Malfunction in orbital stations causes new food shortage

Thanda - New malfunctions on several orbital stations orbiting Thanda have caused new food shortages for the Unified People of Thanda. Food stockpiles reaching concerning levels. Military Caste is increasing rationing for all castes.

Failure of cooling systems on another set of stations the UPT uses to grow its food has caused three more stations to shut down production. Malfunctions had already caused six stations to shut down a few weeks prior. Likely cause of the malfunctions is age, as all affected stations have been operating well beyond their projected operational lifespan. Growth of the population made it necessary to continue operation of the stations.

The Military Caste has been working on getting replacement stations but has been having difficulty negotiating with contractors outside the UPT. The Military Caste has requested governments of other Union members for aid in the negotiations.

The Unified People of Thanda is completely dependant on the food produced by its orbital stations. The freezing temperatures combined with the deadly amount of radiation and nearly zero sunlight reaching the surface caused by the nuclear winter on Thanda making it impossible to grow food on the surface.

Religious Caste attempts to get ban on ritual sacrifice lifted

Thanda - The Religious Caste has once again requested the Military Caste to lift the ban on ritual sacrifice. Claiming the population of the Unified People of Thanda has risen sufficiently to no longer warrant the ban. The Military Caste has again refused the request.

The Military Caste defended the ban, saying that, while the population has risen sufficiently, the practice is outdated and no longer of this time. They continued on to say that lifting the ban would be an insult to the struggle of surviving of the past 300 years.

The ban on ritual sacrifice will remain in place.

Disaster Rescue!

Ducleron System - Disaster hit in the Ducleron System, as an explosion caused a major space station servicing miners to disintegrate.

Several douzen people were killed by the explosion or by exposure to space in the immediate aftermath, though the death toll could have been much higher if it weren't for exceptional rescue efforts by Jedi who happened to be in the area. The Jedi managed to rescue those trapped in surviving compartments just as they were running out of breathable air, including several mostly immobile Rodians from the stations sick bay.

Investigation concludes that sabotage was at the heart of the disaster, though the motives behind the attack remain a mystery for the moment.

First direct sunlight hits Thandan surface in 300 years

Thanda - For the very first time in nearly 300 years sunlight from Kutumb, Thandas local star, has hit the surface of Thanda directly. A small break in the constant cloud cover happened yesterday. The break let through a small ray of light near Jormungand, Thandas capital, hitting Military Headquarters.

Many Thandans are celebrating the occurrence, holding festivals and parties. Officials from the Military Caste called it a "ray of hope", saying it was a testament to the long and difficult struggle of surviving the nuclear winter. The day is being considered to be made a nationwide holiday.

Despite the initial positive reaction, experts say that the nuclear winter is still very far from over. Radiation levels are expected to remain lethal for several hundreds of years at least. The cloud cover is expected to remain for a similar period. Never the less, the break is a clear sign conditions are slowly improving.

Junkyard successfully challenges health inspector's fines

Unity City - Lower courts in Unity City today ruled in favour of a local junkyard owner who challenged a fine imposed upon him by the local health inspectors office for an apparent 'rodent infestation'.

In the court deposition, the junkyards owner claimed that the rodents are part of the local fauna and not their responsibility.

A biologists hired by the court determined that the rodent population is naturally balanced by the presence of predatory birds and that access to food from the junkyard is limited, causing the court to rule that the rodents are part of the area's natural ecosystem and thus the fine should have been waived.

The Health Inspectors office has declined to comment except to say that they will respect the courts decision.

Military Caste Art Exposition to be held in Unity City

Unity City - It has been decided that the annual art exposition organised by the Unfied People of Thanda Military Caste will be held in Unity City. It is the very first time the event will be held outside of Thanda.

The officers of the Military Caste often practice the fine arts in their spare time. The exposition is a way to show their skills to a wider audience.

Of special note is a single piece from before the nuclear holocaust that is to be displayed. Art from before the start of the nuclear winter is extremely rare. The handful of pieces, from that time period, that still exist have immeasurable cultural value to the UPT. As such the Military Caste has dedicated a full battle group to the escort of its transportation to Unity.

The first few days of the exposition entrance will be limited to invited VIPs and high profile persons. After which the exposition will be open to the public, free of charge.

Heart of Unity's Maiden Voyage

Unity City - The Heart of Unity, a large hospital ship created in a collaboration between various Union worlds, has successfully completed its test flight, visiting Highmons and various other Union worlds to configure and test its various systems.

With this voyage completed and all systems checked, the Heart of Unity will soon be sent on its first official mission.

The ship design is based on that of a UPT vessel, but features medical technology from many other worlds as well. Medical scientists and doctors are provided by the Thandans, while the Caelarans have provided an extensive nursing staff to support, though medical professionals from all over the Union serve on the Heart of Unity.

It is at this time yet unclear where the vessel will be sent first, but wherever it is, the people there can be sure they will be well taken care of!