Prime Minister Mordecai Marigold has announced that Gilbert Melker Wrathchild will be his “Progress Czar”. Mr. Wrathchild is charged with leadership of the newly formed “Prime Minister’s Committee for Antiford Progress”, or “The Progress Committee” for short. This is a new ad hoc committee charged with the development of new public works project, promotion and creation of home grown technologies, and policies for the betterment of Antiford as whole. While vague ad hoc committees authorized to work across all Ministries have existed before, this is the first one to report directly to the Prime Minister instead to the Technocratic Council. Not every Technocrat seems to be happy about this arrangement or the appointment of a Wrathchild in such a position.
New Flussel Restrictions in Antiford
The Office of The Prime Minister has put in place a new policy requiring the permitting of all use of flussel power in order to operate within Antiford. Many have noted that on paper these new policies do not consist of an outright ban. However most permits so far have been denied based on government technical notes (or otherwise known informally as the “Approved Technocratic” notes) showing Asymr outperforming flusseline and the cost of importing flussel itself.
Water Works Groundbreaking
Prime Minister Mordecai Marigold and the Progress Czar Gilbert Wrathchild were in Argenstrath for ceremonial ground breaking. This was the first of new series of modern water reclamation and desalination plants being constructed by the government. In additional to the new water work plants, it was announced construction of new water holds to expand Antiford’s strategic water reserves. The Prime Minister spoke saying, “Simply, Water is life. Thus it is our duty to ensure it is there for all.” Government analysts are pleased with the announcements and now predict that cost of water will begin subside after reaching record highs.
Prime Minister Opens Adellen Cactus Festival
Prime Minister Mordecai Marigold was a surprise guest to open this year’s Adellen Cactus Festival. The Prime Minister in his opening remarks called the yearly mid-summer cactus blooming event as “a Hidden gem of Antiford’s Natural Beauty”. With the exposure of the Prime Minister, Gearford papers called it a “not-to-be-missed” event. The town has reported that the larger than expected crowds resulted a demand for regular daily train service.
Potts Family victorious at Antiford Grand Prix, Abacus wins the Premier Breed
Benjamin Potts is the winner of the 1897 Antiford Grand Prix Premier Race. Mr. Potts entered this year’s race after joining the Asymr Power team. The Grand Prix U20 Race was won by Hermes Potts of Asymr Power. The young Hermes Potts is the son of Benjamin Potts and makes the first time a Father and Son have had back to back wins at the Antiford Grand Prix. The wins here by Asymir Power was a complete surprise as the team is newly formed after Discovery Day with the purpose of displaying off Asymr technology. The Premier Breed race was won by a White Haven Heavy Draft named Abacus. This was the third victory at the Gran Prix by horse jockey Harkle Eldridge and owner Doctor Eldon Luther Von Kladderadatsch.
Weekly Informer Shutdown
The Weekly Informer, a local newsprint in Astam Junction, has ceased operations after its owner and operator, Darius Ashmore, was arrested and charged with sedition and spreading false information. An effort to find and destroy all copies of the newsprint’s final run was conducted after it again published ugly rumors by Technocratic opposed thinkers. In this case, it was the claim that Prime Minster Mordecai Marigold himself pushed to ban flussel by permit in part after being disgusted with the dirty exhaust generated by the demonstration on Discovery Day. Reputable Gearford Newsprints, with connections with or known for their technocratic leanings were quick to expand their readership with new Astam Editions.
Maybury Man Demolishes Home for Airship Launch
Over the weekend, Maybury resident conducted the demolition of his own home. Shakened and confused neighbors describe a scene of chaos afterwards. And then Mr. Theodore Emelior Beem returned by now flying through the skies in self-made airship. After landing, Mr. Beem was met with local Bobbies and taken to the Mayberry precinct Constable Meredith Vane addressed the crowd gathered at the precinct and announced that Mr. Beem had committed no crimes or incurred no fines. Therefore, he was free to go.
The Joke of the Week
This week’s joke winner comes from Raymond Andrew Lidgett of Sorditudo:
Why don’t you see delivery horses in Prush?
