Buenos Aires - 5% Crime rates in the major cities, they were love of that 50% consisted of illegal prostitution or illegal substances. Statistics the government has today limited. By Imperial order 2 laws have been passed the legalization of moderated prostitution and soft drugs. Where moderate means allowed but with the government keeping an eye on it. This law has received divided opinions, people agreeing with it supporting their position by the fact those who managed to get out of the illegal prositituion field with concerning stories. Abuse by their bosses and barely enough to survive, under the new law all have to register with Buenos Aires and report on a weekly basis. These checks are to ensure even those classes can benefit from government security. Others in favor of the legalisation of soft drugs state that having it watched by the government ensures quality and could prevent side-effects. Not to forget keep limits on how much each person can buy. The more conservatives state allowing formerly illegal actions will only increase crime rates with the strong arm previously having withheld the then criminals.

The Imperial Department of Finance has announced soft drugs will face heavy taxes.

Empress Announces Treaty Cancellations

Buenos Aires - In line with a renewed foreign policy the Empress has announced cancellation of all hard to enforce or unneccesary treaties. As such the Imperial Union has decided to cancel the Free Trade Agreement with Cochin and the Non-Aggresion Pact with the PDC. The MDP with Furon has been questioned by the Advisory Council however will remain effective due to the economic importance of Miyako and the trust laid with Furon. All treaties with American nations have remained unquestioned. These changes are in line with a more Western aimed Foreign Policy, it is expected deployments in Asia will be lowered to a few hundred.



UESA Headquarters, Santiago - With the now famous line "This is one hell of a view" Captain Vernandez of the ISS Explorer set a step on the moon. Being worked on ever since the launch of the first space shuttle the UESA has succeeded in putting a man on the moon. The team of the Explorer will be planting a flag and collecting samples of the surface for research back in Santiago. A spokesperson of UESA has stated in an exclusive interview with INN that it plans to do more mars expeditions and commence construction of a Space Station, potentially with allies. For now there is genuine reason for a party in Santiago and Buenos Aires with the Imperial Space Program finally being able to participate with the big guys.

***Private***

Well, this is good...the Americans are withdrawing ever so slightly from Asia. Perhaps their hypocrosy is coming to an end.

The Kingdom of Cochin wishes to enquire the reasoning behind the abrupt cancellation of the Imperial Union - Cochin Economic Agreement without following the 7 day cancellation notice period as agreed between us? We do not perceive any recent event that may have affected the relations between our nations and thus such an abrupt act seems to be tinted with negative hues. Is this cancellation a pre cursor to any actual hostilities the Imperial Union may be planning to force upon us?

You misunderstand, the Imperial Union will be following proper procedure in regards to the withdrawal period however the former mesage initiates these procedures.

May we ask why is this agreement terminated now? Is there any specific incident that precipitated such a move?

A new foreign policy removing difficult to execute treaties. Free trade over an ocean is never truly free.

"And what about Non Aggression Policy? Is it no longer in Imperial Union's interest to have a Non Aggression Policy with the Kingdom of Cochin?"

A non-aggression pact is a meaningless piece of paper at most it will extend a potential conflict by a week.

"We wonder how a Non Aggression pact became suddenly meaningless. Does this symbolize an overtly hostile move towards the Kingdom of Cochin?"

Buenos Aires - At the height of unemployment and the fear of terrorism the Department of Internal Affairs has ordered the construction of a new city. The city named Paraíso will be unlike what Imperial architecture has ever managed. Using new but also older models in combination with modern systems the city will be a true paradise and pride of the nation if not continent. It is expected to house millions and major companies have already invested amounts to make sure the costs will come back. A massive foreign district will be included where all Embassies will be housed. This will be next to the Governmental Square where the Holy Order and government is seated. This city at the Atlantic Ocean is expected to become the new capital once finished. The city however is not for everyone with the average price of housing being somewhere between I$300,000 and I$400,000.


A preview of Paraíso pressented at the Imperial Institute of Architecture

"That is truly impressive. But I$300,000 and I$400,000 is the average price for what?"

OOC: Sorry edited.

"Heh, Paraiso reminds us of Washington City, though we didn't build it ourselves at the time. Washington City was built by the first United States in the 1790s to serve as a permanent national capital. With that said, how long do you estimate construction of the new planned capital will take?"

OOC: Heh-heh, we both have planned cities.

