Aldegar

[jamescfm]

Foreign Minister Injured in Hotel Shootout
June 12, 4140


Selab Nishpuri, Aldegarian Foreign Minister, is rushed to hospital to receive medical attention

Aldegarian Foreign Minister Selab Nishapuri has been wounded in a presumed terrorist attack on a hotel in the capital- Aldegaria. The hotel, called the Lotus Flower, was hosting a government-sponsored conference to encourage foreign investment in Aldegar, with Nishpuri in attendance, when it was targetted. Authorities say that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the causes of the attack and how it was able to take place.

While exact details remain sketchy, based on eyewitness accounts we can establish that between four and seven individuals entered the lobby area of the hotel at around nine-o-clock yesterday evening. Armed with handguns they forced the receptionist to lock the hotel doors and began to move through to the conference room, where the Foreign Minister was engaged in a meeting. Fortunately, the hotel had armed security placed in the room and the officers were quick to respond. Nonetheless, a violent shootout ensued- in which at least three civilians were fatally wounded along with four gunmen. The Foreign Minister was one of eleven other people injured, two of whom were security personnel. The police arrived several minutes later and a undetermined number of people were taken into custody.

The basis for the attack is not currently understood but several details have emerged which could hint at potential motives. Firstly, the weapons used by the attackers have been traced back to Baltusia and at least two of the men killed held Baltusian passports. Aldegar has experienced a period of tense relations with its northern neighbour, who are furious at the Shah's claim to be 'King of Baltusia). Court Minister Tutak Esfahani responded quickly as reports came in, telling journalists;

Although the intricacies of this atrocity are not yet fully known, it seems quite clear to me that this was a terrorist attack against a high-ranking member of my government attempting to undermine our national authority. Further to that, it appears as though this crime was committed by foreign insurgents in order to destabilise our nation. Once again, the state of Aldegar is threatened by international regimes who wish to pursue their own agenda. Let me be absolutely clear, we will not be shaken. If anything, this will strengthen our resolve and we will fight even harder to preserve our values and our way of life.

[jamescfm]

Glorious Illuminator|The Shah's Official News Outlet
Foreign Terrorists' Assassination Attempt
February 12, 4142


There was a heavy police presence at the Shah's birthday celebration

As a parade to celebrate the 62nd birthday of His Most High Majesty travelled through the streets of the capital this morning, two shots were fired at his carriage. Thankfully, the Shah was only hit in the lower arm, with the second shot missing him entirely, but the news is extremely troubling. The annual parade in celebration of the Shah's birthday was reaching its conclusion when the would-be assassin used a sniper rifle to take aim at His Most High Majesty. Revellers in the street below were whipped into a panic-filled frenzy as police rushed the building to apprehend the shooter.

The man, named as Baltusian-native Samuel Gutiérrez, is being held in custody as the police investigate his motive and try to track down other individuals who may be involved. Currently, there appears to be a link between Gutiérrez and the group who attempted to murder then-Foreign Minister Selab Nishapuri two years ago. The shady organisation is believed to be funded by the Baltusian government and may even be receiving arms from them. Their aims appear to be the murder of the government of Aldegar and, now, the Shah himself.

Former Court Minister Tutak Esfahani, who has been scathing in his criticisms of Baltusia in the World Congress' General Assembly, issued a statement on behalf of his party;

The events that transpired during what should have been one of the most joyous events of the year, a celebration of His Most High Majesty's birthday, have truly shocked us all. If it is true that this attack was perpetrated by the Baltusian government, as we suspect it was, then it is once again a clear sign that they wish to undermine the rightful ruler of Aldegar. They should be held accountable for this action. In the meantime, we dearly hope that the Shah makes a full recovery and does not suffer mental distress or trauma as a result of this.

A spokesman for the Shah has said that he is recovering in hospital and that he hopes to be let out tomorrow morning, to be moved to the royal residence and be treated there. At this stage, there is no suggestion that his continued rule will be affected by this attempt on his life.

[jamescfm]

Glorious Illuminator|The Shah's Official News Outlet
Crown Prince Celebrates Birth of First Child
June 24, 4146

The public mood was joyous across Terra yesterday as Bardiya, Crown Prince of Aldegar celebrated becoming a father for the first time. Bardiya and his wife, Rashiya Vajesta Rostami, announced that the Crown Princess had given birth to a baby son at 3:56pm on June 23rd at their official residence outside Aldegaria. The boy, who has been named Samrad Shahnam to honour his father and grandfather becomes the new second-in-line to the throne, replacing Baridya's brother Shahnam, Prince of Kemoku. It is the fourth time His Most High Majesty the Shah has been blessed with a grandchild; his youngest child Shahbanu, Princess of Polran has two sons while the aforementioned Shahnam has a daughter- Vajesta.

