With the rapid completion of the its new building almost complete, officials confirmed today that the first meeting of the new Huenyan Assembly will be on April 6th, 2020. The new building also has a new name: the Hall of Unity. The name was chosen "to represent a new era of unity, cooperation and equality between the tribes of Huenya", a statement from the Palace of Flowers said. In a further unexpected development, the Assembly will also be expanded by one person. Tlihuātemā, the sapa (ruler) of the native inhabitants of Manauia Island, the Teyatia, will be joining the Assembly. This marks the first time in Imperial history that the Teyatia will have equal representation within the Imperial government. The new Assembly will now consist of the tlatoāni of the four original native Huenyan tribes (Xiomeran, Itotemoc, Tepiltzin and Necatli) and the Teyatia sapa. The cihuācōātl of the four native tribes will serve in an advisory role to the Assembly, along with a Teyatia judge serving a similar role. Officials with the newly created Office of the Huenyan Assembly confirmed that the meetings of the new Assembly, with the exception of discussions of a sensitive or classified nature, will be open to the public. A public audience area will be provided for visitors. This is another marked change in Imperial governance, which has previously not been conducted in public.
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Empress Yauhmi has accepted an invitation from President Foley Sakzi of Zamastan to make a state visit to that nation, in a historic gesture that Imperial officials described as "something we hope will be ground-breaking." The Empress issued a statement thanking President Sakzi for his recent condolences after the terror attack on February 28th in Tlālacuetztla, and also congratulating the Zamastanian armed forces for their recent operation to eliminate Malvarian Liberation Front leader Van'a Kamoni. The Empress also stated that it is her hope that the visit, the first by a Xiomeran ruler to Zamastan, will lead to discussions which will "allow for more cooperation and compromise between our two nations." The Empress also accepted an offer from Speaker of the Chamber Larious Maxwell to attend a joint session of Congressional Hall. Xiomera and Zamastan have often had a contentious relationship over the years, spiking with the 1991 Bjeorg conflict and occasionally flaring up since then, with incidents such as the trade war in the summer of 2019 between the two nations and the more recent naval confrontation off Xiomeran shores in the winter of 2019 still fresh on the minds of many Xiomerans. Despite this, "the Empress believes that the time is ripe for our two nations to reset the relationship that has existed up to now," Imperial spokeswoman Tlālzixiuhxa told the media. "As we have demonstrated in Vulkaria to great effect, our two great nations can accomplish a lot more if we have an understanding, and work together, instead of butting heads with each other. Hopefully, this visit will bring about positive change moving forward," Tlālzixiuhxa said. Despite these positive words, some on both sides have expressed skepticism of the planned visit. Senator Euan Gunn was quoted in Zamastanian media criticizing the Empress as "a woman who would have sunk our ships and killed our people", referring to the South Xiomera Sea naval incident. Gunn also expressed skepticism of Xiomeran involvement in Vulkaria and accused the Empire of "notorious motives." On the Xiomeran side, some members of the Cabinet and the Huenyan Assembly, most notably Noxochicotzin, the tlatoani of the Necatli, have expressed similar skepticism. "It seems rather weak of the Empress, frankly, to travel to Zamastan as if we're a vassal state of theirs, just so she can take tea with a foreign leader who violated our sovereignty and threatened us with war," Noxochicotzin was quoted in a speech to Necatli elders. Speaking for the Empress, Tlālzixiuhxa called such sentiments "absurd". "While both President Sakzi and the Empress could have ordered ships sunk and killed people, the most important thing is that neither of them did. Ultimately, both showed restraint, and we came to a reasonable outcome with the conference at Maivers - and isn't it rather a good thing that we all did?" Tlālzixiuhxa said. "How was that achieved? Through civilized discussion - like the sort which will occur with this state visit. Diplomacy and cooperation are always preferable to skepticism and confrontation," Tlālzixiuhxa added. "President Sakzi has demonstrated considerable political courage by extending this offer, and the Empress has demonstrated similar courage by accepting it. I would hope the skeptics in both our countries would at least wait to see how the visit goes before expressing negative sentiments," Tlālzixiuhxa concluded. Opposition calls for Vulkaria withdrawalIn a statement issued today, the opposition group A New Xiomera laid blame for the recent terrorist attack in the Imperial capital directly on the doorstep of the Palace of Flowers, and called for Xiomera to withdraw from Vulkaria.
