Two new Towns annexed as Axvalley dissolved
This morning, an Act of Parliament was passed dissolving the Crown Dependency of Axvalley while annexing two new Towns, Jovanovo and Ionisia. Axvalley, a farming estate bordered by Brazil, had joined the Empire in February 2013, one of the first of the great territorial expansions that Austenasia had seen under Emperor Jonathan I. As a Crown Dependency, Axvalley functioned with complete autonomy under its Governing Commissioner, Rubens Machado. However, after four and a half years under Austenasian sovereignty, the people of Axvalley decided that they wished to return to Brazil. Their right to political self-determination being respected, legislation was drawn up to dissolve the Crown Dependency. However, at the same time, the government received requests from two other places to be annexed as Towns. The first, Jovanovo, consists of two rural properties bordered by Montenegro, measuring nine and a half acres. The second, Ionisia, is comprised of a residential property on the Greek island of Samos. Jovanovo and Ionisia have populations of twelve and three, respectively, and are both wholly Orthodox Christian in the religious composition of their residents. Ionisia is home to Prince Aggelos of Imvrassia, who has been appointed Acting Representative of the new Town. These latest changes leave the Empire of Austenasia with a population of 84, and a land area of roughly eighty one acres.
Wildflower Meadows protests against sovereignty infringements
Princess Hannah of Wildflower Meadows has today sent letters of protest to local British authorities regarding infringements of her country’s sovereignty. A plastic fence was yesterday erected around Wandleside, one of the principality’s several sovereign claims, blocking most of the border with the UK. Letters of protest were sent to the London Borough of Sutton Council, which is assumed to be responsible for the erection of the fence, and to the MP responsible for the constituency surrounding Wandleside, Tom Brake. Princess Hannah has informed the local British authorities that while she is “pleased to note… [their] government’s tacit recognition of the new international border”, she “demand[s] an end to the blockade”. Earlier in the year, barriers were installed in the road running past Wandleside, restricting vehicular access from the UK, and mere weeks after the land was claimed in November last year, a security camera was set up by the British observing the newly independent territory. The United Kingdom’s blockade of Wandleside has also been criticised by local British residents on grounds relating to the environment and to traffic safety. The Principality of Wildflower Meadows is a protected state of Austenasia, and the Emperor has ensured Princess Hannah – who is also his fiancée – that the Principality has the full support of the Empire.
Parliament declares Austenasia a Christian country
At 7:40 am this morning, Imperial Consent was given to an Act of Parliament establishing Christianity as the state religion of the Empire. Christians make up the majority of the Empire’s population, and much of Austenasia’s symbolism and ceremonies have been inspired by Christianity. For example, the Chi-Ro holds a prominent place on the Empire’s coat of arms, and Emperor Jonathan I made his coronation oaths while holding a Bible. The Act of Parliament has reaffirmed the provisions included in the Constitution that all have the right to choose and practice their own religion without discrimination or persecution. The Emperor has announced that he will consider the creation of an ombudsman-like position to ensure that no religious discrimination takes place. No particular denomination has been specified as Austenasia’s state religion, but rather Trinitarian Christianity as a whole. Austenasia has never before had an official religion, but since its founding the largest religion in the Empire has always been Christianity, which has influenced many of its laws and national symbols. Several Christian feast days have been made national public holidays, and local authorities have been given the right to declare a local public holiday on the feast day of the patron saint of their town or territory.
King of the Grove visits Wildflower Meadows
King Calum I, ruler of the Kingdom of the Grove, yesterday met Princess Hannah of Wildflower Meadows in a state visit to Deva Victrix, capital of the Principality. The two were accompanied by their respective romantic partners, Princess Hannah’s being Emperor Jonathan I, who has known King Calum since high school. The King and the Princess signed a treaty of mutual recognition and national friendship on behalf of the Grove and Wildflower Meadows. Calum I had previously met Jonathan I and Princess Hannah in Deva Victrix in December 2016 and March 2017.
MicroWorld Newsbites – May 2017
ASHUKOVO On 19 May, President Edward Jacobs announced an election to be held on 18 June, with the victor to take office the following week. One week later, a poll showed 56% of those polled supporting the Conservative Party candidate Manolis Afentoulis, who is running against Orthodox Party candidate Jacob Huff. On 22 May, Akebar – an enclave of Yorkshire with a population of 16 – was annexed by the Ashukov Federation. Akebar had previously been a part of Ashukovo before the collapse of the first incarnation of the Federation in 2015. FLANDRENSIS On 22 May, Flandrensis updated its Constitution for the ninth time since the Grand Duchy’s foundation in 2008. Two major changes concern the country’s monarchy: from now on the Grand Duke will be elected rather than inherit the throne, and the new position of Chief Magistrate replaces the monarch as head of the judiciary. The Flandrensian constitution was last replaced in July last year. GRAND UNIFIED MICRONATIONAL From 6-7 May, the GUM held its second 24 Hour Quorum, a charity event during which a conversation between at least five people was sustained for twenty four hours over Skype. Thirty three people took part, and roughly £158 ($203 USD) was raised for various charities via participants being sponsored. The first 24 Hour Quorum, on which this event was based, took place in August 2012. MERCIA On 23 May, an Act was signed granting autonomy to the Mercian territory of Uberquiesenberg, which is politically left-wing in comparison to the other areas of the country. MOLOSSIA On 26 May, Molossia celebrated its 40th anniversary; the following day, a celebration attended by over 50 people – including Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica – was held in the Republic’s Red Square with a tour, barbecue, and speech by President Baugh. A commemmorative coin and stamp have been released. SANDUS On 22 May, Sôgmô Gaius Soergel decreed that the academic robes worn at his recent university graduation will be henceforth used as his official regalia, which had previously been plain blue robes. USKOR On 23 May, Uskor implemented a policy whereby all plastic bags must be collected and recycled as part of an effort to make the country more environmentally friendly. WESTARCTICA On 24 May, Duke Wolf Tulier of Waesche stepped down as Prime Minister, a position he has held since 2010, to become Minister of Defence. Grand Duke Travis credited Tulier with “quite literally saving Westarctica from destruction”, referring to his role in combatting the instability that plagued the nation at the turn of the decade. WILDFLOWER MEADOWS On 12 May, Wildflower Meadows celebrated a year since its foundation. Princess Hannah and her fiancé Emperor Jonathan I celebrated with a meal out in Deva Victrix the previous evening, and visited Chester Meadows – the site of the principality’s foundation – on the anniversary itself.
