Lose Some, Win More...

Micronations.Net has received four new personal warrants from heads of state for the provision of its news services.

The new warrants, which may be seen on the homepage of its website, were received following the withdrawal of the warrant from the Atteran Emperor, a politically-manipulated protest following the failure of Atteran Chronicle World to qualify for the recently-introduced MNN Accredited Sources scheme.

The warrants were granted by the Emperors of Minorca and Lemuria, the Kaiser of Shireroth and the Protector of Aerlig, with the Minorcan one replacing that provided by its predecessor Baracão.

MNN Celebrates Third Anniversary

MNN Boards- The Micronational News Network (MNN) is today celebrating the third anniversary of what many people would have once considered unimaginable- a service offering continually updates news and information for micronations.

In what started as a long overdue replacement for the old Micronations Today ezboard, MNN provided a forum-based news service, with dedicated journalists providing the articles. This formula became a success and MNN became a big hit, with users posting more than 580 news stories alone before the start of the blogging revolution.

MNN has been about more than just providing the news, however. From its first post it has provided a neutral environment where people can meet and exchange ideas, hold conferences and discuss issues. As a result, over the years MNN has hosted numerous conferences and organisations, including the Micronational Cartography Society, the Currency Exchange Organisation, the Apollo Foundation and more recently the Micronational Recreational Warfare Society and FNORD Awards.

Its success can be seen in many ways. Not only has the board amassed close to 12,000 posts and 360 members, but it has welcomed more than 75,000 unique visitors- a post and view count that would put most nations to shame.

When the Apollo Inquisitor spoke earlier today with the founder and owner of MNN, Sir Iain de Vembria, it was quickly able to engage his excitement and satisfaction. He spoke of his surprise at the growth of the service, and how it continues to grow, culminating with the recent launch of MNN 24/7- the blog service inspired by Cyberian Jack Santucci and enacted by Sander Dieleman. De Vembria accredits the success of MNN to its neutrality, stating that it

"...has succeeded by providing dedicated fora and services requested by micronationalists, [expanding] from the four original fora to the fifteen-plus ones today. Its ongoing success is founded on the principal of attracting people's interest and keeping it, which includes giving them as much control as possible, and therefore an interest in keeping things going."

When asked if he had any future plans for the service, he informed us that the news had probably been developed about as far as it could go, but that "...the existing features will be maintained, and any suggestions for new ones will continue to be accepted and implemented if they have merit."

Congratulations MNN! Heres to another three years!

Related Links:
MNN Forums
MNN Website
MNN History

The Apollo Inquisitor is a partially owned subsidiary of the Micronational News Network.

A Flurry of FNORDs

For the fourth time in three years, micronationalists are busily nominating their choices for the People's FNORD Awards. This year there are over thirty awards available for nomination, although only the most popular will make it through to the final round of voting by five top judges.

The FNORD Awards are named after a combination of Emperor Joshua Norton and the Illuminatus Trilogy and were inspired by the original Norton Awards, which have long ceased to be. Their aim is to recognise micronationalists who have "lived up to the example of crazy genius that Norton pioneered" and "made the micronational world a much more interesting place."

The format of the awards has changed over the years, but this year sees the return of the voting judges, and a record number of awards. Nominations will close at the end of this weekend in time for several days of intense voting by the judges.

Attera Launches South Asia Assistance Fund

In the wake of the recent devastating tsunami that caused vast destruction and loss of life throughout the East Indies and many other Indian Ocean islands and coastal regions, the Atteran government has created the Atteran South Asia Assistance Fund (ASAAF).

With authorisation from Prime Minister Johanns fonn Klosso, the ASAAF's goal is to raise "to raise at least US$200 to help alleviate the crisis in South and Southeast Asia", a target believed to be reasonable and achievable given the financial status of the majority of Atterans.

