Fränkischer Rundfunk Europa

[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of June 7​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

Franken's very own ally Marquette is haunted by domestic terrorism once more. This has led to the abbutting and near EDF states tightening border controls at airports and other vital entries into their countries, officially to help the Marquettian government with pursuing the terrorists. However, behind closed doors senior members of His Majesty's Government are quite concerned about the stability of Franken's unlucky partner. Pundits suggest that the Interior Ministry is about to compose plans for an EDF police mission to Marquette.

Since this week Batavie has split the offices of head of state and head of government by introducing a ceremonial presidency. When asked upon his return from the otherwise successful working visit to Batavie, Ministerpresident Graf Peter Solms confirmed he suggested his Batavian colleague to consider a presidency. "However, we expected neither the speed nor their extent of ambition, i.e. re-establishing a Batavian commonwealth along the way. Their government's aspiring behaviour is certainly remarkable." Following the route of close cooperation between the EDF as a peace keeping power and the newly reformed state, Franken and her allies didn't hesitate to recognise the new commonwealth. One of EDF's peace keepers' jobs this weekend was to provide absentee ballots to all eligible voters in the demilitarized zone.

Following the diplomatic row between Oikawa and its formerly close partner state Jizhou, there's a state of war between the republic and the large eastern empire. "His Majesty's Government regrets this unfortunate development. We hope that Jizhou will be able to appreciate the friendship of the Oikawan Empire again, which will certainly receive them with open arms, as a true friend would do.", a spokesman for Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont explained the Franconian Kingdom's stance. In the Far East the Oikawans are still Franken's most important trade partners according to last year's export and import statistics.

This Sunday morning His Royal Highness the Duke of Schlesnitz invested the ambassadors of Hajri and Oikawa with the insignia of the Order of St. Adrian (OSA). It's Franken's fourth highest order of chivalry, which is mainly used as a honour for foreign dignitaries below the rank of head of state today. OSA is bestowed by the King upon the recommendation of His Majesty's Government. Before dubbing the two diplomats knights with his sword, Franken's Crown Prince Jakob praised their sense of duty towards their home country and their promotion of friendship with Franken.


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[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of June 14​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

Prices of oil and related commodities rose this week at the Würzburg commodities exchange, as rumours spread the Oikawan imperial government intends to reach out to Franconian and partner suppliers of oil to foster their efforts in Jizhou. "If the Oikawan government desires to buy from Franconian companies and/or companies operating in Franken we won't prevent them from doing so. We will merely coordinate the amount they might purchase to prevent a harmful price leap.", Economics Minister Franziska Unsteet told journalists this morning. The Greens, meanwhile, urged His Majesty's Government not to allow the Oikawans to continue their unjust war with Franconian supplies.

This morning Jizhou and consequently Oikawa were discussed in the Abgeordnetenhaus. Opposition leaders quizzed Ministerpresident Graf Solms whether the public will see a Franconian intervention soon. While the social democratic leader actually implied a participation on Oikawa's side, the Ministerpräsident returned the query in another way. "Why shouldn't Franken and her faithful partners be concerned if a regime threatens the stability of our neighbourhood and good friends? Stability is the key to a peaceful existence of states and where it is at stake it's is our duty to help accordingly."

Tomorrow the External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman will pay his official visit to Vangala's former colonial power of Franken. Both the Vangalan and His Majesty's Government have praised the historical opportunity to do away with old clichés and heal some wounds. Qamaruzzaman will first meet his counterpart Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont to discuss joined foreign policy interests and how to best deepen ties between both states. A spokesman for the Staatskanzlei confirmed Ministerpräsident Graf Solms already approved Beaumont's proposal to establish regular consultations between both foreign ministries.
The Vangalan foreign policy chief will be in Franken for two days. Friday night he will be treated to a Lord Mayor's banquet with all important dignitaries attending. This banquet comes second only to the king's banquet due to the Lord Mayor being historically second in precedence to the king in Nürnberg. Other items on his agenda include school visits, talks with managers and as a highlight a royal luncheon on Saturday.



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[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

We are pleased to confirm External Affairs Minister Ajoy Qamaruzzaman is visiting Franconia with the purpose of renewing ties between our two nations. We need to progress from past issues and focus on co-operation in all spheres.

