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Dispatch → Bulletin → News
Griffindor's 27th Fortnightly Update
This dispatch was originally sent as a Regional Telegram on October 13th, 2024:Greetings, my fellow South Pacificans!
It has been 17 days since my last Fortnightly Briefing! So, you know what that means...? It's obviously time for another Fortnightly Briefing! There is much to report in this fortnightly briefing, so let's not waste any time! Without further ado...
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First: In a bit of late-breaking news... Sporaltryus/ProfessorHenn was elected Prime Minister in a lopsided vote against our old nemesis, RON (Re-Open Nominations)!
Prime Minister ProfessorHenn has since entered office and begun forming their cabinet and naming minister appointments before the Assembly. Speaking of those appointments, it is time to discuss who made the cut:
For Minister of Recruitment, the appointment has been given to HumanSanity.
For Minister of Defence, the appointment has been given to Vrigny.
For Director of the Office of World Assembly Legislation, the appointment has been given to former Prime Minister Differences-In-Differences/Lordnwahs.
In a special appointment not seen before, Grace Wellesley Thayer/Welly has been appointed to be a Special Advisor for Sunshine Act Compliance.
The appointments that were made are themselves not controversial and will likely see no issue being confirmed; however, there is some level of controversy regarding the Prime Minister's decision to not appoint an Integration, Culture/Regional Affairs, or Foreign Affairs Minister. For the former two appointments, the Prime Minister expressed a desire to create a homegrown culture of putting on events without direction from the executive. For the latter, the Prime Minister has stated that they already handle much of the diplomatic work and will continue to do so. The criticisms received during the debate are focused chiefly on a perception of a lack of a plan beyond letting others handle things (specifically concerning a cultural portfolio), and the Prime Minister has since appeared to backtrack a bit by informing the Assembly of talks of potential work out a culture agenda with a potential culture minister.
As always, I will inform you of any updates in the next fortnightly update. Stay Tuned!
Second: Looking at other Assembly business that is pressing (and this is once again completely ripped from the last Fortnightly Update), we are approaching the end of the Chair of the Assembly's term!
As I said during the last update, there will not be a formal election for this position. Since the previous update, it has become known that the current Chair of the Assembly, Great Lothian/BlockBuster2k43, has expressed interest in being Chair for another term (albeit a shorter term). United Disney States expressed interest in running for the position, but only if the current Chair did not choose to run. The debate has also moved to inquire if the current Deputy Chair, Grace Wellesley Thayer/Welly, would be interested in taking up the position. No such indication from the Deputy Chair has yet been given. Hopefully, we will be able to know who will be voted on by the time the next Fortnightly update is released. Stay tuned!
Third: We can get to the other various proposals and discussions within the Assembly.
First: A discussion on upgrading the Criminal Code to constitutional law status or amending the Charter to include sentences imposed by criminal trials as legal reasons to prohibit voting or holding office was decided. The Assembly chose the latter option, which has since passed the Assembly by an overwhelming margin.
Second: Continued discussion of reforms to the Sunshine Act appears to have stalled. A very nearly final proposal seems to be developed, but the debate dried up before a vote was motioned. We shall see if the discussion picks back up to the point where a vote is motioned. Stay tuned!
Third: Continued discussion on reforming the Citizenship Process, including the Citizenship Committee, has also largely stalled. Discussion since the last fortnightly update revolved around a hypothetical scenario where the Council on Regional Security (CRS) suspended citizenship during an election, and what would happen if that suspended citizen could have swayed a close election.
Fourth: Virifortis/Silva reignited the "who controls the military" debate by introducing an amendment to the Charter which attempts to align the Charter and Military Code on who runs the military. Opposition to the amendment was quick to mount, with legislators contending that the intended changes actually reduce the role of the Prime Minister rather than clarify it. Back and forth debate on the topic continued and the proposal is now at vote. As of now, it looks like it will not pass.
That's all for Assembly business this Fortnight! We shall resume this at the next update!
Fourth: We now turn to the proceedings before the High Court! Surprise! There is yet another new case before the High Court!
Indeed, another case! But it's not what you think!
However, before discussing the new case, we should review the two pending cases you last heard before the Court.
First: [2404.HQ] Constitutionality of the Resolution to Restore Regional Accountability 2 is still ongoing, and oral arguments have concluded. It is now up to the Presiding Justice to finish their opinion and release it to the region. Hopefully, this is done before the next Fortnightly Briefing (because it wasn't done by this one)! You can follow the case here: https://thesouthpacific.org/t/2405-hq-constitutionality-of-the-resolution-to-restore-regional-accountability-2/6084
Second: The High Court chose not to take up [2407.HQ] Resigning with Pending Nominations. The Court reasoned that there were no provisions of law for them to interpret.
This leads us to the new case...
Third: [2408.HQ] Resigning with Pending Nominations 2 was presented to the High Court, this time with provisions of law to interpret. As of yet, the High Court must decide whether or not to take up this case. Hopefully, we will see if the Court accepts the case by the next fortnightly update. You can review the case here: https://thesouthpacific.org/t/2408-hq-resigning-with-pending-nominations-2/6566
Fifth: The South Pacific Special Forces (SPSF) has released its September 2024 activity report!
