MH370 Relatives In Death Certificate Fury

Relatives of flight MH370 passengers have expressed outrage after the Malaysian government suggested it was considering issuing death certificates for those on board the missing flight.

"We, the families of MH370, believe that until they have conclusive proof that the plane crashed with no survivors, they have no right to attempt to settle this case with the issuance of death certificates and final payoffs," said the statement from the United Families of MH370 group.

The statement, given in response to a briefing on Sunday from Malaysian officials, also called for a review of satellite data which, Malaysia says, indicates the plane probably crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

A South Korean aircraft takes off from Australia in the continuing search

Relatives have repeatedly accused the government and national airline of botching a response to the plane's disappearance and of withholding information.

They accuse Malaysian authorities of playing an agonising "cat-and-mouse game" over the fate of their loved ones.

"WE ARE IN UTTER OUTRAGE, DESPAIR AND SHOCK!" their statement said, in bold caps.

An unmanned mini-sub has already been sent down

The Boeing 777 went missing with 239 people aboard on March 8, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Malaysia, which denies it is withholding information, says satellite data indicates the plane crashed in the remote Indian Ocean although, despite an intensive multi-nation sea search, no evidence has been found.

Some relatives have repeatedly said they are unconvinced by Malaysia's conclusions on the data analysis, performed by British satellite communications firm Inmarsat, and want hard evidence to corroborate the claims.

"They have failed to share why they would accept a single source (Inmarsat) for analysis utilising a never-before-attempted method, as their sole grounds for determining that the plane is under the water and all lives lost," the families said.

A man whose son was on the flight cries as he asks a question

In the Sunday meeting, "not a single one of our questions was answered," it added.

The statement said the group had asked for an independent peer review, but that the request had been rejected because of data protection rules.

A public opinion poll published last week found that more than half of Malaysians believe their scandal-prone government - which has controlled the country for 57 years - is hiding the full truth about the plane's disappearance.

Meanwhile, an aerial search for the missing plane has been suspended because of a tropical cyclone.

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Holland Boss Favourite To Fill United Hot Seat

Holland boss Louis van Gaal is runaway favourite to replace David Moyes as Manchester United manager.

Sky Bet ranks the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager as 5/4 to become the next permanent manager of the troubled champions.

He is followed by Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp at 9/1, Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs at 10/1, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone 16/1.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season, is joint fifth-favourite at 22/1.

Any move for Van Gaal would be complicated by his commitment to the Netherlands for the World Cup in Brazil - which could keep him tied up until after July 13 if they make it to the final.

Meanwhile Klopp, 46, has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to Dortmund and recently signed a contract extension - but he has had to deal with the frustration of seeing his best talent poached by rivals Bayern Munich.

Giggs has taken over until the end of the season, but it would be a gamble to give such a high profile job to a player with no managerial experience.

Carlos Quieroz, Sir Alex's former assistant at Old Trafford, was once seen as a possible heir to the United hot seat.

He is currently in charge of the Iranian national side, and is also 22/1 to replace Moyes.

Pep Guardiola is currently at fairly long odds of 25/1 – partly due to a successful first season at Bayern Munich's helm.

Speculation in Italy suggests United have already made initial contact with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, through his agent, Jorge Mendes.

He was widely thought to have been keen to take over from Sir Alex last summer, but returned to Chelsea after Moyes was appointed.

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Nigel Farage: UKIP Policies Not Racist

Nigel Farage has rejected claims that UKIP's policies heading into the European elections are racist.

The UKIP leader launched his party's election drive in Sheffield on Tuesday afternoon, amid controversy over their campaign posters.

Labour MP Mike Gapes said one of the posters - which implied 26 million Europeans were after British jobs - was "racist".

But asked whether giving British workers preferential treatment was indeed racist, Mr Farage told Sky News: "I think it's the job of the Government to make sure it puts British people and their interests first, yes. Of that there is no question.

"I don't think it can be deemed racist in any way.

"We've never in our history had a complete open door, and now we have one to 485 million people.

One of the controversial UKIP posters

"I don't think we should have a complete open door to the labour market in this country from the European Union."

