Regression Colony rejoins Humanity. Dateline 3202.196, Blenda, Quadrant 6
The regression colony on Blenda Q6, until recently under the supervision and control of the Imperial Anthropological Institute has made contact, independently, with its host colony, and after a prolonged 'acclimatisation' process has been provisionally permitted limited contact with the outside universe. A spokesperson from the IAI said "We are delighted that the inhabitents of Windward Continent have finally developed their own technology - and the re-invention of radio has shown that their population is ready for re-integration with the Empire.". The isolation of regression colonies remains somewhat controversial in many circles - not least because of the thousands who die in them ever year from preventable disease. There have been accusations that the IAI deliberately interferes with the development of RCs to be able to continue studying them - though this remains officially denied.
'Sciencers' of the 'United States of Lament' - the most powerful and advanced state in the regression colony - developed radio a few months ago, and were naturally surprised when they started to pick up incomprehensible transmissions from the rest of the colony, and space. The regression colonists had also reinvented powered flight and a rudimental internal combusion engine.
A major programme of education and social integration will now be implemented, funded by the colonial government.

Religious Fanatics Close Cowboy Dateline 3202.194, Cowboy, Quadrant 2
The independent world of Cowboy has announced that it is closing it's brand new orbital station to incoming vessels. This follows the election of the extreme fundamentalist group the Adept Followers of the Bloated Lady. This group always had a very large following on Cowboy, since the colony's founding in fact, and in recent years they had extended their control over much of the planet's political structure after the untimely illness and death of the leader of the one effective opposition, the Freedom Party. The election last month of Shining Master Lordag as Great Leader of the Colony heralded extensive legislative changes, outlawing all other religions, removing a range of civil rights, closing secular schools and outlawing contact with off-worlders. Also a number of small groups of heavily armed visiting archeologists and investigators were arrested and are held without charge in a series of dawn raids. There are also reports of a large number of 'disappearences' of opponents of the regime.
Latest in this increasingily repressive regime's moves has been to declare the system off limits to traders and all other ships, apparently because they represent impure elements that will distort some sort of forthcoming 'Great Ritual'. Naturally, the major trading corporations are dismayed at the station closure (which had only recently been opened, at great expense), and are seeking to put pressure on the local government to 'see sense'.

Smart Dinosaurs Excite Boffins. Dateline 3202.190, Hook Q1
Life scientists are getting very excited by the publication of a research paper on an obscure species of forest-dwelling bipedal dinosauroids found on Hook in Quadrant 1. For centuries it has been speculated that a non-mammallian evolutionary path to intelligence was possible, and given the preponderence of reptilian life across the universe it has long been hoped that some evidence of evolved Anthroposaurs might be found. The report, which is admittedly controversial, claims to have found evidence of tool use and even a rudimentary language among this rare and highly social creature.

Already, film makers are squabbling for the rights to a tri-V movie based on the find, reported to a working title of 'Dinos in the Mists'.

Asteroid Near Miss Causes Consternation. Dateline 3202.189 Stown Q7

Starguard, pacifiers and all local military forces were put on emergency alert when it was discovered a uncharted asteroid was making a close approach to colony world Stown III in Quadrant 7 and was only a few days from collision. This asteorid, about 4km across had apparently been missed by the last astrographical survey, conducted in 3187.

Immediate action by the starguard deflected the asteroid, which skimmed the atmosphere, made a slingshot pass of the planet towards the star. Scientists say it will hit the star in a few weeks and burn up harmlessly.

"Close passes like this are fairly rare these days" said an embarrased spokesperson from the Martian Astrographic Office. "We have reviewed our records and it appears the asteroid was detected and its tragectory recorded, but somehow the data was not transferred from the survey ship to the main NavDat network. A full investigation has been started and we expect disciplinary action to follow. We can only apologise for the concern caused".

Nova alert near Shi'Ar Dateline 3202.249, Quadrant 0

An automated stellar flare station orbiting an uncharted star has recently given indications of a Class 10 Nova alert. This is the first such alert in Quadrant 0 for 273 years. As any schoolchild knows, a star going Nova would create a dangerous radaition flare that could reach out up to some 30 parsecs over a period of a century or so. Closest to the potential Nova is the independent world of Shi'Ar, which would be affected some 5 years after the Nova went off.
A spokesperson for the Solar Survey said "Of course, whilst the potential for damage is high, this is only a Class 10 alert, which means that there is roughly a 1% chance of the star's condition deteriorating at some point in the next 100 years. We should expect to get around 10 Class 10 alerts in human space every century. We advise people not to be too worried at this stage."
Panic buying of radiation suits and tanning lotion continues on Shi'Ar.