It was definitely a trash day (if you catch my reference, that means it was a good report). You can review the report here: https://thesouthpacific.org/t/september-2024-service-report/6573
Sixth: Don't forget to endorse the Coral Guard and me, your favorite Delegate ever!
Here are the nations you need to endorse:
Aidenfieeld
Amerion
Ebonhand
Land Without Shrimp
PenguinPies
Tepertopia
Tsunamy
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Home | Guide | Endotarting | SWAN Knights | Coral Guard | Awards | Track your progress | Endo cap | FAQ
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The South Pacific Coral Guard (SPCG) is a group of trusted nations who maintain a high-endorsement count and are one of the most crucial lines of defense against external and internal security threats alongside the Council on Regional Security (CRS).
For the safety and security of our region, we ask that all World Assembly (WA) member nations in the South Pacific endorse the members of the SPCG, as well as the Delegate. There is no requirement to do so but endorsing the SPCG and the Delegate will make those who do a SWAN Knight.
Member nations of the SPCG (Number of members: 5) | ||||
Duties and privileges of the SPCG
Member nations of the SPCG are permitted a higher Endorsement Cap than that provided for the general World Assembly membership. The current endorsement cap for SPCG members is set to be 60 less than the endorsement count of the delegate. (Currently Ebonhand at 557 endorsements)
A member of the CRS will be appointed to act as a liaison for SPCG members and, in times of emergency, SPCG members might be called upon to support or otherwise work with CRS members.
Joining the SPCG
Requirements
In order to become a member of the SPCG, one has to:
Have maintained citizenship for at least six consecutive months prior to the date of their application to the Coral Guard; and
Meet the requirements for influence and endorsements set and published by the Council on Regional Security
Process
Step 1: Ensure that you meet all the requirements listed above.
Step 2: Write up an application which provides:
The name of your WA nation;
Your history in NationStates including any aliases you are using or have previously used; and,
One (or several) paragraphs arguing why the Council should appoint you to this position of high trust.
Step 3: Send your application to a member of the CRS. You can do this by a variety of methods (a telegram, a private message on the forum, or a direct message on Discord).
The CRS will review your application. This can take a number of days to three weeks. The Council will likely have additional questions which they will communicate to you via the method of your application. Following a formal vote within the Council, it will decide whether to appoint you to the Coral Guard and notify the Assembly of its decision.
Please be advised that meeting the requirements does not automatically guarantee that the application will be successful. These mechanical conditions are one of several factors which the Council considers in its determination.
A few notes:
Everything is updated every 24 hours so you need to wait for any change in the data to happen.
If you see any inaccuracies, errors, or have ideas for improvements, please contact us.
There are some minor inaccuracies in the data, read this for more information.
If you want to know more about the SWAN initiative, check out our dispatch index.
And of course, I'll never forget the cake for doing that! 🍰🍰🍰
Seventh: I hope you survived Nuclear Warfare because the Zombies are coming...!
I quickly died during N-Day, but I hope to be a survivor on Z-Day. I encourage you all to prepare earnestly by joining our regional Discord so we can coordinate (here is the link: https://discord.com/invite/qEjy2uG ). More details will follow in the next briefing!
Eighth: You might have noticed the World Factbook Entry (WFE) looks a bit different...
As we gear up for Halloween, I made some festive changes to the RMB to make it look more festive. I have a challenge for you!
Thanksgiving/Fall and Christmas/Winter are coming up in the coming weeks. I am organizing a competition for all my little minions on the RMB. I challenge you to create the best and most festive WFE for each of the upcoming seasons. If you send me the best one, I will use it on the WFE for the WHOLE month that it's made for. You must use this template of the WFE to be considered:
🛡️ Please join the World Assembly and endorse Delegate Ebonhand along with the members of the Coral Guard! Find out why this is really important! 🍰
📻 Now playing on 87.7 on the NS Dial, brought to you by Ebonhand: Forever and a Day - Benson Boone
👶 New to the Coalition of the South Pacific? Start here!
Join the 🦢 SWAN and 🖱️ endorse everyone to get awards and influence
Enlist in the 🔱 Special Forces to protect regions across the world
WA Recommendations:
🏛️ Embassy Requests │ 🛃 Endorsement Cap │ 🛂 Community Guidelines
Feel free to ask any questions if you need any assistance!
Ninth: You might have noticed that the Fortnightly Telegrams have fallen out of Sync...
That is why, next weekend, we will have a release of the Fortnightly Update. That release will put things back in sync, and we will be able to be properly in sync as we approach the end of the year. That is all! I just thought you should know. :P
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Well, that is all for this fortnightly update! For making it to the end of this Telegram, you all get the traditional end-of-update slice of cake! 🍰
I look forward to updating you all again in a Fortnight and talking with you all in the interim! Remember, my Telegram box is open to those who want to talk!
Always and eternally yours,
Ebonhand/Griffindor
His Most Holy and Benevolent Cakeness, Your Lord and Savior, the Emperor, Mother, and Delegate of the South Pacific