Somalia Launches Flotilla

The Somali Navy launched a flotilla in the Atlantic Ocean and steamed toward the island kingdom of Monte Grande. The Somali government asserts that killed in the unprovoked attack by naval forces of The United Kingdom of Monte Grande, was a welcoming committee that mistook the oil tanker "Mama Mia" for a Carnival Cruise Ship that was to dock in Dega Dega, Somalia.

The United Kingdom of Monte Grande sent three battle groups to conduct war-games in the region and could meet the Somali navy if they make it that far.

Queen Fiorella XIII

Her Majesty, the queen, Dona Fiorella XIII

Monte Grande Defended

Barack H. Obama, President of The United States of America, and Special Assistant to The President, Thomas Daschle, sent to the United Nations former president, George W. Bush, to deliver the stance of the United States to the World body. Speaking on behalf of the American people, President Bush launched a volatile rebuttal to the critics of Monte Grande's actions. "A sovereign country has the right to self-preservation of itself and it's assets, and should not be castigated for standing up for itself", the former president read. In response to the UN action, His Majesty, King don Guillermo II recalled the Monte Grandean ambassador to the United Nations, Don Felipe Jose Villariagosa, back to Monte Grande for a series of meetings. Also defending Monte Grande were Japan and Russia whos respective leaders appeared in a show of support.

Outrage at The U.N.

Led by Somali ally, Mahmood Abmadinijad, the Dictator of Iran, and Rhodesian Dictator Rob Mugabe, and Jose Fuentes of Cuba, The United Nations condemned the use of force by The United Kingdom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre in defending it's oil tanker from Somali pirates. Former United States Vice-President Albert Gore, Jr. blasted Admiral Juan Horacio Wang for what Gore termed as "excessive use of force" in retaliating to the attempted attack. Reached at the Admiralty Office of The United Kingdom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre, Admiral Wang commented: "This attack was subverted and these particular pirates will never harm anyone. We will deal in the same manner with anyone of their ilk"

Monte Grande Retaliates

Somali pirates attempted to hijack a Monte Grandean oil tanker, bound toward the kingdom. The pirates attacked from a small unchartered island. The tanker Mama Mia was being escorted by a warship from His Majesty's Navy. Admiral Juan Horacio Wang, Commander in Chief of The Atlantic Fleet of The United Kindom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre, was present at the time and ordered the warship to defend itself and the Mama Mia.

Monte Grande Cancels Mid-East Soccer Tour

His Majesty, the King, Don Guillermo II, announced late last night that he is cancelling the upcoming Mid East soccer tour for the National Team. Monte Grande was to have played in the Sultan's Cup in Kuwait next week. His Majesty announced his decision in light of the recent spate of soccer deaths in Iraq, that would have hosted Monte Grande for two initial rounds.

Monte Grande Hosts Pacific Eastern Economic Summit

Using it's strategic alliances with Eastern Sea neighbors, Monte Grande reached out to Russia, Japan, and a host of other countries in Southeast Asia.

Queen Fiorella XIII was present to open the Monte Grande Caribbean East Asia Economic Free Trade Federation Summit in Sobaco del Reino. The most notable heads of state present were Russia's Vladimir Putin, Japan's Junchiro Koizumi and Fidel Castro, the former president of Cuba. Also present was Venezuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez.

The United States Delegation was headed by former Secretary of State, Dr.Condi Rice.

Leading the summit for Monte Grande was His Excellency, Don Filiberto "El Chinito" Cavasos, Governor General of the Far East Island of Granitos Mojados, a dependency and unit of The United Kingdom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre. The islands were wrestled from Tonga in the 20 Days War between Monte Grande and Tonga in 1953.

Queen Fiorella XIII

Her Majesty, the queen, Dona Fiorella XIII

Monte Grande Investigates Madoff

Don Gaspar Franck, the Finance Minister for the United Kingdom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre has started an investigation into the Monte Grande based, Corporacion Madoff Caribe , and has frozen all corporate assets. The finance ministry will call on the U.S. Department of Justice, if any improprieties are encountered.

Prime Minister Burlescone

Don Rafael Burlescone, the Duke of Rentado, has won the general election and will represent the United Kingdom of Monte Grande and Pura Madre as prime minister.

Don Rafael edged out the king's cousin, Dona Laura Margarita Silva de Vespa di Grani, who was the Socialist Party candidate, by a margin of 99.99% to .01% of the general electorate count.

Prime minister Burlescone succeeds the very popular Don Jose Buttafuco, Baron Buttafuco. Don Jose was elected for two six year terms, despite his leftist agenda that the king took every opportunity to veto.

Burlescone will meet with U.S. president Barack H. Obama next week, in Monte Grande City.

His Majesty, Don Guillermo II and Her Majesty, Dona Fiorella XIII send their congratulations to the prime minister and will hold a celebration dinner in his honor.