Mordusia

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
Oil Tanker Explosion, Energy Sector Plans
September 4616

Rechtenburg, Talasor - President Levine issued an Executive Order forming the National Energy Council (NEC) with its membership consisting of business leaders in the energy industry in hopes of growing that particular industry without too much government oversight. This comes in wake of an oil tanker exploding off the shores of Sayoon during the President's inauguration. More on that report from Lauren Dubois. Lauren.

During the President's inauguration ceremony, an oil tanker belonging to Revive Energy, Inc. exploded off the coast of Sayoon, one our nations leading oil producing regions. The explosion comes days after its monthly federal inspection. The explosion killed nearly 20 of Revive Energy employees, injuring another 30 employees. Federal investigators are working with regional and local authorities to figure out how the explosion happened and if negligence on behalf of the company or federal inspectors is applicable. Recent reports shows that federal energy inspectors have been cut by half along with other ministries since President Plyd was elected in 4606. Many Mordusians are believed to blame President Plyd for this explosion.

President Levine is said to be in a meeting with the NEC on solving the hiring problem of federal inspectors and reforming energy sector inspections altogether. The President and NEC Chair is set to make remarks shortly. Federal inspectors belonging to the Department of Energy and Nuclear Safety, were cut in half due to budget cuts. Plyd appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Nuclear Safety commented on the issue at hand.

Secretary of State for Energy and Nuclear Safety - For years, even when she first started, I fought to keep our funding or increase it because I know the importance of safety in our oil tankers, refineries, you name it. However, my request fell on deaf ears and our department's budget cut by nearly 13%. In that event, we had to layoff 190 of the required 300 inspectors that we had. These inspectors were tasked to inspect oil tankers, refineries, offshore drillings, etc. on a monthly basis. Inspectors were stretched thin, having to take on nearly 30 more inspections each month. Beginning last year, over 30 inspectors resigned their post due to pressing deadlines and the mountain of inspections that were required of them since budget cuts. President Plyd was aware of complications and did nothing to solve it. I do hope that President Levine is able to solve this issue and that the members of the National Assembly approves his request if any.

Here is the complete address of President Levine and NEC Chair John Witman:

President Richard Levine - Thank you for being here. I have established the National Energy Council that will work hand-in-hand with Department of Energy and Nuclear Safety and other departments and ministries to ensure that we protect the employees of these companies that are out on offshore sites, oil tankers and refineries. This explosion was a tragedy and must be solved quickly so it doesn't happen again. After talking with the NEC, we have come to a resolution that will be better for our companies, our people and our country. I will let him fill you all in on the details. John.

NEC Chair John Witman - Thank you Mr. President. The NEC, the Secretary of Energy and Nuclear Safety, Finance Minister and other parties that were included in the discussion have reached a unanimous decision to better solve this issue. As we speak, hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil is seeping into the ocean at record speed. Federal inspectors are lacking the numbers to effectively inspect these refineries and such. We at the NEC released to the President our opinion of how to better handle this situation to keep it from happening again. We decided that energy sector corporations in the area compile a team, under the directive of the NEC, to cap the well and stop the gushing of oil into the ocean. The team will also be tasked with cleaning up the oil in the ocean with new technology. The President has also agreed to increase funding for these departments and ministries to train and hire more federal inspectors and increasing the required number of inspectors from 300 to 450 by the end of 4620. This is a plan we all support. Thank you.

A budget proposal is set to be in the National Assembly by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Capping of the well and the cleaning of the ocean has already begun.

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
First Joint Domestic Military Exercise
November 4616



Rechtenburg, Talasor -- Mordusian Law Enforcement Agencies and the Mordusian Military participates in its first ever joint exercise. This coming from President Levine's executive order to do an annual exercise between Mordusian law enforcements and the military to better "prepare" and "execute plans' for "domestic terrorism and other dangers." The Protection Forces of Mordusia, the name the President gave the exercise, work to cultivate strong partnerships between the different law enforcement agencies and military branches by exchanging and demonstrating best practices and procedures during exercise Joint L'partage Endeavor 4617, scheduled March 4617 at various locations across Mordusia.

The training event will focus on a variety of missions including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and mutual defense. There will be special focus on interoperability training events designed to enhance the combined capabilities of both law enforcement officers and military servicemen.

"We came to L'partage because we want to be interoperable with Mordusian law enforcement and with our joint counterparts," said Air Force Lt. Col. James Matuszak, L'partage newly-appointed exercise coordinator and deputy commander of the 35th Contingency Response Group from Rechtenbury Air Base in Talasor. "We learn a lot from each other just by talking and asking questions about how we do things."

