EuroTimes Edition II
English Naval Task Force Montors Scottish Naval Production
London, England (AP)
English ships, headed by the English flagship the Invincible, an impressive carrier, the largest in the world outside of Russia and the United States, have taken patrol zones just outside of Scottish ports and shipyards, in attempts to gain information on the Scottish navy being constructed (the first ships of which are scheduled to be christened by 2002).
The English Prime Minister Daniel Sheffield rationalized this move by stating that "We've been kind enough to recognize them as a nation, it is our duty to make sure that they are not attempting to create military competition with the UK."
The Scottish government has yet to make a reply.
England, France Put Aside Differences Over British Imported Beef to Create Military/Economic Alliance
Paris, France (CNN)
The word from the French government today should be encouraging to leaders in the UK. After long months of dispute over imports and exports between the two nations, the UK and France have agreed to a revolutionary agreement. In a day where European disunity is rife, and decentralization of European economics is rampant, this alliance is an astounding jump forward for both nations. Surprisingly, though, neither nation has sought the assistance from Europe's largest economic power, Germany, nor from her other trillion dollar economy, Italy. Critics of the agreement propound ideas that the new pact between France and England is nothing more than an elitist club, intended to further the causes of those two nations at the expense of Europe as a whole.
Germany Increases Tax Rates With 2.5% Hike
Berlin, Germany (AP)
German markets took a brief tumble today when it was announced that the feds were to raise interest rates 2.5%, as well as introduce a 2.5% increase on income tax. The move is intended to generate more revenue for the growing German economy. The extra revenues generated have already been allocated to certain funds. The German Army, Navy, and Air Force were each given an extra billion dollars (equivalent) to fund construction, maintanence, and to protect Germany from the "communist aggressions" of Eastern Europe. Massive funds were also poured into Heavy and Hi-tech industries, as well as Social Welfare programs. Such moves are expected to boost the Germany economy drastically.
Scotland Announces Plans to Part From Monarchy
Edinburgh, Scotland (AP)
Scottish officials have announced today plans for a vote coming in the late spring to "modernise the Scottish state" by holding "a referendum in the Spring about becoming a Republic and dumping the monachry." The Scottish government's position is strictly "free vote." The Scottish government claims to have no great will one way or the other, and will allow the people to decide. This will be a momentous occasion, and the world is expected to watch for the outcome of the vote, thus garunteeing free votes and a fair process. Critics from England claim that Scotland only wishes to farther remove itself from the idea that it is dependant upon England for aid, and to increase Scotland's own economic enterprises.
The Scottish economy recieved a boost from the plan, as well as from the inreased factory production and industrial subsidies provided by the new Scottish budget.
Greece Establishes Programs to Deter Unemployment Rates
Athens, Greece (CNN)
Greek government officials have unveiled plans to deter the unemployment rate today, by creating government-funded constructions of new factories. A .5% increase in the tax rate boosted funding for heavy and hi-tech industrial subsidies, allowing these areas of the Greek economy to grow even farther. In light of the recent Greek foreign policy announcments, it is expected for the Greek economy to experience a slight boom over the next months as Greek businesses attract foreign investment and expand production capacity.
Greece Announces Plans for Balkan Union Summit
Athens, Greece (AP)
Greece has invited Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Hungary, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania to talks in Athens concerning the formation of a regional economic alliance similar to the origional plan for the Alliance of Benelux. Critics of the plan say that President Georgiton is simply trying to accomplish too much in too short a period of time. Already, Albania, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia, have declined to attend the summit. Other nations, including Serbia and Bulgaria, are not expected to ratify any such treaty. Still, the Greek government remains confident that an economic union in the Balkans is not too great a far-fetched goal, and maintains that economic unity in the Balkans is less than a handful of years away.
The question that arises, then, is exactly how strong would a Balkan Union be? Militarily, the Balkans could form a mighty military power, assuming that military cooperation provisions could be installed into the agreement. Nations would combine the best of Soviet production with the best of the West. This would create quite a formidable military power. Still, the economies of the Balkan nations remain stagnant, especially after the disastrious 2000 fiscal year. It is unlikely that a Balkan Union would be capable of forming a major economic power for at least a few years, though the resource-rich areas of the Balkans would finally be tapped due to a lack of infighting among the Balkan nations.
Many Nations Still Unable to Pass Fund Allocation Bills for 2001 Fiscal Year
Brussels, Belgium (CNN)
Several nations of Europe have, since our last edition, stepped up and passed economic provisions of their own for the 2001 fiscal year. Most notably, Germany. Many other nations, perhaps most notably the trillion-dollar economy of Italy, as well as Spain, Portugal, the Nordic Union, Israel, Ukraine and Poland, have yet to even propose possible plans for budget allocations for the coming year. The economies of these nations are expected to suffer in the coming days, as their governments are gridlocked, off to a bad start for their new presidents.
China Conducts Nuclear Test Near China-Soviet Boarder
Brussels, Belgium (AP)
European and American sensors detected a large nuclear test explosion approximately fifty miles from the Chinese boarder with Russia. China cites recent developements in the Indian nuclear program, and claims that Chinese efforts are completely justified. Korea, what some call China's puppet state, has also detonated a nuclear blast of their own. The Chinese blast is a direct violation of the Sino-Soviet Pact of Alliance, making the Russians extremely wary of the Chinese presence. Satellites note several Russian units being placed on alert along the Chinese boarder, an indication that the old Sinophobia of the Soviet Union is still rife.
Japan Announces Space Program
Tokyo, Japan (AP)
Japan, who recently bore witness to the Chinese launching of a recce satellite into orbit two months ago, has unveiled plans for a Japanese space program. Japanese officials say that Japan intends to launch a handful of satellites, including recce satellites, into orbit within the next year and a half. This move will be extremely costly to the Japanese government, but officials maintain that the move will bring about a better feeling of security in the East.
Europe: Last New Change
Germany 5,000 5,124 +124
France 4,000 4,076 +76
England 5,500 5,530 +30
Nordic Union 2,750 2,698 -52
Scotland 500 596 +96
Italy 4,600 4,540 -60
Spain 3,400 3,352 -48
Portugal 1,200 1,176 -24
Poland 1,100 1,144 -56
Ukraine 750 743 -7
Greece 1,000 1,023 +23
Asia:
Israel 2,300 2,267 -33
Iran 2,100 2,98 -2
China 6,200 6,137 -63
Japan 6,700 6,734 +34
Russia 3,300 3,212 -88
India 2,100 2,076 -24
Pakistan 1,850 1,832 -18
Indonesia 1,200 1,200 +/-0
Americas:
United States 6,100 6,534 +434
Canada 3,300 3,320 +20
Brazil 2,400 2,321 -79
Mexico 1,250 1,203 -47