Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'federation news service'.

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Welcome to our forums!
    • Board Rules and News
  • News & Updates
    • Community News
    • Ship Mission Reports
    • FNS Headlines
  • Hall of Honor
    • Appreciations
    • Graduation Hall
    • Awards Ceremonies
    • Contest archives
  • Community Discussion
    • General Discussion
    • Trek Discussion
    • Poll of the Month
  • Community Collaboration
    • Graphics requests and Image Resources
    • Teams
    • Squadrons
    • Guilds
    • Duty Posts

Calendars

There are no results to display.


Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


Discord Username


Location


Interests


Current Post


Wiki user URL


Wiki character URL

  1. Are you an aspiring reporter? The Federation News Service (FNS) is always looking for journalists and contributors to help keep the public informed about the latest developments across the quadrants! About the Federation News Sevice The Federation News Service is an independent news agency dedicating to providing citizens of the United Federation of Planets the latest news and stories from across the galaxy. With a rich history that dates back to the founding of the Federation, FNS reporters have covered every major development over the centuries, from the era of the first colonies to the award-winning coverage of the Dominion War. Where to Find Us Access the latest headlines from the FNS through our main portal. For those on the go, subscribe to our data feedto have news updates sent to your personal access display device. You can also add us to your home screen . Contributing to the FNS The Federation News Service welcomes both one-time and regular headline submissions for inclusion in the headlines newsfeed. Objectives of FNS HeadlinesProvide "bite-sized" IC news developments that can be shared across ships and referenced in sims to promote greater fleet IC continuity.Give a fun, non-Starfleet creative avenue for simmers to develop the larger prime Trek universe. What's going on in the sports world of the Federation? What's the newest holonovel to hit the suites? You can help shape life in the 24th century!Incorporate IC sim developments into the headlines to provide yet another way of telling our stories.Submitting a StorySimply edit the headlines page under the appropriate section (politics, sports, etc.) to add your new headline. Headlines should be listed in reverse chronological order with the newest headlines of a section listed first. Want to become a regular contributor (as an OOC activity)?Leave a message with one of our editors. As a regular contributor, aim to update the headlines page with at least two new headlines a week. As the headlines page fills up, clean up old headlines by moving them to the news archive page. Look over one-time submissions for spelling, grammar, etc. What if I want to write an actual IC news article?You are very much welcome to do so! Check out the FNS archive for some examples of previous IC news articles and see below for our manual of style. However, writing out an actual article is purely optional for regular contributors. New weekly headlines are all that's required. FNS Manual of StyleReady to write your first IC news article? Follow these simple tips to give it that extra polish: 1) Add a headline.Make it a very brief, attention-grabbing summary (something you'd see on a Twitter announcement that'd make you want to click to read more). Examples:USS Apollo-A investigates coup on Pertania Marriage of Federation Ambassador Starfleet officer presumed KIA as USS Gemini responded to Rathos Prime pathogen 2) Add a location marker and a single introductory sentence in the following format:MAIN LOCATION OF EVENTS — One introductory sentence that summarizes the entire article. Examples:PERTANIA PRIME — After a sudden coup d'etat on Pertainia Prime, Starfleet has dispatched the USS Apollo-A to evacuate the Federation Embassy. TRILL — Ambassador Della Vetri and Lt. Commander T’Lea were wed on the ambassador's homeworld. RATHOS PRIME — Lt. JG Vanessa Driscoll is missing and presumed KIA after becoming infected with the deadly pathogen her ship USS Gemini was attempting to cure. 3) Put a quote from someone somewhere in the rest of your article.Whether it's from someone on your crew directly, an MSPNPC, or even someone who doesn't actually appear in your sims but would make sense as someone making a statement to the press. Examples:"We will not tolerate such an assault on the legitimate Pertainian government, but our first priority is the safety of our own people," said Secretary Douglas of the Federation Security Council. "With everything happening around the quadrants these days, it's nice to be able to come together for friends and family and just celebrate, and I couldn't be happier for the Ambassador," said Anora Manar, a guest from the USS Atlantis. "Every Starfleet officer knows the risks that come with the uniform. Lieutenant Driscoll died trying to help others in the best traditions of Starfleet and the Federation, and we join her crew in their mourning," said Doctor Rajani of Starfleet Medical. Full Example Articles: USS Apollo-A investigates coup on Pertania Marriage of Federation Ambassador Starfleet officer presumed KIA as USS Gemini responded to Rathos Prime pathogen Essays, Editorials, and Special Reports You can also feel free to write special reports, essays, and editorials that you might find in a news magazine such as Time, the Economist, or the New Yorker. In doing so, the "rules" are a little more relaxed. Example: Special Report: The Face of Treason If you have any questions, feel free to reply below!
  2. The Federation News Service is a spinoff of the StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG, reporting news headlines from across the United Federation of Planets to Federation citizens, along with other reader-submitted stories from other RPGs and fan works. Here are the latest stories published by the FNS: Laser Misfire And Mass Casualty Incident Leads To Bizarre Political Drama – Stardate 239801.09 POLLUS — In the days since a planetary defense laser levelled a village on the planet of Pollus in the Par’tha Expanse, political winds have shifted, potentially ending a groundbreaking bid of a reform-minded candidate for the planet’s highest government office. Space Station Overrun With Yellow Rats, Leading To Failing Life Support – Stardate 239801.15 SELARIS SPACE STATION, TRINITY SECTOR — A civilian space station is on the edge of collapse after a program runs amok in the computer core. Copernicus City Theatre To Stage Betazoid, Cardassian Adaptations – Stardate 239801.22 COPERNICUS CITY, LUNA — The Copernicus City Amateur Dramatics Society (CCAmDrams) announced their 2398 season today, marking the first time that musical adaptations of Betazoid and Cardassian literary fiction will be performed on Luna. Lawbreaking And Drunkenness Aboard The USS Fortuna – Double Standards In StarfleetCopernicus City Theatre To Stage Betazoid, Cardassian Adaptations – Stardate 239801.29 USS FORTUNA — An anonymous source aboard the Starfleet vessel USS Fortuna (NCC-79904) has reached out to the FNS claiming that there are secret stashess of Romulan Ale hidden across the vessel. Interested in keeping the public updated on the latest developments across the Federation? The Federation News Service welcomes both one-time and regular story submissions. Enjoy a creative avenue for simmers, role players, and fan fiction writers to develop the larger prime Trek universe. What’s going on in the entertainment world of the Federation? What’s happening back home on Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and beyond? You can help shape life in the 24th century! Learn more at fednewsservice.com. The post Federation News Service Briefing: Stardate 239801 appeared first on StarBase 118 Star Trek RPG. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ufopsb118?d=yIl2AUoC8zA http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ufopsb118?i=tC5nLE76jwY:tvNys8emik4:D7DqB2pKExk http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ufopsb118?d=qj6IDK7rITs http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ufopsb118/~4/tC5nLE76jwY View the full article
