A World Ablaze (Reboot|Nation|Closed|IC)

[Anowa]

"I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell."

- William Tecumseh Sherman

2018
JANUARY 8th

NEW EVENTS

DUSTBOWL
Severe drought and heavy winds from the Sahara have reduced air humidity to nearly zero, and ground water has been all but sucked up. All but the hardiest of desert fauna will die, and with it, any currently grown crops. The drought will last indefinitely until such a time comes where enough water can be reintroduced into the area, that it becomes enough to grow on.

Affected States: Morocco, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Mali, Niger, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Chad, Sudan, Egypt,


WINTER OLYMPICS
The 2018 Winter Olympics are soon to dawn. The world will come together in Pyeongchang, South Korea on the 9th of February 2018 to celebrate the world’s athletes in their human achievements, with the ceremony ending on the 25th of said month.All nations and their respective heads of state have been invited to the opening ceremonies, including the DPRK, The Kingdom of Tibet, and The Republic of Catalonia.

Affected States: All Nations.


BUBONIC PLAGUE OUTBREAK
Despite the best efforts of the health services in South East Asia to combat a mysterious plague outbreak, WHO eventually found it enough of a wory to investigate personally. They swiftly discovered that the Bubonic plague was now in the middle of another mass outbreak. Despite swift efforts to quarentine, couldn't stop the further spread away from it's initial outbreak site in Java. Panic will break out, health services will be pushed to the limit, and the economy will decline. The higher the population density, the longer this will last.

Affected States: Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea.

---

---

SAF Acquires Dassault Rafale Production License


For the past four years, the Federation has been attempting to build it's armed forces to a level that could compete with similarly sized nations. And until the modernization and further production of the TAM Main Battle Tank, it was largely considered a pipe dream.

But as of now, Federation military officials have revealed that they've been complementing their aging fleet of re-purposed ground attack craft with purpose built multirole fighters. For both naval aviation squadrons, and air force units. They have also expressed interest in creating the second aircraft carrier for the Navy. All in all ambitious plans, but with the current ongoing economic boom, The Federation has yet a reason to slow their military build up. In order to convey the force needed of a super-state, as well as protect their own interests, both within their own waters and overseas.

This has been Raul Cruz for FNN.

The South American Federation: Going Hot?

While it's no secret that Brazil has had a Uranium enrichment center since 2003. It's been blurry as to what they've been making behind the walls and curtains of the facility itself for the past decade or so. And with the recent merging of Argentina with Brazil to form a bulk of the SAF, the country now has both the uranium and heavy water to create nuclear reactors, with their first slotted to become operational later this year.

But while the the IAEA has cleared the nation of any suspicion relating to nuclear weapons development, some reaches of the internet have been in a tizzy. Last Tuesday, a heavily armed military convoy was seen leaving the Resende Nuclear Fuel Factory. With flatbed trucks carting heavily secured cargo covered beneath tarps, a Nuclear Trefoil was spotted under a windswept tarp. Such an event has raised significant worries about what the SAF is truly planning within the facility.

Despite such worries, the SAF government has stated that said shipment was simply of fuel rods en route to the location of their reactor outside Sao Paulo. And that such security for such a hazardous material is to be expected no matter the nation. But despite the attempt to clear the air, there are understandable doubts.

---

Brasilia, SAF Capital
Itamaraty Palace, Praça dos Três Poderes
President Adriana Suzuki
08/01/2018

The occupation in Paraguay wasn't going well. While the Paraguayan government was forced to step back due to the overwhelming number of forces that simply walked into their borders. The rebels within their borders had decided to make things immeasurably difficult. It was just like the shitshow in the Middle East only a few years ago.

Nevertheless, something had to be stopped. Either the occupation (which wouldn't happen) or the fighting. This meant she'd have to lure the head of the rebels out of hiding and get a peace talks going. God knows killing them wouldn't work at all. Regardless, the path taken it would be a pain in the ass to accomplish. THough Adriana couldn't help but wonder what the rebels would want. A separated nation again, which would take multiple more years and crash the economy. That was definitely something that would remain off the table. No doubt they'd have other demands, like reintegration. Then there was Paraguay, they'd want something too, likely reparations. Though with enough money they'd likely be able to annex them without incident... And if there was an incident they wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. They were still using equipment from the second world war for god's sake.

There was a knock at her office door, "Come in."

The oak door swung open to reveal Adriana's aide, Alejandro, an older man, balding, grey hair, a bit rotund. But he knew the political game rather well. "Ma'am, the delegation from Suriname is here."

Adriana smiled, the Surinamese delegation would remain here for a while, they recently expressed interest in joining the SAF, in fear of the recent rise in British colonialism, they wanted a bigger power at their back in case things went a route that they didn't want. The economic bolstering and access to a space program also didn't hurt in her own mind. "Very well, I suppose we should get the talks done as soon as we can." She stood from her desk, walking over to Alejandro, "Lead the way Alejo."

[Kumbhalgarh]

Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110011, India

Pratap sipped his chai, and glanced outside at the Indian flag above his driveway. He was at his personal home. His primary workplace, free of any troubles, just getting some paperwork done. Indeed, he had been working on some policies and orders with his fellow ministers that he had to officially approve. So he reclined his chair and got right into it.

Economy

India's economy was faring well. No doubt about that. Growing at a behemoth 8%, it was surely one of the most stable and fast growing economies in the world. A beacon of development and pride for Asia. Cleaning of the black money was a very positive step. Transactions were now beginning to move to white economy through the banking system which means there will be surge in bank deposits. Even savings in terms of deposits were going up, However, as the black money goes out of the system the money supply will shrink to some degree. This will lower inflation rate to a solid amount in the absence of any open market inteferences by the Reserve Bank of India. Very solid indeed.

However, there were changes to be made. Labor and Agriculture were 2 main sectors that the government needed to intervene and refine with the help of private aid.

Agriculture


As India was rapidly expanding, its agricultural output was taking a hit, poor management of produce and lack of government attention had put farmers at a risk. However this was all to change. Under the new system, the Government would make a dynamic map of all farms across India, and file land ownership under the Name of the Government, protecting the farming land. All of this land would then be patented under the name of a new Government Company called, "Agriculture Bharat" This would allow private sectors to directly invest for farmers, allow for better organization, and better protection/management of produce. The Government would also be opening up warehouses in every Taluka/Tehsil.

The Produce would then go there and then be distributed to local vendors and supermarkets. The revenue would then be distributed to all farmers across the country. With a base salary, and then commision per 50 KG of produce. A data management team would also look for patterns in Agriculture Purchase across the first year, and then distribute produce evenly to suit a dynamic population. For example, if Chandigarh's citizens purchased more corn than the citizens of Delhi, and not all corn in Delhi was being bought, then the Corn Exports to Delhi would then be lowered and sent to Chandigarh. This sort of system would not only turn India's Unorganized Agriculture into a Organized, Productive, and Profitable Sector, but also make it so that each Farmer has an incentive, and is not killed off by the Capitalist Market, As even GREAT farmers had small farms and little scope for profit, and Industries were stealing their farms. All of this was gonna stop NOW.


Labor

Labor was obviously extremely cheap in India. And the government wanted to keep it that way. By creating a Labor Portal, the Government will create a profile with a demographic distribution and a dynamic map with each and every registered Labor worker in the country, then Companies who are looking for any type of worker can then hire workers from the Labor Portal, and transfer their salaries to a Labor Portal Run Bank account for each worker. The government can also give out welfare to the labors easily.


Infrastructure

Infrastructure in India was developing rapidly, with an estimated 80% of the slums gone by 2020, and replaced by Modern Housing complexes. Investments from other countries had meant that India was developing its very own Bullet Train connecting the entire country, and other modern transits across the country, and also modernizing the alleyways and slums. Under the Housing Program where Slums were renovated by Construction Companies and then families were given an apartment inside the slum, but then the rest of the apartments were sold in the market. This way the companies make money, and the slums are gone.


Military

India's Military was one of the strongest in the world, no doubt in that. Modernization of its land, air, and naval forces were going full underway. With India's Navy being set to become a blue water navy by MID-2018. INS Vikrant was being commisioned in December of 2017, along with 1 other Aircraft Carriers of the same exact Specs. Thus upgrading India's tally to 4 aircraft carriers.

While India was doing tremendously well, there were still matters to be attended to. With the ongoing outbreak of the Bubonic Plague in eastern Asia, the risk was spreading towards India. As such, the Government has banned all flights and transports from Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and quarantined all possible symptoms.

[Krugeristan]

"The doctor prescribed a rabbit."

Damascus, Syria

"Our Olympic team stinks. How am I supposed to attend when we're going to be humiliated in front of the world?" President Assad stroked the black-and-white rabbit sitting on his desk, nosing around like nobody's business. "Worse yet, I could be shot . . . but why let that stop me from going to Korea, of all places." He looked back at the stacks of paper and the newspaper in front of him. "It's worth a try. I need to get away for a few days. It's been quiet here." Assad looked at the window, his sudden stillness prompting the rabbit to become still as well, also looking at the window. "I think I jinxed it," Assad muttered, going back to the papers. "Oh, well . . ." He looked at the rabbit. "You know what? I'll go to Korea. Again, I need to get away, even if we lose, lose badly . . . and be embarrassed on the world stage . . . again." He sighed. "Good luck to us, I guess. I've got a few days, I can do this. I'll finish this up, get a new jacket, and then go."

Assad didn't think Putin would be attending, leaving him with little options as to who would be safe to talk to. He placed some of the papers into a file that needed to be brought to the capital building in the morning, and picked up the newspaper. "Oh, eww, bubonic plague in southeast Asia?"

