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nieuws van Nedernesië sinds 1642. vrij en onafhankelijk 8ƒ​

Earnings Reports from Q1 Show Lower Consumer Confidence, Lower Demand, but Increased Household Savings

Vrijpoort, 02.05.2020 - With markets closed in Nedernesia and most of the world yesterday for the Labour Day holiday, many large publicly traded firms used the opportunity to release their earnings reports for the first quarter (January through March). Processed food giant, NedFoods, reported stable revenues in the domestic and Scanian markets, but reduced revenues in Gallo-Germania and Westernesse. The only region for growth was Himyar as Nedcafé, powdered milk and canned goods continue to do well there.

Standard Chartered Bank had a lacklustre quarter at home and in Scania and Gallo-Germania where consumer confidence has steadily declined this year mostly over growing tensions in Gallo-Germania and again in the Long Sea region. The uncertainty has caused businesses to delay or cancel orders thus affecting growth prospects. Standard Chartered, the world's largest bank by deposits and lending book size, dispersed 12 per cent fewer corporate loans last quarter compared to Q1 2019. Growth in the Dune Sea and Natal continues as the Himyari region remains one of the bank's key emerging markets where new deposit accounts and small and medium sized business loans are on the rise.

Markets analyst Lev Martinez from Zilverman and Kim's investment bank was negative: 'We have a tripple whammy here. Regional tensions are spooking markets and investors, in turn spooking consumers and businesses. People are worried about tough times ahead so they are putting more of their paycheque into savings or debt reduction, which is good for the high household debt levels in Nedernesia and other markets, but bad for sales. High oil prices in reaction to Long Sea tensions and rumours of impending war in the Implarian are also increasing shipping costs and hurting consumers at the pump. We expect equities to be volatile in the coming months and are advising all but our most risk-tolerant clients to increase their holdings in bonds, namely Nedernesian and Gunnish, which are traditionally safe.'

KLM Royal Nedernesian Airways posted flat growth for Q1 but did not issue a profit warning as many analysts had expected. Despite that, last month's earthquake and tsunami in Nedernesia severely disrupted operations at its global hub of Vrijpoort Transcontinental Skyport. The airline behemoth, boasting a fleet of over 1,000 aircraft, remains bullish on its expansion plans, especially the rebranding of its subsidiary KLM Continental (formerly Lairs) and the planned expansion of Lars Airport into a secondary global hub. Cargo bookings for the airline were down 6 per cent, however.

In Nedernesia, private households put up to a third of their salary into mandatory Commonwealth Provident Fund accounts, used for housing, healthcare and retirement savings. Despite this extraordinarily high compulsory savings rate, data suggests that consumers are stashing cash into supplementary deposit savings accounts, where the money remains liquid and easily accessible for unexpected expenses. Standard Chartered also reported higher than normal deposit account openings across Scania and Gallo-Germania.

Meanwhile, the Nedernesian Guilder could soon come under pressure from Forex markets as investors sell currencies with high exposure to the Long Sea. While solid and accepted worldwide for commodities and general orders, holders of Eiffellandian Marks are buying Guilders in higher numbers, putting pressure on the Nedernesian Reserve Bank to lower interest rates or otherwise risk having the guilder increase rapidly in value, hurting exports of services such as consulting, legal services, financial services, etc. Holders of Pelasgian and Aresuran currencies have also been trading in those currencies for the safe haven guilder.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport 7ƒ​

VSE: 5,854.63 (+0.22%) -- VrijCommoditiesEX: 7.515.97 (-0.11%) -- ƒ/€M: 7.9591 (-0.52%) -- Long Sea Crude: €M 60.73 (+1.13%) -- Gold Spot: €M 851.58 (+1.24%)

»» Buy n Large Criticised for Booking Global Profits in Nedernesia
»» Guilder Falls Below 8 Euromarks for First Time in Years
»» City Manager Orders Complete Inspection of All Vrijpoort Gas Lines
»» SM Thanks Foreign Militaries for Assistance as Ships Conclude Disaster Assistance Missions
»» TeleNed Plans to Build Network Towers Across the Dune Sea

Global Household Name 'Buy n Large' Online Retailer is Criticised Abroad
If you can't find it in a brick and mortar store, don't have time to go there or are looking for a better price, chances are you buy your products on the Buy n Large app or visit one of the many Buy n Large domain names. The Nedernesian e-commerce giant has been offering everything from books to tampons on the cheap since 2002 and is present in nearly every open market in Europe. As the online retailer continues expansion with new warehouses in Sylvania, Johnston Isle, Natal and now Virumaa, it has also been facing growing criticism from lawmakers abroad who are not fans of the fact that the corporation books most of its profits through its Nedernesian holding company where corporation tax is low. With no global tax treaty in existence, Buy n Large has for years defended this practice, claiming that it only fulfills orders for products produced and furnished by local companies. It describes its primary function as a 'middleman merchant, connecting buyers to sellers' and providing expedited express shipping through its international network of warehouses and partnerships with global and local logistics companies. Local VAT is applied to all orders, but corporation tax on the company's revenues has so far been left untouchable as the complicated chain of corporate ownership ensures that all revenues are routed back to Nedernesia, where a modest 5 per cent corporation tax is levied on firms. Paridoxically, Inland Revenue Nedernesia does not consider revenues rerouted back to the Nedernesian holding company of Buy n Large to be generated domestically and are thus tax-free. Only sales made within Nedernesia on buynlarge.ne fall under local tax regimes.

How long the online giant can continue this format remains unknown. What is known is that Buy n Large has become the go-to shopping resource for hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide and disrupting or halting it would anger many of them. Not to mention the firm employs tens of thousands of warehouse workers in Europe and indirectly supports many millions more in logistics and via the small, medium and large sized sellers who use Buy n Large as a major retail platform. Geoff Mooch, the multi-billionaire founder of Buy n Large, was reportedly unavailable for comment. Buy n Large (VSE: CHEAPAF) will announce Q1 earnings this Thursday. Its 2019 Q4 dividend payout, a whopping 10.67 per cent, will be paid out to investors at the end of the month.

Continuing Pressure on the Nedernesian Guilder Pushes it Below 8 to the Euromark
As investors continue to dump a basket of foreign currencies with exposure to potential conflict zones, they have been flocking to the Nedernesian Guilder in droves, causing the safe haven currency to fall below 8 guilders to the Euromark for the first time since 2010. The strengthening guilder may be good for Nedernesian travelling abroad, but it means Nedernesian exports will be less competitive overseas. The guilder fell 52 basis points yesterday and is now trading at 7.95 guilders for 1 Euromark. Law firms, consultancies and insurance companies in Nedernesia that rely on sales to customers overseas are worried that despite the high quality of their services, the uptick in price may cause them to look to alternatives in Eiffelland or Mompracem. The Nedernesian Reserve Bank is expected to lower interest rates this week to help counter the strengthening guilder.

Vrijpoort City Manager, Worried About Damage from Earthquake, Orders Full Inspection of Gas Lines
After last month's devastating earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc on Nedernesia, the City Manager has ordered all gas lines to undergo full inspections. The measure will help ensure that there are no broken lines or leaks on the main lines found beneath roads and the smaller branch lines that connect to individual buildings. Most buildings and Nedernesia have natural gas burners for heating during the winter and most kitchens are equipped with natural gas stoves. While regular inspections are the norm, this special edict will require all the lines to be inspected by 31 August 2020. The huge undertaking will require thousands of extra inspectors, many of whom will have to come from overseas. The Ministry of Manpower has already tapped into its vast network of overseas recruiting offices and has also contacted private recruitment firms. Foreign inspectors will be offered flights, full room and board and handsome remuneration packages if they sign up for temporary contracts ranging from one to four months in length. Thousands of applicants have already been registered and are awaiting vetting before their arrival to Vrijpoort.

