Kalistan

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Emperor and Princess Consort Tour Nation
Peerage, Civil Society Orgs hold Public Meetings
Spencer, Duchy of Sulari
September 4, 5730


His Imperial Majesty and Princess Consort attend meet and greet in Spencer

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto has completed his first tour of Kalistan. He was joined by Her Highness, the Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell on the trip as well as the Minor Princess and the Minor Princess' nanny, Ms. Krista Jenson. The tour scheduled to give Kalistanis, both high and low, the opportunity to meet their new Emperor. Special events were organized by House Ananto in cities and towns across the nation, with society gatherings in Kaliburg and Sulari.

"Due to the Protocol, Her Highness, the Princess Consort was tasked with most of the meeting and greeting," said Her Highness the Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn, who also accompanied the Royal Couple. "Commoners are not allowed to approach or even speak directly to the Emperor, however, the work around that His Imperial Majesty came up with was to have them greet the Princess Consort, who is not similarly constrained in this fashion, and any comments that people wished to express to the Emperor would be directed toward her, while he stood nearby. We weighed suspending the Protocol for the trip, but the Chancellor said it is important that the people do not become too familiar with their Emperor lest they begin to believe that they too could become Emperor. However, the Princess Consort herself is very personable, she is very charming and she is very approachable and served admirably as a proxy."

Most of the people who attended were invited through their connections to either the Peerage or the Institutional Party. "The events could not be a free for all, for sure," said Lady Melanie. "That is, we were not about to invite the masses in or His Imperial Majesty might be swamped and hundreds might unwittingly put themselves on the wrong side of the law. So we also scheduled parades in Sulari, Eshar, and Port Swedes, and public speeches in Yoshimi, Lucid, Spencer, Dana and Gendaris. Other events were held in Addisjah, Vrassa City, High Bong, Nevaras City, Senvias, Luxon and Dahriel. The itinerary was quite extensive, and took the royal family almost three weeks to complete."

During the tour, His Imperial Majesty met with business interests in Sulari, Shipping industry executives, and National Rail execs in Port Swedes. He also met with bankers in Sulari and Kaliburg, car makers in Addisjah and Sulari, Labor Unions, Housing Cooperatives, Growers syndicates, and civil society Groups. The meetings were more listening sessions, where the different groups had the opportunities to let the Emperor know what they need from the National Government. The Emperor listened, and did not say much, but he welcomed the commentary and the opportunity to learn. And nearly every group which spoke before the Emperor felt that he was fully present and attentive, and there was a great optimism that Kalistan was in for a major effort to address some long standing issues across the nation.

During the entire trip, The Royal Family was hosted at the homes of the members of the Peerage. This gave the Dukes, Counts and Barons the opportunity to speak directly with the Emperor on an informal basis and to show him some hospitality. Each Peer viewed the opportunity to host the new Emperor as a privilege and an honor. While in Spencer, the Family stayed with the Princess Consort's family, and took a small break from the tour and just rest with family. Count Michael Leigh of Sulari County hosted a large fundraiser for the Imperial Opera featuring a donation pitch from the Princess Consort, and more than K$600,000 Imperial Pesos for the Opera.

The Tour of the Nation now completed, the Emperor intends to turn his eyes abroad. "His Imperial Majesty hopes to visit Valruzia, Mordusia, and Hutori in the coming months," said Lady Melanie. "He also intends to visit Bentasur and Luncasi in Kizenia to greet the Diaspora." His trip however may be delayed for a little while. "The Princess Consort, while in Senvias, was confirmed to be expecting again, and her due date is in late March of next year. So the Emperor may just plan the international tour for next year so he can remain home with his growing family."

@TheRepublic

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The Democrat and the Autocrat
Meeting between Brandt and Princess of the Empire "cordial and informative"
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 18, 5730


Dr. Kristen Brandt, of the New Democrat Club, meets with Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor in Eveari

Dr. Kristen Brandt accepted an invitation to sit down with Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor at her home in Eveari last week. The former Empress, now retired, wanted the opportunity to meet the political dynamo from Suldanor who engineered the the most significant political upset in decades. The two women spoke with La Moda following their very lengthy visit, which reportedly covered many aspects of the current political situation in Kalistan.

"I have wanted to meet with Dr. Brandt for a few years now," said Lady Ananto-Connor. "I couldn't very well do that when I was the Empress, of course, but now the responsibility to keep up appearances has decreased. And I am glad she accepted my offer to visit and speak with me about the things she sees that we could be doing better."

"The Empress, excuse me, the Princess was very welcoming to me," said Brandt who took the train from Kaliburg to Eveari. "She drove her own vehicle from the Estate out to the Train station and picked me up personally, and showed me around her town. She is extremely well known and quite popular here in Eveari and it was a revelation to me, so that was the first of many surprises of my day. But I found Her Highness to be very warm, very curious, and very attentive. She is clearly highly educated, but also I found her to be quite elegant in her speech: She did not speak much, but when she did, it was always profound. And it was most often in the form of a question, which I was not prepared for."

According to both women, much of the conversation revolved around Dr. Brandt and her movement. "The Princess requested information. She wanted to know what we stood for, whether we had had any success recruiting in Ananto, how she could help us. It was strange because it was so unexpected." When asked what she did expect, Dr. Brandt thought for a second before answering. "The Princess is renowned world wide for her, shall I say, hostility toward the concepts of popular government. And she did not hide the fact that she felt that way about some of the platform pieces in the New Democrat's mission. But her hostility was not based in either a misunderstanding of democracy or a hostility toward the people."

