Wieserreichische Welle: Germania: Augsburg in Transalpine talks with Christiansborg?

[Wieserreich]

WIESERREICHISCHE WELLE
Aus der Mitte Germaniens

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The Wieserreichische Welle is a Wieser state radio and television broadcasting corporation owned entirely by the Imperial Wieserreicher Government. Despite its nationalised nature, it has a strongly independent history of news reporting. Wieserreichische Welle was founded as a state radio station in 1942, expanding into the realm of television in the 1970's with the forced acquisition of two other state broadcasters. Wieserreichische Welle broadcasts in the radio waves as Wieserreichische Welle - Radio Augsburg, and television waves as Wieserreichische Welle 1 and Wieserreichische Welle 2. A satellite-based, global broadcast channel also exists, under the name WW Welt. All programmes are currently held in German language, however Wieserreichische Welle - Radio Augsburg also broadcasts at certain times of the day in Arnen, English, French, Danish and Oikawan. Internet service is available in all major European languages at Wieserreichische Welle's website

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[Wieserreich]

Royal Marquen Air Force asks for Eurofighter Typhoon contract
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Multinational aerospace and defence giant VRL has publicised information that the Royal Marquen Air Force and VRL subsidiary Eurofighter are undergoing negotiations regarding the purchase and equipping of the Royal Marquen Air Force with Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.

Although details have not yet been released and the Marquen government has yet to confirm whether the VRL claim is true, speculation has already given a small push at VRL's stocks in the Augsburg Stock Exchange (ASX). Investors expect information about the deal with anticipation.

Eurofighter GmbH, a subsidiary of the joint Wieser-Franconian-Effellandic VRL, is the company involved in the marketing and promotion of the Typhoon and the older Tornado combat aircraft. The Typhoon is already in service with the Imperial Air Force of Wiese and the Royal Air Forces of Franken and Eiffelland together with the older Tornado. The Tornado also sees service with the air force of the Free Cities Union.

In the other news:
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• Regensburg fire in local Landsturm office kills three.
  
• Nonakawa Four executed in Oikawa, LFS states congratulate.
• His Imperial Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm announces his intention to hold three-day state visit in neighbouring Ascheburg the coming December.
• Archduchess Eleonore in "scandalous" casual pictures take outside Imperial Palace, where she is depicted wearing unusually casual clothing by the reigning Imperial House's standards. Imperial House refuses to comment as conservatives condemn, public debate leaning in favour of young Archduchess.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Miedzymorze flu outbreaks spark tighter border control
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WIth 74 confirmed new cases of the H3N2 virus in the Islamic quarter of Mislika, there is an official pandemic ongoing in Wiese's primary eastern neighbour. Imperial spokesman Prince Heinrich von Wolfsburg stated that Wieser citizens were warned to avoid travel in Miedzymorze's afflicted region, whereas travel restrictions have been placed with tighter on-border control.

As stated, the H3N2 strain of the influenza virus, in its most recent forms of mutation in human hosts has been relatively mild, but without proper medical treatment, it is still highly likely that a high ratio of casualties will result from infection, unless proper medical treatment is sought out immediately.

In the other news:
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• Marquen Queen to return "stolen treasures" to Dai Viet.
  
• Belmont government to initiate harsher treatment towards Communist states.
  
• Danzig-based Consolidated Tobacco seeks expansion in LFS states.
  
• His Holiness Marcus Clemence II enters seventh year of pontificate, Wieser Church and Imperial officials to attend festivities.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Imperial Household: Ascheburg visit scheduled for December 20-23
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December 20 to December 23 will be the dates of His Imperial and Royal Majesty's official state visit to Ascheburg, the Imperial Household has confirmed. His Imperial Majesty personally confirmed his "utmost interest" for the visit, and his desire to meet with the Ascheburger President and Grand Master. He will be escorted by his great-granddaughter Her Imperial and Royal Highness the Archduchess Eleonore.

His Imperial Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm II is a relatively frequent visitor to Ascheburg, which is in a customs and postal union with Wiese, despite the fact that he otherwise avoids international travel. The monarchy shares nominal ties with Ascheburg since the Holy Germanic Empire, with de facto independence for Wiese's modern neighbour since the 17th Century and de jure since 1848, remaining only in personal union with the Imperial Crown.

The 99 year old monarch remains highly popular in both Wiese and Ascheburg, with approval ratings exceeding 90 percent.

In the other news:
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• Kollwitz in historic FCU victory, first woman leader of the country.
  
• Scandal in Belmont between government and local AP office due to anti-communism reports.
  
• Marquen monarch calls for conference on organised crime, Wiese might attend.
  