Speaking earlier to launch the campaign, Mr Farage predicted an "earthquake in British politics" when voters take to the polls in the European elections on May 22.

The Eurosceptic leader declared: "I think we will win."

"These are the most important European elections that have ever been fought in this country," he told the gathered crowd.

"We've got a chance four and a half weeks from now to cause such a shock in the British political system that it will be nothing short of an earthquake.

"If UKIP wins these elections, a referendum and a chance to get back control of our country will be one massive, massive step closer."

Mr Farage stood on an election van - which carried one of the controversial posters - and told reporters UKIP were mounting their "biggest and most professional campaign" ever.

Nigel Farage launches his party's campaign in Sheffield

UKIP donor Paul Sykes - who used to help finance the Tories - also attended the launch.

He had a heated exchange with a journalist who asked how much money he'd spent on the campaign.

"I haven't stopped spending yet," he said, before turning questioner himself. "How much do you think self-governance of this country is worth?"

Pressed again, Mr Sykes offered an approximate figure of £1.2m or £1.4m.

Labour Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Jim Murphy, believes the media are placing too much emphasis on UKIP's advertising campaign.

He told Sky News: "Unfortunately, and understandably perhaps, the media's attention will be on posters rather than UKIP's manifesto, because while these posters are certainly controversial and play upon people's worst fears, the real worry about UKIP is the detail of their policies."

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Coulson Denies Hearing Sienna Message To Craig

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has told the hacking trial he was never played a voicemail left on Daniel Craig's phone by Sienna Miller, which exposed the actors were having an affair.

Coulson, also a former Number 10 spin doctor, denied the allegations made by former NOTW journalist Dan Evans that he was present when a tape of the message left on the James Bond star's phone was played.

Giving evidence in his defence for a fourth day in the Old Bailey trial, Coulson said he was not even in the office on the day Evans claimed he played the tape, referring to his diary on the September 27, 2005, that showed he was instead at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

James Bond star Daniel Craig

Coulson also said he believed information on the Miller-Craig affair may have come from Miller's mother.

He added: "People in and around celebrities - their relatives, their agents, their PRs - will talk to newspapers."

He said he had asked staff working on the story not to refer to Miller's then-boyfriend Jude Law as either a "sex addict" or a "love rat" in copy due to the paper's relationship with sources in his camp.

Coulson said he also believed Law was aware that some of those close to him were talking to the media.

Sienna Miller had left a voicemail on the star's phone

Their identities were not disclosed in court, but it has already been reported that a relative of Law had been supplying information about him.

Evans has already admitted hacking phones while working at the News of World, claiming it was the main reason he was recruited in January 2005.

Evans, 38, has also claimed that Coulson knew about his activities and told him a voicemail he taped from Miller to Craig exposing their alleged affair was "brilliant".

Coulson said he could not remember having any specific dealings with Evans after his recruitment but said they may have spoken.

Miller and her then-boyfriend Law in 2003

He told the court: "I am sure we would have spoken to each other.

"If a new member of staff arrives I would normally make the point of saying hello and having a chat with them.

"I am sure that happened, but none (conversations) stick in my memory."

Coulson, 46, of Charing, Kent, is charged with conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner, and conspiring with former Royal editor Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in a public office.

All seven defendants deny all charges against them.

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Ferry Disaster: Boy Was First To Raise Alarm

The first person to raise the alarm about the sinking South Korean ferry was a child who called a fire station three minutes after the boat made its final turn.

The boy's call was forwarded to the coastguard two minutes later and was followed by another 20 messages from children on board.

A fire official said the caller's voice sounded shaky and it took a while to identify the ship as the Sewol as the boy was panicking.

"Save us! We're on a ship and I think it's sinking," Yonhap news agency quoted him as saying.

The boy who made the call is among the missing. 

Nearly 200 people are still missing

The fire station official asked him to switch the phone to the captain, and the boy replied: "Do you mean teacher?"

The pronunciation of the words for "captain" and "teacher" is similar in Korean.

Officials say the confirmed death toll has reached 104, with nearly 200 people still missing.

Of the 476 passengers and crew on board, 339 were children and teachers on a school outing to the resort island of Jeju.

