Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 19 Dec 2013

1. JAYDEN POLICE FIND BODY IN GRAVE

Police searching for the missing Oxfordshire teenager Jayden Parkinson, last seen on 3 December, have found a body hidden in a grave in a cemetery in Didcot. A statement said it was “believed” to be hers. Jayden’s former boyfriend, 22-year-old Ben Blakeley has already appeared in court charged with her murder.

Jayden Parkinson: body found in 'recently disturbed grave'

2. STORMS LEAVE TWO DEAD, ONE MISSING

Two people are dead and sailor is missing after severe storms battered the UK and Ireland yesterday. The wild weather is set to continue with warnings that up to 20cm of snow will fall in Scotland and icy roads will create dangerous driving conditions across much of England.

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Two dead and sailor missing as storms batter UK and Ireland

3. TOP GENERAL WARNS OF ‘HOLLOW’ FORCES

The chief of the defence staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, has warned that reforms to the military risk leaving the UK with “hollowed-out” armed forces, exquisitely equipped but lacking the personnel to mount operations. He said the Navy was particularly vulnerable and warned against future cuts after 2015.

Military is becoming a 'hollow force', warns UK defence chief

4. BRITONS TO BE AIR-LIFTED FROM SUDAN

The UK has sent an aircraft to South Sudan to bring home citizens after fighting erupted between rival government and army factions, reportedly killing hundreds. The Foreign Office urged British nationals in the country to make contact if they wanted to leave from Juba airport today. Some embassy staff have already left.

5. HODGE: HMRC LOSES NERVE WITH BIG FIRMS

Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, has criticised the UK tax authorities for seeming to lose their nerve when chasing large multinational companies for unpaid tax, while being firmer with smaller businesses. HMRC said it strongly disputed her claim and alleged misleading use of figures.

6. GIRL KILLED AFTER CAR MOUNTS PAVEMENT

An 11-year-old girl has been killed and her mother critically injured after a car driven by a pensioner mounted the pavement and crashed into them at a bus top in Stanmore yesterday afternoon. The 69-year-old driver was cut from her car and taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses.

7. ACQUITTED ROYAL MARINES NAMED

Two Royal Marines who were acquitted of the murder of an injured insurgent in Afghanistan can be named for the first time as Corporal Christopher Glyn Watson and Marine Jack Alexander Hammond. The High Court confirmed that an anonymity order preventing publication of their identities has been lifted.

8. HEATHER MILLS 'EXPLODES' AT OFFICIAL

Heather Mills' dream of skiing at the Sochi Winter Olympics is in tatters after she threatened a sports official during a "disgraceful outburst", according to reports. Mills, the 45-year-old former wife of Paul McCartney, became enraged when she was told a new prosthetic leg she was competing on had not been ratified by the International Paralympic Committee.

Heather Mills 'explodes' in dispute over prosthetic limb

9. RIGBY MURDER: TWO MEN FOUND GUILTY

Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been found guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich barracks in south-east London in May. The jury of eight women and four men took approximately 90 minutes to reach their verdict.

Lee Rigby killer sues prison service over lost teeth

10. HOT TICKET: WILSON IN O'NEILL'S EL TRAIN

A trio of short dramas by Eugene O'Neill, The El Train, has opened at Hoxton Hall, London. The three one-act plays about sin and redemption in a pre-prohibition era New York tenement block feature performances and direction by Ruth Wilson. "Spellbinding," says The Guardian. Until 30 December.

Trio of Eugene O'Neill's one-act plays The El Train - reviews