Dalibor

[thefalloutfan101]

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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15 September 4879
Various defense analysts, nation's military raise concerns about growing influence of foreign firms in police and military institutions
Since their arrival in our nation three years ago, many within the national defense and law enforcement communities have expressed concern about Broadshore's influence in both aforementioned institutions, remarking that their power could grow untenable - allowing for gross repeats of corruption or possibly far graver outcomes.
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by:
Colonel Han Song (DAFR - Ret.)
Senior Defense Analyst and Commentator

Dalibor has long had a history of ill-equipped police forces, a stagnant military, and corruption sowing inefficiency in both institutions. That much is on the written record. When strong measures against anti-corruption were passed by the nation's legislature it led to an unfathomable amount of arrests - vast groups of men that'd been in both the nation's law enforcement and defense agencies were suddenly swept out of their offices in handcuffs, and placed before trials by jury and military courts respectively. New, capable administrators filled the gaps that'd been created, and the later guidance and advice from foreign security and defense firms, namely the Broadshore Security and Defense Consulting Group that the Interior Ministry secured an indefinite contract with resulted in a steady rise in efficiency, a steady decrease in both violent and nonviolent crime, alongside better tactics and training being enlisted to our own armed forces.

But there comes a time where such a welcome is worn out. In just three years, said firm has, through various means and opportunities, exercised it's growing influence over these two institutions, much to the alarm of defense and law enforcement officials. Anonymous reports have trickled out, as they often do, and while the government denies their claims, the material is somewhat damning - made even moreso by some military staffers reaffirming their veracity. The latest findings are especially worrying - alleging that members of the firm and specifically the leader of their detachment here in Dalibor, Andrew Livingston, have through a network of bribes and simple intimidation, secured a web of kickbacks, assurances of personnel, and connections to the few corporations that have yet to fall under the axe of the government's regulation plans.

The most credible voice for concern on the matter has been General of the Army of the Republic, and the nation's current minister for National Defense, Luo Tai. He spoke at length during a limited press meeting about the possible dangers such wanton influence could entail - and urged the cabinet and the President to take effective action.

While it is often the norm to question material that is anonymous, as it frankly should be, from my time spent as both a man of the army and within the cabinet, I know firsthand that these claims hold weight to them. The help of Broadshore has been gracious, there's no lie in that - But their influence into our institutions, which are supposed to be impartial and wholly unfazed by such idle threats made by unscrupulous forces, is cause for great concern. The images these reports paint are dire, and they absolutely require immediate action on behalf of the cabinet's justice ministries and a prompt investigation. I urge both my fellow members of the cabinet and the President to take immediate action against this grave issue before it ever has a chance to expand beyond our control.

Corruption is one thing - but the intent of unknown elements is another, owing to their wholly unpredictable nature. The specific mention of assurances of various defense and law enforcement personnel - what does that allude to? Assurances of what - Loyalty, silence? The possible ramifications are damning, and paint a picture of either blatant or willing ignorance on behalf of the government, very easily able to escalate into a scandal, breaking the carefully managed trust the Democratic Progressive League assured to its voter bases - which have been historically rigid, making their victories all the more astonishing.

However, another factor may yet come into play, and that is the matter of possible exploitation by the firm. Dalibor may be reforming itself, and has swept most issues underneath the rug, but the government is still in the process of strengthening itself - leading to weaknesses here and there. Ones that can easily be pounced on by skilled operators. Of course, as mentioned earlier, both the firm and the government itself have denied such claims, almost aggressively I might add. There's far more than scandals, a tarnished reputation, or the would-be mismanagement of state funds, although each of those issues are severe in their own right.

It's the integrity and sovereignty of the nation that may be at stake in the most gravest nature - and that is a most dangerous uncertainty.


General of the Army of the Republic and current Minister for National Defense Luo Tai speaks to a group of cadets at the Yingu National Military Academy last year. Recently, he has expressed concern about the growing influence of foreign security and defense contractors within the nation's military and police institutions, namely from Broadshore.

