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Serenierre

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Serenierre keen on diplomatic reset with Trier, say sources

EPA Villesen | Sources in the diplomatic corps of Serenierre seem to be keen on reexamining the state of bilateral relations between Villesen and Trier. According to rumours, following the end of diplomatic tensions over the Retalian Sea maritime dispute at the Lars Summit, there is considerable appetite in Villesen to deescalate tensions between the two major Retalian powers, which have until now been radically opposed to one another and have recently even fought a war.

Serenien officials, however, have chosen to ignore such rumors and have refused to answer our calls. As the country is in the midst of its septennial elections, no government official wants to officially acknowledge a strategic shift in foreign policy. However, those in the know suggest that the measure has cross-Bloc support and is relatively uncontroversial following the Lars Summit and the subsequent Eiffellander disavowal of claims on the Retalian Sea.
 

Azraq

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Azraq to increase naval patrols in key waterway

JUGOL - In response to events in the Long Sea and off the coast of Loago, the Empire of Azraq has promised additional naval patrols around the Pillars of Nearchus, the channel of water separating Himyar and Toyou and home to some of the busiest shipping lanes.

In a press statement, the Ministry of War and Defence did not specify the number of vessels or aircraft that would be involved, or the regularity or route of the patrols, just noting there would be a "noticeable, heightened Azraqi military presence" in the Pillars of Nearchus region. However the statement also stressed operations would be focused on "criminals and non-state actors".

Defence analysts say the lack of detail is a sign of the Azraq's weakness, and many are sceptical the Azraqi Imperial Navy has serious power projection after decades of underfunding since the end of the Islamofuturist dictatorship, which was led by radical army officers. "The military has long been seen as a potential internal threat by the Dawamalian establishment and therefore deliberately under-resourced", claim researchers from the East Himyari Knowledge Centre.

Geopolitical pundits suggest the note deliberately strikes a neutral tone to avoid provoking particular nations with interests in the Implarian and Hamar Oceans. "With civil war in Loago, regime change in Cabaon and rebellion in Port Stanley, Azraq cannot risk inter-state warfare," claims the Austwegian-based Global Peace Studies Institute.

Named after an ancient Pelasgian hero, the Pillars of Nearchus is a string of rocks and islets between Tephanon and Kollam, also known as the Azraqi Spice Islands.

Oil and gas exploration and extraction is a major industry along with fishing and freight.

Azraq claims jurisdiction over the maritime region but has insisted it will allow freedom of passage for civilian and military traffic to all non-hostile nations.

Azraq has designated some areas as nature reserves, limiting commercial activity although illegal fishing is common.
 
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Touzen

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Office of Revolutionary Defense and State Relations
Forever Free
We seek clarification from Jugol regarding the scope of the term "non-state" actors as pertains to the target of the announced military buildup in the Nearchus. The Anti-State naturally expects the passage of all maritime traffic flying under non-state flags associated with the Anti-State to continue unhindered through the Pillars as previously.
 

Azraq

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We seek clarification from Jugol regarding the scope of the term "non-state" actors as pertains to the target of the announced military buildup in the Nearchus. The Anti-State naturally expects the passage of all maritime traffic flying under non-state flags associated with the Anti-State to continue unhindered through the Pillars as previously.

Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Providing vessels flying under the flags of the so called "Anti State" do not act in a suspicious or threatening manner they shall not be disturbed by the Azraqi Imperial Navy.
 

Rheinbund

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Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien


The Eiffeloretalian Navy will not disturb any vessels sailing under whichever flag (including the flag of the Anti-State), provided that they do not show threatening or suspicious behaviour.

Julia Leverkühn, Minister of Foreign Affairs
 

Azraq

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Westernesse tourists die after fighting tigers

MALAPURAM - Citizens of Beautancus, Sylvania and the West Engellex Republic have been confirmed as the tourists who died in a cage fight with captive tigers in Kollam, part of the Azraqi Empire.

Their names have not yet been released but the families have been informed and the Kollamese authorities are working the Cussian, Engellachian and Sylvianian embassies and consulates. They are believed to have all been from the same group as part of a stag party to the island.

