[Mikitivity]

This is a series of news (some important, some not) coming from Mikitivity. Once every few articles, these stories will be forwarded to other news agencies.

[OOC: Often I'll just copy something and maybe alter it. But these are designed to enhance future roleplaying. Please feel free to push these stories along, but just cite Miervatia Today as the news agency reporting them. This would be especially good if a few times a month our regional embassies randomly passed along similar IDU stories.]

[Mikitivity]

2004.12.21
Two Hospital Worker's Slayings Shock Mikitivity
Barada, Mikitivity

Mikitivity's Director of Health and Public Safety called for hospitals and police to work more closely after two hospital workers were found slain -- one decapitated and the other with his throat slit -- at a psychiatric facility.

The killings in the quiet small town located in the forest covered northern part of Mikitivity shocked the nation. Hospitals are obversing a moment of silence today to honor the two nurses.

Investigators released five people who had been brought in the day before for questioning -- one of them a former hospital patient who the local newspaper had said was the prime suspect. Baradian authorities deined that.

The bodies were found at daybreak Saturday in the hospital's geriatic ward, where a shattered window and trail of black soot incdicated a possible break-in. Officials said a nurse's head was found on top of a radio set at the hospital. The rest of the body is missing.

Of the people detained for questioning, one of them was charged with public intoxication, but claims to have witnessed a violent scenario shortly before the bodies were found. This witness stated that his last memory before running from the scene of the crime was of a chilly voice telling him he was "not worthy".

[Mikitivity]

2005.01.05
Mikitivity Aids in Earthquake Relief
Istanbul, Ottoman Khaif

Mikitivity Red Cross reports that a team of 150 engineers and doctors from the Confederated City States of Mikitivity reached the earthquake stricken Ottoman Empire last night. Along with the technical experts, the first shipments of potable water, oatmeal, rice, blankets, and portable generators were delivered to Ottoman military relief forces for distribution to the areas in need.

While the search for survivors of the earthquake continues, as emergency crews continued to remove rubble from damaged buildings, long-term relief plans have begun, as engineers have begun accessing the structural integrity of the still standing buildings.

The Mikitivity Red Cross is also serving as a point of contact for families and individuals in the Pacific hoping to get in contact with loved ones who were visiting the Ottoman Empire.

[Mikitivity]

2005.01.20
Eco-Terrorist Group Claims Responsibility for Bombs
Miervatia, Mikitivity

Vandals from an eco-terror group that calls itself Das Eco Front (DEF) have claimed responsibility for two attempted arsons at construction sites on the outskirts of Miervatia City in recent weeks.

The claim, made in a two-page, single-spaced letter received by Miervatia Today and three other local newspapers, described the devices left at the sites in some detail and purportedly explains why the devices did not detonate.

"Though our fires failed, the actions (were) not completely unsuccessful," the letter said, adding that more incidents will be forthcoming.

"We are setting a new precedent, where there will be at least one or more actions every few weeks," the letter said.

The MMI (Mikitivity Ministry of Intelligence) said last week it believed the incidents were the work of eco-terrorists, and although the agency would not say much about the letters Wednesday a spokeswoman said an area counter terrorism task force is investigating.

Eco-terrorism is considered one of the most serious crimes the MMI investigates, and experts say such attacks have caused as much as 700 million Spice Melange in damages over the last ten years.

Officials also have warned that such attacks appear to have increased in recent years, and that the attacks have become much more brazen, including the targeting of homes and commuter rail lines.

[Mikitivity]

2005.02.04
Boy's Body Found Weeks After Storms
Klaatu, Mikitivity

A body found floating in a pool on the Ivanova River Thursday was that of an 11-year-old boy who was swept away when he fell into a mountain creek swollen with runoff from powerful winter storms last month, authorities said.

A group of hikers found the body outside of Klaatu. One of the hikers said, "What we found, nobody should see."

