User:Heroes of Truth/sandbox

Introduction The Point of Divergence of the 1983: Doomsday timeline is September 19th, 1983, on which a seemingly unimportant decision to send an ambitious Colonel of the USSR to a training seminar (taking the place of an ill-plagued colleague), has global implications.

This decision leads to a different outcome of a well-known, though often underestimated, event that took place on September 26, 1983.

In our timeline, Colonel Stanislav Petrov was the watch officer on duty that day at the Serpukhov-15 bunker near Moscow, monitoring for a US missile attack on the Soviet Union.

Suddenly, the computer-based warning systems reported several US nuclear missiles approaching Soviet territory. In our timeline, Colonel Petrov believed the information to be false and did not alert the Kremlin to the data he was receiving. Given Cold War tensions at the time, such information would likely have convinced the Soviets that the US had launched a first strike in an attempt to "cut off the head," and they would have been forced to launch their nuclear weapons in the false belief that it was a counterstrike.

Consequently, since in our timeline the world now knows about this event, it is now often considered to have been the moment closest to a nuclear war between the USSR and the USA during the Cold War. Colonel Petrov has been honored as one of the few true "world saviors," and several investigations have proven the seriousness of this event.

This timeline postulates the results after Colonel Petrov was sent to another installation before September 26th, 1983. The officer now on duty on September 26th considers the alert to be accurate and immediately contacts his superiors. Within minutes, the leaders decide to launch the whole Soviet nuclear arsenal. Logically, the Americans react by launching as well. By the time the first alerted missile is proven to be a false alarm, it is too late. Thousands of nuclear warheads subsequently detonate over targets worldwide. Surprisingly, the People's Republic of China was attacked by Soviet nuclear missiles as well, and part of their arsenal is launched in response at the USSR.

The results of this total nuclear exchange are close to the forecasts of almost complete worldwide destruction and the "nuclear holocaust" as predicted by many scientists of this time. This results in as many as a billion people killed initially, and another billion in the subsequent environmental disaster that followed shortly thereafter.

With the world largely devastated, and most of the Northern and parts of the Southern Hemisphere in ruins, the estimated 800 million survivors in these areas desperately try to keep together what is left of human society. They are facing challenges that are seemingly impossible.

After an incredibly horrifying first few years post-Doomsday, a few regions, territories, and countries stabilize and master basic problems such as food and medical supplies. As time passes and the recovery continues, new (sometimes surprising) alliances are formed. A new, fragile world order emerges from the ashes. Initial hopes of some survivors for a united mankind (or at least warfare and destruction being ended forever) quickly prove false. Indeed, the world is light-years away from any Utopian imaginations. Famine, disease, and lack of resources provoke conflicts and wars in large parts of the world, thus devastating all the carefully achieved recovery.

As some surviving and newly formed nations (particularly a unified Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand and a South American Confederation) prove able to master the problems and even intervene internationally, mankind's extinction finally seems to have been avoided.

Now, 30 years after the devastating "Doomsday" brought mankind to the edge of total extinction, a few moving moments have spread the hope for a more peaceful future for mankind, such as the foundation of the new "League of Nations" September 26th, 2008.

Nonetheless, new dangers to this fragile world have emerged all around the globe, threatening much of what has been achieved within the last 30 years ...

January 1, 2015: Happy New Year! - From the depths of the Amazon to the icy north, and from the land down under to the empty quarter, fireworks go off around the globe early this morning as a new year is marked.

June 15, 2014: Victory for the Greens! Flag of Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia - The second round of presidential elections in the Republic of Colombia have come to an end, and, after the voting process, the results have been made public. The clear winner of the electoral contest is the new President-elect, Sergio Fajardo Valderrama, who has been elected with a resounding 62% of votes - leaving his main opponent, Óscar Iván Zuluaga, behind with only 36%. Fajardo has promised a quick and efficient response to several problems for Colombia, running on a platform completely opposed to corruption, and putting education, improved healthcare and inter-American cooperation first in his long list of priorities. Fajardo and his vice presidential formula, Clara López Obregón, have managed the first victory for the Colombian left in recent history.

