Kalistan

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Chancellor's Recommendation for Government Approved
Cabinet represents Internationalist Attitude of Emperor and Empress
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 5, 5673


The New Government is approved in Kaliburg and set Kalistan on a new, Internationally focused path

Their Imperial Majesties' Government has been approved by His and Her Majesties Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Jennifer I Ananto and have taken up their posts. The new government represents a much more internationally oriented view. This is a significant change from the previous, more nationally oriented government that served the Former Empress. The Members of Their Imperial Majesties' Government are listed below:

Chancellor of the Empire Ericka Donahue
Foreign Affairs Henry Greene
Internal Affairs Michael Falstaff
Finance Louisa Argon
Defense Captain Morris Grant
Justice Hon. Gale Wilson
Infrastructure and Transport Guillermo Troxell
Health and Social Services Dr Gregory Newton
Education and Culture Janet Simmons (retained)
Science and Technology Dr. Allison White
Food and Agriculture Alberto Villariva
Environment and Tourism Harold Canturbury
Trade and Industry Melanie Boone (KGS) (retained)
IBSI Chief Natalie Berenson (Acting)

With the Government in place, a new budget is being drafted for Government operations, with the aim of protecting the National Surplus and the General Fund. "Annually, Kalistan collects far more money than it spends," said the new Finance Minister Louisa Argon. "Military maintenance is far less expensive than constant procurement that we see other nations engage in, and our social safety network is one of the largest expenses we have. Compared to the money that liberal capitalist societies dump into private sector through government contracts, Kalistan's society is very inexpensive to maintain. We intend to stay on course, and ensure the continuation of the surplus."

Internationally, the new Foreign Minister, the Honorable Henry Green, hopes to get new Ambassadors placed in several of Kalistan's Embassies abroad. "Our foreign Service remains robust, but many of our diplomats have served for many years and the Emperor and Empress desire to move new folks into those positions, to represent a new view and to clear a backlog on promotions. We are also hoping to reach out to new potential partners, and perhaps expand our relations across the globe. The Emperor and Empress are keenly interested in improving Kalistan's position in the globe, to share Kalistani culture and to make new friends." Mr. Green also states that the Emperor and Empress intend to travel to Hutori in the Spring.

The Chancellor of the Empire states that her first priority as the formal head of Government is to meet with the Dukes of Kalistan to reinstate discussions around Government in the Grand Duchy of Kalistan. Following votes on the new Government, the Chancellor called for adjournment of the National Assembly for the remainder of the day.

@TheRepublic

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Former Minister of Defense unexpectedly sacked
No reasons provided for replacement of Military Chief
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 1, 5673


Former Defense Minister, Captain Morris Grant taken into custody in Kaliburg last week

In an unexpected move at the top of Their Imperial Majesty's Defense Ministry, Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue announced that Their Imperial Majesties' Defense Minister, Captain Morris Grant, has been removed from office, following an undisclosed issue. Reports from the Capital were completely unclear about the reasons for the Defense Minister's removal from an office he has occupied for scarcely three months.

"As far as we can tell, the, now former, Captain of the Kalistani Regular Army has not been charged with a crime," said Capital watcher Robert Bashear. "The police took Mr. Grant into custody and detained him at the Free City's Main Police Station for more than 6 hours before releasing him on he own recognizance. He was asked why he had been taken into custody, and responded that he is not at liberty to comment on an ongoing investigation. He only added that he had formerly resigned both his commission, as well as his position in the Government and that he was at liberty." The former captain did not say whether charges would be filed at a later point.

We are also not sure if the arrest and detention of the former Defense Minister has anything to do with the arrest of seven officers with the Southern Army in Suldanor. The only thing that ties the two events together is the fact that Captain Grant was an artillery Battery Commander in the Southern Army. There doesn't appear to be any other connection between the Captain and the arrested officers. Charges range from insubordination to issuing illegal orders to misappropriation of Government property. While the Chancellor of the Empire was clear that her office would not comment on ongoing investigations and proceedings out of a desire not to prejudice the court, others have stated that a small crime ring had formed among the arrested individuals, who had been committing larceny from within the ranks for years.

The Acting Defense Secretary, Captain Allison Kinney, named to replace Mr. Grant, who is said to be cooperating with the Government on all counts, said she has ordered a review of several Corps in the Army South. "The review is certainly related to the arrests of these officers," said the Captain, a Militia Captain from Ananto. " We do not seek to cast any aspersions onto the Army South, but it would seem there is at least a permissive culture that has grown up in that unit which encourages individuals to plot together, for their own benefit. It is not only unprofessional, but if this conduct is tried and found to be criminal, reflects poorly upon the entire service."

No government officials would speak on record about these seemingly unrelated events. Speculation abounds that the crime ring was a problem that was inherited by Mr. Grant, who, as Defense Minister, bore the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of officers. "Getting fired seems to be a bit harsh a penalty for a few stolen staplers or alternators, if that was what it was for," said Bashear. "But we can't say the Anantos enjoy such a breech in discipline, so perhaps Mr. Grant was made an example of. Nobody will say one way or another."

