Nouvelles des Sereniérre

[Serenierre]

The Press Federation of Sereniérre is an organization comprising the leading publications of the country and committed to bringing news from Sereniérre to the world at large. The following publications are proud members of the PFS.

• Le Chronicle de Villesen: Founded in 1766, the publication has been an integral part of Sereniérien society since independence. It is considered a highly respected journal by many in the country.
• Le Journale des Debats: Founded in 1922, the publication has a markedly critical view of the government and has at times had to face the brunt of the authorities reprimand. It is popular mainly in the cities but is countryside base is rising as well.
  
• Nouvelles Internationale: Founded in 1967, the publication is highly popular with the diaspora scattered in Scania and Gallia.
  

 

[Serenierre]

Council meets to elect new Augierre in Villesen as nation watches on
After the unexpected death of Augierre Mamanette last month, the country has been without a head of state and been observing an official period of mourning. Earlier today, the Grand Council of Wisdom has held a session at the Villesen Fortress - the official seat of the Augierre - and begun the formal procedures of electing a new Augierre from among their ranks. The process usually takes a few days to deliver its result. Augierre Mamanette served in that position for almost thirty seven years and is remembered for her role in keeping Sereniérre neutral in most matters on the international stage. Mme. Augierre Mamanette also is known internationally for her commitment with the Blue Cross. She was 76. She leaves behind a family of three children and eight grandchildren.

National Soccer Association invites female teams from Arendaal, Batavië
The National Soccer Association has sent invitations to its counterparts in Arendaal and Batavië inviting the women's soccer teams to take part in a friendly competition with the national women's team. The decision to invite the two teams has been received well by local sports fans and it is widely expected that ticket sales will be strong for the matches. The Grand Council of Wisdom has, however, pushed for the tournament to be played after the St. Micheal's Mass. This tournament will be the first such one since 1975, when the Government under Augierre Mamanette announced her personal reservations of having large sports tournaments due to the cost on the government. The NSA Tournament is being sponsored by several leading companies.

Secretariat of Foreign Relations cautious about Carentanian seizure of Sinhese cargo vessel
The Secretariat of Foreign Relations, while denouncing Sinhai's policy with its prisoners, has registered its concerns with the Carentanian Government for what it feels is a dangerous precedent. News of the seizure of cargo vessel INH Tukka Tor brought the Couserans Stock Exchange down substanially as shipping companies, a major industry here, grew concerned. A fast reply from Carentania's government, however, calmed investors and returned the market to its usual pace.


CHRONICLE DE VILLESEN© - This is the English edition, to read us in your language, click here.
​

 

[Serenierre]

Nouvelles Internationale
5éme Mars 2011 • Édition Anglais • Established 1967

Council of Wisdom elects Madame Mazarin as Aegierre​

VILLESEN: Earlier today, the National Radio Broadcasting Service (NRBS) announced to the country that the Council of Wisdom had narrowed down the list of potential candidates down to two, from the original list of twelve, and a definitive answer was expected sometime tomorrow, but within hours NRBS carried an update that announced the formal election of Mme. Julienne Mazarin as the Aegierre of the Matriarchal Republic of Sereniérre - an announcement which has great historical weight for the short duration of the election and the election of the youngest Aegierre since 1801.

Mme Aegierre Mazarin - as she will now be known officially - is a surprising pick by most analysts account for the relative unfamiliarity she has with most people in the country. But what she lacks in national visibility, she more than makes up for with her long list of qualifications and experience within the Council and within other branches of government. As such, Aegierre Mazarin is also noted for her marked difference in political standing than her immediate predecessor, advocating a proactive foreign policy and asserting Sereniérre's presence on the international stage. Her views in regards to the economy, as seen by political analysts specializing in Council affairs, are also different from her predecessor.

An agenda she brought to the Council just last year, which was ultimately vetoed by Aegierre Mamanette, sought to revitalize the sluggish economy and allow for greater exploration of mineral deposits in the north, all the while seeking to expand the export base for the agricultural sector. A preliminary analysis of any future government by analysts predicts that the new government will move to remove economically restrictive taxes and open up the country to foreign investment and further allow government shares in local conglomerates to be privatized.

