Le Monde-News From Marquette

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Transcript of King's Speech


Ladies and Gentleman,

At the end of this year, we will indeed reach a new high in our debt. As it stands, we will overrun our budget by 23 Billion Joliets and the amount owed on our external debts will be approximately 18 Billion Joliets. We have, for 6 years, run a nation which has run over budget bringing total debts to 122 Billion Joliets. Luckily, estimates were not completely accurate.

The Joliet will be restored to it's traditional value within the next decade. We will follow a plan of action that will allow us to restore it's value and our place in international economics.

One. We will begin to operate with a balanced budget and end all reckless spending.

Two. Nobility will no longer receive stipends of such magnitude.

Three. We will continue providing Europe with products of quality and continue creating a workforce of skill and reliability.

Four. Until we create a detailed plan, Petitioners and myself will work every day, including Christmas.

Five. Petitioners unanimously agreed to not receive compensation for work until we have reached a detailed plan.

The Marquen people are people of faith. We will work through this. I promise to the people, this issue will be resolved. From here I will immediately head to a petitioner session. God Bless and Happy Holidays."

Other News

Marquette Motor Corporation to release the Soleil. According to MMC, the Soleil will cost J6,105 brand new.

Marquette Olympic hockey team ready to avenge last winter games. "Bronze is an honor to most, but it is nothing but a further challenge. We cannot accept bronze again. We will triumph." said Pierre Trumdeau, the team captain.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Petitioners, King Create 5 Year Plan To Save Economy​

Fond du Loc

Despite Christmas being well under way, the Chancellor announced that the King and Royal Petitioners met yesterday and today and created a plan to solve the issues plaguing the economy. Meeting at 10am, the King and Petitioners worked until 6pm only breaking for 30 minutes for lunch. "The plan is a basic yet strong approach. We will begin to implement it immediately" said Chancellor Rouve. The Christmas Plan as it is called will include several strategies including-

-A tax increase on the top 6% of earners
-A tax break for newly created companies
-A slight industrial tax increase


"We will pay off our debt at approximately 30 Billion per year with the implementation of this plan. Our traditionally stable Joliet will hopefully return to it's former place. Have faith" continued Rouve.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Headlines​

Inside source says Royal Petitioners and King worked a 17 hour day today in attempts to add further details to the Christmas Plan. The source claims the King has stated they will work at least through Wednesday without break.

Advantages of the dip in the economy is allowing investors to come to Marquette. The Catholic Church appears to be heavily investing in the Marquen economy.

Marquen Olympic Hockey Team prepared for February. The team features prominent Left Wing and Captain Pierre Trumdeau, Goalie Cristobal Huet, and break through rookie and defense leader Archie Springer.

Royal Family will sell 44 pieces of art valued at nearly J205,000,000 to help underprivileged children attend school throughout the world. The money will help pay for books, supplies, and extracurricular fees.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Le Monde Special Sunday Edition
​

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Chancellor Rouve Announces Economic Strategy​

Aubagne


After touring a vehicle plant, Chancellor Rouve addressed several reporters. "We have come up with more additions to the Christmas plan. We will be instating an 8% increase in sin tax to begin with. Taxes on the top 7.5 percent of income earners will increase. We will continue to encourage foreign investors. We are confident that the we can recover following our 5 year plan. We have worked with the King and both liberals and conservatives to build this plan.." said the Chancellor.

Op-Ed: Optimism and Pessimism

by Celeste Goldberg P.R.

Europe is no playground. We have many nations, each with their own problems. Each with their own interests, each with their own agenda. The Great War is far behind us. We must look forward. We must remain diverse while working together.

Some fear further globalization. Others embrace it. Let us look at this from a historical viewpoint. People since the dawn of human kind, people have been getting together with common interests and goals. Native tribes and nations formed in ancient times before cars and television. People who were like minded. Competing city states would band together to fight common enemies though remaining rivals when left alone. Banding together today in alliances is nothing new. It is a continuation of trends seen over thousands of years.

