donna Trumm, still on her global diplomatic tour, has encouraged the government of Salen to deploy forces to the Engellsea. Commenting on the regional instability and accusations of piracy exchanged between regional powers, she noted a recent attack on a Salian ship and stated, that she "not only support(s), but encourage" the government of Salen to use military force to stabilize the situation in the important waterway.

The Salian government has not yet commented on the unusual statement, but has otherwise warmly received the President of the SWR and encouraged a closer commercial relationship. According to President Trumm, the two nations will set new incentives for trade to offset the damage caused by regional instability and military intervention by Domain forces in Burgundy and seek closer cooperation to secure shipping lanes in the Engelsea and Thaumantic Ocean.

Serenien Government silent on Kadikistani withdrawal from 1957 Treaty
AP Villesen

In a rare move, Premier Martinique chose to ignore a journalist's question as it pertained to the Kadikistani withdrawal from the 1957 Treaty of Ivar (also known as the Pact of Steel) - it seems that the steel forged by Leninov and Serazin could not stand the heat of the fires fanned by Martinique and Moravscik. The treaty which had been the sole means of keeping the influence of Kadikistani ideologues from Gallia withered in the immediate breakdown of ties between the world's two communist powers in the wake of the Seven Days War.

The Government of Serenierre, it seems, has remained powerless to stop the continued Kadikistani involvement in the situation in Burgundy, which has gone through a turbulent transformation from Grand Duchy to split into a Neustrian kingdom, a communist revolution, and an Elbener puppet; and further to an invasion by the Engell nations. It is clear in the eyes of the international community that the Gallian continent is now the most dangerous place on earth and the old doctrine of hermit like isolation seems the best bet for the Serenien Government, which has hedged its bet on the impregnability of its defensive infrastructure which has long been considered one of the most well invested part of its military.

It is to be remembered that for decades, the communist government in Villesen planned for a total war with the former Grand Duchy of Bourgogne, wherein it was often assumed to be on the weaker footing. And while for a year, Villesen's star shone bright. It seems the crown of Gallian majesty is slipping back to the Burgundians, with a slick Kadikistani effort making sure of it.

AP Wien
281 GUILTY IN OSTMARK'S MAXI-TRIAL; 39 GET DEATH PENALTY.
Dozens former public servants found guilty for "high treason" and "crimes against the people of Ostmark".

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WIEN (People's Republic of Ostmark) - The largest trial in the history of Ostmark ended today with guilty verdicts against 281 of 314 defendants accused of high treason for exaccerbating the 2014-2018 debt crisis and severely compromising the living conditions of the people of Ostmark "leading to almost three thousand suicides in a span of less than four years", the verdict said.

The jury ordered death penalty, the maximum penalty, for 39 men, including the foremost leaders of the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party of Ostmark aswell as prominent members of the government of former chancellor Franz Kohler who was executed by firing squad months ago on the charges of high treason. Among them was former finances minister Ludwig Baumann.

Mr. Baumann was found guilty of accepting austerity measures imposed by Ostmark's international creditors, thus dramatically cutting social security funds and welfare to meet their requests. The "Maxi-Trial against traitors" as it became known, was viewed throughout Ostmark as a demonstration of dictator Horst Grasser's willingness to "strike back at capitalist tyrants that grew steadily more powerful" as Ostmark's finances, and people's lives, crumbled during the infamous Days of Sorrow.

"Death to the enemies of the People!" read the banner headline today in Die Volksrepublik, the country's largest newspaper and official newspaper of the National-Syndicalist People's Party. Although the jury did not endorse all of the prosecution's sentencing requests, the verdict fell clearly on the side of the National-Syndicalist regime. "It was a very, very tough verdict without a doubt," said Julia Cohen, a defense lawyer, as she left the heavily fortified courtroom built especially for this trial in Wien's courthouse.

About a thousand lawyers, defendants and spectators had been waiting for twelve hours when Presiding Judge Adolf Kranz entered the amphitheater-shaped courtroom and began, "In the name of the working class of the People's Republic of Ostmark..." The short, plump judge, who grew a beard during the 58 days he guided jury deliberations, read as fast as he could. A nearly indecipherable stream of names and legal citations poured forth. Gradually it became apparent that men once considered untouchable were being sent to jail.

In the 40 grilled cages that line the back of the room men leaned forward against the bars listening attentively but without expression. As the jury of ten women and ten men stood next to him, Judge Kranz read at a furious pace for an hour and a half. In a courtroom where catcalls and shouted insults from the gallery and from the cages have been the norm during the entire trial, there was only silence when he finished.

Unseen protest against the Central Committee in the Kadikistani Union
AP Ivar

Rarely have we been able to report that certain elements within the Kadikistani regime are currently launching protests against the supreme organ of the leading Marxist-Leninovist nation, the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Workers' Party (A-UCWP). This news is not only confirmed by sources within the 'People's Government', but was witnessed personally by the staff of AP Ivar as the angry protestors marched past the otherwise closely guarded International Media District. While protests in the district are not uncommon and often used as a tool for the Kadikistani regime to show the international press that the Kadikistani people stand behind their leaders, it quickly became clear that this was not the case.

