Morgenstjernen (The Kalmar Union)




 * 12th September 2013

Vinland & Man - The first official transatlantic telephone call takes place between the Prime Minsters of Vinland and Man, Arnór Magnusson and William Kewish.


 * 8th September 2013

Caliphate - The authorities in Cairo announce a plan to construct a canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. While many commentators do not see the plan ever coming to fruition, especially considering the continued non-completion of the Tangiers to Tashkent railway the Caliphate announced 10 years ago, there are those who worry if completed the Caliphate would in effect control a huge percentage of the world's trade via the canal.


 * 5th September 2013

Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel - Police attempt to calm the nerves of the citizens of Brunswick after a third horrific murder of a prostitute in as many weeks.


 * 2nd September 2013

Prussia - The widely respected Prussian playwright and raconteur Jacob Christoph Rosenkranz dies in Konigsberg.


 * 1st September 2013

Brunei - After apparent violence against its traders in the Papuan city-state of Wewak Brunei expels all Papuan diplomats from its territories and orders its navy to blockade the port until sufficient reparations are made. When the news is received by telegraph in Europe many governments the action is condemned as a violation of the 1903 Papua Treaty.


 * 30th August 2013

Waashiland - Forest fires engulf almost all of southern Waashiland. The government calls a state of emergency and Chinese Leifian troops are deployed in an attempt to stop the blaze spreading further.


 * 26th August 2013

Swiss Confederation - The 3rd Schaltung des Reiches cycle race finishes in Mulhouse. This year's winner of the gruelling month long race is the Wurttemburgish rider Rupert Reiger.


 * 24th August 2013

Karelia - The Karelian diet finally ratifies the Kalmar East Indies Trade Preference Bill some 120 years after it first passed in Denmark. This raises speculation that the Karelian government is contemplating leasing an East Asian port for trade purposes.


 * 3rd August 2013

Holy Roman Empire - The Imperial diet passes the Automotive Registration Bill making it illegal for the operators of motor to not register their vehicles with a central authority. Some imperial states consider this has not gone far enough to control the 'dangerous' drivers. Some of the smaller ecclesiastical states and some of the southern German states consider banning the sale and use of them altogether.


 * 22nd July 2013

Hesse-Kassel - Prince William XV abdicates in favour of his son Karl citing ill-health.


 * 21st July 2013

New Zeeland - The city of Dageraad is struck by several earthquakes. The city of Elizabethstad to the south is still being rebuilt after the powerful quakes of 2010, 2011 and 2012.


 * 17th July 2013

Vinland - The city of Karontóborg is severely flooded. The Vinlandic government is critised for using the flood to 'bury' the news that the Embdenurbanká has collapsed, thanks to over-speculating on railways.


 * 10th July 2013

Estonia - After two weeks of the inaugral European Háflaeykir Championships, favourites Estonia are beaten by Lippe in the final. Munster-Westphalia claims third place.


 * 1st July 2013

Anglia - Margaret, the Queen Mother dies. Flags are flown at half mast.


 * 24th June 2013

Poland-Lithuania - Careful not to repeat the mistakes of Byzantium's Serbian campaign Ruthenian army division quietly secure other centres in Moldova whilst Warsaw appeals to mild nationalists.


 * 21st June 2013

Poland-Lithuania - Sensing European sympathies are with reforming movements Moldovan nationalists seize Yelensk demanding autonomy.


 * 16th June 2013

Byzantium - Amid a complete breakdown in order in Iraklion the Byzantine 3rd navy sails into its harbour.


 * 14th June 2013

Byzantium - Emperor Ivan XIV uses the sole legal wireless station to call for calm, appearing to relax Byzantium's strict laws on marches and public gatherings but also warns no civil disobedience will be tolerated for long.


 * 13th June 2013

Byzantium - Similar protest groups have now appeared on the streets of Athens, Sofia, Nicaea, Ankyra and Iraklion. The governor of Crete moves quickly to crush the protest by force but only stirs up more anger. Some army units mutiny rather than fire on their fellow citizens.


