London, Nov 8 : Britons surely know how to remain happy during troubled times, for a new survey has revealed that nine out of ten people are positive despite rising unemployment and the threat from the worst recession.

The report by the National Social Marketing Centre and University College London says "in general, Britain is a happy nation."

Nearly 70 per cent of those questioned expect more positive than negative experiences.

The survey involving 1,994 people showed that high earners, with a salary above 30,000 pounds a year - were the happiest with an 80 per cent rate of optimism.

Bangkok  - Britain has revoked tourist visas for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, media reports said Saturday.

Sources close to Thaksin in Bangkok could not confirm the development but said it might be linked to his recent decision not to seek political asylum in the United Kingdom.

"He has relinquished the application process for political asylum in the UK," said a close aide to Thaksin who asked to remain anonymous. "A few days ago he decided to terminate the process."

London, Nov 8 : Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is being governed by the brother-in-law of the country’s supreme leader, Kim Jong Il, after he suffered serious ill health three months ago, South Korean experts have concluded.

Kim had undergone brain surgery following a stroke and has been out of public view since then. Recently, the official Korean Central News Agency released pictures of the “Dear Leader” to end speculation over his ailing health

Bangkok  - Britain has revoked tourist visas for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, media reports said Saturday.

Thai newspapers claimed a cancellation notification was sent to various airlines by the British UK Border Agency at a time when the former first couple were travelling outside London where they have been living in self-exile.

"Airlines are advised not to carry these passengers to the UK," said the e-mail message to airlines, signed by Bangkok-based immigration liaison manager Andy Gray.

London - Steel giant Corus, Europe's second-largest steel company owned by India's Tata Steel, Friday announced plans to cut production by 30 per cent over the next six months.

The company, formerly British Steel, cited the global economic downturn for its decision to close two blast furnaces at its plants in Britain, and one in the Netherlands, until next March.

On Thursday, Corus said 400 jobs would be cut in its distribution business, which employs 2,400 people in Britain and Ireland.

London - A British police officer who admitted having sex with one woman while on duty and propositioning another after she had been arrested was Friday jailed for four months.

Gary Bayldon, 48, who was married at the time, would visit one divorced mother at her home for sex while on late shifts, Kingston Crown Court, near London, heard.

He also asked the second woman to go the woods with him and caressed her hands while taking her fingerprints at the police station.