News from Crotobaltislavonia

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal a young Slavonian man sitting at a desk in front of file footage of fighter jets overflying the Presidential Palace. The man is looking smart in a dark grey suit, a red tie, and brown brogues. He is all business as he arranges his papers and then looks up at the camera when the theme concludes.

"Good evening, Comrades. And now the news.

"Today the Air Force put on an impromptu display over Banja Luka when three fighter jets overflew the city before producing sonic booms directly above Red Square and quickly accelerating away. A few cracked windows and frayed nerves were reported to Banja Luka Police. The Air Force later apologized for the stunt.

"In other military news, the Army is headed home after several days of continuous exercises along the border with Lars. The War Ministry is saying that all objectives were met and the General Staff is satisfied with the Army's state of readiness.

"Back in Banja Luka, the Information Ministry announced that Mrs. Hedwig Allinger's three scheduled performances next month have sold out. Ticketbuster and Stubhut are reporting brisk sales on the second-hand market and say they expect prices to rise substantially as the concert dates approach.

"Turning to sports, last night's heavyweight bout dubbed the Countdown to Doom lived up to its name."

Cut to a brief highlight reel of last night's boxing match. The Slavonian man in voiceover: "challenger Kubrat Szántó and number one contender Slobodan Kopitar fought it out for fifteen rounds. The fight was being called a draw by ringside commentators until the final round when Mr. Kopitar was forced to his knees by a flurry of punches from Mr. Szántó. Before the referee could step in, Mr. Szántó delivered a controversial final punch to the back of Mr. Kopitar's head. Despite losing a point, Mr. Szántó won the match when Mr. Kopitar was unable to continue. Mr. Szántó's victory makes him the number one contender in the heavyweight division."

Back on the Slavonian man: "up next, it's getting warm outside and the Slava is flowing high between its banks, a word from the Weather Service about flooding across Crotobaltislavnia and how you can protect yourself this spring."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal the young Slavonian man and woman seated on side-by-side chairs angled towards each other. The man is looking smart in a black suit, a blue tie, and brown brogues. He is resting against the back of his chair with a leg folded over the other. The woman wears her short blond hair slicked back, a sleeveless and high-cut red dress, and a gold necklace. She sits with one leg firmly planted over the other. When the Information Ministry's theme concludes, she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"Good afternoon Comrades. News from the National Assembly this Friday where Deputy Frei has asked if its time to break ties with Kadikistan."

Cut to footage of Eduard Frei standing at his desk and holding up a small microphone. "Everyday Crotobaltislavonia grows stronger. Our Army has reached full strength. The Air Force's new fighters are coming online and our squadrons are filling out as fast as Serenierre can produce new planes. The Coast Guard has always been the least effected by the Motherland's political upheavals. ... Yes, Kadikistan remains a generous patron who supports the Motherland with money, arms, and training. But many of my constituents in the west feel that kind of patronage is an embarrassment."

Cut to the young man in the studio. "Not long after Comrade Frei's remarks in the Assembly, Prime Minister Sobel rebutted them at an impromptu press conference outside her office."

Cut to footage of Rachel Sobel standing in front of microphones. "It has always been Otpor's position that Crotobaltislavonia must go its own way in the conduct of its affairs. And we are doing so. Kadikistan is a friend and ally, not a patron and hegemon. Its benevolence comes with no strings attached. I haven't spoken with the leadership in Ivar since my election."

Cut to the young woman in the studio. "Also making news today, the crisis in Gallia continues to escalate. The Information Ministry asked War Ministry spokeswoman Veronica Anselmetti for comment. In an email response, the spokeswoman said quote the Ministry and the General Staff are watching the situation closely; right now, the emergency is localized to the littorals of Gallia and has not spread to Germania; there is no threat to Crotobaltislavonia at this time unquote.

Cut to the young man in the studio. "Coming up next, the Information Ministry takes a look at Ostmark, a hidden land of suprisingly deep cultural expression and valuable intellectural treasures, ahead of Mrs. Hedwig Allinger's performances next month. This is IMN."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A young Slavonian man is sitting back in an overstuffed leather armchair with one leg thrown over the other. He is wearing a black suit, green tie, and brown brogues. In a matching chair is a Jewish woman, gangly with curly dark hair. She is wearing a white blouse, grey trousers, high heels. The clothes are expensive and stylish, but still look ill-fitting on the woman. She too is leaning back in her chair, with one leg sloppily crossed over the other.

