Last week saw reports that Professor Ishmael Palin has been forced to cease his research into the so-called anomalous extraterrestrial objects, also known as 'unknown artefacts'. The Voice of Varati has since received a statement from the Canonn Interstellar Research Group, an independent scientific body:

"We were extremely distressed to read reports that Professor Palin has seen his attempt to research the unknown artefacts forcibly terminated. This is indeed a sad end to a promising beginning, especially given the insights concerning the artefacts the professor had shared with us all.

"We can only speculate as to why he's been silenced in this way, but the fires of suspicion are spreading rapidly. Someone in a position of power knows far more about these things than the rest of us, but wishes this information to remain secret. The question is – why?

"The Canonn is going to redouble its efforts to conduct open research into the UAs, as we feel it is in the interests of humanity to learn as much about these mysterious artefacts as we can. We also urge Professor Palin to join us, as we feel it would be in his and his team's best interests. The professor can contact our council at any time, and we will assemble a quick-response team to assure his safety."

Commander Lord Zoltan, The Voice of Varati

Each week, GalNat presents a list of 10 of the 1,343 minor factions currently expanding into new systems (*).

• DS Leonis Industries

• Naso Kichi Prison Colony

• Frenis Imperial Society

• Jormungand Empire Group

• Bureau of Bandoque Movement

• Totenis Defence Force

• Djapati Alliance

• Noblemen of Kherno

• Kora Pin Free

• Biatae Syndicate

Expansion occurs when a minor faction reaches a sufficient influence rating and there is a populated system within striking distance. The act of expansion is a costly one, and the wealth and development rating suffers during the period of expansion.

* Data is correct at time of publishing.

Scientists based at Newholm Station in the Sothis system have made a startling announcement – the discovery of an entirely new metalloid. The material, called Sothis Crystalline Gold, is produced by exposing ordinary gold to the thermal vents that line the seabed of the planets Sothis A5 and Sothis A6 – or, more specifically, to the submarine gas emitted by these vents. Exactly how the gas transforms the gold is not yet fully understood, but the scientists claim that the resultant metal is completely unique.

Given the emergent nature of the discovery, the scientists of Newholm Station have yet to find any applications for Sothis Crystalline Gold, but they are optimistic about finding constructive uses for the material. They are also offering entrepreneurial pilots and explorers an opportunity to earn a quantity of the rare material by delivering gold to Newholm Station in the Sothis System, thereby allowing the scientists to produce more Sothis crystalline gold and conduct further tests.

This weekly transmission lists some of the systems currently in conflict around the galaxy, based on the latest data (*).

Here are 10 of the 13,414 minor factions involved in a civil war:

• Cupis Power Corp.

• Workers of Aulis Green Party

• Yab Camalo Systems

• Conservatives of Comanga

• Comanga Universal Co

• HIP 17970 Monarchy

• HIP 17970 Jet Galactic Industry

• LDS 2314 Galactic Co

• LDS 2314 Progressive Party

• Nasaraudi Dominion

Civil wars involve conflict between minor factions in the same system over ownership of major assets such as starports. During civil wars, only combat missions and activities help bring the conflict to a resolution. Security, development level and standard of living indicators all drop for the duration of the civil war.

Here are 10 of the 2,555 minor factions at war:

• Lambda-2 Phoenicis Principles

• Nu Kuni Jet Life Incorporated

• Partnership of LHS 2819

• Confederation of Bendi

• Autocracy of Guguurtuu

• Dimoco Industry

• Dimoco Industry

• Partnership of GD 319

• Syndicate of Timbo

• Pyemmairre Jet Bridge Partners

Wars occur when a minor faction invades another star system. For the duration of the conflict, wealth, security and standard of living are all severely impacted. Combat missions and activities determine who wins the war. If no winner emerges, the war ends in a ceasefire.

* Data is correct at time of publishing.

This weekly roundup highlights some of the minor factions pursuing the dream of democratic freedom by holding elections (*).

Here are 10 of the 1,954 minor factions holding elections:

• Ngalkin Transport Organisation

• Robor Crimson Travel Inc

• Folna Exchange

• BD-22 1050 League

• Allied BD-22 1050 Nationalists

• Belinara Dynamic Inc

• Ogondage Limited

• Ogondage Major Incorporated

• Union of BD-02 5286 Progressive Party

• Social Bagai Alliance

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

* Data is correct at time of publishing.

This weekly report typically covers some of the minor factions experiencing significant health issues, such as famine and outbreaks. At the time of writing, however, outbreaks have not been reported among any minor factions.

