Moscow Times

[Justinian the Mighty]

[font="Times New Roman"][center][size="6"][u][b]Empress of the Russias, Dead at 24![/b][/u][/size][/font][/center]
[center][img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/11/article-1265255-09149C90000005DC-505_634x399.jpg[/img][/center]

[font="Times New Roman"]Empress Christina Feodorovna has died at the young age of 24, with her family members at her side. She passed away at the family’s summer retreat Gatchina, outside St. Petersburg, shortly after noon today. The Empress was preceded in death by her first child, Tseserevich, Peter Justinianovich.

Doctors who examined the Empress shortly after she died determined that her death was brought on by complications during childbirth. Grand Duchesses Anastasia and Alexandra are well.

The Empress, who had not appeared in public since she entered her second trimester, had reportedly been ill for several days before giving birth, but doctors were not concerned that her condition was fatal.

According to reports from the Household Ministry, the Emperor is said to be “devastated by the unexpected death.”

Prime Minister Putin ordered all flags to lower to half mast and declared a week of national mourning. The Imperial Standard was lowered over all royal residences.

The Empress’s coffin is expected to process along St. Petersburg’s streets to the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul where it will be interred in the imperial crypt.[/font]

[Zoot Zoot]

The USRS expresses its deepest condolences for the Slavorussian people and the Imperial Family and our prayers are with them in this dreadful time.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

A life cut short is always a tragedy. Prayers will be said for the empress.

[JEDCJT]

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Slavorussian Royal Family, to the Slavorussian nation and people as a whole."

The Noverian flag at the Noverian Embassy in Moscow would be lowered in half-mast.

[Vasuda]

The Vasudan Foreign Ministry released a statement today, sending the people of Slavorussia heartfelt condolences over the loss of young Empress Christina.

[Maelstrom Vortex]

King Geoffrey and Queen Christine booked flights to attend the public procession.

In a public statement to the press about the matter, King Geoffrey was quoted as saying, "I could not imagine, losing my Chrstine, so I understand in some ways how the Emperor must feel right now. But to have such a thing occur along with a child's loss in one's lifetime.. is something I couldn't fathom nor wish on the worst of my adversaries. We will be attending the procession with the people of Slavorussia. We dare not now even think about burdening the Emperor with additional affairs of state. Private security has been arranged to secure our safety as permitted by their laws."

Edited August 27, 2011 by Maelstrom Vortex

[TheShammySocialist]

"The Cajun Federation extends its deepest condolences to the people of Russia and the Royal Family, to see a life end at such a young age is a tragedy in and of itself."
[i]
Michelle Broussard-Doiron
Lady Protector of the Cajun Federation[/i]

[Centurius]

"The Athenian Federation and all her people extend the deepest condolences to the Emperor of the Russias. In respect of the legacy of the Empress all Athenian flags will be at half mast during the same period as the Slavorussian mourning period"
-Empress Ariadne Notaras of Heraclius

[Padraig Rua]

[i]On the behalf of the Bohemian people, the Emperor sends his condolences to the people of Russia and the Russian Royal Family.[/i]

[b]Consul of Foreign Affairs:[/b] Samantha Sinthgunt

[Imperator Azenquor]

The government of the Serene Republic of Vaule expresses our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and people of Slavorussia on this deeply sad occasion. His Royal Highness, Imperator Pyotr also expresses his personal condolences to Emperor Justinian.

[comrade nikonov]

The Republic of Finland sends its deepest regrets.

[Rauchen]

"Kurland extends its most sincere condolences for this tragic event."
-King Alaric I

[PresidentDavid]

"The People of The United Stats offer their condolences for this tragic event."

Edited August 27, 2011 by PresidentDavid

[Lestari]

"The Northern Federation sends our deepest commiserations to the people of Slavorussia and its Emperor in the advent of this tragedy."
-Executive Director Isabelle et Violaine

[Justinian the Mighty]

[font="Times New Roman"][center][size="6"][u][b]Investigation Reveals Cause of Death of the Empress, Doctor Blamed[/b][/u][/size]
[img]http://thetimes-tribune.com/polopoly_fs/1.1165323!/image/555817966.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/555817966.jpg[/img][/center]

An investigation into the Empress’s death sheds new light on the events that took place. The Household Ministry published a report that corroborates the coroner’s investigation.

The district coroner found that the Empress was not able to withstand the stress of childbirth, but the reason why was not immediately given. The Household Ministry’s report blamed the family’s private physician who allegedly provided the Empress with medication that weakened her heart. The toxicology report confirms this.

After the report was published Dr. Miroslav Jovanović, resigned from his position in the Imperial Household. The Slavorussian Medical Association says Jovanović will be investigated and charged with medical malpractice and will likely lose his license to practice medicine.
[/font]

[Justinian the Mighty]

[center][font="Times New Roman"][size="6"][u][b]UFE Weapons Hit Slavorussian Markets[/b][/u][/size]
[img]http://yovsan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Ermenistan-Rusiya-tanklari.jpg[/img][/center]


[left]Prime Minister Putin secured a deal with the United Federation of the East last month that would allow Slavorussian factories to manufacture Juggernaut II main battle tanks as well two models of jet fighters developed by the East Asian nation. The deal is part of a three part agreement which will help the Prime Minister accomplish several of his campaign promises.

