NationStates Jolt Archive

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (14:29 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Tensions Mount Over New "Legacy" Legislation

In a five day legislative marathon session just days before the Independence Tri-week Recess, the National Assembly of Schultaria Prime ratified several new, and somewhat controversial, acts concerning national tax policies. These new laws, considered by many Schultarian policy experts to be atypical for the resoundingly collectivist and government-owned socialist state, have been lambasted by an unusual gathering of the extreme communal left and the oligarchic right. At a press conference in the Kesselmer Amphitheater in the manufacturing megalopolis of Colloi, the Socialistia Kollabraci (SoK) party met with members of the international media to issue a joint statement with various unaligned members from the federal government as well as representatives from the Protectorate of Islandia Schultaria.

"It must be the effort of this government to help aid and abet the people whenever and wherever possible without creating a rift of disability or impotence between individuals," noted Assemblyman Gregor Nalken, leader of the SoK's national party and representative of the Jimmuien Corridor, "With the passage of these acts, specifically the expansion of the Personal Legacy Act, not only are we intentionally creating inequality, but we are sponsoring the very return to the oligarchy that our forefathers tried so hard to remove."

While lauded in popular media as a gateway to increased financial independence and as potential boon to the economy in the long term, many economic officials as well as members from the Central Directorate have viewed this measure with some skepticism. "While I am completely for the creation of a stable nest egg that lauds the hard effort of our dedicated citizens, we must hold this legislation to a certain amount of trial and skepticism before we release it to the public domain," said Elliot Schultz, Central Director of Schultaria Prime, "Certainly, once the feasibility studies have come through, we can make a better informed decision about how this will alter the Schultarian economy, be it for the positive or the negative of our current system of financial management."

For our dear readers, here is a basic overview of the legislation in question:

The Personal Legacy Act
Provides every born, naturalized, and dual citizen of Schultaria Prime with the ability to save and hold a personal account of up to 10 million Schultarian merlons (18.1 million standard USD) completely free from taxation and or government intervention.

Funds from these accounts can be acquired and transferred through any legal channel. In the case where individuals receive monies from patents, copyrights, or any other form of semi-protected Schultarian intellectual property, their funds will be joined to the existing Intellectual Heritage Act (any person can earn up to 25 million Schultarian merlons tax free per each property with a 10 billion merlon max capacity)

From the founding of the account to the death of the individual in question, the interest of the monies within the account will grow correspondingly to the rate of inflation as determined by the Federal Treasury on a half year basis. Upon the death of the account holder, 70% of the monies within the account will be allotted for distribution to family members and legal dependents of the person in question.

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Department of Agriculture to Designwerks: "Halt All Grain Export Contracts."

As the numerous family and industrial farms of Schultaria Prime reach the critical halfway point in the anticipated harvest season for SDC 116, the Schultarian Department of Agriculture called an immediate meeting with high ranking members of The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks. While the majority of the meeting was conducted and documented in closed session, several members from the two agencies came forth in a public television address to discuss changes in export policy for the remainder of the business year. Central to the changes in export policy, on recommendation of the Department of Agriculture, was the stunning announcement that any and all cereal grains that were intended to be delivered to other nations would be severed for the remainder of the fiscal and harvest year.

This news has been the most recent in a series of events and studies which have brought to light the USSSP's newest problems in dealing with an exploding population base as well as heightened resource consumption. Based on projections issued by the Federal Government, the agricultural surplus for this calendar year will be the lowest per capita in nearly two hundred and seventy five years. Although this will prove to be a boon for many struggling family farmers across the nation, concerns about the prices of staple grains have already begun to creep into National Assembly reports and the CHIMDEX Stock Exchange. However, none of these initial doubts about the national food supply have yet translated into any significant legislation or major stock activity for the time being.


-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (00:36 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Final Hurdle in SEMBU-3 Construction Project Proposal Cleared, Natural Factors Still Pose Threat

Beating the Assembly mandated midnight deadline by less than four minutes, The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks issued their final series of feasibility studies for the development of the Schultarian Eclovo Mechinama Bieo'logvo Urrbennex (SEMBU) Project. The studies, a series of five thousand page reports on the geologic stability of the continental plates underneath the Schultarian Capital City, have been the subject of intense debate on National and City levels of government. Although not necessarily a "hot" issue compared to recent debates over trade policy and defense spending, arguments surrounding the development of SEMBU-3 have grown in ferocity and number over recent weeks.

At the center of the controversy lie concerns that are posed by the fault system known as the Dakkien Confluence. Located some 4000 meters below the surface of the city proper, these fissures are positioned in areas that have shown to be problematic for prior construction projects at this level of depth. "What we have here could be a potential problem for our construction crews if the reports come back unfavorably," noted Foreman and Geological Engineer Shanna Watzew, "The number and size of the faults composing the Confluence have never been studied in any detail. In all honesty, if it weren't for the continued requirements for housing, none of us might have ever had the opportunity to study deep crust tectonics in such a level before."

