Norway-Sweden News, Developments and Movements

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Fight for the Storting

As the Elections for Prime minister begin to fuel up, nationwide campaigns have began to spring to life. With candidate screening procedures complete, there have been massive numbers of candidates coming out to vie for the much sought after position. Now, for a party by party breakdown of the current candidates:

Conservative Party:

Maximiliam Carlsson: Born and educated in Stolkholm, Maximiliam Carlsson has received some of the best education and political training money can buy. Ever treated to what he refers to as "Help from someone up there," Carlsson is a moderately wealthy, highly religious industrialist. Born into a family of great wealth that was inexplicably bankrupted and forced into poverty, he has seen both the best and worst of the socioeconomic spectrum. He, in what he feels was the first sign of his protection by by god, won the Oslo lottery the day he moved to the city. He spent almost all of the money immediately after receiving it, giving a large amount to his parents, donating another large chunk to charity, and putting the rest into his own college fund. He has served as governor of Akershus for the last two years.

Jonatan Lindberg: Son of an archeologist, Jonatan Lindberg was constantly under the influence of multi-national society as a child. Now, as an adult, he has drawn heavily on his childhood to show the benefits of capitalism and moderate social control as methods of protecting the people from poverty. He was spent his collegiate years in New York, where he graduated top of his class, and earned a degree in anthropology, minoring in his school's low-key political theory course. He has served on the board of the Norwegian Conservative Party National Committee for 3 years, taking only one vacation to join a dig in southeast Asia.

Progressive Party:

Joanna Nordin: Raised and educated here in Oslo, Joanna Nordin grew up around her parents Donia Magnusson and Egon Nordin, both representatives in the former Ubersteinian government, giving her important early insight into the world of politics. She states that she is very open to the ideas of others, but has also admitted that she harbors resentment against Martencists for the arrest of here father on charges of political dissent when she was thirteen, a year after Ubersteinia was absorbed into Nordland. She returned to Norway after reunification, where she immediately took a job under the Minister of Government Administration and Reform.

Ben (Stingo) Hermansson: Raised in an apartment Fyllingsdalen, a borough of Bergen, Ben Hermansson, or Stingo, as he is often called, says that he first started to take an interest in politics when he read a newspaper article about a corrupt local official stealing public funds to use in his already illegal gambling ring. Hermansson used this step to put himself into a life studying law and politics. He is, by leaps and bounds, the youngest candidate in the running, aged only 27 years. Since graduating college with honors, dual majoring in Law (He passed the Bar and became a lawyer just four years ago) and Political science, he has returned to his home town, where he started as a community welfare activist, but has since been elected Mayor of Bergen. In his one year, he has built three schools to alleviate overcrowding that had been present since he was a child, made upgrades to his local hospital to facilitate a burn ward, an oncology center, and a Children's health ward, and has completely repaved the cities roads, build new community centers, and organized a "Hand Up" program, all while staying with the old City budget.

Socialist Party:

Stefan Haapalainen: One of the oldest Candidates in the running, Stefan Haapalainen has seen history pass before since a child. In his over seventy years living in Scandinavia, he has seen countless revolutions, wars and horrors, all of which have greatly influenced his political philosophies. He pledges that his time in both the Ubersteinian and Nordlandic militaries gave him a personal view into the life of the public servant, and although he started as a staunch conservative, made him into the Socialist he is today. He carries the signs of war on his body, including a heavy limp from a piece of shrapnel that damaged the muscle and tendons in his left leg, and a damaged, blind eye, from being literally shot in the face with a revolver (The bullet miraculously was stopped in the back of his nasal cavity, where it moved through his body, into his lungs. He coughed the bullet up during a particularly stirring political rally while speaking at a college two years ago). He served in the ADI senate from the beginning of it's existance, to it's end, as well, he served as an adviser to the Late PM Jens Stoltenberg.

Fascist Party:

Gennadiy Seleznyov: An outspoken supporter for the Fascist Party,Gennadiy Seleznyov has ran for the position of Prime minister twice in the past. He says that his childhood in a cramped apartment building in Murmansk shaped who he is today. Belonging to a low income family, he lived in a rather dank, unpleasant over filled apartment building, his apartment so small and his family so poor that they could only afford one bed for the mother, father, two sons and daughter to sleep it, a system that remained until Seleznyov reached puberty, and was kicked out of the family home to find a job, and three days later, had managed to find one, vacuuming and sweeping the building he had spent his life in. Upon reaching age 20, he had managed to buy the building, sell it to the city planner's office for an Urban renewal program, and purchase a large amount of stock which quickly put him on the road to success. By age 21, he decided to be the first of his family to attend college, where he excelled in political science and theology. His political experience involves writing the bestselling manifesto on Fascism and Party Politics of the Far Right Truth and the Lies: Unity and Freedom in the Modern Era.

The Utopian Party:

Dr. Robert Fourier: Brother of the current Utopian Party Parliamentary Chairman Charles Fourier, Dr. Robert Fourier graduated nine years ago from the University of Oslo, receiving degrees in Humanities and Theology, while earning his Doctorate in Law. He was born in Proxia, where he mostly kept his political affiliation to himself, not for fear of persecution from the government, but rather believing that he was crazy for his idea of a Utopian society. At the age of seventeen, he recruited his brother and several freinds to start a small, anarco-communist society that failed to get off the ground. Though he failed, he says that it gave him a chance to be a leader, and helped him fine tune his political beliefs. His political experience is rather small, but he did act as campaign manager and adviser to his older brother in the first ADI Prime Minister elections.

