Shirekeep Gazette
| Shirekeep Gazette | |
 | |
| Motto | More reputable than the ravings of a lunatic... |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1596 AN |
| Headquarters | Shirekeep |
| Official languages | Istvanistani |
| Founder | Vilhelm Benkern |
| Editor-in-Chief | Sylvia Voss |
The Shirekeep Gazette is a major newspaper based in Shirekeep. The newspaper covers domestic, national and international news. It is printed and distributed in various cities all over Micras. The name is frequently shortened to The Gazette.
The Gazette was founded by Vilhelm Benkern in 1596 AN (4926 ASC) with the intention of providing a free and frequent source of information in the following categories:
News: Relaying domestic Shirerithian affairs faithfully and according to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, for the domestic or foreign reader.
Reportage: On the ground reporters across Micras bearing witness and informing denizens about matters beyond Shireroth's borders.
Comment: The regular supplement Raynor Village Magazine provides interest items, poetry, letters, historical articles and more.
History
1596 – 1622
Past editions can be found here
| Date | Headline | Subject | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| II.1597 AN | Praetor Election and other Landsraad news | News | SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - The Landsraad is going to elect another distinguished citizen to its chair within the next few days. The Praetor elections are being conducted by outgoing Praetor Kai Jackson, Duke of Yardistan. After a few days of nomination several candidates were named: Vilhelm Benkern, Dirigent of Musica, Simon ben Erasmus, Count of North Absentia, Spraki Krumsson Lla'i, recently undeceased, and Malarbor, Evil Tree-God of Color -- though not without controversy.
 The Election Candidates: Malarbor, Krumsson, ben Erasmus, Benkern The Praetor is a significant political position in the Imperial Republic. It is at the present time the only office democratically elected by the general population, and its responsibilities are to oversee discussions in the Landsraad, rule on points of order, conduct votes, record divisions and make any applicable changes to living legal documents such as the Imperial Code of Law. The Praetor is also given the power to accept or deny amendments to the Charter, along with the Arbiter. Benkern declined his nomination and Malarbor was jettisoned early from the race during debate, being described by Benkern as impractical due to his godliness. Krumsson agreed, stating that "the respect he enjoys can unduly influence members in a direction against their own conscience." However, some controversy raged over the non-inclusion of ben Erasmus on the ballot sheet: after he was discovered missing, Benkern said "he has as much of a right to be on the ballot as Spraki". Krumsson resolved the situation by asking the Praetor-incumbent to stop the vote to determine if ben Erasmus in fact wished to be included. After responding neutrally, the Praetor re-opened the vote including Krumsson, ben Erasmus and Malarbor. The result of the election is expected in the next few days. Other recent happenings in the Landsraad include the passage of an amendment to section five of its procedures, concerning voting. The goal of one of its champions, the Kaiseress Mira Raynora Minor, is "to ensure that every part of the bill or resolution being voted upon has been publicly available for twenty-four hours." On the Landsraad floor currently are a vote on Shireroth's entry to the intermicronational music competition, Microvision, and a debate on a resolution concerning Shireroth's stance on the crisis in Antica following that state's dissolution. |
| II.1597 AN | Antican Crisis reaches boiling point | News | MAHAPUR, ARYASHT - The refugee crisis that has engulfed eastern Apollonia following the voluntary dissolution of the Third Republic of Antica continues to develop as interested nations recognise the problems facing that state's former citizens. A debate on the floor of the Landsraad has revealed that Shireroth has not failed to take heed of the combined threat to human life and international peace constituted by mass flight, banditry and an unconfirmed bloodthirsty artificial intelligence. The Steward, Scott of Hyperborea, reported that "[u]nfortunately the robot threat has continued to - ahem - evade our best attempts to detect it." The evidence available is mounting. The Gazette can report a hacking incident within Shirekeep linked to a terminal in former Antican territory. Information is slowly coming to light about rumours of computer revolution, but only anecdotally from Babkhan sources.
