Hobrazia

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Unlocking potential: Red carpet rolled out for President Zakariadze in Pontesi

This morning Hobrazia's president Vladimer Zakariadze met with for several hours with his Pontesian counterpart in Melikvan, Pontesi. It is understood that President Zakariadze backed calls for an embargo on the oppressive Istalian regime, he hopes that both parties will ease tensions and avoid any further unnecessary escalation. Further Hobrazia is interested in Pontesian robotics and fertilizer and hopes that Hobrazia can gain access to these exciting opportunities. After the meeting we caught up with the president to discuss how it all went, 

I would like to thank our Pontesian friends for being a stalwart ally. Make no mistake freedom will prevail. We also discussed future trade opportunities I am delighted to announce today that the Hobrazian EcoCity wishes to collaborate with Pontesi on offshore wind projects. Our partnership with Pontesi will turbocharge our economic growth and help our region to develop, the future for Hobrazia and Pontesi looks increasingly bright.

This willingness to collaborate will open up new opportunities for Hobrazian's and Pontesian's alike. President Zakariadze plans to put innovation and sustainable development center stage in his governments plans, the state visit is a key milestone in his presidency.
Astoria City, Hobrazia 
Hobrazian Times
March 5569

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Champions of Freedom: Hobrazian government backs down from embargo on Istalia

Today it has been announced in a stunning move that Hobrazia will back out and withdraw its support for an embargo on Istalia. The Hobrazian government shares the view of the Saham that the embargo is no longer necessary. Foreign Minister Eli Nikoladze announced that whilst we are withdrawing our support for the embargo, Hobrazia will continue to be a strong believer of freedom.

I'm sure you have all heard the news about the embargo, we are concerned of the ripple effects that this will cause. Earlier today I spoke to my Pontesian counterpart about this and we have reached the conclusion that withdrawing from the embargo is the right decision to take as we continue to see rising tensions across Terra. Our record is clear we are strong believers of freedom, we will continue to be a voice for the voiceless. Peace is both possible and achievable in Terra this government will continue to work for peace. Thank you.

Eli called for freedom and peace to prevail in Terra. A stunning shift from the Hobrazian government it now appears that they have listened to the Saham call and backed down over Istalia. It is hoped that this will mark a turning point inspiring all nations to work for a more peaceful Terra. 
Astoria City, Hobrazia
Hobrazian Times
April 5572

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July 5576 - Luthorian Foreign Secretary set to meet with Hobrazian officials in first state visits in years.

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Chasing progress: Hobrazian president meets with Secretary Langley in Astoria City

President Zakariadze told Luthorian foreign secretary Langley he wishes to see Luthori playing a more prominent role in the Artanian continent. He stressed that Luthori will always find an ally and a friend in Hobrazia. It is a fact that Hobrazia has largely untapped oil reserves in Zargundia this is something the Luthorians have had their eyes on for a very long time, it has been announced today that Luthorian conglomerates may help to tap into these oil reserves. Hobrazia is ready to commit to diplomacy with Luthori and hopes that this can be the beginning of a strategic partnership. This partnership will help Hobrazia to thrive and develop, it will help unlock long awaited prosperity for Hobrazians. Astoria City has agreed with Fort William to reduce tariffs on Luthorian imports this is expected to reduce prices for items such as consumer electronics and automobiles. The President says that this partnership will make Hobrazia a more prosperous nation, Fort William's increased role in the continent is set to reshape regional power dynamics. The Times caught up with foreign minister Nikoladze earlier today who commented on the Luthorian visit,

We welcome the Luthorians to Astoria City. We talked about how we can best collaborate and form a new partnership between Astoria City and Fort William, together we can bring stability and peace to the whole Artanian continent. Luthori will help to extract Hobrazian oil and we will aim to facilitate free trade between Luthori and Hobrazia. It is no secret that Hobrazia is fast becoming the economic powerhouse of Artania, we will continue that trend.

 
With a Hobrazian-Luthorian partnership well underway the future for Artania looks bright. The Luthorians should know that they will always find a friend in us.

Astoria City, Hobrazia
Hobrazian Times
May 5579

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The Artanian Newspaper, September 5581 - Luthori and Hobrazia signs comprehensive economic agreement, bringing both countries' economy closer.

