APwire ~ Affiliated Press News Agency

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office

We support Carentania in the stance they have undertaken.

 

[Taley]

Secretariat of War

Any attack upon Talemantine forces or vessels by Carentania will be an act of war and will be responded to in kind.

 

[Frescania]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We once more call on Talemantros and Fulanistan to withdraw all forces from the Himyarite state of Jurzan. We cannot approve of such unilateral aggression in Himyar by any state.

Frescanian relations with the aggressive states will deteriorate if combat troops do not withdraw.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Demonstrators protest PMC involvement in Barazi
AP Southport

Several hundred demonstrators from the Cornavian Peace League today gathered in Southport, outside of the offices of the Cornavian Association of Special Security Operators, to protest against the involvement of Cornavian Private Military Contractors in the occupation of Barazi by Blue Union and Greater Sarmatian forces.

The Cornavian Association of Special Security Operators is a trade association representing the interests of 27 Cornavian defense contractors supplying manpower and equipment for governments and organizations in conflict areas, and most of its 27 members are listed as Private Military Companies by the Ministry of Defense. Among them is Sandown Security Solutions, which maintains a major contract with the Blue Union government concerning the training of friendly forces in Barazi.

The demonstrators, among them a number of Labour and Red-Green Members of Parliament, called for government constraints on the operation of the military-industrial complex - specifically companies described as "mercenaries" by the Cornavian Peace League - with countries involved in armed military conflicts. Eight demonstrators were arrested by the Greater Southport Metropolitan Police for attempting to enter the CASSO offices and for carrying out acts of vandalism, but most of the demonstrators in question were said to have behaved peacefully.

In Cornavia, the government permits the operation of security and defense contractors in conflict areas, but subjects them to regulation of the Ministries of External Affairs, Defense and Justice. The operation of such contractors is a controversial issue in Cornavian politics, with opposition members saying that the Private Military Companies compromise Cornavian policy and are actively involved in human rights violations.

 

[Republica del Sur]

Anarchy and lawlessness in Republica del Sur
AP Las Cruces

Sattelite images show mass graves outside major Republica del Sur cities, intelligence leaks confirm. An unnamed source within the Wazistani armed forces has confirmed to the Associated Press that the government of Republica del Sur has started its largest campaign yet to rid itself of all opposition (dubbed in local media as agitators, saboteurs, traitors and propagandists). The government denies the existence of mass graves and calls them `ludicrous allegations by foreign intelligence agencies working to infiltrate and destroy the Republic from within'. Today a protest march in the city of Ramirez de Velasco has gone completely out of hand with police killing as many as 19 people according to official numbers, but the true deathtoll may be much higher. All opposition parties have been outlawed after an outburst of violence against the president. Even the smallest opposition to the government won't go without harsh punishment and it is common family and friends are also incarcerated as a pre-emptive measure to discourage others to follow suit `in their betrayal'.

Inflation has hit an annualized rate of 9 million percent, the highest in the world after the nationalization of all farms in an attempt to boost production and crop yields. After foreign investment ceased years ago the only income came from mining and agriculture. Recently, the Finance Ministry has cancelled all outstanding debts, sending the country on an even faster downward spiral. Even the smallest of offenses are punishable by death as a last ditch effort to bring law and order back to the streets. The desired effect has been reached but at the cost of thousands of citizens murdered by 'grupos especiales de acción', special action groups who hold sway over many cities and the countryside to `smoke out and eradicate' opposition to the DeNavén regime. Despite the numerous difficulties and internal struggles of its citizenry, the regime of Republica del Sur remains tightly in control. The army has sworn unconditional loyalty to the president and security forces even aid the police in putting down demonstrations.

(While this news item was sent to AP HQ from Republica del Sur, the President, Rodriquez DeNavén, has ordered all foreign journalists to leave the country within 48 hours.)

 

[Wazistan]

Top Wazi leaders announce global tour
AP Ijad

Wazi Prime Minister Mehmet Karayalçın will embark on a nine-nation tour of Germania, Gallia, and Scania on August 14th, the government announced Tuesday. In a statement released by his office, Karayalçın said the two-week tour would focus on strengthening diplomatic and trade ties with regional nations and show-casing the country's rapid reconstruction process since the collapse of the country's Islamic establishment in the hopes of boosting foreign investment. It will be the prime minister's first major international tour since taking office seven months ago and the first time a Wazi leader has visited any of the three continents in since the Islamic Revolution.

