European Press Association

[Elben]

Pope calls for renewed efforts at building trust
EPA Trier

The Supreme Pontiff of the Tiburan Catholic Church during his sermon at the abbey church of Herzogenrode broke away from his prepared text to deliver off-the-cuff remarks, known as a fervorino, on the situation in the Middle West region, specifically Crotobaltislavonia and Trivodnia.

"Today, our sons and daughters of Slavian lands are once more entering a time of strife as they seek to reform their way of life in their homeland. This is causing reverberations in the surrounding lands. Let is pray that all will seek their goals with peace and justice in mind so that all may benefit. This may especially be done by realizing that though there are governments here and now, all is ruled over by the sovereign king of heaven and earth Our Lord who is the Eternal Word of God."

Pope Ioannes then returned to his prepared remarks. Later in the day, a spokesman told the press that the Holy Father has the people of Crotobaltislavonia in his prayers every day.

 

[Polesia]

BREAKING: Social Democratic leadership agrees deal with JPP

AMSTOV - Trivodnia's governmental gridlock is coming to an end after Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann announced he had had struck a deal with the Jewish People's Party that will allow the ruling Social Democrats' flagship economic reform and infrastructure investments bills to pass.

The Social Democratic Alliance was facing defeat in the National Assembly after the head of the party's Krasnislavian wing threatened to vote against the government's key legislation unless it compromised on the issue of devolution. Kahnemann, an ardent opponent of federalisation, refused and instead sought support from the JPP.

In exchange for their votes, the Folkists won a number of concessions, including guaranteed citizenship for Crotobaltislavonian refugees, allowing religious schools to apply for public funding and greater powers for Trivodnian cities and towns.

The Free State's largest trade union body, the General Confederation of Trivodnian Workers, also secured a number of wins, chiefly stopping the expansion of Free Enterprise Zones, where labour regulations and wage levels are lower.

The Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly, the Krasnislavian half of the SDA, has yet to publicly comment on the deal but party insiders are considering breaking away in response according to European Press Association sources.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Crotobaltislavonia On Brink Of Civil War

BANJA LUKA - Crisis talks are underway in the capital of Crotobaltislavonia tonight. The talks include representatives of the Otpor government; Army officers loyal to the assassinated President Farrago; members of the Committee for a Free CBS; local leaders of the Tiburan, Twentish, and CBS Orthodox churches; and others.

The crisis talks are occuring amid violent resistance to the Otpor government's crackdown on opponents to their CBS-first Marxist-Leninovist ideology. Yesterday, security forces in the capital seized control of the national news service before clearing Red Square of armed student protesters. Today, clashes between loyalist and rebel Army units have been reported around Banja Luka airport and the recently constructed H-3 airbase, the only runways in the country long enough to handle military-grade transport aircraft. Otpor-aligned units continue to block both runways with armored vehicles to prevent foreign intervention in the present crisis.

Elsewhere in Crotobaltislavonia, it is business as usual. This morning, border police at Bijeljina were letting people and goods cross the frontier with Trivodnia freely. A young policeman there said there has been no mass exodus from the country in the wake of the Farrago assassination. "People learned the hard way that leaving is worse than staying. Besides, everyone blew their savings during the Radek-thing. No one can afford to be a refugee again."

 

[Polesia]

Ministry of External Affairs

The escalating situation in Crotobaltislavonia is of deep concern to the Free State, and we fear a prolonged power struggle will undermine the recent peace and security achieved in the Three Seas region. We urge all sides to reach a compromise that respects the democratic rights of ordinary Crotobaltislavonians and allows for a cooperative foreign policy to be pursued.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Crotobaltislavonia Holds Its Breath

BANJA LUKA - The capital of CBS is calm this morning as crisis talks enter their third day. Insiders report the talks are going well and an important compromise has been reached. The Committee for a Free CBS has agreed to maintain a Marxist-Leninovist economy while the Otpor League has agreed to a democratic government. Otpor has also agreed to allow CBS News television and radio back on the air with minimal censorship.

While talks progress, the armed struggle continues. The stand-off at Banja Luka's international airport has been quiet. But last night, the H-3 airbase saw the most intense fighting yet. Farrago-aligned forces were able to fight their way inside the base before being repulsed by Otpor-aligned forces after a pitched battle on the main runway itself. Scores died in the fighting and the runway is said to be damaged and will need repairs, a victory for Otpor. It is not immediately clear if negotiators in the capital are aware of the battle's outcome.

 

[Polesia]

BREAKING: Krasnislavian nationalist talks fail

AMSTOV - Discussions to form a new "moderate" Krasnislavian nationalist movement failed after only a "handful" of Krasnislavian Social Democrats agreed to breakaway from the ruling Social Democratic Alliance, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

"They looked at the maths and realised any by-elections triggered by switching allegiance would likely see them lose," explains a source close to the talks, "the nationalist vote would be split, allowing the Social Democrats, or worse, the Folkists [Jewish People's Party] or Zionists [Homeland Union] to win."

