The Atlasian Standard

[DKrol]

The Atlasian Standard

Greetings,

This will serve as the official news service for the Republic of Atlasia.

Many thanks,
DKrol, Game Moderator

[DKrol]

Atlasian Government At Stand Still on Flint

In the twilight of the Yankee Administration, Le Petit Atlasien reported on news that Turkey had uncovered a connection between a mid-level intelligence office official Lieutenant Commander Mitch Flint and the failed 2016 Turkish Coup. At the time, then-Secretary of State Ted Bessell reached out to the Turkish Government and assured them that the Government was looking into action against Flint. With the change in administration, however, it seems that the Turkish issue has fallen by the wayside. This has put relations between the Erdogan and DFW Administrations on a chilly level to start with, after hopes the exposure of Flint would reduce hostilities. As the days tick by without action being taken against Flint, the tensions only grow.

EU Looks to Supplement NGO

The Atlasian Standard can confirm a report from The Atlasian Chronicle that the European Union plans to step up its funding for non-governmental organizations to help with reproductive services. This comes in response to President DFW's reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy in Atlasia. European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said that the EU had "a moral obligation" to step in and help those in need of "basic health services". Commentators for The Atlasian Standard do contest The Atlasian Chronicle's assessment that this move signals the end of Atlasia's role as a super power.

[DKrol]

Conservative Groups Aflame Over AtlasCare Act

Conservative groups across Atlasia are up in arms over the AtlasCare Act. The bill, which seeks to establish a universal healthcare coverage plan for all Atlasians, just received its cost analysis from the Department of the Game Moderator. The analysis projects the costs of the bill will reach over $816 billion each year. The Heritage Frontier, Atlasians For Fiscal Security, and the Kato Institute, among others, have issued scathing statements against the bill, calling it "the single greatest enlargement of the welfare state" in Atlasian history. Time will see how the conservative President will clash with the left-leaning Congress over the future of the bill.

[DKrol]

A quadrillion dollars a year? Hope that's a typo.

Yes, there were an extra set of 000s added in the Coverage of Special Populations section. Working to correct it now.

[DKrol]

Presidential Visit to Iran Receives Mixed Reviews

Conservative media outlets across Atlasia have turned their fire on someone they normally consider to be an ally: President DFWLibertyLover. The President recently returned from an official state visit to Iran, an Islamic Republic with whom the US has had poor relations for nearly half a century. Conservative radio talk show host Randy Limbo lamented the President for "kow-towing to the Ayatollahs", while conservative TV show host Shawn Hannaghan said "the President is playing into the hands of the people who chant death to America". Liberal media sources have been attacking the President for vetoing a minimum wage raise bill, and largely been mum on the Iran visit.

All of the responses haven't been negative. East-coast Academia has largely been receptive of the visit, with Professor Harold Kisser of Harvard hailing it as "the next step in the normalization of relations" between the two nations. Former Deputy Secretary of State Jim Carvey also praised the move, describing it as "one of the the best steps of progress that have ever been made to bring peace to the Middle East. That peace process begins with bringing Iran back into the international fold."

Macron, Le Pen Set to Advance to Second Rounds, Wilders Flounders, and More

In international news, here are the headlines:

UK: Prime Minister Ken Clarke prepares to trigger Brexit
France: Macron, Le Pen tied at 26%, Fillion struggling at 12%
Netherlands: Rutte forms Government, brings in CDA, D66, and CU for Majority
Germany: Polls look good for Merkel
Turkey: Government still waiting for next steps in Atlasia Coup saga
China: Xi clears way for key adviser to remain in power, setting stage for power struggle in 2023
North Korea: Kim tests new, high speed rocket engine. Experts fear new nuclear tests coming

[DKrol]

Breaking: Terror Attack in London

The Western World is reeling this afternoon as developments continue in the London terror attack. At this time, The Atlasian Standard can confirm three people are dead, including a police officer, and the attacker. Facts are scarce at this early time, but reports do indicate a man drove his car into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge before taking off on foot, armed with a knife, towards the Palace of Westminster. The police officer was stabbed by the attacker before police killed the man. There are no accomplices known of at this time. London's Metro Police confirm that the Queen, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, MPs, and Peers were never in any state of heightened danger.

While many are panicking at the up-tick in terrorism in Western Europe, international observers are urging caution. Dr. Arich Klevin, a professor of international relations and former NGO peace worker, told The Atlasian Standard, "These kinds of small-scale, lone wolf attacks are actually a sign that counter-terrorism measures are working, at least in Western Europe and the Americas. The actual number of terrorist attacks, and the number of casualties from them, have fallen dramatically in the last twenty years. There is little to no coordination in the planning of these attacks, there's little to no logistical support needed, these are the kind of attacks that are almost impossible to plan for and stop before they occur." Others have been quick to point out that terror attacks with larger death tolls, like those that occur in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Nigeria, receive far less coverage and far less public outcry for support than their European and American counterparts do.