SM Weldaad Thanks Foreign Militaries as Ships Depart
Senior Minister Weldaad has thanked all countries that provided emergency search and rescue assistance across the archipelago after last month's earthquake and tsunami. 'Ships from countries near and far answered the call for assistance. Together under the coordination of the Royal Nedernesian Admiralty and the Nedernesian Civil Defense Force, we were able to save thousands of lives and provide life-saving emergency equipment to those in need', the SM said in a rare televised address to the country. With search and rescue fully concluded and the country now focussing on rebuilding, the foreign navies and coast guards are now on their way out of Nedernesian waters to continue their duties elsewhere. Tomorrow afternoon when a number of the foreign naval ships are expected to pass through the straits between the islands of Batavië and Grootland, the Royal Nedernesian Sky Force will perform an honourary flyby with smoke in the colour of each participating country's flag. 20 Pohjanmaan-made Gripen multi-role fighters will take part.

TeleNed to Seek Approval from Sandhavn to Expand Wireless Network in the Dune Sea
TeleNed (VSE: TELN) will submit a formal application to Sandhavn on the first day of the Dune Sea's accession to the Commonwealth as an Overseas Crown Land to construct and bring online thousands of wireless signal towers. The territory suffers from a severe lack of connectivity with areas outside of Sandhavn, Tjamuaha and Caroline Amaliestad having almost no mobile phone signals. The towers will not only provide tens of thousands of construction jobs and thousands of permanent maintenance positions, but the spreading of high-speed data connections is also expected to boost business opportunities and even help farmers get information on crop prices, weather reports, contact buyers and call for help or report gang attacks. TeleNed has said it does not at this point expect any serious competition in the Dune Sea, although Natalian telecom providers would also be well-placed to enter the market.

 

[Vrijpoort]

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Standard Health, a member of Standard Group, is a Nedernesian private healthcare provider and is regulated by Health Nedernesia. Nedernesian citizens and permanent residents are permitted to use up to 30% of their MediSave (Commonwealth Provident Fund) account savings for our private services, the balance being reserved for public healthcare expenses.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport 7ƒ​

VSE: 5,652.70 (-3.45%) -- VrijCommoditiesEX: 7.609.91 (+1.25%) -- ƒ/€M: 7.9591 (-0.23%) -- Long Sea Crude: €M 62.28 (+2.55%) -- Gold Spot: €M 868.36 (+1.97%)

»» Downed Ambrosian Jet Brings War Closer, Ned Markets Down Sharply
»» Standard Chartered to Launch Digital Bank in Madurja
»» Nedernesian Intelligence Services Training New Autonomous Service for Dune Sea
»» Admiralty Seeking Refuelling Ports for Routes to Dune Sea
»» Commodities Up Sharply as NedFoods Warns of Severe Market Disruption

Justosia Downs Ambrosian Fighter and Markets Reel
An Ambrosian fighter jet was allegedly shot down by a Justosian fighter this week bringing the South Implarian one step closer to what experts say would be a catastrophic war with far-reaching repercussions on the global economy. The Vrijpoort Securities Exchange was down a hefty 3.45% in today's trading as investors continue to view the chest puffing on the other side of the world with dismay. Bond yields continue to fall across Europe as more government securities are snatched up as stocks are shunned. The Nedernesian guilder again faced pressure as investors seek safe haven currencies. The guilder continues to trade below the psychologically important rate of 8 guilders to a Euromark.

Madurja's Market Continues to Open and Standard Chartered Swoops in with Digital Plan
The world's largest bank, Standard Chartered (VSE: SCB), today announced a plan to launch a digital bank in Madurja, a day after Banc Gascar, an Eserian bank, announced bold plans to launch a traditional retail bank network across Madurja. Standard Chartered has already applied for a banking license with the relevant authorities in Redondo and expects it to be approved within days due to the bank's longstanding records going back to the 1600s and large global footprint. A call centre is also to be opened in Madurja to offer support services in the local language, bringing many local jobs. While Standard Chartered operates retail networks in most countries as well as corporate banking services, the Nedernesian bank will attempt to recreate the success of their digital bank in the Dune Sea and Natal. With telecom networks and cheap smartphones widely available in Madurja, Standard Chartered believes that they will be able to offer consumers quality banking products through an intuitive user interface and 24/7 customer service line via email, chat and telephone. The lack of retail branches will greatly reduce costs and allow the bank to offer lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on savings. Standard Chartered's global network will also provide corporate customers with unmatched access to international markets, particularly of value to customers in agriculture exports. The bank's spokesperson said they 'don't expect others to be able to compete' but they 'welcome the international competition.'

Divisie Één, Nedernesia's Domestic Intelligence Agency, Training New Dune Sea Autonomous Agency
Growing security concerns in the Dune Sea, which is to become an Overseas Crown Land of Nedernesia on 1 June, have resulted in the local legislature to approve the creation of a new autonomous intelligence service. The Preventive Security Service as it will be called is currently recruiting and training agents and intelligence analysts who are being trained by Divisie Één, Nedernesia's domestic security and intelligence service, which has been active in the Dune Sea since the late 1990s on request of local Dune Sea authorities. The hope is that eventually the citizens of the Dune Sea will be able to take care of domestic security threats themselves without significant oversight from Nedernesian services. Divisie Één responded to a request for comment: 'We do not confirm or deny the existence of any of our operations in line with the Defense of the State Act 1984.'

Royal Nedernesian Admiralty Seeks Friendly Ports for Refuelling
The ever more frequent journeys from Nedernesia to the Dune Sea and back performed by destroyers and frigates of the Royal Nedernesian Admiralty have prompted the country's naval forces to actively seek friendly ports where their vessels could refuel and resupply on a regular basis, under contract. The Royal Admiralty is also hoping to utilise the scheduled stops as an opportunity for sailors to interact and learn from their counterparts abroad. Unconfirmed reports say that Azraq has already been contacted. It is unknown if any other countries along the route have been contacted by the Royal Admiralty.

NedFoods Warns of Severe Market Disruption Should War Break Out in Implarian
NedFoods (VSE: NEDYUM), one of the global giants of processed and packaged foods, has warned that if war breaks out between Justosia, Ambrosia, Sylvania and others, the ensuing market turmoil could drive up commodities prices and trigger a domino effect of export controls and other measures that could endanger open food supply chains. Although the Implarian sees less goods traffic than the Long Sea, significant shipments of food commodities do traverse the ocean between Westernesse, Himyar and parts of the eastern Hamar Sea. Even if sea routes in the immediate area are not severely impacted, shipping insurance rates will increase significantly and commodity prices will also go up as traders are spooked. The Vrijpoort Commodities Exchange was already up one and a quarter per cent today on the news of the downed Ambrosian jet. Standard Maritime Insurance of the Standard Group has already announced a doubling of shipping insurance rates for routes traversing the South Implarian.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport​

Business Headlines

• Nedernesian Reserve Bank considering measures to offset pressure on guilder, which has been trading above 8 to the Euromark ​
• Long Sea Crude oil prices continue to trade in mid 60s as global tensions remain high ​
• Shipping insurance rates for trans-Implarian routes have more than doubled in recent weeks ​
• Bond yields in Sylvania, Ambrosia, Justosia and Pohjanmaa are up sharply over fears of armed conflict in the South Implarian; Nedernesian, Eiffellandian, Pelasgian bond yields edge lower as institutional investors seek safe assets with future reliability and liquidity needs​
• Tax-free 'bonded warehouses' in Nedernesia see increase in demand from foreign art and precious metal dealers ​
• Galp, Staatolie's gas and petrol station subsidiary in Himyar, warns of raised cooking gas prices due to increased security for home and office deliveries in the Dune Sea​
• Unconfirmed reports that Royal Nedernesian Admiralty will launch public tender for new class of destroyers to replace ageing fleet ​
• KLM Royal Nedernesian Airways sees lower demand for Dune Sea; considering new summer flight schedule with more flights to Asteria, Madurja, Pohjanmaa and Salen​

 

[Vrijpoort]

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[Vrijpoort]

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nieuws van Nedernesië sinds 1642. vrij en onafhankelijk 8ƒ​

DDI extends formal invitation to Nedernesia; Weldaad's coalition split on membership

Vrijpoort, 04.06.2020 - The Democratic Defense Initiative (DDI) has officially extended an invitation of full membership to the Commonwealth of Nedernesia after a year of deliberation within the alliance finally came to the unanimous support of Nedernesian accession. Yet despite the open invitation the Nedernesian Senate will need to debate and deliberate on whether joining the DDI is the right move for the country.