Brandt said Lady Ananto-Connor's feelings about popular government have more to do with problems that even democratic theorists find with the system: Low information among voters, the susceptibility of the system to demagoguery, a deep suspicion of indirect democracy where people claim the right to speak for others when in fact only speaking for themselves. "She said democracy in any practical form must predicate itself upon dishonesty--its the only way to get the people to actually participate in elections which are necessary for democrats to claim legitimacy. She's not wrong, what can I say? A rational person should not vote unless he thinks he is getting something out of the time and effort it takes for him to learn about candidates and positions, and then go actually vote. So democrats more or less have to engage in advertising, which is essentially propagandizing the people they are asking for a vote: its the only way to get people to actually turn out and vote when they don't actually get anything themselves for the act."

"I told Ms. Brandt that I admire the ideas around deliberative democracy that were published by the Valruzian thinker Gawel Sandów," said Princess Carolina. "I understand this was a theory piece, and in practice, the current system falls a ways away from this ideal, as all democratic systems in practice must, but I was able to compare that theoretical ideal with the practical forms of democratic governance we see in almost every nation that even pretends to base the legitimacy of their government and their laws upon the popular vote of the citizenry. The liberal form of democracy is a sham in every aspect of the word, and I would prefer to live in a society which tells me the truth about what it is doing, even if it is an autocracy, than ever accept lies from my government for a practical purpose. As a Brethrenist, a citizen and an adult, I have the right to expect good honest and clean government, and if I was a democrat living in a liberal society I would never get it because I would always be outvoted by millions who are engaged not in providing good government, but government that serves their own individual interest, or, as is most often the case, people voting in more or less a beauty contest."

The nuance in the Princess position was "refreshing" according to Brandt, who had always assumed that the former Empress was merely a knee-jerk reactionary. "I admit, I had not had taken the opportunity to read most of her writings, and only ever saw her actions from afar, but in fact we have a lot more in common than I previously suspected, and I say that as a committed democrat myself. If there was a way to create a democracy which does what it claims to be doing, I would think she would likely be the thinker to invent it. Alas, she has no desire to do so."

The Princess laughed, "She told me she was kinda scared about visiting me. But I like to think I am a pleasant person, and I had the opportunity to ask her questions about herself and her Club, and I tried my best to be a good host to her. I found her to be intelligent, dedicated, and serious, and I really think she is head and shoulders above the others in Terra who claim the mantle democrat but have never once thought about what the word actually means, or how to actually practice true, meaningful democracy, let alone build a political system that actually functions like a substantive democracy. But when she asked me if I would be willing to help do just that, I respectfully passed. Because unlike her, I do not want democracy anywhere near this nation. And unlike her, I made that decision for close to four and a half decades, and now my son makes it. So, we let it go at that point."

According to both, the meeting was cordial and informative. The Princess invited Dr. Brandt to lunch with her at the Garden Club, "a first for me," admitted Brandt, who said she was more terrified of being underdressed in such a prestigious club. "She laughed about it when we arrived," said Lady Ananto-Connor, "and saw that one of the best things about the Garden Club is, there's no dress code. There doesn't really need to be when everyone there is of the same class. Why should there be a dress code? Who do we need to impress?"

Brandt said she found the food at the Garden Club good and appreciated the opportunity to attend with the Princess, but the visit to the Garden Club confirmed to her that the hierarchy that is visible in the State was baked into every institution in Kalistan: "Women connected to power met women with power, and decisions were made with a smile and a business card before they ever made it to the people for consent. And Her Highness was very candid about this fact and didn't even try to justify it. She simply said that this was the correct order of things in this nation. It's just how things are. Someone else might be demoralized by that fact, but for me it was very eye opening: It really is about what your last name is and how close you are to someone with a more important last name. And that's really it."

Dr. Brandt remained at Ananto Estate for the afternoon and the two met with His Highness, the Prince Elliot Rosenfeld, who gave Dr. Brandt a lesson in Go. "We had intended to visit Her Highness' Stables on the property, but as is the case on so many days this time of year in this part of the country, a steady cold rain forced us to remain indoors, and so the Princess treated her Husband and I to hot cocoa while Lord Elliot introduced me to Go. It was a pleasant afternoon." Dr. Brandt was back in Kaliburg that night.

"I'm glad she had the courage to come for a visit," said the Princess of the Empire. "She had a lot of I think preconceptions about me, as a person or about my thoughts that would have caused a lesser woman to stay away. But I think mutual curiosity brought her to Eveari, and I was very glad to sit down and speak with the Doctor. She may be committed to the cause of popular participation in our state and who can fault her, really? On some of those points we will never agree. But I think there are also some areas where we see eye to eye on: I think she is committed to making our nation better, and she was more than happy to share those ideas which I found very reasonable and most of them to be quite moderate. And so it was a good meeting. Plus she's very serious on TV, but she has a good sense of humor and an easy personality, and on a personal level, I think we got along well."

@LaModa

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Second baby arrives for Royal Family
"Another Daughter" says House Ananto
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 2, 5731


His Imperial Majesty and Princess Consort welcome new Princess to the Family

Defying the odds and disappointing predictions markets in Sulari, the Royal Family welcomed Her Highness, the Minor Princess Bonnie-Margaret Ericka Ananto-Leigh into the world on March 31, 5731. The new baby was reportedly healthy and "not happy" according to Hir Highness Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn, speaking for the Royal Family. "Baby Ananto was born without any complications, was very vocal and took the poking and prodding of the neo-natal staff in stride and now mom and baby are resting."

The new child adds to the Imperial Family, as expected, but what was not expected was the fact that the Royal Couple would have another girl. "Well, in this case, the bookmakers got it wrong in Sulari," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "The 'New Child will be female' contract was selling at around 31 cents directly before the baby's birth as most people were convinced that it would be a boy. But, the Princess fooled everyone, and some people got rich." Much of the predictions frenzy around the new birth was driven in recent weeks by tabloid reports that took up the speculation and contributed opinions into the popular conversation. "People were claiming wild things in the tabloid press which were based on guesses rather than actual observations or knowledge. It tricked a lot of people." Some of the people who were swept up in the conversation were the bookmakers themselves, who acknowledged that they themselves were influenced to a little degree by the crop of "baby whisperers" who were being reported as having some inside knowledge.

