RTD 24

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United Duchies parliament announce no vote on IA "sham" election "undemocratic crowning"
The United Duchies government have invoked the power under the EU election law to not have a vote in the parliament in the Internal Affairs Commissioner election to protest what the government have described as a "sham" election that is just a "undemocratic" crowning due to the lack of a second candidate. The decision was made to promote democracy in the EU and protest the lack of democracy in a single candidate election according to the government. The government said "By definition an election with one candidate is undemocratic. The only countries that consider such an election democratic are disgusting dictatorships who provide no choice of other candidates. For that reason we won't be participating in this sham of an election as it should always be delayed until a 2nd candidate is found to run."

The country is also expected to vote none o f the above in the controversial Premier election with Moderates not excited about either candidate along with the PSD , Liberals and UoD. This would result in the country submitting a result in favour of none of the above in such an election. The prime minister John Peter Key said of the situation "We have the choice between a misogynist and terrorist who almost killed our European councillor. She should be in a cell locked up in prison and definitely not be anywhere near power in a key EU election."

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Average House and flat price to hit 1 million Euros by by December
Today in the housing crises that has been affecting the United Duchies for years the price of housing is predicted to hit an average of 734,042 Dux Libra or 1,035,000 Euros average for a three bedroomed house Duchies wide. The factors to blame are the recent big rise in demand for housing stock with the difficulties in construction. There is an increasing lack of sites for projects as land releases for housing projects remain slow to protect the green belt and protected green areas.

The housing supply has been constrained by the lack land available due to the protected green spaces and land in planning law. The country has made inroads in tackling supply by densifying and incentivising apartments and putting an apartment complex first policy in an effort to boost housing supply and density for transit. However this has only gone so far. The prices are going up most in the cities of Goudadam, Porterdam, Brummagem and Cair Para where housing demand especially continues to outstrip demand. Rent prices are also expected to increase from an average of €2,685.00 to €3,192.00 a month as increased rental demand is occurring due to lack of supply for sale.

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Rock Goddesss Lzzy Hale and Halestorm to rock Eurovoice

One of the most popular rock artists in Europe and icons of the Duchies rock scene Lzzy Hale is to return to Eurovoice again with her new song with her band Halestorm formed 1999 near the turn of the century just outside of Brummagem in a rural conservative village with her brother Arejay. The song audio has been released with the song My Steeple immediately going to the top of the charts following the announcement on Vogo.

Lzzy Hale and Halestorm said in a statement "We are honoured to be welcomed back to Eurovoice such a sepecial event where of course our lead singer Lzzy rocked the state in Eurovoice 40. We thank the RTD comittee for Eurovoice for the selection and promise to do this country we are so proud of proud. We will perform this song for our people and the people of Europe who are also our people. We want to send a message that whatever your flaws, your vices , your tastes and whatever your life choices we are one people and we should work together and rock together. There is more that unites us than divides us and that is the most important thing. "

The band and comittee hopes for a repeat or better of the result where United Duchies got 74 points and possibly even for a win with the popular artist now with her band. They have promised a show that will will truly rock Europe.

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United Duchies punishes Svarna Suryan elites
Today the United Duchies passed the acts that have been on the process of being passed over the last few months. The government is to introduce a new sanctions tariff schedule 3 that is set at 80% which will be applied to nations with the most horrific human rights abuses which they will apply only to Svarna Surya. The category was set to essentially destroy any trade between Svarna Surya and United Duchies over human rights concerns over modern slavery, civil liberties and political freedom. The schedule could be used for others though it is unlikely to do so. It also lowered the tariffs on UNSR goods to 10% the schedule one rate normalising trade. There has also been added Schedule 5,6,7,8 and 9tariffs at 100% , 150% ,200% and 300% tariffs respectively with a schedule 10 order banning any trade with Svarnan Companies.

The government also announced it would refuse visas to any companies execs in Svarna Surya working with the Svarnan government or who collaborate essentially anyone from most Svarnan companies and deny access to the canal to any company from Svarna Surya and also deny any right to transit Svarnan goods through the Baltic Canal and the government is expected to ask in meetings for North Diessan to do the same with their canal. The government said in a statement "Human rights and civil rights are a must and we will not normalise relations until such a time the government changes or is took out of power in Svarna Surya and the military is seperated from power. " The move is said to come after pressure from the Svarnan community in Duchies that has moved to Duchies to escape the persecution and oppression in Svarna Surya.Svarnan goods already faced a 30% tariff.The government also announced any goods from Svarnan companies or from Svarna Surya will not be allowed to transit through Duchian ports as well essentially cutting them off from much trade that relies on sea transport.

