Kalistan

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Empress Accepts Grand Duchess Suldanor's Retirement
Makes occasion to call Nobility to Public Beautifucation
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 2, 5661


Empress takes photo with retiring Her Grace Grand Duchess Emily Suldanor at Cliff House

The Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Her Grace Grand Duchess Emily Suldanor has retired, and her successor, Craig Alvarez, has been named to the seat. The Grand Duchy is technically second in rank in the Imperial Nobility, with the Grand Duke of Kalistan serving as the Empress' Viceroy in Kalistan Proper and overseeing and coordinating the efforts of the various Duchies on the mainland. But functionally speaking the role is a formal and administrative role and carries with it no additional power beyond what the Duke of Suldanor would already hold in their role as Duke. Consequently, the Grand Duchess has not made much news in her role as Grand Duchess. When she travelled to Kaliburg to inform Her Imperial Majesty of her intention to retire and to confirm her son as the next Grand Duke of Kalistan, it was not considered much of a newsworthy trip.

However, in announcing her retirement, the Grand Duchess asked Her Imperial Majesty to direct the nobility of the Empire to strive toward beautification.

"We, who have so much, should dedicate even a portion of that fortune to the beautification of our towns, cities, and countryside," said the Grand Duchess in her official retirement letter. "The Nobility of Kalistan implore Her Imperial Majesty to make public works not only a priority among her Nobility, but an imperative. Some of us are already committed to building institutions for the good of our people, but more can and should be done. Let us, as a tradition and as an Imperial Command, compel our nobility to strive for the beauty and grandeur that Her Imperial Majesty demonstrates for us. And let it be so ever after, that members of the Nobility of the rank of Count or Higher, shall each, over the course of their tenure in office, shall organize and oversee the construction buildings, public parks, recreation areas, athletic complexes, and amenities for public use, from their own personal fund, and to be constructed pro bono, for the edification and public benefit of all."

The Empress was reportedly delighted by the proposal and acceded to the request immediately. "We have acknowledged Lady Suldanor's retirement," said Her Imperial Majesty in a short news conference, along with the Grand Duchess and Chancellor of the Empire Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller (who is the Grand Duchess' cousin) present. "and have granted her most sincere and honorable request that we shall require of our nobility a contribution from their personal funds generous enough to provide public amenities, institutions and beautification for our cities, towns and countryside. This prescription shall extend to all Nobility to the rank of Count or higher within their demesne, and even to those who hold no demesne including our Marquis'. These Nobles shall demonstrate the goodness of our System to our people and should focus on listening to the people of their respective Districts to determine what is in the public need and desire, so that they may provide the most beautiful and useful structures and works that can be had. And they shall strive, in this sense to, to help and enlighten as many as possible with their effort."

Some of the projects Her Imperial Majesty laid out were things like rural health clinics, especially in remote areas, where medical visits are difficult, schools, colleges and universities, libraries, public fountains, public parks, green belts in cities, or other sort of infrastructure like solar and wind farms to help generate more energy, recreation areas like beaches, boulevards that permit walkable and bikeable portions of cities, improved public transit. She also proposed that some people could engage in land clearance to improve both the quality and quantity of the agricultural land in various areas of Kalistan, swamp drainage in places where pests like mosquitoes still plague the residents, reintroduction of native species of flora and fauna similar to the reintroduction of aquatic mammals in from Dulnerstaad or the Empress' ongoing program to plant giant redwoods in suitable areas around the Empire.

"All of these programs will go to the Beautification of our nation and the upliftment of our people," said the Empress. "We thank the Grand Duchess for her Service, and we thank her for all the contributions she has already made to the Duchy of Suldanor, as well as the Grand Duchy of Kalistan. She has been a constant companion and confidante, and we will hope to see more of our cousin in her retirement. But, also, we hope she is finally able to relax and set her own schedule after a lifetime of service to Her Empire."

The proclamation was immediately followed by a statement from the Chancellor that Her Imperial Majesty has decided that to set an example, she wishes to build a Grand National Library in Kaliburg that will serve as a repository of more than 5000 years of collected Kalistani literature, music, movies and television, as well as to house an Art Collection and display cultural artifacts. "The project will begin as soon as a suitable site is chosen, and will be open to the public 24 hours a day," said the Chancellor. "All funds will come from House Ananto." The announcement received polite applause from the gathered audience.

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief: Kalistan declares Neutrality on Rildanor
Empress Welcomes Hurotian Queen to Order; Crown Prince Joins NSP
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5661


Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller addresses Rildanor Crisis

Kalistan declares Neutrality on Rildanor
The Chancellor of the Empire met with reporters outside of the National Assembly today to announce that Her Imperial Majesty has declared that Kalistan will remain neutral in the growing Rildanor Crisis. "Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Mary I Ananto has directed us to issue a proclamation of Neutrality in the Rildanor Crisis," said the Chancellor. "Currently, Egelion has declared war on the Southern Nation in an effort to repel Rildanorean attacks on the Leftist separatist Government of Meriath Island. Her Imperial Majesty has declared that this is a purely internal matter, and has offered to serve as mediator between the warring sides."