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief: Emperor and Empress open National Theater Season in Kaliburg
Princess Nicki to Coach young Surfers; Anne Jean releases debut record on Indie Label
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 30, 5674


Their Imperial Majesties at Opening Night of the National Theater in Kaliburg

Emperor and Empress open National Theater Season in Kaliburg
Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto were in attendance at the innagural performance of this season's National Theater season. The 6 production season started off with Bill Gregson's farce "And All's Well in Sulari" which is a story about a man who seemingly can't stay out of trouble, and the three women who love him.

The first performance of the Season was eagerly awaited by socialites in Kaliburg, who packed the house, as much to see the play, as to see the Ladies and Gentlemen who were in attendance. Of course Their Imperial Majesties were there, and Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis was also there, eager to greet people. Also present was Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, who joined her sister on the reception line to welcome the Theater patrons. Light drinks and hors d'oeuvres were served before the show, which got rave reviews from the entertainment press.

Gregson's play will run through April, and then the theater season will continue with the Luthorian classic "Betram and Helena", the Musical "Slumlord," the dramatic two person readers' theater production of "A Summer Divorce," followed up by the Historical musical "South of the Lucid" and the season will conclude with Franco Conway's epic "Crack in the Sea." Their Imperial Majesties hold lifetime tickets to the National Theater and are expected to attend each show on the season's program. Others may still purchase tickets at the National Theater's box office.

Princess Nicki to Coach young Surfers
Her Highness Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins may have entered semi permanent retirement following her win in the Triple Crown competition, but she intends to re-enter competitive surfing in Kalistan. Though, this time not as a competitor. The 28 year old professional surfer said her competition days are probably behind her. Princess Nicolette says she intends to become a coach for the Dah team.

"I'm thrilled to continue to work with Dah, and have the opportunity to help develop new talent," said the Princess, who recently signed a new deal with her longtime partners at Dah Surf Company. "Their idea is to sponsor eight teenage surfers who are considered up and coming. Our job is to more or less teach them how to take their skills to the next level as they enter the competitive surfing ranks. Dah wants to work with these kids to create the next generation of competitive surfers."

The Princess also said she would like to see the kids she is coaching grow up one day to repeat her feat. "Any one can do what I did," she said. "These guys will all be too young to do it now, but you learn the fundamentals and lean on those as you go forward, and you will get that feel for the water, you'll really learn it. That's something you just have to do, but like for me, one day it sort of clicked, and that was when I did my best: When you feel it you know, the ocean becomes an organism, and you merely sit on top of it. You learn its language, you understand what is is doing, you feel it pushing you, and you pushing back, and it gives you a ride. It's wild. I think I can show these kids how to understand that." The Dah team will begin surfing in late April to prepare for Sunset and the Dana Open in May.

Anne Jean releases debut record on Indie Label
Kaliburg Art Rocker Anne Jean has self published her first album of music and has published it on an independent label called Independent Imprint. The album was pressed by ARC Records in Sulari, and will be distributed in collaboration with KMI. The album, a 12 song sonic art collage called Strange Days contains a collection of mostly live recordings from several shows across Kaliburg over the last couple years. "I'm pretty proud of the music my partners and I made for these recordings," said Jean. "Yeah, they probably aren't to everyone's taste, but art is meant to provoke feeling and emotion in the listener, and even if that emotion is 'no this ain't for me' that's still a feeling. The art has done its work."

Most of the mainstream critics have called the album a mess. "There is no coherent theme in the record," said Mal Huntsman, of The Lolla Voice, an independent music journal. "I've seen Jean in concert here in Kaliburg, and her shows are certainly something of an experience. But you'd expect more of an idea guiding this work." Others just expressed their confusion: "I just really couldn't even tell what was happening on this album," said Gina Dutch, of the Sun City Register, who reviewed the album for Sulari readers. "Kaliburg, usually known for its innovative sound scape, took a swing and a BIG miss here. I will sum it up in one word: Inaccessible."

The one positive review of the album came from Kalistani Rawk Monthly, who gave the album 3.5 of 4 Stars. "Say what you want, but Jean is definitely on the lead edge of music here. She simultaneously channels the spirit of Stapanov in her creativity here, and also introduces listeners to the sounds she hears, rather than the sounds some record exec thinks we should be listening to. We can excuse the strange quiks and the strange choices Jean made in her recording. In fact, after listening to it a couple times, the noise and the weirdness itself becomes the whole point of the music. And this says nothing about the pure virtuosity on full display on the album."

Anne Jean's Strange Days on Independent Imprint and distributed by KMI is available throughout the Nation, and you can listen to it here, clicking the album cover art below.



@TheRepublic

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Construction of New Hybrid Rail line in Nevaras commences
New Line will feature both passenger and freight rail between Nevaras
Nevaras City, Duchy of Nevaras
August 15, 5674


Bridge Construction over the Nevaras River has commenced in 4 year project

The dream of connecting Nevaras City to the Bong Plateau has been a long standing goal of the Duchy Government of Nevaras. Since Nevaran Rail was completed hundreds of years ago, connecting Nevaras City and the Rail Vrassa to Vilbin in the Central Valley, the plan was always to eventually connect to the tourist and mining regions on the high central plateau. Those plans have been innagurated now, as construction of the first span of the Nevaran River Bridge in Nevaras City has begun. The link will connect the Ducal Seat to Bong City.