 

[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
_________________________________________
ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of June 14​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

The Royal Family's security measures were stepped up recently, a representative of the Royal Media Office told the press today. The Royal Household's media office bulletin on this issue is naturally very brief and doesn't mention the reasons for the tightening of royal security. However, it's an open secret the terrorist organisation that is currently taunting Marquette is a staunchly republican one. "Obviously the Royal Household doesn't want to take any chances. The security measures will include all members of the immediate Royal Family, also the princes at school.", a foreign policy analyst for FR Europe concluded. According to the Royal Household there's no concrete thread and it's merely a standard procedure.

Vangalan Foreign Minister's visit begins: As planned Vangala's Ajoy Qamaruzzaman arrived at Nuremberg Airport this late morning and was received with military honours by his colleague Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont. After the talks at the Foreign Office both ministers proudly announced that Franken and Vangala agreed on a friendship agenda, i.e. a good helping of monetary aid and investments (first of three equal batches about 800m Taler), close intergovernmental consultations and finally a cultural exchange.
Tonight Qamaruzzaman, Beaumont and Crown Prince Jakob as his father's representative are hosted by the Lord Mayor at the old city hall. By ancient Franconian legal custom the Lord Mayor of Nürnberg precedes every other official and royal within the boundaries of the Duchy of Nürnberg, which he runs.

Human Resources on the rise: According to a recent survey amongst freshman business students at least 10% could imagine pursuing a career in Human Resources after graduation. Compared to the last survey the numbers rose by 3%. Furthermore, among senior students who will graduate from business school soon there's a percentage of 14% considering a master in HR management or related disciplines and subsequently a career in HR, which is a plus of 4% compared to the situation five years ago. The national association of HR management credits this rise to their carefully drafted image and marketing campaigns of the last years. Moreover, they were able to gain the help of Labour Minister Laurenz Meyer, himself originally a HR manager, as a public spokesperson.


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[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
_________________________________________
ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of June 21​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

This morning, as announced previously this week, His Majesty King Alfred IV formally proclaimed the association of his heir apparent and oldest son Crown Prince Jakob to the throne of Franken as Prince Regent. Different from other monarchies the royals of Franken adhere to the practise of promoting their respective as quasi co-rulers instead of retiring. From now on the Duke of Schlesnitz will take over most of the king's duties except for certain rights like declaration of war, dissolving parliament and appointing ministers. Tomorrow he will formally vested with the insignia of a prince regent by the Archbishop of Nürnberg in her capacity as the Prioress of the Realm at solemn service. "The Duke of Schlesnitz will serve the people of Franken well and competently as their Prince Regent. Please show him the same love and support as you did with myself.", The King stated formally at this morning's conference.


Can cold get even colder? One of Franken's northern neighbours Tsykreich has formed an alliance with far away Frescania this week. During the last decades Tyskreich, Franken and her closer associates had been on less than brilliant terms. While it is unlikely and naive - according to pundits - to hope for warmer relations, Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont expressed Franken's delight and congratulations for Tyskreich's renewed multilateral efforts. Behind the curtain senior members of Franken's civil service admit that the republic's relationship to Franken is a hopeless case.

In the light of the ongoing conflict in Barazi, Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont flew to Wiese this morning for some extraordinary consultations on Eastern Europe. Both Graf Babelfisch and his Franconian colleague agreed that the players involved in Barazi were putting the stability in the near east at stake. Having spent the morning with bilateral talks Foreign Minister Beaumont return home after a luncheon with his Wieser colleague.

Opportunity for commerce? Guiana's government has released another study on a shipping channel between the Green Ocean and the Implarian Sea. The Guianisch-Fränkische Handelskammer (Guianan-Franconian Chamber of Commerce) has reported a surge of interest in the project among its members. Franken's larger commerce banks, such as Fränkische Bank, aren't disinterested, either. Provided there's sufficient official backing, a channel project may see a flock of investors from Franken.

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[Breotonia]

From His Most Royal Majesty King Gregory V

My greatest adulation to Crown Prince Jakob to his appointment of Prince Regent. My best wishes to the Prince as he prepares himself to one day fill the role of monarch of the Kingdom of Franken which has been and continues to be an office whose duties are handily and wisely exercised by His Majesty King Alfred IV. Congratulations to all the People of Franken on this glorious occasion.

Gregory V
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Via Sir Arnold, OBE ISO KOA
Private Secretary to the Sovereign

 

[Serenierre]

Office of HRH Prince Nicolas of Montaigne
Château de Florians

On this mid-summer's day, as we hear of the ascension of Prince Jakob to the Regency of the Franconian throne, I offer my fullest of congratulations to my uncle and send my regards to my great-uncle, His Majesty King Alfred IV, and wish them both the best of health in the future.