To some, the birth of a son is a great relief. The controversial passing of a bill to govern succession to the throne, in which it is stated that a female may become Shah, worried some conservatives. Some even speculate that their opposition to agnatic primogeniture caused the National Democratic Union to lose the last elections. On top of the new legislation, the Crown Prince and Princess had seemingly been unable to produce a child. Three times in five years Rashiya had fallen pregnant but been unable to see the pregnancy through- causing her great trauma and distress. Consequently, Vajesta has been the third-in-line to the throne since her birth. While there is no guarantee that she will not still become Shah (or 'Shahbanu' as some have suggested), Samrad's birth makes this less likely.

[Aquinas]

Ponsee radicals responsible for arson attacks, claims Internal Affairs Minister

[jamescfm]

Glorious Illuminator|The Shah's Official News Outlet
Worldwide Sadness as His Most High Majesty Crosses Bridge of the Requiter
October 13, 4147


Crowds mourn the death of His Most High Majesty Shahnam I

Four weeks of national mourning were declared by the governing ANP this morning when it was announced that His Most High Majesty Shahnam I had passed peacefully into the next stage of life, aged sixty-seven. The Shah will now travel to the Bridge of the Requiter, where he will meet an attractive maiden, be led across the bridge and reside in paradise for eternity. His press secretary told reporters that 'the Shah was discovered to be dead when his assistants came to wake him at seven o'clock; the cause of death is currently not clear and we ask the public to respect the privacy of the royal family at this testing time'.

Shahnam I, the ruler of the House of Pesuna, ascended to the Aldegarian throne in January 4138. Since then he has adopted further titles, notably Celestial Emperor of Indrala and King of Baltusia, leading to international controversy. Overall, his rule was seen as extremely buoyant period in Aldegarian history. Towards the end of their rule, resentment was extremely high towards the republican government and the return of the Shah was celebrated near universally. While not refraining completely from involvement in government, the Shah usually kept out of political life, preferring to focus on charitable endeavours. He was an extremely committed Yazdean.

The Shah leaves behind a wife, Rashiya and three children, Bardiya, Shahnam and Shahbanu. In addition, he has five grandchildren (two girls and three boys). A state funeral will be held soon, though details have not yet been made public. Public vigils and tributes have already appeared across the country. Bardiya, Crown Prince of Aldegar will ascend to the throne in due course and it is expected that he will not take the title 'Emperor of the He Dynasty' but will continue to use those associated with it. Bardiya is believed to be a rather similar ruler to his father, favouring positive public engagements over unnecessary meddling in political life.

[NationalDemUnion1]

Bugle of the People-The Voice of the NDU

Change at the Top
Leadership Contest sees Ahmedabad toppled


Now former Party Leader and Court Minister Ahmed Ahmedabad looks grim as the results are announced

In shocking scenes at the NDU Party Congress, former Court Minister Ahmed Ahmedabad was defeated in the election for Party Leader. Following the NDU's abysmal collapse at the election, fuelled by resurgent conservatism, the Caucas of the Divan approved by a vote of 16-15 a Motion of No Confidence in Ahmedabad, who had refused to resign following the electoral collapse.

Ahmedabad and his supporters managed to disuade senior Divan members from running, and in the weeks leading up to the close of nominations Ahmedabad looked likely to be formally confirmed as Party Leader by the National Executive, extending his reign as party leader to 12 years.
However the day before the nominations closed Salman bin-Hamad, a former Deputy Governor of Polran and the only newcomer to the NDU Divan Caucus, submitted the required nominee numbers to enter the race.

All 2.9 million NDU members were elligble to cast their ballot in the First Past the Post selection process, with 2,756,832 ballots cast representing a turnout of 95%.
bin-Hamad clinched the election by an absolute landslide. The official results were as follows;

AHMEDABAD, Ahmed- 1,000,981 (36%)
BIN-HAMAD, Salman- 1,755,851 (64%)

In his victory speech, bin-Hamad pledged to rebuild the party and win the next election. bin-Hamad, who is more alligned to the centre right of the NDU, is expected to follow a more conservative line compared with Ahmedabad, whoes sweeping reforms of Royal succession and civil rights have been blamed for the defeat. The new leader, however, did pledge to uphold support for nuclear weapons development and absolute primogeniture- two of the former leader keynote policies.