"The Emperor and Princess Consort knew the sex of the child in late December when it became obvious on the ultrasound," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "But they wisely shared that information to very few people, and let the markets do their thing. The Emperor and the Consort do not follow the predictions markets: They are not allowed to speculate in them, and House Ananto would not speculate for them, because that would be insider trading. So as far as they were concerned it was a matter of human interest, and they were far too busy preparing for Actual Baby, rather than Speculative Baby."

The new little Princess was born quickly, relative to her older sister, who put her mother through labor for more than a day. "The Princess Consort reported to the hospital at 9:30 am, was admitted, and the baby was born at 1:23 pm. Labor was brief, Her Highness was well rested, well hydrated and ready to go. With no complications in the delivery, Baby was weighed and cleaned up and was in mom's arms by 1:45pm. It really was a much easier experience for her." The birth was attended by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto, and the couple was joined that evening by Their Highnesses, Princesses Jennifer and Victoria Ananto-Rosenfeld, while Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor arrived the next day.

"His Imperial Majesty and Her Highness the Princess Consort decided to name the new Minor Princess Bonnie after the Princess Consort's Fraternal Grandmother, Dame Bonnie Leigh, the famous opera singer, member of Sulari Society, Land Baronette, and Dame of the Order of the Anantonese Empire," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "Margaret, of course is the sister of Mary, and Ericka comes of course in Honor of Lady Ericka Donahue, the Former Chancellor of the Empire. All women of great renown, a fit name for a new member of the Royal Family."

The new family will remain in the hospital for observation and recovery until next week. Her Highness, the Minor Princess Nicolette-Mary Lindsay Ananto-Leigh visits with her Parents each day in the ward, but remains at home with her aunt, the Princess Victoria in Kaliburg.

@TheRepublic

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Emperor announces support for additional energy creation
"Vast renewables remain untapped in Kalistan" says Emperor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 7, 5731


Emperor speaks on Energy Security from Cliff Offices in Kaliburg

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto announced major upgrades and expansions to the nation's energy supply infrastructure. "This week, we have directed our National Assembly to dedicate more than 15 Billion Pesos to the modernization and expansion of our nation's renewable energy stockpiles to address increased demand and to further distance ourselves from our fossil fuel past," said His Imperial Majesty in his weekly televised address from Cliff Offices in southwest Kaliburg. "This will come in the form of expansion of solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal generation capacity, as well as the inclusion of newer technologies like wave and tidal energy that will harness the power of the oceans to power our nation's future."

Kalistan currently uses a relatively tiny amount of fossil fuels, mostly in the form of kerosene for jet fuel and diesel which is blended with biodiesel to power specific engines and to test hybrid automobiles for foreign export. "Due to significant past investments, Kalistan is the least fossil fuel-reliant nation on the planet: This was because Kalistan appears to be the only nation to have ever actually ran out of profitably exploitable petroleum, and because we foresaw this, we were able to make a painful but necessary 20 year long shift from exhaustible, polluting fuels to clean renewable and ecologically friendly energy supplies." The Emperor also credited heavy state intervention in the economy to remove profitability as a countervailing and insurmountable obstacle to progress. "If profitability for a handful of shareholders dictated action in Kalistan, our children would be eating coal ash for breakfast and going to work at the age of six. Kalistan is better than that, and we have demonstrated that other nations should also try for better as well."

Currently much of the infrastructure in the nation is localized, and this is an issue. "Nationwide we are at about 80% capacity, which would be fine. But much of that capacity is regional rather than national. It leads to underusage in some places, mostly rural areas, while demand is predictably much higher in the cities. These changes are meant to even this out across Kalistan and Ananto, largely by increasing capacity in rural areas and supplying the power to our cities and towns."

The Emperor called for new solar and wind farms on unused Duchy lands primarily in Odufaray and Suldanor, the construction of 3 new high dams (one each in Suldanor, Vrassa and Ananto), increase of geothermal generation in the Green Mountains and the deployment of tidal and wave energy generation plants in Vrassa, Suldanor and Ananto. "In Kalistan, land itself is in abundance compared to our economic structure. We have plenty of land and we have tried for decades to get people to deurbanize through various policy measures, but for a host of reasons it has not happened. Consequently, we sit on an abundance of land which is underutilized. If we will not build a dedicated gentry to populate our rural spaces, we could nonetheless reap harvests of energy from those lands."

The deal involves a massive direct purchase from companies like Sulari Photovoltaics, whose stock rose on the news in the KalSiE, along with prices of other renewable energy related stocks. "We will focus our spending on Kalistani industries, not only ensuring quality in production, but also providing a large scale public infusion of money that will help these companies across the nation grow to scale. It is our aim to ensure a constant supply to replace older infrastructure as technology continues to advance, and Kalistani companies should not only be able to increase production for domestic demand, but also to begin exporting to the rest of the world. Kalistan is already the world leader in inexpensive and efficient PV production. The knock on effects of this investment will make us world dominant."

Construction of new energy farms and plants will be tasked to the NSP starting in the Spring, and meanwhile, sites will be selected for the three new High dams along the Western Wall range and in the Xanadu Mountains in Ananto. New site for geothermal generation will be scouted in the Green and northern Xanadu Mountains- The Green Mountains currently are home to 16 Geothermal plants, and the area at the center of the Island, while some of the most remote and undeveloped territory in the nation, likely has vast geothermal energy reserves that remain untapped. A geological survey will be conducted in the Spring to find the best places for new construction and infrastructure into the heart of the mountains will need to be built before any new generation stations can be built or manned.

The Emperor said the modernization and expansion project will take place over the next eight to nine years.

