Andallan Broadcasting Network

[Andalla]

 

HOLBERG "SHOCKED, CONFUSED AND DISAPPOINTED" AT PL KING'S "RESPONSE"

By: Adam Forslund | March 23, 2018

An aerial photo of a patch of land within what is now Poland-Lithuania's alleged newly-annexed "barbarian region". PHOTO COURTESY OF: Boogaloo Satellite View

 

ARKHAVN — Yesterday, Polish-Lithuanian national news provider the Commonwealth Times released an article on the Polish-Lithuanian king, Cosamar IV Eugastin, answering several questions from "angry letters" that were allegedly sent to the Polish-Lithuanian government from other governments. The letters allegedly questioned the validity of Poland-Lithuania's claimed "annexation" of "barbarian lands".

MA Sylvia Holberg has once again stepped into the spotlight, commenting on the recent article. Others have followed suit, including a short word by President Johansen.

"Earlier my secretary handed me a transcription of the Commonwealth Times' article, and I really don't know what's going to happen next," she said in a statement. "It got me shocked, confused and disappointed, all at the same time. I've never felt that really strong sensation since the report on that group of nude children dancing to 'This is the Greatest Shoe' in the Arkhavn Metro."

"First off. It makes no use whatsoever of any formal language; it looks as if it were a transcription of a normal conversation," said Holberg. "And then there's this whole backstory on the 'angry letters'. These are heads of government you're talking about here! Do you know that they have to make sure their messages to other leaders are kept polite and ethical? And you tell me that those questions sounded 'very similar' to what really was said? I am even further disappointed at the way the King responds to these inquiries. Again, heads of government have to make sure their messages are polite and ethical, but he answers them back in a near-arrogant manner? Also, what do you mean by 'annexing land through your news'? That part really confused me."

"I don't intend to insult or offend anyone. I'm just really shocked, from the way the article was written and the way the King replies. What has happened to dignity and formality? Please, bring them back," she continued.

"I remember reading a previous article on the King taking over the Commonwealth Times, but now he says he doesn't even have control over who to punish," she said in a later interview. "Also, what's Bangladesh? After a quick search I really couldn't find out what 'Bangladesh' is. My apologies if there's something I don't know. But what is it, maybe where is it, and how is it connected to 74 million people? I'd imagine it's a high-density city center or something? Actually, in the first place, how did 74 million people get into the wilderness despite being next to Poland-Lithuania? That's a lot of castaways."

Following Holberg's statement, President Johansen released a few comments on the issue: "I am appalled by this report. I can assure you that I would never comment on an issue in such a negative manner. Nor do I believe that other national leaders, say Primo Deitorr, would say anything like that. We ought to say our words in a more polite and respectful way."

Both Holberg and Johansen's comments have received minimal disapproval, with a majority of the public seemingly maintaining a neutral or agreeing stance at the statements.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

EXERCISE ATGEIR "POSTPONED DUE TO CANAMO THREAT"

By: Sven Dahlssen | April 9, 2018


TRIDENT naval exercise "ATGEIR" has been postponed indefinitely due to the "threat of @Ahranaian aggression in the Canamo", said ACN Chief of Staff Admiral Alexander Børge in a public announcement.

The Socialist Federation has recently released a number of reports regarding the deployment of several warships from the Canamo to the Mediargic, to constitute a new Ahranaian fleet in the area. Responses from @Prymont have been increasingly worried.

According to Børge, Exercise ATGEIR will resume when the situation in the Canamo is stable and under control.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

BENDTSEN TO AHRANA: "KEEP XARA CLEAN"

By: Nichole Heglund | April 11, 2018

The newly-constructed Kathrine Hermansen Joint Research Base near Stórrshǫfna, managed by the Andallan Wilderness Institute (AWI) and the @Ahranaian Sub-Ministry of Land and Geography. It houses the headquarters of the Andallan Xara Research Mission (AXARM). It was named after Kathrine Hermansen, the first Andallan researcher who gave up her life in the long search for the city. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Ellen Shanke

 

ARKHAVN — "It is our duty, as the ancient inhabitants of Xara, to keep it clean," said Foreign Minister Alexander Bendtsen in a public statement. "Xara is a historical jewel; an important, game-changing discovery. We must preserve it, not plunder it."

Foreign Minister Bendtsen released the statement after alleged Ahranaian oppression of the Xaraians caught attention. Following the discovery of Stórrshǫfna, several teams were sent by the Ahranaian military to survey and secure the area. However, according to several @Prymontian sources, most notably President George Duval, the Ahranaian expeditionary forces oppressed the native Xaraians in order to stop them from an uprising.

Foreign Minister Bendtsen also expressed his opinions against Ahranaian plans to colonize Xara. "Respect the land," he said. "Xara is the land of our ancestors, from where our two peoples originated; we must not show any ingratitude towards her."

According to a report by researcher Inge Dalgaard, the native Xaraians have created a rudimentary governmental system, thus classifying Xara as an unrecognized state. Despite this, the Ahranaian government claims the Xaraians have requested help from Ahrana.