Meanwhile, one of the crew members arrested over the disaster said they had tried to launch the lifeboats, but could not due to the tilt of the ship.

Lee seen in a promotional video in 2010

Media reports have also claimed crew members tried to contact officers on the bridge around half an hour after the ferry began listing to ask if they should give the order to abandon ship - but there was no reply.

Public broadcaster KBS quoted one as saying: "At the time, we could not confirm what the situation was on the bridge.

"We kept trying to find out but ... since there was no instruction coming from the bridge, the crew on the third floor followed the instructions on the manual and kept making 'stay where you are' announcements - at least three times."

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye has said the captain and some crew members of the sunken ferry committed "unforgivable, murderous acts" in the disaster.

Lee was arrested on Saturday along with a helmsman and the ship's relatively inexperienced third officer, who was in charge of the bridge when disaster struck.

He has been charged with negligence and failing to secure the safety of the passengers.

Senior prosecutor Ahn Sang-don has said four more crew members - two first mates, one second mate and a chief engineer - have been detained on allegations of failing to protect passengers and abandoning ship.

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Keeping Moyes 'A Bigger Gamble Than Hiring Him'

David Moyes lost the faith of Manchester United's owners the Glazer family, and with it his job, because sticking with him represented a bigger gamble than hiring him in the first place.

Moyes was hired, exclusively on the advice of his compatriot Sir Alex Ferguson, with what now looks like negligent haste. The Glazer family chose to ignore the claims of other candidates, including Jose Mourinho, to give Ferguson's protege a six-year contract.

If that was a risk it was as a calculated one. Moyes' 10 years at Everton did not yield a trophy but they did merit respect, and a chance to prove he could step up to the very highest level.

The answer, after nine months and two transfer windows, was a resounding "no".

Malcolm Glazer appears to have lost patience with Moyes

Moyes is a fine manager and a decent man but he seemed overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge. Where once he was certain, he second-guessed. Having run Everton in his own image, at United he could not escape his predecessor's shadow.

It left the Glazers with an even bigger decision than the one they faced last summer.

It is beyond question that United's squad needs a fundamental overhaul. It is a £150m project that will set the foundations for the next three to five years.

So the question for Old Trafford's Floridian absentee landlords was whether to trust it to a man struggling with the demands of the job, amid growing hostility from some players and colleagues.

There have been reports of poor relations with legends Giggs and Scholes

Friction with senior figures including Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, and disaffection from players such as Danny Welbeck offered them little comfort, and humiliating defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City chipped away at Moyes' credibility.

Despite this the Glazers were still looking hard for evidence that he could be trusted with the club's future on and off the field. They appear to have found none.

There is simply too much risk for owners who need success to drive the commercial performance that pays the interest on the loans with which they bought the club. Ferguson guaranteed that. The only guarantee with Moyes is uncertainty.

So after nine years of stability under Sir Alex, the Glazers are searching for their second manager in nine months. They can ill-afford to get it wrong again. Expect the new man to have Champions League experience and an international profile.

Ferguson chose Moyes - but that appears to have been a mistake

The new coach will also mark a new era.

When Ferguson recommended Moyes he was promoting a principle as well as a pal. In his fellow Glaswegian he saw a man who would maintain the values he instilled, the commitment to the long-term and developing their own talent.

That idea of United as a special club, one that does not panic, sack its manager and buy its way out of trouble, may die with Moyes' departure.

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Aberdeen Boy Burned In 'Petrol Game' Dies

A seven-year-old boy who was badly burned in an Aberdeen street last week has died in hospital.

Preston Flores is believed to have suffered 80% burns after he was set on fire while playing a game with friends in Bedford Avenue around 2pm on Good Friday.

In a statement released through police, his mother, Luisza, said: "Preston's family want to inform the public that their precious little boy has passed away and is at rest.

"He meant the world to his family and will always be deeply missed and loved.

"Preston was a special little boy and his loss has ripped our family apart."

The statement added: "On behalf of our family I would like to thank everyone for their support but would ask that we are now allowed to grieve in peace for Preston."

Preston and other children are believed to have taken a petrol can from the back of a van shortly before the fire started, according to local newspaper The Press and Journal.