[thefalloutfan101]

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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22 December 4879
President Cheng Fu announces slew of international visits to renew diplomatic ties, firstly with state visit to Indrala
With visits in Macon, Keris, Artania and Majatra, the President has set out on a "tour", so to speak, in order to both renew diplomatic ties and establish strong trade agreements with western powers.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

Speaking from the conference room of the Presidential Palace in Dalibor City today, Cheng Fu announced his plans to set out on a slate of diplomatic visits to renew Dalibor's ties to the west, alongside forging a host of strong trade agreements, which he remarked were "Graciously needed to strengthen our own economy, alongside furthering the exchange of ideas and cultures." Shortly thereafter, President Cheng revealed his primary itinerary, with his first visit scheduled to be for Dalibor's neighbor, Indrala.

"I felt it necessary for the first steps of my visits to be that of Dalibor's cultural and historical ancestor, Yingdala," the President stated before press. "I wish for it to be made clear that despite our abandonment of the Shapir, it was not held in ill will, and that the reaffirming of our historically strong bonds is paramount on the matter of this visit." Political analysts have viewed the rather sudden move towards the diplomatic tour as a sort of distraction from the recent concerns raised by both defense analysts and the country's own military on the influence of security and defense consulting firm Broadshore into the nation's law enforcement and defense institutions - seemingly verified by the relative confusion that emerged from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, with senior staffers noting that they had not been alerted to such an announcement, as is typically protocol.

Nonetheless, the President was raised on the controversy in his brief statements to the media - in which he gave reassuring but generally vague responses, noting that "an investigation into the matter was swiftly being conducted by the Ministry of Interior Affairs". Other visits scheduled in his itinerary were that of Hutori, Davostan, Trigunia, Istalia, Lourenne, and the possibility of trips to Endralon, and Liore. The Foreign Affairs Ministry nonetheless, despite the unexpected nature of the President's diplomatic tour, scrambled to assure him the necessary protections abroad, while also shoring up additional resources to possibly prepare for the rapid expansion of Dalibor's diplomatic outreach with the west. "It certainly wasn't what we were going to hear this morning," a senior official close to the Minister for Foreign Affairs stated in a phone interview. "But it's an eventuality we have to be ready for nonetheless."

Seemingly in anticipation for such a move, the foreign ministry petitioned fellow offices within the cabinet to request an increase in funding to the President shortly after his address, which he responded by signing an order arranging for the necessary funds - injecting a few billion Yuan into the office, causing minor grumblings among members of the Chamber of Deputies with regards to oversight on the matter, but were largely quiet thereafter. Still, pressure continues to mount on behalf of watchdog groups with regards to Broadshore's aforementioned influence, inaction on which could possibly result in a considerable scandal for the ruling League government if left unchecked.

The length of the President's diplomatic tour is expected to be spaced out over the course of several months, to allow for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to properly anticipate necessary diplomatic overtures, and for various economic ministries in the cabinet to hash out the conditions of possible trade deals.


The President (center) speaks with lawmakers of the Chamber of Deputies last month. Today, he has announced plans for a variety of international visits to establish strong diplomatic ties and trade agreements with the west.

[thefalloutfan101]

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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18 February 4880
Finance Ministry announces further package of benefits to foster small business - alongside working to revive nation's tourism industry
Aimed at continually developing the nation's small businesses, the Finance Ministry has rolled out another package of tax benefits, alongside announcing moves to revive the nation's long-dormant tourism industry - once a critical backbone of the Daliborian economy.
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by:
Dai Guanyu
Junior Legislative and Economic Analyst

With small businesses having recovered somewhat from the economic downturn in the aftermath of the League government's anti-corruption initiatives spurned four years ago, the economy has begun a steady rise in growth, leading to stable growth of the national GDP, alongside greater access to consumer goods, and a steady rise in purchasing power for the average Daliborian. Following up on such initiatives and hoping to continue the rate of steady growth and expansion of the economy, the Finance Ministry has issued another benefit package for small businesses, once more focusing on lowered taxes and various subsidies. This time targeting a variety of different sectors, from local service industries to restaurants.

