News from Volkia

News Broadcasts
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The New Skopje Times

Major Headlines:

Vekaiyun Submariners Sentenced
July 2, 2011| The New Skopje Times

NEW SKOPJE — After an intense debate between the prosecution and defense over a period of 10 days, the captured Vekaiyun submariners have been sentenced.

The submariners were captured in what has been determined to be a new type of Vekaiyun submarine a few miles off the coast Maiskiat last August. They have along with the sub, remained in Southern Yugoslavian custody while the prosecution gathered evidence. The crew members’ and commander’s names are still being withheld.

The prosecution put forth strong evidence against the submariners, which ultimately led to their conviction. Each crew member was found guilty of all the charges put against them, and have received the maximum penalty of 50 years each. The sub commander was also found guilty of all charges, and is set to be executed by firing squad sometime this month. The government has not released a date for the return of the Vekaiyun sub, but anonymous military sources report that it will be returned sometime this month.

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Wolfsden: “Submariners Will Face Sentences”

NEW SKOPJE D.S. - The Wolfsden recently released a statement concerning the convicted Vekaiyun submariners, who were tried and convicted by the Southern Yugoslavia Supreme Court for the murder of Southern Yugoslavian nationals, destruction of government property and violating maritime claims. Each crewman received 50 years imprisonment while the commander was sentenced to death by firing squad.

“Although we respect and understand the Vekaiyun government’s claim to their rightful citizens, we cannot and will not extradite the submariners back to Vekaiyu. Vekaiyu has blatantly refused to accept the sentence ordered by the Supreme Court [of Southern Yugoslavia] and according to Premier Levinile, ‘…extradited to Vekaiyu to receive proper sentencing,’ has called the judicial system of our nation illegitimate. Vekaiyu committed an act of war against Southern Yugoslavia by murdering ten members of the Air Force, and refuses to allow one of their citizens to face death after a fair trial, where they [Vekaiyu] sentenced ten of our citizens to death without a trial at all. Vekaiyu must keep their noses out of our judicial system, and respect the sentences. Under no circumstances will the submariners be extradited before their full sentences are served. The family of the condemned will be allowed to visit him before his death on July 12, 2011.”

Also released was a statement on the status of the submarine. “We do intend to return the submarine to Vekaiyu as soon as possible.”

IN OTHER NEWS: Southern Yugoslavian Navy Confirms New Submarine Prototype

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(OOC: Just pretend this was released a day or so after Vekaiyu’s statement. ;))

Vekaiyun Submariner Execution Reportedly on Hold

NEW SKOPJE - The Wolfsden reported Thursday that the execution of the captain of the captured Vekaiyun submarine is on “indefinite hold” as relations between Southern Yugoslavia and Vekaiyu continue to sour after negotiations continue, not reaching an agreement and suggestions by Vekaiyun military officials towards theft of Vekaiyun submarine technology.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Secretary of Defense Vyacheslav Kitaev commented on the escalating crisis. “The Vekaiyun government does not seem to understand how much trouble their submariners are in. They call the submariners ‘traitors’ and ‘dissenters’, although we have evidence that was secured during the investigation of the attack that suggests the submarine was ordered to fire on our helicopters, each carrying highly sensitive material. We maintain our position, and will ensure each sentence will be carried out.”

Secretary Kitaev also commented on the accusation made by Kral Commodore Nevikalu on the new submarine prototype in the testing phase. “No amount of Vekaiyun technology went into the new Aleksy Zukov-class submarine. As for pointing out stealing technology from another nation is an act of war, I must point out that authorizing the murder of foreign nationals is also an act of war.”

President Kreskov refused to comment personally on the matter, only saying “[if the attacks were authorized] we will respond.”