@TheRepublic

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House Ananto prepares for Transition
Lady Ananto-McLinn to hand over reigns to Princess Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 15, 5731


The Current and Future Directors of House Ananto in Luxon

Her Highness, Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn has decided to retire from her office at House Ananto, after her relatively brief tenure. "i have asked His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor if retirement from this post was an option anytime soon. He asked me to remain at the Director position until Her Highness, the Princess Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld can complete her final year of school in Luxon. Lady Ananto-Rosenfeld has been interning at House Ananto while she is attending college here, and is expected to graduate with a bachelor's degree in finance and business administration. She is here training to replace me, so I am aiming for June of 5732 for retirement."

The Princess, once the Chancellor of the Empire, has been at the helm of House Ananto for just under 6 years, said that her time at House Ananto has been very humbling. "Here I not only manage the public schedules of the Royal Family, but am also responsible for overseeing all of the assets of the Anantos. The numbers are staggering. Combined with assets held by Miramar, the Royal Family is worth more than 1.6 trillion Imperial Pesos, and they pay more in taxes every year on that wealth than some nations take in in revenue. Most of their liquid assets are in Miramar holdings, which account for most of the family's annual earnings, while their fixed assets are in property and the rather sizeable gem and metals horde that lives on the Ananto Estate in Eveari. The Crown Jewels collection is theirs as well, and some of those pieces are priceless. Before I took this job, I didn't fully know the extent of the amount of their wealth: It is kind of overwhelming to even think about, so I have been doing my best to prepare the Princess for what she will take up when I depart."

In honor of her long service to the Royal Family, Lady Ananto has already been promoted into the Ananto family through formal adoption by Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor. She was also conferred the title of Baroness of Luxon, making the town and its immediately adjacent territories her demesne for life. But earlier this month, the Emperor stripped his sister, Princess Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld of the title Countess of Luxon, naming her to the County of Green, which went vacant following the death of Lady Allison Ananto-Westmoreland. The Emperor formally decreed that the County of Luxon shall go to Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn. The National Assembly agreed to the transfer of the title in Ananto, citing it as the Emperor's prerogative to dispense titles within Ananto as he sees fit, though maintained their ban on Lady Ananto-McLinn returning to her own original County of Lucid, and maintaining the ban on her holding offices of public trust. The Emperor is currently in talks with the Lord Mayor of Kaliburg-Port Davon, Lord Christopher James, to lift the prohibition on Lady Melanie in Kaliburg.

"Lady Melanie Ananto-McLinn may have technically violated the law in Kaliburg," said Princess Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld, speaking to the Kaliburg City Government on behalf of lifting the ban last June. "She does not deny this, and as a matter of fact, plead no contest to the charges against her. But she has more than served her sentence. She has been shunned throughout this entire nation by everyone except my mother, and my family. She was stripped of her rights and privileges which were granted to her originally by the Duke of Suldanor, and then by the voters of this nation, and which should have been hers by virtue of her noble birth and descent from Emperors and Empresses of the 4th Dynasty anyway. And we have shown our faith in her by adopting her into our family, as a sister to my mother, and as an aunt to myself. I call upon you, members of the City Council, do the right thing and allow her to have the full rights of any citizen. She has paid for her crimes, and has been fully restored to all aspects of her citizenship but this one thing." The Lord Mayor expects to issue a verdict on the question in September.

When asked what she wants to do after retirement, she said she has been invited to stay with Princess of the Empire Carolina for a while. "Her Highness strove the entire time to make me her friend," she says with a laugh. "She wore me down. I really enjoy my time in Eveari and am always very happy to welcome her and the Prince Consort to my home when they come to visit. The fondness for her has only grown over the past few years, and I would say now, that she is probably my best friend. So yes, I am going to go stay with her for a few months and enjoy having nothing to do." After that, she says, she may become a tourist and visit places in the world she has always wanted to go. "I doubt even the most interesting things in the world could possibly compare to the most mundane things in my own nation, but I am at least willing to give it a shot." She said she will definitely try to visit Athosia and Gaduridos on her trip. "I will be a private citizen then, not representing anyone but myself. Hopefully this will not cause problems for anyone."

Upon retirement, Lady Ananto-McLinn will be eligible for a pension from the Royal Family fund. "This was determined by Lady Christina and the Empress--it was completely out of my hands. Initially some on the Board complained that I should not get a pension from the Royal Fund, due to my situation and the fact that I was born Alvarez and not Ananto, but Lady Christina said then that the rule was that pensions go to every member of the Royal Family, and she stood by the decision almost more vocally than any other person, even threatening to surrender her own pension so it could go to me. Christina said either I was an Ananto, and was entitled to all the rights and privileges of being an Ananto, or I was not, and the Empress had decided that question when she adopted me, so the matter was settled, and the board relented. I could never have imagined an Ananto standing up for me like that, and it really endeared me to this family who I had misjudged for so long."

Princess Jennifer is reportedly very excited about taking up her position as Director of House Ananto next summer. "She will also become CEO of Miramar, a position I was denied. Both organization work well when they work together, and I am excited to see what Jennifer does with both House Ananto and Miramar. I can't imagine more competent hands to leave this organization in than hers."

@TheRepublic

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Lady Ericka Donahue, Countess of Vrassa, has died
Staunch Nationalist led nation during Regency
Senvias, Duchy of Vrassa
October 12, 5731


Lady Donahue, as Chancellor of the Empire in 5678, and at home in 5729

The Countess of Vrassa, Lady Ericka Donahue, has died at her home in Senvias. The Countess was 84. She died of natural causes, linked to heart failure. Countess Donahue outlived her husband of more than 45 years, Lord Brent Kingsly, and is survived by two children, Olivia Donahue-Kingsley and Ingrid Donahue-Kingsley. Her funeral was held at Hillside cemetery in Senvias where she was buried next to her husband, and were attended by more than 1000 people from Senvias and Vrassa County, as well as the Royal Family. The Eulogy was provided by Her Highness, the Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn of House Ananto.