The Chancellor stated that Kalistan has "no military interests" in Southern Seleya, nor does the Empire have political interests. "Egelion's actions appear to be in support of the Canrillaise Empire, which, seems to be moribund at the current matter. Egelion was never part of Canrille, so its unclear why they are taking up the mantle of Canrille at this point. But that being said, member states of the Anantonese Empire certainly were never part of Canrille, and therefore, that issue doesn't concern us." The Chancellor also noted that the new trade agreement with Istalia should not be interrupted by the conflict, as Istalian trade can switch to the northern route up the west coast of Seleya with no additional trouble.

"We are currently watching the situation unfold," said the Chancellor, "and Her Imperial Majesty stated that if Rildanor falls to fascism, regardless of the situation in the war, Kalistan will not hesitate to move to isolate the nation economically. But to this date, we don't see evidence that they have moved toward fascism. Nor is the Kalistani Regular Navy, currently patrolling north of Indrala, more than a thousand nautical miles north of Rildanor, in any danger from being caught up in the conflict. We'll leave it to others to handle."

Empress Welcomes Hurotian Queen to Order
With the marriage of Her Majesty, the Hutorian Queen Arianna to the Kalistani professional golfer Sir David Alvarez-Ananto, a distant cousin to her Imperial Majesty, and much closer relative to most of House Alvarez, Her Imperial Majesty has officially invited Queen Arianna and the now Hutorian Duke David Alvarez to become full members of the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke, the official Chivalric Order of the Anantonese Empire. Duke David Alvarez will be welcomed to join as a Stranger Knight Companion.

"The Empress does have something else in mind for the Queen," said Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds, who spoke about Order induction last week in Eveari. "In recognition of the distinct honor bestowed upon House Ananto, and Her Imperial Majesty respectively, of the title Grand Duchess of the Isle of Sutton, Her Imperial Majesty has instructed the construction of a new Rank within the Order specifically for the Queen. The Rank of Knight/Lady Commander of the Order shall be guaranteed to the Reigning Monarch of the Kingdom of Hutori in perpetuity, and shall be inheritable by the Queen's designated heir, along with her other titles. This Rank shall have, in addition to normal regalia of the Stranger Knight/Lady Companion, a special insignia to give it distinction from the rest of the Stranger Knight Rank. The Knight/Lady Commander of the Order rank will be senior to the Stranger Knight/Lady Companion Rank, and will entitle the Holder of the Rank to Familiar Privileges under the House Law of Imperial Protocol, according to the will and Word of Her Imperial Majesty. In short, the holder of the rank will be considered equal to an adopted sibling of Her Imperial Majesty."

This is a tremendous personal honor that Her Imperial Majesty is bestowing upon the Queen of Hutori, and signals a tightening of relations between the two nations. "Her Imperial Majesty feels this is appropriate, given the long standing friendly and cooperative history between Kalistan and Hutori. The relation between the two nations is hundreds of years old, consists of significant cultural, economic, military and other personal exchange. The Royal Family of Hutori holds land in Ananto, and House Ananto holds title to Icehaven in Hutori and now to the Isle of Sutton. Creating this rank in the Chivalric Order that acknowledges this close personal relationship between these two families makes sense at this time." The Induction will occur in August this year in Eveari, and at the same time, Her Imperial Majesty has authorized the Baronetcy of Raven's Head to aggrandize from 250 acres to 1000 miles of adjacent territory between the coast and the foothills of the Green Mountains in Green County.

Crown Prince Joins NSP
His Highness the Crown Prince Fredrick David Ananto-Collins, 18, has officially entered service in the NSP this month. He will do his basic training at Ananto Corps Camp 3 outside of Eveari, and then will drop to his service school. "I am not sure what I will do," said the Crown Prince, when speaking about his coming service last month. "Its my hope that I do something with the Sea. But really it could be anything. It's all based on aptitude anyway. They try to take my interests into account, with both the needs of the service, and my natural capabilities also weighing on the Steering process."

The Crown Prince will put in his time for the next four years after which time he said he wants to go to College, and will likely study Policy. "I'm kind of expected to learn finance," said the Crown Prince. "But I told my mother, and my cousin that I don't really have a mind for money. I think I am more interested in both foreign and public policy. I want to focus on improving social services for the poor in this nation, and how to keep peace with our neighbors. My Mother always said that her biggest weakness was that she never really cared for school and opted to not even go to College. So she suggested that I learn policy so I will make better choices than she made. Though I think she's done well even without the school. But I also imagine how great she would have been with some more formal training too."

While in the NSP, a lot of the Protocol around the Imperial Family is relaxed, and the Crown Prince will be known as Conscript Ananto, by his rank, as all other members of the NSP who are not lifers. Nobody is required to salute him, or call him by any special appellation, however the law of knowingly harming a member of the Royal Family is still in place. The NSP has long worked with the Royal Family as successive generations of Anantos and Alvarez' have served.