[United Kingdom of Kent]

Canberra, Australia, the 8th of January 2018.

Prime Minister Edward Hart stared out upon the busy and hectic streets of the capital, a living picture of the Commonwealth at large. However these sites and sounds so familiar were of little comfort to the Prime Minister, for he know that among the rush of the crowds was contained the first true trial to his premiership, the Bubonic Plague. Although in a far better position that their neighbours due to a strong medical and emergency service system the outbreak had found its way to the shores of Australia, even as he stared he knew it risked cascading into a full scale pandemic.

He turned to face the cabinet arrayed on the table behind him, a sea of grave and concerned faces. Pausing to measure his response:

"Ladies and Gentleman what is key here to prevent panic while establishing strong control measures to prevent the plagues spread, and its impact on our country"

Over a 4 hour period a plan was created to counter as best possible the plague risk to the nation:

Actions in relation to the Bubonic Plague outbreak:

- The Royal Australian and New Zealand Navy and Coast Guard is to establish a cordon between Australia and its northern neighbours to scan for unregistered and refugee vessels.

- Screenings of passengers, cargo and crew arriving by both ship and plane is to be established in both Australia and New Zealand.

- The army is to put in place cordon and QRF plans to be activated in the case of severe outbreaks, wherein the force will establish a quarantine zone around an infected area.

- A broadcast and publicity campaign to properly inform and update the general public on avoidance and cleanliness points to keep them as safe as possible is to be released.

To fellow Commonwealth members

We wish to establish plans for a Commonwealth free trade area among our alliance, we feel this would solidify a modern and functional role for our alliance into the future. To fellow Commonwealth realms we also wish to examine the possibility of a free movement area between our realms in recognition of the shared head of state and history we share as a people.

Sincerely
Edward Hart
Prime Minister of CANZ

To the Ministry of External Affairs of India
We understand your extreme concerns overs the Bubonic Plague outbreak currently sweeping the region, but feel it prudent to ask that you remove your ban on Australian and New Zealand flights.

Economic security for both yourselves and us is reliant on continued trade and movement of our people where needed or appropriate, if proper control measures and checks are put in place there is no reason that this outbreak should be any different than previous outbreaks of illness in our region.

Yours Sincerely
James Stevens
Foreign and Commonwealth minister

[Kuhlfros]

Japanese Ministry of Defense Intent on Expanding Military Capabilities

"With the rising tensions in our region, it has become clear to the Prime Minister and the Japanese people that permitting ourselves to inhibit our own military and seeking to rely solely on our allies can no longer be tolerated. It has been an important part of Prime Minister Abe's promise to Take Back Japan that we become a proactive in the security of our region to maintain peace and prosperity." -This is was a quote from Tomomi Inada, Japanese Minister of Defense, in a recent press conference she made.

This has been the most recent of statements by the Japanese government stating its intentions of remilitarizing and expanding the JSDF beyond solely defensive capabilities. Under Shinzo Abe's administration, Japan has undergone it's first major military expansions in 40 years and continues to steadily improve its military capabilities and reform how Japan behaves on a regional scale in regards to security.

Among the most recent projects, the Abe administration has set for new surface warships and submarines of new, advanced designs as well as it's air force and developing a more able intelligence administration. Inada also stated Japan's intention of purchasing an amphibious assault dock warship from the United States alongside purchasing the ability to produce tomahawk missiles to better perform its task of proactive pacifism.

Written by Tomoko Otake-The Japan Times, January 8th, 2018

Major News Update: Japan, January 8th, 2018

Mere hours after WHO declared plague status on an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the southeast pacific, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference to address how Japan will react to the issue.

"This an emergency that cannot be left unchecked and allowed to spread, my first and foremost responsibility is the health and well-being of the people of Japan, we cannot tolerate the risk of this disease to reach Japan. For that reason, a series of strict screenings and checks will be held on all transportation between Japan and the afflicted countries to prevent any risk of the disease reaching our land. Our friends in these countries are certain to understand why these measures must be put into place, but I assure you that Japan will devote our finest medical experts to help stop the spread of this disease before it is too late. I will be requesting to several of the afflicted nations the ability to establish several controlled disease research and foreign aid centers under joint jurisdiction to help understand, contain, and cure this plague before it spreads far too wide."

Afterwards, Abe answered several questions in regards to where these first foreign aid bases will be and how the plague can be contained. To which Abe responded that he is looking to assist the nations closest to home first and as quickly as possible, Australia, Indonesia, and the ASEAN nations and that in cooperation with WHO will work to understand this strain of the bubonic plague, in particular, how different it is from the strain which ravaged Europe in the middle ages and how this strain is spread. So that preventive measures and tests to create a vaccine or medicines to fight the disease can be made rapidly. He reiterated the importance that Japan and the nations of the world must respond rapidly or risk this becoming a worldwide pandemic.

[Ormata]

---

The Bubonic Plague was back. The Plague...a schism that killed something like a third of Europe in the Dark Ages. The Plague. God above know who the hell had let that thing get loose; Rosales was convinced it was India’s fault. Their healthcare system was, in her opinion, not up to par with the necessary requirements. There simply seemed to be too many people in their nation. She sat in a meeting room, heads of state about her. They, each, seemed a bit bored; the Plague was a “Last Year’s News” thing. They considered it to be an anachronistic disease.

“Seems most of Asia has Bubonic Plague outbreaks?”

“Which ones?”

“Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea. Reports are sketchy as to how many are infected.”

“Alright, cease flights from those nations that are going to the US. Wait, wait, wait. Guam still has that bomber base, right?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Route flights from those nations through Guam, make sure everyone on said flights isn’t sick, then.”

And that was the Plague. Extra Medical supplies were moved to Guam, along with a carrier strike group to insure no-one stepped out of line. Orders were sent to those nations explaining, in the most polite detail, that their commercial aircraft were to move through Guam instead of directly to the US. Big whoop to the US, that.

Autumn Rosales, President, was in the Oval Office after that. On her desk was a newspaper, and she was reading it. Old-school, yeah, but it sort of reminded her of a childhood. Reading the newspaper for the ‘funnies’, as it was then, that was how life went. A newspaper on the floor, cartoons on, and a big-ass bowl of cereal. Yeah, that was then. Now it was more due to the fact that the news agencies simply liked to do whatever the hell they wanted.

Another kid shot. God dammit. Another one shot...where...Chicago. Protests were already starting-up, and damn the details. The police officer was white. The kid was black. It was an almost perfect case for people to scream it was racist. Almost perfect. A report was on her desk, supplementing it. The Police Chief there had put the officer on administrative leave. He was calling for peace, until details could be found. Apparently his Riot Police were already starting to gear up. God dammit. Not much else to do there.

She went-through the reports, seeing the programs she’d started some time ago come to fruitation. The highway system was being rebuilt. The banks were being purged, for laundering money to the cartels in Central and South America. The military was being rebuilt. Life was going fine. Well, mostly fine.

The Olympics were coming, and with it the claims of drug-use and the like. Russia had gone full dictator. England had gone full dictator. Everything was happening.

[Dytarma]

---

Internal Issues

After the war of independence with Spain, the leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, decided to make the occasion a national holiday to be celebrated throughout the days. The name of said holiday is dia Catalunya, or Catalonia Day. He wants the public to know of this important event, so he decided to hold a speech outside the capital building in Barcelona to tell them about Catalonia Day.

"Catalans, today marks the first day in which we as a sovereign nation are now independent. Lots of lives have been lost so they could have you free! We must remember how all the brave men, women, and even children, died for the freedom of Catalonia. For without them, where would we be? With that backwater called Spain, that's where we'ed be! But with you courage, bravery, liberty, and love, we managed to fight and fight, until eventually, we won! With so much pride for you country, the government of Catalonia has decided to make a national holiday celebrating this event! From here on out, this day shall be known as Catalonia Day! Let the words of joy and liberty flow through you for the rest of the day as you and your family celebrate what powerful and strong nation Catalonia is! For divided, we couldn't be where we are now, but if united fully, we will reclaim as much land as historical Aragon! Today is that day, today is the day we start a new, for Catalonia!"

As he finishes his speech, the crowd cheers him on, chanting phrases like, "For Catalonia!" and "Freedom for all!"

External Issues

As being newly founded, it was recognized by a large amount of countries. It was even accepted to join in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Due to the Catalan government continuing to stabilize Catalonia, Carles can't be able to witness the Olympics. However, he has selected his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raül Romeva, to go to the Olympics to watch the athletes compete. While unprepared for the Olympics, they only had the Catalan National Football Team, led by Sergio García. Him, Raül, and the team will be heading off to Pyeongchang, South Korea by the 6th by plane. Due to the recent outbreak in Southeast Asia, however, they plan on flying over the Mediterranean, over the Middle East, north of the Himalayas, then head to Pyeongchang, South Korea last. During the trip, they will take one stop at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

[Parcia]

República Democrática de Cuba

The sun never sets on those who reign it in. The all encompassing party still rages in the streets of Havana, the people still celebrating the recent victory in the face of the darkness of the Castro tyranny.

Yet, even with a island size party going on below, the leader of a nation reborn plans out his next move.

"Bloody fucking hell this hang over hurts." He brought up the cold glass of watered down scotch to his temple, trying his best to nurse the massive hangover. "Last time I celebrate on a Sunday..." His aid, a young women in her early 20s, tall, thin yet toned, and sharing his own black hair and hazel eyes sat at the end of his desk, to his left. "Papa, I told you going out and parting like that would be bad." He chuckled. "I know Miho, but it is not every day you end 60 years of darkness." He took a swig from the glass and set it down on the desk, sitting up in his chair as he did so. "Tell me of the current events of the world, Miho."

