Dalibor

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大理坡觀察者 | The Dalibor Observer
The Dalibor Observer is an independent, investigative broadsheet print and digital news organization based out of the nation's largest city, Yingu.
The organization reports mainly on national political and general news.
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27 December 4884
BREAKING - Government in state of collapse as armed forces unexpectedly seize legislature, various ministries under mercenary help
Although reports are coming in just as soon as we can get them, it seems the government has completely collapsed, with the President Zeng Yating reportedly having fled the country. Clashes between members of the army split between loyalties to mercenaries and the government are already a common occurrence.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

Since the President's assumption of power late last summer the government's stability has continued to drop, following large-scale protests that saw the utilization of forces from the Broadshore Security and Defense Consulting Group - often with or without permission from the government to quell them. Tensions have seemingly reached their peak today as these forces, who have seemingly lost their faith in the current government, rounded up both their own detachments of men and those of the nation's own police and armed forces that'd aligned themselves with Broadshore and marched into the Chamber of Deputies building in Yingu today - led by Andrew Livingston.

After overpowering security forces present in the building and subduing sitting members of the Chamber, Livingston ascended to the speaker's podium, where he spoke at length about the government's repeated failures to deal with even the most basic issues - and noted that it was time for a change in management. "In my time spent here I have worked tirelessly to improve your country's police and military," he stated to lawmakers. "And I achieved this to such a degree that they respected me, rather than the privileged upper crust who'd made themselves fat off of corrupt kickbacks. You talked of anti-corruption but found that it's only a two-way street."

To also the shock of many, the former President Cheng Fu emerged to flank Livingston's side, although Mr. Cheng seemed distant, and had noticeable bruises and scratches present on his face - hinting at intimidation and coercion by the mercenaries. In his remarks, Livingston announced that he had received authorization from the former President to assume his office, and with the current President, Zeng Yating, seemingly having fled the country, Andrew Livingston faced no serious opposition to his assumption of power. It marks the first time Dalibor has had a foreign leader since the Yingdalan colonial era of the 3600s.

Mercenaries have also locked down several ministries of the cabinet, as the illegally-sworn in President Livingston seeks to draft a new cabinet - alongside approving a new legislature without the Chamber's approval, a move he marked after his speech by dissolving the sitting session, making full use of the powers of the Presidency. The aforementioned new house of the national legislature would be the "Senate of the Republic", a 50-member, appointed legislature consisting of industry advisors, corporate leaders, and senior political and military officials, a meritocratic unit that Livingston feels will "help drive progress far better and carefully than what was attempted prior".

Other immediate acts passed by Andrew Livingston is a temporary suspension of the constitution, and the enactment of martial law. Allegations of the forming of a "new, mercenary state" have also floated around, but have been unconfirmed. Despite these criminal changes to our nation and this deliberate seizure of power, we will continue to report on these issues for as long as we are able to. The immediate future is greatly uncertain, but we can only hope that truth prevails - for democracy often dies when those who wield power stand back and do nothing.

For now, until our next article, fellow readers.


Armed police forces, thought to be aligned with the mercenary group Broadshore, fire into a crowd of protesters in Dalibor City.
Various scenes have played out numerous times across the country following the seizure of government by these forces.

[thefalloutfan101]

THE FREDONIA TIMES-HERALD
Your no-nonsense, no-bullshit news source for all that's happening in Fredonia, also known as Dalibor. Honest journalism at it's finest.
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August 17th, 4885 (OOC: Postdated)
PRESIDENT LIVINGSTON ANNOUNCES VICTORY OVER VIOLENCE, PROCLAIMS THE REPUBLIC OF FREDONIA
Speaking before a packed session of the Senate today, President Livingston has announced an end to the instability plaguing the nation, and has proclaimed the "Republic of Fredonia", a nation "for mercs, by mercs".
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by:
David Lansing
Editor-in-chief

Excitement and celebration in Libertalia (formerly Dalibor City) today as President Andrew Livingston spoke before a packed session of the Senate, the advisory legislative body to the Presidency, proclaiming an end to the lingering violence that'd disputed his leadership for some time. After a months-long campaign, forces loyal to the President, alongside members of his detachment from Broadshore, declared the "total collapse" of anti-government forces after a botched uprising attempt in New Ralston, also known as Yingu. Key leaders of the insurgency, largely hailing from left-wing paramilitaries operating broadly under the allegiance of the Workers' Party, were rounded up and booked to local detention centers for processing before the newly-created Department of Justice. The office's new secretary, Mark Chen, an Indralan-Baltusian transplant, stated they'd be treated "with the utmost equality under the law".

