RTD 24

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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.

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Opinion pieces on Svarnan operations
The Tarek View
I looked on in horror as my nation went to war over pathetic reasons. The nation went to war because some people were took on boats and the government of Svarna Surya at least allegedly tried to kill the son of their president and vocal critic Rahul in a school in Reitzmag leading to the deaths of a few other students. These are actions that are disgusting sure but worthy of war?

I would argue not and in attempting to fight the demon of authoritarianism being practised in our nations by going through war instead of sanctions which the right honourable James Mizrachi-Roscoe was pushing for in the council and might have had a chance of winning they turned us into a pariah rogue regime of Europe. We are now seen as nothing more than European Policemen arrogant enough to think we and we alone can be the white saviours rushing into the save the "poor noble savage Svarnans" who can't possibly protest and save themselves. This is not nobleness but the soft bigotry of low expectations of Svarnans and dreams of being the imperial overlord saviours. This dream and war is making us look bad and the government needs to step down now to save us or United Duchies will be seen as the pariah of Europe for more years to come. Things must change and we must compensate , fully pull back and have everyone who made the decision to go to war politically prosecuted for war crimes and every death that occurred in the conflict.

The Mizrachi-Roscoe View
I have been a councillor in Europe for nearly 2 years now and there are great people there. We have made many friends in Europe. I won't tell you what United Duchies did was right it wasn't. I had a perfectly good sanctions package going through the council to avoid this war. Svarna Surya is a threat to Svarnans and all Europeans Europe wide with its intimidation , assassination attempts and other operations in Europe , no one denies this but we jumped far to early into war and frankly it did piss me off here was I looking for a peaceful solution in Europolis and the government got scared and jumped into a war willy nilly. But I don't think we have become pariahs in Europe over this, we are not seen as some European Policeman , you don't get that reputation with one conflict.

I think this will be seen in Europe how I see it a minor blip and mistake on Duchies impressive record of holding back in conflict sometimes to the point it loses it its alliances like it did with Telum when it refused to back Spains claim past halfway line and send ships anywhere over the halfway line between Spain and Yosai. Tarek has gone on this disgusting one man attack almost to the point of being treacherous to the nation, now should he be abused or attacked over this no, we are a civilised nation after all , that is not how we do things, but he should be condemned.

So what do we need first of all to stop having people pretend we are the pariahs of Europe to attempt to make us into one. We must defeat the extremist threat of Tarek to make sure he does not get the Duchies vote in parliament, mind you thats unlikely now anyway even the opposition think he's gone too far in attacking the whole nation. We must also prevent a repeat and I back the current emergency constitutional amendment going through if we pass that a situation like this will be legally impossible even if someone was to sink a navy ship in open international waters we couldn't declare war without 75% approval in parliament which might be unlikely depending on options open to the nation. We are already taking the steps neeced to fix this , we need to keep calm and carry on fixing and most importantly work with Europe better to fix this and our reputation which is ultimately bruised but not destroyed. We are not the pariahs of Europe , Tarek my friend you are an idiot and wrong on this.

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Amended Emergency Amendment passed
The amended emergency amendment to the constitution on military war declarations has been passed in the Duchies Parliament after over 36 hours of negotiation. The amendment was amended to allow for declaration of war in case of attack on aircraft or vessels. The amendment to the amendment was proposed out of fears that the previous wording could lead to increased incentive to attack Duchian ships and military aircraft. The passed amendment known as article II XIII now reads as follows as passed "Declarations of War and Military Operations except in cases of direct attack on Duchian or Militarily Allied Nations territory, aircraft or vessels shall require 75% of all chambers of parliament to vote in favour to go into effect with troop or equipment movements for military or humanitarian operations outside of the United Duchies or those of its Militarily Allied Nations shall require 75% of all chambers to vote in favour of the troop deployment in order to go into effect." The passing of the amendment is expected to fix the reputation of the United Duchies as an aggressive regime changing country and country with trigger fingers in the war department to confirmingh the previous reputation of being a military shy nation seeking diplomatic means first while allowing for it to attend to its ECON defense commitments.

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75% of packaging recycled in 2022
In positive news the government announced United Duchies companies and citizens have recycled around 75% of packaging in 2022 up to November 31st through the packaging recycling deposit schemes introduced. The scheme introduced last year incentivises recycling by paying people the deposit back to bring back the packaging to recycling points nationwide in stores and around the country. The deposits paid go to Recycling Duchies who manage the scheme on behalf of the government as a government owned organisation. The success has been celebrated with the government offering to advise other governments on how to implement the scheme in order to spread good practise on recycling.

