NEW FISHING AGREEMENT SIGNED
A new North Atlantic Fishing Agreement was signed this week, to institute tighter controls on Atlantic fishing. It replaces an earlier agreement which had expired during the tenure of President Murmurandus.
The conference, hosted by Canada, was convened in large part due to the extensive diplomatic efforts of former MTEF Michael vonStreusser. Now a deputy minister, Per vonStreusser spent years shuttling between nations to make the conference possible.
The new agreement reinstates a limited set of territorial rights, based on the original agreement, but with some newly redefined lines, some shared territory, and most importantly with new quotas for seasonal harvesting, designed to prevent overfishing and to protect fish stocks. Other lesser agreements have been reached in terms of enforcement, environmental, and economic regulations .
Eutopia will not enjoy the generous rights once held under the original NAFA agreement, but even with shared territoriral rights to the once fish-rich Northern Shoal, Eutopia's beleaguered fishing industry should experience some relief at last.
Some controversies may emerge following the conference, such as whether France is or is not legally bound by the agreement, seeing as their representative, an Andorran Mountain Goat, took a bite out of the agreement rather than signing it. Also, it is widely believed that Spain and Eutopia had made an arrangement prior to the conference, and now Spain is looking to collect on some generous economic concessions, once of which specifies using Maritcon facilities, facilities that are being privatized by the government.
Finally there are some issues about the personal financial interests of deputy minister vonStreusser in this project.
Public response was mixed, with northern fishermen, including many Norse and Topa, ecstatic about the agreement and expressing, perhaps overly optimistic, confidence in their recovery. Mayor Thorsbeard and other Farpoint officials celebrated the daily launch of fishing vessels the morning after the agreement was signed with much fanfare. In the South, where general labor strikes continue, many expressed the pessimism that it was too little too late, questioned the new quota, and suggested that Northern fishermen would benefit far more than they would.
NEW LANCASTER AIRPORT EXPANSION OPENS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
The New Lancaster Aiport Expansion, a sprawling new international terminal will open this week ahead of schedule. The facility, many years in the making, was commissioned under the O’Floinn administration and great expense was invested to ensure that it became a “state of the art model” of environmental friendliness.
The new terminal will serve as an international hub for Chilean Air, LiberiAIR, and it’s two anchor tenants, SkyCrane (South Korea’s largest airline) and AirSingapore. Trade representatives will be visiting from Asia to celebrate the grand opening. Many former government officials are also expected to be honored.
One guest who will not be attending is the Eutopian Tiger Mosquito. Despite some efforts by the MHSA (prior to the ministerial reorganization) to preserve the species, changes to stream water and run-off patterns in the area eliminated its breeding grounds and captured specimens in captivity have not survived.
Construction of the airport was completed by LCRR Construction and General Contracting ahead of the expected schedule. A corporate spokesperson credited on-time deliveries from supplier BlueSteel Enterprises along with a strong labor pool for the accelerated completion. Some union officials have grumbled about the hours put in on the job, but most general construction was completed by members of a new trade union that seems more willing to accept more taxing work load in exchange for increased compensation.
VONVAAM RUBY FOUND, SUSPECT QUESTIONED
An unexpected development, far from the area under extensive search by the police, was made in the missing persons of South African heiress Whitney VonVaam. Undercover police, on routine duty in Kirby were offered a chance to buy the “Heart of African Ruby”, the priceless family heirloom of VonVaam, buy local two-bit hood and three-time-loser “Lucky” Malloy.
“This fell completely into our laps,” said police commissioner Callahan, “Malloy is a low-level recidivist, we pick him up all the time for gambling, minor scams, and trying to fence stolen items. Could he be responsible for VonVamm’s disappearence? I think that’s very unlikely.”
Police are taking no chances, however, and after an extensive interrogation they are weighing their options. “We believe we can convict him on attempting to sell stolen goods, but right now we can’t link him to the actual theft, or anything about VonVaam,” said Callahan.