 * 10th June 2013

Byzantium - Riots break out on the streets of Constantinople criticising the government for mishandling the Serbian crisis. Minority groups in the city, although not directly targeted, form their own mobs to protect property.


 * 19th May 2013

Isenburg - Countess Ulrike of Isenburg is killed by an out-of-control automobile. Her case is immediately taken to the Imperial Diet to petition for a Empire-wide standard for the driving and licensing of automobiles.


 * 15th May 2013

The Kalmar Union - Representatives at the Summer Kalmar conference in Lincoln vote to adopt the new Kalmar Flag.


 * 14th April 2013

Novgorod - A clique of Finnish spies are expelled from Novgorod and various companies are raided. Novgorod issues an official diplomatic complaint to Helsinki, and also to Copenhagen warning the Danes to keep their allies from 'destroying our good and lasting friendship'.


 * 3rd April 2013

Kempten - Having spent 24 hours as a 'state without a state' the Catholic Abbey of Kempten is united with the Protestant Free Imperial city of Kempten.


 * 2nd April 2013

Holy Roman Empire - In a move to help move along the stuck Ecclesiastic States Reform Bill the tiny Abbey-State of Kempten votes to desolve its government and hand itself over in its entirity to Bavaria, the most outspoken of the anti-reform party. The tactic fails, Bavaria refuses to accept the abbey's offer.


 * 15th March 2013

Byzantium - Byzantine troops re-enter Belgrade and take down Serbian flags. Mass arrests take place.


 * 11th March 2013

Holy Roman Empire - The Frankfurt daily Rundschau publishes photographs of the aftermath of the bombardment of Valjevo leading to an official rebuke in the Imperial Diet (both to the paper for 'offending sensibilities' and to Byzantium for perpertrating the act). Reports of the scale of the carnage appear in most Europe newspapers.


 * 6th March 2013

Byzantium - After five days of near constant artillery bombardment Byzantine finally storm the Serb fortifications at Valjevo.
 * 1st March 2013

Byzantium - After several months of slow movement, which has angered hard liners within the empire, the Byzantine army finally engages the main rebel Serb force. Outnumbered, the Serbian army has dug a wide system of trenches protecting its position.


 * 27th February 2013

Milan - The duchy's parliamentary election, never a particularly peaceful event, has led to a hung chamber with the delegates abusing each other publicly and refusing to negotiate. Duke Matteo II appeals for calm but fighting between rival gangs begins to envelope many towns.


 * 23rd February 2013

Wessex-Normandy - Police in London, Wessex, raid several meat warehouses on tip-offs that suppliers have been passing horse off as beef.


 * 21st February 2013

Dasamongueponkland - Álengsk students from the University of Yrsakavelyk claim to have succeeded in flying a heavier-than-air machine on the islands in the East of Dasamongueponkland. But, when pressed by the Álengsk military, cannot replicate their 'success'.


 * 20th February 2013

Francia - Surprising many, the governments of France and Auvergne agree to an 'Entente', formalising a military alliance between the two and ending some 900 years of rivalry.


 * 19th February 2013

United States of South Africa - In continuing disputes with the 'breakaway' landlocked province of Venda the USSA steps up its harassment and partial blockade of Vendese traders. Luxembourg urges its ally to tred carefully lest the entire region, painstakingly pacified, fall into dispute.


 * 17th February 2013

Álengiamark - The film, Misott Elisiv (Queen Elisiv), receives its royal premiere in St. Hafdis. The film is already tipped to break records.


 * 15th February 2013

Vladimir - A meteorite falls near the Vladimirian city of Chelyabinsk. On impact it causes huge damage in the city, injuring several hundred people. State authorities have been put on alert.


 * 12th February 2013

Naples - Pope Alexander XII narrowly escapes from an assassination attempt while visiting Naples. A Syndicalist cell is arrested.


 * 10th February 2013

Transcaucasia - War between the Republic and the Sultanate of Armenia restarts. The Caliphate, Vladimir and Byzantium, although most certainly involved in some way are quick to publicly deny any involvement.


