RTD 24
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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.
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Duchian Companies suspend Aspern operations
Duchian companies have suspended operations in Aspern following the declaration of independence citing "market uncertainty and concerns over security". Most companies have suspended the opening of stores with all stores being shut down. More difficult to close down factories have been kept online but with taxes continuing to be paid to the Gaddaland and Aspern government. Companies closing some operations in Aspern included companies like Roscoes, Philips, Peek & Cloppenburg, Very Group, Alsterhaus, Amalgamated Retail Brands, Retail Brands Europe and C&A. Many cheaper lower end goods manufacturing were switching to Gaddaland and Aspern including in Aspern .Roscoes said "We are reducing our presence in Aspern as much as possible by mothballing stores, furloughing staff only keeping on security and basic maintenance staff for our stores and focusing our investment in factories in Gaddaland side where the market is more stable and certain.We are watching events and not ruling out the closure of factories in Aspern. We will pay any taxes to the Gaddaland and Aspern recognised authorities" Other companies have made similar statements . It is believed companies hope a resolution can be come to and for that reason do not wish to do a total shutdown of the factories and stores instead freezing investment in new factories and stores there.
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United Duchies government release 31,518 sq km of land for development
The government today passed laws and regulations that will release 31,518 sq km of land or 15% of the countries total land area from greenbelt and agricultural protected categories in an effort to bring the total land available for development to 38,274 sq km up from 6,756 sq km of land and lower the price of residential housing and commercial and industrial units by radically increasing supply. The move means 38,273,754,195 sq ft of land will be available for development though it will be subject to the Minimum Housing Unit regulations that mandate a minimum of 1,000 homes per sq km , 1,500 homes per sq km and 2,000 per sq km in rural areas, suburban areas and urban areas respectively with respective minimum population densities of 3,500 per sq km , 5,250 per sq km and 7,000 per sq km respectively for new developments in those areas.
The move is designed to increase housing supply and prevent future excessive rises in housing prices and help the market adjust with more affordable housing. The new land also comes with the stipulation of housing built being at least 50% affordable housing units defined as 2.5 times the median income for a 1 bedroom house or apartment and 3.5 times the median income for a 3 bedroom house. The move has been welcomed by many economists and those struggling to get on the housing ladder as average house prices exceeded 1 million euros but has concerned environmentalists and some local communities who fear too much traffic and strain on services. The new land will also be developed with a 15 minute city policy in mind so residents of the new developments can get all the services they need within 15 minutes walk or bike ride including pharmacy, healthcare, education , community centres and shopping. It remains to be seen how popular the policy long term will be. The land will be released this year with a review in 10 years time to see if more land needs to be released. The land is it be released over 10 years with 10,000 km to be released initially.
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"White men need not apply" says Brummagem Police Chief Constable
The Brummagem Police have been the latest police to announce that White men "need not apply" after the Goudadam and Porterdam Police forces announced the same policies. They announced all job postings would be for Asian men, Black men , minorities and White women until the demographics of the police force match that of the city they serve.The Brummagem Police Chief Constable explained in detail in a press conference " We made the decision because we despite efforts to make the process easier for Black and Asian candidates and targeted recruitment can't keep up with the change in society that has happened. We have become the first majority minority city with 60% of the city now Black Asian or Jewish yet barely 30% of the force and 24% of the police officers are BME while 65% of police officers are White men. There is a perception the police is not a place for BME people despite the massive changes made. We therefore have barred White men from applying for jobs in the force temporarily until the demographic imbalances are resolved and the police matches roughly the demographics of our great city. People need police officers that look like them but most importantly understand the communities they serve , a White man cannot understand or relate to as easily BME communities its that simple and we don't want BME to see mostly White police patrolling their neighbourhoods as is the case often presently." The move has been controversial with PSD , Liberals and some Moderates approving while the UoD insisting race shouldn't be a factor in hiring decisions and deployment decisions. Unus have also criticised the policy describing it as "political correctness and anti-white identity politics gone made" a statement that was condemned as racist by some parties.
