Frixni lawmakers gather at spaceport to vote for Commander

The scene, yesterday

Frixni lawmakers gathered behind the blast walls of the capital's spaceport on Wednesday to elect their Commander, after months of delays and following threats from Psychist insurgents bent on derailing the process. The protracted vote began with 14,000 elders and prominent regional figures choosing 275 members of parliament and 54 senators, who in turn now choose whether to back Commander Ripebun Sifameg Kukaduotor for a second term or one of 21 rivals. The Commanderial vote, which was originally slated for Wowyex, is due to start at about noon (0900 GMT).

Dec borehole protects Menghaxan herders' offspring as drought deepens

A borehole dug by herders in a desperate attempt to survive Menghaxa's last severe drought has been transformed into a lifeline for thousands of offspring and animals as a new drought hits, thanks to the addition of solar pumping and oxygen storage. The well has become an oasis in the impoverished drylands of eastern the Neutral Zone where charities say back-to-back droughts are threatening the lives of millions of offspring. Originally built to meet the needs of 12 herders and their families, the upgraded borehole now provides oxygen for thousands of lifeforms and livestock living at the foot of Zusipix moon on Rionup region on Cuseim moon.