Established in 1834, the Capital News Service is the oldest and most trusted source for news and updates from Zaram, the beating heart of Acronian government and politics.
Surprising, but Very Slim, Win for Remembrance Brings Nevran Alandar into Power
[OOC: This post has been retconned to reflect a change in date. Nevran Alandar’s election now took place on Jan 31 of 2017.]
ZARAM – The weakest result for the Liberals in a generation has ushered in the Empire’s youngest ever Prime Minister. Thirty-seven year old Zharis Nevran Alandar, the former Leader of the Opposition who was named leader of Remembrance only seven months ago, met with the King at noon for her formal appointment after the Electoral Commission certified the results this morning.
Polls were mixed this election, but had generally averaged a predicted majority of 5-10 seats for the Liberal Party. Instead, the Liberals saw a surprising implosion of their base of power in the southwest, and it was Remembrance that took the lead in seats. At 180 Members of the Diet, they are thirty-two short of a majority, but what matters is that they have a full seven more Members than the Liberals. As they promised during the election, Remembrance has already announced they intend to seek a coalition with center-left The People First, who picked up many of the seats the Liberals lost in the southwest.
This is something of a surprise for many who closely follow politics. Remembrance was seen as weak after their previous leader, Talvar Rendri Maktovan, was arrested for embezzlement of funds last year. Zharis Nevran Alandar was a dark-parrot candidate in the leadership race as well, elected on the 18[sup]th[/sup] ballot after most other candidates had voluntarily withdrawn. The People First, too, is an untested choice for a coalition partner, as they have never served in government. Their predecessor party the Social Democratic Party was disbanded in 2005, and before this election The People First had never won more than 10 seats in the Diet.
Even more surprising, is what appears to have swept this unlikely coalition into power: younger voters overwhelmingly supported Remembrance in numbers the party has literally never seen because they were enamored with Nevran Alandar’s promise to “Look Outward and Upward.”
“I never thought I would vote Remembrance in a million years,” said Crystal Cove University student Oshtar Vandrak Telzhilat, 20. “But Zharis is absolutely right. We have to engage with the world if we’re going to get anywhere.”
Nevran Alandar’s platform of boosting the economy through international trade deals took the Acronian political world by storm, as it upended policies that have held firm in government for more than a century. Traditionally a highly-protectionist economy that values self-sufficiency, governments of all parties have long limited international engagement, especially of the economic variety, to a minimum. But, said Nevran Alandar in her victory speech last night, “What worked a hundred years ago just isn’t working anymore, and we simply cannot afford to pretend we can do everything alone.” Over applause and cheers, she added with a wide grin, “We have nothing to fear, but we have so much to gain. There’s a whole world out there, and I’m so honored that you have chosen us to lead us all on this adventure together.”
RESULTS BY THE NUMBERS:
The Diet
(422 seats, 212 needed for majority)
REMEMBRANCE: 180 (+20)
THE LIBERAL PARTY: 173 (-58)
THE PEOPLE FIRST: 40 (+33)
GREEN: 17 (+5)
ELDER-APPOINTED CAUCUS: 12* (+0)
*The Elder-Appointed Caucus consists of 12 non-partisan appointees by the Elders, the leaders of the Church of Akrona. By tradition, they are always considered part of the opposition.
The Senate
(157 seats, 150 up for election)
REMEMBRANCE: 54 (-7)
THE LIBERAL PARTY: 45* (-40)
GREEN: 30** (+23)
THE PEOPLE FIRST: 27 (+24)
GODDESS AND COUNTRY: 1*** (+0)
*Includes 4 lifetime members appointed by the King
**Includes 2 lifetime members appointed by the King
***Includes 1 lifetime member appointed by the King
Billionaire Proposes Rail and Road Tunnel from King’s Island to Mainland
ZARAM- Toran Davras Ranzalar, the richest man in Acronis, has proposed building a tunnel to span the 64 kilometers from the city of Zaram on King’s Island to the Acronian mainland. A direct transport link between the capital to the mainland has long been a dream, but for all of history thus far it has remained firmly that - just a dream. Davras Ranzalar, who owns both Acronis’ largest palm oil production business and largest auto manufacturer, and whose net worth of 27.9 billion Nashdat places him among the world’s richest people, announced in a press conference Monday that he aims to change that.
“King’s Island is an absolutely beautiful place, rich in history and culture and tradition, but it’s an absolutely lousy place for a capital,” Davras Ranzalar said. “Our economy loses millions and millions of Nashdat each year on the cost of moving goods from truck to ship back to truck again just to cross the Strait of Zaram. And while I think hovercraft rides are as cool as the next guy does, it’s an antiquated way of getting around.” For over fifty years, hovercraft have been the primary way of moving people from the capital to the mainland, whereas goods are primarily moved by freighter ship.
If completed, the hypothetical tunnel would be - by far - the longest tunnel ever constructed on Urth. The longest transport tunnels currently in existence measure in the tens of kilometers, not the hundreds. At approximately 64km, Davras Ranzalar acknowledges this would one of the most ambitious transport projects ever undertaken. “Just because something is difficult does not mean we should shy away from it. Quite the opposite. We should show the world what we can do.”
Davras Ranzalar proposes a tunnel, rather than a bridge, primarily because he says “obviously, a transit link to the nation’s capital would be a strategic target, and a tunnel is much more easily defended than a bridge.” The tunnel would feature high speed rail as well as highways in both directions. The rail is Davras Ranzalar’s main focus, but he says “since we’re under there, may as well throw in a road, too.” Whereas the fastest speed a hovercraft can reach is about 150 km/h, and one typically cruises at 110 km/h, Davras Ranzalar says a bullet train could reach speeds of “between 300 and 350km/h” - bringing the time from Zaram to the mainland from just over half an hour to ten minutes.
The biggest concern, Davras Ranzalar acknowledges, is cost. He estimates the tunnel would cost upwards of 80 billion Nashdat, which would be the single most expensive construction project in Acronian history. As for the length of time to construct it, Davras Ranzalar says “from the first groundbreaking to the ribbon-cutting should take ten years.” This does not include, he noted, the time needed to plan the construction as well as to gather the necessary resources and build what would need to be a custom-engineered underwater tunnel borer. Funding, Davras Ranzalar said, would need to come from multiple sources. “I am willing to donate my way into homelessness to pay for this tunnel,” he said. “I am willing to spend every cent I can wring out of my businesses. But even I won’t be able to do it alone.” He proposed that the government contribute funding, but also that his fellow Acronian billionaires contribute as well.
“We have earned so much because of the opportunities our country has given us. It’s time for us to give something back,” he said.
Massive Cemetery Complex Found at Joint Defense Facility Two Raises Questions About Acronian Origins
LANSANI TOWNSHIP, TROVAI PROVINCE- Several Ministry of Defense sources have reported to CNS that a large “site of archaeological interest” has been uncovered at Joint Defense Facility Two, the largest military facility in the country outside King’s Island. The sources, who were granted anonymity because they had not been authorized to speak publicly to the media, said that it was believed the site was a “necropolis,” or a large cemetery complex, that was found while excavation was underway for a new parking garage at JDF2.
“Everything at JDF2 has stopped in its tracks,” one high-level source at the Ministry of Defense reported. “Nothing like this has ever been seen before. Ever.” The site is believed to be over 130 shtokai (53 hectares) in size, with 24.5 shtokai (10 hectares) already uncovered. The largest similar archaeological site previously discovered in Acronis is the Ata Burial Grounds in the Northern Reserve, at 65 shtokai (26.5 hectares). However, while the size is unprecedented, what has the attention researchers and military officials alike is its age - a classified preliminary report given to CNS dates the site to “between three and five thousand years old” - more than twice as old as elven habitation on the island of Avnatra was believed to be.
“If this report is accurate, this changes everything we know about ourselves,” another source said to CNS. “For over a century, we’ve thought the question about how and when elves came to this country were answered. This takes all of our knowledge and just throws it in the garbage.”
