ALTRIA Group Inc, the world’s largest tobacco company, may announce plans this week to spin off its international unit, bowing to investors who favour faster overseas growth and reduced exposure to smokers’ lawsuits.

Philip Morris USA, the largest US cigarette maker, is cutting prices of its four biggest brands, including Marlboro, to keep customers from switching to lower-price cigarettes sold by discount manufacturers.

Conjoined twin Mary - who died during an operation to save her sister Jodie in Manchester - has been buried on the Maltese island of Gozo.