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[Delamaria]

 

Welcome to DBC News.

The Delamarian Broadcasting Corporation is a state funded television company, but we strive to bring independent non-partisan broadcasting, free for public use.

[Delamaria]

DBC wurld News

President Van Roose pardons 5 businessmen for criminal charges.

Pritchett House, Labrador. Today the Pritchett House Press Secretary, Edward Knope, announced that President Van Roose has officially pardoned 5 notable businessmen, each with ties to the United Party and the government. The most notable being Robert Kronstadt, a billionaire party donor, currently incarcerated in Crownsland awaiting trial on charges of selling weapons on the black market, though he has claimed that the actions were committed by the then CFO John Newton, who has since left the country. The others who have been bestowed a pardon are Simon Redman, the former director of NEMO, the National Emergency Management Organisation, who was accused in 2017 of embezzling funds from a private real estate venture, Marc Gissard, a former state senator from Severn, who was convicted on corruption charges in March 2020, Calvin Ritter, an art dealer, charged of theft in 2017, and Daniel McGovern, a former bureaucrat working in DoFA, who allegedly sold state secrets in 2018.

It is unknown why the President decided to grant these pardons at this time, perhaps to gain support for the United Party nomination, though she is loosing support within the party, as multiple up and comers take the spotlight. Senator Francis Montrose from Radnor, who is only 41, a year above the minimum age for the office, has gained key supporters within the party, and will be a challenge for the President to overcome if she is to gain the nomination. Should she be chosen, she would be the first female candidate from a major party nominated for the office of President, intact she was also only the second female vice presidential candidate when she ran alongside Pierre Monroe in 2016. Earlier this week it was revealed that the Hackl weapons company had donated to the President’s campaign, however Senator Montrose has gained support from numerous congresspeople, including the Majority leader, Martha Wright. Currently the President is polling at 41% among the United Party, with Montrose at only 28%, however that has increased from 14% before November 22nd.

[Delamaria]

DBC News

Senator arrested on murder charges.

Deveraux. Senator William DeForte of the Liberal Party was arrested today at his home in Chevrot on the charge of murdering 27 year old journalist, Julianne Atkins. Atkins was found having been run over on a street in the south of the city after a long day at work. She was assigned by the Briselle Post to look into the infamous organisation, IPAIA. Senator DeForte, a rising star within the liberal party, was somewhat known to be involved in certain circles connected to IPAIA through the 2017 data breach. Though Senator DeForte was not thought to have been involved with IPAIA, he was interviewed by Atkins on the 18th of January, to be asked about his connection to people listed in the data breach, however the recording of the interview has disappeared, along with most of Atkins writings. However one piece of paper was found in her jacket when her body was found that had ‘MG Hotel Deforte?’ written on it. This is believed to be a reference to the Montgisard Hotel scandal that took place in 2011. At the time DeForte was working for DP and, according to company records, was on an international business trip at the time of the scandal.

DeForte was arrested after detectives saw his car on CCTV footage of the area, speeding away from the site of her body. However DeForte claims that his car was stolen the day of the death, though he hadn’t yet registered it missing. DeForte is expected to be tried in March at the Devereaux state court, though evidence is mounting against him. The Governor of Devereaux, Marc Hansen, has announced that a temporary replacement will be found to replace DeForte until a special election in March.

DBC Business News

Conover-DBN merger approved by Judge.

Alberta. A state judge has approved the purchase of DBN, the nations second largest television network, by the conglomerate Conover. In recent years numerous media outlets have been bought or merged into larger corporations, particularly from the extraction and energy industries. Last September DNN had around a third of its shares bought by DP (Delamarian Petroleum). The act gained criticism from both other press groups as well as anti-monopolistic groups such as the Leaugue for fair business, which claims that the expansion of large corporations such as Conover will prevent small businesses from succeeding. The Secretary for Business, Henry Leckhampstead, told reporters today that there was no need for the government to interfere at this time, though some limits to the sizes of corporations attempting to merge may be implemented when necessary. DBN Chairman, Richard Hayes, said today “We are excited about our recent partnership with Conover, however we will not let this affect our award winning journalism in any unsavoury ways”. Conover first announced that it would be attempting to ‘merge’ with DBN in December, however it faced legal problems when Conover Senior Vice President, Dom Johnson, was accused of insider trading, as he allegedly organised the purchase of stock at point when the price was excepted to fall.

[Delamaria]

DBC News

President Van Roose reduces oil exports, enacts the DSPR Act.

Labrador. Following recent events in the oil industry, President Van Roose has reduced the nation’s oil exports by 75%, though Delamaria doesn’t export much oil, the National Energy Council advised that the government reduce sales to international buyers. Instead the Delamarian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act has been enacted, allowing the government to use funds in the DSPR fund to purchase petroleum and other fuels. Also announced was the allocation of funds to construct the Calendon Port facility, a proposed part of the DSPR network, pending since 2018. The DSPR currently has capacity for 89 million barrels, with the Calendon site expected to hold a further 43 Million barrels. The DSPR fund currently has around £32 Billion, having been accumulated, and never used, since 1952. However the Calendon site is expected to cost around £430 Million, including the pipeline to the rest of the DSPR network.

