Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Luthori to increase Armed Forces' budget and research funds, Premier confirms.
July 5636

Fort William - In light of the deteriorating worldwide situation, with the Luthorians' main enemy in Kundrati once again proving to be a very credible threat to world peace, announcing that their Armed Force would undertake regular daily missile attacks upon the free island of Etxea. Prime Minister Hall and her Government, who criticised the Kalistanis and Hutorians for allowing Kundrati to undertake peace talks, out of the very reasonable fear that Kundrati would only feel emboldened by this move seems to have been proven right, as the Etxean President today rallies his people against the fascist menace in the north. The Prime Minister announced that the Luthorian Armed Forces' budget would be increased to face off against the resurgent threat in the North. This decision was taken, according to the Prime Minister, after a "...sensible and reasonable discussion upon which we've agreed that this would be the best course of action to undertake...".

As expected when talking about Kundrati, Parliament, in its entirety announced their support for the budget increase. The Conservative opposition in the Chamber introduced amendments to increase the Chamber's Financial Committee's oversight over the budget increase, but remained supportive of the Government's effort to secure Luthorians against any potential actions from Kundrati. The Secretary of State for Defence outlined the goals that this budget increase will try to assure for the Armed Forces. No longer talking about modernisation, or remobilisation, the Luthorian Armed Forces' aim, according to the Defence Secretary is to encourage "innovation" by increasing subsidies towards defence corporations.

"The Government's aim is to create a technologically superior military, while also making good usage of Luthori's large population to fill the ranks in case of emergency", stated the resigning Defence Secretary, Henry Braverman, he reportedly met with high tech leaders such as DeepBlue Instruments, Fox Eyes or LSMC and defence contractors such as ASA Defence Systems or the Hayden Corporation in hopes of encouraging future weapons development programs and collaboration between all of these companies. 

The Government today eyes the creation of a 6th-generation fighter jet capable of replacing both the current HF-35 (from Hutori) and HF-15 (from Hutori) for the creation of a domestically-produced fighter jet, capable of handling both planes' current missions within the Air Force. The Luthorian Prime Minister nonetheless confirmed that this process of replacement of current military aircraft after research and development (that is, if successful) will take "some time, at least". The budget increase might also see increased funds going towards the Imperial Navy and the Imperial Army, the former wanting to scrap and replace the currently ageing Empress Elizabeth-aircraft carrier and the Emperor Charles-aircraft carrier. Both aircraft carriers have served within the Imperial Navy for the last 40 years and their status has been the cause of numerous debates within the Imperial Defence Staff.

The Luthorian Government is interested towards building new aircraft carriers, although still with the same Emperor William-class of aircraft carriers to replace both currently operating carriers, and towards building a new fighter jet, in the form of the so-called Strategic Defence Initiative, a roadmap published by the Air Force Board which preconised the development and the construction of a new generation of fighter jets to replace those that are currently being used by the Air Force, in a bid to reduce Luthori's reliance on other nations for such weapons [namely Hutori] and continue the development of Luthori's defence industry through this initiative, although it should be noted that this roadmap has been published years ago and for now, no Luthorian Government whether they are Conservative or Labour-led, have currently acted upon it.

His Majesty the Emperor's Office announced that he [The Emperor] would visit a defence installation in Erneshire, looking forward to "observe" the "building up of Luthorian defence capabilities", the monarch's office stated that the Sovereign was "hopeful to meet up with courageous men and women serving their nation with the best of their ability by contributing to national defence". Future Empress Valeria's first public engagement has been confirmed to be, alongside her future husband, in their trip in the realms of Luthori and Mordusia, as announced by the Palace in April. The Orange Palace is looking forward organising state visits in Hutori, with the aim of reducing the current frostiness of Luthori-Hutorian relations which has been the case ever since both Hall and Woodbury's respective rises in the Premierships. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office retook Hutori's Foreign Ministry's consideration of Luthori-Hutorian relations as being "frosty, but familial", in order to downplay the fears of long-term hostility.

