The Roman Broadcasting Corporation (News Feed)

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

The Roman Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) is the principal broadcaster in the United Roman Empire. Based out of the capital city of Rome, it serves the nine kingdoms of the Roman Empire and all of the Commonwealth Territories. The RBC is funded through taxation for services provided to the government but finances all other programming through advertising. The RBC provides broadcasting in over a dozen languages and broadcasts terrestrial radio, television, digital television, satellite television, satellite radio and provides online entertainment portals.

Popular Television Channels

• RBC 1 - Popular entertainment.
• RBC 2 - Entertain for age group 51+.
• RBC 3 - Entertain for age group 31-50.
• RBC 4 - Entertain for age group 16-30.
• RBC 5 - Children's entertainment.
• RBC Prime - History & documentaries
• RBC Star - Educational programming.
• RBC Food - Food entertainment
• RBC International - International entertainment and news (localized).
• RBC Gold - Government news & programing.

Popular Radio Channels

• Radio 1 - Popular music and entertainment
• Radio 2 - Adult contemporary
• Radio 3 - Sports
• Radio 4 - Comedy and drama
• Radio 5 - Classical music, jazz, opera.
• Radio Talk - Talk radio
• Radio International - International entertainment and news (localized)
• Radio Gold - Government News & Programing

The following Acts of Senate have been signed into law and will go into effect as of the first whole month of the next calendar year (January 2010).

Civil Marriage Act of 2009

An Act to provide for the equal administration of civil marriages within the empire.

Section I

Civil marriage is hereby defined as the lawful union of two individuals to the exclusion of all others.

Civil divorce is hereby defined as the lawful separation of two individuals who were previously joined in a lawful civil marriage.

Section II

Religious organizations are free to refuse to provide religious marriage services to any persons.

Civil courts and local government registrars are hereby required to accept and process civil marriage applications as long as the members to the marriage are legally able to enter into said civil marriage.

Section III

This act shall be enacted as of first whole month of the next calendar year.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

2010 Tax Bracket

Imperial citizens and civilians are hereby notified that the 2010 income tax brackets are now published. It is the responsibility of all citizens and civilians to submit their income tax form by the beginning of April.

Imperial Income Tax
Minimum		Maximum		Tax Bracket
      0   	  5,000		       0.0%
  5,001 	 15,000		  0% - 6.5%
 15,001 	 30,000		 6.5% - 13%
 30,001 	 60,000		13% - 19.5%
 60,001 	120,000		19.5% - 26%
120,001 	360,000		26% - 32.5%
360,001				32.5% - 39%

Commonwealth Income Tax
Minimum		Maximum		Tax Bracket
      0   	  5,000		         0%
  5,001 	 15,000		    0% - 1%
 15,001 	 30,000		    1% - 2%
 30,001 	 60,000		    2% - 3%
 60,001 	120,000		    3% - 4%
120,001 	360,000		    4% - 5%
360,001				    5% - 6%

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

2010 Special Parliamentary Election

Prime Minister Tiberius Serius Primulus, with the approval of HIM Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius, has called for new elections to take place on February 1st of 2010. The

following changes to the national political parties have been approved for the election.

The Salvation Union Party and the Christian Nationalist Party have combined to form the Christian Union Party.

The Alliance for a Better Tommorow, the Community Advancement Party and the High Morals Party have combined to form the Morality Coalition.

The New Right Party has joined the National Alliance.

The Green Party's membership has largely left and joined the Progressive Party.

The Independence Party was absorbed by the Traditional Centrist Party.



The following political parties will be in the running on February 1st.

Imperial Party
Conservative Party
Legionnaire Party
Christian Union Party
Libertarian Conservative Party
Traditional Centrist Party
Progressive Party
Intellectual Freedom Party
Labour Party
National Alliance
Cannabis Party
Morality Coalition

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

OOC: I've decided to change the name that my nation will be known as. Instead of Itinerate Tree Dweller, which is my sign-in, the nation name will be The United Romans; I have registered this nation name and it will act as a non-active puppet. I will be making appropriate changes to my factbook and wiki pages as necessary. The full national name is The Illustrious Empire of the United Romans and the Commonwealth Territories.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Women in the House of Lords?

Debate in the House of Commons and the House of Appointees was dominated by calls for female members of the aristocracy to be seated in the House of Lords, which is currently the only male-only house of the Imperial Senate. Leading the call for gender equality was Henry Stewart, the leader of the Progressive-Centrist coalition, which is the main opposition in the House of Commons.

"Women can become citizens, the can serve in our armed forces, then have even been the regents of our nation in the past, but there has never been a single woman member of the House of Lords since its inception in 1647. We must allow women to join the male members of the aristocracy in the House of Lords." spoke Stewart.

The House of Lords was less than enthusiastic about the proposed change to its membership.

Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius has not provided an opinion one way or the other, except to note that he is open to the idea of women in the House of Lords and that he is willing to accept the wisdom of the House of Commons and House of Appointees, if enough support was provided to the proposal.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

2010 Supreme Court Appointments

His Imperial Majesty informed the Imperial Senate this morning of the following appointments to the Supreme Court of the United Roman Empire.

