BACK TO MAPPSTAT NEWS

---

World Bank Established

In light of countries who wish to develop their full potential but are unable to do so due to financial limitations, Congressional Parliament has generously set up a large pool of money for all those who need it. Any non-Great Power is eligible to apply for any amount of money that is required. However, these funds must only be used for peaceful civilian-oriented purposes. All powers start off with AAA credit rating and can almost be guaranteed to be approved! Just send an email with how much money is desired and the purpose of the cash to The World Bank. Get more info about the World Bank here.

Marcusburg Changes Foreign Policy

What began as an act of tying up loose ends in the Wilhelmplatz War has escalated into a full-course change in foreign policy. When Samchorage was consulted for its opinion on the response to the Wilhelmplatz demarche, the President requested the Prime Chancellor to cede territory to him as compensation. Outraged by such a demand, the Prime Chancellor declined the request. After suffering the indignation of the Norterr Crisis, the Prime Chancellor was not about to let another "humiliation" occur. As a result, Marcusburg foreign policy has taken a more aggressive approach, one which the Prime Chancellor calls "No Compromise".

The Laetus Uprisings

As the deadline passed on September 25th, Rattanjeetland erupted in civil war. The suspiciously-timed uprising was due to the emergence of an extremist group, the Brotherhood of Blubber, who sought a return to the glory days of Rattanjeetland. Having general support with a public carrying wounded pride, the group managed to destroy the Rattanjee Elementary School and wound 3731 soldiers. The Adiposia swiftly condemned the measure and gave the Ethnarch temporary emergency powers to deal with the situation. After 7196 extremists and civilian supporters were killed, the B.O.B. surrendered. Simultaneously, an uprising in Kamopolis was put down resulting in 32,459 casualties for the rebels and 15,189 wounded Rattanjeetarr troops. The Kamopolitan scheme, which involved massacring Rattanjeetarr troops during a live Gladiator combat in the Coliseum, failed.

Deadline Set

Frustrated over the stall in negotiations following the Kamo-Rattanjeetland War, the Ethnarch has set the date of the 25th as the day of action. Officials in Kamopolis and in capitals around the Mapp are worried as the development could trigger a true "Gotterdammerung".

Bendover moves into Wilhelmplatz

With the blessing of the Governor, Bendover troops accompanied Marcusburg troops in Wilhelmplatz as the three powers came to agreement over the demarche issued on August 9th. View the terms of the Wilhelmplatz Agreeement here.

Rattanjeetland Enacts Work-For-Welfare

Following the lead of the other Great Powers, the Ethnarch forced all welfare recipients to serve time in the army. The move pushes the Rattanjeetland army up to a total of 72,599. As well with what is in effect conscription, the Ethnarch has shown the magintude of Rattanjeetland's recovery. It will also expand bargaining power in the negotiations following the Kamo-Rattanjeetland War.

Kamo-Rattanjeetland War

Responding to the desperate pleas of the Noers, the Ethnarch used military force and invaded Kamopolis. In a complete surprise attack, Rattanjeetarr cruise missiles destroyed all Kamopolitan military installations and cruised to a resounding victory. Both Kamopolis and Noe are under Rattanjeetarr control. The Ethnarch asks the King of Kamopolis to sign a peace treaty, under which Noe would regain her sovereignty.

Month-Long Demarche Realized

In response to the terrorist explosion of a Bendover Airlines flight in August, in which Marcusburg and Bendover citizens were killed, a military assault was launched on Wilhelmplatz. Nearly a month has passed since the demarche was issued by both attacking powers. The attack itself came fast and furious – apparently without warning. Cruise missile batteries from Marcusburg launched a barrage onto the Wilhelmplatzine defenses below. They were successfully destroyed. In the meantime, the Bendoverian Royal Army stormed the Wilhelm-Bendover border in an attempt to secure the area. Marcusburg Military Command dispatched twenty squadrons of Apache helicopters to assist the Bendoverian army. The Wilhelmplatzine army, numbering 5352 following casualties as a result of the initial attacks, managed to wipe out the 1000-man strong Bendoverian army upon arrival.