Communist Party:

Johanna Faber: Originally born in Berlin, Johanna Faber proclaims that she first developed Communist beliefs in Martens' original Deutschland, one of a fairly small number whom she says "Saw through the man's facade." She left Deutschland as soon as she could do it legally, and wandered the world, before settling down in Saboria to attend one of their colleges, and be safe from most of the stigma against here beliefs. She took advantage of her original career as a nurse that she used to pay for school to work as a medic, where she saw the horrors of war for the first time. She continued to live in Saboria until it disbanded, when she returned to traveling before settling down in Norway, to work as a member of the original Communist party in Parliament.She is the author of A Commie in Deutschland , a satirical work that capitalizes on the the Martencists as a means to show the discrimination she and her freinds were shown for their political beliefs.

The eight candidates will be in a press conference later today to discuss their beliefs and positions with international reporters. These initial conferences will have little effect on the smaller party candidates, but it his highly likley that they will be a deciding factor in the Progressive and Conservative primaries to decide which of the two candidates for each party will be chosen.

OOC: I'll post that in a second

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Fight for the Storting

In a major move today, Party Chairs from the Conservative and Progressive Parties released their final choice for their candidates for Prime Minister today. The move, criticized by some who believe in creating more Democracy within the nation, the parties completed their final, internal votes late last night. Without Further ado, the official Conservative Party candidate for Prime Minister is Jonatan Lindberg, and the final candidate for the Progressive Party is Ben Hermansson.

Maximiliam Carlsson, whom was in the running for Candidate for the Conservative party said in an interview this morning that he intends to return to Akershus, and complete his term as governor before leaving to try and take a greater role within the Conservative party. Joanna Nordin has stated that she intends to start campaigning for Mr. Hermansson, and has already agreed with him that, if he is elected, she will take on the role of Minister of Government Administration and Reform.

We now enter the brief time set aside by the King to survey and test the candidates, a process he says will "Test their strengths working as a team, and show them some of the work they will have to undertake as Prime Minister." After this period of time, official campaigning will begin in the final stretch towards election season.

This Week at the Ceuta Launch Area

This Week at the Ceuta Launch Area, astronauts, fresh home from their first trip to orbit, took their first break since the war. NNSA heads stated that they felt this was an important time for the astronauts to make certain that they still want to continue on their paths to the moon, as well as to get some much needed rest and relaxation to recover from the Gs of launch, and the zero gravity conditions in Orbit. The shuttle is being re-fitted with a landing craft to drop the astronauts to the lunar surface. It is estimated that the launch will take place in three weeks.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Classified: Security 18

Northport Research Facility

Progress continues on the bomb. Dr. Holmgren says initial tests are going well, and that the small, controlled test in the chamber earlier this week is a good indication that our nuclear materials are going to function in later tests. Little else has happened since the last report, and it is unlikely that more will come before we get a working prototype.

Fight for the Storting

Dr. Robert Fourier, candidate from the Utopian Party drops out!

Amid massive uproar around a political scandal, Dr. Robert Fourier has dropped from the Prime Minister ballot, citing "Cruel" conditions from the other candidates that are "in no way benificial to a democratic system." The events in question involve a rather defamatory advertisement released by the Fascist Party, painting a picture of him as a "sniveling infant." Publications manager for the Fascist party Jarmo Pohjamo has stated in response to the controversy that "The fact that after his whole 'Detriment to society' speech and literally ran away to his mother and cried and drank some warm milk that she had waiting in a thermos doesn't seem to help that image." In response to similar advertisements, many candidates have embraced their insults, and stated their intent to better themselves of their problems, or state that the claims were outright fabrication, as some were. In response to the scandal, the Fascist party has relieved Mr. Pohjamo of his position.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Il Terra Di Agea]

King Begins to Appoint Cabinet with Prime Minister Still Absent

King Heimdall today, with nigh universal approval of the parliament (179-21), began to appoint members to the long unfilled cabinet. The motion has created relief for many whom feared the empty cabinet would allow Norway to fall into anarchy, or, in many opinions the worse option, dictatorship. The following are the appointments thus far.

Minister of Agriculture and Food: Gunnar Nilsson

A member of the Norwegian Green Party, and staunch supporter of environmental reform, Gunnar Nilsson has been involved in politics since his original position in the Republic and Kingdom of Norway senate. He has stated that he will be a less pushy minister, trying to work with the other ministries to complete his tasks.

Minister of Defense: Kian Martinsson

A self described lover of all things military, Kian Martinsson, a member of the Norwegian Nordlandic Party, has been involved in the Norwegian military for years. He is currently ranked Brigadier General, and has been in command of the 10th Brigade for five years. For the whole of that time, he has remained an active member of the Oslo city government.

Ministers of Education and Research: Manda Bengt

A founding member of the Progressive party, has been in the running for the position since she took over the National Scholastic Committee earlier this year. Here experience come from her years working up from concerned Mother, to CPA president, to president of the Oslo school board, to the aforementioned Scholastic Committee.