However, local defense attorney, Lucius Tiberius Matlock claims that under the new Eutopian Charter of Rights, Malloy cannot be held in police custody for crimes he has not been charged with, and given the low level nature of the current charges against Malloy and that he presents no flight-risk, he cannot be denied bail. Matlock however insists that Malloy will cooperate with the investigation, “within reasonable expectations, exercising the rights afforded him.”
Meanwhile, the VonVaam family has made another plea to the MDIA, this one citing a relative indifference by the South African government to their case, and begging Eutopia for assistance in finding their missing loved on.
TRAIN WRECK NARROWLY AVERTED
Consumer safety advocates are up in arms in protest of Eutopia's failure to address crucial infrastructure needs in the light of a near catastrophe involving a train malfunction outside of Eutopia City.
Two passenger trains were routed onto the same track at high speeds, from opposite directions during morning commuting hours, and only the heroic actions of city transit workers prevented massive loss of life as a make-shift side-tracking device was overlaid on the tracks and one train was routed to a rough, but non-fatal stop in a nearby field.
Eutopia City Mayor Force-Majeur was extremely critical of the government, holding up an earlier infrastructure audit which found many extremely dangerous problems with Eutopia's rail system in one hand, and a copy of what appeared to be a draft national budget in the other, showing cuts in infrastructure spending.
"If there was ever evidence that the government is incompetent and unworthy to serve, it is surely this!" said the young graduate student who won a surprising election last fall. "If this draft budget is accurate, it is unconscionable that needed improvements and investments are not being made. It is damned near criminal if cuts are actually being considered!"
One hundred and twenty passengers were treated for minor scrapes and bruises and only two injuries required overnight hospitalization.
STRIKES CONTINUE IN ISABELLA, NUEVA RIOJA
Strikes by many latino Eutopians continued in the Spanish-speaking provinces, with some sympathy demonstrations in neighboring Fort Aux Francis. Most private rallies and protests have ended as many familes, seeing no government response to their actions have bitterly returned to work or to their homes. However more dedicated union members in several important trades and services continue to hold out for relief, calling for greater respect and treatment for Ibereo-Eutopians, greater provincial autonomy over civil service, agricultural policy and police functions, and a release of Judge Cesar Anton, whom many claim is being held as a “political prisoner”.
The strikes are contributing to a national economic slump, claims Jean Bodin College economist Ran D’Omobservier. “But certainly not the driving force behind it,” the professor concludes, “Eutopia still continues to pull out of a depressed economy largely dependent on raw materials, while it’s indiustrial climate is best described as
volatile . The strikes merely delay the recovery nationwide, and further sink the economies of these depressed provinces.”
When suggested to a striking Buen Puertolese pipe-fitter that, according to the economist, the strikes may be doing more to hurt him than help him by extending the depression, the NEWSLINK reporter was met with a very gesture and a reply of “Depress this!”.
ESRP LEADER LINKED TO CHILD P*RNOGRAPHY CASE
Eutopa City Police confirmed that they are investigating a random tip, linking MECT and ESRP leader Josephus Sergei Locke to an ongoing investigation into illicit, illegal pornography.
“We did not intend to release this information, as we feel it is damaging to our case-work, but when presented with this specific, direct inquiry, we can confirm that, yes, the MECT is one of several suspects under investigation. Beyond that, we have no comment,” said a visibly frustrated detective.
FORMER AIRFORCE CHIEF ASSAULTED IN PRISON
Former Brigadeer General David Haynes was treated for minor injuries after being ambushed at the Capistrano National Confinement Facility by an angry mob of homosexual prisoners, who bitterly cited his role in the Eutopan Homosexual Assoociation riots several years ago as they struck him from behind and beat him.
The two assailants, Tommy "Tiny" Atticus and Osbourne "Oz" Hobo, were confined to solitary and face additional criminal charges and transfer to a maximum security prison.
The two plan to file a special request for location within the same facility, as they seek claim entitlement to "conjugal visits", having been united under the law in a civil ceremony by the prison chaplain.
Per Haynes' is scheduled for release later this week and has been, according to the report of his prison wardens "a model prisoner". Both agree that he seems "legitimately contrite" and "rehabilitated".