Flustered with success, the Wilhelmplatzine army took aim at the Apaches with bazookas and missile launchers. Miraculously, the twenty squadrons escaped unharmed but inflicted heavy damage on the troops below. However, an aerial attack would not be able to secure the region as enemy troops would remain. The Prime Chancellor ordered 10,000 troops to invade Wilhelmplatz. Out of these 10,000 men, 9,878 savored the taste of victory as the Wilhelmplatzine army was decimated to nothing. Currently, Marcusburg troops occupy the Nation Square and the Emperor of Bendover is due to arrive in a victory ceremony.

Portalto Joins Arms Race

In response to the dramatic increases in the Samchorage, Marcusburg, and Lindsholm militaries, the Chief Hobo of Portalto announced a mandatory "Work-For-Welfare" program. All unemployed persons in the Empire of Portalto, numbering 75,420, reflecting the 21.6% unemployment rate, must serve time in the army. The development brings the Portalto military to a total of 243,420.

Military Spending Skyrockets

With the creation of the Samchorage Freedom Guard, in which most civilians must partake, the Samchorage armed forces increased to an astounding 566,412. Those in the general military will receive an increase in pay and numerous benefits once out of service. In response to Samchorage's burgeoning army, the Prime Chancellor of Marcusburg agreed with the belligerent Fletplase, controlled by the war-like Imperial Party, to increase the number of ground troops. Expecting a slight increase in the number of recruits, the Prime Chancellor was astounded to see 504,557 applicants respond to the voluntary "Defend and Destroy" recruitment campaign. 199,301 applicants have been accepted and will receive a halving of the income tax needed to be paid along with other special benefits. The new recruits bring the Marcusburg military to a total of 456,391. In case of emergency, the 305,256 remaining applicants will be called upon to serve their country. Meanwhile, the Supreme Viceroy in Lindsholm, seeing the massive increases in the Samchorage and Marcusburg armies, decided to join the mad rush by starting a recruitment drive known as "To Serve and Protect". 210,913 citizens applied and 72,133 were accepted into the Lindsholm armed forces, bringing a total of 240,390 troops. The remaining applicants will also be called upon in case of emergency. The increases in military spending are expected to severely upset the balance of power on the Mapp.

Lindsholm Becomes Commonwealth

Reflecting its growing influence, the Republic of Lindsholm established a formal system of dealing with its three protectorates. In the newly inaugurated United Commonwealth of Lindsholm (UCL), foreign policy will be democratically decided among the four members - Lindsholm, Jared, Miketon, and Pauldelphia. Domestic policy will remain the sole business of each commonwealth nation.

Battle of Natality Won

In the process of recovering, the Samchorage population has mushroomed to 623,150. Although civilian structures were built, an increase in population means an increase in military might due to forced conscription. As a result, Samchorage now has the largest army on the Mapp, numbering 351,662. Combined with the President's military ambitions, the balance of power has been shifted greatly in Samchorage's favor.

Upheaval in Portalto

Coinciding with the end of the Congressional economic embargo, revolution swept Portalto on September 2, 2000 as the Dockmaster resigned and pseudocratic rule came to an end. In his place will be a Council of Twelve, elected by the people in twelve ridings, with the Chief Hobo as its leader. Immediate emphasis will be placed on housing for Portaltans and special concessions to the conquered Jamilistanis.

Post-Gotterdammerung

On August 31, 2000, the King of Kamopolis made Noe territory an official colony, once a Kamopolitan protectorate. In effect annexed, Noers have been promised that their "traditions and rights will be protected, all 33 of them". The development could upset the delicate balance of power in the Southeast following the Gotterdammerung Agreement.

The Empire Strikes Back

Freed from the embargo, the President of Samchorage embarked on an orgy of reform. All males between the ages of 18 and 45 are to be immediately conscripted into a professional militia. Various research projects will be started in the nation's laboratories and suburbs equipped with everything from gas stations to concert halls will be constructed. The President's ambitions are high indeed - symbolized by his breaking ground of a skyscraper construction site. A press release has also been issued.