 Social scientists fear that the Xaraians will continue to be exposed to modern ways of life, effectively destroying their unique culture. Science Minister Steffen Thrane called Xara a "disaster", saying that the curious Xaraians would throw away their ways of life and instead assimilate into the Ahranaian culture.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

WRECK OF ANDALLAN TW CRUISER FOUND 73 YEARS LATER

By: Kjetil Ruud | April 21, 2018

The AMS Gravfjell (K 028) underway in the Tiauhai Sea, circa 1943. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Andallan Commonwealth Navy

 

ENSHAVN — The AMS Gravfjell, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Thalassan War, was discovered by a team from the Askeland Maritime Research Institute (AMRI) on Thursday, after 3 years of searching. An @Iverican-made Manille Ulysses 6000 ROV aboard the R/V Sprutfiskar, a research vessel operated by AMRI, was responsible for the discovery. The wreck was found off the coast of Fjerren Island, in over 5,800 meters deep of water. The Andallan Commonwealth Navy has requested for wreck's exact location to remain undisclosed, to prevent any illegal plundering of the vessel.

On the 19th of March 1945, the Gravfjell was sunk by @Sunset Sea Islandsian cruisers during the Second Naval Battle of Fjerren Island. Out of her complement of 797 officers and enlisted men, 314 died during the battle and sinking, including her captain Bjørnar Hawken and Vice Admiral Stefan Tastad. A further 146 died in the events directly following the sinking.

The Gravfjell, lead ship of the Gravfjell-class of heavy cruisers, was laid down in October 1931 and commissioned in February 1936. Her main battery consisted of 10 203mm/50C guns arranged in 5 twin turrets, making her the most powerful heavy cruiser in Thalassa at the time of her launch. She was assigned to the 5th Cruiser Division, 3rd Cruiser Squadron, under the 2nd Fleet.

At the outbreak of the Second Andallan-Giokton War on November 18, 1941, the Gravfjell, along with the destroyers Ernst Agdestein and Alfred Helgelaand, was in Protiva, @Cashar for a goodwill visit. She returned to Andalla on the 27th of November to serve as an escort for transports. On December 19, the Gravfjell became the first warship in the Thalassan War to be hit by a torpedo, which came from the Giokton submarine C-31. She returned to Andalla for repairs, then resumed duties on January 29, 1942.

From May 1942 until her sinking, she served as the flagship of Vice Admiral Stefan Tastad, commander of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron. She would then go on to participate in numerous major naval battles, including the first and second Naval Battles of Fjerren Island, the Battle of the Tiauhai Sea, the Battle of the East Andallan Sea, the Cashar Campaign, the Battle of Holam Cape, and the Battle of the North Flauton Sea.

On March 19, 2015, the 36 remaining crew of the AMS Gravfjell held a gathering on Mt. Gravfjell to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Gravfjell's sinking. According to the Andallan Commonwealth Navy Veteran's Association, 32 of the Gravfjell's crew are still alive today.

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• Amateur hacks into IPIA ATC frequency, directs approaching PeninsulAire flight back to @Iverica
• SAS Gravfjell "found on seabed", says AMRI President
• Protesters demand "right to protest", realize they already had

Edited March 2, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

ADJISI PLANE SHOT DOWN, NO SURVIVORS

By: Onde Larsson | April 29, 2018

 

ADISJI

 9 September 1986 – 27 April 2018

The aircraft carrying world-famous DJ Thorbjørn Bergquist, better known by his stage name Adisji, was shot down over the wilderness west of @Ahrana on April 27. 

Adjisi's personal business jet, a Baywind B650 registered A-DISI, was en route to Canastota, @Prymont from Kimberly, @Girkmand for his 2018 Argis tour. At around 11 PM local time, it disappeared from the radar. Details gathered from the aircraft's last conversation with Moskovo Center ATC revealed that the plane was most likely hit by a surface-to-air missile of unknown origin and exploded, killing everyone on board. Ahranaian authorities acted quickly to inform the Andallan Civil Air Safety Administration (ACASA) and Adisji's manager, Martin Rehn.

The incident was initially kept quiet, with the upcoming Adisji concert in Canastota being postponed indefinitely due to his aircraft being "temporarily unable" to reach Canastota. At 2 PM on April 28, Martin Rehn publicly announced the tragic  incident and the passing of Bergquist. "It is with unfathomable difficulty for us to inform you that our beloved Adisji is now at peace. The Bergquist family is deeply grieved by the tragic loss of Adisji, and we request everyone to honor their period of mourning. We gladly welcome your support and prayers for the family he left behind. No further statements will be made until the family recovers."

Shortly after Rehn's statement, the Andallan Civil Air Safety Administration (ACASA) released a number of details regarding the incident. The incident remains under investigation, as several investigators departed for Ahrana to search for the wreckage site. The origin of the missile is still currently unknown, and has been placed as one of the top priorities of the investigation.

Numerous celebrities and fellow DJs have expressed their condolences, including Andallan-@Iverican singer Ruru Manille, Julia Anne San Juan, Tore Bruer, DJ R-Bro, Jessica Nordstedt, and Suveraene. At 5 PM AST on April 28, midnight in Canastota, fans lit candles and laid flowers next to a large picture of Adisji at the OstportX Arena, where he was scheduled to perform. Similar events occurred at other Adisji concert locations.

After sending his condolences to Adisji's family and all his fans via Wittier, DJ R-Bro announced that he would be working with Adisji's record label, Aesta Records, to produce a cover of his most popular song, When It's All Over. All proceeds of the song would be donated to Bergquist's immediate family.

