Premier forced to suspend Board

BREAKING NEWS

PREMIER ANDERSON SUSPENDS BOARD OF MINISTERS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Alston, NCD, Nov 2 - Premier Daniel Anderson has been forced to suspend the Board of Ministers until final notice with growing tensions between Sirocco and those outside of it.

At 8:22pm this evening, Anderson made the announcement that the Board of Ministers is to be suspended pending an investigation into the conduct of certain Board members. This comes as Anderson fields attacks from all sides against himself, his leadership and Sirocco as a whole.

"It has come to my attention that there are ominous rumblings by those outside Sirocco" stated the Premier in an announcement just minutes ago. "I have also discovered there is dissention within the Board of Members. I have called for an immediate investigation into this. I have also been forced to suspend the Board of Ministers whilst this is underway. Essentially this means that I will be running Sirocco by myself. I have no other option but to do this. The suspension will not mean the firing of any persons within the Board until we can ascertain exactly what is going on inside it. We may see some members fired within days, but it is too early to call at this stage."

The suspension means foundation ceremonies could possibly be put on hold until the problem is sorted out. However it is not all bad news for the Premier, as both Vice-Premier Jesse Coles and Minister of Health and Education Chanelle Gibson have come out in defence of the Premier.

Coles gave his two-cents worth after the announcement: "I think he should stand up for his beliefs. He knows what he's doing and I support him. It's not fair what these guys are doing and it's good he's fighting against them. It's a shame that this has happened, though."

Gibson also voiced her support. "If my opinion counts for anything, I'm glad the Premier is different. We need someone who isn't afraid to be their own person.

With just hours to go until foundation, this crisis could mean a very bumpy start to the Federal Commonwealth of Sirocco.

Federal Constitution finished

Alston, NCD, Oct 31 - Premier Daniel Anderson has announced that the Constitution of the Federal Commonwealth of Sirocco has been finished after two months' work.

At around 3pm this afternoon the Constitution was completed after work began on it on September 4th. After final checks were made it was printed off at around 3:10pm, much to the Premier's relief.

"I put so much work into that, and it has been frustrating at times, but at last it is complete. We're at last ready for foundation now" stated Anderson this afternoon. "We're finally ready."

The Constitution, the legal document of the Federal Commonwealth upon which all laws are based, shall be ratified by the Premier on November 4th during the foundation ceremonies.

Disaster in A1 as volcano erupts

New Central, A1, Oct 27 - The A1 protectorate of Lichthalzen is today in a state of emergency after the eruption of a nearby volcano, which has claimed the lives of at least 29 Indonesians and injured seven A1 citizens.

Mount Merapi, located in Central Java, erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash across a wide area, including across Lichthalzen. Some 13,000 people were immediately evacuated, yet this order came too late for seven A1 citizens who were out on a day trip when the volcano exploded into life. It is understood hot ash rained down on the citizens, causing severe bodily burns. The party was immediately rushed to hospital for treatment in Yogykarta.

In Aldebaran commune working parties have already been organised to clear the ash and debris. There have been reports of breathing difficulties, but despite this a meeting was held last night in Aldebaran by the protectorate's Governor, Mars McTavish. The meeting was held to discuss the course of action to be taken after the eruption and what to do in the resulting clean-up.

It is not known if the earthquake which occurred after the eruption has caused any damage to the already volcano-stricken protectorate.

Chairman Fish said that he hoped everyone emerged from the catastrophe unharmed. He also stated that he had heard of the injuries to the party less than half an hour from his briefing on the Lichthalzenite situation.

Many nations have expressed their sympathies and offered their thoughts and prayers for A1 and Lichthalzen. Premier Daniel Anderson stated that "all Sirocco joins with A1 in their time of need. As we are based in a volcanic macronation we understand the trauma Lichthalzen is going through. We wish all the best for a fast recovery for both the injured citizens and Lichthalzen in general."

The Most Glorious People's Republic of A1 was dissolved yesterday in preparations for reorganisation into the Federated Republics of A1. This comes as A1 changes from a democratic communist dictatorship (known as 'A1ism') to that of a parliamentary democracy. The date of reformation is scheduled for November 4.

When asked what his opinion on the matter was, Premier Anderson merely gave a tounge-in-cheek reply: "We booked November 4th first!"