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| Rokkenjima Broadcasting Corporation | ||
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| Topic Started: 19th November 2013 - 04:38 AM (23,107 Views) | ||
| Beatrice | 19th November 2013 - 04:38 AM Post #1 | |
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 Welcome to the Rokkenjiman Broadcasting Corporation - RBC: your leading source for unbiased coverage of the domestic and foreign stories that matter most to you. Whether it's the latest from Pyrena Castle or stories from abroad read it first on the RBC. Domestic news is available online (rbcnews.rk), via radio (RBC-3, RBC-5) and on television (RBC News One).  RBC World is your leading international news organization. Our network of journalists and correspondents provide timely, impartial news, reports and analysis. Services are available online (rbcworld.rk), via radio (RBC-7), and on television (RBC World Service). Our coverage is available in all major languages, including specialized services such as the Cotf Arayne Service. Today's News Briefs I: Medical Marijuana Legalized The Imperial Government has sent instruction to law enforcement officials of all levels that the possession, transport and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes shall no longer be offenses against Imperial law. “The medicinal uses of this plant have been recorded throughout the ages, and as such the Imperial Government adjusts its law in accordance with that wisdom. The medicinal properties of marijuana are hereby recognized by the First Empire, and any such laws or regulations against its medicinal use are now struck null and void.” II: Genetically Modified Foods Phased Out Recognizing the potential for harm and abuse the First Empire is announcing a phasing out of all genetically modified food products until such a time these foods make up no portion of the Imperial food supply. This ban, naturally, does not apply to natural interactions which, throughout human history, have occurred many times, with most beneficial results. Cross-breeding, hybrids, and products derived from such, shall be permitted under this new policy. Manipulating DNA, transplanting animal DNA to other animals and/or plants, or vice versa, shall be phased out over a period of five years. Foreign imports of such modified products have already begun their phase out. III. Clean and Renewable Energy Initiative The Empress made clear at the beginning of her reign that for Neo Rokkenjima to thrive clean, renewable sources of energy must be actively pursued. To eliminate the First Empire's dependence on fossil fuels automobiles and military vehicles are being pursued which utilize renewable clean fuel sources to improve the environment and eliminate the risk of the First Empire from running out of energy on the domestic front and in its expanding military commitments. As part of the First Empire's campaign for clean and sustainable resources, for energy and other purposes, a subsidy shall be provided to farmers who allot at least 10% of their arable land to the growth and production of hemp. Further funds shall be available to those who produce fuel and other goods from this product. The practice of using corn as a source for biomass shall be phased out over a period of five years. Edited by Beatrice, 2nd June 2014 - 06:38 AM.
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| Beatrice | 30th December 2014 - 09:49 AM Post #201 | ||||||||||||||||||
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First Empire Concerned about Illumic Developments; Eugenics Program in Seaforth The First Empire has noted its "increasing concerns" regarding developments in the Illumic, including increasing foreign involvement in the ongoing Toshikawan Crisis. "As our East Moreland allies have stated not one, but two local and regional organizations exist to address the situation. It is the opinion of the First Empire that only a solution which comes from either the Illumic Council or the Alba Karinya Organisation can bring the crisis to a lasting resolution," the Vicegerent stated from Pyrena Castle. "The increase in foreign support, especially outright military support for Daimyo Mori as announced by Supreme Sovereignty, are destabilizing factors in the ongoing conflict as well as the broader Illumic region. The First Empire again urges foreign powers to heed the advice of East Moreland. We shall stand by and assist our Illumic allies in any way they request, however, the First Empire shall not act without the advice and consent of our regional allies. Illumic problems must be addressed by the Illumic powers, who are more than capable of ensuring the security and stability of their home region," the Vicegerent continued. Meanwhile, the Vicegerent stated that the First Empire would be reviewing revelations of a church-operated eugenics program in Seaforth. "The First Empire will be working through the Office of Illumic and Tripartite Affairs to address the situation currently unfolding in Seaforth. Naturally the First Empire stands fully behind the People of Seaforth and her Seaforthian allies during these difficult times and will assist in any way we're capable of." The Vicegerent declined to further outline an Imperial response to the revelations, stating only that "such decisions will be made as more information is available." We'll bring you the latest as this situation develops. Ghost says Babymetal are 'Bizarre' but 'Cool'  A Nameless Ghoul from Ghost spoke briefly with the RBC before departing for East Moreland Shortly before departing for East Moreland the Nameless Ghoul shared with us Ghost's opinion on fellow Rokkenjiman band Babymetal, whom the band performed with in Rokkenjima earlier this year. “I stood side stage when they went on and I watched the chaos and weirdness that surrounds them. They attract so much attention wherever they go and for a reason of course – they are bizarre in many ways. We obviously like bizarre so they are doing something right but R-pop is always going to be weird. They seem to be a cool band, I guess, and while some might say they 'suck' or 'aren't real metal' I'd have to disagree." Ghost performing a cover of 'Here Comes the Sun' in Takeda The Ghoul reflected warmly on the Takedan leg of the 'Haze Over the Illumic' tour, noting a "great energy from Takeda. We're already planning our return later next year and hey, who knows, maybe we'll invite Babymetal along this time." While the band is focused on its stops in Portworth, Silverhills and Northfort the recent controversy in Seaforth has not dissuaded them from their Seaforth dates. Ghost will still be performing in Eventide and Halifax regardless of the increased focus upon the Seaforth Catholic Church in light of an expansive eugenics program. |
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| Beatrice | 30th December 2014 - 10:45 PM Post #202 | ||||||||||||||||||
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IHC Announces Next Generation Advanced Missile Cruiser  The NG-AMC is to be known as the Akatsuki Class AMC in Rokkenjima In partnership with Dartfordia, Quinntopia, East Moreland, Achkaerin and Seaforth Imperial High Command has announced a joint CSTO-CIS project: the Next Generation Advanced Missile Cruiser, or NG-AMC. The vessel, which will be armed with 160 missiles, the EMRG-1K (Yama's Messenger) railgun, as well as being outfitted with Valiant Horizon, will enter service across CSTO and CIS fleets sometime in the upcoming year. The AMC has been designed with flexibility in mind, employing a modular design. It is expected the First Empire will deploy the AMC with a mixture of ground, air and anti-ship missiles. The NG-AMC was developed from the Kashiwa Class, a version of the Type 45 Destroyer utilized by both CSTO and CIS navies. The new cruiser features an elongated hull, with a portion of the superstructure removed to make room for the missile launchers. "When designing the NG-AMC we desired a vessel with adequate firepower, speed, maneuverability and projection capabilities. So far the IRN has requested at least eight of the vessels, two per fleet; 320 missiles capable of addressing a variety of threats and targets," a spokesperson from IHC shared with the RBC. "The First Empire is pleased to work with Dartfordia, Quinntopia, East Moreland, Achkaerin and Seaforth on the NG-AMC project. Through furthering our naval bonds through common platforms such as the NG-AMC we shall ensure increased interoperability between our forces. I'm confident that our nations, representing some of the finest naval traditions upon Mundus, have brought to fruition a truly next-generation cruiser which will compliment the capabilities of our navies well," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen stated in a press release. Further details concerning the NG-AMC are expected to be released over the coming months, according to IHC. The Rokkenjiman vessels will be constructed at the Ashinxao and Rosa shipyards, with construction of fifteen of the thirty Kashiwa Class Destroyers being awarded to Dartfordian contractors. Details regarding that deal are expected to be announced by the Kingdom in the coming days. |
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| Beatrice | 1st January 2015 - 12:44 AM Post #203 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Queen Cecelia Military Base Declared Operational  Queen Cecelia Military Base, Meridian Island, Achkaerin Queen Cecelia Military Base has been declared operational by Imperial High Command in a ceremony between Rokkenjiman and Achkaerin diplomatic and military officials earlier today. "In partnership with our talented Achkaerin allies today we can proclaim QCMB fully operational," Sarah West, Rokkenjiman Ambassador to Achkaerin stated. "The home of the North Sea Fleet, QCMB will allow Rokkenjima to defend her allies in the region and respond to crises across Northern and Eastern Cotf Arayne swiftly and efficiently," she continued.  Queen Cecelia Naval North, Meridian Island "The islands naval facilities, combined with King Leopold Air Base, provide the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces a full array of options in approaching situations in the GNS and Cotf Arayne," High Admiral Cole stated. The base will be home to a variety of Imperial aircraft and helicopters, as well as 25,000 Imperial servicemembers. While some assets have already been transfered to the Base it is expected that full force and equipment numbers will be achieved next month. The Northern Fleet has been transitioning from Achkaerin ports to utilize the now-completed Base as well.  King Leopold Air Base, Meridian Island "QCMB marks the deep mutual defense commitments of the Holy Empire and the First Empire, and I thank the Holy Empire for the use of their ports and the lease of Meridian Island. Let no one deny the unshakable bonds between our nations, nor our dedication to the defense of our mutual interests," the Empress stated from the Imperial Briefing Room. As officials finished the ceremony on Meridian Island seven RK-80 fighters flew over the ceremony. Imperial officials were quick to point out that Achkaerin retained sovereignty over Meridian Island, and that the First Empire was leasing the Island. |
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| Beatrice | 5th January 2015 - 10:50 AM Post #204 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Premier Yuriko Faust Delivers Victory Speech  Premier Faust delivering her Speech Rokkenjima's second Premier, Yuriko Faust, delivered her victory speech from the Imperial Diet earlier today, marking the official start of her term. Her speech is available, in full, below:
IHC Confirms New Carrier Class  A concept image of the Endeavour Class Imperial High Command has confirmed the order of three new aircraft carriers for the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy which will be represented by a new, indigenous class of carrier. The Endeavour[1] Class will be 20,000 tons smaller than the Essex and Excalibur Class Carriers that the IRN already operates, however, Imperial High Command has given its assurances that the vessels will be just as capable. "Going into a new year the Empress has requested a turn towards increased sustainability and wise stewardship of resources. The Endeavour Class will see the carrier capabilities of the Imperial Navy expand while reducing our reliance upon nuclear fuels." "The Imperial Navy will see increased options and capabilities when responding to situations of any size while also ensuring that a lack of carrier capabilities does not exist. With increasing tensions placing further responsibilities upon the Imperial Navy having a carrier fleet for conflicts of all intensities, not simply a one-size-fits-all approach, will strengthen our response abilities," High Admiral Cole stated to the RBC. Following construction of the Endeavour Class the number of super-carriers (those displacing over 70,000 tons) in the Rokkenjiman Fleet will increase to eight. Following High Admiral Cole's statement IHC confirmed that the new carriers would be constructed in Rokkenjima in-between construction of the Akatsuki Advanced Missile Cruisers and the Kashiwa Class Destroyers. [1] Naturally I'll have to modify some systems to incorporate ICON as well as ensuring modernity. |
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| Beatrice | 7th January 2015 - 01:57 AM Post #205 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjima Withdraws Embassy as Seaforth Situation Deteriorates The First Empire has decided to close its Embassy in Seaforth as the situation continues to deteriorate. Church Militia have taken to blockading foreign embassies, a move which the Vicegerent heavily criticized. The Seaforthian Embassy, located on Sakura Square, has likewise been given 48-hours to leave Rokkenjima. "All documents have either been secured and ready for transport, those which couldn't be packed were destroyed. The Embassy is well protected by a detachment from the Imperial Guard, who will oversee the departure," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. The decision follows revelations that the Seaforth Catholic Church was conducting a covert surveillance operation of the Imperial Family and the Imperial Government. While that investigation continues the First Empire is working with its regional and Cross-Straits allies to address the situation. Assets held by the Catholic Church, most notably the Vatican Bank of Seaforth, have been frozen in Rokkenjima, while any existing and future business deals with the Bank have been terminated. "The First Empire will explore all avenues of response to these acts against our Empire, however, such a response will come in a time and manner of our choosing," the Vicegerent proclaimed. Rokkenjimans are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel to Seaforth, whilst exploring options to evacuate those already there to Rishiri Island. "The Imperial Government is planning to charter planes to ensure any Rokkenjimans wishing to leave the Kingdom may do so. Naturally we will explore our options as the situation develops," the Vicegerent concluded. |
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| Beatrice | 10th January 2015 - 02:45 AM Post #206 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Video of Princess Adriana Emerges Online A video of Princess Adriana has emerged online showing her playing in her room with a disturbing background voice, according to social media sites. The video, posted to Youtube, shows the Princess playing with the Imperial Couple and her Godparents with a background voice stating her security was not ensured. "Is your future truly secured, or are you lying to her as you do your people?" the voice asks. As she picks up a doll it continues, "Just as you've denied Seaforth her security, just as you've denied Arovium and Dartfordia her freedom, we shall deny your daughter hers."" The video is signed with the initials of the LRA and the ALA, with credit given to the Seaforth Catholic Church. The Imperial Government has confirmed that the future Empress is with the Imperial Couple and that her security is assured by the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy and Imperial intelligence authorities. "This threat is a bunch of hot air and nothing more," High Admiral Cole stated to the RBC. "We've tracked where this video was uploaded and it matches a Seaforthian IP, and with the recent activities of the SCC in Rokkenjima we're fairly certain as to who uploaded it. Let me state this once: if anyone lays a hand on the Imperial Princess I shall be sure it's the last thing they do before they depart this existence." The Imperial Couple are set to return to Pyrenna Castle within the week, after the security of Pyrena Castle was affirmed. "Pyrena Castle remains secured against external threats. Any such threats have been addressed and will be secured against in the future," a statement from Pyrena said. We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 11th January 2015 - 07:25 AM Post #207 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial and Royal Baby Born in Dartfordia  HMY Queen Elizabeth 2, where the Prince of Azukishima and Littlebrook was born In the Port of Arendelle the Empress has given birth to a healthy boy, according to officials from Rochester Palace and Pyrena Castle. Though a name has not been released it is expected that an announcement will be made in the coming days. The Imperial and Royal Prince was born in Dartfordia which, according to insiders, was a desire of the Imperial Couple for quite some time. The Imperial Family shall be returning to Pyrena Castle next week, after appearances at the Mundus Pride event. The Imperial Couple are scheduled to make speeches, as are Princess Evanthe and Princess Euphemia. Celebrations have been reported across Rokkenjima following news of the birth. Following the tragic death of the Imperial Couple's second child, Amari, a gradual period of healing for the Imperial Couple took place which, according to the Empress in previous interviews, "renewed our bonds and strengthened our family. Not a day passes that we don't think of Amari, and not a day passes where we don't feel Amari's presence." The RBC congratulates the Imperial Family on this most joyous of days. |
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| Beatrice | 12th January 2015 - 10:36 PM Post #208 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Budget Showdown: Imperial Diet Refuses to Pass Annual Budget In an unexpected turn of events the Imperial Diet has refused to pass an Annual Budget for the new year. Led by the Green Party and a number of Centre and Socialist Party members the most recent proposed budget, which kept spending at their present levels for the most part, failed to pass the House of Commons. "We shall not pass a budget which maintains defense spending at its present levels. The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy does not need these new vessels," Deputy Premier and Green Party Leader Francis Williams stated from the Diet. Meanwhile the Premier has called the refusal to pass a new budget "reckless and harmful to the First Empire. Those who stand to lose most in this situation are the People of Rokkenjima, and I would ask that my fellow Centrists, and our friends in the Green Party, recognize that." The Lord High Steward, acting as Regent whilst the Imperial Family celebrate the birth of the Imperial and Royal Prince, issued a Decree which extended the previous Budget for three weeks. Using the authority to grant Decrees the Rt Hon. Ofdensen has made sure that the Imperial Government shall continue to operate despite difficulties in the Commons. "The Rokkenjiman Constitution is clear: 'The expenditure and revenue of the State require the consent of the Imperial Diet by means of an annual Budget.' I, and the Imperial Council will use all tools at our disposal to ensure the Imperial Government is funded, however, an Annual Budget from the Diet must be produced. The Empress shall not tolerate the finances and stability of the Imperial Government being used as political bargaining chips." According to polling data available at the time of publication 64% of Rokkenjimans supported the Lord High Steward's actions, while 31% supported the Deputy Premier's efforts. "The vessels targeted by Mr. Williams are crucial to the future threats the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy will face across Mundus. I have discussed at great length these deals with High Admiral Cole who explained the great planning which went into them, as well as the intended missions they would serve in. I am confident that the Diet will pass the new Budget once these facts have been relayed, and that this situation will be behind us shortly," the Lord High Steward continued. When asked if the situation would impact the contracts awarded to Dartfordia to construct some of the Kashiwa Class Destroyers the Lord High Steward confirmed that the present situation could hold the contracts up, at least for the immediate future. "Not only is the future security of our Navy on the line, but jobs for our Dartfordian allies as well. Each day which passes is a day of uncertainty for those who should be constructing these vessels, bringing home a paycheck to provide for their families. We shall be meeting with Centre Party leadership tomorrow to bring about a resolution to this situation. The Premier shares my confidence that we'll find a resolution which satisfies the needs of the First Empire." We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. Francis Williams Lists Demands for Budget to Pass Green Party Leader and Deputy Premier Francis Williams has announced a list of demands which would move what has been called the 'Williams Bloc' to approve a new budget. "The Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces have essentially been allowed to grow beyond a level sufficient for the protection of Rokkenjima. We do not have a Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy but an Imperial Foreign Policy. Now the Empress has requested more ships for the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy; three new carriers, thirty new destroyers, and four cruisers, of which two alone will be able to command an area of the sea as large as the Rokkenjima Sea. The Empress has written the Imperial Armed Forces a blank check and, in turn, they have taken command of Rokkenjiman, or shall I say, Imperial Foreign Policy." "Thus, for my Bloc of brave Green, Centre and Socialists to pass a new budget we have a simple list of demands. Firstly, new acquisition programs of the IRN and IRAF are halted. Secondly, Rishiri Island is to revert to its previous status as a military base and this silly notion of an Imperial Overseas Dependency is stopped at once. Finally, the resignation of High Admiral Henry Cole as he is the chief propagator of the Imperialist-Military complex which is strangling this great nation. Should these demands not be met I will ensure that no budget passes through the Imperial Diet until the Empress is forced to show the world that this Rokkenjiman 'democracy' is the sham I know it to be." The Rt Hon. Charles Ofdensen, acting as Regent whilst the Imperial Family celebrates the birth of the Prince and attends the Mundus Pride event in Uppsala, stated that the demands were "wholly unreasonable and unrealistic. The Deputy Premier has taken the Imperial Government hostage for his incorrect assumptions, and on behalf of the millions of Rokkenjimans who have written to their Government I ask him to cease and desist upon this reckless path and, along with the members of his Bloc, do their jobs by passing a budget. The Rokkenjiman People shall expect no less." "Present Naval and Air Force projects shall not be halted, the status of Rishiri Island shall not be changing, and the highly respected High Admiral Cole shall most certainly not be resigning. That Mr. Williams would stoop to insulting a hero of the Second Patriotic War is, quite frankly, insulting and I would question where the true loyalties of Mr. Williams belong," Mr. Ofdensen continued. "As for accusations that Rokkenjiman policy is imperialist or dominated by the military, those are too ridiculous to deserve an answer. The Empress is on the record of fighting against military influence in civilian government." Recent numbers have shown that support for Mr. Williams has fallen to 41% as calls grow louder for him to be replaced as Deputy Premier. Meanwhile the Premier has assured the RBC that progress is being made to pass a budget. "I had no idea that Mr. Williams had these designs when I reached out to him, or that he had been consulting with members of the Centre Party to lead the rebellion we see following the elections. After several rounds of discussions, with more planned, more Centre Party members are moving to support the new budget, along with an increasing number of Green Party members. I will consider my options fully before announcing a course of action regarding Mr. Williams." At press time the Premier estimated that she was 75 votes short of passing a budget in the Commons. The House of Councillors, meanwhile, stated that it was "ready and willing" to pass a budget once "difficulties in the Commons are resolved." |
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| Beatrice | 13th January 2015 - 08:10 AM Post #209 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Princess of Arovium Wears 'Dire Wolf' Pin at Uppsala  The Princess of Arovium, known for her more traditional fashion, dressed casually upon her arrival in Uppsala while wearing the Dire Wolf Pin The Princess of Arovium, Evanthe Anselmo, arrived in the UNP earlier today and was reunited with the Imperial Family. Reports indicate that Princess Evanthe saw her nephew for the first time and insiders report that she was 'ecstatic' to see him. Notably the Diplomatic Liaison of the Empress bore a 'Dire Wolf' pin on her dress; the Dire Wolf Banner of Prince Gabriel Rhodes-Cameron being seen as a symbol of unity for the Loyalist Faction in Seaforth. The Princess offered a brief statement to the RBC upon her arrival.  The Dire Wolf Banner of Prince Gabriel Rhodes-Cameron has become a symbol of the Loyalist Faction in Seaforth "While I am a Rokkenjiman Princess I also consider myself to be a daughter of Seaforth; the death of King Josiah II hit me quite hard as I felt I had lost a father for the second time in my life. I know that Joshua is working tirelessly for his People in these difficult times, and I am thankful that I can support him fully. As a Rokkenjiman I say that we support our allies fully; as a Seaforthian I say that we will weather this storm and when it passes our nation will be stronger, with calm seas and a clear sky to guide us. I saw the calamities the Republicans inflicted upon Rokkenjima and we persevered; Seaforth too shall persevere through these dark ages!" Lord High Steward Ofdensen, when asked about the security of the Princess of Arovium, ensured that her security was secured as she was residing in East Moreland. "The Princess of Arovium resides safely at Falkenrith Lodge. As the First Empire continues to recognize King Joshua as the legitimate ruler of Seaforth we do not view her support as controversial. The People seem to be speaking rather clearly as to whom they trust; whether the Seaforth Catholic Church receives that message is another matter." |
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| Beatrice | 15th January 2015 - 07:34 AM Post #210 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Orchid Capital Inc Announces Largest Corporate Consolidation in History Orchid Capital Inc, the holdings and consultation company owned by the Anselmo Imperial Family, has announced what has been considered the largest merger in history. The Rt Hon. Charles Ofdensen, who manages OCI on behalf of the Imperial Family, announced that several companies and corporations owned by OCI would be consolidated into a new corporation, Abstergo Industries. "OCI has been exploring this option for quite some time to streamline operations and increase the profitability of our portfolio of businesses. By our estimates Abstergo Industries will see our core businesses strengthened, while allowing us to venture into, and create, new business markets," Mr. Ofdensen shared with the RBC.  The logo of the new corporation was unveiled earlier today The following corporations were consolidated in the move:
Abstergo has announced that it will be headquartered at the present Orchid Investments Campus outside of Ashinxao until a new campus is constructed just outside of Exuperia. Applications for offices abroad are also being considered in Dartfordia, Quinntopia, East Moreland, South Hills, Supreme Sovereignty and Aeternum. "We look forward to expanding our business abroad, with such applications and announcements being made in the coming days. We're really excited for the prospects before us," Mr. Ofdensen concluded. Members of the Green Party, who voted nearly unanimously against the consolidation, stated their concern that Abstergo Industries would be "too large and powerful corporation, the likes of which have yet to be seen within Rokkenjima." The Centre Party disagreed, with Premier Faust stating that "a full review settled my concerns regarding the consolidation. I remain confident that the present and future leadership of Abstergo will abide by all Imperial laws and Rokkenjiman ethics." |
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| Beatrice | 15th January 2015 - 02:19 PM Post #211 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Abstergo Debuts 'AbsterGO'  The AbstergOS Home Screen In an announcement from Abstergo Industries headquarters in Ashinxao a new mobile operating system and line of mobile phones has been introduced to the public. "AbsterGO represents our view of what the mobile experience should be: fast, stable, and secure. AbsterGO devices will be hitting the shelves next month after undergoing a vigorous testing period. The AbsterGO hardware and AbstergOS software were developed by the forerunners to the Consumer Electronics Division, and it is a pleasure to finally be able to reveal their work under our new Abstergo name," Executive Vice President William Fischer said at the event. When asked about security Mr. Fischer highlighted last years 'Fappening,' where the private images of several prominent Mundusian women were leaked online, including a threat to leak those of the Empress. "Utilizing security measures employed by other Abstergo divisions we feel that we have secured our cloud to a level above what is presently available. Renix has proven itself in other applications and is the operating system running on Abstergo cloud servers. The public can feel secure in using Abstergo services for their data storage needs."  Netscape Navigator, the default browser included with AbstergOS "While no system can be fully secure Renix employs a layered, permissions-based approach to security. For example, if code is modified or a user with forged credentials attempts to access a part of the network they're not authorized to access that connection is terminated from the central network as part of a self-protection mechanism. We're working daily to improve this system and hope that our hard work pays off in protecting the privacy of our customers." It has been reported that the Imperial Family have been sent AbsterGO phones as part of the final testing period. "If it does not meet the standards of the Imperial Family then we shall have more work to do. Along with our other testers we are fully interested in all feedback concerning the work we've done on AbsterGO Phones and aOS." Will the AbsterGO Phone be a success as the corporation enters a new market? OOC: I'll be making a topic for AbsterGO and AbstergOS in the Economics section for anyone wishing to collaborate on this project. This is my first attempt at something like this and obviously it's based off Android, but I thought it would be something a little different. For now, if anyone wishes to comment my inbox is always open. ^^ Edited by Beatrice, 15th January 2015 - 03:18 PM.
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| Beatrice | 19th January 2015 - 02:02 AM Post #212 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Budget Crisis Ends as Deputy Premier Replaced The Office of the Premier has announced the end of the Budget Crisis as well as the replacement of Francis Williams as Deputy Premier. "Premier Faust requested Her Imperial Majesty to accept the replacement of Francis Williams with Sarah Delano, a request which was approved swiftly. We're pleased to see stability returned to the elected government as well as an end to the Budget Crisis. We hope that such confrontations can be avoided in the future," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen said in a statement to the RBC. The Annual Budget for 2015 passed both Houses of the Imperial Diet with all Centre Party members voting for the Budget. The Green Party, meanwhile, announced that a change in leadership was possible though offered no further statements. That Francis Williams was appointed Deputy Premier was seen as a gesture of strong bipartisanship and cooperation from the Centre Party, a gesture which many Greens have said was "squandered" by Francis Williams. "We have a lot of trust to regain from our friends in the Centre Party, and that may take some time," one member said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. This development means that all projects of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy are free to continue, including several vessels under construction in Dartfordia. It also means that Mr. William's desires to turn the debate into a challenge between the Imperial Council and the Elected Government failed to materialize. "We've had foreigners try to say our democracy was a sham, to see a prominent Rokkenjiman attempt to subvert our legislature to prove that is simply disgusting," screen-name 'AlonsiAlonso138' stated on social media. No further comment from Pyrena Castle was made available. |
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| Beatrice | 19th January 2015 - 04:11 PM Post #213 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Princess Evanthe Renounces Claim to Imperial Throne  Pyrena Castle announced the decision earlier this afternoon The Princess of Arovium has irrevocably renounced "any claim or right to the Imperial Throne" for herself and her descendants according to a release from Pyrena Castle. The Instrument of Renouncement was presented and signed by the Princess via video link with the Imperial Council at Pyrena Castle and the Empress aboard the Austrana. The Empress then affixed her signature to the instrument, accepting the Renouncement. Both the Empress and Princess signed the Instrument of Renouncement via a pen controlled by a secured Internet connection. The Cyber Operations Directorate confirmed that the signatures were indeed those of the Empress and the Princess of Arovium, both of whom are presently abroad.