When It's All Over, Adisji's most successful song, enjoyed widespread success within the first few weeks of its release in July 2013. The song peaked at #1 in 8 countries, while entering into the top 10 of 12 more, becoming the most successful Andallan song since Jessica Nordstedt's Don't Stop Us Now in 2008. The song held the position of #1 on the Hitlisten Top 40 for 10 weeks.

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OOC: Here's a neat coincidence. The person I used for Thorbjørn Bergquist is Dutch-Filipino DJ Laidback Luke, a good friend of Avicii and one of his early mentors.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

ATTENTION: Following, a bit of a... violent reaction, I've revised the previous post. Now, Adisji's plane gets shot down over the wilderness, presumably by a terrorist group.

[Andalla]

 

"MY CULTURE IS NOT YOUR EURTHVISION OUTFIT" - CRITICS ATTACK FOOLISH BANDIT FOR CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

By: Kevin Frisk | June 25, 2018

Prymontian singer Foolish Bandit sported an blue unbuttoned Hvidtrev shirt for his performance of "You and I", the opening performance for EurthVision 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Foolish Bandit

 

CANASTOTA — Following a Wittier post by Andallan user Jeremy Lund (@jlund), critics have been accusing Prymontian singer Foolish Bandit for cultural appropriation.

The post, reading "My culture is NOT your... #EurthVision2018 outfit", had garnered upwards of 1,400 likes and 500 re-Witts within an hour of its posting, sparking a large debate on cultural appropriation.

Critics are accusing Foolish Bandit of "appropriating" Andallan culture while many praised him for including a part of Andallan culture in his performance, citing the fact that Andallan culture generally receives little recognition internationally.

Critics also took the opportunity to point out that Hvidtrev shirts are often mis-identified as "Andallan" shirts in general, despite the term being more appropriate to the Troddrikt.

Fellow singer DJ R-Bro, famous for his weekly performances at the world-famous SK5 nightclub in Hvidtrev, quickly joined the debate in defense of Foolish Bandit, Witting "Hvidtrev shirts were made to celebrate music, beaches, and good drinks. I don't see why @ItsBandit shouldn't be celebrating this as well."

Beyond the debate, fans and viewers alike praised the excellent performance, while others fear the song is attempting to keep the Sunset Sea Islands' international image up despite the ongoing Synapse spying controversy.

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OOC (1): Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that it was called an "Andallan" shirt and I have nothing against it 😉

OOC (2): Technically it's called a Hvidtrev shirt, as it originated from Flauton partygoers in the beach club scene of Hvidtrev (see Boracay or Ibiza). But internationally it's just known as an Andallan shirt.

OOC (3): The "Troddrikt" is the Andallan national costume. See Barong / Baro't Saya.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

STU SINGERS PERFORM AT THE CAPE ARKHAVN

By: Sigurd Hanssen | September 30, 2018

 

The award-winning ensemble performed several Christmas songs at The Cape Hotel Arkhavn earlier. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Ellen Shanke

 

ARKHAVN — The STU Singers, an internationally-recognized choral group from the University of St. Thorbjørn (Sankt Thorbjørns Universitet), performed the classic Andallan Christmas song "De Jultraer er Skinner" ("The Christmas Trees Are Shining") at the lobby of The Cape Hotel Arkhavn earlier. Other songs were also performed, culminating with "The Sound of Life" by Johann Marius Christianson.

The performance was deliberately scheduled to take place on the last day of September. The 30th of September is often colloquially referred to as "Andallan Christmas Eve" as Christmas ("Jul") festivities often begin as early as October.

In cooperation with the STU Singers, The Cape Hotel had its Christmas decorations set up already by October 28, a week before most businesses begin Christmas preparations.

 

The performance is the first in a series of benefit performances featuring local and international Christmas classics. The series is entitled "Et Barn, En Jul" ("One Child, One Christmas"), as all proceedings will be donated to rural impoverished families with young children.

"The realization that there still are children who cannot celebrate Jul is truly... painful. That was the strongest driving force behind the creation of this performance," said the STU Singers' conductor Helen Lauritsen. "With Et Barn, En Jul, we at STU are hoping to allow every Andallan child, rich or poor, to celebrate a meaningful Christmas this year."

Throughout the Jul season from October to January, the STU Singers will be performing in malls, hotel lobbies and airports around the country.

Edited January 12, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

AL AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCES "VIOLENT SHAKING"

By: David Thomassen | October 23, 2018

The aircraft, an Aamotech Slankstråle-2E, photographed at Variota's Kaptein A.H. Ferrefaaier International Airport in 2017. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Koen Jan van Pieltje

 

ARKHAVN — Andallan Airways flight AL6, a 10-hour daily flight between Meda, @Orioni and Arkhavn, experienced "violent shaking" while descending towards Ivan Petersen International Airport earlier.

The aircraft landed safely at 10:33 AM, with no injuries reported.

"We were about to land, then the aircraft began to shake," said passenger Oliver Clemmenssen. "At first I thought it was just turbulence, but it grew stronger, until you could really hear everything shaking."

Following the incident, Andallan Airways released a statement on Wittier apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the incident.

The aircraft involved was a @Prymontian-built Aamotech Slankstråle-2E, registered A-ALSH. It was delivered brand-new to Andallan Airways on 5 January 2008 and has been serving continuously with the airline for 10.8 years.