But NSP Governors are clear that there is to be no favoritism toward any Ananto during service. "I expect to be treated as anyone of my same rank while in Service," said the Crown Prince. "I see this as a civic duty: it is the small service that I and tens of thousands of young Kalistanis render each year that allows Kalistanis of all classes to live well. We owe this short stint to our nation, and if we do our part we not only have bought and paid for our stake in this society, but we can call ourselves Citizens of the Empire. Whatever our life is afterward, that title is something that nobody can ever take from us, not a foreign power, not a dictator. Though I will be Emperor, I will make lifelong friends and new brothers in sisters in the NSP. And I am proud to be of service to my Empire."

[GreekIdiot]

Amudim
Shipping executives seek out partners in northern hemisphere amidst ongoing disruptions in South Seleyan routes
October 5661
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-8982.html#pid8982

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In Response to New Neset Activity, Yeudis in Kalistan Organize
Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee seeks to represent Kalistan Abroad
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 8, 5661


David Romero, former SP Deputy from Ananto, is New Face of Yeudi Community in Kalistan

The Neset, the Beiteynese backed Yeudi Diaspora in Terra has announced its interest in reaching out to nations around the world to restore their influence and trade connections and to increase ties to Northern Seleyan Nations now that the War in Rildanor appears to be disrupting trade. In response, more than 150 leaders of the Yeudi diaspora in Ananto and Kalistan met last week in Eshar to found a new organization to speak on behalf of the Yeudi diaspora in Kalistan. The Organization, now called the Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee, seeks to represent Kalistan's Yeudi population to the world.

"There are nearly 3 million citizens in Kalistan who identify with the Yeudi Faith and Culture here in Kalistan," said Mr. David Romero, who was elected President of the Committee last week in Eshar. "And we speak with one voice on this topic: Kalistani Yeudis were welcomed here while they were being run out of other nations. Even when our Government was being actively undermined and attacked by the Government of the State of Beiteynu during the recent war, the Government of Kalistan told us we were not associated with their crimes. And its time that we made it clear. The Neset has never had our back, they have never stood up for us. It was Beiteynese designed weapons handed to the militant fascists in Kundrati that killed more than 2000 Yeudis during the chemical weapons attacks here. Yeudi sailors died when the 4th Fleet was destroyed by the same Yishelem backed fascist state. They died sailing under the Kalistani Flag. We know where our loyalties lie, and it is not with some Majatran state which supplies weapons that indiscriminately kill us in our sleep."

Romero said that the Neset's influence is based on the myth that Yeudis are a persecuted minority around the world. "This is not true," said Romero. "They say this to create a sort of rally round the flag effect, and lots of people fall for it I guess. But in Kalistan, we have never been persecuted. How many times does the Empress need to say we stand with our Yeudi Citizens before people believe it? We may be a minority in Kalistan, certainly: We only represent 3% of the total population. But Yeudis thrive here, right along with everyone else. We are allowed to practice our faith and our cultural traditions freely and without hindrance. And Yeudis have risen to the highest levels of Government, business, entertainment, community life etc, without any restrictions whatsoever. So what is the Neset even talking about? Minority? Yes. Persecuted? Not here in Kalistan. Yeudis from around the world would do themselves a favor and relocate to Kalistan, who by the way, still possesses the Hulanevek Diamond."

In its first week since its founding, the AYIC has received numerous statements of support and encouragement, as well as many contributions, from a cross section of Kalistani Society. "We even got a check for ₭1 million Imperial from House Ananto to encourage our formation," said Romero. "Specifically, the letter was hand signed by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress her self, who said she had been following our proceedings and was encouraged by our community's willingness to stand up to represent Kalistani Yeudis back to the Neset. We speak with one voice and she said it was imperative that she help us build that voice internationally." The AYIC charter states that AIYC should represent Yeudis in Kalistan and in any other nation which wishes to affiliate, to promote Yeudi Diaspora Solidarity, and specifically to shift Beiteynese policies more toward the benefit for Kalistan, Northern Seleya, and the Anantonese Ocean region specifically.

"Beiteynu no longer has the moral claim over our loyalties," said Romero. "The 150 men and women who met this week in Eshar are representatives of all sectors of Kalistani Industry, Cultural production, and Community Life. We have current and former Deputies (Romero himself, a Leader in the Ananto Growers' Syndicate and a former Socialist Deputy in the National Assembly, for example), we have Members of Civil Society, we have rabbis and Students. All have decided that it is finally time to break the last thread that ties us back to that fallen state of Beiteynu and set our own course going forward, to represent our own interests and to return the loyalty to the Government that has stood with us each and every time."

Romero said that the new organization will send representatives to other nations with large Yeudi populations, places like Valruzia, for example, who has one of the largest Yeudi populations outside of Beiteynu. "Northern Seleya is the first priority," said Romero. "But all states with Yeudi populations are welcome to work with us to coordinate policy and action that is beneficial to our community in our respective states, and to develop stance on foreign policy positions that reflect a non-Beiteynu centric focus."