Foreign Office veteran, Oliver Paterson stated that the current status of relations between both nations seems to be driven by a mutual dislike between both Prime Ministers that has culminated in the disappearance of the relative peaceful status of both nations' relations under both Prime Minister Rodgers and, yes even Hall, with former Hutorian Prime Minister Kensington.

Finally, to finish our paper about this interesting development, the Luthorian missile contractor, Savran Systems announced that in light of the recent and daily missile attacks upon Etxea. The Kundrati Government-in-Exile and the Luthorian contractor reached an agreement for the purchase and delivery of CAMM missiles alongside the Sky Sabre missile defence system, aimed at helping them repel and destroy the Kundrati barrage of missiles. For now, the expected number of such systems to be delivered is about 150, yet they remain hopeful that more defence system will be delivered in the future.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Emperor Richard II and Empress Valeria married in large ceremony in Fort William.
July 5636



Fort William - It was the day! The day in which the Imperial Family would grow even larger. The wedding ceremony of Emperor Richard II and Princess Valeria took place today at the St-Richard Cathedral in a long Luthorian tradition. Princess Valeria, who became Empress-Queen Valeria through her marriage with the Emperor is the daughter of Egelion's Royal Councillor Veronica Mondragon, Duchess of Edergira, the marriage of the House of Orange-Villayn and Egelian noble houses marks the second time in a century that this has happened, the first instance being with Princess Alice's wedding with the King of Egelion, Amadeo, both parents of the current monarch, King Romulo.

The Egelian royal family was present to the wedding ceremony alongside the parents of the bride. Luthorian statesmen like the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and numerous Senators and Members of the Chamber of Representatives were also invited to the wedding, former Prime Ministers Rodgers and Brakenbrooke were also present and the widow of former Prime Minister MacGregor and her family were also invited to the wedding ceremony. Members of the Imperial Family were also present to this wedding, as was widely expected of them. Surprisingly, both the Hutorian Prime Minister and members of the Hutorian Royal Family, in the name of the Prince of Adelia, Alexander who came with his wife and daughter to the wedding ceremony, arguably, the only royal family to come to this wedding.

The ceremony in itself was headed, as announced in April by the Archbishop of Oalapo, Mgr. John Arwen. Coming down from her state-gifted Taylor-Yeoman Statesman SUV, the bride entered to the cathedral dressed in a magnificent £341,000 wedding dress designed by imperial designer, Sir Charles Hammond, alongside her father, who walked with her daughter through the aisle, before arriving at the Church's sanctuary, where the ceremony could begin. After exchanging their vows and after the Archbishop asked them if they wanted to take each other as husband and wife, which of course, both of them accepted, the Archbishop blessed their marriage and the imperial anthem, God Save the King was sung by all guests at the Cathedral, except foreign dignitaries, of course.

After the ceremony, the newly-weds departed from the Cathedral and engaged in a 3.4 miles ride between the St. Richard Cathedral and the Orange Palace, passing by landmarks of the City of Fort William such as Darlington Palace and the famous Elswith Tower (Great Clock of Darlington or Big Ben), the Holy Imperial Palace and the Orange Park before arriving at the Orange Palace. Entering the Palace with the cheers of the crowd which had already assembled in the Charles VII Avenue. The Emperor and Empress were seen waving to the crowds that had assembled to watch their wedding. The Imperial couple entered the Orange Palace while the Police dismantled the security barriers that had been put in place through the road of the imperial carriage to assure the Emperor and Empress' security. The dismantling of the security barriers allowed the crowd at the Orange Park to flood the Charles VII Avenue and the Empress Elizabeth's Memorial.

According the Fort William Metropolitan Police Department, the crowd in front of the Orange Palace, in the Charles VII Avenue and on the Empress Elizabeth's Memorial Square was about 500.000, adding to this, the Metropolitan Police estimated that around 1.25 millions Luthorians had lined up on the procession's road to return to the Orange Palace. Emperor Richard II and Empress Valeria were within the Prince Mark' State Coach, from where it was easier for the Imperial couple to greet every single of their subject that made the journey to come see them. Protection for the wedding was assured by the Fort William Metropolitan Police Department and the 52nd Imperial Guard Regiment, tasked with the protection of such events.

