Greater Middle EastBoard

| Ottawa | Canada | October 2019 |

Prime Minister Sheer walks down the hallowed halls of Parliament. He looks around at the many paintings of those before him, MacDonald, Bowell, Mulroney, ... Trudeau knowing that he is just another link in the chain of prime ministers working to make Canada great. Harper had achieved something many thought impossible and had won a massive super-majority for the Conservative Party in the National Parliament along with winning back Alberta from the NDP and Northwest from the Liberals. His victory was the biggest upset in Canadian Politics since the election of 1993. While he would have to deal with the Quebecois Separatists winning almost every single seat in the Quebecois Parliament and 37 in the National, overall the Conservative Party would have little issues passing what needed to be for a better future and a better Canada.

As he entered the House of Commons he is surrounded by his fellow Representatives and his many enemies, including Trudeau himself, who won his old seat in Vancouver's 1st District and still leads the Liberals in Parliament. Sheer, in an effort to make amends, nods to him and gives him a smirk. Though Trudeau simply scoffed at it and went back to talking with his fellow Liberal Party mates. As Sheer took his seat in the Prime Ministers Chair he is met with mass applause from the Parliament, his own party out of pride and the others out of obligation and somewhat respect. Sheer simply nodded before making his opening remarks.

"Members of the House I am truly humbled to be sitting here this day. Today marks a rebirth of Canada and the rebirth of our pride. Today is the beginning of a new era for Canada and Canadian Politics! Today we begin to once more serve the people and once more actually do our jobs and not try to appease the world at large! Canada shall serve as a beacon of Patriotism and Humility for all to witness! Soon all the World shall wish that they were as good as Canada!"

The members of Parliament applauded save a few in the Liberal Party who made disgruntled comments and whispered to one another with hate spraying from their mouths towards the Conservative victory. Sheer meanwhile cared little when it came to the Liberals disdain for him, only wishing to serve the office of Prime Minister with dignity and with the support of the people. He raised the gavel nearby and pounded it on the cedar oak desk in front of him.

"Silence! We begin today with a bill proposed under Prime Minister Trudeau's term. The Equal Opportunities Act, or House Bill 1223. The Vote begins now and shall run until noon where we will hold a final tally vote on the matter. The Contents of HB 1223 are to sum it up briefly: 

- The Mandated Government Sponsored Equality between Asylum Seekers and Citizens.
- The Right for Asylum Seekers to seek medical care, citizenship, voting rights, and all other inalienable Canadian Rights
- To expand the qualifications to seek Asylum as to limit potential economic refugees from seeking false asylum from fake threats
- To expand the rights of temporary asylum seekers to include health care and educational rights
- To shrink the amount of time temporary asylum seekers can stay in Canada from 5 years to 2.5 years

The Debate Stage is now open to Conservative Representative of Alberta's 13th District, Nathan Cooper, and Liberal Representative of British Colombia's 1st District Justin Trudeau. You may now begin, you have thirty minutes."

Trudeau:

"Thank you Prime Minister Sheer, I would like to begin by saying that the passing of this bill is essential for bringing Canada fully into the 21st Century! We must be willing to take the first steps to a more united and diverse world! Under my administration we made sure that every man, woman, and child were equal under the law of our country, because everyone deserves the undeniable and inalienable rights that every citizen of Canada enjoys! It is clear that we must end the tensions between Asylum seekers and Citizens and being together a new diverse era for Canada."

Sheer:

"Thank you Mr. Trudeau, Mr. Cooper?"

Cooper:

"Thank you Prime Minister Sher, Lets get one thing straight. This is just another government handout to illegal aliens. Plain and simple! Canada can not just roll over, as it did under your administration might i add Mr. Trudeau, to illegals and the rest of the world! We as conservatives were elected to maintain our freedoms and take our country back from the wishy washy politics of the previous administration! I implore members of Parliament to vote in the interest of the Canadian people and not the in the interests of the radical leftists who dominated the four years of Canadian politics! Canada is a nation born out of the marriage between the Quebecois French and the Canadian English, not for the illegals and not for the rest of the world. Lets vote for Canada!"

