Virgin Hijack Scare: Drunk Passenger Arrested

A drunken passenger sparked a hijack scare after trying to break into the cockpit of a Virgin passenger plane.

The plane is currently at Bali's international airport and a 28-year-old Australian has been arrested, an Indonesian air force spokesman said.

All 139 passengers are unharmed and have been evacuated from the aircraft, he added.

It is understood the Virgin Australia aircraft was scheduled to fly from Brisbane to Bali.

Matt Christopher Lockley is escorted through the airport after the drama

The Australian passenger began pounding on the cockpit door before being handcuffed by the crew, Heru Sudjatmiko, airport manager for Virgin Australia, said. 

Authorities named the passenger as Matt Christopher Lockley

Palani Mohan, a passenger on a flight that was about to take off from Bali, said: "The captain of my plane made an announcement saying we were delayed indefinitely.

"He said it was because a hijack was going on in Bali airport, about 150 metres away from us.

All passengers were evacuated safely from the plane

"I saw at least five vehicles including military-style trucks, filled with men in uniform, rushing towards the plane.

"Then the Virgin plane taxied away, followed by the convoy of security forces. The flight attendant said it's been taken off to a different part of the airport.

"Bali airport seems to be in lockdown, we've been told no planes will be departing or arriving. The pilot's not allowing anyone off our plane."

Indonesian air force spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto told Metro TV television station: "We got information that a 737-800 from Brisbane to Bali has been hijacked".

The plane was flying from Brisbane and landed in Bali

According to an Indonesian transport official the captain raised the alarm after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit. 

However, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman later denied the plane had been hijacked.

She said: "There are incorrect reports that a Virgin Australia aircraft was hijacked en route to Denpasar. This is not correct.

"The aircraft in question has landed safely and at no point was the safety of our passengers ever in question."

Virgin Australia Airlines, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines, is Australia's second-largest airline as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand. 

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One Direction's Niall Horan Kept Up All Night

A weary-sounding Niall Horan has begged fans outside his hotel to keep the noise down ahead of the start of One Direction's new world tour.

The boy band is kicking off the tour in Bogota, Colombia - but it seems all those rehearsals might have taken their toll.

Niall tweeted late on Thursday: "Big day tomorrow! Gona try and get some sleep! Gona be hard!"

The 20-year-old followed that up with: "I honestly think this hotel is made of paper! Haha! It feels like the people outside are in my room haha! Not a chance of sleep tonight."

One Direction's debut album Up All Night was a worldwide hit

Three hours later Niall appeared to be getting desperate, tweeting: "Guys! May I ask you to keep the noise down please ! All of our crew are tired! and we have a big day tomorrow! Don't want to sound angry !"

Luckily, the Irish singer's message - sent to his 18 million followers - appeared to quickly silence the hysterical crowds outside his hotel.

His final message read: "Thank you ! Much appreciated ! Big day for all tomorrow! Love you lots! Goodnight! Xxx"

The five-piece are set to play nearly 70 shows in just over five months on the Where Are We Tour. It arrives in Ireland and the UK at the end of May.

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Missing Malaysia Flight MH370 Search To Widen

The seabed search for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet that vanished on March 8 is due to widen as a sonar scan of the most likely crash site nears its end.

A robotic submarine has scanned 95% of a 120-square-mile (310-square-kilometres) area since last week but has found nothing that might give a clue about what happened to the plane, organisers of the search in Australia said.

Up to eight military aircraft and 10 ships took part in the search for missing flight MH370 on Frida which had 239 people onboard when it disappeared.

The planned search area Pic: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

The US Navy's Bluefin 21 sub is creating a three-dimensional sonar map of the ocean floor near where signals consistent with aircraft black boxes were heard earlier this month.

The search area is a circle with a six-mile radius, 2.8 miles deep off the west Australian coast in the Indian Ocean, and is scheduled to be completed within days.

"If no contacts of interest are made, Bluefin 21 will continue to examine the areas adjacent to the 10-kilometre radius," the Perth-based co-ordination centre said in a statement.

"We are currently consulting very closely with our international partners on the best way to continue the search into the future," it added, referring to Malaysia, the US and China.