@TheRepublic

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Republican Pictures releases Artanian War Movie
"Cold Running" is most profitable picture of the year
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
December 14, 5661


"Cold Running" featuring Keith Mendoza (left) is a war drama set during the Artanian Campaign

The Artanian War film "Cold Runnings" topped box offices totals this week as audiences flocked to see the story of a crew sent to retrieve a code cypher from a Kundrati Submarine. The movie, produced at Republican Studios, is one of the first Kalistani movies set during the Artanian Campaign during 5611. The film tells the story of a crew of special naval forces that must board a Kundrati submarine ahead of the conflict to acquire code cyphers and crypto equipment to help them interpret Kundrati code.

"The movie is, strictly speaking, fictional," said star Keith Mendoza, who plays the role of Marine Colonel Robert Kildare, the leader of the mission. "But it is a composite of the special work done by both Militia and Special Forces. This kind of stuff happened in the weeks and months ahead of the war, and though the campaign was largely viewed as a defeat in Kalistan, there were many stories of the bravery of Kalistani regulars that could not be told at the time."

The composite is resolved at the end with a list of 16 separate operations with similar aims to acquire an edge in the run up to war. The first listed was as early as 5609, and the last was two weeks before the outbreak of the war. The movie also stated that more than 25 regular sailors were lost during the period directly before open conflict broke out, while 15 enemy ships were either sunk or scuttled.

"Though Kalistan lost the 4th Fleet, without the intelligence gathered ahead of the war, it would have been a lot worse. The loss of that life ahead of the main battles saved a lot of Kalistani lives." Col. Kildare was based on three different militia members who enlisted with the Special forces ahead of the war, all of whom died during their missions, though their missions succeeded. "A lot of the action in this film takes place aboard a Kundrati Submarine," said Mendoza. "Many of those missions did too, and it was really the only way Kalistanis could get in and out and possibly acquire the things we needed." Mendoza said that each mission was only able to ever collect a part of what the Kalistanis needed at any one time. "It was really like a puzzle for our Intel service. We could have used more, but the war broke out before Kalistan got everything it needed."

The film, which cost more than ₭18 million Imperial to make, grossed over ₭45 million Imperial for the film company in its first two weeks, making it one of the highest grossing films for the studio in years, and the top movie of 5661. "I think the movie resonates so well with audiences, because these events were fifty years ago, and a lot of that generation which actually fought in the war is finally beginning to die. Most of the people who are coming to see the movie have only heard stories about the war from their grandparents. So this movie kind of brings it the sacrifice and the heroism of the conflict to life for them for the first time."

Mendoza said his grandfather fought in the war and died just before he was offered the role. "I dedicated my performance to my grandfather," said the actor. "I hope I did him and his comrades justice."

@LaModa

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Kalistan expands trade with Xsampa
More diamonds, and lumber, jewelry and precision tools, cars for aluminum
Port Elga, Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
March 15, 5662


A cargo ship carrying tons of both raw and machined lumber from Xsampa arrives in Sulari

The expanded trade deal with the Dovani state of Xsampa has begun providing new materials for Kalistan's building, industrial and luxuries sector, with follow on trade to introduce Xsampan luxury vehicles into the Kalistan market. The deal involves cash purchases and direct trade of aluminum for limited quantities of diamonds, both industrial and ornamental, several shipments of lumber to help relieve the pressure on the already heavily regulated Kalistani lumber industry to help provide new building materials for housing, some precision tools, and higher valued fine jewelry. The initial transfers will later include a limited number of Xsampan Cars to Kalistan, opening a new market for the Dovani car maker.

"Kalistani consumers will benefit from expanded trade with Xsampa," said Trade Minister Melanie Boone. "We seriously need to build more homes in Sulari and Kaliburg, and our lumber market is one of the most restricted markets in Northern Seleya, due to environmental concerns and the need to protect Kalistan's forests. Meanwhile we have a glut of aluminum capacity, and can supply Xsampa with a LOT of aluminum for various applications, including their own housing industry, and automobiles and aircraft parts if they like."

Most of the direct cash payments will come once again from House Ananto, who counts Xsampa as its main source for gem quality diamonds. "The Xsampans have a long and certified history of ethical diamond production," said Minister Boone, "and knowing House Ananto, it is likely that there is a limitless market for these stones from the Imperial Family. As long as Xsampa is selling at world market prices, the Empress is buying." Boone said House Ananto is currently looking for a source for emeralds, rubies and sapphires as well. "Unfortunately, for us, there are not a lot of suppliers for these stones: It seems that Kalistan has a significant portion of the world's precious stones stored in Her Imperial Majesty's gem vault and our previous sources have eiher dried up, stopped producing, or don't like Kalistan."

More than gem quality diamonds, Xsampa is also a major supplier of industrial grade diamonds, specifically for cutting, grinding, and drilling applications. "Kalistan is a major purchaser of industrial grade diamond crystals," said Boone. "Our heavy industry relies on the steady supply from Xsampa, and like the more gem quality stones, Kalistan is always in the market for industrial grade diamond cutting tools."