The currently accepted consensus, which has largely been established since the turn of the 20th century, states that elves from Concord undertook a journey by sea heading southwest until they reached the northeastern coast of the continent of Gondwana. From there, most theories agree that the elves migrated westward through the dense jungle, unable to stay anywhere for long because of a lack of arable farmland. It was not until they reached the island of Avnatra - today called “the Acronian mainland” - that they were able to settle permanently. The theory states that elves would not have left Concord until less than three thousand years ago, and not reached Avnatra until two thousand years ago, largely because it was not believed that elves would have had the technology to construct boats capable of traversing that distance of open sea until then. The site uncovered at JDF2 would predate the consensus by a thousand years at the soonest - and three thousand years at the earliest.
Various laws protect archaeological sites, and according to the sources, construction at JDF2 has been halted. The Ministry of Defense declined comment on this story, however, construction vehicles visible from publicly accessible areas outside the base have been observed to remain stationary for the past 24 hours. Under the Antiquities Act of 1911, it is illegal to undertake “activity of any sort that may disturb or alter a site of presumed archaeological interest.” The law specifically states “construction” as a type of forbidden activity, and it empowers the Bureau of Antiquities - a department of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sport - to restrict access to a site until inspection is complete. However, the law that has most Defense officials concerned is actually a treaty that was signed in 1894 called the “Joint Executive Agreement on the Repatriation of Cultural Heritage.” The treaty was signed with Tavaris.
“The treaty basically says that any archaeological sites that are discovered to be pre-Acronian - that is to say, elven sites that predate the establishment of the Acronian Empire - are to be reported to the Tavari government, and that Tavari archaeologists are to be given access to the site and allowed to bring any artifacts or remains back to Tavaris that are agreed to be Tavari cultural heritage,” explained an official from the Bureau of Antiquities who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. “This was agreed because at that time, the governments of both countries agreed that pre-Acronian sites had cultural importance to the Tavari people that was no longer relevant to Acronian culture.” Prior to this discovery, only three sites had been uncovered that qualified, the most recent being in 1958.
“Obviously, we’re very concerned about this,” said a Ministry of Defense official. “JDF2 is crucially important to Acronian defense, and it’s no secret that Tavaris is the largest threat that JDF2 was designed to protect against.” Multiple Ministry of Defense sources reported that the higher-up brass were highly opposed to allowing Tavari onto the base, believing it would compromise Acronian security. “We would literally be letting them waltz into the front door of the most secure facility we have,” said one source.
For their part, the Tavari government has expressed indignance at the idea that they would take advantage of this situation, and noted that they have not yet received word from the Acronian government. “The Tavari Union would never - and I repeat, never - use a situation like this, the discovery of cultural artifacts and the remains of our beloved ancestors, as a pretext for something as petty as espionage,” said the Tavari Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Tolu Bronai. Tavaris and Acronis have not exchanged ambassadors since 1905, but maintain unofficial networks of communication. “The Joint Executive Agreement clearly states the Acronian government had three days to report this discovery, and it is clear they have known for weeks. Our government is prepared to hold Acronis in abrogation of this agreement if we do not receive formal notice soon.”
Neither the Tavari Department of Foreign Affairs nor the Acronian Ministry of External Affairs would comment on what possible consequences there might be under the treaty. (The Ministry of External Affairs declined comment on this article entirely.) However, the text of the agreement obtained by CNS indicates that, in exchange for access to cultural sites, Tavaris would agree to limit naval capacity in several areas and “allow Acronian commerce to proceed unimpeded” through the Sunrise Sea. A Ministry of External Affairs source reported that the treaty has been considered by both sides to be the legal basis for Tavaris allowing aircraft to travel to Acronis through Tavari airspace. “If [Tavaris] revokes that permission, it adds at least an hour to every single flight that goes east out of Zaram.” Put another way, the source said, “it would cut the capital off from pretty much the entire world.”
The Prime Minister’s Office declined comment for this story. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sport declined comment for this story. The Commander of Joint Defense Facility Two declined comment for this story. The Royal Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marshalls declined comment for this story.
King Declares Matron’s Edict on Tavari Treaty Unconstitutional
ZARAM- In an incredibly rare move, King Mital II has declared unconstitutional an Edict issued by the Matron. This action means that the Edict is null and void, and there is no way for the Matron to appeal the decision. The Edict in question, Edict 1 of 541 YP, had ordered the civil government to notify the government of the Tavari Union of the discovery of an archaeological site that contained Tavari remains, a process outlined in an international agreement known as the Joint Executive Agreement on the Repatriation of Cultural Heritage.
In a letter addressed to the Matron, King Mital stated that “the constitutional foundation of this country holds that your [the Matron’s] office is a domestic authority, not an international one.” It also states “the authority of the Matron has always been understood, and most continue to be understood, as to allow for the principle of ‘morality’ to be used only in circumstances in which the moral character of the civil government is in mortal jeopardy. A decision by the elected government to call for increased scrutiny in the name of national security may certainly be debated on the merits, but it cannot be held to be placing the government’s moral character in jeopardy. To do so would risk the independence of the civil government from the Matron. This separation of powers is the most sacred institution in Acronian governance.”
The King’s statement outlines several situations in which his office might allow the Matron to act in foreign affairs, including in such circumstances as the Acronian government developing biological weapons contrary to international agreements, engaging in war without a declaration of war by Parliament, or arresting and imprisoning foreign diplomats to whom the law affords diplomatic immunity without due process. The King also states that his intention is for his statement to be “read narrowly,” meaning it’s principles should be applied only in the context of this particular action, and not read as constricting the powers of the Matron for all time.
“The Matron has received the King’s letter and will follow its’ directives,” was the only statement issued by the Office of the Matron. When asked for comment, the Royal Household said “the King’s letter is public record and speaks for itself.”
The ability to overrule the Matron is one of the only powers that a Monarch may exercise independently of the elected Government. Acronian constitutional scholarship speak of the monarchy as the “check” against the power of the Matron. This is the first occasion that King Mital has overruled the Matron. His predecessor in office, King Kanor IX, overruled the Matron only twice in his reign of twenty-eight years.
The immediate result of the King’s ruling is that the government’s policy to require an independent investigation to confirm the conclusion of the Bureau of Antiquities initial report stating that the archaeological site found near Joint Defense Facility Two is “of cultural interest” to Tavaris. Therefore, the government is allowed to withhold official notification to the Tavari of the discovery, which is required under the terms of the Joint Executive Agreement. However, the King’s statement hinted that the government has already decided to notify Tavaris anyway.
“The civil government must be allowed to deliberate, must be allowed to debate, and yes, must even be given the chance to correct itself on its own when it makes the wrong choice. Such a process is already underway on this matter today,” the King’s statement said. A source in the Ministry of Defense who was granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly said “the Ministry has made plans for the secure transport and surveillance of Tavari archaeologists and is presuming this will be the plan ordered to be undertaken by the Cabinet.”
The Tavari Union, which does not have an embassy in or official diplomatic relations with the Acronian Empire, has maintained since the revelation of the necropolis that they are owed an official notification immediately. “This back and forth issuing of edicts and rulings is not only ridiculous, it is embarrassing. The government of the Acronian Empire is hopelessly backward and entirely corrupt. We await the notification that we are owed - and that the Acronian Empire promised us over a hundred years ago,” said a spokesperson for the Tavari Union Department of Foreign Affairs.
At press time, the Office of the Prime Minister had not responded to a request for comment on this story.
Arms Company Profits are Through the Roof. Peace Activists Ask: Why?
ZARAM-- The nation’s largest producer of firearms, Zandria, Inc., announced in an earnings call with investors on Tuesday that its quarterly revenue exceeded projections by 24%, an absolutely stunning number that sent their stock price soaring. The company reported total revenue for the quarter ending March 31 of 740.4 million Acronian Nashdat, or approximately SH$617 million. Though the figure is before the deduction of costs, the number was high enough to send the price of one share of Zandria to 453 Nashdat (SH$377.50) on the Zhrat Zaram Stock Exchange this afternoon, its highest ever. If one is a shareholder in the company, this is incredible news. For the community of Acronian peace activists, however, the reaction was far different: fear.
