La Prensa Libre

[Oneida]

COALITION FOR CHANGE CLAIMS THE NATIONAL COURT
October 10, 2016
By Sebastian Vargas

Tonight, across Auraria, people flooded the streets to fly the “Orrovi” (nickname of the gold, red, and purple – oro, rojo, violeta – flag, which has become the symbol of the Coalition for Change). As the streets of Solis filled with jubilant supporters of the CPC (coalición para el cambio), the crack of fireworks erupted across the city. The supporters of the CPC had every reason to be celebrating; despite all the odds, the coalition of the most ragtag members of the Aurarine Left has taken control of the National Court and have thus guaranteed Manuel Sanabria the Presidency of the Republic.

Manuel Sanabria, the 47-year-old from Puerto Clave, dominated the airwaves in 2014 as he announced that seven political parties throughout the Republic would set aside their differences to unite under one banner for the 2016 National Court elections. Since the original announcement, the coalition had grown to fourteen parties – adding amongst its ranks fringe groups such as the Marxist-Leninovists. Perhaps most interesting was the Tauritanian Anarchist Movement’s apparent partnership with the CPC, since you would imagine that anarchists would oppose any such coalition for obvious reasons.

The National Conservative Union, under the leadership of President Torcuato Sanchez, immediately denounced the group’s existence as a populist, far-fetched, gut reaction to a problem that “requires strong, consistent leadership.” President Sanchez referred to Sanabria’s coalition as a “desperate attempt for radical thinkers to usurp the government.” The Conservatives’ dismissal of the CPC and reluctance to take necessary steps has had its consequences. For the first time since 2003, the Conservatives have lost power and President Sanchez will pass the torch to Manuel Sanabria on January 5, 2017.

While the campaign has certainly proved to have its challenges, now comes the actual task of governance. “This was a vote for change, for a break from the politics that has harmed our workers, our children, and our future. We are a diverse group, but it is in our diversity that we found our strength. With our unity, with our passion and shared goals for the Aurarine People, there is no challenge, no task too daunting nor complicated for us to solve,” said President-Elect Sanabria.

However effective Sanabria’s words of a hopeful, optimistic future were on the campaign trail, words cannot curb inflation, stagnation, and unemployment. Despite being a coalition of fourteen parties, only six won enough of the vote to actually garner seats in the National Court. Still, juggling the priorities and agendas of those six parties and molding them into a coherent legislative agenda will, undoubtedly, prove a daunting, meticulous, and painstaking task.

The political agendas of the CPC are certainly varied. A quick search of their posted party platforms show anything from a higher minimum wage and increased access to healthcare, to worker seizure of the means of production and the liberation of “oppressive gender norms through the creation of a census-recognized ‘none-of-the-above’ gender marker.”

No one doubts the task ahead of Manuel Sanabria, who will undoubtedly be elected President in December when the new deputies of the National Court take office. No one doubts that the cause of the people is just. There is certainly no doubt that the debates that will come will be strenuous, but it is in these times that we must remember that the while the Orrovi of the CNC may represent a wave of political change, the Purple, Gold, and Black of Auraria must always remain supreme.

 

[Oneida]

Archbishop Velázquez Calls for Auraria to Join Global Cause
September 28, 2018
By Manolo Ybarra

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President Manuel Sanabria, left, and Archbishop Pablo Velázquez, right​

The Most Reverend Pablo Velázquez, Archbishop of Solis, issued a statement today criticizing the National Court for its resistance to engage in affairs beyond the borders of the Republic, particularly in wake of wars in Gallo-Germania, Pelasgia, the Thaumantic, and oppression of Christians globally.

“There is great pain in this world,” the Archbishop spoke “and I fear that those who are bestowed the responsibility of representing our people are ill suited for the task of advocating for human dignity across the world.”

The Archbishop’s words will be added to a long list of critiques against the Aurarine Government, led by President Manuel Sanabria. Since the original formation of the Coalition for Change, and especially after its victory, Archbishop Velázquez has become a far more vocal force in national politics. Considering the Archdiocese of Solis is the most prominent and influential Catholic jurisdiction in Auraria, he who sits at its head can comfortably be called the most influential Catholic in the nation.

“This isn’t politics to me,” the Archbishop continually repeats “It is about serving God and doing what is best for his children.”

Catholicism in Auraria has certainly faced its highs and lows. In today’s world, Catholicism is all the more at threat as the atheist Engellexian Republic’s domination of the west is met by the military brass of the atheist Kadikistani Union’s ever-increasing encouragement westward. Several countries are increasing their attacks against Catholicsm and the election of Manuel Sanabria’s CPC stirred new cause for concern here at home. While Manuel Sanabria’s own party, the People’s United Front, has remained fairly neutral on Catholic rights, the Coalition for Change has integrated several political forces with far stronger views. Numerous among their ranks have proposed banning Catholic schools, removing prayer and Catholic education in public schools, not to mention completely restricting political representation of the Church.

While the attack ads that showed churches being demolished, bibles burning, and crucifixes falling turned out to be hyperbole – the CPC Government has certainly displayed a resentment toward Catholicism.