Minister of the Environment: Isa Holm

Another Member of the Green Party, Isa Holm has been working for a cleaner Norway since the ADI age. She has been working nigh constantly for the last ten years with her own collective of the Green Party to push Green technologies and policies on the government. She has been head of the Green Party for the last three years.

Minister of Finance: Flora Mattsson

A surprise appointment, Flora Mattsson has been a vocal member of the Conservative party since her return to Norway from her college abroad three years ago. She has a massive amount of experience working in large accounting firms, and has repeatedly proven herself as capable of making even the worst investments profitable, and in her ability to control large amounts of money.

Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs: Markus Andreasson

A member of the Progressive party and raised in a tiny village near Hammerfest, Markus Andreasson has spent his life around fishermen, and even when he started his political career, he had them in mind. His first political work was under the former Minister, and he has stated his desire to work with the Ministry of the Environment to work on making fishing more plentiful and more green.

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Vilho Kemppainen

A member of the Conservative party, Vilho Kemppainen's experience stems from his long period of time in the same ministry's diplomatic task force, and as a senior diplomat for ADI. In nearly 20 years of diplomatic work, he has built a masterful repertoire of diplomatic knowledge that makes him more than capable of taking on the ministry.

Minster of Health and Care Services: Arian Norberg

A Member of the Conservative Party, Arian Norberg began his political career rather simply, in hospitals. He worked on a board dedicated to investigating hospital protocol, a job that exposed him to some rather unpleasant methods of hospital care that he immediately knew were not the best for the people. He immediately began a committee to fund changes in hospitals, and has been a vocal supporter of Government Subsidized Healthcare.

Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion: Maximilian Sundström

A founding member of the progressive party, Maximilian Sundström was one of the most vocal supporters of current King Dayus Heimdall leading up to the civil war. He worked as an adviser to the former Labour minister, and was vocal in his distrust of the minister's policies. He was a member of the Provisional government tasked with repairing the labour situation in Norway, a job that many feel he did very well.

Minister of Transport and Communications: Nijad Anis Deeb

Described as a "gamble" by many in the Fascist and Nordlandic parties, as well as some of the more religious conservatives, Nijad Anis Deeb, a socialist, is both the first minister born in the Tangier-Ceuta province, and the first minister of a faith other than Christianity. He was head of the city planning boards that built New Longyearbyen and Southport, and has substantial knowledge of transportation efficiency and use.

* * *

Though these appointments fill a large number of the open spots, several remain to be filled. It has apparently been yet to be decided if these will be filled by the king, or the Prime Minister, when elected.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Fight for the Storting: Special Report

"Hello, I am Roni Arvidsson, here today with Political Scientist Dr. Erica Lind. As you all know, the current Prime Minister elections have been more popularized than any others in our history. With televisions more common in homes, the number of people following this election has been astronomical, and with it, the political climate has been changing rapidly. I'm here with Dr. Lind today to talk about voting patterns so far in the election. Now, Dr. Lind, you were telling me earlier about this new voting organization system the government is doing."

"Yes I was, Roni. You see, this is the first time there has been an election spanning a unified Norway, and old vote counting systems would be strained to keep the votes straight if we were to pile them all in together. To prevent this, the Government formed four Regional Districts to keep things organized."

"Fascinating. So, what are we looking at so far in the election?"

"Well, I organized a few charts. Here is the First District:

Now, we can see right away that the Progressive and Conservative parties are really the two main contenders right now, and that was expected. After the Progressive party formed, it pulled away a lot of the socialists, and gained a bit more of a following after the war, but they still don't seem to have passed up the tried and true Conservatives. Now, just in layout, we have a few interesting developments. The Progressives really seem to be carrying in the big cities, where the war hit the hardest; We're attributing that to the usual move against the original government that follows such events. The Progressives also really seem to be doing well on the coasts where commerce is a lot more of an issue."

"And what about the Conservative party?"

"Well, the conservative party experience a big drop in the south after the war. They are, however, still flourishing further north, where it seems the Conservative party have always rung true. We look at it, and we really feel it's because of the ADI age; The Northerners still hold on to the old ways of operating the nation, and still hold a lot of fear and hate against the Nords, something the Conservative party really holds with."

"Now, as I look at this, the Communists and Socialists seem to come together in clusters. Is there a reason for that?"

"Well yes, of course. The Communists and Socialists have very similar ideals, and as such, they really seem to apply to the same people, just to different severities. We're actually surprised to see the Communists doing as well as they have. Even with the shift away from Conservatism in a lot of the nation, Communism has really held a stigma in Norway that seems to hold true even now."

"Alright, you said earlier that this was the first district, how about we move over to the second?"

"I was just about to suggest that. This is the Murmansk Province, or the Second District:

This one is, of course, broken into a lot less pieces, but we see the same patterns. The Progressives hold the cities, the Conservatives hold the region that, under Tion, was heavily damaged by battle with Nordland. What we didn't expect however, was the prevalence of the far left parties. Murmansk, as a whole, has really pushed against these in the past, and to see this shift pass right before our eyes is a real shock."

"Now, I see some fascist land there, what's the reason for that?"

"Well, it is a two part reason. First, we think that that region held more on to the control of Nordland, back in the Tion invasion, and, of course, it's a bit of pride for their homegrown candidate Gennadiy Seleznyov. Ready for District 3?"

"Yes I am."

Well, the Third district is over the Tangier-Ceuta province.

