The USI prohibits the use of the state owned VPN Mørke due to national security concerns.
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The newly-elected Tepertopian Assembly met for its constituent session today.
Before proceedings could begin, Assemblywoman Buckley from Adaca, newly elected for the avowedly republican party R&Y, caused considerable commotion when she refused to take the oath of office, as had been speculated beforehand. She stated that she could not in good conscience take the oath, which includes a pledge of loyalty to the monarch. With the Articles of Union, Tepertopia’s constitution, considering refusal to take a required oath of office within ten days of being requested to do so an explicit renunciation of the office, Buckley now is in danger of losing her seat. She has already announced to take the issue to the High Court, hoping to win an injunction to the contrary, basing her case on an argument of this renunciation provision colliding with the freedom of conscience likewise guaranteed by the Articles.
The Assembly subsequently held its session without Assemblywoman Buckley. It proceeded to re-elect Assemblyman Farnham (The Moderates) as Assembly President with 81 votes in favour, 9 against, and 9 abstentions. Deputy Presidents McKinnon (Merchants’ Guild) and Seidel (Canon) were also re-elected, while Assemblywoman von Sonntag (Welfare Party) and Assemblyman Silie (The Future is Ours!) were newly elected to the Presidium.
Before the constituent session came to a close, Protector Gerhard von Selingen also delivered the customary throne speech prepared by the Council of the Union, Tepertopia’s government, to the new Assembly. Focal points for the near future included petitioning the Assembly to instruct Foreign Affairs Councilor Aldwell to apply for World Forum membership for Tepertopia, as well as a joint pilot project of Welfare Councilor Emerton and Economy Councilor Scheffelmann to collaborate with select businesses in a series of experiments on the effects and viability of a four-day work week.
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Izaakian police begin a widespread crackdown on organised crime, beginning to arrest and prosecute known gang members for minor infringements that could lead to imprisonment. This will then allow deportation under the Ex-patriot act.
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After 2 days of counting the votes here are the results for Governer and Leader of the People for San Marsico!
President (leader):
Weliki Vanzuik-12 million
Roiwek:
Gretik Yaddit-6 million
Chyriy:
Quid Foro-890190 votes
Jirwyk:
Jolek Ploak-716317 votes
Sikal:
Eqgar Tryik- 317301 Votes
Foreze:
Ziyuik Frego- 103466
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The Badger Chocolate Company celebrates 250 years since they moved their HQ from the Hai Men Protectorate to the New Mako Colony and managed to produce their first Milk Chocolate Bar. To celebrate 250 years they’re launching a limited edition range of “Keylic Bars” that showcase the historic recipes and packaging designs across the centuries since the move.
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Kraudukra Free News
BREAKING: Zuhlgani Aircraft Breach Krauanagazan Airspace Amidst Pohnarras Crisis
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Valknett stated that the company intends to file a lawsuit in Izaakian courts to challenge the government’s ban on Mørke, calling the move an unconstitutional act since Izaakia provides its people a constitutional right to privacy.
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After more than three months of the fire at the Romordian refugee camp on the Ares Island no breakthrough has happened in the investigation since 3 weeks ago. The trail has run cold and the police is working tirelessly to find out who the perpetrators were.
The Romordians have returned to the safe parts of the camp. Those who were not able able to return are either transferred onto mainland Eflad until further notice and will likely be transferred to either Gianatla or Besern. Others will either be granted refugee status and be able to stay or will be deported to partner nations like Kliegme.
Marko Müller of the DU criticised the coalition and demanded that “either they step down and new elections are held or the Romordians are deported!”.
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In the most recent edition of the bi-weekly poll, the technocratic party has fallen under 6% and is coming dangerously close to the 5% hurdle for the next elections in 2 years. After the split into the DU, the technocratic party has lost a majority of its earlier supporters. It is questionable whether the technocratic party will continue to fight or end in senseless existence.
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Mørke has failed to gain attention from the IT community in Kliegme due to being a VPN that is provided by a state. Nonetheless, the Kliegmean ministry of ICT Development has approved the usage of the government-run VPN intended to counter government surveilance in Kliegme, with the only exception being usage in the government and military.
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The Pelinese government has issued guidance banning the usage of Mørke on government electronics and strongly discouraging its usage on company- and privately-owned devices, citing the VPN’s heightened potential for usage as a data collection tool in Valkyrian SIGINT, traffic analysis, and other intelligence operations as the primary cause for restrictions.
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The Izaakian Hone Office is confident that their ban on the Valkyrian state owned VPN service Mørke is constitutional, citing national security and privacy concerns associated with a foreign government controlled service. The case is due to be processed through the New Mako Federal Court.
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Valknett president Maja Blaudzun responded to Pelinese claims that Mørke will collect data and share them with Valkyrian intelligence: “The actions that the Pelinese authorities describe are illegal for us to perform, notwithstanding the issuance of warrants. Furthermore, we have committed Mørke to be a no-log VPN.”
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In a surprising move the Termina Trade Guild has approved the Valkyrian VPN Mørke for consumer use after a 3 day deliberation surprising members of the confederacy. Domestic VPN providers have dismissed the acceptance claiming that the Valkyrian VPN would be hard pressed to dislodge their hold on the local privacy market, while consumer groups shared concerns that the Guild circumvented the necessary steps to ensure consumer safety. Trade guild insiders have also speculated that the approval was fast tracked to entice future Valkyrian investments into the recession stricken confederacy.
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The referendum voting period has ended. Official results are coming in by state, in addition to foreign Besernian voters, even though the voting apparatus is centered on individual choice, not any collective choice whatsoever. Results are also being scrutinised nationally by VoxPopuli Berscheland, as well as regional and local broadcasters and amateurs.
Unclaimed ballots have been burned.
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The northwesternmost State of Ostrovia has come out with a 95.3% turnout rate.
The VoxPopuli team confirms that all unclaimed ballots there have been burned.
87.5% voted for the abolition and prohibition of nuclear weapons.
12.3% voted against the abolition and prohibition of nuclear weapons.
0.2% of casted ballots were invalid or spoiled.
The State of Ostrovia consists of around roughly 4.8 million out of Besern’s 83 million current inhabitants, or 5.78% of the total possible voter base.
18 more states to go.
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As is routine for all foreign VPNs, Mørke has been banned in all government-owned electronic devices in Ryccia and has ordered Mørke to provide an official warning to Ryccian users that it is a state-owned VPN.
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Ryan Crass, a beloved author and creative director of the acclaimed series Caviar, was found dead in his home last night.
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Efladian ministries have commented on the Mørke VPN. The ministry for consumer protection has out out the following announcement: “The Mørke VPN is not known to be dangerous. We advise users to be careful with any VPN associated with any state. There currently is no evidence the Valkyrian state is using the VPN for malicious intent. We still advise to be cautious!”
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(OOC: Mørke having an office in your nation is news to me )
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