"Our hope is to continue the stable growth our government has seen, to ensure a measured rise of Dalibor's GDP and the strengthening of our national currency," the Economic Minister, Liao Ming, stated in an interview. She has collaborated with the Finance Ministry to pursue such policies. "Our nation is small. Perhaps the smallest in the world. It's time we stop telling ourselves that certain things are unachievable because that is simply not true. Our economy can become a shining example despite our small size, and be one that is able to thrive." Such hopes to ensure the aforementioned thrive has been the Economic Ministry's plans to revive the national tourism industry - once a staple of the Daliborian economy for centuries.

In the years since Dalibor's scattered golden eras, several instances of government instability, the brink of civil wars, and overwhelming crime, tourism has dropped drastically - with fewer than 25,000 foreigners visiting for vacation yearly, based on an internal report from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. "Many people look at Dalibor's history and see it as wholly unattractive to visit," a spokesperson for the office said. "Those rare few who do visit however do often experience a good time, but criticize the lack of accommodations and available things to do, aside from visiting Mount Huojuren, Dalibor City, and Yingu." Other issues posed by foreign tourists are reportedly few dependable exchange rates at various outlets, and unpredictable safety at various locales.

"It is a great embarrassment to see such a poor state of affairs for what was once Dalibor's economic backbone," the Minister for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Wei Yahui stated in a joint meeting with the Economic Ministry. "The few foreigners who come here clearly enjoy what there is to offer, but feel that their safety is unpredictable in certain areas, alongside having a lack of available options to do in their visits to our proud nation." Mrs. Wei spoke at length about her office's plans to vastly renovate and reshape the Daliborian tourism industry - from improving safety standards around resort locations in the northern coasts, to allocating for the development of more such locations via contracts with private hospitality agencies.

Alongside such, her agency has wished to collaborate with the Interior Ministry to fund the establishment of national parks and establish select nature reserves in the Outlands, to fuel nature tourism, of which she feels has a prime opportunity to greatly benefit the economy, given Dalibor's natural splendor.

[thefalloutfan101]

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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17 August 4880
Government forms commission to oversee redevelopment of Gangzhou
Subordinate to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the "Gangzhou National Development Commission" or GNDC, will oversee the full management of the city's redevelopment, and the management of funds from foreign countries to offer additional help.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

With a rather mixed showing at the General Assembly of the World Congress for the Daliborian ambassador's plans, with so far Hutori donating over $10b Lodamese dollars to the development of Gangzhou, the government has announced plans to form a commission to oversee the city's refurbishing. In a lengthy press conference this afternoon, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport stated that the commission, referred to as the Gangzhou National Development Commission, would oversee the redevelopment of the city, alongside managing funds from both private and public institutions donated to it. Initial work that was announced to be already underway were the repairs of belowground sewage systems, the efficient installation of hot and cold water systems for a majority of the city's districts, and the distribution of electricity to the entire area.

But the commission stated that it's own efforts would only reach so far - urging the need for investment from both the public and private spheres, in the form of the wealthy and foreign nations. "This is only the beginning," the commission's head, the Major of Gangzhou, Deng Shi, stated to the press. "We have only begun to scratch the surface of Gangzhou's revitalization. These are only the essential foundations - there is a long road ahead of us." As of this publication, few countries funneled funds towards Dalibor, with the aforementioned exception of Hutori. Various plans have already been drafted for the vast overhaul of the city's districts, including aspects for financial, hospitality, and standardized housing sectors - although are pending approval by Deng Shi.

The proposed benefits for a total revitalization of Gangzhou have long been stated to be gargantuan. Increased national pride, a rising GDP and strengthened economy, and steady population growth have all been touted should such successes be achieved. "I think just about everyone has heard of the potential benefits this could bring," an analyst for the Dalibor City-based Economic Reporter stated. "You hear about it so much that it's easy to get sick of it, even." The benefits not only extend to merely Dalibor itself - but could also be a great boon to foreign businesses and nations. A revitalized capitol could also allow for the arrival of a slew of embassies, and possibly lay host to diplomatic functions and events.

