Navy makes shock move; history released

Fervean Observer
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THE NAVY has taken over the investigation of the Exordium Island Object.
In a move which has shocked locals, the F.S. Chikara, a Primordium-class battleship, has sent down several submersibles to investigate the event.
The action has prompted speculation that the object may be of military value.
President Seismos made a statement yesterday, talking about his intention to keep any discoveries open and free, unless they "constitute an inherent danger to Ferveans". He did not elaborate on the matter, and refused to answer questions concerning the consensus of the origin of this object.
"Whatever this object is," he said, "it is of sufficient concern to the government that we will be extracting it from the sea floor. Our precise reasons will be kept confidential until such times as they can be released."

The Government has also released a history of the founding of our nation. Its condensed version can be found here.

Impact near Exordium Island

Fervean Observer
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AN UNKNOWN object has hit the sea east of Exordium Island.
Eyewitnesses described seeing what looked like a "fireball" hurtling down from the sky and striking the sea, throwing up a large cloud of steam.
The council of Exordium Island has so far been unable to ascertain what the object is, but have pledged to send divers down within the next few days to determine its origin.
Several of the witnesses we spoke to assumed it was a meteorite and one passed it off as "just one of those things".
The object has sparked debate over its derivation, with suggestions ranging from an attack by one of Ferveo's neighbours to an alien spacecraft.
Exordium Island, due east of North Capitus, is well known for its high income rates and yawning rich-poor gap. Southern Exordium has some of the highest house prices in the nation, with some townhouses changing hands for in excess of 14 million Zeals. 

President Seismos announces first term aims

Fervean Observer
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THE NEWLY inaugurated President Seismos has announced his aims for his first term in government.
Speaking outside the first meeting of his Cabinet last night, Mr Seismos said "I believe that we can leave our militaristic past behind us and shift resources from defence to ecology, welfare, health and crucially, education, all of which were in tatters prior to the Great Holocaust."

Mr Seismos, however, also claimed that his government "will not forget the great importance of defence" in the country's politics. As such, he said, military R&D would be receiving considerable funding, particularly in the way of "precision weaponry"; he did not elaborate further in his press conference.

Speaking of the government's controversially secular stance on religion, he said "Ferveo has the almost unique attribute of being an almost totally atheist nation. As such, we will continue with our secular stance into my first term, and beyond." The government's abandonment of conservative values on issues like abortion and homosexuality have faced harsh criticism from pressure groups, in particular the Fervean Front.

When asked about his seemingly odd decision to withhold much of Ferveo's national history from the other members of the IDU, Mr Seismos responded, "Our terrible, brutal past had scarred the bodies and minds of millions of our citizens. Our history must be cherished within our nation, but now is not the right time to release it to all and sundry. We are currently debating upon this issue, and others in Parliament."

The Fervean Observer, along with the other members of Ferveo's Press and media, has decided to respect the President's decision on this particular matter.

However, Mr Seismos also said "it is [his] duty" to "inform" the IDU on this issue, as "it is only a matter of time" before a leak occurs, especially across the Internet.

"I believe that our compatriots in the IDU have the right to the full story, not some skewed, moralistic and opinionated version from an overzealous patriot. I doubt very much that many IDU citizens have not some small idea of the horrors that Ferveo has faced in the past."

"It is vital that we explain this in its full, horrifying terms."

Election results announced

Fervean Observer
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GOVERNMENT officials announced the results of our country's first general elections last night, with a landslide victory reported for the Fervean Liberal Party.

Voters turned out in their millions to elect their leader in Ferveo's first elections since declaring independence after the Great Holocaust fifteen years ago. The event had made little impact outside of Ferveo's former "home", due to its extreme remoteness.

The leader of the party, Gabriel Seismos, will be inaugurated as President next week and is expected to appoint Cabinet ministers shortly afterward. This will dissolve the current military state; however, it is likely that many of the higher-ranking officials of the junta will become heads of their respective divisions of the military.

Speaking after the election victory last night, Mr Seismos made a short statement to the Press in which he said his "faith" in the Fervean public had been "fulfilled" in electing the "right party to lead [Ferveo] through the turbulent times facing us today."

Opposition leaders declined to give comment, but Herman Ikari, head of the far-right political pressure group Fervean Front, said, "The results of this election are disgraceful. The Fervean public have chosen a pussyfooted ass for President who will cosy up to the enemies of Ferveo whilst destroying our glorious country from the inside out."

The full results of the election are as follows (courtesy of the Fervean Electoral Commission):
64.9% - Fervean Liberal Party
24.7% - Conservative Party of Ferveo
6.5% - Green Party
2.3% - Fervean National Party
0.9% - Communist Party
0.7% - Other