While a spokesman for the Karayalçın's office says the prime minister's itinerary has not been finalize, officials say he is certain to visit Belmont, Franken, and Arendaal.

Karayalçın's announcement comes just one day after the Foreign Ministry announced Foreign Minister Ibrahim Radwan will leave for a week-long three-nation regional tour on Friday in the hopes of re-brandishing the the country's image of decades of belligerency. Radwan who heads the conservative Wazistan Islamic National Movement party in the ruling coalition, has repeatedly said improving Wazistan's regional standings would be a centerpiece of his tensure.

Radwan is expected to visit Frescania, Fulanistan, and Carentania before returning home.

 

[Polesia]

Several killed in clash along Vangalan-Ratomkiran border
AP International

A skirmish along the border between the People's Republic of Vangala and Kingdom of Ratomkira has left several dead and wounded, according to sources from both countries. Initial reports suggest the firefight started after Vangalan soldiers attacked a Ratomkiran patrol boat, resulting in its sinking and the death of the crew. A Ratomkiran watchtower was also destroyed by an RPG attack during the brief battle.

Current estimates suggest there are five dead and two wounded, one critically, on the Ratomkiran side and there are three dead on the Vangalan side.

The border between the two nations has long been a site of conflict. Defined by the River Se, the islands in the river's delta have been fought over numerous times in the past few decades and the growth of the smuggling business has resulted in inadvertent clashes.

Associated Press will update you as the story progresses.

 

[Clarenthia]

Abasha City Council proposes the creation of a Georgian Nation
AP Tel Afar, Jurzan

Abasha is a city that has been relatively untouched by the Civil War. Abasha is a shinning metropolis and the second largest city in the Jurzan. Abasha made its money from the fact that all of former Akhaltsikhe's goods came through the city and it became a massive trading port, easily crushing the second largest port, Senaki. The economic recession crippled Abasha as people went to withdraw money and the money wasn't there. That and the almost cease of trade in the nation. Abasha is unique among the Akhaltsikhi Cities because it was the only city to actually have a larger Georgian population than it did Uroduah.

The Abasha City Council suggested splitting the Jurzan into two nations, a Uroduah nation and a Georgian Nation. The reason for the plan was because it would allow the Uroduah to run the Jurzan however they please and it allows the Georgians to run their own country however they please.

Rumors say the Jurzani Congress did hear of the request, but so far nothing has been said on it.

Here is the proposed break up:

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[Josepania]

Office of the Imperial Tiburan Chancellor to His Imperial Tiburan Majesty

Should this proposed separation be acceptable to all involved parties in the crisis in the territory of former Akhaltsikhe and the independence and integrity of both states be guaranteed, the Holy Tiburan Empire of Oltremare would endorse this plan and extend recognition to both states in former Akhaltsikhe.

Sincerely,
Giuseppe Emmanuel
Imperial Tiburan Chancellor to His Imperial Tiburan Majesty

 

[Confederal Republics]

Parliament in Cornavia to discuss Jurzani recognition on Monday
AP Southport-on-Sea

The Cornavian Parliament is due to debate recognizing Jurzan as a formal successor state of former Akhalstikhe in it's Monday's session, say anonymous sources within the Cornavian Ministry of External Affairs. According to these sources, the Wainwright Cabinet intends to bring the issue to the Parliamentary Subcommittee on External Affairs on Monday and might pursue its introduction into the Parliamentary main session on the very same day.

Currently, the Commonwealth of Cornavia has declined to recognize Jurzani independence, but has not ruled out the possibility either. The apparent decision by Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright to bring the matter into consideration appears to follow growing international controversy over the Security Council Resolution 13 authorizing Talemantine intervention in former Akhalstikhe. Earlier, Cornavia's Council of Nations delegate Liam Harcourt stood in support of a Radilian-proposed resolution against Resolution 13 and before that Cornavia stood as an opponent of the Talemantine oil embargo against Belmont.