However, one item that was non-negotiable according to the justice secretary was the immediate banning of the Workers' Party and any subsequent organs that aided them from being able to hold political office or appoint members to the Chamber of Deputies. "The Workers' Party was clearly complicit in aiding this wanton, senseless violence," Secretary Chen stated before an interview. "Several of these would-be 'freedom fighters', who're arguably a poorly-defended excuse away from terrorism, actively fought in the name of socialism and liberation. In reality, all they did was torch towns, kidnap innocent people, and attack the real patriots attempting to defend their country." The DoJ would also state that it is "actively investigating" the democratic but nationalist political party known as the Dalibor Democratic Party.

Also in President Livingston's address was the announcement of the founding of a new nation - one with it's own political system, modeled off of nations in the Luthorian-speaking world such as Likatonia and Baltusia, referred to as the "Republic of Fredonia". Championing it as a state "for mercs by mercs", the announcement was met with jubilation by members of the Senate, and apparently confused but scattered approval from the lower Chamber of Deputies. In Mr. Livingston's closing remarks he unveiled the new national flag, which contained the nation's coat of arms upon it.

Several changes would also be applied to the constitution, building off of former President Cheng Fu's attempts to "streamline and modernize" it's contents - although President Livingston aims to take it a step further, drafting several revisions that would "westernize" the constitution, throwing out antiquated provisions and references to the so-called "brotherhood between Yingdala and Dalibor", which he derided as poorly disguised imperialism. Critics have pointed out that the various changes only further entrench the apparent "encroaching dictatorship", but the Chamber of Deputies has actively fought for such changes to the constitution, rallying around the President's reforms, with one member calling the proposed changes "direly needed".


A digital version of the flag President Livingston unveiled before members of the Senate. The nation's new coat of arms is featured in the design.

[thefalloutfan101]

THE FREDONIA TIMES-HERALD
Your no-nonsense, no-bullshit news source for all that's happening in Fredonia, also known as Dalibor. Honest journalism at it's finest.
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February 17th, 4886
DPL HOLDS NEW LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT CHENG'S RETIREMENT
Due to his advanced age at 83, the ruling Democratic Progressive League has held fresh leadership elections - and presents a new outlook for the party.
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by:
David Lansing
Editor-in-chief

After the retirement of President Cheng Fu due to his advanced age, the DPL held leadership elections for it's key positions. Many potential candidates fielded from the diverse factions campaigned passionately for several days - but it was ultimately one who came out on top. Sun Xinyi, a former attorney and member of the Chamber of Deputies from Dongru, and member of the party's more pro-government faction but with some reformist streaks, managed to clinch a victory for the party's Presidency. In his post-election remarks, he held firm his support for the current government, and supported measures to ensure unity among the Chamber of Deputies and cohesion in legislative policy.

Despite some criticism from others calling his election a so-called "sham" and "clear coercion of collaboration from President Livingston" the party confirmed his leadership, allowing him to freely appoint his own candidates for the party's lower offices, and to shape policy. Most notably was the apparent retirement of various aging members of the party's former opposition wings, allowing for more members of the current ruling wings to make up the composition of the organization. "Our party is ruled by a gerontocracy," Mr. Sun stated in his post-election remarks. "It's time for change - for the youth to bring fresh policy and flexibility to the League and it's platform."

Mr. Sun had also reportedly met with President Livingston shortly after the end of his statements, apparently to discuss fresh legislative elections, owing to the now 21 vacant seats due to the Workers' Party abolishment from holding political office, and to hash out policy. Also in his plans were talks with the Conservative and Democratic Parties to possibly incorporate them into the party - given a shared history of conservatives and liberals operating within the DPL as an active faction. "There's much history between us," Mr. Sun remarked. "We would only be stronger together if these groups perhaps united with us." Mr. Sun championed welcoming conservatives and liberals into the DPL despite the still-ongoing investigation into the Democrats for alleged promotion of uprisings against the government.

Policy changes discussed by the DPL's new President include the welcoming of more pro-business measures as part of it's official platform, alongside supporting moderate deregulation. However, the DPL's core policy of anti-corruption would still be honored, and Mr. Sun reportedly caused somewhat of a stir by commenting on the presence of corruption being "actively and dangerously present" within his own party, stating that "it's certainly an embarrassment to be so against something that say, perhaps a quarter of this organization perpetrates". When asked to summarize his new policies, Mr. Sun remarked "The DPL under my leadership is firmly pro-business, whether small or large, though I'm all for holding our corporations accountable. I'm aware that's a steep departure from our founder Mr. Cheng Fu, but Fredonia requires prosperity. And I aim to give it to her."