But new items added to the trade deal, the luxury items like fine jewelry and eventually automobiles, are being handled by private sector importers in Kalistan looking to profit. "The deal provides a standard of exchange for these sorts of luxury items," said Boone, "but in fact, its more of a deal to aim to keep prices for the Kalistani consumer market down by keeping costs to Kalistani Importers down. Xsampa will not be exporting bulk fine jewelry: that would be ridiculous. But the deal smooths the way for individual wholesalers to travel to Xsampa, buy lots at a time, and bring them back to Kalistan to sell to retailers in Kalistan. With Cars it will be the same way. I can't imagine we will import more than 50,000 automobiles from Xsampa a year. But these will be marketed in the Empire as luxury vehicles, so they are not competing with MoCo or MV. Kalistanis like new and foreign things, and for those who can afford the premium, we don't doubt that Xsampan EVs will make a splash."

The first shipments have begun arriving by ship to Sulari. "We were initially concerned that the war in Rildanor would interrupt shipping," said Minister Boone, "but we are not a party to that conflict, and the Egelian Navy seems to have things pretty well under control in and around Rildanor. Plus, the shipments can skirt the Dovani Coast north of Temania, skipping the conflict zone all together. Our first shipments encountered no problems arriving at Port Elga."

The deal is expected to be worth something on the order of ₭65 million Imperial over the next 5 years.

@TheRepublic

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Minor Princess Takes to the Waves
Mentored by Princess Margaret, Princess follows in brothers' Footsteps
Sunset Beach, Davon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 25, 5662


Minor Princess Nicolette interviewed at Sunset Beach in Davon this spring

An uncharacteristically mild and dry spring has brought the surfers to Kalistani beaches a month ahead of the normal start of the season. Usually, Ananto's west coast is still experiencing cold rains, but this year, most of the inclement weather patterns have confined themselves to the eastern part of the island, while beaches all along Davon and Luxon Counties have opened early.

According to Swell Magazine, Ananto surf culture's primary news periodical, one surfer caught hitting the beaches early this year was the 15 year old royal, Her Highness, Minor Princess Nicolette-Carolina Elizabeth Ananto-Collins, who joined the throngs of brave early surfers to take to the waves at Sunset Beach south of Kaliburg. The Minor Princess, interviewed by Swell and reprinted her, is in her fourth year of surfing and is being mentored by her Aunt, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, who herself remains an avid surfer, and has been all her life. In taking to the waves, the Minor Princess follows her brother, He Highness the Crown Prince Fredrick David Ananto-Collins, who was only prevented from competing in the Luxon Open this year due to his enlistment in the NSP.

"We got down here as soon as we could," said the Minor Princess. "I got lucky and could keep in practice over the winter down in Athosia, where my mother was in residence at Playa de la Paz. Aunt Meg came down and we went surfing together. She's really the best teacher you can imagine." When asked if the Minor Princess' mother, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto joined them in the water, the Minor Princess simply laughed. "My mother doesn't like being in the water. She is more of a wood spirit than a water one. She and Vicky... Lady Jensen, stayed on the pontoon and watched us."

The Minor Princess said she prefers surfing in Ananto to surfing in Baltusia. "Well, the sea is very peaceful in Baltusia. You almost have to wait for a storm to come in before there's waves that you can surf on. We do a lot of windboarding at Playa de la Paz." The Minor Princess said that the beach is not oriented in the correct way to bring a lot of big water into shore. "It the same issue they have when surfing in Yoshimi or, I don't know, like Vrassa. The ocean isn't going the right way compared to the shore, so either you have dead water which can't be surfed, or you have these monster waves which will kill you. Surfing around Sulari and Dana and definitely in Luxon and even up here is just way better because the geography is perfect."

The Minor Princess says she is exciting to start competing. "I know my brother started competing when he was 15, and I'll be 16 before I can compete in my first junior competition, but I'm totally looking forward to it, and I think maybe I'll even get to do Luxon Open before I go into the Service too." When asked if the Crown Prince is getting any surfing in, the Minor Princess said, "No, he's stuck in Bozo River. He told them he wanted to work near the water, so they put him on maritime infrastructure maintenance. He's doing beach erosion mitigation and jetty repair. I do think he will be able to get back this summer, and we'll get to surf together again. I think he will probably take leave in July so he can compete finally in the Luxon Open. But he won't see me then in the Sunset Open. Either way, we'll surf together sometime this summer."

Competitive surfing is rapidly becoming an Ananto family tradition. "Yeah, I hope someday I can mentor the younger generation like Aunt Meg is mentoring me," said the Minor Princess. "She really is like a duck to water. That lady can float like a cork, and she does things on a surfboard that amazes me, and everyone else. Of course she's been surfing since she was younger than me, and she stays super fit, and is out here with me every chance she gets. Someday I hope I am that good." Asked if the Princess intends to compete, Minor Princess Nicolette said "No, I think she has retired from competition. She wants to surf for her enjoyment, not to win anything. Plus, she's almost 50. The guys and girls out there now are in their 20s. She says she is happy to like vicariously through my brother and I. That's pretty cool."

