The Atlasian-International Journal

[Kaine for Senate '18]

By the power vested in me by the newly passed Game Moderator Reform Act, this will serve as my official thread for the posting of updates.  Stay tuned.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Netanyahu considering sending supplies to Libyan Rebels
April 6, 2011
Jerusalem, Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, increasingly concerned about the situation in Libya and its implications for Israeli security, is reportedly considering sending supplies to help bolster the rebels fighting against Colonel Gaddafi.  Netanyahu had earlier expressed concern during the Revolution in Egypt, worrying that the rebels replacing Hosni Mubarak would be anti-Israel from the get-go, partly because Israel was seen as helping the Mubarak regime.  In an attempt to prevent this from happening in Libya, Netanyahu is reportedly sending Israeli supplies and Israeli soldiers into Libya, to work with the Rebels in anticipation of a protracted civil war.

The office of Prime Minister Netanyahu, when asked for a comment, declined to respond.  An aide to the Prime Minister, however, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that, "[aiding the rebels] is something we are looking into.  After all, it's not like Gaddafi has been a particularly good friend to Israel."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Rumors are just that, rumors.

And thanks to Gustaf for stickying this so quickly

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Japan Continues to Rebuild, Seeks Atlasian Help
April 7, 2011

Nearly a month after the tsunami and earthquake of March 2011, Japan is rebuilding slowly.  Despite concerns about another earthquake, today passed without such an episode.  Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, in a letter to Atlasian Secretary of External Affairs Ben dated April 6, 2011, thanked Atlasia for its initial help, and praised the legislation currently before the Senate, saying, "It is our sincere hope that the Senate of Atlasia will pass the aid legislation presented to it at the next convenient time, so that Japan can continue to rebuild."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

France, UK to send more bombers to Libya
April 10, 2011

Motivated by recent gains by Colonel Gaddafi's army in Libya, the United Kingdom and France both opted to send in more planes to begin bombing Gaddafi strongholds and troops.  An unnamed French military officer in NATO said, "We have to do something.  At this point, allowing Gaddafi to mow down rebels is no longer an option."  Another added, "Hopefully, the influx of Atlasian bombers and supplies will help turn the tide again."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Five Atlasians killed by Mexican Drug Cartel
April 12, 2011

The bodies of five missing Atlasians were discovered early today in Santiago, Mexico.  The missing were a family from Richmond, Virginia, Mideast.  They had been reported as missing nearly two weeks ago, after having been kidnapped.  No ransom note was ever sent; it is assumed that the family was killed after being kidnapped.  The father, Joseph Brye, 49, was an attorney known for prosecuting drug cases.

Mexican authorities have not commented officially, although an anonymous source said, "We have no doubt that this was connected to [Brye's] anti-drug activities."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

3 Atlasians Killed in Libyan Bombing
April 16, 2011

Earlier today, three Atlasians sent to help rebels in Libya were killed by forces of Colonel Gaddafi.  The three were James Haverbrook, 60, a weapons technology expert from Dallas, Texas, Southeast; Michelle Brock, 34, an Arabic translator from Chicago, Illinois, Mideast; and Harold Katzenbaum, 53, a military adviser from Portland, Maine, Northeast.

The three were part of a group of twenty-five Atlasians working with this contingent of Libyan rebels near Benghazi.  They were part of nearly 300 Atlasians sent to aid the rebels as per President Tmthforu94's orders in early April.  Two more Atlasians, unnamed as of now, were in critical condition, while one more, identified as Frank Grimes, 45, of Springfield, Illinois, Mideast, was wounded but recovering.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Al Qaeda Leader Captured in Damadola
April 21, 2011

One of the main leaders of Al Qaeda was captured today by a joint force of Afghani and Pakistani security forces in the city of Damadola, in Pakistan.  Ayman al-Zawahiri, described as the "operational leader" of Al Qaeda, had been in hiding for years.  After an anonymous tip informed members of the Pakistani ISI where al-Zawahiri was hiding, he was quickly apprehended.

"There were signs that al-Zawahiri was attempting to flee; thankfully, we captured him before that," said Mustafa al-Nabeel, who led the operation.  "I thoroughly expect this to be the beginning of the end for Al Qaeda."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Protesters, Former Legislators Gunned Down Today in Damascus
April 23, 2011

Protests continued today against the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.  182 Syrians were killed in Damascus today by security forces belonging to the regime of Assad.  Among the dead were two former MPs from Deraa, Naser al-Hariri and Khalil al-Rifaei.  They had both resigned on April 22 in protest against the killings.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Assassination attempt on Assad
April 27, 2011

An assassination attempt was made today in Damascus on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  Assad was leaving the Tishreen Palace in Damascus when a young man of around 25 years old charged the President, yelled "Death to the monster!", and fired three shots at Assad.  The first two missed, while the third one grazed his arm (the President was bandaged by otherwise unharmed).  The gunman, upon seeing that Assad had not been felled, turned the gun himself, and shot himself in the temple, dying instantly.  He has not been identified.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Ben is just looking for some little war to fight...

