CNBC 24H News - Military officials prepare for a post-election Cabinet Defense Review in 2011

[Batavië]

Veiligheidspolitie

We commend the work of the Commonwealth Security Services for detaining a suspect, who will naturally be afforded the rights and rituals guaranteed in a democratic state. We do ask our counterparts that if any information arises during the investigation of this individual in relation to the fugitive former SV agents that such information is passed on to our Cornavian Bureau in the Batavian Embassy in Southport-on-Sea.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of External Affairs
Commonwealth of Cornavia

While it is questionable if Commonwealth authorities should even entertain the thought of giving credence by a reply to the so-called retort of the Vangalan foreign ministry, we will note that the investigation will be conducted under the strict standards of rule of law that have been adhered to in Cornavia for almost two hundred years.

Regards,
Mr. William Fenner,
Minister of External Affairs

Commonwealth Security Service
Ministry of Justice
Commonwealth of Cornavia
To Veiligheidspolitie under strict confidentiality

The investigation presently in progress by the Counter-Intelligence Section and the Counter-Intelligence Division of the Public Security Wing has so far yielded only evidence that the suspect in question had attempted to leave the country with files subject to internal distribution restrictions by his employer stored on his computer. In addition, financial difficulties involving gambling have been identified as the reason he was marked as a potential security hazard by the security officers in his employing company.

Based on current evidence alone, it is believed that the suspect in question was either aiming to sell the information to industrial actors in Vangala, or was planning to sell the information to Vangalan intelligence services and took the trip in order to minimize the risk of detection by counter-intelligence. However, at this time we are not prepared to overrule the risk of accomplices involved in the operation.

Nevertheless, it is prudent to consider the suspect as an asset only at this stage, and it is unlikely that there is any relevance in regards to the information sought out by the Vepo. However, the Security Service will naturally keep its Batavian friends appraised as to any developments in the matter.

Regards,
Mr. Brian Rickman,
Director, Counter-Intelligence Section,
Commonwealth Security Service

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - North Park denies rumors of an impending Cabinet crisis

Cabinet officials up in North Park have denied the rumors of an imminent crisis in the Cabinet and the Commonwealth Parliament after information was leaked out into the press of a planned defection by a number of Commonwealth Party parliamentaries over to the opposition Republican Party. If realized, the defection could mean that Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright's Cabinet would no longer have the support of the majority in the Commonwealth Parliament.

The Southport Times broke the defection story on Friday, after which numerous other news outlets have followed up on it, adding to widespread speculation of an imminent Cabinet crisis. "The Wainwright Cabinet has been adamant of its program of globalist reforms in foreign policy, first through Cornavian involvement in the Council of Nations and then the inroads made with the Northern Council and through Franken the European Defense Federation", wrote Times, "And as such, there is growing discontent among the Parliament over this seeming offense against traditional armed neutrality, and indeed, the very principles of Cornavian independence."

At the same time, the Republican Party under the leadership of Member of Parliament Lawrence Anderton has been increasing its support by overt criticism of the Wainwright Cabinet's foreign policy and by addressing several political issues of controversy including problems related to the widespread foreign immigration which has taken place during the recent decades. The Republicans' growing support has already been indicated by the 10% gain in support attained by the party in the Northern Parliament elections, as well as opinion polls conducted during the recent months, and some analysts say that dissenting Commonwealth Party members could be becoming more and more interested in joining the rising Republican tide of Cornavian internal politics. At the same time, the grassroots antiglobalist New Lightbearer movement has thrown its weight behind the Republican Party.

Both the Commonwealth Party leadership and the Cabinet Chancellery have denied the rumors of an impending political crisis. "It's hard to please everyone", said Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright in a press conference held on Saturday in response to growing crisis talk in the Cornavian media, "And I will readily admit that not everyone in my party is fully behind my Cabinet's foreign policy. Still, this talk about a widespread political crisis threatening the very stability of my Cabinet is downright ludicrous, and the journalists responsible are in a severe need of re-evaluating their professional values."

Republican chairman Lawrence Anderton, on the other hand, was gleeful in responding to CNBC reporters over the rumored parliamentary shift in favor towards his party. "It's definitely becoming more and more evident that Wainwright is favoring foreign interests, as well as those of the globalist big business and Southport-on-Sea elitist circles over here, rather than the interests of the common Cornavian", Anderton replied in a blog post in the Republican Party's official homepage, "We, however, are the voice of the common man, and that voice will be heard in Cabinet by the time the next elections are over."