"We selected Bong City because that is both the County Seat, and the main tourist and passenger destination in the County," said project manager Peter Wallace, of Nevaran Rail. "It's the primary transit hub in the region and its the primary population center. We had originally intended to follow the highway, but the issue in the route from Maridon to Bong City was the grade: It was too steep for maglev train. So er ended up selecting a longer, but gentler slope along the Grand River Valley and then arriving from the north." Walace said that the elevation of Nevaras City is just around 485 feet above Sea Level, while Bong City sits about 2200 feet higher. "The northern route is the only really practical route for the train."

The route will contain both high speed passenger Maglev, and terrestrial Electric cargo tracks side by side. "The Pong Plateau contains the Nevaran Iron Range," said Wallace. "Most of that raw ore travels by hopper car to Gran City, where it is smelted into half ton raw iron ingots and then is transported by truck to Sulari. The process is arduous and expensive, and this will cut the time and cost for moving iron off the plateau significantly." Wallace said the process will now involve bringing the ingots from Gran City to Bong City, transferring them to rail in Bong and shipping them to Eshar, and then loading them onto freight ship to Sulari. It will increase activity at the Port of Eshar, and because shipments will be larger by rail from Bong City, energy, labor and time costs will be greatly reduced, not to mention wear and tear and annual loss of life on the difficult I-2 Pass via Lhasa."

Construction of the link is expected to be completed by 5679. "Completion of the bridge over the Nevaras River is the first step," said Wallace. "We hope to drop the pylons across the river next summer, and then begin laying track westward along the Valley. This is a fairly complicated geographical and engineering feat, but once it is done, our Duchy will experience a pretty major uptick in is travel, tourism and economics." Wallace said the construction is being paid by a major grant from the Ministry of Infrastructure. "We're looking at a cost of over ₭200 Million, 70% which is being provided by the Imperial Government, and the remaining 30% by Nevaran public and private investment. The project will create an additional 3500 jobs over the next four years, with 1450 permanent full time jobs to maintain the line."

Wallace says there is no plan to expand the passenger line further into the Plateau. "Cost benefit analysis breaks down south and west of Bong City, given that cost per mile dramatically increases, while there is not population to support additional track and train." Additional cargo track will likely be laid between gran City and Bong City within the next twenty years to pick up the ore smelting operations.

@TheRepublic

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Chancellor Announces agreement on Founding of Ducal Council
Grand Duchy of Kalistan receives a measure of local Government
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 23, 5674


Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue, announces Ducal Council in National Assembly

The Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue, has announced that The National Assembly and Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto that the New Ducal Council composed of the Dukes of Kalistan has been officially sanctioned by the Imperial Government. The Ducal Council, long a dream of His Grace, the Grand Duke of Kalistan, Duke Craig Alvarez-Suldanor, will convene quarterly, or more frequently as the Grand Duke calls it, to discuss matters pertaining to Kalistan Proper.

"The Ducal Council will be purely advisory," said The Chancellor of the Empire in the National Assembly. "However, we would like to point out that Their Imperial Majesties intend for Kalistan to have some measure of autonomy over strictly Kalistan affairs. Their Imperial Majesties intend for the Grand Duke to take a more direct hand in administering the Grand Duchy, so consequently, Their Imperial Majesties intend to defer to the opinions of the Grand Duke representing the constituent Duchies, when issuing Imperial Fiat concerning Kalistan Proper."

The Ducal Council is expected to take up matters of Grand Duchy finance, taxation, infrastructure and social services. "Their Imperial Majesty's Government intends to support the Grand Duchy in large projects and such," said Lady Donahue. "But they have also expressed a desire to set their own levies for Kalistani projects and coordinate those themselves. This is the purpose of the Ducal Council."

The move for a more decentralized government began the last time the Empire flirted with Democracy. "One think His Grace the Grand Duke said they were interested in was seeing some measure of popular government within the Duchies," said The Chancellor. "It is very unlikely that something like this would make it into the National Government, given Their Imperial Majesties aversion to liberalism of any kind, but the Emperor agreed that perhaps some duchies, should there be appropriate guardrails put up to prevent mob rule, might on a very limited basis introduce a franchise in competitive elections. It's unclear how this would work, unless the Duchies themselves were to establish a popular lower house of their own Ducal governments, but if it did proceed, the Grand Duke believes it would look something like the City Governments which are composed of competitive, albeit non-partisan, elections." But this is something for the Ducal Council to work out.

"One way or another, the Dukes of Kalistan all were very much in favor of whatever local autonomy they could acquire," said Lady Donahue. "They all expressed the position that government from Kaliburg was slow and indirect, that their Imperial Majesties obviously focus more on Ananto than on Kalistan, and that the Grand Duke and Duchess of Ananto have sovereignty within their demesne, and the Grand Duke of Kalistan ought to as well." The Lady Chancellor also pointed out that local autonomy was granted to Gaduridos from the start, and as a constituent nation, Gaduridos and Kalistan were essentially of the same status within the Empire.