BODIES FOUND ON SHORE NEAR MONESTARY
Eutopian forensice experts have identified two bodies that washed ashore near a monestary in outside of St. Brendanstown as the remains of two foreign nationals employed by Operational Security Incorporated. Police believe they were shot at close range, suggesting an execution-style murder or an ambush, and dumped in the ocean.
No debris or abandoned sea vessel or aircraft have been found near the site, though officials will continue their search.
TEENAGER FOUND BEATEN
Yeosh'Ua Aktari, a student at Farpoint High School, was found badly beaten in the trees just off the highway entering the city. He had disappeared the day before on a field trip to Douglas, along with two other students. The other missing students were caught loitering by Douglas police and returned to their homes last night, but neither knew the whereabouts of Aktari.
EUTOPIAN MINISTER GOES WILD IN DC
Former President and current MDIA PG Talbott, was spotted in an underground club in downtown Washington, while allegedly in America for "diplomatic purposes".
What sort of diplomacy was involved in the abandoned warehouse full of loud techno-tronic music and illicit drugs, such as contraband Eutopian Topa Root, is unknown at this time, although repeated inquiries have been made of Mrs. Talbott .
PICTURE: Prof . Talbott's jacket, as confirmed by Mrs. Talbott, is seen on an American youth.
MORE PROBLEMS AROUND EUTOPIAN HOSPITALS
Private security firm Operations Security Incorporated reported foiling an alleged attempted robbery at the Harton Public Hospital last night, capturing one suspicious trespasser as her companions drove off in panic.
Hattie Puerst was turned over to police custody who are holding her on charges of trespassing, but claim they do not have sufficient evidence to charge her with attempted robbery, breaking or entering, or any more serious crime.
Per Puerst was less than cooperative about her detainment, "It's just more oppression, yo. It's a public hospital, maybe I was hurt, yo, and needed to be there. Buncha overgrown men beat me down without cause, and at least one of them tried to touch me, ya know?, in the wrong way? I ought sue all you suits."
Meanwhile, hospital officials in St. Martin De Porres report over 16 pts of type O negative blood missing from their facilities. Hospital administrators are extremely unhappy, as blood of this type was already in short supply. So far there are no leads reported by Nueva Rioja police or private OSI Security.
MARITCON EMPLOYEES ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF CO-OP, INTENT TO BUY FACILITY
Managers and labor representatives of Maritcon employees appeared at a press conference together to announce the formation of OurTime, a wholly consumer & employee owned cooperative which will attempt to raise the funds to purchase Maritcon, as provided for by recent government privatization plans.
Whether or not OurTime will attract significant consumer interest and investment remains to be seen. Employee have been receptive to the idea of purchasing the government-owned and operated ship-building concern, but even united they fell far short of the resources necessary for the purchase. It is hoped that local fishermen, commercial transportation companies, and recreational boat owners will take advantage of the opportunity to buy into OurTime.
Many questions concerning regulation of Maritcon functions by the government, after it transfers ownership, remain, but the assembled co-op founders appeared positive and upbeat about their chances.
COUNCIL ON ETHICS RECOMMENDS DIVESTITURE
The recent success by deputy minister Michael von Streusser in securing a new NAFA agreement drew the praise of many observers around the state, but it also piqued the interest of some academics who noted the potential conflict of interest posed by Per von Streussers extensive investments in the fishing industry, which he made during the O'Floinn administration via his Von Streusser Enterprises Conglomerate.
With the recent American coal agreement, and now the NAFA breakthrough, VSEC should realize significant profits via their formerly undervalued coal and fishing divisions, and, if the government is successful in ending the Canadian lumber dumping, in their timber and lumber division as well. Similar questions have been raised about MHES Al'Aeshir's corporation receiving lucrative government contracts to perform services otherwise unavailable in Eutopia.
The new Council on Ethics, a creation of independent faculty at Eutopia's colleges and universities stressed that in both instances, it appears that no laws were broken and that both government officials acted ethically. However, both appear to have profited handsomely from their investments.
"We would recommend either divestiture of assets in regulated areas, " said the Council's spokesperson, Urban Dorff, "or placing such assets in a blind trust for the duration of an individual's public service."
"Either that, or" he added, "some sharing of these investement tips with the rest of us."
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