One National Assembly member (AM) who was considering leaving the Social Democrats said the pact between Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann, the Trivodnian head of government, and JPP convinced him to stay. "Yiddish hegemony over the Free State would have been cemented forever," he warned.

In a short statement, Chancellor Kahnemann welcomed the talks' collapse, saying Krasnislavian rebels had "returned to their senses". However there was no mention of the agreement with the JPP, which is now potentially under threat now the government's majority is confirmed. The KNP similarly welcomed the talks' collapse.

Folkist leader Yitzhak Epstein has so far not commented on the news, but JPP backbenchers have promised to withdraw support for upcoming economy and national security bills should the Social Democrats "betray" them.

Both Yury Bogdanov, head of the Krasnislavian Social Democratic People's Assembly, and Zhanna Khalinkina, a prominent KNP AM, rumoured to be leading the discussions, have yet to comment either.

 

[Le Royaume de Legialle]

Legialle

 

[Elben]

Pope visits Retalia in secret
EPA Trier

Today the papal court confirmed rumors that the supreme pontiff Ioannes XXIII visited Tibur in Retalia over the weekend to survey the Vacant City and say Mass privately in one of the ancient churches. This would mark the first time such a Pontifical Mass has occurred in Tibur in several centuries.

 

[Polesia]

BREAKING: Prosecution proceedings begin for KNP leadership

AMSTOV - The Supreme Prosecutor of the Free State of Trivodnia has initiated prosecutions against the Krasnislavian National Party, which has been imprisoned since earlier this year on charges of sedition and disrespecting the Constitution.

The Supreme Prosecutor had repeatedly delayed the prosecution starts after pressure from the Trivodnian President and Chancellor. The pair had hoped to negotiate a political settlement with the KNP, which openly backed the unilateral secession of Krasnislavian-majority territories after the ruling Social Democratic Alliance rejected a compromise on devolution.

In a public statement, the Supreme Prosecutor's office said in the absence of any progress in negotiations it had "no choice" but to act against the KNP leadership, including party leader Uladzimir Sannikov.

The politicians will also be moved from their open air prison to an isolated high security facility to prevent any breakout attempts by supporters.

Responding, a KNP spokesperson claimed the Supreme Prosecutor's actions were "politically motivated" and driven by recent criticism of Chancellor Alexander Kahnemann for allowing Krasnislavian nationalists from Kadikistan to march through the Free State.

 

[Elben]

Pope addresses Borovanger ahead of elections
EPA Trier

The Holy Father in an address to pilgrims visiting spoke out on elections in Borovanger. Pope Ioannes XXIII called on Catholics to remember that no one political movement should inform their faith. Rather they should follow Christ through the Gospel and Tradition. "There is no left or right or moderate in the Church. There is just the Church, attempting collectively and individually to find the path to salvation."

@Borovanger

 

[Elben]

Pope addresses tensions
EPA Trier

In an address to pilgrims at the abbey of Herzogenrode in Eiffelland, Pope Ioannes XXIII called upon the leaders of Europe to work to avoid bloodshed. "The horrors of communism must be resisted, but not through violence. It is through prayer, fasting, and alms that we can fight against those who would destroy Christendom." The pope concluded by declaring, "All the contemplative orders of the europe have been called to pray for us all. Let us join our prayers with theirs, that the kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ may be realized here on europe as it is in Heaven. Amen."

 

[Elben]

FLASH: Angels in Medjedogue
EPA Eschenbach

An impromptu press conference was held earlier today by the 15-year-old girl Marja Vilecki who made news last year when she declared she was being visited by angels. An investigation by the local Catholic bishop determined that Miss Vilecki was lying and she was ordered to "cease spreading blasphemies."

At the conference today, Miss Vilecki broke her silence and declared that the angels had never stopped speaking to her and that they had urgently told her to speak out and warn Christendom: a horrible flood out of the East was coming and it would drown Christendom in blood. This was happening because for too long, Christendom had turned to Mammon, reveled in promiscuity, and worst of all, sacrificed the unborn to Moloch. Local police, once informed of what was occurring by an informant, arrived on the scene to silence the girl, who was whisked away. The reporters present were dispersed and warned not to return to the village.

 

[Great Engellex]

Engellexic Thaumantic Company Wins Rights to Disputed Territories

DULWICH, the European Press Association has learned that the Engellexic Thaumantic Company has bid for and won the Exclusive Economic Rights to the two disputed territories of the Northern Thaumantic not presently under the jurisdiction of the Engellexian Republic; the Coldherberge Islands (Islands of St. Brigida) and Magna Risberge (Al-Kez).