 Multinational forces descend on former Antica In addition to Babkhan interest, West Elwynn has passed a resolution in the form of a directing decree authorising their prince "to engage with the enemies of the Antican people and protect the Antican people from all terror." Noting the plurality of nations sending aid and arms to Antica, dignitaries from the government of Raikoth have appealed to the Elwynnese Union for a unified approach. They have also liased with the government of Aryasht, one of Antica's successor states, in order to co-ordinate a solution to the refugee crisis. The Dutchy of Kildare has also sent aid. As well as mass reports of banditry on and within the borders of Aryasht, the only successor state of Antica on mainland Apollonia, local informants have told the Gazette that a new force has entered the fray in the form of the 'Godmind' led by 'the Hand'. The significance of this new group has yet to become clear but nonetheless helps to demonstrate the widespread confusion that has followed the collapse of Antican central government. |
| III.1597 AN | CWG stocks cause further litigation | News | SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - The disputes over payment for and ownership of stocks in Commonwealth Global Limited (CWG) have reached another crescendo in a suit filed in the Judex by Dr Giles Melang against Simon ben Erasmus for the sum of 300 'SCUE' (value: 1:1 erb). Melang, also known as Vasroe, alleges that this sum was sent to ben Erasmus in exchange for an undisclosed number of shares in CWG.
 CWG Tower in the Commercial District Ben Erasmus has so far not responded to the substantial allegations, but his lawyer - Reverend Dr. Spraki Krumsson Lla'i, recently beaten to the Office of Praetor by his client - has responded to the Judex claim by disputing the jurisdiction of the main central court of the Shirerithian judiciary in this case. Similar claims are at varying stages of claim procedure in Western Elwynn and South Batavia, alleging the same facts and demanding the same remedy. The Gazette's informants suggest the multiplicity of suits may be an attempt to ground the claim, since Melang is a Western Elwynnese national and ben Erasmus holds citizenship in South Batavia. The ongoing dispute in the Judex at this time focuses on the question of whether the court has the power to hear the claim. CWG is a multinational corporation, whose shareholders include several national governments (including Babkha and Shireroth) and many of the most prominent politicians of Micras. Its legal status is contentiously disputed, but Melang has previously declared it as headquartered in Shireroth, and during the reign of Yardistanislaus it reopened its Shireroth division, located in CWG Tower (pictured). There have been previous disputes of this kind. In the Alexandrian High Court, Elijah Ayreon of Western Elwynn brought a claim against CWG and Melang for a breach of contract for the sale of shares worth 2500 erb. An out-of-court settlement for the full amount was reached, but Melang (known as Gustave Chevalier in Alexandria) did not fulfil its terms and the court was invited to reach a verdict. It described Ayreon's claim for damages as "founded" and ordered Melang to make the payment, which he subsequently did. No comment has been made by the Directors of CWG, which is currently itself in a state of confusion after the total number of floated shares has been found to be over- and under-reported several times. |
| III.1597 AN | Raynor Village #1 | Comment | Welcome to the first issue of the Raynor Village Magazine!
 EXCLUSIVE! Interview with Giles Melang Raynor Village: We're proud to have Giles Melang with us at the Village offices this afternoon. Giles, thank you for joining us.
Giles Melang: That's quite alright.  Ode to G.M. (aka G.C. in Alexandria) By Mr. E. Guest & Anon E. Mus To me the sweetest gift of all is gold; But lightly mayest the dew drops of your breast Unmoved you will not find a part of me But now my dreams have all been but fulfilled: |
| VI.1597 AN | Judex rejects CWG Jurisdiction & opens procedural review | News | SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - Arbiter Balârak Âlaion, Duke of Elwynn, has struck out the claim made by Giles Melang for money paid to Simon ben Erasmus in expectation of shares in Commonwealth Global Ltd. (CWG) not received. After hearing legal argument from both sides, Âlaion ruled that the Judex had no jurisdiction because neither the transaction nor the defendant's bank account were located in Shireroth.