A robotic submarine has been scanning the seabed Pic: AMSA

A senior defence official, who did not want to be named, told Reuters the search could last "years".

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has said his government will release a preliminary report on the plane's disappearance next week.

The report has already been sent to the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation, but has yet to be made available to the public, according to CNN.

No wreckage has been found from the jet so far Pic: AMSA

The Malaysian government, which has primary responsibility for the investigation, has been accused of mismanaging the search, concealing information about the tragedy and of being too slow to update families of the missing on developments.

Meanwhile in Beijing, about 50 relatives of Chinese passengers who were on the flight have continued a sit-in protest outside the Malaysian embassy after officials failed to show up to update them on the search.

"We keep on waiting because we want the news," said Steve Wang, whose parents were on the flight and who has served as a representative for the relatives.

"What we are concerned about is where is the plane, and where are our loved ones," he added.

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Seven Observers 'Seized By Ukraine Rebels'

Seven members of an observer mission in Ukraine have been seized by separatists and are being held, says the Kiev government.

The representatives from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe - an independent group which advises countries on governance - were taken in the eastern flashpoint town of Slavyansk, the interior ministry said.

The group were held on Thursday and had not been heard from for a day when the ministry made its announcement.

A separatist leader in Slayansnk said on Friday afternoon he believes the observers have a "spy" in their group.

It came as Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed that the OSCE mission should play an active role in efforts to defuse tension in Ukraine.

More follows...

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Pilgrim Crushed To Death By Giant Crucifix

An Italian man has been killed by a crucifix honouring John Paul II during a ceremony ahead of the late pope's canonisation.

Marco Gusmini, 21, was among pilgrims visiting the 30m (98 ft) high statue of Jesus Christ on the cross in the town of Cevo in northern Italy when it toppled over.

Cevo mayor Silvio Citroni said: "The boys ran in every direction when they heard the sound of the wood splintering". 

"Unfortunately, that poor boy went the wrong way."

The 21-year-old was killed instantly

Mr Gusmini, who reportedly had a minor motor disability which might have slowed him down as the cross fell, was killed instantly.

A Cevo resident said: "I heard a loud rumble and I couldn't understand where it came from.

"Then I heard shouting but I thought it was just the children playing, something like that.

"But then my husband called me and said 'Look, the pope's cross fell down.' And then I started shouting, saying 'But there are children there!'"

The accident happened just days before John Paul II is declared a saint in the Vatican on Sunday, along with another former pope, John XXIII.

Pope John Paul II is being canonised on Sunday

The mayor said further celebrations to mark the popes' elevation to sainthood had been cancelled.

"It is an inexplicable tragedy. A young life, so many hopes, destroyed this way," he said.

The Jesus Christ statue fixed to the 30m cross was 6m high and weighed 600kg.

It was designed by the sculptor Enrico Job to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II to the region in 1998.

Job's widow, film director Lina Wertmuller, said: "The news has really shaken me. My thoughts go to the poor boy and his family.

"That cross was a great symbol for Italy, a symbol of protection. But all that seems silly in the face of this terrible tragedy."

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Ukraine: West To 'Extend Sanctions On Russia'

Britain, the US, France, Germany and Italy have indicated that they will extend sanctions on Russia because its actions over Ukraine.

David Cameron, Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi released a joint statement on Friday, calling on Russia to act.

It's unclear whether weapons destroyed the aircraft or whether it crashed

A Downing Street spokesman said: "While they continued to hold open the door to a diplomatic resolution of this crisis … the five leaders agreed that in the light of Russia's refusal to support the process, an extension of the current targeted sanctions would need to be implemented."

The joint statement said: "Russia, conforming to the commitments made at Geneva, should contribute to the de-escalation, abstaining from provocative statements or acts of intimidation."

It came after pro-Russia separatists continued their armed occupation of public buildings in several towns in eastern Ukraine.

A pro-Russian separatist fills sand bags at a checkpoint in Slavyansk

Last week, the US, the EU, Russia and Ukraine reached an accord under which the separatists would disarm and cease their occupation.

The western powers blame Russia for the failure of the separatists, who are pro-Kremlin, to abide by the agreement.

Ukraine has been carrying out an operation aimed at removing the armed separatists, but has been unwilling to use major force.

