RTD 24
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5 Roscoes Stores and 10,200 apartments completed by Roscoes
Today Roscoes has announced it has opened 5 stores so far in Anastasia City with 10,200 apartments 50% of which will be for affordable rent. They have encouraged Anastasians on lower incomes to apply to rent the social units in the complexes. The government of United Duchies have praised the projects for providing affordable housing, transit orientated development and easy access to shops for the residents. The company has announced plans to reach 22,000 apartments in Anastasia by the end of 2022 with an additional 8 stores by the end of the year. All the new stores include all services including banking, opticians and pharmacy services as well as food courts. -
IUAC-Moderate-PSD Coalition announced for Anastasia Metropolitan Council
Today the IUAC stood hand in hand on stage with with The Moderate Party and PSD to announce a Centre to Centre Left coalition to govern the city -metropolitan district of Anastasia. The three parties announced they would run the city on a pro-liberal, moderate and pro-people policies with the region embracing the strong Duchian tradition of Social Market Economy with an open mind to business while providing high welfare and mixing it with an "Anastasian style" of politics involving workers unions in governing. The government announced it would plan for homes for over 1.2 million people by the end of next year with an extra 550,000 visas for Anastasia to be released this year. THe homes would be built in collaboration with social enterprises, pre-fab housing companies , retailers and governments in transit orientated developments. Housing would be focused on providing high density developments with a mix of retail and office space around services and apartments with some limited housing developments all linked up by a series of extensions to the Baltia Streetcar and Baltia Metro. The government would appoint people to a a joint board to run the systems combining forces with Baltia City Council to run a more efficient network.The council would run the system under the two centres and two ports system focusing on developing a city centre to compliment that of Baltia in a win-win relationship for both economies hopefully boosting prosperity. Rented social and affordable housing would make up over 50% of the housing stock in Anastasia with the rest being at market price rent or for sale at market prices with many houses available on Rent to Buy affordable schemes to encourage home ownership. Socially the coalition would set liberal laws for the city with drugs likely to be legal alongside prostitution and full LGBT rights being available. The Moderate government said "We have today shown a long term commitment to the City of Anastasia which shall be come a beacon of hope and prosperity for immigrants and show the benefit of new cultures in our land by joining forces with the IUAC and PSD. The city can look forward to a stable, business friendly progressive government that protects workers and people on all levels of wages and income and we have made it a priority to set a high minimum wage for the city."
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Duchies government condemn secessionism while Roscoes introduces item limits
The Duchies Prime Minister John Peter Key condemned the secessionist parties saying in statement to the house "My friends , Duchians and Anastasian Duchians today I condemn this dangerous seccesionism and attempts to overturn democracy. You had the election to win over people with your visions and you failed , Autonomist parties won by a significant amount. I call on FPAC, Syndicalists and CPCI to respect the vote of the Anastasian people and work together for the development of Anastasia City and work in the interest of the people rather than sowing division. The people have spoken and they say they are Duchian its time you accepted that." The government have said they will not recognise the "sham vote" on independence saying it doesn't follow recognised democratic procedures and only parliament and city government together can conduct such official referendums.Roscoes has announced item purchase limits to be instituted in Anastasia City to ensure fair supplies for all.The moves to buy all stock backfired as shelves are filling up once again and more deliveries are being ordered . The shops have since opening proved a hit among Anastasians with Roscoes saying "We are proud to be good corporate citizens of Anastasia City providing affordable homes, a wide range of services and good wages and good prices for Anastasian suppliers. We will continue to work with suppliers and workers in Anastasia City and throughout the Duchies to provide excellent quality and products for all our customers with fair pricing for suppliers and our customers." The purchase limits on items will continue for the time being until the situation on buying stabilises.
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Roscoes announce Yosai partnership
Today Roscoes group announced they would be launching a new partnership with DSY to enter the Yosai supermarket sector with DSY called DSY Roscoes. The company would launch with 4 companies DSY Roscoes , DSY Roscoes Bank and DSY Roscoes Telecoms, Roscoes Real Estate. Media operations are being considered in the future but they would need to lay fibre lines.The company would launch 60 stores each with Pharmacies , a restaurant cafe and food court ,banking and telecoms stores with the supermarkets stocking all goods from food to clothing to electronics and look at developing the sites with flats building flats into all new build sites the company will aim for at least 35 extra sites in 2023. The deal has been in the works for a while with Roscoes taking a 50% stake in the business with DSY owning 50%. The company will have 40% of seats on the board reserved for the workers association DSY Roscoes Welfare fund which will also provide a profit dividend and help in times of need for employees. The Roscoes family will inject 100 million Euros into the fund to help it start and 20% of dividend profits will be mandated to go to the fund.
