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New Tarajan refuses to recognize new Arveyrean Confederation, Republic of Navarra ---- Grand Pensionary the Duke of Coevorden to address the Royal Diet next week as legislative sessions resume after summer holidays ---- Drenthe's Staatraad to withdraw confidence to Pensionary Gustav Frejen's government if transparency requests on new highway project are not met, official ---- Hoogeveen celebrates 101st Road Day Festival on Monday as city welcomes more than 50.000 visitors for the occasion ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX +0.5% ; FIX +0.5% ; NTIA +2.1% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj


Astana.
With the Royal Court now returning to Astana from its summer retreat in Vieneskel, followed by many of the Major Houses of the Landsraad and some of the most important Minor Houses of the Royal Estates, international politics apparently has returned immediately into the forefront of Tarajani concerns.
Once again, the occasion is given by the evolving situation in the former Kingdom of Arveyres. After the double announcement that King Linus III of Navarra has accepted to abdicate and dissolve the monarchy, and that all three States formerly belonging to Arveyres (Navarra, Cordoba, and Almeria) are forming a Confederation among themselves, an official note has been issued from the Charbagh Palace, residence of the Tarajani Grand Pensionary, to announce the Kingdom's official position on both matters.
In particular, the note came after the Duke of Coevorden had summoned a meeting, under request of the King, with the Lord President of the Landsraad, Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal, and the representatives of the main political parties of the Kingdom, a meeting that took place, tellingly, yesterday evening in the Royal Palace itself.
"The Federal Aristocratic Kingdom does not recognize the newly-established Republic of Navarra, being faithful to the principle that the monarchy of Navarra, in direct succession to the Arveyran monarchy, is still standing. As a consequence, it cannot recognize the Confederation of Arveyres as a result of the actions of two illegal governments, those of Almeria and Navarra."
The ambassador in Navarra has been recalled to Astana a few hours after the note has been released. Thus, the only extant Tarajani representative in former Arveyres is the ambassador to the Sultanate of Cordoba.
The news came without much surprise. After the events in Almeria, that led to the death of King Camilo outside the Eurasian Senate, it was hard to conceive that New Tarajan would simply accept the birth of another republic in the former Kingdom, particularly considering that the contentious issue of the fate of King Camilo's remains, which sees New Tarajan and Almeria on opposing sides, is still being discussed by Eurasian authorities.
However, rumors from the Royal Palace and the Palace of Government seem to point toward a more nuanced, and ambiguous, picture: it is easy to imagine that King Friederick Wilhelm could have somehow forced the hand of the Duke of Coevorden by issuing a request for the meeting at the Royal Palace, particularly under the pressure of his sister, Princess Elise Angelique, the widow of Camilo who still styles herself as Queen of Almeria. At the same time, however, the UKZ announcement that Cair Paravel will indeed recognize the new Confederation creates a variable that the Kingdom cannot afford to ignore, also considering other rumors that seem to point toward a similar recognition coming from Velikogovolka very soon. The Federation and the UKZ are arguably the most important partners and allies of the Kingdom, and as such their opinion has a strong weight in Astana; however, it is hardly imaginable that the Royal House, and also the Landsraad itself, will give away to Antanaresian and Zack pressures without a fight, if such pressures will be exerted.
As for now, and despite the apparently granitic words coming from Charbagh, the situation is magmatically fluid.

With a tumultuous beginning of relations with New Tarajan, the Triumvirate has agreed to dismiss the Tarajani Ambassador stationed in the capital city of Cordoba, Zaragoza. This comes hours after the refusal of recognition of sovereignty of the Confederation. The Presidents and Sultana unanimously came to the agreement to effectively cut all ties with the Kingdom of New Tarajan following the move to pull the Ambassador to Navarra out of Angostura. "It is with great emotion that we are demanding the departure of the Tarajani Ambassador in Zaragoza. The Ambassador will hastily and cowardly flee the nation much like his counterpart in Angostura," said the Almerian President Lámpros. The last remaining members of the Cordoban and Navarran diplomatic envoys to the Kingdom of New Tarajan are currently in the Navarran city of Aqueménida, awaiting an emergency conference with President Vergara of Navarra in regards to potential hostilities between the two nations.

President Lámpros gave a very cryptic and sinister speech from the Grand Army Plaza in central Calabasas following the order to dismiss the Ambassador, and is quoted saying "the end of all monarchy, worldwide, shall be swift and merciless. The greed of a small certain few to govern the poor and tired masses is completely unethical. Why should someone's blood determine their ability to move forward in the world. Today, the crown of the world begins to rust."

With an overall negative-trending view of New Tarajan, the Arveyran people seemed to welcome the move of severing ties with the Tarajani government. Currently what is unknown is the fate of the Tarajanis that currently live in Arveyres. At the moment, no further exclusionary measures are being brought unto any tourists or residents, however Tarajani-born citizens of Arveyres holding dual citizenship are being asked to choose one citizenship and renounce the other.

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Astana.
If the future stance of New Tarajan toward the Arveyran Confederation was still open to a certain degree of uncertainty since yesterday, when the federal government announced its decision not to recognize either the new republic of Navarra nor the the Confederation itself, and officially withdrew its ambassador from the former, now the uncertainty is gone for good.
In response to the Tarajani note the Sultanate of Cordoba expelled the Tarajani ambassador in Zaragoza. What is worse, however, is the way such a decision was announced to the Almerian people by President Làmpros, with words that every single commentator and analyst had difficulty in defining short of insulting and offensive, and also threatening.
It was to be expected that the reply from Raadspensionaris the Duke of Coevorden, a military man first and foremost, would be quick, and quick it has been. Three hours after the announcements from Cordoba and Almeria, Astana ordered the Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) Conrad III, led by the homonimous ship, to sail from the Tarajani Gold Coast, where it was docked for a routine visit, directly into the Arveyran Sea.
"At this very moment the order has been issued to the flagship and its battle group to move into the Arveyran Sea to the very limits of Arveyran territorial waters, and to begin the procedures for the evacuation of all diplomatic staff in the so-called Arveyran Confederation, together with all those Tarajani and foreign citizens that would be willing to leave as well." these the words used by the Raadspensionaris during a special press conference convened at the Palace of Government for the occasion, together with Count Ledemann, spokesperson and Minister of the Royal House: "We have informed our allies and the Empire of Eurasia of our decision, reassuring everybody of our peaceful intentions. This move has been made necessary by the insulting, threatening and irresponsible behavior of the Arveyran leadership. After subverting two legitimate governments, causing the death of King Camilo III of Almeria, now General Làmpros threatens us directly. I am afraid that, after careful consideration, it is in the best interests of the Federal Aristocratic Kingdom, and in defense of its dignity and the safety of its citizens, that we are forced to send our flagship battle group to ensure that no harm is suffered by our diplomatic staff, our citizens, and their property."
The Raadspensionaris also confirmed that the decision was taken by the Rijksraad (the Council of Ministers) after consulting with the main political parties of the Diet and the Landsraad, and that the King himself chaired the meeting, giving his official approval and personally signing the orders to be sent to the Conrad III. Such an apparently unanimous response is hardly surprising, as the Cordoban behavior and Làmpros' words have been universally perceived as an insult and a direct threat to New Tarajan. The Landsraad in particular in a separate note underlined that "no threats such as those issued by General Làmpros against our Kingdom can be tolerated." However, with the States General still to be convened for a full debate on the matter, the risk is to see a repetition of the protests that already erupted inside the Diet when the King announced his intention not to recognize the republic of Almeria. Some representatives of the TSDP already signed a public letter announcing their displeasure at what they perceived as a lack of transparency from the King and Rijksraad, since they did not consult the Diet in session before issuing "such dangerous orders."



Coincidentally, and ironically perhaps if one considers the content of Làmpros' speech, the flagship battle group is also one of the few still extant in the Tarajani Navy whose officers are entirely aristocrats. The commander of the flagship itself, Rear Admiral Count Radelchis Ratchis Bernard-Korday, is considered to be one of the strongest supporters and handman of the Duke of Coevorden. Also, he is the brother to Count Adelchis Bernard-Korday, the ambassador to Cordoba himself. Known in military circles as an iron-willed officer, he accepted to be interviewed just a moment before leaving port, commenting that the CVBG "will carry on its orders as Tarajani ships do: to the letter, and perfectly" adding that "Our mission is to evacuate and protect, and that is exactly what we will do. Our rules of engagement are extremely strict, but any provocation eventually coming from these wanna-be rebels [as he labels the Almerian and Navarran governments] will be met with adequate response."
The Tarajani move has been already welcomed (unsurprisingly) by the government of the Principality of North Ajania, with Prime Minister Melika Ghorbani-Bakker declaring her full support and accusing Làmpros and the Confederation of "undermining peace and stability in the whole region with their insulting and irresponsible behavior." The speech was made in front of the Ajanian Diet just after the return to Shaharazad of Princess Elise Angelique, welcomed by a huge crowd of people on the streets and in front of her residence, a show of popular support which stands in stark contrast with how General Làmproso tried to depict monarchical regimes.

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Antanares doesn't recognize Arveyres

The parliament voted in the morning supporting the governmental decision to don't recognize the new-born Confederacy

Mostly silent during the recent political shift lived by Arveyres, the Federation of Antanares took a clear stance after the words of President Lámpros against one of the most renowned allied of the country, New Tarajan.
The representatives of the Bruma, in a special session called by the Prince itself, together with the members of both the government and the Shadow Council, has decided to don’t recognize the sovereignty of the new-born Confederacy.
“We cannot recognize a state which allow such words from one of the members of his government” it was possible to hear in the statement of Martina Vento, president and speaker of the Bruma “We will never recognize a state which make promises of violence so publicly. We are a monarchy and we will not be end. Instead, we will defend our right to exist, to evolve, to be a symbol of peace and stability. Something republics such as Arveyres apparently will never be”.
The speech, welcomed by aN almost-unanimous vote of the Bruma to not recognize the Confederacy, was followed by the request of the Federation to its citizen to leave Arveyres, considered not a safe country anymore for conducting personal and business affairs.

The parties refusing to support the Bruma’s decision, according to their own declarations, have been the extremist right-wing “Freedom Party” and the extremist left-wing “Powers”. The firsts according to their leader, Vincent D’Oronzo, will support only a stronger reaction against what he called “Some filthy revolutionaries”. At the opposite side of the table, the “Powers” de facto leader, Hector Valdestan, instead supported the position of Arveyres, declaring that every single nation of Esamir has the right to exist in its own terms.
“It is not up to Antanares or New Tarajan, powerful reactionary monarchies, to decide the future and how a state will seek to survive and prosper. As usual, our government prepares blades and iron to affirm its own right to dominate, not to coexist. We will never support such a stance. We will always be against these kinds of ideas of neo-colonialism”.
Despite the core line of “Powers”, so, was totally against the government, according to the vote (held in secret), the majority obtained from the government was so wide that some members of the opposition party had voted for it, meaning, in broader sense, that the party, which suffered the loss of its former leader, is not united as months ago.

