Kalistani Major History

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A Visit to Kaliburg House
Kalistani Royals discuss foreign policy at new digs in the Capital
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 1, 5521


Her Imperial Majesty and His Highness the Prince Consort at the new Kaliburg House

The Empress and Prince Consort met reporters at their newly completed townhouse in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Kaliburg. The Kaliburg House, a 15 bedroom, 10 bath 27,000 square feet mansion, on 25 mostly wooded acres, is designed as a home away from Eveari, for the royal family to live in when they come into town from Eveari.

"This is almost too much house for Nicolette, Freddy and myself," said HHPC Bjorn. "And then of course, there's the staff, who have their own quarters outside of the main house. And the grounds keepers and the grooms for the horses... Its all quite a lot..."

Following a tour, the two royals discussed a number of current events, including the first couple years under ReNew Government and developments in Gaduridos.

"We began our interactions with ReNew and Chancellor Parkinson on a very positive note," said The Empress. "We were very impressed with his willingness to work with the outgoing majority leader, and his desire to listen. Chancellor Parkinson has a intellectual curiosity, and a serious commitment to change. We are hoping that the remainder of ReNew's Term remains moderate, and even keeled and we look forward to continuing to work with the Government to improve Kalistan."

The Empress also discussed Seleyan Affairs. "Our revitalization of the Crowns of Vintalli and Andalay have been met with more or less apathy in the world around us," said Empress Nicolette. "Which may be for the best. I think the original Anantos should have revitalized the titles when they recreated the Monarchy, and this was merely an oversight."

The Empress explained the titles. "These titles were stripped from the Anantonese Empire during the Plateau Wars and were then abandoned before the beginning of Modern History. It has been more than 3500 years, and Kalistan is merely reclaiming our patrimony." The titles cover Modern day Gaduridos and 3 of the 5 states in modern Lodamun, but the Empress was careful to add, "While these titles are ours by right, recovering what was stolen from us in the past, we have no plans to assert these claims at the time: 3500 years has assured that whoever lives in those territories now they aren't Kalistani Nationals."

When asked whether the Crown of Kazulia communicated any opinion on the recreation of the titles to Andalay and Vintalli to the Prince Consort, HHPC Bjorn said, "Well, if I know my family, they are committed to their constitutionalism. I feel that Kalistan's system could offer Kazulia an important example on how to potentially strengthen the power of the Crown. This is not to say, of course, that my homeland does things wrong. Its more that I have come to appreciate the degree of authority possessed over policy by the Empire here in Kalistan."

Asked about Seleyan affairs, HHPC Bjorn answered, "Kalistan has made some great strides in strengthening ties with Lodamun. Besides securing several AWACS from Lodamun, we are currently in discussion with the Commonwealth over expanding their radar network, and intelligence sharing across the Jah River. The program of floating radar stations, which can be stationed in the Strait as well as in the deep ocean in the Anantonese will give us very valuabe early warning on all matter of things, whether it be approaching storms or approaching ships. Ideally, we would like to work with Gaduridos, when they get their government together, to expand that network far to the south."

"Gaduridos is obviously of great interest to us," said the Empress. "Not only because of our historic affinity with the southern Republic, but because it is becoming increasingly important to build long range vision on nations to our South. One never knows when some random country will start a new war, as the world seems more and more interested in doing. Perhaps this will involve forward bases in Gaduridos, or some other sort of arrangement, but nothing can happen until Gaduridos restores its government." The Empress solidly denied that there are intelligence assets in Gaduridos right now actively seeking a way that Kalistan can assist with stabilizing the country. "If there were, IBSI would never admit it. Our Foreign Ministry knows of more than 15,000 Kalistani Nationals who reside and do business in Gaduridos, but none of them were listed as Kalistani Government Agents, other than those affiliated with the Embassy and the Embassy's security force. Naturally, if requested, we will do our part to assist in any stabilization efforts that Gaduris develop organically."

