The Acta Publica
       |           

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
March 29, 2024, 06:04:20 AM
News: Election Simulator 2.0 Released. Senate/Gubernatorial maps, proportional electoral votes, and more - Read more

  Talk Elections
  Atlas Fantasy Elections
  Atlas Fantasy Elections (Moderators: Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee, Lumine)
  The Acta Publica
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7
Author Topic: The Acta Publica  (Read 14343 times)
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« on: April 24, 2020, 12:44:55 AM »
« edited: August 30, 2022, 01:51:27 AM by Lumine »

Disclaimer: Opening this to get some things posted early and spare myself extra work during the weekend, not formally GM yet so this is just to get the basic information in order.

GAME ENGINE
GM Lumine von Reuental


CONTEXT

With the Fourth Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia having decided to establish a formal Game Engine during the debates of the Constitutional Convention that would serve as a successor to the previous figure of Game Moderator, it was established on Article VI of the Constitution that:

Quote
Fourth Constitution, Article VI, Section 1 (Game Engine):

All powers which the Congress shall deem necessary and proper for simulating either the impact of actions by the Republic of Atlasia, the several Regions, or the citizens thereof; or the actions of non-playable entities, shall be vested in a Game Engine.

The Congress shall have the power to establish the structure and powers of the Game Engine by appropriate legislation.

The Game Moderator (GM) is, as of late 2019, one of the two officeholders representing the Game Engine, the other being the Comptroller General. Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate following the established procedure for Cabinet nominees, the Game Moderator is formally empowered by the Game Engine Reconstruction Act of 2019 to fulfill a key series of duties pertaining simulation of events and arbitration over accepted "reality", as follows:

Quote
Game Engine Reconstruction Act, Section 3:

i. The president shall appoint the game moderator with the advice and consent of the Senate.
ii. The game moderator shall have power, except where limited elsewhere by this legislation:
(a) to simulate the effect of domestic and foreign legislation of the government of Atlasia and of the several regions;
(b) to simulate the actions of non-playable entities;
(c) to simulate domestic and global events;
(d) to be the final arbiter in all questions of the reality of events which occur during their tenure;
(e) to be the final arbiter on the reality of the status quo with respect domestic and global conditions.
iii. The word of a game moderator, once spoken, is Canon, and may not be revoked by their successor.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2020, 12:45:40 AM »
« Edited: May 18, 2022, 03:24:03 AM by Lumine »

1
Lumine von Reuental, 10th, 12th and 14th Game Moderator (Post Reset)
April 2020 - March 2021; October 2021 - March 2022; May 2022 - Present

NOBLE PREDECESSORS:


A HISTORY OF ATLASIA, PART ONE
(Relevant GM Storylines)

During Kalwejt's first tenure:
  • A military coup in Paflagonia deposes democratic President von Bongbong, installing Field Marshal Freiherr von Kummerspeck as the European country's new leader.
  • Tensions started to rise between Atlasia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the use of the death penalty on Atlasian citizens in the last two nations.
  • British PM Theresa May is deposed by a Conservative Party coup after a month in office, Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn is brought down by Labour MP's and replaced by Owen Smith. Following the installation of a caretaker government led by Lord Heseltine (CON), a snap 2016 United Kingdom general election results in a deeply hung Parliament.

During Clyde's tenure:
  • Tensions arise within the UK and Atlasia over a proposed Common Market, the British public being initially reluctant towards the initiative. The Common Market treaty (ACBMA) is approved in Atlasia, and will pass the House of Commons later on an unspecified date.
  • The city of Los Angeles votes to hold the 2028 Olympics via referendum.
  • Russia and Atlasia engage in a controversy over Atlasian support for Ukraine.
  • The rise of nationalist movements in Europe reinforces a push for Scottish and Catalonian referendums.

During Kalwejt's second tenure
  • Kalwejt sets a crucial precedent by ruling that State Governments exist as NPC's.
  • Turkey and President Erdogan charge Atlasia with having supported the failed 2016 military coup.
  • Violent mass protests by Cuban exiles take place following President Blair's lifting of sanctions on Cuba.
  • A coalition government is formed in the UK on January 2017, led by Ken Clarke (CON) as PM and Owen Smith (LAB) as DPM.

During DKrol's tenure:
  • Turkey and Atlasia continue a tense diplomatic stand-off. A Presidential visit by DFW to Iran causes domestic backlash.
  • In the aftermath of North Korea ramping up missile and nuclear tests, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un dies of an illness. His brother Kim Jong Chul and ambitious general Choe Pu-il struggle for the succession.
  • Following the 2017 Dutch general election, Mark Rutte forms a majority coalition government alongside VVD, CDA, D66 and CU.
  • Prime Minister Ken Clarke triggers Article 50 on March 30th, 2017, starting the Brexit process. The collapse of the Northern Irish Executive in Stormont leads to deadlock in the province. A minor terrorist attack takes place outside Parliament.

During 1184AZ's tenure:
  • General Choe Pu-il wins a power struggle in North Korea on July 2017, becomes Supreme Leader and takes on a bellicose attitude, ramping up nuclear testing even further.
  • Russian-aligned terrorist group "Free The People" (FTP) becomes a serious global threat after July on account of its actions against Western nations. French government hacked, President Emmanuel Macron shot dead by a FTP supporter. Acting President Gerard Larcher presides over new elections.
  • August-September 2017 French presidential election results in the victory of Édouard Philippe (LR) against Marine Le Pen (FN).
  • Talks over Brexit continue. An initial plan for a 2nd Scottish Referendum falls through.
  • Domestic terrorism arrives in Atlasia on behalf of the Lincoln-secessionist National Lincoln Liberty Coalition (NLLC), which led by Jason Martin - under the "Liberty for Lincoln" rallying cry - partakes in several gruesome acts of terrorism. As hundreds die in separate bombings, the federal and regional governments lead a crackdown and Martin is arrested on July 24th attempting to flee to Ireland.
  • President Goldwater launchs an infamous preemptive strike in North Korea on September 4th, failing to destroy their military capabilities. A state of war takes place between North Korea and Atlasia, the latter of which negotiates two separate arrangements with Russia (involving Crimea recognition and lifting of sanctions in return for an end to hostilities in Eastern Ukraine) and China (a joint war effort on North Korea).
  • The Second Korean War lasts from September to October 2017. It is a bloody conflict involving significant aerial warfare. Joint PLA-Atlasian efforts result in the liberation of Pyongyang and the collapse of the North Korean regime. Supreme Leader Choe Pu-il is killed in an air raid, leaving Premier Pak Pong-ju to formally surrender.
  • Free The People resumes terrorist attacks, attempting a failed assassination of Chancellor Angela Merkel, attacking Kiev with a bomb, attempting to hack the Atlasian government, and launching a bloody terrorist attack at Houston on Black Friday, November 2017, which results in over 380 casualties. An FBI report blames the Kremlin from being behind FTP, an accusation angrily denied by Moscow.
  • In the aftermath of the Second Korean War, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls a snap general election in Japan to bolster his position, winning a major landslide. North Korea faces major internal strife due to the unpopularity of Pak Pong-ju's provisional government - supported by the Allies -, leading to Pak's assassination in November 2017. Revanchist and hardliner general Yun Jong-rin seizes power
  • Free The People resumes terrorist attacks, attempting a failed assassination of Chancellor Angela Merkel, attacking Kiev with a bomb, and attempting to hack the Atlasian government. An FBI report blames the Kremlin from being behind FTP, an accusation angrily denied by Moscow.
  • A serious constitutional and civil crisis takes place in Spain after Catalonian regional premier Carles Puigdemont declares Catalonian Independence on October 12. PM Mariano Rajoy (PP) removes Puigdemont from office and reestablishes direct rule, leading to mass protests. A last minute compromise opens the way to an independence referendum in early 2018, with a 2/3 threshold.
  • Reports fom Saudi Arabia charge the ruling King and his government with the mass execution of thousands of homosexuals, leading to the collapse of the Atlasia-Saudi Arabia relationship.


During R2D2's tenure:
  • A bloody terrorist attack takes place at Houston on Black Friday, November 2017, which results in almost 400 casualties. Seven people are arrested and charged as would-be culprits.

