No jail time for rich heir who raped daughter

Child rapist... Robert H. Richards IV lives on a trust fund and doesn't work. Picture: Delaware Police Source: Supplied

THE heir of a wealthy family has been spared jail after admitting to raping his own daughter because the judge in the case decided he might "not fare well" behind bars.

Robert H. Richards IV was charged in 2009 with the fourth-degree rape of his three-year-old daughter.

The abuse dates back a decade and went on for three years. Over the same period Richards, 46, was accused by his ex-wife of raping his toddler son but was never prosecuted due to lack of evidence.

Despite confessing to his daughter's rape Richards, a member of the du Pont family which founded the multinational chemical company, got only an eight-year suspended sentence with no jail time.

Delaware Superior Court Judge Jan Jurden, whose decision it was to spare Richards jail, reasoned that he needed treatment instead of time behind bars, court records show. Jurden also ordered Richards to "participate in a sex offenders" treatment program.

The shocking leniency of the judgment came to light only after Richard's ex-wife filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for the abuse to her children, the Delaware News Journal reported.

In her lawsuit, Tracy Richards claimed that her ex-husband, who is unemployed and lives on a trust fund, penetrated his daughter with his fingers while masturbating, and went on to assault his toddler son.

Judgement... Delaware Superior Court Judge Jan Jurden. Picture: Delaware Courts Source: Supplied

He told his daughter to "to keep what he had done to her a secret" but in 2007 the girl told her grandmother.

According to the lawsuit Richards admitted to the abuse of both of his children. He was initially charged with second-degree rape, which carries a 10-year mandatory sentence. After hiring a top law firm he was offered and accepted a plea deal of one count of fourth-degree rape, which carries no mandatory jail time.

Some of the abuse occurred at a $1.8 million mansion in Greenville, Delaware, where Richards still lives. His wife is now living with her children in rented accommodation.

In her ruling the judge wrote that the rapist might "not fare well" in jail. Legal experts expressed surprise at her decision, insisting that how the defendant would be treated in prison should not influence decision's of sentencing.

Child rapists are routinely attacked in prison. Although most prisons have measures in place to protect them.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Things we do that make us miserable

Are you contributing to your own misery? Source: ThinkStock

OFTEN we read about what we can do to increase our happiness through valuable tips, tricks and techniques. I love reading this stuff and noticing the impact it has on my day and my life. Sometimes equally important is identifying what habits we have that negate all of the positive mindset gearing we do.

Here are 11 things many of us are guilty of that sabotage our peace, joy and calm:

1. Hold a grudge

Forgiveness is the key to freedom. As Marianne Williamson says, "Forgiveness is actually out of self-interest." When we hate, feel anger or resentment towards another, the intended impact, to hurt them, backfires on us. We harbor the anger and resentment within our own minds and bodies. And it's poisonous. Under Williamson's advice, try to see a situation differently. How must my enemy have felt to act the way they did? What fear did they feel? What good qualities does this person have that perhaps I have never thought about? I have four sisters, and one of them has not spoken to me in 12 years — despite lots of effort on my part. It made me confused and angry for a long time. My forgiveness way of thinking opened me up to compassion. When I think of her now I do so with love. It takes practice but this does get easier.

2. Give up on our dreams

To me this is the saddest one. As Marie Forleo says, "The world needs that special gift that only you have." So often we bury our gifts, follow a "safe" path or simply do not have the courage to pursue what it is that we want. This results in a lot of regret later in life and even in the present moment. I heard once that the definition of hell is when the person you are meets the person you could have been. Our inner voice knows when we are not living our truth and this voice does not go away although we do our best to tune it out. By ignoring our dreams we are not sharing our unique gifts with the world.

What dreams have you given up on? Source: Supplied

3. Not make time for what brings us joy

This is aligned with number two. Do you love to write, draw, sing, teach? When we do not make what brings us joy a priority we are often completely unaware of the happiness we could be experiencing. It results is a much less rich, less colourful life.

4. Settle for superficial relationships

Since moving to New York I really noticed this. When making new friends I realised that a lot of time people do not talk about things that really matter, let alone make themselves vulnerable. Whenever I bring up my early divorce or humble upbringing, people tend to open up with me too, as we all secretly want to make a genuine connection with other people. People often tell me, "Its so nice to talk about this stuff." We don't realise that connecting with others has nothing to do with our exotic vacations or successful career stories — it is about making a soul connection which often arises from deeper conversations.

Don't settle for superficial relationships. Source: ThinkStock

5. Compare!

Buddha said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Comparison is selective, exaggerated and unreal. We have no idea what is going on in other people's lives. We may envy their fortune but not know their child is struggling with bullying or that their marriage is falling apart. Instead we should be too busy envying our own good fortune (gratitude, my friends).

6. Value possessions over experiences

Marianne Williamson says in A Return to Love, "Material things are not good or bad, they are just nothing." We prize possessions so highly when life experiences are so much more meaningful. We often do not make travel, trips to see loved ones, going to our favourite live event, and dinner with an old friend a priority over shopping and collecting things.

7. Tell ourselves life is "good enough"

Truly happy people push themselves. They understand that pushing our boundaries and making progress is rewarding and fun. When was the last time you did something completely new or set the bar higher for yourself?

Don't settle for 'good enough'. Source: Supplied

8. Let fear, not creativity, rule

The next time we make a decision, lets tune in to which part of us it is coming from. The best decisions are always made out of creativity and love. Jack Kornfield says, "Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you in better living conditions."

9. Do not give

At the end of it all, it is not about us! The greatest, most real and rewarding sense of happiness comes from helping others. I know a lawyer who teaches guitar on Sundays to children who cannot afford lessons. He says it is one of his greatest source of happiness. To me, this is the most beautiful thing about the world — that giving of ourselves creates the most joy.

10. Self-medicate

Brene Brown says in her famous Ted Talk that, "The USA is the most medicated, in debt, addicted and obese nation in the world." All of these things offer temporary satisfaction but in the longer term make us depressed. We are looking for joy outside of ourselves. Joy and peace come from within.

Whatever you do, don't self-medicate. Source: News Limited

11. Fail to live in the moment!

We are so busy worrying about what will be in the future or living in the past. True joy, peace and contentment come from being alive and present in the current moment. It is all we have and it is all there really is.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Album contains unheard Jacko songs

Worldwide fame ... then South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and Michael Jackson in 1999. Source: AP

MICHAEL Jackson's vault of four decades of unreleased songs has been raided to make XSCAPE, the second album of new songs since his death in 2009.

The record was spearheaded by Epic Records powerbroker and respected music man LA Reid who was granted unlimited access to Jackson's treasure trove of recordings.

He focused on those songs which featured completed vocals by the King Of Pop.

Reid then enlisted previous Jackson collaborators to "contemporise" the tracks for today's airwaves.

Sneak previews of the record are being held this week around the world to build buzz about the project.

Hitmaker Timbaland is the lead producer along with collaborators Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome "Jroc" Harmon and John McClain, who is a coexecutor of the late singer's estate.

The producers were enlisted because they had either worked with Jackson in the years before he died or were on his wishlist of future studio partners.

Bringin back the beats ... the new album was worked on by past collaborators and producers that were on Michael Jackson's wishlist. Source: Supplied

Jerkins was his right hand man on the 2001 Invincible album and XSCAPE's title track was written and recorded during those sessions but shelved.

It leaked online in 2002 with the singer's lawyers threatening legal action against sites allowing it to be downloaded.

The song is a classic Jackson track and lyrically closely related to Breaking News which was the first single from the 2010 record Michael, his first posthumous collection of unreleased material.

The Michael record was given a mixed reception from critics and reached the top 10 here and in the US and UK.

Media focus ... Michael Jackson before a 2004 court appearance in California. Source: AP

The song XSCAPE again takes aim at the media coverage of his travails and scandals but also despairs of a relationship "that's gone away."

Jackson divorced wife Debbie Rowe in 1999.

"I tried to share my life with someone I could love

But games and money is all she ever thought of

How could that be my fault when she gambled and lost?

I'm tired of silly games,

It's time to make a change"

The eight-track XSCAPE album will be released on May 13 with a deluxe version also featuring the original Jackson recordings found in his archives.

It can be pre-ordered on iTunes today with diehard fans likely to propel it to the top of the digital charts this week before they have heard a note.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fifita needs a few real life lessons

News Limited journalists Paul Kent, Robert Craddock, and Jon Ralph discuss Andrew Fifita's expensive mistake that cost him his contract with the Bulldogs.

It might pay to keep your mouth shut from now on, Andrew. Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

IT'S not often in life you go to Paul Gallen for your cool, calm sense of perspective.