When asked if the Prince Consort and the Empress plan to do any additional world tours, Prince Consort Bjorn laugh, "I think we have a FOMAT to call. Touring the world is on the back burner at the moment." Asked where they would go if they went abroad again, Bjorn smiled and said "North. I would like to take my son to visit Kazulia."

The interview completed, the Royal Couple's guests were treated to afternoon tea and cakes.

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Streetcars launch in Sulari, Neveras City
More infrastructure to be sought if Pilot is successful
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
January 31, 5522


The Kaliburg Streetcar is introduced in Sulari and Neveras in Pilot Study

The Kalistani transportation firm Transpo (KalSiE: TRA) has concluded a contract with the Free City of Sulari and the City of Nevaras City to build 75 street cars, based on the Kaliburg Streetcar model and lay tracks in both towns. The electric street cars are fed by overhead powerline, and run on an electrical track that powers the motor for the vehicle. One Streetcar motor can pull an additional tram carrying a max of 36 passengers each, which is 22 more passengers than a single city bus.

"Streetcars are a long time feature of Kaliburg," said Sulari's Assistant City Manager Valerie Doggert, "and after doing a comprehensive five year study that compared their public transportation system to Sulari's, we found that their system is more expensive to operate, but saves significantly in fuel and maintenance cost over Sulari's public system. Additionally, their streets are on average 40% less congested than similar streets in Sulari. We could conceivably replace up to 30 percent of our bus fleet with regular schedule street cars down town, open up foot space per lane for cars, and also create a bike lane in a system which will start generating positive revenues in less than 10 years. The City Councilors have thus approved the program unanimously, as a pilot, and have given us 15 years to build the infrastructure and operate it." Nevaras City has also approved a similar program, and would like to test the cost effectiveness of the program in a less densly populated urban environment.

"Ultimately, if these pilots are successful, we'd like to see the Streetcar infrastructure expand further out from the city center, to include more of the suburbs and outlying neighborhoods," said Doggert. "I also think that successful pilots in Sulari and Neveras should give other municipalities the data they need to begin building similar infrastructure for public transit in their cities, and stop relying on busses and taxis so heavily."

Doggert also said the City of Sulari and the Duchy of Suldanor are looking into beginning a light commuter rail service between Sulari and surrounding local communities. "That will be a harder lift, I think, once we get too far outside the metropolitan area, because the RailSul already connects Sulari with adjacent cities. But the goal is to cut down on traffic congestion and travel times from the suburbs and exurbs, so it would still be economically feasible to provide that service and then once the initial fees are laid out, we can maintain it on user fees and public transportation money."

TRA's price in the KALSIE increased 2% on the news, and trade volume remains steady around the stock.

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Kalistan to take part in Seko's reconstruction
The first batch of humanitarian supplies arrived in Heimeikyo today
February 1, 5522


Volunteers check cargo with aid before loading them onto planes in Sulani, duchy of Suldanor

In a statement released this morning, Her Majesty's Foreign Minister Elizabeth Brown stated that Kalistan will work with the Provisional Government of Seko to rebuild the country. Explaining the government's decision, the minister pointed to Kalistan's "long history of lending a helping hand to our neighbors", adding that "helping those in trouble is in our genocode". For now, the assistance will be limited limited to two teams from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and medics, who will provide aid to the victims and rebuild destroyed houses, as well as help at medical centers in refugee camps. Right now there will be no loans or financial support, the Minister said, as any allocation of money from the budget must be agreed by the National Assembly.

After the briefing on the Seko situation, the Minister was quick to echo the Empress' words that Kalistan intends to strengthen its contacts with Lodamyn and strongly dispelled rumors that there is a presence of Kalistani operatives in Gaduridos.

