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Body found in millionairess search

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Image Police searching for a missing millionairess have found a woman's body. Officers investigating the disappearance of Joanna Brown, 46, from Ascot, Berkshire, found the body in an area of Windsor Great Park, Thames Valley Police said. Formal identification has yet to take place. Mrs Brown's husband Robert, also 46, appeared at Slough Magistrates' Court earlier charged with her murder and was remanded in custody until Monday when he will appear at Reading Crown Court for a bail hearing. The police spokesman said: "Officers attended the scene of where the body was discovered, following information received yesterday afternoon in connection with the disappearance of 46-year-old Joanna Brown from Ascot. "Although a formal identification has not yet taken place, Joanna's family have been kept fully updated and continue to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers. A post-mortem is expected to take place tomorrow." Earlier the court heard Mrs Brown is thought to have died a violent, unnatural or sudden death. Police have spent the past few days scouring the densely wooded park for her remains. She was reported missing at 8am on Monday after a family member raised the alarm, concerned at not being able to contact her. Officers forced entry into her sprawling country mansion, which was empty at the time, and a subsequent search led them to believe she had been attacked. The couple's marital home, Tun Cottage, was run as an award-winning bed and breakfast by Mrs Brown after they separated. The mock-Tudor property, worth in the region of £3 million, is described on its website as a "beautiful English country home" and was awarded a four-star Gold Award by Visit Britain. The pair, who married 11 years ago, were going through divorce proceedings when Mrs Brown went missing. They have two children, an 11-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.

Abu Hamza wins passport appeal

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Image The British Government has failed with its appeal to strip Abu Hamza of his British passport, a special tribunal has ruled. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission has confirmed that the hate preacher could keep hold of his passport in a 12-page ruling. It agreed that the radical cleric would be "stateless" if he was to lose his British passport, having already been stripped of his Egyptian citizenship. In February 2006, Hamza, 52, was jailed for seven years for inciting murder and race hate. In his ruling, Mr Justice Mitting said: "We are satisfied on balance of probabilities that if a deprivation order were to be made, the appellant (Hamza) would be made stateless." Mr Justice Mitting ruled it was unclear whether Hamza was stripped of his Egyptian nationality before or after the then-home secretary David Blunkett gave notice of his intention to strip the radical cleric of his British citizenship on April 4 2003. But he said the panel heard from experts who "had very good grounds for believing, and did believe, that a decree had been issued, probably unpublished, which effectively stripped the appellant (Hamza) of his (Egyptian) nationality". Hamza is currently in custody in London's Belmarsh Prison as he faces extradition to America to answer terror charges. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are extremely disappointed by today's judgment and will be considering it closely. "British nationality is a privilege and the Home Secretary has the ability to remove it from dual nationals when she believes it to be in the public good. Today's ruling will not affect the ongoing extradition proceedings against him."

Outgoing bank chief waives package

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Image The outgoing chief executive of nationalised bank Northern Rock has bowed to pressure by waiving his salary, pension and benefits for the period of his gardening leave. Gary Hoffman came under fire on Thursday when it emerged he would continue to receive up to £80,000 a month until April, despite leaving with immediate effect. Mr Hoffman, who left to join NBNK Investments, a new banking start-up led by Lloyd's of London chairman Lord Levene, could have received a combined total £500,000 in remuneration, while he effectively contributed nothing to the business. Mr Hoffman had been due to continue taking home his £58,000-a-month salary and £23,000-a-month pension contribution, as well as a £1,000-a-month car and petrol allowance. But unions were quick to react and labelled the move a "punch to the stomach" for the 2,500 employees who have lost their jobs at the bank during the last two years. Just over 24 hours after Mr Hoffman announced his departure, the bank released the following statement: "Northern Rock confirms that Gary Hoffman has voluntarily waived his contractual right to be paid salary, pension and benefits for the period of his garden leave." Mr Hoffman will be replaced by Ron Sandler, who led the failed lender in the months after its multibillion-pound state bailout and will now stand in as executive chairman. Mr Hoffman has been credited with beginning a turnaround at Northern Rock, leading to the removal of the Government deposit guarantee implemented in the immediate aftermath of a run on the bank. He also led the separation of Northern Rock into a so-called "good bank", consisting of the company's continuing operations, and a "bad bank", made up of Northern Rock Asset Management - the home of toxic assets that will be run down over several years. It has been speculated that Mr Hoffman may lead a bid for Northern Rock in his new role - however that is unlikely to happen after the bank confirmed NBNK has agreed not to make any moves on it until November 1 next year.