49 and 99 Euro transit passes announced
The United Duchies government announced today that there would be a new Duchies Go Anywhere 49 Euro per month pass for Children , Disabled and Pensioners and a 99 Euro per month pass for Adults will be available from December 2022 that will give access to all non-high speed regional and local trains buses, coaches and trams. The pass will allow users to book onto all regional and local transport on standard class lines and seats for free and all low speed trains. High speed Intercity trains will still cost but will get a 30% discount if you have a Duchies GO Anywhere Pass. It will also include 2 hours of free shared bike or scooter rides per day anywhere in the country. The move is hoped to increase transit use by lowering costs significantly. The costs of revenue lost to lower prices will be covered by subsidies from the governments national transport budget. It is hoped the move will help reduce the percent of car journeys over 1 km down to 20-25% of journeys by 2030 with hopes stopping any increase in car traffic in the long run can reduce the need for road maintenance saving money.

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Duchies Sports leagues announce boycott of Svarna Surya
Today the Duchies Football Association, Duchies Cricket Association and Duchies Rugby Union all announced in seperate statements they would be officially boycotting Svarna Surya and banning any members of the association and teams in their leagues from playing any Svarnan teams. This comes from guidance from the United Sports Association of Duchies which coordinates between sports and works with government on sports innitiatives reccomended such a course of action.

All released statements highlighting abysmal human rights , government oppression and disregard for democracy by the government as key reasons. The bans will will mean all matches where Duchies teams are drawn against Svarnan teams either the national one of domestic league teams in Svarna Surya or any team owned by a Svarnan will result in the Duchian team refusing to play them. The move is controversial with many criticising the "mixing of politics and sports" arguing the players do not get a say in politics in Svarna Surya while supporters praised the associations standing up for human rights and democracy at all costs.The ban has also been extended to Duchian players playing in any Svarnan team or any team owned by a Svarnan citizen.

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Crisis as Svarnan refugee flow increases
The Svarnan refugee crisis has increased this week with over 5,000 needing asylum in one week. The government have convened a meeting to discuss a plan to deal with the immigration flow with local authorities. It is expected that Anastasia City is being considered as an option with plans for little svarna neighbourhoods to added within Anastasias land. The government when asked said "We are considering Anastasia as a home for Svarnan refugees as we do with all refugees, Anastasia is a city of refugees and for refugees. We will be working with Anastasia City to fund this programme of settlement of Svarnans into Anastasia city."

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67% of Duchians say EU undemocratic
67% of Duchians have said in a survey that the EU is now undemocratic following the latest election season in Europolis. 70% of Duchians have also lost faith in the EU political system and said in the RTD poll that the EU needs significant reform in order to work democratically and legitimately with 80% of Duchians also agreeing with the statement "The EU commission elections are illegitimate sham elections" . These were just some of the results from the 15 question survey done this month. The distrust in the election results and process follows Tarek Al-Wazirs statements on the election and parliament refusing to vote for any candidates or put any votes at all in on the IAC election. Experts have said deep reform long term is needed to boost democracy in the EU if the EU is to regain Duchians trust in the EU's democracy. There was also concern as the amount saying they support leaving the EU jumped to 35% from a previous 11% following the latest commissioner election. The last time it was this high was 4 months ago when it was at 18%.

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Protests erupt around Duchies

Pro-Democracy and EU reform protests erupted throughout the United Duchies with 100's of thousands protesting throughout the United Duchies against the election results and process in the EU comission elections. The crisis was triggered by the single candidate ballot of Tarek who himself called for protests and has led calls for "democracy" himself having himself described the election process where he was the only candidate as a "sham election". The candidate announced his intention to rerun with proper opposition in a "legitimate" election.

