This thread will be used for important news stories that appear in the Daily prophet, and are related to plots and subplots.

Prison Break Suspect Still at Large

The manhunt for escaped Dark Wizard 'Molotov' Asimov had Ministry officials on full alert Tuesday when French Aurors briefly detected the lunatic mage on their side of the English Channel. As always, Asimov's motives for his random atttacks are unknown, as he's believed to ahve caused the death of several French citizens yesterday in St. Malo. Ministry Auror Chief McKlellan issue a brief statement that the Ministry's 'top men' are closely pursuing Asimov, but offered no further estimate as to when the man would be caught.

"We cannot comment on any clues that may lead us to Asimov," said Minister of Magic Edward Rostron. "However, Ministry Security forces and the Auror Department is working around the clock, and we are getting unprecedented levels of cooperation from International Auror departments. Asimov is a dangerous wizard, and his attacks have not been historically limited to the UK. This undoubtedly accounts for the serious effort put forth by Chief McKlellan's counterparts on other continents."

Famous Healer Vanishes

Denver, USA via United Wizard Network: Magical Bureau of Investigation officials here still have no clues as to the disappearance of Dr. Elbert Sartorius, the noted Healer, and Lecturer. Dr. Sartorius recently returned to his Englewood Research Laboratory following a world lecture tour, but has not been seen by colleagues for more than two weeks. His disappearance would not have normally attracted much concern, as the noted Healer often travels on unscheduled routes; except that his laboratory in Englewood has also completely disappeared, along with five other assistants.

"The large complex near Englewood, also known as Anu, has vanished, as if into thin air," said James Peabody, spokesperson for the MBI in Copper Springs, Colorado, the nearest wizarding community. "There's no sign of any cataclysm, or trace of Dark Magic, however, we haven't ruled out foul play in this case."

Dr. Sartorius is best known for his magical theories about Quintessence; the alleged magical field that allows witches and wizards to manipulate the world around them. The theory has met with some skepticism by Magical Research experts.

Dr. John Ousterhout, the Chancellor of the San Francisco Academy of Wizardry, agrees in theory with Dr. Sartorius.

"Dr. Sartorius' theory about the change from radiation to matter is essentially correct, but being able to measure and harness the power of the accelerating particle matter is no easy task. If the Quintessence Effect hadn't been constant, our very planet would not have formed, nor the fields that created magical ability."

Sartorius' lectures on the subject have drawn protests from Seers in various cities. In Paris, for instance, several hundred Seers, who accused Sartorius of attempting to tinker with the magical universe, and cause great cataclysms.

Mildred Livan, the noted author and Seer, wasn't involved in the protests, but she spoke with reporters in Paris after the event.

"The future isn't a road that can be changed by mere mortal magic," said Livan, "it's far more subtle. To suggest that the story of the original Quintessence is an actual fact is rubbish."

She pointed out that while he's a respected researcher of Healing magic, no one has been able to measure the magical world's powers.

"The legend of the original Quintessence is the story about how the magical universe was formed," said Livan. "It's how witches and wizards came to inherit their powers on Earth. It's an unpopular story because it was long touted as fact by followers of Lord Voldemort, who avouched that pureblood wizards were the descended from superior magical humans many millenia ago, and therefore were destined to somehow rule their lesser brethren, and muggle populations. Needless to say, inclusion, not exclusion is what we fought two Wizard wars for."

Relatives of Dr. Sartorius had no theories on his whereabouts, and as yet, the MBI has no leads or persons of interest in custody.