"Not so sure about the last point," said the Chancellor, "as Kalistan has never been an independent nation and its political organization is the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan and not the Anantonese Empire, but none the less, Their Imperial Majesties found some merit in those arguments, and agreed that the Ducal Council may streamline administration over all." The raising of the Ducal Council raises the Grand Duchy of Kalistan to an equal status within the Empire to the Grand Duchy of Ananto. However, Their Imperial Majesties remain the Grand Duke of Kalistan's lieges. "In Ananto, the Grand Duke and the Sovereign are one in the same person. In Kalistan, the Grand Duke still owes his fealty to the the Sovereign, so there will never be a possibility of Kalistan one day breaking off from Ananto."

The creation of the Ducal Council in Kalistan was defended within the National Assembly during debate as the most tepid step toward decentralization. There were no critics to be heard, especially after the move received the official fiat of The Emperor and Empress, and the bill sailed through the Assembly 78-0. The Ducal Council is expected to convene in Sulari after the first of the New Year.

@TheRepublic

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Sulari maintains lead in Anantonese Tourism
Long Season, excellent Infrastructure and Attractions make city Top Destination
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
March 30, 5675


Sun Beach, Free City of Sulari, gets more than 1 million visitors a year; The Sulari Hills can be seen to the South

Also known as "Sun City", the Free City of Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor keeps top honors of Leading Tourist Destination in the Anantonese region. A number of factors contribute to this designation, including an early arrival of temperatures and weather conducive to tourism (due to the warm Gaduri Current, "Beach Season" lasts from early April until late October, while the beaches remain open year round), an abundance of infrastructural hubs, including the main International Airport and train station in the entire nation, several interstate highways and National Highway links, excellent public transport, and a massive and organized workforce capable of maintaining the service industry. Sulari is known as Kalistan's Second City, but in all things but prestige and political power, Sulari is first.

"Given our natural features, of course we will attract those looking to relax," said Ms. Freida Marques, spokeswoman for the Lord Mayor, Lord Greg Xander. "There is a laid back attitude here in Sulari. We work hard and we play hard, and people find that exciting. Consequently, we get people from all over the world coming to Sulari." Marques said that more than 1 million tourists make their way to Sulari's beaches on the sunny and calm Sulari Bay every year for sunbathing, people watching, and water activities. They spend their money in Sulari's casinos and horse tracks, eat in Sulari's vast restaurant district where they can find whatever sort of food they desire at any hour of the day, and stay in Sulari's hotels, beach rentals and hidden bungalows in the nearby Sulari Hills.

"There are many other attractions in Sulari as well," said Ms. Marques. "Kalistan's movie and national entertainment establishments are here," she said, remarking that Republican Pictures is located in Sulari, as much of KRTVN's on air talent and much of the music establishment. "ARC, LTD, and LCR are all located here, and the club scene is constantly buzzing. You can go tan all day, eat at the nation's finest dining in the evening, and take in a concert at any one of 65 Major music venues in the city or countless clubs, bars, and soundstages. Or, if you like, you can take in the theater: We have more than 25 black box theaters, and 13 theaters, auditoriums, and Rounds across the city. The Imperial Opera is located in Sulari. It is a cultural center." Marques also notes that The Sulari Suns also make their home here, as well as several minor football, baseball teams, and race tracks.

Sulari is also fashion capital of Seleya, and not only the home of Kauffman Agency, and Del Valle fashion houses, but also the corporate headquarters of dozens of retail fashion outlets. "You can dress very well, very easily in Sulari," said Marques. "On this point, people often come to Sulari simply to buy fashion." Sulari also has outlets from Kaliburg jewelry dealers that attract tourists. "Black pearls are a favorite in Sulari: Last year alone, Sulari sold more than ₭14.3 Million Imperial in black pearls alone."

With all these attractions, it is not surprising that Sulari is also the main city for expats in the Empire. "It always seems that there is a shortage of workers in this city, which protects the working class' wealthy," said Marques. "So our city is always welcoming to immigration: If you want to come here, and make a living, it is very easy to do so." Marques says that the pernicious housing shortage regularly acts as a break to immigration. "Housing isn't so expensive, but it is difficult for the City to keep up with demand. We are always struggling to keep up." The natural birth rate, domestic migration and international immigration has pushed Sulari over 2 million within the Free City itself spread over 14 neighborhoods and another 5 million in the metropolitan area.

"Sulari has something for every visitor, and will continue to remain on top of Anantonese Tourism for the foreseeable future." She noted rising tourist spots, like those in Egelion and Istalia. "Each of these have their benefits," said Marques. "Cartablanca is a beautiful city. It is just a beautiful town. Its season is short, but it also provides access to winter activities that Sulari doesn't have. Istalia provides exotic locations for those who would like the full foreign experience. But: These areas are up and coming, and focus on their niches, while Sulari has something for everyone, and we do it year round, all day, every day, for year after year, decade after decade, century after century. Sulari is the the destination for those who like the sun, the beach, and the leisure life."

