GeopolityBoard

ROMANOVSKAYA GAZETTE

Early Election Called Amid Shevelyok Resignation.

Proceedings got underway as normal in the Imperial Duma today, with the first order of business being Romanovskaya's membership of the newly formed Non-Aligned Movement. The vote easily passed through the Duma, with 26 deputies voting for the motion for Romanovskaya to join the organisation, with 2 voting against and 2 abstentions. Once that business was concluded the Prime Minister, Timofey Shevelyok, stood and gave a speech:

"Government Ministers, fellow deputies. Over the last 7 years I have been privileged and honoured to be elected by you all to be your Prime Minister. The work we have done together has seen the lives of many of our citizens improved, although not all of course. There is still work to be done. At the beginning of sitting of the Imperial Duma this year back in February, I announced that this would be my final year as Prime Minister and Deputy of the Duma."

"Unfortunately, this week after attending a visit with my doctor and having subsequent tests, I have been diagnosed with serious medical condition. I do not wish to elaborate any further on the nature of the condition but according to my doctors the chances of recovery are high, although it will require many months of intense treatment. It is because of this I must regrettably tender my resignation as Prime Minister."

"It is my belief that in order to rise to the challenges the nation faces, we need a head of government who will be fit and ready to lead. That simply will not be possible for me to do while I undertake my own very personal battle. As the next election is due to take place in less than a years time, I propose that we dissolve the current Duma and hold a general election. I will remain in my role as Prime Minister in an acting capacity with the National Committee until a new government can be formed, with your consent of course."

The Imperial Duma then voted on the motion to dissolve the current sitting which was passed. The Prime Minister then travelled to the Princely Palace to inform the Princess of the decision. The National Committee will now assume the role of government until the election takes place and a new government is formed.

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For further reading including an overview of the most likely candidates to become the next PM, click the link below.

Early Election Called Amid Shevelyok Resignation.

by The Grand Duchy of Romanovskaya

4 May 2020

By Anastasiya Kapustina

EARLY ELECTION CALLED
SHEVELYOK ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

---

Shevelyok announced his resignation citing poor health.

---

Romanovskaya Joins NAM and Shevelyok announces his resignation.

Advertise with us

Proceedings got underway as normal in the Imperial Duma today, with the first order of business being Romanovskaya's membership of the newly formed Non-Aligned Movement. The vote easily passed through the Duma, with 26 deputies voting for the motion for Romanovskaya to join the organisation, with 2 voting against and 2 abstentions. Once that business was concluded the Prime Minister, Timofey Shevelyok, stood and gave a speech:

"Government Ministers, fellow deputies. Over the last 7 years I have been privileged and honoured to be elected by you all to be your Prime Minister. The work we have done together has seen the lives of many of our citizens improved, although not all of course. There is still work to be done. At the beginning of sitting of the Imperial Duma this year back in February, I announced that this would be my final year as Prime Minister and Deputy of the Duma."

"Unfortunately, this week after attending a visit with my doctor and having subsequent tests, I have been diagnosed with serious medical condition. I do not wish to elaborate any further on the nature of the condition but according to my doctors the chances of recovery are high, although it will require many months of intense treatment. It is because of this I must regrettably tender my resignation as Prime Minister."

"It is my belief that in order to rise to the challenges the nation faces, we need a head of government who will be fit and ready to lead. That simply will not be possible for me to do while I undertake my own very personal battle. As the next election is due to take place in less than a years time, I propose that we dissolve the current Duma and hold a general election. I will remain in my role as Prime Minister in an acting capacity with the National Committee until a new government can be formed, with your consent of course."

The Imperial Duma then voted on the motion to dissolve the current sitting which was passed. The Prime Minister then travelled to the Princely Palace to inform the Princess of the decision. The National Committee will now assume the role of government until the election takes place and a new government is formed.

---

The main candidates to be next the Prime Minister. Left to Right: Daria Shchegolyayeva, Yuriy Illyushin and Vsevolod Yevstigneyev.

