Alliance News Network

ALT Three simultaneous break-ins at the Citadel Council's Ministry of Finance have provoked outrage from the Council and cast suspicions on the Vol Protectorate, who in recent months demanded to see galactic economic data that the Council refuses to make public. "We unilaterally condemn these actions, whether they were done in our name or not," said Nao Clan spokesman Udra Nao. "The fact that this data has been posted on the extranet for all to see speaks to the dissent among the people the Council represents, but theft is a crime that our species takes seriously." The Citadel Council approved of this condemnation in statements released this morning, but they do not consider the matter closed - the asari Spectre Tela Vasir has been assigned to the case.

ALT Aish Ashland, granddaughter of energy magnate Jonah Ashland, attended her hearing this morning for red sand possession. "I think I and a whole lot of people don't even known why it's illegal," she said. "Biotics have stuff like this in their nervous systems twenty-four hours a day. Why is it legal for them?" Her supporters surrounded the courthouse hoping to get a glimpse of the socialite whose infamy hasn't stood in the way of her e-book deal or other engagements, such as the event this evening in which Aish's DNA will be donated to the Hollywood Bank of Fame.

ALT The extrasolar comet CR1331 Kingu will soon pass by the hanar colony world of Belan (Undercurrent). The comet contains a volatile gas element that the system's sun will warm up, but it is not known how the reaction will alter the comet's trajectory. It is impossible to determine whether the comet will strike Belan or simply pass it by. Hanar citizens are hastily evacuating the colony while their government petitions the turian fleet to commission a dreadnought to intercept the comet.

ALT The Citadel Council has produced a report of the economic progress of Council space which underwent a deep recession following the attack on the Citadel. The Citadel claims unemployment is falling amidst job growth, but the chairman of the Vol Protectorate has accused them of denying access to their statistical sources, thus allowing the Council to manipulate the data in their favor. The Council maintains that withholding sources is standard procedure in turian, asari, and salarian government and is vital to investor confidence.

ALT The 24th Fighter Group of the Citadel Fleet received the Galactic Unit Citation today for their role in the Battle of the Citadel over two years ago. It is the highest honor awarded to a military unit and recognizes gallantry above and beyond those of the Palladium Star, awarded to all Citadel and Fifth Fleet units who fought in the battle. The 24th were the first unit to engage the geth flagship Sovereign. Unable to pierce Sovereign's kinetic barriers, the unit nevertheless gave their lives distracting the warship and the geth fleet during the Destiny Ascension's docking attempts to evacuate the Citadel Council. Only one-sixth of the fighter group survived the battle and the offices of the Council decided the most fitting honor would be one awarded to the entire unit.

ALT More details this hour regarding the human-survivalist cell on Trident. Victims told federal investigators of a "torture den" where Cerberus doctors drugged and forced captives to perform biotic actions to exhaustion. "The pain in my head was unbelievable," said a female survivor who asked to remain anonymous. "I couldn't even feel my feet. I thought I had a stroke. A man died of a cerebral hemorrhage, and I would've gone next if they hadn't rescued us when they did."

ALT Federal investigators on the planet Trident have uncovered a Cerberus cell. Authorities seized the human-survivalist group's laboratory, finding two dozen prisoners who claim that Cerberus subjected them to biotic-suppressing drugs with potentially brain damaging side effects. The captives were briefly questioned before being released back to their families. Only one Cerberus operative was captured during the rescue operation. Six others were killed and two reportedly committed suicide rather than face arrest.

ALT " The human colony Cyrene has disappeared without a trace – the latest in a series of colonies which have been lost under mysterious circumstances. It is estimated that five thousand people are missing. The moon colony circling the gas giant Idmon was a transit station between the Titan Nebula and the remainder of the Terminus Systems. ""It matches the modus operandi,"" says investigator Simon Haute. ""No signs of force, no witnesses, a genuine Roanoke."" Cyrene is the seventh human colony which has disappeared in the Terminus Systems since 2183. Only in one case could traces of looting be found which were attributed to a gang of marauders who had arrived first on the scene after the disappearance."

ALT " Referring to outstanding payments, Blue Suns mercenaries have taken over facilities of the Eldfell Ashland Energy Corporation on planet Zorya. ""We are sending a clear message,"" says Solem Dal'serah, head of the intergalactic mercenary and supply company. ""We do not turn a blind eye to enterprises defying the law on our planet."" Energy magnate Jonah Ashland replied in a public statement: ""The proper place to settle differences like this is the judicial system. The Blue Suns will gain nothing by sending armed mercenaries into our offices and refineries."" This kind of military takeover is common on Zorya where the mercenary group has replaced the judicial authorities to a great extent. The estimated value of the seized facilities has not been disclosed, but experts estimate it at more than 1.2 billion credits."

ALT The attack on the human colony of Freedom’s Progress has generated a swift but confused response. Aid vessels have been sent, but it’s not clear whether there are survivors. The Council offered its sympathy, but regretted that it could not become involved in a purely human matter.

ALT Coming up later today, we release our annual list of Illium’s 10 richest people. Are the heavens still bright asari blue or have the volus finally rolled to the top? And don’t miss our look at the fashion faux pas at the Commerce Awards held last week. All this and more on Financial Entertainment Daily!

ALT The Systems Alliance 5th Fleet has begun its planned tour of the Attican Traverse region. The fleet, centered around the dreadnought Orizaba, under Admiral Steven Hackett, will stop in various systems over the next three months. A turian spokesman for the Council noted that “since the Battle of the Citadel, the Alliance has played an increasing role in securing our frontiers”. He added that the 5th Fleet’s goodwill tour is a first step to becoming a partner in turian peacekeeping patrols.