[thefalloutfan101]

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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21 June 4881
Education Ministry approves full restructuring of nation's education system
Ending centuries of decentralized education, which attributed to a vast lack of coherence on curriculum and attributed to a poor quality of education for the nation's youth, the current Education Ministry has greatly centralized and streamlined Dalibor's national education system.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

For centuries, Dalibor's education system has operated on a largely decentralized basis - with individual provinces formulating their own curriculum and subsequent funding for schools. As such, and given the constantly changing nature of Daliborian governments, these policies have contributed to a considerable lack of cohesiveness on said curriculums, and led to a very poor quality of education for much of the nation's youth, with drop-outs becoming practically the norm. Today, the nation's Education Minister, Ms. Wan Xiang, announced that such glaring issues would hopefully begin to fade into obscurity. Speaking from a video announcement, Ms. Wan laid out a series of wide-reaching plans to greatly centralize and streamline the Daliborian education system.

The first item on her plans was the establishment of a national education curriculum, which all subordinate schools would be mandated to follow. Then came the establishment of various different school systems, each one tailored to a specific type of career or subset of careers. Sectioned off into the basics, the fields would be divided up amongst Science, Engineering, Business and Finance, Public Service, and Philosophy. "We want our nation's youth to not only have a quality education, but to be readily able to pursue the career they so desire," Ms. Wan stated in her announcement. "That is why it is not only imperative to have these fields be rigid in their curriculum, and taught by the foremost professionals, but to ensure that such services are free to all youth - It is for this reason that I am formally announcing the nationalization of the University of Gangzhou."

Shortly following her announcement of the nationalization of the Yingdalan-founded University of Gangzhou, Ms. Wan also stated that tuition would be formally abolished, and for all schools to be granted free to the public - and for private schools to meet the same curriculum and standards or face closure. "A quality education is not something to block behind ludicrous expenses - this is wholly unfair to our country's youth, and is frankly inherently greedy," Ms. Wan remarked. "If schools utilize the excuse of requiring tuition to cover essential funds, then we'll fire right back at them by doing what past governments SHOULD have been doing and properly fund them on behalf of my office."

The sweeping changes applied to the nation's education system have already been lauded by analysts, including our own Observer. "This is absolutely a step in the right direction, and frankly an excellent way to vastly improve the national economy," Dai Guanyu, our Junior Legislative and Economic Analyst stated in another article on the matter. "If the ruling League government wants to improve the nation's economy as a whole, then it has to look at our nation's youth, because if they are educated properly, then an entirely new generation of willing, capable leaders will rise to the occasion and contribute vastly to the improvement of our country."

[thefalloutfan101]

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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28 December 4881
Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport approves plan to revitalize national rail networks, road infrastructure
After lying in years of sheer disrepair and neglect, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry agreed upon a comprehensive revitalization plan for Dalibor's national road and rail networks.
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by:
Dai Guanyu
Junior Legislative and Economic Analyst

Running off on a series of reforms, it seems (or simply to curry favor before the general elections next year), the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry approved a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of Dalibor's road and rail networks today, a joint venture of both public and private cooperation. Given Dalibor's status as a very small nation, the plans are expected to take only five years - but even that is a comfortable estimate; Most contractors assigned to the projects estimate that both will likely be finished in a mere 2-3 years. Previously, roadways in Dalibor only connected major cities with one another - given the mostly rural status of the nation, that meant that only Yingu and Dalibor City had a major roadway connecting each other, with smaller offshoots linking townships and villages with one another.

The new plans aim to change that. Under the proposed project, three new roadways are slated to be constructed - them being the R1, R2, and R3 highway systems, with the R1 being the same Yingu to Dalibor City highway, the R2 connecting most of the smaller cities of the southwest with the north, and the R3 linking the smaller northern townships to the larger coastal towns of the southeast. Running concurrently with such roadways are new rail lines, both commercial and industrial. Two major railways are to run through Dalibor under the current project, with one for commercial travel, and the other reserved mainly for industrial and freight shipping operations.