The Countess first came to the public spotlight representing a young internationalist movement within the Institutional Party. She was the main driver and organizer for Institutionalist Party engagement among her fellow students and then when completing her degree in political theory, joined the Party as a Deputy and quickly rose through the ranks internally due to her drive and dedication. She caught the eye and the endorsement of then Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller who promoted her to an important position within the secretariat, after which point she was promoted to Party Leader upon the retirement of Lady Alvarez-Miller and therefore became Chancellor as heir to Alvarez-Miller's legacy.

Once in office though, international events eventually catalyzed a hard right turn for the young activist. The turn coincided with the Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto's turn away from internationalism. "Internationalism has failed," the Chancellor declared in 5682, and those words quickly became the mantra of the National Government. The declaration following the abandonment of the position ten years after Kalistan had attempted to open to the world. Most believe the reason for the shift was the Kalistani government's sincere desire to be more open to the world being met with indifference by much of the world, or, in some cases, downright hostility, but at any rate, Kalistan, through its openness was being relegated to junior partner in world affairs. It was a situation of: If what other nations mean by Cooperation is that Kalistan supports them without any expectation that they will support Kalistan, we may as well do it alone. From that point on, Donahue was a fierce critic of any other nation who did not put Kalistani interests first.

During her tenure, the Chancellor helped the Emperor and Empress craft a different, more nationalist path. One that was militantly anti-liberal and anti-fascist, but also strongly opposed to communism, and the governments who coddled it. "Communism and fascism are the same because they are both totalist systems of government," she said. "One may claim to be for workers, one may claim to be for Party, but when you put them against each other, in practical terms that the people experience, there is no daylight between them." She publicly trashed communist movements in the press, straining the few relationships Kalistan had left, and openly sabotaged independent efforts to build other relationships with Kalistan's traditional enemies.

The shift took some off guard, but for others it was totally expected. "The Chancellor at the time had long moved away from her early internationalist streak," said biographer Roger Helmen. "She was very quickly convinced that other nations saw their foreign policy, even their foreign policy behavior in our own back yard as completely divorced from Kalistani concern. Their disdain for our empire was demonstrated in their chronic disregard. When the nod came from Eveari to drop efforts to be more internationally engaged, the Chancellor was primed and ready to go, and I think she took some glee in telling people who were trying to either bully or sidestep Kalsitan where to get off. It set a tone which we are still dealing with today."

Domestically, the Chancellor opposed movements to devolve power from the National Government, but acquiesced to the formation of the Ducal Council, a largely advisory cooperative body of the Dukes in Kalistan. She oversaw the establishment of unitary budgeting, and provided continuity of government during the early part of the Regency following the deaths of Emperor Fredrick and Empress Jennifer. In fact, the Chancellor was largely governing the nation herself for the first two years of the regency, after which Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins began working with her to ensure that Imperial Fiat was reestablished.

Following the loss of the last Emperor and Empress, Lady Ericka took the role of Imperial tutor and began training the then Empress-in-Waiting Carolina II Ananto for office. She imbued her ward with a very strong sense of national interest, and nourished a love of learning and philosophical inquiry that remains with Carolina to this date. The Princess of the Empire cites Lady Donahue as her first and most important teacher. The Chancellor was a very strong influence in Carolina's formative years.

But this influence was not enough to prevent her from being sent into early retirement in 5699, two years ahead of schedule. According to Helmen, "The sacking, as it was reported at the time, was largely due to the Lady Donahue's outspoken criticism of both Kalistan's friends in Valruzia, who at the time the young Empress felt a strong personal affinity for due to their nation being the only nation willing to step up and help Kalistan find the remains of her parents and brothers, her connection to the former Valruzian President, and her study abroad in Valruzia, but also Xsampa, who, at that time was much closer to Kalistan than they are today."

The Chancellor was also well known to personally dislike some of Carolina's favorites, including Sir Thomas Harney, whom history revealed to be a very effective foreign minister despite his personal eccentricities. When Carolina asked the Regent to name socialists to other key roles, and Lady Donahue protested, her time was up. She let Lady Donahue retire with full credit, but it was important to make an example of Lady Donahue, her mentor and personal friend, that in Kalistan, the Empress' fiat was law, in all situations. The Countess took the early retirement gracefully, and held no grudge, remaining close friends with the Anantos, and holding a place of privilege among them--two of Carolina's descendants now bearing Ericka's first name in tribute to her.

Her Highness, Princess Melanie Ananto-McLinn called Lady Ericka Donahue "the most important Chancellor of our age" and when she became Chancellor herself, she was determined to follow not only Donahue's nationalist ideology, but to some lesser degree, also her outspoken style. Her ideas have also filtered to Carolina's daughter and Ananto-McLinn protégé, Her Highness the Princess and Future Director of House Ananto Jennifer Ananto-Rosenfeld, who counts Lady Ericka Donahue as an inspiration and Lady Melanie Ananto-McLinn as a mentor and role model (despite Ananto-McLinn's own trouble with the law).

"History will show that Ericka Donahue was right about everything," said the Princess. "Nations of the world do not particularly care what Kalistan does or says. So why should we spend any time trying to impress them, or do what they think we should. There are two worlds on Terra: there is Kalistan, and there is everywhere else. Lady Ericka understood that to us, Kalistan is and should be the only one of those two that matters. We interact with the other world on our own terms, or we don't at all. It was Mary's belief, it became my Grandfather and Grandmother's belief, it was my mother's belief, it is my brother's belief, and it is my belief. And it was also Lady Ericka's belief too. It continues to unite us through the ages."

Rest in peace, Lady Ericka Donahue, Countess of Vrassa.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Kalistani News in Review: Princess Victoria is Engaged;
Emperor and Consort to visit Valruzia in May; New Naval Exercises in Schismatic Sea
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 3, 5732


HH Princess Victoria Ananto-Rosenfeld announces engagement to Kaliburg director Miguel Coronado-Ruz

Princes Victoria is Engaged
Her Highness, Princess Victoria Ananto-Rosenfeld has become engaged, according to House Ananto. Her betrothed is director Miguel Coronado-Ruz, of Kaliburg. Mr. Coronado is currently directing the play "La Muerte del Ron" a comic-mystery farce staring veteran actor Bob Hansen in the title role of "Ron", a guy named Ron who is stuck in a time loop and has to solve his own murder. The show is currently playing at the National Theater in Kaliburg. The Princess is not attached to the production.