May 25, 2014: First Round of Elections Inconclusive Flag of Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia - The first round of presidential elections has occurred today, and no candidate has achieved an outright majority of 50%+1 of the suffrage. The closest to achieve this is Green candidate Sergio Fajardo Valderrama (42%), followed by Óscar Iván Zuluaga (28%), Clara López Obregón (13%), Marta Lucía Ramírez (8%), votes in blank (6%) and Horacio Serpa Uribe (3%). The elections showed the rightist government of incumbent president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who oversaw the expansion of Colombian power in East Panamá and the Isle of Coiba, be less popular than the leftist forces looking for more peaceful integration, as had been proven by the victory of leftist forces in legislative elections in March.

April 2, 2014: 8.2 Earthquake hits northern Chile Flag of Chile A mighty 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile late Tuesday, triggering small landslides, cutting power and generating a tsunami that spawned waves of up to 2.11 metres and hits the coasts of Iquique, Pisagua and Arica. The Onemi had ordered the evacuation of at least 900,000 people along the coast, who were moved to higher ground. Six people were reported dead after the quake.

March 19, 2014: Regroupement des Gevaudan, Counter Coup ousts Military Junta - RoG Flag MENDE, the Citizens and a large portion of the Military return power to the Council.

March 9, 2014: Legislative Elections in Colombia Flag of Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia - Legislative elections today have ended, spelling a resounding defeat for the incumbent rightist Podemos governance. The Green Party and its closely affiliated Democratic Alternative Pole have gotten around 40% of the seats in Congress, while the Liberals and Conservatives, the traditional parties, have scooped another 23% and 21%, respectively. Podemos got a paltry 14% of the vote, while the Unión Patriótica, the MIRA Movement and other movements did not get enough votes for representation. These elections will lead to the occupation of 75% of the Colombian parliament, while 5% are designated to minority parties and 20% to representatives from the Left.

February 1, 2014: Victory Declared in Kazakhstan - Kazakh Khanate Bandera de Khiva abans 1917 Flag of the Emirate of Bukhara TURKISTAN, Kazakh Khanate - Khan Askar of the Khanate has today declared victory over the "petty warlords occupying our Great Nation" as troops today have destroyed the last holdouts of warlord gangs in Arys and Bugun. While the big goal for Kazakh expansion on South Kazakhstan, Shymkent, is still controlled by warlords, the Kazakh Khanate has now expanded to Arys, some 76 km from the former border, without counting the de facto Bukharan holdout in Shardara, officially Kazakh.

January 15, 2014: Movement of Armies in Kazakhstan - Kazakh Khanate Bandera de Khiva abans 1917 Flag of the Emirate of Bukhara TURKISTAN, Kazakh Khanate - Earlier joint moves by the Khanates of Kazakhstan and Bukhara seem to have yielded fruit, as today official Kazakh newsletters have seemed to declare the defeat and annexation of the Shaulder warlord gang, 16 km off the border of the Khanate. This seems to be a move in order to reach and annex Arys, an important pre-Doomsday railway hub. Meanwhile, Bukharan troops flying the Kazakh and Bukharan flags have stormed and taken over the lake-town of Shardara, on the border with Bukhara, for the Kazakh Khanate.

January 8, 2014: Regroupement des Gevaudan, Military Launches a Coup - RoG Flag MENDE, The Military launches a coup against the Government. The Council is executed by the Military Leaders, who establish a Junta over the Nation, forcing Political Opposition underground.

January 8, 2014: Kazakh Khanate, Khiva's Armies Mobilise - Kazakh Khanate Bandera de Khiva abans 1917 Flag of the Emirate of Bukhara TURKISTAN, Kazakh Khanate - Joint moves by the newly-established military of the Kazakh Khanate with the Emirate of Bukhara seem to have lately concentrated to a higher degree in the border with the war lands that divide the Kazakh Khanate from the other two countries. Khiva has also seemed to increase the alertness in its southern border, where Old Urgench seems to be the goal. The military movements of these nations seem to indicate a wish for larger manpower reserves by these two small nations.

January 1, 2014: Happy New Year! - All around the world, starting in the Alaskan territories of Socialist Siberia and ending nearly 24 hours later in the Free State of Alaska just a few km eastward, fireworks have ushered in the New Year. Celebrations this year hope for even more peace and stability in a world that is now more than thirty years detached from the events of Doomsday.

