Telora Central News Service

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

Senate passes Social Security reform​

The Senate has passed the Social Security reform package proposed by President Brännare 61-24, after a marathon race to finish before Congress rises before the Christmas recess. The package, which will increase the Social Security age from 65 to 70 in increments over the next decade, as well as allowing richer individuals to choose to invest a portion of their Social Security commitments in private accounts, among other measures, is expected to be signed in to law before Christmas by the President. The package is expected to stabilise the Social Security Trust Fund, which had been expected to go bankrupt before 2025 in light of an ageing population and poor previous management.

The package will also see a number of reforms insisted upon by left wing parties being passed into law as well. These include a ban on future withdrawals from the fund to meet budgetary commitments, as has been attempted by previous Presidential administrations and a restructuring of the Social Security tax, to exclude lower-paid workers and end the upper earnings limit on it. These compromises are believed to indicate that the President may well have an easier job building a coalition behind welfare reform next year than had been previously expected.

The National Statistics Agency (NSA) is expected to rate the final bill tomorrow, before it suspends its Congressional review process for Christmas. Experts have said it is likely to rate the package as positive for the budget and overall fiscal position of the country; a key priority for President Brännare in his election campaign earlier this year. However, the intensity of the battle over the package demonstrates that this debate is far from decided in the favour of the Executive Mansion.

Federal Electric announces Christmas projections​

Federal Electric, Telora's third largest company, has said that it expects to have a stronger than normal Christmas season this year in the domestic market, though it has warned overseas sales may well be impacted by conflict between Belmont and Coronado. The company has benefited from conflict in Jizhou driving down productivity there, as well as from a new factory in Telora coming on stream, enabling them to retire an older facility, driving down overheads and so helping them lower prices in the shops. It has said that its current capital investment programme, begun in 2007, is now at 'full maturity' and it will be reducing investment over the next few years, though not to pre-2006 levels.

FE has said that it expects the next year to see 'broadly steady' growth across the board, though it notes that it remains 'sensitive to geopolitical troubles in certain areas' and that it is aware that a number of its products may be classified as contraband in the process of embargoing weaponry. The company has said it will work with the Teloran and other governments to ensure that its exports go as undisrupted as possible.

The company is widely seen as a barometer of Telora's manufacturing base, producing a range of electrical goods such as washing machines and fridge-freezers, as well as electrical components for the automotive and ship-building sectors, railway stock and industrial components for the chemical industry. It has heavily invested in new factories and machinery since 2006 under the leadership of CEO Charles Lowestoft, after years of stagnation.

Other headlines​

• Telor City Mayor breaks ground on new subway line, 3 months behind schedule
• Nidaros dockworkers vote against strike action over new pension plan
• Retailers report steady pre-Christmas trade; marginally up over last year
• Centrist Party to hold new policy forum in January
• International Law scholars to lobby CoN for new body to improve international law

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

Government regeneration fund leaks reveal poor financial state​

A number of documents have been leaked from the Capital Regional Redevelopment Fund (CRRF), revealing significant financial problems for the body. The documents reveal that the CRRF has a cash shortage after a series of investments underperformed projections by the CRRF's own analysts. These include the North Canal Project, a massive development of upmarket offices and flats in a previously derelict area of Telor City, which has lower than 50% occupancy rates on average, as well as a range of smaller projects, from social housing through to mass transit initiatives. The cumulative result of these is that the CRRF is barely 10,000 Marks above its minimal capital requirement, though the documents suggest that the actual figure may be much lower as various other problems feed through.

The CRRF was founded in 2002 by President Schafenaker, as part of her manifesto pledges to promote urban regeneration through independent funds. The CRRF was funded out of the general budget and is required to fund projects that generate sufficient return to not only maintain a strong cash reserve, but also meet certain social and economic standards set out by the CRRF Creation and Enabling Act. The Act also makes the Fund, not the federal government, responsible for funding the debt that was incurred to initially set up the CRRF, though the federal government has guaranteed all the debts.