But the Sharks and NSW skipper, who's best known nationally for using Queenslander Nate Myles as a punching bag in front of millions of impressionable kids during last year's State of Origin series, has finally talked some sense and acted like a statesman.

Gallen was speaking about Andrew Fifita, his Sharks teammate who announced recently he would be switching to the Bulldogs on a whopping, $3.5 million four year contract.

Well, Fifita was switching. Then on Friday he let slip in an interview that he wished he'd chosen rugby union instead. Then yesterday, the Dogs effectively said fine, forget the whole deal.

Oh, the Bulldogs cited a bunch of legalese. But reading between the lines, they appeared to be saying "You've got no loyalty? Then we don't want you."

The ink on the contract was barely dry, unlike the ink on his neck. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Enter Gallen, who on radio Triple M said it was high time someone had a word to Fifita about thinking before he speaks.

"The comments yesterday weren't that smart, that's just the guy he is… he's got to learn," Gallen said.

"I think he's really going to have to be micromanaged, I really think they have to get him some kind of media training or something. There's going to be big expectations on him for the rest of this year, and I think he needs some help on how to handle it.

Gallen went on to say that Fifita had always been "a kid who loved getting out bed and going to training and playing footy on the weekend".

"It's always been fun for him but this has taken him to a whole new level," Gallen added.

Gallen is right. If Fifita doesn't have any natural humility, he desperately needs a slick professional to drum it into him.

That's kind of sad, but there it is. Two weeks ago this website suggested this guy might be Australia's Lebron James and many took issue. Anyone still want to argue now?

Here's the thing.

Footballers forget that here in the real world, we average Joes and Josephines show humility every day. There's stuff we want to say but we don't say it because we value our jobs, our relationships.

That doesn't mean we're weak, it means we're strong. Biting you're tongue is a lot more painful than letting it wag endlessly.

Being big is good. Being big and smart is better. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Loyalty is more or less dead in modern professional sport, everyone understands that. But it doesn't hurt to keep up appearances, to live and breathe the culture of the club you play at until you ink a deal to play elsewhere.

If you don't care, at least pretend you do. At least make the best of things. That's called humility. That's how things work here in the real world.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unloving parents face jail

Emotional suffering ... under new laws, deliberately ignoring a child, or showing them no love, over prolonged periods, could result in a jail term. Picture: Thinkstock Source: News Limited

PARENTS who deny their children love or affection could be jailed under new child neglect laws in Britain.

Changes to the laws will make "emotional cruelty" a crime for the first time, alongside physical or sexual abuse, the London Telegraph reports.

Parents found guilty under the "Cinderella Law", which will be introduced in the Queen's Speech in early June, could face up to ten years in prison.

Existing laws in England and Wales only allow an adult responsible for a child to be prosecuted if they have deliberately assaulted, abandoned or exposed a child to suffering or injury to their health.

Under the new laws, anything that deliberately harmed a child's "physical intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development" will be considered a crime.

This could include deliberately ignoring a child, or showing them no love, over prolonged periods, damaging the child's emotional development.

Other new offences could include forcing a child to witness domestic violence or forcing degrading punishments upon them.

Part of the reasoning behind the changes is to allow police to intervene earlier in emotional abuse cases. Currently, only civil intervention by social workers is possible when the abuse is emotional.

Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP and part-time judge who has been campaigning on the issue, said "the time for change is long overdue".

"Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced," Mr Buckland wrote for the London Telegraph.

"Our criminal law has never reflected the full range of emotional suffering experienced by children who are abused by their parents or carers. The sad truth is that, until now, the Wicked Stepmother would have got away scot-free."

The campaign to amend The Children and Young Persons Act, with sections dating back to 1868, was started in April 2012 by the charity Action for Children. A spokesman for the charity said the change was a "monumental step" towards protecting the young.

"I've met children who have been scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved," Sir Tony Hawkhead, the charity's chief executive said. "The impact is devastating and can lead to lifelong mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide.

We are one of the last countries in the West to recognise all forms of child abuse as a crime. Years of campaigning have been rewarded. The Government has listened."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Unloving parents face jail

Emotional suffering ... under new laws, deliberately ignoring a child, or showing them no love, over prolonged periods, could result in a jail term. Picture: Thinkstock Source: News Limited

PARENTS who deny their children love or affection could be jailed under new child neglect laws in Britain.

Changes to the laws will make "emotional cruelty" a crime for the first time, alongside physical or sexual abuse, the London Telegraph reports.

Parents found guilty under the "Cinderella Law", which will be introduced in the Queen's Speech in early June, could face up to ten years in prison.

Existing laws in England and Wales only allow an adult responsible for a child to be prosecuted if they have deliberately assaulted, abandoned or exposed a child to suffering or injury to their health.

Under the new laws, anything that deliberately harmed a child's "physical intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development" will be considered a crime.

This could include deliberately ignoring a child, or showing them no love, over prolonged periods, damaging the child's emotional development.

Other new offences could include forcing a child to witness domestic violence or forcing degrading punishments upon them.

Part of the reasoning behind the changes is to allow police to intervene earlier in emotional abuse cases. Currently, only civil intervention by social workers is possible when the abuse is emotional.

Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP and part-time judge who has been campaigning on the issue, said "the time for change is long overdue".

"Not too many years after the Brothers Grimm popularised the story of Cinderella, the offence of child neglect was introduced," Mr Buckland wrote for the London Telegraph.

"Our criminal law has never reflected the full range of emotional suffering experienced by children who are abused by their parents or carers. The sad truth is that, until now, the Wicked Stepmother would have got away scot-free."

The campaign to amend The Children and Young Persons Act, with sections dating back to 1868, was started in April 2012 by the charity Action for Children. A spokesman for the charity said the change was a "monumental step" towards protecting the young.

"I've met children who have been scapegoated in their families, constantly humiliated and made to feel unloved," Sir Tony Hawkhead, the charity's chief executive said. "The impact is devastating and can lead to lifelong mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide.

We are one of the last countries in the West to recognise all forms of child abuse as a crime. Years of campaigning have been rewarded. The Government has listened."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mothers make ‘bloody good spies’

Unrealistic... The female spy said Claire Danes' character in "Homeland" would not make it as a spy in real life. Picture: Kent Smith Source: AP

MUM'S the word, or so it seems.

A top British spy claims women, especially mothers, make great spies because of their ability to understand emotions and to multitask.

In an interview with The Times , the unnamed spy said being a mother meant it was also possible to draw sympathy from a range of different people who found her "less of a threat than a single female".

"They [the terrorists] have mothers, sisters, daughters," said the intelligence agent, who is married with young kids.

"I think they [women] are bloody good spies," she said.

Her comments fly in the face of the glamorised image of spies put forth in movies like James Bond. The woman, who works for the UK's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), better known as MI6, said intelligence work was more about team work than charismatic lone heroes like Bond.

She said her work had involved fighting terrorism and countering the threat of nuclear proliferation.

"I have made the world a safer place through some of the operations I have done and the agents I have run," she said. "It is always interesting. There is massive diversity. You can be covering completely different geographical places during a career. There is a strong moral reward to it."

She also expressed frustration at the way female spies were shown on TV, as having some kind of personality disorder, like Carrie Mathison, the female CIA operative in the Homeland television series.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Airline: There are no survivors

New objects have been located in the Australian search are in the search for flight MH370. Courtesy: Sky News

HMAS Success is in the area and is attempting to recover the objects. Source: AFP

THE missing Malaysia Airlines plane went down in the Indian Ocean presumably killing all those on board, authorities said after viewing new satellite data.

Malaysia Airlines has informed the relatives of those aboard missing flight MH370 that they believe no one on the plane survived.

The following SMS message was sent to relatives: "Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume beyond any reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that none of those on board survived... we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the southern Indian Ocean."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a 1am AEDT news conference that a new analysis of satellite data showed that the missing plane plunged into the southern Indian Ocean.

Mr Najib said the Inmarsat satellite company had employed never-before used technology and found that MH370 flew along the southern corridor.

"Its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean west of Perth," he said 17 days after MH370 disappeared enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board.

"This is a remote location far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness that I regret that I must inform you that according to this new data that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

"The past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be harder still."

Heartbreak ... a relative of a passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries after hearing the news that the plane plunged into Indian Ocean. Source: AFP

The news was greeted with an outpouring of grief by the relatives of passengers, whose agonising wait to find out what happened is now apparently over.

Relatives of Chinese passengers, who were the overwhelming majority of those on the plane, were called to a hotel near the airport in Beijing to hear the announcement. Afterward, they filed out of a conference room in heart-wrenching grief.

