Eutopia NEWSLINK [official game events]

unmerged(4271) · Feb 3, 2004

*** NEWS FLASH ***

NOTED DA POLITICIAN AND MILITARY OFFICER ARRESTED

Commander John Stewart, noted for his service in the National Assembly and a member of the DA political party was arrested this morning by the military and is being held in an undisclosed location.

"Given recent criminal actions of leading military officers, such as Smith and Markinson, and given the recent controversy over the actions of our service chiefs, the military is taking a zero-tolerance approach," said a spokesper for the Intermartial Judicial Council.

"We cannot emphasize how strongly shocked and disappointed we are in the recent behavior of Eutopian military officers, who once lived by a code of honor and discipline. If officers have forgotten or abandoned their vows of service, we must take strong measures to demonstrate without a doubt that our codes of justice are not mere suggestions, they are the rules by which all members of the military are expected, no make that required, to govern themselves. No exceptions, no privileges. If the current generation of officers does not understand this, they shall be relieved and a new generation will assume command."

When questioned as to whether this was a stronger stance than taken in the past, the IJC officer responded, "Now more than ever the military is under the microscope by the civilian government which we serve. Sadly, our integrity has been called into question. We must prove our honor and our loyalty. Where improper discretions overlooked in the past? Possibly. But given recent history no one should mistakenly believe that they will be permitted in the future, or the present."

unmerged(4271) · Feb 9, 2004

DR. DEVLAMINK OFFICIALLY HANDED OVER TO U.S.

Months after the bold capture of reputed MEOR leader Dr. Svein DeVlamink just outside of Cuban territorial waters, the United States government has officially been given custody of him by the Eutopian government. DeVlamink is being prepared for transfer from at Camp Zed in the US Naval Base at Guantanmo Bay, Cuba, to a US federal penitentiary to await trial.

Eutopian officials will be included in the legal proceedings against DeVlamink and have not ruled out trying him in absentia. However surrender of DeVlamink's custody eliminates many legal options for Eutopia while placing his immediate fate in American hands.

The timing of this announcement coincides with the signing of a new trade agreement between the United States and Eutopia for the purchase of surplus Eutopian coal at below market value. The United States is expected to take advantage of this reduced costs to build their national energy reserves, while Eutopia will secure two years of guaranteed coal purchases at a fixed cost for coal that is currently sitting in storage, unsold.

DeVlamink is being held in connection with a CIA raid of the suspected secret HQ of the Most Enlightened Order of the Revolution. The MEOR is the organization linked to the bold terrorist attack on the US naval base at Farpoint that resulted in American occupation of the city and Eutopian military deployment throughout the WET.

NORTH ATLANTIC FISHING AGREEMENT CONFERENCE TO OPEN IN CANADA

After months of preparation, the party nations of the expired North Atlantic Fishing Agreement will meet in Toronto, Canada to begin new talks.

Many observers are watching the French and Spanish, whose public international feuding with Eutopia have led to violent confrantations and cat and mouse games between primative Eutopian fishing boats, large French and Spanish commercial trawlers, and US and Australian warships.

Eutopia's fishing industry has never recovered from the introduction of competition into the rich northern shoals now opened to the nations of the world, and even the most optimistic observer wonders what concessions, if any, Eutopia can win in this process. But unless a new agreement is reached, few see any hope for Eutopian fishermen to regain a share of their lost market.

SPEAKER MARTINEZ AVOIDS ASSAULT

The new Speaker of the National Assembly had been pelted all week with media criticism from hostile political sources. However as he arrived to open the day's session of the National Assembly he was pelted with more: a shower of rotten fruits and vegetables from band of African immigrants who had hidden in waiting for him.

Private security forces provided by La Compagnie de Renard Rouge's subsidiary, Markinson Security, quickly moved to shelter the Speaker, who was unhurt, and pursued the attackers who fled into the crowds. One of the assailants was captured and turned over to the police, who identified the man as a 40 year old Congolese native who had immigrated to Eutopia following that nation's last civil war. The police have not released the man's name, but witnesses report that when captured he was screaming that Martinez was a murderer and that "his crimes will be exposed before all".

Martinez was busy with military matters following the event and unavailable for comment.

OFFICER / POLITICIAN STEWART GRANTED HONORABLE DISCHARGE: OFFERED NEW POSITION

Commander John Stewart, arrested last week by Eutopian military police on undisclosed charges was given an Honorable Discharge from duty by the Intermartial Judicial Council, which reviewed his case.

"The circumstances surrounding the actions that led to the arrest of the Commander do not need to be rehashed in the media," said an IJC spokesper. "Suffice it to say that the Commander's actions, though wrong, were interupted before any real harm was committed and that the Commander has a record of honorable accomplishments serving his country and rather than besmirch that record with a lengthy inquiry, both parties have agreed that is time to simply terminate the Commander's commission, effectively preventing similar events in the future, while allowing him to end his military career with honor.

Stewart has been offered a civilian position with the Eutopian War College as an Adjunct Advisor for Leadership Development, but there is no word yet on whether he will accept.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GIVES EUTOPIA CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

After months of fighting the mysterious virus known as the Hurteau Fever, the MHES learned today that the World Health Organization has officially certified the threat of the fever had ended.

"We feel confident that Eutopia's residents are safe and that, should the virus resurface, authorities are prepared to combat it with new vaccines and antibiotics," said a WHO spokesper, "The Eutopian MHES should be commended for its tireless efforts in combatting this virus and the the dedication of its minister and staff to protecting the population." MHES Al'Aeshir's work was specifically praised by the WHO.

AMERICAN CONTINUES TO DEFY ORDER TO LEAVE

The now infamous American, Steve Whitsox , who claims that he would be persecuted in the United States for smoking marijuana to fight a rare form of cancer, has continued his stand-off with MILE immigration officials and has taken refuge in the network of tunnels beneath New Lancaster City Internation Airport.

"I will die!" Whitsox has yelled through a sidewalk grate to gathered reporters, before fleeing when airport security and MILE officers approached with a blow torch and wire cutters.
Whitsox has completed his demand for refugee asylum in Eutopia and is trying to take his case to the public. Whitsox's family has been living with different individuals in Eutopia willing to take them while Per Whitsox continues to elude authorities.

"Why won't they just let him stay?" said Mrs. Whitsox, "He hasn't hurt anyone and he'll die otherwise!"

MILE Immigration Supervisor Hansel Harding has expressed his frustration over this case many times. "This is ridiculous. There's no threat to this guy. He's a nut. The law is the law, and we can't tolerate this."

Whitsox claims he would die within four days of not smoking marijuana to relieve the symptoms of adrenal cancer, if forced to return to America.

CORPORATIONS SLOW TO REFILE WITH STOCK EXCHANGE

The Neuwestabden Stock Exchange under new Managing Director reported today that Eutopian corporations have been slow to file their annual reports.

The submission of reports is a key requirement for maintaining eligibility to remain on the Exchange. One of Per von Maazarin's duties will be to purge dormant organizations from the Exchange and to ensure that those being trading publicly are in compliance with national securities law.

Failure to submit a report in a timely manner may lead to de-listing, the Exchange has warned.

OLYMPIC TRY-OUTS BEGIN, FUNDING IN JEOPARDY

Qualifiying tournaments will begin this month for Eutopian athletes hoping to represent the nation in the following sports: Table Tennis, Badminton, Handball, and Basketball.

However, there has been little effort made, or support shown, for raising the funds necessary to support a team of Olympians. Without a substantial input of public and/or private money, the International Olympic Committee will not allow Eutopia to proceed with qualifying as such a development would signal to them that Eutopia is unlikely to afford to send an actual team and that an insufficient level of support exists to place Eutopia into the international athletic competition over another nation.

President Talbott, as the former MECT, kept Eutopian participation in the games alive and handed those duties to new MECT and fellow CC party member Siegfried Robertsson. But other than the two MECTS, public interest and involvement has been nonexistant.

"Eutopia in the Olympics?" commented one person randomly interviewed on the street, "What would we compete in, pamphleteering? Debating? Hundred meter coup-attempts? I'd rather watch professional wresting!"

unmerged(4271) · Feb 18, 2004

LOCAL ELECTIONS PRODUCE SOME SURPRISES

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was not quite decided exactly what to make of the times. It was a tale of three cities, Buen Puerto, New Lancaster City, and Eutopia City as they held local government elections and selected new mayors.

In New Lancaster City, populist firebrand Angus McFiddich (RD/DA) stepped down and paved the way for his hand-picked successor Wallace Gromit, of the New Lancaster City Alliance to win with 57.42% of valid votes over Conservative Coalition (31.08%) and monarchist (11.5%) opponents. The NLCA was a coalition of DA and ESRP members, and displaced members of the old MP and NPP parties that now consider themselves independents.

In Buen Puerto, independent new comer Felix Anzaldua eked out a majority vote to defeat incumbent Mayor Rosalina Isabellini and charismatic ETE candidate Pancho Francisco. Mayor Isabellini had come under fire for taking too lenient a stance in criticizing the national government for the economic problems and rise in crime that have plagued the city in recent years. Many saw the ETE's Pancho Francisco as offering an attractive message of ethnic pride, local autonomy, and nationalistic values, but the less than harmnious break up of his national party left many of his supporters divided as Francisco wavered on which faction, ETE or Reactionary Party, to support and they stayed home on election day. Anzaldua's messages of economic recovery resonated across party lines and secured him just enough votes to avoid a run-off, in an election where voting in some areas was depressed but where water front precincts and those with high immigrant populations saw record turn-outs. Some irregularities were charged at some polling places, but these complaints have been dismissed as groundless.

In Eutopia City, residents are beginning to wonder if anyone really wants to be Mayor. In addition to the retirement of the long time incumbent mayor, numerous candidates have filed, campaigned, and then reversed themselves, dropping out of the race, including MILE Konstantin Vilms, Deputy MILE William Edridge, and Frederick Lascar, host of Reactionary Radio. This left only Patrik Connel, of the Centrist Republican Party and shadow candidate Charles-Louis Force-Majeur of the Citizens for Eutopia City
coalition.

Despite a campaign of no public appearences and nonextistant media coverage, the Force-Majeur campaign ran a stealthy program of direct mail, strategic telephone banking, and targetted Internet communications to supporters of candidates who had withdrawn from the race to almost steal the race away (42.11% of valid votes) from presumed winner Connel (39.87%).

The Citizens for Eutopia City coalition was not officially aligned with any party but seems to have been organized by disaffected leftists, unhappy with their mayoral choices. Masterminded by a Canadian-Eutopian doctoral student, the Internet heavy campaign garnered enough votes to force a run-off between Force-Majeur and Connel, scheduled two weeks from today.

THREE COMPANIES ANNOUNCE CLOSING OF EUTOPIAN TEXTILE OPERATIONS

International textile manufacturer's FOOBELTEX (Belgium), COTEXFASH (Australia), and Technische Textilien (Germany) announced today that they are closing their Eutopian operations to relocate overseas. The three companies had been operating in Eutopia since the 1950's (FOOBELTEX had actually had a presence since the late 1910's) and had taken advantage of Eutopia's cotton production and mid-Atlantic location to boost their sales in a four continent market. All three will close their factories to relocate operations in nations with, they claim, "more competitive labor markets" and "friendlier industrial policies".

Twenty-one plants in all are expected to close in the next three months as senior management is moved overseas and middle management and labor are given time to find new employment. All three plants have announced severance packages that comply with union negotiated contracts, but which some workers find lacking. Middle management employees, however, have been left with little in terms of severance benefits which these companies say is due to the high costs associated with the labor severence.
Domestic textile producers have no plans to purchase or operate these facilities, claiming "We operate on razor thin margins as it is. We don't have a market to absorb greater production, if these companies will begin to replace their quota at a more competitive price. If anything, we will struggle to hold on to what we have."

MECT IMMIGRATION FESTIVAL EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS

New Eutopian citizens are encouraged to attend a special "Immigration and New Citizen" festival, organized by the MECT and sponsored by La Compagnie de Renard Rouge. They will have an opportunity to meet Eutopian elected officials, to visit representatives of Eutopian businesses, media, and cultural organizations, and to show off their own businesses.

If you are new to Eutopia, please visit the festival, introduce yourself and tell people about who you are and what you do. And take the time to learn more about your new home.

(OOC: New Players --> This is something special for you to mingle, ask questions, and learn more about Eutopia. Old players -->Take this opportunity to advertise, network, etc. with new players.)

MTEF LANGLEY COLLAPSES AFTER JUVENILE PRANK

Former President and current MTEF Jacob Langley collapsed and seemed to suffer from a fit after he and MTEF office workers were pelted with exploding fireworks as they left the office for the day.

The juveniles responsible launched the bottle rockets, exploding caps, and roman candles while chanting "Free Whitsox!" and dancing around with war cries and whoops.

Langley was seen to stiffen, visibly shake, and his eyes rolled back into his head before he collapsed and experienced a minor seizure. Co-workers tended to him while MTEF security chased and apprehended the pranksters.

Langley was released from Eutopian General Hospital after a brief evaluation. The diagnosis remains confidential but doctors say they expect him to make a complete recovery.

The four youths were taken into custody where MTEF officials pressed charges, and it was discovered that all four were under the mind-altering influence of copious amounts of Toa root.

FAMILY MEMBERS BEGIN SIT-IN VIGIL AROUND PRESIDENTIAL MANSION

Wearing masks of "the disappeared" hundreds of citizens camped out in from of the Presidential Mansion after a candle-light vigil to protest the government's inaction to address the United Eco-Fascist's ransoming of one hundred "resistance fighters" who took up arms against the Americans during their occupation of Farpoint.

"It is an absolute abomination and a cruel betrayal of the public trust for the government to sweep our sons, daughters, husbands, and wives under the rug as if they never existed!" said one mourning family member, "We have faith that our family members are alive, but the government's absolute refusal to address this situation is intolerable!"

That sentiment was shared by all present who criticized the complete lack of attention their family members' plights received during recent national elections.

Eco-Fascist sympathizers (who made it clear that they were not official representatives of the group holding the hostages) countered that the Eco-Fascists apprehended armed criminals in their territory and sought to prevent Civil War and further violence between America and Eutopia and that the government is to blame for failing to honor the agreement reached by deceased MILE Jacob Lundgren and failing to counter with any offer.

It has been many months since some of these family members have seen their loved ones and they vow to do "anything necessary" to force the government to address this situation, even "lay down their own lives to win back the lives of their family members".

ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE AND SOCIETY NEWS

A Digest of Recent News

- Wealthy Lundgen family scion Michael has been missing from several days, but some Eutopians claim to have seen him on TdE Sports' coverage of the World Karaoke Championships in Kyoto, walking in the back ground accompanied by several executives. No one from Lundgren's remaining family businesses will confirm nor deny the appearance.

- Royal Family observers are starting to buzz about possible names for the expected child of Crown Princess Francesca Madeline Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Blade! who was found suffering from amnesia, and pregnant, several months ago after she and her husband, former High Court Supreme Justice Blade! went missing from their yacht.

Per Blade! has not been seen in some time and the royal family is being quite tight lipped about the situation, but that has not stopped regiphiles from speculating on the sex and possible names for the couple's new baby.

- Speaker Martinez is releasing a new book about his career as a mercenary following his shocking revelations on national television. He had been implicated by Congolese and Angolan immigrants in several wartime atrocities, which he has denied. His critics have been silent since the announcement, voicing neither belief or rebuttal of his claims.

- The six city tour for the special "Stones of South Africa" traveling exhibit will open with South African heiress Witney and her family's rare "Heart of the Lion Ruby" making an appearance at a special charity dinner in Douglas to benefit Eutopia's museums. Former "Eutopian Gazette" publisher and MDIA Charles Scott Morgan has taken a lead role in the event, which will be held at Kruger Hall Banquet Center in Douglas.

- Agents for famous actor Nardeo DiCapistrano have confirmed that he has been contacted about appearingin Eutopia for national Recycling Day. He is a huge environmentalist and his agents are attempting to arrange the details with the MHES office for the appearence.

OLYMPIC TRY-OUTS BEGIN, FUNDING CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN

Qualifiying tournaments for the Eutopian Olympic Team named what might be Eutopia's first Olympians in more than a generation.

The following atheletes were selected for international competition:

Table Tennis: Michael vonStreusser, Bedford Gump
Badminton: Pete Simpwrist, Michael vonStreusser
Handball: Olaf Gorranson
Basketball: The Duwich Dunking Deamons Semi-Pro Team

Progress has been made in indentifying some financial backing for the team, but more must be raised or the International Olympic Committee will not allow Eutopia to proceed with qualifying under the belief an insufficient level of support exists to place Eutopia into the international athletic competition over another nation.

If funds are raised, qualifying will continue with:

Field Hockey
Tennis
Soccer

unmerged(4271) · Mar 2, 2004

BOOK SIGNING DISRUPTED

A private party for Speaker Martinez was interrupted when leftist teenagers, who appeared to be under the influene of an, as of yet, undiscolsed drug, attempted to disrupt the proceedings by interfering with the food preparation for the event.