The Department for Domestic Development and Regeneration (DDDR) has issued a press statement saying that it is "extremely disappointed" that a leak has occurred; though it is also "considering the information revealed closely". This has led to much speculation in the media that the DDDR may have been as ill-informed as to the actual state of the CRRF's finances as the general public. No-one at the department could be reached for comment at the time this report was aired.

President considering student finance reform​

The President may well be considering bundling a reform of the student finance system into his welfare reform package next year, according to reports from sources inside the Executive Office of the President (EOP). He did not campaign extensively on the issue last year, though the previous administration had set up a commission, headed by former Secretary of Education Max Belkin, to investigate the possibilities for reform of the system. The system has been widely criticised by parties and commentators on both the left and right, and two think tanks - the right-wing United Telora and left-wing Progressive Future - have been begun independent reports into the system, expected at the same time as the Belkin Commission.

The current system involves a series of schemes and funds, some entirely public, others entirely private and some a combination, offering a variety of packages to students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Generally, fees can range from TEM 3,000 to TEM 21,000 a year for an undergraduate degree, depending on the institution, course and income of the applicant or their parents. Teloran universities are widely regarded as comparatively mediocre institutions in Europe, with only Nidaros among the top 15, and only 3 others out of 15 in the top 50. Any reform to the finance system is expected to go hand-in-hand with a wider reform of the institutions.

The Teloran Alliance of Students (TAS) has said that they will await the report of the Belkin Commission before coming to a firm conclusion themselves on a position, though they have strong advised in favour of a national cap on fees and large discounts for students from poorer backgrounds. The Higher Education Trust, which represents the interests of universities and colleges, has said that they will resist what they call 'excess interference' from the state, but that they will be receptive to new funding schemes from the Department of Education.

Other headlines​

• President signs Social Security reform into law; NSA rates it 'positive' to budget
• State Department meets with international legal scholars to discuss CoN lobbying
• New exhibition of impressionist art opens at National Gallery
• Free Church of Telora announces Christmas charitable donations this year will go to victims of war in Coronado and Belmont
• Snow forecast for later this week; forecasters warn of potential disruption

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

Crisis at CRRF deepens​

The Capital Region Regeneration Fund (CRRF) has been forced to suspend all lending and grant activities under mounting political and financial pressure. Yesterday's leak of internal documents and e-mails from the company revealed significant financial problems at the Fund, which is now widely reported to be operating significantly below its legally established minimum capital reserves. Reports in a number of newspapers and on the internet indicate that the senior management at the CRRF suppressed the full extent of their problems, and that the department with nominal authority over it, the Department for Domestic Development and Regeneration (DDDR), was unaware that Fund was so close to effective bankruptcy.

The President has ordered an immediate full investigation at the DDDR, and is believed to be considering a wide range of options to deal with the CRRF itself. The Secretary of the DDDR, Anne Beaumont, who has only been in office since July, has summoned the entire CRRF board to a meeting at the department, in what insiders are calling "extremely blunt terms". Condemnation of the CRRF is almost universal, with Congressional leaders reportedly consulting on committee hearings in the New Year into the matter.

The financial impact of the trouble at the CRRF has been equally dramatic. Yields on CRRF bonds have spiked, despite a re-iteration by the Department of Finance that they are fully backed by the government. A senior bond market at TelBank has said that the markets are "braced for a failure of the fund", which would expose the holds of the TEM 6.5 billion-worth of CRRF bonds to significant risk. With the country's finances still on the mend, markets are worried that there is little political will to take on another slew of debt at this time, which would push the budget stabilisation programme off track.

Ystad Cathedral re-opens prior to Christmas services​

Ystad Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, has re-opened 2 days early after an extensive restoration programme, begun after a severe fire two years ago. The fire, which ripped through the roof of the south transept and very nearly spread to the rest of the building, is believed to have been begun accidentally as a result of ageing wiring. The rest of the building has been re-wired as part of the restoration, and the Free Church has received a government grant of TEM 130 million to help re-wire and fireproof its 7 other cathedrals, as well as a number of other significant buildings in its possession.