Pritchett House Press Secretary, Edward Knope, said today “This move is being made to secure Delamarians position, as the economy, especially in the oil and energy sector, faces volatility. These projects will create thousands of new jobs in construction, transport and maintenance, and will hopefully prevent an oil crisis”. Economic analysts agree that these measures will help protect Delamaria from a future oil shortage, as the nation slowly transitions into a green energy economy.

[Delamaria]

DBC Breaking News

Oil tanker explosion in Dolch Sea damages DNS ship.

Dolch Sea. In the early hours of this morning the Oil tanker, Conover Bodmonton, was destroyed causing an explosion that incinerated a DNS speed boat and damaged the DNS Carlisle. Current speculation is that Ceriser Sentists orchestrated the attack, which as of this time has claimed the lives of at least 7 crew members. The crew of the Bodmonton however is still unaccounted for. The Department of Defence has issued a statement saying that no crew members could be seen aboard the tanker, which lead to an investigation by the Carlisle’s captain, James Davidson, who was injured in the blast, but is recovering well aboard the DNS Rhodeport. 
 

DNS spokesperson, Mathias Edwards, said that a memorial commemoration would take place on Thursday, as the remains of the sailors are brought back from the scene. The Carlisle was expected to rendezvous with the Bodmonton at around 4 this morning, as it was entering a region known for attacks. The tanker was heading to Delamaria by order of the DSPR act, in which the Conover corporation was paid an undisclosed amount to return the vessel to Delamaria and sell its oil to the government. A National Defence Council meeting will be held today, chaired by the President, in order to determine what course of action is best at this time. DBC senior analyst, Don Tellinson, predicts that this will be used as an excuse to increase Delamarians naval presence in the Dolch Sea, which has been lacking in recent years. It is also expected that increased air patrols will take place to help root out the Sentist threat.

[Delamaria]

DBC Breaking News

President Van Roose addresses nation, declares ‘war’ on Sentism.

Labrador. Today at 20:35, President Van Roose addressed the nation. The speech was regarding the recent Sentist attack on the DNS Carlisle, which took place yesterday. Since then DSS sources have confirmed that Sentists were most likely behind the attack, and the President has alerted the military. In the address the President called for a “global coalition to defeat sentism”, as the terrorists have recently gained the attention of the international community. She also called for unity both at home and abroad as we face a new threat, and stated “As the leader of this nation, I cannot and should not rest until the safety of every citizen of this nation is guaranteed.” She later stated “This reckless and indiscriminate approach taken by the Sentists put each and every one of us at risk, through no fault of our own”. 
 

Today Pritchett House welcomed a large gathering of members of congress, military leaders, contractors and lobbyists, in a move thought to encourage support for the administration’s decision to go to ‘war’. DBC polling  prior to the speech put public opinion at 35% in favour of a large military operation, whilst current polls put it somewhere between 54-65%. Though some in the liberal party have claimed that this is merely an excuse to begin an endless conflict, many, on both sides of the aisle, have praised the President on her stance, and vow support for a future conflict. 
 

Since the speech stock prices, primarily in the weapons, contracting and energy industries, have rocketed, with Kronstadt heading from £243.44 this morning, to almost £450 this evening. This is primarily due to the corporations agreements and contracts to supply the government and military, as well as its deep connections with the government and those inside of it. The President is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow at 13:20, along with Defence secretary Ingram and General Frankfort. The conference will be broadcast live on DBC News and DBC 2 at that time.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

Air Force orders fleet of unmanned drones.

Labrador. Today a military spokesperson announced that the Air Force had ordered £1.2 Billion of unmanned drones, to replace the current 1st Unmanned Group, stationed in Fayrefax. The contract was awarded to Kronstadt Industries, after a fierce competition between Kronstadt and Keyheed, as both companies have been developing next generation military equipment, much of which is completely autonomous, and controllable from any point in the wurld. 

In this purchase is an expected fleet of around 50 unmanned drones, along with the technology, training, and maintenance that comes along with it.  It was also announced that DAF Piltdown, in Cardborough, would be the home to this new operation, with a new state of the art ‘surveillance and unmanned missions centre’ from which the drones can be controlled. 

The new force is expected to have its first deployment over Ceris, where it will aid current operations against Sentists. The DSS is expected to have significant input into the program, as Vice President, and DSS Director, William Patton is leading the program, at the direction of President Van Roose.
 

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by Delamaria (see edit history)

[Delamaria]

DBC News

Weekly Breakdown

Van Roose appoints John Carlisle as Secretary of Energy

Labrador. On Monday, Oil executive John Carlisle was appointed Secretary of Energy, following the death of Secretary Eugine Boliviegua in January. Carlisle has never held a position in government and has spent his professional career as a lobbyist for PQ and DP, until he was made Head of Aurelian and Alhuran operations at Conover in 2015, where he later progressed to head of all Oil and Gas operations. 