In a short statement Princess Evanthe shared her reasons for renouncing the Imperial Throne, stating: "The future of the Anselmo Family is in safe and secure hands. As I watch our inquisitive and bright Crown Princess grow, and having met Prince Lucius, I can see that the Imperial Throne is fully secured. After discussing with the Empress several of my intentions regarding my future we both agreed that Renouncement was the logical next step. I shall, however, retain my title as Princess of Arovium." Many have speculated that the move is a result of Princess Evanthe pulling closer to Seaforth. It follows her resignation as Vicegerent and a further curtailment of her responsibilities and duties in recent months. "As the Princess focuses more on her personal life and her future the Imperial Government maintains its full support for her decisions. She has not made them in haste, and as the Empress has granted her approval the final word on the matter has already spoken," the Lord High Steward stated when asked if there was dissension within the Imperial Government concerning Princess Evanthe. We'll keep you up-to-date as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 21st January 2015 - 01:59 AM Post #214 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial High Command Denies Involvement in Rosocor Attack The Rosocor after the explosion, as reported in The People's Report Following news from The People's Report that the Rosocor had suffered damage following the detonation of an explosive device upon the carrier Imperial High Command has denied "any involvement in the apparent attack." High Admiral Cole also stated that, to his knowledge, elements of the Blockade were not involved in the bombing. "The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy, nor any other branch of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces, played no role in the detonation of an explosive upon the Rosocor. We shall be discussing this development with our allies to firmly establish that no nation taking part in the Blockade played a role in the bombing, either."  IRN Kitsune, pictured in the Ardian Gulf earlier this month In other news concerning th Blockade IHC has stated that morale remains high, and that the IRN would remain in place "until the interests of our Mechean allies were secured." The IRN deployed vessels in support of the Blockade of Zachachevania imposed by Meche following the assassination of the late Mechean President, Vanrik Aracan. Following the explosion upon the Rosocor IRN vessels assumed an increased level of alert following Zachachevania's reported consideration of military retaliation. We'll keep you informed as updates become available. |
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| Beatrice | 29th January 2015 - 08:02 AM Post #215 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Arovium Liberation Army Releases Chilling Message The Arovium Liberation Army, the LRA-front for operations in Rokkenjima, released the following message earlier today:
In a response Pyrena Castle increased the level of alertness across the Empire and at Rokkenjiman embassies across the world, though no direct response to the message has been released. The Rt Hon. Ofdensen has indicated that a statement would be released tomorrow after the Empress consults with Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian intelligence services. "Remain vigilant," the Lord High Steward said, "and report any unusual behaviour to the authorities. We have seen the scourge of terrorism upon our shores before and prevailed, this time shall be no different." |
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| Beatrice | 30th January 2015 - 12:38 PM Post #216 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Commonwealth Conference Off to a Strong Start  High expectations have been set for the Commonwealth Conference being held at Perlesa Manor The Commonwealth Conference, which is taking place just outside of Aldspring at Perlesa Manor, has seen a "strong and encouraging response," according to a statement from Pyrena Castle. "Representatives from several of Mundus' leading progressive powers have sent delegations to the Conference, sharing our desire to establish an international system which ensures peace, stability and prosperity across the borders. It is in this spirit of international cooperation that we may establish a truly international community," the Vicegerent stated. "Nations from each continent are set to be amongst the founding members of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation which shows that, irregardless of the distances between us, the Peoples and nations of Mundus desire a different path forward, one which is more responsible, cooperative and integrated. Military alliances have failed to preserve the balance of peace while regional organisations, though successful in their own regions, have yet to successfully export stability to the regions immediately surrounding them. A new approach is, thus, pressing and necessary," the Vicegerent continued. Following the initial announcement of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation polling data suggests strong support for the organisation within Rokkenjima. When asked where the CTO would be headquartered the Vicegerent hinted at an international tract of land in Kōgawa, a city of 984,000 within the Greater Pyrettania Area. "The upkeep for this headquarters would be provided for through an international fund, of which Rokkenjima pledges to contribute over half up-front, and annually thereafter." The Covenant of Nations, the last attempt at an international organisation of this scale, was based in Narrabonchu, the Capital of Narrahivoo. While this was to be a temporary headquarters the Covenant would collapse before a permanent headquarters was determined. "Settling issues such as the headquarters beforehand will ensure that the confusion which surrounded the Covenant does not damn the Commonwealth. That forward planning was put into the Commonwealth is a welcome sign and shows what was learned from the Covenant experiment," Karina Alberts, Chief International Analyst commented. The Empress is scheduled to deliver her opening remarks later this morning, where an overall agenda and case for the Commonwealth will be made. We'll bring you the latest once that statement is made. |
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| Beatrice | 1st February 2015 - 12:56 AM Post #217 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Vicegerent Comments on Warsaw Alliance  The Warsaw Alliance has sat defunct since the fall of the USR The Vicegerent has made comments following hints that the Socialist States of Adiedren had sought admittance into the Warsaw Alliance. "Under the United Soviet Russia we saw an alliance which propagated tyranny, oppression and genocide, enslaving countless millions. It's history is one of wars of aggression and imperialist expansion, and any heritage of that alliance would best be left to the history books. A reformed Warsaw is a development which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would see swift and immediate action," the Vicegerent shared with the RBC. Presently the First Empire maintains sanctions against Zachachevania, which has maintained its status as a Warsaw member despite a proclamation that the alliance had dissolved. "In the event of a reformed Warsaw we would, naturally, explore re-instating sanctions against the alliance in the case that it exists in its former form. Without an effort to approach those nations who were often the target of Warsaw aggression and a reform of Warsaw policy and principles we would be forced to view such a development as a threat to international stability and security." The Empress was unavailable for further comment. Some are concerned that renewed tensions would increase global tensions at a time when efforts are taking place to decrease them, an effort most symbolized by the Commonwealth Conference. "The First Empire remains confident that efforts towards international stability and order would not be derailed by a reformation of Warsaw. We've made our position clear; it shall depend upon Zachachevania and any reformed Warsaw the path which their alliance follows. Confrontation with the international community or cooperation; we shall be prepared to react to either development." BREAKING: Multi-Pronged Attacks Strike Rokkenjima Initial reports indicate that two attacks, which took place nearly simultaneously, are indeed the work of terrorists. The first attack came as the Vicegerent, on behalf of the Imperial Couple, toured Pyrettania Elementary School where the Crown Princess is to attend for primary education. A bomb detonated in the east wing of the school and while specifics regarding the explosion have yet to be clearly determined preliminary investigations have confirmed that "an explosive device of some nature was detonated in the East Wing. An investigation will determine the exact nature of this device and how it was brought into the school," a Liaison from the Lord High Steward's office shared with the RBC. A second attack took place at the International Trade Centre in Exuperia where ITC 7, the Imperial Offices Building. According to initial reports an explosion was reported in the lower parking levels of the building, damaging several supports. While authorities have stated that the stability of the building appears to be holding and the threat of collapse has been deemed 'minimal' Rokkenjiman authorities have ordered an evacuation of the ITC, an operation which is proceeding as this report airs. At this hour 41 people are reported as 'unaccounted for' from ITC 7. Shortly after the RBC began following these attacks a statement was released from Imperial High Command indicating that High Admiral Henry Cole had been taken to the hospital after suffering vomiting, bloody diarrhea, hallucinations and, in recent hours, seizures. The High Admiral began experiencing initial symptoms following a dinner held at a restaurant in Dartfordia where he was meeting with his Dartfordian counterparts to address the situation in Seaforth as well as the increased risk of terrorism in recent days. Pyrettanian Central Hospital first reported that they were "doing all that is possible to stabilize High Admiral Cole and determine the source of his illness," however a later report from the Hospital indicated that the High Admiral had been poisoned. "Following further tests we have determined that High Admiral Cole was poisoned during his visit to Dartfordia, with Abrin. While no antidote exists we are working to remove the Abrin from his body as quickly as possible while seeing that supportive medical treatment helps to mitigate the effects of the poison." Pyrena Castle was closely following the status of the High Admiral, with Captain (and former Admiral) Alex Rowe being elevated to the rank of Acting High Admiral. No further information has been provided by either Pyrena Castle or PCH, only a notice that the Empress would be addressing the unfolding situation "imminently." The trio of attacks, for which the ALA has claimed responsibility, come after an attack against the East Moreland headquarters of Riviere Corporation. The First Empire has offered its full support to both Achkaerin and East Moreland, stating "we shall not falter in the face of terrorism. The First Empire stands by her allies eternally." We'll bring you more as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 1st February 2015 - 11:50 AM Post #218 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Delivers Response to Terrorist Attacks  "You have accomplished nothing apart from furthering our resolve and uniting our Peoples as we face this common threat." The Empress delivered her response from Perlesa Manor Following several terrorist attacks across the world the Empress has delivered a response, calling the attacks "acts of desperation and cowardice." Meanwhile the First Empire has offered its full support to its allies, stating that "our nations and Peoples will see each other through these troubling times," while later saying "you have accomplished nothing apart from furthering our resolve and uniting as we face this common threat." The Empress' response is available in full below:
Theatre Fleet Reckoning Departs Rishiri Island  IRN Katenka on her departure from Rishiri Island IRN Katenka led the way as Theatre Fleet Reckoning departed for a rendezvous with Task Force Midnight. The naval movements are recognized as a component of the First Empire's response to the terrorist attacks which took place against Rokkenjima and several of its allies earlier today, as well as an authorization from the Empress for Illumic-based forces to "fully support the Loyalists in their fight to free Seaforth from the rule of the Triumvirate." The SCC-led Triumvirate was designated a terrorist enterprise by the Imperial Government and has never held recognition as a legitimate government due to its actions against the Seaforthian People and the First Empire. The SCC has been known to collaborate with foreign terrorist organisations, such as the Borlanders and the ALA. "Elements of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Illumic Fleet, as well as forces based at Queen Adriana Military Base, have been authorized to support the liberation efforts led by those forces loyal to Joshua Rhodes, whom Rokkenjima and a concert of nations recognizes as the King of Seaforth," a statement from IHC read. Task Force Midnight has been in the region due to the situation in Seaforth which has seen an SCC-led Triumvirate usurp power following the death of King Josiah II. The First Empire has made its support for the Loyalists well known, although military support had been a difficult proposition given the situation within Seaforth and delicate conditions in the Illumic. While details concerning the Theatre Fleet and its operations are not being discussed Acting High Admiral Cole assured the RBC that it would "respect the wishes of the Seaforthian People and their commanders to protect their nation from all threats, whether they be internal or external. Our forces shall not act without first consulting Loyalist commanders, and shall act in a supportive role in their efforts to free Seaforth from the Triumvirate." Rokkenjiman forces shall be joining CIS and allied forces in operations against the Triumvirate, a move which was expected prior to the attacks. The RBC will be providing updates as they come in. |
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| Beatrice | 3rd February 2015 - 01:21 PM Post #219 | ||||||||||||||||||
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A Rokkenjiman View of Mundus Revisited Ashinxao Media Services conducted a series of polls to see how Rokkenjiman views and attitudes concerning the world around them have changed since the last time the polls were conducted. The increased attention upon international affairs has remained prevalent, with support for the Empress' initiatives often receiving broad support. What State do you view as the greatest threat to global peace and security? Last year a majority of our respondents named the United Soviet Russia and the Warsaw Alliance as the greatest threats to global peace and security, with Themata being viewed as a lesser threat. With the fall of the United Soviet Russia and the Warsaw Alliance most Rokkenjimans consider the rogue state of Zachachevania, along with the SCC-led Triumvirate as the greatest threats to global peace and security. Zachachevania has a history of hostility towards its Ardian neighbours, was declared a 'Sponsor of State Terrorism' and a poor human rights record, whilst the SCC has conducted a series of crimes against its own People and the allies of Seaforth. Which nations do you view as Rokkenjima's closest allies? Apart from CSTO member nations, all of whom were ranked highly amongst Rokkenjima's closest allies, this year has seen the addition of three new nations to the list. These include East Moreland, Achkaerin and Seaforth whom were declared 'Major Non-CSTO Allies' by the Empress last year. South Hills was also granted this status, though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted that "there is still work in bringing the Rokkenjiman-South Hills relationship to where it should be in respect to relations with our other major allies." Although difficulties were noted in the Rokkenjima-Dartfordia bi-lateral relationship late last year 79% of respondents named it Rokkenjima's "most important bi-lateral relationship" with some calling it the special relationship. Quinntopia also ranked highly in this category and has traditionally been a strong military and diplomatic partner of the First Empire. Last year Dartfordia, Elpidia, Kazarovia and Quinntopia topped the list. Do you support the foreign and military policies pursued by the Empress? Last year 72% of respondents said that they supported the foreign and military policies of the Empress, while 15% said that they disapproved of the policies. 13% didn't feel strongly either way, according to the poll. Those numbers have seen some changes, with 77% of respondents saying that they support the foreign and military policies of the Empress. 20% said that they disapproved of the policies while only 3% said they didn't feel strongly either way. Rokkenjima has been involved in several military actions since the last poll, while Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy has remained active in several regions of Mundus. Wars with the United Soviet Russia and Transvaal saw widespread support, while the diplomatic efforts of the Empress showed no signs of slowing down from the previous year. With Ardian-based initiatives, membership in the Illumic Council, ECCA and K.A.T.A.P.U.L.T. the Empress has shown that Rokkenjima's commitments in these regions of the world would not be decreasing. Meanwhile, efforts such as the Commonwealth Treaty Organization, increased investment in the Ardian Entente and engagement with her allies across Mundus have shown that the First Empire remains the foremost diplomatic power upon Mundus. When asked if they felt that a greater Rokkenjiman involvement in the rest of the world was positive 75% said yes, with 19% saying no. Do you support Rokkenjiman membership in the Cross-Straits Organisations? Since the Cross-Straits Union was formed after the last poll was conducted it was not included in that dataset, the two being combined for this poll. 85% of respondents supported Rokkenjima's membership in the Cross-Straits Organisations (the CSTO and CSU), with many still viewing the CSTO as a 'force for stability and progress in the world' and stating that it 'advances the causes of human rights, peace, democracy and order.' What is your opinion of the Kingdom of Seaforth and its relations with the First Empire? Public support for Seaforth has been growing, with 71% of respondents having a favourable view of the Kingdom. Support for the bi-lateral relationship was equally strong, with many Rokkenjimans declaring their solidarity with the People of Seaforth in light of the SCC-led coup. One man wrote, "Naturally we stand with our Seaforthian brothers and sisters, because oppression impacts us all the same no matter who the puppetmasters are. Sure we had our disagreements in the past but none of that matters anymore. We'll stand by you until the SCC is evicted, and we'll be there to help you pick up the pieces afterwards. #SolidarityWithSeaforth!" In a similar summary of questions Rokkenjimans were happy to see that the Commonwealth was addressing the need to reduce tensions and the threat of war across Mundus. Many noted that the issues of poverty, hunger and debt reduction were still areas where more could be done. Support for Rokkenjima's active role in affairs, a returned focus upon soft power and diplomacy increased Rokkenjimans confidence that stability will take hold over the course of this year. |
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| Beatrice | 9th February 2015 - 09:41 PM Post #220 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Pyrena Call Released A call between the Imperial Couple and the Lord High Steward was released earlier today to news outlets across Mundus as well as to media sharing sites across the Internet. The private conversation, in which the Imperial Couple discuss the Sunbrek-Rosendahl Affair, is suspected to have been released by the Seaforth Catholic Church who had been conducting an electronic surveillance operation against the Imperial Government. Notably the Emperor refers to Krista Rosendahl as a 'slut', while the Lord High Steward worked to frame the Imperial response as "...a sincere statement that we don't wish to damage relations." A meeting between the Imperial Couple and the Nordic delegation to the Commonwealth Conference was scheduled for today. The unedited transcript of the conversation may be read below:
Thus far the response in Rokkenjima has been muted, with more outrage being directed at the SCC for violating the privacy of the Imperial Couple. "Think of it this way," one man commented, "I say things about my colleagues to my wife when they cock something up. This was a private conversation between a married couple which shouldn't be taken into account for our relations with the UNP." While support for the Emperor's initial statement regarding the affair remains high the response to this release appears, for the most part, to be minimal. "The tabloids will eat this up, some super-nationalists will call for a boycott of Rokkenjiman goods and perhaps a diplomatic slap on the wrists, but it'll pass. Sure he could've used some different language, then again should we feel the need to censor ourselves when talking privately over the phone?" another commenter shared via our comment section. The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy Increases Patrols in Western Sea of Kyne Citing the waters near the Ardian Gulf as 'vitally important' to regional stability the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy has increased patrols, according to Imperial High Command. While the Blockade of Zachachevania may be over Acting High Admiral Rowe has shared his concerns regarding Rokkenjima's sea links to other regions in the world. "Our vessels, and those of several nations must transit waters near and around the Ardian Gulf, bringing them in proximity to an area where the Zachachevanian Navy operates. With the number of sanctions imposed I'd rather not leave an opening for a rogue power to attack Rokkenjiman interests." The increased patrols, which will be conducted by vessels from the Kyne Fleet, are intended to "ensure free, open and secure shipping lanes for the nations who depend upon stable seas for commerce." The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy has engaged in anti-piracy operations across Mundus, viewing safe seas as crucial to a peaceful foreign environment. "Calm seas mean the Admiralty is doing its job. This move should not be seen as a threat to any nation, but as a preventative measure," the High Admiral concluded. The policy will be reviewed upon High Admiral Cole's return. Currently the High Admiral is reported as being in 'stable' condition by hospital officials, with his prospects for recovery being described as 'strong.' Acting High Admiral Rowe has been in command of the IRN and IHC in his absence. A former Admiral himself Rowe demoted himself to Captain, a move which the Empress did not protest. We'll bring you the latest as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 10th February 2015 - 02:52 AM Post #221 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Abstergo Industries Announces Bodom T-1 Main Battle Tank  The Bodom T-1 is the first project of the Defense Solutions Division since consolidation The Defense Solutions Division of Abstergo Industries have announced what Imperial High Command has described as "the natural successor of the Sirius MBT." Following experiences gained in the wars in Themata and Meche a need for a more versatile tank was outlined, including an increase in the operational range of the tank itself. The Bodom T-1 will feature a range of over 400 miles, and will be capable of speeds upwards of 45 MPH, with a hybrid-drive being considered for the tank. For comparison the Sirius MBT presently employed by the Imperial Armed Forces has a range of 340 miles on road and a top speed of 37 MPH. The T-1 will field a 125mm smoothbore 2A82 cannon with 32 rounds of ammunition; in addition to tank rounds a new laser-guided missile which will be able to be fired from the main gun with a tandem anti-tank warhead with a range of 4,877m is in the works. This will be complimented by a secondary armament consisting of a 12.7mm gatling gun and a heavy 30mm auto-cannon. If the hybrid-drive is employed upon the tank it would allow it the ability to move immediately, as well as nearly silent, at lower speeds without having to start its engines, which would be louder. This capability would negate the concern of an infrared or visual smoky signature, enhancing the tanks capabilities in urban combat situations while enabling it to operate more stealthily when utilized in special operations.  Several advancements over the Sirius MBT are expected to be seen in the Bodom T-1 Utilizing an unmanned turret the tanks armaments are to be controlled by a crew member in a separate compartment. These moves are being taken to reduce the crew of the tank to three with an increase in automation, while also improving survivability. Some have raised the prospect that future automation efforts may lead to a fully robotic tank, however, IHC has remained silent on that possibility thus far. Also of note is the recently announced Chameleon Tank in East Moreland which also boasts a host of forward-looking features. At 55 tons the T-1 will be 7.5 tons lighter than the Sirius MBT, however, this decrease in weight will not come at the expense of armour. The new armour, designated 44S-SV-SH, does not lose its qualities in low temperatures and may be utilized in Arctic temperatures. "The armour is lighter and stronger, increasing survivability and expanding the spheres in which Rokkenjiman tanks may operate. Especially as we've seen increased responsibilities in Arctic regions this is an important step forward," a spokesperson for IHC stated to the RBC. The Bodom T-1 is being designed under the Universal Combat Platform, with plans for a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, a combat engineering vehicle, a heavy armoured personnel carrier and self-propelled artillery being considered. "Presently we feel confident in our present vehicles, however, the Imperial Armed Forces always look to the future in their procurements. We are pleased to work with Abstergo Industries on this most crucial of projects." Exports of the tank, while mentioned as "a possibility" will likely be limited to CSTO member-states and possibly Major Non-CSTO Allies of the First Empire. |
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| Beatrice | 11th February 2015 - 05:46 AM Post #222 | ||||||||||||||||||
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IMS Arovium Heads to the Illumic  IMS Arovium prepares for her departure from Lochmist The Rokkenjiman liner Arovium departed Rosa earlier today as she heads to Rishiri Island carrying mail destined for the residents of Urakawa City. In a statement from the Blue Star Line it was stated that it plans to utilize the Arovium in an Illumic-Great Northern Sea service connecting Achkaerin, Seaforth and East Moreland, though noted that discussions have yet to proceed with the respective authorities in each nation. Furthermore, with the civil conflict in Seaforth ongoing, it is expected that any such service would exclude Seaforth until the conflict has been resolved. The 12,165 ton liner had previously served as a back-up to the Imperial Yacht Austrana before being sold to the Blue Star Line to resume liner service. On her way to the Illumic Arovium will pass near the Ardian Gulf where the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy have announced their plans to increase patrols. After passing through the Matilda Canals she will maintain a course closer to Aeternumese waters, avoiding the Adiedrenese EEZ following that states ascension into the reformed Warsaw Alliance. The Blue Star Line stated that it was confident no major incidents would take place, citing the increased presence of the IRN and the historic stability of the Sea of Kyne. The voyage will also mark the first time a Rokkenjiman liner has visited Rishiri Island, where preparations for Arovium's arrival have been taking place. In related news the United States is undergoing repairs at Queen Katenka Naval Base to repair damage to her propellers incurred during her latest Kyne crossing. While no specifics have been released at this time officials have informed us that the ship will be returned to service 'swiftly'. A favourite among Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian passengers the ship has earned several dedicated fans following her rescue last year. The Blue Star Line did not comment on the possibilities of a world cruise, a rumour which has been circulating on Rokkenjiman social media, when questioned by the RBC. |
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| Beatrice | 13th February 2015 - 07:51 AM Post #223 | ||||||||||||||||||
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High Admiral Cole Transfered to Pyrena Castle Following treatment at Pyrettanian Central Hospital High Admiral Cole has been transfered to the medical wing of Pyrena Castle, according to a statement from the Office of the Lord High Steward. "The High Admiral continues his recovery from Abrin poisoning and is expected to make a full recovery. He will continue to be observed by the medical staff of Pyrena Castle, after which the Empress has prepared a suite so that he may remain close to her medical team. I am pleased to announce to the Rokkenjiman People that the LRA's attempt against his life has failed." The Rt Hon. Ofdensen went on to confirm that a retaliatory strike against the LRA for their attacks against Rokkenjima will take place "at a place and time of our choosing. The LRA has shown that it is a threat to both the First Empire and our Dartfordian allies, and they will be dealt with as such. Let me make it wholly clear that their efforts to drive a wedge in between Rokkenjima and Dartfordia will see no success, and that they have only brought our Peoples closer together as we face this common threat." Support for operations against the LRA remain high, with many Rokkenjimans calling for a targeted strike against the mysterious leader of the LRA known only as 'The Architect.' In related news Imperial High Command has confirmed that the Rokkenjima Security Agency, better known as the Anauša, would be bolstering its counter-terrorism division while seconding calls for increased cooperation between Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian intelligence agencies. "Through a joint effort we may limit the threat terrorists pose to our nations, a necessity with the increased activity and successes terrorist organizations have been seeing in recent days." No further comment was available from Pyrena Castle at press time. |
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| Beatrice | 17th February 2015 - 05:59 AM Post #224 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Emperor to address Imperial Diet Pyrena Castle has confirmed that the Emperor will be addressing the Imperial Diet concerning Constitutional reform later in the day. While the exact topic of discussion has not been shared with the RBC it is speculated that the Emperor will be addressing matrilineal primogeniture, a topic which has seen increased discussion since the birth of Prince Lucius. The present Constitution of Rokkenjima, an amended version of the 1894 Constitution adopted by the Royal Provinces, states in Article 2 that "The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by Imperial female descendants, according to the provisions of the Imperial House Law." While support for the current wording remains at 62% a growing number of Rokkenjimans have called for some reform to the Imperial House Law which would allow males to inherit the Throne as well. A minority of supporters for the current wording of the Constitution and Imperial House Law have called on the Empress to "ensure no changes occur to the wording of the Constitution or the Imperial House Law." Moderate matriarchists, who make up the vast majority of supporters, have nodded towards supporting changes to the Imperial House Law which would give preference to the eldest female while bringing an end to the female-exclusivity in the line of succession. "Female preference, while allowing for the eldest male to inherit the Throne, would be most in-line with Rokkenjiman tradition," said one moderate matriarchist on YourVoice.rk. Analysts suspect that this approach would be the most likely course the Imperial Government would take if changes to either the Constitution or Imperial House Law were to come to fruition. Constitutional scholars have indicated that an amendment to the Constitution would not be necessary, stating that "any desired changes could be made to the Imperial House Law which, itself, derives its authority from the Constitution." An overhaul of that law has been on the books since the establishment of the First Empire, although efforts towards reform of the Imperial House Law have stalled in the Imperial Council. "With the Emperor suspected of taking up this cause we may yet see reform to this Law which has been in need of a clean-up since it was carried over from the Royal Provinces. In any case we expect 2015 to be a year of reform, with the Emperor being the most vocal proponent for change." First Empire to make Greater Diplomatic Investments in Cotf Aranye, Albion The Imperial Government has announced that greater diplomatic investments will be made in Cotf Aranye and Albion, according to the Ministry for State and Foreign Affairs. "Rokkenjima enjoys strong ties with a number of Cotf Aranye states, however, with tensions flaring in certain regions it is clear that more can be done. Meanwhile, in Albion, the First Empire shares strong ties with Dartfordia and Tytor while holding less frequent ties with other powers on the continent. This is a situation which the Ministry will work to rectify in the new year," a statement from the Ministry read. Presently Minister for State and Foreign Affairs is in Fahrland for diplomatic talks, while the Vicegerent has indicated her interests in a diplomatic tour of Albion to "forge stronger relations with our near-neighbours in Albion." Notably, while the First Empire holds strong ties with many members of the CIS the diplomatic relationship with the Dijel has been described as 'lacking'. "With Queen Katenka Naval Base in Bad Wolf Bay, a body of water which shares a major maritime border with the Dijel, this oversight is one which we look forward to rectifying," the Vicegerent shared with the RBC. "We have, thankfully, not seen the level of concern regarding the presence of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy in Bad Wolf Bay that we've seen in the Illumic, despite the fact that the Kyne Fleet is the largest within the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy. I feel that we could see some deeper cooperation in anti-piracy operations while furthering the traditional stability and tranquility of the Southern Sea of Kyne." When asked of the present situation in the U.A.E. the Vicegerent stated that a review was presently underway. "The Empress has been in contact with the Emir, who has offered information which we have shared with our Dartfordian allies concerning the recent controversy regarding Faron Fazareche. While she awaits a response to her most recent letter we look forward to working with our Dartfordian allies to ensure an appropriate response to the situation." A majority of Rokkenjimans have noted their concern regarding the planned execution while the Imperial Council has cautioned the Empress against pursuing closer relations with the Emirate until more information was made available. The Kingdom of Dartfordia, meanwhile, has threatened sanctions against the Emirate, a step which the First Empire has yet to commit to. |
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| Beatrice | 20th February 2015 - 05:26 AM Post #225 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Federalist Party Calls for New Government  The Federalist Party aims for broad reforms The Federalist Party, which was formed by Danielle Davey and Gerald Trent late last week, has called for the "birth of a new Rokkenjima, one in which the powers of government are more decentralized." Stating that its intent was to see the formation of a "Rokkenjiman Federation" or "Federated States of Rokkenjima" the party has pinned its hopes on the increased trust Rokkenjimans have shown to elected officials in recent months. While this level of trust still lags behind trust in the Monarchy (88% to 56%) Ms. Davey feels that the failures of the Federal Republic "are behind us, and a new era of representative democracy will prove to the Rokkenjiman People that they do not need an Empress to safeguard them." Mr. Trent, meanwhile, has stated that a democracy upheld by a monarchy is "not sustainable." "Does Rokkenjima enjoy democracy because of the whims of the Empress or is the government she has constructed truly rooted in democracy? It's a question which I hope our nation never has to answer, for if it does it will mean the former was correct. I hold nothing against our Empress personally, however I hold no respect for her office. I hope the voters will consider these points while considering the alternative we're proposing." A Rokkenjiman Federation would see further increased powers to the Prefectures, which would be reorganized into states. Replacing the Monarchy would be a President and Prime Minister, while the Imperial Diet would be reorganized into a Congress, comprised of a House of Representatives and Senate. The Federal Government would be responsible for foreign, economic, education and defense matters, leaving the bulk of domestic matters to the states. A further focus would see less Rokkenjiman foreign involvement, with moves to decrease military spending and close all Rokkenjiman foreign bases except for QKNB in Dartfordia. Federalists have also questioned the historically strong relationship between Rokkenjima and Quinntopia. "A one-party communist state is the last kind of nation we should tie ourselves to. Since Quinntopia is an Ardian state and it isn't Stalin who is in power I suppose that legitimizes the Quinntopian Government in the eyes of the Empress," Mr. Trent shared with the RBC. When asked for comment the Empress was brief and polite. "I'm pleased to see our People exercising their right to band together for political purposes, however, I don't believe the Federalist Party's message will resonate with the Rokkenjiman People. Their policy proposals are backwards, as are their views of one of our strongest allies. I can only hope they review their positions and consider a way forward for their Party if they hope to see success in any elections. In the mean time I will continue to work with our elected members of government to serve the needs of the Rokkenjiman People." |
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| Beatrice | 21st February 2015 - 05:22 AM Post #226 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Lord High Steward Comments on Dijeli Concerns  The Lord High Steward issued his remarks from the Imperial Briefing Room Following an article from TDBC[1] which covered growing domestic concern regarding the rise of so-called "mega corporations", specifically Abstergo Industries and Cerberus, the Lord High Steward responded to the concerns following a question at a Press Conference held earlier today. While some Federalist candidates have highlighted an apparent "hypocrisy" as neither Riviere Corporation or OsmanTech are mentioned the Lord High Steward refused to comment on what he called "unnecessary mudslinging." His remarks are available in full below:
The Rt Hon. Nettie Taylor, former Premier of Rokkenjima, spoke briefly with the RBC concerning remarks from the Reformed Peoples' Party regarding Cerberus and Quinntopia's so-called 'bourgeoisie compatriots'. "Having lived in both the First Empire and the People's Paradise I find it unfortunate that the RPP has such a misconception of both, especially in regards to Cerberus and what its inception means for Quinntopia's dedication to communism. As Comrade Fiero stated this is a move which Quinntopians themselves have approved, its profits benefiting Quinntopia as a whole, so it's unfortunate that we have this present misunderstanding." Speaking of her native Rokkenjima she stated that "things remain on the right path, and I also remain proud of the work I accomplished as Rokkenjima's first Socialist Premier. Empress Beatrice has proven herself as a champion of the People, working to raise the standard of living, further the participation of the Rokkenjiman People in their Government, and prevent corporate abuses as seen during the Federal Republic. Anyone can see why the Rokkenjiman and Quinntopian Peoples, despite sharing no common culture, language or faith fondly refer to each other as comrades." The Rt Hon. Taylor spoke with the RBC via telephone. [1] The RBC consistently refers to the Dartfordian Broadcasting Corporation as the DBC, thus TDBC to prevent confusion |