  3. STARBASE 118 — The annual Tribble Fanciers Association convention is in turmoil following the onstage collapse of their keynote speaker. What was meant to be an enjoyable family event has rapidly become the talk of one of the Federation’s most populous starbases. During the opening gala of the convention, the keynote speaker, Ms. Anseidora Dorfmann, collapsed dramatically onstage, requiring emergency medical attention. Continue reading the rest of the article at http://fns.news This article was written by the writer for Tatash. Submit your own story to the FNS! FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  4. BETAZED — Following a year-long investigation after the SS Atlantic suffered a near-disastrous failure, passenger travel using the quantum slipstream drive took off again with the launch of the transport Andorian Rose. Continue reading the rest of the article at http://fns.news FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  5. TRILL — As families across the Trill homeworld observed the first day of the annual Festival of Life, millions of others beyond the planet have also begun partaking in the celebration. “It really has become a Federation holiday and not just a Trill one,” said Ashana Kazor, mayor of Trill’s capital city Mak’ala. “It’s a time to celebrate the joy of existence itself and all of life’s experiences.” Read the rest of the article at fns.news! FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  6. NEW ROMULUS – As Federation President Bacco continues her trip through the Romulan Star Empire, the visit has drawn harsh criticism from the Congress of the Romulan Republic. Continue reading the rest of the article at the FNS website. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  7. ZEVARUS PRIME — Federation President Nan Bacco arrived in Romulan territory, becoming the first sitting president to visit the Romulan Star Empire since the turn of the 24th century. Continue reading the rest of the article at the FNS website. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  8. NIMBUS III - After a long and hard-fought campaign, Nimbus III Chief Administrator Narala emerged victorious in the race to become the next Federation president. Continue reading the rest of the article at the FNS website. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  9. PARIS, EARTH — As voters across the Federation scramble to get their ballots in before the 2392 presidential election period ends, the staff for the incumbent, President Nan Bacco, is racing to complete preparations for the president’s state visit to the new capital of the Romulan Star Empire in what will be the final achievement of her administration. Continue reading the rest of the article at http://fns.news FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  10. Nash Blaxland reports on the worrying risk of holo-addiction among Luna’s children and one program that gives hope to those dealing with the struggle. Jason Kershaw’s holo-addiction is out of control. Several months ago, the seventeen-year-old procured his own holo-emitters, turning his bedroom into a personal holosuite. Before that, he was spending upwards of ten hours a day in the holo-arcade near his home in Armstrong City. Last year, he was top of his class. Now, he has dropped out of his final year at Aldrin High School. Continue reading the rest of the article at http://fns.news This article was written by Didrik Stennes of the USS Darwin-A. Submit your own news story to the FNS! FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  11. GHDAR I — The Gorn Hegemony announced to the Federation that it wishes to open new dialogue between the two powers and rebuild relations that have chilled since the Gorn invasion in 2383. Continue reading the rest of the article at http://fns.news This article was written by Colonel Nugra of the USS Doyle-A. Submit your own news story to the FNS! FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  12. Narala leads post-debate polls as election draws near By Reza Kardgar Stardate 239212.11 PARIS, EARTH — As citizens across the Federation prepare to head to the polls next week, Nimbus III Chief Administrator Narala tops the latest polls following the FNS presidential debate. “After skipping the Berengaria Caucus, Narala needed to hit it out of the ballpark, and boy did she do it,” said Professor Emil Arbelaez, chairman of political science at Pike City University on Cestus III. “It seems this election cycle, voters are looking towards greater representation from all corners of the Federation, and Narala’s message of inclusiveness for all members, not just the core worlds, really struck a chord with the audience.” Indeed, as of stardate 239212.11, Narala leads the FNS poll with 35% of the vote. Right behind her is Councilor Kevin Steiner of Terra Nova with 30%, and tied for third place are Ambassador Lily Ventu and Trill Chief of Staff Anari Kthria at 15% each. Coming in last is Axanar Governor Adellia Vor, with 5% of the vote. “The Vor Campaign is in crisis mode right now,” said political adviser Matthew Broteivach. “Despite all of her accomplishments in her own system, she wasn’t able to connect with voters in the wider Federation, and frankly, I’m not sure she has any time left to do so.” Debate highlights candidates’ differences The debate last week (full transcript available here) was the final chance for voters to get a look at all five of the major candidates on one stage before the election period begins. In a civil discussion that ranged from foreign policy to the dispute between the United Earth government and the Federation regarding the New Zealand penal settlement on Earth, the candidates quickly distinguished themselves from one another as they answered the questions from FNS moderators Maronida Shiir and Churok as well as direct questions from the audience. In addition to promoting a more egalitarian approach to Federation administration, Chief Administrator Narala answered a question about potential low voter turnout, again pointing to a disconnect between voters and the politicians that are supposed to represent them. “They have a right to feel that way. If the people feel they don’t have a connection with me or my fellow candidates, then it’s our job to rectify that problem,” she said. “However, I can’t fix what I don’t know about. I can’t speak for the others, but I believe it is up to the voters to alert me to their concerns—I’m not an all-knowing being. I’m one person, prepared to take on an extraordinary role, and part of that role is being prepared to listen to the citizens of my charge. I am prepared to achieve the desired outcome of their issues for the citizens of my charge.” Councilor Kevin Steiner, as he has throughout his campaign, again stressed the importance of a strong Starfleet to secure the Federation’s prosperity against the growing and competing interests of neighboring powers. When asked about how to balance Starfleet’s dual roles of defense and exploration, Steiner clarified his view on the connection between both mission objectives. “Here’s the issue: Starfleet’s mission of exploration and defense are inherently linked to one another. When our Starfleet is weakened, we are unable to engage in bold missions of exploration. We simply do not have the number of ships to do so!” he said to audience member Rho Falcon, who had asked the question. “Every ship we have to pull from the frontier to help in patrol duty or to assist in anti-piracy operations is another ship that isn’t out there exploring strange new worlds.” However, Steiner received the most applause following a question from moderator Churok, who asked the councilor what his view on holographic rights were. In an unexpectedly poignant reply, Steiner brought up the example of the android Data. “Nearly three decades ago, a judge ruled that an android—an artificial lifeform created by a man—had the right to choose its—his own destiny. That he was not merely property,” he said. “That android since went on to become one of the finest officers in Starfleet. Now, we are talking about holograms—another artificial lifeform, created by man—that have displayed similar sentience as that android.” “It’s time we acknowledge once and for all that what truly defines a person goes beyond their physical form, whether flesh and blood, tripolymer composites, or light and force fields. I fully recognize the rights such lifeforms are owed by the Articles of Federation, and I believe I am not alone.” In contrast to Steiner’s approach to foreign policy, Ambassador Ventu stressed peace and understanding towards those beyond the Federations borders and even those who sought to do harm to the Federation, such as the Maquis Reborn. “We will not quell the violence with more violence,” she said. “Terrorism has always been used as a tactic to goad our baser instincts, to have us lash out in fear—both back at them and at each other. The answer lies in vigilance. We must remain vigilant—to guard against impending threats, of course—but also against those who would infringe on our way of life, whether they be the Maquis Reborn or those in power.” When questioned by audience member and Starfleet commanding officer Selene Faranfey about whether vigilance alone was enough to defeat an enemy that had managed to pull off highly-sophisticated attacks, the ambassador acknowledged the seriousness of the threat and what particularly troubled her. “[The Maquis Reborn] do have many resources to draw upon, both in terms of personnel and matériel, and that is worrying to me,” said Ventu. “It is worrying precisely because it means that there are many people out there who feel they have no one else to turn to, that the Federation has failed them, and that they must resort to violence.” However, the ambassador remained firm on her message of understanding as the ultimate solution. “To those who say that they use violence against us and so we must use violence against them, I say that they are not our teachers,” said Ventu. “We must understand the Maquis Reborn. We failed to understand the Maquis, and to find a diplomatic solution, and that ended in the deaths of their majority at the hands of the Jem’Hadar. As your president, I will not allow this violence to continue—because I will get to the root of why it is occurring and proceed from there.” Excellency Kthria was asked to describe in more detail how her radical proposals for sector-level governance of the Federation could be a solution for piracy. “The main goal of sector-level administration is to coordinate responses, but for something like piracy, especially by rogue houses, a sector government could collaborate to efficiently place patrol routes and automated sensor platforms to decrease reaction time and enable placed ships to respond faster,” she explained. “Ultimately, though, we may have to resort to a solution that Earth did: fleets