City news in 250 words

A 25-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officeer. The man, a suspected rapist, ran over the plain-clothes officer after the man had failed to make a court appearance on the rape charge. The police officer’s injuries are not life threatening – the offender largely missed him, running over his foot.

THE REGION’S best-loved director Danny Boyle has been named best director by the Directors Guild of America for Slumdog Millionaire – his tale of a Mumbai boy from the slums made good. This is seen as a sign that Boyle could pick up an Oscar as well. Only six times in the 60-year history of the awards has the winner failed to take an Oscar for best director.

HARD WORK, appropriately in these troubled times, is a chief characteristics of those born in the Year of OX. This year’s Chinese New Year celebrations attracted large crowds into Chinatown as the city again hosted its dancing and prancing 180ft dragon. There were firecrackers, balloons, candy-floss and gift stalls in Britain’s second largest Chinatown as well as stage performances and a concluding firework display.

CONFIDENTIAL OFFICIAL COMMENT. Manchester Confidential is running odds on who will be the first whinging local authority figure or radio guest to complain about the region’s lack of preparation over the snow. We say less gritters, more snow, subsidies for sledges. By the way more of the white stuff is anticipated for Greater Manchester over the next few days – now calm down on Deansgate Locks.