Progress, Decline and Hope: A Collaborative Timeline

PROGRESS, DECLINE, AND HOPE: A COLLABORATIVE TIMELINE

An award-winning collaborative timeline started by Aero in January 2011 and ending in March 2013. Progress, Decline, and Hope won the 2012 Turtledove Awards for “Best New Collaborative Timeline” and finished a close second in polling for “Best Shared Worlds”. In 2013, the timeline was nominated for “Best Continuing Future Timeline” and finished second in polling to the deserved winner, Pkmatrix' A Revised History of the Future (2001 - 2150). The timeline was declared finished and thereafter closed in March 2013, bringing an end to the largest collaborative timeline in board history and the largest organized Future History timeline.

The timeline is composed of thousands of dates from 2011 onwards, formatted as both individual contributions and as ongoing series by members. While a good deal of the content is centered on events from an American point-of-view, collaborators have undertaken substantial efforts to include the perspectives of various other countries, most notably Britain, China, Europe, India and Mexico. Besides geopolitical and domestic political issues, several members have dedicated considerable amounts of time to filling in the blanks on areas such as culture, technology and space exploration. Major contributors include (in order of number of posts): Ganesha, Aero, Koenig Von Poposia, jerseyrules, o.a.musimon, Arkhangelsk, Odysseus, Broader Liberty, theReturner, AYoungContrarian, Tony, d32123, President_Gore, undeadpixel, and Nanwe.

Notable features include: a major realignment of the American political system in the late 2010s and 2020s; Mexico cementing its status as a first world country; China's messy transition to democracy; a brutal and genocidal civil war in the DRC, which features massive foreign intervention; the rise of the African “Alliance for Democracy”, promoting the economic and social advancement of Africa; increasing integration of the European continent with the emergence of the European Federation, and reformation of the European Union to include Turkey and North African states; a resurgence in constitutional neo-monarchism in several countries worldwide; a major political realignment and later reformation in India; limited human exploration of Mars and Venus; the discovery of complex but unintelligent extraterrestrial life on the planet Venus and the Jovian moon Europa; and finally, the development of viable fusion power.


[thread=180801]Here is the discussion link.[/thread]

2010 -- 2015

2011

March 18th, 2011: NASA's MESSENGER probe arrives at its intended destination, Mercury.

April 20th, 2011: On the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hold their second rally in Washington D.C. With prices at the pump nearing $4 per gallon protesters demand alternatives forms of energy and an increase in funding for high speed rail and other forms of transportation. The California high speed rail project is hailed as an excellent start.

April 29th, 2011: Prince William of Great Britain marries Miss Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey. William is created Duke of Cambridge.

May 5th, 2011: Elections for the devolved Scottish Parliament in Holyrood are held. Labour makes sweeping gains and is able to form a small majority government. Elections for the devolved Welsh Assembly in Cardiff are held. The Labour party is able to form a majority government, but also notably the Green party and UKIP pick up one seat each.

May 21st, 2011: Another doomsday prediction, this one predicted by evangelical pastor Harold Camping, fails to pan out. Nobody cares.

June 18th, 2011: Kirk Douglas, an actor from the Golden Age of Hollywood, dies from natural causes at the age of 93.

July 11th, 2011: Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky announce that they are pregnant, much to the delight of former President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

July 12th, 2011: Montenegro passes the Law restoring property and raising the status of the descendants of the old Petrovic Njegos royal family. Prince Nikola II represents the government of Montenegro at the requiem mass for Dr. Otto von Habsburg, son of the last Austro-Hungarian Kaiser later in the month.

July 16th, 2011: Following a NATO bombing raid the previous night, Libyan rebels from Misrata attack Zliten in hopes of liberating it from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

July 20th, 2011: Libyan rebels in the east launch an offensive from Ajdabiya. Thanks to months of NATO bombing and mass defections from Gaddafi forces, the rebels easily take Brega within three days. They then easily take Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad in the next few days, and the Gaddafi loyalists in Sirte prepare themselves.

July 23rd, 2011: Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) files for divorce from Todd Palin, after reports of an extramarrital affair erupt, as Shailey Tripp of Juneau, Alaska claims an affair with Todd Palin since 2008.

July 29th, 2011: After a month of advancing north of the Nafusa Mountains, the Libyan rebels have captured the cities of Gharyan and Al Aziziya. The rebels then launch an attack on Az Zawiyah to liberate the city from the Gaddafi regime once more.

July 30th, 2011: Casey Anthony convicted for the 2008 murder of her daughter Caylee and sentenced to death.

July 31st, 2011: The Libyan rebels from Misrata succeed in taking Zliten from Gaddafi forces. following their success, they advance to Al Khums. Simultaneously, the rebels from the east launch an attack on Sirte.

August 3rd, 2011: To the Libyan rebels' surprise, resistance in Al Khums is minimal and they easily take it after four days of fighting. They later learn that Gaddafi forces have retreated back to Tripoli to defend it from the imminent rebel invasion.

August 5th, 2011: Thanks to the help of rebel sleeper cells, Az Zawiyah is taken. The Libyan rebels then advance on Tripoli from the east, west, and south. In a fiery speech, Gaddafi refuses to surrender to the Libyan rebels and urges his remaining followers to fight to the end.

August 13th, 2011: The renewable energy bill is finally passed in the Japanese House of Councillors after the opposition Komeito agreed to support the bill in exchange of Kan's resignation. However, Kan refuses to resign.

August 16th, 2011: Sirte, one of three major Gaddafi strongholds, falls to the eastern Libyan rebels. The eastern rebels then advance south in an effort to eliminate any Gaddafi forces remaining and further west to liberate Bani Walid.

September 2nd, 2011: While trying to escape to Belarus, Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and his head of intelligence Abdullah Senussi among others are captured and arrested by Libyan rebels.

September 4th, 2011: Two days after Gaddafi's arrest, Libyan forces loyal to him surrender to the Libyan rebels in Tripoli. Mass celebrations follow in rebel cities, and the National Transitional Council moves to Tripoli the following morning.

September 15th, 2011: Prince Albert II of Monaco is accidentally killed while participating in the One Shot Antelope hunt in Lander, Wyoming. Having no legitimate offspring, the throne of Monaco devolves upon his sister Princess Caroline.

October 3rd, 2011: The new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport officially opens for business, and Berlin Tegel is closed in correspondence.

October 10th, 2011: At the same time Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Revolution of 1911 and his 65th birthday on his visit to China, the lower house passs a motion of no confidence against Kan's government. Kan does not dissolve the lower house, he chooses to resign instead.

October 14th, 2011: Banri Kaieda, the newly-elected President of the ruling DPJ who defeated Finance Minister Noda for the party presidency, is elected Prime Minister of Japan, replacing Naoto Kan. Despite only having served for 493 days, Kan was the longest-serving prime minister since Koizumi.

October 14th-30th, 2011: The XVI Pan American Games are held in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Though some commentators from outside Mexico fear that the games would be interrupted by the violence still plaguing the country, the games go off without a hitch. The games end with the United States in 1st place, Cuba in 2nd and Mexico in 3rd.

October 16th, 2011: The Boston Red Sox sweep the Texas Rangers in the ALCS to win the AL pennant.

October 20th, 2011: In a bitterly fought division rivalry series, the Philadelphia Phillies take out the Atlanta Braves in 7 games in the NLCS to advance to the World Series. Pitching duels between the aces of Hudson, Jurrjens, and Hanson on one side and Halladay, Hamels, and Lee define the series.

October 30th, 2011: In baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series in 7 games against the Boston Red Sox in a series that caused almost as much animosity between Yankee and Met fans as Sox and Phillies. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz wins MVP honors by hitting 11 for 28 with 2 home runs, 3 doubles and 8 RBI's.

November 20th, 2011: Cristina Kirchner is reelected as President of Argentina after getting 50.5% of the vote in one of the most disputed run-off elections in the history of Argentina. The actual elections happened a month earlier, and Cristina got 49.7% of the vote.

November 1st, 2011: The much-anticipated Boeing 787 Dreamliner enters commercial service with All Nippon Airways (ANA).

November 8th, 2011: Ed Lee (D-CA) is elected Mayor in San Francisco, California, becoming one of the first Asian-American Mayors of a major metropolitan area.

December 5th, 2011: The last pocket of resistance from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi is crushed near the Libya-Chad border.

December 15th, 2011: In a surprise announcement, MLB commissioner Bud Selig states the MLB's intention to expand the league instead of moving to two 15-team leagues. The AL will instead gain two teams (in to-be-decided locations) to have two 16 team leagues. Also, Selig okays the relocation of the Oakland athletics to Portland, Oregon. Both the expansion and relocation are expected to be completed for the 2014 season.

December 22nd, 2011: Star slugger and future Hall-of-Famer Albert Pujols resigns with the St. Louis Cardinals.

December 31st, 2011: Officially, all U.S. troops have been evacuated from Iraq. President Obama's approval ratings rise to a higher level for the month

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2012

January 1st, 2012: For the first time, Cubans are allowed to buy and sell private property. There are strict limits on what type of property and the value of the transaction allowed - nevertheless, this is a significant step forward for Cuban reformers, led slowly by President Raúl Castro.

January 5th, 2012: The trial of Muammar Gaddafi before the International Criminal Court begins in Benghazi. Gaddafi is charged with crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and torturing political activists as well as war crimes. Gaddafi, defiant as ever, pleas not guilty to all charges.
Free agent and ex-Met shortstop Jose Reyes signs with the Detroit Tigers.

January 7th, 2012: The ICC finds Muammar Gaddafi guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes and sentences him to life imprisonment in Abu Salim prison. Celebrations are held in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Misrata, among other Libyan cities.

January 8th, 2012: Princess Dowager Charlene of Monaco (formerly Charlene Wittstock), the widow Prince Albert II moves back to South Africa.

January 14th, 2012: In Taiwan, incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou (KMT) narrowly defeats Su Tseng-chang (DPP) for reelction in the Taiwanese presidential election, 2012; continuing his policy of closer ties with China. China welcomed the results. Nevertheless, the ruling KMT fails to win a majority in the Legislative Yuan, falling one seat short of a majority.

Republic of China legislative election, 2012 Kuomintang 56 Democratic Progressive Party 46 People First Party 4 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 4 Independents 3 Incumbent speaker: Wang Jin-pyng (KMT)

January 17th, 2012: German President Christian Wulff is forced to step down after the BILD published a recent phone call of his, and pressure vastly increased as people heard the aggressive, close-to-vulgar tone of the call and it's threatening implications. The SPD/Green part of the Bundestag (Parliament), as a sign of integration, nominate Cem Özdemir, as the CDU fraction nominates Stefan Mappus for President.

January 22nd, 2012: Simeon Sakskoburggotski, the former King Simeon II of Bulgaria and former Prime Minister of Bulgaria becomes President of Bulgaria after being elected to the office at the age of 74.

January 26th, 2012: A movement similar to that of the Spanish “indignados” takes over the main square of Caracas, Venezuela, the Plaza Bolívar. Several specialists point out that the main cause for these protest seem to be the Chávez administration's gross mishandling of the economy and the president's rising authoritarianism.

January 29th, 2012: Venezuelan television channel TeleSUR, under state control, calls the protesters “a bunch of reactionary slaves of the American imperialism”.

January 31st, 2012: Chavist militias attack the Plaza Bolívar and disband the “indignados” movement.

February 10th, 2012: German Presidential Election; the CDU candidate Stefan Mappus is, even by some members of the CDU, percieved as the man who was responsible for the disastrous performance pertaining to Stuttgart 21, including what by opponents of the station revamp is called “Schwarzer Donnerstag” (hundreds of demonstrants got injured by water cannon during a peaceful demonstrations against Stuttgart 21 on September 30, 2010), and some FDP members around Frank Schäffler defect just for the sake of defecting and griping. Thus, Cem Özdemir wins the Federal Presidential Election with 663 votes (SPD 330, Greens 147, Left Party 111, Pirates 2, SSW 1, Freie Wähler 5, FDP 'defectors' 27, CDU 'defectors' 40), against 577 for Stefan Mappus.

February 29th, 2012: Former South African President Nelson Mandela dies of undisclosed causes at the age of 93. His death is intensely mourned throughout the world, and over 50 heads of state come to attend his funeral in Cape Town.

March 4th, 2012: Vladimir is elected President of the Russian Federation with 57% of vote, returning to the position after a 4 year hiatus and succeeding close ally Dmitri Medvedev, who Putin would go on to appoint as Prime Minister as per a deal struck between the two several years before.

March 5th, 2012: The groundbreaking ceremony for the future Transbay Terminal in San Francisco is attended by President Obama and Governor Jerry Brown. Construction on the California High Speed Rail system is expected to begin within the following months, with a target date of January 2019.

March 21st, 2012: Chinese military officials unveil the J-22 stealth bomber in Shenyang, China, sparking concerns of an international arms race.

March 25th, 2012: Henry Tang is elected Chief Executive of Hong Kong, despite his extramarital affairs and unpopularity. He is elected with 610 votes, compared to 361 votes for Leung Chun-ying and 180 votes for Albert Ho (DP).

April 1st, 2012: Vladimir Putin returns to his former post as President of Russia, albeit with only 52 percent of the popular vote after a particularly bitter campaign against former protege Dmitri Medvedev.

April 3rd, 2012: Jeffory William Clinton-Mezvinsky, is born the child of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky.

April 16th, 2012: President Obama announces that in response to decreased violence in Afghanistan thanks to the 2009 troop surge, he will begin a phased withdrawal of troops, to be completed by 2015. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticizes Obama on “forcing a hasty withdrawal” on US forces, and offers a counter plan for a delayed withdrawal by 2018.

May 5th, 2012: The name Livermorium is approved by IUPAC with the symbol Lv, but the name Flerovium is dismissed as ineligible because Nobelum was associated with this name for some time. The Dubna Institue proposes Becquerelium immediately, which can then be approved at the same session.

May 6th, 2012: Francois Holland defeats incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in the second round run off of the French Presidential election.

May 7th, 2012: In Germany, the Pirate Party get 6% of the vote in Schleswig-Holstein, which gives this upstart party seats in two state parliaments.

May 20th, 2012: In Canada, people all over celebrate the victory of the Vancouver Canucks, who manage to defeat the Washington Capitols 4-3 in overtime to bring home the Stanley Cup, at the conclusion of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The victory marks the first time in 19 year that a Canadian team has won the Cup, and the first time the Vancouver Canucks have also won.

May 26th, 2012: Maltese singer Kurt Calleja wins Eurovision with song “This is the night”.

June 3rd, 2012: The new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport officially opens for business, and Berlin Tegel is closed in correspondence.

June 6th, 2012: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera announces that he intends to retire at the end of the season.

June 10th, 2012: The Parti Socialiste wins a majority in the French National Assembly following the election of the party's Presidential candidate, Francois Hollande, the month before.

June 12th, 2012: Former US President Jimmy Carter passes away in his sleep at the age of 87.

June 16th, 2012: In Hong Kong, the approval rating of Chief Executive-elect Henry Tang has fallen under 20% after he blames his wife in a scandal over a basement built illegally in their home. Tang is also being accused of presenting fake drawings about his apartment before the construction work. The Civic Party announces that it would introduce an emergency motion to impeach Henry Tang once he sworns in.

June 20th, 2012: Honolulu and Las Vegas are announced as the expansion sights for the AL, with the team in Honolulu being christened the Hawaii Islanders and the Las Vegas team the Las Vegas Gamblers. The two teams will make the AL West go from being the smallest baseball division for tied as the biggest with the NL Central.

July 1st, 2012: The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship concludes. The German national football team defeats the Netherlands 2-1 in front of a crowd of 65,000 people at Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, to become European Champions. It is their seventh time reaching the finals, and their fourth European Championship, the most of any team. German star Mesut Ozil wins UEFA Player of the Tournament. It is the last time the sixteen team format will be used for this tournament.

July 1st, 2012: Despite the low unemployment rate, 450,000 people joined the July 1st protest in Hong Kong, due to monopoly of property giants and Henry Tang's extreme unpopularity. After the protest, 20,000 protesters suddenly change route, breaking through the police cordon and occupy Upper Albert Road. After minor crashes, the police fires tear gas, but is unable to control the angry crowd. More than 3,000 are arrested, including People Power lawmakers Albert Chan, Raymond Wong, activist Jonathan Kan and League of Social Democrats Chairman Longhair Leung Kwok-hung.

July 2nd, 2012: Amidst the political reorientation in Mexican politics, Mexico State's governor Enrique Peña Nieto wins the 2012 Presidential election, regaining that office for the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) after a 12 year interregnum. The election highlights the failures of the Calderón Administration to deal with the ongoing Drug War, as well as the PRI's reorganization and resurgence as a major political force.
Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI): 41.78% Marcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubón (PRD): 35.15% Santiago Creel Miranda (PAN): 14.33%

July 19th, 2012: Star Wars Battlefront III is released to the cheers of the gaming community. It is a titanic success, and helps LucasArts to get going again in the gaming industry.

July 20th, 2012: The film The Dark Kinght Rises, the third a final film in the Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy is released to massive praise from critics and moviegoers alike, some even going as far to say that it is better than the previous film, The Dark Kinght. The film, stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Cane as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as Comm. James Gordon, Tom Hardy as Bane, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Marion Cotillard as DA Janice Porter, Joseph Grodon-Levitt as a young Roman Sionis, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. The story, set one year after the events of the previous film, involves Batman having to redeem himself in the eyes of Gotham City, while being hunted by both the law (led by a reluctant Comm. Gordon and a ruthless DA Janice Porter) and organized crime, who have hired the infamous hitman Bane to hunt down and kill Batman. Though it lost the award for Best Picture at the Oscars, Christopher Nolan won recognition from the Academy at last, winning Best Director for the film. Although the last film in the Nolan Trilogy, Warner Bros. announces fallowing the films release they still intend to make more Batman films.

July 22nd, 2012: A vast aquifer is discovered under northern Namibia, quickly named Ohangwena II. The aquifer is estimated to be able to supply water to northern Namibia for up to 400 years if tapped sustainably.

July 27th, 2012: The XXX Summer Olympiad officially opens in London, United Kingdom.

September 5th, 2012: Banri Kaieda resigns as Japanese prime minister amid a illegal donation scandal. He is replaced by Yukio Edano as prime minister.

September 9th, 2012: In Hong Kong, pan-democrats win 31 out of 70 seats in the Legislative Council, including 22 out of 35 in geographical constituencies, 3 out of 5 super district councillors and 6 out of 30 traditional functional constituencies. Surprisingly many, moderate Democratic Party vice chairwoman Emily Lau is elected President of the Legco (Speaker) with pro-establishment support.

September 15th, 2012: A constitutional change is approved by referendum in Brazil after months of debate. It changes the Presidential term to five years, without possibility of reelection.

October 7th, 2012: In Hong Kong, police forces attempt to clean up “Occupy Central” protesters under the HSBC headquarters near midnight. Protesters have been occupying the open space area for about a year, and a sudden police raid is met with anger and discontent. The Occupy protesters then torch the HSBC headquarters. Riot police and firefighters manage to control the situation within a few hours.

October 8th, 2012: Inspired by the HSBC fire, a small number of angry protesters set fire on the headquarters of Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong, killing 18 reporters and editors, injuring many. The Democratic Party condemns the attack, and calls for tough actions against the rioters. Hang Seng Index falls by 15% within a day, and the Stock Exchange announces unprecedented decision to stop stock exchange for a week.

October 9th, 2012: In Mei Foo, Hong Kong, angry residents set fire on the construction site of partiperties. Leading activists including Fred Lam Fai and Chu Hoi-dick condemn the violence. However, Chan Wan, a leading opposition writer, proclaims the establishment of the Bauhinia Revolution Action Committee, declaring war on property monopoly and the “illegitimate” Hong Kong government. Rioters continue to create disturbance in different areas in Hong Kong. Legislative Council President Emily Lau, who openly condemns the violence and calls and “peace, rationale and non-violence”, is assassinated outside the Legco building in Timur. Richard Tsoi of the DP will be later elected in a snap election to replace Lau.

October 10th, 2012: Appearing slow, Chief Executive Henry Tang of Hong Kong declares a state of emergency. A curfew is imposed to maintain public order. The HKSAR government asks the People's Liberation Army for help.

October 14th, 2012: Riots in Hong Kong die down, and the government introduces legislation for national security laws, or in other words, Article 23 of the Basic Law. At the same time, Henry Tang announces his intention to solve deeply-rooted social inequality, and vows to tackle social problems that brought the unexpected riot despite a strong economy.

October 28th, 2012: In baseball, the New York Yankees win their 28th World Series title in 6 games against the St. Louis Cardinals. Mariano Rivera wins his second series MVP award with 3 saves and 6 scoreless innings pitched, including getting out of a base-loaded jam with 0 outs against the heart of the Cardinal order to preserve a extra inning Game 4 tie. The championship will be the swan song of the successful Steinbrenner years in New York.

October 30th, 2012: Chinese military officials announce the regional use of the “Beidou” global positioning system (GPS) in Shenyang, China, effectively granting Chinese military forces parity with American forces in the region.

November 2nd, 2012: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera officially announces his retirement from Major League Baseball. He finishes his eighteen year career as the all-time saves leader with 639. He announces plans to become a minister back in his native Panama so that he can become closer to God, who had gifted him so much throughout his career.

November 6th, 2012: The Democratic ticket of President Barack Obama/Vice President Joe Biden is narrowly defeated by the Republican ticket of former MA Governor Mitt Romney/LA Governor Bobby Jindal. Many contribute Obama's loss to lack of an uptick in the economy in late '12 and a stagnant 9.3% unemployment rate. In congressional elections, the GOP increases their majority in the House and narrowly capture the Senate, with Vice President-elect Jindal providing the tie-breaker vote.

December 5th, 2012: In a surprise move, free agent lefty ace Cole Hamels signs with the Toronto Blue Jays as the team looks to make itself a contender in the competitive AL East.

December 9th, 2012: Halo 4 is released, becoming a Platinum Hits game before its release, the first game ever to become a best seller by pre-orders alone, and helps catapult the Halo franchise back into the limelight after lackluster Halo Reach

December 17th, 2012: Time Magazine makes the surprise choice of picking Vice-President-Elect Bobby Jindal as their Time Person of the Year, over President-Elect Mitt Romney. Time's stated reason for the choice is that, “The rise of Bobby Jindal, fallowing so shortly after the rise of Barack Obama is a sign that this country has changed. No longer are people limited from high office based only on the color of their skin. In many ways, Jindal represents the future face of the GOP, the future face of American politics, and the future face of America.”

December 19th, 2012: Independent opposition candidate Ahn Cheol-soo wins the South Korean presidential election, defeating Park Geun-hye of the ruling Grand National Party by 0.72% of the popular vote. “Dear citizens, it is not my personal victory. Today, the South Korean people have spoken, and they have spoken against the status quo and the monopoly of big businesses. I am not elected to serve the special interest groups, but the South Korean people!” said Ahn after his narrow election.
Ahn Cheol-Soo (Independent) 10456239 (43.18%) Park Geun-hye (GNP) 10282104 (42.46%) Kim Nak-sung (LFP) 2191381 (9.05%) Rhyu Si-min (UPP) 1007651 (4.16%) Gong Seong-gyeong (CKP) 280155 (1.16%)

December 21st, 2012: The Earth continues existing. Doomsayers are disappointed.

December 29th, 2012: Prominent atheist activist and Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens succumbs to cancer at the age of 63. A rumor circulates that he converted to Catholicism on his deathbed, but this is quickly refuted by his family members and close friends.

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2013

January 1st, 2013: EU countries which decide to join the European Fiscal Union must have signed before this date.

January 3rd, 2013: The 2013 Hall of Fame class is announced. Inductees for the year include Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Craig Biggio, and Jack Morris. Notable is the almost utter lack of voting for noted steroid users Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa, all new to the ballot in 2013.

January 4th, 2013: German Minister of Defense, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, surprisingly resigns from his post. Rumours spread quickly, that zu Guttenberg was extremely dissatisfied with Angela Merkel's policies.

January 5th, 2013: US Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey resigns after a sudden return of cancer. Newark Mayor Cory Booker abandons gubernatorial aspirations and wins a special election to replace him. Commentators believed Booker wasn't enthusiastic to run against his friend Christie anyway.

January 6th, 2013: The remaining CSU ministers in the cabinet, Ilse Aigner (Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection) and Peter Ramsauer (Minister of Traffic), follow their fellow party member Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and resign from their posts. By now, the German media speculates not only about a breakup of government, but also about a breakup of the CDU/CSU alliance, that went on for over 60 years.

January 13th, 2013: In an exclusive interview with “Der Spiegel”, Horst Seehofer, the head of the CSU, openly attacks Angela Merkel and her policies over the past years. He claims, that Merkel lost the “conservative Germany” by turning the CDU into a “SPD-light”. Conservative Germany will become a heavily used keyword in political debates over the next months.

January 14th, 2013: Several high-ranked CDU politicians publicly attack the recent attacks against them by the CSU. They argue, that they had their posts in cabinet and had all chances at implementing their policies. In their words, the CSU was putting partisanship over the interests of the government. However, conservative elements within the CDU sympathize with the critic by the CSU.

January 15th, 2013: The amendment of the art. 136 TFEU replaces the EFSF and the FSM with the European Stability Mechanism.

January 20th, 2013: The now-infamous “Stuttgart gambit” between the heads of the CSU and the conservative wing of the CDU takes place in the city Stuttgart. Both camps meet each other and agree on a plan to take down the government of Angela Merkel. They plan to iniciate a vote-of-no-confidence against the government in February. If that succeeds, they want to oust Merkel as the CDU leader, and place one of their own as the head of the CDU. Afterwards, the cooperation between the CDU and CSU will resume. If that plan fails, the conservative wing of the CDU plans to detect to the CSU. The conservatives in the CDU pursue this plans, because they fear losing the election, as well as losing the conservative profile of the party.
LGBT members of the Courage Campaign and Equality USA launch demonstrations during the inauguration of Mitt Romney, amidst rumors of a reintroduction of “don't ask, don't tell”.

January 21st, 2013: In his first Joint Session of Congress, President Mitt Romney puts forth legislation directed at two of former President Obama's achievements: repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, both passed in 2010. PPACA especially has been a prime target of the Republican Party since they retook the House of Representatives in the 2010 midterm elections.

January 22nd, 2013: On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, protests take place, led by NOW and Planned Parenthood, over administration stances against abortion.

January 26th, 2013: In Germany, the Pirates get 6.9% in the state election in Lower Saxony.

January 31st, 2013: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates on her 75th birthday after a reign of 32 years and is succeeded by her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander who assumes the regnal name Willem IV.

February 2nd, 2013: Lieutenant-Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is caught in a sex scandal with a female staff intern in Sacramento, California.

February 11th, 2013: Angela Merkel's government is toppled, after a vote-of-no-confidence against her succeeds.

February 19th, 2013: The bill to repeal Dodd-Frank narrowly passes the Republican-controlled Congress, much to the dismay of progressives, and is signed into law by President Romney.

February 21st, 2013: After the election of Mitt Romney as president, a grassroots campaign finance activism organization forms, called the “Anti-Profit Prophets”. The group launches a massive lawsuit against the LDS Church, claiming that the Church secretly funded much of Mitt Romney's campaign funding. Their declared intention is to force the LDS Church to reveal their finances in the United States, as the Church has been legally required to do with their financial holdings in other nations.

By June 6th, 2015, the activists are wildly successful, causing the LDS Church to release it's American finances in full. Their records reveal that the Church is spending a overly large amount of money on administration, and expending too much effort to direct all LDS efforts from Salt Lake City.

February 24th, 2013: Christian Coalition leaders claim to have evidence that President Mitt Romney plans to introduce a bill to legalize polygamy during a press conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

February 27th, 2013: The British Parliament in concert with other Commonwealth legislatures that acknowledge Elizabeth II as their monarch, modifies royal succession laws. Adopting the principle of absolute cognatic primogeniture, first-born children will in the future inherit the throne regardless of sex.

February 28th, 2013: In response to charges from the Christian Coalition that he wants to legalize polygamy, US President Mitt Romney's press secretary assures the American people that, “The President believes marriage is a union between one man and one woman.” This comment gives further proof to Gay Activist groups that Romney is Anti-Gay rights.

March 3rd, 2013: The British Parliament, together with other Commonwealth legislatures, alters the 1701 Act of Settlement repealing provisions that forbid members of the Royal Family from marrying Roman Catholics. It also limits the 1772 Royal Marriages Act by requiring only the first six heirs in the royal succession be required to obtain permission from the monarch before marrying.

March 11th, 2013: Former US Vice President Dick Cheney dies from undisclosed health problems at the age of 72.

March 21st, 2013: Elder Robert D Hales of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church dies at the age of 80, of an unidentified ailment.

March 23rd, 2013: Geneticists working with the National Museum of Health and Medicine announce the results of testing of DNA samples taken from blood found on the cuffs of Abraham Lincoln he wore the night he was killed. It is discovered that the great 16th President did not have Marfan's Syndrome but did possess the genes for Ataxia 5, a neurological disorder. The main bombshell from the announcement regarded President Lincoln's paternal ancestry. His Y-DNA haplogroup inherited from his father was Q1a3a…making him the first Native American president of the United States.

The monthlong 2013 World Baseball Classic closes in Tokyo, Japan. The Dominican Republic emerges as the champion, beating out Japan for the title. In third place are South Korea, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are the United States. The Dominican Republic ends Japan's two-title lock over the championship.

April 6th, 2013: At the April portion of the 183rd General Conference of the LDS Church, President Thomas S Monson announces the filling of Elder Hales vacant position by Elder Benjamin D Hoyos of the Seventy. Hispanic Mormons celebrate Hoyo's position as the first Hispanic apostle. President Monson also announces that a new education program, the Zarahemla Project, will be created. The Zarahemla program will serve to fund and direct job-training and higher education ventures for the impoverished, but growing Latin American Mormon community. Elder Hoyo is closely involved with the project, due to his Hispanic heritage and history as an educator.

April 18th, 2013: Both Senate and Chamber of Deputies elections are held in Italy. The right-wing Popolo della Libertà coalition wins the elections with Corrado Passera, Monti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport as candidate. Passera is the first of many to come Montiist Prime Minsiters. Passera promises to check corruption strengthen Italy’s role in EU politics and continue with Monti’s successful reforms of the Italian labour and financial market.

May 15th, 2013: National security laws are passed in Hong Kong, which severely hinders civil liberties. Still overshadowed by the riots last year, a HKUPOP poll shows that 57% of citizens support the national security laws.

May 22nd, 2013: Harvey Milk Day Strike; c. 750,000 LGBT couples gather at the State Capital in Sacramento, California and an additional c. 775,000 in San Francisco, California; protesting the Romney Administration's stance regarding same-sex marriage and the possible renewal of “don't ask, don't tell”.

June 2nd, 2013: Sony and Microsoft announce the Playstation 4 and Xbox 8. Both services make heavy use of the internet both for cloud graphics processing and DRM validation. The cloud graphics processing becomes a revolutionary feature allowing for endless upgrades that far exceed the power of the original 2013 models, unfortunately with average American speeds at 5Mbps most of these features will not be enjoyed by an American audience

June 5th, 2013: After several delays, mainly due to weight issues, the Boeing 787-9 enters commercial service with Air New Zealand.

June 7th, 2013: Scientists at the GSI in Darmstadt publish their results concerning the discovery of 296-Uue, 298-Uue and 299-Uue. The experiments were done in 2010-11.

June 9th, 2013: Riots erupt in Port au Prince, Haiti as reports of election fraud erupt over Senate elections, UN peace-keeping forces are deployed throughout the capital.

June 11th, 2013: The East African Federation referendum fails, as Tanzania votes “Nay,” causing the smaller nations to fear any resulting federation would be dominated from Nairobi. A new referendum is set for August 20th, 2020.

June 12th, 2013: The bill to repeal PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) fails to pass the Senate, resulting in a major legislative defeat for the Romney administration, and bolstering the hopes of Democrats.

June 14th, 2013: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims an election victory in national presidential elections in Tehran, Iran.

June 16th, 2013: Riots erupt in major cities across Iran, as the Guardian Council certifies the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, despite calls for resistance by opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi.

June 18th, 2013: Iranian exiles Marjane Satrapi and Mohsen Makhmalbaf call upon the United States to recognize opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, during a speech in Washington D.C.

June 21st, 2013: Stephen Harper's Conservatives win a majority government with 162 seats. Michael Ignatieff resigns as Liberal leader to be replaced by Dominic LeBlanc at year's end.

June 24th, 2013: Boyd K Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church dies, and in the next LDS biannual General Conference on October 6th, is replaced by Elder Claudio RM Costa, another Hispanic church leader.

June 30th, 2013: The first Petabyte hard drive shows up, but as of yet costs 2000€. As most cannot yet use so much space, so demand remains slim. Toshiba continues development.

July 1st, 2013: Croatia enters the European Union becoming the 28th member.

July 5th, 2013: The film, Superman:Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder, is released. The film serves as a reboot to the Superman Film Series, and stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Natalie Portman as Lois Lane, Billy Zane as Lex Luthor, Viggo Mortensen as General Zod, and Jay Baruchel as Jimmy Olsen. The story of the film is set shortly after Clark moves to Metropolis and takes on the identity of Superman, and has him fighting for the affection of Lois with Lex Luthor, as well an invasion by General Zod. The film proves to be a hit with moviegoers and critics, and plans for a sequal are quickly greenlit.

July 8th, 2013: Cuban President Raúl Castro announces agricultural reforms that will take effect beginning in 2014. State farms, which account for 75% of Cuban agriculture, will be disbanded and replaced by co-ops, owned “directly by the people in the spirit of Socialism.” Farmers will have the option to split off from these co-ops and form co-ops of one, in effect legalizing private farming. Additionally, the state-run marketing association Acopio, which has monopolistic control over seeds, fertilizer and equipment, will be split into many regional firms with competitive practice. Farmers will be allowed to begin to bargain some prices for agricultural produce on the open market.

July 12th, 2013: Japanese general election: no party manages to get more than 200 out of 480 seats in the House of Representatives. The DPJ won 165, LDP 164, Your Party 59, New Komeito 29, JCP 15, Lower Taxes Japan 11, SDP 8, PNP 2, other parties, non-partisan or independents 29.

July 17th, 2013: A son is born to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge whom they name Edward Philip Henry George. He will be known as Prince Edward of Wales after the assumption of the title Prince of Wales by his father after the death of Queen Elizabeth on October 12th, 2014.

July 22nd, 2013: In Hong Kong, Chief Executive Henry Tang resigns. In the televised address, Tang apologizes for his mismanagement and inability to solve social problems. However, rumors begin to spread that Tang resigns due to his opposition to outlaw the Apple Daily and several pro-democracy parties.

July 29th, 2013: The International Olympics Committee announces that the 2020 Summer Olympics will be held in Minneapolis.

August 4th, 2013: Kenyan president Raila Odinga is assassinated. Racial tensions flare as members of the Kalenjin are identified in the plot. Vice-President Uhuru Kenyatta takes power and declares a national state of emergency.

August 17th, 2013: In Moscow, the Federation Tower is finally completed. With a height of 1,660 feet it is the tallest building in Europe.

August 9th, 2013: Kriss Dumeer, a 16yo transgender youth, is beaten and dragged 1/2 mile by a chain at the back of a pickup truck in Shreveport, Louisiana, after he is discovered to be biologically male. The two defendants in the case show the act on Youtube, claiming that “He had it coming!”

August 19th, 2013: Longtime President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, affectionately known as “Europe's last dictator”, passes away after suffering a stroke. In the months after Lukashenko's death, formal negotiations and agreements with Putin's Russia make significant progress in the goal of eventually creating a union between the two nations.

August 20th, 2013: Former child star Lindsey Lohan is found dead in her Los Angeles apartment after suffering a drug overdose. Several hours previously, she and her girlfriend (who remains unnamed to this day per request) had a particularly violent argument that drove the other woman out of her apartment.

September 1st, 2013: Virgin Galactic launches it's first major Space Tourism rocket. Among the passengers are Richard Branson himself, Vice President Bobby Jindal, and several other businessmen and entrepreneurs from around the world.

September 8th, 2013: JVC is bought by Samsung and the brand discontinued.

September 8th-10th, 2013: In Equatorial Guinea, the opposition party Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) holds its Fourth Party Congress in the city of Bata. The CPDS is the only legal opposition party allowed in Equatorial Guinea by President Obiang - nevertheless, its members are frequently arrested or beaten by state security forces. At the Party Congress, elderly leaders Celestino Bonifacio Bacalé and Plácido Micó Abogo are replaced by the more radical young Rolan de la Cruz. Cruz introduces reforms which change the party's goals from electoral opposition to what he calls “complete spectrum opposition”, running from non-violent protest to riots. He also changes the party's name from the Convergence for Social Democracy to the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (Partido de la Revolución Socialista de Guinea Ecuatorial or PARSOGE).

September 13th, 2013: Mexicans celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Congress of Anáhuac and the declaration of full independence by José María Morelos.

September 19th, 2013: US spy satellites discover a mass build-up of troops and artillery on the North Korean side of the DMZ. South Korea is extremely alarmed by this rapid mobilization, and in turn mobilize their own forces; President Romney places US forces in Korea on high alert.

September 20th, 2013: Kim Jong-Il, the aging leader of North Korea, delivers a message to South Korea, asking for their government to step down in order to re-unite the two Koreas under the power of the North, or they will face war. Meanwhile, American diplomats attempt to avert war by contacting Chinese officials.

September 21st-24th, 2013: The South Korean government flat out refuses Kim Jong-Il's demands. As a result, North Korea declares war on South Korea and moves into the DMZ. Artillery shells bombard Seoul, causing extensive damage to the capital and killing hundreds of civilians. President Mitt Romney orders the mobilization of US forces in ROK and Japan, and diplomats continue talks with China on how to deal with the North.

September 24th, 2013: Politicians in Japan fail to reach a consensus on a coalition government. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, the Emperor tries to mediate due to regional instability brought by North Korea. Yoshimi Watanabe of Your Party becomes Prime Minister, before a LDP-Komeito-YP Coalition could be formed in November under the leadership of LDP MP Koichi Kato.

September 26th, 2013: Jose Reyes hits his 30th triple of the season, becoming only the second player in MLB history to reach that mark, by taking advantage of the deep outfield of his new home at Coamerica Park.

September 29th, 2013: Despite the different upheavals in the right-wing, including the dissolution of the FDP and a split between the moderate and the CSU-backed wings of the CDU; CDU only suffers minor losses (thanks to the good opinion of the Chancellor in handling the European financial and bond crisis), however without the FDP to ally with, the new moderate CDU (after CSU decided to become a national party by allowing conservative ex-CDU MPs run under their party) makes a great CDU-CSU-SDP coalition. Pirate Party receives a part of the old FDP vote and surpasses the 5% mark to enter the Bundestag.

September 30th, 2013: For the first time since 2006, two AL East teams are not in the playoffs, while for the first time since 1993 neither the Red Sox or Yankees are represented as Toronto wins the AL East title on the arm of Cole Hamels (20-6, 2.91 ERA, 210 K's) and the bats of young hitters Travis D'Arnaud (.272, 30 HR, 88 RBI) and Brett Lawrie (.308, 21 HR, 101 RBI).

October 1st, 2013: In Germany, the Pirates get into the state parliaments of Bavaria and Hassia with 5.2 and 9.7%, respectively. They are now present in five state parliaments.

October 3rd, 2013: The FDP dissolves itself which is a major blow in the German Unity Day celebrations.

October 3rd-November 3rd 2013: The Korean War begins in earnest. In the first month of fighting, American and South Korean forces push the North Koreans to Pyongyang. The Chinese, to this point, have remained neutral and have refused any requests for aid from North Korea.

October 4th, 2013: US President Mitt Romney addresses the people of the United States and the world fallowing fighting between North Korean, and South Korean/American forces. In his address, President Romney asks for North Korea to, “stand down before more lives are lost,” and promises that, “America will not leave the side of our South Korean allies.”

October 16th, 2013: Loyalists engineer escape from Abu Salim prison of former dictator Muammar Ghaddafi who flees to Sirte.

October 21, 2013: Further fossils of Bruhathkayosaurus matleyi are unearthed in India and Sri Lanka. They confirm the massive weight estimates and yield the size to be underestimated. The new Data makes 48-54 m more realistic, comparing to Argentinosaurus.

October 25th, 2013: Libyan government security forces gun down former dictator Muammar Ghaddafi in a culvert in Sirte. The world is horrified by pictures of his bloody body laid out in a walk-in freezer for a week before burial.
October 29th, 2013: In baseball,the Detroit Tigers win the World Series against the NL champion Cincinnati Reds in 5 games. Austin Jackson wins MVP honors for hitting .430 with 2 homers, 2 triples, and 7 runs scored.

November 3rd, 2013: A referendum is held in Nicaragua on a constitutional amendment that would change it's system of government. Passing by a mere 50.88% of the popular vote, Nicaragua is slated to transition from a presidential system to a parliamentary system of government. Political analysts both within and outside Nicaragua decry the results, stating that the amendment is a ploy for former President Daniel Ortega to retain power via the newly created office of Prime Minister.

November 4th, 2013: MP Koichi Kato is chosen as Japanese Prime Minister amidst national concern that the previous administration was “weak” in its response to North Korean aggression.

November 5th, 2013: US Representative Frank Pallone (D) defeats incumbent Chris Christie (R) in the New Jersey gubernatorial election.

November 8th, 2013: Korean military overthrows and executes Kim Jong-Il. Obscure former official Choe Su-hon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choe_Su-hon) is named president. It is widely assumed China is behind this turn of events. The new government declares cessation of hostilities and the creation of a reunification council. This is quickly backed up by China with a pledge of defense. The reunification council gets nowhere, and President Romney's appears weak handling this crisis.

November 10th, 2013: Major news agencies the world over receive over 20,000 pages of internal documents from the DPRK's Foreign ministry, documenting Chinese financial, material, and technical assistance to the regimes of Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-Il, and Kim Jong-Un, from the inception of the DPRK until its death. While the fact that the PRC has supported the North Korean government is hardly suprising, the timing of the release, which followed only two weeks after the much publicized liberation of numerous North Korean prision camps during the Allied push on Pyongyang, caused a firestorm of negative press for the PRC and the new military government of North Korea.

November 13th, 2013: The recently leaked papers force the hand of the South Korean government, who order the South Korean military to occupy all territory between the DMZ and Yalu, forcibly disarm all non-allied personnel, and establish a provisional government for the North under ROK control. South Korean leaders acknowledge that this is in violation of the recent ceasefire, but point out that the ceasefire was a unilaterally declared by Choe Su-hon, and therefore not binding. In addition they reveal that new intelligence suggest that both Choe Su-hon and nearly all other officals in the “new” regime were involved in the infamous Division 39, yet again, leading many nations to condemn both the new government, and its Chinese backers.

November 14th, 2013: On a related note, President Mitt Romeny publicly reaffirms American support for South Korea's recent operations in a speech from the Oval Office. While the South Korean troops push north, US ground forces remain behind the ceasefire line established on the 5th of November, both to avoid provoking China, and to begin undertaking humanitarian operations in rear areas. US air assets still operate in support of ROK operations during the brief push to the Yalu, but are rarely needed due to extremely sparse resistance.

November 15th, 2013: Chinese President Xi Jinping faces increasing pressure from nationalist elements in China to make good on his pledge of defense to the government of Choe Su-hon, but the recent leaks, resulting anti-Chinese backlash, and the widespread international support held by South Korea precludes him from doing so.

November 16th, 2013: Thousands of North Korean refugees cross the Pusan River, flooding into South Korea, looking for food, jobs, and long-lost family members.

November 20th, 2013: New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip is elected Chief Executive of Hong Kong over Democratic Party chairman Sin Chung-kai by a 888-251 margin in the electoral committee.

November 21st, 2013: Chinese President Xi Jinping announces a “fire sale” of American Treasury bonds, justifying the measure as a means to help fund “humanitarian aid” efforts for Korea, causing the value of the U.S. dollar to collapse by 16% within 8 hours.

November 22nd, 2013: A memorial service is held in Dallas,Texas, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States of America. Thousands attend the service, including many politicians, President Mitt Romney and all former living Presidents, memebers of the Kennedy family, and foreign dignitaries from around the world. In many parts of America, a minute of silence is held at 12:30 PM CST, the approximate time of the assassination.
December 5th, 2013: Chinese officials announce the launch of Yinghuo-1, China's first automated probe to Mars, amidst concern of “America losing the technological edge”.

December 7, 2013: In Taiwan, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party wins the county magistrates and Mayoral elections in Penghu County, Changhua County and Chiayi City from the ruling Kuomintang, while its 4 incumbents are all reelected. President Ma Ying-jeou resigns as Chairman of the Kuomintang. He was succeeded by former Premier Wu Den-yih.
December 8th, 2013: Cheonan Riots; Food riots erupt in refugee camps as millions of people leaving North Korea face limited resources for food and resources. Local gangs act as warlords, in an effort to control the refugees, often turning them towards narcotics and prostitution.

December 12th-14th, 2013: In Equatorial Guinea, significant unrest rocks the country after a oil-drillers strike is crushed by police. The country's main opposition group, the Revolutionary Socialist Party (PARSOGE) began protests in Bata and Malabo which at their height had 100,000 people (1/6 of the total population). Protestors demand that the country's significant oil wealth is shared equally. A study in 2013 found that although the average per-capita income was highest in Africa, more than 75% of the population lived on less than two dollars a day. Dictatorial President Teodoro Obiang is able to crush the protests after calling in the Army to intervene. Human Rights Watch estimates that upwards of 112 protestors were killed.

December 25th, 2013: Following recent unrest by socialist opposition party PARSOGE, dictatorial President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea outlaws all socialist parties. He legalizes the existence of the National Democratic Union of Equatorial Guinea, making them the “official opposition.” The leader of PARSOGE, 32-year-old Rolan de la Cruz, goes into hiding in the wild east of the country.

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2014

January 1st, 2014: Final date for the European Fiscal Union's members who have achieved a balanced budget to apply for bailout money if necessary.
Latvia formally adopts the Euro.

Fifty-five years to the day after he overthrew President Fulgencio Batista, former Cuban President Fidel Castro dies of pancreatic cancer. The communist dictator had been ill since 2006 and had stepped down in 2008, although he still retained great influence. His younger brother, current President Raúl Castro, announces a national week of mourning, and makes his brother's birthday, August 13th, a national holiday.

January 5th, 2014: Though sometimes included within the “Great Recession” that lasted from 2007 to 2009, this date is generally accepted to be the start of the “Second Great Recession”. Collapse of the US Dollar worldwide results in thousands of job losses across the US. Stocks open to crushing losses, and several investors commit suicide days after the Crash of 2014. President Mitt Romney's approval drops from 59% to 37%, in a mere 5 days.

January 19th, 2014: Evelyn Matthei defeats Michelle Bachelet in the second round of the Chilean presidential elections and becomes the second woman President and the first right-wing woman President in the history of the country. She takes office on March, 11th.

January 28th, 2014: Justice Antonin Scalia dies at age 77, after serving more than 20 years on the Supreme Court of the United States. President Mitt Romney calls him a national hero in his eulogy, and begins the search for his replacement. On February 4th, Romney announces that he is nominating Ted Ullyot, former law clerk for the Justice and current general council to Facebook.

February 7th, 2014: The XXII Winter Olympiad opens on Sochi, Russia.
February 8th, 2014: Cuban President Raúl Castro, in a speech to the Central Committee of the Communist Party, calls for a Seventh Party Congress to be held in 2014, in order to enact more economic reforms. Castro's announcement, following the death of his elder brother Fidel Castro, comes at a time when he is slowly introducing economic reforms. However, there have been no political developments, and Cuba continues to be known for its repression.

February 12th, 2014: In Hong Kong, the Civic Party, the League of Social Democrats, the Labor Party, Neo Democrats, the Hong Kong Economic Journal and Apple Daily are outlawed by court orders due to conspiracy against the Central Government. A new wave of violent protests occur, but are immediately put down. New laws are introduced to ban public demonstrations. Democratic Party lawmaker Wu Chi-wai is arrested under national security laws for advocating subversive activities against the Central Government, simply because he suggests using a referendum to determine whether or not universal suffrage should be introduced in 2017.

February 13th-26th, 2014: The Detroit Riots; Hundreds take to the streets demanding federal action to ensure growth in Detroit, Michigan, after GM is forced to lay off thousands of workers in response to the recent market crash.

February 14th, 2014: The Tea Party, still a potent force in the Republican Party, stage rallies in several states protesting the Romney administration, citing “fiscal insanity” in his negotiations with congressional Democrats over the federal budget.

March 5th, 2014: Ted Ullyot's nomination to the Supreme Court is confirmed by the Senate, 54-46. He is inaugurated the next day.

Birth in Gisborne, New Zealand of Winston Richard Lewis, the second son and third child born to Lady Davina Lewis (b. 19 November 1977), the elder daughter of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. A great-granddaughter of King George V of Great Britain, the minor royal had married New Zealand native and ethnic Maori Gary Christie “Gazza” Lewis on 31 July 2004.
March 15th, 2014: Anti-American riots erupt in Seoul and Pyongyang, as refugees continue to flood into South Korea. Rumors that military officials are getting the “lion's share” of the aid sparks further anger.

April 1st, 2014: The MLB season kicks off with a special 2 game series between the new expansion teams the Hawaii Islanders and Las Vegas Gamblers, with each team playing each other once in their respective home parks to start the season. The first game, the Gamblers at the Islanders, ends in a 6-4 victory for the Islanders.

April-May 2014: Parliamentary elections are held in India. Outgoing PM Manmohan Singh had endorsed Congress Party standard-bearer Rahul Gandhi. Over 780 million people vote, making this the largest democratic election in history, bigger than the EU and US elections combined. The Congress Party-led coalition, the United Progressive Alliance, won the most seats in the Lok Sabha, with 279 out of 532. The opposition National Democratic Alliance (led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP), also increased their seats to 165 at the expense of the Left Front and Fourth Front. This is seen as a another slight growth in power of Hindu Nationalists. Despite Congress' victory, some muttering begins to emerge about their leftist economic policies from more moderate members. This is echoed by members of the National Democratic Alliance who are beginning to become uncomfortable with the BJP's support of the RSS, a Hindu nationalist group. On May 29th, the United Progressive Alliance, along with the Left Front, officially forms a government. They control 361 out of 532 seats. Rahul Gandhi is inaugurated as the new Prime Minister of India.

April 6th, 2014: Afghan President Hamid Karzai suffers a heart attack in Kabul, yet political insiders report that Karzai has suffered a drug overdose from heroin usage. Civil unrest takes place when Al-Jazeerah reports the heroin overdose.

April 10th, 2014: After two relatively sleepy years, once again the worsening economic conditions lead to the widespread belief that the government will be forced to cut salaries and flexibilize the labour legislation.

April 22nd, 2014: Facebook buys it's direct opposition firm, XING.

May 1st, 2014: The International Labour Day is celebrated in Venezuela with many parades, but the headlines are won by the creation of the Independent Worker's Union (SIT), an explicitly anti-chavist union, which fights for better wages and work conditions in a year where most of the other (chavist) unions tell people to fasten their belts. In a movement that echoes the one that happened two years earlier, hundreds of thousand take the Plaza Bolívar.

May 4th, 2014: The Mayors of Macaraibo, Caracas and Mérida declare their support for the SIT, as does the Army for General Alvarado. American media starts calling the events in Venezuela “The Great SIT-in”.

May 5th, 2014: Captured by the Army during the night, most of the pro-Chávez militias surrender their weapons. Hugo Chávez' control of the country is now limited to a small area around and within Caracas.

May 6th, 2014: A meeting is arranged between the Mercosul leaders in Montevidéu to discuss the situation in Venezuela. The meeting is interrupted by a call from General Alvarado, who says that “By noon I'll be marching through Caracas to restore democracy to this nation”.

May 7th, 2014: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff states that “if any officer of the Venezuelan Army takes over the position of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela through illegal action, he shall be considered by Brazil as an enemy of the Brazilian people and its allies”. Meanwhile, Evo Morales of Bolivia Nonetheless, a few hours later, Alvarado and Chávez reach an agreement to avoid a bloodbath: Chávez would resign, the militias would be disbanded and Maria Corina, the opposition leader, would become president. Hugo Chávez leaves Caracas on a helicopter going to Cuba at the end of the day, effectively resigning as President of Venezuela after 15 years.

May 10th, 2014: To the surprise of most, Facebook announces the start of a new and independent operating System, the fOS, on February 1st, 2015. This will be distributed in the form of a DVD, Blu-Ray, and GVD for the retail price of 50€ (including support). Except for iOS-only ones, all software functions on fOS.

May 30th, 2014: Turkey is announced as the host of the 2020 UEFA European Championship, beating out strong bids from the Netherlands and Ireland/Scotland/Wales. Turkey was heavily favored to win the right to host after they infamously fell one vote shy of France in bidding for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

May 31st, 2014: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush dies in his sleep at the age of 89.

June 4th, 2014: In Hong Kong, police forces fire at people attending an “illegal” candle light vigil in the Victoria Park, killing 5. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China is outlawed.
June 5th, 2014: The European Parliament’s elections keep the European People’s Party as the largest in the parliament; however it loses over 15 seats. The results are as follows: EPP: 249 S&D: 200 ALDE: 105 ECR: 58 Greens-EFA: 56 EUL-NGL: 36 EFD: 32

June 8th, 2014: In Hong Kong, by-elections are held to replace the seats vacated by Wu Chi-wai, who is censured for subversive activities against the Central Government. New People's Party candidate Tony Liu, who calls for peace and stability, defeats Democratic Party nominee Daniel Wong Kwok-tung and People Power nominee Wong Yeung-tat [1] in the Kowloon East legislative byelection by wide margins, as expected. However, the most unexpected comes at the King Fu district council constituency by-election. Depsite being one of the most pro-democracy districts in Hong Kong, Dickens Chui of the DP is defeated by Timothy Choy Tsz-kin of the DAB by a 3,035 to 2,784 margin. Democratic Party chairman Sin Chung-kai is arrested for “criminal libel” after calling the election “rigged and unfair”. After the incident, the remnants of the Democratic Party becomes nothing more than a vase opposition party. Democracy is almost dead in Hong Kong.

June 8th-12th, 2014: The Communist Party of Cuba holds its Seventh Party Congress in Havana. The conference produces a range of economic reforms, including two significant steps lauded by international observers. Firstly, international firms will be allowed to invest directly in the Cuban economy and employ Cuban workers. Secondly, broad financial reforms will open up the money supply and modernize Cuba's antiquated financial system. Chinese and Canadian investors and financial advisors are sought to help develop both aspects of the reform.

June 22nd, 2014: President Mitt Romney is briefed by the CIA and Department of Homeland Security that it cannot account for the loss of several North Korean nuclear weapons.

June 26th-27th, 2014: G-8 Saint Petersburg Summit; G-8 leaders launch bitter accusations against the United States for its “gunboat diplomacy” citing troubles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Korean Peninsula.

June 28th, 2014: On his way back to Japan, Japanese prime minister Koichi Kato's plane is shot down near the Korean Peninsula. He will be replaced by Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Anti-Korea riots break out all across Japan
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July 8th, 2014: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Anas Urbaningrum of the Demcratic Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2019. Urbaningrum was endorsed by the outgoing President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. At 45, Urbaningrum is the youngest President since Sukarno.

July 9th, 2014: The twentieth FIFA World Cup concludes in Brazil. Ghana wins the final 3-1 over the Netherlands. Ghana is the first African champion, and their victory sets off massive celebrations across Sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 750 million people watch the final.

July 13th, 2014: FIFA World Cup ends. As expected, Brazil wins the title, defeating Germany 3-0 in the final. Argentina reaches the semifinals for the first time since 1990 and beats the United States, the revelation of the tournament, in the third place match.

July 15th, 2014: Indian PM Rahul Gandhi's government announces it will back a new law, the Allowing for Advancement Act. The Act is the first major policy proposed by the new government. The first main provision of the Act is increasing higher educational opportunity in India. The Act plans to double the number of Indian Institutes of Technology to 30 by 2025, double the number of Indian Institutes of Management to 24 by 2025, open two new campuses of Jawarhalal Nehru University in Ahmedabad and Chennai, and finally, open a new Indian Institute of Instruction in Jaipur to train future teachers. The second main provision of the act is to mandate that all institutions of higher learning in India allow for an affirmative action selection process. Depending on the demographics of their state, universities must let in between 5% and 15% Dalits (Untouchables) to their undergraduate class. This acknowledgement that the caste system was still a potent cultural force in India caused some consternation, but was praised as a bold step by many domestic analysts. Lastly, the Act provided funding to state governments to improve their primary education, and commissioned teams of inspectors to weed out corruption relating to education in state governments.

July 19th, 2014: “Do Something” Rallies; Mass protests are staged in several major U.S. cities decrying the federal government's lack of intervention in the ensuing economic crisis. The highlight of the protests was in Minneapolis, where Congressman Keith Ellison called President Romney a “corporate hack bent on ensuring the rich stay rich, while the middle class and poor spiral into poverty”. Romney makes remarks after the rallies claiming that “we must wait for the free market to sort this problem out”.

July 23rd, 2014: Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, after a meeting with opposition Democratic Party leader, announces bipartisan plans for constitutional amendment, to turn the Self Defense Forces officially into a military.

August 5th, 2014: A Palestinian extremist opens fire on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Fortunately, no one is even injured, however the would-be assassin flees the scene before anyone can capture him.

Mass by-elections are held in Hong Kong for seats vacated by lawmakers arrested under the national security laws. Since proportional representation is used in such by-elections as there are more than one vacancy in all of the five constituencies, pro-Beijing groups are unable to win every seat despite frauds. Among the 18 seats up for grabs, the DAB wins 7, followed by 4 for the NPP and 2 for the FTU. Among the remnants of the opposition, the Democratic Party wins 3, followed by 1 for People Power and 1 for the Coalition for Democracy and Hope, a successor group of the Civic Party and the Neo Democrats. The pro-establishment camp now has 53 out of 70 seats in the Legislative Council.

August 18th, 2014: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announce the discovery of Ubq and it's alpha decay daughter product Ubb and Ubn.

August 19th, 2014: Several Serbian army brigades led by men with extreme nationalistic views attempt to seize power in Belgrade. Crown Prince Alexander goes into hiding but via Twitter, Facebook and other social networking websites mobilizes hundreds of thousands of Serbian citizens who pour into the streets of Belgrade to protest the coup attempt. The attempt fails and the plotters are forced to surrender. The son of the last Yugoslavian monarch is lionized as a hero of democracy.

August 23rd, 2014: Star Wars Republic Commando II is released, doing far better than expected, narrowly beating out COD 8 for the top spot in gross sales.

August 27th, 2014: General elections are held in Namibia. Elijah Ngurare of
the SWAPO Party of Namibia is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2019. Ngurare was previously the leader of SWAPO's youth wing, and replaces outgoing President Hifikepunye Pohamba, also of SWAPO.

August 27th, 2014: New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez hits his 700th career home run in the majors. While many celebrate his achievements, others point to his steroid use as a stain on his numbers.

September 1st, 2014: The Montenegrin parliament restores Prince Nikola II Petrovic Njegos to the newly reconstituted Montenegrin throne.

September 2nd, 2014: At 40, MLB player Johnny Damon collects his 3000th hit with the Hawaii Islanders.

September 7th, 2014: Former Indian PM Manmohan Singh dies of a heart attack. Current PM Rahul Gandhi announces a national day of mourning for a man whom many in India consider their greatest leader since Nehru. His funeral, held on the 15th, is attended by over 40 world leaders and 1.8 million Indians, making it the biggest funeral since that of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

September 12th, 2014: In India, the Allowing for Advancement Act is passed after some controversy. While radical Hindu groups had opposed allowing affirmative action for Dalits, polls found that between 50 and 60 percent of the population supported it.

September 19th, 2014: King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia (b. 1924) dies from complications of a cerebral hemorrhage. He is succeeded by his half-brother Nayef (b. 1933).

September 22nd, 2014: Motions are approved by the Serbian parliament proposing a referendum on restoring the monarchy.

October 1st, 2014: Dilma Rousseff is reelected as the President of Brazil, winning 59% of the vote. Her share of the vote makes unnecessary a runoff round, and she is inaugurated on January 1st, 2015. Her campaign was buoyed by the strong economy, and reduced crime rates in major cities like Sao Paolo and Rio de Janiero. Her opponent, Teotonio Vilela Filho, the governor of Alagoas, was reduced to attacking her foreign policy, which he said was “too close to international pariahs like Iran.”

October 1st, 2014: As the MLB season comes to a close, the ex
pansion and relocation seems to have been a huge success. The A's, Gamblers, and Islanders all have great attendance numbers, leading the MLB leadership to greatly consider okaying more dramatic moves in the future. The records of expansion teams do not necessarily reflect their great attendance however, as the Texas Rangers cruise to a 105-59 finish to take the AL West, largely from a 15-4 record versus the new teams.

October 6th, 2014: Ayatollah Khamenei suffers a fatal heart attack while leading a mass prayer service at a Tehran mosque.

October 12th, 2014: Queen Elizabeth II dies after a heart failure. At 88, she was the longest-reining queen reignant in world history. Her son, Prince Charles, ascends to the throne as George VII.

October 16th, 2014: Prince Andrea of Monaco is introduced to Philippa Middleton, sister of the new Princess of Wales while in London attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

October 28th, 2014: In baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 games to win the World Series. Blue Jay Jose Bautista wins the World Series MVP for hitting 4 home runs and driving in 7 in the brief set.

November 4th, 2014: U.S. Midterm Elections; Democrats make massive gains in the midterms in response to discontent with President Romney's handling of the economic crisis and foreign policy blunders. The Democrats retake the House of Representatives and Senate; in a bold stroke, Congressman Keith Ellison is put forward as a candidate for Speaker of the House, progressives being emboldened by their midterm mandate.

In California, Governor Jerry Brown is re-elected to a second term over failed 2010 Senate candidate and computer magnate Carly Fiorina (R). In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo wins a landslide re-election over former Congressman Rick Lazio (R).

November 19th, 2014: During an Iranian democratic protest demonstration in the capital city of Tehran, Iranian defenders open fire on the mostly peaceful protesters, who begin to flee. The resulting catastrophe is now referred to as the “November genocide”. Despite being named for the month, confrontations between Iranian forces and demonstrators would continue into 2015.

November 29th, 2014: In Taichung, Su Jia-chyuan (DPP) defeats incumbent Mayor Jason Hu (KMT) for reelection, who is running for his historic 4th term. In Taipei City, Chou Po-ya (DPP), deputy speaker of the City Council, defeats Hau Lung-pin (KMT) for reelection narrowly by 914 votes, after 4 recounts. Hu and Hau are not barred to run for reelction because of the changes in administrative divisions in 2009. Meanwhile, Eric Chu (KMT), William Lai (DPP) and Chen Chu (DPP) are all reelected.

November 30th, 2014: European Union announces in Brussels, Belgium, the completion of the Galileo Project, establishing a new global positioning system (GPS) independent of the United States.

December 1st, 2014: The referendum on the restoration of the Serbian monarchy passes with 64% of the vote.

After two terms and without the possibility of a reelection for the post of President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy retires from politics. The Council of Europe elects French ex-resident Nicolas Sarkozy as new President of the Council.

December 10th, 2014: Former Brazilian presidential candidate Marina Silva wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy for the poor and indigenous tribes of her nation.

December 24th, 2014: Hong Kong replaces the linked exchange rate system with US Dollar with a basket of currencies all of a sudden. Hong Kong Dollar, long thought to be undervalued, appreciates dramatically, deflation is going to happen for the first time since 2003.

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2015

January 1st, 2015: Crown Prince Alexander (b. 1945) becomes King of Serbia.

January 3rd, 2015: A Naxalite attack and bombing on an army base in Jharkand state kill 57 troops. On the same day, a bombing causes a trail derailment, leading to 212 civillian deaths (the train was packed with laborers). In response, the anti-Naxalite paramilitary group Salwa Judum goes on a rampage, killing 14 suspected Maoists gruesomely. Rahul Gandhi's government is criticized for its slow reaction to the crisis, and despite their announcement that they are working quickly to end the Naxalite threat, Gandhi's approval ratings drop below 50% for the first time.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden gives birth to her second child, a girl, whom her parents name Renata Madeleine Desiree Marie.

January 15th, 2015: Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski is appointed as Commissioner of Baseball after Bud Selig retires from his position at the end of his contract after the MLB 2014 season.

January 17th, 2015: Ukrainian Presidential Election; Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko returns to her former post in a rematch of 2010, defeating incumbent Viktor Yanukovych by a margin of 47.7-46.1 percent. The pro-Russian Party of Regions cries electoral fraud in the aftermath of the election, leading to civil unrest between West and East. Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for Tymoshenko to allow for a recount, “in the name of stability and unity in the Ukraine.”

January 20th, 2015: In one of his first actions as baseball commissioner, Dave Dombrowski makes the All Star game once again count for nothing and has World Series home field advantage alternate by year.

January 22nd, 2015: President Enrique Peña Nieto is shot and killed in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico whilst giving a speech condemning the violence plaguing the city. The assassin, Gerardo Ortiz is found to be part of the Sinaloa Cartel.

January 23rd, 2015: After an Extraordinary Session of Congress is held, Secretary of the Interior Beatriz Paredes Rangel is elected Interim President to fulfill the remainder of Peña Nieto's term.

January 27th, 2015: Mexican President Beatriz Paredes Rangel gives a nationwide televised speech where she formally states her grief over the late President Peña Nieto's death at the hands of the “barbarous cartels.” She outlines the intentions of her administration to conduct “Total War” (Sp. Guerra Total) on key drug havens throughout the country.

January 28th, 2015: President Paredes Rangel declares a state of emergency throughout the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Baja California, Michoacán and Guerrero, stating that the violence in the country must be dealt with “by any means necessary.”

January 30th, 2015: Elements of the Mexican military attack various known cartel havens throughout northern Mexico, killing hundreds of drug traffickers and cartel collaborators, and arresting thousands more by the end of the month.

January 31st, 2015: While in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on business, wealthy German tool producer, Guenter Schabacker is trapped in a small cantina while government forces attack drug cartel thugs. Thinking he is going to die, the young German offers a barmaid $1000 American dollars to have sex with him. The barmaid, Maria de la Cruz, a sufferer of a disease of the kidneys called interstitial nephritis, is desperate for cash.
Her husband, Jose Manuel de la Cruz, an alcoholic and diabetic desperately in need of treatment is dying in their small shack in a rough barrio of Monterrey. Maria de la Cruz agrees to Schabacker’s terms and uses the cash to move her husband back to their hometown of Galeana, in southern Nuevo Leon. She soon realizes she is pregnant but does not tell Manuel the truth about how she got the money. He believes he is the father of the baby and she obtained the money legitimately. They move into a small house next to a small Pentecostal Church. A few months after the birth of her son, Alejandro, Maria succumbs to the effects of kidney disease, dying in her husband‘s arms. In his grief, Manuel de la Cruz begins attending the Pentecostal Church next door and soon becomes a devout adherent and stops drinking alcohol. Although in poor health, he miraculously lives long enough to see Alejandro reach his 18th birthday on October 27th, 2033 but dies the next day of complications of severe diabetes.

While working as a waiter in La Florida Hotel in Galeana early the next year, Alejandro meets an American genealogical researcher who is conducting DNA research on the de la Cruz family of Galeana. Along with several collateral male relatives on his father’s side, Alejandro agrees to participate in the DNA testing. When the results come back, he is stunned to find out the man he thought was his father was not. After the researcher entered his Y-DNA into a database with the Sorensen Molecular Genealogy Foundation, he is put in touch with a man with an exact match…Guenter Schabacker. The childless Guenter Schabacker is dying of cirrhosis of the liver. Young Alejandro de la Cruz flies to Duesseldorf where he finds out the circumstances of his birth. Guenter Schabacker dies within days but not before changing his will leaving his enormous fortune to the poor Mexican boy. This bequest will result in several important discoveries which will transform medicine and change the lives of millions for the better.

February 1st, 2015: Realdon Robotics is established as one of the first companies with the realistic goal of creating a fully functioning robot capable of use by humans. It is founded by William G. Realdon.

February 3rd, 2015: Formation of the Society Opposing Unholy Life (S.O.U.L.), a far-right Christian political group in response to recent advancements in gay rights, science, and rising discontent with the Romney administration on domestic, especially social, issues.

February 4th, 2015: Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer declares his intentions to run for the Democratic Presidential nomination.

February 21, 2015: Archaeologists working at the Templo Mayor pyramid base near the National Palace in Mexico City confirm the discovery of the burial chambers of Aztec rulers, Huitzilihuiltl, Moctezuma I, Axayacatl, and Moctezuma II. The first three rulers cremains are recovered as is the intact skeleton of Moctezuma II. Forensic scientists confirm historical accounts that he was severely injured by having stones hurled at him with fractures to the skull and left femur. However, the cause of death for the unfortunate Aztec emperor was a cut throat, probably by Spaniards.

March 9th, 2015: Former Governor of Virginia and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine announces his bid for the Democratic Nomination for President, in Richmond, the capitol of Virginia. Early polls give Kaine a slim to moderate lead over incumbent President Mitt Romney.

March 11th, 2015: With the aid of American intelligence and military support, the Mexican military cracks down hard on la Familia Michoacana, managing to kill José de Jesús Méndez Vargas and capture large numbers of the cartel, including Servando Gómez Martínez and Dionicio Loya Plancarte.

March 19th, 2015: Second Battle of Basra; Islamic fundamentalists led by Muqtada Al-Sadr launch a nationwide conflict of sectarian violence from Basra, Iraq.

March 25th, 2015: In Iraq the Second Mahdi Army Revolt is crushed, much the same as the first. While many of the 20,000 MNF-I troops left in country acted in non-combat roles, facilitating much of the intelligence gathering, and logistical planning of higher level formations of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi National Police, host nation forces proved themselves surprisingly competent. When it came to operations at the brigade level and below the ability of Iraqi units to effectively engage enemy forces, and also to operate independent of MNF-I assistance, surprised a number of defense analysts, especially regional analysts in the Middle East. The end of the Second Mahdi Army Revolt is often cited as the true end of the Iraq War, being both the last time that MNF-I forces were involved in hostilities in Iraq, and the last time that sectarian violence or religious extremism constituted a substantial threat to the rule of law, or the democratic process, in Iraq.

March 26th, 2015: Der Spiegel and The Economist magazines report human rights violations by XE contractors in Basra and Baghdad, including the deaths of c.250 people in one apartment building. Iraqi government officials demand the prosecution of all private contractors involved in the violence. Republican leaders led by Minority Leader Cantor refuse to allow “American men and women to be subject to theocratic ideals…” angering many of the nations in the region.

April 1st, 2015: Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN-TV) shows footage of XE mercenaries brutally raping a 14yo girl suspected of carrying an improvised explosive device (IED). This further enrages the Muslim world to the presence of multinational troops.

April 6th, 2015: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) announces his intention to run for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States, to challenge incumbent President Mitt Romney. In his first campaign speech, given in New York City outside the Freedom Tower, Cuomo says he is running to,”stop the President from leading this country down the wrong track,” and uses the Romney Administration's stance on Gay Rights as an example.

April 11th, 2015: Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS) makes rumblings about a possible primary challenge to President Romney while being interviewed on CNN's The Situation Room, reflecting discontent among the right toward Romney's handling of the economy and apathy on social issues.

April 17th, 2015: After years of lobbying by the LDS Church, Kazakhstan allows LDS missionaries to operate within it's borders. This is hailed as a victory for religious freedom in an Islamic-majority country, and the Church soon announces the formation of the first LDS ward in Kazakhstan, composed mostly of the 75 ethnically Russian Mormons already in the country.

May 7th, 2015: In the UK, a general election under the new alternate vote system, leads to a Conservative minority government. The Liberal Democrats were able to recover during the coalition, taking small credit for the economic recovery achieved between 2010 and 2015. In the Labour party, there are calls for Ed Miliband to step down, since most MPs hadn't voted for him during the leadership election in 2010.

May 8th, 2015: David Cameron forms his first fully Conservative Cabinet with George Osborne being made Foreign Secretary, Michael Gove as Home Secretary replacing the retired Theresa May and Iain Duncan Smith as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In addition, William Hague continues on as Justice Secretary, a post he assumed in 2012 with Nick Herbert continuing as Defence Secretary and Theresa Villiers as Education Secretary.

May 9th, 2015: Junior New Jersey Senator Cory Booker declines to run for president. As the campaign goes in it's pretty clear, however, that his camp is generating buzz for the vice presidential nod.

May 10th, 2015: In a referendum, Japanese voters approve a constitutional amendment that turn the Self Defense Forces officially into a military. The second paragraph of Article 9, which forbade the maintenance of “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential”, is replaced by a new Article 9-2 which permits a “defense force”, under control of the Prime Minister, which defends the nation and May participate in international activities. This new section uses the term “gun”. The United States welcomes the constitutional amendment, hoping that Japan could play a more significant role in combating the growing strength of China. However, China recalls its ambassador to Japan “for some urgent discussions regarding the new international political atmosphere”.

May 11th, 2015: Philippa Middleton marries Prince Andrea of Monaco in Monte Carlo with the Prince and Princess of Wales in attendance.

May 12th, 2015: An article in the New York Times draws attention to the Lulaist economic policies of Maria Corina, the President of Venezuela. Since her assumption of power, she has been moving Brazil away from Chavez's “Bolivarian socialism” and towards a more traditional model, encouraged by President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil. With the removal of Chavez and the increased activism of Brazil, Ecuador has also been moving towards a less radical position.

May 17, 2015: Fossils of Amphicoelias fragillimus are once again unearthed in the Morrison Formation. They do confirm a vast length, but the estimate has to be reduced to 47-51 m and 88-104 metric tons.

May 22nd, 2015: Castro Riots; S.O.U.L. members attract national controversy after protesting outside the Castro District in San Francisco, California, sparking clashes with members of the LGBT community.

June 1st, 2015: Future Indian Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty is elected in a special election for the Bongaon seat in West Bengal. The previus MP, Gobinda Chandra Naskar, had died of a heart attack earlier in the year. Chakravorty wins as a member of the Trinamool Congress Party (a Bengali offshoot of the Congress Party). She is notable for her young age and personal charisma. Only 27, she was elected to the City Council of Bongaon after graduating from Jawarhalal Nehru University.

June 7th, 2015: In Japan, the New Komeito withdraws from the ruling coalition, citing irrevocable differences with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Almost immediately, the New Komeito stages a no-confidence motion against Ishiba, but is defeated since the Hatoyama and Ozawa factions of the opposition Democratic Party votes against the motion.

June 10th, 2015: In light of the successful lawsuit about it's financial records, the LDS Church divests itself of stock holdings in several companies, and announces that it will reform the administration of the church, giving more administrative power and money to local church units throughout the world. This move is seen as not only financially wise, but also a boon to advocates of LDS decentralization.

June 11th, 2015: In Japan, 42 lower house MPs and 22 Councillors from the Hatoyama and Ozawa factions of the opposition Democratic Party form their own Liberal New Japan Alliance.

June 12th, 2015: President Mitt Romney announces his intention to seek re-election, despite poor approval ratings and the threat of a potentially divisive primary challenge from the right.

June 15th, 2015: Yvette Cooper resigns as Shadow Home Secretary and challenges Ed Miliband for the Leadership of the Labour Party, Ed Balls walks out as Shadow Chancellor in support of his wife causing a major upheaval in the Labour Party.

July 2015: The existence of Pseudonovibos spiralis is proven. Naturally, “snake-eating cow” is a false designation, it is rather similar to the Gaur and Kouprey.

July 1st, 2015: The Russian Federation and Belarus formally unite into a single entity known as the Federal Union of Russia and Belarus, more commonly known as the “Union State” and in reality almost completely run from Moscow. Russia's outward shift in foreign policy is capitalized by this move, and Western Europe is becoming increasingly worried with the Russian bear flexing its muscles once again.

July 2nd, 2015: Britain's Ambassador in the US, David Miliband announces he has no interest in the matters in the Labour Party.

'Batman Beyond' is released in cinemas as the first entry in the film franchise since the hugely successful 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Inspired by the 1999-2001 animated series of the same name and resurrecting plans for such a film from 2001 that were abandoned in favour of Christopher Nolan's reboot, the concept was made use of to avoid unfavourable comparison between it and the still recent Nolan films and explore new ground. The film is set in 2044 and starts Kevin Conroy as an elderly Bruce Wayne, Stana Katic as Lady Cain, Nathan Filion as Derek Blight and newcomer Richard Herod as Terry McGinnis, the new Batman. The new film is met with critical and box office success and is praised for sitting well with the Nolan films by combining their neo-noir feel and gritty realism with subtle hard sci-fi undertones and for it's success in areas the preceding entries were sometimes felt lacking in. The soundtrack is also praised, being jointly composed by Hans Zimmer and Jesper Kyd.

July 3rd, 2015: After months of unrest in response to the disputed presidential election, full-blown riots in the eastern parts of the Ukraine. Prime Minister Tymoshenko, leader of the pro-West incumbent government, asks for European Union intervention in the escalating conflict. However Vladimir Putin, seeking to maintain influence in the Ukraine in light of the conflict, ask the EU for a joint conference to sort out electoral irregularities. The EU, led by President Nicolas Sarkozy, declines the request and instead launches their own investigation into the allegations of electoral fraud.

July 4th, 2015: The Mayor of New York announces that New York intends to reclaim the title of world's tallest building with the construction of the New York Tower. Designed to climb to 3,342 feet/1018m, the building will be located 9 blocks south of the Empire State Building.

July 5th, 2015: Midterm Elections are held in Mexico. The PRI increases its presence in Congress by a slight margin, for the most part holding it's majority. Many within the PAN and PRD cry foul, claiming the PRI is up to it's old tricks of vote stacking and election theft, though international observers are quick to note President Paredes' decisive action against the Cartels and sympathy for President Peña Nieto's death as reasons for the PRI's excellent performance at the polls.

Chamber of Deputies Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) - 267 National Action Party (PAN) - 112 Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) - 71 Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) - 16 Labor Party (PT) - 10 Nueva Alianza (PNA) - 8 Convergence - 12 Independents - 4

July 6th, 2015: Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger, dies at night after suffering a stroke. Fallowing his death, Catholics around the world mourn his death, and many make the pilgramage to the Vatican for his funeral, along with many of the worlds most famous political and religious leaders.

July 11th, 2015: Former King Michael of Romania, after attending the official ceremonies of restoration for the kings of Montenegro and Serbia, dies at his villa in Switzerland. After his death, monarchism in Romania dwindles to almost nothing in spite of the restoration of several other Balkan monarchies. The King's grandson, Nicholas Medforth-Mills marries an American girl later in the year and settles in obscurity on the lower slopes of Mt. Hood near Portland, Oregon.

July 14th, 2015: New Horizons begin its flyby of Pluto.

July 29th, 2015: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announces her intention to run for the office of United States President against President Romney. While labelled an underdog candidate against more well-known names such as her own state's Governor Cuomo, Gillibrand immediately gains a following of progressives and grassroots activists, who are enamored with her fiery populist rhetoric regarding the state of the country's economy.

August 2nd, 2015: After recommendation by the European Commission, Ukraine becomes and official EU candidate. Moscow heavily criticizes it calling it an act of revenge for the creation of the Union State.

August 4th, 2015: In Japan, the Liberal New Japan Alliance and the Lower Taxes Party merge to form the Social Credit Party, and joins the ruling coalition. Ichiro Ozawa is appointed Finance Minister.

August 5th, 2015: President Romney's approval rating hits 36%, the lowest point in his administration thus far, after the Department of Labor released a report indicating the unemployment rate hit 12.7 percent for July 2015.

August 10th, 2015: In Japan, outraged by the SCP-LDP coalition, 16 Your Party MPs and 7 LDP MPs cross the floor and join the opposition Democratic Party.

August 17th, 2015: In the Papal conclave that fallows the Death of Pope Benedict XVI, the College of Cardinals votes to have Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa,Honduras, to serve as the Next Pope. He takes the name of Pope George, after Saint George, the legendary dragon slayer. In his first address to the world, Pope George promises to the people that his first priority will be to work to help the poor and the suffering.

August 20th, 2015: In what would later be known as Jueves Sangriento (Bloody Thursday) a band of the Los Zetas Cartel massacre 10 children and injure 25 more playing in a school playground in Reynosa, Tamaulipas when inter-cartel disputes erupt in the streets with gunfire.

August 22nd, 2015: Mexican Troops occupy Reynosa and as per Martial Law begin to detain anyone whom they deem May be part of a cartel. By the end of the day several thousand persons are detained, as well as the deaths of about 90 known members of the Los Zetas Cartel in intermittent fighting within the city. The firefights between the Cartel and the Mexican Army continue for several more days, extending to the cities of Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Piedras Negras, prompting a temporary closure of all entry points along the Texas-Mexico border.