"The engagement took place over a weekend in Eveari," said Lady Melanie Ananto-McLinn, Director of House Ananto. "Mr. Coronado was invited by the Princess to meet her family, including her mother, sister and the Emperor and Princess Consort and their family. Mr. Coronado handled the event as well as can be expected, and formally proposed to the Princess over dinner. The proposition was a formality: The two had already decided to marry, and Mr. Coronado had already been vetted by House Ananto for suitability for the Princess." Coronado is 27 and is from a large family of actors on the Kalistani stage and screen. According to Lady Melanie, the pair met while the Princess was working on the crew for a spring one act revue last year, and began privately dating in July.

"A date has not yet been scheduled for the wedding," said Lady Ananto-McLinn. "The two would like to live together for a couple years while the Princess finishes college, and at that point they will decide what they wish to do." The Princess Victoria is the designated successor to the County of Dulnerstaad, and will pick up the title from Lady Christina Ananto-McKinley at some point. She will likely purchase a house there following college, but it is uncertain whether she will live there or split time between Dulnerstaad and Kaliburg.

Emperor and Consort to visit Valruzia
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto and Her Highness the Princess Consort, along with the two minor princelings, are expected to visit Valruzia in May, said the Foreign Ministry. "The Emperor and Empress are expected to stay in Szary Kamien, and are reportedly looking to purchase a vacation home there. They also will make a social visit to the President-Chancellor, Her Excellency President Alexandra Kos, to further strengthen the personal relationship between the two Seleyan heads of state. The trip is expected to take place in mid may and will last about two weeks." The statement was issued by His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister Sir Sir Miguel Ontiveros during a daily brief.

Valruzia remains Kalistan's closest active partner on the world stage, and Kalistan watches all developments in the nation with very close interest. "Not only are they one of our major trading partners, but we also work closely on continental security and cultural exchange," said Ontiveros. "Naturally what happens in Valruzia is of interest to us, and we maintain a very close working relationship with the Republic that stretches back to the early days of its post dictatorship period."

The FM said Szary Kamien is a favorite tourist destination for Kalistanis given its position as a port city and its historical connection as the birthplace of the Kalistani music industry. "Each year, if you count up all the tourists from Kalistan who travel to Valruzia, of all the destinations, Szary is visited by more than 65% of them at some point in their trip." The place holds a very close and very nostalgic connection for Kalistanis as they regularly tour the home of the Beat Brothers, the 45th Century Valruzian band which is still highly revered in Kalistani History. Foreign Minister Ontiveros said the Emperor would like to purchase a home there so he and his family have a familiar place to stay when they are in country.

New Naval Exercises in Schismatic Sea
His Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister, Col. Calvin Velasco, said the Navy will be conducting naval drills in the Schismatic Sea this summer. "We are looking into operational readiness for the 3rd Fleet at Bentasur," said Velasco. "His Imperial Majesty has scheduled these drills as part of an overall force readiness exercise that will take place from top to bottom in the Regular Forces over the next three years." The drills are expected to consist of a number of wargames covering various scenarios and contingencies that the 3rd Regular Fleet may encounter. "We are going to cover everything from a rogue nuclear sub entering our waters to life saving on the highseas to humanitarian relief. Every role the Regular Navy would possibly find itself in, that is what we are going to test."

The 3rd Fleet is stationed at Bentasur, the sole remnant of Kalistan's overseas empire of the 57th Century. "Bentasur remains a strategic outpost for the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan," said Velasco. "Through this base, Kalistan maintains watch over the central Anantonese Ocean, and the southern approaches to Kalistani National waters. Numerous installations are located there, including the Southern Logistics command, and an OTH radar site that keeps watch from Garudidos to Mordusia, Rildanor and Indrala. There is also a naval air strip there from which we deploy aerial reconnaissance assets, and of course the naval base and dry dock facility that services our ships."

The Empire acquired direct control over Bentasur when Gaduridos joined the Anantonese Empire. When the relationship collapsed more than 120 years later Kalistan kept Bentasur due to its strategic importance to Kalistani national and regional security. This has been an outstanding issue between Kalistan and Gaduridos since. "But its not one Kalistani is in any hurry to resolve, because it cannot resolve well, I fear. Leaving the status quo alone is the best way to ensure peace, even if it is some what irritating-- its better than the alternative." The drills are expected to last 3 months from July to late September.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Nationalists aim to reorganize
"Empire has retrenched Long Enough," says Nationalist Leader
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 7, 5732


Kalistani Nationalist Propaganda aims to inspire National Pride across Empire

A new campaign by nationalist organizers in the Institutional Party aims to build support for the Nationalist position in the Empire. "We aim to remind Kalistanis of their National heritage, and most importantly, their national birthright," said Nationalist Club of Ananto and Kalistan President Gina Allen. "The Empire has retrenched long enough--A generation of retrenchment may make Kalistan leaner, but eventually we are going to come out of the trenches and start advancing again. Most Kalistanis alive today remember the end of the Empire just over a quarter century ago, and we haven't gotten over it, despite what the Orthodox Wing of our Party would like from us. The end of the Anantonese Empire was a national embarrassment, but some of us want our government to take a more robust stance not only to formally reunite the Empire, but to take the Crown Lands as well."

So far, there appears no public move by the Crown or the National Assembly to either move for reunification or for formally annexing the Crown Lands. "The Law in Kalistan is what it is," said Chancellor of the Empire Sir Johnathan Mickelson last January, when questioned for The National. "It forbids a forcible annexation of the Crown Lands. And there is clearly no interest in either Lodamun or Gaduridos for reunification. It is just not on the Emperor's agenda right now."