Press spokesmen in the Cabinet Hall and Claridge House, the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs, have declined to comment on the matter. However, Parliamentary sources have confirmed that Monday is likely to feature a previously unannounced proposition from the Cabinet to the Subcommittee on External Affairs.

 

[Khemia]

Civil War in Sinhai?
AP Sri Rama

Once Sinhai was among the most prestigious of tourist destinations on the planet. The idyllic, small and neutral nation enjoyed a thriving economy despite political setbacks. The Sinese people themselves saw a great liberalization in their freedoms, but when the dream of a unified Sinhai finally became reality for the nation several months ago, none would have believed that the country would be engaged in war on the scale of battles fought in decades past.

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Sinese commando's kill rebel forces in the tentative 'front lines' of this undeclared war.

Lines have been drawn in the sandbox, and they are not to be crossed. The schism between North and South is now more than just a principle, it is war. With the death toll pushing past 1,000 in August for Sinese Defense Forces alone, and engagements between government forces and their communist allies and paramilitary rebel guerillas occurring every hour, is the undeclared war in Sinhai the beginnings of more than just a rebellion? Is there an end in sight?

The total death toll for the conflict to-date amounts to over 10,000 dead, mostly civilians killed during a turbulent period in Sai Yok. With unrest ruling throughout the North, these numbers cannot be considered accurate. It is not unlikely that tens of thousands more may have perished in the two months since the fall of Sai Yok.

The Sinese economy has taken a blow, as well, with the tourist season coming to a close it is readily apparent that governments are fearful for their citizens and have restricted travel to Sinhai. While notable tourist destinations such as Ahrakor and Lamae showed a slight increase in tourism, this is likely only due to the recent creation of a sex industry and the influx of sex tourists. Sri Rama has showed a 8% drop in tourism, and locations such as Debal have dropped as much as 20%. The resort towns and idyllic tourist destinations of Bang Mae and Maret have completely closed down as the front lines of the conflict push closer to the Mae Lat Valley.

The conflict has brought two former enemies to a relative peace, however, with Communist forces supporting SDF military in combat operations throughout the North, with Communist forces holding positions as deep as Ang Sila. Despite this positive political turn, the 'reds' as the rebels are often known, continue to push deeper into the Sinhai Union's heartland in the south and east.

 

[Polesia]

Vangala to protect homosexuals from discrimination
AP International

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has now become punishable by fine or imprisonment under new legislation passed in the Vangalan People's Assembly. The Vangalan Communist Party announced the proposed law last week, allegedly under pressure from the Carentanian and Kryobaijani governments, who had reportedly criticised the persecution and lack of protection for homosexuals in Vangala.

Previously, no legislation regarding homosexuality had existed in Vangala. The old sodomy laws implemented during the colonial era under Franconia were repealed shortly after the Communist Revolution in an effort to create a new socialist legal system. However, in conservative and religious localities, Police and law enforcement officials harassed homosexuals. An infamous article in the Communist Party's newspaper The People's Voice also described homosexuality as the product of 'bourgeois decadence' and a 'Western practice'.

Yet, speaking at a LGBT event held in Kilkila celebrating the new law, a representative of the Vangalan Communist Party described homophobia as 'reactionary thought' and promised stronger action in the future.

Opposition to the legislation is strong in Vangala. Protests occured across the country, although were quickly suppressed and unlike most votes in the People's Assembly, this one was far from uanimous with a significant number of abstentions and votes against.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Cornavian authorities arrest Hajri-born imam for deportation
AP Southport-on-Sea

In the Cornavian city of Redcastle, an imam of the local Redcastle Community Center was today arrested by armed members of the Commonwealth Constabulary of Cornavia after failing to report to the local section of the Immigrant Agency for procession for deportation into Hajr. Said al-Wabrouk, 44, was arrested at his home by a tactical team from an elite Specialist Response Unit at the request of the Commonwealth Immigrant Agency.