"If we had not chosen to intervene in the affairs of others, we would not have become targets ourselves here at home. Ten Xiomerans are now dead because the Empress felt the need to wave the flag in Vulkaria. 65 more of them lie in hospitals. And that doesn't even count the casualties among our troops fighting in Vulkaria, in a land that is not ours and for a cause that has nothing to do with us. The Empress must bring the troops home," Cozamalotl, the leader of the opposition group and former Cabinet Secretary, said in the statement. The statement was signed by several other prominent opposition leaders, such as former Cabinet Secretary Huitzilhuani. In the statement, A New Xiomera was also critical of the international community for trying to "impose" a solution on the Vulkaria crisis, and said that the crisis there would be best resolved by "letting the Vulkarians resolve it themselves without foreign intervention." When asked for a comment from the Palace, Imperial spokeswoman Tlālzixiuhxa called the statement "appeasement-laden rubbish", as well as "cowardice-ridden, logic-bereft tripe" that insulted the loss of lives at the hands of terrorists. "Many people, not just Xiomerans, have lost their lives at the hands of groups like the M.L.F. If A New Xiomera thinks that's not something worth fighting to stop, that's all well and good, but I would advise them against expressing such sentiments around the families or loved ones of anyone who's fallen victim to these terrorists. They might not like the response they get - but they'd surely deserve it." In response to the terror attack in Tlālacuetztla, the Imperial government announced they will be sending an additional brigade to Vulkaria to help finish off the M.L.F., in defiance of both the terror group's recent threats aimed at Xiomera and the complaints of those here at home who feel defending the lives of Xiomerans and others in the IDU is somehow not important. 10 dead, 65 injured in vehicle rampage; M.L.F. claims responsibilityA terror attack in the heart of the Empire has left ten dead and 65 injured, in an incident which has shocked and angered Xiomerans. The attack unfolded today at 3:45 pm local time in Tlālacuetztla, along the Avenue Huatlcoapahua, the main route from the Palace of Flowers to the center of the capital. The attack started south of the Palace near the municipal Palace of Government of the Montelin municipality. A white rental van "left the roadway and began running over pedestrians," the police chief of Montelin municipality, Xāitz, told the media. "The vehicle continued doing so for well over a mile, repeatedly crossing over to the sidewalk and striking people," Xāitz said. When the vehicle reached the border between the Montelin municipality and the Tlālacuetztla municipality, it rammed a roadblock set up by the Tlālacuetztla municipal police. Five people then emerged from the vehicle, armed with knives and machine guns, and began attacking both the police and nearby civilians. The five attackers were eventually all shot dead by Tlālacuetztla municipal police, Montelin municipal police, and Imperial Police who arrived on the scene shortly after the vehicle hit the roadblock. The five attackers have been confirmed to be members of the M.L.F., Secretary of Security Zalpalatli told the media. Their names are not yet being released, due to the ongoing investigation. After the attack, a video was delivered to XIN's offices in Huitzitaca. The video shows three masked individuals, who state they are part of a M.L.F. terror cell in Xiomera. The leader of the cell said that today's attack was "our way of welcoming the Xiomeran imperialists to Vulkaria." The leader went on to warn that there will be more terror attacks in Xiomera "unless the Xiomeran imperialists immediately withdraw from Vulkaria", end all support for Vulkaria's government, and "withdraw from further interference with anyone outside their borders." In response to the attack and the video threat, Empress Yauhmi called an emergency session of her Cabinet and the Huenyan Assembly. After the emergency session, the Empress spoke to the public from the Montelin government palace. In a sternly worded address directed at the M.L.F. and its leaders, the Empress blasted them as "cowards who hide in the shadows to hurt and kill innocent people better than them." The Empress went on to say that "for terrorists who lurk in the shadows, the Empire of the sun will bring the cleansing light that dispels the shadows and delivers justice for their victims." "This Empire will never bend before those who think they can force us into submission with these dishonorable sneak attacks. Unlike these cowards, we will meet them in the open, as we have been in Vulkaria, and their last days will come. Those who seek to kill innocent Xiomerans through terrorist attacks have signed their own death warrant," the Empress added, to defiant applause. The Empress also had a message for the government of West Chanchajilla, in the wake of reports that nation may have harbored or trained terrorists who have attacked Xiomera. "We are not prepared to tolerate a regime providing safe haven to those who attack Xiomerans." The Empress warned that the Empire "reserves the right to respond appropriately and fully" if West Chanchajilla can be definitively linked to attacks in Xiomera. Secretary of Defense Xochiqui stated that in response to the attack today, Xiomera is now committed to the mission in Vulkaria "for however long it will take to break the back of these dishonorable swine once and for all." A group of over one hundred influential Xiomeran leaders have signed a joint statement, accusing Empress Yauhmi of “betraying the values of the Great Reformation of the Empress Camaxtica” and asking that she either rescind the reforms, or abdicate the Obsidian Throne and allow a new Great Selection to replace her.