The protests are occurring in the context of a ECOJ review of the results. One protester James Morris said "Its a joke, I supported the EU through thick and thin but this is a joke. We had an election in Europe with 1 choice on the ballot and now write ins winning on what is still an absolute minority of the vote , ask yourself how is that democracy when democracy and vote is defined as a choice by the people from among 2 or more parties or candidates? How do any part of the elections fit this definition " Critics of the protest movement have said "This calling of the elections as undemocratic and language like sham elections are dangerous for faith in the EU and democracy. If only one candidate runs only one candidate runs and that should be accepted as democratically legitimate if a majority vote for that candidate." The protesters have demanded new elections with more than one candidate and the re-run of the Premier election also as well as fundamental reform to prevent a reoccurring of the situation. We will report more as developments come in but latest polling shows only 21% think the EU is fully democratic compared with 69% before the election and faith in EU has been broken with Euroscepticism rising to 40% of the population in the country.

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Tax Reforms for 2023
Tax reforms for 2023 announced have had big wins for the PSD party in the government Coalition. The government announced a tax change in how corporations and individuals are taxed . The tax changes will reduce corporation tax for SME's , Cooperative and Third Sector companies from 15% to just 10% of profits and Semi-cooperatives and Private-Worker Partnerships from 20% of profits to 15% profits while maintaining the 25% corporation tax for every other company.

The move will be paid for with other tax and revenue rises including a 5% tax rise from 50% to 55% in the highest income tax bracket above the new thresold of 75,000 Dux Libra per person with all other income tax brackets having a rise in the threshold.The change will mean with the 3.5% DHS tax high earners will be paying 58.5% tax on income in the highest brackets. The change will result in people like the Roscoes paying a fair amount more with the existing rule they pay income an DHS tax on all income with no deductions. The plan is the tax changes will more equitably share wealth and encourage companies through incentives to shift to models where workers have more power in company structures and share more in the profits.

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High Duke Nikolai to visit Childrens Hospital and Hospices on Christmas Eve , Christmas Day and Boxing Day

High Duke Nikolai III is set to conduct a series of visits to Childrens Hospitals and Hospices with High Duchess Consort Victoria it has been unveiled by the palace at Cair Paravel. The High Duke is planned to visit Hospices and Hospitals in all 8 Duchies or equvilents over 3 days . He is also expected to give presents from the palace paid for out of his personal money.

The move was welcomed by politicians on all sides of the aisle with the statement from High Duke Nikolai III saying "There are people who are having a tough time this christmas and it is tragic when that is a child. I will be visiting children with cancer or who are fighting serious life-threatening diseases or who it is likely to be their last christmas on this Earth before they go to heaven. I very much hope my visit will make them realise people care about them and this country very much cares about them."

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Svarnan Government suspected as poisoning at School of government critic Rahul Singh-Bhatavadekar
A school in Hampton that Rahul Singh-Bhatavadekar was attending is shut down today as reports have come out of a poisoning aimed at the critic of the government of Svarna Surya and son of the president who is considered a tyrannical dictator by most experts. The agent causing the poisoning is as yet unknown or hasn't been released t media though we can confirm over 5 are dead as of now with a further 23 children and 4 teachers in critical condition. The entry o the agent into the school is as yet unknown but fingers have been pointed already at the Svarnan Suryan government.

The government of United Duchies have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the victims and announced a plan for tougher sanctions on Svarna Surya. The government have announced they plan to ban any business from importing from , selling to or doing any business with Svarnan companies or government agencies as well as banning any Duchian companies from having shares owned by Svarnan citizens. They are also expected to require giving up of Svarnan citizenship and taking up Duchian citizenship or another countries citizenship to live in the Duchies even requiring refugees to give up any Svarnan citizenship. The move is designed to tighten up the sanctions and cripple the economy of Svarna Surya. The government have also banned any use of the airspace of Duchies by Svarna Surya. and banned access to the websites of any Svarnan company or agency or any site hosted in Svarna Surya with all ISP's expected to comply within 5 days and VPN's to be banned under law from providing Svarnan Suryan servers in possible future plans if the package passes parliament. . The Duchies plans to bring up an emergency resolution for a debate on sanctons on Svarna Surya and also kicking out Svarna Surya from the EU or suspending membership in the EU council. The new sanctions package is to be voted on by parliament within 2 days in an emergency vote with the aim of them passing within 1 week . Some critics have said the sanctions are a "xenophobic overreaction and attack on a opressed population for the sins of a few" with at least 40 saying they will vote against any additional sanctions. If passed the sanctions are expected to deal a big blow to the economy of Svarna Surya with Duchies wanting to conduct talks with North Diessan to tighten the screw by arranging a ban on use in the canal in North Diessan also.