A few hours after the Foreign Minister's briefing, the first images emerged from the airbase in Sulari, from where a string of military planes filled with clean water, food and medical supplies flew to the Northeast. Volunteers helped prepare the aid, gluing a label with the country's flag on each cargo. Some of the packages were decorated with the blue and yellow emblems of the ReNew Kalistan party. It was explained to us that the party headquarters did make some support package, but the government prepared the bulk of it. "I don't think this will be enough," sighed a young girl, a medical student sets out to hone her nursing skills in a devastated country. "This could all be used up in three days. Yes, we will give them warm clothes, and stuff, but all the bombing, all the..., just the war, the occupation.... It's all in ruins there now. I think we need to help them, well, with money, obviously, whatever it takes."

Some volunteers, mostly men, flew with the rescuers, forming a semblance of construction crews. They landed in Heimeikyo, once the jewel of the country, now razed almost to the ground. The rescuers would split into two groups, one going to the coastal area of Nanzan, which had suffered from sea landings, and other to Sanko, a border region that had taken a beating from the Lawrenne Army. Despite the seemingly daunting task, the volunteers are keeping their spirits up, hoping for a warm welcome from the locals.

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Kalistan News In Brief: Government to Pass Homeschool Bill
Lodamunese AWACS training, FOMAT XXVII to be hosted in Kaliburg
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 3, 5522


Minority Leader Lord Stephen Wilkes comments on New Bills in Assembly

Homeschool Bill to Pass the National Assembly
A significant change in the education system is currently making its way through the National Assembly, along partisan lines. Institutional Deputies are expected to all oppose, while ReNew already has the votes to pass the bill. Minority Leader Lord Stephen Wilkes was on hand to offer comment, "Well, they were successful in moving one of the key pieces of their platform. While the Institutionalists oppose it, we do so for very good reasons. The Government seems to have more faith in the exceptional pedagogical training of Kalistan's Parents than my Party does: Seemingly while going through the NSP, lots of people were trained on how to become teachers. But it is now up to all of us to ensure that Kalistani Parents don't teach their home students radical nonsense that is divorced from reality, because the Chancellor knows as well as I do that standardized tests are no substitute for a reality based educational program." The Minority Leader also stated that he wishes to proceed by ensuring that all rigorous curriculum requirements that guide public schools are enforced in Home Schooling as well. "Things like advanced political education regarding the form and function of Kalistan's government are far more important than all the religious drivel that certain parents want to use homeschools to promote. Those Parents who opt for the homeschool option had better follow the laws on the books, and it is our hope that they have no time by the end of the day to present their superstitions, like stories about humans hunting dinosaurs, as if they were valid historical or scientific fact." The Government also passed a Political Advertising bill, with the support of the Minority.

New AWACS deployed in Ananto
Based at Sulu AFB in Ananto, the new E-10 Squadron has begun flying missions over both the Northern and Central Anantonese Oceans. Its mission primarily consists of observing shipping in the Ocean and providing Kalistani planners early Warning of approaching Naval Traffic. "Our job is to keep four of our eight planes in the air around the clock during times of alert, but during peacetime, our missions are a bit more limited for the time being. At the beginning, with the assistance of Lodamese Advisors, we are learning what these planes can and cannot do." said Lt Cmdr Gretta Walters of the new Electronic AeroSpace Squadron of the Regular Air Force. In addition to the deployment of the AWACS over the Anatonese, as part of the deal, Kalistan received the blueprints to begin producing the planes at the AeroKal-Gendaris Facility, who has received a contract from KALMILINCO to produce an additional four planes, and begin looking into submarine detection technology. "That is technology which will enhance our counter-submarine and is what these planes were earmarked for initially before being transferred to Kalistan," said Lt Cmdr Walters. "As the transfers come with an intelligence sharing agreement, improvements that we make here in Kalistan will only enhance Northern Selayan security."

