European Press Association

[Khemia]

Reuters Reporter Missing in Sinhai

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Kristof Keuper reporting on events in Wazistan last year.

SRI RAMA (Reuters): Kristof Kueper, a Wiese reporter with Reuters, has been reported missing in Sinhai while pursuing leads to ethnic violence in the North. Kueper, 29, has not been heard from since Sunday, and was believed to be traveling to Ban Mang where reports of ethnic violence have gone uninvestigated by either Sinese government parties or national/international media.

Kueper's whereabouts are unknown, but Sinese authorities believe that his activities would have taken him into areas of the country "even the government can't exercise control over."

Unity Regime officials stated Tuesday morning that an investigation into the whereabouts of Kueper will begin immediately, but the government cannot guarantee his safe return. The Sinese government has previously placed travel restrictions on all people traveling to North Sinhai, and has stated that Kueper "as a credible reporter was aware of this fact and acted of his own accord." The Sinese government continues to strongly discourage travel by reporters to North Sinhai.

 

[Khemia]

Reuters Reporter Found Dead

SRI RAMA (Reuters): Reuters journalist Kristof Keuper, a Wiese national, was reported missing a week ago while investigating reports of ethnic conflict and mass murder in the northern city of Ban Mang in Sinhai. Sinese authorities have reported that militant factions within Ban Mang captured and executed the Reuters journalist, whose body was recovered by an SDF raid which saw more than eight militants killed and several soldiers wounded.

Kristof Keuper leaves behind his wife Abigail Keuper, age 32, and his daughter Kelly Keuper, age 8. Press agencies throughout the world have sent their deepest sympathies to Mrs. Keuper, who told the press that "My husband was a brave man, everything he did was to make the world a better place. I know he never had any second thoughts about his story, but I never expected this to happen. Not now. What will my daughter do without a father?"

The Sinhai government has sent a compensation package to the Keuper family in the sum of $30,000, and apologizes for it's inability to pursue the culprits involved in the murder of Kristof Keuper. Sinese officials stated that "This is the sort of tragedy we were afraid would happen. We know that we cannot prevent press from investigating the situation in the north of our country, but there is a big risk. We're losing scores of soldiers every week, and the conflict is only growing. It's not the place for foreigners to travel to without precautions."

The Sinhai Union is in talks with insurgents in an effort to broker a tentative cease-fire between Communist combatants and government forces in the wake of the violent upheaval of militant attacks throughout Sai Yok and several other northern cities.

 

[Fulanistan]

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The Government of Fulanistan is deeply saddened to learn about the death of Kristof Keuper. We send our deepest condolences to the Keuper family and hope that such a tragedy will not be repeated. President Francisca Van Der Berg is personally sending $5,000 to the family of Kristof Keuper.

 

[Clarenthia]

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The Commonwealth of Akhaltsikhe sends its condolences to the Keuper Family. We have also wired A$158,462.5 ($5000) to the family to aide them in a funeral and debt coverage.

Signed,
Levan Karlovich Uchaneishvili
Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Wieserreich]

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Reichsministerium des Auswärtigen
Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs
​

"His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet of Ministers, on behalf of the Empire and the Nation of Wiese, would like to give the Keuper family its condolences for the loss of their beloved father and husband. Mr. Keuper was a respectable journalist and his loss is a major loss for international media.

"In light of his services to the world of journalism and the Fatherland, he will be proposed to be awarded the personal title of Knight of the Order of the Redeemer, with his family allowed to use the prefix "von" for their surname and Mrs. Keuper entitled to his knightly pension.

"However, having valiantly ignored warnings over the volatility of the situation in Sinhai and other war zones he reported from, Mr. Keuper can but be held at least partially responsible for the happenings. Other responsibility also lies with the government of Sinhai, which has failed protecting foreign journalists in the region.

"For that, the Imperial Cabinet shall launch an independent investigation into the matter, and also actively support the peace process in Sinhai before other lives are lost in vain, be they of civilians, insurgents, or government soldiers alike."

