Ecosystem restoration begins in Oregonia
Governing Commissioner Adam von Friedeck, Duke of Washington, has declared the Crown Dependency of Oregonia to be a site of ecosystem restoration in a proclamation issued yesterday. The Duke of Washington – who is more commonly known as King Adam I of Überstadt but prefers not to use his royal title when acting as Governing Commissioner – ordered the Imperial Oregonian Militia to uproot invasive species and plant native flora in its place. Oregonia consists of an uninhabited area of woodland and is bordered by Überstadt and by the U.S. state of Washington. The Governing Commissioner explained that the “area around Oregonia is overrun by noxious weeds and neglected by American authorities, despite their recognizing it as a critical habitat area. I hope that fighting invasive plants in Austenasian territory can contribute to solving the problem in some small measure.”
New Territory in North America
In the first territorial expansion of the Empire since December 2016, Austenasia expanded today with the annexation of the Territory of Hoagland in North America. Hoagland, an enclave of the U.S. state of Ohio, consists of 14,628 square feet of grassland. Between August and November last year, the land was a member state of the Holy Roman Empire as the Free City of Hoogland. Hoogland’s former Statholder, Grant Hawkins – also known as Pope Euclid I, as Pontifex Maximus – offered the land to the Empire and has been appointed Governor of the newest Austenasian Territory. The name Hoagland, a deliberate variation on the land’s former name, is originally derived from the Afrikaans for “high land.” Austenasian Territories are areas of land with no permanent residents, and are administered by a Governor who usually lives nearby to the land.
MicroWorld Newsbites – February 2017
FLORENIA On 9 February, Florenia expanded for the first time in its nearly six-year history. King Eran I annexed his personal residence – which until now had been in the United States of America – as the Dominion of Lexington. Afula, which prior to this was Florenia’s only land claim, remains the nation’s capital. LANDASHIR On 10 February, James von Puchow as Chief Minister of Landashir released a declaration ceding Landashir’s final land claim – a residential property now in the UK – and having it assume the status of a non-territorial nation as opposed to a nation-state. From now on, Landashir’s government “shall operate as a general council of all registered Landashir’n nationals.” MOLOSSIA On 12 February, the Molossian Navy conducted a weapons test, successfully launching two rockets from a newly acquired RC1 Rocket Cannon. WILDFLOWER MEADOWS Princess Hannah celebrated her 21st birthday on 27 February with a meal and drinks out with her fiancé Emperor Jonathan I and several friends from the University of Chester. ZEALANDIA/USKOR Zealandia, while well-known for its frequent changes of governmental system, has always retained its actual name; that is, until now. The country has changed its name to Uskor after the results of a referendum were announced on 24 February. Charlotte Lindstrom, founder of the nation and its paramount leader throughout its history, was sworn in as Chairwoman of Uskor on 27 February.
MicroWorld Newsbites – January 2017
CALSAHARA On 24 January, Dictator for Life Travis McHenry – who formerly served as King Montague I from 2009 to 2014 – resigned as Calsahara’s head of government. The Calsarahan government is now entirely in the hands of McHenry’s son, King Nicholas. McHenry remains a Calsaharan military officer and webmaster of the nation’s website. DELVERA On 19 January, it was announced that a new Delveran colony founded in the American southwest had experienced success with crop growing. GRAND UNIFIED MICRONATIONAL 2 January saw the first Quorum of the new Chairman, King Adam I of Überstadt. Shiro Mephistopheles of Zenrax was appointed Vice Chair, Bradley of Dullahan as Chief Justice, and Emperor Jonathan I as Archivist. JUCLANDIA After three years of relative diplomatic inactivity, Juclandia has announced that it will “take her head out of the sand” and engage with the international community of small nations, partially in an attempt to help combat a perceived drift towards far-right and far-left politics; “our culture, our values and our principles can help others moderate their own discourse”. MERCIA/SANDUS In the third week of January, Lord Spiritual Richard of Mercia and Sôgmô Will Soergel of Sandus met in Reykjavík, Iceland. The two leaders discussed matters of national importance and toured the local area. MOLOSSIA A new information sign has been erected at the Molossian border with the US. Previously, information brochures were available for passers-by to take, but these would often run out. On 26 January, President Baugh of Molossia announced the construction of a Friendship Gateway in a symbolic gesture of opposition to plans for a US-Mexico border wall. The gateway is “to symbolise inclusiveness and openness”, and donors who buy a brick for the gate will have their names inscribed on a plaque. ONGAL On 25 January, the Principality of Ongal issued its first gold currency, golden Dukats made of 14 carat gold. The coins were issued in celebation of the marriage of a princess in the ruling family.
