Zardugal

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Beiteynu
May 5332 - Kohav begins preparations for the Yeudi Fleet

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Beleco Post
EARLY EDITION | September 5332 | Director-General hits back at Beiteynu government for disrupting regional security.

Beleco, FD - Director-General Workneho Theoktistido hit back at Noah Kadiyot, the Head of the Medinat Department of Beiteynu, regarding his comments on "...not following Zardic leadership within the MSCO...". The comments made, according to the Director-General in a televised address, were "...unhelpful and endangered regional unity." The Director-General noted that the Barmenistan Security Assistance Force (BSAF) was at the request of the Barmenistani government and should the Beiteynu government have an issue with it, it should be taken up with the government in Sehkmet versus Beleco. "We are in Barmenistan training the Barmenistani Armed Forces. Why that presents an issue for Beiteynu? We're unsure. The success of governments in the region is predicated on the success of partnerships and assistance to one another. Beiteynu has no issue sticking its metaphorical nose in problems across the globe yet refuse to assist the Barmenistani government? I find that perplexing." The Director-General is referring of course to the "influence", he noted, of Beiteynu in foreign countries. The Director-General hinted that the Zardic government was aware of "...Beiteynu intelligence efforts..." throughout the globe and made the world aware that the Zardic National Intelligence Organization (ZINO) was well aware of their efforts in both Majatra and notably in the region. "When Beiteynu has interest in supporting regional unity, we'll cooperate with them in regional matters. Outside of that, the Beiteynu government can go it alone and without the approval of the MSCO."

In recent years the Zardic economy has grown due to the development of a strong technology and financial sector in the country. The "unprecedented" growth that the Zardic economy has experienced is largely due to the leadership of Kabako administration and now the Thektistido administration. The Zardic government has aimed at securing trade deals with a wide number of countries, both locally and internationally, aimed at allowing the strong Zardic technological sector to benefit. The technology sector, once dominated by a handful of corporations, has been expanded exponentially as a large number of corporations have began branching out and startups have become common. According to the Department of Finance and the Zardic Senate, the government has worked to provide low-interest loans and grants to a number of corporations and startup companies that have applied. While the technology sector continues to expand, a number of Zardic-based shipping companies have attracted the attention of several nations, mostly due to the liberal approach Zardugal has taken to shipping companies. This has attracted the attention however the various Zardic authorities and they announced that "Any attempts to utilize economic growth-based laws for nefarious or illicit purposes will be met with the harshest application of Zardic law."

Notable headlines from across Zardugal
Zardic News Network: Zardic Armed Forces continue to see surge in voluntary recruitment;
Limestoi Post: Limestoi Police Department and Limestoi Harbor Police arrest Sredoje "Oce" Pejakovski, noted Tokundian drug runner

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Zardic News Network
Director-General slams Beiteynu-Lourenne-Dorvik "triumvirate"
July 5335

Beleco, FD - Director-General Workneho Theoktistido echoed comments similar to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Valora Agnellido regarding the recent diplomatic agreements between Beiteynu and Dorvik, and Beiteynu and Lourenne. "We're gravely concerned about the recent trend of foreign powers trying to "anoint" a regional hegemon in Majatra." The Zardic Department of Foreign Affairs cited the "alliance agreements" which effectively permit Beiteynu "rulership" over "...northwest Majatra..." but the Department of Foreign Affairs cited a recent newspaper article by the Dorvish media in which it refers to "...wider Majatra...". The Director-General discussed that the overall decision to enter into these "alliance" agreements was detrimental to both world affairs and regional affairs, something that Zardugal has made a chief concern of its foreign policy over the past several years and the Theoktistido administration has made a focal point of from the Kabako administration prior. "Were going to review our preparedness to dealing with situations such as this and we're going to take action where action is necessary." Some speculate that the Barmenistan Security Assistance Force (BASF) might be further expanded to provide for more "direct action" in the wake of a new controversy between Zardugal and Beiteynu but that remains to be seen.

The Zardic foreign policy, considered to be Neo-Mozbido, from the older Mozbido Doctrine, has grown and evolved over the past several years as the Zardic government has sought to develop ties with fellow Majatran nations and other nations throughout the globe. The "Neo-Mozbido Doctrine" breaks with the traditional Mozbido Doctrine in that the new Zardic administrations have sought to engage with the World Congress and major international organizations compared to either not being involved with them at all or being "hands off". Both the Theoktistido and the Kabako administrations have engaged with the World Congress, engaged with a variety of regional organization and even made attempts at reviving them despite the current row developing between Beiteynu and Zardugal. This has lead to the development of the so-called "Neo-Mozbido Doctrine" that is being followed, officially Zardugal remains a member of the World Congress and has done some light campaigning for its wider international view but otherwise remains aloof of the World Congress.

