The River of Lathe

News Break

THE BALKAN STATES NEXT TO JOIN WITH BRITAIN September 19

Anthony Peacemaker, reporter

Daily Prophet International Department

LONDON: Talks between the Minister of Magic and officials from Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria are scheduled to begin today. Vampires and other dark creature legislation are top on the list of topics for discussion, but none are likely to stand in the way of the growing alliance.

With the official cession of hostilities in Germany, the Alliance, headed here in London, now includes all of Western Europe and most of Asia.

"Look for talks with Greece and Turkey to begin next month," predicted an Ministry official. "Together we are building a more ordered world for all wizards."

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WAR TO SPILL INTO BALKAN STATES October 13

Michael Pemberton, reporter

The London Times

KOSOVO: Rebels have been sighted across the so called 'white line' this week.

"The cease fire has been breached," said Prime Minister, Lucius Malfoy, yesterday in a televised press conference. "We have no choice but to retaliate, if only to defend ourselves. Ever since the July 5^th disturbance we have been expecting something like this." Prime Minister Malfoy concluded his remarks with a promise to send ten battalions of troops to the Balkan region.

No information has yet been received in regards to casualties in the breach of the ceasefire.

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ANTI-MARRIAGE BAN DEMONISTRATIONS IN PARIS November 9

Anthony Peacemaker, reporter

Daily Prophet International Department

LONDON: Three hundred couples from France, Spain, and surrounding countries Apparated to the French Ministry of Magic yesterday in protest of the Wizard/Muggle marriage ban recently put in effect throughout Europe.

"A pretty ineffectual protest if you ask me. They just stood around, chanting and keeping honest people from getting their work done," said Marcelus Williamson, a ministry employee. "But I don't see what they big fuss is about. It is not like Muggle/Wizard relationships ever work out. And this will take care of the unfortunate problem of the offspring from those marriages."

The ban, which has been in effect in Britain for over four years not with no incident, took effect throughout Western Europe just weeks after Germany's surrender earlier this summer. A similar ban is also meeting resistance in the ongoing talks with Balkan leaders.

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CHRISTMAS TRUCE SIGNED December 24

Michael Pemberton, reporter

The London Times

KOSOVO: In a move reminiscent of the World War II truce, a cease-fire has been put into effect until midnight tomorrow. The truce was separately signed by Prime Minister, Lucius Malfoy, and the temporary President of the Balkan alliance, President Voosoolo.

Upon delivering news of the truce, the Prime Minister was greeted with a standing ovation.

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TALKS FINALLY COLLAPSE January 15

Anthony Peacemaker, reporter

Daily Prophet International Department

LONDON: Negations between the Ministry of Magic and Balkan leaders finally dissolved yesterday. As the negations left the Ministry in silence, rumors of war spread. A formal declaration of war is likely to be approved later this week. Three bridges here in London have already sustained damages and a large forest fire has broken out in Bulgaria.

Minister Dolohov stated earlier today that, although the disagreements are regrettable, there needs to be a temporary halt to current talks. Other high ranking Ministry officials have indicated that no negotiations will resume until the Muggle war is sorted out.

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COORDINATED ATTACKS; MANCHESTER AND SOFIA March 15

Michael Pemberton, reporter

The London Times

SOFIA: At 6:15 this morning three coordinated bombs went off in a chopping mall in Sofia, Bulgaria. Exactly one hour later, bombs exploded in downtown Manchester. No single group had taken credit for the attacks, but suspicion is currently falling on the DE, a splinter group of Balkan radicals.

At the time of press, the fatality toll was at 700 total between the sites. Both nations' leaders have expressed grief and outrage at this latest attack on civilians. DE leaders are currently under heavy surveillance.

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MUGGLE GENERAL DISAPPEARS April 26

Anthony Peacemaker, reporter

Daily Prophet International Department

LONDON: A leading Muggle general has disappeared from his office in Varna, Bulgaria yesterday. Ministry officials suspect the involvement of renegade wizards, possibility untrained and defiantly dangerous. When the general is recovered, he will be sent to St. Mungos, where he will be checked for curses or memory wipes.

"It is unforgivable," says Jackson Lynch of the department for Muggle relations. "The more ignorant the Muggle population, the better for us all, I always say. But if they want to start attacking our Muggles, I see no reason why we should not retaliate in kind.

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DEATH TOLL REACHES 9,000 June 4

Michael Pemberton, reporter

The London Times

LONDON: At sunset yesterday the death toll for British solders in the Balkan war was recorded at 9,017 dead. This number does not count the number of civilians slain in attacks on British soil.

With this news Prime Minister Malfoy's ailing poll numbers are expected to hit a career low. There is speculation of a no confidence vote before the summer's end if the war continues to stalemate.