Enfriqua safe from Algerian wildfires
Word has been received that Enfriqua is not under threat from the relatively nearby wildfires burning in northern Algeria. Enfriqua is an autonomous Crown Dependency of Austenasia, annexed from the M’Sila province of northern Algeria in January 2015. Multiple ongoing deadly wildfires have been raging in nearby areas of Algeria since 9 August, killing ninety people so far. His Excellency Mr Akka Bey, the crown dependency’s Governing Commissioner, has reported that Enfriqua is not under threat from the wildfires and that “everything is going well” for them. Enfriqua consists of a residential property inhabited by a family of four. Mr Bey has also served as the (unaccredited) Austenasian Ambassador to Algeria since February 2016.
Lord Austin Jaax retires – Kingeston downsized
Sunday 22nd saw Lord Austin Jaax retire from frontline politics, resigning most of his positions within Austenasia. This came after Lord Jaax took on a greater role in Canadian local politics, resulting in increased demands on his time. Lord Jaax joined Austenasia in December 2018 as the Governing Commissioner of Kingeston, a new crown dependency which upon its creation consisted of an uninhabited area of farmland. Kingeston was expanded in May last year, becoming a Town with the annexation of a part of Jaax’s family home, making himself and his brother Austenasian residents. Jaax was appointed Acting Representative of the new town, being elected to the position proper a few months later in July. Now, however, the changes made to Kingeston in May 2020 have been reversed as a result of Jaax’s resignation. An Act of Parliament was passed yesterday, transitioning Kingeston back into a crown dependency. Jaax will be staying on as Kingeston’s governing commissioner due to the comparatively few duties required in administering an autonomous and uninhabited claim, but has resigned from his other posts, including Baron of Kingeston; as a knight, he will therefore henceforth be known as Sir Austin. Jaax had served as Chancellor since June 2020, and as Speaker of the House of Representatives since February earlier this year.
Lord Wilson and Lady Dillon confirmed as general election candidates
Emperor Jonathan I yesterday confirmed two candidates for next month’s general election. Lady Addison Dillon, Representative of Blue Ridge, will be running against Lord William Wilson, Representative of Nahona. Both candidates have recently founded political parties to organise their supporters: Lady Dillon the Alliance Party and Lord Wilson the Arete (Excellence) Party. The Alliance Party describes itself as “syncretic” and “endorses civil rights, equality before the law, Athenian direct democracy, and broad technological and social reform.” Lady Dillon has noted that it “focuses on social issues rather than ideological economic specifics.” Lord Wilson has stated that the aim of the Arete Party “is to bring about the best of cultural, economic, and political life in Austenasia through the application of the 11 moral virtues described in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.” The Arete Party held a party conference earlier today, in which incumbent Prime Minister Lord John Gordon was elected party secretary. Two other Representatives have also joined. The general election will take place on 17 September, and will elect the country’s sixth Prime Minister. The winner of the election will come into office the following day, 18 September, which this year as the third Saturday in September will also be Austenasian Independence Day. The incumbent Prime Minister, Lord John Gordon, has been in office since June last year, but is stepping down as head of government due to increasing demands on his time, as well as the fact that despite enjoying broad popular support he was not directly elected. Lady Addison Dillon became an Austenasian governor in July 2020 upon claiming the then Territory of Blue Ridge. This was expanded into a Town in December with the annexation of her adjoining residence, of which she was elected Representative in February. She currently serves as one of Austenasia’s three delegates to the Grand Unified Micronational. Lord William Wilson joined Austenasia with the creation of the Town of Nahona in January 2020. He currently holds office as Deputy Prime Minister and Chief Herald, and also served as Home Secretary from August 2020 to February 2021.
Riverside land claimed in territorial changes
Wednesday 11th August saw territorial changes taking place for Austenasia, with a new territory being claimed from the U.S. state of Maine while most of New Pontunia was ceded back to Louisiana. The new Territory of Cenomannica overlooks a waterfall in the Machias River, Maine, and was claimed for Austenasia by the now Lord Archie Birch. Cenomannica spans 660 square feet and is part of a public park boasting scenic riverside views. Meanwhile, the autonomous crown dependency of New Pontunia has been downsized to a single house, the family home of its leader Duke Andrew I. New Pontunia joined Austenasia in October last year as an already existing nation of twenty three people claiming thirteen residential properties and two public parks. The dependency was significantly downsized in February with the cession of the two parks and four of its houses. The decision to further “streamline” the dependency down to the Duke’s house alone was made due to most of its residents – friends who had initially joined prior to it joining the Empire – having fallen out of contact with Andrew I or no longer being interested in living independently from the United States.