Various laxative and oral enima formulas were found that were going to be used to taint the various food dishes. Their attempts were disrupted when private security services working for Speaker Martinez and guest, businessman Renard Rouge, discovered plot and interupted it in mid-attempt.

The arrested youths seemed hardly competenet to organize such a crime themselves, said one police insider who refused to be identfied, suggesting that this attempt was organized by someone else.

The multi-day signing party has since resumed and is continuing without further incident.

VIGIL CONTINUES AROUND PRESIDENTIAL MANSION

The hundreds of citizens camped out in front of the Presidential Mansion protesting the government's inaction have succeeded in disrupting the day-to-day operations of vistors to the historic residence, but police remain powereless to do anything as they all have properly approved permits to demonstrate.

The citizens, many of whom have family members believed to be among the hundred "resistance fighters" held by the United Eco-Fascists are promising to escalate their protest after it has gone unanswered by the government.

"This is worse than those poor sailors who were held by the French!" said one disgusted protestor, "What kind of government lets its citizens suffer like this, forgotten?"

While there has been no official statement, rumors portend that demonstrators are planning a massive hunger strike to force international attention to their plight, since, they claim "they government is deaf to our voices."

Representatives of the Eco-Fascist political community continue to point out that they are not themselves connected in any way to the United Eco-Fascist organization, but say that government resolution of this crisis is needed. They cite previous government agreement reached by deceased MILE Jacob Lundgren that was later abandoned by the National Assembly as evidence that a solution can be found, if the political will exists.

FORMER MAYOR ANNOUNCES END TO POLITICAL CAREER

Defeated incumbent Mayor Rosalina Isabellini of Buen Puerto refused to heed supporters' call for a run-off or investigation in her narrow defeat and the hands of political newcomer Felix Anzaldua. Instead she has announced her desire to leave politics and local real estate agents have determined that her house has been put up for sale.

Mayor Isabellini will not comment on any impending move from Buen Puerto. However anonymous sources have linked her in the local media to former DA Speaker Glasser, who has gone missing these last several months. Isabellini, who is recently divorced has denied any involvement with the former Speaker and says only that the intensive media scrutiny she has come under is simply too much and that she just wants to get back to the life of a private citizen.

MYSTERIOUS MILE CONVOY OUT OF FARPOINT

Early risers in the Western Eutopian Territory may have seen an unusual site originating out of Farpoint this morning, as a heavily armed convoy rumbled through the town in the hours before daylight.

The high-security procession received police escort and attempts to follow it into Eutopia City were defeated by capital district law enforcement officials.

The vehicles in the convoy bore the seal of the MILE, and were first seen several kilometers outside of the Farpoint City limits near one of the native communities.

No additional information about the convoy's cargo or purpose has been released.

MHES REPORT REVEALS SPREAD OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

A new health report from the MHES shows a dramatic increase in number of reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases into Eutopia's inner provinces.

The penetration into the vulnerable interior comes as a bit of a surprise. Eutopia has managed to avoid high incidents of these diseases, except in various coastal communities where immigration, and foreign trade and travel have been high.

However, this new report charts the spread of disease over the past eight years and shows no rise in reported STDs within these more susceptible areas, but does document a slow but steady increase into rural communities and such inland towns and cities as Eauzo, Witney, Saint Victor, and Tabor.

The increase does not constitute an epidemic, nor has it included potentially fatal conditions, such as AIDS. However, many affected communities were critical of the report, though they could not refute the scientific data in the study.

MTEF LANGLEY MISSES KEY MEETINGS, SUSPECTED MISSING

Former President and current MTEF Jacob Langley missed a number of key meetings this week, prompting some concern among government officials. A routine police investigation has shown no signs of foul play in the MTEF's disappearence, but there was a report of several disturbances of the peace in Langley's neighborhood, when a collector of old WWII memorabilia had a crate of old ammunition accidentally ignite and explode two doors down from Langley.

Family of the former President claim only that "Jake had lots of urgent business recently and likely had to jet overseas to close an important business deal". However, government officials within his ministry would neither confirm nor deny any such meetings.

CONTROVERSIAL NEW REPORT: "TOO MANY PARTIES" CLAIM CITIZENS

A new report released by Eutopia Newslink Polling Group (ENPG) and Rousseau College (Puy-Vincent) claims that the general citizenry is more disconnected to the existing political parties than at any other time in Eutopia's post-regency period.

"Quite simply, we've experienced such a fragmentation that citizens can no longer clearly identify with the options available to them," said Jacques Jetaime, a researcher at Rousseau.

"Citizens are most comfortable with a simple such as a flip a coin. This may not always be the best in terms of political choice, but it is clear. An example might be the old Coalition to Preserve the Republic vs. the Monarchist parties. More complex choices are possible, and citizens have proven that they can handle choosing among several possibilities, such as the choices presented by rolling a die. Citizens have shown this discernment in our early post-regency days, choosing from such parties as the Rally for Democracy, the Free Republicans, the ESRP, the more libertarian minded parties and various monarchists choices that were available. However today, we have gone beyond the simple coin flip or die roll, and are asking citizens to choose a card from the Tarot or a symbol from the I-Ching!"

Jetaime pointed to several political parties where poll respondents could discern no noticeable difference between party philosophies. He pointed to others were citizens showed basically no cognition that the party existed and could not cite any notable distinctions.

"What we have seen is a fragmentation with the easing of official restrictions for party organization that has allowed more freedom, but also has led to a steady dilution of partisan identity and, ultimately, function and importance within Eutopia."

The study immediately drew rebuke from academics and pundits around the nation who cited the benefits of new party membership rules, pointed to the success new parties had in attracting new voters, and generally praised the system for encouraging political pluralism.

OLYMPIC TEAM EARNS NEW SPONSORS, NAMES NEW ATHLETES

Qualifiying tournaments for the Eutopian Olympic Team continued as new Olympians were named:

Field Hockey - Gilford University Team
Tennis - Ivan Borg, Tracy Grafiati
Soccer - Academic of Witney

Progress has been made in indentifying some financial backing for the team, and it is believed that with only one or two more sponsors the International Olympic Committee would give final approval for Eutopia's first international athletic competition in over a generation.

unmerged(4271) · Mar 4, 2004

***** NEWS FLASH! *****

NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ERUPT OVER TOBACCO BILL

All over the nation citizens are up in arms, some quite literally, as Conservative Coalition Speaker Robert Martinez's bill to stem tobacco use advanced in the National Assembly.

Tobacco, one of Eutopia's most profitable agricultural products and exports, accounts for the entire economic livelihood in many Latin province communities, from growing, curing, trading, and manufacture into cigarettes and cigars to all of the support industries dependent upon the tobacco crops for their business.

Protests have occurred throughout the nation. Political conservatives have taken to renouncing their CC membership over what they are calling a "betrayal of free market principles" and are demanding "Commie Berto's" resignation. Conservative scholars are denouncing the unwarranted government control of personal behavior".

Businessmen around Eutopia are condeming what they see as the destruction of a legitimate industry and the crippling of the economic life-line of many poor rural communities. "For the government to pull the rug out from under hardworking citizens who have invested so much in this industry is appalling, especially under these economic circumstance."

While some restaurant owners have praised the bill, others, particularly pub owners, forsee a tremendous loss of business if they cannot allow smokers' to patronize their establishments as they do now.

Commercial property owners and those in the rental business are fearful of what they call "new government red tape" and "unfunded mandates" that will require them, they claim, to lose smokers as clients or to make costly rennovations to comply with new ventilation rules.

In N. Anjou and N. Aquitaine, where tobacco and tobacco product production represent an even larger portion of the provincial economy, communities are responding with shock and anger and long-dormant separatist movements are emerging to defend the rights of those in those in the tobacco business and suggesting that if Eutopia moves forward with this policy that the Franco-Eutopians would be better served forming their own nation.

National health experts urge National Assembly members to remain strong and fight political opposition to this bill as they cite countless health advantages, to smokers and non-smokers alike for restricting tobacco use. A reduction of smoking could also reduce the health care expenses the state assumes as part of its national health insurance program, they claim, and save the government money.

But elected leaders in tobacco growing communties say any savings would be offset by the loss of tax revenue and increased spending for unemployment and social welfare benefits necessary to cope with the resulting loss of jobs.

PICTURE: Angry mob protests the legislation

The Canadian Government, host of the talks to negotiate a new round of North Atlantic fishing agreements, has indicated today that they are not prepared to continue at this point and that the conference may be postponed.

"It seems some of the party nations are quite satisfied with the current agreements and while we, and others, have agreed to a new round of talks, we have been given no agenda for discussing changes to a system that the majority of participants have no desire to change," said a diplomatic official in Ottawa.

In Eutopia, this news was received poorly by fishermen, suffering a steady decline in their businesses. "We know the MTEF vonStreusser has been extremely busy and that there wouldn't even be any talks if not for him," said one leading fishermen from Rochefort, "but if the MTEF cannot attend the conference, then the President should assign this elsewhere, to the MDIA or someone else."

For purposes of clarification, the current MTEF is not CRP member Michael vonStreusser, who is credited with bringing the hostile parties together to agree to a new round of fishing talks, but is actually former president Jacob Langley.

unmerged(4271) · Mar 19, 2004

LATIN SUCCESSION MOVEMENTS SPURRED BY TOBACCO PROTESTS

Nationwide furor over the anti-smoking legislation has drawn angry protests from citizens on both sides of the bill. However opposition to the proposal is most significant in the Latin provinces, where most Eutopian tobacco is grown and where it outranks cotton as the number one cash crop and agricultural export in the nation.

Latin nationalism has always simmered on the back burners of national politics, heating up only when excited by charismatic radicals. However, more established politicans and community leaders are endorsing the idea of Latin autonomy and even independence following debate over proposed anti-smoking legislation.

Within the Franco-Eutopian provinces, an organization known as " Les Fils de la Liberté" has begun organizing petition drives and "citizens' caucuses" to encourage discussion of the benefits of liberation and the principles upon which a new government might be founded.

Within the Ibero-Eutopian provinces, no organized movement has surfaced but several large public protests have taken place through all the Spanish-speaking provinces, with Buen Puerto being an epicenter for discontent. New Mayor Felix Anzaldua and City Treasurer Michael Marine have led the public demonstrations against the national government.

Significantly represented among all the protestors are African-Eutopians, who make up a sizable part of the nation's tobacco industry. These descendents of the original slaves who were brought to Eutopia to harvest and cure the crop have since become the primary growers, traders, and processors of the product. Many also work in the cigarette and cigar plants that have been built near the tobacco growing communities.

Most objective observers note that this phenomenon would seem to be an over-reaction, despite the controversial nature of the anti-smoking bill. However, long-enduring grievances among the Latin province citizens have been brought to the surface, and public discontent over the lax approach taken by many national elected officials to their sworn duties, and their apparent disinterest in the troubled economy, have stirred this into a snow-balling political movement.

Supporters of the anti-smoking legislation consider these protests to be much ado about nothing, and cite the verifiable and documented benefits to reducing smoking. Some have gone so far as to declare the tobacco industry "archaic" and have suggested farmers should begin converting their land over to other crops. Tobacco growers in the Latin provinces have dismissed this idea as "ignorant".

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS CONVICTED BY MILITARY TRIBUNAL

The military tribunal charged with reviewing the behavior of Chief of the Air Force Brig. Gen. David Haynes and Chief of the Navy Vice-Admiral Hendrik Johan van Apeldoorn-Tulp delivered their verdict this week, clearing the two service chiefs of the most serious charges levied against them but convicting them of several others. The two officers were arrested by Marines following an apparent crisis within the command structure between them and former President Vasco IKK.

Both officers will be forced to serve some time incarcerated at a military detention facility, and both suffered loss of senior rank and many command privileges, but neither was discharged from the service.

Many details of the specific charges and sentences have not been disclosed to the public as the military considers this a private matter, but it was revealed that Former Brig. General Haynes has been demoted to the rank of Major, and will be serving several months in the military prison due to a physical assault committed against the then-President. Vice Admiral Tulp was demoted to the rank of Commodore, but appears to have received a more lenient sentence than Haynes.

Haynes had previously run afoul of the civilian authorities for his role in the Eutopia City Anti-Homosexual Riots during the terms of President O'Floin.

COAST GUARD INTERCEPTS UNREGISTERED SHIP CARRYING ARMS, EXPLOSIVES

MILE Officials confirmed that Coast Guard forces intercepted in unregistered ship off the Eutopian coast that attempted to scuttle itself before boarding. The the ship was lost, coast guard officials were able to retrieve several shipping crates before it went under, which were examined by security officials and revealed to contain an assortment AK-grade assault rifles, RPG and launchers and a variety of explosives.

The crates bore markings and registers in French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic and forensic experts are examining them for further clues. Only two passengers of the intercepted vessel survived the fire-fight prior to the ship's capture. MILE authorities are releasing no information about the prisoners.

Skipper of the Coast Guard Cutter "Hombre nel Negro" Jose' Encito urged that while some unidentified ships had been seen in recent weeks, that the Guard was redoubling patrols and assured citizens of their safety.

UPSTART POLITICAL PARTY CLAIMS MUNICIPAL VICTORY

With Patrik Connel, of the Centrist Republican Party, missing in action, shadow candidate Charles-Louis Force-Majeur of the Citizens for Eutopia City coalition claimed victory in a race that appeared to be abdicated by his opponent.

"I know we must have shocked and surprised a lot of people, but I had not idea he would surrender the seat," gloated Force-Majeur. The capitol district graduate student ran an internet based campaign, mainly as a protest against the existing political establishment and stayed out of the mainstream media. Despite the surprising general election results, Connel was expected to win the run-off.

"I have not had a call from Per Connel to congratulate me, and I have not called him to tell him it was a good race because, frankly, I do not know where he is or how to get a hold of him," said Force-Majeur. "It is a good thing for all of Eutopia City that such a man was not elected, for if he vanishes like this all the time, what kind of mayor would he be?"

Other municipal officials frowned on Force-Majeur's remarks and called them "crass" and "rude", citing Connel's financial investement in the community. However none of them could explain the CRP candidate's absence or could give any clue as to his whereabouts.

SOLDIERS OF GOD PROTEST MHES SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE ANNOUNCMENTS

In response to a health report from the MHES showing a dramatic increase in number of reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases into Eutopia's inner provinces over the past decade, MHES officials launched a frank educational campaign designed to create awareness of this problem and suggest preventative measures.

The ads, which experts at Gilford University say are "medically sound" use plain language to discuss the threat of the diseases and suggest, among prevention methods, abstinence, condom and other prophylactic use, and regular testing.

Soldiers of God leader Kurt Wagster, however, says the ads imply that sexual promiscuity is acceptable and that information about options other than complete abstinence falsely implies that citizens will be safe if they use condoms.

"This is not only objectionable, talking frankly about promiscuous sex over the public airwaves and with posters in public places, but even the secular and self-worshipping people out there who might disagree with the immorality of the message have to be concerned about the false security created by these ads that suggest prophylactic use will protect them," he explained, "More righteous men would let this foolish advertising occur, saying that the fates that will befall those unwise to practice such immorality are justified. But while we hate the sin, we love the sinners, and we must save these people from themselves."

He demanded the government immediately pull the "deceptive" advertising, and has requested the MECT develop community based decency standards to prevent this type of advertising in the future.

MHES OFFICE VANDALIZED WITH EGGS

The New Lancaster City Divisional Offices of the MHES were vandalized by a late night attack of egg throwing youths. Security systems, which had been installed in all ministry offices after recent turbulent times, recorded them in the act and they were identified and arrested by local police later the next day.

The teen-agers all shouted threats and protests about "fascist government policies" trying to "control our bodies". Some painted pro-tobacco grafitti in addition to throwing eggs and all appeared to be chewing some substance.

No word yet on whether the Ministry will press charges, but local government officials are urging a "no tolerance" response, fearful of a return of the gang activity that had plagued the city in the past.

NEW ORGAN BANK OFFICE VANDALIZED & ROBBED
Created shortly after the creation of a new organ and tissue donation registry, the Dunwich Organ Bank was vandalized and robbed some time late last night.

Several administrative records were stolen and some much-needed organs were taken, in addition to several pints of blood, some common and some rare. Police have no leads at this time.

BUSINESS WRAP-UP

* American tool-and-die maker Clark-Bar, Inc. and mining equipment manufacturer Cartmanmetal announced today that they were considering leaving Eutopia, citing a depressed economic climate, high labor and business costs, and lack of market for their products.

* Expansion of the New Lancaster City International Airport continues to progress with construction ahead of schedule. Timely delivery of materials ordered from Bluesteel Enterprises has allowed development to proceed ahead of schedule, says a spokesperson for Renard Rouge Construction and General Contracting.