Senior Minister Melinda Weldaad's young coalition government has only been in power since the beginning of the year, ending 60 years of continuous rule by the People's Action Party (PAP) that steadily steered Nedernesia through the labyrinth of global geopolitics. Former PAP ministers have quietly warned the current government about joining military alliances. Sir Robert S. Riverdale, the former foreign minister, spoke to media earlier today on the matter:

'There is no question that the DDI shares similar values of free trade and democracy with Nedernesia, but joining a full-blown defensive alliance is a very narrow path. Yes, it would provide a security umbrella for Nedernesia, but it could also make Nedernesia a target. We have been able to thrive because of our neutrality and ability to do business with virtually everyone. That will all change if De Waterkant, the world's largest financial centre, suddenly becomes a DDI zone. I urge SM Weldaad to carefully consider the implications of joining such a group.'

Weldaad's Equity and Prosperity Party will be debating the DDI invitation at a closed-door party conference later this month. Meanwhile the two coalition partners, the Jewish Alliance and FirstGenNed, have already said that they are unlikely to support accession to the DDI but have not yet instructed their party whips on what to do. It is likely that the junior coalition senators will want to pour over the DDI treaties and other accession papers before making such a decision.

The Vrijpoort Securities Exchange opened up 3 per cent on news of the invitation, but those gains were quickly lost in mid-morning trading as further analysis cast doubt on the benefits of DDI membership. Some leading financial analysis institutions warned that because the DDI is viewed by many in the business community as having started the South Implarian conflict with Justosia, the alliance cannot be trusted as a truly defense-only organisation.

Radio Televisie Nedernesië will broadcast live the Senate debates on DDI accession later this month.

 

[Vrijpoort]

Radio Televisie Nedernesië | Radio Television Nedernesia
Wij houden U voortdurend op de hoogte | Always keeping you up to date​

*The radio news bulletin fanfare can be heard, followed by a woman's firm voice in Nedernesian and then Engelsh*

Woman' voice: op de radio, online en op Uw mobieltje, dit is Radio Televisie Nedernesië | On the air, online and on your phone, this is Radio Television Nedernesia

A man's soothing radio voice is now heard: Good evening. This is the RTN Engelsh Service with the headlines at 18.00.

»Senior Minister Weldaad will give a rare televised address to the country this week on the issue of the wave of terrorist attacks seen this month in the Dune Sea. After dozens of bombings and shootings ravaged the Crown Colony the centres of Sandhavn, Tjamuaha and Caroline Amaliestad were put into martial lockdown in joint operations conducted by the Dune Sea Outback Police, Local Police and the RNEF. Curfews in all three cities have been imposed from 21.00 to 04.30 until further notice and more checkpoints within the cities have been erected, requiring pedestrians and motorists to present identity cards and submit to goods inspections. Most of the attacks were claimed by the terrorist organisation Hames, which in recent months has amalgamated numerous violent gangs into a single organisation ostensibly fighting for a free Himyar. Their tactics, however, include summarily executing civilians, bombing supermarkets and stabbing police and soldiers. Sources close to RNEF Himyar Command say that the Royal Nedernesian Expeditionary Forces are discussing the creation of urban 'green zones' with the Dune Sea Diet. The green zones would be heavily fortified sections of the cities with limited entry conditions. The Senior Minister is likely to comment on the future of urban security in the Dune Sea.

»The Financial Conduct Authority is preparing new anti-money laundering regulations that will require all banks, financial institutions, real estate agencies and other organs to comply with stringent due diligence procedures. Failure to comply will result in large fines and possible revocation of operating licenses and financial passports. The Seventh Directive on Anti-Money Laundering Capabilities will come into force on 1 August 2020. It includes revisions on the previous iterations that require institutions to implement strict 'Know Your Client' due diligence, such as having a complete understanding of the ownership structure of the client, whether a legal or natural person. Key to this is the 'drill down' to find out which natural person or persons in effect owns the client at the end of the often labyrinthine and international corporate ownership structures. All information on the 'ultimate beneficial owner' must then be recorded in the bank's records for the duration of the business relationship, including a minimum of ten years after termination of the relationship. The information required includes full legal names, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, domicile address, source of wealth, source of income, passport and identification card true and certified copies, tax identification numbers, etc. The so-called Vrijpoort Effect means that once the Seventh Directive comes into force, financial institutions in other countries are likely to comply with the requirements even if financial regulations in their own countries are less stringent. Banks and other institutions tend to follow Nedernesian financial regulations as it is easier and cheaper for them to adhere to the strictest set of rules than to implement a series of varying regulatory directives. Despite the Vrijpoort Effect, Finance Nedernesia has told RTN that they intend to launch an international body to help coordinate and unify existing financial regulatory laws in Europe to help all countries better fight money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing and other financial crime.

» The Nedernesian-Hesperian Chamber of Commerce has fiercely criticised the quote 'exorbitant' end quote import tariffs in Hesperia. The association, made up of Nedernesian and Hesperian businesses and merchants, quoted research conducted in economics departments from universities in Vrijpoort, Trier, Shinkyo and Solis that shows stark protectionist policies do not help developing economies grow or form domestic industries faster or better than by allowing free trade to run its course. Jan de Vries, spokesperson for the group in Uitkijk:

These tariffs are nothing but populist policy designed to collect votes from people who may not understand the full economic implications. It is the same people who are least likely to benefit from them. Free trade, low or zero tariffs will bring foreign direct investment, which means jobs. These jobs might be low-paid on the northern European scale, but are extremely preferential to the alternative, which might be small scale farming or selling trinkets on the street. Hesperia lies on the cusp of what could be a golden age if it would just allow business to flow freely, both from within and from outside. The current policies are detrimental to much needed economic development.​

» A twenty-one-year-old male was arrested today after a raid on his flat in the Kew Gardens district of Vrijpoort. According to the Royal Commonwealth Mounted Police who conducted the raid, the man had been under surveillance for months by the Nedernesian Signals Directorate and Divisie Éen, the domestic intelligence service. Details on the reason for arrest will be made public within the next forty-eight hours but RTN has learned that the suspect had regular contact with individuals on illicit so-called dark net websites and also had files on his computer advocating for the establishment of a quote pure Nedernesian state end quote which would give societal preference to the aboriginal Nedernesians of Salian origin who now make up only twenty per cent of the population. In previous cases such extreme right individuals have been charged with subverting the state and threatening social harmony. Cases vary but sentences usually carry multiple years of incarceration and carefully curated educational programmes involving the guilty to spend time on social projects with people remarkably different than themselves.

» From 15 June motorists crossing into Pohjanmaa or elsewhere in Scania at the border checkpoints on the Kleurland Peninsula will not be permitted to cross the border if the fuel tank in their vehicle is lower than three quarters full. This is to prevent the long-held practice of refuelling on diesel or petrol in Pohjanmaa where prices are significantly cheaper, mostly due to lower fuel taxes. Nedernesian motorists in Kleurland would often drive over with a near-empty tank and do some shopping or sightseeing in Pohjanmaa before filling their tank on their way back home. The practice is less intense in recent years due to the rise in vehicles running on Nedernesian produced Liquefied Petroleum Gas, which costs far less than diesel or petrol, but it is still an annoyance to the Land Transport Authority which relies on fuel taxes to help fund vital infrastructure projects. The new refuelling rule will also apply to cars returning on ferries from Strathclyde, Pohjanmaa, Tyskonia, Eserland and Andros.