October 14th, 2013: Military Movements RoG Flag JAVOLS, Regroupement des Gevaudan- Military Forces begin to move around in Coalition territory, and there are rumors of secret meetings between those in charge of the army.

September 26th, 2013: Three Minutes of Silence RoG Flag MENDE, Regroupement des Gevaudan - Three minutes of silence were held today to commemorate the 30 years that have passed since Doomsday. Each ten years a minute is to be added to the silence. The majority of the population gathered in Mende to observe the solemn occasion.

June 5th, 2013: Operation Dissolution is successful! UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - Late into yesterday evening, the UIP finally managed to capture the last Zozamite strongholds in the city and achieved complete control over the rogue state. The UIP flag was raised over the shattered government building early this morning, with a gun salute. Troops cheered when the radio announcement came stating "victory is ours". Early this morning, remaining members of the Zozamite cabinet signed the unconditional surrender of Zozam, bringing Operation Dissolution to a close.

Prime Minister Joshi gave a speech in the evening, proudly telling the people of the UIP the endeavour had been successful. This was met with widespread support and many celebrated on the streets. However, the Prime Minister also made a note in his speech to "honour those brave 18,231 soldiers who would not be returning home to their families". Sources close to the Prime Minister have also stated that he was congratulated on a job well done by the Siberian leader Aman Tuleyev. Analysts are unsure what the next move by the UIP will be, although many believe a military zone could be made out of the conquered regions to quell small insurgency movements springing up. What can be said for certain is the geopolitical situation of the region has been significantly altered.

June 3rd, 2013: Fighting in the capital nears an end UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - Reports from the capital currently indicate the UIP is gaining the upper hand in the street-fighting going on within the Zozamite capital. The soldiers faced heavy resistance as the militia adopted a do-or-die attitude, hoping to bleed the UIP dry and force them to halt or turn back and launched a counterattack early on. This caused a heavy number of causalities on the UIP side, with the hilly regions perfect for ambushes against the soldiers. Yet the UIP continued its advance, inflicting a greater number of casualties than it took at almost every point and successfully fought back the counterattack.

The UIP is currently using air support effectively to bomb out enemy positions while artillery, which managed to catch up with the soldiers, has begun to fire at enemy lines - helping to provide cover for the soldiers. Although the battle for the capital has been the bloodiest assault in the Operation, the UIP troops show no signs of letting down the assault, with victory close. Rumours also indicate a large number of the Zozamite cabinet has been killed by the artillery bombardment - making the militia forces disunited and unable to co-ordinate attacks with each other. This makes it clear the UIP will eventually gain total control over the city.

May 29th, 2013: New Leader of the Conservative party elected Woodbridgeflag3 WOODBRIDGE, Woodbridge- Dr Frederick Mitchell, former Health Secretary has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative party beating former Chancellor Ian Jones in the final round of voting by only two votes

May 24th, 2013: Operation Dissolution endgame begins UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - UIP soldiers invade the last breakaway of the region, coming prepared. Over 70,000 soldiers were amassed for the last phase of the attack, to ensure that superiority in the breakaway is achieved and it is once more brought under the control of the UIP. A foothold in the nation has already been achieved and this will allow for the expansion of operations within Zozam. However, UIP troops are on high alert for counter-attacks and they expect the defenders to have bolstered troop numbers. They are not expecting an easy fight but are willing to fight long and hard to ensure Zozam falls and the region once more is under the central government's control.

May 23rd, 2013: Artillery barrage on Zozam commences UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - Heavy artillery has been called in for the final stage of the Operation as the UIP forces are planning to take no chances, especially with the fact that all the militiamen of the conquered nations who managed to escape will now be bolstering Zozamese numbers in this final fight. Aircraft have also been readied in case they are needed once more.

