NEWS ARCHIVETODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Avalia World Post
United Assembly Building Opens
September 15th, 2014
The highly controversial United Assembly is now in session in the city of New Tral, Avalia. Delegates from countries all over the world have arrived at the premises and the Assembly’s work is rumored to begin today. The eyes of the world are upon them, and citizens the world over await their decisions with bated breath. A representative for the United Assembly said that its first action would likely be to pass a budget for the organization. Whether or not the media will be allowed into Assembly meetings is still in the air, but... (continued on page 4)
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES: Jegula International News, The Avalia World Post
Dental Lawsuit Continues to Escalate
September 16th, 2014
After the ruling of the case of Smiles, Inc. v Barbara Wilson in the Avalian Supreme Court today in favor of Smiles, Inc., representatives of plaintiff Barbara Wilson say that they plan to appeal the case again, this time bringing it to the newly established Committee to Promote Justice within the United Assembly, which claims international jurisdiction. They say that since Smiles, Inc. is an international corporation, the only entity that can reasonably bring it to justice is an international court. A legal representative for Smiles, Inc. indicated that the company plans to continue battling the suit.
The lawsuit was filed in April, when Barbara Wilson, then an employee of Smiles, Inc., alleged that her working conditions were poor, her benefits were abysmal, and she was paid less than her male colleagues. This appeal is the final step in what has been a lengthy and bitter fight through the entirety of the legal system. Representatives for the United Assembly say that they will receive a detailed court history, as well as a written case by both the defense and the prosecution, and will vote on a decision during the next forum of the Committee to Promote Justice. Meanwhile, some critics say that the CPJ is not a legitimate court, and does not have the authority to make legal decisions. It does not appear that Smiles, Inc. intends to challenge the legitimacy of the Committee at this time.
Smiles, Inc. Hints at United Assembly Contribution
September 16th, 2014
A spokesperson for the embattled Smiles, Inc. today announced that the company was considering a sizeable contribution of 500 million Avalian dollars as a public display of support for the newly founded United Assembly, but that plans have not been finalized. “We are not committing to this,” the spokesperson said. “We’ll see how things go.” This announcement comes in the midst of a protracted legal battle by Smiles, Inc. and the recent decision by… (continued on page 5)
Hurricane Devastates Southern Tyland
September 17th, 2014
A Category Four hurricane known as Hurricane Jennifer struck the coast of Tyland last night and wreaked a path of destruction through the country before dissipating over land. Death totals are still pending, but there are an estimated 4 million without power and much of the geographically flat southern portion of the country has been flooded. Rescue workers are working around the clock, but officials say that that there is only so much they can do, and that emergency services are operating on shoestring budgets and skeleton crews. Coastal cities are almost entirely evacuated, but many remain stranded further inland, with streets and homes underwater.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: Gavalonian Eye
Genocide Continues in Vessmir
September 18th, 2014
Human rights officials say that the Vessmirian government continues to deploy lethal force against the Yalgians that are native to much of the land within its borders. The state’s economic partners Miria and Brennar have turned a blind eye to the massacre, with media in both nations portraying the conflict as an overburdened federal government struggling to control nationalist rebels and terrorists. Yalgian civil leaders have appealed to neighboring countries for refuge, but momentum is slow, and with the situation worsening every day, it seems likely that not many Yalgians will escape violence and genocide at the hands of the Vessmirian army.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Rutinde World Diary
Galdea/Thollia Border Standoff Continues
September 19th, 2014
The dispute over where the border between Galdea and Thollia lies continues to escalate, with both sides reporting increased military presence on either side of the no man’s land that lies between the two alleged borders. Neither side has yet set foot into the no man’s land, as the opposing nation would likely consider it an act of war. Civilians continue to live there, but without utilities or support from either government, life in the no man’s land is unpredictable and unpleasant. The standoff began in March, when Thollia disputed the established Galdean border and moved troops into the area it claimed actually belonged to Thollia. Galdea responded with its own military occupation, resulting in a short skirmish in the area that left occupants living in the region fleeing into their homes as gunfire erupted in the streets. A temporary truce was quickly drawn up that established the current no man’s land, but no agreement has been reached between Galdea and Thollia as to where the border actually lies.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Daily Trumpet
Separatist Conflict Escalates in Travaal
September 20th, 2014
Tensions in the nation of Travaal have erupted as several different insurgent groups have emerged from the political unrest and begun guerrilla operations. The government has speedily reacted to the sudden outcropping of terrorism in the region, with what some described as “excessive force.” The incident has raised calls for a review of the Travaalian democracy, especially to the neighboring nation of Zimiateos. “The rebel forces highlight what are fundamentally legitimate issues with the Travaalan government,” said Zimiateos Prime Minister Uzoma Afolayan. “Regardless of the actions they commit or the outcome of this conflict, this is a clear mandate for reform within Travaal. This is the result of decades of tension coming to a boiling point. Neither side is innocent here.” (continued on page 3A)
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: World News Daily
OP-ED: Our New World Order
September 21st, 2014
Tomorrow will officially mark the first week of our world under the international body of the United Assembly. So far, their accomplishments have been… to pass a budget. And that was three days ago. It apportioned a few million dollars from each nation to spend… on what? Even the United Assembly didn’t know. All of that money was put “in reserve,” to be spent as needed, according to the proposal’s text. On Monday, the United Assembly will be tasked with passing another budget, as this one will be out of date. Will they be able to surmount that obstacle in time for the next budget? No one can say. Three delegates were lost in the pursuit, and only one has been replaced.
