Armed Forces purchase anti-air guns from Lodamun
September 4915
The Hobrazian Armed Forces have agreed to purchase 50 anti-air craft guns from the Lodamese defense company of Axon Industries, for the sum of 3 million LOD. The anti-aircraft guns will be distributed across Hobrazian military bases, along the Hobrazian-Malivian border, and next to potential political, cultural, or military targets. The purchase comes as part of an ongoing initiative to strengthen national defense and to ward off sabre-rattling from expansionist states like Malivia.
Vakhtanid Technical Institute synthesizes Caverna veterna
September 4915
A team led by Dr. Mamish Yanok at the Vakhtanid Technical Institute has successfully synthesized the drowsiness-causing chemicals produced by the Caverna veterna fungus, which is endemic to Muzalkaz cave systems and caused a a rash of "Muzalpox" cases two years ago. Preliminary animal tests appeared to cause undesirably long-lasting effects, which will halt the drug's development progress. Dr. Yanok assured Radio Free Hobrazia that the drug will be refined to make its effects temporary and controllable before testing begins on humans.
Musical school opens in Astoria
September 4915
Renowned composer and violent Givi Rapava, formerly of the National Symphony Orchestra, has announced the founding of the Hobrazian Academy of Music in Astoria. The Academy aims to become the premier musical institute of southern Artania, and will open to students from across Hobrazia and the world in March 4916. Rapava expressed hopes that "the Academy will bring the light of classical music to aspiring musicians," and will "advance the culture of Hobrazia and all of Artania." Social critics have commented that the Academy's tuition cost is more than the median household income in Hobrazia, and have called for Rapava to decrease costs and increase financial aid opportunities.
President Abram Giorgadze proposes state visit to Malivia
September 4915
President Giorgadze sent shockwaves through Hobrazia's political sphere when he announced his intent to visit the Greater Malivian Empire. Hobrazia currently maintains no formal relationship with its Southern neighbor and bans the entry of all Malivian citizens and products. Tensions have steadily risen between the two nations as Malivia has claimed a right to Hobrazian territory, leading to such incidents as the poisoning of Hobrazia's beef supply in the border region of Deltaria. Most of Hobrazia's national defense initiative has been aimed at preventing Malivia's expansionist claims from being translated into military action.
As Giorgadze explained, however, recent events have caused the Hobrazian government to re-think their relationship to Malivia:
I must be clear that Hobrazia will never bow to Malivian pressure or recognize the validity of any claim on our territory. However, we cannot always be enemies with our neighbor, and I have come to believe that our two countries face common enemies.
Chief among those common enemies is Communism. Both the Malivian and Hobrazian governments have included prominent, outspoken anti-Communists, an ideological bent that has become more pronounced as Deltaria has re-emerged on the international scene. Giorgadze's planned visit to Malivia will address both existing Malivian-Hobrazian tensions, "with renewed hope for reconciliation," and a coordinated plan to counter Communist activity in Southern Artania.