Now, I am not saying it is in everyone's best interest, nor am I saying it endangers people's interests. I, like many others, am merely asking the important questions, much like a university student. We all continue learning til the day we die. Nations emerged because of similar interests, why the change in philosophy. Is it a fear of change? Is it a different viewpoint?

Perhaps one of the most powerful human traits is self interest. Greed. This is the simple reason why a global entity, a one government for the world cannot exist. Morals, interests, and greed will prevent a global entity from existing. This is one reason countries exist. Being a nation apart from others has benefits. It is the reason have wars. Other nations have things to value. Nation A invades Nation B because it has something nation A does not have. This is supply and demand. The something nation B has that nation A does not will be called Widgets. Because A does not have Widgets and wants them, this creates value. Value goes both ways on the street. Before rambling further I think you get the idea.

In short, we can work together and try to accomplish common goals, but we will always have goals which are not shared. Why? Because we are human.


Other Headlines

Royal Courts uphold firearms law. The challenge arose in 2005 claiming the law violated self defense laws. The law restricts personal ownership to bolt action sporting rifles that hold up to 3 rounds (unless of .22 caliber), muzzle loaders, historical weapons, and sporting pistols.

Princess Claire suspected single.

 

[Thaumantica]

Mister Goldberg,

Europe is of course a long shot from any form of playground. However, nations with individual interests an agendas is not always necessarily a horrid idea for all of us to wrap our minds around.

As we observe Marquette supplicate aid from the International Community, undoubtedly a sign that its lavish lifestyle of frills and thrills comes to an end, it should be of no surprise that for now Globalization is a popular concept to the Francophone masses.

Union principles combine to form a doctrine of minimalist control, only existent to an extent which we can engage the many predators which lurk abroad. From a historical viewpoint, it could be argued that any organization larger then the village or city state is dangerous not only to itself, but the civilizations which speckle territories beyond a humble village's reach.

Like minded people have combined resources to commit acts of kindness for a time, leaving warm hearts for periods of joy. A scar lasts much longer then a warm heart however, and the scars of nationstates and alliances mark every culture like a veteran of war. A Global Entity would carry one of the, if not, largest swords ever held by any one seat of power.

As to the virtue of self-interest which has been torn to shreds by the Cronies of Communism in Europe; a refuge of the individual, most important to the preservation of the human being as a free man. Greed is a more then natural emotion, essential to the human so he may carve off enough from his environment to sustain and pursue a level of happiness. Greed can also be abused in the same way power over communities can, though it is it so damned hard to perceive the concept that individuals committing crimes is less harmful then communities, nations, or god forbid global entities committing crimes against their fellow man?

Irregardless, this nation of individuals shall only band together again if only to throw off any possibility of enslavement to the rising Global Entity, praying that removal of this threat is swift so we may all go back to our individual pursuits of happiness. Common goals are shared, and will of course be accomplished when folks work towards something as partners, yet we will carry reservations on how much we are willing to commit. With so many apart of the entity, minorities shall be tugged along paths they would have never considered alone. What if, for example, the majority of this Global Entity decides that a minority must be dissolved to protect interests of the majority.

Since its enactment, the Council of Nation and any organization equal in mass, have been nothing short of corrupt or lethal to the thresholds of individual liberty which we as Zivs hold dearly, more so we worry then others who would lay down their arms and bow down to the Emperors & Dictators who comprise said Councils.

Forever Free,
Marešal Huszár,
Sindikat Marešal of Životinje

OOC: Turned out longer then I had expected. . . Oh well, deal with it pilgrims.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Mr. Huszár,

A playground has bullies, cliques, happy people, sad people. A playground in itself often has issues. While most get along, many still have the occasional problem. Many jostle for time on the swings or monkeybars (the irony of it being an obstacle aside) or wait in line for the slide.