---

With the election set to take place on the 29th May, we analyse the most likely candidates to become the next Prime Minister of Romanovskaya;

Daria Shchegolyayeva: The current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Shchegolyayeva is one of the longest serving deputies in the Imperial Duma. As the current Deputy Prime Minister she would seem the most likely candidate to become Prime Minister but she is a character that splits opinion both with the public and also her fellow deputies. Her track record as Finance Minister speaks for itself, even if the methods she has used may be questioned. Also allegations of corruption have been thrown at her in the past but has had little effect on her position in government. She enjoys strong support from the Princely Family, having been a Royal Appointment to the Imperial Duma since 2001.

Yuriy Illyushin: The current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Illyushin has been seen to be a more progressive candidate for the job. He is a popular character both in government and outside of it. He has made clear in the past his wish to see Romanovskaya diversify its economy and end the reliance on multinationals seeking low taxes. His clean track record would seem to make him the best choice, however some question his leadership qualities.

Vsevolod Yevstigneyev: Finally we move onto Deputy Yevstigneyev. Yevstigneyev immediately annouced his intention to run in the upcoming election and seek to form a government of his own with other conservative candidates. Mr. Yevstigneyev, who has been a Deputy since 2009, has been involved in his fair share of controversy. He has been vocal in his opposition towards homsexuality, known to make antisemitic comments and calling for a ban on all muslims entering Romanovskaya. His chances of forming a government would appear remote, but given his recent victory in leading the No campaign in the referendum on UAN membership, he certainly knows how to work the electorate.

---

All Rights Reserved © Romanovskaya Gazette | Principality of Romanovskaya

Disclaimer

_{OOC: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, entities, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner.}

_{Face claims are used just for appearance. The individuals in the images are in no way associated with this page nor are the stories told on this page a reflection on the current real-life situation regarding said individuals.}

Read dispatch

Romanovskaya wrote:

ROMANOVSKAYA GAZETTE

Early Election Called Amid Shevelyok Resignation.

Proceedings got underway as normal in the Imperial Duma today, with the first order of business being Romanovskaya's membership of the newly formed Non-Aligned Movement. The vote easily passed through the Duma, with 26 deputies voting for the motion for Romanovskaya to join the organisation, with 2 voting against and 2 abstentions. Once that business was concluded the Prime Minister, Timofey Shevelyok, stood and gave a speech:

"Government Ministers, fellow deputies. Over the last 7 years I have been privileged and honoured to be elected by you all to be your Prime Minister. The work we have done together has seen the lives of many of our citizens improved, although not all of course. There is still work to be done. At the beginning of sitting of the Imperial Duma this year back in February, I announced that this would be my final year as Prime Minister and Deputy of the Duma."

"Unfortunately, this week after attending a visit with my doctor and having subsequent tests, I have been diagnosed with serious medical condition. I do not wish to elaborate any further on the nature of the condition but according to my doctors the chances of recovery are high, although it will require many months of intense treatment. It is because of this I must regrettably tender my resignation as Prime Minister."

"It is my belief that in order to rise to the challenges the nation faces, we need a head of government who will be fit and ready to lead. That simply will not be possible for me to do while I undertake my own very personal battle. As the next election is due to take place in less than a years time, I propose that we dissolve the current Duma and hold a general election. I will remain in my role as Prime Minister in an acting capacity with the National Committee until a new government can be formed, with your consent of course."

The Imperial Duma then voted on the motion to dissolve the current sitting which was passed. The Prime Minister then travelled to the Princely Palace to inform the Princess of the decision. The National Committee will now assume the role of government until the election takes place and a new government is formed.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

For further reading including an overview of the most likely candidates to become the next PM, click the link below.

Early Election Called Amid Shevelyok Resignation.

by The Grand Duchy of Romanovskaya

4 May 2020

By Anastasiya Kapustina

EARLY ELECTION CALLED
SHEVELYOK ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

---

Shevelyok announced his resignation citing poor health.