The next elections of the Commonwealth Parliament are scheduled to take place in 2011, but if the Wainwright Cabinet were to lose its supporting Parliamentary majority, elections could be seen in an earlier date.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Rival railroad corporations protest Transcon Cornavia's membership application in the SETSA, demand joint membership of Cornavian sector leaders through the Intercantonal Railway System
Southport-on-Sea - Scientific and Vocational Universities conduct entrance examinations for this autumn's applicants of studying places in groups to commence in January 2011
Whitehaven - Commonwealth Prosecutors to bring industrial espionage charges against the 25-year old Vangalan citizen held in October by Public Security Wing investigators
Whitehaven - Christmas sales start off early this season as retailers try to compensate for the year's lacking sales results
Farpoint - Two Cantonal Constables wounded in a pipe bombing by unknown assailants after the planned execution of Nordisk Frihet member Einar Stenberg for murder is announced

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The People's Republic of Vangala strongly objects to the harassment of an innocent Vangalan citizen by the Cornavian authories. The ridiculous accusations of espionage are based on fabricated evidence to justify anti-Vangalan sentiment as well as encourage racism and fear. We demand the charges are dropped.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of Justice
Commonwealth of Cornavia

The Commonwealth government wishes to refute any claims implying partiality or lack of due process by the Commonwealth Prosecution Bureau or any other organs of the Cornavian justice system by once again affirming that Cornavian judicial processes are subject to the strictest checks and balances intended to ensure fair trials.

Unlike in Vangala where the regime is undoubtedly used to having its way in all affairs, in Cornavia the political government cannot force the judiciary to abandon a criminal inquiry. As such, the Whitehaven espionage case will be up to the Commonwealth Prosecutors and the Courts.

Regards,
Mr. David Connington,
Minister of Justice

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - Security Service confirms Nordisk Frihet got close to a "mass casualty" bombing

Following the disarmament of a car bomb in downtown Farpoint, the Commonwealth Security Service has confirmed the suspected role of the Nordic separatist group Nordisk Frihet in the incident. In a press conference held in Southport-on-Sea, CSS General Director Jonathan Wilcox said that the group had apparently been aiming to inflict "mass casualties" in Farpoint's Ryan Fairmont Square and that they would have likely succeeded without last Monday's law enforcement intervention.

Wilcox, in a joint press conference with Chief Security Advisor Christine Collins and Minister of Justice David Connington, said that the bomb's composition included "450 liters of propane" and over 200 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a composition substantial enough to inflict severe damage to buildings adjacent to the square and to the people who would have been in the area at the time of the explosion. The square is located in a central area of downtown Farpoint, and is heavily trafficked during all weekdays. In addition, landmarks including the local representing offices of the Commonwealth Cabinet and the Farpoint Canton Hall are located at the square.

The explosive device itself was reportedly parked near the Canton Hall, which would have been seriously damaged by the explosion. No sessions of the Cantonal legistlature were scheduled for the day the bomb was discovered, but the building would have still housed cantonal legistlators and civil servants for most of the day.

A joint investigation by the Security Service, the Farpoint Anti-Terrorist Branch and the Public Security Wing of the Greater Southport Metropolitan Police is in progress, and the law enforcement services are in the process of looking for multiple culprits. A 32-year old man of ethnic Scanian origin was shot and wounded by police special forces in Farpoint less than thirty minutes after the bomb was discovered, and is under arrest under suspicion of involvement with the Nordisk Frihet cell responsible. Law enforcement sources have not released public comments as to whether or not they believe that the cell is capable of launching new attacks.

The incident has created significant controversy among security experts and political insiders, and there are now worries in the air that the incident and previous ones preceding it - including this year's discovery of an active Nordisk Frihet cell nicknamed "Farpoint Six" and the killing of a prosecutor in the Farpoint Six case - have caused many to ask if the Nordic separatist group is gearing up to reactivate. Already, many in Commonwealth Parliament have called for stricter measures against separatist sympathizers, who have recently gained increasing support through political disputes related to resource management and immigration among others.