August 23rd, 2015: Chinese men start calling for “American mail-order brides” due to the shortage of available women in China.

August 24th, 2015: Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas announces that he will challenge Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination, citing his “failed policies” and the need for a “true conservative” in the White House. Almost immediately, S.O.U.L. gains national prominence with its high-profile endorsement of Governor Brownback's presidential bid, calling him “the right candidate to restore moral values in America.” Over the past year, S.O.U.L. accumulated influence and omnipresence from the Evangelical movement, and was responsible for many protests across the nation.

September 11th, 2015: India's Parliament, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi, passes the Equality in Donation Act. This act prevents fertility clinics from informing customers of the caste of the donor. Oftentimes, customers will refuse to accept sperm except from donors of specific castes. Some fertility clinics even go so far as to refuse donations from members of certain castes, or segregate the sperm storage facilities. The Equality in Donation Act seeks to end those practices.

In some parts of India, outrage ensues over the Equality in Donation Act. Furious crowds gather outside of many lawmakers' offices and fertility clinics, demanding their “right” to know the caste of a donor. While most doctors and middle-class Indians support the Gandhi government's law, many lower-class and high-caste upper-class Indians oppose it, believing that it is important for them not to sully the purity of their caste.

September 18th, 2015: In response to severe public pressure, and pressure from some members of his coalition, Rahul Gandhi asks the Indian Parliament to repeal some parts of the Equality in Donation Act. While clinics will still be banned from refusing donations from low-caste donor, customers will regain the right to know what caste their donor was from.

September 20th-October 20th, 2015: In India, a national debate ensues over sperm donation and caste. Six states, including Bihar, pass state laws which require all donors to state their caste and make it more expensive and difficult for low-caste donors to give sperm. Meanwhile, nine state governments, led by Kerala, go in the opposite direction and ban patients from asking about the caste of their donor. Over the upcoming years, these numbers will shift slowly in favor of the Keralese bloc.

September 20th, 2015: The “Sarkozy Report”, as the EU investigation into Ukrainian election dispute is called, produces a study detailing large amounts of fraud in the pro-Russian eastern oblasts and a clear victory for the current pro-West government. Eastern Ukrainians react with outrage, covertly funded by Russia who seeked access to Ukrainian natural gas lines with the depleting supply of oil slowly becoming a major issue.

September 24th, 2015: The Pittsburgh Pirates clinch the NL Central title with a 5-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Fans storm the field in excitment, causing $250,000 in damage once all is said and done.

September 22nd, 2015: The Ukrainian government declares martial law in several eastern oblasts to crack down on riots caused by Eastern Ukrainians covertly supported by Russia.

September 24th, 2015: Pro-Russian MPs walk out of the Ukrainian Parliament in protest of the declaration of martial law.

September 26th, 2015: Japanese Finance Minister Ichiro Ozawa dies suddenly of a heart attack.

September 30th, 2015: Intense gunfights erupt in the west Mexican city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa between the Mexican Army and the Sinaloa Cartel. The region had already seen spurts of violence for several weeks as President Paredes increased the troop presence in the region. As a simultaneous gunfight erupted in the state capital Culiacán, President Paredes signs an Executive Order demanding Federal Troops to “kill on sight.”

October 8th, 2015: Facebook acquires SchülerVZ and StudiVZ, who saw their membership numbers rapidly decreasing and filed for insolvency.

October 17th, 2015: The IUPAC approves Uut and Uup to be discovered, both by Dubna JINR. This Institute puts forward Sacharowium for Uut and, surprisingly Putinium for Uup.

October 19th-25th, 2015: Sacharowium is generally accepted, but there are worldwide rallies against calling Element 115 Putinium. However, the team responsible for the element's discovery won't cede the name.

October 29th, 2015: Piers Morgan Tonight (CNN-TV) includes a guest appearance by former President Barack Obama, who responds to questions that he'll run again by saying that he would support whoever emerged as the Democratic candidate, but would rather help people on a closer scale than the national political scene allows.

October 30th, 2015: In baseball, the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 6 games over the Los Angeles Angels. Nationals second baseman Stephen Lombardozzi wins the MVP award for hitting .488 with 7 runs scored, 3 steals, and a walk off home run in Game 2.

November 2nd, 2015: Triplets are born to the Catherine, Princess of Wales, all girls. They are named Princesses Philippa, Elizabeth, and Diana.

November 3rd, 2015: Mayor Leland Yee (D-CA) of San Francisco, California wins re-election, becoming a “rising star” within the Democratic Party. Yee wins much of the LGBT vote after condemning S.O.U.L., calling on SFPD to prosecute members on charges of harassment and hate crimes.

November 3rd, 2015: The Economist reports that agriculture in northern Namibia has become much more profitable since the discovery of the Ohangwena II reservoir in 2012. Farmers have begun growing more water-intensive crops such as maize, sorghum, tobacco. They also grow wheat more intensively, causing a drop in food prices in Namibia. The cost-of-living has dropped more than 12%, as less food must be imported.

November 11th, 2015: Talks of a South-American power bloc begin between Presidents Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Danilo Astori of Uruguay and outgoing Cristina Kirchner of Argentina.

November 12th, 2015: The governing Business Council of the ten-thousand-strong Northern Arapaho Nation of Fremont County, Wyoming receives an anonymous proposal signed Amicus Arapahoviae. The proposal suggests a new way of determining tribal membership based on DNA testing rather than the traditional blood quantum system.

The elders of the tribe are intrigued and authorize funds from casino profits for a tribal project to identify Y lineages, mtdna lineages and distinctive autosomal lineages matched to thoroughly researched paper genealogies. When the project is finished three years later using the services of Houston-based DNA testing company Family Tree DNA, it is determined the entire tribe descends from 38 Native men (five of which were Athabaskan in origin), and 143 women. There are twelve European-derived Y lineages and four African Y lineages. As the families with these lineages had been members of the tribe for over a century, no move was made to unenroll them and their lineages were adopted as official lineages along with the actual Native lineages.

November 15th, 2015: Meghan McCain declares her intention to run for Congress as a Republican in Arizona's 6th congressional district in 2016, coinciding with her father John McCain's retirement from the Senate.

November 15th, 2015: In Hong Kong, the pro-establishment camp wins 401 out of 417 seats in the district council elections due to massive electoral fraud and unfair campaign benefits. Out of all 417 directly elected seats, the DAB and FTU jointly wins 209, followed by 51 of the NPP, 18 for the Liberal Party, 11 of the Civic Force, 8 for the Economic Synergy, 7 for the NWSC [2] and 94 other pro-establishment candidates. Among the 16 pan-democrats that survive, the Democratic Party wins 6 constituencies (Upper Tai Wo Hau, Lower Tai Wo Hau, Lai King, Siu Chi, King Fung and Sun King), the CDH wins 3 (Kin Shin, Yee Fu and Pokfulam), the ADPL wins 2 (Lai Chi Kok South and Kadoorie [3] - the biggest upset of the night), as well as 5 others (winning Choi Kin, Nam On, Hennessy, Ching On and Kowloon Bay).

November 17th, 2015: Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky announces that he will challenge Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination, citing his “failed policies” and the need for a “true conservative” in the White House.

November 18th, 2015: S.O.U.L. gains national prominence with its high-profile endorsement of Senator Rand Paul's presidential bid, calling him “the right candidate to restore moral values in America.” Over the past year, S.O.U.L. accumulated influence and omnipresence from the Evangelical movement, and was responsible for many protests across the nation.
November 20th, 2015: The Chicago Fire win the Major League Soccer Cup over D.C. United, 3-1.

November 24th, 2015: Mariano Rajoy steps down as Prime Minister of Spain and chooses his vice-president, Soraya Saez de Santamaría as his successor as leader of the People’s Party. Despite losses, the People’s Party retains the absolute majority. Soraya Saez de Santamarái becomes the first Spanish female prime minister. The internal crisis in the PSOE continues over the basis of federalism weakening the positions of the PSOE and strengthening the position of centrist UPyD and communist United Left.

December 18th, 2015: Proposition 9 is added to the 2016 ballot in California. If passed, the measure would repeal the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state, effectively overturning the controversial Proposition 8.

December 19th, 2015: S.O.U.L. condemns Proposition 9 as “an attack on the moral fabric of the nation, and an attack on God's will.” The group begins to organize a political campaign in opposition to the “Yes on 9” effort.

December 28th, 2015: Amnesty International releases a report detailing Mexico's apparent degradation of human rights as half the country remains under Martial law and the year 2015 being seen as the bloodiest on record.

December 29th, 2015: Vice President Bobby Jindal announces that he will not be on President Romney's re-election ticket, claiming that he needs to “spend time with his family”. When questioned by supporters more, he declares that he intends to return to Louisiana to help the affected there.
 
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2016

January 1st, 2016: In Japan, the People's New Party merges into the Democratic Party.

January 4th, 2016: The Vatican announces that the new Pope George will be making a round the world tour of the developing world in the summer. Pope George himslef says he is doing it to, “shed light on those of us who are truly suffering in a time of great unrest,” due to the economic downturn.

January 5th, 2016: Iowa Caucuses; In the Democratic contest, former Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) wins an upset victory, immediately becoming the front runner. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) shocks many with her strong second place showing over Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), respectively.

On the Republican side, Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS) claims victory over President Romney, claiming a 55 percent margin of victory bolstered by turnout from the Tea Party, S.O.U.L., and other conservatives.

January 8th, 2016: New Hampshire Caucuses: On the Democratic side, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wins with 41% to former Governor Schweitzer's 26% and Senator Tim Kaine's 15%. Gillibrand is quickly labeled by the media as the new front runner, noting her meteoric rise in the primaries from a no-name candidate to placing second in Iowa, and subsequently winning New Hampshire. Cuomo suspends his campaign after a poor showing and endorses his fellow New Yorker for the nomination.

On the Republican side, President Romney deals a heavy blow to the insurgent Brownback campaign, winning the Granite state with 58 percent of the vote.

January 10th, 2016: In Taiwan, Taichung Mayor Su Jia-chyuan (DPP) defeats New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu (KMT) in the Taiwanese presidential election, 2016, ending 8 years of KMT rule. For the first time in history, the DPP won a majority of seats in the Legilsative Yuan.

Republic of China legislative election, 2016
Democratic Progressive Party 62
Kuomintang 37
People First Party 5
Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 4
Independents 5
Incumbent speaker: Wang Jin-pyng (KMT)
Speaker-elect: Ker Chien-ming (DPP)

January 11th, 2016: Baja California Sur becomes the first Mexican state to legalize cannabis. Over the next several months Sonora, Chihuahua and Tamaulipas follow suit.

January 16th, 2016: Students of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) lead a protest March along Paseo de la Reforma in México City against the near dictatorial powers the President is perceived to possess. The protesters gather in the Zócalo where they continue to cry out against the “New Dictatorship” imposed by “Doña Beatriz.” There are skirmishes with the police though on the whole the protests remain relatively peaceful.

January 21st, 2016: Almost a year after the disputed presidential election, the Ukraine has effectively been without a functioning government since *eptember 2015 due to the walkout of Eastern MPs. However, a coalition of moderates and Eastern MPs, known as the “Peace and Justice Alliance”, manage to convince the government to lift martial law in some oblasts after months of tenuous negotiation.

The Nigerien presidential election is held. There are few irregularities reported, and the vote is generally considered by international observers to be free and fair. Former President Mahamane Ousmane, who was ousted by a coup in 1996, is elected to a five-year term over Seyni Oumarou of the National Movement for the Development of Society Party, which was in power from 1996-2010. Niger is still plagued by unrest in the north, high unemployment, and extremely low human development. The election marks Niger's first peaceful democratic transfer of power.

February 3rd, 2016: Yankee Shortstop Derek Jeter, 41, announces his retirement after his 21st season as a major league. Jeter had a brief career renaissance after his 3,000th hit, hitting above .300 (.301 and .304) twice since. He ended his career with 3,654 hits, good enough for 4th all time in the MLB.

February 4th, 2016: Governor Tim James (R-AL) announces his resignation in Birmingham, Alabama amidst rumors of an extramarital affair come to light.

February 5th, 2016: After discussions with baseball executives and the player's unions, Commissioner Dave Dombrowski begins a series of reforms to the game. The playoffs expanding to an extra wild card team, with both wild card teams playing a 1 game playoff to decide who will move on, is the biggest and most noticeable change. The others are a list of minor changes and directives sent to umpires by Dombrowski that are meant to speed the game up, partially inspired by new Commissioner adviser Bill James. In 2015, games were averaging a time of 2:52. By 2020, games average a time of 2:31.

February 17th, 2016: Seth MacFarlane and the Fox network announce that the popular comedy Family Guy will end at the conclusion of the current season, the show's fourteenth. MacFarlane says that “we ran out of original ideas some time ago”, and that the cast members wished to move on to other roles.

February 23rd, 2016: Kirsten Gillibrand emerges as the presumptive Democratic nominee after winning the vast majority of delegates and states on Super Tuesday. Senator Tim Kaine and Governor Brian Schweitzer suspend their campaigns that night and endorse Gillibrand for the presidency.
On the Republican side, no clear front runner emerges from Super Tuesday, as both Romney and Brownback come out with roughly the same amount of delegates. However, Brownback has a slight edge and momentum from winning the crucial Ohio primary by a narrow margin (50.1-49.3).

March 3rd, 2016: The Working Class Zeroes release their hit album Apocalypse….Some Time Soon. The music sounds much like the 90's “pop-punk” bands but lyrical more akin to 80's hardcore punk, using the growth of radical Christian groups and the continued political and economic problems under President Romney as inspiration for biting commentary. They spawn a brief resurgence in punk rock's popularity in the few years before the end of the twenty teens.

March 12th, 2016: In Japan, Your Party withdraws from the coalition government, but promises supply and confidence.

March 20th, 2016: A 20-man militant Islamist cell within Kazakhstan assaults and kidnaps the first LDS missionaries sent to that country, holing up in a school in a remote region with the missionaries and 17 Kazakh converts. The militants claim that any of their ethnic brethren “should not be allowed to follow even a heretic version of the crusader faith”, and demand that the LDS Church cease proselytizing in their country. In a public statement, LDS President Monson asks that members of the church pray and fast for the missionaries and the now-famous “Kazakh 17”, while he and other church leaders negotiate with the militants. The media dubs the conflict the “Kazakh 17 crisis”.

March 25, 2016: The Treaty of Florianópolis creates the Aliança Latino-Americana pelo Desenvolvimento e Comércio (Alliance of Latin America for Development and Commerce, or as the media describes it, the Latin American Union), an updating of the Mercosur Free-trade Organization, now with more focus on a possible political union between its participants. Strangely, Argentina was not invited to the treaty, on the grounds of it protectionist policies being a contradiction to the tax-free commerce the ALADEC so clearly defends. Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia and Venezuela are the members of this new organization.

As their demands have not been met, the Islamic militants in Kazakhstan execute one of the LDS Kazakh 17 converts they have kidnapped, which immediately ends negotiations between them and the LDS Church. The Church proceeds to appeal to the Kazakh government for a strike on the Islamists to rescue the converts, while publicly urging moderation and denouncing any anti-Islamic bigotry by Mormon public figures.

During this crisis, Elder L Tom Perry, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church and second-in-line for leadership of the church suffers a massive heart attack, but does not die. It is debated whether the church could “retire” Perry to have a younger and healthier elder take his place.

April 1st, 2016: The Pingan International Finance Center is completed in Shenzen, China. Topping out at 2,165 feet, it is the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world behind the Burj Khalifa.

April 2nd, 2016: The groundbreaking ceremony for the New York Tower begins. Construction is expected to take 6 to 7 years, with the building being done in time for the nearby Empire State Building's 100th anniversary.
As the Kazakh 17 crisis continues, President Monson declares the cancellation of the April session of General Conference, saying that just as Brigham Young stopped Conference in order to organize a rescue group for stranded handcart companies, “so must we roll up our sleeves and work for the freedom of our missionaries and our Kazakh brothers in faith.”

The Kazakh government agrees to send a strike force to eliminate the militants, on the condition that the LDS Church refrain from proselytizing in certain areas of their nation known to be sympathetic to the militants. The Church agrees.

April 3rd, 2016: The CIA releases a report stating that Cartel violence in north western Mexico has diminished by nearly half since combat operations began in 2006, going further by stating that many of the cartels in the country “have become shells of their former selves.”

April 8th, 2016: The saga of the Kazakh 17 crisis comes to a close with a bloody strike on the kidnappers by the Kazakh government, killing 10 of the militants and capturing the rest. Excluding the executed convert, the hostages and missionaries are sent safely home, and stories of faith and bravery on the part of the Kazakh 17 begin to circulate throughout the LDS community.
Quietly, the LDS Church puts out a statement that Elder L Tom Perry will be made an “apostle emeritus”, effectively retiring him and removing from him the responsibilities of an apostle. Among the more conspiratorially-minded LDS members, rumors being circulating that Perry was privately opposed to the decentralization of church organization, and that is why he was removed from his apostleship in the somewhat unprecedented “apostle emeritus” move. LDS Church spokesmen ignore the rumor. In Perry's place, Elder Randall K Bennett is made an apostle, in what is seen as a move to more easily appeal with Russian-speaking officials to avoid another Kazakh 17 situation.

April 9th, 2016: At least 50 people, mostly drug traffickers, are killed in a raid south of Navojoa, Sonora, near the Sonora-Sinaloa border.

April 26th, 2016: Elections are held in Equatorial Guinea. Results show that President Teodoro Obiang, who has ruled the country since a military coup in 1979, has won another 7 year term with 98.38% of the vote. The elections are widely held in the West to be highly rigged. The legal opposition party, the National Democratic Union of Equatorial Guinea, had its candidate barred from the ballot in all but one province. Meanwhile, the illegal opposition party Revolutionary Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (PARSOGE), was constitutionally prevented from putting forward a candidate. The leader of PARSOGE calls for protests beginning on May 1st (May Day) against President Obiang's rule.

May 1st-3rd, 2016: Large protests break out across Equatorial Guinea against President Teodoro Obiang's 37-year rule. Organized by PARSOGE, the protestors call for equal distribution of oil revenues and democratic elections. They are quite violent, torching government offices in seven cities nationwide and on one occasion beating back police sent to attack them with Molotov cocktails.

May 3rd, 2016: The IUPAC, as a chemical organisation, finds Putinium (and Sacharowium) eligible and approves Sacharowium as Sw, and Putinium as Pn.

May 4th, 2016: President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea bars foreign news organizations from his country as massive protests continue for the fourth day. Unclear reports emanating from Cameroon indicate that police have lost control of Kié-Ntem Province, although Army units from Wele-Nzas Province to the south are reportedly moving into the province.

May 5th, 2016: President Romney gives a speech and declares that he will raise funding for scientific laboratories (Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, etc.) so that an element is discovered in America again. They shall name said element after a president.

Two truck bombs explode in Equatorial Guinea's capitol, Malabo, outside the Presidential Palace and the Chamber of People's Representatives. They kill 22 people, including President Obiang's brother, the Minister of Defense, and seven legislator's from President Obiang's Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea.

May 7th, 2016: Amidst massive protests in Equatorial Guinea, the leader of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Equatorial Guinea (PARSOGE), which has been coordinating the protests, gives a radio-broadcast speech. Rolan de la Cruz announces that PARSOGE is committed to the violent and revolutionary overthrow of President Obiang's government. Cruz urges Equatoguineans to take to the streets armed with guns, clubs, and rocks to oppose the “tyrannical power of the Army and the dictator, Obiang.”

May 9th, 2016: The Army of Equatorial Guinea begins a crackdown on street protests, which is initially remarkably successful. However, as protestors leave the street, they turn instead to violent attacks on Army positions. Western commentators note that they are well supplied with arms and ammunition, although their source is unknown. It is thought that more than 25 soldiers and over 70 militants die in clashes throughout the country.

May 10th, 2016: The Ukrainian parliament is dissolved following a motion of no-confidence succeeding against the Tymoshenko government.

May 12th, 2016: Amidst widespread army defections, President Obiang's government has lost complete control over the mainland portion of the country. However, the capitol, Malabo, which is on Bioko Island 100 kilometers to the northwest, has been under intense lockdown for several days, and all attempts at protest have been crushed.

May 15th, 2016: In Equatorial Guinea, protests reappear in the capitol, Malabo. Army units defect to the opposition party PARSOGE, and March on the Presidential Palace. President Obiang attempts to flee, but his helicopter suffers mechanical difficulties and he is arrested.

May 16th, 2016: Following a rather chaotic round of meetings, the EU member states cannot come to an agreement as to what course of action to take in the Ukraine. Many do not like the idea of having to “bail out” Eastern Europe, especially the Ukraine.

May 18th, 2016: Rolan de la Cruz arrives in Equatorial Guinea's capitol, Malabo, and is declared General Secretary. He begins reorganizing the country into the People's Republic of Guinea, the world's first new officially socialist state since the creation of North Vietnam.

May 20th, 2016: The film, Superman:Last Son of Krypton Part I, the second Superman film to be directed by Zach Snyder is released. The film once again has Henry Cavill, Natalie Portman,Billy Zane and Jay Baruchel reprise their roles from the previous film, and adds Colin Salmon as the villian Brainiac. The first of a two-part story, the film ends with Brainiac taking over the Earth, and Superman leaving to go into exile. Though one of the most popular films of the year, and a box-office blockbuster, some critics and
moviegoers dislike the “darker” direction the film series is being taken in.

May 22nd, 2016: A coalition of PRD, Nueva Alianza and Convergence Deputies fail to pass a motion which would limit President Paredes' powers, as the overwhelming PRI majority obstructed the bill's progression.

May 23rd, 2016: In response to the failure of an opposition law in Mexico, and using the strongest language the United States has to date, Secretary of State Jon Huntsman says “I deplore a dangerous trend in Mexico seen today towards authoritarianism in the name of security, limited freedoms in the name of order. This is against the principles of democracy and the aspirations of the Mexican people to live in freedom and safety.” In response, Mexican President Paredes calls on President Romney to fire Huntsman, replying that “Mexican democracy has never been stronger, and will be made safer by our aggressive action against the murderous cartels.” President Romney puts pressure on Huntsman to apologize, and Huntsman moderates his statement in a press conference on the 25th.

May 25th-26th, 2016: An attempted counterrevolution by members of the Nguma family and their allies in Equatorial Guinea (now the People's Republic of Guinea) is defeated. Rebellious army units briefly took control of part of Malabo, the capitol, but were brought down within 12 hours.

June 1st, 2016: After over ten years as Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper steps down, saying that he feels he has “served Canada well,” and that he wishes to,” See what the rest of my life has in store for me.” Harper is replaced by long time Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

With the international mood of the time, the 2010s continues to be a time of escapism. Many see a return to campy styles. Bright and vibrant colors contrasted with sarcastic humor, and “grimmer and darker” reboots going out of style are the mainstays of this period. One magazine columnist would later describe the 2010s as “the visual style of anime, cynicism, and an influx of 80s and 90s throwbacks”.

June 6th, 2016: Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolves the lower house for an earlier election, despite that Seiji Maehara's Democratic Party is enjoying a healthy lead over all parties inside the ruling coalition combined. As a result, elections for both the lower and upper houses will be held on the same day on July 10th.

June 7th, 2016: Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS) wins the California primary, defeating President Romney 53-47 percent. Faced with an insurmountable delegate lead and ever-increasing opposition from the GOP establishment, Romney suspends his presidential campaign, and Brownback becomes the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

June 10th, 2016: Former President Obiang and 18 members of his inner circle are executed following show trials by the People's Republic of Guinea. Human Rights Watch opposed the executions, saying that Obiang did not receive a fair trial.

June 14th, 2016: Spain wins its third trophy in Stade de France stadium, Paris after beating Germany 2-1 in the final match.

June 16th, 2016: Amidst the 2016 Presidential Election, Hollywood Actor and Director Ben Affleck muses in private and public about the possibility of one day running for public office himself. When asked why he would run, Affleck replies, “I don't like the direction I see my country going in.”

June 26th, 2016: The Governor of the Mexican state of Michoacán Silvano Aureoles, along with former governors Leonel Godoy and Lázaro Cárdenas Batel announce a new public works project to revitalize the states infrastructure. The plans include revamping roads, highways and rail lines. The plan also lays the foundations for a future High Speed Rail line connecting the cities of Zamora, Uruapan and Morelia with the intention to add a line from Morelia to México City.

June 29th, 2016: Oil workers begin to strike and protest in Bata, the largest city of the People's Republic of Guinea. International oil companies left during the country during its revolution in May, and Premier Cruz has not yet been able to entice them to return. Oil production has dropped to 12% of its 2015 level.

July 8th, 2016: The People's Republic of Guinea welcomes former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan and Cameroonian President Paul Biya. The two are the first international heads of state to visit Guinea since its socialist revolution in May. Former President Jonathan promises that Nigerian oil companies will soon begin work in the country and signs contracts with Premier Cruz.

July 10th, 2016: In Japan, the opposition Democratic Party wins the general election. The composition of the new House of Representatives is as followed: DPJ 247, LDP 110, YP 42, the New Komeito 22, Social Credit Party 22, JCP 17, SDP 6, New Blood League 2, Others, non-partisan and independents 12.

July 11th, 2016: Pope George embarks from Rome to begin his 2016 summer tour of the developing world.

July 20th, 2016: In a major address, Premier Cruz of former Equatorial Guinea announces that all oil revenues will be split equally between every citizen of the People's Republic of Guinea. Mining and fishing incomes will be treated the same way, while education will be compulsory and free. Cruz encourages Guineans to move onto new collective farms being set up and to give up what he calls “the vestiges of tyranny.”

July 28th, 2016: Pope George gives an address in Nairobi, Kenya, to an audience of over 300,000 Catholics. The new pope is on a major tour of the developing world, as part of the Church's shift to focus on helping the poor. In the speech, Pope George announces that the Church will no longer be opposed to condom use to help prevent HIV/AIDS, and will, in fact, begin buying and distributing condoms in countries where HIV/AIDS infection rates are highest. The Pope makes clear that the Church still considers homosexuality and contraception a sin, but says that “God has told me that the greater sin is to allow the suffering of the afflicted to go unheeded and unheard.” His Holiness' decision is greeted extremely enthusiastically by the international health community and most African nations.

July-August, 2016: Pope George makes his first tour of the developing world. His trip includes stops in his home country of Honduras, in which he famously tells the people, “Though I May travel the world, I will always carry this country and it's people with me!” The Pope also visits Venezuela, and meets with President Hugo Chavez, and the two appear in photographs and video around the world, appearing very friendly. In America, various Anti-Catholic groups use this to attack the Pope. Other notable visits by the Pope include Kenya, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Israel, Iraq, Egypt and others.

August 2nd, 2016: A series of explosions in a Muslim district of Kolkata kill 112 people, 97 of whom were Muslim. The perpetrators, Paboo Lahiri and Rajiv Bannerjee, are caught 7 days later. During their prosecution, it is revealed that they received several phone calls from the deputy head of the RSS, a mainstream Hindu nationalist group. They also spent days at a time in a Hindu temple led by a radical priest, Arumi Asselleelam. This fact, in combination with the RSS's weak condemnation of the bombing, enrages Indian Muslims, and two days of rioting lead to 17 further deaths. Rahul Gandhi's government promises to crack down on Hindu right-wing groups.
August 5th, 2016: The XXXI Summer Olympiad opens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

August 19th, 2016: Governor Sam Brownback formally accepts the Republican nomination for the presidency at the party's convention in Indianapolis, and taps Senator Mike Lee of Utah as his running mate. President Romney had formally endorsed Brownback at the convention, dispelling fears that he would not back him after such a bitter primary fight.
August 21st, 2016: The Olympic Games of 2016 at Rio de Janeiro close. As happened in 2008, China tops the ranking of Gold medals, with Brazil in 2nd and the United States in a very close third place (which was nonetheless seen as an humiliation- one in a long list for outgoing American President Mitt Romney).

August 24th, 2016: Rand Paul declares he will be an independent candidate for the Presidency, and chooses Tea Party Rep. Michele Bachmann as his running mate.

August 1st, 2016: Two prominent Catholic cardinals publicly oppose Pope George's shift on condom use in Catholicism. In separate TV interviews, Cardinal Juan Thorne of Peru and Cardinal Angelo Scola of Italy say that the Pope has “overstepped the bounds of true Catholicism” in announcing that the Church will distribute condoms in AIDS-stricken countries, while continuing to oppose contraception. The Cardinals' remarks cause a widespread stir, as they are seen as a challenge to papal infallibility, but Pope George chooses not to respond. Meanwhile, many liberal Catholics, including several American cardinals, suggest that Pope George did not go far enough, and that the Catholic Church should not oppose contraceptives at all.

August 30th, 2016: At the Democratic National Convention, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is nominated for the office of President, and House Speaker Keith Ellison of Minnesota is tapped for the office of Vice President. Though many see the choice of the first Muslim on a major party ticket as a positive step forward, S.O.U.L. members immediately begin protesting outside of Rep. Ellison's offices.

September 2016: The Pirate Party get 33.8 % of the Berlin State vote and is able to form the very first Orange-Green coalition (as they find out that the Greens are most compatible, and they got another 14.7 % of the vote, which secures the absolute majority). The media can't yet cope with an Orange-Green coalition, so in the October 26th issue of BILD, what should read “Orange-Green Coalition” is read as “Red-Green coalition”.

September 3rd, 2016: Rep. Ellison's office is broken into and damaged by S.O.U.L. members Harry Brime and Serrick James.

September 5th, 2016: In her annual State of the Union address, President Paredes highlights the successes her administration has had over the drug cartels by announcing the end of martial law in the states of Michoacán, Nuevo León and Baja California. She goes further by stating that civil government will return to all of Mexico before her term is over. This comes on the heels of extremely low approval ratings and increased opposition to her executive authority.

September 8th, 2016: Various Mexican politicians from the various left wing parties hold a forum in Mexico City titled The future of social democracy in Mexico, to discuss their inability to capture Los Pinos, citing how the centrist PRI and right of center PAN have both enjoyed executive power. The keynote address was given by senior PRD member Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, who urged the members in attendance to “stand united, or their prospect of leadership will only be a dream.” Many in attendance were moved by the speech given by Tlaxcala Senator Minerva Hernández Ramos, whom is thought to be a rising star in Mexican politics.

September 11th, 2016: In Hong Kong, the 6th Legislative Council elections are held. It is boycotted by the People Power and the Coalition for Democracy and Hope. International observers are not allowed to monitor the election. The moderate opposition Democratic Party and ADPL jointly wins 13 out of 70 seats in light of vote rigging.

September 12th, 2016: Although the Democrats manage to win a majority of seats, a coalition between DPJ, YP, and the New Komeito is formed to ensure a bulletproof supermajority. DPJ president Seiji Maehara becomes Prime Minister of Japan.

October 1st 2016: In a further move of decentralization, the LDS Church authorizes mission areas to allow missionaries to take part in and study authorized parts of a mission area's culture previously barred from them. This move is hailed as a forward-thinking move to help missionaries relate better to possible converts and avoid misunderstandings.

October 26th, 2016: In baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays win the World Series in 5 games over the Cincinnati Reds.

November 1st, 2016: The Democratic ticket of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand/Congressman Keith Ellison is elected overwhelmingly over the Republican ticket of Governor Sam Brownback/Senator Mike Lee. In congressional elections, Democrats increase their holds in the House and Senate, attaining a supermajority in the latter for the first time since 2010; Speaker and Vice President-elect Ellison is expected to be succeeded by House Majority Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid's retirement has led to expectations that he will be succeeded by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

In California, Proposition 9 is passed by a majority of 57.1-42.9 percent, repealing 2008's Proposition 8 that banned same-sex marriage in the state.
November 2nd, 2016: In response to Senator Rand Paul's presidential defeat and California's passage of Proposition 9, many S.O.U.L. supporters scream bloody murder. The group's Arizona leader, Sandra Roberts, infamously declares to “lay upon God's hand on America.”

November 9th, 2016: The kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro alongside FYROM enter the European Union. The Union State decries the “loss of sovereignty of nations traditionally allied to Russia”.

November 6th, 2016: In the Nicaraguan General Election, former President Daniel Ortega is elected by the National Assembly to become the nations first Prime Minister. The elections are noted for being unclean, raising protest from the United States, which are briskly brushed off by Ortega.

November 13th, 2016: The Los Angeles Galaxy win the Major League Soccer Cup over the C.D. Chivas USA, 1-0.

November 19th, 2016: The last episode of South Park airs, ending the show's 20 season run. The final episode ends with a seemingly touching ending, only to have Cartman make fun of Kyle for being a Jew. One then hears Kyle yelling “Shut up Cartman!” before the credits roll.

December 2nd, 2016: Despite concerns about his age and health (he is 71) Luiz da Silva, better known as Lula, the former Brazilian president, is elected as UN Secretary-General. Lula is the second Latin American Secretary-General. He will be inaugurated on January 1st, 2019.

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2017

January 2nd, 2017: A man kills four Muslims in Seattle, Washington. His crimes over the next month will come to be spark a culture war in the city.

January 20th, 2017: Upon the inauguration of Kirsten Gillibrand as the 46th President of the United States, c. 325,000 supporters of S.O.U.L. and various other far-right groups protest on the National Mall, calling Gillibrand “an enemy of the state and God”.

January 21st, 2017: Queen Margarethe II of Denmark dies suddenly from complications of a stroke and is succeeded by her eldest son who assumes the regnal name King Fredrick X. The Queen was well loved by the Danish people and her death was sincerely mourned.

January 22nd, 2017: Still hale and hearty at the age of 79, President Sakskoburggotski begins his second term as President of Bulgaria.

January 23rd, 2017: First Vice-President of Cuba, as well as deputy to Cuban President Raúl Castro, José Ramón Machado, is hospitalized after suffering a stroke at his home in the city of Guantánamo. Despite managing to survive the stroke, Machado is feared to remain incapacitated for the foreseeable future.

January 25th, 2017: New Initiative; In her first Joint Session of Congress, President Kirsten Gillibrand puts forth her legislative agenda to lift the country out of the recession, introducing four key pieces of legislation:

The Visionary Infrastructure Stabilization and Transportation Advancement Act (VISTA), which called for $1 trillion in spending on infrastructure revitalization projects, grants for states to expand their public works, and subsidies for public transportation nationwide.

The Financial and Investment Regulations Expansion Act (FIRE), which would reinstate the provisions of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill passed under Obama in 2010, and later repealed by the Romney administration.

The Federal Income, Business, and Entitlement Tax Reforms Act (FIBER), which would do several things: lower the income tax rates for individuals making less than $250,000 annually, increase for individuals earning $250,000 or more, and create new specific brackets for millionaires; lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent, replace the capital gains tax with a capital revenue tax, and close numerous legal loopholes in the tax code; remove the payroll tax cap for Social Security, and raise the minimum eligibility age to 67 years for those born after 1980.

The Establishment of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act (E-CHIP), which would expand the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed under Obama in 2010, to include a federally-sponsored “public option” to compete with private insurers.

January 26th, 2017: United States Secretary of State Jon Huntsman announces that the US will provide a loan of $100 million to build 1,000 electrified schools with indoor plumbing throughout the People's Republic of Guinea. While some conservatives criticize President Gillibrand's administration for tacitly recognizing the revolutionary socialist state, officials in the State Department respond that building schools can hardly hurt American interests.

February 1st, 2017: Former US President Barack Obama releases his new book, the Unabashed Dream, a political memoir detailing his life from the 2008 Presidential Election until the end of his Presidency. The book becomes a bestseller and begins to establish Obama as the elder statesman of the Democratic Party, what with Former President Bill Clinton becoming more of a recluse in his old age. Despite this, many copies of the book are burned by radical right-wingers across America for being what they call, “Islamic Propaganda.”

February 2nd, 2017: FIRE (Financial and Investment Regulations Expansion Act) is passed relatively easily by the Democratic supermajorities in Congress and signed into law by President Gillibrand.

February 5th, 2017: Tea Party Representative Parker Griffith (R-AL) announces his abrupt resignation in Morgan County, Alabama, after reports of an extramarital affair come to light.

After a drawn out closed session within Cuba's legislature, the National Assembly of People's Power, junior Vice-President of the executive Council of Ministers Marino Murillo Jorge is promoted to acting First Vice-President. Murillo's promotion is of consequence due to his age, as he is the youngest member of the Council of Ministers, at the age of 55.

February 12th, 2017: Early into President Gillibrand's term, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announces her retirement. She is in a leak as saying privately, “I was just waiting for that damn Romney to get out of the Oval!”. After 2 weeks, President Gillibrand announces that she will be replaced by Diane Wood, a appellate judge based in the Seventh Circuit (Chicago, Illinois).

February 10th, 2017: Elections are held in the People's Republic of Guinea to the Congress of the People. PARSOGE wins 82 seats out of 120, a surprisingly weak showing which showed Guineans' willingness to look for any option to reduce poverty and high unemployment.

February 17th, 2017: Lithuania and Latvia finally meet the Euro membership criteria and join the Eurozone.

February 18th, 2017: In the People's Republic of Guinea, the newly elected Congress of the People passes a law, the Protecting the Revolution Directive, which severely curtails the freedom of press and speech. Specifically, it bans any former member of the Obiang administration from holding elected office, working for a newspaper, radio or TV station, writing op-eds, or leading political parties. Additionally, protests deemed contrary “to the values and spirit of the Guinean people and the ideals of socialism” will not be tolerated, and “pro-tyrant” speech and writings are banned. The US State Department deplores the law for its broad language, lack of specificity, and generality, noting that up to 10% of Guineans had at one point held jobs in the former Obiang administration.

February 24th, 2017: FIBER (Federal Income, Business, and Entitlement Tax Reforms Act) is passed after a scrutinizing debate in Congress. The main point of contention was the revisions to Social Security, where Republicans supported a raising of the retirement age, and Democrats were against, but most ultimately supported it to maintain a semblance of bipartisanship.

February 28th, 2017: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a military coup removes President Joseph Kabila from power. However, he manages to escape Kinshasha, the capitol, and flees to the southeastern city of Lubumbashi, where he announces that he will not “surrender the country to the traitors”. In the Battle of Mbuji-mayi (February 30th-March 12th), defecting army units battle with loyalist troops in brutal urban warfare, until the nation's third largest city falls to the coup conspirators on March 12th. This marks the beginning of the Third Congo War (also known as the Second Congolese Civil War).

S.O.U.L. becomes violent in the aftermath of the 2016 election, beginning a rein of terror on “places of atrocity”. The first incident is the bombing of an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, claiming 12 lives. Bombings spread sporadically nationwide, with the most devastating attacks occurring in the fall.

March 1st, 2017: The New York Times releases a study on the internet speeds that $40 buys around the world. In Japan the speed is 1Gbps or 1,000Mbps, throughout Europe the speed is 100Mbps, and finally in the US the speed is 8Mbps up from 5Mbps when the study was taken in 2013

March 2nd, 2017: Wuhan Riots; Riots erupt in Wuhan, China, amidst proposed restrictions against “mail order brides”.

March 7th, 2017: In the 2017 Canadian Federal Election, Conservative Prime Minister Jim Flaherty is defeat by Liberal Leader Dominic LeBlanc, who becomes the new Prime Minister with a small majority government. Flaherty resigns as leader of the Conservative Party, and is replaced by Peter MacKay later in the year.

March 17th, 2017: VISTA (Visionary Infrastructure Stabilization and Transportation Advancement Act) is passed after a lengthy debate in Congress, and signed into law by President Gillibrand.

March 18th, 2017: President Gillibrand gives a major address on Cuba. In response to recent reforms, she says, our “failed embargo” will be partially lifted. American companies will be allowed to import some Cuban goods, and export American products (especially cars and consumer goods) to the island. American tourists will also be able to visit Cuba, although obtaining a visa will be a tricky process.

March 21st, 2017: The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act is signed into law by President Kristin Gillibrand after passing both the U.S. House and Senate the week previously. Proposed by Senator Daniel Akaka over a decade before, the bill was amended giving Native Hawaiians all the rights of mainland Sovereign tribes, including the operation of gaming casinos and access to monies set aside for mainland tribes for health, education, etc.

Russell M Ballard of the LDS Quorum of Twelve Apostles dies, and is controversially replaced by Jon Huntsman Senior. In keeping with the LDS Church's new reform policies, Huntsman divests himself of all his financial holdings, which fund massive improvements in international Church Welfare programs and Church-supported education programs. Huntsman Senior also denounces political polarization within the LDS Church, saying that “God would not want us to hate each other on the basis of political partisanship; there's room for multiple political viewpoints in the Church”.

March 25th, 2017: The Chicago City Council votes 42-7 (1 absent) to sell the 3.24 acre DuSable Park to the Magellan Development Group for $16.8 million. Magellan plans to turn the park into a vertical farm of sixty-three stories capable of feeding up to 38,000 people called The Farm at Lake Michigan.

March 28th, 2017: The monthlong 2017 World Baseball Classic closes in Miami, Florida. Cuba emerge as the champions, beating out South Korea for the title. In third place are the Dominican Republic, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Japan.

April 2nd, 2017: Presidential elections end with the reelction of François Bayrou in a second round against PS candidate François Hollande. UMP ran with ex-Prime Minsiter, Francçois Fillion, who however only got a slightly better result than Marine Le Pen's FN, but not enough to reach the MoDem or the PS.

April 9th-12th, 2017: Across Canada, memorial services are held to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought during the First World War, in which Canadian forces captured VImy Ridge and defeated the up until then undefeated German forces. The battle is often seen in Canada as the nation's “birth by fire.” Likewise, to coincide with the Anniversary,the film, At Vimy Ridge is released to high praise from critics and audiences alike. The film details the events leading up to and during the battle, and stars Canadian Actors Paul Gross, Michael Cera, Sarah Polley and others.

April 13th, 2017: Minerva Hernández Ramos announces her candidacy for the Presidency in 2018. Her contenders include Humberto Moreira Valdés of the PRI and Manuel Espino Barrientos of the PAN.

April 15th, 2017: As part of the United States' pentannual Farm Bill, President Gillibrand signs into law the AIDS Funding Research Reauthorization Act, which increases government spending on HIV/AIDS research to $7 billion, up from $3 billion 10 years earlier.

April 20th, 2017: Developments in the Second Congolese Civil War add a third faction to the conflict. The leader of the Hutu terrorist group FDLR, Sylvestre Mudacumura, announces that the group will resume military activities, in light of the opportunity presented by the chaos in the country. The group quickly seizes military control of much of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces.

April 28th, 2017: E-CHIP (Establishment of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act), arguably the most controversial of President Gillibrand's legislative proposals, is finally passed by Congress after a fiery debate between Democrats and Republicans over charges of “tyrannical government intervention” into health care. Upon signing E-CHIP into law, President Gillibrand calls the landmark bill “the pinnacle of a hundred years' worth of efforts started by President Theodore Roosevelt to uplift the standards of living for Americans.” E-CHIP was intriguingly passed just one day shy of the end of the President's “First 100 Days”.

May 5th, 2018: The Old Chicago Main Post Office is demolished after 21 years of disuse and several failed development plans. The land is sold by the City of Chicago (which assumed ownership in 2015) to a French-German development company.

May 7th, 2017: The IFAB rules that players shall not get a red card with a “second yellow”, but only with the third yellow card. If it is a second yellow card, the referee has to show the player two yellow cards.

May 17th, 2017: After two years of delays from the 2nd Korean War, the Light Tower in Seoul is finally completed. At the tip of its spire the building stands 2,100 feet tall. The building also contains all the parts of a modern city, including an aquarium, office buildings, stores, and residential areas. Many hail the building as the newest trend in urban development by building up instead of out.

May 18th, 2017: African Union forces withdraw from Somalia, declaring that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is now capable of supporting itself with international monetary aid. The TFG is firmly in control of Mogadishu, Juba, Gey, and Puntland (an autonomous region in the northeast, but has not been able to get firm control over the coast or the Ethiopian border. Al-Shabab, after being pushed out of Mogadishu in 2012, regrouped and now rules over approximately sixty thousand square miles from their provisional capitol of Galkayo. Financially supported by piracy, Al-Shabab declared their independence from Al-Qaeda in 2015.

May 20th, 2017: In the final game of a seven game series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks, the Montreal Canadiens win a last minute goal to bring the Stanley Cup back to their city, winning the game 3-2. The win marks the first time Montreal has won the cup since 1993, and the 25th time overall. During the night in Montreal, several “disturbances” to break out in parts of the city, though few are injured.

May 25th, 2017: Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is killed in raid near the Sinaloa-Nayarit border. Over the summer various cartels begin to dismember as more raids arrest anyone suspected of harboring cartel sympathies.

May 28th, 2017: Diane Wood's nomination is confirmed by the Senate in a 75-25 vote. Despite her liberal tendencies, many Republicans voted for her because she was still slightly more centrist than Ginsburg had been, and thus would not noticeably change the balance of the court. She is inaugurated the next day.

May 30th, 2017: A second investigation into the disputed 2015 election takes place after the EU, Union State, and the Ukraine come to a shaky agreement. Until the conclusion of the investigation, the eastern oblasts elect their own provisional government to handle day-to-day affairs, effectively giving them autonomy. The West is outraged, however, their isn't much they can do given the unrest embroiling the country.

May 31st, 2017: Princess Charlene of Monaco marries Pieter van der Merwe of Witwatersrand, South Africa and they have three children together. She remains on friendly terms with Monaco’s princely family the Grimaldis for the rest of her life.

June 1, 2017: Test results are released on the Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA of the Emperor Moctezuma II. They are discovered to be from distinct subclades of haplogroups Q1a3a1 and A2 respectively.

June 2nd, 2017: Marina Silva, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former presidential candidate, in a public rally in Rio Branco, Brazil, creates the Christian Socialist Party (PSC).

Iron Rod, the first self-proclaimed “Mormon Metal” band forms, created by the sibling trio of Zane, Ammon, and Anita Garrett. The band claims equal inspiration from LDS Church hymns and power metal bands such as Blind Guardian and Sabaton. With it's first single “Sons of Helaman”, the band proves to be a hit with LDS youth, rocketing up to the top of the charts in the Mormon-heavy states of Utah, Idaho, and Arizona. It is trumpeted as a “new wave of Mormon music” and “a new face in Mormon culture”, with the Garretts being proclaimed the “Osmonds of Metal”. However, the LDS Church leadership remain skeptical of Iron Rod, and forbid LDS youth to play it during any youth-based church functions.

June 7th, 2017: After months of fruitless negotiation and a failed second inquiry into the disputed 2015 election, a band of eastern Ukrainian MPs meet with Union State officials about a possible referendum for independence.

June 12th, 2017: The joint EU-Union State investigation provides the same results as the first EU-led investigation, however the Union State accuses the EU of “tainting” with the evidence. The EU counterclaims Russia's accusations, leading to a fall-out in the agreement. Civil unrest erupts once again in the east as they do not wish to fall under the west's control again.

June 15th, 2017: The crisis unfolding in the Ukraine forces EU President Nicolas Sarkozy to endorse a proposal put forth by Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for a referendum on independence for the eastern oblasts. The referendum is to be held on January 1st of the next year. Meanwhile the provisional government in the east maintains control, and publicly states that they will petition to integrate into the Union State if the referendum is successful.

July 2017: Construction at the Pati Sonapur plant in the Indian state of Orissa has been delayed for 7 years while slow and unproductive economic surveys are completed by government bureaucrats and regulators. In desperation, the company building the plant flew in a team of experts from the EU and US, who concluded the proposed plant was perfectly safe. However, government regulators continue to forbid construction. It is estimated the plant will create 7,000 jobs and provide 9900 MW of power once complete, enough for 100,000 homes in the area. Frustrations over this and other similar issues have been growing in the Congress Party for several years. Meanwhile, in the Bharatiya Janata Party and other right-wing groups, moderates have been growing increasingly worried about ties to right wing groups who have connections with terrorists. On July 19th, these groups announce they are leaving their respective parties and forming their own party, the New Democratic Party of India (NDP). Modeling itself after the positions of the Democratic Party of the United States (economically moderate, socially liberal), the party begins with 72 seats in the Lok Sabha. They promise to crack down on corruption, over-regulation, Hindu nationalism, and Pakistani-based terrorist groups. In addition, they announce their firm support of closer ties with the US, green energy, rural development, and reconciliation with Pakistan.

July 1st, 2017: Canada celebrates its 150th Year since confederation in 1867.

July 7th, 2017: Apple, seeing the sales of iPhone, iPad and iPod declining and losing market shares to Android phones, buys up Acer and Asus.

July 14th, 2017: The film, Superman: Last Son of Kypton Part II, directed by Zack Snyder is released. The cast of the two previous films all reprise their respective roles, and adds Amanda Seyfried as new superhero Zara-Zor-el/Supergirl. The story raps up the one began in the previous film, and has Supeman return with Supergirl to Earth to defeat Brainiac, who now rules a large empire. Though the film is as successful ass the previous two, plans for a fourth film are put on hold, due to Warner Bros. wanting to focus on a new Batman film.

July 22nd, 2017: Surjaa Chakravorty, an MP from West Bengal who is only 29 years old, is elected as Deputy President of the NDP. She had been one of the three MP's to initiate discussions about forming the NDP, and had been influential in forming their policy planks. As Deputy President, she is placed in charge of outreach to the public due to her immense personal charm and charisma.

August 5th 2017: In an embarrassing and much-publicized incident, a Latino LDS stake president and several Latino LDS youth from Arizona are mistakenly deported to Mexico after being held in an immigration facility for three days. In the furor over the event and similar incidents, LDS Church President Thomas S Monson takes a rare political stance and calls for a reform in immigration policies, including the implementation of the DREAM Act and a streamlining of legal immigration. This follows only 6 years after the Presiding Bishop of the LDS Church embraced a moderate immigration plan in Utah.

August 10th, 2017: China sets up a $890 million fund to support the People's Republic of Guinea. China's foreign secretary says that in recognition of the creation of the socialist state, China will give a new airport to the country as a gift. China also plans to build roads and buy ships to set up a reliable ferry service between Bioko Island and the mainland.

August 20th, 2017: Birth of future Field Marshal Rory Michael David Windsor, eldest son of London financial analyst Freddie Windsor (Lord Frederick Michael George David Louis Windsor, b. 6 April 1979, the son of Prince Michael of Kent, grandson of King George V) and his wife the former Sophie Winkelmann.

August 30th, 2017: The increasingly popular web comic Human Legacy receives a publishing license from the manga publishing company Kodansha USA. The manga-inspired comic, created by University of California Berkeley Graduate Student Juan Rivera, revolves around a group of California high school students who are gifted with supernatural powers and subsequently have to face a slew of super-powered villains, all in the context of the social and political environments of the early 2010's.

September-November 2017: Autumn of Fire; Nearly 600 American civilians fall victim to S.O.U.L. and associate groups in bombings of abortion clinics, churches in support of same-sex marriage, scientific research centers, and even universities. President Gillibrand orders federal authorities to take action in response, and many S.O. U. L. supporters are arrested nationwide, though terror attacks still plague for years to come.

September 2017: The Greens get reelected, but lose a considerable amount of votes mainly because the MCA of Golfech is not a top theme anymore and the Atomausstieg (phase-out) is now safe. They drop from 43,9 to 34,1 % (which is considered a massive loss in germany), the Pirates as second-strongest party, get 22,4 % at the cost of SPD (17,8 %) and CDU (9,9 %). The NPD gets into the Bundestag for the first time with 6,3 %, the newly revamped Zentrum gets (as of yet) 3,5 % and misses the five-percent hurdle. Claudia Roth is elected Chancellor in the very first Green-Red (and not Red-Green) coalition.

September 5th, 2017: Having been fallowed by rumors for months now that he is planning to run for public office, Actor and Director Ben Affleck confirms that he will indeed be running for public office. Affleck soon moves back to his home state of Massachusetts, so he can gear up for a run for the US Senate against incumbent Senator Scott Brown.

September 12th, 2017: Indonesia adds Atheist to the list of officially recognized religions (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism). Every Indonesian is required to hold an identity card identifying them as belonging to one of these religions.

September 16th-18th, 2017: A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 hits the prefectures Aichi and Shizuoka. There are 20,400 deaths, one of the most fatal earthquakes in Japan's history, worse than the Tohoku quake of 2011. The main reasons are that it hit without much warning and it was quite near to the major city of Nagoya. There are reports of major problems in the Hamaoka 4 nuclear power plant, and fears of the third MCA in just eight years spike all over the world. In Germany (the only country that I can tell something about), demonstrations and anti-nuclear rallies peak, even though it is sure that all German NPPs are switched off on January 1st, 2019.

September 19th, 2017: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland announce the birth of a son, whom they name Johan Daniel Carl Gustaf. The baby prince is given the title Duke of Västerbotten.

September 20th, 2017: In Japan, the problem in Hamaoka 4 NPP is confirmed as “security-relevant” and the operator, Chubu Denryoku, says that there is no more danger for the population. The Hamaoka incident is rated INES 4.

September 21st, 2017: Parliamentary elections in France result in the consolidation of the new three-party system, resulting in a return to a coalition policy similar to those of the French Third and Fourth Republics. UMP-MoDem returns to power.

September 30th, 2017: The U.S. Secretary of the Interior appoints a nine-member commission to prepare a listing of everyone who qualifies as Native Hawaiian. The basic definition is someone of Polynesian ancestry who lived in Hawaii on 1 January 1893. The commission members are all Native Hawaiians and many are experts in Native Hawaiian genealogy.

October 2017: Due to the orange-green coalition having a majority in both Bundestag (parliament) and Bundesrat (an institution where representatives of the state legislations can have a say), and some factions of SPD (e.g. Northrhine Westphalia's Minister-President) and CDU supporting it, the BedGG comes through and goes into effect on January 1, 2019. At the same time, all taxes except the Mehrwertsteuer (VAT), which rises to 47%, are abolished.

October 3rd, 2017: The Bedingungsloses-Grundeinkommen-Gesetz (BedGG, Unconditional Basic Salary Act) is proposed by the Pirates and immediately hailed as success by Pirates, Greens and some CDU and SPD members. Not much is heard about it in the news due to the earthquake in Japan and the ongoing debate about nuclear energy.

October 5th, 2017: The TPD (TÜrkische Partei Deutschlands) is founded and immediately gains success. Membership is on rapid increase, and polls indicate that they could manage the 5 percent hurdle.

October 13th, 2017: 2K television is introduced to the public. The new format boasts a resolution of 2048 x 1920 doubling the resolution of 1080p 1920 x 1080 The new GVD will be the first medium to carry 2K resolution films with television networks upgrading their equipment 2K broadcasts are expected within a few years

October 14th, 2017: Former pop star Britney Spears is admitted to a mental hospital after suffering several nervous breakdowns. After her record label dropped her in 2015 due to sharply declining music sales, reality hit her harder than it should have, and she was determined to keep living her former lifestyle of fame and fortune.

October 17th, 2017: Former Vice President Bobby Jindal founds his new PAC, Troubleshooting America, one of whose primary goals is to fund Republican candidates for the 2018 midterm elections.

October 30th, 2017: In baseball, the Kansas City Royals win the World Series in 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Billy Butler wins MVP honors with 2 home runs and 4 doubles.

November 11th, 2017: Publication of Fat Mary, a biography of HRH Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck (1834-1897) by Sarah, Duchess of York which enjoys good reviews and sales. It is later made into a blockbuster movie starring Melissa McCarthy in the title role.

November 15th, 2017: President Gillibrand announces plans to dramatically slash the military budget and re-negotiate NATO treaties which will include closing all US bases in South Korea by 2020. Americans overwealmingly support the Korea plan as many are tired of the threat of war arising every time tensions arise in that region.

November 17th, 2017: D.C. United win the Major League Soccer Cup over Sporting Kansas City, 2-0.

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2018

January 1st, 2018: The referendum in the Ukraine shows a 68 percent majority in favor, making the eastern oblasts independent and thus part of the Union State. While the EU (especially the eastern member states) decry fraud, the Democratic Republic of Ukraine (DRU) emerges in the east and immediately applies to become part of the Union State.

January 2nd, 2018: Former President Obama is appointed a goodwill ambassador to South Korea to oversea the transition.

January 20th, 2018: Amazon opens their first shopping mall in the outskirts of Hamburg, for the first time expanding out of online-shopping. This move proves to be so successful that Amazon-malls spring up in most major cities by 2025.

January 21st-February 13th, 2018: Cuban General Election; Nationwide elections for the Presidency and National Assembly are held across the island. To the surprise of very few, Raúl Castro is re-elected to another term since taking office over a decade earlier. The confirmation of Marino Murillo to become First Vice-Preisdent does, however, sends reverberations the world over, as Murillo is now seen as Raúl Castro's designated successor.
February 1st, 2018: Another presidential election takes place in Germany. Cem Özdemir seeks reelection and narrowly defeats the rehabilitated Sylvana Koch-Mehrin and Sebastian Nerz (as of January 19, 2012 chief of the Pirate Party).

February 9th, 2018: The XXIII Winter Olympiad opens in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

February 14th, 2018: Twin-kidnappings take place throughout major cities, especially Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, amidst the popular media image of the children of “multiple births” coming from affluent families.

February 15th, 2018: In a major address, President Anas Urbaningrum of Indonesia lays out his goals for the country in a possible second term. He says that he wants to get rid of Indonesia's “identity card” system and repeal anti-blasphemy laws “in order to move our great country into a new age of openness and tolerance.” His speech is received poorly by Indonesia's large conservative faction, who rally around his main opponent, former First Lady Ani Bambang Yudhoyono. Her husband, Susilo Yudhoyono, was previously a close supporter of Urbaningrum, but the two men have grown apart during President Urbaningrum's six years in power.

February 25th, 2018: Stunning many, Taiwanese president Su Jia-chyuan visits China and met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Outraged, Tainan Mayor William Lai announces that he would challenge President Su in the DPP presidential primaries, 2020.

February 27th, 2018: Leaders of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi Party, the Janata Dal (United) Party, the DMK, and the Nationalist Congress Party announce that they are joining the New Democratic Party, along with several independents and other members of the Congress Party and the BJP. This bumps NDP numbers up to 129 members of the Lok Sabha. The membership of the Lok Sabha, as it currently stands, is:

Government: - United Progressive Alliance, led by the Congress Party: 201 seats. - Left Front: 78 Seats. - Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats.

Opposition Parties: - National Democratic Alliance, led by the BJP: 107 seats. - New Democratic Party of India: 129 seats. - Fourth Front: 16 seats. - Independents: 12 seats.

March 13th, 2018: King Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia (b. 1933) dies. Suffering from osteoporosis and diabetes, the king falls at one of his residences in Riyadh and suffers a severely fractured femur. He dies in surgery. He is succeed by his brother Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz (b. 1936).

March 6th, 2018: The Union State formally integrates the DRU, making the Ukraine split between east and west.

March 8th, 2018: As agreed in the Nouméa Accord (1998), New Caledonia holds a referendum on the independence of the island. Despite the active Yes campaign, the anti-independence vote wins 57.5% of the total votes, while the pro-independence vote wins 43.6%. Pro-independence organizations and parties (as Caledonian Union and Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) claim that the referendum was rigged by the French authorities in order to keep a strategic island for any naval deployment in the Pacific Ocean. An international commission oversees the results and declares the elections free and fair, however the vote leads to severe problems in Kanak-dominated areas of the collectivité.

March 20th, 2018: In only a year since the American embargo of Cuba was partially lifted by President Gillibrand, American companies have invested and traded goods and services worth $18.2 billion, making Cuba America's 34th-biggest trade partner. Trade is expected to rise to over $25 billion by 2020.

March 21st, 2018: The Pirates, just having been elected and having selected Fabio Reinhardt as chancellor of Germany, plead to firms with the slogan “Free the Workers, Employ more Robots”. This at first causes massive international outrage, but as the Pirates explain their concept behind it all, outrage lessens to the extent that only those being against it for the sake of being against it (“Ich bin dafür, dass wir dagegen sind”) still gripe.
April 4th, 2018: Across America, people remember the Assassination of famed Civil Right leader Martin Luther King, Jr., which took place 50 years ago on this day. At the Washington Monument, where King gave his famous, I Have a Dream speech, a memorial service is held, however it is hijacked by several S.O.U.L. members, who cause a disruption. Fights break out, and many are injured. Later that night, Former President Barack Obama notes that, “this was a sad day in our history, and it just got sadder.”

April 12th, 2018: Cuban President Raúl Castro dies of a heart attack at age 88. Castro had undertaken significant economic reforms, but had failed to allow any political reforms, and continued his elder brother's authoritarian tendencies.

April 13th, 2018: In an emergency session of the National Assembly, Marino Murillo is elevated to the Presidency of Cuba, becoming the third President of the Communist island nation, as well as the first individual not related to the Castro's to gain the office.

May 5th, 2018: The Old Chicago Main Post Office is demolished after 21 years of disuse and several failed development plans. The land is sold by the City of Chicago (which assumed ownership in 2015) to a French-German development company.

May 2nd, 2018: President Abdulaziz Bouteflika, dictator of Algeria, dies of old age. He is succeeded by Prime Minister Ahmed Hanoune, son of former opposition leader Louisa Hanoune. Hanoune is considered to be something of a reformist. However, this analysis quickly proves false. Concerned by the growing political power of the army, he arrests several generals “on suspicion of a coup attempt”, and shuts down a dozen small political parties. Only 43 years old, he is expected to remain in power for many years.

June 1st, 2018: South Ossetia is formally integrated into the Union State, despite protests from Georgia, which still claims sovereignty over the breakaway province. Abkhazia remains independent under Russian military protection.

June 7th, 2018: David Cameron resigns as British Prime Minister and is succeeded by Home Secretary Nick Herbert who becomes Britain's first gay Prime Minister.

June 18th, 2018: Noted Atheist and Author Sam Harris releases his latest book, Holy Terror: The Rise of S.O.U.L. in America. The book details the events leading up to and after the groups formation, and includes an indepth look at the Autumn of Fire. The book becomes a bestseller, but S.O.U.L. itself puts a “divine ban” on the book, which results in many copies of the book being burned, and many people reading the book are attacked by hysterical members of the group.

July 18th, 2018: The twenty-first FIFA World Cup concludes in Russia. Germany wins the final 2-1 over the Brazilian team. An estimated 760 million people watch the final.

June 30th, 2018: After 17 years at war, the United States finally withdraws from a ravaged and disunited Afghanistan, except for a military base near Kabul. The ravaged nation begins the long and uncertain process of centralizing power and stability, despite Taliban holdouts in the mountains.

July 2nd, 2018: Minerva Hernández Ramos is elected President of Mexico, becoming Mexico's first nationally elected female head of state (Beatriz Paredes having been elected by Congress).

Minerva Hernández Ramos (PRD): 45.96% Humberto Moreira Valdéz (PRI): 34.69 Manuel Espino Barrientos (PAN): 16.33%

July 13th, 2018: Investigative journalism by the New York Times reveals what the reporter calls a “devil's bargain” struck between Premier Cruz of the People's Republic of Guinea and Nigerian/Cameroonian officials. The two countries had supplied Cruz' party, PARSOGE, with guns and ammunition, in return for oil contracts in the newly reconstituted country. The deal was struck in 2014, and was successfully completed in July 2016, when oil contracts for Guinea's oil were given to Nigerian and Cameroonian firms.

July 18th, 2018: The twenty-first FIFA World Cup concludes in Russia. Germany wins the final 2-1 over the Brazilian team. An estimated 760 million people watch the final.

July 22nd, 2018: Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 98.25% of the vote. He becomes only the second Panamanian in the Hall of Fame after Rod Carew.

July 31st, 2018: Celebrated British author J.K. Rowling releases a new book for children, Little Loser. Widely popular, Little Loser becomes the third bestselling book of the year and the bestselling book for children of the decade.

August 1st, 2018: 'The Tomorrow Knight' is released in cinemas. The sequel to 2015's 'Batman Begins,' it continues the story of Terry McGinnis assuming the role of Batman three decades into the future. Featuring a take on Riddler, played by David Tenannt, as the main villain, the story concentrates on McGinnis coming to terms with his new role and his choice to continue as Batman as a means of redemption for his past sins rather than merely as a means to avenge the death of his father, as happened in the preceding film.

August 3rd, 2018: The Razgrad Crisis erupts as representatives of the discontented ethnic Turkish minority in this Bulgarian community seize the city center and and proclaim the Free Razgrad Community. Before violence can break out between the Bulgarian armed forces and the rebels, President Sakskoburggotski, in a marathon negotiating session, resolves the crisis to everyone's satisfaction. Razgrad remains Bulgarian but the Turks are given expanded cultural rights.

August 13th, 2018: Pope George makes his first official visit to America, and meets personally with President Kristen Gillibrand. When asked in a press conference what he thought about the group S.O.U.L., the Pope tells reporters, ” In my lifetime, I have never seen a group get the message of Christ more wrong.” The Pope then goes on to attack S.O.U.L. for it's use of violence, much to the dislike of S.O.U.L. and it's Catholic members.

August 15th, 2018: In Japan, the Heiwa Memorial is officially opened in Kyoto. It is a separate secular memorial where the prime minister can make official state visits for memorial purposes, so as to avoid visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Seiji Maehara, despite his anti-China views, officially apologizes to China for “past mistakes during the Second World War”, and vows to promote a “peace and non-nuclear” new world.

September 12th, 2018: Chinese military officials announce the active service of J-20 stealth fighters in Chengdu, China.

September 12-29th, 2018: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, forces loyal to the military junta which controls much of the western part of the country seize the city of Kisangani from the FDLR after a three-week siege. The ongoing three-way Third Congo War is estimated to have killed over 200,000 people thus far, and displaced millions more.

October 2nd, 2018: In México City, over 75,000 people fill the Plaza de las Tres Culturas to honor of the victims of the Tlatelolco Massacre, the date marking the 50th anniversary of the event. The mass of people also use the occasion to voice their discontent with the ruling PRI government, as the mass of people March the 4 miles from Tlatelolco to the Zócalo. There protesters jibe at President Paredes, stating that her term has been like “another '68.”

October 28th, 2018: In baseball, the Cincinnati Reds win the World Series in a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

November 2nd, 2018: On the weekend of the 10th anniversary of the 2008 US Presidential Election, the film “2008: The Year Things Changed” is released to high praise from critics and movie-watchers. The film details the events of the 2008 presidential election, and stars Will Smith as Barack Obama, Harrison Ford as John McCain, and Jamie Lee Curtis as Hillary Clinton. Curtis would win Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars for her portrayal of Clinton, and both Smith and Ford were nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but the award ultimately went to Ford.

November 3rd, 2018: Despite a peaceful resolution over the Ukraine referendum earlier in the year, potential conflict once again erupts in the autonomous region of Crimea (which did not participate in the referendum) when it asks for a similar referendum on independence. When the government denies the request, Crimea immediately falls into chaos as pro-independence supporters organize and plan their own referendum.

November 6th, 2018: U.S. Midterm Elections; Democrats benefit from a third straight election of gains, thanks to the recovering economy and President Gillibrand's crackdown on far-right terrorism from groups including S.O.U.L.
In Illinois' 9th District, 26-year-old future President Ryan Kirkpatrick is elected to the House of Representatives; former Representative Jan Schakowsky had chosen to retire that year.

November 11th, 2018: In Europe and around the World, people mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The world leaders of many nation that fought and participated in the war gather in France for a memorial service, taking place near some of the last remaining trenches preserved since the war.

November 21st, 2018: Sporting Kansas City win the Major League Soccer Cup over the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2.

November 15th, 2018: The still under construction New York Tower becomes the tallest building in New York as it reaches 1,778 feet/542m in height. Still, another 1,500 feet/500m are needed for it to reach it's final height.

December 3rd, 2018: A bombing in the Rwandan city of Butare kills autocratic President Paul Kagame and several of his aides. He is succeeded by party leader Rose Mukantabana of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), who vows vengeance upon the assassins.

December 5th, 2018: DRC-based Hutu Power group FDLR claims responsibility for the assassination of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. In a statement, the militant group justifies his killing by saying that the had favored Tutsis in Rwanda, citing his appointment of a Tutsi as Prime Minister the previous year. President Rose Mukatabana of Rwanda, in response, announces a military intervention into the Congo to “find and destroy those groups opposed to liberty and democracy in Rwanda and across Africa.” The military deployment begins with a cross-border invasion into FDLR territory on December 9th. Both of the other parties in the Congolese Civil War, the military junta and ousted President Joseph Kabila, formally protest the violation of Congolese sovereignty, although there are rumors that Kabila worked with the Rwandans, as he attacked the FDLR in apparent coordination with the foreign intervention.

December 11th, 2018: The incumbent Tymoshenko government becomes increasingly unpopular among Ukrainians, due to the fragmentation of the country and the current crisis in the Crimea. Meanwhile, no headway is made in trying to reinstate order in Crimea by the government, and the Union State makes rumblings about intervening. After tensions rise, the government steps back and allows the referendum to occur however reluctantly.

December 18th, 2018: American Airlines, after years of being in the red due to the Great Recession and the collapse of the air travel market, declares Chapter 7 bankruptcy, sending shock waves throughout the industry. By 2020, several airlines in the US have folded, leaving United, Delta, and Southwest as the remaining major players.

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2019

January 1st, 2019: The first Unconditional Basic Salary is paid to all those living in Germany.

The Czech Republic formally adopts the Euro.

For the first time since the copyright term was extended in 1998, the public domain grows in the United States, as the copyrights of all works published in 1923 officially expire. Several prominent websites that collect works in the public domain, such as Project Gutenberg and Wikisource, publicly celebrate and are busy throughout the year transcribing these new texts to their digital archives. Notable works entering the public domain this year include H.G. Wells' Men Like Gods and Robert Frost's poetry collection New Hampshire.

January 7th, 2019: The California High Speed Rail system is officially opened to the public, operating between San Francisco and Los Angeles at speeds of 200 mph. Initial ridership figures are higher than expected, with President Gillibrand calling the system “a symbol of America's future”.

January 12th, 2019: Chinese Communist Party leaders debate the need to reform immigration in an effort to allow for “mail order brides” in Beijing, China.

January 18th, 2019: IUPAC approve discovery of Uue, Ubn, Ubb and Ubq. Uue is named Heisenbergium (Hb), Ubn will be Daltonium (Da), Ubb is Chadwickium (Cw) and Ubq is Kennedium (Ky) - named after John F. Kennedy.

February 1st, 2019: The Brazilian Presidential elections begin. Outgoing President Dilma Rousseff endorses the candidacy of Alexandre Molon, a rather obscure former senator from Rio de Janeiro. The rest of the Party, however, prefers Guido Mantega, the Finance Minister throughout both the Lula and Rousseff presidencies. In the end, a compromise is settled: the ticket would be Mantega/Molon.

The PMDB and the PSD surprise the government by announcing their own candidates, and their withdrawal from the government's coallition. Michel Temer, Dilma's former VP, is chosen as candidate. Marina Silva is naturally chosen as candidate of the PSC amidst accusations of eco-terrorism; the former Governor of Minas Gerais Aécio Neves is chosen as the candidate of the Social-Democrats. Other than that, the constitutional changes allowed by the referendum of 2012 allowed independent candidacies from the election of 2019 and on, and thus was created the curious cadidacy of José Sarney, former President of Brazil, President of the Senate, former Governor of Maranhão and well-known kleptocrat, at 90 years of age.

February 7th, 2019: Mexican President Minerva Hernández gives a speech during a joint session of congress in where she announces her domestic policy objectives for her term. Among other things, she proposes reform for México's penal system (a process already stared under her predecessor), job creation via public works projects and greater investment towards education.

February 8th, 2019: Construction begins in Chicago on The Farm at Lake Michigan, a 73-story vertical agriculture building being built by Magellan Development. The Farm will be built on the 3.24 acre site of the former DuSable Park, adjacent to the long-cancelled Chicago Spire. Magellan hopes to open The Farm by 2027.

February 17th, 2019: In Hong Kong, ADPL lawmaker Tam Kwok-kiu of Kowloon West is mysteriously killed in a “car accident”, leading to the first wave of anti-government protests since 2014. The ADPL claims that the government is behind the death of Tam, but Chief Executive Regina Ip instead accuses the banned Labour Party, claiming that it wants to create social disturbances.

February 24th, 2019: Former Hong Kong Labour Party leader Lee Cheuk-yan “commits suicide out of guilt” mysteriously a week later. Western countries condemn the Tam Kwok-kiu and Lee Cheuk-yan Incidents, and Ip is declared a persona non grata by the European Union and the United States. Several Western firms announce that they would move their headquarters from Hong Kong to Taiwan citing the “lack of security and protection”.

March 1st, 2019: The Crimea referendum shows overwhelming support for independence; however the Ukrainian government immediately cries electoral fraud. The Union State, which helped “oversee” the election, contends the results were legitimate.

March 3rd, 2019: Prime Minister Tymoshenko instates martial law in Crimea and sends in troops to quell pro-independence protests. The Union State claims to “defend the soveriegnty of the Crimean people,” and Vladimir Putin infamously gives an ultimatum to the Ukrainian government: withdraw from Crimea or face military intervention.

March 4th, 2019: At a hastily organized meeting, EU officials contemplate what to to in response to the Union State ultimatum against the Ukraine. The Eastern states want to intervene along with President Sarkozy, but others are flatly against in regards to the tenuous energy relationship with Russia. After calling Putin's bluff, Sarkozy famously states at a press conference, “Putin won't try anything,” not when the Ukraine is in negotiations for joining the EU.

March 5th, 2019: Second Crimean War; The Union State invades the Ukraine, as well as commencing bombing raids that devastate the capital of Kiev. The Ukrainian government vows to fight, while the EU is internally paralyzed to react.

March 8th, 2019: The General Assembly of the United Nations votes to allow the People's Republic of Guinea to become a member, following pressure from China and Nigeria. On the same day, the African Union removes the suspension of Equatorial Guinea and welcomes the People's Republic of Guinea as a member.

March 10th, 2019: Crimea finds itself under the occupation by Union State forces within a week of the invasion, Ukrainian troops having been overwhelmed.

March 11th, 2019: Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) announces his intention to seek the presidency in 2020. Calling for a return to the political center after a decade of spiraling into the political abyss thanks to the antics of the Tea Party and far-right, Brown gains a following among reformist Republicans. However, he is bitterly opposed by the still-strong conservative wing, who distrust “a carbon copy of Mitt Romney,” as FOX News' Sean Hannity put it.

March 15th, 2019: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland announce the birth of a second son, whom they name Oscar Fredrick Harald Bertil. The baby prince is given the title Duke of Halland.

March 25th, 2019: Former Sen. Rand Paul, and still angry from his loss in 2016, announces he will run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2020, despite the fact he left the Republican Party in 2016 to run as an independent candidate for President. This angers many Republicans, who consider Paul to be little more than a traitor and the reason for Romney's electoral loss.

March 22nd, 2019: US President Kristen Gillibrand introduces the Dating Modernization Act (DMA) to Congress. The act seeks, as its name implies, to change America's dating system to the International Standard. The bill mandates that all federal government institutions switch from the Month/Day/Year dating format to the Day/Month/Year format by 2025, with state and local governments to follow by 2030 and 2035 respectively. Public schools and accredited private schools are required to switch over by 2033. In addition, the act gives tax credits to businesses that switch over to this format on legal and work-related documents.

March 27th, 2019: Rwandan troops pull out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ending their intervention in the Second Congolese Civil War. President Rose Mukantabana announces that “the FDLR has been destroyed and its leaders have been killed. This terrorist organization no longer poses a threat to Rwanda or to the people of the DRC.” Troops loyal to ousted President Joseph Kabila take control of the eastern provinces from Rwandan troops.

April-May 2019: Parliamentary elections are held in India. The current Prime Minister is Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party. He has presided over continued economic growth of around 8% per year on average, and has managed (despite a scare in early 2016) to keep inflation low. In addition, his signature domestic policy, the Allowing for Advancment Act, has begun to show some fruits, with 8 new University campuses having already been opened, and over 300 state officials having been prosecuted for corruption. Nevertheless, his government is quite unpopular due to the continued attacks of the Naxalites, the still-rampant corruption, and the unfriendly environment for business.

The official election results show the seating of the Lok Sabha now stands as thus:

United Progressive Alliance (led by Congress): 198 seats. Left Front (Communist/Socialist Parties): 70 seats. National Democratic Alliance (led by the BJP): 110 seats. New Democratic Party: 141 seats. Independents: 14 seats. Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats.

After 2 weeks of haggling, the United Progressive Alliance and the Left Front form a government, along with several independents. The NDP says that it May support their proposals occasionally, but chooses not to be part of the government. The governing coalition controls 273 seats; only 5 more than a majority. Rahul Gandhi is re-inaugurated several days later.

April 1st, 2019: Taiwanese president Su Jia-chyuan is shot by a mad supporter of former President Chen Shui-bian, while visiting Tainan. China condemns the attack as well, calling it an attempt to halt the peace process.

April 13th, 2019: Former Vice President Bobby Jindal confirms speculation that he will not seek the 2020 Republican nomination or Mary Landrieu's Senate seat, but says “I have no intention of fading into the shadows. I will continue to remain active in public life, but at times of my choosing.”

April 17th, 2019: At the annual American Atheists convention in Chicago, Illinois, two S.O.U.L. members open fire on the crowd, killing 14 and injuring 31 before being wrestled to the ground by security. The gunmen are both
convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

April 21st, 2019: In effect on January 1 of the following year, education duties will be passed from the states (Länder) to the federal government (Bund).

April 24th, 2019: President Su Jia-chyuan fully recovers. In a nationally televised speech, President Su urged reconciliation and argued for the importance of establishing a stable relationship with China. Former Tainan Mayor William Lai announces that he would withdraw from the race, and endorses President Su for reelection.

April 25th, 2019: Guinea worm is officially declared extinct in the wild by the United Nations Health Office, becoming the first human parasite driven out of existence by our efforts. The last known case was in 2015 in South Sudan, and the worms have a lifespan of only 1 year. Former US president Jimmy Carter, who passed away in 2012, had dedicated much of his life to eradicating the pestilence.

April 29th, 2019: Jason Carson founds his own hydrogen fuel station, known as Carson Fuel Incorporated, in Los Angeles, California as the first fuel cell cars begin to show up on the roads.

April 30th, 2019: The Northern Arapaho Nation votes to adopt the Amicus Arapahoviae DNA based system of identity (shortened to Amarap) for determining membership in the tribe becoming the first tribe to officially abandon blood quanta or proof of descent for the new system. Many tribes oppose DNA testing for religious reasons so the system is not universally adopted in Indian country.

May 2nd, 2019: The Brazilian Army launches a ground-air assault on a drug camp in the far reaches of the Brazilian state Amazonas, only 42 miles from the border with Colombia. The camp, which had been located through satellite imagery, had over 100 acres of marijuana-growing fields, and a small factory to process the goods. 2 Brazilian soldiers were injured, while 16 narcones were killed and an additional 12 captured. The leader of the cartel running the camp, called Padrinho (The Godfather), was not present during the raid. 4 tons of marijuana awaiting shipment was captured.

May 12th, 2019: President Su Jia-chyuan visits China again. In a historical summit, President Su and President Xi sign the Shanghai Accords, which was also known as the Consensus of 2019 (similar to the Consensus of 1992), to be renewed in 2049. China removes all missiles targeting Taiwan, while both sides agree with the spirit of “One China, Different Expressions” outlined in 1992. Taiwan shall not declare independence, but could participate in a number of international organisations using the name “Chinese Taipei”. Taiwan is also allowed to establish formal diplomatic relations with other nations, under the name of “the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu”. It was a historical breakthrough in cross-strait relationship.

May 17th, 2019: Taiwanese leaders blame a series of electronic infrastructure failures on Chinese hackers, during a press conference in Taipei.

FIFA decides to expand the World cup to 48 teams, effective for the France 2026 bid (which is also accepted on this day, winning against Germany, Canada and the EAF). It will be eight groups of six, of which four advance.

May 19th, 2019: The French movie Ma Cherie, starring Natalie Portman and French Arab actor Salim Kechiouche, is released in the United States. With French dialogue and subtitles, Ma Cherie becomes the highest-grossing foreign-language film of all time within the United States. The film explores a French woman's conversion to Islam after she marries a French Arab man. The film later goes on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

May 20th, 2019: In Hong Kong, despite allegations of vote rigging and unfair campaign bias, 38-year-old opposition ADPL District Councilor Wong Chi-yung of Lai Chi Kok South is elected lawmaker for Kowloon West, replacing the seat vacated by the late Tam. With a 57% turnout, Wong gets 52% of the popular vote over 41% for the pro-government candidate.

May 25th, 2019: Tymoshenko’s government is overthrown by a military junta. The EU repeals the membership application of Ukraine.

May 28th, 2019: Mexican President Hernández signs into law the Infrastructure Construction and Restoration Act of 2019. It allows for the creation of a commission to oversee various projects intended to renovate ailing infrastructure as well as build new infrastructure across the country. The commission plans to renovate the water management systems in México's major cities, as well as renovation and extension of freight rail lines in southern México. Plans for a High Speed Rail line from México City to Guadalajara are also approved, with construction beginning in September 2019 and an expected completion time in mid to late 2023.