May 20th, 2013: UIP forces successfully take out two breakaways UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - After launching the invasion of Tripura and Manipur simultaneously on the 14th, the UIP has announced that it has successfully captured both states. Starting with a diversionary attack in Manipur and a two-front attack in Tripura, UIP troops did excellently well after being divided into two attack forces. In Manipur, troops were lured south before the UIP launched a two-pronged attack on the 16th, while allowed them to capture the majority of Manipur by dusk. For the next three days, the troops fought remaining militia forces before finally gaining complete control of the state. Meanwhile, in Tripura, UIP troops attacked the nation with the majority of their soldiers from the north while helicopters drooped off a large number of soldiers in the south - behind enemy lines. Progress was good and by the 19th almost all of Tripura was under the control of the UIP. The last breakaway, Zozam, remains undeterred and the UIP is expected to prepare heavily for the final phase of the Operation. Sources have indicated the UIP is calling up more soldiers to fight.

May 13th, 2013: Surprise counter-attack causes heavy looses but UIP troops continue undeterred UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - After a heavy counterattack by Dimasan forces, the UIP has finally been able to claim victory in the breakaway after defeating the counter-attack and securing the state. What was initially thought to be an easy campaign as UIP forces moved into villages lacking soldiers to defend them soon turned out to be the biggest blunder of the UIP side since the Operation began. UIP forces make the mistake of underestimating their enemy as they were ambushed in the jungles of the state toward the border with Manipur. The UIP forces were taken aback as a significantly larger force attacked them. After four days of intensive fighting and the use of air support - which helped secure countless positions for the UIP forces - victory was finally declared this morning. Most of the ambushing troops have been killed while many have been thought to have melted away into other breakaways. What can be said for certain is that the need to avenge their fallen comrades has taken hold in the armed forces and many now believe that the campaign in Manipur might now be significantly shorter as a result.

May 9th, 2013: The Russian Confederacy reveals its plans for a sea port Russian Confederacy flag TRATYAKGRAD, Russian Confederacy- After what the government reported as being "several months of intense debate and planning", the Confederacy announced their plans of expanding to the Black Seas south of the Ukrainian Military Administration, where it hopes to take control of the areas around Novoazovsk, with the area which they wish to occupy going all the way east to towns such as Priazovskiy and Rozhok. This would expand the border the country shares with the Don Republic, as well as assure that any and all future land travel between the Don and the Ukrainian survival states would have to go through the RC. Political analysts have expressed concern, as the area in question is claimed by Crimea, which will not help the RC in gaining political clout with the URC and the BSA.

May 3rd, 2013: UIP troops capture Kohima UIP Flag BOMBAY, UIP - Reports have been received of the capture of the capital city of Nagaland, Kohima. This comes after a period of heavy fighting for the city, in which UIP forces took heavy losses. With the capture of the capital, most of Nagaland now is in UIP hands. A few villages are still free of UIP control but the focus is expected to be shifted to Dimasaland and Manipur. Sources state that Dimasaland in all probability will be attacked first to allow the UIP a stable base of operations before continuing into what is expected to be the toughest phase of the operation yet.

May 1st, 2013: PRC troops sent in to bring control in Gansu Flag of Gansu-dd Flag of the People&#039;s Republic of China TIANSHUI, Gansu - Early in the day, PRC soldiers moved into Gansu after a full week of mobilisation. This comes after talks between the Communist government of Gansu and the PRC, in which the PRC stated it would be willing to help out a fellow Communist nation in exchange for a greater say in the way Gansu was run. With the deteriorating conditions within the borders of Gansu, and an increase in the scale of protests due to the possibility of Gansu-PRC trade deals, the military could not successfully counter the protests - which has mainly turned violent.

The intervention of the PRC is expected to increase the scale of violence even further, and rumours indicate that the intervening soldiers are authorised to use heavy handed measures to make sure the job was done and the nation regained order. Analysts predict there will be further bloodshed and the nation could completely devolve into civil-war.

May 1st, 2013: Siberian leadership announces new expansion into former territory Flag of the Soviet Union KRASNOYARSK, USSR- During the May Day celebrations in the USSR, during the military parade in the capital, the leadership of the country announced plans to "move forward into our homeland" and that "further news as to where this will take place will follow". The main candidate for new expansion has been reported to be Aralia and the Karagandy province of Kazakhstan, both full of natural resources and either sympathetic to the Siberian government or not populated, making this the perfect area for further development by the country. ANZC and SAC political analysts have reacted with apprehension to the proclamation, as it would "raise tensions in Central Asia considerably".

