As, requested, I have created this news post.
After the recent abdications of Imperium Aeterna, Ferengi and Kingdom of Bugz, lots of space has been freed up for smaller empires to take advantage of. Despite this, plenty of room still remains, especially in the centre of the galaxy.
The Kingdom of Bugz offshoot (Western Traders Union) had spread to almost every corner of their territory. Being heavily equipped with forces and ruthlessness, meant the WTU was an unstoppable fighting machine. Severely damaging Ferengi and wiping out Crystalline Federation's strong Undine fleet, the destruction of the galaxy seemed inevitable. With Ferengi surrendering, the Crystalline Federation's remaining forces gathered at their capital, preparing for the worst, hoping that their crystalline pillars would somehow protect humans from being extinct. There was no way they were letting rogue insects defeating them. All of a sudden, their crystalline pillars began buzzing with energy (similar to the sound of a swarm of insects) and the incoming Bugz attack fleet fled with fear. In an instant, the Western Traders Union came to terms with the horrible crimes they were committing and dropped all their weapons. Abandoning their worlds, the insects fluttered away, disappearing through the borders of the galaxy, perhaps returning to the nebulous realm they descended from. Order and peace returned to the galaxy and humans live for another day!
The current major northern empires are: Warmongers, norworld, Tyule Collective, NEWBIE and RT. RT and norworld seem to be the two strongest empires in that region with over 70 worlds each. Crystalline Federation has its capital located in the north, but its territory runs along the entire eastern edge.
Many dormant one world empires litter the south, however, the mighty Saxophon Traders Union is thriving in the peaceful post-war environment. Dragon is also expanding rapidly, managing to inherit about 1 million forces from left on his capital.