Also in the News:
Southern Yugoslavia Shifts to DEFCON 3; Steps up Naval Patrols
Aleksy Zukov-class Submarine Passes Testing; Four New Subs Ordered; 10 Planned
Four Hospitalized After Exposure to Unknown Substance

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Wolfsden Counter-Offers Vekaiyun Premier

NEW SKOPJE - The Wolfsden countered the Vekaiyun Premier’s, Ikrisia Levinile, ultimatum to send the condemned sailors and the captured submarine to Ilgorgi Island, a small, neutral island about 500 miles from Raedion-Lucari in a report issued last night.

The report acknowledged Vekaiyu’s claim to her citizens, and agreed to deliver the captured submarine to Ilgorgi Island within the week. However, the Wolfsden countered Premier Levinile’s offer by stating that “the Southern Yugoslavian government is not seeking the death of the subordinates to the captain of the submarine, so we must decline to send every crew member to their death.” The report counter-offered the Premier, by stating that “…we are willing to decrease each crew member’s sentence to ten years each, after which they would be extradited to Vekaiyu for sentencing by the Vekaiyun judicial system.” It also called for Vekaiyu to pay reparations to the families of the deceased airmen killed in the attacks, stating that “…even if Vekaiyu did not call for the attacks, the attacks were committed by Vekaiyuns in a Vekaiyun submarine built and commissioned by the Vekaiyun government.”

The report denied the accusations of stealing Vekaiyun submarine technology, stating that the submarine class had been in planning since the late 1990’s, with the SYPA Aleksy Zukov being built since 2006.

Also released were four pictures of the Vekaiyun submarine, each depicting the Vekaiyun submarine under heavy armed guard and being loaded onto a bulk carrier due to a hole in the hull for transport.

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Friction Continues Between Vekaiyu, Southern Yugoslavia

NEW SKOPJE - The Wolfsden has declined Vekaiyu’s request to station Vekaiyun guards on the Ansatya Prison, located on Ansatya Island, about ten miles off the coast of the Province of Ninji’kait, calling the request “paranoid and unnecessary”. Ansatya has been used as a fort, military prison and more recently a prison for more dangerous criminals since the 1800s. The fort and military prison have been shut down since the opening of the federal prison in 1934.

The prison administration has assured Vekaiyu that the submariners will be protected by prison guards during the 23 hours in the cell block and hour in the yard.

Government officials also confirmed the Vekaiyun submarine had been delivered to Ilgorgi Island and is awaiting transfer to a Vekaiyun ship.

Celebrations End Without Issue

NEW SKOPJE - The celebrations for the Laiatan New-Year have ended peacefully once more, as the “Lights of Heaven” faded into the night as the sun began to rise early this morning. The Lights will continue being visible, but are restricted to viewing in the north until next year when they will be visible all over the nation once more. Traffic is expected to be high for a week until the visiting Laiatan Protestant vulpines return to Vulshain.

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Agreement Within Reach Between Southern Yugoslavia, Vekaiyu

NEW SKOPJE - An agreement is close to being reached between the governments of Southern Yugoslavia and Vekaiyu regarding the Vekaiyun submariners captured in Southern Yugoslavian waters last year, an anonymous government official reported yesterday.

The Wolfsden has agreed to allow Vekaiyu to send guards to Ansatya, but will require them to remain with Ansatya prison guards while moving around the island. President Kreskov reported in a press conference before leaving for Vulshain, that, “We do hope once an agreement is reached, that we can put it behind us and continue maintaining stability in the Gulf. As for Vekaiyu’s request for extradition, the submariners will be subject to extradition in 2016, serving their minimum five year sentence.”

The captured Vekaiyun submarine has already been returned to Vekaiyu. When asked why it took so long to return the submarine, Kreskov declined any further questions. Some military analysts believe that the submarine may have been subjected to tests by the Navy and Department of Defense.

FSO Agents Intercept Shipment of Chemical Agents

MAKION - The Federal Protective Service, also known as the FSO, reportedly secured a large amount of chemical agents that could be used for terror attacks.