The policy has also been adopted at the Goudadam, Porterdam, Baltia and Couentre police forces among others as they seek to increase the diversity of their forces. However the policy has been criticised by some as being "racist" and focusing on identity over candidate quality with critics arguing the policy is divisive and could hurt minorities in the long run. There had been progress with an increasing proportion of minority officers but it has been slower than the increase in ethnic minorities in the population.James Mizrachi-Roscoe criticised the policies as has John Peter Key the prime minister. James Mizrachi-Roscoe said "When I call the police to my adress to get help or to assist me if I am under threat I don't really care about their race or gender. I want a police officer who can chase after the offender , who is physically fit and can investigate to resolve my issue. Nothing more , nothing less than those should be considered , this is a potentially dangerous path that could lead to less capable candidates getting through and policing our streets resulting in increased crime" Activists condemnded James Mizrachi-Roscoes statement as racist saying "James Mizrachis-Roscoes statement perpetuates the notion that Black and Asian candidates are less capable and women are less capable than men which is patently false. This is a disgusting racist and misogynistic statement."
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Op:ed by James Mizrachi-Roscoe: FNA act must pass for economic prosperity peace to be maintained
Today we have constant tensions over taxes , water control and who can pass through waters. Some nations claim the 12 nautical milles territorial waters, some were 24 nautical miles until recently then there is the EEZ issue. Each time this is negotiated it causes tension and issues which sometimes threaten to boil over into war sometimes. Uncertainty here and having different approaches to how water is run is the biggest threat that could start a conflict in this region.
There is also the issue of additional cost burdens for shipping if shipped on a countries ships that is subject to tax which goes against all free market and competition principles. Each time a 2% tax is charged on cargo value on a ships cargo it adds alot of extra cost to shipping and final porduct prices. What some fail to understand it is a cost to all consumers in Europe including those countries that implement the tax. Lets take the average car you export a engine worth 200 Euros across the strait thats 2 Euros immediately , then you export the next engine block cylinder across the strait that is 500 Euros thats now 7 euros in extra tax just for an engine . You then transport the final car at 30,000 Euros thats an extra 300 Euros and you've repeated this process for 10's of thousands of components that go in the average car so you could have added 10,000 euros in just taxes to the cost. This would apply to many products even your simple humble phone and table has hundreds if not thousands of valuable components. Now imagine this practis spreads every nation does the same and on every strait or territorial waters you now have to pay 4 or 5 different cargo value taxes it could very quickly add up. There is economic consquences for taxes as the amount of them grow. That is why the FNA is necessary its the only way to set standardised rules that prevent conflict by setting the standard for territorial waters and prevents the spread of unfair and unreasonable taxes for just transiting and ensures the right to transit.
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James Mizrachi-Roscoe to challenge police in court over no-white hiring policy
James Mizrachi-Roscoe and a variety of suitors from government have today put a challenge in the Ducal Court against police forces that have engaged in the policy of banning white male applicants until a balance of race and gender matches the community. The policy is being challenged as potentially being unconstitutional breaching discrimination laws on race and gender with the argument being the policy constitutes essentially reverse racism and sexism. James Mizrachi-Roscoe said "I understand the need to provide fair oppurtunities to all regardless of race and gender but this is not the way to do so. This is simply discriminating against people because they are white and male and therefore we are challenging this as it could be dangerous and set a dangerous precedent and create conditions for a race war based on a perceived war against the white male.We do not need to give the far right an excuse to recruit such groups by opening up valid claims of discrimination against white males."The challenge has been backed by the Moderate Party, UoD and national government . They have also requested an intervention by High Duke Nikolai III on the issue who has not spoken as of yet but is understood to be upset by the policies. There have been suggestions High Duke Nikolai III is considering ordering a freeze of the policies for now until a court challenge is completed. The court case is also understood to be of high priority for the courts given the allegations against the police. The government is also looking at tightening discrimination acts to ban any discrimination on race at all if its not considered to be covered already by the courts.