Scientific curiosity aside, the Confluence still represents a major problem in the potential designs of the SEMBU project. Although the final steps of bureaucratic pre-approval are now in their last stages, the very real problem of the Dakkien Confluence could threaten to put the entire endeavor on hold.

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About the Schultarian Eclovo Mechinama Bieo'logvo Urrbennex (SEMBU-3) Project

Designed as a means of managing the ecological consequences of permanent settlement and preexisting hyper-urbanization, the SEMBU project series has sought to alleviate some of the pressures of urban life by creating self-contained, ecologically realistic, arcological domes underneath the surface of Schultaria Prime's larger cities. Since SDC 15, The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks have helped to build, manage, and maintain some eighteen of these underground structures beneath eleven of the largest cities in Schultaria Prime and Islandia Schultaria. At the present time, over ninety million individuals either hold a rental or permanent address in one of these urban developments.

At the present time, the largest of these structures resides in Schultaria Prime, Schultaria Prime. With over 942 billion cubic meters of volume (15 kilometer radius | 1 kilometer height), the underground complex known as City Sub Level 1 is the result of nearly eighty years of research and development to alleviate urban sprawl; at the same time, the facility has also garnered numerous records including World's Largest Underground Structure. Now over 16 million residents, it is also one of the most densely populated regions in the Schultarian nation; however, with the present proposals of SEMBU-3 currently under serious consideration, the record held by City Sub Level 1 could be in jeopardy. At over three times the volume, SEMBU-3 will be designed to hold and contain a projected 25% of the Capital's expected census in SDC 140 (~90 Million SEMBU residents upon time of completion) with relative sustainability in comparison to other urbanized Schultarian megalopolises.


-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: COLLOI, SCHULTARIA PRIME (16:22 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Designwerks Aerospace Celebrates the Production of the Fiftieth Komomerenketsan Spaceplane

The premier aerospace achievement of Schultaria Prime celebrates yet another milestone in what has been a landmark year for the normally embattled Schultarian aerospace industry. Amidst a tremendous public celebration with many local and foreign representatives in attendance, The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks unveiled their fiftieth production model of the Komomerenketsan passenger spaceplane to a warm celebration. Oerl Werner, an assistant skycrane operator for Designwerks Aerospace, reflected on his emotions as the spaceplane rolled on to the tarmac, "It's wonderful to see something you've worked so hard to make get such a nice welcome; I feel like a father getting to have a good look at his child for the first time."

An international success story...

While the aeronautic industry of Schultaria Prime has been in active operation for well over a hundred and twenty five years, competition and aggressive international marketing by foreign firms has prevented Designwerks from acquiring a significant share of the global aerospace market. With restrictive export and research laws forbidding the sale and or transfer of whole offensive military components to non Schultarian entities, the majority of all aerospace exports from the nation proper have been restricted to basic fuselage components and engine retrofits for foreign air systems. At the same time, larger and more influential passenger industries have been able to hold Schultarian industry at bay in terms of conventional subsonic civilian aircraft.

However, with the development of the Komomerenketsan, this normally stagnant division of Designwerks has received hundreds of offers from dozens of local and international firms throughout the world. "Even at nearly 5 billion merlons a vehicle, demand for the Komomerenketsan continues to grow on almost a daily basis," replied Joachim Roberts, CEO of Colloi Airinstaata Manufacturing (CAM), "Customers from many international entities have been jumping at the chance to purchase these vehicles. Perhaps our most notable contract would be with VAL out of Vastiva; with a contract of 35 aircraft over the next seven years, they are by and large the biggest customer we have so far."

All of this international demand has helped to bring much needed employment to many citizens in the manufacturing blocks of the Colloi megalopolis. With demand for the Komomerenketsan continuing to grow on a steady pace, CAM expects that as many as ninety-five thousand new skilled positions and three additional facilities will be built within the next twelve years to hold pace with current economic predictions.


-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

OOC: Damn good job on the detail and etc...reminds me to do my own one of these days...

OOC: Thank you, I hope that this thread will help to "flesh out" my nation in terms of industry, society, and economy. Keep tuned for more updates.

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IC:

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: MYRLE | SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (17:04SCT)


-Available for international release...


Schultarian Diode Company Posts Record Breaking Second Quarter Earnings: Tech Stocks Rally on the CHIMDEX

Much to the surprise of many professional stock brokers, local investors, and many government officials, the CHIMDEX Stock Exchange posted the sixth largest percentage rally in its history due in large part to surprising news from the Schultarian Diode Company (CHIMDEX: SDC-a). After a growth filled, but generally lackluster, export season for all Schultarian goods and services in the first three months of the fiscal year, federal financial analysts placed lowered the stock ratings of all Designwerks-run export intensive businesses from strong purchase to hold. Due in large part to this downgrade, many projections for some of the nation's niche industries: Civil Engineering, Metallurgical Refining, and Advanced Computational Systems, had been lowered from projections deemed "too optimistic" for the current international market.