The FSO raided a container ship a few miles off the coast of western Southern Yugoslavia using helicopters and a destroyer from the Southern Yugoslavian Navy after intelligence pointed to a possible terror attack using chemical weapons that had yet to be delivered. The FSO discovered the name of the ship in other raids across Maiskiat and Ryikon. The raid on the ship led to the deaths of four sailors, who reportedly began firing on agents as they landed on the deck.

The FSO reports they secured four containers of chemical agents that, when put together, could be used in a chemical weapon. Roughly fifteen arrests have been made in relation to the shipment.

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Merrill Rivers to be Extradited, Supreme Court Rules

NEW SKOPJE - The Supreme Court ruled Friday that Merrill Rivers, former leader of Vulshain, will be extradited to Vulshain to face charges ranging from terrorism to genocide.

Rivers was tried by a private military tribunal in New Skopje earlier this year, but his execution was stayed for three weeks after the Supreme Court ruled to stay it to bring into consideration of extradition and deportation. The Supreme Court ruled that Vulshain had a right to try its past leader, as most of the crimes he is accused of occurred in Vulshain and against Vulshain’s people. The ruling stems from several professional opinions deeming Rivers ‘stable enough’ to extradite to Vulshain for trial.

Rivers is expected to be extradited by the end of next week via air to a military facility in western Vulshain by the Federal Protective Service, or FSO.

POLITICS: Republican Primary Heats Up as National Convention Looms

MILITARY: Two New Aleksy Zukov-class Submarines Launched; Active With Homeland Fleets

POLITICS: Kreskov Approval Rating Up to 74% from 72%

INTERNATIONAL: Military Strides Through Rygard, Stumbles Over Dorden

SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA: Akula Concert at Skoby Convention Center Sells Out in 15 Minutes

OPINION: Kreskov Will be Reelected

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Merrill Rivers Extradited to Vulshain

NEW SKOPJE - Merrill Rivers was extradited to Vulshain sometime last night, an anonymous government official reports.

The former Vulshainian dictator Merrill Rivers was extradited back to Vulshain to face charges filed by the Vulshainian government ranging from vandalism to genocide. Rivers is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands throughout his reign of Vulshain from 1958 until the toppling of his government by Southern Yugoslavian and Vekaiyun forces in 1980. Rivers was transported to Vulshain via helicopter by FSO agents, according to the government official. Rivers is reported to be held in a top secret military base somewhere near the border.

It is unknown when Rivers will be tried by the Vulshainian tribunal and what his punishment will by, as determined by the Vulshainian government. It is believed he will receive the death penalty, but he may avoid it due to his declining mental health.

Politics - Polls Show Kreskov as Favorite in Upcoming Elections

Southern Yugoslavia - Beating of Lobo Student by Human Police Officer Results in Riot, Officer Dismissed and Detained for Battery

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Laiatan Celebrates 255th Anniversary

VOLKGORODA - Laiatan celebrated its 255th birthday yesterday with fireworks and cookouts.

Laiatanese citizens everywhere celebrated their country’s birthday yesterday, marking the 255th year since the ratification of the Laiatanese Constitution, creating the United Provinces of Laiatan. The country was under military rule for four years while the founding father of Laiatan, Aleksy Zukov and his highest ranking officers wrote the Constitution following a seven year long guerrilla war followed by another three years of engaging korol forces on open battlefields. Volkgoroda came under Zukov’s control August 1, 1753, overthrowing the koroldom. Although the koroldom ended August 1, 1753, the Laiatanese people do not celebrate their country’s birthday until April 17, which is when the Constitution was ratified by each province, and officially created the United Provinces of Laiatan.

President Kreskov celebrated the country’s birthday by dropping in on a random cookout near the Wolfsden, and enjoyed speaking and posing for pictures with the homeowner and his family and friends, as well as eating old fashion barbecue and burgers. When asked about his visit, Kreskov responded by saying, “It’s nice to get out of the office once in a while and meet the real, hardworking citizens of Laiatan who isn’t a politician.”