 * 7th February 2013

Holy Roman Empire - Speculation over Emperor Joseph II's health proves unfounded as he inspects army instalations in Sorbia.
 * 27th January 2013

Caliphate - Neopolitan and Granadan intelligence both report a build up of Caliphate troops south of Algiers. A resurgence of republican militia is probably behind the increased activity.


 * 25th January 2013

Luxembourg - Princess Octavia, Queen Charlotta's younger sister, marries Prince William of Hesse-Kassel in a quiet but lavish ceremony in the Luxembourgoise city of Diekirch. The marriage only heightens the speculation over Charlotta's marriage prospects.


 * 24th January 2013

Vinland - The Bank of Vinland issues warnings that many of the loans based on railway and canal building are massively overvalued causing a sharp drop in the stock market.


 * 23rd January 2013

Denmark - Ministers pass a bill closing the last of the workhouses. This forms the first plank in a planned raft of refroms set to change Denmark's welfare state.


 * 21st January 2013

Roasjoinn - A stricken Ktunaxan fishing vessel is sunk off the coast of Mexic Hawaii in sight of a Kalmar patrol. An official note of complaint is sent to Tenochtitlan.


 * 19th January 2013

Byzantium - The Byzantine Army begins to assault pockets of Serbian resistance.


 * 17th January 2013

Byzantium - After several months of haphazard rule in the Hora of Serbia the military leadership announce a radical Syndicalist government. But the Byzantine Army, built from Greek and Bulgarian conscripts are advancing and await the order to enter the Hora.


 * 11th January 2013

Francia - In a rare moment of unified action the Francian Parliament votes through the 'Francian Film Bill' which acts to set a minimum number of hours Francian parlours must set aside to show films made within the Kingdom - though this by necessity includes those made in Aragon and Wessex. A small tax on film studios will be spent on a central film board who will ensure decency is maintained and is tasked with translating intertitles into the various Francian languages.


 * 10th January 2013

New Oland - Thanks to strong winds and extremely high temperatures wildfires sweep through southern New Oland with little the populace can do. Casualties are expected to be high. The other Australian states, including New Brabant, offer what assistance they can and, in a sign of easing tensions, Danish authorities allow a Luxembourgoise army division to travel eastwards to help.


 * 5th January 2013

Wessex Channel - After several days of bargaining the two delagations amicably part. Pomerania will remain within the Holy Roman Empire but Denmark reserves the right to demand extradiction of any criminal it sees fit from Imperial member states. Danish veto of Imperial enacted laws is virtually enshrined.


 * 2nd January 2013

Carijosuyu - Revolutionary troops capture the capital and declare a republic. the royal family flee to neighbouring Charrasuyu or are captured in the process. Calls for Tawantinsuyu to intervene fall on deaf ears as they are in the midst of reforming their army and 'do not wish to support a corrupt monarchy'. The rebels promise to hold elections for a representative government as soon as the situation is stable enough.


 * 1st January 2013

Wessex Channel - After 10 days of worsening relations and increased violence in Pomerania King Charles XIII of France hosts a conference for Kalmar and Imperial delegates on board a French battleship to try and solve the Pomeranian crisis.

2012

 * 28th December 2012

Pomerania - Several Pomeranian cities explode into violence. Most protests are contained but the one in Szczycin manages to capture several government buildings. The Pomeranian Griffin, and the Imperial flag are raised.


 * 27th December 2012

Brunei - The Luxembourgoise oil company KLO (Koninklijke Luxemburgse Olie) strikes oil in Northern Borneo, the first oil strike in the Roasjoinn. A deal with Brunei's ruling family looks set to make both sides extremely rich.


 * 26th December 2012

Luxembourg - The Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jerome Steichen telegraphs Johannes Oberst, chancellor of the HRE to confirm Luxembourg's support in the event of a general war against Denmark.

Pomerania - Outrage begins to bubble up to the surface of Pomeranian society with even the moderate press seething with discontent. The army's presence is felt though.


 * 25th December 2012

Holy Roman Empire - Emperor Joseph II's coronation goes without a hitch, though his daughter comments that the stress of the week appears to have taken its toll on him.