Gotterdammerung Agreement

The Prime Chancellor and the King of Kamopolis reached agreement today over a pact which would see the withdrawal of Kamopolitan troops from Noe and Steldorado. Noe becomes a Kamopolitan protectorate while Steldorado becomes a Congressional Mandate obligated to pay repearations to Noe. As a result, Lindsholm and Samchorage have ended their ultimatum. The proposal has been supported by the Dockmaster and the Emperor of Bendover is in utter ecstasy over the development. Currently, Portaltan troops are leaving Samchoragean soil as a result of the diffusion of the Gotterdammerung despite the fact Kamopolis put down two Noe uprisings shortly after the agreement was reached.

The Gotterdammerung

In a press conference on August 26, 2000, the King of Kamopolis publicly renounced any intention of attacking Gorditas in the near future. However, the issues of the fates of Noe and Steldorado remain unresolved. Therefore, the first portion of the joint Lindsholm-Samchorage ultimatum still stands. Meanwhile, Portalto has sent troops along its border and has permission to deploy troops on Samchoragean soil for additional defense. Rumors circulate that the Prime Chancellor and the Dockmaster are devising a solution for the situation.

Kamopolitan Invasion

One swift action begot another as the Steldoran invasion of Noe was met by the Kamopolitan invasion on August 24, 2000 of both aforementioned powers. With 190 casualties the skilled Kamopolitan Paratroopers Corps breezed to an easy victory after killing 173 warrior priestesses and 31 Starbucks employees. Meanwhile, the King of Kamopolis entered secret negotiations with Samchorage, which the latter revealed to the public in its Press Release. According to the document, there is a strong implication that Kamopolis may declare war on Gorditas once more in the near future. Sketchy reports indicate that the development has been greeted negatively in Marcusburg and with hostility in Lindsholm and Samchorage. As a result, the latter two have released a joint ultimatum.

Steldorado Conquers Noe

Without warning on the evening of August 22, 2000, the High Priestess of Steldorado began stockpiling weapons in the undefined territory north of the Hagia Lesbia. Within the temple, however, warrior priestesses who had just completed their training were released onto the landscape and headed towards Noe. Seeing crazed priestesses nearing their precious espresso machines, Starbucks employees banded together to protect their establishment. In a battle between 599 warrior priestesses and 195 elite coffee artists, only 16 priestesses remained with 52 prisoners of war. Presiding victorious in the Hagia Lesbia, the High Priestess stared at the blazing inferno once known as the Noe SuperDuperStarbucks and announced the annexation of Noe into Steldorado. Congressional Parliament is eyeing this military conflict closely.

Undetonated Bomb Discovered

In the silence and tranquility of the southeast a sombre reminder of the ever-presence of danger erupted as construction workers stumbled upon an explosive at the Wendorra La Vella Mall construction site. No one was injured and currently there are no clues as to its presence. The Marcusburg Bomb Squad was called in to safely dispose of the bomb. Some archaeologists speculate the bomb is a relic from the Great War although how it got there remains unknown.

Power and Hockey Go Online

When the guns fall silent, the pucks fly loose. With the advent of the Mapp Hockey League, nations can unleash their fury on ice. Currently all members of the Mapp contribute a team whether it be officially sponsored or volunteer-coordinated. Check out the MHL here. While you're there, check out the Republic of Pauldelphia's website too. Likewise, the Republic of Lindsholm has a great webpage with extensive resources on the growing power. Learn more here. In fact, all heads of state are also encouraged to bring their countries online!

Airplane Explosion Kills 334

A Bendover Airlines airplane en route from Marcusburg to Bendover exploded into flames and fell to earth on August 9, 2000, killing all passangers on board. Debris from the mid-air explosion littered the Marcusburg Peace Park. Investigators from both powers have come to one conclusion: the disaster was the work of terrorists with access to a deadly chemical known as "Quadcene". Currently Quadcene is only used at the Wilhelmplatz solar power plant. Of those killed include Marcusburg and Bendover nationals. Outraged by the terrorist action, the Prime Chancellor and the Emperor have issued a joint demarche.