After a moment of silent conversation with his guest, the Slavonian reporter looks at the camera.

"IMN interrupts its regular programming for a special interview with Prime Minister Sobel. Comrade Sobel has requested to appear live for a special announcement. Comrade..."

The image pans and zooms in on the Jewess leader. "This business with Justosia, the assassination attempt which killed so many colleagues, close friends ... the other day I said Crotobaltislavonia is going its own way; truth. But I realize we are on the path very much alone. Our friend in the east is increasingly focused on internal affairs. We have only Serenierre in the west, which we don't even share a border with..." A tear runs down a cheek.

From off camera, the Slavonian man asks, "I can see you are a little emotional. What are you saying, Comrade Prime Minister?"

"Crotobaltislavonia needs friends. And perhaps we must look elsewhere. There was a deal with Gunnland on the table last year. We can try to put an end to this nonsense with Lars. There is so much we can do to help ourselves."

Sobel straightens up, wipes her face, and says, "this week, the President and I will meet with the leaders in the National Assembly about refocusing our foreign policy to the west, rather than to the east. The Motherland is a peaceful country and there is no reason why we can't have friends in both directions."

The camera zooms out. "Prime Minister Sobel announces a new friendship initiative in Germania and Gallia. And you saw it here first. This is IMN."

 

[Imimoya]

Excerpt from an interview with Prime Minister Tusca Larci:
"Yes, I saw the interview on TV of my colleague from the Republic of Crotobaltislavonia. Like him I have an interest in improving the well-being of my citizens and when we can, as a nation, we the duty to help others. For this reason, I asked the relevant ministries to reopen the border with Crotobaltislavonia, both for goods and for people. The action taken by our neighbors is a great test of courage and we must be just as courageous to support them in this change. There is a lot of work to be done on human rights and other areas, but this could be the beginning of a new friendship between our nations."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Official Announcement
Border Guards of Crotobaltislavonia
Banja Luka

Effective midnight tonight, regulation of travel though the Zones of Control along the border with the Grand Duchy of Lars will terminate. Crotobaltislavonian and Larsian citizens with valid passports and entry visas will be allowed to pass across the border freely. Customs restrictions will remain in force.

"Welcome to the Motherland."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information News graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal a young Slavonian woman seated at a desk in front of file footage of Crotobaltislavonia's leadership at a press conference. The woman wears her short blond hair in spikes, a black button-down, and a gold necklace. When the Information Ministry News theme concludes, she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"The State has announced a New Economic Policy."

Cut to a clip of President Lihi Hodiah addressing the microphones. "I have just finished a telephone call to the leadership in Lars to thank them for their generosity. A summit meeting may happen this summer, though nothing is decided yet. Today, Crotobaltislavonia announces two initiatives. The first, per the conditions set by the Larsian government, Crotobaltislavonia will use the aid they are sending us to establish a low-interest loan program for small and medium sized private enterprise. For too long Crotobaltislavonia has relied on cottage industry as the bedrock of our economy. That must change. Second, Prime Minister Sobel will be redirecting monies from other parts of the government to a new program to support the return of refugees. We expect our refugees to take advantage of the new loan program and we want to be ready when they come home."

As the image changes to a man haranguning followers at a rally, the Slavonian woman says in voiceover, "not all of Crotobaltislavonia is behind the new initiative. Farragoist leader Ilija Tomcic had this to say."

"Those stupid Otpor bitches will have us all bent over for the west. The Motherland will lose her purity and her freedom, and for what? Some money? Crotobaltislavonia is not a cheap whore!

"The Dear Leader took care of us. We won the war in the Free State and we fought off Bourgogne. Things were good in the past. We didn't need help then and we don't need help now.

"We must return to the old ways before the fags are in so deep, we won't be able to escape!"

*wild cheering*

Back in the studio: "in other news, Crotobaltislavonia is only days away from the Mrs. Hedwig Allinger concerts and the excitement is palpable. IMN spoke with a representative from Ticketbuster who said quote just as expected, ticket prices are starting to skyrocket; we expect them to go even higher by seven on Friday unquote. Banja Luka Police has reported that pirate copies of Mrs. Allinger's album Brilliant Dreams are widely circulating on Banja Luka streets. Banja Luka Police also announced that it is bringing in riot police from Foca and Novi Grad to assist in crowd control and security over the weekend.