Preceding AL6 was KAir Flight 1 (KH1), the airline's flagship service between Saipuo and Arkhavn, which is also operated by an Aamotech Slankstråle.

Both aircraft landed safely, with no damages or passenger injuries reported.

 

Wake turbulence

The shaking, which was caused by wake turbulence from a previous arrival, lasted about 15 seconds. According to passengers, the cabin was shaking violently, but later reports indicated no damage to the cabin.

"Wake turbulence is not unusual on aircraft," said pilot Eli Hartmann, who was in charge of AL6 at the time. "It occurs when an aircraft creates a disturbance in the wind, causing the aircraft behind it to shake."

According to AT's resident aviation correspondent Stefan Flugdahl, "the tip of the wing may form invisible vortexes as it moves through the air. Usually these vortexes just fade away, but sometimes these vortexes may hit the aircraft flying behind. This happens when the wind is strong enough to create larger vortexes, or the aircraft fly too close to each other."

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OOC: Yes, I'll be using BA for Andallan Airways. The tail pattern is identical to the Andallan flag.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

[ redacted ]

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

ANDSKUNDS CLAIM FOURTH LEAGUE CUP VICTORY; QUALIFY FOR QUARTERFINALS

By: Bendt Svane | November 21, 2018

The Andskunds celebrating Philip Ungmand's lone winning goal against Asgeirria. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Alan Laustsen

 

ARKHAVN — The Andskunds emerged victorious after a close match against the @Asgeirrian national team yesterday at the Lars Nedergaard Stadium.

The Andskunds concluded with a single goal by Philip Ungmand at 86', against none by Asgeirria.

In the first half of the game, possession constantly switched between both teams. The first on-target shot was made by Asgeirrian striker Sigmond Vucari at 33', though saved by Robert Mølgaard. The rest of the game continued as usual, with a saved attempt by Pål Mulder at 53'.

At the 80' mark, Thorbjørn Bjørn regained possession of the ball as the Asgeirrians were attacking. He quickly passed it to Philip Ungmand, who attempted 2 shots directly after. Though on-target, both were saved by Veerendra Vyander. Ungmand attempted another shot at 86' which went in after Vyander was caught off-guard. Hoping to improve the 1-0 score, Ungmand took one last shot at 89' which missed its target.

Fans applauded the Andskund's strong defense during the match, while others also praised the Asgeirrian team for its strong responses.

"Our forwards did a great job there, keeping the ball in constant switching rather than giving it all to the opponent," noted Vikram Adapa, the Asgeirrian head coach.

"I had hoped to get a second goal, but the Asgeirrian defense was amazing. It was a great game, and they really played well," said Philip Ungmand.

Ungmand was later seen shaking hands with Vyander, a move which was praised for their sportsmanship. Though the goal at 89' was a harsh bruise to Vyander, he was still able to block Ungmand's previous attempts.

The victory has served as an important morale booster for the Andskunds' upcoming game against the @Sunset Sea Islands' Blacksuns on Saturday.

Since the 0-2 defeat against @Kipan last November 12, Andalla has risen to 5th place in the rankings, qualifying the team for the Quarterfinals on December 6th.

"We're looking forward to playing against the Blacksuns, and we're so happy to have qualified for the Quarterfinals," said Head Coach Sven Eriksen. "A lot of hard work has been put into these games. The team has been training long for the League Cup, and we're just so excited to see what would come next."

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OOC: Retrospective 😅

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

ANDSKUNDS TIE 2-2 IN HISTORIC GAME AGAINST SSI BLACKSUNS

By: Bendt Svane | November 25, 2018

The Andskunds celebrating the historic draw against the SSI Blacksuns. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Alan Laustsen

 

SUNSET CITY — Fans across the Sea of Andalla rejoiced as the Andskunds managed to end the game against the @Sunset Sea Islandsian Blacksuns in a draw.

The game has been described as "historic" and "ground-breaking", among others. Joachim Nordhagen, President of the Andallan Football Federation, said the game was "a major victory and an important turning point in Andallan football history".

On the opposing side, Blacksuns fans are worried about the team's deteriorating performance throughout the past few games. The much-awaited match against @Kipan last November 20th had unfortunately ended in a 3-2 loss for the Blacksuns, while other fans have noted that they may have been "overworking" themselves for the upcoming game against @Gallambria.

The Blacksuns are the current reigning UENA champions, after winning the 2018 World Cup final against @Variota. The Andskunds did not qualify for the World Cup.

In a short statement released following the game, CTV announced that its live television coverage of the match had received a record viewership of nearly 22.9 million viewers in Andalla and Giokto. Foreign divisions of CTV reported an additional 4 million viewers worldwide, primarily from Andallan communities in @Ahrana.

 

The game kicked off with constant rapid exchanges between the opposing sides. The first shot was attempted by Pål Mulder at 8', though unsuccessful. Mulder took another shot at 16', which was then saved by goalkeeper Aron Bahir.

The first goal was scored by the Blacksuns at 39', which was quickly answered by Philip Ungmand at 42'. The score remained tied at 1-1 through half-time, prompting the Andskunds to switch formation to a more offensive one. After several quick exchanges, defender Bjarke Lorentzen regained possession for good. At 73', midfielder Iver Marken scored a goal placing Andalla in the lead at 2-1. The Blacksuns were expected to quickly catch up, though the score remained still thanks to defender Hans Nissen.