Alllen dismissed the Chancellor's sentiment. "It may not be on his agenda, but its on ours. And to this end, we are organizing nationwide to reclaim the majority." Allen said Nationalist clubs across the nation are organizing to get voters to start voting for nationalist candidates in local and general elections. "If we can provide Nationalist Government, Kalistan can see a new Anantonese Century once more."

Allen said Kalistan is the natural leader of the Anantonese Basin. "We are really the last Imperialists standing," said Allen. "Its natural that we should be dominant in our corner of the planet, that we should be the ones to direct affairs through this basis. We sit astride one of the most important crossroads for strategic force movement, shipping and commerce. It makes sense that we, and specifically our interests, should be at the center of the conversations around movement through our part of the world. Others have to take Kalistani interests into account. If they feel they can sidestep us, we must make it known that this is not acceptable in Kalistan any longer."

Allen says she and other Nationalists are inspired by the organizational successes of the New Democrat Club in Kalistan. "They reminded us all what retail politics are: They went door to door across Suldanor and Odufaray, and they spoke to people. They found out what people wanted, they told people what they would do and they let the chips fall where they may. It is time we started getting out of our clubs and doing the same things. Its time we start getting nationalists across this country mobilized. If people are reminded of Kalistani greatness, we think they will support Nationalist Candidates, and with a majority, we can request a different government, one focused on Kalistani greatness on an international stage."

Allen was careful to drift too far toward ultra nationalism. "The thing about nationalism in much of the world is that they define their national identity by who they are not. There is an easy step from defining yourselves negatively, and scapegoating an other. In this nation, we are not scapegoating. Kalistan's issues are structural, and they are external to our nation. But we know that the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan is a great nation. It deserves to reoccupy our historical borders, and our goal now is to go get that, regardless of if anyone stands in our way. It would be better for everyone if they didn't."

Allen believed that if Nationalists were to claim a majority in the National Assembly, they could be in a better position to represent the popularity of the Nationalist position to the Emperor. "We think the His Imperial Majesty is probably on our side. The Anantos are nationalists at their core. We see it daily in statements from those closest to the Emperor. So far he has not come out for any of the factions, and this works to our advantage while recruiting. If the people see the Emperor taking a more nationalist stance on the world stage, people will switch their support from the Orthodox position, that takes a middle position, to a stronger, pro-Anantonese position that we are seeking."

The Nationalists, for their part have launched a coordinated advertising and outreach campaign in all corners of the Empire aiming to sign new members up to various Nationalist Clubs, as well as to get them to turn out for local and National elections. "The Democrats showed that even a small group can blunt the hegemons in our Government. How much more effective will the Nationalist Clubs be? We shall see, but I predict that we will be quite effective at representing our message to people who are either affiliated with a different position within the Party, or are not affiliated politically at all."

@TheNational

[Doc]

Ms. Keeley Jones is named as Reed Jeweler Sapphire Girl
New Nevaran Model signs exclusive 3 year, K$1.2M deal
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 5, 5732


Keeley Jones, 26, advertises Reed sapphires in new ad campaign

The Imperial Jeweler, Reed Jewelry, has announced that it has selected Ms. Keeley Jones to exclusively represent the Imperial Jeweler in its upcoming sapphire campaign. Ms. Jones, 26, of Vilbin, Nevaras, is represented by Kauffman agency and has just completed her degree program at Nevaras Duchy University in hydroengineering. According to Reed spokesman Henry Wilcox, "Ms. Jones entered a talent search on a dare, was picked up by Kauffman Modeling Agency, and was almost immediately signed to Reed after that."

Wilcox said Jones was selected to be the face of the new Sapphire campaign which will run over the next two years because "her eyes match the gems, pure and simple." He said the photographers found Ms. Jones to be very easy to work with and very interested in modelling. "She is really easy going and very down to earth," said Wilcox. "And because she is quite new to modelling, Ms. Jones takes direction well. She doesn't have a bunch of preconceived notions about what she is doing in modelling. She said she appreciates the opportunity to appear glamorously in some of the most amazing photos taken by the best photographers in the nation, and for her this is a definite benefit." For the three year contract, Ms. Jones will receive more than K$1.2 million Imperial Rubles from Reed.

Following the announcement of the Contract, Ms. Jones said, "Well, modelling is nice for the moment, but everything fades. They made that clear: Models have a bit of a short shelf life, often as long as pro Rugby players. But its nice that I have my degrees behind me, and after modelling, who knows? I can easily go to irrigation systems in the Central Valley, which is what I set out to do in the first place." Jones said she has no desire to leverage modelling into other fields. "I'm a scientist. I am interested in systems and efficiency. Modelling is more or less a distraction from that: a fun one, don't get me wrong. But a distraction nonetheless. So I'll do it until I am done and then I am back to what I love which is helping design systems that increase yields and feed more of my fellow Kalistanis."

Ms. Jones will appear in numerous magazine ads, as well as televised ads. "They have me scheduled for a trade fair early next year, and I suppose I will be doing that sort of thing for a while. But with the kind of money they are paying me, my schedule is quite light. I suppose Reed likes to protect its assets, and I hope my work for them pays dividends." Jones said the Imperial jeweler has a lot of sapphire pieces for her to model over the next three years, "all of which will be sold in their two flagship stores in Kaliburg and Sulari," she said with a laugh.

"Oh yeah, and I get to keep everything I wear," she laughs. "These pieces are specially made for me, and the other pieces are based off these. And they are paying my commission to the Agency for any in-kind gifts. Reed truly is an amazing company, but then again, that's their reputation. I guess its why they create Jewelry for the Royal Family too."