One woman collapsed and fell on her knees, crying "My son! My son!"

The overnight developments came after Prime Minster Tony Abbott announced that two "objects" were located by a RAAF P3 Orion in the search for MH370.

Mr Abbott told Parliament the first object was grey or green and circular and the second was orange and rectangular.

Distraught family members of those on board were being booked on charter flights to take them to Perth to be near the expected salvage operation.

Bearer of bad news ... Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after his press conference. Source: AFP

HMAS Success is in the vicinity of the possible debris, about 2500km southwest of Perth, and hopes to be there within hours to recover the objects.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority emergency response division general manager John Young said the P3 Orion had to leave before the HMAS Success arrived last night and it was possible the ship would have to wait until the first light of morning to find the objects.

MH370 WAS CO-PILOT'S FIRST 777 FLIGHT WITHOUT MINDER

"Relocation is proving difficult. That is partially a function of the poor visibility and the fact that the aircraft are a long way apart. It is quite difficult to get the next aircraft or the next ship into the spot to take over the watching where the object is because they are all at the end of their endurance and have to leave," he said.

"You may find that we will be doing this for maybe three or four more days before we are confident that we have either found all of the objects there, or if they are there we simply can't find them. And that's the plan."

Searching for answers ... HMAS Success is nearby and will be there within hours to recover the objects. Source: Supplied

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Transport Hishammuddin Hussein had told a media conference that the new items had not yet been identified or linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

"Two orange objects, approximately one metre in length, and one white-coloured drum were sighted by search aircraft, but remain unidentified and have not been conclusively linked to MH370," he said.

On the way ... the commanding officer of HMAS Success, Captain Allison Norris of the Royal Australian Navy. Source: AFP

"HMAS Success detected two radar targets within the search area but could not locate the targets on further investigation of the area.

"Earlier today a Chinese search plane reportedly sighted objects within the Australian search area. These objects are not in the vicinity of those that were identified by Australian authorities last week.

HMAS SUCCESS CAPTAIN STEERS SHIP THROUGH HOSTILE SEAS

"A few minutes ago the (Malaysian) Prime Minister received a call from the Prime Minister of Australia who informed him that an Australian search aircraft had located two objects in the Australian search area — one circular and one rectangular.

"HMAS Success is in the vicinity and it is possible that the objects could be received within the next few hours or by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Items located ... Malaysian PM Najib Razak takes the call from Tony Abbott. Source: Twitter

Mr Abbott said an RAAF P3 Orion located the two objects about 2.45pm AEDT.

The PM said a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also en route to the search area.

"I caution again ... that we don't know whether any of these objects are from MH370, they could be flotsam,'' he told Parliament.

"Nevertheless we are hopeful that we can recover these objects soon and they will take us a step closer to resolving this tragic mystery.''

On a mission ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott says a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also on the way to the search area. Source: News Corp Australia

Hishammuddin said Malaysian police have interviewed over 100 people, including the families of both the pilot and co-pilot.

"As far as the transcript is concerned, the technical committee is considering releasing it and we will keep you informed about the decision," he said.

"The Inspector General of the Police will attend tomorrow's press conference to answer further questions on the investigation.

"We can also confirm that MH370 was carrying wooden pallets. However, there is as yet no evidence that these are related to the wooden pallets reportedly sighted in the Australian search area."

Hishammuddin said France has now provided two lots of images of potential debris from MH370.

EXPERTS SAY NEW FINDINGS 'COULD BE LIFE RAFTS'

Paul Edwards, former chief of staff of British Army Aviation, told Britain's Sky News the sightings were "quite significant".

"It is certainly encouraging because of the shape, because of the colour orange obviously, it could be from the aircraft.

"The good news is that the aircraft has spotted it and surface ships are in the area which means that quite quickly we're going to get an Australian warship alongside to get eyes on it, and actually identify it and — if it's small — fish it out of the sea. To me that's quite a significant development and very encouraging.

"(As it's only been) a short time, there's more chance of getting there and, crucially, actually identifying it."

Duty ... Leading Seaman Luke Horsburgh stands watch on the bridge of HMAS Success during the search for MH370. Source: AFP

Professor Chris Bellamy, from Britain's Greenwich Maritime Institute, said the orange items could possibly be life rafts.

"I'm afraid that doesn't give much hope that there will be anybody in the life rafts. If the plane broke up then the slides might have inflated automatically," he told Sky News UK.

"We're against the clock here because in the 16 or 17 days since the plane disappeared that stuff could have gone an awfully long way."

The development comes after Chinese aircrew earlier spotted objects in the search area off Perth.

Hunt for clues ... the families of Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and his co-pilot Fariq Hamad have been interviewed, say Malaysian officials. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube

The official Xinhua news agency said earlier on Monday that "white and square" objects were spotted by searchers on board a Chinese Ilyushin-76 plane, which was on its way back to Perth at the time of the sighting.

US Navy P8 Poseidon was unable to relocate the objects after it was tasked to investigate the reported sightings by the Chinese aircraft at 33,000ft.

At the request of the RAAF, one Australian pilot was on board the Chinese plane to join the search.

Chinese icebreaker Xuelong changed its course and was heading towards the area.

Multiple countries are now helping in the search with new satellite images pushing the Australian-led operation towards further areas of potential debris.

Civil and military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand, the US, China and Japan are all taking part in the massive hunt for the Malaysia Airlines plane, which disappeared more than 16 days ago with 239 people on board.

A new sighting ... by a Chinese aircrew today. Source: Supplied

READ MORE: MH370 GIRLFRIEND'S POIGNANT LOVE NOTES

READ MORE: WHY WON'T THEY RELEASE THE FULL CARGO LIST?

After a fruitless day of searching yesterday, satellite images from France provided some fresh impetus. They were reportedly taken on Friday although few details have been released.

"Malaysia received new satellite images from the French authorities showing potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor. Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre," the transport ministry said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.

While the statement from Malaysia called the information "new satellite images'', France's Foreign Ministry said they were "radar echoes". It is thought the radar echoes — electronic signals — had been converted into fuzzy images.

PLANE FLEW AS LOW AS 3650 METRES BEFORE VANISHING

New evidence supports previous eyewitness accounts that the missing Malaysian airliner flew as low as 3650 metres over Malaysia before it vanished.

Military radar tracking showed the plane changed altitude after making a sharp turn over the South China Sea and headed back over the peninsula towards the Straits of Malacca, according to a source close to the investigation, CNN reports.

The Boeing 777 with 239 people on board flew as low as 3650 metres feet at some point before it disappeared from radar, according to the source.

Malaysian authorities have not confirmed the CNN report.

READ MORE: THE EU'S AIRLINE BLACKLIST

Dawn to dusk ... a P-3C Orion aircraft sits on the tarmac in Perth. Pic: Rob Griffith. Source: AP

'PALLET' MYSTERY

So far there has been nothing concrete found, only the grainy satellite images and a visual sighting of what appeared to be a wooden pallet which has yet to be located.

Authorities co-ordinating the search yesterday sent planes and a ship to try to "re-find'' the pallet that appeared to be surrounded by straps of varying lengths and colours.

It was seen Saturday by spotters on a search plane, but no images were captured of it and a military PC Orion military plane dispatched to locate it could not find it.

Objects ... satellite imagery from AMSA. Source: Supplied

"That's the nature of it,'' AMSA aircraft operations co-ordinator Mike Barton said. "You only have to be off by a few hundred metres in a fast-travelling aircraft.''

AMSA said the aircraft that spotted the pallet was unable to take photos of it.

READ MORE: WHEN TRAGEDY TURNS TO GRIM ROUTINE

"We went to some of the expert airlines and the use of wooden pallets is quite common in the industry,'' Mr Barton said. "They're usually packed into another container, which is loaded in the belly of the aircraft ... It's a possible lead, but we will need to be very certain that this is a pallet because pallets are used in the shipping industry as well."

More data ... the Chinese satellite image. Source: Supplied

During a visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters the satellite images were good leads but it was "still too early to be definite".

"But obviously we have now had a number of very credible leads and there is increasing hope — no more than hope, no more than hope — that we might be on the road to discovering what did happen to this ill-fated aircraft," he said.

LARGE FLOATING OBJECTS

On Saturday it was revealed that a Chinese satellite had picked up what appeared to be a floating object, about 22.5 metres by 13 metres. It was seen about 120km from the position where an Australian satellite image showed what also appeared to be debris of about 24 metres in length.