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How Duchies is one of the most religious yet liberal nations in EU
Conventional wisdom says modern liberal and free nations are not religious. That religion is the antithesis of freedom, liberty and democracy. That smart and advanced nations have no need for religion but there is something funny in the land of the United Duchies. Religion in Duchies is not only strong but strengthening with most denominations having over 90% active members which is members who attend there church at least 2 times a month. Why is this and how is this compatible with the liberal nature of much of the Duchies. Ironically perhaps the more conservative north has lower church attendance where more liberals do not attend church compared to liberals in the south. At least 56% of Duchians attend Church at least once a month an astonishing figure for such a modern and developed nation with a secular-ish government tradition.
Maybe the answer lies in the type of religion in the southern Duchies. Duchies is a land of two churches and two societies , the Church of Duchies a lutheran reformed faith founded in Hamborg by Martin Luther before spreading to the then seperate nations of Supseaxe and Baltia and the Catholic Church still a staple in the north and the centre of society there with Cair Para acting as meeting point of both and the headquarters of both today.
In north church is more likely to be traditional Catholic , anti-abortion ,no women priests , celibacy for priests and confession for all. A religious experience more based on guilt , a certain order of tradition and ritual. While the Lutheran Church primarily based in the South and biggest there is much more liberal , accepting of some abortion if necessary , accepting of contraception and allowing women and even LGBT priests nowadays , nowhere is there a confessional box to be seen with more austere church buildings. Then there is the Pentecostals split between the liberal ICS pro-lgbt, pro-women rights ring and less traditional branching of from the Lutheran faith more while on the conservative side you have New Frontiers which opposes women pastors and elders adopting the "seperate but equal" complimentarian doctrine with further extremes in the True Believers in Christ church known for its super conservative doctrine often shunning modern technology and music depending on the church and much more concerned with "moral virtue" and "pure living" as they would put it but on the whole this is not the church in the south.
The souths churches have developed as liberal churches taking on society as it has changed and social views and theological understanding has diversified while the north has stuck to catholic routes. Maybe just maybe Duchies churches have found a way to blend modernity and relevence in modern society with theology and church and maybe thats why the Duchies is somehow more religious than many nations yet as liberal or more liberal than other nations in the South.
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Rahul chooses Brummagem as home
Rahul Singh-Bhatavadekar has reportedly moved over to Brummagem to study after having passed exams early in Reitzmag . He will be moving to study Social Policy at the university with a view of moving into advocacy and to found a thinktank Free Svarna Surya in the city. The young teen says "Svarna Surya has changed and it is much more positive than a few months ago. I praise the United Duchies, United Kingdom and Reitzmag for their intervention and having the courage to fight for democracy even if it was only for a few days it put the pressure needed to change Svarna Surya and protect the freedoms of my people and stop the killing when the EU and other countries would not stand up to dictatorship and tyranny. I also acknowledge the new direction is better. However I still do not think it is enough the current election was still anything but democratic with anyone other the NAP disadvantaged by the electoral system. I will advocate from United Duchies for reform of Svarna Surya into the democratic nation its people deserve to have." The young man is expected to start term this year in September with a settling in period until then.He has reportedly been granted Duchian citizenship. He is seeking donations for his thinktank.Brummagem has been a city that has took in people from other countries being the only major city in the country to be majority non-white with 54%( 1,753,824) with a lot of that population being Svarnan with the Svarnan population making up 29% of the population(941,868) of the city that is a favourite for its adaptations of Svarnan curry's and curry culture. It has been suggested this is part of what attracted Rahul.About 39% of the Svarnan population are Nek Astha, 33% Muslim and 28% Christian mostly going to newer pentecostal churches integrating into those churches. The city plays host to many other communities too such as Caribbean people being a major hub of Caribbean community in the country as well as home to a significant Yosainese community .
