TBRE News

[Teddy Bear Republic]

The Teddy Bear Republic Empire
External Regional Wikia (Most up to date) | National Factbook (Edited sections are canon) | Military Factbook (Edited sections are canon)
Diplomatic Program (Updated) | TBRE News (Later posts are more up to date)

The world of the TBRE and its region, the Toy Islands, began as an independent government simulation game between friends, some of whom did not choose to go onto Nationstates. As such, the Toy Islands exists simultaneously in the game and on Nationstates. Though efforts have been made to reconcile these two worlds, some discrepancies still exist due to the fundamental natures of each. For instance, roleplayed wars on Nationstates are not recognized to be part of the regular game canon, since some countries party to the conflict do not exist in the game.

Where a discrepancy arises, game canon takes precedence, so most sources of information on Toy Islands countries (such as the Wiki) are geared more towards the game. Hence, the editing of information on a particular Toy Islands country should be left to their respective player. Nevertheless, game canon should only be seen as a reference, and can be set aside in the interests of a good Nationstates-based roleplay.

In order to preserve this thread's tidiness, please don't post questions on this thread. Simply telegram me, and I'll reply and update any thread that needs to be updated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this page!

TBRE News

Organized by the National Government of the Teddy Bear Republic Empire, various news organizations in the TBRE have come together to deliver TBRE relevant information and insight to the world through TBG Global Service network. This is a strictly TBRE - related news, so garner permission to publish here. Thanks!

Our earlier news stories (26th September - 16h November) - from "NS World News" have also been put up.

Media Organizations involved:
Teddy Broadcasting Guilds (Public)
Public Radio Teddy (Public)
FM Triple8 (Private)
Toyland Times (Private)
The Evening Teddy (Private)
Le Petit Nounours (Private)
The National Expat (Private)
Telebaren (Private)
TedTV (Private)
Toyland Four (Private)

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Toyland Times: 26th September, 2011

Teddy Dollar Mark 4 Released

The Ministry of the Treasury has issued the new Teddy Mark 4 dollar, following the end of the Mark 3's usefulness.
The Mark 3 was implemented by HM President in order to devalue the dollar for various reasons, such as paying off the national debt.
The new Mark 4 currency is now being set to 4$T7.27 for US$1, whereas it was previously 3T$160.98 to US$1.
The Ministry has stated that it shall stop the Mark 4 being a fixed currency around 2015, or when it deems the economy stable, and turned into a managed float. By 2020, or when the economy has substantively improved.
The Mark 1 was implemented in 1905, when the nation was founded. The Mark 2 was introduced in 1946, after WW2, to pay off debts. It was then re-floated. The Mark 3 was introduced by current administration to pay off debt.

Also: See MINAHIK's documentary on our currency at 7:00 pm tonight on MINAHIK Presents ... Channel!
To our non-TBRE readers: MINAHIK: Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Evening Teddy: 27th September, 2011

Council votes to Keep 1849

Today, the National Geniocratic Council ruled 13-2 to keep the Employment Act no. 1849, commonly known as the Forced Blue law.
Implemented by the incumbent administration in 2001, in response to a disportionately large amount of people turning to white-collar/academically proficient jobs, the Employment Act no. 1849 states a person, from the age of 18-24, is eligible to be called up for the National Workforce, and presented with a low-paying job.
However, those who voluntarily go up can choose between jobs, such as a sewage worker or construction worker, and all workers receive government benefits, such as a free lunch.
A group of participants, called Concerned People, brought the case up to the city court, and finally worked its way up to the Council, which today voted it did not breach the constitution and was 'within reason.'
"I'm afraid our education system has gone too smoothly," said Sir Arta Fields, Chief Councillor, "we've seen a large majority - 92%, in fact - of our population turn to high-paying, professional jobs. If we didn't have basic jobs, like cleaners and bus drivers, the economy just wouldn't run."
The Chief Justice Von Arkos of the Supreme Court is also in favor of this. "It's the only way."
This Act has caused controversy, due to it being perceived as as forced labor, and another burden on top of the already 9-month military conscription.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Evening Teddy: 28th September, 2011

Changing of the Guard

Today, the 1st Presidential Guard discretely changed their weapons at the National War Memorial.
The usually secret organization explained, via a spokesbear, that, "We've changed our usual rifles for empty scabbards, as the war memorial commemorates those who die. The empty scabbard represents a less violent attitude."
Instead of employing the usual technique of lifting the arm up and then bending it so that it is horizontal to the chest, the respective Guardbears will march in standard army fashion, raising the arm up 90 degrees to the chest and horizontal to the chest for reasons of practicality. The goosestep will only be employed when the Guardbears have clipped/re-clipped their scabbard to their belt, which occurs 40 metres from and 40 metres after passing the memorial.
The change comes at a time when the foreign policy of the TBR is being questioned on whether or not it is too violent.
Guards at other sites, such as the Red House and National Archives, will retain their guns.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Toyland Times: 29th September, 2011

Arts and Crafts ... Regulated?