On the lookout ... Japan's P-3C Orion arrives to help in the search. Pic: Jason Reed. Source: AP

One of the objects located by the French satellite on Friday was estimated to be about the same size as the object captured by the Chinese satellite (22 metres by 13 metres), according to a Malaysian official, who declined to be identified because he isn't authorised to speak to the media.

It was not possible to determine precise dimensions from the French data, the official said.

The Australian image was taken on March 16 and the Chinese image was taken on March 18.

Authorities have not yet officially revealed what date the French image was taken or what it showed.

First light ... a Japanese P-3C Orion readies to join the search. Source: AP

The southern Indian Ocean is thought to be a potential area to find the jet because Malaysian authorities have said pings sent by the Boeing 777-200 for several hours after it disappeared indicated that the plane ended up in one of two huge arcs: a northern corridor stretching from Malaysia to Central Asia, or a southern corridor that stretches toward Antarctica.

Malaysian authorities have not ruled out any possible explanation for what happened to the jet, but have said the evidence so far suggests it was deliberately turned back across Malaysia to the Strait of Malacca, with its communications systems disabled.

They are unsure what happened next.

Prayers ... an electronic billboard in Kuala Lumpur shows a message for MH370. Source: Getty Images

'MYSTERY CALL' DENIED

Malaysian police have denied that a mystery phone call was made to Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the pilot of the missing plane.

It was reported earlier that a mystery woman called the captain before takeoff, raising fears about his motives.

The Mail Online reported that the captain's phone records revealed he took a two-minute phone call from a woman using a mobile phone number obtained under a false identity.

But Assistant Commissioner Datin Asmawati Ahmad dismissed the report as "mere speculations".

Family man ... Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah with his family. Pic: YouTube. Source: Supplied

"Please be advised that the Royal Malaysia Police take no responsibility over the dissemination of such information which originates from unnamed and unverified sources. The news in the tabloid are mere speculations," Asst Comm Ahmad said in a statement.

"We would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that the news was picked up from a foreign tabloid which has no exclusive rights to the details of our investigations.

"Secondly the IGP has never issued any public statement that categorically places the MH370 investigation under an act of terrorism."

In the spotlight ... acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Pic: Joshua Paul. Source: AP

RELATIVES STILL FURIOUS

Earlier in Beijing, a Malaysian Government team had spent a marathon six hours briefing relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers who were on the plane. It was the third meeting and comes after criticism by Chinese relatives that they were being kept in the dark about the search.

"The government wishes to reiterate its commitment and continued engagement with the relatives of those on board MH370," the Transport Ministry said.

Some relatives were still dissatisfied, however.

"I'm so furious,'' said one woman after the meeting in Beijing. "I watch the television every day. Very often I feel like I'm about to go insane. My emotions are all over the place. I asked the Malaysians to give the answers and they said they couldn't."

This weekend's Formula One grand prix in Malaysia is also causing problems, with relatives of passengers on the missing flight forced to move hotels.

Prayers ... messages of support in Kuala Lumpur. Source: Getty Images

The Italian Ferrari team has had a long-held booking at the Cyberview Resort and Spa in Kuala Lumpur.

Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone told NBC: "I feel terribly, terribly sorry for these people. But it is up to the hotel. What would happen if you told somebody that they no longer had a booking? You would get sued, I'd imagine."

The relatives will be put up at a new hotel as the search continues. Several foreign officials, investigators and journalists are also being forced to move.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

New objects found in search: PM

New objects have been located in the Australian search are in the search for flight MH370. Courtesy: Sky News

HMAS Success is in the area and is attempting to recover the objects. Source: AFP

THE missing Malaysia Airlines plane went down in the Indian Ocean presumably killing all those on board, authorities said after viewing new satellite data.

Malaysia Airlines has informed the relatives of those aboard missing flight MH370 that they believe no one on the plane survived.

The following SMS message was sent to relatives: "Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume beyond any reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that none of those on board survived... we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the southern Indian Ocean."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a 1am AEDT news conference that a new analysis of satellite data showed that the missing plane plunged into the southern Indian Ocean.

Mr Najib said the Inmarsat satellite company had employed never-before used technology and found that MH370 flew along the southern corridor.

"Its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean west of Perth," he said 17 days after MH370 disappeared enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board.

"This is a remote location far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness that I regret that I must inform you that according to this new data that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

"The past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be harder still."

Heartbreak ... a relative of a passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries after hearing the news that the plane plunged into Indian Ocean. Source: AFP

The news was greeted with an outpouring of grief by the relatives of passengers, whose agonising wait to find out what happened is now apparently over.

Relatives of Chinese passengers, who were the overwhelming majority of those on the plane, were called to a hotel near the airport in Beijing to hear the announcement. Afterward, they filed out of a conference room in heart-wrenching grief.

One woman collapsed and fell on her knees, crying "My son! My son!"

The overnight developments came after Prime Minster Tony Abbott announced that two "objects" were located by a RAAF P3 Orion in the search for MH370.

Mr Abbott told Parliament the first object was grey or green and circular and the second was orange and rectangular.

Distraught family members of those on board were being booked on charter flights to take them to Perth to be near the expected salvage operation.

Bearer of bad news ... Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after his press conference. Source: AFP

HMAS Success is in the vicinity of the possible debris, about 2500km southwest of Perth, and hopes to be there within hours to recover the objects.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority emergency response division general manager John Young said the P3 Orion had to leave before the HMAS Success arrived last night and it was possible the ship would have to wait until the first light of morning to find the objects.

MH370 WAS CO-PILOT'S FIRST 777 FLIGHT WITHOUT MINDER

"Relocation is proving difficult. That is partially a function of the poor visibility and the fact that the aircraft are a long way apart. It is quite difficult to get the next aircraft or the next ship into the spot to take over the watching where the object is because they are all at the end of their endurance and have to leave," he said.

"You may find that we will be doing this for maybe three or four more days before we are confident that we have either found all of the objects there, or if they are there we simply can't find them. And that's the plan."

Searching for answers ... HMAS Success is nearby and will be there within hours to recover the objects. Source: Supplied

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Transport Hishammuddin Hussein had told a media conference that the new items had not yet been identified or linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

"Two orange objects, approximately one metre in length, and one white-coloured drum were sighted by search aircraft, but remain unidentified and have not been conclusively linked to MH370," he said.

On the way ... the commanding officer of HMAS Success, Captain Allison Norris of the Royal Australian Navy. Source: AFP

"HMAS Success detected two radar targets within the search area but could not locate the targets on further investigation of the area.

"Earlier today a Chinese search plane reportedly sighted objects within the Australian search area. These objects are not in the vicinity of those that were identified by Australian authorities last week.

HMAS SUCCESS CAPTAIN STEERS SHIP THROUGH HOSTILE SEAS

"A few minutes ago the (Malaysian) Prime Minister received a call from the Prime Minister of Australia who informed him that an Australian search aircraft had located two objects in the Australian search area — one circular and one rectangular.

"HMAS Success is in the vicinity and it is possible that the objects could be received within the next few hours or by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Items located ... Malaysian PM Najib Razak takes the call from Tony Abbott. Source: Twitter

Mr Abbott said an RAAF P3 Orion located the two objects about 2.45pm AEDT.

The PM said a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also en route to the search area.

"I caution again ... that we don't know whether any of these objects are from MH370, they could be flotsam,'' he told Parliament.

"Nevertheless we are hopeful that we can recover these objects soon and they will take us a step closer to resolving this tragic mystery.''

On a mission ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott says a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also on the way to the search area. Source: News Corp Australia

Hishammuddin said Malaysian police have interviewed over 100 people, including the families of both the pilot and co-pilot.

"As far as the transcript is concerned, the technical committee is considering releasing it and we will keep you informed about the decision," he said.

"The Inspector General of the Police will attend tomorrow's press conference to answer further questions on the investigation.

"We can also confirm that MH370 was carrying wooden pallets. However, there is as yet no evidence that these are related to the wooden pallets reportedly sighted in the Australian search area."

Hishammuddin said France has now provided two lots of images of potential debris from MH370.

EXPERTS SAY NEW FINDINGS 'COULD BE LIFE RAFTS'

Paul Edwards, former chief of staff of British Army Aviation, told Britain's Sky News the sightings were "quite significant".

"It is certainly encouraging because of the shape, because of the colour orange obviously, it could be from the aircraft.

"The good news is that the aircraft has spotted it and surface ships are in the area which means that quite quickly we're going to get an Australian warship alongside to get eyes on it, and actually identify it and — if it's small — fish it out of the sea. To me that's quite a significant development and very encouraging.

"(As it's only been) a short time, there's more chance of getting there and, crucially, actually identifying it."

