Economy Ministry unveils economic program

ROSEWOOD – At Sunday evening’s meeting of Parliament, King Adam, in his capacity as Minister for the Economy, unveiled the Ostara Project, a program designed to jump-start the Überstadti economy this spring.

The Ostara Project gets its name from the Old High German name for the Anglo-Saxon fertility goddess Eostre, attested to by Bede and considered by some a possible root for the English name of Easter.

The project proposes a set of organization law in which economic actors are divided into private cooperatives or public companies, which are only permitted to seek monetary profit outside the Kingdom. While citizens would have to purchase companies’ goods and services with labor vouchers earned from productive activity, each cooperative would be able to decide whether to charge for its products.

Key to the proposal is the expansion of the roles of presently-existing companies and government institutions. Pharmaceutical producer Apotheker is to conduct research into more native plants with medicinal properties, while Rosewood Fruits is expanding to be responsible for most of the country’s agriculture.

A postal service is also to be established, delivering documents and packages between citizens and domestic organizations for free while charging foreigners for its courier services. An independent media cooperative is also to be created.

The King’s College, too, will commence weekly lectures and will receive funding for scientific research in the fields of biology, geology, and aeronautical engineering.

The comprehensive plan was applauded by the members of Parliament present, the March meeting of which is expected to pass laws to bring it into practice.

Planning for Independence Day in progress

ROSEWOOD – The planning of the 2014 Independence Day celebrations, commemorating four years since the foundation of the Überstadti state, are underway, the Cabinet reports.

The national day, which occurs on 6 March, is expected to be observed with military inspections, brief ceremonies at historical sites, and a formal dinner attended by all citizens.

Musical and poetic compositions are also being prepared for performance following the meal. This will include a poem in alliterative verse which the King has indicated will form the first installment of a national epic.

A cabinet meeting is expected to convene within the next two weeks to finalize preparations for the event. Culture minister Jonathan Faust has proposed the creation of a national dish to be served as an entree at the celebration.

Owing to a tax dispute, it is uncertain whether King Seth of the Band Room, who is also an Überstadti citizen and noble, will be in attendance.

Independence Day celebrations in the past have been lackluster, the most notable one being that of 2012, when the Independence Spire was erected in Rosewood. The monument will most likely play a role in this year’s festivities.