This fracture means that the government clearly used the vote in the Bruma to reaffirm its internal front against the two extremists’ movements, on the right and left of the parliament. According to the constitution, in fact, the government has the power to refuse to recognize any country in the world or stop to recognize it. Such a decision can be accepted by the Bruma or refused during the normal parliamentary sessions, with a vote of simple majority, not-secret.
The decision of Enrique De Letta, PM, to held instead a plenary session of the parliament, with both the government and the Shadow Council (the latter without right to vote, but only to intervene during the speeches session), was clearly a move to show at the same time the support of His Highness for him and his group and to impose to the Bruma itself a choice.
The gambling seemed to work fine since now, scoring a victory for De Letta, whom has to resist to the serious accusation of having used the Federal Bureau to attack the leftist of “Powers”, arresting their leader and seizing some of their assets.

The embassy of Velikogovolka in Cordoba has started the organization of special flights for the repatriation of all the citizens whom will decide to leave the country, payed by the government itself. The staff of the embassy was reduced to only the essential personnel necessary, while many Antanaresian companies started to cut their ties with consociates and partners in Arveyres after the vote in the Bruma, fearing eventual retribution from the non-recognized government of the Confederacy.

The Social Democracy is attempting to tread a very dangerous fine line between the OMNI powers and the newly formed Arveyrean Confederation. On one hand, OMNI is a long standing alliance with strong ties to the Social Democracy and extensive support within the kiwi voting population. On the other, the newly formed Arveyrean Confederation is on the back yard of the Social Democracy and provides a valuable chance to not only create a buffer with the Eurasian Empire but also to open up a expansive and highly lucrative new market to the colossal kiwi economy. 

The Hawkins administration has worked long and hard to push it's "golden triangle" agenda and create a kiwi centric super economy with Aloia and the Arveyrean Confederation. The deterioration of Arveyrean and OMNI relations is nothing short of catastrophic for President Hawkins, particularly in the lead-up to his first re-election campaign. Hawkins will have his work cut out for him if he wants to retain both OMNI and his hopes for the golden triangle. As it stands now, the NZDF Zealandic Fleet has deployed in support of OMNI forces in the Arveyrean region as per the Social Democracy's contractual obligation. However the NZDF has stressed it's role in simply "assisting OMNI in keeping the peace with a watchful eye during potentially inflammatory times" and the Social Democracy itself has carefully refused to outrightly criticise either party. Reports suggest the diplomatic corners of the Social Democracy's government and its network of ambassadors are working double time to prevent escalation of the situation and are working hard towards a mutually agreeable outcome between Arveyres and OMNI.

Arveyres: evacuation continues for diplomatic staff and citizens as flagship continues operations in the Arveyran Sea, official ---- Antanaresian Government issues evacuation orders for all its citizens in Arveyres after Lamproso's threats, refuses recognition to Confederation, spokesperson ---- NT "welcomes" Antanaresian decision in support of the Kingdom, Raadspensionaris says during Diet session ---- Prominent businessman and former MEF Special Advisor Wilhelm Herk-Bahaduri officially proposed as new NTIA Chair during Diet session ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX +0.5% ; FIX -0.4& ; NTIA +8.6% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj



Bergenfort, BER.
While tensions still loom high over the Arveyran Sea, where the Kingdom's flagship HTMNS Conrad III and her battle group are stationing to oversee the evacuation of Tarajani diplomatic personnel and citizens from the Confederation of Arveyres, after the recent diplomatic clash between New Tarajan and two of the Confederation members, House Van Haasen has officially announced that a high-level meeting will take place in Uitzichtsee Castle, the summer residence of the House. The meeting will see the participation of many members of Tarajani aristocracy, from both Major and Minor Houses, including members of the Duke of Coevorden's cabinet (though their names have not been disclosed yet); also, to confirm the high profile of participants and the intentions of the organizers, a spokesperson of House Van Haasen confirmed that invitations have been issued to members of foreign aristocracies, including Antanares, Zackalantis, and even the Eurasian Senate.
The goal of the meeting is no less ambitious. The same spokesperson announced it: "The attacks that the Federal Aristocratic Kingdom has experienced in recent times from Arveyran rebels created an understandable concerns among the Great Houses of this Kingdom. As a result, it is the hope of Duchess Heleine and those who will gather to find a common and shared response in order to help the Kingdom's and its allies' efforts aimed at keeping peace and stability in the region."
A relatively vague statement that leaves no doubts about who's the target of the meeting (at least from an international perspective), at the same time arising more than one question about the means the same meeting hope to elaborate in order to achieve its goals, and speculation is already rampaging around the event and its organizers.
Duchess Heleine Van Haasen, while being a member of the Landsraad in her role of Head of State of the Duchy of Bergen, has kept herself quite on the sidelines of the political scene since her accession to the throne in 1994, leading House Van Haasen to be one of the very few Major Houses not to take a clear-cut stance during some of the most heated moments of recent Tarajani political history (including the attempted coup d'état by former Chief of Staff Baron Heinrich Van Oeerstaeden in 2010 and the whole so-called Liberal Programme pursued by King Friederick Wilhelm), with just a slight exception during the so-called Landsraad Crisis that kept the powerful aristocratic body in a political deadlock for more than one year, when she openly supported the candidature of Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal as Lord President (and then reverting to the previous low-profile stance immediately after and even after the rise to power of Raadspensionaris the Duke of Coevorden).
What moved such a character back on the forefront of the political stage, then? The possible answers are many. First of all, it should be taken into consideration that the meeting itself carries no official meaning: the Duchess of Bergen clearly wanted to avoid a debate inside the Landsraad (at least for the moment) by opening the meeting to both Major and Minor Houses, and even foreign aristocrats, the aim clearly being that of showing off the existence of a strong and broad support among Tarajani aristocracy for action against the Confederation, a show that would give more strength and credit to her position in any future debate inside the Landsraad itself, and also vis à vis the federal government. Also, and definitely not an element to be underestimated, House Van Haasen has invested heavily in the former Kingdom of Arveyres, both in terms of money and prestige, in this being followed by many other Houses, all of which would see their investments destroyed and their honour damaged by the birth of the Confederation. Neither it could be forgotten that the Duchess is one of the oldest friends of, and also bridesmaid to, Her Highness Princess Elise Angelique Van Vinkel, sister of the King and widow of King Camilo of Almeria, one of the most vociferous supports (unsurprisingly) of a strong reaction by the Kingdom against what she considers to be the true murderers of her husband. The Princess herself issued a note from Shaharazad, North Ajania, in support of the meeting, though she will be unable to participate in person.
Meanwhile neither the Royal Palace, nor the federal government or the Office of the Lord President of the Landsraad, have commented on the subject.



During a session of the Diet convened at Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris to inform the legislative body over the most recent developments in the Arveyran Sea, Raadspensionaris the Duke of Coevorden officially and openly thanked the Antanaresian and New-Zealand governments for their response to the crisis.
"It is with no surprise, but with deep gratitude nonetheless, that His Royal Majesty's Government welcomes the decision of our allies to actively support our efforts at ensuring the safety of our citizens in Arveyran territory and their evacuation. In this very moment of diplomatic clash that has been forced upon all of us by the temerity and arrogance of few wanna-be tyrants, the members of OMNI stands together in a show of cooperation and friendship that cannot, and will not, be forgotten." he said "I also deeply thank the Zackalantis Government, for having offered to mediate between us and the Arveyrans in order to avoid a further escalation. While we understand that Cair Paravel could not take a stronger stance on the issue, and while we have been forced by the circumstances to decline their offer, we are still grateful for that."
In its praise of the alliance's unity, the Raadspensionaris confirmed that "the words, and behavior, of people like Lamproso are a threat to all of us, not just New Tarajan". However, it is clear that the Duke of Coevorden is well aware of the difficult position New Tarajan has forced its allies to be, by choosing sides between the Kingdom and the Confederation. In particular, during his speech he made a not-so-covert effort in sustaining NZ President Hawkins' own domestic political position by announcing (in what was only apparently a different topic to be addressed by the Diet) that the renewed New Tarajan Investment Authority's new Chair proposed by the government is Wilhelm Herks-Bahaduri, the influential businessman and Special Advisor of the Ministry of Economy and Finance: it has not escaped the attention of many observers that Herks-Bahaduri is one of the Tarajani businessmen with the strongest links to New-Zealand (where he worked for more than fifteen years) and President Hawkins himself (having actively contributed to the pro-Hawkins stance both inside and outside the federal government). That such a personality may assume on his shoulders, should his candidature be accepted by the Diet and the Landsraad, the role of head of the very body responsible for the direction of Tarajani foreign investments under the umbrella of the Federal Policy for Economic Renewal, Progress, and Innovation (better known by his acronym FePERPI) means that New-Zealand may just be in a very good position to profit from a massive wave of Tarajani investments.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Selena Hoffstra of the United Coalition (a merger of Unity, United Future and the Liberal Party), has launched a scathing attack against incumbent President Lanzarel Hawkins and his ruling Solidarity Party. Hoffstra has accused the incumbent administration of reducing the Social Democracy and her proud armed forces to the level of profit driven mercenaries in response to Hawkin's controversial decision not to speak up regarding the global situation in Arveyres. The United Coalition has leaked unverified documents from within Capitol Hill that show President Hawkins was repeatedly beseeched by not only the Confederation of Arveyres but also long time ally Zackalantis to provide more support to the fledgling republic to the north-east. In the weeks since however, there has been a distinct lack of action from Capitol Hill and Hawkins as the OMNI forces continue to put the screws to the Arveyrean Confederation. In Hoffstra's opinion the Social Democracy of New-Zealand stands on the cusp of choosing between "what is right and what is profitable" and Hoffstra alleges the incumbent Hawkin's administration is both too weak to choose the former and too morally corrupt to turn down the latter. Public opinion stands on a knife's edge with polling of Hawkin's management of the situation standing at 23% in support, 19% against and 55% undecided/unsure. The election, it seems, may lie on how this Arveyrean crisis plays out. Hawkin's reelection hopes may lie on a swift diplomatic end to this situation and the potential flood of Tarajani investment courtesy of Herks-Bahaduri to offset this administrations failure to deliver on the golden triangle. Should Hawkin's fail to win a second term, however, the United Coalition appears to be angling to take a far sharper approach to OMNI.

