News Items (EU2012)

The news ticker on the Situation Room will display news headlines from around the globe according Storyline progression, panic levels and XCOM missions performed.

North America

USA

USA level 1

• Rumors of alien activity near New York City have been met with skepticism from the general public
• Residents of Los Angeles claim to have seen unusual lights near the downtown area...officials blame unspecified weather phenomena
• Claims of an "alien creature" prowling the streets near the Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit are laughed off by local residents
• Baltimore man claims to have shot "alien": police believe the incident may have been drug related
• Business as usual in the southern United States despite claims of alien sightings near several major cities

USA level 2 and 3

• National News Radio reports on an upswing in membership of armed militia groups in the Midwestern United States attributed to frequent alien sightings
• Brazen alien abduction in California caught on video; concern grows over validity of alien reports
• New Yorkers weary after repeated alien sightings in Manhattan; some claim government conspiracy
• Colorado man claims aliens have settled in the Great Sand Dunes and are attempting to colonize Earth: local residents report unusual sightings
• News helicopter crashes outside of Boston: eyewitness accounts claim "alien" weapons fire
• Concern grows after notable political figure claims to have direct knowledge of alien attack near Houston
• Ongoing reports of alien activity across the United States raises concerns among once skeptical populace

USA level 4

• Religious leaders across America warn that the presence of aliens is a sign of dire times to come
• As reports of alien activity in the eastern United States continue to climb, some people have taken to stockpiling food and other supplies
• Unknown number of fatalities after alien attack strikes southern California; officials have not released a statement
• Allegations of government coercion with the aliens as American presidential candidates blame various sources for growing crisis
• Armed troops seen patrolling near the U.S. Capitol raise concern over safety of major cities

USA level 5

• National Guard troops have taken up positions around government facilities across the United States as "alien war" escalates
• Looting reported across the United States as many citizens give up hope for defeat of alien invasion
• National Center for Health reports alarming increase in suicides as alien attacks continue unabated
• World economy grinds to a halt as many U.S. businesses close due to lack of employee attendance
• Coalition of U.S. governors demands aggressive response from feds as nation appears to be on the brink of shutdown

Canada

Canada level 1

• An alien was sighted near a small town north of Montreal this morning...skeptics question authenticity of the account
• Excited tourists visiting the CN Tower claim to have seen mysterious lights hovering over the Toronto area
• Police cite lack of evidence in investigation of "alien abduction" taking place near Niagara Falls
• Alien phenomenon sweeps across Canada; Vancouverites welcome visitors with open arms
• Enterprising businesses across Canada have taken to selling "UFO" merchandise in light of recent reports

Canada level 2-3

• Restaurant patrons in downtown Edmonton report alien attack: several city blocks cordoned off by police
• Toronto residents claim police and local government officials are ignoring alien threat within the city as spreads
• Scientists deny that lights seen over northern Canada can be attributed to Aurora Borealis, citing multiple reports of other unusual activity
• Petition to the mayor of Winnipeg demands more police coverage after residents claim woman was abducted in the city center
• Missing persons reports across Canada continue to climb... government officials remain baffled
• Pro-alien advocacy groups in Vancouver say reports of alien attacks on civilians are "exaggerated"
• Growing concern across Canada as initial reports of "alien activity" now lead to claims of attempted abductions

Canada level 4

• Unrest in Ottawa as several high profile alien abductions rattle the Canadian capital"
• Economic forecast indicates reduction in Canadian industrial output due to increasing fears of impending alien attack
• Leaked evidence suggests several provincial governments in Canada creating emergency plans due to alien activity
• Anger over lack of local response to alien attacks leads to protests in downtown Toronto
• Alien corpse discovered on Edmonton city street causes near- among local residents, threat can no longer be denied

Canada level 5

• Authorities in Manitoba say aliens have killed dozens in an apparent attack aimed at intimidating government officials
• Canadians hunker down as alien crisis reaches breaking point across North America
• Many across Canada turn to religion as little hope remains for end to alien conflict
• Electrical grid disruptions throughout Canada as a result of alien attacks on infrastructure
• Leaked government communication indicates expected disruption to GPS and other satellites

Mexico

Mexico level 1

• Government officials in Mexico offer no official response to unsubstantiated reports of alien abductions taking place within the nation
• Media reports of alien sightings in Mexico City are being heavily criticized by local officials as 'sensationalism'
• Initial reports of alien abductions near Guadalajara brushed off by local law enforcement as "cartel infighting"
• Trade groups reporting brisk business in Monterrey as UFO sightings draw tourists and local spectators alike
• Crowds gather near Tijuana to view unusual lights seen flying erratically over the city

Mexico level 2-3

• Growing concern across Mexico as the number of people reporting alien sightings rises
• UFO sightings over Mexico City confirmed by pilots, anonymous military personnel; some residents alarmed by lack of government action
• Opposition party in Mexico claims president has failed to properly address growing threat of alien attacks across the nation
• Tijuana businesses report rapid decline as tourists stay home due to fear of ongoing alien attacks
• Mexican military forced to shift priorities as reports of alien attacks across the country spur demands for increased security
• Talk shows across Mexico inundated with requests for frank discussions on the scope of alien threat spreading across the country
• Port operations in Veracruz disrupted as workers demand assurances of protection against alien attackers