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Ogo opens Ogo Lounge to showcase technology to refugees and immigrants in Anastasia City
Ogo opened its new Ogo Lounge concept to promote their technology and provide a relaxing space to work and experience Ogo. The lounge showcases the best of Ogo products with a try out programme in store for the OS and other products. The lounges will also have spaces for socialising and gaming together where you can buy tea,coffee and cakes.The stores will also have staff called Geeks on hand to help out with set up of devices and help resolve the issues. One can book an appointment if they need this for free.The company hopes this will initiate immigrants and newcomers into the brand as well as provide a helpspace for the elderly. If successful Ogo will roll out the programme Europe wide.Slots for help will cost a 5 Euro deposit which will be returned to your Ogo account upon attendance or your bank account if you have yet to set up an Ogo account.
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Armed patrols of streets being
Armed patrols have began in ernest in all cities in the Duchies including Anastasia city with army assisting in the patrols as an emergency measure following the Roscoes bombing and the high terror threat level. Soldiers have been placed under the command of the Duchies High Police and sent in to assist local police authorities with a big focus in Anastasia where attacks are more likely. Numbers have not been confirmed for "national security reasons" nor has where armed police and soldiers under the emergency powers have been sent though extra heavily armed police have been spotted in Goudadam, Baltia , Porterdam, Hamborg , Castcon , Cair Para and the Hague. There has been extra security with armed police at all government buildings and major transport infrastructure such as train stations and airports.The governments declared emergency powers may be kept for 2 weeks and must then pass a vote of the parliaments within 1 week to continue after 3 weeks.Under the powers citizens are expected to comply with any requests for search and ID and police and army operating under police have the right to search or ask for ID based on "reasonable suspicion" and suspicous behaviour grounds.The government said in a statement "The security of our country is essential to allow for freedom of citizens and their safety. Safety of the public from extremism and terrorism is our top priority and while the threat remains high we regrettably have had to temporarily evoke emergency powers to boost security around the nation, we hope this situation can be resolved quickly and ask all citizens co-operate with authorities for their safety and wellbeing. The extra presence is solely there to protect citizens from terror."
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Main parties to vote against ADA
Today the main parties of the Duchies have all said they will vote against the ADA, This includes the Moderates, UoD and Liberals with The Left considering the law to see its stance.The Moderate leader in Anastasia said today "We believe the mayor has more than enough powers including extra immigration powers which no other Duchy has. It will not be productive to try to gain more and this issue was put to bed in an election. The independence extremists must realise Anastasia is not with them and voted against them .We must now unite to work with the powers we have to create a world class home of immigrants that can change with the cultures of those who arrive to create multicultural paradise for people coming into the Duchies." -
Government disappointed by Telum Departures
The government of United Duchies has said it is dissapointed by the Telum departures. The government said "We have worked well together under the Telum and are dissapointed by the departure. We do not fully understand the concerns over the Caspian Triumvirite which is purely economic and anti-terror intelligence sharing in nature. The sort of information we share with any Ally in danger believing it is in no ones interest to let terrorists thrive for lack of co-operation. No military intelligence of national security value has ever been shared. Never the less we will seek to retain free trade with no barriers,free roaming zone for mobile roaming, free movement and cultural co-operation as well co-operation on key security issues. We believe co-operation is in all nations interest."The government are considering proposing an ammended treaty without the military alliance aspect of the treaty.The government have confirmed they are in favour of keeping all economic rules the same in the transition. -
Coalition partners call for more foreign partnerships
Today coalition partners have called for the government to develop more partners Europe wide on a bilateral basis in addition to any treaties that Duchies may sign with blocs. Experts have called on the government to become less reliant on one or two major partnerships as part of its foreign policy. The Union of Democrats leader Mr Terence Fitzcharles said in a statement to the house "The breach of trust by Telum partners in abolishing the Telum Treaty with no notice and establishing a new one just without United Duchies is a severe breach of trust. I can only say I'm happy to have good coalition partners to negotiate this difficult time and do not blame our partners at all. United Duchies must always pursue a balanced and fair foreign policy that is independent and is conducted on the basis of fairness and in ensuring stability throughout the region , I believe our government has done that. However this only goes to show we cannot rely fully on one group of partners with more bilateral treaties needed on top of multilateral partnerships and I believe the government should pursue this. I call on my coalition partners to develop a wide range of partnerships to benefit Europe and the region as a whole and stick to its principled, fair , reprocipal approach with consistent policy on issues not based on the whims of one or two partners." The speech was seen as wide endorsement of seeking greater foreign partnerships including defence following the wake of the Telum disaster. Polling indicates that the people of the Duchies have backed the government in its balanced foreign policy with a vast majority of 80% answering the government should continue to pursue an approach based on reprocity. The government also announced the Telum Discount has been removed until any such matters can be resolved.The government is open to negotiations with Telum in order to restabilish old relations but it insists relations with Caspian nations including security diaologues and coooperation in anti-piracy, anti-terror and joint efforts against organised crime must be allowed. It said in a statement "We are hugely disappointed with the Telum kick out we have never shared any military intelligence as stated by some Telum members. Any intelligence sharing was solely in the realms of anti-organised crime and anti-terror to ensure regional stability and protection against crime and extremist terror in the region to protect the security of trade and public safety throughout the region. We believe sharing of intelligence of threats to other nations is essential and we'd hope other nations would warn Duchies of any threats to the Duchies they detect. We will continue to support international sharing of intelligence in these realms to protect the public security of Europe"