Denmark - The editor and staff at Morgenstjernen would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Glædelig jul!


 * 24th December 2012

Denmark - As many celebrate Christmas Eve, and Joseph II prepares to be crowned Emperor, King Christopher X makes his Christmas speech to the Danish nation via wireless. Amongst the warm messages for the country and family members he sternly announces it is his and his cabinet's opinion that Pomerania and Rugia should no longer be subject to the whims of Frankfurt. He renounces his electorate and orders all Imperial flags, put up for the coronation, to be removed.

The announcement is obviously not unexpected as other Kalmar nations follow with messages of support.


 * 22nd December 2012

Denmark - Denmark recalls its delegates from the Imperial Diet.


 * 20th December 2012

Milan - Emperor Joseph II is crowned King of Italy. He is expected to arrive in Frankfurt on Christmas Eve to prepare for the Imperial coronation. Many European nobles have already begun to arrive in the city.


 * 19th December 2012

Denmark - Although the deliberations of the council are still secret the military bases in Pomerania appear to have been put on alert.


 * 18th December 2012

Denmark - A special emergency session of the Kalmar Union council is called in Copenhagen.


 * 15th December 2012

Liechtenstein - As a prelude to the Imperial coronation on Christmas Day, Emperor Joseph II is officially crowned King of Germany in Valtice cathedral. He will now travel south to Milan to be crowned King of Italy.


 * 14th December 2012

Holy Roman Empire - Denmark appeals directly to Frankfurt for the right to try Kotla on Danish territory.


 * 11th December 2012

Vinland - Contact is lost with the new Eastern lighthouse on Sanday (OTL Sable Island) - the so-called Graveyard of the Atlantic after a particularly bad storm.

Berg - Official calls from Denmark to extradite Radoslaw Kotla to Hamburg for crimes against the Danish state are ignored as judges in Dusseldorf say he will face trial for murder in Imperial territory.


 * 8th December 2012

Berg - One of the six men arrested in Berg after a policeman is killed in a brawl is revealed to be Pomersk nationalist Radolsaw Kotla - wanted in Denmark for terrorist activies.


 * 3rd December 2012

Anglia - Prince Christopher and Princess Elisabeta announce they are expecting a child.


 * 1st December 2012

Nowych Katowice - Viovode Zietek officially opens the slightly delayed Gulf railway allowing large deliveries and more immigrants to the growing city.


 * 25th November 2012

Leon - The Leonese army fires on Portuguese revolutionary groups crossing the border, stoking speculation that it will soon intervene in the civil war.


 * 22nd November 2012

Castille - In the Canary Islands astronomers announce the discovery of a ninth planet outside the orbit of Neptune. It is tentatively named 'Minerva'.


 * 20th November 2012

Keewatin - Mine workers in Keewatin province go on strike over pay and conditions.


 * 15th November 2012

Venice - The Austrian ambassador to Venice is missing presumed dead after his launch capsizes during the worst flooding the city has seen in fifty years.


 * 12th November 2012

Alkafuglaeyjar - The 17th Earl of Alkafuglaeyjar dies. Long a even handed negotiator when dealing with Luxembourg's occasionally overbearing claims in the South Atlantic he will be well missed by the population of the islands.


 * 8th November 2012

Holy Roman Empire - The Imperial Rights Bill is finally passed by the Diet by 504 votes to 349. Much diminished since its introduction the bill effectively abolishes the remaining pockets of Salian law with regards to inheritance and enfranchises women aged 21 and over. Also it asks for a fair judicial system (based on Ducal Saxony) across the Empire; meaning any Imperial citizen could expect the same trial. Those states with Dependent territories are exempt from the rulings but this does not stop Denmark from campaigning heavily against the bill saying its citizens should be tried by Danish law even if on trial in Munich for example.

Byzantium - Conscription is introduced in Bulgaria and Greece to bolster Byzantium's European armies in view of the continuing Serbian revolt. Many of the Emperor's ministers agree it would be too reckless to deploy one of their Asiatic armies to deal with the revolt.


