09-02-2019, 07:18 AM
[/hr]International | Politics | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Opinion | Business
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The Litudinem Herald
Sunday, September 1st, 2019
[/hr]VOL. CXXXVI - Num. 34 | In the News: Eirian Trade War Mediation Conference Begins -- Zamastanian Earthquake kills thousands -- DIS admits to having a Kill List
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Eirian Trade War Mediation Conference Begins
by Lucas Cavil, Eirian Correspondent
In a noble effort to bring the trade war that has been rocking the IDU in recent weeks to a peaceful conclusion, the Eiria has agreed to host a mediation conference. Hopes are high that this conference will bring about the end to this dispute.
The delegates have been arriving over the past 24 hours. The Zamastanian, Xiomeran, Kerlian, and Triuvian have already arrived via Dunceda Airport. For the time being they are resting up for the big conference.
While they were landing, we managed to get an exclusive interview with Alice Lancaster, the conference coordinator and Eirian Minister of Diplomacy.
When we asked her why Eiria decided to host the conference in the first place, she responded that they believed that, as a truly democratic and forward thinking state it would be in the collective best interest of the IDU for a conference to be held. She stated, "...we wanted to stop this trade war before it snowball[ed]." She further emphasized, "...we couldn't have let this lead to a depression"
It would seem the Eirian government truly believed that, if left unchecked, the trade war would lead to a global depression. This idea has been supported by many economists. It is held that if the trade wars do not cease shortly a global economic crisis is likely. It would seem a lot rests on Eiria.
Mrs. Lancaster also stated that she believes that, in the event that the conference's outcome is positive, diplomatic and economic relationships with other nations will be greatly boosted.
When asked what the ideal outcome of the conference was Mrs Lancaster reportedly stated, "The cessation of sanctions... [and all] open disputes to be settled." This is a lofty goal but one that, if achieved, will seriously help the global financial situation.
To insure a successful outcome to the disputes, Mrs. Lancaster has stated that she will do everything in her ability to keep discussion open. She stated that "Communication is key for resolving conflicts." She also stated that she wants to focus heavily on the Trive-Kerlile rift.
All in all, Alice Lancaster has high hopes for the conference. For the sake of the prosperity of the IDU as a whole, let's pray her hopes come to fruition.
Zamastanian Earthquake kills thousands
by Jack Arnold, Writer
On Saturday a magnitude 8.3 earthquake occurred. Its aftershock has killed thousands of the residents living in Zamastan's Horseshoe Bay area. This is the largest earthquake to have struck Zamastan in 100 years.
Sources say that around 2:08 PM a 8.3 magnitude earthquake occurred 84 miles north of Horseshoe Bay. The tremor caused significant structural damage and was felt heavily in Tofino. Shortly thereafter the Zamastanian Government declared a state-of-emergency in anticipation for predicted aftershock and a potential tsunami.
These predictions came to fruition later in the day as a 4 meter tall tsunami struck hit the Costal Valley area. Two avalanches were also triggered by the quake on nearby climbing mountains and the aftershock took down numerous buildings. The death toll has been reported to be well over 1,000.
The tremors could be felt many hundreds of kilometers away.
On the evening of Saturday, president Lucas Brown announced stated in a social media post "The thoughts and prayers of our nation go out to all of the individuals effected by the horrible earthquake that has struck Zamastan. I cannot stress enough how upsetting this is to watch. The Zamastanians are resilient people and I wish them all the best in rebuilding. God Bless."
It would seem that Brown was not the only world leader to give condolences. United New England, Sanctaria, Trive, and Gardavasque's leaders have all also commented on the tragedy in Zamastan at the time of writing this.
The rebuilding process will be a long one as hundreds are now without a home. However, first responders are working tirelessly to save what they can.
DIS admits to having a kill list
by Grahame Bentley, Chief Political Corespondent
Only a 2 and a half weeks after it was leaked that Sanctaria's Department of Homeland Security had a kill list, more than 20,000 signatures had already been affixed to a petition demanding that the Maximusian Department of Internal Security disclose if they had one too. Much to the Collective surprise of the Maximusian populace, at 12:52 PM this afternoon the DIS was obliged.
"We do have a kill list." Said Anthony Hawkins, Deputy Director of the DIS during a press conference. "We don't like that we have to have one but we certainly do. Frankly, it would be extremely impractical to have a Security Agency at all without a kill list. I can confirm to you that many nations have kill lists. I would also like to state that before anyone ends up on our list we make sure that every other option has been exhausted. Only the very worst of the worst are on our kill list."
Many Maximuisans were shocked by how nonchalant the DIS was about this bombshell announcement. Then again, a former DIS executive (who has asked to remain anonymous) stated that this was the best way to handle the situation.
If the DIS were to deny the allegations, the former executive explained to LH, someone would get around to leaking it for attention eventually. Then the DIS would look even worse. By acknowledging the existence of a kill list up front it would seem the DIS hopes to make themselves look honest and open.
Regardless of their hopes, this breaking news has already taken the nation by storm. Numerous celebrities have called for the resignation of DIS director Micheals for withholding such significant information from the public. There have also been calls from both sides of the isle for the DIS to undergo a restructuring that gives more oversight and transparency to the operation. However, the DIS has stood essentially as it is for more than 40 years and has survived numerous scandals. As such, a restructuring seems unlikely.
The DIS has announced that they will reveal the names of everyone on the hit list who has been deceased for at least 50 years (who was not successfully killed) in the coming weeks. They have also assured the nation that only terrorists are on the list.