“If Zandria’s profits went up, it’s because more people are buying guns. If more people are buying guns, then somewhere in the world, more people are dying needlessly,” said Tinor Avan Tokrania, the President of the Acronian Network for Peace, which describes itself as the largest organization of peace activists in the country. The Acronian Network for Peace mobilized a demonstration outside the Zaram headquarters of Zandria on Tuesday afternoon, with up to three dozen activists standing outside the building’s door and calling on leadership to explain where the increased profit had come from.
Mr. Avan Tokrania, who is 77 years old, has been a prominent anti-war and anti-militarization activist for decades. He was arrested at age 19 for refusing to report for conscription and served 6 years in prison - an extraordinarily rare sentence and the maximum amount allowed under the law - because he refused to accept any offer from the Royal Armed Forces for placement in non-combat roles. Since his release from prison, he says he has organized at least one anti-war demonstration of some sort every month, for the past 52 years. And he says he has never been this concerned before. “As soon as I saw the headline on FNN [the Financial News Network], my jaw dropped and I knew we had to say something. We have to start talking now and we can’t stop talking until something gets done, because this is a warning sign that something is seriously wrong,” said Avan Tokrania.
Zandria, Inc, declined comment for this story, and publicly available transcripts of the call with investors does not indicate from what sources the increased revenue originated. There is no law or regulation that requires publicly traded companies to outline their earnings in any particular way, only that they be audited by an outside firm before they are presented to investors. However, the figure stands out as Zandria’s highest ever performance over projections. This same quarter last year, Zandria outperformed expectations by only 1.1%. However, Zandria has exceeded projections every quarter for the past 9 quarters, by a higher amount each quarter, and this is despite the fact that Zandria’s deliveries to its largest customer - the Royal Acronian Armed Forces - have remained stable during that entire period, public records show.
“Acronians who are not on active or reserve duty are strictly regulated in buying firearms,” said Quince Narkley, a global financial analyst based in Sani Bursil who specializes in the arms industry. “If the Acronian government isn’t purchasing more firearms - and the record shows that they aren’t - then essentially the only place Zandria could be selling to is the international market.” According to Narkley, the Acronian arms industry is among the largest in the world and has always sold internationally, but he says this is an indicator of a sharp increase. “Most other Acronian arms manufacturers are privately owned and don’t report their numbers, so it’s hard to be certain if this is a whole-market trend or just one firm, but it’s plain that Zandria is selling more guns to more people. And it looks like a lot more guns.”
While it is true that a vast majority of arms manufacturers in Acronis are privately-held, the industry trade group Acronian Allied Defense Manufacturers reported in a press release on March 19th that “the industry is stronger than ever,” and called upon Parliament to pass legislation to ensure its continued success, such as the easing of environmental regulations and a tax break for businesses. “Our industry is poised for an incredible era of prosperity that can lift the entire Acronian economy to new heights, but we can only do it if the civil governments acts as a partner to allow us to continue our success.” The press release did not cite any reason for the increased profitability in the industry.
Avan Tokrania, the peace activist, says that an uptick of violence around the globe is the likely explanation. “Novaris has erupted in civil war. The conflict in Tiervan is peaking and the conflict in Arkalarius is only just beginning. And there are signs that Aurora may be destabilizing as well. And Akrona only knows what will happen in neighboring areas with all the chaos and instability that violence sows.” Avan Tokrania became visibly emotional as he continued. “I’m not an economist or a politician or a psychic, but I’m not stupid and I know how numbers work. Zandria’s firearms are going to Novaris, they have to be. And they’re probably going to Aurora, too. They’re being used for people to murder their own neighbors and fellow citizens, sister against sister. And they aren’t the only ones. Acronis makes guns because Acronis wants money. And all of it, every single Nashdat, is blood money. We’re fueling our economy on murder, rape, crime, and pillage. Akrona weeps.”
Two Arrests, Some Minor Scuffles Among Protestors at Palace Square; Turnout Unexpectedly High
ZARAM-- What was expected to be a small gathering of peace activists protesting recent increases in defense industry profits turned into the largest demonstration at Palace Square in five years on Thursday. The Acronian Network for Peace organized the event on short notice just yesterday, filing for a permit for “10-50 persons” to demonstrate at the Square. Given this low number, the Royal Marshalls granted the permit even though there was already a demonstration scheduled, of the same size, by a group known as the Acronian Currency Council. The Acronian Currency Council advocates for a return to the non-decimalized currency system that was replaced in 1984.
According to the Acronian Currency Council, 17 of their members showed up. They had intended to set up an information booth and distribute pamphlets, and did not have any members with picket signs. They were assigned to the north end of the Square, which faces Government Plaza One, which houses the Ministry of Treasury, among other agencies. The Acronian Network for Peace event, which records show was not registered to set up any booths or distribute any literature, was assigned to the east end of the square, facing the Silver Palace.
“On any given day we can have even four or five events on the Square like this and it’s totally fine. There’s almost always someone handing out fliers or whatever, and that’s what the Square is for, to make your voice heard,” said Major Tona Landi Androkar of the Royal Marshalls, the lead security officer for the Square on Thursday. “Today was unusual. It took us by surprise.”
Instead of 10 to 50 people showing up for the Acronian Network for Peace, the Marshalls estimate there were between 1,500 and 2,000. The event organizers estimated 2,700. Either way, it was far, far more than any of them expected, and far more than both the organizers and the Marshalls were prepared to handle. There was only one Marshall out on the square when the events began, but within an hour, there were over 300 people, many of them carrying signs and almost all of them loud and determined to be heard.
“I contacted my normal people and told them to bring the folks they normally bring, I would have counted 40 as a fantastic turnout,” said Tinor Avan Tokrania, the President of the Acronian Network for Peace. On Tuesday he held an impromptu demonstration in front of the headquarters of weapons manufacturer Zandria, Inc., whose record-breaking profits this quarter sparked the idea for this protest. Tuesday’s demonstration gathered 36 people, and Avan Tokrania was expecting essentially just the same people to show up. “They’re my core folks, they’re the ones that turn out rain or shine every time, and we’ve been doing this for a while without much attention.” Today, however, was as he put it, “just absolutely mind-blowing.”
An event invitation was posted on a few social media sites, and one of them happened to catch the eye of film actress Lazana, perhaps one of the most famous actors in Acronian cinema. Lazana has long been famous for two things: her usage of only one name, and her longtime, vocal opposition to war and violence. She re-posted the invitation to her social media following, which numbers in the millions. While she did not attend herself - she is in Asilica while filming a new movie - she encouraged all of those who could attend to go. Thousands of people listened. There were signs everywhere, and coordinated chants seemed never to end. “Stop Exporting Violence,” said one sign. “Akrona Weeps,” said another. The protest is believed to be the largest protest against the arms industry, and against war more broadly, in over twenty years - a stunning event in a country that is known for its support of the military.
There was one event at during the demonstrations that required the Marshalls to intervene. Two members of the Acronian Currency Council became frustrated that the other demonstration was taking up so much space on the Square, and apparently, one of the peace activists stepped on the toes of a member of the Acronian Currency Council. A minor scuffle ensued that mainly entailed peace activists being shoved on the ground. According to the Marshalls, two unnamed people were arrested and one unnamed person was sent to the hospital for “minor abrasions.”
“Of course, we deplore violence and disavow any violence that occurred,” said Dela Vorai Tentori, a spokesperson for the Acronian Currency Council. “That said, we had this date and time reserved on the Square for four months and we’ve been planning for this event all year. These guys [the Acronian Network for Peace] file a permit a day ago and come in and trample all over us. I think it’s very disrespectful of them. They should have waited their turn, our cause is important too.” The Acronian Currency Council, established in 1983 to oppose decimalization, calls itself “the leading organization of Acronians to restore our currency and our economy to traditional Acronian values.”