• AGE secretary Rafael to step down, Levantine media report.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Holy See, Empire in official embassy exchange
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Following reports by the Holy See media outlet L'etat Pontificale that His Holiness will pursue direct diplomatic relations with Wiese, among other nations, the Imperial government seated in Augsburg has officially confirmed its intention to pursue open and unlimited diplomatic relations of bilateral nature.

Despite Wiese being a traditionally Catholic country, with today some 90 percent of its populace adhering to Dominican Catholic Christianity, and Catholicism being the official state religion of both the Empire and all six constituent lands, the Papacy and the Empire have not had permanent diplomatic relations to present. Instead, diplomacy was handled on a case-by-case basis, often with a Thießen Archduke in the role of Imperial ambassador to Dominici.

This will now change, with permanent diplomatic embassies to be exchanged. His Imperial Majesty's Chancellor Otto von Baden has confirmed that Wiese has plans to use an Imperial Household residence in Dominici, which has thus far functioned as a consulate, to host its embassy, if allowed by the Holy See. Prestigious buildings in the suburbs of Augsburg, close to the Schönbrunn Imperial Palace, as well as buildings close to the St. Adrian Cathedral of Augsburg and the Council of Nations headquarters will be offered for the Papal States to choose from, in order to host their embassy.

His Imperial and Royal Majesty Karl, King and Prince Imperial of Wiese, expressed the Emperor's gratitude for this move. "We are overjoyed to finally improve our relations with the Papal States even further" he explains. "We hope for further cooperation between His Imperial Majesty and His Holiness, and perhaps even a personal meeting of the two."

In the other news:
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• Belmont: AP Paris loses credibility, faces crisis over recent government-AP anti-communism row.
  
• Serbovia: Patriarch condemns Lusitanian Communists amidst Catholic priest expulsion row.
  
• Batavia: van Vliet warns Arendaal over Belmont visit, calls for Arendaal to 'rethink' position over Belmont Queen's visit.
  
• Miedzymorze: Anti-Kyivan student protests turn violent, four injured with one possible fatality.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Police injured in Strelitz anarchist clash
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Yet another clash between police and anarchists took place early this afternoon in the Mecklenburg city of Strelitz, in the Wilhelmsdorf suburb. Three police on foot patrol were attacked by a group of seven hooded individuals, possibly 20 to 30 years old, who used stones, bricks and pieces of wood.

One of the two policemen was lightly injured by the attack, whereas another is in serious condition in the 5015 Army Clinic in Strelitz, when one of the culprits hit him in the head with a brick from point-blank range. Two of the attackers were also lightly injured when the police responded with their personal weapons, and are also nursed in the 5015 Army Clinic with armed guards.

Wilhelmsdorf is renowned as the "anarchist capital of Wiese" and police have commonly been mocked and attacked, though usually without injuries, while patrolling the area the past few years. Strelitz City Police chief Hermann Bergendorf has repeatedly stressed that the situation is not being tolerated, however the "minority that is responsible for this disorder" is putting shame in the country as a whole.

After the recent attack, Strelitz police is expected to increase patrols, whereas there are calls in Mecklenburg's capital Karlsruhe to proceed with more decisive measures and put an end at this "shameful centre of crime" Mecklenburg Minister-President von Kussenberg has stated.

The matter is not yet in Imperial police hands.

In the other news:
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• AGE rejects Belmont: Levant, Austurland opinions negative over possible Belmont membership in the Alliance.
  
• Franken oil company to step up exploration for new reserves. KIW expresses interest.
  
• Lusitania splinter states hold meeting over security issues after Montelimar mobilisation on Communist-controlled Lusitania-Montelimar border.
  
• Wazistan: Ruling party to reaffirm loyalty to Islamic system in next party congress, state media outlet suggests.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Wiese, Serbovia in car trade agreement
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Serbovia's Sokol, parent company of the VS-Auto car brand has secured a multinational trade agreement with KIW, MAN and Opel, concerning the import of VS-Auto vehicles in Wiese, and the export of Opel and MAN vehicles to Serbovia. This market opening is expected to increase the stock values of all three companies involved.

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Logo of Opel, as found on its cars.
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Adam Opel GmbH, a subsidiary of Thießen AG, is Wiese's primary commercial automobile manufacturer, whereas MAN AG is world-renown for its engineering equipment and vehicles like trucks and buses. Opel and MAN exports to Serbovia will be handled directly by Sokol itself.

Sokol's VS-Auto brand is a family of cheap, robust, to-the-point automobiles that analysts state that it will find noted low-budget customers within Wiese. VS-Auto's importer will be KIW, which is expected to handle domestic sales through a subsidiary company.