Nordic regionalist and separatist groups including the Nordic People's Party and the Järnmark Freedom Party have accused the government of "over-hyping" the threat caused by Nordisk Frihet as a political weapon against regional separatism.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Sebastian Quintaine University ranked as the "17th best humanities university in Europe" by Capitollium Journal in Olmolungring
Southport-on-Sea - 16-year Commonwealth Parliament veteran Augustus Schneider defects to the Republicans, citing "globalist excess" in the Commonwealth Party and dissatisfaction with the Wainwright Cabinet
Southport-on-Sea - Heavy snowfall brings a harsh introduction to the winter for many Cornavians as intercity traffic is interrupted, -10 degrees recorded in Southern Cornavia
Ashland - Labour Party chairman Stuart Fenwick, on a regional tour in Northwestern Cornavia, comments favoringly on Batavian social welfare plans
New London - Cantonal infrastructural planning officials investigated for irregular liaisons with regional property developers
Haven - All-Cornavian Energy to give environmental authorities in The Northolts donations to continue the operation of a natural reserve for archipelagic birds

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - Parties start up early for 2011's Parliament election campaigning

With the elections of the Commonwealth Parliament scheduled to take place on January 30th 2011, the parties which are to be involved in the elections have stepped up their campaigning efforts to attract voters. Most of the involved political parties have already submitted their candidate lists to the Ministry of Justice, including the incumbent Parliamentary parties, and have formally opened their election campaigns.

The Parliamentary elections of 2011 are expected to be spiced up by the questions of immigration and Cornavia's relations with international organizations such as the Council of Nations and the Northern Council, as well as Europe's major alliances. The driving motor in the discussion about these questions has been the Republican Party and its firebrand leader Lawrence Anderton, who has heavily criticized the policies implemented by incumbent Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright and her Cabinet during its first, 2007-2011 term so far.

Republican success in the earlier Northern Parliament elections has caused some to suggest that the party could be capable of breaking the Commonwealth Party's 50-year position as the sole governing party of Cornavia. However, Cabinet Chancellor Wainwright and her insiders have been adamant in their confidence over their own party's chances of success in spite of dissatisfied murmurs in the Commonwealth's Party's internal ranks. There have been suggestions that internal opposition elements scattered since the death of chairman candidate Stephen Wright have been regrouping, possibly to seek cooperation with the Anderton-led Republican opposition.

Another, less important victor in the elections are set to be the Red-Greens, as the party is capitalizing on what some have described as a loss of traditional support base for Cornavia's traditionally leading leftist Labour Party as industrial workers become a less and less important segment of voters. "as the traditional working-class is being joined by youth and others in precarious and irregular terms of employment, the traditional Labour Party solutions have become inadequate in representing the modern face of the left", said political philosopher Charlotte Nevins, a Red-Green Member of Commonwealth Parliament. Not only Red-Greens such as Nevins, but also independent scholars hint that the party might well steal votes from Labour in the 2011 elections.

As with previous elections, parties and candidates are expected to spend large sums of money in personal and electronic campaigning, highlighting the influence of sufficient electoral funding. Criticism over the growing importance of financing and the calls to improve the transparencing of election funding have, once again, been met with fierce discussion. "The right to contribute to a cause one considers worthy is as important to a functional democracy as is the right to vote in secret", said Mark Devlin, the PR Director of the Cornavian Chambers of Commerce in response to calls from leftist politicians for more transparent election funding systems.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Maintenance of a heightened anti-terrorist alert recommended by Cabinet Intelligence Committee as the organ meets in Southport-on-Sea to discuss recent terrorism issues
Southport-on-Sea - Northern Council proposals for common border security and financial policy meet heavy discussion in Commonwealth Parliament
Bolton - Communist and unionist political organizers and leaders involved in anti-Unity Group rioting receive convictions and compensation orders as courts in Bolton and Alderney deal with cases resulting from the strike
Whitehaven - Business circles interested in the Northern Council's possible proposition of headquarering the organization's economic functions in Southport-on-Sea
Whitehaven - Hajri-origin boxer Farik Khaldun al-Rahman to face ruling champion Tommy Simms in boxing's heavyweight professional final at Southport-on-Sea's Beacon Arena after defeating semifinal opponent John Harrington
Farpoint - Stratton Microsystems to team up with Havershaw Teleservices to improve wireless satellite Internet access in the Northern Archipelago

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - "Operation Final Redemption" to bring old war criminals to the courts

The Ministry of Justice and several non-governmental organizations including human rights groups and war veteran organizations, today announced the commencement of Operation Final Redemption, a joint effort to bring into justice the last Cornavian war criminals of the Great War and the subsequent 1948-1951 Red Uprising. Final Redemption aims to investigate the war crimes that occurred during the Great War period, and to establish whether any alive individuals responsible for war crimes can be prosecuted. With those who were 20 in 1945 being 85 today, the window of opportunity for the prosecution of war criminals remaining at large appears to be closing.