Tax is due to go up by around 3%. But you get unlimited movie and music downloads. Sounds too good to be true?
The legislative councils are currently experimenting with a trial scheme, where people pay for movies via tax. The government then redistributes the money to record companies and movie companies according to the number of things "purchased".
People can opt into this scheme. By filing tax every year, they also get a card, which means that they can go onto the government's official website, and download their favorite movies. It is an honor bound system, which means that it relies on people's own good will not to put it onto the internet.
Companies and musicians can also opt out or into this scheme. Toylando Pictures Ltd and the MINAHIK Documentary Channel are already on board this scheme.
However, some companies say that they would get less money due to this scheme, while others believe the honor system will not work.
The government has faith in the people, however. "We hope it would work," says Sir Arta Fields, Chief Councillor of the National Geniocratic Council. "I like my movies too."
The scheme runs until the January 2012.

For non-TBRE readers: MINAHIK - Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping

MINAHIK Documentaries: TBRE CARS series, 6:00 - 6:30 pm Centralle Time

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the National Expat, 30th September 2011

Best Road in the TBRE

The best road is the NAct37282 in Actrophski, as voted by readers of the Your RIA Today Car Magazine.
The windy, twisty road was described as a "good challenging ride, with windy bends, and beautiful landscapes due to its location far above sea level." Also, it was "smooth, with good road location, and lack of snow despite its location in Nordica province."
Runners up included the straight stretch of the GGre58217, which goes on for 50km of straight roads, and the NoPad48404 for "stunning coastal views."
The NAct37282 was built in 1975 as part of the Communist Party's plan to build a intricate network of highways, the Autobahn.

The Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping is a wholly owned organization of the Government of the TBRE.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 1st October

New Record Holder for a TBR film

The record for the highest-grossing film in the Teddy Film Industry has been broken again.
Shown at the Paddington Film Festival, one of the most prestigious of its kind in the region, T for Teddy is a film showing the plight of one teddy family through various events in history, loosely based on actual happenings of the Warco family, which produced many famous sons - Rodyrick the Uniter, the famous warrior who united various Nordic states, Christopher Warco, the writer of TBR classics and Sir Warco, known as the "father of the TBR", who led this country through the early times.
Produced by the MINAHIK with full permission of the Warco Family Trust, the film grossed roughly T$2 million when it came out yesterday.
All people related to the Warco family were given free tickets.
The last time such a film was produced was back in 2005, with The First: Secrets of the Most Elite Unit (which was another MINAHIK documentary on the 1st Presidential Guard) earning 1.9 million opening night.

For non-TBRE readers: MINAHIK - Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times; 3 October, 2011

35 years. 350 exhibits. 1 car
Today, a new section of the Toylando Country Transport Museum was opened today, dedicated to the Roger Dolnald Ria: the best selling TBR car.
Originally branded as the people's car, the Ria was released in 1976 by RD, back then still a branch of the government. The Teddy Communist Party wanted a universal car for bears, and so created RoDo, which spent the next 5 years making unsuccessful cars. In 1976, they struck gold.
The new exhibit costs around $130 million, with the most collections coming from Ministry of National Archives and History Keeping. "The region's largest transport museum is a fitting place for the Ria," said Chief Councillor of the National Geniocratic Council, Sir Arta Fields, who approved the scheme's budget. "It's a representation of all things TBR - a gruff, no-nonsense work of ingenuity."
Around 500 000 Rias have been sold in the TBR.

Note: I RP a smaller population than what it says on my nation's factbook.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Note: I RP a population of around 25 million.