Barack Obama will consult European leaders about new sanctions

Russia has warned Ukraine not to attack its own citizens and has been massing forces on its borders.

Earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to start "a third world war".

Mr Yatseniuk said that Russia wanted to occupy Ukraine, creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.

Journalist Simon Ostrovsky has spoken of his capture

Russia responded to Mr Yatsenyuk's words by accusing the West of plotting to control Ukraine.

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said: "The West wants - and this is how it all began - to seize control of Ukraine because of their own political ambitions, not in the interests of the Ukrainian people."

On the ground, Ukrainian special forces launched a second phase of their "anti-terrorism" operation, blockading the rebel-held city of Slavyansk.

John Kerry has warned Russia of 'grave' consequences

Reports that pro-Russian snipers had shot at a Ukranian military helicopter in the eastern town of Kramatorsk have been treated cautiously.

According to officials in Kiev, the helicopter exploded at a military base after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Sky's foreign affairs editor, Sam Kiley, in Ukraine, said that the "bellicose" rhetoric between Russia and Ukraine was escalating more quickly than action on the ground.

Meanwhile, US journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who was captured and released by pro-Russian militants, says he believes he was used as a "bargaining chip" with Kiev after his abduction.

A checkpoint apparently set on fire by pro-Russian separatists

Writing for Vice magazine, he said: "After spending hours alone on the floor of a damp cell … I was led into a room where I was accused of working for the CIA, FBI, and Right Sector, the Ukrainian ultra-nationalist group."

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned the crisis is threatening to "spin out of control" and urged all sides to "refrain from violence".

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Parents Weep In Court Over Dead Children

A mother arrested over the deaths of her three disabled children has appeared before magistrates accused of their murders.

Tania Clarence wept in the dock as she was remanded in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

She spoke only to confirm her name, age and address and no formal plea was entered.

The 42-year-old is accused of three counts of murder between April 20 and April 23 this year.

A bail hearing will be held on April 29 before she appears at the Old Bailey on May 9.

Gary Clarence is pictured with his twin sons and their New Malden home

Her husband, Gary Clarence, 43, also broke down in tears as he sat in the public gallery during the brief hearing. A group of people, thought to be family and friends, supported him during the proceedings.

He was in his family's native South Africa with the couple's eight-year-old daughter when he heard about the deaths.

Sky News Reporter Joe Tidy, who was in the courtroom, said: "When Tania Clarence walked in the 42-year-old broke down immediately and began to cry when she looked over to the public gallery.

"She could barely read her name, her date of birth and her address details.

"Gary Clarence arrived ahead of proceedings and sat in the public gallery. He had tears in his eyes and was greeted with lots of support and hugs from people who seemed to know him in the gallery."

Fiona Abbott, chairwoman of the bench, said: "For these three charges you will be sent to the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on May 9.

"There will be a bail application at the Central Criminal Court at 10am on April 29."

Police were called to the house on Tuesday night

Tania Clarence was arrested after her four-year-old daughter, Olivia, and three-year-old twin sons Ben and Max were found dead at the family's home in New Malden, southwest London, on Tuesday night.

Post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital on the three children on Thursday. They are understood to have had spinal muscular atrophy.

The life-limiting genetic condition is also known as floppy baby syndrome and leaves children with little or no control of their movement.

Mrs Clarence is originally from South Africa and moved to Britain with her husband some years ago.

The couple moved into their £1.2m house around six months ago after the property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

A neighbour of the family, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

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Paedophile Teacher 'Groomed Parents Too'

Child Predator: Husband And 'Popular Teacher'

Updated: 11:44am UK, Thursday 24 April 2014

The serial child predator at the centre of an FBI investigation had a wife and two adult children and was a popular teacher among his students, officials have said.

William James Vahey travelled the world for four decades before his suicide in a Minnesota motel last March.

While teaching, he also served as coach on various school sports teams.

The FBI said he was a "popular and highly respected teacher".

"He had access to children because of his position of trust," said FBI special agent Patrick Fransen.

"He created a system that gave him the opportunity and the means to molest children."

The FBI says he may have carried out child molestation on an unprecedented scale, often drugging his victims.

Vahey told investigators he suffered molestation as a child and went on to prey on boys.