Between 1951 and 1957, a dedicated organization known as the Parliament Special Committee on War Crimes was in charge of reviewing complaints and prosecutions against former members of the fascist regime and the communist insurgent groups. Since the committee ended its work, war crimes cases have occasionally been brought up in regular Cornavian courts up to this day, as offenses such as treason, high treason, espionage, genocide and murder carry no statures of limitations and thus those offenses carried out during the 1940s and 1950s can be brought to courts even today.

Up to 300 000 civilians are estimated to have perished in Cornavia before and during the Great War due to the terror inflicted by dictator Thomas Maxwell's fascist regime, and near a 100 000 are estimated to have been killed during the Red uprising primarily in urban warfare and in political purges carried out by the Communist insurgents. These acts were primarily performed by the paramilitary elements of the Cornavian Guard and the regular Maxwellist Army, and by the post-war Cornavian People's Army and the Cornavian Revolutionary Guard.

In addition to reviewing former unsuccessful war crimes cases with new evidence and investigative techniques, the authorities are urging people with knowledge about historical atrocities to come forward. "Any old woman or man with knowledge about past horrors that have been left unadjudicated should come forward now, while there is still time to repair a guilty conscience", said Member of Parliament Alexandra Hayworth (Lab.) who chairs the human rights group "Against Persecution". The group is one of the NGOs contributing volunteers to the drive to find evidence about historical war crimes.

A number of war criminals are said to have fled abroad, either clandestinely or as part of Cornavian emigration waves that followed the Great War. Final Redemption will also try to establish whether any of them are alive to be repatriated. Countries including LFS memberstates and Batavië and Kryobaijan have been identified as likely refuges for fascists and communists respectively.

Some politicians have questioned the sense in using government law enforcement resources to find perpetrators of offenses carried out 60-70 years ago, particularly given that the persons responsible are no longer in a capacity to do any more damage. Minister of Justice David Connington responded to these statements in the inaugural press conference of Final Redemption, saying that "It's also about sending a signal, because the communists and fascists are still out there, adhering to the same totalitarian ideas that they adhered to during the Great War. That we're pursuing their sources of inspiration sends a signal that we'll not relent in our battle against such ideas of horror."

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Republican Party leader Lawrence Anderton to introduce an alternative foreign policy program as part of the party's platform for the 2011 parliamentary elections
Southport-on-Sea - Ministries of Justice and Health and Education to establish a committee on re-evaluating the status of LSD and ecstasy as forbidden drugs according to the law
Southport-on-Sea - 21% of adult Cornavians "wouldn't vote for a person professing religious affiliation in elections", says a poll conducted by the Scanian University
Redcastle - Cantonal officials in Eastern Crownland issue a warning over extremely poor weather as heavy snowfall continues
Marsden - Traffic along Commonwealth Highway 16 interrupted after a blizzard results in a thirty-vehicle chain crash with two fatalities and several injuries
New London - Commonwealth Specialist Crime Agency investigators carry out arrests of Cantonal officials, property developers in a corruption scandal involving regional development

 

[Khemia]

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[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - Republican leader Anderton would emphasize bilateral ties instead of supranational mechanism

One of the key points the opposition Republican Party is making on its way to challenge the standing two biggest parties, Commonwealth and Labour, over political supremacy is its opposition to the foreign policy of Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright and her cabinet. In its Alternatives for Foreign Policy 2011 platform released on friday, Republican leaders call for a reduction of the importance of the Council of Nations and the Northern Council in Cornavian foreign policy.

Instead the report, largely authored by Parliament firebrand and Commonwealth Party chairman Lawrence Anderton, would have the Commonwealth pursue "bilateral ties with like-minded regional powers" instead of the Wainwright policy of developing ties with international actors such as the Northern Council. Republicans such as Anderton also accuse the current cabinet of having abandoned Cornavia's traditional doctrine of armed neutrality in regards to major alliances and through the Cornavian involvement in the Council of Nations.

While the Republican Party continues to say that regional neighbors should not be forgotten even in the future, its main line advocates greater cooperation with "democratic powers free of the poisonous burden of alliance ties". As an example of such countries Anderton mentions the Blue Union of Zivotinje, pointing to the influence of the Zivotun revolution in shaping the original 1834 Cornavian Revolution, and to the historical role of the country in opposing "overgrown globalist currents."