My article is merely an exploration of the idea of a global entity from a philosophical standpoint based on human nature. It is not intended to be a challenge to your article but an exploration of an excellent topic.

Yours,

MS. Celeste Goldberg
Royal Petitioner

 

[Caelia]

*coughing fit*

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

LaPointe Named Foreign Minister, First Black Minister

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Fond du Loc

Sir Henri LaPointe, former Royal Petitioner and current ambassador to Wiese will become Marquette's first black minister. LaPointe chose not to make an address from his office in Wiese but chose to continue working. LaPointe did issue a statement announcing his intention to close out the week in Wiese before moving back to Marquette to be sworn in.

Petitioners Will Not Block Sale of Iron Company...For The Most Part​

Fond du Loc

With an economy that is on crutches, the Royal Petitioners took a long look at the sale of YITiron to Sibir Steel. YITiron, or Yareaux Insery Tempeau Iron, is Marquette's third largest iron company. By order of the Chancellor, a committee was formed to investigate weather a sale of such a strategic industry and employer of such size should be sold to another nation. During the press conference, Petitioner and Committee Chair Jacques Penois announced that the committee had come to a decision that a sale would not be blocked if Sibir Steel followed certain criteria. The sale would also not be blocked it is not protected by the Strategic Business Act like the two largest iron companies are. Penois explained the unusual deal is mostly due to the companies size, employing nearly 21,000 employees.

The criteria was released today immediately after the conference.

1. No jobs cut within the first 10 months of ownership
2. Jobs cut over the next 3 years will not exceed 8000 jobs total
3. Sibir Steel adheres to Marquette Business Code
4. Sibir Steel does not cut benefits for 3 months
5. Sibir Steel does not use company

 

[Caelia]

Sibir Steel

The Sibir Steel Corporation guarantees it will fully adhere to the conditions set out by the government of Marquette. YITiron under Sibir Steel will continue to deliver world-leading products and services and provide career opportunities for the people of Marquette.

Regards,
Sibir Steel Corporation Board of Directors

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

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Fleet Recalled Amidst Nuclear Tensions​

Bordeaux

While en route to the Burgesia Republic, the 1st Fleet was recalled. "We must avoid any misconceptions and at the same time be vigilant." said the King while at the Admiralty today. "Meribia's nuclear test has raised tensions around the globe, it is not healthy for anyone" said Marshal Soult, commander of all Marquen Forces.

The Fleet was scheduled to make a good world tour visiting several countries and allowing students to tour certain parts of ships.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Headlines​

Royal Petitioners submit bill, Space program ill be cut to save J11 Billion. J10.5 Billion would go to debt repayment and J0.5 Billion to education programs.

Bordeaux coach Jules Winfield named Olympic hockey coach.

Conservatives question education spending.

Cell phone use by drivers on roads now illegal without headset or speaker phone system. Punishment can be up to J4,500 and loss of license after a number of citations.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Military Spending Cut But With Perks

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Bordeaux


Chancellor Rouve announced Sunday that the military's traditionally steady funding will be cut for the first time in 11 years.

"Frankly, our budget is bloated. For the type of military we operate, or rather the doctrine we operate by does not require the mountain of funding we have. We will be discharging 65,000 service men and women from every branch. We must look to the future and our fundamentals" said Rouve at the Royal Navy Yard in Bordeaux.

Rouve's plan, which was apparently approved by the King December 28th, calls for an undisclosed cut in spending. Rouve was quoted at saying it was a multi-billion Joliet cut. The plan also calls to cut 65,000 people from the IDF. The plan appears to not only to be economic but a military one as well. Rouve outlined the strategic parts of the plan which included-

-Sale of a carrier with profits used to purchase cutting edge small craft
-A modernization of the Royal Air Force
-Increased EDF cooperation
-An overall increase in reserve numbers

The plan is expected to discharge the 65,000 closest to retirement.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Op-Ed: Carentania Playing Dangerous Game

by Celeste Goldberg P.R.