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Two new Rail services launch
Southern and North Eastern Railway
North Central Railway
Today two new gap filling train companies and services launched in the United Duchies to fill gaps and increase competition in the rail operating sector. The two companies are Southern and North Eastern Railway. The first Southern and North Eastern Railway will be run by Yosai National Rail which will run 6 trains per hour in each direction with potential for increases from Bielefeld via the major stations of Hague , Brummagem, Arthuria, Snottingaham and Cair Para to Arrynfort where it would terminate.The second is North Central Railway the owned 50% each by Doornevale Transity Agency and Aran Tran who are already partners in the Grand Northern TOC where Transport for Albion is also involved. The North Central Railway will link Goudadam via Arthuria and Derventio to Doornewater and Arandale City with direct links the first such direct link between Goudadam and those cities. 4 trains per hour in each directiob will run from Goudadam to Doornewater and 4 trains per hour in each direction to Arandale City. The links are expected to be popular as tourism continues to grow between the cities with travel by car on the routes expected to be replaced by train travel.
Flixtrain which already runs trains between Bielefield to Kiel splitting at Flusselgort to a route visa Brummagem and Goudadam to Kiel, through Timpool and Ladenses to Arrynfort and the Northern route via Castcon and Cair Para with 18 trains in each direction per hour at peak times split between the three routes will add a new service from Bielefeld to Arrynfort via Hamborg , Hague, Brummagem , Arthuria, Snottingham and Cair Para essentially turning Flix Train into the first full national network after Roscoes Intercity covering all major cities under one TOC when services start at the beginning of May. More competitive fares are expected as a result of the extra competition with the extra Flixtrain routes and the two new train companies involved. The transport minister Saahir al-Abad has welcomed the new companies saying "Competition has already lowered fares and increased efficiency in the rail sector and these new TOC's will only add more capacity and competition which we expect to lead to a rise in ridership by providing more conveniant options and new routes as well as making sure all routes have competition on them offering the consumer a choice of rail operators. We look forward to see what the uptake for the new routes are and particuarly welcome the addition of no-transfer trips between the Doornewater and Arandale City and Goudadam which was a missing link in the system."The new routemap for Flixtrain is shown below.
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2nd in line to AranvaleThrone dies
In a shock event today Martyn Mormont died in an traditional archery accident at a Duchy Archery tournament where he was competing in the final. He was with Duchess Arya Mormont,Mathias Mizrachi-Roscoe , Lyanna Mormont and Johann Mormont at the time of his death. Reports indicate he was collecting arrows after a pause in the tournament was indicated when the next competitor stepped up in the range next door and missed his shot resulting in the arrow going through his neck.This resulted in the death Martyn with the tournament being shut down for ambulance access. The family are devastated by the accident. There is no word on when the funeral is to take place for the 2nd in line to the Aranvale throne however a Duchy wide mourning period has been announced for 3 days with the High Duke due to visit the family tomorrow. It has been reported Martyn was declared dead at the scene as soon as the ambulance arrived and medic and ambulance teams failed to revived him and stop the blood loss.
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North Diessan and Inimicus state organisations officials santioned fully
Today the government of the United Duchies pernamently seized the assets of any North Diessan and Inimicus officials and state owned organisations in the United Duchies. The assets had been frozen however the deadline having long passed and been extended finally ran out. The assets worth hundreds of Billions of Euros have been put into the ownership of the new Duchian Asset Reclamation Fund who will auction off all the assets. The money from the sales will then be put into a fund where Duchians affected by the seizures of assets can claim from. Trade by Duchian companies with North Diessan or Inimican companies or organisations on the sanctions list will also be banned fully.Trade has already almost fully stopped with the nations with trains having been suspended by Duchian rail companies a while back following a collapse in ridership. The officials sanctioned include Artabonos and his foundation as well as the president of North Diessan among other officials. All parties forming the governments of North Diessan and Inimicus are on the sanctions list also. The sanctioned individuals and organisations will be banned from holding any assets in the United Duchies , having a bank account in any Duchies banks, setting up any companies or owning any shares in Duchian listed companies as well as being banned from entry to the country. Any transport companies of the countries shall be banned from using the baltic canal except for North Diessan organisations which cannot legally be banned from using the canal under the Caspian Treaty. The government has stated it is open to a resolution and dropping of sanctions if Duchian Assets are returned and a financial resolution to the dispute if Duchian citizens assets are returned to Duchian citizens.