Toyland Times, 5th October 2011

MINAHIK: No. of Government Employees

Today, the Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping have announced that around 5 940 095 people now work for the government, a company with the majority shares being owned by the government, the military (excluding the civilian militia) or the National Workforce as of the 2011 rotation. This totals around 24% of the total population.
This information comes as part of the yearly census by MINAHIK. Last year, the government had only 5 529 482 people, probably due the National Workforce (see previous article "Council votes to Keep 1849" for details) only being implemented this year by the incumbent administration.
Economists at the Teddy Finance Today Magazine believe that this is a sure sign that the economy is up and running again. "Instead of having to lay off people and cut spending, the government can now afford more, and even hire more people."
For details, visit www.minahik.gov.tbr/census/2011/govemployment

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Translated from Le Petit Teddy, 12th October 2011

New Warco Museum Opened

Despite being delayed for two days, the new Sir Frederick Warco National Museum, or Warco Museum, was opened, celebrating the famed politician who is commonly known as the "Father of the Modern TBR."
Located 20km away from the capital, the Warco Museum is tucked away in the mountains. Inside though, there is a wealth of treasure, including a replica of his residence located nearby. Other artifacts include Warco's sword, pen collection and paintings.
The Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping has spent the past 5 years collecting memorabilia and possession, most of which were kindly donated by the Warco Family Trust.
The HM President and members of the various legislative bodies were on hand to open the Museum, whose opening was delayed due to bad weather. It was originally scheduled to fall on Sir Warco's day on 10th October, which would have been his 152nd birthday.
"It's great that we can honor someone who did so much for us," said the HM President. He added, "it gives something for future generations to think about, and to be inspired by him."
The Warco Museum is opened to the general public on Friday.

For more, see www.minahik.gov.tbr/museums/sirwarcomusee or www.sirwarcomusee.tbr

[Teddy Bear Republic]

The Toyland Times: 14th October 2011

Here We Go ... Again.

Today, the nuclear debate was taken up by the National Geniocratic Council for the 5th time since 2000.
Although nuclear power for energy has been struck down, the TBR has mantained 100 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. The debate concerns whether or not we should / should not have them, if so, why, and if we do, how many.
The Ministry of War is planning to take up the side of the defense, while the Paddington Labor Union from the National Proxy Council plans to lobby against such a decision.
MoW said, "So long as the world remains volatile and potentially dangerous to TBR interests, both domestic and abroad, nuclear missiles must be used to keep the nuclear balance."
Such statement was parried by the PLU, who stated "Someone must take the first step towards disarming. As a former warrior nation turned more pacifistic, we must lead the way."
The NGC is to reach its decision by the end of the week.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

The Toyland Times: 21st October 2011

Nuclear: Reduced, but Yes
The National Geniocratic Council (see article: Here we go ... again, 14th October 2011) has stated to reduce the number of nuclear weapons, after a study by the Ministry of National Archives and History Keeping stated that only 70 would be a sufficient enough deterrent, to be deployed by the Bearphoon and Tonka-2 class submarines, TU-95 from the Air Force, and one per Missile Corps per Province.
The full report can be seen here: www.NGC.tbr/2011/october/nwd

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From "TBR Expat Today", 23rd October 2011

First Beefs Up Security
After receiving terror threats from far-right wing groups, elements of the 1st Presidential Guards will be deployed alongside their ceremonial counterparts near Military Lane, the National Square and National War Memorial.
Sharpshooters and extra patrols in combat uniforms will patrol alongside the usual red and blue clothed soldiers, who guard various TBR sites. In addition, extra plainclothes National Police will be patrol various tourists monuments.
The Ministry of War hopes that these will create an incentive for these right wing groups "realize it's futile, back off and go home."
Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the threats, which include demands for the government to resign.

For our non-TBR readers: Military Lane is a metonym for government blocks, especially the legislative bodies, rather than something related to the military (although, of course, Ministry of War headquarters are located there).

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From Toyland Times, 24th October 2011

Attack on Square!

Today, an unidentified person was captured by plainclothes National Police after a high-tension incident that thankfully lasted only several minutes.
This comes just as new measures to increase security were taken by the military (First Beefs Up Security - 23 Oct).
The human, identified only by authorities as S in a press release, was under the guise of being a tourist, and approached the entrance of the House of Commons after getting off at Military Lane station on the TTS. When he was searched by Lane police at the entrance, he ran back out on to the square, and almost blew himself in the midst of several tourists, but fumbled with the switch. He was shot in the leg by a First Presidential Guard Sharpshooter, and was apprehended by plainclothes National Police.
He is currently incarcerated at Toylando High-Security Jail.
This attack comes just as the First Presidential Guard beefed up efforts after receiving anonymous terror threats, although questions have been raised about the deployment of sharshooters. The Ministry of War has stated that "such measures are necessary, and, as we see today, essential in the fight against terrorism."
S will stand trial on the 25th October, while the police are currently investigating his motives and possible political affiliation.