Al-Wabrouk, one of the leaders of the Sunni Islamic community of mostly Uroduah immigrants in Redcastle, was ordered to leave the country on the account of the Treason, Espionage and Alien Act of Cornavian criminal law. Under Chapter 7 current version of the act, approved by the Cornavian Parliament in 1994, a foreign resident can be deported from Cornavia on the account of "incitement to civil unrest and insurgency or other or endangerment of the security and democracy of the Commonwealth". These controversial provisions of the act represent a notable exception to the country's usually liberal immigration policies.

Muslim community leaders and immigrant advocates in Cornavia are opposing Al-Wabrouk's deportation, ordered originally on the 14th of August, saying that he might face torture or imprisonment in Hajr. Indeed, the regular Immigration and Citizenship Act of 2001 does not permit deportation into countries where there is a "clear and present danger" to a person's life, and the contradiction has been called into question numerous times in Cornavian courts.

The Cornavian Immigrant Agency cites "anti-democratic extremist agitation" as primary grounds for Al-Wabrouk's planned deportation and anonymous sources in the Cornavian government have accused the Hajri government itself of funding the Redcastle Muslim Community Center. Al Wabrouk's deportation is to go ahead at the end of the month, and he is currently being held in the deportation section of the nearby Sandringham Immigrant Center. However, his deportation will be suspended if Al-Wabrouk decides to file a complaint in a Commonwealth Court. He has defended himself as a "community activist with a message of empowerment", claiming that the deportation was motivated by a "jealous atheist clique" worried over his message to the Muslims in Redcastle.

The police operation in Redcastle today caused unrest between Muslim youth and the policemen, as officers involved in Al-Wabrouk's arrest responded to rock-throwing by calling in riot policemen from the Redcastle Police Department. Several arrests were carried out during the day in relation to the incident, and riot policemen used batons, pepper spray and tasers to disperse unruly youth.

 

[Khemia]

Sinese Western Defense Falters
AP International

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Sinese artillery attempts to create a wall of shrapnel to prevent ultranationalist forces from advancing as forces begin a tactical withdrawal from Bang Tabun Changwat.

BANG TABUN - Sinese Defense Forces were unable to prevent elements of the ultranationalist militias from breaking past the military's "front line" defensive positions early Thursday morning, reporters embedded with SDF combat units in the Bang Tabun Changwat admitted. The situation on the ground is far worse than Sinese media portrays say journalists within Sinhai, with elements of the ultranationalist militia's exhibiting exceptional organization for what the Sinese government believes to be 'rag-tag bands of rebels'.

The vigorous offensive on Sinhai's western front threatens to cut off forces fighting in the defense of Plak Raet from receiving aid from forces further south in Debal, and leaves Takut as the last major supply route between the isolated farming region and the urban south. With the majority of SDF forces concentrated in the Katchaburi Changwat, an exposed and weakened western front could possibly see ultranationalist forces pushing to the coast by the end of September.

"We have already begun evacuating citizens from the area," stated a Sinese Defense Force spokesman earlier today, "and are hoping that we can tighten our hold on the area without having to worry about collateral damage. The fight for Bang Tabun hasn't ended yet, this location is absolutely vital to the defense of Western Sinhai."

Despite SDF optimism, SDF personnel simply lack the forces needed to repel ultranationalist militia's, with a mere 8 combat-capable infantry divisions available. Sinese politicians are already looking into viable alternatives necessary to save the Union, and discussions have begun on whether or not to re-implement the Conscription Act of 1944.

Despite popular support for the war being exceptionally high in the South, the government has not effectively pushed to increase recruitment rates within the Armed Forces, a fact that can be attributed to the governments focus on maintaining a stable economy through the crisis. However, with battles being fought at Bang Tabun, Katchaburi, Sinyaphum, and Bang Chak, Sinese forces will continue to lose ground unless a change in policy is made.

 

[Mergogne]

USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The Intersectionalist Party and the Kryobaijani government as a whole is very pleased that our Vangalan comrades have taken this step to provide for greater protection of persecuted minorities. Inclusion of homosexuals in the Revolution is an essential paradigm of the modern struggle against oppression, and Vangala has taken a bold new initiative in leading this struggle.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Member of Parliament hospitalized in critical condition
AP Southport-on-Sea

Stephen Wright, a member of the Cornavian Parliament for the ruling Commonwealth Party and a dissident candidate for chairmanship of the party, has apparently been hospitalized in critical condition following a serious car accident. Mr. Wright was reportedly involved in an accident in Marsden, where the Commonwealth Party is due to begin its party conference this weekend.