The countries packaging industry has also changed significantly by prioritising investment in recyclable and recycled packaging materials. The government hopes to hit a 99% target by 2025.

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Duchies GO payment system standard for all transport

After a 4 year project to develop a standard payment app , transport information service and journey planner for all public transport in the United Duchies developed in collaboration with Ogo who have designed and run the app . The government run and organised Duchies GO tranport app , payment system and cards was unleashed live on all public transport in the United Duchies. The app is designed to replace a hodge podge of systems that previously were developed by the multiple Duchies. The combined app and payment system will show all valid fares and passes in order to give the best information with the app also covering all E-Scooter and bike rental schemes run by the local authorities or authorised by local authorities resulting in one card being useful for the whole nation.

The app can work by either adding funds and setting a cap on spending or just acting as a conduit between your bank and transport contactless systems. The app will calculate the best value fares and distribute the funds appropriately between transport providers. The app should now make it taking transport the easiest and most convenient way to travel when combined within 15 minutes hailing or service frequency for buses wherever you are in the country.

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2022-2023 Economic Figures Announced
The United Duchies government have unveiled the 2022-2023 Economic figures for the country. The figures showed in the 2022-2023 period the economy grew to €17,021,269,788,016.20 with the population growing to 114,868,755 with looser immigration caps for a GDP per capita of €148,180.15. The currency has grown in strength to 1.50 Euro per Dux Libra.

Exports grew to €8,340,422,196,127.94 but imports rose faster to €7,676,592,674,395.31 leaving the net figure at €663,829,521,732.63 in the positive. The results were hailed by the government as an example of how their policies of "balancing business and workers interests and power boosts economic growth" while the UoD suggested growth could have been even stronger with more "pro-business policies"

The government announced they projected tax receipts and revenue across all Duchies for the year to be €8,068,081,879,519.68 with government expenditure to be €8,017,018,070,155.63 under new plans. This would increase government spending to 47.1% of GDP from 47%. The Revenue and taxes for government as a % of GDP are expected to decrease to 47.4% of GDP leaving a smaller surplus this year with tax cuts having been focused on the lowest income families and small busineses and Co-operatives. The debt to GDP ratio due to growth and paying down debt dropped to 28.55% of GDP a new low in history with some saying that shows now is the time to expand lending to increase the role of the government in society.Other key figures included a rise in median income for families to €103,874.29 a year with much more being spent on services and experiences over goods. There was bad news on the housing market front however with house prices rising to over 1 million Euros on average for the first time in history.

The government announced plans to increase Social Benefits for all groups by at least 10% year on year in order to spread the wealth with the Social Protection Budget growing to €921,783,673,523.80 a 31.92% increase year on year, other big increases are the Health Budget with an increase of 26.77% to €1,795,812,047,714.86 per year and the Business ,Science, Industry and Agriculture budget with a 28.00% increase to €485,618,569,174.49 per year. There were big increases in Education and Public Services also. The 4 biggest budgets Health with €1,795,812,047,714.86 per year , Education with €1,234,620,782,803.97 per year , Social Protection with €921,783,673,523.80 per year and Transport with €761,616,716,664.79 per year much focused towards green mobility for the future.

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Diversification to Gaddaland, Brickston, Ineland Czech Slavia and Yosai
As the effects of the North Diessan seizures kick in and the lack of trust from Duchian firms in the North Diessan market and Iminican ,markets kick in firms have started announcing plans to buy from suppliers and set up factories in other countries in the EU with lower cost bases for smaller components and products. The big winners so far are Gaddaland and Aspern, Brickston, InelandCzech Slavia and Yosai . The countries have been chosen for their relatively lower wages than the United Duchies and technical prowess and skills. The plan is to open up more smart automated factories to supply lower level components and smaller mass market products for the nation of United Duchies. It is expected North Diessan and Inimican supply chain reliance will be cut heavily over two years by companies even if a resolution is reached in the dispute over the seizure of assets.

