TBRE News

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 22 November 2011

Occupy Toyland Chums With Police

Various Occupy groups who have been removed from their premises around the world have now camped on the East End of the National Square, where the police hope they will be able to better regulate the conditions of the camp while still having the same political message.
"We don't see any reason why law enforcement authorities and protestors can't get along," said the local police chief. The National Police Bureau, on the other hand, has also established a small temporary headquarters in the square, with a fully equipped medical station and office.
Policemen were seen today chatting to the protestors. No barricades have been set up, and Occupy has stated that it will fully comply with the sanitation and boundary limits of the camp stated by the police.
Traffic headed towards the East End will be diverted. Military Lane, East End section will still be open, though.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From "The Evening Teddy", 23rd November 2011

Money, Money, Everywhere

A Trenault Triskarna truck being escorted by several police cars slipped on iceand rolled onto its back, its contents flowing out.
Even worse, it was a Reserve Bank vehicle, containing well over a million Tolars worth of paper money. Since the change from Mark 3 currency to the mark 4 currency, the Bank has been going around banks to exchange the Mark 3 Tolars to the Mark 4s. This truck was part of the last phase of the operation as people rush to exchange their banknotes for the new currency.
Surprisingly, not a single Tolar was stolen, even though the police escort took time to remove people from the surrounding area. The money was assembled, put back into the truck, and counted at the bank, where all 1 000 439 Tolars were still present.
Nobody was hurt in the incident, and the policeman on the falling side of the truck swerved out just in time.
The National Police, who were escorting the truck praised citizens, who helped clean up the mess. "Not a single cent," beamed a Ministry of Finance official at the press conference today. "Kudos to all."

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From "The Toyland Times, 24 November 2011

Spoiler Alert!

As a teaser, the Ministry of Communications released 2011's Winter Stamp Number 4, part of a collection which will be available during the winter.
MoC released the stamp on its website today. It features Santa Claus on a sleigh, going past the Toyland Tower. The release marks the 34th year of tradition, where MoC would release stamp number 4 four weeks early.
MoC reports that some post stations have received the first batch of stamps already, locked in the company safe. Each economy, short-distance one costs around T$3, while the express, long distance large parcels stamps may cost up to T$25, provided that the person has not paid tax.
The stamps are available throughout late December to early January.

See past stamps at: www.na.gov/comms/moc/stamps

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 25 November 2011

Teddy One Near Miss

Yesterday, one of the HM President's Toyland Aviation Industries 8888-400 (Teddy One) had to perform an emergency landing after one of the engines suffered a mass bird strike.
The Office of HM President has confirmed that last night, at around 1pm, the Tetra8 was forced to have a landing at Toyland Central Military Base after an engine blew out following a mass bird strike. The HM President was not aboard at the time. It is believed that the bird strike originated from a flock migrating geese, who were shown on radar as a cloud. The crew were flying the plane to pick up the HM President in time for tomorrow's economic meeting at Archiva.
The plane was fixed by around midnight, earlier than the HM President flight.
Similar incidents has led to TAI to review the radar aboard the new aircraft which is the flagship of the Tetra series and was launched in 2011.TAI has sent inspectors to all Tetra8s to upgrade all equipment, and also apologized today for any inconvenience caused.
Last month, a similar incident was reported on a Pokiemonland-Toyland flight.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 26 November 2011

Economic Forum Success

HM President Palchensky met today with various delegates from the region in Archiva, Grenatia.
On the backdrop of the famous grasslands, the group decided on three points in order to encourage the economy to grow following the economic recession:
1) Liberalization of the economy, with even less government involvement.
2) Revaluing of currency following transition to Mark 4.
3) Create incentives for business to hire the unemployed
"I think it was a success. There was a heck lot more of agreement than argument, and we've all got our goals straight," stated HM President.
Although the meeting has ended for now, the final policies will be implemented by the House after further discussion by regional and world economists.
Today, the Economics section of the University of Toyland also came up with their own 24 points, and are planning to submit it to the HM President as a petition, stating that "the 3 points aren't enough".