“This resentment comes at a time when governments across the globe are advocating violence against Catholics and speak of Catholicism as a global conspiracy designed to suppress the people,” Archbishop Velázquez noted “However, it is always the Catholics being oppressed and even killed. We’ve seen a world built on the views of Marx and Leninov, and we’ve seen a world built by the Blessings of God.”

The Archbishop’s words seemed to mirror that of Archbishop Hendrick Saar of Ugandi in Virumaa, who spoke of the need for Catholics globally to resist the expansion of Communism. Dissimilar though to Archbishop Saar, Velázquez has not called for any form of violence or active resistance beyond that of prayer.

“The Debate Forum should always serve as the principal theater for setting our differences,” Bishop Cayetano Esparza of Valle Verde stated “The power of the voice, the gift of Free Will, it is what separates our species from the animals. I am always warmed by seeing what humanity can achieve when we come together, not stand apart.”

That spirit of togetherness was marked by a candlelight vigil held at the Valle Verde Cathedral where nearly 200 gathered in prayer for the 15 lives lost in Virumaa and the oppression of all Catholics across the globe. Bishop Esparza himself lead the gathering in prayer.

 

[Oneida]

Another Kadikistani Victory Sparks Fierce Debate in Auraria
October 6, 2018
By Juan Gonzales

In a press conference, Eiffellander Chancellor Dr. Röpke announced that no matter what decision Ivar made on the future of Trivodnia, Eiffelland would accept the outcome – although continue to view the invasion itself as an illegitimate deed.

“Well,” said Deputy Carlos Peron “Illegitimate or not, Kadikistan can add yet another victory to its belt in what will possibly be the most consequential military action the country has taken…and by the same token, the most consequential defeat that Eiffelland and the Trier Concord have suffered.”

With the new boundaries drawn in Trivodnia, Crotobaltislavonia and Kadikistan now share a narrow stretch of land which will undoubtedly see a massive amount of infrascturue investment as Kadikistan pours resoruces into building its back door to Chagny. The defeat of Trivodnia has given Kadikistan direct access to the heartland of Gallo-Germania, something that Calidia and Milesia were not able to accomplish. Ivar can now claim dominion over the Gothic Sea, Trivodnia, CBS, and the Polesian Sea. Conservatives in Auraria have long called out the threat that Kadikistan, and to a lesser extent Serenierre, pose to the Republic’s future.

“I’m well versed in the fact that the political realities of Auraria differ significantly from other countries in Gallo-Germania,” Deputy Peron continued “The leftist elements of this country should do well to remember that they will not find an ally in Ivar nor Villesen. While leftist themselves, the Kadikistani refuse to recognize anything other than Marxist-Leninovists and the Seren are too egotistic to accept an equal. Both seek dominion over the continent.”

The counter argument, leftists are quick to point out, is that virtually every battle that the Tier Concord has picked with the Kadikistani, it has lost. The sudden Burgundian withdrawl from CBS, Eiffelland’s inability to keep Occitania or Trivodnia safe, and the overall unchecked growth of Kadikistan are prime examples of the Trier Concord’s reluctance – at best – or inability at worst to defend the continent from further Marxist-Leninovist aggression.

It is that fact, perhaps, that has been what caused the Aurarian people’s fascination with the conflict in Virumaa. The Autumn War, as it has come to be called, is an anomaly among the conflicts in Gallo-Germania as it would appear that communist forces are in fact losing. This is perhaps most shocking due to its proximity to Kadikistan itself. While the reports of actions of the Virumaan White Army are not exactly awe-inspiring, Aurarians see the conflict as a larger clash of modern communism and traditional faith.

“If it can happen in Virumaa, it can happen here,” has become a rallying call amongst the Aurarine people, but for two starkly different reasons. To some, it is a glimmer of hope that Conservatives can reclaim a country whose government they view as lost. To others, it’s an extreme caution of warning that those of faith see the rule of law as secondary to the rule of God.

The Church has failed to commend or condemn the uprising in Virumaa, which has strong religious roots. This comes in spite of the increasing politicization of the Church in attacking growing secularism in Auraria. Archbishop Velázquez of Solis called for peace and a quick end to the conflict in Virumaa, but would not go any further on his opinions of the conflict.

Auraria’s neutrality on the international stage seems to be growing more problematic as more countries are drawn into conflict in an increasingly polarized world. The Rurikgrad Pact and Trier Concord invoke strong feelings amongst the Aurarine population. However, it is legitimate to question how long Auraria can look the other way until the threat crosses the Almanzores and finds itself in the heartland of the Republic.

 

[Oneida]

Standard Energy Awarded Government Contract
October 8, 2018
By Juan Contraras

In a rather uncommon turn of events, Standard Energy – the largest energy company in Auraria – has been awarded a contract by the Natali Government to aid in the recently announced construction of a solar farm in the Golden Plateau and a geothermal plant in Sango.

Formed back in the 1870s, Standard Energy has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Auraria. Surviving repeated attempts to break it up under anti-trust laws, the company has risen to not only dominate the energy sector, but grow to one of the largest companies in Auraria. Despite its growth, it is a bit of a rarity for the company to invest resources abroad.

“Our interest is providing sustainable, clean, and renewable energy that can secure the Republic’s energy supply,” said CEO Sebastián Menendez “the decision of the Natali Government was an opportunity that we simply couldn’t afford to pass up.”

