25 JUN 3302
Admiral Maxton Price of the Federal Navy has rejected claims that Farragut Battle Cruisers stationed in Merope have made unprovoked attacks on independent pilots operating in the area.
In a statement, Admiral Price argued that the allegations were baseless, and that the Federation had not initiated any conflict:
"It is true that Federal vessels have exchanged fire with independent pilots, but these exchanges were not instigated by the Federation, and any claims to the contrary are false."
Admiral Price was asked to respond to calls from Dr Arcanonn of the Canonn Interstellar Research Group for a public inquiry into the Federal presence in Merope. He responded:
"The presence of Federal ships in Merope is entirely legitimate. If our ships are fired upon, they will respond in kind, but I can assure you that the Federation does not have a military agenda in Merope."
25 JUN 3302
This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.
Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:
Gliese 58 Inc
Varangian Syndicate
Chontaiko Purple Central Prtnrs
Values Party of 16 Persei
LTT 1798 Incorporated
Parana United Commodities
Dedalo Corp. Interstellar
Independent Kongi League
League of Byeri First
Krivisci Partners
Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.
Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:
EG Union
Magn Allied Interstellar
Social Shotep Worker's Party
Narasimha Silver Raiders
Bureau of Ross 209
Green Party of Pataheimr
United 6 Andromedae Democrats
People's Blati Coalition
Pixel Bandits Security Force
Liberals of Wolf 871
Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.