RTD 24

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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."

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Government intervene in emergency session to stop racial quotas in hiring
The government today intervened in the ongoing debate over affirmative racial quotas which have been allegedly used to discriminate against white people. The government plan to introduce a constitutional amendment to prohibit any consideration of race, ethnicity, gender or sexuality in hiring essentially outlawing quotas for certain ethnicities or genders in employment.

The move is being backed by The Moderate Party, UoD and just over 60% of Liberal Party legislators. The government is working to get the 66% needed to change the constitution. The move comes following controversy over the relatively new hiring practises in policing. The change would outlaw any affirmative hiring. Critics say it would leave minorities more marginalised in the job market and make it take longer to reach racial and gender parity in employment and make inequalities last longer than without affirmative action.

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Duchian businesses not backing down
Duchian businesses forced to leave Czech Slavia are not backing down despite the suits in court against Roscoes and TUI-Abbot. Roscoes and TUI-Abbott was accused of frustrating the nationalisation process by the government however both firms have denied doing so saying in a statement "As with all situations where assets are either seized or we are shutting down a business we have just simply shut off support and removed any of our branding and i.p from from the premises. We have no obligation to support businesses not part of Roscoes, its fair the government have the right to nationalise with payment however they cannot expect us to use financial resources to support the operations after they are no longer part of the company." TUI-Abbott sent a similar statement with them saying "There is no link with Czech Slavian hotels and we as part of a standard shutdown in such an event have cut flights and any corporate support to the now not TUI-Abbott owned operations."

Other companies losing assets are following the same procedures according to the Duchian business council. when asked the Duchies Business Council said in a statement " We stand by our members who are simply protecting their i.p and assets and profits by scaling back or stopping support for the nationalised operations. Czech Slavia can pay the nationalisation price and get the physical locations and that is fine and fair however it is insane to expect businesses to waste money from their revenue on supporting said nationalised operations while not getting a revenue cut. Businesses have no obligations to support businesses outside of their group. We are advising member businesses on the best way to deal with the current issues over this issue and our advice remains the same cut off support for the nationalised businesses and do not provide I.T nor products. No business should have to support financially an operation not bringing in revenue.Thats not obstruction but just common sense."

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Duchies economy passes 17 Trillion Euros mark
The Business and Economy Ministry monthly Economy Projection today recorded strong economic growth in Live GDP of 3.15% month on month to €17,076,194,150,549.90 and a growth in the Live GDP per capita of 2.47% €146,636.31 to with the economy growing past 20 Trillion Euros for the first time.. The growth has been boosted by increased trade and links with the ECON economies Yosai and Reitzmag with Yosai reporting a boost in Live GDP of 17.13% to €6,985,828,972,420.00 and per capita increase of 15.36% to €122,547.65 becoming the second higher per capita Live GDP in the EU passing Reitzmag and Spain.

Reitzmag has also surged by 16.85% in Live GDP to €6,954,556,904,955.00 and 15.07% in Live GDP per capita to €121,170.08. Exports and imports with North Diessan and Inimicus also dropped 75% with more projected drops as companies cut links with the nation though their is still Eurorail service through the nations.

The PM John Peter Key said of the figures "These figures show our Moderate approach of welfare, public services, combined with strong worker ownership and fair taxes is the right approach. It is delivering measurable results with more free equal trade deals on the way. we thank the people for backing us and will continue to deliver." UoD while praising the figures said "We believe figures could be even better with economically conservative , more pro-business policies , tax cuts and even more pro-business policies. "

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Duchies Cycling to abandon EDA bid
Duchies Cycling has said in critical comments that it would abandon the EDA bid if it is not processed within 7 days. The national cycling authority in charge of cycling policy has said in a statement "We put in a bid for a Cycle Super Highway system in April of last year and a bid for increased funding in January of this year which was solid and in line with European development goals as well as Duchian goals of delivering on sustainable development. All we have faced is beaurocracy from officials who do not understand transport in the duchies or cycling with one confirmed vote against the project already with the others having not voted delaying any potential acceptance. We were encouraged by the EU that sustainable development projects would be given funding as soon as the increased funding passed. We have waited for over a year for a decision , this is ridiculous and once again shows the EDA's inefficiency that even when it does have funds it never approves a project that is clearly in line with sustainable development in a timely manner.