 * 7th November 2012

Six Nations - After an election widely touted as the first 'wireless election' but one that was marred by mudslinging and acrimony, Kaintwakon Katerinsson is elected President of the Six Nations.


 * 5th November 2012

Byzantium - Serbian independence fighters capture Mitrovica as Byzantium's Danube army is split and disorganised. Emergency measures are put in place in the horas of Albania and Montenegro.


 * 31st October 2012

Danish Australia - A last-minute bill before the end of the riksdag's term calling for the adoption of an 'Australian Krona' replacing the three separate currencies of Kalmar Australia is narrowly defeated, however various parties promise to revisit the idea after elections. Similar ideas have been mooted in Svealandic Australia and New Oland.

Álengiamark - The mayor of Kristjanaborg reports massive flooding and the destruction of the city's power plant after the passing of Hurricane Svana. Various ships litter the drying roads of the city as well as the surrounding islands. The death toll is nearer 2,000 he says.


 * 30th October 2012

Álengiamark - The Álengsk coast is hit by the full brunt of Hurricane Svana causing widespread damage, at least 150 deaths and the partial destruction of the Langaeyjar Bridge connecting Margirhaedeyja and Langaeyjar.


 * 25th October 2012

Holy Roman Empire - A week of debating has curbed the extent of the 'rights' bill. Taking the laws of Ducal Saxony as the baseline. The Diet agrees that Imperial states governed by 'foreign' powers are exempt though Denmark complains that potential Pomeranian revolutionaries could simply walk over the border and claim full immunity from prosecution. The Danish delegates storm out of the chancellery after they suffer a barrage of insults. Copenhagen issues a strongly worded diplomatic note.


 * 22nd October 2012

Erie - A ferry on Erie Vatn capsizes in bad weather leading to the loss of 398 lives.


 * 20th October 2012

Byzantium - Serbia is in full revolt once more with the few uncaptured army units from the August revolt taking a leading role. Rail links are severed and the unofficial flag of Serbia hangs from Belgrade city hall. Hungary mobilises several divisions to ensure the insurrection does not cross the Danube whilst Byzantium's European army slowly begins to collect outside Sofia.


 * 18th October 2012

Sunda - The exiled King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, dies in Kawali. The radical Khmer government hails his death as a victory of the people.


 * 17th October 2012

Holy Roman Empire - Working a pace rarely seen in the Empire Chancellor Oberst delivers two pieces of legislation on behalf of the Emperor-Elect for the Diet's consideration.

The first calls for the standardification of state law. This would in theory give any Imperial citizen the same rights whichever state they were currently in.

The second is the so-called 'first step' in reforming the Empire. The measures called for would effectively abolish the independence of ecclesiastical states with less than 10,000 citizens (mostly abbeys) handing their lands and tax revenues to a neighbouring state in return for certain privileges.

Many delegates can see the benefits but do not like where the two laws could lead to.


 * 12th October 2012

Fryslân - The Frisan and Estonian Háflaeykir teams return to Europe after competing in the Niskayuna Cup in Leifia where they are met with a warm reception from the crowd. The Estonian team is due to tour Northern Europe playing showpiece games to promote next year's European Cup.


 * 10th October 2012

Liechtenstein - Prince Joseph III formally abdicates and Princess Karoline is crowned in a ceremony in Valtice Abbey, held, for the first time, in Czech and German.

Byzantium - The emergency laws called in by Aleksandar Georgiev for the Hora of Serbia prove unenforceable as the local police force simply vanishes. The army is called back in to provide law and order to Belgrade but there is intelligence that suggests revolutionary groups are planning more action.


 * 5th October 2012

Svealand - Various army chiefs from across the Kalmar Union and allied states meet in Stockholm to discuss military strategy.

Hordt - The annual parade celebrating the anniversary of Joanna of Wantzenau's death is marred by a demonstration by striking factory workers.