"Well, it seems the news of the success of the revolution has been slow to reach across the world." He would think.
"Take a note, miho."

"To the assorted nations of this vast world, it is my duty, president Fredrico Carlo of the República Democrática de Cuba, to inform you of the rather abrupt end to the Castro administration. With this sudden and rather turbulent change in management, I have taken the cautionary action of ceasing all trade, travel, and transferring of funds from the República Democrática de Cuba for the time being as we recover from the aforementioned transfer of power."

She nodded, sending the message to the greater globe seconds later. "The Winter Olympics is occurring soon?" he frowned. "Inform the Olympic Committee that Unfortunately, República Democrática de Cuba will not be participating this year officially, but put in order out to allow the team to compete if they so choose so."

She nodded. "Plague outbreak in East Asia?" He shrugged, "Why do I care?" She nodded, "Good point."

"Well, we do have the private message to send to President of the United Sates." He sighed. "Yes, the Yankees are probably wondering whats going on."

"Take a message Miho."

To:POTUS
From: Fredrico Carlo
Security: MAX

Hello, friend to the North, I wish to speak with you, possibly in person, over the states of an agreement we have.

[Ormata]

---

To:POTUS
From: Fredrico Carlo
Security: MAX

Hello, friend to the North, I wish to speak with you, possibly in person, over the states of an agreement we have.

“Well, fuck me.”

Cuba wanted to talk. Cuba wanted to talk. The debacle that was the assassination of the Castros had been a mess to clean-up, she’d recalled; a lot of people had pointed to the US, saying it was a CIA operation. Everything had thought they were in change, in the land of the sunny south, and to a degree it had opened-up. Rosales had sent the CIA to snoop-about there. They’d said it was a place. She’d tossed-about the idea of invading it and truly putting it under her thumb, but...there was little point. Cuba didn’t have what the US wanted.

She wrote back, fingers dancing on her keyboard as she typed the thing. A cat, one of hers, meowed from underneath her desk, before jumping-up into her lap. Autumn scratched at it, behind the ears, and the tabby purred like an engine before settling-down into her lap. A call confirmed that what she was thinking was possible; a week was sometime away and there was more than enough time. Besides, a visit to the US base would be good for morale.

To:Fredrico Carlo
From: POTUS
Security: MAX

So we have. I hear Guantanamo is nice. A week, then, there.

And off that was sent.

Autumn looked at the other things on the dossier. South America wanted a carrier, it seemed. Lower officials said they should try for a $3 Billion pricetag; after all, the Enterprise had been retired and the South Americans wanted a vessel like it. It was old, too; She trusted the South Americans with a knife, not a sword. The CVN-65 was definitely a knife, compared to her more modern counterparts. All they required, to begin negotiations, was her green light.

She gave it.

[Parcia]

To:Fredrico Carlo
From: POTUS
Security: MAX

So we have. I hear Guantanamo is nice. A week, then, there.

`

"Well, call me a Castro and put a green tip between my eyes, she answered." His daughter looked over to him, gazing over the large stack of technical readouts of the current food production. "She did?" He nodded.

To: POTUS
From: F. Carlo
Security: MAX

Agreed, I say we keep it informal, no press, and lets not make this known to those who should not know of it.

Even as he typed a responce, and order, already given, was taking place. He was recalling all Cuban Soldiers, tanks, planes, and ships back home, unofficially ending all theaters of operations.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

8th of January, 2018

---

The Pyongyang Times

---

"This is unacceptable", says Comrade Cho
Comrade Chairman Cho's trip to the South Pyongan Province leaves him speechless. Demands local officials to "be more honest and accountable to their neighbors" and to Pyongyang.

After an unannounced week long trip to the South Pyongan Province, Comrade Cho was unhappy to see the current state of the province in the farming villages. When he went through the villages which still had old wooden fences and faded wooden houses with throngs of starving impoverished people on the side of the road, Comrade Cho immediately ordered a supply of rations be brought to the villages alongside a pair of new clothes for each family. Comrade Cho has explicitly stated that such conditions were "inhumane" and "unacceptable" for the people.

When Comrade Cho meet local officials over the matter, many of them claimed that the state had not given them the proper resources to implement the ambitions plans for the New Economic Policy. Comrade Cho responded to them by promising the province more resources for infrastructure and increased trading deals abroad. He also urged them to get creative in their solutions to the current problem and work with what they have for now.

Since the implementation of the New Economic Policy, Comrade Cho has hoped that even the lowest people will have their living standards improve as the Government lessens it control over the economy and allows more local businesses to be created. However the task ahead is still greatly unfinished and many people wonder whether or not this policy will be able to lift North Korea back onto its own feet. While some have criticized Comrade Cho and the National Restoration Committee for "retreating from socialism", Comrade Cho replies that the Government will maintain its oversight over these increasing number of small businesses. This statement is accompanied by increasing trade to China and Russia for more agriculture equipment and fertilizer.

---

"Pleasure Trials" End
Controversial "Pleasure Trials" comes to an end as authorities sentence the 13 officers to hard labor for life. The National Restoration Committee promises that all women in the army who have been raped by superiors, will be given reparations.

The Pleasure Trials have come to an end as the 13 officers have been sentenced to hard labor for life for raping numerous women soldiers in the North Korean military. This trial of the 13 officers come alongside other military trials taking place throughout the country as women soldiers begin revealing this heinous crime to the state and women of North Korea. While some of the prosecution wanted the officers to be executed, the 13 officers were sentenced to hard labor for life because "execution would be too merciful" according to the presiding judge.

When Comrade Cho was asked by reporters about the outcome of the trial outside of Mansudae Assembly Hall, he agreed with the verdict and said that "execution was a harsh punishment for them." He wanted them to think about their long about their crimes and realize how heinous they were to the North Korean people. As a single father of an adopted daughter, Cho has said that his heart goes out to the women and their families who had suffered during their honorable service in the Korean People's Army.

At the end of these trials, the National Restoration Committee has announced that it will improve the health standards for women in the Korean People's Army. They have pledged to provide more easily accessible women's care products such as sanitary pads. Moreover the punishments for rape and abuse of women in the Korean People's Army will become more harsh in order to enforce more discipline throughout the military.

Pyongyang, North Korea
Chairman Cho Ji-Hun or "Comrade Cho"

Chairman Cho Ji-Hun put down his newspaper from The Pyongyang Times on his desk. He had read only read a few headlines but thinks that he has seen enough. He had a long day ahead of him and more things to worry about than whatever the rest of that newspaper said. If anything, he would probably finish reading it by tonight after he finished his dinner. The capital of the Democratic People's Republic was alot louder today than usual. Besides the fact that the National Restoration Committee has allowed more people to move into the capital and the occasional public protest about the reinstatement of taxes, there was something that seemed to make everything seem louder today.

Ji-Hun couldn't think of anything and but had a feeling that whatever it was would continue distracting him and prevent him from getting his morning routine completed. He had read the reports of the resurgence of the Bubonic Plague in South East Asia but didn't think that was a much of an issue. Even though the National Restoration Committee had taken power for about 7 years, they have not fully opened the borders yet due to fears of a massive population decrease. While such fears were unfounded, they wanted to rebuild the country more before being more liberal with its borders. Perhaps the best benefit of being a mostly closed off country was that they could regulate the spread and containment of diseases better.

But Ji-Hun was in a comfortable position being both head of the government and the head of the Ministry of State Security. He still received reports from his subordinates about the local moods about current policy and discontentment. Earlier last year, he had talked with the National Restoration Committee about allowing separated families from the Korean War being able to move back and forth from both countries. But such an agreement would not get anywhere if the South Korean government did not agree to it. The Committee was going to send a message about this later this week.

Then came the matter of the Winter Olympics. Traditionally, North Korea would refrain from going to South Korea for any kind of Olympic Sporting Event and would perform poorly in the Winter Olympics. Moreover his invitation to the games which would be his first public appearance abroad. He was the face of the New DPRK and he knew that his presence there and being among foreign leaders could be beneficial for the state. As this was on his mind, a knock was heard on the door to his office.

"Who is it?" Ji-Hun asked immediately and gathered the papers scattered on his desk.

"Min-Jun." Replied the voice from behind the door. Ji-Hun stopped what he was doing and then smiled.

"Come in." He replied and then the door opened. A young woman wearing a military uniform walked through the doorway and shut the door behind her. She took a seat on one of the chairs at the front of Ji-Hun's desk. "How would you like to visit South Korea? It would be our very own father and daughter trip in a long time. Also I think it would make me more approachable if I brought family on this trip."

Min-Jun sighed and joking replied, "Are you asking as my superior or as my father?"

Ji-Hun chuckled, "I could order you since you are technically my subordinate. But I don't want my daughter to defect and run away with some handsome South Korean man while we are there. It would be embarrassing to say the least."

"You don't have to worry about that father." Min-Jun replied and began fixing her hair.

"So its a family trip to South Korea, then?" Ji-Hun replied, "I could imagine the number of young South Koreans flocking around the beautiful daughter of the North Korean State and the head of the Ministry of State Security. We could also see other sights in South Korea. Perhaps this will be the first of many trips abroad."

[Altito Asmoro]

Indonesia to Contain Bubonic Plague

With the rise of bubonic plague in Indonesia, especially within the crowded districts of Jakarta, the Presidential Office has been transferred to Palangkaraya as an emergency office, while evacuation and containment over the bubonic plague in progress. Health experts and doctors alike banded together to distributed the necessary antibiotics with the help of military and police for the plague. The economic effects had been in progress, with decline in food production and industry, though still not quite as significant as predicted by economic experts. However, the plague will going through the end with no future date on when it's going to be ended.