Traffic: Pan Island Expressway east from Jurong Port to the CBD has a backup of 2 kilometers at the Westpunt junction - expect delays of up to twenty minutes. Central Ring Expressway is flowing smoothly in all directions but beware of a disabled bus on the shoulder just before the Touzen Gardens exit. Northern Expressway to Midrand is clear but from the CRE to the CBD there are backups. Electronic Road Pricing for the CBD is currently at 37.70 guilders.

Transport: all lines of the MRT are running on time and the rush-hour surcharge has now ended. Vrijpoort Overground: the Midrand Line has up to a two-minute delay - reason: pedestrians sited on tracks; the LTA apologises for the inconvenience. The Roodepoort Line is running normally to the new Westgate Expansion stations. Some lifts at the new stations are experiencing technical difficulties and will be serviced tonight between 1 and 5am. Express Busses are all operating normally. Regional Services: all Regio services are operating normally. Ferries: ferry service to Grootland island is expected to be delayed by up to one hour today due Royal Admiralty activity. The Skies: Vrijpoort Transcontinental Skyport is operating normally. Security checkpoint waiting times: Terminal 1 at approximately ten minutes. Terminal 2 at approximately 23 minutes; NedSkies apologises for the higher than average waiting time at Terminal 2 - cause: increased baggage checks due to security conditions.

The Weather: Vrijpoort, partly cloudy, 15 degree centigrade. Tomorrow, Mostly cloudy skies by midday with strong but intermittent showers expected in the afternoon. A high of 22 degrees centigrade. Western archipelago: breezy with showers, 17 degrees. Eastern archipelago: mostly sunny, dry, occasional gusts of wind in excess of 35 kilometres per hour. High of 19 degrees.

That was the RTN headline news. Stay tuned for the Make Money Monday show. We'll be back with headlines, traffic and weather at the top of the hour.

News bulletin music returns and changes to the Make Money Monday show theme. A man's upbeat voice comes on the air:

Goooooood evening, Vrijpoort! What a great day we had! A new week! Do you smell that? That's the smell of freshly printed guilders! What? You don't smell that over your evening Gunnish whiskey? Not happy with your portfolio? Let's give that a fix, shall we? Welcome to Make Money Mondays. I'm your host, Igor Richman. We're going to talk today about how you can still make money in the Dune Sea despite the recent attacks. Private security and mercenary firms are all the rage right now as they are being contracted to protect everything from shopping malls, housing developments to cooking gas deliveries. The Eiffellandian markets are entering what looks like to be a healthy summer with big pharma and big auto both doing well. Don't forget Aurarian aviation and their sun kissed tourism sector. We also have on the show today the new country director for Madurja at Standard Chartered who will walk us through the strategy the world's largest bank has for its new digital-only retail and corporate banking outfit in Madurja. And are you tired of the ups and downs of the VSE? Today we're going to talk Nedernesian Midcaps and how the medium-sized publicly traded company area might be what your portfolio is missing. Sit tight, pour yourself another drink. We will be keeping you up to date straight through the opening bell in Shinkyo! I'm Igor Richman and this is Make Money Mondays!

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport​

Headlines

• Azraqi media report peace deal reached in Jugol; markets move sharply up before closing bell
• Forced deportations of Jews in CBS prompt condemnation from multiple governments; Nedernesia offers voluntary relocation to Jews seeking refuge in cooperation with the Jewish Agency
• Protests at CBS embassy in Vrijpoort have grown in size to at least 5,000 demanding that Jewish communities in CBS be left in peace
• Serenierre market sharply down due to cyclone battering country; analysts expect lasting damage to economy but opportunity during rebuilding phase
• Two Pohjanmaan 19-year-olds crossing border at Kleurland Peninsula were fined 5,000ƒ each for attempting to smuggle in bootleg alcohol and cigarettes to sell on the black market. The contraband was impounded for destruction and the two males were denied entry to Nedernesia with an entry ban for 180 days
• Sir Reginald Oh, founding Senior Minister of Nedernesia and current 'Minister Mentor', will turn 100 this summer, but has not been seen in public for nearly two years, raising fears on founding father's health
• Jewish Alliance, junior coalition partner in government, wants economic sanctions placed on leading CBS military and political leaders for roles in Jewish deportations
• Het Grotius Instituut, named after the 17th century Nedernesian merchant Frans van Grotius, wants to expand its Nedernesian/Burgunian language courses in Hesperia for the creole populations who do not speak but want to learn the language

 

[Vrijpoort]

Radio Televisie Nedernesië | Radio Television Nedernesia
Wij houden U voortdurend op de hoogte | Always keeping you up to date​

*The radio news bulletin fanfare can be heard, followed by a woman's firm voice in Nedernesian and then Engelsh*

Woman' voice: op de radio, online en op Uw mobieltje, dit is Radio Televisie Nedernesië | On the air, online and on your phone, this is Radio Television Nedernesia

A man's soothing radio voice is now heard: Good evening. This is the RTN Engelsh Service with a special broadcast.

Television viewers see Senior Minister Melinda Weldaad seated at her desk with a Nedernesian flag in the background. She begins speaking.

Good evening to all citizens and denizens in Nedernesia and the Dune Sea. I am speaking to you directly for the first time as your Senior Minister. Last month our commonwealth, after decades of close cooperation, trade, assistance and camaraderie with the people of the Dune Sea, warmly welcomed our Dune Sea friends as an Overseas Crown Land of the Commonwealth of Nedernesia. This status, approved of by a wide majority in a referendum held this April, will confer great socioeconomic opportunities for all residents of the Dune Sea. Greater economic opportunity, increased budgetary support and, critically, security and defence improvements are the main goal of this union. With this expansion of the commonwealth comes full domestic autonomy for the Dune Sea as its people freely choose its government and run internal affairs as they see fit.

Unfortunately there are some in the Dune Sea, for selfish reasons of their own, who do not respect the democratic process. For the past year the people of the Dune Sea have seen gangs turn increasingly violent and organised as they peddle drugs, sell weapons and terrorise communities. Communities outside the three major cities of Sandhavn, Tjamuaha and Caroline Amaliestad often had to submit to these gangs and their extortion. The Dune Sea government, lead by Chief Executive Kabelo Mbonambi, had requested increased Nedernesian military aid to pacify these violent elements of Dune Sea society.

The Dune Sea Outback Police and Local Police have received training, funding, weapons and intelligence from the RNEF. The cooperation has been largely successful and welcomed. Yet sadly, a few weeks ago, the terrorist organisation Hames organised and perpetrated dozens of bombings and shootings across the Dune Sea, killing hundreds and shutting down the cities and lifeblood of the Dune Sea economy. Hames is a band of cowards and blood-thirsty traitors who seek to destabilise the Dune Sea so that they may continue to profit from the sale of their drugs and weapons. At the request of Cief Executive Mbonambi, RNEF forces, together in coordination with Outback and Local Police have instituted curfews, increased checkpoints and patrols and continue to work with Nedernesian Signals Directorate and other agencies of the intelligence service to root out this dastardly group.

Citizens and denizens of the commonwealth, unfortunately these efforts are not enough. Hames is highly capable and organised and is intent on destroying our ways of life. It is therefore necessary to ramp up efforts to extinguish their activities and bring their leaders to justice. I have therefore ordered, after consultation with Chief Executive Mbonambi, a large increase in RNEF operations and troop numbers in the Dune Sea to both provide security and implement offensive operations against Hames and their collaborators.