 The Judex building, Metzlershire, Shirekeep On the question of the nation in which CWG is legally based - which the claimant maintained was Shireroth, in order to ground jurisdiction - the Arbiter further ruled that "...[a] multi-national [company], for the purposes of Shirerithian law, is headquartered where its bank account is." It was submitted in evidence by Mr Krummson Lla'i, for the respondent, that the bank account for CWG is located in Alexandria. The judgment by Arbiter Âlaion, while not making specific reference to Shirerithian precedent, does not differ from an earlier statement made in the Judex (30 October 2012, 4834 ASC) by Kaiser Ometeotl II that "[f]or [an] account to fall under Shireroth jurisdiction it must be registered under Shireroth." Under the Imperial Code of Law, Chapter VI, Section C, subsection 6, a writ of appeal may be lodged with the court of the next highest Arbiter. However the implementation of the new Charter stated, in Article VI, that it replaces "the previous Imperial Charter of Shireroth in its entirety, including all laws passed under that Charter." However, since the new Charter describes the Judex as "the supreme court of law of the Imperial Republic" (Art IV, Section A), it is unclear if the Kaiser's Court remains a court to which failed plaintiffs of the Judex may turn. Following his primary decision, the Arbiter also have a judgment as to the award of reasonable costs, awarding nothing. He rejected compensation for pain and suffering in court proceedings and remuneration for legal representation, the latter on the grounds that there is "no evidence indicating... [that] the normal presumption [of pro bono legal representation] should be rebutted." With the conclusion of this case, the Arbiter has announced a review into its criminal and civil procedures, including a request for the Mango Bar, Shireroth's association of lawyers, to consider implementing a code of conduct and remuneration structure for its members. A deadline of the 23 February, 4950 ASC has been set for submissions to that review. |
| VI.1597 AN | Something shining this way comes - Raikothin Mapping | News | THULE, HYPERBOREA - Cartographers from across the Imperial Republic and further abroad have been humbled by the efforts of Kvani Neyin, also known as Scott of Hyperborea, who has revealed a a new, highly detailed map of the Shirerithian hegemonic county.
The Changing Shape of the Artic Island:  Clockwise from Top left: Mesyelon Neyin; Classic MCS; Scott's Quetzal; Shyriath's Gloria Mundi Publicised as "AiRaikoth [Hyperborea Proper] as you've never seen it before", this new map represents a significant departure from orthodox depictions of the island once thought to be the land closest to the Micran north pole. Neyin attributes this to coastal changes since the original MCS map was compiled, and the difficulty of mapping in such a hostile clime. The product of "many years of exploration and surveying", the Shining Garden government's press release included a significant amount of cultural information along with the geographic. With arresting placenames such as "You-Will-Die", "Never-Go-Here" and "Further-Still", this map offers what is hoped to be a faithful depiction of one of Shireroth's most heard-of but least known subdivisions, a land of natural beauty, ancient wisdom, technological and philosophical advancement, and frozen death. Neyin has also included other cultural items along with the survey information, such as a poem about Further-Still. |
| XI.1602 AN | Vale, Batavia Post | Comment | It is with much regret that the Editor is given the opportunity to offer a valedictory homily in this special edition of the Gazette in dour recognizance of the decline and extinction of one of the greats of recent micronational journalism, the Batavian Post (BP), which was discontinued today. A simple one-word statement cross-posted on both the Bastion and Hub.mn BP threads by its long-time editor, Simon ben Erasmus, was succeeded by the deletion of the paper's online records, formerly located on their Blogspot site. Pressed by a commenter on Bastion, ben Erasmus' representative cited the "shrinking market" of Micran journalism as being a determinant factor in the closure of the paper.
 Thousands of child labourers were employed across Micras in order to spread the journalistic truth emanating from the BP It is worth firstly noting the nature and importance of the BP. It sat firmly on the thin borderline between satirical sniping and factual reportage. Its primary distinction was the ability of its editor to produce more frequently than any other modern news outlet on Micras. What came from the BP were articles of varying quality: from cartoons and single-paragraph news stories, to exclusive (sometimes liberally-sourced) interviews and detailed analyses of micronational events, readers usually finished articles dubiously informed but well cheered by the succinct comic style of its writers. Its importance primarily lay in bridging the gap between the small but vocal Dutch community and the rest of Micras, by offering a skewed but persistent window into the minds of those participants. But perhaps the most important thing to take from the demise of yet another micronational newspaper - though, admittedly, with slightly more class albeit abrupt than many others, which simply fizzle out in the style of micronations themselves - is a chance to reflect on the wider problems that beset the journalistic side of this hobby. The BP represented the creative method of reporting through which micronational readers can learn about other micronations and engage with them. It was a success because it provided controversial opinions and points of view; it was able to grip the imaginations of hobbyists by making the political arguments and issues of the day seem worth reporting, by reporting them. Other outlets did not have the (semi-)professional edge to make them worth reading; others lacked the sense of humour that keeps us coming back; and others still, such as the Coprieta Standard, probably the gold standard of micronational newspaper over the years, simply do not put out articles often enough to command an active and engaged readership as the BP did. Simon ben Erasmus is thought to be a great patron of micropatriology and micronational historical studies, and so any who may be interested in the BP and its archived articles stored on his hard-disk should contact him via the Bastion, Hub or Batavian fora. |
| XIII.1602 AN | Batavian Queen's coronation masks instability | Report | KONINGENWAARDE, BATAVIA - Dignitaries from across Micras yesterday descended on the Cathedral of s' Koningenwaarde to witness the coronation of the new Queen of the Batavians, Anna. Gazette reporters witnessed the moment of coronation amongst a crowd packed with foreign dignitaries. Those invited included representatives from Bastion nations such as Shireroth, Gralus and Natopia, as well as others such as Gotzborg and Alexandria.