 * 1st October 2012

Holy Roman Empire - Commentators, diplomats and indeed the electors themselves are still digesting last night's speech by the Emperor-Elect, Joseph III of Liechtenstein, delivered after a pageantry filled day of parades and celebration in Frankfurt. Comparing Liechtenstein to a well-manicured city lawn and the Empire to a weed-choked country estate he announces his abdication from his principality, leaving it to his daughter Karoline, to devote his full energies to the reform and advancement of the Empire. He has already asked the reformist chancellor of Regensburg, Johannes Oberst, to be his Imperial Chancellor. His coronation is planned for Christmas Day.


 * 27th September 2012

Hungary - The Governor of the Hora of Serbia, Duke Aleksandar Georgiev is involved in an assassination attempt on the steps of Novi Sad City hall. While he is shot in the arm, his wife Maria dies. The Hungarian authorities immediately arrest the Serbian group responsible as well as other known independence sympathisers.


 * 25th September 2012

Holy Roman Empire - A flurry of activity in the early hours of the morning indicate a decision has finally been reached. The electors file from Wahlkapelle chapel in Frankfurt Dom and the most likely outgoing Imperial Chancellor Prince Hans of Brunswick announces to the assembled crowd that Prince Joseph III of Liechtenstein has been elected. It is clear however from the length of the deliberations that he is a compromise candidate and is expected to be little more than a caretaker emperor.


 * 24th September 2012

Vinland - General Elections held over the weekend return Arnór Magnusson and his Union party to government.


 * 23rd September 2012

Hungary - The Byzantine governor of the Hora of Serbia travels to Novi Sad to discuss the problem of Serb nationalism and other cross Danube issues with Hungarian diplomats.


 * 21st September 2012

Holy Roman Empire - Speculation that the next Emperor would be chosen from of one of the Electors themselves is unfounded as a second day of discussions merely rules out most of the front-runners.


 * 19th September 2012

Holy Roman Empire - The electors gather at Frankfurt Rathaus to begin the deliberations for the election of a new Emperor. The entrance of the electors to the city has already brought the streets to a standstill as citizens line the roadsides to catch a glimpse of the various royal and ecclesiastical carriages.


 * 15th September 2012

Vinland - Several thousand Sauklanders march on Karontóborg to demand reforms. The atmosphere is highly charged and the army is deployed to keep order.
 * 12th September 2012

Luxembourg - Queen Charlotta christens the Sigismund; Luxembourg's 30th, and so far largest, Tyr-Style battleship at Rotterdam before boarding the royal train to Frankfurt for the upcoming Imperial election.


 * 10th September 2012

Byzantium - The Byzantine army capture the main body of mutinous Serbian troops to the East of Smederevo. Several high ranking officers are executed for treason.


 * 7th September 2012

Holy Roman Empire - The Imperial Chancellor Prince Hans of Brunswick officially calls for the Electors to convene in Frankfurt to elect a new Emperor.


 * 6th September 2012

Bavaria - After lying in state for several days Emperor Ludwig is buried. Members of 30 royal dynasties attend the memorial.


 * 31st August 2012

Holy Roman Empire - The Imperial Diet votes to dissolve itself pending the burial of Ludwig and the beginning of the Imperial election process.

Byzantium - Byzantine troops enter Belgrade for the first time since the beginning of the Serb revolt though come under sustained fire.


 * 29th August 2012

Bavaria - Reports that Emperor Ludwig, King of Bavaria has died. The Imperial Flag is flown at half mast across the Empire. Crown Prince Ludwig addresses Bavaria on the radio. Official notes of condolence begin to arrive.


 * 28th August 2012

Poland-Lithuania - Princess Anna receives her father, His Royal Highness King Stephan IV, in Vilnius. She is recovering after giving birth to his newest granddaughter, Princess Helena.

Leifia - The severe drought affecting the Central Leifian states continues. Many nations' crops have already been written off and some are fearing famine conditions.


 * 26th August 2012

Scotland - The celebrated aeronaut Neil Armstrong dies.


 * 24th August 2012

Byzantium - Reports continue of fighting in the Byzantine Hora of Serbia. The revolt of Serbian regulars is now in its second week.

Mamaceqtawia - In a thrilling final Abernakriga defeat the reigning champions Erie 6-5 to clinch the Niskayuna Cup. Estonia came a respectable 3rd in the Háflaeykir championship.