SIGGARY - It's everywhere. Small towns have it. Big cities have it too. And some, like New York City, have imposed restrictions trying to limit it. It's shadow pollution.

As economic growth continues at the fastest rate ever seen in Mapp history, countries are constantly reaching upwards as they run out of land to expand their nation. This 'run for the top', however, is leading to irritation among neighbouring countries, as shadow pollution complaints to Congressional Parliament have increased 350% this year alone. Victims of the so-called "occlusion phenomenon" have demanded a restriction to where and how tall new buildings may be constructed. The proprietors of the tall buildings counter that their sovereignty should not be violated merely on the basis of "unpalatable asthetic qualities".

The most pressing case of shadow pollution today is in the northwest between Miketon, Siggary, and Denisia. Priding themselves on being an economic powerhouse, Miketonians have long longed for the coveted title of having the "world's tallest building", which now currently belongs to Denisia in Westminster province. In the past, the MCP Tower has had two renovations upward that have cast a dark shadow on parts of neighbouring Siggary, even occluding a fraction of the Siggarian Parliament (the "Amiconsegi").

When the Queen of Siggary first voiced concern over the issue, many dismissed the objection as trivial, especially when compared with the foreign crises that were happening during the first and second renovations of the MCP Tower. However, as Miketon plans another 'vertical adjustment', both Siggary and Denisia (whose airspace would be occluded next) are making their protests more vocal. Indeed, diplomats from the two nations are toying with the idea of an international shadow pollution accord that would set standards for the amount of shadowing a tall building may generate with respect to other countries.

So far the proposal has been casually dismissed Miketon, as the CEO is busy working on the next Miketonian Five Month Plan. There has also been a lack of enthusiasm for the plan by other countries, as they have been less affected by shadow pollution than the nations in the northwest. However, many say it's only a matter of time before tensions arise in other parts of the Mapp, as countries build more towers since they find themselves awash with cash.