The current 15,000 RNEF troops will see a surge in numbers over the coming months. By the end of the Himyari winter there will be about 35,000 RNEF troops. The current Sky Force sky wing stationed at Sandhavn will be joined by two more sky wings. The Admiralty will send two Invincible Class destroyers to help patrol the coast ensuring that Hames is not able to smuggle in supplies and people from the sea.

Dune Sea Outback and Local Police will continue to receive the training and funds they need to do their job. We have already seen a huge number of volunteers for these services. The RNEF is also processing volunteers from the Dune Sea who wish to serve.

Chief Executive Mbonambi has requested that certain key sections of Sandhavn, Tjamuaha and Caroline Amaliestad be secured to ensure government and core sectors of the economy can function. It is therefore planned to create urban security zones, colloquially known as green zones. These zones will sadly need security walls and checkpoints for entry and exit. Checkpoints will be manned by both Outback and Local Police as well as RNEF troops. Construction on the urban security zones will begin immediately.

Citizens and denizens, times in the Dune Sea are tough. This is not how anyone wants to live. These are unfortunately necessary measures to keep our lives and livelihoods secure. But we will overcome this scourge. We shall seek out and destroy those who wish to do us harm and attack our open society. Together we will overcome this challenge and one again know peace and prosperity in the Dune Sea.

I wish you every good fortune. Thank you.

The screen fades out and the flag of the Dune Sea is shown on screen as the Dune Sea anthem begins playing.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport 7ƒ​

Vrijdex: 5,500.08 (-2.70%) -- VrijCommoditiesEX: 7.753.74 (+1.89%) -- ƒ/€M: 7.9353 (-0.30%) -- Long Sea Crude: €M 62.67 (+0.63%) -- Gold Spot: €M 881.56 (+1.52%)

»» Market Update
»» ODS Withdrawal & Sanctions on Kadiki SEZs Push Global Markets Down
»» Military 'Surge' in Dune Sea Hampers Investment; Long-term Investors Bullish
»» Senate Continues to Debate DDI Membership
»» Hesperian Migrant Workers Form Labour Group

Market Update
The Vrijpoort Securities Exchange's Vrijdex index of the largest 50 Nedernesian-listed companies is down a further 2,7 per cent on Monday trading after steeper losses last week due to the continued geopolitical rumblings between the ODS and Rurikgrad Pact. Long Sea Crude maintains its steady course of gradual price increases that began earlier this year when the Justosian-DDI conflict first started. Gold continues to trade up as investors seek traditional safe haven assets. Meanwhile the Nedernesian Guilder is still trading below 8 Guilders to the Euromark, putting pressure on the Nedernesian Reserve Bank which has still not announced any intention to further raise interest rates or buy back guilder reserves. The guilder is often purchased during uncertain economic periods, increasing its value but making Nedernesian exports, including services, more expensive on global markets.

ODS Withdrawal from Kadiki SEZs Latest Blow to Markets
Last week's announcement by the ODS that all ODS-domiciled firms will immediately cease operations in Kadiki Special Economic Zones was a rude shock to global markets as investors immediately began selling off ODS firms. On top of the withdrawal, the ODS member states are threatening to impose sanctions on a number of non-ODS firms that continue to operate in the SEZs. This extends to ODS banks and financial institutions, which will no longer be allowed to invest in or service clients with operations in Kadiki SEZs. Large-cap Nedernesian firms do not have a significant presence in the SEZs, although a number of medium-sized businesses have exposure. More concerning is the fact that many Nedernesian banks, investment houses and legal and consulting firms have international clients that operate in the zones. Nedernesian financial service providers are a popular choice globally for companies doing cross-border business thanks to the popular Nedernesian corporate structures, low-tax regime and guilder-cleared transaction availability. Many foreign companies operating in the SEZs (as elsewhere globally) are owned by Nedernesian-registered firms, often as a 'Pty Ltd' (Private Limited) tax-exempt firm, which is in turn owned by the mother corporation in the country of final ownership (a simple example: a Kadiki SEZ-registered company is owned by 'ABC Kadikistan Pty Ltd' in Nedernesia, which is owned by 'ABC GmbH' in Eiffelland, whose ultimate beneficial owners are three individuals from the 'ABC' family).

SM Weldaad's Announcement for a 'Surge' in Dune Sea Hampers Immediate Investment
The announcement by Senior Minister Weldaad that a military surge in the Dune Sea will be required to eliminate terrorist threats in the Overseas Crown Colony has spooked Nedernesian and other investors that have been pouring in investment into the Himyari territory over the past few years. On the one hand viewed as necessary and welcome to pacify terrorist elements wreaking havoc in the Dune Sea, the fear of cumbersome checkpoints, cities divided between green zones and less-secured areas as well as air strikes and land operations has put a damper on investor confidence. Some investors in the colony, such as NedFoods (Vrijdex: YUM) and the Himyari Banking Corporation (Vrijdex: HBC) remain bullish for the long-term, placing bets that the Royal Nedernesian Expeditionary Force, in cooperation with the Dune Sea Outback Police and Nedernesian and Dune Sea intelligence services, will be able to bring lasting peace and stability to the colony, which has lacked a true stable environment for decades.

Senate Debate on DDI Membership in Deadlock; Coalition Looks Fragile
Despite weeks of debate in the Senate, the governing coalition looks no closer to agreement. SM Weldaad's Equity and Prosperity Party itself is troubled with the issue, although most EPP senators support membership. The Jewish Alliance remains skeptical as does FirstGenNed, the two junior coalition partners. The main opposition People's Action Party has proposed a transition period in which Nedernesia would greatly increase military and intelligence cooperation with the DDI in advance of full membership. The EPP technically only needs one coalition partner to maintain its majority, but losing either the Jewish Alliance or FirstGenNed would be a heavy blow to Weldaad's large majority secured in last year's general election. The biggest concerns among those not in support of immediate DDI membership are that Nedernesia could both lose its largely neutral status as the global centre of finance and trade and potentially be dragged into conflicts. Supporters in the EPP say that the security umbrella provided by the DDI is worthwhile. Senator Maria Gonzales of FirstGenNed remarked that Nedernesia 'has no natural enemies' and thus 'doesn't need a military machine to protect [Nedernesia].'


Hesperian Tempos Form Labour Group in Vrijpoort to Push for More Rights
The many Temporary Pass holders (Tempos) in Nedernesia perform essential jobs such as construction, waste management, medical nurses, domestic workers and more. One of the largest groups comes from Hesperia, due in part to the linguistic link between the countries. Hesperian women make up the largest group of domestic workers and nurses in the country. Seven in ten Nedernesian mothers responded in a Commonwealth Morning Post poll last month that they would prefer a Hesperian maid to look after their children because they can speak Nedernesian and they are perceived to work harder than domestic workers from other immigrant groups. A group of Hesperian Tempos has registered a labour group in Vrijpoort to work on behalf of Hesperian migrant workers in Nedernesia, especially when it comes to immigration law. Nedernesian staffing agencies in Hesperia are very successful in attracting Hesperian men and women to move to Nedernesia to perform jobs that Nedernesians and executive expat workers don't want to do. Although the wages that are earned in Nedernesia are significantly higher than typical wages in Hesperia, many have complained of long hours, exorbitant fees to the staffing agencies and the near impossibility of converting their Temporary Pass into an Employment Pass, which would set them on the path to permanent residency and/or Nedernesian citizenship. The new labour group, Hesperian Denizens of Nedernesia, will begin lobbying district councillors in Vrijpoort as well as commonwealth senators to open debate on these issues. Top of the agenda is to set a cap on the fees staffing agencies can charge Hesperian migrants. Currently most Hesperians are charged a fee equal to three months of wages, which is usually paid over the period of 18 months in the form of garnished wages. Hesperian Denizens of Nedernesia wants this capped at two weeks of wages. They also want domestic workers to be guaranteed one day off of work per week and a maximum of 10 hours of work per day. The Nurses in the group generally have better work conditions as their industry is regulated by Health Nedernesia, but they claim that Nedernesian permanent residents and citizens earn significantly more than they do for the same work. The Ministry of Manpower, which regulates all workers in the country as well as staffing agencies registered in Nedernesia, has said that it welcomes all avenues of open dialogue.