Multiple projects have been funded by government schemes here and the Green European Fund yet EDA because of its structure cannot pass one. EDA has 1 week before we withdraw the application and look elswhere which will look bad as another failure of the EDA following the Azrekko Solar project failure. We also want an explanation of all votes and the reasons why Juncker voted against a project that clearly meets the goals of green transport development and getting families and more vulnerable user groups comfortable replacing car trips with bicycle trips within a 1 hour commute from cities into the country and in between more rural towns saving the environment. The EDA needs serious reform and to just work to get funding out and it needs it quick. The EU needs to make decisions on applications within its allotted time by law in a timely manner and get funding out for sustainable development or get out of the game of giving development funding altogether. Its no help having a process that could take over a year to get a no decision and with no accountability or any feedback to allow you to work on future bids with new knowledge. Do the job well or don't do it at all. We want the EU to unleash its power and for EU to work for the working class and middle class and all citizens but at present thats not the case, it has raw potential but unless its capitalised on its useless if it just is a Eurocratic centralised organisation that never gets anything done and is outshone by institutions like the Green European Fund and other funds every time due to its inefficiency."

James Mizrachi -Roscoe soon after condemned the EDA saying "Those in power constantly promise a Europe that works and does stuff and accuses people like myself who want reform to actually get money out to projects big a small through local boards as being anti-EU and trying to destroy the EU. But what is destroying the EU is them and the EPA do nothing commission which frankly is achieving nothing. They time and time again promise activity and for Europe to do more, and they can only organise one pathetic meeting of leaders in Europolis and rearranging the decks of the titanic. Is this what the EU unleashing its power looks like? We need a EU reform that grants national boards autonomy to administrate EU projects in nations with local contexts in mind and distribute funding and make decisions. The alternative is the mess we have now where a small team of Eurocrats in Europolis achieve nothing and where even getting simple development funding out takes over a year to get funding which results in agencies and organisations giving in and finding alternate sources of funding which means EDA gets no funding out. To get 0 Euros out of the EDA spent by April almost 6 months into a budget is pathetic. The EU needs to up its game and up it quick." We tried to find sources that praise the EU in the interests of impartiality but we could not find any despite asking around all parties and departments, we do as an organisation suggest that maybe the EU does need to improve on its delivery of funds from the programmes it funds and ask if the money is not being spent why does the EU take the money from the member states to distribute to said departments.

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Duchies Government welcomes Mishar to ECON
John Peter Key celebrated the entrance of the Mishar People's Republic to ECON. The PM said in a speech "Mishar joining ECON after much negotiation shows the resolve of Europe to stand together and cooperate as sovereign , independent nations on key areas of trade, security and border security. This addition to ECON is a fantastic addition with Mishar being a fantastic democratic country that is a good example in its region of the type of nation that benefits from European cooperation on these policy areas. We are confident ECON can add to the prosperity of Mishar as well as its security and crime prevention abilities. " The other parties in the country welcomed the news including Unus who are more wary of EU integration but still in favour of cooperation through ECON.

Analysts expect the move to benefit Mishars economy immensely with most of the fastest growing economies being in the ECON alliance which has been presented by ECON as an example of the benefits of ECON's economic cooperation.

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Projections suggest Moderate , Unus and AFD rises in local elections
Projections based on polling from around the country pre-election before the local elections happening around the Duchies on the 27th May have projected increases in the Moderate , Unus and AFD while the UoD continue to lose seats and popularity in projections. The night is likely to be diffucult for the UoD who are bracing themselves for losing up to 500 seats in one night and several councils as Moderates continue to gain in their traditional heartlands along with Unus and possible AfD gains. The trend shows an increasing division on key issues such as social issues and immigration.

While most are still supportive of the immigration level to fill positions and expand the economy , nationalists of Unus and the further to the right politically AfD have argued the immigration levels are too high and the United Duchies needs to find a way to grow more without "mass immigration". Other issues on the line are issues like trans rights to use a bathroom of their gender choice and LGBT rights as well as whether legal drugs can be sold in a cafe, consumed on the street or be required to be consumed at home which is governed partly at the local level. Transport and public investment and local money raising powers are also on the line. While taxes locally are limited due to grants local authorities can still raise some taxation and fees to fund local services including putting tourist fees on hotels to pay for local events and schemes. The Moderate Party are riding high on a wave of economic success since they became the biggest party while the UoD are struggling to return to form under their leader with this being a test of whether the leader Mr Terence Fitzcharles can stay with him likely to be gone by the weekend if he fails to make gains. Liberal leader Arron Scott will also be expected to make at least some gains if he is to remain in position . The PSD are hoping their stint in government this year is going to help them with PSD , Liberals and Moderates both arguing the best team is their parties being the biggest parties on the councils to get policies through and funded.

