News of the World

[Markus Wilding]

SOVIET PREMIER ASSASSINATED; POLITBURO IN SHAMBLES

MOSCOW, USSR - During a televised speech today, Soviet premier Victor Y. Balbatev was shot and killed in Red Square by a sniper. Moscow police attempted to secure the area, but were unable to find any trace of the sniper. An investigation has immediately begun to determine who would kill the Soviet leader as the Politburo picks up the pieces and attempts to elect a new leader.

FRENCH REPUBLIC TO SEND AMERICAN F-13 BACK TO SRA

LYON, FRANCE - Reports are coming in that after two months of negotiation, the French Republic has decided to return the SRAAF F-13 jet that landed in Lyon. The French embassy has confirmed that Lt. Black will remain in asylum in France, and that the plane has been dismantled and sent back to the SRA in pieces via land transport. Additional reports posit the French Republic has billed the SRA 25,000 Francs for the expense of arranging the transport of the plane.

[Markus Wilding]

MEXICAN EMPEROR DEPOSED; DETAILS SKETCHY

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - The Associated Press is receiving reports that, following a visit with the Aragonese Princess Ofelia la Providència, Emperor Xavier Leonardo de Habsburgo-Lorena has been deposed by what is being termed an "internal coup" by Mexican security forces. Courtiers associated with the Emperor's house have come forward to confirm this news while others discredit them, claiming they are attempting to usurp the rightful heir of the Mexican monarch in a time of "dire need of friendship."

BULGARIAN PRESS REPORTS ON ARMS SMUGGLING

SOFIA, BULGARIA - Bulgarian media today received news that the Indian Royal Intelligence Agency has been caught smuggling arms to anti-government groups and is guilty of disseminating anti-government propaganda to the Bulgarian people at large according to a declassified government report. This covert activity, Sofia argues, represents a clear and present danger to the Bulgarian nation and people and has prompted the Bulgarian President to seek UN assistance in enforcing sanctions and punitive actions against the Kingdom of India for their flagrant and blatant violation of Bulgarian sovereignty.

[Markus Wilding]

INDIAN MONARCH PASSES AWAY IN DAR ES SALAAM - SON TO TAKE OVER ROYAL THRONE

DAR ES SALAAM, VICTORIA - News is reaching the Associated Press that King Srijan Karamchand has passed away peacefully in Dar es Salaam from cancer. According to Indian and Victorian sources, the late King was surrounded by his wife, Queen Catharine al Victoria, his daughter Aahana Karamchand, and other members close to the Indian Royal Family that made the trip to Dar es Salaam for Srijan Karamchand's final days. The newly-crowned King Prakash Karamchand has already declared a public day of mourning for his father and arranged a full state funeral in his honor. It is unknown at this time whether the late King's body will be buried in India or Victoria.

[Markus Wilding]

SURGE OF ILLEGAL ARMS SMUGGLING TO KAZAKHSTAN SPURS SPIKE IN VIOLENCE

SHYMKENT, KAZAKHSTAN - Open gunfights rage in multiple Kazakh cities as the police and elements of the Victorian Ascendant Host struggle to maintain control of an ongoing rise in violence. According to government sources, unknown elements have flooded Kazakhstan's criminal underworld with military-grade weaponry which itself has led to a marked increase in gang violence and militia activity. Nur Otan political members posited that this was clear evidence that the War Brides had failed in their most basic promise to keep Kazakhstan safe and secure, calling for the Socialist Alliance to abandon the government and form a new one in a joint declaration.

[Markus Wilding]

INDIAN-TIBETAN BORDER SKIRMISHES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT USE OF FORCE

INDIAN-TIBETAN BORDER - Reports are reaching the Associated Press of small-scale skirmishes between Tibetan and Indian armed forces near the mountains between the border this past weekend. The causes behind the skirmishes are unclear as both sides maintain their militaries were only acting in self-defense to armed incursions purported to be from the opposite side. Neighboring nations Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan have called for cooler heads and a possible end to the violence.

