BBC (Byzantine Broadcasting Corporation) World News: Fall 1871 Vol 1

**************************** French Army Fails in Guiness Record Bid to Swim Atlantic ******************************************

French army sources confirm that their attempt to break the Guiness Book of World Records in the most persons to swim the Atlantic Ocean at once has ended in abject failure. In an exclusive interview with Times reporter Maximus Guillibus, Major Stupide de la Mouvement, head of the French Olympic Army Swimming Team, is quoted as stating:

"Quel disaster! Je suis desole! We will attempt this again once we have taught our troops to swim!"

French President Henri Thiers was unavailable for comment.

********************************* Dissident Elements of the Regia Marina Put to Sea *******************************************

In ongoing civil unrest in the Kingdom of Italy the Regia Marina pulled up anchors and moved into the Ionian Sea. Admiral, Larry “The Boss” Pistone, has become very upset with continued inaction by the central government. The admiral has stated:

"I'ma sending Guido 'The Enforcer' to talka abouta da problem witha da King. I'ma hoping dat de king, he nona have to go fishing with da fishes. I makea him an offer he can't refuse!"

Unconfirmed reports of Italian incompetence have been blamed on the Prime Minister's Bunga-Bunga parties.

****************************************** Royal Navy Begins Annual Naval Exercises **************************************

The Royal Navy began their annual training exercises in the North and Norwegian Seas. Lord of the Admiralty, Sir David Richard Beattie, denies reports that recent fleet movements have nothing to do with securing tea supplies from Norway.

In a press release he is quoted as stating "Recent reported shortages of Earl Grey, Tetley, and Orange Pekoe teas have nothing to do with recent Royal Navy moves from their home bases".

The King of Norway is somewhat mystified. He stated "We only grow New Age herbal teas."

************************************ Das Deustches Reich Initiates European Union (EEC) ***************************************

The German Foreign Minister has announced the beginning of a new European Union in which all nations of Europe will be united in in a free economic and democratic union in which all of Europe will be joined in a common community.

Speaking from Aachen (near the Belgian Dutch borders) he stated "Deustchland haff a neue vision in which all peoples of Europe vill be unter ein Reich, ein Volk, ein...oops das should be a free democratic union. Vir machen special re-education lagers in vich all volk will be taught to sprecht die deustch und sing das lied 'Deustchland Uber Alles'. Das neue capital must be in Bruxelles."

The King of the Belgians has been quoted stating "Over my dead body!". To which the German Foreign Minister replied "Das can be arranged."

Export of Belgian beer to Germany has been prohibited.

********************** Eastern Romans, Austrian-Hungarians and Russians Bring Peace to Balkans *****************************

In an unprecedented show of international co-operation the Eastern Roman Empire, The Russian Empire and the Empire of the Austrian-Hungarians have joined forces to restore order in the Balkans.

The newly created protectorates have all hailed their liberators and acclaim them as a new dawn for their countries.

Special Roman envoy, Stabbus in the Backus, (speaking off the record) has declared that you can trust all involved empires are as about trustworthy as far as you can throw them.

Foreign Minister, Narses, denies these comments.

 ***************************************** Greece Calls Out for Bailout **************************************************************

With continued economic turmoil the Greek government is appealing to their fellow Europeans for economic assistance.

Facing imminent bankruptcy the Greek Prime Minister, Zorba (not the movie star), is requesting immediate economic assistance from their Greek/Roman bretherin in the Byzantine Empire and long term aid from the rest of Europe.

Eastern Roman Minister of Finance was heard to remark: "What does a Grecian Urn? Our atute interviewer replied "About a Dracma a day."

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From the Office of the Overseer. The office of the Overseer is not responsible for any of the content contain in the Montreal Informer, or derived from the Byzantine Broadcasting Corporation

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Italy Unites. On September 20th 1870 the liberation of Rome from the Papacy was complete. A year later, on July 1, 1871, the Italian government moved from Florence to Rome,  His Majesty King Victor Emmanuel II entered the city the next day. Italy is now in the Game of Nations under the leadership of Count Benito Spartacus.

From Le Figaro in Paris: Spring 1871

Cabinet crisis in France!  War minister resigns!  Can the government stand?

German tourists leave Paris in droves.  What do they know?

President Thiers urges calm; considers Belgian neutrality safe.

From the provinces: Tavernkeepers of La Rochelle celebrate as fleet makes surprise visit.