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Unitran buy Rotala
Today Unitran the 50% owner of Purple train have announced they have agreed a deal with Rotala who recently lost their train franchise to aqcuire the company and merge operations on buses while acquiring the Megabus network owned by the group. They are already partners in the All Duchies Ticketing Partnership on the Rail Network. A deal struck after they Rotala lost the rail franchise. The move is understood to be motivated by significant losses at Rotala after losing their train franchise. The move now means all train alliances have a coach partner providing fully national access for all Ticketing Alliances.

The current Ticketing Alliances are as follows:

TOC Alliances	Members	Network
Roscoes-Commomwealth	Roscoes Intercity, Commonwealth Rail Duchies , Greyhound Lines(Coach Partner)
All Duchies	Purple Train,Transholinies Express,Grand Northern,Eastern and Baltic , Megabus(Coach Partner)
DuchiesLink	Fastlink,Westseaxna and Baltic Railways,North Central Railway,WOW Train. , LuxEpress(Coach Partner)
DuchiesConnect	Central Link,Southern and North, Eastern Railway, East Coast , BlaBlaBus(Coach Partner)

There is concern for Arrivas Cross Country which has no Ticket Alliance at present to call home and has no Coach Partner though so far at least numbers have been holding up. A majority tickets sold have been either Single Operator Tickets or Tick Alliance Tickets according to national ticket sales data for 2022-2023 that was released this week.Flixtrain also announced record travel by both coach and train on its networks . A series of improved route offerings to cover the whole country have been approved for most operators by the national rail authority who announced they are moving to a franchise plus model requiring core service obligations but allowing all train operating companies to operate additional routes connected to their network.

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As the country goes to the polls on on Saturday what are the procedures
As the city goe's to the polls on Saturdays in the local elections especially in Irmgardis city where a new second a election for a protector is also in motion what are the procedures. Despite there being claims there will be requests for I.D increased on minorities this is not and never will be the case the law in Duchies is simple you can vote without I.D , you will have to go to your assigned polling station, you can find this online at www.UDVote.ud . You will be asked your name and address and postcode and be directed to the box in which you should vote to ensure you are voting in the correct election. This will apply for both the Local elections So what are the changes in Irmgardis and exceptions to general local elections law , Irmgadis "Regional Assembly Members" much like Cair Paras have enhanced powers in voting, the city runs public transport and local services as well as running the Duchy level social issues. This year is particuarly important as the assembly will approve or dissaprove the High Dukes choice for the Duke or Duchess of the city who will serve for life or until resignation with these above politics and partisanship typically.

Also Irmgardis city will only be electing for a term until 2027 to catch it back up to the actual schedule for Duchy elections where it will vote with all the Duchys in national polls including Cair Para which will NOT be voting today having only voted last year on there Duchy Assembly which like Irmgardis is a Duchy-City Council. So what do you do to vote if you are in the majority of areas voting this weekend?

1.Research look at candidate profiles written by the candidates on www. UDVote.ud
2. Look up your polling station on www. UDVote.ud and make your travel plans to get in line before 22:00 cut off.
3. Go and Vote

It really is that simple. You won't be asked for I.D to prove address unless someone has used your name and address. You may if we are finding cases of fraud being reported have to have your photo taken as standard if that procedure is triggered to be uploaded to a database of faces for security to look out for. Please not it is illegal to cover your face fully in polling station and there are NO exceptions to this rule for electoral security. Security will not let you in without having seen your face.We very much hope you enjoy your democracy day deciding local governance for the next 5 years or 4 years in case of Irmgardis City.You will also have heard from a certain definitely not reliable "newspaper you have to have been resident for 9 months , this is not true , you just have to be resident and there will not be arrest for lack of I.D unless there is heavy suspicion of voter fraud intent and you have shown up as having gone to other polling stations upon checks.If this process of checking unfortunately happens to you please cooperate peacefully this is to protect your vote and make sure there is security at elections while ensuring we don't need racist and discriminatory general I.D requirements at elections.

We also would like to point out the law not allowing political representitives or party representitives to ask who you are voting for within 150 metres of a polling station or tell you or suggest how to vote. If they do please video and send the report into police so we can deal with this as voter intimidation immediately. The person responsible will be arrested.