Salman bin-Hamad, the new Leader of the National Democratic Union

[NationalDemUnion1]

Bugle of the People-The Voice of the NDU

Bin-Haman Kicks Off Listening Exercise
New Leader Talks to Nation, Travels to Kalistan


Salman bin-Hamad arrives in Vafatshahr accompanied by his wife, Jessica

New Party leader Salman bin-Hamad has launched 'Here 2 Hear', a national opinion gathering exercise undertaken by the NDU as the first steps to rebuilding its battered support base. The new exercise, launched in Vafatshahr, aims to reach out to at least 60% of the registered electorate by January of 4149 in order to gauge their feelings on proposed NDU policies and aims. As part of the launch, he toured an armaments manufactuering facility just outside the city which was funded by investments from the NDU government before pledging that "the NDU will do what it failed to do last time- we will listen to you. And we will hear you."


bin-Hamad tries out the periscope designed for the new Scimitar-class submarine

Prior to his visit to Vafatshahr, bin-Hamad had flown to Kalistan to meet with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. This was part of NDU efforts to support the outreach to Kalistan undertaken by the World Assembly ambassador to conter Baltusian threats. A spokesperson for the NDU said "this was not, of course, treated as an official policy visit by the Kalistanis. However, they were glad to speak with the NDU as part of the Kalistani Government's efforts to gauge all sides of the Aldegarian political divide in order to better understand how they can support our nation."


bin-Hamad pictured walking to the meeting with Committee Vice-Chair Katalina Marquez (Lab)

[NationalDemUnion1]

Bugle of the People- The Voice of the NDU

NDM Strikes Back
Party Militia Takes Action In Defence of the Nation

The former embassy of the hated Baltusians is levelled by the NDM

The National Defence Militia has stepped up its campaign of retribution against the Baltusian enemy. Soldiers from the National Mobile Force Brigade, having commandered earthmoving vehicles from a local construction company, started the process of demolishing the vacant building which previously housed the Baltusian Embassy. The building was search thouroghly for documents and files of national importance, and those found were seized. Millions of Crowns worth of currency was also found to have been hoarded within the building by the enemy.

The Central Command of the NDM announced that the elite brigade of the militia, the Special Branch, was being prepared and briefed on command structure counterstrikes. A spokesperson would not confirm if this formed part of plans to take on the Baltusians.

[NationalDemUnion1]

Bugle of the People-The Voice of the NDU

ESPIONAGE UNCOVERED
Baltusian spies cornered and neutralised after inflitration uncovered


Still photograph taken moments before Stephen Baker, also known as Khalled Musharaf, was neutralised by NDM soldiers

There was high drama in the north of the capital today, as the NDM smashed an internation espionage ring which had infliltrated the Party. Baltusian agents, under orders no doubt from the leacherous and sleazy President Mason, wormed their way into the Party's internal civil service in order to steal information and to leak sensitive Party materials to their home country.

The treachery was discovered when the Head of Party Communications Faizal al-Hadiq noticed several boxes of classified NDM files had been taken from the central paper archives. After a spate of hacking attempts, the NDM was forced to move all its files to hardcopy.
The empty boxes were discovered in dumpsters outside Party HQ, with their contents missing. An indepth search of access records showed that the last key card used to gain entry to the archives had belonged to a female member of the Secreterial Pool. After questioning, it was discovered she had innocently loaned her key card to a member of the Interal Affairs Bureau, Khalled Musharaf, who claimed his key card had snapped in the door scanner.

NDM General Protection squad members were dispatched to raid and search Mr Musharaf's home. Upon their arrival, Musharaf engaged in a firefight before attempting to flee across the rooftops near his home. He subsequently died in the ensuing chase, falling to his death from a rooftop having been shot in the leg.

A search of the property uncovered a Baltusian passport, revealing Musharaf's true identity as Stephen Baker. An encrypted laptop computer for found next to an electronic scanner and piles of stolen documents, indicating he had been communicating the stolen intel for a considerable time. An stocktake of all files is being undertaken to try to determine if any more were stolen over Baker's term of employment, the last 4 years. Meanwhile, police analysts and computer specialists have begun analysing the laptop.

The Party is infuriated, with leader Salman bin-Hamad contacting the World Council ambassador asking him to question the Baltusians.
The Divan caucus, meanwhile, is preparing legislation on increasing data security nationally and to take action against Baltusia.

[jamescfm]

Glorious Illuminator|The Shah's Official News Outlet
NDU Members Arrested In 'Spy' Death
May 26, 4148

At least four men have been arrested by police in connection with the death of Khalled Musharaf, a reported Baltusian spy who was attempting to sabotage the National Democratic Union. Musharaf, also known as Stephen Baker, fell to his death after he was involved in a firefight and subsequent chase with members of the NDM General Protection squad. While the men have not been identified, they are believed to be facing a variety of charges ranging from possessing stolen property and home invasion all the way to manslaughter. Further arrests are expected in the coming days.

Justice Minister Janat Gul Hussaini remarked publically on the arrests that;

The Department of Justice can confirm that four individuals have been arrested in relation to the death of Stephen Baker, known under the alias Khalled Musharaf. The actions relate to the actions of the NDM General Protection squad, who were involved in the death. Both the individuals in question, as well as further individuals and the organisation as a whole will be under thorough investigation. It is absolutely crucial that paramilitaries act within the law and not outside of it.