Mme. Aegierre Mazarin has also during the course of her political life shown an express support for the Republican Military Forces and as such it is expected that the defense budget will be expanded upon in the coming government's tenure.

Aegierre Mazarin has, in the past, expressed her approval of the attempts of economic alliance shown by the Northern Council and has spoken in favor of Sereniérre joining such an organization. Though later stating that she was not in favor of Sereniérre dropping its traditional currency for the new one initiated by some NC member-states.

The Office of the Aegierre has announced that Mme. Mazarin shall be speaking to the nation sometime in the evening.


"IHN Tukka Tuk sailors might be innocent", says Mme. Carcierre

VILLESEN: Leaving the Villesen Fortress, Mme. Carcierre, the former Secretary of Foreign Relations, has spoken in favor of the crew of the IHN Tukka Tuk, the Sinhese ship that has been seized by the Government of Carentania in a move that she called, "concerning for the state of international trade... it is state sponsored piracy if one looks at it" going on to state, "I do not believe that these allegations are fabricated, but I also do not believe that they are not... Carentania and Sinhai both have a contentious relationship and I can not rule out the fact that this is some press stunt... until a neutral party doesn't corroborate these allegations."

The comments come just a day after the Secretariat of Foreign Relations has registered its carefully crafted position on the matter with the Carentanian government. Soon after the comments were broadcast on radio, the Secretariat of Foreign Relations was quick to point out that the comments were said in Mme. Carcierre's personal capacity and did not reflect the position of the state.

Other News
Thunderstorm predicted for southern Sereniérre coast, beaches closed as precautionary measure
Aziéres City Council to spend £50 million in global tourism campaign using top celebrities
Northern steel industry sector saw profits grow in 2010 Q4
St. Michael's Mass celebrations to see £1.2 billion in revenue for various sectors

 

[Serenierre]

Le Chronicle des Villesen
• 5éme Mars 2011 • Opinion editorials •

Economic revitalization a key priority for the new government
AN ANALYSIS BY MARIE ROGEREN

As Mme. Julienne Mazarin is installed as the Aegierre, the challenges facing her government in economic terms are relatively high. The exploitation of the mineral deposits in the north at a virtual standstill, manufacturing seeing a major slump from competition from abroad and foreign investment hindered due to restrictive government policies - which must be revoked, in my opinion - and unemployment at 8%. But even with these factors present, Sereniérre does have a number of strengths, at present, in its economy.

The metal-works industry, foremost within it is the steel sector, and the shipping industry have been doing tremendously well this past decade, being the main engine of the economy. Followed closely, the agricultural sector also doing well, seeing record breaking harvests last year, and its export base has been expanded five fold with major trade occurring with many Himyari and Scanian countries.

As the new government takes over, of immense importance is courting both the Northern Council and the Breotish, both of whom are key to attract foreign investment. Second, it would be wise to lower the minimum wage, which as it stands is among the highest in the West. But it doesn't mean that within the country we do not have people who can act to move the economy forward. There are many conglomerates and industrialists who stand ready, which I know from personal conversations, to invest in many sectors if the government pulls its control from many sectors.

In my dealings with the women who stand to make the new government, I know they are patriots and will move in ways that hasn't been done in the past.
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[Serenierre]

Aegierre Mazarin approves 400% increase in military budget
Hours after assuming the mantle of leadership, Madame Aegierre has informed the Secretariats of Defense and Finance that she was authorizing the increase of the Republican Military's budget from £200 billion to £800 billion, a mammoth increase of over 400%. The move makes Sereniérre only the third country that has announced recently that it will be expanding and modernizing its military forces; after Sinhai and Carentania. The budget increase will put the navy's efforts of achieving the status of a blue water navy in hyper drive and will allow the air force and army to match the navy's expansion. The change in defense policy stands to make £233 billion for the indigenous defense industry, which has seen profits soar in recent decades.