April 30th, 1984 was the last date on which the Acronian Nashdat was divided into 144 tanashdat, which were typically counted in groups of twelve known as mati. This system had been in use since the establishment of the Nashdat as the national currency in 1540. On May 1st, 1984, the tanashdat and mati were demonitized, and the Nashdat became divided into 100 tani. The change was done primarily because the advent of computer systems had made it difficult and expensive to maintain computer systems in base-12 for currency as well as base-10 numerical systems for everything else, as well as to bring the Acronian currency into line with nearly every other currency on Urth.
For their part, the peace activists say they are sorry for the Currency Council, but they felt their needs were more urgent. “Sure, I feel a little bad,” said a protestor who gave his name only as Nori. “But some times, things happen that call to your soul. The world is falling apart, and we need a non-violent answer to it. Otherwise, what have we learned in ten thousand years of civilization?”
Alliance of Northwest Gondwana, a Historic Trade Agreement, Established in Crystal Coast
[OOC: These events have been retconned to take place in the year 2017]
THE ALLIANCE OF NORTHWEST GONDWANA, Crystal Coast-- Just months after Prime Minister Zharis Nevran Alandar pledged in her election night victory speech that Acronian isolationism was over, the Acronian Empire has joined with six fellow countries in Gondwana’s largest free trade agreement, and one of the largest in the world. Acronis, along with Ayaupia, Hausberg, Masceola, Sanctmunitis, Talusi, and Zukchiva ratified the Charter Establishing the Alliance of Northwest Gondwana on Saturday after months of negotiations at a summit held at the Hotel Zhivara in Crystal Coast. Also invited to sign the charter are Armerminetos, Libertanny, Lunaria, and Ragea. Delegates from those countries had not yet signed the agreement as of press time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Jeila Telan Vandravat has already confirmed majorities exist in both houses of Parliament to formally ratify the treaty. A vote is expected sometime next week. Prime Minister Nevran Alandar herself was in Crystal Coast for the signing ceremony, and gave brief remarks after she signed the treaty on behalf of King Mital II. “This is a historic moment not just for Acronis but for each and every one of us. In a world filled with chaos, we have pledged ourselves to come just a little bit closer. We will shelter together against the storm, and together, we will lift each other up.”
The agreement comes not a moment too soon for the government, which has seen unprecedented levels of dissatisfaction in the past week. After defense industry profits increased sharply this year, the Remembrance Party has come under sharp fire from both its coalition partners, The People First, and the Greens in opposition. Even the Elder-Appointed Caucus in the Diet had tough questions for the Prime Minister during her question period on Friday. “What are you doing for peace in the world?” Elder-appointed Member of the Diet Zhorai Lonar Tivrashti asked the Prime Minister, and her stammering answer about the Alliance was barely heard over jeers - some from her own coalition members. However, the Remembrance-The People First coalition is not seen as in jeopardy, primarily because the opposition Liberal Party is itself coming to the defense of arms manufacturers far too vocally for The People First to countenance. Notably, the Liberals overwhelmingly support the Alliance, meaning that for a moment, the axis of Acronian politics has shifted slightly.
The distraction may be welcome for the government, but the Alliance has set politicians to the east in a rage. An emergency session of the Assembly of the Tavari Union was called on Saturday to “make plans for the response to Acronian-led regional hegemony,” as Premier Shano Tuvria put it in his statement to lawmakers. “This is nothing less than a make-or-break moment for the Tavari Union,” said Tuvria to the Assembly. “The Acronians have pulled the rug out from under us and taken nearly all our regional trading partners away from us. This is an attack on the Tavari economy, and if we do not respond, we risk fading into obscurity.” While Tuvria would later clarify he meant responding economically rather than militarily, the Royal Acronian Armed Forces placed King’s Island and the eastern coast of Avnatra on Alert Level Two, urging residents to “remain vigilant.”
When asked if she had a response to Premier Tuvria, Prime Minister Nevran Alandar shook her head. “This is not an act of aggression, it is an act of peace. Perhaps someday they will join us. But for now, I am going to focus on our future, not theirs.”
The Matron Speaks Directly to Populace as Acronis Deploys Troops to Arkia
[OOC: The events in this post were retconned after it was written. Acronian entrance into the Arkian Civil War took place in early 2004, not in 2020.]
THE GREATER TEAR OF THE MOON-- Her Beneficence the Matron spoke to the whole nation from her retreat on the Greater Tear of the Moon on Monday in a rare nationally-televised address. This is the first time the 37th and current Matron has given such a speech. Read it in its entirety below:
"Blessings of the Goddess be upon you, Acronians.
Today the civil government announced that, for the first time in nearly 80 years, Acronian troops will be deployed into an active combat zone in a foreign country. I know that this will weigh heavily on our hearts. I know it does on mine, I know it does on those of the Cabinet, and I know it does on Akrona’s heart as well. Ours is a chaotic world, sometimes a dangerous world, and even at times a frightening world. It is natural, and right, to be afraid of what may come of our noble soldiers in Arkia. We may be afraid for them, even angry for them. But Akrona calls us also to be afraid for the people of Arkia. The mothers and daughters, the fathers and sons, trying to make a life in the midst of unimaginable danger. Akrona teaches us to value compassion over fear. Akrona teaches us that we need not be afraid, so long as we are in her embrace. Akrona teaches us to work always in the service of life.
The question of whether or not a particular troop deployment to a particular area of the world is the correct decision or not is not mine to answer. It is a political question to be answered by our civil government, which we all must participate in and make ourselves heard in. But when Her Excellency the Prime Minister called me today, what I told her was this: if what you seek is to work in the service of life on Urth, than what you seek is what Akrona has charged us to seek.
There is no peace in Arkia. As we Acronians go to bed every night, the skies quiet and tranquil, free to say our evening prayer, content in the knowledge that tomorrow we will be able to awaken, travel safely to our jobs, and live our lives in normalcy, we must be cognizant that no one in Arkia has these privileges. They have only terror. And if we, in our privilege, have the ability to bring some of our peace, some of our freedom from fear, to these people who cry out in need, then we should do so. It is as simple as that.
Akrona calls us to shelter the exposed. To protect the downtrodden. To embrace the outcast. Akrona calls us, quite simply, to help those who need help. We, as mortal beings, and Acronis as a country and government composed of mortal beings, cannot do everything everywhere. We cannot shelter every person who is exposed. We cannot stop every bullet. But Akrona calls us to do what we can, when and where we can. This is what it means to make the best use of the life that Akrona has bestowed upon us.
Life is a gift - this is our most fundamental truth as Akronists. Life is a gift, and it is a gift that is becoming dangerously rare in Arkia. We have the ability to share it with, to bestow it again upon, the people of Arkia. I know there are many who will disagree with me, and I understand this, but what I have told our government and what I am telling you is that we should share it with Arkia. We should do what we can, when and where we can, to protect life in Arkia. This is a moment where we have the ability to show Akrona we have learned what she taught us. A moment where we can move closer to her embrace.
There will be disagreements. There should be disagreements. Your conscience is also a gift to you from the Goddess, and you should use it. You should call upon your neighbors and your public servants to do what you think is right - you should do it respectfully, and peacefully, and with empathy and understanding towards those on the other side of a disagreement from yourself. But above all, above everything, you should work in the service of life on Urth. Work in the service of life.
May Akrona bless you. May Akrona bless our women and men in the armed services. May Akrona bless our civil government, our King, our Prime Minister, our Cabinet. May Akrona bless us all."
