Kalistani Major History

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Kalistani News in Brief: Megapipe and the Starving Artists release new Album,
Crown Princess takes up Royal duties; Biodiesel makes great strides
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5498


The Starving Artists back Megapipe up for an album of Soul, R&B and Hip Hop

Megapipe and The Starving Artist Collaborate on new R&B album

FOMAT nominee Megapipe was joined on her sophomore studio album, soul sounds and samples by FOMAT alumnus and veteran alt-rockers The Starving Artists. "We're all about branching out," said Megapipe in a recent interview. "They bring a ton of experience to the process, on both sides of the board, and I was happy that they were so interested in backing me on this record." The Starving Artists served as the studio band for Megapipe through 11 songs that encompass the genres of soul, R&B, Hip Hop, some funk, a bit of jazz and blues, and electronica. Noticeably absent is any sort of rock. "Getting to work with Megapipe in this way, like in a real formal way was very exciting," said Mellie Arnhart, of TSA. "She's such a good singer with such a unique voice, that it was fun to play her music, to just be a part of it." soul sounds and samples will be released later this month, and is considered a concept album.

Crown Princess Nicolette makes short trip to Hutori to bestow Peerage

In 5495, the Crown Princess of Hutori, Erika, Princess of Adelia visited Kalistan as part of a larger trade and diplomacy tour of Seleya and Dovani, and delivered a patent of nobility from the Hutorian Crown to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. The Patent bestows Peerage onto the Empress, Grants her the title Duchess of Icehaven, and permits the Kalistani Monarch a small estate near the town of Axeminster. This year, Her Highness The Crown Princess Nicolette, officially representing the Crown, returned the visit by travelling to Hutori and meeting with Princess Erika, who will one day be Queen, to bestow membership and Perpetual peerage in the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, the semi-secret society of peers that is attached to the Crown, and serves as Kalistan's upper house. The Peers are considered "those with the Empress' Ear" and the appointment to the Order is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the Empire.

Membership in the Order is on the equivalent of Marquis or Marquese, just below a Count, but the difference is, the Peer Seat can be passed down, making it the only hereditary title in the Empire, besides Emperor and Empress. (Counts, Dukes, Grand Dukes and Grand Mayors are all political appointments, and are not hereditary.) The Empress also added an estate to the Peerage in Eveari, guaranteeing that the Hutorian Royal Family would always have a home and interests in the Grand Duchy of Ananto. The Crown Princess is now entitled to use the title "Peer of the Order of the Grey Smoke" and she is the first Non-Kalistani to receive the honor. This move aims at solidifying the relationship between the two monarchies on a personal level, and ensures continued relations with the Northern Kingdom. It also marks an increasingly public role for the first year Engineering student who will eventually rule the Empire.

Biodiesel now plurality fuel source in Kalistan Proper

The longstanding Biodiesel and BioPolymers program that is jointly sponsored by Kalistan and Lourenne is yielding benefits for both countries. As precursor crop planting scales up, KALNAPECO reports that for the first time, biodiesel has overtaken petroleum as the main source of fuel for Larger trucks and diesel engines in Kalistan Proper. "This is a milestone," said Project Coordinator Mark Jamison. "We have demonstrated that not only is there a market for these clean, renewable sources of fuel, but we also can meet the demand. We are currently working with MOCO and KALMILINCO to begin modifying diesel engines in both semi and utility trucks, as well as naval ships, to accept biodiesel with the same octane as petroleum based diesel, and phase the petroleum out completely eventually." Despite the advancements in biodiesel production and consumption, petroleum still accounts for 25% of Kalistan's diesel oil usage, and phasing it out seems to be a more long term goal than something that will be obtainable in the next ten years. "And petroleum based diesel remains number 1 in Ananto, though biofuels are making inroads."