FOMAT XXVII called for Kaliburg
The next edition of the Festival of Musical Arts of Terra has been announced. It will be held at the National Stadium in Kaliburg. Planning for the international competition will begin over the next two years and then the Contest is expected to be held in 5525. Kalistan won the right to host the show 25 years ago when FOMAT XXVI was held in Gaduridos, and the Kalistani Artist Megapipe took top honors. The Committee headed by Marian Bennots and Eddie Bradshaw, both from KMI Records announced the rules at the Announcement Ceremony at KMI HQ in Kaliburg, "The event will be held in August of 5525 at the National Stadium in Kaliburg. Rules are as follows: Each nation is eligible to enter a contestant to the Contest, except Kalistan, who are hosting the event. The Event will be judged by combining Host and Audience Scores, 50-50. Kalistani scores will be based on National Representation (60%), Production Value (30%) and Judges' Preferences (20%). Audience will be asked to rank their preferences by their own criteria. The Committee has decided that in the event of a tied score, we will prefer folk music as opposed to modern music, because we desire to feature ethnic music over homogenized, generic sounding pop music. We welcome all to join and wish all contestants luck!" Additional Information for Entry will be located on FOMAT XXVII's Website (OOC: aka #FOMAT on the Main Discord).

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KMI Eyes Mordusian Music Industry for Expansion
Industry aims to turn music into Big Business
Randworthy, Commonwealth of Mordusia
April 9, 5523


New MMI Studio in Mordusian Capital aims to replicate Kalistani Model

Reps from KMI Records were in Mordusia this month to open the new record studio belonging to the nascent company called MMI, or Mordusian Music Industry. The expansion was meant to cooperate with Mordusian musicians in creating the Industry part of the Music Industry. KMI approached Mordusian investors when it became clear that Mordusian scenes are coalescing and the country is ready to begin seriously pursuing music as a business.

"MMI is fully financed by Mordusian private investors," said Matthew Miller, of KMI. "We were invited here to help them create their business model, as well as provide technical expertise at setting up their studio complex and advise on the actual business of the music industry. We all start somewhere, and, Kalistan has a model that has led to Kalistan being the leader in creation and selling recorded music. We think that Mordusia shows the interest and the drive to take the steps to advancing their music industry, and we want to be on hand to help."

KMI itself was started when the Valruzian Record company VEMI-K began producing records in Kaliburg. Following abandonment by Valruzian interests, Kalistanis took over the operation of the Industry, and Terra's undisputedly greatest Music Industry was born. "As Mordusian scenes begin coalescing, the obvious next steps are that they begin producing records, CDs and Tapes, rather than simply recording directly to a digital streaming platform, which, unfortunately, is what most country's musicians do," said Miller. "The Analog recording techniques are a little older, but the difference between a homemade sound that is common among most of the world's musicians create, and high fidelity mastering of a professional music industry is the difference between watching a television drama about doctors, and actually being a brain surgeon. It takes skill, the correct technology, and lots of discipline and experience. We hope to share that with the Mordusians to encourage them to professionalize and begin specializing their music industry."

Not only has KMI assisted the Mordusian Industry in setting up studios for various recording environments, but also has assisted in setting up both pressing plants for physical media, as well as instructing distributors about setting up distribution networks to local record stores. "We want to continue teaching them about training producers who have their own sounds, and getting their bands managers," said Miller. "These are basic things that improve both quality of the bands, and keep those bands in front of people. Music is just another form of entertainment, and KMI's model demonstrates that with the right structure in place, it can also be a way for bands, producers, engineers, distributors, and countless record store owners to make a living as well. If bands professionalize, they tend to make better music, because they aren't dividing their time between making music and working at the factory or whatever: they have time and space to practice, they get the opportunities to polish their sound and songcraft with excellent and competent producers, and they get to record on the best sounding equipment in the world that people all over the world both will and CAN buy. Any country who is serious about creating an actual music industry has to have this sort of infrastructure in place."

While KMI's pilot project at MMI Studio in Randworthy is meant to be the first of a number of copies built on the same model, KMI expects that it will be the best. "This isn't exactly new tech," said Miller. "Its really method that we are helping them with. We think Mordusia is ready for takeoff here and we want to continue to offer them whatever support we can." MMI is expected to begin recording artists in the Indie-Pop and Alternative Pop genres. KMI has offered a 10 year deal to continue to provide technical support to MMI, as well as distribute Mordusian Albums in Kalistan.