The Prime Minister on behalf of Her Majesty and the royal family declined the Tarajani invitation to the meeting in Uitzichtsee Castle on two grounds. Firstly, it is not customary for the royal family to represent the UKZ at such events. While there is a precedent of the zack royal family of attending such events, it has not been customary for this to happen in this century. Furthermore, the royal family of the UKZ has been relegated to a largely ceremonial position when it comes to international politics. Within the UKZ, however, the crown is active in advising the government and making appointments of viceroys for individual presidencies.

The royal family also declined the invitation on the grounds that the Eurasian senate members were to be invited as well. This is against Zack foreign policy to share the stage with Eurasian officials. The UKZ has no diplomatic relations with Eurasia and continues its efforts to isolate it internationally.

The UKZ has however achieved what might very well become a diplomatic breakthrough. Sources tell us that the Tarajanis in association with the Antanaresians have agreed to allow the UKZ to mediate between them and the new confederation of Arveyres. The UKZ is desperate for this conflict to end as it finds itself split not only between economic interests and military alliances, but also the duality afforded to it due to its status as a constitutional monarchy. The UKZ has always been committed to the integrity of royal families, but it is also committed to the cause of democracy.
Theresa May's government would also like to be able to say that they ended this conflict for personal political gain as well as the ability to say the UKZ is a world power that can mediate conflict. The government needs a win as it prepares to go into negotiation for the independence of the exclave of Ceylon.

Crisis in Arveyres: Raadspensionaris informs the States General upon UKZ mediation efforts, all conditions accepted by Arveyres ---- Crisis in Arveyres: government's proposal for Arveyran recognition meets opposition in both the Diet and the Landsraad upon alleged attacks against Tarajani citizens ---- NZ opposition deputy leader attacks President Hawkin's stance on Arveyres upon claims of not being able to distinguish "what is right from what is profitable", as NZDF deploys alongside Tarajani Navy in the Arveyran Sea ---- UKZ moves toward presidential elections as analysts and observers wait to see results' influence on the country international stance ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX +0.5% ; FIX +6.0% ; NTIA +4.5% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj


Astana.
"It is my pleasure to inform this honourable assembly and the Most Serene Houses of the Landsraad that the mediation carried by the United Kingdoms of Zackalantis on behalf of this Kingdom and the Federation of Antanares has been concluded with nothing short of a total success." These are the words the Duke of Coevorden pronounced as an introduction to his speeach to the States General this morning. Prospected as a very tense session of the Kingdom's legislative body, the second one to take place specifically on the Arveyran subject since the critical break in relations between the Kingdom and newborn Confederation, the meeting was characterized by an unreal atmosphere of silence and waiting while the Raadspensionaris delivered his speech, detailing the UKZ mediation efforts and the position taken by both New Tarajan and Antanares during the negotiations.
"Always in front of our mind we had clear the goal to achieve: to protect the interests of the Kingdom, its citizens, and its allies, and their honour and dignity, together with those of the Most Serene Houses of the Landsraad and the Royal House itself. No one of these objectives had priority upon the others: all of them had to be achieved. And I am proud to say, in front of all of you, that they have been achieved." the Duke of Coevorden said.
"First, the property of all Tarajani and Antanaresian citizens will be preserved and given back to their original owners; all those who had fled Arveyres  are free to come back and take back their properties. In case they would prefer to leave the country, they will be adeguately compensated for their losses. Also, the properties and estates of the Most Serene Houses and all other Noble Houses will be given back without further expenses on their part, should they decided to take them back. Second, the government of Almeria formally renounced all claims to the body of King Camilo III, who will be given back where it rightly belongs, to his family and widow, and the Principality of North Ajania. Third, Almerian government recused the words of General Làmpros and offered an apology for them, assuring that, and I quote "Arveyres as a whole would wish to pose a threat to any system of government that allows democracy"."
The only issue not yet addressed, as immediately recognized by the Raadspensionaris himself, has been "the status of Her Royal Highness Princess Shirin, daughter of Princess Elise Angelique and King Camilo, whom I am glad to call my niece" as member of House of Vergàra on his father's side. However, the Duke assured that "on behalf of the Principality, we are still working toward a solution that would preserve intact the honour and dignity of Her Royal Highness and the Royal House as a whole."
Following these statements, the Raadspensionaris added that "it is the opinion of this government that the acceptance of the abovementioned conditions may pave the way for the official recognition of the Confederation of Arveyres by the Kingdom of New Tarajan.", a clear invitation to the States General to open a true debate on the issue.



At the very moment the Raadspensionaris ended his speech, the hall of Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris, where the assembly took place, began to echo the first wave of reactions. After a first moment of confusion caused by a combined protest by representatives of the Republikein Partij and the Far Left, that for a moment led some to fear the session could be suspended (as already happened a few months ago at the news of the assassination of King Camilo), calm returned and the parties of the Diet expressed their first reactions to the Raadspensionaris' announcement.
It came as no surprise that the representatives of the government coalition expressed their complete support for the Duke of Coevorden and his political line, underlining the need for a normalization of the relationship with Arveyres following what one of them labelled "probably the strongest diplomatic victory this Kingdom has scored during the last decade": it was evident how the two main members of the coalition, the KTCP and the SGP, saw the opportunity offered by the diplomatic success in order to recompact a majority that had shown an unusual (and, for some, worrying) degree of fragmentation upon this specific issue.
On the other side, reactions from the opposition parties attracted much more attention.
The liberals of the Blauw Partij welcomed the Zack mediation and the Raadspensionaris' moves, basically aligning themselves on the same line as the government. However, they also underlined how the slow, and in a sense ambiguous first reaction of the Kingdom toward the Arveyran developments had already damaged the Tarajani position, pointing also to the "unresponsible actions of some members of the aristocracy", a clear reference to the most recent meeting hosted in the Duchy of Bergen. A very similar position has been expressed by what is now the main opposition party, the TSDP. In this case, however, criticism toward the government's previous response to the crisis has been accompanied by an equally critical statement toward the behavior of the King, who came as far as vetoing the motion (presented by the TSDP itself) in favour of recognizing the Almerian Federation (at the time of its first establishment) and then arrived at suspending the States General when the crisis heigthened. Such a behavior has been seen as "causing more troubles in an already unstable situation."
At this point, a most vociferous attack against the King came once again, and unsurprisingly, from the benches of the Republicans, who underlined how his behavior "risked to harm and even destroy the interests of New Tarajan and even those of the Most Serene Houses", a statement that prompted a direct intervention by Count Lodewijk Ledemann, Minister of the Royal House, who claimed it to be "unfounded, dishonest, and bordering dangerously with treason" before being called back by Negar Farahmand, ad interim president of the Diet, who was chairing the session.
A second wave of reactions came early in the afternoon, when the States General were reconvened and the ball passed in the hands of the Landsraad. Under what some witnesses defined as "a very cold gaze" of Her Highness Princess Elise Angelique pointed toward his cousin the Duke of Coevorden (the Princess joined the assembly from the royal tribune, alongside Count Ledemann), the first member of the Most Serene Houses to speak was the Lord President of the Landsraad himself, Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal of Middensteden, who congratulated the government for its effort, expressing "the gratitude of the Most Serene Houses and the whole Tarajani people toward our friends and allies of the United Kingdom of Zackalantis, the Federation of Antanares, and the Social-Democracy of New-Zealand." However, the Grand Duke expressed the discomfort felt by many members of the Landsraad at the decision of "discussing matters pertaining to the properties and estates of the Most Serene Houses in this plenary session and not in a meeting of the Landsraad itself.", also pointing out that "any decision that would to the detriment of the honour and the birth rights of Her Highness Princess Shirin of North Ajania cannot be accepted by the Most Serene Houses."
Then it came the turn of Duchess Heleine Van Haasen of Bergen, the main promoter of the recent anti-Arveyran meeting that took place in her Houses's summer residence of Uitzichtsee Castle. The Duchess did not spare a fierce criticism against the government: "It is most concerning" she said "that His Excellency the Raadspensionaris should ask us to bow and accept the assurances of an illegal government which saw the participation of a criminal and an assassin, as General Giambattista Làmpros is. His Excellency is asking us to trust the word of a man who betrayed his own king once: why shouldn't him betray us as well?" she rethorically asked with an unusually-strong voice. Her words caused a sudden explosion of protests from some benches of the Diet that gave her the opportunity for a further remark: "As it is obvious even in this very moment, there are here, yes here, even among the members of this assembly, people who have no qualm in accepting the morally unacceptable. For them, they would love to see even our beloved sovereign, and the Crown with him, thrawn in the mud!" Her proposal: "It is time that we stop accepting compromises that hinder our honour, prestige, and safety. Do you want proof?" she said, suddenly raising a folder in her hand as to show it to everybody around her: "Here I have evidence that Tarajani citizens in Almeria have been brutally attacked before they could evacuate on board our flagship; something His Excellency the Raadspensionaris apparently forgot to inform us about. It is time we make rebels and wannabe revolutionaries understand the folly of their intent. They hope they can treat our citizens and ourselves as beasts. I say no. I call here for a direct military strike against the illegal Confederation of Arveyres and for the immediate restoration of the monarchy in those lands." she almost screamed while the whole hall plunged in silence.
While it was impossible to see any reaction on the face of a military man like the Duke of Coevorden, some witnesses affirm that a certain sense of satisfaction for those words was quite evident on the face of Her Highness the Princess of North Ajania, and even on that of Count Ledemann himself, at the same time as the embarassment of Grand Duke Wilhelm V was plainly evident.
Only after a few seconds of tense silence Karl Lodewijk VI Van Graaf, Prince of Landgraaf, took the floor. The 75-years old prince clearly felt some discomfort at speaking after the strong words used by the Duchess, however he clearly felt the urge to ask the Raadspensionaris for clarifications: "We would like to know whether what Her Highness the Duchess of Bergen just said it is true and, in that case, why such evidence was hidden to this assembly." he said. While no reaction seemed to be coming from the Duke of Coevorden, also Jahangir IV Shatrevar, Count of Marisah, raised from his chair: "Also, we would like to know where His Majesty is, and why he is not chairing such an important session of the States General in such a critical time!"
Promptly came the reply from Count Ledemann: "I am afraid His Majesty is ill. Nothing serious, but he felt more prudent not to come here as he puts his complete trust in his representatives."