"The Northern Council is stealing Cornavian independence from Cornavians and taking the right to decide on our own affairs away from us into the hands of foreigners and bureucrats, and all with the help of our own government", said Lawrence Anderton during a press conference announcing the publication of the Alternatives for Foreign Policy platform, "We're already seeing plans for common markets and economic structures, and for the erosion of internal borders? What does this mean? It means that in five years we'll start seeing Batavians used to lower pay coming here to flood the job market while foreign bureucrats put us to the tax to fund parts of this Northern Council that don't have anything at all to do with the good of Cornavia."

The vocal policies that the Republicans and Lawrence Anderton have grown to espouse since Anderton took over the party have been met with criticism on behalf of political moderates, particularly his slogans such as "Northern Council - give freedom, receive immigrants and taxes". Certainly, he's not winning any points among intellectuals and political liberals, but in a time of growing uncertainty about Cornavia's future in the world many are drawn to Anderton and his populistic message.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Two shot and killed in an Uroduah restaurant in the notorious ward of Farring in relation to a suspected gangland dispute between Hajri organized criminal groups
Southport-on-Sea - Political pundits stirred by rumors of an attempt by the small Christian Party to seek an electoral coalition with the Repuiblicans, but party insiders remain tight-lipped
Southport-on-Sea - Southport-on-Sea University of Commerce study identifies social networking as the new "hit" means of advertising for companies operating in B2C sectors
Bremerholm - Commonwealth Navy Submarine Memorial is amended by the incorporation of the recovered Whitefish class Great War boat S52 into the memorial after its restoration
Farpoint - Local and Commonwealth authorities continue the hunt for those responsible for the recent failed attempt to bomb Farpoint's Ryan Fairmont Square, Nordisk Frihet involvement suspected

 

[Batavië]

'I believe that the Republican Party in Cornavia and the people considering supporting them should wait for these unprecedented integration laws to come into affect before criticising what they have not yet seen. There are both positive and negative affects to all changes in the status quo, but I firmly believe in the principles of the Northern Council and I believe that the average Cornavian will benefit from the changes on the horizon.'

Northern Council Secretary-General Hans-Erik Rasmus at a press conference in Threveburg, Vistrasia

 

[Confederal Republics]

National Headquarters of the Republican Party of Cornavia

I, and the other Members of Parliament and Members of Northern Parliament and the other activists representing this party have reacted to continuing developments within the Northern Council based on legitimate concerns and worries expressed by Cornavian citizens and voters that the present development under way in the Northern Council by the globalist elites in all member states will compromise Cornavian interests and ultimately our very democracy, sovereignity and identity.

As always, we remain committed to the good of our voters, to the good of our people and to the good of the Commonwealth in adherence of the traditions of the Four Freedoms set by the revolutionary founding fathers of 1834.

Regards,
Lawrence Anderton,
Member of Parliament,
Chairman, Republican Party of Cornavia

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - Heavy snowfall interrupts traffic throughout the entire country

The outbreak of a blizzard front spanning territories in entire Cornavia has interrupted air-, sea- and landborne transportation and resulted in electricity and phone service interruptions in rural areas. Estimates released by the Commonwealth Weather Center and the Weather Institute of the Whitehaven University of Technology predict the continuation of heavy snowfall and cold weather ranging from -5 to -20 in different parts of the country.

In Southport-on-Sea, Whitehaven and other Metropolitan areas of the country, commuters' efforts of getting into work and schools in the morning were severely impeded by delays caused by weather-inducing malfunctions in bus and rail systems and poor driving conditions, which were mirrored by incidents in smaller cities and towns. The Commonwealth Aviation Administration has warned air travellers that the prevalent conditions could lead to cancellations of domestic and international flights, while the Maritime Administration issued a similar warning concerning archipelagic and international ferries. Indeed, many flights and ferry routes were cancelled due to the poor weather conditions, in some cases leaving passengers stranded in airport and harbour terminals for several hours. In the Cantons of Farpoint, Iron Islands, Coleridge-Anston and New Sutherland several school districts decided to cancel their school classes during the first half of the week due to a lack of student transportation.

Transport companies are expected to bring out their reserve stocks in case the severe weather continues and buses and trains suffer from weather-induced malfunctioning.