CPS given cricket fixing evidence

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Image A second file of evidence on claims that Pakistan cricketers accepted cash bribes to fix matches has been passed to prosecutors. Scotland Yard said evidence that there was a conspiracy to defraud bookmakers will be considered by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Detectives interviewed four players under caution and arrested businessman Mazhar Majeed as part of the inquiry. Majeed is accused of accepting £150,000 to fix the actions of several players during a Test at Lord's. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said on Friday that the police inquiry continued. He said: "The Metropolitan Police has today delivered a second file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in connection with the investigation of alleged offences in relation to the fourth Test at Lord's Cricket Ground on 26 August. The file will now be subject to CPS consideration." The reputation of the sport was engulfed in controversy over claims of corruption after allegations surfaced in the News of the World newspaper. Majeed is accused of accepting cash to ask players to deliberately bowl no-balls during their tour of England. Captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Wahab Riaz have all been interviewed under caution. Butt, Asif and Aamer have been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board but deny any wrongdoing. Riaz has not been suspended. The ICC's code of conduct commission rejected appeals by Butt and Aamer against their suspensions last Sunday. The next stage will be a hearing by the anti-corruption tribunal into details of the fixing case. Asif had withdrawn his appeal.

Concrete mixer crashes onto train

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Image A passenger has described the moment a concrete mixer lorry smashed onto the roof of a train after it had fallen from a bridge. Footballer Timi Raji heard desperate cries from a trapped passenger after the lorry landed on the roof of a South West Trains Guildford to London Waterloo service near Oxshott in Surrey this afternoon. Five people, one believed to be the lorry driver, were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries and three with minor injuries. Mr Raji, 18, a semi-professional footballer with Woking Football Club, was in the carriage next to the one that was crushed and rushed to the adjoining door when the train ground to a halt following a loud bang. He said: "The door was blocked but we could see someone was at the bottom of the carriage, trying to get out. The train had been crushed and the guy was trying to escape. He was on his stomach and we could only see his feet sticking out. My friends and I were trying to calm him down and talking to him. He was saying 'help, help'." The man was rescued by emergency services and was believed to be suffering back injuries, he added. Mr Raji was travelling home from Guildford in Surrey to London Waterloo with six teammates when the train was hit. He said: "All of a sudden we heard a bang and the lights were twitching, going on and off. No one knew what had happened. The train kept stopping. I thought it was a terrorist attack. A lot of people were panicking." South West Trains said there were around 40 passengers on the train at the time of the collision. A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said five people had been taken to hospitals in the area. Two were being treated for serious injuries and had been taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London. One of these is believed to be the lorry driver. Two other people have been taken to Epsom General Hospital in Surrey and another passenger has gone to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. A total of 39 passengers were assessed at the scene but did not need further treatment.

Union: Solid support for BBC strike

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Image Disruption to BBC radio and TV news programmes will continue over the weekend because of a "solidly supported" strike by thousands of journalists, including newsreaders and presenters, in a bitter row over pensions, union leaders have predicted. Presenters including Radio Five Live's Nicky Campbell and TV newsreaders Fiona Bruce and Huw Edwards joined in the action, which led to the scrapping of popular programmes and forced editors on to the air. Radio 4's flagship Today programme, the World At One and PM were all hit, and freelance staff and non-union journalists worked on the TV news channel. Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: "We are having a significant impact on news and current affairs programmes, demonstrating the depth of anger at the pensions proposals. "It is a clear indication that BBC journalists will stand up for a fair pension deal. Programmes that are going out are being run by freelance staff or managers, using pre-recorded packages. The strike is incredibly solid and the impact will grow over the course of the next two days." Mr Dear said 95% of journalists in the World Service newsroom in central London were on strike and he described the atmosphere on picket lines as "incredibly determined". The union is planning another 48-hour strike on November 15 and 16, with threats of further disruption over Christmas. Writing on his blog, BBC director general Mark Thompson said: "We believe that much of the output of the BBC will be unaffected by this action. However, it is inevitable that some programmes and content will be disrupted. "It has never been more important to ensure the BBC is spending every penny of licence fee payers' money wisely and delivering the quality programmes and services audiences want. We believe the current pension proposals are realistic and affordable, and will provide fair pension provision for BBC staff for the future. "This has been a difficult period for staff. However, the people who lose out most in any strike action are the very people we are here to serve - our audiences."