whose only job was to hunt out and destroy piracy. I would rather keep that as a last resort, however.” Kthria was likewise skeptical of Ventu’s plan to handle the Maquis Reborn. “Ambassador Ventu, while I applaud the sentiment and largely agree that adding more security can devolve into security theatre and a curtailment of rights, I am also cognizant that many of the attacks of the Maquis Reborn are due to security lapses in Starfleet and Federation day-to-day operations,” she said. “In addition, people who have embarked on a path of terrorism will require actual force to defeat.” When asked about the dispute between United Earth and the Federation over the future of the New Zealand penal settlement, Governor Vor expressed sympathy for Earth officials who wanted more of a say in the administration of a facility on their own land but stated that the proper path towards a solution was working with the Federation, not around it. “If the United Earth government has an issue with the original agreement signed in 2346, then the appropriate channel is to open new dialogue between the Federation and themselves, not attempt to usurp the agreement through their own internal legislation,” said the governor. “I needn’t remind the United Earth officials that as with all such treaties and agreements, they are bound by interstellar law to honor them unless amendments have been made between the two parties.” When pressed on whether the Federation itself being the one to enforce such laws represented a conflict of interest, Vor disagreed. “Again, if United Earth wants to have a conversation about the penal settlement—or any other issue—then they should do so, with the Federation,” she said. Citzens react After the debate, those in attendance seemed not to have been too surprised by the candidates’ responses, but Chief Administrator Narala appeared to have benefited the most from the exposure. “I have to admit, I hadn’t really known much about her or what she’d done for Nimbus III,” said Jan Wahler, a mechanical engineer from Hekaras II. “But I found myself nodding over and over whenever she spoke. She definitely won my vote!” Like Excellency Kthria, others were equally skeptical about Ambassador Ventu’s peace and understanding first approach towards the Maquis Reborn. “I don’t know what world the ambassador is living in,” said Hishama of Rigel IV. “These people are terrorists. They aren’t going to be swayed by an outstretched hand but a charged phaser rifle. Diplomacy only works if you have some teeth to back it up with.” When asked about whom he was going to vote for, Hishama said he still hadn’t made up his mind. “I like Steiner. If we had listened to him twenty years ago, maybe things would have turned out a lot differently,” he answered. “That said, he’s also been in Paris for decades. I’m not sure if Kthria’s proposals would really work, but hey, maybe it’d be good to shake things up.” In the final days of their campaigns, all candidates have begun a final push, rallying voters across a dozen worlds. Councilor Steiner is expected to give a speech at the University of Betazed tonight, and Ambassador Lily Ventu will be attending a dinner with returning Starfleet members coming home from Operation Safe Harbor. Excellency Kthria and Governor Vor will be visiting Andoria and Ktaris respectively. Finally, after some had questioned whether she was even eligible to run for the presidency earlier this year, Chief Administrator Narala appeared to be enjoying her new status as the front-runner following the debate, smiling widely as she greeted supporters on Bolarus IX. “We are many, but we can be one!” she yelled out to cheers, repeating her call for Federation unity during the debate. The 2392 Federation presidential election period begins next week. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  13. The candidates have spoken, and now it’s your turn. Who do you think won the FNS presidential debate? VOTE NOW! A full transcript of the debate is included below the poll.
  14. Candidates prepare for final debate By T'Vas Stardate 239212.05 TELLAR PRIME — The five leading candidates in the 2392 Federation presidential race will take the stage at Gral University for the final debate of the election cycle. As the election draws near, Federation citizens will get one last look at all of the candidates together on one stage: Ambassador Lily Ventu Chief Administrator Narala of Nimbus III Governor Adellia Vor of Axanar Federation Councilor for Terra Nova Kevin Steiner Trill Chief of Staff Anari Kthria The debate will be hosted by FNS political contributor Maronida Shiir and FNS columnist Churok and will cover foreign policy, domestic and social issues, and questions directly from the audience. Join us this Saturday on stardate 239212.05 at 7pm London/2pm New York/11 am San Francisco through our live data feed!
  15. President Bacco leads tributes to Ambassador Spock Stardate 239211.28 MOUNT SELEYA, VULCAN – Outgoing Federation President Nan Bacco spoke today at a memorial service that took place on Vulcan’s most sacred of peaks to honor the late Ambassador Spock on the fifth anniversary of his passing. Speaking against the backdrop of the Hall of Ancient Thought, the President of the United Federation of Planets spoke warmly about the iconic diplomat. “Spock’s contributions to the course of the history of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants go without saying," said Bacco. “We are left poorer without his sage advice and singular wit.” Ambassador Spock was killed in 2387 during the Hobus supernova crisis, which led the destruction of Romulus and Remus, and the chaos that currently envelops Romulan space. No representatives from either the Romulan Star Empire or the Romulan Republic were in attendance, with the Star Empire once again claiming that Spock “did not act quickly enough to prevent the destruction of the homeworlds.” The Romulan Republic released a statement saying that while they honor Spock’s contributions to the course of history, they would not be sending a representative to the service due to “security concerns”. However, the great-great-neice of the late Ambassador was in attendance at the special ceremony. Lualla Grayson-Cregg, a diplomatic attache to Qo’noS, made the trip especially to honor “the man who shaped worlds, touched thousands of lives and whose courage and dedication will remain a beacon of inspiration to countless generations to come.” Attaché Grayson-Cregg also spoke of Spock’s influence on her own life, saying that “without his guidance I would not be the woman I am today.” After the memorial service, President Bacco left Vulcan aboard the USS Endeavour and refused to comment whom she is backing as her replacement at next month’s elections to succeed her as President of the United Federation of Planets. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  16. Starfleet officer killed during prison breakout Stardate 239211.23 ELBA II, SECTOR 98 — A Starfleet security officer was killed by a dangerous prisoner who escaped confinement from a maximum security facility. Lieutenant Joseph Rostenkowski, 24, was stabbed seven times in the heart by Chennel, a Bolian woman arrested earlier this year by the crew of the USS Columbia in the Skalur Expanse on piracy and kidnapping charges. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical officers. “Joseph Rostenkowski was an outstanding young man who had a very promising career ahead of him”, said Governor Matthias Brunel, head of the correctional facility on Elba II where Rostenkowski served. “His death will not go unanswered or unpunished. We will track down Chennel and bring her to justice.” However that may be more difficult than it seems as the Federation News Service has learned that Chennel has disappeared and is now believed to be at large. Data obtained from sources at Starfleet Security reveals that the fugitive Bolian was last seen aboard a small civilian corvette on a course that would have taken her to the Black Cluster, an astronomical formation in Sector 97 near the border with the Tzenkethi Coalition. Starfleet Command has refused to state whether they have tasked a vessel to search the region, commenting that they do not discuss ship assignments in strategically important regions. Chennel was recently sentenced by the Starfleet Judge Advocate General’s Office to life imprisonment without possibility of parole on 79 counts of interstellar piracy, 189 counts of kidnapping and one count of torturing a Starfleet officer. She was also wanted by the Bolian Security Ministry in connection to the deaths of her sister as well as her ex-bondmate. She was arrested by the crew of the USS Columbia who stumbled across her base of operations while on a routine planetary survey. Prosecutor Lieutenant Commander Claudia-Jean Merriman described Chennel as “a credible and present danger to society” during her trial, which was held aboard Starbase 375 in October of this year, and that Chennel was “the most narcissistic individual I have ever met, which is saying something given I’ve spent most of my career prosecuting Ferengi criminals.” Another source at Starfleet Security stated that an “urgent security analysis” is tonight underway at Elba II to understand how Chennel circumvented stringent security procedures to prevent tragedies like this from occurring. FNS has reached out to the department for comment but has not received a response as of yet. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  17. Massive unrest on Cygnet XIV after revelation of planned bio attack By Amelia Kerellian Stardate 239211.20 Protests at the Federation Embassy have grown since the announcement of the planned attack and Starfleet's enforcement of a gag order by the Cygnetian government. CYGNET XIV — Protests and demonstrations erupted at the Federation Embassy and across the planet following the announcement that news of a planned bio attack had been suppressed earlier this year by the government and Starfleet Command. On stardate 239211.09, a terrorist plot to release a deadly bio-virus was detected by Cygnetian Security working with a Starfleet science ship, investigating anomalous power signals. While this would be major news by itself, it was eclipsed by an announcement by the Arellian Cry, a major news network. They revealed that the government had been aware of the bio virus being released as early as stardate 239207, but had placed a gag order on the order of the ruling body, the Council of Matriarchs. In addition, Starfleet Command had enforced this issue, restricting the knowledge to only two members of Starfleet. While they had made enough strides to isolate that something had been intended to happen to a planet somewhere in the Avalon Sector, the gag order had prevented effective sharing of information and action. When it was revealed the primary reason of the gag order was that the leader of the Council of Matriarchs did not want her connection to the terrorist, who was a member of the same clan, disclosed, as well as the fact she had gone to the trouble of disowning the terrorist’s daughter to prevent this, the long simmering resentment towards the centralization of power exploded into protests and motions of no confidence. While at first Starfleet had dodged a black eye, that came to an abrupt halt when it was revealed that the bio-virus was a biological weapon left over from the Dominion War that had not been destroyed. Protests at the Federation Embassy have sharply increased over the last several days "I’m unsurprised. The Cygnetian Matriarchy has typically been what Terrans would call a feudal system," said Professor Emil Arbelaez, chairman of political science at Pike City University on Cestus III ."Roughly three hundred and eighty years ago, the leading clans – the Ariadust, Hakashri, Eolia, Sequri and Fearhi clans – proposed a system that would give more ‘voice’ to the people.In reality, it gave them control of the Council of Matriarchs, the upper body. It actually centralized power, since all clan members now had to pull in one direction to retain their political power, as well as forcing the smaller clans to bond to the larger ones to allow them any political pull. This incident just allowed the simmering tensions to boil over." In the meantime, hard calls within Starfleet have started to emerge. "I would be more than interested in how such a weapon could be allowed to exist past the treaty deadline," said Anari Kthria, the Chief of Staff for Trill and a presidential candidate, speaking from a campaign stop on Andoria. "I call on the President and Starfleet Command to start an inquiry as to who stopped the destruction and who issued the gag order. Such an act is contrary to the ideals of the Federation." Kthria declined to answer any follow up questions, citing a need for more information before baseless speculation. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  18. Subspace relay network disruption leaves billions cut off from wider Federation By T'Vas Stardate 239211.07 Aging infrastructure such as subspace relay stations badly in need of repairs and upgrades was blamed for yesterday's outage. MONASH SECTOR - Several worlds and outposts across the Monash sector were cut off from the Federation subspace relay network temporarily before communications were quickly restored. "There was a short outage in the network due to a faulty subspace relay station that led to a cascade failure, but the problem has been resolved," said Iris Kena, general manager of sector operations, to reporters outside the Federation Civic Center on Ramsol III. Residents first noticed the disruption at 07:41 FST yesterday, when com signal errors began logging across several media networks. "I'm trying to catch up on the Olympic hockey qualifier when the whole transmission cuts off just as Pascoe is about to score!" complained Theriss Min, a chemist and resident of Daltan II. "Don't tell me who won! I heard they're going to replay it tonight." Though there have been occasional disruptions in the network over the past few years, yesterday's outage was the largest yet. Communications network officials blame outdated equipment and poorly maintained subspace relay stations. Reinvesting in aging infrastructure has been a priority for the outgoing Bacco administration. Legislation to upgrade communications and transportation systems across the Federation was passed by the Federation Council last year, but the much needed supplies and workers were delayed during the Federation Transport Union strike. "With the strike over, they can get started working again in full upgrading the system," said Frajaan, director for Global 7, the largest media network on Ramsol III, "but the truth is we needed those upgrades long before the strike." "The problem is so do the sectors around us," he added. Starfleet Command assured reporters that no Starfleet operations were affected by the outage, which lasted approximately three hours. FNS Home FNS Data Feed FNS on FB
  19. One on one with candidate Narala By Vian Nova Stardate 239210.17 Nimbus III Chief Administrator Narala on Deep Space 9, Bajor Sector. Narala is known as "the crusader" in her run for the presidency. Much of her publicity has boasted of her ability to take action when it comes to politics. Yet while her record fighting corruption and transforming Nimbus III from a failed colony to a prosperous, galactic hotspot is impressive, she remains unfamiliar to many across the rest of the Federation. She was also the only candidate who did not attend the Berengaria Caucus - a move many political commentators believe may have cost her the presidency. I was able to get a hold of an interview with Chief Administrator Narala whilst she held a meet and greet on Deep Space 9. Despite being a candidate, it is surprisingly difficult to get a one-on-one interview with her. I was lucky to get this rare opportunity. There's been a lot of controversies whilst you've been in the running - I'd like to go over them with you. The first one is that your eligibility to run has come into question numerous times throughout the campaign. Has it hindered you in any way? "No more than it being an awfully common question. I am a Federation citizen - Nimbus III was a joint effort involving the Federation. I know they've run investigations into my eligibility, but there's no question about it - I'm a legitimate candidate for this election." There's been a few questions about how you came to power on Nimbus III, namely about how quickly you came to power after the arrest of Chief Administrator Ventimago Weil. "It was a fluke. I had nothing to do with the rallies that were run. I'd certainly never considered being Chief Administrator before then, too. But when the opportunity arose, and I was urged to run for office, I took it. I ran legitimately there, too. A lot of those rumors you're talking about mention some backdoor dealing, but there was nothing like it. It was a proper campaign, the people voted, and I was put into office." The Prometheus Incident was quite the debacle. Do you stand by your comments about the investigation being led by someone not affiliated with Starfleet? "Of course. I stand by those comments 100%. Starfleet does a lot of things for the Federation, but when a mistake of that magnitude occurs, I believe it's best that an independent party comes in to investigate what exactly happened." Moving forward to more recent events - Vivian Voreic, Orion crime lord, on Nimbus III. Did you push forward with your appeal? "The people of both Nimbus and the Federation are rightfully concerned about Voreic. I can say that the case has been appealed, and it's currently under review by a secondary prosecutor as per the Nimbus Security Regulation Act." READ PREVIOUS STORY: "Candidate Narala faces questions about crime lord's sudden acquittal" - SD 239206.10 There was a report released recently about Bajoran voters. Have you seen it? "I have." What are your comments on that report? "I think that the Federation has lost its way by focusing more on a select group of planets than not of the entire Federation itself. The United Federation of Planets doesn't feel very united right now - it seems that the planets have been categorized in a "level of importance", and I don't stand for that. That is something that must be changed. The figures and comments from Bajor seem to indicate that the Bajoran people no longer feel important." Do you think there should be a Bajoran candidate? "I think every planet should have a candidate. Every planet's needs should be represented, the Bajorans included. I pledge myself to represent the needs of those who feel unheard. Every voice is important, not just a select few." Do you plan to go to Bajor? "It's my next shuttle ride." True to her word, Narala departed Deep Space 9 shortly after our interview to head to Bajor. Whether she'll be headed to Paris at the end of this year to take the oath of office remains to be seen. Read More: Exclusive Election 2392 Coverage FNS Home • FNS Data Feed • FNS on FB This story was written by the writer for Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core. Submit your own news stories to the FNS!