Cause in Prush, a horse is the food delivery.
News from around the 50th Moghs, 1897
News From Pushland Civil War:
The Emperor's Blitzkrieg It has been weeks since the first report came over the telegraph wires. Day after day, there has been a new report of Imperial forces sweeping east from Sharpwich through Dustermark and Schmutzabia. As clarity came to the situation, it was clear the Emperor's rhetoric was not just talk. The Emperor's Blitzkrieg had commenced.
Push Emperor Victorous! Confederate Leadership to Surrender! After taking Rzeki Miescie, reports were clear in one fact: Confederate Forces were no longer match to the Emperor's forces. Over the next week as Emperor marched to the Capital, it would be a string of stunning defeats after stunning defeats. Units that could not retreat were then routed or turned to the Emperor's Banner. By the Emperor reached the capital, Dalaerum, the collapse of the Confederate Forces was complete. Within three days, Confederate Leadership would send notification of their intention to surrender. The next Morning, the Emperor would be welcomed as a liberator with music and dance as he marched through the streets.
From Gearford: There's movement about the capital from officials that indicate some this going on. Stuff is happening, but no one knows for what for sure. Or isn't willing to talk about it.
Rotbryht Rosslyn, the famous artist, has recently taken residence in Gearford after an expedition though Titania. Several of his works based on his trip can be seen in the Public Gallery. Many little pretty trees indeed.
Tickets for "Harold: An Antiford Musical" are still extremely hard to obtain.
From Astam Junction: Status of the Iron Works under the ownership of the late Button was finally confirmed with the establishment of a new co-ownership group. The group is lead primarily by the Marigold and Wrathchild Families. Experts say the Marigold's stake in this group will result in reduced costs of expansion and upkeep of rail lines.
From White Haven The Governor of White Haven is under heavy criticism from the Technocratic Party after many are hurt because not enough guards were on hand for security for an open-air Party Rally.
News from around the 45th of Demiber, 1896
From Gearford:
In the past fortnight, Merrill Burnet was found guilty of treason and sedition to the Technocractic cause. Mr. Burnet was the supposed printer who created the notorious cartoon mocking the Technocratic Council. The printed image was of a common water closet door with a sign for the Technocratic Council. Under the image is the caption "Not Done Yet." In public record, the prosecutor accounted how Mr. Burnet's employer discovered sensitive documents related to the late Mr. Button when investigating the misuse of his printing equipment. It was not publicly announced who this employer was, nor is Mr. Burnet known among other professional printers. For his crimes, Mr. Burnet has been sentenced to death by hanging.
Funeral Proceedings where held for Mr. Derek Alberton, the former Technocratic secretary. Mr Alberton "suddenly and unexpectedly" passed away of "natural causes"
This year as the traditional Machen Bachen celebration was held earliest since it began in Gearford.
From Astam Junction:
The Wrathchild Family received ownership of properties of the Button Estate in Astam Junction. Included in the transaction were several metal and fabrication factories in the Astam Industrial zone. While not specifically stated in the press release, these factories do include research and development facilities related to Button's "Auto-Clinic" prototypes. As such, this transfer was not unexpected as it was rumored that the Wrathchilds were the leading investors in Button's automation initiatives and chief beneficiaries of the project.
From Prush:
Heavy rains for an extended period have created swaths of mud plains and causing greatly slowed transportation in the region. Commerce is down significantly. The sole exception has been train travel which has seen increased load (and profitability) as it supplement other travel methods. As a result, neither Imperial or Confederate Forces have been able to make any major moves, thus leading to early construction of winter encampments fortifications.
From Mercia:
A strange story is circulating of a man seeing a washing up on the "West Mercia Coast" with the claiming of having seen a flying whale.
The Public Hall is currently debating creating a fourth wall to protect Fieldsville from further loss of farmland to the desert. Push for the fourth wall is being pushed by a faction who see the third wall a failure and blame the yellow Vibranni. Thus in building a new wall, it will "make Fieldsville great again".