For our non-TBR readers: Lane police is a Toylando County Police unit responsible for criminal affairs in Military Lane government offices

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Toyland Times, 25th October

S Trial Starts

The terrorist, known only as S to conceal his identity, stood trial today under charges of treason, among 4 others.
If convicted of all 5, he faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as an unspecified number of community service hours. He is being trialed in the Toylando National Court.
Captured following his blundered attempt to attack the square, police say he has been cooperating with authorities, but has not revealed who he works for.
The prosecution opened its case today in what is expected to be quick and clean trial. The state-appointed defense has a clear indication it will attempt to get a lower sentence by proving that S was a desperate man, who needed to enter his family illegally in following a new wave of immigration laws regarding the former lax ones.
Jury meets 27 October, 2011, and a decision is expected to be reached on the same day.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

The Evening Teddy, 26th October 2011

Mini Land Stops!

Today, the model transport attraction of the famous Toyland National Museum of Transport suffered a catalytic breakdown when a system failure rendered elements of the Miniville International Airport at 7am today.
Breaking the usual clockwork cycle, this failure made the various model modes of transport, which run using magnets and include trains, buses, ships and airplanes, shut down, as they are all part of an intimate relationship, where if a train does not show up, a bus cannot move, so an aircraft cannot take off.
Staff amused the crowd, apologizing, setting the "flight board" in Miniville International Airport to show delays and cancelled flights and even resetting part of the still-working program so that the usually complacent fire trucks went screaming around. The problem was isolated and fixed at 1 pm today. Staff believe that a programming error had caused this.
Visitors and tourists who were scheduled to enter at that time have been refunded.
Modeled after Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, the TNMT opened this department in 2011, with help of MINAHIK and the Teddy Modelling Society and the Teddy Transport Model Organization.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Toyland Times, 27th October 2011

S Convicted

The terrorist, known only as S to conceal his identity, has been convicted of all 5 charges placed against him in what was a very, very quick trial. (see 25th October, S Trial Starts; 24th October, Attack on Square!)
S has been sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison, not including his 999 community service hours, by Judge LeFrac of the Toylando County Court. Police have stated that the reason for the lessening of his possible 12 year sentence was because the defense consul successfully persuaded him to give up the identity of the group he was working for, which turned out to be the ultra-right wing group "Humans First!"
S was involved in bomb plot where he was to plant several bombs in the National Square, and, in needs be, run into a crowd and blow himself up. Police have discovered all 2 bombs in the National Square, thanks to his "shoddy concealment efforts". One, in fact, was put right under a lamppost, timing fuse still attached.
However, the police have warned caution that such groups incompetence may not last, and are still a major threat to the security of the TBR.
S will be placed into Toylando Medium-security Prison, and will work in an undisclosed town for his community service hours.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Translated from "Le Petit Nounours", supplement, 5th November

Air Toyland Buys Tetra8s

Teddy Aviation Industries and Air Toyland have successfully secured a deal to buy eight TAI T8888s for the fleet to serve as the flagships.
The planes, encompassing the latest in aviation technologies, is said to be some of the most fuel-efficient planes in the world, and consists of mainly composite materials. In addition, the TAI T-958 turboprop engines can be interchanged with jet engines in order to increase the international appeal of TAI planes. The planes seats up to 350 passengers in an all-economy class configuration, although Air Toyland has stated that 300 would be the normal number. The planes are expected to enter service in early 2012.
The first passenger TAI plane acquired by Air Toyland was the TAI T150, a six seater propeller plane usually used to carry mail.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

The Toyland Times, 6 November 2011

National Archive Website Down

Today, the Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping's National Archive website ( www.na.tbr) was temporarily closed due to a "computer error."
Visitors noticed at 5pm yesterday that the website was down and could not be reached. MINAHIK employees were notified and set about fixing the problem so that at 8am it came back up. The government has not yet released details of the closure, but assure the public it was not due to "hackers, nor any other form of infiltration of the network."
As usual, several more items were added to the website today, including a shell fragment fired at the Last Battle.
Employees are checking everything in the 1500 archive sections of the website to make sure nothing is missing. Best of luck with that.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

Teddy Electronics Today, 8 November 2011

Cloud Over Toyland

Today, Toyland Computing Systems released its new feature with the Computeddy 900 - cloud computing.
The Teddy Cloud, organized in part by the Research Dept. of the Ministry of the National Archives and History Keeping, is a way for bears to keep all of their documents together in a "cloud" which they can access no matter what device they are using, or if their TCS computer crashes (Which, as TCS reassures us, shouldn't happen anyways).
Experts, such as Dr Alfie Brown of Toylando College, have stated that this is a smart move, tailored to appeal to bear's hoarding nature, and others say that it shows the growing trend of Teddies who now have more than one electronic device that can access the internet. However, some worry about the potential misuse by TCS, or by the National Police, which recently implemented a Computer Task Force to patrol social networking sites. Others question the actual usability of such a product.
The product is free, and comes along with the C900. Customers who want that feature on older models can get it - as long as they have T$100.
"We've provided customers with what they want, and they want backups without all the fuss that usually has to go with it," one TCS agent stated during press release.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 16th November 2011

National Police - Redesigned?