Farage re-elected as UKIP leader

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Image Nigel Farage has been re-elected as leader of the UK Independence Party. The MEP took just over 60% in a ballot of party members to succeed Lord Pearson of Rannoch at the helm. It comes about a year after he stood down from the top job to fight - unsuccessfully - for a Commons seat. Mr Farage became odds-on favourite to win back the leadership after Lord Pearson said he was stepping aside with the admission that he was "not much good" at party politics. In his acceptance speech, Mr Farage immediately launched into an attack on Prime Minister David Cameron and said Ukip was the only party that would offer a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. "His international policy for the United Kingdom is simple - it is surrender, surrender, surrender," Mr Farage said. "Patriotic eurosceptic Tories are beginning to realise that under David Cameron and under William Hague, their party has ceased to exist. "Quite simply, they have given up. Remember the cast-iron pledge we had from the Prime Minister? 'I give you this pledge, there will be a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty'. Well of course, he turned his back on that. "The only party prepared to talk about these issues openly, the only party prepared to put these great questions about who governs Britain to a referendum is now Ukip." Mr Farage regained the leadership of Ukip with 6,085 votes - 60.5% of the 10,073 party members who voted. He beat economist Tim Congdon on 2,037 votes (20.2%), MEP David Campbell Bannerman on 1,404 (14%) and former boxer Winston McKenzie on 530 (5.3%). Turnout was 65.1%.

Labour suspends Woolas after ruling

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Image Former immigration minister Phil Woolas has been suspended from the Labour Party after an election court found he made false statements about an opponent in May's general election. Deputy leader Harriet Harman said it was "no part of Labour's politics to try to win elections by telling lies" and the party said it would not support any appeal. The Labour MP was stripped of his seat and barred from the Commons for three years under the ruling - the first of its kind in 99 years - but said he would seek a judicial review. Experts said the verdict was a "serious warning" to all politicians that would change the way future election campaigns were fought. Ms Harman, who is also party chair, said: "The court has found that Phil Woolas said things that he knew were untrue during his election campaign. "It is no part of Labour's politics to try to win elections by telling lies. We believe in good community relations - in fact that is central to our politics - and Phil Woolas has been suspended from the Labour Party. The legal precedent set by this court judgment raises complex issues, including the dividing line between justified political debate and unacceptable remarks. This is an issue for all political parties, and Labour will ask the Electoral Commission to look at this." Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg welcomed the judgment as a victory for "common sense" and "clean politics". Mr Woolas announced after the judgment that he would seek judicial review of the decision, But a Labour spokesman said the party "will not be supporting any review or appeal". The specially-convened election court had heard that Mr Woolas stirred up racial tensions in a desperate bid to retain his seat in Oldham East and Saddleworth. Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins mounted the rare legal challenge over the statements made in a pamphlet and two mock newspapers distributed in the final stages of the election. Mr Woolas won on May 6 by just 103 votes. A fresh election will now be held for the seat.

British troops 'abused 222 Iraqis'

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Image Some 222 Iraqi civilians have been the victims of "systemic abuse", including torture and inhumane and degrading treatment, at the hands of British soldiers and interrogators in Iraq, it has been alleged at the High Court. Public Interest Lawyers, the solicitors acting on behalf of the Iraqis, submitted video evidence to two judges to support their claims. Michael Fordham QC, appearing for the Iraqis, said: "There are credible allegations of serious, inhumane practices across a whole range of dates and facilities concerning British military detention in Iraq." The QC asked: "Is this Britain's Abu Ghraib?" - referring to the prison in Iraq which became notorious for allegations of torture and abuse against US soldiers. Lord Justice Richards, sitting with Mr Justice Silber, indicated that the judges had looked at video evidence of alleged abuse, "especially that picked out in witness statements". Iraqi civilians complain the abuse occurred during the period from March 2003 to December 2008 in British-controlled detention facilities in Iraq in the aftermath of the war to topple Saddam Hussein. The Iraqis' legal team is challenging a refusal by Defence Secretary Liam Fox to order a new, wide-ranging inquiry to probe all the allegations being made and whether there was systemic abuse, as opposed to ill treatment by "a few bad apples". A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "These remain unproven allegations of mistreatment." Before the start of Friday's three-day hearing at London's Law Court, PIL solicitor Phil Shiner said: "It is nonsense to suggest, as the MoD does, it is a case of just a few bad apples. That is absolutely not the case. There are very serious allegations related to very troubling systemic abuse." Alleged inhumane treatment included keeping Iraqis naked if they did not co-operate with interrogators and various kinds of sexual abuse. There were also accusations of depriving individuals of food and water as a means of "softening up" Iraqis for interrogation, as well as prolonged solitary confinement, sleep deprivation and mock executions. The lead claimant in Friday's application for judicial review is Ali Zaki Mousa, from Basra, who alleges he suffered months of beatings and other abuse in the custody of British soldiers in 2006/07. The hearing is expected to last three days.