The New York native graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, according to a resume cited by the FBI.

He received a master's degree in curriculum development from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont.

At the time of his death, he was 64, approximately 6ft (182cm) tall, and weighed about 190 pounds (86kg).

He was teaching ninth-grade world history and geography at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua.

Vahey maintained two residences, one in London, where he had taught at an elite school, and another on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the FBI said.

In 1969, Vahey was arrested in California on six counts of child molestation.

He pled guilty to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, followed by five years' probation.

The conviction required Vahey to register with California's sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

However, Vahey eluded that requirement.

Officials said he had not renewed his registration as a sex offender since 1970. He went on to pursue his teaching career in Nicaragua, the UK, Venezuela, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Iran, Spain, and Lebanon.

His victims are believed to be multinational as many of those schools were attended by the children of American diplomats or military personnel stationed overseas.

Vahey coached boys on middle school, varsity boys' basketball, softball, flag football, and soccer, among other things.

He also served as activities director, student council adviser, cooking club adviser and forensics adviser. 

He often accompanied students on cultural studies or sports trips, the FBI said.

Vahey killed himself two days after agents in Houston sought a warrant to search a computer thumb drive belonging to him.

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Tito Vilanova: Ex-Barcelona Coach Dies At 45

The former coach of FC Barcelona, Tito Vilanova, has died at the age of 45 after a battle with cancer, the club has announced.

The Spaniard was appointed as manager in April 2012 but was re-diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland 10 months later.

The ex-midfielder, who was first told he had the disease in November 2011, was forced to step down from the club in July last year.

In a statement, FC Barcelona said it was in "immense mourning", adding: "May he rest in peace."

News of Vilanova's death has stunned the footballing community.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said: "Tito Vilanova's passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends."

Manchester City and Argentina star Sergio Aguero said his "heart is heavy", while Atletico Madrid and Spain player David Villa tweeted: "We will never forget."

Manchester United's David de Gea added: "A very sad day. Tito Vilanova has left us but his fighting remains as an example."

Vilanova was assistant manager at the Nou Camp from 2008-2012 under Pep Guardiola and succeeded the Spaniard following his departure from the club.

He previously managed Barcelona's second team and lower league side FC Palafrugell.

As a player, Vilanova made more than 300 professional appearances, including more than 60 for Valencian side Elche.

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Girl Stabbed To Death 'Over Prom Date Refusal'

A high school student has been stabbed to death after reportedly refusing to go to a junior prom with her alleged attacker.

Emergency services were called to the Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Connecticut, shortly after 7am.

The premises was put on lockdown as pupils were told to stay in their classrooms.

The 16-year-old victim, Maren Sanchez, was reportedly stabbed in the throat.

She was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died.

Sources told the Connecticut Post the girl was attacked in a dispute over a prom date.

Police have not confirmed the report but are investigating the claim.

A teenage boy is in custody.

Officers said the attack was an isolated incident and that other students were safe.

Pupils have described an emotional scene with people crying as police and paramedics attended the incident.

The junior prom had been scheduled for Friday evening and was postponed because of the stabbing.

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Blair Blames Inquiry For Iraq Report Delay

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Tony Blair has told Sky News that "the people who run the inquiry" are to blame for a delay in the publication of the Chilcot report.

The Iraq Inquiry, to give it its official name, was launched almost four-and-a-half years ago.

The inquiry, headed by Sir John Chilcot, was originally supposed to report its findings two years ago, but it has been repeatedly delayed and there is still no set publication date.

The inquiry's remit, as defined on its website, is to examine "the UK's involvement in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish, as accurately as possible, what happened and to identify the lessons that can be learned".

It has been delayed because of disagreements over what can and can't be published.

Tony Blair, who has faced heavy criticism over Iraq, gave evidence

The committee wants the option to include transcripts of conversations between Mr Blair and then US president George W Bush, and also minutes from Cabinet meetings at the time.

This is being resisted by the Cabinet Office and some believe that is partly on the instruction of Mr Blair.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, former Labour MP and attorney general in Blair's government, Lord Morris, describes the delay in publication as a "national scandal", and called for it to be published "immediately".

But Mr Blair has repeatedly defended his involvement, and played down his influence.