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| Beatrice | 21st February 2015 - 09:45 AM Post #227 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Donates Funds to Restore Ashinxao Auditorium Organ  The largest organ in Mundus has received the funds needed to be fully restored The Ashinxao Auditorium Organ, the largest pipe organ in Mundus[1], has received the funding necessary for its full restoration. The donation, made by Empress Beatrice through the Musical Arts Heritage Fund, totals र6.87m ($13m), the full amount necessary. Also known as the "Queen of Instruments" it holds several records including "Largest musical instrument ever constructed", "Largest pipe organ ever constructed", and "Loudest musical instrument ever constructed". The Queen of Instruments is also one of only two organs throughout Mundus to have an open 64' rank, and the only organ to have stops voiced on 100" of wind pressure. "The Ashinxao Auditorium Organ is an important part of Rokkenjima's musical heritage, I am proud to be a part of its restoration," the Empress stated to the RBC. "Constructed between 1929 and 1932, it was built around the main auditorium of the Ashinxao Auditorium. Throughout the years a mixture of carelessness and nature's wrath left much of the organ in an unusable state, and without funding for the three technicians required for its upkeep it has fallen into a state of disrepair. Thus, in addition to the donation for its restoration the funding required for its technicians will be provided through the Musical Arts Heritage Fund so that future Rokkenjimans and Mundusians may enjoy the Queen of Instruments."  Ashinxao Auditorium "It is truly a shame that the Queen has been allowed to deteriorate so," the Empress continued. "Nature cannot be controlled, but carelessness and neglect have no such excuse. Should the work proceed without issue the Queen should be restored to full operational capacity by the end of the year, allowing a full range of sound to be heard which has gone unheard for some forty years." The Ashinxao Auditorium Organ is not the only pipe organ being discussed presently, however, as the Empress also spoke of the Rosa Temple Organ. Organs have long played a role in Rokkenjiman music, with the oldest functioning organ being located in Pyrettania. The 580 year old organ, located in the Rosa Temple, was modified in the 1700s to play Baroque music and then renovated in 1954. "It is our task to preserve these pieces of Rokkenjiman history, and we shall not fail in that task. I look forward to the restoration of the Ashinxao Auditorium Organ, as well as the continued preservation of the Rosa Temple Organ as they will continue to entertain and warm souls for generations to come."  The Rosa Temple Organ The Empress also hinted that she may finally have scheduled her long-delayed performances once interim work on the Ashinxao Auditorium Organ has been completed. "The Queen is still functional, so once some interim work has been completed I may finally have the opportunity to share some of the music which I believe showcases the majesty of this fine instrument." No word has been provided on a firm date, however, as the interim work is expected to be completed later this month the event could very well be upon us. We'll keep you informed once a date and time is available for the Empress' performance. [1] By number of pipes (officially 33,112, the exact number is unknown) |
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| Beatrice | 23rd February 2015 - 02:47 PM Post #228 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Emperor Claims Prince Lucius ”As Good As Dead”, Calls For Constitutional Change In an unprecedented move unheard of in Rokkenjiman history, Emperor of Rokkenjima, Alexander Anselmo, gave a speech to both houses of the Imperial Diet calling for the Diet to recommend a major change in the country’s constitution. The Emperor claims the proposed changes, which include amendments to Articles 1 and 2, and a new addition to allow for an Emperor Regnant to be regarded in the same light as an Empress, will remove the ‘misandrist’ elements of the constitution, which itself is an amended version of the 1894 Constitution adopted by the Royal Provinces. The Emperor's arrival was highly anticipated by both members of the Diet and the public, and as he would be giving a Speech from the Throne, he was greeted at the Imperial Diet building by the sound of Imperial Fanfare. As is custom, the Imperial Standard replaced the Rokkenjiman flag above the Diet to signify the Emperor’s presence. Meeting him at the entrance was Rebeca Marson, Her Imperial Majesty’s Liaison to the Diet, who accompanied him to the Chamber of Representatives where his speech was delivered. It can be seen in full below:
Reactions to the Emperor’s speech have been mixed. While the Centre Party, the Greens and the Socialists all supported the constitutional changes proposed by the Emperor to allow male descendants to take the throne, Rokkenjiman Premier and Centre Party leader Yuriko Faust objected to his call for equal primogeniture. “Rokkenjima has a proud history of matriarchy,” she told the House of Commons, “while it’s fair a male should be able to take the Throne if he has no other female siblings, we should not be forced to go back on hundreds of years of our history and abandon our matriarchal society.” The Premier’s comments drew heavy criticisms from Socialist Party leader Samuel Pugrant who claimed: “If the honourable lady were an honourable gentleman, and be talking about why women should be given second-class status to men, there would be an uproar.” Some members of the Centre Party went further than Faust, however, and have called on the Empress to ‘wholly and unreservedly’ reject any proposal to alter the Constitution or Imperial House Law. A view that some insiders have suggested the Empress already holds. “The reason the Emperor had to resort to delivering the speech to the Diet is because his wife is very conservative when it comes to the constitution,” said Sarah Ambers, a constitutional expert. “Even with the Diet’s support, I can’t fathom the Empress ordering anything more than the compromise that Faust has proposed.” At the end of Diet proceedings, two votes were held in each chamber, the first asked whether the House agreed with the proposed constitutional changes, the second in whether the Diet should support equal primogeniture. In both houses, the first vote passed with strong majorities. The second vote lost by 130 votes in the Commons, and only by one vote in the House of Councillors. Public support appears to be behind change, with more Rokkenjimans supporting change than opposing it. "The Constitution as it is presently written was progressive for its time," Katlyn Stone, a Constitutional lawyer shared, "however that time has passed. The Empress has proven herself to be a progressive, thus I expect she will announce the most just decision in her response." When asked what her opinion on what the response would contain Katlyn leaned towards "changes to the Imperial House Law which would address the issue, with minor modifications to the Constitution to effect said changes." The Lord High Steward has confirmed that the Empress is due to formally issue a response to the Imperial Diet as early as tonight, wishing to "swiftly address a matter which strikes at the very soul of Rokkenjima." |
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| Beatrice | 23rd February 2015 - 05:26 PM Post #229 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Shocks Experts: "Full Equality Shall Extend to Chrysanthemum Throne"  The Empress delivered her Speech just hours after the Emperor Following the Emperor's historic speech to both houses of the Imperial Diet the Empress has delivered a speech of her own just hours later. While many experts expected the Empress to support a 'compromise' the Empress proved them wrong, forcefully stating "I promise our mistake in 2013 shall be rectified and full equality shall extend to Chrysanthemum Throne!" At many points in her speech the Empress had to pause as Councillors and Members of the Commons broke out in loud applause and cheers. The Empress' speech may be viewed in its entirety below:
"When she took the Throne the Empress had a massive task before her," Meghan Pierce, Councillor from Kavania shared with the RBC. "Some decisions, such as the Constitution and Imperial House Law, were largely the responsibility of the present Imperial Council. Today we've seen the strength of the Empress and Emperor, truly proving their union enjoys the blessings of Islyna." Traditional Matriarchists have called the speech "a betrayal of tradition which will destabilize the Rokkenjiman Throne." "Thus far the response to the Speeches and the message contained within them has been overly positive. Present numbers suggest that a very vocal minority stands against the efforts of the Imperial Couple, while the Federalist Party maintains its position that the institution of the Monarchy should be abolished all together. The Imperial Council supports the decisions made today and will act on the Empress' orders to consult with experts to see the necessary changes made to the Constitution and Imperial House Law, a process I will be assisting with. No matter what way you look at it I believe today is a very positive day in Rokkenjiman history and no amount of negative energy can overcome that," the Rt Hon. Charles Ofdensen said in a statement to the RBC. We'll continue to bring you the latest as responses to the dual Imperial Speeches continue to come in. |
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| Beatrice | 27th February 2015 - 07:23 PM Post #230 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Ministry of Energy Announces Superconducting Super Collider Project  The Superconductive Super Collider Complex, south of Alonso The Ministry of Energy has announced the resumption of what has been called 'the largest scientific undertaking Rokkenjima has embarked upon since the space program.' Dubbed the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) the project aims to construct the largest particle accelerator upon Mundus. Design work began in 1983 while construction began in 1991, however, by 1993 the project would be canceled by the Federal Congress citing 'rising costs better spent on other budgetary needs.' At the time of its cancellation 14 miles of tunnel and 17 shafts to the surface had already been dug, while nearly $2bn had already been spent on the project. Following its cancellation the site was sold to a handful of buyers who had a number of designs for the abandoned facility, with a planned data center being the latest scheme to fail before the Imperial Government reacquired the facility, located about 20 miles south of Alonso, Ecskana Prefecture. "The SSC's planned ring circumference shall be 54.1 miles (87.1 km) with an energy of 20 TeV per beam of protons (close to the regime of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays), numbers that surpass those of the presently operating Large Hadron Collider in the UNP by a factor of three (25 kilometer with an estimated energy of 7TeV per beam). The initial estimate of the SSC was $4.4bn, a figure which rose to $12bn before finally being canceled. Resumption of the project required र10.5bn ($19.8bn), which was approved by the Imperial Diet after a request from the Lord High Steward. The project is expected to take a number of years to complete, with a goal for the SSC being active by 2018. "As the facility was 20% completed upon cancellation we're confident that with the necessary funding and backing of the Imperial Government we can complete construction in a timely manner," Project Director Correy Samuels shared with the RBC.  Work has resumed on the Superconductive Super Collider, abandoned at 20% completion in 1993 Designed originally to find the Higgs Boson the high amount of energy will allow the SSC to discover and detect what, if anything, is beyond the Higgs energy such as supersymmetric or dark matter constituents. When asked of the ongoing efforts of the Large Hadron Collider in the UNP Mr. Samuels complemented the "continued dedication to science and research of the Nords, especially as the builders of the first collider in Mundus. I am certain that our projects may cooperate and coordinate in the future to further the shared scientific knowledge of Mundus." "After speaking with officials in Dartfordia I can confirm that one-third (र3.5bn) of the funding for completion of the SSC facility shall be contributed, however, full funding has been approved by the Imperial Diet regardless," the Lord High Steward stated to the RBC. While the Federal Republic alienated potential partners through overtly nationalist statements we welcome cooperation with our allies. Dartfordia has initially sought to help fund the project in 1991, but withdrew in 1992 following the Federal President proclaiming it 'a Rokkenjiman project with Rokkenjiman leadership.' Design specifications are complete and the foundations are in place, now it is our duty to complete the task. Upon completion, naturally, we shall be open to inviting foreign scientists to the SSC to conduct research towards the next great discovery, with Dartfordian scientists already slated to be among our team." |
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| Beatrice | 7th March 2015 - 12:01 AM Post #231 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Extends EEZ in Strait of Arovium Following a meeting of the Imperial Council the Empress has announced the extention of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Strait of Arovium to the full amount allowable under the Fair Seas Concordat. "After careful consideration and ensuring that such an action would not impede upon Tytorian territorial waters the First Empire has determined that it is in its best interests to exercise our full rights in the Strait of Arovium as allowed by the Fair Seas Concordat. The waters surrounding Rokkenjima are vital to her well being in more ways than one, thus to ensure the health and safety of these waters we hereby declare that Rokkenjima's territorial waters in the Strait of Arovium shall include the Territorial Waters and Contiguous Zones, in addition to a further 176 nautical miles, for a total of two hundred nautical miles." The move follows a conversation between the Empress and Emperor regarding the present state of the Pan Albion Congress. As a member of the Dartfordian Royal Family and heir to the Dartfordian Throne the Emperor, who is the Prince of Littlebrook, receives regular briefs concerning Dartfordian matters of state. The Empress, who would become Queen of Dartfordia upon the Emperor's ascension to the Throne, is authorized to discuss such matters with the Emperor so long as the topics of discussion do not present a "conflict of interest" in the relationship between the First Empire and the Kingdom. "Last year we witnessed an unprecedented wave of progressive policies and initiatives sweep across Mundus, seeing equal rights ensured for millions of people irregardless of international borders. We saw, through the Fair Seas Concordat, the containment of two crises involving international waters and the right of all nations to free passage. Sadly, over the course of Pan Albion discussions it appears that two key pillars of the international system have been rejected as an inconvenience towards the pursuit of regional organization. More specifically, it is apparent that the spirit of progress and international cooperation have proven politically inconvenient, which in my opinion is greatly disappointing." Speaking of her decision to extend the Rokkenjiman EEZ in the Strait of Arovium from the present 50 nautical miles to the full 176 the Empress said it was "a necessary decision to ensure Rokkenjima's economic interests in the Strait, and to further ensure that these waters are maintained in a pristine, natural condition. As an observer member of the Cross-Straits Union we shall still welcome Tytorian operations in these waters, however, such operations will have to meet Rokkenjiman standards within the EEZ. Naturally, should Tytor ever sign the Fair Seas Concordat the Imperial Government would work with the Tytorian Government to further joint cooperation regarding stewardship in the Strait." The Empress, who is a known 'regional skeptic', praised the initial draft of the Congress of Albion Charter as "progressive and forward looking. The King and Royal Government should be proud of the work which went into drafting the Charter and for placing great value upon progressiveness and international stability." Frank Evans, a member of the Federalist Party, disagreed with the Empress' opinion concerning developments in Albion as "further meddling from Chrysanthemum Throne, and another case of the Emperor not being able to hold his tongue." He went on to say that "the People of Albion are more than capable of determining what is right for themselves in these important matters." The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. OOC: The contents of this story will be related to a Beaxander which shall be released shortly. ^^ |
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| Beatrice | 7th March 2015 - 08:19 PM Post #232 | ||||||||||||||||||
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First Empire Condemns Rosocor Regime; Dispatches Theatre Fleet to Ardian Gulf  Kashmir and Kimberly rendezvous on their deployment to the Ardian Gulf Following the execution of 523 Zachachevanian civilians by the Rosocor regime the Empress has issued a statement condemning the actin, while following her Quinntopian counterparts in calling for action. A further measure was taken, with the deployment of a Theatre Fleet comprised of elements from the Home and Kyne Fleets. "As international shipping often passes near the Ardian Gulf the First Empire believes that the stability and safety of these waters must be ensured. To ensure that the increasingly unstable regime in Zachachevania does not pose any threat to international shipping I hereby authorize Imperial High Command to dispatch Theatre Fleet Tranquility to the Ardian Gulf for the foreseeable future." The Empress' statement is available in full below:
Following the Empress' address a meeting of the Imperial Council was convened to address 'all possible options' in response to the situation. With Rokkenjima maintaining strong sanctions against Zachachevania already a campaign to bring stronger diplomatic pressure upon Zachachevania is likely to take shape. "Rokkenjiman diplomatic and economic might, and military power if deemed necessary by the Empress, shall be used to ensure that any further actions by the Rosocor regime against its own people will be met with dire consequences," the Lord High Steward stated in a reply to an RBC request for comment. We'll continue to bring you the latest as this story develops. Empress Plans Visit to UAE, Proposes Dijeli Visit Afterwards Following a series of letters between the Empress and the Emir, Pyrena Castle has announced that a visit to the UAE was scheduled to take place in the near future. The Empress, who will be joined by a Dartfordian delegation, said that she hopes this visit will "resolve the issues between our respective governments, allowing us to resume the path to formal, normalized relations." The composition of the Dartfordian delegation has yet to be reported. Following her visit to the UAE the Empress has proposed a visit to the Dijel afterwards to, in her words, "properly introduce our nations and rectify the lack of relations." We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 8th March 2015 - 05:33 AM Post #233 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjima Initiates Operation: Carrier Pigeon  IRN Kitsune has returned to the Ardian Gulf following renewed tensions with Zachachevania In cooperation with the RBC the Imperial Government has initiated a campaign to bring uncensored news to the people of Zachachevania. Dubbed 'Operation: Carrier Pigeon' the operation aims to make the RBC World Service available to Zachachevanians who own shortwave radios. "We've targeted short-wave radios because many receivers are portable, battery-operated or powered via a hand crank which eliminates the need for a battery. Furthermore, unlike infrastructure such as the Internet, there is a difficulty in censoring programming as government authorities face technical difficulties in monitoring which stations are being listened to," RBC Programming Coordinator Pamela Sugars stated. "Shortwave radio also travels much farther than broadcast FM, so shortwave broadcasts can easily be transmitted over a distance of several thousands of kilometers. We will also be utilizing AM frequencies for broadcasts as a simple crystal radio, which requires no external power and can be constructed from materials many may have around their homes, can be used to tune into the broadcasts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the Cyber Operations Directorate, are presently exploring options to place instructions for such radios in the hands of Zachachevanian citizens." The Empress herself has encouraged other nations to utilize the resources behind Operation: Carrier Pigeon, stating that, "A well-balanced world view is often something I think many of us take for granted. Access to news and reporting which is free and unbiased was one of the early tools which allowed information to flow around the world, bringing enlightening ideas from one corner of Mundus to the other. Again, this tool may be used to cut through the veil of propaganda and enable a sharing of information with the People of Zachachevania." Broadcasts will be taking place from the two Katenka Class Battleships and the Megitsune Class Kitsune in the Ardian Gulf as well as stations within Rokkenjima to provide a multi-tiered delivery system. In a related story the Empress clarified that there has been no blockade imposed upon Zachachevania at this time, only that Imperial and allied vessels have moved into the Ardian Gulf to "ensure the safety and tranquility of international shipping lanes. At this time there have been no blockades imposed upon the Zachachevanian nation, however, actions such as those announced earlier today greatly increase the likelihood of such measures being taken." "We again condemn the measures enacted by the Zachachevanian Government, especially the persecution and murder of innocent people living within Zachachevania. The spilling of innocent blood must be brought to a swift halt, and any further threats against Ndambia or any other Ardian nation will be met with a swift and devastating response. The First Empire does not negotiate with rogue regimes, nor does it entertain their demands. Cease and desist from this path, lest the blockades you fear become a reality." We'll bring you the latest concerning this developing story. Empress Proposes Women's Leadership Summit  "Do not be afraid to be yourself in everything that you do. Go out there, explore your possibilities, reach for the stars, fall in love, invent the next great invention, pursue the highest office of government, whatever your dream is please pursue it! Your options are limitless and no one may steal your dreams from you!" Empress Beatrice's message to girls and women across Mundus The Empress has proposed a meeting of female leaders from across Mundus to address, in her words, "the lingering effects of societies which have, traditionally, been dominated by a male-centric understanding." She pointed to the many strides women have made across Mundus highlighting those who have shown 'dedication and leadership in several fields'. Highlights included the Princess of Arovium and the Princess of Estvua, Achkaerin's Princess Serenity, the UNP's Head of the Longhouse Willa Sunbrek, Dartfordian Princess Georgia, Queen Matilda and Princess Freya of East Moreland, Queen Kangela I of Ndambia, former Premier Nettie Taylor, former Dartfordian Prime Minister Harriet Jones, Dijeli Foreign Minister Quanii Laat, President Elizabeth Quilo of the Elpidian Federation, as well as Catriona Rowan, CEO of Riviere Corporation. "Each of these women have shown that, through hard work and dedication women can do just as great, if not a better job, than a man. We must, as a global society, move beyond the idea that there are positions beyond the reach of women, or that there are tasks we cannot accomplish; I've had the privilege of meeting and working with several brilliant and capable women which proves these ideas are obsolete and must be relegated to the dark recesses of history." The Empress also had a special message for young girls and women across Mundus. "Do not be afraid to be yourself in everything that you do. Go out there, explore your possibilities, reach for the stars, fall in love, invent the next great invention, pursue the highest office of government, whatever your dream is please pursue it! Your options are limitless and no one may steal your dreams from you! The only person who can deny you, say that you're not good enough or hold you back is yourself, and that's a mistake I don't wish to see anyone make. There are many role models for you to look up to as you make your mark in this world and many who can guide you and support you in the pursuit of your dreams." Regarding talks of increasingly conservative clothing laws, or the consideration of such laws abroad, the Empress questioned why such measures remained relevant. "Originally many religious leaders felt that the bare flesh of a woman was a sin in itself, that a woman is at fault for the lust shown to her by a man, as well as to re-enforce traditional gender roles in society. Such ideas originate from a period of time where women were considered property, where men were deemed the natural head of the household or family unit; such ideas, unfortunately, have furthered the idea that a woman must be wholly modest in her clothing, lest she cause one man's eyes to wander. I am amazed that such ideas continue to exist to this day and cannot wait until such patriarchal ideas are no longer considered a valid basis for law." The Empress' proposed meeting, which has yet to be formally scheduled, is to be called the Mundus Women's Leadership Summit. It will invite leaders from many backgrounds, including politics, business, the armed forces, non-governmental organizations and other fields where women have attained positions of leadership. The goal of the Summit will be to showcase the successes of women leaders, as well as to discuss ways of tackling issues presently facing women across Mundus. Depending upon the success of the Summit the Empress has stated that she hopes it will become an annual event. |
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| Beatrice | 8th March 2015 - 09:08 PM Post #234 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Armed Reserves Called Upon  Soldiers of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Army during a parade in 2014 The Imperial Rokkenjiman Army is calling upon 400,000 servicemembers of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Reserve, bringing the number of active personnel to 925,000. "As our Ndambian neighbours face the threat of Zachachevanian aggression, and as the actions and threats of the Rosocor regime become increasingly violent, Imperial High Command has deemed it necessary to increase the manpower available to the military. All members of the Imperial Reserve should be prepared for the possibility of future deployments depending upon the developing situation," Acting High Admiral Rowe stated to the RBC. The move follows Zachachevania's mobilization of 300,000 Active Duty Troops and 1.5 million reserve troops to the Ndambian border. This follows the execution of 523 Zachachevanians who were attempting to flee the brutal Rosocor regime. When Rokkenjiman, allied and independent vessels arrived in the Ardian Gulf the Rosocor regime declared several actions in response to a blockade. Neither Pyrena Castle nor Imperial High Command have stated that a blockade of Zachachevania presently exists, however, they have remained unified in their message that the present course of the Rosocor regime only increases the likelihood of a blockade. In related developments the Empress has recognized the international contributions and cooperation towards Operation: Carrier Pigeon. "Seeing our Dartfordian, Quinntopian, Achkaerin and East Moreland allies come together to cut through the veil of lies and propaganda is a truly inspirational sight. Regimes often utilize puppet media and propaganda to keep their citizens enslaved, and it is no different in Zachachevania. Let us cut through this dark veil together, and bring the light of truth to a People who have been denied it thus far." "I also cherish the deep camaraderie which exists between Rokkenjima and Quinntopia. Our nations have experienced many challenges and faced many mutual threats together, and the threat posed to Ardia by the Rosocor regime is little different. For the security and safety of all Ardians, I am confident that we will succeed yet again." We'll continue to bring you the latest on this developing story. |
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| Beatrice | 11th March 2015 - 08:10 PM Post #235 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Acting High Admiral Rowe: Emperor Wrong; Right Call Was Made  Acting High Admiral Rowe responded to leaked remarks from the Emperor Following leaked rearks from the Emperor in which he called the decision to call upon an additional 400,000 members of the Imperial Reserve with a possible deployment of up to 200,000 to the Ndambian-Zachachevanian border an 'improvident and unnecessary waste of money' Acting High Admiral Rowe has responded. "With all due respect the Emperor's assessment of the situation is quite wrong. The Rosocor regime has proposed a direct threat to the Kingdom of Ndambia, which I would remind the Emperor separates the First Empire from Zachachevania by just one province." The Acting High Admiral went on to discuss the Ardian Entente: "Under the terms of the Ardian Entente we are obligated to act should a tyrannical government, such as that which we see in Zachachevania, arise upon the Ardian continent. The actions of the Rosocor regime, combined with their traditional hostility against the First Empire and her allies and now this threat against the Kingdom have demanded a proactive response. While I pray that Zachachevania does not move its troops against the Kingdom, should it do so I would rather have the forces active to combat that threat beforehand rather than after the fact." The Rokkenjiman public, while weary of the prospects of a conflict, seem to approve of the actions of Imperial High Command. Likewise, support for Operation: Carrier Pigeon and a further expanded naval role against the Rosocor regime has also seen widespread support. In related developments the Empress has thanked Achkaerin for their efforts in the crisis. "The First Empire and Holy Empire have forged a strong bond of friendship and I am wholly appreciative of the efforts of the Achkaerin Government to assist those illegally detained by the Rosocor regime," the Vicegerent stated to the RBC. Vicegerent Applauds FSC Moves in Tytor The Princess of Estvua has applauded moves in the Tytorian Parliament to pass the Fair Seas Concordat. "We've seen several times that the FSC has limited the scope of disagreements involving maritime issues, as well as preserving the rights of all sea-going nations to their territorial waters. It also protects the rights of all vessels to innocent passage, an important aspect to ensuring fair and open access to the seas. I look forward to working with the Kingdom of Tytor in the future on forwarding issues such as the FSC, as well as areas which can be improved upon." The Empress, presently in the UAE on a diplomatic visit, was unavailable for comment. Nueva Ardian Membership in AE Expected to Pass Nueva Ardia has recently expressed interest in joining the Ardian Entente, a move which has seen support from Rokkenjima and South Hills. Nueva Ardia has shown support for international efforts in response to the Zachachevania Crisis, committing vessels to ensuring that sea lanes in the region remain safe and open. "Nueva Ardia is quickly proving to be a partner in the stability of Ardia, thus Rokkenjiman fully supports their bid for membership in the Ardian Entente. In these turbulent times it is important that we as a continent unite behind the cause of stability, progress and prosperity for all Ardians," the Vicegerent shared with the RBC. In related developments the Vicegerent has proposed an expanded role for the Ardian Entente similar to regional moves as seen in Alba Karinya, Albion and Cotf Aranye. "While the focus of the Ardian Entente will remain largely the same it is the opinion of the First Empire that we should utilize the framework which we have already in place to foster cooperation in other spheres. In many ways the Ardian Entente was a forerunner to the types of organizations we see taking shape today, however, any such proposals will be presented and discussed with our allies," the Vicegerent continued. Any expansion of the scope of the Ardian Entente would allow for 'opt-out' provisions for founding members, a form of grandfathering to ensure that the security and stability focus of the AE is not lost in any proposed expansion. "We do not wish to change the core focus and mission of the Entente, however, we do wish to allow for further development to bring about a broader sense of cooperation and unity across Ardia. These proposals will be presented in the coming weeks." We'll bring you the latest as these stories continue to develop. |
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| Beatrice | 14th March 2015 - 06:22 AM Post #236 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Calls New Slavic Laws "A Huge Step Backwards" Following the adoption of the Terrorist Association Bill and the Patriarchal Authority Bill in the Slavic Federation protests have been reported throughout the Federation, while the Empress has called the laws "a huge step backwards for the Federation, reminding us eerily of the type of policies pursued by the former Soviet government. The rights of minorities and women in any society need to be protected, not curtailed, by government. I feel that these steps will only bring hardship for the People of the Federation," the Empress shared with the RBC. The passage of the Patriarchal Authority Bill, which "in essence, takes away a female's ability to participate in governance, from voting in elections to running for office" [1], comes shortly after the Empress' announcement of a Mundus Women's Leadership Summit. "In certain areas of the world we are seeing a rolling back of women's rights, an unfortunate trend which has emerged following a historic year of progress." When asked if the developments would figure into the diplomatic relationship between the First Empire and the Federation the Empress stated that the situation was under review. "Clearly we'll take some time to review the situation to determine what, if any, action is necessary. It is most concerning that a law which completely excludes women from the political process has been enacted in 2015, and that such ideas are still considered valid. We'll certainly be discussing the matter with the Federation's ambassador in the coming days. In the mean time I offer my full support to the women impacted by this law and invite an open dialogue with Slavic women to address the situation." [1] Quoted from Federation Today |
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| Beatrice | 15th March 2015 - 11:04 PM Post #237 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Visit to the UAE Results in Media Controversy  The Empress' clothing and Emperor's Gift have resulted in a measure of controversy The Dartfordian Deputy Prime Minister Caroline Bennett has called 'The Daily Emirate' hypocritical following its characterization of the Empress as 'slutty' while Lord Hidal Fialis has called for her arrest. The developments come after controversy regarding the Empress' choice of clothing and the Emperor's presentation of a pair of short denim shorts. Laws in the UAE call upon women to dress modestly, imposing strict measures upon women who do not comply with the law. The Empress has spoken with the RBC concerning her choice of fashion and remarks from UAE media and later calls from 'The People's Report' calling for her death. "I am certainly disappointed that 'The Daily Emirate' has decided to resort to slut-shaming, an act in which one attempts to make a woman feel guilty or inferior for her behaviours, circumstances or in this case her choice of clothing. While I fully believe in respecting foreign cultures and traditions I cannot respect a system which regards the rights of women as being secondary to the rights of men. There is nothing slutty or inappropriate concerning my manner of dress, and as a Rokkenjiman woman I felt it would send the wrong message to abide by laws which essentially ingrain a sense of shame in women. As long as it's acceptable to view women and men as different in society or before the law the struggle for gender equality must continue." While many Rokkenjimans feel that the Emperor's gift was perhaps 'distasteful and unnecessary' an overwhelming majority have supported the intent of the Imperial Couple. "There is nothing shameful about the female body, nor is there any legitimate reason for treating women and men differently. If a man cannot control his own sex drive then that is his problem, not that of every woman," one commenter responded. "While some in the UAE are calling the Empress a whore (and I invite them to look up the definition in an international dictionary) most Rokkenjimans are applauding her for not adhering to a 12th-century understanding of a woman's role in society," another stated. While support remains high for improving relations between the First Empire and the Emirate it is clear that issues regarding women's issues will remain at the forefront of the relationship. "As the gender equality movement continues to receive greater attention we must remember that discrimination fueled by cultural forces remains an enduring enemy of a woman's dignity. These cultural forces and laws, all of which aim to preserve male dominance and re-enforce the subjugation of women often take the guises of, and are defended as, 'culture' and 'tradition'. Until traditions which treat or recognize women as subservient or unequal are recognized for what they truly are millions of women across Mundus will continue to face hardships in their daily lives," the Empress said. Following the report from 'The Daily Emirate' another piece, this time from the Rosocor regime's mouthpiece 'The People's Report' called for "the death of the whore Beatrice Anselmo, and her idiot of a husband Alexander." Lord High Steward Ofdensen dismissed the report, calling it "miserably uninformed, unimaginative propaganda. While any threats against the lives of the Imperial Family will be taken seriously the threat Zachachevania poses to the First Empire is, quite simply, non-existent. Their mischaracterization of Rokkenjiman culture only proves the ignorance of the Rosocor regime and adds to the increasingly long line of poor propaganda." The Empress refused to comment, calling the report "not worth my time or attention." Public reactions have been more critical, with many viewing it as another attempt of the Rosocor regime to draw attention from the problems experienced in their own nation. Public opinion of Zachachevania remains low with an increasing number of Rokkenjimans calling for stronger action against the rogue state. For now, however, the Imperial Couple remain focused upon the international response to increasing Zachachevanian violence instead of entertaining Zachachevanian propaganda. |
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| Beatrice | 16th March 2015 - 11:16 PM Post #238 | ||||||||||||||||||