---

Romanovskaya Joins NAM and Shevelyok announces his resignation.

Advertise with us

Proceedings got underway as normal in the Imperial Duma today, with the first order of business being Romanovskaya's membership of the newly formed Non-Aligned Movement. The vote easily passed through the Duma, with 26 deputies voting for the motion for Romanovskaya to join the organisation, with 2 voting against and 2 abstentions. Once that business was concluded the Prime Minister, Timofey Shevelyok, stood and gave a speech:

"Government Ministers, fellow deputies. Over the last 7 years I have been privileged and honoured to be elected by you all to be your Prime Minister. The work we have done together has seen the lives of many of our citizens improved, although not all of course. There is still work to be done. At the beginning of sitting of the Imperial Duma this year back in February, I announced that this would be my final year as Prime Minister and Deputy of the Duma."

"Unfortunately, this week after attending a visit with my doctor and having subsequent tests, I have been diagnosed with serious medical condition. I do not wish to elaborate any further on the nature of the condition but according to my doctors the chances of recovery are high, although it will require many months of intense treatment. It is because of this I must regrettably tender my resignation as Prime Minister."

"It is my belief that in order to rise to the challenges the nation faces, we need a head of government who will be fit and ready to lead. That simply will not be possible for me to do while I undertake my own very personal battle. As the next election is due to take place in less than a years time, I propose that we dissolve the current Duma and hold a general election. I will remain in my role as Prime Minister in an acting capacity with the National Committee until a new government can be formed, with your consent of course."

The Imperial Duma then voted on the motion to dissolve the current sitting which was passed. The Prime Minister then travelled to the Princely Palace to inform the Princess of the decision. The National Committee will now assume the role of government until the election takes place and a new government is formed.

---

The main candidates to be next the Prime Minister. Left to Right: Daria Shchegolyayeva, Yuriy Illyushin and Vsevolod Yevstigneyev.

---

With the election set to take place on the 29th May, we analyse the most likely candidates to become the next Prime Minister of Romanovskaya;

Daria Shchegolyayeva: The current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Shchegolyayeva is one of the longest serving deputies in the Imperial Duma. As the current Deputy Prime Minister she would seem the most likely candidate to become Prime Minister but she is a character that splits opinion both with the public and also her fellow deputies. Her track record as Finance Minister speaks for itself, even if the methods she has used may be questioned. Also allegations of corruption have been thrown at her in the past but has had little effect on her position in government. She enjoys strong support from the Princely Family, having been a Royal Appointment to the Imperial Duma since 2001.

Yuriy Illyushin: The current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Illyushin has been seen to be a more progressive candidate for the job. He is a popular character both in government and outside of it. He has made clear in the past his wish to see Romanovskaya diversify its economy and end the reliance on multinationals seeking low taxes. His clean track record would seem to make him the best choice, however some question his leadership qualities.

Vsevolod Yevstigneyev: Finally we move onto Deputy Yevstigneyev. Yevstigneyev immediately annouced his intention to run in the upcoming election and seek to form a government of his own with other conservative candidates. Mr. Yevstigneyev, who has been a Deputy since 2009, has been involved in his fair share of controversy. He has been vocal in his opposition towards homsexuality, known to make antisemitic comments and calling for a ban on all muslims entering Romanovskaya. His chances of forming a government would appear remote, but given his recent victory in leading the No campaign in the referendum on UAN membership, he certainly knows how to work the electorate.

---

All Rights Reserved © Romanovskaya Gazette | Principality of Romanovskaya

Disclaimer

_{OOC: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, entities, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner.}

_{Face claims are used just for appearance. The individuals in the images are in no way associated with this page nor are the stories told on this page a reflection on the current real-life situation regarding said individuals.}

Read dispatch

Response by the Non-Aligned Movement

We are delighted to see Romanovskaya stand for peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity, and we will gladly welcome its membership into the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Imperial Federation believes that it is a vital step towards building a truly global movement of nations that would rather see their sovereignty stand than be bullied by the pretensions of an ideologue.