* Hurteau Cotton Unlimited announced that it would be reducing its purchases from contract growers by 30% in response to lower demand created by the closing oi several foreign textile plants. The company says it will continue to maintain its own workforce at its current level as long as it can, keeping company growers employed.

* Television advertising revenues are up with the surprise success of former President O'Floinn's late night talk show. TdE's Pont du Vue continues to do well, but the network has announced plans to cancel less successful shows. The Langley Entertainment Group has been put on notice concerning its failure to produce new episodes of the hit "Eutopian Deathmatch".

* Eutopian membership into the WTO advanced with the organization's official acceptance of Eutopia's completed application. The next step is investigation of Eutopia's industrial policies.

unmerged(4271) · Mar 19, 2004

***** NEWS FLASH! *****

PRESIDENT ASSAULTED AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The week long protests around the national assembly took a nasty turn when President Talbott, was assaulted by a group of out-of-work Isabella fishmongers and fishermen who were enraged by his plan to privatize MARITCON, Eutopia's state-owned shipping concern.

Luis Gonzaga was charged with Assault after hurling a rock that struck the president while shouting "Traitor!" and "Patriarch!"

PICTURE: Gonzaga hurles a rock as the President emerges out the back gate.

Police, who had been monitoring the peaceful-but-growing protests acted swiftly and arrested Gonzaga and his compatriots. The group was not part of the crows who had been protesting the government's proposed smoking legislation, but rather had arrived in Eutopia City this morning to inquire about any action of private proposals for government aid to the fishing industry.

"He is an awful, awful man!" cried Gonzaga as he was being carried away by police, "He cares nothing for the poor or for the Latins! He gives away tax money to big computer companies and we get nothing!"

The assembled protestors cheered these remarks, though cautiously made sure to stay out of the way of the police, and resumed their protest, but a bit more subdued.

Medical authorities say that President Talbot suffered a deep bruise on his shoulder and a minor laceration, but was otherwise unhurt and is not expected to require additional medical attention.

unmerged(4271) · Apr 6, 2004

LATIN PROTESTOR PUT TO DEATH: "WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ASSASSINS" SAYS JUDGE

Judge Caesar "El Maestro" Anton has ordered and overseen the execution of Buen Puerto fisherman Luis Gonzaga on charges of "Attempted Assassination" following Gonzaga's assault of President Talbott outside the National Assembly Hall, last month.

"This animal of a man is unrepentent and I don't think fully understands the extend of his crime. If released, I am sure he would remain a threat to the President and government. In prison, I am sure he would foment open rebellion within the penal system. This was the only way to ensure this threat was removed," said Anton in a press statement.

A vigil of poor and out of work fishermen lasted from daybreak until the time of the execution. While police were on hand ot prevent any possible violence, there was only sadness for the executed and his family.

The Gonzaga family would not comment on the execution and members of the press have respected their time to mourn. Friends and fellow fishermen from Buen Puerto were critical of the government, its attempt to privatize Maritcon, and its justice system. The expressed general ill will toward the government, but would not commit themselves to any cause of action, saying this would be "a community matter".

Court room observers noted the speed in which this trial was put ahead of other cases on the docket and the swiftness of the case. Per Gonzaga was represented by his brother, he was a college graduate but had no formal legal training. Gonzaga confessed to the assault and explained why he did it. He expressed continued hostility toward the president and the government, but said he did not deserve to die. The judge disagreed.

Through out the Latin provinces, the news of Gonzaga's execution was met with stunned silence and shock. Many businesses have announced they will be closed for his funeral.

Judge Anton has dismissed criticism of his ruling and has declared, "It is the role of a judge to uphold the law, not to bow to political concerns or public pressure. I had to do what is right, regardless of what others, who would never convict him, despite his confession, might think."

MDIA AND NEWSPAPER FOUNDER CHARLES MORGAN FOUND DEAD

Private Press Announcement

Mr. Charles Scott Morgan, aged 77, passed away in his home at Casa Legno yesterday. He was EUtopia's Minister of Defense and International Affairs for two-and-a-half terms and was its most popular and acclaimed newspaper publisher.

Though initially doctors refused to say what caused his death, they insist it was entirely natural and hint it may have been heart problems.

Morgan was famous for his publication of The Gazette, which dominated for years EUtopian news stands. He then stepped up to become Minister of Defense and International Affairs, deftly defeating a coup'd'etat and a massive terrorist attack. Recently he announced his retirement and became a newspaper columnist again, before being lured back to politics again to serve in the Cabinet a third time.

It is rumored that Morgan was about to launch his third presidential campaign, the previous two having been unsuccessful.

He leaves no family in the nation of EUtopia. However, in his will, his mansion Casa Legno has been left to the government's National Division of Historic Sites, all finances donated to charities, the New Lancaster Recording Company has been given to a distant relative, and the Douglas Devils football team returned to its league.

A memorial service will be held in Douglas at an undisclosed date.

Morgan's last spoken words are unknown, but his last written words were an article for the EUtopian Today written just minutes before his death.

Newslink
Foreign leaders, particularly those in Europe who had been expecting Per Morgan for a diplomatic tour, expressed their condolences for the Morgan family and the Eutopian people.

News of this death is still fresh and many in the public have not yet had time to react.

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER TAKES OWN LIFE

Former Chief of the Navy Vice-Admiral Hendrik Johan van Apeldoorn-Tulp will be laid to rest this week, after taking his own life following a conviction by a military tribunal in which the senior officer was found innocent of treason but guilty of other lesser charges.

Tulp was known as a powerful advocate for the military and was a loyal supporter of the monarchy, even after its official dissolution with the founding of the Second Republic.

PICTURE: A naval cadet is grief-stricken upon hearing the news.

While highly decorated for his military service and bravery combatting terrorism, the officer, who claimed to detest politics, often found himself involved in a number of political controversies, including his recommendations for military actions in the Western Eutopian Territory, his past friendship with renegade Air Force General Dan Hartwell, and his violent confrontation with then-president Vasco IKK.

Queen Maria issued her own proclamation declaring the day of the funeral to be a national day of mourning, in the eyes of the royal family, and has sent her condolences to Mrs. Tulp and her son, a junior Eutopian naval officer.

Arrangements for the funeral are being made by the family.

EUTOPIAN NAVY BEGINS PATROLS: "JUST ROUTINE" SAYS ADMIRAL GREER

Eutopian naval taskforces have been assembled for patrols of the nation's territorial waters, but military authorities insist this is "simply routine", a measure taken to follow up the Coast Guard forces interception of an unregistered ship off the Nueva Rioja coast. The ship was found to be carrying a variety of arms, but the government has not released any information about its origin.

BUDGET ANALYST CRITICIZED

Eutopian Central Bank Chairman Arun Rao was criticized by ECB Vice-Chair Claire-Marie Turgot for "letting politics cloud professionalism" in a statement today, announcing her resignation.

“Eutopia’s economy faces serious problems, and the government continues to have difficulty meeting this challenge," said Turgot, "However, on several occasions my supervisor Per Rao has taken a position, be it on principal or otherwise, so critical of the government that I believe it has clouded his perceptions and has led to a poisoned work environment within the ECB. It is with much regret that I tender my resignation, but until we stop arguing who is at fault and start working toward solutions, I cannot perfrom my job with the due diligence it deserves."

Several ECB employees have, off the record, confirmed Vice-Chair Turgot's assertations about the Chairman's attitude and criticism of the government. A visibly aggravated Rao, responded only with a brief written statement saying that while he "respectfully disagrees with Per Turgot's assertations" that she was a valuable employee and that he "regrets her decision". Chariman Rao stated that this resignation will not affect the bank's performance.

It is widely speculated that Alan Parsons, ECB Director of Foreign Investments, is in line to succeed Turgot.

SOUTH AFRICAN HEIRESS AND PRECIOUS GEMSTONE MISSING

Last seen storming out of a party supposedly in her honor, South African Heiress Witney VonVaam has not been seen leaving Kruger Hall Banquet Center in Douglas four nights ago.
The heiress was wearing her family's rare "Heart of the Lion Ruby" at a special charity dinner in Douglas to benefit Eutopia's museums.

Police have no leads at this time but cite there is to evidence to "suggest or rule out" foul play.

AMBULANCE CARJACKED
An ambulance transporting vital organs to a Harton hospital was hijacked at gunpoint last night by four masked men. The driver and technicians in the ambulance were not seriously hurt, though one was struck violently to the head from behind.

The ambulance was recovered early this morning, abandoned in a Gulp & Blow parking lot, stripped of all equipment and the organs.

BUSINESS WRAP-UP

* American mining equipment manufacturer Cartmanmetal announced today that it may reconsider leaving Eutopia, noting recent action in the National Assembly addressing worker benefits and unemployment insurance. CEO Kyle Marsh announced that the company will postpone a decision for the next six months while they evaluate the regulatory environment.

unmerged(4271) · Apr 20, 2004

NEW FISHING AGREEMENT STALLED - BUT FISHERMEN HOPE FOR SIGNING

The NAFA talks, hosted in Canada and initiated by former MTEF Michael vonStreusser have stalled but all parties admit to making unexpected progress and hope they can wrap up an agreement by the end of the week.

Four issues seem to be at the fore-front of the twelve nations' discussion: territorial rights, fishing quotas, economic regulations and steps to preserve sustainability of fishing stocks.

No issue has a majority of nations behind it. It appears that on each issue there are 4-5 in favor, 4-5 against, and the rest undecided.

Observers feel that the necessary majority could be obtained by uniting the factions favoring new regulations against the block of nations opposed to any changes, however disagreement remains on the best way to preserve those common interests.

One faction, led by Eutopia and joined by Spain and Norway favors new territorial rights, another led by Morocco, has offered new national quotas as the solution to the shared problems identified by the other nations.

Meanwhile, the Japanes, Russians, and Chinese, remain opposed to any change of the status quo.

Canadian trade representative Erik Cole says he believes an agreement will be reached, but it is unknown what the agreement will ultimately look like.

Eutopian fisherpers generally regard this progress as good news as they have found themselves unable to compete with the larger industrial fishing operations of many European nations.

MAJOR SCHISM IN LABOR MOVEMENT

The organized labor movement of Eutopia suffered a dramatic split following a national conference that turned violent. The Eutopian Congress of Labor was meeting for its special "Meet the New Government" rally and program, held after every inauguration, when an open floor discussion about recent government policies led to a heated debate and the successful passage of a vote-of-no-confidence resolution from the floor.

Labor leaders disputed the resoultion and tried to disallow it under the standing rules, but were loudly overruled. An especially large showing at the rally pitted long-time union leaders against angry rank and file members who claimed the ECL had failed them.

Citing the specific passage of the RUUB, which stripped many workers of unemployment benefits many regarded as "fair", if not "generous", angry union members recited a long list of grievences about the plight of the working man and the failure of the organized labor movement to protect their interests.
The debate had a distinctly territorial feel as the angriest demonstrators seemed to originate from the French and Spanish provinces, while the union leadership has traditionally come from the more industrialized northern provinces.

Violence broke out when a frustrated chapter boss uttered an ethnically-charged slur in reference to one of the ringleaders of the protesting group, who was in violation of the assembly's rules for debate. No one was seriously injured, though the ECL has been told they will not be refunded their security deposit from the Eutopia City Airport Hilton.

A new slate of leaders will be chosen at the next ECL meeting. However a large number of the agitated members claim that they do not have the numbers to see the real changes they seek and a number have vowed to form a rival organization, which they promise will do a better job of protecting their interests.

ROCHEFORT MAYOR SLAMS PRESIDENT, CHANGES PARTY

Holding a press conference in the heart of one of the best performing districts for the CRP, Rochefort Mayor Claude Cretain has publically denounced President Glasser and announced that he is leaving the CRP and joining the new Common Sense Initiative (CSI) party which formed before the last elections. Also on hand at the press conference were four other former CRP and DA city councillors. Three were also joining the CSI while the fourth announced he would join the Ligue d'Icarie (LDI).

Per Cretain cited "unabashed scapegoating" and "a shunting of responsibility like a duck sheds water" in criticizing a plan offered by the president, in his role of MTEF (the first president to assume the role of a minister in the post-regency period), to facilitate the privitization of MARTICON.

"Clearly this (the privitization) will have an damaging impact on Rochefort," said Cretain, "What is unknown is whether the damage will be moderate or crippling to our economy. No one in Rochefort wanted this, but now to say that the Rochefort facilities can be saved if the city would only step in, when the President knows full well we do not have the municipal resources to purchase, let alone administer and operate, such a large facility, gives them a false hope and makes us look like it is we have failed our people, since we cannot accomplish this impossible task, thereby (gasp for air) turning the wrath of the public away from those who could prevent this, and misdirecting it toward us."

Cretain would take no further questions, but leaders of the CSI and LDI both saw this as a move giving additional legitimacy to both of their parties.

EUTOPIAN NAVY BEGINS PATROLS: "MYSTERIOUS CONTACT ELUSIVE"

Eutopian naval taskforces have reported tracking an unmarked vessel on the south-westerly territorial waters of Eutopia, but the swift craft was able to elude military authorities who attempted to intercept it.

Coast Guard were contacted and assumed authority once the unknown ship entered within the shoreline waters of the island, but were unable to make visual confirmation and lost it on their detection equipment.

"We don't feel there is a threat to the Eutopian people," said a spokesper for the coastguard, "We think that, whatever it was doing, we likely scared it away."

Naval and coast guard patrols will continue, say authorities.

RAUCUS CAUCUS SHOCKS THE DOCKS / TOP COP STOPPED BY "JOCK"

It has not been a very healthy inaugural season.

Newly appointed MECT Josephus Locke was injured in a barfight in Buen Puerto last night. Police carried the new minister to the local hospital where he was discharged following the setting of his broken nose an treatements for minor cuts and abrasions.

Police cursed mayhem, which pulled many of them from duty across the city once it was reported, erroneously, that there was gun play involved.

Minor vandalism has been reported on the docks of Buen Puerto that police say likely resulted from their being called away to break up the fight.

Several dockworkers who witnessed the fight called it "the best ever" and, though denying it to the police, have been tempting local drunkards to engage in similar fisticuffs for cash or liquor.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter newly appointed MILE Hawkton Tilly was admitted to Eutopia General Hospital, after collapsing in his office due to what witness claim was a "lifting accident". The MILE was seen being carried out on a stretcher, uttering a blue-streak of profanity.

Personal security for the MILE has prevented the media from inquiring further, but former MILE employees (under Konstantin Vilms) who were moving out of the office for the new administration claim Eutopia's legal eagle was clutching at his groin and seemed to be writhing in pain.

"I dunno what he done did to his jock," said former stock-room attendant Georges Jonas, "but it sure looked painful."

SOUTH AFRICAN HEIRESS CAR FOUND

Police report discovering the red sports car of South African Heiress Witney VonVaam, last seen Kruger Hall Banquet Center two weeks ago. The car was found on the other side of Douglas, off the road and obscured by bushes near Casa Legno, the estate of recently deceased MDIA and presidential candidate Charles Morgan.

No trace of Per Von Vaam was found on the car, only what the police are describing as "hobo rags" and a bag of discarded fast food wrappers and a Mad Magazine. While there does not appear to be any forensi evidence to suggest harm to Per VonVaam, the car appears to have wrecked at high speeds and was determined to be inoperable.

Recent rains have made the scene difficult for police to analyze and, for example, no foot prints, were found at the wreck, going toward or away from the car.

"Probably washed out in the storm," said Douglas Police Commissioner Mahoney. "Dammit."

CLINIC ROBBERY FOILED
Whether it was a late night robbery attempt or merely a case of vandalism gone too far, an emergency medical clinic in Dunwich saw an attempted break-in foiled due to the late night patrols of local police.

Six teen-agers or young adults, between ages 16 and 21 police estimate, were seen on a security camera approaching the clinic from the forested area behind the parking lot. Dressed in black and wielding crow-bars, tools, and carrying what appeared to be coolers and cans of spray paint, they assembled behind the clinic and began working to unlock the door, triggering a silent alarm.

Police patrols, recently increased in areas around medical facilities, intercepted this alarm within minutes, arrived on the scene, and pursued the suspects, all of who escaped.

Police are examining the tools and equipment they left behind as well as the video surveillance footage from the clinic. It appears as though three of the youths are Topa, one is Latin, and the remaining two are Anglo.

One source from the clinic's security company said husks and seeds from what appeared to be Topa Chewing Root were found on site, but the police refuse to comment on that, or any evidence found at the crime scene.

AIRPORT DRUG FUGITIVE MISSING

The now infamous American, Steve Whitsox, who defied orders to leave Eutopia by living in the New Lancaster City Airport, has been missing for 2 months and his family has asked for an official investigation into his disappearence.

Witnesses claim that Whitsox was forcibly removed from an airduct by private security forces 6-8 weeks ago, but no one has seen him since he was "thrown in a truck and driven away". The family has complained to several airlines and is seeking government aid.

The American Embassy has filed a polite inquiry into the matter, asking for "just the facts" regarding the case. Whitsox is wanted in America on several outstanding drug charges.