Duty ... Leading Seaman Luke Horsburgh stands watch on the bridge of HMAS Success during the search for MH370. Source: AFP

Professor Chris Bellamy, from Britain's Greenwich Maritime Institute, said the orange items could possibly be life rafts.

"I'm afraid that doesn't give much hope that there will be anybody in the life rafts. If the plane broke up then the slides might have inflated automatically," he told Sky News UK.

"We're against the clock here because in the 16 or 17 days since the plane disappeared that stuff could have gone an awfully long way."

The development comes after Chinese aircrew earlier spotted objects in the search area off Perth.

Hunt for clues ... the families of Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and his co-pilot Fariq Hamad have been interviewed, say Malaysian officials. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube

The official Xinhua news agency said earlier on Monday that "white and square" objects were spotted by searchers on board a Chinese Ilyushin-76 plane, which was on its way back to Perth at the time of the sighting.

US Navy P8 Poseidon was unable to relocate the objects after it was tasked to investigate the reported sightings by the Chinese aircraft at 33,000ft.

At the request of the RAAF, one Australian pilot was on board the Chinese plane to join the search.

Chinese icebreaker Xuelong changed its course and was heading towards the area.

Multiple countries are now helping in the search with new satellite images pushing the Australian-led operation towards further areas of potential debris.

Civil and military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand, the US, China and Japan are all taking part in the massive hunt for the Malaysia Airlines plane, which disappeared more than 16 days ago with 239 people on board.

A new sighting ... by a Chinese aircrew today. Source: Supplied

READ MORE: MH370 GIRLFRIEND'S POIGNANT LOVE NOTES

READ MORE: WHY WON'T THEY RELEASE THE FULL CARGO LIST?

After a fruitless day of searching yesterday, satellite images from France provided some fresh impetus. They were reportedly taken on Friday although few details have been released.

"Malaysia received new satellite images from the French authorities showing potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor. Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre," the transport ministry said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.

While the statement from Malaysia called the information "new satellite images'', France's Foreign Ministry said they were "radar echoes". It is thought the radar echoes — electronic signals — had been converted into fuzzy images.

PLANE FLEW AS LOW AS 3650 METRES BEFORE VANISHING

New evidence supports previous eyewitness accounts that the missing Malaysian airliner flew as low as 3650 metres over Malaysia before it vanished.

Military radar tracking showed the plane changed altitude after making a sharp turn over the South China Sea and headed back over the peninsula towards the Straits of Malacca, according to a source close to the investigation, CNN reports.

The Boeing 777 with 239 people on board flew as low as 3650 metres feet at some point before it disappeared from radar, according to the source.

Malaysian authorities have not confirmed the CNN report.

READ MORE: THE EU'S AIRLINE BLACKLIST

Dawn to dusk ... a P-3C Orion aircraft sits on the tarmac in Perth. Pic: Rob Griffith. Source: AP

'PALLET' MYSTERY

So far there has been nothing concrete found, only the grainy satellite images and a visual sighting of what appeared to be a wooden pallet which has yet to be located.

Authorities co-ordinating the search yesterday sent planes and a ship to try to "re-find'' the pallet that appeared to be surrounded by straps of varying lengths and colours.

It was seen Saturday by spotters on a search plane, but no images were captured of it and a military PC Orion military plane dispatched to locate it could not find it.

Objects ... satellite imagery from AMSA. Source: Supplied

"That's the nature of it,'' AMSA aircraft operations co-ordinator Mike Barton said. "You only have to be off by a few hundred metres in a fast-travelling aircraft.''

AMSA said the aircraft that spotted the pallet was unable to take photos of it.

READ MORE: WHEN TRAGEDY TURNS TO GRIM ROUTINE

"We went to some of the expert airlines and the use of wooden pallets is quite common in the industry,'' Mr Barton said. "They're usually packed into another container, which is loaded in the belly of the aircraft ... It's a possible lead, but we will need to be very certain that this is a pallet because pallets are used in the shipping industry as well."

More data ... the Chinese satellite image. Source: Supplied

During a visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters the satellite images were good leads but it was "still too early to be definite".

"But obviously we have now had a number of very credible leads and there is increasing hope — no more than hope, no more than hope — that we might be on the road to discovering what did happen to this ill-fated aircraft," he said.

LARGE FLOATING OBJECTS

On Saturday it was revealed that a Chinese satellite had picked up what appeared to be a floating object, about 22.5 metres by 13 metres. It was seen about 120km from the position where an Australian satellite image showed what also appeared to be debris of about 24 metres in length.

On the lookout ... Japan's P-3C Orion arrives to help in the search. Pic: Jason Reed. Source: AP

One of the objects located by the French satellite on Friday was estimated to be about the same size as the object captured by the Chinese satellite (22 metres by 13 metres), according to a Malaysian official, who declined to be identified because he isn't authorised to speak to the media.

It was not possible to determine precise dimensions from the French data, the official said.

The Australian image was taken on March 16 and the Chinese image was taken on March 18.

Authorities have not yet officially revealed what date the French image was taken or what it showed.

First light ... a Japanese P-3C Orion readies to join the search. Source: AP

The southern Indian Ocean is thought to be a potential area to find the jet because Malaysian authorities have said pings sent by the Boeing 777-200 for several hours after it disappeared indicated that the plane ended up in one of two huge arcs: a northern corridor stretching from Malaysia to Central Asia, or a southern corridor that stretches toward Antarctica.

Malaysian authorities have not ruled out any possible explanation for what happened to the jet, but have said the evidence so far suggests it was deliberately turned back across Malaysia to the Strait of Malacca, with its communications systems disabled.

They are unsure what happened next.

Prayers ... an electronic billboard in Kuala Lumpur shows a message for MH370. Source: Getty Images

'MYSTERY CALL' DENIED

Malaysian police have denied that a mystery phone call was made to Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the pilot of the missing plane.

It was reported earlier that a mystery woman called the captain before takeoff, raising fears about his motives.

The Mail Online reported that the captain's phone records revealed he took a two-minute phone call from a woman using a mobile phone number obtained under a false identity.

But Assistant Commissioner Datin Asmawati Ahmad dismissed the report as "mere speculations".

Family man ... Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah with his family. Pic: YouTube. Source: Supplied

"Please be advised that the Royal Malaysia Police take no responsibility over the dissemination of such information which originates from unnamed and unverified sources. The news in the tabloid are mere speculations," Asst Comm Ahmad said in a statement.

"We would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that the news was picked up from a foreign tabloid which has no exclusive rights to the details of our investigations.

"Secondly the IGP has never issued any public statement that categorically places the MH370 investigation under an act of terrorism."

In the spotlight ... acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Pic: Joshua Paul. Source: AP

RELATIVES STILL FURIOUS

Earlier in Beijing, a Malaysian Government team had spent a marathon six hours briefing relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers who were on the plane. It was the third meeting and comes after criticism by Chinese relatives that they were being kept in the dark about the search.

"The government wishes to reiterate its commitment and continued engagement with the relatives of those on board MH370," the Transport Ministry said.

Some relatives were still dissatisfied, however.

"I'm so furious,'' said one woman after the meeting in Beijing. "I watch the television every day. Very often I feel like I'm about to go insane. My emotions are all over the place. I asked the Malaysians to give the answers and they said they couldn't."

This weekend's Formula One grand prix in Malaysia is also causing problems, with relatives of passengers on the missing flight forced to move hotels.

Prayers ... messages of support in Kuala Lumpur. Source: Getty Images

The Italian Ferrari team has had a long-held booking at the Cyberview Resort and Spa in Kuala Lumpur.

Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone told NBC: "I feel terribly, terribly sorry for these people. But it is up to the hotel. What would happen if you told somebody that they no longer had a booking? You would get sued, I'd imagine."

The relatives will be put up at a new hotel as the search continues. Several foreign officials, investigators and journalists are also being forced to move.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hard-up Block teams go broke

Outside the square: Brad and Dale have impressed the judges with their unique designs. Source: Supplied

BRAD and Dale have won the second-last room reveal on The Block: Fans v Faves — master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe — by the narrowest of margins.

The pair grabbed a half-point victory over Steve and Chantelle after judge Neale Whitaker broke last night's deadlock from Darren Palmer and Shaynna Blaze.

The win came as Alisa and Lysandra as well as Steve and Chantelle revealed they had nearly run out of money to finish their Albert Park apartments.

Tight times ... Steve and Chantelle are doing it tough after blowing their budget. Source: News Corp Australia

Figures show that Kyal and Kara have monstered the competition with a whopping $54,800 in prize money from various challenge and room reveal wins.