L'partage is a Canrillaise term that means "sharing" and characterizes the spirit of the exercise. Over the next several days, both law enforcement and the military will participate in multiple subject matter expert exchanges designed to enhance their capabilities.

"The good thing about these activities is that the subject matter experts in each area give their best practices to their counterparts," said David Chu, Mordusian Bureau of Investigations Director of Counterterriorism and L'partage subject matter expert exchange coordinator for law enforcement.

With Joint L'partage Endeavor 4617, both law enforcement agencies and the military will benefit from the increased cooperation and understanding during real-world missions.

"This process allows us to both learn and teach in areas that we are responsible for, including department security, aerodome operations and other departmental services," Chu explained.

"The 35th CRG has long history with many of the certain types of exercises and we are honored to participate in this for the first time in Mordusian history," Matuszak said. "We both participate with the intent of learning from each other, and this all builds a certain level of trust. Even if we've been gone for months, we can rely on the critical connections we make here."

The exercise is scheduled to incorporate multiple SMEE individuals, including command and control, flight operations, pararescue procedures, combatives and a simulated mass casualty response.

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
President Address in the Rose Garden
March 4617



President walks to the podium in the Rose Garden. Speech begins -- During National Small Business Month, we honor Mordusia's entrepreneurs who take a risk on an idea, invest in their neighborhoods, and create jobs for others. Small business owners exemplify Mordusian spirit by developing new ways to provide goods and services to consumers. As a Nation, we reaffirm our commitment to the free market so that Mordusian small businesses continue to thrive.

Mordusia’s 5 million small businesses are central to our economy and our communities. Their courageous innovation makes our cities and towns vibrant places to live, work, and raise families. Small businesses employ almost 25 million workers, more than one-third of our country’s labor force. These companies foster environments that reward problem solving and accountability, enabling workers to develop skills and valuable hands-on experience that propel their careers.

The success of our small businesses depends on leadership and vision from all perspectives and backgrounds. Approximately 2 million Mordusian small businesses are women-owned; 29 percent are minority-owned; and nearly 10 percent are veteran-owned. As our Nation continues to enjoy record low unemployment, with minority unemployment having achieved historic lows, we recognize that much of this success is due to small businesses creating two out of every three net new jobs in our booming economy.

My Administration is a strong ally and advocate of small businesses and their ability to help Mordusia reach its full economic potential. Most small businesses are now able to deduct 10 percent from their taxable business income due to the Tax Cuts Act. This historic legislation and other pro-growth policies of my Administration, including the elimination of unnecessary and burdensome regulations, have enabled small business owners to reinvest their profits into their businesses. Additionally, we are investing in infrastructure and cybersecurity to ensure Mordusia’s entrepreneurs have the tools and technologies they need to compete in a global economy.

This month, we celebrate the pioneering spirit, creativity, and determination upon which Mordusia has always been built. This undaunted conviction drives our entrepreneurs and small business owners, whose hard work and perseverance give our Nation economic strength. Their initiative, combined with the greatest workforce in the world, is enabling us to convert the unlimited potential of Mordusia into great wealth and prosperity.

Audience applaud. President walks to signing desk and sits down and signs the following proclamation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. LEVINE, President of Mordusia, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of Mordusia, do hereby proclaim the month of April, as National Small Business Month. I call upon all Mordusians to recognize the critical contributions of Mordusia’s entrepreneurs and small business owners as they grow our Nation’s economy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth month of 4617, in the year of our Lord four thousand seventeen.

RICHARD J. LEVINE

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
President Levine Diplomatic Action Against Trigunia
March 4617

Rechtenburg, Talasor -- President Levine expels Trigunia's foreign workers and close down Trigunian embassy and consulates in Mordusia after recent news about political oppression. His Imperial Highness Androniki I and top Trigunian government officials restricted travel access to Mordusia and any and all assets frozen until further notice. Reports have stated that His Imperial Highness have oppressed political parties with crackdown of unwritten illegal party activity, even going to the point of outlawing certain parties.

President Levine demands that His Imperial Highness allow free and independent parties in his nation and stop with the frivolous investigations and witch hunts or abdicate immediately. President Levine states in a news conference that "all options are on the table" whether that be diplomatic, financial, or military. The President is open to lines of communication between the two nations. Mordusian citizens are told that they should return to Mordusia within the next month and restriction to Trigunia is suspended until further notice.

More to follow on this story.

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
President Responds to Trigunia
May 4617

Rechtenburg, Talasor -- Laughs, giggles and jokes coming from Trigunia as they responded to President Levine's decision to close embassies and consulates of the foreign nation in response to the oppressive actions of the Trigunian government on political parties and state powers. However, the President doesn't find the situation a bit funny. In an interview with MNN Anchor, Leslie Ryan, President Levine stated that "...and its sad to see that they are taking this as a laughing matter. Their government is literally trampling over political rights and freedom and they laugh when asked, nicely I add, to solve this issue." Trigunia even went further in attacking our country's economy and calling Mordusia a "weak economic power and small power," in a redundant fashion.