 

[Vrijpoort]

reclame | advert

Jew-Pop Superstar Schmueli Ungar Live at the Standard Chartered Colosseum!

This summer experience the unforgettable, earth-moving, spiritual awakening power of Jew-Pop superstar Schmueli Ungar, live at the Standard Chartered Colosseum! Tickets are on sale now, but hurry to secure your seats at this summer highlight!

The world-famous Schmueli Ungar will perform songs in Yiddish and Hebrew from his latest album 'Freedom Oh People of Israel'. Ungar escaped violence and persecution in Trivodnia after the Seven Days War when he and his siblings were able to flee to Eiffelland before getting on a flight to Nedernesia with the help of The Jewish Agency. Sadly his parents have not been heard from since and attempts to search and gain records have been barred by the anti-semitic communist regime of Polesia. While Ungar's personal story brings tears, he repurposes these strong emotions into passionate music loved by Jews across Europe. Come see Schmueli Ungar live this August at the Standard Chartered Colosseum!

Teaser: Amcha Yisrael (The People of Israel Live)

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Jew-Pop Superstar Schmueli Ungar Live at the Standard Chartered Colosseum! has been made possible in part thanks to the support of The Jewish Agency.

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[Hesperia]

Hesperianonan pa Mundu
An agency of the Chancery of the Republic

Hesperians working anywhere deserve equal treatment and equal opportunities to all other workers. We offer our support to Hesperian Denizens of Nedernesia, both through our embassy staff in Vrijpoort and in negotiations with local authorities.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport 1ƒ​

Vrijdex: 5,572.10 (+1.30%) -- VrijCommoditiesEX: 7.753.74 (+1.89%) -- ƒ/€M: 7.9353 (-0.30%) -- Thaumantic Crude: €M 7.67 (+0.63%) -- Gold Spot: €M 22.56 (+1.52%)

»» Market Update
»» Red Star Line Readies Maiden Voyage of Belgenland
»» HDB 5-Year Plan Promises 'Decent Flats for Decent People'
»» Senate Committee Confirms that Postal Union with Petits-Pays has Saved Crown Countless Guilders
»» Despite Union, Border Checkpoints with Petits-Pays to Remain in Place

Market Update
The Vrijpoort Securities Exchange's Vrijdex index of the largest 50 Vrijpoort-listed companies was up 1.3% in trading yesterday, rounding out an overall calm week for global markets. The Guilder remains close to 8 to the Euromark and has remained well within its limitations with the peg to the Petits-Pay Écu. Thaumantic Crude Oil, the global benchmark oil price, was trading at 7.67€M per barrel at time of press. Gold spot prices were up 152 basis points, but the precious metal remains below its summer highs of 27 €M per 30 grams. Traders on De Waterkant, the financial street in central Vrijpoort, are gearing up for a busy September as summer holidaymakers slowly return to work and the trading world resumes its more typical busier activity.

Red Star Line Readies Maiden Voyage of Belgenland
The Red Star Line (RSL), Europe's largest passenger ocean line service, announced at time of press that its brand new ocean liner, Belgenland, has passed sea trials and will soon be ready for its maiden voyage. The route of the titanic vessel has not yet been announced, but it is most likely either to be a Trans-Thaumantic voyage or the more circuitous route to and from Toyou. RSL has profited greatly in recent years from the large number of working class people who are seeking better lives on different continents, many of whom often land in Vrijpoort and end up staying there thanks to the open immigration schemes. First class ticket sales have also surged in recent years as the global European elite favour RSL's luxurious ships and impeccable service, not to mention its expansive network. Ports Vrijpoort, the government agency charged with port matters, is also in close talks with RSL to plan the expansion of passenger and cargo terminals in Vrijpoort.

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HDB 5-Year Plan Promises 'Decent Flats for Decent People'
The Housing and Development Board (HDB), which is mandated by the Government to provide public housing to the population of booming Vrijpoort, has unveiled its 5-year plan under the slogan 'Decent Flats for Decent People'. The first round of 3-10 storey flat blocs were completed last year in a variety of central and 'heartland' locations. Batavia Island, where central Vrijpoort is located, saw most of the new construction. The next plan will see extra focus placed on the Mainland Peninsula, which shares a land border with Union Ally Petits-Pays. The next round of HDB flats will be 10-30 storeys high and will incorporate state-of-the-art electric lifts, open breezeways and communal gardens and gathering areas at the ground floors. Private companies, such as the 24-hour Snelwinkel (quick shop) chain FamilieMaart have also been invited to open shops on the ground floors of these new HDB housing estates. HDB is cooperating with the LTA (Land Transport Authority) to ensure that new tramways, bus lines and future expansions of the underground and overground metro lines are integrated with these massive new estates. Vrijpoort citizens and permanent residents are able to purchase a new HDB flat with the assistance of grant monies from the Government. The grants are used for the housing bond (mortgage) deposits and the Government further subsidises monthly bond payments. It is capable of doing this thanks to the fact that the Government owns 75% of land in Vrijpoort which heavily reduces construction costs. At the moment Union Ally citizens of Petits-Pays and the German Lands are not eligible for HDB flats but can qualify once they become permanent residents of Vrijpoort - a process that normally takes two years of Vrijpoort residency but is reduced to one year for Union Ally citizens.

Postal Union with Petits-Pays has Saved Crown Countless Guilders
A special Senate committee has confirmed that the postal union with Union Allies Petits-Pays and the German Lands has saved the Vrijpoort Crown 'countless guilders' over the last three years when the scheme first entered force. Postage stamps from all three countries are valid Union-wide and prices have been standardised. A Petits-Pays stamp denominated in Écu is, for example, valued at the equivalent amount in Vrijpoort Guilders and both are accepted in either country. Each Union member designs and prints its own stamps. The Vrijpoort stamps feature a traditional side-view portrait of His Serene Highness Prince Lamberti in a purple and white hue for domestic and Union letters and a yellow and white hue for non-Union overseas letters. The postal union is one of many economic and social benefits brought about from the Union, which also includes freedom of movement in the labour markets and a customs union on most goods.


Despite Union, Border Checkpoints with Petits-Pays to Remain in Place
The bustling border on the Mainland Peninsula with Petits-Pays is a cacophony of lorries, street vendors, money changers, food hawkers, peddlers, day workers and more. Queues to cross can often strangle roads in the Franshoek (French Corner) district of Vrijpoort, which has encouraged many to call for an abolition of the border checkpoints with Union Ally Petits-Pays. The Vrijpoort Senate has been reluctant and at times even bellicose against such a move, however. While there is freedom of movement for labour and an almost universal customs union between Union members, the Vrijpoort Government insists that it must maintain border integrity to maintain its fight against contraband goods and human trafficking. In a sign of compromise, the Senate Special Committee on the Improvement of Land Checkpoints on the Mainland Peninsula has suggested the erection of QuickPass checkpoints for pre-screened and trusted regular travellers. These crossers would receive a special pass and, if in a vehicle, a sticker for their number plate that would allow them to cross the border unimpeded. Those without such passes would be subject to the normal checks and inquiries, which last year stopped thousands of would-be human traffickers, resulted in the seizure of many tons of illicit drugs and contraband goods as well as weapons. The special senate committee said that, 'criminals and the underbelly of society abuse Vrijpoort's open borders and "can-do" pro-business attitude by making it a centre of global trade in illicit practises and substances. This means that border checkpoints must remain in place on the Mainland Peninsula for the foreseeable future'.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport​