  20. Voter apathy a major concern on Bajor By Nash Blaxland Stardate 239210.15 BAJOR — A poll of eligible voters on Bajor this week has shown that nearly three in every five Bajorans do not plan to vote in this year’s presidential election. Consistent responses across all eighteen provinces indicate the majority of Bajorans view the upcoming election, which will determine Nan Bacco’s successor as Federation president, as an issue of relatively little importance. In Jerad and Tozhat provinces, only 51 percent plan to vote (the highest proportion planetwide), while in Kendra Province, an overwhelming 71 percent intend to stay home on election day. The poll was taken in the aftermath of the Berengeria caucus, during which the five major candidates met with journalists and voters, explained their major policy goals, and outlined their strategic plans for the Federation. Since the close of the caucus, everyone from interest groups to bookmakers has been anxious for early predictions about the result. Everyone except, it may seem, the Bajorans. Voter intention by Bajoran province. “I watched several of the debates,” said Gorna Zehesh, a katterpod farmer from Rakantha Province, “but I wasn’t very impressed with the candidates who participated.” Similar statements were made by poll respondents across the planet. Many also expressed frustration with a perceived decrease in the strategic importance of Bajor in the Federation. “We were the most important planet in the galaxy at one point not so very long ago,” said Yirduk Pim, a member of the Council of Ministers, “but in the four years since we joined the Federation, our influence has diminished considerably.” While stopping short of saying so explicitly, Minister Yirduk also implied that were there a Bajoran among the field of candidates, interest in the election might be higher: “I think the prevailing opinion amongst Bajorans is that there is no current candidate to which we can relate.” Indeed, the Bajoran poll showed low support for all five major candidates. Kevin Steiner leads with 9 percent, with newcomer Anari Kthria in second place on 5 percent. Adellia Vor and Narala share third place on 3 percent each, while Lily Ventu is last on 1 percent. “Councillor Steiner spoke strongly in favor of Bajor’s entry into the Federation, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding our accession,” said Seermi Aleya, professor of Contemporary Studies at the University of Bajor. “Out of all the candidates, he enjoys the highest name recognition on Bajor.” Dr. Keahvon of the Cerberus Group, an Earth-based think tank, concurs: “The Bajorans have not forgotten the Occupation, or the Dominion War. A candidate who commits to a continued Starfleet security presence in the Bajoran sector will likely win the support of the government. “As for the Bajoran people,” he continued, “that’s less easy to predict.” 79 percent of Bajorans do not prefer any of the five major candidates. Over 22 percent of Bajorans named a non-candidate as preferred president, while nearly 57 percent expressed no preference whatsoever. Analysts worry that the threat of low turnout on Bajor may be mirrored on other planets. “Low turnout on only one planet is not a mathematical concern,” said Professor Ograx of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Betazed. “But voter apathy on a larger scale is dangerous for democracy, because it increases the likelihood that the result will not be viewed as a legitimate expression of the will of the people, and the election of candidates with only minority support furthers people’s frustration and reluctance to vote.” The Bajoran poll is only the first planetwide poll to have been published since the close of the Berengeria caucus, but political analysts, and the candidates themselves, will be watching to see if voter sentiment on Bajor is a unique phenomenon, or part of a larger problem. Read More: Exclusive Election 2392 Coverage FNS Home • FNS Data Feed • FNS on FB
  21. HAVE YOUR SAY: The Candidates at the Caucus The Issue: At the recent Berengaria Caucus, three of the four Presidential Candidates joined by newcomer Anari Kthria participated in the noted Presidential Panel, giving the Federation a snapshot of their views on many different issues. With domestic issues like the Federation Transport Union Strike and Starfleet reform taking precedence alongside foreign policy debates like hypothetical Klingon expansion and just what direction the Federation should take as it approaches the 25th century. While some candidates agreed on some issues, they often diverged and the FNS would like to know which candidate you feel you could support in the wake of the Caucus. The Poll will be closed and your vote will remain anonymous, but you are free to comment on why you support your chosen candidate. In the spirit of the caucus, please keep all comments respectful. Read more about the Election & The Berengaria Caucus:Berengaria Caucus ends, candidates speakBajoran author Pela Zhor speaks at opening of Berengaria Caucus For more on the course of the election, please refer to the FNS' dedicated election coverage Election 2392: The Road to ParisAs with all FNS stories, your comments on the current situation are welcome below. FNS Home FNS Forum FNS Data Feed FNS on FB Join the FNS Team
  22. Berengaria Caucus ends, presidential candidates speak By Lara Senekal Stardate 239210.08 This year's Berengaria Caucus closed with a Presidential Panel attended by four candidates, with Anari Kthria, the Chief of Staff of Trill, making her surprise announcement for her own bid for the presidency. BERENGARIA VII – The main event of the Berengaria Caucus took place earlier today with the Presidential Panel featuring three of the four established major candidates thus far and a surprise announcement of a fifth candidate, Anari Kthria of Trill. "As we approach the 25th century, now is a good time for us to consider new ways to make sure we can continue our mandate of exploration of the galaxy while upholding the ideals of the Federation," said Kthria during her announcement speech. Excellency Kthria has served as Trill's Chief of Staff since 2377. She along with Ambassador Lily Ventu, Governor Adellia Vor and Councilor Kevin Steiner all participated in a debate on issues concerning the Federation and beyond. For nearly two hundred years the Berengaria Caucus has been an arena for the exchange of ideas and the discussion of the most important issues of the day. During election years, the Presidential Panel is held at the close of the Caucus and is the first event where all major candidates are presented to the Federation at large on an equal footing.This year’s panel was moderated by the legendary Maronida Shiir, who took the various candidates to task in her usual style, asking hard hitting questions on a wide variety of topics from holographic rights to Cardassian foreign policy. The Ambassador, The Visionary Lily Ventu, former Starfleet Officer and Federation Ambassador Ambassador Lily Ventu is a woman with impressive credentials. A former Starfleet Officer with a background in both the mental and physical sciences with several decorations therein. Also a Command-level officer and former Captain of Starbase 118, Ambassador Ventu first emerged on the interstellar stage when she resigned her commission to play a role in the formation of the Thracian Alliance. Afterwards, Ventu ran to replace Kasumi Shakaturi as Earth’s junior Councilor after she died in office and was narrowly defeated by Malcom von Tesch. Since then she has been something of a celebrity in diplomatic and foreign policy circles. In three years she has handled over thirty first contact situations and her influence as Ambassador-at-Large to the Galactic West is widely felt in the Menthar Corridor. Astrofori One, while coming to a rocky start, has proven a success thus far. Future prospect for Federation development in the region, along with continuing peaceful relations with the neighboring powers, are largely thanks to her. Having a Starfleet and foreign policy background is certainly an unusual combination in a Presidential Candidate and many have been wondering if Ambassador Ventu can bring the same type of vision that helped her form two major interstellar initiatives to the Federation proper. During the Panel, Ambassador Ventu highlighted her accomplishments, but did not rely on them and voiced her opinions on every topic raised. Having spent several years along the Federation-Klingon border, Ambassador Ventu offered a unique, hands-on experience on Federation-Klingon relations: "Since the Khitomer Accords, the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire have been staunch allies, the evidence of which is plentiful in the decades since -- from Ambassador, then Captain, Jean-Luc Picard serving as the Empire's Arbiter of Succession to our wartime alliance in opposing the Dominion. The way forward, then, is neither to respond to rattling sabers nor by rattling our own. Only peaceful dialogue and diplomatic congeniality can sustain our long friendship, as they have since the Accords and as they will continue to do as the Federation and the Empire learn and grow together." More a dove than a hawk, Ambassador Ventu continued her diplomatic language when speaking on the possibility of renewed Tholian expansion. "Never has the time been more ripe for productive conversations between the Tholian Assembly and the United Federation of Planets. The recently reopened diplomatic missions to Earth, Vulcan, and Andor, as well as the Tholian Embassy currently serving Astrofori One, demonstrate for us that the Assembly, or at least some within it, are as interested in discourse as we are. We must appeal to these elements as we encounter the Tholians, as their expansion marks an exciting time for the Assembly, a sign that the political factions that favored insularity may have been supplanted by other, more liberal voices." While if anyone could finally bring the Tholians into the fold, it would be Ambassador Ventu, many wonder if the Assembly’s knee-jerk expansionist tendencies and isolationist mantras can be curbed. Ambassador Ventu did not shy away from criticizing President Bacco on her deal to end the Federation Transport Union strike and her strong words and tone surprised many. "Privatization to please the interests of individual corporations and commercial entities flies very much in the face of the nationalized, egalitarian framework that have successfully supported the United Federation of Planets for two centuries. While President Bacco must be commended for her part in amicably ending