In a press briefing, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry fired back at the Valkyrian Prime Minister’s claims, stating, “if the control of substances with social impacts is a violation of human rights, then we might as well legalize drunk driving so long as no one is hurt in any incidents involving this phenomenon. There is a reason we punish driving under the influence of alcoholic substances despite there not necessarily being a victim: there are social consequences surrounding this topic. Although our policies are based on the freedom of the individual to partake in the use of these drugs, we also recognize the need to treat its worst excesses and the social problems they generate as issues we as a country need to deal with together. Other countries have other ways and theories on how to handle drug use, and, unlike Valkyria, Ryccia respects this difference in opinion. We agree to disagree on our approaches, and that is completely fine. To claim that the Green Road Initiative is an organization fighting for ‘human rights’ is an open insult to what human rights actually are. This only cheapens the principles and sanctity behind them. The Imperial State of Ryccia cannot tolerate these implicit accusations that our government, or those of other states, are committing such violations against the dignity of our citizens with no evidence to back up these claims”.
The Ministry for Health runs a public information campaign on the negative effects of drugs. The campaign focused on marijuana which although legal in Izaakia, is not recommended by the Ministry for Health in any dose. The police also ran a campaign on “Don’t Dope and Drive”, with the minimum sentence a 3 month incarceration, loss of licence and £5000 fine.
The Pelinese Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced imminent measures to intensify several ongoing suppression campaigns against domestic drug use and organized crime, particularly by obtaining greater inter-agency assistance from the Pelgvardiya and the Royal Pelinese Coast Guard. The MoIA further stated that the measures are expected to force per-capita drug usage rates, which are already at historic lows in Pelinai due to aggressive campaigns against distributors and other parts of the drug supply chain, further downward.
Pelinese Prime Minister Aleksej Makarovic has condemned recent troop movements by the LFSR as ”needlessly provocative and destabilizing”, and has warned it against provoking ”unforseen consequences” by attempting to compromise the governmental or national independence of the National State of Ludville by force.
The Sedunnic Customs Agency has launched a campaign in Sedunnic international airports that entails an increased control of incoming goods from certain nations, especially Valkyria. This is coupled with an advertisement drive with a message that bringing recreational drugs into Sedunn is illegal.
“It is a common mistake to bring substances such as marijuana with you into Sedunn, being unaware of these laws” says spokesperson Ati Varr.
The Ministry of Trade and Industries has increased security checks and tariffs regarding Valkyrian goods, and Valkyrian tourists have described entry to have become harder, which is likely due to their frequent cases of being denied entry due to carrying ilegal substances.
Human Rights Lawyers to take the Izaakian Government to court over claims of illegal surveillance, unlawful detainment, extrajudicial killings and police brutality in the months since the ALF Separatists and Terra Firma Mercenaries launched a terror campaign in Vinlandia State. The Izaakian Attorney General commented on the lawsuit saying “We have complete confidence that the government has acted legally throughout this widespread counter-terrorist operation”.
Qaweritoyu
Prime Minister Garcia and Deputy Prime Minister Walton have been spotted entering the Presidence together.
Qaweritoyu
In line with agreed terms between the Coalition Party Leaders, Harold Garcia has resigned as Prime Minister. Cecil Walton has been sworn in this morning as the new Prime Minister of Qaweritoyu by President Elliott.
Also in line with agreed terms between the Coalition Party Leaders, Prime Minister Walton has assigned Harold Garcia as Deputy Prime Minister.
A bomb plot against tomorrows memorial event in Keanu and Hurley has been foiled following a tip off from an undisclosed foreign intelligence service. There are also reports of survivors from the downing of the Terra Firma plane by the Keanuan Air Service, including the ring leader Major Lance “Corky” Corkran whose whereabouts is currently unknown.
The Emeraldian Royal Navy has announced that the Yet To Be Commissioned ERNS Edward I (CVN-31) will go on a regional tour around the South Pacific, although which nations it will make port visits at has yet to be announced
(OOC: DM me if you want the ERNS Edward I and its Escort ships to make a port visit at your nation)
Dante Matteo, the son of the head of the Barone Rosso mafia group, Arianna Matteo, was caught in a police operation near Perrugia, Bianco Region. The operation, spearheaded by Agenzia Interna agents, originally intended to capture Mrs. Matteo and the core of the Barone Rosso for their role in the Terza Stampede last October that shocked the entirety of Eria. Mr. Matteo is now under police custody in an undisclosed location.
A crematorium has burned down after a direct lightning strike on one of the cremators during a disposal. The Federal Police has presumed the cause of “act of God” on this matter as investigations are ongoing.
Qaweritoyu
On his first full day in office, Prime Minister Walton has been met with criticism for assigning his predecessor as Deputy Prime Minister. Critics say it has never been done before and it should not be done now. The Prime Minister responded with a statement. ‘We have never been in a position before where a younger Prime Minister can benefit and learn significantly from an older Prime Minister, whilst being Prime Minister. This is too good an opportunity to throw away. The Deputy Prime Minister and I are staying true to our promises made shortly after the October 2022 General Election. This has happened before but not in this way and our focus continues to be leading this country to the October 2027 General Election.’