The other three teams have been left in the dust with Steve and Chantelle nabbing $31,900, Alisa and Lysandra $28,500, and Brad and Dale $27,100.

That means Kyal and Kara have been able to plough over $20,000 more back into furnishings for their apartment — including a $8000 bath — which may pay off come auction day.

Big ideas ... the sheer size of Brad and Dale's master bedroom and ensuite was a winning factor. Source: Channel 7

It also means some teams are struggling to have enough money to finish this week's exterior areas — the rooftop terrace and first floor terrace.

Alisa and Lysandra revealed on Monday night they have a budget of just $1000 left in the kitty.

"We have to be try and be creative on as little a budget as possible," the twins said.

Steve and Chantelle are also cash-strapped after blowing their budget by around $5000.

Brad and Dale added $10,000 to the kitty with tonight's win. They scored 28-and-a-half to Steve and Chantelle's 28, Alisa and Lysandra's 25, and Kyal and Kara's 22-and-a-half.

Under the pump ... Alisa and Lysandra have revealed they only have $1000 left in the kitty. Source: News Corp Australia

Brad and Dale's secret weapon was their bath in their master bedroom which was a hit with the judges.

The sheer size of the master bedroom and ensuite also impressed Palmer, Blaze, and Whitaker.

Secret weapon ... Brad and Dale's master bedroom, complete with bath, got the thumbs-up from judges. Source: Channel 7

"I've got to take this in — this is nuts," Blaze said as she scanned the boys' master bedroom. "I think these guys have thought outside the square and this is what is going to blow people away — the fact that they will be so shocked when they walk in."

It was Brad and Dale's first room reveal since they scored big for their guest bathroom/laundry/terrace in week two.

"It has been good to get another win — it has been a long time coming," Brad said after the scores were revealed.

Steve and Chantelle couldn't hide their disappointment at being pipped by half a point.

"I'm super p***ed off tonight — I'm not going to lie about it," Steve said after the result was announced. "It is seven days of work to lost by half a point — that is shattering."

Steve and Chantelle's master bedroom featured timber walls, sheer curtains, and a charcoal-coloured padded bedhead. The pair's bathroom featured luxurious Aztec-style sinks.

"They've kept that raw industrial edge, which is absolutely on-brief, but they have still managed to give it a spin of a bit of glamour as well," Whitaker said.

Real estate agents estimate that Kyal and Kara's apartment will sell for around $2.2 million — just shy of the $2.25 million for Brad and Dale's.

Alisa and Lysandra's is tipped to sell for $2.05 million with Steve and Chantelle's only slightly less with $1.995 million.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

First 777 flight without minder

At the controls ... Fariq Abdul Hamid (above) has come under intense scrutiny, along with Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah. Source: Facebook

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says new objects were spotted in the southern Indian Ocean by an Australian aircraft in the searching for missing flight MH370. Rough Cut. (No Reporter Narration).

MALAYSIA Airlines has revealed the co-pilot of its missing jet was flying the Boeing 777 for the first time without a so-called "check co-pilot" looking over his shoulder.

Co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid has come under intense scrutiny, along with Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, after Malaysian authorities said flight MH370's disappearance was due to "deliberate" action in the cockpit.

However, nothing has yet emerged publicly to implicate the two men.

NEW OBEJCTS SPOTTED IN SEARCH FOR PLANE

The flag carrier said Mr Fariq, 27, had come through his initial outings in the 777 model with no issues under a standard arrangement in which a First Officer's first five flights in a new model of plane are done under the watchful eye of a "check co-pilot".

"The first five flights, the co-pilot normally flies with what we call the check co-pilot. He actually passed the first five flights. We do not see any problem with him," the airlines' chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya told a daily press conference on the crisis.

Experienced ... Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was trained as a 777 evaluator. Source: Facebook

Flight 370 disappeared off civilian radar about an hour into its journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing carrying 239 people, sparking an unprecedented international search across huge swathes of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

Ahmad Jauhari added that Capt Zaharie, 53, was himself an experienced 777 examiner.

"You must realise that he (Fariq) is flying with an examiner. The captain is a 777 examiner," he added, referring to Capt Zaharie.

Aircraft and ships from several nations are zeroing in on suspected plane debris in the southern Indian Ocean, but have been prevented from recovering anything for confirmation due to the distances involved and rough weather.

Mr Fariq, who joined Malaysia Airlines seven years ago, was accused in an Australian television report of allowing two young South African women into the cockpit of a plane he piloted in 2011, breaching rules imposed after the 9/11 attacks in America.

Police also removed a flight simulator from Capt Zaharie's home and were examining it for any clues.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kim Jong-un mocked over lookalike

Doppelganger... Like Kim, the vendor has a penchant for high-buttoned jackets, and a smoking habit. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un strikes fear into some hearts, but photos of a Chinese street food vendor with a distinct resemblance to the Pyongyang strongman have fuelled online mirth.

Chubby, with a round face and sporting Kim's trademark side-shaved haircut, the vendor was pictured cooking skewered meat on a rusty barbecue.

Though his identity remains unknown, he works in the north-eastern Chinese city of Shenyang, not far from the border with North Korea.

Like Kim, the vendor has a penchant for high-buttoned jackets, and a smoking habit.

But he appears to lead a simpler existence than his powerful doppelganger — who is reported to enjoy a luxury lifestyle — and was seen at the weekend sitting on a small plastic stool, tending to his meaty wares.

The real thing... Kim is known as "Fatty the Third" by Chinese web users. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Thousands of Chinese internet users commented on the images, with many referring to Kim by the nickname "Fatty the Third'', a reference to his weight as well as his inheritance of his position from his father and grandfather.

Beijing has long been Pyongyang's closest ally, but the North's continued nuclear program is said to have chilled ties, and Chinese social media users often skewer the young leader with irreverent criticism.

"This has got to be Fatty the Third's brother — quick, bring him back!'' wrote one user of Sina Weibo, a social media service similar to Twitter.

China provides the bulk of North Korea's trade and aid, and another user wrote: "Fatty the Third finally has a money-making career.''

Another added: "If Kim Jong-un saw these pictures, I'm sure he'd hire him as a body double.''

Star power... The unnamed lookalike poses for a fan's selfie at his barbecue stall in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intruder caught at Taylor’s house

Unwanted attention... Police say the man ignored previous warnings to not trespass at Swift's mansion. Picture: Mark Humphrey/AP Source: AP

A Massachusetts man has been ordered to stay away from Taylor Swift's vacation home on the Rhode Island shore.

The Westerly Sun reports that 38-year-old Daniel Cole of Brewster, Massachusetts, was summoned before a state judge on Friday. Police say he ignored previous warnings to not trespass at Swift's mansion in the Watch Hill section of Westerly.

Cole pleaded not guilty to trespassing and disorderly conduct charges. A Wakefield District Court judge issued a no contact order and released Cole without bail.

Westerly police say Cole blocked the driveway to Swift's home with his pick-up truck on December 9 and was escorted off the property. Police say he returned December 21 and struggled with police while refusing to leave.

A message seeking comment was left for Cole on Monday.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flight MH370 ended in ocean

New objects have been located in the Australian search are in the search for flight MH370. Courtesy: Sky News

HMAS Success is in the area and is attempting to recover the objects. Source: AFP

THE missing Malaysia Airlines plane went down in the Indian Ocean presumably killing all those on board, authorities said after viewing new satellite data.

Malaysia Airlines has informed the relatives of those aboard missing flight MH370 that they believe no one on the plane survived.

The following SMS message was sent to relatives: "Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume beyond any reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that none of those on board survived... we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the southern Indian Ocean."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a 1am AEDT news conference that a new analysis of satellite data showed that the missing plane plunged into the southern Indian Ocean.

Mr Najib said the Inmarsat satellite company had employed never-before used technology and found that MH370 flew along the southern corridor.

"Its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean west of Perth," he said 17 days after MH370 disappeared enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board.

"This is a remote location far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness that I regret that I must inform you that according to this new data that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

"The past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be harder still."

Heartbreak ... a relative of a passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries after hearing the news that the plane plunged into Indian Ocean. Source: AFP

The news was greeted with an outpouring of grief by the relatives of passengers, whose agonising wait to find out what happened is now apparently over.

Relatives of Chinese passengers, who were the overwhelming majority of those on the plane, were called to a hotel near the airport in Beijing to hear the announcement. Afterward, they filed out of a conference room in heart-wrenching grief.

One woman collapsed and fell on her knees, crying "My son! My son!"

The overnight developments came after Prime Minster Tony Abbott announced that two "objects" were located by a RAAF P3 Orion in the search for MH370.