The Minor Princess says she intends to spend as much time at Sunset as she can before school starts again in September. "I'll be out here every weekend until May, and then every day. My mom said I could stay with my Aunt this summer so I can keep surfing. I will also go visit my dad in Sulari and surf down there too. It's gonna be a regular Surfing Safari this summer!"

@LaModa

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Kelsey Ryan featured in new Pictorial
Supermodel shows off Imperial Gem Collection
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 15, 5662


Supermodel Kelsey Ryan models a Ruby and Gold hairpiece from the Imperial Gem Collection, created by William Reed

In this month's La Moda, there is a stunning pictorial article that features Kaistani supermodel Kelsey Ryan, and shows off some of the pieces created by the Imperial Jeweler, William Reed, son of famous jeweler Melvin Reed (retired) for Her Imperial Majesty. The collection itself has been called stunning and priceless, but has never yet been seen by the Public. Until now.

"Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto allowed me to model some of her clothes," said Kelsey Ryan, now 36. "This is a once in a life time opportunity. She never lets this stuff out of her vault, for obvious reasons. But we actually had the opportunity to take it to a studio in Eveari and shoot some photographs for La Moda, and you can see some of these things there." Ryan said that the Empress was on sight for the shoot, and wanted to see how fashion photography is done. "Maybe to also watch over her gems," said Ryan with a laugh. The Empress served tea to everyone there, so that the visit could qualify as an informal audience, and then mostly observed and took notes, along with Her Highness, the Lady Companion Victoria Jensen and Her Highness, the Minor Princess Nicolette Elizabeth Ananto-Collins.


Ryan models Reed Jeweler's famed Peacock Dress, made almost entirely of Polished Gemstones

The pictorial, which features only a tiny percentage of the necklaces, earrings, rings, head pieces and actual dresses made of select pieces from the House Ananto Gem Collection, focuses on Reed Jeweler, and its master craftsman, William Reed, who is the second generation Imperial Jeweler, based in Kaliburg. "William made such pretty clothes and different kinds of jewelry for Her Imperial Majesty," said Ryan. "I am certain she's been in those pieces at least once, but they are pretty fragile. Like, you don't want them worn maybe even more than twice, and they have to be tailored just perfectly, or else, you know, you bend over to pick something up off the floor, and your dress more or less shatters into 10,000 gemstones. It's really very wild, just crazy to think about."

When Ryan was asked how she felt walking around in the rumored Peacock Dress, which, as it turns out, is actually a thing, Ryan said, "Oh my god. Just the feel of the cool smooth stones on my skin was electric. I really... I can't even describe it. It really almost felt like it was too much for a person to handle. Like, I have never worn something on my body with is worth more than all the real estate in a five block radius combined. How does the human mind even process that, and yet the Empress just talked about it like 'Here is the Peacock Dress, the only time I wore it was when I was fitted for it, and then to something with my mom and the opera one night.' Like it's nothing special. Meanwhile, here I am, having just put the last clasp on in the back, this heavy crystal coated evening gown, standing absolutely stone still long enough for them to take the picture, and I almost was too afraid to keep it on even."


Thirteen Rings and a diamond Bracelet from the Imperial Gem Collection

Asked what she thinks of the designer, Ryan had nothing but praise for William Reed. "His father, who I worked with on a couple ads when I was younger, was far more subdued than Bill is. Bill has a flair to him, a sort of 'the gaudier the better' attitude which I think speaks very directly to the Empress. She has the stuff, she wants to flash it as much as possible. But Bill is also classy, and you might think that is a contradiction. He believes, I think that adornment, even excessive adornment, only adds to natural beauty. It's not the source of it. So he is going to go with a person's features, and what they want to say about themselves. If you're the Empress, you want to say you're rich and powerful. So he makes the Peacock Dress. If you're me, you want to say something like You're independent and free spirited, and so he'll make something that looks like it will hurt someone if they get hit with it. Of course, I don't have 40 carat rubies at my disposal, like Her Imperial Majesty has, so I have to scale down my image a little bit."


Kelsey Ryan models a 138 carat, eye clean, brilliant square cut natural ruby from the Imperial Collection

"I definitely enjoyed modeling the gems too," said Ryan. "The Empress has a ton of gems, but most of them are raw. When she needs a piece, she will have Reed go into the vault, select some options and then will cut them professionally to meet her specifications. She often presents them as gifts to her friends and to visiting dignitaries. The ones I got to play with in this shoot were mind-numbingly valuable, and the strange thing is, she didn't really even care about them. The one from the photo where I am biting the ruby? Bill Reed told me that stone is worth about ₭13.4 Million Imperial, roughly equal to half of what the entire Peacock Dress is worth, if you can believe it. I asked her if I could put it in my mouth, sort of like a strawberry. She thought that was a good idea and said 'you are the professional here.' I couldn't believe it. That was probably my favorite photo of the whole shoot, it was sexy and fun, and really, the whole thing was a once in a life time opportunity."