It is clear the position of the Raadpensionaris and the government is not as easy as somebody else could have imagined, despite the clear diplomatic success they scored. While the government did not release as yet any declaration about the authenticity of the alleged attacks against Tarajani citizens in Arveyres as claimed by the Duhcess of Bergen, it is still to be wondered how she could have come into possession of that evidence. Rumors point toward her personal connections with none less than Rear Admiral Count Radelchis Ratchis Bernard-Korday, commander of the flagship HTMNS Conrad III currently operating in the Arveyran Sea; however, should such an allegation prove correct, it would be a serious scandal for both the Navy and the government, and it is hard to imagine a high ranking officer such as Count Bernard-Korday to release this kind of info in such an unresponsible way.
Whatever the solution to this mystery will be, both the Diet and the Landsraad now have the unenviable duty to decide whether to recognize or not the Confederation of Arveyres under the conditions presented by the government. While no news has come yet from Velikogovolka stating the position of the Federation on these most recent developments, it is clear that New Tarajan cannot simply wait for Antanares to decide. The sudden absence of the King, despite the reassurances by Count Ledemann, just adds a further layer of concerns.

Final push for the Cape Wold Redbelt against the Velikogovolka Endurances for the final game of the NFL League --- The University of Velikogovolka discovers a new black hole? --- ASA continues to track the strange signal at the border of the Solar System

Silent diplomacy

No words can be stronger than screams

Silent diplomacy is the best expression to describe what the Federal Government did in the past weeks. After had decided to don’t recognize the new-born Confederacy of Arveyres, Velikogovolka just opted to maintain a silent position toward the entire problem. While in New Tarajan, one of the strongest allies of the Federation, debates exploded between the Landsraad, the representatives of the Noble Houses and the government, in Antanares everything was extraordinary calm. The special plenary session of the Bruma convocated after the start of the crisis itself was the only public act on the matter. The government maintained its initial position, declared during the session. Some flights with citizens concerned of their well-being departed from Cordoba, while the embassy, with the minimum staff necessary to work, continued to protect the interests of the Federation in the country.
No military action was launched, not a single ship or planes moved. Just the slow but heavy pressure of one of the main economies in Esamir, pushing toward the goal of obtain satisfaction from the revolutionaries of Arvyes and assurances that everything will go business as usual.

It is not the first time the government decides to opt for the silent diplomacy, a characteristic endemic now of the Federation itself. No strong statements neither strong actions, but apparently just slow pressure. Some, the most critics of Velikogovolka, point out that the silent diplomacy is just another one of the dirty tricks of Palace D’Enveire, the building which hosts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The slow pressure is never alone, they say, it is just how the government covers up its real pressure: financing terrorists, rebel and reactionaries group, criminal cartels; forcing its companies to leave the country whom “offended” Antanares; making pression in the international organization.
That modus operandi, defined as criminal, is how Hector Valdestan, the in-pectora head of the Powers Party, described the foreign diplomacy of the Federation. The statement, labelled as just a “vague, hypocrite, hypothesis for a communist” by Ludovico Marevoli, MP linked with Mansaf, is considered one of the many conspiracy theories which circle around Velikogovolka and its halls.

What is certainly true Antanares didn’t speak a lot during the last crisis, leaving the harsh words and the difficult statements all to its northern ally. Even the diplomatic exchange, according to some insiders of Palace D’Enveire, happened through New Tarajan instead of a direct channel between Velikogovolka and Cordoba. Apparently, both His Highness and the government decided to have better things to do. If this is part of a general retire, yet again, from the international scene for the Federation or the definition of Arveyres as a minor problem, it is very difficult to say. Despite the new policies for better transparency in public acts and documents, launched recently by the Bruma with the “Glass Door Act”, n.45 of last month, still the general intentions of the government are surrounded by a fog. The Bruma has lost its grip on the most important decision of the government itself, with a majority strongly in the hands of the PM, Enrique De Letta, who thanks to Martina Vento, the head of the house, is able to maintain separated the minorities inside the Bruma and avoid the systems of check and balance built to allow the Bruma to control some of the activities of the government. With the majority in the sac, De Letta can continue to make the Bruma works without interfering with the business he most cares about.

With the Directorate of Foreign Investigations and the Internal Security Force both strongly in the hand of the government, even the bodies created to investigate on the actions of the government if necessary are not an option for the Bruma to use. The parliamentarians, whatever the party of belonging, are finding themselves with their hands more and more caught, day after day, in the complex and intricate web of organization and sub-organization created to simply push away the effective power from the elected body of the Federation.
Neither the more than ever weak nobility of the Federation can stand up anymore. The more relevant members of the, few houses, of Antanares, are directly linked with His Highness, which took them inside his Shadow Council, leaving wordless the other houses.

Certainly, it is a strange balance the one created inside the Federation. The government can continue to work until the moment it will lose a very strong majority in the government, the actual 65% held by the party of De Letta. The moment it will lose that majority, the check and balance will be back in charge and even the government, with all its organs and agencies, will have to be held accountable.
But that depends on the incoming election. If the people of Antanares will reward the government of De Letta with another win, maybe that will emblematic of a new approach to the entire political life of our country.

ZARAGOZA, CORDOBA == As the negotiations of recognition of the Confederation with the Kingdom of New Tarajan are reaching their ending point, the actions of a minor noble from New Tarajan have threatened to dismantle any hopes of a negotiable future. The Sultana of Cordoba, Xenia, who has remained publicly silent throughout the majority of these talks as she is between two conflicting sides: the side of her nation, which seeks to take a hardline approach towards international recognition, and the nation of her cousins, who overwhelmingly seek the restoration of the monarchy to Arveyres.

In a rare public appearance since the establishment of the Confederation, she addressed directly the Duchess of Bergen in a brief televised broadcast: "Duchess Heleine, do you not know the workings of international diplomacy? You have threatened to put an end to these talks of negotiation and a stable peace for our mutual future. Your baseless claims tarnish not only the talks we are having right now but they should bring shame to yourself as well. As a member of a petty noble house, you don't have the responsibility of representing your nation internationally and to make peace. Please in the future, if you're going to fabricate "evidence" against the Confederation, do it before you call a meeting against our existence."

The Sultana added: "for now, the Confederation will not proceed with further negotiations until the Duchess of Bergen will be held accountable for her falsehoods."

The Sultana continued on a fifteen minute broadcast, later addressing infrastructure works in the joint Aloian-Arveyran maritime sea routes, and in the inauguration of twelve elementary schools in poverty-stricken Cienfuegos Province.

Crisis in Arveyres: Landsraad meeting to discuss recognition "unsuccessful", as Sultana Xenia's words spark debate in the assembly, official ---- Crisis in Arveyres: Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains silence on alleged attacks against Tarajani citizens ---- Minister of the Royal House confirms that King's ill "not threatening" ---- Former Chief-of-Staff and republican ideologue Baron Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt dies in highway car accident in the Duchy of North Brandelhorn, police ---- Federation of Antanares braces for Bruma elections: analysts predict "crushing victory" for PM De Letta ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX +0.5% ; FIX +0.5% ; NTIA -3.3% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj


Astana.
A sort of unreal silence has fallen upon New Tarajan's capital. The news that King Friederick Wilhelm may be ill, as announced by the Minister of the Royal House Count Lodewijk Ledemann a few days ago to the States General, has created a suspended and tense atmosphere pervading the burstling capital city of the Kingdom; this, combined with the most recent developments in the diplomatic crisis between New Tarajan and Arveyres, has opened ways to a sense of uncertainty looming at the horizon.
Today, the Landsraad convened at Palace Van Geldern to discuss whether to accept or reject the Rijksraad proposal for the official recognition of the Confederation of Arveyres under the conditions established thanks to the mediation effort of the United Kingdoms of Zackalantis. But it was already obvious from the beginning that there would be no easy meeting: the Most Serene Houses of the Landsraad have been clearly taken aback by the latest statements of Duchess Heleine Van Haasen of Bergen to the States General, who openly accused the Raadspensionaris and his government to hide crucial information about alleged attacks against Tarajani citizens in Arveyres and who called for retaliation in the form of a military strike against the Confederation and its leaders. A declaration that, quite obviously, had an explosive effect, both inside and outside Tarajani borders: while many representatives of the Diet have expressed their concerns over the Duchess' behavior, the Sultana Xenia of Cordoba, breaking her long-standing silence, has officially condemned the Duchess' words and called for her punishment, lest the negotiations be broken down.
The latest Landsraad meeting took place in the eye of such a storm. The assembly is understandably split in the choice of how to proceed: with the Duchess of Bergen insisting on keeping her position, despite some conciliatory attempts made by the Lord President, Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal of Middensteden, in his opening speech, the Most Serene Houses have to decide whether they should abandon one of their own or, instead, make it clear that they will not tolerate insults towards their honour and dignity. While, immediately after the States General meeting, all Houses were quite unanimous in their condemnation (or, at least, disfavour) of the Duchess's speech (with some, such as Prince Godfried III Van Sondenburg of Horat labelling it as "disgraceful" and "unworthy of a member of the Landsraad"), the statement released by the Sultana of Cordoba had the effect of breaking such a unanimity. The words used by the Sultana, particularly when she addressed House Van Haasen as a "petty noble house", have been deemed "particularly offensive" by Duke Albrecht IV Van Adelaar of Drachten, who also underlined that the idea itself of a Landsraad member "being prosecuted under the wim of a foreign monarch is, by definition and beyond any possible doubt, unacceptable and a grave offense to the dignity of this assembly and the country it represents." The ensuing debate also offered a chance for some other lords to express their disappointment at what they perceived as a lack of effort by the Raadspensionairs in protecting the interests and rights of Princess Shirin, dauther of Princess Elise Angelique and the late King Camilo: "It is disgraceful to see that His Excellency the Raadspensionaris does not seem to have any intention to ensure that the sacrosanct rights Her Highness acquired by birth be protected, as it is customary in our Kingdom and in the whole Realm." Landgravess Adelheid II Van de Meester of Bivenland declared, pointing at an issue that is heartly felt by the whole Landsraad.
The result of this split has been that the Landsraad did not manage to reach a consensus on the issue of recognition, with the Lord President being forced to call for another meeting tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom awaits for an official reply by the Duke of Coevorden to the allegations brought forward by the Duchess of Bergen. No statement has been released by Charbagh Palace and the Palace of Government, residence of the Raadspensionaris and seat of the Rijksraad respectively, and the government's silence is opening doors for speculations among the public opinion and the political world. The question everybody is asking is: what is the Duke of Coevorden waiting for?
This question comes immediately before the second one: where is the King? Access to the Royal Palace is currently restricted, and actually there is no certainty the King is even still there. Count Ledemann has once again assured the country that "His Majesty, while ill, is in no serious nor threatening condition for his life", but he did not give any details. At the moment Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Sigismund are in Van Janusekstadt, guests of their cousin-in-law and uncle, Grand Duke Conrad. The only other member still present at the Royal Palace is Princess Elise Angelique.