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High Admiral Cole Returns Amid Zachachevanian Aggression  The newly-appointed Grand Marshal is reportedly "in good health and of sound mind" As reports indicate that Zachachevania has initiated an invasion of Nueva Ardia Pyrena Castle has announced the return of High Admiral Henry Cole in his dual role as the commander of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy and Imperial High Command, the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Force's unified command. Upon his return the Empress conferred a new rank upon him: Grand Marshal of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces, Marshal Admiral of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy. Acting High Admiral Rowe, meanwhile, shall be resuming command in the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy aboard the battleship Kashmir. The Grand Marshal "thanks Rowe for his dedicated service to the First Empire during my absence." The Grand Marshal refused to directly comment on Rowe's remarks regarding alleged comments by the Emperor and said that the matter was "below the office of the Grand Marshal. It is not the place of any officer of IHC to comment on what the Empress or the Emperor may or may not have said, as the Crown is ultimately our Commander-in-Chief." Regarding the Zachachevanian invasion of Nueva Ardia the Grand Marshal stated that "conversations are ongoing with our allies in the Ardian Entente, as well as with the Crown. At this time I am not at liberty to discuss the Imperial response to the situation." In related developments the matter of whether to re-impose a naval blockade upon Zachachevania is scheduled to take place in the Imperial Council. "As Zachachevania continues to act in an aggressive fashion towards its neighbours it is clear that swift and meaningful consequences for such conduct must take place. The Imperial Council will consider such action in tomorrow's session," the Lord High Steward stated to the RBC. A decision regarding the re-imposing of the blockade will likely be announced tomorrow evening. We'll bring you the latest as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 19th March 2015 - 10:20 PM Post #239 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Female Sperm? Abstergo's Ongoing Research Looks Promising The Medical Research Division announced the research earlier today The Medical Research Division has announced that ongoing research to enable lesbians who want to have biological children related to both parents. Through a new stem cell technique researchers believe they could convert female cells into sperm, then use that sperm to fertilize an egg. The MRD stated that a team coaxed female embryonic stem cells to develop into primitive sperm cells. Next the researchers plan to create sperm cells using female bone marrow, which would make the procedure more practical according to Mary Penzela, Head Researcher for the Genetics Program. At this time they have yet to make the sperm undergo the final cell division that generates the correct amount of genetic material for fertilization, however work is 'presently ongoing' to conquer this hurdle. Success in generating sperm from male stem cells has been noted, with Penzela's team making primitive sperm from adult male stem cells. Such cells were used to fertilize mice in an experiment which produced seven pups, six which went on to live into adulthood. While those which survived did suffer problems the MRD believes that, with time, these shortcomings can be overcome. Imperial Couple Had Seaforth Launch Codes, Handed Back Today In a story exclusively breaking on the RBC the Imperial Couple have returned the launch codes for some of Seaforth's most fearsome weapons according to the Lord High Steward. The codes, which were downloaded via satellite and stored on a thumb-drive, were personally returned before the start of funeral services for the late King Josiah II. "As the Seaforthian nation rebuilds the First Empire shall stand by her People in every step of the way. With the SCC removed from power and stability returning to Seaforth the return of this component of Seaforth's defensive capabilities is most appropriate," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen stated to the RBC. The news comes after sources close to Pyrena Castle speculated the transfer, with the Lord High Steward commenting after rumours circulated online as to why Rokkenjima would have the codes. "It was determined crucial to the security of Seaforth that the codes being in Rokkenjiman possession was not known to the broader world, however, with rumours circulating it is prudent that the correct information is available to both the Rokkenjiman and Seaforthian People. These codes were not used and were kept safely secure until the victory of the Loyalists and not in danger of falling into SCC hands." "While both the Seaforthian Government and Imperial Government would have rather revealed this information in a more coordinated manner at a later date we cannot allow such rumours to cause yet further confusion and misunderstandings," the Lord High Steward continued. The Imperial Couple were unavailable for comment as they are presently focused on talks in the UAE, however, the Lord High Steward stated that the trust of King Josiah II and his son were not misplaced. "King Josiah II sought to warn the First Empire of the true threat of the Seaforth Catholic Church and, likewise, Joshua showed a great trust in a nation which was, at that time, a potential adversary. That the Rhodes and Anselmo families moved from mutual distrust to strong bonds of trust and friendship is remarkable and inspirational." The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 20th March 2015 - 03:27 AM Post #240 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Joins Ndambian Queen in Condemning Zachachevanian Imperialism  The Valkyrie is scheduled to be deployed to the Andean Peninsula The Empress, speaking to the press from the UAE, took the opportunity to denounce "the expansionist and imperialistic policies of the Rosocor regime." The Rosocor regime is well known for labeling Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy as imperialistic, with recent examples including the Commonwealth Conference and the extension of the EEZ in the Strait of Arovium. "The Rosocor regime, much like the Soviet regime of the United Soviet Russia, has criticized Rokkenjima as an imperialist power as both regimes pursued policies of military expansionism and domination of their neighbours. This disconnect from reality was seen in the Soviet invasion of Meche and Safraen, and is on clear display in our Nueva Ardian neighbours," the Empress continued. Her full remarks are available below:
IRN Elsa Arrives in Dartfordia  Elsa arrived at QKNB earlier this morning The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy's newest class of smaller, non-nuclear aircraft carriers arrived in Dartfordia earlier this morning according to reports from Imperial High Command. The nearly 82,000 ton carrier will complement the existing capabilities of the Kyne Fleet, providing further options to commanders in responding to situations of all intensities across the region. The name of the vessel, IRN Elsa was selected in a poll of youths from across Rokkenjima which proved the ongoing popularity of the Dartfordian animated film Frozen. "Considering the name selected to represent this vessel it is perhaps only fitting that she will be stationed at QKNB," Grand Marshal Cole shared with the RBC. The Grand Marshal went on to thank Dartfordian workers for the "dedication and craftsmanship" they have shown in the construction of some Rokkenjiman vessels. Contracts between the two nations for the construction of vessels is common, with Dartfordia and Quinntopia being the top two collaborators in Rokkenjiman naval projects. Rokkenjima has contracted the construction of several indigenous designs and has also filled contracts for several CSTO members in past years. For the most part Rokkenjimans support these policies as they allow Rokkenjima and her CSTO partners to more quickly and efficiently acquire vessels as needed. A small percentage noted their concern that contracts to Dartfordia eliminate Rokkenjiman jobs, however, the Imperial Government has said such concerns are "baseless and ignorant of the jobs provided by Dartfordian contracts completed by Rokkenjima. |
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| Beatrice | 22nd March 2015 - 03:58 AM Post #241 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Mundus Development Bank Off To Strong Start Following the announcement of the Mundus Development Bank by the Empress the response from the international community has been strong with र58.7bn ($111bn) being pledged towards the International Development Fund. Joining Rokkenjima in the effort thus far are the Dijel, Dartfordia, Seaforth and Achkaerin while Nueva Ardia has declared its concerns regarding the MDB. Eladori, meanwhile, declared that while it supported the causes of the MDB it would not be joining at this time. While more responses are expected in the coming days the Empress has pointed to the overwhelmingly positive response to the MDB as a great success. "In an era where governments have the power to alleviate some of the worst challenges people across Mundus face on a daily basis it is a reassuring sign to see nations from all corners of Mundus come together to do something about them. Together we have already raised $111bn, money which can be used to effect positive change in the world around us. Until we live in a world where no child goes to sleep hungry or lacking of knowledge, where hospitals across Mundus are well-stocked and water flows cleanly from each spigot will the mission of the MDB be accomplished. This is an excellent start and bodes well for the MDB in meeting the challenges ahead," the Empress said. Melinda Calison, Deputy Governor of the Imperial Bank of Rokkenjima, was nominated by the Empress to serve as the first President of the MDB. Her work at the Imperial Bank has centred around Financial Stability, although she also played a key role in the reconstruction efforts of the First Empire following the conclusion of the Second Patriotic War. It's expected that, should her nomination be accepted by the other members of the MDB, that she could take this new position by the end of the month. " I feel that her knowledge could equally help the Mundus Development Bank in achieving its goals while building the foundation for future success," the Empress said in an update concerning the MDB. Rokkenjima To Sell Two Minstrel Ships To Nueva Ardia  Candide as seen from the Azukishima Coast The First Empire has agreed to construct and sell two Minstrel Class Amphibious Assault Ships to Nueva Ardia in a deal announced by the Lord High Steward. "Following discussions with our Nueva Ardian allies a need was identified for further amphibious warfare capabilities which we both agreed the Minstrel Class could best satisfy. With the deal in place the orders will be acted upon swiftly to ensure Nueva Ardia possesses an even greater deterrent to further Zachachevanian aggression," he shared with the RBC earlier today. The vessels will be sold without ICON and its subsystems as it is limited to CSTO nations, however, the ship will be fitted with other systems which will be selected in coordination with Nueva Ardian needs and specifications. The deal follows the brief Zachachevanian invasion of Nueva Ardia which ended in armistice. The First Empire shall be stationing 30,000 troops along the Nueva Ardian border with Zachachevania as well as increasing its naval presence in the Andean Peninsula region to guard against any further Zachachevanian aggression. These deployments will be on a temporary basis while Nueva Ardia's military oversees an expansion of its numbers and capabilities. It is hoped that with these forces in place a repeat of the invasion would be repelled or at least held back until an allied response could be mounted. We'll continue to bring you the latest as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 25th March 2015 - 09:49 PM Post #242 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjiman Woman Seeks Refuge in Sharjah Consulate Following a previous incident where an East Morland woman was arrested for wearing shorts in the UAE a Rokkenjiman woman has sparked a new wave of controversy in the UAE. Elisa Freis was vacationing with her family in the UAE city of Sharjah, a tropical destination with tourists despite being noted as one of the strictest concerning the nations Modesty Regulations. The 23 year old, who was wearing a tank top and knee-length shorts, ran afoul with local law enforcement who approached her as she returned to her hotel. It was then that Ms. Freis ran from law enforcement officers to the Rokkenjiman Consulate in Sharjah, where she presently remains. Rokkenjima has maintained a Consulate in Sharjah to provide services to Rokkenjiman and CSU tourists and, much like a Rokkenjiman Embassy, the Consulate is considered to be sovereign Rokkenjiman soil. Consul General Timothy Brady has argued that as long as Ms. Freis is on the premises of the Consulate that she cannot be detained, while stating that there is no intention to turn her over to UAE custody. "Ms. Freis is a Rokkenjiman citizen who has sought refugee in the Consulate for what she fears would be a potentially life-threatening situation. Given that the UAE has yet to sign the MCUR and has been known to prosecute women under its infamously patriarchal Modesty Regulations." The Lord High Steward, speaking on behalf of the Crown, stated his support for the actions of the Consulate. "The Imperial Government will do all in its power to ensure the rights of Ms. Freis are upheld, and that she remains safely in Rokkenjiman custody. We'll also be working to see that she returns home to Rokkenjima without serving any time in a UAE prison. We also expect that Rokkenjiman sovereignty will be respected by UAE officials in regards to the Sharjah Consulate." Speaking of Ms. Freis' attire the Rt Hon. Ofdensen stated that no harmful intent was involved. "It's a tropical city where the temperatures are typically quite high, thus I see nothing out of the ordinary for Ms. Freis' choice of attire. There's neither anything indecent nor inappropriate about the clothes she was wearing considering the climate. We'll certainly try to work with UAE officials to bring this situation to as swift a conclusion as possible. Needless to say, however, situations such as this will be taken into consideration when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compiles its recommendations for travel to the UAE." We'll keep you up-to-date as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 27th March 2015 - 07:50 AM Post #243 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjiman Carrier Visits Arendelle  Elsa brought out a big crowd in Arendelle The Rokkenjiman Aircraft Carrier Elsa drew big crowds in the Dartfordian city of Arendelle, where she paid a symbolic visit earlier today. The crew of the Elsa mingled with the crowd, building good-will between the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy and the residents of Arendelle, which sits near Queen Katenka Naval Base. Before this the crew manned the rails as they passed the historic Queen Elizabeth 2, the legendary Dartfordian liner which was saved from certain destruction last year. The public was invited aboard Elsa for brief tours where many opportunities for educational experiences presented themselves. The motto of the ship was also revealed; "I am one with the wind and sky", taken from the Frozen song Let it Go. The ship was named after Elsa following a poll of youths across Rokkenjima, a testament to the continued popularity of the film in Rokkenjima. The decision to base another carrier at QKNB was made following a review of the Rokkenjiman posture in the Kyne region, with the IRN desiring vessels to address conflicts of all intensities. In the 2015 Defense Review Imperial High Command has called for the Imperial Rokkenjiman Kyne Fleet to be able to sustain at least two 'major' operations while maintaining the capability to launch a 'minor' operation in the region. This doctrine matches the overall Rokkenjiman military strategy of maintaining a capability to fight in two major wars while engaging in a relatively minor regional incident. After leaving Arendelle Elsa will be departing Dartfordian waters for exercises in the region, the location or scope of which have yet to be announced. "The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy regularly engages in exercises with our allies to maintain our readiness to respond to a variety of threats and provide valuable co-operative experience. These exercises have been planned for some time and, when they commence, we will relay that information in a responsible and timely manner," Grand Marshal Cole shared with the RBC. Vicegerent Echoes Nya Åland Concerns The Vicegerent stated that the embracing of "religious intolerance in Nya Åland is most concerning," while stating that diplomatic relations with the Odinist Republic would not be pursued at this time. "Enshrining discrimination into the Constitution is a certain non-starter in relations between our nations. Until fundamental constitutional reform is seen in Nya Åland the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be advising against all but non-essential travel to Åland. I cannot assure Rokkenjiman or CSU citizens that their rights will be upheld in the newly-formed nation, and it's highly likely that they'll find themselves in legal trouble for simply practicing or displaying their faith in public." As no diplomatic installations presently exist within Åland the need for a Travel Advisory was ranked high by the Vicegerent. While a discussion and review of the developments are scheduled before the Imperial Council later this week it's certain that great scrutiny will be upon Åland in the coming days and weeks as it bears similarities to the Odinist Union of Nords. "The situation will be fully reviewed before the First Empire makes a final decision, however, I feel our position will change little," the Vicegerent continued. The RBC will bring you the latest regarding this developing story. |
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| Beatrice | 28th March 2015 - 09:50 PM Post #244 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Vicegerent Dismisses Odinist Discrimination Allegation The Vicegerent has dismissed allegations from Julia Vilhjalmsson, who called the statements and actions against Nya Åland a form of discrimination. "The First Empire holds nothing against the Odinist faith or its adherents, however, we do have reason to be concerned when the rights of other faiths are held as less important by a national government and that government is limited to a singular religious institution. We shall continue to share the concerns of our Dartfordian and Tytorian allies until the Odinist Republic has proven itself." The Vicegerent went on to address the Imperial Couple's visit to the UAE, which was mentioned directly by Julia Vilhjalmsson. "The principle reason behind the Imperial Couple visiting the UAE was the execution of Faron Fazareche, indeed the visit was announced well before the controversy regarding gender equality and the Modesty Regulations in the UAE. The Empress has been rather outspoken regarding her position on the death penalty and has similarly intervened in the past. The Imperial Couple will do all that they can to ascertain the situation regarding the Fazareche execution, as well as discussing the state of women's rights and gender equality in the UAE." The Vicegerent also stated that a Rokkenjiman diplomat would be in Nya Åland to discuss the concerns of the First Empire. "The Imperial Liaison for Albionic Affairs, Katherine Trinetti, will be on-hand for the Independence Day events in Nya Åland to discuss our concerns and foster discussion between our nations. Should our concerns prove to be overstated then we shall re-address our stance towards Åland, however, should our concerns and those of our allies, prove to be correct we shall maintain our position." Most Rokkenjimans remain supportive of present policy towards Nya Åland and will be looking forward to Ms. Trinetti's report to the Imperial Council. Until then, however, no changes are expected from Pyrena Castle towards the theocratic state. Rosari Church Explores Options In Transvaal In response to new religious taxes in Transvaal the Rosari Church has halted plans to build two temples in Transvaal, citing new tax law in Transvaal. "All funds raised by the Rosari Church are either used for the upkeep of our Temples or towards our charitable and humanitarian operations. Much of this money is donated to the Church for these purposes, thus I do not feel it would be appropriate to participate in this new tax," the Most Humble shared with the RBC. "It is my intent to apply for an exemption to these taxes and, if such an exemption is not granted, we have discussed plans for a monthly ferry to Rishiri Island to service the Rosari Faithful in Transvaal." We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 29th March 2015 - 12:01 PM Post #245 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Vicegerent Offers Support To Allies; Warning To Enlightenment  The Vicegerent addressed the developing situation earlier today Following reports from the Supreme News Network the Vicegerent has addressed the situation, stating that "the First Empire cannot stand by as Enlightenment harms our friends and allies." The remarks follow an apparent Enlightenment attack against the plane carrying Crown Princess Serenity and Prince Isaac. Footage released shows the plane being downed by fighters from the Achkaerin Air Force, though details regarding the exact nature of the situation have yet to be released. Enlightenment has called the relationship between the Crown Princess and Prince a "horrifying and disgusting union" and has threatened to separate the couple themselves. The Vicegerent's statement can be read below:
Rosari Church Recognized As Tax Exempt In Transvaal In a unanimous decision the Rosari Church has been recognized as tax exempt in Transvaal, resolving the concerns held regarding the future of the Rosari Church in Transvaal. Plans to ferry Rosari Faithful to the Temple on Rishiri Island will no longer be necessary as plans to construct one to two Temples in Transvaal may move forward. "I would like to thank Pope Frederick II, Minister Nixon and the Senate committee for their consideration and decision regarding the tax exempt status of the Rosari Church in Transvaal. Interfaith harmony and cooperation is crucial to promoting peace and understanding across Mundus, while this move allows our funds to continue to go to our charities and Temple upkeep costs," the Most Humble stated to the RBC following the decision. |
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| Beatrice | 29th March 2015 - 08:05 PM Post #246 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Elsa Deploys To 'Continuous Strategic Zone' For Exercises  Elsa, as pictured from Pyrettania, in the Sea of Kyne IRN Elsa has been deployed to the central Sea of Kyne for a series of exercises to be conducted jointly with the Royal Dartfordian Navy, according to Imperial High Command. The exercises, the first of which will simulate an attack against Elsa, will take place over a three-day window in an area declared the 'Continuous Strategic Zone' by the Dijel. Further exercises will test the missile defense capabilities of IRN Akatsuki, while another new class to the Imperial Rokkenjiman Fleet, IRN Kashiwa, will conduct systems tests and ICON interoperability as well. Once the Dartfordian vessels have completed their 'attack' role the two groups will combine, providing training opportunities for cross-fleet interoperability via ICON. "Needless to say these exercises are not directed at any one nation, having been planned for quite some time," Grand Marshal Cole stated. "As we've made clear these exercises are to test the capabilities of the Endeavour Class while providing an opportunity for interoperability exercises between the Imperial and Royal Navies. Furthermore, our intentions have been relayed to international governments to ensure no misunderstandings or confrontations take place. Officials in the Dijel and the broader region were informed that these exercises would be taking place in broadly recognized international waters," the Grand Marshal continued. Joining Rokkenjiman Task Force 'Sundae' is Dartfordian Task Force 'Sprinkes', comprised of one destroyer, two frigates and two submarines which were dispatched from HMNB Akrotiri. The IRN dispatched its Task Force from QKNB in Dartfordia. While the official line has stated otherwise some suspect that the exercises are directed towards the Dijeli Continuous Strategic Zone, a strip of water which connects Dauntel and the Dijel. Neither Rokkenjima nor Dartfordia recognize the CSZ as it extends farther than the internationally recognized claims allowed under the Fair Seas Concordat. "The Empress has proven willing to play unnecessary games, first in the Illumic and now in the Kyne. For the next three days the naval vessels of Rokkenjima, Dartfordia and the Dijel will be in close proximity, in waters which the Dijel consider vital to their national security. Certainly nothing could go wrong, right? Quite frankly I'm surprised the Grand Marshal went along with this scheme," Federalist Party co-founder Danielle Davey said of the exercises. For its part Pyrena Castle brushed off the remarks, pointing to the notifications sent prior to the start of the exercises and the memo released by IHC and RDN. "If maintaining an Illumic free from Warsaw's grasp was merely a 'game' to Ms. Davey I would suggest she consider a different career choice," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen said in response. "The exercises planned by Imperial High Command are for training and review purposes in recognized international waters, just as Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian Commands have stated. That is all Pyrena Castle has to say regarding the matter," he continued. We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. Task Force 'Sundae'
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| Beatrice | 29th March 2015 - 10:49 PM Post #247 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial High Command: Do Not Approach Naval Protection Zone Following an ambiguous report from Magilani News stating that Legion assets would be "moving towards and against any and all naval activity found to be a potential threat or hindrance to the Legion's ability to operate wherever it pleases," Imperial High Command has seen fit to remind foreign naval powers of the 700 yard Protection Zone which is declared by any Rokkenjiman vessel or Task Force. "For the safety of our Task Force and vessels in the area the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy maintains a 700 yard Protection Zone around any Rokkenjiman vessel or Task Force. Foreign vessels, submarines or aircraft entering this Zone without first announcing their identity, declaring their intentions and receiving clearance from the Task Force to approach will receive one warning, after which our vessels will be forced to assume a defensive response." In cases of emergency, or when such passage is unavoidable, foreign vessels and aircraft are instructed to contact the Imperial Rokkenjiman vessels on a common channel to ensure the safe passage for all vessels involved. The announcement seems to be a direct response to Magilani orders and movements. "Following the Olive Branch incident with the Borlanders we cannot assume that vessels approaching within this zone have friendly intentions, nor do we wish for our activities to place foreign vessels in danger. Thus this Protection Zone is just as much for the safety of other vessels operating in the area as it is for ours," the Grand Marshal continued. At the time of publication no response was available from Pyrena Castle. The RBC will continue to keep you updated on these developments. |
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| Beatrice | 1st April 2015 - 11:07 PM Post #248 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Elsa Meets Expectations On First Day of Tests  An RK-80N, launched from Elsa, conducts operations Elsa has "met and, in several ways exceeded" the expectations of Imperial High Command following what has been described as a successful start to joint Rokkenjiman-Dartfordian naval exercises. The tests, which focused upon Elsa's survivability and ability to strike back at attacking vessels, were conducted as 'Sundae' and 'Sprinkles' approached and entered international waters between the Dijel and Dauntel, which the Dijeli have claimed as a 'Continuous Strategic Zone'. Tomorrow's tests will simulate the attack and defense capabilities of the Akatsuki, while tests on the final day will test the ability of Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian cross-fleet interoperability. These final tests are expected to provide valuable training for crew members in what is considered a key function of ICON. No incidents have been reported following reports that the Dijel was dispatching vessels to 'shepherd' Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian vessels, with Imperial High Command confirming that the tests would proceed as planned. In a related story the Vicegerent has rejected claims of the Dijeli right that the internationally accepted standards are 'an instrument of Rokkenjiman imperialism in its purest form, imposed on the world without even the pretense of consultation'. "The Fair Seas Concordat was developed following the proclamation of Rokkenjiman territorial waters and the recognition that a set of internationally accepted standards was needed. In the pursuit of this internationally accepted standard the Empress cooperated with the Kingdom of Dartfordia to prepare a draft proposal to be presented to the broader international community." "Ever since these early efforts matters concerning the Fair Seas Concordat have been handled with a focus on international cooperation and the maintenance of fair, open and secure seas. To this day we have remained committed to this open and cooperative approach, thus consultation and collaboration have remained key components to the success of the Fair Seas Concordat we've seen in recent times. Throughout history the First Empire has proven its willingness and desire to work with the international community on matters of mutual concern, a record which has proven most successful. Should those in the Dijel maintain honest concerns regarding the FSC and wish to discuss them with me I would be more than willing to sit down with them so that we may all ensure the seas remain fairly open and safe for all sea-faring nations," the Vicegerent shared with the RBC. Opinion: MCUR Exemptions Hurt Albion  Jason Cole, CSTO Liaison to the CIS The year 2014 will be remembered for many things, from a series of wars borne of Warsaw aggression towards the international community to incidents of terrorism which stole so many lives from us. It shall also be remembered for many positive developments, cooperation and the growth of shared values between the several nations which gave birth to, and those which have since ratified, the Mundus Convention on Universal Rights. For the first time in the history of Mundus we saw the international community come together and recognize those rights which are not merely essential, but recognized as universal, protecting the rights of groups which have been (and in many cases still are) discriminated against and marginalized in society. The impact of this event should not be estimated, for it brings to hundreds of millions a gurantee that their rights, recognized not only by their nation of residence but also by several others, are protected, respected and enshrined by nation law; a solemn promise and social contract which cannot be easily broken. As many have been watching the progress of regional integration efforts in Albion one interesting development of this process has been a broad rejection of the MCUR; indeed many states have claimed 'exemptions' to signing the document. In the first draft of the Treaty of Albion, proposed by the Kingdom of Dartfordia, a bold and progressive statement was made in mandating the MCUR be a requirement of the Congress of Albion. For the first time upon any continent in Mundus the recognition and protection of universal rights would have existed on a continental level. As resistance to this requirement has proven strong, and with the number of exemptions claimed, Albion has given up on what could have been a historic and bold declaration. While some will claim tradition and religion and others will claim that the MCUR is an attack on their very culture we must recognize that such excuses, in actuality, carry little weight. Across the Ardian Empire owning slaves was in no way controversial and was very much a part of the culture, religion and daily life in ancient Ardia. Many Rokkenjimans were exported to live their lives as slaves across Ardia, yet few in the Empire spoke against these practices as it was their 'right' to own foreign-born people and, sometimes, their fellow poorer Ardians. A 'tradition' and 'element' of their culture which no one in the modern world would argue for on the same basis many are arguing against the MCUR. Today, the rights of women, LGBT individuals, and the pursuit of gender equality are attacked because they go against cultural norms and traditions, many of which speak to the past patriarchal dominance which has existed in many societies across Mundus. Is holding on to these relics worth holding back the potential of millions of women across Mundus; is the discrimination against LGBT individuals not inherently evil? These are the questions I would like to ask to those who would value and cling to tradition so blindly that they're content with a secondary set of rights and values for their slaves. As the Empress and Vicegerent pursue an expansion of the Ardian Entente I would implore both of them to learn from the mistakes of Albion. I find the words of Dartfordian Princess Georgia to be most inspiring as we revive the idea of a continental union for Ardia: "Signing this treaty is a bounding commitment to uphold rights that should be universal. Whether it means abandoning medieval death sentences, allowing people to marry regardless of race or sexuality, allowing people to legally change their gender, giving people the right to free education until they become an adult, or ensuring people have the ability to stand together with the freedom of peaceful assembly. “I have no doubt people will dispute many aspects of the treaty, it is controversial. But that is the very essence of why we are here. To be bold, to be inspirational." So let us be bold, let us be inspirational, and let us bring into fruition an Ardian Cooperative Union which not only benefits the nations of Ardia, but her Peoples as well. The past of our continent may have wrought suffering and great wrongs against other peoples, but today we have a unique opportunity to claim our shared history and dedicate it to something no other continent has succeeded at: universal rights, both in scope and recognition at its very foundation. I have every hope in Albion's continued march towards equal rights and hold the People of Albion in high regard. Thank you all for your time. |
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| Beatrice | 2nd April 2015 - 09:55 AM Post #249 | ||||||||||||||||||
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IHC: Tests Pose No Threat To Shipping Imperial High Command has sought to dispel concerns that the present joint exercises with the Royal Dartfordian Navy pose any threat to local shipping. According to Grand Marshal Cole, who spoke with the RBC earlier today, "the majority of our exercises have been computer-assisted, with no live munitions being utilized. Any 'kills' have thus been simulated with great attention and care being paid to civilian shipping in the region. It would be wholly irresponsible to conduct a live-fire exercise in this situation, thus when conducting testing yesterday utilizing the RK-80N to respond to Dartfordian 'aggression' dummy missiles were used to repel the attack.'" Speaking concerning the environmental concerns of the exercises was Lord High Steward Ofdensen, who echoed the extents which the Grand Marshal spoke of concerning weapons and systems testing. "As an island nation we understand greatly the effects damage to the marine environment can cause. We've designed our dummy missiles to remain afloat after firing to assist in their recovery, while ICON charts of the topography of the region have been updated and verified in the lead-up to the exercises to minimize the chances of our vessels colliding with underwater features. I am pleased to state that the concerns presented thus far have been addressed in advance of these exercises." Updating the RBC on her offer for talks with the Dijeli government in regards to maritime concerns and the FSC the Vicegerent stated that she was looking forward to discussions should they be requested. "While I have seen natural concern towards the exercises I feel that the Grand Marshal has taken great steps to put such concerns to rest. I do see many areas where we can work with the Dijeli government to ensure misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding the Fair Seas Concordat are addressed, while furthering the cause of Rokkenjiman-Dijeli cooperation in the future." Meanwhile, the second day of testing is scheduled to begin within the hour, which will see Akatsuki engage in a series of simulated scenarios to test her capabilities. The RBC will continue to keep you updated as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 3rd April 2015 - 04:37 PM Post #250 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Mystery Surrounds Project At Fogshore The Anderson and Kyne Shipyards, located in Fogshore, have remained closed since the Second Patriotic War drew to a close. While officials have claimed this was to "perform upgrades and modernize A&K Shipyards" some have questioned exactly what the extent of the work being conducted there is. Pyrena Castle has also waded into the situation, stating that "an announcement shall be made in two weeks." The nature of the announcement, while connected to A&K, has been left to speculation. The site has been restricted, with measures being taken to obscure the view of the Shipyards. It has, in many ways, become the open secret that no one was willing to address, until now. With a statement from Pyrena Castle scheduled in two weeks and the interest in this project increasing by the day we have to wonder, what will be announced? The RBC will keep you informed as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 3rd April 2015 - 11:44 PM Post #251 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Majority Of Rokkenjimans Against Barren Execution  Rebekah Barren is scheduled to be executed following the birth of her child Only 32% of Rokkenjimans stated that they support the execution of Rebekah Barren, the second wife of Kyle Barren who is pregnant with his child. As she is presently seven months pregnant King David ordered a judicial review concerning the execution, stating "I fully intend to allow justice to be served, however this situation is unique and certainly not one the laws books have encounted before. I feel it would be prudent for this issue of executing a woman who is pregnant should be decieded and I have instructed Judge Martin Harkness to rule." 65% of Rokkenjimans stated that the decision to execute Rebekah Barren amounted to a "cruel and unusual sentence," as Rebekah will be executed only seven days following giving birth, while 3% polled did not feel strongly either way. Although disagreeing with the decision, 45% questioned stated that they feel King David wasn't left with many options following the Clusky Intervention as well as the 'crimes which the Barren family have perpetuated against the People of East Moreland.' Of those who disagree with the decision the clear majority have called on the Empress to make an appeal as she did in the previously mentioned execution. When asked for comment Pyrena Castle stated that there were no plans for the Empress to comment on the matter. "The judicial system of East Moreland has reached a verdict and imposed a sentence while King David has taken steps to ensure the welfare of the unborn child, both until birth and following birth. The First Empire believes in the integrity of the East Moreland judicial system and has no reason to believe its integrity was compromised in the prosecution of the case against Rebekah Barren. As the concerns the Empress conveyed concerning the unborn child were satisfied due to King David's request for a judicial review the Empress has nothing further to comment upon in this case. Rebekah Barren made her choice when she knowingly decided to participate in a terrorist enterprise and took one of Mundus' most wanted terrorist leaders for her husband," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen shared with the RBC. While the Empress reportedly felt "pity" for Rebekah's situation she stated that her fate was of her own design when asked about her open letter to the Borland Separatists. "It is truly unfortunate and sad that, if a stay of execution is granted until birth, Rebekah will be separated from her child and put to death shortly thereafter. Having said that, it is her actions and words which have placed her in this position; not those of King David, his family or the People of East Moreland, but hers." The Empress is a noted opponent to the death penalty, as most recently highlighted following the Clusky Execution saga in East Moreland. |