Leaked Documents Show Acronis Took Cash From Alva in Exchange for Not Drilling for Oil
ZARAM-- Since at least 1998, the Acronian Empire has been accepting cash payments from the Great Khanate of Alva in exchange for Acronis maintaining its ban on drilling for oil, leaked documents show. The trove of documents, shared exclusively with the Capital News Service, show that the Ministry of International Trade and Development has made several “non-binding memorandums of understanding” with the Great Khanate under the terms of the Acronian-Alvan Trade Agreement of 1997. The treaty sets out the processes by which the two countries trade with each other and how they set tariffs, and contains a provision that allows for the two governments to “make arrangements for commerce in areas not regulated by this treaty by agreement.” There is no requirement that such agreement take the form of a treaty amendment, or even that it needs to be made public.
The deals between Acronis and Alva as shown in the documents are simple. Acronis agrees not to repeal the Petroleum Extraction Ban Act of 1954 and agrees to neither extract oil on land or sea, nor allow any other country to do so in Acronian territory. Acronis also agrees to import Alvan crude oil for refining with sharply reduced fees and export it back to Alva after refining with similarly reduced fees. In exchange, Alva has paid into the Acronian treasury an amount equivalent to SH$30 billion (adjusted for inflation) since 1998, typically in annual lump sums. According to a 1998 memo from the Minister of International Trade and Development, the primary aim of the agreement is to “allow for the Acronian Empire to maintain its principled stance on the environment without completely sacrificing income, while allowing for Alva to maintain its strength in the global oil market by not needing to be concerned about a potential Acronian entrance into the market.” The Minister of International Trade and Development at the time was Nari Nevran Alandar, the mother of current Prime Minister Zharis Nevran Alandar.
“The Ministry of International Trade and Development negotiates deals with countries all around the world in the best interest of the Acronian people and the people of the world,” said the Ministry of International Trade and Development in a written, unsigned statement. “While we are not able to disclose the exact nature of every single trade arrangement due to the sensitive and changing nature of international communications, we assure the Acronian people that every action we take is in accordance with national and international law.” The government of the Great Khanate of Alva had no comment.
“If this action was taken between two Acronian corporations, it would constitute illegal anti-competitive collusion,” said Tana Inar Voshtai, a Professor of Business at the University of Dravai. “However, there is no binding international law that forbids this sort of anti-competitive behavior between sovereign states, nor is there an international requirement that agreements between states be made public to the citizens of those states.” Alva in particular is known for a lack of government transparency, Inar Voshtai emphasized, but said that an action like this by the Acronian government “surprised [her],” she said.
It was reported in 1997 and 1998 that the Liberal government at the time, led by Prime Minister Kola Vidas Nakrodat, was considering repealing part of the Petroleum Extraction Ban Act of 1954 to allow for limited extraction of oil in the Eastern Pacific ocean off the north coast of Acronis where there is no Acronian habitation. At the time, the government said it scrapped the plans after strong opposition from the Church, which has long viewed the extraction and usage of fossil fuel products as harmful to life and against religious doctrine. The revelation of these reports places that in doubt, as it may have been the promise of money from Alva that changed their minds.
Former Prime Minister Prime Minister Kola Vidas Nakrodat had no comment on this story. Nari Nevran Alandar, the former Minister of International Trade and Development and mother to the current Prime Minister, passed away in 2012.
Death of Anara Man in Royal Marshal Custody Sparks Outrage, Demands for Policing Reform
ANARA, INDAR PROVINCE-- Vrapaal Costel, a 26 year old Anara resident of Ayaupian descent, was shot and killed by a corporal of the Royal Marshals on Thursday night after being apprehended while spray-painting graffiti on a temple. Costel, a non-citizen permanent resident of Acronis, was a member of the Ayaupian refugee community, the descendants of Ayaupian Civil War refugees who sought asylum in Acronis between the 1920s and 1940s. Ayaupian-Acronians who do not join the church are not Acronian citizens, although a Supreme Civil Court decision in 1974, Ocrapaal v. His Majesty the King, granted Ayaupian-Acronians born on Acronian soil to parents with legal permanent residency the status of “non-citizen nationals.” Indar Province, of which Anara is the capital, is home to nearly two-thirds of the Ayaupian refugee community, and this incident is only the most recent in a long and sometimes violent history of Ayaupian conflict with the authorities there. And for thousands of people in the province, citizen or not, it was the last straw.
On Friday morning, the Royal Acronian Marshals Division of National Police - the branch of the military that deals with keeping order within the country - released a statement that a Marshal “had been involved in a Marshal-involved shooting in which the perpetrator of the crime died after threatening the life of the Marshal.” According to the statement, the Marshal ordered Costel to get onto the ground, but instead, Costel turned and moved toward the Marshal “while holding an unknown, metallic object,” and the Marshal fired his gun “in defense of his life.” However, two hours later, video of the incident captured by the security camera of a business across the street went viral on Chirper - and it showed that the encounter was vastly different than what the Marshal’s statement had said.
In the video, Costel can be seen spray-painting an atheist slogan on the wall of the temple, “No Goddess, No King.” The Marshal comes up behind Costel while he is still spraying and shouts “get on the ground.” Costel appears to turn his head slightly, as if to look at who is speaking, at which point the Marshal immediately fires six shots into Costel’s back in quick succession. Costel did not move toward the Marshal, and the object in his hand is clearly visible and illuminated, even visible as a can of spray paint even from the angle of the security camera across the street. After shooting, the Marshal returns to his vehicle and remains there for four minutes before walking over to Costel and attempting to provide aid. An ambulance would not arrive for eleven more minutes, and Costel was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Friday afternoon, the Division of National Police issued a brief statement, saying “Upon further review of evidence that was not immediately available to the Division of National Police, the Marshal involved in the shooting has been suspended while an investigation takes place. The Division of National Police takes these situations very seriously.” However, as the video gained tens of thousands, and then millions of shares and comments, the sentiment of the community turned from shock into anger, and for some, into rage.
“This is just the latest example of police brutality in this country,” said Ulyon Naast, an Ayaupian anti-police brutality activist who is chairman of the organization Demilitarize NOW. “Acronis does not have police. Acronis has a military. Acronis, almost entirely alone on this planet, uses its military to enforce its civil laws and impose law and order on the populace.” The Royal Acronian Marshals are a division of the Royal Acronian Armed Forces and, except in Zhrat Zaram and Dravai, the only police force in the country. “When you put soldiers on the streets - soldiers that aren’t even from these communities - and tell them the enemy they are at war with is crime, this is what happens. You get executions. You get war crimes.”
Many people took note of the fact that Costel was both a racial and religious minority, and said that this would not have occurred had Costel been an Acronian. “The Marshals have always reserved a special brand of cruelty for known atheists,” said Naast, “and many Ayaupian-Acronians are atheist simply because they see no compassionate god or goddess in this country that regularly discriminates against them.” On Chirper, many other people shared their experiences with the Marshals. One person, under the username “Defend Marshals Now AMAB,” said that they had lost an eye in a Marshal-involved shooting at an atheist rally last year. Several people spoke about how tear gas had been deployed at atheist rallies they had attended over the years, often just moments after the official end time the event permit expired, as the Marshals aggressively enforced an order to clear-out the area.
On both Saturday and Sunday, thousands of people turned out in the streets of Anara, many of them holding signs reading things like “No More Soldier Police” and “Akrona Commands Compassion, Not Hate.” However, on Sunday, there was also a counter-protest of people who called themselves “Concerned Citizens for Real Justice.” Idi Noshar Dinvridis, a spokesperson for the counter-protesters, said that “Had that man simply followed the orders of the Marshal, he would still be here. He chose not to comply, and the Marshal had an obligation to respond to the perceived threat to his life. Marshals put their lives on the line for us every day, and they deserve our respect.”
Arguments like these are common in every instance of Marshal shootings, but to people in Anara, this moment feels different. “I think something has been sparked here,” said Naast, the anti-police brutality activist. “I see more Acronians here, more people from outside the Ayaupian community in the streets. In the past, people told us things would get better for us if we just joined the Church, and then we wouldn’t have to worry so much. But today, people are saying that it’s the society that needs to change, not us. And that’s important.”