We would like to invite a Romanovskayan delegation to attend the structure summit on May 21st, when we shall determine the formal structures of the NAM. Romanovskayan input will be greatly appreciated to form our organization into a lasting body of sovereignty and peaceful coexistence regardless of ideology or creed.

Welcome, Romanovskaya!

The Imperial Federation of Infiny and the Federal Republic of Eulumia have reached a joint commitment to sovereignty, and shall not be bullied by imperialistic ideologues to do their bidding. Realizing our vital positions at the straits of worlds' most important shipping routes, it is currently extremely important to reaffirm our sovereignty over our territory, our territorial waters, and our economic policy. As we speak, Eulumia joins the Non-Aligned Movement, and is invited to the structure summit of May 21st to discuss the organizational aspects of the movement.

May we live together in peace, prosperity, and sovereignty.

Welcome, Eulumia!

RTL Breaking News

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TlaM2wNYjTQ/maxresdefault.jpg
(MS Wilders making his first remark on Ambristan)

David's Antics: Racist remarks against people from Ambristan, homophobic remarks and calling blacks in Furstia a "failed people," inciting large brawl

Yet another crazy episode breaks out in the Rijken election cycle today as outspoken far-right Minister David van der Pyl, in a locally televised debate with other candidates in his constituency, not only lashed out racist remarks against Ambristanis and Furstians but also homophobic remarks against gay Red Tulip candidate Joren Engbers.

When addressing a question from the audience about refugees, particularly those coming from Ambristan, van der Pyl immediately took to having one of the most polarizing and controversial stances of Rijken politics:

Speaking in the Bethlehem Dutch dialect, he argued to the audience in the local theater:
"You know they call them refugees so they won't hurt the feelings of leftist media right? These are not refugees, let alone immigrants! The Ambristani mutts and blacks, of which are the worst, are not worthy of a single tax-guilder from the Rijken populance; they have no education nor useful work skills; their only skill is to get down to their knees and beg for leftists to hand them a blank check every damn month! So I will say this: control the refugees or let the refugees control you!"

The studio audience, comprising of an accurate representation of the local electorate, were polarizing in their reaction: over half gave a standing ovation while many others vehemently booed the racist remarks. He then reacted to the booing.

"Soon enough, if you take in enough blacks [the communist ones] from Ambristan, then Rijkenland will be doomed. Hell, so many will come and they will breakaway after realizing they have to work for a living to make it good here! They'll be the kind of same, lazy blacks you see kneeling to Lenin everyday, face down hands up for a welfare check in Furstia: their country at the moment is a failed people still enslaved, this time blindly chained and chatteled to a failed ideology!" Soon half the audience erupted into very loud boos from the other candidates and the other half cheered van der Pyl on even harder.

A moderator from the local news station hosting the debate demanded everybody to calm down and let Mr. Engbers, a Red Tulip candidate and LGBT activist, respond to Mr. van der Pyl.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, David you racist bigot. You are showing this country the worst side of our great city, and of this nation!" The same people that booed van der Pyl cheered Engbers.

Then van der Pyl responded. "Mr. Engbers is one of the reasons why I would rather have a dead son than a gay son!"

By this time, the audience erupted into massive applause and massive jeering. Then Mr. Engbers, appearing triggered, vaulted toward van der Pyl and started throwing water, then fists, at him. Both gentlemen started brawling on stage, with the other candidates attempting to break it up -or join the fighting-. At the same time, the crowd also got disorderly and started escalating the chaos. Soon, the footage cut off and immediately went to 5-minute advertising as the hosts attempted to calm everything down.

Eventually, attempts at stopping the large brawl in the theatre were futile and police were called in. Within a minute the theatre was emptied and the fight broken up. Van der Pyl had made national headlines today after inciting the brawl with racist and homophobic remarks, both to comments praising and condemning him.