June 1st, 2019: Average attendance per game in Major League Soccer rises above 20,000 for the first time. The most-attended team was Seattle Sounders FC, with an average of 42,192 fans per game.

June 2nd, 2019: The Second Crimean War comes to an end after a military junta that previously overthrew the Tymoshenko government surrenders to Union State forces in the ruined capital city of Kiev. Union State forces occupy over half of the Ukraine's territory, including the Black Sea coast, Crimea, and the eastern half including Kiev itself.

June 5th, 2019: The commission authorized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to prepare a list of all people eligible for Native Hawaiian status submits its findings. It is determined that there are 487,123 people who are eligible for Native Hawaiian status. Only 385,345 people are eventually certified as eligible to vote because of various restrictions.

June 8th, 2019: Treaty of Sevastopol; The Crimea is given its independence from the Ukraine following a “free” referendum where 98 percent vote in favor, and the Republic of Crimea emerges. In addition to Crimea, the Union State annexes parts of the Black Sea coast as war spoils. Union State troops immediately withdraw from the rest of Ukrainian territory.

President Sakskoburggotski of Bulgaria, as the main negotiator of the Treaty of Sevastopol barely manages to preserve the integrity of the rump Ukrainian Republic, which lay prostrate at the feet of the victorious Union State. Even though much Ukrainian territory was lost, the President of Bulgaria is lionized as a hero for preserving Ukraine as an independent state. Later that year, after resolving several minor disputes in Africa, the former king of Bulgaria wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

June 11th, 2019: Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) announces his candidacy for President in 2020. He quickly gains a following among conservatives who are distrustful of Brown, or refuse to consider Paul.

June 20th, 2019: South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and Ethiopia jointly recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo. Despite concerns over local separatist groups, the four countries collectively decided that the goodwill of the West was worth the risk of a separatist group winning independence. In addition, India announces that they will open a consulate in Pristina, although they do not accept Kosovo's independence, over concerns in Kashmir. Many small states follow the lead of these countries, under pressure from them and from the United States. By the end of the year, Kosovo has been recognized by 103 states.

June 29th, 2019: During a Q&A session at the Los Angeles based Anime Expo Convention, Juan Rivera announces that his comic series Human Legacy is in the works to become an animated series, and would air in the winter or spring of 2021.

July 7th, 2019: In Japan, the ruling Democratic Party wins a majority of seats in the upper house election, Your Party withdraws from the coalition government citing the reason that “the era of distorted parliament has come to the end”.

July 8th, 2019: 33 high-ranking officials are forced to resign amidst reports of defiance to the “one-child policy” in Beijing, China.

July 9th, 2019: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Former first lady Ani Bambang Yudhoyono of the Reformed Democratic Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2024. The election was seen as a watershed for Indonesia, as defeated President Urbaningrum had taken a strong stand for greater religious openness and equality. However, conservatives chose to support Yudhoyono, who is sometimes viewed as a puppet for her husband, the former two-term President.

July 15th, 2019: The India Tower is completed in Mumbai, rising 2,300 feet into the skyline of the city. It is the centerpiece of the rapid urban renewal that is beginning in India to turn their population centers from slums to modern cities of steel and concrete. At it's opening, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee makes a speech, claiming that “this building will shine forth, bringing India into a new age”. At it's completion it takes over honors as second tallest building in the world.

July 23rd, 2019: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of the late, lamented Queen Elizabeth II passes away quietly in his sleep at the ripe old age of 98.

July 26th, 2019: The Dating Modernization Act (DMA) is debated by the US House of Representatives. Some Republican congressmen accuse President Gillibrand of “selling out American exceptionalism to foreign interests,” but in general the bill is widely supported. After lobbying from various conservative interest groups, a minor change is made to the bill which allows the D/M/Y format to include an abbreviation of the month to avoid confusion (I.E. 2 Jan 2020 rather than 2/1/2020). The bill then passes the House of Representatives 374-100-1 and the Senate 54-46.

July 28th, 2019: US President Kristen Gillibrand signs the Dating Modernization Act (DMA) into law, thus mandating a switch to the Day/Month/Year format for official governmental and school purposes by 2025 and 2033, respectively.

August 1st, 2019: The Republic of Crimea's petition to join the Union State is accepted by Moscow, and is admitted on its own, separate from the existing eastern Ukrainian state.

August 8th, 2019: Chinese scientists Yi Zhao, Bing Qi, and Hoi-Kwong Lo announce the “end of privacy” with the development of “quantum hacking”, granting CCP officials greater security abilities in Beijing, China.

August 12th, 2019: While at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, Chief Justice John Roberts suffers a severe heart attack at the age of 64. He is rushed to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center immediately, but dies there early the next morning at 3:12 AM. President Gillibrand calls the event a national tragedy and announces that she will begin searching for a worthy successor after his funeral. Congress is currently in their summer recess.

August 22nd, 2019: President Gillibrand, in a bold move, announces that she will nominate former President Barack Obama to the Chief Justice’s seat on the Supreme Court. The announcement draws widespread praise from nearly every major Democrat; Obama is regarded as an elder statesman within the party. Major Republican figures issue “wait-and-see” statements, with a few coming out in opposition to Obama’s nomination. S.O.U.L. denounces the nomination, calling former President Obama “a murderer of the unborn”.

August 27th, 2019: General elections are held in Namibia. Elijhah Ngurare of the SWAPO Party of Namibia is reelected to the post of President, and will serve until 2024. President Ngurare has made fighting the chronic unemployment in the country a top priority of his first and second terms.

September 17th, 2019: NSA reports that 75% of American personal
computers can be accessed by Chinese hackers, during a security briefing

September 19th, 2019: While attending a political rally in Atlanta, Vice President Keith Ellison is shot four times in the chest by an unknown assassin. He is taken to the hospital and dies roughly 30 minutes after his arrival.

September 20th, 2019: Eric Nester Greene is arrested as the assassin of Keith Ellison. He will later be sentenced to death.

September 21st, 2019: S.O.U.L. Leader Jimmy Fitzgerald calls the assassination of Vice President Ellison a “regrettable, but necessary action” while on NBC's News Hour.

October 1st, 2019: The Brazilian Presidential elections are held. With no less than 5 relevant and nation-known candidates, it was the most disputed election ever held in Brazil. Nonetheless, the soaring economy, over which Guido Mantega had previously presided as Minister of Finance, is a decisive point in the Worker's Party victoy with 51,1% of the vote, cancelling the need for a run-off election, not without complant of a one-party dominance, since the PT has now dominated Brazilian politics for 17 years, with seemingly many more to come.

Guido Mantega / Alexandre Molon (PT): 51,1% Marina Silva/ Alexandre Lemos (PSC): 17,9% Aécio Neves / Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB): 16% Michel Temer / Renan Calheiros (PMDB): 7,7% José Sarney / Dora Calheiros (Independent): 6,3%

The crushing defeat of both the PSDB(Party of Brazilian Social-Democracy) and the PMDB(Party of the Movement for Brazilian Democracy) was at the root of the withering away of both parties in the coming decade, while the PSC continued to see itself as a rising force.

A femur bone 2.98 m long is found in China (Inner Mongolia). Out of patriotism, the species is called Maozedongosaurus. The length and mass estimates are even vaster than for Bruhathkayosaurus: 58-65 m in length and 190-240 tons in weight.

October 3rd, 2019: Former President Obama is confirmed as Chief Justice of the United States by a 68-30 vote in the US Senate. Two Republicans do not vote. The nomination process was contentious but fairly civil, at least within the bounds of the Senate Chamber. Chief Justice Obama is sworn in 2 days later, on October the 5th. He becomes the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and at 68, the oldest appointed to the Chief Justice’s seat since Harlan Stone of the WWII era.

October 7th, 2019: President Gillibrand nominates Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to replace the late Vice President Keith Ellison. Booker is swiftly confirmed in the Senate and sworn into office on October 20th.

October 19th, 2019: Sony and other firms announce that production of Blu-Ray players will be discontinued in 2021. This surprises many laymen, but experts are not surprised seeing the success of the GVD (which outperformed Blu-Ray sales five-to-one two years after its introduction).

October 29th, 2019: In baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals to win the World Series in 5 games. Trevor Bauer wins MVP honors for his two complete game wins to start and finish the series.

November 9th, 2019: Japan announces plans for manned space mission within 5 years. At the same time, Prime Minister Seiji Maehara announces that private companies would be allowed to launch their own spacecrafts for tourism purposes.

November 11th, 2019: It is announced that Taiwanese President Su Jia-chyuan and Chinese President Xi Jinping won the Nobel Peace Prize for the Shanghai Accords. Riots against awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Xi Jinping broke out in Oslo, at least 24 are killed. The Chinese embassy is set on fire, killing the ambassador and 14 others.

November 13th, 2019: The Portland Timbers win the Major League Soccer Cup over the New England Revolution, 1-0.

November 19th, 2019: S.O.U.L. has for the most part been fairly quiet since the federal crackdown following the Autumn of Fire in 2017, but violence quickly erupts again in the wake of VP Ellison's assassination. The first attack is the deadliest by far committed by the far-right group, a car bomb detonated in San Francisco's Castro district that kills c. 52 people.

November 20th, 2019: President Gillibrand officially condemns S.O.U.L. as “a radical organization bent on spreading their message of hate through unjustified terrorism upon the American people.” Another, harsher crackdown takes place on S.O.U.L., resulting in arrests of thousands of members nationally in the next few months. Meanwhile, an estimated 150 American civilians are killed in the weeks following the Castro attack.

November 21st, 2019: Former Vice President Bobby Jindal, as well as presidential candidates Scott Brown and Jim DeMint, publicly condemn S.O.U.L. as “an illegitimate force of terror in the eyes of America.” Rand Paul, however, remains mum on the issue, further discrediting him in the eyes of the Republican Party outside of a fringe few.

December 12th, 2019: The nations of Jordan and Morocco become members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Both countries had requested membership in May 2011, as they were the only Arab monarchies outside the council.

December 25th, 2019: King George and Queen Camilla of Great Britain celebrate a traditional Christmas at Sandringham. Included for the first time in many years is the king’s brother’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

December 26th, 2019: A electrical fire breaks out at Sandringham in Norfolk while most of the royal family is in the house. All of the houseguests escape unharmed except for Prince Andrew, the Duke of York who is trapped and unable to exit the building. Thinking his demise is imminent, he phones his ex-wife to make sure she is safe and to say goodbye. In an act of heroism the Duke’s flame-haired ex-wife drives a land rover through a burning wall and rescues the badly burnt Duke. She is uninjured and over the next several years faithfully nurses her ex-husband (whom she calls “her bestest friend”) through several skin graft surgeries and rehabilitation.

December 31st, 2019: Artificial eyes become an expensive option for those stricken by vision problems.

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2020

January 1st, 2020: The United States formally withdraws all military forces from the Korean peninsula following an agreement with Seoul, considering that North Korea as a existential threat had been removed several years prior.

After several years of delays, Romania formally adopts the Euro. The Eastern European country had intended to adopt it in 2015 but faced protracted difficulties meeting the convergence criteria.

January 7th, 2020: Iowa Caucus; Former Senator Scott Brown narrowly wins the Iowa contest, claiming a 33-31-27 victory over Senator Jim DeMint and former Senator Rand Paul, respectively.

January 12th, 2020: In Taiwan, incumbent President Su Jia-chyuan (DPP) wins a landslide victory against Nantou magistrate Tsai Yi-chu (KMT) with 60.7% of votes in the presidential election, even winning Nantou county.
In the legislative elections, however, DPP only manages to gain 2 seats, because radical pro-independence members of the DPP formed the Taiwanese Patriotic Party - a splinter group which manages to win 2 seats in the nationwide constituency. As a result, KMT gains 1 seat too.

Republic of China legislative election, 2020 Democratic Progressive Party 64 Kuomintang 38 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 3 Taiwanese Patriotic Party 2 People First Party 2 Independents 3 Labor Party 1 Incumber Speaker: Ker Chien-ming (DPP)

January 16th, 2020: In Japan, internal fighting inside the opposition Liberal Democratic Party continues. Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, joins Your Party with 26 LDP MPs.

January 20th, 2020: Marina Silva is killed by a bomb set by eco-terrorists while she gave a speech in São Paulo, on the ground of becoming “softer” for the purpose of gaining votes. Her death is mourned all across the world, especially in Brazil, and President Mantega declares two days of mourning.

February 3rd, 2020: The first budget of President Gillibrand's second term expands funding for NASA's New Frontiers program, which seeks to robotically explore the Solar System. $25 billion is allocated over fifteen years to fund the New Frontiers missions.

February 28th, 2020: Three years to the day after the coup that overthrew him, President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recaptures the capitol of Kinshasha, killing all of the members of the military junta. The city falls after a two-month siege by Kabila's forces. The President is infamously said to have remarked, “Je suis de retour, les chiennes! Ne pas essayer de nouveau!” The Second Congolese Civil War (2015-2018), ends. The war has claimed over 500,000 lives, and an estimated two million rapes have taken place. In addition, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now estimated to be the world's poorest country, with an HDI of only .156, a drop from several years ago.

February 18th, 2020: Elections are held in the People's Republic of Guinea for seats in the Congress of the People. International monitors report voter intimidation at some polling places throughout the country. Specifically, monitors write that members of the People's Revolutionary Socialist Party, the ruling party, set up barriers outside some polling locations and asked people who they were voting for before letting them enter. Outright ballot stuffing and fraud are not reported, but the UN monitors say that this marks a dangerous trend.

February 21st, 2020: Election results from the People's Republic of Guinea show that PARSOGE, the ruling party, has won all but six seats in the Congress of the People. Minor protests begin, claiming that the Revolution of 2016 was being betrayed. In Bata, the largest city, more than 10,000 people hit the streets, but are attacked with water cannons.

February 22nd, 2020: Premier Cruz of the People's Republic of Guinea makes a nationally televised speech, apologizing for the recent elections. He acknowledges that some principles of the socialist revolution that brought him to power had been put to the wayside, and promises accountability in the future. The chief of Bata is sacked for allowing protestors to be attacked, along with dozens of other officials in PARSOGE. Premier Cruz offers to resign and calls for new elections in April. However, supporters flood Marx Square in Malabo, and show their support for Premier Cruz.

February 29th, 2020: Pro-democracy demonstrators occupy the main Ukrainian cities in response to the establihsment of curfew and the restriction of personal liberties during the last two years of the junta government led by Admiral Mykhailo Yezhel.

March 11th, 2020: Amazon acquires OBI, a German do-it-yourself store that filed for insolvency, restructuring the shops and enhancing their presence.

April 1st, 2020: A second round of elections is held in the People's Republic of Guinea. PARSOGE, the revolutionary party, loses seats to a pro-Western party, a pro-Chinese party, and a traditionalist African party. A pro-business party called the People's Alliance of Democracy, led by mining businessman Thierry Fidjeu also gains seats. Nevertheless, PARSOGE retains a majority in the 120-seat body and promises to lead a new wave of democratization and reform.

April 4th, 2020: The newly reelected Congress of the People in the People's Republic of Guinea repeals the Protecting the Revolution Directive of 2016, which removes most limits on freedom of speech and press in the PRG. Repealing the directive had been a major goal of opposition parties in the 2020 elections.

April 5th, 2020: S.O.U.L. leader Jimmy Fitzgerald is arrested at his home in Florida, after it was found that he approved of the Castro bombing to be carried out by organization members. S.O.U.L. is formally disbanded by the federal government shortly after, effectively ending the far-right's brief reign of terror in the United States, although some rogue units continue sporadic bombings over the next few years.

April 7th, 2020: Nicholas Randall, a 24 year veteran of the security services is named as the new Director-General of MI5, following the retirement of his predecessor, Dame Jasmine Rees.

April 18th, 2020: Election for Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council is held by Native Hawaiians.

May 1st, 2028: Premier Cruz of the People's Republic of Guinea (PRG) is replaced by Thierry Fidjeu after elections to the Congress of the People. The PRG has been able to hold fairly free elections since the 2016 Revolution, which ousted former President Obiang. Premier Fidjeu announces his intent to take the PRG in a new pro-business direction, including the privatization of the mining industry. However, he pledges not to stop the equal distribution of the country's oil profits - currently, each citizen of Equatorial Guinea receives $180 a month from the nation's oil industry. These handouts are, of course, wildly popular.

May 5th, 2020: The Conservative Government of Nick Herbert is narrowly re-elected albeit in a further minority situation. Herbert fails to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats again and goes it alone.

May 8th, 2020: Lawrence Livermore discovers the isotopes 311-Ky and 312-Ky, which are noticed to be unusually stable. 311-Ky has a half-life of 87,4 days and 312-Ky of 20,9 days. This is the longest known half-life of an isotope since Fermium-257 (100,5 days). It is not 310-Ky because of relativistic/quantum effects. The decay product of 312-Ky, 308-Cw, is also quite stable with 2,9 days. This is hailed as proof of the existence of an “island of stability”, proposed since the 1990s.

May 15th, 2020: China lands their first man on the moon. People in the US begin saying that the Chinese will dominate the USA if they are allowed to claim first man on Mars. Regardless of the falseness of this statement, the newly appointed head of NASA plays it perfectly in order to get funding.

May 20th, 2020: By this time almost all major television networks have made the switch to 2K broadcasts providing a picture that is double the resolution of 1080p

May 25th, 2020: Chinese military officials announce the global deployment of the “Beidou” global positioning system (GPS), effectively ending American monopoly over the technology.

May 28th, 2020: The New York Tower becomes the tallest skyscraper in the world as it passes the Burj Khalifa at 2,718 feet/828m. However, with 4 other 3,000 feet/900m + skyscrapers already under construction and many others close to construction, it is a title that won't be held for long.

June 1st, 2020: Intercontinental Airlines launches its first flight as a commercial airline from New York's JFK Airport to London Heathrow, using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Intercontinental offers exclusively international flights with service rivaling that of the Middle East and Asia's 5 star airlines, and is famously declared by The New York Times in 2027 as “the rebirth of the American flag carrier” for its internationally known brand and product.

June 3rd, 2020: Chinese officials announce the deployment of the Beidou-2 (a.k.a. “Compass”) global positioning system, effectively ending American monopoly on the technology.

June 10th, 2020: Prince Harry of Great Britain (b. 15 September 1984) marries longtime girlfriend Lady Natasha Howard (b. 1987) the daughter of the 21st Earl of Suffolk. He is granted the title Duke of Sussex.

June 17, 2020: A even larger species of the Turiasaurus genus is found in Italy, and it is called Turiasaurus montiensis.

June 20, 2020: A message on Twitter is discovered that one of the scientists, Emanuele Pirlo, wanted to use the epithet berlusconiensis and that a, supposedly “heated” argument broke out over the species epithel. The scientists could then agree on montiensis after Berlusconi's successor

July 5th, 2020: Japanese general election: thanks to the unprecedented economic growth since the 1980s and a severely divided opposition, the ruling Democratic Party wins a landslide victory and 54% of votes. Seiji Maehara continues to serve as Prime Minister of Japan, while the DPJ-Komeito coalition continues. Your Party replaces LDP as the main opposition party. The election results are as followed: DPJ 309, YP 54, SCP 37, LDP 35, New Komeito 23, JCP 8, SDP 4, New Blood League 3, Others / Non-partisan / Independents 7.

July 29th, 2020: The results of a South African HIV/AIDS study are published, sparking intense interest in the global health community. A followup to a 2009 Thai study which used a vaccine to reduce AIDS infections by 30%, the international study finds that a new vaccine can reduce infections by approximately 55%, a large improvement. However, the treatment is very expensive and finicky, and team leader Francois Venter says, “a 45% infection rate is 45 times worse than what we were hoping for.”

August 3rd, 2020: The XXXII Summer Olympiad opens in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

August 7th, 2020: Chinese military officials announce the active service of the J-22 stealth bomber in Shenyang, China.

August 10th-13th, 2020: Republican National Convention; Former Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) is nominated for President. He taps Senator Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate, in order to ideologically balance the ticket.

August 20th, 2020: The East African Federation referendum passes on it's second attempt, with Tanzania narrowly voting “Aye”. Formal integration of the East African Shilling member states (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) is set to be completed by January 1st, 2023.

August 23, 2020: The United States Supreme Court passes judgement on, among other cases, Anson v. ASCAP. The appellant, Arnold Anson, organised a small, non profit community festival in his home town, as part of which he had his friend Adam Jennings play music for free. Adam performed amongst a variety of songs, including two Muse pieces, “Citizens Erased” and “Plug In Baby.” ASCAP heard of the performance and demanded that Anson pay them license fees for the performance of the Muse songs.

In their ruling, the court held that Anson owed no fees as, under 'Fair Use', Jenning's performance did not otherwise constitute copyright infringement. In a 5-4 judgement, the Court ruled that under the first factor, nature of the work, it was enough that the infringing work be merely non commercial rather than specifically educational, thus Jenning's performance qualified for consideration. Under the fourth condition, effect on the market of the original work, it upheld the broad point of Princeton University Press v. Michigan Document Service that damage to potential licensing was sufficient to void 'Fair Use' status, but distinguished it by saying that the size and nature of the festival, and the substantial other areas of income for licensers, such as large festivals and mechanical licensing, meant that Jenning's performance did not constitute the same threat to their legitimate economic interest.
“When all of this is viewed through the prism of the Constitution, namely it's explicit mention of promoting the progress of science and useful arts,” the majority judgement read, “we can come to no other conclusion that the infringement constitutes 'Fair Use.'”

August 24th, 2020: The Netherlands beats Turkey in the final of the 2020 UEFA Championship after a bitter match with a 1-0 result in the minute 96.

September 13th, 2020: In Hong Kong, despite the relatively strong economy thanks to the “Hong Kong Stock Through Train” Program and government intimidation against opposition candidates, the opposition camp surprisingly wins 36 out of 80 seats in the Legislative Council. Among them, the People's Governance Party, merged by the moderate Democratic Party and ADPL, wins 20 seats, followed by 7 for the Coalition for Democracy and Hope, 4 for the People Power, 3 for the Democratic Labor Party and 2 independents. This is the first time the Legco is elected through universal suffrage, despite that the functional constituencies still exist, making the nomination process rather unfair. Since international observers are allowed to observe the election, vote rigging like in previous elections does not take place at all. Also, China would like to gain the confidence of the Taiwanese during the continuous peace process.

September 14th, 2020: President Minerva Hernández formally announces the creation of Alta Velocidad Mexicana (AVEMEX), a nationwide high speed rail service, at a press gathering at Los Pinos. Plans are also announced for future lines connecting México City with Puebla, Veracruz, Acapulco and Monterrey.

October 7th, 2020: Former US President Mitt Romney his presidential memoir, the Times That Try Men's Souls, the title taken from the famous qoute by Thomas Paine. Though critics see the book as an attempt at sympathy after what many consider a failed Presidency, the book still goes on to be a bestseller, and helps to reestablish Romney's reputation.

October 12th, 2020: In baseball, the Seattle Mariners win the World Series.

November 3rd, 2020: President Kirsten Gillibrand and Vice President Cory Booker are comfortably re-elected over the Republican ticket of MA Senator Scott Brown/WA Governor Rob McKenna.

Wealthy retired PEMEX executive Jose Sebastiano Romo de Vivar Cano founds the Fundacion Tlatoani Moctezuma para la Filantropia, an organization dedicated to helping the poor in Mexico. Membership is limited to those who can prove by DNA testing that they share the same Y-DNA or mtdna as the Emperor Moctezuma II Xocoyotzin. Thousands across Mexico and in other countries discover they share the royal DNA. Over the next decades, the Fundacion Tlatoani Moctezuma builds a series of free hospitals and clinics which greatly improves health care provided to the poor all across Mexico. The Fundacion Tlatoani Moctezuma is the first major organization of many founded during the Twenty-First Century whose eligibility for membership is DNA based.  

November 6th, 2020: President Yevhenia Tymoshenko declares the hostilities with the junta government over in the Independence Square of Kiev. She announces the return to democratic normalcy and a series of processes of liberlaization and privatization, following the Slovak model to engage with memership talks with the EU.

November 19th, 2020: The Portland Timbers win the Major League Soccer Cup over Toronto FC 5-4 on penalties.

November 30th, 2020: The New York Tower tops out at it's final height of 3,342 feet/1019,m. The building will still need roughly a year for it to be completed and opened.

December 9th, 2020: Anima Mills, leader of the National Democratic Congress Party, wins the Ghanian presidential election with 54.2% of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff. She is the second female African head of state/government, after the venerable Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, who had retired 6 years previously. She promises to usher in a new era of development, focusing especially on education.

December 24th, 2020: The World Health Organization announces that for the first time since the the 1990s, the total number of people dying from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses each year has dropped to under a million, due to developments in antiretroviral drugs. The advance in AIDS treatment has, however, resulted in a slight increase in the number of people who live with AIDS, as they have much longer life expectancies than in previous years, and the rate of infection has not dropped considerably.
 
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January 2nd-10th, 2021: Over the past 20 years, relationships between the Republic of India and the United States have been growing steadily closer and friendlier. Reaching a low point during the second term of President Clinton with nuclear sanctions, Indo-US relations began to turn around during the terms of Presidents Bush and Obama. Obama's three visits to India gave him a lasting popularity there which still endures.

President Gillibrand, pushed by influential Congressmen such as Ryan Kirkpatrick, made close relations with India one of the planks of her campaign. By the time of her re-election, bilateral trade had reached 300 billion USD a year, making India the United States' fourth largest trading partner (after China, Canada, and Mexico). In January of her second term, she went on a state visit to India which, not coincidentally, coincided with three important events. Firstly, she designated India a Major Non-Nato Ally. Secondly, in conjunction with this, she and Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi signed the India and United States Partnership and Security Treaty (IUSPAST). IUSPAST established a non-binding military alliance and partnership between India and the United States, and also removed many remaining tariffs and trade barriers. Lastly, the full body of the UN voted during her visit to add Brazil and India as permanent UNSC members (albeit without vetoes).

January 8th, 2021: Norwegian voters once again choose not to join the European Union, however with a higher turnout, the No option won with an even narrower difference than in 1994, only a 0.8% difference. Media comment how could the failure of the membership referendum affect the current Venstre-Høyre coalition.

January 23rd, 2021: Ethiopia, frustrated by the civil war that has plagued their neighbor Somalia for 30 years (leaving them with an unstable eastern border), decides to recognize Somaliland, the autonomous region and aspiring sovereign state in the northwest region of the country. At a ceremony in Addis Ababa, the Somaliland-Ethiopia embassy is formally opened, making Ethiopia the first country to recognize the existence of the Republic of Somaliland. Somalia, in retaliation, suspends formal diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.

January-March 2021: Over the next two months, Ethiopia works to persuade other nations to recognize Somaliland as independent. Their motivations behind this are twofold: first, they wish to establish good diplomatic relations with Somaliland. Second, by having more nations establish formal diplomatic relations with it, Somaliland's economy opens up to more markets, thus giving Ethiopia (a trading partner) economic benefits. The Central African Republic becomes the second nation to recognize Somaliland on January 27, and it is quickly followed by the Republic of the Congo, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, and Madagascar.

On February 8, after vigorous debate, the Arab League announces it supports the independence of Somaliland, giving it recognition from all Arab States except for Somalia and Morocco. East Africa recognizes Somaliland on February 10, leading many other African nations to follow suit. The United Kingdom becomes the first European country to recognize it on February 15, leading most other sovereign states to do the same.

January 27th, 2021: The “New Years Rebound” of 2021. Nearly a week after the second inauguration of President Gillibrand, the economy begins to undergo a drastic improvement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average opens at it's highest since February 2014. By March 2021, Unemployment has fallen to 7.3%, falling 1.8% sinceDecember of 2020.

January 30th, 2021: In Niger, presidential elections are held. Ali Lamine Zeine, a close associate of former autocratic President Mamadou Tandja (who ruled from 1996-2010) declares victory. His victory is challenged by Ilguilas Weila, an anti-slavery activist and opposition candidate. Weila says that the election was stolen from him by Zeine.

February 8th, 2021: Chinese hackers launch attacks on CIA, FBI, NSA, and Department of Homeland Security computers, vandalizing the sites, and launching “denial of service” viruses onto the sites.

A military coup occurs in Niger, led by Ali Lamine Zeine, who is declared to be President. Opposition candidate Ilguilas Weila is jailed, and charged with treason. However, the coup is opposed by Lieutenant General Salou Djibo, who led a 2010 coup which restored democracy to Niger.

February 9th-May 20th, 2021: The first stage of the Nigerien Civil War occurs. President Ali Lamine Zeine, who claims to have won the disputed 2021 election, had subsequently launched a military coup and jailed the opposition candidate, Ilguilas Weila. However, Weila was supported in the military by reformist general Salou Djibo, who took control of several towns and launched an attack on Niamey.

February 13th, 2021: The popular manga-inspired comic series Human Legacy is aired for the first time on television, making it's debut on Adult Swim's 1am time slot. The first episode does reasonably well, garnering over 2.9 million viewers on the first airing.

February 23rd, 2021: In the 2021 Canadian Federal Election, incumbent Prime Minister Dominic LeBlanc wins an huge victory and increases the number of seats the Liberal Party holds in the House of Commons. His opponent in the election, Peter MacKay, resigns as leader of the Conservative Party, who is later replaced by Harper Cabinet Veteran John Baird.

March 25th, 2021: The monthlong 2021 World Baseball Classic closes in Denver, Colorado. Japan emerge as the champions, beating out America for their third title. In third place are Cuba, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are the Dominican Republic.

March 29th, 2021: President Gillibrand's approval hits 74%, the highest of any President since President Bush after the September 11th attacks.

April 17, 2021: Publication by Yale University Press of Throne of Bones and Blood: The Fall of Assad and the Rebirth of Syria by Dr. Gregory Thomas Gottschalk.

April 20th, 2021: Colombia announces that it will join ALADEC in 2018. ALADEC, created by the Treaty of Florianopolis in 2016, comprises Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Chile and Argentina are strong opponents of the organization, viewing it as a threat to free trade and to South American unity. All the members of ALADEC, commonly thought of as a Brazilian-led group, follow Lulaist economic programs modeled on Brazil's.

May 2nd, 2021: The UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime) releases a report that calls attention to increasing rates of drug production and consumption in Brazil. In particular, the report cites studies which find that among Brazil's large middle class, cocaine usage has increased 60% from 2011 levels and marijuana usage is at record levels. Production is also an issue; the study cites several raids taken by the Brazilian army in the last few years on drug “camps” and farms in the jungle. On the whole, the report concludes that “Brazil is endangered by three factors; a growing middle class consumer base for illegal drugs; transport conduits among the underprivileged and rural; and a large, uncontrolled interior with the correct climate for the growth of illegal drugs”. However, the report also says that Brazilian authorities have mostly been taking the correct actions to deal with the growing drug problem, reporting that corruption among Brazilian authorities is low and “not in any way an endemic issue.”

May 5th, 2021: J.K. Rowling releases the first of two sequels to her children's novel Little Loser, entitled Overgrown Oaf. The two books, aimed at children between 8 and 12, have together sold more than 20 million copies worldwide since 2018.

May 21st, 2021: In Niger, former opposition presidential candidate Ilguilas Weila is executed for treason by President Ali Zeine's government. Weila had been supported in his claim to the Presidency by General Salou Djibo. However, with Weila's execution, Djibo announces that he himself will seek to temporarily take the Presidency, in order to “restore democracy once again” to Niger.

June 1st, 2021: Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly repeals their action of 2017, which made Atheism one of Indonesia's officially protected religions. On July 1st, it once again becomes illegal to be an atheist in Indonesia, which only recognizes Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Repeal of the “atheist allowance” was one of the major promises of conservative president Ani Yudhoyono.

June 9th, 2021: NASA announces that it will begin active work on two new exploration missions, funded by a twenty-five billion dollar budget expansion over the next fifteen years. The long-dormant Venus In-Situ Explorer is revived, and is tentatively scheduled for launch in 2027. Meanwhile, a interstellar robotic solar sail project begins development and is scheduled for launch in 2031.

June 12th, 2021: Famed historian David McCullough dies at the age of 88, while working on his latest book, The Constitutional Convention. His previous work, a history of Nigeria, had won widespread acclaim, including from the President of Nigeria and Chinua Achebe, the famous novelist.

June 29th, 2021: 'The Legend of the Dark Knight', the sequel to the highly successful 'Batman Beyond' and 'The Tomorrow Knight', is released in cinemas. It shows McGinnis desperately trying to truly live up to the legacy of the cowl as he is increasingly tempted by ever more brutal methods as an assassin takes out swathes of the city's most high profile citizens. Doubting his worth as Batman as he continues to be beaten down by the mysterious foe and doubting the value of his mission as many of the victims are some of the most notorious members of the criminal underworld or corrupt officials.

The film ends with Terry taking down the assassin, only to be confronted with the true mastermind behind the plot, Dr. Elliot Strange, the Deputy Mayor being revealed. 'Hush' proceeds to kill his own assassin and Bruce Wayne himself while detonating a bomb that kills the Mayor, Police Commissioner and half the rest of the City leadership, all of whom are beyond reproach, and frames Batman for all the murders committed by him, leaving the film to surprisingly close with Terry entirely broken and without a single ally as Strange proceeds to take power.

July 2021: As elections approach for a new president of the Bulgarian republic, new support arises for the restoration of Simeon Sakskoburggotski as king. Many Bulgarians refuse to contemplate losing the wildly popular ex-king as head of state and a referendum is proposed.

July 2nd, 2021: The band Solfire is formed in Copenhagen by natives Kennet Esperson on guitar, fiddle, oud, and rabab, Mogen al-Asjid Khader on drums and backup vocals, and Swede Hanna Sjosted on lead vocals. They begin experimenting with a style which combines North African Berber and Arab tonalities with Norse fiddling and rock music.

July 4th, 2021: Mexican Midterm elections for the Chamber of Deputies give President Hernández a slim majority for the PRD, who have also formed an allaince with the PVEM and Convergence. The PAN is beginning to recover from the Calderón years while the PRI continues to reel from it's worst electoral performance since 2000.

Chamber of Deputies Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) - 251 National Action Party (PAN) - 102 Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) - 81 Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) - 16 Labor Party (PT) - 10 Nueva Alianza (PNA) - 14 Convergence - 17 Independents - 9

In Niger, the Battle of Niamey occurs. General Salou Djibo's forces enter and take control of the capitol, seizing power from President Ali Lamine Zeine. Zeine had become President following a disputed election in January, and subsequently jailed and executed the opposition candidate, Ilguilas Weila. Weila's cause, and the democratic movement in general, however, had been taken up by Djibo.

Six years to the day the New York Tower was announced as a project, the building opens it's door. It is seen by the public as a monument to what America can still accomplish.

July 10th, 2021: Former president Ali Zeine of Niger is exiled to Sudan, while General Salou Djibo becomes President and leader of Niger for the first time since his 2010 coup, which temporarily restored democracy to Niger.

August 27th, 2021: President Gillibrand introduces the American High Speed Rail Act to Congress. The legislation seeks to establish a Continental Rail Network (CRN), connecting major cities via a system of high speed trains capable of reaching 400+ mph.

September 2, 2021: Dinosaur DNA is extracted from Giraffatitan brancai fossils in Tanzania. Paralititan stromeri DNA surfaces soon after in Egypt. Hopes (and fears) of an actual “Jurassic Park” rise.

September 11th, 2021: America remembers the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. A Memorial service is held in New York at The Freedom Tower, which is attended by thousands, and millions more watch on TV from around the world. President Kristen Gillibrand gives a small speech, but plays little role in the overall ceremony, instead allowing former President George W. Bush, who served as President during the attacks, to give the main speech, which many consider to be the best one given in his entire life.
The football associations of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Mauritania, Oman and Somalia decide to form the AFA. The exclusion of Iran leads to quarreling, but conflict is resolved in a way which leaves Iran part of AFC.

September 15th, 2021: The Bulgarian monarchy restoration referendum passes with the approval of 53% of voters. King Simeon II, a statesman and diplomat considered to be a national treasure, resumes the throne he was forced to abandon exactly 75 years before.

October 13th, 2021: In baseball, the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.

October 19th, 2021: Admiral Yezhel, along with other top members of the junta governemnt are executed by firing squad in a seclet location. The secrecy of the execution provokes condemns from different human rights organizations.

November 3rd, 2021: Carmen Arteaga, a Mexican political activist from Chilpancingo, Guerrero founds the group Mexicanos para Reforma Electoral Verdadera or MREV (Mexicans for True Electoral Reform), a grass roots organization dedicated to allowing politicians to run for multiple terms. This comes soon after the 2021 Midterm elections, where Deputies are only allowed one three year term without reelection. Arteaga argues that this constant reshuffling of Congress fails to facilitate meaningful legislation from passing.

November 25th, 2021: The Chicago Fire win the Major League Soccer Cup over D.C. United, 5-1.

November 29th, 2021: Lula is reelected as United Nations Secretary General. He is credited during his first term with expanding economic aid by working much more closely with the World Bank. Additionally, the UN handling of the Russian crisis was mostly successful.

December 3rd, 2021: Former Brazilian president and incumbent UN Secretary-General Luiz Inacio da Silva dies at the age of 76 from a massive stroke. The General Assembly, in an emergency session, decides to hold a special election on December 20th to fill his term.

December 5th, 2021: The American High Speed Rail Act is passed by the Senate, formally establishing the Continental Rail Network. Construction is expected to start in 2023, with the first line completed between New York and Atlanta by 2029. Proposed rules of governance submitted to eligible Native Hawaiians passes by a large margin. The new entity calls itself the Kingdom of Hawaii. The constitution restores the monarchy in a severely limited form, calls its governing body the “legislature” and its head of government, the prime minister. It generally emulates the constitutions of the independent Kingdom of Hawaii in wording and form as much as is possible while remaining a legal Native American tribe under American law.

December 15th, 2021: Germany, France, Italy, and several other members of the European Union begin talks on the creation of an integrated federation between the member states. Sweden is lukewarm at best towards the proposal, while Poland and many other Eastern European member states are outright hostile.

December 20th, 2021: Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is elected as UN Secretary-General to fill Lula's term, beginning January 1st. She will become the first ever female Secretary-General.

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January 3rd, 2022: South Africa is elected to the United Nations Security Council, a diplomatic victory. South Africa is known as the “powerhouse of Africa”, leading the continent in development, democracy, and economic power.

January 17th, 2022: Canadian Prime Minister Dominic LeBlanc, in cooperation with the provincial governments of Ontario and Quebec, announces plans for a high speed railway running from Hamilton, Ontario to Quebec City, Quebec. Thanks to his majority in the House of Commons, the plan is easily passed, though Opposition Leader John Baird bemoans the plan a “useless spending.”

January 20th, 2022: General Salou Djibo wins the presidential election in Niger over Karidjo Mahamadou, in a contest closely watched by international observers. The election is judged to be free and relatively fair. An Economist article calls General Djibo “Niger's last best hope”, noting that since 2010, he has twice restored democracy to the extremely troubled country of Niger.

January 25th, 2022: In her State of the Union address, President Kirsten Gillibrand unveils an ambitious plan for the United States to return to the Moon by 2030, as well as place a human on the planet Mars by 2040. NASA in the following months gets drastically increased funding for the “Apollo Project”.

January 29th, 2022: King Albert II of the Belgians (b. 6 June 1934), dies from complications of injuries suffered in an automobile accident on icy roads while in the Ardennes. The king had planned to meet with Wallonian separatist leaders in Liege in an attempt to resolve longstanding nation-rending conflicts. He is succeeded by his son Philippe (b. 15 April 1960).

February 6th, 2022: The XXIV Winter Olympiad opens in Denver, Colorado, USA.

March 2nd, 2022: In Somalia, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) launches a major offensive against Al-Shabab and their capital of Galkayo, sending 60,000 troops north in the hopes of finally reuniting most of Somalia. The attack, termed Operation Huilkan Allah (Heavenly Fire), begins with the Battle of Dhusamareb, a minor TFG victory.

March 13th, 2022: A 6.8 magnitude earthquake tears through western Guatemala, causing major damage to the city of Huehuetenango, killing over 1,000 people. The President of Guatemala declares a state of emergency and dispatches emergency crews to aid the survivors. Notable among the aid and rescue teams sent to the region from all over the world are México's world famous Topos (Spanish for Moles), expert earthquake rescue workers sent by President Hernández on the request of Guatemala.

March 13th, 2022: Notable Eurofederalist UMP candidate, Émile Deschanel is elected President of France as a conseusus candidate between MoDem and UMP. After third defeat in a presidential election, François Hollande resigns as PS leader.

March 17, 2022: A Republican Senator introduces the American Copyright Protection Act (ACPA), which would extend the copyright term in the US an additional 30 years. The bill is heavily lobbied for by The Disney Corporation, which is seeking to protect the copyright of Steamboat Willie (set to enter the public domain on 1/1/2024). Several social networking and encyclopedia sites, such as Wikipedia and Facebook, publicly announce their opposition to the legislation, with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales calling it “a shameful attempt to profit off the work of a man long dead to prevent it from benefiting the whole of humanity instead of a private corporation.” Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox and Warner Music Group announce their support of ACPA.

March 23rd, 2022: The Pakistani Taliban reignites conflict in the Northwest Frontier provinces, determined to topple government authority in the region. The Pakistani military, now devoid of US military aid since the US's reorientation toward India as a major ally, suffers several humiliating defeats at the hands of the Taliban, and is pushed back to a line defending the cities of Peshawar and Mardan by the end of the year.

March 24, 2022: Numerous social networking sites publicly criticize the ACPA, accusing the Disney Corporation of greed and preventing the advancement of the public domain to protect their own profits. Several Congressmen and Senators, in the wake of public outcry against the bill, reverse their support of it.

March 27th, 2022: For the first time in the history of Hong Kong, the Chief Executive is directly elected. Despite that the pro-democracy camp does not have enough seats in the “Nomination Committee” to nominate a candidate, 27 pro-establishment NC members endorses lawmaker Wong Chi-yung of the People's Governance Party. Wong, a 41-year-old lawmaker who begins his career simply as a social worker, is at first seen as unelectable, but he has done incredibly well in the debates thanks to his dream team of shadow cabinet. Capitalizing of public memory of the Tam Kwok-kiu and Lee Cheuk-yan incidents, Wong Chi-yung surprisingly defeats DAB Chairman Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan [1] by a 50.7%-49.3% margin.

March 31, 2022: ACPA is withdrawn from Congress, to the cheers of the public and jeers of the Walt Disney Company.

April 1st, 2022: Noted American director and producer George Lucas dies at the age of seventy-seven. Best known for his Star Wars and Indiana Jones series', Lucas had become known in recent years for his vocal opposition to 3D film formats.

April 3rd, 2022: Elections held for the twenty-four seat lower house of the Native Hawaiian legislature.

April 6th, 2022: Beijing announces that it would not appoint Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect Wong Chi-yung as the city's next leader. According to the Basic Law, the Chief Executive has to be appointed by Beijing. Instead, Beijing appoints Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, the loser in the election Chief Executive citing that “Cheung has gained the support nearly half of the citizens, and could broadly represent the people of Hong Kong”. Almost all Western countries refuse to recognize Cheung as the new leader of Hong Kong. For the first time since 2014, riots break out.

April 12th, 2022: Elections held for the twenty-four seat House of Nobles, the upper body of the Native Hawaiian legislature. Six are chosen from the Island of Hawai'i', six from the islands of Mau'i, Moloka'i and Lana'i; nine from the Island of O'ahu; and three from the Islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau.

April 14th, 2022: Despite anti-government riots, opinion polls in Hong Kong shows that 70% of people are angered by Beijing's appointment of Cheung the loser. The Hong Kong University Public Opinion Poll Center is immediately outlawed by Chief Executive Regina Ip due to national security concerns. The People's Liberation Army is called in to clear the protesters.

April 17th, 2022: Unlike the riots in the early 2010s, riots did not die down despite the deaths of hundreds. The PLA continues to kill protesters, despite Western condemnations and threats to impose sanction against China. However, given China's economic strength, it is a forgone conclusion that the United States and Europe would do nothing other than condemning China.

April 19th, 2022: Internet services in Hong Kong have been shut down. It would not be reopened until March 2026. Chief Executive-elect Wong Chi-yung is arrested for subversive activities against the Central Government, and disappears since then. 27 other pro-democracy lawmakers are arrested, 6 fled Hong Kong to the United States, while 3 decides to support the government against “the Western-inspired conspiracy”. By then, even the vase opposition parties are dead. Democracy is officially over in Hong Kong.

May 7th, 2022: Korean geneticist Jeun Chul shocks the world by revealing a 2-year old clone of himself, named Bae.

May 16th, 2022: A new study finds that an estimated 30% of Americans identify as “non-religious”, and that the number of Atheists and Agnostics in the country has also grown over the past decade. Many attribute the growing numbers to the reign of terror of religious fanatics lead by S.O.U.L. in the mid-to-late Twenty-Teens, which is suspected to have turned many people away from organized religion.

May 19th, 2022: Solfire, a Danish band, releases their first album, Tales of the Occident. It becomes a sleeper hit in the European music scene (English lyrics), and Occident is downloaded 29 million times from the band website. Solfire uses a non-traditional payment structure, in which they allow fans to download their music for free, with an optional donation. They make over 45 million dollars from this system. Hanna Sjosted, the lead singer, donates 10 million of her 12 million dollars to charity.

June 1st, 2022: For the first time ever, all teams in Major League Soccer are profitable. The league reports that the most profitable teams are the Chicago Fire, the New England Revolution, the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders FC and the Montreal Impact.

June 6th, 2022: Newly-crowned King Philippe of the Belgians plays a significant role in negotiations which narrowly avert Flemish secession from the Kingdom of Belgium.

July 1st, 2022: Chinese hackers launch a coordinated cybernetic warfare attack on the nationalist Kuomingtang government in Taipei, effectively wiping out the financial assets of many corporate and political leaders.

June 30th, 2022: 'The Legend of the Tomorrow Knight' is released in cinemas, the fourth film in the 'Batman Beyond' series of films and the concluding part to the events begun in 'The Legend of the Dark Knight.' The main villain from the last film, Doctor Elliot Strange, has taken over as Mayor of Gotham. Triggering the second part of his plan, he triggers a gang war, having created a power vaccum at the top levels in the previous film, and blames the new Batman as having started it, amassing vast emergency power in fighting the street gangs battling it out on the street and in hunting down the “terrorist pretender to the noble legacy of Batman” so that he can come to Gotham's rescue and have the lasting authority to “do what the Batmans never could and truly stomp out the decay in this city.”

Destroyed, Terry spends his time out of cowl exploring the true legacy of the mantle of the Dark Knight, reviewing the history of his mentor and predecessor. After seeing the brutality of Strange's new methods on the streets and facing his own reasons for taking on the cowl Terry rediscovers the righteousness of what Batman stands for and takes on Strange directly, halting his attacks on the city before exposing him publicly and handing him over to the authorities. The film ends with Terry having truly embraced the cowl and made it his own, listening to a recording made to him by Bruce in the event of his death.

July 8th, 2022: In Somalia, a government offensive against Al-Shabab (Operation Huilkan Allah) is completely stopped outside the town of Cadaado.

In the Battle of Cadaado, 8000 government troops betray their comrades and the Transitional Federal Government suffers close to 12,000 casualties (including over 2000 fatalities). Al-Shabab recaptures the town easily, and begins a counter-offensive.

July 11, 2022: India and the United States sign the US-Indian Free Trade Agreement. This pact, also known as the Treaty of Mumbai, is considered one of the foundations of the growing American-Indian alliance.

July 15-28th, 2022: Al-Shabab captures Dhusa Mareb, in Somalia, beginning a rollback of government control that lasts for 13 days. Islamist forces advance over 200 miles, coming within 65 miles of Mogadishu.

July 21st, 2022: The twenty-second FIFA World Cup concludes in Qatar. Defending champions Germany wins the final 7-6 over Qatar. Qatar was the first Arab country to reach the finals, and their run elicited a great deal of excitement across the Arab World. An estimated 770 million people watch the final.

July 25th, 2022: After a good performance of Émile Deschanel in his first months of presidency in the New Caledonian Crisis (more on this later), the UMP achieves its first absolute majority since Nicolas Sarkozy's term as president.

August 1st, 2022: An Islamist uprising orchestrated by Al-Shabab begins in Mogadishu, while Shabab forces press forward near the Somali town of Jowhar.

August 3rd, 2022: A popular Japanese anti-fascist is violently murdered by mysterious agents in San Francisco after appearing on an alternative media talk show.

Government troops finally manage to crush the Islamist uprising in Mogadishu, and continue holding out in the Battle of Jowhar. Al-Shabab announces a ceasefire, saying that their advances “must be secured and defended in God's name.” The Islamist militant group has captured much of central Somalia since the Spring, and has also sent feelers into Puntland. In the wake of their defeat, public confidence in the Transitional Federal Government has collapsed throughout much of the country.

August 8th, 2022: After the murder of Toshiji Fukui, a popular Japanese anti-fascist in San Francisco by mysterious agents, it is revealed that the case is connected to the far-right New Blood League in Japan.

August 17th, 2022: In Japan, New Blood League leader Matsuhiro Kimura is arrested for conspiracy against the Japanese government and his involvement in the death of Toshiji Fukui.

September 4th, 2021: Researchers at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center announce a major step forward in the development of AIDS management drugs. They have developed a new type of antiretroviral drug known as Anti-Viral Hyper-Activation Limiting Therapeutics (AV-HALT drugs). The new drug, known as Erinle (after the Yoruba god of health) will hopefully prevent patients infected with HIV from ever developing AIDS. As yet, however, Erinle will be expensive to produce and outside the range of economic feasibility to “cure” AIDS. Additionally, of course, Erinle does nothing to prevent people from being infected with HIV. Dr. Nghiem, the head researcher at the Diamond Center, says that Erinle “is a good first step on a long road.”

September 6th, 2022: In Japan, both houses vote to outlaw the New Blood League and censure its MPs.

September 11th, 2022: Former Hawaiian State Representative Quentin Kūhiō Kawānanakoa (b. 28 September 1961), is crowned king of Hawaii at Iolani Palace on the 98th birthday of former Hawaiian senator Daniel Akaka. The former senator is present as well as the governor and both U.S. Senators who had returned to Honolulu for the event.

September 24th, 2022: At a private party in Los Angeles, California, actor Brad Pitt is shot and killed by a deranged fan with multiple personality disorder. The gunman, 30-year-old Jonathan Chance, is found to be insane and is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a mental institution.

October 15th, 2022: In baseball, the Minnesota Twins win the World Series.

October 17th 2022: A further general election results in the first Labour government in the United Kingdom for nearly twelve years with Yvette Cooper becoming the second female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her husband Ed Balls is made Chancellor of the Exchequer with former Party Leader Ed Miliband as Home Secretary. Former US Ambassador David Miliband who has stood for a seat in the election is made Leader of the House of Commons while Chuka Umunna is Foreign Secretary.

October 20th, 2022: Daniel Craig makes his 8th and final outing as British secret agent James Bond in the hit film No More Pain. Craig has occupied the role for the past 16 years making him the longest running Bond so far

November 3rd, 2022: In US midterm elections, the Democrats gain 2 seats in the House, while the Senate remains constant in terms of party. However, in Illinois, Democratic Congressman Ryan Kirkpatrick defeats incumbent Senator Mark Kirk. Congressman Kirkpatrick is the fist South Asian and mixed-race Senator to be elected from Illinois. He had become well known for his foreign policy suggestions, including a campaign to deepen relations with India. As the son of an Indian immigrant, Kirkpatrick had been instrumental in pushing the White House to designate India a MNNA (Major Non-NATO Ally).

In addition, Kirkpatrick was well known as a supporter of high-speed rail and green energy. As one of the co-sponsors of the American High-Speed Rail Act, he was a valuable spokesperson and helped get the bill through the House. The Congressman's rapid rise led him to be compared to Barack Obama; however, he dismissed all such comparisons, saying publicly that “If I were half the man Chief Justice Obama is, I'd be president by now.”
House of Representatives Democratic: 298 seats (+2) Republican: 137 seats
Senate Democratic: 60 seats Republican: 40 seats

November 12th, 2022: Death of H.R.H Princess Beatrix, former Queen of the Netherlands (1980-2013) from complications of severe anemia.

December 12th, 2022: Japan launches Jisei 1, its first manned space mission.

Late 2022-Early 2023: India experiences a short yet highly visible recession, it's first in many years. The recession, lasting 3 quarters, is caused by inflation and high food prices (particularly of imported staples like onions and potatoes). The recession, in conjunction with bribery and misdealing investigations, shutters two major state-owned Indian banks, UCO and IDBI. Surjaa Chakravorty, Deputy President of the NDP, calls these “more examples of the inefficiency of wide government control over the economy.” The recession ends beginning in the third quarter of 2023, with India having experienced a total .9% drop in GDP. Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi's approval rating drops to 31%.

November 10th, 2022: The Chicago Fire win the Major League Soccer Cup over the San Jose Earthquakes, 5-4.

December 2nd, 2022: Ownership of the island of Kaho'olawe, monies from the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund formerly administered by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and other real estate are transferred to the Kingdom of Hawaii tribal government.

December 22nd, 2022: In an effect to lower the chronically high unemployment rate, the Parliament of Namibia, at the urging of President Ngurare, passes the National Works and Employment Act, which authorizes the government to hire large numbers of workers to work on public projects.

December 28th, 2022: President Ngurare of Namibia announces the first three large projects under the National Works and Employment Act. The first will be a high-speed rail link to Cape Town, South Africa from Windhoek. Running over 1,600 km, the line will employ over 12,000 Namibians in construction, management, and design jobs. Similarly, a high-speed rail link will be built through the Namib Desert to Gaborone, Botswana. This shorter line will employ 7,000 Namibians for six years to construct, with the help of German and French engineers. Finally, President Ngurare announces the creation of the Namibian Renewable Solar Power Company (NSH, in Afrikaans), which will be partially state-owned and partially private. NSH intends to build three massive solar stations in the Namib Desert and sell the power to South Africa, as well as, of course, supplying Namibia. The three stations, employing 9,000 Namibians, will be finished in 2026 and are expected to provide up to 60% of Namibia's electricity and 8% of South Africa's.

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2023

January 18th, 2023: The Brazilian Secretaria de Comunicação Social announces that in the third-and-fourth quarters of 2022, Brazil entered a recession. The recession is tied mainly to two factors; lack of credit in rural areas as banks avoid financing the narcotics trade, and the current economic instability in India and the United States. India now represents 16% of Brazil's trade, up from 7.1% in 2008. Brazil's president, Guido Mantega, announces that the government will immediately take action to quickly reverse this “regrettable retraction.”

January 20th, 2023: The first proper “internet series” is released. While several groups and people had created internet shows in the past, this is the first show that became mainstream and widely recognizable. The series is named David and is a sitcom about a married couple. Despite the tired premise, the material is fairly original for its time, and the people behind the show, The Temany Production Group (TPG), go on to become one of the “big five” internet entertainment industries.

January 24th, 2023: Since the near-collapse of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, the country has been reeling. Autonomous region Puntland declares its independence from the Somali Transitional Federal Government, in the hopes that Ethiopia and the rest of the world will support it, as they did Somaliland. However, Ethiopia's foreign minister declares that unlike Somaliland, which was previously British Somalia, Puntland has no historical basis for independence. Nevertheless, Puntland begins organizing a government based on the traditional Somali xeer system.

February 5th, 2023: The Buffalo Bills win Super Bowl LVIII in Cowboys Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles. It is the teams first NFL Championship. Quarterback Stephen Witt wins the Super Bowl MVP by going 18-30 with 302 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also has 4 rushes for 18 yards and a touchdown.

February 26th, 2023: Despite widespread media speculation of a presidential run, Vice President Cory Booker (D-NJ) declines a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

March 3rd, 2023: The Continental Rail Network (CRN) begins its planned two decade construction with a groundbreaking ceremony at Manhattan's Penn Station.

March 20th, 2023: Senator Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) declares his candidacy for the 2024 Democratic nomination.

March 29th, 2023: Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D-CT) declares his bid for President.

April 5th, 2023: Former Vice President Bobby Jindal (R-LA) surprises many when he declares his intention to seek the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

April 11th, 2023: In Hamilton and Quebec City, the ground is broken to begin the building of the new high speed railway, to be called the Central Canadian Speed Rail, or CCSR. The railway is planned to be completed and ready for use by 2030.

May-September 2023: Iberian Water Riots; Thousands of citizens protest in parts of Spain after several years of government mismanagement of water resources, due in part to a prolonged drought.

May 8th, 2023: Justice Stephen Breyer dies at the age of 84. President Gillibrand announces that the vacancy on the Court will be filled by Jeannie Suk, age 50, from the Fourth Circuit Appellate Court. If confirmed, Suk will be the first Asian-American woman on the high court. She was previously a tenured professor at Harvard Law, the first Asian-American woman in that position as well.

May 28th, 2023: Yemen joins the Gulf Cooperation Council, a regional association of Arab states.

June 5th, 2023: Former President Anas Urbaningrum (2014-19), popular among Indonesian liberals and leftists, announces that he will leave the Reformed Democratic Party and instead join the leftist Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle and run as their candidate in the 2024 elections.

June 18th, 2023: Jeannie Suk's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States is confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 69-29. She is inaugurated the next day. The composition of the court is now as follows

(liberal wing bold, conservative italics):
Chief Justice: Barack Obama Associate Justice: Ted Ullyot Associate Justice: Anthony Kennedy Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas Associate Justice: Samuel Alito Associate Justice: Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice: Elena Kagan Associate Justice: Diane Wood Associate Justice: Jeannie Suk

June 20th, 2023: The Florida High-Speed Rail system opens between the cities of Tampa and Orlando.

June 29th, 2023: Texas Governor Julian Castro (D-TX) announces that he will run for President in 2024.

July 1st, 2023: A bombing in Algiers kills 23 people. Islamist terrorists announce that they are forming a new group, Jai al Jat Har el-Allah (Liberation Army of God), or al-Jat Harir. Al-Jat Harir, they say, shall continue the struggle against dictatorship in order to establish an Islamic state. Algerian President Hanoune pledges to give no mercy to any terrorists captured.

July 2nd, 2023: Twenty-year-old Crown Prince Moulay Hassan of Morocco dies in a motorcycle accident. His sister, Lalla Khadija, is now in line to the throne.

July 10th, 2023: After a decade of work, the first successful modeling of a long-chain protein ab initio is published. This represents a major breakthrough for computer simulations for biomedical research. However, there are decades of work remaining in order to achieve extensive genetic engineering, if it is even feasible.

July 14th, 2023: Ukraine's membership application is accepted by the European Parliament after recomendation by the European Commission. The Union State follows suit with a communique condemning the Tymoshenko family of corruption charges in Russia and banning them from returning to the Union State.

July 18th, 2023: The World Health Organization reports that in 2022, less than 1 million people were newly infected with HIV, the lowest number in more than 30 years. Condom use campaigns have been relatively successful in Africa and Southeast Asia. In particular, the Catholic Church has been distributing condoms in those countries since 2017, and the church's organizational structure has allowed far more efficient distribution than other aid organizations.

August 9th, 2023: Increased resentment against the People's Party's government over mismanagement of water shortage issues leads to the second dismission of a Spanish Prime Minister since 1975. Temporary Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Ruíz-Gallardon Jimenez (PP) asks in a special meeting of the European Council that water be sent to Spain to remedy the water shortage.

September 12-15th, 2023: Nigerian President Ibrahim Shekarau visits South Africa. The two countries sign the Joint Development and Free Trade Pact, marking the beginning of what is known as the “Alliance for Democracy”. Nigeria has overcome it's sectarian troubles of past years after a deal signed in 2015 between northern and southern politicians granted great autonomy to the newly re-organized 21 states. The states, larger in size than before and more equal in population, are each headed by a powerful governor, while the authority of the federal government is reduced to mostly military and foreign issues, as well as national parks, etc. With several peaceful transfers of power consecutively, Nigeria is now marked as a “stable democracy”, and Freedom House ranks Nigeria as “Free” in 2019, an update from “Partly Free”.

September 20th, 2023: Brazil declares that its brief recession ended in the second quarter of the year, as lowered lending rates led to a renewal of credit throughout Brazil and an infusion of spending.

September 29th, 2023: The first AVEMEX Line between México City and Guadalajara is completed, slashing the seven hour drive between the two cities to 2.5 hours. AVEMEX announces plans for further extensions to the cities of León, Apatzingán, Colima and Manzanillo. This is all part of AVEMEX's Plan 2035, or it's objective to complete these extensions by 2035.

October 5th, 2023: A major 8.4 earthquake strikes the city of Istanbul, causing several billions of dollars in damage.

October 9th, 2023: Robotic limbs, which have become a staple for prosthetics in the past 10 years, begin to be modified to be controlled by thought alone. There are several issues, but by 2028, most stable prosthetics companies have a fully working version.

October 15th, 2023: In baseball, the Kansas City Royals win the World Series.

October 23rd, 2023: Queen Camilla, formerly known as Camilla Shand Parker-Bowles, wife of King George VII, passes away from lung cancer.
Although viewed harshly in the early years of her relationship with King George before his ascension to the throne, she later became one of the most beloved members of the royal family. Down to earth and possessing a highly developed sense of humor, Queen Camilla will be sorely missed.

November 21st, 2023: Son of revered former president Lázaro Cárdenas and thrice presidential candidate Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas dies in his sleep at the age of 89. President Hernández orders all flags be put at half mast and announces a week of mourning in his memory. At his funeral President Hernández eulogizes him as “a great man of our times who helped México return to democracy.”

November 22nd, 2023: The C.D. Chivas USA win the Major League Soccer Cup over the Seattle Sounders FC, 4-2.

December 18th, 2023: Fickle Failure, J.K. Rowling's final book in her Loser series, is released. The series is aimed at pre-teen children. Fickle Failure sells over 10 million copies in its first year of release.

December 18th, 2023: After civil unrest is mostly over, general elections are held, the main opposition party, the PSOE of Mr. Alvaro Sánchez Salardón wins the elections against Esperanza Aguirre's PP. However, the PSOE only receiving a plurality of votes, forms a coalition governemnt with Catalan sepratist CiU and centrist UPyD, in what was called the Magenta Cabinet, because of the boost that the colaition governemnt would give UPyD.

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2024

January 1, 2024: Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie officially enters the public domain in the US, over the vocal protests of the Walt Disney Company. Several prominent internet personalities celebrate what they call “a triumph of the people over corporate greed” by playing the Steamboat Willie clip on a loop on their homepages.

January 3rd, 2024: Former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passes away from congestive heart failure. President Gillibrand declares a day of mourning. Her funeral is attended by over 3000 people.

January 4th, 2024: Japan's Emperor Akihito (known posthumously as the Heisei Emperor) succumbs to pneumonia at the age of 90. He is succeeded by his son Crown Prince Naruhito (born 23 February 1960).

January 9th, 2024: China finally attempts their first unmanned mission to Mars. The probe's initial launch is successful but unfortunately, something goes wrong just after leaving the mesosphere, and the probe explodes violently in mid air over far eastern Siberia.

January 11th, 2024: Texas Governor Julian Castro wins a huge come from behind victory in the Iowa Caucuses, defeating Senator Ford by 5%, and Senator Kennedy by 14%.

January 13th, 2024: In Taiwan, New Taipei Mayor Jay Chou (DPP) wins the presidential election against KMT Chairman and former Taoyuan magistrate John Chih-yang Wu (KMT) with comfortable margins, becoming the youngest ever President in Taiwan's history.

Republic of China legislative election, 2024 Democratic Progressive Party 60 Kuomintang 41 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 4 Taiwanese Patriotic Party 4 Labor Party 2 Independents 2 Incumber Speaker: Ker Chien-ming (DPP) Speaker-elect: Liu Chien-kuo (DPP)

January 18th, 2024: Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs passes away in San Francisco, CA from liver failure.

January 21st, 2024: In Japan, the ruling Democratic Party wins the general election, though its majority in the House of Representatives is sharply reduced. Seiji Maehara continues to serve as Prime Minister of Japan, and the DPJ-Komeito coalition continues. The election results are as followed: DPJ 267, YP 93, Social Credit Party 42, New Komeito 34, LDP 25, JCP 7, SDP 3, Others / non-partisan / independents 9.

March 13th, 2024: The Mexican newspaper El Universal releases a report on what they coin “el Milagro de Juárez” (the Miracle of Juárez). After an all time high homicide rate of 9 murders per day in 2015, authorities in Ciudad Juárez report a drop of nearly 80% in homicides in nearly a decade. Ciudad Juárez's Municipal President (equivalent to Mayor) claims the revitalization of commerce and business in his city as testament to the place once known as “the most dangerous in the Western Hemisphere.”

March 16th, 2024: Professional bassist Prince Felix of Denmark (born July 22nd 2002), the younger son of Prince Joachim and his former wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, jins the popular band Solfire.

March 17th, 2024: In deep mourning for his wife Camilla, King George VII gives his brother the Duke of York permission to remarry his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Although considered a hopeless mess and a loose cannon in previous years, the Duchess had lived an exemplary life for the previous decade. The couple were joined again quietly with the king in attendance in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

March 26th, 2024: French business airline l'Atlantique unveils the first commercially available supersonic route in twenty years, between New York and Paris. The Embraer-made aircraft seats approximately 50 passengers in a business-class arrangement. Over the next few decades, supersonic flight
will gradually replace subsonic intercontinental air travel.

April-May, 2024: Parliamentary elections are held in India. Rahul Gandhi, the current PM of India, is running for a third term, the first Prime Minster to do so. However, his Congress Party has held the premiership for 20 years (since 2004) and there are many discontented with his government. The recent recession, the first in generations, contributed to widespread popular appetite for change. The New Democratic Party of India is projected to make massive gains with their popular policies and young, vigorous leadership. 820 million people vote, making this the largest democratic election in the history of humanity.

After the election, the seats of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) are apportioned thusly:

New Democratic Party of India (NDP): 282 seats. New Democratic Alliance (led by the Bharatiya Janata Party): 129 seats. United Progressive Alliance (led by the Congress Party): 54 seats. Left Front: 60 seats. Independents: 8 seats. Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats.

The government, with 288 seats, is formed by the NDP, along with several independents and the Anglo-Indian representatives. The success of the NDP, India's first big-tent party, has caused severe distress within the ranks of the BJP and especially within the Congress Party, which has fallen to a mere 44 seats. Surjaa Chakravorty, aged 36 years and head of the NDP, is inaugurated as India's youngest Prime Minister ever on May 29th.

April 5th, 2024: Pakistan's military leadership topples the civilian government in Islamabad, due to the ineffective response to the conflict in the Northwest Frontier and its attempts to negotiate with the Taliban, and installs a military dictatorship. The military's strategy switches to lashing out an all-out offensive against the Taliban, as well as to demonize perennial enemy India in an attempt to distract the populace from internal problems.

April 7th, 2024: The American Food and Drug Administration approves Erinle, the AV-HALT AIDS drug, for use. Erinle was developed in 2021 and has had a 99.99% success rate in preventing those infected with HIV from developing AIDS. However, it does not stop HIV infections, nor does it help cure those who already have AIDS. Erinle has, however, been further refined, and the price for a year's treatment with the drug is now only $1280

April 29th, 2024: Four car bombs go off inside hotels and resorts in the city of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, killing 342 people. The attack brings back memories of the 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali, and although several militant Islamist groups claim responsibility, none of the bombers are captured. The bombings have a major effect on the Indonesian presidential election, scheduled for July. Incumbent President Ani Yudhoyono, a conservative, fails to fully condemn the attacks. She suggests that “perhaps the provocation of the immorality of the dance houses had an effect on the attacks.” Her opponent, former President Anas Urbaningrum, says that the attacks are an example of the dangers of a non-pluralistic, non-liberal society.

April 24th, 2024: Nomaindia Mfeketo of the African National Congress is elected President of South Africa after parliamentary elections give the ANC a strong majority. This marks the first time that there have been two female heads of government in Africa: Mfeketo joins Anima Mills of Ghana. Having campaigned on a pledge to strengthen the slowing economy and increase tourism, she announces the “New Africa” campaign in her inaugural address, saying that “Africa, the birthplace of humanity, is today a new continent. We can stride boldly forth as the leaders of Africa and create a bright future for us all.”

April 27th, 2024: The World Bank grants a $2.1 billion loan to twelve African countries to subsidize their purchase of Erinle, the new anti-AIDS drug. These countries are buying huge stockpiles of the drug in an effort to make them affordable to most Africans, who often cannot afford the $1280 yearly price tag.

June 8th, 2024: Following the NDP's massive electoral gains in the recent elections, a coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentarians announce that they will be leaving the party. “The more extreme elements of this party have become conflated with the more extreme elements of nationalism and Hinduism in this country, and the situation is unacceptable,” says the venerable Rajnath Singh*, one of their leaders. “Our new party shall be fresh and work to provide solutions for all Indians, not just those who share our beliefs.” Styling themselves the Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP), or Progressive Advancement Party. After their announcement, the Lok Sabha is composed of the following representatives:

Government: New Democratic Party of India (NDP): 282 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats Independents: 4 seats

Opposition Parties: Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 103 seats United Progressive Alliance (led by the Congress Party): 54 seats BJP: 26 seats Left Front: 60 seats Independents: 4 seats

June 18th, 2024: Former Disney star Miley Cyrus pulls a bizarre stunt when she attempts to parachute Hannah Montana memorabilia onto passersby from her Manhattan apartment, attracting widespread media attention. Since her career at Disney ended when she turned 18, Cyrus attempted several increasingly bizarre stunts to stay in the limelight, culminating in this event before the general populace began regarding her as a has been desperate for attention.

June 30th, 2024: German Presidency Crisis erupts as Cem Özdemir finishes his final term as President of Germany. The body charged with electing a new president, the Federal Convention, made up of Bundestag members and representatives of the Länder becomes hopelessly deadlocked between two candidates, Sylvana Koch-Mehrin and Andrea Nahles (from the leftist wing of the SPD). Bowing to a general European upsurge in monarchist sentiment and desiring an impartial, non-political candidate, the Convention compromises and chooses House of Hohenzollern head, Georg Friedrich, Prinz von Preussen, (b. 10 June 1976) and pretender to the defunct Imperial German throne as the new German President.

July 7th, 2024: General Elections are held in México. The Progressive Alliance (PRD, Convergence, Nueva Alianza) holds Los Pinos with it's candidate Silvano Aureoles succeeding President Hernandez. In Congress the Progressive Alliance barely holds it's majority in the Chamber of Deputies, with the PAN continuing its growth in that body, though the Progressives still hold a slim majority in the Senate.

July 8th, 2024: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Former President Anas Urbaningrum (2014-19) of the Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2029. Urbaningrum is considered a liberal on the Indonesian stage. His Vice-President, Bachtiar Chamsyah, is the first Hindu Vice-President of Indonesia.

July 22nd-25th, 2024: Democratic National Convention; Texas Governor Julian Castro is nominated for President. Ohio Senator Tim Ryan is tapped as Castro's running mate.

July 29th-August 1st, 2024: Republican National Convention; Former Vice President Bobby Jindal is nominated for President, and taps Colorado Senator Cory Gardner as his running mate.

August 2nd-18th, 2024: The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are held in Dubai, UAE. The tournament closes with the United States having won the most medals, followed by China.

August 27th, 2024: General elections are held in Namibia. Incumbent President Ngurare of the SWAPO Party of Namibia is overwhelmingly elected to the post of President, and will continue to serve until 2029.

September 6th, 2024: In a special occasion within the rather fruitless EU Parliament, a series of German and French parliamentarians call for a pan-European referendum on a Federated Europe, UKIP, British Conservative Party and other various eurosceptic parties, walk out in the middle of the session.

September 11th, 2024: The Danish band Solfire releases their second studio album, titled The Reluctant Fundamentalist. Their style, a blend of Arab, fiddling, and rock genres, has become known as Occidental. It is widely copied and popularized in the British, French, Dutch, Nordic, and German music scenes. Solfire enjoys growing popularity in the United States, as well. Fundamentalist is downloaded 80 million times, with donations earning the band members over 200 million dollars.

October 16th, 2024: In baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series.

November 5th, 2024: The Democratic ticket of TX Governor Julian Castro/OH Senator Tim Ryan is elected over the Republican ticket of former Vice President Bobby Jindal/CO Senator Cory Gardner, in the closest presidential election since 2012.

Governor Julian Castro (D-TX) / Senator Tim Ryan (D-OH) - 354 EV - 51.6% PV Former Vice President Bobby Jindal (R-LA) / Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) - 184 EV - 47.0% PV
House of Representatives Democratic: 308 seats (+10) Republican: 127 seats
Senate Democratic: 61 seats (+1) Republican: 39 seats

November 12th, 2024: In the game FC Bayern München vs. SV Meppen, a goal is scored in the 90'+2. minute by Thomas Müller. It is the 13-0, breaking the nearly fifty year-old record of 12-0 (Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Borussia Dortmund 1978). Meppen coach Stefan Kehl is immediately sacked.

November 17th, 2024: The United States and China sign the Environmental Protection Act of 2024, a treaty between the two nations agreeing to reduce Carbon emissions and energy consumption by 50% by 2040.

November 22nd, 2024: The Chicago Fire win the Major League Soccer Cup over the New York Red Bulls, 1-0.

November 24th, 2024: Nicholas Randall abruptly resigns as Director-General and is replaced by his deputy, Spencer Vincent. Reasons for his abrupt resignation remain a mystery.

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2025

January 1st, 2025: In the United States, the Dating Modernization Act (DMA) takes effect for all federal institutions, requiring that they use the Day/Month/Year format for official purposes. By this date, nearly all institutions of the federal government had switched over, albeit with a version of the dating system that used abbreviated months rather than numbers (I.E. 2 Jan 2020 instead of 2/1/2020) to avoid confusion.

January 2nd, 2025: Suriname and Guyana jointly announce that they will join ALADEC in 2026. ALADEC, created by the Treaty of Florianopolis in 2016, comprises Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Chile and Argentina are strong opponents of the organization, viewing it as a threat to free trade and to South American unity. All the members of ALADEC, commonly thought of as a Brazilian-led group, follow Lulaist economic programs modeled on Brazil's. The two countries also announce they have resolved their long-running border dispute with an acceptance of the status quo, after the intervention of Brazilian President ___.

January 5th, 2025: Venezuela objects to the accession of Guyana to ALADEC (Aládec) on the grounds that Guyana occupies Venezuelan territory. The border dispute dates back to 1898. Under Aládec rules, all member states must agree to the admission of a new country. Brazil offers to mediate the dispute.

January 6th, 2025: In a leak to the Daily Telegraph, it transpires that former Director-General Nicholas Randall was a Union State mole and had been leaking secrets to the Union State, China and India. The government of Yvette Cooper announces a full investigation and an arrest warrant for the former DG.

January 7th, 2025: Following the revelations about Nicholas Randall, the Home Secretary, Richard Capp, announces his resignation and is replaced by Monica Hardwicke. The “Randall Affair” quickly becomes compared to the Profumo Affair as the greatest embarrassment for British intelligence in decades.

January 9th, 2025: Having gone missing since revelations about his double agent status, Nicholas Randall is caught and arrested attempting to flee Britain by Edinburgh. He is remanded into custody and accused of high treason.

January 20th, 2025: Newly-inaugurated President Julian Castro outlines his New Initiative plan, calling for massively expanded public works programs nationwide. He sets a goal of having the CRN reach the West Coast by 2040, creating a truly continent-spanning railway. Republicans, however, are vehemently opposed to a high speed rail expansion despite widespread public approval of the CRN project.

January 23rd, 2025: Casey Anthony is executed by the State of Florida (by Nitrogen Asphyxiation) for the murder of her daughter Caylee.

January 24th, 2025: Venezuela agrees to allow Guyana to join the Brazil-led organization Aládec, after Guyana agrees to give special economic rights to Venezuela in the disputed border area.

January 27th, 2025: The Outline of the Formation of the Republic of Hong Kong, the famous banned book written by Marcus Aurelius Lo, a 33-year-old Western-educated Hong Kong writer, is published in the United States. Lo, now living in San Francisco, becomes the target of assassinations among “patriotic Chinese”.

February 20th, 2025: The first of three solar power stations in the Namibian Desert is completed by the Namibian Renewable Solar Power Company (NSH), a public-private entity created in 2022. Located near the small town of Kalkrand, the power station consists of over 13,000 solar panels with a total installed capacity of over 700 MW.

March 5th, 2025: An article in Rolling Stone notes that Occidental music, popularized by Danish band Solfire, has quickly become extremely popular among young people in the US, Europe, and Arab nations. The article compares the spread of Occidental music to the development of rap decades earlier.

March 8th, 2025: Prime Minister of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega suffers a mild concussion after a trivial slip at his home in Managua. He is immediately hospitalized, and after doctors stabilize his condition he is released several days later.

March 21st, 2025: In the World Baseball Classic (an inter-national baseball tournament), Brazil finishes with an unusually strong showing, ranking 8th out of 20 countries. Brazil's success is largely attributed to brothers Luiz and Paolo Gushiken. Hailing from Parana state, the twenty year-old twins have combined for a .392 average over their brief careers. Paolo is also a pitcher, with a 1.28 ERA on Brazil's small national team.

The monthlong 2025 World Baseball Classic closes in Taipei, Taiwan. Japan emerge as the champions, beating out Venezuela for their second title in a row. In third place are Nicaragua, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are the Americans.

March 27th, 2025: In a traumatic turn of events, Daniel Ortega collapses to the floor of the Nicaraguan National Assembly while in session. Suffering what paramedics would later identify as a cerebral hemorrhage, Ortega dies en route to the hospital. He is immediately succeeded by Bayardo Arce Castaño, a close associate of Ortega.

May 1st, 2025: Justice Anthony Kennedy decides to retire from the Supreme Court at age 88. President Castro, after a week's contemplation, announces that he will nominate Nicole Stelle Garnett to fill the vacancy. If confirmed, Garnett will be the first African-American woman to sit on the court. She is a moderate independent from Iowa, who had previously clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas.

May 7, 2025: The EFSA approves meat grown from stem cells for sale. It must be explicitly declared (“Steak aus Stammzellen”)

May 8th, 2025: The Indian Supreme Court rules that under the right to privacy, fertility clinics and sperm banks are banned from keeping any information on the caste of donors. The decision settles a national debate ongoing since 2015, when Rahul Gandhi's government attempted to pass the Equality in Donation Act, which would have had the same effect. After public backlash, Gandhi's government was forced to repeal part of the act, and since then, caste and donor conflict have been a state issue. Following the Court's decision, five states are forced to repeal their “caste reporting” laws, although they face minor public protests. Most Indians, especially those in urban areas, celebrate the Court's choice. Prime Minister Chakravorty also supports donors' right to privacy.

May 16th, 2025: British Home Secretary Monica Hardwicke announces that the O'Donnell Inquiry, headed by former Cabinet Secretary Lord O'Donnell will review British intelligence following the Randall Affair.

May 20th, 2025: Indonesia eliminates its identity card system, which required all Indonesians to list themselves as belonging to only Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism or Confucianism.

June 2nd, 2025: Nicole Stelle Garnett's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States is confirmed by a 62-37 vote in the Senate. She is inaugurated the following day. The composition of the court is now as follows, ranked by seniority (liberal wing bold, conservative wing italics):
Chief Justice: Barack Obama Associate Justice: Clarence Thomas Associate Justice: Samuel Alito Associate Justice: Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice: Elena Kagan Associate Justice: Ted Ullyot Associate Justice: Diane Wood Associate Justice: Jeannie Suk Associate Justice: Nicole Stelle Garnett

June 3rd, 2025: In the 2025 Canadian Federal Election, Dominic LeBlanc wins his third majority govenrment in a row, albeit with some loss of seats to the Conservative Party. The Convervative gains are enough for leader John Baird to convince the rest of the Party that he should stay on as leader, and he
promises the victory in the next election.

June 5th, 2025: The East African Federation announces that it will join the Joint Development and Free Trade Pact, thus cementing the three members of Africa's “Alliance for Democracy”. Together, the three members (Nigeria, South Africa, and the EAF) make up approximately 30% of Africa's population and economy. All three are stable democracies. Their intergovernmental organization, the African Democracy League, is increasingly replacing the African Union as a forum to solve Africa's problems. In addition to the three main members, the group also includes Morocco, Ghana, Madagascar, Somaliland, and Namibia, as well as several other African nations.

June 10th, 2025: President Julian Castro introduces the Social Security Reform Act, which proposes the biggest changes to the entitlement program since it was conceived by Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. The bill's contents include as follows:
• Effective January 1, 2026, benefits will be indexed to inflation rather than wages.
• The retirement age will be raised to 70, with early retirement preserved at 62.
• Starting January 1, 2029, new recipients' benefits will be reduced by 3%.
• Seniors under the federal poverty line who have worked for at least 30 years will receive at least 125% of the poverty line.
• Benefits will be increased for seniors over age 85.
• Benefits will be substantially decreased for upper-income retirees and modestly for middle-income retirees.
Republicans and Democrats alike criticize the bill: the GOP claiming the bill does not do enough in allowing for individuals to “opt out” of the system and open private savings accounts instead; Democrats decry the bill as “a corporate threat to Americans' hard earned retirement savings”.

