Coalition of Crown AlbatrossBoard

ILHAVEIA TRIBUNE
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FORMER PRESIDENT AUNDERBRAU INDICTED IN BRIBES CASE

The Lutharian Federal Appeals court has confirmed the indictment of ex-president Stephan Aunderbrau in a case linking the former liberal party president to the payment of bribes at the Senate in 2000 and which ended with a major political crisis. The Appeals court confirmed a ruling of a Federal Magistrate who held Aunderbrau responsible for the payment of bribes to lawmakers in return for passing the controversial “Labour Flexibilization Law” in April 2000, which was openly opposed by Lutharia's strong trade union confederation. Allegedly the bill was part of a package of reforms demanded by the CTO. That law loosened restrictions in the labour market in a move to improve the flexibility of the market amid a sharp economic contraction in Lutharia. The decision of the Federal Court clears the way for the start of the trial against the ex-president.

The ruling described the bribes' scandal as “an action of the government led by Aunderbrau as a president,” who resigned to his post in 2002 amid a deepening economic and political crisis. 16 former senators have been prosecuted for allegedly accepting bribes.

The “Senate Scandal” came to the public eye after Mauren Rendeau, an advisor at the Upper House of Congress reported the incident to the judiciary and unveiled details on the bribes paid to senators during the 1999-2002 administration. Rendeau said during an interview last week that he was disappointed over the lack of advances in the case, and told reporters that he had considered killing himself.

The “Senate scandal” led to the resignation of Vice-president Cheron Annlen in October 2000, signalling the beginning of the end of the ruling coalition. In effect a year later unable to address mounting problems and without political support Aunderbrau resigned to the presidency. Baldur Hirschl was elected following his resignation.

President Casten Dedrau declined to comment on Aunderbrau's indictment

As Davidson soared to victory in his party's primary in Cayenne province, Armitage falls behind in election polls

On Thursday, Davidson soared to a sweeping victory in Cayenne province's GLP primary election, the first in the party's newly established format for choosing a candidate. He took home more than 76% of the popular vote in the province, to Gunn's 19% and other candidates sharing the remaining percentages. Whereas in previous years any number of candidates could run, sharing a strategy with the BCP's options for running presidential candidates, the realignment of the GLP's strategy for 2024 was established in mid-2023, when the party announced they would only back a single candidate chosen through a series of primary elections in each province ahead of the general election in September. Davidson, who entered the race in October 2023 to oppose three-time presidential hopeful senator Euan Gunn, has skyrocketed to popularity within the party after successful debate performances and several public showcases boosting his profile, including a dramatic rescue of his neighbors from a housefire in early January.

If Davidson's successes continue in such fashion for upcoming primaries, the next of which is held in his home province of the Holish Islands, Gunn may opt to drop out of the race for the betterment of the party. The presidency has been dominated by conservative party figures since 2004 with the election of Cassious Castovia. Though Atticus Moreau was a member of the now defunct Bloc Mayotte, the party and he both adhered to many conservative-leaning policies and is thus considered a moderate conservative. If the GLP hopes to upend the two-decade administrations of conservative politics, they will have to bind behind a single candidate sooner than later. Gunn, for his part, has not indicated that he will drop out of the race, and has even floated the idea of running as a independent or joining the Progressive Alliance Party, a move which would likely be met with skepticism as the PAP leader Sylvia Wood is once again expected to make her bid.

Armitage faces a unique struggle for an incumbent president; popular economic policies combatted with several notable controversies. She has presided over a robust economy, a factor for which her predecessors suffered. Moreau oversaw stagnation, which culminated after President Foley Saksi failed to bring about tax reform. His predecessor Anya Bishop, as widely unpopular as she was in other regards, failed to bring the country out of a looming recession. And prior to that, President Castovia Jr also saw stagnation. Armitage has seen the opposite. Jobs reports have skyrocketed in recent months, presenting the first signs of notable growth in nearly 5 years. Tax reductions passed with bipartisan support helped stabilize incomes across the board, with inflation decreasing from where it was two years ago. And while other nations are experiencing turmoil in their banking rates, Zamastan has kept rather steady, with dramatic stock days showing high standings.