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Svarnan Sanctions passed
Today the Sanctions on Svarna Surya passed as all houses in emergency sessions passed the sanctions package. The sanctions package as passed covered the following areas as passed by parliament:
1:Total ban on use of UD Airspace for any flights to and from Svarna Surya
2: Total ban on use of Duchies waters and the canal for any ship going to or from Svarna Surya or owned by a Svarnan company or carrying any Svarnan goods on board
3. Total ban on any payments into or out of Svarna Surya to UD or from UD
4.Total ban on any business with any Svarnan registered businesses
5. Total ban on any business with entitities or individuals doing business with Svarna Suryan businesses or inviduals linked with the government , military or people linked to the government or military of Svarna Surya.
6. Ban on use of any port facilities to transit any Svarnan goods and goods to or from Svarna Surya

The sanctions list of entities and individuals is being released. The sanctions are intended to make life impossible for Svarnan businesses or individuals with the aim of starving the government of resources in either parts or finances to enable it to continue its oppressive regime.

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Duchies condemns Svarnan ship seizure
Svarna Surya has condemned the ship seizure of Reitzmic ships in the Caspian and holding of the crew as hostage . The government said "To take Reitzmic, Duchian and other citizens hostage to secure extradition of political opponents shows the level they will stoop to and the danger Svarna Surya poses. I have a message we will not and never will pay this ransom by delivering Svarnans to their death , that is against all our values and we warn Svarna Surya that unless they release the hostages and ships we will consider this an act of agression and war. Release the ship or face the consequences. We will not let this slide and let Svarna Surya terrorise shipping and the region and commit all their criminal acts. We will continue to pursue sanctions but this act will be countered appropiately."

The statement has been took to suggest war is perhap days or weeks away. It has been noted by experts there has been movements of equipment to the east of the country and the navy has focused on the Caspian with an estimated 55% of the fleet stationing there far higher than the normal amount.

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United Duchies operations pause as United Duchies agrees to EU talks
United Duchies military operations have paused as United Duchies and Svarna agreed to talks with Reitzmag expected to do so. Svarna Surya agreed to EU talks for a lasting peace though it is expected both sides will have to make big concessions. Experts hope for a comprehensive treaty for peace going forward.

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Parliament votes to cease all hostilities
The parliament of the Duchies in an emergency vote concurrently in all three houses voted to cease all hostilities and ban the government from having any new hostilities militarily with Svarna Surya for a full 6 months while negotiations take place. THe move was backed by rebel Moderates , The PSD, and Liberals as well as UoD members of parliament. The votes results which passed in the House of Commons, House of Duchies and Imperial Senate bind the United Duchies to a path of full peace with Svarna Surya relying on sanctions for any punishment and bargaining chips in negotiations for 6 months.

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Unus condemn "treasonous" Tarek
Dominic Marshall of Unus condemned Tarek Al-Wazir today for his "unpatriotic" and "treasonous" statements. The candidate released a a statement saying he would consider the Duchies last in European politics and further confirmed he would not consult with the Duchies government and not do any visits to the Duchies beyond personal visits during his term. Unus said "We understand that Duchies is not the centre and end all and be all of Europe however this hostility to the Duchies from its own candidate is just disgusting. To commit to not listen to the Duchies at all in any consultation or consider our oppinion yes is a betrayal of the nation that made him politically. We all supported him during the last election with his campaign for European Democracy but how can he claim to be a democrat and ignore one of the largest nations in Europe and 2nd biggest economy. Any solutions must include the Duchies. There was no question whether he would serve Europe well but Europe also includes the Duchies. We will vote for his opponent Wirt Harland who hasn't at least comitted to ignoring the Duchies for at least 4 months and locking Duchies out of having oppurtunities to air their views."

