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Fidelian Inernational News Network
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The government of Fideliara announced today that full outfitting of the bases and buildings constructed under the government operation codename: SBANDS has begun in full force. Project SBANDS, which stands for Strategic Bulwark Automated National Defense System, was the brainchild of former SAF (Secretary of the Armed Forces) Admiral Vaiken. SBANDS bases, which are strategic compounds containing silos capable of holding no less than 12 ballistic missiles and 1,000 troops, were envisioned to be a last line of defense in the case of full scale invasion. The bases will eventually be capable of launching ballistic missiles with a range of nearly one thousand miles.

At a press conference held in Alexandria this morning presiding Secretary of the Armed Forces Admiral Taylor stated, "Today marks the beginning of a project fifteen years in the making. The missiles have been preconstructed and the launch systems are already built into the bunkers. All that remains is the final step of transporting and installing the weaponry. It is my sincerest hope we should never have to use these devices, but if we do, I believe our children will thank us for them."

After Admiral Vaiken's forced resignation following the now infamous Olivarcy incident, critics were unsure of the project's future. However, current SAF Admiral Taylor proclaimed his faith in the vision and ordered the project continue as planned. Completion of the last bunker occurred this past week. According to the Minister of Defense the missiles have been and continue to be transported during undisclosed hours on undisclosed routes. Full armament is suspected to be completed in the next two months.

It is still unknown what the number or payload of these ballistic missiles will be. Admiral Taylor refused to comment today describing the issue as, "a matter of national security." The Minister of Defense has also refused to discuss the issue repeatedly though he has heavily implied the missiles will be nearly exclusively thermobaric in nature.

While much of the country celebrates the achievement, which is unmatched internationally, many stand in protest of the project. Pacifist advocate professor Veronica Simmons holds that "...the real fact of the matter is that these bases are nearly exclusively designed to touch down on Fidelian soil. Even ignoring the horror that domestic terrorists could inflict, their most intended of uses still requires laying waste to or own countryside... How anyone could support such barbaric practices is beyond imagination."

When questioned about Dr. Simmon's critique Admiral Taylor responded, "It is necessary for us to understand we live in an era of scorched earth warfare. These missiles will not ever be used unless our very survival is at stake. There may come a day when we no longer need to be prepared to fight off potential invaders, and I welcome that day, but is not today."

For now, the country is united in celebration of the project's completion, which promises a permanent end to fears of foreign invasion. International response has been hard to judge and will likely become more vocal as the project nears its final completion date. As always, FINN will bring you the latest updates as they happen. For domestic news, this is Kathryn Anders signing off.

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Fidelian Inernational News Network
Bringing you the news, as it happens.


Today marked the end of the armament stage for Project SBANDS. The Strategic Bulwark Automated National Defense System has been a major focus by the military for the past several years. Late last night the Fidelian Defense Committee announced that all armaments were active as of this week and the system was officially running at full force.

At a press conference this morning Secretary of State Andrea Ulrich praised the work of the men and women of the Fidelian military for, "embarking on, and mastering, such an ambitious a project."

"The construction numbers alone have been staggering," said General Taylor at the same event. "The sheer number of silos built, not to mention the infrastructure that has been laid to allow the stations to communicate securely. It really is breathtaking to behold, even on paper."

General Taylor would also go on to thank the Fidelian people for putting up with the project from beginning to end. Though the bunkers are, as a matter of tactical significance, not placed close to major cities, many small towns have had to deal with major construction projects and the noise that accompanies them for over three years, in some places. Other parts of the country, including major cities, have dealt with blackouts, power fluctuations, and construction force shortages as the individual generators to the bunkers were being constructed.

On the topic of the major inconvience of the project Senator Ulrich commented, "I think it is fair to say that there is not one citizen who has not in some way sacrificed for this project to become a reality. Whether that was a loved one working longer hours, energy shortages, traffic congestion, or manual labor is of little significance. It has been hard on us all."

