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Post by Zamastan on Jun 6, 2020 18:34:26 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteSaturday, June 6th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Plane Crash Investigation BREAKING NEWSZamastan Opens Criminal Investigation into Rumaztrian Plane Crash which killed 243 peopleAircraft manufacturer, Soreaz, is accused of covering up potential safety flaws in the plane's design Above: Wreckage from the AirRumaztria crash is observed by investigators on a Colteaux pier on June 6th, 2020 Zamastan has opened a criminal investigation into the Rumaztrian plane manufacturer Soreaz, accusing the company of covering up possible safety flaws in the design of the S-484 aircraft. This comes just over a week after a AirRumaztria plane crashed off the coast of Colteaux, killing 243 people of the 336 on board. 93 people survived and were rescued by Rumaztrian coast guard forces. The plane was flying from Hajaria, Emmiria, and was scheduled to arrive at Eskifantes International Airport. The RFA and the ZAA believe that poor weather contributed to the crash, but investigators from Zamastan now believe that engine failure caused the plane to lose altitude, and a malfunction with onboard instruments failed to notify the pilots of the elevation change, meaning they would not have known they were approaching the ocean until just before the crashed. Investigators from Zamastan are demanding to have access to blackbox data and audio recordings that they believe will show the readings from the plane itself while also showing the readings that the pilots saw in the cabin at the time of the engine failure to the point of the crash. Following the crash, all Soreaz S-484's were grounded in fleets worldwide, and new models were recalled pending the results of the investigation. Soreaz's stocks plummetted following the crash, wiping out all of their economic gains of the past two years. King Caslav V of Rumaztria had given a speech following the incident in which he praised rescue teams, but avoiding mentioning the Soreaz company. 281 Emmirians, 34 Rumaztrians, 11 Zamastanians, 8 Vulkarians, and 2 Rio Palito citizens were on board the plane. 201 Emmirians, 23. Rumaztrians, 10 Zamastanians, 7 Vulkarians, and both Rio Palito passengers died. The Emmirian foreign ministry has also opened their own investigation into the crash, but is largely working in conjunction with Zamastan's team. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jun 8, 2020 20:18:23 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteMonday, June 8th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: West Euronia Power Outage BREAKING NEWSMASSIVE POWER OUTAGE LEAVES NEARLY 100 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE DARKInvestigators are looking into why nearly 100 million people in Caspia, Rio Palito, Northwestern Zamastan and Continental Ruskayn are without power Above: The normally bright and luminescent Donaldson Waterway in Tofino during the power outage A massive breakdown in power supplies is believed to be the cause of a power outage that has left tens of millions of people in western Euronia without electricity. Engineers are now reported to be gradually restoring power across the region. The power failure began at 6:30 PM Tofino time, after what officials described as a fault in the transmission system plunged much of the region into darkness. Western Zamastan, specifically the provinces of Zian, Jade, Cayenne, and Redeemer's Land, went almost completely dark, with Tofino maintaining power due to the city's backup transponders. However, Tofino International Airport and the district's rail systems went offline. The entire country of Rio Palito, population 13.6 million, lost power, leaving citizens in the sweltering heat without air conditioning and tourists on in the famous casinos of San Beausoliel in the darkness. Continental Ruskayn, the territory of the archipeligic nation located on mainland Euronia, with a population of about 1 million people suffered a significant electrical outage. Much of the nation of Caspia, roughly 26 million people, also lost power. "We have been able to get almost 80% of the northern grid in Zamastan back up to normal," a Zamastanian official was quoted as saying, "but we're still looking into why the outage occured in the first place." A spokesman for the Department of Transportation told the Tofino Times that commuters travelling short distances to work on electrical public transport were the worst affected. By lunchtime on Monday, dozens of trains were still stranded between stations, blocking routes and causing considerable delays as the pressure built up. Emergency services, utilities and telephone services were said to be affected in many provincial districts. The official residence of the president, Congressional Hall, and Government agencies in Tofino were also temporarily without power. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jun 11, 2020 21:58:54 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteThursday, June 11th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: YUAN EARTHQUAKE BREAKING NEWS8.7 Earthquake Strikes Off Yuan CoastTsunami Warnings Issued For Southeastern Zamastan as Powerful Quake Rocks North Ausiana and Southern Drambenburg Above: The epicenter of the earthquake off the Northwest coast of Yuan, effecting much of the nearby regions of Ausiana Yuan's most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the northern coast, triggering a massive tsunami. Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by a wall of water after the 8.7-magnitude tremor, which struck about 400km (250 miles) north-west of Xiani. A state of emergency has been declared at a nuclear power plant, where pressure has exceeded normal levels. Officials say 350 people are dead and about 500 missing, but it is feared the final death toll will be much higher. The quake was the fifth-largest in the world since 1900 and nearly 8,000 times stronger than the one which devastated Kelowna, Zian, last August, said scientists. In the center of Shanghan, the Yuaneze capital, many people are spending the night in their offices. But thousands, perhaps millions, chose to walk home. Train services were suspended. Even after the most violent earthquake anyone could remember the crowds were orderly and calm. The devastation is further to the north, along the Toyana coast. There a tsunami triggered by the quake reached 10km (six miles) inland in places carrying houses, buildings, boats and cars with it. In the city of Xiani the police found up to 300 bodies in a single ward. Outside the city in a built-up area a fire blazed across several kilometres. Yuan's ground self-defense forces have been deployed, and the government has asked the Beleroskov military based in the country for help. The scale of destruction from the biggest quake ever recorded in Yuan will become clear only at first light. Yuan nuclear officials said pressure inside a boiling water reactor at an effected nuclear plant was running much higher than normal after the cooling system failed. Officials said they might need to deliberately release some radioactive steam to relieve pressure, but that there would be no health risk. Zamastanian Secretary of State Avi Tremblan had earlier said the Zamastanian Air Force had flown emergency coolant to the site. But Zamastanian officials later said no coolant had been handed over because the Yuaneze had decided to handle the situation themselves. The C.C.A.'s nuclear agency said four nuclear power plants had shut down safely. Measured at 8.7 by the Zamastanian Geological Survey, it struck at 1446 local time (0546 GMT) at a depth of about 24km. The tsunami rolled across the Toyana Ocean at 800km/h (500mph) - as fast as a jetliner - before hitting southern Drambenburg and Zamastan, but there were no reports of major damage from those regions. Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas in the provinces of Alutia, Titania, Alenchon, and Tregueux. The biggest waves of more than 6-7ft (about 2m) were recorded near Alutia, Alutia, said the Toyana Tsunami Warning Center. A tsunami warning extended across the Toyana to South Euronia and Eastern Adula where many other coastal regions were evacuated, but the alert was later lifted in most parts, including Emmiria, Quetana and Semalia. Stay tuned for more details. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jun 16, 2020 2:35:17 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteMonday, June 15th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: SAKZI WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION BREAKING NEWSPRESDIENT SAKZI WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION"I will not seek reelection to a second term", says Foley Sakzi in Press Conference Above: President Sakzi announces he will not seek a second term reelection President Foley Sakzi will not seek reelection to a second term, causing a reverberating shock in the Zamastanian political dynamics. In a press conference called by Sakzi himself, he announced that his term, which started in November of 2019, will end on September 23rd - the day following election day. A newly elected President will take his place. "It has been my honor to serve my country for more than forty years as a soldier, a mayor, a senator, a Chamber Speaker, and a President," Sakzi said. "The responsibilities I have had to take on have been a heavy duty, and thanks to an incredible team of my administration, my constituents in Congress from all parties, and from the Zamastanian people, we have overcome trials and tribulations time and time again. This election day, Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020, I will not seek reelection to a second term. My decision has been made after reviewing the accomplishments of my administration and my understandings of my own personal helm of the political process. While I believe my administration and I would continue to serve effectively and in accordance with our continuing policies, I know that my services can be better served in a civilian capacity." Sakzi's rise to the Presidency was a series of precise events. Sakzi was elected in an emergency referendum vote following the no-confidence campaign against former-President Anya Bishop. Within a week of his innauguration, he had to navigate a major international crisis when Yuaneze naval vessels intercepted the Zamastanian 2nd Fleet off Gangkou. In December, Sakzi oversaw limited military action in Vulkaria following a string of terrorist attacks against the Vulkarian government's interests and civilian targets. The world's most wanted terrorist, M.L.F. commander Van'a Kamoni, was killed under Sakzi's watch. Sakzi's presidency has faced several challenges, such as pandemics in the form of the Drambenburg Bovine Flu, terror attacks such as the April 19th metro bombing in Tregueux, and threats of nuclear war from East Chanchajillan dictator Frederick Armbar. However, the presidency has had many historic accomplishments. The largest international economic partnership of the 21st century - the Trans-Olympic Partnership, was passed in February. The right to greater provincial autonomy was granted through the historic Mayotte-Aunistria referendum, and the successful military operation that resulted in the liberation of Ossinia and the toppling of the Saint-Yves regime, have marked Sakzi as one of the most popular presidents of modern Zamastanian history. At 72%, Sakzi far exceeds Anya Bishop's highest approval ratings (54% at peak) and has remained far steadier on average than Zacharias Castovia's average (65%). Regarding foreign policy, reviews have largely been mixed, with critics pointing to the tensions with Yuan and Beleroskov as testaments to perception of poor temperment and negotiation, while benefactors point to the Ossinia conflict and the Trans-Olympic partnership as indicators of a masterful use of diplomacy, economics, and military management. Now faced with the developing crisis in the aftermath of the devestating northern Yuan earthquake, which has reached a death toll of at least 67,000 people, Sakzi will likely be focused on the expected economic crash that many experts believe is imminent. The destruction in the economic hub of Xiani is bound to cause reverberations across the world, and Sakzi will have to close out his presidency in a way that has already made himself known for; his economic prowess. On the other hand, the Conservative Party and the larger Conservative Bloc in Congressional Hall is losing their champion politician and will now have to find another candidate to rally behind. Experts believe this might be a difficult process, much more so than most would expect. For years, Sakzi dominated the face of the conservatives, holding the position of the Speaker of the Chamber from 2012 to 2019, known for being well respected along both major divisions in Congress. Despite his obvious departures from opponents, members of the liberal parties tend to talk highly of the President due to his willingness to reach across party lines and compromise for the common good. A glaring example would be the July 2019 legislation that banned automatic weapons from civilian use in all forms in Zamastan following the Tirzah nightclub shooting. While most conservatives opposed the ban, Sakzi supported it, attributing to the majority vote needed to pass the bill. Some candidates for President, specifically some liberal candidates, have started gaining steam in the wake of Sakzi's announcment. GLP Senator Adam Wolffe is now leading polls at around 32%. Atticus Moreau, the former-Governor of Alutia, is hovering around 29%, and Sabine Armitage, the only other BCP member running so far, is at 23%. Armitage, if elected, would be the first black woman elected President, while Moreau would be the first Eastern Zamastanian elected to the Presidency. Adam Wolffe would be the first liberal party candidate elected to the Presidency since 1982 (Damian Lorrie). Conservatives are expected to rally behind Armitage, who may prove as a valuable boost to the image of the conservative party. A young, rising star in the conservative party, a black woman, who's rise to the congress in 2016 was meteoric from her roots in the inner city of Providence, NI, to her work as waitress at a fast food place, to the leading signatary on dozens of pieces of legislation. Moreau, an Alutia native, has long been one of the strongest political figures in Eastern Zamastan, dominating the Eastern Bloc of parties including many separatist parties such as Bloc Mayotte. The secessionist movement in Eastern Zamastan could prove damaging to his chances to the Presidency, but his charm, charisma, and popularity among larger urban setting populations may prove beneficial. On the other side of the spectrum, former-Speaker of the Chamber Cain Blackwater, who was once considered the most challenging opponent to Sakzi, has dropped to fourth place. Euan Gunn, one of the leading senators in Congressional Hall, has dropped from third to sixth, behind Shauna Lultquist (a progressive party candidate and former-Speaker of the Chamber) in fifth place. Their candidacies still have opportunity to gain traction before September 22nd, but based on the downward trend all of these trips have had opposed to the current leaders, it would require a major resurgence in polling for all lower tier candidates to achieve substantial votes for both their parties and their prospective seats. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jun 28, 2020 0:19:34 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteSaturday, June 27th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BREAKING NEWSSIX FRONTRUNNERS FOR PRESIDENT FACE OFF IN AN EARLY DEBATE FORMATSabine Armitage and Atticus Moreau take Swings at Liberal Candidates, All Three of Whom are Battling Each Other For Control of the Party’s Preference. Above: The stage prepared before the 6 front running candidates for President debated on Saturday night in Titania. In an early debate setting, a record six Presidential candidates took the stage to battle it out on national television, to get their messages out to the voters, and to show off their leadership skills and their prowess for the possibility of becoming the most powerful individual in Zamastanian policy making and possibly the most powerful figure in the world. Sabine Armitage (BCP), Adam Wolffe, Cain Blackwater, Euan Gunn (all GLP), Atticus Moreau (BMZ), and Shauna Lultquist (LHZ), the six of whom are the current front runners in an already packed arena to take over from President Foley Sakzi (BCP) in September, clashed in a war of ideals and policy, capturing many memorable moments that took the political universe and social media by storm. Each candidate would be asked questions ranging a wide variety of subjects and would have two minutes to respond to each question posed. Only twice during the night was a candidate able to use all two minutes without interruptions: once was Shauna Lultquist’s argument for the legalization of marijuana, and second was Cain Blackwater’s subsidization plan for green energy. The rest of the debate was filled with callouts from other candidates which often turned into time stealing and argument creating. Armitage, when asked by moderator Anders Enderson of the Tofino Times, if her youth and relative inexperience in politics would stunt her chances of winning the presidency, she responded resoundingly and resolutely, saying, “We’re at the age in Zamastanian history when a woman of color from a poor economic background can crush opposition and rise to Congress, and for her to be the front runner in a Presidential race in the largest democracy in the world,” pausing as the audience applauded, “no, I don’t think my chances are stunted.” Armitage continued, saying “Castovia Jr. didn’t spend a day in politics before he became President, and he led the country to new heights.” She was interrupted quickly by Senator Euan Gunn, one of Zacharias Castovia’s harshest critics during his 2016-19 presidency, saying “Castovia Jr. followed the economic wealth disparities inherited from his father. He drew us into armed conflict with Gladysynthia over an intelligence failure. He let Malvare obtain nuclear capability and all he did was hold back grain shipments. Bishop further pressed those economic disparities, and they haven’t been mended by Sakzi’s administration either. You see what 36 years of Conservative administrations have given us? Nothing but tension after tension and crisis after crisis. Sabine, you’re my friend and colleague, but to the Zamastanian voters I say this; do not elect yet another Castovia era candidate.” Gunn continued, even as the moderators tried to get him to yield the time he took away from Armitage. “Elect me and I can promise a revitalized economy, no more embarrassing foreign policy errors, and an end to flexing our military unnecessarily when we feel like it.” Adam Wolffe, in an attempt to break away from Euan Gunn’s close proximity to his lead in the liberal party candidates, attacked Gunn straight out of the gate - slamming him as "a phony" and "a fraud" who doesn't deserve to be re-elected to the senate in 2020, much less elected President, and continued to go after him repeatedly on two issues that have been his Achilles heel with voters: the 2018 Carabar Oil Fund affair and recent sexual misconduct accusations. With Atticus Moreau, being the first separtist politician leading polls in a Zamastanian presidential race, was faced with much criticism from all his opponents. Moderator Travis Joel of the Emerald Tribune asked Moreau about his voting record on a provincial level, which included a 2013 referendum for Alutia to gain independence (which failed). Moreau defended his voting record by saying that he is very devoted to his community and his province, and at the time was passionate about increasing autonomy for provinces, concluding by saying; “As president, I will sponsor greater autonomy for provinces, strip federal guidelines that restrict civil and provincial freedoms, but I will never sign away a province’s attempt to leave the republic as president.” Cain Blackwater was frequently able to break into the discussion and get his pitch across to voters: that the liberal party is "in it for the people, we're not in it for the rich", and to land some of the more memorable zingers of the night. However, experts and viewers noted that Blackwater did not provide much in the way of explaining his policies. Blackwater was able to lay out part of his proposed immigration acceptance plan, which ultimately aims to accept an additional 10 million immigrants into the country by 2024. Armitage said she would back the plan if she became President and it was passed in the Senate for her to sign. Lultquist and Gunn got into a fiery back and forth over the topic of the right to own a firearm. Lultquist said she would uphold the ban on semi-automatic rifles that went into effect in August of 2019, but said she would not seek to limit access to any other firearms for civilian use. Gunn shot back (no pun intended) by stating that over 6,000 people are killed each year by firearms in Zamastan, the great majority of them with handguns such as pistols. He also brought up the fact that even with the semi-automatic ban, criminals and syndicates still had possession of the weapons and posed threats through gang violence. Gunn proposed amending the current ban further to expand police authority to confiscate and uphold an updated ban on firearms ranging from semi-auto rifles to bolt action rifles often used for hunting. Sabine Armitage, Shauna Lultquist, and Atticus Moreau were all quick to jump against