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Duchies Trains Explained
It used to be much more simple if expensive on the Duchies rail network. Gone are those days with multiple train operating companies with most people having a choice of 3 or more for a journey. With ridership soaring passenger satisfaction higher the opening of the intercity market to train operating companies has certainly improved services but it has also made things more complicated. Gone are the days where there was and advanced ticket and on the day ticket and flexible tickets with some season tickets. However it isn't all that hard to understand the system really. What is key to note when buying a ticket there is now three broad categories of tickets and those are as follows:
All operator:
This ticket is valid on all train services in the country with it being scanned on the train by the attendant . These are available in Peak and Off Peak with advance valid. These are fully flexible within the time period with any valid route available to you but will come at a far higher cost. This can be purchased through the GO Card system and is available as a contactless. These can be purchased in advance online and in stations also.

TOC Tickets:
Advance All operator :Available in off peak and peak and for one train in advance of the day with it transferable onto any train for up to 1 hour afterwards but only on the single TOC operator. There is also fully flexible peak and off peak tickets as well as season tickets and passes which can use any valid combination on the network of the TOC. These are usually among the cheapest tickets to buy.

Ticket Alliance Tickets:
Most TOC's are members of what are called ticket alliances. These give you points for using a network of operators and access to lounges for a certain amount of points, a fee or as part of the ticket with these operated by the alliance but the most important benefit is this ticket option, Alliance Tickets allow any valid route for the journey on an member TOC of the alliance, you can purchase season tickets and network passes this way as well. Tickets are available as advance , and flexible in peak and off peak rates. When choosing a network you should consider quality of the TOC's , access to the coach partner coach routes for your journey and the combination allowed , not all networks will serve every area by train so consider this when booking. Flixtrain essentially operates with the benefit of an alliance network coverage but all on its own services so they a a no-frills budget alternative if you want to travel cheaply be aware though there are fees for booking seats together and taking more than a backpack and one suitcase on the train so its not always the best network if you take alot of extras on the train.

The current TOC's are as follows with a projected ridership for the years as follows:

Franchise	TOC Owner	TOC Name	Network	High Speed:	% of Intercity Journeys	Intercity Journeys
Central 1	Arriva	CrossCountry		Y	6.20%	249,788,477
Central 2	Mishar National Rail	Central Link		Y	7.10%	286,048,095
Central 3	DuchieTran	Westseaxna and Baltic Railways		Y	5.30%	213,528,860
Central 4	Yosai National Rail	Southern and North Eastern Railway		Y	5.70%	229,644,245
Eastern 1	WOW Group	WOW Train		Y	3.10%	124,894,239
Eastern 2	BalTran and Transport for Albion	Eastern and Baltic		Y	2.90%	116,836,546
Eastern 3	Connexxion	East Coast		N	1.40%	56,403,850
Northern 1	FlixTran	FlixTrain		Y	10.20%	410,942,334
Northern 2	DTA(32%) AranTran(32%) , NordTran(34%)	Grand Northern		Y	6.90%	277,990,402
Northern 3	Commonwealth Railways Inc	Commonwealth Rail Duchies		Y	8.90%	358,567,330
Northern 4	Umbarra Bullet	Nord Bahn		Y	5.30%	213,528,860
Southern 1	Roscoes Rail Group	Roscoes Intercity		Y	10.50%	423,028,873
Southern 2	Purple Group(50%)Unitran(50%)	Purple Train		Y	8.40%	338,423,098
Southern 3	SICF, Reynauld Constructions ,SINA and Emior	Fastlink		Y	8.10%	326,336,559
Transholinies	WestTran(50%), SuxTran(50%)	Transholinies Express		N	3.10%	124,894,239
Transholinies 2	Vrigin Rail Group	Virgin Transholinies		N	3.00%	120,865,392
Transholinies 3	DTA(50%) AranTran(50%	North Central Railway		N	3.90%	157,125,010
Total	-	-		-	100.00%	4,028,846,407

The current alliances are as follows:
Ticketing Alliances

TOC Alliances	Members	Network
Roscoes-Commomwealth	Roscoes Intercity, Commonwealth Rail Duchies , Greyhound Lines(Coach Partner)
All Duchies	Purple Train,Transholinies Express,Grand Northern,Eastern and Baltic , Megabus(Coach Partner)
DuchiesLink	Fastlink,Westseaxna and Baltic Railways,North Central Railway,WOW Train. , LuxEpress(Coach Partner)
DuchiesConnect	Nord Bahn ,Central Link,Southern and North, Eastern Railway, East Coast , BlaBlaBus(Coach Partner)

There are also many train operators with very special perks on their trains such as Roscoes where trains include bookable meeting rooms for meetings on the go for businesses or if you need to discuss private business with a client for example if you are doing a briefing with a client before going to court in another city.

