New Durmstrang Headmaster
New Kalmar Ratified
Assassination in Albania
Explosion in Paris
Vampires in the North
Tensions continue to rise throughout the Wizarding World as the conflict increases in Scandinavia and the rest of Central Europe between the Friends of Golovin and the Ministerial Forces of much of the Scandinavian nations, assisting what many describe to be ‘Pureblood extremists’ naming themselves the ‘Traditionalists’. With this conflict kicking off after sweeping changes made to Durmstrang Institute’s anti-Muggleborn acceptance policy by previous Headmaster Golovin – who was tragically murdered during the most recent Tri-Wizard Tournament – there seems to be no positive end in sight for the Friends of the once Headmaster, as the rebel soldiers are pushed within the borders of Sweden.
Whilst morale within the Friends of Golovin picked up with reported sightings of the Children of Golovin – close confidantes of the once-Headmaster, including that of the victorious Durmstrang champion Lars Stangeland – the oppressive might of the Norwegian, Finnish and Danish Ministries has been too much for the majority of the war-front to take. Where skirmishes once occurred in the streets of Oslo, now peace reigns, and fighting is reduced to the Swedish border, where the Friends have largely been corralled. War correspondent Kyle Plummer had this to say on the war:
“It’s no question that the Traditionalists seem set to win this war and return Scandinavia to its previous status as a staunchly ‘traditional’, ‘pureblood-led’ Wizarding region. I for one think it’s obviously a huge shame, but there’s something extremely interesting going on here. Despite these great nations seeming to have enough Wixen within their ranks to deal with the uprising, they’re still looking at gathering strength amongst the rest of the population. I mean, I probably shouldn’t be writing this, but there is a huge build up of Wixen from every country in Europe in the northern fjords of Norway, not to mention the Dementor packs of Azkaban have found their way there too. Of course with it being a warzone this is to be expected, but they’re not feeding off of any of the cities or contested border regions it would seem. When you combine this with reports of Muggle towns emptied in the North as well, well…there’s something else going on here, something /very/ interesting, something potentially very concerning.”
Meanwhile, results have been made public within the vote to ratify a ‘New Kalmar’ nation between the countries of Scandinavia – including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Greenland, with the region. Within all of the Scandinavian region there was a shockingly high percentage on the side of unification of states, with 97% of all citizens who voted in Norway supporting the full ratification of New Kalmar as a state within the Wizarding World. Efforts are underway and it is expected that by the end of April the Scandinavian states shall cease to exist, with a new government formed in Oslo combining all the powers that the current nation states hold. All except Sweden, who – despite a vote confirming 91% of the legal, native Swedish population in the wartorn state supporting the unification and wishing to become part of the New Kalmar State – have declined to enter into unification proceedings. It is reported from the internal Swedish Cabinet that the Minister of Magic has stepped in with an executive order to overwrite the vote. Many of the Friends of Golovin who now find themselves within Swedish borders have hailed him a ‘hero of the people’, but it is expected by many that the New Kalmar State, once fully formed and ratified will declare war on Sweden in earnest to oust what Norwegian and Danish news outlets are now calling ‘the Dictator oppressing the Swedish people’.
Just days ago Durmstrang welcomed a new Headmaster into its halls, with Professor Verner Kvist being sworn in by the Board of Governors – reportedly under pressure from the Norwegian Minister – as the successor to the controversial Matvey Golovin, the school having been run by an interim Headteacher in the meantime. Headmaster Kvist’s first action as Headmaster was the banning of all mention of Matvey Golovin, and the removal of all texts, images and references to the man within the castle. His second decree – and one that is being lauded by Traditionalists across Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe – was the immediate expulsion of all Muggleborn students and the overturning of Golovin’s reforms to a more traditional outlook. Already these Muggleborns have largely been forced out of their country of origin – excluding Sweden – and have joined the multiple refugee trains headed for the West and East, looking for the hope of education in Beauxbatons’ halls or Koldovstoretz’ walls where Durmstrang will not provide it.