However, Bishop has been labeled as a warmonger by critics. Not a month into her presidency and Zamastan and WEDA were engulfed in the Terehan conflict, which ultimately led to 890 Zamastanian servicemember deaths and thousands of wounded. As that war drew to a close, while labeled a success in its help to transition the south Adulan nation into a democracy, WEDA was dragged once again to the brink of conflict when two Yuaneze naval vessels were sunk in Titania Bay and later found themselves face to face with Yuan's full naval might in the Brau Sea crisis. Then, the influx of weapons to Haduastan was authorized at the height of an ACWAC military incursion. To add to the chaos of global affairs, Zamastanian pilots are now bombing the Qahazar peninsula in Zalluabed.

Whether or not these actions were justified, as good points can be made for both arguments, the popular opinion of these interventions has not helped Ms Armitage. Where 68% of the public supported strikes against Terehan in the wake of the Beresa port bombing, only 14% supported a ground invasion. As occupation in Terehan settled in, the war grew even more unpopular and nationwide protests rose up against Armitage's insistence that everything was going according to plan. Where 70% of the public supported Zamastan supplying Haduastan with weapons to defend itself, only 20% supported WEDA's naval intervention, which was pushed through by Armitage's insistence. And while 60% of the public supported air strikes against the PRQ for their drone attacks on Emmiria and Albarine, an overwhelming 87% have stated that the ongoing campaign has gone on for too long.

Armitage has also faced mounting criticism for her immigration policies. Her administration's passage of the Maritime Movement Prevention Act, which restricts the acceptance cap for migrants crossing the Ossinia Sea and the Cantalle Ocean, has been widely criticized. Armitage's administration has also cut the rate of central Euronian immigration by 85%, and has lowered the annual acceptance cap by nearly 2.4 million immigrants, by far the most of any administration in modern history. Armitage's often brash and fearmongering comments regarding immigration, specifically from poorer regions, has introduced cries of racism and xenophobia from many.

And no wrap-up of Armitage's electability can be concluded without bringing into the picture her many scandals, the most notable of which nearly cost her the presidency. Her dealings with major corporations, namely SanCorp, have been proven to have supported her political rise and namely her election to office. Many of her former-staff's connections to the Barismont scandal crippled her administration in the early days of 2023 as she grappled with impeachment, for which she only narrowly survived as much of her own party even turned on her. Armitage now sits with a favorability rating of only 21%, the third lowest in the past decade, which has unfortunately come to be a standard for the past wave of Zamastanian presidents. She is, of course, only third to Atticus Moreau who at his worst held 19% favorability, and to Anya Bishop, who was removed from office with a public favorability of 8%. She may refuse to say it at her campaign rallies, and though the support of former-President Sakzi may turn heads, Armitage needs a miracle to re-captivate her base.

Above: Senator Arthur Davidson marches alongside Equiright demonstrators demanding police reform in Anadora, marking ten months since the death of Lio Hanerbell in police custody.

Enter, Senator Davidson. This past week, he spent his days campaigning throughout Cayenne and making notable stops across the Horseshoe Coast, including in Anadora where he joined hands with demonstrators calling for police reform nearly a year after the death of Lio Hanerbell. Davidson is farther to the left than many of his preceding candidates, but by all accounts that is a trend which is becoming more well received in Zamastan. Even conservative legislative majorities have been forced to take more moderate approaches to issues like gun rights and abortion, as the public's stance on key cultural issues have shifted. Davidson markets himself as a man of the people, often joining union lines and making his step-by-step policies dumbed down for the average person to understand without needing to go to his website for deep dives and long detailed listings (of which he has many).