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 28th November 2011

National Police Relents

After further complaints, the National Police have relented on their uniform code( see "National Police - We're Cool, Thanks" (19 Nov)).
Although higher up officers (rank of Captain and above) will retain the original dark blue uniform, the others will wear light grey tucked in shirts and knickerbockers. Their coat will become light grey to fit with the color scheme (originally, it was green). All other elements. like the sambrowne belt and black boots, will remain the same.
The change comes after controversy was raised - not for the first time - over the paramilitary style of the uniform of the National Police.
Uniforms from each rank was donated to MINAHIK to be put into the archives, accordingly to usual practice, and also sent to the miscellaneous museums.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 30 November 2011

Overhaul

The government website was down temporarily for around 3 hours while programmers hurried to upgrade the website.
Changes include a softer background with the colors of our nation, a user friendly format, and new text (TBR Government Standard Font Number 99).
"We're basically making the website nicer to look at, easier to browse through and more accessible to everybody," stated the chief programmer, borrowed from the Tech department of the National University of Teddyland. The team consisted of people from all 35 universities in the country.
The old website has been archived at the National Archives, par normal practice. See it at www.na.tbr/electronics/website/governme ... v.tbr/home

See the new government website at: gov.tbr

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Evening Teddy, 1 December 2011

Shipment Number 1000

MINAHIK today recieved its 1000th WERP shipment.
The seeds, including various carnations from Southeast Asia, were delivered today on the research vessel Concepcion, the namesake of which was one of Magellans' vessels. As usual, it was delivered to the WERP archives under guard by the 15th Archive Yeomanry, but was also accompanied today by the 1st Presidential Guard.
WERP, or the World Emergancy Reserve Programmed, as established as a world archive along the National Archives. Although currently smaller than its counterpart, MINAHIK hopes that it will be able to expand this store as well.
WERP was established a year after MINAHIK, after global fears of nuclear annihilation.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 2 December 2011

Charges Laid Against Racers

Following Tuesday's car chase (see Car Chase Causes Chaos, 29 November 2011), the defendants in the case had their first court hearings today at Toylando Court Number Four.
"We intend to charge them with assault, resistance to arrest, damage to public property and other things," said the chief prosecutor, "We don't want these sort of things to happen again, and want to create a great incentive for people not to break the law in the deranged way we saw on Tuesday."
The chase, which occurred after a bank robbery, went from Ursa Road's Fulton Bank and went onto Kingson Highway , before crashing near Fulton Bank headquarters in Fulton Park.
It is unclear what the defence's case will be.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 3 December 2011

President Hospitalized

His Majesty the President Palchensky has been hospitalized in Toylando Military Barracks Medical Unit following a food poisoning diagnosis from a doctor.
He is said to be in stable, concious condition, and it is believed that his state dinner didn't go down with him after drinking a rare type of fermented lemonade. Foul play is not suspected, according to the police. He is expected to leave after a night.
After leaving a meeting yesterday as he felt ill, he later collapsed and was taken to hospital. Details were not disclosed, but is believed that there was too much acid in his stomach which was over the usual limit for stuffing, resulting in his collapse.
The vice-president is now Acting President, after an emergency session of Congress last night.
Palchensky himself said it was a "stupid mistake, to drink that beverage so quickly."

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 4 December 2011

North Pole Opens

Today, the National Post Office of the Ministry of Comms opened the North Pole Station - a seasonal post office that opens every year on the 4th, and closes on the 6th Janurary.
Designed to handle mail to Santa Claus, the station also handles mail from other countries. It employs 56 staff and 900 volunteers from around the world - a record number this year. Located in Barentinvargen, staff help open the letters, respond to them, and also to occasionally buy the gifts to be delivered on the special Christmas Vans and chartered flights on Boxing Day.
Postbears have also been given Christmas hats to wear on duty, and MINAHIK is helping every Ministry - yes, even War - to decorate it in the Christmas Style.