In the midst of this clipped optimism the Schultarian Diode Company, a Designwerks subsidiary and foremost producer of computational hardware for all Schultarian computers, posted expected profit projections at .95% over last year's earnings at this period in the fiscal year. However, due in large part to several critical contract and patent cases in favor of the computational giant, the net worth of SDC-a nearly quadrupled in the span of less than nine weeks. Central to these cases was a landmark agreement between the Schultarian Diode Company and the University of Schultaria Prime System; in exchange for providing double the standard royalty fees to the University and their researchers, SDC-a earned the rights to own and produce three significant and highly profitable series of patents. With the agreement between the two entities, the Schultarian Diode Company now holds and retains virtually exclusive license to produce the "Prometheus" and "Hermes" class of quantum nanoprocessors as well as the revolutionary NEXCRA crystalline data storage system.

These three technologies, each worth approximately in the range of four hundred billion to a trillion merlons in physical sales a year, helped to bolster and nearly triple the earnings collected by the hardware company in this unexpected summer quarter. Profit projections for SDC-a rose from an anticipated 75 billion merlons to an actual 273 billion merlons, a jump of some 364% in the last twelve weeks. On the heels of this announcement came several positive indicators from the Schultarian government; citing a ever growing demand for automated systems and increasingly efficient manufacturing procedures, several multi-billion dollar contracts were awarded to twelve Schultarian electronics firms throughout the nation. Each of these reports helped to bring an early rally to the tech sector of the CIMDEX which eventually spilled over into heavy industrial stocks and high finance corporations by the end of the day.

At the end of today's trading the CHIMDEX rose approximately 17.5%, or 1,135 points, to 7,620.71.


-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

Another BUMP to generate some interest.

-Please, if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or requests for clarification in any of my news stories please don't be afraid to ask. I'd love to know what other people think about the time and effort I put into this thread.

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: ELDAIMOVEY ADVANCED RESEARCH LABORATORIES [EARL], SCHULTARIA PRIME (15:13 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Schultarian Space Administration Announces Development of Jolar'kne'ketsan Probe to Federal Government, TAPRES, Officials

Amidst the subdued atmosphere of the Eldaimovey Complex's International Village delegates from the National Assembly, Central Directorate, Central Scientific Collective, and The Alliance of Pure Research and Engineering States (TAPRES) met for a three day conference regarding the current progress and potential future of Schultarian space research efforts. In the marathon symposium of fiscal projections, research studies, and proposals for new scientific grants, the Schultarian Space Administration announced the development of a new deep space probe which is intended to be the forefront of the SSA's renewed scientific initiatives. The probe, currently operating under the name Journey Sight Space Craft (Schultarian Equivalent: Jolar'kne'ketsan), is the only project that has been announced so far from the results of this conference but has already made a splash in the scientific community.

A scout for a new age...

"This probe is designed to be more permanent, more powerful, and more pertinent to the economic and engineering sectors of Schultarian society as well as providing an invaluable research tool," announced Tomar Orrow, veteran Mission Commander and Leader of the SSA, "Not only will the Jolar'kne'ketsan provide scientists and cosmologists with a wonderful tool to survey planetary bodies in better detail than before, but it will do it with technologies designed to help improve the daily lives of citizens in Schultaria and other TAPRES member states."

The probe, currently designed with a mission life expectancy of over fifty years, is the most advanced piece of Schultarian space technology to be announced to TAPRES officials. At the present time, it is intended to explore the asteroid belt and outer ring planets of the Sol system in detail some six to eight billion times greater than could be offered by similar space probes just two decades earlier, and with more independent control than offered by similar counterparts. Although the space craft is still some two and a half years from completion and deployment, Hifex News has obtained two preliminary photographs unveiling the probe's design.

The Jolar'kne'ketsan as viewed from the rear of the space craft. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/emschultz/Probe1.jpg)

The Jolar'kne'ketsan with it's high and low gain antennae in the foreground (sensor package is located behind the main high gain dish). (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/emschultz/Probe2.jpg)


-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

These things are like a work of art. Seemingly normal newspaper clippings from an extraordinary country.

Another Publicity BUMP, and a thank you to Leafanistan for the nice comment.

I'm glad that people are replying to this thread; whenever I continually bring up my work I always worry whether or not the general public views it as worthwhile material. Thank you once again for your time, and keep tuned for more updates!

Publicity BUMP

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (07:22 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Concerns Abound as Guffingfordian Blockade Reaches Schultarian Shores

As the nations composing the allies of ViZion and Generia step up their engines of war for a showdown that many experts predict to be truly devastating for global stability, the impacts of their efforts are already being felt in Schultaria Prime. While many general civilian concerns are for the already victimized populace of the nations participating in the conflict, the main concern for the Schultarian government is one of local civil and economic security. "The business of war, during war, is great for armament manufacturers, grave diggers, and the unethical policies of profiteers," replied Cernai Elim, Head of Economic Export Growth in the Schultarian Treasury Department, in a private but unrelated interview several weeks ago, "unfortunately, the side effects of such activities can ultimately hurt conventional industries in the long run. Material shortages due to defensive necessity, hostile action against sovereign economic transit, and even the distracted attentions of the labor force all play their part in helping to slowly erode the economies of the generic civilian market..."