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Wildfire closes on homes, mass evacuations begin

VOLKGORODA - A wildfire that began in the Boles Nature Preserve (BNP) late Monday night has closed in on homes in northern Volkapita, prompting the provincial government to begin voluntary evacuations in areas deemed “at risk.”

Fire crews hampered by wind gusts and dry conditions on Wednesday made slow gains battling dangerous forest and brush fires in the rugged terrain in northern Volkapita that has doubled in size overnight. The fire has torched nearly 100 square miles of forest, brush and grass.

The BNP blazes are the largest in five years, the largest blaze occurring in 2007 in the Soli Desert Valley torching nearly five thousand square miles of brush, destroying almost 2,500 homes and killed twelve.

In northern Volkapita, crews said that the blaze was within ten miles of Illyushia, a town of nearly 20,000. Crews also said that several buildings have been charred in the blaze, mostly barns and other buildings in the wilderness, and nearly 4,000 were under voluntary evacuation. Another 1,000 are under mandatory evacuation in order to prevent deaths.

More than 360 firefighters fought the conflagration with bulldozers and helicopters, as billowing smoke cast a pall over the rugged area south of Emirgorod, making it difficult to assess the burn size.

“There’s so much smoke, you can’t really get up in the air and see … the size,” Valentina Gorev, a spokeswoman with the BNP incident team told HNH.

“Helicopters in front are trying to hold the fire moving too far to the east, and they have all the fighters around it putting in lines,” she added.

Gorev said the fire was just 10 percent contained. While gusting winds challenged firefighters, much cooler temperatures were expected to help crews bring the fire under control by Saturday.

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Smoke prompts air quality alert in central and southern Volkapita

VOLKGORODA - The Department of Health and Lobo Services has issued an alert Wednesday afternoon as smoke from a northern Volkapita continued to blanket the province.

Officials reported that unhealthy levels of ozone and dust due to the Boles Nature Preserve Fire, and said that the alert would remain in effect until Friday afternoon.

Air quality updates are posted regularly on the Department’s website.

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Narodnoe to vote on liaison to Vulshain

VOLKGORODA - The Narodnoe is to vote on the issue of establishing a military liaison to Vulshain sometime this Thursday or Friday, a Verkhnya official said Wednesday night.

The Narodnoe is preparing to vote for a military liaison to Vulshain after debating for several weeks on the choices for the position, including the current Republican Guard Commandant, Stewart Riskotov, nominated by President Kreskov.

Some analysts have criticized the nomination is due to his engagement to Vulshainian premier Cecilia Rainard, and his friendship with Kreskov. This has led other political analysts to believe the Narodnoe will vote in a more senior military official to become the liaison to Vulshain.

Several military officials are on the ballot for the position include Major General Mikhail Rostok (Laiatan Army), General Yuri Norov (Laiatan Army), General Ivan Stagleishov (Laiatan Air Force), Major Sergei Illich (Laiatan Air Force), Admiral Andrei Makarov (Laiatan Navy) and Commandant Stewart Riskotov (Laiatan Republican Guard).

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President Declines Vulshainian Assistance as Fire is Brought Under Control

VOLKGORODA - The wildfire that began in Boles Nature Preserve (BNP) last week has been contained, prompting President Kreskov to decline assistance from Vulshain in fighting the fire.

Cooler temperatures and heavy rains have helped fire crews contain the fire to a much smaller area. Valentina Gorev, a spokeswoman with the BNP incident team, reported that 90% of the fire is under control, and expects the blaze to be extinguished Thursday. The Department of Health and Lobo Services canceled its air quality alert Tuesday as winds blew the smoke away from Volkgoroda and further into the wilderness.