@LaModa

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Kalistani News in Brief: Education Reform becomes Legislative Centerpiece;
New Ambassador to Luthori named in Kaliburg; Art Rocker Anne Jean adopts synth for Second Album
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 16, 5675


Drama Classes like this one at Vrassa Duchy University to be Emphasized across Empire

Education reform becomes Legislative Centerpiece
Inspired by educational reform movements around the region, most notably Egelion's, the National Assembly has begun to focus on introducing new "Arts-Based education" (to borrow the phrase) into Kalistani schools, especially focusing at higher education for the near term.

"We want to introduce new education of enlightenment in our colleges and universities," said Their Imperial Majesties' Education and Culture Minister Janet Simmons. "What we found was that those who study arts in secondary and post secondary school tend to take jobs in our creative sectors, sectors which seem to be getting older at a fairly regular rate. If we are going to create a generation of artists, musicians, authors, poets, performers, and architects, we should be willing to invest in arts education."

The Minister announced a raft of reforms, including removing some political education in favor of mandatory arts credits in High School, as well as increasing funding for arts faculty, facilities and equipment. The Minister also announced a nation-wide residency and patronization program for the most promising graduates. "I'd say we have been focused on stem education for years, and in the process, the arts have been de-emphasised in our colleges and universities. These reprioritizations will encourage creative people to consider the arts as a career. If we as a society value beautiful things, as I believe we do, we should be willing to take the creation of beauty up as a public matter."

The reforms will go into place with the beginning of the 5676 school year for all incoming High School freshmen. Sophomores may also opt into an arts track.

New Ambassador to Luthori named in Kaliburg
Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotential Sir Andrew Riley has been named Their Imperial Majesties' formal Ambassador to the Holy Luthori Empire. Riley will travel to Fort William to present his official credentials to the Sovereign of Luthori, Emperor Richard III, and then will take up his post in Fort William at the Kalistani Embassy. The Embassy is nearly completely reopened, though currently only consular affairs are the only services offered.

"Following the arrival of the Ambassador and the full compliment of Embassy Staff, we will be a full service diplomatic post," said Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister Henry Greene. "This includes the political and economic director, all consular affairs, passports and legal affairs, and intergovernmental relations. IBSI will also have a contingent in the country for the purpose of public diplomacy and intelligence sharing between governments." The Embassy will also reopen the Embassy company barracks, where a company of Embassy Guards will billet and maintain compound internal security. The gate will, as usual, be staffed by Luthorian security.

"We are taking this unilateral step of re-establishing our Embassy in Luthori, because Their Imperial Majesties wish to open Kalistan back up to the world, and to Artania specifically," said the Foreign Minister. "Our political officer, who has been on station for several years, has reported that the political climate was conducive to this next step. We welcome Luthori to reopen their embassy in Kaliburg, but there is no way to know whether they will. Whether they do or not, that has no effect on our operations in Luthori. We can be here, so we will be here. And Their Imperial Majesties look forward to rebuilding our relationships across Artania, starting with Luthori."

Art Rocker Anne Jean adopts synth for Second Album
Still on her indie label Independent Imprint, Kaliburg Art Rock fixture Anne Jean has released her second album. For her record, Climbing Back, Jean leans fairly heavily on the guitar, as expected, but moves away from a classical motif into synthesizers.

"Well, some of that is practical," said Jean. "I wanted a band, and would have needed an orchestra." She said the move to the synthesizer allows her to put together a backing band, as well as record. "On this record, I play everything but drums. I can't do that live, obviously, but the other thing is: I didn't know how to play a lot of the analog string, brass and wind instruments I played on my first record. It just worked out that I was able to get the band together by making the switch primarily to keyboards and pedals."

Some have referred to Jeans' new approach to music as "shoegaze" but Jean pushes back against this term. "Well, they say that because I spend a lot of time with different combinations of pedals for the guitar, switching sometimes three and four times in each song. So I am looking at the ground an awful lot during the songs when I play them live. It's a pain because I like to do drugs when I play live and I gotta work a little harder to remember which combinations I am supposed to play, but its totally worth it, because the sounds we are able to create live, or on the record or whatever, they are really amazing and just uplifting..."

The album is described by critics as slightly less accessible than her debut album, but her loyal fans have already snapped up the first run of the albums and Independent Imprint is preparing to release a second run of 25,000. "It's really cool to be selling music like this," said Jean. "People are showing that they are into intelligent music, music for grown ups, and I really appreciate that."

Check out Anne Jean's new single "Get Along" from her new album Climb Back right here. This performance, while the official video, is a studio recording made specifically for the video, where she is accompanied by her Backing Band, collectively known as San Vincenzo.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjZgiv2F1QY]

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief: Empress delivers third child in Kaliburg
Foreign Ministry acknowledges meeting with Kundrati; Sulari Housing starts will meet demand by 5678
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 15, 5676


Her Imperial Majesty recovering at Cliff House earlier this month

Empress delivers third Child in Kaliburg
The office of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Jennifer Ananto-Connor has announced that the Royal Family has had a new edition. On May 5 of this year, His Highness, Minor Prince Mark-Henry Joseph Ananto-Connor was born at Kaliburg National Hospital in the nation's capital. According to the announce, the baby was born at 3:44 am Kaliburg time following 14 hours of labor, and weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. The baby was born naturally, and was healthy at birth though developed a slight case of jaundice two days after birth, for which he was treated with light therapy.