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The Art of the deal: Eldar Gelovani Set to become next Hobrazian president 

Eldar Gelovani took part in an interview with the Hobrazian Times earlier today, Eldar is not your typical politician he has had a humble upbringing but is now ready to take charge and lead Hobrazia forwards. Eldar is now Hobrazia's richest man he has amassed an array of wealth and has built up a vast business empire. However Mr Gelovani explained to the Hobrazian Times that he is ready to move into politics to reinvigorate a sense of hope in Hobrazians and to give back to the nation that gave him so much. We asked him about his upbringing and how that has influenced him to move into politics,  

I have seen the impact firsthand of how political failings have led to many Hobrazians myself included growing up in a cycle of Poverty, I will change that. Hobrazians need a leader who will make the tough choices and will listen to them. Sadly across Terra we see politicians who fail to listen to the people they were elected by. The unity party has done something no one thought possible 10-20 years ago, they have unified Hobrazia and we have begun to unify Artania. I'm not your typical career politician I understand what Hobrazians are going through because I've lived it. My success in Business inspires Hobrazians, it shows that hard work always pays off.

Asked what his priorities are for government, he explained he wants to revive Hobrazia's industry, restore confidence and economic stability, create a more business friendly environment and stamp out poverty. Eldar Gelovani is performing well in the polls and is the favorite to win the presidency, a win for Gelovani in Hobrazia is sure to resonate across Terra. With his success building his business empire from the bottom up he surely has the credentials to bring progress to Hobrazia, Eldar understands the art of the deal.
Astoria City, Hobrazia 
Hobrazian Times
April 5582

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March, 5623

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JOURNALISTS REVEAL CORRUPTION AT STATE UNIVERSITY

Investigative journalists from Stories Without Borders reveal misuse of finances at the State University of Astoria K’alak’i.

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View on the front of the university

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Astoria K’alak’i, Stormereti - In a report released a few days ago, the Rildanor-based international journalistic organisation Stories without Borders has revealed damning evidence of corruption at the largest Hobrazian university, the State University of Astoria K’alak’i. According to the report, several university members have been secretly misusing the finances received from the state or research grants. The report presents evidence incriminating several members of the staff from using the funds for their gains.

The main person accused is the university rector Tamazi Balavadze, who has been implicated in receiving a majority of the stolen finances, however, he is not the only one. Several research project directors and professors were also accused. According to the report, Balavazde was to gain money for various university research projects, however, only a small sum has been invested, with the rest split between the rector and the director of the project.

The Anti-Corruption Department has taken notice of the report released by the Rildanorian organisation Stories without Borders, and will begin immediate investigation. However we consider the report to be unreliable, and arrests will be made only once our department secures proper evidence.

In response to the chief's statement, the Hobrazian anti-corruption organisation Transparent Hobrazia has warned that such a meek approach might have consequences and that Stories without Borders is internationally known for its factual and unbiased journalism.

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Zargundian stabbed to death in ethnically motivated attack

According to the T’avadi Police Department, the recent attack that has killed one Zargundian man and injured several others has been ethnically motivated, as the attacker has turned himself in. According to his words, he was motivated by the extra-parliamentary far-right One Nation movement to "cleanse the country.". One Nation has claimed no relation to the attacker.

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Consolidation and militarisation in Deltaria

Following the trend of increasing authoritarianism in Deltaria, the new imperial decree has consolidated all Deltarian intelligence services into the Imperial Security Directorate by imperial decree. The Grand Empire of Deltaria has also proceeded to invest heavily in its armed forces.

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June, 5623

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NEW FACTS LEAKED IN BALAVADZE AFFAIR

The domestic journalistic group has brought new evidence tying the Minister of Education and Science to the State University Scandal.

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Minister Shervashidze at session of the Senate

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Astoria K’alak’i, Stormereti - In a new development, the Independent Journalist Union has revealed facts tying rector of State University of Astoria K’alak’i, Tamazi Balavadze, who is suspected of large-scale corruption, tying him to the Minister of Education and Science Tamazi Shervashidze. According to the organisation, Shervashidze has supported Balavadze in his activities and even supported him in receiving more grants and funds.

Minister Shervashidze has refuted these allegations, claiming to only have met Balavadze on official occasions. Despite this, he has also kept on insisting that Balvadze is fully innocent and that there is no corruption at the university. Chief of the Anti-Corruption Department of the Hobrazian Police, Ioseb Khutsishvili, has also declared the accusations as completely baseless and so nonsensical that the department won't even bother to investigate them.

However, this total dismissal has led to growing suspicion within the populace, especially among the youth, that Balavadze might be tied to more members of the government than just to Shervashidze. The anti-corruption organisation Transparent Hobrazia has announced that if the Anti-Corruption Department doesn't start a proper investigation within 6 months, they will cooperate with students of the university to sue Balavadze and others involved.

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Ministry of Education and Science considers expanding Luthorian in schools.

As per the statement by Ministry of Education and Science, there is new educational plan in development, which would make Luthorian the second language to be taught in schools. According to minister Shervashidze this is reaction to increasing importance of Luthori on Artanian continent.