Mr Abbott told Parliament the first object was grey or green and circular and the second was orange and rectangular.

Distraught family members of those on board were being booked on charter flights to take them to Perth to be near the expected salvage operation.

Bearer of bad news ... Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after his press conference. Source: AFP

HMAS Success is in the vicinity of the possible debris, about 2500km southwest of Perth, and hopes to be there within hours to recover the objects.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority emergency response division general manager John Young said the P3 Orion had to leave before the HMAS Success arrived last night and it was possible the ship would have to wait until the first light of morning to find the objects.

MH370 WAS CO-PILOT'S FIRST 777 FLIGHT WITHOUT MINDER

"Relocation is proving difficult. That is partially a function of the poor visibility and the fact that the aircraft are a long way apart. It is quite difficult to get the next aircraft or the next ship into the spot to take over the watching where the object is because they are all at the end of their endurance and have to leave," he said.

"You may find that we will be doing this for maybe three or four more days before we are confident that we have either found all of the objects there, or if they are there we simply can't find them. And that's the plan."

Searching for answers ... HMAS Success is nearby and will be there within hours to recover the objects. Source: Supplied

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Transport Hishammuddin Hussein had told a media conference that the new items had not yet been identified or linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

"Two orange objects, approximately one metre in length, and one white-coloured drum were sighted by search aircraft, but remain unidentified and have not been conclusively linked to MH370," he said.

On the way ... the commanding officer of HMAS Success, Captain Allison Norris of the Royal Australian Navy. Source: AFP

"HMAS Success detected two radar targets within the search area but could not locate the targets on further investigation of the area.

"Earlier today a Chinese search plane reportedly sighted objects within the Australian search area. These objects are not in the vicinity of those that were identified by Australian authorities last week.

HMAS SUCCESS CAPTAIN STEERS SHIP THROUGH HOSTILE SEAS

"A few minutes ago the (Malaysian) Prime Minister received a call from the Prime Minister of Australia who informed him that an Australian search aircraft had located two objects in the Australian search area — one circular and one rectangular.

"HMAS Success is in the vicinity and it is possible that the objects could be received within the next few hours or by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Items located ... Malaysian PM Najib Razak takes the call from Tony Abbott. Source: Twitter

Mr Abbott said an RAAF P3 Orion located the two objects about 2.45pm AEDT.

The PM said a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also en route to the search area.

"I caution again ... that we don't know whether any of these objects are from MH370, they could be flotsam,'' he told Parliament.

"Nevertheless we are hopeful that we can recover these objects soon and they will take us a step closer to resolving this tragic mystery.''

On a mission ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott says a US Navy Poseidon, a second Australian Royal Australian Orion and a Japanese Orion are also on the way to the search area. Source: News Corp Australia

Hishammuddin said Malaysian police have interviewed over 100 people, including the families of both the pilot and co-pilot.

"As far as the transcript is concerned, the technical committee is considering releasing it and we will keep you informed about the decision," he said.

"The Inspector General of the Police will attend tomorrow's press conference to answer further questions on the investigation.

"We can also confirm that MH370 was carrying wooden pallets. However, there is as yet no evidence that these are related to the wooden pallets reportedly sighted in the Australian search area."

Hishammuddin said France has now provided two lots of images of potential debris from MH370.

EXPERTS SAY NEW FINDINGS 'COULD BE LIFE RAFTS'

Paul Edwards, former chief of staff of British Army Aviation, told Britain's Sky News the sightings were "quite significant".

"It is certainly encouraging because of the shape, because of the colour orange obviously, it could be from the aircraft.

"The good news is that the aircraft has spotted it and surface ships are in the area which means that quite quickly we're going to get an Australian warship alongside to get eyes on it, and actually identify it and — if it's small — fish it out of the sea. To me that's quite a significant development and very encouraging.

"(As it's only been) a short time, there's more chance of getting there and, crucially, actually identifying it."

Duty ... Leading Seaman Luke Horsburgh stands watch on the bridge of HMAS Success during the search for MH370. Source: AFP

Professor Chris Bellamy, from Britain's Greenwich Maritime Institute, said the orange items could possibly be life rafts.

"I'm afraid that doesn't give much hope that there will be anybody in the life rafts. If the plane broke up then the slides might have inflated automatically," he told Sky News UK.

"We're against the clock here because in the 16 or 17 days since the plane disappeared that stuff could have gone an awfully long way."

The development comes after Chinese aircrew earlier spotted objects in the search area off Perth.

Hunt for clues ... the families of Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and his co-pilot Fariq Hamad have been interviewed, say Malaysian officials. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube

The official Xinhua news agency said earlier on Monday that "white and square" objects were spotted by searchers on board a Chinese Ilyushin-76 plane, which was on its way back to Perth at the time of the sighting.

US Navy P8 Poseidon was unable to relocate the objects after it was tasked to investigate the reported sightings by the Chinese aircraft at 33,000ft.

At the request of the RAAF, one Australian pilot was on board the Chinese plane to join the search.

Chinese icebreaker Xuelong changed its course and was heading towards the area.

Multiple countries are now helping in the search with new satellite images pushing the Australian-led operation towards further areas of potential debris.

Civil and military aircraft from Australia, New Zealand, the US, China and Japan are all taking part in the massive hunt for the Malaysia Airlines plane, which disappeared more than 16 days ago with 239 people on board.

A new sighting ... by a Chinese aircrew today. Source: Supplied

READ MORE: MH370 GIRLFRIEND'S POIGNANT LOVE NOTES

READ MORE: WHY WON'T THEY RELEASE THE FULL CARGO LIST?

After a fruitless day of searching yesterday, satellite images from France provided some fresh impetus. They were reportedly taken on Friday although few details have been released.

"Malaysia received new satellite images from the French authorities showing potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor. Malaysia immediately relayed these images to the Australian rescue co-ordination centre," the transport ministry said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.

While the statement from Malaysia called the information "new satellite images'', France's Foreign Ministry said they were "radar echoes". It is thought the radar echoes — electronic signals — had been converted into fuzzy images.

PLANE FLEW AS LOW AS 3650 METRES BEFORE VANISHING

New evidence supports previous eyewitness accounts that the missing Malaysian airliner flew as low as 3650 metres over Malaysia before it vanished.

Military radar tracking showed the plane changed altitude after making a sharp turn over the South China Sea and headed back over the peninsula towards the Straits of Malacca, according to a source close to the investigation, CNN reports.

The Boeing 777 with 239 people on board flew as low as 3650 metres feet at some point before it disappeared from radar, according to the source.

Malaysian authorities have not confirmed the CNN report.

READ MORE: THE EU'S AIRLINE BLACKLIST

Dawn to dusk ... a P-3C Orion aircraft sits on the tarmac in Perth. Pic: Rob Griffith. Source: AP

'PALLET' MYSTERY

So far there has been nothing concrete found, only the grainy satellite images and a visual sighting of what appeared to be a wooden pallet which has yet to be located.

Authorities co-ordinating the search yesterday sent planes and a ship to try to "re-find'' the pallet that appeared to be surrounded by straps of varying lengths and colours.

It was seen Saturday by spotters on a search plane, but no images were captured of it and a military PC Orion military plane dispatched to locate it could not find it.

Objects ... satellite imagery from AMSA. Source: Supplied

"That's the nature of it,'' AMSA aircraft operations co-ordinator Mike Barton said. "You only have to be off by a few hundred metres in a fast-travelling aircraft.''

AMSA said the aircraft that spotted the pallet was unable to take photos of it.

READ MORE: WHEN TRAGEDY TURNS TO GRIM ROUTINE

"We went to some of the expert airlines and the use of wooden pallets is quite common in the industry,'' Mr Barton said. "They're usually packed into another container, which is loaded in the belly of the aircraft ... It's a possible lead, but we will need to be very certain that this is a pallet because pallets are used in the shipping industry as well."

More data ... the Chinese satellite image. Source: Supplied

During a visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters the satellite images were good leads but it was "still too early to be definite".

"But obviously we have now had a number of very credible leads and there is increasing hope — no more than hope, no more than hope — that we might be on the road to discovering what did happen to this ill-fated aircraft," he said.

LARGE FLOATING OBJECTS

On Saturday it was revealed that a Chinese satellite had picked up what appeared to be a floating object, about 22.5 metres by 13 metres. It was seen about 120km from the position where an Australian satellite image showed what also appeared to be debris of about 24 metres in length.

On the lookout ... Japan's P-3C Orion arrives to help in the search. Pic: Jason Reed. Source: AP

One of the objects located by the French satellite on Friday was estimated to be about the same size as the object captured by the Chinese satellite (22 metres by 13 metres), according to a Malaysian official, who declined to be identified because he isn't authorised to speak to the media.