With the containment of the fire, investigators were able to measure and determine the cause. A lightning storm was determined to have caused the fire, and it was found that the fire had destroyed roughly 175 square miles of forest, brush and grass. No injuries or deaths have been reported, and a total of 12 buildings have been destroyed. The town of Illich was largely untouched as residents returned to their homes Wednesday night. All evacuation orders have been cancelled, and residents are free to return to their homes not in the affected areas.

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Narodnoe Refuses Admittance of Vulshainian Province of Ibius into Laiatan

VOLKGORODA - The Narodnoe issued a statement concerning the Vulshainian province of Ibius, stating that “no territory can declare itself part of the United Provinces of Laiatan, as the Constitution states that only the Narodnoe may admit provinces. . . this Narodnoe will never admit the Province of Ibius into this Union.”

The Province of Ibius has recently been causing a stir in Vulshain by declaring it will secede and join Laiatan, citing a peace treaty from the aftermath of the Five Year War. The Narodnoe has ultimately refused to admit the province, after only ten minutes of debate, which was largely composed of laughter and a short and unanimous voting period. The Narodnoe voted 0 - 511 on bringing the province into Laiatan. President Kreskov released a statement as well, saying that “this country will support Vulshain’s claim to Ibius, and will not admit the rebellious province into our Union, no matter what evidence is brought up by the separatists.”

The president also cited the Constitution, agreeing with and praising the Narodnoe’s decision not to admit Ibius. In the statement, Kreskov reiterated what the Narodnoe spoke only hours before, stating “Only the Narodnoe has the authority to admit new provinces, and their claim to join the United Provinces if laughable at best. Laiatan shall never admit a Vulshainian province without the consent of both the Confederacy of Vulshain and our Narodnoe.”

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Narodnoe Selects Liaison to Vulshain

VOLKGORODA - The Narodnoe selected General Ivan Stagleishov of the Laiatanese Air Force as the military liaison to Vulshain.

General Ivan Stagleishov was selected Tuesday evening by the Narodnoe to become the liaison to Vulshain following an intense debate, but eventually garnered the votes of 365 Narodnoemen/women, securing him the position.

General Ivan Stagleishov is commander of the Fifth Air Force, which is tasked in the defense of the Eastern region of Laiatan. General Stagleishov has served in the Air Force for the last 21 years, which he contributes to his selection of liaison. The president personally congratulated the long-serving general. The general will maintain his command and will meet with the Vulshainians every month or so.

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Election Day Grows Near

VOLKGORODA - Election Day is only thirty days away as the entire country prepares for the 2012 presidential election.

Across the country, many homeowners have begun showing support for their favorite candidate with bumper stickers, yard signs, and buttons.

With polls taken from across the country by Ramusov Reports, polls show that current president Zakhari Kreskov is ahead with 71% of the vote, with the Republican candidate Kiril Yamovsky holding second place with 12% of the vote. Political analysts believe that Kreskov will win a sweeping victory, leaving him in the Wolfsden for another four years.

Citizens turning eighteen before the election are especially excited to participate in the election. Young voter turnout has increased since the 1990s, bringing the total voter turnout to a record high of 89% in 2008. Analysts predict that this number will increase to almost 91% in the 2012 election.

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Five Dead in Letov Bus Stop Wreck

LETOV - A car driving at a high rate of speed lost control, went airborne, spun out and slammed into a west Letov bus stop, resulting in the deaths of five people, police said Saturday.

According to the Letov Fire Department, the wreck happened on West Mountain Road, east of Zukov Boulevard, at 6:25 a.m.

Letov Metro Police Sgt. Yuri Gorodsky said the driver had 3-4 people in his vehicle at the time of the crash. The driver has been charged with felony driving under the influence and five counts of vehicular manslaughter, officials said.

Eight other people were hospitalized after the wreck, Gorodsky said, although police were still trying to determine which of the injured were from the bus stop and the vehicle.

