Atlasian Star

[Pragmatic Conservative]

This will be used as the official news source for the GM Department.

DKrol newspaper: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=260661.100 . I have linked this to yesterday's North Korea story.

Thanks
Acting GM 1184AZ

[Pragmatic Conservative]

News items will be updated every Wednesday and Sunday along with unemployment numbers. Please note however I may publish breaking news stories from time to time. If you have any questions feel free to shoot me a quick PM.

International News


Russia Meddling-French Interior ministry claims Russian hackers unsuccessfully tried to hack election reporting system.Germany Next?

More then 2 months since Emmanuel Macron won an historic French Presidential election, the French interior ministry reports that Russian hackers with connections to a far right anti EU group may have tried to hack the reporting systems in hopes of giving a victory to Marine Le Pen.
An extensive audit of voting machines shows that hackers attempted to hack into the reporting system 75 time during the runoff and more then 100 times during the first round. Now interior ministry staff can't conclusively prove who hacked the system but based on a preliminary review of the hacking attempts fingers have been pointed towards Освободить людей (Free the People) as the ones behind the attack. FTP have known ties to far right groups in many European countries including France, UK and Germany. Additionally investigators in Germany have intercepted a string of letters between far right activists in Germany and FTP  with one sent in March "how much would it cost to manipulate the results of the German election" and another saying in April  "we're just experimenting with our software in France it should be perfected by October". Now no official statement has been made by either French or German officials , but Marie Le Pen has gone on record as saying that she greatly disapproves of any measures used to hack results instead calling for "democratic methods to be used in order to slay the establishment".

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Domestic News


Lincoln under siege-Nationalist groups terrorizes Lincoln streets, threaten RG department and "unnamed additional target".

Lincoln has been under siege for the last few days as the  NLLC (National Lincoln liberty Coalition ) has blown up mail boxes, vandalized places of worship, government buildings and small businesses. The NLLC in their motto states they are a "We are an anti-capitalist, secular and pro-nationalist group that believes in the use of violence to separate from Atlasia." The group has largely acted independently starting shortly after the election with individual members damaging male boxes, defacing road signs, vandalizing places of worship, government buildings and small businesses. Police ttoday  have said  that their is strong evidence these events are connected together.  While several arrests have been made their leader Jason Martin is still very much at-large.

Today Jason Martin stated his group was very much responsible for the attack, warning that his group would escalate their attacks in the coming weeks if Lincoln takes no steps to separate from Atlasia. Martin also demanded the immediate release of any gang members that have been arrested saying that he believes they have done nothing wrong. Furthermore Martin has called on President dfwlibertylover to fire RG/SOFE Peebs or "his group would remove her for him". Police also say that suspicious packages arrived at the doorsteps of both the Attorney General and Speaker of the House's homes with a fake plastic  bomb and bullet and a note saying "watch your back next time this could be real." Police say that their appears to be no connection between the NLLC and any current party or politician. 

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Unemployment numbers July 12th

Atlasia 7.4% (-.0%)

Lincoln 7.4% (+.1%)
South 8.3% (-.0%)
Fremont 6.5% (.-%}

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Foreign Affairs update- emergency G20 summit on North Korea plus preliminary talks between Atlasia and France on free trade deal
This Friday and Saturday G20 leaders will hold an emergency summit in Tokyo on the growing North Korean threat. We can confirm that all G20 leaders including Atlasia President dfwlibertylover will be present. These talks are described as an opportunity of all leaders to come up with a unified strategy to what has been described as a potential major issue. South Korean President Moon Jae in private has indicated that an "attack is not imminent but could take place within this year if we do not take precautions to prevent it.

We also have confirmation that in the coming weeks that the Atlasia government will begin negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron and German PM Angela Merkel on the current U.K.-Atlasia  free trade agreement which could be expanded to include France  and Germany. German PM Angela Merkel in a public statement tonight said that she would be very open to joining into a potential deal with the U.K., France and Atlasia, stating it has the potential to be a game changer for the four countries economies. The other three countries have yet to comment publicly.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Has Britain ratified the agreement even? Last I knew it was stuck in Parliament over bs concerns that we would start parceling out the NHS and trading it on Wall Street or something. Of course I might have missed a subsequent report.

Yes that deal was ratified by British Parliament.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Good to see movement on the North Korean issue, hopefully we can see concrete steps taken in the near future.

