Josephville and Novara Merge
Sudden Development Could Cause Tense Friction

In the afternoon of November 1, 2001, the Proconsul of Josephville and the Queen of Novara made a startling announcement at a working holiday in Jangstown. After long nights of intense negotiation, the two heads of state agreed to merge their two nations to pursue their common interests. The new political entity would be called The Republic of Novara, with the Republican system of government adopted from Josephville but the nation retaining the Novaran name.

Officially, two heads of state would exist but the Republic of Novara would be a single nation with a single vote in CP. Josephville would become a province of the Republic while Novara would be the "capital prefecture". Civil servants in both countries are readying themselves to move the administrative capital of the Republic from the exquisite Guevedoco in Josephville to the modest Maison d'Okavango in Novara.

Neither Josephville or Novara have consulted Rattanjeetland, their protector, for permission. The Ethnarch yields unlimited power in his vast empire and could block the potential merger. It still remains to be seen what the Ethnarch will do.