Luthori

[Robert F. Kennedy]

Foreign investments into the Luthorian economy.
Aldegar recently announced a series of investments into the Luthorian economy - something that may be followed by expansions from Aldegarian companies into the Luthorian market. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the investments done by numerous foreign companies into Luthori.
12th, January 5492

Fort William, Principality of Orange, Luthori - The Foreign Secretary's visit in Aldegar is over since some months - and now, the "fruit of the open door" are showing themselves. The Aldegarian Government announced putting in place a series of "investments" into the Luthorian economy. With these investments, companies such as Renard (styling, clothing, luxury), a formerly-Kanjorian based fashion company - which moved its headquarters to Aldegar and already invested and penetrated Luthori's inexistant clothing industry (apart from clothing giant Ellis) in 5384. Other Aldegarian companies such as Stellaris (telecommunications) or Stork Foods announced their intention to come implement themselves into the Luthorian market. For Stellaris, it'll be the first telecommunication company coming from a foreign market coming in Luthori to compete with traditional dominant companies in this market. And this is merely covering the topic from Aldegarian companies - as a full blown agreement is likely to upstart trade between the two nations. The Foreign Economic Council has stated that "in light of Aldegar's current position in the global chessboard and its position in Terra, such a position increasing its economy by the mere presence of the Aldegar Canal, Luthori seeking extensive relations with the nation is a welcome sight and a good relief for our economy.". The economic investments in Luthori aren't totally ending here, as New Verham, Dundorf announced further economic investments into Luthori. The Dundorfians announced recently that D.U.T (Dundorfische Unzugtechnologien [Dundorfian] or Dundorf Moving Technologies [Luthorian] would make opening in Luthori, collaborating with a newly-born company Micros LTD, for this endeavour to come to a succeding aim. Finally, New Verham. The country's largest clothing warehouse company, Sokhatai, announced implementing itself in Luthori by opening two "mega-stores", the first of its kind in Luthori, but the second of its kind in Artania, as the company already opened some in Narikaton & Darnussia.

With these foreign investments, it remains to be seen whether or not the Luthorian economy will benefit from these, although people are remaining optimistic, as the "Choose Luthori" forum, has likely, convinced many of these companies to invest in Luthori than to other Artanian countries, such as ND or Hobrazia.

The Economic Inquirer is a newspaper detailing and dissecting all the economic and financial information of Luthori and the world. This media, independent by principle, tries at best to meet the expectations of its readers by remaining politically neutral.

[GreekIdiot]

William Press
A neutral source of coverage for administrative affairs, regardless of who's leading our fine government.
CCS outlines digital portal for Luthorian media outlets
January 5492



Fort William, Luthori - Chief Executive of the Crown's Communication Service Jones Johnson met with the Secretary of State for the Home Department earlier this morning to present an outline of a digital innovation project; a project that seeks to upgrade the country's digital portal pertaining to media outlets, from newspapers all the way to international news outlets and publishers present in the country and the Commonwealth.

Mr. Johnson made the following statement after the conclusion of the meeting:

We realise that the spectrum of domestic and international media present in Luthori and the Commonwealth is quite vast, to the point that we feel it prudent to provide some extra digital services for news publishers and distributors alike.

Regardless of the opinions, inclinations and focus area of each publisher, it is important that all have a distinct voice across the board.

As the plan unfolds, we will present more to the Secretary of State for the Home Department as we complete the analysis stage and seek to receive both approval and the necessary digital transformation budget to pursue the implementation stage of the digital portal's upgrades.

CCS released a memo essentially attempting to communicate that the scope of this project is to provide clarity, access and more transparent communication between media and news publishers and distributors as they conduct their business with the government.

-

OOC: Posted with the permission of @HopesFor, @Brad and @Lig from Luthori, as well as after receiving permission to RP with the CCS.

[Nileowen_]

The People's Herald
The People's Herald is a newspaper focusing on political events within Luthori. It takes a leftist editorial view both economically and socially.

