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Surprising Facts

(Germany) All of us still have the pictures of the high water in some parts of Germany in June in our heads. newbroom has uncovered a possible connection to another event that took place in the respective areas.
Earlier that year a certain German comedian – Michael Keller – went on an expedition by train. He had done this before, however, never causing so much impact. By now, his expeditions have turned into a tradition, having made use of the most different means of transportation, he has now switched to train and travelled through the Eastern part of Germany all the way down to Bavaria and some southern parts of Baden-

Württemberg just to go up again all the way and much further than the German borderline and visit The Netherlands. This is not particularly striking by itself, however, the fact that exactly the very first places he visited were hit badly by the high water is. Of course, this is a pure coincidence – at least we do hope so.
Better luck next time, travelling along the Danube. This is a river springing in Baden-Württemberg winding through Bavaria, crossing Austria and continuing all the way to the Black Sea. The expedition started in Vienna this time. And time will tell us about the impact that Mr Keller's trip had this time. (MF)

Almost Magical Muggle TV

(Great Britain) Summer always has some interesting stories for people who did not go on a popular summer holiday but stayed happily behind to take careful care of the official affairs of the state. In order to keep you up-to-date, newbroom has not only uncovered an interesting topic, but a quite interesting topic: QI.
Some of you might not be familiar with this Muggle TV programme – still rest assured that this by far is closest to Magical entertainment. A panel of popular players is exposed to extraordinary quiz questions and can collect credits by uttering

quite interesting answers. Boring aka obvious answers on the other hand are leading to a loss of points. The right reply – naturally – also provides you with some positive points. However, the hilarious happenings that are directly discussed are typically not to be described as at the discretion of the different contestants.
The master, i.e. the presenter of QI is steadily supported by some slaves entitled elves for the occasion. Additionally, he appears to know quite a lot himself and is often accused of preferring posh drinks and cursing in Latin. (BC)

newbroom-e-gram

August 1 – Former Italian President Silvio Berlusconi is finally convicted. It only took decades to finally seal the fate of one of the most notorious politicians in Europe.
August 6 – Bavarian Gustl Mollath is finally allowed to leave the psychiatric hospital he was sent to as being potentially dangerous. He only told the truth about is wife’s illegal dealings in finance, but since Bavarian politics were involved, that was a dangerous accusation.
August 9 – The German Train Corporation has too few employees and consequently closed down a station. The main station of Mainz. Major chaos!
August 18 – The World Championships in Athletics ended today. Moscow saw great sports, but also a lot of repression for gay sportsmen and sportswomen. Russia is very intolerant and not queasy in employing dictatorial methods in repressing anything that is not to their liking. Maybe we need to open a newbroom-office in Moscow.

August 21 – Bradley Manning, brave whistle-blower, was convicted today. Incidentally, he told the world that military people committed evil crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The criminal military people got off scot free. If you understand that, please tell us.
August 24 – Germany’s government opens its doors for the public. They do that every year, but somehow the election campaign makes it even more of an event than usual. Still, what’s the point in looking at desks and offices if you are not trying to re-furnish your home office and look for ideas? For ideas in the political sphere cannot come from this most abysmal government ever.
August 29 – Two days to go and we managed to get newbroom together relying on just one slave since the other one went on holiday and immediately fell ill afterwards. You cannot sack slaves, of course, but we truly consider sacking her…typing this the other slave threatened with strike if we did!

The Muggle Camp: I’m not a Muggle - Get me out of here!

(Bury St. Dorothy) It’s another day in paradise or as others may call it the sleepy village of Bury St. Dorothy. Last month our contestants were fed but for one it was the last meal – not literally, of course – in the camp. Again you were kind enough to ask for one person who as a reward will be set free today. Join Harriet and Leslie for further details.
”Leslie, another month is over and another competitor is sent home.” “Quite right. This month it was quite a surprise. I didn’t have her on my list, but naturally, we stick to whatever our jury out there decides.” “And here she comes. It’s Hello and Good bye to Gwenog Jones.”
”Hello Harriet, Hello Leslie.” “Good bye to you , Gwenog. Are you surprised that it’s you who has to leave the show?” “As a matter of fact no. When I was eating that porridge I realized that there is no place like home…” “And you put on your red shoes and turned three times muttering this mantra and here you are?” “No, not quite like that. I guess the viewers realized that it was time for me to get home and back to my Quidditch training.” “You’re raising an interesting point here: You skipped the last part of last Quidditch season to join the show and you were ready to miss the first part of the of the upcoming one.” “Well, I could have always quit the show, but now there is enough time left to start training and get ready for the new season.” “And we wish you the best of luck for it!” “Thank you!”
”Harriet, which challenge are the remaining candidates facing?” “Today will be really difficult. Our campers have to do something that they probably never have done before: they have to manoeuvre a Muggle car through an obstacle course.” “That does sound difficult.”
”Today, we are starting with the ladies: Dolores Umbridge is the first.” “Uoh, did you see that, Harriet, a kiss for good luck from Cornelius.” “Let’s hope it only was for good luck, Leslie.” “She has hopped in and is on her way to the course. No, follow the signs, please.” “Well, she is more or less meandering her way to the course.” “As far as I understood the rules this part doesn’t count.” “Quite right, but here she goes. Closely past the police officer, far away from the pram, back to the street past the ice cream stall, around the cyclist not only once but twice, carefully avoiding the black cat crossing the street, past the school kids in their posh uniforms and straight into the cinema.” “Where her travel ends. She gets out of the car and looks pretty nerve-wrecked. “So do we. May I say that I’m glad, I’m not on the course!” Me, too!”
”The next one is Rita. She enters the next car. Careful, that’s