Headlines

• Prince Lamberti (87) dismisses rant of Petits-Payes Prince as 'drunken humour'; asks public to 'have a laugh' and move on.
• Senior Minister Melinda Weldaad has despatched invitations to all members of the Union to visit Vrijpoort for important talks about the future of the city-state's relationship with the political conglomerate.
• Red Star Line is 'not troubled' by the announcement of Air Royale's new international routes to Eiffelland. The ocean liner, Europe's largest, maintains that its superior safety, comfort and global reach will continue for many decades to come. RSL shares ended the trading day on De Waterkant up after a slight dip in the morning after the opening gong.
• Steel and concrete are the two most sought-after commodities in Vrijpoort as the government's Housing and Development Board launches a new flat estate programme that will being hundreds of thousands of new subsidised housing units to Vrijpoort. Transporting the heavy materials has proven costly. Backed by cheap government loans the Standard Group has announced the construction of a new steel mill on Batavië Island, home to the larger half of Vrijpoort City, as well as two cement and concrete plants. The mainland peninsula will also see similar projects. Standard Heavy Industries won tenders to build 70 per cent of the HDB's new high-rise flat complexes with competitors saying the tender process was unfair and rigged due to the Standard Group Chairman's cozy relationship with senior government figures. Standard Group says that the accusations are 'baseless' and are 'pathetic attempts by sore losers to undermine the future of homebuilding in Vrijpoort'.
• The Vrijpoort Gold and Diamond Exchange will launch new certifications for the authenticity of imported raw gold and diamonds. With the majority of the world's processed gold and diamonds passing through the city-state, the Exchange sees it prudent that customers globally can be assured of the quality and source of their finished products. Asked whether the certificates would also ensure humane sourcing of the raw precious materials, the Exchange wrote back 'our customers currently see no need for that'.
• The Jewish Alliance, junior coalition partner in government, applauded the opening of the New Grand Synagogue in central Vrijpoort this weekend. Tens of thousands of Vrijpoorters, Jews and gentiles alike, crowded around the magnificent building as the inaugural Shabbat (sabbath) service took place Saturday morning. The Synagogue is said to be the world's largest and can accommodate up to 1,500 people at a time.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport​

Headlines

• Divisie Éen, the country's domestic intelligence service, has warned that Vrijpoort has never had more spies at any point in history than today. For decades the centrally located financial and trade city has been home to spooks and their assets, who benefit from the multi-racial population, plethora of international transport connections and world financial system. The city state's laissez-faire attitude to investment also makes it an ideal location to transfer funds wherever they may be needed for one's cause, although the Financial Conduct Authority has been making attempts to clamp down on certain financial crimes, such as money laundering. David ben Mordechai, Divisie Éen director, said 'the common person has nothing to fear from a city full of spies. It is the upper echelons of society, particularly those at the top of business and politics, who have the most to lose, or perhaps gain'.

• The city's largest version of slums, Roodepoort, was raided last night by a joint force of Metro Police and the Koninklijke Financiële Garde (Royal Financial Guard). Months of surveillance and financial transaction monitoring conducted with the cooperation of Standard Chartered Bank, Postbank and Goudsteen Bank, among others, resulted in the successful arrest of more than two dozen known financial criminals accused of laundering billions of guilder in Vrijpoort. Much of the funds were illicitly derived from revenues in illegal non-government sanctioned gambling, non-sanctioned prostitution, drug smuggling and weapons sales. About half of those arrested were foreign nationals with the others being either solely Vrijpoort citizens or holding Vrijpoort and at least one other citizenship. Senior Minister Weldaad's government has been keen on stamping out money launderers and thus the arraignment will take place tomorrow morning at Westpoort magistrate's court. Most charges are expected to fall under the Financial Crimes Act 2014, however if any of the accused are also charged with directly smuggling drugs and not just laundering money derived from the sale of illicit drugs, they could face capital punishment. The KFG was asked why these alleged criminals were hiding in slums instead of penthouses: 'because they think we won't find them here' a KFG spokesperson said.

• Vrijpoort Transcontinental Skyport had to briefly shut its two runways this afternoon after a medium-range commercial jet skid off the runway in icy conditions. The nose landing gear collapsed in the incident requiring heavy equipment to remove the wreckage. Emergency response teams reported a half-dozen injured passengers and crew, non serious. The flight was inbound from Becs-Altstadt and was operated by a Bajororszag carrier.

• Vrijpoort Yeshiva University received its largest ever single donation this week from Yossi Lefkovitz, the founder of Buy 'n Large hypermarts and online mega shopping site. He is one of the world's richest men. Speaking at a ceremony at the university's urban campus, Mr Lefkovitz said that Torah had given him peace and purpose while growing up in a Jewish orphanage in the slums of Vrijpoort - the very peace and purpose which propelled him to unimaginable business success. His hope is that he can give back to help others who may need guidance on their path towards the same peace and purpose.

• Divisie Twee has refused to confirm or deny reports of a trade attaché in Becs-Altstadt being a spy. The agency, which is responsible for Vrijpoort's foreign intelligence gathering and operations, was thrown into the spotlight this morning when the website Infoleaks claimed it had evidence that Deborah Mortimer, a Vrijpoort trade and economics attaché in the Vrijpoort High Commission in Becs-Altstadt is actually a Divisie Twee agent. Ms Mortimer has been confined to the chancery since the leak for her own safety, although at this time the authorities in Bajororszag have not made requests to speak with her. Whether a spy or not, Ms Mortimer's diplomatic immunity would permit her to travel back to Vrijpoort unhindered, although the incident could well be damaging to relations with Vrijpoort's most important neighbour. As is typical with Divisie Twee, they neither confirm nor deny the report and were not available for comment.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport​

Headlines

• Markets fluttered after a car bomb went off in central Sandhavn in the Dune Sea, just 500 meters from the enforced green zone
• VEF (Vrijpoort Expeditionary Force) says 'the surge' in Dune Sea is working but needs more time
• Defence Vrijpoort (ministry) to receive extra funds to help fight insurgency in Dune Sea, drawn from Toekomst, the nation's sovereign wealth fund
• Motorists keen on lower prices at the pump across the border in Panonnia will not be permitted to exit Vrijpoort if their fuel tank is less than 3/4 full and jerry cans found in cars will be confiscated
• Senior Minister Weldaad dodged protest at Senior Minister's Questions in the Senate this morning that her surge policy in the Dune Sea is costing too many lives of VEF soldiers as she instead focussed on the success of the green zone in central Sandhavn, which has protected critical government buildings and other infrastructure
• KLM Airways announced a drop in Q4 passenger and cargo traffic between Vrijpoort and Sandhavn of over 12% as the raging terrorist insurgency there discourages business trips and the traditionally busy winter tourist season

 

[Vrijpoort]

de MORGEN
nieuws van Vrijpoort sinds 1642. vrij en onafhankelijk 8ƒ​

KLM Airways to make major push into Westernesse, eyeing lucrative trans-Thaumantic routes

Vrijpoort, 28.01.2021 - KLM Airways has long specialised in two things: ultra long-haul routes and impeccable service in all cabin classes. In recent years the airline has grown its regional, short and medium haul fleet in order to provide more connections to and from Vrijpoort. The hope has been to entice travellers from near and far to choose KLM 'because we get you there', one advert campaign claimed. Its routes are unmatched in scale and schedule on Gallo-Germania to Himyar and Toyou and it has always maintained a number of trans-Thaumantic routes as well. Next month the airline plans to launch several new routes across the Thaumantic, increase frequency on existing routes and unveil brand new cabins.

New routes include Vrijpoort-Astena and Vrijpoort-Deskala, each with once daily service on new twin jet aircraft. Rio Bravo and Callao will also receive once daily non-stop service with twin jets. The existing routes to Elephaney and New Union City will each have twice-daily flights with a mixture of twin and quad-jet aircraft. Charleroi and Ellwood City in The Federation will increase to three daily non-stop flights using quad jets to Charleroi and twin jets to Ellwood City. Baldwin-Whitehall will for the first time see the blue birds of KLM touch down next month as well with a once daily twin jet service to Vrijpoort. Pike in West March will increase to a twice daily non-stop with twin jets and the final new route will be 5 times a week service to Novara in the Panonnian tropical islands of Sankt Katharina where winter tourism has increased demand for flights from Vrijpoort and elsewhere in Gallo-Germania.