Congress of Trade Unions forms
7th June 5492

The Congress of Trade Unions has been officially established. Envisioned to act as both strike coordinators and to champion the workers' rights movement, the DSLP and several unions cooperated on planning out the creation of Congress, and have decided upon a collective leadership structure where an elected speaker shall preside over a meeting of delegates proportionally assigned to each member union, with each union receiving at least one delegate, and all actions of the Congress being decided by the delegates present. Membership already includes a minor but growing leftist teachers' union, along with a mechanics' union and another small but growing construction workers' union. The Congress is set to expand and create more unions with the DSLP's support.

[Robert F. Kennedy]

Luthori-Seleya Trade continues to increase as Luthori sign friendship treaty with Aldegar.
In this article, we'll take a look to Luthori's trading relationship with Seleya, which continues to grow by the day.
1st, August 5492



Fort William, Principality of Orange, Luthori - Parliament has recently approved the ratification of the Aldegar-Luthori Friendship & Collaboration Treaty, through the Aldegar-Luthori Friendship Ratification Act 5490 - which was a project of law put to vote by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the voice of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. With the ratification of this treaty, Luthori's current trading relationship with Seleya is excepted to increase over the years, as the access to the Aldegar Canal has been secured through the Aldegarian Government giving the "Bloodline" rank to all Luthorian shipping companies passing through the area in 5490. The two nations have struck an agreement back in the day to ratify a friendship treaty, based on the Luthorian model, which is itself based on the Yingdalan model treaty model. Since then, Aldegarian companies have invested into Luthori and installed themselves into Luthori, while Luthorian companies have been awfully quiet. It seems that Luthori is trying to attract foreign companies towards its market (with examples like the Choose Luthori" forum, created to attract foreign investments to Luthori) while also "containing" or "restraining" the wills of its own companies to "explore" other markets to internationalize themselves.

It may be a good strategy to not jeopardize Luthorian foreign policy's objectives, although, it's likely that this precarious state of affairs will not remain so for long. As Luthori just ratified the Baltusian Free Trade Zone treaty, through the Baltusian Free Trade Zone Ratification Act 5490 - this is another development going in favour of Luthori's current whereabouts in foreign policy. Since Meyer's arrival to Blackhall Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs has proceded to cancel further military expansions, through the sacking of Navy Chief Rampard in favor of Palmerston in 5489. This was considered by political columnists to be an increased influence of Andrew Meyer against his rivals as Rampard was supported by Defence Secretary and most importantly, by the Home Secretary, which saw Palmerston's appointment with worries. With that in mind, the Foreign Economic Council has stated that with "the good relations" with Luthori's most important trading partners in Seleya, them being Aldegar, Lodamun, Mordusia, Baltusia and Gaduridos, the trading relationship between Luthori and Seleya would increase over the years, as Luthori continues to seek to diversify its trading relationship from Lourenne & Beiteynu, with whom they've recently normalized relations.

Likewise, Luthori's current relationship with the Artanian continent, one of antipathy and non-commitment to it, may be redirected towards a more-economical focused agreement, as Luthori is looking with "great interest" at the continent, as said in this article of the Times about Dorvish relinkening, what is also stated is that the northern hemisphere is likely to be Luthori's next frontier as speaking of expanding trading routes, as the Foreign Office is seeking "win-win" situations for all nations with whom they are engaging with, like Beluzia, Kirlawa, where Luthori intervened during the "Intervention" Era, Rutania, with whom Luthori shares a brotherly bound due to the monarchy, and finally Davostag, with whom Luthori has a bad relationship with since the whole "Kundrati affair", during which, Davostag sent an ultimatum to Luthori after it announced its own ultimatum against Kundrati. Or, Luthori could potentially seeks closer economic ties with the Southern hemishphere, with Majatra in line of touch, as the Foreign Secretary himself stated at the beginning of his term, during an interview with Times' journalist, Emily Buckley.

Although, Luthori's trading relationship with Seleya is sure to go up, as Luthori-Beiteynu trading relationship is dwindling due to the policies of both countries in that aim.

