Workers Protests in the American South; Demand better wages
A recent spat of worker's protests broke out in the American Confederate States over the last few weeks, reportedly with demands of higher wages and better working conditions. This has come as a shock to the Confederate economy, with most production grinding to a halt as the government scrambles to handle the crisis. It would seem that the Ethnic population of the South took this as an opportunity, leading to widespread hunger strikes in Alabama and Georgia. While there has been no official statement from the confederate government, members of the popular White League organization stated it was "a sign of aggression" from the Black population. This has come alongside major nationalist rallies in the North, leading some political theorists to speculate a possible resurgence in Northern and Southern hostilities.
EFFECTS: Significantly reduced industrial capacity in Confederate States of America, Increased Popularity of Nationalist Parties in United States.
Smallpox Epidemic in the German Empire
Reports have been made public that Smallpox has broken out in Europe. While the number of infected individuals is currently unknown, medical professionals are stretched thin attempting to handle the sudden influx of patients. Most sources state that the outbreak is likely due to poor sanitation in major cities, while less reputable sources have blamed the outbreak on the local Jewish populations. It has also been found that the outbreak has spread to other areas of Europe, reaching as far as Continental France and the Ottoman-occupied Balkans. Some have called this one of the most dangerous outbreaks in European history since the Black Death. Many nations have already closed their borders, with some even enforcing mandatory vaccinations for children and the elderly.
EFFECTS: Smallpox Outbreaks in all European nations. Reduced productivity and potential to spread further if not contained.
Ethnic Tensions in Ottoman-Occupied Balkans
The Balkans, an area of Ottoman territory, have a consistent history of ethnic tensions and calls for independence. This came to a head recently, as a series of riots by Albanian nationals brought the region to an economic standstill. While no decision has come from the Ottoman government, some have speculated that this could be the beginning of an attempt at Albanian independence. Others have called the concept absurd, even going so far as to state that the Balkans are a "powder keg". One German official we interviewed stated that "The whole of the Balkans is not worth the bones of a single Pomeranian grenadier." These revolts have come alongside calls from Bulgarian and Greek nationalists for independence from Ottoman rule. While the situation has yet to lead to outright rebellion, political theorists for the Tribune have speculated that if action is not taken, the Balkans may explode into conflict.
EFFECTS: Albanian, Bulgarian and Greek Nationalist Movements in their respective nations. Failure to address the movements will result in independence wars.
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