Northern Council member states' ambassadors summoned to Villesen Fortress
Ambassadors of the Northern Council member states which maintain diplomatic missions in Villesen have been sent an official letter of summons by the Office of the Aegierre. This comes just as the new administration has brought pro-NC individuals in key economic and financial positions. Sources inform this publication, "the new government's intent to interact with the premier economic bloc of our region is no secret... it is expected that Villesen will push for membership sometime in the future." With some sectors of the economy stagnating, the NC stands to reinvigorate the national economy and the example of Batavië emerging from the collapse of the economy into one of the best emerging economies is fresh in the mind of financial analysts. The NC countries and Sereniérre already maintain a multi-billion trade relationship but the room to diversify and strengthen it remains.

University of St. Athena sees government crackdown on rogue elements
The Secretariat of Internal Security has launched a crackdown on protesters who had amassed in the grounds of the University of St. Athena, opposing the electoral system of the republic and calling for direct elections for the position of Aegierre. The protests have been ongoing for the past two days and have disrupted campus life, bringing nearly all of the campus to a shutdown. Members of the Bureau de la Sécurité Intérieure (BSI) cordoned off the area and were met with resistance from the protesters and as such responded with force and arrested 221 people and detained the other 650. This is just the latest of a BSI operation aimed at rooting out radical elements which seek to "weaken the state from within", as was said by the commander of the raid.

Secretariat of Finance scraps directive restricting foreign investment
As part of her measures set to bring about economic reform, the Secretariat of Finance has followed Mme. Aegierre Mazarin's directive and scrapped its policy of restricting foreign investment. The new policy is aimed to furthermore attract Breotish investors and will eventually lead up to the government privatizing companies such as the national air carrier, the various City Port Agencies and others. The SoF has furthermore announced that the government will be taking bids to explore the sizable mineral deposits in northern Sereniérre, which at present remain in government hands.

State Bank of Sereniérre to unveil new notes of the Lison (£) on Wednesday
Thunderstorm passes by Aziéres with no major damage, city authorities reopen beaches
"IHN Tukka Tor seizure is illegal," says Marie Balsanois, calling it "state sponsored piracy" in her latest article
Population will rise to 165 million by 2040 as fertility rate ranks among highest in the western world

CHRONICLE DE VILLESEN© - This is the English pamphlet edition, for the full newspaper subscribe by contacting +345-21-69-887-24996

OOC: Defense budget in US$ would translate as $89.6 billion

 

[Great Engellex]

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_____________________________________________

DULWICH, Sunday, 6th MARCH 2011
_____________________________________________

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of Her Engellexic Majesty The Queen to make known the following gracious Statement of Her Engellexic Majesty to the Princes, the Chiefs and the People of Sereniérre.​

​

Extension of The Queen's Statement in Council.​

TO THE PRINCES AND CHIEFS OF SERENIERRE​

It is to be expressed, upon instruction of Her Engellexic Majesty;

The naval and military preparations for the ensuing term, in office of Mrs. Aegierre, have necessarily occupied my serious attention; but while determined to omit no effort which could give vigour to the escalation of potential war, I have deemed it my duty not to decline any overtures which might reasonably afford a prospect of a safe and honourable peace.

Accordingly, when Her Engellexic Majesty, the Queen of the Union of Great Engellex, lately offered to myself and to His Grace, the 12th Duke of Rothermere the Secretary of State of War, to employ her good offices with a view to endeavour to bring about an amicable adjustment of the matters at issue between contending states, I consented, in concert with His Grace, to accept the offer thus made, and I have the satisfaction to inform you that certain conditions have been agreed upon which I hope may prove the foundation of a general treaty of continual peace.

Negotiations for such a treaty can swiftly be opened at Dulwich.

In conducting negotiations I shall be careful not to lose sight of the object for which an invitation to establish was under taken; and I shall deem it right in no degree to relax our concern toward your naval and military preparations until a satisfactory treaty of peace shall have been concluded.