Such has been the case with this conflict against the global economies of many nations both directly involved and neutral alike. In an effort to bring the conflict between ViZion and the Generic Empire to a sudden and economically extreme conclusion, the Nation of Guffingford has imposed a near-universal blockade on the Straits of Gibraltar and the Suez canal. Although Guffingfordian authorities have publicly stated their reasoning and methodology behind this continued action, concerns from The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks and the Schultarian Agricultural Collective have begun to grow in alarming response. The nations bordering the Mediterranean: North Africa, the Israeli Peninsula, and Southern Europe compose nearly 45% of Schultaria Prime's daily agricultural imports and 70% of the nation's material exports. With every passing day, according to reliable sources from inside the federal government, the Schultarian nation stands to lose anywhere from 24 to upwards of 30 billion standard American dollars from lost trade on a daily basis.

"Of course this is a very complex concern for the nation entire," responded Director Joan Covey in a press conference to address the ViZionian / Generian conflict, "presently, we can assure our citizens that we are attempting to pursue as many diplomatic options in order to return our balance of trade to peacetime levels while maintaining our neutrality in the conflict as long as it can be preserved. Right now the Schultarian nation has no significant pressure to warrant the issuance of a general vote for military commitment, but should diplomatic efforts fail in the ability for Schultarian trade and humanitarian aid to reach the shores of the Mediterranean we will exercise all available options at our disposal."

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

Another BUMP to generate interest.

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (10:04 SCT)


-Available for international release...


The Schultarian Defense Forces: Faster, Stronger... Fewer?

With the conclusion of the Assembly's three week respite, the four hundred member legislature has renewed debate on a series of bills concerning the restructuring of the Schultarian Kamor Collabraci (Schultarian Defense Forces) that have been held in limbo for several critical political sessions. Although the legislature has been reticent about altering the structure of the nation's defensive forces political pressures from citizen interest groups and the Central Directorate to at least consider the numerous SKC provisions has been met with some open, but less than fervent, support. "It's hard to ask [the National Assembly] to even consider these provisions," stated Jenna Karlow in her reconvening address to the National Assembly, "The state of national affairs continues to show us that the world needs societies who will be willing to lend a helping hand should the worst happen. If we are to willingly pass these [reductions] to the SKC, what will it say to the rest of the world who might need our help in the future?"

Outside of the Assembly, the revival of the SKC restructuring debate has been met with a more diverse reaction from the general public; of nearly forty-five thousand interviewees surveyed from major metropolitan areas within the nation, the split between pro and anti restructuring is now near a dead even split. For many major international and military policy experts within the University of Schultaria Prime System this diversity is considered average for a nation that has shown relatively long-term stability, but some professors and federal officials have warned that Schultaria Prime's limited involvement with its allies in defensive engagements could lead to more citizens taking extreme stances on the disarmament issue. As in all cases concerning mass action with the Schultarian military, the people at large would be required to vote on several pages of legislation should the National Assembly consider passing the restructuring bills.

For our dear readers both in Schultaria Prime and abroad, here is a basic overview of the legislation and its potential impacts to the SKC:

The Financial Restructuring and Civil Responsibility Act
Offers the public the ability to reduce the budget of the Schultarian Kamor Collabraci in five percent increments from as little as 5% to as much as 25% per annum (adjusted for inflation) over a period of ten years.


The act would also immediately redistribute the SKC's severed funding into the federal budgetary allocations for General Welfare, Education, and Savings / Debt Reduction.

The Superior Soldier Act
The SKC must increase per capita funding to approximately 800,000 - 1,000,000 USD per active and reserve service personnel over the course of five to seven years while at the same time applying any other budgetary restrictions imposed by prior legislative acts.


Should enlistment and active employment for current members of the SKC need to be reduced, all discharged members will be allowed preferential status in any other federal employment position along with full benefits to be allocated from spare finances located within the Savings / Debt Reduction allocation of the Schultarian budget.


The reduction in personnel should in no way, shape, form, or function, reduce the strategic, tactical, and technological progress of the Schultarian Kamor Collabraci in helping to both defend the nation and its allies at home and in theaters abroad.

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (23:48 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Federal Government Issues Business Charter Expansion: Designwerks to Possibly Expand with Potential International Partnerships

Years of intense debate, political wrangling, and constitutional concerns took a brief hiatus as the three branches of the United Socialist States of Schultaria Prime celebrated the tentative drafting and ratification of The State Industries of Schultaria Prime: Designwerks' newest federal charter. With a brief, but very public, signing ceremony attended by over four thousand government leaders, foreign dignitaries, and Designwerks employees, two of the three Directors of Schultaria Prime officially signed the first critical provisions of the company's new directives into official law. Absent from the mass of signatory individuals was Central Director Elliot Schultz; as the popularly elected Chief Executive Officer of Designwerks, the head of the Schultarian state could not participate directly in the drafting proceedings. In his stead the head of the National Assembly, Jenna Karlow, drafted her signature as Director in proxy while the Central Director looked onwards from his seat in front of the large audience.