This is not the first time that Standard Energy has reached out for cooperation with a government. The most recent attempt was in 2008, in the hopes of constructing a hydroelectric plant on a subsidiary of the Ebra River in Gallaecia. The resulting feud between the company and the Gallaecian Government found itself rising all the way to the level of the National Government, which pulled funding citing concerns that the project wouldn’t generate the energy necessary for the investment.

However, this seems to be a different beast in its entirety. Standard Energy employs a large, professional team of engineers and scientists to fuel their economic empire, but the company is limited in its knowledge of geothermal energy.

“This presents an opportunity to make real change in the world,” Sebastián Menendez stated “the information we can learn in the Natal, the vitality of geothermal energy, could have a profound impact on the industry in Auraria. I am very excited for the partnership and very eager to see what new secrets we can uncover.”

The President’s Communications Office issued a statement of support for the company’s actions, citing the importance of expanding Auraria’s economic footprint and forging a path into the technologies of tomorrow.

 

[Oneida]

President Sanabria Declares Oct. 11 “National Coming Out Day”; October “LGBTQ History Month”
October 11, 2018
By María Arenas

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The Rainbow "Pride Flag" first used in Auraria in 1978 to designate LGBTQ Pride hangs outside Tauritania Provincial Building the day same-sex marriage was legalized​

Today, President Sanabria invited LGBTQ leaders across Auraria to Marisela Palace for a closed door roundtable discussion on the status of LGBTQ rights in Auraria and some of the struggles that members of the community face on a daily basis. It marked the first time in Auraria’s History that a President invited leaders of the LGBTQ Community to the Official Residence of the President. The Roundtable was held in the Cantabria Room, which is historic for being the same room that the Aurarine Declaration of Rights was signed in 1825 – in the midsts of the Aurarine Revolution.

“The historic significance of this room,” President Sanabria stated a press conference following the meeting “is the citizens of Auraria coming together from all sorts of backgrounds, faiths, and creeds to – as one people – strive to further meet the ideals set forth by the revolution and further forge a nation that we can all proudly call home.”

LGBTQ Rights in Auraria have an interesting history. Tauritania, in 1934, was the first of the Provinces to decriminalize homosexuality. Andaluz was the last Province to do so in 1977, but in their defense, the laws were not enforced long before being formally overturned. Leading the pack again, Tauritania declared that same-sex marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples would be legalized in 2008 and continued to add that they would recognize such marriages conducted in any of the other Provinces. However, since 2008, none of the three other Provinces have passed such laws.

During the 2016 Campaign as a candidate, President Sanabria made a concerted effort to appeal to the LGBTQ Community. He even made a campaign stop at the Tauritania Pride Festival, the largest gathering of LGBTQ folks in the country.

“Manuel Sanabria, his policies are as good as his looks,” said Valentín Jiménez, President of the Tauritania Gay-Straight Alliance – commenting on the young President’s objectively good looks.

The roundtable included numerous leaders from Tauritania – including Valentín Jiménez – and several community leaders from Andaluz, Catamarca, and Gallaecia. In total, 31 people were gathered for a meeting with lasted two hours and fifteen minutes – which the President’s Office was quick to point out was forty-five minutes beyond the allotted time for the meeting.

“We must not forget that human rights are LGBTQ Rights and LGBTQ Rights are human rights,” President Sanabria declared at the proceeding press conference “Here, in Auraria, we will recognize that all peoples are equal and we will take the steps necessary to ensure that equality.”

The President then made a historic move by signing an executive order declaring that October 11, 2018 will be recognized as “National Coming Out Day” in Auraria – recognizing and celebrating the decisions of LGBTQs to declare their sexualities to the world and, in the words of the proclamation, “live their true lives.” Additionally, the month of October was declared “LGBTQ History Month” to honor the sacrifices of past LGBTQ Civil Rights icons in advancing rights in the country.

President Sanabria reasserted his commitment to expanding LGBTQ Rights at the national level, including a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that would impact numerous disadvantaged communities across the country.

“These commitments cannot come at a more critical time,” said Valentín Jiménez “Last year alone 107 transgender brothers, sisters, and everything in between were murdered across our country for no other reason than being themselves. We need these laws so that the Republic declares that all peoples are guaranteed the blessings of liberty and I thank President Sanabria for taking the lead on these issues.”

 

[Pelasgia]

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Orthodox Catholic Church of Jesus Christ
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Propontis
Logothesion of the Drome​

It is hereby declared in the Name of His All-Holiness that:

The recent declarations of the government of Auraria serve but to showcase what happens when a society loses its moral fabric, resulting in such perversion that the moral, decent majority self-flagellates to satisfy a coalition of the damned and fallen. The public displays of degeneracy in Auraria over the period of a month are an affront to all that is good and holy. One should wonder for how long the Aurarines shall evade the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, having sought to mimic its hubris. We shall hold daily prayers for the souls of all Aurarines for the entirety of this month of depravity.