April 26th, 2013: The PRC announces plans to expand to the Yellow Sea Flag of the People&#039;s Republic of China TAIYUAN, PRC- The People's Republic of China announced today to the world, through the People's Kingdom of Jiangsu, that they would be expanding to the coast, where they hope the the are north of the city of Hekou would serve as a port. They stated that this move would open up the country to the world and make it easier for Jiangsu's supplies to reach them. The PRC leadership went on to state that they would begin this action in either late May or early June. LoN political analysts have stated that this move by the PRC is in response to what the Siberian's call the "Pacification of Southern Manchuria", as it raised fears in the other Chinese remnant states.

April 24th, 2013: More breakaways under the control of UIP forces UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - The UIP has announced their successful control over the former breakaways of Assam, Dimasaland and Achikland. This has led to an increase in the territory under the control of UIP forces and has given their troops a large morale boost. The next stages of the Operation are expected to be tougher, however. To ensure that the Operation continues smoothly, a greater number of troops have been mobilised for the following offensives, which are expected to be against mobilised and determined states, sources have revealed.

April 24th, 2013: Khiva, Kazakh Khanate establish official militaries Kazakh Khanate Bandera de Khiva abans 1917 Flag of the Emirate of Bukhara BUKHARA, Emirate of Bukhara - The nations of Khiva and the Kazakh Khanate have crossed a step further into pan-Turkistanism by establishing, with Bukhori co-ordination, their official militaries; Khiva now has its first official army, while the Kazakh Khanate has simply upgraded the Guard to an official army. The Bukhori and Kazakh troops which have been on standby for long are now probably soon to act, both to expand Khiva and Kazakhstan's territories and to establish influence over the notoriously left-leaning Khanate of Kokand!

April 24th, 2013: Siberian leadership announces the re-integration of the Primorskaya Territory into the RSFSR Flag of the Soviet Union KRASNOYARSK, USSR- Today at a press conference in Krasnoyarsk it was announced that the Primorskaya Territory would become a part of the Russian SFSR again by the end of May of this year. It was stated that the area was ready for it, as it had been three years since its admittance into the Socialist Union. This decision was made shortly after the pacification of Southern Manchuria, as the reason for a military occupied Territory dissipated then.

April 17th, 2013: Army brought in to control spreading riots Flag of Gansu-dd TIANSHUI, Gansu - The anti-government riots have now spread to other neighbouring cities, following talks between the newly elected Communist government and the PRC. The Police lost control of the situation in the capital, allowing riots to spread to other major cities of Gansu. The army, therefore, has been drafted in to try to calm the situation down, before it cannot be controlled by the government. Talks between the PRC and Gansu have already beginning to discuss the handling of the current situation within Handy by the government, with the PRC making it clear they are willing to intervene on the government's side.

April 10th, 2013: Siberian ships and personnel spotted in the uninhabited eastern part of the Kola peninsulaFlag of the Soviet Union Logo of the Nordic Union TRONDHEIM, Norway- The media of the Nordic Union have reported that there have been sightings of uniformed men bearing the insignia of the USSR in the eastern parts of the Kola peninsula. The governments of the NU reacted with concern over these developments, while the government of the Sapmi Republic called on more Nordic troops to defend its eastern borders. Although denying any involvement, the USSR stressed that they had every right to send troops into the region if they wanted to.

April 3rd, 2013: Operation Dissolution begins UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - UIP armed forces have begun the invasion of other north-eastern breakaways following the announcement by the SAC to cut aid. The invasion was launched almost a whole week after troops were built-up on the border of Kamtapur, Tula Nada and in Bodoland itself. It is expected that the first phase of the Operation will be completed relatively quickly.

April 2, 2013: Sanctions placed on the Union Interim Parliament 83DD-SACFlag MONTEVIDEO, South American Confederation - The emergency meeting by SAC officials that has been taking place since April 2nd has now been officially adjourned, and the first official responses to the invasion of Bodoland have now been declared. Presidents Santos of Colombia and Lacalle of the RUAS have been the first to declare the complete withdrawal of SAC foreign aid to the Union Interim Parliament, and the demand for the restoration of the invaded nations. The large amounts of foreign aid that are constantly given to the UIP by the SAC, now cut, will hopefully lower the offensive capacities of the Indian government, deemed "imperialistic and obscenely jingoistic" by official Colombian diplomatic means.