June 25th, 2025: The results of the first census taken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in over fifteen years show that over 15% of the population is Muslim. This rapid rise is attributed to the fact that the Second Congolese Civil War caused a massive drop in the number of Christian missionaries, especially from Western countries. However, Muslim proselytizers continued to work during the war, and gained popularity through organizations such as the Red Crescent.

July 4th, 2025: Nicholas Randall is sentenced to maximum life imprisonment of 39 years for high treason, it transpires that if Randall serves his full term, he will be 94 years of age upon release in 2064.

July 8-9th, 2025: Fourth Battle of N'Djamena: Sudanese rebels inside Chad launch an attack on the capitol, N'Djamena, and manage to briefly hold the National Assembly Building. They are beaten back by the Chadian Army, which suffers 48 fatalities, along with an estimated 120 or more civilian deaths. Since 2021, Sudanese refugees inside Chad have participated in an armed insurgency, claiming they are being oppressed by the Chadian government on the instruction of Khartoum. The rebel group, called the Sudanese Patriotic Army (سودانيز باتريوتك أرمي , or PAS) is allied with the long-standing Chadian rebel group RFD (Rally of Democratic Forces), and opposed to UFDD, which has been allied to the Chadian government since 2019.

July 10th, 2025: Researchers at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center announce a major step forward in their development of Erinle, the AV-HALT anti-AIDS drug. Previously, Erinle had only been effective at stopping HIV from causing AIDS, and had done nothing to treat those patients who already had AIDS. Now, however, researchers say they are confident that Erinle can also lower the mortality rate of AIDS to under 2%. The Erinle team is led by Xuan Nghiem and Emilia Ascrobar, a Harvard-educated young couple.

July 11th, 2025: A son is born to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and his duchess, the former Lady Natasha Howard. Until the death of his father, the prince is styled Prince Alexander, Earl of Strathclyde, one of his father’s courtesy titles.

July 12th, 2025: The East African Federation Parliament passes a groundbreaking infrastructure bill which is designed to bring East Africa's transport network “up to date.” Costing ∂620 billion East African shillings ($125 billion) over 10 years, the Infrastructure Investment and Improvement Act (III-A or 3-A Act) devotes $15 billion to high-speed rail, $20 billion to port construction and improvement, $5 billion to airport construction and improvement, $25 billion to highway construction, $40 billion to conventional rail, and $20 billion to urban mass-transit systems.

July 16th, 2025: Senator John Kerry (D-MA), the Democratic candidate for President in 2004, dies of a stroke in his Boston home.

July 18th, 2025: At San Diego Comic-Con, fans are given a sneak preview of Prophet, the animated rendition to the second comic series created by Juan Rivera. The story takes place in an alternate universe where the native peoples of the Americas retained their independence from European colonialism and formed their own nations and empires, and revolves around a group of social outcasts traveling through this alternate world. The story incorporates supernatural powers and integrates various Native American legends, becoming a hit with fans when it airs the following year.

July 21st, 2025: Apple, Inc. unveils the HoloPad, a tablet-like multimedia device that employs three-dimensional technology to simulate virtual “pop-up” screens. The HoloPad is an immediate success and dismisses claims by critics that Apple was “losing its innovation” after the death of Steve Jobs.

August 3rd, 2025: William G. Realdon and his team of engineers reveal their first fully functioning human-form robot. It is one of the first with flexibility and dynamic movement, and can walk reliably over uneven surfaces.

August 22nd, 2025: The U.S. and Canadian governments begin talks on constructing high speed rail connections between the CRN and the proposed Central Canadian Speed Rail by 2040.

August 30th, 2031: In four ceremonies across the East African Federation, the Nairobi Metro, Dar es Salaam Underground, Kigali Subway and Kampala Tube are inaugurated. The four mass-transit systems were built over five years, following a $20 billion investiture from the Infrastructure Investment and Improvement Act of 2031. Between them, they have 54 stops and 112 trains, with 20 more stations planned for the next ten years.

September 5th, 2025: Neo-Monarchist pressure in Germany results in the deletion by the Bundestag of one word in Section II, Article 28 of the German Constitution (Grundgesetz). The passage in question had formerly read “The constitutional order in the Länder must conform to the principles of a republican, democratic, and social state governed by the rule of law, within the meaning of this Basic Law. “ The Bundestag deletes the word “republican ” making possible the restoration of monarchy at the Länder level of government within the parameters of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.

October 13th, 2025: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series. Their first World Series victory in 116 years, the victory sparks massive celebrations in Chicago. Over 2 million people attend the victory parade, and the Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, gives all the team members keys to the city.

November 13th, 2025: The Los Angeles Galaxy win the Major League Soccer Cup over the Philadelphia Union, 2-0.

November 17th, 2025: King Simeon II of Bulgaria dies and is succeeded by his son Kardam.

December 5th, 2025: Indian Prime Minister Shurjaa Chakravorty announces her government's plan to “end the threat of the Naxalites once and for all.” In her speech, she says that military solutions have ultimately been ineffective, despite short-term gains. “The only true solution is economic; to help the poor and needy, to feed the hungry, and to house the homeless. They will not fight if they are rich and free.” To this end, she announces a massive infrastructure plan (including two nuclear plants and three huge wind farms) to provide jobs. In addition, she announces the Rural Electrification Act, which will a) connect homes to the national power grid and b) provide subsidized, and in some cases, free wind-turbines and solar panels to rural farmers. The Act, costing 250,000 crores (around 50 billion USD) is passed on December 21st.

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2026

January 1st, 2026: Carson Fuel Incorporated has by this point become the main hydrogen fuel station in California as demand continues to rise. By buying up most of private competition, the company has begun to form a monopoly. The company has also diversified into fuel cell maintenance, providing fuel to public transportation using fuel cells, and electric car charging.

February 10th, 2026: The XXV Winter Olympiad opens in Chamonix, France.

February 23rd, 2026: In the wake of the development in Human Cloning, the United Nations, in cooperation with other international organizations, creates the International Organization for the Regulation of Human Cloning, or I.O.R.H.C. for short. Although the new organization doesn't condemn the practice of cloning humans, it promises to “keep a close eye on the development of this new science.”

March 19th, 2026: The Spanish, Italian, German, French and Dutch prime ministers meet in Düsseldorf, Germany, in what’s now known as the Düsseldorf Agreement (or Düsseldorf Treason) setting a deadline for the commencement of federalization talks within the EU. The five prime ministers agree to the unification of the different European militaries and police agencies into a unified European military command and a FBI-like European agency. Deschanel, however, ensures that French “Force de Frappe” are treated differently and remain in French hands.

April 1st, 2026: German, French and Belgian researchers, led by German Tom Schneider, announce that they are capable of “curing” AIDS using advanced stem stell transfusion technology. The treatment, first anticipated in 2007 and developed throughout the 2010s, is a full cure, but very inaccessible. It costs over $120,000 per patient, and requires the medical team to find a very difficult donor match each time. For most AIDS patients worldwide, who are generally poor, a better hope is drugs like Erinle, which do not cure AIDS, but mitigate its symptoms. Nevertheless, the discovery is hailed as a major step forward in AIDS research. Schneider's team followed up on his 2012 work in stem cells and AIDS.

May 5th 2026: Yvette Cooper's Labour government fails to be re-elected after controversy surrounding transport and regional reform. In it's place, the Conservative's have a majority government of 38 with Neil Fraser, the former Herbert Education Secretary as Prime Minister.

May 5th, 2026: On the day that Yvette Cooper's government loses power to Neil Fraser's Conservative Party, a further blow to the Labour Party is given when a further referendum on the AV system is rejected in favour of First Past the Post. Fraser wins a narrow majority of 38 on AV, the last under AV. Four general elections (2015, 2020, 2022 and 2026) were held under the system.

May 30th, 2026: President Castro of the United States signs the AIDS Recovery and Purchase Act into law, granting USAID the power to use $1.1 billion to buy Erinle and distribute it throughout the world. Erinle, sometimes called the “miracle” drug, was first developed in 2021 and is over 98% effective both at stopping AIDS developing from HIV and at stopping AIDS symptoms from killing patients. However, the drug is still expensive, costing close to a thousand dollars per year.

June 1st, 2026: As the bad times of the 2010s begin to drift into the past, the 2020s see more gritty, realistic takes. The humor is brighter, and as an international optimism begins to arise from problems of the 2010s being dealt with, the moral tales of art in this period are generally classic tales of overcoming triumph, or struggling to the very end. It also sees a revival in “twist endings”, likely inspired by movies such as The Sixth Sense, released at the very tale end of the nineties.

June 2nd, 2026: Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi is assassinated by one of his generals in a coup attempt, plunging the country into chaos. Several rival generals seize control of the provinces, while the capitol is held by the coup leader, Aman Gabre, who claims to be following the will of the people. However, when he begins to purge the the capitol of the press corps, killing over 200 journalists, whatever support he May have had among the people evaporates. This marks the beginning of the Second Ethiopian Civil War.

June 5th, 2026: An emergency meeting of the Alliance for Democracy, held in Lagos, fails to reach consensus on the situation in Ethiopia. The East African Federation wants to take direct military action, as it is worried that the fighting may spill over onto its territory. However, Nigeria opposes intervention, saying that the situation is too chaotic to understand whom the League should support, while South Africa takes the position that Ethiopia's troubles are Ethiopia's problem.

June 29th, 2026: Raids throughout Brazil by the Departamento de Polícia Federal result in the arrests of over 400 suspected drug traffickers. Brazil's drug problem has increased markedly in recent years. Marijuana use has increased in middle-class youth, while crack use has increased in the favelas (slums).

July 2nd, 2026: With over a dozen MREV branches opened up all over México, it's founder Carmen Arteaga vows to run for her districts seat in the Chamber of Deputies as a PRD candidate in the 2027 Midterm Elections. As a sign of bipartisanship, she publicly endorses Chihuahuense PAN candidate Hiram Romney, himself the founder of MREV's Chihuahua chapter.
The twenty-third FIFA World Cup concludes in Spain/Portugal. Germany was the champion for the third tournament in a row, beating out Spain 1-0. An estimated 750 million people watch the final.

July 4th, 2026: America marks the 250th Anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking their break from the British Empire and 250 years of extraordinary history. Throughout the country, events are held to mark the event, with many historical re-enactments taking place, from the Boston Tea Party to the Battle of Gettsyburg. President Julian Castro himslef attends the celebrations in Washington, and many people note the spike in his approval rating to 70% around this time, the highest he would achieve while President.

July 5th, 2026: At the conclusion of their 17th annual summit, BRIC leaders announce that they will no longer meet on a yearly basis. The stated reason given by Brazil, India, China, and Russia is that the four nations believe they can best collaborate through other international bodies. However, international commentators attribute the action to a growing lack of common goals and interests.

July 29th, 2026: After a year of heated battles and debates over Social Security reform, President Castro suffers the harshest legislative defeat of his presidency when the Social Security Reform Act is defeated by a wide margin on the Senate floor. Many progressives voted against the bill, as well as conservative Republicans, in a rare moment of bipartisanship. Historians point to this defeat as the motivating factor for the massive GOP gains in Congress in 2026, Castro's electoral loss in 2028, and the schism between progressives and moderate-conservatives in the Democratic Party in 2032.

August 13th, 2026: The Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua are combined into the autonomous region of Papua, which is granted its own devolved legislative assembly and special cultural protections to preserve New Guinea's languages and cultures. Over 25 languages have become extinct in New Guinea since 2000, and Indonesia's government has begun to oppose the trend.

September 9th, 2026: Prince Edward of Wales, the second-in-line to the British throne and son of William, Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine, enrolls at Eton College, the prestigious British boy’s school.

October 2nd, 2026: Seiji Maehara, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan in Japanese history, retires. He is replaced by Foreign Minister Daisuke Matsumoto.

October 14th, 2026: In baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series.

November 3rd, 2026:U.S. Midterm Elections; Republicans make massive gains in both houses of Congress in response to discontent with the Castro administration's policies and Democratic infighting. However, they fail to attain a majority in either chamber due to the depth of the Democratic supermajorities.

House of Representatives Democratic: 241 seats (-67) Republican: 194 seats
Senate Democratic: 53 seats (-8) Republican: 47 seats

November 15th, 2026: Two coordinated car bombs kill 89 people in Oran, Algeria. The revolutionary Islamist group Al-Jat Harir claims responsibility.

November 17th, 2026: Unable to perform his duties for health reasons, King Kardam II of Bulgaria (born 2 December 1962) abdicates exactly one year after his ascension to the throne. Having suffered severe head trauma during an automobile accident in 2008, the King’s health remained precarious. He is succeeded by his eldest son Prince Boris Turnovski of Bulgaria (born 12 October 1997) who assumes the regnal name of King Boris IV.

November 18th, 2026: Japanese-Brazilian baseball players Luiz and Paolo Gushiken are drafted by the Fukuoka Hawks of the Nippon Professional League in Japan. The first Japanese-Brazilians to play in the NPL, the Gushikens are widely known for their performances in the 2025 World Baseball Classic, and are quite popular in Brazil.

November 20th, 2026: A charter flight containing the three members of Occidental band Solfire goes down in a storm over the South Atlantic, and all eleven passengers are presumed dead. The band members, all at age 24 at the time of their death, had forever changed music with their creation of the Occidental style. A posthumus album, entitled Jeesh and Friends, becomes the most downloaded album of all time on iTunes.

November 21st, 2026: The Seattle Sounders FC win the Major League Soccer Cup over Sporting Kansas City, 4-1.

December 3rd, 2026: Former Mexican President Miranda Hernandez is elected as UN Secretary-General for a five year term. She had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026 for her continuing efforts to combat the drug trade in Latin America. The former Secretary-General, Angela Merkel, retired at the end of her term.

December 19th, 2026: When asked in a television interview about why her government fell at the 2026 election, former Prime Minister Yvette Cooper states that the Randall Affair played a huge role in undermining confidence. Historians would later liken her political downfall to that of Harold Macmillan in 1963.

December 24th, 2026: The Sagrada Familia cathedral is completed in Barcelona, Spain.

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2027

January 13th, 2027: The last of three solar power stations is completed in the Namib Desert. The third, an expansion and refitting of the previously existing Gobabeb plant (completed 2004), provides over 300 MW of power, and they collectively supply 2100 MW of power, of which 1200 MW will go to South Africa, which helped finance the project.

January 19th 2027: Prime Minister Fraser announces he will massively increase the energy reform project's initiated by the Cooper and Herbert governments.

January 30th, 2027: Florida Senator Marco Rubio declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination.

February 4th, 2027: Illinois Governor Adam Kinzinger declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination.

February 11th, 2027: Senator Kristi Noem (R-SD) declares her candidacy for the Republican nomination.

May 2nd, 2027: At Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Venus In-Situ Explorer (VISE) is launched. First conceived in in 2003, and dormant until 2021, VISE will arrive in orbit around Venus in September, after a 32 million mile journey. The prope consists of three parts - the Venus Orbital Observation and Coordination Platform (VOOCOP), the Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle and Transporter (AEVET), and the Surface Crater Laboratory (SCL). The Surface Crater Laboratory is designed to be able to survive motionless on Venus' surface for up to two weeks, while the Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle is expected to be able to float, controlled remotely, for up to a year. VOOCOOP is scheduled to remain in orbit until at least 2032 at a distance of 720 km from the surface.

May 5th, 2027: Referendum held regarding restoration of a figurehead monarchy in Bavaria on the state level. An area where neo-monarchist sentiment is high, fifty six percent of Bavarians agree to the change.

May 7th, 2027: A sniper kills Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelhamid Temmar in Algiers. The sniper, an unidentified man in his 20s, is kiled by police as he attempts to flee. The revolutionary Islamist group Al-Jat Harir claims responsibility.

May 8th, 2027: At President Castro's urging, the United States Congress passes the Government Standardization and Clear Communications Act, which requires that all government work and publications be completed in metric units by January 1st, 2030. Imperial units are recommended but not required, as they are already omitted in most government scientific publications. The measure passes 52-48 in the Senate and by a larger margin in the House.

May 12th, 2027: The Namibian section of the Windhoek-Cape Town high-speed rail line is completed, meeting the border near the South African town of Uppington. The South African portion is nearly 90% complete, and the final track will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 200 km/hr.

June 15th, 2027: Meet the Press (NBC) hosts a controversial interview with French geneticist Francois Bertrand, who talks about an emerging “child architect” industry in parts of the EU, where a formal ban on the ban doesn't exist.

August 1st, 2027: Fatih Nkwocha, the daughter of Nigerian woman footballer Perpetua Nkwocha, signs a contract with newly-promoted Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen. She would be the first woman to sign a contract with a men's Bundesliga team. The “player's licence” (Spielgenehmigung) is at first not given.

August 2nd, 2027: Alemannia Aachen files a lawsuit. On September 17, this suit lands at CAS in Switzerland, the highest sports court.

September 2nd, 2027: In the Union State, JINR announces its move from Dubna (in the outskirts of Moscow) to near the atomic test site of Semipalatinsk for safety reasons. Moscow has grown so big as to incorporate the Dubna part.

September 14th, 2027: What has become known as the “Frontier War” between the Pakistani government and Taliban forces in the Northwest Frontier, becomes a bloody stalemate. Though the military under guidance from the junta in Islamabad has made great strides in isolating the Taliban to a pocket in Waziristan. For the next few years, the combat line will remain stagnant until both sides gradually give up fighting and accept the new status quo (Taliban control of border areas near Afghanistan, Islamabad control of everywhere else).

H.R.H Princess Diana (b. 2 Nov 2015), youngest daughter of William, Prince of Wales attends an evening concert of jazz with her father’s cousin, Princess Eugenie of York. The adolescent girl is especially mesmerized by the artistry of Diana Krall, the British Columbia-born jazz pianist. Upon her return home, she begins pestering her mother the Princess of Wales for piano lessons. Not knowing if this is just a passing fancy, the Princess cautiously makes inquiries and arrangements are made. Unbeknownst to Princess Catherine, it is the beginning of a stellar career by one of the outstanding talents of the Twenty-First Century.

September 18th, 2027: The Venus In-Situ Explorer (VISA) arrives in orbit around Venus. The first major mission to Venus since the orbital Magellan probe of the 1990s, VISA consists of orbital, atmospheric, and surface components, named VOOCOP, AEVET, and SCL respectively.

September 20th, 2027: The Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle and Transporter and the Surface Crater Laboratory detach from VISA and enter Venus' atmosphere. Successful disengagement is reported, and the Surface Laboratory touches down without damage in late afternoon Houston time.

September 22nd, 2027: Munich lawyer Ludwig, Prinz von Bayern (b. 14 June 1982), the great-great grandson of the last Wittelsbach King of Bavaria Ludwig III, is crowned king in the traditional manner. He assumes the regnal name Ludwig IV.

September 29th, 2027: The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, announces in a speech to Parliament that he will step down at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by his daughter, Princess Lalla Khadija. As the last act of his reign, he will sign over his vast executive powers to the Prime Minister and the Parliament of Morocco and create “a true parliamentary democracy for the people of Morocco”. The Crown Princess is very popular among the Moroccan people, noted for her beauty and intelligence. The King's speech is greeted with widespread acclaim from both the people of Morocco and the world community. Despite their surrender of political power, the royal family will continue to exert considerable economic power in the years to come.

October 1st, 2027: An analysis of a rock on Venus sent back by the Surface Crater Laboratory of NASA's VISA mission reveals a surprising fact - the rock is chemically identical to those of Earth! After further analysis, scientists realize that the rock is a meteorite from Earth which has landed on Venus. They believe it was ejected from Earth in the K-T impact event 65 million years previously. This is the first known example of an Earthly meteorite found on another body in the Solar System.

October 9th, 2027: NASA stops receiving signals from the Surface Crater Explorer on Venus, which survived for 20 days on the planet's surface - far longer than any other probe before. Its destruction is believed to be caused by an acid rain event observed by the Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle and Transporter (AEVET).

October 10th, 2027: The CAS rules that “there is no explicit ban of women playing in men's team”, and on that grounds has to make Fatih Nkwocha eligible for Alemannia Aachen.

October 17th, 2027: Japanese general election: the DPJ-Komeito coalition wins the general election, Daisuke Matsumoto continues to serve as prime minister despite calls for him to step down after the DPJ loses its majority in the lower house. The election results are as followed: DPJ 226, YP 127, Social Credit Party 46, New Komeito 31, LDP 28, JCP 8, SDP 4, Others / non-partisan / independents 10.

October 19th, 2027: In baseball, the Houston Astros win the World Series.

October 30th, 2027: After David opened up a new market of internet entertainment, Entertainment Zone become the second major internet entertainment production group with the launch of (ez-shows.com).

November 15th, 2027: Vancouver Whitecaps FC win the Major League Soccer Cup over FC Dallas, 2-1. . They become the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup.

November 27th, 2027: At a Cloning Facility in Paris, France, a bomb goes off, killing no one, but a few scientists are injured, and much damage occurs throughout the building as fires spread. This marks the first time a cloning facility has been specifically targeted for an attack. The perpetrator is later arrested and sentenced to prison.

December 8th, 2027: A worrying report is released by the UN Health Office. The report finds that treatment-resistant AIDS has doubled in prevalence over the last 10 years, as misapplied retroviral drugs cause the virus to mutuate into a stronger form. While the global AIDS picture is generally becoming brighter, health experts warn that the 2.1 million people with treatment-resistant HIV could become a much larger issue in coming years.

December 11th, 2027: Dr. James Omar reveals what would later be labeled 'the precursor to artificial intelligence', the Artificial Analytical Unit - nicknamed “Anna” by her designers. It can recognize most words of seven languages, and use memory of past encounters to create reasoned and 'normal' responses. Engineers and scientists around the world speculate that it's technology could be used in the military or diplomatic field if used in a human-form robot.

December 14th, 2027: On his 60th Birthday and his 10th year in office, Canadian Prime Minister Dominic LeBlanc retires as Prime Minister, saying in his final speech that he feels he has, “served Canada long enough.” He is replaced my Minister of Industries Justin Trudeau, who becomes the first son of a former Prime Minister to become Prime Minister. He quickly acquires the nickname, “Trudeau the younger.”

December 19th, 2027: Wallonian separatists detonate five bombs simultaneously across Brussels killing 34 people and injuring 142. Among the injured are Queen Mathilde who receives minor cuts from flying shrapnel.

December 28th, 2027: In an accident eerily like the one that took her mother's life, Her Royal Highness, Princess Caroline of Monaco and Hanover lost her life in Klosters, Switzerland after suffering a stroke while driving her Maserati. She is succeeded by her son Prince Andrea Casiraghi-Grimaldi.

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2028

January 1st, 2028: As part of a negotiated settlement spearheaded by the Alliance for Democracy, the Morocco-Western Sahara dispute is finally put to rest. Western Sahara agrees to relinquish its claims to independence and become an autonomous province of Morocco. The Alliance for Democracy is applauded for its diplomatic efforts, especially those efforts of the President of South Africa, who is personally credited for leading the negotiations and bolstering the Alliance's standing on both the African and global geopolitical stages.

January 2nd, 2028: AVEMEX announces it's Plan 2040, with intended extensions to the cities of Puerto Vallarta, Tepic, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Saltillo and Monterrey.

January 4th, 2028: Adam Kinzinger narrowly defeats Marco Rubio in the Iowa caucuses.

January 25th, 2028: The military junta led by General Mohamed al Zahari* finalizes covert plans to fund insurgent groups in India's Kashmir and Jammu provinces, in an attempt to wrestle control of the region from India and to distract the restless population from Pakistan's internal problems, including sporadic terror attacks by religious extremists and overall decline in the standard-of-living.

February 3rd, 2028: Britney Spears passes away at a Los Angeles mental hospital at the age of 47. In her deteriorated mental state, Spears was convinced it was thirty years previous and that she was still “America's pop princess”.

February 14th, 2028: After a four years of successful supersonic flight by the private business airline L'Atlantique, Boeing officially unveils its supersonic transport to capture demand from international airlines. The aircraft, dubbed the Boeing SST-8, is expected to fly by 2034 and ushered into commercial service with launch customer Intercontinental Air Lines by 2035.

February 19th, 2028: In Taiwan, incumbent president Jay Chou (DPP) wins the presidential election against Yunlin magistrate Chang Chia-Chun (KMT) by a thin margin of 0.9%. Chang refuses to concede, but the Supreme Court upholds the election results. Nevertheless, for the first time in 12 years, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party loses its majority in the Legislative Yuan.
Republic of China legislative election, 2028 Kuomintang 54 Democratic Progressive Party 42 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 6 Taiwanese Patriotic Party 5 Labor Party 3 Independents 3 Incumber Speaker: Liu Chien-kuo (DPP) Speaker-elect: Tsai Wu-Hong (KMT)

February 29th, 2028: An international team of Indian, American, East African, and South African researchers declares that they have found the “holy grail” of modern medicine - an AIDS vaccine. Based on a three-year study they conducted in East Africa, the vaccine they developed prevented 99.35% of patients from contracting HIV, even after repeated contact with infected patients. Between the new vaccine, AV-HALT drugs like Erinle which stop AIDS deaths, and stem stell transfusion treatments, experts are optimistically predicting that the global AIDS pandemic will end within 10 years. The team, led by Francois Venter and Rajiv Koronake, are awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2030.

March 5th, 2028: On Venus, the Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle and Transporter (AEVET) observes a volcanic eruption by a volcano named Satan's Fountain by NASA scientists. The eruption of Satan's Fountain is extensively observed by AEVET, and provides valuable information about extraterrestrial volcanism. AEVET also takes a famous photograph of the eruption (estimated to have been seen by two billion people by 2030) which becomes nearly as well known as Apollo's “Blue Marble” photograph.

March 14th, 2028: Hong Kong writer Marcus Aurelius Lo is severely injured in New York City after being shot by an angry Chinese. The incident does not remove Lo from the HK Independence Movement, but instead makes him a hero.

April 1st, 2028: Famed British writer J.K. Rowling reveals, in an interview with The Guardian, that she is working on writing a Harry Potter encyclopedia, which will “include a copy of The History of Magic, by Bathilda Bagshot.” While some fans believe this to be a terrible April Fool's Day joke, Rowling confirms her comments a few days later.

April 5th, 2028: All Nippon Spacecraft (ANS) begins selling tickets for space tours to the moon, scheduled to begin from 2035.

April 16th, 2028: Southwest Airlines shocks the financial world by acquiring a 60% stake in Intercontinental Air Lines, the United States' most prominent international airline. This gives Southwest a lucrative gateway to the global travel market, and Intercontinental a strategic domestic source of passengers to feed its international flights.

May 2nd, 2028: Sony announces that the production of DVD-Players is going to be discontinued on January 1st, 2030. Samsung, Apple, and Fuji-Toshiba follow suit.

May 3rd, 2028: The Brazilian aircraft carrier NAe São Paulo is slated for decommissioning in 2030. The ship, first commissioned in 1960 by the French Navy, was the oldest carrier still active. Brazil announces that it intends to build two new carriers to replace the NAe São Paulo.

May 30th, 2028: The nine nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council announce a plan to move towards a common currency, the riyal, by 2035. They are already quite heavily economically integrated. The growth in oil consumption is beginning to slow as Western nations make the shift to electric and hydrogen fuel sources. Additionally, a new generation of globally connected youth is coming of age, and some countries in the GCC have experienced some turmoil.

June 4th, 2028: A narrow 51-47 victory over Kristi Noem in California clinches the Republican nomination for Marco Rubio.

June 8th, 2028: The Farm at Lake Michigan, a 73-story vertical farm in Chicago, is opened to the public. Capable of feeding 38,000 people year-round, the building is given LEED Platinum status for its many inovations. The $240 million building is mostly powered by a series of wind turbines, solid waste disposal and solar panels, draws its fresh water from both Lake Michigan and sewage greywater, combines hydroponics, drip irrigation, intensive farming and aquaponics, and employs over 500 people full-time to run. It also includes tours and a farmers market. The food grown will be distributed to nearby grocery stores at extremely low prices, given the lack of need for transport and the minmal chance of spoilage. It will cost only $2.1 million each year to run, and is projected to produce crops worth up to ten times that much.

June 10th, 2028: Brazil and India announce that they will work collaboratively to build two supercarriers, one for each country. Plans will be purchased from France and Russia, or developed domestically. The twin carriers are expected to enter into service in 2032.

June 13th, 2028: In a referendum that some historians consider the high water mark of neo-monarchism in early twenty-first century Europe, voters in the state of Saxony approve the restoration of the monarchy at the state level. Alexander Prinz von Sachsen-Gessaphe (b. 12 February 1954) is enthroned in Dresden as King Alexander of Saxony.

June 23rd, 2028: On his 80th birthday, Justice Clarence Thomas announces his retirement from the Supreme Court of the United States. President Castro announces that “One of the great jurists of our time must be replaced by someone of equal greatness.”

July 1st, 2028: Julian Castro announces that he will nominate Ted Cruz,
Attorney General of Texas, to fill Justice Thomas' seat. Cruz, a center-right Republican, would be the second Hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court. He graduated from Harvard Law School magna cum laude, and had run unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 2012.

July 9th, 2028: In Japan, the DPJ-Komeito coalition loses its majority in the upper house.

July 25th-28th, 2028: Republican National Convention; Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Governor Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) are nominated for President and Vice President, respectively, in Los Angeles.

July 29th, 2028: Just before Congress breaks for their summer recess, Ted Cruz's nomination to the Supreme Court is confirmed by the US Senate, 53-47. Many Democrats had felt uncomfortable voting for a conservative, but felt compelled to go along with President Castro's wishes. President Castro, a moderate himself, believed firmly in respecting the beliefs of the previous holder of the seat. Mr. Cruz is inaugurated the next day.

The members of the Supreme Court at this time are as follows, ranked by seniority (liberal wing bold, conservative italics):

Chief Justice: Barack Obama Associate Justice: Samuel Alito Associate Justice: Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice: Elena Kagan Associate Justice: Theodore Ullyot Associate Justice: Diane Wood Associate Justice: Jeannie Suk Associate Justice: Nicole Stelle Garnett Associate Justice: Theodore Cruz
August 6th, 2028: The Manchester Accords, a collective agreement between North Sea nations to share energy and defend itself from “hostile pricing” is reached.

August 9th-27th, 2028: The 2028 Summer Olympic Games are held in Chicago, USA. The tournament closes with the United States having won the most medals, followed by Russia.

August 18th, 2028: A magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, 110 miles southeast of Managua. The Nicaraguan capital suffers devastating damage, with 65,000 dying in the initial wave. The resulting tsunami kills thousands more along the coasts of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador, with damaging effects also felt in Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador.

September 18th, 2028: Former US President Kristen Gillibrand releases her autobiography, Trials & Triumphs. The book covers her life from her youth growing up in New York, to her early days in the US House of Representatives, her career in the US Senate, and of course the eight years she spent as the first woman President of the United States of America. The book is a massive success, and begins to establish Gillibrand's reputation as “the best President to serve so far in the 21st Century.”

October 13th, 2028: In baseball, the Chicago White Sox win the World Series.

November 6th, 2028: President Castro is defeated by Marco Rubio and Adam Kinzinger. In the congressional races, the GOP captures both houses of Congress, marking the first time the party has tricameral control in Washington since 2012.

Senator Ryan Kirkpatrick is re-elected from Illinois with 61% of the vote. Polls from a year earlier had shown him with approval ratings near 80%, but his numbers dropped after he revealed that he was an atheist. However, his strong campaign and impressive legislative resume helped support him, and he was re-elected with strong numbers. This makes him the first openly atheist Senator in the history of the United States. Senator Kirkpatrick had become well known for his green energy plan, which called for heavy investment into R&D for fusion, hydrogen fuel-cell, and other energy sources. The Green Energy Investment Act, costing 9 billion dollars, had passed in 2026, and progress had already been reported in achieving cold fusion.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) / Governor Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) - 279 EV - 50.4% PV President Julian Castro (D-TX) / Vice President Tim Ryan (D-OH) - 259 EV - 47.9% PV

House of Representatives Republican: 225 seats (+31) Democratic: 211 seats
Senate Republican: 51 seats (+4) Democratic: 49 seats

November 20th, 2028: The New England Revolution win the Major League Soccer Cup over the Montreal Impact, 3-2.

December 8th, 2028: Fatih Nkwocha is nominated for the Nigerian men's national football team. But FIFA/CAS rules that she is no longer eligible because she has already played for the women's national team, which thus is viewed as a separate entity.

December 28th, 2028: On Venus, the Atmospheric Exploration Vehicle and Transporter (AEVET) sends data back to Earth indicating that there are amino acids in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The discovery of Earth-like amino acids is a landmark event in astrobiology, and spurs greater interest in missions to potential life-sources like Europa.

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2029

January 3rd, 2029: Following Julian Castro's defeat in the 2028 presidential election, infighting begins to brew within the Democratic Party between the progressive and moderate-conservative wings. This split is first highlighted during the swearing in of the 121st Congress, when moderate Representative Melinda Hayes (D-TN) attacks House Minority Leader Linda Sanchez (D-CA), disagreeing with the party caucus' proposed liberal-leaning agenda.

January 20th, 2029: On the same day as Marco Rubio's inauguration as President of the United States, former President Vladimir Putin of Russia passes away after suffering a massive stroke at the age of 76. Putin is remembered as a highly controversial figure, viewed by Russians as the man who returned Russia to its former glory as a great power, but to some international observers as a threat to stability in Europe and Asia with the establishment of the Union State during his second presidency.

February 24th, 2029: A unique meeting is held at the White House, in which President Marco Rubio meets with all his living predecessors as President, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Kristen Gillibrand and Julian Castro. This marks the first time the seven US Presidents have been alive at the same time.

March 5th, 2029: The United Nations General Assembly sets up a temporary body to oversee what Secretary-General Miranda Hernandez calls “the largest joint effort in the history of humankind.” The new AIDS Vaccine Distribution Project will begin on January 1st, 2030, and involves over 600,000 health workers from 139 different countries. They aim to inoculate over 30% of the world's population with the AIDS vaccine by 2031, and over 50% of the world's nine billion people by 2034. Meanwhile, production of the vaccine has been ramped up to meet the huge demand which will begin on January 1st, 2030. Funding will be provided by the UN itself, helped by special donations from a number of countries. In India, a .1% national sales tax increase will go towards the project, known as the “AIDS tax”. Similar revenue measures have been passed in a number of countries.

March 12th, 2029: After several years of unprecedented growth in the aftermath of the Méxican Drug War, dubbed by economists as the “Second Mexican Miracle,” México experiences a mild economic downturn. It is severe enough to cause President Aureloes's approval ratings to take a beating. PAN Party President Jhonatan García takes advantage of this turn of events and paints the downturn as the fault of Aureoles and the PRD, blaming it on the PRD's “incessant need for wasteful spending.”

March 20th, 2029: President Marco Rubio presents his legislative agenda to Congress, calling for a substantial decrease in spending from the Gillibrand and Castro administrations. While many fear a dismantlement of many successful programs and projects, Rubio states that he wants to “reform, not repeal government,” apparently accepting of the new political reality of larger government.

March 23rd, 2029: The monthlong 2029 World Baseball Classic closes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Americans emerge as the champions for the first time, beating out Japan for the title. In third place are China, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are South Korea.

March 30th, 2029: Sociologists report that cigarette smoking is at an all time low in Western countries. Increasingly, the habit is viewed as dirty and “uncool”, while cigar and joint use rates have risen. Only 3.2% of Americans regularly smoke cigarettes, down from 20.8% in 2006. One state, Connecticut, has banned the smoking of cigarettes entirely, though it has not yet instituted a fine for use, only for importation.

April-May, 2029: Parliamentary elections are held in India, with over 750 million people voting. Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty is widely popular throughout India, and her NDP party is predicted to gain seats, although not in a landslide. During her premiership the threat of the Naxalites has decreased almost to nonexistence, and educational standards in India have improved. However, some attribute these successes to her predecessor, Rahul Gandhi. Nevertheless, continued strong economic growth (with her decentralization policies cited as a cause by economists) have led to continued popularity for Chakravorty.

The new Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP) is also poised to make gains. Their moderate policies have won them supporters among the middle-class Hindu right and with conservative lower class voters. They are well known for their strong anti-Pakistani rhetoric, while simultaneously denouncing Hindu extremists. In addition, they want to privatize many Indian banks and decrease environmental regulation “in order to open the door to increased economic growth.”

After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:
New Democratic Party of India (NDP): 289 seats Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 142 seats Left Front: 51 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 21 seats Congress Party: 19 seats Independents: 11 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats

The government is formed by the NDP, the Anglo-Indian Representatives and several independents, controlling 298 seats. In the wake of their second shellacking in a row (and reduced to their base in Uttar Pradesh), the Congress Party announces it will be joining the Left Front. The BJP decides not to attempt to broaden its appeal, instead preferring to remain a vocal minority.

Government: 298 seats PKP: 142 seats Left Front: 70 seats BJP: 21 seats Independents: 4 seats

April 13th, 2029: Apophis makes a near-earth encounter, but contrary to predictions of a 2036 collision, the asteroid is sent into the outer solar system.

April 15th, 2029: Prolific author (and later activist) Stephen King dies in his sleep, at the age of 79.

May 1st, 2029: The Second Ethiopian Civil War ends, with General Tesfaye Kidan seizing Addis Ababa and killing General Gabre, bringing a conclusion to the city's two-month siege. General Kidan spends his first several weeks in power eliminating allies of his former foe. He had been supported financially by the East African Federation after he struck a deal with them in the fall of 2026. As he controlled southern Ethiopia, he promised to protect their border in return for their support.

May 6th, 2029: In Japan, New Komeito withdraws from the ruling coaltion.

May 8th, 2029: Longtime Chadian President Idriss Déby dies at the age of 78 or 79. He has held power since 1990, making him one of the longest-lasting dictators in the world at present, although his forces have rarely, if ever, controlled the whole country. His army fought off major assaults on the capitol, N'Djamena, in 2006, 2008, 2015, and 2025. During his tenure, Chad has been described as a “failed state”, which currently has a life expectancy of just over 50. With Déby's death, it is unclear whether his party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, can hold power in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad. His Vice President, Gontchome Shawa, assumes power.

May 13th, 2029: Matsumoto's government is defeated by a no-confidence motion, 245-232. Matsumoto dissolves the lower house.

May 16th, 2029: The world is shocked when a Black Market organization known as New Worlds Salesmen is uncovered by the media. The group runs throughout the United States, as well as other countries where cloning remains illegal. The group is known for both cloning humans and selling them to those who can afford them, as well as cloning humans for the sole purpose of later harvesting them for their organs. In response to the discovery, US President Marco Rubio and his administration promise a “severe crackdown” on all such illegal operations.

May 18th, 2029: In what historians later call the death-knell of neo-monarchism in Germany, voters in the states of Baden-Wuerttemburg, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt defeat monarchy restoration schemes by heavy margins. In June, voters in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Niedersachsen also soundly defeat monarchy restoration referenda.

May 19th-22nd, 2029: The New York Stock Exchange drops 14%, ushering in a short, but sharp recession in the wake of a decade of increased government spending. President Rubio, who maintained a healthy 60% approval rating since inauguration, experiences a sudden drop in popularity due to the American public's knee-jerk response to the recession.

May 21st, 2029: General Kidan of Ethiopia suffers a stroke. The minor stroke, which he quickly recovers from, is believed to have damaged his paramyglia; in any case, he quickly goes, as one Western observer puts it, “batshit insane.” His first act is to declare Christianity the state religion of Ethiopia, which angers Ethiopia's large Muslim population. However, two days later, he changes his mind, declaring that Ethiopia shall be an Islamic state following sharia law. In response to large protests against this capriciousness, he goes on state television to announce “that as I can't please any of you, I May as well start trying.” Calling himself the Son of God, the crazed leader rambles for over three hours describing a new religion, based off of Roman paganism and Judaism that he apparently created on the spot. The speech is not well received.

May 23rd, 2029: General Tesfaye Kidan of Ethiopia declares war on Israel, saying that “There can only be one Jewish homeland, and it is in my country.” Two hours before Ethiopian Air Force planes are due to take off to attack Israel (ignoring the protests of Sudan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, whose airspace they must overfly), General Kidan is killed by his aides, led by 29-year-old Lieutenant Birhanu Bayeh.

May 24th, 2029: Lieutenant Bayeh announces to the world that Ethiopia will become a democracy, and schedules elections for September 1st. He also announces the formation of a party (Ethiopian Democracy and Peace Party), and his candidacy for President.

June 12th, 2029: A coup occurs in Chad, soon after the death of long-time President Idriss Déby. His former Vice-President, President Gontchome Shawa, is ousted and flees to Nigeria. Meanwhile, General Japhet Malloum takes power, and appoints himself leader of the Patriotic Salvation Front. Meanwhile, several rebel armies, led by Sudanese group PAS (Sudanese Patriotic Army) say they are gearing up for an assault on the capitol.

June 17th, 2029: Japanese general election: the ruling Democratic Party is defeated by the YP-SCP-LDP coaltion. Matsumoto loses his own seat in the election. The election results are as followed: DPJ 167, YP 150, Social Credit Party 85, New Komeito 33, LDP 21, JCP 10, SDP 5, Issuikai 2, Others / non-partisan / independents 13.

June 27th, 2029: Shinjiro Koizumi, president of Your Party and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, becomes Prime Minister of Japan.

June 29th, 2029: The Supreme Court issues it's opinions for it's spring session, in doing so ruling on what will be two of the most controversial of the Obama Court. In Jeffries v. Support America's Future PAC, the Court overturned Citizens United and Buckley; writing for the majority (6-3), Justice Sonia Sotomayor opined in her summary:
“Corporations may be regarded as persons in some regards. This is not at question. The issue before us is the extent to which those things we attach to individuals we also attach to these corporate bodies. That extent, however, has never and should never extend to the integral rights associated with citizenship of voting in elections and running for office. Thus it must be found that a corporation's right to free speech need not necessarily be allowed to exist to the same extent as that of the individual with regards to 'electioneering.'

“This Court must also challenge the precedent that has existed that absolutely equates political spending with any other kind of speech and thus deserving of unlimited protection. The expression of the kind and scope we are concerned with here today is of a very particular nature: it exists, purely and solely, not merely to purport an opinion or thought but to influence in a most deliberate and direct way the elections of our peers to public office. Such elections command a respect and an expectation of protection. They are the means by which the people express their collective will and exercise their power as a society, and even the appearance of corruption and the accompanying mistrust the public will place in those governing institutions cannot constitute anything but the most compelling interest. Thus by all standards of scrutiny there is an incumbent right of Congress to regulate the manner by which electoral campaigns should take place, including the financing of electioneering.”

In McToole and Adams v. Texas, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States; on the basis of the Equal Protection Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the separation of church and state, the
Court drew a distinction between civil and religious marriage. Writing for the majority (5-3, 1 abstaining), Chief Justice Obama ruled
“Religious institutions are free, as is their right, to hold any such definition of marriage as they wish, and to hold such private ceremonies as they will administer accordingly. However, such actions cannot have any bearing on the civil act of marriage. This is a partnership recognized by society and the law, earning those involved a distinct status in the eyes of the law with regards many matters and further conferring various benefits that government has granted in recognition of such a partnership. Further, we can find nothing whatsoever that would justify the consideration of same sex relationships as a matter of social or public concern or require it be distinguished from opposite sex relationships in any substantive way. Marriage being a fundamental right in our nation, by this court's own terms, sufficient justification for denial of such a right on the basis of gender can not be found.

“Therefore, this court is compelled to find that to deny same sex couples access to the institution of civil marriage is to violate the separation of church and state by using public policy to enforce religious definitions; it violates the guarantee of equal protection by failing to meet any standards of scrutiny as to the withholding of such a right; and that due process is denied by the arbitrary refusal of both marriage itself and of the associated legal, social and financial benefits it entails. Thus the Court must strike down all prohibitions on the marriage of same sex couples”.

June 30th, 2029: In the aftermath of McToole and Adams vs. the State of Texas, far-right groups, including the remnants of S.O.U.L., call for massive protests across the US. Approximately two million protestors turn out across the United States on July 4th against gay marriage, while approximately two million appear at counter-rallies. Meanwhile, armed former S.O.U.L. members break into 6 different gay wedding ceremonies across the country and open fire. 63 are killed in what far-right terrorist groups call the “Day of Warning.” In a statement, they announce that similar attacks will take place at as many gay weddings as possible.

Japanese-Brazilian baseball players and twin brothers Luiz and Paolo Gushiken are traded from the Fukuoka Hawks of the Nippon Professional League to the Atlanta Braves of American Major League Baseball. Luiz, a versatile shortstop, and Paolo, a pitcher, are the first Brazilians to play in the MLB. The trade sparks considerable interest in baseball in Brazil. The two young men led their Fukuoka Hawks to the 2028 Championship in Japan.
Georg-Friedrich, Prinz von Preussen finishes his term as President of Germany and returns to private life.

July 1st, 2029: The first segment of the CRN is officially inaugurated between New York and Atlanta. Trains travel at speeds approaching 400 mph and fares costing about as much as a plane ticket.

Hannelore Kraft (b. 12 June 1961), former SDP Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia state assumes the office of President of Germany.

July 6th, 2029: In the wake of the “Day of Warning”, another federal crackdown on right-wing terror begins. Over 100 violent extremists are arrested, and 3 more wedding massacres are nipped in the bud. However, at St. Phillips in the Hills Church (Tuscon, Arizona), 18 men, women, and children are killed when five former S.O.U.L. members attack the ceremony. Many gay couples begin to encourage wedding guests to arrive armed, which leads to the shooting death of R.SOUL (Real S.O.U.L., a remnant group) member Jerry Silvestre on July 14th. Polls find that 61% of Americans support the court’s decision in McToole.

July 10th-15th, 2029: Fifth Battle of N'Djamena: A coalition of rebel groups in Chad, composed of the Sudanese Patriotic Army (PAS), the Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD), Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) and New Vulcan Army (VNA), launch a major attack on the capitol, N'Djamena. In six days of heavy fighting, the coalition, known as the Chadian Democratic Front (FDP) manage to seize the city and expel the junta government led by General Japhet Malloum. Malloum flees to the hinterlands and starts a rebellion, backed by his Patriotic Salvation Movement (FPS).

July 12th, 2029: 32 year-old Indian writer Kumaraswamy Pulavar publishes his first novel, The Moon Outshines the Stars. The novel is unique in that there are three variants, all written by the author, in Tamil, English, and Hindi. Pulavar is fluent in seven languages, and sets to work writing the novel in the other four; Bengali, Farsi, French, and Russian. This multi-lingual process becomes a trademark of Pulavar, and provides endless fodder for critics as they compare wording. The Moon Outshines the Stars quickly becomes India's best-selling book of all time, surpassing the Harry Potter series.

July 14th, 2029: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Akbar Salim of the Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2034. Salim was endorsed by outgoing and extremely popular President Anas Urbaningrum.

July 29th, 2029: With the entire baseball world holding its breath, Portland Athletics third baseman Ryan Timmons hits in his 57th consecutive game, breaking Joe Dimaggio's “unbreakable” record, with a walk off single in the 9th against the Boston Red Sox. His streak would later stop at 61 games.

August 13th, 2029: The Rubio Administration, in cooperation with the FBI and the CIA, in response to the recent uncovery of the underground cloning movement in the USA, launches the start of the Initiative Against Illegal Cloning, which promises to “Persecute all those acting in defiance of the law,” specifically the Black Market organization the New World Salesemen. Though the Initiative gains much support from Americans, critics on both side argue that the move comes “too late”, or that this will be a repeat of the “War on Drugs.”

August 20th, 2029: Right-wing violence has calmed down in the wake of the crackdown following the McToole case. However, Scott Williamson, leader of R.SOLAG states in a radio address that “This is merely the calm before the storm. The heavenly thunder shall rain down upon the accursed, and the world shall see our might.”

August 27th, 2029: General elections are held in Namibia. In an upset, Percy Montgomery of the Rally for Democracy and Progress is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2034. Former President Ngurare, who remains immensely popular, chose not to stand for a third term, and his chosen successor from SWAPO, Heiko Nyamo, had unrevealed marital issues. Montgomery is the first White African leader of Namibia in the nation's history, and the first non-SWAPO president since independence. Montgomery, a former rugby player who got into politics in the 2010s, promises to be a President for all Namibians, and focuses on ending the AIDS epidemic once and for all.

September 20th, 2029: R.SOUL’s plot is uncovered and the conspirators arrested. They had planned to destroy the CRN network at three points along the route (intending to derail the trains and kill thousands), while simultaneously bomb Planned Parenthood’s world headquarters in Washington, D.C. using a truck bomb. Two gunmen were also at hand to spread chaos after the bombing. Scott Williamson, the group’s leader, is among those arrested.

September 1st, 2029: Former Lieutenant Birhanu Bayeh of Ethiopia is elected President with 71.2% of the vote over several rivals in a vote which international observers deem “free and fair.” President Bayeh, only 30 years old, declares that his first act as President will be to supervise a Constitutional Convention to draft a new Constitution for Ethiopia.

September 24th, 2029: The FBI, in cooperation with local police forces, as part of the Initiative Against Illegal Cloning, conducts several raids into illegal cloning facilities in such cities as New York City, Detroit, Miami and Chicago, among others. Millions of dollars of equipment are seized, and dozens of arrests are made. President Rubio himself would praise the day as “the first victory”, but those in support of legalization of human cloning claim the the President's actions in recent months will do “more harm than good.”

October 1st, 2029: Far West Theater, an animation group, launches a new website, styled similarly to the recent successes of internet series sites. It quickly becomes one of the largest websites on the internet.

October 2nd, 2029: In the 2029 Canadian Federal Election, Prime Minister Justine Trudeau loses to Conservative John Baird, who manages to form a minority government. In response, Trudeau vows to stay on as Leader of the Opposition, much to the dismay of some Liberals.

October 12th, 2029: In baseball, the San Diego Padres win the World Series.

October 23rd, 2029: King George VII dies of renal failure a few days shy of his 81st birthday. Deeply depressed after the death of his beloved wife Camilla, the king dies on the sixth anniversary of her death. William, Prince of Wales ascends the British throne taking the regnal name William V.

October 31st, 2029: The State Funeral of King George VII is held at Westminster Abbey attended by Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers. The day is marred that evening at 11:45 PM when three bombs planted in the basement of the Goring Hotel explode simultaneously. Killed in the blast are King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, King Harald V and Queen Sonia of Norway and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Spanish Crown Prince Felipe is miraculously unscathed by the blast and heroicly carries his injured wife Princess Letizia to safety. She later makes a full recovery. King Fredrick X and Queen Mary of Denmark although present escape injury. Basque separatists claim responsibility.

November 3rd, 2029: The Moon Outshines the Stars, by Kumaraswamy Pulavar, is released in the United States and the UK. It becomes a runaway hit, and marks the beginning of large-scale cultural export from India to the Western World.

November 9th, 2029: Prince Nikolai of Denmark, (born 28 August 1999), the elder son of Prince Joachim and his former wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg meets Nzinga Lowassa, daughter of the East African Federation ambassador to Norway. This occurs at a local Oslo sports bar while the prince was in town for the state funeral of King Harald V and Queen Sonia, slain in the Goring Hotel bombing.

November 17th, 2029: Toronto FC wins the Major League Soccer Cup over the New England Revolution, 2-0.

November 24, 2029: The FDA approves meat grown from stem cells, requiring it be explicitly declared. This follows 5 years after the EU did the same.

December 12th, 2029: The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve release reports showing that the “Panic of 2029” will be over by 3Q 2030. Unemployment however increases slightly to 7.1%, though it too is expected to return to pre-recession levels of around 5% by 2031.

Limited elections are held in Chad, organized by the Chadian Democratic Front, a union of six rebel groups which has taken power in N'Djamena. The leader of the Sudanese Patriotic Army, one of the component groups, is elected President. 42-year-old Abdul Wahid al Nur takes office on December 20th. The elections are characterized as “highly troubled, but encouraging” by Human Rights Watch, and despite major irregularities, are praised by the United States, Europe, India, and Egypt.

December 31st, 2029: The last DVD players are produced. The discs will remain available for years to come. At the same time, the successor to the GVD, called SCD (Super Capacity Disc) and being able to store (at least theoretically) up to 20 PB, is released.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and Internal Conflicts releases a report on the state of former Somalia. The report characterizes Somalia as “stable but divided and horrifically mismanaged.” The report praises Somaliland for maintaining relative stability (albeit with heavy Ethiopian support). Meanwhile, the state of Somalia is divided into three parts - Puntland in the north, Al-Shabab in the center, and the federal government in the south. Puntland and the Shabab-controlled territories are havens for piracy and terrorism, while the government territories, and Mogadishu in particular, are terribly poor and underdeveloped. The three parts have an uneasy truce which has been maintained (with the exception of occasional clashes and shelling) since 2024.

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2030

January 1st, 2030: In one of the most remarkable sights of the 21st century, the AIDS Vaccine Distribution Project begins. Across the world, 629,374 health workers from 139 countries begin giving shots of the AIDS vaccine, which has been under intensive production for nearly a year. In every American city, African town, Indian village, Chinese hamlet, and European borough, people line up to get their shots. By the end of the day, an estimated 76 million people have been inoculated at over 30,000 locations worldwide. The Project, as it is known, will run for at least another 4 years, and aims to give the vaccine to over 2 billion people by the year's end.

As required by the Government Standardization and Clear Communications Act of 2027, the United States federal government officially uses metric units for all publications and government business. Imperial units are recommended but not required. Thirty-two states already have similar measures in place for their governments.

February 2nd, 2030: The President of Brazil announces the creation of a national Task Force on Drug Prevention, which will aim to tackle Brazil's drug problem through two different venues; law enforcement and the drug consumer culture among Brazil's youth. The drug problem has grown in parallel with growing corruption in the police force, which now often turns a blind eye to smuggling and does not dare enter some parts of neighborhoods in urban areas.

February 7th, 2030: The Mexican Congress narrowly votes in favor to amend Articles 51, 56 and 83 of the Mexican Constitution, namely abolishing the “no re-elections” rule for elected officials at the federal level. This comes after the same motion failed to pass in 2025 and 2027. Co-sponsor Hiram Romney tells the press he is “cautious but excited” as the amendment moves on to be voted on my the various state legislatures.

February 9th, 2030: The XXVI Winter Olympiad opens in Astana, Kazakhstan; Almaty acts as co-host.

February 15th, 2030: The main rebel group in Chad, former junta leader General Japhet Malloum, seizes the town of Sarh, in the south of the country. Malloum's Patriotic Salvation Movement has been in rebellion since they were ousted in 2029 by the Chadian Democratic Front.

February 20th-23rd, 2030: Second Battle of Sarh: Chadian forces under the banner of the Chadian Democratic Front engage and decisively defeat rebel MPS forces in the town of Sarh. The leader of the MPS (Patriotic Salvation Movement), General Japhet Malloum, is killed, and the group is disbanded.

March 11th, 2030: The assassination of Princess Leonor of Spain’s grandparents, 91 year old King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia after the state funeral of King George VII in London was especially traumatic for the 24 year old heir to the Spanish throne. After the ascension of her father to the Spanish throne as King Felipe VI, it was decided that the princess should go on a state visit to Brazil. While attending a reception in Rio de Janeiro, the princess meets Joshua Arantes do Nascimento (b. 1996) the son of Brazilian soccer legend Pele and is instantly attracted to him.

March 16th, 2030: Princess Leonor escapes from her protection detail and goes into hiding with Joshua Arantes do Nascimento causing an international cause celebre and seriously straining relations between Spain and Brazil.

April 2nd, 2030: Princess Leonor resurfaces in Sao Paulo, Brazil and announces in a press conference that she has married Joshua Arantes do Nascimento and gives up the rights to the Spanish throne for herself and her descendents.

May 5th, 2030: HydroFuel Solutions is formed as a holding company for the majority stake the Carson family has in Carson Fuel Incorporated and soon also holds major stakes in a few other small time fuel cell station companies. HydroFuel Solutions begins to develop a monopoly on fuel cell stations in the United States.

May 8th, 2030: The small sultanate of Brunei signs a treaty with Malaysia, handing control of two Brunei-held Spratly Islands over to Malaysia in exchange for rare-earth mining contracts in Borneo's interior. The Bruneian company Jawatak announces it hopes to begin exports from Borneo within two years.

May 20th, 2030: Brazil and Turkey sign the Treaty of Tunis, cementing a growing friendship between the two rising powers. The treaty establishes a free-trade system as well as close military ties. Additionally, Brazilian and Turkish students will no longer have restrictions on study-abroad programs, and visas will not be required to travel between Brazil and Turkey.

June 8th, 2030: Prince Nikolai of Denmark marries Tanzanian native Nzinga Lowassa in Copenhagen in a ceremony that combined traditional Danish Lutheran elements with African wedding traditions.

June 10th, 2030: An ambush on an Indian Army convoy in Baramula District, Kashmir, kills 21 soldiers. The perpetrators, about 80 Kashmiri militants, sustain 2 casualties, and one of them, Hanif Ghaffour, is captured. Under interrogation (and suspected beatings) by the Indian Army, Ghaffour reveals that he and his comrades received training and weapons from a three Pakistani men whom they believed to be members of the Pakistani government. India's Prime Minister, Surjaa Chakravorty calls upon Pakistan to denounce the attack and cease support of terrorists in strong terms. General Zahiri refuses, stating that “as long as India's terrorist occupation of Kashmir continues, the people of Kashmir will continue to rise up against them.”

June 22th, 2030: In Hong Kong, 46-year-old former District Councilor Siu Leong-sing is sentenced to jail for 9 years after drafting the Declaration of Civil Liberties and Self-determination, which is co-signed by famous writer Marcus Aurelius Lo.

June 24th, 2030: Jeffory W. Clinton-Mezvinsky, graduates from the Albany Academy, and is chosen to represent his graduating class a Valedictorian. In attendance are Jeffory's parents, Chelsea and Marc, as well as his grandparents, Former President Bill Clinton, and Former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton. Jeffory will go on to study law and business at the University of Cambridge in the coming fall.

July 1st, 2030: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka announce that they are creating a “supranational body” that will “facilitate trade and political cooperation” between themselves. The new body, called the Indian Ocean International Community (IOIC), will have broad powers to regulate agriculture and also removes almost all tariffs on trade between the involved nations. It also sets the long-term goal of introducing a single currency, the as-yet hypothetical “South Asian rupee.” Prime Minister Chakravorty says that “this announcement is an important step towards peace and democracy in the region”, pointedly not noting the absence of Pakistan from the group. Pakistan's General Zahiri denounces the move as “another act of blatant Indian aggression and irredentism”. China expresses it's worries more quietly, and steps up its presence in Myannmar and Tibet. It also decides to court Afghanistan.

June 11th, 2030: For his role in the Accords and the revitalised economy, Fraser's government is re-elected with an increased majority of 73.
July 5th, 2030: The twenty-fourth FIFA World Cup concludes in Australia. France wins the championship over Italy, 3-1. An estimated 775 million people watch the final.

July 7th, 2030: Former PAN Senator and Party President Luis Iñiguez is elected President of México by a healthy margin, the PRI still suffering from the Paredes years and the PRD's shaky damage control to the recession both contributing to the PAN's win. President-elect Iñiguez becomes the first PAN candidate to assume the presidency in 18 years and the third PAN President overall after Felipe Calderón.

July 8th, 2030: The high-speed rail link between Walvis Bay, Namibia, and Gaborone, Botswana is completed. The track, running more than 1,300 km, will allow trains to move between the two cities at more than 220 km/hr.
José Luis Iñiguez Gámez (PAN): 40.11% Ariel Gómez León (PRD): 36.82% Héctor Ramírez Puga (PRI): 23.07%

August 20th, 2030: The European Council meets in Rome for it's bi-annual meeting. Talks focusing on the creation of an integrated federation result in a walk-out of delegates from Poland and many Eastern European states, who refuse to give up further sovereignty to a Berlin-Paris-Rome axis. France, Germany, and Italy continue talks with the remaining member nations, drafting a tentative date of formal integration of consenting EU members by 2040 at the latest. Britain remains neutral in the potential schism of the EU.

August 24th, 2030: Australian Federal Election. Lena Heade of the Green
Party is elected as the first prime minister of Aboriginal descent. The decisive victory of pro-republican parties in this election demonstrates the voters' willingness to separate from the crown, which is a priority this term.

September 1st, 2030: Former Méxican Deputy Carmen Arteaga, popular due to her progressive initiatives and the successes of her grassroots organization MREV, wins the Mayoral elections for her hometown of Chilpancingo, Guerrero.

September 2nd, 2030: Following years of preparation and hard work, America launches the Apollo Regenesis into space and lands it safely on the Moon, marking the first time an American has walked on the Moon in 55 years. Millions in America and around the world watch as astronaut Jake Sky sets foot on the Moon, saying famously, “Well, here we go again…”. The same day, President Marco Rubio gives a speech in which he says,”Today's achievements remind us that despite our ever changing world, in America, anything is still possible.” Soon after, talks begin of America developing a permanent base on the Moon, though China already has a head start on the matter. China, in response to the days events, promises that they will be the first nation to reach Mars, marking the growing tension in the second space race. In addition to America and China, India, Japan, Russia and Europe all announce ambitions to go to the Moon and onto Mars.

September 9th, 2030: The Central Canadian Speed Railway, or CCSR, is open for the public to use, with the first train leaving from Hamilton at 9:00 AM. The railway runs all the way to Quebec City, and includes stops in such cities as Toronto, Oshawa, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, as well as others. Elsewhere, the rest of the country looks on with curiosity, and tentative plans
are drawn up for high speed railway systems elsewhere in the country.

October 12th, 2030: Thirteen-year-old Prince Johan of Sweden begins treatment after his worried parents notice signs of violent psychosis such as his taking pleasure in the torture and death of small animals. He also enjoys reading true crime novels which describe old cases in gruesome detail.

October 18th, 2030: In baseball, the Las Vegas Gamblers win the World Series.

November 5th, 2030: U.S. Midterm Elections; despite the ongoing recession, the Republican Party manages to increase their congressional majorities. This is due to the ongoing schism in the Democratic Party between progressives and moderate-conservatives. Some moderate-conservative incumbents who had been defeated by liberal primary challengers managed to get re-elected as “Independent Democrats”.

House of Representatives Republican: 231 seats (+5) Democratic: 186 seats (-25) Independent Democratic: 20 seats (+20)

Senate Republican: 52 seats (+1) Democratic: 42 seats (-7) Independent Democratic: 6 seats (+6)

November 6th, 2030: Eight years after the end of The Daily Show, Station Prime launches their own website, with its main show being a political satire show in a similar style.

November 9th, 2030: The Philadelphia Union win the Major League Soccer Cup over the New York Red Bulls, 1-0.

November 29th, 2030: Leonor Borbon y Ortiz, former Infanta of Spain gives birth to a son, Edson Arantes do Nascimento III. King Felipe and Queen Letizia are deeply hurt by the circumstances of their daughter’s marriage but finally reconcile in early 2031. Leonor gives birth to six more sons and one daughter and raises them in Brazil out of the limelight.

December 1st, 2030: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announces that he has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and will retire from the Court as soon as possible. President Rubio wishes the ailing jurist well, and begins to search for a successor.

December 12th, 2030: President Rubio announces that his choice to replace Justice Alito is Lilah Parvani, a conservative judge from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (based in New Orleans). If confirmed, Judge Parvani will be the first member of a non-Abrahamic religion (Hinduism) to sit on the Court. Several Republican Senators announce their unease about her positions on religious education and abortion, despite her well-established conservative credentials.
 
2031-2040

Note: apologies for any spelling errors - it's simply too labor-intensive to check for all possible mistakes. Hope you enjoy the timeline!

2031-2040

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2031

January 1, 2031: The popular birthday song “Happy Birthday To You” finally passes out of copyright in the US. For years, TV shows and moves had avoided using the song due to the fact that the music company Warnell/Chappel had asked for steep royalties to perform it. To celebrate, several popular shows made episodes with main characters birthdays being the main plot point. Privately, the creative minds behind television and the Internet express relief and joy that they are now free to use the song without “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow” as a substitute for it.

After one year of work, the AIDS Vaccine Distribution Project has inoculated over 2 billion people, an average of over 5 million a day. There are over 350,000 health workers worldwide working full time on the Project, and have set up over 10,000 permanent locations worldwide. Another 6,000 mobile inoculation centers have been moving through rural areas and smaller towns to give shots there.

January 11th, 2031: King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia (b. 1936) dies of heart failure. He is succeed by his half-brother Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz (b. 1945), the last surviving son of King Abdul-Aziz bin Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia.

January 20th, 2031: Following the holiday recess, Judge Lilah Parvani's nomination to the Supreme Court is approved by the Senate, 54-46. Several Republicans voted against her, as well as many from the Democratic Party. She is inaugurated the next day. The members of the Supreme Court at this time are as follows, ranked by seniority (liberal wing bold, conservative italics):

Chief Justice: Barack Obama Associate Justice: Sonia Sotomayor Associate Justice: Elena Kagan Associate Justice: Theodore Ullyot Associate Justice: Diane Wood Associate Justice: Jeannie Suk Associate Justice: Nicole Stelle Garnett Associate Justice: Theodore Cruz Associate Justice: Lilah Parvani

January 21st, 2031: Hanif Ghaffour, a Kashmiri militant responsible for the previous years attack on an Indian convoy which killed 21 soldiers, is sentenced to life in prison.

January 22nd, 2031: Arabic billionaire Hasan Gafar Abdulrashid founds the Arabic Space Front (ASF), and begins working with the European Space Agency, and other private space groups, to forward the ASF's technology.

January 23rd, 2031: Former President Bill Clinton dies after a fight with a sudden deadly case of pneumonia at a hospital in New York, at the age of 84. His death is mourned across the nation, and a state funeral fallows his death, with President Rubio in attendance. Clinton leaves behind his longtime wife Hillary, as well as his daughter Chelsea and his grandson Jeffory.

February 1st, 2031: Polio is declared eradicated by the United Nations Health Office, making it the third disease after smallpox and rinderpest to be wiped out. The last cases affected a village in Timor-Leste in 2028.

February 14th, 2031: Dr. Zdenek Dvorak of the University of Berlin announces the deciphering of the hitherto unknown alphabet of the ancient Minoans, Linear A. The ancient language of the Minoans is discovered to be related to ancient Etruscan.

February 15th, 2031: Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) declares his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2032. He aggressively portrays himself to be the standard-bearer of the progressives, further exacerbating already-tense relations with the party's moderate-conservative wing.

February 20th, 2031: The Indian Navy commissions the INS Jayant Rama (meaning Rama Victorious), its first supercarrier. Displacing 108,000 tonnes, and carrying upwards of sixty aircraft, the carrier was developed together with Brazil, which is expected to launch the twin ship later in 2031.

March 8th, 2031: Peru announces that it will join the Alliance of Latin America for Development and Commerce (ALADEC). ALADEC was formed in 2016 and currently comprises Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, Guyana, Bolivia, and Uruguay. Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina remain outside of ALADEC; Chile and Argentina because they view its Lulaist economic plan as a threat to free trade, and Ecuador because it does not wish to “surrender sovereignty to Brazil.”

March 9th, 2031: JINR's move to Semipalatinsk in the Union State is completed and the JINR particle accelerator can go into operation again.


March 13th, 2031: Former Senator Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) declares his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2032. Ford, who lost his Senate seat after a liberal primary challenge and succumbing to the GOP wave in 2026, immediately becomes the choice of many moderate-conservatives in the party. Crowds are inspired by his aggressive message for “bringing centrism and fiscal sanity back to the Democratic Party”.

April 1st, 2031: A number of Muslim-majority countries announce the creation of Alamem Aleselameyh Men Alheryh (Islamic Nations of Freedom), also known as A'ama. Turkish President Cevdet Yılmaz announces that A'ama is intended to bring together a select group of Muslim democracies in order to spread liberal ideals and cultural interchange, as well as to promote free trade. However, many commentators view A'ama as the creation of a Turko-Egyptian sphere of influence. The two Muslim giants have for years exerted substantial diplomatic influence over many smaller Arab and Turkic nations. The founding members of Alamem Aleselameyh Men Alheryh are Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, Libya, Jordan, Albania, and Lebanon.

April 7th, 2031: NASA unveils Phase 2 of Project Apollo, the establishment of a permanent facility on the lunar surface, to the American public. The plan calls for the lunar base to be completed by 2037, and will be the jump-off point for the ambitious endeavor to place an American on Mars by 2040.

April 8th-10th, 2031: Legislative elections are held in Chad, returning as sizable majority for the Chadian Democratic Front. They are held as an important step forward for stability in Chad, which has suffered from conflict for many years. Despite some irregularities, the vote is cleaner than the last presidential elections, held in 2030.

April 30th, 2031: A set of car bombs go off in Mogadishu outside of Villa Somalia (the presidential palace) and the Parliament building. These targeted bombings kill the President and Chief of the Deputy Council, along with many parliamentarians. Meanwhile, gunmen launch attacks on the homes of prominent community leaders and businessmen, including the chief of police. Three of these attacks succeed - four fail. Blame for the terrorist attacks is quickly pointed at Al-Shabab, which accepts responsibility.

May 2031: In Somalia, Al-Shabab launches the May Offensive, which seeks to conquer Mogadishu and the federal government. Their forces advance quickly down the coast, and reach Cadale by the 20th. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has failed to pass a resolution on the issue due to China's veto - China supports Puntland and hopes that they can defeat an overstretched Al-Shabab.

May 2nd, 2031: Detailed data from the 2030 US Census reveals that over 100 counties in the United States have population densities below .2 people/square mile. In 2000, only 27 counties had population densities below .2. Almost entirely mechanized agriculture, combined with the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer and other water sources, has resulted in virtual “population deserts” in large stretches of the American West and Plains states.

May 6th, 2031: In the 2031 Canadian Federal Election, Prime Minister John Baird manages to lead the Conservatve Party to a majority Government, the first in well over a decade. Liberal and Opposition Leader Justin Trudeau resigns, as is replaced by Adam Giambrone by the end of the year. Also in the election, Benjamin Harper, son of Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is elected to serve as a Member of Parliament. Prime Minister later appoints Benjamin to serve as the Minister of Transportation, a post Baird once held in the old Harper cabinet.

May 20th, 2031: Representatives of fourteen nations (America, Europe, China, India, Somaliland, Ethiopia, the East African Federation, Turkey, Brasil, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Japan, and Russia) agree to meet on May 25th in Rome in order to address the growing Somali crisis. The group terms themselves “Friends of Somalia.”

May 25-26th, 2031: The “Friends of Somalia” meet in Rome to try and forge a unified strategy to deal with the Somali crisis. However, after two days of fruitless talks, the meeting is disbanded. The United States and Europe wished to fiscally and diplomatically continue to support the federal government, China wanted international recognition transferred to Puntland, India wanted more aggressive action taken to stop Al-Shabab, and Somaliland requested an international naval force to protect its shores from pirate raids. No parties were able to come to any agreement, except to meet again in 25 days, on June 20th, in Cairo.

May 26th, 2031: In a major address, Indian PM Surjaa Chakravorty announces that the situation in Somalia is a direct threat to India's interests, and and that unless the international community intervenes, India may be forced to take “unilateral action.” The East African Federation has been pressuring their close ally India to defend them against Al-Shabab, which has a strong base of support in the EAF's Northern Province.

May 30th, 2031: Al-Shabab troops reach the outskirts of Mogadishu and begin a siege. On the same day, three bombs go off in Northern Kenya, killing 38, in what Al-Shabab says is retaliation for EAF support of the federal government.

June 16th, 2031: Indian Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty orders two of India's aircraft carriers into position one hundred miles off the coast of Somalia. The two ships, INS Vikrant and INS Jayant Rama, will arrive on the 20th. China warns that Indian intervention in Somalia will be greeted with trade sanctions. Even the United States, usually India's staunch ally, is worried by the aggressiveness Chakravorty is displaying.

June 17th, 2031: The Chinese-backed Somali state of Puntland launches an offensive in the north of Somalia against Al-Shabab, which they believe is overstretched by their war against the federal government. International commentators speculate that the attack was ordered by the Chinese government in response to India's carrier movements off the Horn.

June 18th, 2031: The city of Mogadishu, under siege by Al-Shabab forces, has become seriously overcrowded. In the face of the Islamist offensive, more than a million people fled into the city, and there are dire food and clean water shortages. Electricity has been cut off, and the government has forced the police to the battle lines, leading to a breakdown in law and order.

June 20-22nd, 2031: The “Friends of Syria” group (America, Europe, China, India, Somaliland, Ethiopia, the East African Federation, and Russia) meet for the second time in Cairo. Here, some of the most frantic diplomacy since the Second Korean War takes place. India wants a limited intervention, and quickly wins the support of the EAF, and Somaliland, which agree to allow Indian planes and troops to be based out of their country. Ethiopia follows the Chinese line, and asks all sovereign nations to transfer their recognition of Somalia from the government in Mogadishu to the one in Puntland. After two days of fruitlessly trying to convince Indian PM Chakravorty not to take unilateral action, US President Rubio is forced to announce acceptance of India's plan, which calls for airstrikes on Shabab forces, and limited Marine and special ops raids throughout Somalia. Neither the United States nor Europe are willing to commit any support (military or financial) besides diplomatic, however.

June 23rd, 2031: Indian air forces from the carrier INS Jayant Rama engage Al-Shabab's air fighter force, which consists of six ancient Panavia Tornado ADVs (later traced back to Saudi Arabia). All six are shot down with no casualties, and Al-Shabab's two bombers are subsequently destroyed on the ground. Indian airstrikes begin along the battle lines outside of Mogadishu, while several Indian cruisers and troop ships arrive in Mogadishu harbor and unload 32 tonnes of food and water aid, along with 4000 paramilitary troops to keep the peace and ensure an orderly distribution. Meanwhile, in the north, Puntland's invasion of Al-Shabab's territory has advanced to within 150 miles of the Islamists' provisional capitol, Galkayo.

June 25th, 2031: In the face of withering Indian airstrikes and commando raids targeting Islamist generals, Al-Shabab orders a unilateral withdrawal from southern Somalia in order to deal with the threat from Puntland - the siege of Mogadishu is broken. Somali President Ahmed Jumale announces pardons for Shabab fighters who surrender and turn in their weapons rather than withdraw - 3000 do so in the first few days.

June 27th, 2031: In the Somali War, the MARCOS Special Amphibious Command of the Indian Navy launches an amphibious takeover of the town of Hobyo, in central Somalia. The town, less than 200 miles from Galkayo, is intended to provide a base for an Indian effort to cut off retreating Shabaab troops, getting between Mogadishu and Galkayo.

June 29th, 2031: The largest Indian force of the Somali War, the elite Sikh Light Infantry, land and begin unloading at Galkayo. They are supplied by airdrops and given air protection by Indian Air Force planes based out of the EAF. Numbering 13,000 troops, they quickly begin to move inland towards Balli Gubat.

June 30th, 2031: Edward, Prince of Wales graduates from Eton and begins a gap year.

China imposes trade restrictions on Indian auto imports in retaliation for India's intervention in Somalia. On the same day, Puntland forces suffer a defeat at the hands of Al-Shabab, and are forced to retreat back behind their borders. Al-Shabab's forces in the north have been reinforced by troops returning from their campaign against the government. India chooses not to respond to the trade sanctions.

July-August 2031: The 2031 heat wave occurs in Western Europe. The heat wave was particularly bad in Spain. According to Spanish officials, there were 1,722 heat-related deaths. Temperatures in Barcelona hit a record 47 °C.

July 1st, 2031: J.K. Rowling releases her weighty Harry Potter encyclopedia, entitled The Encyclopedia of Magic. Containing over 3000 entries and coming in at a hefty 890 pages, the Encyclopedia nonetheless goes on to sell over 5 million copies in the next year. It is credited with sparking a new generation of Harry Potter reading, as sales of those seven books rise considerably over the next few years.

A major car bomb attack in Nairobi's Market Square kills 85 people, including 12 Indians from a military delegation. Al-Shabaab claims responsibility and threatens more retaliatory strikes against any country that hosts Indian military forces. There are currently 82 Indian Air Force planes flying missions out of the EAF.

July 5th, 2031: Indian troops from the Sikh Light Infantry capture the towns of Dhusamareb, Ceelbuur, and Adado in the Mudug region of central Somalia. The capture of the three towns cuts off retreating and remaining Al-Shabab forces in the south of their country from their provisional capitol at Galkayo.

July 7th, 2031: Ethiopian Border Patrol forces in the Ogaden region engage and repel Shabaab fighters attempting to cross the border. Captured fighters reveal that they were attempting to circumvent the Indian blockade by traversing eastern Ethiopia. Five Ethiopian soldiers and an estimated 20-30 Shabaab fighters die in the two-hour battle.

July 10th, 2031: Somali Crisis: In exchange for immunity from prosecution, the last major Shabaab general in the south of Somalia surrenders his 12,000 troops to government and Indian forces. This ends major conflict in the south of the country, where retreating Shabaab forces had been surrounded by an Indian offensive in the center of the country.

July 13th, 2031: India finishes moving 14,000 troops and equipment into place around Galkayo, preparing for an offensive to begin on July 20th. Prime Minister Chakravorty gives Al-Shabaab leaders until then to surrender peacefully, and guarantees all privates and low-level officers pardons.

The UN General Assembly votes to consider the Chadian Democratic Front as the legitimate government of Chad and successor state to the Patriotic Salvation Movement government.

July 19th, 2031: In the Somali War, an Indian air force jet is shot down by a Shabaab missile, marking the first air combat loss for the Indian Air Force since 1971. So far, 86 Indian troops have died in combat.

July 20th, 2031: The Brazilian Navy commissions the NAe Dom Pedro II, its first supercarrier. Displacing 108,000 tonnes, and carrying upwards of sixty aircraft, the carrier was developed together with India, which launched the twin ship (the INS Jayant Rama) in February. American Secretary of State Gerardo Ramirez says that “the United States welcomes Brazil's
assertiveness and commitment to democracy around the globe”, although commentators suggest that America worries about Brazil's overshadowing sphere of influence in Latin America.

In the face of silence from Al-Shabaab leadership, Indian troops begin a large offensive against Islamist positions around Galkayo, their capitol. So far, Indian troops have remained on the front lines, leaving Somali government forces to pacify and occupy towns in their wake. India is hoping to reduce resentment of an “occupying” force - the only Indian troops in an occupation role are the 4000 paramilitaries helping keep law and order in Mogadishu.

July 22nd, 2031: A group of sabotouers manages to poison Mogadishu's central water supply with 80 pounds of cyanide at three distribution plants in the city. Over 180 people (including 32 Indian troops) die before the source of the poisoning is realized. The Indian Air Force begins a massive airlift to bring clean water into the city while the cyanide-tainted fluid is flushed out.

July 25th, 2031: Indian Air Force planes, in a show of logistic incompetence
(albeit in the face of a massive challenge), have so far failed to supply nearly enough water to Mogadishu and the approx. 4000 Indian troops stationed there. Embarrassingly for the Indian Army, three soldiers die of thirst, along with over 400 civilians (mostly elderly).

July 28th, 2031: Clean water service is restored throughout most of Mogadishu, although a small airlift continues to guarantee water supplies.

July 29th, 2031: The Al-Shabaab capitol of Galkayo falls to Indian Army forces. In recent days, desertion among Shabaab fighters had been high, and there was only minor resistance. The elderly leader of the Islamist group, Sahal Isku Dhuuq, is killed in battle, while three top aides are captured and two more are believed to have escaped.

August 1st, 2031: In Somalia, Indian forces move into position across from Puntland-controlled territory. Puntland had launched an invasion of Shabaab territory more than a month earlier, and now claimed that it was the legitimate government of all Somalia. A Chinese-backed state, Puntland announces that it will forcibly oppose any attempts by Indian troops to advance further.

August 3rd-5th, 2031: In the face of a stand-off between Indian Army forces in Somalia and the Chinese-trained troops of Puntland, frantic diplomacy occurs at a third “Friends of Syria” meeting, which takes place in Istanbul. Both Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty and Premier Liu Yazhou attend, as does President Marco Rubio. President Rubio and Turkish President Sahane Sultan Muftuoglu manage to broker a deal between the two nations, along with representatives of Somaliland, the Somali government, and Puntland. Under the terms of the deal, Puntland will become an autonomous region in Somalia, in exchange for the withdrawal of all Indian troops from Somalia by 2032.

August 6th, 2031: A further set of agreements by the “Friends of Somalia” (America, Europe, China, India, Somaliland, Ethiopia, the East African Federation, Turkey, Brasil, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Japan, and Russia) is signed in Istanbul. These will later be termed the 'Istanbul Accords'.They establish, with the consent of the UN Security Council, an international naval and drone force to prevent piracy off of Somalia (excluding Indian and Chinese forces), a joint development and free trade area between Somalia, Somaliland, and Ethiopia, and an international aid and training fund to aid Somalia in preventing an Islamist insurgency.

