Authorities in the Merope system have reported conflict between the Pleiades Resource Enterprise, a Federal organisation, and the Merope Expeditionary Fleet, an Imperial organisation. The clash represents the latest development in the ongoing proxy war between the Empire and the Federation.

Significantly, the two factions were until recently embroiled in conflict in the Maia system. It is understood the Pleiades Resource Enterprise withdrew from the conflict specifically so it could engage Merope Expeditionary Fleet forces in Merope. This has led to speculation that the Pleiades Resource Enterprise was ordered to enter Merope and by the Federation.

Security forces in Merope have confirmed that the fighting is localised at present, with no significant impact on civilian settlements.

Freelance journalist Katherine Ryder commented on the development:

“As long as the fighting remains contained, there’s no cause for alarm. There’s a world of difference between inter-faction skirmishes and all-out war between the galaxy’s two largest superpowers. Full-scale conflict between the Empire and the Federation might never happen.”

The Sitakapan Expeditionary Forces have announced plans to fortify their home system of Sitakapa by converting a mining outpost into a military settlement. The move is a response to increasing political and military instability across the galaxy.

General Ani Leonard of Sitakapan Expeditionary Forces announced:

"Our galaxy becomes more dangerous every day. Whether it's the Federation sowing unrest in the Pleiades, fringe-terrorism from Salomè and her lackeys or hyperdictions from unknown parties, the risks are greater than they've ever been. And the frontier colonies are most at risk. We must be prepared."

General Leonard promised that contractors who deliver military-grade weapons and chemicals to Russell Hub will earn a cut of Sitakapa's booming wealth – the result of years of economic development.

The campaign begins on the 27th of April 3302 and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

This report presents the latest data on starports experiencing technical issues as a result of Unknown-Artefact related interference.

The following starports are currently closed:

Bolotov Gateway, Arakwibut

Bowell Port, Itzamnets

Ford Dock, Naitis

Gaffney Dock, HIP 16538

Hermite Dock, Fan Cechehe

Macgregor Orbital, Kakmbutan

Schilling Dock, Huaich

The following starports continue to experience technical issues:

Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843

Bondarek Orbital, Munfayl

Hillary Silo, HR 8474

Kooi Gateway, G 190-28

Melvin Hub, GD 1192

Priest Survey, HIP 19147

Saberhagen Ring, Devata Baru

Meanwhile, the following starports are on the brink of closure:

Faraday Ring, Bunda

Fisher's Rest, Aldebaran

Gaiman Dock, 49 Arietis

Homer Port, T'u Tu

Onnes Gateway, LFT 37

The Bone Yard, Tas

Tyson Gateway, LTT 16548

This report presents the latest data on democratic activity among the galaxy’s minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to hold elections:

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

GCRV 4654 State Interstellar

Crimson State Group

Zeaex Flag

HIP 1914 Purple Universal Inc

Progressive Party of Abukunin

Blue Dynamic Group

Epsilon Phoenicis Forum

New CD-61 6801 Flag

i Bootis Democrats

Elections occur when two minor factions with a similar political structure resolve a conflict over ownership and influence within a system.

The Merope Expeditionary Fleet has announced that the Imperial campaign to amass material for a new outpost in the Maia system has reached a successful conclusion. Hundreds of pilots supported the initiative by delivering construction materials to Obsidian Orbital in the Maia system.

As the campaign drew to a close, Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval released a brief statement, thanking those who supported the initiative. It is expected that work on the new outpost will begin imminently.

Pilots who contributed to the campaign can now collect their rewards from Obsidian Orbital in the Maia system.

Authorities in the Cartoq system have reported a sharp increase in the number of criminals operating in the area. Reports indicate that the agitators are attacking pilots travelling in the system, disrupting trade and generally causing discord.

To counter this threat, the Cartoq Purple Major Organisation has placed a kill order on all wanted ships operating in the Cartoq system, and has promised to reward pilots who deliver bounty vouchers to Avdeyev Settlement.

The campaign begins on 27th of April 3303 and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

A few days ago, a curious message was discovered by the Hamsters, a group of EM-transmission enthusiasts in the Tionisla system. A short time later, a combined effort from the Children of Raxxla and several other groups decoded the message and discovered it pointed to the Syreadiae JX-F c0 system in the so-called Formidine Rift.

Travelling to the system, pilots discovered a bulk cruiser called the Zurara. The ship's logs painted a haunting picture, indicating that the ship’s crew sabotaged the vessel before killing themselves. The Zurara had been adrift in the system ever since.

ABish

A few days ago, a curious message was discovered by the Hamsters, a group of EM-transmission enthusiasts in the Tionisla system. A short time later, a combined effort from the Children of Raxxla and several other groups decoded the message and discovered it pointed to the Syreadiae JX-F c0 system in the so-called Formidine Rift.

Travelling to the system, pilots discovered a bulk cruiser called the Zurara. The ship's logs painted a haunting picture, indicating that the ship’s crew sabotaged the vessel before killing themselves. The Zurara had been adrift in the system ever since.

ABish

This report presents the latest data on health issues among the galaxy’s minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience famine:

Kvenland Services

Jamatia Central Corp.

HIP 32350 Industries

HIP 14759 Guardians of Tradition

Traditional Siluruba Autocracy

New Zeta Tucanae Free

Marquis du HIP 110867

HIP 9610 Jet Legal Systems

Waime Worker's Party

HIP 115314 aristocrats

When a faction is affected by famine the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while a famine is active. Completing food-trade missions can bring a famine to an end.

Here are the latest factions to experience an outbreak:

Labour of Ethgreze

Eravate Network

HIP 105577 Boys

Ololos Drug Empire

HIP 14759 Guardians of Tradition

Chet Crimson Society

HIP 9610 Jet Legal Systems

Auste Gold Ring

HR 3954 Crew

League of Machimi Front

When a faction is affected by an outbreak the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while an outbreak is active. Completing medicine-supply missions can bring an outbreak to an end.

This report presents the latest data on the security status of the galaxy’s minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a lockdown:

Crimson State Group

Bhotho Rats

Velingai Comms Corporation

Autocracy of Phi Gruis

Jera Social Democrats

Labour of LHS 3531

Akbakshu United

United Ither Justice Party

Crimson Major Incorporated

Liberty Party of HIP 21165

When a faction experiences a lockdown, the security rating of the system it controls temporarily increases and the system’s wealth temporarily decreases. Bounty hunting activity can shorten the lockdown period.

Here are the latest factions to experience civil unrest:

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

Ngaliba Blue Camorra

LP 811-17 Gold Energy Partners

Green Party of Lung

United Wat Yu Confederacy

Nationalists of Aulin

Movement for LHS 463 Values Party

Nang Ta-khian Public Co

Lachangu Citizens of Tradition

League of Ross 1015

Civil unrest is the result of illegal activity. When a faction is affected by civil unrest, the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases, as does the system’s wealth. Combat missions and activities can bring civil unrest to an end.