April 1st, 2013: Riot police drafted in to end chaos Flag of Gansu-dd TIANSHUI, Gansu - Police had to be drafted in to break up the clashes between pro-Communist and pro-Capitalist supporters. Chaos erupted when both sides clashed trying to prove theirs is the more worthy side. In the past few days, the number of pro-Capitalist supporters swelled and protesting has already been ongoing for the last three days. The Police has warned shop owners to close their shops following the riots in a bid to protect them from the on going chaos. However, there is no indication that the rioting will come to an end anytime soon.

March 30, 2013: Emergency SAC Meeting 83DD-SACFlag MONTEVIDEO, South American Confederation - After the fall of Bodoland to Union Interim Forces, the South American Confederation's leaders have arranged a meeting in the city of Montevideo to discuss the rise of tensions in that corner of the globe. Independent analysts have predicted that the large amounts of food and other aid given consistently to the Union Interim Parliament by the South American Confederation will be cut as a warning measure.

March 28th, 2013: Election results cause strong feelings Flag of Gansu-dd TIANSHUI, Gansu - After more than a day of counting votes due to the record turnout of 98%, it has been announced that the Communist Party has won the election by a very slim margin of 51% of the total votes. The Federal-Liberal Alliance gathered 46% of the votes and is now out of Parliament after two successive terms. However, almost immediately after the announcement of the results, pro-capitalist and pro-FLA citizens began protests as they felt the Communist party had manipulated the elections to come to power. It is unsure how this will be dealt with but it is already clear that these protests will grow heavier. Many also predict the protesters to clash with pro-Communist supporters over the coming days.

March 28th, 2013: Bodoland now under UIP control UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Reports are being received that the invasion of Bodoland is complete and the former nation is now under UIP control. The capital of the nation, Kokrajhar, was captured by noon and UIP losses are expected to be minimal. Following this, the UIP government soon received demands from the SAC to withdraw, which they have refused to do so. The UIP expects aid to the nation from the SAC now to be cut.

However, Prime Minister Joshi believes that the nation is now ready to support itself. In a statement, he said "the aid received by the UIP from the SAC was as humiliating as the grains being imported from America in the 60s. It is now time that India [UIP] once again proves we are ready to feed and support ourselves". This was met with widespread support and analysts expect the UIP to invade the other breakaways in the North-East soon.

March 27th, 2013: UIP rolls into Bodoland UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Following the firefight between Bodolander militiamen and UIP troops, the army has launched an invasion of the nation, in order to avenge the loss of their fellow soldiers as well as recover the crash site. The Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, personally authorised the invasion.

If reports are to be believed, they have already reached the crash-site, within eight hours of the commencing of the invasion. The invasion is, evidently, going well.

March 26th, 2013: Fire-fight between Local Militia and Rescue team UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Local militiamen opened fire on the UIP rescue team in Bodoland, thinking the UIP were involved in some sort of an attack against Bodolander forces. When the rescue team radioed for help, helicopters were immediately dispatched to help rescue the rescue team. Their worst fears were proven when they found many of their comrades dead.

According to sources, all survivors have been rescued and are being currently treated while the crash site has received significant re-inforcements. All those who have died will be buried with full military honours. There is also evident anger within the UIP Military Command on the incident and an attack on Bodoland may be imminent.

March 25th, 2013: Pilot alive but not so well UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Sources have reported that the pilot has been found in bad condition, and was taken to a hospital at Cooch Behar Air Base. It has also been indicated that the rescue teams will try to recover the crashed aircraft.

March 24th, 2013: MiG 21 Lost UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Unconfirmed reports are coming in from the Union capital that a MiG 21 has crashed in the jungles of Bodoland while en route between Calcutta and Itanagar. Sources have said that the pilot was relatively new to the MiG and thought that he may have been having problems flying the aircraft. The pilot's status is unknown at this time, with plans of a rescue operation to recover the pilot and his aircraft under way.