It is my hope that in the coming years and decades our two nations shall continue to work closely and develop a strong and special bond and work together to further the cause of the EDF. Furthermore, I would also like to announce that I, in my capacity as Prince-Régent de Montaigne, invite HRH Prince Jakob, Duke of Schlesnitz to visit Montaigne as my personal guest.

Our ties, as relatives, stretch back hundreds of years and our Kingdoms' even longer than that. It is my hope that as a new generation shall come to the fore, the ties and alliances of the past are not forgotten and are continued to be kept strong.
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[Großlausitz]

Household of HRH Duke Jakob of Schlesnitz

Thank you for your kind and friendly words upon my appointment to the prince-regency. As my father I will work hard to serve my country carefully and will be a reliable contact for Franken's partner states.

I would be delighted to pay a visit to the Kingdom of Belmont and have a word with the Prince of Montaigne.

 

[Mergogne]

USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The Kryobaijani government congratulates Prince Jakob on his appointment, and wishes him the best of fortune in his new role.

 

[Lorraine]

Secretary of State of the Royal Household

His Catholic Majesty, King Charles V, sends his highest regards to His Majesty King Alfred IV, and best wishes to the new Prince Regeant.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay
Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi

 

[Rheinbund]

Schloß Charlottenburg
Kanzleramt
Trier, Eiffelland

Our congratulations to the fresh Prince-Regent. We wish His Royal Highness Crown-Prince Jakob much luck and much wisdom in his new position, and much luck to His Majesty King Alfred IV.

King Albrecht IV
Matthias Graf von und zu Seydewitz, Chancellor

 

[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of June 28​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

EDF, Wendmark concluded a military transit accord this week. Led by the Franconian State Secretary (vice-minister) of Defence a team of EDF negotiators successfully drafted a treaty, which will permit all immediate EDF members to send military via Wendmark. Of course the agreement will require parliamentary approval by the respective member states' legislatures, but that's almost a forgone formality. "Wendmark's representatives were fully aware of their country's strategic value for the EDF. They were tough to discuss with, but eventually they saw the merits of our arguments. Both sides will certainly benefit." State Secretary Steffi Tuht commented on the talks.

Eiffelland's parliament passed legislation, which is to grant same-sex couples the same rights and duties as they are enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Following constitutional procedure it will be referred to King Albrecht IV. Renown for his far more liberal attitude than his father, same-sex-marriages advocates in Eiffelland expect a swift royal assent. When asked about the issue of same-sex-marriage, Prince Regent Jakob answered by referring to a 2006 writ by the constitutional court. "Our country's most senior court has ruled the civil unions practise constitutional, as the family protection clause clearly enjoys precedence over the equal treatment of lifestyles. As long as there is no constitutional amendment, this question is merely theoretic."
A constitutional amendment would require a 2/3 majority of both chambers of the Landtag and a royal assent.

Vangalan aid package approved by the House of Representatives: On Friday the lower house of parliament gave green light for the recently signed treaty of friendship and cooperation between Franken and Vangala. Altogether Franken will grant and/or invest 120m Taler in Vangala over the next four years. Each year there will be 30m Taler available to the Vangalans, a mixed bag of loans and investments sponsored by HM Government.

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[Polesia]

Ministry of External Affairs

The generosity shown by Franconia gives us reason to be enthusiastic about the future of our two countries' relationship and we will welcome the day when the Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation is signed.

 

[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of July 12​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

Fulanistan's still pending application to the European Defence Federation caused some ruckus among southern and northern states alike. In the north Tsykreich claimed to be alarmed about the EDF's growing influence in the south, while Hajir more diplomatically advised to carefully consider Fulanistan's bid, as it could hurt the equilibrium in Haijr's region. According to Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont, the intergovermental consultations were successfully concluded last night and the Council will cast its vote tonight. "We believe the draft resolution which will be voted upon today offers very generous terms to the Fulanistanis on part of the EDF."

This morning Prince Regent Jakob arrived for a surprise visit of the Franconian troops serving with the EDF Peacekeeping Mission in Batavie. The heir apparent and co-ruler of Franken was enthusiastically greeted by the service members at the field headquarters of the Königliche Streitkräfte detachment. In Batavie Franken's main objective is to secure logistics, supplies, collect and provide intelligence to the troops.