The new President of the DPL, Sun Xinyi, elected after heavy campaigning, gives his post-election remarks at the party's headquarters. Hailing from the party's more pro-government wings, Mr. Sun called for collaboration between the legislative and the executive branches, and unity among the DPL's diverse factions.

[thefalloutfan101]

THE FREDONIA TIMES-HERALD
Your no-nonsense, no-bullshit news source for all that's happening in Fredonia, also known as Dalibor. Honest journalism at it's finest.
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May 15th, 4887
GOVERNMENT TO LOOSEN TRADE RESTRICTIONS TO BOOST IMPORTS OF FOREIGN CONSUMER GOODS - DECLARES FREDONIA IS "OPEN FOR BUSINESS"
With the Department of Commerce announcing it's intentions to undo some trade restrictions, President Livingston has declared that Fredonia is also open for foreign nations to pursue mercenary contracts.
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by:
David Lansing
Editor-in-chief

The Secretary of Commerce announced in a conference today that the agency would deregulate various aspects of trade, and to also simplify confusing or byzantine trade legislation by way of an associated bill drafted in collaboration with the Chamber of Deputies' Finance Committee. Expected to pass without trouble in both chambers of Parliament, Commerce Secretary and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Markham called the moves "strongly needed", and championed the establishment of foreign trade agreements despite the perceived animosity from the rest of the world to the new government established in Fredonia.

Also from the President's own office was the announcement that the country was open for other nations to pursue mercenary contracts with them, despite the legality of the matter being somewhat grey. "Fredonia is wholeheartedly open for business," President Livingston stated in a taped address. "If you've got wetwork you want done - then by all means, we've got it." Livingston hopes that the securing of either temporary or permanent contracts will contribute to the development of the national GDP at a steady pace, alongside continuing the previous development policies under former President Cheng Fu.

Of lesser note but still prominent was the rollback of some regulations on corporate entities - but still enshrining strong accountability laws to corporate entities, with the Secretary of Labor warning corporations who don't play ball that they were "far from invincible". The President also announced the establishment of a homegrown arms manufacturing industry in Fredonia, noting that the nation's small size would make conditions perfect for Fredonia to become a strong regional arms manufacturer. "You've got to learn to look for opportunities whenever they're available," Mr. Livingston remarked. "Even if they're... Sometimes outside the realm of black and white in morality. Life's in various shades of grey and whatnot."

With regards to contracts for Fredonia's mercenaries being secured for work with foreign countries, various nations have reportedly already reached out, marking an early success to the President's bold plan.


The Port of Libertalia, considered Dovani's most busiest port. Recently, the Department of Commerce loosened trade restrictions to allow for a boost in foreign trade.

[thefalloutfan101]

THE FREDONIA TIMES-HERALD
Your no-nonsense, no-bullshit news source for all that's happening in Fredonia, also known as Dalibor. Honest journalism at it's finest.
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October 12th, 4887 (OOC: Postdated)
PARTY INTEGRATION NEGOTIATIONS FALTER - BUT NATIONAL FRONT AGREED UPON
Talks between the League and the Conservative and Democratic Parties fell through somewhat - with only the democrats accepting integration into the DPL. However, agreements were made for the establishment of a national front within the Chamber of Deputies - referred to as the National Democratic Front.
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by:
David Lansing
Editor-in-chief

Running concurrently with the enactment of fresh legislative elections sometime within the day, lengthy negotiations between the DPL and the opposition parties with regards to their integration as separate wings of the League fell through somewhat - with party leaders disagreeing on a variety of proposals put forth by the League's President, Sun Xinyi. However an agreement to form a national front and welcome other parties into the legislature under a broad coalition was reached, resulting in the formation of the National Democratic Front to become the governing coalition within the Chamber of Deputies.

The move has been met widely with support by most media outlets - owing to the passage and implementation of the Media Accountability Act, a bill that President Livingston co-sponsored, which placed limits on news organizations to report false or biased information with regards to the national government. A reporter for the Libertalia Observer championed the move, calling it an "excellent and decisive notion to bring great stability and choice to the voting public".