Sheer:

"Thank you Mr. Cooper, now if there are no more statements then we shall begin the vote." 

The vote was quiet as party members discussed among themselves about how it was going to go. Sheer knew that this would be a bill that would define his term, though if it came down to a tie he knew how he'd vote. Eventually as the voting period closed he read the votes.

HB 1223 VOTE:
- YES 156/400
- NO 244/400

HB 1223 would fail to pass through Parliament, causing more disgruntlement from the Liberals and NDP, while Conservatives and the Quebecois Separatists celebrated it. With that Sheer stood up and adjourned the parliament for the day. A new era for Canada had begun

Kraków Air Disaster
^{John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport}

176 people have died in one of the worst European air disasters in history. Two passenger airlines collided on the airport's only runway during bad weather at John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport in the early hours of this morning.

Flight LO 911, a Boeing 747-800 arriving from Katowice carrying 164 people, collided with Flight P8 75, an ATR 72-200 taking off for Wrocław carrying 66 on the western end of Kraków's only runway.

At 0420 hours, as the LOT airlines Boeing was preparing to land, extremely heavy fog meant that neither ATC nor the pilot could see anything. ATC and both aircraft became completly reliant on technology, yet somehow one simple thing was overlooked; a second plane.

As the Boeing neared the runway, SprintAir's ATR 72 misunderstood something said by the tower as permission to take off. As the ATR started liftoff, the Boeing landed on the runway. ATC was the first to notice, but by the time they saw the aircraft on screen, it was too late. The Boeing crashed into the rear of the ATR, rolling over the smaller aircraft and the Boeing continued over the top of it. Fuel in the ATR leaked onto the runway, and the crash soon burst into flames.

As both planes grinded to a halt, firefighting crews battled the blaze for two hours, sending the airport into shutdown. All flights to Kraków have been grounded or sent to Katowice. Further investigation found that 190 people died in the initial crash, and 40 died as they were unable to exscape the aircraft while it was on fire. Investigations are still underway, but weather and miscommunication are thought to be the greatest contributers to the crash. Below is a transcript from the Black Box Voice Recorder and ATC voice recorder.

|Flight LO 911:| Flight LO 911 to Tower, permission to land on runway 07?
|Tower:| Tower to Flight LO 911, permission to land on runway 07 granted.
...
|Flight P8 75:| Flight P8 75 to tower, we've been waiting on the runway for over 10 minutes, just letting you know.
|Tower:| Tower to P8 75, sorry, the fog is very thick. We'll get you going right away.
|Flight P8 75:| Flight P8 75 to tower, copy. Have a good night.
...
|Flight LO 911:| Flight LO 911 to tower, do we still have permission to land?
|Tower:| Tower to Flight LO 911, runway is clear and ready for landing. There's a flight waiting to take off as soon as you exit the runway.
|Flight LO 911:| Flight LO 911 to tower, understood, we will only be on the runway for as long as we need, over.
...
|Tower:| Tower to Flight P8 75, where are you, over?
|Flight P8 75:| Flight P8 75 to tower, we're halfway down the runway, why?
|Flight LO 911:| Is that another plane?
|Tower:| FLIGHT LO 911 PULL UP
|Flight P8 75:| Do you hear that?
|Flight PO 911:| I can't pull up, not enough airspeed! We're not going to...
...
|Tower:| Tower to Flight P8 75, do you copy? ... Tower to Flight P8 75, do you copy? ... Flight PO 911, do you copy? ... Flight PO 911, do you copy? ... [offside] Emergency to the middle of runway 07 immediately, thank you.

In all, 230 people died in the accident. It is thought that the amount of time between the realisation of danger and the time the two planes collided was only 10 seconds. The ATC offical responsible for both flights resigned after the attacks, and has since seeked counciling. The accident has been called the worst dual-aircraft collision in history and the most fatal air accident in 4 decades (After the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland in 1988 and the crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 981 in France in 1974).

Premier urges President to back indigenous treaty
^{By Sarah Elks, THE AUSTRALIAN}

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says states should consider negotiating treaties with ­Aboriginal and Torres Strait ­Islander people while the federal government debates the model of indigenous recognition in the Constitution.