"I am so happy to got to finally meet her after all these years, and to help her show off her amazing collection to the world. This was probably the biggest thrill I've ever had in my entire life, and I hope I did her collection justice."

@LaModa

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Dana Punk Reggae band Limelight releases Debut Album
Declares "Our Mission is to Have a new GanJam"
Dana, Duchy of Suldanor
June 15, 5662


Dana Surfers turned musicians Limelight want more festivals in Kalistan

Perennial Dana Beach Dwellers and occasional Punk/Reggae Musicians Limelight have recently been signed to Last Chance Records and have released their debut album called Danavision. "We decided it was time to stop surfing all the time and doing parties and stuff and start doing this music s--t seriously," said frontman, guitarist, and primarly songwriter Keith McDonald. "Its time to, you know, take life serious and stuff."

With Eric "Vinnie" Jones on bass, and Lenny Goldman on drums, the trio of Dana surfers recorded a demo EP in Goldman's garage just off of Dana's North Beach where the three live together. "It was kind of a lousy piece of garbage," said Goldman. "We had this beat up four track that I think Vinnie found in this dumpster one time and we got it working and decided what the hell, but the beach was so loud when we were recording that when we finally listened to the tape, the waves crashing were really all you could hear. But we didn't have any more tapes, so we sent this one in to LCR and like four weeks later this guy calls us and says he listened to the demo but thought it was recorded at like a beach party or something, and he wants to meet with us down in Sulari to see what we actually sound like."

The guy turned out to be Robert Turner, A&R director for LCR, and when he finally got the band into a proper studio he was impressed. "He said he really liked how we sounded, and he thought we could make a real record," said McDonald. "He asked us how many songs we had and we were like oh you know like the three on the demo and then, maybe one or two more." So the band was given a homework assignment and ₭2000 Imperial to acquire better instruments--"Vinnie's bass wasn't properly wired or something and used to shock him half the time," said McDonald-- and sent out to write some additional songs for the record.

"We came back with maybe 12 or 13 new songs, mostly of the punk rock and reggae variety, but a couple punk songs in there too," said McDonald. "And then we got cleared to do abut 6 classic covers from reggae artists we really loved, just to pay tribute. And the guy LCR set us up with to produce the record was Diamond Mike Monroe from Addisjah, the famous hip hop DJ from up there, and we were like What's this man? We aren't a hip hop band... And Mike was like No man, I'm just gonna kinda take your music to the next level. You guys can say yes or no to everything, cool? So we went to work."

The record took six weeks to produce and what resulted was a studio album that really keeps a lot of the punk-reggae edge to it, but also has a lot of hip hop elements includes. "Diamond Mike took me from all this speed and fast aggressive playing that I do in punk down about like about 14 degrees and said, you gotta feel the flow in here, man" said McDonald. "We puffed some Dah, chilled out, and then he says 'While you all have been playing, here's what I've been doing,' and he busts out this backing track full of samples and like nods to old school hip hop, tradska and reggae, and he was like Let's try this. It totally changed the sound of the music from what we thought we were trying to do to what we were actually trying to do."

"Mike said that recording a record is not the same thing as jamming in the garage or playing a house party," said Jones. "Like we're paying for the f--king studio you know. If we want to jam, we can do that for free, but if you want to make a record, there's like ways to do it and then there's other ways to definitely not f--king do it. And Mike knows how to do it." The band said they were happy with their experience and working with such a professional, and they offered to give him points on the sales. "He's a real pro--he said he took the payment upfront from the record label and wished us good luck."

So far the record, relying primarily on word of mouth and a moderate amount of radio promotion is selling reasonable well. "The label said we sold 12,000 records in the first week," said McDonald. "It's not Dea level or anything, but I think the Dana stores have had to reorder another batch, and that's pretty cool." The band is also getting requests to play around Kalistan. "We are gonna play Sulari and up to Eshar, and then we're playing the Luxon Open in August. It should be awesome."

The band says they want to use their new found stardom to revive GanJam. "We have heard all these people saying 'If only there was a GanJam today, GanJam GanJam GanJam. And I was like what is GanJam, so we looked it up, and it sounds dope AF. We want to bring it back." McDonald said he wants to meet with ODEN-K and KRTVN to try to see if there is any interest in reviving the summer festival. "Even if its a one time thing, I think people really want more live music and we should bring it back. Maybe even right here on the beach in Dana. Wouldn't that kick ass?!"