Anonymous sources have told that Wright's personal driver and assistant, a 41-year old retired Commonwealth law enforcement officer, was killed in the car crash which took place in the Westwood Tunnel in Marsden. The Marsden City Police has confirmed that the Westwood Tunnel has been closed in its sections between the Marsden Downtown and the exit into Woodlaw Heights East, but has refused to comment on the identities of those involved in the accident.

 

[Umbazi]

Umbazi AIDS research set back by Execution of Dr.Toure
AP Western Himyar

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Jakanda Maximum Security Prison

Dr. Francis Toures, 55 years old, Alumni of the St.Cyr Academy, began his life as a millitary doctor, but, after seeing the casual prevalence of rape amongst the Umbazi Army, set up as a private practitioner instead, and dedicated the rest of his life to treating Venereal Diseases, most importantly the Scourge of Himyar, AIDS.

AIDS was first discovered in Umbazi in 1981, and was inititally treated as an isolated cases. However, it has since spread vastly amongst the population, in part due to the casual excercise of power by the Umbazi Army, and the wanton, un-presecutable rape of Umbazi girls by soldiers whenever they please.

Dr.Toures spent most of his life treating these girls, and fighting to bring AIDS to public Awareness. He was successful in the wider world, attracting the support of many diverse charities and aid agencies. But in Umbazi, his public declamations of the disease were treated with scorn and diffidence.

When, in 2005, he could stand it no longer, and he attacked the Umbazi Army for its wanton spreading of the disease, he took a step too far, and was imprisoned for life in Jakanda Prison in Umbazi. It is believed there, he was himself raped, and recieved the fatal disease aswell.

Yet, when on a plea bargain he was released in 2008, he did not stop his tireless efforts to save as many lives as possible, to warn against AIDS and discourage casual sex amongst his people. in 2010, he was accused of insinuating the President was responsible for AIDS, and this time there would be no clemency. He was arrested and sent back to Jakanda.

Today, we can report, he was executed by electric chair at Jakanda Prison, and the world is poorer for it.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Oil and gas at the center of Island Cornavia's issues
AP Southport-on-Sea

The three Cantons that collectively are known as the Island Cantons of Cornavia - Farpoint, Iron Islands and Northolts, are called home by 3 150 000 Cornavians, 2 100 000 of whom are members of Cornavia's Scanian minority of 2,8 million in total. As it happens, Farpoint and Iron Islands are also the most significant locations of Cornavian oil and natural gas, in addition to the nearby mainland Canton of Greater Alcott.

Farpoint and Iron Islands are also home to the country's most active secessionist movement in form of the Järnmark Freedom Party. Founded in the late 1960s, it has been barred from parliamentary and electoral activity since 1987. The Party calls for the establishment of an independent Republic of Järnmark in the Cantons of Farpoint and Iron Islands, and has been tied with the militant group Nordisk Frihet to such an extent that these ties led to the Commonwealth government's decision to proscribe it under the National Security Act of 1953. Recent polls show that it enjoys the support of somewhere around 10% of the Cornavian Scanian minority.

Though Nordisk Frihet - Nordic Freedom in English - was originally established in 1983 and saw its heyday during that decade, it was brought back to public attention by the 2010 assassination of Farpoint Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeremy Peterson, who was at the time working on prosecuting group members for terrorist offenses. While an assassination of a government official is a far cry from aircraft hijackings and car bombings perpetrated by group members in the 1980s, the audacious attack aroused worries among the Cornavian intelligence community that the group might be making a return. The Commonwealth Security Service estimates that Nordisk Frihet has "at least 50-100 members" and several hundred knowingly involved sympathizers. In addition, a few youth gangs in Farpoint and Old Pyke have taken up the group's ideas of Scanian nationalism and anti-Anglic ideology. But in addition to these nationalist ideals, Nordisk Frihet has also historically professed leftist economic beliefs.