The Archbishop of Ystad, head of the Free Church, will lead a service of thanks in which he will rededicate the three chapels of the south transept; one of which has been fully restored in the process of the repair programme, and will now be dedicated to St Florian, patron saint of firefighters, in commemoration of the efforts of the Fire Service to save as much of the building as possible. The church raised more than hoped from its drive for donations to assist in the rebuilding, and so has begun a programme to restore the rest of the building, parts of which are more than 800 years old.

The Federal Heritage Bureau (FHB) who part-funded and oversaw the work, have said that the fire at Ystad was a "demonstration of the sorry state to which some of our most important buildings have been allowed to decay" and are conducting a review of their own policies, as well as a wider review to try and development a new care programme. With the federal budget tightening, however, it is unclear if additional funds will become available from the centre to boost their efforts.

Other headlines​

• Exhibition of impressionist art draws record pre-Christmas crowds to National Gallery
• Conference on international law at State Department opens
• National Meteorological Office of Telora (NMOT) says forecast for weekend 'particularly bad'
• Federal Railways Board issues finally monthly report before being wound up
• Serial rapist imprisoned for life; judge says "release should never be an option"

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

CRRF to be wound up​

After a tumultuous few days, the crisis at the troubled Capital Region Regeneration Fund (CRRF) is finally coming to an end. The Department of Finance has arranged a bail-out package for the body, but it will be wound up and the debt subsumed into the national debt. The bailout will enable the CRRF to meet the December and January payments on its debt interest, and also cover the costs of winding the body up. The Department for Domestic Development and Regeneration (DDDR) will take over the portfolio of properties and other development schemes currently run by the CRRF for the time being, until a replacement body can be set up.

The CRRF has issued a statement today saying that they are "disclosing all necessary information to the Department of Finance, DDDR and other executive bodies" and would "work with those bodies to ensure that the process of winding up the CRRF is completed as quickly as possible." However, the Department of Justice is believed to be consulting on legal action against senior management at the Fund, and may subpoena the entire archive of the CRRF before the courts close tonight. A spokesman for the Department said that they "are not ruling out the possibility of criminal action on the part of individuals within the CRRF".

Congressional leaders have also said that they will hold hearings in January into the CRRF, when fresh legislation will be introduced to create a body to take over the functions of the CRRF. The DDDR may also come under the spotlight; as the Department responsible for the CRRF, questions have been advanced on the efficacy of the DDDR's internal regulatory mechanisms. For the moment, however, the main focus of the Administration is to calm the bond markets and set about winding up the Fund as smoothly as possible. At the time of reporting, yields on CRRF debt had fallen away to 11%, still more than three times their average.

State Department backs mediation in Belmont/Coronado war​

Secretary of State Karl Ekman has said that the Teloran government supports efforts by the government of Batavië to mediate in the conflict between Belmont and Coronado, which has spread in recent days to involve a number of other states. Speaking to a press conference at the State Department, Mr Ekman said that the conflict was a "real tragedy in human terms" and that the Teloran government would work behind the scenes to build contacts between the two warring parties. He noted that, given that Batavië had already offered their good offices to broker a deal, there was "no need to crowd the table" with other offers, and Telora would instead throw their weight behind that offer.

The Secretary did offer Teloran diplomatic assistance in building up a position of trust from which to begin negotiations in Batavië, stating that he was perfectly willing to enter the conflict zone and shuttle between Paris and Tolede to start that process. In the meantime, however, he urged both states to remember their obligations under Article 26, and 2(4) of the Charter of the Council of Nations, stating that "under the existing framework of international law, it is incumbent upon both sides in this dispute to remember that peaceful means to settle their dispute should never be taken off the table." He said that other European powers should also recall these provisions; in particular, Article 2(4), whose success he described as being "essential to the survival of a functioning international legal structure."

In the meantime, Teloran Defence Force commanders have reportedly been considering despatching a vessel to escort merchant ships away from the war zone, though they insist that any such a decision would be "purely a measure to ensure our safety" and that they had no intention of "policing the seas [...] unless the Security Council specifically authorises such a mission". Both the TDF and the State Department have conceded, however, that Telora cannot ultimately force states to back down, but that they remain committed to trying to develop a peaceful solution; or at the very least ensure Teloran interests and citizens go unharmed in the violence.