Police authorities have officially confirmed that Baron Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt, former Chief-of-Staff of the Royal Army, has died in a car accident last night. The tragic fatality took place on the E12 Federal Highway, in the tract connecting Goedewind and Ilvebroke, in the Duchy of North Brandelhorn: according to the police officers who investigated the scene, Van Oeerstaedt's car suffered from a brake malfunction while overtaking a bus, causing it to hit the barriers repeatedly before being crashed by an incoming truck. Death of the car's occupants (together with the Baron there were his wife and a security guard) was immediate, despite the rescuer's efforts.
Van Oeerstaedt's death puts an end to the story of one of the most controversial figures of Tarajani recent political history: Chief-of-Staff from 1994 to 2010, General Van Oeerstaedt was the main organizer of the failed coup against then-Marquis Conrad Van Vinkel (now Grand Duke Conrad of Sdudeti-Karabak), cousin of the King and first Raadspensionaris of the Kingdom since 1919, what many observers at the time saw as an attempt at stopping Friederick Wilhelm's newly-inaugurated Liberal Project to reform the Kingdom after six decades of absolutist policies pursued by his grand-father and father. Disappointed by what he considered a betrayal on the part of the King (he always defended himself affirming that he was acting "to protect His Majesty against the ill influence of liberal-inspired and subversive advisors") and subsequently removed from office and put into retirement, Baron Van Oeerstaedt became the founder and ideologue of a republican-inspired movement that later converged into the birth of the Regeneratie Partij that aspired to the re-birth of New Tarajan as an aristocratic republic inspired by the pre-monarchical period of the country in the XVI century. When he lost his grip on the party thanks to the action of Count Carl Van Houden (later to become the most prominent conservative politician in the Kingdom, Lord Mayor of Astana and fourth Raadspensionaris), he moved more on the borders of legality by founding a more radical movement, that later morphed into the Republikein Partij (afther the Regeneratie Partij officially merged with the KTCP).
More recently Baron Van Oeerstaedt had seemed to have taken a break from political activism, particularly after the issuing of the Royal Charter and the crushing electoral victory of the Duke of Coevorden, who he always considered a dangerous enemy despite (or perhaps because) their sharing a similar career from the armed forces to politics; a reason for his sudden 'shadowing' may have been also his alleged complicity in the revolts that shook Astana during the later stages of the war against Eurasia (and that were crashed by the Duke of Coevorden himself, paving the way for his future success). He was last seen in Bergenfort, capital of the Duchy of Bergen, where apparently he was spending his winter vacations in a resort not far from Uitzichtsee Castle. At the moment, the reason that led him to rush away from Bergenfort toward Astana (he had booked an hotel there the day before leaving), together with the alleged weird behavior he displayed when he refused the resort offer for booking an airplane ticket for the capital, remains unknown.

Chess championship concluded in Cape Wolf. Anna Von Matternich the new champion --- Stock Exchange on the rise after the recent positions of the Federal Government --- ASA continues the monitoring of the unknown signals at the border of the Solar System, now near Uranus

Time for a debate

The "Federal Debate" of today focused on the recent issues between Arveyres and New Tarajan

What happens when a foreign nation accuses the citizen of another country? That is the topic of today’s “Federal debate”, where we interviewed Dr Annachiara De Cavallata, board member in the “Foundation of Foreign Affairs”, a think-tank based in Velikogovolka.

Doctor, thank you for being with us in the studio.
No, thank you for inviting me. I am very happy to help you with your questions.

So, starting with the hot topics, we know there is a very intricate and complicated issue, right now, between a lot of people and Arveyres.
Well, yes. Every time there is a change of regime, there is a kind of practice which nations follow. There is official recognition that must be enacted by all the countries and there is the issue about the legal and effective control of the territory. Of course, the current government of Arveyres is effectively in control of its own territory, mostly. There is the lack of foreign recognition, that is something totally different.

In which sense?
Well, you can take a bunch of people with enough weapons to control a city, but you will never recognize them as an official municipal government, right? Well, the same apply in the international scene. Antanares, for example, has not yet officially recognized the government of Arveyres. Of course, this doesn’t mean Antanares doesn’t recognize its existence, at all.

So, what means effectively?
That we know Arveyres exists, that the citizens of Arveyres answer to the legal system of Arveyres and that Arveyres, as entity, right now exist. But we don’t recognize its government, not until every issue between the Federal government and Arveyres is resolved.
It is not the usual practice for the international relationships having this kind of stall between two nations, but we must understand that an organ of Arveyres threatened our existence itself. So, I can say, I support for now the stand of the Federal government.

Well, for Antanares is clear as situation. But what about Arveyres and New Tarajan?
Oh, partially we are on the same spot. But, at the same time, now Arveyres touched an exposed nerve of the situation of New Tarajan. The role of noble houses in the internal politics of New Tarajan is very complex. It Is not like saying they are part, an organ, of their government. At the same time, they have a pretty relevant role inside the delicate equilibrium of their country.
What the Sultana did, at the same time, was a common error. Confounding the role of a single noblewoman with the organ of the state they belong. Let’s do an example. I declare here that for every New Tarajani is a terrorist. I am a private citizen in this moment. I represent hereby only myself. Now, New Tarajan of course will be offended by such harsh words, so they can ask for a compensation not contacting me, because I am not an international entity. They have to talk with the government, which, then, will press charge on me as a subject of the Federation. The same apply in the problem of New Tarajan and Arveyres. The Sultana represents its state, the Duchesse Eleine no. Maybe the Sultana should read again the international laws.

So, for you what will be the future of this issue?
Well, I can’t speak for New Tarajan. The Federation has its peculiar position on such delicate issue. Surely, without those formula excuses, the government will never recognize Arveyres. After all, they threatened us. It is more probably that the excuses will arrive, Arveyres will not risk an incident with both the nations at the same time. They know that the excuses are easy to obtain and the government, or any organs, of Antanares, has done anything else, for now. Of course, the risk of escalation always exists. Can be low, but never zero. We will see what happen, but I am positive about that.

So, you think nothing will happens? We can be positive about the near future?
Yes, I think we have pretty good basis for a positive outcome.

Thank you, and we hope that what you said will be true. Well, that for now everything from your morning “Federal Debate”, focused on the issue between Arveyres, New Tarajan and Antanares. Currently, the government of Antanares maintained its stand and no further declaration was sent via official channel.
Voices, rumours, are circling about the idea that the government is preparing a contingency plan, in case of an escalation. The use of violence, of course, is not even considered as a possibility as any level, but on the table are instead well present the possibilities of sanction, both on a diplomatic and economical level.

As parliament convened in its winter capital of London for the shortest session of the year - The winter session, Prime Minister Theresa May rose to address the house on how the mediations between New Tarajan & Antanares and The Arveyrean Confederation are going. The Prime Minister confirmed that the UKZ had achieved a diplomatic victory and the Arveyrean confederation had accepted the demands placed by Tarajan and Antanares.
The Prime Minister praised Arveyres by saying, "The Arveyrean confederation showed a great amount of maturity during these negotiations, they showed us that they are a young nation, but an old and experienced country. They had a genuine desire to mend relationships and were open to compromise and understanding".
In what many are considering a jibe to New Tarajan, the Prime Minister also said that "These negotiations have taught us that older, and more influential nations need to give room and respect the wishes of the people of developing nations. As the voice of the developing world, the UKZ needs to tell its more developed allies, in no uncertain terms, that we as democratic nations must respect the democratic wishes of people from across the world, whether we like it or not".

Unnamed diplomats on the negotiation team have confirmed that it was a lot easier dealing with the Arveyrean side as they were ready to compromise. The Prime Minister has also revealed her intent to host the Arveyrean government soon and have the zack royals tour the holy land in Arveyres.

Foreign policy continued to be the highlight of the first week of this winter session, as the leader of the opposition revealed that they had obtained leaked documents showing communication between UKZ and NZ regarding the Arveyrean confederation. The same that the deputy leader of opposition waved in the New Zealand assembly. The Liberal leader of the opposition demanded the Zack government confirm or deny the legitimacy of these documents and re-consider their close relationship with New Zealand if they were not ready to help with the normalisation of ties between OMNI and the Arveyrean confederation.
The Minister of External Affairs did indeed confirm the legitimacy of those documents but was quick to add that "While we do have differences of opinions with all OMNI nations, including New Zealand, or relationship with them need not be re-evaluated as they are essential to our national security. We work together in spite of any differences we may have".
It remains to be seen, what the confirmation of this leaked communique will mean for the domestic politics of New Zealand.

With news breaking of the leaked conversation between Hawkin's and UKZ PM May over the weekend, Hawkin's returned to Capitol Hill today to a swath of protesters chanting "Coward", "Sellout" among other things. With Election Day a mere 6 weeks out at this stage, Leader of the Opposition Selena Hoffstra will no doubt be putting the screws to Hawkin's during the first open house session of the week. Hawkin's has yet to release an official statement on the matter, but initial reports from within Capitol Hill suggest the President may soon bow to rising public opinions. With the recently heavy handed moves by OMNI "Old Powers", recent polls suggest that the electoral base of the Social Democracy is now swinging more in favour of the UKZ and independent alliances over the OMNI Enforcer. Hoffstra, while critical of OMNI, has not yet made any moves towards indicating a future split between the Social Democracy and OMNI should she take office next cycle. 

Regardless, Hawkin's will likely be making frantic calls to OMNI powers in attempts to renew OMNI's view within the Social Democracy. While the OMNI Enforcer is held with high value within the Solidarity Party and it's subsequent current administration, it appears to be rapidly losing it's goodwill with the kiwi population. With the Social Democracy now standing as a leading world power with a formidable military and diplomatic presence and a gargantuan economic superpower, a split with OMNI could drastically change the world stage and spell the end of the United OMNI Bohemoth that enforced world peace through a unified incontestable might. With rumours swirling of similar discontent within the UKZ, OMNI would do well to heed these warnings.

PROVIDENCIA, SANTANDER, ARVEYRES == While doing a domestic tour of every province of the Confederation, President Lámpros and Sultana Xenia announced new plans set forth by the newly established Council of Negotiations, created to handle the negotiations between the Kingdom of New Tarajan and Arveyres. The new plans include:

Council of Negotiations briefing wrote:- (1) Restitution of properties belonging to private citizens of New Tarajan living in the Confederation, along with a formal apology from the State.

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- (2) Withholding properties in the Confederation belonging to the noble houses of New Tarajan, however removing the clause that they will be auctioned off to the Arveyran public.

- (2a) These properties will stay under guardianship of the State until formal recognition of the Confederation can be negotiated.

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- (3) For Tarajani citizens who do not hold Arveyran citizenship or Arveyran residency, travel into Arveyres will not be allowed.