It is reported that if seized assets are not returned the Diessan and Inimican frozen assets in the Duchies will be seized if linked to those with positions of power in government which would then be used to provide funds to companies to diversify their supply chains in other countries. However the government hope for a more gradual switch where North Diessan and Inimicus still play a role in supplies to United Duchies just not at such a big amount. The amount of imports to be replaced if needed to be replaced fully would value €744,629,489,416.35 from North Diessan and €384,597,292,987.21 from Inimicus or 9.7% and 5.01% of imports respectictively while export replacement would require €325,276,465,648.99 of export replacement in North Diessan export contracts and €321,106,254,550.93 in Inimican Export contracts or 3.9% of exports and 3.85% of exports respectively in case of a total trade shut off. The transition is expected to be a big challenge for Duchian industries but it is seen as possible by experts. It is expected many countries could take up the new production but Gaddaland and Aspern , Czech Slavia and Yosai are most expected to benefit due to efficiencies and costs.

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Government Immigrant Dispersal Scheme set up
Today the government in reaction to ongoing issues with the spread of immigrants in the country contributing to heated housing markets and strain on services and infrastructure n Brummagem, Goudadam, Cair Para, Porterdam, Balita, Hamborg and Flusselgort and Cast con announced a new policy to deal with the issue. The new scheme will be called the Duchies Immigrant Dispersal Scheme. Under the scheme a payment of the first 6 months rent or up to 15,000 Euros towards a downpayment on a morgtage will be loaned to immigrants to live outside of the major 10 cities that agree to participate in the scheme and paid back over 36 months out of the job payments or faster if income is higher at 0% interest with a transport pass provided for free for 6 months.

Local authorities will receive a premium for every immigrant they agree to take in under the sheme to put towards services in the local area. It is hoped this will increase the spread of immigrants and reduce pressure on the hottest housing markets.Government will also increase payments for businesses investing or expanding to open offices and factories outside of the major cities or in employment deserts to invest outside of the major 10 cities to reduce pressure on the major 10 cities and spread the economic benefits of the booming economy. This will take the form of paying part of the business rates for the first 10 years of the construction if they keep the plant or office open for at least 25 years.

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Conditional Corporation Tax Cuts announced
Conditional corporation tax cuts were passed in parliament today in new tax rate plans. The tax cuts will consist of a 4% tax cut on corporation tax is firms have a profit share scheme giving at least 3% of profits to workers divided equally between workers and a 2nd tax cut of 4% if at least 25% of profits are reinvested in United Duchies factories or office infrastructure including machinery or any new construction.

The move was done to encourage reinvestment and more money to go to the workers of the companies with workers in remaining companies without profit share schemes hopefully getting a profit share scheme through the incentive programme set up by the tax cut. The revenue loss will be balanced out by taxes elsewhere in the tax code but it is aimed these will avoid raising taxes on those on middle or lower incomes.The news was welcomed by businesses who many of whom are likely to get tax breaks as they already have profit sharing schemes and who stand to benefit by getting a tax break for re-investing back into the country.The news of the new tax cut cuts the tax rate for semi-worker controlled businesses that profit share down from 15% of profit to 11% of profits with potentially companies being able to cut that down further through the reinvestment programme tax break to 7% of profits . The tax rate for cooperatives is to be set at the same rate as those of the semi-worker controlled companies under the new tax plans which will focus less on the type of business and more on how they act in terms of taxation,

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Heavy Sulfur Bunker Fuel banned in Duchies and Baltic Canal
A campaign by environmental organisations and scientists has succeeded with the successful passing of a new law in United Duchies. The new law will prevent ships running on heavy sulfur bunker fuel otherwise known and heavy sulfur fuel oil from docking in the United Duchies, using Duchies waters or passing through the Baltic Canal from 2025 onwards. All companies serving United Duchies or passaging to the Caspian will have to use LNG, Electric based ships or other fuel sources in order to pass through United Duchies waters or dock in the ports.

The same act will also heavily limit sewage discharges to emergency situations only and limit fuel dropping to emergency situations. The moves designed to protect the environment have been met with concern by the shipping companies however it is believed they have already mostly converted to LNG or dual mode ships and can adjust operations in order to meet the new regulations of operating in Duchies waters. The move is believed to have been made to address concerns and arguments over the impact of the shipping industry on the seas but also have been done to get ahead of the future of shipping and encourage ship building and rebuilding in the United Duchies to future proof fleets. There is concerns this will raise the cost of shipping but so far LNG ships have proved economically viable.The act also mandates that if Duchies is the start or end destination of a voyage the ship should be checked for Algae and washed if it is practical to do so to aid in the avoidance of algae blooms elsewhere in Europe and indeed at home in Duchian or Caspian waters.