The Economic Inquirer is a newspaper detailing and dissecting all the economic and financial information of Luthori and the world. This media, independent by principle, tries at best to meet the expectations of its readers by remaining politically neutral.

[Nileowen_]

[Robert F. Kennedy]

Financial sector set to invest and expand services out of Luthori.
We'll take a look at the recent announcement of a joint venture from the Luthorian financial industry aimed towards expansion in numerous countries.
5th, September 5492



Sewallston, Principality of Orange, Luthori - Since the beginning of Luthori's "trading spree", in which Luthori's trading network was increased by acquiring friendly nations all over the world and acquiring advantageous trade deals and having foreign companies installing themselves in Luthori, nothing was heard about Luthorian companies, those who were said to be greedy "opportunistic" were either simply biding their time to strike or were restrained by Blackhall Palace to not jeopardize Luthori's foreign policy plans. Yet, now, with Luthori's economic presence in the world being more resentful than it was some years ago, due to the signing of numerous "Model Treaties" with many nations in the world, making them enter the circle of nations that Luthori could consider like its "friends", while also availabling their market to Luthorian companies and opening up Luthori's market to foreigners. While the latter was done repeatedly during the course of the years, the former wasn't much done during these years, no one could exactly know why, some people are saying that Darlington "delibertely" let them in Luthori to give a sentiment of welcoming to foreigners, some says that they were biding their time. Regardless of the reasons, it seems that this policy is now over as the Martwick-Alchester Banking Corporation, the Baklewood Bank, the Ward Financial Holdings and National Credit, effectively the biggest banks in the country, nicknamed the "Big Four", although Baklewood is often left out to only count the "Big Three", which is MABC, WFH and NC.

These banks are forming the backbone of Luthori's current financial industry and have announced "considering" with national authorities in these countries, the "prospect" of an joint venture of these Luthorian banks into these countries. Here the countries mentionned, are, unsurprisingly, nations which signed a friendship treaty with Luthori, like Lodamun, with whom Luthori already signed a friendship treaty through the Commonwealth framework in 5359-5363, opening up both nations for an ever-increasing trading/economic relationship. Other nations, like Aldegar, Gaduridos, Baltusia are also cited as "landing points" for the Luthorian financial sector in Seleya, yet it's not the sole region where Luthori's economic reach will be increasing. Artania is also going to see an increase of Luthorian companies coming to their markets, nations such as Dundorf or ND or Hobrazia or Kundrati, nations which have signed economic agreements with Luthori are likely to see this influx of the financial sector, although in some countries, like Dundorf, where after negociations, the treaty was slightly modified to fit into Dundorf's protectionnist nature, these may prove difficult. Mr. Harping, head of the WFH stated that "it'll be only with agreement from governments that we would enter markets, not without."

For now, the countries stated to see an expansion of the Luthorian financial sector into their lands are Aldegar, Lodamun, Baltusia, Gaduridos, Narikaton & Darnussia, Mordusia and Dundorf, with other nations such as Dolgava or Davostag or even Deltaria, with whom the Foreign Office has confirmed having "some contacts" with towards "increased" economic collaboration and an increased trading relationship. In addition to the expansion, the MABC has announced investing into the foreign companies' venture into Luthori, financing the construction of Sokuhtai's two mega-stores in Luthori, as announced in 5490. or the WFH and MABC conjointly announced investments into the Gaduri's mining and extraction sector, where Hexlon Imperial is since 5476. Finally, if the expansions are approved, divisional HQs are likely to be put in place in each countries, at least for now.

The Financial Expert is a luthorian newspaper owned by the Churchill Investment Fund. The "code of honor" of this newspaper is to bring reliable information about the economy, the state of the market and the state of businesses to Luthori.

[Robert F. Kennedy]

Luthori fan club calls upon Kalistani band "The Starving Artists" to come play in Luthori.
A Luthorian fan club of the Kalistani band "The Starving Artists" has asked upon the group to come make a tour in Luthori - it is said that a member of the government is also a fan of the band and could go to their performance in Luthori.
12th, October 5492


Image of the Kalistan band 'the Starving Artists".