Imperium Park designated national monument
A charter was signed on Wednesday 28th July bestowing national monument status on Imperium Park in Nahona. The charter, signed by Emperor Jonathan I in his capacity as Minister for Culture and by Lord William Wilson, Representative of Nahona, provides for the maintenance and preservation of the park. Spanning just over 140 square feet, Imperium Park is a recreational area dedicated to Austenasian and Imperial history. It was unveiled on Independence Day 2020, with work having begun in May earlier that year. The most prominent feature of Imperium Park is the Imperium Monument, composed of the Columna Passus Imperatori and the Vallum Austenum. The former is a limestone column inscribed with the names of the incumbent Augusti and Caesari at the time of its construction, whereas the latter is a perimeter wall inscribed with heraldry. The park also contains a seating area and spaces for the display of temporary art exhibits. Work on the continued beautification and maintenance of the park is ongoing. Imperium Park is only the third site to be granted national monument status, giving it official recognition as a “site or structure within Austenasia of importance to the culture and/or history” of the Empire.
Gordon not to stand in September general election
Parliament has authorised an early general election to take place this September, in which Lord John Gordon, incumbent Prime Minister, has said he will not stand for re-election. Under the Elections Act 2020 passed in November last year, general elections are meant to be held every four years. However, exceptions can be made by Parliament, as took place this morning. Although the next general election was not due until February 2024, it will now take place on 17 September later this year. Lord Gordon is currently training with the British Army, and the increasing demands on his time have led to his decision not to run for re-election as Prime Minister. Lord Gordon has served as Prime Minister since 1 June last year. Uniquely, rather than being elected, he was appointed directly to the position by Emperor Jonathan I after the latter assumed emergency powers to calm the May 2020 political crisis. The new Gordon premiership saw a quick return to stability and normality, reaching a record-breaking growth in Austenasia’s population and land claims and a flowering of culture. The demographic changes accompanying this growth are another factor in the decision to call an early general election. The candidates for the upcoming election will be confirmed by 20 August.
Another territory claimed as Hoagland ceded
Saturday 10th July saw Hoagland ceded back to the United States of America at the same time as a new territory was annexed from the same country. Hoagland was claimed in July 2017 as an Austenasian Territory after previous periods under the sovereignty of Adammia and the Holy Roman Empire, and was governed by its founder, Grant Hawkins, who lived nearby. Consisting of a grassy area bordered by Ohio, Hoagland was administered by Hawkins until earlier this year, when he and his family moved aware from the area. Hawkins was unable to find a replacement for the office of governor, and so the decision was made to dissolve the claim. In a symbolic nod to their previous claims over the land, Adammia and the Holy Roman Empire have both been given a nominal chance to reclaim Hoagland before it is ceded back to the USA. Simultaneously, however, a new Territory has been established with the annexation of Travarn. Travarn is comprised of a wooded area and contains a hunting post. It is the personal property of Lord Hunter Prater, who has claimed it for Austenasia and been appointed its governor, and it is an enclave of north Alabama. Travarn measures 40 acres, whereas Hoagland was just over a third of an acre; this exchange of claims has therefore been a large net territorial gain for Austenasia.