Although Sokol's VS-Auto vehicles have been criticised of being too plain and uncomfortable when compared to modern Western automobiles, their plain nature allows for much modification, from the car interior to its engines, for those interested. KIW has stated it will promote VS-Auto modifications for those interested, hoping to hybridise them with Opel if Thießen concurs.

Car sales in Wiese see moderate regulation, and, as such, VS-Auto cars will see installation of new engines produced by Opel to adhere to the legal standards. Even with such a cost increase, however, and a serious import tariff, most Sokol cars will remain competitive in price thanks to their low cost.

Police inquiries over anarchist attack
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After the recent attack against police patrols in the Wilhelmsdorf suburb of Strelitz, Mecklenburg, inquiries have been initiated by the city police over the matter. The attack, under which two policemen were injured with one remaining in serious condition in the 5015 Army Clinic, was initiated by seven "anarchists" of whom two were lightly injured and arrested following a police retaliation using their personal weapons.

The two arrested have been identified as Karl Schmutz, 20 years old, and Wilhelm Eulen, 23. Both individuals were rejected from both Reichswehr and Landwehr service, and are currently and for the past six months without employment. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, with the Strelitz City Police Department refusing to release any details on the matter as of present.

Inquiries began in Wilhelmsdorf and are currently underway, although the exact details of which remain unknown.

In the other news:
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• Hosagovinia: Unexpected Social Democrat victory in government elections, exit polls suggest.
  
• Papal States: His Holiness the Pope celebrates his seventh year of Pontificate in Dominici. Service attended by King Karl and representatives of the Wieser ducal houses.
  
• Belmont: PM Plantard resigns over scandal, Millerand to replace him. WW-Welt will interview the new PM.
  
• Carentania: Government in ideological argument spree with the rest of Europe's Left. Cyrillica, Batavia, and other states thus far under far by the radical left regime over ideological disputes.
  

 

[Wieserreich]

KIW announces major pipeline expansion
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Following the purchase of 7.5 percent of Scanian petroleum company Skanskoil and secret negotiations with the governments of Wiese, Franken and Scania, Imperial investment colossus KIW has announced plans for an expansion of Wiese's oil supply pipelines in Franken.

Franken has traditionally served as an alternative route for Wieser oil purchases, the traditionally primary one being Miedzymorze. A number of pipelines link Frankish oil fields with Wieser consumers, while a major pipeline links the Frankish port of Würzburg with the heart of Wiese's petroleum industry in Regensburg, Saxony.

As part of the multinational deal, KIW subsidiary Kaiserliche Erdölfirma GmbH (KEF) will set up a subsidiary in Scania, named KEF Skanske, owned jointly (at a 55 percent ownership stake for KEF) with Skanskol. KEF Skanske, which will operate in Scanian and German, will set up a headquarters and petroleum terminal in Malmoholm, setting up a new traffic centre for KEF supplies.

From there, Frankish supertankers will deliver the petroleum supplies to Würzburg, and Wieser and Frankish owned pipelines will deliver it from there to the KEF centres in Regensburg. The pipelines are to see a relative expansion within both Franken and Wiese, to handle more traffic, whereas there are also proposals regarding the joint handling and ownership of the Wiese-Franken pipelines.

This move, which serves to further diversify Wiese's oil supplier list, will also benefit Ascheburg, which is expected to also be given the option of importing Scanian petroleum. KIW has also announced that it will be selling its 7.5 percent Skanskoil stake to its Wiese subsidiary KEF.

Reichswehr, Landwehr to hold joint exercises in Schaumburg
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Elements of the Reichswehr and Landwehr units stationed in the Duchy of Schaumburg have announced major exercises to be held between 26 December and 6 January, involving an estimated 110.000 men in the vicinity of Bielefeld and elements from both the Imperial Army and the Imperial Air Force.

The exercises, which will be manned largely by Landsturm reservists aged 25 to 35, has the purpose of keeping the third category of our country's military forces in operational readiness; it is the largest such exercise to be held since 2006. The manoeuvres have received the operational name "PEGASUS 2010."

In the other news:
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• Belmont: WW-Welt to broadcast exclusive interview with former PM Plantard tomorrow at 9 pm.
  
• Carentania: Claims of "high standards of living" irk first-world analysts. "Calculations are flawed" says Royal University team.
  
• Frescania: Bomb threat upsets San Martin, high security ensues, opposition claims it is a sign of separatism.
  
• Coronado: Celebrations of Constitution Day held, marks 50th anniversary of Commonwealth.
  