At the same time, low visibility and impaired driving conditions on roadways have lead to several incidents in traffic. Among the most notable incidents five people were killed in a collision between two personal cars on the Greater Southport Ringway, while several people were injured near Marsden when an inter-city bus went off the road. Police sources have reported dozens of less severe collisions in Cornavian cities, and Commonwealth authorities are urging drivers to be mindful of the existing weather conditions. Traffic police units in different parts of the country will be launching inspections on the existence and conditions of winter tires in cars this week.

Some of the more remote rural areas have also experienced power outages and interruptions in wire telephone service, caused by weight created by falling snow over power and telephone lines and by tree branches weighted down to power and telephone lines by snow. Energy and telephone companies as well as forest owners have made promises to step up their efforts of pruning possible "storm and blizzard hazard" trees in certain rural areas, but residents especially in the Northeast have complained of a lack of attention.

Not all Cornavians have been troubled by the speedy coming of the winter. Ski resort entrepreneurs have been having a field day since most of the country begun getting heavy amounts of snow, and the Association of Restaurants and Travel Entrepreneurs is looking forward to the sales made by its member companies over the rest of the year. On the other hand, bookings of "last-minute" trips to Southern destinations have experienced a spike.

The Commonwealth Weather Center predicts that the current weather conditions will continue at least for this and next week. A wind warning has also been issued to the Northern Archipelago.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Oelarian diplomatic delegation received by Minister of External Affairs Fenner and Minister of External Trade Fieldman-Wilcox in Southport-on-Sea for a working visit
Southport-on-Sea - Mayor Anthony Ford formally turns on the traditional Christmas lighting in the Oldtown Central Park, crowds of onlookers drawn in
Whitehaven - CNBC2's Tuesday premiere of the 12-part drama John May on the life of one of the Revolutionary leaders of 1834 and the right hand of President Gabriel Westings considered a success by executives
Whitehaven - Christmas sales kicked in by major Cornavian retailers, National Retailer&Wholesalers Association predicts high Christmas sales
Snowgate/Southport-on-Sea - Execution date for Nordisk Frihet killer Einar Stenberg is confirmed as the 3rd of December after the exhaustion of all appeal possibilities by Stenberg's defense
Old Pyke - Success of local team HC Ironmen in the Commonwealth Hockey League creates a renewed ice hockey boom up in Iron Islands

 

[Confederal Republics]

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SOUTHPORT-ON-SEA - Parties divided over Cornavia's future defense policy

Though the future of the Commonwealth Armed Forces and Cornavia's overall defense policy has been eclipsed as an election issue by the Northern Council and immigrant and refugee issues, the topic has nevertheless drawn attention from the major political parties as they compete over the favor of the Cornavian electorate. In fact, many analysts predict that the issue will become one of more important secondary questions when the voters will go to the polling booths next year.

The opposition's Labour Party drew attention this week as its chairman Stuart Fenwick introduced a set of controversial propositions that are intended to reform the Armed Forces, particularly our country's system of obligatory military service. Among the key points made by Labour are the reduction of length in civilian service and unarmed service in the Armed Forces itself down to six months, which would equal the shortest length of regular military service, and a reduction in the length of reserve obligations and the size of the Armed Forces Reserve and the Home Guard. In addition, Labour proposes launching a special Parliamentary committee to assess the very future of Cornavian conscription.

"With the Northern Council and Scania having entered a period of stability, I think that it's not worth it to maintain the Armed Forces with the size and capacity that they are in at the moment", said Fenwick at a Labour Party election function in Ashland. "The fact that we have been the first to propose these bold reformations means that Labour now leads the way in reforming Cornavian defense policy, and if we're in government in 2011 we are going to follow through with this", Fenwick added.

In 2009, a wide poll done by the CNBC on the status of conscription indicated that 67% of adult Cornavians supported retaining obligatory military service, most commonly citing the carrying out of civic duties and the existing influence of unstable or threatening regimes in Cornavia's vicinity as the main reasons. Opposition to conscription has mainly been a matter of radical libertarians as well as socialists, with the exception of some corporate lobbying groups citing conscription as a problem because it delays academic graduations and takes young men and women off the work force for a period of six months to a year. Since the collapse of the Batavian regime, there has been growing support for military cutbacks, but instability in the neighboring Oelarian State and the possibility of the LFS exerting influence in Scania have taken over the traditional threat of Communism in Cornavian threat thinking.