In the wake of these expulsions, violence has erupted across much of Central Europe, notably within the Czech Republic and Germany, with Traditionalists and Friends of Golovin in these nations clashing with each other in a struggle for domination. The fighting threatens to turn more sinister with each passing day, but there is hope that the Ministries of these nations will bring them under control.
In an alarming turn of events in the Balkans, Minister of Albania Clirimodius Mordushku was found assassinated whilst visiting Oslo to discuss mutual securities between the Traditionalist Bloc – currently including all of Scandinavia bar Sweden, Serbia and Albania. Reports state that fugitive Dagmar Gaard, a member of the Children of Golovin – an inner circle and figurehead of the Friends of Golovin movement – was spotted leaving the scene of the crime, though not before the Minister ratified one final treaty with the Norwegian Minister, sending the Vampire population that Albania and Serbia had invited from Romania to the North. The reasoning for this is unknown but largely transparent, and many believe that through some agreement the Vampires of Romania will soon be seen on battlefields across the Scandinavian State.
In other news closer to home, the Statute of Secrecy came under shocking threat days prior after a whirlwind in Godric’s Hollow threatened to sweep through the town, with Muggles and Wixen alike witnessing the anomaly. Quickly dealt with by the Ministry, this marks a number of recent potential statute breaches, leaving many to wonder if there is going to come a time where the statute is no longer a realistic choice to defend the Wixen World. There are suspicions that this was caused by a Poltergeist, with Muggles believing the Beehive Store was closed for business thanks to the cleverness of DMAC employees. We would ask that any of our readers who have a similar incident report it straight to the DMAC, and to note the presence of the DRCMC in the Town investigating the issue.
A recent swathe of posters have appeared all over Wixen settlements in the UK, printed by the Liotta Printing Bureau – previously Porridge’s Prints until its acquisition by the Liotta Family in 2030 – advertising paid mercenary work for Traditionalist forces in the North. When invited to comment, Carmen Liotta – acting Director of LPB – had this to say: “The Liotta Printing Bureau is all about business, not politics. The Ministries in Scandinavia asked us to print these posters for them and paid good money. As far as the Liotta Printing Bureau is concerned, this act is not a breach of any law, and as such we are comfortable providing this service.’ The exact amount of Galleons the LPB was offered for these prints has not been publicly disclosed, but is estimated to be no small fortune, as it would appear by the posters that the Liotta Family also has some hand in organising the next steps for any would be mercenaries – of which there have already been a substantial number.
Tensions within France have escalated to a fever pitch, compounded by the Refugee Crisis out of the Balkan states and Scandinavia. With Goblin demands still being unheard by the French Ministry, it is believed that a group of Goblins working with – as many news reports on the continent are stating – Muggleborn Wixen demolished a large portion of Wixen Paris with an explosion of vast magnitude. Whilst there is no confirmation of the deceased, it is believed that at least 30-35 Wixen were killed in the blast, leading to calls for the French Ministry to grow more hardline on the Goblin threat, and to begin rejecting those fleeing the conflicts breaking out across the rest of the Continent.
With everything currently going on across Europe, there have been many calls for a political summit to see what can be done about resolving the conflicts and offering humanitarian aid to those expelled from their countries. The Minister of Magic in Britain had this to say: “The current state of affairs in Europe demands immediate attention and concerted action. We cannot sit idly by while our fellow wixen communities suffer through conflict, war, and upheaval. As such, I am calling for a Ministerial Summit to be held here in Britain in May. It is imperative that the leadership of wixen communities across Europe come together to discuss strategies for resolving this discord and providing much-needed humanitarian aid to those affected. I urge my European counterparts to join me in showing solidarity and compassion during these challenging times.”
Turn to Page 2 for more, Page 7 for all the Sports including predictions for the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament, and Page 11 for Fashion.