NationStates Jolt Archive

Todays top story is this: The AsoGM Ministers voted today to change the term structure of the office of President. Instead of a maximum of two four year terms, the new terms limit is four two year terms. The Ministers feel that this will help to ensure the President stays true to the values that got him/her elected. An informal poll of the citizenry shows that most citizens are agreeable with the new legislation.

Also in the ASoGM, plans are in place to launch 4 new global weather satellites into polar orbit. These weather satellites will be equipped with the latest meteorological instruments, as well as high definition video for real time weather imagery. These satellites will hopefully give ASoGM meteorologists an edge in the world news arena.

Finally, the ASoGM military announced today that it will begin development of a new multi warhead ICBM for defensive purposes. In addition to the new ICBM, the ASoGM will be designing a new warhead. Nuclear testing will hopefully begin within the year, with the new missiles expected to be in service within the next 2-3 years.

OOC/Secret IC: The "weather" satellites are actually the ASoGM's new high tech recon satellites. They're based on the USA 193 satellite.

Today in the ASoGM, scandal rocks the Allied States Basketball Association, when a group of 5 referees admitted to taking bribes in exchange for fixing games. The 5 referees were already on suspension from the league following the allegations, and after hearing the admissions, were summarily banned from the sport. The Ministry of Prosecution is considering racketeering charges against the referees and the other individuals involved in the scandal.

Also in todays news, the ASoGM Ministers will begin debates on whether to legalize casino gambling in the nation. The vote is expected to be close, and could hinge on a number of factors.

Finally, the bodies of 3 lost hikers were discovered late this morning, in a dense forest to the north of Glaser pass. The hikers went missing a two and a half weeks ago, and it has been suggested that they might have died of exposure, due to the extreme nighttime cold this time of year in that area. Also of note is the fact that the hikers were in one of the many GPS dead spots around the ASoGM, which is theorized to be one of the reasons they were lost in the first place. Full autopsies are scheduled for the 3 hikers.

Today's top story: ASoil has acquired Tamin Biofuels, a Ralkovian company, and is in the process of relocating it to the ASoGM. In response to this development, ASoil stocks rose 3 points, as it is speculated that this acquisition will boost ASoil's production of algae based bio fuels, leading to an increased market presence.

Also in the news, ASoGM Ministers have come to a decision on whether to allow gambling in the ASoGM. While the margin of victory was slim, gambling will now become legal within the ASoGM's borders. This will hopefully increase foreign tourism, and create new jobs for ASoGM citizens. Many developers have started their plans for casinos, and the first ones could open within the next year and a half.

Next, the 5 referees involved with the game fixing scandal have plead guilty to racketeering charges. In exchange for their testimony against the kingpins of this illegal enterprise, the referees will be sentenced to 18 months in a medium security prison.

Finally, autopsies have been completed on the 3 lost hikers who died in the forest north of Glaser pass. As suspected, all three died of exposure. A spokesperson for the families of the hikers, was quoted as saying that the GPS coverage in parts of the ASoGM are woefully inadequate, and something should be done to resolve the situation before more people die in the wilderness. In response, ASoGM Ministers are looking into the possibility of systematically replacing all the GPS satellites currently operating, if the rest of the world agrees to it.