When reached for comment to clarify Tarek Al-Wazir said in a statement "I have not comitted to ignoring the Duchies, all I comitted to was no individual meetings with the Duchian government or one to one telephone calls for example and that any settlement with Svarna Surya shall be balanced and not stacked towards the Duchian policy. I will of course listen to the Duchies though forums such as the European App , and multi-lateral meetings but Duchies must be last in terms of whose oppinion I listen to, this a European office not a Duchian one, therefore the first priority must be Europeans and the European Union not Duchies and Duchians." The statements have split the country with support for Wazir dropping to 57% from a previous 68%. He may now only just scrape parliament according to polling of the MP's .

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Duchies passes citizenship reform
The United Duchies government and parliaments today passed the packages of citizenship reform that has been going through parliament Currently one has to wait 5 years of living in Duchies before they can apply for citizenship in the country after passing the citizenship test. However the the new bill will change that allowing one to apply for citizenship and take the test as soon as residency is approved under the points system. If granted one would get a new class of provisional citizenship with all the same rights but on a probationary period.

The immigrant would sign a contract that they will not give up their citizenship of the other country for the period of 5 years and can lose the citizenship of the Duchies if they commit any serious crime or there is found to be fraud within the application. The immigrant would also sign a waiver saying Duchies is not responsible for any statelessness that may result from revoking citizenship or losing the other citizenship through ones own actions such as committing a crime.

The new law is designed to make the country one of the most immigrant friendly systems in Europe while balancing the need for security and ensuring integration into the country. Unus universally opposed the law with UoD split on the law while Liberals, Moderates and PSD voting in favour of the bill.

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Duchies government exploring options for seizure of assets in North Diessan and Inimicus
The United Duchies government is exploring its legal options on seizure of assets in North Diessan and Inimicus. The government have called for negotiations talks to revoke the seizures in North Diessan and Inimicus to protect its citizens property. The country is also exploring options including potential seizing of Artabonos assets and assets of governing party members in Inimicus and North Diessan in order to recover assets. The government ordered banks to freeze all assets of North Diessan and Inimican citizens and the governments of those nations in Duchies banks temporarily while options are being explored.

Rachel Reubenstein-Roscoe has also launched a lawsuit to take control of the Artabanos 8.00% shareholding in Roscoes which is valued at 143 billion euros last year. The suit is seeking return of the property in Inimicus or compensation from the governments of those countries to the value of the property lost to the seizures or gaining control of the 8% stake held by Artabonos Foundations in Roscoes. The lawsuit aims to protect the value of the property of Roscoes. The government hopes to come to a resolution with the government that allows for the return of all assets to Duchians or the compensation to that value.

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Duchies appologises for missteps
The United Duchies issued a formal apology for the missteps in the Svarna Surya Crisis. The government said in a statement "We should have had more patience like we normally do before considering military action. The military action was a misstep and for that we appologise. Now something needed and needs doing but we hope to achieve change through the talks lined up and agreed to. We will be looking at offering a package in return for change in Svarna Surya and will look at the reparations issue. Duchies is willing to pay reparations at at least some level. We apologise for the conflict. We will look at our doctrine and decision making processes to prevent a repeat. "

The apology was welcomed by some activitists for peace while a significant proportion seems to feel the actions were justified. Polls have shown 51% approval for the military actions and 49% against. Experts near government have suggested the government may be looking at creating legal limitations on any military conflict and looking at practising more military isolationism outside of ECON nations with a possible clause or law coming restricting wars to that of defense if the Duchies is military attacked within its borders or ECON member states are attacked unprovoked.

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Emergency amendment to ban war declarations announced
Today the United Duchies government and opposition have confirmed they are working on a constitutional amendment to ban any declarations of war except in case of direct attack on Duchian territory and ECON nations territory. The proposed amendment will require 75% of all national legislatures to voting in favour of any war outside of these parameters for it to take place. The law would also prevent war declarations even in the case of attack on its navy ships or aircraft outside of Duchian or ECON territorial waters. The amendment is designed to strictly regulate the use of war by government and prevent wars. The amendment will also be worded to ban deployment of troops of the United Duchies outside of its territory or its ECON partners except in cases of a defensive war and require 75% approval of all national legislatures to send any troops outside of the country for humanitarian operations. The amendment is hoped to protect the reputation of the Duchies in Europe and ensure massive care is always taken before war declarations.The amendment is up for vote in the chambers by latest on Friday Evening.