It is expected the whole project will take several years however the center withing roughly one year. We are honored the city reflects such an important place in world history.

OOC: Yep

Navy Releases New Battleship

Buenos Aires - Today the navy has commissioned a new kind of Battleship set to replace the aging Independence Class, contrary to it's older brother the Phoenix class will feature nuclear reactors and a combination of surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles mostly meant to defend the ship against modern enemies. The Battleships expected to be used for shore bombardment will be integrated into the existing Carrier Battlegroups to ensure protection and increased firepower. The main armament is the new railgun planned to be used on several ships and shore facilities should it see succesful use on the Phoenix.

The ship was welcomed in Buenos Aires with loud cheering and impressed reactions by both naval officers as civilians watching it. The navy is planning to build 8 with the IDNS Phoenix being deployed to the Pacific.


The IDNS Phoenix

Furon is impressed by the new battleship, the Phoenix. We would like to extend a hearty congratulations to our Imperial allies on such a fine vessel.

"It happened so fast" A common sentence within the Phoenix Empire today. This morning missile launched from the rogue state Helzan were detected by the ISIS systems, the moment people realized where the missiles headed countermeasures were activated and 4 Missiles launched to retalliate for Furon losses. The state not willing to surrender at this point retalliated by firing a total of 16 missiles at the Empire, luckily the superior Defenses were able to stop 10 keeping Buenos Aires and the millions living inside it alive.

Several men and women serving the Empire however were less lucky. Around 75,000 Soldiers have been killed with an additional 10,000 being in hospitals due to radiation poisoning. It is still uncertain how long the land will be uninhabitable however the Imperial Army has moved in to secure the area and evacuate all Civilians who could be affected by fall-out. The Empress has declared an official week of mourning and will extend the State of Emergency for another month. Major Civilian centers will remain evacuated.

His Holiness has declared a day of mourning among all Catholics as a sign of memorial for the lives lost. We are deeply saddened by this event and pray to God, that the souls departed today are received by the Lord peacefully.

"A tragedy!
Austria will do everything in its power to aid the Phoenix Empire. Whatever you need, we will help."

The Kingdom of Cochin offers any help it can provide to help the Phoenix Empire. Radiation Cleanup Teams are in standby to fly to Buenos Aires if Phoenix Empire would welcome their assistance.

Additional radiation clean-up teams are indeed very much wanted, while we have a lot of teams they are not able to cope with the amounts of radiation involved.

"New England offers its condolences to the Phoenix Empire. We shall provide you everything you need, anything. We will help."

Two Battalions of Strategic Command's Radiation Clean Up Teams are flying to Buenos Aires in 10 Halob heavy transport aircrafts. They are bringing in their own radiation proofed vehicles. The teams being sent are soldiers however they are being sent unarmed as a courtesy.

The Republic of Curristan is saddened by this event. A week of national mourning has been declared.

"Yeah, everyone has symopathy for the Phoenix when it dealt out far more damage than it took...to a smaller nation. You are real heroes."

Buenos Aires - Following the war in Europe a large group of 100,000 men and women have assembled to hold a peaceful demonstration within the streets of Buenos Aires. Their purpose? Asking the Empress to withdraw from all current conflict zones. The nation having been under mobilized state for years in their opinion can not handle many more wars. The demonstrations have so far remained peaceful with no intervention by the police having been needed. While this shows the nation is tired of war the war in Europe has 70% of the Imperials behind them with groups from all sections of society and the lowest ranks staying dedicated to their allies.

In response the Press Secretary of Imperial Affairs has stated the Empress understands their case but must defend the friends of the Empire, it is however expected financial compensation will become available for the families of those deployed for a long time.

**Classified**

In line with the emergency policies the Military had reconstructed most of the lost warheads from the war with the last few being rebuild currently. Upon completion of individual warheads they were then placed within the missiles and deployed over the Empire in preparation for a possible new war.

"The HRE will gladly offer further recompensation to the families whose loved ones have been sent to Europe. Additionally, should you require any other kind of help, we will try and help as good as we can."

The Empire thanks you for your kind offers but no compensation is required. We are here for our friends not profits.

The National Assembly has Lowered all flags to Half mast for a week.
at 11AM each day the Malvinian Royal Guards will fire a 21 gun salute in honour for the lost Brothers in the Phoenix Empire.