The leaders who signed the statement are a mix of current and retired military, government, business, educational and social figures who are all well-known and respected within Xiomeran society. The statement they signed takes issue with recent reforms to create a “Huenyan Assembly” of tribal leaders, and to replace the use of councils of experts to replace those leaders with a popular vote in each tribal domain. The letter calls such reforms “a complete and total betrayal of both the values of Xiomeran Meritocracy, and the promises the Empress made to secure the Obsidian Throne during the Great Selection.” The statement accuses the Empress of being dishonest about her intent, pointing out that the Empress repeatedly promised not to bring a democratic-style system of government to Xiomera during her bid for the throne. “Yauhmi promised to maintain the status quo. She has done anything but that, and her dishonesty represents both a danger to Xiomera’s continued stability and success.” ”It is becoming clear that she obtained the Throne under false pretenses,” the statement continues, pointedly refusing to refer to her as Empress at any point in its four pages. “For the good of Xiomera, she must abdicate.” The statement also demands that the Empress promise not to install her son, Texōccoatl, as her replacement should she abdicate, and that she disavow any intention to restore a hereditary monarchy to Xiomera. The statement was delivered to the Palace of Flowers by the former Secretary of Trade, Xocolcōza, when he delivered his formal letter of resignation from the Empress’ Cabinet. In response to the statement, the Empress has herself pointedly refused to even discuss the matter. Her newly appointed spokeswoman, Tlālzixiuhxa, did address the matter with the media. She called the demand “absurd”, pointing out that the Empress is currently the most popular leader in Xiomeran history. “The Empress has a mandate from the people, and the Mandate of Huitzilopochtli as well. Any notion that she will surrender her throne is as ludicrous as the people making said demand.” In a further unprecedented reform, Empress Yauhmi announced that the Great Council of the Empire will be elevated to a higher level of power, and its name changed to reflect that change of status. The group will now be known as the Huenyan Assembly, and the tlatoani representing the other three original tribes of the Empire will now be allowed to vote on measures proposed by the Empress. Previously, they were only able to advise on matters proposed by the Xiomeran ruler, who had final say. With this new change, the other tlatoani will be able to vote on proposed plans by the Throne. They will also be able to propose their own laws and policies for vote, which was previously not allowed. The Empress, for now, will retain veto power over decisions rendered by the Huenyan Assembly. However, if this planned reform functions well for the Empire, it is possible that the Throne will cede this veto power in the future. To reflect the new status of this Assembly, a new Assembly building will be built on a previously undeveloped site near the Palace of Flowers. "While the Empire does not plan to implement a Western-style democracy, this measure will give all Huenyans, not just ethnic Xiomerans, a voice in the governance of the Empire. It is a fitting measure to implement a more open form of government in the Empire, one that blends modern and democratic ideas with our ancient and honored traditions. A nation that is truly strong isn't afraid of the voices of its people," Empress Yauhmi said. "Today, we take a new step on the path begun centuries ago, adapting new ways and making them our own, and building a stronger nation and people." The tlatoani will continue to be chosen every six years by a gathering of tribal leaders. The biggest change will be that those leaders will themselves now be chosen by popular vote, a marked change from previous uses of