Palangkaraya, Indonesia

The emergency capital city had been prepared in advance as the escalating tensions in South China Sea emerged and rising faster than ever. It seems that while the nation is safe so far, with the bubonic plague all not seems to be over.

It has been a year ever since the large-scale and national Islamic movement that shook the country's political, social, and religion stabilities, and it's not without its results and consequences. The government finally agreed to some extent as to the foreign and economic policy, introducing several pro-Islamic economic laws and adjusted the foreign policy to be closer to the Islamic countries, but the government still maintained grip over the central administrations.

As for future actions, beside the treatment for the plague, all things considered to upping the military's equipment and modernization, as well as improvement and finalization of the MRT, partly invested by the Chinese government.

[Insaeldor]

Northern Italian Federation
President Fabian Salmoireghi
Milan

The worlds going to hell isnt it? I thought to myself as I sat in my empty office. I had little intrest with the events of the outside world, at least for the time being. I was an aging old man, my joints hurt, my muscles ached, my body diminished by years of constant stress. I had single handedly crafted this nation in the image I set out for it when I was just a post graduate writing and theorizing my doctoral thesis. And while my mind was sharp my body had dulled. But things only seemed to get worse. Pandemic swarmed South East Asia, Europe was looking its glory days of perpetual war, the days of petty monarchism. And the once firery powers of the west seemed to be fading, maybe we would finally forgo the need of a single dominating hyperpower, maybe the streangth of the west would be mutual defense and economic coordination, or maybe the next few years would be subject to the dying breaths of the old guard and the desperate scheming of those wishing to take its place. How would the Italian people feel about this new world? How would we brave through all the chaos of the next few years if trends continued they way they have. God only knows what could happen.

"Mr. President... you're needed in the press room." Said Lucia, a bright and energetic thirty year old. She was my secretary, informed me of all the things I'd need to be subjecated to. This conference would be a massive endevour, not only would I be dealing with the current crisis of the world as they stand but important political choices would need to be made. I slowly picked myself up from my chair and walked to the door where Lucia would help me down the halls. The life of an 89 year old was not fun, but at the very least I had this beautiful soul to help me through the issues of the day.

Once we reached the media room I was looked upon with curious eyes as flashless photography took place. The staff had recently placed signs say no flash photography in the press room, I assumed they thought it would send me into a spiral. I looked at the journalist for a moment as cleared my throat to start speaking.

"Welcome, as many of you may be aware this year has fallen on tragity. Currently the world faces issues which it has not seen in decades. Drought sweeps North Africa, pandemic sinks its fangs into Asia, we as a nation need to stand strong since in this new modern age we simply can not shut ourselves out and hope for the best. It is however with the situations in mind that I have used my executive authority to issue some legislative authority.

Yesterday after hours of diliberation with members of my army staff we have created a new branch of the military, the Carabinieri, this force is obstensivly tasked with civil law enforcement during time of crisis during a state of emergency but are also able preform other duties outside of this. The Carabinieri has been specifically formed today in order to patrol and protect our boarders from continued unlawful immigration. We understand the tragity of these people's situation but we are a nation of laws and of principles and thus we can not allow for the continued illegal entry of undocumented peoples to continue as such. The Carabinieri while being meant as a general Gendarmerie it will also incorberate aspects of a border guard.

I regards to the current pandemic in Asia, I've constructed a list of nations that have been affected by this pandemic. Currently nationals who are from or have at anytime in the last 60 days have been to Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Laos, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea will not be allowed entry into the country. This is to ensure the health and security of our country, we have also been consulting with the Ministry of Health in order to form a dynamic and effective action plan in case we do have a case of Bubonic Plague is spotted within the nation.

And finally, given recent personal events in my life I have chosen to not seek another term as President of the Federation. I do not feel I am capable of serving another term as president. This is I feel the best thing for the country, I do not feel that my continued leadership will be healthy for the country and that young and experienced politicians are needed to help this young democracy prosper to the best of its ability. A changing of the guard is healthy in a democracy and is needed to perpetuate the democratic institution.

Thank you and good day."

[Krugeristan]

Damascus, Syria

After an afternoon outing with his wife to get winter gear for his trip to South Korea, Assad continued getting reports about the plague in southeast Asia, and started wondering if he should invest in a gas mask. Come on . . . if there's a plague, there's no way the Olympic Committee will let those countries compete . . . right? A chill shot down his spine. I should get . . . some kind of protection . . . yeah . . . I can't risk it. He picked up the phone on his desk, and proceeded to ask one of his generals for a gas mask.

The general found it odd, but, went through with it. "I'll make sure you get it before your trip, sir," he said.

"Thank you." Assad hung up, and looked at his rabbit, who was chewing a cardboard toilet paper tube.

The rabbit stared back at his human.

"I'm starting to not want to go," Assad said. "Not just because of the plague . . . but . . . you know, I don't want to . . . be all alone. I really don't think Putin's going to go, so, I'll have really no one to chat with in between events."

The rabbit nudged the tube away, and jumped onto Assad's lap.

Assad smirked a little. "At least I'm worrying about this and not ISIS, right?" With the rabbit still on his lap, he decided he'd ask Putin beforehand about the Olympics.

To: President Vladimir Putin
Subject: 2018 Winter Olympics
Encryption: Low

Greetings, and I hope you're well today. As much as I am grateful for all you've done for me the last six years, there is one more thing I'd like to ask of you, if you don't mind, because I understand if you're busy, and that's fine. I'm sure you received the notice about the upcoming Olympic Games in Korea. Although I'm certain no one's going to appreciate my presence there, I don't wish to be there alone. If you can't go, that's fine. I can find someone else.

-President Bashar al-Assad

[Tagali Federation]

United West African Republic
Begogogo,Former Burkina Faso

---

Before the APLA's Insurrection, Begogogo was just another farming village. While not rich, the people were able to farm enough rice to feed themselves and a little bit of surplus to sell. Life was quiet. Unfortunately, the village lied on a back road leading towards the former capital, Ouagadougou, the UWAR's last stronghold in the state. To keep the troops and the city alive, the military had established this road and others like it as a life line to move supplies to the city and smaller outposts in the country. Because of this, Begogogo was an stopping point on the "Ouagadougou Trail". A place for convoys to resupply and rest on their way back and forth.

The time was about noon as many of the soldiers guarding the village had retired to the Cantina. It wasn't an actual bar, but what the soldiers had named an abandoned house in the village. Many of the more well off villagers had fled at the outbreak of the hostilities, mostly south towards Accra, where a large community of people displaced by the war had settled. Still, some had stayed behind, for they had no where else to go. The soldiers gathered around a small TV, watching the UWAR and South Africa teams go at it in the Africa Cup, often jeering whenever South Africa got a score. It was a nice distraction from the chaos, happening around them. Unfortunately, the APLA troops were not sitting idly by.

Mortar fire began hitting the village, one after the other. The men, caught by surprised, scrambled to action. two houses in the village were hit, causing them to collapse. As the mortar fire came to a close, gunfire came, followed by the yelling of APLA soldiers running across the rice fields to take the village. Just another day in the UWAR.....

[Greater Dmanian]

Lesotho and Swaziland unification on the horizon?
South Africa's neighbouring states for many years maintained their independence and strong nationalist identity, however in the years since they originally avoided becoming part of South Africa the political landscape has violently changed, the world orders that maintained the peace in many parts of the few stable parts of the world have been shaken and surely look to collapse.

President Philip Awate already settling into office yet bombarded with numerous issues at home hopes to at least alleviate the suffering of Lesotho who have becoming increasingly supportive of being annexed as the AIDS epidemic that plagues their lands and the poor government institutions have shattered some of the most nationalistic voices. President Awate has promised to begin a comprehensive health program to educate and treat the country a reform that was also promised to the people of South Africa the control of the state would also secure South Africa's water supply which it heavily depends on from Lesotho. While negotiations continue there is expected to be a referendum within the coming months to determine the fate of Lesotho.

Meanwhile the Kingdom of Swaziland continues to rabidly oppose any notion of joining South Africa however this may not hold off attempts at South Africa entering Swaziland as numerous sources have confirmed that Zulu militants have been using the state along with the North East of South Africa as a safe haven before conducting attacks on government and civil buildings and infrastructure. Awate has hinted at possible peacekeeping operations to be deployed to prevent the movement of militia forces and has banned the import of South African arms into the state.

One language, One Nation
Numerous Education reforms have been pushed through with the aims of teaching English to all students in order to break down the language barriers that exist within most aspects of South Africa causes division and complications. While some protested the use of a foreign language, a spokesman for Awate reasoned that as well as being a widely spoken language it also circumvented far graver unrest over giving priority to any of the currently spoken native tongues, none of which formed an acceptable majority. He stressed that families could still teach their home language however it would not be covered in classes.

Along with the banning of Polygamy these reforms have been strongly opposed by tribal leaders and even the former President Jacob Zuma as a thinly veiled attempt to dissolve the power of the numerous Tribes within South Africa. The most strongly opposed are those in the North East of the country who are primarily ethnic Zulus. Along with other groups they have with the help of sympathisers in Swaziland began to arm themselves and cause havoc in neighbouring regions.

Awate explained his goals during a speech, "Our country is plagued by a sickness, not one of body or mind but of soul! We are not one people, we are a shattered collection of clashing goals, values and identities all routed and perpetuated by our clinging to the past! South Africa needs a future we can all work towards, with shared values and one single ambition. My success will be measured when any man or woman you ask in the street can without hesitation say they are a South African first and proud."