 

[Serenierre]

ooc: i was under the impression that the interview would be of the new PM.

 

[Wieserreich]

KIW, KEF see increased stock prices
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After the news of a KIW-Skanskoil-KEF partnership in Scania for the import of petroleum quantities into Wiese via Franken, the stocks of KIW and KEF have seen a surge in their value in the Augsburg Stock Exchange.

The deal, which includes the creation of a KEF branch in Scania with joint ownership with the local petroleum giant Skanskoil, also includes the expansion of Franken-Wiese oil pipelines, and particularly of the Würzburg-Regensburg route.

KIW was looking for a major international investment for quite some time now, WW-Welt's reports suggest. The investment group, which is largely owned by members of the House of Thießen, the Imperial Crown and the Imperial Government, has major holdings within and outside of Wiese alike.

Preparations for New Year's festivities well underway
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Preparations for the customary New Year's festivities to be held between December 31 and January 2 are well under way in both Augsburg and the various regional capitals of Wiese, such as Erfurt and Karlsruhe. New Year celebrations have traditionally been majestic, with a live nation-wide address by the Emperor himself precisely after midnight from the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Preßburg, the traditional residence of the Saxon line of the House of Thießen.

The Preßburger Philharmoniker, the Preßburg Philharmonic Orchestra, is to hold its customary New Year's concert on 1 January in the Hofburg Palace grounds. This year's released schedule includes many famous compositions of Johann Strauss Sr., Johan Strauss Jr., Franz Joseph Haydn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and many other German composers from across all of Europe. This year's concert is to be conducted by Wieser musical prodigy and renowned composer and conductor Prince Andreas von Richtoffen.

Although the concert schedule does not include Haydn's famous Kaiser Quartet and Strauss' Blaue Donau for one more year, the possibility of including them in the encore, as with several previous occasions (including, most recently, 1990 - 2001 and 2003 - 2007) is high.

Confirmed guests to attend include, of course, the entirety of the Imperial Family, the Royal Families of Mecklenburg and Braunschweig, and local Saxon nobility. As a result, the Archduchy of Saxony's Police Directorate has announced it plans to use some 5000 to 6000 policemen to secure the city of Preßburg for the period 30 December to 3 January.

Saxony is home to Wiese's most noted cultural figures and locations, and has traditionally been considered as a balance to the historic Swabian military traditions for which our country is famous for.

In the other news:
​

• Anglia: King makes rare parliament visit, stamps out Gay Marriage legislation as "breach of state religion" and bans it throughout the country.
  
• Austurland: Archduke hosts Kyivan President in official state visit. "Very meaningful" and "should be carefully noted and taken into account" comment WW-Welt's analysts.
• Lusitania: Communist leader delivers speech through Communist media outlet avante!.
• Marquette: Banned film to be aired after 48 years: theatres full by people eager to watch the banned movie.

 

[Papal States]

To: His Higness the Emperor of Wiese

Marcus-Clemens II, a Maecenas to varies artist, has expressed already his admiration for the The Preßburger Philharmoniker. He is interested in attending the concert as a token of respect to the artist, the Empyreal Family and the Wiese nation. We take the freedom to ask His Higness to considere his request.

Cardinal Charles Legrand, nuntius to Wiese
Ebassy of the Papal States
Grunestrasse 77
Augsburg

 

[Wieserreich]

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Reichsministerium des Auswärtigen
Imperial Ministry for Foreign Affairs
​

"On behalf of His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Emperor, King and Archduke Friedrich Wilhelm the Second, and of His Imperial Majesty's Cabinet of Ministers, I would like to officially express the joy and honour we feel that His Holiness Markus Klemens II intends to attend the New Year's Concert in the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Preßburg, Saxony.

"His Holiness will be most welcome by the Imperial Family and the Wieser People, and we shall organise the best possible arrangements. His Imperial and Royal Majesty would like to invite His Holiness to stay, for the duration of His visit, in the Hofburg, as an Imperial Guest of Honour and personal guest of the Emperor Himself.

"Security measures, although already tight, will be dramatically improved following the announcement of His Holiness' intentions. His Majesty and we at the Imperial Cabinet wish to make His visit as comfortable and unforgettable as we can afford."

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

 

[Wieserreich]

Catholic Development Fund proposed by Imperial Household
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With His Holiness the Pope Markus Klemens II issuing a document with his views regarding colonisation, in which He criticised "ruthless" and "immoral" developers who exploit the developing world, Archduke Franz von Thießen has made a public "Catholic Development Fund" proposal.