Terra Incognita Unleashed

It has taken quite a while but it now has been done. The land south of civilization has been mapped, cleared, and tamed by various explorers from the established powers. What these valiant men and women found was miles and miles of flat open grassland. The only noticeable landmark was the river, flowing from civilization in the north, in the west. Once the chaotic cartography was completed, some of the explorers informed members of Congressional Parliament, which promptly opened the newfound land to colonization and settlement. The madness commenced when the legal date of August 1, 2000 came round as hordes of settlers took to the roads and made the first tire tracks on virgin southern soil. Founded on this date were the nation states of Pauldelphia, Tamark, Jared, Wingville, Steldorado, Noe, and Wendorra la Vella. With their meager contruction materials, work began on cementing each of the new nation state’s existence. In Pauldelphia, the Einstein Memorial Hockey Arena was hastily erected. Situated by a coast, a wooden bridge was built to Tamark, which itself had erected a hockey rink. To the southeast of the two nascent states lay Wingville, which constructed a shopping mall whose size leaves shoppers drooling. The undertaking required all settlers to empty their bank accounts back home. Heading east, one encounters Steldorado with its unique “Hagia Lesbia”, a technopriest centre reminiscent of Aztec temples. North of Steldorado is Noe with its Starbucks and to the far east is Wendorra la Vella with its police station parliament, the Polimento. Using funds generously granted by Marcusburg through Congressional Parliament, the north-south freeway has been extended to provide modern vehicular access to Pauldelphia and Wingsville. Dirt roads link the remaining states. Meanwhile in Jared, the construction of the Blackadder has been delayed as material needs to be imported from the forests of Josephville.

Following the initial foyer into the south, the established powers partook in the scramble. Conveniently situated in the south through its newly acquired Rattanjeetland colony, Samchorage merely walked southwards to expand its claim. Much the same occurred with Marcusburg thanks to its recent annexation of New Weimar. Paratroopers hitting ground, Lindsholm acquired a colony to the west of Pauldelphia. Rattanjeetland, meanwhile, gains a colony in the east, close to Wendorra la Vella. Diplomacy, in addition to land claims, is alive and well as a fast flurry of paperwork from Pauldelphia poured forth in the minutes after its founding. Directly following the announcement from the Prime Chancellor of Marcusburg and the Supreme Viceroy of Lindsholm of an entrenched and solidified alliance, the Xironclad Nexus, to replace the Iron Entente, the latter proclaimed Pauldelphia a Lindsholm protectorate. Pauldelphia then went on to sign the Visceratio Alliance with Marcusburg and the Kurayamino Alliance with Lindsholm. Both alliances are adjuncts of the Xironclad Nexus. On a side note, Kamopolis appears determined to acquire more territory in light of land lost in the Kamo-Gorditas War. It still remains to be seen whether more land claims will be made.

Marcusburg Annexes New Weimar

In response to the radical shifts in the balance of power as a result of recent events, the Prime Chancellor embarked on a policy to restore this balance in the best interests of Marcusburg. With Samchorage acquiring huge amounts of territory at Rattanjeetland’s expense and Portalto conquering Jamilistan, the Marcusburg Foreign Office began talks with the D.O.R.A. in New Weimar over plans for Marcusburg rule. Surrounded by Portaltan troops, the D.O.R.A. representatives reluctantly approved the proposal with 57.1% support. The Prime Chancellor then reached agreement with Dockmaster Alto over the territorial transaction as the former would not object to the unification of Jamilistan if the latter would not object to the annexation of New Weimar. When news of the annexation reached home, Marcusburg citizens proved unreceptive to the idea and opposition parties smelled blood. When the Prime Chancellor put forth a motion to retroactively approve the annexation, only 34.2% of the deputies in the Fletplase supported the development. The opposition put forth a Vote of Non-Confidence, which if passed would have meant the fall of the Imperial Party government. Only 46.7% of the deputies supported the ruling Imperial Party. The Prime Chancellor, wanting the war-like Imperial Party to remain in power, then tabled a motion to “vaticanize” New Weimar, that is, the D.O.R.A. itself would remain independent, if the opposition would renounce the Vote of Non-Confidence. Wary of further elections, the opposition agreed and the vaticanization proposal received 86.6% support. Renunciation of the Vote of Non-Confidence passed with 52.1% of deputies in favor. The Prime Chancellor successfully annexed New Weimar while forcing the Fletplase to kowtow to his wishes.