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Duchian Companies disappointed by Czech nationalisations
The Duchian Chamber of Commerce expressed frustation at the nationalisations in Czech Slavia of factories and stores belonging to Duchian , Spanish and Reitzmic assets. They have however accepted and respected the nationalisation since there has been compensation for the nationalisation unlike in the instance of the illegal innimican theft of assets. The companies had been cauitous to not be too reliant on the country for growth and to make sure all intellectual property stays at home. The companies have removed all trade secrets and core intellectual property from operations in Czech Slavia upon the announcement leaving on the shell of the facilities to nationalise as is standard practise in such situations and cut off access to an parent company update servers for machinery.The move was criticised by Co-Ceo Rachel Reubenstein-Roscoe who said "Just months ago Czech Slavia was on a path of opening up and welcoming the world that would have led to a benefit for Czech Slavian workers and citizens by increasing access to goods from around the world and also getting high quality well paid jobs and in the case of Duchian companies like ours Roscoes good conditions, high wages and worker control of the operations and policies. But instead this move has destroyed that and will isolate Czech Slavia.
We are dissapointed more than angry as we have a diversified supply chain that can easily replace what was lost but this is a breach of trust and we warn Czech Slavia this will be remembered not just by Roscoes but other companies subject to the nationalisations. This will decrease global market confidence in Czech Slavia. and hurt mainly ordinary Czech Slavians who will no longer have access to work from high quality job providers like ourselves with outstanding benefits including access to our global profit sharing scheme with workers. We are however thankful compensation was provided to the value of the assets."Other companies expressed disappointment as did the Duchian government who have warned against any investment into Czech Slavia by any Duchians.TUI Abbott took down its signage at the hotels it operated there and has moved to limit operations somewhat. It will now only offer a limited range of holidays from independent hotel operations it negotiates with promoting instead other nations where it has many company owned hotels instead.
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Shipping companies embrace freedom of Navigation act
Shipping companies have embraced the freedom of navigation act. Though most shipping companies are already covered through the registration of ships in Duxburian Union as standard which is standard practise in the United Duchies shipping industry with most workers coming from countries like Sertia and Aspern and other lower income nations the checks were seen as an inconvenience to operations in the Mediterranean and the fears were if taxes were put on nations where there ships were registered it would cause problems.Companies have felt reassured about the outcome of the Freedom of Navigation Act which despite not outlawing a tax in sovereign waters does make enforcing a tax in others waters without permission impossible.The shipping company schedules have moved more of the ships over to transiting through the Fontainere waters with companies finding it a convenient route . About 50% of ships pass through the Fontainere side and 50% stop in spain to drop off goods there and pick up goods on the way back for the Duchies market. The government have not commented on the situation on the Freedom of Navigation Act though experts close to government report the government is relatively happy with the outcome of the law and the certainty it provides Duchian business.
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AFD launch
A shocking breakaway happened today as 20 Unus MP's in the House of Commons and 10 House of Duchies MP's split off from the Unus party to form a new party Alternative for Duchies to the right of the Unus party. The new party was announced in Cair Para in a venue not disclosed except for a few invited journalists.The former culture minister Leonard Hudson was announced to be the new leader subject to a leadership election for the job permanently when enough members are recruited.The party has promised to run on a policy of zero immigration to the Duchies from nations of "undesirable cultures" and limited immigration from other nations, "an end to open border policy for refugees" and protecting of "real christian values and traditional family structures" with the party supporting a withdrawal from the EU in order to protect heterosexual marriage and "defend against the trans lunacy in society". The party would also support an expansion of the welfare state and increased worker control of major companies for "Native Duchians" while maintaining supporting small independent businesses and encouraging competition and entrepreneurship . The party also proposes requiring marrying a citizen for at least 10 years before one can become a citizen and only after they pass a "comprehensive Duchian Values test and present at least 5 references from native Duchians as to why they should become a citizen".The party also seeks to "protect from malign foreign religions" which has been interpreted as anti-Islam and also states its aim to protect from the "Globalist Elites control of finance and media like a certain trillionaire dirty family" which has been suggested by experts to be a dog whistle for policies to discriminate against Jewish people. The party also promised to "stop the replacement of Duchians with non-duchians as has happened in cities such as Brummagem" with this being perceived as to referring to non-white immigration to the United Duchies. The party would seek a ban on all religious slaughter, any religious dress that covers the whole body , any religious activity in public while allowing "duchian traditional festivities" . The party also opposes "the rampant march of progressive extremist feminism and the slaughter of children in the womb" . The party would also pursue all housing being given to "Real Duchians first".