Mexico level 4

• Mexican President defends administration's response to alien crisis; opinion polls show little confidence
• News media across Mexico thrives on talk of alien abductions as general public grows increasingly concerned
• Crossings at Mexican border stations slow as both sides struggle to deal with increasingly visible alien attacks
• Economists forecast lower than usual exports from Mexico as supply chain disruptions emerge as a result of alien attacks
• Residents of Mexico City find little solace in police promises to secure city streets from alien attackers

Mexico level 5

• Mexico reports large-scale immigration as migrant workers choose to return home rather than risk involvement in alien conflict
• Government offices across Mexico are vandalized as public shows little confidence in official response to deadly alien attacks
• Demand for vehicles and fuel declines rapidly in Mexico as residents refuse to travel for fear being attacked by aliens
• Residents of Mexico City seen boarding up windows, securing structures as ongoing alien conflict reaches tipping point
• Absenteeism in Mexican public schools reportedly over 80% as parents refuse to risk sending children in light of brutal alien attacks

South America

Argentina

Argentina level 1

• Villagers of a small settlement in the Andes claim an alien entered their village at night; no evidence has been found
• Fans refused to leave the stadium after a football match between rival Argentinean teams was briefly interrupted by hovering lights in the sky
• Security guard in Buenos Aires claims 'alien life form' attempted to kidnap him... police continue to investigate
• Continued sightings of unusual lights across the South American continent cause stir...residents report on best viewing locations
• Police refuse to accept continued reports of alien activity, blame unemployed teenagers for 'prank calls'

Argentina level 2-3

• Police in Argentina report apprehending suspect in 'alien' attack...some residents remain skeptical of police account
• Police investigate site of alleged abduction in Buenos Aires as residents demand more protection from alien threat
• Manhunt in La Plata underway after residents report alien attack kills three, mob demands justice
• Supporters of alien-peace movement cry injustice as mobs form to defend local residents from 'alien aggression'
• Alien sightings skyrocket across South America as local governments struggle to address public concern
• Increasing number of alien abductions reported across Argentina as residents demand official response from government leaders
• Despite assurances of increased police patrols, residents of Rosario grow increasingly weary of alien attacks on civilians

Argentina level 4

• Armed forces in Argentina claim to have killed an alien during abduction attempt; citizens being urged to respect local curfews
• Residents of Mendoza, Argentina are being urged to remain indoors and ration available supplies until alien threat has been reduced
• South American nations are on high alert after a recent upswing in violent attacks leaves no doubt as to the extent of alien activity on Earth
• Major grocers report shortages of non-perishable goods as fear grows that alien threat may be ongoing
• Villagers from several remote South American towns fearful of alien abductions taking place 'unchecked.'

Argentina level 5

• Death toll continues to climb as untold numbers are killed in brazen alien attack on Argentinean capital
• Economic turmoil across South America as supplies run short due to stockpiling
• Requests for government aid have been largely ignored as officials struggle to deal with growing over alien attacks
• Fear grows throughout South American nations with no apparent end in sight after continuous alien attacks
• Some residents of Argentina have begun informal ceremonies pleading with the aliens for mercy

Brazil

Brazil level 1

• Beach goers in Rio de Janeiro claim to have seen unusual lights on the horizon: local police blame excessive alcohol consumption
• Police in the capital city of Brasilia are responding to multiple reports of an \"alien creature\" found in an outlying district
• Eyewitness in central Brazil claims she was abducted by aliens but escaped; neighbors believe history of mental problems are behind the *account
• Local residents of Santa Cruz clamor to catch a glimpse of purported alien corpse found washed up along the Atlantic coast
• Brazilian officials offer no response to increasing reports of alien UFOs streaking across the night sky

Brazil level 2-3

• Rumors persist that missing Brazilian politician was abducted by aliens...some residents spooked by lack of official response
• Overnight reports of missing persons in Sao Paulo double; growing unrest over unknown source of abductions
• Citizens of several small towns across Brazil create self-imposed curfew in attempt to reduce over alien activity
• South American leaders issue joint statement condemning media reports they blame for fueling 'alien panic.'
• Vocal politician in Brazil says citizens should prepare for "disruptions" caused by alien attacks, spreading fear among many in the nation
• Reports of Brazilian military mobilizing near government buildings raises specter of legitimate alien attack
• Researchers in Brazil studying unusual lights over Sao Paolo say government explanations not plausible as citizens grow concerned

Brazil level 4

• Death toll from alien attack near Sao Paolo continues to climb as emergency personnel attempt to rescue victims
• Brazilian politician issues statement blasting scientific institutions who claimed alien attacks were simply 'weather related phenomena.'
• Economists report revised economic growth outlook for Brazil must take into account disruptive alien activity
• Tourism down heavily as most choose to stay home rather than risk alien attacks during summer vacation period
• Reports of cartels across South America attempting to cooperate with the aliens are 'disturbing' says anonymous government official

Brazil level 5

• As fear spreads, many Brazilians turn to religion for answers
• Government officials across South America urge residents to band together, protect communities from alien aggression
• Crime skyrockets throughout Brazil as unsavory elements take advantage of overwhelmed police
• Unseemly merchants prey on resident's fears in Brazil, begin selling 'anti-alien' technology which scientists call 'nonsense'
• Controversy spreads as insurance companies in South America refuse to payout for damages sustained in alien attacks