Aftermath of Nation attacks ''eerie'' and ''disturbing''
2010-07-16T16:41+00:00

Ation - Nearly 750.000 Federation citizens were abducted from the Ation system by Sansha's Nation in a recent raid. Much like in previous raids the Nation left the attacked sites nearly devoid of human life, carrying off everyone from the newly born to the elderly.

Estigone, a settlement of nearly 200.000, was one of the main sites of the Sansha attack. Before the attack it was a bustling industrial community in growth, centered around several factories belonging to Aliastra. Now it lies deserted, with nearly every one of its citizens taken during the Nation raid.

Across the settlement, evidence of its previous inhabitants is easy to come by. Half-eaten dinners sit rotting on tables. Holoplayers loop their reels unceasingly. Computer screens display incomplete messages. Unfiled reports sit on office desks. Family pets claw at cages and gnaw at restraints.

Perhaps most baffling is the lack of evidence for any resistance. Though Estigone had an organized and armed police force, there is little indication that they mustered any opposition to the Nation's raiders. Weapons remain unfired in their lockers, the safeties still on. While there are some small signs of conflict, such as blaster holes and scattered debris from small explosions, much of the city is undamaged.

"It's almost as if everyone just got up and peacefully walked into the Sansha dropships," said Therion Niemann, a representative of the Sisters of EVE who was dispatched to search for survivors. "I've seen some disturbing battle sites before, but nothing has been quite so eerie as this."

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Calls for Return of Coalition of Empires go unanswered
2010-07-14T16:12+00:00

As Sansha's Nation continues its renewed offensive against the citizens of New Eden, many have called for the four empires to band together, as in centuries past, and destroy the threat as one. These calls, however, appear to have so far fallen on deaf ears.

"Sansha's Nation was a threat over a century ago," said Professor Fontine Mereux of the University of Caille, a leading expert on the history of CONCORD. "But in the cluster's darkest hour, all of the empires banded together to smash them. Sansha's Nation is now resurgent. For too long they've been allowed to fester in Stain. It's time that the four empires band together once more to wipe it out."

Thousands of others have raised similar calls to arms, believing that the only way to counter the Nation's threat is through cooperation between the four empires, but years of mistrust and fighting between the empires has made that path appear unlikely.

"If it wasn't Sansha's Nation doing it, it'd be the Amarr," stated Jorel Yat, a high-ranking Vherokior tribesman. "I say the Republic should focus on stopping the Nation from attacking us and let the others worry about their own citizens. Make us a less appealing target and we'll be left alone."

Gugiere Ladux, a Gallente politician, said, "I heard the Caldari Navy managed to hack an invading force and turn the Nation's agents against each other. If they really wanted to help, why haven't they turned this technique over to the rest of the cluster? If we sent our Navy into Stain, what's to stop the Caldari from hacking the Sansha to kill us first?"

The effort has not been aided by CONCORD, who continue to insist publicly that the Nation is not a threat. "At the present time, CONCORD does not require additional empire-provided manpower to deal with pirate incursions," a short statement from the CONCORD Assembly read.

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Luminaire's Market Affected by Nation Raids
2010-07-01T12:53+00:00

Luminaire - Retailers in Luminaire blame recent Sansha raids for sharply declining sales this week across almost all sectors. As the Sansha attacks have increased a new poll finds that people have cut back their shopping time. Some have also stopped buying altogether. Eighty percent of those polled in a recent Garoun Investment Bank study say they are "somewhat concerned" about Sansha incursions. A majority of those asked said they have stopped buying luxury items and no longer eat out. Of the remaining Twenty percent, a clear majority stated confidence in the Federation Navy as the reason they are not concerned.

"Lack of confidence is always a major factor in sales," said Mattiu Lamont of the Fraise Institute, a research group that monitors market trends in the Federation on behalf of the Garoun Investment Bank. "People are scared, and nothing can hurt an economy more than fear."

Asked if he felt this would be a long-term trend, Allyx Godrieu, an adjunct professor at the University of Caille, said, "If you buy into the fear and panic syndrome, you are accepting that business will decline, and that will affect sales." Pointing to another study by a consumer advocacy group, he said, "Arms sales are up, travel companies and transportation companies are booming. Business adapts and some people will see opportunity when others panic. This is just a small bump in the road."

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Senate Proposes Easing Restrictions on Quafe Corporation
2010-04-23T09:52+00:00

Villore - Citing economic concerns, Senator Faron Shu confirmed to the Scope today his intention to introduce legislation that eases restrictions against Quafe Corporation trading and other operations in the Federation.

This announcement comes in the wake of rumors concerning meetings between Quafe Company officials and representatives of both the Federation Senate and the Minmatar Parliament. Sources indicate a similar motion has been brought forward in the Republic.

Speaking outside his office, Senator Shu described a desire to encourage the Gallente firm to increase focus on its business dealings in the Federation and associated territories. "Support for our largest domestic firm during times of economic instability will benefit all Federation citizens," he said. The new legislation, which will be introduced early next week, also includes similar concessions for a number of other Gallente corporations.

Quafe officials could not be reached for comment.

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Aulmont Meis Named Head of Senate
2010-04-19T10:02+00:00

Villore - In a close vote, Senator Aulmont Meis was named as Mentas Blaque's successor to the coveted position of the Head of Senate. Formerly head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Meis has nearly four decades of experience within the assembly.

A graduate of the University of Caille, Meis went on to graduate studies in international relations at the prestigious Hedion University in the Amarr Empire. Mr Meis returned to Caille to pursue his doctorate in diplomatic studies. After serving in the Administration's diplomatic corps for 12 years, during which his experience in negotiating with the Amarr was particularly useful, Meis served a term as one of the Gallente Federation's special envoys to the CONCORD Assembly. This distinguished diplomatic career led to an easy election to an open Senate seat in his home district of Dodenvale, as well as a junior position within the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

Since that time, Meis has continued to be an active voice in the Senate. Though some critics allege that he is too willing to negotiate, his voting record indicates his capablilities with taking a hard line against other nations when the situation warrants. Very much a consensus-builder, Meis exhibits none of Mentas Blaque's contentiousness.

With Meis taking on his new role as the Head of Senate, his old position as head of the Foreign Relations Committee will be filled by Renvieve Jolousse, the next most senior member of that committee.

Aulmont Meis will be sworn in during a special ceremony tomorrow morning. President Jacus Roden and a number of other key government officials are expected to be in attendance.

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