Dalibor

[jamescfm]

     Regional instability damaging the Daliborian economy, says President Tian

26 February 5361 - Daliborian president Tian He says political instability in western Dovani is the key reason for the country’s economic difficulties. Dalibor has been struggling economically for most of the last decade. Before this, the country had experienced almost two decades of moderate growth. President Tian claims that conflict in Hulstria and Gao-Soto has affected economies throughout the region.

Economists are divided on the causes of Dalibor’s economic stagnation. Regional instability has played a role but it is not the only relevant factor. The independence of the Outlands has affected the country too. Political leaders in the Outlands have discouraged trade with Dalibor City where possible. As a result, the capital has been forced to rely more heavily on imported food.

Despite the economic struggles, Dalibor’s triads have prospered. Political upheaval in Hulstria and Gao-Soto displaced a large number of people. Among the beneficiaries were the White Tiger Triad, who have specialised in trafficking Kunihito refugees throughout the past decade. Although not officially acknowledged by the government, illicit triad activities proved to be a crucial component of the Daliborian economy during this time.

President Tian’s comments are the latest attempt to salvage his struggling presidency. Despite only being elected last year, Tian’s popularity has dropped to a record-breaking low in recent weeks. The struggles reflect a broader challenge for the country’s two dominant parties. Earlier this year, the Dalibor Democratic Party was shown leading a reputable national poll for the first time in over a century.

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

[jamescfm]

President of the Outlands unveils railway connection between Yingu and Gangzhou
24 July 5410

President of the Outlands Zhao Lim has announced the first train journeys between Yingu and Gangzhou will begin next month, following the completion of the first railway line between the two cities. A railway connection between the two cities was first announced eighteen years ago but the project has been delayed several times. Funding was provided partly by the government of the Outlands and partly by an assortment of Lourennais firms.

Zhao inherited the project from his predecessor but he made it a central part of his political agenda. Establishing a reliable rail connection between Gangzhou and northern Dalibor is an important part of a wider project to improve living standards in the city. When the Outlands declared independence from Dalibor in 5348, Gangzhou was among the largest slums in the world. Since then, the government and international organisations have combined to provide basic sanitation to most of the city. Large portions remain without appropriate infrastructure though.

During his second presidential campaign earlier this year, Zhao extended an offer to the government of Dalibor City to create a joint project connecting Gangzhou to the city’s public transport network. The two cities were previously well-connected before Gangzhou was gradually abandoned by the Daliborian government. At present, there has been no indication from the Dalibor City government that they intend to pursue the proposal. For many years, the government of the Outlands has expressed a desire to work collaboratively with Dalibor City but has received no acknowledgement.

The Dalibor Free Press is a freelance media organization dedicated to truth and transparency.

[jamescfm]

Paraman Kongsangchai elected first Phra mayor of Dalibor City

15 June 5416 | Conservative Party candidate Paraman Kongsangchai has been elected mayor of Dalibor City in a close contest. Following a divisive campaign, Kongsangchai is the first ethnic Phra mayor of the capital in Daliborian history. In his victory speech early this morning, he urged the capital’s residents to work together to bridge ethnic and social divides. National Solidarity Party candidate Wang An has yet to concede the election.

Wang sparked controversy during the campaign for remarks about Kongsangchai’s ethnicity that many have described as racist. During campaign speeches, Wang suggested that Kongsangchai would harbour a natural bias towards the Hanzenese government as mayor. Despite his ethnic heritage, Kongsangchai has no personal connection to Hanzen and his family have lived in Dalibor for generations.

In the past fifty years, Hanzenese influence in Dalibor City has increased. Historically the city’s economy was heavily dependent on Yingdalan businesses. Yingdala’s economic decline has provided an opportunity for Hanzen to strengthen its economic ties to the Daliborian capital. The relationship between the two countries has become a political issue too. Wang condemned Kongsangchai’s suggestion that Hanzen represented an “opportunity” for the Daiborian economy.

Wang’s comments were criticised by the Conservative Party but they did not appear to damage his candidacy. Despite losing the election, he still attracted over forty per cent of the votes cast. International commentators have suggested the anti-Phra attitudes reflect Dalibor City’s Yingdalan-dominated society. Ethnic minority groups represent around a quarter of the population of the city but are almost completely unrepresented in politics.