Regards,
Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch
Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs

 

[Polesia]

Protesters attack Batavian Embassy in Vangala

KILKILA (Reuters) - A rally held by the Batavian Embassy protesting the formation of the Batavian Commonwealth turned violent today as protesters hurled missiles at the building. Rocks, sticks, bottles and waste bags were reportedly thrown and several people attempted to breach the Embassy grounds but were prevented by police officers. No arrests were made, but the Police later removed everybody from the vicinity.

Mimicking similar protests in Hajr, effigies of Batavian President van Randburg were also burned, together with the current flag of Batavia and the colonial flag of Fulanistan, which has since been adopted by the Fulanistani government.

The rally was organised by the Vangalan Communist Party's youth wing, the Young Communist League, in solidarity with the Fulani Liberation Front. The Young Communist League has been criticised in the past for its controversial protest tactics and its Chairman, Subrato Praminik, nicknamed 'Subrato the Tiger', is a well-known radical and firebrand. Other party-affiliated organisations were also present.

Vangala, together with most Himyarite nations, has been a vocal critic of the planned Commonwealth.

 

[Batavië]

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We demand full protection of our embassy. Our embassy security staff will defend the ambassador and all staff if needed. We do not wish to close our embassy in Vangala and would rather keep it open despite these protests. We have no issue with peaceful demonstrations, that should be a right. Violent riots should not be tolerated.

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

The Batavians overreact: like a civilized nation ought to, Vangala protected a foreign embassy from (otherwise legitimately enraged) protesters. This is only natural to a peaceful member of the international community, standing in stark contrast to the overweening arrogance of the Batavian neo-colonial project in Himyar.

 

[Batavië]

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This is a light reaction considering fire bombs were thrown at our embassy.

 

[Barazi]

A message of peace from a silenced icon

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Imam Ruslan Shanazar (72), Islamic icon in Barazi

GUZELLIK, Barazi (Reuters) - The long and somber period of silence from Imam Ruslan Shanazar has come to a close. Once one of Barazi's most influential, iconic and what some called "a grandfather-like man", religious leader and civil liberties speaker, who could have at some point declared jihad on anyone without needing to justify himself, is now basically a seclude - forced to live in an undisclosed location on the Barazi/Polatsk border. The religious rights in Barazi have always been one of the shadiest parts of the nation's history. It's debated world-wide and often pondered on the truth about Milliyetci opression towards organized religion - Islam especially. What has been called a rumour by Barazian officials is "only too real," as the Imam stated today.

After a staggering six years of seclusion from any outside contact, the Imam was convinced to make his way to liberated-Guzellik which is recognized as a "breading ground" for those who are believed to be devout Muslims practicing their faith secretly. The Imam, along with Ziv protection toured the area he once knew very well. With a tear to his eye, Shanazar opened up to us. "I am ashamed of myself for abandoning my people in a time when they needed me most. I have selfishly locked myself from the outside public - simply because the public had grown intolerant of who I was as a Baraturk Muslim." but with a smile on his face and a glimmer of hope in his eyes, the Imam continued by saying, "I am sure that within the Rehber, Serhan Oscelik, there is a piece of him saying that perhaps things didn't go exactly as planned. I look forward to a peaceful resolution that will bring the voice of my people back. Nothing more."

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

The Sultanate salutes the return of the venerable Imam, and wishes for Barazi to return to God's Noble House and the tradition which is inherent to its people.

 

[Hesperia]

In Surprise Move, Hajr Opens Borders to Wazi Pilgrims

AL A'RAF (Reuters): In a move that surprised many, Hajr has re-opened its borders to pilgrims from Wazistan, reversing a policy that has stood since 1979. This was announced by the Hajri Diwan of Islamic Affairs in a press release, today.