Fort William, Principality of Orange, Luthori - Luthori and Kalistan's relationship is said to be very tense - as the two countries made ouvertures towards each other in the aftermath of the Baltusian debacle - yet, miscommunication and misunderstanding between the two countries made the Empress announce an "halting" in the detente between the two countries in 5487, citing the Luthorian Government's "lack of actions to make the two countries closer". Since this date, no contacts have been made by either Kaliburg or Fort William to rekindle any chance of having another detente in relations, although back in 5488, newly-appointed Foreign Secretary Meyer stated that "it was a priority for Luthori to remake contact with Kalistan". Best to say that the Foreign Secretary didn't really made his promise a reality, as he was more concerned with increasing relations with other Seleyan states, such as Aldegar or Gaduridos, rather than to try to expand relations with a likely uninterested Kalistan. Yet - weirdly enough, it seems that the "ice breaking" may not happen between governments, but between people.

It's safe to say that Kalistani music has always been of a great influence back here in Luthori, with the Kalistani studios supporting the 5372 protests and the Anti-Military Service protests. Today, it seems that the Kalistani Band "The Starving Artists" has been called upon by a fan club in Luthori, the official fan club to be precise, to come make a tour of the nation. This tour would be speerheaded by many concert performance in the country and the voyage would likely be fund by the Luthorian fan club. It's also to note that the Secretary of State for Seleya, Archibald Malfor, is also a fan of the band. As of today, no official communication has been coming out of the group, which representated Kalistan in FOMAT XXV.

Although, the fan club is still hopeful about their coming in Luthori.

[Robert F. Kennedy]

Palace says "numerous" royal visits are planned.
The Orange Palace has confirmed that "numerous" royal visits from members of the Luthorian imperial family are planned into other nations.
11th, December 5492


Rottingham Palace, the monarch's current favourite residence in Erneshire.

Fort William, Principality of Orange, Luthori - The Orange Palace, through the voice of the Emperor's Private Secretary, Lord Maxwell Taylor, has confirmed the Imperial Family would be visiting numerous nations in the next years. The Private Secretary which came to be in 5481, after the resignation of his predecessor, in disgrace, Lord Jackson, stated that the Crown "was negociating" the details of a potential imperial visit to numerous countries. It would mark the first large-scale Luthorian royal visit of the recent times, as both Emperor William X, Emperor Edward V and Emperor Albert were more centered around Luthori, and its realm, like the time where Emperor Albert and the late-Empress-Consort Elizabeth resided in Beiteynu between 5478 and the Empress' passing in New Endralon and Kizenia. Apart from that, no further great visits were made, not even in Lourenne, where the Imperial Family owns some properties as Duke of Alcarie, a title given by Queen Eugenie II to Emperor-King Charles VI, after her direct letter patent, confirming her and her sucessors as being the Grand Duke/Grand Duchess of Yodukan.

We can easily confirm that as of today, a visit in Lourenne is not yet planned by the Orange Palace, although, vacations in Lourenne from one particular member of the Imperial Family is planned into the family's residence as Dukes of Alcarie. The member in question is actually the Emperor's youngest son, Prince Arthur (22), who would be leaving on the summer for "extensive vacations" in the countryside of the United Kingdom. This comes at the very difference of his siblings who would be taking off to more official duties during the year. The Orange Palace explained this choice by the Prince's education, which forced him to take vacations to rest after some months of intensive studying; although, tabloids has stated that the Prince was also "known" for his partying issues, especially with young girls at his university. While the youngest Prince would be taking off vacations in the sunshine countryside of Lourenne, his siblings would be taking off more "official" duties, might we say.