Recent polls still show that Van der Pyl still has a firm lead over Engbers in the Bethlehem constituency, although it shows a downward trend after the now-infamous brawl has came up online. The Electoral Commission is currently investigating the debate (hosted by local network Bethlehem6) and the ensuing brawl, with a spokesperson stating that this is "absolutely unacceptable behavior and unprofessional conduct," and that the Commission will, depending on the outcomes of the investigation, "place firm, strict and standardized rules for debate procedures and conduct." PM Baar took to Twitter to call out the involved candidates, particularly van der Pyl:

@dbaar:
"Het is een schande voor Bethlehem om getuige te zijn van dit belachelijke spektakel.

Kom op, we zijn beter dan dit."

Economic Decentralization Act Passed

With the distant dream of being a world class economy becoming a little more realistic following promising results from the creation of the Commerce Federation, Versienna has renewed its interests in diversifying its economy further. It will accomplish this by decentralizing many of its major industries, mirroring that of releasing the shipping industry to the newly created Commerce Federation. With numerous economic experts within the nation citing the shift towards privatization of major national industries as the reason for the recent growth of the Eulumian economy, politicians in Versienna are hellbent on recreating that same effect across the nation's other major industries. With overwhelming support, the Senate passed the Economic Decentralization Bill, entailing the creation of the Corporate Alliance under the leadership of Magistrate Utari Passel and the Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition (IPMEC) under the leadership of Chairman Yohanes Tambor.

The Economic Decentralization Act details that:
> The Industries of: Mining, Petroleum, Petroleum Refining, Natural Gas, Oil Drilling, Oil Refining, Cement, Plywood, Woods/Timber, Wood Pulp, Rubber, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Oleo-chemicals, Petrochemicals, Palm Oil, Smelting, Liquefied Natural Gas, Offshore Construction, and Construction shall all be placed under the authority of the Corporate Alliance for oversight and regulation.

> The industries of: Textiles/Apparel, Shipbuilding/Repair, Automotive, Optical Devices, Medical Instruments/Equipment/Appliances, Scientific Instruments, Electrical Appliances, Electronics, Semiconductors, Microchips, Integrated Circuits, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications Equipment, Biomedical Products, and Transportation shall all be placed under the authority of the Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition for oversight and regulation.

> The Corporate Alliance and Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition possess the authority to merge, dissolve, or create new subordinate companies as seen fit by leadership.

> The Corporate Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition retain the right to create and maintain a private security force in order to protect assets or enforce Eulumian law and or Corporate Alliance/Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition interests.

> The Corporate Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition shall be given representation in the Eulumian Senate in the form of one (1) Senator each to bring about concerns from either corporate entity to the national government without need for unnecessary steps.

> The Corporate Alliance and Indo-Pacific Manufacturing and Engineering Coalition possess the authority to collect debts as seen fit.

Canberra
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Subject: Current World Events

The Venzilian government first of all wants to express its condolences over the recent events that have deeply damaged the fellow nation of Maharkati and offer our support towards the rescue and reconstruction efforts. We are sending food supplies, such as 5,400 water bottles and 12,000 cans of meals along with 500 blankets and 90 tents that can tend to 180 people to help aid efforts. We hope Maharkati recovers quickly from this tragedy and we offer to participate in any other relief efforts in the future. Our ambassador Isaac Cooks will supervise that Venzilian resources are distributed among those in the worst condition and will personally engage in aid efforts in the Nepali province as he may be needed.

The MoFA is glad to respond to an initiative created by the government of Rijkenlandd to create an international task force to recover the remains of the lost soldiers of past conflicts fought near and in Venzil. The government has given authorization for the international taskforce to explore the Papua New Guinea Colonial Territory in their search for the past, as long as archeological sites do not enter into conflict with economic activities or meddle with indigenous reserves in the area. Venzil will gladly provide our own team of scholars and historians to join this multinational team and recover a piece of our history.