RBS pay measure rises despite slump

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Image Part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland has said it has increased the proportion of staff pay and bonuses for investment bankers in the third quarter despite a 20% fall in trading revenues. RBS, which is 83% owned by the taxpayer, slumped back into the red in the July-to-September period with losses of £1.4 billion, after accounting charges skewed results and amid lower investment banking returns. But in a move likely to stoke further anger over pay in state-backed players, RBS revealed it increased its compensation ratio - staff costs as a percentage of revenues - to 40% for its Global Banking and Markets (GBM) team. This was higher than the 32% in the previous quarter and the 35% a year earlier. The news comes in a week of increasing pressure on bailed out banks after Lloyds Banking Group revealed a mammoth pay deal for its new chief executive and nationalised Northern Rock said it would pay outgoing head Gary Hoffman nearly £500,000 while on gardening leave. RBS said underlying figures showed earnings of £726 million in the three months to September 30, up from £250 million in the second quarter as it continued to benefit from lower bad debts. Chief executive Stephen Hester said the figures showed "steady progress" with its recovery plan, with statutory results hit by highly volatile accounting charges. It had returned to profit in the first half, but this was also flattered by accounting technicalities. Fellow banking giant HSBC also updated on third quarter trading, saying that profits remained "well ahead of 2009" despite slowing growth and lower revenues. HSBC's update echoed those of its US and UK competitors as it said investment banking activity had eased back against an unusually strong performance in 2009.

Ten tickets for millionaire raffle

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Image The National Lottery has promised to create 10 new millionaires this week with a special draw of the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle. The UK-only raffle normally gives away £1 million to a lucky winner every week but on Friday, November 12, Camelot will guarantee 10 winners of a £10 million jackpot. A National Lottery spokesperson said: "This draw will be a special night for 10 lucky ticket-holders, who could all become a millionaire overnight. "Millionaire Raffle is brilliant because it is so simple: match your number and you win a million. "This special draw is something players will love - 10 prizes all guaranteed to be won in one night, all in the UK - and more money raised for good causes across the country." The game is part of the EuroMillions lottery and every ticket features a unique Millionaire Raffle number at the bottom. To win, players must match the three letters and six numbers with those drawn. The National Lottery has made more than 2,500 millionaires over the past 16 years and EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle guarantees at least 52 more millionaires every year. The draw will take place on BBC One at 11.20pm on Friday, November 12, or players can check online at www.national-lottery.co.uk. https://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/results/lottoresults.ftl(National Lottery)

Prison under control after riots

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Image Prison officers have Moorland Prison under control following three nights of rioting, sources said. There was no further trouble reported on Friday night at the jail in South Yorkshire, at which riots caused extensive damage and left one inmate in hospital. Inmates remain confined to their cells after the Prison Service sent in extra staff to ensure stability. More than 250 prisoners were moved to other jails after the disturbances at both the young offenders institution and an adult unit on the site near Doncaster. A review has begun to determine what started the trouble. A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Thankfully there has been no more trouble at all at the prison. "The troublemakers have been dealt with very effectively and have all been moved elsewhere around the country. "It was completely quiet last night." The riot began when up to 100 adult prisoners started throwing objects and causing damage on the wing. Officers in riot gear, known as Tornado response teams, were called in and all prisoners surrendered, the Prison Service said.

EastEnders star McFadden arrested

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Image EastEnders star Steve McFadden has been arrested and bailed over claims that he harassed a woman believed to be the mother of his baby girl. The 51-year-old actor was picked up by police in Haringey, north London, on Wednesday. After being questioned by officers he was released on bail to return to a police station early next year. It is understood that McFadden - who plays EastEnders hard man Phil Mitchell - was arrested following a complaint by former partner Dr Rachel Sidwell. The pair have a daughter, Amelie Tinkerbell, now 17 months old. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "On Wednesday November 3 officers from Haringey arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with alleged harassment to cause violence against a female. "He has since been bailed until a date in January 11."