Desperate to end the game with at least a draw, the Blacksuns immediately went on the offensive and dominated possession until the end of the game. Multiple attacks, mostly by striker Max Neu, were again stopped by defender Hans Nissen.

Minutes before the game ended, Neu took one final goal after three previous attempts, finally ending the game in a 2-2 draw.

The results were received by much celebration on the Andallan side, especially for Nissen and Marken. Fans praised Marken's long goal, which was shot from right beyond the halfway line on the opposing side. Goalkeeper Robert Mølgaard once again received attention for his performance and strong cooperation with Nissen.

 

Blacksuns fans continue to worry about the team's worsening condition. As a result of the draw, the Blacksuns dropped from 3rd to 5th place, being overtaken by @Rihan and @Mauridiviah. However, the situation remains hopeful as many believe the Blacksuns are only "resting" from their unprecedented World Cup victory.

The Andskunds are already preparing for the ninth and last day of the round robin stage, where they will play against @Faramount. As per last week's game, Andalla has already qualified for the quarterfinals.

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OOC: Retrospective... again. Busy busy week 😅

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

ANDSKUNDS CLAIM HISTORIC VICTORY IN SATAMFC QUARTERFINAL

By: Bendt Svane | December 6, 2018

The Andskunds celebrating the victory against Shffahika, advancing them to the semifinals on December 10th. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Otto Juhl

 

PORT-REEL — The entire nation stood speechless as earlier's SATAMFC quarterfinal against the @Shffahkia Jaguars ended in a decisive 1-0 victory for the Andskunds, in what has been called "the greatest Andallan football victory of the 21st century".

The 2018 League Cup marks the first time for the Andskunds to have reached the quarterfinals since 1998. The highest ever League Cup position that the Andskunds have reached was the 1990 final against @Rihan, which ended in a 1-3 defeat.

The lone winning goal was scored at 30' by midfielder Iver Marken, who also ended the game against the @Sunset Sea Islands' Blacksuns last November 24 in a historic tie.

 

An unexpected victory

The victory was a surprise to many fans, who were already prepared to drop out of the League Cup following the 2-2 tie against the Blacksuns.

"At the beginning of the League Cup, we weren't expecting to make it this far," said striker Philip Ungmand. "We were ready to accept defeat at any point."

The match has been praised as the "greatest Andallan football victory", among others. AFF President Joachim Nordhagen released another statement following the game, calling it "another ground-breaking victory in lieu of the historic tie last November 24".

 

Outstanding performance

Midfielder Iver Marken has received the spotlight for his outstanding performance through the last 3 matches against the Sunset Sea Islands, Faramount and Shffahika, scoring a total of 2 goals against SATAMFC's best teams. Statistics show that Marken had attempted 4 more successful shots, all of which were saved.

Social media had already been abuzz within minutes of Marken's lone goal. Following the victory, the hashtag #AndskundsLC2018 was bumped to #1 on Wittier's global rankings, remaining for nearly 4 hours. Other social media sites reported similar occurrences as the Andskunds' victory received a huge amount of media coverage.

The Andskunds employed a mixed offense-defense strategy for the game, primarily focusing on defense. On the other hand, the Jaguars focused on offense, with the first successful shot being made as early as the first minute by striker Abessa Pelletier. Several more successful attempts were blocked by defenders Hans Nissen and Erik Meldgaard, working in close coordination with goalkeeper Robert Mølgaard.

At 30', Pål Mulder took possession of the ball. An attack was quickly mounted, though stolen by Iakovu Sourd. Sourd immediately reversed the attack, passing the ball to Pelletier. As Pelletier passed the halfway line, Marken rushed in and took the ball. Without hesitation, Marken went immediately for the opponent's goal. An attempted pass to Pål Mulder was blocked by defender Norbert Bélanger, though Marken was able to regain the ball and kick it straight into the goal.The first goal pushed the Andskunds into the defensive as the Jaguars built an even stronger attack. Dominating the second half of the game, the Jaguars attempted numerous shots, most of which were successful but saved by the Andskunds' last line of defense. Several offensives were attempted against the Jaguars, all of which were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the game ended with the score unchanged at 1-0, a victory for the Andskunds.

The match against Shffahika was the first of the four quarterfinal matches, followed by @Rihan against @Gallambria. The game tied 2-2, and spectators were surprised as the penalty shootout also tied at 4-4 until the Lions took a final successful shot. 

 

Groundbreaking viewership

A quick check by CTV revealed that their live coverage of the match had received nearly 28.7 million viewers locally, with 5.2 million viewers abroad. The statistics were first announced on CTV's official Wittier account: 

BREAKING: 34 million viewers worldwide tuned in to our live coverage of the #SATAMFC quarterfinal between Andalla and Shffahika! #AndskundsLC2018

 

Top teams

@Kipan against @Faramount ended in a 1-0 victory for the Shukuro, with similar circumstances as the match against Shffahika. The Faramontese players were praised for their strong offensive in the second half, though the Shukuro prevented them from even a single goal.

The final quarterfinal took place in Sunset City, with the @Mauridiviah Vinotinto playing against the Blacksuns. In an unexpected and shocking defeat, the Blacksuns bowed out of the competition following a 3-5 penalty shootout. Many Andskunds fans expressed their congratulations to the Blacksuns, who had consistently ranked among the highest in the round robin stage.