FOREIGN SHIP BUILDERS CONSIDER FILLING MARITCON VOID & OTHER NEWS

* While no domestic investors have moved to fill the void that has been left by the privatization of Maritcon, several foreign ship building concerns are said to be considering entering the Eutopian market. Location, above all else, seems to be the chief factor in their decision making, followed distantly by business climate and competitive issues. While there has been luke-warm interest in bidding on the facilities, some corporations have looked at the advantages of simply building a new, more competitive shipbuilding concern, with their own trained employees.

* American mining equipment manufacturer Cartmanmetal announced today that it will in fact remain in Eutopia. CEO Kyle Marsh announced that the company will by laying off aproximately 20% of its Eutopian workforce, but that the remainder of the jobs can be saved. Industry observers question the timing of this announcement and wonder if the decision to lay off workers was planned all along and only delayed until passage of a more favorable employer-requirement under the new RUBB.

* Gulp & Blow fast food restaurant franchises reported a 20% drop in earnings, resulting predominantly by an unofficial, and announced apparent boycott in the Latin provinces. Company spokespers say that they have received no notice or complaint from any individual or group, but that sales in the Spanish and French speaking provinces of Eutopia have dropped off more than 83% this quarter, down 36% for the year.

unmerged(4271) · Apr 27, 2004

***** NEWS FLASH! *****

GENERAL STRIKE CALLED IN LATIN PROVINCES TO PROTEST PRESIDENTIAL GAFFE

Protests spread like wildfire, as President Glasser's recent comments at a national town hall meeting were televised all across Eutopia by TdE's 24 hour news service, and culminated in a general strike throughout the Spanish-Speaking Latin Provinces of Eutopia.

A contentious argument between a retired law professor and several high ranking members of the the EUtopian government appeared to be over, when the President addressed the old man as the recently unseated Superior Court Judge Cesar Anton, who had been the topic of the argument.

Latin rights advocates called the President's statements "extremely offensive" as well as "troubling".

"Not only does it appear that he has trouble distinguishing one Latino from another," said Matteo Ocho, a noted community activitist, "but it also suggests, that if he cannot identify Per Anton, of whom he has been so criticial, that perhaps he is not as familiar with this case as he has suggested."

The incident has touched off already long-simmering anti-government sentiment among the Latino community, who have been taken anti-government marches to the capital to protest proposed anti-smoking legislation, the closing of Maritcon, and the general plight of the fishing industry, which they claim is suffering from government neglect going back many terms.

The strikes are organized, in part, by separatist labor leaders who recently left the Eutopian Congress of Labor following complaints that the group had failed to adequately protect workers' interests.

All sectors are affected: agriculture, transportation, civil service (including many support industries for the military), general labor, construction and contracting, teachers, medical workers, and all organized trades.

The old man at the center of the controversy, Per Leo Camacho of Buen Puerto, has been reluctant to appear publically but has given tacit endorsement to the strikes, claiming "I wish the Anglos in Eutopia City would just leave us alone to do our own business.

unmerged(4271) · May 14, 2004

NEW FISHING AGREEMENT SIGNED

A new North Atlantic Fishing Agreement was signed this week, to institute tighter controls on Atlantic fishing. It replaces an earlier agreement which had expired during the tenure of President Murmurandus.

The conference, hosted by Canada, was convened in large part due to the extensive diplomatic efforts of former MTEF Michael vonStreusser. Now a deputy minister, Per vonStreusser spent years shuttling between nations to make the conference possible.

The new agreement reinstates a limited set of territorial rights, based on the original agreement, but with some newly redefined lines, some shared territory, and most importantly with new quotas for seasonal harvesting, designed to prevent overfishing and to protect fish stocks. Other lesser agreements have been reached in terms of enforcement, environmental, and economic regulations .
Eutopia will not enjoy the generous rights once held under the original NAFA agreement, but even with shared territoriral rights to the once fish-rich Northern Shoal, Eutopia's beleaguered fishing industry should experience some relief at last.

Some controversies may emerge following the conference, such as whether France is or is not legally bound by the agreement, seeing as their representative, an Andorran Mountain Goat, took a bite out of the agreement rather than signing it. Also, it is widely believed that Spain and Eutopia had made an arrangement prior to the conference, and now Spain is looking to collect on some generous economic concessions, once of which specifies using Maritcon facilities, facilities that are being privatized by the government.
Finally there are some issues about the personal financial interests of deputy minister vonStreusser in this project.

Public response was mixed, with northern fishermen, including many Norse and Topa, ecstatic about the agreement and expressing, perhaps overly optimistic, confidence in their recovery. Mayor Thorsbeard and other Farpoint officials celebrated the daily launch of fishing vessels the morning after the agreement was signed with much fanfare. In the South, where general labor strikes continue, many expressed the pessimism that it was too little too late, questioned the new quota, and suggested that Northern fishermen would benefit far more than they would.

NEW LANCASTER AIRPORT EXPANSION OPENS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

The New Lancaster Aiport Expansion, a sprawling new international terminal will open this week ahead of schedule. The facility, many years in the making, was commissioned under the O’Floinn administration and great expense was invested to ensure that it became a “state of the art model” of environmental friendliness.

The new terminal will serve as an international hub for Chilean Air, LiberiAIR, and it’s two anchor tenants, SkyCrane (South Korea’s largest airline) and AirSingapore. Trade representatives will be visiting from Asia to celebrate the grand opening. Many former government officials are also expected to be honored.

One guest who will not be attending is the Eutopian Tiger Mosquito. Despite some efforts by the MHSA (prior to the ministerial reorganization) to preserve the species, changes to stream water and run-off patterns in the area eliminated its breeding grounds and captured specimens in captivity have not survived.

Construction of the airport was completed by LCRR Construction and General Contracting ahead of the expected schedule. A corporate spokesperson credited on-time deliveries from supplier BlueSteel Enterprises along with a strong labor pool for the accelerated completion. Some union officials have grumbled about the hours put in on the job, but most general construction was completed by members of a new trade union that seems more willing to accept more taxing work load in exchange for increased compensation.

VONVAAM RUBY FOUND, SUSPECT QUESTIONED

An unexpected development, far from the area under extensive search by the police, was made in the missing persons of South African heiress Whitney VonVaam. Undercover police, on routine duty in Kirby were offered a chance to buy the “Heart of African Ruby”, the priceless family heirloom of VonVaam, buy local two-bit hood and three-time-loser “Lucky” Malloy.

“This fell completely into our laps,” said police commissioner Callahan, “Malloy is a low-level recidivist, we pick him up all the time for gambling, minor scams, and trying to fence stolen items. Could he be responsible for VonVamm’s disappearence? I think that’s very unlikely.”

Police are taking no chances, however, and after an extensive interrogation they are weighing their options. “We believe we can convict him on attempting to sell stolen goods, but right now we can’t link him to the actual theft, or anything about VonVaam,” said Callahan.

However, local defense attorney, Lucius Tiberius Matlock claims that under the new Eutopian Charter of Rights, Malloy cannot be held in police custody for crimes he has not been charged with, and given the low level nature of the current charges against Malloy and that he presents no flight-risk, he cannot be denied bail. Matlock however insists that Malloy will cooperate with the investigation, “within reasonable expectations, exercising the rights afforded him.”

Meanwhile, the VonVaam family has made another plea to the MDIA, this one citing a relative indifference by the South African government to their case, and begging Eutopia for assistance in finding their missing loved on.

TRAIN WRECK NARROWLY AVERTED

Consumer safety advocates are up in arms in protest of Eutopia's failure to address crucial infrastructure needs in the light of a near catastrophe involving a train malfunction outside of Eutopia City.

Two passenger trains were routed onto the same track at high speeds, from opposite directions during morning commuting hours, and only the heroic actions of city transit workers prevented massive loss of life as a make-shift side-tracking device was overlaid on the tracks and one train was routed to a rough, but non-fatal stop in a nearby field.

Eutopia City Mayor Force-Majeur was extremely critical of the government, holding up an earlier infrastructure audit which found many extremely dangerous problems with Eutopia's rail system in one hand, and a copy of what appeared to be a draft national budget in the other, showing cuts in infrastructure spending.

"If there was ever evidence that the government is incompetent and unworthy to serve, it is surely this!" said the young graduate student who won a surprising election last fall. "If this draft budget is accurate, it is unconscionable that needed improvements and investments are not being made. It is damned near criminal if cuts are actually being considered!"

One hundred and twenty passengers were treated for minor scrapes and bruises and only two injuries required overnight hospitalization.

STRIKES CONTINUE IN ISABELLA, NUEVA RIOJA

Strikes by many latino Eutopians continued in the Spanish-speaking provinces, with some sympathy demonstrations in neighboring Fort Aux Francis. Most private rallies and protests have ended as many familes, seeing no government response to their actions have bitterly returned to work or to their homes. However more dedicated union members in several important trades and services continue to hold out for relief, calling for greater respect and treatment for Ibereo-Eutopians, greater provincial autonomy over civil service, agricultural policy and police functions, and a release of Judge Cesar Anton, whom many claim is being held as a “political prisoner”.

The strikes are contributing to a national economic slump, claims Jean Bodin College economist Ran D’Omobservier. “But certainly not the driving force behind it,” the professor concludes, “Eutopia still continues to pull out of a depressed economy largely dependent on raw materials, while it’s indiustrial climate is best described as volatile . The strikes merely delay the recovery nationwide, and further sink the economies of these depressed provinces.”

When suggested to a striking Buen Puertolese pipe-fitter that, according to the economist, the strikes may be doing more to hurt him than help him by extending the depression, the NEWSLINK reporter was met with a very gesture and a reply of “Depress this!”.

ESRP LEADER LINKED TO CHILD P*RNOGRAPHY CASE

Eutopa City Police confirmed that they are investigating a random tip, linking MECT and ESRP leader Josephus Sergei Locke to an ongoing investigation into illicit, illegal pornography.

“We did not intend to release this information, as we feel it is damaging to our case-work, but when presented with this specific, direct inquiry, we can confirm that, yes, the MECT is one of several suspects under investigation. Beyond that, we have no comment,” said a visibly frustrated detective.

FORMER AIRFORCE CHIEF ASSAULTED IN PRISON

Former Brigadeer General David Haynes was treated for minor injuries after being ambushed at the Capistrano National Confinement Facility by an angry mob of homosexual prisoners, who bitterly cited his role in the Eutopan Homosexual Assoociation riots several years ago as they struck him from behind and beat him.

The two assailants, Tommy "Tiny" Atticus and Osbourne "Oz" Hobo, were confined to solitary and face additional criminal charges and transfer to a maximum security prison.

The two plan to file a special request for location within the same facility, as they seek claim entitlement to "conjugal visits", having been united under the law in a civil ceremony by the prison chaplain.

Per Haynes' is scheduled for release later this week and has been, according to the report of his prison wardens "a model prisoner". Both agree that he seems "legitimately contrite" and "rehabilitated".

BODIES FOUND ON SHORE NEAR MONESTARY

Eutopian forensice experts have identified two bodies that washed ashore near a monestary in outside of St. Brendanstown as the remains of two foreign nationals employed by Operational Security Incorporated. Police believe they were shot at close range, suggesting an execution-style murder or an ambush, and dumped in the ocean.

No debris or abandoned sea vessel or aircraft have been found near the site, though officials will continue their search.

TEENAGER FOUND BEATEN

Yeosh'Ua Aktari, a student at Farpoint High School, was found badly beaten in the trees just off the highway entering the city. He had disappeared the day before on a field trip to Douglas, along with two other students. The other missing students were caught loitering by Douglas police and returned to their homes last night, but neither knew the whereabouts of Aktari.

EUTOPIAN MINISTER GOES WILD IN DC

Former President and current MDIA PG Talbott, was spotted in an underground club in downtown Washington, while allegedly in America for "diplomatic purposes".

What sort of diplomacy was involved in the abandoned warehouse full of loud techno-tronic music and illicit drugs, such as contraband Eutopian Topa Root, is unknown at this time, although repeated inquiries have been made of Mrs. Talbott .

PICTURE: Prof . Talbott's jacket, as confirmed by Mrs. Talbott, is seen on an American youth.

MORE PROBLEMS AROUND EUTOPIAN HOSPITALS

Private security firm Operations Security Incorporated reported foiling an alleged attempted robbery at the Harton Public Hospital last night, capturing one suspicious trespasser as her companions drove off in panic.

Hattie Puerst was turned over to police custody who are holding her on charges of trespassing, but claim they do not have sufficient evidence to charge her with attempted robbery, breaking or entering, or any more serious crime.

Per Puerst was less than cooperative about her detainment, "It's just more oppression, yo. It's a public hospital, maybe I was hurt, yo, and needed to be there. Buncha overgrown men beat me down without cause, and at least one of them tried to touch me, ya know?, in the wrong way? I ought sue all you suits."

Meanwhile, hospital officials in St. Martin De Porres report over 16 pts of type O negative blood missing from their facilities. Hospital administrators are extremely unhappy, as blood of this type was already in short supply. So far there are no leads reported by Nueva Rioja police or private OSI Security.

MARITCON EMPLOYEES ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF CO-OP, INTENT TO BUY FACILITY

Managers and labor representatives of Maritcon employees appeared at a press conference together to announce the formation of OurTime, a wholly consumer & employee owned cooperative which will attempt to raise the funds to purchase Maritcon, as provided for by recent government privatization plans.

Whether or not OurTime will attract significant consumer interest and investment remains to be seen. Employee have been receptive to the idea of purchasing the government-owned and operated ship-building concern, but even united they fell far short of the resources necessary for the purchase. It is hoped that local fishermen, commercial transportation companies, and recreational boat owners will take advantage of the opportunity to buy into OurTime.

Many questions concerning regulation of Maritcon functions by the government, after it transfers ownership, remain, but the assembled co-op founders appeared positive and upbeat about their chances.

COUNCIL ON ETHICS RECOMMENDS DIVESTITURE

The recent success by deputy minister Michael von Streusser in securing a new NAFA agreement drew the praise of many observers around the state, but it also piqued the interest of some academics who noted the potential conflict of interest posed by Per von Streussers extensive investments in the fishing industry, which he made during the O'Floinn administration via his Von Streusser Enterprises Conglomerate.

With the recent American coal agreement, and now the NAFA breakthrough, VSEC should realize significant profits via their formerly undervalued coal and fishing divisions, and, if the government is successful in ending the Canadian lumber dumping, in their timber and lumber division as well. Similar questions have been raised about MHES Al'Aeshir's corporation receiving lucrative government contracts to perform services otherwise unavailable in Eutopia.

The new Council on Ethics, a creation of independent faculty at Eutopia's colleges and universities stressed that in both instances, it appears that no laws were broken and that both government officials acted ethically. However, both appear to have profited handsomely from their investments.

"We would recommend either divestiture of assets in regulated areas, " said the Council's spokesperson, Urban Dorff, "or placing such assets in a blind trust for the duration of an individual's public service."

"Either that, or" he added, "some sharing of these investement tips with the rest of us."

WANTED: Advertising Job Vacancies

Police Detectives: Applicants are encouraged to apply at the office of the MILE.

unmerged(4271) · Jun 3, 2004

FORMER PRESIDENT VASCO I KILLED KENNY SLAIN

Shortly after being spotted shopping in a ritzy Eutopia City department store, after a long absence from public life, former President Vasco I Killed Kenny, was shot six times by a masked assailant, and pronounced dead by emergency technicians arriving on the scene.

The former president had been seen only rarely in Eutopia following his defeat to Conservative Coalition candidate Pierre Talbott. Some speculated that he was greatly weakened from his bout with the virus known as " Hurteau Fever ", while others thought he was embittered by his defeat. One former cabinet minister, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, recalled the former president saying "I don't much care for the news, unless it is about me."

The shopping trip prompted a large crowd to gather around the young ex-president, many of whom wondered what he was buying. Then, stepping out from a supply closet at the Cream-o-Rama ice cream ship, a masked man pushed people out of the way and leveled his .45 directly into I Killed Kenny's chest and shouted, "Death to the liberals, the socialists, and the communists! Death to I Killed Kenny and all of his followers!" before pumping five shots into his victims chest and one into his head. He then fled amid the chaos.

Investigating officers have uncovered old propaganda literature within the supply closet from the now defunct NERA and Tridentist movements, as well as an Anti-Topan organization.

Funeral arrangments are being handled by I Killed Kenny's family and no word has been given whether the affair will be public or private.

STOLEN RUBY SUSPECT FOUND BUTCHERED

Kirby police were shocked to discover the butchered remains of local two-bit hood and three-time-loser “Lucky” Malloy, who had been released on bail awaiting trial.

Malloy's attorney, Lucius Tiberius Matlock , first called the police at 9:01 am when his client failed to make am 9:00am meeting. "I value promptness as a sign of the necessary respect between a client and his attorney", he claimed, "and I feared something might have happened following a most unfortunate event earlier in the week with a Per Vasquez.