A strong army, for a strong nation
The Minister of Defence has announced plans to modernise and expand the South African Defence Force in order to "Secure the nation against the growing threats to African and Global stability". The new scheme is expected to create thousands of jobs for South Africans and expand both the reserves and active military personnel to better aid in peacekeeping both at home and abroad as the balance of power shifts violently in favour of newly formed super-powers.

The already expansive arms industry in South Africa has been deemed capable of supporting the increase in production, the income generated from increased selling is hoped to fuel the funding of Awate's new education scheme and health program which if successful will increase the nations productivity.

Pretoria, South Africa
Mahlamba Ndlopfu
President Philip Awate
8th January 2018
Sitting at his new desk Philip shifted through various reports that had been left for him, he pushed his glasses up his nose as his eyes scanned through one from the dossiers the SSA had prepared on the Z.L.A (Zulu Liberation Army) one of the major guerrilla groups operating out of Swaziland, they'd been behind numerous attacks since his election however he noted that their actions had diverted the Afrikaner groups away from harassing government and civilian targets in favour of clashing with them. A temporary solution until the military could better prepare themselves.

He took off his glasses and glanced out the window, the sun was not yet due to rise for another hour after which he'd be thrust into his daily regime including various visits and speeches. The work he released would be taxing and he had accepted that he wasn't get any younger. His legacy would be worth the sacrifice he reassured himself as he filed away the dossier and scanned through his schedule squinting to read parts of the small text. He had hoped to make a firm commitment to protecting the sovereignty of his fellow African nations however with the situation in Swaziland pointing towards a military intervention such a move would be unwise, instead that speech had been replaced by writing various letters requesting the resignation of various civil, military and government officials who had found their way into high ranking positions through sheer nepotism and due to their lack of training and experience had been contributing to the corrupted mess he had inherited from Zuma. He had known it was bad but once on the inside and behind the desk the sheer scale became apparent, he'd anger many with such a bold move but he was sure that such a firm commitment would secure him a great number of supporters.

[Anowa]

Brasilia, SAF Capital
SecDef Office
Defense Secretary Julio Suarez
08/01/2018

Plans for the immediate future were widespread, and likely to put the world on edge. This was the nation's first rocket test that would be capable of holding a bit more than it's own fuel. Using publicly available records on the older US and Russian rockets, SAF engineers had built their own, and it was being tested today. While it's purpose was to get objects into orbit, that was not the only intention of said rocket.

Regardless, they had achieved their first nuclear deterrent, which itself was also to be tested soon. and eventually said warhead design would find itself mounted on the wings of air force and navy units, as well as on the tips of rockets.

There was also the matter of the military campaign in Paraguay. It was going about as well as the US was in Vietnam, or the USSR in Afghanistan. They couldn't fight a war against insurgents, they weren't equipped or trained for it.

So that said, he'd put out an issue that forces were to try and achieve a parlay with he enemy. In hopes of the request that a cease fire trickles up the ranks, get the fighting to stop.

Then there was the US request to sell them the USS Enterprise. Nuclear powered and at 3 billion, it was one hell of a deal, one he wouldn't mind busting the military budget a bit over. They had to replace their conventional carrier sometime, and it's make their navy that much more bluer. Although destroyers and cruisers would still need to be obtained, for it to be a true 'blue navy'. Perhaps he could ask for a bit of the SR-71's flight data to make the aerospace boys happy, maybe they could make their own recon plane if the budget permitted.

[Kisinger]

Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islāmī Jumhūriyah Pākistān





Faith, Unity, Discipline


Chapter I: The Might of Pakistan




Prime Minister Secretariat,
January 8th, 2018
Nawaz Sharif

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a nation known for its claims on Kashmir, unstable political climate, massive amounts of corruption, and frequent military coups. Not to mention the many terrorist organizations that operate within the nation both sponsored by the state and those that spring up and get generally pointed in a direction away from Pakistan after a few well placed bribes in the form of economic compensation and military assistance. But now an even bigger threat faced Pakistan, one that loomed on the horizon and threatened to engulf it, an outbreak of bubonic plague.

"What the hell do you mean there is a outbreak of bubonic plague?" Nawaz broke out yelling after his aide informed him of the news that there was an outbreak of plague in Southeast Asia.

"Well your excellency... There has been an outbreak of bubonic plague and we aren't entirely sure what to do." The aide stammered out as the prime minister continued to glare at him his anger clearly visible.

"Close the damn borders then, and cancel all flights to and from or have originated in any of the nations then." He pinched the bridge of his nose and not waiting for a response, "Start evacuating towns on or near the border as well, and begin deploying troops along the whole border, I don't want any wayward Indians coming into this country. Also deploy two more battalions to Kashmir, we might be able to win it back in the next few months." He smiled at the thought of Pakistan finally triumphing over their old enemy, India.

"Of course your excellency, anything else you may wish to add onto that?" The aide asked quietly.

"Yes actually, I want you to bring me up to speed as the situation develops, and ask the general staff all of what the military will need in the coming months of conflict.

[Dayganistan]

Iran's military modernization going smoothly
In recent years, Iran has been seeking to upgrade it's military to modern standards, both through purchasing of foreign equipment and now being able to produce advanced Islamic Republic era projects in sizeable numbers following economic recovery in the wake of the June 13th Revolution. Today, President Rustam Ghazanavi oversaw a new phase of this modernization, attending the opening of a new factory intended only to produce the Zulfiqar-3 main battle tank. The Zulfiqar-3 is a modern tank designed and produced in limited numbers during the Islamic Republic, visually resembling the American M1 Abrams. It is equipped with composite armour, advanced fire control systems, and an autoloading 125mm gun capable of firing modern shells including armour piercing, fin stabilized discarding sabot rounds. As well, it can be equipped with additional reactive armour and an active protection system. When production is complete, it is intended that the Zulfiqar-3 will replace almost all older designs within the Iranian military. The Iranian military claims the Zulfiqar-3 to be competitive with all modern main battle tanks.

As well, Iran has officially announced the adoption of a new service rifle to replace the venerable H&K G3, although production and adoption of the rifle was already underway. Iran will adopt the Fajr-32 assault rifle, a modern design resembling the Sig 55x series, but with obvious design inspirations from the AR-15 and Kalashnikov. The rifle was offered in both 7.62x39 and 5.56 calibers, with the army adopting the 7.62x39 version while the 5.56 version was adopted by the police. However, special operations troops continue to search for a new rifle, evaluating both foreign and domestic designs.

Alongside these domestic designs, Iran also looks to foreign designs, particularly in regards to a much needed naval upgrade and the replacement of aging aircraft.

Iran looks to expand influence
The Iranian government today announced a plan to expand it's influence in the Middle East. With the shocking resurgence of European monarchies who look to rebuild their former empires, Iran finds having friends in the region more important than ever and hopes those nations it hopes to extend an olive branch to feel the same.

Iran plans to approach Afghanistan and Tajikistan, hoping to leverage their shared language and culture to establish further cooperation between the three nations. As well, Iran plans to approach Iraq and Syria, emphasizing their ties as Shia Muslims, and Azerbaijan. Iran hopes to put these plans into action in the near future.

Tehran, Iran
President's office
January 8th, 2018

President Ghaznavi finally returned to his office after overseeing the opening of the assembly line for the Zulfiqar-3 tank. Before he could sit down, he was immediately approached by one of his secretaries, an attractive young woman named Setareh. She had studied political science at Tehran University and graduated a year ago, getting an internship in at the president's office. She turned out to be a hard worker, and after discovering she in fact came from a relatively poor background, Ghaznavi offered her a permanent position as a secretary. Had this been 10 years ago when he had been first released from prison, Ghaznavi probably would have fallen madly in love with her. But he was married now and had a young child, he couldn't do such a thing to them. Of course, he saw nothing wrong with admiring so long as it went no further than that.

"Sir," Setareh said as she placed a stack of papers on the president's desk, "the parliament has made a decision to block flights to Iran for travelers from plague affected countries. They just need you to sign off on it. Just bring it to me when you're done. We also need you to confirm whether you will be attending the Winter Olympics or not."

"I'll sign off on the parliament's decision right away. Thank you Setareh." The president smiled. "And as for the Winter Olympics, I plan to be in attendance."

"Ok, I'll start arranging your travel plans," Setareh said as she left the office. Ghazanavi then looked at the bill to block flights from plague affected countries. While doing this, he turned on the TV in his office, switching it to the FARS News channel. Once a mouthpiece of the Islamic Republic, FARS had become a relatively unbiased source of news in recent years. As it had for the past few days, it had been discussing the plague outbreak in southeast Asia, occasionally switching to discussing the upcoming Winter Olympics and Iranian news. Ghazanvi read over the bill. All flights originating from plague affected countries will not be allowed to land in Iran without first landing in another country, and passengers from these flights are to be quarantined and tested for the plague. Any who test positive will be barred entry and deported to their home country unless they are an Iranian citizen, at which point they are to be admitted to hospital. As well, border controls would be tightened on the Pakistani border, as Pakistan directly borders a plague affected country. After reading through the document, Ghaznavi signed it. He left his office to place the signed document on Setareh's desk and then returned to his office. He wanted to ensure the leaders of the countries he hoped to increase cooperation with would be in attendance, so he could at least have some informal talks about it with them. First came President Assad of Syria, making sure Syria with it's combat hardened army was on Iran's side would be quite important.

To: President Bashar Al-Assad
From: President Rustam Ghaznavi
Encryption: low

Good Afternoon. I am writing you to confirm your attendance at the Winter Olympics. I have some things I would like to discuss with people in the region who I consider to be friends of Iran, And I believe the Winter Olympics will be an excellent venue to have some informal talks about the plans I have for the region and whether or not Syria agrees with them.