Apparently we're fighting two more wars than I thought we were

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Ben is just looking for some little war to fight...

Apparently we're fighting two more wars than I thought we were

Don't blame yourself, no one really knows that

It is a pathetic situation.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Arch Bombing
May 8, 2011

A video released a few hours earlier today by Al Qaeda has the terror group claiming responsibility for the recent terror attack.  The video, featuring cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, has al-Awlaki attacking Atlasia for "killing the great martyr Osama" and promises "more retaliations in the future".  The video, whose backdrop is a plan white wall, lasts for just under four minutes, and is, except for the mention of Osama Bin Laden, devoid of mention to any other individual.  Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama's presumed lieutenant, who was captured earlier this year, is not mentioned at all.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Bombing at Iraqi Parliament Kills Dozens
May 18, 2011

A few hours ago, during a speech by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a bomb went off in the lobby of the Parliament, killing 39 people.  Among the dead were Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister and a Kurd; and Saadoun al-Dulaimi, the Minister of Culture.

As of now, no one has taken responsibility for the bombing.  al-Maliki, in a short statement, announced that, "As of now we have no suspects.  However, we are closely examining the situation."  al-Maliki escaped the bombing with only minor cuts.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Yemeni President Dead
June 6, 2011

Ali Abdullah Saleh, the President of Yemen since 1990, has died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.  Saleh, who had been taken there to treat wounds suffered on June 3, reportedly suffered a heart attack, and could not be revived.

Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi, Vice President since 1994, has assumed office as President.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Carstens named IMF Chief
June 28, 2011

Mexican central bank Governor Agustin Carstens was announced today as the next head of the International Monetary Fund, replacing Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who remains under house arrest in New York City on sexual-assault charges.

Carstens, who was regarded as an underdog right up until his appointment was announced, had vigorously campaigned for support among developing economic powers like India and Brazil.  He had also campaigned among more traditionally powerful nations, meeting with the British Foreign Minister and Atlasian Secretary of External Affairs numerous times in the days leading up to this announcement.  Carstens is the first non-European to lead the IMF.

Earlier this month at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Carstens had suggested that if his main rival, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, were appointed, she might have a conflict in dealing with European economies. "We'd have a situation where the borrowers dominate a creditor institution. I think that's an issue we should consider."  Ultimately, this line of thinking did not appear to sway major powers.  Rather, it was the strong support Carstens had among rising nations that proved the difference.  An unnamed member of the Atlasian Department of External Affairs said, "Oh, it [developing support for Carstens] absolutely played a role.  The world is changing; we cannot afford to keep pissing off small nations in favor of the Old Boys."

Carstens will officially assume office next Tuesday, July 5.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

This "unnamed official" of the DEA should better realise those "small nations" will go after Atlasia's World Bank position next!

Yes, the DoEA is very much aware of this.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

9 dead in Egyptian riots
July 15, 2011

Angered by the lack of progress in their nation, hundreds of Egyptians took to the streets in Tahir Square to protest.  After several hours unknown persons fired at the protesters, leading to 9 dead and dozens wounded.  The interim military government has neither confirmed nor denied that they ordered the firing.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Somaliland begins consideration of gay rights bill
July 31, 2011

On Friday, the Parliament of Somaliland began consideration of legislation that, if passed, would remove all penalties on homosexuality.  The decision to introduce this legislation, which has the support of President Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, came in response to the call by GTO Ambassador Tmthforu94 on all nations applying to join the GTO to remove their laws on homosexual behavior.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

An Islamic country doing this...interesting...

It's not exactly far-reaching.  It really only decriminalizes being a homosexual.  Sodomy laws are still in place.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Somaliland passes gay rights bill
August 15, 2011

Today, the Somaliland House of Representatives, by a vote of 69-13, passed legislation removing all penalties on homosexuals.  This overruled the decision by the House of Elders, which failed the bill by a vote of 9-73.  This law, which was seen as necessary for Somaliland to be allowed into the GTO, was celebrated by SoEA Ben as a "great step in the history of Somaliland, and opens many doors for the nation."

[Kaine for Senate '18]

South Sudan begins consideration of gay rights bill
August 19, 2011

Following the recent action of Somaliland, South Sudan has begun consideration of a bill that would decriminalize homosexual behavior.  South Sudan, which has expressed interest in joining the GTO, basically took Somaliland's bill word for word, and it is expected to narrowly pass in the next few weeks.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

You do realize that homosexuality is a big no-no in Dinka society, yes?  Any government that passed this would be overthrown.

Passage isn't a guarantee.  It's being considered.

The stories aren't really believable, I agree.

Thanks for the input.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

State-run media has its flaws alright.

That's off base.  This is reporting of fact; it's not as if the AIJ is reporting protests in foreign countries because of legislation you introduced, Senator.  And don't pretend for a minute this isn't a deliberate attack at me.  I produce the stories, so attacking the stories attacks me.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Lol, so every time I write a bill (meaning you come attack the bill) is your way of personally attacking me?

No.  What I meant was it would be a "state run media" type problem if I did that.  I disliked your terminology, which I view as unfair.