Matlock called the police again when he arrived at Malloy's home an hour and 20 minutes later to find Malloy's door open and Malloy, or what was left of him, mutliated in his bedroom.

"This was truly horrific. No one human could have committed an act so savage!" Matlock declared. He refused to answer any additional questions that he claimed might impede the police investigation.

Malloy was found lying in a pool of blood. Various unidentified symbols and glyphs were painted on the walls. Malloy's throat had been slashed, and he was missing his heart, kidneys, and his liver.

"We are of course extremely concerned about this, said Kirby police commissioner Callahan, “Not only is this an unsolved barbaric murder, but Malloy also presented one of our only leads in the case of VonVamm’s disappearence. Are these two events connected? We don't want to comment on the record at this time.”

QUEEN MARIA BEGINS ROYAL TOUR

Queen Maria Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who has quietly become recognized as the most legitimate among the claimaints to Eutopia's dissolved monarchy, has begun a tour of the Western Eutopian Territory, highlighting the diversity and strength of EUtopia united.

This is the first time the queen has returned to the wild Eutopian territory since a show down with US forces occupying Farpoint and an attempted assasination attempt on then-President Jacob Langley.

The Queen plans on visiting Farpoint and many smaller towns, in part continuing the royal families long tradition of advocating for Topan rights and welfare. Details of the tour have not yet been announced but there is some public speculation about whether this will also be the first public appeareance of her grandson, the son of Per Blade! and Princess Francesca.

Depending on the success of the trip, a second tour, to the Spanish-speaking provinces is being consider to speak with the African EUtopian community about issues relavant to their interests, which include strengthening the EUtopian Textile industry and Tobacco production facilities, many of which are owned by the African community.

Support for the monarchy is varied across Eutopia (see related poll) but Maria, herself, is generally well regarded and respected throughout the nation.

TRAIN WRECK VICTIMS TO SUE MTEF, PRESIDENT

Consumer safety advocates are up in arms in protest of Eutopia's failure to address crucial infrastructure needs in the light of a near catastrophe involving a train malfunction outside of Eutopia City.

Following the near collision of two passenger trains resulting in one wreck, and previous railway catastrophes, a group of injured survivors have decided to sue not the government, but the two men who had been serving as MTEF this term, President Glasser and Minister Vilms. Former MTEF Langley has also been named in the suit but has not yet been served.

Spurred on in part by the court case against Judge Cesar Anton, attorney for the plaintiffs, H. Ross Suwholot stated at a press conference following his filing of the suit that, "Personal responsibility must be acknowledged. Government is not some faceless black-box entity from which all policy emerges. It is the collective action of several individuals, and individuals can be held accountable."

Vilms and Glasser are accused of extreme negligence in the performance of their duties in the Suwholot brief, failing to act as any rational individual would in correcting widely known safety deficiencies with Eutopia's rail system. Suwholot cites a previous audit by the Eutopian Association of Professional Engineers (EAPE) very critical of Eutopia's rail systems, which was publicly released, calling for immediate improvements. He has further filed a motion to review as evidence transcripts of previous Cabinet meetings on the budget from this term and last.

Fourteen victims have joined the suit and Suwholot claims that his is in discussion with survivors and victims' families from the previous train wreck about expanding the lawsuit.

STRIKING WORKERS GET RELIEF IN BUEN PUERTO

Striking workers and their families in Buen Puerto will receive some well-needed, they claim, relief in Buen Puerto thanks to the Buen Puerto Civic Improvement Fund. Sponsored in part by such donors as the RPE and Le Compagnie de Renard Rouge, the fund will be making charitable contributions to the families of these workers and is exploring contributions to local schools and to develop playgrounds in poorer areas of the city habitated mostly by laborers.

City Treaurer Michael Marine is credited with this generous gesture and many Latin families have sent him letters of thanks, hand picked flowers, and baked goods to show their appreciation.

Workers on strike have agreed to return to work on the basis of a four-day work week until such time as the National Assembly approves the agreement reached betweent them and the Cabinet.

AMERICAN EXPATRIATE AUTHOR FOUND BURNING BOOKS

Police in Huntington were stumped by a strange case where American author Edmund Dhampir, now a Eutopian citizen removed sixteen volumes of his four best selling novels, including his latest, Jiggle-hose, exited the library and disappeared.

Local librarian Millie Spinster, a witness, claims to have been too shocked, partly in awe of meeting the author in person, to have stopped him.

"I thought perhaps he was going to sign them or something. I didn't know what he was doing," she told the media.

Later, responding to a complaint by local park patrons of someone starting a fire, police found Dhampir cooking a hot dog in Marshall Park, roasting it over the sixteen burning volumes.

Dhampir has been charged a Ð50 fine for illegal burning and asked to reimburse the library for the cost of the books.

RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES MISSING FROM HOSPITAL

A routine audit at Notre Dame Hospital in Castries revealed two missing canisters of
Cobalt-60 and one missing canister of Cobalt-57, radioactive isotopes commonly used in cancer treatments, instrument sterilization, and medical research.

Hospital Administrator Luc Eauewing expressed grave concern that the substances had gone missing but assured authorities that "at present" there was no signs of any foul play and that the materials disappearance "could be as simple as an administrative mistake".

Hospitals have specific guidelines and protocols for the procurement, handling, and disposal of these substances and it would appear that these have been either violated or proven insufficient in keeping adequate controls over the materials.

Operational Security Incorporated is under contract with the government to provide hospital security, but a local representative claims that he has comment on "what appears to be a bureaucratic error" and refutes any claim of responsibility. However, he has directed any additional inquiries to the OSI Corporate Headquarters.

POLL COMMISSIONED ON ISSUES OF MONARCHY

Eutopia Newslink Polling Group (ENPG) has announced it will conduct a comprehensive public opinion poll on issues of the monarchy. Initial pre-survey testing has indicated great diversity of opinion from province to province with very mixed feelings about the history of the monarchy and any potential reinstatement of it, while feelings about Queen Maria Saxe-Coburg-Gotha specifically and the royal family remain relatively positive.

Various questions will be explored but no set date has been revealed for official release of the poll.

TOURISM BOOM ANTICIPATED

With summer vacation season beginning, and new international hubs recently opened, Eutopian business economists are predicting a record tourism season, anticipating large numbers of Eutopian and Asian visitors to the island. Popular vacation destinations include the W.E.T, Rochefort Beach in Nouvelle Anjou, Matamoros in Isabella, and Eutopia City.

UNKNOWN PREDATOR STALKS GLORIANA CATTLE, SHEEP

Sixteen head of livestock were found slain by an unknown predator in the hills of Gloriana. Additionally, two steers and one goat had to be put down after being discovered with brutal crippling injuries.
National Game and Wildlife officials are stumped over the case, as no evidence has been found to suggest a specific predator. Black bears are common in the wilderness, and on rare occasion the Auxian Lynx will seen miles from its native mountains of the WET, but none of these cases suggest either predator. Wild or feral dogs are also being considered as an option.

EUTOPIAN ARTISTS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER FILE SHARING

While certainly not as large an industry as its American counterpart, the music industry of Eutopia, and its various artists, have convened a special conference to discuss the losses they have suffered on behalf of public audio & video file sharing and illegal copying and distribution of their works, as well as unauthorized public broadcast of their copyrighted material.

Other than a strong statement condemning the practice and a resolution seeking government intervention, it is unknown what more their actions will accomplish. However Eutopian musical artists ranging from Tommy John to The Knockin' Bones have united in their call for action.

INDUSTRIAL STOCKS FALL

While Eutopia's coal and fishing industries are experiencing a rebound, with none doing quite so well as Von Streusser Enterprises Conglomerate, industrial stocks fell for the third straight week. The lag has been in part due to the poor performance of several large privately held companies, such as BlueSteel, Graham Motors, and TITLabs. Though not trading on the Neuwestbaden Exchange themselves, the perceived manufacturing and production slowdown by these companies has led to lower consumer confidence in general, and many of these companies trading partners and suppliers, which are publicly traded have suffered for it.

Spokespers of the various companies were not available for comment.

unmerged(4271) · Jun 20, 2004

UNIONIST MOVEMENT FORMED TO COMBAT FREE

In a surprising show of political force and influence, a new grass-roots political movement, dedicated to “Preserving the Union” of Eutopia’s provinces presented to the National Assembly a signed petition from the mayors of twenty-two Anglo-Majority Province cities and a resolution from the New Lancaster Provincial Assembly calling for a rejection of the proposed FREE legislation.

“Eutopia cannot balkanize and allow our great nation to splinter under the false mantle of local autonomy,” said a Unionist spokesperson.

The sheer number of local officials, of several different political parties, joining together behind this common cause raised eyebrows throughout Eutopia City.

Latin supporters of the FREE legislation, demonstating peacefully outside the National Assembly building booed and cursed the Unionist delegation as they presented their petition and resolution. Police were on-hand to prevent any violence, but tempers flared with these political opponents using less than civil discourse to air their differences.

SPAIN COMES CALLING TO COLLECT ON EUTOPIAN PROMISES

A diplomatic delegation from Spain has taken temporary residence in the little-used Spanish Embassy in Eutopia City. In a formal communication to the MDIA and MTEF, they have stated their intent to officially claim the benefits promised to them in exchange for their cooperation with the NAFA II treaty.

Some concerns have been expressed by the delegation about the privatization of MARITCON, as the use of certain facilities of Eutopia’s formerly state-run shipbuilding and maintenance concern were promised to the Spaniards as part of a deal to ensure their cooperation during the NAFA II talks. A deal, the Spaniards remind us, in which they have completed their end of the bargain.

Relations with Spain and Eutopia have suffered since the post-Regency period, first due to the opening of the Eutopian Fishing Shoals with the expiration of the first NAFA treaty, then with the Eutopian acceptance of Western Saharans the Spanish and Moroccans sought for questioning. How this situation is resolved will, experts say, have profound influence on the future long-term relations between the two nations. They point to warmed relations with France which took an immediate plunge after France executed their side of a deal with Eutopia, but felt cheated and wronged by Eutopia’s actions in their completion of the deal.

METEROLOGISTS PREDICTING WORST HURRICANE SEASON IN A CENTURY

Eutopia City Meteorologists with the National Academy of Scientists (ENAS) are predicting that the upcoming hurricane season will be the most turbulent since the 1911 storms that wracked the island in the early 20th Century.

American and European scientists concur with this prediction and the ENAS are urging citizens to take precautions now to survive a potentially catastrophic storm. Citizens are urged to have a healthy supply of bottled water, flashlights, a battery powered radio, a fresh supply of batteries, a first aid kit, and sufficient rations that can be consumed without preparation via electricity.

Some Eutopians are also stocking up with rope, plastic tarp and canvas, hammers, nails, and plywood, and other supplies to help protect their property. Some have purchased portable generators and a supply of gasoline, though MHES officials are urging caution with their use.

STRIKERS CONTINUE PART TIME IN ISABELLA, NUEVA RIOJA, GRAVITATE TOWARD NATIONALISM

As promised, a “strike” continued in many area of Latin Eutopia as workers continue to take Fridays off as part of their vigil monitoring government acceptance or rejection of the FREE agreement, which contains many of the reforms sought by discontent Latins.

Now moving into their third month, the strikes, though limited, continue to present a hardship for the national economy and, in particular, the Latin provinces.

Many workers have begun dedicating their Fridays to political organization, with many charismatic nationalist movements gathering steam as the Latins grow more pessimistic about their deal with the government and the National Assembly’s prospects for adopting the FREE legislation.

In a potentially disturbing trend, Jean Bodin College economist Ran D’Omobservier notes that only one area of consumer goods have not suffered since the beginning og the strike – the sale of fire arms.

HARTON HIGH SCHOOL CLOSED AFTER STUDENT VIOLENCE

Covington Senior High School, in Harton, was closed early today following a violent incident between a group described as “popular students”, some Topan students, and some non-Topan students dressed in more “punk” fashion. At 12:01pm in the cafeteria the group of Topa and Punks accosted the larger group of students and tried to cut their hair or tear bits of their clothing. However the larger group fought off their attackers until school faculty and staff arrived and, after some struggle, broke up the fight.

Unable to get an accurate picture of exactly what happened, with many versions of the story diverging, the principal closed the school for the day and suspended all students involved in the incident for the rest of the week.

NEWSLINK has confirmed that at least 2 of the 32 students involved, specifically 2 charged with being assailants in the incident, were chewing Topa root at the time.

”COMMISSION FOR A WESTERN STATE” MEETS IN FARPOINT

Over 100 community leaders from across the WET and some from neighboring Jacobia met in Farpoint to organize an effort to gain provincial status for the Western Eutopian Territory.

Mayor Thorsbeard of Eutopia submitted a resolution for the Commission to endorse the FREE as a first step toward statehood. However, some debate erupted over whether statehood, with autonomous powers like those sought by the Latin provinces should be the goal, or simply incorporation into Eutopia with status equal to the Anglo provinces.

Despite being unable to resolve this issue, the Commission members agreed unanimously to call for an end to the WET’s territorial status and to seek greater representation within the national government.

SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILY BEGS FOR SAFE RETURN OF DAUGHTER

Following the gruesome murder of “Lucky” Malloy, the suspect held in connection with trying to sell the South African VonVaam family ruby, the “Heart of Africa”, the Von Vaams have made a desperate plea directly to Eutopians to find their daughter. Karl VonVaam paid for a primetime commercial television message pledging the sale of the ruby and the ransoming of the profits for the safe return of his daughter.

Law enforcement authorities are close-lipped about the case, and maintain only that it is “under investigation” and caution citizens from engaging in vigilantism.

RELIEF IN MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL SLAYINGS

Eutopian wildlife and game officials report a lull in reports of the strange animal mutilations that had been occurring in Northern Eutopia.

Government officials remain stumped by the halt to these seemingly random and unexplained killings, but some local farmers have offered explanations ranging from changes in the phase of the moon, the tying of native herbs around animal pens, and native sacrifices made to appease some mythical beasts. None of these explanations have been given any credence by the government.

QUEEN MARIA URGES CAUTION IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Queen Maria Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, on tour of the Western Eutopian Territory, spoke to huge cros about both cultural diveristy and the strength of EUtopia united.

However while her remarks generally supported provincial status for the WET, they seemed to caution against seeking “special rights” that would separate them from their “brothers in other provinces.” Territorial residents seeking more autonomy in a new WET state expressed a rather tepid opinion of her comments.

“Seems like the same old, same old, from our leaders,” said one. “Everyone of them talks a good game, but no one delivers.”

For the most part, residents of the WET cared less about the political views expressed by the Queen and more simply about her presence honoring their communities. Citizens lined up for hours to hear her public comments and to watch her motorcade go by.

EUTOPIAN RECORDING ARTISTS ANNOUNCE “LISTENER BOYCOTT” – REFUSE TO PLAY

Music lovers on college campuses, concert halls, and bars like Brewtopia were all left without performances and a new organiztion of Eutopian Recording Artists has announced a “Listener Boycott”, refusing to play or record new performances until the public and government gives serious consideration to the issue of illegal piracy of music.

The boycott has just completed it’s first week and some Eutopian artists have begun booking engagements overseas, looking for work while honoring their decision not to play here.

EUTOPIAN AIRFORCE ANNOUNCES SEVERE PARTS SHORTAGE

The shortage of parts necessary to keep the Eutopian Airforce aloft, long discussed within military circles, has finally resulted in the third branch of the nation's military having to ground all planes until new parts can be found.

Eutopia is dependent upon the United States for its airfleet, but has been prohibited from buying new planes or parts from either the US or the EU nations, as the result of an arms embargo called several terms ago.

While the Air Force has not been actively engaged since the US occupation of Farpoint and anti-American partisan activity in the WET, the inability to scramble any planes poses a serious potential security threat, according to the current Chief of the Air Force.

unmerged(4271) · Jun 24, 2004

TROPICAL STORM AMRIC APPROACHES EUTOPIAN SHORES; TROPICAL DEPRESSION BRAM FORMING

A reconnaissance plane found strong enough winds to upgrade Tropical Depression Amric to Tropical Storm Amric, the first such storm of the season.. At 11 p.m. EDT, the poorly defined center of Tropical Storm Amric was estimated to be near latitude 27.0 north, longitude 58.3 west southeast of Eutopia, Texas. Amric is nearly stationary, and little motion is expected through Friday, but the storm is picking up strength and could be effected by other storm activity in the area.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles but only to the north of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb., 29.71 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches are expected with local amounts in excess of 10 inches near the Eutopian coastline. Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas with onshore flow within the warning area.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Fort aux Francais, St. Esprit, to Castellar, N. Anjou. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are likely within the warning area within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the poorly defined center of Tropical Depression Two, (named Bram if it reaches Tropical Storm status) was located near latitude 17.4 north, longitude 46.3 west. The depression is moving toward the west near 8 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 25 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb, 29.80 inches.