Other headlines​

• International law conference at State Department ends on a positive note
• TDF Corps of Engineers prepares to assist emergency services as weather forecast for Christmas weekend remains bad
• Presidential Christmas Ball raises more than TEM 1 million for charity
• Union official in Nidaros attacked; police link attack to recent no-vote on strike action
• Jewish leaders condemn attack on cemetery in Julyents

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of External Affairs
Commonwealth of Cornavia

The Commonwealth government echoes the Teloran calls of mediation to stop the war from gaining further escalation. With the large alliances only out to cover their own regional interests, neutral states must take the lead in bringing a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war in the South.

This becomes especially relevant with the very real risk of further expansion of the war.

Regards,
Mr. William Fenner,
Minister of External Affairs

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Flash

Massive snowstorm hits Telora on Christmas Day​

Telora has celebrated Christmas under a deepening blanket of snow. In parts of the country, more than 30 centimetres has fallen over the last 24 hours, and the National Meteorological Office of Telora has warned of further heavy snow over the course of today and the early part of next week. The snowfall has caused severe travel issues, with all of Telora's main airports reporting significant delays and cancellations today. Telor Rail are advising passengers to check before the set off as many services are cancelled, though they say that they will aim to operate "a basic service" wherever possible. Many shops are remaining closed today, as the snow makes it hard for both staff and customers to get into city centres to begin the traditional post-Christmas sales. Sports fixtures have also been cancelled up and down Telora.

The TDF has mobilised resources to help deal with the impact of the snow. Reserve runway clearing vehicles from the Air Contingent have been sent to Telor City International and other large airports to help keep runways clear. TDF Ground Forces are engaged in clearing and gritting operations on major highways in many areas of the country, as well as assisting local authorities get help through to elderly and vulnerable people. The President has agreed with State Governors to unlock millions of Marks from the natural disaster fund, to help meet the costs of dealing with the storm.

The inclement weather has not prevented Telorans from celebrating Christmas in some style, however. The President wished the country well in his Christmas message, with a particular focus on family matters. The Archbishop of Ystad has expressed a desire for peace between the warring powers in Gallia, saying that "the Christmas message is one that we should not just hope for, but work for, peace among all men".

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

Snow finally abates after 3 days​

The massive snow storm that has blanketed parts of Telora in over 40 cm of snow over the last few days has finally abated, leaving the country to face a massive operation to restore normality. TDF commanders continue to commit significant resources to the effort to clear airports and major roads, while local and state authorities are deploying significant manpower and equipment reserves themselves. The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that states are continuing to draw on the Natural Disaster Relief Fund to help deal with the emergency, saying that they do not expect to have to issue further debt to cover the costs.

The major rail lines, airports and roads have all now re-opened, though services on branch lines and rural roads remains extremely patchy. Telor Rail have said that they are working to clear their lines as quickly as possible, and have ordered in additional sand to make sure that trains can grip the still-icy rails. The state-owned railway operator has been allowed to suspend certain regulatory commitments to provide rural services for a week, to allow them time to restore the network and not face inquiry from Congress.

The National Meteorological Office of Telora (NMOT) has said they do not expect further snow in the next week, though they said that temperatures would struggle to remain above freezing for long. The Executive Mansion has said that the country is dealing "rather well" with the crisis, given the amount of snow that has fallen, though they are "aware not everything has gone to plan [...] and we will certainly be looking into ways to improve our response to such weather events in future."

CTM warns of difficult year for exporters​

The Council of Teloran Manufacturers (CTM), an industry body, has said that the war between Belmont and Coronado will have a negative impact on exporters, both in Telora and overseas, for the year ahead. The CTM, which made the warning in its annual end-of-year report, has said that Teloran manufacturers have done "reasonably well over the last year" and would be in a position to do well next year, were it not for the dangerous political situation overseas. The report in particular warns that naval blockades will dramatically reduce the size of the markets open to trade, as well as leading to higher shipping costs to cope with the impact of the war.

