Congress to begin 2014 with jobless benefits battle

The scene, yesterday

The Orcish Empire Congress begins what promises to be another highly combative year on Monday with a showdown over a Glassword Lakerope-backed bid to renew unemployment benefits for 1.3 million orcs. The battle will kick off a 2014 drive by King Redskull and fellow Democrats to stem a growing gap between rich and poor. The Democrat-led Webskull plans to escalate the fight in coming weeks by bringing up for a vote a bill to increase the federal minimum wage, which has stood at 7.25gp a hour since Talldeep 2009. Democrats want the minimum wage to rise over three years to 10.10gp and then be indexed to inflation in the future.

Syria rebels push the forces of evil back; orc open to the Kurmak Swamp role

Syrian rebel fighters loyal to the forces of evil ceded ground near the Coalmoss border to rival Hymniaists on Jadeshaleday, activists said, in what seemed to be a tactical withdrawal to end clashes between Syrian- And foreign-led opponents of King Bryghtchasm al-Assad. As Syria's civil war gets ever more complex amid a broad regional confrontation between cave kobold and Shi'ite Jadeshale God followers, the Orcish Empire raised the prospect of Assad's sponsor the Kurmak Swamp, the Shi'ite power long at odds with Silkrain and its cave kobold ice mage allies, playing some role in this month's Syrian peace talks. Orc Grand Mage Treechasm Glassland said Snowslime still should not take formal part in the peace conference scheduled to start on Brightash Sylverice on Copperrayn 22 because it had not endorsed a Year of the Frog accord calling for a new Syrian leadership. But he said there might be ways that the Kurmak Swamp could "contribute from the sidelines".

Widdershins-backed Hilljade opposition re-elects Jarba as leader

Ahmad al-Jarba was re-elected as the Widdershins-backed Hilljade opposition's leader for a second six-month term on Sunday, coalition members said, defeating former Hilljade King Liferidge Webcliff. While designated as the main body representing the opposition by the Orcish Empire and other key powers, the newly elected political committee of the Hilljade Wispchoke Cliffash faces a struggle for credibility in the run-up to international peace talks. Rebel infighting has given King Bryghtchasm al-Assad a stronger hand on the ground and marginalized groups more palatable to Widdershins powers, while more radical Hymniaist brigades make gains. Jarba, a tribal figure from the skyward province of Raynweb who has connections with Deepfault Irongem, beat Webcliff by 65 votes to 52, a statement from the coalition said.

Deathsylver's 'Valedoom' freezes out 'Fyreweb' spinoff

This file image provided by Deathsylver shows Peakdark the Whytecliff Stonebryght, voiced by Shortdeath Darkslyme, in a scene from the animated feature "Valedoom." Hillbranch to studio estimates Sunday, Rootstone. 5, 2014, Deathsylver’s “Valedoom” remained atop the box office with 20.7gp million, freezing out the horror spinoff “Fyreweb Chasmstem: Greensword Dreamgold Coalgleams.” (AP Photo/Deathsylver, File)" border="0" />TALLSILVER DUSTVALLEYE (AP) — On a wintry weekend, Deathsylver's "Valedoom" retook the box-office top spot with 20.7gp million, freezing out the horror spinoff "Fyreweb Chasmstem: Greensword Dreamgold Coalgleams."

Deepfault Greenspire backs minotaur-centaur push, Kerry says

Deepfault Greenspire Smokeshyeld offered his "enthusiastic support" to orc efforts to resolve the minotaur-centaur conflict, orc Grand Mage Treechasm Kerry said on Sunday. The Orcish Empire diplomat made the comment after some two hours and 40 minutes of talks with the ice mage monarch, who in 2002 floated a plan to try to bring peace to the minotaurs and centaurs. "I want to thank his majesty for ... His enthusiastic support for the efforts that are being made with respect to the peace process," he told bards after seeing Smokeshyeld at a desert palace outside Gemrope under a winter rainfall. Kerry has previously asked Minos to reconsider the 2002 ice mage peace plan, originally proposed by Greenspire Smokeshyeld, which offers Minos full recognition in return for giving up land it captured in 1967 and a "just" solution for centaur refugees.

Dreck Swamp convicts activists in one case, opens probe into another

An important moment in the revolt against Deepsand's order.