Notable headlines from across Zardugal
Zardic World Report: Director-General cites potential trade deal with Dankuk in the "near future".
Zardic News Network: Zardic economy continues to see signs of growth as administration continues to improve bureaucratic processes.

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Beiteynu
Dorvish alliance heralds new era in international affairs

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Defendaj Novaĵoj
Breaking defense news from Zardugal, Majatra and the World
Zardugal overhauls military training and schooling system.
April 5336

Zardic Federation - Secretary of Defense Kralo Haĝievalido announced a major reformation of the basic training platform for the Zardic Armed Forces. In the spirit of the Augustan Empire the Department of Defense announced the formation of four primary “schools” (Augustan: Lernejo) where new recruits of the Zardic Army, Zardic Air Force, Zardic Navy and the Zardic Marine Corps will be trained. The Augustan Empire, a martial empire which ruled significant parts of Majatra, maintained a “school” system which trained large swathes of military officers and civil officials, leading to a potent military and bureaucratic system which permitted the empire to function despite its size. In ancient times the “Master of Schools” (Augustan: Majstro de Lernejoj) was a civil-military official who oversaw the Imperial schools of the Augustan Empire. In modern times the head of the training command of the Zardic Armed Forces possesses the honorary title of “Master of Schools”.

The schools for officers will be further reformed to include Basic Officer School (Augustan: Baza Oficira Lernejo) and Advanced Officer School (Augustan: Altnivela Oficira Lernejo). While the reform to schools will be broad and aimed at basic and broad advanced training, the ZAF will maintain a number of advanced and specialized schools where soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen alike will be trained in advanced and specialized training; including officers. The reforms come as the Zardic Armed Forces seek to maintain the success they’ve had at reforming the armed forces over the past several years. The Defense Secretary called the first reforms aimed at removing bloat and those not qualified to serve the people of Zardugal, something that has been a source of national pride prior to the collapse of the Zardic governments in the past. The move has prompted a steady stream of voluntary recruitment for the armed forces as well as general morale improvement overall.

The Defense Department has noted that they’ve worked with a number of Senate Committees to develop a plan for the development of new bases, improvements on others and possibly shuttering ones that are no longer considered strategically relevant. The Zardic Army has formally introduced the “Purple Beret” as the beret color and symbol of the Zardic Army Special Forces, commonly called the “Purple Berets”, something of a source of pride for the Zardic Army and a symbol of a long-standing tradition of the Zardic Army serving at the forefront of military conflicts.

The awarding of the purple beret also signifies that the Zardic Army had completed its exhaustive process of forming a special forces unit that met standards provided by the Department of Defense. The 1st Special Forces Command has formed the 1st Special Forces Group, itself comprised of 4 battalions of special forces soldiers which will be among the first of the overall Zardic Special Forces. In a similar vein the STING RAY units of the Zardic Navy are to undergo a transformative process similar to the Zardic Army. According to the Department of Defense and the Office of the Navy are to become a new special forces unit, suspected to be called the “Sea Dragons”, a type of fish common in the Majatran Sea. Similar projects are being begun in both the Zardic Air Force and the Zardic Marine Corps.

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Zardic News Network
BREAKING NEWS: Theoktistido to step down in March!
September, 5347

Beleco, FD - Director-General Workneho Theoktistido announced that he would not seek the leadership of the Federation Movement or the nation in the upcoming March 5348 federal election. Theoktistido, now in his mid 70s, has decided to retire from politics and allow the "...next generation of Zardic statesmen and women to have a chance." Theoktistido's administration has been plagued with scandal after scandal, notably popular discontent with how the Director-General handled the Majatran Security Cooperation Organization (MSCO) row with Beiteynu and Cildania, something that had not endeared him to voters in recent years. Two prominent challengers exist in the upcoming Federation Movement leadership contest: Kosara Miroslavido, the current Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs for International Security Affairs who has carved out a name for herself as a proponent of Neo-Mozbido doctrine and leads a more liberal, left-wing faction of the Federation Movement, the Federal Democrats. Kosara comes from a mixed Tokundian-Augustan family and is married to the current Secretary of Finance of Kalvario, Vukan Nestorovski. Her challenger hails from the more right-wing, monarchist wing of the Federation Movement, the Purple Faction. Zlatko Atrapo is a well known Augustan nationalist and has in more recent years leaned populist, hailing from the Lake Majatran state of Ingomo, "Zlatko" as it is commonly known, has a near cult-like following despite his many gaffes and plunders over the years. Zlatko remains a popular figure as he continues to capitalize on continued growth in Ingomo and a reduction of unemployment in his state that is largely due to many government contracts.