For concerned readers, the HM President is discharged (see 2 December, President Hospitalized)

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From Radio Toyland, 5 December 2011

News Flash

Good day, bonjour, dobryĭ, guten tag, shi jie hao, from Radio Toyland, your national radio broadcaster from the capital city.

A quick news flash before we bring you back to MINAHIK Channel's 500 Objects of Bear History.

The government announced today that the national debt, which had reached almost a trillion dollars, has been officially paid off. The paying off is thanks to donations by the region's countries, the liberalization of the economy and the cutting of government spending. Although these moves have been controversial, as people questioned the role of traditional TBRE government, a poll foudn that nearly 67% of people approve of the policies by Palchensky, who can now count this as part of his reelection bid. May we remind listeners he's now working in the Red House after a brief spell in the hospital.
Ministers McKlako and Webbar announced that although the debt has been paid off, the country still has a long way to go.
The TBRE has never defaulted on debt, and maintains a decent credit rating.

The weather today promises to be almost perfect conditions, a light shower in the afternoon, but otherwise clear skies.
Traffic on Kingston is moderate, and we've received no complaints about the autobahn leading in and out of the city.
So enjoy the rest of your day. This is Bundours signing off from Radio Toyland.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 7 December 2011

Altruism Toyland Raises Million

All through this week, Altruism Toyland raised T$1.4 million - a record number.
Exactly T$ 1 459 098 was raised yesterday during a mass flag sale for Christmas. Over 100 000 volunteers were involved, knocking on all doors - government buildings, House of Parliament, even the Red House (President Palchensky is said to have given them T$100). Proceeds are going to selected children in need of help, and giving them firstly a Christmas present, a Christmas dinner, and another year's worth of education to get them out of the poverty cycle. Most of these children are located in Refugia, where the majority of people are refugees.
Altruism Toyland used to be a State based charity, set up by the Teddy Communists, but became independent in 2005 after the liberalization of the economy following government spending cuts.
The previous largest number was T$1.2 million.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From Toyland Times, 8 December 2011

Picture of the Year

This year's Toyland Times Photography Competition goes to MIKHAIL DEBAREN of BRUINSTED. The featured pictures, as chosen by readers features a silhouette of several children bears playing in the snow outside the Toyland Tower, with a flag visible in the background. Some comments included "Touching," "Patriotic," and "A reflection of the true TBRE."
Congratulations, DeBaren. He has won the top prize of T$100.
Read on to see the runner ups. The top 100 participants are on our website.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From Toyland Times, 9 December 2011

Scuffle of Reporter

Disaster struck for a foreign tabloid journalist who crossed the line - literally.
A foreign reporter, whose name has not been released for his safety, went past the security line in order to take a picture of His Majesty the President Palchensky leaving a meeting. Following the stereotype of the traditional strict rule-abiding Teddy reporter, a National Expat reporter asked him "what the hell" he was doing.
The foreign reporter shouted back a rude word. 1st Presidential Guards were about to intercept, when yet another reporter tried to bring the guy back behind. "After a long and heated exchange," as described by the National Police today, a scuffle broke out. The President was escorted back inside the building, and the reporters were pulled apart by both the Guardsbears and the National Police.
Charges laid against the people involved were dropped, although the foreign reporter was asked to pay a fine for crossing the security line, while the others were given a lesser fine for "breach of the peace."

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Evening Teddy, 10 December 2011

Merry Christmas Merson!