Lily Allen battling septicaemia

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Image Pop star Lily Allen is in hospital battling blood poisoning just days after suffering her second miscarriage, her spokesman confirmed. The 25-year-old singer was said to be responding well to treatment for septicaemia and thanked fans for their messages of support. Allen was around six months pregnant when she lost her baby earlier this week. In a statement, her publicist said: "Lily Allen is back in hospital, where she is being treated for septicaemia. "She is responding well to treatment and her condition continues to improve. "Lily thanks everyone for their messages of support and again asks that she and partner Sam Cooper be left alone whilst she recovers." Allen had indicated she was unwell to fans on her Twitter site. She tweeted: "I'm still very sick but the messages are helping me to be stronger. Thank you xx." On October 30, she had tweeted: "Say a little prayer x" before a spokesman revealed the couple had lost their baby. At the time, her spokesman said: "It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Lily Allen and Sam Cooper have lost their baby."

Manual labour plan for 'work-shy'

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Image Work-shy benefit claimants could be forced to do compulsory full-time manual labour under proposals being put forward by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. Long-term dole claimants who are thought to need "experience of the habits and routines of working life" could be put on four-week mandatory placements of 30 hours a week doing jobs such as clearing litter and gardening. Anyone refusing to take part or failing to turn up on time to work could have their £65 Jobseekers Allowance stopped for at least three months. The Work Activity scheme is designed to flush out claimants who have opted for a life on benefits or are doing undeclared jobs on the side, as well as restoring the work ethic in people who have not been employed for years. Reports suggested that it will target people believed to be sabotaging efforts to get them back into work. Details will be unveiled in the Welfare Reform White Paper expected in the coming week, which will set out Mr Duncan Smith's plans for a universal credit to replace the range of benefits currently claimed by the jobless. Under the scheme, job advisers would be given powers to require tens of thousands of claimants to take part in community work for charities or local councils. All postings will be designed to offer the jobseeker the opportunity to gain fundamental work disciplines and skills and be of benefit to their local community. They will be required to continue seeking permanent work while on a placement. Some reports suggested payment for people on the programme could be as little as £30-£40 a week - the equivalent of around £1 an hour. A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "We will shortly be bringing forward further proposals on how to break the cycle of dependency blighting many of our communities and make sure work always pays." Mr Duncan Smith said his plans were designed to reduce welfare dependency and make work pay.

Labour question Cameron's judgement

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Image Labour have raised questions over David Cameron's judgment in holding on to his director of communications after it emerged that he had been questioned by police investigating allegations of phone-hacking at the News of the World. Downing Street confirmed that Andy Coulson attended a meeting with Metropolitan Police officers voluntarily on Thursday and was interviewed as a witness. He was not cautioned or arrested. But Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, said there were question marks over him and that it was time for the Prime Minister to take them seriously. "The continued presence of Andy Coulson as director of communications at Number 10 when question marks hang over him casts doubt over David Cameron's judgment," said Ms Harman. It is time he took this matter seriously." Mr Coulson was editor of the News of the World at the time when one of its reporters was jailed for conspiracy to access phone messages involving Princes William and Harry, but has always insisted he did not know about or authorise the activity. A Metropolitan Police inquiry was revived earlier this year following an investigation by the New York Times which alleged that the practice was more widespread at the Sunday paper than previously admitted. A Downing Street spokesman said: "Andy Coulson voluntarily attended a meeting with Metropolitan Police officers on Thursday morning at a solicitor's office in London. Mr Coulson - who first offered to meet the police two months ago - was interviewed as a witness and was not cautioned or arrested." Scotland Yard said in a statement: "We do not discuss persons interviewed as potential witnesses." Labour MP and former minister Chris Bryant - who believes he was one of those targeted for eavesdropping - said he thought it was "inconceivable" that Mr Coulson did not know what was being done by reporters under his command. Mr Bryant told the BBC: "I think it is inconceivable that Andy Coulson would not have known anything about this, which is why I think it is very bizarre that David Cameron has not only employed him as leader of the Conservative Party but also taken him to Downing Street and made the taxpayer pay for him. I think Andy Coulson will end up going. I think he will have to go in the end."