Under the agreed upon terms of the National Democratic Front, the Conservative Party would continue it's position as a member of the governing coalition, but alongside them, other political parties would be allotted various slates of seats to the legislature - alongside a select variety of mass organizations that petitioned the government to sit in the Chamber of Deputies. In a recent omnibus bill passed by League members of the Chamber, new laws were put in place that changed how members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected.

Instead of a direct election, a mixed system has now been implemented, whereupon members of the voting public would directly elect their provincial legislatures, and in turn these regional assemblies would then elect their allotted members to the Chamber of Deputies - through a winner-takes-all system. For example, if the DPL were to hold a majority of seats in the provincial legislature of the Libertalia province, then the lion's share of members elected to the nation's lower legislature would come from the League. President Livingston supported the changes to the system - calling them "greatly efficient for Fredonia's democracy" and "simplifying confusion for voters in regional and national elections".

Recent elections for the Chamber of Deputies did conclude at the time of this publication, and we at the Fredonia Times-Herald have just received the results, and have included them below.

Results for the October 12th, 4887 legislative elections -

• Democratic Progressive League: 153 seats

• Conservative Party: 61 seats

• National Liberal Party: 22 seats

• Social Democratic Labor Party: 22 seats

• Fredonia National Federation of Labor: 22 seats

• Farmer-Labor Party: 6 seats

• League of Women Voters: 4 seats

[jamescfm]

          ⬆ Image source

     Dalibor City gripped by protests after the murder of two teenagers

2 March 5314 - For a third successive day, crowds have taken to the streets of Dalibor City to demand justice for two murdered nineteen-year-olds. University students Liao Xiang and Ho Wen were shot dead as they returned from a bar last weekend. Police have suggested the men were mistaken for triad members.

Organised crime has been a feature of Daliborian society for centuries. Throughout this time, there has often been a mutual understanding between triad leaders and public officials. But the murder of two innocent young men has provided a catalyst for public opposition to organised crime.

The past eighteen months have been marked by an increase in criminal violence. Expert analysts claim this is the result of a dispute between two of Dalibor’s oldest criminal organisations: the White Tiger Triad and the Tian Long Tong Triad. At present it is unclear if the murders of Liao and Ho are linked to this specific dispute.

Yesterday evening, Mayor of Dalibor City Du Feng and the Director-General of the Dalibor Security Force Li Ming held a joint press conference. Both men promised to bring the killers to justice. Du announced that the city would offer a record-breaking financial reward for anyone able to provide information in the case.

The ultimate outcome is likely to depend on the decisions of triad leaders. Like other criminal organisations, triads operate according to a strict code of silence. In rare circumstances, exceptions have been made though. Eight years ago, the Red Sun Triad cooperated with the authorities to convict a low-level member responsible for killing a police officer.

Liao’s mother Chen has recorded a video appeal that has been widely shared on the internet. In the video, she tearfully pleads for anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible. At the end, she directly addresses triad leaders and begs them to ensure justice prevails.

          The Dalibor Business Times is a daily newspaper based in Dalibor City that focuses on business and current affairs.

[jamescfm]

          ⬆ Image source

     Four men arrested in connection with the murders of Liao Xiang and Ho Wen

13 September 5314 - Four men have been arrested in connection with the murder of two teenagers earlier this year. Mayor of Dalibor City Du Feng held a press conference to confirm the arrests. Earlier today the men were left outside a police station bruised and bound. Du did not confirm media reports that the men had been delivered to the police by a members of a triad.

In February, the murders of Liao Xiang and Ho Wen sparked public outrage. The two teenagers were shot dead as they returned from a bar in the Golden Quarter. Police believe the men were mistaken for members of a triad and killed as part of an ongoing turf war. The deaths were the catalyst for public frustration at the encroachment of organised crime into public life. Large crowds demonstrated throughout the city in the weeks after the murders.

According to analysts, the killings deeply affected organised crime in the country. Leaders of the most powerful Daliborian triads have sought to distance themselves from the murders. An ongoing conflict between the White Tiger Triad and the Tian Long Tong Triad was quickly resolved in the aftermath. The principal concern among triad leaders was that public outrage would jeopardise their political protection.

At the end of August, the Dalibor Security Force released images of a vehicle they believed to be involved in the killings. Four men are visible in the images. At the time, journalists suggested the police might want to provide triad leaders with access to the images. The father of Ho Wen was among those critical of the decision. He accused the police of relying on triads to solve crimes.

