[center][h2][b]The Republic of Ustrela[/b][/h2]

[h3][u]A house divided[/u][/h3][/center]

For the second time in the history of the republic the nation stands on the brink of civil war. The death of President Marcos Andrade less than a year into his term had placed the current President Armando Prats into power. A controversial figure, he had polled an astonishingly dismal 12% approval rating due to scandals regarding his connections to anarchist figures such as the infamous Diego Cazalla. These rumors have consequently destabilized President Armando Prats’ regime, resulting in desperate attempts to spur a sense of nationalism and pride within the people of Ustrela.

Meanwhile conservatives rally behind Fernando Costa, a popular figure during the campaign against the late President Marcos Andrade. Fernando maintains powerful allies throughout the national congress and the Ustrelian armed forces. Whispers of a potential coup are growing in legitimacy, creating a great deal of unrest from the public.

[center][h3][u]Keeping on track[/u][/h3][/center]

A key promise during the late President Marcos Andrade’s campaign was a significant overhaul to the national railway system. Hundreds of villages throughout the republic have remained isolated from major urban centers, hundreds more deposits of national resources untouched, and vital territories along the outskirt of the nation inaccessible.

Barely passing with a majority within the national congress, the Ustrelian Railway Act of 1905 has gone into full effect. Aiming to interconnect hundreds of communities within the nation to major urban centers. Railway companies interested in carrying out the operation are requested to submit a bid alongside project proposals, estimated expenditure on the project, alongside a proposed completion date.

Representative Julio Carballal, who formally proposed the initiative within the national congress commented in the popular news paper [i]The Viande Times[/i] “Though his passing was both unprecedented and unfortunate, President Marcos Andrade dreamt of a nation united. Thanks to the Prats administration this dream can finally accomplished.”

[center][h3][u]Lights, camera, action[/u][/h3][/center]

The blossoming film industry, while relatively young, has gained immense popularity among the upper and middle class. General Rodrigo López, a fan of this innovation, has commissioned the creation of a film titled “Life of a military man.” The studio Cine-ojo is set to begin production immediately, though several have begun to question the benefits of the investment due to the inherent unpredictability of young industries. The studio, consisting of Emilio Carita, his brother Juan, and his wife Amelia, are set to arrive in Fort Costa and spend a period of three weeks filming the lives of the Ustrelian soldier.

[b]OOC: +1 to all rolls[/b]