Inabilities to participate in the official proceedings aside, CEO / Central Director Schultz took the opportunity to assuage the vocal opposition from numerous Nationalist unions while at the same time presenting an upbeat message to the international community. "This charter is not a prerogative or a precedent to permit our nation to be bought wholesale by foreign entities, but rather a wonderful opportunity to spread the influence of our economy and way of life to nations willing to engage in beneficial trade," replied Elliot in commemorating the drafting ceremony, "unlike many other business entities, whose sole goal is to generate profit by dealing in the seedy undercurrents of death and destruction, Designwerks has proven time and again that the profitable solution is the peaceful solution. By working alongside other international businesses who believe in these same principles we help to not only improve our collective stations in life but also promote peace in the process."

Although the signing occurred in the public limelight, the Designwerks Charter still has a difficult road ahead; unlike the previous seven incarnations this newest legislation has faced, and will continue to encounter, serious problems in the Schultarian Constitutional Court, where strong anti-corporate legal precedents have taken their toll on the charter's livelihood. When the fanfare subsides and the cameras finally stop recording the charter will return to deliberations among the three divisions of government for probably no less than the remainder of the governmental year, according to memorandums and official press releases from the Directorate and Judiciary obtained by Hifex. However, the mood for Designwerks' newest draft has been met with some optimism from many areas of the government, as well as many ordinary employees...

"Working hand in hand with nations like Sarzonia, Sileetris, and Aztec National League? I think I can warm up to the idea, especially if it means a better wage for me and my coworkers... let the brave new company come!"

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Another BUMP to generate some interest.

-Please, if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or requests for clarification in any of my news stories please don't be afraid to ask. I'd love to know what other people think about the time and effort I put into this thread.

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: HEERLU, SCHULTARIA PRIME (11:48 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Department of Agriculture Symposium to Address Grain Production Generates Considerable Concern

Outside of the Tholen Jimmuien central amphitheater crowds of anti-centralist activists, concerned farmers, stock brokers, and members of the merchant marine stood in silent protest as leaders from the Department of Agriculture convened in Heerlu to address agricultural problems of "serious implication". Inside, the assembled members of the department gathered for an impromptu session to address concerns that grain production might fall below the maximum per capita requirement for the remainder of the SDC 116 calendar year. Though the meeting's tone has been viewed as subdued and thorough, according to press releases and numerous hours of video recordings obtained by Hifex through the Department of Agriculture, many members of the greater federal government have begun to take heed of growing public discontent for the safety and security of Schultarian food supplies.

While there were no reports of any violent clashes between the assembled mass of individuals and the police forces assigned to hold security detail during the course of the meeting, the mere presence of the protestors has drawn considerable criticism to a government agency that has been accused of inefficiency and sluggishness in previous administrations. Although "considerable action" and "complete steps" are being taken to address the concerns of a possible food shortage, according to an official press conference immediately after the Heerlu meeting, the department heads did concede the fact that Schultarian agriculture has the distinct possibility of "not meeting its production goals for the remainder of this year." This has drawn considerable concern from the high financial community where agricultural self sufficiency in terms of cereal grains has allowed the nation at large to save billions of merlons yearly in desperately needed welfare revenue. "If we suddenly have to start importing our staple grain foodstuffs from foreign nations, we'll have a severe crisis on our hands should international peace deteriorate beyond its current level," noted Lompalien Kel, head of economic forecasting for Kel's of Colloi Insurance, "if this dependency continues, the nature of core Schultarian economic independence will be severely tested in the next few years."

A full report on the projected agricultural shortfall is expected to be published by the end of the next business week according to sources close to the Department of Agriculture...

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

Publicity BUMP

OOC:

If you want to find out the circumstances behind this report (and any eventual solutions to it) please click here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=437164) for the RP thread.

IC:

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: TARANNU | COLLOI | DOLEC, SCHULTARIA PRIME (16:07 SCT)


-Available for immediate international release...


Prairie Fires Join into Massive Firestorm:

Central Plains Region Thoroughly Devastated by the Aftermath

As numerous fire crews from five major megalopolises and over four hundred and fifty rural municipalities begin the slow process of containing and eliminating the remaining pockets of what was one of the most devastating fire disasters in recorded history, the nation faces a long, difficult, road ahead. What started out as roughly thirty smaller brush and prairie fires as the result of an erratic thunderstorm system some six days ago collected and grew to a firestorm of epic proportions less just two hundred and fifty kilometers southwest of Tarannu in the space of less than thirty six hours. The fire grew with such alarming speed that even the most veteran smoke jumpers and regular fire suppression teams noted that in many areas there was simply no hope of protecting property or preserving the fragile investments of many local farms.