He said: "I've made it absolutely clear, when the report is published is entirely up to them, it's not my decision at all."

When pressed by Sky News Presenter Sarah Hewson over who was responsible for the hold-up, he replied: "It is the responsibility of the people who run the inquiry."

The American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 continues to divide opinion

It will take many months at best before the report can be published.

First, a deal has to be reached between the Cabinet Office and inquiry committee.

Once that happens, the Maxwellisation process will begin.

This is the confidential exercice of allowing anyone facing criticism in the report to make representations to the inquiry, if they disagree with parts of the document.

That is expected to take some time.

It will then be presented to the Prime Minister before final publication.

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Samuel L Jackson Says Man Up Over Male Cancer

Samuel L Jackson is urging men to "get themselves checked out" as part of a new fundraising campaign to raise awareness of male cancer.

The Captain America star has tweeted a video to his millions of followers with advice, including seeing a doctor if symptoms occur.

"By not getting checked you could lose those balls. Hell - you could lose your life! So boys, don't be dumb. If you've really got balls, show them to your doctor," he says.

Jackson has been supporting the One For The Boys campaign which has teamed up with the crowdfunding website MyGoodness.com to run an online raffle to raise money.

He says: "Fact: 30% cent more men die of cancer than women. Whaaat? Get outta here! That's right: 30%. Why? Because they don't get themselves checked out early enough.

Jackson stars in Captain America with Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson

"They don't want to hear or talk about it, because it ain't the manly thing to do. They're too macho."

Entrants will have the chance to hang-out with the Hollywood actor in London for a day as one of many "money can't buy" experiences.

"Hanging out with Samuel L Jackson for a day certainly constitutes a 'money-can't-buy' experience in my book," says MyGoodness.com co-founder Nathalie Verrando.

Co-founder Severine Balick added: "It's fantastic that someone of Samuel's status is prepared to give his valuable time for such a great cause in this way.

"The lucky winner will no doubt dine out on this experience for years to come!"

On Saturday Jackson tweeted a picture of himself with West Ham footballer Dylan Tombides who died of testicular cancer aged just 20.

The pair met at a cancer awareness event in London in November.

"Gone too soon Dylan Tombides. It was a pleasure to have met you. My thoughts are with your family," he wrote.

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Divers Smashing Ferry Walls To Recover Bodies

S Korea Ferry: Final Contact From Doomed Vessel

Updated: 11:11am UK, Sunday 20 April 2014

A transcript of communications between the stricken Sewol ferry and the coastguard has lifted the lid on the final minutes before the order was given to abandon ship.

The conversations show panic setting in on board the vessel, with officers asking for help to "please come quickly" as it began to tilt to the left, three hours from its destination of Jeju Island.

The transcript also appears to back up claims that the evacuation order may have come too late for some passengers as officers said the ship was tilting so much it was "impossible to move" to check on them.

The communication, which begins with the first distress call made by the ferry on Wednesday morning, has been translated by The Associated Press.

It reads:

8.55am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, do you have reception of The Sewol?

Jeju Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS): Yes, Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju.

Sewol: Please notify the coastguard. Our ship is in danger. It's listing right now.

8.56am

Jeju VTS: Where's your ship? Yes, got it. We will notify the coastguard.

Sewol: This ship has listed a lot. Can't move. Please come quickly. We're next to Byeongpung Island.

Jeju VTS: Yes, we got it.

8.58am

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju. Do you have reception? Sewol, harbour affairs Jeju.

8.59am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, this is Sewol.

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju. Channel 21, please.

9.00am

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju.

Sewol: Jeju, Sewol here.

Jeju VTS: What's the current situation?

Sewol: Currently the body of the ship has listed to the left. The containers have listed as well.

Jeju VTS: OK. Any damage of the human life?

Sewol: It's impossible to check right now. The body of the ship has tilted, and it's impossible to move.

Jeju VTS: Yes, OK. Please wear life jackets and prepare as the people might have to abandon ship. 

Sewol: It's hard for people to move.

Jeju VTS: Yes, got it.

9.05am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, do you have reception of Sewol?

Jeju VTS: Yes, this is harbour affairs Jeju, Sewol.

Sewol: What's going on with the coastguard?