In the statement, the ministry, which is tasked with organizing and overseeing the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Al Mukarramah called the Hajj, cited "changing circumstances in the relationship with Wazistan" as one of the reasons behind the unexpected announcement. "The ability to undertake the Hajj will stengthen the bond and brotherhood of God's Inviolable House," read the press release. "We seek to restore the unity of the Umma," it went on, referring to the global Muslim community

The move by Europe's largest Muslim country comes after Wazistan held its first democratic elections in decades, following the collapse of its Shi'a Islamist regime, earlier this year. The election of Jamal Bishara, a prominent Wazi reformer, as first President of Wazistan, appears to have been met with this move by the government in Al A'raf.

Wazi pilgrims had been barred from entering the Uroduah Sultanate since 1979, the year after the northwest Himyarite country's monarchy was overthrown and replaced by an Islamic Republic. Hajr, a Sunni nation, reacted to the revolution with hostility, and the relationship between the two neighboring Islamic nations has balanced between frigidity and armed conflict during the thirty years since.

Authorities in the Wazi capital, Ijad, have yet to react to the news. According to the Hajri Diwan of Islamic Affairs, the new policy will take effect when the Hajj pilgrimage, rumored to be the largest in the world, begins on November 14, corresponding to the 8th day of the last month in the Islamic calendar.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We commend the government of Hajr for opening its borders to Wazi pilgrims. It is of utmost importance that everybody in the world can practice his religious beliefs in freedom. That includes the possibility to carry out a pilgrimage, especially a Hajj Pilgrimage in the case of Muslims.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Wazistan]

Statement from the Ministry of Religious Affairs

The Government of the Islamic Republic welcomes this step by the Sultanate and expresses hope that relations between Wazistan and Hajr can to continue to flourish in this new era.

 

[Taley]

Energy Secretary aims to ease oil fears amid Akhaltsikhe Crisis

TALEMANIKI (Reuters): The most powerful woman in the empire short of the Empress herself, Secretary of Energy Aurelia Dal Pane who's finger is on the Talemantine oil went to the press to reassure Europe over the Talemantine oil supply. Since the crisis in Akhaltsikhe Crisis oil prices have been rising and are expected to rise steadily following the announcement of the death of the Akhaltsiki Executor.

"In order to prevent oil prices from rising erratically the Talemantine Empire will be increasing our oil production to supply the needs of Europe. We can reassure the world community that the revolts and instability in our neighbor will not effect Talemantine production and shipping." - Secretary Dal Pane.

This also came after the Navy announced that it was increasing patrols of Talemantine-Akhaltsikhi waters. "It is typical that in an nation plagued by instability such as Akhaltsikhe that pirates seeking to interfere with international shipping begin to operate along coastal regions. We will protect all shipping in and around the seas. Any ships requesting Talemantine escorts will be granted." It is reported that the carrier TIS Horace I and its escort group has moved into area.

 

[Wazistan]

CN raps Wazistan on sex tourism

IJAD (Reuters): A top Council of Nations official has blasted Wazistan as a "haven for sex traffickers" after a CN report accused law enforcement officials of "sub-par" efforts to combat the illegal practice. Hans van Millowitsch, the Council's Special Rapporteur for Human Trafficking, said the findings by the CN Office of Human Rights's special task force on sex crimes was "an damning indictment" of Ijad's "tolerance" of prostitution and warned the Islamic Republic risked being "ostracized" by the international community for its failure to aggressively prosecute businesses and groups that sponsor the practice.

A spokesman for Foreign Minister Faisel al-Aboudi said the report was "baseless" and accused Millowitsch of witch-hunt against Wazistan.

Though prostitution is illegal under the country's federal and religious laws, it is widely tolerated in the country of 70 million as a major source of revenue. The CN report, drafted over the course of three years, found more than half of Wazistan's 27 provinces have laws in place that actually regulate prostitution under certain circumstances.

Millowitsch warned the industry was contributing "heavily" to the rise in human trafficking and child prostitution in Himyar.

While Justice Minister Yusuf al-Atassi has pledged to step up federal efforts to crackdown on the industry, analysts remain skeptical.