Emperor and Prime Minister swap Cabinet positions
His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy have swapped their positions of Home Secretary and Minister for Culture, respectively. Emperor Jonathan I made the announcement of the partial Cabinet reshuffle earlier this evening. The position of Home Secretary, which had been held by the Emperor himself since October 2014, is responsible for overseeing many of the internal affairs of Austenasia, including border controls, environmental protection, and policing. The position of Minister for Culture, which had been held by Prime Minister Kennedy since May 2015, is responsible for the promotion of Austenasian culture, and includes duties such as the maintenance of public monuments and the appointing of Artists Laureate. The Austenasian Cabinet is comprised of seven such offices, appointed by the Monarch with the consent of the Prime Minister.
IGS Expedition to Warlingham
The Imperial Geographical Society has conducted a successful expedition of exploration through woods, farmland and suburbs in and north of the British town of Warlingham. The expedition was led by John of Zephyria, and was comprised of fifteen people, the largest number of people to have been on an IGS Expedition since 2011. Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Mother Margaret were amongst those taking part, with the other members of the expedition being from Carshalton Methodist Church, at which the walk was advertised. The expedition encountered several areas of interest, including a disused chalk quarry and a beautiful patch of bluebell woods. A steep hill near the start/end point of the expedition has been named Hyerdunscar Hill by the IGS, in memory of the recently deceased Edd (Hyerdunscar being the kennel that bred him). Photographs and videos were taken of the expedition, and a short film narrated by the Emperor can be seen here.
MicroWorld Newsbites – April 2017
CAMPINIA On 4 April, the Principality of Campinia was officially dissolved by Prince Elias after discovering that the head of government, Shady Morsi, had been planning to depose him. Morsi, appointed head of government in August last year, had swiftly placed most state institutions under his own control. Morsi has not contested the dissolution of the nation, and Elias has joined the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis to work in heraldry. FLORENIA On 23 April, Florenia celebrated six years since its official date of foundation in 2011. KUMANO JIRITSU NATION On 13 April, Prime Minister Hatsu Ryuho conducted a Japanese-style ceremony marking the start of the Kumanoese agricultural season. MOLOSSIA On 10 April, the First Family’s pet Boston Terrier, Annie, passed away from heart failure at the age of eleven. She was buried with honours in the Molossia Cemetary, and Emperor Jonathan I sent his condolences to President Baugh. SABIA AND VERONA On 20 April, King Tarik of Sabia and Verona announced that he would soon promulgate a new constitution for the country, comprised of 104 articles concerning state institutions and the like, including relations between the kingdom’s human population and its famous plush toy “citizens”. SANDUS On 28 April, Sôgmô Gaius Soergel decreed the creation of a ceremonial Sandum nobility based loosely on that of the Russian Empire. USKOR On 11 April a referendum took place resulting in Chairwoman Charlotte Lindstrom extending her term of office for a year and announcing that the legislative People’s Assembly would no longer meet. No details were released of the referendum’s turnout or vote results.
Edd’s ashes buried in Wrythe
An urn containing the ashes of Edd has been buried in Wrythe Pet Cemetery after a short ceremony. Edd, Mascot of the Order of the Bullmastiff and pet of the immediate Imperial Family, passed away earlier this month from a stroke. This evening, a ceremony was held in Wrythe Public Park during which the urn containing Edd’s ashes was buried in the pet cemetery. The ceremony was attended by Emperor Jonathan I, Princess Consort Hannah, Emperor Father Terry and Emperor Mother Margaret. Jonathan I and the Emperor Father buried the urn while the Emperor Mother recited a poem. The Princess Consort then passed the Emperor the gravemarker, which was placed on top. The gravemarker is made from an old chew-bone of Edd’s, which will be used to mark the place of burial until a permanent plaque is obtained. The ashes were buried next to where those of Rose, Edd’s predecessor as Mascot, were buried in 2014.
Order of St Constantine completes charity project
The Order of Saint Constantine has completed its first major philanthropic project, over the course of which it has donated over two hundred items to charity shops. The Order was founded by Emperor Jonathan I in May last year as a Christian philanthropic order of chivalry. On 8 June the following month, the Order of Saint Constantine launched Project Melania, with the aim of supplying charity shops with good quality but unwanted items given away for free at the end of large car boot sales. Every Wednesday, members of the Order would go to a car boot sale in Wimbledon and collect unsold items given away for free at the end. These items would then be given to various charity shops throughout the London Boroughs of Sutton and of Merton. The long-running weekly car boot sales from which these items were sourced came to an end on Wednesday 12th, and the last of the collected items were donated earlier this morning, bringing Project Melania to a close. In total, Project Melania donated ninety three books, seventy CDs, forty four DVDs, and nineteen items of bric-a-brac (ornaments, crockery, etc) to charity shops supporting four different charities: Oxfam, Hospices of Hope, St Raphael’s Hospice, and Marie Curie. The Order of Saint Constantine is now looking for new ideas of ways to support charitable causes.