Following complaints by tourists and fellow citizens, the National Police is considering redesigning its image, especially its uniform.
For some, the dark blue tucked-in shirt and black baggy trousers tucked into shiny boots, holsters clearly visible; is too intimidating and spreads the wrong message about the purpose of the bureau.
"The National Police is to Serve and Protect," complained a protestor outside Parliament, "Not Scare and Panic."
Some tourists have claimed that they were too afraid to approach National Police. "They look like SA troops, frankly," said one.
The National Police said they were "looking into the matter."
This is not the first time such an incident has happened. The National Police was criticized in 1987 for being too military, and adopted a dark blue greatcoat rather than the previous black leather one they had.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 17th November 2011

Wrong Flag!

It was revealed today that the government of the Teddy Bear Republic Empire had accidentally applied to the WA using the wrong flag all those years ago.
It was only spotted by some internet users, and was changed back to the official, de jure flag, by the government.
The flag that had been used was the flag of the transitional country, the Republic of the Bear Union, which was the experimental phase of bringing together various teddy bear countries and making them as one. It featured four starts - one red (Toyland), one blue (Nordwerbaren), one yellow (Putee, or Grenatia), and another yellow (the Allied Nordic Countries). The government had applied using the basic version of the flag - four white stars on a blue background.
Today, there are two flags - a de jure one (seen here), and the de facto one which is the simplified form, and omits out the cross and it's border.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Teddy Expat, 18th November 2011

Lemon Law Passed!

After a coalition of township lemonade pubs in Three Claw City argued against large competitor Ceczer's moving into town, the local government, with approval from the Red House, announced that such a move has been banned.
They have also raised taxes on businesses which earn more than T$10 million, which covers the high end of the corporate ladder.
Some claim that the government's new policy is detrimental to the on going liberalization of the economy. "The government has helped by cutting down on extreme socialism, but this is a step backwards."
When the Teddy Communist Party came in power, it made many state companies that exist today - Roger Donalds (Cars), National Bank of Toyland, National Electric, National Hotel Group, Air Toyland - that today, are for the most part private owned (with an average of 20% still held by the government)
Ceczer's Corp. has apologized for the proposed move, stating that, "we don't want to take away anyone's family businesses." Last year, Ceczar's Corp. was ranked 1st for the highest priced single stock available on the Teddy National Exchange.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From The Toyland Times, 19 November 2011

National Police - We're Cool, Thanks

The National Police have decided not to change their uniform (see National Police - Redesigned?, 16 Nov), although they have considered changing the color of the belt from black to beige.
The decision comes amid concerns over the look of the National Police, who wear tucked in dark blue shirts, dark blue Knickerbockers, black boots, and, on cold days, a green overcoat. A brassard is worn to notate rank. The look has been said to been "intimidating" and "unnecessarily military."
The National Police decided not to change, citing tradition, the need to distinguish them from local police and the practicality of the uniform.
Local police usually wear tucked in light blue shirt, Sambrowne belt, dark blue pants and black shoes.

[Teddy Bear Republic]

From the Toyland Times, 20 November 2011

Industrielle Nounours Mine 55 Closes

Today, the famous Mine 55 has closed. Run by Industrielle Nounours for over 50 years, and opened by Raw Materials Toyland AG in 1901, the mine has become one of the TBRE's oldest mines among the few ones that it has.
Using members of the National Workforce, a compulsory organization to join after too many people turned to high-paying jobs (although they have an option to choose which company they work for), Industrielle Nounours has been extracting silicon from this mine and sending it to the nearby electrolysis station, where it was then sent on the many science and technology companies to develop the TBRE's world famous electronics.
The mine was closed today after no more strands of the raw material were discovered in the nearby area. The Ministry of Environment has confirmed that the mine was closed properly under environmental regulations, and MINAHIK is planning on a small museum nearby to bring attention to the TBRE's less known industries.