Here, we see a lot less of the patterns we notice elsewhere, and that's because of the nature of the land. Being an autonomous province, they still hold a sort of nationalism to themselves, and don't want that to change. Contrary to the rest of the nation, Conservatives carry one of the larger cities because the area was not influenced as much by the war. Both socialism and fascism have had a lot of trouble taking root in the area because both have prerequisites about religion; The Fascists require members to be of the state, Lutheran faith, and the Socialists and Communists lean very heavily toward atheism, neither of which roll well with the Muslim populous. Now, let's get t our last district:

This is district four, Svalbard."

"Wow, the Progressives really seem to have quite the hold of it. Why is that?"

"Well, it isn't as substantial as it first seems. As you know, the government passed an act a few years back saying that all inhabited territory is voting territory. The Northern parts of Svalbard do have residents, but very few, and those one hundred or so people did vote mostly for the Progressives. Otherwise, the area does follow our usual patterns. Progressives hold the industrial New Longyearbyen, expected because of its pivotal role in the Civil War."

"Well, that was fascinating Dr. Lind, truly fascinating. That's all the time we have for today, folks. I will see you tomorrow with an interview of Progressive Candidate Stingo Hermansson. Stay tuned for the News at eleven."

[Il Terra Di Agea]

A tired looking Dayus Heimdall stepped up to the podium in a small hall in down-town Southport, rigged with royal seals and microphones.

"Hello. Today, it is my duty as King of the Commonwealth of Norway to announce what may be the greatest, and most dangerous, military creation in Norwegian History. Today, at 3:45 AM, Dr. Alan Holmgren, head of the Norwegian Weapons Research Center in Oslo, sent out a message to several high ranking Norwegian Military and Government leaders that he had completed Norway's first test of a Nuclear Device. It was successful. As of today, Norway is officially a nuclear power in the world. That now said, I will ensure that we will not, under any circumstances, use these weapons, unless they are used upon us first. We have all seen in the past the sort of damage these weapons bring to the people they are used upon. These weapons have proven themselves more of a scourge to society that a benefit, however, with the world crumbling as it is, it has become all too apparent that a nation needs nuclear arms, simply as a way to discourage the use on them self. Now that we have attained these weapons, I hope dearly that we never have to use them."

Royal Decree No. 4

By the order of His Majesty Dayus Heimdall of The Commonwealth of Norway, Norway hereby declares that, in order to protect its self, can, and will exercise construction of Nuclear arms; However, Norway will not, under any circumstances, use these weapons unless first having them used against the homeland as part of an aggressive strike.

OOC: Woo, bought my MP and a nuke today!

Edited November 12, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: Congrats, man.

IC: "Another nation joins the nuclear club. We hope you adhere to your stated policy..."

OOC: Snap, and that reminds me...I have a nuclear thing to RP too...

[Il Terra Di Agea]

National Shipyards Launch New Corvette

The Navy announced today the launch of a new Visby Class Corvette, designated the KNM Stavanger. The vessel, the first Corvette built by Norway since the KNM Oslo was completed nearly four years ago.

The KNM Stavanger is lead out of the harbor by the KNM Murmansk

[Sargun II]

<\Public\Communique\African Norway>

Good afternoon, this is President Obama. I've recently asked several experts for designs to create a bridge or tunnel between Spain and Africa - and the shortest route is into African Norway. With permission, I would like to our foremost expert to run a plan for creating the longest undersea tunnel ever created to connect our two great continents.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

<\Public\Communique\African Norway>

Good afternoon, this is President Obama. I've recently asked several experts for designs to create a bridge or tunnel between Spain and Africa - and the shortest route is into African Norway. With permission, I would like to our foremost expert to run a plan for creating the longest undersea tunnel ever created to connect our two great continents.

From the Desk of King Dayus Heimdall

Such a project, though undoubtedly expensive, would be of great benefit to our two nations. I would have to be out of my mind to outright deny this request. Mr. Nijad Anis Deeb, our Minister of Transport and Communications is free to discuss the construction whenever you see fit.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Oslo Man Builds Terrifying Machine, Pleased

An Oslo man, who's name has not been released by the police, was arrested today after driving through an Oslo street on a quadrupedal car. The machine, based off the body of the Newly Released Balde 2, was cities for several traffic code violations in the city, including that vehicles propelled by anything with legs must acquire a permit before use, a law that requires that no vehicle can exceed 100 decibels of noise in a residential area, and a law that says you cannot operate any self made vehicle without it being checked by Traffic officials.

The Vehicle in Question

The man said in a statement released by the police that "I did it because I can't get the funding I need for my project. ADI keeps saying that I won't get funding for my engineering project until I get a working prototype, but they won't give me the money to build the machine! I think I've proved by this point that my idea isn't as flawed as everyone thought, heh. Maybe once I get out I can get the funding I deserve!"

ADI has made no comment.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Well, if nothing else, it looks cool."