The ascension of Anna Windsor-Rosendaal, child of Queen Fränzi-Ferdinanda I des Vinandy and Constantijn Windsor, to the throne of Batavia solidifies the constitutional arrangement of the Benacian empire which will henceforth be known as the Sixth Kingdom. A new constitution is planned but requires the signature and approval of the new monarch. Anna is the first ruler of the Batavians to follow Sisera, also known as the Heavenly Light, who ruled both Batavia and South Batavia (Zuidbatavie) as part of the Jingdao Empire. Since Jingdao collapsed, Batavia has been without a monarch, and Anna brings to an end a period of great instability for one of the great powers of Micras. However, the stability presented by the coronation and the new constitution is undermined by the co-existence of another state claiming to be the true successor to the Batavian national legacy. Known as the 'St. Anna government' because of its capital city and claiming islands marked as a dependency of the Democratic Republic of Flanders, this Kingdom of Batavia is currently seeking full recognition by the Micronational Cartography Society. It is supported by Flanders as well as the Viking Empire of Stormark, who recently ratified a Treaty of Assistance providing direct military support to the fledgling 'Free Batavian' government. What is clear from a recent public claim of copyright infringement regarding the Batavian coat of arms made by Batavian Jonas - unofficially but not formally settled by Stormarker provision of a new one - is that this long-running clash will only produce more bad blood on Micras before the matter is settled as non-Dutch sector micronations form ranks and ally with either government. This was demonstrated by the recent, still-unresolved dispute between both Batavias and the new Micran State of Haifa, caused by the latter's attempt to recognise both states. |
| XIV.1605 AN | Raynor Village #2 | Comment | Welcome to the second edition of the funny corner of Shirekeep - and we're not talking about Lichkeep!
South Catavian arrival looked on pawsitively  Detractors: "You have cat to get kitten me" The foundation of the a new state on Bastion was originally met with mixed felines, but purrhaps the tide has turned for the Empire of the Heavenly Kitty. Though their swipe at an MCS claim is currently on hold, their government expects no cat-astrophic denial. Said Master Diplocat & Chief Furnancial Officer Jezza Rasmus, "We were pawsibly considering being whiskered away to another distinguished cat-ographic organisation like the OIK but only because of the pun opportunities presented by the German word 'für'. After much purrcrastination we decided that beclaws Micras has such a strong litter-rary tradition our journalistic effurts would be better spent here." Pawdyguards removed our repurrter from the press confurrence before he could claw any meore out of Rasmus. LIVE: Breaking News Footage From Eliria  Osmanli Economic policy lauded as mature response to humanitarian crisis, grounded in sound theory Gralans reach milestone of 'almost doing something' Micran governments across Micras today were shocked to learn of exciting developments in the thaumic corridors of power in the Gralan Empire: something might be happening soon, or not. Hush and a magic-powered indoor stormcloud gathered over the assembled journalists before Waldgrave the Wise made a special announcement, which the RV Magazine reproduces exclusively here in full: Death and pestilence stalk the land. Poverty and impecuniousness affect the majority of our Empire's citizens. Inactive governments have led to a breakdown of social order, and normlessness is the word of the day, not least because it is so fun to say. Therefore the Triumvirate has decided to make this special announcement: we might be getting on with something soon. It might happen, it might not. We're all very busy, you know. Why don't you estimated 1.5 billion citizens of varying magic and experience levels get up of your butts instead of giving us, what, three guys a hard time? Sorry, I didn't mean that. Let's talk about this over dinner. The reconciliatory dinner will take place next Losday at the full-capacity venue of the Hypercube. MicroWiki user Interview: "Blah blah blah" Raynor Village: We're pleased today to welcome a randomly generated MicroWiki user today. Said user, a pillar of his community, has only agreed to this interview provided we treat his sector with an open mind and in return he says he will attend to a degree of respectful candour. Is that right? |
| VIII.1607 AN | Kildare-Siseran Tègōng Agreement Case Commences | News | SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - Legal arguments and presentations of evidence have begun in earnest in a constitutional case in the Judex. Arbiter Benkern has been asked by the Steward of Elwynn, Tokaray al-Osman, to rule on the legality of an alleged relationship between the Dutchy of Kildare and the League of Nations for the Advancement of Purity. The Steward argues that the deceased Dutch "form[ed] [an] alliance" with an organisation of disputed origin called the Siseran Tègōng, related to the Count of Tè Gōng Lĭ.