- (3a) Those holding joint citizenship or permanent residency will be allowed to travel into Arveyres.

- (3b) Any non-citizen or non-resident currently travelling within the Confederation must leave within one month (thirty days).

The announcement of the new stance taken by the Confederation was followed by a briefing by the President of Almeria, Giambattista Lámpros in which he announced that the Confederation is nearing the point of not being willing to negotiate with the Kingdom of New Tarajan.

"As we have waited long for the recognition of our Confederation, we realize that recognition by the Kingdom of New Tarajan may not be in our future under any negotiable circumstances. The Confederation is nearing the point of withdrawing ourselves from the negotiation table. As concessions are being made, nothing is being reciprocated. We seek recognition from the Kingdom within two months time or there will be no further negotiations between our countries."

The Kingdom of New Tarajan will negotiate Arveyran recognition under new terms, Raadspensionaris said in front of States General assembly ---- Minister of the Royal House Count Ledemann states that His Majesty the King is in "no dangerous conditions" ---- The government of the County of Gravan faces a new political crisis upon local Diet refusal to approve new financial regulations, official ---- Police officially closes investigaton into former Chief-of-Staff Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt's death: accident ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX +0.5% ; FIX -0.5% ; NTIA +1.3% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj



Astana.
With the Kingdom still worried about the lack of disclosure about the King's alleged sickness, the Duke of Coevorden finally broke his silence about the most recent developments in both the foreign and the domestic arena. He did so in a speech in front of the States General at Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris early this morning, opening the session (that some analyst defined as "one of the potentially most relevant session in the Kingdom's recent history") chaired by the Minister of the Royal House, Count Loudewijk Ledemann.
Unsurprisingly, the first concern of the Raadspensionaris has been Arveyres. Replying directly to the most recent statements coming from Providentia, the Duke of Coevorden declared that "New Tarajan has a clear set of requirements for recognition to be given to the Confederation of Arveyres, and this set has been thouroughly explained in the past to the Arveyran government by the allied government of Zackalantis. However" he continued "it is about time, particularly after the declarations coming from the Confederation, that we define our boundaries ourselves."
The Raadspensionaris then proceeded on giving the list: "First, all conditions already agreed upon will be upheld. In particular, we are particularly keen in seeing the ban on Tarajani and Arveyran citizens travelling in each country finally lifted for good. However, together with the official apologies offered by General Làmpros, there is a further condition that, after close consultation with the Most Serene Houses of the Landsraad here convened, we believe we cannot disregard: namely, the rights and honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Shirin must be safeguarded. Here at stake we have the very principles that are the foundation of our Kingdom, and the honour of our Most Noble Royal House. We cannot and we will not tolerate any behavior or decision detrimental to the Princess' rights and honor. Of course, we are open to negotiate as to the exact terms."
This last statement was welcomed by vigorous applause from the benches of the Landsraad: a confirmation of the success of the mediation attempted by Lord President Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal of Middensteden with the federal government, after many members of the assembly showed their discomfort of the idea that the government may sacrifice Princess Shirin on the altar of reconciliation with Arveyres.
Not quite the same could be said about the reaction coming from the members of the Royal Diet, with the Republicans staging a symbolic protest from their benches remembering the late Baron Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt, who died weeks ago in a car accident. However, the KTCP and even the Blue representatives seemed sympathetic to the views expressed by the Raadspensionaris, momentarily casting aside the risk of a breach inside the majority.
The main role of opposition to the Duke of Coevorden was once again played by the Duchess of Bergen, Helene Van Haasen, who during her intervention declared to be "quite satisfied" by the decision "to pursue the right path regarding Her Royal Highness Princess Shirin and her rights", but still find "discomfortable the very idea of our Kingdom recognizing the Confederation, and not avenging the insults we suffered and the death of King Camilo III", a reference to her previous calls for a military action against Arveyres. The Duchess also repeated her previous declarations about alleged attacks against Tarajani citizens in Arveyres, citing the failure of the government to reply to them in a proper way. The reaction by the Raadspensionaris, this time, came immediately. The Duke of Coevorden stated clearly that "this government has no evidence that the attacks Her Excellency is speaking about ever happened.", a direct attack against the Duchess' credibility.
The stalemate stands. Tomorrow the Landsraad will have to meet once again in order to finally decide whether to give its approval to the Rijksraad proposal for the recognition of the Confederation of Arveyres under the new conditions set by the Raadspensionaris. The latter is betting that the Landsraad will be on his side, and against the Duchess of Bergen. Whether the bet will be successful or not, it depends on many factors, the most important one probably being the reaction that will come from Arveyres. Should the Confederation, and particularly the Sultanate of Cordoba, welcome the requests of the Duke of Coevorden, his victory would be almost assured; should the opposite happen, however, his position would be much more dangerous and slippery. The Landsraad would not tolerate the sacrifice of Princess Shirin, but it cannot tolerate the behavior of the Duchess of Bergen either. The ball is now in the hands of the Arveyran government, then. Despite what some have recently claimed, recognition by New Tarajan is not merely an issue of protocol: it could alter substantially the path of Arveyran future. Should the Kingdom refuse to recognize the Confederation, it would leave the latter isolated, and force it to make its ties with Eurasia closer, with all the consequences such a move may have in terms of autonomy and independence; on the contrary, with an official recognition by Astana on its hands, the new Confederation could hope to achieve a fully independent stature in the international arena, and perhaps it could also hope to enjoy a new wave of interest and investments from New Tarajan and its partners and allies.

PROVIDENCIA, SANTANDER, ARVEYRES == Following an emergency meeting of the three presidents, the Triumvirate presents its final stance towards the Kingdom of New Tarajan. In a single-page document signed by all three of the Presidents, including the Sultana, the Confederation refuses to grant any special protection or title to Princess Shirin of North Ajania. The Confederation re-affirms its stance that hereditary monarchy no longer exists on Arveyran soil; the Sultanate of Córdoba is elective in practice. The refusal to allow special treatment for the Princess is speculated to be in retaliation to the acts of the Duchess of Coevorden, who has significantly thrown a wrench into any talk of negotiations between the two states.

"As our nation, the Confederation, begins to plant its feet on the international stage, we are realizing that Tarajani participation in our foreign affairs may not be completely necessary. For the time being, persons holding Tarajani citizenship without holding Arveyran citizenship or residency will not be allowed into the Confederation of Arveyres under any circumstance. Any Tarajani non-citizen non-resident remaining in the Confederation will be given an extended period of sixty (60) days, two (2) months to remove themselves from the territory of the Confederation. As our negotiations have come to a stalemate, if the Confederation is not recognized within sixty (60) days, two (2) months, the Confederation will formally remove itself from further negotiations with the Kingdom," a short except from a televised broadcast given by President Lino Vergára (former Prince Linus) of Navara.

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Astana.
The Kingdom of New Tarajan looked like a place suspended in time during the last months, as even the traditional celebrations for the Birth of Jahan passed undertone while the whole realm waited for news: news about King Friederick Wilhelm and his health; news about the developments of the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the Arveyran Confederation; news about the domestic repercussions of that crisis.
A drastic change occurred one week ago, when Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Sigismund came back to Astana from Van Janusekstadt, together with their former host, Grand Duke Conrad, the king’s cousin, former Raadspensionaris and ruler of Sdudeti-Karabak. The Queen took back her residence into the Royal Palace, until now occupied solely by Princess Elise Angelique in the apparent absence of the King. Immediately after, the Queen convened the Kroonraad (the Privy Council of the Tarajani sovereign) for what was to be a long and tense session. It ended late in the night, but as for now its workings had been kept under secret, so it is impossible to tell what happened exactly.
At the end of the meeting Count Ledemann, Minister of the Royal House and member of the Kroonraad himself  notified on behalf of the Queen to the Rijksraad and the States General representatives that she had taken full powers in accordance with the Royal Charter, the Kingdom's constitution. The first effect was seen already the next day, when the Queen summoned the Duke of Coevorden and the main party representatives of the Diet to the Royal Palace for a three-hours long meeting, before a further round of consultations with the members of the Landsraad. After that, Queen Beatrix herself spoke to the Kingdom via a special press conference, announcing her decision and explaining it by saying openly what was already suspected by many: “His Royal Majesty King Friederick Wilhelm is seriously ill. While doctors have assured me that his conditions are not life-threatening, for his own good he must be kept at rest, and for this reason he is now in a secure facility under the best medical treatment.”
When asked about what kind of illness is affecting the King, Her Majesty swiftly and coldly replied: “His Majesty has been poisoned.”