For the second time, CPB Evening News has published a minor story of Marquen fishing vessels entering Carentanian waters. Statements from the Marquen government have again stated, no such vessel exists. In fact, after the first incident, a full investigation was launched by His Majesty's Government.

CPB news published the following on 1/13/2010 "In other news: another fishing vessel from Marquette, entering into Carentanian national waters on their search for fishing grounds, has been stopped by the Revolutionary Navy..."

Let us look at this more closely. Why would a Marquen vessel enter Carentanian waters without permission after the first incident? Wandering perhaps? Unlikely. In an age of GPS and advanced navigation technology, would one not know where they are? Especially when they would be operating close to Carentania.

The facts to most are clear. These ridiculous accusations point to three possibilities:

1. The government of Carentania allows their media to make such unsubstantiated and potentially volatile claims without commenting on it themselves.


Or

2. The Carentanian government is aware of the claims yet chooses not to respond. Perhaps they wish to gain attention or just do not care.

Or

3. CPB is attempting to attract readers using nothing but tabloid style news inserted in their reports.


Whatever the reason, it is clear that these claims are ridiculous. One could only hope that the government of Carentania takes positive action.


Celeste Goldberg is a frequent contributor to Le Monde and is a former Royal Petitioner. In 2004, [she became an honorary Royal Petitioner for life.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Featured Story:A Solution To Feeding The Destitute?

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The Marquen plant named Cartois may be among the keys to feeding the world's hunger said Interior Minister Maurice Bénichou.

Cartois is frequently called a 'black potato' although it more closely resembles a radish. "Cartois is actually somewhere between a potato and wild onion" says Marian Cousage, head of the Agriculture Information Office.

Cartois is generally considered a pest and many farmers and those living near the moderate climate of the north, Cartois "grows at an alarming rate" said Cousage.

Cartois is known to have a fairly bitter taste and is rarely used in cuisine due to its unique, overpowering flavor. Cartois is so unwanted and due to it's abundance, it's market price is about j36 per pound. Almost a third of one Joliet! Cartois is sometimes used to spice sauces and is sometimes used in soups. "This is where Cartois can be valuable. Cartois can be used to make soup and may be fried with butter substitute to make them passable" Cousage continued to say.


Cartois grows primary in North Central Marquette and is not known to grow anywhere else with the same rapidity. "We will investigate the possibility of growing it for food purposes, it's all a mater of cost" said Minister Bénichou.

Some downsides to Cartois include the fact it has never been sustained at any substantial level outside Marquette due to both disinterest and the fact it is often viewed as a pest plan Cartois often encourages erosion, growing in river banks. When ripe, animals often eat the Cartois by digging through the river bank, this can erode yards of river banks in a matter of months" Bénichou said.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

King Promises No Intervention On Meribia​

Bordeaux

Despite calls for intervention from conservatives, the King made it clear that no direct military action would be taken from Marquette unless circumstances significantly change.

"This is a conflict that should concern everyone. The nation of Meribia clearly has disregarded peaceful protocol when it detonated a nuclear device in attempt to rattle it's saber. Coronado unsheathed theirs in defence of us all. Perhaps we should look at unsheathing a sword to be at least prepared rather than hanging it over the fireplace" said conservative Royal Petitioner Pierre Aran.


According to sources, the King met with several Royal Petitioners Sunday in a closed door session and met with several military leaders.

"We need to look at history. We can see what hawk like maneuvers of state can do to the world. The smallest conflict can become the next Great War. Where does it end? This conflict, for now, does not concern us in the least. While we condemn Meribia's use of nuclear weapons, we cannot endorse our own action" said the King.

