Nine years of independence celebrated

His Imperial Majesty published a brief video message from Spain.

The Empire of Austenasia yesterday celebrated nine years since its foundation in 2008.

Although the actual anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is on the 20th, Independence Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September.

Emperor Jonathan I was not in Austenasia itself due to having recently moved to Spain for several months, but published a brief video statement from the newly-claimed Austenasian Consulate-General in Castile and León.

As is customary, an honours list was published by the Emperor, albeit one smaller than previous years due to a large amount of honours having been already granted this year less than four months ago on 4 June, when Imperium Day coincided with the moveable feast of Pentecost.

Furthermore, a parade in celebration of the occasion took place in Jovanovo, and messages of congratulations were received by the imperial government from numerous dignitaries and national leaders from across the world.

Planning has now begun for next year’s Independence Day celebrations, which will see the tenth anniversary of Austenasia’s foundation.

Emperor, Princess Consort and Emperor Father arrive in Soria

The location of Soria within Spain.

Emperor Jonathan I, Princess Consort Hannah and Emperor Father Terry arrived safely in the Spanish city of Soria on Monday evening.

The Princess Consort, as part of her university degree, is spending an academic year abroad in Spain working as a language assistant in a Spanish primary school. Emperor Jonathan I will be living with her for the year, working as a private tutor.

Emperor Father Terry flew out with the imperial couple from London Gatwick airport on Monday 11th, and will be staying with them until Friday.

The Emperor retains full access to the internet, and has stressed that living in Spain for a year will not negatively impact his level of communication with members of government or his ability to exercise his duties as Monarch.

Jonathan I and Princess Hannah will return from Spain for a week around Easter next year, and return permanently in June.

IGS Expedition to Cheam and Nonsuch Parks

An area of open grassland in Nonsuch Park.

The Imperial Geographical Society yesterday conducted an expedition of exploration through Cheam Park and the adjoining Nonsuch Park.

The two parks together make up a large area of fields and woodland which straddles the border between the London Borough of Sutton and the county of Surrey.

The expedition of three was led by Emperor Jonathan I, and discovered a dry riverbed, some basic wooden shelters constructed in the woods, and some wild parakeets.

Views of various London landmarks, including Battersea Power Station, Wembley Stadium, and the BT Tower were available from high ground on Cheam Park.

Local elections in Ionisia and Jovanovo

Local elections in Ionisia and Jovanovo have concluded, with the Acting Representatives of the two towns being elected as Representatives proper.

Ionisia and Jovanovo joined the Empire last month, with Prince Aggelos and Iron Lord Dankovsky being appointed their respective Acting Representatives.

Both Acting Representatives stood as the only candidates in yesterday’s elections, meaning that there was an Abstain option which, if it gained the majority of votes, would have rendered the election inconclusive.

However, both candidates were elected in their towns with unanimous support, as well as a 100% turnout from all eligible voters (2 in Ionisia and 9 in Jovanovo).

Relations cut with Delvera following plot discovery

Jordan Brizendine contacted an Austenasian official with a proposal to remove the Emperor from power.

Emperor Jonathan I and Prime Minister Lord Admiral Kennedy yesterday announced the cutting of all diplomatic relations with Delvera after it was discovered that a member of Delveran government had attempted to provoke a coup in Austenasia.

Relations between the Empire and Delvera have been strained for the past month following the reaction of the Delveran government to Jonathan I withdrawing from an online discussion group several weeks ago.

It was yesterday announced that Jordan Brizendine, Delveran Minister of the Interior, had approached Iron Lord Daniel Dankovsky, Director-General of the State Intelligence Agency, and suggested he seek to have Emperor Jonathan I replaced with another member of the Line of Succession.

This suggestion was of course refused and reported to the Emperor, who confronted Dylan Callahan, leader of Delvera, with the information. Callahan responded that the incident was an example of “trolling,” attempting to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

As stated in the joint statement issued by the Emperor and Prime Minister yesterday evening, “whether the proposal was genuine or not, it shows Delvera to be at best unable to control the interactions of its members of government with foreign officials and at worst actively seeking to overthrow the legitimate Austenasian Monarch.”

This decisions brings to an end the recent tensions between the Empire and Delvera, as all communications directly from the latter will now simply be ignored.

Counsellors of State appointed following hospitalization of Emperor

HIH Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy, Duke of Bohemia (left) and Lord Adam, Duke of Washington (right) jointly exercise the powers of the Throne

Emperor Jonathan I has been hospitalized due to a serious illness and has appointed two Counsellors of State to exercise the powers of the Throne in his absence.

His Imperial Majesty made the appointment earlier today following his hospitalization. The Prime Minister, Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy and the Governing Commissioner of Oregonia, Lord Adam, have been appointed Counsellors of State, jointly exercising the powers of the Throne in the Monarch’s absence.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued the following statement not long ago:

THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
New Richmond – 3 September 2017

AN ANNOUNCEMENT

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has recently been hospitalized due to a serious illness, and as such he has appointed the Prime Minister and Lord Adam, Duke of Washington to serve as Counsellors of State, jointly exercising the powers of the Throne.

The illness which afflicts the Emperor is not yet known to anyone outside of the Imperial Family, however the Counsellors of State ask all Austenasians and members of the international and MicroWiki communities to pray for the well-being of the Emperor.

UPDATE 4 September 08:00 – The Emperor was discharged from hospital in the early hours of this morning following an improvement in his condition, and is back at the Imperial Residence. The Counsellors of State will remain appointed so as to reduce his workload during his recovery.

UPDATE 9 September 07:30 – The Emperor has declared an end to the appointment of the Counsellors of State, having now recovered sufficiently to return fully to his duties as head of state.

MicroWorld Newsbites – August 2017

JUCLANDIA

• On 23 August, constitutional amendments were implemented in Juclandia. The official name of the country was changed from the “Kingdom of Juclandia” to simply “Juclandia”, and the monarchy has become elected, with the King from henceforth to be elected every eight years.

MOLOSSIA

• On 13 August, President Kevin Baugh officially dedicated the Molossian Friendship Gateway, a monument dedicated to inclusiveness and openness which has been under construction since January, funded by volunteers purchasing bricks with which to build it.

SEBORGA

• On 20 August, Prince Marcello I was formally invested as Prince after being re-elected in April. The ceremony followed a religious procession, and the day finished with food and dancing.

USKOR

• On 26 August, the Uskorian legislature voted to grant President Charlotte Lindstrom the title High Queen of Uskor. It is understood that this most recent incarnation of the Uskorian monarchy – Lindstrom having previously been a monarch under several different titles and regnal names – will be primarily a ceremonial and cultural institution.