a council of experts. When asked if this change means that the Emperor or Empress will soon no longer be chosen by a Great Selection as well, the Palace declined to comment. Proposal to allow embassy moves mulledThe Palace of Flowers has approved a proposal by the Secretariat of International Affairs to allow embassies to now be based in Tlālacuetztla, rather than the port city of Huitzitaca. "Historically, embassies were placed solely in Huitzitaca as a measure of keeping foreign influence in the Empire limited," Nōlinyauh, Secretary of International Affairs, said. "By keeping foreigners limited to one city, their influence was also limited. In addition, there was a certain display of arrogance and power to it, making foreign diplomats travel to Tlālacuetztla to see our ruler, much like supplicants traveling to a higher power to kneel at the throne. Such attitudes are clearly incompatible with modern diplomacy and maintaining friendly relations with other nations. Also, since most nations that have diplomatic relations with Xiomera already have consulates in Tlālacuetztla, it's a moot point," the Secretary said. The plan is to build a new diplomatic quarter in the capital, with embassies being asked to relocate to the new facilities. Nations will be reimbursed for any costs related to the move. The plan is expected to facilitate easier communications and diplomacy between Xiomera and other nations. Secretariat of Culture to send representatives to KerlileThe Secretariat of Culture announced that it will send representatives to Kerlile "whenever the Kerlian government is willing to receive us" to negotiate with the Kerlian Censorship Board after they announced plans to consider loosening restrictions on foreign cinema.
"The culture of Xiomera, and that of all Huenyans, is rich and vibrant and we look forward to sharing that with the people of Kerlile, while still respecting the Kerlians' own unique culture and history," Maxtla, Secretary of Culture, said. The Secretariat will work in cooperation with Xiomeran film studios to negotiate conditions and terms with the Kerlian government. In response to the emergence of a new illness spreading throughout the region, the Xiomeran government has announced new travel restrictions for those seeking to enter the country. Visitors from countries where there have been confirmed cases of the AD14 Adenovirus strain will be subject to medical screening to confirm they are not carrying the virus before they will be allowed to pass through any Xiomeran port of entry. Those found to be carrying the virus will be deported back to their country of origin. All other visitors will, until further notice, be potentially subject to enhanced medical screening prior to being allowed entry at the discretion of immigration officials. Quarantine areas have been set up at all Xiomeran ports of entry. In addition, there will be increased maritime patrolling to ensure no one potentially carrying the virus attempts to circumvent medical screening. "These measures are in place to ensure that the Xiomeran people are protected. This is our highest priority," Secretary of Health Cozamaquetzal told the media. While there have not been any confirmed cases of the AD14 Adenovirus as of yet in Xiomera, the Secretariat of Health is reportedly engaging emergency preparedness plans that have been created for such a contingency, including moving assets to be ready to establish quarantine sites in Xiomeran cities and establish a system of triage. The Secretariat of Security issued a statement reminding visitors that entry into Xiomera is solely at the discretion of the Xiomeran government, and that the Xiomeran government reserves the right to deny entry to any person, at any time, without explanation being required. New taxes roil business community, protests emergeA series of new taxes on the corporate and business community of Xiomera have ruffled the feathers of Xiomera's top business leaders.