Bloodsports are still legal in Azraq and a popular past time for foreign tourists, who can fight exotic animals such as lions, tigers and water buffalo in public arenas, although many underground clubs still exist. Animal rights activists have condemned the practice, claiming the conditions the animals are kept in are inhumane. Most are also deliberately wounded before they fight.

Countess MacLeod was in Kollam earlier this month on holiday but had since left. There is no reason to believe she took part in any similar activities however.

@Beautancus @Sylvania @W Engell Republic
 
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Gunnland

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MacLeod - Hold Fast
Countess Mary strongly disapproves of bloodsports involving wild animals. She wishes that all tourists to beautiful Kollam would appreciate the wildlife in the wild and leave traditional bloodsports to the Kollamese. The Comital Palace will make a t100,000 donation to the Global Wildlife Foundation to protect the lions, tigers, and water buffaloes of Kollam.

Martin MacLeod Gordon
Spokesperson
 

Beautancus

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We would like to inquire as to the possibility of forming a relationship for the syndicated broadcast, under suitable contract obligations, of these "blood sports" in the Confederated Republic, unto and possibly including such events being held therein. Any assistance provided in making the necessary contacts and the further acquisition of any necessary wildlife will be generously compensated.

With the warmest regards,

Armin Brasch, Asst. Vice President for New Properties, PBS
 

The Federation

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Eastern Adventures and Vacations
Eastern Adventures and Vacations takes no responsibility for the deaths of these tourists. All parties involved signed waivers, bought supplemental insurance and were thoroughly briefed on the dangers of Azraqi animal cage fighting.

Bill McGillicutty
CEO of EAV




THE UNIVERSITY OF CHARLEROI ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Ecological Society has long called for the end of these horrid bloodsports put on by the savages of Azraq. It is deeply disheartening to know that Sylvanians take part in the savagery and it is an insult to our nation to participate in such cage fighting. We call upon the Azraqi Imperial authorities to end these savage practices and we strongly discourage all Sylvanians from traveling to Azraq until these practices are banned. Additionally we call for a general boycott of Azraqi goods, a divestment of any financial holdings private or public entities may hold in Azraq and call for the Sylvanian government to put sanctions on Azraq until we are satisfied that animal life is respected and protected by Azraqi authorities.

Anna Knudsen
President
University of Charleroi Ecological Society.




THE CONTINENTAL REPUBLIC OF SYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Department of Foreign Affairs is working with the families of the Sylvanian deceased and the Sylvanian Embassy in Azraq to deliver the bodies back to Sylvania so they may be buried according to the wishes of the families. While blood sports are illegal in Sylvania, the government does not make a habit of prosecuting or fining citizens who participate in acts legal in other nations. No investigations will be called for. The matter is closed upon receipt of the deceased.

Joe Bernstein
Director of Foreign Affairs.
 

Thaumantica

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PM Grafton’s Comment
As Boarding Bush Plane for Little Loago

“The middle class do foolish things with their money, this is why they are rapidly dying off in this country and abroad apparently.

Sign a private military contract for the Himyar, fly bush planes like my pilot here, why would these gentlemen need to fly to Azraq in coach to cage fight a bloody tiger for a thrill?

Ignoramuses!”
 

Azraq

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MacLeod - Hold Fast
Countess Mary strongly disapproves of bloodsports involving wild animals. She wishes that all tourists to beautiful Kollam would appreciate the wildlife in the wild and leave traditional bloodsports to the Kollamese. The Comital Palace will make a t100,000 donation to the Global Wildlife Foundation to protect the lions, tigers, and water buffaloes of Kollam.

Martin MacLeod Gordon
Spokesperson

Global Wildlife Foundation thanks the Countess for her extreme generosity and urges everyone to help join us in the fight against bloodsports by contributing to our campaigns in the Azraqi Empire. Together we can end animal cruelty.

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We would like to inquire as to the possibility of forming a relationship for the syndicated broadcast, under suitable contract obligations, of these "blood sports" in the Confederated Republic, unto and possibly including such events being held therein. Any assistance provided in making the necessary contacts and the further acquisition of any necessary wildlife will be generously compensated.