Internet Blogger, IP indicating location in Promised Land.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Classified: Security 9

Norway is on military alert, and Defcon has been raised to 4

---Strategic bombers have been placed in the air a precaution

------They are to stay airborne twenty four hours at a time, leaving 30 in the air at a time

---------15 TU160s, 15 Tu-22Ms, rigged with Standard Aviation Counter-Measures

---Border Defenses have been activated, and are on alert

---FH-70 howitzers have been deployed and prepared for shipping

--- Reserve Divisions have been activated and sent to base to be armed and prepared

---Cruise missiles have been tested and placed in silos

------They will remain inactive until further notice

---Wired communication lines are set, and all internal communications have been silenced except for short range calls and access to the public computer network

---Over the Horizon radar stations are being activated nation wide

---1000 tanks have been mobilized

---All borders are now closed to all except authorized personnel, citizens, and shipments that have already been approved by the government

---The Navy has been placed on high alert, and is now patrolling the coastline, especially in the south

---The King and his Cabinet are prepared to be moved to the Bunker in Franz-Josef Land

Controversial Bill Lands on Storting Floor

A controversial bill entitled the Peace and Defense Act reached the Storting today despite heavy scrutiny from much of the Nation's ruling house. The Bill, if passed, would remove the effects of Royal Decree No. 1, and stripping Noway of its Neutrality. The bill was put forth by leaders of the Fascist Party and GNP, citing the defensive problems raised by a neutral Norway. This is one of the first bills put up with an initial Fascist support group that has drawn denial from the Nordlandic Party, who state that the Act will only allow the government to declare war on the Nordlandic and Martencist nations of Europe.

Though facing opposition in the Storting, the bill has drawn support from the people who see the bill as a chance to jump forward, back into the real world of politics, and to give the nation a chance to finally get in at the nations that have filled in the corpse of Nordland to scavenge and take on its ideas.

There has been no word on a support from the King.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Royal Decree No. 5

By the order of His Majesty Dayus Heimdall of The Commonwealth of Norway, Norway hereby declares that, in order to protect the virtues of freedom and morality in Norway, the Church of Norway, the former State Church and Faith, is hereby stricken of all power it has over the government. By extension of this action, by the order of King Heimdall, Norway now exercises separation of Church and state, in tandem with the long held freedom of religion.

Signed:

Fight for the Storting

In a move put off, in the opinion of many for far too long, King Dayus Heimdall officially opened the polls for the election of Prime minister. The action, reportedly delayed by strife between working out of two different capitals, was officially completed at 10 am, this morning with a short speech and cast vote by the King. In his speech, the king offered up his hopes for the nation in the coming months and years. Many of his plans, already facing some fire by Conservatives for being too interventionist, cannot be passed with a Prime Minister Absent, including a new wave of infrastructure revitalizations, a national Agriculture review, and a major energy audit.

Exit polls are putting Conservative Jonatan Lindberg ahead of Progressive Ben Hermansson by 2 percent. Hermansson is followed by Socialist Candidate Stefan Haapalainen, who is bringing in a solid 20 percent. Communist Johanna Faber is holding at a steady 8 percent, right above Fascist Gennadiy Seleznyov, whom holds a rather minuscule six percent.

Election will continue for twenty four hours to ensure that everyone gets a chance to vote in this historic election.

Edited November 29, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Peace and Defense Act Begins to Gain Speed

The Peace and Defense Act began to gain motion today after the Declaration of war on Finland by Molakia. The bill, previously held back by the notion that it would act as the grounds for an aggressive, preliminary assault on Nordlandic nations, began to gain more favor when Norway's oldest ally, Finland, fell into war.

Progressive Party officials announced their support today for the bill, so long as it "Did not completely cancel the original decree, but rather, cancel it for a period of one year."

King Heimdall has stated that even he, as King, has begun to lean toward revoking the Decree.

Another campaign has come separately into the supreme court by a large group of Lawyers, stating that the Decree its self did not technically revoke all treaties, meaning that Norway's MDP with Finland was never officially canceled, meaning that it is still in effect.

Though all of these motions seem to converge on the same basic ends, no final decision on the subject can be made until the Conservative Party picks up support for the Pro-Neutral, or Pro-Military sides of this political battle.

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Fight for the Storting: Special Report

In what some call a surprising result, Progressive Ben Hermansson has won the National race for Prime Minister.

After three recounts called by different members of several parties, results have a definite, although close, victory for the Bergen native. By a margin of 2%, or just under 13,000 votes. Conservative candidate Jonatan Lindberg, though "Saddened by [his] loss," has stated that he "Hope the best for Mr. Hermansson, and wished the best for the nation."

Now, with the election behind us, a great number of questions have been raised for the new Minister. Though he has already appointed his cabinet, many wonder when exactly he will take on some of the larger issues in the Storting, such as the call for cleaner energy, the necessity for more powerful agriculture, and his input on the controversial Peace and Defense Act. Though he has only been Prime Minister for a few days, he may already be buried in work.