Davidson, the senator from the Holish Islands, has made his campaign all about what he wants to do and how he plans to do it, all the while managing to jump around directly criticizing Armitage. He will go after her policies, but will never name her. He will call out her rhetoric, but never by name. He is making his campaign an alternate. Yes, it may be under the banner of the GLP, and yes he may be fighting to be a lead candidate. But, he is doing it in a style unseen in Zamastan in decades. One political commentator said "it's like a rally for the great Marvin Gaviria. He makes himself liked by the way he relates. He is kind hearted in his demonstrations of passion, even when it's clear he's angry about something in the country, he will never demean the character of his opponents."

His ideological opponents, that is. Davidson began the campaign going hard after Gunn, calling him "washed up", and "over-worked." Gunn, for his part, has tried to hit back. This week, he called Davidson "a narcissist too proud of his own voice," saying that the flashy and smiley persona on display for the campaigns is not mirrored behind the scenes. Gunn described Davidson in the senate's behind door meetings as "an interrupting product of nepotism, a sexist who shuts down the voices of his female compatriots, and rots away the personalities of those who even slightly irk him or his goal."

In an interview, Davidson laughed off Gunn's remarks, calling them "clearly misled and misinterpreted," and then pointed to the dozens of GLP congressmembers who have since endorsed his candidacy.

Davidson is almost certainly going to sweep to a victory in his home province's upcoming primary election, and is leading substantially in early polling for other primaries. Whether he can maintain it for the party nomination is becoming a matter of time. Whether he can maintain it for the presidential election is becoming a matter of consistency, maneuvering, and ultimately it appears - luck.

Zamastan's second consecutive loss to historic underdogs has presented worry for the team ahead of the 50th World Cup in Viitaniemi

It did not take long after the starting whistle for the game to take a stunning turn. Zamastan's defense was torn wide open by masterful handling of the ball between Allieu's midfield and up to their forwards, where a 4th minute assist by Paul Boutroux to striker Josué Dupont sunk past the hands of Ellis Ball, who dove past the net in well below the drive. The audience in Porte-Lyon went wild, as it marked the first leading goal by Allieu against a Zamastanian team in nearly two decades. Zamastan and Allieu have a regional rivalry, as the Zamastan Soccer League and the Kasuum Football League (which comprises of Allieu, Noravia, Sontre, and Baytonian clubs) are regarded as two of West Euronia's top performing leagues (the other being Caspiaa's First League).

In the 16th minute, after several Zamastanian strikers including Isaiah Ross fired on the Allieuan goal and failed to make it past keeper Lucas Carbonneau, the ball made its way up to the Allieuan front once more, where Wilfried Ballouhey handled it around defender Seth Canless, managed to trip up Keaton Dalton, and fired a curve through the goalkeeper and bringing the game up to a 2-0 lead. Off to the side, Zamastan's substitutes were stunned and sitting back, as the coaching team were visibly raged and called out the defense to substitute even captain Roch Asselin.

As halftime rolled around, and Allieuan attempts on the goal were thwarted, the Whitecaps wandered out of the locker rooms and repositioned, ready for a refreshed end to the game. With energy, they poured into the Allieuan defense, culminating in several shots on the goal and penalties, and while none scored, it showed that pressure had increased, and it could only be a matter of time. However, hopes shattered once again in the 76th minute, as Ballouhey once again nailed a curving shot to the right hook around Ellis, placing well into the corner and securing a 3-0 lead with only minutes left in the game. At that point, the famed Zamastanian goalkeeper screamed a profanity at Ballouhey, for which he was thrown a yellow card. Ball then cursed at the referee, who called another card and ejected Ball from the match, his first ever ejection in 7 years on the national team.

The Zamastanians never did recover, and Allieu secured a win for both their long history of underdog successes and an optimistic look forward to their World Cup hopes. Meanwhile, Zamastan is left to restructure, pondering the future as the ultimate tournament looms. Several of the team's star players, including Isaiah Ross and Nicholas Rosa, have expressed their careers may be approaching conclusions in the coming years, and that prospect has left coaching staff worried that morale has drained after back-to-back surprise losses.

