City news in 250 words

AN ESTIMATED 200,000 Rangers fans turned the city into a sea of blue prior to the Rangers match against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium. Trouble emerged as a technical fault on the big screen at Piccadilly Gardens meant that the 10,000 fans watching were left with no picture. Fighting ensued, railings pulled down, cars turned over and arrests made. Police used batons and riot shields to protect themselves from missiles. A Zenit fan was stabbed inside the stadium.

RANGERS UNLIKELY journey to the UEFA Cup Final ended in defeat last night as they were beaten 2-0 by Russian side, Zenit St Petersburg. Both goals were scored in the second half by Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyryanov.

CITY CENTRE traders have claimed that they are the real losers in yesterday's events. The high street stores were desolate as shoppers were deterred by the crowds of Rangers supporters. Shops had to shut early because of fear of trouble and also to give employers the chance to get home as the tram service ground to a halt.

SIR WILLIAM EHRMAN, The British Ambassador to China arrived in the provincial capital of Chengdu as the Chinese government announced that the death toll of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake could rise to more than 50,000. The toll is currently 15,000 with 26,000 buried in rubble and 14,000 missing. Several British citizens are still unaccounted for, including 19 holiday makers visiting a panda reserve when the earthquake struck on Monday.