Donations will be forwarded via Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore and are being co-ordinated by Charles Beard, who said: "All micronationalists, of every country or macronationality, are invited to participate in ASAAF's fundraising drive. While the donation will be made in the name of the Solomonic Empire of Attera, the micronations of all who participate will be mentioned in the letter I send to CRS. I implore you, for the sake of those who are suffering, to consider making a donation to ASAAF."

He added: "I believe ASAAF's work can help build bridges between micronations and micronationalists, but more importantly, with those who are suffering, and do not have the luxury of micronationalism."

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

Micronations Hit the Blogospheric Radar!

Hits to the Micronations.Net website increased twentyfold on December 23rd following a short posting about micronations on the Metafilter weblog. The article and its follow-up comments include links to wide variety of micronational references spanning a number of years.

Meanwhile, Micronations.Net itself was the featured subject of Bruce Eisner's Vision Thing, the personal blog of writer and psychologist Bruce Eisner, on December 26th, while micronations themselves were proposed as a new "industry" for the Blogshares fantasy blog shares market.

Treesia Increases Early Lead

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- After two draws in the opening round of the 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy, no-one was willing to settle for level scores yesterday, with definite winners emerging in each match of the second round.

The closest match of was that between world numbers one and two Treesia and Aerlig, which finished with a final score of 3-2. Both teams had a good first half, each managing to score a goal. The game looked set to finish in a two-all draw before Treesia stole away with four minutes to go, running the length of the field before setting up a magnificent shot from just outside the square. Aerlig goalkeeper Tyde vanHorshan, recently returned from injury after the Babkha Tri-Nations incident, could do nothing to stop the goal which shot between the goalposts at tremendous speed.

Karnali showed off its own skills, almost immediately proving too much for EIFA newcomer Navland, which looked as though it was already out of the match after the first ten minutes. Karnali pounced on their inexperience and broke away, scoring an amazing 10 goals to Navland's 2.

Attera faced its second loss of the tournament, when it went down to Cranda 6-3.

Treesia now sits with a clear lead at the top of the Champions Trophy league table with two wins and six points, followed by Karnali and Cranda who have one win each. Aerlig and Navland sit on one point with a draw each to their names, while Attera sits solely at the bottom with no points.

The EIFA Champions Trophy action takes place every second day until November 19th, with three matches per day. It is hosted by the Sovereign Order of Treesia at the Speedway Stadium Treesia, and live results can be seen on the official website.

Treesia Celebrates in Classic Style

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- The Sovereign Order of Treesia has rounded off its fourth anniversary celebrations in classic fashion, and reinforced its position as being the world's number one ranked football team, by opening the 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy with a decisive 7-4 victory over the rising power of Atteran football in a fast-paced match on Tuesday.

The Treesian attack proved too much for the Atterans, who were unable to limit the scoring to a insurmountable total. Treesia broke away early in the first half, scoring four goals, to which Attera could only manage three. Attera crumbled in the second half, scoring just one goal in reply to three from Treesia.

In other matches in the same round, Navland was unable to score anything against Aerlig's strong defence, with the game finishing in a 0-0 draw. Cranda and Karnali also ended the round with a draw at 4-all.

The EIFA Champions Trophy is being hosted by the Sovereign Order of Treesia at the Speedway Stadium Treesia. The tournament ends on November 19th, and live results can be seen on the official website.

News Shorts- Football: 2, YAMOs: 0

Adelwin, Aerlig- EIFA has now opened applications to host the 2004/05 EIFA World Cup, billed as the biggest micronational sporting event in history. Interested nations should visit the EIFA HQ.

Speedway Stadium, Treesia- The 2004 EIFA Champions Trophy is about to start in Treesia, with the top six ranked football nations battling it out to be Champion of Champions. Last year's champions Aerlig face an uphill battle after a year in the slumps, with Treesia and Karnali the firm favourites.

Halberd Lighthouse, Treesia- Die again, live again Treesia has celebrated its fourth anniversary, a colossal achievement for any nation. Babkha helped celebrate by slaughtering one thousand Mondesians.