Minister of Defense Sergei Molotov called the agreement a “unified effort aimed at modernizing Slavorussia’s aging military.” Shipments of supplies have already entered the country.

Foreign Minister Dmitry Medvedev commented on the deal, which includes a Mutual Defense and Aggression and base sharing agreement, referring to it as a “huge step forward for Russian relations with the east.”

Over a dozen unused and abandoned automotive factories are being converted in order to fill the army’s order for over 1000 vehicles over the next year. Plants specifically in the Komi Republic and lower income areas of the central northeast will benefit the most from the new defense contracts as the United Aircraft Company and Uralvagonzavod sweep in to purchase and staff their new factories. The project is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate millions of rubles in capital.

Upgrades for the army and air force are the first step toward making Slavorussia a serious voice in military operations around the globe. Critics and of the Prime Minister are lashing out at the Prime Minister for selling out the country’s defense industry, which was once the largest contractors and exporter of arms in the world. The Prime Minister however is unapologetic saying his primary goal is to be able to protect Slavorussia and its allies in the global arena.[/font][/left]

Edited September 25, 2011 by Justinian the Mighty

[Justinian the Mighty]

[font="Times New Roman"][center][size="4"][u][b]Justinian I Visits Finland[/b][/u][/size][/center]

Emperor Justinian, accompanied by Foreign Minister Medvedev, made a rare visit to Helsinki as the titular Grand Duke of Finland. His Majesty hopes to open dialogue with the Finnish government and hopefully mend bilateral relations. Russo-Finnish relations were harmed by the bombing Fort Joona by the Imperial Air Force, and the handling of the aftermath by the government.

The Emperor and his party were received at Alexander Air Force Base in Porvoo which was leased to Slavorussia by the Hanseatic Republic of Finland and reaffirmed by the latest government. While meeting with troops in Finland His Majesty reiterated Slavorussia’s commitment to protect Finland from all enemies foreign and domestic, a vow the empire has proven its loyalty to in the past.[/font]

Edited November 3, 2011 by Justinian the Mighty

[Justinian the Mighty]

[font="Times New Roman"][size="3"][u][b]Military to Begin Phasing Out Old Equipment[/b][/u][/size]

The military settled on plans to begin refitting military regiments with new weaponry obtained from the United Federation of the East. Slavorussian defense contractors leased the rights to produce Juggernaut II main battle tanks, as well as F-36 and F-2 fighter jets. General Staff Chief Ivan Menshikov says the army is ready to begin phasing out older T-72 and T-80 tanks and replacing them with the Juggernaut II series.

According to sources in the military the Juggernaut II, currently being produced by Uralvagonzavod will be designated T-100. The F-36 and F-2 will be designated MiG-40 and Mig-45 respectively.[/font]

[Justinian the Mighty]

[font="Times New Roman"][u][b][size="3"]Duma Will Vote to Change Succession Laws[/size][/b][/u]

Prime Minister Putin is spearheading an initiative to change the Royal Succession Laws enacted by Emperor Paul I in 1797. The Prime Minister spoke on the floor of the Duma where many Deputies voiced their support. If passed Grand Duchess Anastasia Jusinianovna would become the first female heir apparent in Russian history and the first ruling Empress in over 200 years.

Plans to change the succession law first appeared in late 1993 when the Committee for the Restoration of the Russian Monarchy proposed it, but was later dropped. It was revived after the death of the Empress Consort, when the Emperor sent an open letter to Parliament expressing his wishes to see his eldest daughter succeeded him.[/font]

[TheShammySocialist]

"The elimination of Salic Law in regards to the lines of succession would certainly be a step forward in eroding outdated traditionalist values, the heir-apparent Caroline, as well as the Ministry of International Affairs and Trade commend the Slavorussian Duma and the Prime Minister especially for leading an effort to do away with such outdated traditions."

[i]Office of the Heir-Apparent Caroline of Sweden[/i]

[Justinian the Mighty]

[size="3"][u][b]Legislative Election Results in a Setback for the Kadets[/b][/u][/size]
[img]http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/russia_election_2011/bp32.jpg[/img]

The Nation is stunned by Yesterday’s election which left the Socialist Bloc, an alliance of the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, with enough votes to claim a decisive victory and become the majority party. The monumental election was a crushing defeat for the Constitutional Democratic Party which lost over half of its seats to the Socialist Bloc and the Union of Slavic People leaving the Prime Minister Putin with a marginally smaller support base in the Duma. The election marks the first time that the socialists were able to reclaim the Duma since the mid 90’s, when the Communist Party gained 115 seats.

“Our victory today is a sign of the changing winds in Russian politics. The people are tied of lies, broken promises and indecisiveness in our nation’s legislature.” said Georgiy Boricov, the leader of the Social Democratic Party.