UNIONISTS APPEAL TO ESRP TO "SAVE EUTOPIA FROM BALKANIZATION"

Backlash to the FREE legislation being voted on by the National Assembly took a strange turn as conservatives and moderates joined liberals in front of the ESRP Communications HQ to rally them to come out against the FREE legislation.

Unionist local government officials, university professors, business men and labor leaders united, despite widely divergent party identifications, to warn of a "irreparable schism in the unity and culture of the island" if the provisions of the FREE legislation are enacted.

"We simply cannot start carving out special niches for everyone," said Harton council man Calvin Bell, "prevent a downward spiral into entropy. What is next? A Topa state? A Norse state? With the strong but diverse subcultures of the WET, why stop at one province, or state, logically there will be a push to subdivide further!"

"Similarly, what of the Latin provinces?," argued Douglas Stevens of St. Brendanstown. "Will African-Eutopians, who make up majority populations in many Latin townships, be content to remain a minority in a new Latin state? Or will they too push for their own state? What of St. Esprit, with its Franco and Ibero populations? Will that province split? The FREE is a slippery slope toward anarchy!"

Other officials voiced similar concerns and are turning to the ESRP as their, seemingly, last resort.

When asked about the progress of the legislation in the National Assembly, many of the demonstators did not seem to be aware of its current progress, only that "most of our own parties have turned a deaf ear to our concerns."

unmerged(4271) · Jul 1, 2004

HURRICANE AMRIC WEAKENS OVER NORTH EAST - SIXTEEN DEATHS REPORTED

The Eutopian National Academy of Scientists, reported that at 11 a.m. the center of Hurricane Amric was located 16 kilometers North East of New Lancaster City and was being officially downgraded back to Tropical Storm status. Amric is moving toward the north near 30 mph, and an increase in forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours, taking the storm back out to sea.

Maximum sustained winds are dropping and a few wind gusts to hurricane force are still occurring in association with Amric, but less likely with each hour.

Storm surge flooding of 4 to 7 feet above normal tide levels is still occurring in the eastern coast bays and tidal portions of adjacent rivers. Storm surge flooding will begin to subside late Wednesday afternoon.

At 11 a.m., all hurricane warnings have been discontinued. However, storm surge flooding is still occurring in many areas. Please consult statements issued by your local forecast office for information concerning hazardous conditions in your area.

Sixteen citizens have been confirmed dead and another twenty are missing in hurricane related deaths. A helicopter crash between Landfall and New Lancaster City has claimed the life of Zuckergußgebäck Von Maazarin and Steve Whitsox, who were being airlifted to a hospital for medical attention following the apparent confinement and torture by Bermudan criminal "Cabbage" Bugrekcuz, who had fraudulently assumed Per Von Maazarin's identity and stolen most of his assets. Bugrekcuz was brought to justice in a daring raid by MILE Hawkton Tilly and his SWAT Team in the hours before the Hurricane swept the province.

TROPICAL STORMS BRAM AND CHARLES PLOT TOWARD EUTOPIAN-BERMUDAN CORRIDOR

Meanwhile, the twin tropical storms Bram and Charles have grown rapidly and are plotting a course predicted to run the Eutopian-Bermudan corridor. National experts fear Eutopia's west coast, spared much of the storm and flood damage associated with Amric, could be hit hard if one or both storms veer back eastwards.

The ENAS warns residents of Matamoros and Nueva Cordoba to being taking life-saving precautions now, including the possible evacuation to higher ground should conditions worsen.

OUTRAGE OVER "MASSACRE AT COOPERATIVE SQUARE" STIRS UNIONISTS TO NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION - LATINS OFFER STIFF RESISTANCE

What had begun as a relatively philosophical confederation of politicians, arguing on the basis of hypotheticals and what-ifs, has suddenly been whipped into a frenzied mass movement as millions of voters nationwide have been swept up into the Unionist movement, citing the recent bombing of a peaceful Unionist rally at the Cooperative Square address of the ESRP HQ.

The shocking photographs released from the bomb scene have solidified soft support for the Unionists into strong sympathies and the belief among many that the Unionist movement is the only thing that will prevent nationalist movements and future acts of terrorism.

While Unionist candidates have yet to make an official statement, rumors are being circulated by many of their supporters that the bombing was planned by Latin nationalists, as payback for the surprise failure of the FREE legislation proposed by President Glasser and his cabinet. Conspiracy theories abound, but some cite "inside evidence, straight from the ESRP leadership" that the Latins were behind it. Others question the mysterious disappearence of Buen Puerto Mayor Felix Anzaldua. Finally, many have begun to question the mysterious unidentified ships that had been tracked off the coast, and why there has never been any public statement surrounding the sinking of one such ship and the capture of two of its crewmen.

Reaction in the Latin Provinces, especially the Ibero-Eutopian provinces of Nueva Rioja, Isabella, and St. Espirt, has been equally divisive and accusatory. Latin leaders deny any involvement with the bombing and are condemning the "sabotage" of the FREE legislation as "the last nail" in building their case of evidence of unfair Anglo dominaion of national issues.

Nationalist leaders have been successful at painting the Latin moderates who had negotiated for the FREE provisions as "naive" and "collaborators", claiming that, in fact, the Anglos had bombed the Unionists themselves, as part of a plot to institute martial law in the south, force laborers to return to work, and to They cite the failure of FREE as evidence that the needs of Latins are ignored and that they shall never have fair representation under the current system.

Nationally, the electorate seems divided along political and regional lines, with the old political allegiances cleaving into new factions. Many RPE and CC members have taken up the Unionist cause with an unlikely ally in the ESRP. Latin nationals are gaining ground in the Ibero and Franco Eutopian provinces, but still remain a minority everywhere except in Buen Puerto. Meanwhile, the main base of the CRP and DA, and RPE and CC members who supported the FREE are gradually coalescing around a Federalist platform, trying to take a Centrist stand between the reactionary Unionist and radical Nationalist movements.

LoopPolls had commisioned a nationwide study for election day exit polling due out later this week.

SECURITY TIGHTENS FOR QUEEN MARIA'S FINAL TOUR STOP - THREATS CITED

Police Commisioner Hightower refused to comment publicly on "anything that might jeopardize our investigation" but securty arrangements have tightened for Queen Maria's final stop on her tour of the WET.

Saddened by recent violence and political dissension over the failure of the FREE legislation, the Queen plans to use the city of Farpoint as a backdrop for a speech on reconcilliation and national cooperation. (It is rumored that early drafts of her press release used the term "national unity", but this was dropped for fears of association with the Unionist movement).

Mayor Thorsbeard had mustered the Citizen Security Force to supplement police protection of the royal family, though he had urged the Queen to cancel the appearence. A spokesper for the Royal Foundation invoked memories of the Queen's last trip to Farpoint and stated that "even in the face of adversity, people need their monarch to stand up and remind everyone of their common shared identity and heritage."

unmerged(4271) · Jul 2, 2004

HURRICANE CHARLES THRASHES EUTOPIAN SOUTH - MILLIONS OF VOTERS KEPT AWAY FROM POLLS

Hurricane Charles made landfall at 1:02 AM last night, bringing with it devestating winds and powerful storm surges that left much of Matamoros and Nueva Cordoba flooded and without power. The port city of Buen Puerto also suffered tremendous tidal damage and some parts of the town remain up to 3 meters under water while rain continues to fall.

The swift onset of the storm, veering off its projected path, made evacuation from Eutopia's two largest satellite islands impossible and while many in Buen Puerto evacuated the coastal areas, they will return to find their homes and businesses in ruin.

Eight people are confirmed dead so far in deaths attributable to Hurricane Charles, but as many as sixty are missing. The homeless population of Buen Puerto was particuarly hard hit, as well as many African-minority areas.

Government and private safety warnings urged those that remained in the storm affected areas to stay indoors and take safety precautions. Most of the citizenry listened, despite a very contentious national election. At least one of the deaths associated with the hurricane came as an elderly Buen Puertolese man tried to force himself across his flooded street toward the polling place.

Nationalist leaders are pleading that, due to this "Act of God" natural disaster that the election results should be thrown out and a new election called. However, candidates part of of the winning Unionist coalition have stated their shock and disgust that anyone would think about politics at such a time when so much remains to be done to recover from the disaster.

Hurricane Charles has lost some speed and its wind force is barely at the minimum necessary to sustain its hurricane status, but it remains blanketed over Isabella and Nueva Rioja moving only 6 kph on a north-northwesterly track.

Electricity remains out for approximately 34% of citizens in Nueva Rioja and Buen Puerto.

HURRICANE BRAM MISSES ISLAND - BEARING DOWN ON BERMUDA

Eutopia's boon may be Bermuda's bane as Hurricane Bram has increased its size and speed and is rushing wildly toward Bermuda. Bermudan civil authorities have restricted all air travel and taken steps to evacuate low lying areas, but given the size of the storm they are bracing for the worst.

TROPICAL STORM AMRIC DOWNGRADE - TROPICAL DEPRESSION DIMITRI FORMING

Though the clean up of the damage from Hurricane Amric has only just begun, as the storm moves out to sea, a new threat could be growing off Eutopia's eastern shore. Tropical Depression Dimitri has surprised meterologists, as a rogue storm created, apparently from the atmospheric disturbances caused by this year's powerful hurricane season. Dimitri, some project, could grow to massive size. Further, it's West-South-Westerly track is erratic and experts to not know what to expect of it, other than, if it continues to grow, it could cause cataclysmic damage.

QUEEN MARIA'S FINAL TOUR STOP ASSAULTED - NOTABLES TAKEN HOSTAGE

Farpoint became the scene of a violent gun-battle, as self-proclaimed "freedom fighters" disrupted a public address by Queen Maria, taking hostages and making a public address of their own before fleeing into the storm.

Approximately 60-80 armed and masked assailants, men and women, rushed the crowd and quickly seized the stage. In a heroic effort, Farpoint Mayor Thorsebeard and Police Commissioner Hightower held off attackers as Farpoint police tried to reach the stage, allowing the Queen's personal detail of Royal Guard Society to spirit her away to safety.

Hightower fell to gunfire and has been air-lifted to Douglas for emergency medical action. Thorsbeard and Crown Princess Francesca, however, were captured, along with 20 other notables.

A masked leader took the microphone while his accomplices held the dignitaries at gun point and delivered the following announcement.

WE ARE C.O.R.E! WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE RESISTANCE! WE FOUGHT FOR EUTOPIA AGAINST AMERICAN AGGRESSION AND FOR OUR EFFORTS WE WERE ABANDONED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE REMAINED HOSTAGE FOR YEARS HELD BY THE UNITED ECO-FASCISTS. OUR CAPTORS WERE KIND AND IN THE END THEY TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RETURN US, BUT THE GOVERNMENT TURNED A DEAF EAR!

EVENTUALLY THE ECOFACISTS WELCOMED US AS MEMBERS OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, BUT THEIR WAYS ARE NOT OURS. WE ARE PATRIOTS! WE STAND UP TO TYRANNY, AND WE WILL NOT BE WRONGED, WE DO NOT HIDE IN THE FORESTS WANTING ONLY TO BE LEFT ALONE! WE HAVE RECRUITED MANY OF THEIR MEMBERS TO JOIN US, INSTEAD!

WHAT BEGAN AS LA RESISTANCE IS NOW C.O.R.E! WE WILL RETAKE THE LAND FOR THE PEOPLE! WE WILL RETURN SOVEREIGNTY TO THOSE WHO HAVE EARNED IT!

WE TAKE YOUR SO-CALLED LEADERS TO SHOW THEM OUR WAYS! THEY MAY BE RETURNED. OR THEY MAY FIND THEY PREFER OUR CAUSE!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, FALSE LEADERS OF EUTOPIA! WE ARE C.O.R.E AND WE ARE THE FUTURE!

Beset by natural disasters and electoral discontent, newly elected Unionist coalition members did not have a unified response but have pledged action...eventually.

unmerged(4271) · Jul 27, 2004

EUTOPIA POWERLESS, FLOODED, FOLLOWING THIRD HURRICANE - POLITICAL TURMOIL CONTINUES

The powerful hurricane Dimitri struck Eutopia from its eastern shore with such force as to disable or destroy most of Eutopia's electric and telephone infrastructure. Soil still saturated from the previous storms could not hold the sheer volume of water dumped upon it by hurricane and massive flooding, avalanches, and mudslides have destroyed millions of dollars worth of homes and commercial property.

The death toll from the storms has risen to sixty-four confirmed dead with sixteen still missing.

The new government of Unionist President Gall, scarcely formed, began work to restore power and rebuild the nation's communications network but has been hampered by chaos and confusion resulting from an election result not acknowledged by many in the Latin provinces and by some Federalist leaders.

Defeated Federalist Abraham Buick has called for national unity behind "Interim President Gall" so that the devastation from this national disaster can be addressed, but does not dismiss supporters' demands for a new election.

Nationalist leaders, particularly in the Spanish-Speaking provinces have appealed to international relief organizations and foreign governments for aid, insisting that "with no national government in place" they are left to fend for themselves. Spain has already pledged $20 million to the recovery effort.

Digital and cellular phone networks remain mostly in operation and radio communications are being heavily utilized by civil service authorities and utility repairmen as they try to rebuild Eutopia. Power has been restored in small pockets, branching out from local power plants, but the national electric transmission system remains down, forcing many to turn to portable generators, propane, and wood for fuel and power. Approximately 84% of the island remains without reliable electric service.

BOMB KILLS SMUGGLING SUSPECTS

Amid the chaos of the black-outs, Buen Puerto police lost two officers, along with two suspects being held in connection with a smuggling operation of the coast in what appeared to have been a bungled rescue attempt.

Captain Denizio Franza and patrolman Jaime Smitos died from injuries sustained in the last-night blast that destroyed the retaining wall of the Buen Puerto Coastal Incarceration Facility and consequently led to the collapse of a cell holding Henrik Rodle and Allah Abdulnabe. The two prisoners were apprehended by authorities during Term Six after resisting a Coast Guard boarding of their illegally registered ship.

The men were indentified by INTERPOL as international mercenaries, and a large cache of arms had been discovered on their ship, which they had attempted to scuttle. They remained in custody, seemingly forgotten by the government since the time of their arrest.

The bomb may have claimed an additional victim, though no body has yet been recovered. At the epicenter of the blast, wreckage was found of what appeared to be an ice cream truck, potentially a get-away vehicle, that seems to have been heavily laden with explosives. However, except for the chemical signatures from the blast and some scattered debris blown clear of the fire storm, the truck's contents were incinerated beyond any reconstruction.

HURRICANE BRAM LEVELS BERMUDA

While spared the damage of Hurricanes Amric, Charles, and Dimitiri, Bermuda did not escape a pummelling by Hurrican Bram that left many homeless after flooding much of the island.

Though the force of Bram's winds did not result in the destruction that tore through much of Eutopia, its long lasting deluge swamped most of Bermuda, washing away or rendering otherwise unlivable, thousands of homes.

Refugee camps have been filled to capacity and many Bermudans are fleeing to neighboring countries, trying to start new lives from scratch.

PUBLIC DECRIES FARPOINT TERRORISM - ROYAL GUARD SOCIETY, W.E.T. CITIZENS ORGANIZE FOR ACTION

Electricity or no electricity, citizen condemnation at the lack of government response to the CORE kidnapping of Crown Princess Francesca and local officials from Farpoint has exploded among royalists and citizens of the W.E.T.

The Royal Guard Society announced that, in the absence of government action, it would being organizing its owns patrols and seek-and-destroy missions hunting CORE members. Queen Maria Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has been receiving medical attention and has not been able to express her reaction, but some question whether the RGS's response is what she would endorse.

Meanwhile, Commonality Party Leader Ristard Deaghaidh has come out seclusion to both condemn the CORE on its methods, but also to blast the government for leaving the former members of La Resistance languishing in caves and generally selling them out, despite having a basic agreement for their release worked out by the late MILE Jacob Lundgren. Deaghaidh has begun organizing "action committees" to seek amnesty for CORE members wishing to turn themselves in and to try to broker a deal to return the CORE hostages. He has been joined by the Farpoint Citizens Security Force, which had been organized by the abducted Mayor Thorsbeard. The popular watering hole "Vallhalla" has been set up as a temporary base of operations for the local efforts.

EUTOPIAN VOTERS EXPRESS LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN NEW GOVERNMENT

LoopPoll Inc. conducted a national poll, by direct personal interview as most Eutopians are without phone service, to measure public confidence in the new Unionist government during its first 30 days in office and to gauge reaction to the national rebuilding effort; results are accurate within 2%.