The outspoken opposition against the nations that make up the EDF block in the opinion of Tsykreich's leadership apparently hurts business opportunities on both sides. Franconian businessmen engaged in ventures in Tyskreich recently complained to the Minister for Economic Affairs about a very unhappy attitude of Tsyker authorities toward them. This was confirmed by the minister's chief spokesman, assuring His Majesty's Government will look into the matter. However, senior members of the foreign service, experts on foreign trade believe it would take a change of government in Tyskreich to improve affairs. "Their current government could hardly change course without loss of face, which in turn would really seal their fate at the next elections.", the Foreign Office's General-Director for Economic Affairs told FR Europa.

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[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of July 26​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

Northwest European nation of Freiheit declares war upon Greater Sarmatia following a large missile barrage on its own capital. The Freiheitian authorities accused the Sarmatian to be behind the attack and acted accordingly by declaring a state of war between the two states. Thus far the Auswärtiges Amt hasn't been able to get in touch with the Franconian embassy, which is feared to have suffered damage from the missile attack. "We have to fear the worst, Ladies and Gentlemen. There's no use denying it.", an apparently moved Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont told the press this morning.

In reaction to the escalation in Freiheit, Defence Minister Graf Eulenburg confirmed the relocation of the carrier task force KMS Graf Montgelas into Angelyn waters. "This is a standard procedure according to internal EDF protocols. Neither Franken nor Angelyn nor her other allies desire to aggravate the conflict." The current location of the carrier KMS Graf Montgelas is anchoring at Windhoek Island, where a small naval arms show was performed to entertain and inform the local populace. Originally it was scheduled to resume its regular patrol route between the allies on both sides of the sea, but now it will be placed near the war theatre, indeed.

From the point of view of good neighbourhood some would call the recently leaked protocol affairs document less than helpful. An anonymous source from the Royal Household's all-important protocol department, which usually heads all protocol efforts, disclosed a memorandum recommending the members of the senior civil service and diplomatic service certain styles of address of several heads of state and government. The self-proclaimed emperor of all Greater Sarmatia is called Herrscher von Großsarmatien in the memorandum, because "There's no substantial legal title whatsoever to the imperial style.", as the document explains. Commenting the leak Lord Chamberlain Ritter Walter Vogelweide stated: "In protocol affairs we treat every head of state and government with due respect. In modern diplomacy we cannot allow to treat someone better just because of his fancier style."

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[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
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ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of August 2​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

In the light of the belligerent actions Freiheit committed against the Grand Duchy of Aquitania, Defence Minister Graf Eulenburg confirmed His Majesty's Government's determination to stand by Franken's ally and partner. Therefore, the carrier task force KMS Graf Montgelas is en route to the Implarian Sea from its original region of deployment, the Green Sea. There it will assist with the defence of Aquitanian waters and support counter-assaults against the German Free State. Furthermore, following a decision by the Reichssicherheitsrat, Graf Eulenburg also authorised the dispatching of two Royal Army divisions, one of them a Royal Guards heavy armour division. They will be shipped to Bordeu haste-poste-haste.

Although reportedly backed by the EDF members, the Security Council Resolution 13 is a controversial item among the alliance. Officially the EDF calls the resolution drafted by Montelimar backed by a sufficient majority. Behind closed doors, anonymous sources suggest, some EDF members criticised the poor design of the resolution. A name, which repeatedly pops up in this discussion, a senior member of the diplomatic service tells FR Europa, is the Franconian CoN ambassador Valerian von Goswein, who tried to rush the decision alongside Montelimarian officials. Furthermore, the role of HM Government's EDF coordinator State Minister Josef Gottauf is being scrutinized as well.

Eiffelland, Franken agreed to provide supplies, equipment as well as humanitarian aid personnel, such as doctors or disaster relief engineers, to an aid mission organised to Jurzan by Batavie. It was already kicked off this weekend under the auspices of the Franconian and the Eiffelländer ministers for economic cooperation and development aid, who watched the start of the first supply trucks. Franken's Minister Johanna Meyerle urged the conflicting parties to respect the inviolability of the humanitarian aid transports and praised the great advances the Batavians have made since the beginning of civilian rule.