Gunn’s proposal, with Lultquist calling it “close to tyranny.” Blackwater said he’d support a further weapons background check measure, to which all candidates with the exemption of Gunn supported, and Adam Wolffe said that law-abiding citizens should be allowed to own personal firearms, but with extensive background checks and a limit on how many weapons can be owned. Other topics ranged from abortion to taxes, and from the recent devestating earthquake in Yuan to the recent occupation and transitional stage of military operations in Ossinia. To finish the night, candidates were briefed on news about a Beleroskovian citizen who had been arrested hours before the debate on charges of spying and espionage, believed to be targeted towards Zamastan’s nuclear and space capabilities. All candidates ultimately agreed that a tougher stance needed to be taken towards Beleroskov’s government and President Nikolai Ubotrov. However, arguments once again arose surrounding Euan Gunn’s statements earlier in the debate where he said he would stop “flexing (the) military unnecessarily”. Armitage jumped on the chance to say that Beleroskov’s government has been supporting anti-Zamastanian interests since before the World War, and that diplomacy itself would not be possible without a greater international coalition backing Zamastan. With this, Atticus Moreau proposed halting funding to the C.C.A. until amended drafts could reinforce Zamastan’s authority on the General Assembly and Security Council, to which Blackwater responded by saying humorously, “that would be one of those embarrassing foreign policy errors Euan mentioned earlier.” The debate certainly brought a plethora of issues to the table, and if anything brought for the first time and the largest time a diverse group of candidates ahead of schedule to debate in front of a national audience. Time will tell how the elections on September 22nd turn out, but in the Tofino Times polling following the debate, Armitage held a slight, very narrow lead at 27% over Adam Wolffe’s 26.2%. Cain Blackwater regained traction, thanks to his charming performance, gaining a steady third place. Moreau dropped from third to fourth, followed by Shauna Lultquist. Euan Gunn dropped back down to sixth place. The next debate is scheduled for July 15th. Stay tuned. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jul 1, 2020 20:50:50 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteWednesday, July 1st, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: EMBASSY ATTACK BREAKING NEWSZAMASTANIAN CONSULATE IN JAGINISTAN BOMBED AND STORMEDAMBASSADOR JAMIE LAKE, 5 SECURITY PERSONNEL, AND DOZENS MORE KILLED IN COORDINATED ATTACK Above: The front gates of the Zamastanian consulate in Haruya, Jaginistan, following a devestating terror attack on Wednesday, July 1st The Zamastanian consulate in Haruya, Jaginistan, was attacked by a large and heavily armed force of Al-Fijar backed fighters, according to the State Department and Zamastanian Intelligence Services, resulting in a massive gunfight that ended in the deaths of at least 52 people, including Ambassador to Jaginistan Jamie Lake, 5 Zamastanian security contractors, 3 Zamastanian consulate staff, and the rest of the fatalities attributed to Jaginistani security personnel and civilians caught in the crossfire. President Sakzi and the State Department have issued executive statements and orders pertaining to increased security at the Jaginistan consulate, other diplomatic offices in the country (including the main embassy in the capital of Kibul), and other diplomatic and military stations in neighboring countries with significant terror threat levels, such as Mingonia, Pekastan, and Arakinistan. At around 6:00 in the morning, a heavily armed group of an estimated 70 insurgents began an attack on the Zamastanian consulate, first by firing rockets and mortars into the compound. Some of the ordinance hit fuel storage tanks on the property, which resulted in massive explosions and the destruction of vehicles in the confines of the compound's outer walls. At one point, a mortar explosion caused a fire that began to burn through the residence sector of the compound, where Ambassador Lake was working in his personal quarters office. A car bomb was driven into the compound during the first firefight, blasting open a large hole in the walls of the compound, killing many civilians in the perimeter of the facility. At this point, according to the ZIS, Zamastanian security contractors and Jaginistani officers attempted to secure Ambassador Lake and other high value diplomatic staff in the building. However, the insurgents overran the consulate's outer walls and began sweeping the building, shooting at anyone they encountered. Ambassador Lake and 3 of his security personnel were killed attempting to reach a vehicle on the back end of the compound. Remaining Zamastanian and Jaginistan federal security were able to repel the attack after nearly fifty minutes of intense fighting, and by the end of it the compound was in flames, the ambassador was dead, and 8 more Zamastanians were killed. In addition, 41 Jaginistanis were killed. An unknown number of insurgents were killed as well. The attack comes following President Sakzi's announcement that the 200 Zamastanian troops stationed in Jaginistan to train federal forces will be leaving the country at the end of August. The detatchment of Zamastanian reinforcements from their main station at Kibul International Airport Joint International Base arrived at the compound nearly an hour after the attack ended. Sakzi said that the attack was not on the radar, and the ZIS also stated that there had been an intelligence failure that did not recognize any threat of an attack. Sakzi also spoke about the bravery and sacrifice of the Zamastanians killed and injured in the attack, called Ambassador Lake a shining example of Zamastanian statesmanship and diplomacy, and vowed to hunt down the perpatrators, while also indicating that his goal is still to remove the 200 Zamastanian troops from Jaginistan by September 1st. Ambassador Jamie Lake and the remains of the as of now unnamed Zamastanian diplomats and contractors killed are being flown back to Zamastan for more detailed autopsies and funerals. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jul 24, 2020 2:28:04 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteThursday, July 23rd, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BREAKING NEWSMOREAU GAINS THE LEAD AS ARMITAGE, WOLFFE, AND BLACKWATER STUMBLE IN SECOND DEBATEAtticus Moreau becomes the First Separatist Ever to Take Lead in National PollsAbove: Atticus Moreau celebrates with a crowd of supporters following the second Presidential debate. Former-Governor of Alutia, Atticus Moreau, shot to the top of all six main national polls in the Presidential race following a successful showing at the second Presidential debate. As candidates met on stage, Moreau was able to navigate questions and attacks lobed at him by opponents and moderators alike, maneuvering around fighting between Sabine Armitage (BCP), Adam Wolffe, Cain Blackwater, Euan Gunn (all GLP), and Shauna Lultquist (LHZ), all who pundits say hurt their own campaigns. Moreau’s performance marks the first time in Zamastanian political history that a separatist politician leads the polls in a presidential race. Facing repeated questions from the last debate which pondered Moreau's interests for provincial autonomy, the candidate answered the moderator's questions in a familiar statement. “I’ve said this before, and I will say it again,” Moreau replied, “As president, I will sponsor greater autonomy for provinces, strip federal guidelines that restrict civil and provincial freedoms, but I will never sign away a province’s attempt to leave the republic as president.” Moreau pressed supporters and undecided voters to adopt his new progressive platforms, which included softening of gun control legislation (which he provided would mainly include stronger background checks to replace the current ban on assault weapons), further reproductive rights (including a call to end Zamastan’s third-trimester abortion ban), the federal legalization of marijuana, and a more lenient immigrant acceptance program. Moreau also called for stripping economic protection restrictions in order to allow for more oil drilling and fracking, as well as for corporations to have more access to foreign contracts. He also called for tax breaks for middle class families and small businesses. Congresswoman Sabine Armitage countered Moreau on his view on reproductive rights, calling his “lack of empathy for the life of a baby boy or girl pathetic and immoral”, while also stating that she would further extend the now 43-year-old ban on third trimester abortions to include bans in the second trimester. This declaration backfired, as a large portion of the audience booed and Armitage drew Senator Adam Wolffe to his own attack on Armitage, effectively drawing the attention away from Moreau. Former-Speaker Cain Blackwater also tried countering Moreau’s view on lifting environmental protection restrictions, saying that his policies would “endanger the lives of hundreds of millions” by “filling the environment from which we all breathe with pollutants.” Blackwater then drew attention from fellow former-Speaker Shauna Lultquist, who called him out for a controversy Blackwater was involved with 24 years ago. The controversy in question was a payment that Blackwater’s energy company, “Blackwater Energy”, received from an oil company that purchased Blackwater Energy owned land in order for the company to begin fracking. Lultquist accused Blackwater of hypocrisy, beginning a lengthy feud on stage. Moreau left the stage with a closing statement, where he said “I know my party label of Bloc Mayotte, Independence Bloc, Alutia Separatist, etcetera, can be a turn-off to voters. Here’s what I will say to you, the undecided voter or those who don’t think a separatist politician is the right choice. Conservative Castovia-esque politicians have long conquered the political spectrum, and you are unhappy in one way or another. Liberal party politicians have failed to make any mark in the last 40 years. I am perfectly in the middle. I will not strip away your freedom, I will provide you with more of it. I will uphold the civil rights and liberties that conservative politicians have restricted and that liberals failed to give, and I will keep the standards at their height and continue to grow them higher than ever. I will never stop fighting for the Zamastanian people.” See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jul 25, 2020 1:50:14 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteFriday, July 24th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: NUCLEAR SCIENTIST MURDERED BREAKING NEWSA Prominent Nuclear Weapons Specialist Was Gunned Down Outside His Residence in Lower TarielEthan Hyderland was one of Zamastan's most renowned nuclear scientists, famous for his role in the 1988 Beleroskov nuclear standoffAbove: Ethan Hyderland, nuclear physicist Ethan Hyderland, a prominent nuclear physicist known for his work on Zamastanian nuclear weapon systems, was shot to death outside his home in Lower Tariel on Friday. He was 71 years old. Famous for his role in talking President Cassious Castovia and Beleroskovian President Igor Spetinov down from a tense nuclear standoff in 1988, Hyderland was one of very few people in the world who was prevy to the secrets of not only Zamastan's nuclear secrets, but the secrets of nations like Beleroskov and Yuan. He often acted as a mediator during the talks of the Cold War, but despite his pursuits of peace he was credited with patenting multiple weapons systems for Zamastan. These weapons systems included the Posideon-6 missile, the main ballistic missile system in use by Zamastan. The gunman, who apparently walked up to Hyderland as he exited his home, was wearing a motorbike helmet according to footage of the shooting captured on CCTV. The shooter remains unknown to police, and they are asking for any witnesses to the shooting to come forward. The CCTV footage also shows that the shooter took a briefcase from Hyderland after the shooting, walking away seemingly casually from the scene. President Sakzi has not commented on the shooting, but Hyderland often served as a security advisor for not only President Sakzi, but to Presidents Bishop, Castovia Jr., Sr., Lorrie, and Avery. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Jul 31, 2020 6:14:30 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteThursday, July 30th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Syraranto Parliament Bombing BREAKING NEWSC.C.A. SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET IN TOFINO ON AUGUST 1ST TO DISCUSS SYRARANTO PARLIAMENT BOMBING23 People were Killed and Another 50 were Injured in a Bombing at the Houses of Parliament in Covijo, Attack Claimed By Balgita Nationalist ForcesAbove: Smoke rises from the Syraranto Houses of Parliament in Covijo on Wednesday, July 30th, 2020, following a bombing claimed by the Balgita Nationalist Forces. President Sakzi will be in attendance alongside other Zamastanian National Security advisors and dozens of world leaders at the Coalition of Crown Albatross headquarters in Tofino on Saturday to discuss the complications arising in the aftermath of a deadly bombing at the Syraranto embassy, prompting fears of extreme underground separatist and insurgent movements within the West Nortuan nation. According to the Syraranto National Broadcast Service, on Wednesday around noon, an explosion erupted in front of the Syraranto Parliament in the capital of Covijo, claiming the lives of 23 people and injuring dozens more. Authorities were alerted to another threat, which was discovered to be a second bomb located at the National War Museum. The second bomb was safely disarmed, the capital government district is secure and under heavy surveillance and security at this hour. The attack was claimed by remnants of the B.N.F., or the Balgita Nationalist Forces, a rebel cell that has been operating in Syraranto, Constantio, and Chechena since the early 1990s and had their highest levels of activity during the Chezian War (1992-95). Today’s attack marks the first bombing and attack of any kind on civilians or government personnel since 2002. President Kyriakos Tasoulas, safely at the Presidential Palace at the time of the attack, promised