The Development Fund, which is hoped to be formed from contributors like the Imperial Household, Thießen AG, KIW AG, private Catholic contributors and perhaps even the Holy See, is a public proposal towards both the Thießen AG and KIW AG boards, as well as towards the Papacy following its recent criticism of neo-colonialist economics.

Archduke Franz stated that the proposal receives the approval of his grandfather the Emperor as well as his father the King of Wiese for discussion with interested partners. "This is meant to be a private charity venture, combining the assets of Catholic citizens, royals, companies, and perhaps even the Church, to create something completely new and unique" commented His Highness.

"This Catholic Development Fund would be a pool of monetary and non-monetary resources with the aim of funnelling them towards developing countries, and to coordinate the so far individual attempts for charity by the Catholic world. We can buy medicine, build schools and orphanages, and equip clinics and hospitals much more efficiently that way."

KIW, Thießen AG and the Holy See, which Franz von Thießen singled out in his proposal, have yet to publicly comment on the idea. It is expected that his idea will see mixed reactions from KIW, however, which has just started a chief petroleum import venture from the direction of Scania, which has yet to start funnelling increased funds to the investment group.

Archduke Franz, aged 47, is the first-born son of Archduke Karl, King of Wiese and Crown Prince of Saxony and Swabia, and father of Archduchess Eleonore and Archduke Maximilian. He is married to the Aren royal Princess Lena. Franz is currently serving as the CEO of KIW, and also spends time assisting his father and grandfather in the governance of Wiese wherever applicable.

Hofburg New Year Concert to receive increased attention and security
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Following the announcement that His Holiness the Pope will be attending the New Year's Concert of the Preßburger Philharmoniker in the Hofburg Palace near Preßburg, Saxony, local authorities have announced that security plans will be dramatically increased, in cooperation with the local Reichswehr and Landwehr command.

The previously intended 6000-strong Saxon Police presence will now be augmented by a yet unspecified number of Reichswehr and Landwehr troops under the Saxony Military District, on top of the personnel under the Imperial Guards guarding the Hofburg Palace itself.

"We [...] wish to make His visit as comfortable and unforgettable as we can afford" were the precise concluding words of Graf Babelfisch, Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs, in response to the Papal ambassador's notification of the Pope's desired visit for the New Year's Concert.

Rumours of other high profile guests have also started circulating; in particular, there are gossips involving the presence of Frankish, Aren, Scanian, and Eiffellandic royalty in the concert, which will see works of famous German composers like Mozart, Brahms, Bach, Strauss, Beethoven, and, of course, Haydn, the composer of Wiese's Imperial Anthem in the form of his original Kaiser Quartet.

This will be a public order test for Wieser authorities, following the recent uncalled-for attack by anarchists against the Mecklenburg Police in Strelitz, which ended in a police-versus-anarchists shoot-out during which four injured, including a policeman in critical condition.

Public order officials assure, however, that the sheer volume and strength of security measures undertaken will suffice, and point to the fact that "Preßburg is not Strelitz."

In the other news:
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• Axifloan Confederation: Council of Nations membership studied by Congress, Imperial Chancellor assures "Axifloan delegates will be welcome and by no means inhibited in Augsburg."
• Belmont: Police in passport forgery and counterfeiting ring raid in Orleans. Imperial security officials study possibility of links with Wiese rings and criminals.
  
• Cyrillica: Communist state opens major highways and automobile plant in a rare market expansion bid. Economic analysts come with mixed reactions about the results.
• Lusitania: Reunification attempts continue with Constitution proposals as Galician separatist regime expresses worry. Find out the background of the division, and why will the ancient Lusitanian Kingdom become a republic.

 

[Wieserreich]

Deputy Foreign Minister Hohenwalds to attend EDF summit
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Count Heinrich von Hohenwalds, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, has been selected to represent the Empire in the upcoming EDF summit in Franken, following EDF's invitation to Wiese to attend the organisation's Council as an "Tier 2" observer member.

The invitation, long expected and considered an honour by Augsburg, is seeing a relatively low-profile response in order to assert the country's neutrality and non-involvement in alliance matters and security issues, WW-Welt's journalists from the Imperial Palace report.

Wiese's inclusion in the EDF as an observer is no surprise, considering the long-time standing cooperation between chief EDF states like Franken and Eiffelland with Wiese in matters of defence, and Wiese's participation in the EDF space programme as an associate.

"This invitation is a formal seal for the existent cultural, political, and financial relations we have with EDF member-states" commented Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs Count Babelfisch. "It is not a sign that Wiese will abandon its long-time standing neutrality and seek involvement in military alliances. We remain an independent power. We stand by our neutrality as firmly as before" he stressed, when asked about the situation.