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Government warns restrict non-caspian country navies through Artabonos Canal or Baltic Canal opens up to Allied military traffic
Today the government warned on the opening ceremony of the Artabonos Canal that if non-caspian country navies are allowed through the Artabonos Canal then United Duchies would open up its canal to military traffic from allied nations. The prime minister John Peter Key said in a statement "We wish the people of North Diessan well and great prosperity but the canal should be for civilian ships and hospital and humanitarian ships only. We cannot allow an unbalanced scenario where our former Telum members can just send ships through to the Caspian while Caspian nations cannot do the reverse . Any conditions must be equivalent. We are willing to keep the Baltic Canal shut to non-domestic military ships but only if we can be assured that the same conditions exist on the Artabonos Canal with only North Diessan to use it militarily. We believe proportionality and fairness should be the guiding principle."The statement comes after concerns that there may be ulterior military motives in the Artabonos Canal project.
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Roscoes to enter Nofoaga, Czech and Gadalland, Kaitsja and Aspern markets
Today Roscoes announced they would be opening retail, banking and gym operations in Nofoaga, Czechslavia, Kaitsja and Gadalland and Aspern with telecoms and media operations a possibility later on with plans to set up partnerships to supply own brand goods efficiently. The company announced wages will be a minimum of € 10.50 an hour even in Nofoaga and Gadalland and Aspern with stores to open in central districts and urban area focus at first. The first format to be introduced will the hypermarket formats with banking services, groceries ,full clothing, home products, toys , media such as dvd's and blurays and electrictrical retail offerings , DIY sections as well as opticians and restaurant hubs. All stores will be designed to be accessible by public transport and cycles with buses to be provided to some stores on an hourly basis.The company said "We will bring our full offerings to these markets to provide a good quality product at reasonable price while raising standards in these retail markets. We will offer high quality jobs with good benefits and security for our employees offering them access to our Employee welfare fund and global profit share scheme on top of a minimum € 10.50 an hour wage , with high prices for suppliers to ensure they can profitably provide high wages and will provide a full range of good quality , environmentally friendly own brand ranges. At least 60% of grocery goods will be domestic in the first few years with at least a 80% target after the first 5 years. " The company is known for its high quality jobs and high quality retail offerings being the biggest ethical retailer in Europe.The first stores are due to open in January.
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Right form new Unus party
Today the right wing Alliance of Royalists and National Rally have changed politics and the political make up of the United Duchies by merging together in an attempt to pool votes and get ready to fight better at the next election. The currenty leader of the Alliance or Royalists Dominic Marshall shall retain leadership in the deal with Mrs Lovelace leader of the National Rally getting deputy leadership. A new platform shall be voted on for next election while the politician from National Rally side of the party are expected to back coalition promises. The move should pool the votes reducing seats lost due to the split in the vote on the right and means Unus is now the largest party in the House of Duchies and third largest party in the House of Commons.The party in a joint statement said "We have come together to progess peoples and nationalist politics in the Duchies. We will fight for the people together and fight for a society that is fair for Duchians. We will fight to continue reducing excessive immigration and erosion of traditional values by combining our resources to increase our seats in the next election. This is a good day for the Northern Duchies."
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Roscoes to rebuild bombed store in Anastasia
Roscoes have said today they will be rebuilding the store that was bombed in Anastasia city. The site will be prepared for a new store with expanded features. The site will also be built with expansion for an apartment complex in mind. The apartments would be rented 50% at social housing rates and 50% at market rates. -
Seat Projectionfor HoC(If Election held today):
CPCI:0(-1)
The Left:28(-127)
IUAC:1(+0)
PSD:146(+77)
Liberal Party:104(+37)
Moderate Party:154(+34)
Union of Democrats:108(-11)
Unus:114(+25)
New Dawn:0(-34)Vote Percent projection in poll:
CPCI:0.05%
The Left:4.32%
IUAC:0.2%
PSD:21.3%
Liberal Party:15.79%
Moderate Party:22.5%
Union of Democrats:16.41%
Unus:19.35%
New Dawn:0.13%The polls are indicating a rise for Unus in seats which would get above the combined total of the parties that formed it got in the last elections. The Left meanwhile is collapsing with their votes returning to the PSD , Union of Democrats is bleeding support though its not clear who to the Moderates who are riding high or Unus or it is possibly a mix of the two. New Dawn meanwhile has collapsed in support with alot of those votes likely have gone back to non-protest vote parties or possibly Unus.CPCI on current support figures projected is highly likely to lose its only seat in the HoC unless it can get an overhang seat by winning a local seat.