These kinds of protests very clearly indicate their purpose by carrying large banners and shouting simplistic slogans, in the past almost exclusively directed against 'the West' or any other nation that the Kadikistani Union considers an external threat. This time the slogans and writings were directed against the Central Committee. The latter, often described by inside sources as the 'weakest' in the history of the A-UCWP, received heavy criticism from within their own ranks against the results of the Pax Germanica Conference and the consequential creation of the 'Continental Protection Force' (CONPROFOR) which has been given a mandate by all Germanian nations safe for Lars to bring stability to the Burgundian conflict. The protestors seemed to be stemming mainly from the Radical Youth League, the youth wing of the A-UCWP, which seemed mainly concerned with the military cooperation with the Union's former regional rival the Kingdom of Eiffelland-Retalia.

The Youth League, known for their tendency towards orthodox Leninovism and defiance against the reformists whom have held power since 1957, seemingly can not digest that the Kadikistani Union is collaborating towards a common goal with former enemies. It is rumoured that similar protests are taking place in other traditional RYL strongholds across the Union. Currently it's unclear if the recently institutionalized 'Anti-Reactionary Committee's', the armed wing of the RYL that was created last year in response to what the regime describes as the 'Northern Reactionary Insurrection', will be willing to get violent to aid its cause. The RYL, belonging to a strain of Marxist-Leninovism that is called 'anti-revisionist' and the more radical 'rejectionist' in socialist jargon, was reported to be at odds with the reformist Central Committee on several occasions. This, however, marks the first time that they seem convinced to show the international community their grievances and break with the image of a united nation that Ivar has always exported.

It is uncertain if we will manage to keep reporting about this issue as the narrowing reformist majority within the A-UCWP won't be happy that this news has leaked outside of the capital.

Trumm visits Azraq, refuses to answer questions, talks about curry
AP Jugol

A press conference following President of the SWR Donna Trumms visit to Azraq during her global tour has caused frustration amongst journalists, as Trumm answered little to no questions. Praising the hospitality of the Azraqis and noting nonspecific progress on cooperation in the Implarian Sea and trade, Trumm dismissed questions about her statements regarding the Holy Land, as well as an ongoing diplomatic spat between the SWR and the Thaumantic Domain over the Engelsea and refused to comment on speculations about her cutting her global tour short to adress the rising tensions.

Instead, President Trumm veered widely off course during her press conference and held an almost hour long monologue about Azraqi curries. Listing various recipes and finer culinary points she supposedly learned during the state reception held in honor of her visit, she left most journalists present baffled and speechless, with the exception of a selected few yellow press representatives, who seemed enthusiastic to know more about the Presidents private culinary preferences.

Serenien Premier calls for humanitarian conference to discuss plight of Burgundian civilians
AP Villesen

Issuing her harshest critique of the incursion into Gallia by the Engell alliance and the crisis as a whole, Serenien Premier Elisabeth Martinique has announced her intention to host a conference focusing on the humanitarian excesses of the Human Commodity System and the high risk of a similar fate befalling Burgundian citizens. The Government of Serenierre has issued invitations to the countries of the world - except the actively hostile participants of the Burgundy crisis. The conference shall aim to discuss a multilateral means of ensuring the safety of civilians and to coordinate humanitarian missions globally for the benefit of Bourgogne.

Despite diplomatic tensions in the recent past, the Villesen Government has invited the Governments of the Anti-State, Kadikistan, and Eiffelland to the conference in the "interests of humanity".

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The Honorable Elisabeth Martinique
Premier
Serazinist Republic of Serenierre
Villesen, Serenierre

Dear Premier Martinique,

Irrespective of the current hostilities occurring in Bourgogne, the humanitarian efforts to restore the damage done to the country through the actual collapse of the Burgundian state and subsequent liberation of Neustria by Domain Forces should not be hindered or limited by political tensions and affiliations.

The Serazinist Republic should take note that the West Engell Republic organized its own humanitarian effort into Bourgogne bringing together peoples who would otherwise rarely be seen coordinating at such a level. The human cost of this war supercedes our political allegiances and this a belief held strongly by the Domain and those countries which have worked with the WER to coordinate efforts, including the transition of Treatyfolk forces to a focus of reconstruction.

The disinformation campaign launched by Serenierre in an attempt to vilify Domain Forces, especially with regards to labeling the Penal System of Domain nations as a “humanitarian crisis” while pretending that caging human beings for years on end is somehow progressive and humane adds nothing to the conversation on humanitarian aid to Bourgogne, furthers divides between peoples, and compromises the safety of civilians.

We therefore call upon the Serazinist Republic to drop pretentious of dividing the planet further and instead cooperate to ensure that the people of Bourgogne are given a better life.

In mutual prosperity,

ASTON NOTLEIGH

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