swift justice and revenge on the perpetrators of the attack. Tasoulas will be meeting before the Coalition of Crown Albatross Security Council to discuss matters related to the attack and the growing separatist movement within Syraranto. President Sakzi said in response to the attack; "Today, we witnessed the terrible actions of a radical and dangerous separatist rebel movement in Syraranto. The government of Syraranto, which has come a long way from the destruction and disarray of the 1990s, and they are a beacon of civil rights and general welfare of humanity in the midst of a region with violations as rampant as that of North Sotoa and Achijan. We will stand with and for the government and people of Syraranto, and this administration backs that of President Kyriakos Tasoulas. I look forward to meeting with President Tasoulas at the C.C.A. headquarters later this week to discuss the developments of this attack. We are in communication with the military forces and loyal government factions in Syraranto. We are looking to end any developing crisis diplomatically before it unfolds into more bloodshed. We will aim to not escalate the tensions between the federal and rebel forces in the region, and we aim to bring a peaceful coalition of neighboring countries to ensure that these rebel factions are not supported militarily or encouraged in radical ideology. We encourage all nations who seek to lend their support to step away from offering direct military support, at the very most a guiding and advising role left to the components of the Coalition of Crown Albatross peacekeeping mission in the Chezian Corridor rather than any specific national operation." There are worries that if an insurection or military operation against insurgents in Syraranto begins, it will begin a series of escalating problems. Firstly, experts warn that because of the long simmering ethnic tensions in the region, not only Syraranto but neighboring Constantio, Chechena, and Achijan, any possible conflict might spread across the region. Secondly, experts are wary that Zamastan, inclined to defend Syraranto as one of the last functioning, upstanding civil rights performing and least corrupt governments in the region, would send forces to the region. Zamastanian forces, as many note, are already spread thin in multiple operations and stations across the world, including in Ossinia where they are still performing peacekeeping actions nearly two months after the overthrow of the Saint-Yves dictatorship. Sakzi's statement seems to delve away from stating that Zamastan will provide military service, and that is why experts are urging that the importance of Saturday's summit at the C.C.A. headquarters cannot be understated. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 4, 2020 22:29:45 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteSatuday, August 1st, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Syraranto Parliament Bombing BREAKING NEWSPRESIDENT TASOULAS VOWS REVENGE AGAINST B.N.F. DURING SPEECH AT C.C.A. SECURITY COUNCIL23 People were Killed and Another 50 were Injured in a Bombing at the Houses of Parliament in Covijo, Attack Claimed By Balgita Nationalist ForcesAbove: President Kyriakos Tasoulas of Syraranto speaks at the C.C.A. Security Council President Kyriakos Tasoulas of Syraranto, who spoke today to the Coalition of Crown Albatross Security Council, ravaged against the Balgita Nationalist Forces and vowed revenge for the bombing at the Parliament in Covijo on Wednesday. In his speech, he said that "every measure would be taken by the Syraranto government and armed forces to destroy the B.N.F., as well as any other forces that might seek to cause rebellion, destruction, and loss of life." Many world leaders, including Zamastan's President Foley Sakzi, urged in their statements, to seek diplomatic courses of action. Sakzi said "we wish to see the circumstances in Syraranto and Western Adula to simmer and ease itself out through a negotiating process," while Quetana's President, António Brafeo, stated that "Syraranto is a progressor on the world stage, not a degressor. We do not want to see an escalation in an already violent scenario." On the opposite side of the table, regional neighbors of Syraranto, such as the President of bordering country Constantio, stated that he would "offer support to quell the violence through any means, whether diplomatic or militaristic." Beleroskov diplomats stated that the revolutionist forces should be destroyed, signaling to the sign of increased Beleroskov and Yuaneze influence in the region. The Zamastanian Government and State Department do not list the Balgita Nationalist Forces as a terrorist organization, but reports from anonymous sources in the State Department and President Sakzi's administration have floated ideas surrounding the possibility of designating the group as a terrorist organization. Wednesday's attack was the first incidence of violence against government or civilian targets by a insurgent group in Syraranto since 2002. The attack killed 23 and injured dozens more, prompting international condemnations against the B.N.F. and support for the Syraranto government. President Tasoulas' statements are raising concerns, especially amidst the West Euronian Defense Alliance members, who are worried that Syraranto's spiking tensions are indications of a possible interior conflict. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 4, 2020 23:03:52 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteTuesday, August 4th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Syraranto Offensive BREAKING NEWSSyraranto's Armed Forces Begin A "Massive Offensive Against B.N.F. And Other Forces" In Response To Last Week's Parliament BombingPresident Tasoulas Calls For International Support, While President Sakzi Condemns the Military ActionAbove: Syraranto Forces attacking a reported "Balgita Nationalist Forces" stronghold in Western Syraranto on August 4th, 2020 On Tuesday, President Tasoulas declared that the Syraranto Armed Forces have "begun a campaign to clear Western Syraranto of the B.N.F. insurgent forces in response to last week’s terrorist bombing at the Parliament Houses in Covijo". Tens of thousands of armed soldiers reportedly began going city to city in Western Syraranto, with air strikes from the Syraranto Air Force being reported in many towns along the Constantio border. Zamastanian observers in Constantio reported explosions seen from across the border. At the Security Council at the CCA headquarters on Saturday, President Tasoulas said "every measure would be taken by the Syraranto government and armed forces to destroy the B.N.F., as well as any other forces that might seek to cause rebellion, destruction, and loss of life," while President Sakzi and many other heads of state urged diplomacy over military action. Today's rapid escalation of tensions with a seemingly all-out military offensive "destroys the chance for diplomacy now", said Zamastanian Secretary of Defense Curtis Fondaden. Tasoulas, at the helm of the assault, called for the international community to rally behind the Syraranto cause for "freedom and the pursuit of justice", but that statement was quickly quelled by many people in the international