Dockmaster Alto Finds a New Friend

Portalto, July 15, (Portaltan Press)- It seems as though the world has been shocked again. In a historic statement today, the Dockmaster of Portalto revealed that he and the Emperor of Bendover have settled their differences and enlisted the military services of the Emperor. His statement ran: "I, Dockmaster of Portalto, appoint the emperor of Bendover, as brigadier general of the SDPAF (Special Division of the Portalto Air Force). The SDPAF, until a more suitable name is chosen, is to be given special autonomy, from the PAF (Portaltan Air Force) and the PDF (Portaltan Defence Force)." The Dockmaster also named the "primary objective" of this SDPAF to be the "defense of Portalto from enemy attack" and its "seconday objective" to be to "aid the PAF and PDF in their struggle to maintain and protect Portaltan sovereignty." If this report is indeed true, it ends weeks of uncertainty as to the future of the Emperor of Bendover, and also makes Portalto potentially so strong it could alter the global balance of power forever. There are still some issues to be resolved, such as the trustworthiness of the Emperor and the future of Bendover; but for now, the Dockmaster has certainly won a victory.

Editor's Note: Portalto does not as yet have a SDPAF.

Treaty of Siggary Signed

On July 1, 2000, a breakthrough in diplomacy greeted the leaders of the former warring parties in the Great War as the Emperor of Bendover signed a historic document formally ending the brutal conflict. Being able to put aside bitter feelings, the Emperor agreed to what some would say harsh conditions. The nine clauses of the Treaty effectively take away control of the country from the Emperor as any proposal put forth would have to be given assent by the Marcusburg and Samchorage embassies located on Bendover soil. These powers also have the right to veto any legislation which they deem unfit for the vanquished nation. In return, however, Bendover is generously given the right to exist and to some extent control of activities within its own boundaries. Never admitting defeat, however, the Emperor obtained one significant concession: retention of the status as a Great Power. Many hope these conditions will achieve an ultimate balance, that is, the containment of Bendoveral aggression (which remains fresh in the eyes of many) and the continued existence of the Bendoveral people. Already, ominous foreshadowing looms large as the Samchorage Prime Minister withdrew his signature from the Treaty upon learning of the concessions granted to the Emperor of Bendover.

New Weimar Occupied

As compensation for the Kamo-Gorditas War in which 2/3 of Kamopolitan territory was seized by Portalto as a result of a brilliant diplomatic tactic employed by Gorditas, Portalto agreed to assist Kamopolis in its campaign against New Weimar, a Congressional Mandate administered by an interim commissioner, Dora-Marie Goulet. Portaltan tanks surround the D.O.R.A. (Department of Reduction in Armaments) where the commissioner bases her office while Kamopolitan troops secure the countryside. The future appears dim for New Weimar as attempts by Congressional Parliament to peacefully persuade Kamopolis and Portalto to withdraw have failed. A motion is now set in Congressional Parliament to expel Portalto and Kamopolis from the establishment.

Midtown Redevelopment Project

Following severe damage done to the Marcusburg Midtown skyline as a result of maverick missiles launched by Bendover in the Great War, citizens immediately demanded reconstruction. Intense petitioning to the Fletplase (the Parliament) has resulted in the unveiling of a new project designed to transform the depressed commercial sector into an economic powerhouse which would rival Downtown Marcusburg just a few blocks to the south. Already, the Phoenix Tower stands as a stark modern contrast to the shabby buildings in its vicinity. Funds for the project are derived from Bendoveral war reparations.

Denisia Aims for the Heavens

With the grand opening of the DASA Space Observatory in Denisia on July 1, 2000, the emerging power has effectively staked its place on the Mapp. The development marks a return to civilian-oriented improvement following the Great War in which deadly battles between Marcusburg and Bendover took place right on the doorstep of the nascent state.