Also, EU member states cannot independently negotiate trade agreements with other countries.

Their is hope by French and German officials that if a general framework is agreed upon that the rules around EU member countries being able to negotiate and sign trade deals individually with other countries can be modified. Also please note with the U.K.-Atlasia treaty signed last October, it is apparent that the EU is much less strict about countries at least starting negotiations with other countries well being part of the EU then in RL.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Cool idea.  Will this be IC, or OOC like Atlas Free Radio?

IC

[Pragmatic Conservative]

International News


G20 Summit leaders agree to disagree on North Korean threat
World leaders are returning to their home countries after spending Friday and Saturday trying to iron out details on how to respond to the North Korea crisis. Most leaders seem to be returning with more questions then answers. Leaders universally agree that North Korea is a major threat and one that should be taken seriously with most further seeing a preemptive strike as too risky at least for now. However it is on Sanctions that their is a major disagreement. G20 leaders are divided in particular on the issue of whether to push sanctions on countries that directly trade with North Korea. China has vowed to veto any UN Security Council resolution that places sancations on countries that do trade with the Republic calling the current Sanctions harsh enough and appear  to have the backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin on this stance. Meanwhile France, U.K., Germany,Canada, Japan and South Korea have all pushed hard on greater sanctions on those that trade with North Korea with French President Emmanuel Macron stating that we must make it clear to the world that we can not not continue to support a country that not only badly mistreats their own citizens but threatens violence with  other countries. While their will be no unified sanctions placed on North Korea at lest for now, it appears that at least the 6 pushing for them will impose sanctions on their own.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Domestic News


Mid afternoon explosion inside Lincoln Tunnel leaves 25 killed 35 injured (20 critical)-NLLC claims responsibility 
An explosion today in the Lincoln tunnel a major connector between the New York City metropolitan area  and New Jersey killed 25 people injuring another 35 with 20 of those being being listed as critical. The explosion occurred at the midsection of the tunnel at approximately 3:30pm est, when a pressure cooker bomb exploded. Bystanders say they heard a loud boom before seeing people running and screaming for safety. Later this evening the NLLC took full responsibility of this act with their newly appointed spokesperson Matt Canaan saying that the explosion would be the first of many major incidents to threaten Lincoln until the region gains independence.  Police also have said that their was a reported Break-in at the RG residence but the RG is safe in a secure secret location.

Currently their is a major manhunt going on in Maine for NLLC leader Jason Martin after a women reportedly spotted Martin going through a McDonalds drive through.  We can also comment that Canadian authorities will arrest Martin if he attempts to cross the Canadian border.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Wildfires ravage Fremont
Over the last few days Fremont has been ravaged by massive forest fires displacing thousands and so far claiming the lives of 28 innocent victims. The wildfires are worst around Medford Oregon where so far roughly half the town has been forced to evacuate their homes and relocate at least for the time being. Other area effected include Redding California and much of the Norhern California coast. Forecasters expect the wildfires to continue much throughout the next few months and to get more intense as we get into August.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Over 800 Socons take the march to Southern Capital demand real change now
Socon voters holding signs and atlasian flags are protesting for what they see as a lack of action on social issues and in particular many are concerned with the libertarian views current South governor Leinad holds. Protesters in particular are upset most with the recent passage of an extensive gender id bill, repeal of the euthanasia ban and an inability to get a religious liberty bill to pass. One women Sally Cole  46 said said that we just want our voices heard, and another man  55 year old Matthew Casey said we don't expect to get our way all the time but we are tired of seeing the social liberals win all the time. However away from the protests we found much opposition to the protests 26 year old  Madison long said that she is deeply opposed to rolling back of the significant progressive our region has made and another John inholt 47 said he is deeply scared about the prospect of facing discrimination under a religious liberty bill.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Unemployment numbers July 16th

Atlasia 7.5% (+.1%)

Lincoln 7.5% (+.1%)
South 8.3% (-.0%)
Fremont 6.6% (+.1%)

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Update on North Korea sanctions
Before we get to today's news we can report that Israel has decided to join with the group of six  and impose sanctions on countries that do trade with North Korea.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

International news



Russian group Free the people hacks French interior department-releases the identity of over 2,000,000 French citizens 
Free the People the same group that has been accused of attempting to hack into the recent French Presidential election has hacked and released sensitive information for over 2 million French citizens. Among the information released were names, postal codes, addresses and social security numbers. Free the People took responsibility for the leak stating their goal is to go to war with the elite establishment. French President Emmanuel Macron apologized for the leak saying the interior department was looking into strengthening security for the remainder of their sensitive information. Police are currently investigating whether any others colluded whith free the People.   