Finally the Venzilian government, led by our PM O’Higgins, has officially expressed our interest in joining another international initiative, this time created by the government of Infiny and known as the new Non-Aligned Movement. The government believes deeply in the value of peace and international cooperation, thus we believe that a new organization of nations that follow our belief in co-existence will positively impact our global affairs. We hope this organization is the beginning of a new peaceful path towards international political and economic cooperation, free of the volatility and conflictive behavior other organizations in the past have shown to create.

Signed
Sophia Deen

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Federal Republic of Venzil

Novaya rossiyskaya imperiya wrote:

~~ Министерство иностранных дел СССР ~~

_{Title: Tomsky Tour in Danubia}

Budapest — Soviet Premier Tomsky has announced that he will be travelling to Donau-bundesreich for a tour of the country and to meet with Premier Stauffer. The goal of the meeting is to inspect how Soviet reconstruction efforts are going and what is most urgently needed by the Stauffer Government to continue working towards a better Danubia. Furthermore, the Kremlin recently announced the creation of a USD$100 billion reconstruction fund which shall focus on the the construction of new apartment buildings, schools, hospitals and roads. These efforts will focus on the areas most affected by the civil war (mostly in the western regions of the nation).

Additionally, if allowed by the Stauffer Government, Soviet companies will be green-lit by the Kremlin to invest in Danubia. Their focus will center in the construction and infrastructure sectors, services, manufacturing and shipping infrastructure along the coastal regions. Unlike the reconstruction aid, these projects can go anywhere in the country depending on where the Soviet companies believe there's a potential for investment. Ultimately, Soviet companies have been directed to also work with the Stauffer Government to make sure investments in certain regions of the country go first as priority.

The Union wishes to inform it's Soviet counterparts that is amendable to working with with its own construction companies as the Union has already begun investing time and money into the war torn towns and cities. If it is agreeable to the Soviet Government and the Danubian Government, the Union will send more workers to better meet time frames that have been laid out and more use of the Union's self-healing concrete that many are starting to call Uber Concrete.

Communist Army Headquarters, Unknown Location

Deep into the Amazon jungle, several men are sitting around a table, one of them which is Antonio Nariño. The Communist board of war is having a lengthy debate. They´re also wearing gas masks, do to the now-common governmental practice of bombing Communist camps with poisonous gas. But against all odds, they made a choice...

Back in the imperial palace in Bogotá, the emperor is having one of his daily tours of the city in his open-top car. He is surrounded by security officers and armed policeman, and the day is going like any other. But just then, a young man comes running out of the crowd towards his car. Suprised, the emperor asks his men to stop him. ¨Shoot him, Shoot him, that´s what I pay you for!¨ But his men are too scared to stop him - the man running towards him has a bomb tied to his back. Suddenly, a massive explosion paralizes everyone nearby, who rush to see what happened.

The Emperor, Juan.Prada, is dead!

Ghosts left Ambristan
As they claimed victory the two ghost teams left the nation as they were never there as they were wearing communist uniforms

CAF government congrats The USAR

President El'Snake congrats his southern neighbor on ending a bloodbath and hope that both can peaceful recover and hope to beccome official allies someday

Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, Saudiarabia

The DIFC Conference Centre was filled with businessmen, government officials, and the press as the World Energy Conference officially begins. The DIFC is a special economic zone in Dubai established in 2004 and considered the financial hub for both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the greater Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets. The DIFC possesses its own independent, internationally overseen regulator and judicial system, common law framework, a global financial exchange, a tax-friendly regime, and a large business community. The district is governed by a common-law framework distinct from the Saudi Arabian legal system, with laws and regulations issued in English. It also houses hundreds of financial institutions, including wealth funds and private investors, but it also hosts multinationals, retail outlets, cafés, restaurants, residential space, public green spaces, hotels and art galleries. Where the city of Dubai is the financial capital of the Saudi Kingdom, the DIFC is in turn the beating heart of Dubai's vast financial reach. When the Ministry of Energy began searching for a proper venue to host the World Energy Summit, no specific location seemed to offer a more attractive bid.