With the warmest regards,

Armin Brasch, Asst. Vice President for New Properties, PBS

Azraqi Imperial Broadcasting Corporation

The AIBC would be interested in discussing with foreign broadcasters on the possible airing of Azraqi martial sports.

Eastern Adventures and Vacations
Eastern Adventures and Vacations takes no responsibility for the deaths of these tourists. All parties involved signed waivers, bought supplemental insurance and were thoroughly briefed on the dangers of Azraqi animal cage fighting.

Bill McGillicutty
CEO of EAV




THE UNIVERSITY OF CHARLEROI ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Ecological Society has long called for the end of these horrid bloodsports put on by the savages of Azraq. It is deeply disheartening to know that Sylvanians take part in the savagery and it is an insult to our nation to participate in such cage fighting. We call upon the Azraqi Imperial authorities to end these savage practices and we strongly discourage all Sylvanians from traveling to Azraq until these practices are banned. Additionally we call for a general boycott of Azraqi goods, a divestment of any financial holdings private or public entities may hold in Azraq and call for the Sylvanian government to put sanctions on Azraq until we are satisfied that animal life is respected and protected by Azraqi authorities.

Anna Knudsen
President
University of Charleroi Ecological Society.



Wasaarada Arimaha Dibada
الخارجية‎ وزارة
Ministry of Foreign Affairs


On behalf of the Interior and Justice ministries of the Viceroyalty of Kollam, we can confirm Eastern Adventures and Vacations will face no criminal prosecution in the Empire of Azraq.

Separately, in response to their racist and ultimately ignorant comments about traditional Azraqi sports, all members of associates and members of the University of Charleroi Ecological Society have been banned indefinitely entering the Empire.
 

Oneida

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Aurarian BullFighting Collective
Coronado, Tauritania

The Aurarian BullFighting Collective would like to extent its deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives during sport in Kollam. Undoubtedly, the highest measures of safety are introduced in this type of sport but accidents are something we can only do so much to prevent.

The Collective is of the opinion that incidents, such as these, tell incorrect story of what the spot entails. Therefore, the Collective would like to begin an exchange program to show the world what the true nature of the bloodsports in Azraq and the tauromaquia in Auraria. These sports, aside from their significance as national past times, represent an entirely legitimate program under attack by a group of individuals looking to push their own agendas while ignoring the facts.
 

Rheinbund

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Random Eiffelloretalian, citing a popular Burgundian comic figure: "Die spinnen, die Azraker. Und die Aurarier auch."

OOC: Die spinnen, die Azraker. Und die Aurarier auch. = They're crazy, the Azraqi. And also the Aurarians.

Of course after:
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Serenierre

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Urban schemes bring new life to war ravaged cities in W. Occitania
EPA Viasinde || Under the Rehabilitation of Occitania Directive passed by the Commissariat of People's Deputies in Serenierre, the Protectoral Government has received 26 billion livres (8.5 billion goldmarks) which have been used to push the urban rehabilitation scheme developed by Villesen to aid the post-war situation in the new Protectorate.

While the more heavily damaged areas of the country remain perpetual construction sites, new housing schemes have been established and have started welcoming residents. The standard apartment blocs were constructed by a subsidiary of the Orliac & Bonheur Groupe from Serenierre, in cooperation with the Government of Ostmark, which contributed personnel for the construction. The scheme to establish apartment blocks under the standardised plans has been an economical solution for a gargantuan problem facing administrators in Occitania.

The new urban schemes have been established in the suburbs of Viasinde and Espidiz, at present, and have seen vast swathes of undeveloped land transform into mega-apartment blocks. The housing schemes feature industrial and commercial zones, as well, and are designed to bring a degree of independence from the city centre. Residence in the new housing schemes has been granted by the West Occitanian government on a first come first serve basis, after candidates have demonstrated that their houses were damaged due to the conflict.

The urban regeneration program being pursued by the civilian administration is seen by foreign analysts as an overt effort by the Serenien Government to win over hearts and minds and to modernize the old feudal cities of western Occitania.
 

Azraq

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Azraq and Ostmark agree to boost trade

JUGOL - The Empire of Azraq and People's Republic of Ostmark have signed a memorandum of understanding that commits the two nations to lower tarriffs and other trade barriers, in a growing sign both countries are looking beyond their respective neighbourhoods for potential friends and allies.