During Truman's tenure:
  • Following Édouard Philippe's victory at the French presidential election, a presidential legislative majority is formed under PM Francois Baroin, LREM collapsing as a party.
  • The suspects of Houston Massacre killed by police, it is generally believed they are linked to Free the People.
  • North Korean general Yun Jong-rin attempts to cement his rule with a violent crackdown, prompting the remnants of the Pak government to establish themselves in Seoul - with Japanese and South Korean backing - as the legitimate PRK, led by Choe Ryong Hae. Following the repeal of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution by Shinzo Abe and a series of internal uprisings, PRK forces start seizing territory against General Yun's "nationalists" with Allied support in the North Korean Civil War. In January 2018 a "loyalist" Kim government is formed under Kim Jong-nam with implicit Chinese backing. Following battles in January-February 2018 the Allies enter Pyongyang on March 4th and General Yun is killed. On March 31st the People's Liberation Army crosses the Yalu River, starting the Beijing Pact and expanding the war.
  • British Prime Minister Ken Clarke survives an attempted leadership challenge by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson by sacking him and a third of the Cabinet. Clarke announces on January 2018 that a Brexit Deal has been concluded with the EU. The proposed "Soft Brexit" (Hammond-Barnier Treaty) sees the UK remaining in the single market and the customs union, and is ratified in Parliament by a 414 to 172 vote. Clarke's Conservative Party threatens to disintegrate over Brexiteer backlash, leading to a Eurosceptic slip led by Michael Gove.
  • In Paflagonia, Field Marshal Adolph von Kummerspeck holds legislative and presidential elections in which the opposition is generally barred or obstructed from standing. The pro-junta elements secure a legislative majority and a landslide victory for President von Kummerspeck.
  • The 2018 Italian general election produces good results for the M5S and the center-right, but the resulting Parliament is deadlocked. After Silvio Berlusconi dies in March 22nd from a cerebral hemorrhage, talks lead to the formation of a M5S-Lega Nord coalition led by new Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio (M5S).
  • Atlasia moves its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on March 2018.
  • Following controversy over complains of interventionism from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ("Rajoy Dossier"), Catalonia registers a significant pro-independence victory with a 59% YES vote, but fails to surpass the 2/3 threshold. Regional elections later in the year will see a crushing victory for the Catalonian nationalists.
  • In Germany, the CDU-SDP Grand Coalition is renewed, allowing Chancellor Merkel to carry on.
  • Deputy PM Owen Smith ends the coalition government after the successful passage of the Brexit deal, which leads to the 2018 United Kingdom general election. Smith wins a majority for Labour, and the Northern Irish executive at Stormont is subsequently restored thanks to Clarke's efforts. With Smith having promised the SNP a new independence referendum, Scotland votes to stay in the UK (55 to 45%) in September 10th, 2018. Nicola Sturgeon resigns as First Minister and SNP leader.
  • The second phase of the North Korean Civil War sees substantial Atlasian involvement as troops are sent into North Korea, a series of bloody naval and land battles resulting in the annihilation of the Chinese fleet, the capture of Shanghai and the Allied liberation of Korea by August 2018. China faces protests in Hong Kong and significant economic trouble due to an Allied naval blockade.
  • Controversy over the May 2018 Venezuelan Presidential Election - and Nicolas Maduro's attempts to bar the opposition from standing - results in mass protests and riots across the nation. The Venezuelan army revolts against Maduro and deposes him on June 2nd, elevating General Vladimir Padrino to the presidency in a military coup. Padrino leads a violent crackdown of his own, killing hundreds of citizens from June to August and being subsequently deposed in a counter-coup in August 29th. A transitional government is formed with Chavista and Opposition members.
  • Elections in North Korea give democratic President Choe Ryong Hae a strong victory.

During Reactionary's tenure:
  • An independence referendum in New Caledonia results in a defeat for the pro-independence movement, which leads an unsuccessful general strike against French authorities.
  • The Dutch government pursues the expansion of the so-called "Burqa ban".
  • Amidst cyber attacks by the Chinese, peace talks end the North Korean Civil War by January 2019 with an Allied victory. As the Kim family flees into Cambodia, China hands over several key North Korean officers to stand trial. A subsequent raid by the Royal Cambodian Army results in the arrest of Kim Jong-nam and his two sisters, and their transfer to Allied authorities. Kin Jong-chul the sole family member to escape death or arrest.
  • The Atlasian vessel Wubbalubbadubdub is seized by the Singaporean Navy citing piracy and gun regulations, leading to talks to secure their return.
  • Former President Andry Rajoelina returns to power in Madagascar after a controversial election.
  • Russia is charged with breaching Norwegian airspace on a series of aggressive military exercises. An unrelated incident leads a Russian satellite to collide with an Argentinian one.
  • The long-planned Fremont High Speed Railway is reported to be making progress while facing a huge budget strain.
  • Among other domestic developments, Los Angeles continues to prepare for the 2028 Olympics and Church attendance is reported to be on the rise across the nation.
  • Riots take place in Malawi on June 2019 after former President Joyce Banda is killed on the orders of President Peter Mutharika.
  • A series of statehood referendums on Atlasian territories end in chaos and disaster.

During Ninja's tenure:
  • North Korea votes YES (87%) to reunification in a referendum on January 2020. South Korea later passes a resolution recognizing the start of the reunification process, leading to the start of talks in Pyongyang.
  • The Coronavirus pandemic begins. As Wuhan faces a lockdown, the first two Atlasian cases appear in Seattle and Newark.
  • Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu fails to secure immunity against a corruption trial, is sentenced to 3 years in prison. Removed from office as he appeals to the Supreme Court, Speaker Yuli Edelstein takes over as interim PM and acting Likud leader on the eve of the March 2020 Israeli legislative election.
  • Legislative elections in Peru give President Martin Vizcarra a boost after a high profile battle with the previous Fujimorista Congress.
  • Venezuelan government plans to hold new elections on April, deciding to adopt an Atlasian-like system with a weakened President.
  • An international crisis takesplace between Eritrea and Djibouti after Eritrean troops attack their neighbor.
__________________________
1.) Original Image: Henri-Benjamin Constant de Rebecque, 1847, Lina Vallier, Wikimedia Commons
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2020, 12:45:58 AM »
« Edited: June 01, 2022, 11:00:57 PM by Lumine »

A HISTORY OF ATLASIA, PART TWO
(Relevant GM Storylines)

During Lumine's first tenure:
  • Atlasian COVID death toll reaches 30,000 in April 2020.
  • The 2020 Israeli General Election results in a victory for Benny Gantz's Blue and White, unity government formed with Likud and Yisraeli Beiteinu. Gantz's government unsuccessfully attempts to push forward with a partial annexation of the West Bank.
  • Gun right activists continously protest the enacting of the Assault Weapons Ban.
  • South-Frémont rivalry regarding claims over the state of Kansas create significant political polarization in the state, resulting in a riot in the city of Liberal, and the attempted kidnapping of the Governor by the terrorist group "Pathfinders".
  • Atlasian Coalition Of Labor Occupations (ACLO) goes on an unprecedented strike, ending in defeat after two weeks. Union is left weakened.
  • International governments - particularly in Europe and South America - struggle politically over COVID responses.
  • Atlasian COVID death toll reaches 50,000 in May 2020.
  • Chinese government drastically cracks down on Hong Kong. Party due to a lack of international support, the internal democracy camp collapses due to the draconian CCP policies.
  • Atlasian COVID death toll reaches 70,000 in June 2020, testing ramps up drastically.
  • Surviving members of the Kim Dynasty are flown The Hague to stand trial at the ICC. Trial starts on December 2020.
  • Atlasian COVID death toll stabilizes at 75,000 in July 2020.
  • First playable NPC state elections take place in July 2020.
  • Paflagonian Revolution: Mass protests in Paflagonia against the Kummerspeck regime start on September 2020, becoming a full-blown general strike and leading to the formation of the opposition coalition "Paflagonian Unity" (PU). PU asserts to be legitimate government under Acting President Baer, leading Kummerspeck to launch a bloody crackdown ("The Retribution") in which opposition leaders like Baer are killed. A civil war ensues once the Paflagonian Army revolts, resulting in Kummerspeck's arrest and replacement by General Kurt Narriman.
  • Azerbaijan invades Armenia, starting a war in the Caucasus. Atlasian-Turkish relations worsen significantly.
  • Several neighbors of the People's Republic of China ban the "TikTok" app due to security concerns.
  • FBI agents and victims' organizations protest extensive executive pardons by President MB.
  • Despite famine and chaos, the Venezuelan Transitional Government manages to hold the first post-Chavista elections. Opposition leader Leopoldo López elected President.
  • Constitutional crisis in Perú results in the brief Manuel Merino presidency, declared void by Constitutional Court. Scandal-ridden President Vizcarra returns to office and serves out his term.
  • COVID vaccines are announced on December 2020. Second wave fails to materialize, leaving
    Atlasian COVID death toll at 82,000.
  • As Djibouti-Eritrea conflict continues, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is killed, pushing Eritrea into a violent power struggle and civil war.
  • Lincoln experiences a four-month shutdown, causing enormous harm on regional public services.
  • COVID second wave materializes in January 2021, death roll rises to 100,000 by March 2021. Anti-vax- movements start to materialize.

During Peanut's tenure:
  • Heavy violence in Myanmar takes place following military coup.
  • By March 2021 Atlasia vaccinates 3 million people a day, but a large portion of the public refuses to take the vaccine.
  • Authoritarianism is on the rise in Latin America as mass protests take place, President Bukele of El Salvador seizes control over all government institutions.
  • Right-wing Facebook groups plan and fail to disrupt June Labor Convention. The mysterious "R" gains a large internet following.
  • Paflagonia prepares to hold a new election in the aftermath of the Revolution.
  • Israeli Knesset elects Miriam Peretz (IND) as President. After the unity government collapses, the September 2021 Israeli election results in another victory for Benny Gantz and a further collapse for Likud.
  • Following the passage of the ROC Act, Beijing adopts a harsh diplomatic tone towards Atlasia. Following extensive saber-rattling and cyber attacks on the Taiwanese power grid, the Chinese navy blockades the ROC on September 2021, threatening a land invasion.
  • A group of Hawaiian state legislators create the "Liliuokalani Group", starting a fight for independence.
  • Several state capitols are evacuated following mass protests and bomb threats in August 2021.

During Lumine's second tenure:
  • Pending.

