АЏП, Winter 2016/2017
Spyware on government systems
ASHTINOK, 23 DECEMBER 2016 ~ Adzhatian government computers have been affected with spyware, it has emerged. Unlike other former Soviet countries such as Lithuania who quickly condemned Russia as the perpetrator, our government has not issued formal accusations yet.
“So far there are no clear indications who may have installed the spyware”, a spokesperson said, who added that the malware may have been in place for two years or longer and that a lot of damage may have been prevented due to the fact that several outdated computers were replaced early this year. “Their predecessors are currently being tracked down for investigation.”
Opponents of Russia claim that this is further proof that Putin is trying to destabilise western democracies by seeking ways to manipulate e.g. election results. In case of Adzhatia this is nonsense, according to anti-conspiracy theorists: ‘We still use red pencils to vote!’
Actress and singer Orez Ikijeć dies
KERCEI, 30 DECEMBER 2016 ~ Famous and popular Adzhatian singer and actress Orez Ikijeć has died, her family has confirmed. The 'Nation’s Mother-In-Law' was found in the stairwell of her apartment building; she seems to have died of natural causes. Ikijeć was 54 years old.
Orez Ikijeć was born 1962 as the second daughter of Albert and Nikole Ikijeć. She started singing at an early age and her potential was soon discovered. Although she became known locally with songs like Моя любимая собака, Я не понимаю, что ты написал, and Давай работать! and she was on the verge of a breakthrough in the entire Soviet Union, an illness made her voice deteriorate somewhat in 1985, due to which she had to abandon her singing career. She became an actress instead, starring in the popular Adzhatian soap opera Бŏцањж Џењж ('Working Days'). She also presented the country’s most popular tv quiz Zŏ Шхŏд ĕ Јŏбзаш Леві Ладун? ('So you want to win a Car?') between 1993 and 2013, while also being cast in more serious films. Ikijeć did much for charity and her liberal views regarding personal liberties and her acceptance of same sex relationships made her regularly clash with the Orthodox Church.
Ikijeć’s private life always was a bit of a mystery. She was married thrice, but none of these marriages were happy ones and lasted two years maximum. With her third husband she had a daughter. Due to her openness and her good deeds, many considered her to be the ideal daughter-in-law; her semi-severe attitude as quiz master turned her into 'the Nation’s Mother-In-Law'.