The two semifinal matches will both take place on December 10th. In an official statement by SATAMFC following the matches, the Andskunds will be playing against the Gallambria Lions in their home stadium in Arkhavn. The other semifinal match will take place in Miyako, where the Kipanese Shukuro will be playing against the Mauridivian Vinotinto.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

KIONG HEE HUAT TSAI – WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

By: Victor Tan | February 5, 2019 | 4:31 PM AST

Hundreds of spectators at the Lucky Village Mall ushered in the Year of the Pig with a massive fireworks display at midnight. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Andy Lindberg

 

ARKHAVN — Hundreds of revelers flocked to the Lucky Village Mall last night to participate in numerous Giokton New Year activities, including the traditional fireworks display which has become a major cultural event in the district.

In other areas, children lit firecrackers and shot off their own fireworks as the clock struck midnight, setting the sky ablaze with an explosion of color all around.

Yet other families also blared Giokton music as part of the yearly celebrations. Topping the Lunar New Year playlist almost everywhere was the familiar song Sin Ni Ho by well-known @Fulgistani singer Patricia Pang, personally translated from the original Fulgistani song Xin Nian Hao (新年好).

Though Fulgistani by blood, Patricia Pang has become a cultural hero even for the Giokton community. Throughout her career, she visited numerous Giokton cities singing in both Fulgistani and Giokton, as she also had a limited knowledge of Giokton. In 1987, she came to Giokto to record all her greatest hits in the Giokton language, becoming the songs that are heard all so often today in Binøndø.

 

But above every Lunar New Year tradition looms four all-too-familiar words — kiong hee huat tsai.

The greeting, which is present on nearly all forms of media during the Lunar New Year, is a common four-word phrase that is often recited or written during special occasions.

Others more familiar with Giokton culture would also recall the phrase sin ni kuai lok, which is also used often during the New Year.

Despite the omnipresence of these two greetings, recent surveys conducted by the Pollitelig Institute reveal only one in seven or 15% of Andallans know the actual meaning of the phrase kiong hee huat tsai.

Kiong hee huat tsai, written in traditional Huang orthography as 恭禧發財, is divided into two parts: kiong hee (恭禧) and huat tsai (發財).

Kiong hee translates to "congratulations" and is used year-round as a common greeting, while huat tsai literally translates to "make wealth". Therefore, the phrase represents a wish for a good year ahead and a thanksgiving for the previous year.

As kiong hee already means "congratulations", it is also often used alone as a shortening of the common Lunar New Year greeting. Others opt to repeat the greeting once, which represents emphasis and is believed to make the effect of the wish stronger.

 

However, the use of the phrase during the Lunar New Year has been attributed not to Gioktons, but to their Huang ancestors living in temperate climates. As the winter season came to a close and spring came in, farmers would congratulate each other for their good harvest which gave them enough food to survive the harsh cold. Later on, the phrase 發財 was added to wish the farmers a good harvest and many customers in the market.

On the other hand, sin ni kuai lok (新年快樂) may be more appropriate to use as tropical climates do not experience the harsh winter that halts farmers altogether. Sin ni kuai lok is used as a general greeting for the New Year, cognate to the Fulgistani xin nian kuai le.

Sin ni (新年) simply translates to "new year", while kuai lok (快樂) translates to "joy". Therefore, it means "Happy New Year". However, kiong hee huat tsai has become more prevalent in Giokton and even Fulgistani culture, making the phrase sin ni kuai lok a more general and less heartfelt greeting.

Both phrases are nevertheless used interchangeably as the primary Lunar New Year greeting, as there are other four-word phrases that are also used to wish good luck, prosperity and health.

 

This Year of the Pig, may everybody truly experience joy and prosperity. Kiong hee! 恭禧!

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

"SMOGHAVN" PHOTO GOES VIRAL WORLDWIDE

By: Oscar Lim | February 11, 2019 | 11:18 PM AST

The image received international recognition and even evoked a response from the Ministry of Health. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Kenan Jeppesen

 

ARKHAVN — A photo of the Arkhavn skyline blanketed in a thick layer of smog after the Lunar New Year went viral worldwide yesterday after receiving widespread attention both in Andalla and worldwide.

The photo, taken by aviation photographer Kenan Jeppesen from atop a highrise in Sognhøj, shows Maltelev and Bonskøbing completely engulfed in smog on the dawn of the Giokton Lunar New Year, with only the upper floors of skyscrapers showing. Dubbed by netizens as "Smoghavn", it was originally posted to Jeppesen's Instagram and Wittier accounts last February 5.

"Perfect balance - a bleak, calm dawn contrasts the noisy, festive Lunar New Year. Looks like the ensuing annual smog has decided to linger for a bit longer than usual," the Wittier caption read.

According to Jeppesen, the photo gained upwards of 4,000 likes on Instagram within the first 2 days of its posting. His profile, @sogn.spotter, by comparison only had about 1,700 followers before the photo was posted. The number has since then spiked to over 6,000 followers as of yesterday.

His Wittier post soon followed suit, garnering over 2,500 likes and nearly 1,000 retweets by Thursday. His profile, which goes by the same name of @sogn.spotter, had gained an additional 3,900 followers up from only 800.

By Saturday, February 9, Smoghavn had received significant international attention after making its rounds within online Andallan communities. Several major news sites have cited the picture in Wits and articles.