WORLD LEADERS:

Atlasia: President Utah Neolib
Argentina: President Alberto Fernandez
Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Austria: Prime Minister Alexander Schallenberg
Bolivia: President Luis Arce
Brazil: President Jair Bolsonaro
France: President Édouard Phillipe & Prime Minister Christian Jacob
Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
China: President Xi Jinping
Costa Rica: President Carlos Alvarado
Cuba: President Miguel Diaz Canel and First Secretary Raúl Castro
Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Iran: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei & President Hassan Rouhani
Israel: Prime Minister Benny Gantz and President Miriam Peretz
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin
Italy: Prime Minister Mario Draghi
Japan: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Mexico: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte
New Zealand: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
North Korea: President Choe Ryong Hae & Prime Minister Ji Seong-ho
Nicaragua: President Daniel Ortega
Paflagonia: President Kurt Narriman
Palestinian Authority: Mahmoud Abbas
Peru: President Pedro Castillo
Philippines: President Leni Robredo
Russia: President Vladimir Putin
Saudi Arabia King Salman
Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
South Korea: President Lee Jae-myung
Syria: President Bashar al-Assad
Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Owen Smith
United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Vatican City: Pope Francis
Venezuela: President Leopoldo López
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2020, 10:51:50 PM »
« Edited: April 25, 2020, 11:17:05 PM by Grand Inquisitor Lumine »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Atlasia battles the Coronavirus (I)
Death toll surpasses 30,000, close to a million Atlasians infected,
Federal and Regional action credited with relatively appropriate measures,
Majority supports quarantine, but many protest its continuation

NYMAN, Atlasia - Although the first few weeks of the Coronavirus in the Republic of Atlasia went without major public concern after two cases were identified in the cities of Newark (NJ) and Seattle (WA) and the month of February passed by with less than twenty cases, the pandemic was perceived to have entered an explosive period as March progressed, the first death taking place on March 5th. As state after state began reporting the spread of the pandemic into their cities the rising numbers were soon cause for major alarm, particularly as Atlasia was perceived to be outpacing several nations thought to be the most affect (though health officers have constantly argued the high numbers are explained due to testing capabilities, allowing for more accurate numbers than that of other countries). By the second week of March several hundred Atlasians were reported to be infected and cities such as New York City were also identified as particularly troublesome, and both the Federal and Regional governments sprung into action.

The regions moved earlier than the capital in responding to the crisis as First Minister Truman, then Governor West Midlander and then Chancellor Jimmy all separately declared a regional State of Emergency on March 12th (Lincoln and Fremont) and 15th (South), measures completed with other decisions - varied depending on the region - which included the closure of schools, and later during the month, the encouragement of working from home and obeying a quarantine. While the actions of the regional executives were generally praised - including Fremont's emphasis on education -, Lincoln Chancellor Jimmy initially struck a controversy with some of Lincoln's state governments, which resented both his explicit directive to force them to comply to his executive orders and a speech denouncing perceived "hysteria". This, however, appeared to lose weight after the Chancellor and the Lincoln Council enacted legislation to increase preparedness in the region and promote free-testing.

On Nyman itself, President Pericles directed early efforts focused towards a widespread travel ban - an announcement supported by specialists, but badly received by the shaken airline industry -, various containment measures, and, after an address to the nation on March 15th, an economic stimulus package - later revealed to be UBI and tax-cut based - and a perceived strategy of "flattening the curve". As the Administration complemented these efforts with an executive order to ramp up the production of medical supplies and prevent shortages - invoking the Defense Production Act -, Congress managed to pass its first Coronavirus response bill at the end of March (as the death toll surpassed 1,000), including free treatment under Atlas care, investment in unemployment benefits, and a controversial grant of $20 million for small businesses loans, widely criticized as insufficient by several high-profile economists and small business owners across the country.

With the Administration's proposed economic stimulus waiting until April 16th to be passed - outlining an unprecedented UBI experiment of $2,000 dollars a month for Atlasians over 18 years of age, and a series of tax cuts - and Congress following on April 22nd with an ambitious investment in emergency loans for small business, the weaknesses and strength's of Atlasia when dealing with the Coronavirus began to be displayed. On the positive side, it was generally believed shortages of supplies were being dealt with in a reasonably effective manner - more so in Lincoln -, that testing capabilities were somewhat efficient, and that the health system was proving able to cope despite enormous strain. On the negative side, it proved impossible to contain the infection rate and the rising death toll, Atlasia surpassing Italy, Spain and China to become the nation with the most deaths worldwide on April 20th. With the death toll at 30,000 on April 25th, states such as California, Washington, Texas, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts have been identified as those hit the worst, the situation in New York City being the most dramatic.

Although there have been countless instances of positive and selfless behavior reported in the media that has served to counter other stories of profiteering or supply hoarding - a practice strongly condemned by regional executives -, a particularly controversial side of the present crisis has emerged in the form of backlash towards quarantine. In several states over the last week a number of marches and unauthorized reunion have taken place, gathering dozens - at times thousands - of protesters arguing the regional and federal response to the crisis has been "harsh", "authoritarian" or "a direct attack on civil liberties". Protesters seem to range from those concerned about civil liberties and individual freedoms, to individuals spreading a number of conspiracy theories - many of them directed at the Chinese regime, despite its current struggles -, seemingly unconcerned about private polling suggesting a strong majority of the population supports strong quarantine measures despite potential economic harm.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2020, 07:09:07 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Political deadlock in Israel broken
Third election gives underwhelming victory to Blue and White,
Gantz, Edelstein and Lieberman reach uneasy agreement due to pandemic,
Benny Gantz becomes PM of a “unity government”

WEST JERUSALEM, Israel – Almost seven weeks of prolonged deadlock in the aftermath of the March 2nd Israeli General Election has finally come to an end with the formation of a majority coalition government, seemingly ending an unprecedented year of political chaos and a streak of three consecutive elections without a viable government. Despite fears of another hopeless stalemate at the election, the surprise conviction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of the trust only a month before the election created a tense and chaotic atmosphere within the governing Likud party and caused both celebration and backlash amidst Netanyahu's opponents and supported, who either saw the sentence as a sign of justice or as unforgivable intervention on behalf of the Attorney General and other political figures.

With Netanyahu removed as Prime Minister to be quickly replaced by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, most analysts predicted the inevitable collapse of Likud in the coming election, and a potential landslide for retired General Benny Gantz and the centrist Blue and White alliance. Likud, however, quickly rallied behind Edelstein - a Netanyahu loyalist - after expected leadership bid by Gideon Sa'ar and Nir Barkat failed to materialize. Controversially, Edelstein fought a fiery campaign which constantly demonized the predominantly Arab Joint List and scaremongered about the prospect a Likud-less government, which contrasted with what was perceived to be both a lacklustre campaign for Gantz and an effective one by his previous would-be partners: the Joint List and Avigdor Lieberman's secular nationalist Yisraeli Beiteinu party.

On election night Blue and White made very limited gains - only climbing up to 37 seats - as Likud, whilst losing over a third of its parliamentary representation, managed to survive what might have been electoral annihilation. Outside of the disappointment of the center-left Labour-Gesher-Meretz alliance the rest of the parties all made gains of their own for the 23rd Knesset, with Lieberman and the Haredim Shas and UTJ perceived as the biggest winners of the night as they absorbed part of the Likud vote. It soon became clear that although Gantz was left as the sole credible choice for Prime Minister the road to forming a majority would not be easy, particularly after Blue and White ruled out working with the Joint List. Intense negotiations followed with Edelstein - who, for the time being, remains a temporary leader for Likud -, Lieberman and others, talks stalling due to issues such as West Bank annexation and the fate of former PM Netanyahu.

In the end the deadlock was only broken this week partly due to the intense political caused by the Coronavirus and the desire to avoid a fourth election. Having reached a deal, Blue and White is set to form a temporary "unity government" coalition with Likud, set to last for the next 18 months to 2 years and under which Gantz will become Prime Minister. Lacking at least three extra votes, further negotiations resulted in the exclusion of the Haredim and the entry of Lieberman and YB into the government, giving the coalition a healthy majority in the Knesset. As of today talks are still ongoing within the Labor Party concerning participation into government - at Gantz's invitation -, which would expand this majority even further. A matter of speculation, however, is the eventual decision regarding Netanyahu, currently appealing his way into the Supreme Court and for him Likud has repeatedly demanded a pardon. Whether  new PM Gantz made any sort of concession is unknown, but Edelstein is reported to be pleased at the deal agreed upon this week.

March 2020 Israeli General Election:

Blue and White   37 seats (+4)
Likud   21 seats (-11)
Joint List   14 seats (+1)
Shas   12 seats (+3)
Yisrael Beiteinu   10 seats (+2)
United Torah Judaism   9 seats (+2)
Labour-Gesher-Meretz   9 seats (-1)
Yamina   8 seats (+1)

Incoming Prime Minister:
Benny Gantz (B&W)

Incoming Government:
B&W + Likud + YB Majority Coalition
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2020, 07:25:07 PM »

CLARIFICATION / INTERNATIONAL

China and the UN Human Rights Council

For clarification and after consideration of potential factors and/or butterflies, it is ruled that China has been made a member of the UNHRC panel - via Chinese representative Jiang Duan - in this world as well.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2020, 05:41:06 PM »

CLARIFICATION / NATIONAL

TRACED Act and the FCC

For clarification and after taking into account the lack of a TRACED Act equivalent in Atlasia, it is ruled that the FCC has not issued any recent directives relating to said non-existent legislation or in the subject at hand.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2020, 11:06:12 AM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Assault Weapons Ban continues to draw interest
Southern Governor MB narrowly avoids legal trouble over Executive Order,
Gun rights activists find creative ways to protest new ban,
Families of school shooting victims praise the measure

NYMAN, Atlasia - Although it has been two weeks since President Pericles signed the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act of 2020 into law, debate over gun rights and the merits of gun control has no died down even in the middle of the pandemic. Although large-scale protests are yet to lack place due to different quarantine and lockdown measures, small groups of gun advocates have already staged protests of their own in certain states, and the controversy has been fought across social media as supporters and opponents of the bill wage a harsh rhetorical battle.

It's been observed that, in general, gun control organizations - including several associations of parents of gun crime victims - have come out in support of the bill and derided opponents as "irresponsible", gun rights supporters have been even more vocal in denouncing the bill as "tyrannical", arguing it would both fail to solve the issue and breach the constitutional rights of Atlasians. Already some of the most prominent officeholders during the debate have been lionized by their respective "sides" as heroes to their cause, resulting in significant speculation and debate about such Atlasians like former President Fhtagn, Senator Scott, President Pericles, and Chief Justice Windjammer.