By the Grace of GOD, of the UNION of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN, through the Right Honourable the SECRETARY of STATE, ANTHONY PELHAM-HOLLES​

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[Serenierre]

Le Chronicle des Villesen
• 7éme Mars 2011 • Pg 12 Article •​

Talks with Breotish Government commence in Lunden
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

Breotonia is a major country on the other-side of the Great Sea, its historically strong trade and naval tradition, which carries on till today, has made it one of the strongest economies in the world and its immense naval power has allowed it to assume the title of "policeman of the sea" and as such Mme. Aegierre Julienne Mazarin has dispatched a senior delegation to meet with the Breotish Government in hopes of strengthening the bilateral ties of Sereniérre with that island country.

Sereniérre, a country whose great reserves of mineral deposits lie mostly unexplored and a large modern manufacturing sector that could, possibly, bring down costs for Breotish companies who have to utilize the workforces of places as far off as Keida. The country also stands to offer Breotonia up to £965 billion ($96.5 billion) in additional trade. As the economy aims to expand its retail base, Breotish brands stand to enter the country without any hindrance for the first time since 1976.

But to push the economy in to action, engagement with the Breotish will of-course be not enough and the Secretariat of Finance has plans, according to rumors, to push for talks with NC officials in Hilversum over the next few weeks. The new government has also accepted an invitation from the Government of Engellex in Dulwich, where the delegation of the government shall aim to expand the trade relationship. Similar actions are expected with other major economic blocs.

The Secretariat of Finance, also, announced today that the directive dating from 1976 which placed quota restrictions on foreign companies to protect local companies shall be revoked by the end of the week, a move that has been received well by numerous companies seeking to expand in Sereniérre. The Secretariat of Finance announced the creation of the Chamber of Foreign Trade Interests, a body which shall seek to ease the experience of foreign investors and remove any obstacles that may come in the way of foreign investors; just the latest policy turn by Mme. Aegierre Julienne Mazarin to reform the economy.
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[Serenierre]

STVN Headlines :: The news in under a minute

Republican Military Force starts recruitment drive, hopes to increase numbers by 56,000
Govt. welcomes Carentanian decision to release Sinhese sailors
Grand Council of Wisdom condemns Regime in Trans-Nineveh
Republican Naval Force offers ships to Engellex to assist in evacuation of nationals

 

[Serenierre]

Aegierre Mazarin dispatches invitation to new Batavien Deputy Premier
AP Villesen

With her own election as Aegierre still little over a week old, Mme. Julienne Mazarin has dispatched an invitation to the Republic of Batavië's - Sereniérre's neighbor but for the Lyric Sea - newly elected Vice Premier, Erika Bälstrom. Making Batavië only the third country approached by Aegierre Mazarin in her efforts to re-orient the foreign policy of her country. As the invitation was dispatched, talks began in Dulwich, Engellex over possible bilateral cooperation, in addition to discussions already occurring in Lunden, Breotonia.

The Republic of Batavië is one of the founding members of the Northern Council, the premier northern economic bloc, and there are hopes in Villesen of gaining admission into the NC as Aegierre Mazarin begins her economic reforms, aimed at attracting foreign investment, reversing stagnation in the manufacturing sector and increasing the overall growth rate of the economy. In the upcoming talks, it is expected that the government shall approach the Batavien delegation from two fronts; a bilateral cooperative approach, much in the vein of the ones occurring with Breotonia and Engellex, and probing Sereniérrese chances for an NC membership bid.

According to sources within the government, if the meeting goes off positively, similar meetings shall be scheduled with other key NC members.

©2011 The Associated Press International

 

[Serenierre]

Villesen sees heightened security measures as Bataviën Vice Premier arrives
AP Villesen

With the regime in Trans-Nineveh calling for a "socialist jihad" in Batavië, the Government of Sereniérre has taken extreme precautions as the newly elected Bataviën Vice Premier arrives in Villesen later today. With the upcoming diplomatic talks covering immensely important subjects for Villesen, the Secretariat of Interior has deemed the talks a high risk target and as such, brought in 3,200 personnel from the 12th Infantry Brigade to reinforce the deployments of the 3,500 strong Villesen Capital City Police (VCCP) and the 6,750 personnel from the paramilitary Republican Rangers.