According to the text released, Ostmark will look to gradually remove import taxes and relax regulations on Azraqi agricultural goods, as the normally isolationist Gallo-Germanian looks to improve food security. Azraq will also explore leasing land to Ostmarkian farming collectives to grow their own produce for domestic consumption.

Ostmark will also buy oil and natural gas at an undisclosed fixed price from Azraq for the next two years.

In return, Azraq will look to import more Ostmarkian machinery and other manufactured goods.

Annual trade between Azraq and Ostmark is estimated to be valued below €M2bn, leading geopolitical analysts to suggest the MoU, which is not legally binding, is more driven by recent world events.

Azraqi foreign policy generally prioritises national sovereignty, and the Himyari empire has often publicly defended the often controversial internal policies of Ostmark. Both also share concerns over the stability of the Long Sea, where a recent incident involving an unidentified ship almost saw conflict erupt in one of the world's most important shipping lanes.

"War can make the strangest bed fellows," quipped one trade export when asked about the deal.

@Ostmark
 
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Ostmark

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HOMESICK FOR TYRANNY: OSTMARKIAN EXPATS JUSTIFY HORST GRASSER'S REGIME
EPA Wien

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LUBECK (Eiffelland-Retalia) - The life of Karl, a native of the town of Wilhelmstadt in the north-western mountains of Ostmark, could read as an all-Ostmarkian success story. When default occured, he was already living in Eiffelland. After graduating from high school, he studied economics and business administration in Trier, lived in Elben and Bergenheim, and eventually got a job with a company in Lubeck. Today Karl, 29, is planning a sailing trip in the Long Sea. He isn't using his real name for this story, because he doesn't want it to be associated with National-Syndicalist Ostmark, which he sees as "a label with negative connotations."

And yet Karl is sitting in a Lubeck cafe, defending the National-Syndicalist regime. "Most Ostmarkian citizens have a nice life," he says. "I certainly don't think that it was better before." By "before," he means liberal and democratic Ostmark, which he subjects to questionable comparisons. "In the past they were collecting information about us, now the Staatsicherheitsdienst installs moles in your apartment" In Karl's opinion, there is no fundamental difference between dictatorship and freedom. "The people who lived on the poverty line back then also lacked the freedom to travel."

Karl is by no means an uneducated young man. He is aware of the spying and repression that goes on in the People's Republic of Ostmark, and, as he says, it is "not a good thing that people can't leave the country and many are oppressed." He is no fan of what he characterizes as fanatic loyalty for People's Chancellor Horst Grasser. "I haven't erected a shrine to National-Syndicalism in my house," he says, referring to an Ostmarkian law that obliges citizens to wear a Hammer and Sword pin on their clothes. Nevertheless, he is quick to argue with those who criticize the place he called home: "You can't say that the PRO is an illegitimate state, and that everything was fine before the rise of the regime."

Many Ostmarkian expats, who ironically refuse to return to their homeland, are also whitewashing the dictatorship, as if criticizing Horst Grasser means calling their own identity into question. "Many Ostmarkian expats perceive all criticism of the National-Syndicalist regime as a personal, racist attack," says ostmarkian expat and political scientist Albert Birenbaum. He warns against efforts to downplay the National-Syndicalist dictatorship by expats whose knowledge about the People's Republic of Ostmark is derived mainly from ostmarkian propaganda, and not as much from what they hear on western-germanian medias. "Not even half of Ostmarkian expats describe the the PRO as a dictatorship, and a majority believe the State Security Service is a normal intelligence service," Birenbaum concluded in a study of ostmarkian expats. "These people cannot, and in fact have no desire to, recognize the dark sides of Horst Grasser's regime."

"From my perspective, I believe that we were driven out of hell when Horst Grasser won the election," another ostmarkian expat in Lubeck says, and a 47-year-old man who refused to state his business in Lubeck "thanks God" that he is able to experience living in the People's Republic of Ostmark, noting that it was only before the rise to power of the National-Syndicalist People's Party that he witnessed people who feared for their existence, beggars and homeless people.