Reports are pouring in from the Amitrite system of pirate attacks on refugees fleeing the Pegasi Pirate War. The transports pouring from the Pegasi sector are often overloaded and poorly equipped, making them easy prey for the pirates. Additionally, many of the families fleeing the region bring only their most prized possessions with them, making them particularly attractive to the miscreants who lurk in Amitrite's many asteroid belts.

Representatives of the Defence Force of Amitrite have warned that their forces are stretched too thin for them to respond to every distress call, and they are urging refugees to avoid the system entirely. Those who feel they have no option but to enter the system have been encouraged to fly in convoys for mutual protection. The DFA added that any efforts to eliminate the pirates in Amitrite would be welcomed.

Commander Quade

Yesterday, Utopia added its support to the Mushin government’s call for help as the Pegasi Pirate War continues to displace millions of citizens.

The head of the Utopian relief effort, Adjudicator Adric Claavis, released the following statement:

"The people of Utopia cannot stand idle while others suffer such misery. We will do everything in our power to assist in this relief effort, bringing hope to those who have lost so much in this bitter conflict.”

“Utopian ambassadors have asked the Kumo Crew for passage through their space to allow access to Mushin. In addition to delivering humanitarian supplies, Utopia will welcome any refugees who wish to begin new lives, away from the fighting, on our worlds."

Commander Gan

In this weekly report, the latest GalNet data is assembled to present ten minor factions experiencing civil unrest or lockdown in their systems (*).

Here are 10 of the 492 minor factions in lockdown:

• Law Party of Misisture

• Worker's Party of C Hydrae

• 37 Xi Bootis Gold Advanced Ltd

• Lung Dynamic Exchange

• Movement for Venetic Progressive Party

• Cailli Purple Electronics Org

• Federal Congress

• Smei Tsu Legal Network

• Pongo Regulatory State

• Workers of Bellaung Free

Lockdowns increase the security rating for a system but also have a negative effect on the system’s wealth. Increased bounty hunting activity can shorten the lockdown period.

Here are 10 of the 744 minor factions experiencing civil unrest:

• Djabushis Systems

• La Tenha Travel Systems

• Drug Empire of Norweilemil

• Lakluita Gold Energy Inc

• Yupini Limited

• Perktomen Exchange

• Kadrusa Gold Life Services

• BD+47 2112 Gang

• Andine Jet Brotherhood

• LP 45-128 Blue Galactic Holdings

Civil unrest is caused by illegal activity within the system as well completing contracts from more nefarious sources. The wealth rating and standard of living will suffer when a system contains civil unrest. Combat missions and activities can be utilised to end civil unrest.

* Data is correct at time of publishing.

At the start of the day’s deliberations, Chancellor Anders Blaine declared that a Senate investigation into the claimed connection between Princess Aisling Duval’s office and the insurgent group Emperor’s Dawn was to be undertaken. The investigation will begin immediately, despite the Senate being in closed session until the succession is decided.

In response, Aisling Duval stated that she would comply in any way she could with the investigation. She also said that her own security teams had discovered some alarming information that she would share with the investigation committee.

Meanwhile, the hunt for Patron Damon Clarke continues. Several of his associates were arrested by the Internal Security Service in the early hours of the morning and subjected to questioning.

As Senator Denton Patreus prepared to enter the Senate to continue the deliberations over the succession, he issued an angry demand for a full senate investigation into the reported links between Emperor’s Dawn and Princess Aisling Duval’s office.

“While I sympathise with the princesses’ situation, having experienced a similar shock, I cannot allow that sympathy to influence my judgement. When a member of my household committed the most heinous of deeds, I submitted myself to the security services and gave them every access they needed.

“We cannot wait to act, and I call upon the senate to commence an immediate and full investigation into any links between Princess Aisling and Emperor’s Dawn.”

After the initial flurry of information from the Imperial Herald, no new facts were released today. Patron Damon Clarke remains at large, and the considered opinion is that he has fled the Empire.

Each week, GalNat presents a list of 10 of the 1,338 minor factions currently expanding into new systems (*).

• 23 Arietis Gold Transport Ind

• WW Piscis Austrini Comms Limited

• Halbara Purple Public Inc

• LTT 16456 Resistance

• Official Kosha Dominion

• HIP 24986 General and Co

• Values Party of Peneng Wa

• Natural Wababaye Party

• CD-52 187 Empire Consulate

• HIP 50352 Legal Inc

Expansion occurs when a minor faction reaches a sufficient influence rating and there is a populated system within striking distance. The act of expansion is a costly one, and the wealth and development rating suffers during the period of expansion.

* Data is correct at time of publishing.