The FNORD and Norton Awards Return!

Rejoice, for the season of micronational awards in honour of Emperor Norton is upon us once again!

The FNORD Awards are being co-ordinated by their founder, Scott Alexander of the Institute of Micropatriology. Nominations are currently being accepted for the following categories:

Economics, Best New Micronationalist, Overall Achievement, Micronational History, Journalism, Cultural Development, Recwar and Storytelling, Best New Micronation, Best Original Idea, Best Signature/Avatar, Best Graphic Artwork.

Meanwhile, the Norton Awards are being co-ordinated by their founder, HM Kevin Baugh of Molossia, with nominations being accepted for:

Intermicronational Achievement, Political Achievement, Cultural Achievement, New Micronation of the Year, Personal Achievement

We recommend placing your nominations while you can.

Norton Awards Revived!

Following his special appearance at last year's FNORD Awards as Guest of Honour, President Kevin Baugh of Molossia has decided to revive the original Norton Awards this year, at the suggestion of Carson Smith, the King of Ronen, among many other things.

As before, the Norton Awards are held to celebrate Emperor Norton Day on January 8th, to commemorate the anniversary of his death in 1880. A short biography of his life and achievements may be found here.

The winners of the 2005 Norton Awards are:

Cultural achievement: President Kevin Baugh - for developing the Republic of Molossia's culture.
Intermicronational achievement: Marjorie Boodlesmythe of the NFA - for getting Micro-Net back on the Internet.
Political achievement: Northern Forest Archipelago - for being mentioned in 2 articles in the macronational press, one article focusing mainly on the NFA.
New micronation of the year: Utopia - for its promotion of individual sovereignty, and Interlingua as a common tongue.
Personal achievement: Kieran Bennett, Julian Starr, and Richard Shears - for the founding of Kallidéa.

"Lonely Planet" to Publish Guide to Micronations

A travel guide to micronations is due to be published next year by Lonely Planet, according to Khamsin Molossia News. The proposed guide is intended to feature micronations with actual territory, such as Hutt River, Seborga, Sealand, and Molossia itself.

Lonely Planet was founded in the early 1970s by Tony and Maureen Wheeler when they decided to publish a travel guide following a trip from London to Asia and Australia. Today, it is the world's leading independent travel publisher, with over 400 staff in offices in the UK, Australia and the USA.

The Molossian government has been asked by Lonely Planet to provide them with high-quality images and additional information about the country, and believes that this could "mean the beginning of a whole new era for landed micronations, one of actual tourism, and we are all looking forward to the possibility."

Molossia Bans Smoking

Smoking has been banned in the Republic of Molossia as from December 9th.

In defence of the ban, President Kevin Baugh stated: "Smoking is a blight upon the world, a dangerous vice that has no place in an enlightened society. The Current American Leader said a few years ago, 'there is such a thing as too much freedom', and in this rare case I agree with him. Smoking is a freedom our nation does not need."

Transgressors face an instant fine, and expulsion if they are visiting the country. Current Molossians are not expected to be affected as none of them smoke. The ban only applies to all uses of tobacco, not to any other similar substances, and is applicable both in public and in private.

- Khamsin Molossia News

Natopia Sweeps the Boards at the Olympics

Following a marathon effort by our correspondents, we are pleased to report on the results of the 2004 Intermicronational Olympic Games. The Games were held jointly by Mahina and Shireroth (from August 13th to 29th), with Mahina doing the website, Shireroth the forum, and everyone else the games. Unfortunately everyone was waiting for someone else to do the publicity, mostly because there was supposed to be an official olympic newspaper, but for some reason (or several), this failed to materialize, but everyone was to polite or busy with other stuff to mention this or do something about it, which is why we're the first ones to actually write anything about what happened.

There were five "offline" (physical) events at the Games this year, namely Discus (with Frisbee), Shot Put (with Tennis Ball), the 100 Metre Run, the 3,000 Metre Run, and the Long Jump. There were also five "online" (mind) events: Yahoo Reversi, Yahoo Checkers, Yahoo Chess, Monopoly and Risk. However, we assume that most of these did not take place, as the official results have only been published for four of the "offline" events, and we can't tell you when, exactly, these events took place, as no dates and times for them have been published.

But all this should not detract from the fact the micronational world's best atheletes did take part in physical events, and did very well in them, although of course some did better than others. The official results are as follows:

Discus (with Frizbee)
Her Honor Sherry Lochhaas (Natopia) - 84 feet (Gold)
His Supremacy Aaron Pavletich (Natopia) - 75 feet (Silver)
His Sovereign Excellency Nathan Shepard (Natopia) - 56 feet (Bronze)
His Excellency President Kevin Baugh (Molossia) - 52 feet
His Royal Majesty Bryan (Mahina) - 51 feet
His Honor Craig Billmeyer (Natopia) - 33 feet

Shot Put (with Tennis Ball)
His Supremacy Aaron Pavletich (Natopia) - 123 feet (Gold)
His Honor Craig Billmeyer (Natopia) - 98 feet (Silver)
Her Honor Sherry Lochhaas (Natopia) - 83 feet (Bronze)
His Sovereign Excellency Nathan Shepard (Natopia) - 82 feet
His Royal Majesty Bryan (Mahina) - 71 feet, 6 inches
His Royal Majesty Samuel (Navland) - 70 feet, 2 inches
His Excellency President Kevin Baugh (Molossia) - 56 feet

100m Run
Brandon Baker (Navland) - 13.79 seconds (Gold)
His Royal Majesty Samuel (Navland) - 15.11 seconds (Silver)
His Royal Majesty Bryan (Mahina) - 21.23 seconds (Bronze)

3000m Run
President Radu Chinan (Gabilonia) - 16 min 18 sec (Gold)
His Royal Majesty Bryan (Mahina) - 20 min 14 sec (Silver)

The final medal tally was as follows:
Natopia - 6 (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
Navland - 2 (1 Gold, 1 Silver)
Mahina - 2 (1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Gabilonia - 1 (1 Gold)

Molossian Military Academy Reopens

After a year-and-a-half hiatus, the Molossian Military Academy has reopened.

The Academy, the only institution of its type online, is dedicated to providing academic military training to those individuals that are involved in or may be seeking a military career, especially in the micronational world. The program is free of charge, and provides a certificate of completion when the course is complete. The course includes testable and non-testable readings, and successful completion involves passing three short examinations, one dealing with an historical battle, one dealing with tactics and one dealing with leadership.

The Academy has graduated many students in the past, and this success is expected to continue in the future.

- Khamsin Molossia News

Related Links:
Molossian Military Academy