Today, the National Christmas present was a series of 50 traffic lights to the town of Merson.
The town of 10 000's only record is the site of over 50 bloody battles - more than any other location in the nation. Today, the Government decided to make it famous for something more - artsy traffic lights.
Designed by a range of local and foreign artists working in collaboration, there are a wide range of styles of traffic lights - from the Ampelmännchen to parodies of the Mona Lisa, the government gave it to the town "in recognition of the suffering they have had."
The National Christmas Present is a present to a city every year during Christmas, in order to celebrate something about it. Last year, Paddington received Paddington Bear style fire hydrants to replace its old ones.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 11 December 2011

New Swepartre Discovered

Another subspecies of Swepartre has been discovered today by MINAHIK.
A professor from MINAHIK's Biology division was hiking when he noticed a breed of Swepartre he had not seen before. Contacting authorities, they managed to collect one, and flipped through a guide of Swepartre species. Nothing. They photographed it, noted down its measurements and color, and input them into the archive records. Nothing.
An expert on Swepartre from MINAHIK was woke up (it was 11:30 pm), and declared today that a new type of Swepartre - Orange bellied Swepartre - had been discovered.
"It's truly a day of discovery," stated one MINAHIK official, "to find a new subspecies of one of our favorite animals."
MINAHIK intends to set up a force to calculate how many Orange-bellied Swepartres there are, and where and how they live.
You could say it was MINAHIK's Christmas present.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 12 December 2011

30 Years ....

... since Former His Majesty the President Bjorn Von Arkov was assassinated on this day in 1981.
A wreath was laid by family members, aides and the 1st Memorial Guard today at his memorial.
Von Arkov was assassinated after 2 years of his second term, during the "Teddy Dilemma" (regional cold war) between all the states. Natureland deployed its Cheka to assassinated Von Arkov, and the 21st Counter-terrorist and Urban Warfare Unit in turn assassinated theirs the year after. Although tensions have been dropped since the recent unification to fight the international criminal Bladikoff, this incident remains a thorn in the side of the defrostation process.
Von Arkov was murdered by being shot dead, the impact then threw him in front of an oncoming train. The assassin was not caught, and it is unknown to this day who carried out the act. Natureland claimed responsibility.
The Government made no political comment about today's remembrance session, only praising Bjorn Von Arkov.
Bjorn Von Arkov was a member of the National Party, becoming HM President in 1971.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 13 December 2011

Shooting in Refugia

In a scene that is becoming more and more familiar, a police officer was shot dead in Refugia.
Humans First claimed responsibility for the attacks, which occured just the two police officers had pulled over a suspicious vehicle, which had been speeding and had a record of doing so. The driver of the vehicle opened fire and then drove away. He was not caught, and analysts are still looking at the police car mounted camera for clues and details. The other police officer was maimed, and managed to radio for help before passing out. He is said to be in a critical condition, and has been evacuated out of the province.
The police officer, who was not named, will be given a state funeral, and HM President Palchensky today stated that "this bear ... carried out the ultimate sacrifice. We salute him."
This brings the total death toll to 28, and number of attacks to 98, since Human First started violent actions in 1990 when Refugia was formed as a camp for refugees.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Evening Teddy, 14 December 2011

Staff Blown Off

Today, in especially strong winds, the furthermost flagstaff atop the National Assembly Building snapped today.
After gusts reaching up to 100km/h rendered the dome at the top closed to tourists, the flagstaff snapped, and was strewn across the roof. Workers replaced the flagstaff with a spare after 9 hours. No other flags were affected, and the First Presidential Guard carried out their normal flag lowering routine with the other remaining staffs, albeit at a slower pace to keep in time with other flag lowering operations in other places, such as the Red House.
Members of the legislature said today that they heard a loud snapping noise during the debate on tax cuts.
A video of the flagstaff snapping has gone viral, garnering over 1 million views.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Evening Teddy, 15 December 2011

Shooter Identity Found

The name of the perpetrator of the Refugian shooting on Tuesday has been found.
Thanks to the surviving police officer's (one officer, the only victim, was killed in the attack) testimony and a video from the police car camera, the suspect was identified as Mugad Be, a known member of Human First. Police have not been able to catch Mugad Be's due to uncertainty of his whereabouts.
This is the third time that Mugad Be has been actively involved in a shooting, once robbing a bank, ambushing soldiers, and now, attacking policemen.
Mugad Be is well known for his spitting rants on the internet, and is also in charge of one of the many factions of Human First.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Evening Teddy, 16 December 2011

