Geopolity

Flourishing Southlands wrote:

MFA: Summary of Headlines of Note (1)

Prepared by the Economic Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia

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BRSC mandates cognitive tests for voters

The Brazilian Restoration and Salvation Council has promulgated a new law requiring all electors and candidates standing for future Federal elections to pass a cognitive test. The Public Functions Test (PFT), as it is called, is comprised of three components: drawing inferences (DI), recognizing arguments (RA), and problem solving (PS). The DI component presents the test-taker with a body of text and a statement. Test-takers are asked to evaluate the body of text and see if the statement logically follows from it. The RA component likewise does the same, but asks test-takers to determine if the statement offers a logical argument in support or against the body of text. Finally, the PS component consists of various multiple choice questions which tests a test-taker's understanding of basic arithmetic operations, pattern recognition, general knowledge, and proofreading.

The PFT is comprised of 30 questions, with 10 questions for each component. Voters are required to correctly answer at least 15 questions in total. Candidates standing for election are required to attain the same score, with the added caveat that they correctly answer at least 5 questions for each of the test's components.

Ministry of Human Capital - Public Functions Test - Sample Questions

Drawing inferences

1. There are three doors. Behind two doors are blue cars, behind one door is a red car. Two doors are randomly opened, revealing a blue and red car. You infer that the second blue car is behind the third door.

   A. Inference logically follows
   B. Inferences does not follow

2. You place a chocolate cake in the kitchen. Your dog is also in the kitchen. You leave the kitchen and return after an hour. You find that the chocolate cake is missing, and there are smudges of chocolate on the dog's paws and lips. You infer that the dog ate the cake.

   A. Inference logically follows
   B. Inferences does not follow

3. There are three houses. House A is next to the yellow house. The yellow house is next to the firefighter's house. You infer that House A is red.

   A. Inference logically follows
   B. Inferences does not follow
   

Recognizing arguments

1. Companies which wish to make more money should deliver their products for free, because data suggests consumers are willing to spend more money if delivery is free.

   A. This is a valid argument
   B. This is a poor argument

2. Alcohol licencing should be made mandatory for all venues serving or selling alcohol, because the consumption of alcohol is immoral.

   A. This is a valid argument
   B. This is a poor argument

3. Smoking should be prohibited in public areas and streets, because they produce second-hand smoke which is harmful to others, particularly children, and people do not have the right to pursue activities which are harmful to others.

   A. This is a valid argument
   B. This is a poor argument
   

Problem solving

1. X^2 + 3X - 14 = 0. What does -14 indicate?

   A. The value of X
   B. The y-intercept
   C. The x-intercept

2. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. What is the next number?

   A. 64
   B. 48
   C. 72

3. These sentence are grammatically correct?

   A. True
   B. False
   

Ney York Port Authority raids suspected drug warehouse

The NYPD, with with the NYPA and Federal officers, raided a warehouse on the Lower East Side near the Hudson River today following a tip that drugs and weapons were being hidden there for sell to gangs elsewhere in both the state and country. The raid managed to capture at least 20 dealers and secure over 4,000 firearms of varouis calibers and 3 million in heroin and cocaine. NYPD Commissioner James Douglass stated that with the removal of such a large batch of drugs and weapons from New York streets, the city can be all that safer. A similar raid occured on the New Jersey side of the river, though that raid secured a much smaller amount drugs and weapons.

Press Release from the Ras El Tin Palace
بيان صحفي من قصر رأس التين

I am pleased to inform the Nation of a significant agreement between the Republic of Egypt and the Commonwealth of Tamazgha, further strengthening the bonds of cooperation and mutual security between our nations. After thorough negotiations and discussions, both parties have agreed upon the establishment of naval bases in each other's territories. This strategic arrangement marks a new chapter in our bilateral relations and unbreakable bonds.

At the core of our agreement, Egypt will be granted a naval base in the Tamazghan city of Kelibia. This base will be operated by the Egyptian Armed Forces, allowing us to enhance our maritime capabilities and ensure the security of Mediterranean waters. In reciprocity, the Commonwealth of Tamazgha will be granted a naval base in the city of Damietta. Operated by the Tamazghan military, this base will serve as a vital asset in bolstering North African interests in the Mediterranean.