President Jamal Bishara, who is due to meet with CN officials on Monday, declined to comment on the report during a visit to a farming village in central Wazistan. However, a Presidency spokesman told reporters in Ijad that Bishara would consider convene a meeting of Wazi law enforcement officials to discuss the CN report and ways in which to address its "allegations."

 

[Hesperia]

Hajr raises alert on Akhaltsikhi border, condemns Carentanian mobilization

AL A'RAF (Reuters): At a press conference in the Hajri capital of Al A'raf today, the Hajri ministry of foreign affairs has announced that the Uroduah nation has raised the alert level of its forces on the border with Akhaltsikhe to the highest possible level. This has raised fears that the civil war in the Georgian-dominated Near Himyarite nation threatens to escalate into regional conflict, as the announcement comes after the neighboring nation of Carentania mobilized its troops on the border with the controversial apartheid regime earlier this week.

Hajr, which fought two wars with Akhaltsikhe over the course of the 20th century, and which occupies territory the government in Tetri Tsqaro has long alleged was illegally annexed, has a large concentration of troops on the disputed border, reported to exceed 100,000.

The Hajri government's decision was, nevertheless, evidently aimed at the Carentanian mobilization, for the spokesman of the Hajri ministry of defense responded to questions from journalists with heavy criticism of Rijeka's decision. "The Sultanate regards the Carentanian move as irresponsible and as a grave danger to the stability of Himyar. There can be no question of unilateral intervention, and I reiterate that Hajr will not tolerate any such action by a third power. We call on Carentania to exercise the utmost restraint, or risk a conflagration." Asked if Hajr is mobilizing its troops to intervene itself, the spokesman answered, "This is out of the question. Multilateralism is the only way in which other nations can intervene effectively in the crisis in the Jurzan. The Sultanate will only act to oppose unilateral intervention."

A spokesperson of the Hajri ministry of foreign affairs has announced that the Carentanian ambassador to Hajr has been summoned to the Royal Palace in Al A'raf, in protest of the mobilization, and in order to explain his nation's motives.

The Hajri Sultan Huseyn appeared on national television last Friday to issue a call to multilateral action, saying that the Akhaltsikhi civil war was a matter of "pan-Himyarite importance." Hajr has not yet taken any public initiatives towards realizing any intervention by the international community.

 

[Hesperia]

Hajr Breaks Up Public Vigils Dedicated to Late Dominican Patriarch

JERUSALEM (Reuters): Over the past few days, several mass vigils held by mourners of the recently deceased Patriarch of the Dominican Catholic Church, Marcus Clemens II, have been broken up by authorities in the Near Himyarite nation of Hajr. The wakes for the late Patriarch occurred in Jerusalem, Sidra, Marj Ayyun, Birs Nimrud, Bethlehem, and Nazareth.

Hajri officials cited "dangers for public security" as the reason behind stopping the vigils. A spokesman of the municipality of Jerusalem also stated that "the organizers did not apply in order for the proper authorities to officially sanction these public demonstrations." Unsanctioned demonstrations are illegal in Hajr and are often subject to harsh police action. Over 200 people have been arrested, with up to 30 reportedly remaining in custody. Among those arrested were several priests.

The vigils were organized in response to the death of the Dominican Patriarch, Marcus Clemens II, after a long period of sickness, earlier this month. Often held spontaneously, witnesses tell Reuters that participants often displayed religious icons and large crosses, while singing religious hymns. Priests were often present to tend to the spiritual needs of the mourners, and lead the prayers. Public displays of the Christian religion are controversial in Hajr, where they were long banned, though the country's 1992 Basic Law grants freedom of religion to all citizens.

The actions have led to widespread unrest in Christian areas in Hajr, especially on the western coast of the Gulf of Sidra, where the majority of the Sultanate's 9.2 million Christians live. Rock-throwing Christian youths clashed with police and Royal Gendarmerie in the Christian-dominated port city of Birs Nimrud. Police raided several churches in the city, while in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites in all Christendom, was cordoned off and is inaccessible to worshipers.