 The nature of the LON is disputed, though central to the case These allegations are hotly contested by the Emperor of Jingdao-at-Sea, while the incumbent Dutchess of Kildare, Sophia Myksos, whose father was killed under disputed circumstances, has appointed the Count of Tè Gōng Lĭ as her representative. Al-Osman has applied for the relevant measures to be declared contrary to the Charter and therefore null under its terms. On acceptance of the case, the Arbiter brought its prosecution under the authority of the Imperial Republic, with the Steward of Elwynn as an interested party. This is the first such application under the new Charter, decreed into effect by Kaiseress Mira Raynora Major last December, which established the former subdivisions of Shireroth as 'sovereign Imperial states'. They are now subject to few fetters except the Charter, the interpretation of which is the responsibility of the Arbiter, who is head of the Shirerithian judiciary. The case continues. Judgment is scheduled for Tuesday. |
| XIII.1608 AN | MiniTrade resigns amid currency row | News | GOLDSHIRE HAMLET, GOLDSHIRE - The Imperial Government has been shocked to its foundations this week as the Minister for Trade, Ryabin Merkayastreb, tendered his resignation. It followed public comments made by Kaiser Trantor IV about the MiniTrade's new currency designs, which included a representation of one Imperial State on the backside of each note. Trantor dismissed the notes, saying they were not to be put into circulation until the old denominations were restored and anti-counterfeit measures were put in place.
 A sample of a 5-erb note, at the centre of the dispute Merkayastreb, Duke of Goldshire, was a veteran Minister, appointed in 5248 ASC by Kaiser Aiomide following the death of his father, Krasniy Yastreb, who was himself appointed to the post by Mira Raynora Minor in 5079 ASC. In spite of praise for the new designs from many, another source of criticism was Thadeus Melange, Lord of Montauk in Aryasht, who suggested to their Prince that the representation of Aryasht by a tea-picker was less than favourable. These were the first published designs of Erb bank notes since those of Scott/Yvain of Wintersong (also of Brookshire/Goldshire) in 3293 ASC. It is also noteworthy that Krasniy Yastreb supplied coin designs for that older series of currency. Reports from Goldshire indicate that the Duke and his retainers have suffered at the hands of the mysterious local organisation, the Assayers, as a result of the rift between the Imperial Government and the Imperial State best known for Shirerithian gold production, minting and storage, but these remain unsubstantiated. |
| V.1622 | Open Letter on Neridia | Comment | The following letter was sent to the Gazette by a consortium of Musican merchants and the Dirigent, Vilhelm Benkern.