Environmental activists say that this is yet another appointment in a series of events that increases the fossil fuel industry’s power over the federal government. In the past few administrations about 80% of cabinet appointments had significant experience in only 12 companies. Scholars say that today, private corporations and individuals have more power over the fate of the nation since its founding, when a small group of powerful men organised and designed the commonwealth.

Though Carlisle has said that his connections to big business will not impact any decisions, as the government opens up billions for oil contracts via the DSPR system. The senate is expected to confirm him along party lines this Saturday.

Vice President Patton visits troops destined for Ceris

Rhodeport, Providence. On Wednesday Vice President Patton visited and spoke to the 2nd Vandergart Regiment, who are based in Fort Clinton, currently being prepared for deployment in Ceris. The Vice President spoke of the “great yet necessary sacrifice” being made by the soldiers. Patton himself served 12 years in the military, and is a veteran of the invasion of Lanada. The first troops to set foot in Ceris are expected within a few weeks, as air patrols begin.

Colonel Richard McBryce, also a veteran of the Lanada invasion, is the head of press relations for the Army and was also present for the visit. However Colonel McBryce said on Thursday to an undercover DBN reporter that Patton overplays his war record, and served a purely administrative role in the Air Force, Patton has not yet since responded.

Bridge collapse at New Chester College kills 4

New Chester University. On Saturday a bridge collapsed on the campus of New Chester University’s Politics and Law school. Among the victims are Professor of International Studies and former deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Stanley Stanberg, as well as 3 students. 4 others are currently being treated for wounds at Edwards Memorial Hospital, after being transported by Air Ambulance. 
 

The bridge was constructed in 2009 to make it easier for students to access the Politics and Law school from a new student accommodation complex. Investigators are currently looking into the architecture firm Hansen, Michaelson and Lowe, which have had similar events happen to structures it has designed, for example in 2015 a pier in Yorkerdam, designed by the firm, collapsed into the Yorker river leading to 1 death of a senior person and multiple cases of broken limbs and pneumonia.

[Delamaria]

DBC Breaking News

President Van Roose wins United Party Nomination.

Van Roose made her acceptance speech only a few moments ago.

Today at the United Party Convention, President Van Roose narrowly won the nomination for President after a close race with Former Foreign Secretary Henry Denby. The President won 2654 votes, compared to Denby’s 2345. The race came down to the crucial Yorkerdam and Dalais’s representatives, who voted for the President in the final few minutes of the tally. Speculators believe that Van Roose struck a back room deal with the representatives, though it isn’t yet clear as to what the votes were in return for.

This morning Senator Richard Heyes of Owland suspended his campaign for President and endorsed Van Roose, this comes after a series of endings of campaigns, with Congressman Francis Montrose, who was shaping up to be an adversary to Van Roose and Denby, suspending her 2campaign at the height of its popularity, which caught many analysts and commentators off guard. 

In the President’s speech she laid out the “pillars” on which her platform stands, a strong response to Sentist attacks, an rehauling of the welfare system, tax reforms for the middle class, improving national infrastructure and increasing Delamaria’s standing on the wurld stage. These will no doubt be a challenge to perform, however they are increasingly popular across the nation. 

The Liberal Party convention is set to take place tomorrow, though Verconsin Governor Chris Quedin is currently head in polls, both within the liberal party, and in multiple key battleground states. With the key swing state Vandergart too close to make any prediction.

With the presidential election only a week away, this may be the closest election on record.

Edited March 11, 2021 by Delamaria (see edit history)

[Delamaria]

DBC News

Delamaria becomes ATARA Member

Porto Altaria, Iverica. Today the Argic-Thalassan-Alharun Regional Association announced that Delamaria’s application to join the organisation had been approved by its member states. President Van Roose said today that this is the first step, of many, towards a more peaceful and prosperous wurld. This has boosted popularity of the President’s globalist policies, though critics say that Van Roose should focus more on current economic problems than partake in large international organisations.

 

 

[Delamaria]

DBC News

ELECTION 2021

How does the election work?

The Presidential Elections are closing in, with the United Party nominating President Van Roose, and the Liberal Party expected to nominate Governor Chris Quedin of Verconsin. But how does the Delamarian election even work? The election is based off a centuries old tradition called electoral statehood, in which every state has a certain number of votes, depending on the number of representatives sent to the Congress from that state. If a candidate gets a majority of votes in a state, they receive its entire number of votes, disregarding by how many points the state was won by.

The total number of electoral votes are 254, and it takes a simple majority to clinch the Presidency. However in the event of a tie, though it has never happened, the House of Delegates will decide the President, and the Senate will determine the Vice President. This was implemented in the election of 1840, when the candidates arrived at a tie, only to be broken after a recount.

Criticisms of this system have been existent since it’s implementation, and the House of Delegates even passed a bill attempting to repeal it in 1994, however it failed in the Senate. The 1976 election was the most recent instance of a President being elected without receiving the popular vote. Similar instances have occurred in 1992, when Liberal party candidate, George Cafferty, won 240 electoral votes, out of the 254 total votes, whilst only receiving 57% of the popular vote.