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World Congress
OICT | Office of Information & Communications Technology
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Empowering technology startups on "Terran Maps" software
August 5524

Whale Island - Chief Technology Officer and Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of Information & Communications Technology confirmed that the World Congress has approved the pipeline for the development of a "Terran Maps" software, which also includes various research and development grants for startups and technology companies already invested into the project or looking to invest resources and expertise.

Teams and companies from Kazulia, Kalistan, Beiteynu (and Hutori by extension) are already involved; the OICT will soon setup specialised corporate offices and residential areas in Whale Island, which will also include the necessary infrastructure for the future development of data centers.

Reportedly, the OICT is also in talks with the Digitali Nimshal - a technology agency from the Beiteynuese Government - revolving around The Terran Times and the potential transfer of ownership (and infrastructure) to the World Congress itself.

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OOC: Any player, from the countries mentioned in this post and beyond that, can respond and pickup this story if they want, especially if they're interested in diving into software related RP in general for fun and for the advancement of their countries (aka you can use it as an RP amplifier platform).

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Mordusian Indie Pop begins playing in Kalistan
Deviant hits Number 1 on Radio 1 Singles Poll
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5525


DEVIANT, from Mordusia, becomes first foreign song in more than 35 years to hit #1 on Radio 1 Singles Poll

MMI, KMI's Sister Label in Mordusia, has begun operations in gusto following their founding just a couple years ago. And it only took two years for MMI artists to hit the top of Radio 1's flagship Top 40 Singles Poll. The Mordusian Artists, DEVIANT, who are also contenders at the upcoming FOMAT contest in Kalistan, achieved #1 with their Dream pop Single "Acid Effects", a tune about fleeting love.

"The beat, the production, the subject matter, all targeted right at Kalistani audiences," said chart analyst Tera Shaw, for KRM. "This tune would be as at home in an RF club as it would be in a chill relax mix playing on a streaming service. Kalistanis are loving it, and not only the band itself, but the whole indie pop genre is leading a revival of pop music."

"It's interesting," said music fan Jenna Broward, who was interviewed at Castle Records, a music store in Kaliburg. "I mean, so much music is so loud, and demands to be paid attention to. The Mordusian music I usually listen to is a total vibe more than anything. I can rock out to it, but it doesn't require a lot of my attention, so I can also put it on, study, clean house, hang out with friends. It's chill. It sets a great mood, and it's fun."

While DEVIANT is reaching the top of Kalistani Singles Charts on the Alternative Station, Kalistani acts who are also beginning to make indie pop are starting to do well in clubs in both Kaliburg and Sulari. Singer Megan Bonner of the Kaliburg electropop band Darkmood said "Yeah, the Mordusian music we've been hearing lately has been an inspiration for our band. We kind of started out playing middle of the road stuff, but this music has encouraged us to try to experiment with our sound a little more, to bring in electronica influences and EDM influences. It shows us that we might also get up there too. I like DEVIANT, I can't wait to see them when they come to FOMAT."

Music tastes are notoriously fickle, especially in the pop music genre, but for right now, MMI's DEVIANT are on top in Kalistan. You can check out their single "Acid Effects" on Radio 1 or right here.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzdUeJnn0gM]

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National Geological Survey begins sharing GIS Data internationally
New World Congress Initiative is "right up our alley" said KMD Subsidiary Chief
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
August 30, 5525


Technicians at NGS use Computer Aided Cartography in GIS platform to plot precise maps

Kalistani Cartographers are among the foremost in the world at providing accurately surveyed information about the world's environs. In addition to creation of one of the first physical atlases of Northern Selaya, Kalistani cartographers working for the National Geological Survey have also been working with a KalMD subsidiary in developing a new computer based platform to both measure and create extremely accurate maps based off rigorous geodesic survey. And now, the subsidiary, Kalistani Affiliated Engineering (KalSiE: KAE) is teaming up with the World Congress to provide data regarding not only the Kalistani Landscape and resource pictures, but also to enhance the information available to the world about other nations.