reverse, much better.” “And much faster, too. She has already driven past the pram and is already heading towards the cat and luckily missed, there’s the cinema, gosh she almost hit Dolores’ car and Dolores, there’s the bus stop with the old ladies and the group of demonstrators and a young lady selling flowers and alas the finish line.”
”After this impressive performance the next candidate is Gilderoy.” “He’s already in the car and on his way to the police man.” “Hit.” “the pram” “Hit.” “the ice cream stall” “Hit.” “the cyclist” “Hit.” “the black cat” “Hit.” “the school kids” “Hit – all nine of them.” “the cinema” “Hit – well, Dolores’ car, at least.” “the group of ravens” “Hit.” “the old ladies at the bus stop” “Hit.” “the taxi stall” “Hit.” “the small kiosk” “Hit.” “the demonstrators” “Hit.” “the litter box” “Hit.” “the letter box” “Hit.” “the flower selling lady” “Hit.” “the finish line” “crossed” I think at this point we should inform our viewers and readers that all these things, people and animals are only made of cardboard.” “And that we do think that Gilderoy misunderstood the rules of this game.” “Let’s hope our next candidate has understood how this is played: Cornelius.”
”He’s in the car, but isn’t there someone sitting next to him gesturing and shouting?” “Yes, it looks like his wife Xantippa, he’s driving anyway.” “Gesturing to his wife to shut up, almost hitting the police officer but carefully circumscribing the pram, offering his wife an ice cream but she’s still screaming, braking for the cyclist and getting out of the car discussing with his wife.” “Did she just say Dolores?” “Yes, you’re right…”
”Our final candidate is Arthur. He’s sitting in his car and slowly, very slowly approaching the police man, passing the pram and the ice cream stall, driving on the sidewalk to get passed the cyclist and Cornelius’ car as well as Cornelius and his wife who are quarrelling loudly, towards the black cat, past the kids looking at the interesting Muggle device that they have, past the cinema and Dolores’ car, slowly driving past the group of ravens, stopping at the bus stop not being sure whether he is allowed to drive there, continuing – slowly in the direction of the taxi stall passing it and the small kiosk, ignoring the demonstrators, past the litter and letter box, towards the flower selling lady and finally crossing the finish line.” ”How long did he take?” “About half an hour.” “Was there a time limit?” “Next time there will!”
Now it’s high time for you to make up your minds and to send in owls. Make sure not to miss the next edition of the Muggle Camp when the remaining candidates will have to put up a Muggle tent. (LPG&HKS)

King Louie

(Great Britain) The Empire has a new successor to the throne. But hark, what about his name? When we heard it for the first time it sounded like this: George Alexander Louie. And man this name got us going!
George, how on earth can you name your royal kid after a king who has gone mad? Just to briefly remind you: George III had to hand over the throne to his son George in 1811 because he had lost control of his mental abilities. He lived nine more years in seclusion. Well, at least his life was turned into a wonderful movie and his two sons showed up in a famous serious of books as the two prankster twins Fred and George.
Alexander, his claim to fame might be debatable as it was a very long time ago he lived (356-323 BC), but you might recall the bards reference to the man recalling him as Alexander the Pig

making fun of the pronunciation of a certain minority in Great Britain, to make fun of the historical recollection of a certain military officer and to make fun of the king. Great play!
Louie just is the jungle VIP known from the cartoon movie and the song. This sounds most positive so far the only downside is that he is a monkey. Well, that’s not quite giving him the credit he deserves as he was not just any monkey but he was the king of monkeys. He was quite ambitious and wanted to climb the ladder further by finding out how to make fire and consequently turning himself into a man.
So what do we have by now? Mad George, Alexander the Pig and King Louie of the monkeys Prince of Cambridge. What’s in a name? Nothing – at least we do hope so for the young rascal! (BC)

Bunga, Bunga

(Italy) There is one topic that has kept the masses going for the last couple of years and has now reached its climax and will soon end. Still most of us remain in complete darkness why things like this can happen. Consequently, we invited an expert to talk to.
MF: Naturally, or topic will be Silvio Berlusconi. What makes him so interesting?
E: As a matter of fact, it is something that he shares with you: he is a media mogul. He owns several publishing and broadcasting companies and therefore is the maker of news. If he is constantly in the news, he must be important if he is important, people are interested in him.
MF: So, he has created his own hype?

E: Yes, quite right. The most interesting thing is that it has caught on to in foreign countries as well. Practically anyone knows who Berlusconi is. He could have done a lot of good!
MF: Unfortunately, he didn't.
E: True, he went for the other side and has been facing many trials over the last couple of years.
MF: Why is someone like him still in politics and not in prison?
E: He is a very clever man and devised some laws that protect his criminal actions.
MF: But this has changed now, hasn't it.
E: Yes, it has. He is no longer the head of state of Italy and therefore could be prosecuted more effectively.
MF: He said it is a campaign against him

and his politics and that the state prosecutors hunted him.
E: It has nothing to do with his politics, but he's right: the state prosecutors are hunting him – for one simple reason it's their job!
MF: What will happen next?
E: Well, he certainly won't go to prison – he's too old for that. He might have to stay in his house for sometime, but surely he will find a way around that, too.
newbroom would like to expressedly thank our expert for talking so openly to us and shedding some lights on this rather shady topic. We do hope that we could help you understand and would like to add that we are ready for any honours you might want to bestow on us as a consequence. (MF)

Sudoku

	7			1			3	8
				5	7			9
		9				7
		6		2				7
7		2				8
		4	7	6
6			5				7
				7	2		6
		7				9		3

For long evenings, Severus!

Disclaimer: All names, characters and places are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner bros., except of those not found in the "Harry Potter" books and movies which belong to Ulrike Friedrich and Kirsten Seelbach. No financial and/or commercial gain is intended.