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| Beatrice | 7th April 2015 - 08:25 PM Post #252 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy Engages In Supreme Sovereignty Operations  The Celestial Mk II Venerable has led a Task Force to address the Enlightenment threat Drones from the Venerable have joined the search effort for Crown Princess Serenity and Prince Isaac after their plane crashed. Coordinating with officials from both Achkaerin and Supreme Sovereignty Grand Mashal Cole stated that their primary concern was "finding the Crown Princess and Prince to ensure their safety while delivering emergency supplies to them once they are found. We presently have four IAS-22 drones searching the area where the plane is suspected of crashing, each carrying a kit containing water, meals, a tent, sleeping bags and medical supplies which can be deployed upon finding them," the Grand Marshal shared in a press conference earlier today.  The IA-27 has seen action in new Rokkenjiman operations against the Enlightenment terrorist organisation "The IAS-22, due to its long-range and ability to remain airborne for over 24 consecutive hours will prove to be a valuable tool in this search. Real-time data is being provided to our allies so they may review the same video and other information as we receive it," he continued. Joining the IAS-22 in the skies over Supreme Sovereignty were the IA-27 'Sonoran Blue', Rokkenjima's indigenous stealth drone. According to Imperial High Command the drones struck four targets across rural Supreme Sovereignty, although no further details were released at press time beyond the following statement: "I can confirm that, at 2:00 AST, IA-27s launched from IRN Venerable engaged confirmed Enlightenment sites in Supreme Sovereignty. Two of these sites were camps utilized by the organisation, whilst the other two were storage sites for weapons and other materials used in their attacks. As we build our intelligence in cooperation with our allies in Supreme Sovereignty we will tighten the noose around their leadership. The First Empire shall not rest until those who threaten her allies no longer have the capability to inflict harm upon them." Venerable has been providing supporting fire by way of her 16" main guns utilizing a variety of shells to strike targets which may be more difficult for the drones to reach. With a range of nearly 500 nautical miles the Harbinger line of shells enables a Rokkenjiman battleship to simulate the fire of several smaller surface vessels. IHC has stated that these operations will continue "so long as our allies require our assistance. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Crown Princess and Prince, and all who have suffered due to the barbarity of Enlightenment." |
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| Beatrice | 8th April 2015 - 08:52 PM Post #253 | ||||||||||||||||||
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First Empire Enacts Restrictions Against Non-MCUR Signatories  The MCUR has continued to be an issue of contention across Albion The Imperial Government has announced broad restrictions against nations which are not signatories of the Mundus Convention on Universal Rights following continued contention regarding the MCUR in Albion. Restrictions include a full ban on the transfer of arms, military hardware and related matériel, components which could be applied towards a military application, the sale of dual-use goods and technology and the transfer of civilian nuclear fuel and technology. Rokkenjiman businesses also face a restriction on the types of services they are able to offer non-MCUR signatories, most notably financial and brokering services, bans on certain forms of investment, as well as a ban on their participation (or collaboration) in military-related projects with businesses from non-MCUR signatories. Also included in the restrictions are an embargo on equipment which could be used for the purposes of internal repression. "The First Empire has long operated a values-oriented foreign policy," the Vicegerent stated from the Imperial Briefing Room. "We are beginning to see the increased application of restrictions against religious minorities and the right to peaceful assembly in Nya Åland, a lower, double-standard set for women in nations such as the UAE, and a continued lack of equal rights for same-sex and transgendered couples in others. To provide the funds, arms and matériel for this systemic abuse of rights is most certainly not aligned with Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy, thus it is crucial for this loophole to finally be closed. No Rokkenjiman goods, nor one Rokkenjiman Ducat, shall be used for the purposes of discrimination, bigotry and hate." The trade restrictions against non-MCUR signatories is deeply rooted in longstanding Imperial Policy in which Rokkenjima refuses to trade with human rights abusers, state sponsors of genocide and tyrannical regimes while echoing a proposal considered by the Imperial Council to bar trade with those who have not signed the MCUR. That proposal, which was proposed last summer and would have barred all trade with non-MCUR signatories, failed to gain widespread support in the Imperial Council. Both the Empress and Emperor later stated that "other methods were being pursued" to encourage broader adoption of the MCUR. The Emperor, speaking briefly with the RBC, weighed in on the present state of affairs in Albion: “I’m deeply saddened by the state of Universal Rights in Albion,” he told RBC, “we have always been considered the bastion of peace and stability – but such peace has led to a mixed development. We have some nations, like Dartfordia, Dijel and the UNP, all of who are very much in the 21st century. And then we have others who, regrettably, continue to pursue oppressive and backward policies under the guise of cultural relativism. It’s unfortunate that the Pan-Albion Congress could not thrust Albion forward in terms of Universal Rights, and a disappointment that Dartfordia and the UNP were forced to make amendments to allow non-MCUR signatories.” The Vicegerent later highlighted the situation in Nueva Ardia, where the Catholic Church has been essentially banned, while the Islamic community has faced increasing slander and discrimination. "As a signatory to the MCUR I find the passage of this law by the Common Peoples Assembly to be wholly incompatible with the principles of the Treaty. Article 9 of the MCUR guarantees the freedoms of thought, conscience and religion. I call upon the Chancellery to address this issue fully and swiftly, to restore the equal protection of the rights of all Nueva Ardian citizens. Should the Chancellery elect to not take action regarding these grievous violations of the MCUR the First Empire shall be forced to take the unprecedented step of legal prosecution." The Imperial Government raised the prospect that two Minstrel Class Amphibious Assault Vessels presently under construction following a deal announced by the Lord High Steward could also be delayed due to the situation. Construction Completed On Commonwealth Headquarters  Construction on the Palace of Nations, Headquarters of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, has officially concluded Construction on the Palace of Nations, the Headquarters of the CTO, has concluded in Kōgawa. As final work on the building continues the CTO will meet in Linsberg Palace, which it will share with the International Court. The grand opening of the Palace of Nations is to be held in two weeks time, an event which is expected to be attended by leaders and delegations from across Mundus. Funding for the Commonwealth Complex, which will be centred around the Palace of Nations, is being provided for through an international fund to which Rokkenjima contributes over half of the amount needed. "I am pleased to see the Palace of Nations nearing completion," the Empress shared with the RBC. "As construction concludes and the building is furnished we shall grow nearer to moving CTO operations from Linsberg Palace into this dedicated building. May the Palace of Nations stand as a symbol of international cooperation for many generations to come!" A no-fly zone will be declared around the Complex, along with other security measures, to ensure the safe and secure operations of the CTO. The RBC will bring you the latest on these developing stories. |
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| Beatrice | 9th April 2015 - 10:49 PM Post #254 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Addresses MCUR Policy Before Departing For Dartfordia Following an unprecedented statement in which Matthew Vinage-Sovetskie criticized recently imposed trade and financial restrictions upon non-MCUR signatories the Empress has weighed in. The statement from one of Rokkenjima's closest allies was met with disappointment from Pyrena Castle, with the Empress stating "Had Mr. Vinage-Sovetskie simply picked up the phone before his remarks he would have found his concerns satisfied. It's disappointing that the diplomatic channels which exist between our nations weren't used; instead, before verifying the details and approaching us, those concerns were communicated through the CQBS." Speaking with the RBC aboard the Austrana the Empress shared the following statement:
While the present situation is unlikely to damage long-term relations between the First Empire and the People's Paradise it is the first time the two allies have publicly aired dissatisfaction with each other. Many have stated that the Empress expressed her dissatisfaction lightly, referring to Vinage-Sovetskie as 'Mr.', whereas she usually refers to him as 'comrade'. Furthermore, the Empress has yet to address remarks from officials in Nueva Ardia and the Dijel although officials from Pyrena Castle suspect her remarks covered their concerns as well. In a related development Imperial High Command has stated that joint Rokkenjiman-Nueva Ardian defensive operations will continue "as usual" regardless of the present diplomatic situation between the two nations. "Regardless of the present situation, which I feel will pass, the threat of Zachachevanian action against Nueva Ardia warrants a proactive, vigilant posture. As an ally of the First Empire we shall do all that is within our power to ensure further unwarranted aggression against Nueva Ardia is halted before it begins," Grand Marshal Cole shared with the RBC. No word concerning the sale of two Minstrel Class Amphibious Assault Ships to Nueva Ardia was available at press time. Imperial Family Depart For Dartfordia  The Imperial Yacht Austrana before her departure from Rokkenjiman waters The Imperial Family, after returning to Rokkenjima briefly following festivities in East Moreland, departed for Dartfordia where they will spend the next month. The Imperial Couple, Crown Princess Adriana and Prince Lucius will be "visiting with their family and deepening their connection to Dartfordia, which the Imperial Couple will one day rule," according to the Rt Hon. Ofdensen. "During their visit to the Kingdom the Vicegerent and I will be discharging the responsibilities of the Crown on behalf of the Empress. The Empress shall be meeting with the Imperial Council once a week via video link, while the operations of the Imperial Government will continue uninterrupted."  A view from Austrana shared by the Emperor The King and Queen of Dartfordia released a brief statement prior to the Imperial Family's arrival: "We're both looking forward to their return and stay in Dartfordia. We hope it can demonstrate the Royal and Imperial Couple's dedication to Dartfordia, and will allow for our grandchildren to spend time in the country their parents will one day rule." In the past some in Dartfordia have felt that the Imperial Couple do not devote enough attention to their duties in Dartfordia, a conception that the Imperial Couple have been attempting to dispel for quite some time. Will this visit help towards putting these concerns to rest? |
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| Beatrice | 13th April 2015 - 10:22 PM Post #255 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjima Cancels Nueva Ardia Minstrel Sale  Pristina's return from operations in the Rokkenjima Sea Two Minstrel Class Amphibious Assault Ships presently under construction will enter service in the Imperial Patrol Fleet, according to an announcement from Pyrena Castle. "With the re-implementation of laws targeting Catholics in Nueva Ardia and the continued rejection of the MCUR it is, in the opinion of the Imperial Government, inappropriate to move forward with this sale. The First Empire will continue to cooperate with the Nueva Ardian government on areas of mutual concern, such as containing the further spread of Zachachevania, however further ventures shall not be considered," the Lord High Steward said. Speaking of the future of the vessels the Rt Hon. Ofdensen stated they will fill a role in the Imperial Patrol Fleet which is presently underdeveloped. "The Rokkenjima Sea has long been a peaceful sea in comparison to other bodies of water across Mundus. To assist with rescue operations and address threats to the maintenance of that tranquility the Imperial Patrol Fleet will receive the two Minstrel vessels originally destined for Nueva Ardia. IPV Dorian and IPV Siva will increase the IPF's ability to respond to situations in the region while reducing their reliance upon the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy for aircraft capabilities. Both vessels are slated to enter service before the middle of this year." In related developments the Imperial Diplomatic Corps have noted their concern with examples of religious intolerance rising across Mundus. Sources state that a program to invite members of religious minorities to Rokkenjiman embassy and consulate grounds is being considered. "Our doors would be open for religious ceremonies and open worship, rights which are under attack in some nations. As we saw a positive response from our services to the LGBT community, which included marriage and adoption services, we hope that this measure will enable people all across Mundus to exercise their rights," a spokesperson from the Imperial Diplomatic Corps stated to the RBC. It is expected that the Vicegerent will announce the specifics of the proposed program in the coming days. Empress To Give Exclusive DBC Interview The Empress is due to give an exclusive interview with the DBC, according to Pyrena Castle. "The Empress has agreed to sit down with the DBC to give an exclusive interview, covering a variety of topics including her future role in Dartfordia, contemporary international matters, and the future of the Rokkenjiman-Dartfordian relationship. It's the hopes of the Empress to connect with the Dartfordian People and introduce herself to them in a way which she has yet to do." A date for the Empress' interview has yet to be set, however it is expected to take place once the Imperial Family have settled in. The RBC will keep you up-to-date as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 18th April 2015 - 05:12 PM Post #256 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial High Command Confirms New Rokkenjiman Battleship  IRN Maelstrom as seen in the Rokkenjima Sea Imperial High Command has confirmed the existence of a new Rokkenjiman battleship, IRN Maelstrom, a derivative of the Katenka Class. Maelstrom utilizes the same main guns of the Katenka class, while possessing an additional compliment of Exocet anti-ship missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles. In addition the design of Maelstrom has been noted as being more streamlined, with Imperial High Command confirming that stealth considerations played a large role in her construction. What truly makes Maelstrom an advance over the Katenka Class, however, is the collaboration which took place between Anderson and Kyne Shipyards and East Moreland based SmartWar. "While Maelstrom employs typical armour protections we've seen in the battleships which have come before her A&K worked for many months with SmartWar to develop a naval variant of their armour tiles to enable Maelstrom to change her appearance to infrared devices. Great attention has also been paid to the radar signature of Maelstrom, while future upgrades will allow for further yields in radar absorbency and deflection. Combined with her ability to appear as a tugboat in the infrared spectrum we're confident that Maelstrom will further the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy's capability to strike anywhere and at any time of our choosing," Grand Marshal Cole shared with the RBC. According to reports from Imperial High Command the vessel, which was launched in a low-key ceremony from Anderson and Kyne Shipyards, is set to undergo further tests before being assigned to either the Home or Kyne Fleet. The Grand Marshal declined to state how many would be built, or if any of the advances seen in the Maelstrom would be 'backported' to the Katenka Class. "Further trials will take place over the coming weeks in the Sea of Kyne, including near the Ardian Gulf, to ensure the readiness of the ship. Then, following a review of our concerns and commitments, she will be assigned to either the Home or Kyne Fleet." While the project at Fogshore's A&K Shipyards was originally announced to "perform upgrades and modernize A&K Shipyards", which officials confirm was a part of the work, no details were announced at that time concerning a new vessel. With the stealth capabilities of the Maelstrom it is expected that she will be better equipped to infiltrate enemy waters should the need arise. The collaboration with SmartWar also marks the first time Rokkenjima has collaborated with a non-CSTO ally on a project of this scale. With Maelstrom's success we are certain to see expanding collaborations between Rokkenjima and East Moreland. |
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| Beatrice | 19th April 2015 - 02:58 PM Post #257 | ||||||||||||||||||
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First Empire To Pursue CSU-Wide Action Regarding Non-MCUR Military Aid Restrictions Citing concern that funds or armaments from CSU nations could end up in the hands of regimes which do not uphold the rights of their citizens the Vicegerent has announced the intent of the Imperial Government to pursue CSU-wide action on the matter. "It is the full intent of this Government to pursue a CSU-wide ban on the transfer of arms, military hardware and related matériel, components which could be applied towards a military application and the sale of dual-use goods and technology to non-MCUR signatories. We will also encourage a similar ban on participation, or collaboration, in military-related projects with businesses from non-MCUR signatories as well as an embargo on equipment which could be used for the purposes of internal repression. These are all common-sense measures to ensure that CSU member states do not aid the oppression of people in nations where human rights have, sadly, taken a back seat," the Vicegerent said in a statement delivered to the Imperial Diet. "Naturally states with financial constraints will see such restrictions waived while framework agreements towards being able to meet the terms are finalized, while states which have not yet had the time to ratify the MCUR will be granted a period of 90 days to do so. While some have, incorrectly might I add, stated that this is some effort to force non-signatories to sign the MCUR I shall continue to tell them that it is the sovereign right of nations such as East Moreland, Rokkenjima and the CSU to not sell them tools which would further assist in the oppression of their citizens. I am confident that our fellow CSU members share such concerns and will ensure that CSU funds and goods do not fall into the hands of tyrants," the Vicegerent stated. The move, which comes after the Dartfordian Parliament failed to enact similar measures, is widely supported across Rokkenjima with 67% supporting CSU-wide action. Meanwhile, the Imperial Government has announced that it will be coordinating with its CSU partners to ensure that any misconceptions about the proposed actions are dispelled. "A common understanding between our nations is necessary in ensuring such a program works, while taking every step to ensure that these restrictions are place only upon those states with a clear disregard for the rights of their citizens. We have a duty to each Cross-Straits citizen to ensure we're not aiding the forces of oppression and tyranny." |
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| Beatrice | 23rd April 2015 - 04:11 PM Post #258 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Pyrena Castle: Nueva Ardian Position 'Irrelevant' On MCUR Policy A condemnation from the Nueva Ardian government regarding the potential expansion of military restrictions towards non-signatories of the MCUR has been dismissed as 'irrelevant' by the Lord High Steward. "While the Nueva Ardian government may wish to portray Rokkenjiman, and possibly CSU, military restrictions upon non-MCUR signatories as some form of horrid sanctions, or a method of 'forcing' states to sign the MCUR I can state firmly and confidently that such propaganda is false, and it shall not influence the policy of the First Empire. As the Vicegerent has stated assistance will be provided to states who wish to sign but face financial hardship in meeting the requirements of the Treaty, while those states which actively reject the Treaty and hold the greatest potential for abusing the rights of their citizens will not be doing so with Rokkenjiman funds, arms or equipment. If Nueva Ardia feels so strongly about the sale of arms towards such states I should expect to see a condemnation of East Moreland policy as well, lest all this hot air prove to be nothing more than irrelevant propaganda," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen stated from the Imperial Briefing Room. In a separate statement, this time from the General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Rokkenjima, Michelle Larson called the Nueva Ardian position 'baffling.' "The Socialist Party of Rokkenjima has long supported the cause of equal rights, a fight which has been made increasingly more relevant today due to an increasing reliance upon discrimination by certain governments. It's disappointing that Nueva Ardia would, instead of supporting such values, take the MCUR and politicize it as a form of imperialism, especially seeing the international effort which went into its creation and high level of support it has enjoyed. There's a blatant level of hypocrisy at play here, and it's quite honestly baffling that our comrades would rather open the door to arming the next Stalin instead of standing for human rights. The Socialist Party of Rokkenjima will not be supportive of the reactionary positions Nueva Ardia unfortunately seems to be embracing." The First Empire has cancelled a deal for two Minstrel Class Amphibious Assault Ships and limited Rokkenjiman military assistance to Nueva Ardia to the force which is already deployed to the nation. "The First Empire remains dedicated to the containment of Zachachevanian aggression, however, further military cooperation or aid to Nueva Ardia would be considered inappropriate given the present situation. The present Rokkenjiman deployment, combined with the strength of the Home and Kyne Fleets, are more than ample assistance against whatever forces Zachachevania could ever hope to raise," the Lord High Steward said when asked of the continuing mission in Nueva Ardia. Imperial Government Welcomes Verover Revolution With Caution The Imperial Government has welcomed developments in Verover, while stating that future relations between Rokkenjima and Verover would be handled 'with caution' until the new state has established itself. "As we have seen in the past acting too quickly once a new government has been established can have dire consequences for all involved. Until the government put into place has had a chance to establish and prove itself the First Empire will approach relations with the new Verover with utmost caution and care. On behalf of the People of Rokkenjima and the Imperial Government I wish the Verovian People well in this endeavour, and look forward to the prospects for a new relationship between our Peoples," the Vicegerent stated from Pyrena Castle. She offered no timetable for potential relations, however, stating that the Imperial Government's position "will evolve as the situation develops." Smashing Pumpkins Play Sold Out Show In Dunwich  Frontman Billy Corgan sported a guitar with the Rokkenjiman Flag for the performance The Smashing Pumpkins played to a sold-out crowd in Dunwich, the proceeds of which are set to be donated to a variety of Rokkenjiman charitable ventures. The band's latest album, Monuments to an Elegy, topped Rokkenjiman charts and is a continuation of the Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project. Further dates across Rokkenjima have been confirmed, while the potential for a show at Akrotiri has not been ruled out. Following the Rokkenjiman tour a Dartfordian tour is in the works as well, where the Imperial Couple will likely see them play. A favourite of the Empress many songs on Zeitgeist are speculated to be influenced by the Federal Republic, especially the later days of the regime. While no confirmations have been received by the RBC a rumoured film set in the final days of the regime could feature music from the group. For now the focus remains on the present tours of the band and what will be the Empress' 9th time seeing them since the end of the Second Patriotic War. Future dates, along with ticket prices, will be available on our RBC Entertainment site. |
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| Beatrice | 23rd April 2015 - 05:19 PM Post #259 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Announces New Military Trade Policy Speaking from the Austrana in Dartfordian waters the Empress has announced new metrics which will be used when the First Empire engages in trade and business agreements with foreign states which does not rely upon MCUR signatory status. "When determining what types of deals the First Empire will be willing to engage in with a foreign state we shall take into account the human rights situation, as reported by independent organisations, before determining which categories of trade we shall engage in. Naturally states with poor human rights and a history of suppressing their People's rights violently will not be able to pursue military purchases from Rokkenjiman businesses, nor will any form of cooperation be available to such states. This, I feel, achieves the goals of Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy more fully than our present policy." The change comes amid continued attacks against the MCUR by Nueva Ardia, despite precedence for the policy being established before its implementation by the First Empire. "The attacks against the MCUR are unfounded and misguided, thus to remove any ammunition against this important Treaty I have established clear criteria within Rokkenjiman policy which is independent of using MCUR signatory status. The MCUR is a testament to international cooperation and a desire to ensure human rights are enshrined and protected and, unfortunately, present policy has allowed some nations to attack the MCUR. Today I am closing that avenue of attack while ensuring that Rokkenjiman funds and arms are not used by oppressive regimes." "It is rather unfortunate that, instead of working with and engaging a fellow Ardian Entente member, Nueva Ardia attempted to politicize this situation. Instead of engaging with their allies via established channels the Nueva Ardian government pursued a path of confrontation and borderline hostility, utilizing propaganda instead of approaching me to work together regarding our mutual concerns. These events have clearly damaged the trust between Rokkenjima and Nueva Ardia, and it will be the onus of the Nueva Ardian government to repair them. Should they be interested in a diplomatic relationship of trust and respect I shall look forward to their call; until then Rokkenjima shall maintain its Ardian Entente obligations towards Nueva Ardia while conducting all other diplomatic affairs through the Dartfordian Embassy in Nueva Ardia." With Rokkenjiman trade policy no longer considering MCUR signatory status as a factor many Rokkenjimans are supportive of the Empress' efforts to ensure the success of the Treaty. Nueva Ardian statements have clearly damaged Rokkenjiman approval of the nation, with 39% of respondents holding a favourable view of Nueva Ardia whilst 53% hold a negative view of the nation. 8% of respondents didn't feel strongly either way, although a majority of all polled also stated their hope for a 'return to cordial relations' at some point. For now, it remains to be seen whether the Nueva Ardian government will call, as the Empress asked, to repair relations. IRN Maelstrom Assigned To Imperial Rokkenjiman Kyne Fleet  Maelstrom fires her guns during systems tests in Bad Wolf Bay IRN Maelstrom has been assigned to the Kyne Fleet following a successful period of testing. "Reviewing the present needs of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy it has been determined that Maelstrom would be best utilized in the Kyne Fleet. I have already coordinated with our Dartfordian counterparts who will be coordinating with the Kyne Fleet to ensure she is used to her full potential," Grand Marshal Cole shared with the RBC. Maelstrom's first mission has not been announced and the message from Imperial High Command is that it won't be. "It is not necessary for the operations of Imperial Rokkenjiman warships to be reported upon in such detail. Imperial High Command will continue to keep the public responsibly updated upon its operations to ensure the Rokkenjiman People know that their Military is working to keep them safe." Maelstrom is speculated to be the centrepiece for a new fast-reaction force which will enable the Kyne Fleet to respond swiftly and forcefully "to any situation which occurs in the Kyne or on land touched by the Kyne" according to sources speaking on condition of anonymity. Regardless, Maelstrom has earned a following amongst ship buffs in Rokkenjima and Dartfordia. Both Imperial High Command and Pyrena Castle denied any link to the decision to assign Maelstrom to the Kyne Fleet was connected with the recent naval dispute with Dijel, stating that such assumptions were "ludicrous." No further comment was available at the time of press. The RBC will keep you updated as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 26th April 2015 - 12:33 AM Post #260 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Dijeli 'Battleship Killer' Not A Concern For IHC A new class of Dijeli Heavy Destroyers which have been called a 'battleship killer' are reportedly not a concern to Imperial High Command. "The Tigress-class is certainly impressive on paper, however, Imperial High Command does not feel it poses a threat to the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy. The Maelstrom Class, and the Katenka Class which it is a derivative of, are well defended against anti-ship missiles thanks to the Valiant Horizon missile defense shield. These proven systems, combined with the Harbinger shells employed upon Rokkenjiman battleships, ensures them the ability to defend against and engage threats, both present and foreseeable. A spokesperson for IHC also highlighted the capabilities of Harbinger shells and their role in modern warfare. "Utilizing a Harbinger MWS (multiple warhead shell) a Rokkenjiman battleship can simulate the capabilities of several smaller vessels in one package. With a range of 400 nautical miles and ICON guidance capabilities one shell, with its sub-munitions, can strike several targets independently or one target multiple times. These can either be land or naval targets, with Harbinger shells traveling at speeds between Mach 5 to Mach 7. This provides an unparalleled ability to deliver missile and shell based munitions which establishes the Katenka-Maelstrom classes as a proven, capable and powerful battle platform." The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy is set to receive 15 more Kashiwa Class Destroyers, the second half of 30 which are being constructed in Dartfordia. "The Kashiwa Class Destroyer places more focus on ground operations, furthering the capabilities of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy to respond to the changing landscape of challenges upon Mundus. Furthermore, we thank our Dartfordian allies for constructing the second half of this order, enabling Rokkenjima to field the Kashiwa Class twice as quickly as initially estimated," the Grand Marshal shared with the RBC. In a related story the Maelstrom is set for a voyage from Queen Katenka Naval Base, temporarily being re-assigned from the Kyne Fleet to head a Rokkenjiman patrol group in the Strait of Shaw. "To ensure the continued stability of the region, especially in light of present developments in Albion, this Patrol Group will work with our regional partners to ensure the traditional stability of the Strait continues. Whether it be the actions of a rogue state or undue expansionary policy, the First Empire and her allies are prepared to address any eventuality which impacts the strategic balance of the Strait of Shaw," Grand Marshal Cole stated to the RBC. Vicegerent 'Unpleased' By Nueva Ardian Shaw Base The Vicegerent has spoken regarding the announcement of a Nueva Ardian military base on the Strait of Shaw. The El Shaw base is reportedly being constructed to enable operations against Marseille, however the Imperial Government has condemned the move as 'needlessly provocative.' "A base sharing agreement would be expected for operations against a rogue terrorist state such as Marseille, however, constructing a base speaks of a Nueva Ardian intent to remain in the region. As we cannot identify any Nueva Ardian interests in the region, one which is historically important to the Cross-Straits Organisations, we can only see this expansionist move as provocative and will respond in kind," the Vicegerent stated from the Imperial Briefing Room. "As Nueva Ardia has continually shown its disdain for the international community and, now, its allies the First Empire will be considering pushing for the suspension or expulsion of Nueva Ardia from the Ardian Entente. The actions shown by the Nueva Ardian Government towards the First Empire are not those of an ally, nor are they the actions of a partner in the peace, stability and prosperity of Ardia. While the Imperial Government remains willing to addressing the issues facing the Rokkenjiman-Nueva Ardian diplomatic relationship thus far the Nueva Ardian Government has not taken the initiative. Therefore, it is the position of the First Empire that a suspension, or expulsion, of Nueva Ardia from the Ardian Entente may unfortunately be necessary," the Vicegerent continued. "The Imperial Government maintains the position that cordial relations with Nueva Ardia are preferable to the present state of affairs. Should these sentiments be shared with our counterparts I would welcome an opportunity to discuss the situation with Nueva Ardia so that suspension or expulsion is not necessary. So long as Nueva Ardia insists upon undermining her allies and showing utter disregard for her international neighbours, however, I do not see the situation improving." The Vicegerent did not mention South Hills during her remarks, however, sources close to the Imperial Diplomatic Corps indicate that talks could be held in the coming days regarding the Strait of Shaw base. Rokkenjiman forces presently stationed in Nueva Ardia have been given orders to prepare for a possible withdrawal according to sources close to Imperial High Command. "While IHC does not desire a withdrawal as the mission remains focused on containing Zachachevanian aggression, the orders have been issued to ensure that should Rokkenjiman forces be required to leave they may do so within 72 hours. IHC has also noted its concerns about the Strait of Shaw base and are coordinating with CSTO partners to increase patrols in the Shaw." No official coment from Imperial High Command was available at press time. The RBC will bring you the latest as these stories develop. |
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| Beatrice | 27th April 2015 - 08:27 PM Post #261 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial High Command Awards Contracts For Largest Rokkenjiman Warship  The Agronā Class Battleship will be the largest warship built by Rokkenjima Imperial High Command has awarded two contracts to build the largest warship in Rokkenjiman history: the Agronā Class Battleship. The main armament of the ship, 8 21.9" guns on four twin mounts, will be capable of firing a larger version of the Harbinger shell as well as possessing a full compliment of missiles, allowing the Agronā Class to respond to, and defend against, a variety of threats and targets. Abstergo Industries Defense Solutions Division has been awarded a contract to build two of the Agronās in cooperation with Anderson and Kyne Shipyards, whilst SHIplc, in cooperation with Harland Shipyard, has been awarded a contract to build a further two in Dartfordia. Both contracts are valued at nearly र1.58b ($6b) and are expected to provide thousands of jobs in Rokkenjima and Dartfordia. The Agronā, which is expected to weigh in at nearly 138,000 tons under full load, will replace the Victory Class battleship-carrier hybrid, and is expected to serve alongside the Katenka, Maelstrom and Celestial Mk II Classes well into the late 2050s. "The Agronā Class is a potent combination of firepower, survivability and power projection, capable of supporting Rokkenjiman operations across Mundus. Each of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Fleets will receive one Agronā, which will compliment the capabilities already represented by our existing battleships," Grand Marshal Cole stated to the RBC. No further information has been released concerning the vessels, which are expected to be completed in the coming years. Some have argued that the vessels are a response to Nueva Ardian dreadnoughts which hold a similar displacement of 135t, an argument which the Imperial Government has denied. "The Agronā is a natural evolution of Rokkenjiman battleships, meeting the challenges of today while preparing for the threats of tomorrow. Vigilance and foresight are put into each design, which is what we see in the Agronā Class. I am confident that these vessels will serve the defensive needs of Rokkenjima for decades," the Grand Marshal continued. The RBC will bring you the latest as Rokkenjima's latest battleship takes shape. |