The founding of Neridia was abrupt. Like many of the seminal moments in Shireroth's history, it was controversial. However it was legitimate, and ever since then that territory has formed an integral part of the Imperial Republic's ecosystem. As news comes today that the disgraced Prince whose government collapsed has sought asylum in St Andre, the need for urgent action to preserve the stability of the hemisphere, from the Shire Sea to the North Raynor Sea, becomes obvious to all. Therefore we, a group of Musicans who have a dear sympathy with the nearby people of Neridia who have been abandoned by their government, and who also have a strong interest in the social and economic propserity of all parts of Shireroth, today call on the Kaiser and Landsraad to undertake to protect the people of Neridia and commit to ensure their survival and economic growth. Without intervention, there can be no hope of their survival. What form of government should remain in Neridia is a matter of rightful debate, which should be made in the open and without obscured secret motives, but there can be no argument that Shireroth has an obligation to the abandoned people of this fledgling land who, for now at least and in our view forevermore, we call fellow countrymen. |
1645 - 1652
| Date | Headline | Subject | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| XIII.1652 AN | Florian Republic Mulls Foreign Policy Shift | Diplomacy |  Jeremy Spencer: Leader of the Florian Independence Party. The second development arising from tensions with the ethnic Jingdaoese minority in Xhusor and elsewhere has been a growing push and impetus in the Florian Parliament to hold a referendum on departure from the controversial USSO alliance, with many parliamentarians rallying to the strident denunciations of the pact which have been made in recent sessions by Jeremy Spencer, the forthright, some might say aggressive, leader of the Florian Independence Party. Our correspondent in the Florian Republic was recently able to secure a brief interview with Mr Spencer and these were the key points which arose:
Forthright, ambitious, strident, succinct and aggressive; Mr Spencer may lead one of the smaller parliamentary parties but it is clear that he has caught the mood of the moment with regards to the shift in public attitude towards the USSO, catching the government badly off guard and making a referendum on USSO membership still more of a likelihood. |
| 21.XII.1652 AN | Xhusor Referendum Latest | Diplomacy | Shirekeep (IRS): In response to a direct question by this newspaper, the reigning Steward, Liv Dravot, directly stated that "the Imperial Republic of Shireroth supports the suppression of Jingdaoese peoples wherever they may be found." The question was prompted by breaking news that the Florian Republic has dispatched a battalion of light infantry to help suppress separatist turmoil which has been spreading in the restive Xhusor province following the announcement of an independence referendum. The Shirerithian government is watching the situation closely. Meanwhile the Ministry of Military Affairs has been forced to deny that it has been inundated by requests for leave from serving personnel in the Imperial Forces who are keen to use some of their precious vacation time to travel to the Florian Republic and help crack Jing skulls with the cudgel (a specialist Shirerithian baton consisting of a handy length of solid oak tipped with a hefty lead weight). |
| 1652.6616.AN.ASC | Trans-Benacian Railway Edges Closer | Domestic | Shirekeep (IRS): Proposals submitted by commercial parties detailing the route and viability of a Trans-Benacian Railway, linking Shirekeep to the city of Kingsrise in the far west have reportedly earned the favour of the reigning Steward Liv Dravot. The Imperial Government is presently formulating proposals which, as they pretain to inter-state trade and infrastructure can be promulgated via an Imperial Decree. The route, which will link central and western Benacia, has the potential to open up the former Amokolian and Batavian lands to settlement and development. As such there is likely to be a certain degree of interest on the part of the autonomous Imperial States concerning the final route, accordingly it is likely that some or all aspects of this project will ultimately be put before the Landsraad for approval. |
| 1652.6616.AN.ASC | Tensions Rise with Jingdao | Diplomacy/Military | Shirekeep (IRS): Following the Auspicious Occasion the territories of the former Kingdom of Batavia were liberated from Elwynnese occupation and granted limited self-government by the Imperial Republic. The Jingdaoese Empire responded to this, after spurning a generous adjustment of the Armistice Line, by announcing its intent to form a new province of Badawei in Western Benacia utilising displaced persons and the descendants of slaves captured by the Jingdaoese during their own brief occupation. This, combined with other provocations, resulted in the Imperial Forces being obliged to conduct a precautionary artillery bombardment against suspicious persons and structures in the enclave of 's Koningenwaarde (Tianhoucheng). Making the usual allowances for Jingdaoese provocations and propaganda, the Ministry of Military Affairs has ordered a significant reinforcement of the western provinces, with air assets arriving in the next few days and auxiliary reinforcements arriving at intervals through the remainder of the year. It is likely that other steps will be taken as the extent of USSO perfidy becomes more apparent. |
| 1652.6616.AN.ASC | Publication of the Shirekeep Gazette Resumes | Domestic | Shirekeep (IRS): The Shirekeep Gazette today celebrated publishing its first edition since publication was suspended in 1646 following the arrest and detention of several editorial staff and correspondents for spreading anti-state subversion and opposition to the dynastic succession established for the descendants of Our Lady the Radiant Sun, the late Kaiseress. We celebrate in our first full edition the commitment of the Imperial Government to righteous thought, freedom of lawful expression and the defence of our established and permitted liberties. |
| 1646.6440 AN.ASC | Sxiro-Natopian Defence Cooperation Deepens | Military | Lindstrom (Natopia):As part of the integration of Shirerithian and Natopian Forces within the framework of the Shirerithian-Alexandrian-Natopian Entente the Natopian Defence Force announced that it had assumed responsibility for the Cibola, Keltia, Space, Tapfer and Trans-Euran "theatre commands". The Cibola Command would be apportioned to Alexandria once it completes the ratification process for the SANE treaty. At present the Apollonia and Benacia Commands fall under the responsibility of the Imperial Forces of the Imperial Republic of Shireroth, which serves as the lead nation on those two continents.