Four of the injured were transported to Den Mother Medical Center. Authorities said one person was in serious condition, another was in fair condition and two were in good condition.

The other injured victims were transported to Sunrise Hospital. One underwent surgery while three others were in intensive care, according to hospital officials.

Of the four patients taken to Sunrise, one male is listed in good condition, one female is listed in critical condition and two males are listed in critical condition, as of Saturday morning.

Two patients were released from DMMC Thursday afternoon, which leaves two patients there. One is listed in fair condition, the other in serious.

Gorodsky said a first responding officer noticed a smell of alcohol on the driver. He also said the driver appeared to have sustained a broken neck and collapsed lung as a result of the accident. Hospital officials have confirmed the man’s injuries, and included he had several broken ribs and a broken leg. The man was booked in absentia while he remains in the hospital.

Police said drivers should avoid West Mountain at Zukov throughout the day. Authorities anticipate a daylong investigation in the area.

The driver’s court date is expected sometime next week, and if convicted on all charges, faces a maximum of 60 years in a federal penitentiary.

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Thousands Take to Streets in Protest of Presidential Election Results

VOLKGORODA - Thousands have taken to the streets of nearly every major city in protest of the results of the 2012 Presidential Election.

With nearly 98% of the votes counted, results are showing that the current President Zakhari Kreskov has been defeated by a margin of almost fifty percent by Kiril Yamovsky, the Konservativnaya Partiya candidate, prompting mass protests nationwide and an appeal to the Supreme Court from the leader who was projected to dominate the election. The Supreme Court has maintained the elections, but announced an official investigation will be launched.

In a statement released by Kreskov’s campaign, it was announced that the election was “the most corrupt and fraudulent election in the history of Laiatan, and is a stain upon the name of a country that prides itself on the democratic principles the country was founded on.”

The election results have been condemned by nearly all political parties, government entities and other agencies. The Supreme Court has stated that the inauguration of Yamovsky will be put on hold, and they will begin reviewing the election tomorrow. They expect to finish their review by Thursday. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands continue to protest the results.

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Supreme Court Orders Runoff Election

VOLKGORODA - The Supreme Court ordered a runoff election in response to the claims of corruption and outrage at the result of the election that took place October 15.

The runoff election is set for November 6, which was met by cheers from hundreds of thousands in Freedom Square when told the news by protest organizers. President Kreskov praised the Supreme Court and “is confident the true winner will emerge following the runoff.” The Supreme Court stated that the Federal Election Committee will remain running the elections, as an investigation showed no fraud within the Committee.

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Runoff Election Shows Kreskov as Winner by Landslide, Several Arrested in Investigation

VOLKGORODA - President Kreskov has won the Supreme Court ordered runoff election following the outrage of the presidential election’s outcome nearly a month ago.

With all the votes counted and recounted, Kreskov was shown to have won nearly 82% of the vote. Federal agents have also arrested several people in connection with the election fraud, including several members of challenger Yamovsky’s election campaign.

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Kreskov Sworn in for Second Term

VOLKGORODA - Kreskov was sworn in for his second term following the court ordered run-off election.

Kreskov was sworn in following the results of the run-off election the Supreme Court called. The run-off showed the true results of the original election, as Kreskov won in a landslide against the other candidates with eighty-one percent of the votes. Yamovsky, the winner in the election October 15, received only eight percent of the votes. Protest leaders in Freedom Square announced the results to a crowd of nearly two hundred thousand, which was met with cheers and eventually led to the chanting of Kreskov’s name by the crowd.

The protest turned into a massive celebration in the streets as it gravitated towards the Wolfsden, flags waving as cars drove passed with horns honking. Police appeared to largely turn a blind eye to the festivities, although they remained nearby and kept the area in check. Only several people were arrested and later released for public drunkenness.

Kreskov eventually appeared in front of the crowd and met with the protest leaders and several members of the protest. He gave a speech to them via megaphone which was met with loud cheers and applause.