The Engellexian Republic Parlement legislated the authority and legality of the auction for any private citizen or company to bid for the Exclusive Economic Rights, of ten years, belonging to those two contested territories. The Engellexian Republic does not occupy those territories, and its jurisdiction does not presently extend to them.

The auction of the EERs has never been but a symbolic exercise of the frustration, if not anger of the Parlement at the perceived occupation of the Coldherberge isles and Magna Risberge by foreign powers. Traditionally the EERs have been won by fisherman of Cheapford, with bids of and not exceeding £1. Never before has a private citizen or company delivered a serious bid for the EERs of the two territories.

The terms of the ETC acquisition are currently unknown, as is the value of their successful bid.

The Northern President released a brief statement officially acknowledging the event as a matter of fact, that being the auction and the participants, announcing that the relevant committee of the Engellexian Republic Parlement will disclose all pertinent information pertaining to the bids and the EERs with their respective terms.

A spokesperson for the Engellexic Thaumantic Company confirmed that the company acquired the EERs to the Coldherberge isles and Magna Risberge in the auction, and that the Lord Guarantor and the Board of Guarantors are not flippant in their engagement of the auction and its politically meaning.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Deserters Massacred Trying To Flee Call-Up?
EPA Eschenbach

Twelve men and women, possibly members of the Crotobaltislavonian Militia, were found dead this morning. The bodies were found on an Elbenese beach of the Innersee, near the coastal hamlet of Eger. The bodies of nine men and three women, all dressed in the uniform of the CBS Miltia, were found with large caliber gunshot wounds. Nearby, the remains of a watercraft, also been hit by heavy gunfire, was found. The circumstances surrounding the deaths are unknown, but it is speculated that the men and women were killed while attempting to flee the call-up recently ordered by the Banja Luka regime. There was no formal response to inquiries to the Crotobaltislavonian government at the time this report went to press.

 

[Khemia]

People's Republic of Xinhai Establishes 'Defensive Exclusion Zone' in Eastern Kalahari Sea
EPA Ostrograd

The People's Republic of Xinhai Foreign Ministry today declared the establishment of an emergency 'Defensive Exclusion Zone' within one hundred miles of the southern coast of Xinhai. Enumerating the requirements of the declared zone, the Minister made note of the following:

1. The Defensive Exclusion Zone extends 100 miles, including international waters, from the contiguous zone of Xinhai's coast.
2. The Defensive Exclusion Zone forbids the presence of any foreign armed craft, whether in air, surface, or submersible.

2.a. The Republic of Kashtan has been granted an exception to the zone within 100 miles of Kashtan shores.​

3. People's Red Army Ground Forces, People's Red Army Air Forces and Red Army Navy would begin enforcing this zone immediately.
4. PRAGF, PRAAF and PRAN are authorized to act accordingly towards the presence of any foreign armed craft located within the DEZ.
5. The Ministry of Defense warns that the chain of command maintains full rights to eliminate any potential threat to national security within the DEZ.

Currently, the only known military operation within the designated region are routine Ostrovakian air patrols along the coast. Acknowledging these ongoing operations, the Xinhese Minister of Defense stated that the unarmed Ostrovakian craft would be permitted continued access to the Defensive Exclusion Zone should they coordinate planned routes with ATC personnel to ensure no accidents occur, and insofar as the Ostrovakian government continue to remain steadfastly neutral.

 

[Elben]

Pope creates new cardinals in secret consistory
EPA Trier

On the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Tiburan Church formally created a group of new cardinals to add to the fifteen already in existence. The new cardinals are [OOC: List of names to be determined when the next conclave comes around]. Pope Ioannes also stated he is creating several cardinals in pectore, meaning their identities are known only to him and should he die before he identifies them, they will not remain cardinals. The consistory is necessarily abbreviated due to the threat of war and the need of the cardinals to return home before international transportation becomes impossible. In a public address, Ioannes urged the West to look to the true Faith during these difficult times.

@Borovanger @Bourgogne @Pelasgia @Andaluz @Vinedia @Touzen @Geotri @Eiffelland @Beira @Gunnland @Socialist World Republic

 

[Natal]

Tanks and soldiers on the streets of Maseru


Breaking news reports are coming from Maseru this afternoon after this morning, PM Muzorewa has signed a decree which calls for the complete nationalisation of the Loagan economy, without offering compensations. The Maseru Stock Market has crashed, as the shareholders of major Loagan companies were trying to sell their shares before the decree will be enforced, usually finding no potential buyers.

Jaak Muzorewa, PM of Loago has acted against the advises of the Viru government, which provided guidelines for compensations and the buyout of shares.