A single, state-run train operating company would also be formed under the project - referred to as Dalibor National Rail, or DNR. It would have ownership of both lines, and oversee operations for each. Highways built under the plan are also to be under the direct oversight and jurisdiction of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport - and not under provincial control, which raised some criticisms, but were largely subdued.

Other plans mulled over as part of the project are the revitalization or outright creation of metro networks in the major cities of Yingu and Dalibor City, although these plans are reserved more for the future. "Dalibor is improving, but we can only extend so far in our reach," a spokesperson for the ministry stated. "For now, it is imperative that Dalibor is connected firmly and cohesively - shoddy road infrastructure will be thoroughly eliminated, and dirt roads made into proper, paved roads connecting our townships and villages, whether big or small."


The Yingu-Dalibor City Highway is pictured here. Under the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry's plan to revitalize the nation's highway system,
under-repaired sections of this road would be improved, alongside it being designated as R1 - the first of three major roadways connecting the country.

[thefalloutfan101]

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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15 December 4882 (OOC: Postdated)
Democratic Progressive League secures third term, but sees majority shrink
For the first time, the ruling League government has had to enter into a coalition with it's former confidence and supply, the Conservative Party, following it's loss of an absolute majority by just ten seats. The loss in popularity for the League has largely been due to a variety of factors, most notably the lukewarm findings of the Interior Ministry's recent investigation into foreign influence in government institutions.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

Elections for both the Chamber of Deputies and the Presidency have concluded, and the Democratic Progressive League has secured a third term - but has lost it's majority by ten seats, leading to the party to seek out a coalition with their frequent confidence and supply, the Conservative Party. The DPL's loss in majority has been attributed to a variety of factors, but largely seems to be from the fallout of the Interior Ministry's investigation into foreign defense and security forms possibly influencing the country's law enforcement and military apparatuses - an investigation that has been widely criticized by analysts (alongside the general public) as being "haphazard" and "purposefully misdirected". President Cheng did not entirely comment on these controversies in his victory speech, and instead called for unity among the nation.

The loss seen today presents a greatly uncertain future for one of Dalibor's most newest parties, as well as being it's most devoted to solving the many issues of the country. The country's Interior Minister, perhaps indirectly adding unneeded fuel to the fire, defended the investigation, stating that it had been done under the most stringent of policies and "intensely and thoroughly" investigated the aforementioned areas.

Many analysts viewed the DPL's shaky victory with pessimism - with some warning that that the nation was in for a repeat of previous years, although these comments were few and far between. "If the government is incompetent with such grave issues, then what's to say they aren't actively getting worse?" one political commentator noted. "If we can't put our trust in a government that promised to alleviate the vast problems that made our country an embarrassment globally, then we won't be able to put our trust in the DPL at all."

Nonetheless, the party reiterated further continuations of it's slew of reforms approved in it's past terms. "We remain committed to our party's core policies to fight ardently for the common Daliborian, and to lead our nation to great improvement at a constant pace," a spokesperson for the party's regional branch in Yingu stated. "With our without trouble, the DPL will get what it wishes to enact done. We stand by our President's calls for unity among the nation, to preserve our rate of prosperity."

Reactions to such statements have been thoroughly mixed. Some applauded the DPL's comments, while others had met them with the previous pessimism. Despite a victory that feels pyrrhic, the DPL remains confident in it's governance and ongoing reforms. What has seemingly been clear throughout it all, is that the DPL is seemingly here to stay. For now.

[thefalloutfan101]

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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9th November 4882 (OOC: Postdated and forgot to post, apologies)
Investigation on behalf of Interior Ministry finds no intrusions within police and military institutions
After over three years of investigation, the Interior Ministry has not found a clear correlation between the influence of foreign groups on the government's military and police institutions. Such findings have already been subject to fervent criticism and outcry.
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by:
Colonel Han Song (DAFR - Ret.)
Senior Defense Analyst and Commentator

Announcing that it had finished it's investigation into foreign groups influencing the country's law enforcement and military sectors, the Interior Ministry's findings stated that there was no clear correlation between the two - though did not deny that there undoubtedly was one. The findings have already been met with harsh criticism online and by political analysts, with some commenting on social media that the investigation was a "sham" and was merely an act "to save face". The unwelcome attitude towards the findings has cast an uncertain electoral outcome for next month's elections - with many of the DPL fearing they may lose their majority.