The Red-Greens, who this week entered an electoral coalition with Labour, have also adopted chairman Fenwick's set of proposed reforms. On the other hand, both the ruling Commonwealth Party and the electoral coalition between the Republican and Christian Parties have stated their support to the existing system of conscript service, while Commonwealth has promised a new Cabinet Defense Review to be launched in 2011 to provide insights on the possibilities of reforming the Commonwealth Armed Forces.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Minister of Justice David Connington (Com.) calls for stricter measures to combat the activities of extremist groups, citing recent terror incidents and evidence of far left, far right and separatist connections with violent activity
Southport-on-Sea - Snowfall expected to settle down next week, but cold weather is still predicted to continue for most of the country
Southport-on-Sea - Death of two Hajri immigrants in a restaurant killing is followed by a drive-by shooting in Lychester killing another Hajri man, sparking fears of a developing gangland war over the drug business in the area
Whitehaven - First Minister Alexander Simmons (Com.) from Eastern March files for divorce after a tabloid breaks out an infidelity story concerning wife Joan Simmons
Whitehaven - Commonwealth Prosecution Bureau confirms that it will pursue industrial espionage charges against a 25-year old Cornavian Vangalan technology student arrested by the Security Service in October
Bolton - Platinum-selling heavy metal band "Fanir's Horns" confirms plans for a countrywide reunion tour accompanied by the release of a new album after five years of hiatus

 

[Confederal Republics]

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COLERIDGE-ANSTON - Commonwealth Armed Forces begin major winter warfare exercise

The Commonwealth Armed Forces are commencing the year's largest military exercises in the Canton of Coleridge-Anston, where Exercise Winter Storm 2010 will be on its way between the 29th of November and the 17th of December. Up to 25000 active personnel, homeguardsmen and reservists primarily from the Army, Air Force and Marines are represented in the war games, which aim to test the capabilities of the Armed Forces to carry out winter warfare. For reservists the exercise will also serve as refreshment, while for the participating conscripts it is the last major exercise in their period of service.

Commonwealth President Charles Breckenridge, Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright, Minister of Defense Elizabeth Durham, Chief of Staff General Asmond Fletcher and various senior military officials will be among those monitoring the exercise, which is headed by Major General Terry Lovatt, commander of II Corps. Foreign military attachés to Southport-on-Sea as well as military officials from other Scanian countries have also been invited to observe the exercises.

The exercises consist of staff, formation and field portions and are based on a scenario where the Commonwealth Army is fighting a defensive engagement against an unnamed Opposing Force that has conducted a landing in Southern Cornavia and is now attempting to penetrate defenses established in the Coleridge-Anston area. According to the General Staff, significant portions of the exercise are to occur in urban areas, but all live fire exercises will be held in dedicated firing areas that are located within the Canton.

The breaking out of heavy snowstorms in the region during the previous weeks prompted discussion in the Army as to the possibility of rescheduling the exercises or relocating them. However, a General Staff spokesman refuted such claims this week, saying that the exercises will go ahead as planned. "It's an exercise to simulate winter warfare, so what would be the better way of doing that than sending the soldiers into a genuine Cornavian winter?", asked Lieutenant Colonel Angela Thorpe, chief spokesperson for the Commonwealth General Staff.

Because of the road movements of a significant amount of military material, and because some exercises occur in populated or travelled areas, the General Staff has set up a website and traditional public service announcements in TV and radio announcing the residents in the region of Coleridge-Anston where the exercises are taking place.

The Cornavian Peace League and the Green Future Association have announced their intent to stage demonstrations against Winter Storm 2010, arguing both against the military and the claimed environmental damage annually caused in the exercises due to live fires and the use of heavy equipment including main battle tanks. The Coleridge-Anston Canton Constabulary has warned that while demonstrations themselves would be tolerated, any attempts to interfere with the military exercises would result in arrests on behalf of regular law enforcement as well as assigned military police.

News in Brief
Southport-on-Sea - Association of Law Enforcement Officers meets with Parliamentary leaders to discuss police officer concerns, including growing gun and gang crime, terrorism and illegal immigration
Southport-on-Sea - Cabinet Hall and Claridge House insiders reportedly concerned of Belmont's LFS ties as the country seeks a meeting with the Northern Council, but no comments are issued by Cabinet spokespersons
Whitehaven - Stock Exchange and corporate leaders enthusiastic as Northern Council brings forward new laws on free movement and the creation of an inner Northern Council market zone
Snowgate - Cornavian Vangalans peacefully protest the arrest and continuing detention of espionage suspect Amardev Sandhar outside of the maximum-security Snowgate Commonwealth Prison
Bremerholm - Commonwealth Maritime Administration puts its icebreakers into full use to clear icy routes to Cornavian harbors, particularly Northern Archipelago and the North Sea reportedly subject to heavy ice

 

[Confederal Republics]

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FARPOINT - Nordic separatists take hostages at an All-Cornavian Energy oil refinery

A hostage situation is currently underway at the Colton Ridge Oil Refinery in the town of Colton Ridge, itself located in the Farpoint Canton, where several armed attackers took hostages today at a VIP function organized by the refinery's operator All-Cornavian Energy. The attackers, who officials say are connected with the Nordic separatist group Nordisk Frihet, have not yet issued demands according to the security officials.