"Up next, new horrors in the Marko Radana Zima murder trial where the Public Procurator accused Zima of being the Reservior Killer. IMN has the details in one-hundred and twenty seconds."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Official Announcement
Office of the Prime Minister
Banja Luka

After additional consultations with the Grand Duchy of Lars, the Free Republic clarifies that the loan-program will not be low-interest, but interest-free. While the Prime Minister agrees wholeheartedly with the Larsian wish that its assistant go directly to the people, the Prime Minister wishes for the Larsian assistance to help as many people as much as possible for the longest time; the Prime Minister believes repayment is the best way of achieving that.

The OPM also announces that a Deputy Prime Minister will be created with the portfolios of Economic Assistance and Refugee Affairs. An appointment to that office will be made as soon as possible.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

"We are live from Banja Luka International where Special Flight #1 from Ostmark is scheduled to land within the hour! I estimate the turnout to meet Mrs. Hedwig Allinger is in the thousands with new arrivals still coming. Police is on hand, but I have seen no signs of disturbance. Everyone is just having a good time as they wait for the Voice Known Coast to Coast to Coast in the Three Seas.

"Tickets for tonight's first concert in Red Square are HOT, commanding a price of five thousand dinaris at least on the second-hand market. Police are on hand to make sure everything goes okay and people have been waiting in line all week for their choice of spots in front of the stage.

"Right now let's put to bed the rumors that Mrs. Allinger will bring a special someone up on the stage for a kiss. I know you'd love to get a wet one from her; wouldn't we all? But it's not gonna happen! Hahaha."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information News graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal a young Slavonian woman seated at a desk in front of footage from last night's concert. The woman wears her short blond hair greased and parted down the middle, a white turtle neck with the collar turned down, and a gold necklace. When the Information Ministry News theme concludes, she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"Mrs. Hedwig Allinger's second Red Square concert went off without a hitch last night."

Cut to a clip of the concert.

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"Banja Luka Police are estimating over fifty thousand men and women packed the Square and side streets to hear Mrs. Allinger's performance. After singing a medley of her number one hits, Mrs. Allinger concluded the concert by inviting a young man in uniform up onto the stage and serenading him, singing, 'Der treue Husar' a cappella. The Voice Known Coast to Coast to Coast brought the young man and the audience to tears as they hummed along with her.

"Mrs. Allinger's final performance in Hartem at the intimate Mladic Theatre is scheduled to begin in just over two hours. Tickets for seats in the front row are reportedly commanding over ten thousand dinaris on the second-hand market. Banja Luka and Hartem Police are warning that fake tickets are being sold and that all citizens should only buy from reputable sellers Ticketbuster and Stubhut.

"In other news, Prime Minister Sobel's office has announced a massive construction project to dam the Slava. The Three Gorges High Dam, the long-planned flood-control and hydroelectic facility finally has support using a portion of Lars' donation to the Free Canton. However, there is already opposition to the Three Gorges project as a dam of that size would flood a large portion of the Crotian heartland, inundating villages and destroying cultural heritage sites. One Crotian leader had this to say."

Cut to a gypsy man standing besides his cart. "This is where my people buried are for generations. This is where are the spread of the Travellers. Underwater, where go will we? What do we?"

Back on the Slavonian woman in the studio. "Up next, we'll have an update from Hartem where the doors have already opened for backstage access at the Mladic Theatre. And IMN will have a look at some of the memorabilia being sold for charity."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Nightline Edition
Press Freedoms Restored
Late Friday night, the National Assembly dismantled former Prime Minister Musayev's regime of restrictions on the independent press in Crotobaltislavonia. It is not known if the Information Ministry's news service will continue to operate or not.

Banja Luka Police To Be Upgraded?
The National Assembly spent most of today debating Crotobaltislavonia's security apparatus. Hardliner Farragoist and Otpor deputies defended keeping the State Political Administration. Moderate Otpor members and ruling coalition allies spoke out in favor of scrapping the SPA and delegating its state security missions to Banja Luka Police. One former secret policeman commented anonymously that, "spying is a little different from policing."