Jeju VTS: Yes, we have notified the coastguard. Currently we are calling Jindo VTS and Wando VTS. Please hold for a moment.

After this, Jeju VTS notified other ships and Wando VTS.

9.24am

Sewol: If this ferry evacuates passengers, will they be rescued right away?

Jeju VTS Even if it's impossible to broadcast, please go out and let the passengers wear life jackets and put on more clothing. The rescue of human lives of Sewol ferry... the captain should make your own decision and evacuate them. We don't know the situation very well. The captain should make the final decision and decide whether you're going to evacuate passengers or not.

Sewol: I'm not talking about that. I asked, if they evacuate now, can they be rescued right away?

Jeju VTS then said patrol boats would arrive in 10 minutes, but did not mention another civilian ship had already arrived near the scene.

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Missing Plane: Material Washes Ashore In Oz

Officials searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane say material has washed ashore off the coast of Western Australia.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is now examining photographs of the objects, which have been secured by police in the region, to establish whether they are linked to flight MH370.

Authorities said the images had also been passed to investigators in Malaysia.

Relatives are urging governments not to give up the search

The development came after Australia pledged to keep searching for the plane despite no sign of wreckage after almost seven weeks.

Bad weather is continuing to hamper the search with aircraft grounded for the second day due to heavy rain, low clouds and rough seas.

An undersea drone is nearing the end of its first full mission and Australian PM Tony Abbott says the search strategy may change if seabed scans taken by the US Navy drone fails to find a trace of MH370, which vanished on March 8 with 239 people on board.

The deep search covers an area where sonar equipment picked up a signal

"We may well re-think the search but we will not rest until we have done everything we can to solve this mystery," he said.

"The only way we can get to the bottom of this is to keep searching the probable impact zone until we find something or until we have searched it as thoroughly as human ingenuity allows at this time."

The Bluefin-21 drone is a key component in the search after the detection of audio signals, or "pings", believed to be from the plane's black box flight .

Relatives are asking Mr Hussein to investigate old media reports

The search co-ordination centre said the robotic submarine had so far covered more than 80% of the 120 square mile (310 square kilometres) seabed search zone off the Australian west coast, creating a three-dimensional sonar map of the ocean floor, but failing to find anything of interest.

The 2.8 mile (4.5-kilometre) deep search area is a circle 12 miles (20 km) wide around an area where sonar equipment picked up a signal on April 8 consistent with a plane's black boxes. The batteries powering those signals are now dead.

Both Australia and Malaysia are under growing pressure to show what lengths they are prepared to go to in order to give closure to the grieving families of those on board.

In a sign of the families' growing desperation for answers, a group purporting to be relatives of the missing flight's passengers wrote a letter to Malaysian defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein, urging the government to investigate old media reports that the plane landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"It is high time that the government should start thinking out of the box by exploring and re-examining all leads, new and old," said the letter, published on Facebook on Wednesday.

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Moyes Breaks Cover On Manchester United Exit

David Moyes has spoken out on his sacking by Manchester United, saying he is "proud" to have managed the club but frustrated about the team's results.

While he expressed gratitude to Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's fans and coaching staff, a reference to United's players was conspicuous by its absence.

"To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud," said a written statement.

"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter finals of this year's Champions League."

But the League Managers Association, which issued the statement on his behalf, said it was "very disappointed" and "sad" about the way Moyes was axed.

Ryan Giggs, 40, is manager until the end of the season

The Scot was sacked on Tuesday after a series of defeats left the team with no hope of qualifying for the Champions League next season, and languishing in seventh place in the Premier League.

"Performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," says Moyes.

The 50-year-old admits the job was "immense" and a "significant challenge" but that he "never had a second thought about taking (it) on".

Moyes' side lost 2-0 at his former club Everton at the weekend

His failure to say thank you to the players comes after a series of rumours during the season of disquiet among some of the club's top talent over his tactics and training methods.

The League Managers Association made no bones about its views on the sacking.

Chief Executive Richard Bevan said: "The LMA is very disappointed with the nature of David's departure from Manchester United and to read extensive reports in the press, confirming David's sacking, before David himself had been spoken to officially by the club.  

"(Moyes) has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism ... It is therefore sad to see the end of David's tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner."