A particular area of opposition to the bill appears to be forming within the South, one of the regions with the highest concentration of high-profile opponents to the ban. Incoming Governor MB has particularly emerged as something of a folk hero to gun right advocates on account of the highly controversial Executive Order #002, which would have led to potential non-enforcement of the bill in the region and which was rapidly rescinded before the situation escalated. The Governor would later institute a Southern Gun Rights Day with Executive Order #005, and organizations such as the NRA are already planning for mass celebrations - and or protests - for the first celebration of the holiday on April 2021.

NEWS UPDATE / REGIONAL

South-Fremont rivalry alive and well
With Tmthforu94 vs. Fremont still debated in the Supreme Court,
Fremonter and Southern nationalists ramp up hostile rhetoric,
Kansas becomes a controversial political battleground

TOPEKA, Kansas - Originally a mere rhetorical claim and one of many aspects of the political conflict between First Minister Truman and southern officeholders over the so called "Trade Wars" of the past year, the "Kansas situation" has rapidly gained steam to become a very contentious issue, one in which both sides of the controversy appear to be highly polarized and increasingly hostile. With the Senate declining to offer symbolic support for the Fremonter claim to the state of Kansas and with former President Tmthforu battling the First Minister at the Supreme Court to strike down the Free Kansas Amendment - ratified by a majority of Fremont voters - the issue has led to significant social and political consequences, even as involved politicians (particularly in the Fremont irredentist circles) assert there is no actual intention to enforce the claim in any way.

As video clips of the heated debates within the Senate, the Fremont House of Commons and the Southern Chamber of Delegates become sources of equally heated online debates, local organizations have begun to organize across the internet - since contact is limited - in order to either support the claim or dispute its basis. This ranges from the more innocent debates amongst Southern and Fremonter historians - it is believed the biggest regional universities are preparing detailed books on the controversy - to more sinister acts of hostility, including highly aggressive murals and propaganda being painted or delivered across the state. Though unrelated to the actions of major officeholders, local Kansas political scientist Albert Blake observes that "the regional patriotic rhetoric is leading to significant polarization, and significant social tension in areas of the state".

Though state elections are not expected to take place soon, the rise of groups demanding Kansas's entry into the Commonwealth or its continued membership of the South has led many to speculate there could be a local political shift or the rise of movements focused on the constitutional status of Kansas, particularly as only the three biggest parties in Atlasia are currently represented in the State Legislature. As of April 30th, two powerful videos are being widely shared amongst "Kansas Fremonter" and "Kansas Southern" groups and organizations: in one, a Californian family residing in the state tearfully recalls suffering harassment by a couple of neighbors to "go back to Fremont"; and in another, a group of residents from a border town with Nebraska express their fears after the appearance of murals stating "we're coming to SAVE YOU".

NEWS UPDATE / LOCAL

Nyman prophet sparks online frenzy
As fear about the Coronavirus and the world grow,
local Nyman prophet gains a following with harsh message,
warns that the time of reconking is coming

NYMAN, District of Columbia - As recent polling appears to suggest more and more Atlasians are concerned about the present pandemic and the state of the world, the present times have offered both problems and opportunities for local Churches and, as it has become clear, for local prophets as well. A man of unclear origin and simply described as "Kal" - speculated by the Nyman PD to have other aliases such as "Carl Gröpler", "Dr. Francia", or "Lord Protector Collor" - has become an online sensation after a series of videos featuring him ranting outside the Capitol Building and the White House have emerged and done viral. With a raging prose, "Kal" has all but become a modern prophet denouncing the hypocrisies of our time, ranging from the nature of man to the history of Atlasia, and has gained quite a few followers. Local authorities and the Mayor of Nyman are thought to be undertaking measures to prevent gatherings of his followers that may create a health issue due to the quarantine.

CLARIFICATION / NATIONAL

Coronavirus testing in Atlasia

For clarification and after taking into account present legislation - and differences with OTL -, it is ruled that Atlasia is averaging 280,000 tests a day as of April 30, 2020.
Logged
MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!
Kalwejt
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 57,380


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2020, 01:34:47 PM »

What a permanently ingrown mind perceives as cult, or whatever shadow of deceit is to be employed in the conversation, for a well-nourished soul is simply tending to the abundant grapevine of factual accuracy, where there can be no room for unruly condescension.

Words, an order of letter, may brighten our wits, but may misdirect our imperfect senses towards the vicious path of primitive indulgence, not unlike a three-legged spawn of the beastly entity that cannot be names in a polite company, indulging its' perverse instincts with an unholy wench, born in the darkness of despair and alcoholic melancholy. The word "illuminate" cannot properly be spelled without "lumine", but there is no illumination in it, as to illuminate is to reproduce and expand the light of historical right that feeds the pure soul and pleases the freed senses. Therefore "lumine" simply exists as a synonymous to something much more dastardly and vicious in its' base nature. To know is to cross a bridge leading to the other side, where lies the answer. An arduous path soaking with poison and treachery. And to know the synonymous you must firstly in your heart answer riddles three and the other side you shall see.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2020, 06:02:18 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

A.C.L.O goes on strike
Month-long debate ends with a narrow majority in favor,
Former Prolocutor PSOL perceived as the unofficial head of the strike,
Critics and supporters debate impact and potential consequences

NYMAN, Atlasia – Following more than three weeks of heated debate after the start of a nationwide ballot on April 7th, the leading members of the high-profile Atlasian Coalition Of Labor Occupations (or A.C.L.O) have come out in support of a national strike across Atlasia after Co-Chair - and founder - Bagel voted to break the tie. With former Prolocutor PSOL having presented the initial motion quoting a need to protect farmworkers, retailer workers and such other groups perceived to be threatened by the present pandemic, and having also denounced the Federal Government for not doing enough, the national strike has caused a significant amount of debate regarding its potential consequences. Whereas some have hailed the strike as the first real test of the invigorated Atlasian labor movement - greatly strengthened by recent legislation -, others have sharply criticized it as a potentially dangerous action, particularly in the present context.

Founded in 2018, the A.C.L.O originally counted only Bagel as its sole prominent politician, and came under harsh criticism by left-wing officeholders and unions like AFL–CIO - which characterized the A.C.L.O as a right-wing union for its support for Right to Work - due to a series of controversial decisions. The nature of the organization changed substantially in May 2019 with the abandonment of support for Right To Work, the election of PSOL as Prolocutor, and the successful reorganization of the union into a more coherent outfit, immediately drawing the attention of a number of high profile politicians concentrated in the Labor and Peace parties. The participation and sponsoring of so many prominent officeholders has been cited as a reason for the relative success of the union, which is close to entering the national top ten in terms of membership (currently estimated at c. 500.000).

Although the leadership is officially in the hands of Co-Chairs Bagel and Elcaspar following PSOL's resignation in January 2020, it is the former Prolocutor who is perceived as the true leader of the union - at least spiritually -, and his combative, headline grabbing style has made him a highly polarizing figure across the union movement in Atlasia. Described by some of colleagues or members of other outfits as a "true friend of the working class" and "an inspirational leader", he has also been derided by others as "the Atlasian Arthur Scargill", and been criticized for his abrasive comments or for a failed attempt to lead a strike over the Palestinian-Israel conflict. With A.C.L.O having only approved the strike over the narrowest of margins, many believe his actions may prove crucial in the success or failure of the coming strike.

As of this evening several groups affiliated with the A.C.L.O have started to abandon their work stations to begin striking, but whether the entire union will be taking part on the national strike may only become clear in the coming days. Although smaller unions have also enacted limited strikes on May 1st - for the duration of the day -, it is also unknown whether other unions will follow the A.C.L.O on the strike, or what the reaction of the Federal Government - with President Pericles being a member of the union - will be.
Logged
PSOL
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 18,981


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #10 on: May 01, 2020, 06:06:15 PM »

Let it be known that I am merely just a member of a union ran under a democratic fashion, which the elected leaders and guiders of any action rests on the co-chairs of Elcaspar and bagel23.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2020, 11:33:18 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Mixed start for A.C.L.O strike
Union suffers internal infighting over legitimacy of the strike,
Presidential address perceived as having diminished potential impact,
But thousands strike and/or march by Monday, several businesses complain

NYMAN, Atlasia - Following the controversial certification of a vote in favor of a national strike within the A.C.L.O, backlash was immediately felt within what some union officers described - some admiringly, some not - as the "moderate wing", with Senator Tack leading a walk out of members who either rejected the strike or were displeased with its recent actions. Significant debate also took place regarding the validity of the final result and thus of the national strike itself, casting internal doubts within A.C.L.O chapters and members as to whether they should proceed and abandon their work stations. It was in that context that President Pericles - member of the union - delivered a formal statement from the White House, questioning its legitimacy and merits and calling on Atlasians to resume working. It is generally believed the President's speech has kept many undecided members from joining the strike and has helped in a relatively negative public perception for the leaders of the strike, though the real impact of his statement is difficult to quantify and subject to - passionate - interpretation.

As the weekend went by, Monday became the real first test of the strike, featuring thousands of pro-strike A.C.L.O members not showing up to work and in some instances marching in a number of cities against the direct advice of local government officers. Having only been joined by relatively small unions, a rhetorical war has been waged in the press and in social media between A.C.L.O "hardliners" and "moderates" over the actual turnout, with the former arguing more than two thirds of union have joined in the strike and the latter estimating that at least half the current membership have not, though such estimates would seem to include members who have left alongside Senator Tack. With the Co-Chairs of the union releasing a statement defending the strike that is perceived to be of use in invigorating their side, and with several businesses - small and large - starting to complain about the impact of the strike and its risks should it grow in size or carry on for several days, this issue appears to be far from finished.