Code:

[b]Do you approve of the job performance of President Gall and his new Government?[/b]

Strongly Approve..................9
Somewhat Approve.................36
No Strong Opinion.................5
Somewhat Disapprove..............24
Strongly Disapprove..............25
Undecided.........................1


[b]What should the government do about the recently contested elections?[/b]

Certify the results and move on............................................42	 
Launch an investigation to determine if a remedy is needed.................16
Call for a new vote in the affected Latin Provinces........................22
Call for a new election nationwide.........................................12
Undecided/No Opinion........................................................8


[b]What is the top problem facing Eutopia?[/b]

Repairing Hurricane Damage & Flooding..........31
Resolving National Election Crisis.............24
Jobs/Economy...................................12
Rescuing Royal Family...........................8
Ending Terrorist Activity.......................7	
Labor Strikes...................................6	
Lowering Taxes..................................4
"Strange Teenagers"..............................1
Mauled Cattle....................................1
Other...........................................6

- Drew A. Blank, CEO LoopPoll Inc.

unmerged(4271) · Aug 3, 2004

GOVERNMENT STYMIED IN RELIEF EFFORT

Government efforts to provide relief to victims in the wake of powerful hurricanes Dimitri, Charles, and Amric have been criticized by minority parties and the public as insufficient in the face of the current crisis.

Power remains out for approximately 71% of the island, and while cellular and digital telephone service has been restored to 85% of customers, more than 2/3 of land-lines remain out, particularly in the southern and eastern provinces. In the WET, however, the reverse is true and more mobile phone towers were destroyed in the high winds, but the underground phone lines remain active.

Citizens who have been rendered homeless by the storm and subsequent funding continue to push government shelters to maximum capacity and are able to provide only one meal a day for victims. No government efforts have been made to provide relief for lost homes, businesses, or farms, only to feed and house those who have come to the shelters.
President Gall has dismissed Federalist MHES Douglas Stephens (the only non Unionist in the administration), after Stephens deflected criticisms of his ministry by criticizing the "lack of an comprehensive plan" for dealing with the crisis, and specifically "the President's insistence on a top-down centralized approach."

"We are drowning in bureaucracy, trying to manage efforts from Eutopia City, while volunteers are turned away at the provincial level because we can't give them anything to do!" said Stephens in a press conference following his removal.

PRIVATE CITIZENS ORGANIZE TO SUPPORT HURRICANE VICTIMS

Where the government has failed, private initiative has stepped in, with heroic charitable efforts being made by some of Eutopia's top citizenry.

Former VP/MHES Amric Al’Aeshir made a phone call to Unionist President Gall a couple of weeks ago to pledge humanitarian aid and relief from his own pocket. Gall had initially refused, claiming that acceptance would suggest that his government was unable to handle the crisis without aid, but, following the dismissal of MHES Stephens, he contacted Al'Aeshir to reconsider the offier.

Today, that call has been proven out as large cargo ships began landing food, supplies, medical supplies, and temporary shelters in Isabela province at Buen Puerto and Matamoros as well as Nueva Rioja province in the city of Nuevo Córdoba where the Hurricanes did the most damage.

Cargo ships also landed at New Lancaster to service that city as well as Landfall and other hard hit areas in the New Lancaster province. Per Al’Aeshir also sent cargo ships bulging with supplies to hard hit Bermuda as well.

The former VP landed at the local Buen Puerto airport in his private Lear jet to coordinate the relief efforts. Cornered by the media, he had this to say.

“I’m here to stay. My adopted homeland has been very hard hit by the hurricanes and I felt it was important for me to do everything I can to help her. My EUtopia Energy Company was undamaged by the recent storms and I have ordered more underground power lines to be placed to help bring energy to those areas of EUtopia that have lost power plants and power lines.

We have energy to spare at EEC, and it is environmentally sound energy. It’s time that we went beyond the capital district and provide clean, safe energy to everyone who needs it. I’ve brought food, water, water purifiers, portable toilets, numerous supplies, prefabricated housing for temporary housing of those who have lost their homes to the storms.

I’ve already ordered my construction company to begin helping to clear away rubble in the hardest hit communities. I’m here to stay, and I will do my utmost to help EUtopia get back on her feet and back to the road to prosperity. I’m sorry, but I have a lot of work to do. My people need me, and those I’ve brought to help me need my direction. Thank you.”

Per Al’Aeshir stepped into a black Humvee to study the areas affected by the storms and start creating relief camps for the people left homeless and plan for reconstruction. When asked how much of his personal fortune he has spent and will continue to spend on the relief efforts, his only reply was this…

“Whatever it takes to help EUtopia and EUtopians. As much as I can do, I will do.”

Other noted Eutopians have also been active in the relief efforts.

Local government officials (mayors and councilpers) in Isabella and Nueva Rioja have also enjoyed substantial relief funding from the Spanish government as well as private charitable contributions from corporations and philanthropists in Spain, Bermuda, Italy, Portugal, and Mexico.

NOTED EUTOPIAN BUSINESS MAN MISSING - FEARED DEAD

While the charity work of Al'Aeshir has produced immediate relief for the public, a similar relief effort from OSI corporation has apparently ended in tragedy.

After a public announcement that, as a good corporate citizen, OSI would emulate the work of Amric Al'Aeshir Holdings and provide a lot of volunteer staff to go out cleaning up mudslides, directing traffic, and other services, CEO Yuri Voshkod began leading an effort to construct temporary jetties and a seawall while coastal homes were rebuilt.

Witnesses report that as Voshkod entered into a dispute with a crane operator that he stormed out to the far pilings of the jetty to make his point when a rogue wave crashed over him, washing him out to sea. His body has not been recovered.

After four days, his cousin, Nikolai Volkov, assumed temporary stewardship of OSI and announced it will maintain a presence in Eutopia, but that it will move its HQ overseas. A small private funeral, for family only, has been scheduled.

COMMONALITY PARTY LEADER SLAIN IN BLOODY AMBUSH

Commonality Party and advocate for the WET, Ristard Deaghaidh was slain when the territorial terrorists, the self-proclaimed CORE, launched a bloody public attack at the popular Farpoint watering hole, the Vallhalla Club, where Deaghaidh had been organizing rescue efforts for the hostages.

Survivors described the scene as a "chaotic hell" with one young man, Slater Kristianson, claiming "It was just like one of those Quentin Tarantion movies, but worse because it was real!"

The shootout with Farpoint police and many of the Vallhalla's customers against the CORE attackers left no survivors among the terrorists, and claimed the lives of twenty four others.

The CORE members burst from the back of a beer truck unloading in the rear of the bar and, immediately seizing hostages among the kitchen staff, they marched into the main room, denounced Deaghaidh as a traitor and claimed all that tried to foil their kidnapping would see their bodies rot long before the Princess ever saw the light of day. Per Deaghaidh was then shot in the head at point black range.

As the terrorists attempted to flee they encountered police outside and armed resistance inside and, caught in the cross fire, tried to shoot their way out.

A statement sent to the media from the CORE proclaimed all those that died as martyrs for the cause and warned of more bloodshed to follow.

Members of the Royal Guard Society repeated their call for national action, and they were joined by the First Minister of Nueva Rioja, who expressed concern about violence spilling over the mountains into the South as well as her people's "deep local affection and adoration" for Francesca and the royal family.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OPENS WITH RANCOR AND DISRUPTION

The new Unionist majority in the National Assembly opened the legislative session when Federalist member Ford Mercurio missed roll call, allowing the Unionists to elect their own Speaker, defeating the hopes of a coalition candidate among the other parties.

Federalist party leaders were outraged at Mercurio, and many observers noted the relative newness of the party's national stature and inability to police its many new members and supporters, some of who were pulled from the ranks of the RPE, CRP, and CC.

Nationalist and Localist parties began the session trying to adopt a resolution to vacate the office of the president until a new election could be called which was subsequently ruled out of order. They then announced their intent to introduce legislation calling for a new election, through proper legislative channels.

Though Federalist leaders supported the ruling that the Nationalist and Localist parties' resolution had been out of order, many suggested that they would be interested in some legislative solution to the "electoral questions" resulting from irregularities in the national vote.

The Federalists have announced as their top legislative priority a reintroduction of the FREE legislation. Nationalist and Localist leaders expressed skepticism that such legislation would go far enough to address all of the "critical problems" facing their constituencies, but vowed to keep an open mind. Unionist members of the National Assembly conceded that such a proposal would be in order but generally dismissed it as "trying to revive a dead issue".

President Gall responded in a public statement that claiming the Nationalists and Localists (Actually, specifically citing "Latins") were "undermining Eutopian unity," and for allegedly "disrespecting the will of the Eutopian people". He pointed to the recent defeat of the FREE by Eutopia's elected representatives last term, and the mandate of "the people" electing a Unionist government to represent them this term.

Latin leaders, already angry over the electoral problems caused by the hurricanes, were incensed by these remarks, denounced Gall as an "illegitimate pretender", called for demonstrations and repeated their demand for new elections.

ESRP "TEMPORARILY" DISBANDS - CRP LOSES CERTIFICATION

Following the destruction of their national headquarters, the deaths of much of their leaders, the absence of other key figures, and the incorporation of many of their members into the Unionist movement, remaining ESRP leaders were unable to comply with CRO requests for party data and asked that they be "temporarily" placed on inactive status.

Also failing to meet the CRO's certification requirements for a party was the CRP. The CRP, more than any other party, saw members divided into Federalist and Unionist camps, even to the point of rival conventions taking place at the provincial level with competing slates of candidates. The inability to field a unified ticket kept the CRP of the national ballot and much of its fundraising and grass roots support has dwindled in the wake of the election.

As a strong coalition of smaller parties, the CRP had wielded tremendous electoral power for a relatively new party, but observers say it had not cemented its support among the various center-left and center right factions into one commonly accepted identity.

As a sign of the division within the party, competing statements were issued from different factions. While a base of party members interviewed by NEWSLINK remain committed to former President O'Floinn, the prospects for rebuilding a unified party and regaining certification appear, at least for the interim, relatively dim.

FORMER MILE, ATTORNEY GENERAL, TEANO NEGOTIATES LESSER SENTENCE FOR NEPHEW (KILLER OF AMERICAN LIEUTENANT)

The drama surrounding the murder of American Lt. Hanson by two Eutopians in Iraq, originally from Farpoint, finally came to a close as Hanson's two murderers, one the nephew of former Eutopian MILE and Attorney General Jack Teano, pled guilty to a lesser charge and were each sentenced to life in prison with the possibility for review within thirty years.

Teano was successful in reducing the charges against the two self-confessed assassins and saving them from the death penalty, following his revelation that the young men had been brainwashed and were acting under the mind-altering influence of Topa Root.

"These young men fell victim to a predatory cult that exists within Eutopia, turning teenagers and young adults into killers, slaves that do the bidding of their charismatic leader within the WET," said Teano to reporters. "What these men did was wrong, and though it pains me to see a family member suffer, it is right that they pay for their crimes."

"However," he continued, "they were also pawns in a conspiracy to slay Lt. Hanson that the Eutopian government still must resolve. And they were made easy prey through their consumption of Topa root, which is legal and easily accessible in Eutopia. Such a substance is not appropriate for the youth of Eutopia, or any nation, and I would urge the government to act to keep it out the hands of the public, especially minors."

Topa leaders in Eutopia were resistant to any suggestions about restricting access to Topa root and dismissed Teano as "an expatriate meddler".

Meanwhile, the United States has begun a review of the medicinal and chemical properties of Topa root and are considering adding it to their list of controlled substance.

unmerged(4271) · Aug 11, 2004

EUTOPIAN MARINES, SPANISH-PROVINCE SOLDIERS, DEFY GOVERNMENT

Regiments of Eutopian Marines swept into the WET under orders from Marine Colonel Scott Summers, followed soon after by a mixed infantry division from the 3rd Infantry Corps based out of Buen Puerto. Their mission: to round up terrorists and rescue Princess Francesca.

The civilian government appeared to be completely caught off guard by these actions and denied to the press for several hours that they had, in fact, occurred, until confronted with live video of the troop mobilization.

Deputy MDIA "Chevy" Neamberlain issued a formal statement that the government could not comment on this key issue of national security and the government has refused to answer any additional questions on the matter.

Speaking off the record, however an anonymous military adjunct officer from Buen Puerto told reporters that after an all night meeting with provincial leaders of Isabella and Nueva Rioja Colonel Summers, after extensive consultation with the Eutopian InterMartial Judicial Council, declared that in the absence of an organized chain of command he was authorized to take action to combat the CORE terrorists and rescue their hostages.

The First Ministers of Nueva Rioja and Isabella announced a "local" holiday, promoting thousands to turn out in the streets to cheer the soldiers as their headed north toward the WET.

"Regardless of any government recognition of the status of the royal family, Princess Francesca, as a citizen of Nueva Rioja and an enduring symbol of our people, cannot be left in harm's way. The bloody violence in the North threatens to spill across the borders into our lands, and we must protect our people," they said in a joint statement. "Countless times have our people suffered and died due to inaction by the national government. Now, in a time of electoral crisis with no recognized president, nor a clear line of succession, we place our trust in the military to protect us!"

President Gall dismissed the authority of the First Ministers to comment on national issues, describing them as "ceremonial bureacrats, serving in powerless offices created only as a political concession". He went on to recite the the powers of the national government provided in the constitution, the failure of the FREE legislation, and the certified election results as the basis for his authority before lableling his opponents "typical Latin malcontents seeking special treatment."

Spokespers of the Royal Guard Society, of which Colonel Summers is a member, applauded the effort and vowed to cooperate fully with any military actions in the WET.

LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES FORMED TO ADMINISTER RELIEF & COORDINATE REBUILDING

In response to continued failure by the national government to effectively coordinate hurricane relief and infrastructure repair and reconstruction, leaders of local governments across Eutopia met in Jacobia to found a new "mutual cooperation organization" designed to pool resources and expertise to address these problems on a local level.

The latest snag in the national rebuilding program has occurred with MTEF Vinny Sacco's insistence that the use of volunteer labor serves as a violation of the government's executive policy to use only unionized workers.

"Well meaning as they are, every untrained, unskilled free worker actually puts our infrastructure, and our people at risk, and takes a job out of the hands of working families," argued Sacco before an unconvinced conference of mayors.

"That was the straw that broke the camel's back," said former New Lancaster City mayor Angus McFiddich. "We've got able bodied and willing workers, and we've got generous citizens who are providing food, housing, and financial resources to build our nations. We can no longer be forced to run everything through Eutopia City."

The formation of the League was christened with the donation of substantial food and supplies from Hawkton Tilly, who had been caching it below Marauders Stadium in Gilford. The League immediately unveiled their plan for equitable distribution of the gifts.

Each of Eutopia's provinces was represented at the event. The Anglo and Franco majority provinces had multiple municipal officers present, and Farpoint, though embroiled in crisis, sent an observer. Officials from the Spanish provinces endorsed the effort but few mayors or councilors actually attended the convention.

The League has petitioned the national government for official sanction, a step determined unnecessary by some the conference's legal counsel, as a diplomatic step to cooperate with the Gall administration and to cement their legitimacy.

WET MILITIAS ENGAGE CORE REBELS

Rallying together in the wake of the assassination of Commonality Party leader Ristard Deaghaidh, the maiming of Farpoint Police Commissioner Hightower, and the kidnapping of Crown Princess Francesca and Farpoint Mayor Thorsbeard, hundreds of WET citizens organized themselves into posses and a loose militia, led by the citizens' security force that had been formed by Thorsbeard and Hightower during earlier periods of civil unrest.

If there was any question whether the CORE would win over the hearts and minds of the territorial residents, it was answered with a resounding "no" when sixty-four volunteers tracked a CORE patrol back to their safe house, and engaged them in a fierce fire fight.

Though the militia attempted to capture the terrorists alive, four of the eighteen "freedom fighters" took their own lives after their comrades were killed and their ammunition exhausted.

The citizens were aided in their tracking by self-described "Eco-Fascists", who have condemned the CORE's methods and have reportedly claimed that the CORE's aggressive nature is abhorrent to their desire for peace and solitude.

Officials in the Gall administration issued a luke-warm protest over the militia's victory, claiming that such actions endanger citizens and, despite the intent behind them, border on lawlessness. Deputy MILE Johnny Carramazzo has pledged more police into the WET in order to protect "all citizens."

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO BREAK STRIKES

The resumption of strikes in the Latin provinces, amid the disaster recovery, followed
President Gall's statement that "the Latins" were "undermining Eutopian unity," and "disrespecting the will of the Eutopian people".

Latin labor leader Carlos Marcos has pledged that his followers will stay off the job until new elections are held or legislation granting great powers of provincial autonomy are ratified by the National Assembly, demands categorically rejected by the national government. Further fueling the dispute has been the executive order by MTEF Vinny Sacco to begin the official government certification of organized labor movements and the removal of legal protections for "uncertified" unions. (Ed. note: The majority of those on strike in the southern provinces have split from the Eutopian Congress of Labor and have formed competing chapters or their own new unions.)

"We can only rebuild Eutopia if all citizens return to work," said President Gall in a nationally televised address. We criticized the local "holiday" announced by the First Ministers of Isabella and Nueva Rioja and claimed that no wages were to be paid to government employees missing work that day. He also threatened the "regrettable, but perhaps necessary" use of the police to disrupt picket lines and break the strikes if workers did not return to their jobs within 48 hours.