Moyes was hand-picked by outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson after 11 years at Everton, where he guided the team to five top-six finishes.

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the favourites to take over at Old Trafford

But the burden of expectation seems to have weighed heavy and the team have lost 11 league games this season - including six losses at home and lacklustre defeats to bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Moyes signed a six-year contract but is now set for a pay-off of around £4m - a year's salary - after less than a year in charge.

United legend Ryan Giggs has taken the reins until for the last few games of the season but Louis van Gaal, manager of the Dutch national side, is the bookies' favourite to land the full-time job.

Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti is also tipped as one of the leading contenders.

Manchester United's American owners, the Glazer family, are thought to be ready to bankroll a summer spending spree of £150m or more as the club pushes for a swift return to the top of the game.

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Astronauts Laugh And Joke After Swift Repair Job

Two astronauts had time for a laugh and a joke after they completed essential repairs at the International Space Station (ISS) quicker than expected.

American astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson spent around an hour on the spacewalk to remove and replace a computer, known as a multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM).

The 10-year-old MDM, one of 45 on board the ISS, broke down after a routine restart operation last month.

"Excellent work, gentlemen," Mission Control radioed.

The astronauts will spend 2.5 hours away from the ISS

With their mission accomplished in plenty of time, the pair exchanged jokes and laughs as they got ready to go inside.

"My arms are too short for a selfie," Mr Mastracchio said while pointing his camera at himself.

Engineers do not know why the critical backup failed.

Along with the primary computer, it controls the movement of the robot-arm rail cart, as well as the pointing of the solar wings and radiators.

Nasa feared that if the primary computer went down the entire space station would be in jeopardy.

The spacewalk, which was streamed live by the US space agency, is the 179th from the orbiting laboratory.

Just before the walk, a Russian cargo capsule Progress 53 undocked from the ISS for a two-day test of a new system which enables it to reattach itself automatically.

The unmanned spacecraft will travel around 311 miles (500km) away from the ISS.

"It will return back to the Zvezda docking port Friday morning after Russian flight controllers have tested its new Kurs automated rendezvous system," Nasa said.

A similar operation was carried out in 2012 when another Progress cargo freighter pulled away from the station and redocked.

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Mother Held As Three 'Disabled' Children Dead

A mother has been arrested on suspicion of murdering three young children at a house in southwest London.

Tania Clarence, 42, cared full-time for the three children, who are understood to have suffered from a life-limiting genetic condition.

Officers discovered the bodies when they were called to a large, semi-detached home in Thetford Road, New Malden, at around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Sky sources say the three children - a four-year-old girl and two three-year-old boys - were disabled and had "life-limiting genetic conditions".

Gary Clarence and his sons, and their Victorian house in Thetford Road

Ms Clarence was initially taken to hospital with minor injuries and later discharged. She is in custody at a south London police station.

Chief Superintendent Glenn Tunstall told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

He said specialist detectives are providing support to the family.

Sky's Joe Tidy, at the scene, said the couple moved into the house with their four children around six months ago.

They moved in after the £1.2m property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

Mr Clarence, a director at Investec Bank, and his eldest child were abroad, and are travelling back today.

Flowers and toys have been left outside the house

His company said in a statement: "Gary Clarence is a valued colleague and has worked with us for many years.

"We do not know the facts at this time but our thoughts are with the Clarence family.  We are doing all that we can to help Gary and his eldest child and ask that their privacy is respected."

Officers removed evidence bags from the property this morning. It is unclear whether the children's bodies are still inside the house.

Post-mortem examinations are to take place later.

Neighbour Michele Bacchus, 38, said two "very, very upset" women had asked to use her toilet last night, an hour after four police cars and an ambulance arrived.

Police are investigating the incident in New Malden

The women, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s, said they were relatives of the Clarence family and had come from Cobham, Surrey.

One had a South African accent and the other was too upset to speak, she said.

Another neighbour, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, said she had been in the house "once or twice" and described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

"They'd got every kind of equipment they could possibly get for those children," she told Sky News.

"One I never saw out of a wheelchair; she was in her buggy. The other two were moving about with difficulty."

She said the family had help from a nanny and a maid.