Following his message to Assad, Ghaznavi sent similar messages to the leaders of the other countries he hopes to increase cooperation with.

[Krugeristan]

To: President Bashar Al-Assad
From: President Rustam Ghaznavi
Encryption: low

Good Afternoon. I am writing you to confirm your attendance at the Winter Olympics. I have some things I would like to discuss with people in the region who I consider to be friends of Iran, And I believe the Winter Olympics will be an excellent venue to have some informal talks about the plans I have for the region and whether or not Syria agrees with them.

Re: President Rustam Ghaznavi

Yes, I am going to the Olympics, and of course we can talk there, informally. Just, call me when we're there, because I have no idea where everyone's going to be.

-President Assad

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Republic of Hungary

Far Right Rally In Budapest

Yesterday the far right party Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom staged a large scale rally in Budapest with more than 3.000 members as well as another 12.000 bystanders attending. They rally strongly resembled that of the National Socialists in Germany during the time of the 3rd Reich and naturally drew much criticism from the international community. The Simon-Wiesentahl-Centre released a statement, stating that they were sad that Hungary chose to not learn of it's mistakes in the past. The Hungarian Government has issued an official statement lightly condemning the event but has not taken any action. Police Presence was mininmal. Actually several high ranking government officials like Prime Minister Orbán were seen at the rally.

In a speech, party leader Gábor Vona praised the New Hungarian Guard for their loyalty to Hungary and their high discipline. It must be said that in the last weeks clashes between the New Hungarian Guard and Roma have declined drastically. However, Vona also called all of the assembled men of the Guard and every Hungarian who has the heart in the right place to take up arms and join the fight against Islamistic Terrorism in all it's forms. International observers are disturbed over this statement as it basically encouraging people to practice vigilantism. Various protests from the left wing opposition was stopped dead in it's tracks by police forces. The police released an official statement regarding their different actions concerning left and right wing rallies, stating that the Jobbik party had flawlessly executed a peaceful rally while the left tried to come as a mob with the only intention to forcefully disrupt the right wing rally.

Hungary honours fallen Nazi soldiers

Today Commanders of the Hungarian Defense Force, the Government and various other right wing organizations have honoured the fallen heroes of World War 2. Support for the actions of the Hungarian Army in he war is high in the population. The Hungarian Soldiers have been idolized as patriots fighting in a lost war to save their fatherland from the clutches of the vile communists and the evil Romanians, never giving up even in the face of a massive enemy superiority and full occupation of their fatherland. It is suspected that the recent boost of nationalism and patriotism by the rise of islamistic terrorism has had a large impact on how the Hungarians perceive their ancestors' fight and their motives for it.

Similar commemorations have been held all over Hungary and the amount of people attending these has been disturbing to independent observers. The Simon-Wiesenthal-Centre condemned these commemorations, pointing at numerous atrocities against Hungarian Jews committed by Hungarian Troops or Police Units. Surviving Veterans of the Hungarian Army deny these claims and preserve the image of the honourable Hungarian Army fighting to protect it's fatherland. Officials of the Jobbik party have insulted the Simon-Wiesenthal-Centre as "dirty Zionists who want to colonize proud Hungary". As ridiculous as these insults are, the lack of negative responses from the Hungarian people is something to worry about.

Hungary bolsters border security

Last week the Hungarian Government passed a bill, allocating additional ressources to protection of Hungary's south-western borders. The fence separating Hungary from Serbia and parts of Croatia has been reinforced with additional barbed wire, watchtowers, checkpoints and patrols with search dogs and lethal weaponry. So far the fence has been of great success in keeping anyone out who tries to pass into Hungary without crossing the river Dráva. However, the fence has also had his fair share of victims. About a dozen people bled to death after getting entangled in the barbed wire and with no patrol nearby to cut them loose and treat them in time. Human Rights Advocates and various groups from all over the world have been condemning the Hungarian government for this fence, comparing it to the former Korean border or the Berlin wall. The Hungarian Government has called these comparisons ridiculous pointing at the fact that the border guards have no permittance to use lethal force unlike the border guards in the above mentioned examples.

[Pimps Inc]

Chronicle I: The Brave
Transfer of Power Ceremony, National Palace
Mexico City, United Mexican States
^{10th(XV) day of January}

I affirm to follow and uphold the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the laws that emanate from it, and to perform the office of President of the Republic which the people have conferred upon me with loyalty and patriotism, in all actions looking after the good and prosperity of the Union; and if I do not fulfill these obligations, may the Nation demand it of me.

With these last 7 words, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lifted his right hand from the Constitution as the 59th President of the United Mexican States. Televised around the country and the Southwestern US, millions watched in silence as the president delivered his speech.

"My name is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Today, I address the people of Mexico, which have so benevolently elected me to the position of head of state. You expect me to address your issues, but first I must address you.

I was born in 1953. I was raised in a traditional Mexican family. As a child, I had a ordinary life. I went to school, had friends and cousins. But then I became the President of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional and my life changed. What I will be saying next, will prove to be in the eyes of many, especially in the eyes of the very same PRIstas that supported me 20 years ago, primarily because I will be the one saying them. And second because what I am about to say is true and will make many nervous because it will include topics we do not want to talk about. That we want to pretend they do not exist. But it is essential that we acknowledge them. It will also agitate the many organized crime organizations that have plague us since the past century, particularly since 2006.

I will be speaking about...the role that you-that we play as members of our civil society in the face of this phenomenon. As well as the 4 levels of response that citizens have against it. To worry that I am not a concerned citizen on the state of our country. You don't have to forget. You don't have to worry. It is not required to understand the importance of the following. I believe that in Mexico we have a problem. We have a great obstacle facing us. I think its in consensus and we all agree. What we do not agree on, however, is on what is the problem that we have. Los Zetas? The narco? The government? The Corruption? The Poverty?! Or something else.

I don't think any of those is the problem. I don't mean they are not problems that do not require our attention, on the contrary. But I mean they are not the problem. But we will not be able to attend to any other problem if we do not first resolve the true problem that we have in Mexico. The true problem that we have in Mexico is that the majority of us Mexicans present ourselves as the victims of our circumstances. We are a country of victims. Even historically, we have always presented ourselves as the victims of something or someone. First we were victims of the Spanish. Then the French. Then we were victims of the Gringos. Then of Don Porfiriato. Then of the PRI. And now we the victims of Los Zetas, and the narcos, organized crime, the U.S. Drug demand. Hold on. None of anything that I've just mentioned is the problem. The problems aren't the things of what we present ourselves as victims of, it's the problem that we present ourselves as victims.

We need to open our eyes and see that we are not victims. If we stopped thinking ourselves as victims, if we stopped this victimization, I cannot express to you how much would our country change. I am going to tell about how to go from a society that victimizes itself to one that assumes responsibility and holds the future of its country in its own hands. I am going to talk about 4 levels of citizen's response to violence. In orde of weakest to strongest, the first is negligence. Apathy. Today, a great portion of the Mexican population is in a state of neglect. We stubbornly want to continue our daily lives when we do not live in a normal environment. It's like a person with a potentially fatal illness who just wants to pretend to simply have a cold. That it will go away by itself, the less he or she thinks about it. Mexicans want to pretend Mexico has a simple cold. But Mexico is stricken by something much worse than just a cold. Mexico has cancer.

If we do not do something about it, this cancer will end up killing Mexico. We need to move the Mexican society, from that neglect to the next level of response that is recognition. In effect, recognition of the severity of our plight will generate great amounts of fear. However, fear is better than apathy. Because at the very least, fear will empower us to do something. There is also another great portion of the Mexican people who experience great fear today. Even as I speak right now, southern states are waging a bloody drug war on the marijuana fields and the north on the traffickers. We have a lot of fear. And we are acting on that fear. And the problem with acting on fear-imagine, the streets in Mexico are insecure because of violence. So the people seek shelter in their homes. That makes the streets safer? Or that make the problem worse? It's worse, now the streets are even less secure, and so the more we hide in our homes, and make the streets more desolate and insecure, and... So on.

This vicious circle of the entire society hidden away dying of fear. More fear than when we were on our streets. We need to move Mexico to the next level of response. Which is action. We need to take action and retake our streets, our cities, our States, our country. Now, to many, action requires the use of force. Of anger. Of revenge. From fear, we devolve to anger. Today, as of 2015, over 50,000 public hangings have been reported since 2006. Normally, 1 or 2 a year is the figure. Now, we see one a week. One a week. That's coming ever closer to the U.S. Figure of 3 schools shootings a month. This is proof of a society that is desperate. And that is taken into its own hands, though sadly, violent action, as better an option to no action, has the problem of masquerading the violence. If I am being violent to you, and you respond in a violent way, you are participating in that violence, and just canceled out the horror of MY violence. The line between you and me disappears. When you kill a murder, the number of murderers in the world remains the same.

We need to see action from all members of the citizenry, action at this level of response and move it on to the 4th and final level. Which is non-violent action. Which is civil and coordinated pacific action. Determined and effective. But not violent. There are examples of this in Mexico, as well, historical ones such as the famous case of Cinco de Mayo at the Battle of Puebla. But there are also more recent examples. Four years ago, in the city of Galiana, Chihuahua, a member of the community was kidnapped. His brothers organized with the rest of the community to decide what the best course of action was. Pay the ransom. Take up arms. Ask the government for aid. Finally, his brothers decided the best thing they could do was mobilize the community and act in unison. The entirety of the community, the entirety, moved to Chihuahua City and assembled at the city square and sent a message to the kidnappers. That if they wanted the ransom money, they would have to come for it. And they didn't move from there. A week later, the hostage was liberated and he returned home. This is an example of what an organized community can accomplish. Of course, the criminals will respond, and in this case, they did.