The upcoming Franken summit of the EDF will reportedly include the election of a new Secretary General for the alliance, as well as discussion of matters of common interest, including perhaps some of financial interest for the Empire.

Emperor to invite foreign monarchs to Hofburg Concert
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Official information from the Imperial Palace now states that His Imperial Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm will officially invite foreign royals in the New Year's Concert in the Hofburg Palace in Saxony. The Concert is already to be attended by the Pope and the cream of Wieser royalty.

"We will dispatch invitations to Wiese's most important monarchic partners" explained the source. "Arendaal, Franken, Eiffelland, Miedzymorze, Belmont, and perhaps Scania and Marquette are all high in our lists. His Imperial Majesty is taking great care so as to not exclude any important royals from this event, and, as such, great effort is being undertaken."

In the other news:
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• Batavia: IRB Congress refuses to cancel military exercises despite strong LFS protests and rhetoric.
  
• Belmont: Paris hosts Francophone summit, state boasts immense security measures.
  
• Lusitania: Congress faces gun controversy, Foreign Ministry observes with interest.
  
• Marquette: Prince Reynauld admits murder, sends waves of shock around the world. House of Thießen spokesman condemns the man and asks for "harsh punishment" "to remind the world that royalty should serve their countries."
  

 

[Wieserreich]

Hofburg Imperial Concert guest list announced!
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The guest list for the Hofburg Imperial Concert 2010 has been announced, and has sent waves of chill and thrill throughout all of Saxony and Wiese! In a surprising, once-in-a-decade event, the Hofburg New Year's Concert of the Preßburger Philharmoniker will include monarchs and royals from several Wieser duchies and foreign Royal Houses!

Among the confirmed guests to be attending are the following: His Holiness the Pope; the Royal Family of Eiffelland; Her Majesty the Queen of Belmont and Duke Montpellier; the Royal Family of Franken; the Royal Family of Arendaal (and rumour wants it to be the whole lot of them!); the Royal Family of Marquette; His Majesty the King of Miedzymorze (who is said to be coming with strong Imperial Army escorts, including light armour!); Her Majesty the Queen of Fjalderholmarna; and members or representatives of the Ducal Families of Schaumburg, Braunschweig, Thuringia and Mecklenburg! Other guests, thus far unconfirmed whether they come or not, include the Royal Family of Scania.

With this parade of European royalty, Saxon and Imperial authorities alike have announced tight and severe security measures. Guests coming via air will be escorted, from the moment of entry to Wieser airspace to landing, by fighter jet escorts of the Imperial Air Force; those coming by land will be escorted by Imperial Army troops, even including lightly armoured vehicles if requested. The exact details, date and time of arrival of each guest, including the route, will also be a state secret.

Hofburg Palace itself is becoming a fortress within a fortress. The Saxon Police have thus far released their intentions to dispatch 6000 police officers for the city's security, while the Reichswehr High Command in Augsburg has pledged that the Imperial Army "will" be there, with "several thousand troops to augment the security of Preßburg." Details remain unknown, but Landwehr, Landsturm and even Volkssturm personnel might also be given roles, depending on their backgrounds

The Preßburger Philharmoniker's New Year's Concert is at 1 January 2010 at 11:15 am at the Hofburg Imperial Palace near Preßburg, Saxony. The previous day, on 31 December, the New Year's Eve Concert is at 7:30 pm in the Preßburg City Palace. Security will include thorough personal checks, a list of banned objects to bear -to be released later this week- and several thousand police and army personnel, both in uniform and in civilian outfits, as well as helicopters. A no-flight zone is to be enforced at a 10-mile radius around Preßburg between 31 December and 2 January as well.

This high-profile concert is the first major event planned by His Majesty the Emperor for 2010, with the pinnacle of festivities planned by his family and government for his 100th birthday anniversary the upcoming summer on 8 August, where festivities have been promised to be even larger, nation-wide.

Imperial Cabinet welcomes Zivotinje envoy in Erfurt
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Secure high-profile talks between the foreign ministers of Wiese and Zivotinje have been announced to take place in Erfurt, the capital city of Thuringia, starting today and expected to last for several days. This comes under international scrutiny for Zivotinje over recent tensions and clashes with Volga, a communist state and IRB member.

The talks, to be spearheaded by His Excellence Count Babelfisch on Wiese's part, are to include matters of common interest and importance, and particularly security. The two ministers are expected to address the pressing problem of Serbovians using Zivotinje as a route for illegal immigration into Wiese, something that draws up significant funds in order to find and repatriate the illegal immigrants every year.

It is unknown whether the agenda will include the conflict with Volga.