Beige House Passes Record

Yesterday Beige House* passed a record number of bills in TBRE history - five of them.
"Surely our counterpartscan learn from us," mused the Leader of the Official Opposition, Byorn Nordverbe of the Teddy Communist Party, commenting on the recent lull in activity from places such as the United States.
The bills included tax reform, funding for MINAHIK and the Post Office for Christmas, a security law for Refugia and a bill allowing more press freedom.
Members were working from 9am yesterday to 3 am today. They would have past a sixth bill, but most of the members were nodding off. The Leader of the Official Minority, Mahon Medvedev, joked, "With all due respect, Mr President (HM President Palchensky was there too), the nation rests." The session closed, and most are reported to have just slept in their offices in the Beige House.
Most still came to work at 9am today, but the session ended early in order at 10am to avoid unproductivity. To make up for it, they will come in tomorrow.

*Nickname for the legislature of the TBRE, includes Congress (both houses) and the National Geniocratic Council.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Evening Teddy, 17 December 2011

A New Role?

Today, the HM President Palchensky took the day off to participate in a film.
Called Operation Endex, about a TBRE which is suddenly attacked by unknown forces and must implement doomsday procedures, the producers needed someone to play the President. And who better to play than the real bear?
"He was a surprisingly natural actor and was very cooperative," said a producer, "And it'll get something for the audience to look for."
The President has a total of 5 minutes of screen time, as most of the plot is based around the (fictional) Minister of War.
HM President stated that "Well, I took drama in high school for a reason." He did not get any money for his role.
The movie is to be released in February 2012. It has previously garnered controversy due to the original plot having the TBRE attacked by Natureland, but for legal reasons they were forced to change it to an unknown country.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 18 December 2011

He's Caught!

In a surprise assault by the military and National Police on his fort, Mugad Be, a high-ranking official of Human First Party.
Although Human First is technically legal, although it does promote the killing of all bears, most of activities - corruption, extortion, "fee" collection, terrorism and genocide of the refugees in Refugia - are not. Mugad Be has been actively involved in a shooting, once robbing a bank, ambushing soldiers, and attacking policemen. However, it is believed that as a Lieutenant and second in command to the leader, who has never yet been identified, he coordinated many more attacks.
Last week, police received a tip off from a resident of Refugia, whose name was not disclosed for security reasons. The resident reported that there had been a large military activity near a fort like structure, yet the building technically did not exist. Police investigated further, and set up a surveillance. At 11pm last night, they decided they had enough evidence to act.
National Police units blocked the roads and provided cover fire, while elements of the 21st Counter-Terrorism and Urban Warfare unit stormed the building. Casualties were as follows: 1 soldier injured, 5 terrorists dead or injured out of the 15 who were in the compound. The rest of the terrorists quickly surrendered, and Mugad Be was captured. He now faces up to life imprisonment.
HM President Palchensky gave an early address today, stating that "Today, I congratulate all those who have fought and helped in the arrest of this high-ranking Human First official." He did, however, warn caution that Human First was likely to bounce back.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 19 December 2011

WW2 Bomb in Fulton

An old Second World War bomb was discovered yesterday in Fulton Park.
A Mark3 bomb, presumably from a Teddy fighter plane that was strafing its own country to defeat incoming Natureland forces, was discovered by a gardening who was doing replanting work. Calling authorities, the bomb squad from the local Toylando County military barracks were called over, and declared the bomb disabled. However, they removed the explosives from the rusted interior just in case. MINAHIK officials arrived on scene to catalog the bomb, where it was then sent to the National Military Museum just up the road.
"It's a terrific find," said one MINAHIK official. "It shows just how desperate we were to hold onto Mount Baren that we attacked our own land."
Over the past decade, around 154 objects from the Second World War have been discovered in the area, from a broken wing buried near sewage to a skeleton of a horse involved in the Last Charge in some undergrowth on Mount Baren.