The newly-weds monarchs appeared on the balcony of the Orange Palace later on, appearing before a cheering crowd assembled below them at the Empress Elizabeth's Memorial Square. As per with tradition, Emperor and Empress kissed on the balcony after their ceremony, as it is the case with every single Luthorian royal wedding. The Emperor and Empress were accompanied by their respective families and alongside them, in a breach of traditional protocol which states that only the Luthorian Imperial Family can come to the Balcony, both the Hutorian Royals who were present and the Egelian royal family were allowed to appear alongside the Imperial Family and the Mongradon Family at the Balcony to greet the ecstatic crowd assembling before the Palace's balcony.

The Government announced that in commemoration of the event, the £5 banknote would see slight modification to include both the Emperor and Empress' portrait for a limited period of time. The Post Office also announced the creation of a special "Wedding Stamp" to commemorate the happy event. The Palace confirmed that the imperial couple would enjoy a honeymoon in the royal residence of Oshburn Castle and would enjoy their summer vacation in the royal residence of Highbury House, before taking on a tour of their realms of Luthori and Mordusia by September. The Luthorian Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) confirmed that over 87.214.027 Luthorians watched on television the wedding ceremony through their network, with estimates stating that over 2 billion people watched live as the "Wedding of the Century" took place in Fort William.

In other news, sources told the Weekly Telegraph that Prime Minister Hall and her Hutorian counterpart, Rosalyn Woodbury, have met in a undisclosed location. This first meetings between the two heads of government, between whom relations between Luthori & Hutori have reached an historic low in modern history, seems to be the signal of a "new relationship" in the making, at least that's the message that both the Luthorian Foreign Office and the Hutorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems to be conveying. More information about that said meeting are to follow.

[GreekIdiot]

Amudim
The fate of the throne
December 5636
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-6960.html#pid6960

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Helping contribute to South Dovani's future success - MABC's rallying cry as company opens subsidiary.
March 5637



Fort William - South Dovani, formerly known as Hanzen, has after a tumultuous period of numerous military coups, revolutions that overthrew its monarchy and the socialist republic, seems to have finally stabilised itself as a nation of rationality with a somewhat stable democratic governance. Amid the economic turmoil of the last decades, the Ministry of Finance announced a bold plan of privatising the government-ran corporations, in a bid to encourage a "socially responsible way towards market economy". This development caught the eyes of the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation, who after overseeing the last decades in relative decline, again, comparable to the decline of Canrillaise and Yeudi banking in recent decades.

In hopes of reverting their decline, the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation entered negotiations with the South Dovanian government in hopes of receiving its seal of approval to create a subsidiary branch in South Dovani. The MABC stated that their goal was to transform South Dovani into a "centrepiece of Dovanian finance" through its installation there. MABC CEO stated that South Dovani was the "most stable and open environment in Dovani" to consider opening a subsidiary branch in. Other nations have been considered such as Bianjie, but their status as a heavily-regulated economy turned off hopes of creating a subsidiary branch in the near future, although Bianjie's political stability in the current environment was a welcomed sight in an traditional unstable Dovani environment.

Having secured the approval from the South Dovani Government to create a subsidiary branch there, the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation announced the creation of SD MABC, a branch of the international bank that would focused around South Dovani for the foreseeable future. Following in the footsteps of Egelion's banking corporations who also announced investments in South Dovani as well, the Luthorians seeks to be a part of the long process of transforming South Dovani's economy into a market economy and the transformation of the South Dovanian people's lifestyle through "responsible investments" in the South Dovanian economy.

The Martwick-Alchester Banking Company's South Dovani branch announced that the SD MABC branch would open its headquarters in the Setthamani financial district, where the Banco Ibarra also opened its South Dovani branch five months ago. MABC is hopeful that the creation of the subsidiary branch would be a "factor in continuing South Dovani's economic growth and foster economic development" of the region.