@LaModa

[Doc]

Princess Consort leads Virtual tour of Gem Vault
Public tours top 45 this year
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 15, 5732


Princess Consort discusses sheer volume of precious stones in Hall 8 of Gem Vault

Her Highness, the Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell offered a televised virtual tour of the Ananto Gem Vault this week. The Tour was aired on KRTVN Channel 11 and was part of a documentary filmed about the history of the Ananto Gem Collection. "We are seeing an increase in demand for tours in the Gem Vault this year," said Her Highness. "Tourism to Eveari has increased over the last few years as more people from across Northern Seleya, Western Dovani and Southern Keris are discovering Ananto's best kept secret. This last year we have done 45 tours of the Gem Vault, which is almost one a week, due to such increased demand, so we figured that we could take you all on a virtual tour, in case you can't make it to Eveari yourself."

The documentary, narrated by Carla Martinez, of KRTVN 11, was called "The Glittering Empire: The Wealth of the Anantos." It covered the history of wealth acquisition by the Royal Family in Ananto and Kalistan, beginning with the very large endowment founded by the first Emperor, Fredrick I Ananto whose sizeable personal fortune was believed to be over 60 Million Rubles (or more than 110 Billion Imperial Pesos in today's money) became the seed money for a wealth generation machine unparalleled in many countries. Over time, conservative investment schemes have yielded far more than that and the family is currently believed to be worth close to 2 Trillion Imperial Pesos.

The Gem Vault itself first came to public attention more than 100 years ago, but had long served as a store house for gem acquisition. The first public tours of the Gem Vault happened under the early reign of Empress Mary I Ananto, when the Anantos became suddenly interested in showing off the wealth accumulated over the centuries. "The first tours were essentially the inauguration of Mary's Glittering Empire, said the Princess Consort. "During the Empress' reign, Kalistan was beautified, and nothing was more beautiful that her Opium Throne, which still stands in the Formal Audience Room of the Imperial Seat. Every gem set into solid polished silver came from this vault, and as we can see, it did not even dent the supply of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and the most important stone of all to the Anantos, Amethyst, which is mined right here on Ananto on our igneous rock formations." According to the Princess Consort, Ananto has one of the world's greatest concentrations of amethyst geodes due to its volcanic past and unique mineral principles. Amethyst is currently the only stone protected by law: possession of amethyst by Kalistani Citizens is prohibited by law, and is reserved for the Royal Family.

"This Gem vault is not only a storehouse for precious stones sourced from all over the world over nearly six centuries," said the Princess Consort, "but the sheer stockpile of gold, silver, platinum and palladium stored here boggles the mind. On these shelves, you will see tons of the precious metals--The value of this collection is in the hundreds of millions. Its hard to believe that the stacks and stacks of ingots we can see lining the interior of the vault are the least valuable categories of materials are in here." The Princess Consort said it is breathtaking to be surrounded by such immeasurable wealth. "When I first visited the Gem Vault, I too was rather overcome by the sheer volume of precious stones and precious metals... I mean... How does one even get their head around the value of these stones."

She said that most of the stones in the Vault remain uncut and ungraded. "There are a lot of very raw stones in here," she said. "We buy gems by the kilo from foreign suppliers. If we need stones for something decorative, we just have Reed go through, pick out the stone or stones that will do the job, and they proceed to cut the gems out of the larger rough stone." Many of the rough stones yield dozens of gems. "Of course, when you cut gems the value of the cut, set and polished gems becomes much higher in sum than the singular stone it originally came from. With that in mind, we can calculate what these stones are worth in rough numbers only. If for some reason they would all be cut into gems for jewelry, the value would be several orders of magnitude higher."

She said that Ananto prefer square, rectangular, or oval cuts to brilliant cuts, and prefers flat stones to deeper ones. "Flat stones tend to sit against the body when worn, are, I think easier to set, and make mosaics, like the poppies on the Opium Throne far easier." The flatter the cut, the less the gems will sparkle, but the preferences of the Royal Family are set against sparkle. "Much of the light reflected from the Reed cuts the Royal Family tends to request come from reflection off highly polished faces, rather than from the internal refraction of light, creating a high contrast that is both aesthetically subtle, but also allows for larger cuts to be made of larger stones while not sacrificing smaller cut options." But the gems we see on the Gem Vault tour are almost all uncut and rough. "A lot of people are let down because they think we just have piles and piles of cut and polished gems stored in here. They think a glittering half carat diamond is more impressive than a raw uncut ruby the size of a cow's heart."

But the Princess Consort said the tour makes up for it as the visitors also tour the Crown Jewels collection, also located in the Gem Vault. "Retired crowns, necklaces, and coronation attire are located there, as well as a history of gem cutting," said the Princess Consort. "You can see Mary's famous Peacock Dress, a dress she famously had commissioned and then allowed model Kelsey Ryan to wear, but never wore herself, and Carolina's famous ruby and diamond coronation dress which was made entirely out of horizontally striped stones connected in a type of scalemail. You can also see all the amazing pieces worn by our Emperors and Empresses throughout the year. And you will definitely see cut and polished stones here." She said each tour ends with a gift by the Royal Family to each visitor: A small cut and polished ruby from the collection. "We've given away thousands of these little rubies to visitors over the last century," said the Princess Consort. "They are each worth about one hundred Imperial Pesos, being only about an eighth of a carat each, but they are a fun souvenir for our visitors, who often take them to their local jeweler to have them set in a gold or silver chain or little stud earrings. Its a nice way to say thank you for the visit and to share the wealth a little bit."

The Documentary about the Gem Vault was reportedly viewed by more than 3 million Kalistanis when it aired, and streamed by more than 350,000 since it aired. "I think they are expecting more visitors next week, but I think they are planning on running four tours a month, so before making the trip to Eveari, plan ahead and make reservations, because each tour is limited to about 10 people," said the Princess Consort. "The best months to travel to Eveari are in the summer months, due to the nearly persistent rain on the Northern Coast from November to April."

@LaModa