Dr. Suhail Al-Noami, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, had been preparing for an event like this since he assumed his position in 2016. His PHD in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M had specifically focused on the need for international cooperation to keep oil markets stable in the 21st Century's changing global economy. With European benchmark Brent down to $51.54 per barrel on Friday, compared to $75 one year ago, Saudi Arabia, the largest oil producer in the world resorted to massive production cuts to lift prices since the oil market crash in mid-2014. In June, the Ministry of Energy extended by nine months an earlier reduction of 1.2 million barrels per day, but the move has failed to arrest the price decline in light of a faltering global economy. With the energy leaders of the top producing nations in the world now gathered, Al-Noami would have a chance to put his thesis into motion in order to repair the global oil markets.

As the room began to fill up, Deputy Energy Minister Ibrahim Al-Fahad, who had been at Dubai International Airport personally welcoming the dignitaries from around the world, whispered to Al Noami that the conference was ready to begin. Dr. Al Noami, notes in hand, promptly stood at the podium to deliver opening remarks.

Dr. Suhail Al Noami: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to start us off by welcoming the many esteemed dignitaries in this room. It's a rare occasion to find so many of us in one place, and I am glad that this Summit has brought us together. As we all know, we are living in a changing world. Day by day, month by month, year by year, everything is changing. From the way we travel, the way we commute to work, the way we live. The 21st Century has brought the world unmatched prosperity and has changed the world for the better; our industry included. The Kingdom has grown its renewable energy portfolio by more than 400% in the last 10 years, and is on track to double that again in the coming decade, and I know many other countries are now looking towards renewable energy sources and reducing our carbon emissions. Climate change and environmental challenges will define this century. There is no question about that.

As the world changes, so do we. Our industry has the means to help build on these gains. However, it will be impossible to utilize any petroleum wealth if the market is non-existent. The past few years have shown demand drop considerably, as supply around the world has increased at an unprecedented rate. Without proper controls over the industry, it will collapse on itself. We, as the oil producing nations of the world, must responsibly look at our production and develop a cohesive and beneficial strategy to combat this overflow into the markets, before it is too late.

Those gathered here today represent the interests of the majority of the world's producing and exporting nations, and possess the rare ability to act according to what is needed. What am I proposing ladies and gentlemen is an organization. An energy partnership across us oil producers that can coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its members and ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry. Regardless of political, social, religious, or other differences, the petroleum industry is one thing that remains static amongst all different ideologies. Together, we can formulate policies that can serve to benefit us all through establishing the mutually beneficial and cohesive petroleum policies that this market deserves.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Dubai World Energy Conference. I look forward to the discussions to be had today, as well as the responses to the proposals set out here today.

RTL News

Situation in Ambristan escalates, hundreds of thousands fleeing the country

With the old monarchy in Ambristan overthrown and a communist government put into place, refugee numbers have now swelled into the hundreds of thousands, with estimates putting at over a million or so by the end of this year. Scenes of refugee plight and violence have plagued many border crossings in the Rijken Amazon and have put strain on the government's ability to effectively admit every single refugee in.

Many of the refugees are those that escaped communist-controlled areas and are seeking asylum, in fear of being repressed. Under the Refugee Law, such asylum seekers can resettle in Rijkenland and are given assistance in doing so.

As of late, more than 250,000 refugees have been admitted into the country. While many are warmly welcoming Ambristani refugees across the country, there are many others who have been protesting against their presence, demanding a total shutdown of the border and in the case of outspoken far-right MS David van der Pyl, outright deportation.

The Rijken Government has announced that it will be allotting ƒ250,000,000 towards refugee placement programs. Furthermore, the Government also announced that a total travel ban to Ambristan will be put in place for the safety of Rijken Citizens.