Current polling puts Van Roose at around 96 Votes, and Quedin at 89, with 69 undetermined, these swing states have never consistently voted for any particular party, and will determine the future President. The largest state in terms of votes is Vandergart, with 34 votes, Vandergart is famously a swing state, and is rarely won by more than a few percentage points. The Van Roose Campaign has already opened a large office in Yorkerdam, with the Liberal party making moves in Edwardsland and the Bay Area. This election is on track to be the closest in recent history, with even the most sophisticated analysts and pollsters baffled.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

First Results indicate Liberal Win

The Presidential elections in 9 states are almost over and many results indicate a lead for Liberal Party candidate Chris Quetin. It has been repeatedly said that this will be the closest election in recent memory, and the results in many states are shaping up that way. There is only 31 hours until all polling places certify their results across the country, and lawyers on both campaigns are getting ready for countless court cases in the many swing states.

The first implied of an early liberal lead was the State of Alpen, which was expected to go to Van Roose early on, due the majority of its congressional representatives being from the United Party, however as of now, Quetin holds a 3.2% lead over Van Roose as most of the state’s polling places are beginning to close.

The state of Cardborough was also an expected Van Roose win, with its sole delegate being an avid supporter of the President. However early polls indicate a lead of 2.1-3.4% in Governor Quetin’s favour. However the President is closing the gap in the Liberal stronghold state of Gerandy, as the Liberal lead of 9% was shrunk to only 2% as more ballot boxes close.

The few non surprises include the Van Roose wins of Radnor, New Beaumont and Dowager and the Quetin wins of Deveraux and Bayland. Though smaller margins of victory have been seen across the board. Voter turnout has also been unexpectedly high, with some districts seeing an increase of 75%+ compared to the 2016 election.

The next set of states to release results are Fleuria, Dalais, Severn and Geriana, all considered to be in the Quetin column, however this election has had countless unexpected results and we are sure that this unpredictable trend will continue on into the next day. 
 

In Other News

• Yorkerdam. Fire at the National Theatre kills 2 and injures 17, after stage equipment burst into flames during a performance. Paramedics and fire services were quick to respond, however a stagehand and the owner of the theatre, Dominic Voorhees,  were considered dead on the arrival of emergency responders.
• Montmaine National Park. 2 hikers that were considered missing since Last Friday have been found after a search and rescue operation in the State of Crownsland. Joan Maple and David Jones were found near Lake Vancouver by a Park ranger. The young couple were found to be in good health though were sent to St Lawerence Medical Centre near Richmond.
• Briselle. A robbery took place in the early hours of this morning, in which three Filigreé eggs were stolen. One man was arrested this afternoon, however other culprits, along with the highly priced eggs, are still at large. The anonymous owner of the eggs donated them for display at the Palais Margolis last spring, and are considered some of the finest works of their genre.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

New Election results cloud predictions.

A few moments ago the state electoral commissions for 11 states released their results. Most states are lining up as expected, however across the nation the margins of victory are tightening. In Fleuria Quetin is expected to win by 6%+, however current results indicate a Quetin win of only 2%. It’s only a few hours until the last few crucial states are counted. However these states are the most unpredictable, with Vandergart, the biggest prize tonight, within 0.2% in recent polls.

Reports from the Van Roose campaign headquarters in Eastminster say that the President is preparing for a victory, however the same can be said from the Quetin camp in Enport, as he has reportedly already made calls to prepare his cabinet.

 

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO VANDERGART.

All of the remaining results have been released apart from the State of Vandergart. A few moments ago the Vandergart State Elections commissioner stated that the state would wait an additional hour before posting its results. Currently President Van Roose is at 122 of the required 127 electoral votes to win, whilst Governor Quetin is at 98. However the winner of Vandergart will be immediately pushed above the 127 and clinch the Presidency. It’s 34 electoral votes are the largest prize sought in the election, and both campaigns are fighting tooth and nail to win over its voters.

Polls are unclear on who has the upper hand in the race, with Yorkerdam University suggesting a 0.2% lead in favour of Governor Quetin, whilst a DBN exit poll states the President will win by only a few thousand votes, possibly hundreds. Currently analysts are watching the 3rd, 9th and 17th districts, as they are likely to determine the outcome, they too are also the most unpredictable.

Both campaigns are said to be prepared for a recount, whether it be in a handful of Vandergart districts, or nationwide. An emergency session of the Vandergart Superior Court has been called, along with plans for a meeting of the Commonwealth Supreme Court within a few hours. Whether it be in the capital, remote villages or capitals across the wurld, business leaders, politicians, diplomats, generals and wurld leaders are keeping a keen eye to a few small districts in Vandergart.

It is unclear how long a possible recount could take place, the last time one of such magnitude was 1976, which then took about a week, however technological advances could mean it will take only a day or two. In a worst case scenario a nationwide recount could be called if results in Vandergart are inconclusive. Though this has never happened, election officials across the nation are being called back into action, should the bell be rung.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

Confirmed districts are in according Liberal Yellow and United Blue, with unconfirmed districts in grey.