[DKrol]

Administation Doubting Intelligence Community?

According to sources within the Department of the Game Moderator, President DFWLiberyLover, nor any member of his Administration, has not requested a single piece of classified material at this point. The source said that the Department regularly received briefing requests from the Yankee Administration, especially Secretary of State Bessel, but no such requests have come through since the DFWLibertyLover Administration came into office. He also never mentioned his State Visit to Iran with the Department before announcing it publicly. It's especially interesting, since there have been several pressing foreign matters that would, normally, have elicited at least a request for a briefing on the matter. Commentators aren't sure if the President is choosing to "fly by the seat of his pants", if he has a deep distrust for the Intelligence Community, or if he's got "other sources", although no one is sure what those could be.

[DKrol]

Administation Doubting Intelligence Community?

According to sources within the Department of the Game Moderator, President DFWLiberyLover, nor any member of his Administration, has not requested a single piece of classified material at this point. The source said that the Department regularly received briefing requests from the Yankee Administration, especially Secretary of State Bessel, but no such requests have come through since the DFWLibertyLover Administration came into office. He also never mentioned his State Visit to Iran with the Department before announcing it publicly. It's especially interesting, since there have been several pressing foreign matters that would, normally, have elicited at least a request for a briefing on the matter. Commentators aren't sure if the President is choosing to "fly by the seat of his pants", if he has a deep distrust for the Intelligence Community, or if he's got "other sources", although no one is sure what those could be.

I will be investigating the matter

Wouldn't you already know if these rumors are true or not, seeing as you are in fact yourself?

Well I seemed to think i was getting intelligence but ?

What do you mean "I seemed to think I was getting intelligence"? We've spoken once since I was confirmed, and it was when you asked me to confirm the London attack. You've never run anything by me, you've never asked me for any details, you haven't responded to any stories I've run, except for the London attack and a passing reference to the Flint story.

As to the "It is not the job of the President to ask for intelligence, it is the job of the GM to provide it," I guess we just have different ideas of the job. Under Bore and Yankee, this was not how the office operated. I didn't just throw information at the President, they asked for it, or their staff asked for it, and I provided it. That's how I've always done it. If you had a different idea in mind, maybe you should have done more of an interview process with me before nominating me.

This wasn't meant to be a political hack job. It was meant to be a warning shot, that you need to start interacting more and responding more. I'm not sorry for running the story, this is the media source of the Game Moderator, not the official office.

[DKrol]

International Headlines

Ken Clarke has formally triggered Brexit, setting up a tense two year process of negotiation and debate.

The DUP and Sinn Fein's lack of a power-sharing agreement in the Northern Irish executive has taken the country to the brink. Protests have begun to encourage leaders to find a deal that keeps power in Northern Ireland, as well as to protest the idea of a return to administration from London.

Teachers in Mexico are protesting over proposed cuts to education spending by President Pena Nieto.

South African President Jacob Zuma is considering stepping aside as part of a large deal to remove Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan from power.

Domestic Headlines

Massive spring rain storms have drenched the Pacific coast, leading to mudslides and extensive damages to property and businesses. 100 people have died over the last week.

A late-season snow storm dropped almost half a foot on some parts of Lincoln. The heaviness of the wet snow left thousands without power.

Police in Birmingham are investigating what appears to be a failed lynching. A young African American boy was found on the side of the road with wire tied around his kneck, badly beaten. He is alive but in critical condition after three days of care.

[DKrol]

Northern Irish Executive Collapses, Power Returns to Westminster

"It would have taken strong international intervention to give us any hope of keeping power in Stormont," Northern Ireland Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters today, as he announced that Prime Minister Ken Clarke had decided not to call another round of elections in Northern Ireland. After weeks of negotiations, the DUP and Sinn Fein leaders failed to surpass the impass that they'd been locked in since the early March elections. As the Good Friday Agreement requires a Unionist-Republican power-sharing scheme in the Northern Irish Executive, the devolved legislature has collapsed and all effective powers have reverted to the Northern Ireland Office.

People have taken to the streets, both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, to protest the end of home rule for the Northern Irish people. DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was "disappointed" that Westminister has to step in, while Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill was more combative in her response, saying "the Northern Irish people voted against Brexit and they voted against Unionism. We have to respect the wishes of the people".This is just another issue Prime Minister Clarke will have to deal with as he continues down the Brexit path.

