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China 'extremely worried' over missing passengers
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told reporters in Beijing that China was "extremely worried" about the fate of those on board a missing Malaysian Airlines aircraft.
According to state news agency Xinhua, he said: "This morning, we got some very worrying news, a Malaysian airliner en route to China lost contact, we are very worried, I hope everyone is safe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies concerned have launched an emergency operation."
Chinese relatives of passengers angrily accused the airline of keeping them in the dark, while state media criticised the carrier's response as poor.
Women's Day graffiti mural hopes to break record
A team of women artists hope they have spray-painted their way into the record books.
As part of global events marking International Women's Day, up to 106 people aimed to create the largest spray-paint mural by multiple artists in a tunnel in Waterloo, south east London.
They are still waiting for confirmation that their efforts have clinched the Guinness World Record.
Organiser Rosalia Ferrara said the newly-transformed Leake Street Tunnel, which was first covered in bubblegum pink paint as a backdrop, "is looking amazing".
The participants created a series of images on the theme of "It's is a woman's world" which were then linked together as a mural.
The artists, who come from Britain and abroad, each paid a £2.50 registration fee to take part in the record attempt. All the money, including the cash donated throughout the day, is going to Breast Cancer Care.
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Missing jet 'had no technical issues' ten days ago
A Malaysian Airlines flight that went missing early this morning is reported to have had no technical issues during its regular check ten days ago, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said.
The airline held a press conference in Beijing today over the missing aircraft, which had 239 people on board.
No technical problems found in regular check of the missing Boeing 777-200 aircraft ten days ago, Malaysia Airlines' spokesman says
Microblog: Malaysia Airlines hold press conference in Beijing on missing flight http://t.co/9YcI3lnpPd
A working group of the Malaysia Airlines arrives in Beijing to handle the missing of flight MH370
The counter-revolution of the Babushkas
by Eric Fux, ITV News cameraman
Eastern Ukraine's Babuchkas, older women who have worked hard to raise families, are said to be the real power in these parts of the world.
Read the full storyReferendum plans 'a violation of Ukraine's constitution'
US and EU leaders have rejected a proposed referendum in Ukraine's eastern region of Crimea, after Russia called for the Crimean people to decide whether they want to leave Ukraine or become part of the Russian federation. In a statement issued by the White House:
All of the leaders agreed on the need for Russia to pull its military forces back to their bases, allow for the deployment of international observers [...] agree quickly on the formation of a contact group that could lead to direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to de-escalate the situation and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The leaders rejected the proposed referendum in Crimea as a violation of Ukraine’s constitution and underscored that all decisions about the future of Ukraine must include the government in Kyiv.
Read: International community condemns 'illegal' Crimean referendum
Airline to fly out family members of missing passengers
Malaysia Airlines has said it will fly out family members of passengers and crew, who were on board a flight that went missing early this morning.
In a statement on their website, Malaysia Airlines said:
An international search and rescue mission from Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam was mobilized this morning. At this stage, they have failed to find evidence of any wreckage. The sea mission will continue overnight while the air mission will recommence at daylight.
Immediate families of passengers are advised to gather at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Travel arrangements and expenses will be borne by Malaysia Airlines. Once, the whereabouts of the aircraft is determined, Malaysia Airlines will fly members of the family to the location.
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US warns Crimea annexation would 'close diplomacy'
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that any steps taken by Russia to annex Ukraine's eastern region of Crimea, would close the door to diplomacy, according to Reuters.
Mr Kerry urged the "utmost restraint" by Russia in Ukraine.
Read: Russia warns sanctions 'would hit US like boomerang'
Read: Cold War returns with a vengeance in Washington
Read: Obama orders sanctions on those responsible for crisis
Z-Cars actor Jimmy Ellis dies aged 82
Actor James "Jimmy" Ellis, who played Bert Lynch in Z-Cars, has died, the BBC has reported.
The Belfast-born actor was 82 and died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early today.
Ellis became a familiar face through his role in the BBC police drama, which was a household favourite from 1962 to 1978.
He played alongside a young Kenneth Branagh in BBC Northern Ireland's series of "Billy" plays and also starred in programmes such as Doctor Who, In Sickness And In Health, Ballykissangel and Only Fools And Horses.
MPs urge parliamentary inquiry into radiation leak
Opposition politicians have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the handling of a radiation leak at a nuclear test reactor.
Public confidence has been damaged by the incident at the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment in Dounreay, Caithness, according to shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker and shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran.
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond revealed details of a small internal leak of radiation on Thursday as he announced that the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard is to have its reactor refuelled at a cost of £120 million.
Mr Coaker and Ms Curran said there were "significant questions" about the handling of the incident, particularly the two-year delay in making it public.
Obama reaffirms 'unwavering commitment' to defence
President Obama reaffirmed the US's "unwavering commitment" to NATO defence, during a call with Baltic leaders, the White House said in a statement.
"The President reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to our collective defense commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty and our enduring support for the security and democracy of our Baltic allies," the White House added.
Mr Obama spoke with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Latvian President Andris Berzins, and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