Predictably, the news came as a shock. The Queen refused to fall into details, simply saying that “investigations are under way” and that “the Royal House gives its full trust to RHIELD” under whose jurisdiction the case rests.
One day later, the Raadspensionaris stated an official request for a vote of confidence to the States General, a request that predictably arose a number of questions and a fair share of doubts. Two days followed, made of continuous, neverending, consultations between the Duke of Coevorden, the members of the KTCP, and even the heads of the main opposition parties. The issues on the table were mainly two: the allocation of resources inside the FePERPI program, and the Arveyran crisis, with the latter taking by far the lion’s share. The Raadspensionaris did not forget the Landsraad either: after meeting at first with Lord President Grand Duke Wilhelm V Van Ceytal of Middensteden, he called for a further series of meetings with other members of the assembly.
The subsequent session of the States General taking place at Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris reserved some surprises for many. Queen Beatrix held the opening speech to the two assemblies, informing them of her intentions:"To put a swift end to this political stalemate and to the diplomatic crisis that was its cause, and to finally approve the new federal program for investments." No room for further delays, no room for inconsistent moves, or for obstructionism. The Queen clearly opted for leaving a degree of freedom to the States General while at the same time setting a clear agenda: solving the crisis, completing the process for the full approval of FePERPI. Not a word of direct support for the government of the Duke of Coevorden, nor about the vote of confidence, nor on the issue at stake regarding Arveyres.
It was to be the Raadpensionaris’ own duty to bring those issues on the table. After the Queen's speech, the States General began their works. The session itself was predictably lively. According to protocol, the Duke of Coevorden took the stage in order to deliver the speech in which he delineated the guidelines the Rijksraad intends to follow:
“During the last month we faced a new challenge” he began “The diplomatic rift opened by the end of the State of Arveyres as we knew it has widened, resulting in a full-fledged crisis that have found its own mirror inside our Kingdom as well.
Let me recall it from the beginning: the end of the Kingdoms of Navarra and Almeria, their fall into republican regimes, were accompanied by a fair share of uncertainty, doubts, fears, among the members of the International Community, and particularly in our Kingdom. His Royal Majesty King Camilo III, legitimate ruler of Almeria, and brother-in-law of His Royal Majesty our King, was treacherously killed in front of the Eurasian Senate; his wife, sister of our King, deprived of her rights together with their daughter, Princess Shirin. Blood had been shed on the flag of the Most Serene House Van Vinkel; our Kingdom had been insulted. From the benches of this very assembly, I listened to people asking for retaliation, for justice, for the restoration of rights illegaly denied. In a word, for war.
Let me be clear about this: I believe our Kingdom had fair right to wage a war to restore order and justice in Arveyres. We did not wage such a war, however. Why? Because we do not shed blood until we are forced to do it. We do not long for quick and easy victories that would however require their price to be paid by innocent civilians. That is not the Tarajani way, our way.
Unfortunately, inhebriated by the new wave of republicanism that destroyed order in Arveyres, some people inside our Kingdom thought the moment had come to spread that dangerous wave inside our borders as well. Their treachery has not gone unpunished; it will not go unpunished. But while we restore order to the Tarajani Kingdom, we must also restore peace outside it.
In order to do it, the valiant efforts and support of our allies have been of the greatest value, so let me extend my warmest gratitude to the United Kingdoms of Zackalantis, the Federation of Antanares, the Social-Democracy of New-Zealand. Let them know that we understand the difficult position they have been put in by this crisis, and by our role in it. Through their action, they showed what our alliance really means, and they earned a gratitude that will see itself transformed into rewards.
However, it is about time we take this issue into our hands, and our hands only. And we will deal with it swiftly, and decisively. To the government of the Confederation of Arveyres, I hereby bring now on this invisible negotiation table our offer, which will also be properly sent through the official diplomatic channels: all requests previously agreed on that we had put forward will stand in their validity. This means that the rights and safety of Tarajani citizens in Arveyres must be safeguarded and protected, together with our economic interests in the Confederation’s territory. Furthermore, Princess Shirin’s own rights must be safeguarded as well. The Royal House, the Most Serene Houses of the Landsraad, and the Kingdom of New Tarajan as a whole cannot and will not tolerate further offences against the dignity of a member of House Van Vinkel. As to the shape such a safeguard will take, we are open for negotiating. For this reason, we would gladly invite an Arveyran representative to come to Astana to discuss terms. Hopefully, when this crisis will have been solved, such a visit could be remembered as the first official visit between New Tarajan and the new Arveyres.
To refuse our overtures would be extremely unwise.”
The speech was followed by the usual Q&A session, but this was remarkably quick, and the voting procedure began. The result was an astounding victory for the Duke of Coevorden, who saw his majority fully confirmed, with the KTCP confirming its full support to its head, and some Republicans moving toward the majority as well.
Also the Landsraad voted almost almost unanimously in support of the government. While the session had been preceded by fears that some members of the assembly might have decided to vote against in order to somehow ‘punish’ the Duke of Coevorden for what has been perceived by them as a not-so-careful handling of the conflict with the Duchess of Bergen Heleine Van Haasen, at the end the possibility that such a vote could have brought the government to its fall was clearly too much of a risk to take. Unsurprisingly, the Duchess of Bergen herself voted against the Duke of Coevorden.


What happened immediately after the vote, however, was far more surprising, and deeply shocked many analysts and commentators, not to mention the Tarajani political world.
While exiting from Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris, the Duchess of Bergen was approached by agents of the Federale Politie (the federal police) and RHIELD under escort of the Landsraad Palatine Guard, who arrested her under the charge of treason. As was later announced by a spokesperson of the Landsraad, the Duchess has been charged with plotting with the late Republican ideologue, Baron Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt, against the government and His Majesty the King. Currently held under custody in her House palace in Astana, the Duchess will have to stand trial according to the constitution and Tarajani customs in front of the Landsraad Court. No comment has been released by House Van Haasen, though the government of the Duchy of Bergen officially condemned the arrest through a spokesperson, claiming that “it has been an unjustified and illegitimate act” also announcing that it will immediately ask for an explanation from the federal authorities and for the immediate release of the Duchess.
Another surprising element has been the silence of the members of the Landsraad. While the arrest was undertaken by the Landsraad Palatine Guard, and so under direct orders of the Lord President, many were expecting an immediate, strong reaction of protest against the unannounced (and very undelicate) arrest of a member of the assembly at least from those of the other members closest to the Duchess of Bergen. Instead, after meeting with the Raadspensionaris at Charbagh Palace, Grand Duke Wilhelm Van Ceytal simply replied to the many questions on the subject with a laconic “Justice will be administered according to the law of our Kingdom.”
While the arrest was taking place, Princess Elise Angelique was seen leaving the Royal Palace, reaching for the airport under heavy escort of RHIELD and military personnel before taking her airplane back to North Ajania. It didn’t escape notice that she was alone: her young daughter, Princess Shirin, was not with her. Ostensibly, Queen Beatrix did not accompany them. Her Majesty instead stayed inside the walls of the Old Citadel for another session of the Kroonraad, the first one that Princess Elise Angelique did not attend since the late years of her father King Conrad IV. Immediately after, it was indeed confirmed that, due to the toll her duties as ruler of North Ajania impose on her, Princess Elise Angelique will not be a member of the council anymore. It was also confirmed that Princess Shirin’s stay in the Kingdom will be extended indefinitely, as Queen Beatrix has decided to “personally take care of her education and upbringing, according to Tarajani standards.” The Princess will reside in a dedicated wing of the Royal Palace, while also receiving in endowment her mother’s personal residence in Merlberg, and her holiday residence on Lake Horat.



All these events have left their mark on the Kingdom. The news that King Friederick Wilhelm had been poisoned shocked the Kingdom in a way not seen since the failed coup by Heinrich Van Oeerstaedt in 2010, and perhaps even more than that. Despite at times being subject to almost extreme factionalism, New Tarajan as a country still finds an extremely strong bond of unity in the Crown: it is through House Van Vinkel that the Kingdom came to light, and since then it was House Van Vinkel that led it through the vicissitudes of history. Every time this did not happen, as under Rudolf De Ruyter’s brief rule at the beginning of the XIX century, or after the Second Revolution of 1914, it spelled disaster. The Crown has thus assumed the value of a symbol, a powerful symbol of safety, prosperity, freedom. That the King, the living embodiment of that ideal, may have been personally attacked, meant that the whole country has been offended. And the recent memory of the public murder of King Camilo III obviously didn’t do anything to ease the feeling of uneasiness.
But there are other elements that should be kept in mind while analysing what happened. First, after months of squabbling, the Kingdom of New Tarajan has finally spoken as one voice towards Arveyres. This is one of the meanings of the vote of confidence won by the Duke of Coevorden. His speech testified that the time for infighting has ended, as is the time for compromises: the Kingdom is open for negotiating, but on firmer ground, and is ready to take whatever action it will deem appropriate to safeguard its honor and its interests. That the Raadspensionaris’ position was accepted by so large a majority inside the States General showed that the Tarajani political world is with him.
The decision to ask for a vote of confidence was a political masterpiece: it re-compacted the majority on crucial issues, such as Arveyres and FePERPI, forcing those most undecided to take side with the government; it helped shattering part of the opposition as well, bringing some Republicans to stand with the government or even outright joining the majority in the face of the possibility of full political isolation. It had the collateral effect of compacting the liberal Blue Party and making it again into the main opposition party, after the TSDP showed the first signs of inside fractures, but that is hardly something the Duke of Coevorden would find unpleasant, quite the opposite: a united Blue Party would be a far easier adversary to negotiate with, as its positions are now closer to those of the government on many crucial issues than they were only a few months ago. Also, the presence of a clear-cut opposition would help the Raadpensionaris ease the voices that are already rising in some corners of his government taking on more and more authoritarian aspects.
Backed by a stronger-than-ever political majority, the Raadspensionaris could now dictate his own terms to Arveyres. This also means making the Kingdom's position clear in front of the allies. Not few inside and outside the government have expressed their resentment at the behavior of the United Kingdoms of Zackalantis, whose recognition of the Confederation has been deemed by some as "too rash"; to take such a clear stance also means to ease this resentement, at the same time not forcing the UKZ to revise its own position. It means as well that the Duke of Coevorden will be able to use all its political might to resist whatever reaction will come from the Principality of North Ajania for the treatment reserved to its Princess and its Crown Princess.
But, also, he could proceed to a move unprecedented in the recent history of New Tarajan: the arrest of a member of the Landsraad. While the order came from Palace Van Geldern, as provided by law, it is hard to believe that the Duke of Coevorden was not informed beforehand; actually, it is by now clear that nobody believes he was not involved directly into it. The Duchess of Bergen had repeatedly challenged him, she had caused a serious setback in the negotiations with Arveyres, and even called for open war. All of this was clearly unacceptable for the Raadspensionaris, more so since the Duchess shielded herself with the powerful protection of Princess Elise Angelique and with the moral obligation of protecting Princess Shirin, both members of his own House. What will happen now is mostly into the hands of the Landsraad, but should the charges against her prove to be somehow true, the Duchess’ situation will become extremely severe.
She has lost her most powerful protector: if something is really clear, after what happened, is that Princess Elise Angelique has suddenly become persona non grata for the Tarajani Court. Removed from her position inside the Kroonraad, she had been deprived of her daughter as well, and sent into exile in her Principality. Whatever the reason of such harsh a treatment for the King’s own sister, it is clear that such a reason does exist, and that it is a very serious one. Queen Beatrix has acted with a coldness and a political ability that were unsuspected by many until one month ago. While until now she had kept herself always on the background, apparently content of playing the part of the King’s wife, this member of the Duresian Royal House has now showed the whole world what she truly is capable off: she took control of the Kingdom with a swift move, and relentlessly destroyed all the opposition and put an end to all political infighting, at the same time keeping herself perfectly inside the limits of the Royal Charter. It has been her who paved the way for the Duke of Coevorden’s final victory; the Landsraad accepted the new situation without a word of protest and subscribed to the arrest of one of its own, an arrest that also the Queen clearly wanted; and clearly it is her who is now leading the Kingdom to deal with the incoming challenges.
Without knowing when King Friederick Wilhelm will effectively be able to resume his duties on the throne, allies and enemies alike will have to handle with the ‘new’ Queen.

CALABASAS, CONCORDIA, ARVEYRES == Following a razor-thin margin electoral battle between the three primary candidates: Giambattista Lámpros, Xenia Vergara, and Lino Vergara; the transitional President of Navarra was elected to be the first President of the Arveyran Confederation. Amidst political tension with the Kingdom of New Tarajan, the election went as planned along with a National Senate election which saw the success of the centrist Union-Liberal Party (PUL), crushing the hold of the Green Party (PV) and the Loyalist Party (PF) on the operations of the government. President Vergara was met with overwhelming support by the electorate, scoring a 61% landslide victory, with Xenia Vergara achieving 23%, and Lámpros receiving 14% of the vote. The downfall of public trust in President Lámpros is largely the explanation of his poor performance compared to his counterparts. The election also saw the highest turnout of eligible voters following the 2016 compulsory voting mandate, at 97%.

