WesWorld

Selected stories for this issue;

2 July As the election campaigns hot up in preparation for this Autumn, the leader of the far-right party, Benito Mussolini, is taking huge chunks out of the ruling Italian government. He is hitting them especially hard on foreign policy, with the “Greek issue” at the top of his manifesto. His furious talk is exposing divisions within the Italian people. Mr. Mussolini’s speech today was especially fervent with a brick coming within close proximity of him. One of Mr. Mussolini’s speakers was a disgruntled fisherman who claims that his boat was run down by an Hellenic warship without stopping to pick him up. Mr. Mussolini capitalised on this with many references to the incident between 2 cargo ships a few months ago.

3 July The government hit back at Mr. Mussolini’s scathing attack yesterday with a round up of all the positive things happening in the country. The economy is growing at a good rate with large purchases of military hardware by foreign countries. The Iberian government recently placed an order for a number of military aircraft, helping our fledgling aircraft industry. Foreign firms such as Dornier are being attracted to Italian shores, with many companies springing up in the Po valley. Naval hardware is on the market as well, with the possibility of a large order for MAS boats being placed soon. Large numbers of 100mm and 3” guns have been seen onboard freighters heading east for Suez. The Government declined to statement on who these guns were for.

26 July Today our correspondent saw the arrival of all 4 of the Regina Elana class ship in Mogadishu. All ships anchored in the bay. Work will begin on removing the ships remaining boilers before they are sunk to form part of the new mole. Today also saw the arrival of the 2nd attack squadron complete with their 10 MAS boats. Initial reports state that they should be staying in Italian East Africa for 6 months.

4 August Work on Cristoforto Columbo is nearly finished with her expected departure in late December. The construction of Sicilia and Francesco Morosini is preceeding quickly. Strangely a duple 12" turret was seen being laden onto an Eastern bounded cargo ship.

7 September Today shocked the Italian people as Mr. Mussolini was shot today during a debate between himself and the Italian Prime Minister. He was rushed to hospital with one bullet inside his shoulder. Surgeons are currently working to remove the bullet. The prime-ministerial bodyguards were quick to react and hotly pursued the assassin, who was seen running away from the area still holding his gun. A manhunt is currently taking place around the area, with the army giving reinforcements to the special police forces(those bodyguards).

8 September The status of Mr. Mussolini is still critical, although the bullet has been removed. Doctors are not confident about his recovery. The special police detachment shot the assassin during the night as he was just about to walk into a police roadblock. He murmured some about a government agent before a second shot rang out whereupon there were no further comments possible.

14 September Mr. Mussolini’s health has improved dramatically over the past week. He is very much alive but still badly hurt.

28 September Mr. Mussolini today announced his pulling out of the election next month due to his recent injury. The Government looks set for another term in office with no further opposition.