There can be several newsgroups. One is always reserved for messages from the computer, containing general information on what has happened over the update. This newsgroup is usually called ``News''. Other newsgroups are set up by the Game Master, and any nation leader can post to them. At Stony Brook we usually have a newsgroup called ``public'' which receives many very creative postings from participants.
You should read your mail and news whenever you play your turn, to be in touch with your neighbours and the rest of the world. You also get mail from the update program after each update, telling you what has changed in your nation over the update.