Farpoint and Iron Islands could also have more room for radical ideas than before. The two Cantons enjoy significant rights under the Cornavian system and have used local proceeds from their oil and gas income to institute parallel systems of social welfare and healthcare in order to complement the Commonwealth ones - for instance, in the Cantons of Farpoint and Iron Islands, public healthcare covers 80% of the population in comparison to the 31,9% number of those covered by Commonwealth-level public healthcare out of all Cornavians - but this has also brought with it several issues.

For instance, these Cantons now see what is termed "poor flight" of people from other parts of Cornavia not covered by Commonwealth-level health and welfare systems. In addition, not all of the proceeds from oil and gas in the outer continental shelf and Commonwealth land go to the Cantons but to Southport-on-Sea, and largest oil and gas firms such as Eldfell Energy, Unity Group and All-Cornavian Energy are headquartered in the mainland. Accordingly, key issues in the minds of secessionists in the North include Anglicization in form of both working and non-working migrants, as well as the usurpation of oil and gas income.

In addition, Farpoint and Iron Islands house 300 000 out of Cornavia's 700 000 Sevets, an indigenous ethnic minority that has inhabited modern Cornavia since times preceding the Biblical birth of Jesus Christ.

 

[Khemia]

The Jungle Burns
AP International

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Militants fall back as napalm strikes burn down their entrenched locations.

Sinese Defense Forces have been confirmed to be utilizing incendiary weapons to shatter entrenched militant positions throughout North Sinhai, with reports suggesting a total of over sixty sorties launched overnight. Among the incendiary weapons used are napalm, which reports have suggested have begun causing firestorms in at least two areas, and may have been used on civilian population centers, though these reports have not been confirmed.

The use of napalm was authorized by Sinese Defense Forces Joint Forces Command to spearhead a shock-and-awe campaign that would initiate what they are calling the Khâao Offensive, named after the approaching harvest season for which the Offensive is focused on utilizing to it's full advantage.

Sinese Defense Forces spokespersons have stated that "the targeting of civilian centers is not an accepted practice for the SDF" but went on to admit that "many of the sorties launched in the opening stages of the offensive occurred at night, in order to take full advantage of the element of surprise ... Whether or not civilian centers have indeed been hit cannot be confirmed at this time."

The Khâao Offensive was initiated at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time last night, with dozens of sorties quickly launching strikes at positions from Saraburi to Pak Nam Pran, with reports coming from the north that an attack on Pak Nam Pran proper may have occurred. Casualties from the attack have not been estimated, and mechanized units from the Sinese Defense Forces have pushed into militant territory in an attempt to retake land and force desertion rates among various militia's to rise under the pressure of an aggressive Southern offense. This new doctrine appears to be the brainchild of Sinese General Silpajarn, who was recently given command over the main focal point of the ongoing war between North and South: Katchaburi Changwat. General Silpajarn was unavailable for comment.

Currently the rates of casualties continue to rise for the Sinese Defense Forces, with the total of wounded and killed in action rising to almost 10% of standing infantry forces. With manpower resources running low, a failure to successfully complete the Khâao Offensive may have serious consequences for the south.

 

[Polesia]

Labour dispute ends violently in Vangala
AP International

A two-day strike by workers at a factory near the port city of Chingrikhali ended with violence as officers of the paramilitary People's Reserve Police opened fire on strikers with rubber bullets and tear gas. Seven were hospitalised, one with serious injuries, according to local reports. Suspected strike leaders were detained and are expected to be charged with the offences of organising an unauthorised demonstration and hindering national development, which carries a life sentence.

The factory was owned by Wan Baau International, a company from Wing Sing, and produced some products for the luxury clothing brand Vitas. Since economic reforms in the 1990's, the People's Republic of Vangala has encouraged foreign investment. The textiles industry has benefited and expanded massively, with garments now one of Vangala's main exports.

The disputed occured over reduced break time and restricted access to the toilets during work hours.

Recently, there have been a number of protests against the low wages and standard of working conditions, which attract many businesses to Vangala. Some are sanctioned by the Communist Party and its affiliated organisation the Democratic Federation of Trade Unions. Most are not and are normally suppressed by the authorities.