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Eva van der Bijl and Wolfgang Katzian denied entry to Duchies
It has been confirmed that Eva van der Bijl and Wolfgang Katzian have both been denied entry to the Duchies. The government are understood to have had them on the list of people who are a threat to the peoples security and safety for their extremism due to their previous violence and threats of violence. The government of Duchies said "We welcome genuine refugees to the Anastasia city and they can grant Anastasia visas however we have on this occaision denied the visa as they are a threat to the Duchies people and Anastasian people. We will not let known terrorists and extremists into the city and our country." -
TUI and Abbott Resorts merger announced
Today TUI and Abbott Resorts have announced the intention to merge into a single group to provide efficiencies of scale and to have a portfolio of hotels to integrate into their package holidays. The new business will merge with TUI shareholders getting 26.7% of shares in the new group and Abbott Resorts and Hotels getting 73.3% of the shares in the new group.The new group is estimated to be worth at least €42 Billion.The new group will merge on January 4th 2022 if there are no challenges with an estimated combined revenue of €79,366,948,076.71 with potential first year profits of at least €6 billion with potential for this to rise with savings through efficiency. The group is also looking at buying the Harry Shaw Coach tour company to operate as part of a new combined group under the brand. The company if successful in this would cement its lead at the top of the holiday market being the major player in the industry. The news has shocked analysts who expect further consolidations from other players in the industry to challenge TUI with several potential mergers possible.
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High Duke Albert I dies 1 day before High Duke Dinner
The Cair Para palace has today announced the sad news that 1 day before Christmas High Duke Albert I has died triggering the election process for the High Duke position. The duke died of a heart attack in his sleep aged 83. The Duke has reigned for over 52 years with him being praised for his wisdom and being a great advisor and comforter to PM's . The United Duchies has asked all United Duchies flags be flown half mast until the election and coronation of a new High Duke as per tradition. The process is expected to take place in the new year with those interested in the High Duke position out of the Dukes having to register interest by January the 2nd. The palace has confirmed his funeral planned for 2 weeks. Vigils are being held at the palace and parliament with millions expected to attend over the Twixmas week.All major royals are invited to the funeral with most world leaders. -
Duchies sees in New Year throughout country
Goudadam Fireworks
Hamborg
Porterdam
Brummagem -
United Duchies to replace European Councillour and Deputy Councillour with Co-Councillours
Today the Duchies passed onto the High Dukes office an act that would replace Councillour and Deputy Councillourship with Co-Councillours equal in position and power. The bill would require each ticket to have two candidates who would be considered equal on the ticket. The sucessfully councillour could choose between them which sessions each one of them would attend to possibly attend sessions while on is back home on holiday time or consulting with constituents or government back home for example. Only one Co-Councillour could attend sessions on a particular act unless replacing the other as an emergency , with only one Co-Councillour able to vote on each bill again to be agreed between the two, if there is a dispute between the two who should vote on a particular bill the High Duke must step in to resolve it giving him more power than previous.
The act is designed to make the position more accessible to those with families as well as provide better coverage of the position as well as increase the quality of consultation councillours can provide. If signed a new election will be called Duchies wide for new Co-Councillour tickets with most of the current government parties expected to back the James Mizrachi-Roscoe ticket though there are rumours Skye Hook is considering retirement and James is considering another running mate for the ticket.Elections would be scheduled for after the next speaker term if James is elected to the Speakership.
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Duchies Government invites Telum Countries to discuss Transition
The Duchies government has publically invited all Telum nations to discuss the transition from the current trade relations to future trade relations including negotiations on issues such as tariffs , adminstration requirements, business licenses and canal fees. The government has said in a statement "We believe in a future of friendly relations with Telum despite previous issues especially in areas trade and cultural and education co-operation. We believe it is in everyones interests to talk as a group of nations and to ensure as little change as possible for businesses in Duchies and Telum. We look forward to meeting nations in The Duchies and ensuring continuation of good business relations."
Talks would also be expected to cover co-operation on crime , terrorism and intelligence on organised crime and terrorism where there is a threat to each others nations in order to prevent attacks and keep security high. United Duchies is expected to ask to continue to share intelligence on crime and terrorism into the future between Telum and Duchies as well as continuing arrangements for extradition into the future.