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[Großlausitz]

FRÄNKISCHER RUNDFUNK EUROPA
_________________________________________
ÜBER ALLE GRENZEN HINAUS :: Week of August 9​

Nachrichten in Kürze
News in brief

The “Resolution 13 affair”, as some papers dubbed the political discussions and implications sparked by Resolution 13 of the Security Council of the Council of Nations, carries on and has some consequences for senior officials. For example, the Foreign Office announced this morning State Minister Gottauf, coordinator of EDF and CoN affairs, and the Franconian EDF ambassador Graf Montgelas have asked for being released from their offices. Both are said to behind the effort to force Franken’s CoN ambassador to quit, since they were opponents of the motive behind Resolutions 13. Foreign Minister Beaumont is yet to name successors to the two vacancies. “While saving and cutting the budget deficits is a prudent policy, it appears certain governments have begun cutting on the wrong end. Diminishing one’s national budget for intelligence analysis and instead taking mere hearsay and spin from very concerned parties to conflict for granted doesn’t seem like a sensible approach. Nor does it show their good will. Whereas one may dispute over the Talemantrine interpretation of the mandate, His Majesty’s Government maintains Resolution 13 recognizes the hardly disputable fact that Jurzan does not have a truly legitimized government. The resolution charges Talemantros and Fulanistan with setting up institutions to do so.”, Foreign Minister Robert Beaumont told the press subsequent to posting the resignation of Gottauf and Graf Montgelas.

Today the Ministry of Defence confirmed the Kingdom of Franken is dedicated to assist her ally Aquitania with stabilizing the Otchi Free State, which is to be created under Aquitanian auspices. Previously the Royal Armed Forces assisted with last large effort to deal with the remnant of Freiheitian forces on Otchi ground. “His Majesty’s Government considers helping the Otchis on their journey towards national autonomy a moral obligation. Indeed, we share Aquitianian government’s view that it’s the Otchis’ God-given right to rule themselves.”, Defence Minister Graf Eulenburg commented. The involvement is projected to take several years.

The Windhoek mine collapse not only had sad consequences for the families of the dead, but also impact in Franken itself. Since it was the Pegnitz Vereinte Bergbau (PVBB), which runs the mine via a Batavian subsidiary, the mining and exploitation company with operations in several countries of Europe has come under scrutiny. Yesterday night police and prosecutors raided the offices of the PVBB HQ in Bamberg and confiscated several boxes of documents and dozens of computers. Oberstaatsanwalt Heinrich Strauß, who heads the investigations, refrained from addressing details of the matter towards journalists. “It’s a standard procedure if we have a well-founded suspicion of a criminal act.” Meanwhile, the CEO of PVBB has come under pressure despite his pledges to offer the victims’ relatives generous compensations. Critics suggest the CEO let his Batavian management too much room and caused all this trouble by offering them huge bonuses if they cut costs.

To mark the contributions of the colonial troops to the Franconian Great War effort, Franken annually invites one former colony or client state to participate in a festive military parade. This year it will be Vangala’s turn for the first time. For many decades the Vangalans refused to accept the invitation. With the warming relations between both states, spectators will be able to watch several Vangalan military units in their old colonial uniforms alongside their Franconian comrades next Sunday. The brigade formerly known as the “Königlich-Vangalischen Gardecheveaulegers”, i.e Royal Franconian Mounted Guard, the elite unit of the Vangalan colonial military, will be the special guest among the other Vangalan troops. Said mounted brigade used to form the nucleus of the viceroy’s bodyguard and was also in charge of protecting the kings of Franken when they visited their colonial possessions.
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[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The dynamics of the relationship between Franconia and Vangala has changed from oppressor and oppressed to equal partners and friends. The joint military parade acknowledging the sacrifice made by Vangalan soldiers during the colonial era demonstrates this newfound mutual trust and respect.

 

[Beautancus]

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Kanclerz Cersarski/Imperial Chancellery
Cesarstwo Wielkosarmatska/Empire of Greater Sarmatia​

On the contrary, this demonstrates naught but the long-repressed desire of a lesser race to return the comparative prosperity enjoyed under the thumb of a race only slightly more evolved. A laughable notion, which perhaps even curry-munching Communard apemen might be able to appreciate.

Jego Siła, Książę-Palatyn Samuel Łaszcz
Kanclerz Cersarski, Cesarstwo Wielkosarmatska

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The crude racist sentiments expressed by Greater Sarmatia are disgusting and intolerable in the modern age. The People's Republic of Vangala demands a formal apology.