[DKrol]

Breaking: North Korea Fires Missile, Only Misses by Miles

Reports from Chinese and South Korean media indicate that, earlier this week, a missile was fired from North Korea. Unlike prior tests, however, this one did not implode on launch, or disintegrate after seconds in the air. This missile, believed to have launched from Sinpo, flew successfully towards Japan for several minutes, crashing into the Sea of Japan only 11 miles from land. Sources believe that missile was heading towards the city of Akita, a Japanese "core city". There is no reason to believe, at this time, that the missile had a nuclear payload attached. Some experts hypothesize that this launch was just a test by Kim Jong-un of just how far of a leash world leaders will grant him. How the world, and Atlasia, react will likely have a large impact on future tests by the Hermit Kingdom.

[DKrol]

North Korea Fires Second Rocket in Two Weeks

In a second testing of President DFWLibertyLover's foreign policy strength, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has launched a second rocket. This rocket, believed to be an ICBM, was fired from a base on the eastern coast of the Hermit Kingdom and was nearly successful. It is thought that the goal was to hit somewhere in Japan, as the previous rocket fell only miles short of the Japanese coast. The second rocket appeared to be flying on course towards Akita when, suddenly, it lurched to the left and spiraled out of the control into the ocean. It is unknown what the cause of the divergence from the flight path was, although some observers are suggesting the lurch left was part of the flight plan, as a kind of warning shot to the Japanese.

[DKrol]

Conservative Groups Lambast President for Drug Policy

For the second time in his term, conservative leaders are training their fire on someone they normally count as an ally: President DFWLibertyLover. Many of the same folks who attacked the President for the very expensive proposed AtlastCare program, including Heritage Frontier President Jack DiMent, have taken to the airwaves to critique the President's decision to, essentially, decriminalize cocaine and his promise that more pro-drug steps are coming. Concerns over a "slippery slope" have dominated the conservative airwaves in the days since the announcement.

The Atlasian Standard reached out to citizens who identified that they voted for the President and asked their opinion on the new drug policy. The results were mixed. Some, like Jeff from New York City, applauded the move, adding, "I'm glad the government is getting out of my business! That's what conservatism is all about." Others, like Brenda from Bristol, New Hampshire, were more concerned. Brenda told The Atlasian Standard, "I'm worried about the ideas this is going to put in my grandson's head." There were several citizens who said they weren't informed enough to comment, but said they would be following the issue more closely from now on.

[DKrol]

BREAKING

Reports are flooding in to The Atlasian Standard newsroom at the moment that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has died. The story was first broadcast on South Korean media some 11 hours ago and we have been working to confirm the story. There has been no word out of Pyongyang for several days, and missile sites that had been active have grounded to a halt. Kim has not been seen in public for three weeks, and his last public appearance was a brief wave from a balcony during a military parade, where observers described him as "bloated and weak".

North Korean expert Dr. Erwin Clarke says that the issue of succession will likely be very contentious this time around, as Kim Jong-un had not been in power long enough to groom a successor the way that Kim Jong-il had. Dr. Clarke believes that Kim Jong-un's brother, Kim Jong-chul, may be the next in line, given his recent ascendance to a post in the National Defense Commission, but Kim Jong-un's great-uncle, Kim Yong-ju, holds significant clout with the senior party figures and could push a different family member forward. If Kim Jong-un is actually deceased, Dr. Clarke suggests, we should have word from Pyongyang within the week.

[DKrol]

Power Struggle Underway in North Korea

Concerning news out of North Korea. South Korean and Chinese sources have confirmed that a serious power-struggle has developed in the Hermit Kingdom. It appears that Kim Jong-chul, the brother of Kim Jong-un, attempted to take power as the closest male member of the Kim family, receiving the political support of his great-uncle and Korean elder statesman Kim Yong-ju. While Kim Jong-chul has received strong support from the political establishment, the military apparatus has gone down a different path.

Choe Pu-il, the Minister of People's Security, has also made a move towards cementing power in the DPRK. As Minister of People's Security, Choe controls the prison system, policing, and, perhaps most importantly, bodyguards for party figures. It is believed that he has secured the support of General Ri Yong-gil of the North Korean People's Army. Sources believe that Choe has given an ultimatum to Kim Jong-chul to recognize Choe as the successor to Kim Jong-un.

The South Korean government is very concerned about this, with the fate of the 13+ North Korean nuclear weapons unclear. Some in South Korea have begun pushing President Moon Jae-un to launch a preemptive attack on the North to cripple the hermit kingdom's ability to employ their nuclear arsenal. Moon is resisting of such a move, but, if the issue takes time to be resolved, could become swayed. Atlasian President DFWLibertyLover has, so far, urged Atlasian resources to stay out of the conflict.