Vandergart E.C. releases results of all but 2 districts.

Only two districts stand in the way of either President Van Roose’s or Governor Quetin’s election. The 3rd and 9th districts of Vandergart have been won by both United and Liberal candidates in the past decade, and will determine the outcome of this election. To win Vandergart one of the candidates must win both districts, if it results in both Governor Quetin and President Van Roose winning a district each it will result in a tie which will lead to an automatic recount. With both districts representing around 200,000 voters, it’s is yet unclear what will be decided.

Recent demographic changes in the 3rd district  indicate that Quetin may have the upper hand, however the same can be said for the 9th in Van Roose’s favour. With more liberally prone Yorkerdammers moving out to such areas in recent years, however this isn’t proof of any prediction. No matter the outcome it is almost certain that a recount will be ordered, which could drag the race on a further few hours.

The District Election Commissioner of Vandergart’s 3rd district, Mr Richard Powell, has said that he will do “everything in my ability to ensure that any recount is conducted properly and swiftly”. The DEC of the 9th district has yet to comment. The chair of the National Electoral Commission, Dr Herbert Cromwell, said that he is working with a large team at the NEC and is fully committed to supporting the electoral processes in Vandergart.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

QUETIN WINS VANDERGART, VAN ROOSE CALLS RECOUNT.

A few moments ago the Vandergart State Election Commissioner announced that Chris Quetin has won the 3rd and 9th districts of Vandergart and thus won the state and its 34 electoral votes, putting him over the required 127 required electoral votes to win the presidency. However President Van Roose has called for a recount in the aforementioned districts, along with the 5th district, which, though it was announced as a Van Roose victory yesterday, is within the margin for a recount, and analysts suspect it could have more Van Roose votes uncounted.

The 3rd district was won by Quetin with 50.2% of the vote, and the 9th with 50.12%. Should the results be overturned, it would be almost definitely be by only hundreds. Protestors have claimed that the President is trying to overturn the democratic process, however campaign representatives have said that the recounts are to “further the effects of democracy”. However DBC analysts have not figured out what is meant by that. 

 

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

Recount results to be announced tonight.

The recount of three Vandergart districts has ended and the results will be announced tonight at three separate press conferences. The results of the 3rd, 5th and 9th districts of Vandergart have been recounted by the local electoral commissions, and will be announced by their commissioners.

Globally these small rural districts are under the spotlight, as they have the ability to decide the presidency. Never before have so few districts played such a large role in the election. 

Both President Van Roose and Governor Quetin have declared victory, and are fighting each other in the courts. An emergency session of the National Electoral Commission concluded that the President was within her right to demand a recount, and the results should be honoured.

 

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by Delamaria (see edit history)

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

ELECTION 2021

VAN ROOSE WINS RECOUNT!

PROTESTS CAUSE VIOLENCE.

The State Elections Commissioner for Vandergart has finally announced the results of the 3 Recounts, and President Van Roose has won. There has been multiple protests around the country, to both cancel the recount, and to continue it. Many of which have lead to fires and fighting in Yorkerdam, Hamhearst and Briselle. 

The President is set to make a speech on her victory within the hour, however Governor Quetin is yet to concede, alleging “this election is far from over”. The Quetin campaign manager, Kirk Corin, has said that lawsuits are being filed across the nation, so that Governor Quetin can take his “rightful role as President”. 

Vice President Patton stated this is a “Triumph for Democracy” from a pro-recount protest in Port Kennedy, shortly after the news was heard. The Vice President is set to preside over the formal election in the Commonwealth Congress on Monday. 

 

Edited March 25, 2021 by Delamaria (see edit history)

[Delamaria]

DBC News

Weekend Roundup

Van Roose Inauguration to be held next Saturday.

The Inauguration of President Van Roose has been set for Saturday. Initially security concerns were raised after a spike in applications for the Labrador Federal Police Department, however security has been tightened, and the public has been told that there are no major threats at this time. The Inauguration was initially to be held at the Founders Memorial, however renovations on the building aren’t set to be completed until June. Pritchett House said today that the Inauguration would probably take place in Pritchett House itself, which is the norm for re-elected incumbents, however this is Van Roose’s first win as President. Vice President William Patton is also set to be inaugurated at the ceremony, as he is currently in Iverica at the ATARA Assembly.

15 Arrested in Drug Cartel bust.

In Bridgeport today, 15 men were arrested for being part of one of Delamaria’s largest drug operations in history. The group’s leader Garry Enano, widely seen to be the largest drug smuggler since the 19th century, was shot twice in the raid, and is currently recovering at St Jude’s Hospital in Rhodeport, before being taken to trial. In the past few years it is estimated that the gang brought in almost £100 Million, which it then spent on large houses in The Chesters and Lanada, expensive cars and bribes to police officers and even judges. The Director of the Investigation Bureau, or InBe, stated that this is a triumph for justice, and the operation will almost certainly destroy the organisation, once and for all.