"We tried our best to prevent the fires from damaging national monuments and Schultarian heritage sites with generally good success," noted Commander Quentin Thalow of the National Schultarian Firefighters Association, "Unfortunately, this effort came at the expense of many family houses with very long lineages, but we did manage to minimize property loss as much as possible." While exact numbers on the injured and dead are still hard to come by, most federal estimates have placed the number of fatalities from the fire and fire-related injuries in an estimate of some thirty to sixty five individuals with another twelve thousand families either losing part or all of their property in the frightening blaze.

Compounding the already remarkable spread of property damage, conditions of lackluster rains and mandatory water conservation laws had already left many farmers in dire straits prior to this event. As noted from earlier articles made available for international release, the Nation of Schultaria Prime has been in the midst of a significant per capita grain surplus shortage the likes of which has not been seen in over two hundred and seventy five years. "It looks like this might spell the death knell for the farm," replied Jackson Eisentraut while trying to hold back the tears of losing some 390 hectares of wheat, potatoes, and corn along with over 40 beef steers and milking cows, "Nine generations... and I'm the one to fail the family..."

Such is the scene throughout the nation tonight as the National Assembly and Central Directorate have jointly issued a state of national emergency for the Protectorate of Schultaria and the States of Prime and Tarann. According to sources close to the federal government, the damage is currently estimated at some 12 to 16.5% of the nation's entire cultivated landmass. At such levels of devastation, the immediate economic consequences to the food and energy industries have pushed many key leaders of the CHIMDEX stock exchange to suspend trading for the remainder of the next two business weeks.

When reached for comment, Central Director Schultz was reported as "busy trying to prepare aid for the stricken families hit most by the fire's effects" and "preparing his options in addressing the impending food issues."

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

Publicity BUMP

Another BUMP to generate interest.

OOC: +tag+ Excellent job, I will continue to read in interest.

Tagishness cause it be interesting

http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9524030#post9524030

HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: SCHULTARIA PRIME, SCHULTARIA PRIME (01:26 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Recent Escalations of Military Action Between Gholgoth and OMP Ententes a Terrible Disaster to Schultarian Relief Efforts

As the government of Schultaria Prime is busy attempting to rally public international support in light of the catastrophic fires that have ravaged the nation's economy and food stores, many head diplomats and international economists are becoming increasingly alarmed at the disappointingly lackluster response from the international community. Even as members of the National Assembly and Central Directorate are currently engaged in a series of whirlwind tours and meetings amongst close international partners to breed support and sympathy for the plight of what is quickly turning into a problem of significant proportions for the nation at large, even garnering simple messages of support and well wishes have been very slow in delivery. According to many international political science experts from the University of Schultaria Prime system, it appears that the heightened state of offensive operations between nations closely supporting Praetonia and Automagfreek are the chief implicates in why the Schultarian disaster has not received more international coverage. "There hasn't been a war of this magnitude for many years, so naturally those who are closely allied or on even friendly terms with either Praetonia, Automagfreek, or their multitude of alliances have very immediate concerns for their national security," replied Professor Wacom Rihel, chair of the Tamir Otkabon school for international political policy, "the energies and resources required to sustain a campaign of what could likely be a war on a worldwide scale will leave many governments very narrow-minded in their policy making decisions. Unfortunately, for many people in (the Schultarian) government, this means less public reaction from foreign entities concerning our local plights."

Though support for the Schultarian nation has been noted and documented by several key players and extremely close allies from TAPRES and NATO, especially the Nations of Hamptonshire, Sharina, Spacer Guilds, and Celack, unilateral support from both of these complex international entities as a whole has been generally non-existent. For the most part, contributions to the tragedy have been efforts from individual nations acting outside of the general bonds of their larger alliances, leaving concerns amongst many members of the National Assembly that the Schultarian Nation is not worthy of international support in greater international spheres of diplomatic influence. "It's simply despicable to see our crisis being swept away from so many nations who have had reasonably strong diplomatic and economic ties to our country," said Assemblyman Gregor Nalken as he returned from an emergency session of the National Assembly late Friday evening, "We've offered so much of our services to the world and our closest international friends, especially in the fields of engineering and civil design, and why haven't more responded in kind? Where are the Greenmanbarian, the Freek, the Azazian, or the Aztec replies to our national plight; are they merely fair weather friends unwilling to help us in our immediate time of need?"

While the public government consensus is one of cautious optimism and deep thankfulness for those nations who have offered to contribute support to those most directly impacted by the tragedy, private concerns about Schultaria Prime's diplomatic strength in global affairs has raised considerable questions about the nation's current diplomatic mission work. According to many officials closely related to the Department of State, the government has opened serious considerations of drastically changing the diplomatic stance of the Schultarian nation from one of passive openness and open support of large international alliances to a far more combative and highly regimented series of specifically defined bureaucratic arrangements. Citing "tremendous levels of lethargic replies, general apathy, and more concern for the 'affairs of war than civil tragedy'" from highly notable NATO nations to the Schultarian situation, many experts within the Schultarian government note that the timetable for re-discussing the foreign policy debate might be accelerated to address these concerns before the end of the Schultarian calendar year.