Raspur, Babkha- The Raspur Micronational Community, recently formed at a conference in the of the same name, appears to have ground to a halt, just like so many other YAMOs. The Cyberians held the Presidency for October, but not much occurred, and we are yet to hear from the November President Mahina. Still only five nations have ratified the charter, with host nation Babkha yet to do so.

MicroXchange2 Set to Trade Soon

Lemuria- Legislatures and financial experts around the world are bracing themselves for the impending launch of MicroXchange2, which could revolutionise the micronational econo-sphere.

When the original PHP MicroXchange was launched to great acclaim last year, a large number of nations flocked to the system, which enabled them to transfer currency between nations at the click of a button. The system automatically calculated exchange rates and was hailed as the next sliced bread. However, it wasn't long before it came crashing to the ground, causing wide spread economic chaos (read: inactivity).

The production team of MicroXchange2, led by programming guru Sander Dieleman, has almost completed the new system. With an expanded array of features including private messaging, calculators and a snazzy control panel (as opposed to just a nifty one), the team is hoping that a number of nations will move their banks to the system.

New Bureaucracy to Handle Bureaucracy

Shirekeep, Shireroth- Celebrations have begun to recede after Monday’s celebrations with the splitting of the Ministry of the Interior into separate Ministries of Information and the Interior. Kaiser Raynor XI was on hand to cut the ribbon at the new headquarters, before posing the ever-so confusing question: “Let the infoing begin?�.

The new ministry has already suffered some teething problems, with the forums created in Spanish. Perhaps it was the work of some bitter employees at the streamlined Ministry of the Interior.

Host the EIFA World Cup

The English Intermicronational Football League (EIFA) is now accepting applications from nations to host the 2004-2005 EIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is the biggest English Micronational sporting event, and will be held during December and January of 2004-2005. Previous hosts, the Republic of Aerlig (2002) and the Theocracy of Mediterranea (2003-04) have enjoyed a large influx of visitors into their nation as a result of hosting the Cup.

The World Cup is open to all member nations of EIFA. At present, there are 11 member nations, but EIFA always greets a number of new members at the start of each World Cup.

EIFA opens the opportunity to host the World Cup to its members, providing they meet the criteria. Prospective hosts, who meet the criteria, must submit an application to the EIFA Head Office by no later than Sunday, November 14^th 2004.

Criteria for hosting the World Cup include:

* A prospective host nation must be at least six (6) months old

* A prospective host nation must have been a member of EIFA for at least three (3) months.

* A prospective host must have an active forum which has open access to non-citizens and members

A host nation will be selected by what it can offer the World Cup and EIFA, and how it will handle such activity and responsibility. As the World Cup host, a nation will be required to:

* Maintain a stadium (forum) in which World Cup matches can be played

* Maintain a website to keep teams and spectators abreast with World Cup developments.

* In conjunction with EIFA collect, tabulate and announce results of the World Cup matches.

* In conjunction with EIFA create a fixture for the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA award prizes to the winners of the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA ensure maximum publicity of the World Cup.

If your nation is interested in hosting the World Cup, please submit an application. Applications will only be accepted via email to eifa@mncentre.net.

Lachlan Powers
Director of EIFA

Application to Host the World Cup

Official Name of Applicant Nation:
Common Name of Applicant Nation:

Link to Forums:
Link to Website:

Name of Official Representative of Applicant Nation:
Official Title of Representative of Applicant Nation:
Email Address:

In which city do you propose the World Cup be held?
What is the name of the main stadium at which games will be played?

Is your nation willing to commit the time required to assist EIFA in running the World Cup, maintaining a forum and a website?
Will your nation allow free access to visitors during the Cup?

What other plans do you have? (Prizes, ceremonies, sponsors etc).
Please attach any accompanying information regarding the above question.

Please also provide links to any information you may have about the main stadium and/or city in which the Cup will be held.

http://www.mncentre.net/images/eifa/wc0405.png