Deputy Prime Minister Garcia has responded to the backlash also. Speaking to the media, he said, ‘The Prime Minister is such a lovely guy, he just walked straight into the Presidence with me and he got straight to it, no hanging around. We have a new no-nonsense Prime Minister.’
Prime Minister Walton has assigned Jordana Blair as Deputy Prime Minister alongside Garcia. He also announced all other Cabinet positions will remain as they were under his predecessor.
Keanu and Hurley hosts a memorial service for those fallen in the Jaques Hostage Crisis. The event was hosted by King Keanu and PM Taika, and hosted foreign dignitaries such as President Kensei, Princess Remelia and Foreign Minister Kuribayashi from the Frost Empire, King Vimmru of Sedunn, President Rombold of Izaakia and the Head of the Izaakian Armed Forces General Storm.
At the event a monument to the fallen was revealed, a 15ft high granite slab in the shape of a surfboard entitled “Shoals”. On one side, “The Fallen Shoals” there are shoals of fish, decorated in the traditional Keanuan style, with each fish marked with a flag represent the fallen victims of the hostage crisis, circling around a central turtle to represent Martinique the Island Chief.
There are 163 fish on this side of the monument;
45 to represent the fallen Keanuan Armed Forces
6 to represent the fallen Izaakian Armed Forces
1 to represent the fallen Frost Armed Forces,
8 to represent the combined armed forces and civilian losses of Sedunn.
To represent the 103 remaining civilians there are fish to represent 52 Keanuans, 18 Izaakians, 9 Besernian, 6 Sallodesians, 4 Jabukians, 4 Emeraldians, 4 Terminans, 3 Ryccians and 3 Stoinians.
At the base of the monument are the skeletons of 73 fish to represent the deceased hostage takers.
On the other side of the monument, the “Shoals of the Living” are 1189 smaller fish, each representing a rescued hostage, all facing upwards to the front of the board to represent life moving onwards.
Prime Minister Taika made a speech talking about how “We are all connected, a single shoal, an intertwined ecosystem, stronger together than we ever will be apart.”
After the unveiling of the monument there was a moments silence, following which President Kensei of the Frost Empire, King Vimmru of Sedunn, and President Rombold of Izaakia were all presented with traditional crafted wooden surfboards by King Keanu to thank the nations for the assistance they provided in Keanus hour of need. Each board marked in the same way as the memorial monument, but all personalised to combine the styles of Keanu and Hurley with their nations traditional artistic styles.
The leaders were then honoured with a performance of the traditional Keanuan War Dance performed by the Keanuan Marines who took part in the liberation effort.
President Rombold to re-introduce the chocolate kitchens at 57 Mount Pleasant Street, the official residence in La Citadelle, Imperium State, Montacia. The kitchens were originally 4 rooms, that during the 18th century when chocolate was first introduced in Montacia were used in a complex process to make drinking chocolate. In its new iteration it will produce both traditional drinking chocolate, and bespoke chocolate products in cooperation with the master chocolatiers at The Badger Co for presidential gifts at home and abroad.
The public prosecutor general (Generalstaatsanwalt) announced that after a year of in-depth investigation, charges against the arrest figureheads of the FF, responsible for amongst others, Dr. Weral Itali’s death, are being raised. They are charged with several counts of murder, grievous bodily injury, conspiracy for treason, etc. The public prosecutor is aiming for a life sentence.
Izaakian chocolate company The Badger Chocolate Co releases its limited edition Hostage Bar, a replica of the Surfboard Monument in Keanu and Hurley, with one side white chocolate, and the other milk. The proceeds from the limited edition bar which will be sold worldwide will go towards helping those who experienced the hostage situation recover from their injuries, both physical and psychological, and to help the families of those who didn’t survive.
The Vrignyan Government has just announced a renewed plan for the ecological transition of the country, having various goals and objectives for the years 2025 and 2030. Edwin Bruxel, leader of the Vellen Bardet Vrigny (Green Party of Vrigny) and current Minister of Ecological and Climate Conservation has set in motion two main plans: the construction of renewable energy plants, such as wind and solar farms; as well as the transition of all Vrignyan automobiles into possible electric battery-run vehicles. Considering Vrigny’s previous big investments into nuclear power and its electric production, the country is more than ready to assume a bigger impact on its electricity demand.
Subsequent subsidies to the Vrignyan EV manufacturer Lextra Bustigkells (Lextra Industries) have been given, with the objective of establishing domestic production of said vehicles in case foreign supply doesn’t prove enough to reach the established objectives.
With this change, the current government hopes for a more ecological Vrigny in the future, as well as reducing its oil demand to as little as possible.
President Rombold leads the annual team building parliament shoot on the Montwælda Crown Lands.