"We know Kalistan does not participate in the World Congress," said KAE CEO Janet Bonham. "But nationally, we have an open door policy for information technology, and if our sharing this information enhances human understanding of the world around us and under our feet, it is in our interest to do so. We have seen atrocious efforts at map making and just bizarre claims about resources available to some countries, and we feel that correcting that record with rigorous, science based data will help us all better evaluate what is actually real and what is science fiction."

Bonham has obtained clearance to release data obtained the GPS/GIS (Geo-Positioning System/Geographical Information System) programs sponsored by the Kalistani Geologogical Survey, founded just over 200 years ago, and hopes it will be used to enhance the knowledge of the world. "It is our intent," said Bonham, "to complete new maps of Kalistani resources, including agricultural zones in the near future. We also want to study the world's climate zones and plate tectonics to provide a better understanding of how weather works and how volcanoes and earthquakes work. We have recently had the opportunity to begin visiting this last question recently with the uptick of minor earthquakes in north eastern Ananto, and would like to not only cooperate with the NGS to better understand these events, but also share the data with others."

KAE will be investing more than ₭25 million to develop an open source data platform that will be considered a "state of the art" platform for the compilation of public survey and scientific data, which should be released in early 5528. "We will also develop a link with the OICT servers on Whale Island to make this information not only publicly available, but also publicly verifiable by others, to ensure that our data is not only useful, but rigorous and accurate. The World Congress Initiative is right up our alley: It merges several things that Kalistan does well, and gives us a new avenue for the advancement of human knowledge."

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Port Elga Expansion Started
Sulari Shipping Consortium to take over operation of Shipyard
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
January 18, 5528


Port Elga Shipyard, which services both commercial and military vessels will be upgraded

Major upgrades to the ship yards at Port Elga, Sulari are in the works, as the ship building operations there are set to be privatized. "KALMILINCO has operated the shipyards in Port Elga since its founding," said Lionel Roberts, of the new investment group Sulari Shipping Consortium, (KalSiE: SSC). "To this effect, Port Elga has primarily served as a service port for military and commercial vessels. Most ship building operations still take place in Kaliburg. But KALMILINCO has been instructed by the Acting Minister of Defense to divest the Shipyard, so that commercial and military construction can be compartmentalized. Military construction will remain at Kaliburg, while commercial construction will be concentrated at Port Elga."

To accommodate the commercial operations, the new consortium has proposed a multi-billion ruble facilities expansion at Port Elga. "Port Elga is well situated at the terminus of the industrial transport infrastructure on the Mainland," said Roberts. "SSC was formed specifically to bring capital in to leverage this existing network to improve the commercial production facilities and expand the servicing port. The expansion, which will take place over the next three years, will greatly increase our ability to build large scale container ships, tanker vessels and supply ships without interrupting the Military construction schedule." Roberts estimates that the new facility, with state of the art technology, will have construction berths for 7 ships, producing new container ships in just over 15 months. "We will also be constructing a pre-fabrication plant onsite to aid in ship building, which should speed our construction processes up, and get us closer to 12 month from start to finish."

Roberts also said that the pre-fabrication plant will have metal press in it to produce shipping containers. "One thing we are seeing in Kalistani shipping is a shortage of shipping containers," said Roberts. "While this signifies a positive balance of trade, on the one hand, it also is a problem in that it bottlenecks our international exports. So our aim is to supply more than a million new containers to the market over the next 10 years. This way, we can cut lead time on demand from order to delivery by as much as two months."