Further adding fuel to the fire was the defensive comments made by a senior official associated with the investigation. "We conducted this matter with the most stringent means - even more thorough than the intelligence communities of other nations, and we simply did not find glaring or noteworthy correlations that sufficiently denote collusion of these groups in our institutions." The investigation and it's subsequent outcomes have dominated the political sphere in recent months, with many noting that it could be the make or break moment for the public's faith in this outsider political party and it's ambitious policies.

"I think there's going to certainly be an erosion of some of that trust that was carefully built up since their assumption of power," Xun Lei, the Observer's own senior political analyst commented in another article. "This was, by all means, the government's chance to further entrench their position - even by perhaps legally ambiguous means if they wanted to. The public have been receptive to every single one of their reforms since Cheng Fu ascended the former Chairmanship. They had the popularity to do something significant here, but instead just sort of floundered. It'll certainly take some time to repair the damage that has struck deep today."

Not all outrage came from the public and political analysts, however. Further criticism also came from the government itself - most notably the President's own cabinet, in the form of the Minister of National Defense, Luo Tai. Expressing great displeasure but hardly any surprise, Mr. Luo called upon the government to do better, remarking that it was a "deep shame" that such an outcome was possible. "I had thought the government now had held itself to a higher standard," the National Defense Minister stated in an address. "Although it seems that I was flawed in my expectations."

Shortly after Mr. Luo's address indirectly chastising the government's sloppy investigation, allegations began to swirl that the General was planning to resign from the cabinet in protest - although these were quickly refuted by the Ministry's social media account, which stated that such were merely unfounded rumors.


"Disappointing, though not surprising," were the words spoken by Minister of National Defense, Luo Tai today regarding the Interior Ministry's findings. "It's against decorum to directly chastise a sitting member of the cabinet, but I nonetheless must present my great displeasure at such a conclusion to a long-winded investigation."

[thefalloutfan101]

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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16 March 4884
Rumors allege of disappearance of President Cheng Fu after foreign trips abruptly cancelled
Although receiving a swift denial from the office of the President, aides and other cabinet officials have noted a lack of activity in the Presidential Palace for some time, causing rumors to swirl wildly.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

The currently 80 year old President Cheng Fu, who had successfully won a third term in the December general elections two years ago, has allegedly been missing since mid-January. Rumors began to circulate around the 15th after a leaked post by a junior staffer for the Vice President's office had noted that "we haven't seen the President in weeks - no meetings, no functions, nothing." the post was quickly deleted but continued to result in further allegations only increasing during the coming weeks. The President's office has issued a stern denial that the country's head of state is missing, but their defense quickly became muddled upon the announcement that the President would cancel all foreign trips, which came abruptly and without any knowledge to the cabinet.

Furthermore, senior officials often in close proximity with the President have noted an increase in appearances from aides, but not Mr. Cheng himself. Members of the cabinet also have noticed a sharp decline in public appearances and private meetings with the head of state. "I'm unsure of the full picture of what's going on here, but it has the potential to be gravely serious," a senior staffer for the Interior Ministry stated to the Observer. "Wherever the President is, it's almost certain that he is not in the proximity of his bodyguards. Who only knows what could possibly be happening right now with our nation's most key intelligence matters."

President Cheng's age only further complicates matters. "When you have an elderly leader, especially when they are detached from officials and aides, they become especially prone to manipulation," a security analyst stated in an interview. "The people who they may be in the atmosphere of have immense power to wield and shape what they want to do - often for vast monetary or strategic gain. If these rumors are true, then this is a heinous breach of security for our republic, and must be acted upon in the quickest possible terms."