It seems that the main target of this new policy of the Maseru Government is the Viru Himyari Company a privately owned conglomerate, mostly owned by the white minority of Loago, living on the Limestone Coast, which is controlling more than 60% of the Loagan economy. In certain parts of the country, in the inland central and southern regions, the company was the main authority, as it provided anything from jobs to education, healthcare and security, becoming a state withing the state, which was controlling more than half of Loago.

A few hours later, soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, based all along the Limestone Coast and made mostly of Viru, Gunnish and Engell soldiers have arrived in Maseru, taking control of the city. They haven't commented on the recent developments, nor did we manage to get hold of a statement from the government.

 

[Natal]

New government announced in Loago as the military takes control


After the Jaak Muzorewa announced the complete and full nationalisation of the Loagan economy without any sort of compensations being offered to the people losing their enterprises, the white-dominated military in the Limestone Coast, aided by Soutern Security, the security and protection company owned by the Viru Himyari Company, which was policing much of Loago has taken overn Maseru and has arrested the Muzorewa cabinet.

Headed by General Paavo Laht, the Loagan Security Forces have taken over the country and during the weekend they have formed the Riiklik Taastamisnõukogu, which can roughly be translated into the National Restoration Council.

Jaak Muzorewa and the cabinet he led has been reported to be in the custody of the new government, as General Paavo Laht has proclaimed this afternoon on Loago's national radio, Radio Austral, that he will take title of State Elder, a title imported from Virumaa, representing the head of state and that he will lead a provisional government until fresh elections and a new constitution will be legitimised with a referendum.

The new government calls its set of policies "Revolutionary Conservatism", calling for support from all non-communist elements in the society and condemning the aggressive imperialism of Serenierre, Kadikistan and Xinhai. The new government stated that they wish to promote and defend property rights, democracy and stability, while warding off communism from the shores of Himyar. They called the military coup a necessity as the Muzorewa cabinet was infiltrated by crypto-communists, members of the Loagan League of Communists, which pressured Jaak Muzorewa to nationalise the economy and "create a little Kadikistan in Himyar".

Paavo Laht has also stated that from now on, Loago will fully respect its sovereignty and defend its citizens "of all sorts of influences, especially noxious ones". The new government also asks for recognition from the free world, especially the Engellexian First Republic, the United Republic of Virumaa and the Trier Concord, declaring that "it is ready to fight the hordes of tyranny and communism".

After the formation of the National Restoration Council was declared, Paavo Laht, as State Elder of Loago has declared martial law over Loago: "Currently, our nation suffers of cancer. We must cast the patient before we start the surgery through which we will purify our political class of all its enemies and foreign infiltrators. The enemies of the people and of democracy, such as the communists will be actively hunted down as they are an imminent threat to our way of life." The Loagan League of Communists together with the National Front have been disbanded and a curfew has been put in place, as the white dominated Loagan Security Forces and the militarised militias of the Viru Himyari Company started to patrol the whole country.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We recognise the new government of Loago as the legitimate one, effective immediately. We wish State Elder Laht all the best in his role as Head of State of Loago.

Rüdiger Zimmermann, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Polesia]

Reports: Trivodnian military targeted Crotobaltislavonian civilians and refugees

AMSTOV - The Free State Self-Defence Force, Trivodnia's military, stand accused of attacking Crotobaltislavonian fishermen and using refugee camps along the border with Crotobaltislavonia as bases and camouflage to deter retaliatory attacks after local reports from near the fighting.

Crootobaltislavonia took part in the Rurikgrad Pact assault on Trivodnia, although its forces - largely formed of ex-guerilla militia armed with ageing weaponry - were quickly defeated by the better equipped and trained FSSDF. The Trivodnian Ministry of National Defence claims Crotobaltislavonian casualties number in the thousands, although these figures have been disputed.

However both Trivodnian and Crotobaltislavonian eyewitnesses claim Trivodnian attack craft in Lake Elbe and the Polesisn Sea raided commercial ports, including fishing towns, as well as military installations as part of their retaliation. The Trivodnian Ministry of National Defence insists it was acting on "solid intelligence" and only targeted "potentially offensive infrastructure".

Crotobaltislavonian refugees also allege FSSDF took cover in refugee camps and frequently left camp inhabitants exposed to cross fire, resulting in serious casualties. The Ministry of National Defence says Trivodnian troops were protecting the camps from looting by "hostile forces".

The claims are hard to verify due to strict reporting conditions in Trivodnia on active military operations and general instability in Crotobaltislavonia. But analysts fear it may escalate the conflict by encouraging Kadikistan and Xinhai, who so far have only attacked military bases and strategic infrastructure within the Free State, into broadening strikes against civilian targets.