Royal Air Force Warns It Is In 'Danger of becoming archaic'

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Fond du Loc

In a memo sent to the Chancellor's office Thursday, top Air Force officials noted that purchasing 4.5 generation fighters from Wiese, the Royal Air Force is still inadequate. While the Royal Navy has received quite modern aircraft, the Royal Air Force's primary fighter turns 40 years old this year.

Part of the memo included a status report- "The refusal to allocate proper funding to the Royal Air Force has resulted in a situation where as a fighting force we will not be as effective as is required by our current duties and power projection. Currently, we have 789 F14 C EuroCats which are active duty service aircraft. In addition, we have 55 Eurocat C models, 100 EuroCat B and 200 F47's in reserve. Our armament must be augmented within the next 2 years. Failure to do so will result in our force being in danger of becoming archaic"

Imperial Defence Forces Public Information Office has not commented.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Effects Of Transportation Cuts Already Showing​

Aubagne

Even in Marquette's lavish 'Casino City', public transport has been the backbone of travel since the early 1950's as it became elsewhere. The city of nearly 1,000,000 is now simply unable to operate public buses at sufficient levels. Today, buses are now operating 55% less than last year. Some routes in Aubagne are serviced only twice per day that previously were serviced as many as 6 times per day. What is the result you may ask?

"Gasoline consumption is up in consumption sharply. While we are still gathering statistics, we have reports of a strong upswing in consumption in the past week" said provincial Transportation Office head Isabelle Coutere. Coutere continued to say "we are expecting to have an overload in use in the subway system and will have to divert other funding especially to rural train systems."




ooc- Think Monte Carlo only larger

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Marquette Electric Aerospace Unveils New Stealth Fighter

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Sault Ste. Marie

Amid much fanfare, Marquette Electric and the Royal Armory introduced the EF2 EuroBadger. While it will most likely not be adopted by Marquette, it is designed specifically for export. More specifically for international customers who are searching for an aircraft for defensive, counter-air missions. While the appearance of the aircraft is similar to several others, the EF2's mechanics are state of the art.

"It is really a 4.5+ generation aircraft. It's body may be gen 4, but its spirit is all generation 5" said project director Pierre Ranin of Marquette Electric Aerospace. Ranin continued, "It is really exciting, we have a less expensive aircraft that is comparative to many of it's competitor's."

While the aircraft's details are not available to the public, an anonymous source stated that Marquette will procure between 15-20 for it's air forces.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"Kingdom Raising Taxes On Everything" warns anonymous Royal Petitioner​

Fond du Loc

The Royal Petitioners submitted 3 new money raising measures today for approval by the King. All were supported by at least 70% of the Petitioners making it likely they will be approved.

The first tax is perhaps the most interesting. The Weiss-Tampleu bill would require fast food establishments to pay a tariff to augment the effect it has on the health care system. Though it is a small tax, it is expected to bring in J25 million.

The second tax, which is more of a penalty, would cover vehicles which do not meet strict environmental codes. The Enviromental Vehicle Standards Tax would require vehicles that do not pass bi-yearly testing to pay for the testing and to pay a J250 fine. Also, their yearly Royal taxes will include a further J200 increase.

The third tax will raise the most money. While Marquette imports 80% of its light sweet crude oil, Marquette has enjoyed comparatively low gas prices. This is partially due to the lack of a government tax on gallons of gas and comparatively low gas use. Now, the government will see a j19 tax on each gallon of gasoline. This will not include diesel which will see a j10 per gallon tax. Revenue from this tax will all be used to help pay Marquette's outstanding debt.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Headlines​

Kingdom offers 15,000 troops to Ratomkira to help stabilize country.
Bomb rocks Jazz bar in Sault Ste. Marie. 4 dead with 13 injured.
Army Reserve to be cut by 60,000 by June says Defense Ministry.
Jewish population increasing says census.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

A Marquetten intervention on behalf of the oppressive Ratomkiran government will met severe resistance from Carentania and we can only warn our regional neighbour against taking such steps in favour of a reactionary government, as it would detoriate our relations.