NS6 || Gadalland and Aspern
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19:55
The Braetha for Education has announced that schools will close for a period of four weeks, or until the matter has been settled.
This comes as Railway for Sertia and CoachConnect Sertia have announced a suspension of all operations until 13 March 2023. -
20:05
The Braetha have made their decision, and have communicated it to Mr. Fornithias Cranst silently via their digital system. Please expect an official address from the Order of the Braetha in the coming moments.
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Braetha to meet with Wond amongst further riots
16 February 2023
The nation is at one of its lowest points in recent history. Transit into the holy cities is prohibited, there is an 8pm curfew nationwide, and Aspernian separatist riots continue. The government has issued food rationing guidelines to vendors in Hemberdale, Osperfey and Plariaras in the event of a siege.
After the Spanish military was given permission by the Braetha to deploy, mass arrests of violent protesters took place, which has helped somewhat to quell the unrest. This includes the homes of city residents, many of which are owned by the government.
The Aspernian separatists, under the leadership of Guthrun Wond, are continuing to target the homes of government officials and civil servants. Fornithias Cranst has been evacuated to his home in Esterey, where protests have not yet taken place.
Separatists have begun to stand along the Great Nations footpath, which runs along the old border of Gadalland and Aspern. There have been reports of makeshift "Border Police" stopping residents and asking them for papers.
Much of the rioting has been concentrated within city centres, with those in the countryside less affected. However, all citizens have been urged not to use public transport unless absolutely necessary for fears of terror attacks. None such attacks have been reported so far.
The Order of the Braetha have decided to take the demands of the unofficial Aspernian Republic seriously, in an effort to reunite the nation amidst continuing riots in major cities across Gadalland and Aspern.
In a statement, Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst said:
"We are seeking a peaceful end to this. We have deployed the Spanish military to keep the peace in city centres, and enacted a curfew, but this can't go on much longer."I therefore appeal to Mr. Wond and his followers to meet peacefully and diplomatically to discuss the demands of the Sertian people. If you want your bid for independence to be successful, you should know better than to succumb to violent urges.
"Ultimately, the Sertian Domex gives the original kingdoms permission to separate if they wish. But this decision remains with the Braetha, and we will not grant your request if we aren't entirely confident that the citizens of this new Aspernian Republic will have their wellbeing protected by whatsoever new government forms. I therefore ask that you report to this government immediately or face dreadful consequences".
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Separatists tear down statues of Verna II around Aspern
19 February 2023
In powerful actions directed toward the Sertian government, Aspernian separatists across the south of the island and in the West Olves have been systematically removing statues of Sertian historical figures, namely Verna II of Osperfey.
Verna II was the founder of Gadalland and Aspern, famous for writing the first governing document for the six distinct kingdoms on the isle of Sertia called the Sertian Domex.
The most recent statue to fall was that of Verna II which lies in the very centre of Osperfey, hometown of Verna II herself. The statue has been dragged away from its resting place, presumably to be melted down and repurposed for use as scrap metal.
The statue has been torn down by the Aspernian separatists, who are now formally recognised by the Sertian government as the Aspernian Republicans, and labelled as a terror group.
In the span of this week, the actions we have seen today convey what is arguably the message of most consequence: that the Aspernian Republicans do not approve of the industrialisation of the nation, which they perceive to be overdone and underdiscussed.
We'll continue to provide updates as the situation progresses.
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Government begins siege on Osperfey
21 February 2023
In an attempt to reclaim Osperfey from the Aspernian Republicans, the Sertian army, supplemented by the Spanish military, have enacted a siege around the city of Osperfey.
This follows a directive by Mr. Cranst himself, which had been pre-approved by the Braetha in case there was a need to do such things.
How does this siege work?
A siege is used to target a collective of people who are known to associate with terror groups or engage in violent and antisocial behaviour.
This siege will involve the government of Sertia surrounding the outside of the city of Osperfey to attempt to capture any insurrectionists who attempt to leave. This does not apply to civilians or official transport vehicles who will be inspected but allowed passage in and out of the city.
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16 March 2023
Outrage as former citizens left stranded in Aspern
Major cities in Sertia have experienced forceful protests after the premature end of free movement by the Braetha.
The free movement treaty, which was due to expire in August, ended due to 'budgetary and humanitarian' concerns cited by Citizens' Braetha Hector Guaman, who in a statement, said "we cannot risk the wellbeing of what remains of Sertia by allowing free movement of extremists and rebels".
People in Aspern who possessed Sertian nationality before 1 March 2023, have had their nationalities suspended. However, upon arrival to the Sertian border they are allowed to reclaim it. But many Aspernians have been unable to reach the Sertian border after the complete shutdown of Sertian-owned public transport, including the railway, Sertia Horserail and state caravan groups.