First of all, Prince Charles, the elder sibling would be taking off to some interesting directions, he's not going to Kalistan or Hutori, or even Yeudiland (Beiteynu), he's going to...Dovani, actually when you see Luthori's foreign policy at the recent date, it's not that surprising. Both Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have already stated their apologies for Luthori's role into colonizing Dovani, Vascania and Temania, the three being referred as the "East". Yet, now, Luthori wants to show that they are not only profoundly honest about their apologies for their colonial exactions but also wants to repay the formerly colonized states with the best of their abilites, so the visit from Prince Charles would likely be orientated towards that aim, the Orange Palace has stated that the countries of Xsampa, Temania and Vascania would be concerned by this first "apologetic" visit from the Luthorian royal. The three countries have been Luthorian colonies in the past and the Orange Palace thinks it'll be a great way to show Luthori's "penitence" about colonization.

In the meantime, Princess or Grand-Duchess Alice would be visiting both Deltaria and Dolgava, showing off the great interest from the Luthorian imperial house to continue developing its relations with their cousins of the House of Rothingren-Ludwig (descendents of the House of Rothingren-Traugott) and continuing developing relations between Luthori & Dolgava, which are both members of the Northern Security Treaty Organization, by developing trading relationship between the countries. It's also the same thing that the Princess would likely aim to do while in visit to Deltaria, the Luthorian Government having contacted the Deltarian Government about increased trade relationship and a better understanding of each other, this visit could be seen as Luthori's goodwill visit to Deltaria, not showing any ill-intend towards the "Second Power of the South", while afterwards the Foreign Secretary could make a visit officializing the newly-born relationship with Deltaria, opening up the gates for further diplomatic goodwill from Luthori into Majatra.

Finally, Prince George would go to Hutori for another goodwill visit to rekindle the ties between Fort William and Bekenial, to better strengthen the current trading partnership that exists between the two nations through the Commonwealth and to continue developing the special relationship developing between these two brother-like nations.

The Royals is a weekly editor who recounts life, scandals and information about the imperial family.

[hopesfor2]

The Progressive Tribune
The Progressive Tribune is a newspaper focusing on the political events at Luthori. Its editorial view is fairly centrist on economics but leftist socially.
Protests against recent controversial reforms erupt

25th June 5493


Tens of thousands protesting the government at Fort William.

Fort William, Luthori - In the current legislative term, which is set to end at September of this year, the government has passed several bills and is set to pass an omnibus bill that has generated significant public controversy and backlash, but protests were yet to be organized as there was a lack of interest in mass mobilization among the public. However, as the "HCG bill", a strongly controversial bill that will restrict many civil rights such as euthanasia, right of criminals released from prison to vote, recreational drug use, and will destroy the already increasingly limited economic regulations on monopolies and criminalize secondary strike actions, also there have been preceding controversial policies such as authorization of employers to fire striking workers upon government approval, deregulation of daily working hours, abolition of civilian national service and establishment of mandatory military service, all which were policies condemned by the civil society and the Labour Party as ultra-capitalist and ultra-conservative. The main opposition Labour Party has strongly criticized and voted against the "HCG Bill", describing it as a regression to the political situation before the 5372-5375 protests and political crisis in the same period, Labour also criticized the general policy direction of the Conservative government as illiberal and ultra-capitalist, accusing it of restricting civil rights and dismantling economic regulations. An organization called the People's Protest Assembly, which is a grassroots civil society organization, was set up by the protesters to coordinate and organize the protests against the government. The Labour Party has assisted but didn't directly take part in the formation of the People's Protest Assembly.

The first ever demonstration was organized in 30th May by a decentralized group of around one thousand protesters who gathered in the capital Fort William, when the People's Protest Assembly was not yet set up, to protest against the "HCG Bill" and the recent reforms such as the bills authorizing employers to fire striking workers upon government approval, the mandatory military service and the de-implementation of the alternative civilian service, and the abolition of regulations on daily working hours, which the protesters argued they were restricting the people's rights and freedoms. This first demonstration served as a catalyst for further protests against the government, as it inspired thousands of others to take to the streets to protest what they saw as restriction of rights and freedoms. Sporadic protests continued until the People's Protest Assembly was set up in 18th June, two days ago, by the protesters, an organization which aims to create a more organized and effective protest movement against the government and its controversial policies. The People's Protest Assembly, immediately after its formation, has been organizing demonstrations and protest marchs in the capital Fort William to protest against the "HCG Bill" and other controversial policies. The protests intensified in 19th June as more than six thousand organized a mass protest against the government in the capital Fort William, who gathered in Fort William, to oppose the mandatory military service and the controversial social reforms that the "HCG Bill" will bring about.