Meanwhile, wars are on the verge of breaking out, innocents are being executed en masse, Hurricane Jennifer has devastated Tyland, and international crises are popping up like rashes. All of these would certainly be excellent uses for a world government, but the United Assembly remains curiously silent, its proceedings sealed behind closed doors, supposedly to protect the integrity of the delegates from public scrutiny. It’s difficult to imagine the United Assembly even using its powers for evil. Conspiracy theorists may shelve their tinfoil hat, because the United Assembly hasn’t even got any black helicopters to send out. In fact, they have no presence whatsoever outside of their headquarters in New Tral. It’s been nearly a week, and they have done nothing of consequence, and offered no explanation for their silence.
Anti-Assemblers are right that the UA requires more oversight, but the showing on the Assembly’s part is frankly pathetic. It’s not that it might abuse its (unlimited) power, it’s that they owe us answers as to why they have done nothing of consequence so far. We deserve to know what they’ve been doing in there. All twelve member countries need to know why we paid them ten million AVD to faff about for a week. Maybe they’ll shape up in the future and become a global force for good, but as of right now the New World Order is looking pretty disorganized.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Rutinde World Diary
The Illicit Trades of Malos
September 22nd, 2014
Malos is a small nation, unremarkable in most circumstances. However, it happens to be tucked away in just the right spot to make it a perfect location to access nearly any other country through. Even Teton, normally known as the Belt of the World, is not quite so accessible. Unfortunately, Malos is not nearly as wealthy as Teton is, and has fallen prey to insidious cartels, its government corrupted by foreign money. The drug trade flourishes in Malos, and is exported from it worldwide. The Malan government turns a blind eye to just about everything that is illegal in other nations, provided you have the money to make it worthwhile. From corporate tax fraud to child pornography, Malos is a bastion of sin, and it doesn’t seem like the nation will get better any time soon.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Tonburg Gazette
Avalia to Begin Joint Peacekeeping Mission
September 23rd, 2014
The government of Avalia recently announced that it would be beginning a joint peacekeeping mission in the destabilized region of Ulvan, with co-operation from Jegula, Rutinde, and other wealthy nations. The announcement has drawn criticism from some who oppose the idea of Avalia entering another war. Leaders in Miria, Brennar, and Ordia have condemned the action, characterizing it as a land grab by a resource-hungry economy. Some military scholars have questioned the efficacy of attempting to stabilize a nation by injecting troops into it. The President of Miria publicly stated that the action is nothing less than a hostile military takeover of a weakened and defenseless Ulvan.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The New Tral Post
Property Dispute May Rise to United Assembly
September 24th, 2014
Most citizens of Avalia are aware of the brotherly dispute taking place in the Midwest. The Kake family has been in turmoil since the death of Jonathan Kake, Sr. Brothers Timothy Kake and Jonathan Kake, Jr. have been engaged in a lengthy and very public legal disagreement over who is entitled to their father's estate, which covers approximately 10,000 square miles and includes several towns. Kake Sr. left no will, which has spurred both sons into a complicated legal battle fueled by vague and conflicting statutes. Finally, the younger son Timothy has announced his intention to bring the case before the United Assembly’s Committee to Promote Justice within the week.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Avalia World Post
Riots in Vumbay
September 25th, 2014
Tension over economic woes escalated into a full-scale riot yesterday in Vumbay, a city in the nation of Ethivul. Protesters squared off against riot police with shields and batons in Vumbay Square. After tear gas was deployed, the protest broke up, and looting and violence began to be reported all over the city. Groups of citizens armed with baseball bats and molotov cocktails roamed the streets, skirmishing with police forces and attacking anyone looking sufficiently wealthy or affluent. The Vumbay Police Department struggled to control the riots all night, but says that it is safe to go out on the streets as of this morning.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Queen’s Spyglass
Outrage Over Election Results in Ulvan
September 26th, 2014
As more nations pledge their support to the Avalian peacekeeping mission that will soon be underway in Ulvan, new outrage has been stirred this week over the results of an election that was considered by many to be Ulvan’s last hope to resolve its problems on its own. The government announced Tuesday that the current ruling party had won the election with 100% of the vote and a 98% voter turnout in a press release that went on to declare it a “mandate of the people” to continue its political agenda. As the Ulvan government and increasing numbers of rebel forces begin to square off in a power struggle for the fate of the nation, it begs the question… whose side is Avalia on, anyway? (cont. p.3)
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Daily Trumpet
Bloodbath in Travaalian Streets
September 27th, 2014
Shocking news from the province of Travaal as the separatist conflict between the Travaalian government and one of the separatist groups currently fighting for dominance in the nation, calling itself the AFF, escalated violently in one of Travaal’s most populated cities. The AFF met with Travaalian peacekeeping forces in the city, which eyewitness reports described as “overwhelmingly well-equipped.” The Travaalian army succeeded in quelling the insurgents in a show described as “something out of an action movie,” where at least half a dozen helicopters were flown into the city and “destroyed everything that moved.” Both sides incurred heavy casualties on the city’s population, leaving an estimated 17 thousand dead. World leaders warn that the situation can only get worse if intervention is not made promptly.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: World News Daily