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| Beatrice | 28th April 2015 - 02:18 AM Post #262 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Diplomatic Corps Completes Reorganization The Imperial Diplomatic Corps have completed a reorganization which has seen the establishment of five Regional Diplomatic Offices (RDO), from which Rokkenjiman diplomatic efforts can be coordinated. These RDOs include the Office of Ardian Affairs, the Office of Albion Affairs, the Office of Alba Karinya Affairs, the Office of Illumic and Tripartite Affairs, and the Office of International Organizational Affairs. The Office of Illumic and Tripartite Affairs also serves the Cotf Aranye continent as it has sufficient staff and resources to make another Office unnecessary. "Through the RDOs Rokkenjiman diplomatic efforts will be more efficient, swiftly addressing diplomatic incidents as they develop. Working with our network of embassies and consulates the RDOs are a strong extension of the resources available to the Imperial Diplomatic Corps," the Vicegerent told reporters. The announcement comes with a global re-alignment of Rokkenjiman diplomatic efforts, with a focus on "promoting the values of universal rights, self-determination, gender equality, democracy, international peace, stability and cooperation, as well as fostering an international atmosphere conductive to mutual respect, cooperation and stability." These goals are expected to be met through cooperation with allies and the recently established Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, as well as already existing international treaties. A renewed focus on building strong bi-lateral relationships between Rokkenjima and independent nations, which the First Empire has traditionally enjoyed a strong relationship of cooperation and friendship with, was also announced. "Building international consensus through diplomatic efforts is an area the First Empire has historically excelled at, and we've seen that many times in the past. A renewed focus on such efforts, and strengthening links with independent powers, will ensure Rokkenjiman soft power does not diminish as time passes. Rokkenjima has always lent its strength to nations and peoples in need, as well as fighting for the rights of the disenfranchised. I don't see these principles changing any time soon, and am pleased to see the Vicegerent clarify the Rokkenjiman position as we move further into 2015," Premier Faust said during a joint session of the Imperial Diet earlier today. Strengthening links between Rokkenjima and the continents of Albion and Cotf Aranye were also highlighted as key focuses of Rokkenjiman Foreign Policy. "While we have seen challenges related to human rights issues in some Albion states I am confident that the relationship between Rokkenjima and those of Albion will see significant improvements in the coming months. The Empress and Vicegerent have both stated that repairing relations with Albion nations would be a top priority of Rokkenjiman Policy. With the dedication and ability of the Vicegerent I am confident that these efforts will bear fruit," the Premier continued. The creation of the Ardian Cooperative Union also stands as a part of Rokkenjima's diplomatic efforts with the goal of establishing a regional organisation based upon the framework of the Ardian Entente. "While the ACU will be based on the work we've accomplished with the AE the ACU will be a separate, yet related, organisation to the AE. Increasing inter-continental dialogue and cooperation, however, can solve many more challenges than the military-oriented Ardian Entente. This is why it is the hopes of the Imperial Government that a majority of Ardian nations join us in this most important of efforts in our shared history," the Vicegerent shared with the RBC. Mundus Development Bank Summit To Take Place A summit which will determine the Charter of the Mundus Development Bank as well as its President will be taking place in Rokkenjima later this week. "To ensure that the MDB is a cornerstone for international efforts to alleviate poverty, hunger and disease across Mundus leaders from each participant nation, along with their selections to serve on the Bank's Boards, will be meeting in Rokkenjima to establish the Charter and common operating policies of the Bank. The First Empire looks forward to working with its allies and partners to ensure the success of the MDB and its mission to assist the less fortunate nations of Mundus," a statement from Pyrena Castle read. While some nations have stated their concerns regarding the MDB the Imperial Government has defended the institution as 'an important part of a renewed international system geared towards mutual cooperation and assistance of those less fortunate.' "The Mundus Development Bank will not be a tool used to subject any nation or people against their will, as such a use would go against the founding principles of the Bank. The character of the nations which have joined Rokkenjima in founding this institution has been proven noble, honest and valiant. These are qualities which will be reflected in the final composition of the Bank, in its mission, and in the work it does across Mundus. Once the summit has concluded I will have more to share with everyone," the Lord High Steward said in a statement to the RBC. Many Rokkenjimans support the cause of the Bank, while some remain worried that the concerns of nations such as Nueva Ardia could come to fruition. "The Imperial Government, in working with its allies and partners, will put into place every safeguard to ensure that such scenarios do not come to pass. Using the Bank to further corporate interests, or allowing it to turn into a breeding ground for corruption, are scenarios which would be detrimental to both the people we hope to help and our partner nations themselves. Thus we have every interest to assure that the scenarios proposed by detractors of the MDB do not come to pass," the Lord High Steward added. |
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| Beatrice | 1st May 2015 - 08:25 PM Post #263 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial High Command Orders Camp Sovereign To High Alert As political and military stability breaks down in Nueva Ardia Imperial High Command has ordered Camp Sovereign, Rokkenjima's temporary base intended to deter any further Zachachevanian incursions into Nueva Ardia, to high alert. Sources close to Imperial High Command have reported refugees turning to Camp Sovereign for 'protection' from what is developing into a dangerous situation across the nation. People from Belleza, which is located near Camp Sovereign, and as far away from Santa Rojo have sought shelter in the base which, to this point, has been allowed by Field Marshal Harvey Lento. Speaking with the RBC the Field Marshal said the situation near Camp Sovereign was 'tense.' "Naturally the situation we find Nueva Ardia in is less than preferable, however, our mission remains to deter Zachachevanian aggression. Any expanded mission profile would be handed down by IHC, which has yet to take place yet. The Grand Marshal has authorized Camp Sovereign to 'host' up to 750 civilians for the duration of the conflict, a capacity we're fast approaching. So long as we remain below that threshold we will continue to accept refugees seeking shelter from the growing conflict." The possibility of refugees being flown out of Camp Sovereign has been raised as a possibility, which would allow more civilians to escape the spreading violence. "IHC will be utilizing the resources of the IRN in a humanitarian role to assist the People of Nueva Ardia. In the coming hours the Grand Marshal will be releasing a plan which, to my understanding, calls for a carrier and hospital ship to be deployed to the region. We will also update as to the current status of Rokkenjiman forces in Nueva Ardia," the Field Marshal stated to the RBC. In related developments elements of the Kyne Fleet have received orders to deploy to the Ardian Gulf for the third time in recent history. Expedition is amongst those which have been ordered to deploy, and would be the likely flagship of any task force in response to the situation. With the attitude Imperial High Command has displayed thus far it is unlikely that Rokkenjiman forces will play a role in the conflict beyond a humanitarian capacity. How that shapes up will be revealed when the Grand Marshal issues his update. We'll continue to bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 2nd May 2015 - 12:40 AM Post #264 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cross-Straits Treaty Organization Reconfirms Military Policy The CSTO has reconfirmed its military policy following a meeting held at the CSTO Headquarters in Rokkenjima. At the meeting it was determined that there was a need to "clarify and reconfirm" CSTO military policy to ensure that there were no misconceptions about the mission of the CSTO in foreign nations. Speaking from the Imperial Briefing Room the Vicegerent, on behalf of the Empress, presented the military policy of the CSTO, highlighting "the defensive nature of CSTO military understanding." The policy can be viewed below:
Continued programs of cooperation between CSTO members, including ICON technologies and training exercises, were also reaffirmed at the meeting. "The CSTO is, first and foremost, an alliance of defense and trust. We are not here to dictate to the world, nor do we wish to engage in any unnecessary military operations. We seek the defense of our member states, while also heeding the calls of our independent partners should they be in need of assistance. CSTO policy lays out clear guidelines, thus it is my hopes that we can put to rest concerns of some CSTO 'world police' force," the Grand Marshal said in remarks after the meeting. The clarified policy has resolved concerns held by some in Rokkenjima that, following the fall of the Warsaw Alliance, the CSTO was embarking on 'unnecessary military operations' not connected to the defense of a CSTO member. It has also satisfied concerns noted by the Imperial Diet regarding military spending and a brief period of tensions between the First Empire and Nueva Ardia. "I appreciate the efforts of the CSTO, as well as the Vicegerent, to clarify where our defense posture stands. The sustainability and relevance of the CSTO depends upon a wise defense policy which I feel we've seen today," Premier Faust shared via telephone. |
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| Beatrice | 3rd May 2015 - 11:40 PM Post #265 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Vicegerent: Whaling 'Cruel and no longer necessary' The Vicegerent has come out in support of the effort to save pilot whales from a hunt allowed by the government of Nya Åland. "While there was perhaps a time where people had to depend upon the slaughter of whales for food and other supplies that time has passed. With the resources available to modern governments and societies we have the ability to provide food for our citizens without pushing yet another species of whales over the brink and to the path of extinction. I support the actions of Queen Matilda, the personal involvement of the Empress, and all others who band together to assist these creatures from slaughter," the Vicegerent stated to the RBC. Recognizing the implications of having the Empress personally present for the effort to draw whales away from the proposed hunt zone the Vicegerent has allowed the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy to dispatch two Ruby Class submarines and two Kashiwa-class Destroyers which will ensure the safety of the Imperial Yachts. "Rokkenjiman military vessels will not be participating in the effort, and will only be on hand to ensure the safety of the Empress. The IRN takes no position on the whale hunt, and does not intend to interfere in this situation," the Grand Marshal said during a press conference. In related developments IRN Maelstrom has returned to Queen Katenka Naval Base following a cancellation of her involvement in the Strait of Shaw, a mission which has been reassigned to the Home Fleet. According to Imperial High Command the battleship is set to be "re-tasked for duties closer to the Kyne Fleet's area of responsibility," a move which some have speculated includes forming part of the 'defense flotilla' for the Empress during the WMO's operations in the region. Both Imperial High Command and Pyrena Castle have refused to comment on these rumours, with the Rt Hon. Ofdensen calling speculation of the development "unnecessary and unproductive." The Empress, who is presently preparing for a DBC interview aboard the Austrana was also unavailable for comment. The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 4th May 2015 - 11:48 AM Post #266 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Rokkenjiman Army To Downsize Imperial High Command has announced that the Imperial Rokkenjiman Army will be downsizing following a period of increased force levels. Active forces serving in the IRA saw an increase to 925,000 prior to the Soviet invasion of Meche and have remained at that level since. Despite the ongoing turmoil in Nueva Ardia and recent Zachachevanian aggressions, however, Imperial High Command feels confident that a reduction at this time would not harm the short or long term security interests of the First Empire. The Grand Marshal explained the plans, and their reasons, further with us earlier today. "The downsizing of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Army has been planned in such a way that it accounts for present situations, and provides flexibility for future situations. The United Soviet Russia, as well as the Warsaw Alliance, are no longer major threats to the First Empire, thus maintaining an active military to combat those threats is not necessary. For these reasons the IRA will see its active forces reduced from 925,000 to 525,000 in the short-term future before reaching its target of 400,000 active service members. The Imperial Rokkenjiman Air Force will also see reductions, from a present active force of 335,462 to 245,000 over the same time period." "This gradual approach ensures that any future commitments are capable of being met while bringing the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces to levels reflective of the present situation. In working with the Empress, her Council and the Vicegerent we've designed a plan for the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces which best compliments the abilities of our diplomatic assets. The need for military force is greatly reduced, if not eliminated, when we give our diplomats the time, and support, to succeed." Although we submitted a request for comment the Vicegerent was unavailable prior to press time. Imperial Address Nears: Foreign Affairs Likely To Dominate Pyrena Castle has confirmed that the Imperial Address is set to be issued this Friday. This years address, much like last years, is expected to cover many foreign developments, highlighting successes such as the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, a broader adoption of the FSC and MCUR, as well as Rokkenjiman initiatives such as the Mundus Development Bank. With the formation of the CTO and the continued strengthening of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps the Empress is expected to discuss Rokkenjima's commitment to international cooperation while calling for efforts towards de-escalation and peace across Mundus. When asked for a preview of the Address the Lord High Steward offered us a brief glimpse. "The Empress believes that through building upon Rokkenjima's strong soft-power capabilities that the cause of international cooperation can be forwarded while strengthening the prospects for a more secure and peaceful Mundus. Such an atmosphere of increased prosperity and cooperation will see Rokkenjima's leading role in the international community defined by her diplomacy, not by force of arms. In short, I believe we'll see the Empress highlight the successes of the Vicegerent, Princess Euphemia, in reforming the Imperial Diplomatic Corps while redefining the cases where Rokkenjiman military power will be applied. Naturally many domestic issues are scheduled to be addressed, with a historic amendment being made to the Constitution in a joint effort championed by the Emperor." If the Lord High Steward's preview is accurate the Imperial Address is set to resonate with a populace which has seen several military engagements in recent history. This year the Imperial Address will be delivered from the Austrana, which will be anchored in Dartfordian waters. While this fact has proven to be somewhat controversial by some Rokkenjimans others see it as a fitting example of the Empress' message of cooperation given the extensive relationship between Rokkenjima and Dartfordia. The RBC will be airing the Imperial Address live. |
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| Beatrice | 7th May 2015 - 07:43 PM Post #267 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Princess Evanthe Stands In Secretary-General Nomination  Princess Evanthe during a visit to Sonne, Estvua Prefecture Princess Evanthe, former Vicegerent of Rokkenjima and former Secretary-General of the Covenant of Nations, has thrown her hat into the ring to become the first Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, the CoN's successor. Princess Evanthe, who's known globally for her work as Rokkenjima's premier diplomat, called for many of the institutions which the international community has broadly supported including the MCUR, Uppsala Convention, and the Mundus Development Bank. An outspoken advocate for eradicating hunger, poverty and the burdens of debt upon the less developed world many see the Princess as a visionary, while her diplomatic prowess is renowned throughout Mundus. While the First Empire elected not to nominate a candidate for Secretary-General Pyrena Castle has stated that it supports the nomination of Princess Evanthe, with the Empress remaining "confident that her skills, experience and drive for a better world position her as the best candidate for the position of Secretary-General." Speaking briefly with the RBC Princess Evanthe spoke of the need for cooperation, understanding and efforts towards peace across Mundus. "In my opinion we have had several opportunities for a de-escalation of tensions across Mundus which have been passed up, as well as several cases where we've seen tensions ratcheted up for seemingly no reason. There's been several events which have been cause for hope as well, such as a renewed emphasis upon diplomacy taking place in several national governments. However, recent and ongoing conflicts in Vendosia and the SEN reflect the need for a strong, capable and independent CTO to find peaceful resolutions where none may otherwise be available. Furthermore, the situation we see in Nueva Ardia highlights a need for a CTO which can likewise lend its assistance to prevent chaos, working with all parties to resolve any underlying issues, whilst preventing tragic losses of life and destruction." Princess Evanthe closed her discussion with us stating that she hoped diplomacy would be sought out more often than military options, with "a clear and present need for understanding presently existing. We cannot return to an era of gunboat diplomacy, nor that of nations imposing their values upon others through the show, or use, of arms. Only by first respecting each other may we find a common understanding, and the CTO is the perfect venue to further that cause. Unilateral actions, a refusal to understand or respect others, and replacing diplomacy with military action will only perpetuate an atmosphere of tension and conflict." The RBC will keep you updated regarding the results of this election. |
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| Beatrice | 9th May 2015 - 11:19 PM Post #268 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Disappointment Regarding Secretary-General Election In a 5-4 vote Timothy Carpenter has been elected the first Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation, defeating Princess Evanthe in a surprising upset. The Princess, who offered her congratulations to Mr. Carpenter shortly after the results were announced, refused to comment on the election any further with the RBC, releasing only a short statement. "With the election of a Secretary-General the work of the CTO can now begin. I am confident that the CTO will be in good hands, and I'll be sure to explore my options in the next Secretary-General elections." With the Secretary-General elections behind her the Princess stated she would be considering many different ventures, though the exact details surrounding them have yet to be released. The opinion across Rokkenjima has been a mixture of shock and disappointment, with the Princess having been the presumed favourite. Her unparalleled experience in international relations, as well as her forward-looking vision in which she called for the establishment of many of the vital treaties and institutions which presently exist, led many to conclude her election as a near certainty. "The results of the election were certainly unexpected, and I'm concerned that we've chosen a relatively untested candidate to head one of Mundus' vital institutions. We cannot afford on-the-job training in the many challenges the CTO shall face, thus I can only hope the optimism the Princess holds for Mr. Carpenter does not prove to be misplaced," said Francis Delani, international political analyst of the RBC remarked. "While I'm certainly not pleased with the results I don't believe the 'fear, uncertainty and doubt' which Mr. Delani is using to describe the situation is necessary," Sarah Nelson, a potential Centre candidate for the Commons shared with us. "Ms. Anselmo has every opportunity to put her name forth for future consideration while adding yet more experience and qualifications to her resume, while Mr. Carpenter has an opportunity to prove the nay-sayers wrong through doing an excellent job. There is little need for any animosity towards Mr. Carpenter, or East Moreland, as our nations share a broad understanding and several mutual values." The Empress, meanwhile, congratulated Mr. Carpenter on his victory while stating that Rokkenjima was pleased to see the CTO 'meet its milestones in a timely fashion.' "Together with the many member states of the CTO we can work together to make Mundus a more peaceful and stable world, resolving conflicts and addressing many matters of importance in a strong international forum. There is more work to be done, such as encouraging more states to join the CTO to further our collective abilities and opportunities for cooperation. The First Empire will work with its fellow CTO members to see these goals met, and to strengthen the international institutions that safeguard peace and stability throughout Mundus." |
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| Beatrice | 12th May 2015 - 02:47 AM Post #269 | ||||||||||||||||||
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BREAKING: Explosion Damages Imperial Yacht  Austrana has been forced to return to QKNB following a suspected terrorist attack After suffering an explosion in an apparent terrorist attack as she neared the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nya Åland HMY Austrana was forced to return to Queen Katenka Naval Base. The Imperial Yacht reportedly limped to QKNB under her own power despite suffering 'extensive damage' to her bow. The Imperial Couple, who were aboard Austrana at the time of the suspected terrorist attack, were transferred to the Estvua which was on hand to participate in WMO actions against Ålander whaling. Both Imperial Yachts returned to QKNB following a decision by Imperial High Command that the situation was too dangerous for them to remain. Already the Arovium Liberation Army, a front of the Littlebrook Liberation Army aimed towards anti-Rokkenjiman operations, has declared responsibility for the attack. "So long as the Oppressor Empress and Pretender Emperor continue to use their Throne to oppress the free peoples of Mundus the ALA will strike at them using any means at our disposal. The ALA stands in solidarity with Ålanders and their right to this hunt, a hunt which will provide food for their People. This attack shall serve as a warning to any element of the oppressor regime that further interference in this matter will be met with swift and direct action."  Workers examine the damage to Austrana in dry dock, QKNB. Repairs on the Imperial Yacht will begin following further investigation. The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy had dispatched vessels to protect the Imperial Couple, however, due to orders from Imperial High Command this escort force remained some distance from the Austrana. "The Imperial Government condemns this most vicious attack against the Imperial Family," the Rt Hon. Ofdensen said from the Imperial Briefing Room. "The ALA has proven, once again, that their attacks come only under the cover of cowardice, jeopardizing not only the lives of the Imperial Family but also those upon each other vessel in the area. The Imperial Government will cooperate with her allies and all regional powers to investigate this matter to the fullest and bring about an end to this scourge of terrorism." The nature of the attack has not been released to the media although sources close to Imperial High Command report that the attack was carried out with a custom-made submersible typically employed in the drug trade. These so-called 'narco subs' have become increasingly advanced in recent years, being fully submersible and specially designed to evade detection via radar, infrared and sonar. Sources suspect that the submersible was filled with explosives which were detonated upon reaching the Austrana. Four crewmembers were reported injured due to the attack, with a further five killed when the bow was ruptured. A further statement made on sites frequented by terrorist organisations stated that the attack was also a response to recent incidents of so-called 'gunboat diplomacy' conducted by Rokkenjima and Dartfordia against the Dijel, as well as a 'dismissal' of Dijeli and UAE culture. "The ALA will continue its defense of these cultures against Rokkenjiman and Dartfordian aggression," the statement read. The Imperial Government declined to comment concerning the content of the messages. The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 12th May 2015 - 09:01 PM Post #270 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Premier Urged Rokkenjiman Caution In Recognizing Principality  The Premier, seen here celebrating a Centre Party victory in a Kavanian special election, aired her concerns regarding the Principality. Premier Yuriko Faust has aired her concerns regarding the Principality re-established by Prince Abran Penultimo. "When I met with Grand Chancellor Pelita at the Camp Chester Conference the woman I met was not one who would sell her country out, nor was she a woman who I believe would betray her People. I could see grief in her eyes, though the source of that grief I couldn't be sure. When I met the Grand Chancellor I met a principled and dedicated woman, thus when the Empress consulted me concerning the rebirth of the Principality I urged further investigation before the First Empire engaged in relations with this new regime." The Imperial Council, of which the Premier is a member, considered her report as well as the information available on Prince Abran and the government he has established before making its decision. "Before we can recognize the Principality we must first ensure that the reasons behind the coup hold up, as well as establishing that the People have supported this change in government. To rush into supporting the Principality based upon the word of Prince Abran is a gamble the First Empire has no interest in making. We shall, with our international partners, investigate the matter before recognizing the Principality," the Premier continued. The Empress, Emperor and Vicegerent were in unison in supporting the course of action proposed by the Premier, highlighting the increasingly powerful role Premier Faust plays in Rokkenjiman foreign policy. "When the First Empire approached the Thematan Government without adequate intelligence we soon found that corruption and foreign interests dominated the government. Such mistakes cannot be repeated, thus if the facts check out we'll be more than pleased to engage the Principality. It will take time as the Empress said, a decision which the entirety of the Imperial Council supports," Katherine Albright, Imperial Councilor for Foreign Affairs shared with the RBC. In related developments the Imperial Government has authorized the East Moreland contingent of the Joint Emergency Team to utilize Camp Sovereign should permission for it to enter Nueva Ardia be granted. "As Camp Sovereign served as a home to countless refugees during the conflict we look forward to cooperating with JET in any way possible to alleviate the situation facing displaced peoples and refugees," Grand Marshal Cole said in a statement. The public has been increasingly supportive of the Rokkenjiman deployment to Nueva Ardia, which came shortly after the Zachachevanian invasion of the Ardian Entente ally. We'll continue to bring you the latest regarding this developing story. |
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| Beatrice | 16th May 2015 - 05:00 PM Post #271 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjiman Forces To Return From Nueva Ardia Following the conclusion of a JET mission conducted by the East Moreland contingent Imperial High Command has announced that the Rokkenjiman deployment to Nueva Ardia will be ending. "With serious questions about the legitimacy of the Principality, coupled with our assessment that the situation has evolved to a point where Zachachevanian transgressions against Nueva Ardia are unlikely to resume, the presence of Rokkenjiman forces in Nueva Ardia is no longer necessary, or appropriate. We look forward to cooperating with the East Moreland contingent of JET to better assist refugees, a mission which should be of concern to the broader international community," Grand Marshal Cole said in a statement to the RBC. Meanwhile, others have speculated that the utilization of a 'narco sub' in the attack against the Austrana also played a role in the decision. "Suspected black market activity centred around the Matilda Channels points to a possible Nueva Ardian contribution to the attack conducted by the ALA. Whether or not this contribution came from a government source or a criminal enterprise is irrelevant. The First Empire will be investigating these possibilities while calling for more to be done to tackle the operations of black markets which have been known to funnel funds to terrorist organisations in the past," an unnamed official stated to the RBC. Pyrena Castle has not officially stated its position on this possibility, however. The transition of the mission from containing Zachachevanian aggression to supporting humanitarian causes has been well received in Rokkenjima, with broad support across the Empire. Rokkenjiman forces presently stationed at Camp Sovereign are expected to return to Rokkenjima, while the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy has already given notice that its vessels "shall not be utilizing Nueva Ardian ports or facilities" even as Rokkenjiman ground forces remain in the nation. "Should IRN vessels in the region require refueling, resupply or maintenance services the facilities exist in both Aeternum and Novincia to support such needs." Commentators have shared their views that the episode represents another souring of relations between the nations following concerns about the legitimacy of the Principality, which was proceeded by the MCUR controversy. "Brave Rokkenjimans do not need to shed their blood to defend a regime even our own government lacks faith in, so I'm pleased to see our soldiers will be returning home," one comment to social media read. It is a sentiment, it seems, which is shared by many Rokkenjimans. The RBC will continue to bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 17th May 2015 - 03:49 PM Post #272 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Questions Abound Over Nueva Ardian Referendum; Duchy of Marseilles With current data pointing to 70% of Nueva Ardians being in favour of the Monarch questions have arose concerning the validity of the referendum. "With no way to verify the validity of the referendum the First Empire remains doubtful, especially since information regarding the supposed actions of the former government remains to be seen," a brief statement from the Imperial Council read. While the referendum is on course to affirm support for Prince Abran it appears unlikely that the First Empire will alter its course. With the continued lack of trust between the two nations it remains increasingly unlikely that reconciliation will come anytime soon. In related developments the Empress has issued a Decree in which she clarified policy in regards to the Duchy Of Marseilles. The Empress stated that "Following terrorist attacks for which the Sorority has declared responsibility for foreign military powers, perhaps with the best of intentions at heart, have made moves to prepare for such campaigns. The Principality of Nueva Ardia, in particular, has made its intentions rather clear through securing a military base in South Hills geared towards possible actions in the Duchy. This is a most destabilizing and reckless course for which the First Empire has made its displeasure known." The Empress went on to declare that unilateral military action was not a wise response to the attacks of the Sorority, stating that "the First Empire believes that the best course forward is assisting the Government of the Duchy in addressing the Sorority, not unilateral military actions which will only serve to destabilize the region." An offer of conditional support was then extended to the Duchy, hinging on cooperation geared towards addressing the Sorority. That offer has yet to receive a response from the Duchy. Some have speculated that the Decree is, in part, a response to the 'El Shaw' military base in South Hills operated by Nueva Ardia and its stated purpose of potential operations against the Sorority. "Unilateral military action would serve only two purposes: destabilization of the region and an undermining of the CTO's ability to address the situation. The Empress has offered a way forward which preserves regional stability while buying the CTO the necessary time to address the situation," the Lord High Steward said in comments to the press. The RBC will bring you the latest regarding these developing stories. Imperial Government Condemns Barren Execution Reversing course from previously stated policy regarding the execution of Rebekah Barren the Imperial Government has condemned the execution. "Following a period of tense and heated debate it is the opinion of the Imperial Council that the execution of Rebekah Barren is an act of cruelty which is not normally seen amongst enlightened societies. Both the Empress and Emperor share their shock and disappointment in the signing of the execution warrant by King David, and implore East Moreland authorities to find a more humane and ethical punishment for the crimes Rebekah Barren stands convicted of. The killing of Rebekah Barren is no more just than the several acts of terrorism, murder and destruction conducted by the Borland Separatist Movement and, in the opinion of the Imperial Council, does nothing to pursue true justice. The pursuit of revenge, in this case, does nothing to serve the best interests of all involved parties, especially those of the child." The Imperial Council went on to question what message this sends to the international community. "Recently we saw the election of Tim Carpenter to the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation. As an institution which is designed to foster international cooperation while upholding a sense of justice on the international stage the Imperial Council is concerned that this execution sends the wrong message. Whom determines an execution in East Moreland is 'just' while executions elsewhere are 'unjust'? The taking of human life, irregardless of the crimes of the convicted or the supposed moral standing of those carrying out the execution, is an action for which no parallels exist." "Furthermore, the statements of Chief Councillor Hugo McGregor leave little hope that this execution will do anything to solve the underlying issues surrounding the Borlander Separatists. He has not only indicated, but essentially confirmed, that this will not be the last of these executions. How much blood needs to be let out, and how many pounds of flesh extracted, before the futility of addressing only violence be recognized? Without addressing the totality of the situation, unfortunately, East Moreland will likely be embattled for the next century with no real solutions in sight." The Empress confirmed that the Imperial Government continues to view the Borland Separatists as a terrorist organisation, with the assistance of the First Empire available to address the threat they pose. "The Rokkenjiman People remain committed friends to East Moreland, however, we must implore our friends to consider a better way forward in addressing the Borlanders. Alex remarked to me recently, ‘The thought of one of our dearest friends signing a person’s death warrant makes me feel physically ill', and this is a sentiment which I find myself sharing. We take this stance not to slight an ally or to stand against them, but to support them." |
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| Beatrice | 18th May 2015 - 11:23 PM Post #273 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Prince Abran's Explanation Delivered  Independent polling has verified Rokkenjiman approval ratings of the Empress "And as somehow my 70% approval in polls is malicious, and then I’m curious about Empress Beatrice’s seemingly high approval rating and the general populations’ blind attitude to show no opposition, if we’re slandering world leaders now simply because they’re good at their jobs and the people love them then I demand an explanation.” So ended the triad Prince Abran directed towards the Empress and Rokkenjima itself, a triad which has done little to improve Rokkenjiman's views towards the embattled Principality. The Imperial Government considers the statement "in-line with typical Nueva Ardian conduct." In response to the Prince's request for explanation two independent polls were conducted, one by PallyPoll of East Moreland and Jade and Son Polling of Achkaerin. These independent polling institutions conducted a series of polls across Rokkenjima to determine the approval ratings presently enjoyed by the Empress. Current available domestic numbers, produced by the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, has the Empress' approval rating at 87%, while PallyPoll's results marked the approval rating at 84%. Jade and Son Polling of Achkaerin has the Empress' approval rating at 86%. Speaking from the Imperial Briefing Room the Rt Hon. Charles Ofdensen proclaimed, "Mr. Abran, there is your explanation. Polling agencies independent of the governments of East Moreland and Achkaerin, in a series of polls conducted by their employees, have shown that the level of support enjoyed by the Empress is in-line with numbers found by domestic Rokkenjiman agencies. The attacks against the legitimacy and integrity of Rokkenjima proposed by Prince Abran can thus be dismissed as part of a most immature tantrum." Concerning the remaining content of the statement the Lord High Steward pointed to recent Rokkenjiman history. "Rokkenjima has among the most active foreign ministries throughout Mundus, and the overwhelming majority of our relationships are, and have been, positive and mutually beneficial. Rokkenjima continues to be a committed partner to independent nations, as evidenced by its renewal of these historic ties as well as fostering CTO cooperation to ensure independent matters are fully considered and receive equal attention before all organs of the CTO. Our record speaks for itself." Ardian Security Council Elections A Wasted Opportunity In an election which saw Nueva Ardia and South Hills elected to serve on the Security Council on behalf of the Ardian region the Premier has termed the results "a wasted opportunity. Whereas a nation which was involved with every step of the formation of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation and its predecessor, one which has been committed consistently to international peace, stability, and equality and one which has lent its strength to the weakest among us we have instead elected a nation recently emerging from domestic turmoil which has real questions about its legitimacy and a nation which has shown inconsistent interest in bettering the international community. There was an opportunity to effect progress, and it is an opportunity which has been missed." The Lord High Steward, speaking on behalf of Pyrena Castle, offered the following brief. "Rokkenjima is pleased to see the election of Seaforth, Achkaerin and the appointment of the UNP to the Security Council. The Imperial Government will be reaching out to Seaforth and Achkaerin to cooperate on Security Council matters, while also reaching out to the UNP as part of our pledge to empower independent voices upon the Security Council. We will also look to coordinate with our Ardian partners, including South Hills, to ensure that the Ardian voice upon the Security Council is fairly and equally representative of the will of the Ardian People. The Empress offers her congratulations to those elected and appointed to the CTO, an organisation which Rokkenjima continues to be fully committed to." In regards to comments made by the Premier the Lord High Steward had the following to say. "The Imperial Government has offered its views on the Security Council elections; so too has the elected Government through the words of Premier Faust. It is not the habit of Pyrena Castle to silence the voice of the Premier, and we shall not begin trending towards establishing that habit now." The Office of the Premier was elevated in the recent government restructuring to have a seat on the Imperial Council as the highest elected official in Rokkenjima. During her tenure Premier Faust has been vocal on many foreign developments and shares a "solid working relationship" with the Empress. The RBC will continue to bring you the latest on these developing stories. |