-For one hundred and ten years, your source for all news Schultarian...

Hifex News Agency

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HIFEX NEWS AGENCY: MYRLE, SCHULTARIA PRIME (15:22 SCT)


-Available for international release...


Economists Incensed with the Federal Government's Prospects to Proceed with the "Free Trade for Free Nations Act" in Light of Recent Economic Disparities

With the CHIMDEX Stock Exchange still under a two week trading moratorium and a fervent National Assembly ready to impose a new tariff law known as the "Free Trade for Free Nations" Act, many leading economists of the Schultarian state have expressed worry that the restrictions in foreign goods, services, and potential aid capital imposed by this new legislation will only serve to undermine the future health of the Schultarian economy. Although the leaders of Schultaria Prime: Directors Covey, Haarvekord, and Schultz, are still in deep negotiations with close allies concerning the capacity and longevity of aid required to bring the nation's agricultural industry back to its feet, leading economists are lambasting the three heads of state for their inaction to prevent what has been called a "sacrifice the [majority] of the Schultarian marketplace" by a bevy of economic experts. "In a time when we as a state need the most help from foreign producers to help our society's industry, the National Assembly has taken a great strides to insure that indiscriminate injury is inflicted on the entire population," stated Professor Georg Donnelly, an associate Professor of International Trade Policy for the University of Schultaria Prime - Edgen, "While it is understandable that precedence for agricultural support must be taken, it does not stand to reason that this tariff legislation should even be considered, let alone pass, in an economic situation such as the one we're experiencing."

Bill NASDC 116-391, otherwise known colloquially as the "Free Trade for Free Nations" Act, represents the legislative consolidation and culmination of a rather significant humanitarian-based tariff and export policy that has been developed in Schultaria Prime over the last fifty years. Though Schultarian export law has always given precedent to give trade preferences to nations of generally good standing in regards to civil and political freedoms, this most recent act represents a consolidation of all previously issued bills, articles, laws, and the like into a singular and far more aggressive piece of omnibus legislation. Citing the concerns that investment in foreign companies and importation of foreign equipment that originates in nations with less than desirable human rights records only serves to preserve long standing repressive practices, this act would forbid the importation of foreign items, financiering of state funds into international ventures, and sale of any Schultarian goods, universally and without question, to any state charged with inflicting gross civil injustices to its people.

At an emergency meeting of The Schultarian Bankers and Investors Guild, the Permian International Financialist Association of Myrle, a series of leading experts on Schultaria Prime's fiscal management, tax codes, and customs policy issued a joint statement to the federal government arguing for immediate reciprocity for all economic damages that could be incurred as a result of this significant policy change. The over three thousand page report, in a brief summary offered by the Association's Board of Directors, outlined the specific and immediate consequences that this legislation could have on the nation once open market trading resumes in less than eleven days. Using major statistical economic models provided by the Central Treasury Department as well as the Designwerks Internationale Investment Cooperative, the collection of nearly two hundred separately authored papers attempted to show that the restrictions imposed by the National Assembly's newest tariff acts would provide a complete and irreversible change to the technologically dependent Schultarian economy.

However, despite a dearth of plentiful expert opposition to the National Assembly's newest piece of import legislation, press releases from the Central Directorate of Schultaria Prime have either downplayed the act's implications or been completely silent on the issue. In a press release issued by the Central Directorate's media chief, Walsom Ponyeagin, he acknowledged that the Directors share "considerable sympathies" for the concerns of the economists and institutions who oppose the legislation, but refused to comment as to whether or not the heads of the Schultarian state openly support this act.

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Anyone of my close personal and NATO diplomatic relations even remotely concerned about the context of this last news report?

OOC:

Since I want nations who consider themselves close trading partners of mine to understand the impact of this legislation, here's the full form of the entire act.


IC:


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The Thirty-Eighth Grand Assembly of National Delegates and Representatives of the Schultarian State

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On this, the one hundred and sixteenth year since the founding of the modern Schultarian Constitution and the State which has served as a faithful and cognizant steward to the People of Schultaria Prime since ratification, present this, the three hundred and ninety first article of legislation, to be enacted by the National Assembly and ratified by the Central Directorate for common and universal betterment of the Citizenry entire.



Section 1: The Ceetanias logim prac'fassa (National Assembly's Commitment to the Citizenry)


Whereas:

1. It is recognized that the mandate of the Schultarian government is to serve the population it represents in all manners of civil, economic, and defensive jurisdictions.

2. It is the ultimate goal of the Schultarian nation to build a state along the above jurisdictions as a means of national betterment compared to the documented trammeling of the rights, freedoms, and liberties of our lineal forebears prior to the establishment of the Unified Schultarian Constitution.

3. The ratification of any work conducted by the legislative bodies of Schultaria Prime must reinforce the rights and freedoms of the Citizen as a means of assuring open and transparent culpability of the National Assembly, Constitutional Courts, and Central Directorate.