However, the CTM said they would continue to seek new markets elsewhere in Europe, with major companies like Federal Electric looking to sell both consumer and industrial goods to emerging economies, to help support their rise. In particular, the CTM notes that the opportunities to export to countries "upgrading their infrastructure in a significant way" offers some cause for hope. They also concede that Teloran companies who manufacture military goods may have a more buoyant year, though "the geopolitical tensions may ultimately mean it is even harder to export their products to their customers, creating the paradoxical situation of a war diminishing arms manufacturing".

The CTM's warning feeds into a growing concern that the war will have a significant, damaging impact on the export-led Teloran economy. Already, shipping insurance rates have climbed significantly since the start of the conflict, with analysts saying that they are likely to keep climbing if it intensifies. Further more, Teloran investors have been leaving those countries at a steady rate, forcing a scramble for other opportunities. Most analysts say that the reports for Q4 from major companies, due out in mid-January, together with the initial Q4 data, is likely to show a downtick in activity from the war.

Other headlines​

• NCBT holds meeting on potential war debt regulations
• State Department says they will "work to build a coalition" on international law reform
• First of new diesel locomotives unveiled at Brush Traction
• Arrests made over attack on Jewish cemetery in Julyents
• Christmas TV broadcasting "worst in memory" asserts leading critic

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Flash

Government worries about impact of blockade on shipping​

Leading Teloran shipping companies and manufacturers are reported to have lobbied the Teloran government to despatch a TDF vessel to the Long Sea to ensure that Teloran vessels can safely transit the warzone. Some shipping companies have reportedly demanded that the vessel be armed, saying that only with a clear show of military force could Teloran vessels feel safe in an extremely volatile environment. However, the State Department, industry bodies and senior analysts have all backed away from any such suggestions, all saying that any Teloran presence would either be lightly armed or not armed at all, merely a vessel to 'show the flag' and be a reference point for Teloran captains.

The TDF itself has not commented on the matters, though sources close to the TDF General Staff say that they do not believe their deploying a warship to the Long Sea would do actually improve the security of Teloran vessels, instead fearing that such a deployment would inflame tensions. This is in line with official State Department statements on the matter, that they wanted Telora to be a "potential source of relief, not trouble, in the war zone." However, it is likely that more talks will follow after the New Year between the government and industry, if a peace deal is not reached. It is also thought likely that the industry will lobby the government to request the Security Council to set up an international naval patrol to ensure the security of neutral vessels.

In the meantime, the President is reported to be considering options to extract Teloran embassy staff from belligerent countries. The government has reportedly been alarmed by moves by a number of governments to place some embassies on their soil under overt military surveillance, and is seeking re-assurance that diplomatic immunity will be respected, and that Teloran embassies will continue to operate unimpeded. One source in the Mansion said "This is more just-in-case than a serious worry [...] we'd like some clear re-assurances that our embassies are safe, though."

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

We strongly urge all neutral parties to refrain from dispatching military ships into areas of military operations and urge those who have done this, to withdraw. Otherwise, these countries risk to accidently become involved in combat and thus increase the risk of further escalating the war. Carentania will guarantuee the freedom of naval traffic within the Long Sea and such military operations as considered by Telora are entirely unnecessary.

 

[Telora]

The State Department wishes to re-affirm to the government of Carentania, and indeed other states, that we have no intention at this time of despatching a military vessel to the Long Sea - the option was lobbied for, but we rejected that approach. We agree that our sending such a vessel would unnecessarily escalate the conflict in the region. At the same time, we must seek firm assurances from the government of Carentania that Teloran vessels will be protected; and that our embassy in Carentania will go unmolested.

State Department

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

NCBT & Financial Sector agree block on war bond purchases​

The National Central Bank of Telora (NCBT) and leading Teloran banks have agreed to enforce the provisions of the Financing of Foreign Warfare and Violence (Prohibition) Act of 2003 in relation to the conflict between Belmont and Coronado. The Act, whose provisions are activated by the NCBT and policed by both the NCBT and the Department of Finance, prohibits Teloran companies from buying bonds issued by the governments of the combatants, requires bonds already held to be offloaded and also levies a 'war tax' on foreign companies buying these bonds through Teloran exchanges. The Teloran National Security Exchange (TNSE), which is the main bond market in Telora, does not have to delist the bonds, however; but given the prominence of domestic companies in the Teloran financial sector, the level of trading of these securities is likely to drop away significantly once companies have finished unloading the bonds.

