Vol 877 Issue 4 4-1122

DICK SALAMANDER IS HERE!

Dirk Savage and Co. Arrive on Regina to Shoot New Film

Dirk Savage, film superstar and bon vivant, arrived on Regina orbital early this morning, accompanied by members of the cast and crew of the new movie "Kiss of Death".

Despite the early hour, several hundred fans were on hand to greet the matinee idol, best know for his portrayal of the suave and debonair secret agent, Dick Salamander.

Looking somewhat tired after the long voyage, Savage never the less waded into the crowd of fans, shaking hands and giving autographs.

Security guards were forced to rescue the actor after the crowd surged forward, pinning Savage against a bulkhead.

Savage, along with longtime collaborator and producer Alberto Carrotte are on regina to film the first sequel to the critically acclaimed Major Case Squad.

The film and its sequel mark a radical departure from the lighthearted mega-action Salamander Films.

Based on the series of novels of the same name, Major Case Squad featured Savage playing tough, savvy Inspector Globber working the mean streets of Regina Up.

The first film, hailed as classic Noir, showed audiences a new side to an actor once brushed off by the film trade as a "good looking airhead".

While the movie posted only a modest profits at the box office, critics hailed Savage's suprisingly deep and complex portrayal of the main character.

"Fans of Dick Salamander just aren't used to Dirk doing anything else" said Carrotte, explaining the low ticket sales. "But we expect the fans to return, and maybe gain some new ones. Besides, Dirk always turns a profit".

Anticipation of this next film is high, with Carrotte signing femme fatale and two time Golden Orb winner Irena Nobochev to play the prostitute Geddy. The part of Bruno Cerra will be played by veteran Shakespearean actor, Sir Ian McKanter.

Filming will be entirely on location on Regina Up port, and is slated to begin next week.

For related stories, see the Arts & Entertainment section.


Imperial-Zhodani Talks Begin

High level talks aimed at finalizing the details of the Pragmatic Solution are scheduled to begin early next week on Regina Up Port.

Delegation from the Zhodani and Imperial governments will be meeting at the Ducal palace to finalize the cease fire that ended the 6th frontier war, and hopefully lay the ground work for a formal peace treaty.

At this point, neither side in the talks has released any statement regarding it's position. However, the Imperial delegation is being led by Grand Admiral William Grey, who in the past has been harshly critical of the Pragmatic Solution.

Leading the Zhodani delegation is General Karel Zuluk, a relatively unknown figure in Zhodani politics, who was raised to prominence in the recent government shakeups in the Zhodani Triumvirate.