March 22nd, 2013: Regions incorporated before elections Flag of Gansu-dd TIANSHUI, Gansu - The President today has announced the incorporation of surrounding areas directly in the south and east of Gansu itself. This comes after better harvests and a slight economic growth. The move is slightly popular with citizens, and it is hoped it will serve as a political tool in the upcoming elections in four days. Analysts expect it to be a close election between the Federal-Liberal Alliance and the Communist Party. The Republican Party is hoping for a surge in popularity but it is evident the election will be between the Communists and the FLA. The Communist Party has made it clear they are looking to expand Gansu's links with the PRC while the FLA would like to keep Gansu on a path of growth - independent from PRC influence.

March 13th, 2013: Labour/Liberal Coalition announced Woodbridgeflag3 WOODBRIDGE, Woodbridge - Christopher Mole of the Labour party and Marian Andrews of the Liberals announced that their parties had agreed to form a coalition. This means that for the first time since Woodbridge returned to civilian control in 2000, the Conservative party does not form the government.

February 29th, 2013: Government troops storm DunguFlag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DUNGU, Isiro- After three days of standoff between the Mbia regime and the rebels, the 14,000 troops under Trevor Kabila have launched their first attack into Dungu. After first bombarding the South of the city heavily, approximately 4,000 troops attacked in a full frontal assault, while the rest were held in reserve. After breaking through the lightly armed rebel ranks, they fought their way to the Acting Governor's palace, freeing him. However, fighting has continued, heavily, and the leader of the DPI- and the rebellion- has become known; one Japhet Gizenga, a 25 year old soldier from Dungu, who fought first with the Dungu Authority in their war with Isiro, then, secretly, against Isiro once more, while still fighting for them.

February 26th, 2013: General Uprisings in Isiro Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DUNGU, Isiro- Following the early assassination of the Emperor of Isiro, the city of Dungu, known as a hotbed for insurgency against the regime in Isiro, have flared up into full rebellion. The Governor of Dungu has been killed, while his acting successor has been trapped in a small section of the city protected by still loyal troops. It has been estimated that almost three quarters of Dungan troops stationed there have gone into open revolt along with the rebels, though the government alleges that the number is closer to 5-10%. Several clashes have already occurred, and the city is now mostly under rebel control. The leaders of the revolution appear to be the terrorist militant group DPI, who were also responsible for the assassination of Emperor Serge Mbia yesterday. The government, however, has assembled nearly 14,000 troops outside the city of Dungu, and is preparing to launch an assault. Colonel Trevor Kabila (unrelated to the Kabilas of Kivu), who commands the 14,000 man force, stated that the rebellion was simply a local revolt not backed by popular opinion, and that they would flee in the face of a show of force. No rebel could be reached for comment.

February 25th, 2013: Assassination of Emperor Serge Mbia Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ISIRO, Isiro- The self styled Emperor of the Congo was killed in his palace today, in an attack by seven militants believed to have been sent by the terrorist organization, DPI. An explosive incendiary device was detonated in front of his vehicle as he was leaving his palace for the city proper; though he was unharmed, three of his guards were killed. As, he then attempted to flee back into the palace, a sniper trapped them against the walls of the palace. Six men, heavily armed, attacked his vehicle. After a firefight, four of the six militants were killed, along with seven guards. One of the remaining militants detonated another explosive incendiary device, killing the remaining five guards and himself. The Emperor was badly injured and was pronounced Dead On Arrival when rushed to hospital. The sniper escaped the scene, and the remaining militant was captured. The Emperor's brother, Fiston Mbia, has temporarily become Emperor-Elect.

February 22nd, 2013: General Election Result - Conservatives No Longer the Largest Party Woodbridgeflag3 WOODBRIDGE, Woodbridge - The results of a General Election called due to the Conservatives losing a vote of confidence in Parliament was announced today. The Labour Party won 25 seats making them the largest party. The Conservatives were reduced to 22 seats having lost nearly half of their representation in Parliament. The Liberals increased their number of seats to 22 and the Veterans won two extra seats taking their total to ten. Michael Danson, former Conservative MP whose decision to leave the party led to the vote of confidence being called was re-elected as an Independent MP. The fact that no party has an overall majority means that there will now be several days of discussion on forming a coalition.