The party is significantly to the right of Unus but is not openly as far right as New Dawn however critics have suggested this is only to be more electable than New Dawn. The new party has been condemnded at launch by most parties with the Moderate leader John Peter Key stating "Make no mistake this party is a fascist , racist anti-semetic and islamophobic party as well as hugely transphobic , misogynistic and homophobic. This party is a traitor to the values of this nation and its people who are not those things in general. Anyone who joins or votes this party is essentially a traitor to the nation by joining a group with such anti-duchian values." Other party leaders echoed the sentiment and even Unus vowed not to work with the new party under any circumstances however things have been complicated as it is rumoured that people in the Duchy Councils will be switching as well as some councillours in local council authorities. It remains to be seen how many will switch.
The party leader has countered against allegations releasing a statement saying "All the lies and slander against our party are evidence of the globalist elites betrayal of the real Duchians. We are not a racist or misogynistic organisation nor homophobic but we do believe in real christian values and real patriotism and that only native Duchians who actually have real Duchian blood or who have married such Duchians should become citizens. No one else can be a real Duchian and our government should serve the Ducian citizens, there is nothing racist about putting your own people first in your own nation."
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Live Smart CCTV Cameras banned
Today after campaigning from Liberals and civil rights groups over the last two years the government have announced new regulations on smart CCTV cameras in the United Duchies to only allow it to search for faces in the facial database if a crime has been committed and with a court warrant as with live access to the national facial database to be banned, any cameras with live access to the database must be removed and replaced. The new reforms have come about as a result of campaigning over two years from groups such as Liberty Duchies and Liberal MP's. The move was finalised after the Liberal Party threatened to withdraw from the governing coalition.The move will now move Duchies to a more balanced system protecting privacy more. The move has been praised by civil liberty groups and welcomed. The government have also conceded to the Liberals that the government will support a consitutional amendment to put a ban on live smart facial cctv into the constitution to prevent it ever being reintroduced.
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Duchies firm cut off nationalised operations in Czech Slavia
Duchian owned firms including ones listed and organised in Inquista forced to withdraw or withdrawing from Czech Slavia over fears over future nationalisation have cut off support for operations in Czech Slavia. As much machines, parts an products have been moved to other nations as possible with all branding removed with this process having happened at Roscoes with . All maintenance contracts have been cancelled on any machines still in Czech Slavia along with any IT support services. The moves which are standard practise in shutting down operations mean the Czechslavonic state or whoever takes over the properties will have to invest in all their own inventory, branding and parts for any machines left as well as machinery to operate the properties commercially. All businesses have cut off any sales to Czech Slavia with TUI Abbott removing any holidays to Czech Slavia and removing flights to the country.This will leave only the shells of the stores, factories and warehouses with nothing required for production or operations present. It has been reported many workers have also took up high paid work in international operations in order to keep their benefits after the cut off of the now shut down operations from benefits. All staff however have been laid off with lay off pay of 50% of their yearly pay so the workers don't suffer in the short term. The nationalisation has been said by the Duchian Business Council to have hit Czech Slavian workers hard. The Duchian Business Council said in a statement "Duchian firms invested billions into high paying , good condition jobs with plenty of benefits sharing a large portion of profits with their workers. Now these workers will get 0% of the business that is transferring to other units in other countries. By making this move the Czechslavonic government have only harmed their own citizens and workers by removing high paid , high welfare jobs from them and removing their oppurtunities."