Conference Begins
President Lihi Hodiah is in Gunnland tonight, attending a trilateral conference concerned with assistance to Crotobaltislavonia. Dr. Elizar Montepelier of the European International School of Thought was reached for comment and speculated that "Gunnland and Lars are interested in cementing the Sobol regime in the Free Canton, possibly for their own ends." The Office of the Prime Minister commented that its priorities are bringing home the remaining refugees and having shovel-ready jobs waiting for them.

Other Headlines
Foreign Ministry denies rumor of foreign plot to partitian Bourgogne
New doubts about Nazario Capitani's murder conviction

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland-Retalien

Interesting things are happening in Crotobaltislavonia. We will continue to follow the developments.

Julia Leverkühn, Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Morning Edition
Talks Winding Down
The tripartite talks between Crotobaltislavonia, Lars, and Gunnland are winding down, Sources within the Foreign Ministry have indicated the Free Canton's leadership is generally pleased with how the negotiations have gone and the results produced. There is no set timeframe for when the talks will end; but, the sources say that only technical matters and final touches are left to decide before a formal treaty submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

Construction Ordered To Begin Immediately
This morning, Prime Minister Sobel signed an executive order establishing the Energoprojekt state corporation which has the sole responsibility of constructing the Three Gorges High Dam north of Banja Luka. Construction of the dam is to begin as soon as materials and labor can be secured.

Gypsies Murdered
Banja Luka Police is investigating the discovery of nineteen bodies in a gypsy encampment north of the capital. The gypsies, including men, women, and children, were shot down execution style. Banja Luka Police is refusing to give details, saying only that the killings, "look like a hitjob, probably Nekmet." However, sources indicate the killings took place in a projected flood zone of the Three Gorges High Dam and maybe connected to the controversial public work.

 

[Elben]

Kingdom of Elben
Foreign Ministry​

Communique 19-04-25/01
Marked: General

The Kingdom of Elben wishes to inquire about the environmental impact of the high dam that is to be built in Crotobaltislavonia. Have there been studies conducted? Will this dam impede the flow of water into the Innensee and the Upper Elb?

CC: Gunnland (@Gunnland)

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Official Announcement
Ministry of Information
Office of the Three Gorges High Dam Public Affairs
Banja Luka

A full study of the Three Gorges High Dam and its impact on the environment and water supplies downstream has been made. The Three Gorges High Dam is being constructed for flood control and power generation only. It is not a water diversion project. The Free Canton believes the Three Gorges High Dam's downstream negative impacts will be minimal to nonexistant.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information News graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal a young Slavonian woman seated at a desk in front of footage of a hotel in Banja Luka with police cars and vans parked in the street. The woman wears her short blond hair greased back, a black blouse unbottoned halfway down her chest, and a gold necklace. When the Information Ministry News theme concludes, she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"This just in, Banja Luke Police is now investigating the discovery of hidden cameras at the Hotel Metropol in the capital's city center, close to Red Square. Details have not been released, but a rumor is circulating that the camera was found in the bathroom of the suite occupied by Mrs. Hedwig Allinger during her recent stay in Crotobaltislavonia. More on this breaking story as it comes in."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal the young Slavonian man and woman seated on side-by-side chairs angled towards each other. The man is looking smart in a black suit, a green tie, and brown brogues. He is resting against the back of his chair with a leg folded over the other. The woman wears her short blond hair slicked back, a black suitcoat, a pencil skirt, and a gold necklace. She sits with one leg firmly planted over the other at the knees. When the Information Ministry's theme concludes, the picture zooms in on the Slavonian woman as she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"Good afternoon. We start with an update from a previous story. It is now confirmed by SPA records that the camera found in the Hotel Metropol is an inactive leftover from a surveillance operation dating back to at least ten years. Also, Banja Luka Police is reporting the camera was not found in the Bridal Suite occupied by Mrs. Hedwig Allinger, but in the Presidential Suite reserved for foreign government VIPs."

The picture flips over the Slavonian man. "Officials are beginning to consider an interim jobs program as the timeline of refugees returning to the Motherland is out of step with the timeline of construction for the Three Gorges High Damn. However, returning refugees are making plans of their own. A group of refugees have begun to mass on the southern border with Lars, promising they will return overseas, possibly to Eiffelland, if the State does not step up with promises of employment and welfare."