the Federation Transport Union strike, I feel very strongly that she used the wrong methods to do so. I do not cling to our ideology hollowly, either; the openness and equality that have been rooted so deeply in the running of bodies like the Federation Transport Union must remain so if we are to have a Federation that we recognize and can continue to cherish." With her reputation as a deal-maker, a forger of alliances, but also someone with the right Starfleet background, Ambassador Ventu certainly has appeal to a wide variety of voters though many question if she is ready to take on the monumental task of leading the Federation without any previous administrative experience. With the Alpha Quadrant showing some signs of instability though, a great diplomat, a great peacemaker, may be just what the Federation needs. One thing is for sure though, Ambassador Ventu is a visionary with several success stories behind her and a keen eye for the flow of history that is not to be underestimated. The Governor, The Builder Adellia Vor, Governor of the planet Axanar Young, beautiful and immensely popular on her homeworld of Axanar and throughout the Federation core worlds, Governor Adellia Vor is a symbol to many of the Federation’s youngest citizens about what can be achieved at any age if one has the will. Elected to the governorship of the economically important Federation world at the age of 30, Vor is both the youngest and first Human governor elected. Running on a progressive and politically asymmetrical platform of multi-culturalism, economic growth and job creation, Governor Vor has exceeded even her own mandates in just two years in office. Axanar’s economic growth has been in the double digits for two years, replicating the startling economic growth she instigated in the polities where her electoral list Patash Molok was in government. The woefully lopsided growth compared to other areas of Axanar was noted and four years later, she and her party washed over Axanar in an election known as the Blue Wave. During her time in office, Governor Vor has “pruned” the Axanari government and its institutions of ineffective policies, inept administrators and cut a swath through the bureaucracy for a lean and efficient political machine that has allowed a river of credits to flow into the system. Her most controversial decision, but now regarded as a success story, was the partial nationalization of the Axanar Fleet Yards. Streamlining the administration of the Fleet Yards, growth has been tremendous since the Yards started fulfilling private contracts, even more so than during Axanar’s heyday from 2250-2350. Using these new funds and resources, Governor Vor has expanded the building and reform program begun in Varia-Nueva Alajuela to the entire planet, building vast amounts of infrastructure and reforming the education system. With a strong economic and administrative background, Governor Vor is certainly a natural choice but in an election where foreign policy is taking a lead and experience is key, Governor Vor has tried to present herself as wise beyond her years. Speaking on her own experiences with nationalization and privatization, while highlighting her own successes, Governor Vor refused to criticize President Bacco’s deal. "Nationalization and privatization are two very powerful tools in any government's tool set. On Axanar, I instituted several initiatives that mixed both processes to maximize efficiency along with job and economic growth. The nationalization of the fleet yards was a very arduous process though and the process of privatizing mining contracts opened up a lot of unknowns. It is the duty of any administrator, any government, any leader, to foster cooperation between the concerned parties and reassure the electorate that they are still in control of the situation. This deal took a very long time to iron out and I think any deal that stopped this destructive strike is a good deal.” Governor Vor also spoke on Klingon Expansion and the general expansion of any other power, voicing opinions on foreign policy issues she has not had to face on Axanar. "For the past twenty years there have been policy experts saying that the mentality among the Klingon leadership is 'expand or die' as a response to perceived cultural and military stagnation. Since the Klingons rarely integrate planets peacefully any expansion should be treated as a worrisome development but the reaction must be tempered. The President of the Federation needs to leverage the diplomatic, economic and cultural capital that the Khitomer Accords have afforded our two great interstellar bodies to see that Klingon expansion does not threaten the relationship we have worked so hard to build.” Like Ambassador Ventu, Governor Vor favors keeping the peace, but puts more emphasis on political and economic ties than pure diplomacy, though many wonder if economic ties matter to the Klingons or anyone else. When pressed on the issue of imperialism and whether she would go to war to prevent it, she had only this to say. "That would depend on the nature of the situation." A woman noted for her grand plans, Governor Vor also spoke plainly about her vision for the 25th century. "Vision is a word we should talk about a lot in this election, and the elections to come. After nearly fourteen years of a Bacco Presidency I think many of us are yearning for a fresh take on politics, on our democracy, our values, a lot of things. I'm not saying President Bacco did a bad job but I think the past four years have definitely felt stagnant for a lot of people and stagnation breeds all kinds of ills. I would like to see a grand enlargement of the Federation. I would like to see the fostering of new ideas and new interpretations of old ones. I think the 25th century could be just as great a time for the Federation as the 22nd. Advances in warp technology have been few and the frontier has shrunk because of it. Now with new territories opening up, we would be fools not to cease the initiative out there, while promoting growth and an intellectual Renaissance at home. And we should build! Build roads, build buildings, build ships, build cities, build institutions, build things people haven’t yet conceived of yet. I think the people of the Federation need to feel a sense of accomplishment and fight the feeling of stagnation by showing them that the task of building our great civilization is not yet done. We should constantly have a hammer in hand building new things, if not improving old ones. Just because something is the way it is now, does not mean must always be this way.” The Councilor, The Hawk Kevin Steiner, the senior Federation Councilor from Terra Nova Long time Federation Councilor for Terra Nova, Kevin Steiner has been a fixture of Federation politics for decades. Conservative and hawkish on foreign policy, Councilor Steiner is often quoted in the media when Federation interests are threatened or relations between other powers break down. His famous "crows" speech in 2373 on the Council floor where he passionately declared that "the crows have come home to roost" as the Dominion War broke out made him a household name and is still quoted by others to express the political naiveté some in the Federation have about the galaxy we live in. Like many other candidates, Councilor Steiner has also put a strong emphasis on service and responsibility and has used these past assertions against “baseless” accusations that he is an isolationist. Councilor Steiner himself served in the Peace Corps for six years before returning to his homeworld of Terra Nova and says he has a deep appreciation for other cultures, though says that we must not be blind to the ambitions of other powers. He has also fought for the admission of several of the more controversial recent member worlds, including Bajor and has repeated time and again that diversity is the Federation’s greatest strength and continued cultural diffusion is the only way that the Federation grows and becomes greater. Councilor Steiner is also a noted supporter of Starfleet and other service organizations. Many accuse him of being militant and overly aggressive but he maintains that “exploration” should not be an excuse not to defend the Federation’s borders. He has long been a critic of President Bacco and President Inyo before her over their perceived weaknesses in dealing with other powers. With some of his words prophetic in the wake of the Dominion War, the Hobus Incident and the Klingon Invasion, it appears that his once “reactionary” and “extreme” views now have a base in the electorate that is to some degree tired of non-starter shows of strength. While he says the right things, the experienced legislator is known for being a bit long winded and not carrying the same dynamic presence his competitors have. Painting himself as a sort of different politician however, Councilor Steiner says his use of “real words for real policies” should be taken as a positive. Such as when he spoke at the Panel on President Bacco’s handling of the Transport Union strike. "I'm not about to pat the President on the back for this supposed solution, especially when it's been her poor stewardship of our Starfleet that has led us to this act of desperation. I and other concerned councilors have been saying for years now that we simply do not have enough ships for Starfleet's mandate. Some have accused me of being a militant, but I'm not just talking about defense. Starfleet's exploratory division is a fraction of what it was even five years ago. It's simple math: if you have to reassign ships back to patrol duties, that's fewer ships out on the frontier." He also spoke on his chosen cause of foreign policy, giving harsh words for those who think that peace is an easy thing to maintain. "Whether it's the Klingons, Tholians, or Romulans, whoever takes office next year in Paris must understand that both our enemies and allies ultimately respect one thing: strength. Let's take the Tholians, for instance. The layman's analysis is that their xenophobia means that if we stay out of their space, they'll stay out of ours. And yet this ignores history, where time after time, the "isolated" Tholians have gone out and annexed surrounding territory. They are opportunists, and if we're not careful, they'll continue to encroach on our interests." Councilor Steiner ended with a side of him few people get to see or remember, a man who is deeply appreciative and supportive of the Federation’s diversity. Speaking on his vision for the 25th century, he had this to say. "I talk so often about foreign policy and defense that I think sometimes