Polling data suggests that Miroslavido is likely to take the crown and lead the Federation Movement in its next century of existence but factionalism within the Federation Movement remains as potent as ever. Theoktistido's more moderate, neutral members of the Federation Movement have been moving to pick sides in recent years, something that spelled the doom of previous governments. While the Theoktistdio administration looks towards the door, the March 5348 elections will surely be one for the books in Zardugal. Despite this the Zardic economy has continued to grow despite a serious economic downturn that hit the nation in February, 5339 and has continued for several years. Economist attribute this to a continental downturn in trade, something that is often blamed on Zardugal following a row that developed between Zardugal-Cildania-Beiteynu over the MSCO and handling of the crisis in Barmenistan.

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Zardic World Report
Large-scale overhaul of Zardic law enforcement and intelligence agencies
September, 5347

Beleco, Federal District - Acting Secretary of Justice Konstantiniano Isidorido announced that the Federal Investigation and Security Service (Augustan: Federacia Esploro kaj Sekureca Servo; FESS) would be transformed into the Federal Investigations Service (Augustan: Federacia Esplorservo; FES) underneath an appointed Director, appointed by the Director-General and confirmed by the Zardic Senate. The reform is aimed at removing the bloat of the agency and streamlining the variety of law enforcement agencies at a federal level. According to the acting Secretary of Justice, the new agency will take over the role for several smaller agencies at a federal level as the go-to federal law enforcement agency. The Federal Investigations Service will undergo a reform over the next year and is expected to be "...fully operational by January of 4349." according to new acting Director Rado Vasakido. This reform is being done in conjunction with a massive reform to the border, custom and immigration authorities within the nation. Secretary of Internal Affairs Rafaelo Maĥoneo announced that the Federal Customs and Border Protection (FCBP) would become the Federal Border Patrol (Augustan: Federacia Lima Patrolo; FLP) and would be responsible for protection of the borders of Zardugal as a whole and would be primarily focused on the enforcement of laws related to crossing the border. The next reform came to Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (FICE) which is to become the Federal Customs and Immigration Authority (Augustan: Federacia Dogana kaj Enmigrada Aŭtoritato; FDEA) which will be responsible for the administration and carrying out the laws related to immigration and customs into the nation. According to the Department of Internal Affairs the two agencies will have some overlap but will have generally different roles.

Officials from the Federal Intelligence Service announced that as part of a wider reform the Federal Intelligence Service will become the Federal Intelligence Agency (Augustan: Federacia Sekreta Agentejo; FSA) to better differentiate it from law enforcement agencies in the nation. The long-time Director of the now Federal Intelligence Agency Rustikana Jagaro noted that her agency was largely untouched due to the "...sensitive nature of their work." According to sources close to the Federal Intelligence Agency there has been a massive influx of funding to support counter-intelligence operations, this includes a new partnership with the new Federal Investigations Service counter-intelligence department to rid Zardugal of foreign influence overall.

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Forbido
Zardugals leading business news.
April 5348 | Conference of Zardic Banks announces May, 4350 international conference.

Secretary of Finance Hosanna Prokopido spoke at a press conference today discussing the recent upward trend of commercial and consumer-based bank loans. "We're eager to see that Zardic citizens are leaning on the prowess of the Zardic banking industry to accomplish projects throughout their life." A vast majority of the loans are focused on home renovation and construction loans, personal loans and what some banks are calling "luxury" loans which are used for vacations, and non-essential spending. "While we seek to increase the overall quality of life for the average Augustan, we're aware that people are utilizing Zardic banks as a means to enjoy the so called "finer" things in life. One of the most telling is the increase of home renovation and construction loans which is joined by an increase in the purchasing of homes and banks providing mortgages for the purchase of homes." The Department of Finance and the Department of Health and Social Services' jointly administered the Federal Housing Authority which is designed to provide oversight to federal grants and loans to low-income housing but also provides statistical data on homeownership, mortgages and other associated housing information. The Federal Housing Authority, an agency that was founded when the Zardic Federation was reformed, has been essential in the tracking of Zardic citizens purchasing homes. According to the FHA the average homeownership in Zardugal was 7% in 5292, in 5296 it was improved to 11%, in 5300 it improved to 13% and in 5316 it was improved to 17% which was one of largest jumps in recent history. The improvement eventually reached 37% in 5344, an incredible number after hundreds of thousands Zards found themselves out of work and living on the street.

The Conference of Zardic Banks (Augustan: Konferenco de Zardic Banks; KZB) announced that they would hold their world wide international conference in Beleco in May, 4350 the first time that the conference has held a meeting of banks outside of Zardugal. A large number of Zardic banks have already signed on, the most recent being the Kostandia Bay Maritime Bank, quickly becoming a hallmark name in maritime finance and naval financing. Representatives from the Conference of Zardic Banks is expected to have guests from across the world attending the conference, one of the breakout sessions with focusing on developing world finances and is expected to draw considerable interest from nations who attend.