Isabella Simrani-Kalirion, the Natopian Defence Minister, stated that the door had been left open to the possibility of Theatre Commands being reallocated to other partner nations as they signal their alignment with the Western Alliance. A Theatre Command is a continental region in which a lead nation has responsibility for the command and control of all allied forces deployed on operations, that is to say away from their day to day domestic defence and security responsibilities, in that region. Theatre Commands are answerable to the Joint Military Council (JMC) of the Western Alliance, comprising of the heads of government and defence ministers for each member nation, which coordinates the overall strategic and defence priorities of the armed forces of the member states. In practical terms, the new dispensation means that Shireroth will take primary responsibility for containing the threat of Jingdao and the Voorpost Pact (the so-called USSO) in Northern Apollonia whilst Natopia takes over responsibility for coordinating military support to the Hammish Republican Army and the conduct of freedom of navigation and counter-piracy operations in the Sea of Storms. Shirerithian military assets, which include a naval task force and teams of military advisers, deployed to the Sea of Storms and on to the Hammish mainland, now come under Natopian operational control. |
| 1645.6415 AN.ASC | Defensive Preparations Continue | Military | Goldshire Hamlet: With the apparent refusal of the USSO to countenance lifting the illegal, immoral and hypocritical blockade on Neo Patrova, where a ceasefire and unity government has continued without incident, the Shirerithian and Natopian Governments yesterday announced that they deemed the Shireroth-Alexandria-Natopia Entente (SANE), otherwise known as the Western Alliance, to be in effect. This announcement comes even though the Alexandrian ratification process has been stalled by a defeat in the Empire's legislative assembly in Geneva. With the Entente in operation the two allies can formally begin to coordinate their armed forces through an integrated command structure. This has already resulted in a flurry of orders opening Natopian ports and air space to Shirerithian forces and placing the 3rd Expeditionary Fleet at the disposal of the Eastern Armada[1]. At present the deployed reinforcements in the Northern Sea remain at a numerical disadvantage to the combined fleet of Jingdao and Gerenia. However, spikes in activity observed in the Mesior Naval Base and around dockyards throughout the islands of Amity and Yardistan, suggest that this may not remain the case for much longer. Rumours are also circulating that Shirerithian fighter and heavy bomber squadrons are being redeployed from the frontier with Minarboria to dispersal runways in the Shirerithian Imperial State of Goldshire, suggesting that the Imperial Republic is preparing to use long-range strike forces to off-set any numerical disadvantage in-theatre. |
| 1645.6414 | Envoy to the Maritime Markets | Trade | Ardashirshahr: ESB Group director Huldah Llynadorion, acting as a personal emissary for the group's chairman, Daniyal Dravot, today boarded the Luftangriffschiff Zerstörer LZ-019 for a journey to Blore Heath. A spokesman for the ESB Group said that the purpose of the visit was to begin negotiations for the listing of the ESB Group's Keltian operations at the Port of Blore Heath and that any suggestion that the Imperial Government might be seeking to hire the Fleet of Blore Heath, the Bacchian Vine Fleet or the Knights of Mt.Nysa, in light of the recent and ongoing confrontations with the USSO, were egregiously wide of the mark. |
| 1645.6413 | Ceasefire in Neo Patrova | Military | In a brief statement released to the press, Royston Merrick, commander of the SHAM Forces in Neo Patrova, declared that the military objectives of his campaign in the western districts of that territory had been substantially achieved. The Magister's statement stressed that the SHAM had not come to Neo Patrova to as conquerors but rather to provide humanitarian assistance and to help rebuild Hamland's shattered agricultural sector, which had been devastated by both the civil war and an ongoing long-term ecological catastrophe, to the point where the Hammish would be in the position to resume exports of wheat. The statement concluded that it was for the factions in the Hammish Civil War to reach a negotiated settlement and that the SHAM would not and could not be writing blank cheques for the combatants in perpetuity. The Magister will be attending talks in Freedom City with the leadership of the Samerican Militia to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and the delivery of Shirerithian food aid from the nearby colony of Crowsilver. |