With the full compliment of 104 bunkers active much speculation has begun as to the next military project. Talk has begun of increasing Fideliara's ballistic missile defense systems, but no official stance has been taken on the matter. It may be important for the government to take a stand however, as the jobs created by the SBANDS project will have little purpose otherwise, in the coming months.

As always, FINN will bring you the latest updates as they happen. For domestic news, this is Kathryn Anders signing off.

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Fidelian International News Network
Bringing you the news, as it happens.

Welcome back Fideliara, I'm Kathryn Anders and you're watching Fidelian Domestic News. Lots to get to here in the segment I'd like to thank you all for joining us on such a busy night, as I'm sure you all know the Urban Combat League's season starts tonight after a month long delay due to a player's union strike. According to inside sources an agreement between the union and team owners was handed down by the commissioner early last week.

The new Player's Agreement grants higher salaries for athletes to reflect the sports' rapid growth in popularity. In exchange, the union agreed to several off-field considerations including: more thorough drug testing, a longer season, and a concession to restrict strikes for the next six years.

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Moving on to government news, Prime Minister Andrea Ulrich will be sworn in for the second time tomorrow after her landslide reelection two months ago. Her previous five years have proved challenging to say the least from the nearby dissolution of the Aitarus Federation to complications with the newly founded Tiberiam Assembly.

Having taken over in an emergency vote after former Prime Minister Darrell Bishop was charged with treason in what is now referred to as the "Olivarcy Incident," Minister Ulrich was finally elected by traditional means and will serve a full six year term beginning tomorrow. This victory for the Democratic Centralist Party comes as a bitter prize in an election otherwise dominated by the Fidelian Liberal Party.

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In science news, today marks the three year anniversary of Fideliara's trial group of Advanced Heavy Water Reactors. The five triplet-reactor Power plants use thorium as a primary power source and are touted to be the future of nuclear power. Thorium reactors, while less powerful than traditional reactor designs offer improved efficiency, reliability, and safety.

The Energy Committee began a formal review of the new reactors after their first refueling since ignition. The Minister of the Energy Committee touted the three-year review as, "a stunning testament to this new technology." The findings of the committee-run review board were released to the press this week and showed flawless performance in the fifteen reactor cores during their operational life thus far. Experts are hopeful to being several new conversion projects on existing plants in the next few years. Construction has already begun on several other new thorium plants, with two quint-core Molten Salt Reactors going live within the last year alone.

Fideliara, which receives 54% of its power from its 193 reactors housed in 116 Nuclear Power plants, has always been a world leader in peaceful nuclear usage. According to the Fidelian Energy Alliance plans are already in motion to bring these new technologies to the global market.

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Carrying over to military news: The Secretary of Armed Forces, Admiral Taylor, announced earlier this month that this year would mark the beginning of full scale installation of Naval Rail guns on Claymore-class destroyers. In a candid interview he stated that, "we hope to have the whole fleet converted over within the next two years. These ships were designed for this eventual upgrade and these new systems are actually smaller than the ones they are replacing so refitting should be a small task."

These new weapons systems use electromagnetic rails to accelerate solid metal rounds at up to eight times the speed of sound. The weapons have been said to be able to cripple a capitol class ship at three times the operational range of traditional ship-to-ship munitions. In a Press Conference related to the weapon's usage Admiral Taylor assured the public that the upgrade was not a move towards Fidelian aggression on the seas. "We are making upgrades to the fleet as we see fit to maintain our place as one of the regional naval powers. I also believe that this technology is the future of all naval vessels. We are not attempting to instigate an arms race with any potential rivals. That said, Fideliara will continue to ensure that our Navy is prepared for any eventuality."

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It has certainly been a busy month in the headlines, but no matter how hectic FINN will always be here, bringing you the latest updates, as they happen. For more information or opposing views on any of these stories please visit our website. Thanks again for joining us. For domestic news, this is Kathryn Anders signing off.

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