PRO-DEMOCRACY REBELS STORM EAST BRAZILIAN PARLIAMENT

NATAL, EAST BRAZIL - After a three-hour long gunfight with internal security forces, East Brazil has confirmed that "illegal insurrectionists" have seized the East Brazilian parliament building. The current government, led by Eternal President Igor Alencar Watanabe in his fifth year in office, has stated it will "immediately and swiftly" take back the halls of government from groups that it posits are "clearly funded by the Americans." Atlanta has not responded to the allegations.

[Markus Wilding]

PRO-DEMOCRACY AND PRO-VICTORIAN PROTESTS ROCK PHILIPPINES CAPITAL

MANILA, PH - Riots and protests have shaken Manila this week as pro-Victorian and pro-democracy protestors clash with police and one another in varying events over the week much to the chagrin of the government. Reports are coming in that the government has begun cracking down on the protests while promising reforms, though protestors remain unconvinced. The current Socialist government has indicated that it will begin implementing reforms "soon."

[Markus Wilding]

AUSTRO-CZECH RELATIONS AT ALL-TIME LOW, SAY FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS

CENTRAL EUROPE - Following a series of media personalities on both sides stirring up intense nationalistic sentiment on the Austrian and Czech sides of the border, the two states have officially placed their armies on high alert following the accidental shooting of an Austrian border guard in an unclear situation last week. The relations between the two states have never been lower as successive government officials have been replaced or pushed out for not "taking seriously" the threat their respective nations face. A growing socialist-authoritarian divide is quickly growing between this microcosm in Central Europe, with neighboring Germany and Bavaria advising caution and cooler heads as the situation continues to devolve. According to reports from the Associated Press, the Czech government has even gone so far as to begin arming militias in preparation for an "inevitable" Austrian attack.

[Markus Wilding]

PROTESTS TURN TO RIOTS AS SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT DEPLOYS RIOT POLICE

MANILA, PH - Following a series of clashes between pro-democratic and police over the weekend, the Philippines government today deployed riot police to several pro-democratic protests with the intent to "keep the peace." So far, this has not proved an effective mission as the protests have transformed into outright riots in the capital. Protests elsewhere have cropped up which also quickly devolved, with a pro-Victorian section of protestors declaring the government has failed in its fundamental mission to protect the people and promote prosperity. Moderates from both the government and pro-democratic sides have called for calm, though it appears at this rate there is little than can quell what is quickly being termed an "uprising" in the Philippines.

[Markus Wilding]

UPROAR IN VIENNA - ANARCHISTS SEIZE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT AFTER CRUSHING DEFEAT

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - Anarcho-capitalists have seized control of the Austrian parliament following the absolute military defeat of Austrian forces last week in Czechia. On June 8th, the formalization of the peace treaty made the news in Austria as the government was forced to reflect on its culpability in generating propaganda which led to a deadly war between Austria and Czechia, with the Austrian state bearing the brunt of the casualties. Other insurrectionist groups have already sprung up, including monarchists, social democrats and socialists each claiming that they alone can save the Austrian state from total destruction. What remains of the Austrian Army has stood idly by, unable or unwilling to put an end to the insurrections.

[Markus Wilding]

SOUTH ITALY ENGULFED BY VIOLENT RADICALS, SAYS ROME

ROME, SOUTH ITALY - Reports are coming in from South Italian sources that insurgent groups have begun attacking Italian Red Army units with heavy weaponry that is "unusual" to find in South Italy. Foreign-made heavy vehicles emblazoned with alternating "three arrows" and roses have been spotted rolling out of warehouses and garages across South Italy as Sicily has been completely seized by a group calling itself "Democracy Forward!" as it attempts to wrest control from the Communist government. South Italian officials have cited the appearance of unknown military equipment as the clear sign that a foreign backer has supported and egged on Democracy Forward! and has prepared a plea for assistance from the UN and like-minded nations.