In addition to boots on the ground, the Bureau de la Sécurité Intérieure (BSI), the country's premier intelligence agency, has heightened its own measures to ensure the diplomatic summit goes without any untoward incidents. As such, 109 people have been arrested from the capital who have been deemed a threat to the talks, confirmed members of the political reform movement which organized a demonstration at the St. Athéne University last week and which the Government considers an anarchistic movement.

The diplomatic meeting between the Sereniérrese officials and the Bataviën delegation stands to be the single most important diplomatic initiative of the government in Villesen for decades. The election of Julienne Mazarin to the office of Aegierre has resulted in government moving to insert itself back onto the international stage. The talks with Batavië are the third talks being undertaken by the government but the first to occur within Sereniérre.

©2011 The Associated Press International​

 

[Serenierre]

Le Chronicle des Villesen
• 19éme Mars 2011 •​

Tensions high in Cathay
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

With deep rooted hatred for each other, Sinhai and Vangala this previous week moved dangerously closer to engaging in active hostilities. It all started with Vangalan fighters shooting down Sinhese AWACs, an action to which Sinhai responded by deploying a naval task force in the Padma Bay, with fiery rhetoric emerging from its RDTO allies, Kilkilla appears to be in the stronger position. But adding to regional concerns, Keida announced yesterday that it was a nuclear power and had been so for the past 20 years. A possibility which gives the regional tensions a very dangerous nuclear threat.

In all regards, government policy in Villesen has been to urge for calm and seeking diplomatic measures to quell this recent round of tensions. But behind closed doors, it has been reported that the government is increasingly worried by recent communist assertiveness which has been perceived to be a serious threat to global shipping. Secondly, economic ties to both countries in the region have been strong in the past and conflict in the region has been a described as a "nightmare scenario" by many businesspeople here.

But to each side, in the current standoff, the issue of Ratomkira is a thorny issue. With Sinhai backing South Ratomkira and Vangala the quasi-state of Northern Ratomkira, with both government's in Ratomkira claiming to be the sole government of the country. As such, it has been estimated by officials that both Vangala and Sinhai have spent many millions backing their factions and a return to civil war in Ratomkira, where at present a ceasefire agreement exists, is an absolute possibility.

In such a situation, Sereniérrese policy has been, at least from source's indications, been centrist but leaning slightly towards the south, which is still recognized as the sole-legitimate government by Villesen due to the fact that the northern government exists solely because of an armed insurgency and not because of a popular movement for change.

The embassies of Sereniérre in, both, Kilkilla and Siraama have been put on alert and citizens within the country have been issued warnings.
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[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

We strongly reject the notion that northern Ratomkira is not backed by popular support within the country. Northern Ratomkira is a democratically legitimized government, aiming for the liberation of its people, while southern Ratomkira is a cruel and oppressive dictatorship lacking any and all kind of legimiticy.

 

[Great Engellex]

You must be registered for see images

_____________________________________________

DULWICH, SUNDAY, 20th MARCH 2011
_____________________________________________

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of Her Engellexic Majesty The Queen to make known the following gracious Statement of Her Engellexic Majesty to the Chiefs and Princes of Carentania.​

​

Extension of The Queen's Statement in Council.​

TO THE CHIEFS AND PRINCES OF CARENTANIA​

It is to be expressed, upon instruction of Her Engellexic Majesty;

The interpretation which the Carentanian Government, thus in assertion and act, persists in ascribing to freedom and democracy changes entirely in character. It is impossible, in our judgement, for Carentania to declare legitimate, in any degree, the regime in Northern Ratomkira, such a construction of the perception of the northern situation, we find, dangerous.

It is called by Her Engellexic Majesty upon Carentania to acknowledge their responsibility and not further the suffering of the people in North Ratomkira through the perverse interpretation of liberty for the advancement of national influence. It is implored that the statement declaring legitimacy is hasilty withdrawn.