Campo Del Sol dissolved as Albina convicted of treason
The Territory of Campo Del Sol was dissolved on Sunday 27th June in the aftermath of its founder, Sophia Albina, being convicted of treason for advocating its seizure by another country. In recent days, Albina has played a major role in a significant downturn in relations between Austenasia and its ally New Virginia, in which she is also a politician. This began after she made inflammatory statements in the New Virginian legislature which included false accusations against Austenasia as a whole and Emperor Jonathan I specifically, and introduced legislation to declare the Empire an “enemy” and “threat” and to claim the Austenasian territories of Campo Del Sol and Fraternitas. New Virginia is a former Austenasian duchy which amicably seceded from the Empire in February last year. The two nations established a formal state of alliance upon New Virginian independence, and have maintained a strong friendship ever since. Fraternitas had been part of one of the claims which joined the newly independent country, but was retained by the Empire at the suggestion of now President Kennedy in a gesture of goodwill and fraternity. Campo Del Sol was claimed for Austenasia by Albina herself in June 2019. Neither area of land is inhabited. It is unlikely that Albina’s proposed law will pass, but the inflammatory rhetoric used by Albina and the false accusations levelled against Austenasia have led to an increase in support within New Virginia for the idea of ending the alliance. Senior New Virginian politicians downplayed Albina’s actions and rhetoric as that of a radical unrepresentative of the New Virginian government. However, Albina then spammed a Discord server hosted by the Austenasian government with images comparing herself to the rebels who fought against the Austenasian government in the 2010 civil war. This resulted in a bill being introduced in Parliament to strip Albina of her nationality and titles and to dissolve Campo Del Sol, preventing it from being used as “leverage” against the Empire. However, objections were raised given that action was being taken despite Albina not having been tried for her actions. Due to encouraging another country to seize Austenasian land and actively working against Austenasia’s national security and international standing, treason charges were formally brought against Albina on Saturday 26th at the request of the Chief Inspector. The evidence against her was presented, but despite being invited several times to make a legal defence she chose rather to use profane language and insult the jurors while making further unfounded accusations against the Austenasian government. In her final statement, she called for Campo Del Sol to be “freed” (despite the land being uninhabited and her claiming it for Austenasia in the first place) and for an unspecified “new Emperor” for Austenasia. The jury presented a verdict of guilty the following morning. The Consuls – Duke Bradley of Dullahan and Princess Hannah Augusta – agreed on a sentence of indefinite exile, with Albina now forbidden to enter Austenasia until the Throne sees fit to allow it. With Albina having been given a chance to defend her actions, the bill previously proposed in Parliament was passed, dissolving Campo Del Sol and stripping her of her Austenasian national status and titles. An online meeting between diplomatic representatives of Austenasia and New Virginia has been proposed for the near future to discuss the downturn in relations and search for a resolution.
New Town claimed in Estonia
Friday 25th saw a new Town established after two brothers claimed half of their family house for Austenasia. The elder of the two brothers, the now Lord Sander Koff, has been appointed Acting Representative of the new Town of Oppidum Tubae. Oppidum Tubae is an enclave of Estonia, and the property of which it has claimed half was built in 1939. This is not the first Austenasian town to bisect a single building. The former town of Thanasia and the current town of Chalcedon were both established with a claim over only the part of the respective property inhabited by the Austenasians-to-be. The name of the new claim means “Trumpet Town” in Latin.
Carshalton Day marked with visit from Attorney General
Anthony R. Clark, Attorney General and Governing Commissioner of Amerdansk, visited Carshalton today by invitation of Emperor Jonathan I. June 24th is Carshalton Day, an annual celebration both of the heritage and unity of the “Carshalton Nations” as well as the anniversary of the Liberation of Orly. The occasion was taken by the Emperor to give Mr Clark a guided tour of Orly, before they headed to Wrythe for a working visit to the Imperial Residence. At the Imperial Residence, the Attorney General met the Emperor’s parents and the imperial pet cat Baby, and was able to view various objects of significance including the Imperial Regalia, King Alex’s Bottle, and Diplomabear, in addition to the Micronational Collection in the Imperial Numismatic Museum. The Emperor and Attorney General were then able to have a productive meeting in regards to various issues facing the Empire, before Jonathan I walked Mr Clark to Morden station to depart. As Attorney General since December last year, Mr Clark oversees the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for providing legal advice to the government. His visit to Wrythe marks the first time a Cabinet Minister has visited the capital while in office – with the exception of the Emperor – since Countess Eritoshi the then Chief Ambassador visited Wrythe in early 2016. It was around the same time, March 2016, that Mr Clark founded Amerdansk. He was initially known as Lord Anthony Clark, as Baron of Amerdansk, before it transitioned into a Crown Dependency. He stood in the February 2019 general election, managing to gain 5% of the vote even after dropping out, and was recently elected 33rd Chairman of the Grand Unified Micronational.