One relative told the Daily Record that Preston had been "mucking about" with mates before his clothes caught fire.

A police spokesman confirmed petrol was involved but said there was no evidence to suggest the "tragic incident" was a deliberate act.

Preston and his friends were playing on Bedford Avenue

Witnesses described hearing screams and said the youngster's clothes stuck to his body as neighbours tried to douse the flames.

Preston was initially taken to the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital but was moved to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where he died.

Preston attended Sunnybank School. Its acting headteacher Michelle McKay said: "Preston was a lively and competitive little boy who loved football, PE and all sorts of outdoor activities, as well as board games, baking and building with Lego.

"He was a fun-loving boy with a great sense of humour and lots of friends.

"He loved his family too, and was always sharing with us the latest news about his new baby brother.

"This is a tragic time for his family, for the school and for everyone connected to it. We are all so saddened by what has happened.

"This is a strong and close-knit community, however, and so we are all supporting each other and I am sure that, together, we will find ways of coming to terms with our loss."

Detective Inspector Lorna Ferguson, of Police Scotland, said: "Our thoughts are with Preston's family, friends and the Bedford community at this sad time."

A report into the tragedy will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course as is usual procedure.

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David Moyes Sacked As Manchester United Boss

David Moyes has been sacked as Manchester United manager, with Ryan Giggs taking over until the end of the season.

A statement on the club's website said: "Manchester United has announced that David Moyes has left the club.

Manchester United veteran Giggs will take the reins for the remaining games

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

Shortly after, it released another statement, saying: "Ryan Giggs, the club's most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made."

Moyes was informed of the decision to let him go this morning at the club's Carrington training ground, said Sky's Paul Kelso.

Chief executive Ed Woodward is said to have told Moyes the news face to face.

Manchester United shares rose 5% on the New York Stock Exchange during the first few hours of trading today.

Speculation over the sacking started yesterday, after United's 2-0 weekend defeat to Moyes' former club Everton.

Van Gaal (L) and Jurgen Klopp are among favourites to take over

The result left the champions in seventh place and made it impossible for them to qualify for next season's Champions League for the first time since 1995.

The team has lost 11 times this season, six at home, and also endured defeats to bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

There has reportedly been discontent among some of the club's top players during Moyes' time at Old Trafford.

Moyes' tenure fell well short of fans' early expectations

Moyes was handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson after 11 years at Everton where he guided the team to five top-six finishes.

The 50-year-old 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.

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville - whose brother Phil was part of Moyes' backroom staff - told Sky he thought the manager should have been given more time, but admitted the club's form had taken a nose dive.

"The results have been poor," said Neville.

"As a fan, I haven't enjoyed watching it.

Nail in the coffin? Moyes' team lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday

"The performances have got worse and worse. There was a little bit of a pick-me-up at Christmas where you thought there might be a little bit of a run.

"But in the last month or two the performances have deteriorated - Olympiakos, Liverpool and the Everton one were particular low points."

Dwight Yorke, part of United's 1999 treble winning side, also told Sky Sports that Moyes had been a "huge disappointment".

Ex-England striker Gary Lineker posted on Twitter: "Wish David Moyes all the very best. He's a good man and a good manager, just not the right fit for Manchester United."

Favourites to replace the Scot include Louis van Gaal, manager of the Dutch national side, and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp.

Diego Simeone is also in the frame after a successful season at Athletico Madrid.

But it is Old Trafford legend Giggs who will look to steady the ship for the remaining four games of the season.

The club'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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William and Kate Battle Heat And Flies At Uluru

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited the Red Centre of Australia, battling the heat and flies to see the famous landmark Uluru for themselves.

The giant red sandstone rock, two miles long and a mile wide and previously known as Ayers Rock, is a must-see tourist destination in the middle of the harsh outback environment.

William and Kate walked up to the landmark and were given a guided tour where they were told the Aboriginal stories connected with it that have been passed down through generations.

The Royal couple earlier visited the National Indigenous Training Academy, where they handed certificates to young Aboriginal students.

The Royals gave out certificates at an indigenous training academy

Among them Bindi MacPherson, who has just passed a course in painting and decorating, chatted with the Duchess.