August 7th, 2031: Edward, Prince of Wales visits an archaeological dig in Vilcabamba, Peru at the beginning of his gap year and becomes profoundly fascinated by Inca archaeology.

September 1-10th, 2031: Large protests rock Kashmiri cities, with turnout close to 1 million across Kashmir on the peak days. After a protestor is killed by a rubber bullet, some protests turn violent and 25 people are killed in the following days. There are some rumors of Pakistani instigators fueling the protests. In response, PM Chakravorty's government announces that it is suspending the Armed Forces Act, which gave the the Indian army special powers to detain and interrogate in Kashmir. This takes momentum away from the protests, which soon peter out. In addition, the PM creates a committee to provide proposals to improve the standing of Kashmiris in India.

September 15th, 2031: President Rubio declares that the U.S. has exited the 2029-2031 recession, after several months of lowering unemployment and stock market recovery. Unemployment has declined to 5.8%, while Rubio's approval ratings have risen from its low at 43% to a healthy 56%.

September 20th, 2031: The last of the major internet entertainment groups, Awesome Network, is launched after a merger of several different internet entertainment websites, including the now classic Channel Awesome.

September 21st, 2031: Two truck bombs explode in the Somali city of Galkayo, killing 52 people. A remnant of Al-Shabab claims responsibility, led by former political chief Sheikh Hassan Hersi.

October 1st, 2031: In a ceremony in Rabat, Queen Lalla of Morocco marries James Viscount Severn of Great Britain. They had met four years previously at the coronation of Prince Andrea of Monaco. Viscount Severn converts to Islam and moves to Morocco with his wife.

October 8th, 2031: The Nobel Committee announces that Presidents Marco Rubio and Sahane Muftuoglu of the USA and Turkey will receive the Nobel Peace Prize for their “considerable efforts to alleviate the Somali Crisis and avoid potential conflict.” Rubio is the third American president to accept the Peace Prize, while Muftuoglu becomes to the first female head of state to be so honored.

October 17th, 2031: In baseball, the Atlanta Braves win the World Series. The team's star pitcher and batter, Luiz and Paolo Gushiken, Japanese-Brazilian twin brothers, have generated a large following in Brazil. Luiz Gushiken is named Most Valuable Player, and finishes the season with an ERA of 1.98, the lowest since Roger Clemens in 2005.

October 31, 2031: The anti-monarchist Australian Labour Party wins elections by a close margin. Leonidas “Jack” O’Flaherty immediately schedules a March 2032 referendum on whether to abolish the Australian monarchy and substitute a republic in its place.

November 2nd, 2031: In the Nicaraguan General Elections, relative unknown Brunilda Laparra is elected President under the banner of a new political party, Nicaragua Adelante! (es. Nicaragua Advance! or NA, officially Party for the Advancement of Nicaragua, or PPN). Her success is attributed to the extremely poor performance of the FSLN in rebuilding Nicaragua after the 2028 earthquake and tsunami.

November 11th, 2031: Gunmen from Al-Shabaab attack the parliament of Somalia in Mogadishu. One parliamentarian is killed, along with two Indian troops, but all twelve attackers are dispatched.

November 16th, 2031: The Seattle Sounders FC win the Major League Soccer Cup over C.D. Chivas USA, 2-1.

November 18th, 2031: America is taken by surprise when leader of the Apollo Regenesis lunar mission Jake Sky, announces he will be running for the US Senate seat in his home state of Michigan. Although he says he enjoyed being an astrounaut, Sky also says the developments in the Democratic Party have inspired him to try his hand at politics.

November 30th, 2031: Former President of South Africa Nomaindia Mfeketo is elected to the position of United Nations Secretary-General. She will become the first African woman to hold the post, and the third African.

December 1st, 2031: Major League Baseball Commissioner Jon Daniels announces a major expansion of the league. Beginning in the 2033 season, three teams will be based in Mexico. The Monterrey Sultans and Mexicali Vaqueros will join the National League, while the Mexico City Devils will become an American League Team. Daniels says that he is “very excited” about the prospects for baseball in Mexico, and says that MLB, along with private investors, will put forward over $200 million to upgrade and expand the three Mexican ballparks.

December 3rd, 2031: East African Federation and Ethiopian drones attack a camp in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Newly minted Al-Shabaab leader Sheikh Hassan Hersi is killed, along with his deputies. Analysts believe the strike will deal a body blow to the struggling terrorist organization.

December 8th-12th, 2031: A record 7.3 million Roman Catholics flood into Mexico City to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Juan Diego's famous sighting of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On December 9th, President Luis Iñiguez gives a nationwide address to nearly 100 million Mexicans, as well as millions more in the United States and other parts of the world in her honor, speaking of the Virgin of Guadalupe's “undying love as she has cared for our people through countless trials of misfortune.” In Vatican City Pope George gives his own speech in honor of the Virgin, which is heard by Catholics the world over.

December 9th, 2031: Prime Minister Neil Fraser resigns in an expenses scandal being succeeded by Jonathan Crewe, the Home Secretary.

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2032


January 1st, 2032: The Central African Republic changes its official name to the Republic of Ubangi-Shari, widely known simply as Ubangi. The demonym is Ubangan. Ubangi and Shari are the names of the two largest rivers in the CAR, and when it was a French colony, it was known as Oubangi-Chari. Additionally, the largest language group in the former CAR is the Ubangi family.

January 2nd, 2032: The final regiment of Indian paramilitaries leave Mogadishu, completing the Indian withdrawal. Mogadishu police forces are considered “mostly ready” to return to work by American intelligence analysts, but India wants to avoid becoming the target of an insurgency.

January 6th, 2032: Iowa Caucuses; Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) crushes former Senator Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN) by a 59-40 margin in the Democratic contest. Despite his defeat, Ford vows to continue his campaign, despite polls afterward heavily favoring Murphy's candidacy.

January 19th, 2032: The claimed government of Puntland dissolves, and the Prime Minister becomes Vice-President of Somalia. The 8,000 troops of the Puntland National Army are dispersed throughout the Somali Armed Forces.

February 2nd, 2032: Having seen the success of the CCSR in Ontario and Quebec, the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, announce their own plans to build a high speed rail system to be called the Maritime Provincial Speed Rail, or MPSR. Plans are made to complete the project by 2038.

February 14th, 2032: Taipei Mayor Lo Wu-shih (KMT) defeats Vice-president Kao Chia-yu (DPP) in the Taiwanese presidential election, ending 16 years of DPP rule.

Republic of China legislative election, 2032 Kuomintang 64 Democratic Progressive Party 28 Non-Partisan Solidarity Union 7 Taiwanese Patriotic Party 6 Labor Party 4 Independents 4 Incumber Speaker: Tsai Wu-Hong (KMT)

February 18th, 2032: Elderly Burkinabé dictator Blaise Compaoré dies at the age of 82. Compaoré has been in power since he overthrew his onetime friend Thomas Sankara in 1987, and his Congress for Democracy and Progress Party has been winning rigged elections in Burkina Faso since 1991. His Minister for Security, Jerome Bogouma, steps into the role of President.

March 2nd, 2032: After months of rumbling, the 4,750 meter Kluchevskoy Volcano located in Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula explodes in an eruption so powerful it destroys the mountain itself. With results similar to the eruption of Laki in Iceland in 1783, an estimated 120,000,000 long tons of sulphur are emitted. While only 2717 people die in the initial blast, there is much loss of wildlife on the heretofore pristine Kamchatka peninsula. The poisonous cloud dissipates over the Pacific Ocean before reaching North America although record thick fogs are reported at sea.

The winter of 2032-2033 is one of the most severe on record. While the world enjoyed spectacular sunsets, snowfall over North America was deeper than it had been in decades. Harbors froze from Maine to Charleston, South Carolina, as did the Mississippi River as far south as New Orleans. As a result of weakened monsoon cycles in Asia and Africa, there was much suffering in famine stricken areas on both continents. The lowering of mean temperatures around the world stopped the progress of global warming for several decades and weather patterns returned to mid- 20th Century norms as glaciers again advanced, ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland firmed up, and polar bear populations began to increase. The effects would wear off by 2060 when scientists again began to note record high temperatures and the loss of ice in Antarctica and Greenland.

March 6th, 2032: China announces that it will invest $900 million in Chad over the next few years, building the country a new road connection from N'Djamena to Sarh, Moundou, and Abeche. China will also build an oil pipeline from N'Djamena to Maidguri in Nigeria, sparking criticism that China is only interested in the country's oil and natural gas reserves.

March 15, 2032: Referendum on abolition of the Australian monarchy barely passes with 50.02 percent of the vote.

March 28th, 2032: Gallup releases a poll showing President Rubio's approval rating at 61%, in light of the economic recovery and general approval of his “New Conservative” approach toward government spending, trimming the fat rather than axing entire programs.

April 10th, 2032: Jordan and Morocco resign their membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stating that the GCC has become dangerously undemocratic and radical. They urge the remaining seven members of the council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE) to implement democratic reforms).

April 27, 2032: Fears and hopes of Jurassic Park increase even more as DNA of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus and, for the first time outside of Africa, Oxalaia quilombensis, shows as First carnivore DNA.

May 12th, 2032: In the United States, the Illinois General Assembly passes the Educational Standards Act of 2032 requiring that all schools throughout the state use metric units alone by 2035. The law is strongly opposed by teachers unions (because of the “undue hassle”) and many social conservatives.

May 17th, 2032: Former Justice Samuel Alito dies from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of 82.

May 19th, 2032: In response to internal and external pressure, the Sultan of Oman, Taimur bin Feisal, sets in motion a ten-year process for transition to constitutional monarchy.

June 16th, 2032: King William V grants his uncle Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex his father’s title Duke of Edinburgh, a title promised him during the lifetime of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. The new duke’s son, James, Viscount Severn, the husband of Queen Lalla of Morocco assumes his father’s former title and becomes known as Earl of Wessex.

July 29th - August 14th, 2032: The 2032 Summer Olympic Games are held in Paris, France. The tournament closes with the United States having won the most medals, followed by France.

August 4, 2032: New Republic of Australia constitution ratified by Parliament with the President to be chosen by Parliament for a four year term.

August 7, 2032: Parliament chooses Bernard “Bernie” Bell, a longtime Australian Labour Party MP from Lilley, Queenland as Australia’s first president.

August 19th, 2032: Democratic National Convention; Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Alexander Boone (D-VA) are nominated for President and Vice President, respectively, in Seattle, Washington. Delegates supporting former Senator Ford stage a walkout of the convention, labeling Murphy and Boone as “liberal hacks”.

September 2nd, 2032: President Marco Rubio and Vice President Adam Klinzinger are renominated for President and Vice President at the Republican National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

September 3rd, 2032: Edward Xifeng of Chicago becomes the first person to have a full spine and spinal-cord transplant.

September 5th, 2032: In a last ditch effort to remain relevant on the national level, moderate-conservative Democrats successfully draft former Senator Harold Ford, Jr (D-TN) to run on an “Independent Democratic” presidential ticket. In his announcement speech, Ford taps Senator Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as his running mate, and calls for “a return to centrist and sensible policies, not liberal and idealistic ones”.

September 9th, 2032: Indonesia signs the Treaty of Tunis, formally joining Brazil and Turkey in what is frequently called the BIT block. The treaty establishes free trade, establishes high and low-level military contact and cooperation, expands cultural exchanges, and removes visa restrictions. The three second-class power nations frequently work together to expand their influence on the world stage. They individually exert their power in their respective regions; North Africa and Central Asia, Aládec in Latin America, and ASEAN.

September 13th, 2032: Prince Nikolai of Denmark establishes a residence in Kigoma near Lake Tanganyika. He comes to love Africa and settles there permanently. He takes East African Federation citizenship and later joins the EAF military.

September 15th, 2032: Under considerable public pressure, the Illinois General Assembly modifies the Educational Standards Act it passed in May. The original bill required all schools to use only metric units by 2035. The revised legislation requires metric units to be used alongside imperial units in school by 2040. Over the next 10 years, fifteen states pass similar laws, including California, Oregon, Georgia, Virginia, and New York.

October 3rd, 2032: Mt. Colima in south-central Mexico, one of the nation's most active volcanoes, erupts violently. 230 fall victim in the event. Pope George dies at the age of 89 when his plane is caught in the ash cloud caused by the eruption of Mt. Colima in Mexico which crashes with no survivors. The ailing Pope was returning to his native Honduras for a private visit.

October 4th, 2032: A 7.1 Magnitude earthquake strikes Gujarat, India, killing over 16,000 people. An international relief effort led by the United States is organized. Among the 16,000 dead in the Gujarat, India earthquake is Sweden's Prince Carl Philip, Duke of Varmland. A convert to Hinduism after the death of his parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia in the Goring Hotel bombing of 2029, the prince's body is found in the ruins of the ashram where he was living.

October 11th, 2032: Former Presidents Kirsten Gillibrand and Julian Castro tour Gujarat as a part of the United States' relief effort in the region. While President Rubio is campaigning, he pledges closer relations with India as a counterbalance to a rising China and to increase economic ties.

October 13th, 2032: An attempted military coup against Nicaraguan President Brunilda Laparra is thwarted by loyalist elements of the army. Several hours after the attempt President Laparra suspends the constitution and places the entire country under a state of emergency.

October 19th, 2032: In baseball, the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.

October 22nd, 2032: Cardinal Shelton J. Fabre (b. 25 Oct 1963) the Louisiana-born former Bishop of New Orleans is elected to the papacy on the sixth ballot. He assumes the regnal name Pope John XXIV.

November 2nd, 2032: President Marco Rubio and Vice President Adam Kinzinger are re-elected over the Democratic ticket of Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)/Senator Alexander Boone (D-VA) and the “Independent Democratic” ticket of former Senator Harold Ford, Jr (D-TN)/Senator Henry Cuellar (D-TX). Former lunar astronaut Jake L. Sky (D-MI) is elected to the US Senate, winning by large margin of 70%. In his victory speech, Sky says one of his key missions in the Senate will be to see the NASA continues to get the funding that it needs.

President Marco Rubio (R-FL) / Vice President Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) - 362 EV - 51.0% PV Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) / Senator Alexander Boone (D-VA) - 176 EV - 37.5% PV Former Senator Harold Ford (I-TN) / Senator Henry Cuellar (I-TX) - 0 EV - 10.2% PV

House of Representatives Republican: 245 seats (+15) Democratic: 168 seats (-18) Independent Democratic: 23 seats (+3)

Senate Republican: 54 seats (+2) Democratic: 41 seats (-1) Independent Democratic: 5 seats (-1)

November 21st, 2032: Japanese general election; the ruling Coalition for National Unity of YP, SCP and LDP is reelected. The election results are as followed: YP 167, DPJ 130, Social Credit Party 92, New Komeito 37, LDP 22, JCP 12, SDP 6, Issuikai 3, Others / non-partisan / independents 11.

November 23rd, 2032: D.C. United wins the Major League Soccer Cup over Real Salt Lake, 3-1.

November 28th, 2032: Reigning Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein dies in his sleep at his residence in Vienna. He is succeeded by his son Hereditary Prince Alois (b. 11 June 1968).

November 30th, 2032: The 10 member states of A'ama, the Islamic democratic league, announce that they have signed a free-trade deal aimed to triple internal trade within five years.


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2033


January 1st, 2033: All public schools and accredited private schools throughout the United States are now required to use the International Dating Format of Day/Month/Year, as mandated by the Dating Modernization Act (DMA). Although some conservative states had initially resisted it, by now most of the adult populace of the US, which grew up with the Internet, is used to the format, and it is ultimately accepted.

January 16th, 2033: In Japan, Your Party, Social Credit Party and the LDP merge to form the National Frontier Party.

February 6th, 2033: A vote on the EU in the House of Commons results in the first major defeat of the 2026 government and is a major blow to Prime Minister Crewe.

March 20th, 2033: Former US President Mitt Romeny dies at age 86 of a stroke at his home in New Hampshire. Though his Presidency was a controversial one, due to the rise of S.O.U.L. and his inability to stop the Great Recession, many mourn his death. At Romney's funeral, both current President Marco Rubio, and Romney's Vice-President Bobby Jindal, give passionate speeches about their longtime friend.

March 26th, 2033: The monthlong 2033 World Baseball Classic closes in Seattle, Washington. South Korea emerge as the champions, beating out Japan for the title. In third place are America, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Cuba.

April 1st, 2033: The Monterrey Sultans lose 6-2 at home to the St. Louis Cardinals in the first MLB game played on Mexican soil. The Sultans are part of a three-team MLB expansion to Mexico, which also includes the Mexico City Devils and the Mexicali Vaqueros.

April 30th, 2033: Prominent atheist, evolutionary biologist, and critic of religion Richard Dawkins passes away at the age of 92. Although his death is celebrated (or at the very least, privately smiled at) by many evangelical Christians, atheists are saddened by the lost of their most prominent representative. Although his legacy will be controversial and a hot topic for debate, he is ultimately recognized as a successful biologist by the scientific community.

May 3rd, 2033: AIDS prevalence in Namibia has been reduced to under 4% of the adult population, following the rise of Erinle, the vaccination project, and better education measures.

May 10th, 2033: Reports indicate increasing numbers of American couples traveling to countries in Europe and Southeast Asia seeking designer children. The babies of the child architect industry are referred to as “scions”, portrayed as the advent of a “perfect” human race, in the U.S. and Europe.

May 28th, 2033: Liu Linzhi, son of late General Liu Yazhou and the new Premier of China, warns that ageing population may create huge social problems in the next 50 years.

May 29th, 2033: Japanese prime minister Shinjiro Koizumi and US President Marco Rubio are shot by Liang Weihua, a Chinese reporter in New York. While President Rubio only sustains minor injuries, Prime Minister Koizumi is severely injured.

July 1st, 2033: Somaliland joins the Islamic Nations of Freedom (A'ama). Somaliland is the poorest and smallest state in the group, and brings total membership to eleven countries.

July 22nd, 2033: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain sign the Treaty of Rome, laying out the timetable for their formal federalization, to occur by January 1st, 2036.

September 21st, 2033: Apothis is found to be in a distant orbit around Jupiter. It will slowly work it's way towards the gas giant until colliding with the planet some time in the 22nd Century.

October 8th, 2033: The Monterrey Sultans are eliminated from the playoffs in the National League Division Series, losing the 5-game set to the Chicago Cubs 3-2. The Sultans were profitable in their first MLB season, although their companion Mexican teams, the Mexico City Devils and the Mexicali Vaqueros lost money.

October 15th, 2033: NASA unveils Project Hermes, a plan to send a probe to the Jovian moon of Europa and drill through its icy surface to explore the anticipated water ocean in search of possible extraterrestrial life. The probe is expected to be launched in 2038 and reach Europa by 2042.

October 17th, 2033: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series.

October 25th, 2033: Following the signing of the Treaty of Rome the previous year, negotiations begin in Brussels on the status of the European Union following the planned establishment of the European Federation in 2036. Germany and France want the EU to remain much as it currently exists, including the common currency, while Britain, Poland and Hungary support a looser economic union. Meanwhile, Italy comes out in favor of EU membership being merely a pathway to eventual accession to Federated Europe. The UK led bloc are eventually able to gain an edge in negotiations due to the Federation's reliance on the rest of the EU to admit it once it forms.

November 1st, 2033: Prince Andrew, the Duke of York passes away from complications of prostate cancer.

November 11th, 2033: Elements 130 and 131 are discovered at the new JINR Semipalantinsk facility in the Union State.

November 21st, 2033: The Chicago Fire win the Major League Soccer Cup over Real Salt Lake, 7-0.

December 8th, 2033: A second round of negotiations over the future of the EU takes place in Brussels. This broader session also includes several Mediterranean nations as part of discussions over the future of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Union for the Mediterranean. The North African nations in particular are looking to deepen the Euro-Med Free Trade Area, as well as the question of the involvement of the non-Mediterranean European nations in light of changes to the EU. Israel and the Palestinian Territories are excluded from the discussions on the basis of the continuing conflict while Mauritania and Syria are excluded on the basis of continuing human rights concerns. All other Mediterranean nations are in attendance.


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2034


February 5th, 2034: the XXVII Winter Olympiad opens in Quebec City, Canada.

February 17th, 2034: With the core of the EU committed to federalisation in the realisation of a “Multi Speed Europe” the final round of talks on the future of the EU conclude between all member states. The Treaty of Krakow is signed, agreeing that in the event of the creation of the Federation the EU will lose it's competencies in Foreign and Security Policy with the exception of international trade negotiation, military co-operation, intranational competition matters, social affairs, infrastructure, and agriculture. In addition, several other areas will become far more intergovernmental rather than supranational, such as joint energy programs including nuclear fusion research, and justice and home affairs.

The Treaty also includes the “pre-accession” of the European Federation so that it automatically receives membership upon it's creation, and reforms it's institutions, among other things substantially pairing down the size of the European Parliament and establishing Brussels as it's exclusive home. The ECB would be replaced by the Bank of Europe, which would remain as a nominal component of the EU but would have it's means of representation, as with the rest of the institutions, substantially overhauled, and new terms of reference that remove the exclusive focus of inflation as the basis of setting monetary policy.

March 23rd, 2034: At a press conference in San Salvador, Nicaraguan President Laparra and newly elected President of El Salvador Esteban Ortiz announce that their nations “stand united in the task of ridding Central America of squalor and destitution.” The recent outcome of the Salvadorian elections becomes indicative of a conservative, authoritarian resurgence in Central American politics, as Laparrista politicians take power in Guatemala and Honduras in 2035 and 2037 respectively.

March 29th, 2034: Concluding talks on the future of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the Treaty of Instanbul is signed by Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monaco, Montenegro, and Slovenia. The Treaty replaces the Partnership and Union for the Mediterranean with the Union of the Mediterranean. The new Union is stronger than what it replaced, creating it's own “Schengen Area” of borderless travel between it's own members, and increasing co-operation on areas such as the development and protection of the Mediterranean Sea, and creating an integrated energy and transport network.

Crucially, the Treaty is also signed by the signatories of the Rome Treaty granting the European Federation membership upon it's creation, although they will not be part of the borderless provisions, and the European Union, integrating the UM into the EU's single market. Free movement of goods, services, capital and labor, common external tariffs, and harmonised regulations are established between all nations concerned. The Tripartite Arrangement is also established, whereby the Single Market will be jointly run by the Federation, the EU (sans the Federation) and the UM (sans the Federation.) The Treaty is hailed as increasing economic integration between Europe and the Mediterranean while allowing the two regions to pursue separate projects in other areas (such as Europe's continued co-operation on Justice and Security matters and space exploration or the Mediterranean's common infrastructure projects.)

The Union also strengthens co-operation on several areas, particularly in establishing an integrated transport network, energy resource development (principally solar), and developing and protecting the Mediterranean Sea.

April-May, 2034: Parliamentary elections are held in India, with over 770 million people voting. Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty is running for a third term; were she to win a third term, she would be the first Indian Prime Minister since Nehru to do so. Her premiership thus far has been popular and successful. The Naxalite threat has completely vanished, and relations with the US are at a high point. The Indian economy has been growing steadily for over 10 years, and India's HDI is now .713, with the 5th largest economy in the world.

The Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP) has been gaining followers in the years since its formation. Its economic policies appeal to a broad swath of Indians, while it's aggressive anti-Pakistani rhetoric has increased the party's following among many scared of Pakistan's military government.

After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:
New Democratic Party of India (NDP): 290 seats Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 169 seats Left Front: 51 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 14 seats Independents: 9 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats

The government is formed by the NDP, the Anglo-Indian Representatives and several independents, controlling 298 seats. Prime Minister Chakravorty, in her victory speech, announces that she will try to end the problem of ghettos and slums in cities, and attempt to enact closer relations with “civil” neighbors; a list that includes Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

April 5th, 2034: Princess Sofia, daughter of King Felipe VI of Spain and heiress to the throne marries Pedro Tesifon José Marcilla de Teruel-Moctezuma y Palafox, 8th Duke of Moctezuma de Tultengo, a Spanish nobleman and descendent of Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II.

April 25th, 2034: Pledging a plebiscite on dissolution of the Belgian state, the New Flemish Alliance is able to form a government under the leadership of Bart de Wever (b. 21 December 1970).

May 9, 2034: DNA of the first egg-eating dinosaur, Oviraptor philoceratops, is found in Mongolia

Negotiations conclude on the drafting of the Constitution of the European Federation by the committee established under the Treaty of Rome. The proposed final text is formally unveiled to the public and sent to the individual members for ratification. All will do so by popular referenda.
The draft constitution provides for a federal parliamentary republic with a substantial degree of conventionalism. There would be a ceremonial President elected by the Parliament and the legislatures of the component states to 10 year terms, renewable once, who would be Head of State. The Parliament would be composed of the European Assembly as the lower house with 750 members elected by a combination of STV and IRV, and which would form the Government of the Federation by electing a Prime Minister at the start of every Parliament, while the upper House would be the European Council with 10 members per state to begin with, all of whom serving at the pleasure of their respective national legislatures.

June 10th, 2033: Nicaraguan President Brunilda Laparra gives a speech in front of the rebuilt Presidential Residence, praising the “valorous sons and daughters of Nicaragua who made their nation a much better place.” Behind the scenes Laparra begins a slow purge of the political establishment, having already cleared the military of any “disloyal” elements after the attempted coup d'état the previous October.

July 1st, 2034: All Nippon Spacecraft (ANS)'s ANS-1 completes its first manned space mission to the moon.

July 15th, 2034: Boeing's first supersonic aircraft, the SST-8 “Slipstream”, embarks on its first flight from the company's main production facility at Paine Field near Everett, WA. The Slipstream carries 230 passengers in a three-class configuration, cruising at an altitude of 50,000 feet at speeds of Mach 2.1, slightly faster than the Concorde nearly fifty years previously.
July 17th, 2034: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Agung Baratha of the National Mandate Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2039.

July 18th-27th, 2034: A messy coup occurs in Burkina Faso, led by Army Chief Moussa Poitroipa. Poitropa succeeds in overthrowing President Jerome Bogouma, who ruled the country for only two years following the death of long-time dictator Blaise Compaoré in 2032. The coup is rough and unorganized, with fighting in the capitol, Ouagadougou, continuing for five days. Bogouma is able to flee to the town of Nouna, where he is caught and killed in urban fighting on the 27th.

July 20th, 2034: The twenty-fifth FIFA World Cup concludes in the United States of America. Brazil wins the championship 1-0 over defending champions France. The American team placed third, an unexpected but unsurprising showing. Football in America has steadily been growing more popular, and Major League Soccer is well-established as one of the “Big Five” major leagues in America. An estimated 810 million people watch the final match.

July 30th, 2034: American actress Anna Kendrick stars in the film Miracle of Death, about Amanda Adamsson, a woman who joined SOUL and planned several bombings in the 2010s. Adamsson later informed on R.SOUL for the FBI and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. She committed suicide in 2026. The film is a major box-office success.

August 27th, 2034: General elections are held in Namibia. President Percy Montgomery of the RFD Party is defeated in his bid for a second term by Moses Esau of SWAPO. SWAPO will return to power in Parliament as well, after five years as the Official Opposition. President Esau will serve until 2039.

September 2, 2034: DNA of Tyrannosaurus rex is found in Western Idaho. This find is widely publicized and overshadows the simultaneous one of Triceratops horridus. Both increase the hopes and fears of “Cretaceous Park” and “Jurassic Park” becoming reality.

October 13th, 2034: In baseball, the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.
The Méxican state of Nayarit becomes the 16th state to ratify the electoral amendments to the Méxican Constitution, thereby reaching the required majority of states needed for the measure to become law.

October 15th, 2034: Belgians vote to dissolve their nation. Negotiations begin on how to effect the divorce peacefully.

October 16th, 2034: Japanese prime minister Shinjiro Koizumi resigns due to rapidly deteriorating health after the failed assassination attempt a year ago. He is succeeded by Defense Minister Masayoshi Chikafuji.

October 24th, 2034: The Méxican Constitution is officially amended to include new electoral regulations. Namely, the Presidential term is reduced from 6 years to 4 years, with the possibility of reelection once. Borrowing heavily from the American model, Deputy terms are also reduced to 2 years, with unlimited reelection. Senators retain their 6 year terms, though unlike their American counterparts they can only be reelected once. The amendments also stipulate that if no presidential candidate receives a majority of the votes there will be a runoff election between the two runner ups. The new rules are set to be utilized for the upcoming 2036 General Elections.

November 4th, 2034: In Washington, Democratic State Senator Mark Helten defeats Republican Congressman Pete Johnson to become the second openly atheist United States Senator. He replaces outgoing Senator Patty Murray. He is sworn in next January, and at his private swearing-in ceremony, he chooses to place his hand on a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

House of Representatives Republican: 227 seats (-18) Democratic: 195 seats (+28) Independent Democratic: 13 seats (-10)

Senate Republican: 51 seats (-3) Democratic: 45 seats (+4) Independent Democratic: 4 seats (-1)

November 11th, 2034: Spain becomes the last state to vote on the Federation Constitution, with the “Yes” side winning by a popular margin of 57.3% in a national referendum. All signatories of the Treaty of Rome have now successfully ratified to the Treaty and the date for the new state's establishment is set for 2036. Several states concurrently passed amendments to their national constitutions as part of the ratification process to ensure legal compatibility.

November 14th, 2034: The Helena Hunters win the Major League Soccer Cup over the Houston Dynamo, 2-1.

November 28th, 2034:A new poll released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals that 35% of Americans self-identify as non-religious, up from 30% in 2022. Of that 35%, 8% identify as atheists, 10% identify as agnostic, and the remaining 17% are not classified by any (non)belief. Based on current trends, Pew predicts that the United States may become a majority non-religious nation by 2065. This announcement comes as a surprise to many Americans, given America's strong religious history. One of the main factors is the increasing use of technology in people's everyday lives, which has caused many to abandon organized religion in favor of spirituality, New Age beliefs, or atheism/agnosticism. In addition, far-right Christian fundamentalist terrorism caused a sharp decline in religious adherence throughout the nation in the 2010s and 2020s. This trend shocks many social conservatives and evangelicals, already fearful that the religious identity of the USA has been fundamentally altered since 2001.

November 7th, 2034: Pascal Manaloto (D-AK) is elected governor of Alaska, the first nonwhite governor of that state and the second Filipino-American governor in the country. His victory came through uniting Alaskan natives, immigrant cannery workers, and an increasing environmentalist block.

November 10th, 2033: In Hong Kong, 49-year-old former District Councilor Siu Leong-sing is awarded the Nobel Peace Price for “for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights, democracy and self-determination in Hong Kong”. He is unable to attend the ceremony, and China temporarily suspends new trade contracts with Europe as a “punishment”.

December 10th, 2034: UN Secretary-General Nomaindia Mfeketo, along with the leaders of Nigeria and the EAF, win the Nobel Peace Prize for “their efforts to advance democracy and cooperation on the African continent”.

December 11th, 2034: A catastrophic blizzard hits New England and Metropolitan New York, killing 57 and causing over $355 million in damage.

December 21st, 2034: Citing a recent diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, King Alexander II of Serbia abdicates in favor of his American-born son Peter (born February 1980) who assumes the Serbian throne under the regnal name of King Peter III.

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2035


January 1st, 2035: Belgium formally ceases to exist. The Republic of Flanders is established with Bart de Wever as first president. The former Belgian province of Luxembourg rejoins the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as does German-speaking Eupen and St. Vith. The province of Namur and the rest of French-speaking Wallonia becomes the entirely francophone Kingdom of Wallonia with former Belgian King Philippe of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha as monarch. The city of Brussels, a French-speaking enclave entirely surrounded by the Republic of Flanders becomes a Free City in anticipation of becoming the capital of the proposed FES.

February 1st, 2035: Chinese premier Liu Yazhou announces that the remaining one-child policy would be abolished in all China by January 1 2036.

February 20th, 2035: Brazilian musicians Elia Lobo, Marlos Nobre, and Maysa Monjardim form the band El Aleatorios (The Randoms) in Maceió, Brazil. Inspired by earlier styles like Occidental and bossa nova music, the group quickly becomes a hit in the Maceió club scene.

February 25th, 2035: Former Japanese prime minister Shinjiro Koizumi dies in Tokyo. He was only 53 years old. He is the second post-war prime minister to be given a state funeral after Shigeru Yoshida.

March 18th, 2035: King William V’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain is arrested for disorderly conduct inside a seedy London nightclub. Although quickly released from jail, the paparazzi photograph the entire incident which is all over the internet by morning.

March 24, 2035: President Bernard “Bernie” Bell of Australia is convicted of tax evasion and resigns. Parliament replaces him with Gina Gilman, ALP MP for Page, New South Wales.

April 16th, 2035: In light of recent events in Central America, Mexico begins an immediate upgrading of its military. Amongst the several new planes and amphibious cruisers purchased from the Americans and Europeans, there is talk of Mexico acquiring an aircraft carrier of it's own. The Mexican Navy launches an exploratory commission for the possible purchase of carriers or of possibly building one domestically.

May 5th, 2035: Mt Vesuvius begins to rumble causing an increased number of earthquakes.

May 9th, 2035: Halfway through his third term in office, President Salou Djibo of Niger dies at age 70. Djibo, an extremely popular leader in Niger, managed to maintain the country as a multi-party democracy through many turbulent years. Initially brought to power by a 2010 coup, Djibo then led the country into a brief period of democracy, which was challenged in 2021 by President Ali Zeine. Defeating that attempt in the Nigerien Civil War, Djibo then led his country in peace for 13 years. However, his death opens up a power vacuum in Niger, which is still very impoverished.

May 12th, 2035: In Niger, the Vice-President, Rhissa Boula, accedes to the Presidency, becoming the first female leader of Niger. Popular president Saul Djibo died on May 9th after two and a half terms in office.

May 13th, 2035: Beatle Paul McCartney dies peacefully at the age of 92 in his home surrounded by his loved ones. His last words were reported to be “Linda…John…George…How I've missed you…”

May 16th 2035: The Conservative government are booted out of office by a new Labour Party led by Robert Milligan, who becomes Britain's first black Prime Minister with a majority of 46.

May 20th, 2035: Japanese general election: the ruling National Frontier Party wins a landslide victory, as the nation is still mourning the loss of its former prime minister. The election results are as followed: NFP 318, DPJ 114, New Komeito 24, JCP 8, SDP 6, Issuikai 3, Others / non-partisan / independents 7.

May 29th, 2035: The Ouéme Dam is completed in Benin. The dam, begun in 2039 with significant Indian financing, is expected to provide upwards of 90% of Benin's energy needs. Surplus energy will be sold to Nigeria and Togo. It is the largest and most efficient hydroelectric dam in West Africa, surpassing Ghana's Akosombo Dam.

June 10th, 2035: CRN opens its second phase from New York to Chicago and from New York to Boston. On the west coast, the California High Speed Rail system is upgraded for eastward expansion of CRN from Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a goal of meeting the westward-moving segments in Denver by 2045.

June 15th, 2035: The number of earthquakes under Vesuvius increase Italian authorities begin to put the population of Naples and surrounding areas on notice.

June 20th, 2035: Vice President Adam Klinzinger declares his candidacy for the Republican nomination 2036, seeking to succeed on his boss' coattails.

June 22nd, 2035: An assassination attempt is made on President Rubio as an unknown gunman fires three shots at the presidents motorcade. The next day, the alleged assassin of the President is revealed to be Francis Lifante, a 35 year old man who has been unemployed for over a year.

June 27th, 2035: Senator Jared Polis of Colorado declares his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in 2036.

July 1st, 2035: All Nippon Spacecraft's moon tours begin. Japanese former prime minister Seiji Maehara becomes ANS's first customer.

July 8th, 2035: Unemployment in Burma has reached 19.8%, and the ill-health of opposition leader Alexander Aris (son of Aung San Suu Kyi) has sparked unrest. Several government buildings have been subject to arson. General Khin Maung Myint says that “these rabble-rousers are criminals and shall be treated accordingly.”

July 17th, 2035: Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain discretely enters the Betty Ford Center, a residential chemical dependency recovery hospital in Rancho Mirage, California under an assumed name.

July 25th, 2035: Ex-King Alexander II of Serbia dies from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

August 30th, 2035: Indonesia announces that it intends to build a supercarrier, to enter service in 2039. It will purchase plans and designs from Brazil and India, which jointly developed the Victorious-class four years previously.

September 1st, 2035: A political rally led by opposition leader Alexander Aris in Burma is attacked by government troops. In the fighting, Aris is shot dead by government forces, but his body is recovered by protestors. The news spreads quickly across Burma.

September 2-5th, 2035: Burmese Revolution; The military junta that ruled Burma for 73 years is overthrown in a democratic uprising. On September the 2nd, massive protests, some violent, flare up across Burma after the death of Alexander Aris. Military dictator Khin Maung Myint orders troops of the Tatmadaw to attack and disperse the protestors, but some troops in the Mon north refuse. Rioters seize control of Mandalay and several districts in Yangon, but many are killed in the capitol, Naypidaw.

Over the next few days, massive protests across the country, combined with army defections, cause the government to lose control of most of the country except for Naypidaw, which is under heavy lockdown. On September the 5th, over 1 million Burmese march on Naypidaw from several directions, while 500,000 gather in the city center. They are lead by Kim Aris, brother of Alexander Aris and second son of Aung San Suu Kyi. Faced with certain and swift execution, the military leadership flees to China. Kim Aris declares that “Democracy has come to Burma at last. It is time for all her children to honor Aung San's memory.”

September-October 2035: The new government of Burma goes through a rough transition period. Army loyalists are hunted down and killed summarily, while ethnic rebels in the north attack civillians. However, Kim Aris manages to organize the government efficiently, and elections are scheduled for December. Aris leads the National League for Democracy, which had previously been banned. Than Nyein leads an opposition party, the Democratic Party of Burma, which seeks close relations with China.

September 11th, 2035: Scientists announce an eruption of Vesuvius is imminent and Italian authorities order an evacuation within 25km of the volcano.

September 14th, 2035: Mt Vesuvius erupts in an eruption just as powerful as the Bronze age eruption covering Naples in pyroclastic flow and ash.

September 15th, 2035: The European Space Agency launches JSE (Jovian System Explorer), a Jovian explorer probe that will pave the way for a later Europa lander.

September 18th, 2035: Mount Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) stops erupting after 15 hours. The damage is catastrophic; the death toll surprisingly limited. While Naples and the ancient city of Pompei were buried by Pyroclastic flows, and most of the area is covered in a thick layer of ash, only 232 are estimated to have been killed, due to the effective evacuation plan. In the days that follow, massive refugee camps are built for the over 2 million who are now homeless. Some are offered houses in the north of Italy, well away from Vesuvius. Over 10,000 accept the offer within the first 2 weeks, and begin moving what possessions they have to the north.

The DigiGlasses Alpha is released by Microsoft. The glasses operate by utilizing the lenses of glasses to serve as a monitor, and they have the computing power of a 2010s era tablet computer.

September 29th, 2035: Senator Alexander Boone (D-VA) declares his intention to run for the Democratic Nomination for President.

October 9th, 2035: In the 2035 Canadian Federal Election, Prime Minister John Baird is reelected to a minority government. Adam Giambrones Liberal party makes significant gains in traditionally Conservative ridings. Also, voter turnout was at a record low with only 52.1% of the electorate voting.

October 18th, 2035: In baseball, the Minnesota Twins win the World Series.

November 1st, 2035: One year before the highly anticipated 2036 presidential election, Gallup releases a new poll indicating President Rubio's approval rating to be at 63%, in part thanks to the healthy economy and successes in space and on the foreign policy front in India.

November 19th, 2035: The win the Major League Soccer Cup over the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-1.

December 5th, 2035: National polls indicate a slight lead for Senator Alexander Boone (D-VA) over Senator Jared Polis (D-CO), 45-41. While in Iowa, Polis holds a slight lead of 47-44 over Boone.

December 20th, 2035: Elections are held in the newly-democratic Republic of Burma. The National League for Democracy wins 83% of the seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, while opposition parties take the rest. President Kim Aris' government announces that the size of the Tadmataw (armed forces) shall never again exceed 100,000 personnel. In addition, the country will join the IOIC.

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2036


March 5, 2036: President of Australia Gina Gilman resigns after allegations accompanied by photos of an affair with Parliament Speaker James Bettosini surface on the internet. Parliament chooses Jacobo Papagiovanni, ALP MP from Fremantle, Western Australia.

March 8th, 2036: East Africa finishes its high-speed rail link from Kampala to Kigali, marking the completion of its 1300 km high speed rail program. The trains, built in India, run at up to 280 km/hr. The EAF has also expanded and modernized its existing 7000 km of track to ensure gauge standardization across the country. The programs were funded by the 2031 Infrastructure Investment and Improvement Act, which made an outlay of $55 billion to improve East African Rail. The EAF now has the “most advanced rail network in Africa” according to American expert Geoffrey Dijslovec, surpassing even South Africa and Egypt.

March 24th, 2036: The infamous and corrupted family register system (Hukou) is officially replaced by an ID card system. Urban riots against the reform breaks out in Urumqi, Chengdu, Luoyang, Xian, Nanning, Wuhan and Changsha.

March 29th, 2036: Intellectuals stage counterprotests in China, supporting the reforms. Both sides crashed, at least 20 killed.

March 30th, 2036: For the first time since 2009 in Urumqi and 1989 in other cities, the Chinese government declares martial law in Urumqi, Chengdu, Luoyang, Xian, Nanning, Wuhan and Changsha.

May 9th, 2036: The European Federation formally comes into existence on the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, commonly known as Europe Day. Celebrations sweep the new country's cities. Elections to the Parliament and Presidency had taken place the week before.

May 31, 2036: Voters approve new election rules making the presidency elected for a seven year term with possibility of reelection once.

April 3th, 2036: Under pressure from party conservatives, Chinese premier Liu Linzhi resigned. He will be replaced by Deputy premier Jian Lo, a moderate.

May 9th, 2037: Norway, Switzerland and Georgia join the reformed EU. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950.

May 12th, 2036: Chinese president Liang Zhengshen, an ultraconservative who was about to anounce the reintroduction of birth control, was assassinated in Shanghai.

May 17th, 2036: In an upset, Liu Linzhi, who was just purged a month ago, was elected President of China in the National People's Congress over conservative candidate Deng Hexie.

May 23rd, 2036: In China, General Li Zuoren was arrested. Chinese president Liu Yazhou declares a state of emergency in all China, claiming that he had spoiled a coup attempt staged by the “reactionary groups led by General Li Zuoren.

May 24th, 2036: Former US Vice President, 2000 Presidential Election candidate, and environmental activist Al Gore passes away in his sleep at the age of 88.

May 26th, 2036: General Wang Yuanan, an ally of Liu in the military, orders troops to storm the offices of Vice President Li Xiongwu and Politburo member Deng Hexie, an ultraconservative. Both Li and Deng “committed suicide”, according to General Wang.

June 1st, 2036: In China, Most party conservatives are purged, being accused of involving in the coup attempt of General Li Zuoren.

June 4th, 2036: Surprising many, Chinese President Liu Linzhi announces the post-houmous rehabilitation of the victims killed in the Tiananmen protests in 1989.

July 6th, 2036: Méxican General Election; the PRI candidate Vicente Izaguirre commands a healthy lead over all the other candidates for President, though he fails to gain the majority of votes. A runoff election is scheduled for August 10th. Elsewhere, up and coming Chihuahuense politician Hiram Romney is elected Senator for his state.

July 11th, 2036: An article in Rolling Stone notes the growing popularity of “mamba” music, which uses African drums and rhythms in a Western pop setting. The best known group are The Black Snakes, an American group originally from Chicago, Illinois.

August 5th, 2036: The Democratic National Convention. After a drawn out primary, the convention selects VA Senator Alexander Boone for President and IL Senator Ryan Kirkpatrick for Vice President. Upon this revelation, Senator Polis gives a heartfelt endorsement speech for Boone.

August 7th, 2036: Under pressure from monarchist restoration groups and led by monarchist MPs who wish to restore the status quo ante, the disgusted Australian Parliament shocks the world by electing King William V of Great Britain as the fourth president of Australia with fifty-five percent of the vote. Reluctant at first to accept again the position of head-of-state from which he had been jettisoned four years earlier by this government, King William accepts after being begged by Prime Minister Jack O’Flaherty who is in serious political trouble after a nearly seven-year-long scandal-ridden administration.

August 8th, 2036: Kyrgyzstan announces that it will apply to join Alamem Aleselameyh Men Alheryh (Islamic Nations of Freedom) in 2037. Kyrgyzstan has held regular democratic elections since 2018, and is considered a relatively liberal state in Central Asia.

August 10th, 2036: Former Governor of Nuevo León Vicente Izaguirre narrowly defeats PAN candidate for President Silvia Alvarado, becoming the first PRI politician since Beatriz Paredes to gain the Presidency.

Juan Vicente Izaguirre Leonardi (PRI): 51.98% Silvia Alvarado Gonzales (PAN): 48.02%

August 11th, 2036: After having quickly flown to Canberra, King William V of Great Britain is sworn in as President of Australia as Mr. William Windsor. Two days later, the government of Jack O’Flaherty falls and President Windsor calls new elections.

August 11th-29th, 2036: The 2036 Summer Olympic Games are held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tournament closes with China having won the most medals, followed by the United States.

August 18th, 2036: The Republican National Convention selects Vice President Adam Klinzinger for President and MO Senator W. Reade Granger for Vice President.

August 20th, 2036: Following the Republican convention, polls show the Klinzinger/Granger ticket ahead by an average of 15 points in the polls (45-30, with 15 percent undecided). However, the polls also show signs of trouble for the Republicans. Their support rested mainly on President Rubio's great personal popularity, and not upon their own appeal. In addition, voters prefer the Democratic positions on green energy, social issues, foreign policy, and economic issues.

September 2nd, 2036: A quote is leaked by the Huffington Post: a recording of Republican VP candidate W. Reade Granger calling Senator Kirkpatrick “that goddamn immoral atheist.” Granger went on to say that he didn't trust Kirkpatrick to make decisions without religious guidance, and professed his belief that true morality could not exist without spirituality. The comments spark a backlash in American society. Whereas 30 years previously a majority of Americans might have agreed with Granger, by this year the leak causes the Klinzinger/Granger ticket to drop in the polls. For the first time, polls begin to show the Boone ticket out front.

September 21st, 2036: IUPAC confirms both JINR discoveries. Due to the first element being discovered on Kazakhstani territory, the JINR team proposes the name Kazakhium (Kz). For Number 131, Nasarbajewium (Nj) is easily accepted. News that the Symbol Kz is proposed quickly spread to Germany and to Isaac Mandelbaum, chief of the Jewish Central Union (Zentralverband der Juden). Jews all over the world, particularly in Germany and Israel, and many non-Jewish Germans stage massive public outrage because of alleged 'indignifying the victims of the holocaust'.

October 1, 2036: June Westridge’s Liberal Party of Australia wins an absolute majority of seats in the Australian Parliament and President Windsor asks her to form a government. Publicly, the President takes no position on the election but privately tells his wife: “How sweet it is!”

October 15th, 2036: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series.

October 21st, 2036: Brazil announces that it has made significant progress in combating drug issues throughout the country. Drug usage rates have dropped, domestic production has been reduced by nearly 80%, and corruption in the police force has been reduced considerably. In the past six years, over 2000 police officers have been jailed on corruption charges throughout Brazil, according to the Departamento de Polícia Federal.

November 2nd, 2036: After a year's worth of delays related to design flaws, the Boeing SST-8 Slipstream enters commercial service with launch customer Intercontinental Air Lines between San Francisco and Beijing. The flight is an immediate success, and the airline exercises its purchase options, calling for a fleet of forty planes within five years. Competitors Airbus of Europe, Bombardier of Canada, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announce plans for their own supersonic designs.

November 7th, 2036: The Democratic ticket of VA Senator Alexander Boone/IL Senator Ryan Kirkpatrick is elected over the Republican ticket of Vice President Adam Kinzinger/MO Senator Reade Granger.

Senator Alexander Boone (D-VA) / Senator Ryan Kirkpatrick (D-IL) - 322 EV - 51.3% PV Vice President Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) / Senator Reade Granger (R-MO) - 216 EV - 47.7% PV

House of Representatives Republican: 216 seats (-11) Democratic: 210 seats (+15) Independent Democratic: 9 seats (-4)

Senate Republican: 50 seats (-1) Democratic: 48 seats (+3) Independent Democratic: 2 seats (-2)

November 23rd, 2036: IUPAC bows to international pressure (many famous scientists were Jews, after all), and changes the symbol of Kazakhium from Kz to Ks (as in German Kasachium).

December 2nd, 2036: UN Secretary-General Nomaindia Mfeketo is elected to a second term in her post. Some commentators note that no UN Secretary-General has not won re-election in nearly forty years.

December 29th, 2036: Former Arizona Senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain passes away at the age of 100.

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2037


January 1, 2037: After heavy lobbying by the tech industry and internet freedom advocates, the US Congress passes the Intellectual Property Reform Act (IPRA), which reduces copyright term to the classical 28 years, as originally outlined in the Copyright Act of 1790. In addition, the act declares all intellectual property to be jointly owned by the public and the rights holder, and reduces copyright restrictions in the context of the Digital Age. The most popular portion of the bill is the section repealing the infamous Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). As the Millennial Generation grew up, copyright was viewed as a hindrance and annoyance rather than a help, and the calls to reform it ultimately outweighed the lobbying from the remnants of the entertainment industry.

January 11th, 2037: Afghanistan announces it will join the Indian Ocean International Community (IOIC).

February 5th, 2037: The Indo-Pakistani War of 2037 erupts when the military junta in Pakistan orders an invasion of Indian Kashmir and Jammu, seeking to finally settle the issue and garner popularity among the Pakistani populace. While some moderate elements of the government are concerned with India crushing them, the dominant nationalist wing led by General Zahari ignore and repress the opposition. By the end of the month, the Pakistani military captures most of western Kashmir including the city of Amristar.

February 15th, 2037: Princess Sofia of Spain gives birth to a son, Carlos.

February 25th, 2037: China outlaws quantum hacking.

March 1st, 2037: At the Detroit Auto Show, the Ford Motor Company reveals the first automobile fitted with the automatic piloting system, dubbed “Smart Wheels”. The feature quickly becomes a success, and rival companies enable the rapid spread of the technology across the US.

March 18th, 2037: Spring Offensive; The Indian Army launches a counteroffensive against Pakistan in western Kashmir, after suffering a surprise attack the previous month. The superior equipment and tactics of the Indians prove to be lethal against the outdated Pakistani military, and quickly pushes them over the Line of Control by April 10th.

March 20th, 2037: A series of air strikes by the Indian Air Force destroys much of Pakistan's ground-based nuclear arsenal, though a secret few devices are hidden away previously by the military.

March 29th, 2037: The monthlong 2037 World Baseball Classic closes in Chicago, Illinois. The Americans emerge as the champions, beating out Colombia for the title. In third place are the Dominicans, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are the Netherlands. The Netherlands' strong showing is the highest placement ever for a European team.

April 10th, 2037: President Boone creates the Department of Space, complete with a presidential cabinet position and administration over NASA. Former astronaut and Senator Jake Sky (D-MI) is appointed the first Secretary of Space.

June 11th, 2037: India invades Pakistan proper, quickly capturing the cities of Lahore and Gujranwala. While resistance and casualties inflicted upon the Indian Army is high, the Pakistani military is gradually pushed back as India seeks to decisively defeat Pakistan.

June 13th, 2037: British Prime Minister Robert Milligan signs the “EU Agriculture for Tomorrow” treaty advocating a substantial trade level on farming and energy with the EU. Leader of the Opposition Marcus Clarke supports this.

June 26th, 2037: NASA unveils its permanent lunar facility, called Luna, as part of Project Apollo's goal of a manned mission to Mars by 2040.

July 1st, 2037: Indonesia's population surpasses 300 million people.

July 6th, 2037: The Indian Army captures Faisalabad, while an amphibious force captures the port of Karachi, the largest endeavor yet conducted by the Indian Navy.

July 18th, 2037: Encoders, a science fiction action movie starring Lucas Kite, Alex Anderson, and Sophia Lewis is released. Inspired by Japanese mecha anime and science fiction TV shows of the 2000s, the movie is incredibly successful at the box office. 2037, because of this movie and several other releases, is regarded as the end of the “Dark Age of Sci-Fi”.

July 19th, 2037: El Aleatorios, a Brazilian band, releases their first album, Pixinguinha. The band, led by Amerindian singer Maysa Monjardim, is quickly becoming popular in Brazil with their mix of traditional Brazilian styles like bossa nova with a revival of Occidental music.

August 3rd, 2037: In a freak accident, King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia are killed when the king’s yacht strikes a World War II era mine in the waters off Palma de Majorca. Prince Carlos Marcilla de Teruel-Moctezuma y Borbon become the new king of Spain with the reignal name of Carlos V. His father, the 8th Duke of Moctezuma de Tultengo is named regent. The royal family becomes known as Moctezuma-Borbon and American wags call this the ultimate “Montezuma’s revenge.”

August 16th, 2037: Stratos, a collection of exotic resorts around the world owned by a UK-based company, unveils the orbiting Helios resort. It is the most expensive hotel in the world, though is slammed as “nothing more than a glorified turn-of-the-century space station,” as quoted in a NYTimes.com article.

October 4th, 2037: Former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi dies at the age of 95 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa.

October 13th, 2037: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series for the second year in a row.

October 20th, 2037: After the capture of Rawalpindi following a bloody battle, the Indian Army begins the month long seige of Islamabad. General Zahari contemplates detonating a nuclear weapon on the Indian positions in Rawalpindi in order to end the siege.

October 20th, 2037: Effective for the 2046 FIFA World Cup, which is awarded to the Union State, the cup is extended to 64 teams. It will be eight groups of eight, of which four advance (and not sixteen groups of four).

November 3rd, 2037: Minutes before General Zahari gives final orders to detonate a nuclear weapon over Rawalpindi, the Pakistani military led by more moderate members of the junta overthrow the seemingly insane general, afraid of the consequences that India would unleash in such an event. The new military regime then asks for an armistice with India, which is granted until a formal peace can be established.

November 18th, 2037: Obael, a long running science fiction internet series, is launched. It will continue to 2050.

December 12th, 2037: In Niger's vast desert northeast, the Communist Party of Niger (PCN) begins a rebellion against the government. The PCN claim to be fighting for economic rights for all Nigeriens. President Boula of Niger says that her administration is the best economic hope for Nigeriens.

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2038

January 1st, 2038: Kyrgyzstan joins A'ama as the group's eleventh member. The country are considered a close Turkish ally and had been considering membership since 2030 before applying in 2037.

January 1st, 2038: By this point, HydroFuel Solutions controls 61% of all hydrogen fuel stations in the country.

January 2nd, 2038: Treaty of New Delhi; Hostilities formally end between India and Pakistan. As punishment for the surprise attack in Kashmir at the beginning of the war, harsh terms are sanctioned on Pakistan. The treaty stipulates:
• Pakistani Kashmir is to be annexed into India, and Pakistan will relinquish all claims to the region.
• Pakistan is to relinquish all remaining nuclear weapons to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and is to allow IAEA inspectors to inspect all nuclear facilities in the country.
• Pakistan will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons indefinitely.
• India will impose a military occupation of Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and surrounding regions for a period of five years.

January 2nd, 2038: As midfielder Lassana Touré (Bayern Munich) is severely injured, they buy Shinobu Sawa from FC Utrecht. She is the first woman on their team.

January 12th, 2038: A deeply depressed Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain attempts suicide in her flat at Kensington Palace. Only the intervention of a quick-thinking footman trained in CPR saves her life until medical personnel arrive. While in hospital, the princess is treated by Dr. Ygnacio Bocanegra who describes his work with Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors without Borders, a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical care to the less fortunate around the world. Stirred out of her paralyzing apathy by the doctor's descriptions of his travels, the princess makes tentative inquiries about the nursing profession. The deeply worried King and Queen encourage their daughter to pursue this interest hoping she will decide again to live.

January 18th, 2038: While in Seattle, campaigning for Senate candidate Scott Kimball (D-WA), several shots are fired towards President Alexander Boone's motorcade. One strikes him in the right arm, and lodges itself in his ribs. He is taken to the nearest hospital and saved by quick thinking surgeons who are able to remove the bullet with minimal damage and blood loss. The gunman, Roger Quincy, is taken into custody after fleeing to the Seattle Central Library.

January 29th, 2038: President Boone gives his first speech since the assassination attempt, and greets well-wishers after his speech.

January 31st, 2038: In protest at energy savings, British power workers vote to strike.

February 1st, 2038: A last minute deal by the Milligan government prevents a strike before it is due to go ahead.

February 7th, 2038: The XXVIII Winter Olympiad opens in Malmo, Sweden.
March 13th, 2038: The US Department of Justice files suit against HydroFuel Solutions as being in restraint of free trade and commerce.

March 16th, 2038: Japanese prime minister Masayoshi Chikafuji resigns after 5 of his cabinet members are arrested in a scandal involving JAL. He is succeeded by NFP Secretary General Ichiro Imai.

March 19, 2038: Two years after a Supreme Court ruling legalized online piracy in the United States, the European Parliament passes the Filesharing Legalization and Copyright Reform Act, which legalizes non-profit piracy and retroactively reduces copyright terms to 28 years from publication. Polls show 73% of European citizens support the move.

March 25, 2038: Lichtenstein becomes the first European micro state to join the FES.

April 2nd, 2038: Former President George W. Bush dies at the age of 91 at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Most historians rank his presidency in the lowest quartile of US Presidents, but the perception among some that he was “The Worst President Ever” has faded. His elder brother Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida, dies only a month and a half later, on May 20th.

May 25th, 2038: As the final tracks are being fitted for the AVEMEX line running from Saltillo to Monterrey ahead of schedule, Mexican President Izaguirre unveils AVEMEX Plan 2050 at a press conference in Mexico City. Plan 2050, also known as Corredor Norte, would extend HSR service to the northern Mexican cities of Mazatlán, Durango, Torreón, Monclova, Nuevo Laredo, Culiacán, Los Mochis, Navajoa, Ciudad Obregon, Hermosillo, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Mexicali and Tijuana. At the same press conference Izaguirre hints at the eventual extending of rail lines north into the United States, in conjunction with the US's own HSR service.

June 2nd, 2038: Sebastian Bodden-Hyde, a principal designer of the Artificial Analytical Unit (ANNA) and close associate of Dr. James Omar dies. A native of Barbados, Mr. Bodden-Hyde left a fortune of 1.8 billion dollars from his profits from ANNA. It is revealed that his fortune will be left to the first British Commonwealth Caribbean country that dethrones King William V and crowns a royal person of African descent as King in place of the British monarch.

Prince Johan of Sweden is inducted into the Swedish Army.

June 3rd, 2038: NASA's Jovian Moon Explorer is launched, bound for Europa in search of potential extraterrestrial life under the moon's subterranean ocean.

June 5th, 2038: Alexandre Éric Stéphane Coste (born 24 August 2003) the illegitimate son of Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Togolese Nicole Coste is summoned from his villa in Villefranche to the Palace in Monaco by his cousin Prince Andrea. The Prince makes the 34 year old Alexandre Coste aware of the bequest and encourages him to seek it out. He offers to tutor him on how to be a proper limited monarch.

June 8, 2038: After a youth spent both in New Zealand and Britain, Winston Lewis, a cousin of King William V graduates Summa Cum Laude from The London School of Economics and Political Science's Law School. While studying in London, the young New Zealander lives with his aged grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in Kensington, Palace and sees his royal relatives often.

June 12, 2038: H.R.H Princess Diana of Great Britain graduates with honors from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music with a BMus. in Piano Performance.

July 6th, 2038: The twenty-sixth FIFA World Cup concludes in England. The USA wins the tournament 2-1 over Poland, marking America's first victory in the World Cup. The final match draws in over 112 million American viewers, making it one of the most-watched telecasts of all time in the United States. Across the world, an estimated 900 million people watch the World Cup. After their win and Captain James J. Gonzalez received the trophy, FIFA President Mogogi Moatihaping (Lesotho) unveils a new FIFA World Cup Trophy. The new model resembles the trophy that was lost before the 1966 Tournament.

July 8th, 2038: President Boone's allies in Congress propose the creation of Buffalo Commons National Park out of parts of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas within twenty years. Encompassing all or part of 26 counties in those four states, the area set aside for the park has a population of 30,185 and an area of 51,623 square mies, the largest National Park in the United States. Under the plan, farmers and inhabitants of the plan would be paid subsidies at agricultural prices to plant shortgrass prairie plants and remove fences, etc, for ten years. At the end of ten years, most inhabitants would be given economic incentives to relocate, although some could stay and work as rangers or gamekeepers. In addition, the die-hard who refuse to leave would not be forced to go, although they would be required to sign over their property to the Park when they die or move. For the following ten years, scientists would work with the remaining populace to reintroduce bison, wolves, praire chickens, pronghorns, and other flora and fauna, restoring the plains to the way they existed before Native American settlement. Part of the proposed area of the park covers Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Indian Reservations. Tribal representatives agree to the plan, with three conditions. First, tribal sovereignty would continue to be respected, and some land will be retained in a developed state by the tribes. Secondly, tribe members would have priority in park employment, so that Native Americans could act as the caretakers of the land. And lastly, the two reservations will annually receive 4% of park revenue, split evenly.

July 17th, 2038: The Prime Minister of Barbados in cabinet, citing his small Caribbean island's moribund economy proposes asking King William V to abdicate the throne of his tiny country and searching for a suitable candidate of African descent to take the King's place. Word of this proposition soon leaks out.

July 20th, 2038: Alexandre Coste's name is brought to the Prime Minister's attention through back channels and he is invited to make a secret visit to Barbados.

July 27th, 2038: Alexandre Coste arrives and the Barbadian cabinet finds him eminently acceptable. In the meantime, the governments of Grenada and Antigua begin discussing proposals of their own.

August 5th, 2038: After calling a snap referendum the week before, Barbados' voters approve asking Alexandre Coste to be their new king.

August 7th, 2038: King William V abdicates as King of Barbados and King Alexander is duly sworn in. Riots break out in Grenada and Antigua and both governments fall because of anger that the Barbadians beat them to the Bodden-Hyde fortune.

August 20th, 2038: Oman holds free elections for the first time in its history, for the 125 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The liberalizing Sultan Taimur bin Feisal, had granted his lawmaking powers to the Assembly in May.

September 17, 2038: Winston Lewis, a great-great grandson of King George V of Great Britain joins the prestigious Wellington law firm of Tahana, Patuawa & Stone specializing in Maori law.

October 3rd, 2038: In the face of rising tensions, President Boone renews plans for Prompt Global Strike, a system that would give the United States a 24-hour strike global strike capability. The system would include the deployment of X-51 Hypersonic Cruise missiles, and an orbital weapons station that would launch satellite guided 20 ft long 1 ft wide tungsten rods from orbit. He announces that the United States should have this system to respond to any imminent threat worldwide by the end of the decade.

October 7th, 2038: San Marino wins 1-0 against Germany in what will later be known as the “Schmach von Mönchengladbach” (Mönchengladbach Scandal).

October 14th, 2038: In baseball, the Minnesota Twins win the World Series.

October 18th, 2038: Prime Minister Robert Milligan calls a snap general election over the issue of unions.

October 21st, 2038: The docking port and refueling station for lunar shuttles is completed at NASA's Luna moon base.

November 8th, 2038: U.S. Midterm Elections…

House of Representatives Republican: 230 seats (-14) Democratic: 205 seats (-5)

Senate Democratic: 50 seats + VP (+2) Republican: 50 seats

November 12th, 2038: The Labour government is re-elected, albeit with a reduced majority of 32. Conservative Leader Marcus Clarke who'd served as Chancellor in the Crewe government, elected after Crewe's resignation announces his own resignation taking the blame for the six point poll lead that the Conservative's lost in the campaign.

December 2nd, 2038: Max Rodgers, the Shadow Foreign Secretary and former Crewe Home Secretary and Fraser Defence & Culture Secretary is elected to lead the Conservative Party.

December 5th, 2038: The first free parliamentary election since 1913 was held in all China. The Communist Party wins a landslide victory, winning a supermajority of seats. Jian Lo remains prime minister.

Chinese parliamentary election, 2038 Communist Party of China (centre-right) 44.1% 1001 (67%) People's Revolutionary Party (ultraconservative) 18.8% 243 (16.3%) Democratic Justice Party (centre-left) 15.4% 132 (8.8%) Grand National Party (far-right) 16.5% 102 (6.8%) Others/independents 18 5.2% (1.2%) Total: 1494 (100%)

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2039

January-February 2039: Outbreak of a new, extremely virulent strain of the H1N1 virus in the Wallonian city of Charleroi. The virus (dubbed the Belgian Flu) is quickly identified and the Wallonian government closes all borders and restricts air travel in and out of the country. Although a few cases are reported in Luxembourg and Germany, the spread of the virus is effectively contained to Wallonia. Particularly hard hit is the capital, Namur, which is placed firmly under quarantine. Among the 13,488 Wallonian victims are King Philippe, his four children and five grandchildren. Queen Mathilde contracts the disease but miraculously survives.

January 1st, 2039: The Bodden-Hyde fortune is transferred to the accounts of the Barbadian government. King Alexander becomes a popular and effective monarch. He names his dynasty Grimaldi-Coste.

After eight years, the AIDS Vaccine Distribution Project is partially shut down by the United Nations. It will be replaced by national programs, and will only continue operations in countries which cannot effectively organize their own distribution operations. The Project has given the AIDS vaccine to 8 billion people, nearly the entire human population. Essentially every baby born in the world since 2033 has been inoculated. In 2038, only 819 new cases of HIV infection were reported, thanks to the vaccine, and less than 1000 deaths, thanks to the drug Erinle.

January 2nd, 2039: The Indonesian Navy commissions the KRI Terkenal, its first supercarrier. Displacing 108,000 tonnes, and carrying upwards of sixty aircraft, the carrier was built domestically with plans purchased from Brazil and India. The carrier is seen by many as an indication of Indonesia's growing influence in the Pacific.

At a garden party at Government House in Wellington during a rare visit to New Zealand, King William V introduces his cousin Winston Lewis to Atawhai Paki (b. 15 February 2016), only surviving daughter of King Whatumoana, Eighth Monarch of the Maori, who represents a native dynasty founded on the North Island of New Zealand in the 1850s in response to British land encroachments but not recognized by all Maori tribes. Winston Lewis is instantly attracted to the lovely Maori girl.

January 17th, 2039: Princess Astrid (b. 5 June 1962), sister of King Philippe ascends the Wallonian throne on the death of the king from the Belgian Flu. Vacationing in Palma de Majorca with her husband and five children and their families, the new Wallonian monarch is unable to return to Wallonia until April when the epidemic finally burns itself out.

Spring-Summer 2039: Devastated by the tragic deaths of her entire family during the Belgian Flu epidemic, a profoundly depressed dowager Queen Mathilde of Wallonia contemplates suicide. She finds herself encouraged by visits from an old friend, the widower King Willem IV of the Netherlands who flies to Namur weekly to cheer her up.

April 9th-11th, 2039: Hurricane Roberto strikes the small island nation of Trinidad and Tobago as a Category 5, causing catastrophic flooding. Over 12,000 people die and 70,000 are left homeless in the wake of the storm. The United States, Mexico, and ALADEC collectively pledge over 1 billion dollars in aid over the next two years to help the small country rebuild. The storm goes on to strike Venezuela and Colombia, but ALADEC-constructed storm barriers and shelters keep it at bay and only 29 people die in those two countries.

March 4th 2039: 'Game Change' and an HBO miniseries about the 2008 US presidential election is released.

March 5th, 2039: A leak to the New York Times concerning the Indo-Pakistani War reveals that the CIA had provided to India a list of Pakistani nuclear sites and hiding places, which had enabled the Indians to destroy all but four of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Had the Indians been acting on their intelligence alone, it is likely that several dozen Pakistani weapons would have remained, as well as functional launch mechanisms. The leak indicates the level of intelligence-sharing between India and the United States, now approaching the level of cooperation between British intelligence and US agencies.

March 8th, 2039: In the Treaty of Jakarta, Malaysia and the Philippines settle their part of the dispute over the Spratly Islands. Malaysia agrees to cede control of the seven islands it controls in exchange for the Philippines reducing trade controls on Malaysian finished goods.

March 15th 2039: By this point, unmanned drones have replaced manned fighters in most aerial roles.

March 21st, 2039: Chinese premier Jian Lo and Mongolian prime minister Borjigin Narantsetseg jointly proposes the formation of a new East Asian Community.

April-May, 2039: Parliamentary elections are held in India, with over 810 million people voting. In the wake of the Fourth Indo-Pakistani War, the Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP) has gained widespread support due to their strong anti-Pakistani stance. In addition, charismatic and popular NDP Prime Minister Surjaa Chakravorty is not running for a fourth term, instead choosing to retire as a party elder at the age of 51. Her successor, Bharat Agnihotri is seen as stuffy and ineffective. Nevertheless, most of the NDP's policies continue to be popular, and the election is predicted to be close. Raj Chouhan, the PKP standard-bearer, is quoted as saying “The people of India have two excellent choices; but only one warned us about Pakistan's treachery from the beginning.”

After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:
Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 268 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 198 seats Left Front: 44 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 15 seats Independents: 8 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats

The government is formed by the PKP and several independents, controlling 272 seats. Newly-inaugurated Prime Minister Chouhan, in his victory speech, announces that he will attempt to enact a “no problems with neighbors foreign policy”, modeled after Turkey's policy decades earlier. However, he says he continues to support very close ties with the United States. Lastly, he says he will attempt to completely revamp India's regulatory system and de-nationalize many Indian banks and industrial corporations.

April 28, 2039: Performing under the stage name Diana Middleton, H.R.H Princess Diana of Great Britain releases her first jazz album titled Kensington Nights with her group, the Kensington Big Band. Skeptical critics are prepared to pan the offering as the work of a royal dilettante but are pleasantly surprised at the freshness of the arrangements and sheer virtuosity of the performers. Performing mid-20th Century jazz standards, the group reinterprets them using mid-21st Century sonorities and the result is eminently listenable.

April 30th, 2039: Ringo Starr, the last surviving Beatle, passes away at the age of 98.

May 7th, 2039: A bombing at a school in Godhulpur, India, kills seventeen people, including eleven children. The perpetrators are found to be Pakistani-based terrorists, with weak links to the ISI (Pakistani Intelligence). In response, Prime Minister Chouhan threatens Pakistan's government with a extended Indian occupation, and warns that India may “take all necessary action” unless the Pakistani government cracks down on militants.

May 8th, 2039: In Niger, the rebellious Communist Party (PCN) seizes control of the desert town of Agadez, home to nearly 100,000 people. The PCN have been in rebellion since 2037, drawing support from Niger's vastly impoverished population.

May 10th, 2039: Pakistan's government, under intense pressure from India, announces that it is disbanding the ISI, and Army troops surround the ISI headquarters in Islamabad. However, the ISI refuses to disband, and in the late afternoon of May 10th, the troops close in. In the ensuing fighting, 123 troops are killed, while over 300 ISI agents die. Around 1000 former-ISI are captured, while most of the top leadership flees to the tribal areas. The remnants of the ISI's networks will be a major security problem for Pakistan in the years to come, as they work directly with Islamic militants. Vice President Kirkpatrick of the USA compares the bloody end of the ISI to the destruction of the Janissary Corps in the Ottoman empire a century and a half earlier, saying that “the loss of life is regrettable, but this action was necessary if Pakistan is to truly rejoin the world community.” The Pakistani government, meanwhile, plans to replace the intelligence function of the ISI with the Intelligence Bureau, an old, weak organization.

May 15th, 2039: Japanese general election: the opposition DPJ-Komeito coalition wins a landslide victory. The election results are as follows: DPJ 310, NFP 105, New Komeito 33, JCP 12, SDP 8, Issuikai 6, Others / non-partisan / independents 6.

May 20th, 2039: Taiwanese president Lin Yu-chun proposes the formation of the Greater Chinese Economic Sphere between China, Taiwan and Singapore. His approval rate jumps down from 64% to 49% within a week.

May 21st, 2039: A coup occurs in Niger. Democratically elected President Rhissa Boula is overthrown by the military and placed under house arrest, while General Ibrahim Salifou takes control of Niamey and most of the rest of the country. Salifou charges that Boula has not been doing enough to defend the country against communist rebels in the north, and argues that a military administration will be better suited to defend Niger.

May 28th, 2039: Gonzaguinha, the second studio album by Brazilian band El Aleatorios, is released. Downloaded more than 12 million times in the first two weeks of its release, Gonzaguinha is the best-selling album of the last twenty years in Brazil. El Aleatorios announce that they intend to go on a concert tour of the Americas in the summer, showcasing their unique music. Rolling Stone magazine, in a review of the album, coins the term Oeste Brasileiro to describe it, meaning Brazilian Occidental. Several other bands and singers have mimicked the oeste style.

June-July, 2039: The Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, makes plans to tear down Wrigley Field and move to the western suburb of Libertyville, citing “irreversible structural damage and wear”. A massive outcry results from fans, building preservationists, and Wrigleyville business owners. After consideration, the Ricketts family abandons its plan and instead invests $80 million in an extensive renovation plan. The plan rebuilds the bleachers according the original plan (while keeping the classic scoreboard) and replaces the upper section on the left-hand side.

June 1st, 2039: Hirobumi Hosono becomes Prime Minister of Japan.

June 22, 2039: On the heels of Europe and the United States, Canada passes the Copyright Act, which reduces copyright terms to 28 years from publication and legalizes non-profit filesharing.

July 7th, 2039: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Agung Baratha of the National Mandade Party is reelected to the post of President, and will serve until 2044.

July 12th-15th, 2039: The Nigerien Army retakes control of the town of Agadez from Communist Party of Niger rebels (PCN). The PCN captured Agadez in May. Later in May, the Nigerien Army led by General Salifou took over Niger in a coup in order to go on the offensive against the PCN.

July 20th, 2039: Pakistan's government launches the July Offensive against militants in the districts of Swat, Chitral, and Upper Dir. In the first two weeks of fighting, the government reports that 41 militants have been killed (as well as 4 captured and over 100 wounded), while 11 soldiers have died. However, the government has made very slow progress against the well-embedded and financed militants.

India's Prime Minister praises the offensive as a necessary second step for Pakistan after the disbandment of the ISI, but refuses to involve India's forces in any way, recognizing that this would be a huge recruiting boost for the militants.

August 3rd, 2039: NASA's long awaited mission, the Ares Prima spacecraft, lifts off from Cape Carnaveral for a short hop to Luna. On board the craft are a team of five led by lunar astronaut Marc Syter, bound for a two year round-trip endeavor to the red planet.

August 29th, 2039: At Naval Shipyard 6 in Guaymas, Sonora, construction commences on Mexico's first aircraft carrier. The expected time of completion is slated for 2045.

September 29th, 2039: Human Rights Watch releases a study on conditions in Burkina Faso, which has been under a military junta headed by General Moussa Poitroipa since 2034. The report calls the state of human rights in Burkina Faso “deplorable”, noting that the country has no free press or independent judiciary. Military tribunals are frequently used in lieu of civilian trials, and many democracy activists and journalists receive no trials at all. However, Burkina Faso still continues to receive support from Russia and India for its strong stance against Islamic extremism and favorable trade deals with those countries.

October 17th, 2039: In baseball, the New York Yankees win the World Series.

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2040

January 1st, 2040: The worldwide life expectancy for developed nations (HDI > 0.9) surpasses 90 years for the first time in history. New medical technologies, assisted greatly by effective long-chain protein modeling have allowed for great improvements in the lifespan and quality of life of those past the age of 60 in the last 20 years. Life expectancy in the developing world remains decades below that of the the developed world.

January 3rd, 2040: Both India and Russia announce their recognition of Kosovo, bringing the total number of countries recognizing the breakaway region to 119. In the wake of the announcement, Burma, Pakistan, Georgia, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia also recognize Kosovo. The UN begins to make plans to induct Kosovo into the United Nations.

January 19th, 2040: Jeun Bae, the Korean clone baby, now 18, has shown no signs of health problems or abnormalities in puberty. In the last decade, very few clones other than Bae have been known to exist. Human cloning is still widely illegal.

February 4th, 2040: President Liu Linzhi fails to win over 50% of votes in the first round of the first ever presidential election in China. He would face Zhang Jinting of the People's Revolutionary Party in the second round.
Chinese presidential election, 2040 (1st round) Liu Linzhi (CPC) 312,426,460 (48.1%) Zhang Jinting (PRP) 102,380,759 (15.8%) Li Aiguo (GNP) 102,121,811 (15.7%) Tan Xiaomeng (DJP) 92,587,847 (14.3%) Other candidates 39,434,627 (6.1%)

February 25th, 2040: President Liu Linzhi was reelected with over 65% of votes in the second round of the Chinese presidential election.

Chinese presidential election, 2040 (2nd round) Liu Linzhi (CPC) 453,695,032 (67.3%) Zhang Jinting (PRP) 238,562,613 (32.7%)

March 26th, 2040: All Nippon Spacecraft (ANS) announces that space tours to Mars would begin before 2050.

March 29th, 2040: Prime Minister Robert Milligan passes the Policing, Counter Terrorism and Security Act, more commonly known as the “Safer Britain Act” which grants never seen before powers to the security services to stop terrorism. Milligan is compared to Tony Blair for his keen interest in counter-terrorism and a second “War on Terror” is rumoured with the support of President Boone.

May 7th, 2040: Agents from IFE (Mexico's electoral commission) uncover a major voting fraud scheme undertaken by members of the PRD, including the party president, in various states in Mexico's south. Despite the resignation and subsequent arrest of the party president and secretary-general, the party loses massive support, and in a matter of months is reduced to minor party status, leaving the PRI and PAN as the two main political parties in the country.

May 9th, 2040: Slovenia and Croatia join the Federated States of Europe after a year of negotiations. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration.

May 19th, 2040: After a nearly seven month trip from Earth, Ares Prima lands on the surface of Mars, marking the first visit by humans to another planet. Astronaut Marc Syter takes the first step on the red planet, famously declaring “humanity's first steps into into the universe.” Norwegian astronaut Col. Marius Borg Høiby, (born 13 January 1997); the son of Queen Mette-Marit and stepson of King Haakon VIII of Norway becomes the second man to step on the surface of Mars becoming a Norwegian national hero.

May 20th, 2040: President Boone speaks to the Ares Prima team via satellite communication after their arrival on Mars, congratulating them on their “endeavor to pursue the frontiers of humanity's imagination.”

May 25th, 2040: It is agreed that by January 1, 2043, China, Mongolia and Taiwan will use a new currency, the East Asian Yuan (EAY).

June 23, 2040: English royal Winston Lewis marries Maori royal Atawhai Paki in a simple ceremony in Huntly, New Zealand with King William V and Queen Catherine in attendance.

June 25th, 2040: In United States v. HydroFuel Solutions, the Supreme Court of the United States rules 6-3 against HydroFuel Solutions as being in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act by coercively maintaining it's dominant market position. The court held that where the primary purpose of an action, as was HydroFuel's aggressive strategy of purchasing start up chains, was to eliminate competitors or potential competitors without regard to ordinary functional requirements of business (many of the acquisitions were loss making with HydroFuel never intending to credibly make them profitable) then that was enough to have such deemed as a coercive rather than innocent monopoly.

June 26th, 2040: Mongolian prime minister Borjigin Narantsetseg is nearly assassinated in Tsetserleg.

June 30th, 2040: Talks begin among members of the Indian Ocean International Community (IOIC) on creating a unified currency, the South Asian rupee. Currently, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives already use currencies called rupee. In addition, the Bhutanese ngultrum and both the Nepalese and Maldivian rupee are pegged to the Indian rupee. Thus, it is hoped that the South Asian rupee can be introduced within 10-15 years.

July 1st, 2040: For the first time in over a century, Mexicans vote for the reelection of their President, giving incumbent Vicente Izaguirre the majority of votes required to forestall a runoff election. He is largely credited with bringing Mexico back from the grips of recession, maintaining a healthy 70% approval rating among Mexicans. His victory was also made possible by the PRD's fall from grace as a viable political force, as many former PRD voters throw their lot in with the PRI.

July 26th, 2040: Mongolia expels the American ambassador, claiming that he was involved in the assassination attempt against him. The United States responds by doing the same.

August 1st, 2040: In a constitutional crisis, Chinese President Liu Linzhi uses his “reserved power” and dismisses Foreign Minister He Minghua without the approval of fellow Communist Premier Jian Lo.

August 3rd - 19th, 2040: The 2040 Summer Olympic Games are held in Chennai, India. The tournament closes with India having won the most medals, followed by the United States.

August 4th, 2040: Chinese President Liu Linzhi appoints Li Aiguo, Chairman of the far-right Grand National Party the new Foreign Minister of China. Jian Lo refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the appointment.