Old liberal Ostmark is often described as a "slave state" and a "dictatorship of capital," and some expats reject liberal Ostmark for being, in their opinion, too capitalist and certainly not democratic. Rosenbaum finds such statements alarming. "I am afraid that a majority of Ostmarkians do not identify with the current dominating liberal sociopolitical system in Gallia and Germania" he added.
 
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Armorica

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Neustria Breaks Off Negotiations, Calls For Pan-Gallian Union
EPA Ouistreham

In a surprise move, the Kingdom of Neustria has broken off negotiations with the Grand Duchy of Bourgogne on a final settlement treaty between the two countries. The negotiations had yet to decide a definite land border, division of real and financial assets, and how exactly the Bougognean military would be apportioned between the two successor states.

After the Neustrian diplomats walked out on negotiations, chief negotiator Rodolph Lévesque had this to say, "Neustria is pleased to keep what it has. We will not surrender to Bourgogne and their Germanian overlords in Elben what belongs in Gallia."

Moments after the walk-out, the Neustrian foreign minister Mme Laure Béatrice Dumont issued a statement saying, "Gallia must stand together in a dangerous Europe. Ouistreham calls on its brother Gallian governments to reunite the Patrie with economic integration as the first step."
 

Azraq

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'Occitania could solve Azraq's polygamy problem'

JUGOL - A guest worker or resettlement program for Occitania targeting young Azraqi males could help tackle the Himyari nation's high levels of youth unemployment, a leaked paper by the Azraqi civil service suggests.

The document also suggests it could help single men find new partners, admitting widespread polygamy in Azraq meant many were left without partners. This in turn encourages unemployment, criminality and political radicalism it later goes onto claim.

By incentivising unmarried men to head to Occitania, Azraqi civil servants believe they can tackle all three issues and potentially with Serenien subsidy.

Premier Elisabeth Martinique of Serenierre is due to stop in Azraq as part of her world tour. In an earlier statement, the Ivory Throne confirmed immigration would be high on the agenda along with trade, suggesting the leak may reflect official Azraqi thinking.

Serenierre's Occitanian reconstruction policy promoting migrant workers has been criticised as ethnic displacement by some Gallo Germanian nations, a charge Azraq called racist.
 
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Crotobaltislavonia

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Lars and Crotobaltislavonia Rapprochement Continues
EPA Banja Luka

Larsian Prime Minister Tusca Larci has been spotted arriving at Banja Luka International Airport. Only after Larci's arrival at his own embassy in the Crotobaltislavonian capital city did the Crotobaltislavonian Foreign Ministry confirm the Larsian's visit.

"Prime Ministers Larci and Sobel have business to conduct. There will be a press conference later today at the conclusion of their meeting."

Replying to an email from EPA, Dr. Elizar Montepelier of the European International School of Thought, an expert on Crotobaltislavonia and greater Germanian international affairs, had this to say, "the Grand Duchy of Lars has its attentions mostly on its southern frontier, the Retalian. It does not surprise me that they have bought security on their northern frontier; their generous aid is welcome in Crotobaltislavonia. And now we maybe seeing a finalization of relations."
 

Montedoro

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Insurgents conduct series of raids in remote towns
VIASINDE (EPA) || Reports have emerged that insurgents have conducted a number of raids in towns and villages in the immediate vicinity of Viasinde and have killed 30 Serenien construction workers, who were working on local irrigation channels. The Serenien military was quick to enhance security in the Duchy of Viasinde following the incident, however the event reveals the risk of Cathar extremists embedded in the Barimagne mountains.

Since the end of the war last year, the Serenien military has adopted a containment policy in respect of the insurgents, despite considerable pressure being applied on the Serenien military governor, Major General Sylvestre Damas by the Government of Friuli and the Central Secretariat of West Occitania for firmer action to be taken against the insurgents.

According to reports, the Serenien Government has been in talks with the Government of Friuli to design a cross border anti insurgency plan, however, the progress is said to be slow, However, it is believed the Protectoral Government of Occitania is vexed by the Serenien passivity. It is believed that Chief Secretary Charles Fourcade is planning on embarking on a visit to Villesen to discuss the issue with Premier Elisabeth Martinique of Serenierre specifically to address this issue in the near future,
 
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