The picture flips back to the Slavonian woman just as she recrosses her legs. "The National Assembly is finalizing a bill that will officially disband the State Political Administration while drastically expanding the Banja Luka Police's size and remit. The first demonstrations against the reform began last night in Red Square and in front of the refurbished White House, the seat of the Assembly. The demonstrations saw secret police officers and the Mothers of the Disappeared protesting side-by-side while Banja Luka riot police stood by."

The picture flips back to the Slavonian man. "Coming up, is peace at hand in Gunnland? Will the Zones of Control finally be dismantled? Find out in a hundred and eighty seconds."

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Morning Edition
National Assembly Approves Treaties With Lars and Gunnland
Treaties negotiated at the recent trilateral conference in Gunnland have been overwhelmingly approved by the National Assembly. The Aid Agreement between CBS and Lars will see Lars continue to provide economic assistance to the Free Canton. In exchange, the Motherland has agreed to modernize it's transportation network, open its borders to international trade, and export to Lars a share of the electricity produced by the Three Gorges High Dam upon its completion.

The Revitalization Treaty between CBS and Gunnland will create an extraterritorial superhighway corridor across CBS from Gunnland in the north to Gunnish trade partners in the south. The Revitalization Treaty also grants Gunnland concessions to exploit CBS's mineral deposits west of Banja Luka.

The two treaties are expected to be signed by President Hodiah later today.

Motherland Welcomes Refugees Home
With new job opportunities appearing in CBS, refugees continue to flock home in large numbers. In response to the population movement, Prime Minister Sobel has signed an executive order creating a Ministry of Refugee Affairs to oversee the care, resettlement, and employment of the refugees. The new ministry expects many of the refugees to simply return to their former homes or to stay with friends and relatives. Even in those cases, Refugee Affairs will provide assistance for all those Crotobaltislavonian citizens who need it.

Other Headlines
Border Guards open fire on outland Slavonians from Gallia
Murder trial on hold as Marko Radana Zima recovers from sexual assault
Red Square filling with gypsy carts; Banja Luka demands police action

 

[Salen]

Official Announcement
Ministry of Information
Office of the Three Gorges High Dam Public Affairs
Banja Luka

A full study of the Three Gorges High Dam and its impact on the environment and water supplies downstream has been made. The Three Gorges High Dam is being constructed for flood control and power generation only. It is not a water diversion project. The Free Canton believes the Three Gorges High Dam's downstream negative impacts will be minimal to nonexistant.

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States Office for Foreign Policy
Public Statement / 3d May 2019

On behalf of the Government of the United Salian States, the Foreign Office kindly urges the Crotobalitislavonion Government to publish its recent studies on the Three Gorges High Dam and its ecologic impact on the environment. Projects of such scale and magnitude may bring economic prosperity, though it should be guaranteed that such progress is sustainable for man and his surroundings in the present and for the future. ​

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

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States Office for Foreign Policy
Public Statement / 3d May 2019

On behalf of the Government of the United Salian States, the Foreign Office kindly urges the Crotobalitislavonion Government to publish its recent studies on the Three Gorges High Dam and its ecologic impact on the environment. Projects of such scale and magnitude may bring economic prosperity, though it should be guaranteed that such progress is sustainable for man and his surroundings in the present and for the future. ​

Official Communique - General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Banja Luka

The Free Canton of Crotobaltislavonia holds the recognition and respect of national sovereignty as paramount. The Free Canton is disturbed that the United Salian States is taking an uninvited and unwanted interest in Crotobaltislavonian affairs. The Free Canton urges the United Salian States to mind its own affairs and not interfere in the affairs of other states that it does not even share a border with.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

A Ministry of Information News graphic appears on screen with brass fanfare. The graphic fades to reveal a young Slavonian woman seated at a desk in front of footage of a convoy of military trucks charging down a dirt road in the moutains. The woman wears her short blond hair unstyled, a tight white t-shirt, and a gold necklace. When the Information Ministry News theme concludes, she looks up from arranging her papers and begins speaking.

"This just in, there has been explosion at Ugalj Coal Mine Number Two in Sokolov District close to the border with Bourgogne. No word on casualties yet. But Ugalj, the owner of the mine, is estimating that almost four hundred men were underground at the time of the explosion. Emergency services, military units, and border guards are responding. Family members of the miners are gathering at the Orthodox and Twentish churches in Bublava. More on this story as it develops."