Tropical Storm Joshua
A storm the likes of which Pantorrum has not seen in 23 years may be headed our way. The Pantorran Weather Service predicts that Tropical Storm Joshua, which formed yesterday afternoon, will make its way to coastal Pantorrum. It's far to early to know for sure if it will even head in our direction, or where at all it might strike. But the PWS did predict that the storm will go through rapid intensification over the next week as it cruises over warm ocean waters. The storm's growth will be unchecked due to higher than average ocean temperatures and an almost complete absence of wind shear, a key factor that can weaken a Cyclone significantly. The storm has sustained wind speeds of 51 miles per hour, but by the time it makes landfall it could be a powerful Category 3 Hurricane with wind speeds up to 129 miles per hour as it makes its way over 987 miles of warm water.
If the storm hit Pantorrum, it would be an exceptional event. Hurricanes rarely strike Ventismar, due to its more temperate climate. Pantorrum, however, is one of the continents southern most nation, and actually possesses a subtropical climate. Even still, a hurricane heading in our direction is very rare. The last Tropical Cyclone to hit Pantorrum was Tropical Storm Eric in 1994. The last Hurricane to actually hit Pantorrum was in 1956, when Hurricane Allison made landfall as a Category 1.
The threat of major disaster looms over our Southern Coastline, as cities like Cormyr lay in the crosshairs of the deadly storm. Due to the rarity of such an event, the Pantorran Emergency Management Agency said they are not prepared for a system of this magnitude. The storm could cause up to 12 Billion Pantorran Dollars in Damages should it reach category 3 Status before land fall. We can only hope that the storm makes a sharp turn, sparing us from the tragedy of natural disaster. The PWS thinks, however, that such a godsend is unlikely. They've pointed out the strange pressure system, which seems to be lines up perfectly to deliver the storm right into our homes.
Terror Plot Foiled
The PIA, along with local, state, and federal authorities, prevented a terrorist plot aimed at Trinton's historic Sky Tower. The skyscraper was the planned target of a massive terror attack, utilizing Thermite to weaken the building's support so that they could bring the building down with a large B787 Dreamliner. The thermite was in the process of being placed by maintenance workers in the building when they were surrounded and arrested by police forces. The arrests wouldn't have been possible without valuable information provided by PIA agents working inside the cell. The group, known across the country as APANT, is a terror organization aimed at undermining and destroying our government, claiming it to be an 'evil and vile entity bent on global domination and suppressing the freedom of its people.' The organization has made more and more threats against National Security in the last 3 months.
Perhaps the biggest question of the whole ordeal, where did they get the Thermite? Thermite is a well kept incendiary material with unique properties, used only by the Pantorran Military and in industry. The PIA is currently investigating what it would only say as "several individuals within the Pantorran Airforce" who are expected to be collaborating with the terrorists. The group, estimated at nearly 1,200 members strong, considers itself a revolutionary order meant to bring what it considers freedom to Pantorrum. The PIA has insisted that APANT is a small group that presents no serious threat to national security, saying they have eye and ear's everywhere and that we are safe.
Despite these statements, many citizens have showed serious concerns on the matter. The fear of a major attack on civilian targets has driven many Pantorran's into action, petitioning the government to take military action against a growing cell in a first world nation.
William Pearce Re-Elected in Landslide
President Pearce won a colossal victory in last week's Presidential Elections, securing an impressive 53% of the vote. It marks the first election in 21 years that any candidate has actually achieved a majority of all votes cast with 4 candidates on the ballot. The nearest competitor, Derek William's, secured only 33% of the vote. Voter turnout was higher than average, as energized Conservatives showed out in huge numbers. 68% of all registered Conservatives voted in the election. The President also won a more independent voters than any other candidate, all but guaranteeing his victory in what has long been a predicted election.
Pearce secured a 2nd term, guaranteeing another 3 years of Conservative Party rule in the Executive Branch. His victory was no the only one for Conservatives, however. They also took 4 Senate Seats and 35 House Seats, giving them 27 and 235 respectively. That's a 52% Senate Majority, and a 53% Majority in the House. This is the first time in over 39 years that a party has controlled an outright majority, and the first time in 84 years that a party has held a Majority in both houses of Congress. If we go further, this is the first time in 96 years that any party has controlled the Presidency and both houses of Congress. The historic election represents what many call a 'Conservative Revolution', which comes on the heels of what is about to become an Economic Boom, fueled by several new trade agreements and the severing of corporate tax rates.
Oil Prices Sky High
Prices at the pump jumped again this weekend, reaching a new historical high at P$ 2.91 a gallon. Diesel rose to over P$ 3.00 a gallon for the first time in history, too, settling at P$ 3.11. The sudden jump alarmed many officials at the Department of Commerce, who said that the nations Oil Supply is at an all time high. Ina free flowing market, the massive Surplus in Oil would drive prices down. The inverse affect, according to the Chairman of the Social Union Party, a party that advocates for Socialism, is caused by Liquiplex. The massive company controls virtually all Oil Production and Oil Distribution in Pantorrum. It is, by Market Capitalization, one of the worlds largest companies by far. It holds more land than the Federal Government and employee's more people than live in the City of Alton. It's Gross Annual Income surpasses P$ 900 Billion globally, meaning it may actually be the biggest and most powerful company in the world. Unfortunately, no statistic exists on that.
Some have raised questions about how big the company is, and they're now calling on the President and Congress to break up Liquiplex into 3 smaller companies, as to allow room for smaller Oil Producers to breath in the market and to brew competition. They've also called for the Federal Government's P$ 0.25 Gas Tax at the pump, to help bring immediate price decreases. Some are even demanding that a cap of P$ 2.00 per gallon be set on Gasoline Prices. The last demand, according to the Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, will never see the light of day. However, he has promised to work on a bill to repeal the Gas Tax.
As for breaking up Liquiplex, the issue may find itself in the Supreme Court next week. Months of legal battles and massive public outcry since July have elevated the case through the lower courts all the way to the top. The Chief Justice has not said whether or not they will take on the case, which sues Liquiplex for gouging prices and violating Anti-trust and Anti-Monopoly laws. The plantiff, a former Social Union Senator, is requesting that the company be broken apart and forced to comply with federal monopoly laws. In June, the 114th District Court ruled in favor of Liquiplex, and the Senator appealed the decision to the 2nd Circuit Court. When the 2nd Circuit Court also ruled in favor of Liquiplex after a remarkably short trial, the Senator appealed the case yet again, which the Supreme Court has yet to accept.
Should Liquiplex meet with a bitter end, 3 large but controllable companies would be created in its wake, leaving a market wide open for competition and growth from smaller, lesser known oil companies. Given the decisions of the 114th District Court and the 2nd Circuit Court, the Supreme Court is unlikely to see the case any differently. For now, it would seem we are stuck with high prices from Liquiplex that we have no choice but to pay. The Company truly has grown so large that it can no longer be controlled by the Federal Government. Or can it? That remains to be seen.