February 15th, 2013: Philippine Troops Surround "100 Armed Bruneians" in Sabah, Brunei Official Disputes Story: Flag of the Philippines Flag of Brunei KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Autonomous Region, Philippines - Philippine security forces have surrounded about 100 armed men believed to be from a breakaway faction in Brunei, a Philippine National Police and government official said today. But, a Bruneian official said that they were unarmed men who had been promised land by the Sultan of Brunei. This dispute threatened to stir tension between the two Southeast Asian countries, whose ties have been periodically frayed by border disputes, migration problems, and accusations of one country harboring the other's rebel groups.

"We are dealing with 100 armed foreigners from the Sabah Liberation Army of Brunei," a high-ranking Philippine official who asked not to be named said. "The army and police have cordoned off the area where the men are waiting." He also, said that the men are from an armed faction dissatisfied with Brunei's agreement to hand over Sabah to the Philippines. "We know that these people are from the neighbor nation Brunei. Some, of them have already been living in Sabah for five years or longer, and they move freely between the borders."

A senior Bruneian military official dismissed the Philippine account on the group, claiming that the men had been promised land by the Sultan of Brunei. "Since Brunei and the Philippines brokered the deal in the Treaty of Zambuanga, the Sabah Liberation Army of Brunei decided to stir up trouble in the area," the official said, referring to a rebel faction operating within the area.

Security in Sabah has been problematic for the Philippines, with tens of thousands of Bruneians, Malaysians, and Indonesians believed to have immigrated illegally into the region for the past two decades. In Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's foreign affairs ministry is currently trying to get in touch with Brunei's ambassador to the Philippines regarding the incident, but, has refused to comment until they have the complete facts.

February 14th, 2013: Five Dead, Five Missing in Mining Site Landslide: Flag of the Philippines SEMIRARA ISLAND, Philippines - Five miners were killed and five more are missing as a mining site on the remote island of Semirara collapsed. The bodies of the five miners killed have been recovered and are due to be laid to rest. The local representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said, that the victims were part of a group of 13 miners had been trapped in a pit, 260 feet below the ground. Three miners were also rescued alive; two were treated in the Semirara Infirmary, while the third survivor, who sustained severe injuries, was brought to a better-equipped hospital.

The Semirara Coal and Mining Corporation, which is responsible for operating the mines on the island, has agreed to take responsibility for the incident and give compensations to the families of the deceased. The company supplies coal to nearby countries like the ASEAN countries, Taiwan, the ANZC, and the Union Interim Parliament of India.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC) ,said, that rescue efforts were ongoing to reach the five trapped survivors, but more landslides in the area had unfortunately forced the rescue workers to stop their search until the land had finally settled. A representative of the NDDRMC, iterated that they had not given up the search.

January 26th, 2013: Republic Day: UIP Flag BOMBAY, Union Interim Parliament - Republic Day celebrations were held with great pomp this year. It showcased the UIP's new military strength, as its new fighters did a flyby over the parading troops. The Siberian Foreign Minister was the Guest of Honour. The President also announced with pride that many road-building projects had been completed and there are now plans to lay new grid-lines on a national scale to increase efficiency.

A construction boom also seems to be taking place in Bombay, as new complexes and towers spring up in the city. Many construction companies seem to be interested in building in New Bombay as it offers space and a good environment.

January 21st, 2013: Inauguration: Flag of Superior STOWE, Superior - Governor Cullen was officially sworn into office as President this afternoon, while Congressman Lahti was sworn into the Vice-Presidency. Cullen called for a new era in the republic, demanding an end to nefarious actions like those which occurred under his predecessors. He also repeated his statements that the republic should declare itself the official successor to the United States.

Secretary of State Feingold was asked, and agreed, to stay on in that role, until at least 2014. Congressman Casey A. Viegelahn of Mackinaw is the only other known Cabinet pick, replacing Conservative Phillip Potvin of Houghton at the Department of Defense. A special election will be held next month to determine his replacement in the House, once his nomination clears the Senate.

January 1st, 2013: Happy New Year!: All around the world, fireworks went off at midnight today, to mark the New Year. From Australia to the Alps, from the Arctic to the wilds of Patagonia, and from the Cape to the forests of Siberia, celebrations marking the New Year, and hoping that the new one brings less violence and destruction, went across well.