"Empress Yauhmi is taking Xiomera down a slippery slope towards a socialist state, in complete defiance of the values of Xiomeran Meritocracy. We urge her to rescind these taxes and kill these new social programs, and return to the values that made Xiomera strong and prosperous," Cuālincōcatle, the CEO of Coatōn Corporation, said in a letter to multiple Xiomeran and international media outlets. The letter was signed by 150 top corporate executives and business leaders. In another response to the recent moves by the Empress, the Secretary of Trade, Xocolcōza, announced his resignation from the Cabinet. "The Empress promised Xiomerans that she would rule in the same steadfast fashion as her predecessors. To be blunt, the Empress lied," Xocolcōza said to the media as he was leaving the Secretariat of Trade headquarters today. No replacement has been named for Xocolcōza, and the Palace of Flowers declined to issue any kind of statement in response to the letter from the business community or the resignation. In another unprecedented and stunning reform, the Palace of Flowers announced that a new Secretariat will be created within the Xiomeran government. The new Secretariat, to be named the Secretariat of Support, will be tasked with the creation of a “social safety net” for Xiomeran citizens. Officials were quick to note that this does not mean that Xiomera will be creating a full-fledged welfare system as seen in some other countries. However, the plan for the new Secretariat will involve the creation of temporary, emergency assistance programs in areas such as healthcare, education and housing. The plan will also involve the creation of a “citizens’ dividend”, a guaranteed basic income for Xiomeran citizens age 70 and older who have worked for at least 35 years and contributed via payroll taxes. “Even in a meritocratic society like Xiomera, people can have bad luck, or can have things happen to them that are not their fault. In those cases, a truly advanced nation does not leave those citizens to face those challenges alone. Nor does it leave its elderly to suffer after they have worked hard and contributed to the nation,” Namacamina, the newly appointed Secretary of Support, said in the statement released by the Palace of Flowers. “The Secretariat of Support and its initiatives will ensure that Xiomerans in need will receive support, while avoiding the dangers of lifetime entitlement or budget-breaking expenses that typify excessive welfare states.” The new programs are expected to be paid for by a modest tax increase on Xiomeran corporations, as part of an overall restructuring of the Xiomeran tax code to shift the balance of the tax burden from Xiomeran citizens to the corporate sector. Flanked by the tlatoani of the other three Xiomeran tribes, the members of the Cabinet, and the commanders of Xiomera's armed forces, Empress Yauhmi announced today that Xiomera has joined the anti-terror coalition currently engaged in Vulkaria. In the speech televised live to the nation, the Empress urged Xiomerans to support the armed forces and to "stand strong as we help the world take on the terrorists that have struck at the hearts of so many nations." "There is no enemy we cannot vanquish, no danger we cannot face down, no challenge we cannot face together. The terrorists in Vulkaria do not know Xiomerans yet, but they will. And when they do, they will know the terror that they have inflicted on others for the first time," the Empress declared. While some citizens are concerned about the Empire possibly becoming bogged down in an intractable conflict, the latest polls taken by XIN show strong support for the decision to join the anti-terror coalition. In a random poll of 5000 citizens, 85% of those polled indicated either "strong" or "very strong" support for the decision. Defense Secretariat officials stated that "at least 10,000" Xiomeran troops will be committed to the anti-terror operation, dubbed Operation Vengeful Eagle by officials. However, citing national security concerns, they would not confirm the exact number of troops, which units would participate, nor where they would be deployed. Media restrictions to be lessenedIn another unexpected reform related to the media, the Empress issued a decree today that will substantially increase media freedom in Xiomera. Media censorship, in previous years, was mandated by law under Article 43 of the Imperial Penal Code, Requirement of Media Review. Article 43 mandated pre-clearance of any news coverage disseminated in Xiomera. Journalists who violated Article 43 could also run afoul of other articles of the Penal Code, including Article 19, Inciting Subversion of the Imperial State; Article 58, Preservation of Social Harmony; and Article 75, Engaging in Anti-Xiomeran Activity. Under the new decree, Article 43 will be stricken from the Penal Code. This means pre-clearance will no longer be required, and most media censorship will end. In addition, other articles of the Penal Code will only be applied "in instances of extreme anti-social commentary, such as people inciting violence or other conduct, such as inciting hatred based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or other inherent characteristics." The decree, titled Order in Council on Media Reform, is the most sweeping change to the laws governing the media in Xiomeran history. "We often boast of how strong Xiomeran society is, that we have survived six centuries," the Empress said upon releasing the decree. "It is time for us to prove how strong our society and our way of life really are. A truly strong society and political system can withstand the scrutiny of the public and the media. I am confident that Xiomera will not only survive these changes, but will thrive even more because of them." 75 individuals arrested in anti-corruption probeThe Imperial Anti-Corruption Agency (IACA) announced today that 75 individuals have been arrested by the Imperial Police as part of their ongoing probe into corrupt practices related to the Great Selection.
