TOP STORY: QVAIT EXPELLED FROM THE SCO DUE TO CARLSON LEAK
David Tzeng, Il Protettore del Popolo


Sovranon, Sovonor - Today Qvait became the first member ever to be expelled from the Southern Cooperation Organisation. A resolution that provided for the expulsion and preemptively rejected any accession application from Qvait and Darkstrait passed 6-1, with two abstentions.

Debate at the Southern Council focused for the past week the specifics of the resolution, which included a condemnation of Operation Affirmed and a preemptive rejection of accession applications by both Qvait and Darkstrait. That last point proved to be contentious with the Resentine Kingdom, whose ambassador argued that Darkstrait did not share equal responsibility for the plot and was partially justified due to its history with Sporaltryus. These concerns were rebuffed by Kringalia, on the premise that nothing could justify the collaboration in formulating Operation Affirmed.

Qvait briefly attempted to reconcile with the Organisation have its expulsion decreased to a suspension, in consistency with the punishment imposed on Sporaltryus during the Sporaltryan War. While both Ryccia and Karnetvor supported a suspension, Sporaltryus insisted that an apology would not remedy the threat to its sovereignty, a position also adopted by Kringalia and Farengeto.

Darkstrait and Laiwan suspended from the SSU
David Tzeng, Il Protettore del Popolo


Castietya, Sporaltryus - Darkstrait was suspended from the Southern Socialist Union on June 30, after a seven-day trial that reviewed its role in the planning of Operation Affirmed and whether such participation constituted treason or failure to uphold the Socialist Papers. Laiwan was suspended in the same trial for failing to promote peace and socialism.

Sporaltryus, the nation who originally pressed charges, had called for expulsion. However, Bonaugure and Ubesii suggested that a temporary suspension would be more desirable. In accordance with procedures set out in the Socialist Papers, neither the accuser nor the accused were given a vote. Bruuma joined Bonaugure and Ubesii in approving the suspension of Laiwan, but voted against a suspension of Darkstrait.

Soon after its suspension, Darkstrait announced the relocation of all embassies from Union members out of their past location in Octavo Square, unless they chose to sign a separate bilateral agreement, due to the fact that the square is reserved for allies. Ubesii is so far the only country that has commenced negotiations on such an agreement.

With the Socialist Papers silent on the matter, it is unclear how long the suspension will be. Experts from Darkstrait suggest that it will last for a few weeks at most.

Ryccia, Qvait, Darkstrait and Laiwan form the United Front
David Tzeng, Il Protettore del Popolo


Sydney, Qvait - Today several nations formed the United Front, an organisation focused promoting common economic and military objectives. This follows four days of negotiations among Ryccia, Laiwan, Qvait and Darkstrait, the latter two having recently been expelled from the SCO and suspended from the SSU, respectively.

The text of the United Front Charter provides for financial and humanitarian assistance for members in need, the formation of international police and anti-terrorism forces and common defence in cases of third-party attacks. These objectives hint at a purely defensive organisation, focused on internal development, instead of projecting external influence.

Walsh hosts a summit to establish a Western Council
David Tzeng, Il Protettore del Popolo


South Sea, Kringalia - President Connor Walsh of Kringalia is currently hosting officials from Awesomiasa, Farengeto and Sporaltryus in the coastal city of South Sea, where negotiations are taking place for the formation of a Western Council.

The Treasure Island Report has been given access to the draft for the foundational document, which is five articles long and consists of a list of principles and commitments for members. Its focus lies on enhancing trade openness and ensuring greater democracy in its members.

Just like the newly-created United Front, the Western Council appears to be an organisation designed to be internally-focused. Charles Stokes, Press Secretary from the Kringalian Executive House, informed this newspaper that the Western Council is supposed to deepen the existing ties between members and ensure their markets and societies are open and successful.

Brutland and Norden hosts the I South Pacific Film Festival
David Tzeng, Il Protettore del Popolo


Kingsville, Brutland and Norden - Brutland and Norden is currently hosting the I South Pacific Film Festival, where nations from all over the region are being invited to submit films produced by their nationals.

There are seven submissions so far, all competing in the categories of Best Film, Best Director, Best Production and Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. Submissions include the following:

• Innocent Fast Forward (Hammerstar)
  
• Qvaitican Rising (Qvait)
  
• The War to End All Wars (Syrixia)
  
• Mr. Weirdham or How I Learned to Stop Being Concerned and Love War (Karnetvor)
  
• An Astronomer's Deam (The Solar System Scope)
  
• Weird but Wonderful (Imkitopia)
  
• l'Ore d'Axe (Brutland and Norden)
  

The first four submissions listed tell stories about wars, either focused on the conflicts themselves or on specific characters who fought in the military. An Astronomer's Dream is a biographical fiction. Weird but Wonderful is a documentary about the Imkitopian two-headed phoenix. l'Ore d'Axe is a fictional thriller featuring the attempts of a pagan cult to topple the Nord-Brutlandese monarchy.

It is expected that Farengeto will submit two films and Kringalia will submit one, both within the next few days. Voting will be open for one week once there are at least ten submissions, which is expected to happen by July 6. Winners will then be decided by voting from the public.