people forget that's not only why I'm running. This election is about the soul of our Federation as we move towards the next century. Just in the last one hundred years, we have seen countless challenges our forefathers would have never imagined. We faced total annihilation from the Borg and the Dominion. Thankfully, the solid foundation laid in place in government by those past leaders--and the sacrifice of so many in Starfleet--enabled us to weather those crises. Yet despite the numerous innovations and cultural achievements across all our member worlds, I'd argue the advances in technology and society from 2161 to 2261 were a lot greater than from 2261 to 2361. I think part of that has been the centralization and homogenization of many Federation agencies. As President, I will encourage greater cultural exchanges among our members and allies. Our strength has always been in our diversity, that we are greater than one solar system and one species." The Administrator, The Crusader Narala, the Chief Administrator of Nimbus III While declining to be at the Caucus, citing her commitment to both her own world of Nimbus III and “action, rather than words”, Chief Administrator Narala is still very much in the running for the Presidency. A woman with firm convictions and an unquenchable drive to get things done, Chief Administrator Narala turned the infamously lawless and failed colony of Nimbus III into something its people could be proud of. Once the poster child of a failed planetary society, muttered in the same breath as Turkana IV, Nimbus III is now thriving, if in the early stages of development. Fighting corruption at every level, the road has been long and hard for once the only honest politician on the planet but Chief Administrator Narala has taken it in stride. She has worked tirelessly to transform her planet at every level and it appears to be working. It hasn’t been without its hiccups however, the Chief Administrator’s legal decisions were notably called into question several months ago but she has brushed off these allegations just like she brushed off the allegations that she is unable to run for President. Out of all the candidates, Chief Administrator Narala has had to work the hardest to get people to trust her. Virtually unknown, half-Romulan and leader of a planet that most people are unaware has changed for the better, Narala has had to fight an upward battle throughout the entire election cycle. She maintains that this is just another battle among many and she remains undaunted by the challenges stacked against her. A lifetime of service to the people, fighting gangsters, corrupt officials and pirates has given her a thick skin and she has rolled with the punches. The Negogiator, The Federalist Anari Kthria, the Chief of Staff of Trill When Anari Kthria, the Chief of Staff for Trill, asked to join the Presidential Panel, no one suspected this would be a prelude to making her own bid for the office. While a Candidate declaring late in the race and at the Caucus no less, has been done before (most notably by Chelia of Catia in the early 24th century), Anari Kthria was not the woman pollsters picked as a dark horse candidate. For the past fifteen years, Anari Kthria has served as the Chief of Staff for Trill's government, a non-partisan position amongst Trill's sometime factious parliamentary politics. Akin to a non-executive or ceremonial President, the only mandate the Chief of Staff has is serving as a national unifying figure and is often the one to conduct negotiations with other powers, be they Federation members or not. Most of these dealings were conducted with fellow Federation members in the Kalandra Sector, a diverse grouping of polities that has been in flux since the Dominion War. When she started serving as Chief of Staff, Excellency Kthria tried to be a voice in the storm amongst many worlds who desired preferential treatment in reconstruction resources. To facilitate a better allocation of resources, she established the Kalandra Reconstruction Authority, a Sector agency which controlled the flow of reconstruction materials into the sector. It was perhaps here, where Excellency Kthria formed her opinions on Federalism and the need for a more centralized administration in the Federation. Proposing sweeping reforms of the Federation and on Starfleet, Excellency Kthria proposes setting up Sector governments and more sector versus planetary commands, designed to facilitate rapid response and a more cohesive Federation government. Some see her proposed reforms as too extreme a reaction to recent crises and say that this would defeat the purpose of the Federation by marginalizing the various polities that it consists of. Excellency Kthria does not see it this way however and maintains that this would be a necessary evolution of the Federation and perhaps the first steps in establishing a common Sector or even Federation identity. While it is contested that these reforms are putting the cart before the horse, they are quite ambitious. As a woman who calls for unity, Excellency Kthria has taken a dim but somewhat sympathetic view of the Colonial Coalition. "It is regrettable that they feel the need to discuss remonstrance's with us. It may be us, it may be them, but I can imagine with the recent need of Starfleet to have to hire outside help - and one sincerely hopes that it's properly overseen - that we've began to outpace our ability to administrate and properly see to the safety and prosperity of our outlying colonies. " While remembering the Prime Directive, Excellency Kthria did express hope for the future of Inox in the wake of the recent revolution which has overthrown the allegedly corrupt central administration. "While I do not wish to overly comment on what is an Inoxian internal affair, I just hope that in their zeal, the new revolutionaries do not create a government worse than the old one." She has also been wary of the Klingon Empire, much more so than many of her fellow candidates. "I hope the accords we have reached with them start smoothing out the difficult relationship we have had since the fall of Romulus. I can't help but imagine something is going on behind the scenes." A woman with much to prove and little enough time to do it, time will tell if Excellency Kthria will add flavor to the election or go down in history as a candidate who was late to the start and last to the finish line. With the end of the panel, the election season is seen to have officially begun and the next three months will be a torrent of campaign events, speeches and press opportunities as the five candidates jockey for votes. Read More: Exclusive Election 2392 Coverage FNS Home • FNS Data Feed • FNS on FB
  23. Bolians protest Cardassian practice of wearing of Bolian skin clothing By Nash Blaxland Stardate 239209.25 The skin of Bolians was prized material for clothing on Cardassia until a ban nearly a century ago.STARBASE 118 — Nearly one hundred Bolians and several dozen others staged a sit-in outside the Diplomatic Corps offices on Starbase 118 today, protesting the Cardassian practice of wearing Bolian skins as garments. A delegation of Cardassian dignitaries arrived on Starbase 118 last night to discuss a scientific and cultural exchange with the Federation. One of the attendees at the welcome reception was Akiana Grol, a Cardassian actress and chanteuse known for her collection of clothing made from Bolian skins. Ms Grol’s presence on Starbase 118 was made public when she was photographed arriving at last night’s welcome reception by an FNS correspondent. Within hours of her image being shown on the starbase’s news feed, the Diplomatic Corps offices were flooded with complaints from outraged Bolians. It should be noted that Ms Grol has not been seen wearing the offending garments whatsoever during her stay on the Starbase. Historically, Bolian skin was prized among Cardassians for its durability and distinctive color, and although it has been illegal to manufacture or trade Bolian skin clothing in the Cardassian Union for nearly a century, existing garments are highly valued as symbols of status, and passed down from generation to generation. Earlier today, the Councilor of the Bolian Central Council released a statement that read in part, “We will never forget the disturbing Cardassian practice of murdering Bolians and wearing their skins, and we will never stop speaking out against those who continue to possess them. The presence of Ms Grol at a Federation-sponsored cultural exchange dishonors the memory of our people who were lost to such barbarism.” By mid-morning, over one hundred people had arrived to protest at the Diplomatic Corps offices on Starbase 118. Starfleet security personnel were called in to maintain order, but the event remained peaceful and no arrests were made. Shortly after 1600 hours, a representative of the Diplomatic Corps addressed the demonstrators. Reading from a prepared statement, the diplomat said that the Federation and Cardassia both have long condemned such practices, and that such problems are exactly what cultural exchanges are meant to solve. No questions were taken after the statement was read. Later in the day, the Diplomatic Corps published this reply from the office of the Cardassian Ambassador to the Federation: “The Cardassian Union stands with all intelligent species in its value of life, and in regret of the uncivilized behaviors of its forbears. We affirm now, as we affirmed nearly one hundred years ago, that such a vulgar practice has no place in Cardassian society. We can only hope that our people will not be judged by the boorish behavior of a very small minority, insistent on causing controversy.” Ms Grol is one of fourteen Cardassians, publicly known to wear Bolian skins, that have been declared personae non gratae on Bolarus IX. At press time, she had not responded to our requests for comment. Despite the longstanding ban in Cardassia, the Federation has confirmed reports of Cardassians illegally producing Bolian skin garments as recently as the early 2380s. It was believed that the large number of Bolians in the Maquis, which the Cardassians obliterated with the assistance of the Dominion in 2373, contributed to a revival in production and trading of skins. READ MORE TOP STORIES FROM THE FNS POLITICAL COUP: Governor of the Martian Colonies Announces an Orion Outpost on Mars Bajoran author Pela Zhor speaks at opening of Berengaria Caucus Policy changes put future of New Zealand Penal Settlement in doubt Demand exceeds supply of 'finest' bloodwine vintage in 83 years Lomales: a hitch in Federation-Laudean relations?