Therefore:

All legislation presented within the following document here forth abides by the aforementioned declarations as a body of work designed to support the interests of all born and naturalized Schultarian Citizens and the future of their rights and freedoms as proprietors of sovereignty within the state.



Section 2: On the Nature and Role of International Trade Relations


Whereas:

1. On the subject of international trade, it shall be considered that the definition of such transactions will mean the exchange of physical and immaterial goods and or services beyond the defined borders of Schultaria Prime, as enacted by previous legislation, to individuals, groups, or states beyond the jurisdiction of the Unified Schultarian Constitution.

2. By the above definition all forms of international trade, be it through the distribution of goods and or services to areas beyond Schultarian jurisdiction (export) or collection and resale of such items within the jurisdiction of Schultaria Prime (import), are circumspect to legislation by the National Assembly and physical redress by the Central Directorate as per legal codes NASDC 1-9; NASDC 1-28; NASDC 3-14; NASDC 22-97; NASDC 58-6; NASDC 65-417; NASDC 76-124; NASDC 92-108.

3. That it is the duty of the Schultarian State to enact legislation to protect such management on export and import trade while simplifying the burdens of bureaucratic operations and physical execution.

4. That it is the duty of the Schultarian State to insure the well being of all Schultarian citizens by protecting their economic and fiscal health from excessive and unwarranted monetary deficits in trade exports and unfavorable or otherwise illegal employment practices conducted by defined non Schultarian states throughout the known world.

5. The duty of the Schultarian State is to effectively promote and sustain trade which will benefit the majority, if not all, Schultarian Citizens with a maximum of economic progress and a minimum loss of employment or current trade surpluses as measured by the Schultarian Treasury Department.


Therefore:

1. It shall be the duty of this legislation to condense the export and import stipulations of the above acts: NASDC 1-9, NASDC 1-28, NASDC 3-14, NASDC 22-97, NASDC 58-6, NASDC 65-417, NASDC 76-124, and NASDC 92-108, into this singular defined legislation.

2. It shall be the duty to refine the Schultarian Treasury Department, allocating the necessary personnel and fiscal resources from its own personal allotments for international trade regulation, to effectively manage the policies as introduced by this legislative act.



Section 3: On the Obligations of the Schultarian State in International Trade Relations


Whereas:

1. It is within the best economic interests of Schultaria Prime and all other territories that recognize the Unified Schultarian Constitution to insure that a favorable balance of export and import trade should occur among all interested parties.

2. It is within the best civil interests of the Schultarian nation to openly support, invest, and give preference to nations or private enterprises who practice trade and labor laws that could be considered fair, equivalent, or even more progressive than current stipulations and regulations as mentioned in the trade acts of Section 2.

3. It is within the best defensive interests of Schultaria Prime to associate with nations of like-minded civil and political policies geared towards the protection of the Citizen's right to equitable working conditions and peaceful dissent towards established policy as a means of promoting gradualist political change and a modicum of stability within and outside of the Schultarian nation.

4. Such interests, if not already defined under the stipulations and regulations of Section 2, must be ratified and established in order to preserve the aspirations and future success of all free individuals of Schultarian origin or otherwise.


Therefore:

1. The United Socialist States of Schultaria Prime shall conduct all future negotiations regarding export or import trade in concert with representatives from the Schultarian Department of State, Schultarian Intelligence Directorate, Schultarian National Assembly, and the Schultarian Kamor Collabrai in order to insure that all trade policies meet the requirements of protecting the Citizen's freedoms in all civil, economic, and defensive jurisdictions.

2. All trade negotiations created prior to this legislation are subject to voluntary review and renegotiation as per an open writ of legislative correction to be defined by the Central Directorate and subsequently ratified by the National Assembly.

3. The United Socialist States of Schultaria Prime, has the full right to impose heightened forms of economic import restriction through the legislation of full tariffs and or negation of any active export trading with entities that do not conform in equivalent degree to accepted standards of international human rights or Schultarian codes of Citizen protections and conduct.

4. Any non-Schultarian entity threatening hostilities over the cessation or redistribution of trade to entities more suitable for the interests of all Schultarian citizenry shall be treated as full acts of open armed aggression and are subject to full reprisal to be conducted by the Schultarian Kamor Collabrai via Directorate Defensive Acts: NASDC 1-2, NASDC 2-5, NASDC 38-19, and NASDC 113-67.



Section 4: On the Convention of Naming the Legislation


Whereas:

This piece of legislation, prior to ratification, must be assigned with the appropriate National Assembly time stamp and official title for reference by future legislative, executive, and judicial acts.


Therefore:

1. This legislation, effective immediately upon debate by the National Assembly, shall be referred to as Nationale Ambelaata Schultarian Demokratishe Collabracci (NASDC) 116-391.

2. This legislation, effective immediately upon ratification, shall hitherto be known as the "Free Trade for Free Nations" Act.

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No comments, concerns, or even a vague interest to RP the prospects of this recent legislation? No fascist or dictatorial nations claiming discrimination?

I guess I really am just a marginal figure here... ah well, such are my efforts.

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