There has been massive controversy over this move within the government of Sertia. Many opponents, including European Councillor Edutitalle Dina, have said that this early termination of free movement 'so very clearly violates' international humanitarian law. "We can now see the flippant disregard for rules not only had by the Aspernians, but also by this Braetha".
As part of the separation treaty, all persons residing in Aspern must be given Aspernian nationality. However, these new Aspernian citizens have lost many of their automatic privileges which they had when they were Sertians, for example the right to public healthcare and benefits. Many also face trial by military court if they commit a crime and are subject to hefty fines or harsh prison sentences.
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4 April 2023
Duchian and Yosainese journalists arrested by Aspern
Three journalists from the United Duchies and the Republic of Yosai have been taken by the Aspernian Military Police from a Sertian border checkpoint.
In what seems to be an arbitrary enforcement of Aspernian martial law, three journalists have been arrested and taken to an Aspernian military jail to await trial for "sedition".
Sertian authorities confirmed that they were taken from a border checkpoint belonging to the Kingdom of Sertia, and have classified the arrests as kidnapping and contrary to Sertian law.
In a press conference today, Police Chief Arman de Lucianos requested any information as to the disappearance of these individuals. The Aspernian government confirmed that they are being held in Aryyas Detention Centre, near the southern coast.
De Lucianos said "We are taking the situation very seriously. Where possible we will attempt to rescue these journalists from detention without causing any further unrest". De Lucianos is part of the Spanish military, but still runs the Sertian Police Service, which pulled out of Aspern after the Purrage Accords.
The journalists, whose names are not available to the public at this time, two of whom are Duchian and one Yosainese national, were known to have published news articles criticising the Aspernian Schism and the behaviour of Mr. Guthrun Wond.
The NS6 has been instructed to make an appeal to the general public for any further information.
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18 April 2023
Aspern falls back into Sertian control
Sertian victory is celebrated, but Guthrun Wond remains unaccounted for.
At around 2am (Central Caribbean time) this morning, Sertian and Spanish forces executed a mission to capture Guthrun Wond and bring him back to Sertia. Many higher level leaders in the Aspernian regime have been successfully arrested and taken to Hemberdale in detention.
This morning, as the Sertian nation awoke, the victory over the Aspernians was announced. As per tradition and custom on the island, many people have gathered and are celebrating the victory with food, drink and fireworks.
Mr. Fornithias Cranst and the rest of the Order of the Braetha have not commented on the victory but for a press release earlier this morning. Many of the armed Aspernian militia, who had been securing the border between Sertia and Aspern, have defected upon hearing the news of the fall of Aspern.
However, Mr. Guthrun Wond, the leader of the Aspernian rebellion movement and former Head Braetha, has so far evaded capture. He is thought to be on the run with a few of his allies. Attempts will be made in the coming days to secure his capture.
All leaders of the Aspernian regime have been arrested, even those who had no part in the violence. But the question in the coming days will concern the status of Aspern as a part of the Sertian nation and people. It is equally likely that the Braetha will recognise Aspern as a province, as it is that they move to integrate it back into the Kingdom of Sertia.
The West Olves, whose new independent government have not been arrested, may fight to retain its independence, having been a nation of its own in the not too distant past.
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Pension age to rise to 55 across most sectors
28 April 2023
The age at which Sertians may start claiming their national pension will rise from 50 to 55 years old in July. People who work in most job sectors across Sertia will not be able to begin the retirement process until they turn 55.
The Braetha has said that the rise in pension age is due to "demanding costs" incurred by the Aspernian revolt and the extra funding and compensation provided to the families of volunteers currently providing aid to Svarna Surya.
Those who have been working longer, or who are in lower-paying occupations, will be able to start receiving their pensions earlier than 55. Teachers, social service staff, and transport operators can begin to retire at age 53. Those who have been working for over 35 years can retire at age 52.
Sertia's pension system
Sertia operates the Partial Pension scheme, wherein those who reach age 50 and above can reduce their hours by 10-15% each year if they have been working full-time for 30 years. Those who are still working when they reach 61 years of age can retire completely at age 62.
People can begin to reduce their hours at age 55 beginning this July.
Public comment
Posted 28-4-23 by earl2283
"Just another ripoff by our government, though I've grown too complacent to care".
Posted 28-4-23 by ggof
"I've already had enough of teaching kids after 2 years, how will I last 31 more years!!"
Posted 27-4-23 by thomas
"The Braetha love to fault innocent people for the actions of insurrectionists".
Are you affected by this change? We would like to hear from you.
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Sertian embassies to allow temporary refuge to noncitizens for certain emergency situations
15 May 2023
The Foreign Braetha has announced a plan to provide temporary shelter to certain noncitizens who are facing critical situations, either in their home country or abroad.
