A1NS: The Best of 2011

As another year goes past, we at the A1 News Service look back on the year that was, and came up with this ‘best of’ compilation for the year, essentially comprising of articles that we are the most proud of.

January

January was a fairly tumultuous month, but one article seems to stand out from the rest, regarding what it was reporting on. ‘Over $1000 raised in A1 flood relief effort‘ reported on the phenomenal fundraising efforts of the Republics of Lichthalzen and Cooriengah, which, combined, raised over AU$1000 for flood relief in Queensland in only 24 hours.

Another key publication was the lengthy editorial by Sir. Philip Fish, significant in that it was published about a month after Sir. Philip resigned from the OAM as Vice Secretary-General, and while he was still considering whether or not to ‘come back’ to the MicroWiki Sector. ‘Problems, people and pinheads‘ remains one of the most-read articles on the A1NS.

February

A fairly quiet month, February did produce yet another exclusive for the A1 News Service. The releasing of the ‘von Linden Report’ by the A1 Government was announced first and exclusively on the A1 News Service in an article published on the 14th February. The report is considered to be the only authoritative report on the events of the period that it documents, although it did cause some controversy later down the line.

March

Fears of yet another ‘Black March’ in the MicroWiki Sector were quickly overtaken by the events of the 11th March, when an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, killing tens of thousands of people and sending tsunamis all across the Pacific Ocean. The A1 News Service were quick to respond to events, with a total of three articles published over the coming days, as some areas of A1 were put on alert. The article ‘Cooriengah, Prsänëa and Lichthalzen on Alert‘ warned residents of the affected areas to remain on alert, an alert which, in coming days, was revoked by macronational authorities.

April

The April 2011 A1NS Survey was completed in this month, with 35 individuals taking part in what has become a tradition at the A1 News Service. One of the few authoritative and wide-ranging surveys on the topics addressed, the survey’s results were announced on the 22nd April.

May

While the A1 News Service is committed to comprehensive and accurate reporting on intermicronational issues, at the end of the day, our primary prerogative is on domestic issues. One major domestic issue of May was the resignation of Joseph Puglisi as a Member of the Chamber and the disestablishment of the Republic of Tianistan. ‘Puglisi resigns, Tianistan disestablished‘ is still regarded as the central source of information regarding this.

June

The third anniversary of the A1 News Service on the 28th June was almost overshadowed by one of the largest intermicronational stories of the MicroWiki Sector during this time – the proposed Motion of No Confidence against OAM Secretary-General, Sir. Philip Fish. The A1 News Service provided up-to-date, objective and accurate coverage of the whole episode, including the ‘Fish under fire as nations leave’ article, which was used as a reference point for many micronationalists.

July

A comparatively quiet month, July did yield another major domestic issue. On the 16th July, then-First Secretary, Sir. Philip Fish, following a motion proposed by Premier James Wilary, declared a State of Emergency, due to “chronic inactivity” in the government. The ‘First Secretary declares State of Emergency‘ brought this news to the wider micronational world, as well as to A1′s citizenry.

August

The still ongoing episode regarding ‘Nationia’, a persistent vandal on the MicroWiki, began in August, when the first attacks began. ‘MicroWiki attacked by vandal‘ gave much-needed information to users of the wiki, including from the MicroWiki Staff.

September

One of the most extraordinary events of the year took place on the 7th September – what is now commonly known as ‘Yablokogate’. The intricate circles, wild accusations and numerous comments, documents and dossiers was, by all accounts, very confusing, and the A1 News Service played a vital role is helping to dispel this. ‘Chaos reigns as “conspiracies” unfold‘ was one of the very few articles at the time documenting the incident, and helped many to clarify the situation.

The third most -commented on article was followed by an editorial published just a few days earlier, which is equal-first with another article for the most comments ever received by any article on the A1 News Service, as well as one of the most viewed. ‘Micronationalism is serious business‘ was an article written by Sir. Philip Fish in response to the growing calls for ‘professionalism’ and ‘seriousness’ in the MicroWiki Sector, and outlined his opposition to it.

October

Two extraordinary domestic events dominated the news of A1 for October. The first one being the effective downfall of the then-Cirrus Party government, led by then-First Secretary, Sir. Philip Fish, and then-Prime Minister, Dame Mars McTavish. ‘Foundation Party to withdraw support for Cirrus Party‘ reported on the Foundation Party’s pledge of support to the Socialist Party at the November election, meaning that the government would almost certainly not win – a prediction that turned out to be true.

A day after, Mars McTavish was admitted to hospital with a “variety of ailments”, after collapsing whilst walking along a major road near her residence in Melbourne. The ‘Prime Minister, Mars McTavish, admitted to hospital‘ article provoked an outpouring of goodwill and ‘get well soon’ wishes from many micronationalists – these being made possible due to the A1NS report – providing the Dame with much needed support, which she was very thankful for.

November

The spate of major domestic events continued into November, as the A1 News Service geared up for its most comprehensive coverage of an election in its history. Many articles were published in their own separate post category on the website, in which A1 citizens and the micronational community alike learned of the leadup to the election.

December

The final month of the year was one of change, as the Socialist-Foundation Party coalition swept to power in the elections. ‘November election results announced; Socialist-Foundation Coalition take power‘ gave all interested parties all of the details of the results, as well as reporting on the aftermath of the election for both winners and losers.

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So that’s all from us at the A1 News Service. We wish to wish you all a very Merry Christmas (and/or Anti-Christmas) and wish to thank you all most sincerely for your readership and support for the A1NS. May the next year be a prosperous one!