Rabastan Lestrange Escapes Muggle Custody Reginald Howard
BASILDON - Rabastan Lestrange was arrested late last night by muggle authorities when he was caught trying to break into a man's home. According to reports, Lestrange was discovered by Edwin Sedar as he attempted to break into a wall safe. Lestrange attempted to curse Sedar, who mistook the wand for a muggle 'firearm' (a type of explosive weapon). Sedar incapacitated Lestrange with a hatstand and called the police. Lestrange revived as the police arrived on the scene and escaped after a brief fight. Sedar and two police officers were killed in the conflict and four more were injured.
Aurors arrived a few minutes later and took the injured officers to St Mungos, where they remain in critical condition. As of yet, officials have not been able to determine what Lestrange wanted from Sedar or where he has gone. A nation-wide manhunt for the man is underway to find him, as this is the closest the MLE has been to catching Lestrange since his break-out from Azkaban.
Prime Minister in Uproar over Lestrange Incident Christian Odwyer
LONDON - Prime Minister Hilliard Nelson became the first muggle Prime Minister in history to deliberately contact a Minister of Magic this morning when he demanded an explanation for the death of two police officers. He further made history by becoming the highest ranking muggle official to visit St Mungos, where he visited the four officers there.
Mr. Nelson has insisted on conducting a review of the Ministry of Magic, something he has put forth before without success. The logistics involved in allowing muggle officials into the Ministry and ensuring their subsequent secrecy have always been cited as the largest preventative factors. In light of recent events, however, Minister Shaklebolt has invited several members of Nelson's government to a special meeting in order to discuss the matter and see if a compromise can be reached.
For now, the muggle officers remain in critical condition and the hunt for Rabastan Lestrange continues, conducted jointly by the DoMLE and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Denbigh Prison Plans Delayed by Dean Ingold
DENBIGH - Barely a week after construction began, the new prison facility in Denbigh is rumored to already be Beverly behind schedule due to a problem involving equipment. Though crews broke ground last Monday, they already face a shortage of basic building supplies such as stone and mortar. Attempts to engage muggle suppliers for concrete instead have begun, with no results so far.
Budget Submitted Days Ahead of Deadline by Nelson Coughlan
LONDON - The 2005 Fiscal Year Budget was approved by the Minister of Magic over the weekend, just days ahead of the deadline set for the committee. The new budget includes several urban renewal and economic stimulus plans, but is surprisingly light on the calls for increased Statute security. Most surprising of all, the DoMLE took its first budget cut in decades.
"The numbers can be quite misleading," says Undersecretary of the Treasury Allan Garnes. "While it's true that the MLE's budget allowance has been reduced, it is also true that they've enjoyed a severely inflated budget since the end of the Second War. This new budget simply returns them to their pre-war level."
Catapults Win First Game of Quidditch Playoffs by Susan Weatherall
CAERPHILLY - The Caerphilly Catapults narrowly won their game with the Appleby Arrows after the Snitch was pushed out of bounds in the 34th minute of play. The game ended at 80-60, making it the closest (and lowest) score in a playoffs game since 1893. A fight almost ensued between the Arrows coach and the ruling official, with John Mirrow asserting that a foul was committed just before the Snitch defaulted, making the end of the game invalid. He was unable to get the ruling changed.
The next game is due to take place on February 7th between the Pride of Portree and the Wimbourne Wasps.