Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Princess Michelle is Married
Kalistan winds down aid to Xsampa; New Series of Surveillance Satellites to Launch from Spencer
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 1, 5609


Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval marries investment banker Tom Reynolds

Princess Michelle is Married in Eveari
Her Highness Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, Countess of Dulnerstaad, has been married in Eveari.  The outside ceremony was attended by a who's who in Kalistani Politics as well as friends of the Family.  The ceremony was held at Ananto Estate, and was in the traditional Brethrenist Fashion, complete with silent worship, sharing of messages for the couple, the exchange of commitments, and the signing of the Brethrenist Wedding Certificate.  The wedding was followed by an large reception featuring a dinner and dancing, and a live band, Eveari's own Bluegrass Valley 4, an alt-folk quartet who played mostly covers and party music.

The groom, Tom Reynolds from Sulari, is an investment banker who works for the Bank of Suldanor in Sulari.  At 28, he is two years Princess Michelle's senior.  The two met at Kaliburg Polytechnic while they were both in a budgeting theory course.  The Princess, who has just graduated with a degree in Finance and Accounting, will formally take over the operations of House Ananto and Miramar from Viceroy Dana Ananto-Alvarez, moving the operations of both House Ananto and Miramar back to Ananto.  Lady Dana Ananto was also at the wedding with her Husband, Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir, and they presented Princess Michelle with a single 89.67 karat Emerald, set into a silver pendant, purchased in Gaduridos seven years ago, as a wedding gift.  The gift is estimated to be worth just over ₭1.4 Million Imperial Rubles.

Reynolds will receive the title to a barony in Dulnerstaad, the Courtesy title of Count of Dulnerstaad, by virtue of his marriage to Princess Michelle and will made a Stranger Knight Companion in the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke.

Kalistan Begins to Wind Down aid to Xsampa
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina I Ananto's Foreign Minister George Bennots said that the Humanitarian and Reconstruction aid mission to Xsampa will begin winding down this month.  "The primary shipments of food, clothing and construction materials which were allocated following the wanton destruction of the Xsampan Capital have contributed to the well being and emergency aid to the people of Xsampa," said FM Bennots.  "And now that they are past the worst of it, and have laid a solid foundation for their restoration, it is time that Kalistan wind the mission down."  The Foreign Minister reiterated that the regime has retained both its ideological commitment to communism and its association with Kundrati.  "The people of Xsampa are out of the woods and several nations continue to provide assistance to Xsampa, but Kalistan's time there is over."

The Foreign Minister also said that they will maintain consular services in the Dovani nation while those Xsampans who sought refuge in Kalistan are given the opportunity to resettle back in Xsampa.  "Most Xsampans came in via Lourenne," said Bennots.  "Kalistan doesn't currently have direct flights with Xsampa, but we will work with our partners in Lourenne to get all Xsampans who wish to return home back safely.  Those who wish to stay in the Empire are asked to contact the local office of the Interior Ministry in the closest County Seat to their residence to begin inprocessing for naturalization.  The Foreign Minister noted that Xsampa still possesses about ₭10.5 Million in trade credits which it is still eligible to use at anytime in the future.

New Series of Satellites to launch from Spencer
A new series of Surveillance Satellites are scheduled to launch over the next 18 months from Spencer Space and Test Center.  The satellites will be established in Geosynchronous Terran Orbit to provide geosynchronous coverage over various parts of Terra.  "The satellites are funded primarily by KALMILINCO and IBSI, and are designed to watch parts of Terra that our overflights can't reach," said project manager Howard Torrance, of Spencer STC.  "Our primary focus is on notorious bad actors in Artania and Majatra:  Having eyes on these nations is imperative to give Kalistan a crucial edge in preparing for attacks before they are launched against Constituent Nations the the Anantonese Empire, or any of friendly nations in Terra.  We know there are various programs underway that some states would prefer to hide, but it is our intention to deny them that capability."

The surveillance satellites, which will circle the globe at just over 22,200 miles is designed to orbit the planet once every 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds, allowing it to sit over a single point.  A total of sixteen satellites will be launched over the next year and a half and will give Kalistan coverage over most of southern and central Artania, Northern Majatra, and Southern Seleya, all areas where Kalistan is concerned about, but can't easily establish aircraft overflights.  "Knowing what is happening in these places is crucial for Kalistan.  We have a feeling that those countries we are placing satellites over would prefer us not seeing what they are up to, but the security of the Empire is far more important than those countries' desire for secrecy, and hence the satellite surveillance."  All data will be shared with Kalistan's security Partners in the Anantonese Security Community.