NEWS UPDATE / REGIONAL

Controversy in the South
Chamber of Delegates debates past Executive Orders,
Continued backlash from local and state officers,
Debate causes another public row over the Confederacy

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - One of the most interesting debates within the Southern Chamber of Delegates in the past few days has taken place on account of Speaker Young Texan's Leinad Did Dumb Things Act , a bill calling for the formal repeal of former Governor Leinad's arguably eccentric Executive Orders issued on January of this year. Two of the EO's issued at the end of his tenure are both not included in the bill and have been acclaimed by activist groups - if resented by a number of online protesters - on account of new holiday "Black Friday" and the weekly "Trans Pride Tuesday"; and though EO 04 and 05 have not proved particularly controversial or resented by local government, there's been substantial back backlash and criticism - against a supportive minority in different degrees - in different parts of the state.

Whilst the Reagan Foundation has already strongly protested an Executive Order celebrating the death of Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan; business owners have lined up to demand the repeal of executive orders encouraging disobeying work instructions in a given day in November (Capitalism Awareness Day) as well as the monthly flying of a hammer & sickle flag in the Nashville capital building, an instruction many are lobbying the Governor and the Chamber to end. Most controversial, however, have been two executive orders which, on one hand, appear to mock police officers - many of which have vented their frustrations on social media, complaining they feel underappreciated -, and which mandate the redecorating of Confederate statues across the region, leading many local authorities to outright ignore the order or, in cases in which its implementation has been tried, leading to protests and isolated instances of violence.

It is, oddly enough, the latter which has grown into something of a national issue due to a highly antagonistic debate between Lincoln Speaker S019 and former President Fhtagn over issues of regional culture and the legacy of the Confederacy, prompting a Lincoln-based Honoring Civil War Heroes Act , sparking new debate amongst historians and public figures over the merit of Confederate symbolism, and keeping civil war reenactors and armchair historians thoroughly entertained during the quarantine. Still, in a sign of public frustration and while interviewed for their respective local media, many have expressed their dissent over this latest legislative priority, wondering whether a debate over the Civil War really takes precedence in the middle of an increasingly deadly pandemic.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Countries struggle with COVID response (I)
Several governments facing backlash over pandemic,
Bolivia and Venezuela forced to suspend Presidential elections,
President Bolsonaro under serious political threat

BRASILIA, Brazil - As both autocratic and democratic governments appear to struggle to make progress against the Coronavirus - or, in some cases, preside over horribly botched responses -, many political leaders face significant public backlash from their own citizens over the handling of the pandemic, denying many of them a "tally behind the flag" effect and sparking very uncomfortable questions of a political nature. Whether it is Prime Minister Owen Smith's uncharismatic leadership, or the increasingly draconian methods of the Chinese government to prevent travel as thousands die, backlash ranges in nature and intensity, but few world leaders have sparked such divisive backlash as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Controversially dismissing the necessity of a quarantine and pushing for business as usual, Bolsonaro has not only rapidly lost popularity after firing Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta and losing Justice Minister Sergio Moro, he's lost influence both in the military and in Congress.

As rumours grow over potentially criminal behavior regarding political interventionism in the police and judiciary, which could serve as an excuse for a hostile Congress to impeach an erratic Bolsonaro, even more concerning rumours are spreading regarding the powerful Brazilian military, which has gone from a solid base of support for Bolsonaro - former General Hamilton Mourao being his Vice President - into a highly critical institution. It is believed high-ranking officials are having talks as to how to best handle the President's behavior, turning a tense political situation into a potentially explosive one. In other Latin-American related news, both interim governments in Venezuela and Bolivia - the first installed after the deposition of General Padrino, the second after Evo Morales fled the country - have started talks over the recently suspended presidential elections, which were felt to be too risky to hold. As of May 5th, no formal date for the new elections have been set.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2020, 10:54:04 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Atlasia battles the Coronavirus (II)
Death toll surpasses 50,000, almost a million and a half infected,
Testing continues to be ramped, but spread is merely slowed down,
Health organizations wonder about the next phase of the political response

NEW YORK CITY, Lincoln - With the pandemic having entered another month with no actual end in sight, the current death toll has gone from 30,000 to almost 54,000 by May 8th, a steady increase which nonetheless falls on the more optimistic side of predictions than the pessimistic one, particularly when compared to the current infection numbers of almost 1,500,000 Atlasians across the nation. As health and disease experts deliver somewhat contradictory analysis of the present numbers, there is a partial consensus that efforts to "flatten the curve" may be working up to an extent in preventing a relentless spread, but is also believed the spread of the pandemic - whose numbers may be influenced by the continued expansion of nationwide testing - is merely slowed down as opposed to receding, which would mean an extended period under the pandemic.

With the latest direct measures taken back in April and other potential proposals under debate, many wonder where public and political response might be directed next, as well as the coming priorities to combat the pandemic and its effects. Among issues reported to become relevant are the increased strain placed under the healthcare system, which while being able to cope with the pandemic for the last few weeks has given signs of reaching a limit in states like New York, New Jersey or Washington, and which may experience more widespread trouble in the coming weeks - or days -. Another problem appears to be the evident effects of the prolonged lockdown, with the size of protesters in key cities demanding the end of the quarantine rising in number and opening difficult questions as to how they should be handled.

Finally, mental health professionals have also been quick to warn about the serious consequences that the pandemic and its social effects may be having on different groups of Atlasians, expressing their concerns about an apparent - as of yet unconfirmed - rise in the overdose and suicide rates.

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

A.C.L.O strike at a critical point?
Majority of members has continued to strike,
Bulk of impact felt on agriculture, union experiences influx of immigration activists,
"Covering For Our Citizens Act" proposal opens questions about eventual outcome

NYMAN, Atlasia - The first week of the A.C.L.O strike finished with an outlook both positive and negative for supporters of the strike, leading many commentators and analysis to wonder whether the strike is approaching a critical point for its eventual outcome. Initial predictions that the strike could collapse during the week on account of criticism from President Pericles and the anti-strike wing of the union proved inaccurate as it became clear around 50 to 60% of union members remained committed to the strike - between 250 to 300k -, its impact particularly felt on the agriculture system. This because the perceived focus on undocumented immigrants has, while caused backlash among parts of the rank and file, led to significant action among migrant workers and led smaller organizations to join the strike, which is also associated with the rising influx of pro-immigration activist and left-leaning migrant workers to join the A.C.L.O. In return, this has led to tense situations as agricultural businesses attempt to hire replacements, and complaints have reached the state governments regarding impact in food production.

On the other hand, despite the A.C.L.O boasting an unusually large membership alongside leading Atlasian politicians - felt to be the key factor in A.C.L.O's membership influx in 2019 -, few of them have expressed their support for the strike as opposed to those who have denounced it, preventing more moderate or cautious groups from joining the others. Though a series of actions taken today helped decrease some tension - as medical workers in the strike return to work under leadership instructions - the A.C.L.O leadership has also found a new source of controversy in regards to their proposed "Covering For Our Citizens Act", criticized alike by politicians and some experts due to measures such as anonymous COVID-19 testing and the continued focus on immigration status, which many question as a priority in light of the lingering effects of the 2016 "Come out of the Shadows Act". All in all, experts predict the outcome of the second week of the strike could well be determined by the coming political response, in favor or against.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Countries struggle with COVID response (II)
European governments under political pressure,
Smith, Sánchez and Conte battle opposition and internal rebels,
Hungary and Paflagonia enact authoritarian reforms

WÜRSTBURG, Europe - As one of the regions that the Coronavirus has hit the hardest, Europe has continued to struggle in terms of how to combat the pandemic both as a bloc - the EU currently facing a controversy as Dutch PM Rutte leads the opposition to large-scale bailouts - and as individual nations. On the democratic side of the European spectrum, several heads of government have had to wage difficult battles not only against their respective rivals, but against internal rebels or coalition partners. Some emblematic cases include: the United Kingdom, in which Prime Minister Owen Smith (LAB) faces relentless criticism from the media, from Leader of the Opposition Rory Stewart (CON) and from a squad of hard-left Labour rebels which threatens his majority; Spain, in which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (PSOE) is waging a weekly battle with the Cortes to maintain a state of emergency, and faces backlash from allies after striking an arrangement with Ciudadanos; and Italy, in which Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (IND)'s coalition government threatens to rip itself apart due to Deputy PM Matteo Salvini's hardline immigration policies.

On the other side of the equation, at least two European heads of government have taken advantage of the crisis to cement their own personal power, leading to urgent warnings in the European Parliament and across Human Rights organizations. Both Hungary and Paflagonia have seen extensive measures enacted by their respective ruling blocs, allowing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Paflagonian President Adolf Freiherr von Kummerspeck to consolidate power and further shut down their respective opposition, if through the use of different means. In Hungary, Orbán's moves have focused - at least in public - in the pandemic itself, justifying the passage of a measure to allow him to rule by decree as part of government efforts. In Paflagonia - in which the pandemic is described as growing at a exponential degree -, President von Kummerspeck has used his near unlimited power in parliament to increase the powers of the Presidency, declare a permanent state of emergency and arrest opposition leaders. Both Orbán and Kummerspeck have been described by rivals as "dictators", prompting supporters to either question the validity of label or defend their actions.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2020, 01:57:13 AM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

A.C.L.O strike ends after internal ballot
Strike mobilized thousands of workers, but failed to spark a larger effort,
A.C.L.O to undergo National Assembly, leadership elections
Public perception of the A.C.L.O hurt after significant public criticism

NYMAN, Atlasia - After a tense and controversial twelve day process - which saw both internal opposition and calls for mobilization within the leadership -, the A.C.L.O ended its first national strike on May 12th after an emergency vote was called by those perceived to be in the "dissident" or "moderate" side, urging the union to put an end to the strike. With a two-thirds vote, the process was formally ratified by union Co-Chair Elcaspar, resulting in almost the entire union returning to work on May 13th, leaving only isolated pockets of resistance - particularly among the more enthusiastic immigration advocates who had joined recently - that were over as well by May 15th. The general perception among the public and among experts was that the strike ended up becoming a failure, though there is substantial disagreements as to the causes of it.