"It's not like a loss to Shoassau, or a loss to Elbresia, or any number of well-known battlers," said defensive coordinator Lionel Elman after the match, "it's back-to-back surprise losses from teams we simply haven't lost to in the past. At least to the degree to which we have. And that hurts, you know? Obviously the Zoygarians and the Allieuans have played extremely well, and our boys give it their all, but something has slipped. And we are running out of time to figure out what it is, and we need to figure it out fast."

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©TOFINOTIMES 2023

AUGUSTIN PASTOR AND PDR WIN NARROW ELECTION, STUNNING BOER AND NRM
President Gideon Boer had expected to increase his party's narrow majority, but the gamble failed.

President-elect Augustin Pastor (PDR) speaking to the press.

Boer, who had aimed to increase a very slim majority in the National Assembly, had been facing contested pressure under recent constitutional changes which lift many restrictions on East-West travel and trade, which came amidst rampant inflation. As a part of the deal that came with passing those constitutional amendments, Boer agreed to issue early elections, which would have normally been held in August. Boer and the ruling National Regeneration Movement only held a 19 seat-majority in the 500-seat Congress, and a 2 seat-majority in the 128-seat Senate. Boer's popularity has been mixed throughout his presidency; he assumed office after the resignation of Andres Obrahoma, who had hand-picked him as Vice-president ahead of stepping down. Boer's first term was notably marked by two conflicts with the West including the 2021 conflict which ultimately overthrew the long-standing authoritarian government and installed a democratic government. He also oversaw the annexation of Birat, and his ongoing efforts to push towards East-West reunification have boosted his profile. However, critics often pointed to Boer's failures to retain drug cartels, and rampant inflation and unemployment has only skyrocketed in the past year.

Augustin Pastor, a rising star and deputy-chair of the center-left Party of Democratic Revolution (which Boer himself was a member of from 1994-2012), was slated by the party to helm their bid for president. Pastor is a popular figure in his state's politics for the past decade and more, having served as the MP for Mirinu Sud-7 since 2018, and served as the mayor of Mirinu from 2010-2018. Prior to entering politics, Pastor served in the FCAF from 1994-2009. His campaign had run on an emphasis of economic reform and increased international cooperation in combatting drug crime, as well as rooting out corruption for which Boer has been widely blamed. However, a shared goal is a persistent push to aim for eventual East-West reunification.

Many of Boer's hardcore supporters rallied against the results of the election on Tuesday night in Vilanja, despite Boer's own concession speech and congratulating of the incoming government. Boer posted a video on Owler and FriendSpot, encouraging his supporters to calm the tension and refocus their energy to local elections beginning early next year.

Now president-elect, a far cry from his humble beginnings, Augustin Pastor stated that his first act as president would be to sign a long-stalled economic stimulus package which the PDR has been attempting to push through the narrow legislature, in an effort he says to revitalize cross-border trade between East and West, as well as between Paraboca, Avergnon, Selle, and Mayotte. He also stated that he aims to meet with Mayotte's president Thomas Bonhomme to renegotiate border restrictions through Mayotte, which Chanchajillan lawmakers have cited as contributing to inflation due to Chanchajilla's access to vital seaports being diminished since 2021.

West Chanchajillan Prime Minister Juan Diego Barrios congratulated Mr Pastor, saying that he was "thrilled at the prospect of continued positive cooperation between our two nations, aiming for the goal of unification at an appropriate time and measure."

CHINGOLA - Mulfulira's health ministry has confirmed human-to-human transmission of a mysterious virus that has spread across the country and fuelled anxiety about the prospect of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for National Day celebrations. Feridun Onut, a respiratory expert and head of the national health commission team investigating the outbreak, confirmed that two cases of infection in Mulfulira's Qubakh province had been caused by human-to-human transmission and medical staff had been infected, Mulfulira's official government health ministry said on Friday.