Dalibor City has a high rate of income inequality and the problem is worse for ethnic minority workers. The average Phra worker earns approximately half the wage of the average Yingdalan worker in the capital. On top of that, they are disproportionately at risk of forced labour and debt bondage. A recent survey of Phra residents of Dalibor City suggested at over eighty per cent had experienced discrimination in the past twelve months.

The Sun is an online news organisation covering Daliborian politics and society from a liberal perspective.

[jamescfm]

     Tension between Hanzen and Yingdala troubles Daliborian markets

21 July 5427 - Daliborian stocks fell once again today as concerns about regional instability continue to worry investors. In recent months, underlying strain between Hanzen and Yingdala has risen to the surface following a fierce rebuke of Yingdalan foreign policy by the Hanzenese leader Chongrak Singharattanapan. The dispute centres on a request issued by the Yingdalan government to Beiteynu, Kundrati and Luthori to withdraw a multi-national fleet from Hanzen. Lourenne's decision yesterday to deploy the country's Fourth Fleet to the region has raised concerns about fresh escalation.

Yingdala’s return to Jienest government has provided a significant boost to investor confidence in Dalibor City in recent years. Despite its historic reputation as a major financial centre, Dalibor’s economy has struggled amid political instability in its much larger neighbour. As a consequence, the role and influence of Hanzen has increased since the beginning of the century. With the return of a business-friendly government in Tian'an though, the landscape is changing once more.

Tensions between Hanzen and Yingdala have been reflected in the domestic politics of the Daliborian capital. The country’s two major political parties are united on many economic and social issues but they are divided on relations with Hanzen. In recent years, the National Solidarity Party has consistently opposed strengthening ties. Long-serving mayor Paraman Kongsangchai and his Conservative Party have supported a closer relationship.

Singharattanapan’s fiery remarks in March were seized upon by NSP politicians. Meng Guanting, the defeated NSP candidate in last year’s mayoral election, pointed to the comments as “typical of how Hanzen treats its supposed allies”. Kongsangchai and the national government did not comment on the speech. If tensions persist between the two countries, the issue is likely to be central to next year’s presidential election.

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

[GreekIdiot]

Beiteynu
Navy disbands fleet in Hanzen; critics call it a "diplomatic failure" - May 5430

[jamescfm]

Mayoral candidate Ren Zhelan says Dalibor should withdraw from West Dovani Union

2 May 5431 | Ren Zhelan, the National Solidarity Party’s candidate in the upcoming Dalibor City mayoral election, says she supports withdrawal from the West Dovani Union (WDU). Speaking to a crowd of supporters, she said the intergovernmental organisation had damaged Dalibor’s independence. In recent years, a handful of NSP politicians have been outspoken on their support for withdrawal. Ren is the most high-profile figure to date.

Dalibor joined the WDU as an observer member in 5323. At the time, the government was seeking a closer relationship with Dankuk, Lourenne and other countries in northwestern Dovani. Since the beginning of the century, the National Solidarity Party has changed their position though. Lourenne’s support for the government of Hanzen is a contributing factor.

Ren currently has a comfortable lead in the opinion polls ahead of the mayoral election next month. Incumbent mayor Paraman Kongsangchai declined to stand for re-election as the Conservative Party candidate. Though he attributed the decision to a desire to spend more time with his family, it has been perceived as recognition he would have been easily defeated. For many voters, the Conservatives are associated with a pro-Hanzen position. Kongsangchai and his party suffered a major slump in support after Hanzenese leader Chongrak Singharattanapan’s criticism of Yingdala.

Despite the rhetoric, there is scepticism about whether withdrawal from the WDU is realistic. Business leaders play a major role in shaping the policy of the Daliborian government and they are generally opposed to the proposition. Dalibor benefits particularly from favourable travel arrangements as an observer member, which are significant given the importance of the financial sector to Dalibor’s economy.

The Sun is an online news organisation covering Daliborian politics and society from a liberal perspective.

[Liu Che/Zhuli]

Eastern Development Organization Bends Over Backwards to Support Dovanian Development and Integration