August 5th, 2040: President Alexander Boone and Vice President Ryan Kirkpatrick are renominated at the Democratic National Convention in New York City.

August 15th, 2040: On the 96th Anniversary of the Japanese surrender in the Second World War, Chinese President Liu Linzhi delivers the “New Huanggutun” speech, comparing the United States to militarist Japan, and calls on East Asian countries to be united against the rise of American neoimperialism. In the speech, Liu Linzhi said the assassination attempt on Borjigin Narantsetseg is the modern Huanggutun Incident. US President
Alexander R. Boone angrily denies US involvement in the Tsetserleg Incident.

August 17th, 2040: Michigan Senator Kirk Wythe and Oklahoma Governor James M. Rovenerou are nominated for President and Vice President, respectively, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

August 18th, 2040: Republican senators call for the immediate suspension of all diplomatic ties with China, but President Boone maintains that the United States is willing to solve all disputes with China and Mongolia through diplomacy.

August 20th, 2040: Mongolia announces to expel all Americans from Mongolian borders.

September 1st, 2040: Violating the Shanghai Accords, China deploys missiles in Fujian province. Taiwan threatens to withdraw from the East Asian Dollar zone.

September 2nd, 2040: Princess Philippa, eldest daughter of British King William V and Queen Catherine wins the title of World Reigning Champion at the 2040 FEI World Equestrian Games in Punchestown, Ireland with her horse Beedlebomb. After attending Marlborough College as a girl and graduating from the University of Exeter, the princess followed in the footsteps of her father’s first cousin Zara Tindall and pursued a career in horse racing.

September 11th, 2040: It is reported that Chinese president Liu Linzhi claims that the September 11th incident 29 years ago was an inside job.

September 12th, 2040: In all major cities in China, huge demonstations against a possible new Cold War and the presidency of Liu Linzhi break out.

September 14th, 2040: Liu Linzhi breaks the silence and denies having said that September 11th was an inside job. However, 483 Communist MPs, along with the Democratic Justice Party and the People's Revolutionary Party, calls for the impeachment of President Liu Linzhi.

September 15th, 2040: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia recognize Kosovo's sovereignty.

September 16th, 2040: In an appeal hearing, former MI5 Director General Nicholas Randall, having served 15 of his 39 year sentence admits that he had been recruited by the FSB in 2002 and had served as a mole for 23 of his 28 years in MI5. He is denied release by a panel of judges and by the Milligan government.

September 17th, 2040: In China, Chengdu Mayor Tan Xiaomeng of the opposition Democratic Justice Party is assassinated by a Mongolian.

September 24th, 2040: In China, Acting DJP President Fang Xiongwen accuses President Liu Linzhi of being behind the death of Tan, intensifying calls to impeach President Liu.

September 30th, 2040: The Chinese parliament begins impeachment procedures against President Liu Linzhi.

October 1st, 2040: President Liu Linzhi orders General Wang Yuanan to storm the parliament, General Wang refuses and secretly recorded the order.

October 7th, 2040: After the release of tapes that President Liu Linzhi had ordered General Wang to storm the parliament, the Communist Party of China expels President Liu Linzhi. President Liu announces to join the far-right Grand National Party. The approval rating of President Liu is at 42%, while 54% disapprove the way he handles the presidency.

October 8th, 2040: Icebreaking between China and the United States - Chinese premier Jian Lo and US President Alexander R. Boone meet in Tokyo, Japan. Premier Lo officially apologizes for President Liu's “New Huanggutun” speech and 9-11 inside job accusation. Both sides agress to resume talks on further cooperation in the development of renewable energy.

October 10th, 2040: In China, 430 pro-Liu MPs leave the Communist Party and joins the Grand National Party, the CPC now has 571 MPs, while the GNP has 532 MPs. The CPC forms an alliance with the Democratic Justice Party, and Jian Lo remains Premier. Riots between the supporters and opponenets of President Liu break out throughout the country.

October 13th, 2040: “Judicial coup”; In China, the Supreme People's Prosecutorate orders the arrest of President Liu Linzhi, charging him with high treason.

October 14th, 2040: Despite apparently having enough votes to escape impeachment in the parliament, Chinese President Liu Linzhi seeks political asylum in Mongolia, and is replaced by Vice President Wu Ruiqi, the first female head of state in China since Wu Zetian in 690. President Wu announces that she is invited by President Bronne to visit the United States, and she favours the end of Sino-American hostility.

October 16th, 2040: Chinese President Wu Ruiqi sacks Foreign Minister Li Aiguo, and appoints DJP leader Fang Xiongwen Foreign Minister on the request of Premier Jian Lo. At the same time, China removes all missiles in Fujian province targeting Taiwan.

October 18th, 2040: After it is revealed that the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party has received illegal funding from former Chinese President Liu Linzhi, the government of Mongolian prime minister Borjigin Narantsetseg is defeated by a no-confidence motion. He is replaced by Jalair “Askaa” Arslandorj, a close ally of the United States, of the Mongolian Democratic Party.

October 19th, 2040: In baseball, the Cleveland Indians win the World Series.

October 20th, 2040: A CNN poll finds that 57% of the American public favor stronger relations with Europe, India, Indonesia China, and Japan. This is largely seen as a victory for the Boone Administration's championing of Globalization.

October 22nd, 2040: Mongolia and the United States restore diplomatic relations.

November 3rd, 2040: In the US Presidential Election, incumbent President Alexander Boone (D) manages to defeat Senator of Michigan Kirk Wythe (R) to win a second term.

President Alexander Boone (D-VA) / Vice President Ryan Kirkpatrick (D-IL) - 398 EV - 55.1% PV Senator Kirk Wythe (R-MI) / General John McIntyre, Ret. (R-OK) - 140 EV - 42.9% PV

House of Representatives Democratic: 219 seats (+14) Republican: 216 seats
Senate Democratic: 52 seats (+2) Republican: 48 seats (-2)

November 11th, 2040: Mongolian president Gantulga Sanjaagiin (PRP) and prime minister Ja. Askaa (MDP) visits China and hold a meeting with Wu Ruiqi, the newly-sworn in Chinese president and premier Jian Lo.

November 12th, 2040: Despite Ja. Askaa's previous engagement with the United States, China and Mongolia agree to share and jointly develop the remaining rare earth minerals in both countries. Citing the “scarcity of rare earth minerals”, China and Mongolia both decide to limit the exports of rare earth minerals to any other countries.

November 13th, 2040: In response of the Sino-Mongolian agreement, US President Alexande Boone and Japanese prime minister Hirobumi Hosono urge China and Mongolia to ensure the stable supply of rare earth minerals.

December 22th, 2040: Outraged by the Sino-Mongolian decision, the Taiwanese electorate votes to withdraw from the proposed East Asian Dollar Zone in a referendum.
 
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2041-50

Note: apologies for any spelling errors - it's simply too labor-intensive to check for all possible mistakes. Hope you enjoy the timeline!

2041-50

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2041

January 1st, 2041: For the first time ever, the highest annually grossing movie in America is not an American film. Maybe Someday, an Indian romantic comedy set in India, the UK, and the US grosses $612 million in the North American market.

January 4th, 2041: Under the Consitution of 2038, the People's Republic of China is officially renamed as the United Provinces of China. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of China renames itself as the Union for Development and Prosperity (UDP).

January 12th, 2041: Beginning of the Kazakh crisis. Kazakhstan applies to join A'ama (the Islamic Nations of Freedom). This alarms both Russia and Kazakhstan's Orthodox Christian minority, counted at over 20% in the last census. Kazakhstan has been liberalizing since the death of dictator Timur Kulibayev in 2027.

January 17th, 2041: The ESA pushes back it's Europa lander plans indefinitely, due to financial constraints. The ASF considers designing a similar craft, but will be unable to do so for several years, and labels it “a venture for a future generation”.

January 18th-20th, 2041: Kazakh crisis continues: riots in Almaty by Orthodox Christians. They are worried that Kazakshtan's possible accession to the Islamic Nations of Freedom (A'ama) will be the first step in a restriction of their religious liberties. Meanwhile, the Union State puts considerable pressure on Turkey and Egypt to persuade A'ama to reject the Kazakh application on two grounds - not a fully Islamic nation, and not a liberal nation.

January 27th, 2041: Kazakhstan announces that it will reconsider its application to A'ama in the form of a referendum. In the referendum, to be held on March 1st, every one of Kazakhstan's 14 provinces must return a majority in favor of the application. This is regarded as a compromise solution because two of the provinces have Christian-majority populations, and Christians have been very skeptical of the proposed accession.

February 20th, 2041: Kazakh crisis: The Union State's Caspian Sea Fleet requests permission to dock in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Permission is granted following Union State pressure on the country's government. The move is seen as a not-so-subtle form of intimidation before Kazakhstan's March 1st referendum on whether to join A'ama.

February 21st, 2041: President Boone introduces the American Comprehensive Health Coverage Act to Congress, which aims to establish a single-payer system sponsored by the federal government. It is the most sweeping reform attempted since Kirsten Gillibrand's passage of E-CHIP in 2017.

February 25th, 2041: Congress begins debate on President Boone's American Comprehensive Health Coverage Act, which is seen as a continuation of the work that President Barack Obama started. President Obama's bill is widely viewed as bringing mixed results, succeeding in reducing deficits, but not in bringing down healthcare costs substantially.

March 1st, 2041: Kazakh crisis: Kazakhstan holds its nationwide referendum on whether or not to join A'ama. Every one of the 14 provinces must vote in support of joining A'ama in order for Kazakhstan's application to go forward. Results show that the referendum passes - in North Kazakhstan Province, the closest, 52.8% of voters supported joining A'ama. Analysts believe that Russia's naval intimidation repulsed many Christian voters, who prefer A'ama's open system to Union State domination.

March 4th, 2041: The People's Supreme Court rules that the decision of former President Liu Linzhi to sack Foreign Minister He Minghua in August 2040 was illegal since the reserved powers should only be used either with the consent of the premier under a state of emergency - which should only be declared upon an request by the premier, with the consent of the premier, or in the absence of the premier. In response to the ruling, president Wu Ruiqi declares that she would act only as a figurehead unless under emergency conditions, thus temporarily solving the Chinese Constitutional Crisis. Nevertheless, the People's Supreme Court also rules that the President has independent diplomatic and military duties that the Premier has no right to intervene.

March 17th, 2041: CRN construction at the Continental Divide in Colorado suffers a tragic setback when a tunnel collapses, killing 24 workers. This causes a significant delay in completion of the transcontinental route, with a revised completion date of 2049.

March 18th, 2041: In the match of Energie Cottbus against 1. FC Union Berlin, Energie Cottbus fields 6 women and 5 men, thus making it the first top-flight (Bundesliga) game in which one team plays with a majority of women.

March 20th, 2041: The monthlong 2041 World Baseball Classic closes in Havana, Cuba. Thailand emerges as the surprising champions, beating out Cuba for the title. Thailand owes much of its success to its star Suruchai Suksomkit, who plays for the Hawaii Islanders. In third place are the Americans, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Japan.

March 22nd, 2041: Element 137 is discovered and immediately, without all the approval processes, named Feynmanium (Fy), after the famed quantum physicist Richard Feynman.

April 10th, 2041: Kazakhstan joins A'ama as the organization's 12th member, a geostrategic defeat for the Union State.

April 12th, 2041: Following a further general election, Robert Milligan loses power as the Conservatives' gain a 60 seat majority with Max Rodgers becoming Prime Minister.

At a West African regional conference, the leaders of thirteen West African nations announce their intention to construct a massive transport line running from Dakar in Senegal to Douala in Cameroon, a distance of approximately 4,800 km. The “transport corridor”, as they call it, would consist of parallel high-speed rail, highway, and power-transmission lines, with branches to major cities en route like Konakry, Monrovia, Kumasi, and Ibadan. The project will be mostly financed by the thirteen West African countries (Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon), although the Joint Development and Free Trade Pact (“Alliance for Democracy) will provide 15% of the funds necessary and Europe and the US will jointly contribute 10%. The countries involved set up a committee, the West African Infrastructure Network Committee (WAINC) to oversee the project.

April 19th, 2041: The Thor Orbital Weapons Station goes online, American 24 hour global response is declared operational by President Boone.

April 28th, 2041: International response to PGS is negative and several countries announce either counters or their own global strike plans.

May 1st, 2041: J.K. Rowling releases The Compendium, a fiction novel focusing on a small town in Scotland. Written for adults, the book sells excellently and is critically well-received.

May 6th, 2041: The last of the Vesuvian refugee camps is finally closed. Naples and several other towns have been rebuilt, although there is a population cap on each one. In addition, all the buildings are designed to withstand at least 2 feet of ash fall. The total population of the area is around 200,000. Naples is capped at 100,000, while most of the land is converted to agriculture. The region will, in the future, be known as the “Farm of Italy” because of its low population and extreme agricultural productivity. A new city, Vesuvio, with a population of around 800,000 former refugees, has sprung up in Northern Italy south of Milan. Other former inhabitants of the Napoli area are spread all over Italy. It is decided that Pompeii will not be re-excavated, in order to keep it preserved within the rock. Rather, the area is well-marked and the location recorded for future generations. A partial replica is built on top of the rock where Pompei once stood.

May 10th, 2041: China tests an anti-satellite missile, destroying a high orbiting defunct communications satellite.

May 29th, 2041: China, Mongolia, and the Philippines recognize Kosovo. Three weeks later, Kosovo is inducted as a UN member, and is recognized by every state except Serbia.

July 11th, 2041: The United States military begins highly-secretive research on genetically engineering viruses for bio-weapons purposes, codenamed the Ivanovski Project (after the Russian biologist who first classified viruses in 1892).

July 20th, 2041: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Barack Obama announces that he will step down at the end of the year, around October. The Obama Supreme Court has produced many important cases in US History, from McToole (legalizing gay marriage) to Jeffries vs. Support America's Future (overturned Citizens United and limited the rights of corporations) to Kidd vs. Utah and several others.

August 5-7th, 2041: The 50th annual Lollapalooza music festival occurs in Grant Park, Chicago, USA. Headlined by Keys, Annie Alanda, and The Black Snakes, the massive event draws approximately seven hundred thousand spectators.

August 30th, 2041: At the 2041 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, Princess Philippa meets Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, the eldest child and heir of Reigning Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and his wife Princess Sophie. Although twenty years her senior (b. 24 May 1995 in London), and carrying the reputation of a playboy, the princess falls hard for the 46 year old prince.

October 4th, 2041: After months of determined opposition from Republicans and the few Democratic members in Congress, the American Comprehensive Health Coverage Act is signed into law by President Boone. The establishment of a universal health care system would be the landmark domestic achievement of Boone's second term, which was mainly focused on foreign policy.

October 13th, 2041: In baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series.

October 20th, 2041: A Gallup Poll shows that 69% of Americans now use the Day/Month/Year format for dating in everyday use. This switchover from the previously used Month/Day/Year format is viewed as a key success of the Gillibrand Administration in integrating the United States into the global community.

December 1st, 2041: Polish Foreign Minister Józef Adamowicz is elected to the post of United Nations Secretary-General.

December 25th, 2041: On Christmas Day, Maysa Monjardim, the lead singer of Brazilian band El Aleatorios, marries her bandmate Marlos Nobre. The wedding, a huge spectacle for the Brazilian media, costs 40 million reals, and has over three thousand guests.

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2042

February 8th, 2042: The XXIX Winter Olympiad opens in Harbin, United Provinces of China.

March 11th, 2042: Perennial Crop Sustainability Project begins in the U.S. and India to genetically modify perennial plants to yield adequate food. If annual crops could be converted to perennial counterparts, fertilizer use would be drastically reduced, as well as the need for vast amounts of land.

April 1st, 2042: Brazilian band El Aleatorios releases their third album, entitled Braguinha. The band also announces that they will tour worldwide in fall 2042, and then no longer perform live; guaranteeing that tickets to their shows are sold out almost immediately. Braguinha, meanwhile, is downloaded 40 million times in April, and reaches #10 on the American downloads list, the highest ever for a Brazilian band.

May 9th, 2042: The Czech Republic joins the Federated States of Europe after a year and a half of negotiations. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration.

May 15th, 2042: With funding from the Gates Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy, the Eden National Fusion Laboratory is founded in Eden, Wyoming. The lab is run by a young husband-and-wife couple, James and Victoria Upendowema. The two were both educated at Harvey Mudd and RPI, and are immigrants from the East African Federation. The goal of the laboratory is to develop affordable nuclear fusion technology within twenty years.

May 20th, 2042: As the final step in a ten-year transition to constitutional monarchy, the Sultan of Oman, Taimur bin Feisal, signs over his executive powers to the Prime Minister, Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said.

In his first major act, Prime Minister al Said declares that Oman will withdraw from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), citing “a disturbing lack of conscience for the rights of millions”. He also introduces legislation to Assembly to grant full citizenship to all residents living within the country's borders by 2044, stating “it's time to correct the mistakes of the past and consider everyone living in Oman as Omanis, regardless of their backgrounds.”

June 4th, 2042: Edward, Prince of Wales graduates from the University of Chicago with an archaeology Ph.d in pre-Columbian South American civilizations.

June 19th, 2042: NASA's Jovian Moon Explorer reaches Europa and descends miles below the icy surface in its search for the theoretical ocean beneath. The ocean is discovered, and the probe releases a submarine robot that discovers both unicellular life and multicellular life beneath the surface of Europa. Simple chemotrophic “bacteria” exist in the water as scarce tufts and mats. Tiny “animals” much like filter-feeding worms line the bottom of the ice, straining the water of free-floating chemotrophs and other animals. The discovery of extraterrestrial life is regarded as one of the single-most important discoveries of all time.

July 21st, 2042: The twenty-seventh FIFA World Cup concludes in Nigeria, marking the second time the World Cup is held in Africa (after South Africa 2010). Nigeria wins the championship 3-1 over Germany. The Nigerian President, John Amarafa, declares July 21st a national holiday, and over seven million Nigerians take part in the victory parade in Lagos on the 25th. An estimated 865 million people watch the final match.

August 5th, 2042: The United Nations Health Office declares that malaria has been fully eradicated, making it the fourth disease made extinct by humans. The last known case killed 3-year old Thomas Nlolo in 2039.

September 17th, 2042: After a two year journey to Mars, Ares Prima returns to NASA's lunar base, and the crew is shuttled back to Earth shortly after.

September 21st, 2042: Ares Prima captain Marc Syter and his team meet with President Boone and Space Secretary Jake Sky. It is a particularly emotional moment for both Syter and Sky, as they were the pioneers of America's return to the Moon and now America's mission to Mars, and are famously photographed embracing each other in hugs as former crewmates on the 2030 lunar mission.

September 30th, 2042: The Pittsburgh Pirates secure the best record in the NL with a 100-62 record. Rookie Pirate pitcher Jay Kelvin will win the NL Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young for going 22-6 with a 2.98 ERA and 201 K's.

October 5th, 2042: Dr. James Kirkland and his associates reveal what is dubbed by the media as “the first robotic soldier”, which can independently analyse a battlefield and fire weaponry. In practice, however, the US military will only contemplate using it as a recon unit and as a self contained heavy weapons support unit under the close supervision of a human operator. The unit relies on adjustable all terrain tracks, with a reliable bipedal unit rigorous enough for battlefield use still being a way off.

October 26th, 2042: The Pittsburgh Pirates s to the Chicago White Sox to win the World Series for the first time in 63 years. They had broken their play off drought in 2015, but even with three NL championships in a total of 10 play-off appearances since then it took until 2042 to win a World Series.

November 3rd, 2042: A Scientific American article discusses the rise of “vertical farming” - urban skyscrapers which grow food for the city they're in. There are now more than 80 large vertical farms worldwide, including 6 in Chicago, which led the way with The Farm at Lake Michigan in 2028. 12 more are under construction across the world, and many cities are planning to incorporate vertical farming into their long-term strategic planning.

December 19th, 2042: British Prime Minister Max Rodgers and Chinese Premier Jian Lo sign the historic Anglo-China Strategic Platform, a landmark step in foreign policy for both nations with shared resources as both nations are in the top 5 of renewable energy markets. In an effort to prevent a new Cold War, both men are keen to stop any kind of arms race. The White House however openly condemns the Platform.

December 27th, 2042: President Boone orders DEFCON 3 for US forces in the Pacific.

December 29th, 2042: In a joint press conference, baseball players and twin brothers Luiz and Paolo Gushiken announce their retirements and return to Brazil, their home country. The two intend to help found a professional league in Brazil. Interest in baseball has picked up across Brazil in recent years, largely due to the stellar careers and large followings of the Gushiken brothers. A recent Folha de S.Paulo newspaper article noted that over 500,000 young Brazilians play in youth leagues across the country. Brazilians frequently play a modified version of the game, called Brazilian ball or beisebol. Major features of beisebol include only seven innings, shorter bases, and a denser ball, which allows for faster pitches for more muscular throwers.

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2043

January 2nd, 2043: From London, Prime Minister Rodgers addresses the nation and pledges that the Platform will work. He openly seeks to defy his critics.

January 3rd, 2043: Despite deep reservations on the part of both sets of parents, both Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and King William V of Gr to Britain give their consent for their children Prince Joseph Wenzel and Princess Philippa to wed. Princess Philippa converts to Catholicism.

January 12th, 2043: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Moreland resigns from Cabinet in protest at the Platform. He is replaced by the Chief Secretary, Catherine Shepherd.

January 15th, 2043: A train is derailed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing 149 passengers. An hour after emergency services and curious passerby arrive, armed gunmen attack from all sides, killing a further 42 people. Known as the Alunguli Massacre, the perpetrators are unknown for several days, until a group called the Soldiers of Christian Zaire takes responsibility. In a statement, the groups' leader, André Lubaya, explains his actions: “Over the past several generations, Muslim proselytizers have entered our land and corrupted our people. Now it is said that almost half of our people are infidels of the murderous faith. This must be rectified. The Soldiers of Christian Zaire will not stop until Zaire is cleansed of this filth.” This is generally marked as the start of the Fourth Congo War (also known as the Third Congolese Civil War).

January 20th, 2043: A summit between the US, UK and China ends with an agreement that the Platform will not affect any areas of US territory on the condition that the US does not seek to arm.

March 8, 2043: Tanya Banilov (b. 1919), believed to be the oldest living person in the world, dies at the astounding age of 133 years. Medical professionals attribute her longevity to a mixture of genetics and her own healthy lifestyle: she was a veteran of World War II (AKA The Gr to Patriotic War) and a factory worker during the Soviet era. Incidentally, she is also the last living Soviet veteran of World War II, and her body is laid to rest in a specially constructed tomb in Red Square after a state funeral.

March 15th, 2043: Japanese general election: the ruling DPJ-Komeito coalition wins a comfortable victory. The election results are as follows: DPJ 289, NFP 127, New Komeito 32, JCP 13, SDP 6, Issuikai 6, Others / non-partisan / independents 7.

April 2nd, 2043: 21 year old power hitting phenom Brian Pollard makes his MLB debut with the Portland Athletics. He ends his rookie year with a .273 average and 150 K's, but hits 36 home runs, good enough for 3rd in the league and to win the AL Rookie of the Year. It is the beginning of a long, successful career.

April 5th, 2043: Vice President Ryan Kirkpatrick of the United States announces his intention to run for President in the 2044 election. The move, although widely anticipated for some time, came as a blow to Republicans, because both the outgoing President and the VP had high approval ratings.

May 12th, 2043: The health reform bill is revoked by the Rodgers government in favour of a watered down proposal, despite his environmental reform and community support legislation questions are arising about the Prime Minister's effectiveness especially as Denis Moreland waits on the backbenches.

May 14th, 2043: Just one month before the Chinese parliamentary election, Chinese premier Jian Lo, British prime minister Max Rodgers, Mongolian prime minister Ja. Askaa and Korean president Son Bae-sook sign the General Agreement on Rare Earth Minerals (GAREM). China and Mongolia agree to allow more exports of rare earth minerals to Korea and the United Kingdom.

June 7th, 2043: In whto journalists call the Wedding of the Year, Prince Joseph Wenzel and Princess Philippa are wed in Westminster Abbey, the Catholic Bishop of London, Alan Rogers presiding.

Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain graduates from the King’s College Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery in London fully qualified as a nurse.

June 8th, 2043: A special feature is published in Sports Illustrated entitled “Ten Years of Mexican Baseball”. The article discusses the fortunes of the three Mexican expansion teams (the Mexico City Devils, the Mexicali Vaqueros, and the Monterrey Sultans). All three have become profitable, and Monterrey has reached an average attendance of 34,000 fans. Despite the fact that only 20% of Mexicans describe themselves as baseball fans, the three teams have been able to cultivate a loyal fanbase in their hometowns. The Vaqueros have developed an intense rivalry with the San Diego Padres, who play in the same division.

June 14th, 2043: The ruling coalition between the Union for Development and Prosperity and the Democratic Justice Party wins another term in the Chinese parliamentary election.

Chinese parliamentary election, 2043 UDP-DJP coalition 336,981,225 (48%) 793 (53.1%) [Union for Development and Prosperity (UDP) 190,126,951 (27.1%) 506 (33.9%) Democratic Justice Party (DJP) 146,864,274 (20.9%) 287 (19.2%)] Grand National Party (GNP) 284,834,857 (40.6%) 632 (42.3%) People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) 58,145,971 (8.3%) 55 (3.7%) Others/independents 21,622,101 (3.1%) 14 (0.9%) Total: 701,594,154 (100%) 1494 (100%) Incumbent Pemier: Jian Lo (UDP-DJP coalition)

June 17th, 2043: After several years of enjoying each other’s company after both were brutally shown that life is short, 76-year-old King Willem IV of the Netherlands (b. 27 April 1967), marries the 70-year-old dowager Queen of Wallonia, Mathilde (nee d'Udekem d'Acoz, b. 20 January 1973) in Sedona, Arizona. Queen Mathilde becomes Queen Consort of the Netherlands after previously holding the position as Queen Consort of Belgium and then Queen Consort of Wallonia beside her first husband, Philippe.

August 1st, 2043: The city of Los Angeles announces an ambitious plan to install navigation systems on all city streets to assist with the growing number of automatic piloting vehicles in the US.

August 6, 2043: King William V of Gr to Britain is chosen again by the Australian Parliament as President of Australia.

September 29th, 2043: President Boone declares the North Atlantic Diplomatic Pact, an economic and political alliance between the United States, Federal Europe, and Canada, during a conference with the European President and Canadian Prime Minister. The new alliance effectively makes NATO a powerless entity on the international stage, especially since Britain has moved away diplomatically from Europe and America in the past ten years and closer to China, though the organization will continue to exist primarily as an instrument for humanitarian operations in Europe and parts of Africa. Historians would later view this as the beginning of heightened tensions between the multiple power blocs of the world, known as the Globalization War. British Prime Minister Max Rodgers declares his intentions to move the United Kingdom further away from the powers of Europe, and towards closer relations with China.

September 29th, 2043: The Pittsburgh Pirates win their second consecutive NL Central berth and for the second season have the best record in the NL, going 102-60.

October 5th, 2043: A new form of media is opened up with the release of the DigiGlasses Gamma, by Microsoft. With the power of the glasses now dramatically increased over the 8 years since the development cycle began, the spectacles are now able to process realistic environments. Soon after their release, a program that allows interactive ability with these processed environments. The technology reportedly was first developed by the United States Military in the 2030s. Some call these programs “virtual reality”, but the news media, having long forgotten the dreams of the 1990s, call them “interactives”. The name sticks.

October 7th, 2043: Prime Minister Max Rodgers makes his infamous “Britain is Global” speech where he outlines a policy of closer relations with Asia and America. After the many economic crises of earlier decades in Europe, the Prime Minister is keen to protect his own economy and avoid being dragged down by what he calls “the tyranny of European federalism”. The Prime Minister is seen as the most Eurosceptic since Margaret Thatcher.

October 28th, 2043: In baseball, the Kansas City Royals win the World Series, beating the rep to attempting Pittsburgh Pirates in 5 games. The Pirates are utterly dominated as their offense falls apart from the stress of a 5 game NLDS and a 7 game NLCS.

November 18th, 2043: Prime Minister Rodgers announces that Britain and Japan have signed a treaty to increase and co-operate on technology production. The UK government wants Britain to lead the West on technology by 2050.

December 31st, 2043: King Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz (b. 1945) dies of bone cancer. The last surviving son of Saudia Arabia founder King Abdul-Aziz bin Saud, the aged king is succeeded by Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (b. 1970) as King Faisal II.

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2044

January-September, 2044: Uruguay suffers through a deep recession caused by a drought, leading to a fall in cattle production, as well as a deficit in the state-supported welfare system. The recession causes protests in Uruguay against ALADEC. Protestors say that ALADEC's “quasi-socialism” is ruining the economy of export-oriented Uruguay.

January 1st, 2044: Oman grants citizenship to all persons living within its borders, thus giving rights to its 4 million South Asian residents, who are now the majority.

January 12th, 2044: Signs show that the British economy is beginning to pick up with unemployment low, however inflation is still at record levels and housing prices are at an all time low. Rodgers' government takes a hit in public support for this.

January 14th, 2044: NASA releases information regarding terrestrial samples of the Martian surface brought back from the Ares Prima mission, suggesting that life May have existed on Mars in the past, as microbe-like structures were discovered in rocks and contained organic molecules.

January 20th, 2044: The second book in J.K. Rowling's Compendium series, entitled The Assortment, is released. Selling over 10 million copies in its first week, the book cements Rowling's reputation as one of the greatest writers of the last fifty years. Reviewers note that her writing style has improved dramatically in quality from the first of her Harry Potter stories, while “her ability to conjure up enthralling stories remains unparalleled.”

February 2nd, 2044: In probably the most pro-American speech of his Premiership, Prime Minister Rodgers praises the platform and ideals of Vice President Kirkpatrick while not offering an endorsement. The two men are good friends and of similar age, Kirkpatrick being born in 1992 and Rodgers in 1994 and had previously worked together when Rodgers served as British Home Secretary in the Crewe government and Kirkpatrick as the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

February 21st, 2044: The conservative President of France, Charles Lescalier announces that he is going to propose a law to eliminate bargaining via union rights causing uproar in France.

March 2nd, 2044: With the French controversy over unions, other nations begin to question their own policies which results in political debate in many nations.

April-May, 2044: Parliamentary elections are held in India, with over 815 million people voting. The current Prime Minister, Raj Chouhan, is popular with voters; however, his policies of de-regulation have made him unappetizing to many in the lower classes, who feel they are not being heard. The Left Front has been polling well in poorer districts, and is expected to gain seats. Nevertheless, due to continued anti-Pakistani sentiment, he is expected to be re-elected. In addition, his main opponent, Naboo Singh, is caught on an open mic saying that “Pakistan has always been forthcoming with us.” After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:

Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 261 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 184 seats Left Front: 62 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 21 seats Independents: 5 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats (Government in bold)

In order to control a majority, the PKP is forced to ally with the BJP and promise to not tolerate any “misbehavior” from Pakistan. The new government, controlling 288 seats and with Chouhan remaining PM, appears to be more radical than the old. The NDP immediately begins to positions itself as the sensible voice of moderation once again, in contrast to the BJP. The BJP's powerful leader, Jayanto Lahiri, warns that there is “a Muslim plot within India to destroy the very fabric of our nation.”

April 2nd, 2044: In Burkina Faso, a seven year old boy and two of his friends are publicly executed by a corrupt police chief for stealing seven apples. While the police chief is quickly arrested by the ruling military junta, the executions spark protests in Ouagadougou and several other cities around the country.

April 4-7th, 2044: General Moussa Poitroipa, leader of Burkina Faso's junta, calls in the Army to crack down on protestors. Over 89 protestors are killed and 115 wounded in the four-day crackdown, which succeeds in stifling protests.

April 9th, 2044: India announces that it will suspend its financial aid to Burkina Faso in the wake of a violent crackdown on protests there.

April 20th, 2044: In Burkina Faso, the Sankarist Pan-African Convention (CPS) party begins an armed struggle against the country's ruling military junta. Led by charismatic young Gnisso Konate, the party pledges to restore the “values of the great Thomas Sankara” to Burkina Faso, and pledges support for democracy and human rights.

April 28th, 2044: Indian and American intelligent agencies jointly make a covert offer to support the Sankarist Pan-African Convention in their violent struggle against the military junta in Burkina Faso. However, party leader Gnisso Konate turns them down, saying that Sankarist principles mean that Africans must work without outside interference to solve their own issues.

April 30th, 2044: Princess Philippa of Gr to Britain gives birth to a son, Prince William Johannes James Alois who is not only a prince of the United Kingdom but heir to the throne of Liechtenstein. The small handful of Jacobites in the world of 2044 rejoice as the baby prince is third in line for the British throne not only by British law but also by Jacobite rules of descent from the House of Stuart, replaced by the House of Hanover in Gr to Britain in 1714.

July 8th, 2044: In a referendum, the people of Lesotho vote to join the Republic of South Africa as a province. 62.8% of the populace, as well as the monarch and Prime Minister, support the annexation. Lesotho has been economically merged into South Africa since the 2020s, but the raging AIDS epidemic destroyed any South African interest in allowing Lesotho to join them. However, since the Project effectively ended AIDS in Lesotho, the idea has become more popular both within Lesotho and within South Africa.

July 8th, 2044: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Ateng Wahyudi of the Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2049

In a referendum, the people of Lesotho vote to join the Republic of South Africa as a province. 62.8% of the populace, as well as the monarch and Prime Minister, support the annexation. Lesotho has been economically merged into South Africa since the 2020s, but the raging AIDS epidemic destroyed any South African interest in allowing Lesotho to join them. However, since the Project effectively ended AIDS in Lesotho, the idea has become more popular both within Lesotho and within South Africa.

June 10th, 2044: Mt. Hood in the Cascades Range erupts unexpectedly and violently, in a manner similar to Mt. Saint Helens in 1980. Approximately 120 people fall victim and ash falls over much of the Pacific Northwest. Nicholas Medforth-Mills, a retired executive with the food giant Nestle and heir to the defunct Romanian throne is among the dead; his passing is barely noted in Romania.

July 17th, 2044: The Soldiers of Christian Zaire kidnap Interior Minister Esdras Bahekwa of the Democratic Republic of the Zaire. The 73 year old Bahekwa had been the first Muslim Prime Minister of the DRC, and had “retired” to the Department of the Interior. After being tortured for several days, Bahekwa is personally executed by André Lubaya, the leader of the SCZ. Video of the entire process is released on the SCZ's website, leading to worldwide outrage. Thus far, the Third Congolese Civil War has claimed over 5000 lives.

July 25th-28th, 2044: Democratic National Convention; Vice President Ryan Kirkpatrick is unanimously nominated as the Democratic nominee for President. Kirkpatrick taps California Governor Antonin Solis as his running mate, the first Hispanic vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket.

July 31st-August 15th, 2044: The 2044 Summer Olympic Games are held in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament closes with China having won the most medals, followed by the United States.

August 14th, 2044: Popular former Senator from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, as well as devout Mormon Hiram Romney Morales, is elected President of Mexico, becoming the first Protestant President in that country's history, gaining the majority of votes in a runoff election against PRI candidate Guillermo Cazares. The young president is most famously known as a distant relative of former American President Mitt Romney.

Hiram Romney Morales (PAN): 52.33% Guillermo Cazares Cruz (PRI): 47.67%

September 1st, 2044: The Conferência de Beisebol do Brasil (CBB), Brazil's first professional baseball league plays its first game. The Sao Paolo Caçadores win over the Brasilia Senadores, 8-2. The Conferência plays by a Brazilian variant of the game, known as beisebol.The CBB was founded by former MLB stars Luiz and Paolo Gushiken, Japanese-Brazilian twin-brothers. With eight teams across Brazil, the CBB is indicative of baseball's growing popularity in the country. While commentators agree that baseball will never replace football as the most popular sport, it has settled into a comfortable niche and is the second most-watched sport in Brazil.

September 1st, 2044: In an elaborate ceremony, the Kingdom of Lesotho ceases to exist and becomes the Sotho Province of South Africa. The monarchy will be a specially protected subnational institution, while the new province will have some special autonomous powers for 10 years, after which it will become identical to other South African provinces. The annexation was approved by the people of Lesotho in July and by the parliament of South Africa in August.

September 23rd, 2044: The documentary Renegado, Sin Fronteras (Es. Renegade, Without Borders) hit North American theaters to wide acclaim. Directed by Tess Cuarón, the daughter of famed Mexican film director Alfonso Cuarón, the film follows Mexican President-elect Hiram Romney's climb to victory through the 2044 presidential campaign, illustrating him as a candidate for change running against the decrepit PRI and the PAN's conservative elites, as well as his appeal to everyday Mexicans despite his Anglo-Saxon and Mormon heritage. The film does well on opening weekend, especially in the United States, where the Mexican elections were enthusiastically followed there due to Hiram Romney's association to one of the US's own former presidents.

October 28th, 2044: In baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers win the World Series, beating the Minnesota Twins in a fierce 7 game series. The wild card Brewers had shocked the baseball world by sweeping the highly favored Pirates out of the NLCS to advance to the World Series on the strength of their powerhouse lineup.

November 4th, 2044: Incumbent Vice President James Kirkpatrick wins the American presidential election over second-time candidate Kirk T. Wythe of Illinois. Kirkpatrick is the first openly atheistic President, and the first of South Asian heritage. His atheism caused him to lose many states across the Southern US, including several Hispanic states such as Nevada and New Mexico. However, his election also marked the return of the Midwest from the conservative fold. The election leads to a temporary thaw in rapidly cooling relations with Britain as Prime Minister Max Rodgers praises the new President effusively, calling him “a global leader for a global age.” Chinese Premier Jian Lo also praises the new President, but warns that “neo-imperial ambitions in Asia will not be tolerated.”

In addition, Jeffrey Clinton-Mesvinsky (D) is elected as the junior Senator from New York State, while Parke Jeung (R), a young and charismatic Korean American, is elected from Oregon's 3rd District.

Vice President Ryan Kirkpatrick (D-IL) / Governor Antonin Solis (D-CA) - 345 EV - 52.1% PV Senator Kirk Wythe (R-MI) / Governor James Rovenerou (R-OK) - 193 EV - 46.5% PV

December 10th, 2044: Uruguay announces that they will leave ALADEC at the end of the year due to “profound economic differences.” Uruguay, whose economy is based on international exports, suffered a difficult recession earlier in the year.

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2045

January 21st, 2045: In his boldest move in regards to his presidential cabinet, newly-inaugurated President Ryan Kirkpatrick appoints Malia Obama, a prominent Chicago lawyer and daughter of former President and Chief Justice Barack Obama, as U.S. Attorney General.

February 16th, 2045: Mexican Senator Carmen Arteaga, formerly an independent, announces the creation of a new political party at a press conference in Mexico City. The new party, named Partido del Progreso Democratico or PPD (en. Progressive Democratic Party), is a center-left party that many see as filling the void of the discredited PRD.

February 17th, 2045: The first major interactive, Camelot Rising, about an uprising of the undead during the time of King Arthur, is released in North America, Europe, India and the Far East.

March 23rd, 2045: The monthlong 2045 World Baseball Classic closes in Monterrey, Mexico. Venezuela emerge as the champions, beating out Japan for the title. In third place are the Dominican Republic, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Thailand.

May 5th, 2045: Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay form the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA), which will support free-market capitalist policies and oppose the Lulaist economics of ALADEC. However, the three countries stress that LAFTA is not opposed to ALADEC in any sense other than economic. Nevertheless, Argentina and Chile remain close US allies, as opposed to Brazil, which, while friendly with the Americans, has pursued a more independent foreign policy.

May 6th, 2045: The Conservative government of Max Rodgers is re-elected with an increased majority of 89. The re-election is attributed due to the GAREM and Strategic Platform's influence on improvement in productivity, technology and energy levels which has had a positive effect on the economy and the success of his welfare expansion programs. However when polled, the British public feel that health and local government would be better handled by the Labour Party.

May 27th, 2045: British Prime Minister Rodgers and the new US President hold a joint summit to discuss defense, a first as meetings between Rodgers' and Boone were only at international conferences and rarely the White House.

May 31st, 2045: Queen Astrid of Wallonia dies in London from complications resulting from a broken hip. She leaves the throne to her eldest son Prince Amedeo of Wallonia, Archduke of Austria-Este (b. 21 February 1986). King Amedeo, whose father was an Austrian Archduke, now reigns over territory not possessed by the House of Habsburg since 1794.

June 12th, 2045: US Attorney General Malia Obama, the daughter of the former President, announces that the long-serving US military camp Guantanamo Bay will be shut and dismantled by 2047, something her father failed to do.

August 10th, 2045: An American State Department report finds that the economic situation in Burkina Faso has become desperate ever since the cutoff of Indian and Russian aid. Famine has reappeared in some parts of the country, and the military junta redirects what food is grown to the Army bases first before allowing any to reach the civilian population.

August 14th, 2045: German scientists come agonizingly close to achieving practical nuclear fusion on a small scale. Experts predict that it will be a matter of time until the goal is fulfilled.

August 16th, 2045: Just two days after the German team, the Eden National Fusion Laboratory in Wyoming, the United States also comes frustratingly close to achieving controlled fusion. At a joint press-conference, James and Victoria Upendowema, the laboratory heads, say that “nuclear fusion is within our grasp. We need only the will to reach out; and good luck for a few years.”

September 2nd, 2045: Former Prime Minister Nick Herbert dies at the age of 82 from heart failure. He is buried in a private ceremony.

September 16th, 2045: Amid jubilant crowds, Mexican President Hiram Romney christens the recently completed aircraft carrier ARM Lázaro Cárdenas at the Navy shipyard it was built in. American commentators note that this marks a crucial turning point in Mexican foreign policy, as it begins to exert itself beyond it's borders.

October 17th, 2045: The Pirates secure their third NL pennant in four years after a sweep of the San Diego Padres in the NLCS after going 105-57 in the Regular season.

October 27th, 2045: In baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series against the AL Champion Seattle Mariners in 5 games. Pitcher Jay Kelvin wins World Series MVP for going 2-0, throwing 17 innings and only allowing two runs, along with throwing only the third post-season no hitter in baseball history and only the second one in the World Series.

November 17th, 2045: Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein is caught in flagrante delicto by journalists with a young actress in the backseat of a car in Cannes, France. A firestorm of scandal envelops both the royal families of Britain and Liechtenstein.

November 25th, 2045: Pittsburgh Pirate Jay Kelvin wins his 3rd NL Cy Young in 4 years after going 25-5 with a ridiculous 1.97 ERA and 311 K's. His dominate performance is said to start another golden age of pitching after the brief pitcher's age of the 2010's.

December 4th, 2045: Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex knocks out Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein in a London nightclub brawl.

Stockholm police detective Ole Gunnar Andersson, while investigating the grisly murders of five male prostitutes notices similarities to the five classic murders committed by Jack the Ripper in London 150 years previously. A clue left behind at the scene of the last murder erroneously leads him to believe the murderer to be French. Tabloids dub the murderer “Jacques the Ripper.”

December 5th, 2045: Celebrated Bollywood actor Aamir Khan dies at the age of eighty in Mumbai. He was the top-grossing Indian thespian of all time. Particularly of note were his 2009 film 3 Idiots and 2038 epic movie Chandragupta.

December 15th, 2045: Princess Philippa goes to court in London suing her husband Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein for divorce on grounds of adultery.
January 9th, 2046: Prime Minister Max Rodgers announces plans to launch a peace treaty between Iran, Iraq and Pakistan whom have had international tensions in their nuclear race. He is aided in his plans by Chinese Premier Jian Lo and Indian PM Raj Chouhan.

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2046

January 19, 2046: Jonathan Michael Preston II of the United Kingdom (b. 1923), the last living veteran of World War II, dies peacefully in his sleep at the ripe old age of 123. He is given a state funeral and a eulogy is delivered by British Prime Minister Max Rogers, saying “the last man of a conflict that tore our civilization apart is gone, and we can so cosign to history this tragic period of history. Never, however, must we forget the mistakes of the past, and above all we must never rep to them.”

January 28th, 2046: Former British Prime Minister Jonathan Crewe dies at the age of 75 from intestinal cancer. He is buried in a public funeral with dignitaries attending.

January 31st, 2046: The XXX Winter Olympiad opens in Helsinki, Finland.

February 1st, 2046: Japanese prime minister Hirobumi Hosono retires, and is succeeded by Foreign Minister Hidenao Maehara.

February 6th, 2046: Despite the endorsement of both ruling coaltion parties, former Foreign Minister of the far-right Grand National Party leads President Wu Ruiqi by 0.4% of votes in the first round of the Chinese presidential election.

Chinese presidential election, 2046 (1st round) Li Aiguo (GNP) 322,875,145 (44.3%) Wu Ruiqi (inpendent, endorsed by UDP and DJP) 321,785,241 (43.9%) Deng Jiankang (PRP) 46,387,251 (6.3%) Kang Chengwu (PoR) 31,758,315 (4.3%) Other candidates 10,135,883 (1.4%)
PRP candidate Deng Jiankang refuses to endorse any candidate, and asks his supporters to boycott the second round. Kang Chengwu of the Party of Regions endorses Wu Ruiqi for reelection and denounces the “militarist platform” of former Foreign Minister Li Aiguo.

February 25th, 2046: Chinese president Wu Ruiqi is elected to a full 6-year term. She would not be eligible to run for another term in 2052 due to that she has served more than half of former President Liu Linzhi's term.

Chinese presidential election, 2046 (2nd round) Wu Ruiqi (INDPT, end. by UDP and DJP) 377,851,934 (51.9%) Li Aiguo (GNP) 349,732,981 (48.1%)

March 12th, 2046: Prime Minister Rodgers and President Kirkpatrick sign a new defense procurement treaty in Washington, the previous one expired in 2042 and was not renewed under the Boone Presidency.

March 28th, 2046: The Anglo-China Strategic Platform and the GAREM are replaced by the Nordic-Asia Strategic Platform (NASP) jointly signed by China, Mongolia, Britain, Korea, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

March 29th, 2046: Japanese prime minister Hidenao Maehara denounces the NASP as the new Warsaw Pact which would effectively drive the world into an “irreversible new cold war”. Ironically, some historians believe that Prime Minister Maehara's “New Warsaw Pact Speech” marked the official beginning of the 2nd Cold War.

March 31st, 2046: Prime Minister Max Rodgers responds to the criticism of the Nordic-Asian alliance from the Japanese and chides that Japan has slowed technologically, questioning it's role in the future.

March 31st, 2046: Chad adopts a new constitution in a referendum, with 67.8% support. The new constitution replaces that of 1996, which had held sway for exactly 50 years. It establishes an independent (albeit weak) judiciary, which had been lacking, and controversially pardons all war crimes which may or may not have occurred in years previous. Most importantly, it moves Chad from a unitary French-model state to a federal structure in order to share power between the Muslim north and Christian south.

April 29th, 2046: The ASF launches it's first Martian orbiter.

May 8th, 2046: A bombing in the capitol of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, targets the head of the military junta there, General Moussa Poitroipa. Poitroipa escapes unharmed, although several of his aides and staff lieutenants are killed. The Sankarist Pan-African Convention (CPS) claims responsibility for the bombing. Party leader Gnisso Konate says that CPS will never give up their violent struggle until “there is democracy and freedom for all Burkinabé.”

May 9th, 2046: Iceland joins the Federated States of Europe after three years of negotiations, especially over fishing rights. of negotiations. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration.

June 15th, 2046: Decree Absolute granted in British court for divorce of Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein and Princess Philippa of Gr to Britain. Custody of Prince William Johannes granted to Princess Philippa. Princess Philippa abandons Catholicism and returns to the Anglican faith of her childhood.

July 1st, 2046: Mexican Congressional Midterm Elections are held. The PPD makes significant gains in the Chamber of Deputies, gaining 20 seats there, as well as 3 in the Senate.

July 5th, 2046: The twenty-eighth FIFA World Cup concludes in China/Mongolia. Brazil wins the championship 5-1 over the Netherlands. An estimated 910 million people watch the final worldwide.

Oman joins A'ama, the Islamic Nations of Freedom, as the organization's twelfth member. The event sends shockwaves throughout the Middle East, as the GCC becomes very worried about the ramifications of successful democratic states right along their borders.

July 24th, 2046: On the day the treaty, named the Mumbai Accords is due to be signed at a ceremony with all UN Security Council members and Iran, Iraq and Pakistan present, Rodgers withdraws from the treaty making allegations of interference from world powers for energy and corruption from diplomatic officials in the Union State and the Middle East about what remains of oil supplies. Rodgers announces his resignation, citing a need for new diplomacy in Britain effective upon election of a new Tory leader.

July 25th, 2046: Enraged about the British PM's speech, Russian President Chyrnin launches an inquiry into the treaty as do the UN.

July 26th, 2046: Former Chancellor Denis Moreland and Foreign Secretary Peter Donovan both launch bids to succeed Rodgers in addition to the bid of Home Secretary Adam Porter

July 30th, 2046: An ballot of Tory MP's eliminates Moreland and places Porter and Donovan to the full Tory membership.

August 2nd, 2046: UN lead negotiator on the Mumbai Accords Claude Denizet confirms that the negotiations had been marred by stalling from the Russians and sides with the outgoing British PM Max Rodgers in accusing Union Foreign Minister Anna Romanov in personally profiting from the oil deal.

August 3rd, 2046: The United Nations releases a report on the Third Congolese Civil War. The report concludes that the rebellion lead by the Soldiers of Christian Zaire has dangerous potency, as they draw considerable support from poor Christians in the country's east. The war has thus far killed more than 20,000 people.

August 4th, 2046: An emergency ballot of Conservative Party members elects Peter Donovan as Leader of the Conservative Party. That afternoon, he is driven to the Palace where he accepts the invitation to form a government thus becoming the new Prime Minister to succeed Rodgers.

August 26th, 2046: Under heavy pressure from members of his family including his father, Prince Alois, Prince Joseph Wenzel gives up his place in the succession of the Principality of Liechtenstein for himself and for his son, Prince William Johannes. The young prince will be raised as a British royal with little contact with his
Liechtenstein relatives. King William V deeply protests the loss of his grandson's rights to the throne of Liechtenstein.

August 29th, 2046: Prince Joseph Wenzel commits suicide in the Liechtenstein family castle above Vaduz.

September 1st, 2046: By this time, virtually all vehicles in the United States are free of gasoline engines, with nearly 75% being fully electric. In much of Europe, especially the Federated European States, hydrogen fuel cell technology is becoming a reality as hydrogen fuel stations are being constructed en mass.

September 3rd, 2046: Drummer Elia Lobo announces that he is leaving Brazilian band El Aleatorios, due to “irreconcilable differences” with his two bandmates. The remaining two, husband and wife Marlos Nobre and Maysa Monjardim, pledge to continue writing as El Aleatorios and to continue developing the oeste style.

September 8th, 2046: Elia Lobo sues Marlos Nobre and Maysa Monjardim over their announcement that they will continue to function as El Aleatorios. The Brazilian band, the most popular in Latin America, had broken up five days earlier. Lobo claims the rights to the name and sought to prevent Nobre and Monjardim from using it, on the grounds that he had invented it, and that their financial contracts listed all three as band members. The suit causes a huge media frenzy in Brazil.

September 10th, 2046: Interactives are described as “ultra video games” by Declan Martinez, a former video game developer.

September 14th, 2046: Alexander Rodgers is elected to succeed his resigned father in his parliamentary seat in North West Sussex. Alexander who was born in 2020 is seen as the person who can continue on his father's work.

September 21st, 2046: Future British Prime Minister Rose Daltrey is elected as Leader of the Labour Party at their annual conference in Birmingham after the resignation of Graham Barber, who failed to win the 2045 election.

September 23th, 2046: Japanese general election: the ruling DPJ-Komeito coalition wins its third consecutive victory. The election results are as followed: DPJ 252, NFP 162, New Komeito 30, JCP 16, Issuikai 7, SDP 5, Others / non-partisan / independents 8.

October 19th, 2046: In a stunning turn of events, the Pittsburgh Pirates lose the NLCS to the Chicago Cubs in a dramatic Game 7 that ends with the team blowing a 5 run lead at home in the last two innings to force extra innings, where the Cubs then gain a 4 run lead in the 13th on a grand slam. The loss is considered the end of the Pirates dynasty that dominated the NL for 5 seasons.

October 23rd, 2046: In his first major interview since his resignation, Max Rodgers says the reason he resigned was that he had staked his foreign policy future upon the failed Mumbai Accords and knew any hope of peace in the Middle East couldn't have been achieved while “the same players were at the table.”

October 27th, 2046: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, beating the AL Champion Boston Red Sox in 5 games. The series went to extra innings 3 times, ending in the 10th, 12th, and 14th innings in Games 1, 3, and 4 respectively.

November 1st, 2046: At a joint press conference, Indian Prime Minister Raj Chouhan and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat announce that Thailand will join the IOIC. This step, a major shift in Thai foreign policy, signals India's increasing influence in Southeast Asia. Some Western analysts have described a “Cold War” for influence developing in Southeast Asia between India and China.

November 2nd, 2046: A UN inquiry states that there were corrupt actions by Middle Eastern officials and the Union State Foreign Minister, Anna Romanov who resigns. President Chyrnin angrily states that “Russia will not tolerate Western interference.”

November 8th, 2046: South Atlantic Tsunami; A 9.2 earthquake in the South Atlantic Ocean creates a powerful tsunami that devastates coastal West Africa, the Antilles, northeastern South America, and to a lesser extent, the east coast of the US. Nearly 120,000 fall victim to the tsunami event.

November 9th, 2046: Awash in money from the Bodden-Hyde fortune, the Barbadian government is able to quickly procure hundreds of aircraft to evacuate most of the population of Barbados before the nation is struck by the South Atlantic Tsunami caused by a 9.2 earthquake in the South Atlantic Ocean. With the population temporarily living primarily in Texas, the island nation is quickly rebuilt using Bodden-Hyde money and most of its residents return by 2050. While living in Austin, Texas while his country is being rebuilt, King Alexander meets Aiyanna Jackson (b. 2011) and marries her in a lavish ceremony.

December 1st, 2046: A warrant is issued for the arrest of former Union Foreign Minister Anna Romanov by the ICC.

December 2nd, 2046: United Nations Secretary-General Jozef Adamowicz is defeated in his bid for a second five-year term. Critics felt that he had been ineffectual in aiding poorer nations, especially the Congo, where a civil war had begun. Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Zillur Rahman is elected instead. Some critics feel that the election of a Bangladeshi “is giving the UN to India”, although Indian and UN officials reject that idea entirely.

December 20th, 2046: The dispute concerning naming rights for Brazilian band El Aleatorios is settled out of court. Elia Lobo, the former drummer for the band, had sued to prevent the remaining two members from using the band name. In the settlement, Lobo agrees to allow Nobre and Monjardim to use the name, provided he receives royalties from all downloads, both past and future.

December 30th, 2046: Anna Romanov is caught fleeing in Ukraine and arrested for corruption by the ICC, Union State President Aleksei Chrynin denounces his former Foreign Minister in an act of renunciation for Russia.

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2047

January 1st, 2047: Treaty of Manila; Japan, Philippines, and Vietnam establish the East Asian Treaty Organization (EATO), an economic and political alliance between the three members. The pact was created in response to the recent establishment of the Nordic-Asia Strategic Platform, as well as diplomatic crises involving China, and the member states wanted to protect their economic interests in disputed areas such as the South China Sea.

January 16th, 2047: Reigning Prince Alois of Liechtenstein dies, some say from a broken heart. He is succeeded by his second son, Prince Georg Antonius (b. 20 April 1999).

January 20-27th, 2047: The Soldiers of Christian Zaire seize control of the eastern city of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once in control, they hunt down the city's two thousand Muslims and massacre them. Three days later, government forces counterattack; however, the Army troops face heavy resistance, and abandon their attack after two days. Instead of attacking again by ground, the government forces call in strike aircraft, which bomb Kisangani to dust over the next two days, killing an estimated 4000 civilians. With over 7,000 casualties, the Battle of Kisangani accounts for almost a sixth of the Congolese Civil War's deaths.

February 1st, 2047: As one of the provisions of the Treaty of Manila, Filipino and Vietnamese negotiators meet in Kyoto, Japan, to try and solve the Spratly Islands dispute. Chinese negotiators refuse to join them, calling the talks “a clear and aggressive violation of China's sovereignty.”

February 20th, 2047: The Philippines and Vietnam sign the Treaty of Kyoto, resolving their dispute over the Spratly Islands. China, however, still disputes both countries' claims to any of the islands. The treaty provides for joint economic rights and combined military bases on the largest three islands “to defend against possible external aggression.” China refuses to recognize the signing of the Treaty of Kyoto, calling it “as useless as if Washington and Cornwallis signed a treaty concerning the French Revolution. The Spratly Islands are Chinese and will remain so.”

March 6th, 2047: After a thorough investigation, Stockholm police detective Ole Gunnar Andersson discovers undeniable DNA proof of the identity of “Jacques the Ripper and arrests Prince Johan, Duke of Västerbotten, the elder son of Queen Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland for the grisly killings. The prince is ruled insane and sent to an asylum for the mentally ill where he is kept under close supervision for the rest of his life.

April 3rd, 2047: Washington National lefty pitcher Zach Barnett pitches a perfect game, only the 22nd perfect game of the modern era, on Opening day to start the National's season, a good omen of the season to come. While Barnett would play in Washington for only 4 years and have pedestrian numbers, the perfect game would earn him a place in National's lore.

May 1st, 2047: Space Secretary Jake Sky announces the Titan Lunar Explorer project, which aims to place an unmanned probe on Saturn's largest moon. The probe will attempt to dive beneath the surface of the hydrocarbon “oceans” that dot Titan's landscape, in the hope of discovering extraterrestrial life like the ones on Europa and the fossils on Mars.

May 2nd, 2047: Coordinated bombings in Kano (Nigeria), Cairo (Egypt), and Nador (Morocco) kill 41 people and injure 159 more, with the most deaths coming at Gidan Makama Mosque in Kano. The perpetrators are found to be the Soldiers of Christian Zaire, who had not before demonstrated an ability to strike outside of the DRC. André Lubaya, the leader of the SCZ, denounces Nigeria, Egypt and Morocco for “supporting the Muslim oppressors of those of Christ”, and says that his forces will strike again as long as Muslim nations continue to financially aid the government in the fight against the SCZ. In response, the three nations agree to double their aid to the Congolese government.

May 5th, 2047: Jian Lo, the longest-serving Chinese premier since Zhou Enlai, retires. Under the coalition agreement, Jian Lo is replaced by DJP president and Foreign Minister Fang Xiongwen, a moderate.

Average of opinion polls as of June 2047 are as followed: GNP (far-right nationalist) 44.1% UDP-DJP coalition (moderate) 38.6% [DJP* (centre-left) 25.4% UDP* (centrist) 13.2%] PoR (federalist, centre-right) 6.2% PRP (far-left) 4.7% Others 0.8% Not Yet decided 5.6%

Average of opinion polls as of December 2047 are as followed: GNP 45.3% UDP-DJP coalition 37.7% [DJP* 25.8%] [UDP*11.9%] PoR 7.1% PRP 5.5% Others 0.7% Not Yet decided 3.7%

May 9th, 2047: Denmark joins the Federated States of Europe after a years of negotiations. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration. Greenland becomes an autonomous region of the FES.

June 7th, 2047: The American-born Pope John XXIV (b. 25 Oct 1963) dies at Castel Gandolfo from diabetic complications.

June 15th, 2047: The United Nations releases a report on the state of the Fourth Congo War, calling the situation “catastrophic”. The SCZ is reported to have control of most of the vast east of the country. Over 4000 Muslims have been killed “genocidally” (most Muslims in the DRC live in the west), while over 30,000 civillians total have been killed in the four-year war. The report states that “government forces dare not enter the majority of their country”, and that government counter-offensives are “timid, undermanned, under planned, and ineffectual”. However, it cites aid and training from the international community as leading to a few successes in the conflict, and calls on UN members to send military trainers to the Congo.

July 3rd, 2047: Just over a year after his resignation, former Prime Minister Max Rodgers publishes his autobiography “Daring to Dare”, outlying his life and reasoning for his actions in Downing Street.

July 25th, 2047: Chosen as Pope on the 18th ballot by his fellow Cardinals, Joao Luis de Silva, Cardinal Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (b. 15 September 1995) succeeds to the see of St. Peter with the regnal name of Alexander IX.

July 30th, 2047: For the first time, Brazil's professional baseball league, the Conferência de Beisebol do Brasil, reports a profit. The CBB intends to expands to twelve teams from eight for the 2048-49 season. Brazil is now the third-biggest baseball country in the world, after the United States and Japan. Currently, there are eight Brazilian players in the MLB and eleven in the Nippon Professional League.

August 14th, 2047: An Indian epic film, Hacha Ram, is released on the 100th anniversary of Indian independence. Starring the most notable Indian, Bangladeshi, and even Pakistani actors and actresses of the day, the film details the Indian independence movement and the First Indo-Pakistani war through a series of five connected stories. Over three hours long and eight years in the making, Hacha Ram becomes the highest-grossing film of all time in India. The film also performs admirably in the American, European, and African markets.

August 16th, 2047: After finding fulfillment as a nurse and working for several years in various London hospitals, Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain meets Dr. Ygnacio Bocanegra again at a garden party at Buckingham Palace given by her father King William V. After describing his work in the Muslim refugee camps near the eastern Congolese border, the doctor invites the princess to join him in order to publicize the plight of these unfortunate people. The princess considers his request and leaves for the Congo the following week, despite the deep misgivings of her parents.  

August 18th, 2047: Edward, Prince of Wales, leading his first self-financed expedition discovers the undisturbed tomb of the Inca Emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui (or Pachacutec), the ninth Sapa Inca (1438–1471/1472) near Machu Picchu. Filled with golden artifacts, the tomb is considered one of the premier archaeological discoveries of the 21st Century.

October 19th, 2047: In baseball, the Washington Nationals win the World Series, beating the Seattle Mariners in 6 games. Nationals closer Jerry Long wins MVP honors for recording a win and 3 saves and allowing no runs in his 5 1/3 innings of work.

November 28th, 2047: As celebrations are held in Managua for President Laparra's 60th birthday, she gives a belligerent speech where she states that she would continue to do everything within her power to make Nicaragua “gr to,” and belittles the futile intimidation set forth by the “Yanqui puppets in Mexico City.” Despite the quality of life having improved somewhat in the 15 years Laparra has been in power, observers are quick to note Nicaragua has become the most authoritarian country in the western hemisphere.

December 3rd, 2047: Peter Donovan's government runs into trouble after the economic boom of the Rodgers' era deflates following pressure on energy markets. The Nordic-Asian alliance has cooled with Donovan in charge which is seen as a factor in the pressure.

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2048

January 1st, 2048: The production of GVD-players is discontinued.

January 4th, 2048: Taiwan and China begin talks regarding the possible extension of the Shanghai Accords.

January 18th, 2048: Chinese premier Fang Xiongwen visits the United States, the highest-ranking Chinese leader to do so since the formation of GAREM in 2043.

January 20-30th, 2048: In Burkina Faso, the democratic revolutionary part Sankarist Pan-African Convention (CPS) launches surprise attacks on three towns in the country's north; Ouahigouya, Toeni, and Tougan. They manage to rout the Army units based there and seize temporary control of the towns. Military forces directed by junta leader General Moussa Poitroipa counterattack on the 26th and manage to retake Tougan, but are repelled in Toeni and Ouahigouya.

January 31st, 2048: After a reign of exactly 35 years, King Willem IV abdicates in favor of his eldest daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia (b. 7 December 2003). Ex-king Willem and his wife Mathilde purchase property in Sardinia and retire there.

February 9th, 2048: Christmas sales in Britain due to cold weather have seen the country not grow, if this carries on for the next two quarters, Britain will be in recession. Prime Minister Donovan sacks Chancellor Catherine Shepherd in a bitter row about interest rates, replacing her with Adam Porter.

February 11th, 2048: Exhausted and deeply disturbed by the gr to suffering experienced by the Muslim refugees in the camps, Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain falls off the wagon and drinks herself into unconsciousness. An alarmed Dr. Bocanegra contacts Buckingham Palace requesting direction on how to handle this disturbing turn of events. He is instructed to put her on the next airplane for London.

Several hours later, with the unconscious princess safely aboard, she and her entourage set out for London. But as they cross the heavily-jungled northeast corner of Congo, their plane is damaged mid-air by a surface-to-air missile fired by forces loyal to Andre Lumbaya of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire. Miraculously, the pilot brings the plane down in a jungle clearing where it is set upon by SCZ fighters. All the men are killed including Dr. Ygnacio Bocanegra and the women are dragged off into the bush and first gang-raped and then also killed. Princess Elizabeth, still unconscious from her drinking binge is dragged into the bush and gang-raped but is thought to be alr tdy dead so she is not killed. All the bodies are dragged back onto the plane and the whole thing is set alight. Somehow her body is forgotten under the underbrush.
When Princess Elizabeth wakes up the next day bleeding and badly bruised but otherwise alive, she stays out of sight. Deciding thto perhaps anonymity might help her survive, she does not reveal her identity to the Pygmy Mbuti tribesmen who find her wandering in the jungle several days later exhausted, hungry and utterly lost
Knowing that she will be killed by the SCZ, the Mbuti hide the princess who several weeks later discovers she is pregnant. Kept in a secret cave known only to the Mbuti, the princess is well taken care of and her location deep in the jungle is not discovered. They discover that she is very knowledgeable concerning medicine and becomes a healer to the tribe. In the meantime, the burnt remains of the plane are discovered by searchers scouring the area. King William and Queen Catherine are notified their daughter has been killed and they and the nation go into deep mourning.

May 8th, 2048: Bestselling British author J.K. Rowling dies at the age of 83 from cancer of the liver at her home in Dundee, Scotland. Her books have sold over 700 million copies, including the highest-selling book series of all time, the Harry Potter books. The third and final book in her Compendium series, called The Collection, is published posthumously and goes on to be a huge bestseller. Prime Minister Donovan calls her “one of the greatest Britons of our time.”

May 8th, 2048: Indonesia passes Japan to become the world's 7th largest economy, with a GDP of nearly 7 billion.

May 9th, 2048: In China, the far-right Grand National Party wins a plurality of votes and seats, but short of a majority. As a result, a new coalition between the DJP, UDP and the Party of Regions is formed. Fang Xiongwen would continue to lead the coalition, while it is agreed that PoR leader Zien Mai (Mai is the surname) would become First Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister. UDP leader Li Jiawen would become Finance Minister.

Chinese parliamentary election, 2048 DJP-UDP coalition 298,248,220 (40.6%) 653 (43.7%) [Democratic Justice Party (DJP) 188,488,569 (25.6%) 351 (23.5%) Union for Development and Prosperity (UDP) 109,759,651 (14.9%) 302 (20.2%)] Grand National Party (GNP) 325,806,250 (44.3%) 668 (44.7%) Party of Regions (PoR) 70,398,251 (9.6%) 130 (8.7%) People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) 28,444,491 (3.9%) 29 (1.9%) Others/independents 12,601,129 (1.7%) 14 (0.7%) Total: 735,498,341 (100%) 1494 (100%) Incumbent Pemier: Fang Xiongwen (DJP-UDP coalition) Premier-elect: Fang Xiongwen (DJP-UDP-PoR coalition)

May 20th, 2048: Pakistan applies to join A'ama (the Islamic Nations of Freedom). The application is viewed as controversial, since Pakistan is still relatively unstable and because A'ama is viewed as a group led by Turkey and Egypt - the addition of populous and economically important Pakistan would upset the balance of the group.

June 12th, 2048: The members of the Indian Ocean International Community (India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Thailand) introduce a shared currency, the Indian Ocean rupee. Based off of the Indian rupee, the new currency has a purchasing power of 20 rs/dollar. In addition, Oman and Pakistan announce they will tag their currencies (called the rial and rupee, respectively) to the Indian Ocean rupee.

June 15th, 2048: Alejandro de la Cruz graduates from the Stanford University School of Medicine with a Ph.D in Genetics. Although offered several prestigious residencies in California and on the East Coast, the independently wealthy young man returns to his native Nuevo Leon where he purchases a ranch on the pine covered slopes beneath Cerro del Potosi west of Galeana which he calls Los Pinos. Dr. De la Cruz establishes the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research there and builds a state-of-the-art research laboratory. He then hires some of the greateso genetic researchers of the day including Doctors Olaf and Trygve Magnusson of Norway and Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of Mozambique.

July 5th, 2048: Mexican President Hiram Romney is resoundingly reelected, gaining over 54% of the popular vote. Despite his affiliation with the PAN, he's very popular with many Mexicans across the board for his advocacy of progressive measures such as universal healthcare as well as his commitment to job growth.

July 12th, 2048: The Shanghai Accords has become permanent, after the Taiwanese electorate finally votes to join the East Asian Dollar Zone.

July 16th, 2048: The British economy is deemed to be in recession having failed to grow in the last few quarters, this is put down to deflation in energy and consumer markets. The policy of Prime Minister Donovan to invest in these new markets is believed to have back-fired and affects his own position in polls.

August 10th-26th, 2048: The 2048 Summer Olympic Games are held in New York City, USA. The tournament closes with the United States having won the most medals, followed by India.

September 10th, 2048: At the Eden National Fusion Laboratory in Wyoming, the chief scientist, Victoria Upendowema, and 18 other researchers are killed in a massive non-nuclear explosion. The later investigation established that explosives used to set off attempted fusion reactions were overpressured and detonated prematurely. Early in the day, Upendowema had called her husband James and told him that she knew how to control a fusion reaction, and that she would attempt to do so. James, in Washington to secure funding, says, “I will attempt to carry on my wife's work for as long as I still breath. Her ideas will be realized.”

September 12th, 2048: Pakistan's application to join A'ama is denied in a unanimous vote by the Secretarial Council. Pakistani media bitterly attack the decision. Pakistan's president even goes so far as to publicly label it a “Turko-Egyptian power play. They are jealous of what we have here in Pakistan.”

September 30th, 2048: The New York Yankees make a final month push to make the playoffs after 10 consecutive seasons of no playoff appearances. The team goes 20-6 to finished the season, pushing aside the Tampa Bay Rays who had been dominating for the majority of the season.

October 2nd, 2048: At the end of the rainy season, the Congolese government launches a counter-offensive against SCZ rebels. The offensive, named Operation Heavenly Fire, seeks to recapture the southeast of the nation, starting with the city of Kananga and hopefully culminating in the rebel capitol, Kolwezi. In the first few weeks of the offensive, over threescore government troops are killed, but they capture Kananga and begin besieging the city of Kazumba.

October 26th, 2048: In baseball, the New York Yankees win the World Series against the San Fransisco Giants in a 4 game sweep.

November 4th, 2048: The Hope for Change, a humorous but informative bio-pic about former President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Barack Obama is released, directed by Tyler T. Sullivan and starring Jacob Waters.

November 6th, 2048: President Ryan Kirkpatrick is comfortably reelected over his Republican opponents, Governor Andrew Lee of California and Senator Liz Clark of Texas.

President Ryan Kirkpatrick (D-IL) / Vice President Antonin Solis (D-CA) - 355 EV - 53.1% PV Governor Andrew Lee (R-CA) / Senator Liz Clark (R-TX) - 183 EV - 45.7% PV

November 15th, 2048: Deep in a jungle cave being looked after by Mbuti pygmies, Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain gives birth to triplet boys.

November 18th, 2048: Leader of the Opposition Rose Daltrey launches her “Back on Track” campaign, she is in favour of carrying on Max Rodgers' Asian-Nordic alliance which gains her bi-partisan support from some liberal Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

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2049

January 25th, 2049: President Ryan Kirkpatrick introduces CRN Plan 2065 to Congress, the largest expansion of the Continental Rail Network since the high speed railway was first built in the 2020s. The legislation calls for:
• The purchase of the California and Florida high speed railways and incorporating them into the overall network, including infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
• Development of Los Angeles and Sacramento as west coast hubs, with new lines from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, and Phoenix and Tuscon; from Sacramento to Portland and Seattle.
• Development of Denver as a Mountain West hub, with a new line running from Cheyenne southwards via Denver to Albuquerque.
• Development of Chicago as the "heart" of the system, with new lines to Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St Paul, Detroit, and Florida via Atlanta.
• Bypass of Chicago on the transcontinental route, from Omaha to Nashville via Kansas City and St Louis.
• New line from Atlanta to Dallas via Birmingham and Little Rock.

While opposition from the fiscally conservative GOP is high, Plan 2065 is passed the following March at an investment of several tens of billions of dollars.

February 4th, 2049: Daya Bay Disaster; in Daya Bay, Guangdong, China, the 1st reactor of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant explodes. The disaster is arguably far more severe than Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima Daiichi in 2011.

February 5th, 2049: Chinese President Wu Ruiqi declares a state of emergency in Guangdong, and orders biochemical troops and robots to move towards the 1st reactor, but the decision is widely controversial as the 2nd reactor would explode, killing all biochemical troops there.

February 8th, 2049: Mass uprisings and violent protests occur across much of Burkina Faso, organized by the democratic revolutionary movement Sankarist Pan-African Convention (CPS). The charismatic party leader of CPS, Gnisso Konate, calls on the country's ruling junta to flee the country “or suffer the fate of imperialists and tyrants everywhere.” Over a dozen towns fall into CPS control within a week, although Army crackdowns in some towns leave over 200 dead and 400 wounded.

February 11th, 2049: The Chinese government has declared the 50km Daya Bay evacuation ring, which covers half of Shenzhen and most of the New Territories East and Kowloon, Hong Kong, a permanent no-go zone.

In a major battle outside the town of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, CPS forces led by Gnisso Konate defeat Army units, thus seizing full control of the southwest of the country. CPS (the Sankarist Pan-African Convention) is fighting the country's junta to restore the principles of Thomas Sankara to Burkina Faso. They claim to stand for democracy, women's rights, anti-imperialism, socialism, and universal healthcare.

February 14th, 2049: The Congolese government ends its offensive, Operation Heavenly Fire, against the Soldiers of Christian Zaire. The counter-offensive failed to capture much territory, with government troops only managing to advance to the cities of Kabinda and Mwene-Ditu at the cost of over 500 casualties. The SCZ announce that they lost over 300 “brave souls” in the campaign.

February 26th, 2049: In Burkina Faso, CPS forces begin advancing on the capitol, Ouagadougou. They have seized control of most of the rest of the country in a series of uprisings and attacks beginning on February 8th. Party leader Gnisso Konate personally leads the main column of CPS troops, which is only 20 miles from Ouagadougou in the town of Bazsiri.

February 29th, 2049: Battle of Ouagadougou: CPS forces attack junta positions in the Burkinabé Civil War from three directions around Ouagadougou, the capital. They advance deep into the heart of the city, hunting for military dictator General Moussa Poitroipa, who has ruled the impoverished country since 2034.

March 1st, 2049: On the same day, the two most powerful leaders in Burkina Faso are killed. Junta leader General Moussa Pointroipa's plane is shot down as he attempts to flee the capitol. Meanwhile, less than two hours later, democratic revolutionary CPS leader Gnisso Konate is shot and killed by an Army sniper while securing the Ministry of Defense.

March 2nd, 2049: Gnisso Konate's second-in-command, Moussa Diakité, takes over the leadership of the Sankarist Pan-African Convention, which has taken control of Burkina Faso. Diakité promises a new dawn for Burkina Faso and Africa in general.

March 9th, 2049: After over 2 years of negotiations, several leftist parties in Mexico agree to merge with the PPD, including the Labor Party, Convergence and the rump PRD.

March 12th, 2049: Backbench Conservative rebels led by former Chancellor Catherine Shepherd and Alexander Rodgers inform Peter Donovan that they will not vote for his Budget unless he protects the social investments in employment, welfare and veteran's affairs that were the cornerstone of the Rodgers Premiership. The Labour Party and Liberal Democrats also make this thr to.

March 16th, 2049: Realizing that he is in an impossible position with right-wing Tories thr toening to vote against the budget if he doesn't cut the social policy and the liberal Tories, Labour and the Lib Dem's threatening to vote against if he does cut social policy, Prime Minister Donovan calls a snap general election. It is predicted that the Labour Party would win with a narrow majority.

March 28th, 2049: The monthlong 2049 World Baseball Classic closes in Osaka, Japan. Japan emerge as the champions, beating out America for the title. In third place are the Chinese, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are the Europeans, making a strong run near the end of the tournament.

April-May, 2049: Parliamentary elections are held in India, with over 875 million people voting. Over the past several years, India has continued to develop close relations with the members of the IOIC. The two major parties, the PKP and the NDP, have chosen to take very different positions on the major issue; China. The leader of the NDP, Jairam Ramesh, has warned against China's “expansionist policies”, saying that “while they May have abandoned dictatorship, they have not abandoned irredentism and intolerance.” The PKP, on the other hand, has said that China has taken important steps towards democracy and freedom over the last few decades, and that it is important that India works with China to secure freedom for all the world's people. The election is largely seen as a referendum on Indian foreign policy.
After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:

Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 162 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 291 seats Left Front: 48 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 31 seats Independents: 1 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats (Government in bold)

Jairam Rajesh is inaugurated as the new Prime Minister on May 13th, 2049.

April 1st, 2049: Portland Athletic Brian Pollard smashes 3 home runs on opening day, including a grand slam. The game signals the start of the sluggers magnificent 2049 campaign.

April 10th, 2049: In China, the far-right opposition Grand National Party wins a landslide victory in the Fujian provincial elections, winning 155 seats in the 225-seat-provincial assembly. The newly-formed Green Party becomes the second largest party, follows by the far-left People's Revolutionary Party and the Party of Regions of the ruling coaltion. The DJP and UDP get 4 seats each.

April 11th, 2049: The general election results in a Labour majority of 19 seats with Rose Daltrey becoming Britain's first female black Prime Minister. Peter Donovan immediately resigns as Conservative Leader. In her opening remarks, Daltrey pledges to find a way out of recession while protecting social reforms and launching new reforms for defence and international aid. Support for the new PM is high despite her small majority.

April 25th, 2049: China announces that 85% of nuclear plants in China will be shut down within 10 years.

May 2nd, 2049: Former President and Chief Justice Barack Obama dies at the age of 87. He was the first African-American President (indeed the first President from any racial minority) and the first man to serve in both offices in over 100 years. President Kirkpatrick calls him “one of the great Americans of our time”, while his funeral is attended by over 60,000 people, including 12 foreign heads of state.

May 10th, 2049: British Prime Minister Rose Daltrey visits China, the first foreign leader to do so since the Daya Bay Disaster. Her visits to Hong Kong and Shenzhen win her hugh popularity in China.

May 12th, 2049: British Prime Minister Rose Daltrey and Chinese premier Fang Xiongwen sign the Guangzhou pact, further fostering Anglo-Chinese cooperation in the alr tdy rapid development of non-nuclear renewable resources.

June 1st, 2049: Chinese opposition leader of the far-right Grand National Party Li Aiguo resigns after suggesting opening advocating teenagers to kill Indian prime minister Jairam Rajesh. India recalls its ambassador from China.

June 2nd, 2049: Chinese premier Fang Xiongwen condemns the speech of Li Aiguo, but pointed out that the Indian government was overreacting. China recalls its ambassador from India.

June 4th, 2049: Catherine Shepherd, the former Chancellor is elected as Leader of the Conservative Party. This marks the first time in British politics that two women have been concurrently leaders of the major parties.

June 5th, 2049: The Indian government declares a state of emergency, in order to put down the anti-Chinese riots.

June 7th, 2049: The anti-Chinese riots in India came to the end, more than 700 are arrested. The state of emergency would be deal effective until late August.

June 10th, 2049: Anti-Indian riots break out all across China, killing more than 600, including 70 non-Indian South Asians mistakenly recognized. A state of emergency is extended from areas affected by the Daya Bay nuclear disaster to all China due to the riots.

June 13, 2049: Several Indian lawmakers proposes the Chinese Internment Act.

June 16th, 2049: China recalls its ambassador from the United States, after US condemnation of Anti-Indian riots in China. “President Kirkpatrick said nothing when anti-Chinese riots broke out in India, and he said nothing about the proposed Chinese Internment Act.” said Chinese president Wu Ruiqi.

June 21th, 2049: Mongolia recalls its ambassador from India after Indian prime minister Jairam Rajesh declares President's rule in Nagaland.

July 2nd, 2049: Global stock markets suffer a short panic after Chinese finance minister Zhao Shangzheng suggests that all American assets in China should be frozen. Zhao is forced to resign, and the approval rate of Fang Xiongwen is now at 19%.

July 10th, 2049: At the All-Star break, Pollard has hit 35 home runs. Sports analysts around the country talk of him the first 60 home run season since 2001 and perhaps the first to not involve steroids since Roger Maris's season.

July 10th, 2049: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Ateng Wahyudi of the New Indonesian Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2054. Wahyudi's comprehensive economic reforms in 2044 have made him immensely popular.