The Labour Party, which currently forms the official opposition and is the second-largest party represented in the legislature, has strongly condemned the "HCG bill" and the other bills passed by the Conservative government, in an official statement issued by the Labour leader and Leader of the Opposition Taylor Elwes and released by The Labour News. Elwes accused the Prime Minister and his Conservative government of regressing the country towards the authoritarianism of the last century, expressed strong support for the People's Protest Assembly and the protests, and promised to overturn the controversial reforms and the "HCG bill" if the Labour Party is elected to power in the parliamentary elections in September of this year. Labour Fort William, which is the Fort William county wing of the Labour Party, has co-operated with the People's Protest Assembly in protests against the government, which are currently joined by around thirty thousand protesters dissatisfied with the policy direction of Luthori and organized in the capital Fort William mainly by Labour Fort William and People's Protest Assembly. Whether these protests subside quickly or escalate into massive demonstrations joined by hunderds of thousands or even possibly millions will be determined by the results of the upcoming elections this year. If Labour Party wins the elections, they would repeal those policies, hence leading to the subsidence of the protests. But if the Conservative Party wins another term and its Tory faciton alongside with the Humperdinck Conservative Group continue to have a majority in the parliament, then the protests will probably further intensify.

[hopesfor2]

The Progressive Tribune
The Progressive Tribune is a newspaper focusing on the political events at Luthori. Its editorial view is fairly centrist on economics but leftist socially.
Massive protest organized ahead of elections

2nd September 5493 (postdated)


One hunderd thousand protesters gathered in the capital Fort William to protest the "HCG Bill" and the Conservative government.

Fort William, Luthori - The People's Protest Assembly and the Labour Fort William has together organized a massive demonstration joined by more than one hundred thousand protesters who are dissatisfied with the policy direction of their country. This massive protest, alongside with the sporadic protests that have been organized by disparate groups or by the People's Protest Assembly, represents the first massive protest movement since 5471, while those protests were much larger than the ones that are currently being organized. The reasons of the massive protest are, the "HCG Bill", a strongly controversial bill proposed by the Humperdinck Conservatives Group (HCG), which was voted in favor by the Tories of the Conservative Party and the Humperdinck Conservatives Group, and voted against by the Whigs of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, the bill will jeopardize the civil rights of the citizens and dismantle the already increasingly limited economic regulations and protections for workers. The second reason is the general policy direction of the Conservative government that has took office five years ago, which included the adoption of controversial conservative social policies and liberalization of the economy to the point that it would restrict the workers' right to strike, and the protesters are dissatisfied with this policy direction and want to change it.

The mass protest has been joined by more than one hunderd thousands demonstrators, who gathered in the capital Fort William in protest against the "HCG Bill" and the policy direction of Luthori. Main organizations behind the protest are the People's Protest Assembly, a civil society organization created by the protesters to coordinate and the organize the protests against the government, and the Labour Fort William, the local branch of the Labour Party that operates specifically in the county of Fort William. The protesters has expressed strong opposition to the recent reforms and condemned them as illiberal and ultra-capitalist, accusing the Conservative government of restricting civil rights and staging an ultra-liberalization of the economy at the expense of the people. The mass protest which is held ahead of the elections due for this month is a significant mobilization of the population against the government and the policy direction, and whenever the protests intensify or subside will be primarily determined by the election results, as the Labour Party would be likely to repeal those controversial reforms and if the Whigs of the Conservative Party strengthen their parliamentary standing even when Labour is defeated in the elections they are more willing to compromise than the Tories and the Humperdinck Conservative Group.