To contend that claim, we note that Trigunia's economy is far smaller than that of Mordusia's, with their GDP standing 2.9 trillion MRD less than Mordusia whose GDP stands firmly at 3.227 trillion MRD. Mordusia invest more, profits more and spends more than Trigunia on many levels, even spending 75 billion MRD more on defense, which will later be up to 155 billion MRD more on defense than Trigunia. President Levine even chuckled a little when he heard of their ridiculing of our economy stating that "us Mordusians are far greater economically and militarily than Trigunia will ever be; how ridiculous."

No further actions on behalf of Mordusia has occurred, however, President Levine is willing and able to help the Trigunian government turn their policies from fascism to freedom.

[jrandle8]

Mordusian News Network
Two People Charged for Defrauding Mordusia
October 4617

Euphanea, Hosamia -- Sooner Financial Services tax return preparer pleased guilty Wednesday before Mordusia Magistrate Judge Larry Thompson to conspiracy to defraud Mordusia announced Secretary of State for Taxation and Customs Esmae Sinclair of the Justice Ministry Department of Taxation and Customs.

According to the indictment and information presented at the plea hearing, Jamil Wonsworth, assisted co-defendant Daniel Lee in the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Lee operated his tax return preparation tax return preparation franchise business, Sooner Financial Services Euphanea, out of Lee's residence in Euphanea. Wonsworth and Lee conspired to defraud Mordusia by preparing false 4615 and 4616 individual income tax returns, which claimed false business items and tax credits in order to fraudulently increase their clients' tax refunds from the Mordusian Revenue Service (MRS). Wonsworth and Lee prepared returns for clients in Hosamia, Talasor, and Sayoon. Wonsworth has admitted to causing a tax loss of over $2.4 million MRD.

In July 4617, Lee also pleaded guilty to the aforementioned conspiracy charge as well as filing a false 4615 income tax return. Lee admitted to causing a tax loss of over $20 million MRD. Lee's sentencing is set for November 4617.

The Court scheduled Wonsworth sentencing for January 4618. Wonsworth faces a maximum penalty of six years in prison on the conspiracy charge as well as a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Secretary of State for Taxation and Customs Sinclair commended special agents of MRS-Criminal Investigation and the Inspector General of the Social Security Department, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Department Trial Attorneys Sydney Wallis and Beau Witman, who are prosecuting the case. Mrs. Sinclair also thanked the Mordusian Justice Office for Western District of Hoasamia (Euphanea Division) for their substantial assistance on this case.

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Mordusian Broadcasting Company: Democratic Nationalist Party formed
October 4635

Rechtenburg - The Department of Home Affairs announced earlier today the registration of the first political party that openly wishes to compete in national elections. The party, the Democratic Nationalist Party or DNP for short, is lead by lawyer Fabrice Bittencourt, a Canrillaise Mordusian lawyer who has called upon the Mordusian people to "...step up and stand out for their rights, their efforts and a place for Mordusia in the world." The ambitious plans laid out by the Democratic Nationalist Party focus on liberalization of the Mordusian economy, rebuilding the failing infrastructure across Mordusia and some have reported that some within the party hold constitutional monarchist ties to several former Luthorian noble houses. While the plans laid out focus on reforming the political system to remove the post of President, focusing on an elective Prime Minister and expanding the National Assembly to be known as "Parliament" an homage to the Luthorian background of the country. Bittencourt promised "...large scale changes...and fundamental overhaul of all aspects of Mordusian society."

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Mordusian Broadcasting Company: Revitalized defense force paramount to DNP strategy


Members of the Department of Defense, Mordusian Defense Forces and the government meet outside the Federal Parliament building

Rechtenburg, State of Brasten - Interim Secretary of Defense Cédric Dieschbourg has announced that the Department of Defense will temporarily federalize all defense and defense-related industries. This move is being done to foster a direct investment into the Mordusian Defense Forces (MDF) and comes at the urging of several high ranking officers within the MDF itself. The Department of Defense underneath Secretary Dieschbourg was given two years by the Committee on National Defense of the interim Federal Parliament to re-organize, reform and rebuild the civilian leadership of the Mordusian Defense Forces and the Department of Defense, formerly the Ministry of Defense. The decision to federalize the defense industry was meant to focus on production and research and development. Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Defense Industry Harper Clarkson announced that the temporary amalgamation of defense industries would be known as the "Federal Defense Systems" (FDS) and would be divided into four major parts: Federal Defense Ground Systems, Federal Defense Naval Systems, Federal Defense Aerospace Systems, and Federal Defense Armament Systems. Each of these is a conglomerate of formerly independent defense contractors that have been federalized.