The following justices have retired from the bench:
- John Clay
- Allen Ward
- Edward Hewes

The following justices have been appointed as replacements:
- Samantha Lowes
- Cecilia Rhodes
- Margaret Elders

Therefore the following is the composition of the Supreme Court for the next term:
- James Lupus - Chief Justice
- Percy Causey - Deputy Chief Justice
- Lance Tevis - Justice
- Cecilia Rhodes - Justice
- Leo Howard - Justice
- Derick Vosii - Justice
- Jason Pullo - Justice
- Nicolas Reed - Justice
- Samantha Lowes - Justice
- Margaret Elders - Justice

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Fuel Efficiency Goal

The Ministry of Transportation released a press report this morning outlining an approved fuel efficiency goal of 25 kilometers per liter. The automobile sector has been gradually increasing the fuel efficiencies of the vehicles they produce over the last few decades and the imperial government has been encouraging the automobile sector to adopt even higher standards for the last few years. The new standard met moderate approval in the Imperial Senate and has been signed into law by HIRH Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius.

"We look forward to working with the automobile sector in our mutual goal of increasing the fuel efficiencies of their products. Our goal is to reach this fuel efficiency by the year 2015," announced Secretary Marshall Haverrman at a press conference regarding the proposed efficiency standard.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Sexuality and Commerce Act of 2011

An Act to provide for the legalization of sexual commerce within the empire.

Section I

Sexual commerce is hereby defined as any sexual act engaged in by two or more consenting adults over the age of 18 for the exchange of goods, services or monetary gain.

Sexual commerce is hereby legal within the realm.

Section II

Those wishing to engage in sexual commerce must apply for a license and provide proper health records.

No person may be forced to engage in sexual commerce.

No child may engage in sexual commerce, nor may they be forced to engage in sexual commerce.

Persons engaging in sexual activities for the purposes of good, services or monetary gain must maintain monthly health inspection records, including tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

Persons engaging in sexual activities for the purposes of good, services or monetary gain must make use of legal birth control methods during the sexual commerce activities to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of diseases.

Section III

This act shall be enacted at the beginning of the first whole month of this calendar year.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Anarchy? Schmanarchy! We Still Have a Government!

National leaders were confused earlier this week by the World Assemblies reclassification of the United Roman Empire as being in a state of anarchy. Anarchy, which is usually defined by the absence of a functional government, does not describe the United Roman Empire according to government officials.

"The World Assembly has always been a den of communist vipers; it's clear they are jealous of our high standard of living and complete success as a capitalist society. They despise the fact that we have an incredible economy all while boasting some of the best political and civil freedoms in our region," said Deputy Prime Minister Oppius Virtius Felix.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Crown Prince Weds

His Imperial & Royal Highness Lucius Serius Sirius, first son of His Imperial & Royal Majesty Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius, wed Helena Seria, daughter of Prince Calculus Serius Sirius and Octavia Valoria. Princess Helena, Prince Lucius' first cousin and betrothed of three years, expressed thanks to all civilians and citizens of the United Roman Empire who attended or watched the ceremony broadcast. The wedding had been delayed so that Princess Helena could complete her tour of service in the National Humanitarian Relief Service, one of the recognized alternative service programs that civilians may earn their citizenship through.

The happy couple announced there intention to spend their honeymoon in southern France.

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

A Nation Mourns

Today the nation paid its final respects for Nathan William Irons, Chief Diplomat of the Imperial Throne, who passed away several months back while performing his duty to the nation and the crown. He was murdered by the cowardly diplomats from the former nation of Montiar.

The delay in the memorial service was due to the clean up efforts surrounding the affair as well as difficulties in transporting the remains back to the surviving members of his family. As a hero of the empire he was permitted a civilian funeral inside the city of Rome, an honor not often afforded even a citizen.

A representative from his surviving family released the following statement:

"Nathan was a proud and kind man who loved his God, his nation and his family. He was dedicated to his job right to the end and we are proud of him. His children are being cared for by our extended family. We thank the nation, we thank the royal family and we thank the world for their sympathy."

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Government Addresses 'Pony' Menace

The Imperial Government instituted new health and law enforcement guidelines today regarding alleged 'ponies' within the bounds of the empire. All persons believing themselves to be a pony or other equine are to be isolated and treated for severe psychological problems, additionally all persons found to be wearing a equine outfit without a reasonable explanation or activity requiring the use of such an outfit will be held for questioning.

An official from the Ministry of Health provided the following statement, "We must remember, these people are ill, they require treatment, not humiliation. Please, if you come in contact with one of these individuals, contact your local law enforcement officials and your provincial health ministries."

[Itinerate Tree Dweller]

Imperial Family Announces Birth

The Imperial Family announced, today, the birth of a new member of the Imperial Family to coincide with the New Year. His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Lucius Serius Sirius and his wife, Princess Helena Seria, presented this young child, Gnaeus Serius Sirius, to the world. He had been born early in the morning on the first of January, but news of the birth was delayed, as is customary for the family, until the Princess was physically ready to present her child. Also customary is the addition of an anglicized name for any member of the nobility, His Imperial Highness has been named Christopher Gnaeus Serius.