"His Highness, the Minor Prince nursed with no difficulty, and was appropriately fussy," said Her Imperial Majesty's spokeswoman, Lady Amber Dawson. "The Royal family are very happy with their new arrival, and were soon visited by Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis and Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, as well as Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins, who is up from Luxon, Count Martin Collins from Sulari, and the two Minor Princelings, His Highness, the Minor Prince William-David Martin Ananto-Connor and the Minor Princess Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor, who were staying with their aunt in Luxon as their mother finished her labors."

All are reportedly happy. Her Imperial Majesty is currently on leave for two more months as she and the new baby continue to settle back into Cliff House. It has been a very long time since Cliff House was so full of the joy and happiness of small children. Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, who, along with the Lady Companion Victoria Jensen, is staying with the Emperor and Empress for a few more months, said the chaos of small children is delightful, and she is enjoying spending time with her grand children and is so happy for the new-again parents. "Now if my daughter would just get married, maybe we could keep this up for another decade," she reportedly said, jokingly.

Foreign Ministry acknowledges meeting with Kundrati
Their Imperial Majesties' Foreign Minister, Sir Henry Greene, has confirmed reports about an off the record meeting with representatives from the nation of Kundrati. "Upon direction from Their Imperial Majesties, I can confirm that representatives of the Anantonese Government have met with representatives of the Kundrati Government in Ft. William, Luthor," said Minister Greene. "The meeting was a preliminary meeting aimed at cracking a door, and while it represents a significant step forward in relations between our two nations, it is merely the first step in a thousand mile journey."

The Foreign Minister would not talk about who was involved in the meeting, or at what level the talks occured. "We made contact," was all the Minister would say. "We concluded nothing during the meeting except that we would like to continue to meet. Nothing was exchanged during the meeting, no paper came of it. Obviously with our level of estrangement from Kundrati, it will take a long time for our two nations to trust one enough to the point where we both feel comfortable sitting down in public. We aren't there yet: this meeting was I think more about seeing if the other side is as much of a two headed, six eyed monster as we all have believed until now."

Sir Greene stressed that the meeting was held on neutral ground in Luthori, it was informal, and no agreements were made. "Given the limited scope of the agenda, which was essentially 'Sit Down, shake hands, speak civilly, try to ascertain what you can about the other side, and then if prudent, schedule a second meeting,' I'd say it went well." The Foreign Minister stressed that this meeting was one of the aims of the new orientation of The Emperor and Empress' desire to reach out to the world. "Many people advised against this meeting," said the Foreign Minister, "but at the end of the day, we get our directives from our Sovereigns, and we carry them out. So the Foreign Ministry complied with Their Imperial Majesties' fiat on Kundrati, and it went about as well as can be expected." Sir Greene stressed that other nations are also opening to Kundrati, and Kaliburg is watching how that is going when making its own decisions.

Sulari Housing starts will meet demand by 5678
Following ducal reorganization in Kalistan Proper, the Lord Mayor of Sulari has announced that the Suldanor Ducal Housing Authority now projects that with current housing starts, Sulari builders are on track to meet existing demand for domiciles by the end of 5678. "The end of supply side homelessness is in our sights," announced Lord Mayor Greg Xander. "With the units we are currently either starting or converting, we anticipate a slight surplus in housing by the end of 5678 in the Empire's largest city. This is a dream hundreds of years in the imagining and it is finally coming true for Sulari's residents."

The Lord Mayor has stressed low income housing as a priority, while offering homeowners in higher income neighborhoods direct subsidies to rehabilitate their home, subdivide their lots to create additional housing units on their property, and modernize water service, electrical service, and sewer service. "Even before the Ducal Council was established, we saw significant investment by the Duke Alvarez in Suldanor and in Sulari specifically to tackle chronic homelessness, and treat it as a public health issue, rather than a legal matter," said the Lord Mayor. "Housing First is the byword in this city. If we can keep people in their homes, and ensure those homes are modernized, we see families staying in our community, and we are able to build new homes for those who are here without a home. We know when people are housed, crime and preventable disease goes down, work productivity and school attendance goes up, and the added security a stable housing situation offers leads to a host of other securities for individuals and families. And Sulari is on track to do that for all of our more than 3 million citizens."

Most of the new housing comes through vertical development with easy access to services including public transit, food sources, and other retail services. "The amount of planning which has gone into Sulari's downtown revitalization over the decades is insane," said Mayor Xander. "No home is more than a mile away from the nearest National Food Bank branch, so fresh nutritious food can be obtained easily. Nor are these houses more than a half a mile from bus or commuter tram routes. With the new housing, we've also had to look at neighborhood schools, with the aim to avoid overcrowding. The City Unified School System employs more than 24,000 primary, secondary and pre-K teachers, and all of them are organized because of closed shop, making the Sulari Teachers' Union one of the largest syndicates in the entire nation. So we wanted to make sure we were both complying with the contract and ensuring that our children get quality neighborhood based education that meets both city and national curriculum standards.

