1973

## International

### Establishment of the Association of Independent States (AIS)

Representatives from most recognized nations in the world have gathered in Verdu to ratify the Association of Independent States a multinational organization to ratify international treaties, debate global law, and provide a forum for multilateral debate and dialog. The effect of the recent Alaunus viral outbreak is expected to be the first topic of discussion. An ad hoc 7 delegate 'Organizing Committee' consisting of representatives from Adamar, the F.V.R.C., Perinost, Kenshi, United Provinces, Tisorzag, and Kalmo has been arranged to organize basic priorities and rules for the AIS going forward.

### Managed Production of Oil Council (MPOC) is Signed

The four Northern Revachol major oil producing nations, Noryeagar, Hofeni, Lahr, and Mauland, have formalized MPOC, an intergovernmental organization to coordinate oil production and global supply and price levels.

### Noryeagar and Lahr Close their Bakian Borders

In response to the Alaunus virus, Noreyeagar and Lahr have closed their borders with the B.V.P.U. with refugee camps set up beyond the border to enforce a quarantine.

## Coalition

### United Provinces Declare Martial Law

With rising cases of the Alaunus virus reported within its borders, the United Provinces have announced a state of martial law, with soldiers ordered to shoot those violating curfew on sight, along with any attempting to cross the border. Coalition troops from Kenshi and Perinost have been called for assistance, although help has thus far been slow to materialize.

### Coalition withdraw from 'Donbrad Containment Zone'

In a flurry of activity, Coalition forces were witnessed withdrawing from all humanitarian activity within Donbrad. An announcement was released declaring it as the 'Donbrad Containment Zone', and advising against any travel near the city. The Perinost aircraft carriers the *ASPN Nathanial Butler* and the *ASPN Ulysses Joyce* engaged in a protracted air bombardment of the desolated city.

### Leaked Documents Reveal Kenshi/Perinost Involvement in Alanus

A series of apparently classified documents between Kenshi and Perinost intelligence and government officials seem to indicate joint involvement in the creation and development of 'experimental weapons', with the Bakian civil war identified as a perfect testing ground. While the Alanus virus is not directly identified or named, commentators have noted it most likely describes the development of Alanus as a bioweapons. Notably, there has been no leaked correspondence from United Provinces intelligence, indicating that the project did not include all three coalition members. Perinost and Kenshi representatives have vigorously denied the documents as fakes, though the United Provinces have not yet issued a statement.

## FVRC

### Balthazar Oro Offers Buyout of Dhakla Canal

CEO of the Janus-Caishen Corporation and de facto leader of Getzi, Balthazar Oro has made an offer for ownership of the Dhakla Canal from the cash poor United Provinces, currently experiencing a devestating economic collapse as a result from the sudden spread of the Alaunus Virus along it's border.

### Bakian Boatlift Underway

While the B.V.P.U. struggles to contain the infection in the East, the F.V.R.C. has launched an ambitious evacuation of the Bakian Western coast. With MSABs clearing a beachhead in Koulton, tens of thousands have made their way on to F.V.R.C. ships, those unable to reach evacuation ships have made the trek inland to the B.V.P.U. frontlines in the East. International support has assisted the boatlife effort, with COVEC members primarily taking on an organizationally lead. Several ships were lost to outbreaks, but quarantine procedures seemed largely successful in preventing widespread loss of life. Bakian refugees are currently being resettled within the F.V.R.C.

### Bakian Diaspora Integrates into the F.V.R.C.

In a remarkable show of international solidarity, many ordinary citizens of the F.V.R.C. have opened their homes to Bakian refugees. Coordinated by the government, thousands have already been successfully resettled. Though there have been minor outbreaks, especially prior to the release of the Adamari rapid tests, most have been contained relatively quickly. The most notable loss of life was in the small Dampian town of Darra, where 500 were killed after a carrier inadvertently sparked a rapid infection and local officials failed to properly institute effective quarantine measures.

### Khallywood Sweeps the Bacchus Awards

Films like *Boy in the Purple Pyjamas, Schindler's Catalog, Life is Gorgeous, The Accordionist, Night Train to Villach*, have swept many of the year's Bacchus awards, with *Schindler's Catalog* beating out Perniost produced *Devestation Now*, for best picture.

### Omar Hasser Found Guilty

In an unsurprising verdict, Omar Hasser has been found guilty of a list of crimes by a Rael Citizen Grand Jury of 30. A panel of 7 judges sentenced him to life long hard labour, with a recommendation that he be sent to the B.V.P.U. as a penal labourer to assist in the rebuilding of the country. One judge was overheard lamenting that the death penalty was forbidden.

## Adamar

### Bakian Republic Secure Frontline

While having more initial success against the infected that B.V.P.U. militia forces, the Bakian Republic frontline quickly became overwhelmed by carriers and infected making their way past frontlines. With the assistance of Adamar expeditionary forces a secure frontline has been established south of the Dombrad containment zone extending to Gaspe. Newly introduced Alaunus rapid test kits have had immediate success in preventing cases of carriers from slipping through quarantine. Quarantine facilities to house refugees have had some minor supply and humanitarian issues, but generally have been managed well and met with praise by the international community for their effectiveness in preventing the infection and saving lives. After an introductory period of use at the Bakian Republic border Alaunus rapid test kits have been dispersed among the joint response force, improving the F.V.R.C. boatlift success rate and other international quarantine measures.

### East Ardenican Cooperation Summit Held

Precipitated by the Alanus Crisis, the security situation of Helmand, and concern over increased coalition and vanguardist influence, a summit of officials from Adamar, North Abermia, Inner Abermia, Ingenia, Pontus, and Zarbo have convened in Kadamar. New North Abermian President Jaagin Gol argued strongly in favour of closer cooperation as a regional bloc. While divisions between the countries remain, many international observers see this as the important and first step to a true regional organization. North Abermia and Inner Abermia in particular have seen a thaw in relations under Jaagin Gol new leadership in the North.

### Karujo Smuggling Ring Busted

Adamari National Guard have successfully disrupted an illegal operation smuggling the addictive drug Karujo from Helmand into Adamar in exchange for weapons and money. Security services have been praised for a quick and successful operation, uncovering dozen of corrupt low level officials within Adamar in addition to Helmand smugglers. Other East Ardenican countries have had less success in dealing with the increased spread of narcotics and weapon smuggling.

### Adamari Medical Boom

The development of the Alanus rapid test is just the latest in a long line of pioneering medical innovations from Adamar. Rapid test inventor Eva Torstenson has won the prestigious international Nethil award for scientific innovation. This has resulted in a public boom for medical sciences among the Adamari public, with enrollment in the new Llaberg medical university in high demand.

### Record Crowd for Emperor's Birthday

On what is normally considered a relatively minor holiday of the reigning emperor's birthday, Kadamar was rocked by unprecedented crowds from across the Empire engaging in celebration. While democratic monitors still harshly criticize the Empire's authoritarianism, few are able to doubt what seems like genuine public support.

### Suicide Video Released

An instantly controversial and hotly contested video has been released in the United Provinces from Axel Brahe, an apparent Adamari scientist claiming to have helped develop the Alanus virus as an Adamari bioweapon. After expressing his overwhelming guilt, Brahe explains that he worked as a highly classified scientist in Adamar and that his confession should be used as his last testament to bring everyone else involved to justice. The authenticity of the video is currently hotly debated, and has largely been rejected as a fake by much of the Adamari population.