[Pragmatic Conservative]

National News

RG/SOFE/Rep Peebs missing-Jason Martin "this is life or death"  
Today Peebs top aid Marry Heller has reported the cabinet secretary and Representative has gone missing from a hotel room in New York City at around 6:30 am est today. Peebs was since moved to the hotel from her hotel for her own safety. Police will not have to look long to know what happened because in an open letter too Atlasia Martin revealed that Peebs is with him.

Copy of letter

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Unemployment numbers July 19th

Atlasia 7.5% (-.0%)

Lincoln 7.6%(+.1%)
South 8.3% (-.0%)
Fremont 6.6 (-.0%

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Updates
From some earlier stories.

-The Netherlands and Italy have announced a plan to put sanctions on countries that do trade with North Korea.

-RG/SOFE and Representative Peebs escaped from her NLLC captors and is safely back in her home region of the South. One of her captors Stan Benson is in police custody now. NLLC leader Jason Martin is still at-large.

-The Fremont wildfires are beginning to be contained but thousands are still stranded from their homes.

Their will be full stories up later today!

 

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Domestic News


NLLC leader Jason Martin and allies arrested on Cargo ship
Today NLLC leader Jason Martin and close ally Peter Holmes  were arrested after Irish coast guard raided the ship.Both Martin and Holmes are expected to be extradited back too Atlasia where they will be expected to face criminal charges. It is unknown what will become of the NLLC, though the group put out a statement today saying that while it will defend it's leader in court the group will fight on regardless of any court verdict. Several NLLC members were seen protesting outside of jails and courthouses across Lincoln demanding that currently incited NLLC be released.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Unemployment numbers July 23rd

Atlasia 7.4% (-.1%)

Lincoln 7.4%(-.2%)
South 8.3% (-.0%)
Fremont 6.5%(-.1%)

[Pragmatic Conservative]

International News  


Emmanuel Macron assassinated on day of protest against EU-More questions then answers as world mourns this horrific tragedy
One a day of Nationalist protests across Europe, a currently unknown set of attackers attacked Macrons limousine killing the French President. Macron Emmanuel Macron who was elected earlier this year in a landslide has been a strong pro European voice who was the target of many far right nationalists and the Russian aligned group Free the People. However investigators aren't ruling anything out saying we are looking into all possible leads. For their part the kremlin has flat out denied any involvement into today's assassination saying we would never consider interfering in another country's sovereignty in such a way to cause grave destruction.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Gerard Larcher becomes acting President as France braces for another Presidential Election


Today Senate President Gerard Larcher swore in as Acting President just hours after President  Emmanuel Macron was assassinated. Larcher promised to bring stability and to restore order in a time of great strife, Larcher called the attacks despicable stating that all French citizens should be deeply distraught no matter your political party or ideology. Under the constitution of France a new election must be scheduled between 20-35 days from today. Larcher has stated a hope to have the first round of an upcoming special election sometime at the end of August or early September. We will have more updates on investigating and upcoming special election as they come available.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Regional News

Southern Teachers Union President Mark Day "Anything is on the table without a deal"
After the STU contract expired at the end of June, President Day has said that without a contact by September 5th then we are prepared to take job action. Day has said he would like to avoid any labor strife but has warned that he will call a referendum on authorizing his union the ability to use work to rule if no major movement is made by August. The union is believed to want a 25% pay increase over 5 years, a cap on class sizes and more funding for aids and special needs teachers.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Unemployment numbers July 26th

Atlasia 7.6% (+.2%)

Lincoln 7.6%(+.2%)
South 8.5% (+.2%)
Fremont 6.7%(+.2%)

Edit:Restatement on top line numbers.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

International News

France braces for divisive special election
While French investigators continue to investigate the assassination of Emmanuel Macron, French citizens are preparing for what is expected to be a divisive election that will determine his replacement. The French interior ministry has since set the date of the special election for August 27th and September 10th. The filling deadline is August 15th. So far only a few candidates have entered  the biggest name so far to have filled is Marie La Pen who is running for the FN again.