The announcement follows similar announcements from Port Swedes, Addisjah and Eshar, all of whom have been working on similar housing efforts. Kaliburg, for its part, has long provided housing adequate for its population, partly because it is the capital. Along with the news from the Free Cities, homeless numbers have been decreasing in Vrassa City, Nevaras City, Senvias, and Gendaris as well, while Yoshimi and Lucid continue to struggle with an average rate of 3 individuals out of 1,000. The population of Yoshimi is large enough for this to be considered problematic by the Baronial government in Yoshimi, but Lucid's problems are often due to transients passing through, rather than ling in the town.

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani News in Brief: Princess Nicolette judges Luxon Invitational
Kalistan offers relief to Hurricane stricken Valruzia; Kalistani Football season kicks off in Kaliburg
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 20, 5676


HH Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins speaks with reporters ahead of Luxon Invitational

Princess Nicolette judges Luxon Invitational
Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins has been away from competetive surfing this summer to spend time in Kaliburg with the Royal Family, but she was back in Luxon earlier this month to act as one of the judges for the Luxon Invitational. This was the first year since she won the coveted Triple Crown five summers ago where she was eligible to judge, having taken the year off of coaching and letting her contract with Dah go on hiatus. Having no professional conflicts, the Princess was more or less a star judge at the competition.

"I've really been itching to get back onto the water," said Princess Nicolette at the competition. "Visiting with my brother and sister in law as they brought their new baby home was fun and responsible, but spending my time surfing, helping kids get into the sport and just representing Kalistani surf culture here is really more my calling. When I got the call to serve as a judge, I jumped at the chance." The Princess was on hand to congratulate the winner, Yoshimi's 24 year old Victor Johnson who took the overall score.

"I don't think I will ever go back to surfing professionally," said the Princess. "I'm kind of out of shape now: That requires some pretty high degree of training that I had to let go. I wanted to get back to what was fun with surfing, to get out there and be in the right mental space, to feel the waves in the ocean and kind of meditate. When you surf for fun like I do now, these new guys will surf circles around you in competition, so I think I'm just a hobbyist now. But judging was a lot of fun, and if they ask me to do it again, you know I will!"

Kalistan offers relief to Hurricane stricken Valruzia
Hurricane Polvo has ravaged the South western Valruzian coast, but Kalistan has stepped up to offer humanitarian assistance to the Government and the people of Valruzia. "Our neighbors just took a direct hit from a hurricane," said Jim MacElroy, director of the Kalistani Humanitarian response. "We are currently sending food, medical supplies and drugs, water purification systems, emergency generators, and construction equiptment to Valruzia to help the government restore basic services to the people. This aid is not meant to suggest that Valruzia can't handle it alone, but more along the lines of it will allow Valruzia to more easily triage and decide for itself where its relief and services are needed, and where this aid can most efficiently be deployed. "McElroy said that more than 1200 medical students have also volunteered for service in Valruzia for the duration.

The first aid shipments went out directly following the disaster, and has continued regularly ever since. "I estimate that at some point in the near future, Valruzia will let us know that they have enough and will tell us to stop sending more of this immediate sort of aid," said McElroy. "At that point I imagine we will begin discussions around rebuilding what was destroyed in the typhoon, and how Kalistan can help." In the meanwhile, Valruzia is still working to find missing individuals in the city of Gryfitów, which appears to have taken a major hit by the storm.

"Kalistan will stand by Valruzia as long as needed," said McElroy. "We are neighbors, our two governments have long standing friends, and we are both Northern Seleyans. Kalistan was spared the storm, so it makes sense that we should work directly with them to help find and treat their wounded, feed their hungry and help them prevent disease which can spread in crisis zones. We will be there as long as they tell us we are needed. That is a promise."

Kalistani Football season kicks off in Kaliburg
The Kaliburg Black Bears, the long fabled franchise from the Nation's capital, kicked off their season in a 14-10 upset of the Sulari Suns this week, marking the beginning of Football Season in Kalistan. The upset was in the first pre-season exhibition game scheduled to get players warmed up for the regular season. "The Black Bears have a shot this year," said sportswriter Nate Carson. "Line on the Black Bears having a positive record this season is -280, and their win over favorites the Sulari Suns was considered a surprising upset."

The Black Bears have had a rough stretch lately, as the last five years have had them missing the play off each time and holding the worst league record 3 out of five of those years. But this year, there is a new coaching staff, as well as several veteran players buttressed by a new crop of rookies. "The Black Bears had one thing going for them last year," said Carson. "Their Offensive line stopped a lot of pressure on the QB that would have otherwise resulted in a number of sacks, or worse. They are building on that strength this year, replacing a few linement, but building the rest of the team around that. The new Quarterback, James Marshall, is known on the field for his versatility in the run and pass games, with a bit of time he can make these split second decisions. For the first time in a long time, it looks like the Black Bears have a team that can pull off wins expected at the pro-level."

