Hexed Priest DiesFebruary 4912The firebrand priest Fr Yuriy Chkadua died yesterday, apparently of a heart attack. Although Fr Chkadua's age and physical condition would make such a death unsurprising under normal circumstances, Chkadua's death comes soon after he was hexed by pagans in Lodamun.
Fr. Yu, as he was affectionately known by his followers, was known for his prolific condemnations of paganism, alternative religious practices, and contemporary culture. At 56, Chkadua suffered from a variety of minor health problems that may have triggered the heart attack. An autopsy at the state morgue revealed no apparent foul play or signs of anything unusual.
Still, the death's timing has caused distress among many Hosians. Bookstores across Hobrazia have pulled Ckhadua's works from their shelves, while demand for protective blessings has skyrocketed. Out of concern for their safety, a prominent social media group dedicated to Fr. Yu has shut down, with group administrators citing fear over pagans cursing group members.
Chkadua left behind a wife, five children, and eight grandchildren. A public funeral will be held at Chkadua's home village of Kastal, Kiduran. A police presence is expected to prevent any attempted vandalism by the late priest's detractors.
Vakhtanid Technical Institute seeks to make Hobrazia Terra's premier mathematical powerDecember 4912The Mathematical Excellence Initiative, funded by the estate of Prince Anastasius through the private Vakhtanid Technical Institute, aims to promote mathematical achievement in Hobrazia.
"Great mathematical discoveries can be produced with very few resources - only a sharp mind and a sharp pencil," said Dr. Péter Lajos, an Endralonian-born mathematician who serves as a professor at the Institute. "Hobrazia is perfectly poised to become a world leader in mathematics. All it takes is investment in education and a strong strategic plan."
Hoping to discover - or build - mathematical talent at a young age, the Initiative will invest in primary-through-tertiary mathematical education, hold a series of youth-centered mathematics competitions, and promote popular interest in the subject by creating entertaining books and films. University students who express desire and potential for mathematical achievement will be granted extensive undergraduate and graduate scholarships to study math and related subjects, like physics and economics. Finally, the Vakhtanid Prize for Achievement will be awarded annually to a deserving Hobrazian mathematician and carry with it a significant monetary award.
Zardic Art Exhibit to open at Hobrazian National MuseumAugust 4913The University of Muzal K'alak'i School of Zardic Studies plans to open a temporary art exhibit at the Hobrazian National Museum in Astoria. The exhibit, which will last from October 4913 to September 4914, will feature classical and contemporary art from across the Augustine Empire, particularly Zardugal and the former province of Cobura. Several prominent works have been obtained on a loan from private and public collections in Zardugal, and the exhibit will be accompanied by a series of lectures and short documentaries by experts on Zardic culture.
The Museum's chief curator Gwne Pashtikovy expressed her hope that the exhibit would be well-attended by the public, calling it "the first of its kind" in Hobrazia. "Hopefully this will simply be the first step toward a broader and deeper Hobrazian engagement with world cultures."
Source of Muzalpox discoveredAugust 4913Researchers at the Vakhtanid Technical Institute have traced the source of "Muzalpox," a disease that causes excessive sleepiness, to a fungus found in the caves of Muzalkaz. Ingesting the fungus's spores lead some people to develop a long-term, low-intensity infection. Although rarely debilitating, the infection causes sufferers to fall asleep easily, sleep deeply, and crave sleep even when well-rested during daylight hours.
"We believe this disease has actually been with us for some time," said Dr. Mamish Yanok, who led the research team that discovered the fungus. "But only recently have the Muzalkaz caves been opened to the general public, which has caused an increase in cases has attracted the interest of the medical community."
The fungus, dubbed
Caverna veterna, is not known to be extant anywhere else on Terra.
The Muzalkaz National Park has closed the caves as a precaution, and they are unlikely to open soon. No treatment for Muzalpox exists, although the VTI team that identified the fungus are working on developing a cure. In the meantime, Dr Yanok recommends wearing a mask. "I don't believe the caves will be completely inaccessible, but I'd recommend anyone entering them wear an air filter to prevent ingesting spores."
The Hobrazian Development Corporation is investigating the fungus for potential pharmaceutical applications and has applied for a permit to explore the caves.
Conservationists struggle to resettle wildlife displaced in ZargundiaAugust 4913Although increased mining and drilling in Zargundia has created substantial economic opportunities in Hobrazia, some are concerned that resource development has inflicted a great environmental cost.
Over 50 new mines and oil drilling sites have been constructed in Zargundia since 4900, when Dorvish troops and anti-Fascist partisans targeted resource extraction infrastructure. The increased activity has caused the destruction of thousands of acres of habitat, displacing large numbers of wildlife.
Zargundia Wild, a conservationist organization in the Western region, has focused its efforts on rehabilitating injured and displaced wildlife and helping to relocate animals to sanctuaries across Hobrazia. The group operates a 600 acre sanctuary outside the regional capital of Camaero, but the site is inadequate for the needs of wildlife.
Conservationist Elena Tskitishvili called on Prime Minister Qeit Dagovy to pursue stricter regulations and to require natural resource companies to help fund wildlife aid organizations. "Our biodiversity is just as much a resource as our minerals," she told Radio Free Hobrazia. In the background, a lynx that had ingested tainted runoff water from a nearby mine was being treated. "We do everything we can, but it's doubtful she'll survive the night."
Our reporter also interviewed Zargundia resident Pakizə Rəşadli, whose home is only a few miles away from a strip mine that was opened in 4909. Rəşadli agreed with imposing new conditions: while her formerly beautiful surroundings had been replaced by clear-cut fields and dirt construction roads, she argued that the economic benefits outweighed environmental cost. "My son works at the mine. He makes a good living and is close to me - something that never could have happened before ZRG. We should be concerned about our livelihoods, our futures, more than we should be about a few animals."