Aboriginal academic Jackie Huggins and former federal ­attorney-general Michael Lavarch have been appointed to lead an eminent panel in wide-ranging consultation in Queensland about a treaty, an indigenous voice to state parliament and possible ­financial reparations.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland would follow in Victoria’s footsteps in moving towards its own state-based treaty, or treaties, and said more needed to be done at a federal level.

“Federally, I think we all realise there does need to be constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians,” she said yesterday.

“Secondly, we’ve seen other states such as Victoria look at a treaty and I don’t think there’s any reason why Queensland can’t also be part of that conversation.”

Scott Morrison said last week he would not support a constitutionally enshrined indigenous voice to federal parliament, as proposed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, after federal Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt committed to holding a referendum on constitutional recognition within three years.

Ms Palaszczuk yesterday declined to say whether Queensland’s treaty could be negotiated before the state election in October next year or whether consultation would take longer. “It depends on the consultation; I’m not going to put a timeline on it,” she said.

“I’d like to see all the community come together as part of that conversation.’’

Victoria started a treaty process in 2016, and indigenous Victorians in September will vote for the members of the First Peoples ­Assembly of Victoria, a body to ­advise the government on the process, and provide advice to groups entering negotiations with the government. A source close to the Victorian process said a final ­treaty could still be years away.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday ducked questions about whether NSW would follow Queensland’s lead with a promise to negotiate a treaty and the possibility of financial reparations.

She said her government was proud of its record of support for indigenous people across the state.

Beograd Danas,
July 16th, 2019.

FINANCE MINISTER REPLACED, YOUNG BANKER OGNJEN MAJSTOROVIĆ COMES AS REPLACEMENT

After rhetorical clashes that Finance Minister Pavle Petrović had with head of ECB Milorad Denin over future reforms in area of domestic banking, Petrović decided to resign this morning. While Prime Minister Adam Marković is away in Paris, attending annual EU Summit, this resignation came as a shocking event for public. Press was informed that Minister Petrović contacted Prime Minister Marković yesterday evening on a phone call that lasted for almost an hour, and they have agreed for Petrović to publish a resignation letter in public, this morning. In his letter, Petrović thanked a lot to PM for a job they have together done and wished him all the best in future reforms. It is still not clear where would he serve now, but many suggest him as possible executive director of Fiscal Council, where he has already served as vice-director for almost 20 years.

Petrović, who was along with many an symbol of the fiscal conservatism in Serbia, would now be replaced with a young banker Ognjen Majstorović, close to politicians from both DS and SDP, and well-known for his neoliberal stands. As a servant in Finance Ministry under previous three Cabinets, Majstorović has made a name for himself as a large promoteur of neoliberal doctrine, the same one as current PM Marković. He is still awaited to take the office, and he would probably do so after Prime Minister return from EU Summit, but media houses are already speculating about a Marković-Mitrović financial pact, and their future neoliberal reformistic tendencies. New Minister Majstorović was remembered for his stands in favor of further liberalization of employment market, tax cuts for richest 10% of citizens, privatization of some key national industries and cuts in welfare, which on absolutely highest rate among all Balkan nations.

Ottawa | Canada | 2019 

The Republic of Canada shares its deepest condolences with Poland after hearing about the tragedy of flights LO-911 and P8-75 in Krakow earlier today. We wish to also share our deepest condolences for the families of the victims of said flight and we wish them well in the future. Prime Minister Sheer has released a Public Message on the Tragedy here:

" Today we have seen a tragedy in the nation of Poland where Flight LO-911 and Flight P8-75 crashed into one another in Krakow International, killing 230 people including all passengers, crew members, and the pilots. This is a tragedy that was hope never is repeated and we stand firm with the families in hopes that closure shall be provided for all of them.

Thank You." 

The Online response to the tragedy has also been vibrant as the #PrayforPoland hashtag makes waves across the web. For now we wait and hope for the well being of the families of the victims. Good day.

Dubai, National Assembly Building's balcony, 2019

"Today, a very tragic event has happened in Poland. Two passenger planes collided mid air, resulting in over 200 deaths. We are deeply moved by this incident, which shows how we, humans, are still prone to accidents, fatal ones if Allah so wishes. We have sent an official declaration of our condoleances to the Polish government, and I ask all of you to pray for their souls. Followers of Christianity or Islam, it doesn't matter, all of us are humans, and all of us need to live in peace and unity.