Prime Minister Ben Hermansson Appoints Missing Cabinet Members

New Prime Minister Ben Hermansson has announced that he has filled in the missing important Minister positions, as is his duty as Prime Minister. His widely Progressive cabinet has drawn some fire from the Conservative Controlled Storting, however, he has refused to bow in to the pressure to rethink his choices. With his choices, the current layout of the higher positions of the Norwegian Government are:

(Bold Indicates New Additions)

King: Dr. Dayus Gabriel Heimdall

Prime Minister: Ben Hermansson

Minister of Agriculture and Food: Gunnar Nilsson

Minister of Children and Equality: Antonio Lundqvist

Minister of Culture and Church Affairs: Sofie Olsson

Minister of Defense: Kian Martinsson

Ministers of Education and Research: Manda Bengt

Minister of the Environment: Isa Holm

Minister of Finance: Flora Mattsson

Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs: Markus Andreasson

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Vilho Kemppainen

Minister of Government Administration and Reform: Brandon Svensson

Minster of Health and Care Services: Arian Norberg

Minister of Justice and the Police: Isabelle Larsson

Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion: Maximilian Sundström

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development: Towa Arvidsson

Minister of Petroleum and Energy: Noa Andersson

Minister of Trade and Industry: August Piirto

Minister of Transport and Communications: Nijad Anis Deeb

Profiles:

Minister of Children and Equality: Antonio Lundqvist

A Member of the Progressive Party, Antonio Lundqvist was born and educated in Oslo. He first entered politics while leading a failed campaign for freedom of religion in the GNR. After a year in prison, he was freed, and moved to the ADI controlled North, where he lived, and continued to promote multiculturalism. He was chairman of a Multiculturalism board for the Kingdom of Norway, during which he received most of his training to hold the position.

Minister of Culture and Church Affairs: Sofie Olsson

Sofie Olsson, a late addition to the Progressive party, was one of the most vocal supporters, and part writer of the TEC charter. She was born in Longyearbyen during the Ubersteinian age, where she first began to pick up a love for Scandinavian culture. She studied anthropology in order to travel Scandinavian lands to research ancient Viking culture, but he interests were jarred towards politics while in college.

Minister of Government Administration and Reform: Brandon Svensson

A long time member of the Socialist Party, Brandon Svensson, a Stavanger native, owes his political experience to work as an adviser for the Former Minister of Government Administration and Reform. He was educated in Bergen, and has been a friend to Prime Minister Hermansson since childhood. He has stated desire to work towards a better, more powerful Norway, while joking that he "Promises not to push the country too far to the left."

Minister of Justice and the Police: Isabelle Larsson

Founding Member of the Progressive Party and District attorney for Oslo, Isabelle Larsson has been in the world of law since childhood. She was first exposed to Crime and Punishment by her Father, Oslo chief of Police under Ubersteinia, Leon Larsson. Seeing the fascinating inner workings of Law enforcement, and the number of people whom seemed to get away with their crimes, she took up work as a lawyer in early 2000, rom where she worked herself up to her current position.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development: Towa Arvidsson

A verbal member of the Progressive Party, Towa Arvidsson has always been active in various local and regional government projects. Her earliest delves into the field began when ADI started its first Infrastructure repair programs, where she acted as a temporary mayor in Finnmark. After-wards, Arvidsson moved to leading larger programs, including heading up a mass program of Hydro-electric power systems for Norway.

Minister of Petroleum and Energy: Noa Andersson

Founding Member of the Progressive Party and original head of ADI's Fossil Fuel Procurement office, Noa Andersson's knowledge of Norway's Oil and power systems are unmatched by any of the original candidates for this position. He has pledged to work towards a Greener Norway, though has made no comment towards the phasing out of fossil fuels.

Minister of Trade and Industry: August Piirto

One of Few Conservative ministers on the Ticket, August Piirto, a Finnish native, has had years of training into the world of Economics. He has written several books on the subject. He is a staunch supporter of unregulated trade, except in times of "Massive economic downturn." He has vowed to lower some restrictions on industry, while still maintaining some basic control over employee rights.

OOC: Put all of that off for way too long...

Edited December 6, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Peace and Defense Act Passed?

"Not Quite," says Minister of Defense Kian Martinsson, "But it's damn close."

Today, with a ground breaking movement by the Conservative party, and a long discussion on the Storting floor, a heavily altered version of the Peace and Defense Act has officially passed. The act, as it is now written, allows Norway to sign non-Binding, Defensive agreements, so long as they remain dedicated to peace. The bill has been heralded as a step in the right direction by many, however, support has varied greatly in the people.

The Act will be signed into law tomorrow morning by the King and Prime minister, followed by a day of intense reorganization of affairs.

Classified: Security 8

Requisition of a new Main Battle tank

I cannot stand idly by while we continue to use substandard machinery. As Minister of Defense, I have heard all too many of the problems with the Badger. Cramped size, weak motor, and a particularly frightening failure of the breaches and gas routing mechanisms in the main guns. We recently lost three men, in peace time, due to a sizable explosion from the main gun, and the failure of the crew to exit through the single hatch the tank has to offer. It is time for a change.

Hence, after meeting with my Engineering and Armor consultants, I propose the creation of a new Main Battle tank, one that must follow the following specifications:

1: Maneuverability

Much of our defense will be conducted in tight packed mountains, forests, and in snow, hence, our tank must remain small, have wide treads, but maintain enough power to push through dense forest if necessary.

2: Survivability

Though most modern tank armor cannot stand up to most modern anti-armor weapons, every possible way to make the tank safer should be taken.

3: Lethality

Modern tank tactics require shooting farther, and more accurately, and faster than the other tank. Our main weapon must be able to fire a KE Penetrator of standard size, and at speed that matches or exceeds other MBTs.

With these guidelines in mind, and with a sizable budget, I believe that we may be able to create a tank more powerful, safer, more reliable, and overall better, than the Badger.

I will be awaiting approval.