The individuals arrested range from businesspeople and political figures to civil servants and members of the ihuicatl (council of experts). The individuals are accused of bribery, abuse of power and public corruption. "We are discovering that massive corruption underpins our entire political process," Iuhnalinco, director of the IACA, declared when announcing the arrests. "This is just the beginning." The recently released blockbuster movie Quiauhticue: Rise of an Empire has set new Xiomeran box office records since its release on New Year's Day. The movie, which chronicles the life and rise to power of the first Xiomeran Emperor, earned ❂130,263,358 in its opening weekend. It has since churned out an impressive ❂453,623,042 domestically and ❂875,912,917 internationally since its release. Huallotli Studios, the studio behind the hit movie, is already reportedly planning its next movie set in Xiomeran history. The as-yet unnamed project will be set in the era of the Xiomeran Civil War and will cover the history of the war on both sides. Camaxtica Award winner announcedThe Foundation of the First Empress announced today that President Rebecca Arnott of Kerlile has been chosen as the winner of the annual Camaxtica Award. President Arnott was chosen due to her efforts to achieve reform in Kerlile, even in the face of domestic opposition, crippling sanctions and longstanding Kerlian tradition.
The Foundation's statement announcing the award also noted that the final vote was extremely close, with President Liu Mei-Han of Laeral finishing a very narrow second. The Foundation's statement praised President Liu for her achievement of becoming the first female President of Laeral, and said that President Liu "is herself a highly accomplished leader" and that the decision on who to give the award to was "the toughest choice in years". As part of the award's tradition, President Arnott will be granted ❂1,000,000 to donate to the charity of her choice. As runner-up, President Liu will be granted ❂500,000. The Coytōchte Corporation Headquarters Complex was the target of a terrorist attack, related to a larger series of attacks across the IDU by the cowardly group of malcontents known as the Malvarian Liberation Front. At 8:30 am Xiomeran time, a large van attempted to ram its way through the front gate of the Coytōchte complex at the Huitzitaca port. The vehicle was not able to force its way past the gate, but a powerful bomb was detonated by the van's occupants as Coytōchte guards advanced on the vehicle, Huitzitaca Municipal Police officers confirmed at the scene. Initial reports indicated that there were 7 fatalities and 26 injuries. All of those killed or injured were either Coytōchte Corporation guards or civilian employees, with the exception of two innocent bystanders walking past the complex when the attack occurred. The Coytōchte Corporation, Xiomera's largest PMC, provides training to the Vulkarian military under contract from the Vulkarian government and the Xiomeran government. The mission in Vulkaria is to train the Vulkarian forces in counter-terrorism, and the attack in Xiomera was likely in response to the Xiomeran presence posing a threat to the M.L.F., Security Secretariat officials confirmed. From the Palace of Flowers, Empress Yauhmi mourned the dead and injured, and promised retaliation for the attack. "If the M.L.F. was seeking the attention of the Xiomeran Empire through this cowardly act of terrorism, they have indeed gained our attention. But they will soon learn - painfully and decisively - why they were so much better off not being on our radar as a threat," the Empress declared to the media. The 1st Fleet of the Imperial Navy has been ordered to deploy for retaliatory action against M.L.F. targets. The 1st Fleet is based out of Huitzitaca, the site of yesterday's terrorist attack. Admiral Techilō, commanding the 1st Fleet, told XIN and foreign reporters today that her fleet "stands ready, at the pleasure of the Empress, to strike down the enemies of Xiomera and of peaceful harmony in these terrorist camps." The Admiral added that her sailors and pilots were "eager to punish those who dared to attack this city that is our home base." Along with the 1st Fleet, the 1st Xiomeran Expeditonary Brigade will also be deployed to Vulkaria to assist with the effort to dismantle the M.L.F. Xiomeran expeditionary brigades consist of elite Jaguar Warriors and Eagle Warriors, and are typically the first Xiomeran forces to be deployed in any offensive operations. When asked if this could lead to larger Xiomeran deployments in Vulkaria, Defense Secretary Xochiqui would not comment. |
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