Sadly, our nation was divided in the past, especially during the Cold War, as the South proclaimed independence for us, to follow the Soviet example, which sadly led to the death of many of our brethen in the Civil War of 1971. It didn't last long, but it gave us a harsh insight into how divided we are. Thus, we shall strive to become united! To remain powerful! And to maintain peace home and abroad!" Shouted the Prime Minister, Khaled al-Assad.

Kinshasa
July 16, 2019

Mobutu Sese-Seko adjusts his leopard-skin cap and takes his walking stick from the elegantly-carved wooden desk. He listens for a minute, humming to himself as the military band in the concert room downstairs belts out a heart-stirring rendition of La Zaïroise. Then he stands, rising from the chair in which he has been reclining, carefully reading the Daily Intelligence Summary from a thick black ledger simply labeled “Mobutu”. He stares out the window at the blue African sky and the midday sun glittering through the fronds of the palm tree just outside his window, stabbing through to the lawn below like swords of fire. Then the President, still humming softly to himself, walks across the room—his office, richly decorated with magnificent Kongolese shields, masks, and spears, leopard skins, a drum, a national flag, a coat of arms, and a world map—and rings a small silver bell.

Instantly, a servant pokes his head through the open door. At first looking respectfully at the ground, the man softly utters a question, what does the almighty President desire? Mobutu replies; he is on a trip to the airport, and he will need his personal Concorde readied within the hour. The man acknowledges the President’s wish, and scuttles away.

And thus, exactly one hour later, Mobutu Sese Seko, President of Zaire, climbs aboard the luxurious Concorde, heading toward an unknown destination. He now gives the pilot a command. The man is startled, but he obeys, and the President’s plane rumbles down the runway, and off to its unknown destination.

The journey will be a long one, but Mobutu does not care. Besides his modern radio, his cooler full of French wines for his own personal use, his specialized air conditioning, his private bedchamber, his twelve personally-handpicked professional bodyguards, and his pair of chefs who specialize in all kinds of gourmet dishes, Mobutu has things to think about, things to consider. The weight of all the world, he muses, rests upon him. He has all power and no fear. He knows that he will be quite a surprise when he shows up where he intends to show up, and he will enjoy himself thoroughly, as ever. Such has his life been, and such will it continue to be, for twenty more years or longer; Mobutu, though in his mid-seventies, has yet to feel the effects of old age, and in appearance seems to be scarcely above fifty years old.

Mobutu chuckles softly to himself. It is all so very easy. For those like him.

Afghan-Pakistan Border to be shut down temporarily by ANSDF forces
The Kabul Times
7/16/2019
Kandahar, Afghanistan

Moments ago the official port of entry between Ghazi pakistan and Afghanistan has been closed suddenly on the orders of the Afghan Border Police's (ABP) top general. The official reason given was to "assess security threats and tighten control on individuals seeking to enter Afghanistan." Elaborating on the previous statement the document claimed that a new border fence would be constructed all along the Durand Line.

This is seen by many as a measure to control the way the Taliban receives funding and safe haven in Pakistan by limiting their access to the region. Although officially the Pakistani government declines claims that they fund the Taliban, the Afghan government and others claim that the ISI secretly funds the Afghan Taliban in an attempt to gain control of their western border. This conflict keeps tensions high between the two nations, and the recent Persian-Afghan Union might escalate tensions about the validity of the Durand Line.

Joining the Afghan Border Police in patrols are the Imperial Ground Forces of Afsharid Persia. They could be seen exchanging laughs alongside their Afghan comrades as they looked over Afghan Combat Engineers constructing barbed wire over existing fencing. Just two villages down a roaring firefight could be heard between the Taliban and the ANA Commando Corps.