The Vice President, Zeng Yating, has also denied that the President is missing - but rather has been temporarily incapacitated due to a bout of severe flu. In his absence, the Vice President has been temporarily assigned some of Mr. Cheng's duties. However in his remarks, Mr. Zeng seemed oddly distant and unorganized in his statements - leading conspiracy theorists to believe that unscrupulous forces are manipulating the national government, or have been for several months. However these theories have been widely panned on social media as "reckless disinformation", and accused such commentators of "fomenting undue panic".

A curious observation that has been noted is the Interior Ministry's apparent move of allotting more forces to protect it's building and various other key government agencies. When asked about their reasoning, a spokesperson for the agency remarked "These are common procedures in such times like these - to ensure that the government is uninterrupted in it's duties and has the necessary security it requires. Our actions are merely a formality." Such strange occurrences recently have perhaps only served to add further bolstering to conspiracy theorists on social media and on major video streaming platforms.


The President gives the New Year's address to the Chamber of Deputies this January.
It has been his last major public appearance in at least three months, since his reported disappearance in mid-January.

[thefalloutfan101]

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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21st August 4884
Instability rocks government as President Cheng is confirmed missing - cabinet resigns in protest, while Vice President Zeng sworn into the Presidency
Despite denying it for months, the government has now come clean and openly admitted that they "haven't the foggiest" as to where Mr. Cheng currently is. With the government in a newfound panic, the Vice President has now fully assumed his superior's powers, despite the resignation of the cabinet.
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by:
Xun Lei
Senior Political Analyst and Commentator

Unprecedented instability has now rocked the government following a statement from the President's office - confirming that President Cheng Fu did disappear at the beginning of the year, and has not been seen for several months at this point. Confirming what'd essentially already been public knowledge, the President's cabinet harshly criticized the skeleton crew within the Presidential Palace that'd kept such a pressing and dangerous matter quiet for so long, and all current members resigned in protest, causing a scramble to fill their positions. Despite it all, Vice President Zeng Yating has now been swiftly sworn into his former superior's office.

In a hastily televised address, which was broadcast unusually from the President's own office rather than the press room, now-President Zeng called for unity amongst the government - and announced a thorough investigation into Mr. Cheng's whereabouts, and alleged that "unscrupulous foreign forces" had kidnapped him for ransom or possibly even torture. "I wish for not just the government to come together in the face of unsurmountable difficulty - but also our nation's people," Mr. Zeng stated in his address. "In these times of crisis, it is the actions of the many that affect the actions of the few."

And seemingly affect they have, as large protests have massed in Dalibor City and Yingu, largely spurned by citizens believing the conspiracy theory that the government was being manipulated by "shadowy forces". They called upon the government to rigorously investigate just how the nation's leader could've been whisked away in the first place, and utilized nationalistic sentiments to, quote: "remove such leeches sickening our nation". The protests have been criticized but show no signs of stopping - with demonstrations in Dalibor City resulting in a temporary breach of the city and capital region's shared legislature. Reports from Dalibor City are currently haphazard, but it seems skirmishes between police and the protesters are ongoing.

The President has announced his plans to replace the now vacant cabinet with willing individuals, but faces a steep obstacle to climb - as members of the government remain bitterly fractured over the issue as a whole. Alongside such are rumors by the opposition parties to bring forward a motion of no confidence in the current government, for a variety of reasons - namely it's poor investigation into foreign influence in the country's law enforcement and military apparatuses, and allegations of renewed corruption despite ardently campaigning against it. President Zeng derided the rumors - calling them "a ludicrous attempt to play political games while the nation faces crisis".

Police and the military were reportedly on additional standby in various provinces across the country - largely preparing for the possibility of further turmoil.


The newly-sworn in President, formerly having served as the nation's Vice President, Zeng Yating, is pictured leaving the Presidential Palace after his address to the nation.
Mr. Zeng inherits a government without a cabinet, with instability rising sharply by the hour - with many urging him to prompt an immediate probe into the former President's whereabouts.