In other regions, the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation stated to be "following" potential investments opportunities in both Kalopia and Valruzia.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Luthori to mobilise 1.2 million soldiers as per conscription orders, says Prime Minister.
March 5637



Fort William - With the prospect of total war ever drawing closer, the Luthorian Prime Minister addressed the nation, announcing that the orders for the mobilisation of a part of the Luthorian reserve force into active service will be enacted under the terms of the Military Service Restoration Act. The Defence Office announced that this meant that over 800.000 Luthorian reserve soldiers would called into the military to serve within it. The Secretary of State for Defence, John Abraham (Liberal) stated that this move was "critical" and "necessary" in light of the "current worsening situation in Etxea". This announcement comes after numerous events dramatically changed the cards in the conflict against the Legion. The first being the ultimatum sent to Kundrati by the Davostag government, demanding the full restoration of the rights of the Davostag citizens and the stopping of the bombing of Etxea. Then, the Kalistanis announced sending an expeditionary force to Etxea, under Etxean command. Then, finally, Kundrati announced its refusal of the ultimatum

These development, combined with the continuation of the Luthorian war effort against Kundrati, through its support of Etxea, convinced the Government that a full war was "inevitable", and that the resuming of the Etxean War, this time in all of Kundrati was doomed to happen anyway.

Prime Minister Hall met with parliamentary leaders with the aim of forming an "intra-partisan" War Government, in anticipation of the coming conflict. The Luthorian Defence Staff at the Citadel announced that the Luthorian High Command was already "working out" with partners in Etxea and other nations to look forward to an increased collaboration. Luthorian mobilisation of part of its reserve force means that it's the first time that it has happened ever since the Etxean War.

Luthorian Armed Forces' total numbers are expected to grow to 1.2 million soldiers at the end of 5638, when mobilisation of the Armed Forces is expected to be completed.

Emperor Richard II is expected to visit a military base to show the support of the Luthorian Monarchy towards its armed forces in this time of need and His Majesty wishes to address the nation amid a time of uncertainty in the next days.

[Zanz]

Luthorian Capital Uninterested in Free Yerrawa Despite Centuries of Interest in "New Mordusia"
Truth, Yerrawa, March 5637

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Bianjie's rebukal of MABC CEO not unnoticed.
May 5637



Fort William - Controversy in the financial sector begun after the controversial statements from MABC CEO, where he stated that Bianjie was “too regulated” for the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation. In theory, these comments coming from a Luthorian CEO would pass off the Bianjie’s Government radar, yet it wasn’t the case on this occasion. The Bianjian Minister of Finance directly responded to the Luthorian CEO’s rather damning statement about her country. The Minister defended her country’s policy and subtly criticize the CEO’s statements, as well as showing Bianjie as a place “opened to fair and responsible business dealings”, in Luthori, due to the War in Kundrati resuming because of a new coalition forming to deal a crippling blow to the fascist regime in Kundrati. The response was much more muted amid news of Western downgrade in financial circles.

Dubbed as the ‘Death of the West’, the East already took the opportunity to use this moment of Western weakness against it. And a further disengagement of Western influence is sure to be expected from Eastern regions, with a rise of regional powers and a potential great power in the region. Although the response from Bianjie was muted in Luthori, it was still amid the mountains of bad developments for Luthorian finances and economy, being even more staggering due to the Hall ministry’s decision to mobilise 800.000 additional troops for the war effort, sending shockwaves through the Western world.

One key personality to have stated his remarks on the Minister of Finance’s statement, was WFH own C'est CEO. The Ward Financial Holdings is the MABC’s main competitor bank in activity in Luthori and in such a weak moment for its rival, it was sure to jump into the opportunity. Reacting positively to the Minister’s address, Mr. Ward remarked jokingly towards its rival that it was “rare” for a banking organisation to “push away potential opportunities”, stating that they should become “pest exterminators” instead. He announced that the Ward Financial Holdings were “interested” into the “prospect” of investing into real estate, while ruling out potential expansion through a subsidiary branch in Bianjie, about that subject, he stated that a “potential subsidiary branch isn’t necessary for now”.