Kian Martinsson, Minister of Defense

Edited December 14, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Il Terra Di Agea]

OOC: Alright, so, after a while of school getting a bit overbearing, a standard decompression time, and playing through a pile of video games I've had, unopened lying on top of my 360, and realizing that in two days I am going off to see family, I will be trying to fill up a handful or random loose ends in here, and in my other RPs.

This Week at the Ceuta Launch Area

After several weeks stranded by weather, and by safety concerns around the possibility of debris damaging the Carthaginian Unity Bridge, the NNSA announced today that the Reisen-1 had been successfully launched, and that it, in three to four days, would release its lander, allowing the first Norwegian astronauts to set foot on the moon. Launch reportedly went well, and, save or a slight oscillation in the left wing, was without incident. The astronauts, now on their third trip out of the atmosphere, said that this was by far one of their smoothest rides.

A Final Update on Reconstruction

Today, over three years after the brief, but violent civil war that struck the nation concluded, the National Reconstruction Board has announced that Norway has returned to its previous functionality, and, in fact, has surpassed it by leaps and bounds. The new Norwegian Central Rail, now fully operating in Oslo ad surrounding areas.

One of the trains operating in central Oslo

The Old Storting has been rebuilt to previous external conditions, but with new defenses inside, such as a government bomb shelter, EMP proofing in most offices, and with a dedicated guard staff and armory. The Royal Palace has also be rebuilt to previous standards, however, after a long consideration, will be converted into a museum, ballroom, and hotel for visiting dignitaries. The outside of the place has also been furnished with a number of statues commemorating the modern protectors and heroes of Norway, including the late King Harald V, President Uberstein, Current King Dayus Heimdall, and several others. The city has also been furnished with a new city wide surveillance system, and a new National Guard Armory, all placed to protect the city from any possible danger.

Stavenger, also greatly damaged by the fighting has gone far beyond prewar levels. With oil a much needed commodity, and being one of the main ports used for the import of supplies during reconstruction, the city's wealth greatly increased. Stavanger has also become the intellectual capital of Norway, recently breaking the Oslo record with over 50% of citizen having finished some form of higher education, and 10% working to, or having already achieved doctorates. The oil industry, always a Stavanger money maker, has begun to fun clean fuel sources as a means to further their control over energy systems, a welcomed change for the city, as their mass transit becomes all the more green with every passing day.

Bergen, much like Stavanger, suffered only mild damage during the war, but, under the massive influx of goods, has been home to an economic boom unseen in the city since 1100 when Saxon merchants opened up the trade of Dried cod. The city has become home to a massive medical boom, as the Haukeland University Hospital gets more and more funding or its progressive cancer research, and for their small, yet renowned Radiation Poisoning clinic.

New Railway sites connect the University of Bergen and Haukeland University, creating a new, specialized link between their research institutions

With these new, fantastic steps forward, much of the initial funding for Reconstruction is drying up, however, the strong, working spirit of Norway will never go down. New Infrastructure programs, and several proposed projects for the future, hold massive possibility for our homeland.

Alt for Norge

Ministry of Defense Announces Future Combat Systems Program

In a press conference today, Minister of Defense Kian Martinsson announced a new plan for the Norwegian military entitled "Future Combat Systems," A long term plan to update the Norwegian military to a new level of functionality and power to the armed forces. As planned, the initial stages of the project will focus on a long awaited Airforce project, dating us to more powerful stealth jets, as well as construction of new UAVs. The plan also calls for a complete overhaul to the M-1 Badger, a tan described by its crews as "Cramped, Dangerous, messy, and laughably easy to kill." Later stages of the project, though still in the planning phase, will involve new infantry armor systems including Heads Up Display systems for infantry helmets, more powerful and accurate weapons, and more protective body armor, as well as several updates to the Norwegian Naval forces. Current projections put the finishing date for the project ten to fifteen years away, however, until a finished project outline can be completed, a final date is unknown.

Storting Passes Refugee Citizenship Act

An act passed by the Storting today offers something much desired by the citizens, and more importantly, permanent residents of Norway for several years. The act, as passed, allows anyone who flees a country due to pressure of government or war, now has the right to achieve Norwegian citizenship without revoking their previous citizenship. The act moves to break an old law that was originally passed to ensure loyalty to the Norwegian Crown. However, the law only succeeded in forcing many refugees (Like those who entered the country while Gebiv was falling) to either abandon their families, or make the choice to loose their right to vote in Norway. The Act also holds a clause guaranteeing citizenship to any and all whom are displaced by the Swedish civil war. Already, over 200 have flooded the Oslo Citizenship offices to apply for full citizenship.

OOC: Alright, I think that's everything

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Masked Vigilante Spotted Around Oslo

The Masked vigilante that has seemed to hover around Oslo has made another appearance today, when he apparently illegally apprehended three men who were in the process of robbing a bank in the Oslo Financial sector. The men were found, much like the other criminals captured by the vigilante, handcuffed, chained together, and bearing the following note pinned to their clothes:

Another Criminal Apprehended. Beat you here by a while, you all seem to be loosing your edge.

The vigilante has made a total of four arrests; A purse snatcher in a local park, an attempted rapist, two drug dealers, and the most recent, the bank robbers.

Minister of Justice and the Police Isabelle Larsson has stated that "Oslo is not a city known for its high crime rates. Sure, like any police force, our officers have busy days, but we have a fairly low crime rate, and even through a handful of bad experiences in the past, our men always get the job done. We urge this Vigilante to turn himself in before he commits any real crimes."