 

International attention

The image has gained traction particularly in @Alenveil, after the Sarbo Broadcasting Channel quoted Jeppesen's Wit on its Wittier account last February 8.

Jeppesen was initially surprised by the attention. "I knew it was a good picture, though I didn't expect attention on a national level - much less internationally," he said. "But I did have a feeling deep down that something was about to happen.

An events photographer by profession, Jeppesen takes photos of aircraft at IPIA during his spare time.  "Besides, people come to my profile to see my pictures of aircraft." he continued. "This was just one special occasion."

 

Growing issue of pollution

Jeppesen cited air pollution caused by fireworks and firecrackers set off at midnight as the main reason for the unusually dense smog, while light rains caused by a low-pressure area further enhanced the density of the smog that morning.

"There were some buildings that went almost completely invisible just after midnight," said Maltelev resident Jonas Ivansen, also citing air pollution.

Despite the relatively awestruck responses to the image, environmental groups such as Greenquiesce have expressed shock and dismay to the situation in Arkhavn.

"The sheer amount of air pollution damaging the environment in Arkhavn especially during these times is grossly unacceptable," said Greenquiesce in an online article.

In the environmental debate, others have argued that the picture represents only a very short period of heavy pollution while other cities may be experiencing dangerous levels of pollution year-round.

 

Government taking action

In a statement earlier, the Ministry of Health warned that the one-time event would eventually occur much more often if air pollution would not be properly regulated. It also advised against setting off firecrackers, due to the extreme risk of injury.

Aside from increased sales taxes and tighter restrictions, little has been done to regulate the amount of firecrackers and pyrotechnics used during special occasions such as on January 1 and the Lunar New Year.

"Explosives as a form of celebration are deeply embedded into Andallan, Giokton and even Thalassan culture," says cultural historian Edgar Elhus. "It's not something you can take away in an instant. All there is left to do is to regulate it wisely and to use such explosives responsibly."

According to ABN resident meteorologist Nathaniel Kryss, the chances of having another "smog dawn" are slim, as the factors causing the phenomenon were greatly affected by the rain.

---

OOC: I'm changing Instagram as soon as we have an IC alternative for it, but right now just let it be. 😅

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

FORMER PRESIDENT NEDERGAARD AWAKE FROM 6-MONTH COMA

By: Jørn Tandberg | September 17, 2019 | 8:24 PM AST

Mr. Nedergaard has been confined in the ICU since 21 April. PHOTO COURTESY OF: Germund Asmussen

 

ARKHAVN – After nearly six months in a coma, former president Lars Nedergaard has regained full consciousness.

Mr. Nedergaard, now age 82, was rushed to the St. Mark's Medical Center in Bonskøbing last 21 April after suddenly entering into a coma without any prior signs.

At around 6 AM on the morning of September 17, a nurse attending to Mr. Nedergaard noticed him mumbling. Within an hour, the former president was fully awake and conscious.

 

A miracle

Mr. Nedergaard's recovery has been hailed as a miracle. "As much as we were hoping for the best, coma patients rarely make it after a few months," neurologist Christoffer Aagard told ABN.

Doctors were astonished at Mr. Nedergaard's good health. "[Lars] has the strictest diet and health routine in the family," said a relative. "Fruits and vegetables, plus regular physical and mental exercise, since he was in his 40's."

In February of 2010, Mr. Nedergaard, 73, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "Patients usually develop Parkinson's in their 60's," said Dr. Aagard.

The onset of Mr. Nedergaard's Parkinson's disease a decade after the usual has been linked to his healthy lifestyle. In recent years, however, Mr. Nedergaard's health has been slowly worsening.

"President Nedergaard was never quite the same since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's," former senator Bjørn Breland told ABN. The two have been good friends since the late 1990's.

Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's tend to have severely limited motor skills due to the deteriorating of nerves in the brain, a condition known as neurodegeneration.

"Neurodegeneration is one of the leading causes of comas," Dr. Aagard explained. "Patients with diseases involving neurodegeneration are also at a higher risk of entering a permanent vegetative state or PVS, where the coma lasts longer than 4 weeks."

If no further issues are found, Mr. Nedergaard will be moved out of the ICU within a week. "Awakening from a months-long coma is a rare and delicate case, especially at 82," said Dr. Aagard. "We will monitor him closely, run a few tests, then we can move to a regular room."

 

Man with a legacy

President Klaus Johansen, accompanied by his Cabinet, will be visiting Mr. Nedergaard on Thursday, September 19.

A civil engineer by profession, Mr. Nedergaard began his political career in 1971, aged 39. He was elected to the presidency in 1984, and held office until 1990.

It was during his term that the Andallan economy experienced rapid growth, a period known as the "Golden 80's". Because of this, Mr. Nedergaard has been regarded as one of the most influential Andallan presidents.

Of his many accomplishments during this time, Mr. Nedergaard is most-known for the Urban Infrastructure Development Plan (UIDP) of 1986, also known as the BU (Byinfrastruktur Udviklingsplan). Through the UIDP, the government addressed rapidly-worsening infrastructural issues such as traffic and public transportation, as well as undertaking other construction projects around the country  in order to lessen concentration in Greater Arkhavn.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

 

BREAKING: HUNDREDS MISSING AS FERRY SINKS OFF GRAESØ

By: Oskar Norgaard | October 18, 2019 | 11:58 PM AST

The M/V Monica Alma docked in Langestrand.  PHOTO COURTESY OF: Ellen Shanke

 

HØSVANGE — Hundreds of passengers are missing after the Svena Line ferry M/V Monica Alma sunk off the coast of Graesø at around 8:27 PM on October 18.