In the other news:
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• Batavia: Intense student protests turn into riots despite a government ban and warnings against them.
  
• Belmont: Pre-budget report shows aggressive spending plans by new government.
  
• Eiffelland: Environment Minister opens new wind energy park, Wiese counterparts watch with interest.
  
• Volga: Zivotinje fighter shot down over Bolghar, government granted wartime powers as tensions mount.
  

 

[Taley]

Imperial Secretary

HIH, Prince Beniamino, Despot of Sicily, son of Waylon X, Talemantine Ambassador to the Council of Nations will be present as the new year festivities in Wiese. The prince and his family will be attending alongside his cousin King Edvard V of Arendaal. Blachernae Palace has yet to confirm whether his imperial majesty the emperor will be traveling to Wiese.

 

[Wieserreich]

Airbus Military announces A400M launch
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The Airbus Military A400M is scheduled to enter service this year, with deliveries currently expected to begin at the early second trimester of 2010. Airbus Military, a subsidiary of the multinational VRL aerospace company, has been long troubled by launch delays of the A400M, although this time the company is determined to proceed as planned.

The project has already cost the company several billions, and A400M unit price is said to exceed €100 million. However, the A400M military transport is a revolutionary design that will increase the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well.

The aircraft is to be launched with five nations, including Wiese, Franken, Eiffelland, Belmont and Batavia. The latter two are very recent entries that have propped up Airbus Military's stocks, with Belmont purchasing an undisclosed amount of aircraft, and Batavia ordering at least 10 aircraft at the cost of "over" €1 billion. The main operators will be Wiese's Imperial Air Force, Franken's Royal Air Force and Eiffelland's Royal Air Force.

Airbus Military's A400M export contracts come shortly after Eurofighter's contract with Marquette for the delivery of 60 EF 2000 Typhoon Black 5 fighters plus 40 more in kit status to be assembled by Marquen Royal Armoury. VRL's recent export deals have propped up the company's and its subsidiary's stocks in the Augsburg Stock Exchange.

Other than the multinational conglomerate, Wieser companies in the defence industry currently holding negotiations for arms contracts include Rheinmetall and Heckler und Koch, which hold talks with the Kedirian firm MIO with the mediation of the Special Committee for Armaments Trade of the Imperial Ministry for Finance.

War Ministry hints Air Force contest will take place soon​

Anonymous official sources from within the Imperial Ministry for War have hinted that the Imperial Air Force may be holding an aircraft contest soon. The reports remain unconfirmed by the ministry spokesmen, and there is wide-spread speculation as per the exact nature of the aircraft that might be involved.

Possible contest focuses could be a new airborne early warning system aircraft, close-air support aircraft, transport helicopters, aircraft munitions, and/or training aircraft of various types. If a contest is held, various arms exporters will be invited to make their offers known.

In the other news:
​

• Belmont: Aren Royalty strikes again as Prince Nicolas' girlfriend was identified to be Princess Iselin, first cousin of Archduchess Eleonore and great-grand-niece of Emperor Friedrich Wilhelm.
• Carentania: Congress names cooperation with IRB "out of question," condemns communist bloc as "authoritarian and oppressive."
• Cyrillica: Industrialisation plan put into action by communist government, "better late than never" say business analysts. Rumour wants Wieser investors to watch with interest.
• Kyiv: Miedzymorze "agents" apprehended on Novgorod coast, Imperial Cabinet watches with caution as tensions may mount.

 

[Anglia]

Office of the Foreign Minister

On behalf of His Majesty William I, we would like to extend a hand of friendship towards Wiese, and meet with a an esteemed dignitary from your most glorious nation. The subject of our meeting will be based around increasing our relations, and the possibility of increased trade. Please consider our offer.

 

[Wieserreich]

Defence stocks go up as sales hit new records
​

Wiese defence industry firms Rheinmetall, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and multinational VRL see an increase in their stock values as their arms exports hit new records due to recent orders by foreign governments and organisations.

Rheinmetall, in particular, has been involved in a recent export contract of the Wiesel 2 to Lorraine, an EDF country, while VRL's Airbus Military is expected to launch its new A400M with several European countries including Belmont, Batavia, Eiffelland, Wiese and Franken, and unconfirmed orders from Anglia as well.

The defence stock market boost is also owed to recent orders of the Eurofighter Typhoon by Marquette, and strong rumours that the Imperial Ministry for War will proceed to the purchase of new land and aerospace systems within 2010, from both within and outside of Wiese.