The move comes on back of growing diplomatic pressure from Telora and other countries on both Belmont and Coronado to declare a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table. The State Department said that the new financial regulations represented "the sincere desire by Teloran companies, and the federal government, not to finance a war in which we are playing no role [...] and indeed which is harming our economy". Officials have denied firmly that they are biased against either country in the conflict, stating that they will apply the new rules "firmly and without prejudice to either side. Telora is a neutral state and she will not distort this by lending more to one side than the other [...] thus we will lend to neither."

Other officials have commented off the record that other regulations may soon be rolled out covering various exports to both sides in the war of military material. Already, customs officials have been briefed on holding cargoes due for the warring states with 'suspect purpose', though no such cargoes have yet been found. The TDF have confirmed this will only apply to Teloran companies, exporting through Telora, and will make no move to enforce this beyond Teloran territorial waters. They have said that "disengagement is the best guarantee of neutrality in this war".

Investigations into CRRF begin​

The Department of Justice has formally launched its investigation into the crisis at the Capital Regional Regeneration Fund, having already subpoenaed the entire archive of the CRRF before the Christmas break. The Department has begun the process of setting up an office for a special prosecutor, as requested by the President over Christmas, with one expected to be selected by the end of the week.

The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the pattern of events at the CRRF that led to its collapse before Christmas, rather than attempting to begin criminal prosecutions. Any such prosecutions would have to be brought by attorneys for an independent body; such as the NCBT, who are in charge of financial regulation, or representatives of companies invested in by the CRRF. The latter group are expected to bring such action in due course.

In the meantime, Congressional leaders have confirmed they will hold seperate hearings into the matter after Congress resumes next Monday. The House of Session Committees on Development and Government Oversight are the front-runners for the chance to hold their hearings, with Senate officials reportedly already decided on their own Development Committee holding its own round. Justice have confirmed that they will provide a full copy of all documents they have subpoenaed from the CRRF to the Committee, while Department of Domestic Development and Regeneration (DDDR) officials have indicated they are more than happy to testify before the committee.

Other headlines​

• Shipping insurance rates remain high; volatile
• Ban on Mixed Martial Arts to be lifted; Department of Culture
• TelorRail drops civil action against heritage railways; says new administration dissaproved
• Post-Christmas sales flat over last year
• Børad Council reported to be considering approaching overseas auto firms for investment

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

President delivers annual Congressional Address​

President Brännare has delivered his first Congressional Address, unveiling a sweeping plan of legislative and executive measures for the coming year. Among other things, he has announced plans for significant reforms to the welfare and student financing system, a range of measures designed to stimulate growth in the economy in the light of the impact of the Gallian War and foreign policy initiatives. The speech was warmly received by both Congress and the public at large, though analysts are warning that passing welfare reform through Congress will be a significant battle for the President, given the huge array of vested interests that have become attached to parts of the system. A summary of the main points of the Presidents' speech follows.

Economy & Budget

"... we will continue to strive together to bring down the deficit and tackle our swollen national debt. We have already begun work on emancipating our future generations from the legacy of the spendthrift ways of my predecessors, but we must not tire in our quest to be ever more responsible with our national chequebook [...] I am confident that mutual co-operation on this issue remains both achievable and desirable..."

• Confirmation that 2011-12 budget would include reduction of deficit from 3.4% to 3% of GDP at least
• Will present full recommendations for regulatory and tax code reform to Congress before end of year
• Export Loan scheme for manufacturers to be overhauled to make access easier

Welfare

"...We cannot, and should not, abide the abuse of a system that is designed to help those who have fallen on hard times, or find themselves unable to work through no fault of their own. We should show those who deserve our hope understanding and munificence in their hour of need, but we must not shy from the need to have a welfare system whose first priority is the promotion of productive, healthy lifestyles among all those who can work..."