  24. Bajoran author Pela Zhor speaks at opening of Berengaria Caucus By Deyvani Chandur Stardate 239209.02 This year's Berengaria Caucus features a star-studded list of guests and speakers as the Federation elections loom near. BERENGARIA VII — The Berengaria VII Caucus began today in the capital city of Urraca, with all major (and even many minor) candidates in this year's presidential race present. Joining them are such Federation luminaries as Siraan of Vulcan, Cardinal Maria Santiago, Dr. Ven Tell, and many, many more, including many FNS contributors. "The Value of Open and Free Discussion" Noted author Pela Zhor of Bajor gave the opening address, reflecting on the changes in the galaxy since the last time he opened the Caucus in 2320, most notably the transformation of his homeworld of Bajor and what value and place Federation ideals have in an increasingly factious and unstable galaxy. "We look to the Federation Charter not as the haughty values of yesterday's idealists but as the culmination of hundreds—thousands of political movements over just as many years and ten times as many worlds. Over the Federation's existence, these ideas have been challenged, from within and without, and there have been temptations to call our ideals 'superior' to those we would call 'barbarous' and 'backward'. But that's not what the Federation stands for." "The Federation is not a haughty, shining city on the hill; it is an organization that seeks to turn fists into open palms, by extending one of its own. Our ideals make no claim to completeness, to absolute truth. Rather, our ideals believe most of all in the value of open and free discussion. We do not let differences simmer and shatter the peace we have all so hard worked for. We acknowledge them and the validity of our opponent's opinion." A Historic Forum The Berengaria Document, signed by Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar, and Earth, was a statement of common values and ideals among the assembled worlds when the Federation proper was still a nascent idea. It outlined comprehensive concepts of citizenship, sovereignty and interstellar law that would eventually give rise to the Federation Charter. In the late 22nd century, the Berengaria Caucus was started by T'Shar of Vulcan and her New Federation movement to serve as a free and open intellectual arena, in the spirit of the Document. While the New Federation Movement quickly declined, the Caucus continued and came under the direction of the Berengaria VII government, which has organized it annually ever since. Everything one can think of is discussed in the Caucus, and many regard it as the high point of interstellar discourse. So called "dangerous ideas" and unpopular opinions are never shunned, and the only rule is that the decorum of the Caucus be maintained and that speakers discuss and debate in a respectful manner. As Governor Ingrid Stellstrom reminded the audience, "This isn't Chaya VII". Indeed, very few of the workshops ever turn heated, and the Berengaria Caucus is known for its sincere and calm exploration and discussion of ideas. Much like a classroom, the point of the Caucus is to explore ideas, not to declare a winner in an intellectual battle or determine the moral superiority of one view over another. Discussions on Policy The first workshop of the Caucus was devoted to a discussion of Federation foreign policy, with special attention given to the new alliances of the Menthar Corridor. Ambassador and presidential candidate Lily Ventu joined the discussion as one of the experts, alongside noted Detapa Council member Natima Lang and Federation Foreign Minster Shelaen Varea. By all accounts Ambassador Ventu did well and was deemed by attendee Lirisha as "poised, confident and eminently quotable" in her discussion points. Other candidates are lined up to speak at various individual workshops, while the main event of the Berengaria Election Forum will be held at the end of the week, with an open invitation to all declared candidates to join. Other hot topics on the board include the Prometheus Incident and a discussion on Starfleet oversight and scientific ethics in the wake of the disaster. It's also standing room only in the discussion on the Prime Directive as it relates to the Romulan Republic and whether the Federation should recognize the nascent liberal Romulan state. Read More: Exclusive Election 2392 Coverage FNS Home • FNS Data Feed • FNS on FB This article was written by Erin aka Anen Sonbef, FNS Team Facilitator.
  25. Policy changes put future of New Zealand Penal Settlement in doubt By Nash Blaxland Stardate 239208.28 Among the facilities affected by the proposed changes is the New Zealand Penal Settlement. AUCKLAND, EARTH — Policy changes within the United Earth Ministry for Justice may force the closure of the Federation Penal Settlement in New Zealand. The Ministry today announced a series of proposed organizational changes to Earth’s corrections system, which could come into effect as early as next year. One of the changes requires that all correctional institutions on Earth, Luna and Mars be operated directly by the Justice Ministry and subordinate to the laws and regulations of United Earth. If enacted, facilities out of compliance with the regulation would either be required to turn over their operations to the planetary government, or face involuntary closure. Justice Ministry ombudsperson Yu Xiùlán said the intent of the changes is to “ensure that all persons in corrective rehabilitation on this planet are treated equally, and subject to the same laws.” A total of six institutions would be affected, the most notable being the minimum security penal settlement on New Zealand’s North Island, which is operated by the United Federation of Planets under an agreement with United Earth. The agreement, in place since 2346, allows the Federation unrestricted use of the area “for whatever purpose within the law as it sees fit.” By changing its policy, the Justice Ministry is attempting to render the Federation’s purpose illegal. While United Earth maintains the changes are necessary to protect the rights of prisoners, the Federation Attorney-General’s Office disagrees. “This is simply another example of Earth attempting to flex its political muscles,” said Deputy Attorney-General Virita zh’Ivathos. “The United Earth Government cannot unilaterally change the status of the New Zealand Penal Settlement by legislation or by executive action.” The agreement establishing the settlement requires that amendments must be agreed to by both the Earth Parliament and the Federation Council for the first 100 years, after which either side can withdraw by providing the other a notice period of two years. Earth’s Justice Ministry appeared unconcerned by the apparent legal restriction. “If the Federation does not comply before the changes go into effect,” said Ombudsperson Yu, “it will have abandoned the agreement by continuing to operate a facility on Earth in violation of the law.” Earth’s status as the Federation’s capital has led to numerous disputes over legal jurisdiction and planetary sovereignty since the Federation was founded in 2161. Historically, these disagreements have tended to be resolved in the Federation’s favor. The Attorney-General’s Office stated it considered the dispute a non-issue. “The New Zealand Penal Settlement has been a shining example of the Federation’s enlightened belief in rehabilitation for 46 years,” said Deputy Attorney-General zh’Ivathos, “and will undoubtedly be so for many more to come.” Among the settlement’s current population are former members of the Maquis, an armed rebellious organization which opposed the Federation–Cardassian Treaty of 2370. The continued imprisonment of former Maquis, nearly two decades after the organization was extinguished by the Dominion, has been the subject of ongoing debate. Last year, a successor organization calling itself Maquis Reborn occupied a joint Federation–Cardassian space station in the Menthar Corridor. Among its objectives was the release of all Maquis prisoners. READ MORE TOP STORIES FROM THE FNS About the FNS • FNS Forum •FNS Data Feed • FNS on FB • Join the FNS Team
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.