Human rights and Christian organizations have criticized the move by the government. The Belmont-based Council of the United Holy Land Diaspora, an organization of Hajri Christians, called the government's actions "the latest in a long line of discriminatory policies aimed at oppressing the native Christians in Christ's native land."

According to many non-governmental organizations, as well as CN aid agencies, Christians often face poverty and discrimination in Hajr, where the overwhelming majority of the population is composed of Muslims. Reports on the matter often cite discriminatory housing plans, police brutality, poverty, crime, bureaucratic bias, and government inaction when criticizing the Sultanate's policies towards Christians. Christian organizations have often alleged that the country's undemocratic government holds a religious bias against its Christian subjects, though authorities steadfastly deny this.

Responding to the criticism, the Hajri Minister Responsible for the Interior, Sheikh Abdal Rahman al-Bunduqdari, claimed that "there is no place for these disturbances of the peace in these unsure times." He told Reuters that "the nation must be unified," stating that the "unsanctioned demonstrations" were a danger to public peace and security. He denied that the Christian nature of the gatherings had anything to do with the decision to break them up. "This is a matter of order versus disorder, not of one faith against another."

 

[Serenierre]

Coalition Nationale faces tough road as internal disputes eat at party cohesion

PARIS (Reuters): Since losing power after thirty years in the 1st January 2010 General Election, the Coalition Nationale - or Nationalistes, as called by the Belmontien press - have suffered devastating internal conflicts and over the past few days, the internal tensions have brought the possibility of a coup against party leader George Bettancourt very close to reality.

Charged by the Premier of using links, made during their thirty year rule, in the bureaucracy and the media to promote views that were in direct contrast to the government. She went on to state that the current Nationalistes front bench was just the Plantard government, save Premier Plantard. The Plantard government severely damaged Belmontien standing in the world by promoting terrorism in communism states. Premier Martinique also stated that the Nationaliste leadership was not behaving responsibly and was endangering the security of the nation, serious claims, which have been taken up by the Lord Speaker of the Communes, who has said he would consult Prince Nicolas, the Regent.

The Nationalistes leadership retaliated by canceling an agreement it had reached with the government which enabled the country to come out of the EDF's associate membership. The agreement by which both parties agreed to a compromise, the Libéralistes pulling out of the EDF associate membership and the Nationalistes withdrawing their objections to key domestic reform packages the Government has been proposing. This back tracking has annoyed many back benchers, one of whom we talked to, said it was "a deceitful, underhanded thing to do."

It is widely rumored that George Bettancourt is fast losing support among the backbenchers and even within his own Shadow Cabinet, where many members have resigned, at the time of publication twelve people had resigned. It is widely expected that a member of the party will soon be challenging the experienced Bettancourt for the leadership of the party.

Mr. Bettancourt was the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Plantard government and has been at the head of the party since Premier Plantard stepped down in August last year.

 

[Polesia]

Former Batavian spooks in Vangala

KILKILA (Reuters): Members of the Communist era Batavian secret police are residing in the People's Republic of Vangala under new identities and with protection from the Vangalan authorities, Reuters has learnt. Dozens of spies from Batavian State Security, better known as the SV, fled the country after the collapse of the authoritarian de Graaf regime. Previously the Papal States was believed to the destination of choice, due to its tough secrecy laws and absence of an extradition treaty with Batavia.

However, an investigation by Reuters has uncovered a large community of ex-SV agents in Vangala, mostly residing around the port city of Chingrikhali, a favourite tourist destination. Many were living in expensive apartments by the beachfront and police patrols were regular.

Years of close co-operation between Batavian State Security and People's Military Intelligence may not be the only reason for the SV's presence in Vangala. Most are believed to have brought sensitive documents with them. A recent decision by the new Batavian government to hand over files to Cornavia regarding possible support for extremist left-wing groups has been strongly criticised by Vangala, who claim the disclosure could endanger Vangalan national security.