July 21st, 2049: The Titan Lunar Explorer is launched from NASA's lunar base for a five year journey to Saturn, with the mission of exploring the largest moon Titan's hydrocarbon seas.

August 12th-13th, 2049: Minor clashes occur in Chad between unarmed supporters of the Sudanese Patriotic Army and the New Vulcan Army, both of which are part of the ruling Chadian Democratic Front (CDF). CDF leaders unanimously deny any tension between them and condemn the protestors for allowing things to get out of hand.

September 1st, 2049: Brian Pollard wins AL Player of the Month for August after hitting 15 home runs and driving in 40 runs. His home run total now sits at 57 with a month left to the season.

September 17th, 2049: Representative Parke Jeung (R) declares his candidacy for the United States Senate seat in Oregon in 2050. Many consider the young Korean-American politician a rising star within the Republican Party.

September 29th, 2049: On the last day of the regular season, Pollard has a two homer game. However, it is only enough to bring his season total to 69. Pollard is still seen by many though as the legitimate single season record holder for home runs, even though Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds had high totals.

October 7th, 2049: German scientists achieve the first short-term control of a nuclear fusion reaction, yielding large amounts of energy from helium. The reaction is only able to be controlled for several minutes before termination.

October 31st, 2049: In baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series, beating the Detroit Tigers in 5 games.

November 25th, 2049: Brian Pollard unanimously wins the AL MVP, recording all first place votes. Pollard hit .303/.412/.705 with 69 home runs, 40 doubles, 123 walks, 161 RBI's, 130 runs scored, and even found time to steal 12 bases. His 447 total bases is tied for third with Lou Gehrig for most in a season.

December 2nd, 2049: After just less than one year in office, Rose Daltrey gets a popularity boost as Britain's recession officially ends attributed to the economic booso given by moderate spending cuts and investment

H.R.H Princess Diana of Gr to Britain wins a Grammy Award for the title track of her fifth album, Buckingham Stomp. Music critic Lionel Daviess of the London Times states, “she stepped to the piano with all the decorum and grace of the royal that she is. But when she began to play, we were shocked to discover she’s in a league not seen since Hazel Scott, Marian McPartland and Diana Krall. This princess can swing!”

December 14th, 2049: Chinese foreign minister Liang Jiawen and Indian Foreign Minister Indira Gavaskar meet during an international conference on renewable resources in Canada, in an attempt to improve Sino-Indian relations. However, the meeting ends with angry arguments.

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2050

January 20th, 2050: Chinese economic growth in 2049 was -4.6%, the worst in 74 years. Public pressure for premier Fang Xiongwen to resign increases.

January 25th, 2050: In his State of the Union Address, President Kirkpatrick calls for the advancement of a “Second Manhattan Project” to establish nuclear fusion as the United States' primary energy source within thirty years. Kirkpatrick directs the Department of Energy to put forward plans to construct the first nuclear fusion plant by 2060, as well as for NASA to negotiate with the European, Indian, and Japanese space agencies to establish plans to extract helium-3 from the Moon to power the reactors.

February 1st, 2050: The XXXI Winter Olympiad opens in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

February 2nd, 2050: Following President Kirkpatrick's speech, ground is broken on the second Eden National Fusion Laboratory in Wyoming. Led by James Upendowema, and dedicated to his wife's memory, the laboratory begins research in July.

February 4th, 2050: CRN achieves its ultimate goal of connecting both coasts of the US when the eastward and westward segments meet in Denver. Transcontinental travel is now possible on high speed rail, and competes heavily with the declining Interstate Highway System. Extensions from Charlotte to Miami and from Atlanta to New Orleans and Houston are also opened.

February 12-18th, 2050: In the Second Congolese Civil War, the rebel Soldiers of Christian Zaire recapture the cities of Kabinda and Mwene-Ditu from the government. The six-day battle kills over 300 civillians.

March 5th, 2050: Chinese premier Fang Xiongwen resigns as Premier of China and DJP leader. PoR leader Zien Mai becomes the new premier, the first female premier in Chinese history.

March 5th-7th, 2050: Battle of Kananga-Kazumba: rebels of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire capture the two cities in days of fierce fighting. After taking control of the cities, the rebels, in a specially built camp in the nearby city of Mwene-Ditu, massacre 90,000 Muslim civillians. The UN Secretary-General, Liah Watts-Weaver, calls for a indictment of André Lubaya (leader of the SCZ) on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

March 23rd, 2050: Indonesia's GDP surpasses $7 trillion for the first time. The country also has the seventh largest economy in the world, and Jakarta is the financial capital of Southeast Asia, along with Bangkok.

March 25th, 2050: A special report by The New York Times examines the booming economies of Southern Africa. “Since the end of the AIDS epidemic,” the article reads, “the seven big economies of Southern Africa have taken off. South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have lifted over 100 million people out of poverty in the last 15 years.” The average HDI for the region has risen to .635, and every country in the region has democratized. Compared to troubled regions in Central and Sahelian Africa, Southern Africa has become a success story.

April 2nd, 2050: André Lubaya, the genocidal leader of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire, announce that the Soldiers will be launching an offensive aimed at capturing the northern cities of Ikela and Boende. At the same time, he releases his book, Défense De Dieu, which calls for the “eradication” of all followers of Islam, Bahaism, and Paganism, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

April 5th, 2050: The new Chinese premier Zien Mai visits India and holds bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Jairam Rajesh. Mai and Rajesh acknowledge the importance of Sino-Indian cooperation for the sake of regional stability and economic development.

April 9th, 2050: King William V of Gr to Britain undergoes quadruple bypass surgery to remove severe arterial blockages to his heart. The procedure, performed by cardiac surgeons at the state-of-the-art Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Edinburgh is a complete success.

April 10th, 2050: In Burkina Faso, the new leader Moussa Oedraogo gives a major address laying out his plans for the country. He announces sweeping economic reforms, guaranteeing a job for every Burkinabé, and huge, community-based investments in infrastructure. Saying that “Africans must do their part to build up Africa”, Oedraogo asks for capital and investment from Nigerian and Ghanaian firms, but rejects offers of aid from Europe, the United States, and India. He also says that elections will be scheduled for October 15th, 2050. Oedraogo, who assumed control of Burkina Faso in the chaos following his charismatic friend Gnisso Konate's death in March, describes his party's philosophy as Sankarist. Oedraogo is considered somewhat more radical than Konate, but is still widely popular for his role in Burkina Faso's struggle for freedom. Western governments also support Oedraogo for his “liberal” positions on women, saying that “half the country must not be kept in subservience, or else Burkina Faso will be only half the country it can be.”

April 27th, 2050: Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz and his associates from the newly-formed Los Pinos Institute of Genetic Research arrive in Cuzco, Peru after being invited by the team of the Prince of Wales to analyze the DNA of the recently discovered mummy of Inca Emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca (b. 1438).
While in graduate school, Dr. De la Cruz was intrigued by the fact that many of the local people in Galeana including his own mother’s family had autosomal DNA with more affinities with the Athabaskan Indians of Northern Canada and Quechua and Aymara peoples of South America than with other Mexican native populations. His colleagues Doctors Olaf and Trygve Magnusson begin taking extensive DNA samples from Quechua and Aymara tribes people which confirms an ancient link with the Athabaskans and the mountain people of Galeana, Nuevo Leon. The Inca Emperor is discovered to carry a classic Athabaskan Y-DNA C3b lineage.

May 5th, 2050: Seiji Maehara, the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history and the father of Hidenao Maehara, dies in Nara at the age of 88. He is given a state funeral, and Japan announces 2 weeks of national mourning.

May 9th, 2050: Slovakia joins the Federated States of Europe after a year of negotiations. The accession occurs on the 100th Anniversary Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration.

May 10th, 2050: Wolves are reintroduced to the future site of Buffalo Commons National Park in the United States, beginning with 50 individuals in 10 packs. The population of bison in the park is estimated at 25,000 and rapidly growing. Over 1800 Native Americans and other former farmers have signed on to become employees of the National Park Service, while most people have moved to richer farmlands available in Nebraska and Kansas. About 300 people refuse to move from their farms, and will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The park is an ambitious attempt begun by President Boone to restore part of the American West to its original status.

June 10th-12th, 2050: Free elections are held in Angola for the first time in over 70 years. The military dictator, Licínio Tavares, who succeeded Jose Eduardo de Santos in 2023, had slowly been introducing reforms since 2039 under pressure from the Alliance for Democracy. The opposition Republican Party of Angola routs the ruling MPLA at the polls, and Ana Dias Lourenço is inaugurated as President. She is the first woman to lead Angola in its history.

July 19th, 2050: The twenty-ninth FIFA World Cup concludes in France (Federated European States). England wins the title 2-0 over the defending champions, Brazil. An estimated 907 million people watch the final worldwide.

August 7, 2050: Unable to serve another term as President of Australia, King William is replaced by the Australian Parliament with his brother, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. With his down-to-earth, fun-loving personality, the royal duke is a hit with the Australian public. Parliament elects him with a substantial margin. Unlike his brother, Prince Harry actually takes up residence in Australia and becomes a integral part of Australian political life. Only after serving two terms as President of Australia does he return to Gr to Britain.

August 28th, 2050: Japanese general election; the ruling DPJ-Komeito coalition wins its fourth consecutive victory. The election results are as follows: DPJ 227, NFP 188, New Komeito 28, JCP 15, Issuikai 10, SDP 4, Others / non-partisan / independents 8.

August 30th, 2050: Unemployment in Burkina Faso drops below an estimated 15% for the first time in over a decade. Revolutionary leader Moussa Oedraogo is wildly popular within Burkina Faso for his Sankaraist economic and social reforms. He has put more than 50,000 Burkinabé to work planting trees in the Sahel and many more digging wells, laying irrigation lines, and more.

September 3rd, 2050: A Chinese government delegation visits Ouagadougou, the capitol of Burkina Faso. In their meeting with the country's leader, Moussa Oedraogo, they offend him by suggesting that China will only give economic aid to Burkina Faso if the country uses its UN vote at China's suggestion. Oedraogo expels the trade delegation from the country.

September 26th, 2050: Various American firms file a lawsuit in the European Court against All Nippon Spacecraft on the grounds of monopoly and unfair competition.

October 9th, 2050: Six days before planned elections in Burkina Faso, there is an attempted coup in the country. A high-ranking member of the revolutionary party Sankarist Pan-African Convention, Thomas Dakió, leads troops loyal to him in an attempt to overthrow Moussa Oedraogo. The attempt fails after a huge crowd of Burkinabé gather outside the Presidential Palace and form a human chain to defend Oedraogo. Nevertheless, Oedraogo is shot by one of his bodyguards, who was bribed by Dakió. Oedrago is not seriously wounded, and is expected to survive.

October 10th, 2050: In Burkina Faso, attempted coup leader Thomas Dakió is killed while trying to flee the capitol, Ouagadougou, and his troops are arrested or surrender. On Dakió's person are found a Chinese-made cellphone, several hundred thousand Chinese renmimbi, and two internal Chinese memos describing their African policy.

October 12th, 2050: Burkinabé leader Moussa Oedraogo announces the suspension of elections scheduled for October 15th, following what he believes was a Chinese-backed coup attempt. He says that the elections cannot be held until he is certain that they will be free from “foreign interference,” and that he will serve as President in the meantime. Oedraogo denounces “racist foreign imperialists,” and gives all non-African embassies and aid workers two weeks to leave the country or be forcibly expelled. Oedraogo has grown paranoid and terrified since being shot in the shoulder during the coup attempt led by one of his confidantes. China officially denies all claims that they were involved in Thomas Dakió's failed coup.

October 24th, 2050: The United States evacuates its embassy in Burkina Faso, following President Oedraogo's declaration that all non-African foreigners must leave the country by October 26th. American President Kirkpatrick has been unable to convince Oedraogo to reverse his decision.

October 26th, 2050: Over 2000 Western and Indian aid workers are violently expelled from Burkina Faso. Seven Americans and two Indians die after they did not leave quickly enough for the soldiers loading them into trucks to take them to Nigeria. Five Europeans are also arrested on suspicion of being “imperialist spies.”

October 29th, 2050: The United Nations Security Council passes a joint resolution condemning Burkina Faso for expelling non-Africans from the country and for the unnecessary deaths of several civilians. President Oedraogo denounces the resolution and uses it as evidence that the world's “racist powers” are working together to “keep Africa down”, as he announces to his nation in a speech. Oedraogo still enjoys broad support in Burkina Faso, as his economic policies have brought the country out of extreme poverty and put many to work. Additionally, many Burkinabé viewed the old junta as controlled by Russian, American and Chinese corporate backers.

October 30th, 2050: In baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series.

November 2nd, 2050: US Midterm Elections; The GOP makes massives gains and captures the House of Representatives for the first time since 2036, ending tricameral Democratic rule in Washington. However, they fail to attain a majority in the Senate, where Vice President Solis keeps the Senate under Democratic control.

Representative Parke Jeung (R) is elected the junior Senator from Oregon by a comfortable margin over his Democratic opponent.

November 15th, 2050: Chinese premier Zien Mai and Indian Prime Minister Jairan Rajesh end all Sino-Indian border disputes by signing the Manchester Accords in Manchester, England. China gives up claims of the Indian state of Arunchai Pradesh, while India gives up claims of Aksai Chin. The Manchester Accords prompted anti-government riots in both countries. Outraged by his “betrayal of the Indian course”, hawks begin to call for the resignation of Jairam Rajesh.
 
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2051-2060

Note: apologies for the various random spelling mistakes - my computer freaked out as I was copying it over and I couldn't go through all of it looking for them.

2051-60

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2051

January 6th, 2051: A report out from the United Nations indicates a steady rise in Nicaragua's HDI over the course of the previous five years. Though hovering around .611, Nicaragua is still much less well off than many of its neighbors. Despite this the existence of a burgeoning middle class is indisputable, with analysts praising the economic management of the country.

February 8th, 2051: Edward, Prince of Wales discretely approaches Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz of the Los Pinos Institute of Genetic Research about a matter of the utmost sensitivity. The British Embassy has been approached by a Quechua woman accusing the prince of fathering her child. He admits that there have been several Peruvian women with the potential to make this claim but he has never heard of this accuser.

Dr. De la Cruz agrees to see what he can do for his friend the prince. Members of his team actually steal a dirty diaper from the garbage at the home of the woman and are able to extract DNA from the contents and prove without a doubt this baby was not fathered by Edward, Prince of Wales. Dr. De la Cruz keeps the prince’s genome on file just in case of a rep to accusation.

February 28th, 2051: President Oedraogo announces that Burkina Faso will build up its military in order to be able to defend itself against “external imperialist aggressors.” He also orders a rewrite of the constitution, to focus not on Sankaraism (“a great philosophy of the past,” Oedraogo says) but on his newly developed Africanism (“our great united vision of the future”). Africanism says that the reason Africa has remained comparatively poor is because non-Africans (whites, Chinese, Indians, and Arabs) have worked together to keep Africa down and keep Africans from reaching “their true potential.” In response, Nigeria ceases investment in Burkina Faso, which has increasingly become an international pariah.

FOR A FULL SUMMARY OF AFRICANISM AND ITS TENETS, READ THE WIKI PAGE HERE.

April 5th, 2051: Militiamen loyal to the Soldiers of Christian Zaire cross into the East African Federation and attack a mosque, killing 18 civillians. In response, the EAF announces that it will begin a aerial bombing campaign against the Congolese rebels. Nigeria,, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, and Namibia agree to contribute planes. India and the United States promise financial aid, with President Kirkpatrick calling the bombing campaign “the worlds chance to stop another Hitler before he takes power.”

April 7th, 2051: the UN Security Council approves the creation of a no-fly zone over the eastern DRC. On April 9th, the bombing campaign begins.

April 19th, 2051: Former President Boone hails the success of his Prompt Global Strike program on the 10-year anniversary of it going online citing that “America is safe because of the world's first non-nuclear deterrent.”

April 22nd, 2051: After former President Boone's declaration about Prompt Global Strike, Alexander Rodgers, now the Shadow Defence Secretary criticizes Boone over his foreign policy while in office sparking an international row over missile defence.

May 9th, 2051: For the first time since the 1970s, there are no new reported cases of HIV infection anywhere in the world. The disease has been nearly wiped out since the 2030s, when a massive inoculation project gave an AIDS vaccine to over 90% of the people in the world.

May 22nd, 2051: In Höhn v. Aldi Süd, the Constitutional court of Germany (Bundesverfassungsgericht) rules that discrimination prima facie on the basis of genetic augmentation is unconstitutional, it being held that under Article 1(1) and 2(1) the Basic Law requires the criminalisation of such. The respondent, Aldi Süd, did not want to employ Mr. Höhn, who felt discriminated against because he was a Scion. The court, however, studiously avoided a blanket prohibition on any discrimination against scions, leaving the door possibly open for legal discrimination in certain areas such as sports.

June 4th, 2051: Despite being very young and only in national office for a few years, Senator Parke Jeung (R-OR) declares his intention to run for President in 2052. However, he faces a uphill battle for the Republican nomination against the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Senator Meghan McCain (R-AZ).

July 7th, 2051: Pope Alexander IX issues a revolutionary bull making priestly celibacy completely voluntary. He also repudiates 19th Century Pope Pius IX’s doctrine of papal infallibility. This is seen as an attempt to reinvigorate a church which had steadily lost clergy and influence since the pedophile scandals of the early 21st century. Pope Alexander’s own country of Brazil had ceased being a Catholic-majority country in 2031 when Pentecostalism became dominant. Many traditionalist Catholics leave the Catholic Church and several schismatic organizations with their own popes are founded.

July 23rd, 2051: Edward, Prince of Wales discovers the mummy of Túpac Inca Yupanqui the tenth Sapa Inca (1471–93 CE) in a cave near Cuzco, Peru. He dies later that day after being bitten by a poisonous spider.

August 1st, 2051: The nations of the Indian Ocean International Community (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand) introduce a joint currency, the rupee. The decision is approved after each country's legislature approves the action, and after referendums have been held in enough countries that a majority of the population of the IOIC lives in a country that supports the motion. An inflammatory and popular Chinese blogger, who goes by Sun Yat-sen's nickname Zaizhi (載之), calls the introduction of the rupee “pure economic imperialism and oppression” by India. In addition, Zaizhi says that the population-based method for collective decisions in the IOIC, while on the surface more democratic, “is in fact a way for monolithic India to impose its tyrannical will on the smaller and freer nations of South Asia.”

September 9th, 2051: In the race for the GOP presidential nomination, polls show a massive lead for establishment favorite Sen. Meghan McCain (R-AZ) over underdog candidate, Sen. Parke Jeung (R-OR), 48-26. Despite the massive deficit, Jeung refuses to drop out before the Iowa Caucus, declaring “this race isn't nearly finished.”

The All-African Africanist Party - Niger (PATA-N, in French) is founded in Niger by a combination of Nigeriens and Burkinabé veterans. The party, based on the Africanist ideals of Burkina Faso's President, Moussa Oedraogo, seeks to overthrow General Salifou of Niger, who has ruled the country since 2039.

September 21st, 2051: In the Second Congolese Civil War, the African intervention has fared poorly. The SCZ have become adept at hiding in dense foliage where planes cannot hope to find them, despite new heat-seeking technologies. In August, the rebels captured Ikela, and transported the city's 102,000 Muslims to what the UN calls “death camps” in Kisangani. The aerial bombing campaign has had somewhat more success at bombing these “death camps”, but even these are beginning to be built so as to blend in with the dense rainforest. The Soldiers of Christian Zaire control some 70% of the countries land area, and 40% of its population. It is estimated that they have genocidally killed over 1,200,000 Muslims thus far in the 8-year-old civil war.

September 27th, 2051: Knowing that any fighting is miles away and feeling cooped up and needing sunlight and some fresh air, Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain ventures from her cave in Eastern Congo with her nearly two-year-old triplets and allows them to play in an open area for half an hour before returning to the safety of her cave. She has no idea that during that half-hour she has been photographed by CIA spy satellites. Analysts at Langley, Virginia who stumble upon the photograph are stunned to see a European woman so deep in the jungle.

October 25, 2051: Debut of the Holyrood Symphony, a symphonic work by H.R.H Princess Diana of Gr to Britain by the Orchestra of St. Martin-in-the-Fields directed by Sir Elrond Perrin. Compared to other jazz performers who successfully enjoyed dual careers in classical music such as Andre Previn and Wynton Marsalis, the performance is well-received.

October 28th, 2051: In baseball, the New York Yankees win the World Series.

October 30th, 2051: A small contingent of EAF Special Forces troops led by Colonel Prince Nikolai of Denmark, attempt to locate the unknown European woman deep in the East Congolese jungle. After several weeks of searching, they find her. Prince Nikolai recognizes his distant cousin immediately and embraces her. But as she begins to express her immense gratitude for her rescue, the location is attacked by SCZ forces. The princess and her children are separated in the fighting. Although it goes against every maternal instinct, she knows that if their existence is revealed to the world, her children’s lives would be threatened.

November 2, 2051: When news of the survival of Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain is released to the press, the world is stunned. Having lost their son, Edward, Prince of Wales the previous July, the grieving King William V and Queen Catherine are astonished to hear their formerly dead daughter is not so dead after all. They have an emotional reunion to Heathrow Airport. Unknown to the rest of the world is King William’s request to the Prime Minister that a top-secret search be started for his three secret grandchildren.

November 16th, 2051: During a debate between the Republican presidential candidates, frontrunner Senator McCain (R-AZ) is dealt a serious blow in the polls when Senator Jeung (R-OR) catches her in a bind in her response to a question on human cloning. McCain avoids giving a direct answer, stating “Cloning is a touchy issue, and while I do support it, I don't support what it stands for.” Jeung quickly pounces, stating “Well Senator? Exactly what do you support? It isn't hard to give a direct answer.” Polls afterward show a 20 point drop for McCain, leveling the GOP field for the first time in the campaign.

November 29th, 2051: United Nations Secretary-General Zillur Rahman wins reelection to another five year term. Rahman is credited with organizing international intervention in the Third Congolese Civil War, and with preventing conflict between China, India, and the United States in the diplomatic crisis of 2049-50.

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2052

January 4th, 2052: Iowa Caucuses; In the GOP contest, Senator Parke Jeung shocks the political world by trumping Senator Meghan McCain, 44-38. The upset is attributed partly to Jeung's grassroots efforts to tap into the youth vote and McCain's high-profile flop in the November debate. On the Democratic side, Vice President Solis sweeps the caucus with 69% of the vote, blowing away token opposition from Governor Francis Wade (D-IN) and Senator Devin Chang (D-MN).

January 12th, 2052: A series of bombings in Niamey's embassy district claims the lives of 28 Nigeriens and 18 foreigners. Responsibility is claimed by PATA-N, a revolutionary Africanist party supported by Burkina Faso. General Salifou of Niger threatrns Burkina Faso with war if they continue to support PATA-N.

February 10th, 2052: Fujian Governor Zhou Qifan of the far-right Grand National Party defeats Beijing Mayor Hu Qianci of the Green Party, daughter of Hu Jia, who is also endorsed by the Party of Regions, Democratic Justice Party and Union for Development and Prosperity in the first round of the presidential election in China. Zhou says in his victory speech that China seeks peace instead of aggression, and that Anglo-Chinese relationship is “the single most important relationship we have in the world today.”
Zhou Qifan (GNP) 398,420,561 (50.7%) Hu Qianci (Green) 369,120,533 (46.9%) Huang Jiaxi (PRP) 18,704,038 (2.4%)

April 12th, 2052: Eleven years after it was first announced, the final leg of the West African transport corridor is completed. Running 4,792 km from Dakar, Senegal to Douala, Cameroon, the corridor consists of a 8-lane highway, two parallel HSR lines, and several power transmission lines. Its spurs add another 1028 km, connecting all of West Africa's major cities. Overseen by the WAINC committee, the project is expected to booso trade in West Africa to new heights.

April 28th, 2052: Malia Obama resigns from her longtime post as United States Attorney General to run for the United States Senate seat in her home state of Illinois, the same seat once held by her father and by the current President Ryan Kirkpatrick.

May 20th, 2052: According to a report by the World Health Organization, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has dropped to below 1 million people worldwide, from a peak of over 40 million in 2003. The number is expected to drop to less than 100,000 by 2060, as AIDS patients reach the end of their life and are not replaced.

August 8th-24th, 2052: The 2052 Summer Olympic Games are held in Nairobi, East African Federation, marking the first time the games have been held in Africa. The tournament closes with Russia having won the most medals, followed by the United States.

August 11th, 2052: Former Mexican Senator and long time political activist Carmen Arteaga is elected President of Mexico, becoming the first PPD candidate to win, following a long, hard fought campaign against PAN candidate Eduardo Dávila.

María del Carmen Arteaga Gasco (PPD): 51.86% Eduardo Dávila de la Huerta (PAN): 48.14%

August 13th-16th, 2052: Democratic National Convention; Despite having been in power for sixteen years, the Democratic Party still manages to maintain a highly energetic atmosphere when nominating Vice President Antonin Solis (D-CA) as the presidential nominee in New York City. Solis picks Senator Chris Sparkman (D-NY) as his running mate.

August 20th, 2052: At the 2052 Summer Olympics in Nairobi, East African Federation, Nigerian Margaret Nwoga becomes the first woman to run the 100 meter dash in less than 10 seconds, winning gold with her 9.92 mark.

August 21st-24th, 2052: Republican National Convention; After defying the political odds and his meteoric rise in the primaries, Senator Parke Jeung is nominated as the GOP's presidential candidate. To appease dissatisfied McCain supporters, Jeung taps McCain backer Senator Whitney Sinclair (R-CA) as his running mate.

October 26th, 2052: In baseball, the Honolulu Islanders win the World Series.

November 2nd, 2052: After four terms of Democratic rule, the Republican ticket Sen. Parke Jeung (R-OR)/Sen. Whitney Sinclair (R-CA) defeats the Progressive ticket of Vice President Antonin Solis (D-CA)/Sen. Chris Sparkman (D-NY). Jeung is the youngest elected president to 38 years old, as well as the first Asian American President (Korean descent). Malia Obama is elected Senator from Illinois with 52 percent of the vote as a Democratic candidate, after a highly competitive campaign against the Republican candidate, popular Governor Glenn Forrester.

Senator Parke Jeung (R-OR) / Senator Whitney Sinclair (R-CA) - 272 EV - 49.1% PV Vice President Antonin Solis (D-CA) / Senator Chris Sparkman (D-NY) - 266 EV - 48.7% PV

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2053

January 1st, 2053: A 2076 Article on worldwidesci-fi.com pinpoints this date as the start of the '21st century science fiction revival'. Largely a result of renewed interest in space, the science fiction genre, which had largely been discarded in the early 21st century, made a very public comeback with many new internet series and interactives being works of science fiction. Science fiction would once again become fully mainstream in the 2070s during President Cavalier's term as President of the United States.

January 4th, 2053: In China, the Union for Development and Prosperity, the Party of Regions and the Democratic Justice Party merge to form the Anti-Fascist Union for Freedom and Democracy.

January 12th, 2053: In Niger, the Africanist rebels (PATA-N) seize control of Tahoua, using weapons obtained from Burkina Faso. In response, General Salifou of Niger declares war against Burkina Faso.

January 12th-March 23rd, 2053: The First Africanist War occurs between Burkina Faso and Niger in West Africa. Burkina Faso, run by Moussa Oedraogo, has been supporting Africanist rebels in Niger, known as PATA-N. Niger's army is no match for the enthusiastic Burkinabé troops, who have been strengthened by Oedraogo's reforms in Burkina Faso. Combined with the domestic pressure PATA-N places on them, Niger's army quickly crumbles. In late March, Niamey, the capital of Niger, falls to Burkina Faso's army, which hands over control to PATA-N.

January 20th, 2053: In his inaugural speech, President Jeung lays out his idea for America's future. He says America must be a leader for freedom around the globe, and work to hunt down the “last vestiges of tyranny and hatred”. In conjunction with this goal, he announces that the United States Air Force will begin taking part in the international intervention in the DRC, but firmly rejects the use of ground forces. In addition, he calls for closer ties with China, saying that “the differences of the past few years must be discussed and forgiven.”. There are rumors that he and Vice-President Sinclair disagree on both Congo and China, with Sinclair pushing for more aggressiveness in both areas.

February 20, 2053: Elected government of Prime Minister João Gilberto Lopes da Rosa of Guinea-Bissau overthrown by Lt. Col. Mario Mohamed Djalo who installs a brutal military dictatorship in the poor West African country.

March 28th, 2053: The monthlong 2053 World Baseball Classic closes in Houston, Texas. The Americans emerge as the champions, beating out Japan for the title. In third place are the Venezuelans, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Brazil.

April 18th, 2053: Scion and micro-geneticist Geoffrey Purdue engineers the first customized virus that is designed to rewrite the genetic codes of infected specimens. Purdue's work is closely eyed by the U.S. military, whose research in the Ivanovski Project has taken place for over a decade despite international law against the use of bio-weaponry.

May 4th, 2053: The Labour Party under Prime Minister Rose Daltrey is re-elected to a second term with a landslide majority of 103, this is due to the continuation of the Nordic-Asian pact and sweeping reforms Daltrey has initiated.

May 25th, 2053: In China, the far-right Grand National Party wins a plurality of votes and seats, and forms a coalition government with the newly formed centre-right Liberal Democratic Party.

Chinese parliamentary election, 2053 Grand National Party (GNP) 356,018,255 (45.5%) 732 (49%) Anti-Fascist Union for Freedom and Democracy (AFUFD) 169,527,127 (21.7%) 392 (26.2%) Green Party (GP) 152,019,241 (19.4%) 257 (17.2%) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 52,819,243 (6.7%) 57 (3.8%) People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) 35,012,843 (4.3%) 35 (2.3%) Others/independents 17,504,832 (2.2%) 21 (1.4%) Results by alliances: [Presidential Majority 408,837,498 (52.2%) 789 (52.8%)] [Anti-GNP Alliance 321,606,368 (38.9%) 649 (43.4%)] Incumbent Pemier: Zien Mai (AFUFD-Green coalition) Premier-elect: Zhao Fangzheng (GNP-LDP coalition)

June 19th, 2053: The DFL rules that scions are not eligible to play in the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, and 3. Liga, because they would be advantaged over “normal” footballers.

July 1st, 2053: A long series of investigative articles in The New York Times explores Niger's rapid transition to an Africanist state. Following Burkina Faso's intervention, Niger has expelled foreign workers and diplomats, strengthened the new Army, put huge numbers of people back to work, and increased women's rights considerably. The two countries are still regarded very warily by their neighbors.

August 9th, 2053: Former President Marco Rubio dies after suffering a massive stroke at his home in Miami, Florida; he was 82 years old. Rubio is remembered as the only two-term Republican president since George W. Bush, though the former is a fonder memory in most Americans' and historians' minds.

October 7th, 2053: The Chemnitzer FC, in a game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, is the first men's football team to field eleven women. Most men in its squad were injured or banned at this time, but Didierinho (Ivory Coast) was brought into the game in the 70th minute.

October 20th, 2053: In baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series.

December 15th, 2053: Classical violinist Jeun Bae, one of four known living clones, quietly donates his father/clone Jeun Chul’s research notes to Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz of Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research. Jeun Chul had passed away on June 1, 2043 in Shanghai, China.

December 29th, 2053: The United Nations Development Office releases a report on the state of Chad, which concludes that Chad's promising political development has not been accompanied by equivalent economic development. Chad has been a relatively stable democracy since 2030, although it is a one-party dominant state and only the Chadian Democratic Front is considered to have any chance of actually winning. On the other hand, Chad's economy is still divided into a highly-corrupt private oil-and-gas sector and a pre-modern subsistence sector which employs a majority of Chadians. Chad's HDI is only .410, a scant improvement from 2010's 0.328.

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2054

January 28th, 2054: Senator Jeff Clinton-Mesvinsky (D), regarded as a Democratic star, is elected to be chair of the United States Senate Finance Committee, a powerful position which will gain him increasing influence in Washington in years to come. Up for reelection in 2056 and only 52 years old, the Senator has approval ratings in the mid-70s.

March 5th, 2054: Scientists at the Eden National Fusion Laboratory in Wyoming announce that they have achieved a controllable fusion reaction, producing far more energy than needed to cr toe it. The scientist in charge of the laboratory, James Upendowema, flies to the Netherlands two days later and commits physician-assisted suicide, saying in a press release that “I now want only to rejoin my wife in Heaven.” His wife, a leading nuclear scientist, had been killed in an explosion six years earlier.

Parliamentary elections are held in India. Prime Minster Jairam Rajesh is widely popular, and the intervention in the Congo is supported by all major parties. However, Prime Minister Rajesh lands in hot water when he suggests that he supports the establishment of permanent Indian military bases in the Congo. His main opponent, Susheela Gopalan of the Prakarita Kriya Party, accuses him of neo-colonialism and reminds Rajesh that India was once colonized itself.

After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:
Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 169 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 301 seats Left Front: 41 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 28 seats Independents: 3 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats (Government in bold)

Prime Minster Rajesh is re-inaugurated on May 12th, 2054.

April 12th, 2054: The Federated European States announces that it will begin contributing planes and drones to the air intervention in the Congolese Civil War. At present, the rebel Soldiers of Christian Zaire control about 2/5 of the country's population, and 3/5 of it's land area. Most of the country's Muslim majority has fled to the west of the DRC to avoid the genocidal maniacs of the SCZ.

May 8th, 2054: Longtime Ubangan leader Mireille Bazizé dies at the age of 72 from a heart attack. Bazizé, known in the West as one of few female dictators, was the granddaughter of former president Francois Bazizé. Madam Bazizé, as she was known in Ubangi-Shari, had led the country since 2026 and won troubled elections in 2027, 2035, 2041, 2047. The 2054 elections, in which she was a candidate, are postponed by her Vice-President, Berangér Bongongo, a Muslim.

May 9th, 2054: Cyprus joins the Federated European States after a year of negotiations. The accession occurs on Europe Day, which celebrates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which catalyzed European integration.

May 17th, 2054: Former President Julian Castro dies after a long battle with liver cancer at the age of 79; despite significant advances in cancer treatment research and the advent of lab-grown organ and tissues, Castro's cancer was too advanced to tr to effectively. He leaves behind a mixed legacy in many Americans' minds, being the first Hispanic president tnd attempting Social Security reform, but also his highly-publicized clashes with his own party's leadership over the ideological direction of the Democratic Party.

May 23, 2054: King William V gives the Castle of Mey in Northern Scotland to his daughter Princess Elizabeth of Gr to Britain. Princess Elizabeth, uncomfortable with life in London, moves there permanently. She obtains employment as a nurse at the hospital in the nearby town of Thurso where she quickly becomes an accepted member of the community.

June 28th, 2054: Japanese general election: the ruling DPJ-Komeito coalition wins its historic fifth consecutive victory, but with just a one-seat-majority. The election results are as follows: DPJ 218, NFP 200, New Komeito 27, JCP 15, Issuikai 10, SDP 3, Others / non-partisan / independents 7.

July 2nd, 2054: In the Congolese Civil War, the main SCZ army, consisting 40,000 men, is tricked by American intelligence services, and marches openly from the city of Ikela to Boende. While on the open road, the entire 12-mile convoy is set upon by European and African planes, destroying, in the words of the coalition report, “112 tanks, over 1000 technicals, and an estimated 25,000 enemy irregulars.” This military victory, while decried as a war crime in some circles, sets the rebel cause back significantly.

July 5th, 2054: The Lindsey Lohan Story, a semi-biographical drama of Lindsey Lohan's life, is released, covering her fall from grace to her tragic death in 2013. The film ends up being the highest grossing film of the year, earning $1.3 billion internationally, and went on to win several awards. The most notable award was Miranda Cosgrove's netting of Best Supporting Actor or Actress for her role as Lohan's fictional psychiatrist. Cosgrove had a successful career following iCarly's cancellation in 2015, focusing on successful, serious movies, and is increasingly being called the “Helen Mirren of the 21st Century”.

July 11th, 2054: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Kamidia Radisti of the National Awakening Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2059. She is the first Islamist to hold the post since 2024, but her liberal critics are mollified when she declares her intent to separate her personal beliefs from her political positions.

July 18th, 2054: The thirtieth FIFA World Cup concludes in India/Bangladesh, marking the first time the World Cup has been held in the subcontinent. Argentina wins the title 3-2 over Germany (FES). An estimated 1 billion people watch the final match worldwide, making the game second most followed event in human history, after the moon landings.

July 30, 2054: Winston Lewis, prominent New Zealand jurist and cousin to King William V, accepts a position as Professor of Law at Victoria University Law School in Wellington.

September 7th, 2054: In Cissé vs. Eintracht Frankfurt, the DFL rule of the previous year is overridden as unconstitutional. Cissé must be allowed to play.

September 11th, 2054: Eintracht Frankfurt plays against Borussia Dortmund, and Moussa Cissé scores four goals. Dortmund fans whistle whenever he touches the ball, because they feel hard done by, both by Eintracht Frankfurt and the BVerfG.

September 22nd, 2054: Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of Nicaraguan expatriates in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, noted Nicaraguan-born journalist Abrahán Zúniga vows to return to his native home and run for president against the aging Brunilda Laparra. Family members and friends repeatedly warn Zúniga against doing so due to threats against his life. Zúniga remains resolute in his convictions, and leaves for Nicaragua several days later.

October 8th, 2054: President Parke Jeung starts having a series of severe migraines, which the young president blames on the stresses of the job he occupies. However, after several weeks of trying countless remedies to alleviate the headaches, Jeung's family and doctor pushes him to see a neurologist to check if there is something more concerning causing his condition.

October 12th, 2054: The Titan Lunar Explorer arrives at its destination after a five year trip, and once situating itself in orbit around the moon, sends down its surface probe to explore the moon's oceans in search of extraterrestrial life.

October 18th, 2054: In baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays win the World Series.

October 22th, 2054: Li Shangzhi (李尚志), aka Zaizhi, the popular blogger, is elected Governor of Guangdong under the banner of the ruling far-right Grand National Party, defeating incumbent governor Wu Haozhang of the Greens by 400 votes.

December 24th, 2054: President Jeung is privately notified that the cause of his severe migraines were indeed neurological. After looking over test results, Jeung's doctor tells him and his family that the President has been diagnosed with brain cancer, caused by a malignant tumor, and that it is unknown whether the tumor is operable.

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2055

January 3rd, 2055: President Jeung consults his cabinet on the diagnosis with brain cancer. Vice President Whitney Sinclair is personally consulted on the possibility of dealing with a presidential succession if the incumbent were to pass away.

January 5th, 2055: President Jeung announces to the nation of his brain cancer diagnosis. Many are shocked about the youngest president in American history being stricken with a potentially fatal condition.

January 13th, 2055: Doctors at the George Washington Hospital inform President Jeung that his brain tumor is operable, and schedule an operation for the 20th of February.

January 25th, 2055: Japanese prime minister Hidenao Maehara retires, and is succeeded by Foreign Minister Eriko Haytgawa, the first female prime minister in Japanese history.

January 30th, 2055: In his State of the Union address, President Parke Jeung announces that the United States will begin to contribute planes and drones to the international intervention in the Congolese Civil War, citing the recent massacre of 2000 Muslim civilians in Mpandaka. The intervention, while achieving some success, has not destroyed but only delayed the rebels. A humanitarian crisis is brewing in the west of the country, as refugees fleeing the rebels have settled, leading to severe overpopulation and food shortages.

January 31st, 2055: Borussia Dortmund takes revenge on Eintracht Frankfrut by fielding two scions, Carlos Kagelmacher and Emre Götze.

February 20th, 2055: President Jeung emerges from surgery with a full recovery, his malignant brain tumor having been successfully removed.

March 26th, 2055: Guangdong governor Li Shangzhi of the ruling far-right Grand National Party fires 270 civil servants of Indian origins, claiming that they are spying for the Indian government. India recalls her ambassador from China in protest.

March 29th, 2055: Indian communities in Guangzhou stage an initially peaceful protests against Governor Li's “racist actions”. The protest is disrupted by loyal supporters of the ruling GNP, leading to one of the worst race riots in Chinese history. Governor Li declares a state of emergency in Guangdong.

March 30th, 2055: In what would be known as the Rape of Guangzhou, GNP supporters occupy Taojin Road and Hengfu Road, home to Indian communities, burn down shops, murder innocent children and rape innocent women and girls. Some South Asians are mistakenly killed as well, leading to strong protests from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Chinese President Zhou Qifan declares martial law in Guangzhou, and put it under federal control; while denying that mass rape has happened in Guangzhou against foreigners.

March 31st, 2055: India lowers her diplomatic relations with China. The Lok Sabha passes an emergency bill to freeze all assets of the Guangdong provincial government, declaring high-ranking members of the Guangdong provincial government persona non grata.

April 1st, 2055: The Southern Metropolitan Daily headquarters in Guangzhou is shut down by federal troops for violating the martial law. Reporters Without Borders condemns the incident, calling it a serious setback of media freedom in China.

April 2nd, 2055: Yangcheng Morning Post, another anti-government news agent, is “temporarily taken over” by the Guangdong provincial government due to “treason and Indian spying”.

April 5th, 2055: In China, 120,000 journalists join a general strike on Ching Ming Day, “mourning the death of free press”. Several liberal newspapers, including the Shanghai Times, stages a blackout in protest.

April 6th, 2055: Chinese prime minister Zhao Fangzheng announces plans to repeal the collective bargaining rights of unions, leading unions in China calls for a general strike against the “far-right fascist regime”.

April 7th, 2055: In Guangzhou, race riots between Indians and Chinese get out of control again. The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Guangzhou is murdered as angry rioters mistakenly believed that he is Indian. Bangladesh recalls its ambassador from China and calls for United Nations intervention. The Chinese government officially apologizes. Public Security Minister Wen Jiaming resigns to take responsibility, and is replaced by intelligence chief Ma Huihua. Ma promises “strong actions against rioters” and “irresponsible press coverage of riots that triggers the death of innocent South Asians.”

April 8th, 2055: After months of exploring the depths of the hydrocarbon seas, the Titan Lunar Explorer mission concludes that no life exists on the Saturnian moon, much to the disappointment of scientists and enthusiasts. However, NASA does release information hinting at the existence of organic molecules in the oceans, suggesting that life has the potential to develop.

April 9th, 2055: Indian Prime Minister Jairam Rajesh says that while he deplores the recent deaths of Indians in riots in China, he supports the actions the Chinese government as taken, and refers to his “personal trust” in President Zhou Qifan. Many in India, particularly in the opposition Prakarita Kriya Party, criticize his comments. In recent years, a major division has emerged between India's two main political parties. The NDP, a more left-wing party, has taken on internationalist positions, supporting gr toer Indian involvement overseas, militarily, economically, and politically. At the same time, the Prakarita Kriya Party has become more nationalist, supporting a domestic focus, while virulently opposing Chinese “meddling” in international affairs. The Left Front, a smaller, far-left coalition, opposes both international involvement and nationalism.

April 10th, 2055: Major airports in China are forced to shut down, due to the general strike. President Zhou Qifan orders military takeover of airports and convinces leading air companies to fire union leaders, so as to avoid air traffic jam.

April 12th, 2055: In China, the Liberal Democratic Party threatens to withdraw from the ruling coalition due to irrevocable differences on press control. Blaming the government for indecision and late action on riots, the LDP however criticizes the “hysteria of GNP ministers” and warns against rolling back to pre-UP China press control. Rose Daltrey postpones her visit to China on request of Beijing officials.

April 14th, 2055: Chinese premier Zhao Fangzheng resigns, but at the same time dissolves the parliament. Opinion polls show that the electorate is polarized between pro-GNP and anti-GNP forces. The approval rating of far-right President Zhou Qifan is at 46%, while his disapproval is at 51%.

April 22nd, 2055: All non-GNP parties represented in the Chinese parliament, excluding the LDP, the PRP and a few independent MPs, form the Coalition for Democratic Change to contest the upcoming election. The LDP campaigns as the right-wing alternative of the GNP, and vows not to enter any coalition.

May 30th, 2055: In China, the ruling GNP is defeated in the parliamentary elections, with the highest-ever turnout of 82%. The Liberal Democrats, its former coalition partner, files candidates in various constituencies controlled by a GNP incumbent. The spliting of right-wing votes lead to an unexpected CDC majority in the Chinese parliament. Former premier Zien Mai becomes premier again. Chinese president Zhou Qifan expresses his unhappiness towards the results, but maintains that he would change his leadership style and would be more open to different ideas.

Chinese parliamentary election, 2055

Grand National Party (GNP) 361,223,951 (41.5%) 669 (44.8%) Anti-Fascist Union for Freedom and Democracy (AFUFD) 208,785,193 (24%) 440 (29.5%) Green Party (GP) 169,720,319 (19.5%) 271 (18.1%) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 74,329,581 (8.5%) 41 (2.7%) People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) 28,062,391 (3.2%) 18 (1.2%) Democratic Labor Party (DLP) 12,590,382 (1.4%) 24 (1.6%) Others/independents aligned with the CDC 10,629,833 (1.2%) 21 (1.4%) Others/independents: 5,772,196 (0.7%) 10 (0.7%) Results by alliances: Coalition for Democratic Change 401,725,727 (46.1%) 756 (50.6%) Grand National Party (GNP) 361,223,951 (41.5%) 669 (44.8%) Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 74,329,581 (8.5%) 41 (2.7%) People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) 28,062,391 (3.2%) 18 (1.2%) Others/independents: 5,772,196 (0.7%) 10 (0.7%) Incumbent Pemier: Zhao Fangzheng (GNP) Premier-elect: Zien Mai (Coalition for Democratic Change)

June 3rd, 2055: Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Royal of the United Kingdom passes away quietly in her sleep at the age of 104 after watching her horse Mario Luigi win at the Epsom Downs Derby earlier that day.

June 28th, 2055: Despite official government polling on the upcoming Nicaraguan elections claiming otherwise, independent pollsters show Abrahán Zúniga leading the incumbent Laparra by 10 percentage points. An independent survey of people in the Nicaraguan capital also demonstrates people's desire for a “change of pace.”

July 18th, 2055: A series of truck bombs in Abeche, Chad, kill 192 people and force the demolition of a seriously damaged mosque. The Soldiers of Christian Zaire claim responsibility, saying the bombing is payback for Chadian support of the African aerial intervention in the Congolese Civil War.

July 27th, 2055: Political infighting begins to spread in Chad, following an intense debate over Chad's small involvement in the Congo. The ruling Chadian Democratic Front is an alliance of six former rebel groups, including the Sudanese Patriotic Army (PAS), the Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD), Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) and the New Vulcan Army (VNA). Each group wants to take a different approach - the mostly-Muslim PAS and UFDD wish to step up their involvement in the Congo in order to defeat the Soldiers of Christian Zaire once and for all, while the RFD wants to stay the course and the VNA wishes to pull out entirely. Accusations begin to fly of being “pro-Muslim” and “anti-Muslim”, and the atmosphere is tense.

August 3rd, 2055: A suicide bomber attacks a market inside a mosque in N'Djamena, Chad. 32 people are killed, but the identity of the bomber is unknown.

August 5th, 2055: The Parliament of Chad passes a law calling for increased Chadian involvement in the Congo and authorizes the entire Chadian Air Force to intervene in the conflict. The bill is vehemently opposed by the RFD, the VNA, and their political allies, all of whom are part of the united Chadian Democratic Front, which is now seriously riven along religious lines.

August 7th, 2055: The Chadian government collapses amid coalition tensions, and there is a definite religious overtone to the conflict. Fighting grips N'Djamena, the capitol, which is eventually seized by Christian RFD forces. The Sudanese Patriotic Army and their allies withdraw to Achebe, claiming to be the true government of Chad.

August 9th-11th, 2055: Rallies are held across Chad against the infighting which is gripping the country - Chadians have grown accustomed to some stability over the last 25 years, and do not want to see their country riven by religious and ethnic conflict.

August 18th, 2055: Africanist President Djibo Bakary of Niger announces that his country will intervene in Chad's political crisis in order to install an Africanist government. Bakary claims that “the people of Chad have called us, and they are the ones we respond to. They say that they do not want their country torn by clashes - and we Africanists believe that all Africans, regardless of creed, should be united in the fight against oppression and imperialist cruelty.”

August 20th, 2055: Nigerien forces invade Chad, supported by over 2000 troops from fellow Africanist nation Burkina Faso. This is conventionally dated as the beginning of the Second Africanist War.

September 6th, 2055: Nigerien and Burkinabé forces capture N'Djamena, the capitol of Chad, expelling the Christian militia RFD from the city. The Africanist intervention, legitimized by the contribution of a Chadian branch of the All-African Africanist Party (PATA-C) has been met with relief from most Chadian citizens, who do not wish to see a religious war in their country.

September 8th, 2055: A Nigerien Army division crosses the Chadian-Cameroonian border into Cameroon. When confronted by Cameroonian border guards, the Nigeriens open fire and eliminate opposition.

September 12th, 2055: Cameroon moves a large part of its army to the border with Chad, and demands an official apology and immediate withdrawal from Niger and Nigerien troops for the deaths of 28 Cameroonian soldiers and “a huge violation of our national sovereignty.”

September 20th, 2055: Following Niger's refusal to apologize, Cameroonian troops launch a limited invasion of Chad, pushing back Nigerien and Burkinabé troops and providing support to the reconstituted Chadian Democratic Front, which has reunited to oppose Nigerien intervention.

September 24th, 2055: Nigeria brokers a peace deal between Cameroon and Niger. Niger agrees to withdraw from Cameroon and officially apologize for the border incursion, while Cameroon pulls its troops back behind its borders, having suffered over 50 casualties in its brief intervention.

October 11th, 2055: In baseball, the Atlanta Braves win the World Series.

November 5th, 2055: PATA-C and Nigerien Army troops defeat the Chadian Democratic Front in Achebe, Chad, ending the Second Africanist War. Chad will become an officially Africanist state, and will adopt a constitution to thto effect on December 20th.

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2056

March 2nd, 2056: After funding had been decreased and many had given up on finding new elements, scientists at the ULHC (successor of the LHC) in Geneva announce the discovery of Elements 138 and 140. Feynman's theses have, by that, proven wrong and 138 is namend Zeusium (Zs) and Element 140 Poseidonium (Ps).

March 19th, 2056: Jamie Gray, pastor of an Ohio mega church, announces the creation of Christian Progress, a christian-based anti-poverty movement that aims to work world-wide to fight poverty in all areas.

May 8th, 2056: At President Jeung's urging, the United States Congress passes the Nuclear Fusion Development Act, which provides funds to build twelve fusion plants across the United States. Once fully operational, the twelve plants will provide approximately 15% of the electric consumption in the United States. The Act, passed two years after the first viable fusion reaction occurred, was delayed by Congress' safety concerns.

July 5th, 2056: Tajikistan announces that it will join the Indian Ocean Inter-national Community, with plans to join the common currency (the rupee) by 2059. China denounces Tajikistan's declaration, implying that Tajikistan will be nothing more than an Indian puppet.

August 1st-17th, 2056: The The 2056 Summer Olympic Games are held in Warsaw, Poland, marking the first time the Summer Games have been held in Eastern Europe. The tournament closes with the United States having won the most medals, followed by China.

August 11th, 2056: In Japan, the Haytgawa government is defeated by a no-confidence motion.

September 3rd, 2056: Japanese general election: neither side could win a clear victory, since the far-left JCP and the far-right Issuikai makes substantial gains during the election. The election results are as followed: DPJ 203, NFP 198, Issuikai 25, JCP 23, New Komeito 22, Others / non-partisan / independents 9.

September 17th, 2056: After talks between the DPJ and the opposition NFP, a grand coalition is formed. Since the ruling DPJ won the popular vote and the highest number of seats, Eriko Haytgawa would continue to serve as Prime Minister, while NFP leader Shintaro Kiyomizu is appointed Foreign Minister. The far-right Issuikai condemns the grand coalition as an ignorance of the Japanese people.

October 13th, 2056: In baseball, the Detroit Tigers win the World Series.

November 4th, 2056: President Park Jeung and Vice President Whitney Sinclair are re-elected over the Democratic ticket of North Carolina Governor Ann Blumenthal/Indiana Governor Francis Wade. The election is reflective of the mainly positive mood of voters in response to the relatively prosperous economic climate and perceived calm of foreign affairs, tnd attribute it to the mostly uneventful Jeung presidency.

President Parke Jeung (R-OR) / Vice President Whitney Sinclair (R-CA) - 360 EV - 53.3% PV Governor Ann Blumenthal (D-NC) / Governor Francis Wade (D-IN) - 178 EV - 44.9% PV

November 5th, 2056: After early exit polls in the Nicaraguan general election indicate Abrahán Zúniga the winner for the presidency, there is a sudden loss of communications with the National Electoral Committee counting the ballots. Roughly 36 hours later the incumbent Laparra is declared President-elect.

November 7th, 2056: Mass demonstrations erupt in Managua. Abrahán Zúniga, addressing a crowd of nearly 50,000 in the capital's Revolution Square, calls for a recount of ballots, on the condition it be done by independent observers. President Laparra rejects any such proposals, calling the results “free and fair.”

November 10th, 2056: As protest continue to grip Nicaragua, a series of explosions rip apart the facade of the Intercontinental Hotel in Managua, killing 114 people, many of them foreigners. Laparra lays blame on the protesters demanding her removal from power, while Zúniga, who is now the face of the Nicaraguan opposition, points the finger at Laparra's radical supporters.

November 12th, 2056: Using the bombing of the Intercontinental as a pretext, Laparra orders elements of the Nicaraguan Army to quell the protesters “by any means necessary.” By the evening much of Managua is pacified, with several thousand reported dead. Reports also surface that Zúniga was killed by the military in all the chaos.

November 13th, 2056: Suspicions are confirmed when video is leaked of Abrahán Zúniga's blood-soaked corpse being paraded by overzealous soldiers through the streets of Managua. Protest boils over into full scale rebellion, as the cities of León, Mattgalpa, Chinandega and Jinotega are overrun by enraged citizens who refuse to recognize the Managua government. In Managua itself citizens protest any way they can, many resorting to long night time chants of “muerte a la perra!”, among the relative safety of their rooftops, along with other less savory names for the Nicaraguan leader.

December 4th, 2056: For the first time in its history, an American is elected to lead the United Nations. Former American President Ryan Kirkpatrick will be sworn in on January 1st. Many view this as a sign that America is no longer powerful enough that them holding the post of Secretary-General is a thr to to global stability.

December 8th, 2056: President Jeung is afflicted with a second bout of migraines, despite the brain tumor that caused them previously having been removed a year earlier. After an immediate visit with his doctor, Jeung is notified that his cancer has relapsed, with a more malignant but still operable tumor.

December 11th, 2056: After conferring with his advisors, cabinet, and Vice President Sinclair, President Jeung announces to the American public he will be undergoing surgery once more to remove the relapsed brain tumor. During the one month period where Jeung will stay in the hospital under supervised care, he relinquishes his duties to Sinclair, who becomes Acting President.

December 28th, 2056: During surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from President Jeung, the surgical team accidentally severs a major artery, causing a cerebral hemorrhage. Doctors struggle to stop the bleeding, but the trauma from the mistake is too much, and the young president dies on the operating table. The nation is completely shocked by the situation, and Vice President Sinclair is sworn in as the 52nd President of the United States.

December 29th, 2056: President Whitney Sinclair declares a national week of mourning for the late President Jeung, stating, “America has lost a great leader, one with a vision that promised to take the nation forward into a new era. We must not let that vision die with President Parke Louis Jeung… we will strive, we will move forward.”

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2057

January 20th, 2057: President Whitney Sinclair nominates Governor Ike Davis (R-OH) to fill the vacancy in the Vice Presidency. The former Major Leaguer is later confirmed by the Senate.

January 29th, 2057: A coup occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Baha'i generals, lead by Baha Esdne, overthrow the government in Kinshasa and declare their intention to “purge the DRC of the Christians who began this war; they must be eliminated to secure our future.” The prior government, lead by Gaswigo Goma, flees to the city of Boma, and takes control of Congo's access to the Atlantic.

February 1-10th, 2057: Due to the confusion and infighting caused by the coup in the DRC, government forces are falling back rapidly or being routed by SCZ rebels. The cities of Bandundu and Kikwit fall, and in each town, the Muslim and Baha'i populations are exterminated. A further 32 million civilians are at risk in the small western portion of the country, and due to massive refugee overcrowding, starvation has set in in Kinshasa. It is estimated that 100,000 have died in the last month in the Third Congolese Civil War.

February 5th, 2057: Due to continual violence from within Nicaragua, Mexican President Carmen Arteaga addresses Congress on it's first day of session for the year to lift immigration restrictions on Nicaraguans seeking political asylum in Mexico. In response President Laparra declares Mexican ambassador to Nicaragua Sergio Aceves persona non grata, demanding his immediate departure from the country. The next day Mexico follows suit and severs diplomatic relations with Nicaragua.

February 11th, 2057: A joint-speech by four world leaders (President Sinclair of the United States, Prime Minister Supré of Europe, Prime Minister Rajesh of India, and President Kiongozi of the EAF) announces that they have committed over 300,000 soldiers to an invasion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their goals are to eliminate all genocidal and rebel forces, establish a new government, hold elections within eight years (as PM Rajesh says, “We're in for the long haul, and our commitment will not waver”), and to establish a precedent of humanitarian intervention. Or, as President Sinclair famously puts it, “We'd like it if they'd bloody well stop killing each other, and we're going to put a stop to it!”. Troops from South Africa, Nigeria, Brazil, and Egypt, and twenty-two other allies will also be joining the invasion force. André Lumbaya, leader of the SCZ, says that he will resist the “infidel invasion with all available force, and God shall rain strikes upon the sinners as he did at Sodom and Gomorrah!”.

February 14th, 2057: On Valentine's Day, the coalition invasion of the DRC commences on three fronts. American, Brazilian, and EAF troops launch an amphibious takeover of the first 100 miles of the Congo River, advancing up to Luozo and seizing Matadi, a city of 2 million people. This is accomplished with the aid of the anti-coup Boma government, although the coalition has made clear this government will be dissolved and a new one formed. Meanwhile, South African, Nigerian, and other assorted forces, having assembled in the Central African Republic over the last month, invade in the north, capturing Gbadolite, Binga, and Bondo. Finally, EAF and Indian troops invade in two regions in the south, defeating massed SCZ forces at Goma and capturing Lubumbashi.

February 16th, 2057: Facebook co-founder and longtime CEO Mark Zuckerberg dies of a heart attack at the age of 73. A multi-billionaire, Zuckerberg pioneered several social networking technologies, including “virtual rooms” (where you can walk into a simulated room and talk with friends) and interlinked sites. At the time of his death, Facebook is the world's largest social network with about 30% market share, just ahead of Google Friends and Mirrors.

February 20th, 2057: Kinshasa is captured by American forces, and the Baha'i military government falls. Most of their troops surrender to European and American forces, although several groups continue slaughtering Christians until they are hunted down and killed. It is estimated that the junta, despite being in power for only 22 days in a small part of the country, were nevertheless able to kill over 100,000 Christians in mass murders. Baha Esdne, the leader of the junta, attempts to flee to the Congo, but is captured.

February 25-30th, 2057: Coalition forces surround Kolwezi, the capitol of the genocidal Soldiers of Christian Zaire. André Lumbaya, their leader, announces that he will slaughter every woman and child in the city if coalition forces do not halt their advance. For five days, fighting practically freezes as the coalition leaders consider how to best deal with Lumbaya. Then, on the 28th, the largest paratroop operation since Operation Market Garden commences. Over 25,000 troops are dropped in selected locations throughout the city. With a “live-stick landing” rate of 98.8%, the operation is spectacularly successful, except that André Lumbaya escapes. His whereabouts remain unknown.

February 28th, 2057: Mexican President Carmen Arteaga gives a speech near the skeletal hull of Mexico's second yet to be completed aircraft carrier at Naval Shipyard 18 in Acapulco, reiterating her commitment to ensure hemispheric peace and security, not being shy of blasting the Laparra regime in Nicaragua. American President Sinclair, who was in Mexico on a state visit, stresses the United States commitment as well, vowing to work closely with her Mexican counterpart.

March 10th, 2057: The United Nations officially issues economic sanctions against Nicaragua, as the violence from the election protests that previous January continue to escalate.

March 20th, 2057: Coalition forces announce that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been pacified. They have formed a unified command, PEACECOM, which will run the occupying forces. Troops will be from twenty-two countries: the United States (90,000), Canada (8000), Gr to Britain (12,000), Europe (46,000), Poland (9,000), Turkey (13,500), Finland (840), Estonia (800), Gr ece (2400), Nigeria (32,000), Ethiopia (29,000), the EAF (41,750), South Africa (36,200), Angola (16,000), Ghana (9000), Brazil (2100), Argentina (1200), India (24,500), Sri Lanka (210), Thailand (1000), Japan (2500), and Australia (4000). Totaling 382,000 troops, the coalition forces have in place a clear exit strategy which depends on eliminating all guerrilla forces being eliminated by 2059 and free elections held by 2062, with a final exit in 2065.

March 27th, 2057: The Army for a Democratic Nicaragua (FAND), an insurgent group formed from defected Nicaraguan Army units and regular citizens bearing arms, leaks video stating that they aim to overthrow Brunilda Laparra and her government. The men speaking in the video all wear masks and do not disclose their location.

The monthlong 2057 World Baseball Classic closes in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Cuba emerge as the champions, beating out Brazil. for the title. In third place are the Dominican Republic, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Haiti.

March 29th, 2057: The Nicaraguan Departments of León, Mattgalpa, Jinotenga, Nueva Segovia, Madriz, Estelí and Chinandega all declare their allegiance to the Free Nicaraguan forces. The governors of all the renegade Departments meet in Mattgalpa where they proclaim the Council for a Free Nicaragua (CNL), claiming to represent the legitimate government. The elected Chairman of the CNL and governor of Mattgalpa Alfredo Zamudio issues a statement, declaring that the people of Nicaragua “deserve good government and piece of mind, something Managua has yet to deliver.”

April 1st, 2057: PEACECOM civilian leaders give speeches in their countries declaring their plans for the former DRC. The country will be renamed the Federal State of the Congo (FSC), and power will be transferred to a provisional government of democratic activists in 2059.

April 5th, 2057: With much of northwest Nicaragua in a state of rebellion against her authority, President Laparra orders military units still loyal to her to reign in the “traitorous provinces, by any means necessary!” As if to push her point further, Laparra begins aerial bombardments of Mattgalpa, León and Chinandega.

May 10th, 2057: Treaty of Guadalajara: considered a landmark step in South American politics, all 13 nations of South America (including Trinidad and Tobago) sign a treaty pledging to never again fight a war between themselves. As concrete steps towards this goal, all final customs barriers in South America are abolished, they agree to double joint military exercises, reduce total domestic military spending by 10% apiece by 2060, create three joint naval task forces to patrol the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Pacific, and cr toe a common Office of Economic Integration to ease barriers between the ALADEC and LAFTA blocs.

May 27th, 2057: A report issued by Amnesty International claims that civil war in Nicaragua has displaced as many as 3 million people, with tens of thousands of refugees rushing into Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States.

June 2nd, 2057: The Labour government is returned to power for a third term with a reduced majority of 58 following infighting over the issue of Europe and a resurgent opposition led by newly installed Tory Leader Priya Shamal. However, this does mean that Rose Daltrey is the first Labour Leader since Tony Blair in 2005 to win three terms for Labour.

June 12th, 2057: An ambush/suicide attack on an Argentinian convoy within PEACECOM moving to its occupation location kills over 112 coalition troops, including 92 Argentinians (almost 1/10th of their troop contribution). The SCZ claim responsibility in a video made by their leader, André Lubaya, who is believed to be hiding in the dense Congolese jungle.

June 13th, 2057: Argentina announces that it will be withdrawing from PEACECOM. In response, Jairam Rajesh, the Indian Prime Minister, gives a speech before Parliament that very night. Known as the “Human Imperative” speech, Rajesh lays out a philosophy of humanitarian intervention, calling it our “human imperative to aid others, no matter their creed or the crimes of their country”. He announces additionally that three countries (Egypt, Korea, and New Zealand) will be joining PEACECOM, more than making up for the missing Argentinian troops. This unprecedented show of resolve from the international community redoubles coalition morale.

July 14th, 2057: An intense shootout ensues in Mexico City's Chapultapec Park between six heavily armed gunmen and Federal Police. Two of the gunmen are killed, while the survivors are arrested and taken into custody. Later identified as Laparrista agents, they are purported to have gone on to try and assassintoe Mexican President Arteaga. A firestorm erupts among nationalist circles, questioning the rationality of allowing so many Nicaraguan refugees into the country.

July 25th, 2057: In Mexico's Chamber of Deputies, a furor is roused over a proposed measure that would strictly reduce and control immigration into Mexico. Co-sponsor to the relating congressional bill, Deputy from Guanajuato David Fuentes of the PAN is not shy of his dislike for the surge of Nicaraguans entering the country. At a press conference at Los Pinos the following day, President Arteaga makes it clear that she would veto any immigration bill that made it to her desk that was designed to harm the political refugees entering the country.

August 21st, 2057: A report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees finds that of 33 million pre-war Congolese Muslims, only 11.5 million remain within the FSC. 12.5 million are refugees in neighboring countries, especially the Republic of the Congo and Angola. Another 9 million are dead, massacred by the SCZ in what is known as the Muaji (“murder” in Swahili”). Overall, 16 million people were killed in the Third Congolese Civil War, a staggering 12.3% of the population, including 35% of men between ages 15 and 40.

August 24th, 2057: At a reception given by President Arteaga, recent Nobel Prize winner Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz meets Professor Porfiria Sepulveda de Villalobos of the Universidad Nacional Autonimo de México. The daughter of Mexico City Mayor Nezahualcóyotl “Neza” Sepúlveda, Dr. Sepulveda is the author of a recently published scholarly biography of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico (1832-1867). Two interesting events came from the conversation at the reception between Dr. De la Cruz and Dr. Sepulveda, her father the Mayor of Mexico City, Neza Sepulveda, and the Russian Ambassador to Mexico, Vladimir P. Chernomyrdin.

The four discussed the mystery of whether Tsar Paul Romanov (1754 – 1801)was the true son of Tsar Peoer III (1728 – 1762) or, as his mother Catherine the Gr to heavily implied, her lover Sergei Saltykov (1726 – 1765) . “Easily solved,” stated Alejandro de la Cruz confidently and described the techniques he would use to accomplish it. A year and half later, Dr. De la Cruz and his team from LPIGR are invited to Russia by the brother-in-law of the Russian Ambassador, Prime Minister Igor Danilov himself. Permission is granted to exhume the bones of Tsars Paul and Peoer III and Sergei Saltykov. Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz soon announces that without doubt, Tsar Peoer III was the actual father of Tsar Paul and that Catherine the Great lied about her marriage never having been consummated.

A second historic occurrence resulted from the conversation of the four guests at President Arteaga’s party. The subject of cloning came up and Dr. Sepulveda wistfully described her difficulty conceiving children. She and her husband had rejected using a sperm donor or adopting. They had also considered cloning. The Russian ambassador made the observation that cloning some living person was all well and good but wouldn’t it be something if someone could clone a famous dead historic personage. “Someone like Maximilian von Habsburg!” exclaimed Porfiria Sepulveda. “I would love to be the mother of the clone of the man I have studied and written about for so many years!”

After the party was over, Alejandro de la Cruz was thoughtful as his privtoe jet cruised through the warm Mexican night, its destination Saltillo. By the time the plane had landed and he began the long drive southeast of the city toward Galeana, he had formulated a theory. The next week, after consulting his colleagues, Dr. De la Cruz discreetly contacted Neza Sepulveda and his daughter. A few days later, a package arrives at Los Pinos which contains the bloody shirt that the Emperor Maximilian wore when he was shot dead on June 19, 1867.

Over the next few months, using techniques first developed by Korean geneticist Jeun Chul, Alejandro de la Cruz’s team expands them and extracts viable DNA from the 190 year old shirt. Using one of Porfiria Sepulveda’s own eggs with the DNA of the emperor Maximilian inserted, the author and professor of history becomes pregnant with the first clone of a historic personage. The circumstances of the conception of her son remains a closely guarded secret.

September 23rd, 2057: After nearly six months of continuous seige and aerial bombardment, Mattgalpa is overwhelmed by elements of the Nicaraguan military. Many members of the CNL trek north into Honduras, as the Laparristas close in from the south and the coast. Meanwhile, the FAND retreat into the dense jungle of eastern Nicaragua. Supreme Commander of the FAND General Abel Barajas releases a statement early the next day, vowing to “bury Laparra in due time.”

October 8th, 2057: Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz for discovering a method to speedily grow cloned organs.

October 10, 2057: Upon his arrival in London as he returned home to Mexico from Scandinavia after receiving the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz receives an unexpected invitation to tea from King William V. Planning to overnight in London anyway, the surprised geneticist nervously accepts the king‘s invitation.

Arriving at Buckingham Palace later that afternoon, the king expertly makes him feel comfortable and at ease. After congratulating the Nobel prize winner, the British Monarch mysteriously closes the door to the room where they are seated and they are alone. Thanking Dr. Cruz for his discretion, the king reveals that his son had told him the entire business about the woman in Peru who claimed the prince had fathered her child. Since the geneticist had proven himself discreet, the king asks if he could enlist his help with another matter that is not only sensitive but dangerous and demands absolute discretion.

When Dr. Cruz assures him that he would help in any way he could, King William divulges the complete story regarding his daughter’s ordeal in the Congo including the existence of his three grandsons who had been separated from their mother the princess in the fighting.

“My daughter is desperate for the return of her children,” exclaims the king. “There is barely a moment that goes by that she doesn’t think of them. I can’t bear to see her so upset all the time. And I also can’t bear the fact that I have three grandsons who are probably living in dangerous and unbelievably squalid conditions when in fact their grandfather is yours truly. Our agents have searched for them all across the Congo with no success. Of course, you understand the Congo is a war-torn mess at the moment.”

The king sipped his tea.

“I thought of you,” he continued, “when I read in the Times that your associate, Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of Mozambique was heading up a new DNA project. Something about the Bantu diaspora or some such? When I saw that he intended to go to the refugee camps and take thousands of samples of the kind of DNA which passes, I understand, through the female line, I instantly thought that perhaps my grandsons could be found in this manner. Since you already have my son‘s DNA on file perhaps your associate could keep an eye out for it? Something tells me there won‘t be many African refugee children with Kate Middleton‘s DNA,” he laughed.

October 14th, 2057: In an act of political craftsmanship, Shadow Chancellor Alexander Rodgers announces he will adopt the Labour policy of middle class tax relief which effectively ends Labour's advantage over taxation.

October 24th, 2057: In baseball, the New York Mets win the World Series.

October 30th, 2057: Nicaraguan President Brunilda Laparra proclaims victory in what had been dubbed the Nicaraguan Civil War of 2057, claiming that the entire country was under her firm control once again. In reality, large swaths of eastern Nicaragua's Autonomous Territories are under Rebel control.

November 11th, 2057: The Labour government of Rose Daltrey votes to disestablish the Church of England. Membership in the state church of Gr to Britain had waned steadily since the last half of the 20th century. With the repeal of the requirement of priestly celibacy for Roman Catholic clergy in 2051, most remaining Anglicans had returned to the Roman church in droves. Pope Alexander IX allowed them to continue Anglican traditional services in English Rite congregations in full communion with Rome.

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2058

January 1st, 2058: On the New Year, a leaked PEACECOM report from the Congo finds that the occupation is faring poorly. In the nine months since the occupation began, 456 coalition troops have been killed (including 126 Americans) and 2120 have been wounded. Cities and entire regions of the FSC have become self-segregated by religion. The report recommends serious consideration be given to splitting the country apart. A new religious urban militia, Baha'i-oriented, has formed in Kinshasa and nearby cities and caused 10% of coalition fatalities. Muslims have engaged in 82 separate revenge acts of mob violence against Christians. Finally, over 100 Muslims have been crucified in Eastern Congo by the SCZ over the last year, in what the report calls “a brutal modern version of lynching. In one particularly horrifying case, a pregnant mother and her three children (all under 10) were kidnapped, skinned, strangled with their skin, and then crucified. The fetus was torn from the mother's body and burned to death in “holy water” – hydrochloric acid. Nevertheless, public resolve remains strong in almost all coalition countries, and troop levels remain unchanged.

January 2nd, 2058: Anti-Roman Anglican congregations found a new organization called the Independent Church of England led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Rev. Sir Crispin Percy of Lindisfarne, Bt. Although no longer Supreme Governor of the Church of England, King William V and Queen Catherine affiliate privtoely with an ICOE congregation in Westminster.

January 4, 2058: Tahitians narrowly defeat independence referendum from France.

January 22nd, 2058: NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Indian Space Research Organization announce a joint manned mission to Venus. The planned mission, named Parvati-V, will not actually ltnd an astronaut upon Venus' surface, except perhaps for a few seconds. Instead, it will set up a floating base in Venus' atmosphere upon which the astronauts will be able to survive for a month before returning. From there, they would be able to launch exploratory missions in balloon and floatplane across the Venerian surface. The floating platform would not be able to survive after the astronauts leave, however.

February 8th, 2058: EAF Special Forces Brigadier General Prince Nikolaiof Denmark, after providing outstanding leadership during the capture of Mattdi, is severely wounded while leading his troops into newly liberated Lubumbashi, but goes on to make a full recovery.

March 13th, 2058: British King William V’s style of Defender of the Faith is tltered by Act of Parliament to Defender of the Faiths, a change his father King George VII coveted but did not see in his lifetime.

May 8th, 2058: A Nigerian physicist publishes a paper in the African Journal of Physics which contains a Theory of Everything. The Theory of Everything, a target of scientific research for the last eighty years, is a sought-after theory which could link general relativity and quantum physics. The scientist, a young Muslim man named Muhammad Adefope Eda, calls his theory H-causal theory, but it is quickly named “Reconstruction Theory” by the press for his method of building from the Big Bang and “reconstructing” the Universe. To verify the theory, a massive Hadron collider needs to be built, but physicists worldwide say that reconstruction theory is correct.

May 12th, 2058: Three suicide car bombers in Kinshasa attack the PEACECOM ground headquarters, targeting visiting dignitaries as they arrive. Former US President and United Nations Secretary-General Kirkpatrick is gravely injured, and dies before he can be taken to a hospital. Other deaths include Wilhelm Königswarter, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Zhuang Xiaotian, the Chinese foreign minister. In total, 29 people are killed, and 137 injured.

May 13th, 2058: Liu Xilai is confirmed as Acting General Secretary of the UN after Kirkpatrick's death.

May 15th, 2058: In response to the Kinshasa suicide bombing, US President Sinclair announces that the United States will send 15,000 more troops to the FSC, along with 15,000 additional international troops.

July 4th, 2058: President Whitney Sinclair of the United States officially opens Buffalo Commons National Park, the largest national park in the United States. Covering about 51,000 square miles (an area larger than seventeen American states), the park supports abundant populations of bison, wolves, antelope, and beaver, and is expected to attract over a million visitors in its first year. The first superintendent, Wakinyan Rousseau, a Lakota Indian, says that Buffalo Commons “will be the greatest national park in the history of the world.” The cities of Billings, Rapid City, and Bismarck act as gateways to the park, tnd all three have experienced a spurt of economic growth, as have two Native American reservations which make up part of the park.

July 8th, 2058: Nigerien forces finally withdraw from Chad, now that Chad has been fully remade into an Africanist country. The two nations are very close and mutually suspicious of Nigeria - there is some talk of a political union between the two.

July 13th, 2058: The thirty-first FIFA World Cup concludes in Germany (Federated European States), although some criticize the choice only eight years after the tournament was held in France. The Netherlands win the championship 9-8 over England. An estimated 990 million people watch the final match worldwide.

September 21st, 2058: Professor Porfiria Sepulveda de Villalobos of the Universidad Nacional Autonimo de México gives birth to a son whom she and her husband name Alejandro Maximiliano Villalobos Sepulveda.

October 23rd, 2058: In baseball, the Houston Astros win the World Series.

October 28th, 2058: Madagascar announces that it will peg its currency, the ariary, to the South Asian rupee.

November 2nd, 2058: U.S. Midterm Elections; The Democratic Party recaptures the House of Representatives for the first time since 2050, riding on a wave of popular frustration toward the growing military casualties in the Congo. The Senate narrowly remains in GOP hands, however, with Vice President Davis providing the tie-breaker vote. In California, Lt. Governor Norse Cavalier succeeds the popular Tom Cambell to become Governor, after the latter decided not to seek a second term due to being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

December 31st, 2058: A year-end round-up in the New York Times finds that so far, 381 Americans have been killed in the Congolese occupation. 1,293 PEACECOM troops have been killed, and André Lubaya, the leader of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire, has not yet been found. The article does note two bright spots; the Muslim population has settled down, and no longer is engaging in revenge attacks against Christians, and the Baha'i militias have mostly been dismantled.

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2059

January 3rd, 2059: SCZ rebels, in conjunction with embassy staff, launch a bold attack on the American and European embassies in the provisional capitol, Mbandaka. Two unnamed senior American diplomats are among the 31 Americans killed; both embassies are under siege from militants for five hours before relief forces break through the attack to the embassy. 12 European civilians and three soldiers die.

January 10th, 2059: Protest marches are held across the United States and Europe against the Congo intervention. Over 20,000 march in New York and Berlin, with smaller crowds in Paris, Chicago, LA, and Rome. The protestors demand a drawdown of coalition forces and nearly immediate democratic elections in the Congo.

April-May, 2059: Parliamentary elections are held in India. The election largely centers around domestic policy, as India's intervention in the Congo was broadly supported by all parties except the Left Front coalition. The election is a rematch of the 2054 polls. Jairam Rajesh, the incumbent Prime Minister of the New Democratic Party (NDP) has been accused of opposing state's rights by his main opponent, Susheela Gopalan of the Prakarita Kriya Party. Gopalan charges that Rajesh aims to destroy India's local cultures. Additionally, she argues that “Rajesh's neo-colonial ambitions” will damage India's image and soft power on the world stage. Prime Minister Rajesh, for his part, accuses Gopalan, who is strongly anti-China, of being a fearmongerer.

After the election, seats in the Lok Sabha are apportioned as follows:
Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 192 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 257 seats Left Front: 38 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 41 seats Independents: 4 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats (Government in bold)

Jairam Rajesh is inaugurated as the new Prime Minister on May 13th, 2059. However, his minority government is tenuous, and he had to make several concessions to the Left Front to remain Prime Minister, including raising the government ownership level of Indian Railways and working to re-establish a national airline.

April 16th, 2059: Prince Alexander, the Earl of Strathclyde joins Sotheby’s as an expert on Elizabethan and Jacobean furniture.

May 3rd, 2059: In South Sudan, the Africanist leader Kuol Lubong is elected President. He swears himself to a policy of “Africanist revival”, including an expulsion of non-African embassies and companies, a greater emphasis on religious pluralism, and a national service requirement. South Sudan was viewed as teetering on the edge following the devastating civil war from 2054-56.

May 19th, 2059: After reportedly suffering a heart attack, Nicaraguan President Laparra is placed under emergency care at a Managua hospital. Her eldest son, Edgardo Laparra, becomes acting President while his mother is incapacitated.

June 15th, 2059: Senator Malia Obama of Illinois declares her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, running on a platform of “withdrawal from a flawed intervention halfway across the world”.

June 22nd, 2059: In a surprise announcement, General Francisco Hernandez declares his intention to challenge President Sinclair for the Republican presidential nomination. Hernandez was previously commander of American forces in the Congo until he resigned over disagreements with the President of expanding the country's military involvement, calling the war “grossly misguided and mismanaged”.

July 1st, 2059: After supposedly suffering from complications of the heart, Nicaraguan President Brunilda Laparra, the only leader the country had known for over 27 years, dies while in emergency care. Her eldest son, Edgardo Laparra, is immediately elevated to the Presidency. It would only be revealed to the world nearly a decade later that Brunilda Laparra was actually poisoned by Edgardo while in her hospital bed.

July 4th, 2059: Suicide car bombings occur across the Federated State of the Congo, aimed at coalition forces and mosques. 98 coalition troops die, including 52 Americans, and 401 civilians are killed. On the same day, a poll released by Dicemus Polling Corporation finds that 61% of Americans are supportive of a drawdown of American forces in the FSC.

July 4th, 2059: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Asifya Ismail of the New Indonesian Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2064.

July 9th, 2059: A bombing in Bangui, the capitol of Ubangi-Shari, kills 82 people outside the city's main mosque. The Soldiers of Christian Zaire claim that they have begun to expand their fight to Ubangi, saying that the Islamic minority is oppressing the country's Christians. Western analysts believe that the SCZ is trying to force PEACECOM to expand their occupation of the Congo to Ubangi.

July 28th, 2059: SCZ gunmen kill 24 people in a market in the capitol of Ubangi, Bangui. President Bongongo vows to bring the attackers to justice.