Whereas a number of pro-strike union members have gone on the record to state their belief that internal opposition doomed the effort, others who opposed the strike have been very critical of its handling, including the original ratification vote and the process for issuing demands to the federal government. In any case, speculation regarding the fallout - amidst fears the unsuccessful strike would lead to a drop in membership - soon moved into the immediate internal process started by the leadership concerning a new National Assembly (the 3rd in A.C.LO's history) and upcoming leadership elections. As of today there are no formal candidates to lead the union, leading many to wonder whether the present leadership will retain influence or whether those who opposed the national strike will lead the union in the future months.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Chinese government lashes out against critics
Beijing protests against Atlasian Congressional Resolution,
Condemns perceived foreign attempts to "blame" China for the pandemic,
Several cities under draconian lockdown as Xi Jinping tightens his grip

BEIJING, China - Almost 18 months after the formal end of the Second Korean Civil War and a resounding - if not total - Allied victory, the Chinese government has had its fair share of struggles. With much of 2019 spent on a difficult and generally unsuccessful crackdown against democratic protesters in Hong Kong, on repairing Shanghai and combating Western influence in the once occupied city, and dealing with the economic and military fall out from the war, the appearance and rapid spread of COVID-19 in Wuhan has resulted in a much more different and complicated challenge. Resorting to harsh emergency measures in order to contain the crisis, Chinese officers were unable to restrict the pandemic to Wuhan, resulting in a wave that spread to neighboring regions and cities, including Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing.

This, in turn, has resulted in the mobilization of the PLA, the installation of countless checkpoints, and the adoption of "draconian" quarantine measures to shut down cities and prevent human contact, which has meant only now are numbers starting to stabilize after thousands of deaths. Faced with such a state of tension reports indicate Xi Jinping retains control and authority, but at a very high price in terms of expansion of surveillance and military control (including mass arrests and ramped reeducation policies in Xinjiang). Anxious not to be associated with the pandemic, the Chinese government - and Chinese state media - has insistently lashed out against foreign criticism of its handling of the situation and engaged in substantial online propaganda, both presenting its response as "firm and transparent" and, in a few instances, arguing it may have actually originated elsewhere (either in Europe or in Atlasia).

This "propaganda war" has now reached Atlasia with the passage - with unanimous support - of a congressional resolution "Condemning the appointment of China to the United Nations Human Rights Council" and accusing the Chinese government to have engaged in systematic human rights violations, a move which has infuriated Beijing. Though unrelated to the pandemic, Chinese state media have taken to the airwaves to condemn the resolution and present it as an Atlasian attempt to distract from their "horribly botched" pandemic response, Chinese government officials have openly condemned the Atlasian Congress for "meddling on Chinese domestic affairs", and the Chinese Ambassador to Atlasia is believed to have lodged a letter of protest with the Administration.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Kim dynasty's fate under speculation
After months of discussion, prisoners remain in Allied custody,
President Choe critical of potential ICC trial, demands process to take place in North Korea,
Former leader attempts suicide, other family members experience diverging outcomes

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Months of speculation on the eventual fate of the captured North Korean leadership - including the few surviving members of the "Kim dynasty" - have taken on greater prominence as the democratic North Korean government carries on with its new mandate and talks on reunification continue at a productive pace. Despite the deaths of many high-ranking members of the now fallen dictatorship during the war, the combination of the January 2019 Cambodian raid and the handover of a number of ministers and generals by Beijing as part of the peace terms have resulted in a large group currently under joint Allied custody, including former Supreme Commander Kim Jong Nam. Despite there being a large consensus in the need for a trial of the regime and its surviving leadership, there is still disagreement as to the nature of those trials.

Although several Allied governments have expressed their interest in Kim Jong Nam and his entourage being tried at The Hague by the ICC - citing the Slobodan Milošević precedent -, President Choe and several members of his government have expressed their steadfast opposition to a foreign trial, arguing they should be tried in North Korea for their crimes. This, in return, has sparked talk on whether the post-war North Korea is in proper shape - politically and in judicial terms - to offer the Kims a fair trial, with a number of human rights organizations warning it could be a repeat of the Saddam Hussein trial in Iraq. Though it may be impossible to hold a trial for a number of months due to the pandemic, many wonder what position will the Republic of Atlasia take on that issue.

For their own part, the surviving "Kim brothers" have met different outcomes since the end of the war: whilst surviving heir Kim Jong-chul is still "on the run" and is currently being hunted by several intelligence agencies (with no publically known info since 2019); Kim Jong-nam attempted suicide by hanging while in custody, saved at the last moment when his guards became aware of this attempt. Perhaps the most curious fate has befallen their also captured sister Kim Yo-jong, who has become something of an odd online sensation after taking on an unofficial - and effective - role as spokesman for the captured family, leading a not insignificant number of people to either speculate on "what could have been" or take on an inexplicable obsession with her person.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2020, 07:15:02 PM »

CLARIFICATION / REGIONAL

Animal shelter deaths

For clarification and after taking into account available data and context, it is ruled that c. 1,020,000 animals - mostly cats and dogs - are estimated to be euthanized across the nation in animal shelters every year, with the South concentrating roughly 690,000 of those cases. These numbers, however, do not include rural counties in which estimation would be difficult for local officials, or in which data is incomplete or non-existant.

PS: The Pontifex Maximus hated researching this, and felt sorely tempted to misuse his powers to make the number zero.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2020, 07:40:11 PM »
« Edited: May 27, 2020, 08:10:43 PM by Lumine »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / REGIONAL

Violence in Kansas
Fremonter protests clash with Southern National Guard,
Small city of Liberal becomes contention point under fierce arguments,
Oregon Speaker proposes Kansas Referendum

LIBERAL, Kansas – Although the Kansas controversy seemed to have slowed down in intensity over the past few days, events surrounding the state have continued to escalate in a very significant manner. On May 21st the Supreme Court ruled against the lawsuit (Tmthforu v. Fremont) that sought to strike part of the preamble of the Fremont Constitution which symbolically claimed Kansas as part of the region, a decision which was later and complemented with a series of increasingly bold statements on the issue made by candidates during the Fremont Regional Elections, in which First Minister Truman was reelected without organized opposition. On May 26th, groups of Fremonter and/or Pro-Commonwealth protesters started gathering in the city of Liberal (Kansas) to organize in a “March for Fremonter Rights”, asserting to represent several Fremonter parties and announcing the start of a protest.

The news was badly received by local authorities and even by a number of local residents, which either denounced the protesters for barging in the state or accused them of breaching local quarantine rules in the middle of the pandemic. Southern Governor MB made the next move with a series of Executive Orders – which, however, local authorities have not yet commented upon – renaming the city to “Conservative”; which was later to be followed by a speech by Fremont Speaker Oregon Blue Dog both asserting arguments in favor of Kansas membership of the Commonwealth and calling for a statewide non-binding referendum to address the situation. A few hours later and into May 27th, Governor MB called for the Southern National Guard to move into Liberal – under orders to ensure protesters remained non-violent -, a move which sparked significant controversy despite the outspoken support of local authorities.

Soon afterwards the first clash between National Guardsmen and protesters started near Seward County Community College, with sources alternatively blaming the protesters or the guardsmen for drawing the first punch after several minutes of hostile, antagonizing interaction. As of this hour several isolated clashes have been reported, and there’s stories of injured people – whose background and status remains undetermined – being taken into Southwest Medical Center by local residents. Already social media platforms have exploded in bitter recriminations, leading to separate calls for either further response from the Southern Government, the Fremont Government, or the Federal Government.

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

A.C.L.O reorganizes
Pro-strike wing remains in control with Elcaspar victory,
Resignations slow down, union membership down by 20,000 since strike,
Uncertainty about future actions

NYMAN, Atlasia – Held in the aftermath of the latest national strike, the A.C.L.O finished its 3rd National Assembly after several of days of voting, both agreeing to reform the guidelines in terms of voting procedure and conducting a new internal election. The contest saw incumbent Co-Chair Elcaspar – widely identified as one of the leading members of the “radical” (previously pro-strike) wing – facing Lincoln Speaker SO19, one of its more “moderate” (anti-strike members), a contest in which the radical wing maintained control of the union despite an arguably strong challenge. With Elcaspar taking office as union Chair (and with PSOL as Press Secretary), observers generally agree the National Assembly bolstered the union’s beleaguered position after the failed strike, or at least prevented a potential split. Estimates indicate as many as 20,000 members have left the union in the aftermath of the strike, a trend which appears to be slowing down as of the last few days. What the future may bring to the A.C.L.O, however, is difficult to say.

 
NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

China leads Hong Kong crackdown
National People's Congress gives consent to new security law,
Clashes between police and protesters start again across the city,
PLA mobilized outside Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China – In the latest turn of events in the Far East, Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party have embarked on a new course of action with occasion of the yearly session of the National People’s Congress, making a conscious decision to counter what they denounce as “foreign-backed sedition” in the autonomous Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Having already seen enormous and near—endless protests since the latter half of 2018 (as the North Korean Civil War drew to a close), the efforts of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and of Pro-Beijing authorities to end the protests during the course of 2019 proved unsuccessful despite the use of harsh tactics against the large number of protesters, forcing a tense stalemate only temporarily interrupted by the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perceived as weakened due to the aftermath of the war and the difficulty in containing the pandemic, it is believed Beijing has chosen to reassert its influence by announcing the decision to by-pass the Hong Kong Legislative Council and approve plans for a new security bill that would allow for a crackdown on perceived acts of sedition. Approved in the National People’s Congress with only token opposition, it is believed the bill – which Beijing, the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong police defend as necessary to “defeat terrorism” – could be drafted and enacted in a matter of months, greatly empowering local authorities. The news has sparked renewed riots and mass protests in Hong Kong, resulting in prolonged acts of violence and clashes between the police and the pro-democracy camp.