By the Grace of GOD, of the UNION of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN, through the Right Honourable the SECRETARY of STATE, EDWARD PEEL​

​

 

[Serenierre]

Secretary for Energy in Arendaal, discussing oil deal with Aren government

With grave concerns in Villesen over Himyari stability and the capability of Hajri and Jurzani oil supplies to continue unchanged if matters worsen, the Government has begun a series of intensive dialogue with the Aren government in Emyn Arnen to secure an oil agreement which would allow for some stability in the national energy policy. The move comes as serious discussion began with another Scanian country, Batavië, and is, presumably, part of Aegierre Mazarin's efforts to reform the economic policy and assert Sereniérre's position on the international stage.

The oil agreement also comes just a few weeks after the announcement of the expansion of the Republican Military Forces, an expansion on which the government plans on spending many hundreds of billions of Livres. The Secretariat of Energy has issued a statement which has said that energy security was a serious concern for Villesen and as such the energy policy would be witnessing a reform. Reform of the energy policy has been planned for at-least eight years and includes the building of several nuclear power plants and three hydro-electric megaprojects, apart from many smaller dams and coal power plants that will be set up in various parts of the country. It is predicted that oil from Arendaal will also be used in the furnace oil power plants being constructed in southern Sereniérre.

Power shortages are common as urban demand of electricity has risen in the past decades and industrial demand rises. It is expected that the government may seek an international loan to finance some of the projects mentioned above.
​

 

[Serenierre]

RMNF looks to Anglyn company for 65 V/STOL jets for new light carrier class

The Republican Military Naval Force has just approved a contract worth £1.17 billion for the Harrier 100 F2, produced by the Anglyn Defense Industries Association, to be used in the new Mamanette class light carriers that are planned as part of the naval expansion program of Mme. Aegierre Mazarin. The RMNF is slated to assume the lions share of the new defense budget and as such its operational strength and doctrine is seeing a major shift.

With Sereniérre's rising profile internationally and its shipping's industry at risk in various regions it has been deemed an absolute necessity to maintain a strong naval fleet to protect mercantile interests of the Republic. The jets shall serve to provide close air support, along with domestic H-242 attack helicopters, to troops as they conduct coastal operations.The massive expansion of the RMF is set to earn defense contractors many billions in revenue and as such reports are coming in that the Secretariat of Defense is flooded with various companies' representatives lobbying for their own catalogue to be included in the new RMF.

"We seek an amicable resolution to the Solaren/Nicosia diplomatic disagreement," Secretariat of International Relations
Companies seek Franconian assistance in expanding mineral exploitation projects
Warr brings up dispute over Windhoek in CN, Govt. backs Bataviën claim over island, calls for Warr to refrain from "behavior encouraging regional instability"
Oil talks continue in Emyn Arnen, Aegierre Mazarin approves construction of three nuclear power plants near Aziéres

 

[Serenierre]

Nouvelles Internationalle
​

In the news:

- CGW approves plan to increase grants of colleges promoting the Republican Military Force amongst the youth. The plan which has been considered since Jan 2011, will allow for the RMF to recruit from among the university students, something they have been unable to do in the past. The decision also will bring in an additional £20 million for universities who support the decision. The public has responded with subdued support and as such recruitment is expected to rise. The, all female, Officer Corps of the RMF has also been slated for an increase of 2% this year.

- Internal Financial Regulation Bureau crack down on tax evasion brings about arrest of 126 individuals across the nation. With financial havens scattered across the globe, the IFRB has found it hard to keep tracks of the more wealthy, who routinely make use of the Danzig banks' secrecy laws. As such the IFRB is said to be in close cooperation with the Danziger government to ensure the tax evaders are caught and pay their dues. This comes as the Government takes excessive measures to reform the economy.

- Ground Forces see induction of first batch of Leo MBTs, first 56 of 569 ordered delivered
- Naval Forces patrol increased in Lyric Sea as preventative measure
- Embassy of Sereniérre in Warre delivers official statement to government, "Resolve Windhoek issue without the need of violence and intimidation"
- Aegierre Mazarin in Aziéres in an effort to calm local tensions amongst rival city politicians
- Sinhai/Vangala & Solaren/Nicosia tensions weigh heavy on government, says Lucille Sant-Avril in article