community including President Sakzi, who said "I sincerely hope that the President pulls his forces back and pursues a diplomatic solution. Zamastan is willing to come assist the negotiating process, but until the military operation halts, we will not lend any support of any kind to the Syraranto government." Fears are also growing of possible Beleroskovian or Yuaneze involvement in the region, as reports came in Monday of a Beleroskovian patrol fleet sailing through the Nortua Sea. Beleroskov's President, Nikolai Ubotrov, and Yuan's Xi Jingyi, both declared their support for Tasoulas in the fight against what they both called "terrorist organizations". Zamastan, while sanctioning heavily the Balgita Nationalist Forces for their anti-government violence, does not consider them to be a terrorist organization. They are classified under the State Department's record as a "sub-national militaristic faction", or a "rebel group". Secretary of Defense Fondaden also stated "Zamastan fully condemns and will never support the B.N.F. for their vile actions in targeting the Parliament in Covijo, but the actions of President Tasoulas have not only erradicated the chance for peace in the region but also put hundreds of thousands of innocents in the crossfire of what is now a rapidly deteriorating situation. Syraranto is looking at a dark time ahead if this military operation continues much longer." See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 5, 2020 17:34:35 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteWednesday, August 5th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Syraranto Offensive Draws Support and Critisism BREAKING NEWSYUAN'S JI XINJYI SENDS "NAVAL DISPATCH" TO THE SOTOA SEA TO SUPPORT SYRARANTO'S TASOULASZamastan and Allies Condemns the Action, While Beleroskov SupportsAbove: The De Yuan Navy dispatch on route to Syraranto on August 5th, 2020 Xi Jingyi, the President of Yuan, declared on Wednesday that he was "sending a Naval dispatch to the Sotoa Sea to assist the Syraranto military in its attempts to cease the radical and violent actions of the BNF." As he continued, he declared that Yuan's stance was to "support President Tasoulas and the Syraranto government." Syraranto President Kyraikos Tasoulas, who launched a military offensive against the Balgita Nationalist Forces and other "terrorist organizations" in the Western part of the country, expressed solitude and graciousness to President Xi Jingyi. The move, another moving component in a rapidly escalating crisis in a very tense part of Western Nortua, drew wide condemnation from Zamastan and her allies, who have been pressing Tasoulas to cease the military operation to pursue diplomatic talks instead. "The concern of the State Department," said Zamastanian Secretary of Defense Curtis Fondaden, "is not for the rebel group B.N.F. in particular; it is for the nearly 7 million people who live in the combat zone. We're looking at what could be hundreds if not thousands of civilian casualties over the course of a prolonged campiagn, hundreds of thousands displaced, and most importantly are the women and children who will innevitably be caught in the crossfire." Tasoulas spoke to the C.C.A. Security Council on Saturday vowing revenge for last week's bombing at the Houses of Parliament in Covijo, but his words were warned by other heads of state who continued to urge restraint and let an internationally led diplomatic peace talk conference proceed. Those options have largely evaporated, according to multiple sources. President Sakzi today announced that he would place sanctions on Tasoulas' government if they did not cease the military offensive, but experts are warning that a cut-off in Zamastanian relations with Syraranto could open a vacuum for other foreign involvement from nations like Yuan and Beleroskov, who are both vying for influence in the region. Other concerns for the ongoing operations include insurgent forces from neighboring Achijan might cross the border into Western Syraranto, effectively creating yet another multi-national war similar to the Chezian War of 1992-95, which involved Syraranto, Achijan, Constantio, and Chechena and is widely considered to be the deadliest conflict of the late 20th century following the World War. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 7, 2020 21:00:04 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteFriday, August 7th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: Syraranto Offensive Draws Support and Critisism BREAKING NEWSSYRARANTO'S MILITARY CARPET BOMBS WESTERN TOWN OF TIRIKAN - TASOULAS REMAINS RESOLUTE, ZAMASTAN INTRODUCES CRIPPLING SANCTIONSPresident Sakzi Calls President Tasoulas to Attempt to Talk Him Down From Military Campaign, Tasoulas Refuses. Meanwhile, Experts Warn Of Possible Ethnic Cleansing UnderwayAbove: The city of Tirikan is bombed by Syraranto government forces on August 7th, 2020 The world was treated to horrific news on Friday morning as footage and reports from the town of Tirikan in Western Syraranto, where the Syraranto government forces have launched a massive bombing campaign against the city with seemingly no specified target. The town, with a population of about 50,000 people and what the government calls a "terrorist stronghold of the B.N.G.", was relentlessly carpet bombed, with government jets screaming overhead as civilians and international observers alike scrambled to find a safe area. Hundreds of civilians are reported to have been killed and injured in the operation, which has been condemned by several nations including Zamastan. Speaker of the Chamber, Larious Maxwell, announced that Congressional Hall had passed over fifty sanctions on the Syraranto Government to attempt to backtrack the military operation. President Sakzi also called President Tasoulas of Syraranto in an attempt to convince him to call off his military action and allow international peacekeepers into the region under a coalition force, but Tasoulas reportedly hung up on Sakzi after Sakzi warned him that Zamastan would press sanctions if the conflict escalated. The military operation in Western Syraranto, which is supposedly targeting the Balgita Nationalist Forces rebel group and other separatist groups, has escalated dramatically in the last several days, with Yuan and Beleroskov pledging support to the Syraranto government forces in their pursuit to "eradicate the terrorists from our country." However, international observers have pointed to a large ethnic concentration of the Gurriana in Western Syraranto. While Tirikan is no doubt a stronghold for B.N.G. and separatist movements, the city also is the center for the Gurriana culture and lifelines, having acted as the historical de-facto capital of the Gurriana since the 1200s AD. In the bombings in Tirikan today, seemingly indiscriminate to who was in the way, marks a major warning sign, says Henry Tig'na, President of the Zamastanian Outreach for Ethnic Minorities. "President Tasoulas and the Populist Party of Syraranto have long said that progressing towards the future requires 'fresh race'," said Tig'na to the Tofino Times, continuing to say "and Tasoulas himself has often spoken harshly and prejudicely against the Gurriana people, especially due to their general sense of nationalism in their own ethnic composition. They want a nation of their own, but they are not violent people. The B.N.G. and other extremist groups have taken up arms as a last alternative, but President Tasoulas does not distinguish a rebel from a citizen. He hates every Gurriana, no matter where they stand." Other experts fear that Tasoulas may be using the military campaign as an excuse or a cover to cause a massive ethnic disparity, or worse, a cleansing. The Gurriana peoples suffered tens of thousands of dead during the Chezian War from 1992-95, although those massacres took place in neighboring Constantio and Achijan. Now, caught in the middle, there are fears that another genocide might be in the making. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 11, 2020 17:30:10 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteTuesday, August 11th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: SPEAKER IN HOT WATER BREAKING NEWSSPEAKER OF THE CHAMBER LARIOUS MAXWELL ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY DOZENS OF STAFFERSThe Speaker denies the allegations, but experts say this is yet another indication of possible conservative collapse in SeptemberAbove: Speaker of the Chamber Larious Maxwell Multiple female staffers have accused Speaker of the Chamber Larious Maxwell of sexual harassment. One woman in particular, a former aide to Conservative Sen. Lorraine Murray of Jade Province, told the Tofino Times that Maxwell groped her buttocks during an event in 2006. She's chosen to remain anonymous and has stayed silent on the matter for years over fears of the impact it could have on her career. At Murray's annual event, Golden Fawn Awards, the woman at one point took a photo with Maxwell. She told the Tofino Times that Maxwell then put "his hand on my lower area innapropriately. He's telling the photographer, 'Take another one. I think I blinked. Take another one.'" She described feeling like she was "just frozen," and said that it was "so violating." "And then he gives me a little squeeze on my buttock," she said, "and I am bright red. I don't say anything at the time, but I felt deeply, deeply uncomfortable." The woman said the alleged incident "rocked her confidence" at a time when she was considering running for office. "This created a moment of reflection on like, Who the hell do you think you are? There is something that tells men that they, particularly those who have a lot of power, that they have access to my body in some way that is based on the hierarchy of the organization that we're working in or society or whatever it is," she said. The woman is the fourteenth to accuse Maxwell of misconduct and the fourth to allege he groped her buttocks. Maxwell, who was at one point considered by Conservative strategists to be a potential 2022 contender against a possible different party win in the 2020 election, has denied the allegations and remains Speaker even after multiple women accused him of sexual impropriety and unwanted advances. Other accusations were made against him in 2010, 2013, and 2017. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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Post by Zamastan on Aug 12, 2020 17:46:47 GMT
Zamastan | World - C.C.A. | Politics | Economy | Opinion The Tofino TimesClick Here to Visit The Tofino Times WebsiteWednesday, August 12th, 2020
VOL. XXXII .. Num. 6320 | In the News: SYRARANTO CRISIS BREAKING NEWSHUNDREDS KILLED FOLLOWING CRACKDOWN ON ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN SYRARANTOThe Tasoulas Government has started cracking down on protesters, leading to even wider condemnation from the international communityAbove: Thousands of demonstrators gather in the capital of Covijo after President Tasoulas' government cracks down on the protesters in Western Syraranto More than 90 people were killed on Wednesday as the Syraranto military launched an attack on the flashpoint protest city of Tirikan on the eve of the Gurriana holy month of Mikrayako, a human rights activist said. Akju Banabi, who heads the Syraranto Free Organisation for Human Rights, said that army attacks across Syraranto killed at least 121 people and wounded dozens more. Another activist put the overall toll at 123. “The army and security forces launched an attack on Hama and opened fire on civilians, killing 95 people,” Banabi said, adding he had a list of names of 62 of the dead. He added that “19 people were killed in Yikanu in the west, six more died in Kirak in the south and one in Jal-Kukamal,” also in the west. According to Banabi, “snipers took up positions on rooftops” in Yikanu where “most of those shot were hit in the head and the neck.” Another rights group reported that 47 people were killed in and around Tirikan, including two shot dead by security forces in the village of Kurana outside the city, bringing the day's overall death toll to 123. Dozens were also wounded when security forces shot at “residents who took to the streets to protest when they heard the news about Tirikan,” said Lami Km'del Kahn of the Quetana-based Syraranto Observatory for Human Rights. He quoted a Tirikan hospital source as saying: “The number of those wounded is huge and hospitals cannot cope, particularly because we lack the adequate equipment.” On the international front, Quetana Prime Minister José dos Reis urged Tasoulas to call off the Tirikan assault. “I am appalled by the reports that the Syraranto security forces have stormed Tirikan with tanks and other heavy weapons this morning, killing dozens of people,” Hague said. “President Tasoulas is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country. He should stop this assault on his own people now.” Prime Minister Cláudio Moreira, meanwhile, threatened new sanctions against the Syraranto leadership. Skithiana “calls on President Tasoulas to immediately end violence against peaceful demonstrators,” he said. “If President Tasoulas fails to change course, we and our partners in the C.C.A. will impose new sanctions.” One resident of Tirikan reached by phone told The Tofino Times the army entered Tirikan at around 6:00 am (0300 GMT) in an apparent operation to wrest back control after security forces withdrew from the city almost two years ago in an arrainged treaty to give the region more autonomy. Another said: “Five tanks are now deployed outside the governor's palace,” and spoke of intermittent gunfire. President Tasoulas replaced the governor of Tirikan after a record 500,000 protesters rallied in the opposition bastion on August 5th calling for the resignation of Tasoulas and his government. Since security forces gunned down 48 protesters in the city on August 6th, Tirikan had escaped the clutches of the government, activists say. The next day, more than 100,000 mourners were reported to have massed at their funerals. Since anti-government protests broke out, the crackdown on dissent has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 civilians and more than 360 members of the security forces, according to a Syraranto Observatory toll. More than 12,000 people are also reported to have been arrested. See full article here: zkcastor.wixsite.com/thetofinotimes
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