001 Spring 1871 Orders and Results

Britain (The Office of the Prime Minister)
Fleet London Moves to North Sea
Fleet in Edinburgh Moves to Norwegian Sea
Army in Liverpool Moves to Yorkshire

The German Empire (by order of Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of  Lauenburg, at the command of His Imperial and Royal Majesty Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, The German Emperor, King of Prussia)
Fleet Kiel moves to Holland
Army Munich moves to the Ruhr
Army Berlin moves to Kiel

The Russian Empire (Tsar Alexander II)
Army Moscow Moves to Ukraine
Fleet Sevastopol Moves to Rumania
Fleet St Petersburg (SC) Moves to Gulf of Bothnia
Army Warsaw Hold

The Restored Eastern Roman Empire (Flavius Justinian, Emporer)
Army Constantinople moves to Bulgaria.
 Fleet Ankara moves to Constantinople
 Army Smyrna supports Fleet Ankara moving to Constantinople

The Austro-Hungarian Empire (Franz Joseph)
 Army Vienna to Galicia
Army Budapest to Serbia
Fleet Trieste to Albania

The Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples
Fleet Naples to the Ionian Sea
Venice Holds
Rome Holds

The French Republic (Adolphe Thiers, President La Troisième République)
Fleet Brest Moves to Gascony
Army Paris Moves to Mid Atlantic Ocean (Move not Possible)
Army Marseilles Holds

Fall 1871 Orders are due Sunday March 10th 9:00 AM ET

BBC (Byzantine Broadcasting Corporation) World News: Spring 1871 Vol 1

Here is a news summary from the BBC (Byzantine Broadcasting Corporation) World News: Spring 1871

********************************************  Mustafa Ataturk Dead **************************************************************

CNN reporter Maixmus Gullibus has quoted uncofirmed sources that the former leader of the of the Islamic Soviet People's Republic has incurred yet another accidental fall down stairs while being transferred to a new hospital. Yesterday while being moved to  a speicialist hospital Mustafa Ataturk suffered mortal injuries when medical staff slipped while moving him. Emporer Justinian has called for a full independent inquiry into the state of staircases in all public facilities within the Byzantine Empire. Appointing Julius Coverupus, head of the VBI (Vigilites Bureau of Investigation), Emporere Justinian has stated that a careful step by step investigation will be conducted but has asked investigators to tread lightly.

A private funeral will be held somewheres in Anatolia in the next few days.

*********************************************** Balkans on Brink of Civil War ********************************************************

With the Balkans- Serbia, Rumania and Bulgaria wracked by civil disorder Austria-Hungary, Russia and the Eastern Roman Empire have agreed to acede to requests by the oppressed citizens of these countries for peace keeping troops to be sent in. Special envoy, Stabbus in the Backus, has been in constant talks with his Austrian and Russian counterparts to make arragements to restore good government, justice and peace to these afflicted countries.

******************************** Eastern Roman Empre Vows Support to the British Empire Over the Falklands ********************

Foreign Minister, Narses, has reported that the Byzantine govenrment will stand by the British Empire as the crisis in the Falkland islands continues to escalate. Speaking in Constaninople today Narses has stated that foreign intervention by Argentine adventurists will not be tolerated under any circumstances and has requested that all members of the EU stand ready to support their English brethern.

Narses stated: "We have two squadron of dromons armed with Greek Fire and several hundred caaphracts ready and able to proceed to the Falklands at a moments notice."

Sean Penn was not available for comment as he is believed to be in hiding as rumours emerged that Roman MIV agents were looking to interview him.

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The World as We Know it, by The Montreal Informer

REVOLUTION SWEEPS TURKEY!!!- Mustafa Ataturk Deposed!, Flavius Justuinan Assumes Interim Leadership of Restored Byzantine Empire!, Flavius Belsarius Aided by Fauber Narses Leads Restoration!

 

Unconfirmed reports in the Montreal Informer state the Islamic Soviet People's Republic of Turkey has been overthrown in a popular revolt by a widespread uprising by freedom loving citizens.

An Informer reporter in Constantinople stated that approximately 2 days ago, after months of civil unrest, Flavius Belsarius and Fauber Narses led a popular revolt against the infidel Ottoman Turks that has seen the restoration of the Eastern Roman Empire.

In an exclusive interview  to CNN reporter, Maximus Gullibus, interim leader (soon to be emperer), Flavius Justinian has vowed to restore democratic government (as long as he is the emperor) to the long suffering citizens of the Republic of the Eastern Roman Empire.

With Constantinople ringing to chants of "SPQR, SPQR, SPQR" Justinian has announced he will restore democratic rights to all citizens (with an exception ot two) and to pursue a policy of truth, peace and reconciliation with all nations. It is expected he will be crowned emperor in the Haiga Sophia in the next few days.

Flavius Justinian is also reported has having vowed to restore the full the Roman Empire thru peaceful co-operation and negotiation. And all previous agreements will be adhered to in typical Byzantine fashion.

On another note Fox News is reporting that Comrade Chariman Mustafa Ataturk is in intensive care after having fallen down a set of stairs while being escorted to his residence to be placed under house arrest.

The Informer also reports that Narses will assume the role of foreign minister and Belsarius minister of war.

Long live the Eastern Roman Empire!

 Initial Set-up for 1871

In the other lead story from the Informer 

Italy may be in play before Sunday February 19th.

It is early 1871. Prussia has unified the Germany under the Emperor. Italy is still a miss-mash of squabbling states.  In 1866, Italy won Venice by helping Prussia against Austria in the Austro-Prussian War.  Likewise, Italian help in the Franco-Prussian War earned it Rome (except for the Vatican which remained an independent state inside of Rome). The question remains. Will Giuseppe Garibaldi lead his Red Shirts into the remaining independent city-states and unite Italy under Victor Emmanuel in time to take part in the game or not?