| 1645.6413 | Jingdaoese Provocations Risk War | Diplomatic | The joint Jingdaoese-Gerenian declaration of a blockade upon the Hammish territory of Neo Patrova[2] has resulted in reciprocal mobilisations[3][4] by the powerful Shirerithian and Jingdaoese navies, adding yet another contentious chapter to the long history of the Sxiro-Jingdaoese Confrontation. |
| 1645.6412 | Fighting continues in Neo Patrova | Military |  Shirerithian naval assets arrive off-shore in the Camoleo/Samarne Estuary. With the fall of the naval base, which will take months to restore to operability, the entirety of the Neo Patrovan side of the Camoleo/Samarne estuary is in the hands of the NPA, providing a firm bridgehead for the NPA in northern Apollonia and the springboard for an overland advance towards Freedom City. The majority of the NPA flotilla is now proceeding eastwards, in parallel with the shoreline towards Freedom City. Monitoring the ongoing impact of the Hammish Civil War, Task Force 41 of the Imperial Navy of Shireroth's Eastern Armada, has diverted from its normal patrol pattern to take up station in the Northern Sea. The Kalir Class Carrier-Cruiser ZNS Yarad I, escorted by three Duchy Class destroyers, has been observed from the Shoreline and carrier based aviation has been conducting continuous patrols on the edge of territorial waters since their arrival. |
| 1645.6411 | Humanitarian Work in Hamland | Military | Neo Patrova: Magister Royston Merrick today announced, during a tour of territory liberated by the 2nd Army Corps from Samerican Militias, that far from extorting grain from the Hammish overseas territory, the Sxiro-Hammish Agricultural Mission had been obliged to organise food aid. "Although the long term aim is to see Hammish agriculture restored to the point where exports can resume, this will not be possible if the workforce starves in the meantime. Our purchasing officers in Crowsilver and the overseas Elwynnese territories are bulk buying wheat, rice and oats in order to replace the winter stores lost during the fighting. We will do everything in our power to mitigate this humanitarian catastrophe." |
| 1645.6410 | Alexandria and Natopia Make a Stand | Diplomacy | Following on from the Shirerithian decision to deploy Task Force 90 to the Sea of Storms to protect its commercial shipping from interference by overzealous Passian revenue collectors, the Empress of the Natopians authorised the deployment of the 1st Exploratory Group of the Natopian Navy to the Sea of Storms as part of the intriguingly named Operation Butterstorm[5]. In that same order, the Court of the Verdant Gardens (the Natopian ministry of defence) was also tasked with cooperating with its Shirerithian counterpart, the Ministry of Military Affairs, to provide safe and unfettered transit for Shirerithian merchant vessels passing though the international waterways of the Sea of Storms by any means necessary within the limitations of international maritime law.
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| 1645.6410 AN.ASC | International Condemnation of Passio-Corum Mounts | Diplomacy | The Imperial Republic of Shireroth reacted with outrage to news that the Realm of Passio-Corum was imposing a "Targeted Tax" on Shirerithian vessels found to be carrying agricultural or dual-use equipment bound for the Commonwealth of Hamland. The claims of the so-called Supreme Arbiter that Shirerithian merchant vessels sailing on the Sea of Storms had previously been targeted for extortion by agents of the Realm of Passio-Corum in no way explained or excused the imposition of this new charge on vessels of another sovereign nation operating in international waters. The revelation that Passio-Corum has had the effrontery to seek to lay claim to an entire ocean as its own sovereign domain has set the international community in uproar. The most widely accepted international standard with regards to what can be defined as a territorial water is found MTO's Convention on the Laws of the Seas, which clearly upholds the time honoured custom that it is only within a distance of 24 kilometres from a country's base shore line that a nation's laws on customs, taxation, and immigration can be imposed.
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Since 1752
Notable correspondents
- Royston Vasey Periwinkle (1611 AN–1672 AN): Keltia Correspondent of the Shirekeep Gazette. President of the Imperial Correspondents Club. Witness to the Hammish Civil War, the War of the Harpy, the War of the Casks and the events that would lead to the fall of the Zinkgraven regime. Arrested by agents of Benacia Command during the early days of the Kalirion Fracture, he was held at a detention facility in Merensk and tortured frequently over a period of three months, for practice mostly as any useful information he might have known was readily divulged during the initial interrogation. His demise came as he was garrotted at the culmination of a tutorial session for pain technicians in the service of the Internal Security Bureau.