• Major overhaul of welfare system to be announced; likely to include benefit reductions
• New tax proposals to encourage unemployed to take lower-paid jobs
• Student loan system to be revamped and centralised

Education

"... Aside from enabling our students to access higher education more readily through an improved finance system, we must commit to creating institutions in this sector that are of European significance. For too long we have shirked the need for major reform and investment in higher education to that end. I will bring to Congress fully costed proposals to help investment in new teaching facilities, new libraries, new student union facilities and new accommodation at campuses across Telora. This investment in our future will pay untold dividends in years to come..."

• Commission to review secondary school examinations
• New legislation to improve investment in higher education facilities
• Commission to examine reform of school administration

Foreign Affairs & Defence

"... Telora must be a responsible voice for order in Europe. We must not shy away from trying to help others when they seek peace, but we must not be aggressive in the assertion of our values. If others wish to seek peace with our help, then we will help them, but if they have their own path to peace, then we must respect that. Telora will be a friend to all governments who have a sincere desire for an orderly Europe..."

• Renewed commitment to remain outside regional alliances & neutrality policy
• Ongoing commitment to help end war in Gallia
• Defence Force equipment review to be brought forwards to this year in line with request from commanders

Other

• CRRF prosecutions to be pursued, new body will be decided upon before budget
• Heritage funding to be overhauled to improve support for architecture
• Science funding protected from cuts for rest of term; efficiency savings re-invested
• Ongoing process of reducing federal workforce and overhead to remain "sensitive and orderly"
• Entry to CoN to remain "priority"

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

President's legislative programme hits obstacle​

Delegates at the National Council of Labour's monthly summit have voted overwhelmingly to endorse motions that oppose President Brännare's welfare reform plans, just two days after he announced them in his Congressional Address. Speakers at the summit have decried the plans as being "tantamount to a betrayal of the poor" and have called on the administration to reconsider the plans. However, delegates refused to back more militant motions that would have put NCL support behind strikes to block the reforms, with some saying that they wanted to raise concerns with the government, not engage in what one source called "the open warfare of the picket line."

The lack of support among labour organisations for the plans will come as a blow to the President, who was banking on building a wide coalition behind the plans, much as he achieved with the reform of the Social Security system last year. Commentators say the move will embolden opponents of the reform on the left, especially in the Socialist Party, which has been deeply divided over how to respond to the President's reform programme. Some senior figures in the party have distanced themselves from the NCL motions, however, saying that there was "much in the proposal we believe we can support."

Polls released today indicate that the public is generally supportive of the reform plan by 41% to 28%; however, 31% of voters say they have no opinion as yet, with many of them saying they want to hear more details before deciding. With many Congressional leaders and members still also deciding, and the reform proposals not due to be published in bill form until the budget, both sides are gearing up for what could be a long political battle over this sensitive and divisive issue.

State Department welcomes Gallia ceasefire​

Secretary of State Karl Ekman has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gallia by the government of Belmont, and called on both Belmont and Coronado to come "quickly and wisely to a firm deal to end the war and return stability to that part of Europe." The move comes after a visit by the Secretary to Franken to discuss common efforts to end the war, and contacts between Telora and the Northern Council to help build support for their moves to host talks to end the war. Commentators have said the development of a united front opposed to the war helped bring the conflict to an end much sooner than might otherwise have been the case.

The Secretary also said that the Teloran Defence Force would be on standby to provide men towards any peacekeeping mission that might be requested, but said that "we will only go when asked by both parties, or by the Council of Nations, and only stay as long as necessary." Some officials in the State Department have said they would rather Belmont and Coronado worked together on developing mutual trust instead of having a military force imposed between them to deter future conflicts. Teloran embassy staff have been placed on standby to provide additional diplomatic channels to speed up the peace process; it is not known if they will be utilised by either side.

The news triggered a bounce in Teloran stock prices; the Teloran Central Stock Market (TCSM) 100 index rose by 2.3% on the news, ending the day 3% higher. Investors have expressed relief that the war appears to be coming to an end, hopeful that this will take the pressure off Teloran exporters and enable the economy to continue its steady pace of growth this year. However, shipping insurance costs remained relatively high, with market analysts saying that they are unlikely to fall significantly before there is a "done deal, signed and enacted by both sides."

