Serbian terrorists release nerve gas from the top of the Empire State Building to protest US interference in the region. Few people died, but many were affected for the rest of their lives by debilitating disorders. Airports and other ports all over the world institute markedly increased security. 2009 Recession in Europe, and to a lesser degree the US, causes mild inflation when the Euro fails to fulfill its promise. In the aftermath of the New Year s attack, and amidst escalating terrorist attacks the world over, along with demands for the control of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics and the Internet, governments begin to exert even more control, institute even more regulation and become even more powerful, gradually eroding personal freedoms and increasing government intervention in personal lives, and later in business and commerce, much to the detriment of both consumers and business.
Economies slow down, giving government even more justification for more control.
Ironically, information systems still thrive, largely because of the ability of computers to track the information needed by governments to maintain control. In addition, because of the gradual increase in the average age of the population, gerontology research continues apace in an attempt to make older people more comfortable and perhaps more productive. 2010 Space exploration is virtually halted, with only China and France even attempting to maintain small-scale orbital laboratories. The US and other countries maintain only enough space presence to continue maintenance of the communications satellites upon which the growing grid depends, and to continue espionage and observation operations. July 17 th , 2012.