The vessel departed the Port of Enshavn at 2:30 PM on a routine crossing bound for Brumundvik.

An estimated 1,728 souls were aboard, among them 1,581 passengers and 147 crew.

Six hours into the voyage, a large explosion ripped through the left (port) side of the hull right below the waterline. The vessel capsized and sunk in just over 40 minutes, amid widespread flames and thick smoke.

No vessels were present in the area at the time of sinking. Coast Guard helicopters arrived within 20 minutes of the first distress call to assess the issue, followed shortly by rescue craft at 9:04 PM.

As of 10:11 PM, a total of two Navy warships and eight Coast Guard vessels have been deployed to the area to assist in search-and-rescue operations.

In a statement released 9:28 PM, Svena Line announced that it was "aware of the recent incident involving the M/V Monica Alma" and will "take immediate action on the issue".

 

Quick response

The M/V Monica Alma sent its first distress call at around 7:28 PM, followed by a second at 8:09 PM.

The signal was detected by the Andallan Coast Guard office in Høsvange. Helicopters and rescue boats were rushed immediately to the scene.

Two ACN vessels were docked at Høsvange, and were dispatched to assist the Coast Guard in search-and-rescue operations.

Local fishermen and small boat owners soon followed suit. The combined civilian, Navy, and Coast Guard task force reached the area at approximately 9 PM.

 

A desperate situation

Survivor accounts state that the vessel capsized to the port side, taking only a minute to do so.

Upon arriving, Coast Guard helicopters were unable to assess the situation properly as thick, black smoke obstructed the sky around the Monica Alma.

Coast Guard personnel could only recognize the underside of the ferry, which was slowly sinking stern-first. Numerous life-rafts dotted the area around the sunken vessel, while hundreds were floating on the water with life vests.

Initial reports estimated the number of survivors at over a thousand passengers, with hundreds supposedly still trapped aboard the vessel.

As of 9:21 PM, nearly 800 passengers and crew members are still missing.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)

[Andalla]

Andallan Airways to increase Arkhavn-Deopolis flights
By: David Thomasen | January 2, 2020 | 11:50 PM AST

Andallan Airways flies twice a week between Arkhavn and Deopolis.  PHOTO COURTESY OF: Morten Agard

 

ARKHAVN — Andallan Airways CEO Richard Gustafsen formally announced yesterday the addition of three flights per week to the @Salvian capital of Deopolis, increasing the frequency of Arkhavn-Deopolis flights to 5 times weekly.

Andallan Airways currently flies biweekly between the two cities with a 2-hour layover in Feerefaaierhafen, @Variota, departing on Mondays and Fridays under flight number AL 571.

Beginning 1 July 2020, flight AL 573 from Arkhavn to Deopolis via Feerefaaierhafen will depart every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

 

Visa-free travel

The move was highly anticipated following the 2-year visa-free trial of the Andallan-Salvian Mutual Development Agreement (ANSAMDA), granting unlimited visa-free visits for citizens traveling between both nations.

The visa-free program, estimated to generate at least $65 million (₳3.3 billion) in combined tourism revenues for both nations, would take effect starting 1 July 2020 until 31 June 2022.

 

Longest connecting flight

Clocking in at an average of 23 hours, 18 minutes in the air, the 21,000-kilometer Arkhavn-Deopolis service is currently the longest operated by any Andallan airline and among the longest connecting flights in the world.

The route is usually operated by an SK-8 long-haul twin-jet aircraft, described on the Andallan Airways website as the "ideal aircraft for long-haul, low-capacity flights, boasting unmatched passenger comfort and efficiency in its class."

 

Increased seats, cheaper tickets

Gustafsen announced that AL 571 will be upgraded to a larger Aamotech Slankstråle-2E aircraft, adding over a hundred new seats to the flight's capacity.

A total of 1,696 round-trip seats are available weekly, 174 in Business Class and 1,522 in Economy.

As a result of the higher seat capacity and a projected increase in passenger demand, Gustafson also noted that the cost per one-way or round-trip ticket would be "significantly reduced".

"We're expecting high demand, especially towards the latter portion of 2020," said Gustafson.

 

Shorter flights via Yulaa

In the same announcement, Gustafson hinted at the possible addition of a shorter connecting flight via Yulaa, @Oyus, which provides a more direct route to Deopolis.

Assuming a 2-hour layover, an Arkhavn-Yulaa-Deopolis route would cut nearly 2 hours off the total travel time of 25 hours via Feerefaaierhafen.

Though largely insignificant, the extra 2 hours would grant critical time for business travelers, as well as connecting the two cities in under 24 hours.

With the bilateral Mutual Development Agreement coming into full force by Q3 2020, an increase in business travelers is highly expected.

The economic cooperation programs enacted by the two nations specifically target the shipbuilding, seafaring and tourism industries, among others.

"We're still looking into it, weighing options," Gustafson admitted.

In recent months, the airline has been looking into expanding its code-sharing network with other Alharun and Aurelian regional carriers.

Edited April 5, 2020 by Andalla (see edit history)