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| Beatrice | 20th May 2015 - 12:38 AM Post #274 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Vicegerent Explores Rokkenjiman-Nueva Ardian Dialogue Following recent tensions with Nueva Ardia the Vicegerent has again stated that "the lines remain open" in regards to relations between the two nations. "The First Empire did not pursue this state of affairs between our nations, nor did it seek to sow discord among the nations of Ardia. While we have seen some actions and statements from Nueva Ardia which have set relations back the First Empire has kept the lines of communication open. Should those avenues be utilized I am confident that we would be in a position to put an end to the issues which continue to hamper the Rokkenjiman-Nueva Ardian relationship." "A further exchange of words as we've seen between the Empress and Prince Abran do nothing to serve the interests of Rokkenjima or Nueva Ardia, nor do they contribute anything to international cooperation and stability. We must move beyond the shadow which past tensions have cast over the present diplomatic relationship between our nations, and as I've stated several times in the past the lines of communication to my office remain open. Diplomacy is the greatest tool towards resolving issues if given the chance. I do hope to see the proper channels utilized to resolve lingering issues between Rokkenjima and Nueva Ardia," the Vicegerent said in a statement. In related developments Nathaniel Work, Junior Assistant to the Imperial Media Liaison, commented on a recent piece from 'The People's Eye'. "Following a coup which has displaced the legitimate government of Vendosia it is of little surprise that the new government would seek to foster further cohesion by selecting a foreign target to distract from the very real troubles being suffered at home. It is reminiscent of the United Soviet Russia which also pursued such policies whilst their state collapsed around them. As the First Empire recognizes the Vendosian Government-in-Exile as the legitimate government of Vendosia the Imperial Government will not be responding to this baseless disinformation." |
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| Beatrice | 24th May 2015 - 02:48 AM Post #275 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Security Council Inaction Undermines The Council An Opinion Piece by Evanthe Anselmo Since the close of Security Council elections our Ambassadors have had time to settle into their offices, make acquaintances with their colleagues, and get to know their way around the Palace of Nations. Important international situations, such as the complex issues surrounding the Nya Åland whale hunt and the incidents involving protestors, violence in Vendosia, and the ongoing saga of the Sorority of Maeterna. Yet not one of these issues have been brought up for discussion by the Security Council, nor has the Council been convened yet once since the elections. This state of affairs, that of inactive leadership, is failing the role the Security Council was intended to fulfill. In the lead up to Security Council elections we saw an ambitious campaign by the First Empire which sought not only an empowerment of the independent voice but also an Ardian seat focused on promoting values commonly held by the overwhelmingly vast majority of CTO members. I spoke at length with Vicegerent Euphemia to congratulate her on the plans she and the Imperial Diplomatic Corps had constructed, as well as their intent to send an impartial, unbiased Ambassador to the Security Council. Although these efforts were not given a chance to bear fruit I am confident that by the next elections of the Security Council the foundation they've laid in place will be employed for the full benefit of the international community. Until then, the diplomatic channels are available to continue the work they began in preparing for the elections. As the composition of the Security Council presently stands the CIS has two nations elected and, soon, one appointed to serve upon the Council, with no CSTO nations among those elected. During the Commonwealth Conference great effort and concern were shown towards ensuring fair and equal representation, however, those efforts have not shown results. Do understand that I am not faulting nations for their votes, I am simply stating that a desire for equal representation, coupled with irrational sentiments towards the CSTO have produced a Council absent of a very large part of the international choir, and one which has consistently acted in the interests of international peace and stability when others declined to act. While I personally feel that alliance politics should play no role in the operations of the Commonwealth it is inevitable that they will play a role, and managing that role responsibly is something we must put into place swiftly. I hope to see increased activity from the Security Council in the coming days and weeks, as well as some of the energy devoted to the elections being shown in the Council itself. The Security Council has a most crucial role to play in the Commonwealth, however, that role can accomplish nothing if the Security Council declines to act. The very reason why we implemented a Security Council was to place the responsibility of maintaining international peace, stability and harmony upon a body chosen by the nations of Mundus, no longer relying on the capabilities of the CSTO and CIS. This new system can accomplish great things, and address situations better, than military alliances borne in the days of Warsaw aggression and expansion. Wise leadership will set precedents for the Security Council just as certainly as unwise leadership will. We must ensure that the Security Council, through wisdom and courage, tackles the issues facing the international community before they spiral out of control to the point of armed conflict. In the case of Nya Åland we saw an excellent opportunity for the Security Council to act, provide a multilateral solution and ensure that the situation does not escalate into a regional conflict, or broader. Instead we have seen more of the same, with parties acting in a unilateral manner which only defeats the purpose of the Security Council and weakens its position in problem solving situations. I remain confident that we will see great things from the Security Council as the caliber of several of the elected nations has been solidly proven. With the building blocks in place all that is needed is for them to come together to build an institution which will bring an end to the cycle of instability and conflict which has worsened in recent times. Until then I, and all other people who look to the CTO as a new hope and new way forward, wait for the Security Council to be proactive, take action, and take on the responsibilities accorded to them by the Commonwealth Treaty. In the mean time, inactive leadership will not serve the best interests of the international community. |
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| Beatrice | 27th May 2015 - 11:39 PM Post #276 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Duchy Of Marseilles Rejects Conditional Offer: Empress Again Cautions Against Unilateral Action Following a rejection of the conditional offer of Rokkenjiman assistance to the Duchy of Marseilles the Empress has again issued a statement of caution against unilateral actions in the nation. "Although the Duchy has rejected the conditional Rokkenjiman offer the First Empire still considers unilateral actions within the Duchy's borders as a threat to regional security. As we've seen in the attack against the UAE, an attack which the First Empire condemns in the strongest terms, it is necessary for the international community to come together to address this threat in a multilateral, Security Council-sanctioned manner." Despite the rejection of the conditional offer of protection the Empress has approached South Hills, Seaforth and Achkaerin for a mandate to "dissuade foreign military powers from embarking upon unilateral military actions in the Duchy of Marseilles. As we believe the position of Nueva Ardia has been compromised in regards to this issue Rokkenjima, which already possesses assets in the region and access to Quinntopian bases and ports, believes that it would be best positioned to ensure the stability of the situation until the Security Council has convened regarding this situation. This mandate would allow the Imperial Rokkenjiman Air Force to operate near the Duchy's airspace, while also allowing the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy the ability to ensure carrier and other naval operations directed at the Duchy do not take place." While the Duchy has rejected the conditional offer a request for assistance has been lodged with the Mundus Development Bank to promote "the economic welfare and security of our nation." When asked what course of action would be taken by the Bank the Empress responded, "That will be a decision of the governing body of the Mundus Development Bank. Clearly there are several needs facing the Duchy, with a deteriorating security situation the nation is quickly proving itself as a breeding ground for terrorism. Rokkenjima would urge caution in any aid destined for the Duchy, with oversight being provided by the Bank to ensure funds are not misused." Regarding statements made concerning Nueva Ardia the Empress clarified her position. "While it is concerning that Nueva Ardian forces were within the Duchy we must find out more before determining what steps to take next. We've seen Nueva Ardian moves directed towards Marseilles in recent months, so I would certainly be interested in knowing why Nueva Ardian forces were present within the Duchy. Regardless, the First Empire believes that a multilateral approach to this challenge is the only way forward toward a sound and lasting solution to this crisis." The RBC will keep you updated as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 31st May 2015 - 03:35 AM Post #277 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Green Party Leader Calls For 'Strategic Partnership' With Dartfordian Green Party  Green Party Leader Shinzō Abe Is Hopeful About Upcoming Elections Following news that the Green Party (Dartfordia) had threatened to withdraw from the Coalition Government with the Socialists Rokkenjiman Green Party Leader Shinzō Abe reached out to his Dartfordian counterpart, Caroline Bennett, to form a 'strategic partnership'. "Here in Rokkenjima we see great dissatisfaction with the Centre Party which, since coming to power, has enjoyed two majority governments. While I hold nothing against the Rt Hon. Hartnell I, and a growing number of Rokkenjimans, feel that the Party he founded has lost touch with its principles. When our Emperor sought to remove discrimination from the Throne, a venture the Empress strongly supported and acted upon swiftly, our Premier took a position fighting for discrimination. I can't ever imagine that he (Hartnell) would have done the same." Current polling data puts the Green Party as the biggest winner in upcoming elections, although most polls do not see the Green Party gaining an outright majority. The next government, therefore, is shaping up to be a coalition government, a coalition which the Greens are expected, somewhat ironically, to form with the Socialist Party. "It is quite remarkable to see the numbers as they stand today, with the Socialist Party on track to be the second largest party in the Imperial Diet. At present they hold 53 seats in the Commons and 9 in the House of Councillors, so to say this turn-around is historic would be putting things lightly," RBC commentator Nick Lyons said concerning the developments. "When the Greens win in the upcoming elections, and win we will, we will begin to undo the harm the Centre Party has inflicted. We can see where things have gone wrong in Dartfordia with several important policy initiatives failing, not the fault of the Green Party but a coalition partner unwilling to uphold an agreement they made. As both our parties face the prospects for elections I wish to offer the Green Party of Dartfordia a strategic partnership, one which will translate into stronger green initiatives, more sound foreign policy, and a more harmonious relationship between Rokkenjima and Dartfordia. Let us plant the seed for that future today and work together as we go into what are two crucially important elections." Current support for the Centre Party has fallen sharply, from 67% to 23%, with many calling for early elections. Much of the damage followed Premier Faust's remarks concerning reforms to the Line of Succession, which she opposed, as well as her comments regarding CTO elections. Furthermore, many Rokkenjimans have pinned the blame for poor relations with Nueva Ardia upon Premier Faust, saying that she 'botched' diplomatic efforts towards the nation. Requests for comment made with the Office of the Premier went unanswered. We'll bring you the latest as this story develops. Empress Responds To 'Missus' Comment After the Emperor made remarks in which he referred to the Empress as "the missus" the Empress has responded, calling the remarks "not the wisest choice of words." She went on to say, "The way I look at things the Emperor, although a valued member of the Imperial Council, had a lot of free time on his hands before taking up teaching. I support his desire to teach and if he wishes to take on more hours I would also support that. When speaking, however, he has to remember that he speaks not just as the Emperor of Rokkenjima and the Prince of Dartfordia, but also as a teacher that our youth will be looking up to." "At the end of the day," the Empress continued, "the Emperor and I are in a loving, committed relationship, we have two children to raise, and our relationship won't be damaged due to a comment made during an interview. In Rokkenjima women are often the head of the household, and our household is little different. I know full well that he isn't sexist, that he's fiercely dedicated to his family; the principles he holds precludes him from being sexist. The next time he speaks I'm certain he'll give more consideration to his words and the influence they have." |
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| Beatrice | 2nd June 2015 - 06:20 PM Post #278 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Will Not Recognize Absent King As Richard Cameron declares himself King Richard V of Seaforth and proclaims the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Seaforth the Empress was quick to dismiss the events, according to a statement from the Imperial Briefing Room. "Neither the Imperial Government, nor myself personally, will be conferring any recognition upon Richard Cameron or the Kingdom of Seaforth. Rokkenjima shall continue to recognize the Seaforth Confederation of Clans as the sole legitimate Government of Seaforth, and Archon Joshua Rhodes as its sole legitimate Head of State. A 'King' who has been absent as "his" nation twice burned and "his" People twice suffered is neither a King nor a man, but a coward," the Empress' statement read. "When our own nation faced trials and tribulations, the oppression wrought by the Federal Republic, I did not allow others to lead for me, nor did I allow others to fight our battle alone. I returned to Rokkenjima, I stood with our forces on the front line and I fought with our People to restore freedom to our Empire and People. Mr. Cameron, where were you as King Josiah fought for Seaforth in the Civil War? Where were you as Archon Joshua took on the Catholic Church and rebuilt Seaforth? You have provided no leadership to Seaforth nor no reason for the People to trust you, for if a King is unwilling to lead how can he expect to be followed?" "Neither your name nor your blood entitles you to proclaim yourself a King, your actions, or lack thereof, have already proven you do not posses the qualities of a King. Leadership is service, it is sacrifice, it is putting the needs of your People and Nation above those of your own. It is not hiding, nor waiting for others to lead and establish stability, before announcing your desire to play King. I have seen for myself the principles and valour of the Rhodes and am confident that their hard work will continue to serve Seaforth well. An absent King who had no interests in serving his Nation in its darkest hour, however, shall only prove to be an unwanted hindrance." The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. Vendosia Runs Out Of News In other news the People's Eye has run out of worthwhile news stories to print, resulting in a series of stories and poems being ran. While the RBC finds the artistic quality of the poems ran in the most recent copy of the People's Eye to be intriguing, if factually incorrect, we hope that the pursuit of journalism will bring new and engaging stories to The People's Eye. In the mean time the RBC World Service is available across Mundus and is easily accessible via web, short-wave, AM, FM and television broadcasts. As an institution which values independence and unbiased reporting we are confident our services will be more than capable of satisfying Vendosian's need for global, accurate and prompt journalism. |
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| Beatrice | 4th June 2015 - 09:15 PM Post #279 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Kalashnikov's Remarks 'Concerning' Pyrena Castle has aired a message of concern following what it considers 'the aggressive stance assumed by a once friendly nation.' Following the fall of the United Soviet Russia and the proclamation of the Slavic Federation President Kalashnikov visited Pyrena Castle in what the Empress calls "a friendly and frank discussion" concerning the Rokkenjiman-Slavic relationship. Calling the message released by Kalashnikov "a worrying flashback to the blatant aggression of the United Soviet Russia" Pyrena Castle stated that "such a policy will not bring the Slavic Federation any benefit, only isolation in a world which is seeing an increased desire in international cooperation and understanding.. Rokkenjima, her allies and independent partners will ensure their safety, while working with the CTO to ensure global stability is upheld." The statement is available in full below:
The Vicegerent also made known her concerns regarding statements from Odmony in regards to the Kingdom of Dartfordia. "Dartfordia has long stood as a power which has advanced the causes of democracy, human rights and self-determination while taking a stance against examples of contemporary imperialism. The Kingdom has also lent its support to aid programmes for Odmony, while desiring a warm and friendly relationship with Odmony. That they would continually paint Dartfordia as an example of imperialism or, worse, as a threat to the peace of Albion, is confusing and only serves to further antagonize the relationship." The RBC will keep you updated on these developing stories. |
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| Beatrice | 5th June 2015 - 04:51 PM Post #280 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Pledges 'Solid Contribution' To CTOMM  Servicemembers of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Air Force during a Review (May 20th) Two Theatre Fleets, with a third being placed on stand-by, have departed Naval Command Alpha and Queen Katenka Naval Base in preparation for operations under a CTO Mission in Marseilles. Many members of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Air Force have also seen their leave cancelled, as Imperial High Command calls upon fighters, bombers and drones to take part in the action. Between twenty-five to thirty thousand members of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Army, meanwhile, have been put on stand-by, with the option to call upon more reserves, vehicles and equipment being authorized by Pyrena Castle. These moves come as the Security Council continues its debate and vote upon measures concerning the Sorority of Materna, which is suspected of having an extensive network within the Duchy of Marseilles, a network which has been used to launch attacks against several nations. "Rokkenjima has long believed that multilateral solutions are necessary to combating threats to the international community, and this threat is no different," the Empress shared with the RBC. "Our original Draft Resolution was prepared, and submitted, before video provided evidence of potential links between the Duchy and the Sorority. Regardless of that the First Empire remains committed to a Security Council sanctioned solution and is pleased to see the Security Council moving towards action on this matter of grave importance. To ensure that unilateral actions against the Duchy do not make the situation worse, and to provide the power necessary for the CTOMM, I have authorized several elements of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces to deploy and prepare for deployment upon the authorization of action."  RK-80Ns conduct exercises in the Strait of Shaw "Given the reach of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy, the capability of our Air Force and a history of cooperation and trust with the international community Rokkenjima has volunteered to lead the CTOMM. The First Empire is well positioned to ensure a successful leadership of the Mission, with a military command which has extensive experience in collaborating with forces from several different nations. While some have clamored for revenge and others have dismissed the importance of a Security Council solution Rokkenjima, from the first day of this crisis, has supported a multilateral, Security Council sanctioned response. I hope that the Security Council will take these facts into consideration so that not only the success of this Mission can be ensured, but also the long-term peace and stability of the region." The Imperial Government has been highly critical of the Nueva Ardian position towards the crisis, accusing the nation of "not taking its responsibilities to the Security Council seriously and, potentially worse, acting in a manner which could undermine the Council," as said by the Lord High Steward during a press conference this morning. Following revelations that Nueva Ardian forces were in the Duchy of Marseilles, forces which were killed following covert operations within the nation. The proposed expansion of the El Shaw Base was also a topic of discussion, with some calling the proposal "opportunism at its finest." The RBC will bring you the latest regarding this developing story. |
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| Beatrice | 15th June 2015 - 06:20 AM Post #281 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Grand Marshal Would Welcome Sora Penultimo To IRN  The Grand Marshal gave his remarks following a meeting with the Vicegerent Following reports that Sora Penultimo wishes to serve in the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy the Grand Marshal has stated that he would "welcome Sora just as I would any other Rokkenjiman to serve in our Empire's prestigious Navy. I served in a Rokkenjiman Navy which saw much of its fleet rust in port, with less than thirty seaworthy vessels at its disposal. We took that force during the Second Patriotic War and reminded not only the Republicans but the world that the Rokkenjiman Navy, regardless of the challenges before it, will always endeavour to successfully fulfill its mission. That mission is the protection of this nation and her People, as well as being the greatest shield the Empress has at her disposal. Where others would fail her the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy shall always stand ready to defend Chrysanthemum Throne, its Subjects and Rokkenjima until the last Rokkenjiman sailor has drawn their last breath." The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy has long been recognized as a special institution within Rokkenjima, with the Admiralty having its own Councilor upon the Imperial Council since the establishment of the First Empire. In previous eras the Admiralty commanded a similar position, an integrated part of the Rokkenjiman Armed Forces yet possessing a level of independence rarely known of abroad. "Throughout its history the Rokkenjiman Navy has enjoyed a level of autonomy, even during the Republican era the Navy was not wholly subservient to the Federal Republic. This was reflected in the state of the Rokkenjiman Navy prior to the establishment of the First Empire, a force which remained loyal to the Anselmo Family whom they believed would restore Rokkenjima," said Archer Bence, a Rokkenjiman historian. While some have aired their concerns about Sora Penultimo joining the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy the Grand Marshal rejected those fears as unfounded and unfair. "Half-Rokkenjiman or not, it matters little; the call to the sea is in the blood of every Rokkenjiman and service in the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy is certainly an honourable way to pursue that calling. Having lived many of my years at sea I can tell you this: there exists a unique bond between sailors which transcends politics, nationality, and other such matters which consume much of our time. I am confident that Sora Penultimo would serve Rokkenjima with the pride, honour and dignity of the fine men and women who came before him and would welcome the opportunity to accept his entry into the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy." When asked of the ongoing situation regarding the Duchy of Marseilles and potential Rokkenjiman leadership of the CTOMM the Grand Marshal spoke briefly. "The Duchy is in a state of turmoil, one which I discussed at length with the Vicegerent this evening. We have a nation and people parylized by religious extremism which continues to expand its capabilities and reach. We've already seen a wave of attacks across Mundus, which is why the CTOMM is so important to bringing peace and stability not only to Marseilles, but to the region as a whole. I share the Empress' belief in the CTOMM as the right solution to the crisis and, should Rokkenjima be selected for this role, I will endeavour to see a coalition of partnership which will fulfill the mandate set forth by the Security Council fully, competently, and compassionately so that we may see a lasting solution." Your Daily Brief: - Empress Beatrice to formally comment on Challenger Tragedy, offers "deepest condolences and the full support of the First Empire in these dark times." - Empress to return to Rokkenjima following interview with Andrew Marr and further visits with Dartfordian Royal Family. - Vicegerent supports Illumic Council solution to the crisis in Zimalia; "Rokkenjima will lend her support to any solution spearheaded by the Illumic Council." - General Assembly votes on measure which would provide a mechanism for the removal of Security Council members. - Ghost reveal Papa Emeritus III, marking a new era for the popular Rokkenjiman band. Meliora is slated for an August 21st release and is expected to top Rokkenjiman charts. |
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| Beatrice | 17th June 2015 - 09:19 PM Post #282 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress, Princess of Arovium Respond To Achkaerin  The Princess of Arovium has come to the defense of the Secretary-General Both the Empress and Princess of Arovium have responded to recent remarks from Achkaerin, most recently by Minister of Commonwealth Affairs Cheryl Holmes. The Empress, who has remained silent on the matter following revelations of a message from the Emperor to Emperor Peter of Achkaerin regarding the Security Council vote, its results, and the response of the Holy Empire. "The Emperor reached out to Emperor Peter, a man we both consider to be a close friend, in private correspondence to air his concerns and frustrations regarding Achkaerin's response thus far. While I can certainly understand the disappointment which must be felt by the Holy Empire I do not believe that airing private correspondence before the media is proper decorum, nor do I feel it honours the friendship which has existed between our families; I am, frankly, surprised to see that Emperor Peter has chosen to make the matter public," the Empress shared with the RBC. "While the CTOMM vote has presented short-term issues for the Rokkenjima-Achkaerin relationship I expect they shall pass, however, I frankly grow tired of the Emperor consistently being a target of character assassination by the media, most times due to the statements or actions of foreign leaders. Rokkenjima considers Achkaerin to be a close friend and ally, and as such our disagreements were communicated via private channels. Should the Holy Empire share our commitment to that friendship I would hope to see such instances not transpire again, with any disagreements being handled through the appropriate channels, not the media." The Princess of Arovium, also speaking with the RBC, defended the Secretary-General and his conduct during the CTOMM vote. "During my time as Secretary-General of the Covenant of Nations I learned how difficult it can be to gather international consensus around an issue, especially those of grave importance to the international community. It is a difficult position and one which requires patience, wisdom and the will to reach a solution even in the most pressing of times, as we see in the Duchy of Marseilles. I do not feel that the Secretary-General should be faulted and applaud his efforts to bring the CTOMM vote to a successful resolution. Lives will be saved and stability restored now that the Security Council has sanctioned action," Princess Evanthe said. "Furthermore, had I been in the position Mr. Carpenter was, I would have approached things in very much the same way, weighing each candidate in an unbiased manner. I am offended that my objectivity would be brought into question, especially as I have shown before that I am capable of making decisions in an unbiased and fair manner. I would also remind the Minister that I no longer hold any position within the Imperial Government, or any claim to the Imperial Throne. Having publicly stated my disagreements with Imperial Policy before I have more than proven my ability to approach matters involving Rokkenjima without showing undo favour." Regarding the rest of the statement the Empress stated that fears of a CSTO-dominated CTO were "ridiculous" and "hypocritical". "At present the CIS holds two seats on the Security Council with a possible third as well: those of Achkaerin, Seaforth and Odmony; thus if any alliance were to presently be considered in a position of dominance it would be the CIS. This is a state of affairs I, and other delegations at the Commonwealth Conference fought to prevent, designing and intending for the CTO to be free of the undo influence of any one alliance. Meanwhile, I would remind the Minister that not one member of the Security Council is a member of the CSTO." Finally, speaking on the Grand Marshal, the Empress stated that "his experience is highly respected throughout the First Empire and across Mundus. To state that his experience is confined to CSTO operations is ignorant of the career Grand Marshal Cole has served. I, nor any member of this Imperial Government, would levy such remarks against Rion Ayanami. However, as I stated before, this is a matter which I expect will be resolved swiftly between our nations, and look forward to putting this state of affairs behind us." In related news Pyrena Castle has refused to comment in depth on the brewing situation between Achkaerin and Nueva Ardia. "While the First Empire remains curious as to what the forces of Achkaerin were doing within Nueva Ardia's borders we remain hopeful that clarification will come regarding this situation. The First Empire remains committed to upholding its commitments to the Holy Empire as well as those to the Ardian Entente. The First Empire encourages all parties to resolve this situation with level heads before pursuing further military options. Following the interview with Mr. Marr the Imperial Family will be returning to Rokkenjima in light of these developments," a statement from the Lord High Steward read. The RBC will bring you the latest on these developing stories. |
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| Beatrice | 20th June 2015 - 04:49 AM Post #283 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Family Returns Home Early The Imperial Family have returned from Dartfordia a week early due to the worsening situation in Nueva Ardia according to Pyrena Castle. Andrew Marr, who was scheduled to interview the Empress, has accompanied them upon the flight home to conduct the interview from Pyrena Castle. "As things continue to worsen we felt it was important to return to Rokkenjima as swiftly as possible. Our visit to Dartfordia was enjoyable, and offered a great chance to reconnect with our family there," the Empress said upon touching down. "However, the situation demands our presence in Rokkenjima as we gear up for the CTOMM as well as yet another crisis involving Nueva Ardia," she continued. When asked where the First Empire stood regarding its commitments to Achkaerin the Empress stopped our reporter mid-sentence. "The First Empire is wholly committed to the defense of our allies should our assistance be requested. Our respective Foreign Ministries are coordinating to address this situation, and I am confident that any effort to condemn the Holy Empire will fail." "The diplomatic relationship between our nations will not be derailed due to a misunderstanding before the Security Council," the Empress continued. Plans to reduce the size of the Imperial Armed Forces have been suspended, while it has been rumoured that vessels of the Illumic Fleet may be deploying to the Krimeon Sea in the coming days. Vessels from the Northern Fleet would then be called upon to be temporarily stationed at QAMB to ensure the capabilities of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy are not degraded due to any such deployment. While the prospects of a conflict with Nueva Ardia seem increasingly likely the Imperial Government has stated its hopes for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "Rokkenjima is confident that, through the CTO, a peaceful resolution to the crisis is within reach. We will work with our allies and independent partners to work towards such an end to this crisis, utilizing all options at our disposal to safeguard a peace the international community has worked collectively to achieve." Further updates from Pyrena Castle are expected later in the week. The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 2nd July 2015 - 06:10 AM Post #284 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Calls For 'Peace And Democracy' To Prevail In Jenka; Increased Rokkenjiman Role, Ties Empress Beatrice has addressed the situation in Jenka-Jenkinson earlier today, calling for "peace and democracy to prevail in Jenka-Jenkinson, not violence and misunderstanding." Following several instances of protest, violence and destruction the Dartfordian Government has suspended the Jenka-Jenkinson City Council executive, replacing it with a City Authority. Many Rokkenjimans have called for the Empress to address the situation, stating "any further delay would be a great disservice to our Jenkan sisters and brothers." Meanwhile, Rokkenjiman nationalists have taken advantage of the crisis, criticizing the close ties between the First Empire and the Kingdom "as our People are again facing relegation to second-class status." "Following the coup which ushered in the Federal Republic thousands of Rokkenjimans fled to Dartfordia, finding refuge from the oppression imposed upon their homeland. Having received updates on the situation as it develops I believe much of the violence and dissent we see before us is due to systemic and historic issues which have yet to be fully resolved between the two communities which call Jenka-Jenkinson home. To my compatriots I can only urge you to look toward the relationship Rokkenjima and Dartfordia share to see what is possible when our two Peoples work together, and not in opposition to each other. While there have been historic wrongs I firmly believe that these can be overcome through constructive dialogue aimed towards a sustainable and lasting understanding which will see peace restored to Jenka-Jenkinson." The Empress went on to warn the Royal Government against pursuing heavy-handed measures in resolving the crisis. "Rokkenjiman Jenkans can still freshly remember a time where discrimination against Rokkenjimans was acceptable policy, where separate institutions were established for Rokkenjiman children, depriving them of an equal chance at success. The Royal Government must pursue a policy inclusive of the will of Rokkenjiman Jenkans, preserving their democratic voice, especially in these most difficult and trying of times. While we are, thankfully, seeing what appears to be increasing calm in Jenka-Jenkinson I feel that I have a personal responsibility to Rokkenjiman Jenkans and that Rokkenjima must be part of a lasting solution to the issues which continue to divide Jenka-Jenkinson." "To these ends, pending the approval of the Royal Government, I shall be departing for Jenka-Jenkinson to meet with Rokkenjiman Jenkans, consult with the City Authority and see that an agreement is worked towards which sets Jenka-Jenkinson on a path to a new century of peace and cooperation. I also hope to work towards the establishment of the 'Jenkan High Commission' which would further the cultural links and opportunities for Rokkenjiman Jenkans while providing a more direct link for services from the Imperial Government. It is my hopes that the City Authority would consider cooperation with the High Commissioner, as well as cooperation with Rokkenjima towards resolution." Talking on a personal note the Empress also spoke of the Emperor, reminding Jenkan Rokkenjimans that "Our nation sees Emperor Alex, a Dartfordian, who has been a loving and always present support not only to myself, but to the People of Rokkenjima. He has proven himself to be a champion of causes which are at the very heart of the Rokkenjiman People such as equality, human rights, self-determination and ensuring a better future for generations to follow. He has guided me through some of my darkest times, we have fought battles together and have always came out victorious; he is, and has been, my constant partner. The Dartfordian and Rokkenjiman Peoples share a bond like no other upon Mundus, and I hope to see the day come soon where this is also reflected in Jenka-Jenkinson." The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 4th July 2015 - 10:04 PM Post #285 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Calls For More Assertive CTO Leadership As the condemnation of Achkaerin passes in the General Assembly, with the crisis between Nueva Ardia and Achkaerin showing little signs of improving in the foreseeable future, the Empress has called upon the CTO to show "more assertive and effective leadership" upon the world stage. "That two members of the Security Council could conduct themselves in such a fashion is disappointing, especially considering the problems presently facing Mundus at this time. I commend Nueva Ardia for their decision to resign from the Security Council as a first step towards addressing the issues presently facing the Principality. I still support a full, independent CTO investigation as there are many questions which still need to be answered in regards to disturbing developments within Nueva Ardia," the Empress continued. The Empress went on to say that the Holy Empire "deserves the benefit of the doubt", however, made clear that any breaches of international law, conventions and norms "must be dealt with to the fullest extent called for by the relevant treaties. Failing to uphold treaties which a majority of nations have placed countless hours of work and effort into, as well as a great measure of faith and trust, would be a disservice to international peace and the legitimacy of the Treaties themselves. At the same time the signatories must take their obligations and duties to the treaties they sign seriously, accepting both the benefits and the penalties which are in place for breaking the terms of such agreements." The Empress called the exchanges of fire and lives lost thus far an "unnecessary tragedy." "There is no reason why this situation had to transpire, there are many opportunities which were missed to preserve the peace and uphold the responsibilities under the Commonwealth Treaty. This further reaffirms the need for strong diplomacy in the international community, breaking down the walls which divide us and placing diplomacy, understanding and patience before military options are even considered. The decision to deploy military forces should never be an easy one: for while talks may break down between the nations of the world sending our young men and women to face a multitude of dangers upon the battlefield is a decision which has far greater consequences. Talks can be revived, a soldier or civilian killed because diplomacy was not sought beforehand or was not sought sincerely cannot be." The Empress went on to say that the condemnation of Achkaerin was "unfortunate, but necessary; it should serve as an opportunity for the Holy Empire to address concerns and ensure that such a situation is never again repeated. The voice of the international community has spoken, and that is what we have to work with at the present. With passage of the condemnation I would encourage all parties to work towards furthering diplomacy and cooperation, while also remembering that a Resolution calling for an investigation in Nueva Ardia is presently before the General Assembly. Even with the Nueva Ardian resignation from the Security Council I believe we should also explore options in connection with their unilateral actions in the Duchy of Marseilles." The RBC will bring you the latest on this developing story. |