Authorities earlier reported 139 new cases of the new strain of the virus, called Sora-24, over the weekend, bringing the total number of infected patients to 217 since the virus was first detected last month in the southern city of Julfuli. It was also confirmed on Thursday that an 89-year-old man had died from the virus in Dhahour, bringing the number of fatalities to four.

Cases were confirmed in the capital Chingola, as well as Marmatiasa and other major cities, heightening fears ahead of the National Day holiday, when more than 15 million people are expected to travel domestically and internationally. State broadcaster CMTV said on Friday evening there were seven suspected cases in other parts of the country, including Stepian in the east, and the western province. Five people who travelled from Qubakh were also being treated for fevers in Chingola province.

“People’s lives and health should be given top priority and the spread of the outbreak should be resolutely curbed,” said President Tayyib Hume, weighing in on the matter for the first time.

Sora, also known as Sora virus disease (SVD) and Sora hemorrhagic fever (SHF), is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. Symptoms typically start anywhere between two days and three weeks after infection. The first symptoms are usually fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. These are usually followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and decreased liver and kidney function, at which point some people begin to bleed both internally and externally. It kills between 25% and 50% of those infected – about 30% on average. Death is often due to shock from fluid loss, and typically occurs between six and 16 days after the first symptoms appear. Early treatment of symptoms increases the survival rate considerably compared to late start.

The virus is transmitted when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. The virus replicates very efficiently in many cells, producing large amounts of virus in monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and other cells including liver cells, fibroblasts, and adrenal gland cells, through contact with mucous membranes or skin breaks which allows it to enter the bloodstream.

Sheep and goats are believed to be the normal carrier in nature; they are able to spread the virus without being affected by it. Diagnosis is confirmed by testing blood samples for the presence of viral RNA, viral antibodies or the virus itself. People who have recovered are not infectious.

Control of outbreaks requires coordinated medical services and community engagement, including rapid detection, contact tracing of those exposed, quick access to laboratory services, care for those infected, and proper disposal of the dead through cremation or burial. Prevention measures involve wearing proper protective clothing and washing hands when in close proximity to patients. Treatments include oral rehydration therapy (drinking slightly sweetened and salty water) or giving intravenous fluids, and treating symptoms.

The current strain has caused alarm because of its connection to Sora-2002, which killed nearly 650 people across Mulfulira in 2002-03.

Mulfulira's National Health Commission said it had sent working groups to all provinces to oversee outbreak prevention, describing the situation as “controllable”. Hospitals in affected areas have “comprehensively” strengthened examination procedures. In Chingola, temperature checks have been put in place in airports, ports and railway stations.

More than 100 patients with symptoms were waiting to be seen at the main hospital in the capital. “If you are coming now, you have to wait between three and four hours before you can see the doctors,” a hospital worker said by phone.

The Coalition Health Organization has said an animal source was “the most likely primary source” of the outbreak, with “some limited human-to-human transmission occurring between close contacts”. Researchers worry the number of infections has been severely underestimated.

Authorities have still not identified the source of the infection, which further complicates the government’s ability to contain the outbreak. “What concerns me is the source of infection. We have no idea. That’s the most important thing. Without knowing that we don’t know the harm, how hard it can be,” Onut said.

Others fear that authorities have not moved quickly enough to contain the spread of the virus or educate the public. In Chingola, temperature checkpoints have been installed at the airport and at train stations and bus terminals since 14 February, about two weeks after the virus was first detected.

Observers and residents worry about the possibility of a cover-up worsening the outbreak, as was the case in 2003.

Some residents in Qubakh have been told not to speak to media.