Following his victory Kreskov will remain President until 2016, where he cannot run for a third term.

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Kiril Yamovsky Arrested in Connection With Election Fraud

VOLKGORODA - As Kreskov was sworn in for a second term, Kiril Yamovsky was begin read his rights by federal agents after an attempt to flee the country in his private plane.

Kiril Yamovsky was arrested following new evidence in the investigation of election fraud in the 2012 presidential election. Federal agents pursued Yamovsky from his home in the Ison Savu Mountains to a small airstrip where his plane was waiting. His car was stopped after a helicopter with a sniper shot out the engine block several hundred feet from his plane. He was then taken into custody, as well as his driver and pilot. Several other workers were put into custody, but released at the scene after it was discovered they didn’t know of the plane’s occupant or destination.

A search of his plane revealed several incriminating emails on his laptop, as well as several maps of Vulshain, Vekaiyu and other Gulf of Itur nations. The FBR announced it will continue the investigation, and has charged Yamovsky with fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, bribery, money laundering, forgery, election fraud, and conspiracy to illegal obtain a national office. If he’s convicted on all charges, he faces up to fifty years in federal prison.

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Kiril Yamovsky Pleads Guilty, Sentenced

VOLKGORODA - Kiril Yamovsky, former presidential candidate, plead guilty to all charges.

Yamovsky was captured by federal agents at a small airstrip in the Ison Savu Mountains attempting to flee the country. He was indicted by a grand jury last week on charges ranging from bribery to attempted seizure of a national office. As part of his plea deal, he named and identified other members of the Konservativnaya Partiya that assisted in the election fraud. He was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in federal prison, as well as fined Ԅ7.8 million, which will be paid to government.

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First SITO Summit Begins

VOLKGORODA - The first meeting between the South Itur Treaty Organization (SITO) members has begun in Volkgoroda after nearly three years of putting everything into motion.

The first meeting of SITO has begun in Volkgoroda, with high ranking members from both Laiatan and Vulshain congregating in the new headquarters building of the alliance. President Kreskov as well as several high ranking members of the federal government are in attendance of the summit, including the Secretaries of State and Defense. In a small press conference in one of the new conference rooms inside of the headquarters building, Kreskov reported that the occupation of Rygard and its future will be the main talking points of the summit.

SITO forces were engaged with Rygardi military forces for nearly a year before managing to secure the capital and begin the occupation of the island nation, which has lasted nearly two years. Kreskov announced he would like to see all Laiatanese and SITO forces pulled from the island by the end of August, leaving total control of the island to the Rygardis. He also announced this plan has already been put underway, roughly five thousand Laiatanese Marines returning home from an eight month tour in Esteroak, the city first invaded by the Marines in September 2010.

However, Kreskov also announced he would like to see SITO overlook nation-building on the island following the destruction of the invasion by SITO forces through civilian contractors, hoping to rebuild the devastated nation and build an ally in the region.

VP in Vekaiyu

VOLKGORODA - With Kreskov busy in Volkgoroda, Vice President Andrei Borovsky and the Second Lady have reportedly arrived in Edlura, Vekaiyu for a ball organized by the country’s leadership.

Vice President Borovsky and his wife have reportedly landed in Eldura and will be attending a ball that all leaders of the region have been invited to attend. The Wolfsden released a statement concerning Borovsky’s choice of attendance, citing Kreskov’s current involvement with the SITO summit occurring in Volkgoroda, and the hope friendly diplomacy will arise between Laiatan and Vekaiyu following the Et Miseri incident that occurred almost three years ago.

Tensions in the region have also risen due to Vekaiyu’s refusal of a joint occupation of Listonia, fueling fears in the government that Listonia will see itself shifted into a puppet state - controlled by Eldura. Several lawmakers have denounced the attendance of the Vice President, stating that the ball is nothing more than a bluff to soften up global leaders to the idea of a Vekaiyun annexation of Listonia.