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Camilla's Brother Suffers 'Serious Head Injury'

The Duchess of Cornwall's brother Mark Shand is in hospital in New York after suffering a "serious head injury" during a fall.

A statement from Clarence House said: "The Duchess of Cornwall's brother, Mark Shand, has been taken to a New York hospital after falling and sustaining a serious head injury.

"The Duchess, her family and The Prince of Wales are clearly deeply concerned and are being kept closely informed."

The 62-year-old reportedly slipped outside an after-party for a charity event while lighting a cigarette.

Mr Shand, a travel writer known for his conservation work, was in New York for an auction at Sotheby's in aid of a charity for underprivileged children and the Elephant Family.

The charity, which Mr Shand is the chairman of, aims to save the endangered Asian elephant from extinction in the wild.

The auction was the finale for the month-long Big Egg Hunt NYC by Faberge, in which egg sculptures were sold to the highest bidder.

It raised £950,000 ($1.6m).

More follows...

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Madeleine Police Probe Five New Assault Cases

By Rachel Younger, Sky News Correspondent

British police are looking at five new cases in which young British girls were sexually abused during holiday home break-ins by an intruder in the Algarve.

One of these assaults took place on a 10-year-old girl in Praia da Luz, from where Madeleine McCann vanished two years later.

These new cases are similar to some of the originally identified twelve offences where a male intruder gained access to holiday villas occupied by British families in the Western Algarve.

Scotland Yard recently made an appeal to trace the intruder which lead to 500 people contacting them with new information.

Madeleine disappeared from her bed in Praia da Luz in 2007

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said today: "We have now identified a further five sexual assaults and one near miss. None of those six matters we were aware of prior to our appeal.

"In this new tranche of information we have got one crime which is very clearly in the heart of Praia da Luz in 2005, on a young, white, 10-year-old girl.

"Clearly the fact that we've now got an assault that is in the heart of Praia da Luz, very close to where a previous matter had been reported, means that we are even more interested in this as part of the inquiry."

In four of these incidents the man sexually assaulted five white girls, aged between seven and 10, while they were in their beds.

Although Portuguese police have turned down requests for a joint investigation, British police added they are poised to begin operations in Portugal following an official agreement from Portuguese police later this week.

Police are still keen to trace a man seen near Madeleine's appartment

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said he is "cautiously optimistic" Portuguese and British officers can act soon.

"I am cautiously optimistic that in the not-too-distant future we are going to start to see activity," he said.

Officers have so far identified a series of 18 crimes committed between 2004 and 2010 where a male intruder entered villas occupied by UK families on holiday in the Western Algarve.

Twelve of these are assaults which took place between 2004 and 2010, although the vast majority happened before Madelaine's disappearance. All involved girls aged between 6 and 12 years old.

Police believe the suspect may have been in the villas for some time before being disturbed by parents or a child waking up - and he remained calm even when interrupted.

The noise of a bin collection lorry was heard nearby on two occasions.

The suspect is described as having tanned skin with short, dark, unkempt hair.

Police are still hunting a man seen carrying a girl fitting Madeleine's description on the night of her disappearance.

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RAF Jet Chases Russian Planes Away From UK

Two Russian surveillance planes which flew close to UK airspace have been chased away by an RAF jet fighter.

The aircraft, believed to be Tupolev 95s, were spotted off the coast of northeast Scotland.

They turned away from Britain when an RAF Typhoon was scrambled from Leuchars airbase, near Dundee, where crews are on standby to intercept unidentified aircraft at a moment's notice.

It comes amid heightened international tensions over the situation in Ukraine, following the annexation of Crimea by Russia last month.

An RAF Typhoon escorts a Tupolev 95 over the Atlantic in 2007. Pic: MoD

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said foreign planes often fly close to UK airspace, with eight similar incidents reported in 2013.

"The RAF Typhoon is one of Britain's quick reaction aircraft and would have gone up, made contact with the Russian planes and ensured they did not plan to fly into British airspace," he said.

"These sorts of events happen quite regularly and that maybe surprising for some people.

"It's all about testing defences and seeing exactly what your 'enemy' is capable of."

The two Russian planes - turboprop-powered bombers which also conduct airborne surveillance - flew off towards Scandinavia.

Also known as 'Bears', the aircraft have been used for more than 50 years.

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