The gang has known ties with politicians in Lanada and Vandergart, which were exposed in the 2017 May Day Arrests. The organisation was responsible for a majority of all of the illegal narcotics in Delamaria, smuggling them in through cargo ships primarily from Aurelian and Alharun drug plantations.

Special Election to be held for Hyannis Senate seat.

It has now been three months since the resignation of Hyannis Senator Mark Atwood, after it was revealed that he had taken money from pharmaceutical giant PQ, though technically legal it was very damaging to his image as an ‘anti-corruption crusader’, as he was called in the Sunday Post. 

Hyannis Governor John FitzGerald appointed Rhys Wintour as a temporary replacement until the Special Election would be held. So far 4 Candidates have declared that they are running, among them are Hyannis Lieutenant Governor James Allsop for the United Party, and Journalist Joseph Brown. Currently the polls are in Allsop’s favour, however Hyannis is known to go either way in both Congressional or Presidential Elections.

[Delamaria]

DBC News

ELECTION 2021

QUETIN CONCEDES A WEEK AFTER ELECTION.

Verconsin Governor, and Liberal Party Presidential Nominee, Chris Quetin has conceded the 2021 Election to President Van Roose. The announcement came during a press conference with his campaign manager, Vice Presidential Nominee Stephen Montez and Verconsin Lt. Governor Francis Cheney. The President has accepted his concession in a statement from the Presidential retreat in Crownsland, in which she is currently meeting with small and big business leaders. 

The Quetin campaign was adamant that they could overturn the results through legal means, however the Vandergart State Election Commissioner has refused to hold any new meetings to recount electoral results. The Vice President is currently in Iverica for the ATARA assembly, and has yet to make a statement.

Both Pro and Anti-Van Roose demonstrations have taken place since the announcement, metropolitan areas such as Yorkerdam and Bodmonton have deployed Riot police to prevent an escalation of violence. Several fires have been reported to have taken place in and around Yorkerdam, with multiple missing and feared dead.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

Pritchett House proposes new Home Affairs Department.

Today the President unveiled a proposal for a new cabinet level department which would encompass many domestic security agencies and duties. The proposed department is called the Department of Home Affairs, and would oversee the DSS, Border Protection Agency, The Immigration Bureau, The Commonwealth Police, The Arms, Weapons and Explosives Agency (AWE), The National Transportation Security Office and the Office of Emergency Planning. This new umbrella department would become the 4th in line to the Presidency in the Cabinet, after Defence, Foreign Affairs and Justice, and Former Director of the Investigation Bureau, Carl Axelrod, is the supposed nominee to be the Secretary of Home Affairs, as he was stood behind the President as she made the announcement.

Critics of the proposal claim that having the Commonwealth Police as a child agency would prevent it from conducting its job investigating government agencies, of which many under current investigation would be part of Home Affairs. Critics also allege that this would centralise power, preventing any attempts to root out criminal activity within the government, they also allege that the DSS (Delamarian Security Service) would have power over the department, increasing the agency’s influence over government. However there are many supporters in Congress, who praise the proposed department as an effective means as to protect the country from internal threats, as have been seen recently, and with new threats appearing across the glube, the nation needs to be prepared to protect itself.

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

VAN ROOSE INAUGURATED

TODAY at Pritchett House, President Van Roose was inaugurated to her first elected term as President. The ceremony took place on the South Portico of the Residence, to a large crowd of supporters. The President was surrounded by her family, cabinet secretaries, members of congress, campaign officials and key supporters of her campaign. 

Also Inaugurated today was Vice President William Patton, this is the first elected office he has held, after a lifetime in public service. The Vice President has served as the Director of the DSS since 2012, numerous ambassadorial positions, the Under Secretary of Defence and as Chair of Keyheed. The Vice President also served in the army, and fought in the invasion of Lanada. He was a close personal friend of Former Secretary of Defence Rupert Hayes, who once stated that Patton had the most bureaucratic knowledge combined with the most ambition he had ever seen. Though relatively unknown to the public, he was put under the spotlight in 2013, when the DSS was accused of collecting information on the population, Patton refuted claims that he was aware of such operation, and rose through the congressional investigation without a scratch. He would again be investigated in 2017, with claims that the DSS funnelled money to foreign groups after a 2 page memo describing possible opportunities for the DSS in Alharu was leaked to the Briselle Post. However Patton wasn’t indicted in any wrongdoing. After November 22nd, and President Van Roose was first inaugurated, under somewhat different conditions, the position of DSS Director was incorporated into the Vice Presidency, which many critics claim is a centralisation and consolidation of power by the Vice President. Patton is also said to be behind current plans for the Department of Home Affairs, a proposal that would consolidate most of Delamaria’s security infrastructure into one organisation, which is supposedly to be headed by a confidant of Patton, Carl Axelrod.

DBC BUSINESS WEEK

Waystar to buy Gold Sands resorts.

The Entertainment conglomerate Waystar has announced that it is buying Gold Sands resorts, Delamaria’s largest resort chain, in a move to solidify its position after its failed hotel chain, Maple’s. The company has made numerous attempts in it’s history to hold a portion of the hotel industry, outside of its accommodation at Waystar Parks. The move comes after Gold Sands Resorts sold it’s Waterpark, Three Flags, in Providence to LH Burnwood, one of Waystar main domestic competitors.