Signed and sealed,

Θεόδουλος ὁ Καλαρίδης

Theodoulos Kalaridis
Patriarchal Logothete of the Drome
Knight of the Order of Saint Andrew

ΙΗΣΟΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΝΙΚΑ​

 

[Justosia]

We whole heartedly applaud the Aurarine government in its rejecting the shadows of theocratic bigotry & embracing basic, democratic, human rights. We urge them to reject the hatred of zealots. We hope & pray one day the same tolerance graces our shores. #bluerose

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Felipe Gaul
Speaker, Justosia Social Democratic Union

 

[Oneida]

Budget Woes
October 14, 2018
By Sebastian Vargas

As is required, each year, the Government presents its budget proposal which is to be debated, voted upon, and enacted by the National Court. Undoubtedly, the budget is the single most important piece of legislation passed on an annual basis for obvious reasons, not least of which is the ability of the Government to finance the priorities that it sets.

When President Sanabria first took office, his proposed budget for 2017-2018 was a significant step in the opposite direction from budgets proposed by the Conservative governments that had preceded him. While generally the budget introduced a wave of new spending, it asked all of the Ministries under the president’s jurisdiction to find ways to cut 3% of their budgets through simply finding new and innovative ways to consolidate services, improve efficiencies and adapt to new technologies that cut costs long term. The budget also contained a significant number of other priorities, including funding for large nationwide studies to recommend the best policies for redistributions of land wealth, school access, and healthcare. It was the first proposal that flatlined the budget for the Ministry of Defense, providing nothing further than the standard inflation adjustments.

However, rumors imply that this budget will certainly go far and beyond undoing that action. Sources from within the National Court have disclosed that President Sanabria’s budget will include a flatline of every single National Ministry, with the exception of Defense – even cutting the standard inflation increases. Instead, that proposed money will be used to augment defense spending, which would amount to the single largest increase in defense spending in the history of Auraria.

While other budget priorities have no yet seemed to be hammered out, it sources can put together that Auraria is planning to spend an additional $5 Billion on its annual defense budget in 2018, mainly to be used to “modernize technology and augment personnel” which is broad enough to give the Ministry a clean slate to do essentially whatever it wants.

“The budget’s design, from what I’ve seen, is a misshapen quilt of political handouts that – once completed – will be only barely palatable to any of the seven parties holding seats in the National Court. I do not understand how the Government plans to keep the CPC bloc together to pass this budget,” the source said, alluding to other rumors that President Sanabria has been regularly meeting with opposition leaders to garner support.

We have very little details on what exactly the other proposals are that will make up the “misshapen quilt,” but certainly among them – political commenters hope – are reforms to the nation’s tax structure, land policies, job growth, and a highly coveted infrastructure plan. In prior press releases, the President’s Communications Office has repeatedly stated that the primary objective of the 2018-2019 budget was job creation.

However, should the rumors be true, the budget’s proposed military increase will certainly be a controversial facet as the member parties of the Coalition for Change criticized the Conservative Government’s constant investments into the military. It’s certainly a departure from the campaign trail if President Sanabria is looking to pursue the “largest single increase” in the nation’s history. At any rate, the President will propose his budget on Tuesday, October 16th to the nation.

In Other News…
(National) – protests erupt outside the Pelasgian Embassy after the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Propontis issued a scathing rebuke of President Sanabria’s LGBTQ proclamations.
(International) – Gay Fury erupts across the planet as nations chime in on the status of LGBTQ peoples.
(International) – Investors from the Natal and Auraria get into the spirit of the Halloween Season by getting spooked by Justosian Financial Policies.
(Weather) – temperatures dropping drastically across Auraria as the autumn months begin to set it.

 

[Northern Cooperative Unions]

TEKST - WORD FROM PRESIDIUM OF THE COUNCIL OF COOPERATIVES

The Council and Premier Diethelm Jaroslavas stand in solidarity with the Aurarian Republic. Although capitalist in nature, Republican Auraria has made a great step to equity among its peoples today. The preservation of personal rights is imperative. The totalitarian rambling of the Pelasgians should not be taken seriously.

Workers of the world, unite!

Regards,
Council of Cooperatives

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We commend the government of the Aurarian Republic for its efforts to fight against discrimination of minorities, including the LGBTQ-community. Auraria gives the world the right example with its recent moves.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Oneida]

President Sanabria Presents Most Expensive Budget in History
October 22, 2018
By Sebastian Vargas

Today, President Sanabria has fulfilled his constitutional duty and delivered his 895 page budget to the National Court, which will consider the budget for final passage no later than December 15, as outlined by the Constitution of the Republic. The budget comes after weeks of negotiation and speculation over what the President would present – a budget that would be a gift to liberals while also subverting their expectations at best and outright failing to meet electoral mandates at worst. The President described his budget as “The Way Forward” outlining what he called the most progressive budget ever introduced in the history of the country.

Certainly, in many aspects, the President has broken traditional norms and tied legislative agenda into budget language – turning the entire legislation into an outline of goals he hopes to achieve as opposed to a proposal for the methodology used to fund the Central Government. The Preamble to the Budget Proposal reads as such:

“Today, as President of the Republic of Auraria, I am fulfilling the duty outlined by the Constitution of the Republic to the Presidency to submit in full a budget to fund the Central Government throughout the year of 2019. The Aurarine Republic has, and forever will be, a land where the impossible proves possible and the fervor and strength of its people will always outweigh the monumental tasks that we are faced. The 2019 Budget, proposed to fund the Central Government in the 200th Anniversary of the Republic’s founding, outlines a path toward prosperity where we lift all peoples up and guide them to a new prosperity that further enshrines the ideals presently by the revolutionaries that created the Republic.”