It was not possible to determine precise dimensions from the French data, the official said.

The Australian image was taken on March 16 and the Chinese image was taken on March 18.

Authorities have not yet officially revealed what date the French image was taken or what it showed.

First light ... a Japanese P-3C Orion readies to join the search. Source: AP

The southern Indian Ocean is thought to be a potential area to find the jet because Malaysian authorities have said pings sent by the Boeing 777-200 for several hours after it disappeared indicated that the plane ended up in one of two huge arcs: a northern corridor stretching from Malaysia to Central Asia, or a southern corridor that stretches toward Antarctica.

Malaysian authorities have not ruled out any possible explanation for what happened to the jet, but have said the evidence so far suggests it was deliberately turned back across Malaysia to the Strait of Malacca, with its communications systems disabled.

They are unsure what happened next.

Prayers ... an electronic billboard in Kuala Lumpur shows a message for MH370. Source: Getty Images

'MYSTERY CALL' DENIED

Malaysian police have denied that a mystery phone call was made to Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the pilot of the missing plane.

It was reported earlier that a mystery woman called the captain before takeoff, raising fears about his motives.

The Mail Online reported that the captain's phone records revealed he took a two-minute phone call from a woman using a mobile phone number obtained under a false identity.

But Assistant Commissioner Datin Asmawati Ahmad dismissed the report as "mere speculations".

Family man ... Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah with his family. Pic: YouTube. Source: Supplied

"Please be advised that the Royal Malaysia Police take no responsibility over the dissemination of such information which originates from unnamed and unverified sources. The news in the tabloid are mere speculations," Asst Comm Ahmad said in a statement.

"We would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that the news was picked up from a foreign tabloid which has no exclusive rights to the details of our investigations.

"Secondly the IGP has never issued any public statement that categorically places the MH370 investigation under an act of terrorism."

In the spotlight ... acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Pic: Joshua Paul. Source: AP

RELATIVES STILL FURIOUS

Earlier in Beijing, a Malaysian Government team had spent a marathon six hours briefing relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers who were on the plane. It was the third meeting and comes after criticism by Chinese relatives that they were being kept in the dark about the search.

"The government wishes to reiterate its commitment and continued engagement with the relatives of those on board MH370," the Transport Ministry said.

Some relatives were still dissatisfied, however.

"I'm so furious,'' said one woman after the meeting in Beijing. "I watch the television every day. Very often I feel like I'm about to go insane. My emotions are all over the place. I asked the Malaysians to give the answers and they said they couldn't."

This weekend's Formula One grand prix in Malaysia is also causing problems, with relatives of passengers on the missing flight forced to move hotels.

Prayers ... messages of support in Kuala Lumpur. Source: Getty Images

The Italian Ferrari team has had a long-held booking at the Cyberview Resort and Spa in Kuala Lumpur.

Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone told NBC: "I feel terribly, terribly sorry for these people. But it is up to the hotel. What would happen if you told somebody that they no longer had a booking? You would get sued, I'd imagine."

The relatives will be put up at a new hotel as the search continues. Several foreign officials, investigators and journalists are also being forced to move.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

No taxpayer lifeline for troubled Qantas

Tony Abbott has announced that the Government will not play favourites with Qantas and give everyone a fair go.

THE Abbott Government has refused to offer a taxpayer lifeline for struggling airline Qantas and will instead push ahead with new laws which could see Australian jobs go offshore.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he "did not believe in government by chequebook'' as he rejected Qantas' plea for a debt guarantee, which the Government estimated could leave taxpayers liable for as much as $7 billion.

MORE: 'NO GOVERNMENT BY CHEQUE BOOK'

Instead, the Government will seek to open up the airline to foreign ownership, with laws to repeal parts of the Qantas Sale Act to remove the requirement the national carrier stay in Australian hands.

Tony Abbott with Warren Truss and Treasurer Joe Hockey announced their decision on Qantas. Source: News Corp Australia

"Just because a business in not wholly owned by Australians doesn't mean that it is not in a real sense an Australia business,'' Mr Abbott said after a two-hour Cabinet meeting.

MCCRANN: QANTAS SHOULD BE ON LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD WITH VIRGIN

BUSINESS: FLYING KANGAROO BACK IN MARKET SPOTLIGHT

Qantas said last night that the removal of foreign ownership provisions were an "important long-term objective'' but the airline needed immediate Government action to compete with its foreign-owned rival Virgin Australia.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott outlines the removal of part three of the sale act in relation to Qantas and it's future survival.

Qantas executive manager of corporate affairs Andrew McGinnes said: "If this proposal by the Government to change the Qantas Sale Act is not passed, we would expect the Government and the Parliament to consider alternative measures to balance the unlevel playing field in Australian aviation.''

Since announcing a $252 million half-year loss and plans to cut 5000 jobs last week, CEO Alan Joyce has repeatedly said the airline did not need a change to the Act in the short-term, but a Government guarantee.

The Government will make changes to parts of Qantas Sale Act. Source: Getty Images

And with Labor, the Greens and the Palmer United Party all opposed to it, the future of Qantas may be headed for a parliamentary stalemate.

MORE: ABBOTT AGAINST DEBT GUARANTEE

READ: QANTAS ANNOUNCES JOB CUTS, SELLING ITS MELBOURNE AIRPORT TERMINAL

Mr Abbott rebuked the airline last night, saying: "I think what Qantas would like most of all is for the Government to play favourites.'' He also praised Qantas' archrival Virgin, saying it was considered an Australian company, despite being foreign-owned.

He confirmed that the changes could see more Qantas jobs lost from Australia.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. Source: Supplied

"If some jobs have to go offshore in order to ensure Qantas has a strong and viable long-term future, it may be regrettable but nevertheless it is the best way to guarantee Australian jobs in the long run,'' Mr Abbott said.

He confirmed that the changes may require Qantas to split its international and domestic businesses, as Virgin Australia has, in order to meet operating requirements under the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Air Navigation Act.

Mr Abbott sought to put political pressure on the Labor Party, calling on it to abandon its objections to Qantas falling into foreign hands.

Qantas has earlier announced huge losses and 5000 job cuts. Source: News Corp Australia

"It is incumbent upon serious people in this Parliament to give us a way forward, and the only way that Labor is really offering is basically offering to get out the cheque-book,'' Mr Abbott said.

But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was resolute last night, saying: "We will fight to keep Qantas Australian." Labor would not back any move to take Qantas out of Australian majority ownership.

Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt also restated his party's opposition to the plans saying: "Tony Abbott is out to kill Qantas as our national carrier".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott outlines the removal of part three of the sale act in relation to Qantas and it's future survival.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Avatar could care for elderly

Feeling blue ... An avatar, probably less dramatic in look than Avatar's Neytiri and Jake, could help the elderly to continue living in their homes. Source: AP

AN INTELLIGENT avatar which would detect whether people are in pain and alert the emergency services could help the elderly remain independent and in their own homes.

The avatar could appear as a figure on a television screen, a tablet computer or as a hologram, according to the University of Kent, which is taking a leading role in the project to support the UK's ageing population.

It could then be used to monitor heart rate and blood pressure, remind people to take medication and it would know if someone had fallen over or was in pain, alerting the doctor or the emergency services, a university spokesman said.

The avatar would be able to analyse the person's speech, movement and facial expression to detect their mood and respond accordingly.

The system would not need computer literacy and would be no more challenging to operate than switching on a television, the spokesman said.

The project, known as Responsive InTeractive Advocate (RITA), is being headed by Kent's Centre for Child Protection and has won a share of 2.4 million pounds ($4.5 million) in funding from the UK's Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

The RITA project is one of six aimed at developing new cost-effective ways of helping elderly people to continue to live comfortably and independently in their own homes.

Kent is working with the University of Portsmouth, which will focus on developing the interactive avatar, while Winchester-based Affective State will work on sensing and forecasting emotional wellbeing and Glasgow-based We Are Snook will focus on the user experience design.

Dr Jane Reeves, co-director of the Centre for Child Protection, said: "There is a major debate about how we provide care for vulnerable people across all age groups and this project is seeking to meet one of our biggest challenges, which is ensuring older adults can remain independent for as long as possible.

"Although this project is at an early stage, with a number of technical, moral and ethical issues to be addressed, the development of RITA in the form of a humanised avatar could revolutionise how an individual's personal, social emotional and intellectual needs are met in the future.

"RITA would exist as a digital champion, an advocate in the form of an avatar, providing a friendly interface between the individual, family, friends, professions and services."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More