The failure of the Black Bears to make the playoffs in recent years has not dampened Kaliburg fandom however. "I think quite the opposite," said Carson. "We've only actually seen them in action once so far this year, but I will say, the season ender, which resulted in a loss for Kaliburg and a 2-9 record last year saw record attendance at the National Stadium. Kaliburg fans were expectedly disappointed, but the mantra was 'We'll get em next year.' This game, if it is a rematch of that one, finally proved those eternal optimists correct. Let's see how they do in the rest of the season."

@TheRepublic

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Chancellor fends off challenges to Budget from Liberals
Also deflects efforts to curtail planning in National Agencies
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 12, 5676


A raucous Assembly session sees Chancellor deftly sidestep legislative siege

Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Ericka Donahue has overseen a rowdy legislative body this fall as several members known to harbor liberal sentiments launched challenge after challenge to the Chancellor's Budget priorities. At several points, it seemed the upstarts held sway and were even able to initiate and ultimately doomed vote of no confidence within the single ruling Party. But in the end, the Chancellor regained control of the body, got her amended budget passed, and avoided more ideologically motivated laws proposed by the loud minority.

The struggle began following the introduction of the new Istalian drafted "International Treaty on Emissions Reduction and Ecological Transition." The treaty itself wouldn't usually be too controversial in Kalistan, but slightly more than 1/3rd of the 79 Deputies voted against it, claiming that the vote was an effort by the Chancellor to ram rod the issue through the Assembly at the expense of business.

"We are missing a golden opportunity that other countries are seizing upon right now," said Deputy Ron Lucas, from Reynoldia, who is nominally associated with the Liberals. "These emissions standards are a non issue for Kalistani automobiles, all of which produce zero emissions, while they hamstring our aviation industry just because we are having a difficult time switching from fossil fuels. We need an all of the above approach and we need to foster markets in Kalistan." The minority voted as a bloc and prevented the passage of the Treaty for months.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor put a new budget up to the Assembly, which included increases for social services, but most critically, cuts in defense spending. "We have been at peace," said Chancellor Donahue. "It is time to invest our peace dividend in the Kalistani people." The Chancellor noted an average annual budget surplus of more than 200 billion rubles, and still asked for a 6% cut to defense spending, mostly from procurement, which she said is not necessary at this time. That move, and cuts to the industry and trade budget, angered even some of her more vocal supporters, who ended up joining the liberal deputies in voting against the bill, while several members merely voted "present", ensuring the failure of the bill.

The failure of the Budget bill in the Assembly gave the Chancellor's opponents the ammunition necessary to call a vote of no-confidence. "If Her Ladyship would just listen to the Deputies of this Assembly, she would not have anything to worry about," said Lucas from the floor in early October. "The people of my duchy want more liberalization. NOT," he emphasized, "Liberalism. Nobody in this Empire wants that. But what our Chancellor is doing is downright socialism, and on balance, which is worse? Liberalism or socialism? Freedom, or continued Government scale rigging? We think the people can decide what is best for them, and this Chancellor clearly doesn't have faith in rational citizens. So we say we don't have faith in her." The proposal to call a vote of no-confidence gained the requisite 40 votes for consideration, but after 4 days of debate, when it became clear that the opposition had no clear alternative, the measure was called to question, and failed 15-59, with 5 abstentions.

Easily escaping the No Confidence vote, the Chancellor turned her whips loose on the Assembly, and re-introduced the budget with a softer cut in defense and industry. "But we will have this money for housing, medicine, education, culture and infrastructure," said Lady Donahue. "This is a hill I am prepared to fight and die on." The negotiations, followed by vote after vote on the Budget bill took more than two weeks to resolve, and ended up with the Chancellor getting what observers agree is about 95% of what they want, her hawkish allies getting about 10% of what they want, and the liberals getting nothing.

"I think the Liberals overplayed their hand," said one Assembly observer, Alberto Baker, after the Budget earned its majority for the budget. "There was a lot of horse trading and deal making that went into this bill that pleases the vast majority of the 79 members of the Assembly: More or less, almost everyone got what they want, but not until the coalition that the Liberals counted upon to scuttle the bill fell completely apart. And the Chancellor demonstrated that she was not above wheeling and dealing to get what she wants. She is a shrewd customer, that Chancellor." During the process, she also easily shot down efforts to curtail labor participation in production, hiring and firing, and profit sharing led by the Liberals, said Baker, and dominated the debate over planning in the National Industries, causing several revisions of the various Charters to fail for lack of a second.

In the early days of November then, the major business of the Government completed for the season, the Foreign Minister reintroduced the Emissions Treaty. The Chancellor read the text of the Treaty into the record, and the treaty was ratified by an easy 71-8, with all the no votes coming from the now demoralized Liberal group within the Party. "I think the Deputies were just exhausted from three months of political back and forth, from this political siege of the Chancellor," said Baker. "And the Chancellor demonstrated that not only is she up for the fight but she knows who to go after, what pressure to apply, and just when to give a little to get what she wants. It was a master class in log rolling. Now she will spend the remainder of the Legislative session paying back political favors, which won't cost this Empire much at all, and will generally improve the local conditions across the nation."

The Liberals, for their part, are again discredited, and will need to wait for a long time before their reputation is such where they can ever credibly challenge the Institutional Platform again.

@TheRepublic