The Kabul Times interviewed a local village elder to speak on behalf of Afghans living near the border. Jamsheed Abdulkarim, who fought as a Mujahideen fighter during the Soviet-Afghan war, claimed to support the idea. "This was something that should have been done years ago, but the Americans got nothing done here. We are glad that the government has finally stepped up and acted in our defense. It is common knowledge that the Taliban smuggles opium through these roads, along with weapons and mortar systems." Upon being asked about who supplied the Taliban, he began to snicker and suppress a smile. "Ask any Afghan in the world this question, and you will get the same answer. The Taliban is the child of Shaytan and the Pakistani ISI. Those corrupt bastards ruin the face of Islam and hide like rats whenever confronted."

This story is developing, The Kabul Times will update the article as events unfold.

Riga, Latvia, Confederation of Baltic States.

11:00am EEST. July 17, 2019.

Pavilas Lewandas walked along a narrow corridor of the National Assembly building and thought about his work ahead. Still, tomorrow he will become the president of a developing European country - the Confederation of the Baltic States. Pavilas recalled his whole life: childhood spent among Polish crime bosses in the Lithuanian SSR in the 1980s, then a shelter for children, meeting new parents from the RSFSR, a school, a university, returning in motherland that acquired independence.

When Lewandas returned to Lithuania in 2000, he received a second degree in political science and opened a small but very profitable business - a real estate resale agency. This was not enough for him, and in 2006, after the creation of the Confederation, he began his political career. After 13 years, he achieved the post of President of the Confederation.

Pavilas Lewandas will be inaugurated tomorrow, July 18, at 18:00 Eastern European time. Great hopes are placed on him after the unsuccessful rule of the Social Democrats and the death of the past elected president. Pavilas must continue the policy of his best predecessors, and lead the country out of a protracted and difficult political crisis.

---------------

In the meantime, a vote was passed in the parliament already two months ago to recognize his inauguration, but rumors still circulate about him and a promising politician is the main topic of discussion in society. Yes, the inauguration will start still more than in 20 hours, but he already has fans and supporters on one side, and enemies, haters, and rivals on the other.

Citizens and various media outlets also do not bypass the topic: somewho see in Pavilas a pragmatic liberal who is able to restore order in the country and end all long-standing disagreements between its citizens, while others see the situation from the other side and think that the new president is an authoritarian conservative who will lead the country out of crisis only by the destruction of freedom and civil rights.

One way or another, the whole country is waiting with bated breath when promising leader will take office.

Dubai, National Assembly, UAE, 17th July 2019

"For too long we have been neutral on the world stage!" Shouted the Prime Minister. "We stood by idly as history was written around us! We stood idly as people were and still are being oppressed! The governments of our neighbours always turn a blind eye when a Sultan, a Sheik or an Emir orders the massacre and suppression of liberty protesters! For too long the Saudis ruled their lands as autocrats! It seems out of all the nations in the Middle East, Turkey and Persia are the only ones who share our feelings." He finished.

The Minister of Interior stood up. "Our army, in it's current state, is nothing more than the army of a 80s rump state. If we plan to ever become a world power we need to modernize our equipment. And fast. I propose we strike a deal with either Persia or Turkey, or even the US." He said before standing down.

The Emir of Dubai then stood up, and with a cold look in his eyes said.

"If it was decided by Allah and his people that the UAE bring liberty to his followers, then that shall be our holy mission, and we shall do everything in our powers to achieve that goal. We are unlike the other Arab nations, we are freer than them, we are more prosperous. All thanks to the coup d'etat from 1999. Our recovering is complete, and we now are able to play an active role on the world stage." He stood down as everyone nodded in agreement.

"It is set then." Said the Prime Minister. "We shall enter the world stage."

Breaking
Zaire President Abruptly Appears In Canada
July 17, 2019

Mobutu Sese Seko, military strongman and long-time President of Zaire, has evidently taken an impromptu visit to Toronto, via his personal Concorde. Mobutu has been spotted, surrounded by bodyguards, strolling through the Fairview Mall, eating from a sandwich shop, and commenting on the city’s high taxi fares, while his plane has been parked smack in the middle of the Pearson Airport. Mobutu’s reasons for appearing in Canada are unknown, but he appears to be enjoying himself immensely. The government of Canada is advised to take preparatory measures, in case this turns out to be a diplomatic visit as well as one for entertainment purposes.