Marcos and other leaders have established a temporary HQ in the Buen Puerto Sports Bar, where they vow to passively resist government forces as long as the beer flows, and perhaps "not so passively" after that.

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT FAILS TO AWARD SPANISH CONCESSIONS

In the diplomatic equivalent of slamming the door on a bill collector, the Unionist government publicly announced there refusal to grant the government of Spain the concessions negotiated by former MTEF Michael vonSteusser in exchange for Spanish support of the Eutopian position on the new NAFA.

"What the press is failing to report," said exasperated presidential spokesper Stephen Gorjeopolous, "is that here we are in the middle of a national emergency and the people of Eutopia have more pressing needs than honoring a give away program, that was never ratified by the national assembly or any elected body, by the way, for a trade competitor that was, just a few months ago, putting our family fisherpers out of work."

"What has also been unreported is that the Spanish have been linking the promise of greater disaster aid to our compliance with this old bribery agreement," said Gorjeopolous, "which we find offensive. That's the kind of help we can do without."

The Spanish response was measured, but predictably disappointed. "We ourselves are offended that the Eutopians would accuse us of playing politics with humanitarian aid," said Spanish commerce official Manuel De Labor, "but I suppose we should not be surprised. Eutopia has an undeniable history for breaking deals made in good faith. On this issue, we should have listened to our French neighbors."

After the official statement by the Eutopian government, the Spanish sent their own request for concessions, accompanied by documentation of the agreement reached between pers vonStreusser and De Labor to former presidential candidates Federalist Abraham Buick and Nationalist & Localist Lucille Bouchard .

UNIONISTS BLOCK NEW LEGISLATION

As promised, the coalition of Nationalist and Localist parties introduced two pieces of legislation: a bill calling for new elections and to affirm the right of the people to call for a vote of no confidence in the government at any time, and a second proposal granting far-reaching powers of autonomy to Eutopian provinces.

Federalist party leaders debated the first proposal, supporting the second provision concerning a vote of no confidence, but questioning whether new elections were needed throughout the nation, or simply in the Latin provinces that were under the conditions of a natural disaster on election day. The debate was swaying toward the N&L position until Speaker noted an absence of quorum, as all other Unionist and one Federalist member had left the chambers. This essentially stalled the debate, displacing the bill on the legislative calendar in favor of other legislation to be considered the next day.

The N&L leader's second proposal was an act to provide for Accelerated Self-determination, Provincial Infrastructure, and Regional Empowerment. The ASPIRE plan, as he introduced it, was an ambitious package of decentralizing reforms, turning many key government functions over to provincial and municipal governments. Federalists debated the issue with the Nationalists & Localists, praising the evolution of some powers to local control, but questioning how far the legislation went and trying to predict the long term consequences of so radical a shift in power.

Localist-sympathizing Federalist MNA Fritz Boudreau, from Fort-Aux-Frances, joined with the N&L leader, and delivered a powerful and rousing oration about the necessity of not only protecting Latin, Norse, Topa, and African cultural heritage and the national welfare of minorities, but also warning that that power must be divided against itself to prevent an encroachment on citizens' civil and political rights.

Unionist stood in strong opposition to the ASPIRE plan and attempted all sorts of parliamentary maneuvers to weaken it. However, when called to speak against the legislation they delivered their own rational and cogent arguments debating national identity and the importance of Eutopia maintaining a "blended" culture where all peoples can share one common identity and where together all people as Eutopians and all local governments as one national government can accomplish far more than they could separately. The ASPIRE plan was attacked not as any sort of great evil or maliciously intended piece of separatist legislation, but rather as a misguided attempt that would actually harm the very people it intended to protect by dividing resources and carving out niche concessions at the expense of real solutions to the problems faced by all Eutopians.

A vote on the legislation was delayed as, despite the importance of the legislation, members of each party were absent, tied up in other matters. It is scheduled for consideration next week, along with continued consideration of the Electoral Irregularities Remedy proposal.

ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT O'FLOINN FOILED

An otherwise beautiful sunny afternoon at the Eutopia Racetrack was rocked by violence that left two people dead. The Racetrack, as one of the few public attractions with power, had drawn many luminaries, including its owner, former president John O'Floinn.

As the gates opened for the start of the second race, the bells went off and two shots rang out from a utility shed, one of which struck and killed Calvin Harding, son of former MILE and O'Floinn ally Yuber Harding.

A man dressed as an ice-cream vendor and described as "badly burned" fled from the shed as track security gave pursuit. The assassin eluded security forces, but his body was found in a getaway car, with the engine running. Police cornoners confirm that he had been garroted to death. Witnesses on the scene at the discovery claim that a crude note pinned to his chest read "The Phalanx Wlak will destroy all threats to the President. You have been warned."

A search of the van and international finger print records identify the slain gunman as R.Toolley O'Moore, a Bermudan arms dealer with ties to organized crime and terrorism. Police suspect O'Moore as the the perpetrator of the Cooperative Square Massacre, as the murderer of former President Vasco IKK, and several other unsolved bombings in recent months.

FORMER PRESIDENT TALBOTT MAINTAINS HIGH PRESENCE IN AMERICAN MEDIA

Taking advantage of being unable to return to Eutopia while the national airports are still under repair, and suffering from uncontrollable motion sickness when at sea, Former President Pierre Talbott has become a regular of American cable and broadcast news programs as an expert analysis on Eutopian affairs.

A strong supporter of the Federalist cause, Talbott was the key figure in persuading most Conservative Coalition members to support the Federalist ticket in the last elections, though some of the party's Latin members backed the Nationalist and Localist candidates, instead of fielding their own slate.

Many in the US and Canada are curious over what is being portrayed in the media as a "succession crisis", with lingering questions about the elections and a government seemingly ready to implode, Talbott has been called upon to testify by the US Senate in place of newly named Unionist diplomats who have seemed rather unseasoned and unable to provide the detailed information the Americans have been accustomed to.

At least one resolution has been introduced in the US Congress asking Eutopia to hold new elections, monitored by an international peace-keping organization with trained poll-watchers.

Further, the recent action to classify Topa root as a controlled substance has led some in the American government to question whether steps are needed to encourage Eutopia to restrict, or at least control, production and distribution of the "drug".

Professor Talbott's latest appearence on the popular American show "High Ball" was widely viewed by audiences and his witty rejoinders charmed the pundits and the public alike. In what had been hyped to be a "steel cage death match", US Senator Blowerd, a staunch critic of Eutopia was left floundering and red-faced after his exchange with Talbott.

unmerged(4271) · Aug 19, 2004

PRESIDENT GALL CLASHES WITH SPAIN & LATIN MILITARY OVER W.E.T. – SPAIN LENDS AIRSUPPORT TO RESCUE EFFORTS

President Gall ordered all military forces not normally stationed in the WET to vacate it immediately, but his orders were countermanded by the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Services who declared that, until questions surrounding the validity of the recent election of Gall were answered, they were the top of the military’s chain of command. They subsequently authorized the actions taken by the Latin-based regiments by a 2 to 1 vote.

Further contributing to the conflict, the government of Spain announced that jets from the Spanish aircraft carrier Principe de Castilla would assist the effort and provide “necessary air support” to the troops on the ground.

Gall’s official statement of protest to the Spanish was met with a reply that Spain was no longer recognizing Gall as the president of Eutopia. An incensed Gall then demanded a halt to the “aerial invasion of Eutopia” and ordered the Eutopian Air Force to scramble to intercept the Spanish jets, only to be told by the Air Force chief, the only service chief to vote against non-recognition of Gall’s presidency, that Eutopia could not launch a single combat-ready plane due to the long-time embargo of crucial parts.

Meanwhile, Eutopian marines and mixed-infantry, predominantly from the Spanish-speaking provinces, continued their scouring of the WET in search of CORE terrorists and Princess Francesca. Military forces engaged and defeated rebels in three incidents and two terrorists have been captured alive and are being held for questioning.
Marine colonel Scott Summers has promised Queen Maria that the princess will be returned, unharmed, within days.

President Gall has issued a complaint about Spanish actions to the United Nations, but several governments have followed Spain’s lead and are now refusing to recognize Gall’s government, including Portugal, France, Italy, Poland, Bermuda, Morocco, & Mexico. The United States continues to press for new elections.

W.E.T. CITIZENS CONTINUE TO MOBILIZE AGAINST CORE

Erik Svenson and his citizens' security force militia continued their vigilante hunt for the CORE terrorists and the rescue of Crown Princess Francesca and Farpoint Mayor Thorsbeard. Eutopian police, under orders from Deputy MILE Johnny Carramazzo attempted to close the Valhalla Club, the informal HQ of the militia, but were chased off by angry mobs pelting them with eggs, pickles, and smelly, undercooked fish.

Earlier reporst have been confirmed that the citizens’ posse is working with members of the "Eco-Fascist" movement, who seek to separate themselves from any linkage to the CORE or the off-shoot United Eco-Fascists, responsible for the original kidnapping of the CORE resistance fighters.

EUTOPIAN INFRASTRUCTURE BEING REBUILT REGIONALLY

The newly formed League of Municipalities has succeeded where the national government failed, bringing efficient coordination to hurricane relief efforts and the rebuilding of Eutopia’s power and communications infrastructure.

Working on a provincial level, local networks have been created that now support almost 68% of the island’s population. Once service is restored to 90% of the inhabitants the League will begin to connect these local networks into a national grid.

The success of the League’s efforts has led to the creation of “Provincial Councils” as subdivisions of the full League membership. While wary, the national government has recognized the organization as legitimate and commended its work to date.

LATIN LABOR UNREST EXPLODES – GOVERNMENT PLOT EXPOSED

With the stubborn refusal of Latin labor leaders to break their strike, President Gall and MTEF Vinny Sacco carried out their threat and ordered police to break the picket lines and escort replacement workers from northern provinces into the empty factories and businesses throughout the region.

While police in the Franco-Eutopian provinces, where there were few strikers, complied, great numbers of police in the provinces of Isabella and Nueva Rioja openly refused and joined strikers on the picket lines. Buen Puerto Mayor Feliz Anzaldua announced the unanimous support of his City Council for the strikers and for the police, and vowed to do “all that is within the city’s power” to protect them from any reprisals. He promised employment for any dismissed police officer as a member of a new “municial security force”.

Officials within the MILE are are struggling with a crisis of manpower as many national police had been reassigned to the WET several terms ago and were not replaced. Additional policemen from other provinces have been reassigned to the WET by Deputy MILE Carramazzo in response to the Commonality-based vigilante movement. Accussations of the bribery of Latin officers by Anzaldua and others are being investigated.

"The attempt to physically remove us is a declaration of war against us,” said labor leader Carlos Marcos from the Buen Puerto Sports Bar “And we shall defend ourselves accordingly.”

Marcos statement to the press was interrupted when City Treasurer Mike Marine stepped up to two cheering workers and revealed them as agents of the SAW.

“These are the same men who invaded my office and my home, and confiscated private property!” declared Marine. “These so-called workers are spies! Spies of the government sent against their own people for political purposes!”

In front of the media, these men were apprehended by Buen Puerto strikers, photographed and finger printed (rather sloppily), then tossed out into the street under a hail of beer bottles and bar food as they ran off.

Condemnation of the government’s use of the SAW for domestic political intelligence was swift and wide-spread with many Unionist members of the National Assembly joining Federalists and the Nationalist & Localist Coalition in protesting this action.

After several hours of “being unable to confirm or deny” the identity of the men posing as striking workers as SAW agents, a statement from the office of the MILE finally admitted the involvement of the secret Security and Analysis Wing and confessed to a “mistake of judgment” in their involvement. The attack on then-President Talbott by a protesting fisherpers (the now infamous Gonzaga incident) was cited as a “precedent to investigate likely violence against the government”, inflaming even more anti-northern sentiment in the south.

Public protest of the Gall government exploded throughout the Spanish-majority provinces, with significant, though more toned-down, demonstrations in the French-majority provinces as well. Major highways into Isabella and Nueva Rioja have been barricaded by protestors and there have been unconfirmed threats made against the rail system.

President Gall has announced a 72 hour “cooling –off” period, in which no new security forces will be sent to the area. However he has promised that, should demonstrations continue beyond this "grace-period", he would institute martial law and restore order, by force if necessary.

CITIZENS PROTEST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: NATIONALIST AGENDA DEFEATED

A deceptive sense of cooperation filled the halls of the National Assembly as legislators, or the bare majority that was present for the morning session, passed several resolutions, including ones to recognize the League of Municipalities, to appropriate more funds to the MILE for anti-terrorist activities, to condemn continued Canadian “dumping” of cheap lumber in the Eutopian market and to finalize the official purchase of MARITCON by the cooperative formed by its former employees.

The mood changed radically when Pablo Villa, N&L Coalition MNA introduced a resolution to condemn the MILE and the President for the use of the SAW for domestic political surveillance. Many Unionist members, unprepared for controversial legislation, had not bothered to show up for the early session, as was the case for a Federalist member. After some debate, in which the Unionists present did succeed in softening the language to remove any personal criticism of Gall or the MILE, the resolution did pass, resulting in an immediate condemnation by Unionist leaders of their legislative delegation.

All Unionist members were present for the evening session, where it was announced that debate would resume immediately on the ASPIRE legislation. What had begun in previous sessions as an intellectual and philosophical debate on the merits of decentralized government versus centralized government and concepts of national unity and identity quickly disintegrated into inflammatory regional rhetoric.

Federalist members, attempting to seek a compromise, offered a counter-proposal to the far-reaching decentralization called for under the ASPIRE plan, essentially replacing it with a duplicate of last term’s FREE legislation. The Nationalist & Localist Coalition response varied from reasoned insistence that the FREE legislation was too weak to address the nations problems to angry accusations of betrayal and “collaboration”. Unionists seemed content to let Villa carry the opposition, stating only that the FREE had already been rejected, by the previous assembly and by the voters and that resurrecting it would be out of order. With no one swayed, Federalist member Ford Mercurio's amendment failed 3-5.

Debate continued on the ASPIRE package, though the enthusiasm of the Federalist members was somewhat muted. Villa engaged in a long filibuster trying to win over a single Unionist vote, but was removed from the floor when his time finally expired. The ASPIRE proposal, the Speaker announced with some mocking, failed to achieve a majority vote, deadlocking 4-4 with the Speaker’s vote against it.

The Speaker then moved for immediate consideration of the N&L’s bill calling for new elections and to affirm the right of the people to call for a vote of no confidence in the government at any time. Again, the MNA from the N&L Coalition began a long oration about the “injustice” of the last election, how a natural disaster kept many citizens at home and how a government was selected that was not representative of all people.

Federalist Mercurio, who had spoken in favor of the provision earlier, reversed himself and chided Villa for “a Quixotic crusade that serves no purpose but to inflame partisan and regional passions and wastes all of our time”. He noted the legislative arithmetic and the predestined doom of the bill, then stormed out.

The Speaker called a vote and the bill for new elections also failed, by a vote of 3-4.

Citizens from the Latin provinces had been gathering in Eutopia City since the start of the debate over ASPIRE, and, upon hearing the news of the failure of both bills, became enraged. Formerly well-organized and peaceful demonstrations turned into rowdy marches, with some activists calling for the head of Mercurio.

Most notably the Movimiento Regional para el Adelanto and the Asociación Latina De la Libertad put aside their previous philosophical differences and issued a joint statement pointing to recent legislative actions as “proof of the death of representation for the Spanish-Majority provinces in Eutopian government” and called for the immediate creation of a new independent state.

The protests ended with minimal vandalism and only isolated incidents of violence.

MILITARY PROCUREMENT FUNDS REROUTED TO PRIVATE SWISS ACCOUNT / BILLIONS DISCOVERED

Following the embarrassing grounding of the Eutopian Air Force due to a lack of parts and equipment, an official investigation launched by the Gall government revealed that billions of dollars of military procurement funds had been embezzled by former Lt. General and unsuccessful coup-leader Roger Smith.

Investigators confirmed that past embezzlement by Smith had been previously discovered and the movement of money had been tracked back to an emptied Swiss bank account discovered by then-MILE Jacob Lundgren. Attempts to track the money beyond this transfer either failed or were abandoned.

The new investigation, however, reveals that of the over $6 billion in missing funds, more than half of the funds disappeared after the capture of Smith and the discovery of this crimes. Missed in the most recent investigation, under President Glasser, was that the back-door electronic fund transfers that had been written into the accounting codes remained active, and though Lundgren had discovered an empty bank account, the transfers continued on a regular basis each year since that time until the government ended the appropriation to the military procurement budget.

SAW agents uncovered over $3,300,000,000 of missing funds that had been hidden in the Smith account, thought abandoned for years. Eutopian MILE J. Edgar Herbert, who had otherwise been blistered in the press over his controversial deputy and the revelations about the SAW’s operation in Buen Puerto, used the announcement of this windfall to try to restore faith and confidence in his Ministry.