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Staventer International Airport

STAVENTER- Prime Minister William Eurenne announced that a Mulfuliran national who arrived in Shoassau on Thursday night through Staventer International Airport tested positive for the Sora virus, and that the individual and those who came into immediate contact with him have been placed in isolation and are being monitored for symptoms. The Mulfuliran national arrived on a ShoassauAir flight from Chingola, and was showing symptoms a day later, meaning he has likely had the virus for several days. The government stated that the other passengers who flew from Mulfulira are being tracked and contacted to caution their public movements as alarm raises internationally over the highly transmissible and deadly Sora virus. Eurenne also placed a moratorium on all travel to and from Mulfulira, Andaluni, and Skith as a precaution, and encouraged public distancing, hand washing, and general warnings.

"There is no doubt that the worry we have for this virus is grave," Eurenne said, "and we are not overexaggerating when we say that this is an important moment for our country and the world in how we respond."

Sora is highly transmissible by direct bodily fluid contact, but the current strain is of greater concern than past ones due to aerial transmission being confirmed by Mulfuliran observers. When the Sora virus enters a host, it embeds in vulnerable cells in skin breaks and membranes in order to enter the bloodstream, where it attacks blood cells in vital organs, inducing shock and hemorages. However, those occurrences can be prevented if symptoms are noticed early and treatment is sought immediately. Symptoms of the Sora virus are usually fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches, with serious symptoms showing progressed infection including vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and decreased liver and kidney function.

Prevention measures involve wearing proper protective clothing and washing hands when in close proximity to patients. Eurenne's government has issued a public health emergency order advising Shoassauans to wear masks in public, and authorities are currently dipping into stockpile reserves of masks to hand out to the public. Testing stations are also beginning to be set up, though Eurenne's health ministry has admitted it will take several weeks for the stations to be widespread enough to conduct thorough testing of all suspected cases should more arise.

Anyone suspecting or believed to be infected are being advised to distance and isolate themselves from others to prevent airborne transmission. Treatments include oral rehydration therapy (drinking slightly sweetened and salty water) or giving intravenous fluids, and treating symptoms.

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© L'Humanité De Shoassau 2021

Health officials say there are at least 16 confirmed cases of Sora virus in Caspiaa.
A month out from the World Cup, the Sora virus is putting concerns on crowds intending to gather

"We fully intend to allow crowds to witness the excitement and energy of the 50th World Cup, but we are taking extreme cautionary measures ahead of time to curb the spread of this undeniably dangerous virus," said Grönberg. "Wear masks, distance in public, if you exhibit symptoms please refrain from extending yourself in public. If you're able to test, confirm that you have the virus, then isolate. Drink fluids. Remain safe."

Sora virus attacks blood cells, which transit the virus through the body into liver and kidney cells. Symptoms usually begin with sweating, fevers, and a rash, but can culminate in vomiting, bowel motions, and bleeding. Historically, the virus was only transmitted by exchange of bodily fluids, like blood, saliva, and semen. But this strain has officials alarmed because it can also be transmitted through droplets in the air. As a result, officials are warning the public to distance, so that droplets containing the virus can disperse in the air before infecting an individual, and mask wearing has been advised.

The 50th World Cup is expected to draw millions of people to Caspiaa, of which hundreds of thousands are already in the country. It remains to be seen what travel restrictions may be put in place due to the virus, and how that might impact the tournament.

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©GRANTIMES 2022

The ministry also did not advise citizens to wear face masks, however, has warned that could change at any given moment. Prime Minister Carter Nelson called for a press conference Friday evening and during that press conference, had this to say. “It has come to my attention that someone in Beatavic has tested positive for Sora-24. I have ordered that all travel to and from Mulfularia cease temporarily until the virus can be contained worldwide. There is no threat to the general populace as of now, and we will do everything in our power to make sure that remains the case”

Despite the Ministry of Health not advising citizens to wear face masks, several municipalities, most notably Amstelvoort, Klingtern, Rouville, and Harlingen have advised that residents wear face masks in public spaces. Gran Telea, alongside several cities in the Gran Telea-Fairbrook metropolitan area, are considering face mask mandates and has warned residents of a potential outbreak in the region.

Gran Teleans commuting to work via TeleaStadslink

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