Andrew Veldstat Steps Down
September 28th, 2014
The Prime Minister of Thollia, Andrew Veldstat, resigned today after the controversy his pro-reconciliation stance generated reached a fever pitch. In his resignation speech, Veldstat said that he was stepping down because he felt that he “no longer represent[ed] the interests of the people of Thollia, who would apparently rather throw their lives away in a senseless war than attempt diplomacy.” He declared that “the people of Galdea are our brothers and sisters,” and that “a war against Galdea would be a senseless act of heathen violence,” both statements that gained widespread rebuke in the Thollian press. Veldstat represented the most significant hurdle in the path of Thollian warhawks, as he used his power to stubbornly stonewall any attempts at furthering pro-war agenda. It was on Veldstat’s order that the Thollian military withdrew so that the temporary truce could be reached, and without his hand guiding the negotiations, it is likely that the conflict will resume. But Veldstat seemed to have given up on trying to stop it, leaving his former constituents with only a warning: “God is watching you all.”
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Alamary Times
Experts Warn Superstorm on the Horizon
September 29th, 2014
Climate and weather scientists have issued statements warning that an “intercontinental superstorm” may potentially arrive in the future, caused by climate change and extreme weather conditions. It could take the form of a “hurricane spanning entire small nations,” and ravage multiple continents before dissipating. They also warn that its arrival would likely be preceded by powerful earthquakes, increasing the damage potential of the superstorm. (continued on page 5)
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Avalia World Post
Avalian President Suggests International Merge
September 30th, 2014
The president of Avalia announced today that he supports a merging of the agencies setting international standards on things such as the operation of the Internet, prosecution of war crimes, and other organizations that require impartial oversight but are currently controlled by specific countries into the United Assembly. Failing that, he said that he recommended the United Assembly to put into place agencies that would make these organizations obsolete. The president specifically... (continued on page 6)
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Rutinde World Diary
International Coalition Deploys Boots On Ground
October 1st, 2014
The start of the month marked the official kicking off of the peacekeeping mission led by Avalia into Ulvan territory. Avalia, Jegula, Teton, Rutinde, Olmis, and several other countries organized the effort that begins today. Despite criticisms of the effort as "supporting an oppressive regime" and "a blatant land grab on behalf of Avalia," the Ulvan Response Coalition has deployed troops on nearly every Ulvan street corner to quell riots and protests following the election that many have called rigged. The President of Miria publicly condemned the action and called for the United Assembly to review the results of the election, which supporters of the Ulvan government have called "wholly unnecessary."
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Daily Trumpet
Tyland in Chaos
October 2nd, 2014
The newest official report from Southern Tyland puts the confirmed death toll at 23,371, with hundreds of thousands more still missing and an estimated 5 million left without power, food, or clean water. The situation on the ground is grim, with reports of looting and even attacks on rescue workers bringing supplies. The civil government has been unable to maintain order in Southern Tyland, lacking the resources to police such a large area that is almost entirely underwater. A foreign correspondent described the scene as "a modern-day Atlantis," with "campfires burning on rooftops, rafts and canoes traveling between settlements, and complete lawlessness." Two rescue helicopters and their crew have been reported missing since the aid campaign began, and a spokesperson for the White Cross has stated that they will no longer be making landings to offload supplies, switching entirely to airdrops and floating care packages. While this might be safer for the organization, it will no doubt intensify the anarchy on the ground, as survivors scramble to hoard resources that are already spread thin.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Avalia World Post
Data Leak Threatens Stock Market
October 3rd, 2014
Avalia's entire stock market has dropped up to 3% on several indices after news broke that a major tech company, VitaLink, the nation's leading cybernetics manufacturer, had suffered a serious data leak. Hackers had gained entry to the company's account database through a back door and had been siphoning information off for weeks before administrators noticed that anything was wrong. The company's stock plummeted in the wake of the announcement, which left some calling for stricter regulations on what safeguards companies must put in place to protect consumer's databases. This incident comes hardly more than a month after VitaLink announced that it had bought out its sole competitor, Strongarm, and that Strongarm would now be VitaLink's prosthetic limb brand.
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINE: The Queen's Spyglass
Royal Family Looking at Twins?
October 6th, 2014
The news broke last Saturday that the Jegulan royal family may soon be expecting two new members. Photographers had already captured the Princess with what some suspected was a "baby bump," but those suspicions were confirmed by the monarchy's announcement of her pregnancy. There is little doubt that the names and sexes of both children will be forthcoming in the following days.