Gold Sands Resorts has been owned by the former royal family of Lanada for its entire existence, and was founded using capital from the family’s remaining holdings on the islands. Some have called that this is a further encroachment of Delamarian corporations into Lanada, as Gold Sands Resorts is the largest company to be held by a Lanadian, as well as being one of the island’s largest employers.

Green Energy infrastructure planned.

The Government is set to announce a large Green Energy infrastructure project that would span the nation. The plan would be in conjunction with the private sector and would create “tens of thousands of new jobs” according to Energy Secretary Carlisle. This comes after DP announced it would be investing billions in renewable energies, as the oil market becomes more unstable. Secretary Carlisle also said that the plan would last the entire Presidential term, and would benefit most the communities with the highest unemployment rates. 
 

Within the plan also is a large apprenticeship project, that would train those already working in the energy industry to operate, maintain and construct renewable alternative technologies. Despite these investments, the government is continuing the DSPR act until it has enough petroleum to support the economy, should a major problem occur within the industry. The DSPR fund, which has remained untouched since the 1950s, has so far been 45% depleted in the purchase of petroleum and its futures, which has in itself risen the price of oil globally. 
 

Delamaria’s recent trade agreement for metals in return for reduced agricultural tariffs will allow Delamaria to construct many of these infrastructure projects, especially the proposed Bayland-Verconsin wind farm, that would stretch across the northern hills of the Baum States. Construction is set to begin by July.

 

 

 

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

President Leckhampstead waves as he leaves Pritchett House.

James Leckhampstead Sr. named Ambassador-General.

Former President James Leckhampstead Sr. has been named the Ambassador-General by President Van Roose in a briefing today at Pritchett House. Leckhampstead, who was President from 1992 to 1996, was the youngest person to serve as Vice President in History, when he was first elected in 1980, under then President Robert Conover. The Former President also served as the youngest ever Governor of Providence, from 1974 to 1980. 

The Ambassador-Generalship, though a mostly ceremonial role in the past, has been refurbished to accommodate the former President. Not only will he take on the role of the global representative of the Commonwealth, but he will also act as a Senior Advisor to the President on foreign policy and international affairs, along with an advisory role in the Joint Congressional Foreign Affairs committee, and Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The 77 year old was one of the most beloved contemporary Presidents, not running in the 1996 election due to ill health, he has often spoken publicly on political, economic and current events, and was said to be considering a run for the United Presidential nomination in 2016, a run which would have put him against then Vice President Pierre Monroe. However Leckhampstead, father of current Providence Governor James Leckhampstead Jr., says he has no ambitions to hold elected office again, and wants to focus on helping Delamaria globally.

The former President has come under scrutiny in the past due to his own personal wealth, Leckhampstead’s net worth has been estimated to lie anywhere between £250 Million and 1.2 Billion, though he claimed to be a member of the middle class during his run for the Presidency, he is a member of the vastly wealthy and powerful Leckhampstead family, and is the third of his name to hold the position of President, and the fourth to hold the office of Vice President.

Internationally he is respected for his advocacy of both human rights and the advancement of democracy globally, which he does mainly through the James Leckhampstead Presidential Foundation, based in Rhodeport. During his term he began the Freeman Act, the largest infrastructure project of the era, and began firearm reforms after a series of mass shootings. 
 

DBC BUSINESS WEEK

Economy on rise, but economists predict downturn.

Leading economists from the National Economic Forum say that recent numbers from the treasury are good but could very possibly lead to a recession. On Saturday the Department of the Treasury released its Quarterly Economic Forecast, and current numbers show that the economy is recovering well from the 2018 recession and near all economic damage from the past few months has been repaired. The GDP growth rate is currently at 2.87%, higher than the predicted 2.67% from the Delamarian Economic Council’s report. A large part of this increase is down to the President’s recent investment of the DSPR in the oil industry, and the Treasury’s cut of interest rates in February. 

Despite this good news the Yield curve has been fluctuating in the wrong direction, and economists are worried, this is amplified as several large corporations have had bail out rumours circulating in economic circles, this is best seen in Milton Fitzpatrick’s bailout of Conover’s oil and gas division, which was near bankruptcy last autumn, a collapse of the division of Conover itself would be catastrophic for local economies in states such as New Flanders and Owland, where the company employs most of its workers. In 1998, when Tuo Kuai, then Delamaria’s second largest extraction company, collapsed, tens of thousands of people lost their jobs, homes and some communities collapsed due to lack of economic activity. Herridge, New Flanders was at one point the fourth largest town in the State, but in 1998 20,000 less Tuo Kuai employees, who were living and working in the area, were living in the town, leaving it nearly abandoned, and in 2017 it was unincorporated as a city due to a lack of residents. As for Delamaria today, as long as government support for private companies continues no immediate problems will occur, however if problems spiral out of hand, a major recession could occur.