As prominent figures such as former British Governor Chris Patten urge Western countries to offer support to the pro-democracy camp in the Hong Kong, the undeterred Chinese authorities have mobilized nearly 30,000 men from the PLA outside the city, pledging to be prepared to safeguard the sovereignty of the city, and Chinese state media has warned foreigners to “stop meddling with Hong Kong.”
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #16 on: May 28, 2020, 08:47:10 PM »
« Edited: May 28, 2020, 08:56:36 PM by Lumine »

CLARIFICATION / REGIONAL

George Floyd

For clarification, having taken into account context, Game Engine mechanisms and, in particular, upon review of Fremont and Federal legislation on the subject of Police Departments since 2016, it is ruled that Mr. George Floyd is alive and well (though at present jobless), and remains an NPC resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It is also ruled that, accounting for regional and federal legislation such as the Police Responsibility Act (Federal, 2017); Transparency in Law Enforcement Act (Fremont, 2017); and the Police Training Reform Act (Fremont, 2018), Officer Derek Chauvin had been expelled from the MPD in 2018 after an internal investigation by the local internal ombudsman; and Officer Tou Thao had been forced into an early retirement in 2019 upon review of an earlier case by the same ombudsman.

PS: Normally I would allow such events to merely proceed, but upon research, finding several bills that had the potential for an impact - and after a dice roll -, this was the result.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2020, 08:40:01 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Atlasia battles the Coronavirus (III)
Death toll slows down, yet to reach 70,000
Testing increases to 850,000 a day, but still short of desired goals,
States hit disproportionally, local authorities resent ongoing lockdown

NYMAN, Atlasia - As June finishes its first week the pandemic continues for another month, if under changing circumstances. Current reports state that the death toll has finally started to slow down despite its continued rise, surpassing 69,000 deaths (putting Atlasia in a close competition with China) by the morning of June 7th. Though many have been alarmed at numbers that place the total number of cases at over 2,5 million, some experts have attempted to reassure the population by attributing numbers to new tracing initiatives and the steady rise in federal and regional testing capabilities, which today broke the 850,000 per day (close to 6 million a week) barrier while still being short of the initial 1,000,000 goal.

Although such numbers have placed Atlasia in a comparable situation to European nations which have kept the situation from becoming critical despite a heavy toll, a number of health experts have issued varying recommendations, from ramping up promotion of new apps such as DefeatCoronavirus (which have seen comparatively few Atlasians signing up) to continued political action. Although some authorities have remained active in the fight over the pandemic, there's been instances of both harsh criticism from local authorities regarding the continued lockdown, and online backlash at certain legislative initiatives judged not to be of a particular priority in light of the present nationwide situation.

Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of the present trends of the pandemic has been the lack of proportionality regarding how states have been affected, ranging from the severe toll placed upon New York to the comparatively low numbers of infected citizens in states like Missouri, Vermont or Hawaii. Among other registered trends, health officials have reported a continued spike in protests which local police departments have struggled to combat (including a botched attempt to mobilize near the Michigan capitol), rapidly increasing rates of suicide and domestic violence, and in certain cities, discrimination against Asian-Atlasian communities.

NEWS UPDATE / REGIONAL

First victim dies at Liberal (Kansas)
Almost two weeks after riots, local resident dies from injuries,
Injured toll at 43, including four in very serious conditions
Tense environment in city as people mourn

LIBERAL, Kansas – Almost two weeks after riots ended at the small city of Liberal, one of its several injured victims has died at the local Southwest Medical Center after several days of struggling to survive. Mr. Jonathan Lang (27), a local resident, was not believed to be affiliated either to the pro-Fremont or pro-South statehood camps, and it is believed he may have sustained his grave injuries (having been severely beaten) trying to return home from work. Aside from Mr. Lang - the circumstances of his injuries being now subject to local and federal investigation -, another 43 people are listed as injured during the events, including 10 National Guardsmen, 7 residents of Liberal, and 26 protesters.

As of the afternoon of June 7th a large vigil has been held within the city centre, almost turning into another scene of violence when signs appeared claiming Mr. Lang as a martyr for either of the opposing camps. This, in turn, may add further uncertainty to the political dynamics surrounding the Kansas controversy, an increasingly bitter issue not only for the people of Kansas, but also for the South and the Commonwealth of Fremont.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Kim family lands in The Hague
Allied powers decide on ICC trial in the Netherlands,
Choe government refuses to accept Court jurisdiction,
Trial hinges on potential Security Council resolution

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Substantial talks within the Allied powers have finally reached an outcome after weeks of discussions, leading on a joint decision by a supermajority of the bloc that the trial of the "Kim dynasty" and its surviving high ranking officers should be deferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Although it is believed that Western nations such as Germany, France and Canada were the ones who led the push in favor of an international trial as opposed to a local one, some international analysts believe the decisive push may have come from the Republic of Atlasia, which publically came out in favor of such a trail in May. On the morning of June 7th, 2020 and with the authorization of Dutch PM Mark Rutte a prisoner transfer took place, moving Kim Jong-nam, Kim Yo-jong and others to the ICC wing of the Hague Penitentiary Institution.

This, in turn, has resulted in backlash within North Korea, and in reported internal tensions within the North Korean government. Whereas Prime Minister Thae Yong Ho is said to be more open to the concept of the ICC trial, President Choe and some leading figures of the government have been vocally opposed to it, resulting in a series of statements both condemning the Allied decision as a "serious breach of sovereignty" and asserting their view that the Kims should be "tried by the Korean people". This impasse with the North Korean government has resulted in a complex problem regarding the jurisdiction of the trial. International relations scholar Richard Rycart had this to say:

"Whereas the Kims can be tried for crimes committed against Rome Statue signatories - namely Japan and South Korea, as Atlasia is not a signatory, they cannot be tried for crimes committed in North Korea unless either the North Korean government gives consent, or the UN Security Council passes a resolution in favor of it. As it is, it is a most difficult situation."

With President Choe and a large part of the new North Korean political establishment appearing unlikely to grant such contest, many wonder whether attempts will be made to have the UN Security Council pass a resolution (with speculation moving onto potential vetoes from permanent members), or whether the ICC trial will end up being focused solely on the Second Korean War and the North Korean Civil War.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2020, 09:21:11 PM »

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

REPORT / POLICY

Player Action and the Coronavirus
A list of relevant measures and events (2020)
Includes Administration, Congress and Regions

JANUARY 2020
  • January 25 – First two Atlasian cases of coronavirus in New Jersey (Newark) and Seattle (Washington).

FEBRUARY 2020
  • February 3 – up to 1200 Atlasians are evacuated from Wuhan.
  • End of February – Close to 20 cases reported nationwide.

MARCH 2020
  • March 5 - First death in Atlasia.
  • March 12 - Lincoln declares a state of emergency until September 1st. Authorizes testing and appropiate actions by regional agencies.
  • March 12 - Fremont declares a state of emergency, closes schools and gatherings, encourages not to travel, furloughs not essential state employees, prohibits gatherings of over 200 people.
  • March 13 - Lincoln Chancellor address, public schools closed until March 30th.
  • March 14 - Presidential EO (49#006) suspends elective surgeries for two months; suspends most travel from Schengen, China, Iran, South Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom; prohibits cruise ships from docking until July 1st; establishes mandatory 14-day self-isolation for arrivals; closes federally funded schools; prohibits federal government gatherings larger than 250 people.
  • March 15 - Presidential Address, promises stimulus package.
  • March 15 - South declares state of emergency. Closes all public schools in MD, LA, KY, FL, NC and VA for two weeks.
  • March 16 - Lincoln state of emergency amended, cancels gatherings with more than 250 people to be canceled, closes several businesses, orders local governments not to contradict.
  • March 21 - Presidential Address, reports threat of recessions, announces emergency stimulus.
  • March 22 - Presidential EO (49 #008) invokes Defense Production Act, authorizes AG to take possession of companies that manufacture health and medical resources.
  • March 24 - Fremont directs public to remain at home, condemns hoarding of medical supplies.
  • March 25 - Coronavirus Response Act and Effects on Coronavirus on Employees Act (Lincoln) signed into law. Free testing funded, employeers forbidden from firing employees, paid sick leave and unemployment benefits.
  • March 26 - South expands school closure until April 17th. Stay in place orders, urges social distancing.
  • March 26 - Fremont Emergency Schooling Act (Fremont) signed into law, promotes online classes.
  • March 29 - Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response (Federal) signed into law, requires medical institutions to test free of charge and deliver free treatmment, mandatory medical paid leave (2/3 of wages for up to three months), plus varying spending on different services and purposes.

APRIL 2020
  • April 1 - Lincoln EO mandates individuals to stay at home.
  • April 5 - Comptroller General update, 300.000 infected, recession likely, Federal Reserve reduces reserve rate to 0.25%, unemployment may reach 32% in the coming months.
  • April 15 - South extends school closure to May 15th. Recommends events with more than 5 people to be cancelled.
  • April 16 - Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Federal) signed into law, establishes temporary UBI ($2000 a month) until October 2020, then it starts decreasing. Lowers taxes, provides business loans.
  • April 20 - Atlasia becomes nation with highest number of deaths.
  • April 22 - More Money for Hurting Small Businesses Act (Federal) signed into law, gives extra resources for loans, requires businesses to give paid leave (people diagnosed or caring for family) of 2/3 for three months.
  • April 24 - South extends closure of schools for the rest of the year.
  • April 25 - Pontifex Maximus update, 1.000.000 infected, c. 30.000 deaths.
  • April 30 - Pontifex Maximus update, testing at c. 280.000 per day.