Bianjie has been investing in housing development scheme in the last 2 years, and the Ward Financial Holdings’ investment hasn’t yet been officialised, it’s expected to come after the end of the war in Kundrati, where Luthorian markets are expected to stabilise and allow for investments to be orchestrated. For now, Mr. Ward focus around the war effort and supporting our troops abroad, and he stated that the “last remaining details” of the investment agreement are yet to be finalisdd between the Luthorian firm and the Government in Bianjie.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Cabinet announces press censorship on military operations in Kundrati; Emperor addresses the Nation.
April 5637

Fort William - With the beginning of the War in Kundrati, the Cabinet announced today a "special decree", signed by the Emperor Richard II, that would implement censorship about military operations in Kundrati. The Luthorian Prime Minister's Press Secretary stated that the Government's announcement of press censorship was "limited by law, and temporary", the Secretary of State for the Home Department or Home Secretary, Thomas Koch announced in Parliament that the decree would see all press articles pass through an "temporary" government-parliamentary special committee, as per with the terms of the War Measures Act.

The Opposition who would have been criticising the policy in another context, supported the Government's decision due to the "exceptional nature" of the situation that Luthori herself into. Radio Free Terra criticised the decision nonetheless, with an address towards the Luthorian people slamming the Cabinet's decision to implement press censorship stating that "the Luthorian people must know what happens in Kundrati through the free press". The Government slammed the Radio's response to the situation by calling it "irresponsible" and threatening "our fine troops' safety on the ground". Prime Minister Hall confirmed that Luthorian and Coalition troops were currently invading Kundrati proper in a grand "Campaign of Liberation" of the Kundrati Mainland.

The declaration came after a meeting of the Imperial Defence Committee, alongside the Leader of the Opposition and the Imperial Household Minister, representing the Emperor within the War Government. The Conservative Party announced that it was going to "collaborate" with the current government for the war effort, yet ruled out the possibility of a full-blown emergency war cabinet under the leadership of the current Prime Minister. For now, the Leader of the Opposition, Reginald Weston is sitting within the Imperial Defence Committee as Leader of the Conservative Party, but not as a sitting Cabinet member.

Due to the War becoming more heated that ever, the Emperor addressed the Nation after having cancelled his tour in Mordusia due to the deteriorating situation in Luthori proper, focusing with his wife, Empress Valeria upon touring Luthori itself before the War broke out. His Majesty appeared on television networks at 8 PM, in Luthori and made another address towards Mordusia who announced sending a contingent of 90.000 troops to help the Luthorian and international war effort.

"..As today, we embarked on a new journey, where our troops currently overseas are fighting for the freedom of others that we have the luxury to enjoy. It is paramount that today, in this time of great uncertainty, we come together as one people, regardless of our political affiliation, sexual orientation, religious orientation and so on. We must remember that we are all Luthorians and I'm telling you now, as your monarch and fellow citizen, that we must stand as one in the face of tyranny and support our troops in this dangerous endeavour..."

The Empress and Emperor's press offices have announced that the Imperial Household had donated £3.000.000 to the war effort and announced that the Empress had become the patron of the "Etxean and Kundrati's Veterans' Association", an association formed to help all current and former soldiers of the Etxean War and the Second Kundrati War post-war. Empress Valeria isn't expected to address the nation as of now, as the Empress-Consort remains committed at her charity work and visiting soldiers in Etxea or in Luthorian bases.

The Imperial Household Ministry refused to comment on a future visit from the Emperor and Empress in Etxea, while in active war zone. The Holy Luthori Church blessed all soldiers fighting in Kundrati for the "liberation of all Kundratis and Artanians from tyranny".

The Imperial Defence Staff announced to the press that the Operation Unicorn, aimed, in collaboration with other collaboration troops, in a wider operation, aimed at landing troops in Kundrati, had been successfully undertaken, with today, a portion of Kundrati having been freed from the long tyranny of the Kundrati fascist regime, at great rejoicing of democracy activists.

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Cabinet embraces new foreign policy advisors; Luthorian-Yeudi Professor enters Foreign Office and Privy Council.
October 5637



Fort William - The Cabinet Office and the Privy Council jointly announced that the Civil Service would be expanding in the Foreign Office, amid needs of "rethinking" Luthori's foreign policy in the near future.