Other headlines​

• Børad Council to send officials to Eiffelland to discuss automotive investment
• CRRF hearings before Congress begin on Monday after committees allocated
• Eagle & Ox report as-expected Q4 earnings, warn of 'softness' after Gallian war
• New play on racism towards Ests stirs controversy on opening night
• Local man in Old Telora produces first Bible in Ancient Estish, says "had to do something to fill the time"

 

[Telora]

TCNS News Summary

Peacekeeping mission for TDF sparks vicious row​

A proposal from the State Department and Department of Defence to despatch Teloran troops to assist in a potential Northern Council peacekeeping mission on the border between Belmont and Coronado has sparked a vicious political row within Congress. The offer was made public earlier this morning, with the government announcing they would offer troops to assist in a Northern Council-led mission, providing the Council, Paris and Toledo all agree to the presence of Teloran troops on any mission. However, senior members of the Conservative National Party have come out strongly opposed to the mission, joined by the Teloran Defence League.

Senator Willem de Ruyter (CN - Dreltsland), the Conservative National whip in the Senate, has led calls for Teloran troops not to be deployed, issuing a strongly-worded statement against what he described as "wanton misuse of the Defence Force in the name of political objectives". It is known that a number of right-wing politicians in Telora privately supported Belmont during the conflict, though the Administration remained strictly neutral and had embarked on a policy of steady disengagement from both sides shortly before the conflict ended. Though the Conservative National Party is officially behind the government's mediation efforts, the Teloran Defence League, a far-right party with three seats in the House of Session, has publically called for the country to drop support for the peace talks, saying that "it is right that Europe be purged of communism by force."

The Administration, however, has been backed up by the President's own Liberal Centre Party, the Socialist Alliance, Social Democrats and Green Parties, all of whom have issued a joint statement saying that they believe "Teloran troops can contribute positively to ensuring the space needed to develop a more durable mechanism for peace in Gallia". Worryingly for the Conservative Nationals, a number of their members have also signed up to the statement. Analysts have said that the internal divisions within the party, which lost out badly in last years' President elections, could deepen if this debate continues for too long. In the meantime, the State Department has said it will hold "full discussions" with those opposed to the mission.

Federal Court backs Administration over CRRF​

The Federal First Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Administration's action to close down the Capital Regional Regeneration Fund and subsume the debt of that body into the national debt was in line with the law. The case was brought by a former Chairman of the Fund, Anders Schei, who claimed that the way the Fund was wound up contradicted federal regulations on the management of the National Debt and relations with what are termed "Government Investment Trusts", of which the CRRF was by far the largest and most prominent, in particular the Government Investment Trust Acts (1978/86/99/2003). Mr Schei argued that the state should have asked the stakeholders in the CRRF for their consent through a ballot prior to their winding up the Trust.

However, the Court considered that the collapse of the Fund was at a stage where the normal procedures for winding up such Trusts could be laid aside in favour of the emergency procedures outlined in the 1999 version of the act. In the unanimous opinion, Senior Justice Carl Model wrote that "the Court considers that the threshold tests in the 1999 Act [...] had been crossed in their entirety, and we believe that the Administration was correct to act as it did." It also waived arguments made by Mr Schei that some of the evidence produced was inadmissible owing to the circumstances of the subpoena under which it was released by the CRRF.

Mr Schei has confirmed he will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, which is expected to hold initial hearings within a month on this case. In the meantime, Congressional hearings will hear evidence from the former board of the CRRF next week, and then move onto Administration officials the week afterwards. The Department for Domestic Development and Regeneration (DDDR) has said that they will publish details on a replacement body before the end of the Congressional hearings into the collapse.

Other headlines​

• Proposal for International Law Institute received warmly; government says it is "firmly behind idea"
• Q4 2010 GDP figures show slowdown to 1%; slightly below predictions
• Commission on Secondary School Examinations unveiled
• Major financial institutions lobby for "reduced regulatory burden"
• New and revised government contracts data due to go online tomorrow