KLM said that they expect fierce competition from the dominant Trans Westernesse Airline, a competitor based in The Federation, on some of the routes.

Joost de Lichte, CEO of KLM, said, 'We've been flying some of these routes for decades and others will be new for us. Our focus will be to get passengers who normally fly other airlines long-haul to pause for a moment and consider choosing KLM. With our increased frequency to many cities we believe that we will be able to win over a good number of passengers, especially business travellers who will appreciate our Executive Class and First Class products, not to mention our Crown Lounges and that added touch we provide at KLM. We're not targeting passengers from smaller locales for the moment and instead are looking at the urban traveller. That's what we specialise in. But who knows. Perhaps in the future it might make sense to launch a short-haul subsidiary somewhere in Westernesse to both feed into our trans-Thaumantic network or even compete directly on intra-Westernesse routes.'

The increase in flight frequency and newly added routes will require more ground personnel and the construction or expansion of a number of Crown Lounges, which will provide a number of jobs in the various cities across Westernesse. KLM has not disclosed the amount invested into the expansion plans but will be required to disclose the numbers in its 2021 annual report, which will be filed by the deadline of 15 March 2022. Shares in KLM rose sharply this morning on the Vrijdex index of the 50 largest companies in Vrijpoort but trading settled down a few hours after the initial announcement. The company ended the day 2% above its opening bell price.

 

[Vrijpoort]

het financiële rapport 7ƒ​

Vrijdex: 5,854.63 (+0.22%) -- VrijCommoditiesEX: 7.515.97 (-0.11%) -- ƒ/€M: 7.9591 (-0.52%) -- Meridian Crude: €M 60.73 (+0.23%) -- Gold Spot: €M/30g 851.58 (+0.44%)

»» Abortion Tourism Expected to Grow; Private Clinics Offer Discounts
»» Drone Strike Neutralises Hames Anti-Air Group Advancing Towards Sandhavn
»» WatMan? App to Launch Mobile Payments & Utility Bill Features
»» Weldaad Says CSEAC 'Not a priority' for Vrijpoort

With Pannonia Joining other Gallo-Germanian Countries, Abortion Tourism to VP is Set to Grow
Vistarika, Serbovia, swaths of the Holy Frankish Empire and now increasingly restrictive laws in Pannonia make it incredibly difficult for a woman to obtain a legal and safe abortion in many parts of Gallo-Germania. A pro-life wave of policies seems to be spreading across the continent yet Vrijpoort remains a beacon of hope for those women who wish to choose an abortion. Abortion laws in the city-state are relatively lax. Doctors are permitted to perform abortions so long as the risk of harm to the mother remains low, with no limit set in the pregnancy term, although most abortions are performed in the first trimester. Abortion tourism from neighbouring countries has not been uncommon but the Vrijpoort Medical Association expects massive increases in the number of pregnant women from abroad seeking a safe and legal abortion.

Standard Health, part of the Standard Group (VSE: STNG), operates dozens of private health clinics across the principality and has announced special rates for mothers coming from other countries in Gallo-Germania. The company's spokesperson said, 'a woman should always have the right to choose what to do with her body. We are therefore happy to offer steeply discounted rates for abortions at our clinics in Vrijpoort. Our trained medical professionals and social workers will ensure a safe and comfortable procedure and the mother will be fully informed about all options prior to the abortion. We hope that by offering this affordable option, those who do indeed wish to have an abortion will be able to do so.'

The government has not commented on the recent anti-abortion wave in neighbouring countries but the Senior Minister's Office press secretary said today that 'women who choose to come here for a legal abortion will not be turned away. Their medical records are confidential under principality law. Public hospitals and polyclinics in Vrijpoort cannot accept patients from abroad who do not hold a Vrijpoort residency pass, but the government does not dictate business practice to private clinics so long as they follow the law. As for the policies of our regional friends, this government does not like to comment on their domestic political affairs.'

Vrijpoort does not require entry visas for any nationality for short-term social and business visits of up to 180 days, making it incredibly easy for visitors to come and go as they please without the added burden and cost of visa applications.

Divisie Éen Drone Strike Takes Out Hames Anti-Air Unit near Sandhavn in Dune Sea
Divisie Éen, Vrijpoort's domestic intelligence service, announced early this morning that a drone strike northwest of Sandhavn in the Dune Sea was successful in neutralising 23 terrorists belonging to Hames (Himyari Alliance for a Meritocratic and Equitable Society). The terrorists belonged to an anti-air unit that specialises in targeting Royal Sky Force helicopters patrolling the desert and savannah. Military satellites had been tracking the unit as it advanced towards Sandhavn Skyport, potentially threatening commercial and cargo traffic that links the Overseas Crown Colony to Vrijpoort, thousands of kilometres away. The terrorist organisation has been able to smuggle in weapons across the porous border with Natal for months and has shot down three Royal Sky Force helicopters since last October. Senior Minister Weldaad's 'surge' policy, which has brought Royal Expeditionary Force troop levels to over 30,000, has been partly successful in driving Hames fighter cells out of larger cities in the Dune Sea, yet car bombings are still common outside the urban green zones and REF rural outposts continue to be raided. The Dune Sea's Viceroy, Sir Kabelo Mbonambi, is expected to officially recommend billions of guilder in investment to train local Dune Sea soldiers and Outback Police while allowing the REF to focus on aerial support and intelligence. The Viceroy's recommendations will be lodged with the Dune Sea Diet on Monday.

WatMan? Will Launch Mobile Payments & Utility Bill Features This Week
The wildly popular mobile phone messaging app WatMan? (VSE: WAT) has had massive success over the years as it spreads across the globe. This week the app will launch new features in Vrijpoort, using the highly commercialised city-state as a test bed before launching the features in other markets. The first feature will be mobile payments. Users will be able to link their app to their bank account and either store credit (up to 800ƒ - or 100€M) or draw directly from their bank account using either a QR code or their phone's NFC feature. The feature will be free for app users while WatMan? will receive a tiny commission from the merchant. The second feature is a utility bill payment feature. Users can link their public and private utility bills to the app and pay their monthly bill through the mobile payment system or by setting up a direct withdrawal from their bank account, all within the app. The company plans to see how user uptake goes in the next few months before launching in Pannonia and Vistarika later this year.

Senior Minister Weldaad Doesn't See CSEAC as a Priority for VP
When asked at her monthly Saturday Luncheon with her press pool whether Vrijpoort would consider joining the new CSEAC trade organisation, Senior Minister Weldaad said that her government 'doesn't view the trade organisation as a priority for now'. She said that the country needs to focus on getting the insurgency in the Dune Sea under control and keeping the Vrijpoort economy vibrant and growing by providing urgently needed social projects promised in her manifesto from 2019. 'We need more affordable housing, expanded public transport and reform of the Central Provident Fund retirement pension scheme. CSEAC looks like a fine organisation, but people shouldn't forget that Vrijpoort doesn't levy tariffs on any products from any country, full stop. You could say we've been ahead of the game for years. So what's in it for us if we join? More paperwork? No, I have other things to concentrate on, thank you very much'.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Frankish Women's Choice League

We are endeavoring to change the tone in the Holy Frankish Empire. 3 out of the 7 constituent nations of the Empire have reproductive rights which we rate as "good" or "above average". Yet, in 4 nations, the laws remain restricted to abortion in only the cases of rape or if the mother's life is threatened. We will endeavor to ensure that a woman's choice remains her own. We are currently coordinating large-scale protests in many countries so that our voice, and that of women across the globe, is heard. These protests shall occur one week from today.