She said: "Kate noticed I was wearing my decorator's gear, which was because I'd just come from a job, and I said, 'if you need the nursery redecorating I know a good painter!'"

The Cambridges also watched traditional dancing, while the owners of Uluru, the Anangu, sang and beat clapping sticks.

The Royal couple were later given a basket of paper paintings made from the droppings of a mala - a type of small wallaby - and a carved wooden shield.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Uluru in 1983

Then there was a photo opportunity in front of the rock, reminiscent of the pictures taken of Charles and Diana when they visited in 1983.

A schoolgirl who was lucky enough to witness the photo session joked about the flies that plague anything that moves.

The girl said: "You were both like magic when the photos were being taken. I was like 'How are they not swatting flies away?'"

Kate laughed: "I know. It was difficult", while William added: "They were all coming for us."

Afterwards the couple stood and watched as the sun set over Uluru, the colours and shadows constantly changing as the light faded.

Chief Minister for the Northern Territory Adam Giles said the whole region was "pumped" that the young couple had included the remote outback area on their itinerary.

Kate swats a fly as the couple are given a spear

"We've got schoolkids who've travelled long and far to see the Royals," he told Sky News.

The couple travelled without nine-month-old George to the dry 31C (88F) heat of the central desert region.

When some schoolgirls asked Kate and William about their son, they said he had changed a lot while they had been away, with the Duke admitting he was not looking forward to the long flight home.

"He can get a bit grumpy on the long flights," he said.

The couple will spend Tuesday night in a luxury outback retreat before heading to Adelaide on Wednesday.

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Biden: 'Ukraine Must Remain One Country'

Vice President Joe Biden has reiterated US support for a unified Ukraine during a meeting with MPs in Kiev.

Mr Biden addressed politicians at the Ukraine parliament in a show of support for the interim government and announced new technical support measures for the government on energy and economic reforms.

He also warned Russia against further provocative action after an agreement in Geneva last week.

"There are some who are trying to pull Ukraine apart. Ukraine is in a struggle for its very future," he said.

"Ukraine is and must remain one country - one united Ukraine.

Mr Biden also met with interim president Oleksander Turchynov

"No nation has the right to simply grab land from another nation. We will never recognise Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and neither will the world.

"More provocative behaviour by Russia will lead to more costs and greater isolation."

Not long after he made speech, a Ukrainian military surveillance plane flying over the rebel-held town of Slavyansk, in eastern Ukraine, was hit by small arms fire.

The propellor-driven aircraft, which was on a reconnaissance flight, was damaged but managed to make an emergency landing, allowing crew members to escape injury.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said Russian special forces were operating in eastern Ukraine and urged Russia to withdraw troops in Crimea to "turn this shameful page".

A pro-Russian separatist guards the security service building in Slovyansk

Among the new support measures announced by Mr Biden was an additional $50m (£39m) for political and economic reforms, and another $8m (£4.75m) for non-lethal aid to Ukraine including vehicles and radios.

US experts will also work on reducing Ukraine's dependence on Russian gas as well as fighting corruption.

Mr Biden also called on Russia to withdraw troops from its borders with Ukraine and to "stop talking and start acting" on the surrender of militants in the east of the country.

His visit comes as pro-Russian separatists show no sign of surrendering government buildings seized in the predominantly Russian speaking east.

US and EU officials have said they will impose new economic sanctions on Moscow if the separatists do not leave the premises seized during the last two weeks.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will discuss the Ukraine crisis and EU reform during a meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy later on Tuesday.

On Monday, a spokeswoman for US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "If they don't take steps in the coming days, there'll be consequences"

But Russia hit back, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov calling for the US to "pressure Kiev to stop hotheads from provoking a bloody conflict and to encourage the Ukrainian authorities to strictly fulfil their obligations".

Visa bans and asset freezes on key Russian figures have already been imposed after Moscow's action in Ukraine last month.

On Easter Sunday, at least three people were killed at a checkpoint manned by armed separatists, with Russia blaming Ukrainian nationalist group Right Sector.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has deployed around 100 mediators in Ukraine to monitor the situation in the east of the country.

So far the separatists have refused to relinquish control of buildings.

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