The budget certainly breaks tradition by outlining a legislative agenda that addresses social issues that were previously believed to be untouchable at the level of the Central Government. Firstly, the Budget Proposal calls for the National Court to begin drafting legislation that will grant same-sex couples full marital rights in the Republic as well as adoption and other privileges offered to traditional families – effectively legalizing same-sex marriage across Auraria. As if that was not shocking enough to include in a budget proposal, the proposal also includes expanded access to abortion across the country with the Central Government providing tax benefits or incentives to organizations that would provide abortions, among other health procedures. To top off the social agenda of the 2019 Budget, the President has also proposed for the legalization and recreation of Marijuana.

These proposals have sent shock waves throughout Solis, as the budget bill has not traditionally been tied with any legislative priorities aside from simple finance. However, President Sanabria declared that “this budget is the Path Forward, it is the goal of the Government and, codifying the ambitions and electoral mandate that the people handed to the Coalition for Change. This is change, this is progress.”

Adding to the controversy, the 2019 Budget also calls for the most ambitious defense spending planned ever proposed by the Central Government. As opposed to proposing a single, annual budget, the 2019 Proposal instead opts to propose a “Grand 5-Year Defensive Plan” for the years of 2019-2023 which commits a stunning total of $445 Billion over the next five years. The single largest increase comes in 2019, bringing defense spending from $81 Billion to $85 Billion and then increasing the budget by $2 Billion every year to 2023. It is worthy to note that the current government’s term expires in 2021, so this spending plan exceeds the mandate for which it was voted into office.

The Government plans to pay for this increase by flatlining the budgets of all Central Ministries, continuing the austerity measures that the President put in place for agencies under his jurisdiction in the 2017 Budget. However, those estimates only cover a fraction of increased expenses, the remaining sum is paid by for placing taxes on priorities owned by the Tiburan Catholic Church – a legislative proposal long sought after by liberals and always defeated by conservatives. The proposal would eliminate all tax exceptions to any religious institution in Auraria, which would be expected to bring in billions in revenue but cost the Church severely.

All of these proposals are undercut by the biggest proposal under Sanabria’s budget – a $250 Billion investment in Auraria’s infrastructure over the next five years. The President has proposed the creation of the “Public Works Administration” to serve under the Ministry of State to oversee the implementation of the infrastructure program – which is focused on developing public/private partnerships to pump money into projects across the country to improve infrastructure.

Without a doubt, President Sanabria has proposed the most expensive budget in the history of the country. He has increased government spending almost 7% in proposing what – with the exception of military spending – appears to be the liberal dream.

We will have more coverage on the issues as the opposition parties prepare their statements and the negotiations begin on the spending and revenue plans. The Director of the Office of the Budget, Julian Castro, is expected to begin the negotiations with a hearing scheduled for October 25th.

 

[Oneida]

National Court Allocates Funds to Cyber Security
October 24, 2018
By Santino Hurtado

In the wake of a series of cyber-attacks by the Trier Concord and Serenierre against each other and Engellex in an attempt to harm the economy of the respective nation, the National Court called an emergency session to determine a response from Auraria.

In a hastily completed analysis by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry stated that the internet and online financial exchanges are becoming increasing popular and projected to increase in use at an unpresented level. Undoubtedly, naturally aggressive nations are taking advantage of this new phenomenon and working endlessly to weaponize it to any extent that they can. The Ministry has recommended that the National Court allocate emergency funding to the Ministry so that it can conduct studies, assess strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as beef up cyber security measures presently believed to be effective against such attacks.

From a financial perspective, the Ministry of Trade & Industry recommended that new laws be passed requiring new checks and balances to record keeping of financial transactions as well as the potential of a new agency of the Central Government to monitor such activities in the hopes of identifying and nullifying any suspicious activity before significant financial harm can be done.

“The challenges here are not all that different from the medical field: early detection and action,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade & Industry.

While the National Court will begin to explore legislative options, it has agreed to allocate P$50 Million to the Ministry of Defense and $35 Million to the Ministry of Trade & Industry to start developing and executing plans to protect Auraria from cyber-attack. In the meantime, the Ministry of Trade & Industry has released a memorandum to financial institutions across the country to develop their own safety measures – in lieu of legislative action – to safeguard and backup records. However, any such actions are purely voluntary until the National Court can get laws on the books.

Tauritanian Politics Comes to the National Stage
October 24, 2018
By Rubén Martínez

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Opposition Leader Antonio Ibarra (PDC-Andaluz) has grown to be a powerful voice for the Aurarine Conservative Movement​

Two days ago, President Sanabria proposed the 2019 Budget which broke from traditional norms in a number of ways. Perhaps one of the most significant ways was the inclusion of social policies that seemingly have very little to do with the finances of the country. The policies include nationally recognized same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption rights, improved access to abortion, the elimination of church tax exemption, and legalization of marijuana.