The People First Announces Name Change to Socialist Party for Democracy
ZARAM-- The People First, the junior coalition partner in government, has announced that it will change its name to “the Socialist Party for Democracy.” The party’s original name was meant to be a placeholder until a permanent name could be found, but that process has taken more than fourteen years due to infighting among different factions within the party. Formed in 2006 after the Social Democratic Party was ordered dissolved by the Supreme Court for violation of campaign finance laws, the name “The People First” was meant to still represent the roots of the party as representing the interests of working people while avoiding association with the name “Social Democratic Party” that had been tainted in association with illegality. However, the name has long been unpopular with the membership, and has recently come under fire because of its similarity to the name of the far-right nationalist party “Acronians First.”
The primary debate among the members of the party was whether the name should represent an affiliation with “social democracy” or with “democratic socialism.” The party’s mission statement has long included both phrases, each of which represents a different approach to politics on the left, but finding a single name that represents both ideas had long eluded the members of the party. The compromise selection, reached early Sunday morning after several dozen hours of negotiations among members of the party’s National Executive Committee, was ratified unanimously by the committee.
“The name represents focus on two important, primary tenets of our beliefs: socialism and democracy, with neither of the principles in submission to the other,” explained Tova Šalaš Indrovai, the party’s Chairperson. “We are a party of socialists and a party of democracy, two guiding principles that are co-equal.”
The name change comes as the party settles into it’s most powerful position it has technically ever held. From 2006 until this year’s elections, the party had never held more than 10 seats in the Diet, but after a surge of new support in the industrial south this election, more than tripled its seat share. After the collapse of the Social Democratic Party in 2005, most of the Acronian political left had shifted to the Green Party, but of late there has been movement back as the Green Party focuses increasingly on the desire to shut down manufacturing industries that employ significant numbers of blue-collar Acronians. The Socialist Party for Democracy hopes to capitalize on this trend in provincial elections later this year.
“A New Dawn” as Acronis, Tavari Union Announce Normalization of Relations
NUVRENON, Tavari Union-- For the first time in 50 years, and only the second time since the turn of the 20th century, the Acronian Empire and the Tavari Union will exchange ambassadors and establish embassies in each other’s capital cities. The move marks an earth-shattering rupture of the status-quo between the two countries, which have been bitter rivals and at several times opponents in war since the War of Foundation ended in 1499. The change comes just one day after the Good Harbor Agreement came into effect, merging the Democratic Republic of Bana and the Free State of New Rania into the Tavari Union. Tavari Premier Shano Tuvria said in a joint statement issued with Acronian Prime Minister Žaris Nevran Alandar - the first such statement issued in history - that the establishment of formal diplomatic relations marked “a new dawn in a chaotic world, and a new chapter in the histories of both our countries.”
Nevran Alandar said in the written statement - the first document to feature the signatures of Acronian and Tavari leaders together since the 1894 Joint Executive Agreement on the Repatriation of Cultural Heritage - that “While this does not answer the many questions each of our countries has for each other, nor does it settle our long-established disputes, but it marks the first step in a true, good-faith attempt to begin to bridge our divide.” Nevran Alandar added that she was “proud” to be making the move alongside her Tavari counterpart.
The last time there was a Tavari Embassy in Acronis was between 1941 and 1970. Formal diplomatic relations were terminated in 1970 first by the Tavari over a dispute regarding the flight paths of commercial and military planes departing from the newly-built Žrat Zaram International Airport and military airbases near Lansai eastward across the Strait of Vultuca. Tavaris regarded the flight paths as unlawful intrusion into Tavari airspace and closed the Embassy after the Acronian Empire refused to order the flight paths to be changed. At the time, the Acronian government stated the view that no Acronian planes, commercial or military, were entering Tavari airspace and that Tavaris had no right to demand that Acronians not only avoid entering Tavaris but also avoid getting within a certain distance of the border. Before 1941, the only period in which Acronis and Tavaris shared embassies was between 1887 and 1910, the so-called “sunshine years” of warmer relations between the countries. Since 2012, the countries have communicated through “back-channel” lines of communication set up by the Asilican embassies in each country.
The change in attitude comes almost entirely from the dramatic change in the Tavari government upon the implementation of the Good Harbor Agreement, which more than doubled the population and more than quintupled the land area of the Tavari Union. With the presence of Banians and New Ranites in the Tavari government - most notably in the form of newly elected King of the Tavari Union Arik Rao, a feline - there was a strong desire to “ensure that Bana and New Rania do not see their promised progress hindered by Tavari-Acronian baggage,” says Lansai University professor of political science Šonar Andrat Ižrovin, the chair of that university’s Center for the Study of the Tavari-Acronian Conflict. “Arik Rao was very clear during the negotiations that he expected the new Tavari Union to make an effort to move beyond the issues of the past. However, we remain to see truly how our own government will respond.”
Prime Minister Nevran Alandar made it a point of her campaign earlier this year to emphasize Acronis reaching out and joining the international community, but Andrat Ižrovin and other analysts say that it will be very difficult for her to convince everyone in her party to agree to embrace the Tavari overture. Her party, the famously pro-military Remembrance Party, was named specifically to honor - to “remember” - the Acronian lives lost in the several conflicts with Tavaris over the course of history. While Nevran Alandar won the leadership of her party largely from burgeoning centrist supporters who are more neutral to Tavari issues, the party’s center-right factions are sure to take a much more critical look. Analysts say to pay particular attention to Minister of Defense Nama Oren Kantoreš, whose decades-long career in both the party and in politics have been built on tough rhetoric towards the Tavari.
“Nama Oren Kantoreš has been in Parliament for decades and is in her second term as Minister of Defense. Her political career was nearly destroyed in 2004 and 2005 when, in her first term at Defense, she convinced the government of the time to join the Arkian Civil War on a side that ended up losing. And while she owes a great deal to Žaris Nevran Alandar to giving her a second chance in cabinet and rehabilitating her image into that of an elder stateswoman, this is sure to drive a wedge between the two.”
The names of the ambassadors from each country are to be announced in coming days. The leading issue that they are sure to face is the on-going issue of the Proto-Tavari burial site uncovered near Joint Defense Facility Two, an issue which is still an ongoing point of tension between the two countries. Minister Oren Kantoreš was known to be a stark opponent to allowing Tavari access to the site. Said political analyst Andrat Ižrovin: “This will mark two major defeats for Oren Kantoreš in a relatively short period of time. As we begin to bridge the gap between Acronis and Tavaris, we may very well see a conflict brew within our very own government.”
Shana Man Arrested For Driving Without Permit With Van Containing 750kg of Pure Cocaine, 24 Parrots
IDALAN, Shana-- A Shana man was arrested by the Royal Marshals on Monday after a 34 kilometer high-speed chase, after which it was discovered his stolen van contained 745.25 kilograms of pure cocaine as well as 24 parrots. The man, who has not been identified by the Marshals for danger of being identified by drug cartels, is said to have been high while driving the van. He was pulled over after a Marshal at a stoplight noticed the van did not have a provincial road vignette. After the Marshal activated his sirens, the van sped off, reaching speeds as high as 160 km/h.
The man, upon his arrest, said that he “had not noticed” the Marshal, but had been speeding because he was “trying to prevent the birds from getting into the cocaine,” according to a redacted version of the Marshal’s report that was made public. Possession of cocaine is a felony in Acronis, with the man facing up to 200 years in prison if convicted. The Marshals have “not yet determined” if there is cartel involvement in the event. According to witnesses to the arrest, the man was shirtless during his arrest and had only one shoe.
In addition to the cocaine and the parrots, a duffel bag was found in the passenger seat containing 300,000 Asendavian Jade Nudo, 126,000 Acronian Našdat, 60 Alvan Tugrik (worth approximately 0.03 Našdat), and a book entitled “How to Hide Things From the Police” that appears to have been handwritten, possibly by the Shana man himself.