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Ethnic minorities rally behind new Plurinational Movement

Following the failure of traditional ethnic parties, mainly the Zardugian National Party, to react to ethnically motivated stabbing in T’avadi, ethnic minority have begun to search for new alternatives. One such alternative presented is new Plurinational Movement, which unlike other ethnic parties doesn't represent single minority, but seeks equality for all non-Hobrazians living in the country. According to National Statistics Office ethnic minorities make up 28% of the population, thus giving the movement wide voter base.

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January, 5625

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STUDENTS DEMAND RESIGNATIONS

Various student organisations protest in demand of resignations from university leadership and the minister of education.

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Students hold a speech in Astoria K'alak'i

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Astoria K’alak’i, Stormereti - As the six-month time window set by Transparent Hobrazia, a Hobrazian anti-corruption organisation, runs out, the organisation, in cooperation with Hobrazian university students, has begun taking the matter into their own hands. Spontaneous protests organised by various student organisations have broken out across the country.

While the protests are very decentralised, most of them have united under the representation of the newly formed National Council of Youth Against Corruption. The main objective of the NCYAC is to be a united voice for all the local student organisations and to achieve the overall goal of resignations of rector of State University of Astoria K’alak’i Tamazi Balavadze, Minister of Education and Science Tamazi Shervashidze, and chief of Anti-corruption Department of the Hobrazian Police Ioseb Khutsishvili.

For the first time since the beginning of the affair, Konstantine Mzhavanadze, President of Hobrazia and thus head of government, has given a statement regarding the scandal. President Mzhavanadze has proceeded to state that no resignations will be made, that the whole affair is overblown, and that the students are supported by foreign actors and domestic opposition. While the governing National Unity Party has quickly adopted this rhetoric, the main opposition parties, the Liberal Party and the People's Socialist Party, have stated that while they support the students, they aren't otherwise involved.

Students also enjoy popularity among various other Hobrazian civil societies and associations, like the National Dramatic Society, Medical Association of Hobrazia, Association of Hobrazian Artists, and several famous writers, actors, and other artists.

On the legal front, Transparent Hobrazia and NCYAC have proceeded to file a lawsuit against rector Balavadze and other university staff involved, as well as minister Shervashidze. However, according to some, this might be just a mainly symbolic gesture, as both TH and NCYAC accuse the Hobrazian judicial system of being tied and aligned with the ruling party.

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Educational cooperation between Hobrazia and Luthori

The Office for International Education of the Ministry of Education and Science has announced that it will be cooperating on several educational projects with the Luthorian Council. This cooperation is part of a larger government project to phase out Endralonian and replace it with Luthorian as a second language.

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End of Valruzian Regime in sight?

As the situation in Valruzia escalates, with recent bombing and protests, its regime begins to appear desperate. According to chaotic reports, several government institutions have sided with the protestors, with reports of open rebellions of military cells. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement giving a stern warning against travel to the country.

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April, 5624

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STUDENTS APPEASED BY RESIGNATIONS

Negotiations between the National Council of Youth Against Corruption and the government result in resignations.

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Astoria K’alak’i, Stormereti - After two months of protests and negotiation, the ruling National Unity Party and the student organisation National Council of Youth Against Corruption have reached a deal. Concessions given by the government are resignations of rector of State University of Astoria K’alak’i Tamazi Balavadze and of Minister of Education and Science Tamazi Shervashidze. In return, the students will stop their protests and return to their studies. One concession that the students have failed to gain on the end is the resignation of chief of the Anti-corruption Department of the Hobrazian Police, Ioseb Khutsishvili.

Due to the student movement's decentralised nature, some local organisations have refused to accept the deal and continued to protest. The most notable of these is the Plurinational Youth, a youth wing of the rising Plurinational Movement. According to these more radical elements, the rot simply runs too deep, and the entire government needs to be replaced. There are even speculations that some of these student movements, including a few dissatisfied members of the National Council of Youth Against Corruption, are planning to form their own party, but no such thing has been confirmed yet.

Even though the affair seems to be over, its consequences still ripple through Hobrazian society. According to recent polls, political awareness and activity among the youth have spiked. As a consequence, anti-establishment parties and movements have begun to rise in popularity. The Plurinational Movement, which has already been growing steadily, has noticed a large influx of members, mainly in the west and from among the youth. Another movement that has grown rapidly is the far-right One Nation Movement. However, a reportedly large number of students and youth still feel like there is no political party or movement that adequately represents them.

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Slow death of established minority parties

Leaders of the established ethnic parties, Zardugian National Party, Hobrazian-Deltarian Party, and Party of Ratkvanis, are increasingly worried about the possibility of not achieving any parliamentary seats. These fears are mainly tied to the meteoric rise of the Plurinational Movement, which has been appealing to all minorities, instead of just specific ethnicities. According to the latest polls, an increasing number of people have declared that they will vote for the Plurinational Movement instead of the established parties.

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