“This is the radical ideas of the Tauritania City coming to all of Auraria,” said Antonio Ibarra, Opposition Leader and President of the Christian Democratic Party. Ibarra was Consul under President Lorenzo Aquino – President Sanabria’s predecessor – who lead the Conservative Government from 2004 – 2016. After Aquino’s defeat in 2016, Conservatives across the nation quickly rallied behind Antonio Ibarra of Andaluz as the new voice of the movement.

“I am, and always have been, a strong supporter of the rights of the Provinces and local governments to develop policies that are most representative of their constituents,” Deputy Ibarra stated “However, I hold strongly that it is not the place of the Central Government to dictate the agenda of Tauritania to the country at large.”

There is a general agreement amongst the Conservatives that while the flatlining of Central Agencies, efforts to streamline bureaucracy, and a military budget that was a dream come true were all welcome proposals – they were far outweighed by a “gross overextension of Solis’ power.”

Conversely, Leftist parties across the country came to see the budget as a bittersweet compromise. While some lambasted the commitment of more than P$400 Billion over a five year period to arms and tanks as opposed to schools and hospitals, they saw the budget’s promise of social change something to be grateful for.

Archbishop Pablo Velázquez issued a sharp retort to the budget, particularly its call to eliminate the Church’s tax-exempt status.

“That proposal comes from no sound place of economic thought but rather a vicious and vengeful attempt to destroy the stability of the Church to turn the people of Auraria away from their community and toward dependence on the Government. This proposal would destabilize the Church, force us to cease our charitable efforts – which reach far more people than Solis ever has, and ultimately bankrupt the Church. There is no justification in my eyes that a man of God could consider himself supportive of the President’s attack.”

“We can debate the merits of the budget’s very shaky financial foundations,” Deputy Ibarra stated “But I have instructed the deputies of the Christian Democratic Party to vote no on this bill until the Government agrees to remove any and all social policies from consideration.”

The Christian Democratic Party, which represents 145 of the 650 seats (or 22%) is joined by the Prosperity League, the Tauritanian Christian Democrats, and the National Unity Party – unifying the conservative block and immediately dismissing 46% of the National Court from being supportive of the budget. This means, for the budget to reach the bare minimum of 51% of “yes” votes, only 26 members from the 5-party coalition of 351 deputies can vote against the budget…a very high bar to meet.

News in Brief…
(Sports) Auraria nets 1-1-1 in the Jacaranda Cup with the Solis Knights claiming victory, but all attention was placed upon the stunning match between the Whitemere All-Whites and Tauritania Fighters which ended in a draw and several arrests for civil disobedience.
(weather) Temperatures set to plummet across Auraria, dropping from anywhere to 2 to 5 degrees celsius this weekend as Fall weather comes with a vengeance. Citizens, especially children and the elderly, are warned to stay indoors and dress appropriately.

 

[Rheinbund]

Joint statement by the defence industry of Eiffelland-Retalia

We would like to point the Government of Auraria at our excellent line of products. Please check our

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.

 

[Oneida]

Today’s Snapshots – El País

The Budget – the President’s Office of the Budget has concluded five days of testimony before members of the National Court over the financial viability of the President’s proposals. In particular interest was the President’s taxation on the Church and Infrastructure Plan. The Government argued that the initial taxation plans coupled with projected revenue growth from increased economic activity will sufficiently fund the Infrastructure Plan. Ultimately, the Government admitted that the budget will increase the Central Government’s deficit, but that all the new spending is “appropriate and necessary.”

Cartagena’s “Whoops” – Cartagena Mayor María Castilla found herself in hot water today, after a tracker-trailer smashed into a brand new, multi-million paseta bridge on the A-5 national road heading into downtown Cartagena. The bridge’s construction was deemed necessary by Cartagena Municipal Authority, but a severe miscalculation in construction resulted in a bridge that did not meet height requirements and thus lead to the accident. Mayor Castilla, when asked how this happened, responded “it was a ‘whoops’ moment,” receiving harsh backlash from critics and internal investigators alike.

The Occitanian Tragedy – In yet another defeat, the Trier Concord has signed the Treaty of Camp Hill ending the conflict between Eiffelland and Serenierre in Occitania, dividing the country between a communist and capitalist state under the respective control of Serenierre and Eiffelland. The Capital city, Marisella, will become an independent city-state. Occitania suffered heavy losses from the Serenien invasion from chemical and cyber-attacks to scorched earth tactics, the Serenien sought to cause as much physical and emotional damage as possible. The Church has increased charity missions to the war-tone countries and there have been calls for the Aurarian Government to take stronger stances.

News in Brief…
(International Affairs) Auraria confirms that External Minister Ferreiro has landed in Pelasgia for discussions of increased trade and cultural exchanges as well as the status of global affairs. The strong cultural differences between Auraria and Pelasgia have left many questioning the odd pairing.
(Culture) Tauritania has released its finalized route for tomorrow's Halloween Parade. The Tauritanian Parade is the largest Halloween Parade in all of Gallo-Germania, bringing hundreds of thousands of spectators and costumed characters for a night of celebration and candy.
(Sports) the Solis Knights and Tauritania Fighters have net another victory in the Jacaranda Cup, leading Groups 7 and 4 respectively. The great success - and admittedly bad showing of the Las Palmas Lions - has sparked a huge interest of Rugby in Auraria, uniting the two traditional rivals of Solis and Tauritania
(Weather) Warmer weather expected to move in the later half of the week and weekend, ending the "sheet of ice" which was a stream of cold air from the Thaumantic that plummeted temperatures across the country.