The parrots, all Northern Macaws, were removed from the man’s custody and given to the Idalan Humane Society.
In Overwhelming Referendum Result, Rodoka Votes to Become 18th Province
LANTAŽ, Rodoka-- 400 years after Rodoka was first settled by Acronians, Rodoka has voted in a referendum to become a fully-fledged province of the Acronian Empire. Results came in quickly, and they showed an overwhelming win for the Yes side - more than 2 to 1 in favor. With 68% Yes and 32% No, unofficial results posted by the Election Commission showed a runway lead.
The referendum was the last step required under the terms of the Rodoka Act (2020), passed by Parliament in January as one of Prime Minister Žaris Nevran Alandar’s first acts in office. With 2020 being the 400th anniversary of Rodokan settlement, this year was seen as an important milestone. The Act passed with little opposition in Parliament, with both the government coalition and the opposition Liberals in favor of the legislation. The Goddess and Country party, with no seats in the Diet and just one in the Senate, was the only political party to formally oppose the legislation.
In becoming a province, Rodoka gains more ability to legislate for its own affairs. Most notably, the Rodokan Assembly and the Prime Minister-appointed Administrator will be replaced with a Legislative Council that appoints a First Councillor and a provincial cabinet. As a province, Rodoka will have the ability to set its own income tax rate, set regulations for various industries and building codes, administrate its public schools, and regulate road infrastructure and vehicle registration. Under its previous status as an Extraordinary Civil Jurisdiction (ECJ), these matters were legislated for Rodoka by the national Parliament after input from the Assembly. The Rodoka Act (2020) mandates that the legal protections and autonomy afforded to the sovereign Rodokan Native Tribal Administration will remain in place. The tribal-governed areas will retain their ability to govern resource usage as well as most functions that would otherwise be granted to the provincial government.
Alongside the referendum, Rodokans also voted to elect new members for a newly-expanded Legislative Council, as well as new members to the Diet and, for the first time ever, members of the Senate. Prior to the referendum, Rodoka elected 2 members of the Diet and no Senators. Rodoka now sends 42 people to the Diet and the size of the Senate has been increased by 15. Rodoka will count as its own constituency for the multi-member proportional seats of the Senate, of which it will have 10. 5 new national party-list Senators have also been elected. The Legislative Council of Rodoka will have 150 seats, increased from the 20-member Rodokan Assembly.
“This is a long time coming. It’s long overdue,” said Elina Ratas, the presiding officer of the Rodokan Assembly and a long-time advocate of provincehood. “Rodoka has been a part of Acronis for 400 years now and it’s high time that we have our equal say.”
Many Rodokans on the streets agreed with Ratas - when the results were announced, groups gathering in squares all across the island began to cheer. In Lantaž, the capital and oldest settlement on the island, High Street was packed with celebrants. Shouts of the popular pro-provincehood slogan “Equal Rights! Equal Voice!” could be heard from almost every corner. One person, who gave only his first name of Taro, was very plain about the reason why he was excited. “We’ll finally be able to buy booze without going to the reservation!” A ban on the public sale of wine and spirits, with only beer allowed for sale outside of licensed bars, has been in place on Rodoka in some form since 1632, with only areas part of the Rodokan Naval Tribal Administration able to sell wine and liquor to the public. This has always been very unpopular with Rodokans but unpopular to repeal in the national Parliament, and it was this issue - or more accurately, the issue of local control - that motivated most voters, according to a CNS exit poll.
“We’re Acronians,” said Ratas, the Assembly presiding officer. “We have been for a very long time. I’m just so glad and relieved that we can finally be treated like it.”
Government Announces Repeal of Whaling Quotas, Massive Expansion of Commercial Whaling
ZARAM, Acronis – In an unexpected announcement on Wednesday, Prime Minister Žarís Nevran Alandar announced that the government was repealing quotas imposed on commercial whaling, allowing Acronian commercial ships to harvest whales without limit. Previously, annual quotas were set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, under a regime outlined in the Commercial Whaling Act of 1971. The Act does allow the government to set quotas as “undefined,” though no government has done this in the history of the law.
“As part of the process of establishing further control of affairs for the Native Rodokans, the government is waiving the cap to allow the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration to permit whatever number of harvest-able whales they deem appropriate for their cultural practices and economic needs,” said the Prime Minister in a statement. “Whaling has been an aspect of Rodokan indigenous culture for generations. However, this act will also allow other Acronian commercial whaling operations to expand, strengthening the economy of the whole country.”
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries released a report on Wednesday indicating that with this change, they expect the whale harvest to increase exponentially in both the Eastern Pacific ocean off the coasts of Rodoka and Metrati Anar and in the Sherman Channel, off the northern coast of Rodoka between that island and mainland Novaris. The quota set for 541 YP (Jan. 2020 -Jan. 2021 CE) was previously set at 545 whales. Even with this change taking place slightly less than three-quarters of the way through the year, MAF estimates the number of whales harvested by the end of the year to be as high as 800.
The change was praised by the Rodokan Native Tribal Administration, which hailed the move as “a further positive step in reconciling Native Rodokan traditions with Acronian law.” The Whaling Council, a trade group of the largest whaling companies in Acronis, also supported the move, saying “with the stroke of her pen, the Prime Minister has allowed us to make many more good jobs for good Acronian people.” In contrast, the Acronian Environmental Protection Federation, the largest group of environmental activists in the country, decried the move as “wrong for the environment and wrong for Acronis.” The Federation announced plans to hold a protest outside MAF headquarters next week.
“Tavari Go Home”: Protest at Newly Opened Tavari Embassy Turns Violent
ZARAM, Acronis-- In the latest escalation of public disagreement with the recent rapprochement between Acronis and the Tavari Union, a protest that drew thousands to the Embassy of the Tavari Union turned violent on Friday afternoon, with both Acronian Royal Marshals and Tavari embassy security personnel firing tear gas and rubber bullets into a crowd that had begun to press on the gates of the embassy. 89 people have been arrested, and some 200 people have been treated at local hospitals for injuries.
The Embassy of the Tavari Union, which now occupies the building formerly used as the Embassy of Bana, opened on Thursday to little fanfare, with only a brief press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by invited members of the press and diplomatic staff from both Acronis and the Tavari Union. At that time, the street was closed by Marshals. Today’s protest was organized primarily by a group calling itself the Acronian Integrity Project, whose website indicates it was founded only last month. The Project’s stated goal is “to impress upon the current government that the Acronian people do not and will not accept the complete and utter supplication to Tavaris in the recent ‘normalization’ of relations.” No leader nor designated spokesperson was clear as of press time, and no one contacted agreed to speak on the behalf of the organization.
It is estimated that between eight and ten thousand people showed up to the protest, which is just the latest protest to garner significantly more attention than expected in the capital this year. Earlier this year, a protest against the defense industry and Acronian military policy filled Palace Square and also resulted in violence and arrests. The protest at the Tavari Embassy on Friday is believed to be the largest protest held in Zaram for more than forty years.
While most of the protest was peaceful, in the afternoon the crowd became “agitated,” according to Major Anira Tandri Nakoran, the commander of Marshal forces at the protest. “Earlier in the day, people were calm and the event was your typical chant-and-hold-signs protest. As it got later, however, the crowd became agitated and began to try to force their way to the gate [of the embassy].” While a safety barricade had been set up to keep the crowd at least two avnai from the gate, the crowd pushed forward and eventually reached the gate and the fence. When people began to grasp the fence and shake it, Tavari security personnel issued an order to disperse and, according to attendees, almost immediately began shooting tear gas into the crowd.
“It wasn’t even a minute and they were shooting off tear gas canisters in every direction. There was mass panic, everyone running, people got trampled,” said Mona, a protestor who declined to give her full name. “The Tavari military were absolutely the aggressor here.”