This new guidance comes after many people who lost their Sertian nationality in the recent Aspernian schism find themselves abroad with no consular assistance available, often being turned away from Sertian embassies.
The official guidance tells embassies that a noncitizen may take refuge in a Sertian embassy for a period of no more than 12 hours if they are in a situation in which there is an immediate threat to their life. Their situation must also warrant safe passage back to Sertia via government transport.
The guidance is most likely to allow embassies to shelter those with expired Sertian passports or those who formerly had Aspernian nationality and renounced their Sertian nationality.
During the 12 hours, the embassy will automatically lodge an application for the sheltered person to be given an authorised safe passage (ASP) to Sertia.
The scheme may also allow shelter for high profile non-Sertian or Aspernian refugees who may be eligible for asylum in Sertia.
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What should I do if I've failed my exams?
23 May 2023
If you're a student in Sertia, it's more than likely that you've gotten your exam results today. While many students triumphantly advance to their next stage of education, there are those who haven't passed their exams for a multitude of reasons.
Ella Hebride, 17, is one of those students. Having received an offer of a place for an English degree from Dredthe University, she failed to pass her exams and receive the prestigious Eswara classification required for admission due to ongoing family issues.
When she spoke to us, Ella was dreadfully disappointed. "I had been studying a very long time for this, and when I opened the results, I was, quite frankly, distraught".
"There's no way, I thought to myself, there's no way that I've failed. This can't be possible. I've been studying and studying and I've made it through a hellish year, only to fail my exams".
Ella received this letter in the post (address altered):
Being on the brink of passing, and feeling confident in her abilities going into the exam, were two factors which contributed to her sadness and frustration.
So, if you're in Ella's situation, what options have you got?
1. Don't panic
Stress and anxiety are forms of panic, which is a natural response to fear stimuli in the environment. This includes bad exam results, which can cause panic. Before you open your results, take three deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. This is not the end
Just because you've failed to pass your exams does not mean you've failed your entire education. There are other qualifications available to you to reach the same place. Education expert Dirias Planser explains that "everyone learns differently, and there are qualifications out there fore all types of learners".
3. Results aren't everything
Just because you've failed your exams also doesn't mean that you'll never get a job. Some employers consider your results in school quite heavily. Other employers will hardly look at them. This should be an encouragement to present yourself well: everyone remembers a nice smiling face.
Jack Bernard, an recruiter for SNS, confirms this. "You can have the best qualifications in the book, but be a terrible person and so nobody hires you. Employers are looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to work in teams, communicate effectively and be open to improvement".
Demonstrating interest can also be a deciding factor for some employers. "If a prospective employee shows that they will love their job and do it well, that's hardly grounds for rejection", Bernard says.
It's just a matter of looking in the right places that will help you to find your perfect match. Other options for careers include self-employment or vocational qualifications.
In short, don't despair. Anyway you go, you'll get there.
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Wond now a 'top priority' fugitive
30 June 2023
This morning, the Defence braetha Mr Clea Orellanis announced that Guthrun Wond is now a 'top priority' fugitive. He has been supposed to have escaped Osperfey and its surrounding military encampment. How he did this is unknown.
His absence was discovered this morning at 03:30 during a raid of a suspected hideout in Osperfey, where 17 people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal association with Guthrun Wond. They were taken into custody immediately to await questioning, Mr Orellanis says.
Wond's relative whereabouts are still not known, but evidence found during the early morning raid detail that Wond might be headed to the Isle of Precia, to the west of Sertia by about 300 miles.
Searches will continue within Osperfey, but the city of Osperfey has permitted the military to enter the city walls only within the curfew hours of 22:00 to 04:00 so as not to disrupt the city's common progression.
The head of the Sertian Military advised that 'every action is being taken to return Wond into custody'.
In a press conference this morning, the Braetha have said that Wond 'may be armed and dangerous, and is not to be approached'. Suspicious activity should be reported to L-00-P.
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Guthrún Wond has been captured, confirms inland Brætha
8 July 2023
Guthrún Wond has been captured by Sertian authorities while attempting to escape the country via Sharlias harbour. He was reported to be travelling with a small company of allies, who have also been taken into custody.
After evading capture in the siege laid on Osperfey, Wond headed west through the towns of Manden, Alspevarias, Sharlias, and Antem Combever. He was seen by some villagers during a detour in the town of Purrage, where negotiations during the Aspernian schism took place. Shortly after arriving back in Sharlias, he was apprehended trying to board a ship under the name of Gideon Mastricht, possessing a fraudulent foreign passport.
The Inland Brætha are expected to refer Wond's case to the Brætha for Justice, who will likely introduce charges of treason for Wond and his accomplices. Meanwhile the nation lets out a sigh of relief at the capture of a government official who descended into crime and treachery.