 

[Oneida]

Tauritanian Provincial Court Delivers Huge Victory to Workers' Collectives
November 3, 2018
By Enrique Perales

In a landmark decision, Tauritania Province’s High Court of Justice has overturned a decision from the Audencia Comarque in Cerdanya. In early 2017, a zinc factory in the northern regions of the Comarca of Cerdanya was shut down by its owner, Gaspar de Orellana. Orellana had ordered the facility closed after he had made the decision to relocate to a region in Andaluz which he believed would be more conducive to business.

However, for the residents of the village of Cabanabona, the decision came at a heavy cost. The village itself was built in 1912 when the Montero Zinc Company moved in and constructed a smelting facility. Cabanabona was constructed to house the workers at the factory. Gradually, the village grew to include health services, a school, a church, cinemas, and a variety of different amenities – becoming a full-fledged village.

The Factory’s importance to the community cannot be understated, which is why its closure has proven to be so devastating. Faced with no job opportunities and dozens of families suddenly going hungry, the former workers of the factory gathered together, broke the chains locking the gates, and restarted the factory all their own. Thus, in mid-2017, they formed the “Cabanabona Zinc Collective.” The collective, as they called it, was owned by each of the men and women who worked it. Early on, the workers decided that any profit made by the factory would be evenly distributed amongst the workers.

Without doubt, Gaspar de Orellana took the Collective to the Audencia Comarque, suing them for essentially stealing property and demanding its return. Quickly, the Audencia Comarque ruled in favor of Orellana and demanded the factory’s return. Perhaps just as quickly, the Collective appealed the decision and it found itself in Tauritania Province’s High Court of Justice.

Just today, the Court decided that Gaspar de Orellana, when he decided to close the factory and sell it for scraps, had sacrificed its ownership of it and thus had no further rights to it nor the equipment on the property. They went on to declare that the Cabanabona Zinc Collective had full rights to the property and is permitted to continue using it. However, the Collective has been ordered to pay Orellana a just sum of money to essentially purchase the factory from him.

The decision was heralded as an incredible victory by members of the Tauritanian Left, a full recognition of the rights of workers. There are a variety of similar cases of closed factories turned into workers' collectives that are circulating the court system. It is currently unclear how impactful the Court's decision will be on those cases, but one can only imagine it comes as a welcome one. The Tauritanian Solidarity League and Workers’ Collective Union praised the Court for its decision and welcome the incredible legal precedent that it started.

It is currently unclear if Mr. Orellana plans to appeal the decision to National Court.

News in Brief...
(Sports) Tauritana Fighters proceed to the Jacaranda Cup's Quarter Finals, facing off against the Vesper Metropolitans.
(Politics) A vote to close debate on the 2019 Budget Proposal has failed, stalling advancement. Sources indicate that Church Taxes are now the primary source of debate amongst the Government, which has all but abandoned seeking any support from the Opposition.

 

[Oneida]

Today's Headlines - El País
21 Pruinames CXCIX | 11 November, 2018​

Budget Moves Forward – Today, Consul Varela announced that he had reached a compromise with several elements of the Coalition for Change that were uncomfortable with the President’s budget proposal for 2019. On the floor today, twenty-seven amendments to the budget proposal were introduced adding several stipulations.

The amendments increase health subsidies, pledge a 10 Euromark Minimum Wage, reworks a number of things for taxation of the Church – but very notably keeps it in the budget, and provides avenues for improving healthcare and education in a stronger way than the prior budget.

The new budget is expected to be voted on in the next week.

Auraria Pledges Aid to East Occitania – President Sanabria announced at a press conference today that Auraria was committed to “ensuring the territorial integrity of East Occitania and repairing the horrific damage done to the country by the Serenien Government.” The President did not yet provide specifics on how the aid would materialize but stated that it is designed to jump start the new country’s war-torn economy. The President did emphasis that “under no circumstance would Auraria tolerate a violation of East Occitania’s sovereignty.”

Engelpox! – Engelpox, a disease that has Occidentia in a panic, seems to have originated from the Engel Embassy in Cantignia. The Aurarian Ministry of Health and Public Safety has stated that there is no reason to be alarmed in Auraria and there are currently no reported cases. However, the Ministry did confirm that it would monitor the situation closely and prepare for any scenario.

News in Brief...
(International) - Extreme violence is erupting across the Crotobaltislavonian and Trivodnian Borders as the new Yiddish Minority sees extreme persecution and remnants of the Trivodnian Military take justice into their own hands. Vigils have been held across the country in hopes the violence ends.
(Weather) - Snowfalls cover northern Gallaecia as temperatures continue to drop at an unusually fast pace.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalia

We thank His Excellency President Sanabria for offering help to East-Occitania. Indeed, help is needed to get the country back on its feet. President Sanabria's gesture will not be forgotten.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Justosia]

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Government Royale de Justosia
​

We are heartened to learn of these necessary & righteous actions taken by His Excellency President Sanabria against the Red Menance in allied Occitania.