SSC is a relatively new company which represents more than ₭10 billion of initial capitalization. "The Consortium won the bid in a closed bidding process because not only do we have a strong backing from private investment, but a significant buy in from both the Free City of Sulari, and the Port Elga Authority, which maintains and operates the port for the Duchy," said Roberts. "The public money in partnership ensures that both the Duchy and the National Government will have a stake in operations and profitability. For example, as part of the buy in and negotiations, SSC agreed to partial public financing through the National Bank, which includes a set of accounting and transparency laws that are not normally required by the Bank of Suldanor (KalSiE: BOS). We also will be providing reports semi-annually to the Ministry of Infrastructure, and will be still coordinating with KALMILINCO and KALNAFERCO to ensure that the Nation's priorities come first in our production. After that, though, SSC is free to operate for profit and to ensure the highest quality of production to our customers, both domestic and international."

The cautious move toward privatization comes as the Former ReNew dissolves, but the Empress has expressed cautious endorsement to an incremental expansion of the economy to keep pace with Kalistan's neighbors. "The National Government, and Her Imperial Majesty specifically, has called for parity with neighboring countries where possible, and Kalistan has a competitive advantage in a few areas so, this sector is primed for growth, said Roberts. "We will be doing another couple rounds of stock sales that are open to international investors in the next year, and we encourage anyone looking to buy into Port Elga to do so." The expansion, when completed in 5531, will employ more than 8,000 workers in Sulari, and will spur follow on economic activity in the city such as home building, small scale infrastructure projects, city and service expansion, and related service sector job growth.

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The Empress has Died
Earthquake south of Mount Su destroys portion of Maglev train killing 42
Near Mt. Su, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 17, 5528


Ananto Rail Cars derailed when an earthquake triggered landslide destroyed a 300 foot section of track in Mt. Su

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Nicolette II has died. Her Husband, Prince Consort Bjorn is in critical but stable condition in Eveari Medical Center. Both were involved in a tragic derailment of the AnantoRail maglev passenger train which was returning them to their home in Eveari this afternoon. The train derailment was the result of a landslide in the Mt. Su region of the Davon Mountains that was caused by heavier than normal winter rains and a magnitude 7.3 earthquake more than 15 miles away. The landslide covered the track only moments before the train passed, causing it to collide at more than 300 miles per hour and driving it off the track and into a 50 foot deep valley below. Also killed were 41 other passengers travelling from Kaliburg to Eveari, while more than 200 others were seriously injured.

The Empress, who was riding in the front of the train, was said to have been killed instantly in the crash, while Prince-Consort Bjorn survived due to his being two cars behind the royal coach. It was more than 30 minutes before first responders could make it into the remote area where the train crash had occured, due to the damage caused by the earthquakes to service and forest roads in the area, and once on the scene, triage and life flights began for the worst injured, including His Highness the Prince Consort.

The Crown Prince, Fredrick, was in Eveari and was uninjured in the earthquake. Members of the acting Government of Kalistan, including Acting Chancellor Lord Stephen Wilkes, has called His Highness, Duke Victor Ananto to return to Kalistan from his vacation in Gaduridos, to consult about next steps to ensure continuity of the monarchy. It is expected that Duke Victor will fulfill his pledge to serve as regent for the Crown Prince until Prince Fredrick reaches the age of majority, or until Prince Consort Bjorn recovers to the point where he can weigh in on the matter.

Her Imperial Majesty Empress Nicolette II Ananto last year in Eveari

The earthquake which caused the damage was part of a complex of earthquakes in the northern Green Mountains that have been occurring over the last several years. So far, most of the quakes have been confined to unpopulated areas in the Green Mountains. This quake, which was centered more than a mile and a half below the surface, was severe enough to trigger the landslide by loosening the cliff face which had been weakened by heavy rains that have hit the region this winter.

Empress Nicolette II Ananto was age 52. She is survived by her Husband, Prince Consort Bjorn, her brother His Highness Victor Ananto-Martin Duke Suldanor, and son His Highness Fredrick-Bjornsson William Ananto-Nordholm Crown Prince Ananto and Kalistan. Funeral Announcements for the Empress are expected from the Chancellery in the coming days.