The seventh of July 2012, Eric Levatorre was assassinated. However, Julian Levatorre, his brother, continues mobilizing communities in Chihuahua since 2012. And since 2012, he knows there is a price on his head. But he doesn't stop fighting, and he doesn't stop mobilizing. With a thousand Julians acting in unison, Mexico would be a very different country. The thing is, there are thousands of Julians. They just have to raise their hand.

I was born in Mexico. I grew in Mexico. And in the process, I learned to love Mexico. And I think for all those that have set foot on this land can I agree with me when I say that loving Mexico is not difficult. I've been to many different parts of the world, and nowhere have I seen anything close to the passion of the Mexican people. The passion with which we cheer on the national soccer team. The compassion we have for countries requiring our assistance during natural disasters, such as in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake or in Hurricane Katrina. That fervor with which we sing the national anthem, since childhood when we believed Masiosare was a foreign enemy and we sang with all of ours hearts, "Un soldado en cada hijo the dio!"

I think the worst insult you can inflict upon a Mexican is insult their mother. It's the most sacred thing we have in our lives. Mexico is our mother. We are living the darkest moment in recent history. Our mother, Mexico, is being raped in front of us. What are we going to do. Masiosare is here. Where is the soldier in every son? Mahatma Gandhi, one of the biggest civil activists in history, once said, you have to be the change you want to see in the world. In Mexico today, Gandhis are needed. We need men and women who love Mexico and are disposed to act. This is a call to all the true Mexicans to assume themselves to this initiative. A call to you so that everything that we love about Mexico, cantinas, mariachi, el Grito, el futbol, the flag, tequila, posadas, el dia de muertos, all of that, prevent it from disappearing. Anyone can end the life of any man, beggar or president. As the saying goes, the brave lives only until the coward wants. The battle is as good as won. As long as we give that battle.

2000 years ago, the Roman poet Juvenal, said something which should ring true to all Mexicans. He said, consider that the greatest of all sins is preferring simple existence to an existence of honor. And caution in trying to preserve our lives, losing the very reasons to live. Thank you."

In the winter of 2018, the left won the presidency for the first time in Mexico by a landslide, moving aside the PRI's disastrous managing of the drug war and the PAN, which started it. With the power in his hands, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wasted no time in setting to work. Finding little support as an independent in Congress, he joined MORENA, a convergence of multiple small parties in order to rival the PRI's hold on politics. Known as the Alliance for the Good of All, this new party saw Obrador as head of it and the head of state. Emiliano Salinas was offered the position of Secretary of Interior by Obrador, which he accepted. Soon enough, a political agenda was established and a cabinet established, most activists, intellectuals, or respected politicians he had worked with before.

Emiliano Salinas as Secretary of the Interior.
Rogelio Ramirez de la O as Secretary of the Treasury.
Juan Ramon de la Fuente as Secretary of Education.
Claudia Sheinbaum as Secretary of the Environment.
Javier Jimenez Espiru as Secretary of Communications and Transportation.
Fernando Turner as Secretary of Economic Development.
Adolfo Hellmund Lopez as Secretary of Energy.
René Drucker Colín as Secretary of Science and Technology
Elena Poniatowska as Secretary of Culture.

His first executive act as president was the halving of his presidential salary, as well as planning the implementation of fiscal austerity. Severely reducing salaries of government officials and unnecessary spending by them, submitting a bill to his party controlled Congress, starting with the selling of the past president's vast fleet of executive aircraft to Volaris and Aeromexico airline, resulting in a $400 million from selling 4 Gulfstream jets to airlines, 6 Eurocopter Super Pumas to the Air Force, and bidding off 3 Boeing 737s to rich egomaniacs wanting to travel in aircraft that once belonged to the head of state, while selling the 4th to the Navy for conversion into an domestic ASW like the P8 Poseidon, and selling the Boeing 757 to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The $360 million 787 Dreamliner the previous administration had been criticized for would be immediately transferred to the Army, which would pay for the craft in the next 3 years through its annual budget. It goes without saying, the armed forces will probably be going without foreign weapon purchases for some time.

It is said that Pemex lacks the equipment, technology, and financial means to explore for newreserves in deep water or shale. Russian company Gazprom was seeked to hold talks for a cooperation agreement with Pemex, along with the Mexican government holding talks with the Russian president. The ambassador to Cuba was also told to try to arrange a meeting as soon as possible with the new Cuban government.


Pemex pays out over 60% of its revenue in royalties and taxes. Mexico exports crude oil, but imports more-expensive gasoline. Therefore, Pemex is begining an initiative to create the industrial capabilities to produce enough gasoline for domestic sale and exportsand expand operations in Texas. To further capitalize the company, President Obrador signed a Presidentially Decree making shares of Pemex available to Mexican citizens and pension funds, to complement a current project-specific investment setup known as "Proyectos de Inversión Diferida En El Registro del Gasto" (Deferred Investment Projects in the Expenditure Registry); while alleviating Pemex’ heavy tax burden down to 50% over a 6 year period have met opposition in Congress. Suspiciously, the Office of the Attorney General was secretly ordered by the President to probe into every congressman for corruption and or links to the cartels. Any found guilty, could face imprisonment, and with the lower levels of opposition party congressmen, Obrador would be able to swiftly pass his expanded 3 of 3 Act, which would finally define and establish a way to better prosecute corruption, force all public servants to make their financial interests public, and able to pass an amendment to the constitution to reconstitute the death penalty for kidnappers, hit men, and corruption.

Both the 3 of 3 Bill and the Amendment are scheduled to hold votes on June 19, the 150th anniversary of the death by firing squad of Maximilian I of Mexico.

Seal of the Government of Mexico

---

From:United Mexican States
Plaza de la Constitucion, Miguel Hidalgo, 11100 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico
Los Pinos,

To: Defense Security Cooperation Agency
The United States of America

Encryption:TOP PRIORITY

---

<sub>Although Mexican drug cartels, or drug trafficking organizations, have existed for several decades, their influence has increased since the demise of the Colombian Call and Medellin cartels in the 1990s. Mexican drug cartels now dominate the wholesale illicit drug market and control 90% of the cocaine entering the United States. Arrests of key cartel leaders, particularly in the Tijuana and Gulf cartels, has led to increasing drug violence as cartels fight for control of the trafficking routes into the United States.

By the end of Felipe Calderon's administration, the official death toll of the Mexican Drug War was at least 60,000, and more than 100,000 by the end of Peña Nieto's administration, not including 27,000 missing. This new administration believes that the fault lies in the current U.S.-Mexican strategy, leaving most of the burden to Mexico, while South America sees spikes in drug production like never before and the U.S. Drug demand only increases. A letter is not the way to discuss our new proposed strategy in depth, instead we will discuss that in your country at the Three Amigos Summit, but at the moment, the Mexican Republic is in need of equipment and aid to properly wage this war.

The Merida Initiative promised 2.6 billion dollars in a three year period. Only a little more than $200 million has been delivered so far. We would like to expand this to 3 billion by 2025, not including the $200 million already delivered, and would like your promise that it will be delivered. The OECD also notes that Mexico's budgeted expenses for poverty alleviation and social development is only about a third of the OECD average. Most of the money would be used to to expand poverty alleviation and social development budgets to reach OECD average. However, our military is in constant need of modernization to combat the cartel's ingenuity. Therefore, we would like to obtain the following through the Merida Initiative or regular sale. We will also be willing to allow the US Coast Guard, and only the coast guard and not the US Navy or other branches, to enter Mexican waters at will to make drug interdiction more incredibly efficient.

In January 2013, the 112th Session of US Congress authorized the transfer of the Oliver Hazard Perry Frigates USS Curts and USS McClusky to the Mexican Navy, but due to the cost of overhauling the vessels and the removal of all the weapons systems and most of the electronics and radar gear by the US Navy prior to transfer, this was being considered by the previous administration. We would like to acquire the ships and pay $15 million USD per ship to keep the electronics and radar suite and equipment in use with the Mexican Navy.

x2 Oliver Hazard Perry frigates for narcotics interdiction in the Caribbean and Pacific

Installation of the US Dirtbox technology on our fleet of 66 Cessnas for domestic intelligence gathering

x15 GM400 Ground Master radars to bolster our interdiction capabilities of low flying and radar evading aircraft, giving us the ability to cover 90% or more of our airspace

I hope to see you in June for the annual Three Amigos Summit, which we believe you will be hosting due to rotation. There I'd like to discuss things more in depth. Congratulations on your win.
Sincerely,
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President of the United Mexican States</sub>

Seal of the Government of Mexico

---

From:United Mexican States
Plaza de la Constitucion, Miguel Hidalgo, 11100 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico
Los Pinos,

To:Brasilia
South American Federation

Encryption:TOP PRIORITY

---

<sub>The South American Federation, from its controversial beginning, has had a continental drift effect between our countries. While we disagree with the annexation of sovereign countries, we do believe that our region needs and will come to need more integration. Simon Bolivar and Pedro I both believed in one day seeing a unified Latin America, and I can tell you that I, as much as Mexico's father Miguel Hidalgo, also believe in a United Latin America. Granting itself economic independence from Europe and the United States which have dominated us for so long. I look forward to meeting with the representatives of this United Federation at the CELAC summit, wherever it may be hosted. In the meantime, we would like to buy the production license for the following aircraft. Inexpensive and utilitarian, it would make a great addition to our capabilities of fighting the Drug War.