A polar opposite to the reaction of the police, many Oslo residents have stated that they feel safer with a guardian angel hiding in the darkness. "We need more help out here," Says Jakob, a Bank teller, "We here have been robbed twice in the four years I've been working here, and the police always take their time to come. I don't know, even if this guy can't be everywhere at once, maybe he'll show the police that they need to work harder, and do their job for once."

"They guy was like an honest to god superhero out there," Says Sander, a pharmacist who witnessed the capture at the bank, " He was massive, like two plus meters tall, and he had these crazy claw... things coming out of his hands! And he was strong, like, stronger than any human could ever be. It was amazing... God, if only we could have more people like him around, that'd show the criminals out there."

As of yet, no one has stepped forward as the vigilante, and little remains known of his abilities. Police have created a large task force dedicated to capturing the criminal, however, they remain silent on any time frame, or information gathered thus far.

OOC: Setup for future RP. No, he does not have superpowers, if anyone thought about asking

Edited December 29, 2009 by Il Terra Di Agea

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Classified: Security 8

Future Combat Systems: Update

Infantry:

Plan: Finalized

Basic Infantry:

In addition to current combat systems, Basic Norwegian Infantry will take on the following changes.

-Pistol

---Problems With Current firearm: Soldiers have complained that their sidearm, though well sized, is awkward to use in the snow (With Gloves, it is easy to accidentally pull the trigger; Without, the steel exterior is so cold that it causes moderate to severe pain)

---Solutions:

------Replace exterior components with a durable, non-metallic composite

------Increase room in trigger area

-Upgraded Body Armor

---More flexible armor on joints, ideally without sacrificing bullet stopping potential

---Stronger, more durable plate armor for chest, back, neck and upper legs

---Use of Carbon Fiber in more sensitive areas (Areas that a direct shot is fatal, or disable soldier, but the area cannot be armored heavily, for whatever reason, ie shoulders, stomach, lower back, crotch, etc.)

---New armor should also be made, if possible, more comfortable. Use of climate control systems is still being debated.

-More Insulated Jackets

---The current standard issue Infantry Jacket was initially made with protection in mind, rather than warmth. New insulators must be added to increase survivability in long term deployments, away from supplies in the harsh winter.

-Cancel carrying of thermite, replace with other armor-disabling weapons

-Assault rifle

---Facing similar issues to the current sidearm.

---New Rifle must be fully waterproof, resistant to contraction in the cold, utilize composite components, and employ thermal sights for blizzard use

Norwegian Marine Force

-Facing total redesign. Likely to include nigh full-body armor, HUD, and light, powered exoskeleton.

Armor

Plan: MBT: completed, Self Propelled Artillery: In progress

New Main Battle Tank: Badger 2

-Updated armor, more powerful weapons systems, larger size, more powerful Engine

-Main gun testing is underway. Scientists have been authorized to study the possibility of a small, light, railgun being mounted on the new tank, citing increased penetration power with greatly reduced recoil. (OOC: It will fail. There will be no rail gun, no matter how much I want to use it)

Airforce

Plan: Incomplete

Likely updates include greater use of UAVs, more maneuverable, useful helicopters, and a shift to more stealth technology in aircraft.

Navy

Plan: Complete

For the future, plans include construction of Aircraft carriers and military submarines, however, part one of the plan includes the construction of two new Destroyers.

Research is still, clearly in progress. Hull begin construction in a month

OOC: Blahr bad sentences

[Il Terra Di Agea]

Masked Vigilante Seen Once More, Police Baffled

The masked vigilante that has scoured the streets of Oslo made a surprise stop at the Storting yesterday, dropping off a Police officer in uniform before fleeing. Staying with the pattern he has seemed to establish, he left a note with the officer. "It's always fun to brush up with our fine city's police," The note proclaims, "Especially when the cop in question is selling cocaine. The evidence is in the bag, Fave fun! Signed, The Black Badger" (Woo, Badgers!)

The Oslo police have, since the event, suspended the officer in question to look into the allegations, however, they have stated that their top issue is to look into the new photos and descriptions of the "Black Badger" and his suit.

"We do not ave much to inform the public," Said Police Commissioner Baran Lindholm, "What we have gathered is that the man is using a slightly altered version of Cyberdyne's Hybrid Assistive Limb suit, in conjunction with an array of weapons and armor, making him fast, strong, and an immense danger."

Police have requested anyone with information about the vigilante to come forward.

[Comrade]

Molakia is rather interested in this Masked nutjob. Let us know if you need help finding him or apprehending him.

[Lynneth]

"Where did that man get one of our HAL suits?

They're not yet for sale in foreign countries."

[Il Terra Di Agea]

"Where did that man get one of our HAL suits?

They're not yet for sale in foreign countries."

"We presume that it was either stolen from someone vacationing in Norway, or built from schematics and pictures; Both of these possibilities however, are conjecture. Should it happen that it is a stolen model, I can ensure that you will be reimbursed after the vigilante's capture."

[Lynneth]

"We presume that it was either stolen from someone vacationing in Norway, or built from schematics and pictures; Both of these possibilities however, are conjecture. Should it happen that it is a stolen model, I can ensure that you will be reimbursed after the vigilante's capture."

"An investigation will be started immediately."