President Vergara was inaugurated in a very simple public ceremony at the Concordia Plaza on the East Bank of the Castelvajac River in central Calabasas. Unlike typical government inaugurations which take place at the Virgin Palace, which is the meeting place of the National Senate, the President opted for a more publicly-accessible site. It was estimated that 3 million Arveyrans were in attendance of the inauguration. The President's first action as executive was to have a meeting with newly-elected Senate Leader Castillo Cantro, grandson of H. Castillo Cantro, an Arveyran banker who was the President of the Republic of Maracaibo from 1994 until 2002. The meeting is expected to cover budget apportionment, continuation of transit projects that began under the transitional presidency, and addressing issues of immigration.


CASTOR, GHIRARO, ARVEYRES == The President has begun a series of international diplomatic affairs, seemingly leaving the tension with New Tarajan off to the side while the Confederation allows itself to strengthen ties with other nations. Following an invitation from Prime Minister May of Zackalantis, the President is expected to have a week-long stay in the United Kingdom. The talks will reflect topics largely covered in the last series of bilateral talks between Arveyres and the United Kingdom. With strong ties between the nations, both geographically and culturally, it was imperative for the President to accept this as his inaugural diplomatic voyage.

Following talks largely surrounding lowering or removing of tariffs on agricultural and textile products, balancing of trade deficits, and re-strengthening inter-country travel abilities; the President is expected to make a specific visit to Villenour, a French-speaking Presidency within the United Kingdom, with which the President has ties due to his upbringing in French Arveyres. Following his stays in both Cair Paravel and Villenour, the concluding event in the visit will be a meeting with Queen Elizabeth in the Royal Capital of Buckingham. It is unsure how the government in Astana will react to these bilateral conversations, as the UKZ remains a strategic and important ally to the Kingdom, during the trying times of the Confederation seeking international cooperation.

Royal Diet approves bill for sanctions and embargo against Arveyres, spokesperson ---- King Friederick Wilhelm's conditions "stable" and not at all life threatening, medical official confirms ---- 1st Fleet to begin new round of training in the Arveyran Sea as it is put on hold after evacuation ---- Major stocks plunges as news of embargo against Arveyres spreads, slight recovery in the afternoon ---- Eindhoven Stock Exchange Indexes: AFIX -5.0% ; FIX -2.4% ; NTIA -0.5% ---- Would you like to know more? More updates and insights on www.ntko.co.tj


Astana.
The Royal Diet approved today a new bill containing a set of measures to be taken against the Confederation of Arveyres. The news came directly from Palace Van Telmar-Sigmaringen-Hurris late this morning, after the end of the first part of the legislative session.
A spokesperson of the Diet confirmed that "after a swift debate, the Royal Diet has deemed the time mature for a new approach to solve this political crisis" citing the failure of the Confederation to respond to the Tarajani government's most recent moves towards new negotiations as the main reason behind the new measures. The same motives had been already mentioned by group of Diet representatives who proposed the bill in front of the assembly. Interestingly, the group reunited members of three different parties, namely the KTCP, the Blue Party and the TSDP: thus the initiative did not come from the governmental majority, nor from the government itself, but it can be considered the result of a transversal movement growing inside the Diet. A movement that already showed itself briefly during the debates for the confidence vote the Duke of Coevorden won early this month, and that now further sharpens its claws with one, clear target in sight: to put an end to Tarajani-Arveyran diplomatic crisis.
The bill was approved by a thin majority, but still the vote showed the growing uneasiness of the Tarajani political world concerning Arveyran behavior; an uneasiness reflecting also the attitude of Tarajani public opinion. At the first news of Lino Vergara's appointment as the new Confederation president, many newspapers in the Kingdom hailed his arrival as "a good first step" towards a solution to the crisis, with some analysts even writing explicitly that "a Vergara in the president chair means the crisis can be considered ended." Such optimism was clearly misplaced. President Vergara's new administration did not reply to the most recent openings the Duke of Coevorden sent from the benches of the States General at the beginning of March; moreover, he flew to Zackalantis for his very first State visit abroad, the first one of a Confederation leader since the new regime was established.
The news came as a cold shower. Some newspapers titled their pages by accusing the UKZ of treachery, while others focused more on the new Arveyran president by questioning the blood in his veins. Last week representatives of the KTCP came as close as to ask the government to erase Zackalantis from the list of beneficiaries of the FePERPI Program. The risks of straining the alliance with the UKZ and of having to deal with a new political bomb forced the Raadspensionaris to respond, announcing that the Rijksraad had already "informed Cair Paravel of our stance on the matter of Vergara's visit and of Tarajani disappointment and dismay". However, he also added that "our UKZ friends had demonstrated once again their friendship and willingness to aid by thouroughly explaining to us the motives of the visit, reassuring our Kingdom of their position, and exploiting the visit itself to foster an Arveyran response to our openings for negotiations." The Duke of Coevorden's declaration, however, did not ease tensions too much, as both on the streets and inside the legislative assembly the mood moved consistently towards forcing President Vergara's hand.
From this perception the step to today's bill was to short not to be taken.


The measures contained by the bill are heavy ones: the freezing of all assets belonging to Arveyran citizens in the Kingdom, including bank accounts of any sort and size; the suspension of all trading relations not only by Tarajani firms, but also by all those firms where Tarajani capitals hold the majority of shares; the closure of all Tarajani ports for shipments directed to the Confederation; direct sanctions against members of the Arveyran government, including President Vergara himself (but, tellingly, not the Sultana of Cordoba). Extremely heavy measures, which will have without doubts heavy consequences: New Tarajan is still an economic powerhouse, and one of the major financial centers in the world; a stop of capital flows so sudden means strangling Arveyran economy; it also means, however, putting a toll on Tarajani economy as well, and on those of its closest allies. To counter this, the bill proposes the creation of a special fund for compensating all those firms, both Tarajani and foreign, that will be affected by the embargo. After all, there is a reason why until now neither the government nor the States General had taken the embargo option into consideration.
While the Diet may have approved the bill, however, there is still another step to be taken before it becoming law: the approval by the Landsraad. After that, the ball will fall into the hands of the Rijksraad, where the Raadspensionaris will have to take position: whether to follow the mood of the Kingdom's public opinion and of his own majority, or to buy some more time and bet on an Arveyran change of mind; and nobody should forget the role of Queen Beatrix, who could somehow force the hand of the Raadspensionaris or, at the contrary, refuse to sign the law altogether.
The stage is set, once again, for a new round. Either President Vergara will begin to take the negotiatin option seriously, or an escalation will be unavoidable. Either case, the warning has been shot.

Buckingham: Buckingham Palace released news that Her Majesty the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle. He was 99 years old and had been suffering medical complications since early this year. The Prince was lucky to have been discharged from the hospital in time to celebrate Easter with his family. However, he fell ill again and passed away early Easter Friday (The Friday after Easter) morning.

This is how the BBC broke the news

The Prime Minister has said that the funeral will take place Saturday next week and will be live telecast. The UKZ is also in a period of national mourning till after the funeral on Saturday. This means that,
1. Tricolour and Union Flags will fly at half-mast at all government and military buildings in the UKZ and overseas (private citizens encouraged to, but not required to)
2. Active Political Campaigning will be suspended (this comes 3 weeks before several presidencies go to polls in the UKZ)
3. Royal Engagements will be suspended.

Foreign visits to and from the UKZ stand suspended till after the 2 week-long mourning period for the royals. This will include the visit of President Vergara to the UKZ.

The Commonwealth Games scheduled for this year, will go ahead on schedule.

ASTANA, NEW TARAJAN == President Lino Vergara, recently elected as representative of the Arveyran Confederacy, while on an inaugural visit to the United Kingdom, coupled with the passing of the Prince-Consort, has rather hastily left Cair Paravel for Astana. Under unknown circumstances, the President felt the need to keep the details of the meeting strictly confidential during talks with officials from the Federal Aristocracy. It is unknown how long the President will spend in Astana, or the subject of the talks given the current state of affairs.

With the massive success of the KiwiRail High Speed Rail (HSR) network connecting all major district hubs in the mainland states. The HSR network that was made possible by a partnership between NZ and New Tarajan in the form of a technical cooperation agreement in the form of the NZ High Speed Rail Company, a co-owned subsidiary 51% controlled by Chrysler Rail, the Kiwi freight locomotive giant, and Alstrom, a Tarajani high speed rail expert. In light of this, Social Democracy Senate has today approved the Hawkin's proposed National Infrastructure Initiative and HSR Expansion program totalling $10 Trillion over the next 8 years. Much of the proposed programs will be carried out in cooperation with close economic and political allies the UKZ, New Tarajan, Arveyres and Aloia, to build on existing expertise and hopefully create a macro-economic ecosystem of technological cooperation that cements the friendly OMNI superpowers as world leaders. 

Economists predict that the massive infrastructure spending by the Social Democracy will create a building projects boom and likely stimulate private sector investments in hand. The main pushes in the outlined infrastructure document appear to be aimed towards green innovation, with large amounts of money devoted to a widespread national network of electric car superchargers, investment into clean energy and pollution management initiatives, and much needed urban development and economic infrastructure projects such as mobile coverage for 97% of the Social Democracy and high speed fibre internet for 93%. 

The flagship policy is, of course, the HSR Extension program, that will see the HSR network connecting all regional centres within the next 10 year period and the completion of fast light rail within local cities within the next 15 years. The hopes of this initiative are that upon it's completion, short haul domestic air flights can be in most part replaced by environmentally friendly electric trains. 

Consequently the Senate has also passed the proposed annual budget that sees the Federal Innovation Fund increased by 15%. This increase will likely also go towards driving green innovation in the large NZ aerospace and automotive industries, who have both lagged behind other sectors in their push for emissions controls. The Chrysler Group has already announced plans to invest heavily in the electric car segment, dedicating an undisclosed but reportedly "staggering" amount of money to the segment, aiming to maintain it's large and leading share of the global automotive market. The group has also acquired a promising Arveyrean battery company researching solid state batteries to merge with 4 other previous similar purchases (2 Tarajani, 1 UKZ and 1 Kiwi) to form a new subsidiary, Chrysler Batteries. 

With election season looming closely, President Hawkins is hedging his bets on these recent announcements in the hopes that it will sway voters back in his favour after the Arveyres debacle and away from his rival and somewhat anti-OMNI Unity Party leader Stephanie Cortes.