University professors interested in helping that happen have been invited within the Foreign Office to act as advisor to the Emperor, the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister regardless of political affiliation, one key surprise is the appointment of the Luthorian-Yeudi professor, Ethan Benowitz-Harrington to both the Foreign Office and the Privy Council, advising the Emperor and Prime Minister on the right course to chart for Luthori's foreign policy depending on the administrations (political parties) in power.

Linked to the Yeudi Benowitz House and to the Luthorian House of Harrington, he's a descendent of both former Prime Minister of Luthori, Richard Harrington, Duke of Threwiford and of the Benowitz family of former Beiteynu. His appointment was surprising due to his critics of Luthorian foreign policy with Kundrati and the National Labour Party's leadership of the nation. He self-identifies as a Conservative Party supporter, speaking and advising current Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Foreign Secretary on Luthori's foreign policy.

The Leader of the Opposition embraced these appointments as a "right change" and congratulated all the new advisors to the Cabinet, vowing to keep them if the Tories comes into power, as their "gracious advice will be appreciated".

The Palace refused to comment on this. The Prime Minister's Office released only a small statement evoking the needs for a "new course".

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Crippled shipping industry embraces Mordusian partnership and hope create close trading partners in Seleya.
October 5638



Fort William - For a long time now, Luthori's foreign relations have remained stagnant, and in consequences, Luthori's commercial partners remained the same, without any bold move to their relationship being made by either parties. The stagnation experienced in Luthori and the rapidly changing dynamics in foreign relations and commercial weight of each continent seems to have driven the Luthorian shipping industry, which has been considered as being crippled ever since the Lost Souls War and stagnant since its recovery towards an increased interest towards solidifying Luthori's existing trading partnerships.

In Seleya, Luthori's trading partners collapsed with the severing of relations between Fort William and Kensington (Lodamun) and Fort William and Clovisport (Likatonia), effectively neutering Luthorian access to goods from Northern Seleya, as Luthorian trading partners either drifted away from Fort William in search for new economic and commercial partners or effectively were neutered economically. That means that the last bastion of Luthorian-Seleyan trade lays in Mordusia. The Commonwealth of Mordusia remains Luthori's most reliable and trustworthy partner in the Seleyan continent and Luthori-Mordusian trade was expected to grow after the weakening of Luthori's trade links with other nations such as Aldegar, Lodamun and Likatonia.

It wasn't to be, as stated, Luthori's own economic problems drastically reduced trade between Luthori and other nations, with studies stating that Luthorian trade has been in decline ever since the beginning of the century, and now Luthorian businesses, looking towards the future without interference from the Labour Government in difficulty in the Chamber of Representatives, seems to be looking towards a renewal of Luthori's connection with its first and most trustworthy economic partners, and that's where Mordusia comes into play.

Mordusia is one of Seleya's largest economy, being nonetheless behind the Kalistani and Lodamese economies in terms of raw numbers, but still representing an enormous potential overall, and it has been, weirdly enough considering the character of these said companies, relatively left untouched by Luthorian finances and corporations, at the benefit of other economic powers in the region such as Aldegar or Kanjor. Recent developments seems to have encouraged the Luthorians to consider their cards and to reassess their foreign policy in light of the unspeakable truth, that the West is declining and the East rising at an alarming level.

Seleyan markets aren't the most amicable to Luthorian businesses, we can remember the tensions originating from these between Kalistan and Luthori during the 5490s, tensions that might rise up for another time if Luthori pursue its (formerly) aggressive and ruthless approach to economic diplomacy. A slow and reasonable approach, focused towards long-time partners and friends might be the way forward for the Empire to find some form of relevance in this increasingly changing world order, with dynamics changing rapidly towards an entrenched multipolar world, that said policy will reassure ties between Luthori and other states while not alienating the Luthorians from potential partners.

It should be noted though, that this policy is largely engaged by corporations and not the Imperial Government itself, it remains to be seen if these will be followed in the grim and shadowy halls of Bismarck Palace. The Southern Shipping Corporation (SSC) is expecting in its latest study that the Mordusian-Luthorian bilateral trade is expecting to rise by 3.8 % in the next year, especially as Luthorian goods might find an interested partner and customer in Mordusia, which is speaking the same language and linked culturally to Luthori.