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Multiple Green Paw Activists Arrested

NOVMOSK - Multiple members of the Vulshain based environmentalist group, Green Paw, have been arrested at a private mining site early this morning.

Roughly fifteen members of the environmentalist group Green Paw have been arrested during an attempt to seize and occupy a natural gas well on private property belonging to the mining company Dobycha. The group was protesting methods used by the mining company to extract resources, most notably hydraulic fracturing, which has been on the Federally Approved Mining Methods list since the 1970s.

According to police, the demonstrators vandalized mining equipment and several buildings within the mining facility before attempting to occupy one of the natural gas wells onsite. The seizure of the well was thwarted by private security officers, who discovered the presence of the demonstrators thanks to security cameras. The police were promptly called, and arrested the demonstrators, who scattered after multiple police vehicles and a helicopter arrived onto the scene.

The group has been charged with trespassing, vandalism, destruction of private property, fleeing from police, attempted illegal seizure of property, and conspiracy to commit extortion.

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Former Green Paw Members Plea Guilty, Sentenced

NOVMOSK - The apparent former members of the Green Paw organization plead guilty earlier today to all charges, and were sentenced.

The Green Paw organization was quick to announce the members responsible were in fact “former members” of the organization. It’s unknown when or why the imprisoned activists were removed from Green Paw’s ranks, and some lawmakers believe there is still a link between the former members and the group. The former members plead guilty to all charges put against them, and were sentenced to ten years imprisonment, and have been ordered to pay all damages they caused to Dobycha.

A Dobycha spokesman announced the company was pleased to hear about the sentence, and praised the court system for “swift and righteous justice” against the vandals. The Attorney General, Artyom Spartakivich Goraya, announced that the imprisoned will not be extradited to Vulshain and will serve their sentence before being deported.

Dobycha Accuses The Confederate Sentinel of Defamation

LETOV - The mining company, Dobycha has recently accused the Vulshain-based news agency The Confederate Sentinel of defamation following a news article that ran earlier today.

Dobycha has accused the news agency mere minutes after the article ran, stating that no laws in any country of operation had been violated, especially within Vulshain. In response to the claims, Dobycha released thousands of pages of information on the practices that took place in Laiatan and Vulshain that took place six years ago, all of which were perfectly legal according to the company’s legal team.

No instances of environmental law violations were found to have occurred within Laiatan or Vulshain, and the company made sure all union laws were followed within the two countries - especially in Vulshain, where union laws are far more protective than in Laiatan. The company has called upon the federal government for their support, which quickly backed the company in a statement made by the Secretary of Commerce, which said that “Dobycha has taken steps that go further than what our environmental laws require. They are one of the most respected companies in Laiatan, and it’s outrageous any claims of environmental abuse have been made against the company.”

Dobycha also released a statement that criticized the news agency, and released the statement they made six years ago, that showed they were “…more than happy to be done dealing with a country that slanders a company to get out of a contract.” The company also pointed out that the day after their contracts were terminated, a Vulshainian company was selected to replace Dobycha’s contracts.

Federal Government Begins Probe of Green Paw

VOLKGORODA - The FBO has begun an investigation of Green Paw’s activities within Laiatan, believing the group is responsible for the attack on the Dobycha mining site, although the group denies all involvement.

The Supreme Court issued multiple warrants to the FBO and several police agencies in areas with a Green Paw presence, allowing law enforcement to seize all documents from the past ten years on Green Paw activity within Laiatan in an attempt to determine just how true their claims against Dobycha were, and to see if the group truly was not involved in the attack on the Dobycha mining site several days ago.

The government has said that it will prosecute the group to the fullest extent of Laiatanese law if it’s discovered the group forged documents and organized the attack against Dobycha, and hopes it can count on the Vulshainian government in capturing and extraditing any Green Paw members involved, if that’s the case.