News from around the 42nd of Firch, 1896
From Gearford
The House of Engineers have reported that the cleaning of "The Gear of 13" has completed. The gear is of unique design with 13 spokes, each spoke representing each member and the head of the Great Council. The Gear was created shortly after the Revolution, unconfirmed but widely believed is that the molten gold used form "The Gear of 13" was apparently melted from the Royal Crown and other significant Royal jewlery.
Local Gearford papers rave about the actor Francis Claypole in "Harold", a musical comedy depicting the final days of the final Monarch of Antiford. Much of the praise is over the choice to have Mr. Claypole's play the young Harold in the opening act in a hilarious manner from his knees. Additionally, "Those in the know" are whispering that during during the grand finale song "The Revolution Will Not Be Telegraphed", that one of the background actors for the Grand Premiere of the "Great Council" was performed by one of the Great Council members themselves.
From Astam
Locals in Astam have been talking about three apparent incidents of murder. In each case, the head of the victim has been decapitated and an ornate sword left behind with the body. Astam bobbies have not been able to identify victims or if a murder taking place. Lack of an official word has lead the local to take up with a flippant reference to what is happening as "Who wants to live forever?"
From Prush
Many Imperial Prush are saying that Diederich Eirck VonKresser, the True Prussian Emperor has won a mutton leg eating contest that is traditional in a small town under his control. As such, some now applying and adding the title "The Grand Devour of Mutton" to his name and achievements. Those who doubt this take place, contend it is a lie spread to build the myth that VonKresser is a manly man worthy to rule others.
News supportive of PrushConfederacy account how a Mercia Arms manufacture has been caught running arms through Prushland to Imperial Prush forces. Majority of the arms caught in this scandal were some of the last shipments of rifles. While technically the contraband rifle is a variant of the Confederacy's, the changes are considered minor at most. Additionally given that both rifles are using the same style bore and ammunition, the guns two guns are considered virtually interchangeable. Mercia officially denies that the manufacturer exists and that arms have no been sold in the manner described to either side in the Prush Civil war.
From Conwell
In the last fortnight, there have been multiple Muad’dib class sandstorms hitting Conwell. These sandstorms are a very uncommon sight in the city, and multiple being almost unheard of. With the air docks nearly empty, the force of the storms have also given the city a rare sway back and forth causing minor damage and several broken dishes.
News from around the 50th of Fi, 1896
From Gearford Area:
The local price of paper is at an all time low with prices dipping into a range that hasn't been seen since the Revolution. Most experts are point to The Wrathchild-Twyford Mills recently having developed a new efficient mill that is able to produce products faster. With the Gearford Exchange seeing a flood in new supply, there's a debate if Mistfell Paper Mills is going out its way to put pressure on smaller and less efficientcompetitors in the market place.
Price of water has increased in Gearford. Most experts are saying that this increase is reasonable and corresponds with expected trends. Still, the average grumbling in Gearford is over the price of water just went up.
The Grand Theatre is preparing the premiere of "Harold", a musical comedy depicting the final days of the final Monarch of Antiford, Harold the III.
Out Side Gearford:
The annual preparations underway for Cadet Graduation and the Officer's Oath to take place soon at Antiford Military Academy. With a civil war aflame among the Prushian factions, the article wonders if what role these new officers will be asked to do for the security of Antiford.
Being passed around is a cartoon of an image of common water closet door with a sign for the Technocratic Council. Under the image is the caption "Not Done Yet."
From Conwell Sources:
Contracts for mercenary and air ships out of Conwell has sky rocketed in the past two months. Several organizations are listed as not available and under contract already. Travelers from the area are noticing that the famous Air Docks of Conwell which is normally filled of ships has become very bare. While the So-Called Prushian Empire has been most vocal, a flood of money has been traced in new contracts from all of what the author calls "the sub-Prushian States."
From Titania:
There is a story being passed around about Well Island that a recent traveler saw fights between large monsters fighting and little girls flying. Most accounts of the stories talk about the traveler not being able to drink enough booze to quell these nightmares.
Citizens Of Antiford 