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| Beatrice | 7th July 2015 - 06:10 PM Post #286 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Green-Red Coalition Defeats Centre Party; Premier Shinzo Abe Addresses Empire  Premier Shinzo Abe celebrates the Green Party victory The Green Party has solidly defeated the Centre Party in an early election called by the Empress following a Motion of No Confidence. Forming a coalition with the Socialist Party, which also saw massive gains in the elections, Premier Shinzo stated that the elections "mark a great victory for the Rokkenjiman People and a new dawn for our democracy. I am pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Socialist Party as we move forward to serve the Rokkenjiman People. I am thankful for the work the Rt. Hon. Hartnell has done for Rokkenjiman Democracy, I only wish his vision, dedication and values had continued to persist following his retirement from active politics." The Green Party has secured 410 seats in the Commons and 38 Councillors (48.5% and 54.2%, respectively), while the Centre Party has fallen to controlling just 77 seats in the Commons and 7 Councillors. "Yuriko Faust, once recognized as an accomplished politician, had been proving increasingly unpopular with her positions since the push for equality upon Chrysanthemum Throne. Disparaging comments regarding CTO elections sent her approval plunging even further, with many Rokkenjimans believing her comments "were harmful to Rokkenjiman relations and interests" while being "unbecoming of a Rokkenjiman leader." The Centre Party's seeming disconnect with the Rokkenjiman People served to further alienate voters from the party. The new Premier is expected to give a full speech to a joint session of the Imperial Diet in which he will outline policies of the new government. "The Rokkenjiman People have made clear their desire for change, and for a new government, one which listens to their voice and doesn't cast it aside as an inconvenience. Together, with the Rokkenjiman People, our Green-Red Coalition will listen and empower their voice and see our democracy reach new heights while undoing the harm Centre has done. Again I am thankful for this opportunity to serve, and look forward to this new dawn for Rokkenjiman Democracy." The RBC will keep you updated as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 9th July 2015 - 06:55 PM Post #287 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Premier Addresses Joint Session Of Imperial Diet  The Premier Addresses a joint session of the Imperial Diet The Premier has delivered a short address before a joint session of the Imperial Diet regarding some of the aims and goals of the new government. Following his address the Imperial Diet addressed several items of business, including a provision which would make the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in foods illegal throughout the Empire. The Premier was optimistic and, reportedly, "overjoyed" at the well wishes he had received from leaders abroad. His address is available in full below:
Empress Departs For Jenka Despite calls from the Dartfordian Government to refrain from visiting Jenka-Jenkinson Pyrena Castle has announced that the Empress departed Rokkenjima earlier today upon the Imperial Concorde. "With the situation improving the time is right for a dialogue to take place, bridging a connection between Rokkenjiman Jenkans and Rokkenjima. A lasting solution which ensures that the future of this community is united and inclusive is of utmost importance and is today's great test of the Rokkenjiman-Dartfordian relationship. I will do whatever I can to assist Rokkenjiman Jenkans, as well as working with our Dartfordian allies to lay the foundations for a new future in this community." Pyrena Castle confirmed that security considerations would be handled by the First Empire for the duration of the Empress' visit. While some members of the Imperial Government have criticized the move as 'reckless' others have praised the Empress for her commitment to "Rokkenjimans abroad." It is unknown how long the Empress will remain in Dartfordia, or how her unannounced arrival will be received by the Dartfordian Government. The RBC will continue to bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 9th July 2015 - 11:05 PM Post #288 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Premier Proposes Neo Gowu As HQ For OSEP Premier Abe has proposed the Organisation of Sustainable Energy Producers, a green and renewable answer to the Union of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (UPEC), should be headquartered in Neo Gowu, located on Meridian Island. "In the event of climate change islands such as Meridian Island, and communities such as Neo Gowu, would bear the brunt of the impact of rising sea levels. Such a crisis would be unimaginable as millions of people retreat from the shoreline, seeking escape from an ever-rising sea. Thankfully such a future can be avoided through the utilization of clean and renewable sources of energy given the necessary incentives and support." The Premier stated that, in conversations with the Empress concerning the OSEP, "expanding opportunities for green energy sources abroad is a primary goal of the OSEP. It is necessary, given the alignment of petroleum producers, for green energy producers to unite to combat efforts to manipulate the markets. In developing nations we can see green infrastructure grown from the ground-up, laying the foundation for sustainable economies in place of those reliant upon depleting resources which contribute to climate change. This foundation, in conjunction with already established green economies, shall provide jobs, inspire innovation and save our collective civilization from an uncertain future." In the coming weeks a summit, which the Premier has suggested to also be hosted in Neo Gowu, will be held to formally establish the OSEP. "It is hoped that we will see a variety of nations present at the summit, including those who may not implement green energy at this time. The challenge before us is shared, as is the legacy we leave to Mundus' next generations. It is our responsibility to ensure the world we leave to them is not damaged beyond repair, or that gains made in the present do not come at the expense of future generations. Given the will and support a sustainable vision for the future can prevail." No comment was available from the Holy Empire regarding the Premier's suggestions or comments at press time. |
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| Beatrice | 10th July 2015 - 06:11 AM Post #289 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjima Opposes MDB Aid To Borland Following a request from the 'Principality of Northern Borland' for aid from the Mundus Development Bank the Imperial Government has made its objections to the request known. "For obvious reasons the First Empire opposes sending even one cent to a known terrorist organisation which has claimed countless lives across Mundus. Regardless of the name it operates under or the guise it rouses up, the Borland terrorists represent one of the greatest threats to international peace and stability. Rokkenjima, through working with its partners at the MDB, will ensure that none of these funds are released to known terrorists and their cohorts." The statement went on to suggest an alternative course of action aimed towards resolving the crisis in Zimalia. "The First Empire believes that Zimalia has been failed by the international community, a mistake which must be swiftly rectified. To these ends Rokkenjima proposes the creation of an international aid coalition, working in conjunction with the CTO and MDB to direct aid, resources and personnel to those impacted by the crisis. This effort will also seek to solve other challenges facing Zimalia, including infrastructure, education and health care. Through these efforts we can see a Zimalia which joins the rest of the international community in improved living standards and increased opportunities for its youth." Regarding the self-proclaimed Principality Pyrena Castle has stated that "efforts must be undertaken to uproot Borland from wherever it may seek to establish itself. The Borland Separatists are directly responsible for several acts of vicious terrorism and have been implicated in countless others, spreading their capability to strike targets throughout Mundus. This Principality, much like other locations either taken over by Borland or granted to them via other means, is yet another facade for their true nature. We cannot allow Borland to use this opportunity to regain strength for yet another round of attacks against the nations of Mundus." In a related development the Empress signed an arrest warrant for Kyle Barren, leader of the Borland Separatists, for their attack against the Olive Branch as well as implicating the Borland Separatists in potentially two terrorist plots against the First Empire. "Should Kyle Barren be apprehended by Rokkenjiman forces we would swiftly turn him over to the custody of East Moreland. While I recognize that this warrant may be difficult to execute the noose is tightening around Mr. Barren's neck, and that is the message I wished to convey most," the Empress stated following her signature of the warrant. The RBC will continue to bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 18th July 2015 - 05:32 AM Post #290 | ||||||||||||||||||
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OOC: For the purposes of this post ICly I believe that the report concerning Eva would be released either simultaneously with Seaforthian sources, or shortly thereafter. Princess Evanthe Announces Pregnancy  Princess Evanthe first informed Archon Rhodes, after which she shared the news with the Imperial Family In a statement released by the Princess of Arovium she has confirmed that she is pregnant. The news was received with joy by the Rokkenjiman public despite the fact that the Princess has renounced all claims to the Rokkenjiman Throne for herself and her children. News of the pregnancy was first revealed to Archon Joshua Rhodes, who was reportedly 'ecstatic' upon being informed. Princess Evanthe, who was close to the late King Josiah, has confirmed that if the child is a boy he will be named Josiah in honour of the late King. Concern regarding the Rhodes Dynasty has been increasing in recent months due to the lack of an heir, a fact which supporters of Richard Cameron have used against the Archon. Pyrena Castle welcomed the news, congratulating Archon Rhodes and the Princess while "sharing in the joy such news blesses any family with. The Imperial Couple wish to convey their best wishes to Archon Rhodes and Princess Evanthe, while resting assured in the security and stability of the Rhodes Dynasty." The Empress, presently in Dartfordia for talks concerning the situation in Jenka-Jenkinson, further stated that it was her intent to visit the Princess before returning to Rokkenjima. Meanwhile, some questions have arose concerning the Princess' title and its relation to her child, and Archon Rhodes. "Upon birth Princess Evanthe's child, although removed from the line of succession, will be styled as 'The Prince/Princess of Arovium' as this title was not relinquished nor revoked upon her renouncing of Chrysanthemum Throne. Likewise, upon marriage, Archon Josiah will be styled 'Prince of Arovium'. This title will be inherited by their children, and the children of their children. While there shall be no rights to Chrysanthemum Throne the Princess of Arovium has dedicated great time and effort to the well-being of the Prefecture, is greatly respected there and throughout the First Empire, and I imagine her children will continue this tradition regardless," Lord High Steward Ofdensen said in response to the questions. The Lord High Steward added "The Rokkenjiman People celebrate this news with the People of Seaforth as a most joyous day for the Princess and Archon, as well as our two Peoples. I offer my personal congratulations to Archon Rhodes and Princess Evanthe and look forward to seeing both in the near future. May your family grow and prosper with Islyna's blessings." The Vicegerent has yet to release comments regarding the news, but was 'pleasantly surprised' upon receiving news of her cousin's pregnancy. The RBC will bring you the latest updates as they become available. |
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| Beatrice | 19th July 2015 - 05:53 AM Post #291 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Pyrena Castle: Nya Åland, Nueva Ardia Undermine CTOMM Mission Pyrena Castle has offered a scathing rebuke of unilateral actions undertaken by Nya Åland and Nueva Adria, saying the actions of both parties "undermine the CTOMM mission and put more lives at risk than what they hoped to save." Calling the actions of both states "reckless and irresponsible" Pyrena Castle has condemned both states, saying "the already delicate mission in Marseilles has been made that much more difficult by the actions of Nueva Ardia and the missile strikes of Nya Åland. While Rokkenjima is confident the mission can be salvaged these actions certainly have not helped." Speaking on behalf of the Empress Vicegerent Euphemia confirmed that "any further incursions by Nya Ålander or Nueva Ardian forces into the sovereign territory of Marseille will be met with an appropriate response by CTOMM Command. While we recognize Nya Åland have been attacked by forces based within Marseille territory their response hampers greatly the CTOMM mission and mandate. Any further unilateral actions conducted by Nya Åland will be met with the necessary response. Partnership, which has been offered, is the way forward in this situation," the Vicegerent stated. Domestic support for the Vicegerent's remarks remains high, as many Rokkenjimans view the CTOMM as "an endeavour to secure Albion at the expense of Rokkenjiman lives." Support for the CTOMM dropped slightly after releases from Nya Åland, with support now sitting at 52% in favour of Rokkenjiman involvement in the CTOMM. "While support has fallen the mission remains clear: to secure Albion first, which will lead to a world free of the threat of Materna extremists. Only through cooperation may we meet this goal," said a spokesman for the Grand Marshal. The RBC will continue to bring you the latest on this story. Airstrikes; Missiles Launched Against Targets In Marseille The Imperial Rokkenjiman Air Force and Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy have confirmed that Rokkenjiman stealth bombers and submarines have conducted operations against the Sorority of Materna. Five targets, two located in central Marseilles and the other three in the outskirts facing reclamation by Marseilles, were struck in the attacks in what many consider a response to the strikes against Nya Åland. While no reports are presenlty available concerning the attacks Grand Marshal Cole confirmed that "five targets were struck by Rokkenjiman forces, utilizing Century Missiles and stealth aircraft. Our goal, as always, remains the defeat of this vile threat and the preservation of innocent life." No further comment was made available at press time. |
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| Beatrice | 10th August 2015 - 05:51 PM Post #292 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rokkenjimans "Stand in Solidarity" With Nueva Ardians In Marseille; Support Le Orient Following confirmation from Imperial High Command that the Imperial Armed Forces would be lending support to Nueva Ardian units operating in Marseille public support for the move has proven extraordinary. Social media across Rokkenjima has been abuzz with calls for "solidarity with Nueva Ardian fighters" who have seen great success against Sorority forces. While cooperation with Nueva Ardian forces was threatened by 'difficulties' at CTOMM High Command Grand Marshal Cole has personally insisted upon their inclusion upon CTOMM High Command. While he wouldn't go into further detail the Grand Marshal stated that "any competing views have been resolved and our Command moves forward as a team united by one common objective: obliterating the Sorority." Support has also been growing for 'Le Orient', a movement which has declared "war against the Sorority which has established an extremist Maternic government over Marseille." Le Orient has stated it aims to establish a society based on principles of direct democracy, gender equity, and sustainability. While Le Orient strongholds are mainly located in Eastern Marseille, at present the movement holds power over a small collection of villages known as the Aquitaine Canton. Support for this movement has been growing in recent days across Rokkenjima as many across the Empire recognize common values and principles in Le Orient. The RBC is presently waiting for returns for comment from Nueva Ardian and Le Orient officials and will bring you more once a response has been received. |
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| Beatrice | 11th August 2015 - 07:41 AM Post #293 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress Supports Ofdensen Bid For Secretary General Following the Rt Hon. Ofdensen's entrance into the race which will determine the next Secretary General of the Commonwealth Treaty Organisation the Empress has spoken in support of the Lord High Steward, highlighting "a man who is well respected by Rokkenjima's allies and detractors alike." The Empress' brief statement is available below: "In his capacity as Vicegerent and Lord High Steward Mr. Ofdensen has faced challenges, engaged our allies in joint projects and has addressed their concerns, and has represented the First Empire in several high profile international Conferences and meetings. He has also shown wise and steadfast leadership in times of crisis as evidenced by his actions in the Thematan Crises, taking swift action to prevent a large series of conflicts based upon ideological grounds in the era of the Free Market Alliance and prevent yet further conflict in the reconstruction period which followed in Themata. During the Era of Warsaw Aggression Mr. Ofdensen proved invaluable to Rokkenjiman and international efforts to maintain international peace and stability, and I have the fullest faith that his abilities would serve the CTO as Mundus enters yet another period of turmoil and uncertainty." The Empress has confirmed that Mr. Ofdensen would step down as Lord High Steward to prevent any conflicts of interest upon his election. "In such an event I have considered many candidates to fill the position vacated by the Rt Hon. Ofdensen, and will announce my selection when it becomes necessary, and not a moment before," the Empress shared with the RBC. We'll continue to bring you the latest regarding this story. |
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| Beatrice | 12th August 2015 - 03:38 AM Post #294 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Junichiro Koizumi To Succeed Charles Foster Ofdensen?  Junichiro Koizumi, Adviser to the Empress and potential successor to Charles Foster Ofdensen Junichiro Koizumi, a man cited by several sources close to Pyrena Castle as a potential successor to the Rt Hon. Ofdensen as Lord High Steward of Rokkenjima, is a revered name in Rokkenjiman history. After leading what has been termed the 'Rebellion of Kavania' in the Second Patriotic War and being a close adviser to Queen Cecelia Mr. Koizumi has led a reserved life since the conclusion of the war, serving as one of the Empress' most trusted advisers. While considered an important member of the Empress' team Mr. Koizumi has received little attention from Rokkenjiman media or Pyrena Castle itself, with much greater attention being placed upon the positions of Vicegerent and Lord High Steward. The selection of Mr. Koizumi to succeed Charles Foster Ofdensen as Lord High Steward is expected to be released formally following the results of the Secretary General election. "Mr. Koizumi is highly respected in Pyrena Castle, having served the Empress' mother faithfully until her death. Despite his advice against returning to Rokkenjima the Queen always held him in high regard; reportedly her last words to him were: "Should this decision prove foolish I trust your loyalty will remain strong, that I may trust you to look after my family and my affairs should I be unable to do so myself." While Empress Beatrice would go on to appoint Charles Foster Ofdensen as Vicegerent and Lord High Steward recent reports made available by Pyrena Castle reveal that such decisions were made on the advice and consultation of Mr. Koizumi. "It's a position Mr. Koizumi never desired for himself, believing that he formed part of the remnants of the 'old guard'," our source, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared with the RBC. "Charles was seen as part of a 'new guard' which would carry the torch forward in a restored Rokkenjima, leaving Mr. Koizumi content with remaining in the background to support those efforts. With the potential for Mr. Ofdensen to be departing the position of Lord High Steward, however, the Empress approached Mr. Koizumi stating 'There is no other man more deserving nor more highly trusted than you to serve as Lord High Steward. You've proven your loyalty to my mother and to Rokkenjima, I humbly ask that you grant me the same in accepting this offer.' During the Rebellion of Kavania Mr. Koizumi, with the support of forces loyal to General Lancaster, led a coordinated assault against government facilities and officials in Kavania, Rokkenjima's largest Prefecture. This movement gained wide support from Kavanians which would eventually see thousands turn to the streets as well as a refusal to report to work, essentially shutting down large portions of the Prefecture as fierce clashes occurred between Imperial and Republican forces. As Republican officials were toppled and arrested Mr. Koizumi's organisation of volunteers moved in to provide services and begin rebuilding communities, leading to his status as a hero in the Prefecture and across Rokkenjima following the conclusion of the Second Patriotic War. Following these events Mr. Koizumi requested reporters, and Rokkenjimans across the Empire, to "not hold me up as a hero for upholding my duty to Queen and Country. My actions are not unique, they're what would be expected of any patriot when their nation is under siege as ours was. If you wish to hold up a hero look to Queen Cecelia and King Leopold, who returned to Rokkenjima against my advice, knowing they could face a most certain death at any moment. Look to Empress Beatrice, who has seen such loss at such a young age, but refuses to cower or rest. Or to any of the thousands of brave men and women who we've lost to reclaim our nation. No, compared to these people I am no hero, and I ask of you to grant this one request." When asked for comment Pyrena Castle stated that such matters "are not being discussed with the media at this time. Should it become necessary for the Empress to appoint a successor it shall be at that time such announcements will be made. Until then, we cannot entertain, nor shall we fuel, speculation in this matter." The RBC will bring you any updates as they become available. |
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| Beatrice | 12th August 2015 - 10:08 PM Post #295 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cross Straits Arrest Warrant Issued For Dr. Patrice Manaudou Pyrena Castle has announced that a Cross Straits Arrest Warrant (CSAW) has been issued for Dr. Patrice Manaudou in connection to missile strikes which claimed the lives of 1,032 Rokkenjiman citizens. The list of charges against Dr. Manaudou include 'Conspiracy to Attack Civilians Throughout the First Empire, Murder of Rokkenjiman Citizens Within the First Empire, Conspiracy to Murder Rokkenjiman Citizens Within Rokkenjima, and Attacks on an Imperial Facility Resulting in Death, Conspiracy To Commit Terrorism.' Pyrena Castle went further to demand the "swift extradition of Dr. Manaudou from South Hills so that he may face justice for the crimes he had a firm hand in. Thousands of Rokkenjimans and Ålanders are dead due to his actions, leaving many families seeking answers and justice," Attorney for the Crown Lucius Stanley stated. "As both Rokkenjimans and Ålanders were killed in similar attacks the First Empire would seek to place this case before the International Court of Justice, where Dr. Manaudou can be assured a fair trial while facing the full force of justice for his complicity in these attacks. Until that trial takes place, however, the First Empire demands his immediate extradition so that he may be questioned by Rokkenjiman and CTOMM officials. We expect this request to be honoured by our South Hills allies and await only their response," the Vicegerent, who was also present at the press conference, added. The press conference concluded after fifteen minutes, with a short question period allowed following statements from the Attorney for the Crown and Vicegerent. Meanwhile Grand Marshal Cole was reportedly "disappointed" that South Hills had not followed CTOMM protocol and was "exploring options" in light of the developing situation surrounding Dr. Manaudou, the former Duchess Arsenault and King Richard of Seaforth. "Three individuals which were deemed of high value for capture to the CTOMM have apparently been given a 'free pass' out of Marseille, wholly circumventing the protocols set in place by CTOMM High Command. All options will be explored and pursued to see these individuals taken into custody, while disciplinary measures will be pursued against those who allowed it to happen," the Grand Marshal added. "A charged terrorist and two individuals sought by the CTOMM for their actions in Marseille are apparently being harboured, one is in South Hills and two are presently in Seaforth. We expect this situation to be quickly rectified as both nations are respected members of the international community and stalwart allies of the First Empire. Should these steps not take place, however, the First Empire is prepared to act accordingly through all avenues available to us. While Seaforth has offered its cooperation in providing information regarding these individuals the situation remains where a protocol is in place: regardless of whatever titles Richard Cameron and Alys Constance Arsenault may hold does not place them above that. Dr. Manaudou will face justice for his actions; likewise Richard Cameron and the former Duchess Arsenault will be questioned through the proper channels as CTOMM Protocol demands. Only should that process clear them of any ties to terrorism shall they walk free," the Empress stated from Pyrena Castle. The RBC will bring you the latest as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 16th August 2015 - 02:18 AM Post #296 | ||||||||||||||||||
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First Empire Recognizes Dolphins, Whales and Elephants As "Non-Human Persons" Following an Imperial Decree released earlier today the First Empire has recognized dolphins, whales and elephants as "non-human persons worthy of rights, protection and respect." The Decree goes on to note "the societies, cultures and traditions these beings have shown, a capacity for compassion and alturism which is often extended to species other than their own, as well as the complex range of creativity and emotion shown by these beings. It is for these reasons that the First Empire recognizes the rights and liberties of Cetaceans, as well as those of elephants." The Decree went on to ban the "captivity of these beings for the purposes of entertainment," levying penalties similar to those of kidnapping and human trafficking to those who choose to ignore the ban. "Scientists have shown us that these beings posses a high level of intelligence, indeed, they posses many of the qualities one would consider human," the Empress stated before a crowd assembled before the Imperial Diet. "While other nations may view these creatures as a source of amusement, or hunt them without mercy, Rokkenjima recognizes them and respects them as equals and, yes, beings we may learn much from. After reviewing the evidence provided by several scientific panels I knew the need was pressing to recognize the rights of these creatures, and hope that other nations will follow this example towards co-existence with the world around us." The Decree listed the following 'Declaration of Rights' for Cetaceans and Elephants:
The Decree follows the Decree of the Rights of Nature, a Decree issued last year in which the Empress recognized "that Nature is entitled to those rights as provided by the Imperial Constitution and Imperial law." Such a law has not been implemented by any other state, however, the Empress has been optimistic that more states will follow Rokkenjima's example. "Humanity can either struggle to its collective death as it lives in disharmony with the world around it, or it can recognize that nature beings other than humans, both of which have been here longer than our species, are deserving of rights and respect, finding a harmony in which it will thrive. Those are our choices; there's little more to say than that." In other news the Imperial Government has stated that it is following developments in South Hills closely. After leaks implicated South Hills intelligence agencies as being involved in attacks upon the MTC which were used as justification for South Hill's involvement in the CTOMM protests have erupted within the nation. The Imperial Government refused to comment on the situation in depth, only stating "until more information is available it would be irresponsible for the First Empire to comment on this matter. The First Empire naturally supports the public's right to display their displeasure and trusts that South Hills officials will respond in a manner consistent with democratic principles," Lord High Steward Koizumi stated in an official response. |
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| Beatrice | 16th August 2015 - 09:56 PM Post #297 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Koizumi Delivers Response To International Reaction  Lord High Steward Koizumi addressed the international reaction to the "Non-Human Persons Decree" Speaking from the Imperial Briefing Room Lord High Steward Koizumi addressed what he called "an international over-reaction to new Imperial law regarding the rights of cetaceans and elephants. Instead of blindly issuing travel advisories, speculating about whom may or may not be arrested under this law or use it as a political ploy to score points, the Imperial Government could have been approached through diplomatic channels in which all questions would have been swiftly answered. I can confirm that Queen Matilda, or any other foreign worker in the field of animal caretakers and zoologists will not be arrested under this new law. Naturally the Imperial Government recognizes institutions which work towards the betterment of conditions for these animals and would hope that other world leaders would recognize that as well." "Furthermore, the First Empire has only suggested that other nations consider implementing similar laws in their nations; it has not proclaimed that this law will be enforceable on an international level. Again, these are questions which could have been answered via diplomatic channels with the First Empire. In the future we invite our allies and international partners to utilize these diplomatic links so that further confusion and spectacle can be avoided. Thus, there is no need for the travel advisories which have been established by certain nations, nor concern for those wishing to travel to Rokkenjima. I hope this has clarified any outstanding concerns; thank you for your time," the Lord High Steward said before departing the Imperial Briefing Room. The RBC will keep you updated as this story develops. |
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| Beatrice | 24th August 2015 - 07:28 AM Post #298 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Imperial Council Report: Human Rights In The Orient Remain A Concern According to a report released by the Imperial Council at the request of the Empress the state of human rights have been questioned in the Orient. "While progress has certainly been made the state of human rights throughout the Orient remains a matter of great concern, especially in regards to gender equality and LGBT rights." The report went on to state that while "...the Dijel remains a bright spot in a region largely dominated by fundamentalist policies it has taken no initiative to support human rights endeavours in its region. The consideration to reintroduce modesty laws, laws which target women specifically, some months ago also presents a new concern that the human rights movement in the Dijel may also be losing traction." The report went on to say that "...a lack of commitment to gender equality as well as the struggles of related movements....leaves the great possibility that the most vulnerable members of Orient societies still find themselves in a situation where discrimination is perfectly and commonly acceptable." Following the release of the report the Empress called upon Orient leaders to "resist the influence of fundamentalist policy and understanding while committing to the protection of the rights of all the people they govern." The release of this report follows a recent Dijeli government report regarding a recent Decree in which cetacean and elephant rights were recognized by the Empress. "The Imperial Council report took much research, time and effort to prepare, thus the close timing of its release respective to the Dijeli report is purely coincidental," the Empress shared with the RBC. "I believe many people, however, are concerned that an Orient government has formed a more in-depth opinion about Rokkenjima's recognition of the rights of non-human persons than they have on issues of gender equality or even LGBT rights. Perhaps once it has been confirmed that the rights of a woman in the Orient are valued as greatly as those of a man then, perhaps, the First Empire will consider this criticism of my recent Decree with more weight. Until then, I urge the nations of the Orient to divert greater efforts towards supporting the rights of those they govern." After addressing questions regarding the report the Empress went on to comment upon another matter: the Ashley Madison hack which appeared to reveal an account held by the Emperor. "As the Emperor has already denied any connection to that site Rokkenjiman authorities are investigating who created the account, who used the Emperor's email address, and if the matter falls under Imperial Law regarding the 'impersonation of a Member of the Imperial Family.' The Attorney for the Crown has advised me against commenting on the specifics any further, however, I do wish to say that my husband enjoys my fullest confidences." Pyrena Castle has stated that updates regarding this aspect of the Ashley Madison hack will be released via the Imperial Rokkenjiman Office of the Press. |
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| Beatrice | 30th August 2015 - 06:34 AM Post #299 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Empress: Autonomous Weapons Already Banned In Rokkenjima As the Mundus Autonomous Weapons Conference proceeds in South Hills the Empress has stated such weapon systems were already illegal within Rokkenjima. "The research, utilization or any other deployment of such weapons systems is already dealt with under currently existing Rokkenjiman laws and values. As the Decree of Breath, a central doctrine of Rosarity states, 'Those who must be slain, whether in battle or defense, should be forgiven, granted an honourable death, and honourable burial. To disrespect a foe in death is a crime greater than any they could have committed against you in life, crimes which Sehkma knows little compassion for. Their remains should either be buried, burned or cast into the ocean as soon after death as possible.' While not all Rokkenjimans adhere to the Rosari Faith, this remains a doctrine which has been ingrained in Rokkenjiman culture. Such systems are, thus, incompatible with Rokkenjiman values," the Empress stated in a short address. "Furthermore, we cannot be certain what could happen if such systems were left to their own devices. To grant a machine the power to determine the fate of a living soul is not only immoral, it is an abomination which I am pleased to see the international community condemn. While it is highly likely that Rokkenjima would sign any resulting document produced by this Conference, our presence is not necessary as our position on the issue has been made perfectly clear. Should any of the delegations present desire our presence, however, I would be more than pleased to dispatch a Rokkenjiman representative to assist with the implementation and scope of the eventual Treaty." The Empress stated that this meant Abstergo would be prohibited, under Rokkenjiman law, from researching such systems. No further comment from Pyrena Castle was available at press time. |
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| Beatrice | 31st August 2015 - 09:14 AM Post #300 | ||||||||||||||||||
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OOC: It's late, I'm tired, but I wanted to write at least something today. Darned writer's block lately. ISEA eyes mission to Titan  Titan, a moon of Sehkma and the most Mundus-like object in our Solar System, is the target of a future ISEA Mission ISEA has announced its intentions for a manned mission to the Sehkma moon Titan, calling the moon "the most significant object for Mundus to explore, discover and reach within the coming decades." The moon, which is the most Mundus-like object in our solar system, is the principle target of research for ISEA, which calls the moon "within reasonable reach" and "an important milestone for the exploration programs of Mundus to reach." ISEA has reported that it is "confident that Akari assets will be utilized in any mission to Titan, with propulsion system research and development continuing to ensure such a mission could be completed within a realistic time-frame." Should the mission to Titan proceed it would mark the furthest extent that a Mundusian has set in the solar system. Ghost's Discography Archived  Ghost in 2015, with 'new' singer Papa Emeritus III The discography of Rokkenjiman metal band Ghost has been cataloged by the Imperial Common Library to be preserved throughout the ages, according to a report from Pyrena Castle. Ghost's Meliora shot to the top of Rokkenjiman music charts upon its release and remains in the number one position. The Empress, upon confirming that Ghost's discography had been selected for preservation, stated that "the musicianship and artistic abilities Ghost showcase are recognized as being amongst the finest of their craft. Today, Ghost is recognized for their contributions to the arts by being preserved, unto perpetuity, by the Imperial Common Library." Meliora broke records across Rokkenjima, selling 841,000 copies within the first week of its release. |
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^ 4:47 PM Jul 13
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May the force be with you.