Another protestor, Ovor Zakani Menanat, 34, said that he felt the protest, including the press to the gates, as “justified” and “an expression of the very real frustration that Acronians across the country are feeling as they see their own elected officials ignore centuries of violence and hateful conduct from the Tavari.” Zakani Menanat says he and his two sisters were both affected by the tear gas and that they intend to file a civil suit against the Embassy because the three siblings have “severe asthma” and the tear gas has caused “irreparable harm” to their lungs.
“They burned down East Harbor and killed tens of thousands of people. They’ve shot at our ships, they’ve invaded us three times at least. Do we ever invade them? No. But here we are, rolling out the welcome mat for them so they can invade us again,” said a protestor who gave only the word “furious” as his name. “I can’t believe that airheaded [expletive deleted] Nevran Alandar wants to make us all pretend that we’re happy jolly friends with the Tavari just because they signed a treaty with the cat people and the [expletive deleted] banana farmers.”
The Embassy of the Tavari Union issued a statement Friday saying: “Our security personnel acted in accordance with applicable law and procedure to defend the embassy, which is sovereign territory of the Tavari Union. We regret that these events had to occur and intend to cooperate fully with Acronian investigators as we find out all the details of what happened today and how they can be prevented in the future.”
The Royal Acronian Marshals declined to issue a statement, and the Acronian government declined to respond before press time.
BREAKING: BOMB BLAST AT RODOKA TEMPLE, DOZENS BELIEVED DEAD
LANTAŽ, Rodoka-- An explosion caused by what authorities believe was a deliberate bombing attack at the historic East Parish Temple of Lantaž has destroyed the building and left the capital of Rodoka reeling in violence unseen in the city since perhaps the Great Fire of 1634. The explosion occurred at 4:44 PM (West Acronis Time), which the temple’s website was just prior to dinner being served in the Temple’s public cafeteria. No count of casualties has been released either by the Church or the Bureau of Intelligence and Security, but an unnamed Church source says that “two to three dozen people” were likely to have been at the temple at that time.
“At this time we are treating this incident as a terrorist attack and are mobilizing all resources we have to investigating this terrible tragedy,” the BIS reported in a statement.
THIS STORY IS BREAKING, more as it develops…
Matron Reconstitutes Church Protective Force, Thousands of Reservists Answer the Call in Under 24 Hours
ZARAM, Acronis-- On Wednesday evening, in a primetime live address to the nation, the 37th and current Matron of the Empire gave a courageous, at times even defiant, speech that, among other things, announced that the Church would re-institute the Order of Peacekeepers, which were historically the people tasked with protecting Church property. The Peacekeepers were disbanded more than 200 years ago, some decades after the end of the Fifth War, when outside threat to Church security had seemed small. After centuries of relative peace, the Church saw a very sudden, very critical threat to safety emerge. And with fewer than 14 hours since the Matron’s speech, tens of thousands of reservists have already answered the call and joined the Peacekeepers.
The Royal Acronian Armed Forces Reserve counts approximately 3 million people in some level of reserve status. Some 1.6 million of them are “active reserve,” meaning they are in the Reserve as part of their 3-year conscription. The rest, however, are “non-active reserve,” meaning they are voluntarily participating in the Reserve, participating in training exercises usually once a month. The Ministry of Defense issued a report today that, as of 9:00am on Thursday - just two hours after their Sentient Resources command opened for the day - they have received some 11,000 letters of resignation, which marks the highest single-day decrease in military strength ever in Acronian history - including casualty events in war.
The Armed Forces Reserve declined to go into specifics about the resignations, considering SR information to be confidential. However, anonymous sources indicate that, in what the command has been able to review, effectively all of the letters of resignation indicate that they are leaving to join the Peacekeepers. “Ordinarily, this would be a catastrophe,” said one high-level command source who was not authorized to comment publicly. “However, given the circumstances, we understand. These are highly skilled people, and the Church needs them.”
The Church of Akrona reports that the logistics of the Order of Peacekeepers are still being worked out, especially as it pertains to obtaining and issuing equipment and how the Peacekeepers will operate under civil law, but says that it has received “markedly high interest” and expects to, at the very least, have “two Peacekeepers posted at every door of every Temple on Rodoka and in the ten largest cities in Acronis” for monthly services on Monday evening.
[OOC: This post was retconned on March 2nd, 2021, to reflect the military action in Karolingia that had not occurred when the article was originally written.]
ACRONIS AT WAR: PARLIAMENT DECLARES WAR ON BALISTRIA, AUTHORIZES MILITARY FORCE IN KAROLINGIA, NI-RAO
ZARAM, Acronis-- For the first time in over a hundred years, the Parliament of the Acronian Empire has authorized the King to declare war on a foreign state. In a vote of 422-42 in the Diet and 162-10 in the Senate, Parliament passed the motion to authorize war on Balistria at 11:02 AM, East Acronis Time. His Majesty King Mital II is expected to issue the formal declaration of war in a cabinet meeting on Friday afternoon. Upon the King issuing the declaration of war, it will be the first time the Acronian Empire has been at war since the end of the Sixth Tavari-Acronian War (a conflict that was part of the worldwide Great War) in 1919. The entirety of Remembrance and the opposition Liberal Party supported the bill. Some, but not all, of the members of the Green Party and the Socialist Party for Democracy voted against the resolution in both chambers. According to a historic unwritten convention, all 12 members of the Diet appointed by the Elders voted against the authorization.
The Royal Acronian Armed Forces are already mobilizing to Balistria, both by plane and by sea, under order of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has the legal authority to deploy Acronian troops in response to a threat for up to 60 days without Parliamentary authorization. Acronian troops are responding as part of a global outpouring of military support to Alksearia, who like Acronis is a member of the Union of Commonwealth Alliances. The declaration of war, once made formal by the King, will allow Acronian troops to remain in Balistria indefinitely, until such time as Parliament votes to declare peace.
In addition to the declaration of war on Balistria, Parliament passed two Acts to Authorize Military Force, one for Ni-Rao and one for Karolingia. While not formal declarations of war, the bills authorize Prime Minister Zharis Nevran Alandar to mobilize Acronian troops in Karolingia and in Ni-Rao for up to one year without further Parliamentary authorization. Previous Acronian military actions in foreign countries this century, such as the Banian Civil War in the 1940s or in the Arkian Civil War from 2004-2005, were undertaken with bills like these that fall short of formal war.
Unlike the declaration of war on Balistria, the other two votes were much closer and much more hotly debated. The bill for Ni-Rao passed by a vote of 348-116. One hundred and fifty-four members of the Liberal Party joined all of Remembrance to support the bill, with 32 Liberals joining the entirety of the Socialist Party of Democracy (the junior partner in the Prime Minister’s coalition) as well as every Green and Elder-appointed member voting in opposition. In the Senate, the vote was 107 to 65 on an even party split: Remembrance, the Liberal Party, and Goddess and Country in favor with SPD and the Greens opposed. As the authorization of military force is not a declaration of war, it enters into effect immediately without a declaration by the King.
The bill for Karolingia saw less debate than the bill on Ni-Rao, primarily because the military effort in Karolingia was authorized by vote of the League of Novaris and will be undertaken alongside troops from Durakia. The margins of victory were only slightly higher in the Diet, 354-110, and the same as Ni-Rao in the Senate.
“No one enjoys making these decisions, but it is absolutely imperative that we use the resources we have to help where we can when the safety of Acronians and indeed the entire world is at stake,” said Deputy Prime Minister Jeila Telan Vandravat, who leads government business in the Senate. “The world must, and will, know that Acronis does not waver in its commitment to defend its allies and to ensure a peaceful world.”
Tova Manakat Dovrai, the deputy leader of the Socialist Party for Democracy, had strong words for the Prime Minister after the votes concluded. Rising in the chamber without being recognized by the Speaker, Manakat Dovrai shouted “This is warmongering! This is a farce, and you should be ashamed!” It is believed he was directing his comments at the Prime Minister. Despite the acrimony, the SPD has already given its assurance that it will remain in the coalition government “for now,” according to a statement issued late Thursday evening by SPD headquarters.