July 29th, 2059: The Indian foreign minister and European defense minister engage in an embarrassing shouting match over the Congo PEACECOM mission on the floor of the United Nations. Visintoh Pollinuriti accuses Pao Golanzes of not showing humanitarian backbone, and of running away like a coward when things get hot. Golanzes retorts that the Indians have “neo-imperial” ambitions in the Congo. Both countries swiftly repudiate their officials' statements, and Pollinuriti and Golanzes apologize to one another.

August 17th, 2059: Atlanta Braves shortstop Rebecca Mitchell becomes the first women to play in Major League Baseball, breaking the gender barrier. In her first game she goes 2-4 with a stolen base, a run scored, and a RBI, while also making an outstanding diving grab to end the game. While baseball is not treated to the same influx of players that desegregation started, many female stars will develop in the coming decades.

September 5th, 2059: Oman grants citizenship to all persons living within its borders, thus giving rights to its 4 million South Asian residents, who are now the majority. Oman officially becomes a member of the Indian Ocean International Community, adopting the Indian Ocean rupee as its official currency. The move had been expected for sometime, as Oman's previous currency had been tagged to the rupee since its introduction in 2048 and economic ties with the rest of the IOIC had grown significantly over the past fifteen years. Oman is the first IOIC member outside of South Asia.

September 12th, 2059: President Kuol Lubong of South Sudan announces a “national revitalization draft”, in line with his Africanist philosophy. All young people in the country will be required to either join the military, perform national labor service, or have at least two children within three years.

September 30th, 2059: Sovereignty in the Federated State of the Congo is officially transferred from PEACECOM to a provisional government led by Congolese expatriates. The Prime Minister is Ramazani Baya, a Congolese-Brazilian.

October 10th, 2059: The Joint Development and Free Trade Pact, better known as the African “Alliance for Democracy”, announces it will embark upon “the largest scientific endeavor yet attempted by humanity.” The group, led by South Africa, Nigeria, and the EAF, and supported by Europe and the United States, will build a massive supercollider in the Sahel to attempt to prove Nigerian physicist Muhammad Eda's reconstruction theory. The superconductor, called the Grand African Reconstruction Theory Collider (GART-C), will cost over 50 billion dollars, and will be completed in 2065. A location is selected in southern Mali, and a fusion plant will be built on the site to provide power; the fifth fusion plant in Africa. Europe and the United States contribute significant resources in terms of scientific personnel and financial assistance.

October 16th, 2059: H.R.H. Sarah, Duchess of York passes away one day after turning 100 years old with her daughters with Prince Andrew, Beatrice and Eugenie at her side. Although considered unacceptably scandalous in her early years, after her remarriage had become a well-beloved member of the royal family, especially in old age.

October 22nd, 2059: In baseball, the Cleveland Indians win the World Series.
November 15th, 2059: Regarding the Congo intervention, a report leaked from the European Armed Forces finds that more European and American troops have been killed in the last five months than in the previous two years of the PEACECOM mission. The report suggests that SCZ guerrillas are targeting Westerners to try and force them to withdraw. Additionally, the report cites a Foreign Ministry memo which suggests that coalition forces evacutoe all remaining Muslims from the FSC when they depart. This sparks debtoe across the coalition countries.

November 30, 2059: Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of Mozambique discovers two of the king’s grandsons by DNA testing in a refugee camp in Kigoma near Lake Tanganyika in the East African Federation where they had lived for many years. They have no idea that less than five miles away from the camp lives Prince Nikolai of Denmark, their distant cousin, who, acting on the request of his cousin the King of Gr to Britain, escorts the two bewildered eleven-year-olds to their royal mother, whom they barely remember.

December 2nd, 2059: The first Congolese elections in thirty years are scheduled for June 1st, 2060. This is ahead of the pace originally set, as coalition countries are eager to withdraw. Over 5000 coalition troops have been killed since PEACECOM began operations in March of 2057. Three parties have been formed; a pro-intervention party, called the Democracy Party; a Christian right-wing party with loose links to the SCZ, known as the Society and Culture Party; and an anti-intervention umbrella party, known as the Freedom Party.

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2060

January 1st, 2060: The Rawlins Nuclear Fusion Plant, the first commercial fusion plant in the world, comes online in Rawlins, Wyoming. It supplies power to much of the middle West, including Denver and the small town of Eden, Wyoming, where the first sustainable controlled reaction took place three years earlier.

January 5th, 2060: In the Iowa Republican Caucus, President Sinclair narrowly defeats challenger General Francisco Hernandez 52-47. Despite a large chunk of Republican voters being in favor of withdrawal from the Congo, many believed General Hernandez would humiliate the country in light of a “cowardly retreat”, as Chairman Stephen Harris (R-MO) of the Senate Foreign Relations committee labeled it.

February 20th, 2060: The last episode of American television show The Simpsons is released. The show is the longest-running TV show of all time, ending in its 71st season. Running through several different voice actors for tch character and nearly being canceled in 2014 and 2037, The Simpsons is an American staple. The final episode, entitled “The End”, depicts Springfield replacing its nuclear plant with a fusion plant. In the final scene, the fusion plant detonates due to Homer's error and the entire town is wiped clean in a massive nuclear explosion. The last thing heard is Homer saying “D'oh!”

March 1st, 2060: After several significant defeats to President Sinclair in the Republican primaries, General Hernandez suspends his presidential campaign, but refuses to give his support to his primary rival.

March 8, 2060: Winston Lewis, prominent New Zealand jurist and cousin to King William V of Gr to Britain is appointed Chief Justice of the New Zealand Supreme Court.

April 17th, 2060: Governor Norse Cavalier (R-CA) calls on President Sinclair to cease nation building in the Congo, and pleads for a return to nonintervention. When the President ignores him, he angrily resigns, and enlists in the military as a command officer.

May 21st, 2060: In a highly unusual move, the Federal Electoral Commission sets up a series of five presidential debtoes (two before the conventions, and three after) due to the ongoing debtoe over American involvement in the Congo War. Despite the Sinclair campaign's vehement opposition to an expanded debtoe series, public pressure forces them to accept the proposal.

June 1st, 2060: Elections take place in the Federated State of the Congo, the first in thirty years. They are deeply marred by violence, but where voting is able to take place, it proceeds fairly and freely, run by UN election officials. Early results show a dramatic victory for the Freedom Party, which is anti-intervention and anti-violence.

June 3rd, 2060: In the wake of elections in the FSC, American President Sinclair's approval ratings have fallen to the high '30s. Polls now show that 81% of Americans support a paced withdrawal, and for the first time, a majority support immediate withdrawal. The United States has sustained 7,125 casualties in three years, with 1359 fatalities. Enrollment in the armed forces has dropped by 82%.

June 19th, 2060: Spratly Crisis; Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces clash when the Chinese cruiser Jiulingshan is fired upon by three Vietnamese patrol boats near Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly archipelago. Jiulingshan fires back warning shots, and the Vietnamese squadron is forced to retreat.

June 30th, 2060: The production of SCD-Players is discontinued.

July 4th, 2060: Former President Kirsten Gillibrand passes away due to heart failure at the age of 93. Her legacy is a positive one, being credited with putting the United States on the path to recovery from the Great Recession of 2014-19, as well as laying the foundation for the alliance with India; her funeral is attended by over thirty heads of state and fifty thousand spectators in Washington, D.C.

July 20th, 2060: In the first presidential election debate, President Sinclair of the United States blurts that she would consider reinstating the draft in order to win the Congo War, stating: “We must win this war with discipline and honor, no matter what the cost. If we have to put a million men in the Congo to uproot the mass murderers, then so be it.” In the wake of her comment, Sinclair's approval ratings drop to 31%. European leader Maria Draghi is similarly in hot water for her recent suggestion that Europe take in all of the 9 million remaining Congolese Muslims.

July 21st, 2060: The night after the first presidential debtoes, General Francisco Hernandez shocks the political world once again by endorsing the Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Malia Obama. Hernandez states in his endorsement, “Our involvement in the Congo may have been for the best of intentions, but President Sinclair has thrown American lives away in pursuit of an enemy that evades us and will not engage in diplomacy. Senator Obama understands that we have completed the task at hand, and there is no need for us to prolong our occupation of a country that has successfully elected its own government. As she said so eloquently last night, let's bring our boys and girls home.”

August 3rd, 2060: President Berangér Bongongo of Ubangi, a Muslim, announces that the Army will be deployed throughout the country to protect mosques from attack by the SCZ. Ubangi is approximately 20% Muslim, and has been targeted by the SCZ. Christian groups throughout Ubangi complain that the entire country is under attack, and that the President is unfairly favoring Muslims.

August 15th, 2060: Former Political Science professor at the UNAM, as well as Mayor of Mexico City Nezahualcóyotl “Neza” Sepúlveda is elected president of Mexico in the second round of voting. Viewed as the political protoge to Arteaga, Sepúlveda vows to uphold his predecessor's foreign policy, especially in regards to relations in Central America.

August 16th-19th, 2060: At the Democratic convention in Seattle, Senator Malia Obama (D-IL) is nominated for president over token opposition. She taps Senator Jeffory Clinton-Mezvinsky (D-NY) as her running mtoe, marking the first time two descendants of former presidents have been nominated on the same ticket, Malia being the daughter of Barack Obama and Jeffory the grandson of Bill Clinton.

August 21st, 2060: While excavating a new cistern using a rented backhoe at his cousin's property outside the Israeli town of Hebron, Chicago resident Mohammed “Ed” Ayesha uncovers the entrance to a cavern which contains human remains. Israeli archaeologists are immediately called.

September 26th, 2060: Colonel (and former California governor) Norse Cavalier receives a Purple Heart after being wounded while fighting in the Congo, and is praised by many libertarians and Progressives for risking his life in the line of duty, rather than remaining a politician. He decides to continue his tour of duty, refusing a promotion to Brigadier General, saying “I don't want to hide behind a desk while our boys are out there getting killed!” Older Americans are reminded of Ron Paul, another anti-war Republican.

October 13th, 2060: In a surprising turn of events, elements of the Salvadorian military successfully launch a coup d'état against President Jaime Olivarez, detaining him in his home in San Salvador in the early morning hours of October 13th. The coup is relatively bloodless, though Mexico and the United States soon follow up with a fresh round of protests, no less for the fact that Nicaragua had a hand in the coup.

November 3rd, 2060: In baseball, the Portland Athletics win the World Series.

November 5th, 2060: The Democratic ticket of Senator Malia Obama of Illinois/Senator Jeffory Clinton-Mezvinsky of New York is elected in a landslide over the Republican ticket of President Whitney Sinclair of California/Vice President Ike Davis of Ohio. Obama's victory is interpreted as a mandate to end American involvement in the Congo War, and a rejection of Sinclair's determination to win the war.

Senator Malia Obama (D-IL) / Senator Jeffory Clinton-Mezvinsky (D-NY) - 353 EV - 52.9% PV President Whitney Sinclair (R-CA) / Vice President Ike Davis (R-OH) - 185 EV - 46.6% PV

November 8th, 2060: Indonesia's GDP per capita is greater than $25,000 for the first time in the nation's history. Since 2045 and President Wahuyudi's reforms, the economy has taken off.
 
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Note: apologies for any spelling mistakes. It's too labor-intensive to proofread the entire timeline. This part of the timeline is somewhat more sparse - it should not be considered a complete chronicle of the era.

2061-2070

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2061

January 1, 2061: Despite opposition from nationalists, Poland formally adopts the Euro, in anticipation of its likely accession to the European Federation. One of the most conservative and fiercely independent countries in Europe, Poland had been reluctant to adopt the Euro due to traditional attachment to their own currency and reluctance to give up power to Brussels. Ultimately, however, it became economically impractical to compete with the European Federation, and there was enough political will to give up the currency.

February 20th, 2061: American forces begin withdrawal from the Federated State of the Congo. Of the 105,000 American troops, 20,000 depart in March, with the intention of having all American troops leave by the end of 2061. Meanwhile, President Obama of the United States calls a special PEACECOM head of government convention to discuss the plausibility of evacuating the Congo's 10 million Muslims.

February 23, 2061: The European Parliament ends the “Scion Crisis” (which had led to significant schisms in several branches, especially sports) once and for all with adding to the constitutional Article 3 the words “Discrimination is forbidden on the base of race, religion,… or genetic makeup”.

March 5th, 2061: PEACECOM leaders agree to a plan, with the consent of the Congolese government, to dissolve the Federated State of the Congo. In the west, and along the coast, a mostly-Muslim country will exist, beginning on July 1st. On the same date, much of the west of the country will be absorbed into the Republic of the Congo and Angola. Meanwhile, the east will be left as a remnant, occupied by African and Indian troops until 2065.

March 22nd, 2061: Israeli archaeologists release the complete report on the Hebron Ayesha cavern discovery to the public. The cavern, whose entrance collapsed circa 1500 BC contains the skeletons of six closely related men and women, all of whom died in advanced old age. DNA testing reveals the three male skeletons to carry the common Middle Eastern Y-DNA haplogroup J2 and are those of a father, a son and a grandson. The oldest female skeleton is the mother of the son but appears to be also a half sister to the father. Autosomal DNA testing confirms that all three women share extensive chromosomal similarities indicating a close relationship. The remains of the grandson appear to have been mummified using pre-18th dynasty Egyptian mummification methods. No identifying artifacts are found in the cave but immediately the skeletons are identified in the press as those of Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah. The cave becomes known as the “true Machpelah.” The world is stunned by the discovery.

March 27th, 2061: The monthlong 2061 World Baseball Classic closes in Atlanta, Georgia. China emerge as the champions for the first time, beating out the Dominican Republic for the title. In third place are America, and rounding out the heap in fourth place are Cuba.

April 18th, 2061: Col. Norse Cavalier is severely injured, losing his right arm, while defending a military outpost in the Congo. He saves the lives of everyone inside by attempting to disarm a bomb, and creating a diversion allowing civilians and military personnel to escape. After a cybernetic replacement and a blood transfusion, President Obama gives him a Silver Star for his bravery, and praises his courageous defense of America in the line of duty. He declines an appointment to Department of Defense, and asks her for a speedier withdrawal. Although they are friendly, both know he will be a serious contender for President in the future, should he decide to run.

April 24th, 2061: San Salvador Declaration of Free Association: At a summit between Edgardo Laparra and Salvadorian “acting President” General Ramiro Galdamez, both leaders sign the Declaration of Free Association between the Republic of El Salvador and the Republic of Nicaragua. The declaration, which will take effect on Janurary 1st of the following year, stipulates a political union between the two nations, with the dismantling of trade and travel restriction between both countries.

May 2nd, 2061: A raid by Indian and Nigerian occupation forces in the Congolese village of Mabwe on the shores of Lake Upemba kills André Lubaya, leader of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire. Lubaya and the SCZ are responsible for the genocide of nearly 10 million Muslims and countless more deaths in the Third Congolese Civil War. Along with Lubaya, his two sons and three top aides are killed. His right-hand man, Jesus Mapkoka, is captured.

May 10th, 2061: An anti-Africanist political group, the Free People of South Sudan (FPSS), announce their presence by seeking to contest the upcoming 2062 parliamentary elections. President Lubong, an Africanist, warns that actions “contrary to the enliftment of the African race” and “condoning of imperialism” will not be tolerated.

April 2nd, 2061: The European Parliament votes 321-179 to withdraw all European forces from the Congo by the end of 2062, following the death of André Lubaya and his top aides. According to a PEACECOM report, violence has dropped sharply as the SCZ falls into chaos.

July 1st, 2061: The Republic of Kikongo, a Muslim-majority state, is created from the province of Bas-Congo and part of Badundu. Meanwhile, Kinshasa province, and parts of Badundu and Equateur proinces, are absorbed into the Republic of the Congo and Angola. The Congolese government remains sovereign over the remainder, renamed Federated Central Congo.

August 29th, 2061: Six coordinated car bombings in Ubangi-Shari kill over 500 people. The attacks, orchestrated by remnants of the Soldiers of Christian Zaire, strike in Bangui and Nola. In the aftermath, riots break out as Christians accuse the Muslim-headed government of not doing enough to protect them.

September 3rd-5th, 2061: A coup occurs in Ubangi-Shari, headed by General André Dackba. Dackba and his co-conspirators seize control throughout the country quickly, and announce their intentions on national television on September 5th. They plan to transform Ubangi into an Africanist nation with the support of the people, “so that our great resources can be used for us and not stolen by the imperialist racists of India, China, and the West!” It is suspected, but not proven, that Dackba has received support from Burkina Faso and other Africanist nations.

September 20th, 2061: The war-crimes trial of Jesus Mapkoka, military chief of the Soliders of Christian Zaire, begins before the International Criminal Court. He is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity.

September 24th, 2061: Jesus Mapkoka, the military chief of the SCZ, is convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide. He is sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Criminal Court. He begins his sentence at Nieuw Vosseveld prison in the Netherlands on June 1st, 2061.

October 1st, 2061: Discovery of Element 142 takes place in China. Due to this being the first element discovered in China, and because two other countries had an element named after a politician, the team (on July 9, 2064 after approval of discovery), proposes Maozedongium (Mz) as name. This again causes international outrage, but IUPAC feels that they are not bound to political feuds and approves the name.

October 7th, 2061: After fifteen lonely years solely devoted to raising her son, Princess Philippa of Great Britain, Princess Royal and heiress presumptive to the British throne reluctantly agrees to share a meal of Chinese food with one of her father’s equerries, Walter Constantine John Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 12th Duke of Buccleuch and 14th Duke of Queensberry (b. 14 Janurary 2019). This inauspicious first date eventually develops into a deep and lasting friendship.

October 30th, 2061: In baseball, the Chicago Cubs win the World Series.

December 8th, 2061: Liu Xilai, who ran for a term of his own, is reelected for UN general secretary.

December 20th, 2061: The last American occupation troops leave the Republic of Kikongo, in the Congo; the total number of PEACECOM troops has dropped to 156,000, from a peak of 384,000.

2062

January 1st, 2062: Chad and Niger merge into the Greater Africanist Republic of Chad, popularly known as Chad, headed by former Nigerien leader Djibo Bakary. President Bakary says that he hopes that Ubangi and Burkina Faso will join the nation as soon as is feasible.

January 20th, 2062: Beginning of the Sudanese crisis: parliamentary elections are held in South Sudan. Widespread voter intimidation, blackballing, and fraud is reported by the Africanist government in order to prevent the anti-Africanist Free People of South Sudan (FPSS) from gaining any seats. Several activists are beaten and the deputy head of the FPSS is killed in a suspicious car accident.

February 3rd, 2062: Sudanese crisis: several guards and personell are killed in an attack on two government buildings in Juba, South Sudan, by unknown gunmen. Responsibility for the attacks is claimed by the new Free Soldiers of South Sudan (FSSS), a militant force drawn from the anti-Africanist political party Free People of South Sudan. Their leader, Joseph Puoch, says that as long as elections are not fair, they will resort to violence to achieve their aims.

February 10th, 2062: Sudanese crisis: in Juba, a bombing at the Presidential Palace kills the Vice-President, Louis Juuk. He was a close ally of Africanist President Kuol Lubong. Meanwhile, violent prosters affiliated with the Free Soldiers of South Sudan, an anti-Africanist rebel group, seize the city of Wau in the country's north.

February 11th, 2062: Sudanese crisis: President Kuol Lubong of South Sudan gives a major speech denouncing the rebellion against his rule, and promising to execute any “race traitors”, as he calls the Free Soldiers of South Sudan. He also accuses the East African Federation and Ethiopia of being behind the arrest, and orders the South Sudanese Army mobilized and to the border. Africanist leaders in Burkina Faso, Greater Chad, and Ubangi announce that they will support President Lubong in “whatever actions need to be taken.”

February 13-17th, 2062: Sudanese crisis: tensions remain very high throughout Africa as President Lubong of South Sudan accuses the EAF and Ethiopia of supporting a rebellion against his rule. A crisis meeting of the Alliance for Democracy is held in Cairo. While the African “Big Four” (Nigeria, South Africa, the EAF, and Ethiopia) agree that South Sudan cannot militarily defeat the EAF and Ethiopia, they are worried about possible terrorist retaliations if they intervene.

February 18th, 2062: Sudanese crisis: a border skirmish occurs between Ethiopian and South Sudanese troops, leaving 6 men dead. Meanwhile, South Sudanese Army units retake the two cities in the country that had fallen into the control of the rebel FSSS. Over 350 civilians die in the assaults, including the leader of the FSSS, Joseph Puoch.

February 19, 2062: Both Winston Lewis, Chief Justice of the New Zealand Supreme Court and his wife Atawhai, Queen of the Maori are knighted becoming Knight and Dame Grand Commanders of the Order of Merit of New Zealand.

February 20th, 2062: End of the Sudanese crisis: the African Alliance for Democracy is forced to accept the status quo as Africanist South Sudanese President Luol Kubong crushes the remainders of the revolt against his rule. An uneasy peace settles over the area as the Alliance for Democracy makes an informal pact not to accept any new militarily imposed Africanist governments.

March 31, 2062: Tahiti votes to adopt a local constitution within the framework of continued French rule. Among the controversial items in the new constitution is a restoration of the old Pōmare dynasty to a limited local monarchy on the Bavarian and Saxon models.

April 12th, 2062: Former Secretary-General of the UN and President of Mexico Minerva Hernández dies at the age of 92 at a hospital in Mexico City. President Sepúlveda orders 10 days of mourning, and her body to lie in state at the National Palace. At her funeral, which is attended by 21 heads of state from across the Americas and from other parts of the world, Sepúlveda eulogizes her as “the exemplary leader who brought Mexico from the brink and made it a greater place to live.” Indeed, in public opinion polls Hernández is seen as the greatest Mexican President of the 21st Century.

May 20th, 2062: Nigeria, South Africa, and the EAF, along with twenty-seven African allies, announce their withdrawal from the African Union. They accuse the AU of playing host to dictators and autocrats, and of discouraging true reform in Africa. The African Union was also unable to provide any meaningful action on the Congolese Civil War, and has been largely irrelevant for over 30 years. Over the next few years, states withdraw one by one from the AU, until the organization is officially disbanded in 2065. Multi-lateral African diplomacy now mainly occurs at the African meetings of the UN General Assembly, or in annual gatherings of African leaders hosted by the Joint Development and Free Trade Pact (the 'Alliance for Democracy')

June 4th, 2062: The British government take office. Days before Quartermain his wife Clarissa and five children Theo Jr, Arabella, Mariella, Vinnie and Henry pose for pictures outside No.10.

June 20th, 2062: Quartermain proposes a bill as expected to reestablish the Church of England. Llewellyn, Van Der Vencker and Lindisfarne all support the bill vigorously and most of the cabinet speak in support of it. Jayden Pairs decides against opposing the bill recognising the fact that the last government made an error. Most of his party follow suit with only Daltrey and a few hardcore back benchers opposing it.

July 8th, 2062: Prime Minster Rajesh of India sets forward a bold plan to reorganize India's constitution. He and his New Democratic Party argue that the current parliamentary system only exists as such in name, and that India would be best-served by switching to a semi-presidential model, such as existed in France before the establishment of the Federated European States. Additionally, the powers of the federal government to set education and health policy would be increased.

July 10th, 2062: In India, the Prakarita Priya Party, together with the Left Front, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and several state parties, announce their opposition to Prime Minister Rajesh's Government Reorganization Amendment of 2062. They argue strenuously that such a change would destroy both India's many cultures and the rights of the federal states, while increasing Rajesh's personal power. Rajesh has been Prime Minister since 2049, the longest-serving Prime Minister since Surjaa Chakravarty. The Left Front threatens to bolt from the government and force snap elections if Rajesh continues to press his plan.

In Britain, Quartermain Outlines his plan for a more decisive British contribution to the Congo conflict. Britain will withdraw troops from Kikongo and the Congo and Angola whilst increasing troop numbers in the FCC. This plan is criticised as being too late in the day and also as neo-imperialistic however news footage of Jenny Knoxton announcing the plan in parliament is warmly received by the British public who are pleased that Britain is finally taking a stance on the Congo Crisis.

July 12th, 2062: In India, the Left Front departs Prime Minster Rajesh's governing coalition, forcing snap elections to be scheduled for September 12th-October 2nd, 2062. Prime Minister Rajesh's New Democratic Party had proposed the Government Reorganization Amendment of 2062, moving India to a semi-Presidential system, such as the prior arrangement in France.

July 19th, 2062: The thirty-second FIFA World Cup concludes in Mexico; the second time Mexico has hosted the match. Argentina wins the championship 1-0 over Brazil. An estimated 990 million people watch the final match worldwide.

August 2nd, 2062: Quartermain announces his plan for the NAP called “A Stronger Pact” and it is soon clear why Quartermain created a Minister for the Pact in his cabinet: he intends to turn the Pact into a viable geopolitical force.

August 3rd, 2062: Four months ahead of schedule, the last European troops leave the former Democratic Republic of the Congo, as violence has dropped to its lowest level ever.

August 11th, 2062: The East African Federation announces that it will be tagging its currency, the East African shilling, to the Indian Ocean rupee. Relations between India and the EAF have been close since the country's founding, but have grown increasingly more so especially during the Congo intervention, and international observers often label the EAF as India's most important African ally and a potential IOIC member.

August 31st, 2062: Quartermain, Knoxton, Wei and Akwimbe meet with other heads of government and ministers from the NAP member states and all the nations agree to work together more closely on defense and energy initiatives. Their is even talk of a unified currency and army and Newspapers in Norway, Denmark, Britain and Finland all seem to have sources in their respective governments telling them the pact will become tighter.

September-October 2062: Snap parliamentary elections are held in India. In July, Prime Minister Jairam Rajesh had proposed the Government
Reorganization Amendment of 2062, which would move India towards a semi-presidential system, like that existing in the Union State, and formerly existing in France. India's other political parties had banded together against Rajesh's New Democratic Party, joined by many local, state, and small parties which would be squeezed out under the new system.

After the elections, seats in the Lok Sabha are as follows.

Prakarita Kriya Party (PKP): 265 seats New Democratic Party (NDP): 179 seats Left Front: 52 seats Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 43 seats Independents: 4 seats Anglo-Indian Representatives: 2 seats (Government in bold)

Janaki Amma, the Malayalam leader of the PKP, is inaugurated as Prime Minister on October 29th, 2062.

September 15th, 2062: The government announce a second longer Pact conference scheduled for February in Oslo. Speculation begins to mount.

September 18, 2062: On his 34th birthday, Prince Pierre Teriʻitariʻa Pōmare of Tahiti assumes the throne of his ancestors with the reignal name Pōmare VI.

September 28th, 2062: Quartermain and King William both visit Ireland. The visit is a success as the Irish people adore the Royals and Quartermain's witty banter goes down well in Dublin. Quartermain makes a speech criticising the economic recession Ireland finds itself in and seems to hint at a genuine belief that the FES is bad for Ireland. The Irish Taoiseach John Keville enjoys a mutually beneficial meeting with Quartermain and the Anglo-Irish minister for Trade Peter Donovon also undertakes productive negotiations with his Irish counterpart. Cultural and Trade links with Ireland are significantly strengthened.

October 29th, 2062: In baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series.
November 23rd, 2062: The Dublin Agreement is formally enacted between Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The agreement is seen as Ireland beginning to move away from the FES and coming towards Britain. Bilateral trade between the countries is increased and the FES acts with indifference as its relationship with Ireland has often been tumultuous.

December 4, 2062: Death of King Whatumoana, Eighth Monarch of the Maori. He is succeeded by his daughter Atawhai Lewis, wife of the Chief Justice of the New Zealand Supreme Court Winston Lewis.

December 19th, 2062: A Christmas concert is held in London for returning troops from the Congo and is seen as hugely successful for the government. Public Morale heightens significantly.

2063

Janurary 20th, 2063: Prime Minister Amma of India gives a speech on the floor of the Rajya Sabha, saying that reforms are necessary to India's government to extend more power to the people. Her largest proposed change would be to increase the number of members in the Lok and Rajya Sabha (the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament). Currently, each of the 545 members of the Lok Sabha represents over two million of the 1.6 billion Indians. Prime Minister Amma suggests increasing the number of parliamentarians to 4,000 in the Lok Sabha. She also proposes reducing the number of members of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) to 200, and increasing the number of expert members appointed by the President to 60. The Rajya Sabha would be elected on a statewide level. Each state would receive four seats. The Lok Sabha would be allowed to approve the appointed members of the Rajya Sabha, but ex-Prime Ministers and Presidents would be included automatically, unless they refused the honor.

Janurary 20th, 2063: The British Government launches a new improved scheme for the National Trust that heightens Britain's commitment to Stewardship and environmental protection. Harvey Lonsdale, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, receives universal support for the bill that includes provisions to reintroduce long extinct animals back to the British isles such as wolves, beavers and golden eagles.

Janurary 23rd, 2063: Former Indian PM Jairam Rajesh accuses the PKP and Prime Minister Amma of hypocrisy for proposing huge changes to India's government after defeating him on a platform of opposing government reform. Prime Minister Amma responds in a statement that “my government's reforms are aimed at increasing the people's power, unlike your reforms, which were intended only to buffer your own power.”

Janurary 30th, 2063: President Malia Obama announces her full support for Jamie Gray's Christian Progress movement at a ceremony on the White House Lawn.

February 12th, 2063: As the Green Paper for re-establishment is published amongst a busy legislative program for the government, a poll shows 50% in favour of “re-establishing the Church of England” and a slight plurality against re-establishment when the question is framed in terms of protecting of secularism in the UK. A significant portion of those polled, 30%, are unsure either way. The National Secular Society and other groups opposed to re-establishment begin to seize on this, while the government remains committed to the process.

March 8th, 2063: Parvati-V launches from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying nine astronauts. Three are from NASA, three are from the ESA, two are from the IRSO, and one is from the Islamic Space Front, which joined the project in 2060. Parvati-V is humanity's first manned mission to Venus, and is the first major joint project for many of the world's space agencies. Parvati-V will set up a floating base in Venus' atmosphere, survivable for up to two months (although the plan calls for the nine to stay for only a month), from which they will launch exploratory missions by balloon and floatplane. Their ship, Arrow of Eros, will arrive at Venus in early May.

March 21st, 2063: Two British troops accidentally die in the Congo. Pairs and Quartermain both come together to express their sympathy to the families.

March 28th, 2063: Lionel Akwimbe the Minister for the Pact announces a meeting of pact foreign ministers in London in two months time.

March 31st, 2063: In a rare joint session, India's parliament passes massive government reforms proposed by Prime Minister Amma several months earlier.

April 21st, 2063: In a televised debate on a current affairs/ethical issues program, the minister responsible for seeing the legislation through Parliament pulls what is accepted on all sides as a completely disastrous performance. Flustered, and quickly riled by his opponents, the minister completely fails to keep his arguments coherent. Instead, he resorts to making the case on the basis of cultural heritage and what is mocked as a hatred/dislike of non Christian religions. The Government communications machine is forced to support the minister in question at the risk of losing face spectacularly. This has the effect of forcing them into the corner of using the same arguments use by the Minister, limiting the case to arguments which are inherently weak. Opposition to the plans grow.

May 2063: No PEACECOM deaths are reported for the month of April in Federated Central Congo, a first for the six-year occupation. Currently, there are seven countries making up the occupying forces in Federated Central Congo.

India: 31,000 Nigeria: 29,000 East African Federation: 25,550 South Africa: 24,400 Ethiopia: 11,900 Turkey: 2,000 Ghana: 1,900

May 11th, 2063: For the first time, Dr. Trygve Magnusson of the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research successfully transplants a cloned pancreas into Woteenox Friday, a young American Indian athlete from Wyoming with severe diabetes. Within the year, successful transplants of cloned kidneys, livers, and lungs are also performed at Los Pinos.

May 15th, 2063: The Arrow of Eros arrives at Venus, carrying nine astronauts on the Parvati-V mission by NASA, the ESA, the IRSO, and the ISF. The ship goes into orbit around Venus at a radius of only 180 km, in order to facilitate descent and return. Slovenian Alojz Ipavec and American Mary Horvath will remain on Eros for the duration of the monthlong stay. From there, they will carry out robotic surveys of Venus' ozone layer, magnetic field, and the quasi-orbital asteroid 2002 VE68. The seven astronauts who will descend into the Venusian atmosphere and live there for a month on Base-1 are: Americans Jonathan Harting (team leader) and Susana Rivas; Europeans Jean Cruveilhier and Rasmus Bartholin; Indians Asima Chatterjee and Tej P. Singh; and Turk Neyzen Tevfik.

May 18th, 2063: In orbit around Venus, Base-1 detaches from the interplanetary ship Arrow of Eros and lowers itself into the Cytherean atmosphere. It settles safely at a height of 12,000 meters, floating in Venus' wind banks and stabilized by a number of propellors, jets, and fans. The base is powered by a small nuclear core designed to provide enough energy to allow the 7-person crew (two women and five men) to survive comfortably for a month.

May 19, 2063: Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of Mozambique, an associate of Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz of the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research sequences the complete genome of the 900,000 year old Homo Ergaster skeleton known as Kilimanjaro Man found in a cave in the East African Federation in 2040. This discovery shocked the scientific community because it proved that Homo Ergaster had survived in Africa far longer than had been previously thought.

May 22nd, 2063: On Venus, astronauts on Base-1 use several robotic samplers to obtain over two hundred pounds of soil samples from Venus, from several different locations. They will be returned to Earth for study and investigation.

May 28th, 2063: Indian astronaut Asima Chatterjee becomes the first person to land on Venus, as she descended from Base-1 at 12,000 meters over two hours in a protective suit weighing over three hundred pounds. She is quickly followed by American Susana Rivas. The pair stay on the surface for less than twenty minutes before being hoisted back into the atmosphere.

June 2nd, 2063: The Church Establishment Bill has become known as Quartermain's NHS reforms, after the fiasco surrounding the health care reforms pushed by the Coalition Government of David Cameron. By this point, a well organised campaign has kept pushing the public against the measures. Meanwhile, libertarian Tory backbenchers are wavering in their support on the issue, and the public begin questioning the priority that should be placed on re-establishment given intense debates going on about the Pact, healthcare, education, and the economy. Realising they're not making the case effectively, and with continuing heavy competition for Parliamentary time, the Government quietly postpones the planned introduction of the Bill for first reading. The Labour front bench is now considering coming out against the Bill in light of the lack of public support and spying an opposition to cause substantial embarrassment to the Government.

On Venus, a survey glider piloted by Turkish astronaut Neyzen Tevfik returns several samples of the Venusian atmosphere to return to Earth. Preliminary analysis of the samples by American team leader Joshua Harting finds that they contain simple quasi-bacterial life. It's based around a DNA equivalent that uses two different nucleobases in replacement of guanine and thymine. They report their findings back to Earth, where the news causes widespread celebration.

June 3rd-8th, 2063: A debate ensues on Earth about whether or not to return Venusian bacterial samples to earth. Two prominent scientists initially expressed concerns about possible contamination and epidemic, before withdrawing their concerns following widespread consternation and further information from Arrow of Eros and Base-1. Nevertheless, a significant popular faction quickly coalesces to oppose the return of Venusian life to Earth. After discussions, the leaders of the US, India, and Europe jointly decide to set up a specially funded laboratory to contain, secure, and study the samples which will return from Venus. Public opposition (at around 35% in polls) is thought to be a factor in Democratic congressional losses in the 2064 elections.

June 17th, 2063: In what is described as the death knell of the Bill, the head of the Independent Church formally comes out against re-establishment after much internal debate by church leadership and lay members. “In a multi-faith Britain, it would be wrong for the Church to seek to attain a legal position of supremacy over other faiths in our nation, whether formally or practically, or to seek to spread our sermon in any way other than through our own work in communities up and down the nation in the spirit of God and the Church. Our work, spiritual, ethical, mental, charitable, is done better when it is ours and ours alone, and is not seen to be in any way linked to the works of any Government of the day.”

The church leadership in general fears losing its ability to engage in policy debates if the formal link to the state is re-established, and that they're greatly expanded social work will be damaged as a result. They also don't want to risk coming out on the wrong side of public opinion at a time when they're numbers are already severely depleted and looks to be in a position to expand. Labour formally comes out against the Bill in response.

On Venus, Base-1 is abandoned by its seven crew members as they use a specially-designed one-way shuttle to return to their ship, Arrow of Eros, which has been manned for the past month by Slovenian Alojz Ipavec and American Mary Horvath.

June 19th, 2063: Norse Cavalier is awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama. He receives it in a private ceremony with only the President, Vice President Clinton-Mezvinsky, and Cavalier's family in attendance (he is very uncomfortable about over-exposing his family to the press).

Arrow of Eros departs Venus for the return trip to Earth. It is scheduled to arrive in early August.

July 30th, 2063: The British Government lowers troop numbers in the Congo preparing for an eventual pull out in a years time. Quartermain and Donovan meet with officials form various charitable organisations and discuss the formation of several charitable projects to build schools and sanitation facilities in the Congo and Kikongo over the next decade, the idea being build lasting links with the new states particularly Kikongo what may well be left isolated after the war.

August 10th, 2063: Arrow of Eros arrives in Earth orbit after a six-month trip to Venus and back. The ship will remain in Earth orbit as a space station for the foreseeable future, as it contains facilities for docking smaller ships and could potentially be used again for future trips. The nine crew members return to earth aboard a small capsule, which splashes down in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Maldives. Their scientific samples, including two hundred pounds of soil samples and examples of Cytherean life, arrive in a separate capsule in the North Atlantic, where they are transported to a laboratory specially built near Chicago, Illinois. Researchers are optimistic about the potential for life elsewhere in the Universe, as it seems to have developed independently three times in the Solar System alone. “It's almost guaranteed that ET is out there on one of the thousands of extrasolar planets we've found,” says public intellectual Dala O'Hannigan.

August 13th, 2063: Base-1, the abandoned atmospheric platform on Venus, loses its nuclear power and crashes into the planet's surface. Although it was always planned for it to do so, scientists had been trying to keep it afloat as long as possible so that more radar studies could be carried out.

September 26th, 2063: Former governor and Congo veteran Norse Cavalier announces that he will run for the United States Senate in his home state of California. Many consider him to be the favorite for the seat, and the California GOP kingmakers will quickly clear the field for the popular war hero. He will not campaign for the nomination while serving active duty, however.

October 18th, 2063: In baseball, the San Diego Padres win the World Series.

November 4th, 2063: Quartermain, seeing the Establishment Bill as a matter of crucial personal importance, refuses to let the Bill die, and insists on continuing to push through. In a Second Reading debate that seems the Commons completely full and opponents, from all sides of the chamber, landing blows against the Government. A coalition of opposition parties, libertarian members of the Conservative Party and Christian MPs wishing to respect the Church's wishes defeat the bill in spite of a strong three line whip. The Government is humiliated, and though there won't be any serious long term repercussions, the incident and the mockery that comes with it sticks with the Prime Minister, and makes the Government wary of touching any religious issues for a long time to come.

2064

January 1st, 2064: Ascension talks officially begin between the EAF and the Indian Ocean International Community in the city of Mombasa.

March 18th, 2064: Using methods developed at the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research, doctors at the Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Edinburgh perform surgery on 79-year-old Prince Andrea of Monaco (b. 8 June 1984). The lifetime smoker receives newly cloned lungs to replace his original emphysema and cancer-ridden originals. The surgery is a complete success. Prince Andrea finally quits smoking.

April 2-6th, 2064: Rioters in the northern Cameroonian town of Maroua burn down the local police station and a Chinese-owned power plant, killing over 82 people. The rioters, who are believed to be discontented Africanists, declare that they will join secede from Cameroon and join Greater Chad, an Africanist nation. Cameroonian President Sadou Eteki declares a state of emergency in the Extreme-Nord Region and sends the Army to restore order.

April 2, 2064: The Australian Parliament makes the office of President of the Republic directly elected by the voters.

April 12th, 2064: In Cameroon, Africanist rioters in the cities of Douala and Ngoundere seize control from poorly equipped police forces. Nigeria's Foreign Minister, meanwhile, says that his country has proof that the “rioters” are actually being led by well-trained Chadians and Burkinabés. He alleges that the riots are a transparent attempt to spread Africanism through violence, fear and intimidation.

April 15th, 2064: Cameroonian Army forces are ejected from the towns of Maroua and Garoua in northern Cameroon by Africanist rioters, who are well-equipped with Chinese-made weapons. US intelligence believes the assault weapons can be traced back to Burkina Faso, which began purchasing large numbers of them in 2059. Cameroon seems to have lost control over some of its territory.

April 20th, 2064: In a major strategic error, Africanists in Cameroon declare the formation of the Pan-African Africanist Party Cameroon (PATA-CA), which is “irrevocably determined to the overthrow of the oppressive government of Cameroon and its replacement with one which recognizes the inherent value of the African race and its superiority.” This announcement allows Nigeria to declare the party a terrorist group and clears the grounds for a possible intervention on the basis of international terrorism. Meanwhile, the Cameroonian Army retakes the major port city of Douala after two days of street fighting. This is the beginning of the Third Africanist War.

April 25th, 2064: Africanist forces under the banner of PATA-CA advance to within 50 miles of Yaounde, while also seizing the smaller towns of Baffoussam and Bertoua. The Cameroonian government controls most of the population of Cameroon (including the two largest cities, Douala and Yaounde), while the rebels control 7 of 10 regions.

May 1st-3rd, 2064: The Cameroonian Army fights off an Africanist assault on the capitol, Yaounde. They suffer over 30 fatalities, but capture 82 rebels, including 13 foreign fighters from Chad and Burkina Faso.

May 1st, 2064: In Federated Central Congo, the Pan-Africanist African Party - Congo (PATA-C) is formed. Following on the heels of Africanist parties in Burkina Faso, Greater Chad, and Ubangi-Shari, PATA-C is unusual in that it is headed by the sitting head of state of Burkina Faso, President Moussa Oedraogo. The party announces that it will contest the upcoming 2066 elections on a platform of Africanism and anti-occupation. There are still over 100,000 international troops in Federated Central Congo. Oedraogo explains that he is the party's leader to show the unity of all Africans against the “foreign invaders who are brutalizing the Congo.”

May 5th, 2064: A meeting of the African Alliance for Democracy in
Lagos produces consensus on action. The members of the league will intervene militarily in Cameroon to prevent an Africanist takeover. Troops will mostly come from Nigeria (with additional contributions from Ghana and Benin), while other nations will provide monetary and materiel support. The Alliance for Democracy also issues a joint statement warning other nations (implicitly Burkina Faso and Chad) not to become involved.

May 6th, 2064: Drones from the Nigerian Air Force begin bombing Africanist positions, using local intelligence sources to try to avoid civilian casualties.

May 9th, 2064: The main Africanist army in Cameroon withdraws from around Yaounde, breaking the two-week siege of the city. Indian intelligence services warn Nigeria that they will attempt to withdraw to Chad, a safe haven.

May 13th, 2064: The Nigerian Army, accompanied by elements of the Ghanaian Army, launch a massive cross-border invasion of Cameroon with over 143,260 troops. They engage Africanist forces in the towns of Maroua, Bamenda, and Kumba and score key military victories.

May 20th, 2064: 3,000 Africanist rebels in Ngaundere, Cameroon surrender to the Nigerian Army, as their retreat to Ubangi was cut off by an air-dropped Nigerian division.

June 2nd, 2064: Norse Cavalier wins the jungle primary for the California Senate seat over his Democratic opponent, Los Angeles Mayor Diane Rockefeller, in a 2-1 landslide.

The Alliance for Democracy announces that Cameroon has been fully secured by their international intervention, and that all Africanist rebels have been captured or have disappeared. The Third Africanist War, a major defeat for Africanism, is over after a little more than a month of fighting.

June 28th, 2064: Cameroon and Nigeria sign the Treaty of Ankara, guaranteeing that Cameroon will never become an Africanist state. Cameroon agrees to allow Nigerian troops to be based in the country (mostly along the borders with Ubangi and Chad), and welcomes over $5 billion in aid from the Alliance for Democracy.

July 1st, 2064: Remaining PEACECOM forces begin withdrawing from Federated Central Congo. The SCZ has almost entirely been disbanded, and over half of the country has seen no attacks in a year. However, corruption in government remains extremely high, and tensions remain with the Republic of Kikongo.

July 8th-9th, 2066: One year after the departure of the last occupying forces, elections are held in Federated Central Congo. The result is a landslide for the Pan-Africanist African Party, lead by President Oedraogo of Burkina Faso. While the elections are marred by irregularities, international observers admitted that there was nevertheless legitimate and enthusiastic support for Africanist ideals in the Congo. Pierre Tansi, a local and vocal politician, is inaugurated as President, although he says that he “will listen closely to the advice” of his “dear friend, President Oedraogo of Burkina Faso.”

July 13th, 2064: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Hamzar Sudarsono of the Great Indonesia Movement Party is elected to the post of President, and will serve until 2069.

August 6, 2064: Australian voters directly elect Brisbane oncologist Dr. Priscilla J. Anderson as President of Australia. Partly of Australian aboriginal descent, she serves with distinction and is later reelected.

October 23rd, 2064: In baseball, the San Francisco Giants win the World Series.

November 6th, 2064: President Obama and Vice President Clinton-Mezvinsky are comfortably re-elected over former Vice President Ike Davis (R-OH) and Governor John Weld (R-MA).

President Malia Obama (D-IL) / Vice President Jeffory Clinton-Mezvinsky (D-NY) - 416 EV - 57.1% PV Former Vice President Ike Davis (R-OH) / Governor Jonathan Weld (R-MA) - 122 EV - 40.6% PV
Norse Cavlier is elected to the US Senate in California for the Republican Party.

2065

May 1st, 2065: The massive African supercollider GART-C is completed in Kebila, Mali. Costing $57 billion over six years, the massive machine is powered by a dedicated fusion plant, which also provides power to much of southern Mali. Built to test the “reunification theory” of Nigerian physicist Muhammad Eda, the supercollider first operates on May 20th.

May 9th, 2065: Poland and the Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) join the FES in the largest expasion of the FES since its inception in the 2030s. The access of Poland in the FES is considered the life's greatest achievement of former Commissioner Alphonse Supré. The Union State is alarmed by the progress of the FES towards Eastern Europe, especially after reaching its border.

June 20th, 2065: Security in the last military district of Federated Central Congo is turned over from occupying PEACECOM forces to the Congolese military. The last PEACECOM forces depart on June 26th, ending eight years of foreign occupation in the former Democratic Republic of the Congo.

September 1st, 2065: The GART-C supercollider in southern Mali provides proof of reunification theory, first proposed by Nigerian Muhammad Eda. The theory is hailed as the biggest breakthrough in physics in the history of mankind. Space enthusiasts are particularly excited by one of the precepts, which allows for near-infinite creation of energy out of tiny amounts of matter. This possibility would allow for much easier space travel within the Solar System, but would not solve the distance and speed problems associated with interstellar travel.

October 5, 2065: After collecting thousands of DNA samples across Africa, Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of Mozambique stuns the scientific community with the announcement that on average, approximately one percent of the genomes of Pygmys, the Khoi-San peoples and other Southern Africans who speak click languages such as the Khosa originates from an ancient hominid known as Homo Ergaster. This proves that Homo Sapiens and Homo Ergaster not only coexisted in Pleistocene times but interbred.

October 25th, 2065: In baseball, the Las Vegas Gamblers win the World Series.

November 5th, 2065: After over two years of publicity thanks to President Obama's public support, the Christian Progress organization has become a world-wide phenomenon. Similar to the World Vision group of the 20th and early 21st century, though more openly religious, the group fights poverty both in developed countries and undeveloped countries. This day, however, is the day Christian Progress begins to become a political organization. Whether due to Malia Obama's support, or due to Jamie Gray's own personal politics, the group begins to support political campaigns both financially and via the group's associated publicity.

December 4th, 2065: The bulk of CRN Plan 2065 is completed on this date, with all but the Atlanta to Dallas route open for business.

2066

Janurary 1st, 2066: The East African Federation is officially welcomed into the Indian Ocean International Community, becoming the first member of the organization outside the Asian continent. China denounces the move as “a continuation of Indian neo-imperialism in Africa,” even though China itself has exploited the resources of numerous African nations through economic domination for decades. Indian companies as well have been accused of occasional human rights violations.

February 11th, 2066: Karen Travis writes her final book, and the last book in her Star Wars series. To the disappointment of her core followers, she announces her retirement shortly after.

February 21st, 2066: The Atlanta Falcons Defeat the Portland Meadowlarks 38-13 in Super Bowl C at Robert Kraft Field in Brockton, MA to Win the 5th NFL Championship in Team History.

April 18th, 2066: Element 147 is discovered, for the first time in history on African soil (in this case in the East African Federation). IUPAC will later accept the name Africium (Af), analogous to Europium and Americium.

June 4th, 2066: A military research facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota experiences a state of emergency when research on customizable viruses loses control and viral agents are released. The virus in question, AB5.11n, was designed to target blood vessels in the brain and constrict them, cutting off the flow of oxygen. Over fifty military personnel are killed in the outbreak, including several civilians who lived within close proximity to the base. In the aftermath, Geoffrey Purdue, the researcher who discovered the method to design customizable viruses, speaks out against the military applications of his work.

June 17th, 2066: The Atlanta to Dallas route of the CRN is open for business, after a slight delay due to political wrestling with the state government of Arkansas, who currently are still opposed to the system running through their state.

July 31st, 2066: The thirty-third FIFA World Cup concludes in Argentina. Argentina wins the title in a thrilling 2-1 match over Cote d'Ivoire. Across the world, approximately 1.02 billion people watch the final match.

November 8th, 2066: U.S. Midterm Elections; the GOP sweeps both houses of Congress, building on their House majority and capturing the Senate for the first time since 2056. President Obama famously remarks that for the Democratic, “this is our 2010.” Also noteworthy in this cycle is the first Republican majority in the California State Assembly in over a century.

December 8th, 2066: Drissa Sow of Mali is elected as UN general Secretary, making Liu Xilai the first one-term secretary since Josef Adamowicz.

December 28th, 2066: Senator Norse Cavalier (R-CA) announces his candidacy for President of the United States, promising to restore America's economy and maintain friendly relations with both allies and rival powers.

December 31st, 2066: HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh dies from complications of leukemia at the age 102. The last surviving child of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, he is survived by his widow Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and a son, the Earl of Wessex. A daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor preceded him in death.

2067

March 22nd, 2067: After obtaining the permission of King William V, Walter Constantine John Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 12th Duke of Buccleuch and 14th Duke of Queensberry asks Princess Philippa for her hand in marriage to which she agrees.

May 23rd, 2067: Representative Bryan Wilson (P-CA) barnstorms through Virginia, New Jersey, Kentucky, and more in support of Populist candidates. He plans to claim the Populist nomination for himself come summer, and has been one of its main founders (and most loyal crusaders.) He is one of only five Representatives (and seven members of Congress), who supports the new party. He lauds it as “the new Bull Moose Party, but this time, people will make the right choice”.

June 15th, 2067: In a quiet ceremony in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, Princess Philippa marries Walter Constantine John Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 12th Duke of Buccleuch and 14th Duke of Queensberry with only the royal family and a small selection of friends and relatives in attendance. The Earl of Strathclyde, a close friend of the duke’s, serves as best man.

July 22nd, 2067: Rep. Bryan Wilson barnstorms the northeast, quietly rounding up delegates for the Populist convention. He is the poster boy of the neo-Populist movement, which has flourished in the south and midwest. His fiery rhetoric and crisp skills as an orator make him an important spokesman for the party. Meanwhile, the off-year elections are coming up, and Wilson is working tirelessly for the Populist candidates, totaling an average of thirteen hours a day on the campaign trail.

November 7th, 2067: The Populist and Republican parties sweep the day, with the GOP taking 2 new governorships, the Farmer-Labor one. However, there are five legislatures with contested seats, and the Populists take over 20% of the Mississippi house seats and several in VA, as well as a few in NJ and KY. Meanwhile, the GOP handily wins all five legislatures, but everyone is paying attention to the Populists' historic gains.

November 14, 2067: A referendum on joining the European Federation is voted down by the people of Hungary in a narrow 52-48 vote. The Prime Minister of Hungary says the vote is “a reflection of Hungary's desire for independence and freedom. Joining the European Federation is not a desirable goal at this time.”

November 18, 2067: Sir Winston Lewis is appointed Governor-General of New Zealand. Publication of a poll stating that nearly fifty percent of New Zealanders favor having a resident head-of-state. Although the Royal Family remains popular, a majority of New Zealanders favor cutting ties to Great Britain after the death of the greatly beloved King William V. Oddly, over sixty percent of New Zealanders favor retention of the monarchy when asked as a stand-alone question.

2068

February 19th, 2068: Senator Arabella Rose Kushner (R-NY) campaigns for Senator Cavalier in Florida. Cavalier has swept Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, the only Republican (or Democrat) to ever do so, and her activism is merely a formality, as he is projected to crush the former Vice President by a twenty-point margin. Kushner has cemented herself on Cavalier's shortlist for Vice President, and has plans to run for the presidency in 2076, 2080, or even 2072 if need be. She has also supported the growing libertarian wing of the GOP, using the growing movement to throw herself into the spotlight and defeat the popular incumbent only four years ago.

April 19th, 2068: The Farm At Lake Michigan, one of the world's first urban vertical farms, is given a $65 million upgrade, as many of its features have become outdated in the 40 years of its existence. Its LEED status is subsequently restored to Platinum. Following these refits, the building is capable of feeding 60,000 people and is entirely self-powered.

May 2nd, 2068: Physicists at the GART-C supercollider in Mali announce that they have proved “reconstruction theory”. This stunning success for the first time provides a single theory which can explain every physical event observed by humanity. Muhammed Eda, the physicist who provided the basis for “reconstruction theory”, and the team at GART-C are named “People of the Year” by Time magazine.

June 2nd, 2068: The Populist convention is held in Columbus, Nebraska as a homage to the Populist party of the late 1800s and early 1900s, and as a tribute to Wilson's political hero, William Jennings Bryan. To no one's surprise, the Convention easily nominates Wilson as its candidate for president (he was the only candidate, only a few scattering delegates were counted against him). Wilson also will essentially have full control over the party platform, and his Vice Presidential nominee. He selects Senator Kyle Jennings of Minnesota as his running mate, hoping to give him the edge he needs in the Midwest to establish a truly national party. Some polls show him in second place to Cavalier in a competitive three-way tace, but this lead is expected to disappear. Even Wilson himself believes he has no chance of winning, but “I choose to take up the banner of my party this year to help encourage the local effort. It's what Eugene Debs did as well. No matter what happens this year, be it victory or a third place finish, I would like to remind all of you that we still win this year!”

June 24th, 2068: After over 40 years off the air, British science fiction show Doctor Who is revived as a reboot. The re-imagined series is a co-production between the BBC, Indian-based internet entertainment production company Bombay Online, and Far East-based internet entertainment production company Bakeneko. The Doctor Who internet series is the main focus of the new BBC Online Entertainment division.

The reboot is influenced heavily by Indian, Chinese, and Japanese sources, and the global nature of the entertainment industry leads to many fans of the classic series (2005-2023) criticizing the show for being “considerably less British” and “much more global”. However, most professional critics will cite the worldly nature of the internet reboot as being a positive thing, and the new Doctor Who is seen positively by most. Even most classic Who fans eventually warm up to the series. The new series stars Lewis T. Winter, Kai Patel and Sophie Davis.

July 14th, 2068: Senator Norse Cavalier of California is easily nominated for President on the first ballot, helping steer the platform to pro-reform, including on elections: “I would like to remind you that so many hard-working Americans don't get to have their voices heard on election day, which is why I have proposed on numerous occasions, in the form of both legislation and my own opinion, that we either have a national holiday from work on election day or, in my opinion the better alternative, we have voting take place on both Saturday and Sunday so if you forget one day, you have the chance to get down there and cast the most powerful weapon in our great arsenal of democracy: the vote.”

July 27th, 2068: At the end of the Populist national convention, Wilson blasts President Obama as “a war-monger” and “a pathetic excuse for a liberal.” His final speech is important, as it lays out the Populist Party's strategy: to attack the Republicans on the right for abandoning their social conservatism while he will attack the Democrats on the left as neoliberals and warmongers. It is largely working, as recent polling shows Cavalier with 41% to the Vice President's 35% and Wilson's 23%. However, these numbers are likely to change, and there are still three months left until election day.

August 1st, 2068: Democratic National Convention; Vice President Clinton-Mezvinsky accepts his Democratic presidential nomination amidst a deeply divided convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. In a weak attempt to appeal to the moderate-conservative wing of the party, he taps the youthful Senator Clyde Galloway of South Carolina as his running mate. While Galloway is highly popular with moderate-conservatives, polls show his presence on the Democratic ticket helps little in his home region of the South, and there are concerns about his inexperience with only two years as a Senator.

August 8th, 2068: At the 2068 Summer Olympics in Jakarta, Indonesia, American Cyrus Francis becomes the first human being to run the 100 meter dash in less than 9 seconds, winning gold with his 8.97 mark.

August 16th, 2068: Republican National Convention; Senator Norse Cavalier of California accepts the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a highly surprising move, Cavalier chooses someone outside the party as his running mate: independent Governor Maria Gomez of New York. While some party officials are disappointed at the unorthodox choice, many are optimistic of the prospect of GOP expansion into previously-thought unreachable regions of the country, especially given the current divide within the Democratic Party.

November 2nd, 2068: Senator Norse Cavalier (R-CA) is elected to the presidency in the biggest Republican landslide since Marco Rubio's re-election victory in 2032. Vice President Clinton-Mezvinsky (D-NY) and Congressman Brian Wilson (P-CA) split the respective bases of the Democratic Party, which contributed greatly to Cavalier's overwhelming victory.

Senator Norse Cavalier (R-CA) / Governor Maria Gomez (I-NY) - 379 EV - 48.8% PV Vice President Jeffory Clinton-Mezvinsky (D-NY) / Senator Clyde Galloway (D-SC) - 113 EV - 31.2% PV Congressman Bryan Wilson (P-CA) / Senator Kyle Jennings (P-MN) - 46 EV - 19.1% PV

November 15, 2068: Publication of Humbled Woman, Proud Healer by H.R.H Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain. In the best-selling book, the princess fearlessly describes her ordeal in the Congo and rescue. She also details her re-acquaintance with her eleven-year-old sons and their adjustment to life living with her in a castle near a small town in Northern Scotland. The public is especially touched by the unconditional love shown by the princesses’ parents, Queen Catherine and King William during the boys‘ rocky first few years in Britain. The book is soon made into a major motion picture starring the academy-award winning actress, Alessandra Singleton as the princess. All profits from the book and the movie go to Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors without Borders and to relief for Congolese refugees.

2069

Janurary 20th, 2069: In his Inaugural Address, President Cavalier lays out his legislative agenda, the “Contract for America”, which will include tariff reductions, the consolidation of several cabinet positions into a total of 10 departments “as we enter the twenty-second century”, a private option in healthcare, across-the-board tax cuts, reduction of fraud in the entitlement programs, a Concert of Democracies which includes all of America's allies, and a balanced-budget amendment, as well as increased government transparency and civil liberties. Few living Americans recall the reference to a similar Contract with America promised by House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich in 1994. However, those who do are pleased with the President's similar agenda. The President retains his star power, entering office with a sixty-three percent approval rating as the president boldly declairs “We have the duty and honor of preserving this great nation for the next generation, as we rocket into space, try to touch the face of God, and strive for excellence. However, first and formost, we must remember how we have gotten here: because we are Americans.”

March 27th, 2069: A Massive EF5 Tornado Strikes Downtown Saint Louis, Missouri, Killing over 7 Thousand People, the most deaths caused by any Tornado ever, and causing Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Property Damage. President Cavalier deploys FEMA and declares a National Day of Mourning in response.

April 2nd-10th, 2069: For nine days, riots sweep across the Arabian Peninsula. Discontented youth (especially women) start fires and attack government forces in cities from Riyadh to Dubai, sparked by a major fire in a slum in Manama, Bahrain. As fusion power has exploded into wide use across the developed world, oil consumption has dropped to its lowest level of use since the 2010s. In the seven members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a recession has been in effect for nearly a year. As their economic fortunes have been threatened, the nations of the GCC have become ever more repressive, and have banded together for support against demographic and social turmoil. In the end, the riots are put down by a unified, coordinated military effort, which leaves 129 dead across the GCC. The crackdown is widely condemned, especially by A'ama. Egyptian President Alesh Hamatoub calls the suppression of the protests “a grave crime against Islam and against humanity”, and calls for the resignation of Saudi King Faisal II bin Salman.

May 9, 2069: Bosnia-Herzegovina accedes to the European Federation, on the 119th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. The main reason for its delay into the Union was antagonism between it and neighboring Croatia, as well as simmering discontent with the West in general over the Yugoslav Wars. However, this hostility ultimately faded as the generation that remembered Yugoslavia passed on, and the nation eventually decides to join.

June 1st, 2069: Chinese and Indian forces clash in southern Equatoria (South Sudan). In 2067, a huge deposit of monazite was discovered and China and India had skirmishes about the exploitation rights. After law brought no solution, Indian private security forces marched into southern Sudan and clashed with Chinese ones. There is a first small 'battle', and the Indian side is victorious.

June 29th, 2069: Seeing opposition from powerful interests within his own party and the opposition, President Cavalier takes his case to the people, urging for them to call their congressmen and demand an audit of the federal reserve, and to “allow these powerful bureaucrats to be fired for wrongdoing, just like everyone else.” By July 2, the Federal Reserve Reform Act is narrowly passed by Congress after arm-twisting by both the president and Senator Calloway (D-SC), however, the actions of the latter are much less noisy.

July 4th, 2069: President Cavalier is asked to give a speech during the Fourth of July celebrations, but declines: “I don't want to turn this day of national pride into political grandstanding, and God forbid something I do stain this most patriotic day of remembrance.” However, the president is back to his usual self the next day, this time for military reform.

July 5th, 2069: President Cavalier calls for a reform in military spending, streamlining the chain of command, and increasing space projects, including resurrection of the Star Wars Project, whose primary goal is to ensure the complete uselessness of nuclear weapons. However, this new version would be operated by the Concert of Democracies, and ultimately the United Nations, in order to ensure any nuclear warheads launched by any nation would be pulverized instantly, in theory that is.

July 9th, 2069: Indonesia holds a presidential election. Hamzar Sudarsono of the Party is reelected to the post of President, and will serve until 2074.

August 5, 2069: Death of Queen Ingrid of Norway in a combine accident at her husband’s wheat ranch near New Salem, North Dakota. The monarch, like many ranch wives in the area, was helping her husband in the fields with harvest when the gas tank of the decrepit, late-20th Century combine the family used explodes. Also killed is her husband, H.R.H Prince Jason (Peterson). She is succeeded by her eldest son, Prince Magnus (b. 21 August 2034) who ascends the Norwegian throne as King Magnus VIII.

August 21st, 2069: President Cavalier releases all details of the Kennedy Assassination; though initially supposed to be released seventy-five years after the assassination, the government still withheld nearly all information and tapes of the Warren Commission, as well as then-CIA Director George Bush's confidential tapes and diaries. The President declares, “Now we can finally begin to move on, and, over a century after this obscured and tragic event in our nation's history, we can begin to heal. As President Kennedy once said, 'Many of our goals will not be accomplished in the first one hundred days of this administration, nor will they be accomplished in the first thousand days, or perhaps even during the life of this administration. But let us begin.'” His advisors finally convinced him not to quote his predecessor using his albeit spot-on Kennedy impression, persuading him that it would come off as too uncaring.

December 1st, 2069: Death of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex of lung cancer at the age of 85. One of the most beloved members of the British Royal Family, Prince Harry was known for his sense of humor and common touch.

2070

Janurary 1st, 2070: Treaty of Perth; the Indian Ocean Security and Defense Organization is established as a strategic military alliance in the Indian Ocean basin, in response with recent Chinese belligerence in Africa and Asia. The founding members are Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, the East African Federation, India, Madagascar, Oman, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The World Health Organization declares that HIV/AIDS is extinct in the wild, making it the fifth disease to be so wiped out. The global AIDS pandemic ended in the 2030s after a massive vaccination campaign, but scattered cases continued to appear until 2062. The last person known to die from AIDS, 22-year old South Sudanese man Taban Gai, passed away in 2064, marking the end of an era.

May 5, 2070: Balmoral Dawn: A Tone Poem composed by H.R.H. Princess Diana of Great Britain is debuted by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra directed by Zdenek von Schwarzenburg with the composer present. The princess and the eminent conductor hit it off and marry the next year.

July 12th, 2070: A young baby by the name of Sidharta Richard Singh is born in Uganda. He is born to a former Catholic nun and Priest, missionaries both hailing from India. They resigned from chastity to be married, though both were happy as clergy, and their story will forever have an imprint on the heart and decisions of their new baby boy.

Scientists at a Harvard Research Facility successfully re-animate a human frozen in cryonic suspension. This brings a mixed response from the worlds people, with many religions condemning the “outright disrespect for human life.” While this will prompt the basis for long-term space voyages in the future, the controversy resulting from cryonic suspension will continue long into the future.

December 12, 2070: Twenty-two year old University of California/Berkeley pre-med student Josiah Washington is accidentally shot in the abdomen during a drive-by shooting in an Oakland, California convenience store by members of the ICP gang. His liver is determined to be damaged beyond repair but the surgeons think it can be replaced with a cloned organ using techniques developed by Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz and his team at the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research. The DNA of the Cal/Berkeley pre-med student is tested in order to begin the cloning process, but unbeknownst to the hospital staff, an automatic alert email is sent to Dr. Cruz by the decoding software developed at his genetic research organization and used worldwide. Dr. Cruz immediately flies to California.

Although honored by the famous geneticist’s interest, the hospital staff are puzzled by the Nobel Laureate’s sudden interest in their patient. They are not told that their patient carries mitochondrial DNA identical to several members of the British Royal Family. Interestingly, he does not carry the same Y-DNA as Princess Elizabeth’s other sons. After interviewing him, Dr. Cruz discovers that Josiah Washington was adopted as a small boy from a Kinshasa orphanage by a childless interracial couple in San Diego, California. The boy’s obvious biracial physical phenotype interested the couple and he was brought to the United States. His childhood was uneventful as he grew up the son of a successful San Diego dentist. His parents didn’t try to hide his adoption but they knew nothing of his blood parentage.

The young man is stunned to hear he is likely to be the long-lost son of Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain, who had revealed the details of her jungle ordeal in the best-selling book entitled Humbled Woman, Proud Healer.

December 14th, 2070: Prince Daniel, Duke of Duke of Västergötland (b. September 15, 1973), husband of Queen Victoria of Sweden dies at age 97 from injuries sustained during an accident with a faulty piece of exercise equipment.
 
2071-81

Note: apologies for any spelling mistakes. It's too labor-intensive to proofread the entire timeline. This part of the timeline is sparse - it should not be considered a complete chronicle of the era in any way.

2071-2081

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2071

Janurary 10, 2071: Josiah Washington undergoes a successful liver transplant and makes a rapid recovery.

January 13th, 2071: Prince Johan, Duke of Västerbotten, (b. September 19, 2017) the elder son of Queen Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland dies of brain cancer at the insane asylum outside Stockholm, Sweden where he had resided for most of his adult life.

April 11th, 2071: Queen Victoria of Sweden (b. 14 July 1977) abdicates the throne of Sweden leaving the throne to her daughter Crown Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland (b. 23 February 2012). Citing her desire to follow in the footsteps of another Queen Regnant of Sweden who abdicated, Queen Christina, the deeply depressed ex-Queen of Sweden moves to Rome and converts to Roman Catholicism.

June 12, 2071: Josiah Washington and his adoptive parents fly to London where they meet his birth mother Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain as well as his grandparents King William V and Queen Catherine. He also meets his half-brothers, Eddie and Ziggy Windsor. (Officially, they are Mr. Edward Henry William James Mountbatten-Windsor and Mr. Alexander Ignacio Philip Charles Mountbatten-Windsor.)

A warm relationship is established between the young medical student and his birth mother and grandparents. The king and his grandson enjoy a brief but enjoyable closeness before the king’s death on December 31, 2072. Josiah Washington changes his name to Josiah Washington-Windsor and carries his grandfather‘s coffin as a pallbearer with his half-brothers and cousin, H.R.H. Prince William Johannes James Alois of Great Britain and Liechtenstein (b. April 30th, 2044). Josiah Washington-Windsor finishes medical school and becomes a General Practitioner in his hometown of San Diego, California.

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2072

August 7th, 2072: Several bombs are detonated at the G-13 (now G-8) summit at Nairobi, EAF. The building is devastated, 200 are believed to be dead and 341 more are injured. Among the casualties are such prominent world leaders as American President Norse Cavalier, UK Prime Minister Theodore Quartermain, FES Commissioner Kyriakos Amanatidis, President of the EAF Vincent Oliech, and President of the Union State Andrey Brezhnev. Chinese Premier Shao Chianglei barely survives. Suspicion immediately descends upon the remnants of the SCZ, in cooperation with other Christian Fundamentalists.

In the United States, Maria A. Gomez is sworn in as the new U.S. President, becoming the third female US president after Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Malia A. Obama. She swears to eradicate the SCZ at all costs.

August 8th, 2072: Newly sworn-in President Maria Gomez declares a national week of mourning for the fallen President Norse Cavalier. A state funeral is held three days later attended by the heads of state of over 40 countries including those of other fallen leaders. During her first speech as President, someone yells that he cant hear the quiet natured President Gomez. She responds by resoundingly proclaiming “I can hear you, sir, the cowards who killed our president can hear you, and you can bet they will hear all of us soon! We shall have justice!” Her speech is met with applause, and the older Americans recall the similar response of President George Bush at Ground Zero, days after 9/11.

Ex-Queen Victoria moves back to Stockholm, un-converts from Roman Catholicism back to Swedish Lutheranism and takes off her widow’s weeds. She tells her family “I’ve decided to live again.” Hale and hearty and in amazingly good health at age 95, the ex-Queen resumes an active social life.

The PES (Party of European Socialists), the largest party in the European Assembly and lead party of the governing coalition, hold an emergency leadership election after the assassination of the incumbent Kyriakos Amanatidis. Martin Aubrek, the Deputy Leader, is elected, and by virtue of the office also succeeds Amanatadis as Prime Minister of Europe, being formally appointed by the President the same day.

September 1st, 2072: President Gomez makes two historic decisions at a White House press conference; first, she announces that she will no longer be an Independent and joins the Republican Party and will run as their nominee in place of Cavalier in the upcoming presidential elections. Second, she nominates Senator Harold Faysal (R-PA) as vice president; Faysal is the first Arab American to be named to the executive branch, born to Lebanese Maronite parents in Philadelphia. Faysal is confirmed by the Senate swiftly and takes office five days later.

September 2, 2072: Elections in New Zealand. The pro-Republican Labour Party wins a plurality of seats but not a majority. It is forced to try to form a coalition government with the tiny monarchist Ngati Poneke Maori Party. During negotiations Prime Minister-designate Alfred Trehearne privately wonders how they can retain the monarchy but dethrone the British Monarch as head-of-state and replace him with a native New Zealander. Ngati Poneke Maori Party leader Te Kani Afeaki tells him the solution is simple and actually rather elegant. He proposes making Governor-General Sir Winston Lewis, former Chief Justice of the New Zealand Supreme Court the new king. He is related to the British Royal Family by blood and is married to the Queen of the Maoris. Alfred Trehearne agrees the respected Governor-General and jurist is quite acceptable but asks that the proposal be kept secret until after the first of year. However, his plans change after the death of King William V on 31 December 2072.

October 8th, 2072: The SEP wins the elections in the Federated European States in a landslide, with the EUPP coming in as second, followed by the CEU (which dramatically lost votes due to the fact that many still remember the great-Grandfather of the Candidate as Prime Minister of Italy).

November 4th, 2072: President Maria Gomez and Vice President Harold Faysal are elected in the biggest popular and electoral landslide since Ronald Reagan in 1984. The sympathy vote from the late President Cavalier's assassination and progressive “ideological orgasm” (as stated off-record by Vice President Faysal) of the Democratic ticket are noted as the two main factors in Gomez's overwhelmingly decisive victory.

President Maria Gomez (R-NY) / Vice President Harold Faysal (R-PA) - 507 EV - 58.6% PV Congressman Geoffrey Yates (D-RI) / Former Senator Cynthia Vincente (D-MI) - 31 EV - 35.1% PV

Xavier D. Richardson is elected as a Senator from New Jersey. He is famous for being the youngest Senator in office, meeting the age requirements for office when being sworn in by just over a month. A senior prosecutor in the Trenton County Prosecutor's office, he runs on a strong record of public service and riding on a strong wave of anti-establishment sentiment in the state after numerous corruption allegations damage his Republican predecessor.

December 31st, 2072: King William V of Great Britain dies at Buckingham Palace as a result of complications of a stroke at the age of 90. The death of the wildly popular king was deeply felt by the British people who expressed their grief with an intensity unseen seen the death of the king’s mother, Princess Diana 73 years before. He is succeeded by his eldest daughter, Philippa (b. 2 November 2015).

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2073

Janurary 1, 2073: In his last New Year’s Honours List prepared days before his death, in appreciation for services rendered to the Crown, King William V of Great Britain makes Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz of the Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.

Janurary 11th, 2073: State funeral of King William V.

April 9, 2073: Referendum on the New Zealand monarchy. Shortly after King William V‘s death in December, the coalition government of New Zealand Prime Minister Alfred Trehearne proposes that native New Zealander and British royal Sir Winston Lewis be enthroned as King of New Zealand instead of King William V’s daughter Princess Philippa. Fifty-Eight percent of New Zealanders vote for this change in dynasty, and upon the advice of her New Zealand prime minister, Queen Philippa abdicates. Sir Winston Lewis is asked to become the new king and ascends the throne with the reignal name of King Winston I.

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2074

June 2, 2074: Coronation of Queen Philippa of Great Britain. Premiere performance of St. Edward’s Crown, new coronation music by H.R.H Princess Diana of Great Britain. Asked why she composed it, she replied, “I was
totally sick of the standard Sir William Walton and Benjamin Britten stuff.”

November 4th, 2074: Xavier D. Richardson is elected as a Senator from New Jersey for the Democrats. He is famous for being the youngest Senator in office, meeting the age requirements for office when being sworn in by just over a month. A senior prosecutor in the Trenton County Prosecutor's office, he ran as a dark horse anti-establishment candidate on a strong record of public service and riding on a strong wave of anti-establishment sentiment in the state after numerous corruption allegations damage his Republican predecessor.

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2075

Janurary 3rd, 2075: On the back of very strong results in the previous year's midterms, the Republican leadership in the new Congress move on President Gomez's civil rights agenda. The Civil Rights Bill is unveiled before press by the President, the President pro tempore, the Speaker and several prominent back benchers. It's principal effect would be to amend the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 and the Voting Rights Act to include “genetic identity or profile” as a protected class.

February 21st, 2075: The Civil Rights Bill gets stalled in committee in the House. While the Republicans have easy control of the committee, their is a cross party split on the issue. The Democrats are split between social libertarians and social conservatives on the issue of scions in general, while the Republicans are split three ways, between pro and anti scionists and by limited government-types who, 14th Amendment notwithstanding, view it as an over-reach of the federal government not in keeping with the work over the past 6 years to cut down on federal regulations. While the bill is not rejected entirely due to strong party discipline during Gomez's mid term honeymoon, they won't allow the bill to sail through either and they keep it there for a month before finally voting it through on a suprising one vote majority.

April 15, 2075: While in the tiny West African country of Guinea-Bissau collecting DNA samples for his ongoing African DNA research, Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè of the Los Pinos Institute of Genetic Research is kidnapped by thugs. Controlled by President-for-Life Mario Mohamed Djalo these thugs move the genetic researcher incommunicado to the dictator’s private estate on a small island in the Arquipelago dos Bijados off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Dr. Mulémbwè is led to a state-of-the-art laboratory and is told in no uncertain terms that if he wishes to live, he must clone the dinosaur known as Oxalaia quilombensis, a five ton giant carnivore whose genome had been sequenced in 2032. Since Dr. Mulémbwè had closely worked with Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz during the cloning of the Emperor Maximilian, he knew as much as his colleague about the process.

December 31, 2075: Debut of the King William Requiem by H.R.H. Princess Diana of Great Britain on the third anniversary of her father‘s death. Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the composer’s husband, Zdenek von Schwarzenburg, the inspirational melody from the fourth movement later becomes an unofficial British national anthem.

October 27th, 2075: Dr. Olaf Magnusson saves the life of Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz by replacing his diseased nephritic kidneys with new cloned ones. The surgery is a complete success.

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2076

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2077

November 1st, 2077: Ex-Queen Victoria of Sweden (b. 14 July 1977) at age 100, marries Don Juan Guerra y Alarcon, a retired Spanish diplomat forty years her junior. Many Swedes are scandalized. Ex-Queen Victoria “doesn't give a rat's pimply left butt-cheek” (her exact words, spoken in private to her daughter but recorded in her memoirs) and gets married anyway.

November 5th, 2077: Xavier D. Richardson is elected Governor of New Jersey for the Democrats by a margin of 8% over his Republican opponent. He runs on a platform of cleaning up government and “restoring the compassion and humanity to our state.” He studiously avoids the question of scions and transhumanist issues.

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2078

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2079

September 21, 2079: Publication of Maxed Out: An Author’s Obsession by New York Times reporter Allyn Folsom which reveals all the circumstances of the cloning of the Emperor Maximilian twenty-one years before as told to him by disgruntled former Los Pinos Institute for Genetic Research employee Neftali Lopez Charles.

September 25, 2079: The publication of Maxed Out causes a firestorm of controversy. Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz issues a statement confirming the details of the book but states firmly that he had not nor would likely ever again clone another complete dead individual because of ethical qualms he confessed he had not thought through when he originally cloned the deceased Mexican emperor. He also firmly refused to publish any of his research or methods that led to the emperor’s cloning.

September 29, 2079: In a press conference in Boston, Massachusetts, 21-year-old Harvard College junior Alejandro M. Villalobos, with his parents at his side tells his story. He had a wonderful childhood with parents who deeply loved him. They had revealed the truth about his cloning when he was twelve when he began asking questions because the tall, blue-eyed boy did not remotely resemble his Mestizo parents physically. Although he confessed to being “creeped out” by the fact that his DNA came from blood off a shirt, he knew that he was not the actual Maximilian von Hapburg but his identical twin. He described many differences in personality and lifestyle and had no desire to be emperor of anything. He was fascinated by birds and desired a career as an ornithologist. He wouldn’t mind meeting his Hapsburg blood relations someday but didn’t want to be a bother. “I’m just an ordinary Mexican kid without anything terribly earthshaking to share with the world…unless you’re interested in birds. I hope you’ll leave me alone and respect my privacy,” he asked.

November 5th, 2079: Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz changes his mind about cloning ancient DNA after receiving a letter from his godson, Alejandro M. Villalobos. The young ornithology student tells him he understands that he doesn’t want his technology used to clone another Hitler but pleads with him to consider reviving several extinct species such as the passenger pigeon and the woolly mammoth. After smiling at the irony of a clone pleading for more cloning, the geneticist makes some calls. By the end of the week, he has obtained DNA samples from seven ancient woolly mammoths frozen in the permafrost of Siberia. By the end of the month, he has procured three female African elephants from a bankrupt Bulgarian circus and has them shipped to Galeana, Nuevo Leon. By the end of the year, all three are pregnant.

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2080

August 13th, 2080: Ex-Queen Victoria of Sweden (b. 14 July 1977) dies peacefully in her sleep at age 104.

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2081

September 24, 2081: President-for-Life Mario Mohamed Djalo is overthrown by Africanist revolutionary forces led by Manuel Duarte Nhamadjo. The dictator flees to his private island in the Bijados Archipelago where he finds his secluded compound ruined and burned out by unknown forces. Unnerved by reported sightings of monsters, his few loyal soldiers desert him as Africanist forces land on the island to apprehend him. Fleeing into the jungle, the dictator is tracked running erratically into the interior by Africanist intelligence operatives via the GPS on his cell phone. Trackers realize later that he no longer had his cell phone after they find his head and other body parts strewn across a clearing only a mile from his ruined compound. The dictator’s greatest secret is soon revealed when the Africanist troops are attacked by several Oxalaia quilombensis dinosaurs. Later, one of them is brought down and the dictator’s torso and cell phone are found in its stomach.

The body of Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè is found amidst the ashes of the compound but none of his notes or cloning methodology records are recovered.

The world acknowledges Dr. Joaquim Mulémbwè’s great achievement when photographs of the living dinosaurs are released to the press shortly after the announcement by Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz of his cloning of wooly mammoths. The new government declares Djalo’s island an off-limits game preserve and the dinosaurs there thrive. Dr. Alejandro de la Cruz deeply mourns the death of his colleague and close friend.

September 26th-29th, 2081: Three cloned woolly mammoths are born on the grounds of the Los Pinos Institute of Genetic Research. The world looks on in wonder at photos of living creatures the likes of which had not been seen on the earth for 10,000 years.
 
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