The man tapped to lead the Mordusian Defense Forces is General Sebastian Harrison, a veteran of the Mordusian Defense Forces and a noted reformer within the MDF itself. General Harrison will become the "Chief of the Defense Forces" and will serve as the highest-ranked military officer in the Mordusian Defense Forces. General Harrison spoke before the Committee on National Defense in late October, 4635 and was critical of the former structure of the armed forces. He called the old model "antiquated" and "heavy". He proposed a radical overhaul of the Armed Forces of Mordusia into the Mordusian Defense Forces and structure them based around a highly mobile, agile force. Underneath his reforms, the Mordusian Defense Force would be structured as follows. At the top would be the diarchy of the Department of Defense and the Mordusian Defense Forces itself, the MDF lead by the Chief of the Defense Forces, assisted by the Vice Chief of the Defense Forces and the Defense Forces Staff (DFS). Each branch, the Mordusian Army, the Mordusian Navy, and the Mordusian Air Force would have an appointed service head known as a "Chief". Each of these would sit as a member of the Defense Forces Staff. The operational leader of the Mordusian Defense Forces will be the Chief of the Joint Operations Command. The Joint Operations Command (JOCOM) will exercise operational command over the armed forces while the Chief of the Defense Forces, Vice Chief of the Defense Forces and the Defense Forces Staff (including the service Chiefs) will function as administrative and large-scale planners of the Mordusian Defense Forces.

Within the Department of Defense, Secretary Dieschbourg will appoint several Assistant Secretaries to assist him in his duties, these will focus on prominent areas of policy. Some of his first appointments include a Deputy Secretary of Defense, to be his principal assistant. The others will include Assistant Secretary of Defense for Foreign Defense Affairs, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Personnel, Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Defense Industry, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Policy and several others.

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Mordusian Broadcasting Company: Secretary Rodenhuis federalizes all police forces
October, 4635

Rechtenburg, State of Brasten - The interim Secretary of Home Affairs Bront Rodenhuis has announced the total federalization of all police forces in Mordusia. The "Federal Police Act" will formally establish the Mordusian Federal Police and through his authority, appointed Ignace Lémery as the first Commissioner of the Mordusian Federal Police. The act of the Department of Home Affairs will completely federalize all police forces in an effort to centralize policing services across Mordusia. When Secretary Rodenhuis was pressed if the police force would be de-centralized he commented that "...it was not in the works at this time." and remained without further comment. The Mordusian Federal Police will be responsible for providing all police services throughout Mordusia and will oversee the transition from local law enforcement to federal law enforcement. Secretary Rodenhuis was confident that the move was the "...right decision..." and that he had "...consulted with the Committee on Law Enforcement and Public Security of the Federal Parliament." prior to his federalization efforts.

The Mordusian Federal Police will create several special teams, units, and formations to better suit the broad nature of law enforcement duties across Mordusia. The first of the announced components of the MFP was the formation of the Criminal Intelligence Force (CIF) which will act as the investigatory branch of the MFP. The second to be set up will be the Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) and it will be responsible for all manner of anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism through Mordusia. Assistant Secretary of Home Affairs Sine De Roos noted that the Mordusian Federal Police will be creating the Mordusian Federal Police College as a centralized location for higher learning for all police throughout Mordusia.

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Mordusian Broadcasting Company: Department of Finance and Economics announces new regulations for foreign investment

Rechtenburg, State of Brasten - Secretary of Finance and Economics Sylvaine Saint-Yves spoke at a press conference today. The conference was announcing the "New Mordusia 3650" initiative which ranges from Liberalization fo the economy, increasing foreign investment and building ties with trading partners across the globe and in Seleya. Secretary of Trade and Commerce Jonathan Phillips was also at the press conference and announced that the federally funded Federal Pension Fund (FPF), which is operated by the Department of Health and Social Services via the Federal Pension Agency, will provide one of three investment funds for Mordusia.

The second fund being setup is a secondary investment fund known as the Federal Future Fund (3F, FFF) , this fund will be more risky and more focused on growing Mordusian investment at home and abroad. The final and riskiest fund being setup will be the International Development Fund of Mordusia (IDFM) which will attempt to grow Mordusia's international portfolio. While this is ongoing the Mordusian government will seek to lower taxes, provide tax incentives for corporations that provide jobs in Mordusia to Mordusians and otherwise re-invest their wealth.

Secretary Saint-Yves stated that she would be reaching out to Dorvik, Lourenne, Kazulia, Vanuku and others to invest and discuss economic cooperation.