As you know we are engaged in Brecosta. There are many ways to fight this war. On behalf of His Royal Majesty King Carlos Francisco II, thank you.

Felipe Alejandro
Royal Palace Foreign Ministry Liaison Department

 

[Oneida]

Budget Negotiations Collapse Amid Justosian Atrocities; Deputy Ibarra Puts Vote of no Confidence on the Table
25 Pruinames CXCIX | 15 November 2018
By Sebastian Vargas

On 13 Pruinames CXCIX, or 3 November 2018, the Coalition for Change announced that a compromise budget plan for 2019 had been agreed upon by all party leaders amongst the 5-party coalition. The compromise was considered a massively legislative victory by Consul Abraham Varela, who had reportedly convinced President Sanabria to relent on a number of provisions in order to maintain his budget proposal as a whole. The budget needs 51% of the National Court’s vote to pass, meaning that the Coalition for Change can only have twenty-six defectors before the budget is set to fail.

Today – those twenty-six defectors made themselves known. Today, the Workers’ Collective Union, joined by several leftist members of the other political parties in the Coalition for Change, called for a boycott of President Sanabria’s budget in response to his “less than adequate answer to the Justosian Government’s murder of sixteen socialist and communist men for no other reason than their political beliefs.” The total number of individuals who agreed to boycott the budget were 67 – effectively killing the budget proposal.

“I find it offensive,” said Deputy Joaquin Domínguez of Gallaecia, leader of the Workers’ Collective Union “that President Sanabria would ask that socialists join his ‘Coalition for Change’ but then he remains silent when a foreign government murders sixteen socialists for no other reason than their politics. It is contrary to the sincerely held beliefs of Aurarians across the country.”

The announcement sent shock waves through Solis, where many political analysts believe the debates were finished and procedural voting was to begin. While this is not the first time that a legislative proposal by President Sanabria or Consul Varela has failed to achieve a 51% majority, the budget legislation is by far the most significant of the failures. Opposition leader Antonio Ibarra stated that this new failure on the part of the Government should not be taken lightly, given that the budget is such a significant piece of legislation.

“Today’s fiasco only adds to the fact that Consul Varela’s Coalition is incapable of governing Auraria,” said Deputy Ibarra “Rest assured, my associates are currently gathering our options and among the possibilities will certainly be a vote of no confidence.”

The President’s Office downplayed any need for a vote of no confidence, stating that the Office had actively worked with Humanos sin Fronteras to negotiate with the Justosian Government. The President’s Office further added that “under no circumstances should the decisions of a far-right monarchy in an even farther off land be taken into consideration on the domestic policies of the Aurarine Republic.”

Even so, President Sanabria, Consul Varela, and Deputy Domínguez have a scheduled meeting at Marisela Palace tomorrow at 10:00AM to discuss what options are available moving forward.

 

[Oneida]

Compromise Budget to head for Vote
By Sebastian Vargas
4 Ningemes CXCIX | 19 November 2018

In a press conference today, President Sanabria, Consul Varela, and Deputy Domínguez announced that a compromise has been reached and that the President’s 2019 Budget will be put up for a vote later this week. The compromise, while admittedly not the first that the Government has claimed it reached, effectively paves the way for the Government’s passage of its budget and cements the coalition that President Sanabria built.

The announcement comes as Opposition Leader Antonio Ibarra was preparing to put a motion of no confidence before the National Court. Constitutionally, only 15% of Deputies are required to sign onto a motion before forcing the Consul’s hand to call a vote. Reportedly, the Opposition had difficulty ensuring a 51% majority. That difficulty shows that even if there were disagreements amongst the Coalition for Change, there was not enough disagreement to compromise the government itself.

This comes as a resounding victory for President Sanabria. The announcement received a wave of cheers on the floor of the National Court as the President’s budget frees up a significant amount of resources to initiate policies for the Coalition for Change.

“Today was a victory for stability in our political process,” President Sanabria stated “it is a reminder that in a free republic, disagreements are common and encouraged to strengthen our democracy. I am proud of the work done here today, I am proud of our Government, I am proud of the compromised budget we will pass and above all, I am proud to be doing this work on behalf of all Aurarians. Now let’s get out there and get the job done.”

Nation Celebrates as Tauritania Fighters Bring Home Jacaranda Cup
By Alonso Matteo Cabrera
4 Ningemes CXCIX | 19 November 2018

As of yesterday, the Tauritania Fighters rose to become world champions after they claimed victory against the District Jacturus of Engellex in the Jacaranda Cup. The Tauritania Fighters are the first sports team in Auraria to win the title of a global championship, which has undoubtedly brought a new sense of pride.

The success of the Tauritania Fighters has inspired quite a bit of fan fair in the Republic. From the original match against the All-Whites that went so far as to spark fights in both Natalia and Auraria, instantly turned the Jacaranda Cup into a national sensation. The Solis Knights also maintained a good shot until their final defeat from the Herakles Therme. Las Palmas, sadly, never really got their footing.

The Fighters will be welcomed home to a meeting with President Sanabria at Marisela Palace, where the cup will be on display. After a few weeks, the cup will be returned to its new home in Tauritania.

Go Fighters!