The Miervatian boy fell into a creek on Jan. 16. The storms had passed and many people were going into the mountains for recreation. The boy and his family were using snow shoes to hike on the fresh snowpack when a new storm system came through. He fell into a creek where a woman and her 7-year-old son had died earlier that week in the first storms. Water carried his body beyond the reach of his family and went missing for several weeks.

Police reminded locals of the dangers of hiking in the Mon Calamari range in winter.

[Mikitivity]

Mikitivity Waits for Green Light on Aid for Neo Tyr
- Miervatia Today (2005.04.11)

Miervatia, Mikitivity

This afternoon the Disaster Response Office of the Confederated City States of Mikitivity called upon the Miervatian Engineers Corps, a non-combat speciality unit of the Mikitivity Defense Force, to begin preparations for a major relief effort in war torn Neo Tyr. The Disaster Response Office, headquartered in the Pitt, is tasked with responding to both domestic and international emergencies, and when in consultation with the International Affairs Office, has the power to enlist the aid of the military in order to bring food, water, and medical supplies to regions in need.

Howie T. Katt, Acting Director of the Disaster Response Office cautioned that while under most circumstances the Mikitivity Defense Force is only called upon to prepare and transport humanitarian aid, that uncomfirmed reports of continuing violence in Neo Tyr dictate that the government make its response cautious.

?The last thing I want to see on the international news are a bunch Red Cross volunteers in body bags drapped in the blue, black, and white of Mikitivity. The situation in Neo Tyr is tense, but the need for humanitarian assistance outweighs our government not lending a hand.? Katt said.

When asked if the Mikitivity Red Cross would be allowed to send volunteers to Neo Tyr, Katt replied, ?I?d like to first await an official response from Neo Tyr. If they can provide our volunteers certain protections, including those outlined in the UN Good Samartian Laws resolution, then my office has the authority to give the food, water, blankets, and engineering supplies that the military is already preparing to send to the Red Cross. I honestly think that if we can be assured that a non-military presence will help ease tensions and not be placed at risk, that this is the better way to save lives.?

The Mikitivity Red Cross last sprung into action in Jan. 2005, after a mega earthquake struck Istanbul, Ottoman Khaif. Volunteers were able to save hundreds of lives from buried rubble and quickly reestablished communication and sanitary lines in many smaller communities located outside the capital city.

[Mikitivity]

Mikitivity Enters the First Winter Olympic Games

Athletes representing Mikitivity have arrived at Aeropag

Miervatia Today

Aeropag, Commerce Heights ? The 37 Mikitivian athletes representing Mikitivity in the First Winter Olympics Games arrived in Aeropag this evening via a special chartered flight to the distant nation. Open ceremonies for the games are scheduled to begin tomorrow afternoon, local time, with events scheduled for the next 17 days. The Mikitivity Olympic Confederation Committee chose biathlon and cross-country skier Galen Hauser to bear the nation?s flag during the opening ceremonies. Though the Brig native is not favored in his two events, Hauser?s job as a teacher made him a logical choice as the symbol of Mikitivity. When asked on his selection as the flag bearer, Hauser joked, ?I honestly don?t know why I was chosen over so many other fine people. Perhaps it is because my village is so high in the Thuvian mountains that my name was on top of the list.?

The Aeropag Winter Games represent the first time Mikitivity has sent athletes to an international sporting event outside the International Democratic Union, with high expectations that the delegation of athletes might bring back some Olympic medals. With 39 other nations sending their own athletes, many of whom have participated in various World Cup sporting events, the competition for Olympic medals will be tough.

Though Saint Katrina native Karl Reisig is expected to do well in the Alpine Combined event, the fact that the personnel trainer is entered in two other Alpine Skiing events has raised some concerns that he might be fatigued after his first event. However, Reisig and the rest of the Mikitivity delegation is looking forward joining the top winter sports athletes in the world. Paul ?the Rascal? Rasch, who is entered in the men?s individual normal and large hill ski jump events, said, ?I?m not really interested in the medals, as getting a chance to share the slopes with so many people from around the world.?