City news in 250 words

SWINE FLU TESTS are to be carried out on a woman who became unwell on a flight from Mexico to Manchester Airport this morning. Tour operators are planning to start flying more customers back to the UK from Mexico where the deadly virus has already killed more than 100 people.

A TRAM STOP ATTEMPTED RAPIST has been jailed for seven years. Jamie Ward from Timperley was found guilty of the attempted rape of an 18-year-old girl last November at St Peter's Square tram stop. A passer-by witnessed Ward sexually assaulting the victim and flagged down a passing police van. The victim was barely conscious when the police arrived. Ward was then arrested. The whole incident was caught on CCTV.

COULD DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES' STAR, Jesse Metcalfe be heading for Weatherfield? Reports suggest Metcalfe, who is a big fan of Coronation Street is in talks with producers of the show over the possibility of a lead role. ITV executives have reportedly been toying with the idea of breaking into the US market with the long running soap.

ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE in connection with a burglary where a stolen car was driven through the glass front of a city centre department store. Four masked men drove through the window at the front of Selfridges on Exchange Square at around 10.30pm on Monday 6 April. They smashed glass cabinets, and stole several items of jewelery, and watches before driving through the other side of the store, again smashing the glass to get out.

This 'n' that wisdom*: Don't start a vast project with half-vast ideas

*Taken from the free calendar available at This 'n' That, Soap Street, Northern Quarter. Those curry masters are so very very sagacious. How does this wisdom rate? Confidential rating: 8/10