You can get Limelight's Danavision at your local record story, but also check out the link

You can also check out the video for the first single from the record "The Regimen", starring Sulari model Callie Caballero.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQnzeKKg7Yc]

@KalistaniRawkMonthly

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Hewlett Announces Limited Overture to National State of Rildanor
"We're still reviewing the situation" says Kalistani Foreign Minister
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 4, 5662


Minister Jeffrey Hewlett discusses Anantan Response to Rildanor

In brief remarks on the Rildanor situation on yesterday's "Politics This Week" on KRTVN 1, Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Mr. Jeffrey Hewlett commented on the developments in Rildanor. "We're still reviewing the situation, but Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto may not be fully closed off to talking with them once the dust has settled a little bit," said Minister Hewlett. "She has some thoughts about how the war played out, as well as the stated intentions of the new government directed at national unity which are currently driving our foreign policy toward that country and it could benefit both sides, I think to get a little clarity."

The Foreign Minister said Kalistan was impressed by their calls for national unity and explicit disavowal of liberal ideas, capitalism and communism. "The Rildanor Government is correct to assert that liberalism, political heterodoxy, and churn in the economy is bad for the society. Of course it is. If you are an elite, it is always a potential existential threat to you unless you happen to be the one who benefits this time, and if you are a non-elite, the only people that sort of chaos and disorder benefits are the elites who are not you. As we learned in Kalistan recently, liberal democracy is a threat to good social order and tranquility, and those two things are absolutely, and let me say that again, absolutely necessary for the existence of a healthy and free society. When that breaks down because of some stupid ideological commitment to what we refer to as disorder here, the people are not free. They spend their lives living in fear of losing the next election."

The Foreign Minister said that the Empress looked favorably on the Rildanor government's call for "National Democracy". "It's something that Kalistan can understand," he added. The FM praised the banning of opposition parties, a strong and empowered executive, the outlawing of liberalism, the policy preferences for anti-capitalism and anti-communism, anti-classism, and nationalization and cooperation between the State, corporations and labor to determine the outcome of labor disputes. "We could use some clarification on a few matters though. For example: when Rildanor says anti-cosmopolitanism, what do they mean? In Kalistan, cosmopolitanism, or welcoming the world to Kalistan, Kalistanis going out into the world, in an effort to not only understand everyone better, but also to take things from those other cultures back to Kalistan to improve our own culture, that is the foundation of our cultural heritage. Is Rildanor against a free and open exchange of culture and ideas, perhaps to preserve something which, really hasn't existed for a very long time, or perhaps to assert a new cultural identity as being anti-this or that? This might be a road bump for us." Additionally he noted in the tripartite cooperatist model of resolving resource disputes, the State and the workers almost always find themselves on the same side against Corporations in Kalistan. The FM expressed hope that Rildanor workers will find a similar friend in their own government.

"It is clear that Rildanor is going through some changes, and many of them are being driven by external factors, and non-Seleyan Nations who have inserted themselves into a Seleyan Situation," said the Foreign Minister. "The House of Peers, for example, has passed a resolution expressing objection to the naked powergrab by the Kingdom of Egelion of the Meriath du Mer Naval Base in Rildanor, despite the fact that Egelion is not and never was a part of the Canrillaise Empire. Her Imperial Majesty concurred with this objection and said that it almost looks like Egelion simply involved itself in a war on the opposite side of the globe so it could grab a base and extend its influence where it really shouldn't even be, and more or less make the island a haven for its investment and the spreading of its influence. And don't even get me started on Beiteynu's inexplicable interest in the conflict." It is important to note that the Objection of the Chamber of Kalistani Peers, formerly the Peer Assembly, in which Egelion maintains a proxy vote due to its possession of the Baronetcy of Casa Varastela in Eveari, does not have the force of law and is advisory only.

"I mean, just imagine the howls of alarm from the jackals of the world if Kalistan had, for no reason whatsoever, inserted itself into someone else's war simply to steal a naval base and create a virtual colony of a breakaway island," said Mr. Hewlett. "If Kalistan did that it would create a world ink shortage as a million opinion writers took to a million computers and typed a million asinine editorials each condemning Kalistani imperialism. And really the only differences here is that 1) Kalistan is actually an Empire, and 2) we've never actually done what we see Egelion doing right now in Rildanor. But... there is a double standard when it comes to all non-Kalistani countries, isn't there. So naturally, Kalistan is the only one to object to this naked power grab, and it is easy to dismiss the objection of the Peers. Such is the world today, isn't it."

Hewlett suggested that the transformation of Mariath into a virtual Egelian 6th Province was only part of the reason that Kalistan has chosen to consider working with the new National State of Rildanor. "The more important problem with Meriath, I will say is the fact that they are run by communists. And Kalistan seeks to limit its intercourse with communists as much as possible." He maintains there is an exception for a state like Xsampa with whom Kalistan trades. "Our interactions with Xsampa are limited in their scope, involve direct one for one sales at international market rates, and provide both nations needed strategic and industrial resources that are mutually beneficial for each of our economies. We don't as a rule, associate with Communists."

Minister Hewlett said that if the Government of Rildanor would like to schedule some time to visit Kalistan and meet with Her Imperial Majesty, especially to clarify some of these points, the Empress would welcome the visit, and perhaps a closer relationship could be forged. "We see something of our selves in their path," said Hewlett. "It is tentatively encouraging, to say the least."

@TheRepublic