MAY 2020
  • May 8 - Pontifex Maximus update, 1.500.000 infected, c. 50.000 deaths.
  • May 11 -  EO 49 #006 extended until December 1st.
  • May 11 - Support for Frontline Workers of the 2019-2020 Coronavirus Pandemic (Federal) signed into law, giving frontline workers priority in testing, orders new testing facilities, mandates liason between HHS and Attorney General for testing, equipment, masks and ventilators.
  • May 11 - President announces "DefeatCoronavirus" mobile app.
  • May 11 - Hospital Relief Bill (Lincoln) signed into law, creates emergency fund of 125bn for hospitals.
  • May 13 - Presidential Address, outlines mass testing strategy.

JUNE 2020
  • June 7 - Pontifex Maximus update, 2.500.000 infected, c. 69.000 deaths, testing at c. 850.000 per day.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2020, 09:36:29 PM »

CLARIFICATION / REGIONAL

Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor

For clarification, having taken into account context, Game Engine mechanisms and, in particular, upon review of legislation on the subject of federal warrants (particularly the Policing the Police Act (South, 2018), it is ruled that Ms. Breonna Taylor is alive and well, and remains an NPC resident of Louisville, Kentucky.

It is also ruled that, accounting for context and legislation, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery was killed on Brunswick, Georgia on February 23, 2020. The current suspects (Travis McMichael; Gregory McMichael; William "Roddie" Bryan) were only arrested after five weeks from the shooting. The investigation - including the handling of the case by GCPD and the Brunswick District Attorney's Office - is being now conducted by the FBI.
Logged
Former President tack50
tack50
Atlas Politician
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 11,891
Spain


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #20 on: June 08, 2020, 07:54:59 AM »

Wow we are doing pretty good regarding the coronavirus
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #21 on: June 13, 2020, 03:25:16 PM »

There's a pending update (really pressured from work, so can't make it happen yet), but as an informal clarification I can state Mr. Leonard Peltier has been released as per the latest presidential pardon. There will be a news story on that later on.
Logged
Fmr. Representative Encke
Encke
Jr. Member
***
Posts: 1,203
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #22 on: June 28, 2020, 07:24:44 PM »

JUNE 2020
  • June 7 - Pontifex Maximus update, 2.500.000 infected, c. 69.000 deaths, testing at c. 850.000 per day.
Wait, so on June 7 the number of infected was more than it was IRL (2.5 million vs 2 million IRL) but the number of deaths is roughly halved (69k vs 114k IRL)?
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #23 on: June 28, 2020, 07:33:59 PM »

JUNE 2020
  • June 7 - Pontifex Maximus update, 2.500.000 infected, c. 69.000 deaths, testing at c. 850.000 per day.
Wait, so on June 7 the number of infected was more than it was IRL (2.5 million vs 2 million IRL) but the number of deaths is roughly halved (69k vs 114k IRL)?

Indeed. There's a number of factors at play, but the key part is that Atlasia is far ahead of the US - in OTL - in terms of testing, meaning there's more reported cases despite the pandemic claiming less casualties due to varying contextual differences and the consequences of player action.

On a different note, I've been meaning to catch up with necessary new updates (will do another effort to finish something tonight), but work continues to be a big problem. Still, there should be something up soon.
Logged
Lumine
LumineVonReuental
Moderator
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,610
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #24 on: July 02, 2020, 01:22:16 AM »

OOC: Decided to split the update in two due to the backlog. This is international news, to be followed by a pandemic and domestic update.

On the sixteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Pericles and the Vice Presidency of Peanut

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Hong Kong security law to be enacted
China redoubles efforts, controversial law passed by NPCSC,
Comes into effect on July 6th, greatly empowering authorities to combat protests,
Mass protests on July 1st meet harsh crackdown, many injured

HONG KONG, China – Having decided not to draw out the process of drafting the highly controversial new security bill for Hong Kong, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress redoubled its efforts to finish and pass the bill at the earliest opportunity, managing to push the 75-article law with a unanimous vote on July 1st, amidst riots and continued unrest within the city. Having kept the precise details of the bill in secret, protesters in Hong Hong have been reportedly horrified - and enraged - at the harsh measures included across the law, criminalizing a large number of acts that include seccession advocacy, subversion and terrorism, collusion with foreign powers. Furthermore, the bill allows for maximum life sentences, allows the extradition of suspects into the mainland, and drastically expands the surveillance and riot control powers of the security forces, in all effect giving near unlimited powers to curb the protests.

Right before the vote and across July 1st - another anniversary of the 1997 Handover - the latest series of mass protests took place across Hong Kong, this time meeting an even more emboldened police and security forces. Videos have already been posted online of the street battles between protesters and the police, resulting in dozens of injured and several fires and barricades. Despite decent turnout, many fear this will be one of the last acts of defiance, as the law comes into effect on Monday 6th, in four days. With the PLA expanding its forces outside the city to upwards of 40,000 men and as new security agents take their new positions, opposition leaders have already called for another mass protest on the 6th, a day in which expected to be one of the most tense - and possibly violent - in Hong Kong history. Several countries have already reacted with outrage at what they perceive is a violation of past agreements, with Prime Minister Owen Smith - despite the steady erosion of his political authority - reportedly considering offering British citizenship to many residents of the city.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Israel planning partial West Bank annexation
Edelstein and Lieberman continue strong push for annexation,
PM Gantz wows to secure international support to enact limited plan,
Palestinians protest the plans, fears of potential violence and unrest

WEST JERUSALEM, Israel – The first few months of the new Coalition government in Israel have been by endless debates regarding the present status of the Jordan Valley and its West Bank, with large parts of the Israeli right - and former PM Netanyahu as well - having championed different proposals for annexation of current Israeli settlements or indeed the entire region. Having already committed to pursue some degree of annexation during the campaign, Prime Minister Gantz has faced significant public and private pressure from the bulk of his coalition partners (both Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu) as well as the more hawkish wing of his party, resulting in a significantly faster timing than what was expected. Thus far - and amidst polling which shows the measure to be controversial - Gantz has seemingly stuck to his pledge of wanting to have international consensus to support an annexation plan, which has drawn harsh criticism from those who believe in immediate moves to consolidate control over the West Bank.

Matters have further accelerated as the threat of the pandemic has slowly receded, forcing Gantz into crafting a more concrete proposal to be debated in Cabinet and in the Knesset. Setting up a soft deadline of August, Gantz has now started a so-called "charm offensive", approaching allies and relevant powers in order to promote his plans for limited annexation of settlements in the hopes of portraying his approach as a "measured" response to the present situation. It is a task some analysts have portrayed as "unenviable", with the increasingly beleaguered PM under unyielding criticism from the hawks (including the vocal statements of Netanyahu, who has constantly denounced Gantz as he navigates his Supreme Court appeal) as well as the doves. Indeed, there's already rumours of trouble from the more moderate end of his coalition, including elements within the Labor Party.

Talk of annexation has also resulted in substantial outrage coming from the Palestinian Authority (thought to be under danger of collapse if annexation goes ahead) as well as from different Palestinian groups and citizens, some of which have taken to the streets to protest the move. Others view it as almost inevitable, and attempt to grapple both with the consequences of annexation and the potential (violent or non-violent) resistance to it. Though the Atlasian-Israeli relationship has undergone different levels of trust over the past few years, many expect Atlasian opposition or support of an annexation plan to be an important factor in allowing Gantz to move ahead and keep his coalition together.

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

New elections scheduled in Bolivia and Venezuela
Venezuela schedules October election, local violence on the rise,
Bolivia schedules September election, despite opposition from Acting President Áñez,
Local epidemiologists fear impact on pandemic

LA PAZ, Bolivia – A tense and prolonged stand-off between Acting President Jeanine Áñez and the MAS-controled Congress has finally ended with the President's reluctant acquiescence to sign the new Electoral Law passed by both houses, scheduling the new Presidential and Congressional elections for September 6th, 2020. Despite Áñez's insistence in presenting the timing as "highly irresponsible" by citing the potential for expanding the already growing pandemic due to the elections, most Presidential candidates (including former President Carlos Mesa, and MAS candidate Luis Arce) pushed back, implying - or outright accusing - Áñez of wanting to extend her term as Acting President prompted by Evo Morales's resignation in late 2019. Although fears of violence have generally proven baseless, Bolivia is still undergoing severe political tension as opponents and supporters of Morales denounce each other for either having staged a coup (MAS's version) or having planned one after allegedly rigging the election (the  anti-MAS version).

The other Latin American nation to have suspended its elections, Venezuela, has finally scheduled theirs for October 15th, creating the potential for the first "free and fair" election in several years. Despite the development of a consensus within the Transitional Government to finally schedule a date, the situation in Venezuela is rapidly evolving for the worse despite initial hopes prompted by the collapse of the Padrino regime and the apparent end of Chavismo as the dominant government force. Not only are opposition and Chavista government officials undergoing a constant struggle that has almost paralyzed their government, but the surge in political violence at the hands of paramilitary forces and criminal gangs has combined with the scourge of the pandemic to expand the already serious humanitarian crisis. Indeed, the Transitional Government is already requesting urgent financial and humanitarian aid from different international organizations.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7  
« previous next »
Jump to:  


Login with username, password and session length

Terms of Service - DMCA Agent and Policy - Privacy Policy and Cookies

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines

Page created in 0.142 seconds with 14 queries.