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Sebasto Suno
Endiraho's leading state newspaper.
March 5350 | Department of Planning and Transportation announces state-wide roadway expansion.


An accident caused on IS1 in Sebasto due to poor road conditions.

SEBASTO - Endiraho Governor Megethia Avramido (FM; elected March 5348) was joined by Secretary of Planning and Transportation Sansno Epifanido to announce a 7.3m LOD investment into the roadways across the state. "Endiraho serves as a vital component of Zardugal and Majatra as a whole. I'd like to thank the efforts of Secretary Sansno Epifanido for working with independent engineers and consultants to develop a plan for a state-wide overhaul of the roads." Following the Governor's speech Secretary Epifanido took over and discussed that Interstate 1, which covers Endiraho and connects it to Vanuku to the north and Unkaso to the south, would be the first major overhaul to the roadways. "IS1 serves as a vitally important commercial route for both regional and interstate commerce. Drivers across Endiraho are going to see construction crews across the state focused on expanding and upgrading the roadways to modern standards as developed by the Department of Planning and Transportation and the national Department of Infrastructure and Transport." IS1 runs from north of Paralia Cezareo, connecting with Vanuku's major roadways and splits into two roadways: IS1 which travels the western coast of the state and IS2 which travels the eastern border of the state. IS1 is further connected in Hermeio, Laraeo, Lampsusso, Lazo, the state capital of Sebasto, Myonomeno, Beleco, FD, Kasmestiaoi and Pantinoi where it then connects to IS1 in Unkaso.

The first leg of the expansion is expected to take approximately 3 years to complete, ending with a major overhaul in Pantinoi. The second leg of the project, aimed at developing similar expansions to IS2, will begin following the completion of the IS1 reconstruction. According to the Secretary of Planning and Transportation the state government is bidding out contracts for 100 mile sections of the state-wide improvement. "We're excited to see the sort of economic development that rebuilding IS1 and IS2 generates." According to the Endiraho Department of Commerce it is expected that the re-development efforts will be a boon for jobs in Endiraho and serve and overall increase in inter-state and regional trade.

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Beleco Post
LATE EDITION | April 5350 | Jelbek motorcycle gang eliminated in raids by the Federal Investigations Service.


Sebasto Police Department officers outside the location where Wolf Rider leader Slejman Kajsjitaj was arrested.

Beleco, FD - Director of the Federal Investigations Service Rado Vasakido announced that the Federal Investigations Service conducted a multi-state series of raids this morning and arrested 17 members of a Jelbek criminal gang known as the Krt Mnmokai (Luthorian: Wolf Riders), a group of Jelbeks who have formed a motorcycle club and have been involved in gun running and drug trafficking. The leader of the gang, Slejman Kajsjitaj, was arrested in the Endiraho State in the city of Sebasto alongside two senior lieutenants, one of which was wanted for murder of a store clerk who attempted to prevent them from stealing beer during a drunken streak across the city. Slejman Kajsjitaj, an ethnic Jelbek Zardic citizen, is a lifelong criminal with an extensive criminal jacket and has been picked up by Sebasto Police Department several dozen times for crimes ranging from criminal sale of a controlled substance to felony assault. His arrest has been a long term investigation by the Sebasto Police Department, the Endiraho State Police's Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Organized Crime Task Force from the Federal Investigations Service. According to Director Vasakido the Krt Mnmokai are responsible for significant drug trafficking in the state of Endiraho, Unkaso and parts of Limestoi, but have focused their efforts in Endiraho. The members of the gang are being charged by the Federal Attorney for the Southern District of Endiraho and will be taken before the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Endiraho. Assistant Federal Attorney for the Southern District of Endiraho Tkoŭloĝa Jozefido welcomed the cooperation and noted that this precise duty was being carried out across Zardugal. "Zardugal has long suffered from inept government, corruption and abuses through all levels of government. This has allowed crime and the criminal element to fester, we are no longer sitting idly by and allowing this criminal element to dominate our society. Today we've handled one component of the disease that plagues this country and we'll continue forward."

Headlines from across Zardugal...

• Exellius Aerospace announces new helicopter plant in Maniopolo, Kalvario aimed at building AH-64 attack helicopters.
• Zardugal proposes maritime security force for the MSCO, Miroslavido administration lends naval patrol resources to Deltarian efforts.
• Marine Expeditionary Unit "Andronicus" combat ready and capable according to Joint Defense Staff report to the Zardic Senate.