Many operators include full sitdown dining carriages and shop carriages also Roscoes is one of these as is Southern and North Eastern Railway,Commonwealth Rail Duchies and Westseaxna and Baltic Railways. As a rule Roscoes Intercity, the new incoming Virgin Transholinies , Westseaxna and Baltic, Fastlink and Commonwealth Railways are more premium but that often comes with ticket price to match the comfort, Flix Train is like your budget airline, less legroom , less amenities but it gets you there cheap with the others somewhere in between. So if comfort is a consideration consider these as many of those offer a meal in the restaurant in the ticket with some offering 3 course menus. Others offer a free snack service for some snacks and drinks. Flix Train, Purple Train and Wow Train are buy on board unless you buy an Alliance ticket in the case of Purple Train and Wow Train. We hope this guide has helped you , but as a rule if you want cheaper tickets than the national standard fares on GO Card or a more luxurious time book with the operator or through the train ticket alliances to get points and benefits as well if you want the flexibility to use any train no matter what use the GO Card . You can use a Ticketing Alliance Ticket for more flexibility within the network of TOC's that are members.There are additional operators joining train alliances while it is unknown yet which the new Virgin Transholinies is joining the new Nord Bahn is joining the DuchiesConnect Alliance.

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PSD announced Housing redline for local elections
The PSD today in a press event announced a radical housing solution redline for their party for local elections to back any party into power. The party announced they would not go into coalition in any councils unless all new housing is 35% social housing and 60% affordable housing which is defined as 5 times the national minmum wage (€192,172.50) for 1 bedroom housing and 8 times local national minimum wage(€307,476.00 national ) for 3 bedroom housing or 35%(€13,452.08 a year nationally) and 50%(€19,217.25 a year nationally) of national minimum wage for renting respectively. .They would also require the right to buy social housing with the money from sales to be reinvested in more social housing in a dedicated fund. The move follows concerns over house price issues in Duchies where the average house and 3 bedroom family flat has reached past 751,243.43 Dux Libra or €1,036,715.94 with it on trend to exceed €1,226,141.97 next year if nothing is done. Analysts are mixed on the policy with some suggesting it will help low income workers but with others worried it will raise the price of market price housing where the government would have no say over prices through the roof leading to a get social and affordable housing or be forced into much higher market rents. It remains to be seen what the effect of the policy would be if implemented in councils where PSD form a coalition or if the Moderate party will moderate the policy if PSD were to compromise on this issue.

The PSD also threatened to pull out of the coalition unless a commitment to build at least
2 million council homes a year for the next 5 years in Duchies with central funding was agreed to by the coalition. It is expected the Moderates and Liberals will agree to this demand though might request in return that the market for housing outside of social housing be left at the current requirement for 50% affordable housing as a compromise. The demands show the PSD getting bold and aiming to increase their image among the working class.

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Deal reached on housing
The PSD, Liberals and Moderates today reached a deal on housing. The PSD had in response to the housing affordability crisis called for big governmment intervention. The deal reached is a compromise which will simply keep the 50% affordable or social housing requirement on all developments in the country in the market sector while the government commit to a minimum of 2 million council or social housing per year over 5 years or 10 million new build council homes over 5 years the most radical expansion over doubling the council and social housing supply.

It is hoped this will help young and disabled into stable property conditions and hopefully home ownership under the right to buy scheme where they can buy a home for 50% of its value after 5 years of living in social or council housing.The secheme is predicted to cost 160 billion to 200 billion Euros per year with an estimated build cost of 400,000 Euros per property. Most of the new builds will be flats including family flats with developments to include nurseries on site , and social clubs for the residents to meet up among other facilities including swimming pools to encourage swimming. The scheme will be funded by central government with grants based on demand for areas but delivered by local council housing authorities.Union of Democrats announced they would vote against the proposal saying it will "cost too much" and is a "tax on hardworking Duchians to support those who are underachieving" . They argue market based home ownership solutions are the way forward not a massive government intevention in housebuilding. The government have proposed using the extensive pre-fab apartment and house companies in order to achieve maximum cost efficiency, quality and speed. All new neighbourhoods will be designed with density and 15 minute city principles in mind.