The murders have had political ramifications too. Du has experienced a significant drop in his approval rating. Both major parties have seen their polling numbers decline. Daliborian citizens are increasingly indignant about the extent of control that organised crime possesses within the country. Opposition parties have attempted to capitalise with mixed results. The most common responses appears to be apathy and resignation.

          The Dalibor Business Times is a daily newspaper based in Dalibor City that focuses on business and current affairs.

[jamescfm]

Liao Chen to stand in mayoral election
Mother of murdered teenager will run as an independent in the Dalibor City mayoral contest
21 February 5316

Dalibor City, Dalibor: The mother of murdered teenager Liao Xiang has announced that she will stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming Dalibor City mayoral election. Liao Chen organised a small press conference to announce she was standing to “pursue justice and peace”. The mayoral election is scheduled to take place in June. Dalibor’s major political parties are in the middle of the candidate selection process.

Liao Xiang was killed alongside his friend Ho Wen almost two years ago. At the end of last year, four men were convicted of their murders. The men were associated with a low-level triad known as Gao Boys. In the course of the trial, prosecutors revealed the men mistook Liao and Ho for members of the much larger Victory triad. The presiding judge sentenced two men to death by hanging. The other two men were given life without parole.

Organised crime has always been central to Daliborian society. Established triads have typically sought to avoid gang violence affecting mainstream society though. The killings sparked widespread protests in Dalibor City. In the aftermath, incumbent mayor Du Feng saw his approval rating sink. After serving two full terms, he has announced he will not seek re-election. At present, the Dalibor City mayoral election is an open race.
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     Dalibor Daily News is a news media organisation and subsidiary of the Dalibor Company.

[jamescfm]

          ⬆ Image source

     Liao Chen achieves shock victory in Dalibor City mayoral election

19 June 5316 - Independent candidate Liao Chen has secured an unexpected victory in the Dalibor City mayoral election, beating out candidates from the two major political parties as well as several minor candidates. Liao has worked as a seamstress for the past thirty years but rose to public attention when her son Xiang was murdered by members of the Gao Boys gang.

Liao’s margin of victory was incredibly narrow. With all ballots now counted, she won by 4,640 votes over the second place candidate Luo Jie. As a consequence of the first-past-the-post system used for Dalibor City mayoral elections, Liao was able to win with only 33.98% of the ballots cast. Historically this has benefited the two major parties but it clearly hindered them in the race.

As an unlikely politician, Liao now faces an enormous challenge. Although she is popular in the city and the country as whole, she is unlikely to be well-received by the Daliborian establishment. Throughout the campaign, Liao remained relatively vague about her policy platform. In the short term, this will provide her with scope for flexibility.

For the established Daliborian political forces, Liao’s election represents a significant failure. Experienced public officials were beaten by an unassuming woman with limited financial backing. The reality is that Dalibor has experienced periodic political shocks for centuries though. As always, it is inevitable that meetings and discussions are already underway behind the scenes.


          The Dalibor Business Times is a daily newspaper based in Dalibor City that focuses on business and current affairs.

[jamescfm]

Daliborian students arrested at the Lourennais border
13 August 5318

Eroncourt, Lourenne: Two students from Dalibor have been arrested at the Port de L'Orient airport in Lourenne. Wang Zhihao and Pracha Vipavakit are both second year students at the prestigious Royal Academy in Amoudry. Lourenne’s intelligence agency IRSA claims that they were attempting to bring heroin into the country worth almost one million dollars.

Daliborian journalists have reported that the smuggling might be linked to triads based in Dalibor City. In recent years, several groups have threatened tourists and other international travellers to force them to smuggle drugs internationally. Daliborian police and security forces frequently turn a blind eye to the practice. As a result, it is left to the destination countries to detect the drugs and deal with the offenders.

Wang and Vipavakit are believed to have taken advantage of the Royal Academy’s decision to abolish fees for international students in 5316. The decision has attracted students from across Dovani to the prestigious Lourennais university. The two men were returning to the country ahead of the start of the new academic year. Duan Lim, the Daliborian ambassador to Lourenne, has told reporters that he has spoken to the local authorities as well as the families of the two men.

Daliborian triads have frequently been involved in cross-border drug trafficking in Dovani. Lourenne’s position as one of the region’s largest economies has made it a major target. In recent times, the international drug trade has become an increasingly important part of the operations of Daliborian triads. Political instability in many neigbouring countries has contributed to the problem.
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     Dalibor Daily News is a news media organisation and subsidiary of the Dalibor Company.