Our nations have agreed to conduct bi-annual inspections of these bases. Furthermore, in times of war or conflict, these bases will be considered jointly operated, reflecting our shared commitment to mutual defense and regional peace.

This agreement represents a milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster cooperation and friendship with our neighbors. It reinforces our principles of security, unity, and solidarity that guide our foreign policy endeavors.

_{Nabil Yassin Saad
President of the Republic of Egypt
Government of the Republic of Egypt}

TOP SECRET

Report by the General Intelligence Service Regarding Increasing the Number of Agents in the The United British Kingdom
تقرير جهاز المخابرات العامة بشأن زيادة عدد العملاء في المملكة المتحدة

Mr. President,

In response to the imminent threat posed by the potential escape of the former royal family to the United Kingdom, the General Intelligence Service has taken strategic measures to increase its presence and operational capabilities within the nation. This decision was made to ensure that the United Kingdom does not interfere in Egypt's internal affairs by providing asylum to the deposed House of Amin.

The decision to increase agents within the United Kingdom has been made and stems from a critical need to prevent further instability in Egyptian politics. Given the historical ties between the former royal family and certain segments of the British establishment, there is a legitimate concern that elements within the United Kingdom may seek to provide sanctuary or support to the House of Amin once their surveillance ends, thereby undermining Egypt's stability.

The potential escape of the former royal family to the United Kingdom poses a direct threat to Egypt's national security and stability. Allowing them to seek refuge in a foreign country could provide them with a platform to mobilize support, raise pro-monarchy sentiments against the Egyptian government, and perpetuate political instability. By increasing our presence in the United Kingdom, we aim to monitor and counteract any attempts by external actors to exploit the situation for the benefit of the House of Amin.

We will maintain continuous surveillance on the House of Amin's associates within the United Kingdom and its Foreign and Commonwealth Office to gather actionable intelligence and prevent their asylum. By bolstering our presence and operational capabilities, we seek to counteract any attempts by foreign nations to provide sanctuary or support to the former Sultan and his family. The Egyptian government must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting Egypt's sovereignty, stability, and national security.

_{Farouk Hussein Ebeid
Director of the General Intelligence Service
General Intelligence Service}

Breaking News: Socialists Petition the Supreme Constitutional Court
خبر عاجل: الاشتراكيون يأخذون الرئيس سعد إلى المحكمة الدستورية العليا

𝗖𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗢, 𝗘𝗚𝗬𝗣𝗧 ― The Party for Socialist Action has initiated legal proceedings against President Nabil Yassin Saad, petitioning the Supreme Constitutional Court to address what they perceive as a breach of executive authority. At the heart of the matter is President Saad's recently unveiled 5-year plan, which earmarks significant funds for infrastructure development and introduces incentives for industrial sectors, actions deemed by the Party as encroaching upon the constitutionally mandated separation of powers.

Underpinning the Party's challenge is the constitutional delineation of responsibilities between the president and the prime minister within Egypt's governance framework. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Egypt, while the prime minister is vested with authority over domestic policy matters, the president's domain predominantly encompasses defense and foreign policy.

However, the Party for Socialist Action contends that President Saad's ambitious economic agenda encroaches upon the terrain traditionally governed by the prime minister. By spearheading initiatives geared towards infrastructure and industrial growth, the President's actions, according to the Party's legal team, violate the sanctity of constitutional delineations and imperil the delicate balance of powers.

Addressing the media, spokesperson Fatima Abdel Rahim articulated the Party's stance clearly, stating, "We are steadfast in our commitment to upholding the constitutional principles that underpin the separation of powers within our democratic framework. President Saad's unilateral forays into domestic policy formulation set a dangerous precedent, one that jeopardizes the foundational tenets of our government."

While President Saad's administration has refrained from issuing an official response to the allegations leveled by the Party for Socialist Action, governmental insiders hint at an unwavering defense of the President's prerogative. Emphasizing the necessity and legality of the proposed initiatives, sources close to the administration highlight their potential to revive Egypt's economy and elevate the standard of living for its populace.

_{Middle East News Agency}