Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Empress Sacks Cabinet
Kalistan praises Valruzia and looks to send Reps; Wanderlust gears up for new Album
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 7, 5633


ARC's Wanderlust embrace the darkness on their upcoming album

Empress Sacks Cabinet; Names fully new Government
In a fairly spectacular housecleaning step, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto kicked off her administration by removing the old Cabinet and replacing it with a different one.  "Her Imperial Majesty has decided that the old cabinet, which was left over from her Father's reign was no longer to her liking," said Her Highness Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, speaking for the Empress.  "She felt that this was the time for a new start in Kalistan, and has named a government which she feels aligns closer to her vision for the Empire."  No specific incidents were mentioned that precipitated the replacement of the Government, but one thing is noteworthy:  Most of the new Ministers named are identified with Orthodox tendencies in the Institutionalist Party, and are therefore expected to recenter Kalistan's focus at home.  They are also exceptionally young, with the average age at just 31 years old. 

Lady Anya Waltrip, who served as Foreign Minister under Fredrick III Ananto is the only minister who will keep her job.  Lady Michelle Ananto reportedly advised Her Imperial Majesty on the selections.

The New Government which will begin their tenure on January 15 is:

Chancellor of the Empire   Michael Koenig
Foreign Affairs   Lady Anya Waltrip
Internal Affairs   Kerry McDonnell
Finance   Alicia Thompson
Defense   Captain Oscar Buenaventure, KRA
Justice   Hon. Esperanza Cardoso-Watley
Infrastructure and Transport   Wayne Smith
Health and Social Services   Dr. Kylie Montero
Education and Culture   Janet Simmons
Science and Technology   Albert Lincoln
Food and Agriculture   Calvin Brennan
Environment and Tourism   Dr. Joseph Zearing
Trade and Industry   Mel Greene-Collins

Kalistan Praises Valruzia and looks to Start Diplomacy
Lady Anya Waltrip, who will remain Foreign Minister gave a press conference yesterday where she praised the Republic of Valruzia and said the Empress is interested in opening formal diplomatic relations with the Western Seleyan Republic.  "Her Imperial Majesty took especial interest in the interview their new Head of Government gave where he described Valruzian foreign policy as not being Globalist or Nationalist, but focused on interests and opportunities and their domestic policy based on a strong sense of National Service and Cultural Promotion.

"Her Imperial Majesty sees a lot of admire in the expressed ideals of the new Valruzian Chancellor, and would like to reach out to the Valruzian Government in an effort to improve relations with our neighbors," said Lady Waltrip.  If the Valruzian Government is interested in establishing formal relations with the Empire, Lady Waltrip will lead a delegation to the republic to meet with the Chancellor and take the next step.

"Who knows what is possible?" asks the Foreign Minister.  "I'd think anything is on the table, that covers our two nations' overlapping interests.  If we visit on Her Imperial Majesty's behalf, it will be up to me to find where those mutual interests lie.  I think at the least we would like to engage in some cultural exchange and increase our trade via Lodamun.  But security cooperation, removing barriers to trade and travel, all of it is something that Her Imperial Majesty is interested in.  Kalistan certainly stands in a position to assist Valruzia to meet many of its Valruzia 5700 goals, including sharing mining, battery, and heavy manufacturing techniques that are industrially proven and environmentally friendly, becoming a source for nickel and lithium, as well as semiconductors, and the tech necessary to manufacture them, electrical motors, and biodiesel fuels and biopolymer plastics, and helping them develop their own capacities so they are not dependent on foreign states.  There are many bridges between our two nations that we can build."

Lady Waltrip says she stands ready to visit Valruzia to talk further, if there is interest.

Wanderlust Gears up for its next Album
Coming off a break following a year long tour in 5628, the Alt-Pop band Wanderlust reported that they were in the studio recording new material and hope to have a new album out by year's end.  "It's been a long break," said singer Elga Nilsson.  "We've had plenty of time to get rested and get re-energized.  And most of all, we've gotten back into writing, and I've been working with Peer (Markinsson) to write new songs.  We have about 45 songs that are pretty much done, so we have a pick of music that we can do to make a coherent record."

Nilsson said this record would have an electronic tilt to it.  "We were writing mainly in two main genres," said the singer.  "While Peer and Lindy stayed here in Sulari, I actually got myself a house in Vrassa City, which is a lot more rural, a lot more rustic, but they still play alt-Folk up there, and I think you might even say, there is a country scene in Vrassa, and there's a lot of really pretty music coming out of that scene.  It's all very bucolic and pastoral, and down to earth.  But I think that might be its own record.  We wanted to try something really different this time, and I think the band has been aiming at using sequencers and maybe like electronic drum pads and making a more synthetic more industrial sound than we have done in the past.  You can only make lounge music so long before it doesn't sound sincere, and we've also grown up as a band together, so I would say expect something new."

Nilsson said she had the opportunity to meet the Royal family and has stayed in touch with her (self-proclaimed) number one fan, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, who is still doing National Service, over the last couple years.  "Ha ha:  I hope it doesn't disappoint her," said Nilsson.  "We always pay attention to our fans, but she's like a super fan.  She wrote four months ago and said she'd like whatever we did, so I'm going to go with that."

Nilsson said that the band is recording now, and if they can stay on schedule, will be done with post-production by November.  "Look for a December Release," said Nilsson.  She also said she doesn't anticipate a huge tour for this record.  "We're toured out, I would say.  Maybe a few shows here and there.  Maybe a Command Performance, hint hint Margo...  because I know she's reading this...  But once we're done here, I would like to keep working and go right into another record."

@TheRepublic