KIW, Thießen announce major Marquette investments​

Investment firm KIW and steel conglomerate Thießen have announced plans for major Marquette investments in the middle of a local economic dip. With aims to purchase stocks in infrastructure, defence and heavy industry, the two largest companies in Wiese launch an unexpected investment proposal at the direction of Marquette.

"We are confident Marquette will not prohibit or impair our moves" announced KIW spokesman Georg Kohl. "Wiese relations with Marquette have traditionally been positive, and we find that the political climate, as it stands, is encouraging such a move as well."

In the other news:
​

• American Union: Catholic Church loses in court case against "commercial Christmas."
• Belmont: Investments announced for Marquette economy, valued at several millions of Joliets.
  
• Carentania: Government deploys more troops on border with Talemantros.
  
• Papal States: Wiese-born Cardinal Gottendorf to head Marquette investments by Papal Bank.

OOC: To whoever it might concern: I am not going to do a role-play thread for the 30 December-3 January event for our monarchs as I lack the time for the full thing including every player sending his royalty. As such I will handle it via several, hopefully, news posts. An individual thread or two meant for prepared character interaction and development might be held, however. If you have specific interaction ideas, do NOT hesitate to PM me please!

 

[Wieserreich]

Meribia conducts New Year's underground nuclear test​

Meribia welcomed 2010 with an astounding and irresponsible underground nuclear test, news outlets report. Augsburg, hosting the headquarters of the Council of Nations in the old Nymphenburg Imperial Palace, is buzzling with diplomatic activity in light of the recent events.

Archduke Joseph, officially designated Imperial ambassador to the Council of Nations, has yet to comment before the General Assembly on the matter, however WW-Welt has managed to secure some comments from the Wieser royal and diplomat.

"Meribia's test was a gross, irresponsible move" said His Highness, "which our country can simply not condone and accept. I am studying, together with the Reichskanzler, and in conjunction with our international friends, course of action over the motion. I do promise, however, that this will not be allowed to slide as if unnoticed."
​

Hofburg welcomes 2010 with New Year Concert
​

The Hofburg Imperial Palace welcomed 2010 with a bright and flashy New Year Concert of the Preßburger Philharmoniker in its grounds, with tickets having sold out months ago. Special accommodations were made for a number of last-minute guests, however, such as the Talemantrine Prince Beniamino.

The New Year's Concert of the Preßburger Philharmoniker in the Hofburg Imperial Palace near Preßburg, Saxony was completed as "an absolute, astounding success" announced Reichskanzler Otto von Baden shortly after the concert of 1 January.

The concert was attended by a number of Wieser and European royals and state leaders, including His Imperial Majesty the Kaiser, His Holiness the Pope, the King of Franken and his family, the King of Eiffelland and his family, the King of Arendaal, envoys of the Emperor of Talemantros, and others.

Security measures were very tight, and Preßburg was largely "overrun" by police and military forces at certain sections of the city, providing intense security. The Imperial Palace itself was tightly guarded by elements of the Kaiserliches Heer and the Imperial Guards.

Marquette investments 'on hold' by Wiese conglomerates​

A number of Wieser conglomerates that have announced plans to invest in Marquette amidst the country's financial crisis have put their plans temporarily on hold, their spokesmen have announced. The companies in question include the two largest corporations in Wiese, KIW and Thießen AG, both of which are controlled by the Thießen Imperial Family.

KIW has announced its intentions to buy a 67 percent stake at the Marquen bank Sault Ste. Marie, which has seen its profits collapse dramatically as a result of toxic and failed high-risk investments. KIW has stated its offer was on hold due to discussions with "competition" and that it has no current plans to retract its offer.

Thießen AG, however, is another story. Thießen has announced its intentions to purchase controlling stakes in both Popal and Ligel, Marquette's largest steel company and a chemicals company respectively. While Ligel is also seen as a viable target by international competition, such as Montelimar's Robichau International, Popal is protected by the Marquen government, and Thießen will require its approval to gain its desired 50 percent plus one stock stake at the company.

"We hope that the Marquen government will see our investment positively, and promote our investment in both Popal and Ligel" said a Thießen board member, who desired to maintain his anonymity. "We are serious about this motion, and hope to establish a strong, healthy and permanent presence of our conglomerate in Marquette, which can be profitable for us, Marquette, and the Marquen workforce as a whole."

In the other news:
​

• Belmont: Government offers to increase its deployments to the Confederate States, following Meribia's nuclear test.
  
• Eiffelland: Heinrich IV abdicates in favour of Crown Prince Albrecht.
  
• Marquette: First Fleet recalled from world tour amidst Meribia nuclear tensions.
  
• Scania: Massive heart attack kills Scanian King, election of new one to follow.