MicroWorld Newsbites – December 2016
DELVERA On 19 December, the Delveran Ministry of State released a document claiming some half a million square miles of the United States of America around their territorial claims as a “sphere on influence” in which they claimed to have exclusive rights to cultural, military, political, and economic development and expansion along with the US, to the exclusion of any other small nations that may arise. FLORENIA On 23 December, King Eran passed a decree ordering the foreign ministry “to resume and expand the diplomatic efforts” of Florenia. JUCLANDIA On 20 December, the state owned media service Scânteia was transitioned into an independent news agency, Telenot, funded but not administered by the government. Reforms were also made to the nation’s public broadcasting service. SANDUS On 21 December, the five citizens of Sandus unanimously voted for the Sôgmô’s reign to continue in the annual solstice election. Earlier today, Sôgmô Soergel added two new days to the already famously busy Sandum calendar; African Diaspora Recognition Day on 12 February to reflect on the effects of slavery and imperialism on African people around the world, and Religious Tolerance Day on 24 August to reflect on religious violence. VIKESLAND On 26 December, Vikesland was hit by a snowstorm which blocked the roads into the small country. WILDFLOWER MEADOWS On 25 December, Princess Hannah appointed her sister, the now Lady Stephanie, as Marchioness of Wandleside, the most recent territorial acquisition of Wildflower Meadows. Two days later, the neighbouring UK had set up security cameras around the Marquessate, although whether or not this was in response to the claim is yet to be seen.
Changes to New Richmond
An Act of Parliament was passed this morning which ceded some areas of New Richmond to the United States of America whilst annexing some to it back from the USA. North New Richmond and the western half of Saint Josephsburg were ceded to the USA, while two new areas of land were annexed to New Richmond. These two new areas are yet to be named by its town council. As a result of these changes, New Richmond (and therefore the Empire as a whole) has made a net gain of roughly 23,895 square feet and a net loss of one resident. New Richmond is set to gain the status of a city on 9 January next year, meaning that they will elect a Mayor in their next local election.
New Crown Dependency annexed in North America
The Empire has once more expanded, with the Crown Dependency of Dekker joining Austenasia. Dekker has a population of six and is bordered by the American state of Texas. It was annexed earlier today after a request was last week received from its residents to join the Empire. Dekker is comprised of two nearby but non-contiguous pieces of territory, one of which consists of a residential property and its grounds, and the other of which contains a small wooded area and the remains of an old natural gas well. The two pieces of land together measure just over 158,000 square feet, or 3.6 acres. As a Crown Dependency, Dekker is to be administered autonomously by a residing Governing Commissioner. Mr. Patrick-Dylan Knox has been appointed to the position.
Thanksgiving celebrated in Austenasia for the first time
The holiday of Thanksgiving was yesterday celebrated in Austenasia for the first time. The North American holiday is a day of giving thanks for the harvest and for the preceding year. This Thanksgiving – which in the USA falls on the fourth Thursday of November – is the first during which the Empire has had populated areas of land in North America, namely New Richmond, Shineshore, and Terentia. A celebratory meal was held in New Richmond Town Hall, attended by New Richmond’s Representative, Lord Joseph Kennedy, and members of his family. Similar dinners took place in the other houses in New Richmond, the Empire’s largest Town.