A29 Super Tucanos for COIN roles on the border with Central America

Embraer E99 recon aircraft for maritime surveillances</sub>

[Tagali Federation]

United West African Republic
Abuja
West African News Network President Sabaleh interview

---

"Thank you, Mr. President for taking the time to answer these questions for WANN. I promise, I won't take up much of your time."

"Please, Ms. Obafemi, this is no problem at all. Continue."

"Thank you. Since you've entered office, you've called for more military strikes against APLA and Boko Haram targets, as well as increasing the military's presence in the Senegambian region. While progress has been made, the APLA has only retaliated in kind and has even been able to spill into the Ghanaian Upper West and East states. Meanwhile, the civilian casualty rate rises in Borno as the fighting heats up. What can you say to those in the country and those abroad that grow tired of the instability in various regions of the country?"

"I know that there are many that are facing hardships, but I plead with you all. Be patient. These insurgencies are nothing but tumors on the country. Created nothing by those that wish not to change their current state by any legitimate means. The Militias, the APLA, Boko Haram, hoodlums the lot of them. They stop us from focusing on what our country needs. Food for our families, schooling for our children, and a future for all of our country. Not just Mandinka, Toureg, Yoruba, Christian, Muslim, but for all that call the United African Republic home."

"With European Powers seeming to be returning to Monarchies, some are fearing that they might regress in other ways. What do you say ease these fears?"

"With this recent backpedaling, it only serves to remind us that we must rely on ourselves to better our own nations. Do I believe they will swoop down and claim what is ours as their own? No, but if this is what gets us and our neighbors to start wanting to benefit ourselves, than so be it. It is time for the nations of our continent to pick ourselves up and, if the unreasonable does happen, then we must be prepared to defend ourselves."

"And finally, for the last question. After 12 years, some doubt that unifying was the right choice that the current events signify this. What do you have to say to this?"


United West African Republic
Begogogo,Former Burkina Faso


The President's interview was being broadcasted on a radio in the embattled village. His voice getting drowned out by the gunfire.

"These are trying times, yes, but we can accomplish more together than any single one of us can do on our own."

"Amadou, shut that fucker off!" One of the soldiers yelled out, returning fire from the window. Amadou was a young private, no older than 18. This was his first taste of combat, and he was terrified.He ran over to the radio, trying to find the power button before a stray bullet hit it. Amadou fell down to the floor in a panic.

"Amadou, you shit! Get the fuck up!" Said one of the older soldiers. The soldier turned over to another soldier.

"Where is the Commander?"

"I don't know, last I saw he was near the church!" The Soldier turned back to Amadou.

"You, run out there and get the Commander! Go!" Amadou nodded and ran out the door into the street, gunfire all around. As he ran towards the church, mortar fire began again. This time, a round struck the house h just left, collapsing the roof. Amadou was stunned. If he had stayed just a minute longer, he most likely would have been dead.

"Lŕ-bas, baisez-le!" Shouted the voice of a young boy. Amadou turned around to see a child, no older than 10. A army helmet contrasting with with tee-shirt and shorts, muddied with dirt and sand. branches and leaves were tied to him as a sort of camouflage. The boy reminded Amadou of his younger brother back home in Dakar, safe from all the violence. They differed in one way. This child was ready to kill.

Behind the Child, a technical came gunning down the road. aiming for Amadou. Amadou bolted to the nearest shanty still standing. The APLA soldiers fired on the shanty, bullets carving into the aluminum siding. The shanty began to fall apart under the strain, but all Amadou knew was everything turning black.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Banjul, Gamiba, UWAR
Lance Corporal Yeong Hana - 8th Infantry Division - Korean People's Army

Since the last year, the Mansudae Overseas Projects, a North Korean construction company based in Pyongyang, had been sending its workers and engineers to the UWAR city of Banjul to improve the housing along McDonnel and James Senegal streets. Since the National Restoration Committee took power, the status and health of its overseas workers were not touched upon until 2015. While the government has been trying to improve the living standards of overseas workers and encourage more of its population to work abroad, it is unsurprising when units of the Korean People's Army are sent abroad as "construction worker battalions" due to steady decline of experienced overseas workers due to the previous working conditions and bad experiences with prior management. Since a majority of the companies in North Korea were still somewhat controlled by the state, it was quite easy for them to transfer these "construction worker battalions" into the roster of employees for the Mansudae Overseas Projects company.

Due to the Civil War in the UWAR, only construction worker battalions were sent to the region to work on an housing project taken up by the Mansudae Overseas Projects company. Even though there were real concerns about the safety of the workers, the government reconciled that they were sending in trained soldiers to the region and they should have no problem keeping themselves safe in the beleaguered nation.

But for the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division, the entire post was tedious and boring. While everyone understood the significance and reason for their posting in this African country, they would still rather be in Korea than West Africa. If anything, they thought their unit drew the short end of the draw. Those platoons and squads who were not digging ditches and putting up houses, were guarding the perimeter of the complex. The entire 8th Infantry Division were not given their uniforms since they were supposed to be under a civilian company. But despite the lack of military uniforms, they were provided more "civilian clothing". The soldiers tasked with guarding the complex were wearing military webbing and Russian imported tactical vests. The only thing they visibly had which was distinctively North Korea was their forage caps and weapons.

Lance Corporal Yeong Hana was one of those lucky soldiers who were ordered to guard the perimeter of the housing project. Hana was one of the few women in the whole Division. She did miss Korea alot and the African heat was always getting on her nerves. Even though she realized that she could be doing the same work in North Korea, atleast she would be at home and not in some faraway African country. Perhaps due to her position, she and the other women shared the same barracks which was relatively more spacious than that of their more numerous male counterparts. She was standing at one of the entrances to the complex and sat in the checkpoint point with her Type 58 assault rifle slung behind her back. She felt abit awkward being stared at by the locals since this was probably the first time they saw an Asian woman in the town, let alone an North Korean woman in a soldier-looking garb with a gun.

The soldiers next to her were standing outside and were sweating under the sun. There was an officer with them who had a basic understanding of the local language. But that officer was absent presently to check on the other guard posts. "Hana, I think you spent long enough in the booth." One of the soldiers outside spoke to her in Korean.

"Alright, I'll replace you Seok." Hana replied and stepped out of the Guard post. She adjusted her forage cap as she passed by the sweaty soldier walking towards the guard post.

As she took up her post and looked around at the locals around her. They were doing their own business since it was the afternoon. From the time she spent her, she didn't think any of them were trying to kill her and her unit. Local contact with the locals was very limited as the soldiers were under explicit orders to stay in and around the complex at all times. The only time they should be outside is if they were attacked.

Hana adjusted her posture until she found the comfortable standing position for guard duty.

[Kuhlfros]

Japanese Athletes Express Concern on Safety of the Winter Olympics

With the rising threat of the bubonic plague in Southeastern Asia, Oceania, and India, there are many Japnese olympic athletes and citizens who have expressed their worry of the safety and viability of holding the Winter Olympics, a mere month away.

While Japanese airports and ports have raced to establish screenings, checkpoints, and restrictions on travelers from the infected countries, there remains the question of what to be done about the Olympics, in particular, like some suggest, a postponement of the Winter Olympics until a safer time, or even a ban on any athletes or attendees from the infected countries in order to prevent the possibility of exposure.

Meanwhile, legions of Japanese Red Cross have begun organizing their response teams and preparing care packages to send to the afflicted countries until they can establish a base of operations in their countries to study and help treat the disease. Precautionary measures in Japan have begun by individuals and local hospitals by holding culls or capture campaigns on stray wild mammals such as rats, mice, or stray dogs and cats to minimize the risk of spreading.
Written By Nobuto Kodama- The Japan Times, January 13th, 2018

Prime Minister Abe Prepares for 2018 General Election

2018 is an election year, and with that, the Japanese Diet prepares for another series of elections that could decide the direction of Japan. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party intend to maintain and strengthen their control of the parliament against their competitors, while their main opposition, the Democratic Party, intends to prevent an LDP 2/3rds majority parliament and take back the post of Prime Minister from Abe.

It is expected that while the driving points of Abe's administration, including Abenomics, will be a focus on if the LDP can keep it's strong lead, another key factor to the campaign will most likely be the geopolitical situation around the world and where Japan stands on this. Specifically, how should Japan behave in a climate that appears to some as a collapsing Free World?
Written by Gyou Tada- The Japan Times, January 15th, 2018

Interview with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, January 15th, 2018

Interviewer: "Thank you, your excellency, for giving us the time from your busy schedule to meet and talk with us."

Abe: "Gladly, even if it is an election year, we are still focused on running our proud nation, but taking a little time to let people know what we are doing is good for everyone."

I:"So it is, so what do you want the people to know what you'll be doing this year?"

A: "While we have many projects underway and more to begin this year to strengthen Japan, the primary focus of the LDP is Abenomics 2.0 this year. With the success of 1.0 becoming obvious and 2.0 underway, we really want to hammer down the importance of improving our fertility and growing our economy, my goals from 2015 stay the same, I believe we can achieve this."

I: "Okay, now how about global politics, that has certainly been a concern around the world about how things are currently."

A: "Japan must strengthen its bonds with our dearest friends, and work to better improve the ones that are necessary allies, one of which I anticipate is to negotiate with Tsar Putin to finally put to rest a peace treaty and resolve the Kuril Islands dispute."

I: "Well, I think that concludes everything, I'll let you get back to the National Diet and back to work, we can't have a Prime Minister slacking on the job. Thank you for your time, your excellency."

A: "I suppose we can't, the pleasure was all mine."