 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Delamaria (see edit history)

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

Stock market volatility spills over to Delamaria.

Since the military takeover of the Sunset Sea Islands, market volatility has swept throughout the wurld. Seylos, Iverica and Prymont are currently in the grips of the economic backlash of the military coup, restricting economic and diplomatic activities. The Sunset Sea Islands is one of the largest economies in the Wurld, and its corporations were increasingly intertwined with the glubal economy. It is currently unknown the status of the SSI’s private corporations, as the only information being received by the outside wurld is a repeating message, vaguely detailing Colonel Ishijima’s takeover.

The Secretary of the Treasury, Francis Meyer, said today that the National Economic Council will be holding emergency talks with banks and financial institutions, to find a workable solution to hopefully halt this downturn. The President has made a statement on the takeover in the SSI, but hasn’t yet responded about the economic ramifications. Unlike other countries, Delamaria has decided to not impose any sanctions on the SSI until new information is revealed on the current situation.

Ditorro Monagenica sold for $198 Million

The famous 1567 painting by Leonardo Di Vipiro was sold at the Battersea Auction House today to the Yates-Mendoza group. The YMP is a subsidiary of the Hummingbird Foundation, which specialises in investing in the arts. The painting is the most expensive piece of artwork ever sold in Delamaria, followed by the painting of the Conquest of Barbeaux, which sold for 156 Million in 2017. The painting will still be available for public viewing at the Delamarian Museum in Labrador until September, when it will be moved to another institute. 

This follows questions about the Foundation’s spending practises. In 2018 the Hummingbird foundation spent 13.5 Million to buy a vineyard in Crownsland, which the Organisation claims is to be used as a forum space, and to produce wine to be sold at charity galas. The foundation is also known to have spent millions on accommodation and transport for senior officials, as well as political advocacy.

New political advertising guidelines put into effect

The national television regulator, Delcom, has put into place new guidelines surrounding political advertisements. This comes after the Senate passed a short bill, repealing some restrictions on advertising that endorses or attacks a particular candidate or political party. However advertisements must still be reviewed by Delcom and the National political campaigns watchdog, to ensure that there is no false or misleading information included.

The President is known to already have a series of advertisements prepared for the quarterly elections this winter, as well as some explaining policies. The Liberal Party has come under fire recently for its advertisement on local radio stations in Hyannis, claiming that United Party officials bribed local officials to restrict voting in certain districts, as so to reduce the amount of Liberal voters. Though no evidence was or has yet been provided to prove this statement, the party still claims that it acted honestly and truthfully.

 

 

[Delamaria]

DBC NEWS

Highgrove: The conspiracy theory that just won’t go away.

The conspiracy theory commonly referred to as ‘Highgrove’ or the spooky sounding ‘Hidden Hand Theory’ has been gaining traction recently, mostly on online message boards notable for extreme views and dabbling with the truth. In a 2019 survey, 15% of Delamarians believed in Highgrove or similar theories, the highest since the 1970s. The theory first derived from a 1953 book, written by a disgraced politics professor, David Baum, and has since flourished into a complicated network of random and often ludicrous beliefs, involving assassinations, human experimentation and even Aliens! But what exactly is the base of this belief, and why is it becoming so dangerous?

In Baum’s 1953 book, Highgrove House: The Hidden Hand, he tells of a shadowy organisation that controls Delamaria’s affairs from the shadows, founded in the early 1900s, it controls all aspects of government, economics and media, or so he would have us think. The book itself makes a lot of assumptions, and sometimes blatantly lies. It tells of people doing things after they had died, and blames complete accidents on the organisation he calls Highgrove. Since then his sons and grandchildren have continued this, with his grandson Henry writing two other books from his grandfather’s notes. Despite this obsession with a fictitious being almost genetic, Baum’s daughter Amelia said in 2013 that the family was obsessed with Highgrove, and without any form of evidence they would shut out any suggestion that it could be false. After that statement Amelia received death threats from the conspiracy’s followers, and had to be moved out of public view to ensure that the threats didn’t come to fruition.

So why is this dangerous today? With current distrust of the government at the highest levels in a decade,  anti-establishment conspiracies such as this could lead to actual acts of violence. This was best exemplified when a Highgrove following Fleuria man attempted to take then Vice President Pierre Monroe hostage, though his plan failed and all that Monroe received was a slap on the face, it could have led the nation into a crisis, and inspired other plots alike it. When communications regulator Delcom attempted in 2017 to ensure that people weren’t being misled online by putting notices on sites explaining that it may not be true, a plot was discovered to send Mail bombs to the Delcom headquarters in Eastminster, and currently three self described ‘mercenaries’ are wanted by InBe for being contracted to kidnap Nathaniel Eganheimer, and ‘expose’ Highgrove. 

It should be known that DBC can’t necessarily confirm that all of Baum’s claims are false, however a vast majority are a fabrication, probably intended to sell more copies of his book, and that anyone who researches the theories should keep in mind that what they are being told is far from the truth, alas they indoctrinated into this dangerous and radical cause.