Body believed to be missing wife

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Image A post-mortem examination has been carried out on the body of a woman believed to be missing millionairess Joanna Brown. Detectives investigating the disappearance of the 46-year-old, from Ascot, Berkshire, found the body in dense woodland in nearby Windsor Great Park. However, formal identification has not yet taken place so details of the cause of death will not be released until Sunday, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said. Mrs Brown's husband, Robert, also 46, has appeared at Slough Magistrates' Court charged with her murder, and was remanded in custody until Monday when he will appear at Reading Crown Court for a bail hearing. A police spokesman said: "Officers attended the scene of where the body was discovered, following information received yesterday afternoon in connection with the disappearance of 46-year-old Joanna Brown, from Ascot. Although a formal identification has not yet taken place, Joanna's family have been kept fully updated and continue to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers." The court heard that Mrs Brown is thought to have died a violent, unnatural or sudden death. Police have spent the past few days scouring the densely wooded park for her remains after she was reported missing last Monday after a family member raised the alarm. Officers forced entry into her sprawling country mansion and a subsequent search led them to believe she had been attacked. The couple's marital home, Tun Cottage, was run as an award-winning bed and breakfast by Mrs Brown after they separated. The mock-Tudor property, worth in the region of £3 million, is described on its website as a "beautiful English country home" and was awarded a four-star Gold Award by Visit Britain. Mr and Mrs Brown, who married 11 years ago and have two children, an 11-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl, were going through divorce proceedings when Mrs Brown went missing.

Queen joins Facebook generation

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Image The Queen has joined the Facebook generation with the launch of a British Monarchy page on the popular social networking site. Millions of users will be able to log in and see royal images, videos and news. Facebook has become a global internet phenomena since it was started by Harvard undergraduate Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. It began life as an internet idea open to his fellow students but its appeal quickly spread to other universities and later world wide. The royal page will also feature the Court Circular - the authoritative record of the previous day's official Royal engagements. The practice of the Court circulating a report of the sovereign's official daily engagements to the newspapers was reportedly begun by George III in 1803. The Queen is perhaps Britain's most famous internet user. She has embraced technology and is said to email her grandchildren. But Philip is thought to be the real fan of computers and the internet, using them regularly. The launch of the Facebook page shows how the British Monarchy is keen to take advantage of new developments. The move follows the introduction of the Monarchy's Flickr account earlier this year, it also joined Twitter in 2009 and established a Royal Channel on YouTube in 2007. Prince William has already been officially featured on social networking sites. Updates about his tour of New Zealand in January were posted on to Facebook and Bebo by the New Zealand government.

Obama in tribute to Mumbai victims

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Image US President Barack Obama began his 10-day trip to Asia on a sombre note, paying tribute to the victims of the devastating terror attacks that tore through Mumbai two years ago. Speaking at the Taj Mahal hotel, a target of the 60-hour siege that killed 166 people across the Indian city, the president vowed: "We'll never forget," and said he intended to send a signal by staying at the hotel during his visit to the city. "The United States and India stand united," he added. The president met privately with relatives of those killed in the November 2008 attack and joined First Lady Michelle Obama to visit an outdoor memorial, a fountain with floating flowers, just off the lobby at the Taj. He also signed a memorial book, writing, "The United States stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism." But illustrating the difficulties of the US-India relationship even as Mr Obama began a trip aimed at strengthening it, Indian commentators quickly seized on the president's failure in his spoken remarks to mention Pakistan. Pakistan was the home of the 10 assailants, the place where they trained and the base they used to launch the attack. Pakistan is also India's arch-rival - but is key to Washington and its allies in the war in Afghanistan. Mr Obama said the US and India were working together more closely than ever to keep their people safe, describing the countries as "two partners that will never waver in our defence of our people". The president then visited a museum in a home where Mohandas Gandhi once lived.

Bomb 'could have killed children'

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Image A bomb thrown into a crowded Belfast street injuring three policemen could have killed passing children, Northern Ireland's Chief Constable said. Matt Baggott said Friday night's suspected dissident republican attack in the west of the city could have claimed many lives. One of the officers is set to undergo emergency surgery on a serious arm injury later while his two colleagues are recovering from less serious shrapnel injuries. They and other officers were investigating a robbery at a bookmakers in Shaw's Road at around 9pm when a young man rode up on a bicycle and threw the device at them. Appealing for information on the culprit, Mr Baggott outlined the deadly potential of the incident. "It was a very serious attempt to maim or kill police officers and it was very serious attempt to maim or kill innocent people walking down that street," he said at police headquarters in Belfast. "Shaw's Road last night was not an isolated place - it was a busy thoroughfare with adults, young people and children. "People going about their lives and someone threw a deadly explosive device into a crowded thoroughfare." While police are investigating whether the robbery was a set up to lure officers into the area, evidence suggests that it was an opportunist attack. Mr Baggott rejected any suggestion that republican districts like west Belfast could again become 'no go' areas for the police if such murder bids continued.
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