When the new Duma is convened the Socialist alliance will have of 196 of the 451 seats, doubling their number of seats from the last Duma. Both parties in the alliance have agreed that Communist Party General Secretary Valentin Petrenko will take over as the President of the State Duma.

Socialist Bloc supporters spontaneously gathered in Red Square this morning to celebrate the stunning victory over the former ruling party. Kremlin security officials and Moscow police were called in to break up the gathering citing security and legal reasons. They claimed the people there did not obtain a permit to assemble in that place at that time. The crowd remained largely peaceful, but 6 people were arrested.

The Octobrist Party has filed a lawsuit against the Communist Party, Social Democratic Party and the Kadet Party alleging all three parties engaged in illegal activities in order to weaken the Octobrist’s position in the Duma. The Leaders of all three parties denied the accusations and filed countersuits claiming defamation by the Octobrist Party.

Now all that is left is for the Emperor to dissolve the current Duma so that the next session of the State Duma may start, which he is expected to do soon.*

ooc: *The Emperor is responsible for dissolving the Duma after elections so that the seats may be occupied by the chosen parties. If the Council of Ministers had protested the results he could refuse to dissolve the Duma and call for another election.

[Centurius]

"While we have always been able to work with a Slavorussia under the Kadets we are certain this will not change under the socialist bloc. We congratulate the Socialist Bloc on their victory and the Kadets on their still very respectable amount of seats."

[Justinian the Mighty]

[size="3"][u][b]Vote on Succession Laws Fails to Pass in the Duma[/b][/u][/size]
[img]http://www.nti.org/media/images/gsn/daily-issue_image_2011-01-26_nw_20110125_8942.jpg?_=1296064189[/img]

Yesterday the Socialist Bloc and the Octobrist Party agree to an unusual partnership to successfully block a bill that was proposed by the Prime Minister last month. The bill is aimed at repealing the 200 year old succession laws which discriminate against women. Under the Pauline Laws decreed by Emperor Paul I, female members of the House of Romanov are forbidden from claiming the throne when there is a suitable living male dynast. Since Paul I enacted the law there have been no female monarchs in Russia.

The Socialist Bloc hopes that keeping the succession laws as they are now will highlight the inefficiencies inherent in a monarchist system and in the long run the Monarchy might simply just die out. Duma Chairman Petrenko, a communist said his party is content letting the Emperor live out the rest of his natural life, but will not swear loyalty to his successor whoever that may be. Right now that person is the 11-year old Grand Duke Anatoly Vladimirovich. However supporters of the crown have pointed out the failure in the CPSE’s logic.

“There are still numerous male dynasts in the House of Romanov. There are at least 8 Grand Dukes who are eligible to succeed the Emperor” said Stanislav Federov, the leader of the Octobrist Party.

Opponents of the Socialist Bloc have also been quick to point out the fact that in the complete absence of any male dynasts a woman, likely one of the Emperor’s daughters, would succeed their father as Empress of Russia.

“A monarchy is a powerful institution and its proponents plan for them to last throughout the ages.” said Peter Savenkov, head of the history department at the University of Moscow.

[Justinian the Mighty]

[size="3"][u][b]Slavorussia Officially Leaves the RUSSIAN Pact[/b][/u][/size]
[img]http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20110924/416_PUTIN_110924.jpg[/img]

Slavorussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced Slavorussia’s intent to officially withdraw from the The Representative Union for Security and Stability In Asia North Pact, or the RUSSIAN Pact. The decision to leave the alliance, despite being the only remaining member for half a decade came after the creation of Tianxia and the Horde which has, for all intents and purposes, created peace throughout East Europe and Northern Asia.

Slavorussia was one of the founding members of the first RUSSIAN Pact which quickly disintegrated. A second RUSSIAN Pact was created between Slavorussia and Forever Battlefield. The alliance eventually grew to encompass the vast majority of Russia and central Asia with notable challengers coming from the Uyghur Khaganate and the notorious Kyokujitsu Teikoku. In it’s long history Article 4 on Defense was only invoked twice. Once in defense of Vaule and again in defense of Slavorussia in the Patriotic Wars of 2008-2009 (Russo-Nordic Wars).

Participation in the Alliance dropped sharply after the Greater Nordic Reich announced victory over Slavorussia and its allies. Internal conflicts in Crimea Iso and Tyranar as well as sharp criticizm toward Vaule which adhered strictly to a doctrine of neutrality during the war created deep rifts between RUSSIAN signatories. Vaule was the last member to leave the alliance by ceremoniously destroying the infrastructure system that had been build to link all RUSSIAN countries together.

“Today we close the book on a difficult chapter of this country’s history.” The Prime Minsiter told members of the press. “By ending our affiliation with the RUSSIAN Pact we can seek closure and perhaps forgive those who wronged us.”

[Triyun]

The Great Horde of Tianxia praises the legacy of the R.U.S.S.I.A.N. Pact in its role in deterring Nordic Aggression and vows to continue the stability which Slavorussia's leaders feel it has brought to North Asia and Eastern Europe.