At the time of the attack, an inauguration of the oil refinery after a modernization was about to commence, and senior ACE employees including members of the company's Board of Directors were on site at the time of the attack in addition to representatives of Harland Incorporated, the contractor responsible for the modernization. In addition, Cantonal Ministry of Energy Jonathan Johnson and several oil industry representatives were to arrive to the refinery, but were diverted away when the first instances of violence were reported of. Authorities have confirmed that hostages have been taken, but have refused to comment on their number and identities. Employees from other parts of the facility are safe and accounted for, but some who were in the main building are believed to be among the hostages.

The main targets seem to have been the VIPs, noting that the terrorists directly attacked the main building ignoring the rest of the refinery. Authorities have assured the public that there is no risk of the actual operating facilities being damaged by the terrorists.

According to Chief Clay Morton from the Colton Ridge Police Department, the authorities do not currently know how many terrorists are within the facility but have confirmed that they engaged the security force inside of the main building at the time of the attack in a gunfight, resulting in several fatalities for the defending guards. The scene has been taken over by Commonwealth authorities, with local and Cantonal law enforcement having been joined by units of the Commonwealth Constabulary at the incident site. There have also been rumors that special forces elements of the Commonwealth Armed Forces have been called in, but these have not been confirmed or denied by the authorities.

In Southport-on-Sea, Cabinet Chancellor Joanne Wainwright and senior government officials held a press conference issuing a condemnation of the terrorist acts in progress and calling for a release of the affected hostages. In addition, Cabinet Chancellor Wainwright announced that a decision had been made to increase the so-called COMSEC internal alert state to its highest possible level of Red, prompting increases in security measures and allowing the deployment of the Home Guard into anti-terrorist duties in assistance of the police.

Major political parties have also condemned the attack, as have leading Nordic political group including the Nordic People's Party and the separatist Järnmark Freedom Party. However, the latter expressed sympathy to the attackers in its statement, saying that "the Commonwealth government should take action to redeem the circumstances that motivate men and women into such desperate acts."

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[Arendaal]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

'The Government of Arendaal wishes to express its dismay at the turn of events in Cornavia. Any and all terrorist activity must be condemned in the strongest terms.'

 

[Batavië]

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken | BuZa

Appalled by this blatant act of terrorism, which shall not be accepted within the borders of the Northern Council, we wish to offer the assistance of our special intervention team from the Republican Guard. This veteran group has experience in similar matters form the Batavian Republican Army conflicts of last winter and would surely help.

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of External Affairs
Commonwealth of Cornavia

On behalf of those killed, wounded and taken hostage during the events of today at Colton Ridge, the Commonwealth and the Cornavian people wish to thank the Aren and Batavian governments for their expressions of sympathy. The Commonwealth Cabinet concurs with these statements that violence is an absolutely unacceptable tool of conducting politics.

Cabinet Chancellor Wainwright has resolved to work towards bringing a timely solution to the current crisis in progress at Colton Ridge and to the benefit of the innocents affected.

Regards,
Mr. William Fenner,
Minister of External Affairs

Ministry of External Affairs
Commonwealth of Cornavia
To Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken - Confidential - Eyes Only

The Cabinet Chancellor thanks the Batavian government of this most generous offer, but will notify under strict confidentiality that an Immediate Action Unit of the Commonwealth Army Special Forces on call for critical terrorism response has been already put on a full operational alert and is currently underway to Colton Ridge.

Regards,
Mr. William Fenner,
Minister of External Affairs

 

[Medolai]

Confederate Directorate of Foreign Affairs

On behalf of the Seven Republics, the United Confederacy condemns this act of terrorism against our Cornavian friends in harshest terms and hopes for a swift resolution to this crisis.

In freedom,
Dr. Director of Foreign Affairs Gideon Evans
Citizen of the Lovat Republic